Search

Lixia Bao,1,2 Kim Geok Soh,1 Nasnoor Juzaily Mohd Nasiruddin,3 Huijuan Xie,1 Junlong Zhang1 1Department of Sports Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia; 2Physical Education Department of Yuncheng University, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Sports Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Lixia Bao, Zone 4 Off Jalan Stadium, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Tel +86 13834955653, Email gs62086@student.upm.edu.my Kim Geok Soh, Department of Sports Studies, University of Malaya, Serdang, Malaysia, Tel +60 193649715, Email kims@upm.edu.myPurpose: The purpose of this study is to unveil the impact of metacognition on academic achievement in physical education and activity settings by conducting a comprehensive systematic literature review with a meta-analysis of qualitative findings.Patients and Methods: Systematic searches identified English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles reporting the results of qualitative or mixed-methods studies of the emerging themes of metacognition on academic achievement in sports. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to June 2023.Results: Data from 20 studies were included in the review. Thematic meta-analysis identified descriptive themes: 1) Metacognitive performance during the learning process in different sports disciplines; 2) Domains of metacognitive skills related to academic performance; 3) Self-regulation strategies related to academic performance; 4) Influencing factors of metacognition; 5) Metacognitive interventions on motor learning and academic performance. Generate an analytical theme based on five descriptive themes.Conclusion: In-depth descriptions of the emerging themes related to metacognition and academic performance during motor learning were provided by different students and athletes. The conclusions reported in the study align with the theoretical models of metacognition. The research findings will provide strategies for physical education teachers, coaches, and trainers to enhance both physical and academic performance.Keywords: metacognitive skill, self-regulation learning, learning performance, executive function

Li Bao,1,2 Bowen Wu,3 Chunjing Yang,1,2 Xiqiao Xu,1,2 Zhengyuan Shi,1,2 Dechun Jiang1,2 1Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-Characteristic Profiling for Evaluation of Rational Drug Use, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute for TCM-X, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division, BNRIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhengyuan Shi; Dechun Jiang, Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Tieyi-Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 10038, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-10-63926405 ; +86-10-63926723, Email shizhengyuan2980@bjsjth.cn; jdc@bjsjth.cnPurpose: Amino acids are the important metabolites in the body and play a crucial role in biological processes. The purpose of this study is to provide a profile of amino acids change in the serum of T2DM patients and identify potential biomarkers.Patients and Methods: In this study, we quantitatively determined the serum amino acid profiles of 30 T2DM patients and 30 healthy volunteers. T test and multivariate statistical analysis were used to identify candidate biomarkers with GraphPad Prism 9.5 software and MetaboAnalyst 5.0 on-line platform.Results: Thirty-four amino acids were quantified, and 19 amino acid levels differed significantly between T2DM and Healthy groups. Screened by the specific screening criteria (VIP> 1.0; P< 0.05; FC> 1.5, or FC< 0.67) in MetaboAnalyst 5.0 platform, 8 amino acids were identified as potential biomarkers. Pearson rank correlation test showed 14 differential amino acids were significantly correlated with T2DM-related physiological parameters.Conclusion: The results of this study provide theoretical basis for the subsequent development of dietary supplements for the prevention or treatment of T2DM and its complications.Keywords: diabetes mellitus type 2, T2DM, targeted metabolomics, amino acids, biomarker

Jiandong Wang,1– 3,&ast; Jinyuan Ma,1,4,&ast; Zongguang Tai,1,4,&ast; Lisha Li,1,4 Tingrui Zhang,1,4 Tingting Cheng,1– 3 Junxia Yu,1– 3 Quangang Zhu,1,4 Leilei Bao,2 Zhongjian Chen1,4 1Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 4Shanghai Engineering Research Center of External Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Leilei Bao; Zhongjian Chen, Department of Pharmacy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University ; Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai, 200443, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 21 81875571 ; +86 21 36803007, Email annabao212@126.com; aajian818@163.comAbstract: Melanoma, a highly aggressive skin tumor, exhibits notable features including heterogeneity, a high mutational load, and innate immune escape. Despite advancements in melanoma treatment, current immunotherapies fail to fully exploit the immune system’s maximum potential. Activating immunogenic cell death (ICD) holds promise in enhancing tumor cell immunogenicity, stimulating immune amplification response, improving drug sensitivity, and eliminating tumors. Nanotechnology-enabled ICD has emerged as a compelling therapeutic strategy for augmenting cancer immunotherapy. Nanoparticles possess versatile attributes, such as prolonged blood circulation, stability, and tumor-targeting capabilities, rendering them ideal for drug delivery. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying ICD induction and associated therapeutic strategies. Additionally, we provide a concise overview of the immune stress response associated with ICD and explore the potential synergistic benefits of combining ICD induction methods with the utilization of nanocarriers.Keywords: immunogenic cell death, melanoma, immunotherapy, damage associated molecular patterns, nanocarrier

