Gut microbiota affects the estrus return of sows by regulating the metabolism of sex steroid hormones

Background Sex hormones play important roles in the estrus return of post-weaning sows.Previous studies have demonstrated a complex and bi-directional regulation between sex hormones and gut microbiota.However,the extent to which the gut microbiota affects estrus return of post-weaning sows is largely unknown.Results In this study,we first screened 207 fecal samples from well-phenotyped sows by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified significant associations between microbes and estrus return of post-weaning sows.Using metagenomic sequencing data from 85 fecal samples,we identified 37 bacterial species that were significantly associated with estrus return.Normally returning sows were characterized by increased abundances of L.reuteri and P.copri and decreased abundances of B.fragilis,S.suis,and B.pseudolongum.The changes in gut microbial composition significantly altered the functional capacity of steroid hormone biosynthesis in the gut microbiome.The results were confirmed in a validation cohort.Significant changes in sex steroid hormones and related compounds were found between normal and non-return sows via metabolome analysis.An integrated analysis of differential bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome provided evidence that normal return-associated bacterial species L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.participated in the degradation of pregnenolone,progesterone,and testosterone,thereby promoting estrogen biosynthesis.Furthermore,the microbial metabolites related to sow energy and nutrient supply or metabolic disorders also showed relationships with sow estrus return.Conclusions An integrated analysis of differentially abundant bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome revealed the involvement of L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.in sow estrus return.These findings provide deep insight into the role of gut microbiota in the estrus return of post-weaning sows and the complex cross-talk between gut microbiota and sex hormones,suggesting that the manipulation of the gut microbiota could be an effective strategy to improve sow estrus return after weaning.

Pressure transient characteristics of non-uniform conductivity fractured wells in viscoelasticity polymer flooding based on oil-water two-phase flow

Polymer flooding in fractured wells has been extensively applied in oilfields to enhance oil recovery.In contrast to water,polymer solution exhibits non-Newtonian and nonlinear behavior such as effects of shear thinning and shear thickening,polymer convection,diffusion,adsorption retention,inaccessible pore volume and reduced effective permeability.Meanwhile,the flux density and fracture conductivity along the hydraulic fracture are generally non-uniform due to the effects of pressure distribution,formation damage,and proppant breakage.In this paper,we present an oil-water two-phase flow model that captures these complex non-Newtonian and nonlinear behavior,and non-uniform fracture characteristics in fractured polymer flooding.The hydraulic fracture is firstly divided into two parts:high-conductivity fracture near the wellbore and low-conductivity fracture in the far-wellbore section.A hybrid grid system,including perpendicular bisection(PEBI)and Cartesian grid,is applied to discrete the partial differential flow equations,and the local grid refinement method is applied in the near-wellbore region to accurately calculate the pressure distribution and shear rate of polymer solution.The combination of polymer behavior characterizations and numerical flow simulations are applied,resulting in the calculation for the distribution of water saturation,polymer concentration and reservoir pressure.Compared with the polymer flooding well with uniform fracture conductivity,this non-uniform fracture conductivity model exhibits the larger pressure difference,and the shorter bilinear flow period due to the decrease of fracture flow ability in the far-wellbore section.The field case of the fall-off test demonstrates that the proposed method characterizes fracture characteristics more accurately,and yields fracture half-lengths that better match engineering reality,enabling a quantitative segmented characterization of the near-wellbore section with high fracture conductivity and the far-wellbore section with low fracture conductivity.The novelty of this paper is the analysis of pressure performances caused by the fracture dynamics and polymer rheology,as well as an analysis method that derives formation and fracture parameters based on the pressure and its derivative curves.

Upregulation of α-ENaC induces pancreatic β-cell dysfunction,ER stress,and SIRT2 degradation

