R2-ISS staging combined with circulating plasma cells improves risk stratification for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a single-center real-world study.

We aimed to evaluate if circulating plasma cells (CPC) detected by flow cytometry could add prognostic value of R2-ISS staging. We collected the electronic medical records of 336 newly diagnosed MM patients (NDMM) in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2023. The median overall survival (OS) for patients and R2-ISS stage I-IV were not reached (NR), NR, 58 months and 53 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS between patients with stage I and patients with stage II (P = 0.309) or between patients with stage III and patients with stage IV (P = 0.391). All the cases were re-classified according to R2-ISS stage and CPC numbers ≥ 0.05% (CPC high) or<0.05% (CPC low) into four new risk groups: Group 1: R2-ISS stage I + R2-ISS stage II and CPC low, Group 2: R2-ISS stage II and CPC high + R2-ISS stage III and CPC low, Group 3: R2-ISS stage III and CPC high + R2-ISS stage IV and CPC low, Group 4: R2-ISS stage IV and CPC high. The median OS were NR, NR, 57 months and 32 months. OS of Group 1 was significantly longer than that of Group 2 (P = 0.033). OS in Group 2 was significantly longer than that of Group 3 (P = 0.007). OS in Group 3 was significantly longer than that of Group 4 (P = 0.041). R2-ISS staging combined with CPC can improve risk stratification for NDMM patients.

Multifunctional integrated metamaterials for radar-infrared-visible compatible multispectral stealth.

Metamaterials offer exciting opportunities for developing multispectral stealth due to their unique electromagnetic properties. However, currently transparent radar-infrared-visible compatible stealth metamaterials typically involve complex hierarchical designs, leading to thickness and transparency limitations. Here, we propose an integrated metamaterial for multispectral stealth with high transparency. Our design features an ITO/dielectric/ITO sandwich structure, with the upper-layer ITO acting as a resonator for broadband microwave absorption while maintaining a high filling ratio to suppress infrared (IR) radiation. Experimental results demonstrate excellent performance, with over 90% microwave absorption in 8-18 GHz, an IR emissivity of approximately 0.36 in 3-14 µm, an average optical transmittance of 74.1% in 380-800 nm, and a thickness of only 2.4 mm. With its multispectral compatibility, the proposed metamaterial has potential applications in stealth and camouflage fields.

Untargeted metabonomics and TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway analysis reveals potential mechanism of action of Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is marked by hepatic steatosis accompanied by an inflammatory response. At present, there are no approved therapeutic agents for NAFLD. Dendrobium Huoshanense polysaccharide (DHP), an active ingredient extracted from the stems of Dendrobium Huoshanense, and exerts a protective effect against liver injury. However, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action DHP against NAFLD remain unclear. DHP was extracted, characterized, and administered to mice in which NAFLD had been induced with a high-fat and high-fructose drinking (HFHF) diet. Our results showed that DHP used in this research exhibits the characteristic polysaccharide peak with a molecular weight of 179.935 kDa and is composed primarily of Man and Glc in a molar ratio of 68.97:31.03. DHP treatment greatly ameliorated NAFLD by significantly reducing lipid accumulation and the levels of liver function markers in HFHF-induced NAFLD mice, as evidenced by decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC) and total triglyceride (TG). Furthermore, DHP administration reduced hepatic steatosis, as shown by H&E and Oil red O staining. DHP also inhibited the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway expression, thereby reducing levels of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Besides, untargeted metabolomics further indicated that 49 metabolites were affected by DHP. These metabolites are strongly associated the metabolism of glycine, serine, threonine, nicotinate and nicotinamide, and arachidonic acid. In conclusion, DHP has a therapeutic effect against NAFLD, whose underlying mechanism may involve the modulation of TLR4/NF-κB, reduction of inflammation, and regulation of the metabolism of glycine, serine, threonine, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism.