Wenxiu An,1,2 Lijie Bao,1,2 Chenyu Wang,1,2 Mingxin Zheng,3 Yan Zhao1,2 1Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research on Gastrointestinal Tumor Combining Medicine with Engineering, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Neusoft Research of Intelligent Healthcare Technology, Co. Ltd, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yan Zhao, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110042, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-24-81916608, Email zhaoyan@cancerhosp-ln-cmu.comBackground: Gastric cancer (GC) has a poor prognosis, particularly in patients with liver metastasis (LM). This study aims to identify relevant factors associated with the occurrence of LM in GC patients and factors influencing the prognosis of gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM) patients, in addition to developing diagnostic and prognostic nomograms specifically.Patients and Methods: Overall, 6184 training data were from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2011 to 2015. 1527 validation data were from our hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of LM in GC patients, Cox regression was used to confirm the prognostic factors of GCLM patients. Two nomogram models were established to predict the risk and overall survival (OS) of patients with GCLM. The performance of the two models was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), concordance index (C-index), and calibration curves.Results: A nomogram included five independent factors from multivariate logistic regression: sex, lymph node removal, chemotherapy, T stage and N stage were constructed to calculate the possibility of LM. Internal and external verifications of AUC were 0.786 and 0.885, respectively. The other nomogram included four independent factors from multivariate Cox regression: surgery at primary site, surgery at other site, chemotherapy, and N stage were constructed to predict OS. C-index for internal and external validations were 0.714 and 0.702, respectively, and the calibration curves demonstrated the robust discriminative ability of the models.Conclusion: Based on the SEER database and validation data, we defined effective nomogram models to predict risk and OS in patients with GCLM. They have important value in clinical decision-making and personalized treatment.Keywords: gastric cancer, liver metastasis, nomogram, SEER database, external validation

Lihong Bao,1,&ast; Chunfen Peng,2,&ast; Jingting He,2 Chengqin Sun,1 Lijuan Feng,1 Yang Luo1 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yang Luo; Jingting He, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, Email yangluo@hust.edu.cn; hejingting@hust.edu.cnBackground: The role of fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB) in patients with chronic pain has been widely confirmed. However, few conclusions have been drawn about its role in postoperative patients.Objective: To explore the characteristics of FAB in postoperative patients after lung surgery as well as the effect of threat learning on FAB.Methods: Between May and September 2022, this study recruited 150 participants who had undergone thoracoscopic surgery. Variables such as age, gender, education, chronic pain, fear of pain, surgery method, pain intensity, FAB, cough, ambulation and threat learning were collected and subjected to correlation analysis and stepwise regression.Results: The correlation analysis revealed that FAB was associated with age (r = − 0.183, p < 0.05), gender (r = − 0.256, p < 0.01), and preoperative FOP-9 (r = 0.400, p < 0.01). Postoperative variables such as pain intensity (r = 0.574, p < 0.01), initiation day of ambulation (r = 0.648, p < 0.01), total numbers of ambulation (r = − 0.665, p < 0.01), and cough performance (r = − 0.688, p < 0.01) were correlated with FAB. Furthermore, FAB was highly correlated with indicators of threat learning: direct (r = 0.556, p < 0.01), observation (r = 0.655, p < 0.01), and instruction (r = 0.671, p < 0.01). The highest variance explanation model of stepwise regression which explained 52.8% of the variance including instruction (B=1.751; p< 0.01), direct (B=1.245; p< 0.01), observation (B=0.768; p< 0.01), age (B=− 0.085; p< 0.01), and surgery method (B=1.321; p< 0.05).Conclusion: Patients commonly experience FAB after lung surgery, which can directly affect their recovery behaviors such as ambulation and active coughing. The formation of FAB is influenced by threat learning, which suggests that controlling threat learning is important in preventing postoperative FAB.Keywords: fear-avoidance, threat learning, fear of pain, postoperative pain, lung surgery

