Clinicopathological phenotype and outcomes of NCAM-1+ membranous lupus nephritis.

INTRODUCTION: No studies explored the long-term outcomes of neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) associated membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) patients. METHOD: We performed immunohistochemical studies on kidney biopsy specimens against NCAM1 in consecutive MLN patients. The clinical and histopathological characteristics and outcomes of cases of NCAM1 associated MLN patients are described and compared with NCAM1 negative patients. In addition, we detected serum circulating anti-NCAM1 antibodies through western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS: Among 361 MLN cases, 18 (5.0%) were glomerular NCAM1-positive. NCAM1 positive MLN patients were older [35 years (IQR 27-43) versus 28 (22-37); P = 0.050) and had lower systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index [11 (IQR 8-12) versus 14 (10-18); P = 0.007], serum creatinine [60 µmol/L (IQR 50-70) versus 70 (54-114); P = 0.029], activity index [3 (IQR 2-6) versus 6 (3-9); P = 0.045] at kidney biopsy compared with NCAM1 negative patients. The percentage of positive anti-Sjogren's syndrome related antigen A antibodies in NCAM1 positive patients was significantly greater (83.3% versus 58.2%; P = 0.035) than in the NCAM1 negative patients. However, no evidence of neuropsychiatric disorders was found in these 18 patients. There were no significant differences in the treatment response and the risk of end stage renal diseases between NCAM1 positive and negative groups (P = 0.668 and P = 0.318, respectively). But the risk of death was much higher in the NCAM1 positive group than the NCAM1 negative group (27.8% vs. 8.1%, P = 0.007). Moreover, the risk of death was also much higher in the NCAM1 positive group than the matched NCAM1 negative group (Log-rank P = 0.013). Additionally, circulating anti-NCAM1 antibodies can be detected in 1/5 (20%) patients who had serum available. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NCAM1 positivity was 5.0% in our cohort of MLN and the high mortality in these subgroup patients are needed to validate in future studies.

Annexin A1 protects epidermal stem cells against ultraviolet-B irradiation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation overexposure causes function impairment of epidermal stem cells (ESCs). We explored the mechanism of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) ameliorating UV-B-induced ESC mitochondrial dysfunction/cell injury. ESCs were cultured in vitro and irradiated with different doses of UV-B. Cell viability/ANXA1 protein level were assessed. After oe-ANXA1 transfection, ESCs were treated with oe-ANXA1/UV-B irradiation/CCCP/CCG-1423/3-methyladenine for 12 h. Cell viability/death, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes/DNA (mtDNA) content/oxygen consumption and RhoA activation were assessed. ROCK1/p-MYPT1/MYPT1/(LC3BII/I)/Beclin-1/p62 protein levels were determined. Mitochondrial morphology was observed. Mito-Tracker Green (MTG) and LC3B levels were determined. UV-B irradiation decreased cell viability/ANXA1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. UV-B-treated ESCs exhibited reduced cell viability/ATP content/MMP level/mitochondrial respiratory control ratio/mtDNA number/RhoA activity/MYPT1 phosphorylation/MTG+LC3B+ cells/(LC3BII/I) and Beclin-1 proteins, increased cell death/ROS/p62/IL-1ß/IL-6/TNF-α expression, contracted mitochondrial, disappeared mitochondrial cristae, and increased vacuolar mitochondria, which were averted by ANXA1 overexpression, suggesting that UV-B induced ESC mitochondrial dysfunction/cell injury/inflammation by repressing mitophagy, but ANXA1 promoted mitophagy by activating the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway, thus repressing UV-B's effects. Mitophagy activation ameliorated UV-B-caused ESC mitochondrial dysfunction/cell injury/inflammation. Mitophagy inhibition partly diminished ANXA1-ameliorated UV-B's effects. Conjointly, ANXA1 promoted mitophagy by activating the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway, thereby improving UV-B-induced ESC mitochondrial dysfunction/cell injury.

