Functional characterization of NBS-LRR genes reveals an NBS-LRR gene that mediates resistance against Fusarium wilt.

BACKGROUND: Most disease resistance (R) genes in plants encode proteins that contain leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) and nucleotide-binding site (NBS) domains, which belong to the NBS-LRR family. The sequenced genomes of Fusarium wilt-susceptible Vernicia fordii and its resistant counterpart, Vernicia montana, offer significant resources for the functional characterization and discovery of novel NBS-LRR genes in tung tree. RESULTS: Here, we identified 239 NBS-LRR genes across two tung tree genomes: 90 in V. fordii and 149 in V. montana. Five VmNBS-LRR paralogous were predicted in V. montana, and 43 orthologous were detected between V. fordii and V. montana. The orthologous gene pair Vf11G0978-Vm019719 exhibited distinct expression patterns in V. fordii and V. montana: Vf11G0978 showed downregulated expression in V. fordii, while its orthologous gene Vm019719 demonstrated upregulated expression in V. montana, indicating that this pair may be responsible for the resistance to Fusarium wilt in V. montana. Vm019719 from V. montana, activated by VmWRKY64, was shown to confer resistance to Fusarium wilt in V. montana by a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment. However, in the susceptible V. fordii, its allelic counterpart, Vf11G0978, exhibited an ineffective defense response, attributed to a deletion in the promoter's W-box element. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first systematic analysis of NBS-LRR genes in the tung tree and identifies a candidate gene that can be utilized for marker-assisted breeding to control Fusarium wilt in V. fordii.

Nondefective Vacancy Enhanced Resistive Switching Reliability in Emergent van der Waals Metal Phosphorus Trisulfide-Based Memristive In-Memory Computing Hardware.

Two-dimensional-material-based memristors are emerging as promising enablers of new computing systems beyond von Neumann computers. However, the most studied anion-vacancy-enabled transition metal dichalcogenide memristors show many undesirable performances, e.g., high leakage currents, limited memory windows, high programming currents, and limited endurance. Here, we demonstrate that the emergent van der Waals metal phosphorus trisulfides with unconventional nondefective vacancy provide a promising paradigm for high-performance memristors. The different vacancy types (i.e., defective and nondefective vacancies) induced memristive discrepancies are uncovered. The nondefective vacancies can provide an ultralow diffusion barrier and good memristive structure stability giving rise to many desirable memristive performances, including high off-state resistance of 1012 Ω, pA-level programming currents, large memory window up to 109, more than 7-bit conductance states, and good endurance. Furthermore, a high-yield (94%) memristor crossbar array is fabricated and implements multiple image processing successfully, manifesting the potential for in-memory computing hardware.

Characterization of a novel anti-PVRIG antibody with Fc-competent function that exerts strong antitumor effects via NK activation in preclinical models.

Poliovirus receptor-related immunoglobulin domain-containing protein, or PVRIG, is a newly discovered immune checkpoint that has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. It is primarily expressed on activated T and natural killer (NK) cells, and once engaged with its ligand, PVRL2, it induces inhibitory signaling in T cells, thereby promoting the functional exhaustion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Here, we characterized IBI352g4a, a novel humanized anti-PVRIG antibody with Fc-competent function, explored the mechanism of its antitumor activity in preclinical models, and systemically evaluated the contribution of FcrR engagement to PVRIG blockade-induced antitumor activity. IBI352g4a binds to the extracellular domain of human PVRIG with high affinity (Kd = 0.53 nM) and specificity, and fully blocks the interaction between PVRIG and its ligand PVRL2. Unlike other immune checkpoints, IBI352g4a significantly induced NK cell activation and degranulation, but had a minimal effect on T-cell activation in in vitro functional assays. IBI352g4a induced strong antitumor effect in several preclinic models, through in vivo mechanism analysis we found that both NK and T cells contribute to the antitumor effect, but NK cells play predominant roles. Specifically, a single dose of IBI352g4a induced significant NK cell activation in TILs, but T-cell activation was observed only after the second dose. Moreover, the Fc effector function is critical for both NK cell activation and treatment efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates that both NK activation and FcrR engagement are required for antitumor efficacy induced by PVRIG blockade.

