Acutalibacter caecimuris sp. nov., Acutalibacter intestini sp. nov. and Neglectibacter caecimuris sp. nov., three novel species of the family Oscillospiraceae isolated from caecal contents of C57BL/6J mice.

The intestines of mice are colonized by diverse, as-yet-uncultivated bacteria. In this report, we describe the isolation, culture, genotypic and phenotypic characterization, as well as taxonomic classification of three novel anaerobic bacterial strains derived from the caecal contents of C57BL/6J male mice. According to the phenotypic and genotype-based polyphasic taxonomy, we propose three novel species within the family Oscillospiraceae. They are Acutalibacter caecimuris sp. nov. (type strain M00118T=CGMCC 1.18042T=KCTC 25739T), Acutalibacter intestini sp. nov. (type strain M00204T=CGMCC 1.18044T=KCTC 25741T) and Neglectibacter caecimuris sp. nov. (type strain M00184T=CGMCC 1.18043T=KCTC 25740T).

In vivo self-assembled small RNA targets H19 lncRNA for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

The majority of molecularly targeted therapies in clinical use target disease-related proteins, but only a small fraction (∼1.5%) of human genome is protein-coding region. Considering that ∼70% of human genome is transcribed to noncoding RNAs, targeting noncoding RNAs rather than protein-coding RNAs can significantly expand the proportion of human genome that can be manipulated. H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancer types and actively contributes to multiple steps of tumorigenesis. Therefore, we selected H19 as a representative target and designed synthetic anti-H19 construct for the self-assembly and delivery of anti-H19 small RNA (sRNA) to prevent colorectal cancer development and metastasis based on the natural ability of the host liver to package sRNA-encapsulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and the endogenous circulating sEVs to transfer sRNA. As anticipated, the synthetic anti-H19 construct successfully generated anti-H19 sRNA-encapsulating sEVs and exhibited high silencing efficiency on H19 lncRNA in an ex vivo model. In orthotopic and lung metastasis mouse models of colorectal cancer, the anti-H19 construct exhibited significantly superior therapeutic efficacy over 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in preventing primary tumor growth and lung metastasis. Particularly, the anti-H19 sRNA-encapsulating sEVs were generated in a nontoxic, nonimmunogenic and biocompatible manner. In summary, this study demonstrates that the in vivo self-assembled anti-H19 sRNA can serve as a new therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.

Cruise observation of the marine atmosphere and ship emissions in South China Sea: Aerosol composition, sources, and the aging process.

Marine atmospheric aerosols impact the global climate and biogeochemical cycles. However, how the composition, sources, and aging of these aerosols affect the above processes has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we conducted ship-based measurements in the northern South China Sea to investigate the chemical composition and aging of aerosols from various sources during the summer of 2019. Separate measurements were conducted at the bow (marine environment) and stern (cooking, smoking, and engine exhaust) of the ship. Source apportionment of organic aerosols (OAs) was conducted using positive matrix factorization (PMF) and trajectory models. The results showed that ship exhaust and coastal submicron particles were composed of comparable sulfate and organic fractions (both approximately 43%), distinct from the sulfate-dominated particles in the marine atmosphere (52-77%). PMF using the multilinear engine-2 solver identified five factors for the stern sampling period: hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA-I, 9%), slightly oxidized HOA (HOA-II, 25%), cooking OA (COA, 13%), cigarette smoke OA (CSOA, 4%), and low-volatility oxygenated OA (LV-OOA, 49%). The primary OAs (HOA-I/II + COA + CSOA), derived mostly from direct ship-related emissions, contributed to approximately half of the OAs, whereas the contribution from the highly aged marine atmosphere was only 20%. Notably, certain living-related emissions (i.e., COA and CSOA), which were often neglected in previous studies, might represent a considerable contribution to OA emissions from the ship. Four factors were identified for the bow sampling periods: HOA (13%), biomass burning OA (BBOA, 9%), semi-volatile OOA (7%), and LV-OOA (71%). The BBOAs from the Indo-China and Malay peninsulas were aged, converted to secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) during transport, and influenced by the combined photo-oxidation and liquid-phase reactions, indicating a substantial impact of BB on SOA formation. Our study highlights the influence of ship and inland emissions and their aging during transport on marine atmospheric aerosols.

