More sense of self-discipline, less procrastination: the mediation of autonomous motivation.

Procrastination is considered a result of failed self-regulation. However, could experiencing a sense of successful self-discipline help to boost motivation and reduce procrastination? To explore this question, two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the sense of self-discipline, autonomous motivation, and procrastination. Results showed that trait sense of self-discipline negatively predicted general procrastination (Study 1); self-discipline primed participants procrastinated less than the control group (Study 2); autonomous motivation mediated the relationship between sense of self-discipline and procrastination (Study 1 and Study 2). These findings suggest that cultivating a sense of self-discipline can have positive effects on both autonomous motivation and procrastination, and provide useful guidance for interventions aimed at reducing procrastination.

S1PR1 regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence through the PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP pathway.

Cell senescence deters the activation of various oncogenes. Induction of senescence is, therefore, a potentially effective strategy to interfere with vital processes in tumor cells. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) has been implicated in various cancer types, including ovarian cancer. The mechanism by which S1PR1 regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence is currently elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that S1PR1 was highly expressed in human ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. S1PR1 deletion inhibited the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. S1PR1 deletion promoted ovarian cancer cell senescence and sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy. Exposure of ovarian cancer cells to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) increased the expression of 3-phosphatidylinositol-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), decreased the expression of large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2), and induced phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein (p-YAP). Opposite results were obtained in S1PR1 knockout cells following pharmacological inhibition. After silencing LATS1/2 in S1PR1-deficient ovarian cancer cells, senescence was suppressed and S1PR1 expression was increased concomitantly with YAP expression. Transcriptional regulation of S1PR1 by YAP was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Accordingly, the S1PR1-PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP pathway regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence and does so through a YAP-mediated feedback loop. S1PR1 constitutes a druggable target for the induction of senescence in ovarian cancer cells. Pharmacological intervention in the S1PR1-PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP signaling axis may augment the efficacy of standard chemotherapy.

How Does Perceived Organizational Support Reduce the Effect of Working Environmental Risk on Occupational Strain? A Study of Chinese Geological Investigators.

BACKGROUND: Sensitivity to working environmental risks is essential to ensure the safety of geological investigators, but persistent perceived risks may lead to occupational strain, with negative effects on physical and mental health. This study aimed to find ways to reduce the negative consequences of working environmental risk perception without losing situational awareness. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 268 participants from geological survey organizations, measuring their perception of working environmental risk, occupational strain, perceived organizational support, and other stressors. RESULTS: (1) The perception of working environmental risk and occupational strain of geological investigators was significantly higher than that of administrative staff, managers, and scientific researchers. (2) Working environmental risk is an important predictor of occupational strain in geological investigators even after controlling for other stressors. (3) Different dimensions of perceived organizational support play different roles in stress management; socio-emotional support negatively predicts occupational strain, and instrumental support moderates the relationship between working environmental risk perception and occupational strain. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify working environmental risk as one of the most prominent stressors for geological investigators. Socio-emotional support directly reduces occupational strain, while instrumental support buffers the effect of risk perception on occupational strain.

Nomogram based on circulating lymphocyte subsets for predicting radiation pneumonia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Currently, the relationship between radiation pneumonia (RP) and circulating immune cell in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between RP and circulating lymphocyte subsets in patients with ESCC receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and develop a nomogram model to predict RP. Since we should implement clinical intervention to ≥ grade 2 RP, a nomogram model for ≥ grade 2 RP was also established to provide an early warning. Patients and methods: This study retrospectively included 121 patients with ESCC receiving CRT from Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital from 2013 to 2021. Independent factors associated with occurrence of RP and ≥ grade 2 RP were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training cohort, and incorporated into nomograms. The predictive accuracy and discrimination of the model was assessed using Concordance Index (C-index), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). And each model was internally validated. Additionally, to verify the optimized predictive performance of the nomograms, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of each nomogram was compared to that of single independent risk factors, lung V10 and lung V20, respectively. Moreover, each model was further evaluated for risk stratification to identify populations at high risk of RP and ≥ grade 2 RP. Results: Multivariate analysis suggested that TNM stage, post-RT percentage of CD8+ T cell, and lung V15 were independent predictive factors of RP. Besides, pre- and post-RT percentage of CD8+ T cell, and V15 were independent factors of ≥ grade 2 RP. The C-indexes of RP and ≥ grade 2 RP nomograms were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.715-0.903) and 0.787 (95% CI: 0.685-0.889) in the training cohort, respectively. And the C-indexes of RP and ≥ grade 2 RP nomograms were 0.718 (95% CI: 0.544-0.892) and 0.621 (95% CI: 0.404-0.837) in the validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curves showed that the predicted values of model agreed well with actual observations. Moreover, DCA results indicated the applicability and accuracy of the models to predict RP and ≥ grade 2 RP. After stratification, the incidence of the high-risk group was significantly higher than that of the low-risk group with respect to either RP or ≥ grade 2 RP. Conclusion: TNM stage, post-RT percentage of CD8+ T cell, and lung V15 were the independent predictors of RP toxicity. Pre- and post-RT percentage of CD8+ T cell, and lung V15 were the independent factors of ≥ grade 2 RP toxicity. The nomograms based on circulating lymphocyte subsets can robustly predict RP and ≥ grade 2 RP, guiding clinicians in risk stratification and early intervention.