Differential expression of tsRNAs and miRNAs in embryo culture medium: potential impact on embryo implantation.

PURPOSE: Can small RNA derived from embryos in conditioned embryo culture medium (ECM) influence embryo implantation? METHODS: We employed small RNA sequencing to investigate the expression profiles of transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) in ECM from high-quality and low-quality embryos. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to validate the findings of small RNA sequencing. Additionally, we conducted bioinformatics analysis to predict the potential functions of these small RNAs in embryo implantation. To establish the role of tiRNA-1:35-Leu-TAG-2 in embryonic trophoblast cell adhesion, we utilized co-culture systems involving JAR and Ishikawa cells. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed upregulation of nine tsRNAs and four miRNAs in ECM derived from high-quality embryos, whereas 37 tsRNAs and 12 miRNAs exhibited upregulation in ECM from low-quality embryos. The bioinformatics analysis of tsRNA, miRNA, and mRNA pathways indicated that their respective target genes may play pivotal roles in both embryo development and endometrial receptivity. Utilizing tiRNA mimics, we demonstrated that the prominently expressed tiRNA-1:35-Leu-TAG-2 in the low-quality ECM group can be internalized by Ishikawa cells. Notably, transfection of tiRNA-1:35-Leu-TAG-2 into Ishikawa cells reduced the attachment rate of JAR spheroids. CONCLUSION: Our investigation uncovers significant variation in the expression profiles of tsRNAs and miRNAs between ECM derived from high- and low-quality embryos. Intriguingly, the release of tiRNA-1:35-Leu-TAG-2 by low-quality embryos detrimentally affects embryo implantation and endometrial receptivity. These findings provide fresh insights into understanding the molecular foundations of embryo-endometrial communication.

Downregulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 protects against kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury of the kidney is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and treatment of this injury remains a challenge. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) plays a vital role in essential hypertension and myocardial infarction, but its function in kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury remains undetermined. Among the GRK subtypes (GRK2-6) expressed in kidneys, the increase in GRK4 expression was much more apparent than that of the other four GRKs 24 hours after injury and was found to accumulate in the nuclei of injured mouse and human renal tubule cells. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments revealed that GRK4 overexpression exacerbated acute kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury, whereas kidney tubule-specific knockout of GRK4 decreased injury-induced kidney dysfunction. Necroptosis was the major type of tubule cell death mediated by GRK4, because GRK4 significantly increased receptor interacting kinase (RIPK)1 expression and phosphorylation, subsequently leading to RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) phosphorylation after kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury, but was reversed by necrostatin-1 pretreatment (an RIPK1 inhibitor). Using co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and siRNA screening studies, we identified signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 as a GRK4 binding protein, which co-localized with GRK4 in the nuclei of renal tubule cells. Additionally, GRK4 phosphorylated STAT1 at serine 727, whose inactive mutation effectively reversed GRK4-mediated RIPK1 activation and tubule cell death. Kidney-targeted GRK4 silencing with nanoparticle delivery considerably ameliorated kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, our findings reveal that GRK4 triggers necroptosis and aggravates kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its downregulation may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for kidney protection.

Janus magnetoelastic membrane swimmers.

Soft swimming microrobots have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from biomedicines to environmental remediation. The locomotion control is of importance to the research of micromachines and microrobots. Inspired by the motility strategies of living microorganisms, such as flagella, cilia, and euglenoids, we focus on propulsion mechanisms with a design of Janus magnetoelastic crystalline membrane microswimmers actuated by time-varying magnetic fields. Such a Janus swimmer consists of a ferromagnetic cap completed by a magnetoelastic membrane body, where superparamagnetic particles are uniformly distributed on the surface. Under the influence of external magnetic fields, the swimmer undergoes complex shape transitions due to the interplay between the magnetic dipole-dipole interactions, the elasticity of the magnetoelastic membranes, and also the hydrodynamics of surrounding fluids. We show that those shape changes are nonreciprocal, which can generate locomotion such that the propulsion speed can be optimized by tailoring the membrane elastic properties. Besides, we also demonstrate that the Janus swimmer can be magnetically guided in a spiral trajectory. With such adequate control of locomotion in both speed and direction via non-invasive magnetic fields, this study provides another promising candidate design for the future development of microswimmers.

