Genome-wide detection of runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity in Tunchang pigs.

Tunchang pigs, mainly distributed throughout Hainan Province of China, are well-known for their superior meat quality, crude feed tolerance, and adaptability to high temperatures and humidity. Runs of homozygosity (ROH) can provide valuable information about the inbreeding coefficient in individuals and selection signals that may reveal candidate genes associated with key functional traits. Runs of heterozygosity (ROHet) are commonly associated with balance selection, which can help us understand the adaptive evolutionary history of domestic animals. In this study, we investigated ROHs and ROHets in 88 Tunchang pigs. We also compared the estimates of inbreeding coefficients in individuals calculated based on four methods. In summary, we detected a total of 16 ROH islands in our study, and 100 genes were found within ROH regions. These genes were correlated with economically important traits such as reproduction (e.g., SERPIND1, HIRA), meat quality (e.g., PI4KA, TBX1), immunity (e.g., ESS2, RANBP1), adaption to heat stress (TXNRD2 and DGCR8), and crude food tolerance (TRPM6). Moreover, we discovered 18 ROHet islands harbouring genes associated with reproduction (e.g., ARHGEF12, BMPR2), immune system (e.g., BRD4, DNMT3B). These findings may help us design effective breeding and conservation strategies for this unique breed.

[Genetic drivers for inflammatory protein markers in colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization approach to clinical prognosis study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causal relationship between inflammatory protein markers and the risk of colorectal cancer using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: We obtained data pertaining to colorectal cancer from Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) datasets and used 91 inflammatory protein markers as the exposure variables. A two-sample MR analysis model was used to assess the causal link between the inflammatory markers and colorectal cancer risk. The robustness of the results was evaluated through heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and sensitivity analyses using 5 MR models: Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), Weighted Median, MR Egger, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode. We examined the mRNA expressions of PD-L1, AXIN1, and ß-NGF using RT-qPCR in 86 untreated patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma admitted in Nanfang Hospital between December, 2021 and December 2023, and analyzed their correlation with the clinical characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: Using the IVW model, MR analysis revealed significant causal associations between a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and lowered expressions of AXIN1 (OR=0.866, 95% CI: 0.754-0.994, P=0.040), ß-NGF (OR=0.914, 95% CI: 0.843-0.990, P=0.028; OR=0.884, 95% CI: 0.784-0.998, P=0.047 using Weighted Median model), and PD-L1 (OR=0.903, 95% CI: 0.824- 0.989, P=0.028). No significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy was observed, indicating good stability of the results. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of the findings. The clinical study demonstrated a significant correlation between PD-L1 expression and TNM staging, particularly in stage Ⅳ patients (P=0.007). AXIN1 and ß -NGF expression levels were significantly correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, and their expressions were higher in poorly differentiated samples (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Lowered expressions of inflammatory protein markers AXIN1, ß-NGF, and PD-L1 are causally correlated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and their expression levels are associated with TNM staging and tumor differentiation. These markers may thus serve as potential targets for colorectal cancer treatment and prevention.

