Metabolic plasticity sustains the robustness of Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis.

Embryogenesis is highly dependent on maternally loaded materials, particularly those used for energy production. Different environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds shape embryogenesis. The robustness of embryogenesis in response to extrinsic and intrinsic changes remains incompletely understood. By analyzing the levels of two major nutrients, glycogen and neutral lipids, we discovered stage-dependent usage of these two nutrients along with mitochondrial morphology changes during Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis. ATGL, the rate-limiting lipase in cellular lipolysis, is expressed and required in the hypodermis to regulate mitochondrial function and support embryogenesis. The embryonic lethality of atgl-1 mutants can be suppressed by reducing sinh-1/age-1-akt signaling, likely through modulating glucose metabolism to maintain sustainable glucose consumption. The embryonic lethality of atgl-1(xd314) is also affected by parental nutrition. Parental glucose and oleic acid supplements promote glycogen storage in atgl-1(xd314) embryos to compensate for the impaired lipolysis. The rescue by parental vitamin B12 supplement is likely through enhancing mitochondrial function in atgl-1 mutants. These findings reveal that metabolic plasticity contributes to the robustness of C. elegans embryogenesis.

Visual Endoscopic Retrograde Appendicitis Therapy versus Antibiotic Therapy for Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Visual endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (V-ERAT) involves a Single-use Video Scope, allowing real-time visualization of the appendiceal lumen during the procedure to treat uncomplicated acute appendicitis (AA). This study aims to compare V-ERAT to antibiotic therapy in treating uncomplicated AA. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted at nine hospitals in China from August 2021 to July 2023. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias. A total of 692 uncomplicated AA patients were included, with 188 undergoing V-ERAT and 504 receiving antibiotic therapy. The primary outcome was treatment success rate. The secondary outcomes included recurrent appendicitis rate, the appendectomy rate during the initial hospitalization, length of initial hospitalization, time to disease recurrence, and overall adverse events. RESULTS: The treatment success rate did not differ between the V-ERAT and antibiotic groups (93.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 89.1% to 96.7% vs. 90.5%; 95% CI, 87.6% to 92.9%) ( P = 0.225). However, V-ERAT demonstrated a significantly lower risk of appendicitis recurrence compared to antibiotic therapy during the follow-up (log-rank P < 0.001), with a hazard ratio of 0.14 (95% CI 0.07-0.29, P < 0.001). V-ERAT was associated with a lower appendectomy rate during the initial hospitalization (4.3%; 95% CI, 1.9% to 8.2% vs. 9.5%; 95% CI, 7.1 to 12.4%) (P = 0.027), a shorter length of initial hospitalization (3 [IQR, 3-4] vs. 4 [IQR, 4-6] days, P < 0.001), and a longer time to recurrence (269 [IQR, 210-318] vs. 70 [IQR, 21-103] days, P < 0.001). The overall adverse event rates did not differ between the two groups (log-rank P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: V-ERAT appears to be a safe and effective alternative to antibiotic therapy in treating uncomplicated AA, significantly reducing the risk of appendicitis recurrence.

Hypermethylation of the glutathione peroxidase 4 gene promoter is associated with the occurrence of immune tolerance phase in chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem that seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) in the occurrence and development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: A total of 169 participants including 137 patients with CHB and 32 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. We detected the expression of GPX4 and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The methylation level of GPX4 gene promoter in PBMCs was detected by TaqMan probe-based quantitative methylation-specific PCR (MethyLight). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the serum levels of GPX4, IFN-ß, oxidative stress (OS) related molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: The expression levels of GPX4 in PBMCs and serum of CHB patients were lower than those of HCs, but the methylation levels of GPX4 promoter were higher than those of HCs, especially in patients at the immune tolerance phase. STING mRNA expression levels in PBMCs and serum IFN-ß levels of patients at the immune activation phase and reactivation phase of CHB were higher than those at other clinical phases of CHB and HCs. GPX4 mRNA expression level and methylation level in PBMCs from patients with CHB had a certain correlation with STING and IFN-ß expression levels. In addition, the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter in PBMCs from patients with CHB was correlated with molecules associated with OS and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: GPX4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and immune tolerance of CHB, which may provide new ideas for the functional cure of CHB.

