The association between incarceration and housing insecurity and advanced immune age during late life.

Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial stress ages the immune system. Accordingly, immune aging may be an important potential mechanism linking psychosocial stress to aging-related decline and disease. Incarceration and housing insecurity represent severe and complex experiences of a multitude of psychosocial stressors, including discrimination, violence, and poverty. In this study, we investigated the association between incarceration and/or housing insecurity and advanced immune age in adults aged 55 and older. Our sample was derived from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), with n = 7003 individuals with valid housing insecurity data and n = 7523 with valid incarceration data. From 2016 Venous Blood Study data, we assessed immune aging using a comprehensive set of immune markers including inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, s-TNFR1), markers of viral control (CMV IgG antibodies), and ratios of T cell phenotypes (CD8+:CD4+, CD+ Memory: Naïve, CD4+ Memory: Naïve, CD8+ Memory: Naïve ratios). We found that both incarceration and housing insecurity were strongly associated with more advanced immune aging as indicated by increased inflammation, reduced viral control, and reduction in naïve T cells relative to memory T cells. Given that those who experienced incarceration, housing insecurity, and/or are racialized minorities were less likely to be included in this study, our results likely underestimated these associations. Despite these limitations, our study provided strong evidence that experiencing incarceration and/or housing insecurity may accelerate the aging of the immune system.

Protective effect of modified Huangqi Chifeng decoction on immunoglobulin A nephropathy through toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the nephroprotective mechanism of modified Huangqi Chifeng decoction (, MHCD) in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) rats. METHODS: To establish the IgAN rat model, the bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride 4 method was employed. The rats were then randomly assigned to the control, model, telmisartan, and high-, medium-, and low-dose MHCD groups, and were administered the respective treatments via intragastric administration for 8 weeks. The levels of 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in each group. Pathological alterations were detected. IgA deposition was visualized through the use of immunofluorescence staining. The ultrastructure of the kidney was observed using a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) P65, were examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The 24-h urine protein level in each group increased significantly at week 6, and worsen from then on. But this process can be reversed by treatments of telmisartan, and high-, medium-, and low-dose of MHCD, and these treatments did not affect renal function. Telmisartan, and high-, and medium-dose of MHCD reduced IgA deposition. Renal histopathology demonstrated the protective effect of high-, medium-, and low-dose of MHCD against kidney injury. The expression levels of MCP-1, IL-6, and TGF-ß1 in kidney tissues were downregulated by low, medium and high doses of MHCD treatment. Additionally, treatment of low, medium and high doses of MHCD decreased the protein and mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS: MHCD exerted nephroprotective effects on IgAN rats, and MHCD regulated the expressions of key targets in TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby alleviating renal inflammation by inhibiting MCP-1, IL-6 expressions, and ameliorating renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-ß1 expression.

Real-World Use of Oral and Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Routine Clinical Practice in the UK: A Single-Centre, Retrospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Semaglutide, the only glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) available in subcutaneous and oral formulation for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), has demonstrated clinically significant improvements in glycaemic control and weight in clinical trials. This study aimed to gain insights into the use of both formulations and evaluate their clinical effectiveness in a secondary care clinic in Wales. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational analysis of adults with T2D initiated on oral or subcutaneous semaglutide. Changes from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), weight and other metabolic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline, participants (n = 103) had a mean age of 57.3 years, mean HbA1c of 79.1 mmol/mol (9.38%), mean weight of 111.8 kg and body mass index (BMI) of 39.6 kg/m2 (no statistically significant differences between oral and subcutaneous groups). At 6-month follow-up, statistically significant improvements in HbA1c (- 19.3 mmol/mol [- 1.77%] and - 20.8 mmol/mol [- 1.90%]), body weight (- 9.0 kg and - 7.2 kg), and BMI (- 3.3 kg/m2 and - 2.5 kg/m2) were observed for oral and subcutaneous semaglutide, respectively. No statistically significant differences between the formulations were observed, and safety profiles were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Both formulations of semaglutide provided clinically and statistically significant reductions in HbA1c and weight in real-world practice. Oral GLP-1 RA may offer a practical and effective option for the management of T2D.