Biocompatible conjugated polymer nanoparticles labeled with 225Ac for tumor endoradiotherapy.

Recently, endoradiotherapy based on actinium-225 (225Ac) has attracted increasing attention, which is due to its α particles can generate maximal damage to cancer cells while minimizing unnecessary radiation effects on healthy tissues. Herein, 111In/225Ac-radiolabeled conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) coated with amphiphilic polymer DSPE-PEG-DOTA have been developed as a new injectable nano-radiopharmaceuticals for cancer endoradiotherapy under the guidance of nuclear imaging. Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using 111In-DOTA-PEG-CPNs as nano probe indicates a prolonged retention of radiolabeled nanocarriers, which was consistent with the in vivo biodistribution examined by direct radiometry analysis. Significant inhibition of tumor growth has been observed in murine 4T1 models treated with 225Ac-DOTA-PEG-CPNs when compared to mice treated with PBS or DOTA-PEG-CPNs. The 225Ac-DOTA-PEG-CPNs group experienced no single death within 24 days with the median survival considerably extended to 35 days, while all the mice treated with PBS or DOTA-PEG-CPNs died at 20 days post injection. Additionally, the histopathology studies demonstrated no obvious side effects on healthy tissues after treatment with 225Ac-DOTA-PEG-CPNs. All these results reveal that the new 225Ac-labeled DOTA-PEG-CPNs is promising as paradigm for endoradiotherapy.

Prognostic value of day-of-event serum calcium and magnesium for predicting 1-year prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage.

AIM: To investigate whether serum calcium and magnesium on the day of symptom onset contribute to prognosis at 1 year after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients admitted < 24 h after symptom onset of primary ICH to West China Hospital between January 2012 and October 2014. Blood samples were collected at admission to determine the concentration of serum calcium and magnesium. We analyzed associations of the serum concentration of calcium and magnesium with unfavorable outcome (defined as modified Rankin scale, mRS ≥ 3) at 1 year. RESULTS: We included 874 patients (mean age 59.1 ± 13.5 years, 67.6% males), of whom 470 patients had mRS ≥ 3 and 284 patients died at 1 year. Compared to patients with the highest tertile level of calcium concentration (≥ 2.29 mmol/L), patients in the lowest tertile (≤ 2.15 mmol/L) had higher odds of unfavorable outcome (odds ratio, OR 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.50, P = 0.034). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed a significant difference of cumulative survival rate across calcium tertiles (log-rank P value = 0.038). There was no significant association between serum concentration of magnesium and functional outcome at 1 year. CONCLUSION: A reduced serum concentration of calcium on the day-of-event was associated with unfavorable outcome at 1 year after ICH. Future studies are needed to illustrate the pathophysiological mechanism of calcium and whether calcium could be a treatment target for improving outcomes after ICH.

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated phosphorus-doped biochar-attapulgite/bismuth film electrode for smartphone-operated wireless portable sensing of ultra-trace multiple heavy metal ions.

Pollution caused by both forestry wastes and heavy metals has increasingly drawn attention owing to environmental safety concerns. After essential oil is extracted from Cinnamomum camphoras (L.), the branches are used as forestry wastes to prepare a phosphorus-doped biochar-attapulgite/bismuth film electrode decorated with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MBA-BiFE). The smartphone-operated wireless portable sensor is employed for the simultaneous ultratrace voltammetric detection of multiple heavy metal ions (Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+). Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ exhibit excellent electrochemical responses in linear ranges of 0.1 nM-5 µM, 0.01 nM-7 µM, and 0.1 nM-3 µM with limits of detection equal to 0.036, 0.003, and 0.011 nM, respectively. The recoveries of MBA-BiFE for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ are 93.6-109.9%, 86.0-107.5%, and 94.8-104.6%, respectively, and the RSD values for repeated measurements of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ are 4.2%, 2.8%, and 3.3%, respectively. A machine learning model based on an artificial neural network algorithm is constructed to enable a smart determination of ultratrace hazardous multiple metal ions. The portable sensor based on the screen-printed integrated three-electrode sensor modified using MBA-BiFE demonstrates advantages and practicability in outdoor detection, compared with conventional sensors based on MBA-BiFE. This study provides a smartphone-operated wireless portable sensing technique for high-potential applications in environmetallomics or agrometallomics using forestry waste-derived biochar as substrate for electrode preparation. HIGHLIGHTS: • Fe3O4 decorated phosphorus-doped biochar-attapulgite/bismuth film electrode. • A smartphone-operated sensor for analysis of multiple heavy metal ions. • An Artificial neural network model for smart analysis of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+.