Empathy in undergraduate medical students: a multi-center cross-sectional study in China.

BACKGROUND: Fostering empathy has been continuously emphasized in the global medical education. Empathy is crucial to enhance patient-physician relationships, and is associated with medical students' academic and clinical performance. However, empathy level of medical students in China and related influencing factors are not clear. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among medical students in 11 universities. We used the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Student-version of Chinese version to measure empathy level of medical students. Factors associated with empathy were identified by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Based on the variables identified above, the nomogram was established to predict high empathy probability of medical students. Receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plot and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and educational utility of the model. RESULTS: We received 10,901 samples, but a total of 10,576 samples could be used for further analysis (effective response rate of 97.02%). The mean empathy score of undergraduate medical students was 67.38 (standard deviation = 9.39). Six variables including gender, university category, only child or not, self-perception doctor-patient relationship in hospitals, interest of medicine, Kolb learning style showed statistical significance with empathy of medical students (P < 0.05). Then, the nomogram was established based on six variables. The validation suggested the nomogram model was well calibrated and had good utility in education, as well as area under the curve of model prediction was 0.65. CONCLUSIONS: We identify factors influencing empathy of undergraduate medical students. Moreover, increasing manifest and hidden curriculums on cultivating empathy of medical students may be needed among medical universities or schools in China.

Glomerular Exostosin-Positivity is Associated With Disease Activity and Outcomes in Patients With Membranous Lupus Nephritis.

Introduction: The relationship of exostosin 1 and exostosin 2 (EXT1/EXT2) expression and outcomes in membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) was controversial. Methods: EXT1/EXT2 was performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 283 consecutive patients with MLN. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of EXT1/EXT2-positive patients were compared with EXT1/EXT2-negative patients. The primary end points were adverse renal events, including death, dialysis, and renal transplantation. Results: Of the patients with MLN, 29.3% were positive for EXT1/EXT2. The prevalence of EXT1/2-positive MLN was significantly higher in pure class V MLN than those for mixed class V MLN (44.2% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.001). For EXT1/EXT2-positive patients, the median time between onset of lupus and renal biopsy, and lupus nephritis and renal biopsy is shorter (6 [interquartile range, IQR: 2-25] months vs. 12 [IQR: 3-49] months, P = 0.008 and 3 [IQR: 2-18] months vs. 6 [IQR: 2-23] months, P = 0.039) and they had significantly lower systemic lupus erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (P = 0.015) and lower serum creatinine levels (P < 0.001), higher hemoglobin (P = 0.006) as well as lower blood pressure. The EXT1/EXT2-positive patients had significantly fewer chronicity features (glomerulosclerosis, P < 0.001; interstitial fibrosis, P = 0.006; and tubular atrophy, P = 0.002) and fewer activity indicators (endocapillary hypercellularity, P = 0.012; cellular crescents, P = 0.007; and fibrocellular crescents, P < 0.001) on renal biopsy. After a median follow-up of 65 (28-126) months, EXT1/EXT2-positive patients were less likely to experience adverse renal events (2.4% vs. 16.0%, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with EXT1/EXT2-negative patients, the EXT1/EXT2-positive patients presented with lower disease activity and were less likely to experience adverse renal events in relationship with the chronicity index.

Enhancing antitumor response by efficiently generating large-scale TCR-T cells targeting a single epitope across multiple cancer antigens.

The need to contrive interventions to curb the rise in cancer incidence and mortality is critical for improving patients' prognoses. Adoptive cell therapy is challenged with quality large-scale production, heightening its production cost. Several cancer types have been associated with the expression of highly-immunogenic CTAG1 and CTAG2 antigens, which share common epitopes. Targeting two antigens on the same cancer could improve the antitumor response of TCR-T cells. In this study, we exploited an efficient way to generate large-fold quality TCR-T cells and also demonstrated that the common epitopes of CTAG1 and CTAG2 antigens provide an avenue for improved cancer-killing via dual-antigen-epitope targeting. Our study revealed that xeno/sera-free medium could expand TCR-T cells to over 500-fold, posing as a better replacement for FBS-supplemented media. Human AB serum was also shown to be a good alternative in the absence of xeno/sera-free media. Furthermore, TCR-T cells stimulated with beads-coated T-activator showed a better effector function than soluble T-activator stimulated TCR-T cells. Additionally, TCR-T cells that target multiple antigens in the same cancer yield better anticancer activity than those targeting a single antigen. This showed that targeting multiple antigens with a common epitope may enhance the antitumor response efficacy of T cell therapies.

