Factors influencing the outcomes of dermatoses during the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a retrospective study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic subverted people's lives and potentially affected the management and prognosis of pre-existing dermatoses. The study aims to identify factors influencing the outcomes of dermatoses during a rapid and widespread Omicron outbreak in China following the adjustment of the COVID-19 policy. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study involved outpatients visiting the dermatology department at a tertiary referral hospital in Beijing, China between December 2022 and February 2023. Demographics, COVID-19 characteristics, treatment modalities, and dermatosis outcomes were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The odds ratio (OR) for vitiligo aggravation during COVID-19 was 0.497 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.254-0.973, p = 0.038] compared to total patients with various dermatoses. Psoriasis patients with a maximum body temperature (Tmax) over 38.6°C during COVID-19 were 2.833 times more likely to experience dermatosis aggravation (OR: 2.833 [1.029-7.803], p = 0.041). Moreover, autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD) patients receiving biologics treatment exhibited a reduced likelihood of aggravation during the COVID-19 outbreak (OR: 0 [0-0.531], p = 0.011). Conclusion: Vitiligo exhibits lower aggravation rates during COVID-19 than other dermatoses. A higher body temperature during COVID-19 infection can increase the risk of psoriasis aggravation. Biologics treatment reduces the risk of AIBD aggravation during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A polysomnographic study of slow-wave sleep loss in elderly patients with epilepsy.

Objective: The primary objective is to explore what causes slow-wave sleep loss in elderly patients with epilepsy. The secondary objective is to identify the PSG characteristics in elderly patients with epilepsy. The clinical demographics, sleep architecture, sleep-related events, and interictal epileptiform discharges are to be evaluated in the objectives. Methods: The video electroencephalography (VEEG) and polysomnogram (PSG) data from 44 elderly patients with epilepsy and 52 elderly patients with sleep disorders but without definite central nervous system diseases were analysed. This was a case-control study. The differences in the PSG sleep architecture parameters (total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, etc.) and sleep-related events (apnea hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), periodic limb movement index, etc.) between the epilepsy and control groups. As Additionally, these parameters were assessed within the elderly patients with epilepsy, comparing the slow-wave sleep existence and slow-wave sleep loss groups, using VEEG and PSG. Results: The epileptic group exhibited significantly lower TST (343.477 ± 96.3046min vs 389.115 ± 61.5727min, p < 0.05), rapid eye movement (%) (13.011 ± 7.5384 vs 16.992 ± 6.7025, p < 0.05), non-rapid eye movement stage 3 (%) (1.35[0,7.225] vs 3.65[0.425,13.75], p < 0.05), and sleep efficiency (%) (69.482 ± 14.1771% vs 77.242 ± 10.6171%, p < 0.05). Conversely, the ODI (25.6[9.825,51.775] events/hour vs 16.85[5.3,30.425] events/hour, p < 0.05) and spontaneous arousal index (4.0455[2.1805,6.9609] events/hour vs 2.9709[1.4747,5.0554] events/hour, p < 0.05) were significantly higher in elderly patients with epilepsy. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) was significantly higher in the slow-wave sleep loss group than in the slow-wave sleep existence group (100% vs 77.8%, p < 0.05). The incidence of slow-wave sleep loss was lower in patients with epilepsy aged between 75 and 85 years compared to those aged between 65 and 75 years. Conclusion: Elderly patients with epilepsy exhibit higher levels of ODI and spontaneous arousal index. Our findings indicate that OSAHS could be a contributing factor to slow-wave sleep loss in this population. The incidence of slow-wave sleep loss was lower in patients aged above 75 years among elderly patients with epilepsy.

The impact of crowd effects on home advantage of football matches during the COVID-19 pandemic-A systematic review.

This review aimed to (1) analyze whether the home advantage was diminished; (2) investigate the impact of the crowds' support on the match outcome and team performance; (3) explore the bias of the referee without crowds. Based on the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines, this systematic review searched of literature was conducted in December 2022. The keywords related to soccer, COVID-19 and home advantage were used. The search returned 135 articles. After screening the records against set criteria, 28 articles were analyzed. Results showed that the absence of crowds would reduce the home advantage of teams, but the findings varied by country. Most leagues have evidence that without the support of the spectators, their technical, tactical and physical performances would be worse. The referee seems likely to be fairer when the spectators are absent. Therefore, crowd supports is an important factor affecting home advantage, the clubs can at least try to strengthen the home advantage and increase the winning possibility by encouraging spectators to enter the stadium or reducing the ticket price.