Islet beta cells(β-cells)produce insulin in response to high blood glucose levels,which is essential for preserving glucose homeostasis.Voltage-gated ion channels inβ-cells,including Na+,K+,and Ca2+channels,aid in the release of insulin.The epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit(α-ENaC),a voltage-independent sodium ion channel,is also expressed in human pancreatic endocrine cells.However,there is no reported study on the function of ENaC in theβ-cells.In the current study,we found thatα-ENaC was expressed in human pancreatic glandule and pancreatic isletβ-cells.In the pancreas of db/db mice and high-fat diet-induced mice,and in mouse isletβ-cells(MIN6 cells)treated with palmitate,α-ENaC expression was increased.Whenα-ENaC was overexpressed in MIN6 cells,insulin content and glucose-induced insulin secretion were significantly reduced.On the other hand,palmitate injured isletβ-cells and suppressed insulin synthesis and secretion,but increasedα-ENaC expression in MIN6 cells.However,α-ENaC knockout(Scnn1a−/−)in MIN6 cells attenuatedβ-cell disorder induced by palmitate.Furthermore,α-ENaC regulated the ubiquitylation and degradation of sirtuin 2 inβ-cells.α-ENaC also modulatedβ-cell function in correlation with the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha/X-box binding protein 1(IRE1α/XBP1)and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/C/EBP homologous protein(PERK/CHOP)endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.These results suggest thatα-ENaC may play a novel role in insulin synthesis and secretion in theβ-cells,and the upregulation ofα-ENaC promotes isletβ-cell dysfunction.In conclusion,α-ENaC may be a key regulator involved in isletβ-cell damage and a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

All‑Covalent Organic Framework Nanofilms Assembled Lithium‑Ion Capacitor to Solve the Imbalanced Charge Storage Kinetics

Free-standing covalent organic framework(COFs)nanofilms exhibit a remarkable ability to rapidly intercalate/de-intercalate Li^(+) in lithium-ion batteries,while simultaneously exposing affluent active sites in supercapacitors.The development of these nanofilms offers a promising solution to address the persistent challenge of imbalanced charge storage kinetics between battery-type anode and capacitor-type cathode in lithium-ion capacitors(LICs).Herein,for the first time,custom-made COFBTMB-TP and COFTAPB-BPY nanofilms are synthesized as the anode and cathode,respectively,for an all-COF nanofilm-structured LIC.The COFBTMB-TP nanofilm with strong electronegative–CF3 groups enables tuning the partial electron cloud density for Li^(+) migration to ensure the rapid anode kinetic process.The thickness-regulated cathodic COFTAPB-BPY nanofilm can fit the anodic COF nanofilm in the capacity.Due to the aligned 1D channel,2D aromatic skeleton and accessible active sites of COF nanofilms,the whole COFTAPB-BPY//COFBTMB-TP LIC demonstrates a high energy density of 318 mWh cm^(−3) at a high-power density of 6 W cm^(−3),excellent rate capability,good cycle stability with the capacity retention rate of 77%after 5000-cycle.The COFTAPB-BPY//COFBTMB-TP LIC represents a new benchmark for currently reported film-type LICs and even film-type supercapacitors.After being comprehensively explored via ex situ XPS,7Li solid-state NMR analyses,and DFT calculation,it is found that the COFBTMB-TP nanofilm facilitates the reversible conversion of semi-ionic to ionic C–F bonds during lithium storage.COFBTMB-TP exhibits a strong interaction with Li^(+) due to the C–F,C=O,and C–N bonds,facilitating Li^(+) desolation and absorption from the electrolyte.This work addresses the challenge of imbalanced charge storage kinetics and capacity between the anode and cathode and also pave the way for future miniaturized and wearable LIC devices.

Current state and influencing factors in airbag management among emergency department nurses:A multicenter study

BACKGROUND The emergency department(ED)plays a critical role in establishing artificial airways and implementing mechanical ventilation.Managing airbags in the ED presents a prime opportunity to mitigate the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.Nonetheless,existing research has largely overlooked the understanding,beliefs,and practical dimensions of airway airbag management among ED nurses,with a predominant focus on intensive care unit nurses.AIM To investigate the current status of ED nurses'knowledge,beliefs,and practical behaviors in airway airbag management and their influencing factors.METHODS A survey was conducted from July 10th to August 10th,2023,using convenience sampling on 520 ED nurses from 15 tertiary hospitals and 5 sary hospitals in Shanghai.Pathway analysis was utilized to analyze the influencing factors.RESULTS The scores for ED nurses'airway airbag management knowledge were 60.26±23.00,belief was 88.65±13.36,and behavior was 75.10±19.84.The main influencing factors of airbag management knowledge included participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training,department,and work experience in the department.Influencing factors of airbag management belief comprised knowledge,department,and participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training.Primary influencing factors of airbag management behavior included knowledge,belief,department,participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training,and professional title.The belief in airbag management among ED nurses acted as a partial mediator between knowledge and behavior,with a total effect value of 0.513,and an indirect effect of 0.085,constituting 16.6%of the total effect.CONCLUSION ED nurses exhibit a positive attitude toward airbag management with relatively standardized practices,yet there remains room for improvement in their knowledge levels.Nursing managers should implement interventions tailored to the characteristics of ED nurses'airbag management knowledge,beliefs,and practices to enhance their airbag management proficiency.

