Association between Iodized Salt Intake and Cognitive Function in Older Adults in China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between iodized salt intake and cognitive function in older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Individuals from the Zhejiang Major Public Health Surveillance Program (ZPHS). PARTICIPANTS: Data of 10,217 participants (including 4,680 coastal residents and 5,537 inland residents) aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS: Salt intake was evaluated using a questionnaire, and participants were stratified into the following three groups: iodized salt, non-iodized salt, and mixed salt. Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination and defined using education-specific cut-off points. Logistic regression models controlling for an extensive range of potential confounders were generated to examine the association between salt intake and cognitive function among all participants. RESULTS: Data from 10,217 participants with a 16.1% prevalence of cognitive impairment were analyzed. Compared with non-iodized salt intake, consumption of iodized salt was inversely associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR], 0.410; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.351-0.480; P < 0.001) in all participants after multivariable adjustment. An association between iodized salt intake and cognitive impairment was observed in coastal (OR, 0.441; 95% CI, 0.340-0.572; P < 0.001) and inland residents (OR, 0.569; 95% CI, 0.439-0.738; P < 0.001). Despite the insufficient sample size, the results for individuals consuming mixed salt suggested an inverse association between mixed salt intake and cognitive impairment among coastal residents (OR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.405-0.885; P = 0.010) after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that iodized salt intake may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults living in coastal or inland areas, and the protective effect of iodized salt intake is greater in coastal areas than in inland areas.

[Visual analysis of the current research status and hotspots of electric burns at home and abroad].

Objective: To analyze the literature on electric burns published at home and abroad, and to explore the research hotspots and frontiers of electric burns. Methods: The bibliometric method was used. The Chinese and English literature related to electric burns published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, VIP database and the core collection of Web of Science database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 were searched respectively, and the CiteSpace 6.2.R2 software was used for analysis. The number of papers, authors, countries, and institutions of Chinese and English literature were counted respectively, and the co-occurrence analysis of keywords and mutation analysis and cluster analysis on the basis of the co-occurrence analysis were conducted, besides, the clustering time line figure was obtained after the keywords were sorted by time to explore the current research status and the evolution process of hotspots in the field of electric burns. Results: A total of 398 English papers were retrieved from the core collection of Web of Science database, and a total of 523 Chinese papers were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and VIP database after duplicate check. From 2013 to 2022, the number of English literature published in the field of electric burns showed a steadily upward trend, and the number of published Chinese literature showed a downward trend and tended to be stable. In Chinese literature, a total of 302 authors as the first author published papers related to electric burns, with 17 core authors published ≥3 papers; in English literature, a total of 320 authors as the first author published papers related to electric burns. Researches on electric burns were carried out in 65 countries, with United States having the most cooperation with other countries and the largest number of papers published. A total of 512 institutions at home and abroad published papers related to electric burns, and the institutions with the largest number of Chinese and English papers were Shanghai Electric Power Hospital in China (n=14) and Hallym University in Korea (n=11), respectively. A total of 1 176 Chinese keywords and 1 068 English keywords were included for co-occurrence analysis after excluding keywords related to the searching words. The top three keywords in frequency in Chinese literature were surgical flap, wound repair, and nursing, and the top three keywords in frequency in English literature were management, epidemiology, and children. Ten clusters were obtained by keyword analysis in Chinese literature, and the largest cluster was wound healing, followed by clinical effects and surgical flaps. Seven clusters were obtained by keyword analysis in English literature, and the largest cluster was reconstructive surgical procedures, followed by chronic pain and shock. The persistent clusters in Chinese literature were wound healing and clinical outcomes, etc., and the prominent nodes in the recent two years were surgical timing, limb electric burns, and hypertrophic scars; the persistent clusters in English literature were reconstructive surgical procedures and chronic pain, etc., and the prominent nodes in the recent two years were predictors and burn management, etc. In Chinese literature, the keyword with the longest duration of mutation (2017-2021) was wrist electric burns, and the keyword with the highest intensity of mutation was flap repair; in English literature, the keyword with the longest duration of the mutation (2019-2022) was voltage, and the keyword with the highest intensity of mutation was prevention. Conclusions: There are similarities and differences in the research directions and hotspots of electric burns at home and abroad. Surgical flap repair is a common research hotspot at home and abroad. At present, domestic research focuses on wound healing, wrist electric burns, and other aspects, while international research focuses on treatment management, epidemiology, reconstruction, and other aspects.

