Shear-Induced Spin Polarization in Heavy-Ion Collisions.

We study the spin polarization generated by the hydrodynamic gradients. In addition to the widely studied thermal vorticity effects, we identify an undiscovered contribution from the fluid shear. This shear-induced polarization (SIP) can be viewed as the fluid analog of strain-induced polarization observed in elastic and nematic materials. We obtain the explicit expression for SIP using the quantum kinetic equation and linear response theory. Based on a realistic hydrodynamic model, we compute the differential spin polarization along both the beam direction z[over ^] and the out-plane direction y[over ^] in noncentral heavy-ion collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV, including both SIP and thermal vorticity effects. We find that SIP contribution always shows the same azimuthal angle dependence as experimental data and competes with thermal vorticity effects. In the scenario that Λ inherits and memorizes the spin polarization of a strange quark, SIP wins the competition, and the resulting azimuthal angle dependent spin polarization P_{y} and P_{z} agree qualitatively with the experimental data.

Spin Polarizations in a Covariant Angular-Momentum-Conserved Chiral Transport Model.

Using a covariant and angular-momentum-conserved chiral transport model, which takes into account the spin-orbit interactions of chiral fermions in their scatterings via the side jumps, we study the quark spin polarization in quark matter. For a system of rotating and unpolarized massless quarks in an expanding box, we find that side jumps can dynamically polarize the quark spin and result in a final quark spin polarization consistent with that of thermally equilibrated massless quarks in a self-consistent vorticity field. For the quark matter produced in noncentral relativistic heavy ion collisions, we find that in the medium rest frame both the quark local spin polarizations in the direction perpendicular to the reaction plane and along the longitudinal beam direction show an azimuthal angle dependence in the transverse plane similar to those observed in experiments for the Lambda hyperon.

The effect of metformin on gastric cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metformin, a drug widely used in the treatment of diabetes, has proven preventive and survival benefits for various malignancies. However, the effect of metformin on gastric cancer risk and survival rate in T2DM patients remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of metformin on gastric cancer in T2DM patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and the Cochrane Library for related studies up to October 22, 2019. Pooled hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed. All articles were evaluated by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: A total of 11 cohort studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The use of metformin was related to a significant 21% reduction in GC incidence (HR 0.790; 95% CI 0.624-1.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the use of metformin significantly reduced the risk of gastric cancer in T2DM patients in Asian populations, but not in western populations. In a pooled analysis of 3 studies, metformin use was associated with increased overall survival rate (HR 0.817; 95% CI 0.600-1.113) and cancer-specific survival rate (HR 0.824; 95% CI 0.614-1.106) of T2DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin could reduce the risk of gastric cancer in T2DM patients, particularly in Asian populations. However, it is debatable whether metformin use can improve the prognosis of gastric cancer in T2DM patients.

Screening of natural lactic acid bacteria with potential effect on silage fermentation, aerobic stability and aflatoxin B1 in hot and humid area.

AIM: To effectively make high-quality silage in hot and humid area. METHODS AND RESULTS: The natural lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains CZ149, XH358, XH753 and XH761 isolated from corn and Napier grass were screened by the potential of low pH growth and high lactic acid production, and their effect on silage quality, aerobic stability and aflatoxin B1 production of whole-crop corn was also studied in Sichuan, China. Four selected strains were Gram-positive and catalase-negative, rod-shaped strains that are able to grow at pH 3·5 and at 45°C. Strains CZ149, XH358, XH753 and XH761 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. salivarius, L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei, respectively. After 60 days of fermentation, all LAB strains showed no significant relationship with the quality of corn silage, whereas the lowest aflatoxin B1 and lactic-to-acetic ratio were detected in strain XH753-treated silage. Strain CZ149-treated silage showed worse aerobic stability and higher aflatoxin B1 concentration than control, whereas strain XH753-treated silage had better aerobic stability and lowest aflatoxin B1 concentration after aerobic exposure in hot and humid condition for 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The three L. plantarum strains used in this study are not suitable as inoculants for local whole-crop corn silage, whereas L. rhamnosus 753 could prolong the aerobic stability and inhibit the accumulation of aflatoxin B1 at hot and humid condition. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides new information of LAB inoculants for corn silage in hot and humid areas. Especially, a screened strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 753 can be used as a candidate strains to make high-quality silage in tropical and subtropical areas.

[Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance returned to normal glucose status for six years had lower long-term risk of diabetes: 20 years follow up of Daqing diabetes prevention study].

Objective: To explore the influence of lifestyle intervention on long-term diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) returned to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) within 6 years. Methods: A total of 577 subjects (aged 25-74 years old) with IGT in Daqing were enrolled and randomly assigned to control, and diet, exercise and diet plus exercise groups in a six-year intervention trial in 1986. Subjects who were non-diabetic at the end of the intervention were followed up for additional 14 years. Results: Among all the subjects, 41.38% of them who had returned to NGT from IGT within 6 years maintained NGT status after 20 years, and had a lower incidence of diabetes than subjects maintained IGT status (46.55% vs. 75.25%). Of note, in the intervention group, the percentage of participants developed diabetes in the NGT subjects was significantly lower than that in the IGT group (43.71% vs. 76.25%) after 20 years. There was high long-term risk for diabetes in the IGT subjects after the adjustment of age, sex and baseline glucose (HR=1.81, 95%CI 1.27-2.58, P=0.001), whereas in the non-intervention group, no significant difference could be viewed in long-term diabetic risk between subjects maintained IGT status and those returned to NGT (71.43% vs. 65.22%) after adjusting of the same confounders (HR=1.03, 95%CI 0.45-2.35, P=0.94). Conclusions: IGT subjects who had returned to NGT in early years had lower risk for future diabetes than those who remained IGT. However, this beneficial effect could only be viewed in the intervention group, but not in the non-intervention group.

Seven genes for the prognostic prediction in patients with glioma.

PURPOSE: Glioma is a common malignant tumor of the central nervous system, which is characterized by a low cure rate, high morbidity, and high recurrence rate. Consequently, it is imperative to explore some indicators for prognostic prediction in glioma. METHODS: We obtained glioma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by R software from TCGA data sets. Through Cox regression analysis, risk scores were obtained to assess the weighted gene-expression levels, which could predict the prognosis of patients with glioma. The validity and the prognostic value of this model in glioma were confirmed by the manifestation of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), and 5-year overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In total, 920 DEGs of transcriptome genes in glioma were extracted from the TCGA database. We identified a novel seven-gene signature associated with glioma. Among them, AL118505.1 and SMOC1 were positively related to the 5-year OS of patients with glioma, showing a better prognosis for glioma; however, RAB42, SHOX2, IGFBP2, HIST1H3G, and IGF2BP3 were negatively related to 5-year OS, displaying a worse prognosis. In addition, according to risk scores, AL118505.1 was also a protective factor, while others were risk factors. Furthermore, the expression levels of SHOX2, IGFBP2, and IGF2BP3 were significantly positively correlated with glioma grades. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed the accuracy and sensitivity of the gene signature. Each of the seven genes for patients with the distribution of the risk score was presented in the heat map. CONCLUSION: We identified a novel seven-gene signature in patients with glioma, which could be used as a predictor for the prognosis of patients with glioma in the future.

MiR-26a functions oppositely in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and ADSCs depending on distinct activation and roles of Wnt and BMP signaling pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as important regulators of stem cell lineage commitment and bone development. MiRNA-26a (miR-26a) is one of the important miRNAs regulating osteogenic differentiation of both bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). However, miR-26a functions oppositely in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and ADSCs, suggesting distinct post-transcriptional regulation of tissue-specific MSC differentiation. However, the molecular basis is largely unknown. Here, we report that the function of miR-26a is largely depended on the intrinsic signaling regulation network of MSCs. Using bioinformatics and functional assay, we confirmed that miR-26a potentially targeted on GSK3ß and Smad1 to regulate Wnt and BMP signaling pathway. Overall comparative analysis revealed that Wnt signaling was enhanced more potently and played a more important role than BMP signaling in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas BMP pathway was more essential for promoting osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. The distinct activation pattern and role of signaling pathways determined that miR-26a majorly targeted on GSK3ß to activate Wnt signaling for promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas it inhibited Smad1 to suppress BMP signaling for interfering with the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Taken together, our study demonstrated that BMSCs and ADSCs applied different signaling pathway to facilitate their osteogenic differentiation, which determined the inverse function of miR-26a. The distinct transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation network suggested the intrinsic molecular differences between tissue-specific MSCs and the complexity in MSC research and MSC-based cell therapy.