SiRAP2-12,a Positive Regulatory Factor,Effectively Improves the Waterlogging Tolerance of Foxtail Millet(Setaria italica)

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica)growth was inhibited because of waterlogging stress,which has caused yield reduc-tion.ERF family plays an important role to plant adversity tolerance.In our study,we obtained 19,819 differential expressed genes(DEGs)between the two treatments based on the RNA-seq sequencing of foxtail millet of water-logging stress.Furthermore,a total of 28 ERF family members were obtained,which have a complete open read-ing frame.We studied the evolution and function of SiERF family and how they affected the waterlogging tolerance.It was found that SiERF1A/B/C(GenBank ID:OR775217,OR775219,OR775218)and SiRAP2-12(GenBank ID:OR775216)have similar functions to the known waterlogging tolerance genes of other plants.Among them,the SiRAP2-12 expression was obviously significantly up-regulated in foxtail millet after 5d water-logging stress.After SiRAP2-12 was silenced,the activity of defense enzymes in millet decreased significantly.In details,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and peroxidase(POD),the osmotic regulator proline(Pro),and the activity of the anaerobic respiratory enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH)content were decreased by 78.61%,29.52%,79.95%,19.41%and 54.77%,respectively.In contrast,the relative electrical conductivity contents(REC),malondialdehyde(MDA),and hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))of the foxtail millet subjected to virus-induced gene silencing clearly increased by 1.03-fold,36.09%,and 15.21%,respectively.The content of sodium(Na^(+))in the SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet also increased,but that of potassium(K^(+))decreased.Interestingly,we found that ethylene content was significantly reduced.Further,the SiAOC1 expression,an essential gene for ethylene synthesis,was inhibited in SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet after waterlogging stress.Taken together,we hypothesized that SiRAP2-12 might be a positive regulator of millet tolerance to waterlogging stress.

Online Consensus Control of Nonlinear Affine Systems From Disturbed Data

Dear Editor,In this letter, we introduce a novel online distributed data-driven robust control approach for learning controllers of unknown nonlinear multi-agent systems(MASs) using state-dependent representations.

Transfer of the zp3a gene results in changes in egg adhesiveness and buoyancy in transgenic zebrafish

Reproductive strategies and spawning habits play key roles in the evolution of endemic East Asian cyprinids.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of spawning habits are not well understood.We recently identified zona pellucida(Zp) as the top differentially expressed protein between East Asian cyprinids that produce adhesive and semi-buoyant eggs,suggesting that Zp protein may play important roles in the regulation of egg type.In this work,we generated transgenic zebrafish in which oocyte-specific expression of zp genes from rare minnow(Gobiocypris rarus),an East Asian cyprinid laying adhesive eggs,was driven by a zebrafish zp3.2 gene promoter.We found that the transgenic eggs obtained partial adhesiveness and exhibited alteration in hydration and buoyancy.Abnormal metabolism of vitellogenin(VTG) may contribute to enhanced hydration and/or buoyancy.Our work shows that expression of the exogenous zp3a gene from an adhesiveegg producing fish is sufficient to induce changes in both egg adhesiveness and buoyancy in zebrafish,emphasizing the important role of zp genes in the regulation of spawning habits.Our results thus provide new insights into how endemic East Asian cyprinids may have adapted to the Yangtze river-lake system via changes in spawning habits.