A patient with spinal cavernous vascular malformation: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cavernous vascular malformation (SCM) is a rare type of spinal vascular malformation that can be easily misdiagnosed and overlooked, accounting for 5%-12% of all spinal vascular malformations. To date, surgical resection has been the gold standard for treating SCM, particularly in symptomatic patients. The risk of secondary hemorrhage in SCM is as high as 66%. Therefore, early, timely, and accurate diagnosis is crucial for patients with SCM. CASE REPORT: In this report, we describe a 50-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with recurrent bilateral lower extremity pain and numbness for 10 years, with recurring symptoms for 4 months. The patient's symptoms initially improved after conservative treatment but then worsened again. An MRI revealed a spinal cord hemorrhage, and after surgical treatment, the patient's symptoms improved significantly. A postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of SCM. CONCLUSIONS: This case, along with a review of the literature, suggests that for SCM, early surgery using techniques such as microsurgery and intraoperative evoked potential monitoring may result in better outcomes for the patient.

[Impact of late sodium current inhibition on cardiac electrophysiology parameters and ventricular arrhythmias in isolated Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts with short QT interval].

Objective: To determine the electrophysiological effects and related mechanisms of late sodium current inhibitors on hearts with short QT intervals. Methods: The electrophysiological study was performed on isolated Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts. A total of 80 New Zealand White rabbits were used and 34 hearts without drug treatment were defined as control group A, these hearts were then treated with IKATP opener pinacidil, defined as pinacidil group A. Then, 27 hearts from pinacidil group A were selected to receive combined perfusion with sodium channel inhibitors or quinidine, a traditional drug used to treat short QT syndrome, including ranolazine combined group (n=9), mexiletine combined group (n=9), and quinidine combined group (n=9). Nineteen out of the remaining 46 New Zealand rabbits were selected as control group B (no drug treatments, n=19), and then treated with pinacidil, defined as pinacidil group B (n=19). The remaining 27 rabbits were treated with sodium inhibitors or quinidine alone, including ranolazine alone group (n=9), mexiletine alone group (n=9), and quinidine alone group (n=9). Electrocardiogram (ECG) physiological parameters of control group A and pinacidil group A were collected. In control group B and pinacidil group B, programmed electrical stimulation was used to induce ventricular arrhythmias and ECG was collected. ECG physiological parameters and ventricular arrhythmia status of various groups were analyzed. The concentrations of pinacidil, ranolazine, mexiletine and quinidine used in this study were 30, 10, 30 and 1 µmol/L, respectively. Results: Compared with control group A, the QT interval, 90% of the repolarization in epicardial and endocardial monophasic action potential duration (MAPD90-Epi, MAPD90-Endo) was shortened, the transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) was increased, and the effective refractor period (ERP) and post-repolarization refractoriness (PRR) were reduced in pinacidil group A (all P<0.05). Compared with the pinacidil group A, MAPD90-Epi, MAPD90-Endo, QT interval changes were reversed in quinidine combined group and mexiletine combined group (all P<0.05), but not in ranolazine combined group. All these three drugs reversed the pinacidil-induced increases of TDR and the decreases of ERP and PRR. The induced ventricular arrhythmia rate was 0 in control group B, and increased to 10/19 (χ2=13.6, P<0.05) in pinacidil group B during programmed electrical stimulation. Compared with the pinacidil group B, incidences of ventricular arrhythmia decreased to 11% (1/9), 11% (1/9) and 0 (0/9) (χ2=4.5, 4.5, 7.4, P<0.05) respectively in ranolazine group, mexiletine group and quinidine group. Conclusions: Inhibition of late sodium current does not increase but even decreases the risk of malignant arrhythmia in hearts with a shortened QT interval. The antiarrhythmic mechanism might be associated with the reversal of the increase of TDR and the decrease of refractoriness (including both ERP and PRR) of hearts with shortened QT interval.

