Effects of fermented and unfermented aging corn on ruminal fermentation, bacterial communities, lactation performance and plasma metabolites in Holstein cows.

Aging reduces the nutritional value of corn grain, which may be improved by fermentation prior to use. This study investigated the effects of replacing conventional corn (CC) with aging corn (AC) and fermented aging corn (FAC) in the diets of lactating Holstein cows. Six healthy third-parity Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods. Cows were fed twice and milked twice daily. The cows were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (1) CC diet: a diet with 23.6% starch in diet DM containing 24.0% conventional corn; (2) AC diet: a diet with 23.5% starch in diet DM containing 24.0% aging corn replacing conventional corn; and (3) FAC diet: a diet with 23.2% starch in diet DM containing 24.6% fermented aging corn replacing conventional corn. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained identical roughage. The FAC treatment increased the starch digestibility compared with AC. Feeding FAC increased the concentrations of total volatile fatty acid compared with CC and AC and decreased the molar proportion of acetate compared with AC. At the family level, the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae was higher on FAC than CC. The relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae was lower on FAC than on CC and AC. Besides, at the genera level, the relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_002 in the rumen was higher on AC than CC and FAC. The relative abundance of Prevotella and Ruminococcus was higher on FAC than CC and AC. The relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_001 was lower on FAC than CC. The Simpson index was lower on FAC than CC and AC. The FAC treatment increased the milk yield (34.0, 33.7, and 35.2 kg/d for CC, AC, and FAC group, respectively) and protein yield, and thus, energy-corrected milk production was increased, and at the same time, decreased the somatic cell score compared with CC and AC. The AC treatment increased the malondialdehyde concentration in plasma compared with CC and FAC. The concentrations in plasma of triglyceride and malondialdehyde were lower on FAC than AC. The immunoglobulin G concentration in plasma was higher on FAC than CC and AC. Overall, feeding AC resulted in decreased plasma antioxidant capacity compared with CC, whereas feeding FAC altered the relative abundance of bacteria in the rumen and improved starch digestibility, ruminal bacterial diversity, lactation performance, plasma antioxidant capacity and immune competence compared with AC in dairy cows.

Transarterial chemoembolization combined with microwave ablation versus repeated resection for recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma after resection: What is the better treatment?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with microwave ablation (TACE-MWA) versus repeated hepatic resection (RHR) in patients with recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) following primary resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 59 patients diagnosed with recurrent sHCC (≤3 cm) and treated with either TACE-MWA or RHR were recruited from two centers between June 2015 and October 2021. Patients were matched using propensity scores at a 1:1 ratio. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and complications were assessed and compared between the two treatment groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 38 patients were included, with 19 in each group. Prior to matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates for the TACE-MWA group were 68.1%, 46.6%, and 23.3%, respectively, and for the RHR group, they were 84.6%, 47.3%, and 47.3%, respectively. The corresponding 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates for TACE-MWA were 100.0%, 83.7%, and 47.8%, while for RHR, they were 100.0%, 95.0%, and 45.2%. After matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 78.0%, 48.3%, and 24.1% for TACE-MWA, and 77.5%, 38.7%, and 38.7% for RHR. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates for TACE-MWA were 100.0%, 88.9%, and 54.9%, and for RHR, they were 100.0%, 93.3%, and 44.4%. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in DFS rates (P=0.834 before matching, P=0.490 after matching) or OS rates (P=0.825 before matching, P=0.625 after matching) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TACE-MWA demonstrates comparable effectiveness to RHR in managing recurrent sHCC.

[The metastatic and advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma-a separate entity or bladder cancer's younger sibling?] / Das metastasierte und fortgeschrittene Urothelkarzinom des oberen Harntraktes ­ eigene Entität oder doch kleine Schwester des Blasenkarzinoms?

