Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on incidence and treatment strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma in people with chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND Chronic liver disease(CLD)was associated with adverse clinical outcomes among people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.AIM To determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the incidence and treatment strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)among patients with CLD.METHODS A retrospective,territory-wide cohort of CLD patients was identified from an electronic health database in Hong Kong.Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection[coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)+CLD]between January 1,2020 and October 25,2022 were identified and matched 1:1 by propensity-score with those without(COVID-19-CLD).Each patient was followed up until death,outcome event,or November 15,2022.Primary outcome was incidence of HCC.Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality,adverse hepatic outcomes,and different treatment strategies to HCC(curative,non-curative treatment,and palliative care).Analyses were further stratified by acute(within 20 d)and post-acute(21 d or beyond)phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Incidence rate ratios(IRRs)were estimated by Poisson regression models.RESULTS Of 193589 CLD patients(>95%non-cirrhotic)in the cohort,55163 patients with COVID-19+CLD and 55163 patients with COVID-19-CLD were included after 1:1 propensity-score matching.Upon 249-d median follow-up,COVID-19+CLD was not associated with increased risk of incident HCC(IRR:1.19,95%CI:0.99-1.42,P=0.06),but higher risks of receiving palliative care for HCC(IRR:1.60,95%CI:1.46-1.75,P<0.001),compared to COVID-19-CLD.In both acute and post-acute phases of infection,COVID-19+CLD were associated with increased risks of allcause mortality(acute:IRR:7.06,95%CI:5.78-8.63,P<0.001;post-acute:IRR:1.24,95%CI:1.14-1.36,P<0.001)and adverse hepatic outcomes(acute:IRR:1.98,95%CI:1.79-2.18,P<0.001;post-acute:IRR:1.24,95%CI:1.13-1.35,P<0.001),compared to COVID-19-CLD.CONCLUSION Although CLD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were not associated with increased risk of HCC,they were more likely to receive palliative treatment than those without.The detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection persisted in post-acute phase.

A Trust Value Sharing Scheme in Heterogeneous Identity Federation Topologies

Recent developments in heterogeneous identity federation systems have heightened the need for the related trust management system.The trust management system evaluates,manages,and shares users’trust values.The service provider(SP)members of the federation system rely on users’trust values to determine which type and quality of service will be provided to the users.While identity federation systems have the potential to help federated users save time and energy and improve service experience,the benefits also come with significant privacy risks.So far,there has been little discussion about the privacy protection of users in heterogeneous identity federation systems.In this paper,we propose a trust value sharing scheme based on a proxy ring signature for the trust management system in heterogeneous identity federation topologies.The ring signature schemes can ensure the validity of the data and hide the original signer,thereby protecting privacy.Moreover,no group manager participating in the ring signature,which naturally matches with our decentralized heterogeneous identity federation topologies.The proxy signature can reduce the workload of the private key owner.The proposed scheme shortens the calculation time for verifying the signature and then reduces the overall time consumption in the process of trust sharing.Our studies prove that the proposed scheme is privacy-preserving,efficient,and effective.

Post-Emergence Control of Windmillgrass (<i>Chloris verticillata</i>Nutt.) Using Selected Herbicides

Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) is spreading from native areas, becoming problematic in established turf in Missouri, and surrounding states. Limited information is available regarding post-emergence (POST) control options for turf. The objective of this research was to assess the visual and biomass response of windmillgrass to selected herbicides approved for use in turf. In one study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted with POST application of seven selected herbicides, including dimethylamine salt of quinclorac, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, foramsulfuron, mesotrione, sulfentrazone, and topramezone in a tank-mixture with triclopyr, as well as a pre-packed product containing thiencarbazone-methyl, foramsulfuron, and halosulfuron-methyl. Under the same experimental conditions, five additional treatments, including mesotrione or topramezone applied at label-suggested rates alone or in combination with triclopyr, in addition to triclopyr alone, were applied to a second study on tillering windmillgrass. At 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), only fenoxaprop-p-ethyl consistently resulted in a complete control of windmillgrass. No measurable regrowth of plants was observed two weeks following the initial collection of windmillgrass aboveground biomass. In the second study, combinations of mesotrione and topramezone with triclopyr resulted in 100% visual injury of windmillgrass at 4 WAT;mesotrione and topramezone alone only resulted in up to 66% visual injury. Triclopyr alone resulted in 91% injury at 4 WAT. The greatest reduction of windmillgrass biomass and least amount of regrowth resulted from mesotrione and topramezone combinations with triclopyr. Control of windmillgrass is effective with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl alone, but use of a 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor such as mesotrione and topramezone should include the addition of triclopyr.