Effects of proton pump inhibitors on inflammatory bowel disease: An updated review.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is believed to be caused by various factors, including abnormalities in disease susceptibility genes, environmental factors, immune factors, and intestinal bacteria. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the primary drugs used to treat acid-related diseases. They are also commonly prescribed to patients with IBD. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between the use of certain medications, such as PPIs, and the occurrence and progression of IBD. In this review, we summarize the potential impact of PPIs on IBD and analyze the underlying mechanisms. Our findings may provide insights for conducting further investigations into the effects of PPIs on IBD and serve as an important reminder for physicians to exercise caution when prescribing PPIs to patients with IBD.

Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Children with Lupus Nephritis in Terms of Pathological and Clinical Features.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an important risk factor for the prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN). Patients with LN complicated with TMA tend to be critically ill with high mortality and poor prognosis. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, renal pathological manifestations, and prognosis of children with LN-TMA and analyzed the risk factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children with LN-TMA. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with LN and renal TMA (rTMA) were selected and compared to 128 LN controls without TMA (1:2 ratio) matched according to demographics, pathological type and treatments. RESULTS: The mean values of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary protein quantitation (PRO), urine red blood cells, N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosidase (NAG), retinol-binding protein, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity score (SLEDAI), and activity index (AI) scores in the TMA group were all higher than those in the non-TMA group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). The mean values of complement C3, hemoglobin, platelets, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and chronic index (CI) score in the TMA group were all lower than those in the non-TMA group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). The number of cases of glomerular crescent, fibrous crescent, endocapillary proliferation, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, C3 and C1q deposition in the TMA group was higher than that in the non-TMA group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). The 3-year and 5-year renal survival rates in the TMA group (88.93% vs. 97.00%, p < 0.05) and TMA group (61.41% vs. 82.31%, p < 0.05) were significantly lower than those in the non-TMA group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum creatinine before treatment (≥110 µmol/L), TMA and interstitial fibrosis were independent risk factors for the development of ESRD in LN children. CONCLUSION: The general condition of children with TMA is critical, and the prognosis is poor. Early detection, early treatment and the development of new treatments are key to improving LN-TMA outcomes in children.

All-Solid-State Infrared Electrochromic Devices Based on Thin Metal Films.

Infrared electrochromic devices (IR-ECDs) are pivotal for dynamic thermal regulation. However, the quest for all-solid-state IR-ECDs with high stability and a broadly tunable range of emissivity remains a challenge. This study presents the development of an all-solid-state infrared electrochromic device (IR-ECD) with the structure of ITO/HxWO3/Ta2O5/Pd/Mg3Ni based on the hydrogen-induced metal-insulator transition of Mg-Ni alloy films. The emissivity modulation is improved by film stack optimization, with changes of 0.32 and 0.47 in the 3-5 and 7.5-14 µm bands, respectively. The introduction of an ultrathin Ti isolation layer between the catalytic and electrolyte layers enhances the cyclic stability. Our findings offer a novel strategy for the design and fabrication of all-solid-state IR electrochromic devices and highlight the potential of Mg-Ni alloy-based all-solid-state IR-ECDs in advanced energy and information fields.

[Landscape Pattern Vulnerability and Its Driving Forces in Different Geomorphological Divisions in the Middle Yellow River].