Mutations in and Expression of the Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 in Egg-Type Chickens Infected With Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the oncogenic effects of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), we examined mutations in and the expression of p53 in the myelocytomas distributed in the liver, spleen, trachea, and bone marrow, as well as in fibrosarcomas in the abdominal cavity and hemangiomas in skin from chickens that were naturally or experimentally infected with ALV-J. Two types of mutations in the p53 gene were detected in myelocytomas of both the experimentally infected and the naturally infected chickens and included point mutations and deletions. Two of the point mutations have not been reported previously. Partial complementary DNA clones with a 122-bp deletion in the p53 gene ORF and a 15-bp deletion in the C-terminus were identified in the myelocytomas. In addition, moderate expression of the mutant p53 protein was detected in the myelocytomas that were distributed in the liver, trachea, spleen, and bone marrow. Mutant p53 protein was not detected in the subcutaneous hemangiomas or in the abdominal fibrosarcomas associated with natural and experimental ALV-J infection, respectively. These results identify mutations associated with abnormal expression of p53 in ALV-J-associated myelocytomas, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis.

High resolution computed tomography and classification of children with interstitial lung diseases.

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was used to classify children with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Sixty children with ILD underwent HRCT in supine position under free-respiratory conditions during scanning. Children under 5 years old were sedated with chloral hydrate and the scanning scope was from the lung apex to the diaphragm. In children older than 5 years old, scans were obtained at three levels: aortic arch, tracheal carina, and 1 cm above the right diaphragm. Five infectious patients were followed up. Two experienced radiologists read the films blindly to observe the type and distribution of ground-glass opacities and bronchovascular bundle abnormalities. Bronchovascular bundles were thick in 49 patients, and were thick and stiff in 27 patients. Of the 41 infectious patients, 39 showed thickened bronchovascular bundles, and 26 showed thick and stiff bronchovascular bundles. Of the 19 non-infectious patients, bronchovascular bundles were thickened in 10 patients, and were thick and stiff in 1 patient. Forty-one patients showed lobular ground-glass opacity (32 infectious, 9 non-infectious). Twenty-seven patients showed both bronchovascular bundle abnormality and lobular ground-glass opacity (20 infectious, 7 non-infectious). Eighteen patients showed patchy or mosaic ground-glass opacity (16 infectious, 2 non-infectious). There were 4 cases of bronchiectasis. HRCT is the first non-invasive diagnostic method for children with ILD, and its different manifestations can be classified. In early manifestation, bronchovascular bundles were abnormal and complicated with lobular ground-glass opacity. Patchy ground-glass opacity was the most common manifestation, and appeared to be difficult to disappear. Bronchiectasis indicated that the disease is irretrievable.

Dissociation of rugose-dependent short-term memory component from memory consolidation in Drosophila.

Extensive investigations show several molecular and neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying short-lived and long-lasting memory in Drosophila. At the molecular level, the genetic pathway of memory formation, which was obtained through mutant research, seems to occur sequentially. So far, studies of Drosophila mutants appear to support the idea that mutants defective in short-term memory (STM) are always associated with long-term memory (LTM) impairment. At the neuroanatomical level, distinct memory traces are partially independently distributed. However, whether memory phase dissociation also exists at the molecular level remains unclear. Here, we report on molecular separation of STM and consolidated memory through genetic dissection of rugose mutants. Mutants in the rugose gene, which encodes an evolutionarily conserved A-kinase anchor protein, show immediate memory defects as assayed through aversive olfactory conditioning. Intriguingly, two well-defined consolidated memory components, anesthesia-resistant memory and protein synthesis-dependent LTM, are both normal in spite of the defective immediate memory after 10-session massed and spaced training. Moreover, rugose genetically interacts with cyclic AMP-protein kinase A signaling during STM formation. Considering our previous study that AKAP Yu specifically participates in LTM formation, these results suggest that there exists a molecular level of memory phase dissociation with distinct AKAPs in Drosophila.