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a cancer that is often already in an advanced stage at the time of initial diagnosis. Although urothelial carcinoma of the upper and lower urinary tracts both originate from the urothelium and have similar genetic alterations, there are significant differences in their distribution. In localized high-risk UTUC, radical nephroureterectomy is the gold standard therapy. In metastatic UTUC, major changes are emerging in sequential therapy due to the investigation of new classes of drugs. In addition to platinum-based combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy, new substances such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and FGFR inhibitors are used.

[Early treatment of Class â ¢ malocclusion based on craniomaxillofacial growth and development].

More and more attention has been paid to the early treatment of malocclusion, especially the early treatment of class Ⅲ malocclusion. Class Ⅲ malocclusion not only affects maxillofacial growth and development, occlusal function and facial beauty, but also leads to serious physical and mental problems. Focusing on class Ⅲ malocclusion, the definition, classification, etiological mechanism, craniofacial growth and development rule, and the influence of early treatment on craniofacial growth and development were reviewed. In class Ⅲ patients, the craniofacial growth and development should be evaluated and analyzed when the early intervention carried out. The purpose of treatment of class Ⅲ malocclusion is achieved by using the appliance to affect the craniomaxillofacial growth.

[Effects of clear aligners combined with maxillary protractor on mixed dentition patient with skeletal class â ¢ malocclusion: a finite element study].

Objective: To compare the effects of expansion screw with maxillary protractor and clear aligners combined with maxillary protractor on the maxilla and maxillary dentition of mixed dentition patients with class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion using finite element analysis, further providing clinical guidance for clear aligner treatment. Methods: A finite element model was established based on maxillofacial cone-beam CT data of a 10-year-old boy with mixed dentition, class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion, who visited Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University in January, 2024. The expander with protractor group (group A) and the clear aligners with protractor group (group B) were divided. The arch was extended by 0.25 mm in both groups, and the forward pull force was 2.94 N (working condition 1) and 4.90 N (working condition 2), respectively. The initial displacement trend of maxilla and maxillary dentition in two groups under two working conditions were evaluated. Results: Under two working conditions, the maxilla of both groups showed clockwise rotation and labial inclination. The labial inclination of maxilla was more significant in clear aligners with protractor group, about 2.2-3.0 times that of expander with protractor group under the same working condition. Maxillary dentition showed mesial and buccal displacement, with anterior teeth extrusion and posterior teeth intrusion in two groups under two working conditions. Under the working condition 1 and 2, the labial displacement of central incisor of clear aligners with protractor group (-0.065, -0.089 mm) were greater than that in expander with protractor group (-0.024, -0.024 mm). Under two working conditions, the posterior teeth of expander with protractor group moved close to the buccal bodily direction, while those of clear aligners with protractor group moved tilted towards the buccal direction in the horizontal direction. The forward displacement trend of maxilla and maxillary dentition in clear aligners with protractor group was more obvious than expander with protractor group with the increase of the forward pull force. Under two working conditions, the anterior teeth' s hydrostatic stress of periodontal membrane and the equivalent stress of alveolar bone in clear aligners with protractor group were higher than those in expander with protractor group, mainly concentrated on the labial cervical region of the incisor. Conclusions: Clear aligners combined with maxillary protractor can produce forward force on the maxilla, but labial inclination occurs in the anterior teeth. It can be an effective orthopedic treatment strategy for mixed dentition patients with class Ⅲ skeletal malocclusion.

Higher baseline subcortical net water uptake in computed tomography predicts malignant middle cerebral artery infarction in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