Network analysis of the comorbidity between post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic pointed out significant mental symptoms of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Objective: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and comorbidity of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression and anxiety symptoms in HCWs from Fangcang shelter hospitals during the pandemic. Design: Demographic information, post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) were obtained online based on stratified random sampling design during April 2022, with 284 eligible responses. Method: Hierarchical regression analyses were applied to investigate independent variables associated with psychological status outcomes (PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PCL-5), and the network analyses were applied to explore the comorbidity using all items of PCL-5, PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Results: (1) 10.56%, 13.03% and 8.10% of HCWs reported PTSS, depression and anxiety symptoms. Fifty-three (18.66%) HCWs experienced at least one mental health disorder, among which 26.42-37.74% HCWs had comorbidity of two or three mental disorders; (2) several influence factors of mental health were identified, including medical professions, working hours, contacted patients (p < 0.05); (3) prominent bridge symptoms between PTSS and depression were sleep problems, suicide ideation, concentration difficulties and recklessness. Comorbidity between PTSS and anxiety was thought to mainly stem from negative affect, such as afraid, anxious, annoyed and worrying. Depressed mood and worry might be good targets during treatment of comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Our data suggest mild level of PTSS, depression and anxiety symptoms among HCWs during the pandemic and might give novel insights into assessment and intervention of comorbidity.

A nomogram based on TFE3 IHC results and clinical factors as a preliminary screening scheme for TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: TFE3 immunohistochemistry (TFE3-IHC) is controversial in the diagnosis of TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3-rearranged RCC). This study is to investigate the accuracy and sensitivity of IHC and establish a predictive model to diagnose TFE3-rearranged RCC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed by collecting IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results from 228 patients. IHC results were evaluated using three scoring systems. Scoring system 1 is graded based on nuclear staining intensity, scoring system 2 is graded based on the percentage of stained tumor cell nuclei, and scoring system 3 is graded based on both the nuclear staining intensity and the percentage. We collected patients' IHC results and clinical information. Important variables were screened based on univariate logistic regression analysis. Then, independent risk factors were established through multivariate logistic regression, and a nomogram model was constructed. The model was validated in internal test set and external validation set. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were generated to assess discriminative ability of the model. RESULTS: The accuracy of IHC based on three scoring systems were 0.829, 0.772, and 0.807, respectively. The model included four factors including age, gender, lymph node metastasis and IHC results. Area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.935 for the training set, 0.934 for the internal test set, 0.933 for all 228 patients, and 0.916 for the external validation set. CONCLUSIONS: TFE3 IHC has high accuracy in the diagnosis of TFE3-rearranged RCC. Clinical information such as age and lymph node metastasis are independent risk factors, which can be used as a supplement to the results of TFE3 IHC. This study confirms the value of IHC in the diagnosis of TFE3-rearranged RCC. The accuracy of the diagnosis can be improved by incorporating IHC with other clinical risk factors.

Clinical evaluation of pulmonary quantitative computed tomography parameters for diagnosing eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Characteristics and diagnostic performance.