[Molecular mechanism of an individual with weaken B phenotype in ABO blood group].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the serological characteristics and molecular mechanism of a blood donor with weaken B antigen. METHODS: The ABO blood group antigens on red blood cells were identified by monoclonal antibodies, the ABO antibodies in serum were detected by standard A, B, O cells and the activity of the B glycosyltransferase was analyzed. The full-length sequence and 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) sequence of ABO gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) respectively and direct sequencing. The alternative splicing isoforms of ABO cDNA were obtained by reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) and analyzed with cloning and sequencing techniques. The level of methylation of the CpG island in ABO gene promoter was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing method. RESULTS: The serological characteristic of the donor showed that the B antigen was decreased obviously without anti-B antibodies in serum and the B glycosyltransferase activity was decreased as well. The genotype of the donor was B101/O01 without any other mutations in the full-length coding sequences and splice receptor sites. The nucleotide characteristics of the 5'-UTR was consistent with B101/O01 and no any abnormity was identified in the promoter, enhancer and the negative regulatory sequence regions. The integrative cDNA transcript of ABO gene was obtained and no new splicing isoform was found. Compared with the normal B phenotype, a number of methylated CpG sites were found near the promoter of ABO gene in this sample. CONCLUSION: The methylation in the CpG island of ABO gene promoter region may cause weak expression of the B antigen.

[Study on the expression stability of mutant alpha-1,2 fucosyltransferase gene 293C to T and 658C to T in eukaryotic cells].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the eukaryotic cell expression system for the alpha-1,2 fucosyltransferase gene FUT1 293C to T and 658C to T mutations and explore the mechanism of FUT1 mutations resulting in the reduced expression of H antigen. METHODS: Genomic DNAs were extracted from individuals with para-Bombay phenotype and full coding region of FUT1 was amplified. The amplification fragments were ligated with pcDNA3.1 plasmid to construct the recombinant expression vectors. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into the COS-7 cells using lipofectamine transfection reagent and stable expression screening was performed. FUT1 mRNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The activity of enzyme was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Expressed protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. RESULTS: pcDNA3.1-FUT1 wildtype, pcDNA3.1-FUT1 293C to T and pcDNA3.1-FUT1 658C to T recombinant vectors were constructed, respectively. COS-7 cells with stable expression of FUT1 were obtained through recombinant plasmid transfection and screening with G418. The FUT1 mRNA level of transfected cells with 293C to T and 658C to T recombinant vectors reached 97.10% and 104.74% of the wildtype FUT1 transfected cell. A specific protein band with about 46 000 was confirmed in the transfected cell lysates by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blotting with 6×His Tag antibody. The wildtype FUT1 transfected cell lysates can catalyze the enzymatic reaction, while the enzyme activity of cell lysates from 293C to T and 658C to T were abolished. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the 293C to T and 658C to T mutations of FUT1 gene did not affect the RNA and protein expression levels, but the enzyme activity of cells with FUT1 mutations was significantly decreased which resulted in the reduced expressin of H antigen.