AIM: The objective of this study was to assess the predictive performance of net water uptake (NWU) based on the Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) from different ASPECT regions in relation to the development of malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of the MCA territory were retrospectively enrolled between January 2019 and July 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the follow-up CT after 24-48 hours: malignant and nonmalignant infarction. NWUs were measured on diverse ASPECT regions on admission non-contrast CT, namely affected ASPECTS-NWU (af-ASPECTS-NWU), subcortical ASPECTS-NWU (sc-ASPECTS-NWU), and cortical ASPECTS-NWU (c-ASPECTS-NWU). Baseline characteristics were collected for univariate analyses and multivariate regression analyses to explore the independent risk factors for malignant infarction. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and compared. RESULTS: patients were included in the final analysis. Malignant MCA infarction was achieved in 42 (27.45%) patients and nonmalignant was 111 (72.55%). Compared with the nonmalignant infarction group, higher baseline National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, af-ASPECTS-NWU, c-ASPECTS-NWU, sc-ASPECTS-NWU, and lower ASPECTS were noted in the malignant infarction group (all P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that only baseline sc-ASPECTS-NWU (>3.6%) was a positive factor for malignant MCA infarction. The ROC analysis indicated the highest predictive value of sc-ASPECTS-NWU for indicating malignant infarction with the area under ROC curve (AUC) 0.91. CONCLUSION: Higher baseline sc-ASPECTS-NWU was a quantitative predictor for malignant MCA infarction in patients with AIS, which could be helpful for treatment decisions.

[Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal relationship between asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis].

Objective: To explore the causal relationship between asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic sinusitis (CRS), using two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, thereby providing foundational evidences for the pathogenesis and treatment of CRS. Methods: The genetic variations in AR and asthma were used as instrumental variables, with genetic data from the Integrated Epidemiology Unit (IEU) Open database. A total of 14 283 asthma and 18 934 AR cases were included, with 98 300 and 64 595 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. For CRS, there were 3 236 CRSwNP and 8 524 CRSsNP, respectively, with 167 849 and 167 849 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. The genetic data were analyzed using the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), MR Egger method, weighted median method, and Cochran's Q-test. Results: The IVW analysis showed that asthma increased the risk of both CRSwNP (OR=482.8, 95%CI: 57.18-4 077.78, P<0.001) and CRSsNP (OR=25.73, 95%CI: 9.79-67.56, P<0.001); AR significantly increased the risk of CRSsNP (OR=5.40, 95%CI: 1.68-17.26, P=0.004), but not CRSwNP (OR=7.38, 95%CI: 0.80-67.73, P=0.077). Conversely, neither CRSwNP nor CRSsNP increased the risk of asthma or AR. Conclusion: According to Mendelian genetic laws, asthma is a risk factor for CRSwNP and CRSsNP, while AR is a risk factor for CRSsNP.

A first-in-human phase I study of a novel MDM2/p53 inhibitor alrizomadlin in advanced solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: The mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) oncogene exerts oncogenic activities in many cancers and represents a potential therapeutic target. This trial evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of alrizomadlin (APG-115), a novel MDM2/p53 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed advanced solid tumors who had progressed to standard treatment or lacked effective therapies were recruited. Alrizomadlin was administered once daily every other day for 21 days of a 28-day cycle until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were enrolled and treated with alrizomadlin; 57.1% were male and the median age was 47 (25-60) years. The maximum tolerated dose of alrizomadlin was 150 mg and the recommended phase II dose was 100 mg. One patient in the 200-mg cohort experienced dose-limiting toxicity of thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (33.3%), lymphocytopenia (33.3%), neutropenia (23.8%), and anemia (23.8%). Alrizomadlin demonstrated approximately linear pharmacokinetics (dose range 100-200 mg) and was associated with increased plasma macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1, indicative of p53 pathway activation. Of the 20 assessable patients, 2 [10%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2% to 31.7%] patients achieved partial response and 10 (50%, 95% CI 27.2% to 72.8%) showed stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 6.1 (95% CI 1.7-10.4) months, which was significantly longer in patients with wild-type versus mutant TP53 (7.9 versus 2.2 months, respectively; P < 0.001). Among patients with MDM2 amplification and wild-type TP53, the overall response rate was 25% (2/8) and the disease control rate was 100% (8/8). CONCLUSIONS: Alrizomadlin had an acceptable safety profile and demonstrated promising antitumor activity in MDM2-amplified and TP53 wild-type tumors. This study supports further exploration of alrizomadlin with recommended doses of 100 mg q.o.d. in 21 days on and 7 days off regimen.