First-line treatment and overall survival in EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a national cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the first leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Taiwan. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of first-line targeted therapy for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-squamous NSCLC in Taiwan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a real-world, retrospective, observational study of patients diagnosed with advanced non-squamous NSCLC (N=63,248). Between 2011 and 2019, 19,458 patients received targeted therapy and 22,994 patients received chemotherapy alone; between 2002 and 2010, 20,796 patients received chemotherapy alone. Overall survival (OS) was determined. RESULTS: The median OS for patients treated with first-line targeted therapy (22.9 months) was longer than that of patients receiving chemotherapy alone (11.7 months). HR: 0.521, log-rank test, p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: These data represent the potential survival outcomes of Taiwanese patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-squamous NSCLC in clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of intracoronary pro-urokinase injection during percutaneous coronary intervention in treating ST elevation myocardial infarction patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Intracoronary injection of pro-urokinase (Pro-UK) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) seems to be a promising treatment in improving myocardial perfusion. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of intracoronary Pro-UK injection during PCI in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature searched on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Ovid-Cochrane Databases and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until June 1, 2022, in English only. The primary outcome was myocardial perfusion, including thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades, corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grades (TMPG). The secondary outcomes were ST-segment resolution (STR), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial marker, cardiac function and hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS: We identified 5 studies (all RCTs) involving 761 participants. Under PCI procedure, compared with placebo, intracoronary Pro-UK injection may improve myocardial perfusion, including increasing the TIMI grades [odd ratio (OR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.75; p = 0.002; I2 = 0%] , CTFC (OR -3.47; 95% CI [-5.60, -1.33]; p = 0.001; I2 = 0%) and TMPG (OR 0.17; 95% CI [0.06-0.44]; p = 0.0003; I2 = 0%), increase the rate of STR (OR 2.25; 95% CI [1.56-3.26]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%), reduce the incidence of MACE (OR 0.51; 95% CI [0.33-0.81]; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%) and reduce myocardial infarct size (CK, standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.45; 95% [CI] [-0.62, -0.28]; p < 0.00001; I2 = 10%. CK-MB, [SMD] -0.43; 95% CI [-0.68, -0.18]; p = 0.0007; I2 = 60%. cTnI, [SMD] -0.31; 95% CI [-0.46, -0.17]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%). Moreover, the treatment may improve the cardiac functions (LVFE, pooled mean difference [MD] 1.23; 95% CI [0.66-1.79]; p < 0.0001; I2 = 24%. LVEDd, pooled MD -0.13; 95% CI [-0.17, -0.09]; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). But there is no statistically significant difference between the Pro-UK group and placebo in the occurrence of hemorrhagic complications (OR 1.19; 95% CI [0.75-1.87]; p = 0.46; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary Pro-UK injection during PCI in STEMI patients is an effective and safe treatment to perform. The treatment may improve myocardial perfusion and rate of STR, as well as decreasing the incidence of MACE and myocardial infarct size. Importantly, the treatment may improve the cardiac functions and life quality. In the future, more multi-centered and massive sample studies are required.

Burr hole craniostomy vs. minicraniotomy of chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, the best surgical method is still controversial. Three different methods including burr hole craniostomy (BHC), minicraniotomy (MC), and twist drill craniostomy (TDC) are commonly utilized. Besides, large craniotomy, trephine craniotomy [TC (single or double)], small craniotomy, and endoscopic removal are befittingly used in some situations, too. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects between BHC and MC for surgical treatment in CSDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature research was conducted according to the PRISMA (the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for studies that directly compared BHC and MC for CSDH. The following endpoints were compared between BHC and MC: recurrence rate, reoperation rate, duration of operation, days of hospital treatment, postoperative complications, mortality, and rate of good outcome. RESULTS: Thirteen papers [n = 3,559 (3,580 operation sites), BHC: 1,936 operation sites, MC: 1,644 operation sites] met the inclusion criteria. The recurrence rate (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.91, p = 0.02; I2 = 66%) was lower and the reoperation rate was also significantly lower (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25-0.81, p = 0.008; I2 = 72%) in the BHC group compared with the MC group. The duration of operation (MD: -20.15 min, 95% CI: -28.99 to -11.31, p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%) was significantly shorter in the BHC group compared with the MC group. Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in mortality (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.92-1.61, p = 0.16; I2 = 38%), postoperative complications (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.033-1.37, p = 0.28; I2 = 82%), days of hospital treatment (MD: 1.59, 95% CI: -10.44 to 13.62, p = 0.14; I2 = 85%) and rate of good outcome (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.94-2.08, p = 0.10; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the included literature showed that BHC reduces the recurrence rate, reoperation rate and duration of operation compared to MC. BHC is much more minimal invasive when compared to MC. More invasions may signify more post-operative complications, which may cause the increasing rate of recurrence and reoperation. No significant difference in mortality, post-operative complications, days of hospital treatment and rate of good outcome was observed between the two groups.