Application of digital guide plate with drill-hole sharing technique in the mandible reconstruction.

Background/purpose: With the development of computer-assisted surgery, digital guide plate was widely used in vascularized bone flap grafts for mandibular reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to design and manufacture a digital guide plate with drill-hole sharing for mandibular reconstruction and assess for surgical accuracy. Materials and methods: 17 patients that required mandibular reconstruction using fibula free flap or iliac crest free flap were included in the study. The computed tomography (CT) data of the patient's mandible and pelvis or fibula were acquired preoperatively. A surgical simulation was then performed using computer-aided surgical simulation (CASS) technology based on above date, which allowed the design of two cutting guide and a repositioning guide for mandibular reconstruction. After surgery, the accuracy of reconstruction was evaluated by superimposing the postoperative image onto the preoperative image of mandible, recording the linear and angular deviation of landmarks, measuring the differences between the planned and actual outcomes. Results: The osteotomy and repositioning of fibula or iliac crest segments were successfully performed as planned using surgical guides. The digital guide plate with drill-hole sharing showed excellent accuracy, When the iliac crest or the fibula free flap were used for mandibular reconstruction, the largest mean differences between the preoperative and postoperative were 1.11 mm and 2.8° or 1.3 mm and 3.87°. Conclusion: The digital guide plate with drill-hole sharing designed preoperatively provides a reliable method of for the mandibular reconstruction. This can assist surgeons in accurately performing osteotomy and repositioning fibula or iliac crest segments during the mandibular reconstruction.

Anti-interleukin 4 receptor α antibody for the treatment of Chinese bullous pemphigoid patients with diverse comorbidities and a 1-year follow-up: a monocentric real-world study.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common subepidermal bullous disorder that lacks adequate treatment alternatives. Dupilumab, an anti-interleukin (IL) 4 receptor α antibody blocking Th2 molecules IL-4 and 13, has been used off-label and shown to be effective in refractory BP cases. Methods: BP patients with various disease severities and comorbidities were included in this case series. All patients received dupilumab alone or in combination with immunosuppressants in a real-world setting. Complete remission (CR) was defined as the absence of pruritus symptoms and previous BP eruptions, with only hyperpigmentation patches and without newly occurring lesions for at least 4 weeks. Disease relapse was classified as the appearance of three or more new lesions within 1 month or at least one large urticarial or eczematous lesion that did not resolve within a week. Findings: Ten individuals were enrolled in this case series. Pruritus symptoms and BP eruptions improved significantly in nine patients (90%). Seven patients (70%) attained CR, including all mild-to-moderate (100%) cases and three of six (50%) severe BP cases. At the dupilumab monotherapy stage, eosinophilia was observed in two severe cases. One patient out of seven (14.3%) relapsed after 1 year of follow-up after CR. Conclusion: Treatment of BP with diverse comorbidities with anti-IL-4 receptor α antibody provides further credentials to a prospective randomized study. More impressive efficacy and safety profiles were observed in patients with mild-to-moderate disease after 1 year of follow-up. Eosinophilia may occur in patients receiving dupilumab monotherapy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients with autoimmune bullous diseases in China.

Patients with autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are considered to be immunocompromised and, consequently, they may be more susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and have poorer outcomes. However, the risk and repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with AIBDs have not been fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on patients with AIBDs. From December 2022 to January 2023, all patients with AIBDs who visited our clinic were enrolled in this study. Meanwhile, web-based questionnaires and telesurveys were used as supplements. Information about patients' demographics, comorbidities, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and vaccination, as well as AIBD status and treatments were collected and analyzed. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was based on a positive polymerase chain reaction test, and/or an antigen test, or the presence of typical symptoms in conjunction with an epidemiological history. Finally, 95 patients with AIBDs were enrolled, including 47 cases of pemphigus and 48 cases of pemphigoid cases, and 73 had symptoms consistent with coronavirus disease 2019. Common symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection were fever (80.8%), fatigue (75.0%), cough (71.2%), muscle/joint pain (49.3%), and sore throat (45.2%). No significant differences were found between SARS-CoV-2-infected and asymptomatic patients. Patients who had hypertension (p = 0.034), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.017), or more than two comorbidities (p = 0.011) were more likely to develop pneumonia after infection. Patients with pemphigus who did not achieve disease control (p = 0.045) or had an oral corticosteroid dose ≥15 mg/day (p = 0.024) and patients with pemphigoid with a disease duration ≥2 years (p = 0.037) were more prone to AIBDs aggravation. In conclusion, patients with AIBDs are generally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals with newly diagnosed AIBDs, uncontrolled disease, and a higher corticosteroid dose are more susceptible to disease exacerbation.