[Analysis of the efficacy and safety of bone disease treatment in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with denosumab or zoledronic acid].

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of denosumab (DENOS) versus zoledronic acid (ZOL) in the bone disease treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Methods: The clinical data of 80 patients with myeloma bone disease (MBD) at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients with severe renal impairment (SRI, endogenous creatinine clearance rate<30 ml/min) were treated with DENOS, and 62 non-SRI patients were divided into DENOS (30 patients) and ZOL group (32 patients) . Results: Hypocalcemia was observed in 26 (33%) patients, and 22 patients developed hypocalcemia during the first treatment course. The incidence of hypocalcemia in the non-SRI patients of DENOS group was higher than that in the ZOL group [20% (6/30) vs 13% (4/32), P=0.028]. The incidence of hypocalcemia in SRI was 89% (16/18). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that endogenous creatinine clearance rate<30 ml/min was significantly associated with hypocalcemia after DENOS administration (P<0.001). After 1 month of antiresorptive (AR) drug application, the decrease in the serum ß-C-terminal cross-linked carboxy-telopeptide of collagen type I concentrations of SRI and non-SRI patients in the DENOS group were significantly higher than that in the ZOL group (68% vs 59% vs 27%, P<0.001). The increase in serum procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide concentrations of patients with or without SRI in the DENOS group were significantly higher than that in the ZOL group (34% vs 20% vs 11%, P<0.05). The level of intact parathyroid hormone in each group increased after AR drug treatment. None of the patients developed osteonecrosis of the jaw and renal adverse events, and no statistically significant differences in the overall response rate, complete remission and stringent complete remission rates were found among the groups (P>0.05), and the median PFS and OS time were not reached (P>0.05) . Conclusions: In the treatment of MBD, DENOS minimizes nephrotoxicity and has strong AR effect. Hypocalcemia is a common adverse event but is usually mild or moderate and manageable.

[Analysis of the epidemiological traits of occupational pneumoconiosis in Qinhuangdao between 1961 and 2020].

Objective: To study the prevalence of occupational pneumoconiosis in Qinhuangdao from 1961 to 2020 and offer a foundation for developing occupational pneumoconiosis prevention and control methods. Methods: In December 2020, the data of occupational pneumoconiosis cases diagnosed by medical institutions with occupational disease diagnosis qualifications in Qinhuangdao City from 1961 to 2020 were collected Anova or kruskal-Walls tests and chi-square tests were used for inter-group comparisons of continuous and categorical variables, and LSD tests or Tamhane T2 tests were used for multiple comparisons. Results: Between 1961 and 2020, 384 cases of pneumoconiosis were documented in Qinhuangdao, of which 382 (99.5%) patients were men and 2 (0.5%) were women. The average dust service duration is 15 (9, 25) years, with a minimum duration of 0.5 years and a maximum duration of 49 years; Cases were primarily distributed in Qinglong Manchu Autonomous County (187 cases, 48.7%) and the Haigang district (160 cases, 41.7%) ; Type of pneumoconiosis was silicosis (340 cases, 88.5%), mainly 273 cases (71.1%) of stage I, 88 cases (22.9%) of stage II, and 23 cases (6.0% of stage III) ; Cases of Phase II and III and with short lengths of service are mainly concentrated in medium-sized, small, private limited liability companies and collective enterprises. Rrock work (166 cases, 43.2%), and loading kiln workers (42 cases, 10.9%) were the main types. Conclusion: Because the distribution of pneumoconiosis cases in Qinhuangdao city is concentrated and the length of service is decreasing, it is important to enhance the oversight of important area, businesses, industries, and job categories in line with the growth of the region's mineral resources.

[Associations of body mass index and waist circumference with risk of chronic kidney disease in adults in China].