Qianming Bai,1– 3,&ast; Hong Lv,1– 3,&ast; Longlong Bao,1– 3,&ast; Yu Yang,1– 3 Xin Zhang,4 Heng Chang,1– 3 Tian Xue,1– 3 Min Ren,1– 3 Xiaoli Zhu,1– 3 Xiaoyan Zhou,1– 3,&ast; Wentao Yang1– 3,&ast; 1Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pathology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wentao Yang; Xiaoyan Zhou, Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre, 270 Dong’an Road, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-18017312353 ; +86-18017312385, Email yangwt2000@163.com; xyzhou100@163.comPurpose: To investigate the HER2 status and clinicopathological features in invasive breast cancer with HER2 ≥ 4.0 and < 6.0, which has always been controversial.Methods: Forty breast cancer cases with HER2 ≥ 4.0 and < 6.0 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were collected and classified into two groups based on the HRE2/CEP17 ratio (Group A: ≥ 2.0, n=22; Group B: < 2.0, n=18). Clinicopathological characteristics, HER2 status, risk classification, and molecular typing were further analyzed and compared by 21-Gene expression assay and MammaPrint plus BluePrint test.Results: The majority of cases in both groups were invasive carcinoma (NOS), with histological grade II, HR+, Ki-67 ≥ 20%, HER2 2+, and a high risk of recurrence, although younger patients and lymph node metastases were more common in Group A. Surprisingly, all HR+ breast cancers in both groups were classified as luminal-type, HR− cases were all basal-type or unknown, and the index of HER2 in all cases was < 0.000 using the BluePrint test, which indicated that HER2 status should be negative. Furthermore, the level of HER2 mRNA expression in all cases of both groups was < 10.7, which was defined as HER2 negative by the 21-Gene expression assay. In addition, 10 patients of Group A received anti-HER2 neoadjuvant therapy; only one patient with HR- achieved Grade 5 based on the Miller-Payne system, whereas none of the patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR) based on the Residual Cancer Burden system.Conclusion: Group A breast cancer, which has always been unquestionably diagnosed as HER2 amplification, was more likely to be HER2 negative and derived less benefit from anti-HER2 neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Group A breast cancer should be distinguished from classical HER2-positive breast cancers when assessing HER2 FISH, and a larger cohort of Group A patients should be included in further studies.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: breast cancer, HER2, FISH, 21-gene expression assay, MammaPrint plus BluePrint

In 2018 we celebrated 25 years of development of radar altimetry, and the progress achieved by this methodology in the fields of global and coastal oceanography, hydrology, geodesy and cryospheric sciences. Many symbolic major events have celebrated these developments, e.g., in Venice, Italy, the 15th (2006) and 20th (2012) years of progress and more recently, in 2018, in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, 25 Years of Progress in Radar Altimetry. On this latter occasion it was decided to collect contributions of scientists, engineers and managers involved in the worldwide altimetry community to depict the state of altimetry and propose recommendations for the altimetry of the future. This paper summarizes contributions and recommendations that were collected and provides guidance for future mission design, research activities, and sustainable operational radar altimetry data exploitation. Recommendations provided are fundamental for optimizing further scientific and operational advances of oceanographic observations by altimetry, including requirements for spatial and temporal resolution of altimetric measurements, their accuracy and continuity. There are also new challenges and new openings mentioned in the paper that are particularly crucial for observations at higher latitudes, for coastal oceanography, for cryospheric studies and for hydrology. The paper starts with a general introduction followed by a section on Earth System Science including Ocean Dynamics, Sea Level, the Coastal Ocean, Hydrology, the Cryosphere and Polar Oceans and the “Green” Ocean, extending the frontier from biogeochemistry to marine ecology. Applications are described in a subsequent section, which covers Operational Oceanography, Weather, Hurricane Wave and Wind Forecasting, Climate projection. Instruments’ development and satellite missions’ evolutions are described in a fourth section. A fifth section covers the key observations that altimeters provide and their potential complements, from other Earth observation measurements to in situ data. Section 6 identifies the data and methods and provides some accuracy and resolution requirements for the wet tropospheric correction, the orbit and other geodetic requirements, the Mean Sea Surface, Geoid and Mean Dynamic Topography, Calibration and Validation, data accuracy, data access and handling (including the DUACS system). Section 7 brings a transversal view on scales, integration, artificial intelligence, and capacity building (education and training). Section 8 reviews the programmatic issues followed by a conclusion.

