Prognostic potential of serum mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) expressions are dramatically up-regulated in injured brain tissues, thereby conferring neurological protective effects. We intended to determine significance of serum MANF as a prognostic biomarker of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: In this prospective, observational study done from February 2018 to July 2021, 124 patients with new-onset primary supratentorial ICH were consecutively enrolled. Also, a group of 124 healthy individuals constituted controls. Their serum MANF levels were detected using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and hematoma volume were designated as the two severity indicators. Early neurologic deterioration (END) was referred to as an increase of 4 or greater points in NIHSS scores or death at post-stroke 24 h. Post-stroke 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of 3-6 was considered as a poor prognosis. Serum MANF levels were analyzed using multivariate analysis with respect to its association with stroke severity and prognosis. RESULTS: Patients, in comparison to controls, displayed markedly elevated serum MANF levels (median, 24.7 versus 2.7 ng/ml; P < 0.001), and serum MANF levels were independently correlated with NIHSS scores (beta, 3.912; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.623-6.200; VIF = 2.394; t = 3.385; P = 0.002), hematoma volumes (beta, 1.688; 95% CI, 0.764-2.612; VIF = 2.661; t = 3.617; P = 0.001) and mRS scores (beta, 0.018; 95% CI, 0.013-0.023; VIF = 1.984; t = 2.047; P = 0.043). Serum MANF levels significantly predicted END and poor 90-day prognosis with areas under receiver operating characteristic curve at 0.752 and 0.787 respectively. END and prognostic predictive abilities were similar between serum MANF levels and NIHSS scores plus hematoma volumes (all P > 0.05). Combination of serum MANF levels with NIHSS scores and hematoma volumes had significantly higher prognostic capability than each of them (both P < 0.05). Serum MANF levels above 52.5 ng/ml and 62.0 ng/ml distinguished development of END and poor prognosis respectively with median-high sensitivity and specificity values. Using multivariate analysis, serum MANF levels > 52.5 ng/ml predicted END with odds ratio (OR) value of 2.713 (95% CI, 1.004-7.330; P = 0.042) and > 62.0 ng/ml predicted a poor prognosis with OR value of 3.848 (95% CI, 1.193-12.417; P = 0.024). Using restricted cubic spline, there was a linear correlation between serum MANF levels and poor prognosis or END risk (both P > 0.05). Nomograms were well established to predict END and a poor 90-day prognosis. Under calibration curve, such combination models were comparatively stable (using Hosmer & Lemeshow test, both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased serum MANF levels after ICH, in independent correlation with disease severity, independently distinguished risks of END and 90-day poor prognosis. Therefore, serum MANF may be a potential prognostic biomarker of ICH.

Plasmon-Enhanced Ultrasensitive Surface Analysis Using Ag Nanoantenna.

Raman scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy permeate analytic science and are featured in the plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy (PES) family. However, the modest enhancement of plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF) significantly limits the sensitivity in surface analysis and material characterization. Herein, we report a Ag nanoantenna platform, which simultaneously fulfills very strong emission (an optimum average enhancement of 105-fold) and an ultrafast emission rate (∼280-fold) in PES. For applications in surface science, this platform has been examined with a diverse array of fluorophores. Meanwhile, we utilized a finite-element method (FEM) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to comprehensively investigate the mechanism of largely enhanced radiative decay. PES with a shell-isolated Ag nanoantenna will open a wealth of advanced scenarios for ultrasensitive surface analysis.