Development of Novel ß-Carboline/Furylmalononitrile Hybrids as Type I/II Photosensitizers with Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy and Minimal Toxicity.

Chemo-photodynamic therapy is a treatment method that combines chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy and has demonstrated significant potential in cancer treatment. However, the development of chemo-photodynamic therapeutic agents with fewer side effects still poses a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel series of ß-carboline/furylmalononitrile hybrids 10a-i and evaluated their chemo-photodynamic therapeutic effects. Most of the compounds were photodynamically active and exhibited cytotoxic effects in four cancer cells. In particular, 10f possessed type-I/II photodynamic characteristics, and its 1O2 quantum yield increased by 3-fold from pH 7.4 to 4.5. Most interestingly, 10f exhibited robust antiproliferative effects by tumor-selective cytotoxicities and hypoxic-overcoming phototoxicities. In addition, 10f generated intracellular ROS and induced hepatocellular apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and autophagy. Finally, 10f demonstrated extremely low acute toxicity (LD50 = 1415 mg/kg) and a high tumor-inhibitory rate of 80.5% through chemo-photodynamic dual therapy. Our findings may provide a promising framework for the design of new photosensitizers for chemo-photodynamic therapy.

Facial emotion recognition function and white matter microstructural alterations in drug-naive, comorbidity-free autism.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder have deficits in facial emotion recognition and white matter microstructural alterations. Nonetheless, most previous studies were confounded by different variables, such as psychiatric comorbidities and psychotropic medications used by ASD participants. Also, it remains unclear how exactly FER deficits are related to white matter microstructural alterations in ASD. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the FER functions, white matter microstructure, and their relationship in drug-naive and comorbidity-free ASD individuals. 59 ASD individuals and 59 typically developed individuals were included, where 46 ASD and 50 TD individuals completed FER tasks. Covariance analysis showed scores were lower in both basic and complex FER tasks in the ASD group. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics showed FA values in widespread white matter fibers were lower in the ASD group than in the TD group, including forceps major and forceps minor of the corpus callosum, anterior thalamic radiation, corticospinal tract, cingulum, inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus. Moreover, in the TD group but not the ASD group, the performance in the complex FER task was negatively correlated with the FA value in some white matter fibers, including forceps major of the corpus callosum, ATR, CT, cingulum, IFOF, ILF, SLF. Our study suggests children with ASD may experience deficits in facial emotion recognition and exhibit alterations in white matter microstructure. More importantly, our study indicates that white matter microstructural alterations may be involved in FER deficits in children with ASD.

People can reliably detect action changes and goal changes during naturalistic perception.

As a part of ongoing perception, the human cognitive system segments others' activities into discrete episodes (event segmentation). Although prior research has shown that this process is likely related to changes in an actor's actions and goals, it has not yet been determined whether untrained observers can reliably identify action and goal changes as naturalistic activities unfold, or whether the changes they identify are tied to visual features of the activity (e.g., the beginnings and ends of object interactions). This study addressed these questions by examining untrained participants' identification of action changes, goal changes, and event boundaries while watching videos of everyday activities that were presented in both first-person and third-person perspectives. We found that untrained observers can identify goal changes and action changes consistently, and these changes are not explained by visual change and the onsets or offsets of contact with objects. Moreover, the action and goal changes identified by untrained observers were associated with event boundaries, even after accounting for objective visual features of the videos. These findings suggest that people can identify action and goal changes consistently and with high agreement, that they do so by using sensory information flexibly, and that the action and goal changes they identify may contribute to event segmentation.

The expression profile of 79 genes from 107 viruses revealed new insights into disease susceptibility in rats, mice, and muskrats.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread over the world, resulting in a global severe pneumonia pandemic. Both the cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the breakdown of S protein by transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are required by SARS-CoV-2 to enter the host cells. Similarly, the expression level of viral receptor genes in various organs determines the likelihood of viral infection. Several animal species have been found to be infected by the SARS-CoV-2, such as minks, posing an enormous threat to humans. Because the mice and rats were closely related to human and the fact that rats and mice have a risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 with specific variants, we investigated the expression patterns of 79 receptor genes from 107 viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, in 14 organs of the rat and mouse, and 5 organs of the muskrat, to find the most likely host organs to become infected with certain viruses. The findings of this study are anticipated to aid in prevention of zoonotic infections spread by rats, mice, muskrats, and other rodents.