[Comparison of clinical characteristics in intermittent exotropia patients with different visual perception and oculomotor control].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of intermittent exotropia (IXT) patients with different visual perception and oculomotor control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Minor IXT patients between March 2021 and May 2023 at Beijing Tongren Hospital were enrolled. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and visual perception and oculomotor control were evaluated. The patients were divided into simultaneous vision disappearing and existing groups, fusion disappearing and existing groups, distant stereoscopic vision disappearing and normal groups, and near stereoscopic vision injury and normal groups. Statistical description was performed by using M (Q1, Q3). Rank sum test was used to compare the Revised Newcastle Control Score (RNCS), near and far strabismus degree, duration of disease, and age of onset among different groups. The correlation between visual perception and oculomotor control and the correlation of duration of disease and age of onset with visual perception and oculomotor control were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: A total of 381 patients were enrolled, including 189 males and 192 females, with a median age of 7 (6, 9) years. The incidence of normal visual perception was 19.4% (74/381). Compared with simultaneous vision and fusion existing groups and distant and near stereoscopic vision normal groups, the RNCS [7 (5, 9) vs 4 (3, 6), 6 (5, 8) vs 4 (3, 6), 5 (4, 7) vs 3 (3, 5), and 5 (3, 6) vs 4 (3, 6)], near strabismus degree [65Δ (60Δ, 80Δ) vs 40Δ (30Δ, 50Δ), 60Δ (45Δ, 65Δ) vs 40Δ (30Δ, 50Δ), 50Δ (40Δ, 60Δ) vs 35Δ (30Δ, 45Δ), and 45Δ (30Δ, 60Δ) vs 40Δ (30Δ, 50Δ)] and far strabismus degree [60Δ (50Δ, 75Δ) vs 35Δ (25Δ, 50Δ), 55Δ (41Δ, 65Δ) vs 35Δ (25Δ, 45Δ), 45Δ (30Δ, 60Δ) vs 35Δ (25Δ, 45Δ), and 40Δ (30Δ, 60Δ) vs 35Δ (25Δ, 45Δ)] increased significantly in disappearing simultaneous vision, fusion, and distant stereoscopic vision groups and injury near stereoscopic vision group (all P<0.05). Compared with simultaneous vision and fusion existing groups and distant stereoscopic vision normal group, duration of disease was significant longer in disappearing simultaneous vision, fusion, and distant stereoscopic vision groups [3 (1, 5) years vs 2 (1, 3) years, 2 (1, 4) years vs 1 (1, 3) years, 2 (1, 4) years vs 1 (1, 3) years, all P<0.05]. The age of onset in disappearing distant stereoscopic vision group was significantly lower than normal distant stereoscopic vision group [5 (3, 7) years vs 6 (4, 8) years, P=0.005]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that subjective angle and random dot stereogram (RDS) stereoacuity were positive correlation with RNCS, and the near and far strabismus degree (r=0.414, 0.516, and 0.559, all P<0.001; r=0.153, 0.142, and 0.173, all P<0.05). Subjective angle, RNCS, and the near and far strabismus degree were positive correlation with duration of disease (r=0.238, 0.195, 0.236, 0.239, all P<0.001) and negative correlation with age of onset (r=-0.184, -0.279, -0.112, -0.147, all P<0.05). Conclusions: Nearly 20% of IXT patients have normal visual perception. With the longer duration of disease or lower age of onset, the incidence of abnormal visual perception is higher and injury of visual perception and oculomotor control is more serious.

[Diagnostic and intervention value of implantable cardiac monitor in patients over 60 years of age with unexplained syncope].

Objective: To investigate the value of implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in the diagnosis and treatment of patients over 60 years old with unexplained syncope. Methods: This was a multi-center, prospective cohort study. Between June 2018 and April 2021, patients over the age of 60 with unexplained syncope at Beijing Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Puren Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their decision to receive ICM implantation (implantation group and conventional follow-up group). The endpoint was the recurrence of syncope and cardiogenic syncope as determined by positive cardiac arrhythmia events recorded at the ICM or diagnosed during routine follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of cumulative diagnostic rate between the 2 groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope in patients with unexplained syncope. Results: A total of 198 patients with unexplained syncope, aged (72.9±8.25) years, were followed for 558.0 (296.0,877.0) d, including 98 males (49.5%). There were 100 (50.5%) patients in the implantation group and 98 (49.5%) in the conventional follow-up group. Compared with conventional follow-up group, patients in the implantation group were older, more likely to have comorbidities, had a higher proportion of first degree atrioventricular block indicated by baseline electrocardiogram, and had a lower body mass index (all P<0.05). During the follow-up period, positive cardiac arrhythmia events were recorded in 58 (58.0%) patients in the ICM group. The diagnosis rate (42.0% (42/100) vs. 4.1% (4/98), P<0.001) and the intervention rate (37.0% (37/100) vs. 2.0% (2/98), P<0.001) of cardiogenic syncope in the implantation group were higher than those in the conventional follow-up group (all P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative diagnostic rate of cardiogenic syncope was significantly higher in the implantation group than in the traditional follow-up group (HR=11.66, 95%CI 6.49-20.98, log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that ICM implantation, previous atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus or first degree atrioventricular block in baseline electrocardiogram were independent predictors for cardiogenic syncope (all P<0.05). Conclusions: ICM implantation improves the diagnosis and intervention rates in patients with unexplained syncope, and increases diagnostic efficiency in patients with unexplained syncope.

