[Progress in research of knowledge, attitude and practice of pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men and its influencing factors].

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is a group of people at high risk for HIV infection in China, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a bioprophylaxis strategy in the prevention of HIV infection in MSM, which can reduce the risk for HIV infection in this population effectively. However, in the paractice, the use level of PrEP in MSM is low in China, and there are MSM who know PrEP but receive no PrEP. This paper summarizes the current status of the awareness, willingness to use, actual use of PrEP in MSM and influencing factors both at home and abroad to provide a reference for the promotion of PrEP use in MSM in China.

[Application of ureteral access sheath in the operation of middle and lower ureteral calculi in patients with massive benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objective: To examine the effectiveness and safety of application of the ureteral access sheath in the treatment of middle or lower ureteral calculi in patients with large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia above grade Ⅲ, which is expected to avoid the simultaneous or staged treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia via eliminate the difficult angle and resistance of ureteroscopy caused by severe prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: From April 2018 to December 2020, the clinical data of 27 patients with massive benign prostatic hyperplasia above grade Ⅲ and middle and lower ureteral calculi treated with indwelling ureteral access sheath plus ureteroscopy holmium laser lithotripsy at Department of Urology, Zhejiang Quhua Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and followed up. All the patients were male, aged (69.7±12.8) years (range: 55 to 87 years). Prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasound was (94.8±16.2) cm3 (range: 85 to 186 cm3). The ureteral access sheath was indwelled in advance, and then the semirigid ureteroscopy was introduced through the working channel of the sheath. Holmium laser lithotripsy was performed, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Urinary abdominal plain X-ray or CT urography were performed at 1-and 2-month postopaerative to evaluate the residual stones and clinical efficacy. Results: The ureteral access sheath was placed and holmium laser lithotripsy under a semirigid ureteroscopy was performed successfully in all the 27 patients. In 2 patients, a second session of auxiliary procedure was required due to the large load of preoperative stones and residual stones after surgery, among whom 1 patient received extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and 1 patient underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy plus ureteroscopic lithotripsy. The stone free rate at 1-and 2-month postoperative were 92.6% (25/27) and 100% (27/27), respectively. There were no severe complications such as ureteral avulsion and perforation, perirenal hematoma, septic shock, severe hematuria, urinary retention, iatrogenic ureteral stricture occurred during and after the surgery. The ureteral calculus was wrapped by polyps heavily in 1 patient, he was diagnosed as ureteral stenosis 1 month postoperative, receiving laparoscopic resection of ureteral stricture plus anastomosis 3 months postoperative. Conclusions: In the operations of middle and lower ureteral calculi in patients with large-volume prostatic hyperplasia above grade Ⅲ, the ureteral access sheath can be placed first to effectively eliminate the difficult angle and resistance of ureteroscopy caused by severe prostatic hyperplasia, and then semirigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy can be safely performed. It could avoid the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia at the same time or by stages.

Improvement of feed intake, digestibility, plasma metabolites, and lactation performance of dairy cows fed mixed silage of sugar beet pulp and rice straw inoculated with lactic acid bacteria.

A study was conducted to investigate the inclusion effects of sugar beet pulp and rice straw mixture silage with inoculation (BRMS), in place of whole-plant corn silage (CS), on the dry matter intake, total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance in high-production dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows (body weight, 622 ± 35 kg; days in milk, 90 ± 11 d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in our experiments; the experiments were based on a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square design for 21 d, and each experimental period consisted of 14 d of adaptation, followed by 7 d of data collection. The 4 dietary treatments used were (dry matter basis): (1) 0% BRMS and 28.6% CS (0BRMS); (2) 4.3% BRMS and 24.3% CS (15BRMS); (3) 8.60% BRMS and 20.0% CS (30BRMS); and (4) 12.9% BRMS and 15.7% CS (45BRMS). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS was observed to linearly increase the total volatile fatty acids and the propionate concentration. The dry matter intake and digestibility values of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased linearly as the percentage of BRMS increased up to 45%. Milk yield linearly increased with the increase in the content of BRMS (39.0, 39.8, 40.9, and 40.3 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS induced a decrease in the ammonia nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen concentration, leading to a linear increase in milk protein production (1.15, 1.26, 1.35, and 1.27 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). In conclusion, the diets with the replacement of CS with BRMS up to 45% were beneficial to the production performance of high-production dairy cows, indicating that this method may be an appropriate use of sugar beet pulp and rice straw.

