Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies: a novel conditioning regimen with anti-T lymphocyte immunoglobulin instead of anti-thymocyte globulin for in vivo T cell depletion.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel protocol for haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) in 312 patients with hematologic malignancies. The protocol evolved from the Beijing platform replacing ATG with ATLG; adding Fludarabine and removing cytarabine and Simustine. GVHD prophylaxis combined Basiliximab and low-dose cyclophosphamide post-transplant; overall, the conditioning duration was shortened. Median times to neutrophil and platelet recovery were both 11 days. Graft rejection occurred in 0.96% of patients. Cumulative incidences of grades II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD by day 200 were 35.3% and 8.9%, respectively. Probabilities of total and extensive chronic GVHD at 2 years were 40.7% and 14.7%. CMV viremia was observed in 35.6% of patients, with a 1.9% 100-day CMV pneumonia incidence and no CMV-related mortality. Cumulative incidences of non-relapse mortality at 100 days, 1 year, and 2 years were 2.9, 4.4, and 6.6%. The 4-year OS, RFS, and GRFS rates were 78.9, 70.7, and 47.3%. Older recipient age was associated with higher NRM, while positive pre-transplant MRD predicted worse OS, RFS, and higher relapse incidence. Our novel protocol for haplo-SCT is associated with low infection rates and acceptable risks of graft failure, severe GVHD, and mortality, representing a safe and effective haploidentical transplantation strategy.

Effects of rumen metabolite butyric acid on bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells proliferation, apoptosis and transcriptional states during myogenic differentiation.

Butyric acid, a pivotal short-chain fatty acid in rumen digestion, profoundly influences animal digestive and locomotor systems. Extensive research indicates its direct or indirect involvement in the growth and development of muscle and fat cells. However, the impact of butyric acid on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of butyrate on SMSCs proliferation and differentiation. After isolating, SMSCs were subjected to varying concentrations of sodium butyrate (NaB) during the proliferation and differentiation stages. Optimal treatment conditions (1 mM NaB for 2 days) were determined based on proliferative force, cell viability, and mRNA expression of proliferation and differentiation marker genes. Transcriptome sequencing was employed to screen for differential gene expression between 1 mM NaB-treated and untreated groups during SMSCs differentiation. Results indicated that lower NaB concentrations (≤1.0 mM) inhibited proliferation while promoting differentiation and apoptosis after a 2-day treatment. Conversely, higher NaB concentrations (≥2.0 mM) suppressed proliferation and differentiation and induced apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed differential expression of genes(ND1, ND3, CYTB, COX2, ATP6, MYOZ2, MYOZ3, MYBPC1 and ATP6V0A4,etc.) were associated with SMSCs differentiation and energy metabolism, enriching pathways such as Oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK, and Wnt signaling. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying butyrate regulation of bovine SMSCs proliferation and differentiation, as well as muscle fiber type conversion in the future study.

Multimodal radiomics and deep learning models for predicting early femoral head deformity in LCPD.

PURPOSE: To develop a predictive model combining clinical, radiomic, and deep learning features based on X-ray and MRI to identify risk factors for early femoral head deformity in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD). METHODS: This study involved 152 patients diagnosed with early unilateral LCPD across two centers between January 2013 and December 2023, and included an independent external validation set to assess generalizability. Four machine learning methods, including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), were employed to develop radiomics deep learning signatures. The clinical-radiomics model (Clinic + Rad), clinical-deep learning model (Clinic + DL), and clinical-radiomics-deep learning model (Clinic + Rad + DL) were developed by integrating radiomics deep learning signatures with clinical variables. The best model, integrated into a nomogram for clinical application, was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Among the four machine learning methods, XGBoost demonstrated superior performance in our patient dataset: radiomic (Rad) model (AUC, 0.786) and deep learning (DL) model (AUC, 0.803). Clinical variables such as age at onset and JIC classification were associated with early femoral head deformity (p < 0.05). The combined model incorporating clinical, radiomic, and deep learning signatures demonstrated better predictive ability (AUC, 0.853). The nomogram can assist clinicians in effectively assessing the risk of early femoral head deformity. CONCLUSION: The Clinic + Rad + DL integrated model may be beneficial for prognostic assessment of early LCPD femoral head deformity, which is crucial for tailoring personalized treatment strategies for individual patients.