Compensation of the tool influence function changes under neighborhood effect in atmospheric pressure plasma processing.

Nowadays, computer controlled optical surfacing (CCOS) is greatly developed in the fabrication of ultra-precision optical surfaces. As one of the deterministic CCOS techniques, atmospheric pressure plasma processing (APPP) can achieve the efficient removal based on the chemical reaction. In this process, the temperature rising issue caused by plasma heating is of great importance for accelerating the etching rate, but also increases the difficulty of deterministic removal control, because the tool influence function (TIF) in APPP is no longer time-invariant. In the existing research, the time-variant TIF model can describe the TIF changes to a certain degree, which is considered in the dwell time calculation. However, there inevitably exists the strong neighborhood effect, which indicates that the TIFs of different dwell points are thermally interacted. Thus, the existing time-variant TIF model is no longer accurate for predicting TIF changes, and not suitable for application to further compensation. To solve this, the compensation of TIF changes under neighborhood effect is proposed in this paper. First, the mechanism of TIF changes caused by neighborhood effect is explained in depth. Then, the theoretical analysis is implemented and the compensation method is systematically discussed, encompassing the tool path optimization, model of TIF changes and dwell time calculation. Further, the proposed method is demonstrated and verified by a series of simulations. Finally, the experimental validation is carried out, which proves the capability of achieving high-precision removal and high convergence rate.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Hypervalent Iodine(III) Promoted Cascade Annulation Reaction of Anilines with Formamides for 2-Aminobenzoxazoles Synthesis.

Herein, we disclose a practical and simple procedure to synthesize 2-aminobenzoxaoles. Simple anilines and formamides were used as substrates. The C-H bond ortho to the amino group in the anilines was directly functionalized under cobalt-catalyzed conditions with high levels of functional group tolerance. Hypervalent iodine(III) was both an oxidant and a Lewis acid for this reaction. The mechanism study showed that this transformation may involve a radical process.

Effects of tillage patterns and stover mulching on N2O production, nitrogen cycling genes and microbial dynamics in black soil.

Stover-covered no-tillage (NT) is of great significance to the rational utilization of stover resources and improvement of cultivated land quality, and also has a profound impact on ensuring groundwater, food and ecosystem security. However, the effects of tillage patterns and stover mulching on soil nitrogen turnover remain elusive. Based on the long-term conservation tillage field experiment in the mollisol area of Northeast China since 2007, the shotgun metagenomic sequencing of soils and microcosm incubation were combined with physical and chemical analyses, alkyne inhibition analysis to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of NT and stover mulching on the farmland soil nitrogen emissions and microbial nitrogen cycling genes. Compared with conventional tillage (CT), NT stover mulching significantly reduced the emission of N2O instead of CO2, especially when 33% mulching was adopted, and correspondingly the nitrate nitrogen of NT33 was higher than that of other mulching amounts. The stover mulching was associated with higher total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and pH. The abundance of AOB (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria)-amoA (ammonia monooxygenase subunit A) was substantially increased by stover mulching, while the abundance of denitrification genes was reduced in most cases. Under alkyne inhibition, the tillage mode, treatment time, gas condition and interactions between them noticeably influenced the N2O emission and nitrogen transformation. In CT, NT0 (no mulching) and NT100 (full mulching), the relative contribution of AOB to N2O production was markedly higher than that of ammonia oxidizing archaea. Different tillage modes were associated with distinct microbial community composition, albeit NT100 was closer to CT than to NT0. Compared with CT, the co-occurrence network of microbial communities was more complex in NT0 and NT100. Our findings suggest that maintaining a low-quantity stover mulching could regulate soil nitrogen turnover toward proficiently enhancing soil health and regenerative agriculture, and coping with global climate change.

Computational Exploration of Dirhodium Complex-Catalyzed Selective Intermolecular Amination of Tertiary vs. Benzylic C-H Bonds.