[Application of virtual simulation technology in epidemiology education: a systematic review].

Objective: To systematically review the progress, advantages, disadvantages, precautions and future trends of virtual simulation technology used in epidemiology teaching. Methods: A systematical literature retrieval was conducted by using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP Paper Check System with key words of epidemiology, teaching and virtual simulation, and the literatures included were screened and classified with narrative integration method. Chinese virtual simulation teaching platforms were used to select the literatures about existing epidemiology virtual simulation teaching projects for integration and analysis. Results: A total of 22 articles were included (7 in Chinese and 15 in English), most of which were teaching projects for students majoring in Public Health. We also found 24 national first-class courses and 21 provincial first-class courses in virtual simulation of epidemiology in China. The application of virtual simulation technology in epidemiology education is still in its infancy, and the interaction degree is mostly moderate. It is mainly used in three scenarios: improving the visualization degree of complex concepts and structures, training the operational skills through low-risk and low-cost virtual environment, serving as an effective supplement to the teaching of epidemiological field investigation and response to public health emergencies. In terms of effect, it is conducive to students' understanding of epidemiology related phenomena and principles, and has the advantages of breaking through time and space constraints, reducing teaching costs and risks, improving students' attention and satisfaction and so on. However, it also faces the lack of foundation in the initial stage, and some students have problems such as psychological and physiological discomfort. In the future, we need to optimize the development process, program design and so on. At the same time, we should conduct more in-depth research on cost calculation, effect evaluation and curriculum integration. Conclusions: The application of virtual simulation technology in epidemiology education is an important part of training high-level applied public health talents. We encourage to actively carry out virtual simulation teaching in epidemiology, and train public health talents with Chinese characteristics.

[Establishment and preliminary application of neutralizing antibody detection method for human respiratory syncytial virus].

Objective: To establish a Plaque-reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) for the detection of neutralizing antibody titers of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) and optimize the conditions for preliminary application. Methods: The CHO expression system was used to produce palivizumab monoclonal antibody (palivizumab) and the influencing factors such as cell type, cell culture duration, fixation and permeabilization protocols, and blocking agents. The reproducibility of the method was verified and its correlation was verified with conventional PRNT. Finally, the optimized PRNT assay was further used to determine neutralizing antibody titers against HRSV subtypes A and B in BALB/c mouse serum (immunized by intramuscular injection of HRSV fusion proteins). Results: Palivizumab was expressed at approximately 50 mg/L. The optimal working conditions for PRNT were as follows: culturing HEp-2 cells for 2 days, fixing with 4% (V/V) paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 15 min followed by 0.2% (V/V) Triton X-100 permeabilization for 15 minutes as the optimal fixation-permeabilization and removing the blocking step. The overall coefficient of variation (CV) for the reproducibility validation of this method was <15%, showing a good linear relationship with the conventional PRNT. The Spearman correlation coefficient rs was 0.983. This method was used to detect neutralizing antibody titers in mouse sera against HRSV subtype A strain long and subtype B strain 9320, and the fusion proteins combined with AlOH and CpG adjuvant induced the highest neutralizing antibody titers in mice. Conclusion: The HRSV neutralizing antibody assay established in this study is rapid, reproducible, high-throughput, and can be used to detect neutralizing antibodies to HRSV subtypes A and B.

[Interpretation on the report of global cancer statistics 2022].