Progress of researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture intervention underlying improvement of ischemic stroke by regulating microRNAs. / 针刺调控微小RNAæ²»ç–—ç¼ºè¡€æ€§è„‘å’ä¸­æœºåˆ¶çš„ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

MicroRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke (IS). A lot of researches have shown that acupuncture intervention can improve IS-induced neural dysfunction by regulating miRNA. In the present paper, we summarized the current progress of researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of IS via regulation of miRNA from 1) promoting angiogenesis and increasing cerebral blood flow, 2) inhibiting inflammatory response, 3) maintaining blood-brain barrier homeostasis and relieving brain edema, 4) regulating programmed cell death, 5) promoting neuron regeneration, and 6) improving synaptic plasticity. These miRNA -related mechanisms may provide a reference for the follow-up research .

Electroacupuncture protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through mitochondrial dynamics.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to promote functional recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the contribution of mitochondrial dynamics to recovery remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mitochondrial dynamics are involved in the effects of EA on cerebral I/R injury. Methods: The rats with cerebral I/R injury were established by the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. Subsequently, EA was applied to Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) acupoints, with 2 Hz/5 Hz in frequency, 1.0 mA in intensity, 20 min each time, once a day for seven consecutive days. The therapeutic outcomes were assessed by modified neurological severity score (mNSS), 2,3,5-Triphenyte-trazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Mitochondrial morphology was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and ATP synthases (ATPases) activity were evaluated to measure mitochondrial function using ELISA. Finally, mitochondrial dynamics-related molecules, including dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), fission 1 (Fis1), mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Cerebral I/R injury induced neurological dysfunction, cerebral infarction and neuronal injury, all of which were ameliorated by EA. And EA improved mitochondrial morphology and function. Moreover, EA altered the balance of mitochondrial dynamics. Specifically, the data showed a significant decrease in the expression of Drp1 and Fis1, leading to the inhibition of mitochondrial fission. Additionally, Mfn1, Mfn2 and Opa1, which are related to mitochondrial fusion, were effectively promoted after EA treatment. However, sham EA did not show any neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral I/R injury. Conclusions: In summary, our study indicates that the balance of mitochondrial dynamics is crucial for EA therapy to treat cerebral I/R injury.

Synthesis of scaberol C amino acid ester derivatives with anti-cancer activity.

A series of amino acid ester trifluoroacetate derivatives was synthesized from scaberol C. They were screened for their inhibitory activity against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cells. Among them, compound 2 l showed significant cytotoxicity against A549 and H460 cells (IC50), and was more active than cisplatin (DDP). The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was overexpressed in NSCLC, which was the target of multiple cancer therapies and a strong prognostic indicator. Our previous studies reported that the target of scaberol C derivatives against NSCLC cells was EGFR. And then molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicated that 2 l can stably and covalently bind to the EGFR target protein.

Storage and redistribution of anthropogenic CO2 in the western North Pacific: The role of subtropical mode water transportation.

Oceanic uptake and storage of anthropogenic CO2 (CANT) are regulated by ocean circulation and ventilation. To decipher the storage and redistribution of CANT in the western North Pacific, where a major CANT sink develops, we investigated the water column carbonate system, dissolved inorganic radiocarbon and ancillary parameters in May and August 2018, spanning the Kuroshio Extension (KE, 35-39 °N), Kuroshio Recirculation (KR, 27-35 °N) and subtropical (21-27 °N) zones. Water column CANT inventories were estimated to be 40.5 ± 1.1 mol m-2 in the KR zone and 37.2 ± 0.9 mol m-2 in the subtropical zone. In comparison with historical data obtained in 2005, relatively high rates of increase of the CANT inventory of 1.05 ± 0.20 and 1.03 ± 0.12 mol m-2 yr-1 in the recent decade were obtained in the KR and subtropical zones, respectively. Our water-mass-based analyses suggest that formation and transport of subtropical mode water dominate the deep penetration, storage, and redistribution of CANT in those two regions. In the KE zone, however, both the water column CANT inventory and the decadal CANT accumulation rate were small and uncertain owing to the dynamic hydrology, where the naturally uplifting isopycnal surfaces make CANT penetration relatively shallow. The findings of this study improve the understanding of the spatiotemporal variations of CANT distribution, storage, and transport in the western North Pacific.

