Prediction of body mass index and skeletal maturity for early menarche risk at menarche onset: a cross-sectional study of Chinese girls.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the predictive value of body mass index (BMI) and skeletal maturity for the occurrence of early menarche in Chinese girls. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 785 girls aged 8.1-14.6 years who visited our hospital within 3 months of menarche onset. Early menarche was defined as menarche age (MA) <10 years. Skeletal maturity was classified based on the difference between bone age (BA) and chronological age (CA), termed BA-CA; advanced BA was defined as BA-CA>2 years. RESULTS: The average MA was 10.7 (SD: 1.1) years, with a prevalence of early menarche of 23.3%. BA exhibited relative stability compared with MA, with an average of 12.8 (SD: 0.5) years at menarche onset. At menarche onset, the average height, weight and BMI were 149.1 (SD: 5.1) cm, 43.3 (SD: 7.2) kg and 19.4 (SD: 2.8) kg/m², respectively. Logistic regression analyses indicated that every 1-year increment in BA-CA was independently associated with a 18.90-fold higher risk of early menarche (95% CI 11.77 to 30.32), respectively, and remained statistically significant even after adjusting for height or mid-parental height. Furthermore, the prediction of BA-CA for early menarche demonstrated a dose-dependent pattern across BMI categories, with the greatest risk observed in normal-weight girls, the lowest risk in obese girls and an intermediate risk in overweight girls at the same degree of BA advancement. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence supporting the significant contributions of BMI and skeletal maturity in predicting early menarche among Chinese girls at menarche onset. Additionally, the results suggest a dose-dependent relationship between skeletal maturity and BMI categories, with normal-weight girls displaying a higher risk of early menarche compared to overweight and obese girls with the same degree of BA advancement.

Vitamin E intake is inversely associated with NAFLD measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, whose severe form is associated with oxidative stress. Vitamin E as an antioxidant has a protective potential in NAFLD. Whether dietary intake of vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E have a preventive effect on NAFLD requires investigation. A cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2020) was conducted. Vitamin E intake, including dietary vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E, was obtained from the average of two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The extent of hepatic steatosis was measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography and presented as controlled attenuated parameter (CAP) scores. Participants were diagnosed with NAFLD based on CAP threshold values of 288 dB/m and 263 dB/m. The statistical software R and survey-weighted statistical models were used to examine the association between vitamin E intake and hepatic steatosis and NAFLD. Overall, 6122 participants were included for NAFLD analysis. After adjusting for age, gender, race, poverty level index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, vigorous recreational activity, body mass index, abdominal circumference, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and supplementary vitamin E use, dietary vitamin E was inversely associated with NAFLD. The corresponding odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of NAFLD for dietary vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile were 0.9592 (0.9340-0.9851, P = 0.0039) and 0.5983 (0.4136-0.8654, P = 0.0091) (Ptrend = 0.0056). Supplementary vitamin E was significantly inversely associated with NAFLD (fully adjusted model: OR = 0.6565 95% CI 0.4569-0.9432, P = 0.0249). A marginal improvement in total vitamin E for NAFLD was identified. The ORs (95% CIs, P) for the total vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile in the fully adjusted model were 0.9669 (0.9471-0.9871, P = 0.0029) and 0.6743 (0.4515-1.0071, P = 0.0538). Sensitivity analysis indicated these findings were robust. The protective effects of vitamin E significantly differed in the stratum of hyperlipidemia (Pinteraction < 0.05). However, no statistically significant results were identified when the threshold value was set as 263 dB/m. Vitamin E intake, encompassing both dietary and supplemental forms, as well as total vitamin E intake, demonstrated a protective association with NAFLD. Augmenting dietary intake of vitamin E proves advantageous in the prevention of NAFLD, particularly among individuals devoid of hyperlipidemia.