[Molecular genetic analysis of a new B112 allele of ABO blood group].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular genetic basis for a new B112 allele of ABO blood group and the pedigree of the proband. METHODS: The ABO group antigens on red cells of the proband were identified by monoclonal antibodies. The ABO antibody in serum was detected by using standard A, B and O cells. The exons 5-7 of ABO gene for the proband was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and the amplified products were digested with double enzymes and sequenced for exons 6 and 7. A magnetic bead-based, haplotype specific extraction was used to separate the diploid sample of the proband into its haploid components. The exons 6 and 7 of the two single ABO haplotypes were then amplified and sequenced separately. The samples of the parents of the proband were collected, and the blood group serological test and sequence analysis for exons 6 and 7 of ABO gene were performed. RESULTS: The serum characteristic of the proband was consisted with the normal B phenotype. The DNA sequencing of exons 6 and 7 showed 261G/del, 297A/G, 526C/G, 559C/T, 657C/T, 703G/A, 796C/A, 803G/C and 930G/A heterozygotes and was assigned for B/O genotype. After separation of the two single strands of the proband with haplotype specific extraction, a B112 and an O01 allele were identified after sequencing. The B112 allele had one nucleotide change (C to T) at position 559 compared with B101, which resulted in an amino acid change at position 187 (Arg to Cys). The B112 in the proband was identified to inherit from his mother after pedigree analysis, the ABO blood group serological characteristics and sequences of exons 6 and 7 of the mother were identical to that of the proband. CONCLUSION: A novel B112 allele of ABO group system with 559C>T was identified. It had normal B antigen expression, suggesting that Arg118Cys of alpha-1, 3 galactosyltransferase did not affect its enzyme activity.

[Establishment of allele specific primer polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing and investigation of the polymorphism in exon 3 of HLA-DRB1].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the allele specific primer polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) and investigate the polymorphism of exon 3 of human leukocyte antigen( HLA)-DRB1. METHODS: The fragment containing exons 2 and 3 of HLA-DRB1 gene was amplified by group specific primers. The amplified products were digested by restriction enzymes and directly sequenced in both directions. The genotype was assigned by using Assign 3.5 SBT software. RESULTS: The exon 3 sequences of HLA-DRB1*08:09 and HLA-DRB1*12:02:01 were identified for the first time. There were 27 polymorphic sites in exon 3 among the twenty-five HLA-DRB1 alleles, which was 9.56% of all nucleotides of exon 3. The method could discriminate the HLA-DRB1*14:01:01/14:54 ambiguous samples, and the HLA-DRB1*14:01:01 was identified in the Chinese population. CONCLUSION: The PCR-SBT method for exon 3 of HLA-DRB1 from the present study was reliable and there were polymorphisms in exon 3 of HLA-DRB1.

[Analysis of alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene mutations in a Chinese family with para-Bombay phenotype].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular genetic basis of para-Bombay phenotype in a Chinese family. METHODS: ABO and H phenotypes of the proband and his pedigree were characterized by serological techniques. The exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene and full coding region of alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene of the pedigree were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the amplified fragments. The haplotypes of compound heterozygote of the FUT1 gene were also analyzed by cloning sequencing. RESULTS: Three para-Bombay phenotypes were identified in nine family members by serological technology. Three heterozygous variants (35C/T, 235G/C and 682A/G) were found in FUT1 gene of the proband, and the hapotype of FUT1 gene was h(235C)/h(35T+628G)according to the cloning sequencing. The alleles h(235C)and h(35T+628G) caused G79R, A12V and M228V amino acid substitutions in alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase, respectively. CONCLUSION: A novel 235G>C mutation of FUT1 gene which was associated with para-Bombay phenotype was found in the Chinese pedigree.

Comment on "Revised paleoaltimetry data show low Tibetan Plateau elevation during the Eocene".

Botsyun et al (Research Articles, 1 March 2019, eaaq1436) have suggested that the Tibetan Plateau was low (substantially less than 3000 meters) during the Eocene, based on a comparison of oxygen isotope proxy data with isotope-enabled climate model simulations. However, we contend that their conclusions are flawed as the result of a number of failings of both the modeling and the data comparison.

No Incidence of Liver Cancer Was Observed in A Retrospective Study of Patients with Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the risk of aristolochic acid (AA)-associated cancer in patients with AA nephropathy (AAN).@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with AAN at Peking University First Hospital from January 1997 to December 2014. Long-term surveillance and follow-up data were analyzed to investigate the influence of different factors on the prevalence of cancer. The primary endpoint was the incidence of liver cancer, and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of urinary cancer during 1 year after taking AA-containing medication to 2014.@*RESULTS@#A total of 337 patients diagnosed with AAN were included in this study. From the initiation of taking AA to the termination of follow-up, 39 patients were diagnosed with cancer. No cases of liver cancer were observed throughout the entire follow-up period, with urinary cancer being the predominant type (34/39, 87.17%). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, follow-up period, and diabetes were potential risk factors, however, the dosage of the drug was not significantly associated with urinary cancer.@*CONCLUSIONS@#No cases of liver cancer were observed at the end of follow-up. However, a high prevalence of urinary cancer was observed in AAN patients. Establishing a direct causality between AA and HCC is challenging.