The novel HLA-B*40:550 allele, identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual.

HLA-B*40:550 differs from HLA-B*40:01:02:01 by one nucleotide in exon 1.

Iron-containing nanominerals for sustainable phosphate management: A comprehensive review and future perspectives.

Adsorption, which is a quick and effective method for phosphate management, can effectively address the crisis of phosphorus mineral resources and control eutrophication. Phosphate management systems typically use iron-containing nanominerals (ICNs) with large surface areas and high activity, as well as modified ICNs (mICNs). This paper comprehensively reviews phosphate management by ICNs and mICNs in different water environments. mICNs have a higher affinity for phosphates than ICNs. Phosphate adsorption on ICNs and mICNs occurs through mechanisms such as surface complexation, surface precipitation, electrostatic ligand exchange, and electrostatic attraction. Ionic strength influences phosphate adsorption by changing the surface potential and isoelectric point of ICNs and mICNs. Anions exhibit inhibitory effects on ICNs and mICNs in phosphate adsorption, while cations display a promoting effect. More importantly, high concentrations and molecular weights of natural organic matter can inhibit phosphate adsorption by ICNs and mICNs. Sodium hydroxide has high regeneration capability for ICNs and mICNs. Compared to ICNs with high crystallinity, those with low crystallinity are less likely to desorb. ICNs and mICNs can effectively manage municipal wastewater, eutrophic seawater, and eutrophic lakes. Adsorption of ICNs and mICNs saturated with phosphate can be used as fertilizers in agricultural production. Notably, mICNs and ICNs have positive and negative effects on microorganisms and aquatic organisms in soil. Finally, this study introduces the following: trends and prospects of machine learning-guided mICN design, novel methods for modified ICNs, mICN regeneration, development of mICNs with high adsorption capacity and selectivity for phosphate, investigation of competing ions in different water environments by mICNs, and trends and prospects of in-depth research on the adsorption mechanism of phosphate by weakly crystalline ferrihydrite. This comprehensive review can provide novel insights into the research on high-performance mICNs for phosphate management in the future.

Device-independent quantum randomness-enhanced zero-knowledge proof.

Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) is a fundamental cryptographic primitive that allows a prover to convince a verifier of the validity of a statement without leaking any further information. As an efficient variant of ZKP, noninteractive zero-knowledge proof (NIZKP) adopting the Fiat-Shamir heuristic is essential to a wide spectrum of applications, such as federated learning, blockchain, and social networks. However, the heuristic is typically built upon the random oracle model that makes ideal assumptions about hash functions, which does not hold in reality and thus undermines the security of the protocol. Here, we present a quantum solution to the problem. Instead of resorting to a random oracle model, we implement a quantum randomness service. This service generates random numbers certified by the loophole-free Bell test and delivers them with postquantum cryptography (PQC) authentication. By employing this service, we conceive and implement NIZKP of the three-coloring problem. By bridging together three prominent research themes, quantum nonlocality, PQC, and ZKP, we anticipate this work to inspire more innovative applications that combine quantum information science and the cryptography field.

Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma for mRNA vaccine development.

