Molecular characterization of avian metapneumovirus subtype C associated with hydrosalpinx fluid and egg drop syndrome in Jinding ducks.

A disease called "hydrosalpinx fluid and egg drop syndrome" (HFEDS) was observed in four flocks of Jinding ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in Northeast China during the years 2022 to 2023. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) infection. Full-length genome sequencing and sequence analysis of two AMPV strains showed that they belong to Eurasian lineage of AMPV subtype C. Based on surface glycoprotein (G) sequence comparisons, the Eurasian lineage can be divided into two sublineages (E1 and E2), and sublineage E2 is circulating in Jinding duck populations in Northeast China.

Down-regulation of the mitochondrial fusion protein Opa1/Mfn2 promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in Su5416/hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats.

BACKGROUND: Maladaptive right ventricular (RV) remodeling is the most important pathological feature of pulmonary hypertension (PH), involving processes such as myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. A growing number of studies have shown that mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as calcium homeostasis, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, mitochondrial dynamics, and autophagy/mitophagy. The abnormal expression of MAMs-related factors is closely related to the occurrence and development of heart-related diseases. However, the role of MAM-related factors in the maladaptive RV remodeling of PH rats remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We first obtained the transcriptome data of RV tissues from PH rats induced by Su5416 combined with hypoxia treatment (SuHx) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The results showed that two MAMs-related genes (Opa1 and Mfn2) were significantly down-regulated in RV tissues of SuHx rats, accompanied by significant up-regulation of cardiac hypertrophy-related genes (such as Nppb and Myh7). Subsequently, using the SuHx-induced PH rat model, we found that the downregulation of mitochondrial fusion proteins Opa1 and Mfn2 may be involved in maladaptive RV remodeling by accelerating mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, at the cellular level, we found that overexpression of Opa1 and Mfn2 could inhibit hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission and reduce ROS production in H9c2 cardiomyocytes, thereby retarded the progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The down-regulation of mitochondrial fusion protein Opa1/Mfn2 can accelerate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and then participate in maladaptive RV remodeling in SuHx-induced PH rats, which may be potential targets for preventing maladaptive RV remodeling.

The dynamic changes of serum IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a worldwide pandemic since it emerged in December 2019. Previous studies have reported rapid antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in the first 2 to 3 weeks after symptom onset. Here, we retrospectively described the dynamic changes of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG specifically against SARS-CoV-2 in later weeks (mainly 4-10 weeks) in 97 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We observed that serum IgM and IgG, especially in patients with moderate-to-high levels, declined significantly between week 4 to 10 after illness onset. Notably, IgG levels in high percentage of patients (77.5%, 31 of 40) rapidly declined by half, from 212.5 (range, 163.7-420.3) to 96.3 (range, 75.0-133.4) AU/mL, within 1 to 2 weeks in the second month and then sustained at around 100 AU/mL until discharge from hospital. Significant reduction of IgM was also observed as SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid turned negative (P = .002). In the recovery stage, serum IgG declined significantly (early vs late recovery stage, n = 16, P = .003) with a median reduction of 50.0% (range, 3.7%-77.0%). Our results suggested that the decline of IgM may be an indicator of virus clearance and recovered patients may have a robust immunity against reinfection within at least 3 months after illness onset. Yet, the rapid reduction of IgG by half rises serious concerns on the robustness and sustainability of the humoral immune response in the period after discharge, which is crucial for immunity strategy and developing a vaccine.

Method development and validation of sildenafil, N-desmethylsildenafil and N1,N4-desmethylsildenafil by LC-MS/MS and its application.