[Effects of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome on cardiac function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD overlapping obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (overlap syndrome), and to study the relationship between overlap syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A total of 126 stable COPD patients admitted to the Respiratory Department of Peking University Third Hospital from September 2016 to October 2018 were included in this study, including 112 males and 14 females, ranging in age from 48 to 89 years, with a median of 67 years. With apnea hypopnea index (AHI) 5 times/h for the cutoff value, we classified the patients into a simple COPD group (31 cases) and an overlap syndrome group (95 cases), and compared the patients' demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, lung function, the incidence of cardiovascular events and the cardiac function with echocardiography (E/e'), left atrium diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), by using independent-samples T test and chi-square test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, cardiac function between COPD patients and overlap syndrome patients, but significant differences in blood oxygen level at night and left ventricular mass index(LVMI) between these groups (P=0.014,P<0.001,P<0.001,P<0.001, P=0.047, respectively) were observed. By comparing the severe sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (AHI≥30) with sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients(AHI<30), there were statistically significant differences in echocardiographic indicators, among which there were statistically significant differences in E/e'(P=0.013), LAD(P=0.006), LVMI (P=0.051) and LVEF (P=0.030).There were also significant differences in the history of coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure between the two groups (P=0.025, P<0.001). After dividing the patients with overlap syndrome by mild, moderate and severe severity, E/e' and LAD were significantly correlated with severity (P=0.045, P=0.011). In terms of blood oxygen level at night, there was a significant correlation between average blood oxygen saturation at night and E/e', LAD, and LVMI (r=-0.195, P=0.033; r=-0.197, P=0.030; r=-0.195, P=0.044); moreover, there was also a significant correlation between the ratio of blood oxygen≤90% and LAD (r=0.209, P=0.021). In the multiple linear regression model, E/e' increased by 0.070 on average for each unit increase in AHI, and 0.084 on average for each unit increase in oxygen desaturation index (ODI). Conclusions: Patients with COPD overlapping severe sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome showed worse left diastolic function and higher risk of congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease compared with the patients with COPD alone. In addition, the degree of impairment of left heart diastolic function was associated with the severity of COPD overlapping sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. The higher the AHI and the ODI became, the more severe the left heart diastolic restriction and structures changed.

Association of the stress hyperglycemia ratio and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease are the leading cause of death around the world all the time. A novel marker described as the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) can reflect the acute hyperglycemic status and is associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute illness, such as stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Our previous study has shown that SHR was strongly related to the clinical outcomes of stroke patients. Nevertheless, the association between SHR and clinical outcomes in patients with CVD is still unclear and controversial. Consequently, in the current study, we analyzed the association of SHR and clinical outcomes in CVD patients by systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the electronic databases to identify SHR studies of patients who met the eligibility criteria for CVD. We performed our study complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We utilized a ten terms tool to assess the potential bias of included studies. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), all-cause death, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and other exciting outcome data were extracted for statistical analysis. Moreover, we used the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model to perform the meta-analysis and conducted subgroup analyses to identify factors associated with substantial heterogeneity. RESULTS: The study cohort included nine studies comprising 32,292 patients with CVD. Our meta-analysis found that MACCEs in the high SHR group were 1.68 folds compared with that in the low SHR group [odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-2.00, p < 0.00001]. Besides, all-cause death in the high SHR group was 1.52 folds compared with that in the low SHR group (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.01, p < 0.00001). Higher SHR meant the lower LVEF (mean difference [MD] -2.03, 95% CI [-3.28-0.79], p = 0.001). The risk of cardiogenic shock and stroke were 2.47 and 1.53 folds in the high SHR group, respectively, compared with the low SHR group. Yet, no statistically significant difference was observed for revascularization (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77-1.01, p = 0.08), recurrent MI (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.69-2.33, p = 0.44), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (MD 0.61, 95% CI [-1.65, 2.87], p = 0.60) between the two groups. Subgroup analyses identified that different study design was associated with heterogeneity about MACCEs and LVEF. Besides, studies from different countries were associated with heterogeneity about all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SHR significantly increases the occurrence of MACCEs and all-cause death and decreases LVEF. Moreover, Higher SHR means a higher risk of cardiogenic shock and stroke. Nevertheless, SHR had no relationship with revascularization, recurrent MI, and LVEDD. As a novel and non-invasive marker, SHR should be paid more attention to in clinical practice. Future investigation should focus on the diagnostic value of SHR in CVD and the early control of stress hyperglycemia. Although no randomized, double-blind studies have been conducted, the available massive sample studies reflect the actual situation in the clinic and assist clinical decision-making.

Slow light nanocoatings for ultrashort pulse compression.