[Preparation and quality evaluation of total flavonoids microemulsion of "Pueraria lobata-Hovenia dulcis"].

The effective components of flavonoids in the "Pueraria lobata-Hovenia dulcis" drug pair have low bioavailability in vivo due to their unstable characteristics. This study used microemulsions with amphoteric carrier properties to solve this problem. The study drew pseudo-ternary phase diagrams through titration compatibility experiments of the oil phase with emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers and screened the prescription composition of blank microemulsions. The study used average particle size and PDI as evaluation indicators, and the central composite design-response surface method(CCD-RSM) was used to optimize the prescription; high-dosage drug-loaded microemulsions were obtained, and their physicochemical properties, appearance, and stability were evaluated. The results showed that when ethyl butyrate was used as the oil phase, polysorbate 80(tween 80) as the surfactant, and anhydrous ethanol as the cosurfactant, the maximum microemulsion area was obtained. When the difference in results was small, K_(m )of 1∶4 was chosen to ensure the safety of the prescription. The prescription composition optimized by the CCD-RSM was ethyl butyrate(16.28%), tween 80(9.59%), and anhydrous ethanol(38.34%). When the dosage reached 3% of the system mass, the total flavonoid microemulsion prepared had a clear and transparent appearance, with average particle size, PDI, and potential of(74.25±1.58)nm, 0.277±0.043, and(-0.08±0.07) mV, respectively. The microemulsion was spherical and evenly distributed under transmission electron microscopy. The centrifugal stability and temperature stability were good, and there was no layering or demulsification phenomenon, which significantly improved the in vitro dissolution of total flavonoids.

Combined strategies for effective cancer immunotherapy with a novel anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody.

CD47 is a widely expressed cell-surface protein that regulates phagocytosis mediated by cells of the innate immune system, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. CD47 serves as the ligand for a receptor on these innate immune cells, signal regulatory protein (SIRP)-α, which in turn inhibits phagocytosis. Several targeted CD47 therapeutic antibodies have been investigated clinically; however, how to improve its therapeutic efficacy remains unclear. Herein, we developed a CD47 blocking antibody, named IBI188, that could specifically block the CD47-SIRP-α axis, which transduces the "don't eat me" signal to macrophages. In vitro phagocytosis assays demonstrated the pro-phagocytosis ability of IBI188. Furthermore, several in vivo models were chosen to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of IBI188. IBI188 treatment upregulated cell movement- and inflammation-related genes in macrophages. Synergism was observed when combined with an anti-CD20 therapeutic antibody, whose function depends on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity/phagocytosis (ADCC/ADCP). CD47 expression was evaluated following azacytidine (AZA) treatment, a standard-of-care for patients with multiple myeloma; enhanced anti-tumor efficacy was observed in the combination group in AML xenograft models. Notably, IBI188 treatment increased vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) levels in a solid tumor model, and combined treatment with an anti-VEGF-A antibody and IBI188 resulted in an enhanced anti-tumor effect. These data indicate that IBI188 is a therapeutic anti-CD47 antibody with anti-tumor potency, which can be enhanced when used in combination with standard-of-care drugs for cancer treatment.

One-step synthesis of natural montmorillonite/hematite composites with enhanced persulfate catalytic activity for sulfamethoxazole degradation: Efficiency, kinetics, and mechanism.