The ecological environment of the middle Yellow River is highly vulnerable. Conducting a scientific assessment of landscape pattern vulnerability holds great significance, as it serves as the basis for the rational construction of the ecological environment in this area. Based on five periods of land use data from the middle Yellow River from 1990 to 2018, the landscape pattern vulnerability index was employed to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of the landscape pattern vulnerability. Furthermore, the influencing factors for landscape pattern vulnerability in different natural geomorphological divisions were explored using an optimal parameters-based geographical detector model. The results showed that:① From 1990 to 2018, cultivated land (which accounted for 36.96 % to 39.97 % of the area) remained the predominant landscape in the middle Yellow River. Among all landscape types, cultivated land and construction land exhibited the most significant changes. The area of cultivated land decreased by 10 185.00 km2, whereas the area of construction land increased by 7 678.46 km2. ② From 1990 to 2018, the landscape pattern was dominated by low and medium vulnerability and accounted for 70 %-80 % of the total area. The high and higher vulnerability areas were concentrated in the loess hilly and gully region, whereas the lower vulnerability area was concentrated in the valley plain and the earth-rock mountain regions. During this period, landscape pattern vulnerability underwent an incipient decrease, followed by a subsequent increase. From 1990 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2005, the changes in the level of landscape pattern vulnerability were dominated by a "reduction in the degree of vulnerability". However, from 2005 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2018, it was mainly an "increase in the degree of vulnerability". ③ Annual precipitation and NDVI were the main factors influencing the vulnerability of landscape patterns, whereas the influencing factors varied across different natural geomorphological divisions:the loess hilly and gully region and the earth-rock mountain region were dominated by natural factors, with annual precipitation and DEM being the dominant factors, respectively; the loess plateau tableland-gully region, valley plain region, and sandy land and desert region were dominated by human factors, with population density, degree of land use, and distance from roads being the dominant factors, respectively. The interaction results of any two influencing factors were manifested as two-factor enhancement or nonlinear enhancement. Risk detection revealed that high vulnerability areas of landscape patterns in different natural geomorphological divisions were distributed over distinct ranges of their corresponding dominant factors. Therefore, in the practices of ecological management in the middle Yellow River, appropriate management strategies should be implemented based on the vulnerability characteristics of different natural landforms, to further improve the ecological management level of the watershed.

The OsZIP2 transporter is involved in root-to-shoot translocation and intervascular transfer of cadmium in rice.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal that poses serious threats to human health. Rice is a major source of dietary Cd but how rice plants transport Cd to the grain is not fully understood. Here, we characterize the function of the ZIP (ZRT, IRT-like protein) family protein, OsZIP2, in the root-to-shoot translocation of Cd and intervascular transfer of Cd in nodes. OsZIP2 is localized at the plasma membrane and exhibited Cd2+ transport activity when heterologously expressed in yeast. OsZIP2 is strongly expressed in xylem parenchyma cells in roots and in enlarged vascular bundles in nodes. Knockout of OsZIP2 significantly enhanced root-to-shoot translocation of Cd and alleviated the inhibition of root elongation by excess Cd stress; whereas overexpression of OsZIP2 decreased Cd translocation to shoots and resulted in Cd sensitivity. Knockout of OsZIP2 increased Cd allocation to the flag leaf but decreased Cd allocation to the panicle and grain. We further reveal that the variation of OsZIP2 expression level contributes to grain Cd concentration among rice germplasms. Our results demonstrate that OsZIP2 functions in root-to-shoot translocation of Cd in roots and intervascular transfer of Cd in nodes, which can be used for breeding low Cd rice varieties.

Stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty with corneal crosslinking for corneal ectasia secondary to FS-LASIK: a case series.

AIM: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) with corneal crosslinking (CXL) on patients with corneal ectasia secondary to femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: A series of 5 patients undertaking SLAK with CXL for the treatment of corneal ectasia secondary to FS-LASIK were followed for 4-9mo. The lenticules were collected from patients undertaking small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for the correction of myopia. Adding a stromal lenticule was aimed at improving the corneal thickness for the safe application of crosslinking and compensating for the thin cornea to improve its mechanical strength. RESULTS: All surgeries were conducted successfully with no significant complications. Their best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 0.05 to 0.8-2 before surgery. The pre-operational total corneal thickness ranged from 345-404 µm and maximum keratometry (Kmax) ranged from 50.8 to 86.3. After the combination surgery, both the corneal keratometry (range 55.9 to 92.8) and total corneal thickness (range 413-482 µm) significantly increased. Four out of 5 patients had improvement of corneal biomechanical parameters (reflected by stiffness parameter A1 in Corvis ST). However, 3 patients showed decreased BCVA after surgery due to the development of irregular astigmatism and transient haze. Despite the onset of corneal edema right after SLAK, the corneal topography and thickness generally stabilized after 3mo. CONCLUSION: SLAK with CXL is a potentially beneficial and safe therapy for advanced corneal ectasia. Future work needs to address the poor predictability of corneal refractometry and compare the outcomes of different surgical modes.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus via selective apoptosis modulation by Chinese patent medicine Liuweiwuling Tablet.