In April 2024, the World Health Organization/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published the global cancer statistics 2022 in the CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians. This report focuses on the incidence and mortality of 36 cancers in 185 countries or territories worldwide, analyzing the differences of gender, geographic region, and the Human Development Index (HDI) level. It is estimated that in the year 2022, there were 19.96 million new cancer cases and 9.74 million cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer (2 480 301, 12.4%) was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, followed by female breast cancer (2 295 686, 11.5%), colorectal cancer (1 926 118, 9.6%), prostate cancer (1 466 680, 7.3%), and gastric cancer (968 350, 4.9%). Lung cancer (1 817 172, 18.7%) was also the leading cause of cancer death, followed by colorectal cancer (903 859, 9.3%), liver cancer (757 948, 7.8%), female breast cancer (665 684, 6.9%), and gastric cancer (659 853, 6.8%). With demographics-based predictions indicating that the number of new cases of cancer will reach over 35 million by 2050. The Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control team has collated this report and briefly interpreted it in combination with the current situation of cancer incidence and mortality in China.

[Retrospective clinical study on cryopreservation-free integrated autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation model for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of cryopreservation-free integrated autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) model for patients with multiple myeloma. Methods: A total of 96 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) between July 31, 2020, and December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed, of which 41 patients in the observation group received integrated non-cryopreserved transplantation mode. After hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized and collected, melphalan was started immediately for pre-transplant conditioning, and non-cryopreserved grafts from the medical blood transfusion refrigerator were directly injected intravenously into the patient within 24-48 h after the melphalan conditioning. The control group consisted of 55 patients who received traditional transplantation mode. After hematopoietic stem cells were collected, stem cell cryopreservation was performed in liquid nitrogen, and then the transplant plans were started at the right time. All patients received mobilization of autologous hematopoietic stem cells using the G-CSF combined with the plerixafor. Results: ① A total of 34 patients (82.9% ) with VGPR plus CR in the observation group were significantly higher than 33 patients (60.0% ) in the control group (P=0.016). ②Compared with the control group, the incidence of grade 1 oral mucosal inflammation was higher in the observation group (P<0.001) ; however, the incidence of grades 2 and 3 oral mucosal inflammation was lower (P=0.004, P=0.048), and neither group experienced grade 4 or above oral mucosal inflammation. The incidence of grade 1 diarrhea was higher in the observation group (P=0.002), whereas the incidence of grade 3 diarrhea was lower (P=0.007). No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of grade 4 diarrhea (P=0.506), and neither group experienced grade 5 diarrhea. ③ The incidence of bacterial infection in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (34.1% vs 65.5%, P=0.002), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of fungal infection (29.3% vs 31.4%, P=0.863) and viral infection (4.88% vs 3.64%, P=0.831). ④No statistically significant difference was observed in the implantation time of granulocytes and platelets between the observation and control groups [10 (8-20) days vs 11 (8-17) days, P=0.501; 13 (10-21) days vs 15 (10-20) days, P=0.245]. ⑤ All patients did not receive lenalidomide treatment 100 days post-transplantation. At 30 days post-transplantation, the CTL, NK, and Th cell counts in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P=0.002, P=0.049), and the NKT cell counts were higher than those in the control group (P=0.024). At 100 days post-transplantation, the CTL, NKT, and Th cell counts in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P=0.025, P=0.011, P=0.007), and no statistically significant difference in NK cell counts was observed between the two groups (P=0.396). ⑥ The median follow-up was 18 (4-33) months. The overall 2-year survival rates of the observation and control groups post-transplantation were 91.5% and 78.2%, respectively (P=0.337). The recurrence-free survival rates were 85.3% and 77.6%, respectively (P=0.386), and the cumulative recurrence rates were 9.8% and 16.9%, respectively (P=0.373) . Conclusion: In NDMM, the cryopreservation-free integrated autologous HSCT model can achieve similar therapeutic effects as traditional transplantation models, with lower rates of severe mucosal inflammation and infection compared with traditional transplantation models.