Transparent materials do not absorb light but have profound influence on the phase evolution of transmitted radiation. One consequence is chromatic dispersion, i.e., light of different frequencies travels at different velocities, causing ultrashort laser pulses to elongate in time while propagating. Here we experimentally demonstrate ultrathin nanostructured coatings that resolve this challenge: we tailor the dispersion of silicon nanopillar arrays such that they temporally reshape pulses upon transmission using slow light effects and act as ultrashort laser pulse compressors. The coatings induce anomalous group delay dispersion in the visible to near-infrared spectral region around 800 nm wavelength over an 80 nm bandwidth. We characterize the arrays' performance in the spectral domain via white light interferometry and directly demonstrate the temporal compression of femtosecond laser pulses. Applying these coatings to conventional optics renders them ultrashort pulse compatible and suitable for a wide range of applications.

Real-world results of immune checkpoint inhibitors from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Registration System.

OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a major advance in cancer treatment, but their payment benefits are unclear, resulting in financial risk. In Taiwan, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) has adapted risk-sharing mechanisms to cover ICIs by collecting and assessing real-world evidence, such as case registration data, to adjust benefit packages for each medication, increase payment benefits of ICIs, and enable national health insurance sustainability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study assessed the real-world use, effectiveness, and safety of ICIs reimbursed by the NHIA for treating multiple advanced cancers in Taiwan. We obtained data mainly from the NHIA Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Registry Database. RESULTS: Between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, 1644 patients received at least one dose of ICIs. The overall response rate (RR) was 29.1%. The metastatic urothelial carcinoma of patients ineligible for chemotherapy showed the highest RR. The estimated median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.7-3 months), and renal cell carcinoma showed the longest PFS. The median PFS was reached in patients with most cancers except classic Hodgkin's lymphoma, which had a small sample size. The estimated survival probability was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Under the national registration tracking system, Taiwan's high-cost drug policy has enabled access to new medicines and maximized patient benefits.

The extremely low energy cost of biosynthesis in holometabolous insect larvae.

The metabolic cost of growth, which quantifies the amount of energy required to synthesize a unit of biomass, is an important component of an animal's ontogenetic energy budget. Here we investigated this quantity as well as other energy budget variables of the larvae of a holometabolous insect species, Vanessa cardui (painted lady). We found that the high growth rate of this caterpillar cannot be explained by its metabolic rate and the percentage of the metabolic energy allocated to growth; the key to understanding its fast growth is the extremely low cost of growth, 336 Joules/gram of dry mass. The metabolic cost of growth in caterpillars is 15-65 times lower than that of the endothermic and ectothermic species investigated in previous studies. Our results suggest that the low cost cannot be attributed to its body composition, diet composition, or body size. To explain the "cheap price" of growth in caterpillars, we assumed that a high metabolic cost for biosynthesis resulted in a high "quality" of cells, which have fewer errors during biosynthesis and higher resistance to stressors. Considering the life history of the caterpillars, i.e., tissue disintegration during metamorphosis and a short developmental period and lifespan, we hypothesized that an energy budget that allocates a large amount of energy to biosynthesizing high quality cells would be selected against in this species. As a preliminary test of this hypothesis, we estimated the metabolic cost of growth in larvae of Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) and nymphs of Blatta lateralis (Turkestan cockroach). The preliminary data supported our hypothesis.

[The effect of miR-497 on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma invasion through modulating PlexinA4].

Objective: To study the roles of miR-497 and PlexinA4 in the progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The expressions of miR-497 and PlexinA4 in fresh tumor specimens and adjacent normal mucosa tissues as well as in cell lines of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) were detected with qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The association of miR-497 and PlexinA4 expressions with clinicopathologic factors and their prognostic values in LSCC were evaluated PlexinA4 siRNA and pcDNA3.1 (+ )/PlexinA4 plasmid were transfected into the LSCC and measured by Transwell to evaluate their effect on the invasion of LSCC. Results: miR-497 was low expression in LSCC, which related to pathological differentiation, while PlexinA4 mRNA was high expression in LSCC. Kaplan-Meier method showed that the prognosis of patients with high miR-497 expression was better than that of patients with low miR-497 expression (χ(2)=10.342, P=0.001); . Cox regression analysis showed that miR-497 was an independent prognostic factor for LSCC. The double luciferase reporter gene showed that the variation of the fluorescence activity of wild type PlexinA4 was significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.01). In Hep-2 and TU212 cell line, the number of cells with PlexinA4 siRNA passing through the compartments was 70.00±10.85 and 85.00±6.45, significantly higher than control (F values were 30.251 and 23.936, both P<0.05), the number of cells with pcDNA3.1 (+ ) /PlexinA4 was 170.56±11.95 and 142.00±10.43, also significantly less than control (F values were 35.104 and 29.643, both P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression of miR-497 in LSCC is decreased, indicating poor prognosis, which is as an independent risk factor for prognosis of LSCC. miR-497 may modulate LSCC invasion through PlexinA4.

