Risk Factors and Predictive Nomogram for Survival in Elderly Patients with Brain Glioma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors that contribute to the survival of elderly individuals diagnosed with brain glioma and develop a prognostic nomogram. METHODS: Data from elderly individuals (age ≥65 years) histologically diagnosed with brain glioma were sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The dataset was randomly divided into a training cohort and an internal validation cohort at a 6:4 ratio. Additionally, data obtained from Tangdu Hospital constituted an external validation cohort for the study. The identification of independent prognostic factors was achieved through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analysis, enabling the construction of a nomogram. Model performance was evaluated using C-index, ROC curves, calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: A cohort of 20 483 elderly glioma patients was selected from the SEER database. Five prognostic factors (age, marital status, histological type, stage, and treatment) were found to significantly impact overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), with tumor location emerging as a sixth variable independently linked to CSS. Subsequently, nomogram models were developed to predict the probabilities of survival at 6, 12, and 24 months. The assessment findings from the validation queue indicate a that the model exhibited strong performance. CONCLUSION: Our nomograms serve as valuable prognostic tools for assessing the survival probability of elderly glioma patients. They can potentially assist in risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

Biological toxicity of sulfamethoxazole in aquatic ecosystem on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

This study evaluated the impacts of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on antioxidant, immune, histopathological dynamic changes, and gut microbiota of zebrafish. SMX was carried out five groups: 0 (C), 3 mg/L (T3), 6 mg/L (T6), 12 mg/L (T12), and 24 mg/L (T24), with 5 replicates per group for an 8-weeks chronic toxicity test. It was found that SMX is considered to have low toxicity to adult zebrafish. SMX with the concentration not higher than 24 mg/L has no obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of fish. Under different concentrations of SMX stress, oxidative damage and immune system disorder were caused to the liver and gill, with the 12 and 24 mg/L concentration being the most significant. At the same time, it also causes varying degrees of pathological changes in both intestinal and liver tissues. As the concentration of SMX increases, the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota in zebrafish significantly decrease.

Nomogram for Predicting Central Nervous System Infection Following Traumatic Brain Injury in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) infection in elderly patients hospitalized with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to develop a reliable predictive tool for assessing the likelihood of CNS infection in this population. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study on 742 elderly TBI patients treated at Tangdu Hospital, China. Clinical data was randomly split into training and validation sets (7:3 ratio). By conducting univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training set, we identified a list of variables to develop a nomogram for predicting the risk of CNS infection. We evaluated the performance of the predictive model in both cohorts respectively, using receiver operating characteristics curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Results of the logistic analysis in the training set indicated that surgical intervention (P = 0.007), red blood cell count (P = 0.019), C-reactive protein concentration (P < 0.001), and cerebrospinal fluid leakage (P < 0.001) significantly predicted the occurrence of CNS infection in elderly TBI patients. The model constructed based on these variables had high predictive capability (area under the curve-training = 0.832; area under the curve-validation = 0.824) as well as clinical utility. CONCLUSIONS: A nomogram constructed based on several key predictors reasonably predicts the risk of CNS infection in elderly TBI patients upon hospital admission. The model of the nanogram may contribute to timely interventions and improve health outcomes among affected individuals.

Biological toxicity effects of florfenicol on antioxidant, immunity and intestinal flora of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The accumulation of antibiotics in the aquatic environment is increasingly becoming a risk to the health of aquatic animal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute and chronic toxicity of florfenicol (FF) to zebrafish. A 56-day chronic toxicity test followed a 96-h acute toxicity test. The chronic toxicity test was divided into five FF concentration groups: 0 mg/L (C), 5 mg/L (T5), 10 mg/L (T10), 20 mg/L (T20) and 40 mg/L (T40). Each group had five replicates, with 20 Zebrafish per replicate. The acute toxicity test results showed that the 96 h-LC50 of FF was greater than 2000 mg/L, indicating low toxicity. The exposure concentrations of FF exceeding 20 mg/L can cause oxidative damage to the liver and gill tissues of fish, leading to the accumulation of oxidative products in the tissues and severe damage to antioxidant capacity. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by severe oxidative stress activates the toll like receptors (TLR) pathway, inducing inflammation in the liver and gill tissues, stimulating the upregulation of inflammatory factor expression levels, and leading to immune system disorders. FF exposure at a concentration of 5 mg/L can lead to a significant decrease in the diversity and evenness of gut microbiota. The concentration of FF in water bodies above 37.52 mg/L poses a potential risk to aquatic products.

Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors Histologically Diagnosed in a Single Center of China 2003-2019.

OBJECTIVE: The classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors has changed greatly. The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) and other institutions have analyzed the incidence rate and characteristics of primary CNS tumors. However, there are limited studies analyzing the incidence rate and characteristics of CNS tumors in China. To better understand CNS tumors in China, we summarized all primary CNS tumors diagnosed pathologically in a single center from 2003 to 2019. METHODS: All patients with primary CNS tumors who underwent neurosurgery at our hospital from January 2003 to December 2019 were included in this study. The data were collected from the hospital information system, including diagnosis time, age, gender, anatomic sites, and pathologic results. RESULTS: A total of 17,226 cases of primary CNS tumors were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Among all cases, the major tumor types included meningiomas, tumors of neuroepithelial tissue, and pituitary adenomas. Most tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were glioblastoma and astrocytoma. Most tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were located in the frontal lobe. However, grade 4 tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were more common in the temporal lobe. The median age of all patients was 46 years. The incidence of CNS tumors was higher in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this data set, we analyzed various parameters of CNS tumors and found that grade 4 tumors of neuroepithelial tissue were more common in the temporal lobe, which were rarely reported in previous articles.

Relation between left atrial structure and lacunar infarction in patients with hypertension.

A lacunar infarction (LACI) can cause damage to the surrounding brain tissue and place an individual at greater risk for future major stroke. LACI is associated with hypertension and hypertension is associated with left atrial enlargement. It is important to identify a high-risk patient who is more vulnerable to suffering a LACI in hypertensive group. So, we studied whether left atrium size is an independent risk predictor for LACI in hypertensive patients. We performed cross-sectional analysis of 365 patients with hypertension at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from January 2016 to January 2017. The results showed that left atrial diameter(LAD), left atrial volume (LAV) and the ratio of left atrial diameter to left ventricular diameter (LAD/LVD) were significantly associated with LACI in hypertensive patients. Based on the ROC curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of LAV used to predict LACI was 0.737 (95% CI: 0.686 - 0.788), and the AUC of LAD/LVD was 0.784 (95% CI: 0.737 - 0.830). The optimal cut-off value for LAV was 30.14, and the sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 63%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value for LAD/LVD was 0.757, and the sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 70%, respectively. LAV or LAD/LVD played an important role in LACI with hypertension and could be an independent risk factor in hypertensive patients.

Enhanced performance of In2O3 nanowire field effect transistors with controllable surface functionalization of Ag nanoparticles.

Indium oxide (In2O3) nanowire field effect transistors (FETs) have great potential in electronic and sensor applications owing to their suitable band width and high electron mobility. However, the In2O3 nanowire FETs reported previously were operated in a depletion-mode, not suitable to the integrated circuits result of the high-power consumption. Therefore, tuning the electrical properties of In2O3 nanowire FETs into enhancement-mode is critical for the successful application in the fields of high-performance electronics, optoelectronics and detectors. In the work, a simple but effective strategy was carried out by preparing Ag nanoparticle functionalized In2O3 NWs to regulate the threshold voltage (Vth) of In2O3 NW FETs, successfully achieving enhanced-mode devices. The threshold voltage can be regulated from -6.9 V to +7 V by controlling Ag density via deposition time. In addition, the devices exhibited high performance: huge Ion/Ioff ratio > 108, large maximum saturation current ≈ 800 mA and excellent carrier mobility ≈ 129 cm2 Vcs-1. The enhanced performance is attributed to the surface passivation by Ag nanoparticles to reduce the density of traps and the charge transfer between traps and the nanowires to regulate the Vth. The result indicates the application of metal nanoparticles significantly improve oxide NW for low-power FETs.