[Compositional Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds in Typical Industrial Areas of the Pearl River Delta: Importance of Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds].

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key components of tropospheric chemistry, of which industrial emissions are an important source of atmospheric VOCs. In this study, online measurements of 74 VOCs were made in a typical industrial area of the Pearl River Delta in southern China during the early summer of 2021. The mean volume mixing ratio of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) was (81.9±45.4)×10-9 during the campaign. Among them, oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) accounted for the largest fraction of TVOC, with an average of 51.5%, followed by aromatics, accounting for 19.4% of TVOC. The proportion of OVOCs in TVOC gradually increased with the increase in TVOC concentration. Industry-related emissions were the main contributors to aromatics and OVOCs in this region. Aromatics and OVOCs were the two major contributors to the ozone formation potential (OFP), accounting for 56.4% and 26.7%, respectively. Furthermore, OVOCs also contributed 40.0% of the total ·OH reactivity from VOCs. Xylenes, toluene, acrolein, and ethyl acetate had a greater contribution to the formation of secondary pollution; thus, these species should be given priority for controlling secondary pollution. Our results underscore the severity of OVOCs pollution in industrial areas and the important roles of OVOCs in secondary pollution.

Photolysis frequency of nitrophenols derived from ambient measurements.

Nitrophenols, a class of important intermediate products from the oxidation of aromatics, can participate in photochemistry and influence the atmospheric oxidative capacity. However, the reported photolysis frequencies of nitrophenols show considerable discrepancies. Here, measurements of nitrophenol, and methyl nitrophenol using a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) at both urban and regional sites in southern China are used to constrain photolysis frequencies of nitrophenols. Considerable concentrations with a campaign average of 58 ± 32 ppt for nitrophenol and 97 ± 59 ppt for methyl nitrophenol were observed at the regional site. Based on the in-situ measurement dataset, a steady-state calculation was performed along with a zero-dimensional box model to analyze the budgets of nitrophenols. The result indicates that both primary emission and photolysis have significant impacts on nitrophenols. Primary emission contributes up to 88 % of the total nitrophenols production while photolysis accounts for up to 98 % of the total removal rate. The dominant sink of nitrophenols is photolysis with a rate of about 3.5 % ± 1.3 % of jNO2 for nitrophenol and 2.4 % ± 1.0 % of jNO2 for methyl nitrophenol. The results of this study suggest that using advanced mass spectrometry to accurately measure ambient nitrophenols, supplemented by an observation-based box model for budget analysis, provides an important indication for determining photolysis rate constants of nitrophenols.

Lonicera caerulea (Haskap berries): a review of development traceability, functional value, product development status, future opportunities, and challenges.

Lonicera caerulea is a honeysuckle plant with a long development history. It is defined as a "homology of medicine and food" fruit because it is rich in bioactive substances. By-products (such as pomace, leaves, stems, and flowers), which also have beneficial values, will be produced during processing. Nevertheless, the reuse of derivatives and the further development of new products of Lonicera caerulea are still a challenge. Firstly, this paper traced the development history of Lonicera caerulea and summarized its primary nutrients and bioactive substances, subsequently discussed the research progress and underlying molecular mechanisms of its functional properties, and introduced the application and potential of Lonicera caerulea in the fields of food, health products, cosmetics, medicine, and materials. Finally, this paper put forward the future research direction to promote the development of the Lonicera caerulea industry. To sum up, Lonicera caerulea, as a potential raw material, can be used to produce more functional products. Besides, more in-depth clinical trials are needed to clarify the specific molecular mechanism of the practical components of Lonicera caerulea and improve the rate of development and utilization.HighlightsThe original species of Lonicera caerulea subgroup had appeared on the earth as early as the end of the third century.Lonicera caerulea has been introduced into North America since the 18th century, but the introduction process has not ended until now.Lonicera caerulea widely exists in Eurasia and North America and it has excellent cold tolerance, early maturity and ornamental.The fruits, stems, leaves and flowers of Lonicera caerulea all have bioactive value, but the specific molecular mechanism and utilization need to be improved.Lonicera caerulea has been widely used in food, medicine, health products, cosmetics and materials, but there are still great challenges.