Bending Resistance Covalent Organic Framework Superlattice:“Nano‑Hourglass”‑Induced Charge Accumulation for Flexible In‑Plane Micro‑Supercapacitors

Covalent organic framework(COF)film with highly exposed active sites is considered as the promising flexible selfsupported electrode for in-plane microsupercapacitor(MSC).Superlattice configuration assembled alternately by different nanofilms based on van der Waals force can integrate the advantages of each isolated layer to exhibit unexpected performances as MSC film electrodes,which may be a novel option to ensure energy output.Herein,a mesoporous free-standing A-COF nanofilm(pore size is 3.9 nm,averaged thickness is 4.1 nm)with imine bond linkage and a microporous B-COF nanofilm(pore size is 1.5 nm,averaged thickness is 9.3 nm)withβ-keto-enamine-linkages are prepared,and for the first time,we assembly the two lattice matching films into sandwich-type superlattices via layer-by-layer transfer,in which ABA–COF superlattice stacking into a“nano-hourglass”steric configuration that can accelerate the dynamic charge transportation/accumulation and promote the sufficient redox reactions to energy storage.The fabricated flexible MSC–ABA–COF exhibits the highest intrinsic CV of 927.9 F cm^(−3) at 10 mV s^(−1) than reported two-dimensional alloy,graphite-like carbon and undoped COF-based MSC devices so far,and shows a bending-resistant energy density of 63.2 mWh cm^(−3) even after high-angle and repeat arbitrary bending from 0 to 180°.This work provides a feasible way to meet the demand for future miniaturization and wearable electronics.

Smart Design and Manufacturing the Welded Q350 Steel Frames via Lifecycle Management Strategy of Digital Twin

Artificial intelligent aided design and manufacturing have been recognized as one kind of robust data-driven and data-intensive technologies in the integrated computational material engi-neering(ICME)era.Motivated by the dramatical developments of the services of China Railway High-speed series for more than a decade,it is essential to reveal the foundations of lifecycle man-agement of those trains under environmental conditions.Here,the smart design and manufacturing of welded Q350 steel frames of CR200J series are introduced,presenting the capability and opportu-nity of ICME in weight reduction and lifecycle management at a cost-effective approach.In order to address the required fatigue life time enduring more than 9×10^(6)km,the response of optimized frames to the static and the dynamic loads are comprehensively investigated.It is highlighted that the maximum residual stress of the optimized welded frame is reduced to 69 MPa from 477 MPa of previous existing one.Based on the measured stress and acceleration from the railways,the fatigue life of modified frame under various loading modes could fulfil the requirements of the lifecycle man-agement.Moreover,our recent developed intelligent quality control strategy of welding process mediated by machine learning is also introduced,envisioning its application in the intelligent weld-ing.

Giant Tunneling Magnetoresistance in Spin-Filter Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Based on van der Waals A-Type Antiferromagnet CrSBr

Two-dimensional van der Waals magnetic materials have demonstrated great potential for new-generation high-performance and versatile spintronic devices.Among them,magnetic tunnel junctions(MTJs)based on A-type antiferromagnets,such as CrI_(3),possess record-high tunneling magnetoresistance(TMR)because of the spin filter effect of each insulating unit ferromagnetic layer.However,the relatively low working temperature and the instability of the chromium halides hinder applications of this system.Using a different technical scheme,we fabricated the MTJs based on an air-stable A-type antiferromagnet,CrSBr,and observed a giant TMR of up to 47000%at 5 K.Meanwhile,because of a relatively high Néel temperature of CrSBr,a sizable TMR of about 50%was observed at 130 K,which makes a big step towards spintronic devices at room temperature.Our results reveal the potential of realizing magnetic information storage in CrSBr-based spin-filter MTJs.

Giant 2D Skyrmion Topological Hall Effect with Ultrawide Temperature Window and Low-Current Manipulation in 2D Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic Crystals

The discovery and manipulation of topological Hall effect(THE),an abnormal magnetoelectric response mostly related to the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction(DMI),are promising for next-generation spintronic devices based on topological spin textures such as magnetic skyrmions.However,most skyrmions and THE are stabilized in a narrow temperature window either below or over room temperature with high critical current manipulation.It is still elusive and challenging to achieve large THE with both wide temperature window till room temperature and low critical current manipulation.Here,using controllable,naturally oxidized sub-20 and sub-10 nm 2D van der Waals room-temperature ferromagnetic Fe_(3)GaTe_(2-x)crystals,we report robust 2D skyrmion THE with ultrawide temperature window ranging in three orders of magnitude from 2 to 300 K,in combination with giant THE of~5.4μΩ·cm at 10 K and~0.15μΩ·cm at 300 K,which is 1–3 orders of magnitude larger than that of all known room-temperature 2D skyrmion systems.Moreover,room-temperature current-controlled THE is also realized with a low critical current density of~6.2×10^(5)A·cm^(-2).First-principles calculations unveil natural oxidation-induced highly enhanced 2D interfacial DMI reasonable for robust giant THE.This work paves the way to room-temperature electrically controlled 2D THE-based practical spintronic devices.