Aims: To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic performance of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) parameters in eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: High-resolution CT scans of COPD patients were retrospectively analyzed, and various emphysematous parenchyma measurements, including lung volume (LC), lung mean density (LMD), lung standard deviation (LSD), full-width half maximum (FWHM), and lung relative voxel number (LRVN) were performed. The QCT parameters were compared between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic COPD patients, using a definition of eosinophilic COPD as blood eosinophil values ≥ 300 cells·µL-1 on at least three times. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (ROC-AUC) and python were used to evaluate discriminative efficacy of QCT. Results: Noneosinophilic COPD patients had a significantly lower TLMD (-846.3 ± 47.9 Hounsfield Unit [HU]) and TFWHM(162.5 ± 30.6 HU) compared to eosinophilic COPD patients (-817.8 ± 54.4, 177.3 ± 33.1 HU, respectively) (p = 0.018, 0.03, respectively). Moreover, the total LC (TLC) and TLSD were significantly lower in eosinophilic COPD group (3234.4 ± 1145.8, 183.8 ± 33.9 HU, respectively) than the noneosinophilic COPD group (5600.2 ± 1248.4, 203.5 ± 20.4 HU, respectively) (p = 0.009, 0.002, respectively). The ROC-AUC values for TLC, TLMD, TLSD, and TFWHM were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.828-0.936), 0.66 (95% CI, 0.546-0.761), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.524-0.742), and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.511-0.731), respectively. When the TLC value was 4110 mL, the sensitivity was 90.7% (95% CI, 79.7-96.9), specificity was 77.8% (95% CI, 57.7-91.4) and accuracy was 86.4%. Notably, TLC demonstrated the highest discriminative efficiency with an F1 Score of 0.79, diagnostic Odds Ratio of 34.3 and Matthews Correlation Coefficient of 0.69, surpassing TLMD (0.55, 3.66, 0.25), TLSD (0.56, 3.95, 0.26), and TFWHM (0.56, 4.16, 0.33). Conclusion: Eosinophilic COPD patients exhibit lower levels of emphysema and a more uniform density distribution throughout the lungs compared to noneosinophilic COPD patients. Furthermore, TLC demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficiency and may serve as a valuable diagnostic marker for distinguishing between the two groups.

Baohuoside I suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome activation via targeting GPER to fight against Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates the crucial role of microglia-mediated inflammation and the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Baohuoside I, a natural flavonoid extracted from Herba Epimedii, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects, but its potential neuroprotective effects and mechanism against PD have not been documented. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of Baohuoside I were evaluated by LPS-induced BV2 cells or primary microglia isolated from wide type or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) gene knockout mice. The underlying mechanism related to GPER-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition was further explored using LPS-induced GPER+/+ or GPER-/- mouse models of PD. The neuroprotective effects of Baohuoside I were detected through western blot analysis, real-time PCR, molecular docking, mouse behavioral tests, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Baohuoside I significantly alleviated LPS-induced neuroinflammation by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signal and the increase of pyroptosis levels as evidenced by the downregulated expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, pro-Caspase-1, IL-1ß) in microglia cells. Intragastric administration of Baohuoside I protected against LPS-induced motor dysfunction and loss of dopaminergic neurons, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions, and inhibited microglial (Iba-1) and astrocyte (GFAP) activation in the nigrostriatal pathway in LPS-induced mouse model of PD. Pretreatment with GPER antagonist G15 in microglia cells or GPER gene deletion in mice significantly blocked the inhibitory effects of Baohuoside I on LPS-induced neuroinflammation and activation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway. Molecular docking further indicated that Baohuoside I might bind to GPER directly with a binding energy of -10.4 kcal/mol. CONCLUSION: Baohuoside I provides neuroprotective effects against PD by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signal and NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway. The molecular target for its anti-inflammatory effects is proved to be GPER in the PD mouse model. Baohuoside I may be a valuable anti-neuroinflammatory agent and a drug with well-defined target for the treatment of PD.