[Efficacy of venetoclax-based induction regimen in newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of venetoclax-based induction regimen for children with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: Children with newly diagnosed AML in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and Baoding Hospital Affliliated to Capital Medical University from November 2019 and December 2023 were prospectively included. The patients were divided into DAH group (daunorubicin, cytarabine and homoharringtonine) and VAH group (venetoclax, cytarabine and homoharringtonine) according to induction regimen. The clinical data of the children were collected, the clinical characteristics and induced remission rate between the two groups were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors affecting the induced remission rate. Results: A total of 135 patients were enrolled, including 96 cases in the DAH group (54 males and 42 females), aged [M (Q1, Q3)] 6.4 (3.9, 11.6) years and 39 cases in the VAH group (26 males and 13 females), aged 8.0 (6.2, 13.2) years. Among patients initially diagnosed with low-medium risk AML, the morphologic complete remission rates were 94.7% (18/19) in the VAH group and 84.4% (38/45) in the DAH group, respectively, and the negativity conversion rates of minirnal residual disease (MRD) were 57.9% (11/19) and 46.7% (21/45), respectively, with no statistically difference (all P>0.05). Among patients initially diagnoised with high-risk AML, the morphologic complete remission rates in the VAH group was higher than that in the DAH group [95.0% (19/20) vs 70.6% (36/51), P=0.027], and negativity conversion rates of MRD were 45.0% (9/20) and 33.3% (17/51), respectively, with no statistically difference (P=0.359). The induction regimen (venetoclax, cytarabine and homoharringtonin) was beneficial to morphological remission (OR=0.126, 95%CI: 0.025-0.629). FLT3 mutation was not conducive to morphological remission (OR=5.832, 95%CI: 1.778-19.124) and negative MRD (OR=4.166, 95%CI: 1.396-12.433). Conclusion: Venetoclax-based induction regimen is more effective than traditional chemotherapy regimen for newly diagnosed pediatric AML.

Dosimetry: Was and Is an Absolute Requirement for Quality Radiation Research.

This review aims to trace the evolution of dosimetry, highlight its significance in the advancement of radiation research, and identify the current trends and methodologies in the field. Key historical milestones, starting with the first publications in the journal in 1954, will be synthesized before addressing contemporary practices in radiation medicine and radiobiological investigation. Finally, possibilities for future opportunities in dosimetry will be offered. The overarching goal is to emphasize the indispensability of accurate and reproducible dosimetry in enhancing the quality of radiation research and practical applications of ionizing radiation.

[Clinical phenotyping of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children].

Objective: To investigate and summarize pediatric patients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) presenting with varied clinical and chest imaging features in order to guide the individualized treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Medical records of clinical, imaging and laboratory data of 505 patients with MPP who were admitted to the Department Ⅱ of Respirology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to October 2023 and met the enrollment criteria were included. They were divided into severe group and non-severe group according to whether lower airway obliterans was developed. The clinical and chest imaging features of the two groups were analyzed. Those severe cases with single lobe ≥2/3 consolidation (lobar consolidation) were further divided into subtype lung-necrosis and subtype non-lung-necrosis based on whether lung necrosis was developed. Comparison on the clinical manifestations, bronchoscopic findings, whole blood C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory indicators between the two subtypes was performed. Comparisons between two groups were achieved using independent-sample t-test, nonparametric test or chi-square test. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed on the indicators such as CRP of the two subtypes. Results: Of the 505 cases, 254 were male and 251 were female. The age of the onset was (8.2±2.9) years. There were 233 severe cases, among whom 206 were with lobar consolidation and 27 with diffuse bronchiolitis. The other 272 belonged to non-severe cases, with patchy, cloudy infiltrations or single lobe <2/3 uneven consolidation or localized bronchiolitis. Of the 206 cases (88.4%) severe cases with lobar consolidation, 88 harbored subtype lung-necrosis and 118 harbored subtype non-lung-necrosis. All 206 cases (100.0%) presented with persistent high fever, among whom 203 cases (98.5%) presented with inflammatory secretion obstruction and plastic bronchitis under bronchoscopy. Of those 88 cases with subtype lung-necrosis, there were 42 cases (47.7%) with dyspnea and 39 cases (44.3%) with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. There were 35 cases (39.8%) diagnosed with lung embolism during the disease course, of which other 34 cases (38.6%) were highly suspected. Extensive airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 46 cases (52.3%), and the level of their whole blood CRP was significantly higher than that of subtype non-lung-necrosis (131.5 (91.0, 180.0) vs. 25.5 (12.0, 43.1) mg/L, U=334.00, P<0.001). They were regarded as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis". Of those 118 cases with subtype non-lung-necrosis, 27 cases (22.9%) presented with dyspnea and none were with moderate to massive amount of pleural effusion. Sixty-five cases (55.1%) presented with plastic bronchitis and localized airway mucosal necrosis was observed in 32 cases (27.1%). They were deemed as subtype "lung consolidation-atelectasis". ROC curve analyses revealed that whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L on the 6-10 th day of disease course exhibited a sensitivity of 0.96, a specificity of 0.89, and an area under the curve of 0.97 for distinguishing between these two subtypes among those with lobar consolidation. Conclusions: Pediatric patients with severe MPP present with lobar consolidation or diffuse bronchiolitis on chest imaging. Those with lobar consolidation harbor 2 subtypes as "lung consolidation-atelectasis-necrosis" and "lung consolidation-atelectasis". Whole blood CRP of 67.5 mg/L can be applied as an early discriminating indicator to discriminate between these two subtypes.