[Value of D-dimer and left atrial size combined with CHA2DS2-VASc score in excluding left atrial thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To investigate the related factors of thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and whether the combination of D-dimer, left atrial anteroposterior diameter and CHA2DS2-VASc score can be used to exclude left atrial thrombosis. Methods: A total of 75 NVAF patients with left atrial thrombosis confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography in Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were enrolled as the thrombus group. From January 1 to October 31, 2019, 80 patients with NVAF without left atrial thrombosis were enrolled as the control group. The clinical data, CHA2DS2-VASc score, hematological biomarkers, ultrasound data of two groups were compared. The independent factors associated with left atrial thrombosis were screened by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of left atrial thrombosis were gained by the score calculated based on the independent related factors. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, proportion of persistent atrial fibrillation and duration of atrial fibrillation between the two groups. The CHA2DS2-VASc score [M (Q1, Q3)] of the thrombus group was higher than that of the control group [2.5 (1.0, 3.0) vs 1.8 (1.0, 3.0), P=0.012]. The prothrombin time activity [M (Q1, Q3)] of the thrombus group was 81.1 (72.0, 93.0)%, which was lower than that of the control group 88.8 (83.0,96.0)% (P=0.008). The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the thrombus group was longer than that of the control group [(32.1±4.8) s vs (30.2±3.7) s, P=0.006]. D-dimer [M (Q1, Q3)] of the thrombus group was 231.0 (71.5, 272.2) ng/ml, which was higher than that of the control group 121.7 (49.0, 140.0) ng/ml (P<0.001). The left atrial anteroposterior diameter in thrombus group was larger [(44.6±6.6) mm vs (38.9±5.3) mm, P<0.001], the proportion of mitral regurgitation was higher (58.1% vs 26.8%, P<0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction [M (Q1, Q3)] of the thrombus group was 56.7% (45.8%, 66.3%), which was lower than that of the control group 63.3% (60.5%, 70.2%) (P=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factor related to left atrial thrombosis was left atrial anteroposterior diameter (OR=4.480, 95%CI: 1.616-12.423). The negative predictive value of the new scoring system combined with D-dimer, left atrial anteroposterior diameter and CHA2DS2-VASc score for left atrial thrombosis was 100%. Conclusions: In NVAF patients, the factor independently associating with left atrial thrombosis is left atrial anteroposterior diameter. The combination of D-dimer, left atrial anteroposterior diameter, and CHA2DS2-VASc score can help exclude left atrial thrombosis before ablation of NVAF.

[Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 outbreak in Gaocheng district of Shijiazhuan].

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 outbreak in Gaocheng district of Shijiazhuan. Methods: Data and epidemiological survey reports of COVID-19 cases in the outbreak were collected from China's Infectious Disease Information System, Shijazhuang Municipal Center for Diseases Prevention and Control and official information published by the National Health Commission of China. The data were analyzed, using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results: From January 2nd to February 14th, 2021, a total of 1 033 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Shijiazhuang. The attack rate was 9.36/100 000. The cases were distributed in 14 counties, and most cases (859/1 033, 83.16%) were reported in Gaocheng, and the disease spread to 5 provinces. The cases in Xiaoguo village (299 cases), Liujiazhuo village (107 cases) and Nanqiaozhai village (162 cases) of Zengcun township in Gaocheng accounted for 54.99% of the total cases in Shijiazhuang. The attack rates in the villages mentioned above were 7 412.00/100 000, 10 348.16/100 000 and 6 612.24/100 000, respectively. The ratio of urban cases to rural cases was 1∶15.53. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1∶1.34. The average age of the cases was 40.49 years. The incidence peaks occurred on January 3rd (9.97%, 103 cases) and on January 9th (9.10%, 94 cases). A total of 307 clusters occurred, in which 228(74.27%) occurred in households and 48 (15.64%) occurred in schools or child care settings. But the clusters related with church ceremony had the highest case numbers (82.67 cases/time), followed by wedding feast or feast celebrating the first month of newborn (28.29 cases/time). About 33.02% (313/948) of symptomatic cases only visited the village doctors or private clinics and had no medical care seeking history before the outbreak. Conclusions: The COVID-19 epidemic in Gaocheng of Shijiazhuang was a typical one in rural area. The rapid and hiding transmission of the outbreak was mainly due to the poor health service seeking of the rural residents and the frequent mass gathering.

[Treatment efficiency evaluation of left cardiac sympathetic denervation for patients with inherited arrhythmia by exercise-stress test].