盐酸氨酮戊酸光动力治疗外阴硬化性苔藓的疗效观察

目的探讨盐酸氨酮戊酸光动力(ALA-PDT)治疗外阴硬化性苔藓(LS)的疗效及安全性。方法选取40例经病理检查确诊为外阴硬化性苔藓的患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各20例,实验组采用20%ALA-PDT,每2周治疗1次,治疗6次。对照组局部外用0.1%他克莫司软膏,2次/d,治疗3个月,观察两组治疗效果和不良反应。结果两组均完成19例,治疗后,实验组总有效率为89.47%(17/19),对照组总有效率为78.95%(15/19),两组疗效比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组的皮损面积(2.89±3.25)cm^2、白斑(1.67±1.21)、瘙痒(0.87±1.32)、症状/体征总分(7.64±5.63)分与对照组皮损面积(4.15±3.04)cm^2、白斑(2.98±1.05)、瘙痒(1.45±1.24)、症状/体征总分(9.72±6.47)分,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组均未见明显的不良反应发生。结论ALA-PDL治疗LS疗效高且安全性好。

无刷直流电机伺服系统设计与实验教学研究

伺服电机是自动化专业的一个典型被挂对象，能够通过各种挂制方法完成如电机转速变化、电机角度调整等各种挂制任务，拖动负载进行运动。无刷直流电机具有运行效率高、调速性好、易于挂制等多种优点，在伺服机构中经常使用。基于无刷直流电机伺服系统的挂制开展实验教学，能够让学生深入掌握经典以及现代常用的挂制方法，了解下同挂制方法的挂制效果。本文设计并实现了一套直流无刷电机伺服实验系统，并分析了该系统能够进行的实验教学内容。

消融术和亚肺叶切除术治疗Ia期非小细胞肺癌患者疗效的对比

背景与目的肺癌是我国死亡率最高的肿瘤,不同治疗方式对于患者预后的影响具有重要的意义。通过比较消融术和亚肺叶切除术治疗Ia期非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)患者的生存期,分析该两种治疗方案对早期肺癌患者预后生存的不同影响。方法运用美国国立癌症研究所监测、流行病学和结果数据库(The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, SEER),我们从2004年1月-2015年12月之间筛选了符合条件的Ia期NSCLC患者进行研究。通过倾向性评分匹配,筛选出228例采用消融术治疗和228例采用亚肺叶切除术治疗的Ia期NSCLC的患者,并进行Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析。比较Ia期NSCLC患者在经过匹配和调整后接受不同治疗方式的总生存率情况。结果 Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析消融组和亚肺叶切除术组之间的生存曲线存在明显差异(P<0.05)。单因素分析中,与消融组相比,亚肺叶切除术的风险比(hazard ratio, HR)为0.571(95%CI:0.455-0.717),即采用亚肺叶切除术治疗的患者产生的不良结局风险是消融术的0.571倍;在多因素分析中,亚肺叶切除术的HR为0.605(95%CI:0.477-0.766),即采用亚肺叶切除术治疗的患者产生的不良结局风险是消融术的0.605倍。以上结果均提示亚肺叶切除术治疗Ia期NSCLC患者的总生存率高于消融术。结论使用消融术和亚肺叶切除术治疗的Ia期NSCLC患者的总生存率之间存在明显差异。采用亚肺叶切除术治疗Ia期NSCLC的患者总生存率明显高于消融术组。

Expression of the CXCL12/CXCR4 and CXCL16/CXCR6 axes incervical in traepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer

The chemokine CXCL12 is highly expressed in gynecologic tumors and is widely known to play a biologically relevant role in tumor growth and spread. Recent evidence suggests that CXCL16, a novel chemokine, is overexpressed in inflammation-associated tumors and mediates pro-tumorigenic effects of inflammation in prostate cancer. We therefore analyzed the expression of CXCL12 and CXCL16 and their respective receptors CXCR4 and CXCR6 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer and further assessed their association with clinicopathologic features and outcomes. Tissue chip technology and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCL16, and CXCR6 in healthy cervical tissue (21 cases), CIN (65 cases), and cervical carcinoma (60 cases). The association of protein expression with clinicopathologic features and overall survival was analyzed. These four proteins were clearly detected in membrane and cytoplasm of neoplastic epithelial cells, and their distribution and intensity of expression increased as neoplastic lesions progressed through CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3 to invasive cancer. Furthermore, the expression of CXCR4 was associated significantly with the histologic grade of cervical carcinoma, whereas the expression of CXCR6 was associated significantly with lymph node metastasis. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with high CXCR6 expression had significantly shorter overall survival than did those with low CXCR6 expression. The elevated co-expression levels of CXCL12/CXCR4 and CXCL16/CXCR6 in CIN and cervical carcinoma suggest a durative process in cervical carcinoma development. Moreover, CXCR6 may be useful as a biomarker and a valuable prognostic factor for cervical cancer.

Irisin attenuates intestinal injury,oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice with L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is often associated with intestinal injury,which in turn exaggerates the progression of AP.Our recent study has shown that a low level of serum irisin,a novel exercise-induced hormone,is associated with poor outcomes in patients with AP and irisin administration protects against experimental AP.However,the role of irisin in intestinal injury in AP has not been evaluated.AIM To investigate the effect of irisin administration on intestinal injury in experimental AP.METHODS AP was induced in male adult mice by two hourly intraperitoneal injections of Larginine.At 2 h after the last injection of L-arginine,irisin(50 or 250μg/kg body weight)or 1 mL normal saline(vehicle)was administered through intraperitoneal injection.The animals were sacrificed at 72 h after the induction of AP.Intestinal injury,apoptosis,oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress were evaluated.RESULTS Administration of irisin significantly mitigated intestinal damage,reduced apoptosis,and attenuated oxidative and ER stress in AP mice.In addition,irisin treatment also effectively downregulated serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels and alleviated injury in the pancreas,liver and lung of AP mice.CONCLUSION Irisin-mediated multiple physiological events attenuate intestinal injury following an episode of AP.Irisin has a great potential to be further developed as an effective treatment for patients with AP.

Effect of low-dose aspirin administration on long-term survival of cirrhotic patients after splenectomy: A retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND Cirrhosis is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Portal vein thrombosis is not uncommon after splenectomy in cirrhotic patients, and many such patients take oral anticoagulants including aspirin. However, the long-term impact of postoperative aspirin on cirrhotic patients after splenectomy remains unknown. AIM The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of postoperative long-term low-dose aspirin administration on the development of HCC and longterm survival of cirrhotic patients after splenectomy. METHODS The clinical data of 264 adult patients with viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis who underwent splenectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2000 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Among these patients, 59 who started taking 100 mg/d aspirin within seven days were enrolled in the aspirin group. The incidence of HCC and overall survival were analyzed.RESULTS During follow-up, 41 (15.53%) patients developed HCC and 37 (14.02%) died due to end-stage liver diseases or other serious complications. Postoperative longterm low-dose aspirin therapy reduced the incidence of HCC from 19.02% to 3.40% after splenectomy (log-rank test, P=0.028). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that not undertaking postoperative long-term low-dose aspirin therapy [odds ratio (OR)=6.211, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.142-27.324, P=0.016] was the only independent risk factor for the development of HCC. Similarly, patients in the aspirin group survived longer than those in the control group (log-rank test, P=0.041). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the only factor that independently associated with improved overall survival was postoperative long-term low-dose aspirin therapy [OR = 0.218, 95%CI: 0.049- 0.960, P=0.044]. CONCLUSION In patients with viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis, long-term post-splenectomy administration of low-dose aspirin reduces the incidence of HCC and improves the long-term overall survival.