Objective: To examine the associations of BMI and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its subtypes in adults in China. Methods: The data from the China Kadoorie Biobank were used. After excluding those with cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, or CKD at baseline survey, 480 430 participants were included in this study. Their body height and weight, and WC were measured at baseline survey. Total CKD was defined as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), hypertensive nephropathy (HTN), glomerulonephritis (GN), chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN), obstructive nephropathy (ON), CKD due to other causes, and chronic kidney failure. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the associations between exposure factors and risks of outcomes. Results: During a follow-up period of (11.8±2.2) years, 5 486 cases of total CKD were identified, including 1 147 cases of DKD, 340 cases of HTN, 1 458 cases of GN, 460 cases of CTIN, 598 cases of ON, 418 cases of CKD due to other causes, and 1 065 cases of chronic kidney failure. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, baseline prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and WC and compared to participants with normal BMI (18.5-23.9 kg/m2), the hazard ratios (HRs) of total CKD for underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥28.0 kg/m2) were 1.42 (95%CI: 1.23-1.63), 1.00 (95%CI: 0.93-1.08) and 0.98 (95%CI: 0.87-1.10), respectively. Stratification analysis by WC showed that BMI was negatively associated with risk for total CKD in non-central obese participants (WC: <85.0 cm in men and <80.0 cm in women) (HR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.96-0.99), while the association was positive in central obese participants (≥90.0 cm in men and ≥85.0 cm in women) (HR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.01-1.05). The association between BMI and GN was similar to that of total CKD. BMI was associated with an increased risk for HTN, with a HR of 1.12 (95%CI: 1.06-1.18) per 1.0 kg/m2 higher BMI. After adjusting for potential confounders and BMI, compared to participants with non-central obesity, the HRs for pre-central obesity (WC: 85.0-89.9 cm in men and 80.0-84.9 in women) and central obesity were 1.26 (95%CI: 1.16-1.36) and 1.32 (95%CI: 1.20-1.45), respectively. With the exception of HTN and CTIN, WC was positively associated with risks for all CKD subtypes. Conclusions: BMI-defined underweight and central obesity were independent risk factors for total CKD, and BMI and WC had different associations with risks for disease subtypes.

Trimester-specific association between fetal growth and physical activity in pregnant women: total physical activity vs moderate-to-vigorous exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trimester-specific associations between maternal total physical activity level vs moderate-to-vigorous exercise and fetal growth disorders. METHODS: We analyzed 2062 mother-neonate pairs participating in the longitudinal China Medical University Birth Cohort Study. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity level of women during the three trimesters. A higher level of total physical activity was defined as meeting or exceeding the cohort-specific 75th percentile, and a higher level of exercise was defined according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Fetal growth disorder was defined as small-for-gestational age (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA) at birth. RESULTS: Of the neonates included in this study, 7.1% were SGA and 15.5% were LGA. A higher level of total physical activity during the first trimester (adjusted relative risk (aRR), 0.62 (95% CI, 0.42-0.91)) and second trimester (aRR, 0.62 (95% CI, 0.41-0.95)) was associated with a lower risk of SGA, and a higher level of total physical activity during the third trimester was associated with a lower risk of LGA (aRR, 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54-0.97)). When analyzing physical activity by subtype, a higher level of occupational physical activity during the first and second trimesters was associated negatively with SGA risk, and higher levels of occupational and low-intensity physical activity during the first trimester were associated negatively with LGA risk. No significant association was found between maternal adherence to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and risk of fetal growth disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A higher total physical activity level during the first and second trimesters was associated with a decreased risk of SGA, whereas a higher total physical activity level in the third trimester was associated with a decreased risk of LGA. Pregnant women should be advised to increase their total physical activity levels instead of focusing on engaging in only moderate-to-vigorous exercise. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Effects of Dapagliflozin on contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Dapagliflozin, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods: A cohort study. The clinical data of 366 patients with coronary heart disease combined with T2DM who underwent PCI in the Department of Cardiology, Tianjin University Chest Hospital, from June 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 218 males and 148 females, aged (64.6±11.0) years old. According to whether the patients had used Dapagliflozin or not, the selected patients were divided into SGLT2i group(n=124) and control group(n=242). The changes in cardiac indicators, renal function, and inflammatory response indicators before and 72 hours after PCI treatment were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The incidence rate of CIAKI in the two groups was analyzed, and the influencing factors of CIAKI were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded during the follow-up period of the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to compare the differences in MACE occurrence between the two group. Results: The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the SGLT2i group was lower than that of the control group, and the proportion of patients with LVEF<45% and CIAKI risk score were higher than those of the control group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). 72 h after PCI treatment, ß-2 Microglobulin(ß-2MG), cystatin-C(Cys-C), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in both groups were all increased compared to those before PCI treatment, with statistical significance (all P<0.05).ß-2MG, Cys-C, and NGAL in SGLT2i group were all lower than those in the control group, with statistical significance(all P<0.05).The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and malondialdehyde in both groups of patients increased compared to preoperative levels, while the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased compared to preoperative levels, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, and malondialdehyde in the SGLT2i group were lower than those in the control group, while SOD was higher than that in the control group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Among all patients included, 34 cases experienced CIAKI (9.8%), and the incidence of CIAKI in the SGLT2i group was lower than that in the control group [4.8% (6/124) vs 11.6% (28/242),P=0.037]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of dapagliflozin was a protective factor for CIAKI in T2DM patients receiving PCI treatment (OR=0.321, 95%CI: 0.127-0.816, P=0.017). After a follow-up of 14.0 (12.0, 16.2) months, the incidence of MACE in SGLT2i group was lower than that in the control group (7.3% vs 12.8%, P=0.048). Conclusions: Dapagliflozin may reduce the risk of CIAKI and MACE in T2DM patients after PCI treatment. Its mechanism may be related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of SGLT2i.