This study aimed to develop an LC-MS/MS method for determining sildenafil and its metabolites N-desmethylsildenafil and N1,N4-desmethylsildenafil in human plasma and applying it to a pharmacokinetic study of sildenafil in healthy volunteers. Sildenafil-d8 was used as the internal standard. Plasma samples were pretreated via protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The extractives were then separated on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (50-mm × 2.1-mm, 1.7-µm) column using gradient elution. The aqueous and organic mobile phases were ammonium formate 2 mM supplemented with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile, respectively, and the flow rate was 0.3 mL/min. An electrospray ionization source was applied, and multiple reaction monitoring was operated in the positive mode with selective channels at m/z 475.30 â†’ 100.10, 461.20 â†’ 283.30, 483.30 â†’ 108.10, and 449.00 â†’ 283.00 for sildenafil, sildenafil-d8, N-desmethylsildenafil, and N1,N4-desmethylsildenafil, respectively. The linear calibration curves of sildenafil and its metabolites spanned 1.0-1000 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The extractive recovery of analytes from the biological matrix was more than 90% and the matrix effect complied with relevant provisions. The intra- and inter-day precisions of sildenafil and its metabolite were <10%. The intra- and inter-day accuracy of sildenafil, N-desmethylsildenafil, and N1,N4-desmethylsildenafil was more than 99%. The method is highly sensitive and selective, and it was successfully applied to the bioequivalence studies of 100-mg sildenafil citrate tablets in 40 healthy Chinese volunteers.

Characteristics of peripheral white blood cells in COVID-19 patients revealed by a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral hematological changes in severe COVID-19 patients may reflect the immune response during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Characteristics of peripheral white blood cells as early signals were needed to be investigated for clarifying its associations with the fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed and the hospitalized COVID-19 patients were recruited in wards of Sino-French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Characteristics of peripheral white blood cells in survivors and non-survivors were analyzed. Comparison among patients with different level of eosinophils was performed. RESULTS: Of 198 patients included in this study, 185 were discharged and 13 died. Levels of eosinophils, lymphocytes and basophils in non-survivors were significantly lower than those in survivors. Death rate in low eosinophils group was higher and no patient died in normal eosinophils group (16.7% vs 0, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients in low eosinophils group who used glucocorticoids was higher than in normal eosinophils group, but glucocorticoids usage was not an indicator for death in subgroup analysis in low eosinophils patients. Moreover, positive correlation was found between the counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils in patients with glucocorticoids use but not in patients without the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Hematological changes differed between survivors and non-survivors with COVID-19. Lymphopenia and eosinopenia could be predictors for poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Initial counts of eosinophils may guide us in usage of glucocorticoids for COVID-19 treatment.

Throughput Analysis on 3-Dimensional Underwater Acoustic Network with One-Hop Mobile Relay.

Underwater acoustic communication network (UACN) has been considered as an essential infrastructure for ocean exploitation. Performance analysis of UACN is important in underwater acoustic network deployment and management. In this paper, we analyze the network throughput of three-dimensional randomly deployed transmitter-receiver pairs. Due to the long delay of acoustic channels, complicated networking protocols with heavy signaling overhead may not be appropriate. In this paper, we consider only one-hop or two-hop transmission, to save the signaling cost. That is, we assume the transmitter sends the data packet to the receiver by one-hop direct transmission, or by two-hop transmission via mobile relays. We derive the closed-form formulation of packet delivery rate with respect to the transmission delay and the number of transmitter-receiver pairs. The correctness of the derivation results are verified by computer simulations. Our analysis indicates how to obtain a precise tradeoff between the delay constraint and the network capacity.

Peer Support for Diabetes Management in Primary Care and Community Settings in Anhui Province, China.

PURPOSE: We evaluated a peer leader-support program (PLSP) for diabetes self-management in China in terms of acceptability and feasibility; implementation; perceived advantages; disadvantages and barriers; reach and recruitment; effectiveness in terms of diabetes knowledge and clinical impacts; adoption; and sustainability. METHODS: Within each of 3 cities in Anhui Province, 2 subcommunities were randomly assigned to usual care or PLSP. Peer leaders and staff of Community Health Service Centers (CHSCs) co-led biweekly educational meetings. Peer leaders also led biweekly discussion meetings, promoted regular care through the CHSCs, organized informal health promotion activities (eg, walking and tai chi groups), and provided informal individual support to participants through casual contact. RESULTS: Qualitative evaluations indicated acceptance of and positive responses to the program among patients, peer leaders, and CHSC staff. Implementation was successful in 2 of 3 subcommunities, the third failing for lack of staff resources. Reported advantages included peer support as a bridge between CHSCs and their patients. In 2 sites where the PLSP was implemented, analyses controlling for baseline differences and site showed significant benefits for PLSP relative to controls (P <0.05) for knowledge, self-efficacy, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and both fasting and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose. The Anhui Provincial Health Bureau has extended the PLSP model to other communities and to cardiovascular disease prevention and management. CONCLUSION: The PLSP was well accepted, feasible given sufficient administrative and staff resources, effective for those who participated, and generalizable to other sites and health problems.