[Interpretation of 2021 French Guidelines for the Therapeutic Management of Bullous Pemphigoid].

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease.The diagnosis of BP relies on clinical manifestation,histopathology,direct and indirect immunofluorescence,and serological assay.In the past two decades,topical corticosteroids and systemic and/or topical corticosteroids were the major therapeutic options for localized/mild/moderate and extensive/severe BP,respectively.In 2021,several experts from the French Study Group on Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases collaboratively issued the updated guidelines for the therapeutic management of BP based on evidence-based medicine.The guidelines fully detailed the updated therapeutic options for extensive BP,BP of limited extent,localized form of BP,corticosteroid-dependent BP,and drug-induced/associated BP.In particular,systemic corticosteroids are no longer the first-line treatment for extensive BP.We interpret the guidelines to assist dermatologists in the comprehensive management of BP and promote the standardization of BP treatment.

Baicalin regulates TLR4/IκBα/NFκB signaling pathway to alleviate inflammation in Doxorubicin related cardiotoxicity.

Cancers and the toxic and side effects of their treatment have always been a major problem for human beings. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the classical anthracycline antineoplastic drugs, but it can cause different degrees of heart damage and even serious heart failure. The incidence of myocardial toxicity increased significantly when the cumulative dose of the drug was more than 550 mg/m2, and the relevant mechanism was related to the inflammatory reaction, reactive oxygen species and the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in the myocardium. Relevant studies have shown that baicalein (Ba) can inhibit NFκB-related inflammatory signaling pathway protects cardiac function, but whether it can inhibit DOX induced cardiotoxicity has not been reported. Therefore, in animal studies, we explored the effects of doxorubicin and baicalein on cardiac function, TLR4/IκBα/NFκB signaling pathway and related inflammatory indicators in rats. In cell experiments, by silencing or overexpressing TLR4, we explored whether baicalein could achieve anti-inflammatory effect through regulating TLR4/IκBα/NFκB signaling pathway and ultimately inhibit doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.

Clinical Application of Individualized 3D-Printed Templates in the Treatment of Condylar Osteochondroma.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondroma (OC) is one of the most common benign tumors of the long bones, but it rarely occurs in the maxillofacial skeleton. However, mandibular condylar OC often leads to severe facial deformity in affected patients, including facial asymmetry, deviation of the chin, and malocclusion. This study aimed to explore the clinical application of individualized 3D-printed templates to accurately and effectively treat condylar OC. METHODS: A total of 8 patients with mandibular condylar OC were treated from July 2015 to August 2021. The enrolled patients (5 women and 3 men) had a median age of 27 years (range: 21-32 years). All patients exhibited symptoms of facial asymmetry and occlusal disorders preoperatively. The digital software used to virtually design the process consisted of three-dimensional reconstruction, 3D-cephalometry analysis, virtual surgery, individualized templates, and postoperative facial soft-tissue prediction. A set of 3D-printed templates (DOS and DOT) were used in all cases to stabilize the occlusion and guide the osteotomy. Then, pre- and post-operative complications, mouth opening, clinical signs, and the accuracy of the CT imaging analysis were all evaluated. All the measurement data were presented as means ± SD; Bonferroni and Tamhane T2 multiple comparison tests were used to examine the differences between the groups. RESULTS: All patients healed uneventfully. None of the patients exhibited facial nerve injury at follow-up. In comparing the condylar segments with T0p and T1, the average deviation of the condylar segments was 0.5796 mm, indicating that the post-operative reconstructed condyles showed a high degree of similarity to the reconstruction results of the virtual surgical plan. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized 3D-printed templates simplified surgical procedures and improved surgical accuracy, proving to be an effective method for the treatment of patients with slight asymmetric deformities secondary to condylar OC.

Volatile organic compounds in wintertime North China Plain: Insights from measurements of proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS).