Along with rapid development of sulfate radicals-based advanced oxidation process, efficient, alternatively eco-friendly and cost-effective catalyst is of uppermost priority. However, expensive chemicals are used as source of metal in most of these catalysts, and lose sight of the abundant natural mineral resources on immediate surroundings. In this work, montmorillonite and hematite, two of abundantly natural minerals were utilized to prepare a persulfate catalyst (TMH@M) for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation. The results indicated more than 91% of SMX was removed within 60 min in TMH@M/PS system. The degradation efficiency of SMX of TMH@M/PS combined system was impacted by SMX concentration, PS dosage and natural organic matters, and can remain stable in a certain concentration of HA/chelating agent and a wide pH range (3.01-9.06). Radical scavenging and EPR tests demonstrated 1O2, OH, and SO4- were major reactive oxygen species in the TMH@M/PS system, while the latter seems more important for degradation of SMX. The results of SEM-EDS, XRD and XPS conformed that low valence iron species (Fe0, Fe2+ and Fe3O4) on TMH@M surface are the main driving force behind PS activation to generate reactive species. Furthermore, the iron species on TMH@M surface were transformed during reaction, that in favor of mitigating metal leaching. This work presented a method based on ubiquitous natural minerals to prepare catalyst with excellent PS activate performance for organic wastewater treatment implying a new strategy in minerals utilization deeply and a promisingly alternative process for organic wastewater treatment based on mineral materials.

The Effects of Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells Labeled With Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxides on the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with effective intervention and treatment being essential for CRC management. This study investigated the effects of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) labeled with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs) on the growth of CRC cells and the feasibility of 3.0-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as an in vivo tracer. METHODS: Twenty subcutaneous CRC HT-29 xenograft model in immunodeficient mice was established. Mice injected with labeled PMSCs were considered as the experimental group. Thereafter, the growth and MR signal changes of xenograft tumors of every nude mouse were measured. Then, growth curve was plotted, and the MR image quality in different sequences was analyzed. Pathological staining was performed after MR scan. RESULTS: Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides-labeled PMSCs had no significant influence on biological characteristics ( P > 0.05). The growth of tumors in mice in the experimental group before the injection of PMSCs was similar to that of the control group. Contrarily, the tumor growth rate in the experimental group on day 5 post-PMSCs injection was slightly lower than that of the control group. Moreover, the tumor volume on day 14 was noticeably smaller than in the control group. The tracing ability of T2* mapping sequences for USPIOs-labeled cells was significantly more effective than T2-weighted image and T2 mapping sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides-labeled PMSCs injected into CRC transplanted tumors can be studied for a long period of time. Furthermore, 3.0-T MRI in vivo molecular imaging was demonstrated to be effective for CRC intervention.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the effects of strigolactone on shoot regeneration of apple.

KEY MESSAGE: We have demonstrated that strigolactone inhibitor, Tis108, could be used to improve shoot regeneration of apple, and provided insights into the molecular mechanism of strigolactone-mediated inhibition of adventitious shoot formation. Lack of an efficient transformation system largely stagnated the application of transgenic and CRISPR technology in apple rootstock. High shoot regeneration ability is an important basis for establishing an effective transformation system. In this study, we first demonstrated the inhibitory effects of strigolactones on the adventitious shoot formation of apple rootstock M26. Next, we successfully verified that strigolactone-biosynthesis inhibitor, Tis108, could be used to improve the shoot regeneration of woody plants. Our results also suggest strigolactone-biosynthesis gene, MdCCD7, can be a target gene for biotechnological improvements of shoot regeneration capacity. Furthermore, we have employed transcriptome analysis to reveal the molecular mechanism of strigolactone-mediated inhibition of adventitious shoot formation. Differentially expressed genes associated with photosynthesis, secondary growth, and organ development were identified. WGCNA suggests SLs might affect shoot regeneration through interaction with other hormones, especially, auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene. We were able to identify important candidate genes mediating the cross-talk between strigolactone and other hormones during the process of adventitious shoot formation. Overall, our findings not only propose a useful chemical for improving shoot regeneration in practice but also provide insights into the molecular mechanism of strigolactone-mediated inhibition of adventitious shoot formation.