Tianchang Lu,1,&ast; Minyi Wang,1,2,&ast; Nannan Liu,1 Shuqiong Zhang,3 Lei Shi,1 Ling Bao,3 Feng Luo,3 Li Shi,1 Shuyuan Liu,1 Yufeng Yao4 1Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650118, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, 650041, People’s Republic of China; 4Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, 650118, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shuyuan Liu, Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650118, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 871 68334483, Email shuyuanliuoo@gmail.com Yufeng Yao, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, 650118, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 871 68335632, Email leoyyf@gmail.comPurpose: Tuberculosis (TB) is known to result from a complex interaction between the host immune response and Mycobacterium infection. The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays an important role in the processing and presentation pathways for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) antigen. To investigate the possible association of the TAP1 and TAP2 genes with TB.Patients and Methods: A total of 449 TB patients and 435 control subjects were included in this study, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TAP gene, as well as TAP1 and TAP2 alleles, were genotyped.Results: TAP gene association analysis of TB diseases showed that rs41551515-T in the TAP1 gene was significantly associated with susceptibility to TB (P=7.96E-04, OR=4.124, 95% CI: 1.683– 10.102), especially pulmonary TB (PTB, P=6.84E-04, OR=4.350, 95% CI: 1.727– 10.945), and the combination of rs1057141-T-rs1135216-C in the TAP1 gene significantly increased the risk of TB susceptibility (P=5.51E-05, OR=10.899, 95% CI: 2.555– 46.493). Five novel TAP1 alleles were detected in Yunnan Han people, and the allele frequency of TAP1&ast;unknown_3 (rs41555220-rs41549617-rs1057141-rs1135216-rs1057149-rs41551515: C-A-T-C-C-T) was notably increased in all TB patients, including in the PTB and EPTB subgroups, and was significantly associated with the risk of susceptibility to TB. However, no association between the TAP2 gene and TB was found in this study.Conclusion: Host genetic variants of rs41551515-T and the combination rs1057141-T-rs1135216-C, as well as TAP1&ast;unknown_3 may play a critical role in susceptibility to TB disease.Keywords: tuberculosis, association, TAP gene, polymorphism, novel allele

Li Bao,1,2 Ying Zhang,2,3 Sichao Yan,1,2 Dan Yan,2,3 Dechun Jiang1,2 1Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-Characteristic Profiling for Evaluation of Rational Drug Use, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Dechun Jiang, Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Tieyi-Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 10038, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-10-63926723, Email jdc@bjsjth.cnPurpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, resulting in hyperglycemia. The exploration of a complex regulatory network in host metabolism homeostasis may raise a novel strategy for the prevention of T2D. A variety of metabolites serve as the endogenous ligand of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and play an important role in the pathophysiological process of T2D and insulin resistance, however, the roles of remaining endogenous metabolites in insulin resistance and GPCRs still need to be explored.Patients and Methods: The effect of LPC (17:0) on hyperglycemia were proved in high fat diet (HFD) mice, and qPCR with Western blot technology was used to verify the downstream targets.Results: Herein, we found that LPC (17:0) reduced blood glucose and alleviated insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders in high-fat diet induced (HFD) mice through activating GLP-1 and promoting insulin secretion. Further, the LPC (17:0) was found to stimulate intestinal GPR120, GPR35 and CALCR, with potential effect on GLP-1 stimulation.Conclusion: The above observation revealed LPC (17:0) as an endogenous protective factor with potential role on GPCRs, and it provided theoretical support for the development of LPC (17:0) as a potent drug candidate or health food additive for insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.Keywords: lysophosphatidylcholine, hyperglycemia, GPR120, GPR35, CALCR

