[Development of a nomogram for predicting the risk of colorectal advanced adenomas].

Objective: To explore the risk factors of colorectal advanced adenomas (AA) and construct a nomogram to predict the risk of colorectal AAs. Methods: Clinical data of patients were retrospectively collected who underwent their first colonoscopy from January 2017 to December 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and were pathologically confirmed harboring colorectal polyps. A credible random split-sample method was used to divide data into training and validation cohorts (split ratio=7∶3). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify the predictors of colorectal advanced adenomas, and a nomogram was developed based on the above results. The validation cohort was used for internal validation of the nomogram. The discriminatory value of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The consistency between actual outcomes and predicted probabilities was evaluated by the calibration curve. The clinical validity of the model was evaluated by the decision analysis curve (DCA). Results: A total of 1 936 patients with colorectal polyps were eligible. Including 1 356 patients in the training cohort (840 males and 516 females), and 580 patients in the validation cohort (379 males and 201 females), with the mean ages of (57.4±9.8) and (57.6±9.7) years, respectively. There were 1 502 (77.6%) patients without AAs and 434 [22.4%,1-9 mm 73(16.8%) cases、>9-<20 mm 271(62.5%) cases、≥20 mm 90(20.7%) cases] patients with AAs. The regression analysis found that age (OR=1.018, 95%CI:1.003-1.033), fatty liver (OR=1.870, 95%CI:1.274-2.744), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (OR=1.378, 95%CI:1.159-1.637), fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (OR=2.597, 95%CI:1.857-3.631), and location of adenomas [proximal (OR=2.869, 95%CI:1.727-4.764), distal (OR=2.791, 95%CI:1.721-4.527)] were identified as predictors of colorectal AAs. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.664 (95%CI:0.630-0.698) in the training cohort and 0.640 (95%CI:0.587-0.693) in the validation cohort. The calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted and actual risk, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test P value was 0.830 and 0.150 in the training cohort and the validation cohort. DCA demonstrated that the nomogram had a better clinical application value. Conclusions: A nomogram with five predictors, including age, fatty liver, LDL, FOBT, and location of adenomas, helped predict the risk of colorectal AAs in patients with polyps and implemented colorectcal cancer stratified screening strategy for colonoscopy in the high-risk population.

[Meta-analysis of ß-blockers for the primary prevention of liver cirrhosis with clinically significant portal hypertension with no or small esophageal varices].

Objective: To explore whether NSBB is suitable for the primary prevention of liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices. Methods: Relevant literatures were retrieved from Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, SinoMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases until December 12, 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on NSBB use for primary prevention of cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices were collected. The literature was strictly screened according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) combined effect size. The development of esophageal varices and the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding were the primary outcome measures. Death (with a maximum average follow-up of about five years) and adverse events (adverse drug reactions, etc.) were the secondary outcome measures. Results: A total of 9 RCTs with 1396 cases were included. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with placebo, NSBB significantly reduced the incidence of liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices to large esophageal varices progression (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.29-0.89, P=0.02), and mortality (with maximum average follow-up of about five years) (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.92, P=0.02); however, there was no statistically significant difference in the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding rate between the two groups (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.44-1.52, P=0.53). Adverse event incidence was greater in the NSBB than the placebo group (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.27-2.37, P=0.0005). Conclusions: NSBB use cannot reduce the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding rate or adverse event incidence in patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices, but it can delay the progression of gastroesophageal varices and reduce patient mortality.

[Efficacy comparison of primary percutaneous coronary intervention by drug-coated balloon angioplasty or drug-eluting stenting in acute myocardial infarction patients with de novo coronary lesions].