NY-ESO-1-specific T cell receptor-engineered T cells and Tranilast, a TRPV2 antagonist bivalent treatment enhances the killing of esophageal cancer: a dual-targeted cancer therapeutic route.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a global canker notorious for causing high mortality due to its relentless incidence rate, convoluted with unyielding recurrence and metastasis. However, these intricacies of EC are associated with an immoderate expression of NY-ESO-1 antigen, presenting a lifeline for adoptive T cell therapy. We hypothesized that naturally isolated higher-affinity T cell receptors (TCRs) that bind to NY-ESO-1 would allow T lymphocytes to target EC with a pronounced antitumor response efficacy. Also, targeting TRPV2, which is associated with tumorigenesis in EC, creates an avenue for dual-targeted therapy. We exploited the dual-targeting antitumor efficacy against EC. METHODS: We isolated antigen-specific TCRs (asTCRs) from a naive library constructed with TCRs obtained from enriched cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The robustness of our asTCRs and their TCR-T cell derivatives, Tranilast (TRPV2 inhibitor), and their bivalent treatment were evaluated with prospective cross-reactive human-peptide variants and tumor cells. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that our naive unenhanced asTCRs and their TCR-Ts perpetuated their cognate HLA-A*02:01/NY-ESO-1(157-165) specificity, killing varying EC cells with higher cytotoxicity compared to the known affinity-enhanced TCR (TCRe) and its wild-type (TCR0) which targets the same NY-ESO-1 antigen. Furthermore, the TCR-Ts and Tranilast bivalent treatment showed superior EC killing compared to any of their monovalent treatments of either TCR-T or Tranilast. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that dual-targeted immunotherapy may have a superior antitumor effect. Our study presents a technique to evolve novel, robust, timely therapeutic strategies and interventions for EC and other malignancies.

Value of original and modified pathological scoring systems for prognostic prediction in paraffin-embedded donor kidney core biopsy.

BACKGROUND: No study has validated, compared and adapted scoring systems for prognosis prediction based on donor kidney core biopsy (CB), with less glomeruli than wedge biopsy. METHODS: A total of 185 donor kidney CB specimens were reviewed using seven scoring systems. The association between the total score, item scores, score-based grading, and allograft prognosis was investigated. In specimens with less than ten glomeruli (88/185, 47.6%), scoring systems were modified by adjusting weights of the item scores. RESULTS: The Maryland aggregate pathology index (MAPI) score-based grading and periglomerular fibrosis (PGF) associated with delayed graft function (DGF) (Grade: OR = 1.59, p < 0.001; PGF: OR = 1.06, p = 0.006). Total score, score-based grading and chronic lesion score in scoring systems associated with one-year and 3-year eGFR after transplantation. Total-score-based models had similar predictive capacities for eGFR in all scoring systems, except MAPI and Ugarte. Score of glomerulosclerosis (GS), interstitial fibrosis (IF), tubular atrophy (TA), and arteriolar hyalinosis (AH) had good eGFR predictive capacities. In specimens with less than ten glomeruli, modified scoring systems had better eGFR predictive capacities than original scoring systems. CONCLUSIONS: Scoring systems could predict allograft prognosis in paraffin-embedded CB with ten more glomeruli. A simple and pragmatic scoring system should include GS, IF, TA and AH, with weights assigned based on predictive capacity for prognosis. Replacing GS scores with tubulointerstitial scores could significantly improve the predictive capacity of eGFR. The conclusion should be further validated in frozen section.

Spatial chromatin accessibility sequencing resolves high-order spatial interactions of epigenomic markers.

As the genome is organized into a three-dimensional structure in intracellular space, epigenomic information also has a complex spatial arrangement. However, most epigenetic studies describe locations of methylation marks, chromatin accessibility regions, and histone modifications in the horizontal dimension. Proper spatial epigenomic information has rarely been obtained. In this study, we designed spatial chromatin accessibility sequencing (SCA-seq) to resolve the genome conformation by capturing the epigenetic information in single-molecular resolution while simultaneously resolving the genome conformation. Using SCA-seq, we are able to examine the spatial interaction of chromatin accessibility (e.g. enhancer-promoter contacts), CpG island methylation, and spatial insulating functions of the CCCTC-binding factor. We demonstrate that SCA-seq paves the way to explore the mechanism of epigenetic interactions and extends our knowledge in 3D packaging of DNA in the nucleus.