Development of a real-time impedance matching system for ion cyclotron resonance heating in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak.

To achieve stable operation of an ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) system in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a real-time impedance matching system needs to be established to respond to antenna load variation during long pulse discharges. A new impedance matching method based on capacitors was proposed in this study. By considering the reflected voltage of the transmission line as the feedback parameter, the real-time impedance-matching system can quickly control the motors based on a programmable logic controller to determine the minimum reflection voltage. A real-time impedance matching system was successfully used on the test platform in the laboratory and on the ICRH system in EAST. A significant result is that we can match the variable impedance within 1 s by suitably adjusting the motor controller to ensure high-power and long-pulse operation of the ICRH system to satisfy the requirements of the EAST experiment.

Educational Attainment and Later-Life Cognitive Function in High- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence From the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol.

OBJECTIVES: Identifying social policies that can promote cognitive health is crucial for reducing the global burden of dementia. We evaluated the importance of educational attainment for later-life cognitive function in various social and geographic settings. METHODS: Using harmonized data for individuals aged ≥65 years from the United States Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its international partner studies in England, Mexico, China, and India, and each study's respective Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), we conducted a cross-national comparative study to examine the role of educational attainment in later-life cognitive function across countries (n = 14,980, 2016-2019). We used multivariable-adjusted regression to estimate associations between educational attainment and harmonized global cognitive function scores. RESULTS: In Mexico, China, and India, the general cognitive function scores on average are approximately one standard deviation of the HRS-HCAP cognitive function score distribution lower compared to the United States and England, paralleling patterns of educational attainment across countries. In all countries, higher educational attainment was associated with progressively higher later-life cognitive function scores. Population-level differences in educational attainment explained about 50%-90% of the observed differences in cognitive function scores across countries. DISCUSSION: The relationship between education and later-life cognitive function across social and geographic contexts underscores the crucial role of education to promote cognitive health and reduce dementia risk. Continual improvement of educational attainment in low- and middle-income settings may yield a significant pay-off in later-life cognitive health.

Design and analysis of radio frequency window for the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor ion cyclotron range of frequency heating system.

The Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequency (ICRF) heating system of the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) is intended to provide plasma heating with a minimum power output of 20 MW, which demands the Radio Frequency (RF) window to possess a higher performance requirement. This paper presents the design of an RF window for the CFETR ICRF heating system and focuses primarily on the design and confirmation of its electromagnetic performance. The RF window can be effectively matched in the operating frequency range and has an S11 of under -59 dB. The geometry of the cone type ceramics was optimized to reduce the surface tangential electric field distribution. An analysis of the electric field distribution of the RF window at 50 kV indicates that the pressure side was below 2.3 kV/mm and the vacuum side was below 1.3 kV/mm. Furthermore, a transmission line test bench with an open-terminated setup was constructed to conduct withstand voltage tests on the mockup, and the results showed that the mockup could withstand 62 kV for 2 s and 47 kV for 120 s.

Claudin-10 Decrease in the Submandibular Gland Contributes to Xerostomia.

Tight junction proteins play a crucial role in paracellular transport in salivary gland epithelia. It is clear that severe xerostomia in patients with HELIX syndrome is caused by mutations in the claudin-10 gene. However, little is known about the expression pattern and role of claudin-10 in saliva secretion in physical and disease conditions. In the present study, we found that only claudin-10b transcript was expressed in human and mouse submandibular gland (SMG) tissues, and claudin-10 protein was dominantly distributed at the apicolateral membranes of acini in human, rat, and mouse SMGs. Overexpression of claudin-10 significantly reduced transepithelial electrical resistance and increased paracellular transport of dextran and Na+ in SMG-C6 cells. In C57BL/6 mice, pilocarpine stimulation promoted secretion and cation concentration in saliva in a dose-dependent increase. Assembly of claudin-10 to the most apicolateral portions in acini of SMGs was observed in the lower pilocarpine (1 mg/kg)-treated group, and this phenomenon was much obvious in the higher pilocarpine (10 mg/kg)-treated group. Furthermore, 7-, 14-, and 21-wk-old nonobese diabetic (NOD) and BALB/c mice were used to mimic the progression of hyposalivation in Sjögren syndrome. Intensity of claudin-10 protein was obviously lower in SMGs of 14- and 21-wk-old NOD mice compared with that of age-matched BALB/c mice. In the cultured mouse SMG tissues, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) downregulated claudin-10 expression. In claudin-10-overexpressed SMG-C6 cells, paracellular permeability was decreased. Furthermore, IFN-γ stimulation increased p-STAT1 level, whereas pretreatment with JAK/STAT1 antagonist significantly alleviated the IFN-γ-induced claudin-10 downregulation. These results indicate that claudin-10 functions as a pore-forming component in acinar epithelia of SMGs, assembly of claudin-10 is required for saliva secretion, and downregulation of claudin-10 induces hyposecretion. These findings may provide new clues to novel therapeutic targets on hyposalivation.