The mechanism and origins of site-selectivity of Rh2(S-tfpttl)4-catalyzed C(sp3)-H bond aminations were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The synergistic combination of the dirhodium complex Rh2(S-tfpttl)4 with tert-butylphenol sulfamate TBPhsNH2 composes a pocket that can access both tertiary and benzylic C-H bonds. The nonactivated tertiary C-H bond was selectively aminated in the presence of an electronically activated benzylic C-H bond. Both singlet and triplet energy surfaces were investigated in this study. The computational results suggest that the triplet stepwise pathway is more favorable than the singlet concerted pathway. In the hydrogen atom abstraction by Rh-nitrene species, which is the rate- and site-selectivity-determining step, there is an attractive π-π stacking interaction between the phenyl group of the substrate and the phthalimido group of the ligand in the tertiary C-H activation transition structure. By contrast, such attractive interaction is absent in the benzylic C-H amination transition structure. Therefore, the DFT computational results clearly demonstrate how the synergistic combination of the dirhodium complex with sulfamate overrides the intrinsic preference for benzylic C-H amination to achieve the amination of the nonactivated tertiary C-H bond.

Widespread effects of dMRI data quality on diffusion measures in children.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) datasets are susceptible to several confounding factors related to data quality, which is especially true in studies involving young children. With the recent trend of large-scale multicenter studies, it is more critical to be aware of the varied impacts of data quality on measures of interest. Here, we investigated data quality and its effect on different diffusion measures using a multicenter dataset. dMRI data were obtained from 691 participants (5-17 years of age) from six different centers. Six data quality metrics-contrast to noise ratio, outlier slices, and motion (absolute, relative, translation, and rotational)-and four diffusion measures-fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, tract density, and length-were computed for each of 36 major fiber tracts for all participants. The results indicated that four out of six data quality metrics (all except absolute and translation motion) differed significantly between centers. Associations between these data quality metrics and the diffusion measures differed significantly across the tracts and centers. Moreover, these effects remained significant after applying recently proposed harmonization algorithms that purport to remove unwanted between-site variation in diffusion data. These results demonstrate the widespread impact of dMRI data quality on diffusion measures. These tracts and measures have been routinely associated with individual differences as well as group-wide differences between neurotypical populations and individuals with neurological or developmental disorders. Accordingly, for analyses of individual differences or group effects (particularly in multisite dataset), we encourage the inclusion of data quality metrics in dMRI analysis.

Nonlinear dwell-time algorithm for freeform surface generation by atmospheric-pressure plasma processing.

Based on deterministic chemical etching, atmospheric pressure plasma processing (APPP) with a high material removal rate and spatial machining resolution, is a promising computer-controlled optical surfacing (CCOS) technique for freeform surface generation. However, the time-variant removal characteristics of APPP induce nonlinearity in the CCOS process, which requires more consideration in the dwell-time calculation. In this paper, the nonlinear dwell-time algorithm based on the concept of controlling volumetric removal is studied. The freeform surface generation by controlling volumetric removal is modeled to provide the theoretical basis for the algorithm. The applicability of the algorithm in freeform generation by APPP with time-varying characteristics is explored through numerical simulations. Finally, a freeform surface is successfully created based on the algorithm and relevant analysis results, which validates the applicability of the algorithm in freeform generation using time-variant tool influence functions.

Novel natural inhibitors targeting KRAS G12C by computational study.

Ideal leading and nominee compounds with inhibiting effects on KRAS G12C were selected from the ZINC database, laying a cornerstone for the progress of anticancer drugs. A variety of computational virtual screening methods were utilized to screen possible inhibitors of KRAS G12C. LibDock was utilized to estimate 17 930 compounds and the top 20 were nominated for additional study, which was absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion and harmfulness prediction. Molecule docking was employed to prove the binding connection between certain ligands and KRAS G12C. Natural novel compounds ZINC000012494057 and ZINC000003789195 were selected to bind stably with KRAS G12C. In addition, they had lower scores in Ames mutagenicity, rodent carcinogenicity, cytochrome P450 2D6(CYP2D6) tolerance, and non-developmental toxicity potential. Molecular dynamic simulations demonstrate that the combination of ZINC000012494057 and ZINC000003789195 with KRAS G12C has more favorable potential energy, which provides conditions for their stable existence in the natural environment. Natural compounds ZINC000012494057 and ZINC000003789195 were identified as KRAS G12C potential inhibitors. These two compounds have been verified to have enormous importance for the progress of anticancer medicines.

TRIM21-mediated proteasomal degradation of SAMHD1 regulates its antiviral activity.