Causal relationships between dietary habits and Barrett's esophagus risk: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Aims: Dietary habits are reported to be associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE) risk; however, whether there is a causal relationship remains controversial. Here, we systematically examined the causal effects of genetically predicted dietary habits on BE risk through a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis approach. Methods: Data for exposures were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKB), while the summary-level data for outcomes were obtained from a large sample-size GWAS meta-analysis. Genetic variants associated with 17 ordinary dietary habits at the genome-wide significance level were regarded as instrumental variables (IVs). Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were conducted to explore the causal relationships between dietary habits and BE risk. Sensitivity analyses were implemented to evaluate robustness of the results and determine the potential pleiotropy bias. Results: Univariable MR (UVMR) analysis showed that genetic predisposition to alcohol intake frequency, cooked vegetable intake, beef intake, bread intake, fresh fruit intake, salad/raw vegetable intake, and dried fruit intake were associated with BE risk, with all P values <0.05. After adjusting confounders, the effects of four dietary habits on BE risk persisted; multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis revealed that alcohol intake frequency (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.74 (1.34, 2.27); P = 3.42 × 10-5) was causally associated with higher BE risk, the cooked vegetable intake (adjusted OR = 2.64 (1.16, 5.97); P = 0.02) had suggestively increased BE risk, while higher consumption of bread (adjusted OR = 0.54 (0.32-0.91); P = 0.02) and fresh fruit (adjusted OR = 0.34 (0.15, 0.77); P = 0.01) were suggestively associated with lower BE risk. Conclusions: These MR analyses demonstrate evidence of causal relationships between dietary habits and BE risk. These findings provide new insights into targeted dietary intervention strategies for BE prevention.

Brownfield redevelopment evaluation based on structure-process-outcome theory and continuous ordered weighted averaging operator-topology method.

As an important part of urban renewal, brownfield restoration and renovation are of great significance to the sustainable development of cities. The structure-process-outcome theory was introduced into this study to improve the rationality and scientific vigor of the redevelopment assessment process and to evaluate whether brownfield sites meet the conditions for redevelopment. Based on this theory, the relationship among structures, processes and outcomes can be well elucidated. Specifically, a good structure should contribute to an effective process, which will increase the possibility of a favorable outcome. The basic conditions, practice principles, and result orientation in the whole procedure of brownfield redevelopment were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, a more complete and reasonable three-level evaluation index system for brownfield redevelopment was established. In order to reduce the subjectivity in the evaluation process, an unbiased scientific brownfield redevelopment evaluation model was constructed using the continuous ordered weighted averaging operator-topology method. The evaluation decision system was applied to the renovation of a tract project in Chengdu, China. The results proved that the model could effectively and accurately evaluate the quality level of the brownfield redevelopment project, and the proposed recommendations can provide a basis for decision-making.

Baveno-VII criteria to predict decompensation and initiate non-selective beta-blocker in compensated advanced chronic liver disease patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The utility of Baveno-VII criteria of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) to predict decompensation in compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) patient needs validation. We aim to validate the performance of CSPH criteria to predict the risk of decompensation in an international real-world cohort of cACLD patients. METHODS: cACLD patients were stratified into three categories (CSPH excluded, grey zone, and CSPH). The risks of decompensation across different CSPH categories were estimated using competing risk regression for clustered data, with death and hepatocellular carcinoma as competing events. The performance of "treating definite CSPH" strategy to prevent decompensation using non-selective beta-blocker (NSBB) was compared against other strategies in decision curve analysis. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred fifty-nine cACLD patients (36.8% had CSPH) were included; 7.2% experienced decompensation over a median follow-up of 40 months. Non-invasive assessment of CSPH predicts a 5-fold higher risk of liver decompensation in cACLD patients (subdistribution hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-7.4). "Probable CSPH" is suboptimal to predict decompensation risk in cACLD patients. CSPH exclusion criteria reliably exclude cACLD patients at risk of decompensation, regardless of etiology. Among the grey zone, the decompensation risk was negligible among viral-related cACLD, but was substantially higher among the non-viral cACLD group. Decision curve analysis showed that "treating definite CSPH" strategy is superior to "treating all varices" or "treating probable CSPH" strategy to prevent decompensation using NSBB. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive assessment of CSPH may stratify decompensation risk and the need for NSBB in cACLD patients.