The root-knot nematode (RKN) species Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica cause substantial root system damage and suppress yield of susceptible cowpea cultivars. The narrow-based genetic resistance conferred by the Rk gene, present in some commercial cultivars, is not effective against Rk-virulent populations found in several cowpea production areas. The dynamics of virulence within RKN populations require a broadening of the genetic base of resistance in elite cowpea cultivars. As part of this goal, F1 and F2 populations from the cross CB46-Null (susceptible) x FN-2-9-04 (resistant) were phenotyped for M. javanica induced root-galling (RG) and egg-mass production (EM) in controlled growth chamber and greenhouse infection assays. In addition, F[Formula: see text] families of the same cross were phenotyped for RG on field sites infested with Rk-avirulent M. incognita and M. javanica The response of F1 to RG and EM indicated that resistance to RKN in FN-2-9-04 is partially dominant, as supported by the degree of dominance in the F2 and F[Formula: see text] populations. Two QTL associated with both RG and EM resistance were detected on chromosomes Vu01 and Vu04. The QTL on Vu01 was most effective against aggressive M. javanica, whereas both QTL were effective against avirulent M. incognita Allelism tests with CB46 x FN-2-9-04 progeny indicated that these parents share the same RKN resistance locus on Vu04, but the strong, broad-based resistance in FN-2-9-04 is conferred by the additive effect of the novel resistance QTL on Vu01. This novel resistance in FN-2-9-04 is an important resource for broadening RKN resistance in elite cowpea cultivars.

Deshan Yao,1,2 Bo Shi,3 Sichuan Wang,1,2 Liuxiang Bao,1,2 Meng Tan,1,2 Hui Shen,1,2 Zhengang Zhang,1,2 Xin Pan,1,2 Yi Yang,1,2 Yong Wu,1,2 Kaizheng Gong1,2 1Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People’s Republic of China; 2Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine for the Control of Geriatrics and Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Kaizheng Gong; Yong Wu, Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, No. 368 Hanjiang Middle Road, Yangzhou, 225001, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-514-82981199, Email yungkzh@163.com; 154629676@qq.comBackground: Oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction play critical roles in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a flavonoid monomer extracted from licorice, has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer studies. Here, we tested the effect and underlying mechanisms of ISL on ischemia-induced myocardial injury in a mouse AMI model.Methods: Adult C57BL/6 mice were pre-treated by intraperitoneal injection of ISL and/or a specific nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor ML385 for 3 days, respectively. Then, the AMI model was established by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Myocardial oxidative stress status, inflammatory response, cardiac function and infarction size were assessed after 7th day of surgery.Results: Compared with sham group, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in AMI group were significantly increased. However, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) level were dramatically decreased. ISL treatment significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, improved cardiac function, inhibited the production of ROS and MDA and reduced the consumption of SOD and GSH-Px. Interestingly, ISL could significantly increase nuclear Nrf2 and cytosolic heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) level in the infarcted myocardium and reduce the oxidative stress after AMI. Also, ISL treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of myocardial NF-κB pathway and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the AMI group. However, the administration of ML385 not only suppressed the Nrf2/HO-1 activation, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects induced by ISL, but also attenuated the beneficial role of ISL on reducing infarct size and improving cardiac function in the mouse with AMI.Conclusion: The results suggested that activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway has an essential role in ISL-induced cardiac protection by alleviating myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation response in mice with AMI.Keywords: isoliquiritigenin, acute myocardial infarction, oxidative stress, Nrf2, NF-κB

Yan Xu, Lijuan Bao, Chengquan Liu Huai ‘an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Huai’an City, 223000, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chengquan LiuHuai ‘an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No. 104 Renmin South Road, Huai’an City, 223000, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 0517-80888758Email chengquanliu123@126.comBackground: Although obesity has been related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), few studies have examined the relationship between blood lipid levels and ADHD in children. We aimed to evaluate whether increased blood lipid levels are associated with the prevalence of ADHD in children.Methods: A total of 1179 children were studied in the cross-sectional analysis. Multivariate logistic regression and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of blood lipid levels with the prevalence of ADHD in children.Results: In 1179 children, the average age was 10.4 years, and the percentage of boys was 50.3%. 97 (8.2%) of the children were diagnosed with ADHD. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that elevated levels of total cholesterol (OR=2.001, 95% CI 1.247– 3.541, P-trend=0.024), triglycerides (OR=1.776, 95% CI 1.448– 2.187, P-trend=0.003) and LDL (low density lipoprotein; OR=2.016, 95% CI 1.335– 3.966, P-trend< 0.001) and reduced levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein; OR=0.577, 95% CI 0.298– 0.948, P-trend=0.023) were associated with the prevalence of ADHD after adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), residence type, maternal smoking during pregnancy, breastfeeding and breastfeeding length, maternal and paternal educational levels, and marital status of parents in Model 3. The stratified analysis using “obese” as a covariate showed that elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL and reduced levels of HDL were independently associated with an increased risk of ADHD in obese children.Conclusion: Increased blood lipid levels were associated with ADHD in obese children.Keywords: blood lipids, ADHD, obese, cross-sectional analysis

