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Background: Screening with anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology and endoscopy decreased nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) mortality in Guangdong in a randomized trial. We conducted a secondary analysis of this trial using local incidence and cost data to optimize screening programs, hypothesizing that screening could be cost-effective in southern China. Methods: Screening costs and life-years after NPC diagnosis were obtained from the Guangdong trial's intent-to-screen population (men and women aged 30-69). Seropositive subjects were rescreened annually for 5 years. Thereafter, we evaluated 12 screening strategies in Guangdong and Guangxi using a validated model. Strategies used combinations of serology, nasopharyngeal swab PCR (NP PCR), endoscopy, and MRI from trial subcohorts. Incidence data and costs were obtained from local cancer registries and the provincial healthcare system. Results: In the intent-to-screen population, screening with serology and endoscopy was cost-effective (¥42,366/life-year, 0.52 GDP per capita). Screening for 5 to 15 years between ages 35 and 59 years met a willingness-to-pay threshold of 1.5 GDP/quality-adjusted life-years in all modeled populations. Despite doubling costs, adding MRI could be cost-effective via improved sensitivity. NP PCR triage reduced endoscopy/MRI referrals by 37%. One-lifetime screen could reduce NPC mortality by approximately 20%. Conclusions: EBV-based serologic screening for NPC is likely to be cost-effective in southern China. Among seropositive subjects, the preferred strategies use endoscopy alone or selective endoscopy triaged by MRI with or without NP PCR. These data may aid the design of screening programs in this region. Impact: These findings support population-based screening in southern China by defining the target population, cost-effectiveness, and optimized screening approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present our results of one-stage resurfacing following syndactyly release with the Pelnac™ artificial dermal substitute. From 2016 to 2020, raw areas after digit release were restored with an artificial dermal substitute in 145 webs from 62 patients (average age, 33.1 months) including 65 simple incomplete web spaces, 29 simple complete web spaces, 20 complex complete web spaces, and 31 complex complicated web spaces. Fourteen patients were syndromic. The average follow-up period was 33.4 months (range, 7–55 months). Postoperative outcomes assessed as according to the Vancouver scar scale (0−14) averaged 1.8 (range, 0–11) and web creep score (0−5) averaged 0.7 (range, 0–4). Patient- and family-provided visual analog scale scores averaged 1.1 (range, 0–10) for appearance. In conclusion, the Pelnac™ artificial dermal substitute is a minimally invasive, simple, and effective option for one-stage resurfacing of defects in syndactyly release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an inexpensive non-noble metal catalyst is essential in the electrochemical water reduction. However, to choose the support for hydrogen-producing catalyst is still a problem that needs to be solved. Herein, we report a novel route combining powder metallurgy and hydrothermal synthesis to fabricate Ni/MoS2 catalysts for boosting the hydrogen evolution reaction performance. Powder metallurgy produces the suborbicular pores on the surface and inside Ni once the sintering temperature reaches 1000 °C. The hollow MoS2 nanoparticles are successfully modified on the surface of porous Ni by hydrothermal synthesis. The hollow structure of MoS2 nanoparticles provides more active sites for electrochemical reaction and the porous Ni matrix with the porosity of 16.5% exhibits higher electronic conductivity, which endows the Ni/MoS2-1000 catalyst with an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction activity. The Ni/MoS2-1000 shows a low overpotential of 229 mV at the current densities of 10 mA·cm-2 with a small Tafel slope of 76 mV·dec-1. This study provides guidelines on the large-scale synthesis of nanostructured electrocatalysts with porous Ni as the support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The discovery of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Burkitt lymphoma tumors represented the first link between a virus and cancer in humans, but the underlying role of this virus in endemic Burkitt lymphoma remains unclear. Nearly all children in Burkitt lymphoma-endemic areas are seropositive for EBV, but only a small percentage develop disease. Variation in EBV-directed immunity could be an explanatory cofactor. Methods: We examined serum from 150 Burkitt lymphoma cases and 150 controls using a protein microarray that measured IgG and IgA antibodies against 202 sequences across the entire EBV proteome. Variation in the EBV-directed antibody repertoire between Burkitt lymphoma cases and controls was assessed using unpaired t tests. ORs quantifying the association between anti-EBV IgG response tertiles and Burkitt lymphoma status were adjusted for age, sex, and study year. Results: Thirty-three anti-EBV IgG responses were elevated in Burkitt lymphoma cases compared with controls (P = 0.0003). Burkitt lymphoma-associated IgG elevations were strongest for EBV proteins involved in viral replication and antiapoptotic signaling. Specifically, we observed ORs =4 for BMRF1 (early antigen), BBLF1 (tegument protein), BHRF1 (Bcl-2 homolog), BZLF1 (Zebra), BILF2 (glycoprotein), BLRF2 [viral capsid antigen (VCA)p23], BDLF4, and BFRF3 (VCAp18). Adjustment for malaria exposure and inheritance of the sickle cell variant did not alter associations. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the anti-EBV serologic profile in patients with Burkitt lymphoma is altered, with strong elevations in 33 of the measured anti-EBV IgG antibodies relative to disease-free children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic susceptibility is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We previously identified rare variants potentially involved in familial NPC and common variants significantly associated with sporadic NPC. Methods: We conducted targeted gene sequencing of 20 genes [16 identified from the study of multiplex families, three identified from a pooled analysis of NPC genome-wide association study (GWAS), and one identified from both studies] among 819 NPC cases and 938 controls from two case-control studies in Taiwan (independent from previous studies). A targeted, multiplex PCR primer panel was designed using the custom Ion AmpliSeq Designer v4.2 targeting the regions of the selected genes. Gene-based and single-variant