A Review of the Role of Ultrasound Radiomics and Its Application and Limitations in the Investigation of Thyroid Disease.

The incidence of thyroid disease has gradually increased in recent years. Conventional ultrasound is one of the most critical thyroid imaging methods, but it still has certain limitations. The use of B-model ultrasound (BMUS) diagnosis of thyroid disease will be affected by a doctors' clinical experience. The ultrasound radiomics is based on ultrasound images to delineate the region of interest (ROI), and then extract features to quantify the disease information contained in the image, which helps to analyze the correlation between the image and the clinical pathology of the disease. By building a powerful model, it can be used to diagnose benign and malignant thyroid nodules, predict lymph node status in thyroid cancer, analyze molecular biological characteristics, and predict the survival of thyroid cancer patients. At present, the application of ultrasound radiomics in the thyroid is pervasive. These ultrasound radiomics studies have further promoted the progress of ultrasonic technology in the field of thyroid disease. Clinicians should be familiar with the workflow of ultrasound radiomics and understand the application of this technology to the thyroid. In this article, we first describe the workflow of ultrasound radiomics, followed by an overview of the application of ultrasound radiomics to the thyroid. Finally, some current limitations of the technology and areas for future improvement are discussed. This article aims to review the role of ultrasound radiomics and its application and limitations in the investigation of thyroid disease.

Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits astrocyte activation and promotes transfer of astrocytic mitochondria to neurons against ischemic stroke.

Astrocytes activation in response to stroke results in altered mitochondrial exchange with neurons. Ginsenoside Rb1is a major ginsenoside of Panax ginseng particularly known for its neuroprotective potential. This work aimed to investigate if Rb1 could rescue neurons from ischemic insult via astrocyte inactivation and mitochondrial transfer. We prepared conditioned astrocytes-derived medium for co-culture with neurons and examined the role of Rb1 in mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes to neurons. The neuroprotective potential of Rb1 was further confirmed in vivo using a mouse model of brain ischemia. In response to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R), astrocytes were reactivated and produced reactive oxygen species (ROS), an action that was blocked by Rb1. Mechanistically, Rb1 inhibited NADH dehydrogenase in mitochondrial complex I to block reverse electron transport-derived ROS production from complex I, and thus inactivated astrocytes to protect the mitochondria. Mitochondrial signal, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production detected in conditioned astrocyte-derived medium indicated that Rb1 protected functional mitochondria and facilitated their transfer. When neurons were injured by OGD/R insult, co-culturing with conditioned medium increased mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption rate within the neurons, indicating the protection conferred on them by Rb1 via mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes. Using the ischemic mouse brain model, CD38 knockdown in the cerebral ventricles diminished the neuroprotective effects of Rb1, providing evidence in support of the role of astrocyte mitochondrial transfer. Transient inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by Rb1 reduced mitochondrial ROS production and consequently avoided astrocyte activation. Astrocyte mitochondrial transfer therefore seemed a means by which Rb1 could promote neuronal survival and function. Different from the neurocentric view, these findings suggest the astrocytes may be a promising target for pharmacological interventions in ischemic brain injury.

Morphology, genetic characterization and phylogeny of Aplectana dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from frogs.

Cosmocercoid nematodes are common parasites in the digestive tract of amphibians. However, our knowledge of the species diversity, genetic data and molecular phylogeny of the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are far from being well understood. In the present study, large numbers of cosmocercoid nematodes were collected from the fine-spined frog Sylvirana spinulosa (Smith) (Anura: Ranidae) and the white-spotted thigh tree-frog Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Guangxi Province, China. Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of the genus Aplectana, A. dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). The molecular characterization of small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal DNA (28S) of A. dayaoshanensis n. sp., together with the 28S of A. chamaeleonis (Baylis, 1929) (collected from Hyperolius kivuensis Ahl in Rwanda), were reported for the first time. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 18S + 28S and ITS sequence data, respectively, both supported the family Cosmocercidae to be a monophyletic group and the family Kathlaniidae to be a paraphyletic group. Our phylogenetic results rejected the monophyly of the genus Aplectana. The present results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity and genetic data of cosmocercoid nematodes, and preliminarily revealed the phylogenetic relationships of the major families and some genera in the Cosmocercoidea.