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) in inherited arrhythmia patients with adrenergic activity-induced malignant ventricular arrhythmia, and observe exercise-stress test features before and after LCSD. Methods: This retrospective observational study included catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia(CPVT) and long QT syndromes(LQTS) patients who underwent video-assisted LCSD at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital and Peking University People's Hospital from September 2006 to May 2020. The indications for LCSD surgery were intolerant or refractory to beta-blocker medication. Clinical and exercise-stress tests data of included patients were collected before and 1 month after LCSD. Heart rate, exercise tolerance, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia, QTc interval and predictors for sudden cardiac death were analyzed. Patents were regularly followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LCSD and then once every year thereafter. Cardiac events and medication adjustment records were collected. Results: Five patients (2 CPVT, 1 LQT1, and 2 LQT2)were included in the study. All patients experienced syncope as first symptom at the median age of 12(10, 16)years, and underwent LCSD at the median age of 21(16, 26)years, Baseline heart rate was similar before and after LCSD ((65.6±6.5) beats/min vs. (68.0±11.1) beats/min, P=0.57); while maximum workload tended to be lower after LCSD ((12.1±2.8) metabolic equivalents (METS) before surgery vs. (10.5±2.4) METS after surgery, P=0.07). Incidence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia were significantly reduced post LCSD, and the ventricular arrhythmia score was decreased after LCSD in CPVT patients (4 points before LCSD vs. 3 points after LCSD in case 1;5 points before LCSD vs. 3 points after LCSD in case 2). QTc interval was shortened significantly in three LQTs patients (QTc interval at baseline heart rate: (546.6±72.3) ms before surgery vs. (493±61.1) ms after LCSD, P=0.047; QTc interval at maximal exercise heart rate: (516.3±73.7) ms before surgery vs. (486.7±64.2)ms after LCSD, P=0.035). Additionally, sudden cardiac death risk indicator ΔHRR1 (heart rate decreasing value within the first 1 min during recovery phase) decreased from (51.5±21.1) beats/min before surgery to (32.0±13.9) beats/min after surgery (P=0.035). During a median follow-up of 1(1, 4) year, all five patients were on low dosage of propranolol (37.0±21.7) mg/d. Cardiac events free survival was achieved in four out of 5 patients (80%) after sympathectomy, while 1 case suffered from sudden cardiac death after emotional stress. Conclusion: LCSD surgery can be safely and effectively performed in most hereditary arrhythmia patients with adrenergic activity-induced life-threatening cardiac events. Exercise stress test results show that LCSD could reduce malignant arrhythmias and improve sudden cardiac death risk indicators without decreasing heart rate.

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Helium Energy Spectrum from 70 GeV to 80 TeV with the DAMPE Space Mission.

The measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic ray helium nuclei from 70 GeV to 80 TeV using 4.5 years of data recorded by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is reported in this work. A hardening of the spectrum is observed at an energy of about 1.3 TeV, similar to previous observations. In addition, a spectral softening at about 34 TeV is revealed for the first time with large statistics and well controlled systematic uncertainties, with an overall significance of 4.3σ. The DAMPE spectral measurements of both cosmic protons and helium nuclei suggest a particle charge dependent softening energy, although with current uncertainties a dependence on the number of nucleons cannot be ruled out.

[Preliminary research on long non-coding RNA related signaling pathways regulated by SIRT1 in human trabecular meshwork cells].

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in regulating the function of human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs). Methods: Experimental study. HTMCs were transfected with SIRT1-overexpressed lentivirus and control lentivirus at the optimal multiplicity of infection, respectively. The total RNA was extracted, and the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) microarray was used to detect the expression of lncRNAs. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics. Real-time PCR was used to verify the microarray results. Student's t-test was used for comparison between groups. Results: Compared with the control group, there were 636 up-regulated lncRNAs and 2 246 down-regulated lncRNAs in the SIRT1 overexpressed group (all P<0.05). Gene ontology analysis showed that SIRT1 regulated extracellular matrix, cell metabolism, proliferation and apoptosis of HTMCs. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomics pathway analysis indicated that differential lncRNAs induced by SIRT1 were involved in 19 signal pathways, including Notch signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, inflammatory mediator regulation of tyrosinase-associated protein channels and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Conclusion: SIRT1 could have effects on the function of HTMCs through regulating lncRNAs in multiple signaling pathways, including Notch signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, etc. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 215-222).