Li Bao,1,2 Chunjing Yang,1,2 Zhengyuan Shi,1,2 Zhanrong Wang,3 Dechun Jiang1,2 1Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Beijing Key Laboratory of Biocharacteristic Profiling for Evaluation of Rational Drug Use, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhanrong WangDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 10 Tieyi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100038, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-10-6392-6405Email dor_j@163.comDechun JiangDepartment of Pharmacy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 10 Tieyi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100038, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-10-6392-6723Email jiangdechun@sina.comBackground: Obesity is a public health problem all over the world, and dietary habits are considered one of the important reasons.Methods: In this study, serum metabolites of mice fed a normal or high-fat diet (HFD) were analyzed using UPLC-QTOF-MS.Results: A significant increase in body weight was noted in HFD mice. The HFD and control groups were significantly different from each other on OPLS-DA scores. The major metabolites contributing to obesity were lipid metabolites (phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamine, and lysophosphatidylcholines). In addition, this study revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism were related to obesity and obesity-associated diseases.Conclusion: These results can be used to better understand obesity and assess its risk, which will provide new ideas for treatment.Keywords: obesity, serum metabolomics, high-fat diet, UPLC-QTOF-MS technique

Mengmeng Chen, Ruideng Wang, Pu Jia, Li Bao, Hai Tang Department of Orthopaedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hai TangDepartment of Orthopaedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yong an Road, XiCheng District, Beijing, 100050, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +861 360 136 2187Email tanghai@ccmu.edu.cnPurpose: The aim of the study is to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of vertebral compression fractures treated by stentoplasty with resorbable calcium salt bone void fillers compared with balloon kyphoplasty (BKP).Methods: This prospective study included patients with fresh mono-thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. Patients enrolled were randomly divided into three groups. The patients in group A underwent stentoplasty with calcium sulfate/calcium phosphate (CSCP) composite filler and patients in group B with hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAP/COL) composite filler, while patients in group C underwent BKP with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The clinical outcome was evaluated with visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability score (ODI). The radiological results were evaluated with anterior height (AH) and Cobb angle of vertebral body. Computed tomography (CT) was used to assess osteogenesis effect.Results: Each group included 14 patients. The VAS, ODI, Cobb angle and AH were statistically improved compared with preoperative and there was no significant difference between the three groups. However, the AH in group A and group B at 1-year follow-up presented slight loss compared with 1 day after surgery. CT results suggested both group A and group B presented obvious bone trabecula formation and variations of CT value.Conclusion: The stentoplasty with resorbable calcium salt bone void fillers demonstrated clinical outcomes similar to traditional BKP for vertebral compression fractures. Both HAP/COL and CSCP performed certain osteogenesis. However, stentoplasty with studied fillers showed slight loss of AH within 1 year after surgery.Keywords: stentoplasty, vertebral compression fracture, filler material, bone fillers, osteogenesis