BACKGROUND: mRNA vaccines have been investigated in multiple tumors, but limited studies have been conducted on their use for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM: To identify candidate mRNA vaccine antigens for HCC and suitable subpopulations for mRNA vaccination. METHODS: Gene expression profiles and clinical information of HCC datasets were obtained from International Cancer Genome Consortium and The Cancer Genome Atlas. Genes with somatic mutations and copy number variations were identified by cBioPortal analysis. The differentially expressed genes with significant prognostic value were identified by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 website analysis. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database was used to assess the correlation between candidate antigens and the abundance of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Tumor-associated antigens were overexpressed in tumors and associated with prognosis, genomic alterations, and APC infiltration. A consensus cluster analysis was performed with the Consensus Cluster Plus package to identify the immune subtypes. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine the candidate biomarker molecules for appropriate populations for mRNA vaccines. RESULTS: AURKA, CCNB1, CDC25C, CDK1, TRIP13, PES1, MCM3, PPM1G, NEK2, KIF2C, PTTG1, KPNA2, and PRC1 were identified as candidate HCC antigens for mRNA vaccine development. Four immune subtypes (IS1-IS4) and five immune gene modules of HCC were identified that were consistent in both patient cohorts. The immune subtypes showed distinct cellular and clinical characteristics. The IS1 and IS3 immune subtypes were immunologically "cold". The IS2 and IS4 immune subtypes were immunologically "hot", and the immune checkpoint genes and immunogenic cell death genes were upregulated in these subtypes. IS1-related modules were identified with the WGCNA algorithm. Ultimately, five hub genes (RBP4, KNG1, METTL7A, F12, and ABAT) were identified, and they might be potential biomarkers for mRNA vaccines. CONCLUSION: AURKA, CCNB1, CDC25C, CDK1, TRIP13, PES1, MCM3, PPM1G, NEK2, KIF2C, PTTG1, KPNA2, and PRC1 have been identified as candidate HCC antigens for mRNA vaccine development. The IS1 and IS3 immune subtypes are suitable populations for mRNA vaccination. RBP4, KNG1, METTL7A, F12, and ABAT are potential biomarkers for mRNA vaccines.

[Effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen electroacupuncture pretreatment on PPARγ-mediated pyroptosis of cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen (promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the spirit) electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on pyroptosis mediated by peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) of the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) and explore the potential mechanism of EA for the prevention and treatment of CIRI. METHODS: A total of 110 clean-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA group, an EA + inhibitor group and an agonist group, 22 rats in each group. In the EA group, before modeling, EA was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/5 Hz in frequency, 1 to 2 mA in intensity, lasting 20 min; once a day, consecutively for 7 days. On the base of the intervention as the EA group, on the day 7, the intraperitoneal injection with the PPARγ inhibitor, GW9662 (10 mg/kg) was delivered in the EA + inhibitor group. In the agonist group, on the day 7, the PPARγ agonist, pioglitazone hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. At the end of intervention, except the sham-operation group, the modified thread embolization method was adopted to establish the right CIRI model in the rats of the other groups. Using the score of the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), the neurological defect condition of rats was evaluated. TTC staining was adopted to detect the relative cerebral infarction volume of rat, TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis of cerebral cortical nerve cells and the transmission electron microscope was used to observe pyroptosis of cerebral cortical neural cells. The positive expression of PPARγ and nucleotide-binding to oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in the cerebral cortex was detected with the immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression of PPARγ, NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD) and GSDMD-N terminal (GSDMD-N) in the cerebral cortex was detected with Western blot. Using the quantitative real-time fluorescence-PCR, the mRNA expression of PPARγ, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD of the cerebral cortex was detected. The contents of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 in the cerebral cortex of rats were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the mNSS, the relative cerebral infarction volume and the TUNEL positive cells rate were increased (P<0.01), pyroptosis was severe, the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPARγ, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were elevated (P<0.01); and the protein expression of GSDMD-N and contents of IL-1ß and IL-18 were increased (P<0.01) in the model group. When compared with the model group, the mNSS, the relative cerebral infarction volume and the TUNEL positive cells rate were decreased (P<0.01), pyroptosis was alleviated, the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPARγ were increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were decreased (P<0.01), the protein expression of GSDMD-N was reduced (P<0.01); and the contents of IL-1ß and IL-18 were lower (P<0.01) in the EA group and the agonist group; while, in the EA + inhibitor group, the protein expression of PPARγ was increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 and GSDMD were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA expression of caspase-1 was reduced (P<0.01); and the contents of IL-1ß and IL-18 were lower (P<0.01). When compared with the EA + inhibitor group, the mNSS, the relative cerebral infarction volume and the TUNEL positive cells rate were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), pyroptosis was alleviated, the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPARγ were increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were decreased (P<0.01), the protein expression of GSDMD-N was reduced (P<0.01); and the contents of IL-1ß and IL-18 were declined (P<0.01) in the EA group. Compared with the agonist group, in the EA group, the relative cerebral infarction volume and the TUNEL positive cells rate were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the mRNA expression of PPARγ was decreased (P<0.01) and the protein expression of GSDMD-N was elevated (P<0.05); and the contents of IL-1ß and IL-18 were higher (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tongdu Tiaoshen EA pretreatment can attenuate the neurological impairment in the rats with CIRI, and the underlying mechanism is related to the up-regulation of PPARγ inducing the inhibition of NLRP3 in the cerebral cortex of rats so that pyroptosis is affected.