Getting a Grip on NCDs in China: an Evaluation of the Implementation of the Dutch-China Cardiovascular Prevention Program.

PURPOSE: China has experienced a rapid increase in cardiovascular diseases and related chronic conditions over the last 20 years, and there is now an urgent need for new approaches that can effectively reduce the progression of cardiovascular disease in high-risk individuals. This article reports on the evaluation of the implementation of the Dutch-China Cardiovascular Prevention Program. METHODS: A screening questionnaire, based on the Dutch concept of Prevention-Consultation, was distributed among inhabitants in seven communities in Anhui Province, China. This tool categorizes individuals into being at low or high risk according to their responses to a number of self-administered questions. The "high-risk" individuals were then invited to undergo further clinical and laboratory tests, before being offered lifestyle education and counseling. The program is delivered by primary care professionals from local community health service centers (CHSCs). An evaluation of the program's implementation was undertaken with both program participants and CHSC staff. RESULTS: The screening questionnaire was completed by 9067 participants in seven demonstration communities. Thirty percent of these individuals were categorized as high risk according to their scores. About one third of these individuals returned for further clinical and laboratory tests. Almost half of those re-screened participated in lifestyle education classes. Program participants and community health staff provided mostly positive feedback about the program. CONCLUSIONS: While the program proved acceptable and feasible for delivery by CHSCs and by program participants, additional strategies are required to improve future uptake of both screening and subsequent lifestyle education by those at high risk.

[Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of nosocomial candidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively explore the clinical features and risk factors of nosocomially acquired candidemia. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were conducted for general information, underlying diseases, risk factors, clinical features and laboratory tests of blood culture Candida-positive cases at Beijing Hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. Comparisons were made with regards to the clinical features, prognostic factors, risk factors of candidemia pathogen distribution between dead and survival groups and Candida albicans vs non-Candida albicans groups. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: A total of 30 Candida albicans and 35 non-candida albicans cases were recruited. Their mean age was (76±14) years and total in-hospital fatality rate 58.5% (38/65). The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, ratio of APACHE II score>24 points, ratio of shock, primary diagnosis time (from onset to reporting time of positive outcome of blood culture) and ratio of serum albumin≤30 g/L of death group were (28.7±8.6) score, 55.3% (21/38), 71.1% (27/38), (138.7±50.4) h, 47.4% (18/38) respectively. And the values were significantly higher than those of survival group, i.e. (20.1±8.0) score, 29.6% (8/27), 44.4% (12/27), (127.2±50.2) h and 22.2% (6/27) respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that shock (OR=4.821, P=0.030), primary diagnosis time (OR=1.594, P=0.027) and APACHE II score (OR=1.096, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for death. However continuous blood purification therapy was an independent protective factor (OR=0.014, P=0.004). And diabetes was an independent risk factors for non-Candida albicans infection (OR=4.426, P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, more underlying diseases, severe clinical conditions and high fatality rate are the major clinical characteristics of candidemia. Shock, APACHE II score and primary diagnosis time are independent risk factors for death. Continuous blood purification therapy is a protective factor. And diabetes is an independent risk factor for non-Candida albicans candidemia.

Behavioral medicine and prevention of non-communicable diseases in China: current challenges and future directions.