BACKGROUND: Liuweiwuling Tablet (LWWL) is a Chinese patent medicine approved for the treatment of chronic inflammation caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Previous studies have indicated an anti-HBV effect of LWWL, specifically in terms of antigen inhibition, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. AIM: To investigate the potential mechanism of action of LWWL against HBV. METHODS: In vitro experiments utilized three HBV-replicating and three non-HBV-replicating cell lines. The in vivo experiment involved a hydrodynamic injection-mediated mouse model with HBV replication. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action of LWWL. RESULTS: In HepG2.1403F cells, LWWL (0.8 mg/mL) exhibited inhibitory effects on HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) at rates of 51.36%, 24.74% and 50.74%, respectively. The inhibition rates of LWWL (0.8 mg/mL) on pgRNA/covalently closed circular DNA in HepG2.1403F, HepG2.2.15 and HepG2.A64 cells were 47.78%, 39.51% and 46.74%, respectively. Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that the anti-HBV effect of LWWL was primarily linked to pathways related to apoptosis (PI3K-AKT, CASP8-CASP3 and P53 pathways). Apoptosis flow analysis revealed that the apoptosis rate in the LWWL-treated group was significantly higher than in the control group (CG) among HBV-replicating cell lines, including HepG2.2.15 (2.92% ± 1.01% vs 6.68% ± 2.04%, P < 0.05), HepG2.A64 (4.89% ± 1.28% vs 8.52% ± 0.50%, P < 0.05) and HepG2.1403F (3.76% ± 1.40% vs 7.57% ± 1.35%, P < 0.05) (CG vs LWWL-treated group). However, there were no significant differences in apoptosis rates between the non-HBV-replicating HepG2 cells (5.04% ± 0.74% vs 5.51% ± 1.57%, P > 0.05), L02 cells (5.49% ± 0.80% vs 5.48% ± 1.01%, P > 0.05) and LX2 cells (6.29% ± 1.54% vs 6.29% ± 0.88%, P > 0.05). TUNEL staining revealed a significantly higher apoptosis rate in the LWWL-treated group than in the CG in the HBV-replicating mouse model, while no noticeable difference in apoptosis rates between the two groups was observed in the non-HBV-replicating mouse model. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that LWWL exerts a potent inhibitory effect on wild-type and drug-resistant HBV, potentially involving selective regulation of apoptosis. These findings offer novel insights into the anti-HBV activities of LWWL and present a novel mechanism for the development of anti-HBV medications.

Early growth response 1 regulates dual­specificity protein phosphatase 1 and inhibits cell migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck, and among the OSCCs, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common types. Although therapy strategies have recently advanced, the prognosis of TSCC has not substantially improved. Metastasis is one of the main causes of patient mortality in TSCC; therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanism by which TSCC metastasis is regulated. In the present study, the early growth response 1 (Egr-1) expression in TSCC was analyzed based on GEO datasets and the effect of Egr-1 in TSCC tumor cell migration and invasion was measured using Transwell assay. By overexpressing dual-specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in cells with Egr-1 knockdown using lentivirus infection, the role of DUSP1 in Egr-1-regulated TSCC cell migration and invasion was determined. By using luciferase and ChIP assays, the mechanism behind how DUSP1 is regulated by Egr-1 was detected. In the present study, it was demonstrated that Egr-1 was downregulated in TSCC and the knockdown of Egr-1 increased TSCC cell migration and invasion. The expression of Egr-1 was also correlated with DUSP1. The overexpression of DUSP1 in Egr-1 knockdown cells, reduced the level of cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that knockdown of Egr-1 inhibited the promoter activity of DUSP1 and the site through which Egr-1 regulates DUSP1 transcription was identified. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Egr-1 regulates TSCC cell migration and invasion through modulating DUSP1, suggesting the potential of Egr-1 and DUSP1 as therapy targets for TSCC.