Objective: To compare the safety profile, angiographic and clinical outcomes between drug-coated balloon(DCB) only strategy versus drug eluting stent(DES) implantation in primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) for acute myocardial infarction(AMI) patients. Methods: A total of 380 AMI patients who underwent primary PCI in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2016 to May 2019 were enrolled. They were allocated into DEB group(n=180) or DES group(n=200). The Primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events(MACE) in hospital and within 3 months after discharge, the composite event of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction(MI), target vessel revascularization(TVR) and in stent thrombosis. The secondary endpoints included: (1)TIMI blood flow grade and myocardial perfusion grade (TMP grade) of infarct-related vessels before and after PCI. (2)The degree of ST segment resolution(STR) between half hour and two hours after PCI, and STR was represented by percentage of summed ST-segment reduction between baseline and post-PCI. Using the most significant lead of ST segment elevation, calculating the rate of decline in the ST segment after treatment; or the most significant lead of the ST segment depression, to calculate the rate of recovery in the ST segment after treatment. STR<50% was defined as incomplete STR. (3)The occurrence of coronary artery dissection during operation. (4)The peak value of myocardial enzymes. (5)The incidence of bleeding in hospital and within 3 months after discharge. The inverse probability weighting method based on propensity score (IPTW) was used to compare the effects of the two treatments on MACE occurrence in the logistic regression model. Results: There was no significant difference in sex, age, risk factors of coronary heart disease, type and site of AMI, interventional therapy data(P>0.05) between the two groups. The ratio of bifurcation lesions in DCB group was significantly higher than that in DES group, and the diameter of the DCB was smaller while the length was longer than that of DES (all P<0.05). One death occurred in each group during hospitalization. Compared with the DES group, the incidence of MI ï¼»2.8%(5/180) vs. 0.5% (1/200), P=0.10ï¼½ and TVR ï¼»2.8%(5/180) vs. 0.5%(1/200), P=0.10ï¼½ in the DCB group during hospitalization showed an increasing trend, and were mostly associated with delayed coronary dissection. The incidence of MACE was similar between the two groups (3.3%(6/180) and 1.0%(2/200), P=0.15) during hospitalization. There was no MACE occurred in the two groups within 3 months after discharge. There was no significant difference between the two groups in TIMI grade, TMP grade, incomplete STR rate and peak value of myocardial enzyme (all P>0.05). The incidence of coronary artery dissection was significantly higher in DCB group than in DES group (8.3%(15/180) and 3.0%(6/200), P=0.02), but most of them were type B or A dissection and did not need special treatment. There was no significant difference in bleeding event between the two groups(P=0.91). Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no difference in the risk of MACE during hospitalization between DES and DCB groups for AMI patients receiving PCI (compared with DCB, OR=0.35, 95%CI 0.08-1.43, P=0.13). Conclusions: The initial safety and efficacy profiles of DCB are similar with those of DES for the AMI patients during PCI. The study highlights that the incidence of coronary dissection (type A or B) is higher post DCB treatment than post DES, but it does not affect blood flow. However, the incidence of in-hospital MI due to delayed coronary dissection trends to be higher post DCB. So we should pay close attention to the risk of delayed coronary dissection after DCB in AMI patients with de novo lesion.

[A survey on high-risk behaviors and HIV infection among men having sex with men who use drugs in Tianjin in 2016].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of high risk sexual behaviors and HIV infectious status among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use drugs in Tianjin in 2016. Methods: From April to December in 2016, MSM who use drugs in Tianjin were targetedly and extensively mobilized to receive testing by snowball sampling method. The inclusion criteria were as follows: men aged 18 years old and above; have had oral or anal sex with men in the last 6 months; have had drug abuse history in the last 6 months, including the use of rush poppers, 5-Methoxy-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DiPT), and Methamphetamine Synthesis substances; and with no mental disorder or mental deficiency. In this study, 302 MSMs were recruited to collect information of social demographic characteristics, drug abuse situation, sexual behavior after drug use, HIV test and the infectious status was collected through the online questionnaire, and the descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: From January to December 2016, a total of 302 subjects were recruited, among whom 194 (64.2%) aged 21-30 years old, 223 (73.8%) were unmarried and 28 (9.3%) were students. In the past 6 months, 297 (98.3%) used rush poppers, 31 (10.3%) used 5-MeO-DiPT, and 14(4.6%) used Methamphetamine Synthesis substances. The proportion of having sex after using the three types of drugs were 87.9% (n=261), 83.9% (n=26) and 92.9% (n=13), 85.5% (n=254), 87.1% (n=27) and 92.9% (n=13) of the subjects reported the sexual pleasure and sexual desire increased after using drugs, respectively. After using the three types of the drugs,58.6% (n=174), 83.9% (n=26) and 92.9% (n=13) of the subjects reported the duration of each sexual activity prolonged. In the past 3 months,48.3% (n=146) had stable sexual partners, 72.5% (n=219) had temporary sexual partners and 12.3% (n=37) had group sexual behaviors. 41 out of 302 subjects were HIV positive with the HIV positive rate at 13.6%. Conclusion: Most of the MSM who use drugs were young, and always had sex when they use drugs. There is a relatively high HIV prevalence in this population.

[The situation and associated factors of facility-based HIV testing among men who sex with men in Beijing].