The impact of isolation on comorbidity of PTSD symptoms and depression: evidence from PTRP-5-6 in China.

BACKGROUND: The Omicron pandemic struck Shanghai, China, resulting in impairments of both physical and psychological health on those patients who were confirmed and transferred to the Fangcang shelters. The way of isolation led to high risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depressive symptoms among the patients in Fangcang shelters. We aim to estimate the prevalence and comorbidity of PTSS and depressive symptoms in patients from China's Fangcang shelters during the epidemic. METHODS: Demographic information questionnaire, the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used in the study. The data were collected online via mobile phones during 10th April to 20th April, 2022, as part of our Psychological Trauma Recover Project-5-6 (PTRP-5-6), a longitudinal study focusing on individuals who have experienced trauma. RESULTS: A total of 336 subjects were included in the analysis. The results revealed (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms, and PTSS were 30.1% (cut-off = 10) and 6% (cut-off = 33); (2) Multiple logistic regression showed that female (OR = 3.04, p < 0.05), suffering from dyspnea (OR = 5.83, p < 0.05) or gastrointestinal symptoms (OR = 6.38, p < 0.05) were risk factors for PTSS; higher education level (OR = 3.27, p < 0.05) and suffering from dizziness or headache (OR = 2.46, p < 0.05) were risk factors for depressive symptoms; (3)Respectively, 85% of the patients who reported PTSS also experienced depressive symptoms, 16.8% of the patients who reported depressive symptoms presented PTSS. CONCLUSION: In the context of COVID-19, the comorbidity rate of PTSS and depressive symptoms among patients in Fangcang shelters increased with the severity of depressive symptoms.

Segmental Membranous Glomerulopathy in Adults.

Introduction: The clinicopathological features of segmental membranous glomerulopathy (SMGN) have not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological features of SMGN in adults. Methods: Adult patients with biopsy-confirmed SMGN in the native kidney at our center between January 2017 to September 2020 were identified. The clinicopathological features of SMGN were collected. The glomerular deposition of IgG subclasses, M-type phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R), thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A), and neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein (NELL1) were tested. Clinical and pathologic features were comparable between NELL1-positive and NELL1-negative SMGN. Results: A total of 167 patients with biopsy-proven SMGN were enrolled. During the same period, 32,640 (33.0%) out of 98,939 renal biopsies were diagnosed with membranous nephropathy (MN) in adults. SMGN accounted for 0.17% of total kidney biopsies and 0.51% of MN in adults. One hundred and fifty (89.8%) cases were isolated SMGN, and 17 (10.2%) cases were complicated with other kidney disease. Clinically, the median age of isolated SMGN patients was 41.5 years, with female (74%) predominance, and 33.1% had full nephrotic syndrome. Pathologically, IgG1 was the dominant subclass (92.5%), followed by IgG4 (45.0%). PLA2R and THSD7A staining were done in 142 and 136 isolated SMGN cases, respectively, in which, all the cases showed negative. NELL1 staining was done in 135 isolated SMGN cases; 58 cases (43.0%) showed positive. Fifty-eight patients (41.1%) had diffuse (≥90%) foot process effacement, and 119 patients (83.8%) had either stage I (38.0%) or stage II (45.8%) membranous alterations in patients with SMGN. Most patients with NELL1-positive SMGN were female. Patients with NELL1-positive SMGN were more likely with lower prevalence of full nephrotic syndrome than NELL1-negative SMGN. Conclusions: SMGN is a relatively rare pathological type. Majority of patients with isolated SMGN were female, with a median age of 41.5 years, 33.1% had full nephrotic syndrome, absence of PLA2R and THSD7A, 43.0% with NELL1-positive, and mainly stage I or II MN (83.8%). NELL1 is the major target antigen of SMGN in adults.