Regional homogeneity in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression: A resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the brain functional impairment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with and without depressive symptoms and analyze the correlation between the degree of impairment and the severity of symptoms. METHOD: Fourteen patients with OCD who met the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for OCD were included. The group having OCD with depression (OCDd) consisted of 15 patients, and 17 healthy controls (HC) matched for age and education were also included. The Yale-Brown OCD Scale (Y-BOCS) and the 24-item Hamilton Assessment of Depression Scale (HAMD) were administered to the OCD and OCDd groups. Resting-state functional brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the three groups of participants. RESULT: The OCDd group had lower scores on the HAMD, Y-BOCS, and obsessive-compulsive thinking subscales compared with the OCD group (P < 0.05). The scores on the OCDd subscale were negatively correlated with the HAMD scores (R =  - 0.568, P = 0.027). The OCDd group had higher regional homogeneity (ReHo) values in the lingual gyrus than the OCD group. The OCDd group had higher ReHo values in the lingual gyrus than the HC group, and the OCDd group had higher ReHo values than the HC group. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After correction for multiple comparisons, significant difference was observed between the OCDd and HC groups (P＜0.05). In the OCD group, the ReHo value of the lingual gyrus was negatively correlated with the Y-BOCS total score and the compulsive behavior subscale score (R =  - 0.609, -0.552; P = 0.016, 0.033). CONCLUSION: Abnormal ReHo values in the lingual gyrus and right medial superior frontal gyrus were found in the patients with OCDd. In the OCDd group, the ReHo values of the lingual gyrus were negatively correlated with the scores on the Y-BOCS total and obsessive-compulsive subscales, suggesting that abnormal local coherence of the lingual gyrus may be related to the severity of OCD.

Research on brownfield redevelopment based on Wuli-Shili-Renli system theory and catastrophe progression method.

Brownfields are an important part of urban land resources. Strengthening the governance and redevelopment of brownfields is significant to environmental protection, high-quality urban development and sustainable development. However, due to the complexity and harmfulness of brownfield pollution, the hasty, untimely, and blind development can cause serious consequences. It is infeasible to pay more attention to development than governance or vice versa. In this paper, aiming at brownfield redevelopment evaluation, we introduced the Wuli-Shili-Renli (WSR) system methodology, an oriental system thought combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, comprehensively analyzed the influencing factors of brownfields from three dimensions of Wuli, Shili and Renli, and constructed the evaluation index system of brownfield redevelopment. To avoid much subjectivity in the evaluation process, we established the evaluation model of brownfield redevelopment using the catastrophe progression method. Taking the renovation project of Shanghai Xintiandi in 1999-2001 as a reference, the evaluation index system and evaluation model were applied to the renovation project of Wenjia Street in Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China in 2022, and the results provided a good basis for the decision-making process.

Predictive value of serum visinin-like protein-1 for early neurologic deterioration and three-month clinical outcome in acute primary basal ganglia hemorrhage: A prospective and observational study.

BACKGROUND: Visinin-like protein 1 (VILIP-1) appears as a biomarker of neuronal injury. We investigated the correlation of serum VILIP-1 concentrations with severity, early neurologic deterioration (END) and functional outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: In this prospective and observational study, serum VILIP-1 concentrations were quantified in 106 patients with basal ganglia hemorrhage. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between serum VILIP-1 concentrations and END plus worse prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score of 3 or greater) at post-injury 3 months. RESULTS: Serum VILIP-1 concentrations of patients were closely correlated with hematoma volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Serum VILIP-1 concentrations were substantially elevated in patients with END or worse 3-month prognosis, as compared to other remainders. Also, serum VILIP-1 concentrations were independently associated with END and worse 3-month prognosis. Under ROC curve analysis, serum VILIP-1 concentrations exhibited marked accuracy for distinguishing patients with the development of END or worse 3-month prognosis. Its predictive ability was in the range of hematoma volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. CONCLUSIONS: Serum VILIP-1 may be a good biomarker for assessing hemorrhagic severity and clinical outcomes after ICH.

Elevated serum nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 levels contribute to a poor prognosis after acute supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcriptional factor for antioxidant response element-regulated genes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic role of serum Nrf2 in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Materials and methods: In this prospective observational study, serum Nrf2 levels of 115 acute supratentorial ICH patients and 115 controls were gaged. Early neurologic deterioration (END) was defined as an increase of four or greater points in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or death at post-stroke 24 h. A poor outcome was referred to as the post-stroke 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 3-6. END and a poor outcome were considered as the two prognostic parameters. Results: As compared to controls, serum Nrf2 levels of patients were substantially elevated (P < 0.001), with its levels increasing during the 6-h period immediately, peaking in 12-18 h, plateauing at 18-24 h, and decreasing gradually thereafter (P < 0.05). Serum Nrf2 levels of patients were independently correlated with NIHSS score (t = 3.033; P = 0.003) and hematoma volume (t = 3.210; P = 0.002), independently predicted END (odds ratio 1.125; 95% confidence interval 1.027-1.232; P = 0.011) and poor outcome (odds ratio 1.217; 95% confidence interval 1.067-1.387; P = 0.013), as well as efficiently distinguished END (area under curve 0.771; 95% confidence interval 0.666-0.877; P < 0.001) and poor outcome (area under curve 0.803; 95% confidence interval 0.725-0.882; P < 0.001). Its predictive ability was equivalent to those of NIHSS score and hematoma volume (both P > 0.05), and it also significantly improved their predictive abilities under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Elevated serum Nrf2 levels are closely correlated with severity, END, and 90-day poor outcome following ICH. Hence, Nrf2 may play an important role in acute brain injury after ICH, and serum Nrf2 may have the potential to serve as a prognostic biomarker of ICH.