Objective: To understand the prevalence of facility-based HIV testing and its associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing city. Methods: An application-based cross-sectional survey was employed to understand HIV site test situation and associated factors. The survey was carried out from May 14(th) to 21(st), 2016. Users of a smart phone application for gay dating were recruited and those eligible for this survey were investigated with an online self-administered questionnaire. Information of demographics, sexual behaviors, facility-based HIV testing history and recreational drug abuses were collected. The multivariate logistic regression was used to make comparison among different groups and assess associated factors. Results: A total of 7 494 participants were enrolled in the survey with mean age of (28.81 ± 7.38) years, 87.14% (6 530/7 494) sought sexual partners through internet. The proportion of facility-based HIV testing in 1 year was 42.55% (3 189/7 494), MSM who were 25-29 years had higher proportion of facility-based HIV testing in 1 year, the proportion was 45.56%(1 104/2 423). Among MSM who could insist in using condom during anal sex (50.46% (1 539/3 050)), the proportion of HIV site testing in 1 year was higher. The MSM who reported seeking healthcare for symptoms of a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past year or ever using recreational drug had higher proportion of facility-based HIV testing, the proportions were 56.81% (409/720) and 52.00% (1 340/4 917), respectively. Compared with alone cohabitation, cohabitating was associated with decreased odds of HIV facility-based testing in past 1 year(odds ratio (OR)= 0.79, P<0.001). Compared with homosexual sexual orientation, bisexual sexual orientation was associated with decreased odds of facility-based HIV testing (OR=0.83, P=0.004). With the increasing of number of male anal sex partners, the odds of HIV facility-based testing was increasing (OR=1.31, P<0.001) But with the decreasing of the frequency of condom using with male anal sex partners, the odds of facility-based HIV testing was decreasing (OR=0.85, P=0.014). Using recreational drugs (OR=1.36, P<0.001) and seeking healthcare for symptoms of a STI in the past 1 year (OR=1.73, P<0.001) were associated with decreased odds of HIV site testing. Conclusion: MSM in Beijing had lower proportion of facility-based HIV testing in past 1 year. Multiple anal sex partners, using recreational drugs, seeking healthcare for symptoms of a STI in the past year, cohabitating, bisexual sexual orientation, and lower frequency of condom using with male anal sex partners were associated with the odds of HIV facility-based testing in past 1 year.

[The effect and safety of tirofiban on acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients receiving no early reperfusion therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of tirofiban on acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients who do not receive early reperfusion therapy. METHODS: A total of 153 STEMI patients without early reperfusion therapy were randomly distributed into tirofiban group (therapeutic group, n=78) and non-tirofiban group (control group, n=75). Coronary angiography was performed on the 5(th) and 10(th) day after treatment, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was conducted when necessary. The differences of initial patency of the infarct related artery (IRA), bleeding complication and clinic events within 30 days between these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Tirofiban did not increase the percentage of patients with initial patency of IRA (60.3% vs 64.0%, P=0.63). The percentage of patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 after PCI was 100.0% in tirofiban group and 97.1% in the control group (P=0.09). However, application of tirofiban significantly decreased poor myocardial perfusion rate after PCI (1.4% vs 8.8%, P=0.04). No significant differences were observed in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (3.8% vs 2.7%, P=0.68) between therapeutic and control group. The same is true for mild (5/78 vs 4/75 cases, P=0.78) and severe hemorrhage (2/78 vs 1/75 cases, P=0.58), and severe thrombocytopenia (2/78 vs 0/75 cases, P=0.10) between these two groups within 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Tirofiban did not increase initial patency in STEMI patients without early reperfusion therapy. However, it can improve myocardial perfusion after PCI.

[The social marketing models and policy advices for HIV rapid testing initiated by non-govermental organization].

Currently, a growing number of community-based organizations are providing rapid HIV testing service in various forms, some people with specific needs also purchase HIV rapid test papers through online sales channels, those imply that the demand of HIV self-test is in increasing year by year.In this paper, aims to understand the current situation of HIV rapid test led by CBOs and the approach, strategies and results of social marketing by means of expert interviews and site visits. Hope to illustrate the current situation, and make recommendations for future work.

First Report of Sporobolomyces symmetricus Induced Red Spot Disease of Pleurotus eryngii in China.