Podocyte Infolding Glomerulopathy: A Special Morphology of Podocyte Injury Caused by Heterogeneous Diseases.

Introduction: Podocyte infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a newly recognized rare glomerular injury. The clinical significance and mechanism of this injury pattern remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of renal biopsies from January 2018 to December 2020 in Kingmed Diagnostics. The renal biopsy features and clinical data were reviewed. Laser scanning microdissection and mass spectrometry (LMD/MS) was conducted to analyze the potential mechanism. Results: A total of 116 (0.092%) out of 126,086 biopsies were diagnosed as PIG during the period. Of these, 89 (76.7%) cases were found to have PIG coexisting with immune-complex associated glomerulonephritis (IC-PIG) whereas 27 (23.3%) were identified as isolated PIG without immunoglobulin or complement deposition. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially with membranous lupus nephritis (LN), was diagnosed in most (70.8%) IC-PIG cases. Of the isolated PIG cases, 51.9% had no known underlying conditions; however, a relatively high positive rate (42.1%) of antinuclear antibody (ANA) was detected. Nearly half (47.5%) of the patients presented with nephrotic syndrome (NS). PIG grade was associated with proteinuria in isolated PIG (P = 0.035). LMD/MS revealed dysregulated cytoskeletal protein α-actinin4 (ACTN4) and tubulin beta-4 chain in PIG compared with normal donor kidney and minimal change disease (MCD). The displacement of ACTN4 into the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) was confirmed by the confocal microscope. Conclusion: PIG is a rare podocyte injury that can exist alone without underlying disease or be concurrent with various diseases, especially SLE. Podocyte cytoskeletal protein ACTN4 and tubulin beta-4 chain were dysregulated, which may be involved in the mechanism of PIG.

Improving the RNA velocity approach with single-cell RNA lifecycle (nascent, mature and degrading RNAs) sequencing technologies.

We presented an experimental method called FLOUR-seq, which combines BD Rhapsody and nanopore sequencing to detect the RNA lifecycle (including nascent, mature, and degrading RNAs) in cells. Additionally, we updated our HIT-scISOseq V2 to discover a more accurate RNA lifecycle using 10x Chromium and Pacbio sequencing. Most importantly, to explore how single-cell full-length RNA sequencing technologies could help improve the RNA velocity approach, we introduced a new algorithm called 'Region Velocity' to more accurately configure cellular RNA velocity. We applied this algorithm to study spermiogenesis and compared the performance of FLOUR-seq with Pacbio-based HIT-scISOseq V2. Our findings demonstrated that 'Region Velocity' is more suitable for analyzing single-cell full-length RNA data than traditional RNA velocity approaches. These novel methods could be useful for researchers looking to discover full-length RNAs in single cells and comprehensively monitor RNA lifecycle in cells.

A multi-center cross-sectional study on identification of influencing factors of medical students' emotional engagement in China.

BACKGROUND: Studies exploring influencing factors of emotional engagement among medical students are scarce. Thus, we aimed to identify influencing factors of medical students' emotional engagement. METHODS: We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study among 10,901 medical students from 11 universities in China. The Chinese version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student version (UWES-S) was used to evaluate emotional engagement level of medical students. The predictors related to engagement level were determined by the logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, we constructed a nomogram to predict emotional engagement level of medical students. RESULTS: A total of 10,576 sample were included in this study. The mean emotional engagement score was 74.61(± 16.21). In the multivariate logistic regression model, we found that males showed higher engagement level compared with females [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.263 (1.147, 1.392), P < 0.001]. Medical students from the second batches of medical universities had higher engagement level and from "Project 985" universities had lower engagement level compared with 211 project universities [OR (95%CI): 1.376 (1.093, 1.733), P = 0.007; OR (95%CI): 0.682 (0.535, 0.868), P = 0.002]. Medical students in grade 4 and grade 2 presented lower engagement level compared with in grade 1 [OR (95%CI): 0.860 (0.752, 0.983), P = 0.027; OR (95%CI): 0.861 (0.757, 0.980), P = 0.023]. Medical students lived in provincial capital cities had higher engagement level compared with in country [OR (95%CI): 1.176 (1.022, 1.354), P = 0.024]. Compared with eight-year emotional duration, medical students in other emotional duration (three-year and four-year) had lower engagement level [OR (95%CI): 0.762 (0.628, 0.924), P = 0.006]. Medical students' engagement level increased with increases of grade point average and interest in studying medicine. Medical students learned by converging style showed lower engagement level [OR (95%CI): 0.827 (0.722, 0.946), P = 0.006] compared with accommodating style. The model showed good discriminative ability (area under curve = 0.778), calibrating ability and clinical utility. CONCLUSIONS: We identified influencing factors of medical students' emotional engagement and developed a nomogram to predict medical students' emotional engagement level, providing reference and convenience for educators to assess and improve emotional engagement level of medical students. It is crucial for educators to pay more attention to emotional engagement of medical students and adopt effective strategies to improve their engagement level.