Phase I trial of pemetrexed in combination with cetuximab and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: We studied the combination of pemetrexed, a multi-targeted antifolate, and cetuximab, an mAb against the epidermal growth factor receptor, with radiotherapy in poor prognosis head and neck cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received pemetrexed on days 1, 22, and 43 on a dose-escalation scheme with starting level (0) 350 mg/m(2) (level -1, 200 mg/m(2); level +1, 500 mg/m(2)) with concurrent radiotherapy (2 Gy/day) and cetuximab in two separate cohorts, not previously irradiated (A) and previously irradiated (B), who received 70 and 60-66 Gy, respectively. Genetic polymorphisms of thymidylate synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were enrolled. The maximum tolerated dose of pemetrexed was 500 mg/m(2) in cohort A and 350 mg/m(2) in cohort B. Prophylactic antibiotics were required. In cohort A, two dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurred (febrile neutropenia), one each at levels 0 and +1. In cohort B, two DLTs occurred at level +1 (febrile neutropenia; death from perforated duodenal ulcer and sepsis). Grade 3 mucositis was common. No association of gene polymorphisms with toxicity or efficacy was evident. CONCLUSION: The addition of pemetrexed 500 mg/m(2) to cetuximab and radiotherapy is recommended for further study in not previously irradiated patients.

Long-term effects of a randomised trial of a 6-year lifestyle intervention in impaired glucose tolerance on diabetes-related microvascular complications: the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Outcome Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We determined the effects of 6 years of lifestyle intervention in persons with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) on the development of retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy over a 20 year period. METHODS: In 1986, 577 adults with IGT from 33 clinics in Da Qing, China were randomly assigned by clinic to a control group or one of three lifestyle intervention groups (diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise). Active intervention was carried out from 1986 to 1992. In 2006 we conducted a 20 year follow-up study of the original participants to compare the incidence of microvascular complications in the combined intervention group vs the control group. RESULTS: Follow-up information was obtained on 542 (94%) of the 577 original participants. The cumulative incidence of severe retinopathy was 9.2% in the combined intervention group and 16.2% in the control group (p = 0.03, log-rank test). After adjusting for clinic and age, the incidence of severe retinopathy was 47% lower in the intervention group than the control group (hazard rate ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.99, p = 0.048). No significant differences were found in the incidence of severe nephropathy (hazard rate ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.16-7.05, intervention vs control, p = 0.96) or in the prevalence of neuropathy (8.6% vs 9.1%, p = 0.89) among the 20 year survivors. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Lifestyle intervention for 6 years in IGT was associated with a 47% reduction in the incidence of severe, vision-threatening retinopathy over a 20 year interval, primarily due to the reduced incidence of diabetes in the intervention group. However, similar benefits were not seen for nephropathy or neuropathy.

Response assessment by combined PET-CT scan versus CT scan alone using RECIST in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: RECIST have limitations when applied to potentially curable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). [¹8F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) scan may be useful in assessing treatment response and predicting patient outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied patients with previously untreated stages III-IVb SCCHN treated with primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy on five prospective clinical trials. Response was assessed by clinical exam, computed tomography (CT), and PET portions of combined PET-CT scan ∼8 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were analyzed. Complete response (CR) was demonstrated in 42 patients (79%) by clinical exam, 15 (28%) by CT, and 27 (51%) by PET. CR as assessed by PET, but not as assessed by clinical exam or CT using RECIST, correlated significantly with progression-free status (PFS) (P < 0.0001). The 2-year PFS for patients with CR and without CR by PET was 93% and 48%, respectively (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: A negative PET scan on combined PET-CT after chemoradiotherapy is a powerful predictor of outcome in patients receiving curative chemoradiotherapy for SCCHN. PET-CT is indicated for response evaluation in this setting to improve the accuracy of post-treatment assessment by CT.