Clinical outcomes and clinico-pathological correlations in children with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis showing renal arteritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, pathological characteristics, and prognosis in myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) with renal arteritis. The study involved 97 children from five pediatric clinical centers with MPO-AAGN who exhibited distinct clinical features. The patients were divided into AAGN-A+ and AAGN-A-, based on the presence or absence of arteritis, and the disparities in clinical, histopathological characteristics, and prognosis between the two groups was evaluated. In contrast to the AAGN-A- group, the children in the AAGN-A+ group exhibited more pronounced clinical symptoms and renal pathological injury. Arteritis positively moderately correlated with the serum creatinine, interleukin-6, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, negatively moderately correlated with serum complement C3. The renal survival rate in the AAGN-A+ group was significantly poorer than AAGN-A- group (χ2 = 4.278, p = 0.039). Arteritis showed a good predictive value for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and C3 deposition, ANCA renal risk score and arteritis were independent risk factors for the development of ESKD in children with MPO-AAGN. Arteritis is a significant pathological change observed in children with MPO-AAGN, and the formation of arteritis may be related to the inflammatory response and activation of the complement system.

Organic hole transport materials for high performance PbS quantum dot solar cells.

We developed a triazatruxene-based hole transport material (HTM), 3Ka-DBT-3Ka, aiming to enhance band alignment and augment charge generation and collection in devices, as an alternative for 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT). The PbS CQD solar cells employing 3Ka-DBT-3Ka as the HTM achieve a peak efficiency of 11.4%, surpassing devices employing the conventional PbS-EDT HTM (8.9%).

Combined pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio predicts survival and prognosis in patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study.

The clinical significance of the combination of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is unclear. This study investigated the predictive value of pretreatment NLR (pre-NLR) combined with pretreatment PLR (pre-PLR) for the survival and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 765 patients with non-metastatic NPC from two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. The pre-NLR-PLR groups were as follows: HRG, high pre-NLR and high pre-PLR. MRG, high pre-NLR and low pre-PLR or low pre-NLR and high pre-PLR. LRG, neither high pre-NLR nor high pre-PLR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the cutoff-value and discriminant performance of the model. We compared survival rates and factors affecting the prognosis among different groups. The 5-year overall survival (OS), local regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of NPC patients in HRG were significantly poorer than those in MRG and LRG. The pre-NLR-PLR score was positively correlated with T stage, clinical stage, ECOG, and pathological classification. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that pre-NLR-PLR scoring system, ECOG, pre-ALB, pre-CRP and pre-LMR were independent risk factors affecting 5-year OS, LRRFS and DMFS. The ROC curve showed that area under the curve (AUC) values of pre-NLR-PLR of 5-year OS, LRRFS and DMFS were higher than those of pre-NLR and pre-PLR. pre-NLR-PLR is an independent risk factor for the prognosis of NPC. The pre-NLR-PLR scoring system can be used as an individualized clinical assessment tool to predict the prognosis of patients with non-metastatic NPC more accurately and easily.

Determinant of m6A regional preference by transcriptional dynamics.

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant chemical modification occurring on eukaryotic mRNAs, and has been reported to be involved in almost all stages of mRNA metabolism. The distribution of m6A sites is notably asymmetric along mRNAs, with a strong preference toward the 3' terminus of the transcript. How m6A regional preference is shaped remains incompletely understood. In this study, by performing m6A-seq on chromatin-associated RNAs, we found that m6A regional preference arises during transcription. Nucleosome occupancy is remarkedly increased in the region downstream of m6A sites, suggesting an intricate interplay between m6A methylation and nucleosome-mediated transcriptional dynamics. Notably, we found a remarkable slowdown of Pol-II movement around m6A sites. In addition, inhibiting Pol-II movement increases nearby m6A methylation levels. By analyzing massively parallel assays for m6A, we found that RNA secondary structures inhibit m6A methylation. Remarkably, the m6A sites associated with Pol-II pausing tend to be embedded within RNA secondary structures. These results suggest that Pol-II pausing could affect the accessibility of m6A motifs to the methyltransferase complex and subsequent m6A methylation by mediating RNA secondary structure. Overall, our study reveals a crucial role of transcriptional dynamics in the formation of m6A regional preference.