Association of Body Mass Index with Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Levels among 3227 Chinese Children Aged 2-18 Years.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels are affected by nutritional status, yet there is limited research exploring the association between body mass index (BMI) and IGF-1 levels among children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 3227 children aged 2-18 years without specific diseases, whose height, weight, and pubertal stages were measured and assessed by pediatricians. BMI standard deviation scores (BMISDS) were used to categorize children as underweight (BMISDS < -2); normal-weight (-2 ≤ BMISDS ≤ 1); overweight (1 < BMISDS ≤ 2); and obese (BMISDS > 2). Children were divided into low-level (<-0.67 SD) and nonlow-level (≥-0.67 SD) groups based on IGF-1 standard deviation scores (IGF-1SDS). The association between IGF-1 and BMI as categorical and continuous variables was explored by Binary logistic regression, the restrictive cubic spline model, and the generalized additive model. Models were adjusted by height and pubertal development. Recursive algorithm and multivariate piecewise linear regression were further utilized to assess the threshold of the smooth curve. RESULTS: IGF-1 levels varied by BMI categories, with the highest levels observed in the overweight group. The proportion of low IGF-1 levels in underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese groups was 32.1%, 14.2%, 8.4%, and 6.5%, respectively. The risk odds of low IGF-1 levels in underweight children were 2.86-, 2.20-, and 2.25-fold higher than in children with normal weight before adjustment, after adjustment for height, and after adjustment for height and puberty, respectively. When analyzing the association between BMI and low IGF-1 levels, dose-response analysis demonstrated an inverted J-shaped relationship between BMISDS and low IGF-1 levels. Lower or higher BMISDS increased the odds of low IGF-1 levels, and significance was retained in underweight children but not in obese children. When BMI and IGF-1 levels were used as continuous variables, the relationship between the BMISDS and IGF-1SDS followed a nonlinear inverted U shape. IGF-1SDS increased with the increase of BMISDS (ß = 0.174, 95% CI: 0.141 to 0.208, p < 0.01) when BMISDS was less than 1.71 standard deviation (SD) and decreased with the increase of BMISDS (ß = -0.358, 95% CI: -0.474 to -0.241, p < 0.01) when BMISDS was greater than 1.71 SD. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between BMI and IGF-1 levels was found to depend on the type of variable, and extremely low or high BMI values could result in a tendency toward low IGF-1 levels, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a normal BMI range for normal IGF-1 levels.

Cuproptosis-Related Signature Predicts the Prognosis, Tumor Microenvironment, and Drug Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Copper (Cu) metabolism is strongly associated with liver disease. Cuproptosis is a novel format of cell death, and cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) were identified. However, the role of CRGs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Method: The mRNA transcriptome profiling data, somatic mutation data, and copy number gene level data of The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma project (TCGA-LIHC) were downloaded for subsequent analysis. Molecular characterization analysis of CRGs, including differential gene expression analysis, mutation analysis, copy number variation (CNV) analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and immune regulator prioritization analysis, was implemented. The nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) approach was used to identify the CRG-related molecular subtypes. Principal component analysis was adopted to verify the robustness and reliability of the molecular subtype. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was performed to construct the prognostic signature based on differentially expressed genes between molecular subtypes. The survival characteristics of the molecular subtype and the signature were analyzed. The Gene Set Variation Analysis was performed for functional annotation. The immune landscape analysis, including immune checkpoint gene analysis, single sample gene set enrichment analysis, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) analysis, immune infiltration cell, and tumor mutation burden analysis (TMB), was conducted. The ability of the signature to predict conventional anti-HCC agent responses was evaluated. The signature was validated in the LIRI-JP cohort and the IMvigor210 cohort. Result: A total of 13 CRGs are differentially expressed between the tumor and normal samples, while the mutation of CRGs in HCC is infrequent. The expression of CRGs is associated with the CNV level. Fourteen CRGs are associated with the prognosis of HCC. Two clusters were identified and HCC patients were divided into 2 groups with a cutoff risk score value of 1.570. HCC patients in the C1 cluster and high-risk have a worse prognosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival is 0.775, 0.768, and 0.757 in the TCGA-LIHC cohort, and 0.811, 0.741, and 0.775 in the LIRI-JP cohort. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicates that the signature is an independent prognostic factor. Pathways involved in metabolism and gene stability and immune infiltration cells are significantly enriched. Immune checkpoint genes are highly expressed in the C1 cluster. TMB is positively correlated with the risk score. HCC patients in the high-risk group are more likely to benefit from conventional anti-HCC agents and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Conclusion: The molecular characterization of CRGs in HCC is presented in this study, and a successful prognostic signature for HCC based on the cuproptosis-related molecular subtype was constructed.

Efficacy of Disitamab Vedotin in a heavily pre-treated HER2 positive lung adenocarcinoma patient: case report and literature review.