Roadmap of Medical Device for Implanted Brain-computer Interface / 中国医疗器械杂志

Implanted brain-computer interface (iBCI) is a system that establishes a direct communication channel between human brain and computer or an external devices by implanted neural electrode. Because of the good functional extensibility, iBCI devices as a platform technology have the potential to bring benefit to people with nervous system disease and progress rapidly from fundamental neuroscience discoveries to translational applications and market access. In this report, the industrialization process of implanted neural regulation medical devices is reviewed, and the translational pathway of iBCI in clinical application is proposed. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and guidances for iBCI were expounded as a breakthrough medical device. Furthermore, several iBCI products in the process of applying for medical device registration certificate were briefly introduced and compared recently. Due to the complexity of iBCI in clinical application, the translational applications and industrialization of iBCI as a medical device need the closely cooperation between regulatory departments, companies, universities, institutes and hospitals in the future.

Overview of aristolochic acid nephropathy: an update

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a rapidly progressive renal interstitial fibrosis caused by medical or environmental exposure to aristolochic acid (AA). Since the outbreak of AAN in Belgium was reported nearly 30 years ago, the safety of herbal remedies has drawn considerable attention, and AAN has become a global public health problem. Breakthroughs have been made to better understand the disease, including the toxicity of AAs, the possible mechanisms of AAN, the disease patterns, and the pathological features; however, some critical problems remain unresolved. Because of the insidious onset of the disease, the incidence of AAN and the prevalence of exposure to AAs are unknown and might be largely underestimated. During the past decades, AA-containing herbs have been strictly administrated in many regions and the occurrence of AAN has declined sharply, yet cases of AAN are still sporadically reported. Despite the progress in the understanding of the disease’s pathogenesis, there is no effective treatment for delaying or reversing the renal deterioration caused by AAN. Therefore, the risk of exposure to AAs should be taken seriously by public health workers and clinicians. In this review, we updated the latest data on AAN, summarized the advances throughout these years, and put forward some challenges for future research.

Influencing factors of small intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing small intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. Methods: The clinical data of 105 elderly patients admitted for surgical procedures of incarcerated hernia at Department of General Surgery, Huadong Hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 60 males and 45 females, aged (86.1±4.3) years (range: 80 to 96 years). They were divided into normal group (n=55) and ischemic group (n=50) according to intraoperative intestinal canal condition. The t test, χ2 test and Fisher's exact probability method were used for the univariate analysis of the factors that influence intestinal ischemia in patients, and Logistic regression was used for multifactorial analysis. Results: In all patients, 18 patients (17.1%) had irreversible intestinal ischemia with bowel resection. Six patients died within 30 days, 3 cases from severe abdominal infection, 2 cases from postoperative exacerbation of underlying cardiac disease, and 1 case from respiratory failure due to severe pulmonary infection. The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were differences in gender, history of intussusception, duration of previous hernia, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, type of incarcerated hernia, and preoperative intestinal obstruction between the two groups (all P<0.05). The Logistic regression results showed that the short time to the previous hernia (OR=0.892, 95%CI 0.872 to 0.962, P=0.003), high C-reactive protein (OR=1.022, 95%CI 1.007 to 1.037, P=0.003), non-indirect incarcerated hernia (OR=10.571, 95%CI 3.711 to 30.114, P<0.01) and preoperative intestinal obstruction (OR=6.438, 95%CI 1.762 to 23.522, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for the development of intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. Conclusions: The short duration of the previous hernia, the high values of C-reactive proteins, the non-indirect incarcerated hernia, and the preoperative bowel obstruction are influencing factors for bowel ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. A timely operation is necessary to reduce the incidence of intestinal necrosis and improve the prognosis.