Physical properties and catalog of EW-type eclipsing binaries observed byLAMOST

EW-type eclipsing binaries(hereafter called EWs)are strong interacting systems in which both component stars usually fill their critical Roche lobes and share a common envelope.Numerous EWs were discovered by several deep photometric surveys and there were about 40 785 EW-type binary systems listed in the international variable star index(VSX)by 2017 March 13.7938 of them were observed with LAMOST by 2016 November 30 and their spectral types were identified.Stellar atmospheric parameters of 5363 EW-type binary stars were determined based on good spectroscopic observations.In the paper,those EWs are cataloged and their properties are analyzed.The distributions of orbital period(P),effective temperature(T),gravitational acceleration(log(g)),metallicity([Fe/H])and radial velocity(RV)are presented for these observed EW-type systems.It is shown that about 80.6% of sample stars have metallicity below zero,indicating that EW-type systems are old stellar populations.This is in agreement with the conclusion that EW binaries are formed from moderately close binaries through angular momentum loss via magnetic braking that takes a few hundred million to a few billion years.The unusually high metallicities of a few percent of EWs may be caused by contamination of material from the evolution of unseen neutron stars or black holes in the systems.The correlations between orbital period and effective temperature,gravitational acceleration and metallicity are presented and their scatters are mainly caused by(i)the presence of third bodies and(ii)sometimes wrongly determined periods.It is shown that some EWs contain evolved component stars and the physical properties of EWs mainly depend on their orbital periods.It is found that extremely short-period EWs may be older than their long-period cousins because they have lower metallicities.This reveals that they have a longer timescale of pre-contact evolution and their formation and evolution are mainly driven by angular momentum loss via magnetic braking.

T-tube vs no T-tube for biliary tract reconstruction in adult orthotopic liver transplantation:An updated systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Whether to use a T-tube for biliary anastomosis during orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)remains a debatable question.Some surgeons chose to use a T-tube because they believed that it reduces the incidence of biliary strictures.Advances in surgical techniques during the last decades have significantly decreased the overall incidence of postoperative biliary complications.Whether using a T-tube during OLT is still associated with the reduced incidence of biliary strictures needs to be re-evaluated.AIM To provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on using a T-tube during adult OLT.METHODS In the electronic databases MEDLINE,PubMed,Scopus,ClinicalTrials.gov,the Cochrane Library,the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trails Register,and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,we identified 17 studies(eight randomized controlled trials and nine comparative studies)from January 1995 to October 2020.The data of the studies before and after 2010 were separately extracted.We chose the overall biliary complications,bile leaks or fistulas,biliary strictures(anastomotic or non-anastomotic),and cholangitis as outcomes.Odds ratios(ORs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)were calculated to describe the results of the outcomes.Furthermore,the test for overall effect(Z)was used to test the difference between OR and 1,where P≤0.05 indicated a significant difference between OR value and 1.RESULTS A total of 1053 subjects before 2010 and 1346 subjects after 2010 were included in this meta-analysis.The pooled results showed that using a T-tube reduced the incidence of postoperative biliary strictures in studies before 2010(P=0.012,OR=0.62,95%CI:0.42-0.90),while the same benefit was not seen in studies after 2010(P=0.60,OR=0.76,95%CI:0.27-2.12).No significant difference in the incidence of overall biliary complications(P=0.37,OR=1.41,95%CI:0.66-2.98),bile leaks(P=0.89,OR=1.04,95%CI:0.63-1.70),and cholangitis(P=0.27,OR=2.00,95%CI:0.59-6.84)was observed between using and not using a T-tube before 2010.However,using a T-tube appeared to increase the incidence of overall biliary complications(P=0.049,OR=1.49,95%CI:1.00-2.22),bile leaks(P=0.048,OR=1.91,95%CI:1.01-3.64),and cholangitis(P=0.02,OR=7.21,95%CI:1.37-38.00)after 2010.A random-effects model was used in biliary strictures(after 2010),overall biliary complications(before 2010),and cholangitis(before 2010)due to their heterogeneity(I2=62.3%,85.4%,and 53.6%,respectively).In the sensitivity analysis(only RCTs included),bile leak(P=0.66)lost the significance after 2010 and a random-effects model was used in overall biliary complications(before 2010),cholangitis(before 2010),bile leaks(after 2010),and biliary strictures(after 2010)because of their heterogeneity(I2=92.2%,65.6%,50.9%,and 80.3%,respectively).CONCLUSION In conclusion,the evidence gathered in our updated meta-analysis showed that the studies published in the last decade did not provide enough evidence to support the routine use of T-tube in adults during OLT.