Net ecosystem productivity of Panjin Phragmites australis wetland during 1971 to 2020 and its impact factors.

Coastal estuarine wetland ecosystem has strong ability for carbon (C) storage and sequestration. Accurate assessment of C sequestration and its environmental impact factors is the basis of scientific protection and mana-gement of coastal estuarine wetlands. Taking the Panjin reed (Phragmites australis) wetland as the object, we used terrestrial ecosystem model, together with Mann-Kendall mutation test, statistical analysis methods, and scenario simulation experiment, to analyze the temporal characteristics, stability, changing trend of net ecosystem production (NEP) of wetlands and the contribution rate of environmental impact factors to NEP during 1971 to 2020. The results showed that the annual average NEP of Panjin reed wetland was 415.51 g C·m-2·a-1 during 1971 to 2020, with a steady increase rate of 1.7 g C·m-2·a-1, which would still have a continuous increasing trend in the future. The annual average NEP in spring, summer, autumn, and winter was 33.95, 418.05, -18.71, and -17.78 g C·m-2·a-1, with an increase rate of 0.35, 1.26, 0.14 and -0.06 g C·m-2·a-1, respectively. In the future, NEP would show an increasing trend in both spring and summer, but a declining trend in both autumn and winter. The contribution rates of environmental impact factors to NEP of Panjin reed wetland depended on temporal scale. At the interannual scale, the contribution rate of precipitation was the highest (37.1%), followed by CO2 (28.4%), air temperature (25.1%) and photosynthetically active radiation (9.4%). Precipitation mainly affected NEP in both spring and autumn with the contribution rates of 49.5% and 38.8%, while CO2 concentration (36.9%) and air temperature (-86.7%) were dominant in summer and winter, respectively.

[Professor HAN Wei's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen for adolescent depressive disorder].

Professor HAN Wei 's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen (promoting yang and regaining consciousness) for adolescent depressive disorder is introduced. It is believed that the internal causes of adolescent depressive disorder are mostly emotional and physical factors, while the external causes are mainly social factors, and yang-qi stagnation and emotional disorder are the key pathogenesis. The key of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen is warming and regulating the governor vessel. The governor vessel acupoints at head, neck and back are selected. At head, Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (GV 24+) are selected; at neck, Fengfu (GV 16) and Dazhui (GV 14) are selected; at back, Taodao (GV 13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Shendao (GV 11), Zhiyang (GV 9) and Jinsuo (GV 8) are selected. The combination of disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation should be highly valued, and the moxibustion with Tongyang and acupuncture with Xingshen should be used simultaneously, and the strong stimulation is suggested.

Targeting ATAD3A-PINK1-mitophagy axis overcomes chemoimmunotherapy resistance by redirecting PD-L1 to mitochondria.