Intervention effect of gamma aminobutyric acid on anxiety behavior induced by phthalate (2-ethylhexyl ester) in rats.

BACKGROUND: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widely used phthalate esters. The application of DEHP has caused serious environmental pollution and posed a threat to human health. METHODS: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, DEHP group (500 mg/kg DEHP), low GABA (Gama-aminobutyric acid) group (500 mg/kg DEHP and 1 mg/kg GABA), medium GABA group (500 mg/kg DEHP and 2 mg/kg GABA) and high GABA group (500 mg/kg DEHP and 4 mg/kg GABA). The interventions continued for 30 consecutive days. Open-field test and elevated plus-maze test were used to detect behavioral changes of rats before and after interventions. RESULTS: The levels of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in prefrontal cortex of rats were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DEHP and GABA treatment had no significant effects on the body weight of rats. GABA restored food utilization rate of rats impaired by DEHP to the level of healthy rats. According to open-field test and elevated plus-maze test, GABA alleviated the effects of DEHP on rat behaviors. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that GABA was effective in reducing the levels of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in rats treated with DEHP. CONCLUSION: DEHP exposure induced anxiety in rats, which may be achieved through elevating nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase levels in prefrontal cortex of rats. However, the effects caused by DEHP could be alleviated by GABA.

Circulating microRNAs as a biomarker to predict therapy efficacy in hepatitis C patients with different genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype exerts a major influence on therapeutic response; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of the study is to investigate the circulating microRNAs as the biomarkers to predict the response to therapy in chronic hepatitisC patients (HepC) with different genotypes. METHODS: HepC patients were separated into 4 groups by genotype, healthy individuals were enrolled as the control. microRNA-122 (miR-122), microRNA-155 (miR-155) and HCV RNA in serum and exosome were measured, associations between microRNAs, viral load and other conventional biomarkers were analyzed. RESULTS: Serum and exosomal HCV RNA in genotype 6a group was highest, followed by genotype 3a/2a, and in genotype 1b were the lowest. The significant correlations existed between exosomal HCV RNA and serum HCVRNA. MiR-122, both in serum (miR-122ser) and in exosome (miR-122exo), was higher in normal control than in HCV group. Specifically, miR-122exo were significantly higher in genotype 1b than other genotype groups (p < 0.05). On the contrary, miR-155exowas significantly lower in genotype 1b than in other groups (p < 0.05 for both). A strongly positive association was found between miR-122/155 and HCV viral load in patients with various genotypes. Higher miR-122ser at the start of therapy predicts a better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of miR-122/155 differ in each genotypes, miR-122ser could be independent factor affecting the therapy efficacy, which had higher diagnostic value in predicting HCV outcome.

Serum and exosomal miR-122 and miR-199a as a biomarker to predict therapeutic efficacy of hepatitis C patients.