Preoperative Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Radiomics Nomogram Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a radiomics nomogram based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for preoperatively assessing microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: A retrospective dataset of 313 HCC patients who underwent CEUS between September 20, 2016 and March 20, 2020 was enrolled in our study. The study population was randomly grouped as a primary dataset of 192 patients and a validation dataset of 121 patients. Radiomics features were extracted from the B-mode (BM), artery phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), and delay phase (DP) images of preoperatively acquired CEUS of each patient. After feature selection, the BM, AP, PVP, and DP radiomics scores (Rad-score) were constructed from the primary dataset. The four radiomics scores and clinical factors were used for multivariate logistic regression analysis, and a radiomics nomogram was then developed. We also built a preoperative clinical prediction model for comparison. The performance of the radiomics nomogram was evaluated via calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis indicated that the PVP and DP Rad-score, tumor size, and AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) level were independent risk predictors associated with MVI. The radiomics nomogram incorporating these four predictors revealed a superior discrimination to the clinical model (based on tumor size and AFP level) in the primary dataset (AUC: 0.849 vs. 0.690; p < 0.001) and validation dataset (AUC: 0.788 vs. 0.661; p = 0.008), with a good calibration. Decision curve analysis also confirmed that the radiomics nomogram was clinically useful. Furthermore, the significant improvement of net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discriminatory improvement (IDI) implied that the PVP and DP radiomics signatures may be very useful biomarkers for MVI prediction in HCC. CONCLUSION: The CEUS-based radiomics nomogram showed a favorable predictive value for the preoperative identification of MVI in HCC patients and could guide a more appropriate surgical planning.

A Review of the Role of the S-Detect Computer-Aided Diagnostic Ultrasound System in the Evaluation of Benign and Malignant Breast and Thyroid Masses.

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have attracted extensive attention owing to their performance in the field of image diagnosis and are rapidly becoming a promising auxiliary tool in medical imaging tasks. These systems can quantitatively evaluate complex medical imaging features and achieve efficient and high-diagnostic accuracy. Deep learning is a representation learning method. As a major branch of artificial intelligence technology, it can directly process original image data by simulating the structure of the human brain neural network, thus independently completing the task of image recognition. S-Detect is a novel and interactive CAD system based on a deep learning algorithm, which has been integrated into ultrasound equipment and can help radiologists identify benign and malignant nodules, reduce physician workload, and optimize the ultrasound clinical workflow. S-Detect is becoming one of the most commonly used CAD systems for ultrasound evaluation of breast and thyroid nodules. In this review, we describe the S-Detect workflow and outline its application in breast and thyroid nodule detection. Finally, we discuss the difficulties and challenges faced by S-Detect as a precision medical tool in clinical practice and its prospects.

LncRNA HCG18 suppresses CD8+ T cells to confer resistance to cetuximab in colorectal cancer via miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis.

Aim: We aimed to explore the effect of long noncoding RNA HCG18 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials & methods: Relative gene and protein expression were screened. Colony formation and flow cytometry assays were performed to determine proliferation and apoptosis. Dual luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to validate the interaction between indicated molecules. Xenograft in nude mice was applied to verify the conclusion in vivo. Results:HCG18 and PD-L1 were upregulated while miR-20b-5p was downregulated in CRC tissue. Functional analysis revealed that lncRNA HCG18 promoted proliferation, migration and resistance to cetuximab of CRC cells via the miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis. Conclusion:HCG18 facilitated progress of the tumor, conferred to cetuximab resistance and suppressed CD8+ T cells via the miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis.

Lay abstract In the present study, we found a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), HCG18 (a recently discovered lncRNA that facilitates tumor progression via multiple mechanisms), was upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Further studies revealed that HCG18 suppressed CD8⁺ T-cell (cytotoxic T lymphocyte which kills cancer cell) activation to induce cetuximab (a first-line drug in CRC) resistance. Mechanically, HCG18 elevated expression of PD-L1 (a receptor in T-cell membranes, thus suppressing the proliferation of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes) via sponging (lncRNA binds with miRNA) miR-20b-5p. This study might provide a deeper insight into understanding cetuximab resistance in CRC.

[Intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion for moderate to severe cancer pain].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion for moderate to severe cancer pain. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group，30 cases in each one. In the control group，opioids were taken to relief pain according to the three-step analgesic method of World Health Organization. On the base of the treatment as the control group, intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion were applied at Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), etc. in the observation group, 14 days of treatment were required. The equivalent morphine consumption at the first day and whole course, the scores of cancer quality of life questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Hamilton anxiety scale before and after treatment, and the adverse reaction rate were compared in the two groups. The total analgesic effective rate was evaluated. RESULTS: The total analgesic effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The total equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group was less than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the QLQ-C30 scores were increased (P<0.001) and the HAMA scores were decreased (P<0.001) in the both groups, and those in the observation group were superior to the control group (P<0.001). The adverse reaction rates of fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, constipation in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intradermal needling combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion can reduce the dose of opioids, improve the quality of life, relief the anxiety in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain, and reduce the incidence of common adverse reaction of opioids.

Hsa_circ_0136666 activates Treg-mediated immune escape of colorectal cancer via miR-497/PD-L1 pathway.

PURPOSE: In the rankings of cancer mortality and incidence worldwide, colorectal cancer ranks fourth and the third, respectively. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0136666 (hsa_circ_0136666) is reported to participate in the growth of colorectal cancer. However, the mechanism by which hsa_circ_0136666 regulates the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer needs to be further explored. In this study, we report here the role of hsa_circ_0136666 in the aberrant activation of Treg cells and immune evasion of tumor cells, providing a new strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Western blotting assay and qRT-PCR assay were used to determine protein and mRNA expression levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the targeted regulatory relationship. RNA immunoprecipitation was used to detect RNA binding. Colony formation assay was utilized to measure the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell apoptosis. Xenograft model was setup to evaluate tumor growth. RESULTS: The results showed that hsa_circ_0136666 and PD-L1 was increased in colorectal cancer cells while miR-497 was decreased in colorectal cancer cells when compared with normal colon epithelial cell line. Hsa_circ_0136666 was demonstrated to directly target miR-497, which also regulated PD-L1 by binding to its 3'UTR. Further mechanistic studies identified that hsa_circ_0136666 controlled cell proliferation and apoptosis via targeting miR-497 and regulating PD-L1 expression. Of note, hsa_circ_0136666 stimulated Treg cells mediated by miR-497/PD-L1 axis and its downstream signal pathway in Treg cells. Finally, hsa_circ_0136666 was found to accelerate the tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that hsa_circ_0136666 promoted the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting miR-497 level in colorectal cancer, thus inducing the activation of Treg cells and leading to the immune escape of tumor, providing a novel mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Description of a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercidae) using an integrative approach and preliminary phylogenetic study of Cosmocercidae and related taxa.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digestive tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships between Cosmocercidae and the other two families, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae, in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera within Cosmocercidae remains unclear. METHODS: Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods [sequencing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae. RESULTS: Morphological and genetic evidence supported the hypothesis that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represent a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as in the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group because the subfamily Cruziinae within Kathlaniidae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a seperate lineage. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has a closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in Cosmocercidae. CONCLUSIONS: Our phylogenetic results suggested that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca is closely related to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae. The present study provided a basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time to our knowledge. Moreover, a new species, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using integrative approach.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of Killian-Jamieson diverticula.

PURPOSE: A Killian-Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) may be mistaken for a thyroid nodule on ultrasound (US). The purpose of this retrospective study was to search for specific US features that would help differentiate between KJD and thyroid nodules. METHODS: A total of 12 patients with KJD who had undergone an US examination of the neck were identified. The size, shape, boundary, echopattern, location, color flow signals on color Doppler US of KJD and the relationship between the lesion and esophageal wall were analyzed. The change of size, shape and internal echotexture were also observed when the lesion was compressed with the probe and when the patient was asked to drink water. RESULTS: All KJD were confirmed by barium esophagography. All KJD were posterior to the left thyroid lobe on US, and were associated with a semicircular hypoechoic anterior wall. The internal echotexture was heterogeneous. In eight cases, the connection to the esophageal wall was seen. When compressing with the US probe or when the patients swallowed water, the size, shape or internal echotexture of the lesion changed. CONCLUSION: The specific criteria for US diagnosis of KJD included the connection to the esophageal wall and the fact that the internal echotexture, shape and size of KJD changed in real-time when the patient swallowed water or when the lesion was compressed with the transducer.