Pleurotus eryngii is cultivated on a large scale in China and other Asian countries due to its exceptional flavor and its popularity in cuisine. In January of 2009, red spot disease on cultivated P. eryngii was observed in several workshops of mushroom producing factories located at Fangshan District, Beijing, China. Symptoms of this disease began as orange red spots 2 to 4 cm in diam. on the surface of stipes near pilei. The spots did not arise from wounding, and growth of the affected mushrooms halted. Commercial losses for these factories were estimated at 10 to 15%. Samples of diseased tissue were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and dominant colonies were selected for characterization. After 3 days in YM broth (Difco) at 25°C, yeast cells developed that were ellipsoid, botuliform, 4.8 to 7.2 × 2.4 to 3.6 µm, and sediment-formed. After incubation for 1 month on YM agar at 25°C, streak cultures were nacarat, cheese-like, glistening and had a smooth surface and complete margin. On Dalmau plate cultures on cornmeal agar (Difco), no pseudohyphae were formed. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. KF314801 and KF314803). A neighbor-joining (NJ) tree for the D1/D2 domain showed that the yeast belonged to the Urediniomycetes with the highest similarity (99.6%) to Sporobolomyces symmetricus CBS 9727T. BLAST results for the ITS sequence showed that it was 100% identical to S. symmetricus CBS 9727T. Furthermore, the metabolic profile of the fungal strain also closely resembled the database profile of S. symmetricus CBS 9727T with the exception of two phenotypic characteristics (positive assimilation of D-Galactose and D-Xylose). The DNA G+C content of the strain was measured by HPLC and was found to be 55.40 mol%. The whole-cell fatty acid methyl ester major composition determined using the cells harvested from cultures grown on PDA for 3 days at 25°C was as follows: 1.23% C16:1 w7c/16:1 w6c, 21.87% C16:0, 29.40% C18:0 antei/C18:2 w6, 9c, 40.41% C18:1 w9c, 3.36% C18:1 w7c, 1.93% C18:0. After comparing the morphological, phenotypic, and molecular analyses with the type strain of S. symmetricus CBS 9727T, the strain isolated in the present study was identified as S. symmetricus (2). Pathogenicity tests for the isolate were carried out with yeast suspensions (~1 × 106 CFU/ml) grown for 72 h in PDB (Difco) cultures. Mycelia of P. eryngii were cultivated for 35 days in a plastic bottle to serve as a host source. The prepared yeast cell suspensions were directly inoculated on the surface of the young fruiting body. After 5 to 7 days, red spot symptoms identical to those described above developed on the stipes and pilei and development of the mushrooms was inhibited. Fruiting bodies in negative control bottles inoculated with PDB did not develop symptoms. Koch's postulates were thus fulfilled by re-isolating S. symmetricus that was identical to the inoculated strain from lesions on the inoculated fruiting bodies. Sporobolomyces spp. are closely phylogenetically related to the genus Rhodotorula. Pathogenic potential of Rhodotorula species has been increasingly recognized in recent years (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. symmetricus-induced red spot disease of P. eryngii in China. Information on this pathogen will be useful in the development of management practices for this emerging disease in the near future. References: (1) M. A. Pfaller and D. J. Diekema. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42:4419, 2004. (2) Q. M. Wang and F. Y. Bai. FEMS Yeast Res. 4:579, 2004.

First Report of Pantoea beijingensis Induced Soft Rot Disease of Pleurotus nebrodensis in China.

Pleurotus nebrodensis is a popular edible fungus in China. In December 2009, soft rot disease appeared on fruiting bodies of P. neberodensis in greenhouses located at Haidian District of Beijing, China. Early symptoms were water-soaked lesions on the pilei of the fruiting bodies. Lesions then spread and purulent tissues were formed. Severe soft rot induced production of deformed fruiting bodies and offensive odor. Diseased fruiting bodies stopped growth and commercial losses were estimated at 5 to 10%. Internal sections of the diseased pilei about 0.5 × 0.5 cm were suspended in 0.85% NaCl and the suspension was spread on trypticase soy agar (TSA) media. After incubation at 30°C for 2 days, dominant bacterial colonies were yellow, smooth, round, and convex. Cells were gram-negative, short rods, non-capsulated, motile, and non-spore forming. The 16S rRNA gene (1,408 bp, GenBank Accession No. KF849293) was amplified by using the universal forward primer P1 (5'-AGAGTTTGATCCTGGTCAGAACGCT-3') and the universal reverse primer P6 (5'-TACGGCTACCTTGTTACGACTTCACCCC-3'). Neighbor-joining tree analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated the isolates belonged to the genus Pantoea and showed highest similarity with Pantoea beijingensis LMG 27579T (99.9% similarity, 2 base pair differences), which was isolated from the diseased fruiting bodies of P. eryngii in China. Pantoea sp. PA4, reported to be the pathogen of soft rot disease of P. eryngii in Korea (1), showed 99.8% similarity with P. ananatis ATCC 33244T, which suggested our isolates belonged to a different species with Pantoea sp. PA4 (supported by 97.9% similarity between the present isolates and Pantoea sp. PA4) (2). Results of physiological properties and enzyme activities determined by the API 20E, API 20NE, API 50CH, API ZYM (bioMérieux), and GN2 MicroPlate (Biolog) system showed that there was no difference between the present isolates and P. beijingensis LMG 27579T. Pathogenicity tests for these isolates were performed with bacterial suspensions (approximately 1 × 106 CFU/ml) that were grown for 24 h in trypticase soy broth (TSB). Fruiting bodies of P. nebrodensis were induced after spawn was run for 30 days in plastic bags. When the young fruiting bodies were forming, the prepared bacterial suspension was sprayed onto the surface of the pilei. Sterilized TSB media was used as a negative control. All inoculated fruiting bodies were then incubated at 16°C with 80 to 95% relative humidity. Assays were conducted twice and five fruiting bodies were used each time. Results were observed after 5 to 10 days of incubation. The symptoms that developed were similar to those observed in the original samples. The negative control remained symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re-isolating bacteria, which were identical to the original isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological properties and enzyme activities. Pantoea ananatis was first reported as a pathogen of Pleurotus eryngii, causing soft rot disease (1), but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. beijingensis- induced soft rot disease of P. nebrodensis in China. This disease may be an emerging disease problem in the near future and information on this pathogen will be useful in the development of management practices. References: (1) M. K. Kim et al. Plant Dis. 91:109. 2007. (2) Y. Liu et al. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 104:1039, 2013.