I125 irradiation stent for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: A meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the safety and efficiency of I125 irradiation stent placement for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Cochrane library, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang Data and CQVIP were systematically screened out from the earliest to December 2019. The qualities of all included studies were assessed. The primary endpoints were the 6-month, 12-month stent cumulative patency rate and 6-month, 12-month, 24-month overall survival rate while the secondary endpoints were the objective response rate of PVTT, main portal venous pressure changes and treatment-related adverse events. Our meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: Totally seven studies with 1018 patients were included in the final analysis, in which 602 patients received TACE and I125 irradiation stent placement, and 416 patients in control group underwent TACE and stent placement without endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT). Meta-analysis showed that the I125 irradiation stent improved the cumulative stent patency rates in 6months [OR=1.65, 95% CI (1.32-2.05), P<0.001] and 12months [OR=2.55, 95% CI (1.90-3.42), P<0.001] and the survival rates in 6months [OR=1.77, 95% CI (1.41-2.22), P<0.001], 12months [OR=3.14, 95% CI (2.24-4.40), P<0.001] and 24months [OR=7.39, 95% CI (3.55-15.41), P<0.001]. However, there was no difference in the objective response rate of PVTT [OR=1.13, 95% CI (0.87-1.48), P=0.365], main portal venous pressure and the occurrence adverse event [OR=0.88, CI=0.72-1.08, P=0.212] between two groups. CONCLUSION: I125 irradiation stent seems to be more effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis. The usage of portal vein stent combined endovascular brachytherapy has the potential to act as an alternative therapy for HCC with PVTT. On account of the limitation of studies included, more studies with high-level evidence, such as RCTs, are requisite to support the above promising results.

Spectroscopic Determination of Key Energy Scales for the Base Hamiltonian of Chromium Trihalides.

The van der Waals (vdW) chromium trihalides (CrX3) exhibit field-tunable, two-dimensional magnetic orders that vary with the halogen species and the number of layers. Their magnetic ground states with proximity in energies are sensitive to the degree of ligand-metal (p-d) hybridization and relevant modulations in the Cr d-orbital interactions. We use soft X-ray absorption (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy at Cr L-edge along with the atomic multiplet simulations to determine the key energy scales such as the crystal field 10 Dq and interorbital Coulomb interactions under different ligand metal charge transfer (LMCT) in CrX3 (X= Cl, Br, and I). Through this systematic study, we show that our approach compared to the literature has yielded a set of more reliably determined parameters for establishing a base Hamiltonian for CrX3.

[Often misdiagnosed primary pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a clinicopathological analysis of five cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of primary pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). Methods: Five cases of pleural EHE diagnosed from 2012 to 2019 in the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital of Tongji University, China, were collected. They were subjected to review of clinical and image data, reevaluation of histological sections, immunohistochemistry study, clinical follow up and literature review. Results: There were 1 male and 4 females (male to female ratio of 1∶4). The age ranged 19‒58 years, with a median age of 52 years. There was no smoking history in all 5 cases. Clinical manifestations included chest distress, chest pain, cough and hemoptysis. CT scan showed pleural effusion, pleural thickening, multiple pleural nodules and pneumothorax. All of the 5 cases were diagnosed based on thoracoscopic biopsies, which were performed for the suspicion of malignancy in 3 cases and for the suspicion of tuberculosis upon the failure of anti-tuberculosis treatment in 2 cases. Histologically, the tumors grew in the mesenchyme, forming cords, nests and solid sheets. The tumor cells were round, oval, short spindle, and polygonal in shape. They were epithelioid and had abundant cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli. Blister cells (vacuoles in cytoplasm) could be seen, and for mednewly-generated vessel lumen. Mucoid degeneration and collagenization were common in the tumor stroma. The positive-stainin grate was 5/5 for vimentin, 5/5 for D2-40, 4/5 for CD31, 4/5 for ERG, 4/5 for CAMTA1, 2/5 for CD34 and 2/5 for CKpan. WT1, calretinin and CK5/6 were all negative. The follow-up time ranged from 4‒18 months. During the follow-up, 4 patients were treated with chemotherapy (2 patients died, and 2 survived with tumor), and 1 patient lost to the follow-up. Conclusions: Primary pleural EHE is rare. Its imaging and clinical features are very similar to those of tuberculosis. The correct diagnosis relies on pathological biopsy. Tumor cells are epithelioid. When CD34 is negative and D2-40 is positive, it is easy to be misdiagnosed as malignant mesothelioma. The combination of CD31, ERG and CAMTA1, which have high specificity of EHE, is helpful for the differential diagnosis.