Source apportionment and migration characteristics of heavy metal(loid)s in soil and groundwater of contaminated site.

The rapid industrial growth has generated heavy metal(loid)s contamination in the soil, which poses a serious threat to the ecology and human health. In this study, 580 samples were collected in Henan Province, China, for source apportionment, migration characterization and health risk evaluation using self-organizing map, positive matrix factorization and multivariate risk assessment methods. The results showed that samples were classified into four groups and pollution sources included chromium slag dump, soil parent rock and abandoned factory. The contents of Cr, Pb, As and Hg were low in Group 1. Group 2 was characterized by total Cr, Cr(Ⅵ) and pH. The enrichment of total Cr and Cr(Ⅵ) in soil was mainly attributed to chromium slag dump, accounting for more than 84.0%. Group 3 was dominated by Hg and Pb. Hg and Pb were primarily attributed to abandoned factory, accounting for 84.7% and 70.0%, respectively. Group 4 was characterized by As. The occurrence of As was not limited to one individual region. The contribution of soil parent rock reached 83.0%. Furthermore, the vertical migration of As, Hg, Pb and Cr(Ⅵ) in soil was mainly influenced by medium permeability, pH and organic matter content. The trends of As, Pb, and Hg with depth were basically consistent with the trends of organic matter with depth, and were negatively correlated with the change in pH with depth. The trends of Cr(Ⅵ) with depth were basically consistent with the changes in pH with the depth. The content of Cr(Ⅵ) in the deep soil did not exceed the detection limits and Cr(Ⅵ) contamination occurred in the deep aquifer, suggesting that Cr(Ⅵ) in the deep groundwater originated from the leakage of shallow groundwater. The assessment indicated that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for children and adults could not be neglected. Moreover, children were more susceptible than adults.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Increases Neutrophil Chemotaxis Measured by a Microfluidic Platform.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a persistent and progressive respiratory disorder characterized by expiratory airflow limitation caused by chronic inflammation. Evidence has shown that COPD is correlated with neutrophil chemotaxis towards the airways, resulting in neutrophilic airway inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate neutrophil chemotaxis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from COPD patients using a high-throughput nine-unit microfluidic platform and explore the possible correlations between neutrophil migratory dynamics and COPD development. The results showed that BALF from COPD patients induced stronger neutrophil chemotaxis than the Control BALF. Our results also showed that the chemotactic migration of neutrophils isolated from the blood of COPD patients was not significantly different from neutrophils from healthy controls, and neutrophil migration in three known chemoattractants (fMLP, IL-8, and LTB4) was not affected by glucocorticoid treatment. Moreover, comparison with clinical data showed a trend of a negative relationship between neutrophil migration chemotactic index (C. I.) in COPD BALF and patient's spirometry data, suggesting a potential correlation between neutrophil migration and the severity of COPD. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of using the microfluidic platform to assess neutrophil chemotaxis in COPD pathogenesis, and it may serve as a potential marker for COPD evaluation in the future.