Lipoprotein(a) is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and prediabetes or diabetes.

PURPOSE: Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and diabetes mellitus (DM) are both associated with adverse events in high-risk patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events (CVEs) remained undetermined in patients with different glucose status. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of Lp(a) levels for recurrent CVEs in high-risk CAD patients who suffered from first CVEs according to different glycemic metabolism. METHODS: We recruited 5257 consecutive patients with prior CVEs and followed up for recurrent CVEs, including CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke. Patients were assigned to low, medium, and high groups according to Lp(a) levels and further stratified by glucose status. RESULTS: During a median 37-month follow-up, 225 (4.28%) recurrent CVEs occurred. High Lp(a) was independently associated with recurrent CVEs [adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR), 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.19; P = 0.008]. When participants were classified according to Lp(a) levels and glycemic status, high Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased risk of recurrent CVEs in pre-DM (adjusted HR, 2.96; 95% CI 1.24-7.05; P = 0.014). Meanwhile, medium and high Lp(a) levels were both associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVEs in DM (adjusted HR, 3.09; 95% CI 1.30-7.34; P = 0.010 and adjusted HR, 3.13, 95% CI 1.30-7.53; P = 0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased recurrent CVE risk in patients with CAD, particularly among those with pre-DM and DM, indicating that Lp(a) may provide incremental value in risk stratification in this population.

Time Path of Weight Status Before and After Incident Dementia.

Objectives: Identifying whether obesity is a risk factor for dementia is complicated by the possibility of weight change as dementia evolves. This article investigates an extended time path of body mass index (BMI) before and after incident dementia in a nationally representative sample. Methods: Using the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2016), we examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between BMI and incident dementia and (2) heterogeneity in the BMI trajectory by initial BMI level. Results: Weight loss begins at least one decade before incident dementia, then accelerates in the years immediately preceding dementia onset and continues after incident dementia. Those with higher levels of BMI at baseline experienced a much greater decline relative to those with a normal weight. Discussion: Our results help explain the contradicting findings in the literature regarding the relationship between obesity and dementia and highlight the need for using extended longitudinal data to understand dementia risk.

Proton and molecular permeation through the basal plane of monolayer graphene oxide.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer a prospect of membranes that combine negligible gas permeability with high proton conductivity and could outperform the existing proton exchange membranes used in various applications including fuel cells. Graphene oxide (GO), a well-known 2D material, facilitates rapid proton transport along its basal plane but proton conductivity across it remains unknown. It is also often presumed that individual GO monolayers contain a large density of nanoscale pinholes that lead to considerable gas leakage across the GO basal plane. Here we show that relatively large, micrometer-scale areas of monolayer GO are impermeable to gases, including helium, while exhibiting proton conductivity through the basal plane which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of graphene. These findings provide insights into the key properties of GO and demonstrate that chemical functionalization of 2D crystals can be utilized to enhance their proton transparency without compromising gas impermeability.