Only a small proportion of patients with triple-negative breast cancer benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in combination with chemotherapy. Here, we discovered that therapeutic response to ICI plus paclitaxel was associated with subcellular redistribution of PD-L1. In our immunotherapy cohort of ICI in combination with nab-paclitaxel, tumor samples from responders showed significant distribution of PD-L1 at mitochondria, while non-responders showed increased accumulation of PD-L1 on tumor cell membrane instead of mitochondria. Our results also revealed that the distribution pattern of PD-L1 was regulated by an ATAD3A-PINK1 axis. Mechanistically, PINK1 recruited PD-L1 to mitochondria for degradation via a mitophagy pathway. Importantly, paclitaxel increased ATAD3A expression to disrupt proteostasis of PD-L1 by restraining PINK1-dependent mitophagy. Clinically, patients with tumors exhibiting high expression of ATAD3A detected before the treatment with ICI in combination with paclitaxel had markedly shorter progression-free survival compared with those with ATAD3A-low tumors. Preclinical results further demonstrated that targeting ATAD3A reset a favorable antitumor immune microenvironment and increased the efficacy of combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel. In summary, our results indicate that ATAD3A serves not only as a resistant factor for the combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel through preventing PD-L1 mitochondrial distribution, but also as a promising target for increasing the therapeutic responses to chemoimmunotherapy.

[Acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction for stroke-associated pneumonia with phlegm-heat obstructing lung and its effect on cellular immune function].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) with phlegm-heat obstructing lung, and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients of SAP with phlegm-heat obstructing lung were randomly divided into a combination group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off), a Chinese medication group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off) and an acupuncture group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off). On the basis of routine basic treatment, the patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Tiantu (CV 22), Feishu (BL 13), Taiyuan (LU 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc., once a day, with an interval of 1 day after continuous 6-day treatment; the patients in the Chinese medication group were treated with Qingfei Qutan decoction, 1 dose per day; the patients in the combination group were treated with acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction. Two weeks were taken as a course of treatment, and two courses of treatment were given. Before and after treatment, the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), inflammatory indexes (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], procalcitonin [PCT], C-reactive protein [CRP]), cellular immune function (CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8) were compared in the 3 groups. The clearance of pathogenic bacteria after treatment was observed in the 3 groups. The clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the CPIS scores, NLR, PCT, CRP and CD+8 in the each group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), while the levels of CD+3, CD+4, CD+4/CD+8 were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The above indexes in the combination group were better than those in the acupuncture group and the Chinese medication group (P<0.05), and the above indexes in the Chinese medication group were better than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the clearance rate of pathogenic bacteria among three groups (P>0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate was 65.6% (21/32) in the combination group, which was higher than 43.8% (14/32) in the Chinese medication group and 18.8% (6/32) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate in the Chinese medication group was higher than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of SAP patients with phlegm-heat obstructing lung, and the mechanism may be related to enhancing the cellular immune function and reducing the level of inflammatory reaction.

Effects of warming, eutrophication and climate variability on acidification of the seasonally stratified North Yellow Sea over the past 40 years.

The North Yellow Sea (NYS) is a productive marginal sea of the western North Pacific. In summer and autumn, CaCO3 saturation states beneath the seasonal thermocline in the NYS have frequently fallen below critical levels, indicating that marine calcifying organisms are under threat. To explore the long-term evolution of the acidification of the NYS, we reconstructed seasonal variations in subsurface aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) and pH during 1976-2017, using wintertime and summertime temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH data mainly from a quality-controlled oceanographic database. Over the past 40 years, the wintertime warming rate in the NYS was twice the rate of global ocean surface warming. Warming-induced decrease in CO2 solubility canceled out a part of the wintertime Ωarag decrease caused by atmospheric CO2 increase, and also had minor effect on pH changes in winter. Although the NYS is a semi-enclosed marginal sea, its interannual variations of wintertime temperature, salinity, pH and Ωarag were correlated to Pacific Decadal Oscillation with a lag of 2-3 years. Due to the eutrophication-induced enhancement of net community respiration beneath the seasonal thermocline, long-term declines of bottom-water Ωarag and pH in summer were substantially faster than the declines of assumed air-equilibrated Ωarag and pH in spring. Over the past 40 years, the amplitudes of seasonal variations of bottom-water Ωarag and pH from spring to summer/autumn have increased by 4-7 times. This amplification has pushed the NYS towards the critical threshold of net community CaCO3 dissolution at a pace faster than that forecast under scenarios of atmospheric CO2 increase. In summary, our results provide insights into the combined effects of ocean warming, eutrophication, atmospheric CO2 rise and climate variability on coastal hydrochemistry, explaining how the environmental stresses on local marine calcifying organisms and the benthic ecosystem increased over the past 40 years.