Comparison of pregnancy outcomes between GnRH antagonist protocol with freeze-all strategy and long-acting GnRH agonist protocol in women with adenomyosis undergoing IVF/ICSI: a propensity-score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Plenty of studies explored the most optimal treatment protocol for infertile women with adenomyosis in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) /intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), however, there is still no consensus on which treatment protocol is ideal for these women at present. So, we conducted this study comparing the pregnancy outcomes in infertile women with ultrasound-diagnosed adenomyosis who underwent GnRH antagonist protocol with freeze-all strategy or long-acting GnRH agonist protocol. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study and a propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis including 282 women diagnosed with adenomyosis undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle from January 2016 to July 2021 at the Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, China. The patients were divided into two groups: the GnRH antagonist protocol with freeze-all strategy (n = 168) and the long-acting GnRH agonist protocol with fresh embryo transfer (n = 114) according their treatment protocols. The primary outcome was live birth rate. Cumulative live birth rate was also calculated. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, clinical pregnancy rate (49.40% vs 64.04%; odds ratio (OR) 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70 to 2.37; P = 0.358), live birth rate (36.90% vs 45.61%; OR 1.10; 95% CI 0.61 to 2.00, P = 0.753) and cumulative live birth rate (51.79% vs 64.04%; OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.74, P = 0.796) were not significantly different between the GnRH antagonist protocol with freeze-all strategy and long-acting GnRH agonist protocol. Similar results were conducted in PSM analysis with clinical pregnancy rate (46.48% vs 60.56%; OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.76 to 2.34; P = 0.321), live birth rate (32.39% vs 45.07%; OR 1.31; 95% CI 0.63 to 2.72, P = 0.463) and cumulative live birth rate (54.90% vs 60.60%; OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.59 to 1.74, P = 0.958). CONCLUSIONS: For infertile women with adenomyosis, these two treatment protocols resulted in similar pregnancy outcomes. Larger, prospective studies are needed in the future.

Neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictors of free-wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUNDS: Free-wall rupture (FWR) has a high mortality rate. We aimed to find sensitive predictive indicators to identify high-risk FWR patients by exploring the predictive values of neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: 76 FWR patients with AMI were collected, and then 228 non-CR patients with AMI were randomly selected (1:3 ratio) in this retrospective study. The independent influencing factors of FWR were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the predictive value of NPAR and MLR for FWR. RESULTS: According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.094-0.751, p = 0.012), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.044-0.659, p = 0.010), NPAR (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.031-7.044, p = 0.043), and MLR (OR = 5.99, 95% CI: 2.09-17.168, p = 0.001) were the influencing factors of the FWR patients with AMI, independently. Additionally, the NPAR and MLR were the predictors of FWR patients, with AUC of 0.811 and 0.778, respectively (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the emergency PCI and ACEI/ARB treatment were independent protective factors for FWR patients with AMI, while the increase of MLR and NPAR were independent risk factors. What's more, NPAR and MLR are good indicators for predicting FWR.

Prevalence of myopia and influencing factors among high school students in Nantong, China: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Myopia is an increasingly serious health problem in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of myopia and the factors associated with it among students in Nantong, China, to show the current status of myopia prevention. METHODS: This school-based, cross-sectional study examined students from all high schools in an urban area of Nantong, China. At least two classes were randomly selected from each grade of each school. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the required information.Univariate analyses were performed to identify associations between myopia and various parameters.Non-cycloplegic autorefraction and visual acuity were assessed for each student. Factors that were statistically significant in univariate analyses were selected for multivariate analyses. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent refraction of ≤ -0.5 diopters. RESULTS: The completion percentage of students out of the whole high school was 6.5%.The overall prevalence of myopia was 94%. The response percentage of the number of validated questionnaires was 90.2%, of which 50.2% (n = 1,466) were from male participants, and 49.8% (n = 1,452) were from female participants. The mean (SD) of age was 15.22±1.75 years, ranging from 12-18 years. Factors such as female sex, older age, parental myopia, sitting in the back of the classroom, increased homework time, and minimal outdoor activity were significantly associated with a higher risk of myopia (P < 0.05). In the myopic population, most students (67.9%) did not take measures to prevent further progression of myopia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia among high school students was 94%. Female sex, older age, parental myopia, sitting in the back of the classroom, increased homework time, and minimal outdoor activity were significantly associated with a higher risk of myopia. Most students with myopia (67.9%) did not take measures to prevent further progression of myopia.

Changes of Choroidal Thickness in Children after Short-erm Application of 1% Atropine Gel.