Wuping Bao,1,* Xue Zhang,1,* Junfeng Yin,2,* Lei Han,1,* Zhixuan Huang,2 Luhong Bao,1 Chengjian Lv,1 Huijuan Hao,1 Yishu Xue,1 Xin Zhou,1 Min Zhang1 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Mathematical Sciences, Tongji University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Min ZhangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 21 63071428Email maggie_zhangmin@163.comPurpose: Patients with variable symptoms suggestive of asthma but with normal forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) often fail to be diagnosed without a bronchial provocation test, but the test is expensive, time-consuming, risky, and not readily available in all clinical settings.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 692 patients with FEV1≥ 80% predicted; normal neutrophils and chest high-resolution computed tomography; and recurrent dyspnea, cough, wheeze, and chest tightness.Results: Compared with subjects negative for AHR (n=522), subjects positive for AHR (n=170) showed increased FENO values, peripheral eosinophils (EOS), and R5-R20; decreased FEV1, FEV1/Forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow (FEFs) (P≤ .001 for all). Small-airway dysfunction was identified in 104 AHR+ patients (61.17%), and 132 AHR− patients (25.29%) (P< 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of variables used singly for an AHR diagnosis were lower than 0.77. Using joint models of FEF50%, FEF75%, or FEF25%-75% with FENO increased the AUCs to 0.845, 0.824, and 0.844, respectively, significantly higher than univariate AUCs (P < 0.001 for all). Patients who reported chest tightness (n=75) had lower FEFs than patients who did not (P< 0.001 for all). In subjects with chest tightness, the combination of FEF50% or FEF25%-75% with EOS also increased the AUCs substantially, to 0.815 and 0.816, respectively (P < 0.001 for all versus the univariate AUCs).Conclusion: FENO combined with FEF50% and FEF25%-75% predict AHR in patients with normal FEV1. FEF25%-75%, FEF50%, or FEF25%-75% together with EOS also can potentially suggest asthma in patients with chest tightness.Keywords: asthma diagnosis, small-airway function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, bronchial provocation, impulse oscillometry

Background Microsurgical training should be implemented with consideration of operative difficulties that occur in actual clinical situations. We evaluated the effectiveness of a novel clinical scenario simulator for step-by-step microsurgical training that progressed from conventional training to escalated training with additional obstacles. Methods A training device was designed according to multiple and intricate clinical microsurgery scenarios. Twenty surgical residents with no experience in microsurgery were randomly assigned to either the control group (conventional training curricula, n = 10) or the experimental group (step-by-step training courses, n = 10). After 4 weeks of laboratory practice, the participants were scheduled to perform their first microvascular anastomoses on patients in an operating room. The Global Rating Scale (GRS) scores and operative duration were used to compare microsurgical skills between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the participants' baseline characteristics before microsurgical training between the groups with respect to age, sex, postgraduate year, surgical specialty, or mean GRS score (p < 0.05). There were also no significant differences in recipient sites between the two groups (p = 0.735). After training, the GRS scores in both groups were significantly improved (p = 0.000). However, in the actual microsurgical situations, the GRS scores were significantly higher in the experimental than control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the operative duration between the two groups (p < 0.13). Conclusion Compared with a traditional training program, this step-by-step microsurgical curriculum based on our clinical scenario simulator results in significant improvement in acquisition of microsurgical skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheng Wang, Shaoqing Chen, Lu Bao, Xuerong Liu, Fuqiang Hu, Hong Yuan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hong Yuan Email yuanhong70@zju.edu.cnBackground: Calcium carbonate (CC) nanoparticles have broad biomedical utilizations, owing to their multiple intrinsic merits. However, bare CC nanoparticles do not allow for the development of multifunctional devices suitable for advanced drug delivery in cancer therapy.Methods: Phospholipid-modified phospholipid–CC hybrid nanoparticles were prepared in our study using a combination of vapor-diffusion and solvent-diffusion methods to offer optimized pharmaceutical capabilities.Results: Considering that particle size is a critical parameter that plays an important role in both in vitro and in vivo behaviors of nanoparticles, we here for the first time a present detailed protocol for the size-controlled preparation of hybrid nanoparticles, as well as analysis of the in vitro/in vivo behaviors of differently sized hybrid nanoparticles.Conclusion: Our results might significantly advance the application of this promising material in more varied fields.Keywords: calcium carbonate, phospholipid, hybrid nanoparticles

Lei Bao,* Qing Li,* Qingjie Li, Hao Chen, Ruixue Zhang, Hongjuan Shi, Guiyun Cui Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lei BaoDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 516 85802129Email baolei56@gmail.comPurpose: We summarized the clinical manifestations, laboratory and electrodiagnostic characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse-induced neurological disorders.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with N2O abuse-induced neurological disorders and reported their demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, nerve conduction studies, together with spinal and brain MRI.Results: The most frequent clinical manifestations included numbness and weakness in the extremities and unspecified gait disturbance. Low serum vitamin B12 levels were found in 9 patients, and high homocysteine levels were noted in 27 patients. Nerve conduction studies showed a sensory-motor neuropathy. Sixteen patients showed bilateral high-intensity T2 signal within the posterior column on spinal MRI, and four patients showed cerebral white matter lesions on brain MRI.Conclusion: N2O abuse has become a significant public health problem because of the severe neurological disorders related to chronic abuse. Clinical physicians should be aware of the toxic effects of N2O.Keywords: nitrous oxide, neurological disorders, subacute combined degeneration, neuropathy, vitamin B12