Whole-transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of calcified outer-layer tissue from cystic echinococcosis.

Echinococcosis is a common zoonotic disease in livestock; the type with the highest incidence is cystic echinococcosis (CE). In clinical management, patients with CE of the liver in which the cyst wall is calcified have been found to have better prognoses than those without calcification. In this study, we collected calcified and uncalcified cyst wall tissue from patients with hepatic CE and observed significant changes in the expression of 2336 messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs), 178 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), 210 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 33 circular RNAs (circRNAs) using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of differentially expressed RNAs (DERNAs: DEmRNAs, DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DEcircRNAs) were performed to explore these RNAs' potential biological functions and signaling pathways. Ultimately, the results of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining confirmed the correlation between calcification and apoptosis of the cyst wall. In summary, this study was an initial exploration of the molecular-biological mechanism underlying spontaneous calcification of the hydatid cyst wall, and it provides a theoretical basis for exploring new targets for drug treatment in CE.

Molecular detection, risk factors, and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from northern Vietnam.

In tropical regions, numerous tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) play a crucial role as causative agents of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Recently, the population of companion and pet dogs has significantly increased in Vietnam; however, information on the occurrence of TBPs is still limited. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the occurrence rate, risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of TBPs in dogs from northern Vietnam. Of 341 blood samples tested by PCR, the total infection of TBPs was 73.9% (252/341). Babesia vogeli (18SrRNA gene - 30.5%) was detected most frequently in studied dogs followed by Rickettsia spp. (OmpA gene - 27%), Anaplasma platys (groEL gene - 22%), Bartonella spp. (16SrRNA - 18.8%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (16SrRNA - 9.4%) and Hepatozoon canis (18SrRNA gene - 1.2%), respectively. All samples were negative for Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophylum. Co-infection was detected in 31.4% of the samples (107/341) of which, A. platys/Bartonella spp. (34/94,10%), Rickettsia spp./B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%), and M. haemocanis/B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%) were recorded as the three most frequent two species of co-infection types. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between TBP infection and several host variables regarding age, breed, and living area in the current study. The recent findings reported herein, for the first time in Vietnam, are essential for local veterinarians when considering the appropriate approaches for diagnosing these diseases. Furthermore, this data can be used to establish control measures for future surveillance and prevention strategies against canine TBPs in Vietnam.