A risk-prediction score about colorectal lesions based on the Chinese population of high-risk participants aged 50-65 years.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to develop an effective risk-prediction score (RPS) to improve screening efficiency and contribute to secondary prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). STUDY DESIGN: Screening for colorectal lesions. METHODS: 14,398 high-risk individuals aged 50-65 years were included. The baseline characteristics of participants with and without colorectal lesions (CL) were compared using a Chi-squared test. The overall population was randomly split into a training set and a test set in the ratio of 80% and 20%. One-factor and multifactor logistic regression analyses were performed in the training set to construct the RPS (scores of 0-9.62). Area under curve (AUC) was calculated as an estimate of predictive performance using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the test set. RESULTS: In the study population, being male, advanced age, current or previous smoking, weekly alcohol consumption, high body mass index (BMI ≥24 kg/m2), and previously detected colonic polyp were associated with higher risk of CL. Compared to the low-risk group (0-2.31 points), the ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the moderate-risk group (2.31-3.85 points) and high-risk group (3.85-8.42 points) were 1.58 (1.44, 1.73) and 2.52 (2.30, 2.76), respectively. For every 1-point increase in score, participants had a 27% increased risk of CL (OR:1.27, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.30). For participants with CL predicted by RPS, the area under the working characteristic curve was 0.61 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our RPS can quickly and efficiently identify multiple lesions of the colorectum. Combining RPS with existing screening strategies facilitates the identification of very high-risk individuals and may help to prevent CRC.

Comparative analysis of three-dimensional and two-dimensional models for predicting the malignancy probability of subsolid nodules.

AIM: To construct three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) models to predict the malignancy probability of subsolid nodules (SSNs) and compare their effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 371 SSNs from 332 patients, collected between January 2020 and January 2024, were included in the study. The SSNs were divided into a training set for constructing the models and a test set for validating the models. Models were developed using binary logistic backward regression, based on factors that showed significant differences in univariate analyses. The performance of the models was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The AUCs of different models were compared using the DeLong test. RESULTS: The AUCs for the two 3D models, one 2D model, and the Brock model were 0.785 (0.733-0.836), 0.776 (0.723-0.829), 0.764 (0.710-0.818), and 0.738 (0.679-0.798) in the training set. In the test set, these AUCs were 0.817 (0.706-0.928), 0.796 (0.679-0.913), 0.771 (0.647-0.895), and 0.790 (0.678-0.903). The two 3D models demonstrated statistically significant differences from the Brock model in the training set (P=0.024 and P=0.046). None of the four models showed significant differences in the test set (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The 3D models outperform both the 2D model and the Brock model in predicting the malignancy probability of SSNs, and the 3D model incorporating volume, mean CT attenuation value, and lobulation as factors performed the best.