SAMHD1 possesses multiple functions, but whether cellular factors regulate SAMHD1 expression or its function remains not well characterized. Here, by investigating why cultured RD and HEK293T cells show different sensitivity to enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, we demonstrate that SAMHD1 is a restriction factor for EV71. Importantly, we identify TRIM21, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a key regulator of SAMHD1, which specifically interacts and degrades SAMHD1 through the proteasomal pathway. However, TRIM21 has no effect on EV71 replication itself. Moreover, we prove that interferon production stimulated by EV71 infection induces increased TRIM21 and SAMHD1 expression, whereas increasing TRIM21 overrides SAMHD1 inhibition of EV71 in cells and in a neonatal mouse model. TRIM21-mediated degradation of SAMHD1 also affects SAMHD1-dependent restriction of HIV-1 and the regulation of interferon production. We further identify the functional domains in TRIM21 required for SAMHD1 binding and the ubiquitination site K622 in SAMHD1 and show that phosphorylation of SAMHD1 at T592 also blocks EV71 restriction. Our findings illuminate how EV71 overcomes SAMHD1 inhibition via the upregulation of TRIM21.

The OPG/RANKL/RANK system modulates calcification of common carotid artery in simulated microgravity rats by regulating NF-κB pathway.

Functional and structural adaptation of common carotid artery could be one of the important causes of postflight orthostatic intolerance after microgravity exposure, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. Recent evidence indicates that long-term spaceflight increases carotid artery stiffness, which might present a high risk to astronaut health and postflight working ability. Studies have suggested that vascular calcification is a common pathological change in cardiovascular diseases that is mainly manifested as an increase in vascular stiffness. Therefore, this study investigated whether simulated microgravity induces calcification of common carotid artery and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Four-week-old hindlimb-unweighted (HU) rats were used to simulate the deconditioning effects of microgravity on cardiovascular system. We found that simulated microgravity induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation and medial calcification, increased receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and RANK expression, and enhanced NF-κB activation in rat common carotid artery. In vitro activation of the RANK pathway with exogenous RANKL, a RANK ligand, increased RANK and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in HU rats. Moreover, the expression of osteogenic markers and activation of NF-κB in HU rats were further enhanced by exogenous RANKL but suppressed by the RANK inhibitor osteoprotegerin fusion protein (OPG-Fc). These results indicated that the OPG/RANKL/RANK system modulates VSMC osteogenic differentiation and medial calcification of common carotid artery in simulated microgravity rats by regulating the NF-kB pathway.

Conservation and Divergence of the Trihelix Genes in Brassica and Expression Profiles of BnaTH Genes in Brassica napus under Abiotic Stresses.

Trihelix (TH) proteins are a family of plant-specific transcription factors that play a role in light response and are extensively involved in plant growth and development, as well as in various stress responses. However, the function of TH genes in Brassica napus (B. napus) remains unclear, as does the evolution and differentiation pattern of TH genes in Brassica plants. Here, we identified a total of 455 TH genes in seven species, including six Brassica species and Arabidopsis, which were grouped into five clades, GT-1, GT-2, GTγ, SH4, and SIP1, each with 69, 142, 44, 55, and 145 members, respectively. The types and distributions of motifs of the TH proteins and the structures of the TH genes are conserved in the same subgroup, and some variations in certain amino acid residues occur in B. napus when inheriting motifs from Brassica rapa (B. rapa) and Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea). Collinearity analysis revealed that the massive expansion of TH genes in tetraploid species was attributed to the hetero-tetraploidization of diploid ancestors and gene duplication events within the tetraploid species. Comparative analysis of the membership numbers of five subgroups in different species revealed that the GT-2 and SIP1 genes underwent significant expansion during evolution, possibly to support the better adaptation of plants to their environments. The differential expression of the BnaTH genes under five stresses indicates that the BnaTH genes are involved in plant responses to stresses such as drought, cold, and heat. The presence of different stress-responsive cis-elements in the upstream promoter region of the genes indicated that BnaTH genes have the potential to cope with variable environments. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR analyses also confirmed that five TH genes respond to different abiotic stresses. Our results provide information and candidates for further studies on the role of TH genes in stress resistance of B. napus.

Microscopic and Transcriptomic Comparison of Powdery Mildew Resistance in the Progenies of Brassica carinata × B. napus.