[Status and associated factors of pre-exposure prophylaxis use among men who have sex with men in 24 cities in China].

Objective: To understand the cognition and medication use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China and its associated factors. Method: From August 25 to September 5, 2021, 2 447 MSM were recruited in 24 cities to complete the online questionnaire through a male social interaction platform, Blued 7.5 software. The survey contents included demographic information of the respondents, PrEP awareness and usage, and risk behaviors. Descriptive analysis and multi-level logistic regression were performed for data analysis. SPSS 24.0 and SAS 9.4 software were used for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 2 447 respondents of MSM, 1 712 (69.96%) had heard of PrEP, 437 (17.86%) ever used PrEP, 274 (11.20%) were on PrEP, and 163 (6.66%) had discontinued PrEP; among the 437 cases (whoever used PrEP), more than 61.88% (388/627) adopted emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimen, and most of them adopted on-demand regimen. The average PrEP dosage reported in the past year is 1.12 tabletsper person per week. PrEP purchase was primarily via an online channel, and the most concerned factor was the PrEP effectiveness on HIV prevention. The most common reasons for discontinuing PrEP, reported by 163 cases, were the lack of HIV risk perception, the use of a condom to prevent HIV, and the economic burden of PrEP use. The logistic regression analysis showed that PrEP use among MSM in 24 cities was statistically associated with age, monthly income, ever having unprotected anal sex in the past year, used sexual drugs and sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis in the past year. Compared with MSM aged 18-24, the proportion of MSM was relatively lower among those aged 25-44, who discontinued the PrEP (aOR=0.54,95%CI:0.34-0.87) or never used PrEP (aOR=0.62,95%CI:0.44-0.87). The proportion of unprotected anal sex among MSM currently on PrEP use was higher than those who have stopped PrEP and never used PrEP (all P<0.05). Those MSM group, with monthly income higher than 5 000 Yuan, used sexual drugs and STD diagnosis in the past year were more likely to have a higher rate for PrEP usage (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Currently, pre-exposure prophylaxis in the MSM group is primarily obtained via the online channel and adopted in an on-demand mode. Although the PrEP users have reached a certain proportion, it is still necessary to strengthen health education on the PrEP effects and side effects of MSM and to improve the awareness and use rate, especially for young MSM group, which can be combined with the advantages of the internet targeting its needs and use barriers.

Long non-coding RNAs and small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 contribute to the depression-like behavior of hypothyroid mice by promoting methylation of the brain-derived neuropathic factor promoter that is mediated by DNA methyltransferase 1.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) have attracted extensive attention due to their involvement in various pathological processes. However, the functional role of lncRNA SNHG6 in depression-like behavior induced by hypothyroidism is still largely unknown. Our study was designed to explore the biological role of lncRNA SNHG6 in depression-like behavior induced by hypothyroidism and the underlying mechanisms. First, the depression-like behavior of hypothyroid mice was investigated after lncRNA SNHG6 knockdown. Subsequently, the regulation of the methylation levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoters by lncRNA SNHG6 was evaluated. To reveal the underlying mechanisms of lncRNA SNHG6 in the methylation of the BDNF promoters, RNA pull-down assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and co-immunoprecipitation were performed. Further experiments were also conducted to investigate the roles of DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in the depression-like behavior induced by hypothyroidism. In this study, elevated levels of lncRNA SNHG6 were noted in the hippocampus in hypothyroid mice. Function assays proved that lncRNA SNHG6 knockdown alleviated the depression-like behavior induced by hypothyroidism. Furthermore, a mechanistic investigation validated that lncRNA SNHG6 stabilized DNMT1 by blocking UHRF1-mediated DNMT1 ubiquitination, which increased the methylation levels of the BDNF promoters. Moreover, DNMT1 was found to be involved in depression-like behavior in hypothyroid mice. Our findings revealed a novel mechanism by which lncRNA SNHG6 promotes the methylation levels of the BDNF promoters by stabilizing DNMT1 and sheds light on potential therapeutic strategies for depression-like behavior induced by hypothyroidism.