[Analysis of the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with (125)I seed implantation in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with iodine-125 ((125)I) seed brachytherapy in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and toassess the changes inthe grade of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 37 MESCC patients treated with PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the interventional and vascular surgery department of Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University from January 2014 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 cases of bilateral lower limbs paralysis. Total diseased vertebrae are 39 segments. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and paralysis of lower extremities were evaluated regularly before and after treatment, and VAS values at different follow-up time points were compared. At the same time, MRI was used to evaluate the changes of ESCC grade in the spinal canal and calculate the local lesion efficiency after operation. The postoperative local lesion efficiency at different follow-up times was compared. Results: PVP combined with (125)I seed implantation in all diseased vertebral bodies was successful. The average injection volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was (3.2±1.3) ml/segment, the average number of (125)I seed implanted was (25.0±8.6) seeds/segment and the average radiation dose was (15.0±5.1) mCi/segment. The VAS before operation was 8.5, and postoperative VAS were respectively 3.6±1.3, 3.8±1.5, 3.4±1.4, 5.5±1.0, 5.9±1.4 at 5 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after operation. The differences between all follow-up time points and preoperative VAS values were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Compared with 5 days, 1 month and 3 months after operation, VAS increased significantly at 6 months and 1 year after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.001); there was no significant difference between the VAS value at 6 months after operation and 1 year after operation (P=0.405). At a follow-up of 3 months, 22 of 23 patients with paralysis of bilateral lower limbs regained the functions of autonomous walking and voiding; the effective rates of MESCC local lesions evaluated by MRI at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and>1 year were 89.7%, 91.9%, 90.6%, and 94.7%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant differences among those follow-up time points (all P>0.05). Conclusions: PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the treatment of MESCC has significant improvement in immediate pain relief and spinal cord function. After combined treatment, MRI showed that the tumors around the spinal cord regressed dramatically, which could considerably reduce the MESCC grade and remain stable for a long time.

[Research progress of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with a risk of developing non-alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases including NAFLD under the influence of various factors such as aging, endocrine and metabolic changes. This article summarizes the latest research of NAFLD in postmenopausal women to elaborate and analyze the epidemiological characteristics, correlation between NAFLD and postmenopause, possible pathogenesis as well as feasible prevention and treatment methods.

MiRNA-203a-5p alleviates the malignant progression of Wilms' tumor via targeting JAG1.

OBJECTIVE: To uncover the potential influence of microRNA-203a-5p (miRNA-203a-5p) on the malignant progression of Wilms' tumor (WT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiRNA-203a-5p levels in 49 paired WT and paracancerous tissues were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Prognostic value of miRNA-203a-5p in WT was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Correlation between miRNA-203a-5p level and clinical data of WT patients was analyzed. In G401 and SK-NEP-1 cells, in vitro functions of miRNA-203a-5p in regulating metastatic abilities were explored. The interaction between miRNA-203a-5p and JAG1, and their regulatory role in the malignant progression of WT were evaluated by Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay and rescue experiments. RESULTS: MiRNA-203a-5p was downregulated in WT tissues than that of paracancerous ones. WT patients expressing low level of miRNA-203a-5p had higher risk of lymphatic metastasis and worse prognosis. Overexpression of miRNA-203a-5p attenuated migratory and invasive abilities in G401 cells. On the contrary, knockdown of miRNA-203a-5p yielded the opposite trends in SK-NEP-1 cells. JAG1 was verified to be the direct gene binding miRNA-203a-5p, which was negatively regulated by miRNA-203a-5p in WT cells. Rescue experiments finally uncovered that miRNA-203a-5p alleviated the malignant progression of WT via negatively regulating JAG1. CONCLUSIONS: MiRNA-203a-5p is downregulated in WT and closely linked to lymphatic metastasis of WT patients. By negatively regulating JAG1, miRNA-203a-5p alleviates the malignant progression of WT.

Associations of TNF-α -308 G>A and TNF-ß 252 A>G with Physical Function and BNP-Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations of TNF-α -308 G>A (rs1800629) and TNF-ß 252 A>G (rs909253) with physical function and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). METHODS: Data of 1747 community-dwelling elders from the ageing arm of the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study was used. Physical function was measured by handgrip strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 5-meter walking test (5MWT). RESULTS: AA genotype of the TNF-α -308 G>A was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted ß=5.75 and 5.70, respectively, p<0.05), compared with GG genotype. For the TNF-ß 252 A>G polymorphism, GG genotype was associated with higher mean time of TUG test and 5MWT (multivariable adjusted ß=1.55 and 0.83, respectively, p<0.05) and lower handgrip strength (multivariable adjusted ß=-0.69, p<0.05), compared with AA genotype. Further, GG was associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.06-2.04), low speed of TUG test (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.20-2.01) and elevated BNP (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.08-1.84). GG also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of low handgrip strength and 5MWT. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-ß 252 A>G was associated with physical function measurements, plasma BNP level, and odds of elevated BNP in an elderly population. TNF-ß 252 A>G also interacted with elevated BNP to be associated with greater odds of physical function measurements.