MicroRNA (miRNA), which has been shown to correlate with liver functions, has been proposed as a new biomarker reflecting liver injury. The aim of the study was to investigate miRNA-122 (miR-122) and mir-RNA-199a (miR-199a) as a biomarker for predicting therapeutic efficacy in hepatitis C (HepC) patients. A total of 47 HepC 1b patients and 16 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum and exosomal mir-RNAs and other conventional biomarkers reflecting liver function were evaluated. The miR-122 levels in serum (miR-122ser ) and exosomes (miR-122exo ) were significantly lower in the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b patients than in the normal controls, but these levels were higher compared to the non-genotype 1b group. The mean miR-122ser level in the sustained virological response (SVR) group was significantly higher than that in the non-response (NR) group (P < 0.01), and the miR-122exo level in the SVR group was also higher than that in the NR group (P > 0.05), although this difference was not significant. miR-199a levels showed similar trends with the miR-122 levels in serum and exosomes. HCV RNAser was negatively correlated with the miR-122ser (r = -0.473, P = 0.004) and miR-122exo (r = -0.424, P = 0.009) levels. miR-122ser levels were positively associated with miR-199aser levels (r = 0.453, P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses reveal that the miR-122ser levels and ALT/AST ratio demonstrated a predictive value in evaluating patient outcomes. Serum miR-122 and miR-199a are potential biomarkers that reflect therapeutic efficacy.

Circulating tight junction proteins mirror blood-brain barrier integrity in leukaemia central nervous system metastasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of circulating tight junction (TJ) proteins as biomarkers reflecting of leukaemia central nervous system (CNS) metastasis. TJs [claudin5 (CLDN5), occludin (OCLN) and ZO-1] concentrations were measured in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from 45 leukaemia patients. Serum ZO-1 was significantly higher (p < 0.05), but CSF ZO-1 levels were not significantly higher in the CNS leukaemia (CNSL) compared to the non-CNSL. The CNSL patients also had a lower CLDN5/ZO1 ratio in both serum and CSF than in non-CNSL patients (p < 0.05). The TJ index was negatively associated with WBCCSF , ALBCSF and BBB values in leukaemia patients. Among all of the parameters studied, CLDN5CSF had the highest specificity in discriminating between CNSL and non-CNSL patients. Therefore, analysing serum and CSF levels of CLDN5, OCLN and the CLDN5/ZO1 ratio is valuable in evaluating the potential of leukaemia CNS metastasis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Role of Circulating Tight Junction Proteins in Evaluating Blood Brain Barrier Disruption following Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Brain injury after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) results in significant morbidity and mortality. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a hallmark of ICH-induced brain injury; however, data mirroring BBB disruption in human ICH are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of circulating biomarkers in evaluating BBB disruption after ICH. Twenty-two patients with ICH were recruited in this study. Concentrations of the tight junction proteins (TJs) Claudin-5 (CLDN5), Occludin (OCLN), and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from patients with ICH. The white blood cell (WBC) count in blood and CSF, albumin (ALB) levels in the CSF (ALBCSF), and the BBB ratio were significantly higher in the ICH than in controls (p < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of CLDN5, OCLN, ZO-1, MMP-9, and VEGF in CSF were observed in the ICH group; these biomarkers were also positively associated with BBB ratio (p < 0.05). Our data revealed that circulating TJs could be considered the potential biomarkers reflecting the integrity of the BBB in ICH.

The prognostic significance of serum and cerebrospinal fluid MMP-9, CCL2 and sVCAM-1 in leukemia CNS metastasis.

Metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS) is the primary obstacle in leukemia treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), chemokine ligand-2 (CCL2) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) play crucial roles in tumor cell adhesion, motivation and survival, but their roles in leukemia CNS metastasis remain to be elucidated. We investigated the prognostic significance of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) MMP-9, CCL2 and sVCAM-1 in leukemia patients to explore their potential as predictive biomarkers of the development of CNS leukemia (CNSL). MMP-9, CCL2 and sVCAM-1 were measured in paired CSF and serum samples collecting from 33 leukemia patients with or without CNS metastasis. Other risk factors related to CNSL prognosis were also analyzed. sVCAM-1Serum and CCL2Serum/CSF were significantly higher in the CNSL group than in the non-CNSL group and the controls (p < 0.05). MMP-9Serum was insignificantly lower in the CNSL group than in the non-CNSL group and the controls (p > 0.05). No differences were found for the sVCAM-1Serum, CCL2Serum, and MMP-9Serum levels between non-CNSL patients and controls (p > 0.05). MMP-9CSF was significantly higher in the CNSL group than both the non-CNSL and the control groups (p < 0.05). The indexes of sVCAM-1, CCL2, and MMP-9 in the CNSL group were lower than in the controls (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were determined between the MMP-9CSF and the ALBCSF/BBB value/WBCCSF, between sVCAM-1Serum and the WBCCSF/BBB value. Negative correlations existed between MMP-9Serum and the ALBCSF/BBB value/WBCCSF, and between the CCL2 index and ALBCSF. sVCAM-1Serum was positively associated with event-free survival (EFS), and patients with higher levels of ALBCSF, MMP-9CSF/Serum, CCL2CSF/Serum, and sVCAM-1CSF/Serum had shorter EFS. MMP-9CSF, CCL2CSF and sVCAM-1CSF are the first three principal components analyzed by cluster and principal component analysis. Our data suggest that MMP-9, CCL2 and sVCAM-1 in the CSF may be more potent than serum in predicting the possibility of leukemia metastatic CNS and the outcome of CNSL patients.

Preparation, characterization and application of a copper (II)-bound polymeric ligand exchanger for selective removal of arsenate from water.

A copper (II)-bound polymeric ligand exchanger named WH-425-Cu was prepared by loading Cu(2+) onto poly (4-vinylpyridine) resin. The performance of WH-425-Cu as the ligand exchanger to remove arsenate [As (V)] from aqueous solution was also investigated by using static equilibrium and dynamic adsorption experiments. Results of static experiments indicated that WH-425-Cu had higher adsorption selectivity for As (V) than other ubiquitous anions in nature water body such as SO(4)(2-), Cl(-), SiO(3)(2-), and PO(4)(3-). The optimal pH for adsorption of As (V) on WH-425-Cu was in the range of 6.0-8.0. The As (V) adsorbed on WH-425-Cu could be easily eluted with 7 BV of 6% NaCl solution (at pH = 9.0) with elution efficiency above 99%. The prepared WH-425-Cu could be used as a highly selective and reusable ligand exchanger for selective removal of As (V) from water.

Population development by phenotypic selection with subsequent marker-assisted selection for line extraction in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; 2n = 2x = 14) has a narrow genetic base, and commercial yield of US processing cucumber has plateaued in the last 15 years. Yield may be increased by altering plant architecture to produce unique early flowering (days to flower, DTF), female (gynoecious, GYN), highly branched (multiple lateral branching, MLB), long-fruited (length:diameter ratio, L:D) cultivars with diverse plant statures. The genetic map position of QTL conditioning these quantitatively inherited yield component traits is known, and linked molecular markers may have utility in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs to increase selection efficiency, and effectiveness. Therefore, a base population (C0), created by intermating four unique but complementary lines, was subjected to three cycles (C1-C3) of phenotypic (PHE) mass selection for DTF, GYN, MLB, and L:D. In tandem, two cycles of marker-assisted backcrossing for these traits began with selected C2 progeny (C2S) to produce families (F1[i.e., C2S x C2S], and BC(1) [i.e., F1 x C2S]) for line extraction, and for comparative analysis of gain from selection by PHE selection, and MAS. Frequencies of marker loci were used to monitor selection-dependent changes during PHE selection, and MAS. Similar gain from selection was detected as a result of PHE selection, and MAS for MLB (approximately 0.3 branches/cycle), and L:D (approximately 0.1 unit increase/cycle) with concomitant changes in frequency at linked marker loci. Although genetic gain was not realized for GYN during PHE selection, the percentage of female flowers of plants subjected to MAS was increased (5.6-9.8% per cycle) depending upon the BC1 population examined. Selection-dependent changes in frequency were also detected at marker loci linked to female sex expression during MAS. MAS operated to fix favorable alleles that were not exploited by PHE selection in this population, indicating that MAS could be applied for altering plant architecture in cucumber to improve its yield potential.