Usability of serum annexin A7 as a biochemical marker of poor outcome and early neurological deterioration after acute primary intracerebral hemorrhage: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Annexin A7 (ANXA7), a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein, may act to aggravate brain injury. This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of serum ANXA7 as a predictor of severity, early neurological deterioration (END), and prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: A total of 126 ICH patients and 126 healthy controls were enrolled. Symptomatic severity was evaluated utilizing the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. The lesion volume of ICH was measured according to the ABC/2 method. END was referred to as an increase of 4 or greater points in the NIHSS score or death at post-stroke 24 h. The unfavorable functional outcome was a combination of death and major disability at post-stroke 90 days. Results: Serum ANXA7 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (median, 46.5 vs. 9.7 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Serum ANXA7 levels were independently correlated with NIHSS score [beta: 0.821; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.106-1.514; variance inflation factor: 5.180; t = 2.573; P = 0.014] and hematoma volume (beta: 0.794; 95% CI: 0.418-1.173; variance inflation factor: 5.281; t = 2.781; P = 0.007). Serum ANXA7 levels were significantly elevated with increase in modified Rankin scale scores (P < 0.001). Also, serum ANXA7, which was identified as a categorical variable, independently predicted END and an unfavorable outcome with odds ratio values of 3.958 (95% CI: 1.290-12.143; P = 0.016) and 2.755 (95% CI: 1.051-7.220; P = 0.039), respectively. Moreover, serum ANXA7 levels efficiently differentiated END (area under the curve: 0.781; 95% CI: 0.698-0.849) and an unfavorable outcome (area under the curve: 0.776; 95% CI: 0.693-0.846). Conclusion: Serum ANXA7 may represent a useful blood-derived biomarker for assessing the severity, END, and prognosis of ICH.

CdS quantum dots as fluorescence probes for the sensitive and selective detection of highly reactive HSe- ions in aqueous solution.

Water-soluble cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots (QDs) capped by mercaptoacetic acid were synthesized by aqueous-phase arrested precipitation, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, spectrofluorometry, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The prepared luminescent water-soluble CdS QDs were evaluated as fluorescence probes for the detection of highly reactive hydrogen selenide ions (HSe(-) ions). The quenching of the fluorescence emission of CdS QDs with the addition of HSe(-) ions is due to the elimination of the S(2-) vacancies which are luminescence centers. Quantitative analysis based on chemical interaction between HSe(-) ions and the surface of CdS QDs is very simple, easy to develop, and has demonstrated very high sensitivity and selectivity features. The effect of foreign ions (common anions and biologically relevant cations) on the fluorescence of the CdS QDs was examined to evaluate the selectivity. Only Cu(2+) and S(2-) ions exhibit significant effects on the fluorescence of CdS QDs. With the developed method, we are able to determine the concentration of HSe(-) ions in the range from 0.10 to 4.80 micromol L(-1), and the limit of detection is 0.087 micromol L(-1). The proposed method was successfully applied to monitor the obtained HSe(-) ions from the reaction of glutathione with selenite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on fluorescence analysis of HSe(-) ions in aqueous solution.