Association of maternal isolated thyroid peroxidase antibody positive in the first trimester with fetal growth / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the association of isolated thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positive in the first trimester with fetal growth.@*METHODS@#A total of 16 446 pregnant women were included in the birth cohort study, whose last menstrual period was between May 2016 and April 2019 and with singleton pregnancy. Maternal serum samples were collected when they firstly came for prenatal care in the first trimester. The pregnant women were consecutively seen and followed in the hospital and the information of pregnant women was extracted from the electronic medical information system. The pregnant women were divided into isolated TPOAb positive group (n=1 654) and euthyroid group (n=14 792). Three fetal ultrasound examinations were scheduled during the routine prenatal visits at the hospital and were performed by trained sonographers. All fetal growth indicators were quantified as gestational age- and gender- adjusted standard deviation score (Z-score) using the generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS). Fetal growth indicators included estimated fetal weight (EFW), abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL) and head circumference (HC). Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was defined as AC or EFW Z-score＜3rd centile based on clinical consensus. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was applied to assess the association of maternal isolated TPOAb positive with fetal growth. The generalized linear model was further used to analyze the association between isolated TPOAb positive and fetal growth indicator at different gestational ages when the fetal growth indicator was significantly associated with isolated TPOAb positive in the GEE mo-del.@*RESULTS@#The median gestational age at three ultrasound measurements was 23.6 (23.3, 24.1), 30.3 (29.7, 30.9), 37.3 (37.0, 37.7) weeks, respectively. The BPD Z-score was higher in isolated TPOAb positive women, compared with the euthyroid pregnant women after adjustment (β=0.057, 95%CI: 0.014-0.100, P=0.009). The generalized linear model showed the BPD Z-score was higher in the isolated TPOAb positive women at the end of 21-25 weeks (β=0.052, 95%CI: 0.001-0.103, P=0.044), 29-32 weeks (β=0.055, 95%CI: 0.004-0.107, P=0.035) and 36-40 weeks (β=0.068, 95%CI: 0.011-0.125, P=0.020), compared with the euthyroid pregnant women. There was no difference in other fetal growth indicators (EFW, AC, FL and HC) and FGR between the isolated TPOAb positive and euthyroid pregnant women.@*CONCLUSION@#The BPD Z-score was slightly increased in the isolated TPOAb positive pregnant women in the first trimester, while other fetal growth indicators were not changed. The reproducibility and practical significance of this result need to be confirmed.

Comparison of IgG Antibody Levels in Mice Immunized with SARS-CoV-2 RBD Proteins Produced from Two Expression Systems / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

The COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading around the world,posing a severe challenge to public health security and economic development in China and beyond. The pivotal process of SARS-COV-2 invasion is that the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Coronavirus spike protein binds with the angioten-sin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on host cells. Therefore, RBD is closely related to our major anti-epidemic strategies such as rapid pathogen detection and development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. In this study, we aim to compare the anti-RBD IgG by immunizing mice with the recombinant RBDs of novel Coronavirus spike protein, and evaluate the antibody titers and duration elicited by RBD produced from different host cells and used in different doses, which can be used for vaccine evaluation, drug development, and pathogen detection. SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry analysis showed that the molecular weight of bRBD (produced by insect cells) and hRBD (produced by mammalian cells) were slightly different, which are mainly caused by different glycosylation modification. Flow cytometry revealed that the binding rates of bRBD and hRBD to HEK293-ACE2-overexpressing cells were 88. 5% and 92. 7%, respectively, indicating that both antigens have favorable bioactivity. Balb/ c mice are immunized intramuscularly with 10 μg and 20 μg per mouse of RBD proteins, which were mixed with Quick Antibody adjuvant previously, and blood samples collected from the tail at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the primary immunization. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that both RBD immunization with 10 μg or 20 μg could induce a rapid immune response to produce IgG antibodies. The antibody titers reached the peak at 4-6 weeks post first immunization, and persisted over a long time up to 6 months. No significant difference was observed in the induced antibody titers by bRBD and hRBD as well as their different doses. Virus Neutralization Assays showed that specific antibodies induced by RBD-immunized mice could inhibit the infection of ACE2-positive cells by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. These results suggest that both RBD proteins through commendable adjuvant inoculation can rapidly induce an effective humoral immune response and generate specific neutralizing antibodies. It is expected to be helpful for rapid preparation of antibodies against the future various RBD mutants during the pandemic.

Effects of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy on attention in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

This study evaluated the short-term effects of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and cisplatin concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) on attention in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Timely detection and early prevention of cognitive decline are important in cancer patients, because long-term cognitive effects may be permanent and irreversible. Thirty-eight NPC patients treated with IMRT (17/38) or CCRT (21/38) and 38 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Neuropsychological tests were administered to each patient before treatment initiation and within a week after treatment completion. Changes in attention performance over time were evaluated using difference values (D-values). Decreased attention was already observable in patients with NPC prior to treatment. Baseline quotient scores for auditory attention, auditory and visual vigilance, and auditory speed were lower in patients treated with CCRT than in healthy controls (P=0.037, P=0.001, P=0.007, P=0.032, respectively). Auditory stamina D-values were higher in patients treated with IMRT alone (P=0.042), while full-scale response control quotient D-values were lower in patients treated with CCRT (P=0.030) than in healthy controls. Gender, depression, education, and sleep quality were each related to decreased attention and response control. Our results showed that IMRT had no negative acute effects on attention in NPC patients, while CCRT decreased response control.