INTRODUCTION: To assess changes of choroidal thickness (ChT) after administration of 1% atropine for 1 week in myopia, emmetropia, and hyperopia children. METHODS: A total of 235 children aged 4-8 years, which included 46 myopia, 34 emmetropia, and 155 hyperopia patients were recruited and divided into three groups according to the spherical equivalent with the use of 1% atropine twice a day for 1 week. The ChT was measured at baseline and 1 week. RESULTS: In the myopia and emmetropia groups, following administration of 1% atropine gel, the ChT thickened significantly under the fovea (i.e., from 278.29 ± 53.01 µm to 308.24 ± 57.3 µm, P < 0.05; from 336.10 ± 78.60 µm to 353.46 ± 70.22 µm, P < 0.05, respectively) and at all intervals from the fovea, while in the hyperopia group, there was no significant difference in the ChT except the nasal side (P < 0.05) . CONCLUSION: Topical administration of 1% atropine gel for 1 week significantly increased the subfoveal and parafoveal ChT in children with myopia and emmetropia. Atropine did not increase the ChT in hyperopia children, except at the nasal side.

Initial evaluation of 99m Tc-labeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen single-chain fragment variable for micro-single-photon emission computed tomography imaging in mice with colorectal cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has emerged as an important molecular target for several neoplastic diseases, including colorectal cancer with CEA over-expression. In this study, we report the production and radiolabeling of a novel anti-CEA single-chain fragment variable (scFv-96NRT, concentration for 50% of maximal effect 46 ng/ml), and evaluation of [99m Tc]Tc-scFv-96NRT in non-invasive detection of CEA expression. [99m Tc]Tc-scFv-96NRT was synthesized by one step reduction in labeling yield of >95% with radiochemical purity of >98% and molar activity of 10-11 GBq/µmol. [99m Tc]Tc-scFv-96NRT showed high stability in 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 5% human serum albumin (HSA). It exhibited elevated uptake in CEA over-expressing cells. Biodistribution studies in BALB/c mice revealed that the probe was cleared from blood rapidly, and the highest retention was observed in the kidneys. The micro-single-photon emission computed tomography (micro-SPECT) imaging of [99m Tc]Tc-scFv-96NRT showed a specific accumulation pattern, as blocking experiment with excess scFv-96NRT suppressed the tumor uptake. These preliminary results suggest that [99m Tc]Tc-scFv-96NRT is a potential non-invasive molecular probe for imaging tumors with CEA over-expression.

[Kinetics and variation of volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma during hot-air drying].

The present study explored the kinetics and variation of volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma during the hot-air drying process to obtain the optimal process parameters under multiple goals such as drying efficiency and drying quality. The dry basis moisture content and drying rate curves along with the change of drying time of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were investigated at five levels of drying air temperatures(30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 ℃). The relationship between moisture ratio and time in the drying process of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma was fitted and verified by Midilli model, Page model, Overhults model, Modified Page model, Logaritmic model, Two terms Exponential model, and Newton model. Meanwhile, the effective diffusion coefficient of moisture(D_(eff)) and activation energy(E_a) in Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were calculated under different drying air temperatures. GC-MS was used to determine the volatile components and content changes of the fresh Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and dried products at different temperatures. The dry basis moisture content and drying rate of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were closely related to the temperature of the drying medium, and the moisture of the Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decreased with the prolonged drying time. As revealed by the drying rate curve, the drying rate increased with the increase in hot air temperature, and the migration of moisture was accelerated. The comparison of the correlation coefficient(R~2), chi-square(χ~2), and root mean standard error(RMSE) of each model indicated that the parameter average of the Midilli model had the highest degree of fit, with R~2=0.999 2, χ~2=8.78×10~(-5), and RMSE=8.20×10~(-3). Besides, the D_(eff) at 30-70 ℃ was in the range of 1.04×10~(-9)-6.28×10~(-9) m~2·s~(-1), and E_a was 37.47 kJ·mol~(-1). The volatile components of fresh Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and dried products at different temperatures were determined by GC-MS, and 18, 18, 18, 17, 17, and 18 compounds were identified respectively, which accounted for more than 84.76% of the volatile components. In conclusion, the hot-air drying of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma can be model-fitted and verified and the variation law of the moisture and volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma with temperature is obtained. This study is expected to provide new ideas for exploring the drying characteristics and quality of aromatic Chinese medicine.