[A cohort study on the incidence of HIV infection in drug abusers among men who have sex with men in Shanghai and Tianjin].

Objective: To analyze the incidence of HIV infection and identify associated risk factors in drug abusers among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tianjin and Shanghai through a cohort study and provide a basis for HIV prevention in this population. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among MSM who had a history of drug abuse in the past six months from June 2016 to June 2018 in the two cities. MSM were investigated to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related sexual behaviors, and drug abuse. Follow-up investigation and HIV testing were carried out based on the baseline survey and testing. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for HIV infection. Results: There were 455 eligible subjects, and 16 new HIV infection cases were identified in the 2-year follow-up survey. The cumulative follow-up time was 586.08 person-years, and the incidence of HIV infection was 2.73/100 person-years. The multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that compared with those aged ≥25 years, consistent condom use during anal sex with men in the past six months, without mixed-use of drugs, these aged <25 years (HR=5.01, 95%CI: 1.09-23.11), inconsistent condom use during anal sex with men in the past six months (HR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.04-2.41) and mixed-use of drugs (HR=1.92, 95%CI: 1.08-3.40) were significantly associated with HIV infection in this cohort. Conclusions: The younger age, inconsistent condom use during anal sex with men, and mixed drug use appeared as risk factors of new HIV infection in drug abusers among MSM. HIV prevention and intervention in this population should be further strengthened.

Influences of miR-708 on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through targeted regulation of ADAM17.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the influences of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-708 on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) in a targeted manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established, and the differentially expressed miRNAs in the cerebral tissues of rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury were detected via sequencing. The research was performed in control group (PC12 cells received no treatment), inhibitor group (the expression of miR-708 in PC12 cells was down-regulated using miR-708 inhibitor), and interference + inhibitor group [PC12 cells were co-treated with miR-708 inhibitor and ADAM17 small interfering RNA (siRNA)]. Then, the expression of ADAM17 in cells, proliferation ability of cells, and number of apoptotic cells were detected in each group. RESULTS: A total of 225 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained through miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, of which miR-708, miR-169, miR-26, and miR-96 were highly expressed, whereas miR-122, miR-118, and miR-177 were lowly expressed in rats in ischemia-reperfusion group. Compared with that in control group, the level of miR-708 declined significantly in inhibitor group after treatment with miR-708 inhibitor. After treatment with miR-708 inhibitor, the protein expression level of ADAM17 in inhibitor group was evidently higher than that in control group, while its protein expression level in interference + inhibitor group was significantly decreased and restored, after interference of ADAM17 siRNA with protein expression. In comparison with control group, inhibitor group had increased apoptotic cells after miR-708 inhibitor treatment (p<0.05). Besides, after interference of ADAM17 siRNA with protein expression, there were a smaller number of apoptotic cells in interference + inhibitor group (p<0.05), showing mitigated apoptosis. Moreover, the proliferation ability of cells treated with miR-708 inhibitor in inhibitor group was weaker than that in control group (p<0.05), whereas the proliferation ability of cells in interference + inhibitor group was restored to a certain degree after ADAM17 siRNA interfered with the protein expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-708 can modulate ADAM17 in a targeted manner to affect cellular proliferation and apoptosis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