PURPOSE: We describe the emergence of recent public health challenges in China, particularly those regarding lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We also summarize some recent examples of behavioral medicine research and practice in relation to the prevention and control of NCDs in China. Finally, we describe recent changes in the public health system in China and how behavioral medicine research and practice can be incorporated into this system to address these public health challenges. METHODS: We considered research and policy literature from both China and Western countries in order to evaluate the relevance of the field of behavioral medicine for addressing the rising NCDs in China. RESULTS: Rapid economic development and related social and environmental changes have brought about increasing wealth and lifestyle changes in China, along with new public health challenges related to the prevention and control of NCDs. The field of behavioral medicine has much to offer China in addressing these public health challenges. Although behavioral medicine research and practice are still at an early stage in China, there are encouraging signs of its development, particularly resulting from international collaborations with researchers from Western countries. The next stage of this field's development in China will involve increased integration of behavioral medicine into public health education, training, and the health system. However, this process of integration will need to build on China's traditional approaches to public health training, research, and practice. CONCLUSIONS: Although the field of behavioral medicine in public health is still in its infancy in China, we argue that the practice and principles of behavioral medicine are important for successfully addressing the substantial burden of NCDs now and in the future.

An early-stage epidemic: a systematic review of correlates of smoking among Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: Despite the historically low smoking prevalence among Chinese women, there is a trend of future increase. PURPOSE: We systematically reviewed the correlates of smoking among Chinese girls and women. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review of literature on correlates of smoking among Chinese women using Medline and China Academic Journals databases. Following the PRISMA statement, two investigators independently searched for literature, identified and reviewed papers, assessed the quality of the papers, and extracted information. The characteristics of studies and correlates of smoking were synthesized separately for youth and adults. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles (11 on adults, 4 on youth) met the inclusion criteria. Based on these studies, peer smoking was the most consistent correlate of smoking among Chinese girls. Among Chinese women, partner smoking, job-related stress, and exposure to cigarettes made for women were consistent correlates of smoking. Knowledge of harms and negative attitudes towards smoking were found to be negatively associated with smoking. CONCLUSION: Overall, the evidence base for smoking among Chinese women is limited. Although smoking among Chinese women is still at an early stage, it is becoming more prevalent among specific population subgroups, such as rural-to-urban migrant workers. Although further research is needed, findings from the current study provide a roadmap for research and policy on prevention of smoking among Chinese girls and women.

[A retrospective clinicopathological study of aspiration pneumonia in the elderly].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinicopathological characteristics of aspiration pneumonia in the elderly. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 cases of autopsy-proven aspiration pneumonia in Beijing Hospital from 1973 to 2002 were reviewed. The patients consisted of 28 males and 2 females, aged from 63 to 103 [mean (83 ± 9)] years. RESULTS: Only 15 cases were clinically diagnosed as aspiration pneumonia before death. Concomitant diseases were severe and complex, mostly coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus. All the patients suffered from at least 3 concomitant diseases. Long-term bedridden and nasogastric feeding was seen in 11 and 17 patients respectively. The clinical presentation and chest X-ray of aspiration pneumonia in the elderly were nonspecific and variable. Mixed infections were common . The main bacteria isolated were Gram-negative bacilli, in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. By pathology, macrophages with foreign bodies were found in all the 30 cases and multiple small abscesses were found in 14 cases. The lesions were adjacent to the bronchioles and in the lung tissue around the bronchioles, mostly multi-lobar and bilateral. Unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion developed in 20 patients. The accordance between radiological and pathological diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia was very poor. The foci of infection detected by X-ray were proven by autopsy in 13 patients, while pleural effusions in X-ray were proven by autopsy in 15 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-concomitant diseases, mixed infection and extra-pulmonary presentations were common in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia. Multiple small abscesses were the pathological characteristics of aspiration pneumonia in the aged. A definite clinical diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia was difficult. Recurrent silent microaspiration was a feature of aspiration in the elderly. The assessment of risk factor of aspiration played an important role in the clinical diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia.

Genome-Wide Characterization of ABC Transporter Genes and Expression Profiles in Red Macroalga Pyropia yezoensis Expose to Low-Temperature.