the rtA181 Mutation Produces Similar Clinical and Cellular Characteristics in Patients infected with Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes B and C

Objective To investigate the association between HBV genotypes and characteristics of rt A181 mutation. Methods Total of 85 chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients who appeared rt A181 mutation after nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs) therapy were enrolled in this study. Levels of serum ALT, AST, HBV DNA and HBs Ag titers were monitored during therapy. HBV reverse transcriptase genes were amplified and sequenced to identify genotypes and resistance mutations. Virions and HBs Ag in Hep G2 cell with rt A181 mutation were also compared between genotypes B and C. Results The majority of sera contained HBV genotypes B(15.7%) and C(84.3%). There were no significant difference of rt A181 mutant patterns between genotypes(P > 0.05). After emergence of rt A181 mutation, serum ALT, AST, HBV DNA levels and HBs Ag titers were decreased than that at baseline(P < 0.05), while these characteristics were not different between genotypes B and C(P > 0.05). In cellular experiment, there were no significant differences between genotypes B and C not only in HBV virions but also in HBs Ag titres(P > 0.05). Conclusions No differences of clinical characteristics and cellular results were found in rt A181 mutation of HBV genotypes B and C.

A Generalized Blow up Criteria with One Component of Velocity for 3D Incompressible MHD System

In this paper,the authors study the global regularity of the 3D magnetohydrodynamics system in terms of one velocity component.In particular,they establish a new Prodi-Serrin type regularity criterion in the framework of weak Lebesgue spaces both in time and space variables.

A novel quantified bitterness evaluation model for traditional Chinese herbs based on an animal ethology principle

Traditional Chinese herbs(TCH) are currently gaining attention in disease prevention and health care plans. However, their general bitter taste hinders their use. Despite the development of a variety of taste evaluation methods, it is still a major challenge to establish a quantitative detection technique that is objective, authentic and sensitive. Based on the two-bottle preference test(TBP), we proposed a novel quantitative strategy using a standardized animal test and a unified quantitative benchmark. To reduce the difference of results, the methodology of TBP was optimized. The relationship between the concentration of quinine and animal preference index(PI) was obtained. Then the PI of TCH was measured through TBP, and bitterness results were converted into a unified numerical system using the relationship of concentration and PI. To verify the authenticity and sensitivity of quantified results,human sensory testing and electronic tongue testing were applied. The quantified results showed a good discrimination ability. For example, the bitterness of Coptidis Rhizoma was equal to 0.0579 mg/mL quinine, and Nelumbinis Folium was equal to 0.0001 mg/mL. The validation results proved that the newassessment method for TCH was objective and reliable. In conclusion, this study provides an option for the quantification of bitterness and the evaluation of taste masking effects.

Activating transcription factor 4 protects mice against sepsis-induced intestinal injury by regulating gut-resident macrophages differentiation

Background: Gut-resident macrophages (gMacs) supplemented by monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation play a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is involved in immune cell differentiation. We therefore set out to investigate the role of ATF4-regulated monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in sepsis-induced intestinal injury.Methods: Sepsis was induced in C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice andAtf4-knockdown (Atf4+/-) mice by cecal ligation and puncture or administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Colon, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sera, lung, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected for flow cytometry, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.Results: CD64, CD11b, Ly6C, major histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II), CX3CR1, Ly6G, and SSC were identified as optimal primary markers for detecting the process of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in the colon of WT mice. Monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation was impaired in the colon during sepsis and was associated with decreased expression of ATF4 in P1 (Ly6Chi monocytes), the precursor cells of gMacs.Atf4 knockdown exacerbated the impairment of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in response to LPS, resulting in a significant reduction of gMacs in the colon. Furthermore, compared with WT mice,Atf4+/- mice exhibited higher pathology scores, increased expression of inflammatory factor genes (TNF-α, IL-1β), suppressed expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial-cadherin in the colon, and increased translocation of intestinal bacteria to lymph nodes and lungs following exposure to LPS. However, the aggravation of sepsis-induced intestinal injury resulting fromAtf4 knockdown was not caused by the enhanced inflammatory effect of Ly6Chi monocytes and gMacs.Conclusion: ATF4, as a novel regulator of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation, plays a critical role in protecting mice against sepsis-induced intestinal injury, suggesting that ATF4 might be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis treatment.