A decrease of human leucocyte antigen-DR expression on monocytes in peripheral blood predicts stroke-associated infection in critically-ill patients with acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate changes in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression on peripheral monocytes, determine the value of predicting the development of stroke-associated infection (SAI), and determine the correlation with other conditions in critically-ill patients in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) who suffered an acute stroke. METHODS: All patients were enrolled consecutively and admitted to NICU within 24 h after the onset of symptoms. Patients were followed in order to identify whether infection developed and determine survival status within 2 weeks after the stroke. Patients were divided into stroke or control group by study design, infection or non-infection group by whether or not they had an infection, survival or death group by prognosis and cerebral infarction or cerebral haemorrhage group by stroke type. Patients in which acute stroke was excluded by head CT or MRI were admitted to general ward and were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected serially on days 1, 2, 4, 6 and 14 after stroke, then monocyte human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression was determined by flow cytometry. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHEII) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were recorded over the course of observation. RESULTS: Fifty-three subjects and 39 controls were enrolled in the study. On days 1, 2, 4, 6 and 14, there was a significant difference in monocyte HLA-DR expression between stroke group and control group (all P < 0.001), but no difference was found between ischaemic stroke group and haemorrhagic stroke group (all P > 0.05). The infection group compared with non-infection group did not exhibit a significant difference in HLA-DR expression on days 1 and 2 (all P > 0.05), but significant differences emerged on days 4, 6 and 14 (all P < 0.01). On days 1 and 2 the HLA-DR expression in the survival group compared with death group, was not significantly different (all P > 0.05), but differences became significant on days 4 and 6 (P < 0.01). On day 1, HLA-DR expression <62.80% had the predictive value to SAI (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 55.2%, AUC = 0.661, P = 0.031) and on day 2, HLA-DR expression <57.83% had the predictive value to SAI (sensitivity 95.8%, specificity 79.3%, AUC = 0.907, P = 0.000) in acute stroke patients. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between NIHSS and HLA-DR on days 2 and 4 during the observation period (all P < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant negative correlation on days 1, 6 or 14 (all P > 0.05). HLA-DR expression did not correlate with APACHEII (all P > 0.05) or GCS (all P > 0.05) during the measurement period. CONCLUSIONS: Human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression decreases and sustains a dynamic change and it also relates to the severity of patient's condition in the critically-ill patients with stroke. Progressively persistent low monocyte HLA-DR expression is associated with a poor prognosis. The decline in HLA-DR expression contributes to infection in critically-acute stroke patients. Monitoring of monocyte HLA-DR expression may be useful for identifying patients suffering from acute stroke who are at high risk for infection.

Acupuncture for Bell's palsy.

BACKGROUND: Bell's palsy or idiopathic facial palsy is an acute facial paralysis due to inflammation of the facial nerve. A number of studies published in China have suggested acupuncture is beneficial for facial palsy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to examine the efficacy of acupuncture in hastening recovery and reducing long-term morbidity from Bell's palsy. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Register, MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2006), EMBASE (January 1980 to April 2006), LILACS (from January 1982 to April 2006) and the Chinese Biomedical Retrieval System (January 1978 to April 2006) for randomised controlled trials using 'Bell's palsy' and its synonyms, 'idiopathic facial paralysis' or 'facial palsy' as well as search terms including 'acupuncture'. Chinese journals in which we thought we might find randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials relevant to our study were handsearched. We reviewed the bibliographies of the randomised trials and contacted the authors and known experts in the field to identify additional published or unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials involving acupuncture in the treatment of Bell's palsy irrespective of any language restrictions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors identified potential articles from the literature search and extracted data independently using a data extraction form. The assessment of methodological quality included allocation concealment, patient blinding, differences at baseline of the experimental groups and completeness of follow-up. Two review authors assessed quality independently. All disagreements were resolved by discussion between the review authors. MAIN RESULTS: Six studies including a total of 537 participants met the inclusion criteria. Five of them used acupuncture while another one used acupuncture combined with drugs. No trials reported on the outcomes specified for this review. Harmful side effects were not reported in any of the trials. Flaws in study design or reporting (particularly uncertain allocation concealment and substantial loss to follow-up) and clinical differences between trials prevented conclusions about the efficacy of acupuncture. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the included trials was inadequate to allow any conclusion about the efficacy of acupuncture. More research with high quality trials is needed.

MiR-144 functions as tumor suppressor by targeting PIM1 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent types of malignant disease Worldwide. Mounting evidence has demonstrated the involvement of miRNAs in the development of GC. One of these miRNAs, miR-144 has been found aberrantly expressed in a variety of human malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: GC tissues were collected from patients, and the level of miR-144 was determined by qRT-PCR. GC cell lines SGC7901 and AGS were used as model cell lines and the anti-tumor effect of miR-144 in both cells were examined. The level of miR-144 was restored in GC cells using miR-144 mimic. Moreover, the target gene of miR-144 wad identified. RESULTS: In this study, our results showed that low miR-144 level significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis stage, TNM stage and differentiation degree. In addition, we found that miR-144 acted as a tumor suppressor in GC. Moreover, our findings showed that miR-144 exerted an anti-tumor effect by directly targeting RLIP76. CONCLUSIONS:   miR-144 acts as a tumor suppressor in GC and it is a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.

Assessing the Geographic Representativeness of Genebank Collections: the Case of Bolivian Wild Potatoes.