[Efficacy of a novel fully covered radioactive stent for advanced esophageal and gastric cardia cancer: a retrospective controlled study].

Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel fully covered radioactive stent for the treatment of advanced esophageal and gastric cardia cancer. Methods: Data of 122 patients, who underwent esophageal radioactive stent placement for advanced esophageal or gastric cardia cancer between January 2012 and September 2017 in Zhongda Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the novel stent group (n=59; 45 males, 14 females; mean age 73±10 years old) and the conventional stent group (n=63; 51 males, 12 females; mean age 72±9 years old), according to the types of radioactive stents. No significant difference was found between the two groups in baseline characteristics (all P>0.05). Outcomes were measured in terms of technical success, dysphagia score, stent restenosis, stent migration, major complications, and overall survival. Results: The technical success rate was 98.3% in the novel stent group, and 100.0% in the conventional stent group (P=0.484) . The dysphagia scores 3 days after surgery decreased from 3.27±0.45 and 3.37±0.49 to 1.25±0.66 and 1.32±0.50, respectively (all P<0.01), and the variances were comparable (P=0.709). Compared with conventional stents, novel stents were significantly associated with a decreased in the rate of stent restenosis, 11.9% vs 27.0%; cause-specific hazard ratio 0.387, 95%CI 0.160-0.934 (P=0.035); sub-distributional hazard ratio 0.401, 95%CI 0.167-0.963 (P=0.041), while the stent migration rate was statistically comparable (13.6% vs 6.3%, P=0.181). There was no significant difference between the novel stent group and the conventional stent group in major complications (all P>0.05), including moderate-severe chest pain (22.0% vs 25.4%), hemorrhage (11.9% vs 11.1%), fistula formation (1.7% vs 4.8%), and aspiration pneumonia (5.1% vs 6.3%). The median overall survival was 146(95%CI 115-177) days in the novel stent group, and 147(95%CI 98-196) days in the conventional stent group, and no significant difference was found (P=0.967). Conclusions: In patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cardia cancer,placement of a novel fully covered radioactive stent is safe and effective. This novel stent can relieve dysphagia rapidly and prevent stent restenosis effectively.

Measurement of the cosmic ray proton spectrum from 40 GeV to 100 TeV with the DAMPE satellite.

The precise measurement of the spectrum of protons, the most abundant component of the cosmic radiation, is necessary to understand the source and acceleration of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. This work reports the measurement of the cosmic ray proton fluxes with kinetic energies from 40 GeV to 100 TeV, with 2 1/2 years of data recorded by the DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE). This is the first time that an experiment directly measures the cosmic ray protons up to ~100 TeV with high statistics. The measured spectrum confirms the spectral hardening at ~300 GeV found by previous experiments and reveals a softening at ~13.6 TeV, with the spectral index changing from ~2.60 to ~2.85. Our result suggests the existence of a new spectral feature of cosmic rays at energies lower than the so-called knee and sheds new light on the origin of Galactic cosmic rays.

Evolution of superconductivity in K2-xFe4+ySe5: Spectroscopic studies of X-ray absorption and emission.

This study investigates the evolution of superconductivity in K2-xFe4+ySe5 using temperature-dependent X-ray absorption and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering techniques. Magnetization measurements show that polycrystalline superconducting (SC) K1.9Fe4.2Se5 has a critical temperature (T c) of ∼31 K with a varying superconducting volume fraction, which strongly depends on its synthesis temperature. An increase in Fe-structural/vacancy disorder in SC samples with more Fe atoms occupying vacant 4d sites is found to be closely related to the decrease in the spin magnetic moment of Fe. Moreover, the nearest-neighbor Fe-Se bond length in SC samples exceeds that in the non-SC (NS) sample, K2Fe4Se5, which indicates a weaker hybridization between the Fe 3d and Se 4p states in SC samples. These results clearly demonstrate the correlations among the local electronic and atomic structures and the magnetic properties of K2-xFe4+ySe5 superconductors, providing deeper insight into the electron pairing mechanisms of superconductivity.