tests were conducted. Results: We found that NPC was associated with combined common and rare variants in CDKN2A/2B (P = 1.3 × 10-4), BRD2 (P = 1.6 × 10-3), TNFRSF19 (P = 4.0 × 10-3), and CLPTM1L/TERT (P = 5.4 × 10-3). Such associations were likely driven by common variants within these genes, based on gene-based analyses evaluating common variants and rare variants separately (e.g., for common variants of CDKN2A/2B, P = 4.6 × 10-4; for rare variants, P = 0.04). We also observed a suggestive association with rare variants in HNRNPU (P = 3.8 × 10-3) for NPC risk. In addition, we validated four previously reported NPC risk-associated SNPs. Conclusions: Our findings confirm previously reported associated variants and suggest that some common variants in genes previously linked to familial NPC are associated with the development of sporadic NPC. Impact: NPC-associated genes, including CLPTM1L/TERT, BRD2, and HNRNPU, suggest a role for telomere length maintenance in NPC etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) play a key role in promoting the commercialization of the fuel cells. The expensive price, fuel crossover effect and poor durability of Pt-based cathode catalysts impose restrictions on the ORR in fuel cells. In this work, we develop Fe-N-C porous carbon-based catalysts obtained from pyrolysis of Fe doped zinc-based zeolite imidazole framework for boosting the catalytic performance of the ORR in alkaline media. The catalyst with the best performance was obtained by using 15% Fe doping in the synthesis, displaying a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.843 V vs. RHE in alkaline electrolyte. This catalyst also shows excellent long-term durability for ORR and great tolerance for the crossover effect of methanol. The high-performance of the catalyst is attributed to the synergetic contributions of Fe-Nx active sites and the presence of Fe3C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between oral health and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is largely unknown. Further understanding could shed light on potential pathogenic mechanisms and preventive measures. Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in southern China between 2010 and 2014. We enrolled 2,528 incidentNPCcases, aged 20-74 years, and 2,596 controls, randomly selected from the total population registers, with frequency matching to the 5-year age and sex distribution of the cases by geographic region. We interviewed subjects using a structured questionnaire inquiring about oral health indicators and potential confounding factors. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate multivariate- adjusted ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A higher number of filled teeth was associated with an elevated risk of NPC. Individuals with 1 to 3 and more than 3 teeth filled versus none had adjusted ORs of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.06-1.49) and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.13-2.12), respectively (Ptrend = 0.002). Conversely, the adjusted OR for those who brushed teeth twice or more per day versus once or less per day was 0.62 (95% CI, 0.55-0.70). We detected a borderline significant positive association with earlier age at first adult tooth loss. Conclusion: Our study suggested a positive association between some indicators of poor oral health and risk of NPC. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the findings are causal and, if so, to further explain the underlying mechanisms. Impact: Improvement of oral hygiene might contribute to reducing NPC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether or not hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection plays a role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is largely unknown. Our study aimed to assess the association between HBV infection and the risk of NPC in Southern China. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 711 NPC cases and two groups of controls. The first control group consisted of 656 individuals with other benign tumors unrelated to HBV infection and the second group consisted of 680 healthy population controls. Multivariable ORs and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for NPC were estimated by logistic regression. Results: Patients with NPC had higher prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen-positive [anti-HBc-(+); 47.26%] compared with either benign tumor controls (39.33%; P < 0.01) or healthy controls (41.18%; P = 0.04). In multivariable models adjusting for a set of risk factors for NPC, anti-HBc-(+) was significantly associated with a higher risk of NPC [adjusted OR (AOR), 1.40;95%CI, 1.12-1.74 compared with the benign tumor controls and AOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.05-2.08 compared with the healthy controls]. The association was not modified by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status. Finally, compared with the healthy controls, individuals with both anti-HBc-(+) and EBV antibodies had largely increased risk of NPC (AOR, 141.82; 95% CI, 68.73-292.62). Conclusion: Our study suggests that HBV infection is associated with NPC risk in Southern China. Impact: Prevention for HBV infection may play a role in the development of NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, effects of algae (Scenedesmus), Fe(III), humic substances and pH on photodegradation of Ciprofloxacin (CPFX) under a medium pressure mercury lamp (15 W, λmax = 254 nm) were investigated. Results showed that algae could significantly accelerate photodegradation of CPFX which increased by increasing concentration of algae, the weak acidic conditions were beneficial for CPFX photodegradation. Additionally, it could be enhanced by addition of Fe(III) and/or humic substances into suspension of algae. Also, degradation kinetics of CPFX was found to follow a pseudo-zero order reaction in suspension of algae. This paper discussed the photodegradation mechanism of CPFX in suspension of algae, including the dissolved organic matter, the enzymatic catalysis and the chlorophyll involved in photodegradation of CPFX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on new species of ibaliid wasp fossil from Baltic amber. It reports unique venation of the fore wing of the species and their lack of longitudinal carinae and costae on the occiput. The female wasp is described to have total body length of 11.9 millimeters (mm), fore wing length of 8.8 mm and mesoscutal medial length of 1.83 mm. The new species reportedly resemble the gymnosperm-associated subgenus Ibalia due to their vertex and anterior portion features. Photomicrographs of the species are also presented.