Genebank collection databases can be used for ecogeographical studies under the assumption that the accessions are a geographically unbiased sample. We evaluated the representativeness of a collection of wild potatoes from Bolivia and defined and assessed four types of bias: species, species-area, hotspot, and infrastructure. Species bias is the sampling of some species more often than others. Species-area bias is a sampling that is disproportionate to the total area in which a species is found. Hotspot bias is the disproportionate sampling of areas with high levels of diversity. Infrastructure bias is the disproportionate sampling of areas near roads and towns. Each of these biases is present in the Bolivian wild potato collection. The infrastructure bias was strong: 60% of all wild potato accessions were collected within 2 km of a road, as opposed to 22%, if collections had been made randomly. This analysis can serve as a guide for future collecting trips. It can also provide baseline information for the application of genebank data in studies based on geographic information systems.

RESUMEN: Las bases de datos de los bancos de germoplasma pueden ser usadas para estudios ecogeográficos bajo el supuesto que las entradas constituyen una muestra geográficamente imparcial. Evaluamos la representatividad geográfica de una colección de papas silvestres de Bolivia y definimos y evaluamos cuatro tipos de sesgos: sesgos de especie, de especie-área, de áreas con gran diversidad ( hotspot), y de infraestructura. El sesgo de especie implica el muestrear más algunas especies que otras. El sesgo de especie-área es un muestreo que es desproporcionado con respecto al total del área en la cual se encuentra una especie. El sesgo de "hotspot" es el muestreo desproporcionado de áreas con niveles altos de diversidad. El sesgo por infraestructura es aquel muestreo desproporcionado de áreas cercanas a carreteras y pueblos. Cada uno de estos sesgos se presenta en la colección de papas silvestres de Bolivia. El sesgo por infraestructura fue muy elevado: 60% de todas las entradas de papas silvestres fueron colectados dentro de un radio de 2 km de distancia de las carreteras, cuando se debería esperar un 22% si las colectas se hubieran hecho de manera aleatoria. Este análisis puede servir como guía para futuras exploraciones y proporciona una base para la aplicación de los datos de bancos de genes en estudios basados en sistemas de información geográfica.

Pathotypes of Pyricularia grisea in Rice Fields of Central and Southern China.

Blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyricularia grisea, is the most devastating disease of rice worldwide. Knowledge of the pathotype composition of the pathogen in rice fields is essential for rational deployment of resistance genes in rice breeding programs. In this study, we assayed the pathotypes of the pathogen populations using samples recently collected from 13 major rice-growing provinces of central and southern China. In all, 792 single spore isolates were tested for pathogenicity reactions using 13 host differentials consisting of six indica and seven japonica near-isogenic lines (NILs). The compositions of the pathogen populations were complex; 48 pathotypes were identified with the indica NILs, 82 pathotypes were detected with the japonica NILs, and a total of 344 pathotypes were identified with both indica and japonica NILs. There were large differences in distribution of the pathotypes among the different rice-growing areas. Even neighbor provinces seemed to differ sharply in types and frequencies of the most prevalent pathotypes. There was also a large difference in the frequencies of the isolates producing compatible reactions on the NILs, indicating the difference in frequencies of avirulence genes in the pathogen populations. The data provided very useful information for formulating strategies for improving blast resistance in rice breeding programs.

[Scanning electron microscopic observations on the copulatory spicules of the male Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale].

Scanning electron microscopic observations were made on the morphological structures of the two copulatory spicules of the male Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. In both species, one of the two copulatory spicules was in the shape of a concave groove and the other, in the shape of an oblate tube. Owing to the difference in the concavity of the groove shaped copulatory spicule between the two species as shown by the cross sections, Necator americanus usually appear to have only one copulatory spicule whereas Ancylostoma duodenale usually show two separate copulatory spicules in appearance (Figs 1-10).

[Scanning electron microscopic observations on larvae and young adults of Angiostrongylus cantonensis].

Scanning electron microscopic observations on the structure of the body surface of various larval stages and young adults of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were made. The mouth opening of the first and second stage larvae closes in "Y" form until well developed young adult stage. There are two rows of 6 sensory papillae each around the mouth. With development of the worm, the papillae of the outer row gradually degenerated and could hardly be seen in adult worms. A pair of amphidial pores was present on the external side of lateral papillae of the inner row, being conspicuous in the fourth-stage larvae. There was one excretory pore on the ventral side of the anterior end. The copulatory bursa of the male worms began to develop in the third stage larvae and became well developed in the 25-day young adults. The processes of the development of copulatory bursa were described. The gonopore could be seen in the female worm as early as in the first-stage larvae but the anal pore appeared only in the fourth-stage larvae, both of them did not develop completely until the young adult stage of 11 day old (Figs. 1-18).