Pyropia yezoensis is an important economic macroalga widely cultivated in the East Asia countries of China, Korea, and Japan. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene family is one of the largest transporter families in all forms of life involved in various biological processes. The characteristics of ABC transporter genes in P. yezoensis (PyABC) and their functions in stress resistance, however, remain largely unknown. In this study, PyABCs were identified and characterized their expression patterns under low-temperature stress. A total of 48 PyABCs transporters were identified and divided into eight subfamilies, which are mostly predicted as membrane-binding proteins. The cis-elements of phytohormone and low-temperature response were distinguished in promoter sequences of PyABCs. Transcriptome analysis showed that PyABCs are involved in response to low-temperature stress. Among them, 12 PyABCs were significantly up-regulated after 24 h of exposure to low temperature (2 °C). Further quantitative RT-PCR analysis corroborated the highest expression happened at 24 for detected genes of PyABCC8, PyABCF3, and PyABCI1, extraordinarily for PyABCF3, and followed by decreased expression at 48 h. The expression of PyABCI1 was generally low in all tested strains. Whereas, in a strain of P. yezoensis with lower tolerance to low temperature, the expression was observed higher in PyABCC1, PyABCC8, and remarkably high in PyABCF3. This study provided valuable information on ABC gene families in P. yezoensis and their functional characteristics, especially on low-temperature resistance, and would help to understand the adaptive mechanisms of P. yezoensis to adverse environments.

Performance of various pneumonia severity models for predicting adverse outcomes in elderly inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the performance of common pneumonia severity scores, such as pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB-65, CRB-65, A-DROP, and SMART-COP, in predicting adverse outcomes in elderly community-acquired pneumonia cohort and to determine the optimal scoring system for specific outcomes of interest. METHODS: A total of 822 elderly inpatients were included in the retrospective cohort study. Clinical and laboratory results on admission were used to calculate the above scores. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and ICU admission. Model discrimination was evaluated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). RESULTS: The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 6.8% (56/822) and 8.6% (71/822), respectively. One hundred and ninety-eight (24.0%) received MV and 111 (13.5%) were admitted to the ICU. All five scoring systems showed the same trend of increasing rates of each adverse outcome with increasing risk groups (all p < 0.001). PSI had the highest AUC, sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV) in predicting 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality. SMART-COP had the highest AUC for predicting the need for MV and ICU admission, but PSI had the highest sensitivity and NPV for these two outcomes. DISCUSSION: PSI performed well in identifying elderly patients at risk for 30-day mortality and its high NPV is helpful in excluding patients who are not at risk. Considering their effectiveness and simplicity, SMART-COP and CURB-65 are easier to perform in clinical practice than PSI.

CGRP attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling by inhibiting the cGAS-STING-NFκB pathway in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hyperproliferation, inflammation, and mitochondrial abnormalities in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) underlie the pathological mechanisms of vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cytoplasmic mtDNA activates the cGAS-STING-NFκB pathway and secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines that may be involved in the pathogenesis of PAH. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) acts as a vasodilator to regulate patterns of cellular energy metabolism and has vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS: The role of the cGAS-STING-NFκB signaling pathway in PAH vascular remodeling and the regulation of CGRP in the cGAS-STING-NFκB signaling pathway were investigated by echocardiography, morphology, histology, enzyme immunoassay, and fluorometry. RESULTS: Monocrotaline (MCT) could promote right heart hypertrophy, pulmonary artery intima thickening, and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats. Cinnamaldehyde (CA)-induced CGRP release alleviates MCT-induced vascular remodeling in PAH. CGRP reduces PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, and migration, and downregulates smooth muscle cell phenotypic proteins. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirm that the mitochondria of PASMCs were damaged during PAH, and the superoxide and mtDNA produced by injured mitochondria activate the cGAS-STING-NFκB pathway to promote PAH process, while CGRP could play an anti-PAH role by protecting the mitochondria and inhibiting the cGAS-STING-NFκB pathway through PKA. CONCLUSION: This study identifies that CGRP attenuates cGAS-STING-NFκB axis-mediated vascular remodeling in PAH through PKA.