The mechanisms and roles of melatonin in gastrointestinal cancer.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a global health problem with wide lesions and numerous cases. The increased morbidity and mortality of GI cancer is a socio-economic challenge for decades to come. Melatonin, a nature indolamine, exerts a crucial role in molecular interactions involved in multiple functional and physiological processes. Increasing evidence indicates that melatonin can modulate GI tract, decrease the occurrence of GI cancer, and enhance the sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy. However, little is known about the exact role of melatonin in anti-carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss the action of the beneficial effects of melatonin in GI carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we compile the understanding of the role of melatonin in GI cancer, including esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic cancer (PC). In addition, the potential therapeutic application and clinical evaluation of melatonin in GI cancer are also discussed.

Association between coronary artery calcification and cognitive function in a Chinese community-based population.

BACKGROUND: Coronary atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment are both age-related diseases, with similar risk factors. Coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, may play a role in early detection of individuals prone to cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CAC and cognitive function, and the capability of CAC to identify participants with a high risk of dementia in a Chinese community-based population. METHODS: A total of 1332 participants, aged 40-80 years and free of dementia from a community located in Beijing were included. All participants completed neurocognitive questionnaires and noncontrast CT examinations. Cognitive performance tests (including verbal memory, semantic fluency, executive function, and global cognitive function tests), the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CIDE) risk score, and the CAC score (CACS) were evaluated by questionnaires and CT. A CAIDE score ≥ 10 was considered to indicate a high risk of dementia in late-life. Participants were divided into three groups according to CACS (0, 1-399, ≥ 400). RESULTS: After adjusting for risk factors, CACS was significantly associated with verbal memory (r = -0.083, P = 0.003) and global cognitive function (r = -0.070, P = 0.012). The prevalence of a high risk of dementia in the subgroups of CACS = 0, 1-399, and ≥ 400 was 4.67%, 13.66%, and 24.79%, respectively (P < 0.001). Individuals with CACS ≥ 400 had a higher risk of CAIDE score ≥ 10 [OR = 2.30 (1.56, 4.56), P = 0.014] than those with CACS = 0. The receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that the capability of CACS to identify participants with a high risk of dementia was moderate (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.67-0.72,P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CAC, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was significantly associated with cognitive performance in verbal memory and global cognitive function. CAC had a moderate capability to identify participants with a high risk of dementia, independent of age, education, and other risk factors.

Outside-in catalytic graphitization method for synthesis of dispersible and uniform graphitic porous carbon nanospheres.

Common strategies to synthesize graphitic porous carbon nanospheres suffer from energy consumption, exorbitant cost and harsh condition, and lead to closed pore and polydisperse particles. The successful manipulation of adjustable graphitic skeleton, developed porosity, good monodispersity and dispersity of carbon nanospheres is essential to meet their structural varieties and practical applications. Herein, an outside-in catalytic graphitization method is reported to synthesize carbon nanospheres with abovementioned properties, which involves interfacial assembly between layered double hydroxides nanosheets and polymer nanospheres, in-situ generation of nickel nanoparticles, and outside-in catalytic graphitization. The unusual phenomenon is that the in-situ generated nickel nanoparticles are preferentially oriented to the carbon side rather than to the free open space. The interface reactions between nickel nanoparticles and amorphous carbons drive continuous etching of carbon species to form graphitic structure in the interior of spheres. The graphitic structure can be tuned by changing effective charge ratio and pyrolysis conditions and obtained carbon nanospheres possessed good dispersibility in water and ethanol. Moreover, such carbon nanospheres exhibited good performance when used as anodes in lithium-ion batteries. These findings may pave new ways for synthesizing multifarious carbon nanomaterials with adjustable graphitic skeleton, developed porosity, good monodispersity and dispersibility for various applications.