The hepatic microenvironment promotes lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of YAP1.

The inflammatory microenvironment plays an important role in the onset and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and the liver is a suitable site of metastasis for LUAD cells. However, whether the inflammatory microenvironment of the liver is conducive to the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of LUAD cells remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed that the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment stimulated by IL-6 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of LUAD cells, increased the m6A methylation of total RNA, and transcriptionally activated METTL3 expression. Additionally, METTL3 activated the YAP1/TEAD signaling pathway by increasing the m6A modification and expression of YAP1 mRNA. These results indicate that the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment plays a role in regulating the biological functions of LUAD cells. Further, our study identifies a molecular mechanism that may provide a new strategy for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of liver metastasis in LUAD patients.

An intraneural ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve at the wrist: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intraneural ganglion cysts of the ulnar nerve at the wrist are rare and poorly understood. We report a case of an intraneural ganglion cyst at the level of the wrist.Case presentation: A 48-year-old man presented with the complaints of weakness for 6 months and serious aggravation for 1 month in his right hand. After examinations, including ultrasound, the patient was diagnosed with an intraneural ganglion cyst. Intraoperatively, with exposure of the ulnar nerve, we found that the intraneural ganglion cyst was at the level of Guyon's canal and extended approximately 6 cm proximally. Postoperatively, sensation of the fingers was normal, but atrophy of his muscles and limited straightening of his ring and little fingers were similar to those preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of an intraneural cyst before surgery is mostly based on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Transection of the articular branch is an important measure to prevent recurrence of this cyst. If the ulnar nerve is compressed and causes symptoms, nerve decompression, including removal/aspiration of the cyst, and sometimes external neurolysis of the nerve, are necessary to relieve the symptoms and allow regeneration of the nerve. However, these should be performed without damaging the nerve fascicles.

Deep learning with convolutional neural network in the assessment of breast cancer molecular subtypes based on US images: a multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prediction performance of deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) based on ultrasound (US) images for the assessment of breast cancer molecular subtypes. METHODS: A dataset of 4828 US images from 1275 patients with primary breast cancer were used as the training samples. DCNN models were constructed primarily to predict the four St. Gallen molecular subtypes and secondarily to identify luminal disease from non-luminal disease based on the ground truth from immunohistochemical of whole tumor surgical specimen. US images from two other institutions were retained as independent test sets to validate the system. The models' performance was analyzed using per-class accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC). RESULTS: The model achieved good performance in identifying the four breast cancer molecular subtypes in the two test sets, with accuracy ranging from 80.07% (95% CI, 76.49-83.23%) to 97.02% (95% CI, 95.22-98.16%) and 87.94% (95% CI, 85.08-90.31%) to 98.83% (95% CI, 97.60-99.43) for the two test cohorts for each sub-category, respectively. In terms of 4-class weighted average MCC, the model achieved 0.59 for test cohort A and 0.79 for test cohort B. Specifically, the DCNN also yielded good diagnostic performance in discriminating luminal disease from non-luminal disease, with a PPV of 93.29% (95% CI, 90.63-95.23%) and 88.21% (95% CI, 85.12-90.73%) for the two test cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSION: Using pretreatment US images of the breast cancer, deep learning model enables the assessment of molecular subtypes with high diagnostic accuracy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial number: ChiCTR1900027676 KEY POINTS: • Deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) helps clinicians assess tumor features with accuracy. • Multicenter retrospective study shows that DCNN derived from pretreatment ultrasound imagine improves the prediction of breast cancer molecular subtypes. • Management of patients becomes more precise based on the DCNN model.

Trends and Regional Distribution Pattern of Female Lung Cancer - China, 1992-2016.