Cancer therapies targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have been attracting increasing attention worldwide, especially in lung adenocarcinoma. Disitamab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate designed for targeting HER2 that has been approved for urothelial carcinoma and gastric cancer. However, there is still a lack of clinical evidence for applying Disitamab vedotin in lung adenocarcinoma. Herein, we reported a case of a 52-year-old man with advanced lung adenocarcinoma carrying HER2 amplification as well as HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 2 + who underwent treatment with Disitamab vedotin after disease progression. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, anti-angiogenesis therapy, and immunotherapy as first-line therapy, achieving a remarkable progression-free survival of 16 months. After the disease continued to continuous progress, the patient was administrated with Disitamab vedotin, which resulted in improvement of both the lung lesions and the brain lesions. Our findings provide a valuable reference for the utilization of Disitamab Vedotin in HER2 IHC2+ lung adenocarcinoma.

Comparison of the difference in serum insulin growth factor-1 levels between chronological age and bone age among children.

OBJECTIVE: By measuring serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in children aged 2-16, we aimed to analyze the changes in IGF-1 levels in different sex and age groups, and compare the consistency of IGF-1 results evaluated by chronological age (CA) and bone age (BA) in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2020 among 2979 relatively healthy children who attended the Department of Growth and Development outpatient clinic and health care center of the Affiliated Children's Hospital of the Capital Institute of Pediatrics and underwent health examination and development assessment. Height, weight, and Tanner pubertal stage were measured by pediatricians. The CHN method was used to estimate BA. Venous blood samples were collected from the children, and IGF-1 levels were determined via chemiluminescence. RESULTS: IGF-1 levels in childhood increased slowly with age, dramatically during puberty,and continuously withgrowth until to 15 years for boys and reached a peak value at 13 years for girls based on CA. IGF-1 levels reached peak values at 14 and 13 years for boys and girls, respectively, based on BA. There were differences in IGF-1 values between the CA and BA groups at the age of 10-11 years for boys and 7-11 years for girls. A total of 103 boys (7.7%) and 17 girls (1.0%) had IGF-1 levels below the lower limit of the reference range based on CA; evaluating based on BA, there were 82 boys (6.1%) and 15 girls (0.9%) still had IGF-1 values less than the lower limit of the reference range. Eighteen boys (1.3%) and 173 girls (10.5%) had IGF-1 levels above the upper limit of the reference range based on CA; evaluating based on BA, these numbers reduced to 5 (0.4%) among boys and 41 (2.5%) among girls. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between BA and CA in evaluating IGF-1 levels in children, which can significantly reduce the proportion of IGF-1 values above the upper limit of the kit reference range in children. This suggests that children with BA advanced in pubertal period, the evaluating results of IGF-1 should be corrected by using BA.

Measurement of expansion factor and distortion for expansion microscopy using isolated renal glomeruli as landmarks.

Expansion microscopy has enabled super resolution imaging of biological samples. The accurate measurement of expansion factor and distortion typically requires locating and imaging the same region of interest in the sample before and after expansion, which is often time-consuming to achieve. Here we introduce a convenient method for relocation by utilizing isolated porcine glomeruli as landmarks during expansion. Following heat denaturation and proteinase K digestion protocols, the glomeruli exhibit expansion factor of 3.5 to 4 (only 7%-16% less expanded than the hydrogel), and 1% to 2% of relative distortion. Due to its appropriate size of 100 to 300 µm, the location of the glomerulus in the sample are visible to eyes, while its detailed shape only requires bright field microscopy. For expansion factors ranging from 3 to 10, the region in the vicinity of the glomerulus can be easily re-identified, and sometimes allows quantification of expansion factor and distortion under bright field without fluorescent labels.

Enhancing biocompatibility and neuronal anti-inflammatory activity of polymyxin B through conjugation with gellan gum.

Polymyxins, as strong antibiotics with high liposaccharide deactivation abilities, are rarely used as neuronal anti-inflammatory agent because of their high cytotoxicity. In this study, polymyxin B (PMB) was conjugated with deacylated gellan gum for the sustained release of PMB to reduce its cytotoxicity at high concentration without affecting the antibacterial and liposaccharide binding activities. For the conjugate of original PMB/GN ratio of 1.0 (GPC), the conjugating rate was 96.40%, and the releasing ratio of PMB was 30.12% within 60 h. The FT-IR spectra of GPC indicated that the amino groups of PMB were covalently bonded with the COOH groups of gellan and other PMB molecules. Most GPCs were micelle shaped regardless of whether they were under dry conditions or in an aqueous solution. The inhibition zones of PMB against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were small, but the half maximal inhibitory concentration value against BV-2 cells increased from 15.63 µg/mL to 2000.00 µg/mL after conjugation. GPC can also effectively depress the liposaccharide-stimulated overexpression of cytotoxic nitric oxide by BV-2 cells. This study revealed the possibility of using polymyxins for neuronal anti-inflammation and that this gellan/PMB conjugate can potentially be applied to wound healing and implants.