The characteristics of wintertime volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the North China Plain (NCP) region are complicated and remain obscure. VOC measurements were conducted by a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) at a rural site in the NCP from November to December 2018. Uncalibrated ions measured by PTR-ToF-MS were quantified and the overall VOC compositions were investigated by combining the measurements of PTR-ToF-MS and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer/flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID). The measurement showed that although atmospheric VOCs concentrations are often dominated by primary emissions, the secondary formation of oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) is non-negligible in the wintertime, i.e., OVOCs accounts for 42% ± 7% in the total VOCs (151.3 ± 75.6 ppbV). We demonstrated that PTR-MS measurements for isoprene are substantially overestimated due to the interferences of cycloalkanes. The chemical changes of organic carbon in a pollution accumulation period were investigated, which suggests an essential role of fragmentation reactions for large, chemically reduced compounds during the heavy-polluted stage in wintertime pollution. The changes of emission ratios of VOCs between winter 2011 and winter 2018 in the NCP support the positive effect of "coal to gas" strategies in curbing air pollutants. The high abundances of some key species (e.g. oxygenated aromatics) indicate the strong emissions of coal combustion in wintertime of NCP. The ratio of naphthalene to C8 aromatics was proposed as a potential indicator of the influence of coal combustion on VOCs.

Coexistence of Anti-p200 Pemphigoid and Psoriasis: A Systematic Review.

Background: A close association between psoriasis and anti-p200 pemphigoid has been demonstrated by numerous studies. However, the clinical characteristics of patients suffering from these two entities have not yet been well-elucidated. Objective: This study aimed to review the case reports and case series, summarizing clinical features and therapeutic strategies in patients suffering from anti-p200 pemphigoid and psoriasis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for studies published in English involving patients with psoriasis and anti-p200 pemphigoid on 6 September 2021. All case reports and case series reporting patients diagnosed with anti-p200 pemphigoid and psoriasis were included in this systematic review. Results: A total of 21 eligible studies comprising 26 anti-p200 pemphigoid patients with preceding psoriasis were included in the qualitative synthesis. The average age at blisters eruption was 62.5 years, and the mean duration between the two entities was 15.6 years. Twenty-four percent of patients developed bullous lesions during UV therapy. Clinical manifestation of bullae and/or vesicles was recorded in all patients, and the trunk (94.7%) was most frequently involved, with only 15.8% reporting mucosal involvement. Epitope spreading was detected by immunoblotting in 33.3% of patients. All the patients reached completed remission during the course of disease, with 36.8% experiencing at least one relapse. Monotherapy of prednisolone was the leading therapeutic approach (n=6, 31.6%) required for disease control, but 5 (83.3%) of them suffered from blister recurrence after tapering or ceasing corticosteroid. Conclusion: Most of the clinical aspects of patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid and psoriasis were similar to what was demonstrated in previous articles on anti-p200 pemphigoid. Nevertheless, compared with other anti-p200 pemphigoid cases without psoriasis, a clinical manifestation pattern with more frequent involvement of the trunk and less mucosal involvement was illustrated in those with psoriasis. Generally, monotherapy is sufficient for a complete remission for such patients. However, one or more relapses have been recorded in a considerable portion of patients, especially those prescribed with prednisolone. It reminded us to be more cautious during a tapering of medication.

Paradoxical phenomena of bullous pemphigoid induced and treated by identical biologics.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of biologics-induced bullous pemphigoid (BP) and the therapeutic effects of those agents for BP, exploring the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Elsevier for studies involving pemphigoid patients treated with or induced by identical biologics published in English from January 2009 to April 2022. Results: Seventeen cases of drug-induced BP associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (aTNF)-α therapies, one with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors, and seven with IL-12/IL-23 or IL-23 inhibitors were enrolled. Time to cutaneous toxicity varied among different types of agents, and the characteristics of clinical examinations were similar to idiopathic BP. Discontinuation of the culprit drugs and initiation of topical or systemic corticosteroids were adequate in most cases. Several monoclonal antibodies above have also been reported for the treatment of refractory or recurrent BP, especially concurrent with psoriasis. Conclusion: Biologics for immune-related diseases, including TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-12/IL-23 or IL-23 inhibitors, can both induce and treat BP, which might be associated with a helper T cells Th1/Th2 imbalance, complicated inflammatory networks, and a specific individual microenvironment, suggestive of a new perspective on the therapeutic algorithms of BP. There have been numerous reports about biologics inducing or treating BP. We have taken note of this phenomenon and focused on biologics with both pathogenetic and therapeutic effects on BP. Our review summarized the clinical characteristics of associated cases, trying to figure out the underlying mechanisms of this paradoxical phenomenon and to provide an integrated perspective and new therapeutic alternatives for BP.

Case report: Successful treatment of non-bullous lichen planus pemphigoides with dupilumab.

Lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) is a rare autoimmune bullous disease, characterized by the coexistence of lichen planus and subepidermal bullae. However, the minority of LPP patients present with papules rather than vesicles or blisters, which is defined as non-bullous LPP. The diagnosis of LPP relies on manifestations, histopathology, serological assay, and direct immunofluorescence of linear disposition of IgG and/or C3 at the basement membrane zone. Up to now, no standard therapeutic strategies have been proposed for the treatment of LPP. Herein, we describe an uncommon non-bullous LPP patient with widespread papules and erythema, probably induced by vaccination. During hospitalization, he had a poor response to the conventional treatment of topical and systemic corticosteroids, and his condition was finally alleviated by the addition of dupilumab. For LPP patients with a traditional medication failure, or who were not suitable for a higher dose of corticosteroids, a combination with dupilumab could be an alternative option.

ST-segment resolution as a marker for severe myocardial fibrosis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between ST-segment resolution (STR) and myocardial scar thickness after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Forty-two STEMI patients with single-branch coronary artery stenosis or occlusion were enrolled. ST-segment elevations were measured at emergency admission and at 24 h after PCI. Late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR-LGE) was performed 7 days after PCI to evaluate myocardial scars. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the utility of STR to predict the development of transmural (> 75%) or non-transmural (< 75%) myocardial scars, according to previous study. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of STR for predicting transmural scars were 96% and 88%, respectively, at an STR cut-off value of 40.15%. The area under the curve was 0.925. Multivariate logistic proportional hazards regression analysis disclosed that patients with STR < 40.15% had a 170.90-fold higher probability of developing transmural scars compared with patients with STR ≥ 40.15%. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses showed STR percentage was significantly associated with myocardial scar thickness and size. CONCLUSION: STR < 40.15% at 24 h after PCI may provide meaningful diagnostic information regarding the extent of myocardial scarification in STEMI patients.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin in Cutaneous Immune-Mediated Diseases.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was initially demonstrated to be critical in regulating inflammatory responses among various allergic disorders (such as atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and asthma). Although two isoforms (short form and long form) of TSLP have been demonstrated in human tissues, the long form of TSLP (lfTSLP) is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of allergies and cutaneous immune-mediated diseases. The immunomodulatory activity of lfTSLP varies widely, driving T helper (Th) cells polarizing Th2 and Th17 immune responses and inducing itch. Moreover, lfTSLP is closely associated with skin fibrosis, epidermal hyperplasia, angiogenesis, and homeostatic tolerogenic regulations. This review highlights significant progress from experimental and clinical studies on lfTSLP in cutaneous immune-mediated diseases (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, bullous pemphigoid, systemic sclerosis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, Behçet's disease, vitiligo, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus, and alopecia areata). We also offer original insights into the pleiotropic properties of the cytokine TSLP in various pathophysiological conditions, with significant clinical implications of TSLP-targeted therapies for immune-mediated skin diseases in the future.

High Concentrations of Atmospheric Isocyanic Acid (HNCO) Produced from Secondary Sources in China.

Isocyanic acid (HNCO) is a potentially toxic atmospheric pollutant, whose atmospheric concentrations are hypothesized to be linked to adverse health effects. An earlier model study estimated that concentrations of isocyanic acid in China are highest around the world. However, measurements of isocyanic acid in ambient air have not been available in China. Two field campaigns were conducted to measure isocyanic acid in ambient air using a high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer (ToF-CIMS) in two different environments in China. The ranges of mixing ratios of isocyanic acid are from below the detection limit (18 pptv) to 2.8 ppbv (5 min average) with the average value of 0.46 ppbv at an urban site of Guangzhou in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in fall and from 0.02 to 2.2 ppbv with the average value of 0.37 ppbv at a rural site in the North China Plain (NCP) during wintertime, respectively. These concentrations are significantly higher than previous measurements in North America. The diurnal variations of isocyanic acid are very similar to secondary pollutants (e.g., ozone, formic acid, and nitric acid) in PRD, indicating that isocyanic acid is mainly produced by secondary formation. Both primary emissions and secondary formation account for isocyanic acid in the NCP. The lifetime of isocyanic acid in a lower atmosphere was estimated to be less than 1 day due to the high apparent loss rate caused by deposition at night in PRD. Based on the steady state analysis of isocyanic acid during the daytime, we show that amides are unlikely enough to explain the formation of isocyanic acid in Guangzhou, calling for additional precursors for isocyanic acid. Our measurements of isocyanic acid in two environments of China provide important constraints on the concentrations, sources, and sinks of this pollutant in the atmosphere.