What is already known about this topic? The incidence of female lung cancer in China has been rising, whereas the incidence ratio among men and women is declining. The rising trend of female lung cancer is a prominent public health concern for China. What is added by this report? The joint secular trends distribution of the incidence, mortality, and years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature death of lung cancer in Chinese women demonstrated a certain regionality, which implied the risk factors for female lung cancer in China might be different by region. Common determinant risk factors may exist in regions sharing the same joint secular trends. What are the implications for public health practice? The secular trends and the regional pattern of the trends of female lung cancer in China suggested that the prevention and control of female lung cancer should be implemented with targeted regional interventions.

[Effect of Plastic Film Mulching on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Rice-Rapeseed Rotation in Cropland].

A field experiment was conducted at the Key Field Station for Monitoring of Eco-Environment of Purple Soil of the Ministry of Agriculture of China at the farm of Southwest University in Chongqing. In the study, static chamber and gas chromatography methods were used to study the effects of plastic film mulching treatment on CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions from rice-rapeseed rotation in situ for one year. A control experiment was also conducted without using the film. The CO2, CH4, and N2O emission fluxes of the rotation showed obvious seasonal changes, and the seasonal variation patterns of these three greenhouse gases were similar under the two treatments. The CH4 emission of the rotation under the plastic film mulching treatment was (46.14±13.40) kg·hm-2, or 147.93% (P<0.05), compared with (18.61±2.05) kg·hm-2 for the control. However, the impact of plastic film mulching on CO2 and N2O emissions was not significant. The annual CO2 emissions under the plastic film treatment and the control were (-47.54±2.11) t·hm-2 and (-47.60±2.19) t·hm-2, respectively, and the annual emissions of N2O were (18.94±4.74) kg·hm-2 and (23.14±3.68) kg·hm-2, respectively. The rice-rapeseed rotation in the two experiments showed absorption and sinking of atmospheric greenhouse gases, although the difference was not significant. The global warming potential (GWP) values with the plastic film treatment and the control were -41.16 t·hm-2 and -40.95 t·hm-2, respectively.

Emergence of human infection with Jingmen tick virus in China: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A tick-borne segmented RNA virus called Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) was recently identified, variants of which were detected in a non-human primate host and fatal patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. We investigated its infectivity and pathogenicity for humans. METHODS: We obtained skin-biopsy, blood and serum samples from patients with tick bites, and used high-throughput sequencing, in situ hybridisation, and serologic testing to diagnose and ascertain the cases of JMTV infection. FINDINGS: A JMTV strain was isolated from the tick Amblyomma javanense into an embryo-derived tick cell line. We obtained sustained passage of JMTV, and revealed that it was able to accumulate in salivary glands of experimentally infected ticks. Four JMTV-infected patients were identified by high-throughput sequencing of skin biopsies and blood samples. The virus replication in skin tissue was visualised by in situ hybridisation. The four patients all had an itchy or painful eschar at the site of tick bite, with or without lymphadenopathy. Immunohistochemical examination revealed remarkable local inflammation manifested as infiltration by neutrophils. Eight patients were identified by serological testing and showed more severe clinical manifestations. Two Ixodes persulcatus ticks detached from patients were positive for JMTV. All JMTV strains identified in this study formed a well-supported sub-lineage, distinct from those previously reported in China. Interpretation The public significance of JMTV should be highly concerning due to its potential pathogenicity for humans and efficient transmission by potential ticks. FUND: China Natural Science Foundation, State Key Research Development Programme, and United Kingdom Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The High-Frequency Ultrasound Detection of Rat Sciatic Nerve in a Crushed Injury Model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to visualize sciatic nerve injury in rats using ultrasound imaging in a crushed injury model. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a left sciatic nerve crush operation. Then, high-frequency ultrasound was used to image both sciatic nerves at 2 days and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Normal uninjured nerves have uniform thickness, display a smooth epineurium and inner adventitia, and are oblong in transverse sections. After the crush operation, nerve thickness increased, the inner echo signal decreased, the image of the epineurium became obscured and coarse before becoming smooth again, and transverse sections of the nerve fibers changed from being semicircular to oval in shape before becoming elliptical again. These observations were consistent with pathological changes associated with nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency ultrasound is capable of capturing dynamic changes in rat sciatic nerves in a crushed injury model. This can be used as an auxiliary method of evaluation in traditional peripheral nerve injury experiments.