Molecular Epidemiology of Echovirus 18 Circulating in Mainland China from 2015 to 2016.

Echovirus 18 (E18), a serotype of Enterovirus B (EV-B) species, is an important pathogen in aseptic meningitis. E18 had rarely been detected in mainland China, but became the predominant pathogen associated with viral encephalitis (VE) and meningitis in Hebei province for the first time in 2015. To investigate the molecular epidemiology and genetic characteristics of E18 in mainland China, sixteen E18 strains from patient throat swabs with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in six provinces in China collected between 2015 and 2016, and four E18 strains isolated from 18 patient cerebrospinal fluid specimens with VE in Hebei Province in 2015 were obtained and sequenced. Combined with the sequences from the GenBank database, we performed an extensive genetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of VP1 gene sequences revealed that all E18 strains from mainland China after 2015 belonged to subgenotype C2. There were no obvious specific differences in phylogenetic and variation analyses of E18 genome sequences between HFMD and VE/meningitis strains. Potential multiple recombination may have occurred in the 5'-untranslated region and in the P2 and P3 nonstructural protein-encoding regions of E18 strains from China. The current E18 strains were potential multiple-recombinant viruses. Overall, these findings supported that E18 caused HFMD, VE, and meningitis, although there were no significant associations between clinical features and viral genomic characteristics.

Growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by four ionic liquids in Scenedesmus obliquus: Role of cations and anions.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely used in various industrial applications. However, they are considered potential toxins in aquatic environments because of their physical stability and solubility. The growth inhibition and oxidative stress induced by four ionic liquids with different cations and anions on the green algae Scenedesmus obliquus was investigated in this study. The order of growth inhibition was 1­hexyl­3­methylimidazolium nitrate ([HMIM]NO3) > 1­hexyl­3­methylimidazolium chloride ([HMIM]Cl) > N­hexyl­3­metylpyridinium bromide ([HMPy]Br) > N­hexyl­3­metylpyridinium chloride ([HMPy]Cl). Imidazolium IL had a higher growth inhibition effect than pyridinium IL, nitrate IL and bromide IL had a higher effect than chloride IL. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in S. obliquus increased with increasing IL concentrations. Green fluorescence in [HMIM]Cl treated algae showed increased brightness compared to the [HMPy]Cl treatment, and [HMIM]NO3 treatment produced increased brightness compared to the [HMPy]Br treatment, suggesting that higher ROS levels were induced by [HMIM]Cl and [HMIM]NO3. Soluble protein, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were stimulated at lower concentrations but were inhibited at higher concentrations. Regression analysis suggested that ROS level is the main index responsible for oxidative stress induced by the four ILs. The ILs induced oxidative damage on S. obliquus, and ROS in high concentration treatments could not be effectively removed by the antioxidant system, leading to oxidative damage and ultimately resulting in growth inhibition and cell death.

Genetic variations in the fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus isolated from children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia in China.

To identify the variations in fusion (F) protein gene of RSV in China, a molecular epidemiological study was conducted. A total of 553 RSV positive specimens were collected from 2338 pediatric patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia during a multi-center study conducted during 2014-2016. A total of 252 samples (183 RSV A, 69 RSV B) were selected for F gene sequencing, and analyzed together with 142 F gene sequences downloaded from GenBank. The result showed that all the Chinese RSV A and RSV B strains could be divided respectively into three branches. Compared with RSV A/B prototype sequences respectively, there were significant amino acid (AA) mutations at multiple antigenic sites. For RSV A, changes were found at AA residues 122, 124, 125, 276 and 384, and for RSV B at AA residues 45, 116, 125, 172, 173 and 202. Variations in human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-restricted CTL epitopes were also observed. In total, 56 amino acid differences for the complete F protein were found between the RSV A and B groups in China, while several mutations were only found in the RSV B strains during 2015-2016. The RSV F gene is relatively conserved in China, however, limited mutations are still occurring with time.