The metabolic role of LncZBTB39-1:2 in the trophoblast mobility of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is characterized by new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks’gestation and is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.The pathogenesis of preeclampsia is often associated with aberrant trophoblast function that leads to shallow placental implantation.However,the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Placental LncZBTB39-1:2 expression level was investigated in 20 healthy placentae and 20 placentae with preeclampsia using qRT-PCR,and the metabolic profile of trophoblasts overexpressing LncZBTB39-1:2 in vitro was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GCeMS).In this study,we found that the expression of LncZBTB39-1:2 was significantly higher in preeclamptic placentae than in healthy placentae.Our metabolomics results have shown that tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and metabolites related to carbohydrate metabolism were decreased with the overexpression of LncZBTB39-1:2 in HTR8/SVneo cells.These findings were validated by detecting a lower level of intracellular ATP in HTR8/Vneo cells.Furthermore,the migration of HTR8/SVneo cells was compromised when cells were transfected with a plasmid encompassing LncZBTB39-1:2 overexpression.From these results,we conclude that abnormal levels of LncZBTB39-1:2 expression might lead to aberrant conditions in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells.Aberrant conditions might be associated with dysregulated trophoblast migration and subsequent failure of uterine spiral artery remodelling,a pathogenesis recognised as a contributing factor in the aetiology of preeclampsia.

Improved Mechanical Properties of Poly(butylene succinate) Membrane by Co-electrospinning with Gelatin

Gelatin, a natural proteinous polymer, was used to co-electrospin with poly（butylene succinate） （PBS） in order to improve the mechanical properties of PBS membrane and facilitate its applications in biomedical field. The PBS/gelatin blend membranes have narrower distribution of fiber diameter and smoother surface than neat PBS membrane. The contact angles, water absorption rates and water uptakes of the PBS/gelatin blend membranes were measured, showing increased hydrophilicity. The interaction between PBS and gelatin was investigated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （ATR-FTIR） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The mechanical properties of PBS/gelatin blend membranes in both dry and wet states were evaluated by uniaxial tensile tests. In the dry state, the PBS/gelatin blend membrane containing 10% gelatin has a 3-times increase in tensile strength without any adverse effect on ductility because of the existence of interaction between the two blend components, little change in crystallinity of PBS, and possible interaction between any adjacent fibers; the tensile strength and elongation at break are even better in the wet state attributed to some gelatin on fiber surfaces, which act as a binder in the presence of water. The potential applications of PBS/gelatin blend membranes were demonstrated by successful immobilization of thrombin, a clinically-used hemostatic drug. The thrombin-loaded membrane could be used for rapid hemostasis.

Influence of Ca Content on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Mg–Al–Ca–Mn Alloys

Herein,the effects of Ca content on microstructure,texture and mechanical properties of extruded Mg–3Al–0.4Mn–xCa(x=0.4,0.8 and 1.2 wt%)rods are systematically investigated.The results reveal that the alloy,with Ca content of 0.8 wt%,exhibits the highest strength and ductility,possessing an ultimate tensile strength of 267.57 MPa and elongation(EL)of 16%.This is mainly due to the gradual transformation of typical fiber texture into a texture with a[10-11]component parallel to the extrusion direction(ED),which increases the Schmid factor of pyramidal slip and enhances the activation rate of pyramidal(c+a)slip.Simultaneously,the as-formed spherical phases and segregation of Ca at grain boundaries render a significant influence on the strength and ductility of the alloy.