Primary biliary cholangitis and Sjogren's syndrome: bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have shown a higher prevalence of Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) than in the healthy population, but whether this correlation is causal needs further confirmation. This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between PBC and SjS using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used pooled data from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) to select mutually independent genetic loci associated with PBC and SjS in people of European ancestry as instrumental variables (IVs). The causal association between PBC and SjS was analyzed by MR analysis using inverse variance weighting (IVW) and weighted median methods, and the ratio of ratios (OR) was used as an evaluation index. In addition, sensitivity analyses, including Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out test, were performed to ensure the stability of the results. RESULTS: A total of 20 validated IVs were selected for PBC, and the number of IVs for SjS was seven. Positive MR analysis showed that genetically predicted PBC was significantly associated with the risk of SjS (IVW OR=1.174, 95% CI: 1.107-1.246, p<0.001). The weighted median method further confirmed this result (OR=1.146, 95% CI: 1.053-1.247, p=0.016). Inverse MR analysis showed that genetic susceptibility to SjS also increased the risk of PBC (IVW OR=1.737, 95% CI: 1.280-2.357, p<0.001), and this result was also confirmed by the weighted median method (OR=1.398, 95% CI: 1.120-1.746, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that genetically predicted SjS increased the risk of PBC and vice versa in a European population. This may shed light on the etiology of PBC and the management of patients with SjS.

Testing the amount of nicotinamide mononucleotide and urolithin A as compared to the label claim.

Healthy Longevity Medicine aims to optimize health by targeting aging processes across the lifespan. Addressing accelerated aging involves adaptation of lifestyle and the use of geroprotective drugs and supplements, including nutritional supplements and bioactive compounds. The Food and Drug Administration, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, categorizes bioactive compounds and medicinal products as dietary supplements. While numerous companies sell ingredients that can be deemed geroprotectors, there's limited oversight in their quality control. Governmental safety authorities only verify the presence of prohibited compounds, not the accuracy of ingredients listed on labels.Here, Nicotinamide mononucleotide and Urolithin A supplements, easily accessible online or in pharmacies, were tested for their active ingredient content. Results showed a significant deviation from the labeled amounts, ranging from + 28.6% to -100%. This indicates a considerable disparity in the quality of geroprotective supplements.To address this variability, collaboration between and within societies representing healthcare professionals, industry and regulatory bodies is imperative to ensure the quality of geroprotective supplements.

[Impact of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the efficacy of CAR-T treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) on the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) with chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 168 patients with RRMM who underwent CAR-T therapy at the Department of Hematology, Xuzhou Medical University Hospital from 3 January 2020 to 13 September 2022 were analyzed. Patients were classified into a transplantation group (TG; n=47) and non-transplantation group (NTG; n=121) based on whether or not they had undergone ASCT previously. The objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and the levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56 and natural killer (NK) cells before CAR-T infusion were analyzed by χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier method and independent sample t-test. Results: Among 168 patients with RRMM, 98 (58.3%) were male. The median age of onset was 57 (range 30-70) years. After CAR-T therapy, the ORR of patients was 89.3% (92/103) in the NTG and 72.9% (27/73) in the TG. The ORR of the NTG was better than that of the TG (χ2=5.71, P=0.017). After 1 year of CAR-T therapy, the ORR of the NTG was 78.1% (75/96), and that of the TG was 59.4% (19/32). The ORR of the NTG was better than that of the TG (χ2=4.32, P=0.038). The median OS and PFS in the NTG were significantly longer than those in the TG (OS, 30 vs. 20 months; PFS, 26 vs. 12 months; both P<0.05). The CD4 level before CAR-T infusion in the TG was significantly lower than that in the NTG (25.65±13.56 vs. 32.64±17.21; t=-2.15, P=0.034), and there were no significant differences in the counts of CD3, CD8, CD19, CD56, and NK cells between the TG and NTG (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Among patients suffering from RRMM who received CAR-T therapy, patients who did not receive ASCT had significantly better outcomes than those who had received ASCT previously, which may have been related to the CD4 level before receiving CAR-T therapy.