Serotypes of human enteroviruses causing pediatric viral encephalitis and meningitis in Hebei province, China, from 2013 to 2015.

IMPORTANCE: Viral encephalitis and meningitis are severe infectious diseases responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in children. Enteroviruses are typically the most common causative agents of viral encephalitis and meningitis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the etiology of viral encephalitis and meningitis among children in Hebei province, China. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid samples from children with viral encephalitis (n=309) and meningitis (n=133) were collected between Nov 2013 and Dec 2015 and viral pathogens were identified by real-time and multiplex PCR. Amplification and sequencing of partial VP1 genes was used to type enteroviruses. RESULTS: The causative pathogen was successfully detected in 176 (57%) patients with viral encephalitis and 82 (61.7%) patients with viral meningitis. The most common causative agents of both viral encephalitis and meningitis were enteroviruses (55.7% and 64.6% of cases, respectively). The most common enterovirus serotypes identified were echovirus 18, echovirus 6 and echovirus 30. Echovirus 18 accounted for 74.4% of all typed enteroviruses and caused a viral encephalitis and meningitis outbreak in Hebei province in 2015. By contrast, the major enterovirus serotypes circulating in 2014 were echovirus 6 and echovirus 30. INTERPRETATION: Enteroviruses were the main causative agents of viral encephalitis and meningitis in children in Hebei province from Nov 2013 to Dec 2015. Echovirus 18 became the leading cause of viral encephalitis and meningitis for the first time in Hebei province in 2015.

Carbon materials derived from waste tires as high-performance anodes in microbial fuel cells.

In this study, carbonized waste tires were directly used as a high-performance anode material in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The effect of the pyrolysis temperature used for waste tire carbonization on the current output performance was investigated to determine the optimal pyrolysis temperature. Thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry showed that tire carbonization started at 200°C and ended at about 500°C; the weight loss was about 64%. When used in an MFC, the electrode obtained from waste tires carbonized at 800°C gave a current density of 23.1±1.4Am-2, which is much higher than that achieved with traditional graphite felt anodes (5.5±0.1Am-2). The results of this study will be useful in optimizing the design of carbonized waste tire anodes for enhancing MFC performances and will alleviate the environmental problems caused by waste tires.

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Echovirus 18 Associated with Aseptic Meningitis in Hebei Province, China, in 2015.

Echovirus 18 is a member of the genus Enterovirus, family Picornaviridae, which can cause meningitis in children. Here, we report the echovirus 18 complete genome sequence, which was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a child with aseptic meningitis in Hebei Province, China.

[Variations in Serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 Levels Before and After Surgery Facilitate Prognosis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA21-1) are important tumor markers (TMs) in the preoperative examination of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic role of these markers in NSCLC patients remains controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum CEA variances and CYFRA21-1 levels for the prognosis of NSCLC patients following surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated the clinical records and follow-up sessions of 175 patients with NSCLC who accepted surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were subdivided into groups based on serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 levels. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier method for each group. The prognostic factor was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) of patients with high preoperative CEA or CYFRA21-1 levels was lower than that of patients with normal preoperative CEA or CYFRA21-1 levels. The OS displayed a significant difference (P=0.001) between groups with high and normal preoperative CYFRA21-1. Compared with groups exhibiting normal preoperative and postoperative levels of CEA or CYFRA21-1, the OS was shorter for groups with high preoperative and postoperative levels of CEA or CYFRA21-1. The difference of the paired groups was significant (P<0.05). Compared with the groups with normal preoperative and postoperative levels of CEA and CYFRA21-1, the OS was lower for the groups with high preoperative and postoperative levels of CEA and CYFRA21-1, which indicated a significant difference (P<0.001). The CEACYFRA211 (HHHH), CEACYFRA211 (NNHH), CYFRA21-1 (HH), CEA (HH), and male gender were identified as independent prognostic factors (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the prognosis of NSCLC patients was not significantly satisfactory if preoperative and postoperative level of serum CEA or CYFRA21-1 was higher than standard value, especially if the preoperative and postoperative levels of CYFRA21-1 and CEA were higher than the standard values. The measurement of preoperative and postoperative levels of CYFRA21-1 and CEA proved helpful for the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
.