Clinical Criteria Correlated with the Incidence of Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

GOALS: In this study, predictive panels were constructed and validated to recognize an individual with and without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on clinical and biochemical criteria. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty six non-alcoholic adults with no chronic viral hepatitis history were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan in 2013. All subjects were examined for body mass index (BMI), abdominal ultrasonography, blood liver function tests (including alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT]), blood lipids (total cholesterol [TC] and triglyceride [TG]) and blood glucose (BG) tests. RESULTS: NAFLD was observed in 66.97% of subjects. BMI (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.001), AST (p=0.014), GGT (p=0.034), TC (p=0.026), TG (p<0.001) and BG (p<0.001) were significantly higher for subjects with NAFLD than subjects without NAFLD. The BMI results (p<0.001), TG (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.001), BG (p<0.001), AST (p=0.001), and GGT (p=0.001) correlated well with the extent of NAFLD. The increasing risks of NAFLD are hypertriglyceridemia (p<0.001), high ALT (p<0.001), high GGT (p=0.009), and hypercholesterolemia (p=0.017). Moreover, NAFLD was observed in 98.5% (p<0.001) of subjects with three clinical manifestations of body overweight, hypertriglyceridemia and high ALT. Additionally, NAFLD was observed in 96.5% (p<0.001) of subjects with other tri-criteria (body overweight, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia), or 92.6% (p<0.001) of subjects with another tri-criteria (body overweight, hypertriglyceridemia, and high GGT). CONCLUSION: The tri-criteria of diagnoses can accurately predict the surveillance of NAFLD.

Mitochondrial transcription factor A contributes to cisplatin resistance in patients with estrogen receptor­positive breast cancer.

Previous studies have reported that triple-negative breast cancer is more sensitive to cytotoxic treatment, compared with estrogen receptor (ER)­positive cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we employed reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot and in vivo assays to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The sensitivities of cells to cisplatin were examined in ER-positive and ER­negative breast cancer cells, and it was found that the ER­negative cells were more sensitive to cisplatin, compared with the ER­positive cells. In addition, it was found that mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), which functions in mitochondrial DNA replication and repair, was expressed at a high level in ER­positive cell lines and patient tissues, compared with ER­negative cell lines and tissues. It was also found that the sensitivity to cisplatin was decreased when TFAM was knocked down in the breast cancer cells, and these effects were reversed when TFAM was reintroduced to the cells. Similar results were observed in xenograft tumors. The results of the present study provided evidence that resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy in ER­positive breast cancer may be through TFAM and indicated that TFAM may be a target for chemoresistance in patients with breast cancer. These findings offer potential guidance for chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

[Clinical observation of a conservative treatment for large keratocystic odontogenic tumors in the mandible: enucleation followed by open packing].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study is to present the long-term effects of open healing of keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) in the mandible. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted on 41 patients with large KCOTs (the maximum diameter of the tumors exceeded 5 cm) treated at our institution between September 2003 and April 2011. A conservative surgical treatment was applied. The treatment involved enucleation of the primary lesion through narrow unroofing and open packing of the residual osseous defect with iodoform gauze for secondary healing. Bone regenera- tion and surgical complications were observed. The long-term effects of the treatment were followed up. RESULTS: The inferior alveolar nerve was exposed in the KCOT bone cavity in all cases, and some nerves adhered to the tumor tightly. The post- operative follow-up time was 81.5 months on the average (36 to 127 months). The packing gauze was changed every two weeks after enucleation, and the total duration time for packing was 8.9 months on the average (3 to 15 months). Notable bone regeneration and satisfactory secondary healing were observed clinically and radiographically. The KCOT-affected teeth were reserved, and their chewing functions were restored. Two cases presented recurrences after the initial treatment. The recurrence rate was 4.9% (2/41). No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Enucleation associated with subsequent open packing is a reliable treatment for patients with large KCOTs in the mandible.

Blood levels of adrenomedullin on admission predict outcomes after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Increased plasma adrenomedullin level has been associated with critical illness. This study aimed to investigate the correlations of plasma adrenomedullin concentration with 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. One hundred fourteen patients and 112 healthy controls were recruited. Relationships of plasma adrenomedullin concentrations with early neurological deterioration, 3-month mortality and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2) were evaluated. Plasma adrenomedullin concentrations were increased in patients than in healthy individuals and were highly associated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. A multivariate analysis selected plasma adrenomedullin concentration as an independent predictor for 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed plasma adrenomedullin concentration predicted 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration with high area under curves. The predictive value of adrenomedullin was similar to that of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. In a combined logistic-regression model, adrenomedullin did not improve the predictive value of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Thus, elevated plasma adrenomedullin concentration is highly associated with 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.