Powdery mildew is a widespread disease in rapeseed due to a lack of resistant germplasm. We compared the foliar epidermal features and transcriptomic responses between the resistant (R) and susceptible (S) plants among the two parents and progenies of Brassica carinata × B. napus. The amount of cuticular wax and callose deposition on the R plants was much lower than that on the S plants; hence, these chemicals are not all essential to pre-penetration resistance, although the cuticular wax on the R plants had more needle-like crystals. A total of 1049 genes involved in various defense responses were expressed differentially among the R/S plants. The expression levels of two well-known susceptibility genes, MLO6 and MLO12, were much lower in the R plant, indicating an important role in PM resistance. A set of genes related to wax biosynthesis (KCS6, LACS2, CER and MAH1), cell wall modification (PMR5, PMEI9, RWA2, PDCB1 and C/VIF2), chloroplast function (Chlorophyllase-1, OEP161, PSBO1, CP29B and CSP41b), receptor kinase activity (ERECTA, BAK1, BAM2, LYM1, LYM3, RLK902, RLP11, ERL1 and ERL2), IPCS2, GF14 lambda, RPS4 and RPS6 were highly expressed in the R plants. In the S plants, most highly expressed genes were involved in later defense responses, including CERK1, LYK4, LIK1, NIMIN-1, CHITINASE 10, PECTINESTERASE, CYP81F2 and RBOHF and the genes involved in salicylic acid-dependent systemic acquired resistance and hypersensitive responses, indicating the occurrence of severe fungal infection. The results indicate that some uncertain pre-penetration defenses are pivotal for high resistance, while post-penetration defenses are more important for the S plant survival.

[Clinical Value of White Light Image, Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Magnifying Endoscopy with Narrow Band Imaging in Evaluation of Indications for Endoscopic Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of white light image (WLI), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI) in the endoscopic treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC), and to provide basis for decision-making in clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of EGC patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between December 2013 and October 2020 were included. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of EGC invasive depth were compared between WLI and EUS. The role of ME-NBI in predicting the differentiation types of EGC was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients (291 lesions) were enrolled in the study. Among them, 199 patients (207 lesions) received EUS and 160 patients (168 lesions) received ME-NBI. The overall accuracy of WLI in diagnosing the invasive depth of EGC was 87.0%, significantly higher than that of EUS (46.4%, P<0.001). When WLI was combined with EUS, the diagnostic accuracy (87.4%) was not significantly improved. The overall accuracy of determining the differentiation degree of EGC with ME-NBI was 92.3% (155/168), and the accuracy of determining undifferentiated EGC with ME-NBI was significantly lower than that of differentiated EGC (41.2% vs. 98.0%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In the evaluation of indications for endoscopic treatment of EGC, WLI showed better performance in predicting the invasive depth of EGC, while EUS demonstrated limited value. ME-NBI showed better accuracy for predicting the differentiation degree of most EGC, especially for differentiated EGC.

Neurite density and arborization is associated with reading skill and phonological processing in children.

BACKGROUND: Studies exploring neuroanatomic correlates of reading have associated white matter tissue properties with reading disability and related componential skills (e.g., phonological and single-word reading skills). Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) are widely used surrogate measures of tissue microstructure with high sensitivity; however, they lack specificity for individual microstructural features. Here we investigated neurite features with higher specificity in order to explore the underlying microstructural architecture. METHODS: Diffusion weighted images (DWI) and a battery of behavioral and neuropsychological assessments were obtained from 412 children (6 - 16 years of age). Neurite indices influenced by orientation and density were attained from 23 major white matter tracts. Partial correlations were calculated between neurite indices and indicators of phonological processing and single-word reading skills using age, sex, and image quality metrics as covariates. In addition, mediation analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the indirect effect of phonological processing on reading skills. RESULTS: We observed that orientation dispersion index (ODI) and neurite density index (NDI) were negatively correlated with single-word reading and phonological processing skills in several tracts previously shown to have structural correlates with reading efficiency. We also observed a significant and substantial effect in which phonological processing mediated the relationship between neurite indices and reading skills in most tracts. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, we established that better reading and phonological processing skills are associated with greater tract coherence (lower ODI) and lower neurite density (lower NDI). We interpret these findings as evidence that reading is associated with neural architecture and its efficiency.