Nitrogen-doped substrate material ion imprinting-capacitive deionization selective recovery of lithium ions from acidic solutions.

With the continuous development of global industry and the increasing demand for lithium resources, recycling valuable lithium from industrial solid waste is necessary for sustainable development and environmental friendliness. Herein, we employed ion imprinting and capacitive deionization to prepare a new electrode material for lithium-ion selective recovery. The material morphology and structure were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and other characterization methods, and the adsorption mechanism and water clusters were correlated using the density functional theory. The electrode material exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 36.94 mg/g at a Li+ concentration of 600 mg/L. The selective separation factors for Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Al3+ in complex solution environments were 2.07, 9.82, 1.80, and 8.45, respectively. After undergoing five regeneration cycles, the material retained 91.81% of the initial Li+ adsorption capacity. Meanwhile, the electrochemical adsorption capacity for Li+ was more than twice the corresponding conventional physical adsorption capacity because electrochemical adsorption provides the energy needed for deprotonation, enabling exposure of the cavities of the crown ether molecules to enrich the active sites. The proposed environment-friendly separation approach offers excellent selectivity for Li+ recovery and addresses the growing demand for Li+ resources.

Validation of the IMPEDE VTE score for prediction of venous thromboembolism in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma: A single-center retrospective cohort study.

Multiple myeloma (MM) significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 6 months of treatment initiation. The IMPEDE VTE score is a VTE risk prediction model which is recently incorporated into the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, but it lacks validation among Asians, including Chinese MM patients. We performed a retrospective chart review of 405 Chinese with newly diagnosed MM who started therapy at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between April 2013 to October 2022. The 6-month cumulative incidence of VTE was 3.8 % (95 % CI:1.6-7.6), 8.6 % (95 % CI: 5.3-21.9) and 40.5 % (95 % CI: 24.9-55.7) in the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups (P < 0.001), respectively. The C-statistic of the IMPEDE VTE scores for predicting VTE within 6 months of treatment initiation was 0.74 (95 % CI: 0.65-0.83). Of note, in this single-center cohort study, we propose that the anticoagulant LMWH may be more effective than the antiplatelet aspirin in potentially preventing VTE in newly diagnosed MM patients. Our findings suggest that the IMPEDE VTE score is a valid evidence-based risk stratification tool in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed MM.

Lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis of the increase in eicosapentaenoic acid under cobalamin deficiency of Schizochytrium sp.

Schizochytrium sp. is a heterotrophic microorganism capable of accumulating polyunsaturated fatty acids and has achieved industrial production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also has the potential for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) production. In this study, it was found that the cell growth, lipid synthesis and fatty acid composition of Schizochytrium sp. were significantly affected by the level of cobalamin in the medium, especially with regard to the content of EPA in the fatty acids. The content of EPA in the fatty acids increased 17.91 times, reaching 12.00%, but cell growth and lipid synthesis were significantly inhibited under cobalamin deficiency. The response mechanism for this phenomenon was revealed through combined lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis. Although cell growth was inhibited under cobalamin deficiency, the genes encoding key enzymes in central carbon metabolism were still up-regulated to provide precursors (Acetyl-CoA) and reducing power (NADPH) for the synthesis and accumulation of fatty acids. Moreover, the main lipid subclasses observed during cobalamin deficiency were glycerolipids (including glycerophospholipids), with EPA primarily distributed in them. The genes involved in the biosynthesis of these lipid subclasses were significantly up-regulated, such as the key enzymes in the Kennedy pathway for the synthesis of triglycerides. Thus, this study provided insights into the specific response of Schizochytrium sp. to cobalamin deficiency and identified a subset of new genes that can be engineered for modification.