[Emodin alleviates joint inflammation and bone erosion in rats with collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting ferroptosis and degrading matrix metalloproteinases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the osteoprotective mechanism of emodin in light of the ferroptosis signaling pathway in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: SD rat models of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were treated with methotrexate or low or high doses of emodin, and the changes in arthritis scores and toe volume were recorded. model of CIA rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the joint cartilage was determined, and ankle joint tissue pathologies were observed using caffein solid green staining and hematoxylin-spermine red staining. MMP3 and MMP13 expressions in the ankle joint tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of ACSL4, SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control rats, the CIA rats showed significantly increased arthritis score index with obvious toe swelling (P<0.05), rough cartilage surface, and loss and irregular aligment of chondrocytes. The rat models also showed significantly increased MDA and ACSL4 contents, lowered SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 contents (P<0.05), and decreased expressions of MMP3 and MMP13 in the ankle joint (P<0.05). The rat models treated with either methotrexate or emodin (40 and 80 mg/kg) had significantly reduced arthritis score index and toe swelling with smooth cartilage surface and neat arrangement of the chondrocytes. The treatments with methotrexate and emodin both decreased the contents of MDA and ACSL4 and increased the contents of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 in the joint tissues (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Emodin can effectively control joint inflammation and improve joint bone erosion in CIA rats possibly by inhibiting the ferroptosis signaling pathways and reducing the expressions of MMP3 and MMP13.

[Selection strategy of pedicled axial flaps for repairing high-voltage electric burn wounds in foot and ankle].

Objective: To explore the selection strategy of pedicled axial flaps for repairing high-voltage electric burn wounds in foot and ankle. Methods: The retrospective observational research method was used. From January 2017 to December 2022, 16 patients with skin and soft tissue defects in foot and ankle after high-voltage electric burns were treated in General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, including 11 cases of unilateral defect and 5 cases of bilateral defect. All patients were male, aged from 25 to 75 years. After thorough debridement, the area of the defect to be repaired with the flap was 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.0 cm. Before operation, the color Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, or digital subtraction angiography was used to fully evaluate the degree of vascular injury in the affected limb and to identify the distribution and traffic anastomosis of vascular network. Pedicled axial flaps with reliable blood supply were used to repair the wounds as soon as possible, and the area of flaps ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 13.0 cm×8.0 cm. The wound in the donor area of flaps was repaired with split-thickness skin graft from head or medium-thickness skin graft from thigh. The flap repair of wounds in various areas of the ankle and foot was recorded. The postoperative survivals of the flaps and skin grafts were observed after surgery. The postoperative appearance of flaps and walking function of patients were followed up. At the last follow-up, the foot and ankle function was evaluated and rated using the American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Ankle Posterior Foot Scoring System. Results: Two wounds in toe area were repaired with reverse dorsal pedis flaps, 3 wounds in medial ankle area and 2 wounds in heel area were repaired with medial plantar flaps, 2 wounds in anterior plantar area combined with toe area were repaired with reverse medial plantar flaps, 2 wounds in anterior plantar area combined with toe area and 5 wounds in anterior plantar area were repaired with reverse medial pedis flaps, 1 wound in toe area was combined with proper plantar digital artery flap, 1 dorsal pedis wound and 1 lateral malleolus wound were repaired with lateral supramalleolar perforator flaps, and 1 lateral malleolus wound and 1 dorsal pedis wound were repaired with sural neurovascular flap. One flap had venous reflux disorder after surgery and survived after treatment, while the other flaps and skin grafts survived completely after surgery. During the follow-up of 6 to 24 months after operation, the appearance of the flaps was good, and the walking function of patients was normal. At the last follow-up, the functional score of foot and ankle was 76 to 95, which was evaluated as excellent in 11 cases and good in 5 cases. Conclusions: According to the condition of high-voltage electric burn in foot and ankle, early and thorough debridement, preoperative imaging examination to evaluate blood vessels of the affected limb, and selection of pedicled axial flap with reliable blood supply are good methods for wound repair and related functional reconstruction of high-voltage electric burn in foot and ankle.