Recurrent and persistent fever after SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with follicular lymphoma: A case series.

Although persistent or recurrent COVID-19 infection is well described in some immunosuppressed patient cohort, to date, there have been no reports of this phenomenon in the context of repeatedly negative SARS-CoV-2 testing in the upper respiratory tract. We reported six patients with follicular lymphoma who developed recurrent symptomatic COVID-19 infection. They tested persistently negative for SARS-CoV-2 on pharyngeal swabs and ultimately confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid metagenomics next-generation sequencing. All six patients presented with lymphopenia and B-cell depletion, and five of them received the anti-cluster of differentiation 20 treatment in the last year. Persistent fever was the most common symptom and bilateral ground-glass opacities were the primary pattern on chest computed tomography. A relatively long course of unnecessary and ineffective antibacterial and/or antifungal treatments was administered until the definitive diagnosis. Persistent fever subsided rapidly with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment. Our case highlighted that recurrent COVID-19 infection should be suspected in immunocompromised patients with persistent fever despite negative pharyngeal swabs, and urgent bronchoalveolar lavage fluid testing is necessary. Treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir appeared to be very effective in these patients.

[Pulmonary mucormycosis: report of 5 cases and review of 46 cases reported in China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis. METHODS: We presented 5 proven diagnosed cases of pulmonary mucormycosis in our hospital and reviewed all proven cases of pulmonary mucormycosis previously reported in mainland China. Publications in the form of case reports and articles between January 1982 and December 2011 were searched from Wan Fang Data and China Hospital Knowledge Database. RESULTS: Of the 5 patients in our hospital, the main symptoms included cough, fever, and hemoptysis. Two cases were diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), 1 by surgery, 1 by CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy, and 1 by blood culture. Three patients were cured by antifungal chemotherapy alone, 1 was cured by surgery, and 1 died. Forty-six proven diagnosed cases of pulmonary mucormycosis were retrieved from Wan Fang Data and China Hospital Knowledge Database using key word (pulmonary mucormycosis). Of the 51 patients in total, there were 31 males and 20 females, with a mean age of (47 ± 13)years. The most common risk factors for pulmonary mucormycosis were poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (18 cases), administration of immunosuppressants (7 cases), malignancy (5 cases) and kidney diseases (5 cases). Chest CT showed nodules (27 cases), infiltrates (21 cases), and cavities (18 cases). White blood cell count and neutrophil percentage were elevated in 26 patients. Eighteen cases were diagnosed by histological study of transbronchial biopsy or TBLB specimen. The diagnosis was proven with surgical specimen in 15 patients, CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy specimen in 7 patients, autopsy in 4 patients, skin biopsy in 1 patient, and renal biopsy in one patient. Three cases were diagnosed by pleural effusion cultures and 2 were diagnosed by blood cultures. Administration of low-dose liposomal amphotericin B (AMB) alone or combined with posaconazole in 12 patients were effective and safe. Fourteen patients who had received surgical resection were cured. CONCLUSIONS: There were no specific clinical features of pulmonary mucormycosis. Transbronchial biopsy and CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy are useful diagnostic tools for pulmonary mucormycosis. Surgical resection and administration of low-dose liposomal AMB alone or combined with posaconazole were all effective and safe.

Quantification of Photosynthetic Pigments in Neopyropia yezoensis Using Hyperspectral Imagery.