Lei Bao,* Xueting Chen,* Qingjie Li,* Ruixue Zhang, Hongjuan Shi, Guiyun Cui Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lei BaoDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 516 85802129Email baolei56@gmail.comBackground: Surgery-related Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is often underestimated and sometimes difficult to diagnose. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features and electrophysiological subtypes of post-surgical GBS.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients who developed post-surgical GBS after a recent surgery between 2015 and 2019. Clinical characteristics, electrophysiological examinations, lumbar puncture results and prognosis were assessed. As controls, we selected 66 patients hospitalized with non-surgical GBS.Results: The median duration from the surgery to the onset of GBS symptoms was 16.0 days. The main types of surgeries preceding GBS were orthopedic, gastrointestinal and neurosurgery. Symmetrical distal limbs weakness was present in all 17 post-surgical GBS patients. The incidence of respiratory failure, autonomic dysfunction and muscle atrophy in post-surgical GBS patients was significantly higher than that in non-surgical GBS patients. Hughes Functional Grading Scale (HFGS) scores were also higher in the post-surgical GBS group both at the time of peak disease and 6 months after discharge. Electrophysiological studies revealed significant motor amplitudes reduction with relative preserved nerve conduction velocities and distal latencies, suggesting axonal subtypes of GBS.Conclusion: GBS should be considered in patients with rapidly progressive muscle weakness after surgery. Such patients often exhibit axonal subtypes of GBS with severe motor dysfunction, high risk of respiratory failure, and poor prognosis.Keywords: Guillain-Barre syndrome, post-surgical GBS, surgery, electrophysiology, axonal neuropathy

Yangqin Zheng,1,* Lianmin Bao,2,* Jingfeng Chen,3,* Yue Pan,4 Qinquan Wang,4 Lianguo Chen,5 Xiaomin Gao61Department of Hematology, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, People’s Hospital of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325006, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory, Rui’an People’s Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People‘s Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325006, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Wenzhou People’s Hospital & The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: The prognostic value of obesity in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the sex-dependent prognostic role of body mass index (BMI) in patients with nonmetastatic RCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy.Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 643 consecutive patients with nonmetastatic RCC who underwent curative nephrectomy in our center between 2004 and 2014. Associations among BMI, sex, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) were analyzed.Results: Males were more likely to have a higher BMI than females (BMI as a categorical variable: P0.05).Conclusion: Among patients with nonmetastatic RCC, a high BMI was a favorable prognostic factor in males rather than females. Therefore, sex might influence the correlation between obesity and urological outcomes in nonmetastatic RCC.Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, body mass index, prognosis, sex

The root-knot nematode (RKN) species Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica cause substantial root system damage and suppress yield of susceptible cowpea cultivars. The narrow-based genetic resistance conferred by the Rk gene, present in some commercial cultivars, is not effective against Rk-virulent populations found in several cowpea production areas. The dynamics of virulence within RKN populations require a broadening of the genetic base of resistance in elite cowpea cultivars. As part of this goal, F1 and F2 populations from the cross CB46-Null (susceptible) x FN-2-9-04 (resistant) were phenotyped for M. javanica induced root-galling (RG) and egg-mass production (EM) in controlled growth chamber and greenhouse infection assays. In addition, F2 : 3 families of the same cross were phenotyped for RG on field sites infested with Rk-avirulent M. incognita and M. javanica. The response of F1 to RG and EM indicated that resistance to RKN in FN-2-9-04 is partially dominant, as supported by the degree of dominance in the F2 and F2 : 3 populations. Two QTL associated with both RG and EM resistance were detected on chromosomes Vu01 and Vu04. The QTL on Vu01 was most effective against aggressive M. javanica, whereas both QTL were effective against avirulent M. incognita. Allelism tests with CB46 x FN-2-9-04 progeny indicated that these parents share the same RKN resistance locus on Vu04, but the strong, broad-based resistance in FN-2-9-04 is conferred by the additive effect of the novel resistance QTL on Vu01. This novel resistance in FN-2-9-04 is an important resource for broadening RKN resistance in elite cowpea cultivars.