Negative wealth shocks in later life and subsequent cognitive function in older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA, 2012-18: a population-based, cross-nationally harmonised, longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Household wealth is positively related to cognitive health outcomes in later life. However, the association between negative wealth shocks and cognitive function in later life, and whether this association might differ across countries at different levels of economic development, is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether negative wealth shocks in later life are associated with cognitive function in older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA, and whether this association is modified by country income level. METHODS: For this population-based, cross-nationally harmonised, longitudinal study, data were analysed from core interviews of the population-based US Health and Retirement Study (2012 and 2016) and its partner studies in China (the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study; 2015 and 2018), England (the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing; 2012 and 2016), and Mexico (Mexican Health and Aging Study; 2012 and 2015-16), and their respective Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols (HCAPs). Negative wealth shocks over the follow-up periods of the respective cohorts were defined in two ways: an extreme loss of 75% or greater from the baseline amount of wealth, and a decline in within-population wealth quintile rank. The primary outcome was the harmonised general cognitive function (GCF) factor score, which was constructed with factor analysis on the HCAP neuropsychological assessments of memory, orientation, attention, executive function, and verbal fluency performance (mean 0; SD 1). We used sampling-weighted, multivariable-adjusted linear models to examine associations. FINDINGS: Data from 9465 participants were included in this analysis: 3796 from China, 1184 from England, 1193 from Mexico, and 3292 from the USA. The mean baseline age of participants was 68·5 (SD 5·4) years in China (49·8% women), 72·0 (7·0) years in England (54·6% women), 70·6 (6·8) years in Mexico (55·1% women), and 72·7 (7·5) years in the USA (60·4% women). A wealth loss of 75% or greater was negatively associated with subsequent cognitive function in the USA (ß -0·16 SD units; 95% CI -0·29 to -0·04) and China (-0·14; -0·21 to -0·07), but not in England (-0·01; -0·24 to 0·22) or Mexico (-0·11; -0·24 to 0·03). Similarly, within-population wealth quintile rank declines were negatively associated with subsequent cognitive function in the USA (ß -0·07 per quintile rank decline; 95% CI -0·11 to -0·03) and China (ß -0·07; -0·09 to -0·04), but not in England (-0·05; -0·11 to 0·01) or Mexico (-0·03; -0·07 to 0·01). INTERPRETATION: The impact of wealth shocks in later life on subsequent lower level of cognitive function of older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA differed across macro-level socioeconomic structures. These findings suggest that government policies and social safety nets in countries with different levels of economic development might have a role in protecting older adults from adverse health effects of wealth losses in later life. FUNDING: US National Institute on Aging, US National Institutes of Health.

A Rare Case of Falsely Elevated High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T due to Antibody Interference and a Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to demonstrate potential measures to discern interference and establish an algorithm for identifying interference in an hs-cTnT assay with a clinical discrepancy. METHODS: Laboratory error and disease factors were first excluded. Then, a serial dilution test, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, and heterophile antibody blocking reagents (HBRs) were performed to confirm the interference substance. In addition, high-speed centrifugation and western blot were tried. RESULTS: The sample diluted linearly (R2 = 0.9966). However, there was a dramatic reduction in the concentration of hs-cTnT concentration to a normal level after both PEG precipitation and HBR1 treatment. The results were inconclusive in high-speed centrifugation and western blot assay. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidated a heterophile antibody interference in measurement of hs-cTnT alone on a Roche analyzer.

[Comparison between laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery for left colorectal cancer: 5-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using Cai tube for treating left-sided colorectal cancer. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were as follows: preoperative pathological diagnosis of left-sided colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal, sigmoid colon, descending colon, or left transverse colon cancer with the caudad margin ≥8 cm from the anal margin); preoperative abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging) showing maximum tumor diameter <4.5 cm; and BMI <30 kg/m2. Patients with synchronous multiple primary cancers or recurrent cancers, a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, preoperative evidence of significant local infiltration, distant metastasis, or complications such as intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation, or who were not otherwise considered suitable for laparoscopic surgery were excluded. A random number table was used to randomize sequential patients to NOSES surgery using Cai tube (non-assisted incision anal sleeve: patent number ZL201410168748.2) (NOSES group) or traditional laparoscopic-assisted surgery (CLS group). Relevant clinical data of the two groups of patients were analyzed, the main outcomes being disease-free survival, overall survival, overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate 5 years after surgery. Results: Patients in both study groups completed the surgery successfully with no requirement for additional surgery. After mean 70 (7-83) months postoperative follow-up, the 5-year overall postoperative survival in the NOSES and CLS groups was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively (P=0.455); disease free survival was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively (P=0.455); overall recurrence rate 6.6% and 10.0%, respectively (P=0.625); and local recurrence rate both were 3.3% (P=0.990), respectively. None of these differences was statistically significant. Conclusions: NOSES and CLS have similar long-term efficacy, and NOSES deserves to be used in clinical practice.

[Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Haemphysalis concinna in Heilongjiang Province based on the maximum entropy model].

OBJECTIVE: To predict the potential suitable habitat of Haemaphysalis concinna in Heilongjiang Province under different climatic scenarios. METHODS: The geographic locations of ticks in Heilongjiang Province from 1980 to 2022 were captured from literature review and field ticks monitoring data from Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Heilongjiang Province, and the tick distribution sites with spatial correlations were removed using the software ArcGIS 10.2. The environment data under historical climatic scenarios from 1970 to 2000 and the climatic shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) 126 scenario model from 2021 to 2040 and from 2041 to 2060 were downloaded from the WorldClim website, and the elevation (1 km, 2010), population (1 km grid population dataset of China, 2010) and annual vegetation index (1 km, 2010) data were downloaded from the Resource and Environmental Science and Data Center, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The contribution of environmental factors to H. concinna distribution was evaluated and environmental variables were screened using the software MaxEnt 3.4.1 and R package 4.1.0, and the areas of suitable habitats of H. concinna and changes in center of gravity were analyzed using the maximum entropy model in Heilongjiang Province under different climatic scenarios. In addition, the accuracy of the maximum entropy model for prediction of H. concinna distribution was assessed using the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: A total of 79 H. concinna distribution sites and 24 environmental variables were collected, and 70 H. concinna distribution sites and 9 environmental factors that contributed to distribution of the potential suitable habitats of H. concinna in Heilongjiang Province were screened. The three most significant contributing factors included precipitation seasonality, annual precipitation, and mean temperature of the driest quarter, with cumulative contributions of 60.7%. The total area of suitable habitats of H. concinna was 29.05 × 104 km2 in Heilongjiang Province under historical climatic scenarios, with the center of gravity of suitable habitats located at (47.31° N, 129.16° E), while the total area of suitable habitats of H. concinna reduced by 0.97 × 104 km2 in Heilongjiang Province under the climatic SSP126 scenario from 2041 to 2060, with the center of gravity shifting to (47.70° N, 129.28° E). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of suitable habitats of H. concinna strongly correlates with temperature and humidity in Heilongjiang Province. The total area of potential suitable habitats of H. concinna may appear a tendency towards a decline with climatic changes in Heilongjiang Province, and high-, medium- and low-suitable habitats may shift.

Taxonomic Novelties and New Records of Amanita Subgenus Amanitina from Thailand.

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina, were observed in this study. Both the microscopical characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nrLSU, RPB2, TEF1-α, and TUB gene regions revealed that the 20 samples represented nine species and dispersed into four sections. Remarkably, three taxa were different from any other currently known species. Here, we describe them as new to science, namely A. albifragilis, A. claristriata, and A. fulvisquamea. Moreover, we also recognized six interesting taxa, including four records that were new to Thailand, viz. A. cacaina, A. citrinoannulata, A. griseofarinosa, and A. neoovoidea, as well as two previously recorded species, A. caojizong and A. oberwinkleriana. Moreover, we provide the first RPB2 and TEF1-α gene sequences for A. cacaina. Detailed descriptions, illustrations as line drawings, and comparisons with related taxa are provided.

Association between prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse birth outcomes, and inflammatory response at birth.

Prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with inflammation in mid- to late-life, yet whether a pro-inflammatory phenotype is present at birth and the role of adverse birth outcomes in this pathway remains unclear. We utilized data on prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage at the individual- (i.e., mother's and father's education level, insurance type, marital status, and Women, Infants, and Children benefit receipt) and census-tract level as well as preterm (< 37 weeks gestation) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (i.e., < 10th percentile of sex-specific birth weight for gestational age) birth status, and assessed inflammatory markers (i.e., C-reactive protein, serum amyloid p, haptoglobin, and α-2 macroglobulin) in archived neonatal bloodspots from a Michigan population-based cohort of 1000 neonates. Continuous latent variables measuring individual- and combined individual- and neighborhood-level prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage were constructed and latent profile analysis was used to create a categorical inflammatory response variable (high versus low) based on continuous inflammatory marker levels. Structural equation models were used to estimate the total and direct effect of prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage on the inflammatory response at birth as well as indirect effect via preterm or SGA birth (among term neonates only), adjusting for mother's age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, comorbidities, and antibiotic use/infection as well as grandmother's education level. There was a statistically significant total effect of both individual- and combined individual- and neighborhood-level prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage on high inflammatory response among all neonates as well as among term neonates only, and a positive but not statistically significant direct effect in both groups. The indirect effects via preterm and SGA birth were both negative, but not statistically significant. Our findings suggest prenatal socioeconomic disadvantage contributes to elevated neonatal inflammatory response, but via pathways outside of these adverse birth outcomes.

[Treatment and prognosis analysis of 488 patients with FIGO 2018 stage â ¢c squamous cervical cancer].

Objective: To analyze the treatment and prognosis of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage Ⅲc cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A total of 488 patients at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between May, 2013 to May, 2015 were enrolled. The clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared according to the treatment mode (surgery combined with postoperative chemoradiotherapy vs radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy). The median follow-up time was (96±12) months ( range time from 84 to 108 months). Results: (1) The data were divided into surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy group (surgery group) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (radiotherapy group), including 324 cases in the surgery group and 164 cases in the radiotherapy group. There were significant differences in Eastern Cooperation Oncology Group (ECOG) score, FIGO 2018 stage, large tumors (≥4 cm), total treatment time and total treatment cost between the two groups (all P<0.01). (2) Prognosis: ① for stage Ⅲc1 patients, there were 299 patients in the surgery group with 250 patients survived (83.6%). In the radiotherapy group, 74 patients survived (52.9%). The difference of survival rates between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). For stage Ⅲc2 patients, there were 25 patients in surgery group with 12 patients survived (48.0%). In the radiotherapy group, there were 24 cases, 8 cases survived, the survival rate was 33.3%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.296). ② For patients with large tumors (≥4 cm) in the surgery group, there were 138 patients in the Ⅲc1 group with 112 patients survived (81.2%); in the radiotherapy group, there were 108 cases with 56 cases survived (51.9%). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). Large tumors accounted for 46.2% (138/299) vs 77.1% (108/140) in the surgery group and radiotherapy group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). Further stratified analysis, a total of 46 patients with large tumors of FIGO 2009 stage Ⅱb in the radiotherapy group were extracted, and the survival rate was 67.4%, there was no significant difference compared with the surgery group (81.2%; P=0.052). ③ Of 126 patients with common iliac lymph node, 83 patients survived, with a survival rate of 65.9% (83/126). In the surgery group, 48 patients survived and 17 died, with a survival rate of 73.8%. In the radiotherapy group, 35 patients survived and 26 died, with a survival rate of 57.4%. There were no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.051). (3) Side effects: the incidence of lymphocysts and intestinal obstruction in the surgery group were higher than those in the radiotherapy group, and the incidence of ureteral obstruction and acute and chronic radiation enteritis were lower than those in the radiotherapy group, and there were statistically significant differences (all P<0.01). Conclusions: For stage Ⅲc1 patients who meet the conditions for surgery, surgery combined with postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical chemoradiotherapy are acceptable treatment methods regardless of pelvic lymph node metastasis (excluding common iliac lymph node metastasis), even if the maximum diameter of the tumor is ≥4 cm. For patients with common iliac lymph node metastasis and stage Ⅲc2, there is no significant difference in the survival rate between the two treatment methods. Based on the duration of treatment and economic considerations, concurrent chemoradiotherapy is recommended for the patients.