Phycobilisomes and chlorophyll-a (Chla) play important roles in the photosynthetic physiology of red macroalgae and serve as the primary light-harvesting antennae and reaction center for photosystem II. Neopyropia is an economically important red macroalga widely cultivated in East Asian countries. The contents and ratios of 3 main phycobiliproteins and Chla are visible traits to evaluate its commercial quality. The traditional analytical methods used for measuring these components have several limitations. Therefore, a high-throughput, nondestructive, optical method based on hyperspectral imaging technology was developed for phenotyping the pigments phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), allophycocyanin (APC), and Chla in Neopyropia thalli in this study. The average spectra from the region of interest were collected at wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1000 nm using a hyperspectral camera. Following different preprocessing methods, 2 machine learning methods, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVR), were performed to establish the best prediction models for PE, PC, APC, and Chla contents. The prediction results showed that the PLSR model performed the best for PE (R Test 2 = 0.96, MAPE = 8.31%, RPD = 5.21) and the SVR model performed the best for PC (R Test 2 = 0.94, MAPE = 7.18%, RPD = 4.16) and APC (R Test 2 = 0.84, MAPE = 18.25%, RPD = 2.53). Two models (PLSR and SVR) performed almost the same for Chla (PLSR: R Test 2 = 0.92, MAPE = 12.77%, RPD = 3.61; SVR: R Test 2 = 0.93, MAPE = 13.51%, RPD =3.60). Further validation of the optimal models was performed using field-collected samples, and the result demonstrated satisfactory robustness and accuracy. The distribution of PE, PC, APC, and Chla contents within a thallus was visualized according to the optimal prediction models. The results showed that hyperspectral imaging technology was effective for fast, accurate, and noninvasive phenotyping of the PE, PC, APC, and Chla contents of Neopyropia in situ. This could benefit the efficiency of macroalgae breeding, phenomics research, and other related applications.

Peer Support Self-Management Intervention for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Primary Care Settings: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of diabetes is placing important demands on the Chinese health care system. Providing self-management programs to the fast-growing number of people with diabetes presents an urgent need in rural primary care settings in China. Peer support has demonstrated effectiveness in improving self-management for individuals with diabetes in urban communities in China. A priority then becomes developing and evaluating a peer support program in primary care settings in rural communities of China and determining whether it is feasible and acceptable. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a peer support approach to type 2 diabetes self-management in rural primary care settings; (2) to identify enabler and facilitator factors likely to influence the peer support implementation; (3) to provide primary data and evidence for developing a version of the program suitable for a randomized controlled trial in rural primary care settings. METHODS: Three townships will be sampled from 3 different counties of Anhui province as the study setting. Participants will be recruited based on these counties' local primary care health record system. The peer supporters will be recruited from among the participants. The peer support program will be led by peer supporters who have completed 12 hours of training. It will be guided by primary care providers. The program will include biweekly meetings over 3 months with varied peer support contacts between meetings to encourage the implementation of diabetes self-management. Mixed methods will be used for evaluation. Qualitative methods will be used to collect information from health care system professionals, individuals with diabetes, and peer supporters. Quantitative methods will be used to collect baseline data and data at the end of the 3-month intervention regarding psychosocial factors and self-management practices. RESULTS: The results will include (1) quantitative baseline data that will characterize type 2 diabetes self-management practices of individuals with diabetes; (2) qualitative data that will identify enablers of and barriers to self-management practices for individuals with type 2 diabetes in rural communities; (3) both qualitative and quantitative evaluation data, after the 3-month intervention, to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the peer support approach for individuals with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings will inform the design of a tailored intervention program to improve self-management among individuals with type 2 diabetes in rural primary care settings. If we find that the peer support approach is feasible and acceptable, we will develop a larger randomized controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness in multiple rural settings in the province. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/47822.

A Refractory Case of CDKN2A/B Loss Metastatic Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Achieving a Partial Response After First-Line Treatment with Palbociclib.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly aggressive and malignant subtype of biliary duct tumors. The poor prognosis of advanced ICC brings great challenges to clinical treatment, and chemotherapy-based therapy remains the standard first-line regimen. In recent years, the development of clinical research on targeted therapy for biliary duct tumors has brought new strategies for clinical treatment, but the targets are limited. Herein, we reported a 68-year-old patient with metastasis ICC harboring CDKN2A/B loss, who achieved a partial response (PR) after the first-line treatment with a cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor called palbociclib, and no obvious side effects were observed. As of the latest follow-up time, the progression-free survival (PFS) had lasted for 20 months. This case reveals the molecular characteristic of ICC patients who respond to palbociclib treatment and illustrates the importance of performing a multiple-gene panel test in ICC patients.