miR-7/TGF-β2 axis sustains acidic tumor microenvironment-induced lung cancer metastasis

Acidosis, regardless of hypoxia involvement, is recognized as a chronic and harsh tumor microenvironment (TME) that educates malignant cells to thrive and metastasize. Although overwhelming evidence supports an acidic environment as a driver or ubiquitous hallmark of cancer progression, the unrevealed core mechanisms underlying the direct effect of acidification on tumorigenesis have hindered the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and clinical therapy. Here, chemical-induced and transgenic mouse models for colon, liver and lung cancer were established, respectively. miR-7 and TGF-β2 expressions were examined in clinical tissues (n = 184). RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, proteomics, biosynthesis analyses and functional studies were performed to validate the mechanisms involved in the acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis. Our data show that lung cancer is sensitive to the increased acidification of TME, and acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis via inhibition of miR-7-5p. TGF-β2 is a direct target of miR-7-5p. The reduced expression of miR-7-5p subsequently increases the expression of TGF-β2 which enhances the metastatic potential of the lung cancer. Indeed, overexpression of miR-7-5p reduces the acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Furthermore, the human lung tumor samples also show a reduced miR-7-5p expression but an elevated level of activated TGF-β2; the expressions of both miR-7-5p and TGF-β2 are correlated with patients' survival. We are the first to identify the role of the miR-7/TGF-β2 axis in acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Our study not only delineates how acidification directly affects tumorigenesis, but also suggests miR-7 is a novel reliable biomarker for acidic TME and a novel therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Our study opens an avenue to explore the pH-sensitive subcellular components as novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Fate of DDT-related compounds in Bohai Bay and its adjacent Haihe Basin, North China.

Concentrations of ten DDTs (2,2-bis-(chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane) of which p,p'-DDA (2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)acetic acid), p,p'-DDM (bis(chlorophenyl)methane) and p,p'-DBP (dichlorobenzophenone) are often neglected, were measured in 25 water and 25 sedimentary samples from Bohai Bay and its adjacent Haihe Basin. The ratio of o,p'-DDX/p,p'-DDX in the upper reaches of Yongdingxin River ranged from 0.71 to 2.44, suggesting that the potential source of pollution would be the manufacturing or use of dicofol near this river. While DDA accounted for 52-93% of the SigmaDDT concentration in water, DDA was only detected in three sedimentary samples. And DDM was found to be an important degradation product of DDT in water following DDA. It should be noted that DBP (0.60-3.30 ng/g) is a major metabolite comparable with DDE (2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene, nondetectable-1.80 ng/g) and DDD (2,2-bis-(chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane, nondetectable-2.86 ng/g) in sediment in Bohai Bay. Finally, the SigmaDDT concentration in sedimentary sample from Bohai Bay was found to be dependent on the TOC (total organic carbon) value.

Auxiliary analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on patients undergoing transforaminal endoscope surgery / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the auxiliary analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on patients undergoing transforaminal endoscope surgery.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent percutaneous lateral transforaminal endoscope surgery were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with injection of 1% lidocaine for routine local infiltration anesthesia. The patients in the observation group were treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture at lower 5 area and lower 6 area for 30 min, 5 min before routine local infiltration anesthesia; immediately, 15 min, 30 min after insertion the left-right technique, up-down technique, and rotation technique were applied for six times, respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), blood oxygen saturation (SpO) and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between the two groups at the time points of intraoperative puncture (T), circular saw grinding (T), and placement of working channel (T). The intention of reoperation was recorded immediately after operation and 24 h after operation. The expectation and treatment credibility scale (ETCS) was used to evaluate the relationship between patients' expectation and efficacy 5 min before operation and immediately after operation.@*RESULTS@#At T and T during the operation, the MAP and HR in the obserrvation group were lower than those in the control group, while SpO was higher than that in the control group (0.05). At T, the peak VAS and average VAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (0.05). The intention of reoperation in the observation group was higher than that in the control group both immediately after operation and 24 h after operation (0.05). The scores of ETCS1, ETCS2 and ETCS3 immediately after operation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The wrist-ankle acupuncture has positive auxiliary analgesic effect on lumbago during transforaminal endoscope surgery, and strengthens the patients' confidence on the operation effect.