Photoionization process of the hydrogenlike carbon ion embedded in warm and hot dense plasmas.

Complicated many-body interactions between ions and surrounding particles exist in warm and hot dense plasmas. It will significantly alter the atomic structures and dynamic properties of the embedded ions. Recently, the atomic-state-dependent (ASD) screening model has been proposed and shown to be valid for investigating the screening effect in warm and hot dense plasmas over a wide range of electron densities and temperatures. By employing the ASD model, we investigate the photoionization process for the hydrogenlike carbon ion embedded in warm and hot dense plasmas with corresponding Coulomb coupling parameter ranges of 0.05 ≤ Γ ≤ 1.16, where Γ characterizes the ratio of the average potential to thermal energy. It is found that there are stronger plasma screening effects on the ionization energy and photoionization cross section due to the negative-energy electron distributions considered in the ASD model compared to those considering only free electrons. The present results from the ASD model show reasonable agreement with the classical Debye-Hückel (DH) model in weakly coupled plasmas. However, significant deviations of the ionization energy and cross section between these two models are observed in moderately and strongly coupled plasmas, due to the approximate treatment of the plasma-electron density distribution of the DH model. In the region of low photoelectron energies, the positions of the shape resonance peaks of the cross sections obtained from the ASD model differ significantly from those of the DH model due to the different screening effects.

Single-Shot Diagnosis of Electron Energy Evolution via Streaked Betatron X Rays in a Curved Laser Wakefield Accelerator.

We report on an experimental observation of the streaking of betatron x rays in a curved laser wakefield accelerator. The streaking of the betatron x rays was realized by launching a laser pulse into a plasma with a transverse density gradient. By controlling the plasma density and the density gradient, we realized the steering of the laser driver, electron beam, and betatron x rays simultaneously. Moreover, we observed an energy-angle correlation of the streaked betatron x rays and utilized it in diagnosing the electron acceleration process in a single-shot mode. Our work could also find applications in advanced control of laser beam and particle propagation. More importantly, the angular streaked betatron x ray has an intrinsic spatiotemporal correlation, which makes it a promising tool for single-shot pump-probe applications.

[Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of NTRK-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular genetic characteristics, and differential diagnosis of NTRK-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms (NTRK-RSCNs) in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Two NTRK-RSCNs diagnosed at the Department of Pathology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China and one case diagnosed at Zhengzhou Central Hospital, Zhengzhou, China from 2019 to 2022 were collected. The clinical data, histopathology, immunophenotypes and prognosis were analyzed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to detect NTRK gene rearrangements, while relevant literature was also reviewed and discussed. Results: Two patients were male and one was female, with the age of 17, 47 and 62 years, respectively. The tumors were located in the duodenum, ascending colon and descending colon, respectively. The tumors were protuberant masses with gray and rubbery sections. Their maximum diameter was 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 cm, respectively. Histologically, the tumors invaded mucosa, intrinsic muscle and serosal adipose tissue. Tumor cells consisted of spindle or oval shaped cells with monotonous morphology and arranged in bundles or stripes pattern. Spindle cells were mildly to moderately atypical, with slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and inconspicuous nucleoli. Necrosis and mitotic figures were observed in one high-grade tumor. All tumors expressed CD34, S-100 and pan-TRK in varying degrees. FISH analysis showed that NTRK1 gene was break-apart in 1 case and NTRK2 gene break-apart in 2 cases. NGS technologies showed LMNA::NTRK1 fusion in one case, STRN::NTRK2 fusion in another case. All patients recovered well after the surgery without recurrence at the end of the follow-up. Conclusions: NTRK-RSCN is rarely diagnosed in the gastrointestinal tract and has significant variations in morphology. It overlaps with various other mesenchymal tumors which should be considered as differential diagnoses. Be familiar with the features of histological morphology in combination with immunophenotype and molecular genetic characteristics can not only help diagnose NTRK-RSCNs, but provide therapeutic targets for clinical treatment.