Expression of miR-195 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and its effect on proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of miR-195 and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and to explore its effect and possible mechanism on proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-195 in laryngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 98 cases. Dual-luciferase reporter plasmid with Bcl-2 wild type and mutant type 3' untranslated region was created to verify the target of miR-195 by luciferase assay. After Hep-2 cells were transfected with miR-195/Bcl-2, miR-195, Bcl-2 siRNA and negative control by lipofectamine, the protein expression of Bcl-2 was detected by Western blot analysis. The proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2 were detected by MTS method and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the expression of miR-195 was lower in laryngeal carcinoma tissues (p < 0.01). The low expression of miR-195 was positively correlated with distant metastasis and clinical stage (p < 0.05). The average survival time of patients with low expression was shorter than those with high expression by Kaplan-Meier method (p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that miR-195 expression and lymph node metastases were independent prognostic factors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of miR-195 was significantly decreased in laryngeal carcinoma tissues, which was closely related to the clinicopathological characteristics of LSCC. miR-195 may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of Hep-2 by regulating Bcl-2 expression, which as an anti-oncogene could have the potential to be a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of LSCC.

Risk factors and outcome of levofloxacin-resistant Elizabethkingia meningoseptica bacteraemia in adult patients in Taiwan.

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an emerging nosocomial pathogen associated with high mortality and inherently resistant to many antimicrobial agents. Levofloxacin has been considered as a therapeutic agent based on in vitro susceptibility. We aim to investigate the risk factors and outcomes for levofloxacin-resistant E. meningoseptica bacteraemia. Adult patients with E. meningoseptica bacteraemia were identified retrospectively in a medical centre in Taiwan from January 2011 to July 2015. These strains were identified by the Vitek2 automated system or matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We compared clinical features and outcomes of patients with levofloxacin-resistant (MIC >2 µg/mL) and levofloxacin-susceptible (MIC ≤2 µg/mL) E. meningoseptica bacteraemia. A total of 93 patients were identified, including 51 (54.8%) with levofloxacin-resistant E. meningoseptica bacteraemia. The APACHE II score (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.14; p = 0.008) was the only independent risk factor for levofloxacin-resistant E. meningoseptica bacteraemia. The 14-day mortality for patients with levofloxacin-resistant E. meningoseptica bacteraemia (attributable mortality: 30.7%) was significantly higher than that for patients with the levofloxacin-susceptible strain (56.9% versus 26.2%, p = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis of risk factors for mortality, appropriate definite antibiotic use was the only factor associated with 14-day survival (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.55, p = 0.007). The levofloxacin-resistant strain was borderline significantly associated with mortality (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 0.88-10.91, p = 0.079). The early identification of levofloxacin resistance in E. meningoseptica isolates is important to tackle this multi-drug resistance pathogen.

Evaluation on the air-borne ultrasound-assisted hot air convection thin-layer drying performance of municipal sewage sludge.

The thin-layer drying behavior of the municipal sewage sludge in a laboratory-scale hot air forced convective dryer assisted with air-borne ultrasound was investigated in between 70 and 130°C hot air temperatures. The drying kinetics in the convective process alone were compared to that for ultrasound-assist process at three ultrasound powers (30, 90, 150W). The average drying rates within whole drying temperature range at ultrasound powers of 30, 90 and 150W increased by about 22.6%, 27.8% and 32.2% compared with the convective drying alone (without ultrasound). As the temperature increasing from 70°C to 130°C, there were maximum increasing ratios for the effective moisture diffusivities of the sewage sludge in both falling rate periods at ultrasonic power of 30W in comparison with other two high powers. In between the ultrasound powers of 0 and 30W, the effect of the power on the drying rate was significant, while its effect was not obvious over 30W. Therefore, the low ultrasonic power can be just set in the drying process. The values of the apparent activation energy in the first falling rate period were down from 13.52 to 12.78kJmol-1, and from 17.21 to 15.10kJmol-1 for the second falling rate period with increasing the ultrasonic power from 30 to 150W. The values of the apparent activation energy in two falling rate periods with the ultrasound-assist were less than that for the hot air convective drying alone.