HCCDB v2.0:Decompose Expression Variations by Single-cell RNA-seq and Spatial Transcriptomics in HCC

Large-scale transcriptomic data are crucial for understanding the molecular features of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Integrated 15 transcriptomic datasets of HCC clinical samples,the first version of HCC database(HCCDB v1.0)was released in 2018.Through the meta-analysis of differentially expressed genes and prognosis-related genes across multiple datasets,it provides a systematic view of the altered biological processes and the inter-patient heterogeneities of HCC with high reproducibility and robustness.With four years having passed,the database now needs integration of recently published datasets.Furthermore,the latest single-cell and spatial transcriptomics have provided a great opportunity to decipher complex gene expression variations at the cellular level with spatial architecture.Here,we present HCCDB v2.0,an updated version that combines bulk,single-cell,and spatial transcriptomic data of HCC clinical samples.It dramatically expands the bulk sample size by adding 1656 new samples from 11 datasets to the existing 3917 samples,thereby enhancing the reliability of transcriptomic meta-analysis.A total of 182,832 cells and 69,352 spatial spots are added to the single-cell and spatial transcriptomics sections,respectively.A novel single-cell level and 2-dimension(sc-2D)metric is proposed as well to summarize cell type-specific and dysregulated gene expression patterns.Results are all graphically visualized in our online portal,allowing users to easily retrieve data through a user-friendly interface and navigate between different views.With extensive clinical phenotypes and transcriptomic data in the database,we show two applications for identifying prognosis-associated cells and tumor microenvironment.HCCDB v2.0 is available at http://lifeome.net/database/hccdb2.

Adding cyclosporin A to eltrombopag for aplastic anemia secondary to chemotherapy for solid cancers

To the Editor:Myelosuppression is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.Some patients would develop long-lasting aplastic anemia(AA)even after stopping chemotherapy for over three months,due to persistent destruction of the bone marrow.As a thrombopoietin-receptor agonist,eltrombopag(EPAG)has been widely used in patients with thrombocytopenia from various origins,[1]including those with AA secondary to chemotherapy.However,both EPAG and cyclosporin A(CsA)have been reported to possibly induce the expansion of abnormal clones or controversially increase the risk of neoplasms.[2]Thus,the challenge was to treat severe cytopenia while preventing cancer relapse.Our study reported the efficacy and safety of EPAG with or without CsA for patients with AA secondary to chemotherapy,in an attempt to find solutions to these difficulties.

Characteristics and reference values of the atherogenic index of plasma in an adult population in China

To the Editor:The atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)is derived from the logarithmic conversion of the ratio of triglyceride(TG)to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).It comprehensively reflects plasma lipid homeostasis.AIP has been reported to be related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)in population-based studies,^([1])and is regarded as a potential independent predictor for CVD risk in clinical practice.Currently,there are limited data on the characteristics of AIP values in China.We examined the differences in AIP values among ethnic groups based on multiethnic Chinese population data.The reference values of AIP in Chinese adults were established,and their variation tendencies according to age were identified.

Diagnostic accuracy and safety of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts used for skin prick test

Background:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a common allergen causing allergic diseases in China.The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of D.pteronyssinus extracts produced by Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)for the skin prick test(SPT)in the diagnosis of D.pteronyssinus allergy.Methods:A total of 910 subjects with allergic diseases were prescribed D.pteronyssinus SPT and specific sIgE(sIgE)test among the Outpatients of Department of Allergy,PUMCH from August 10,2015 to August 30,2017.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis was performed according to the results of D.pteronyssinus-sIgE detection.The accuracy of D.pteronyssinus extracts used for SPT in the diagnosis of D.pteronyssinus allergy was evaluated under different cutoff values.Adverse events after SPT were recorded to evaluate safety.Results:There were 796 and 618 subjects in the full analysis set(FAS)and the per protocol set(PPS),respectively.The areas under the curve of FAS and PPS were 0.871 and 0.873,respectively.According to the ROC of PPS,the optimal and 95%specificity diagnostic cutoff values of D.pteronyssinus SPT mean wheal diameter were 3.25 and 3.75 mm,respectively.No adverse events occurred.Conclusion:The extracts of D.pteronyssinus for SPT were simple,highly accurate,and safe and should be considered for recommendation in the clinical diagnosis of D.pteronyssinus allergy.

Home-based spirometry in the self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

It is estimated that more than 3 million people die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)annually.Acute exacerbation of COPD(AECOPD)leads to an irreversible decline of pulmonary function,an increase of emergency visits,hospitalization and length of stay in hospital,and an increase of the mortality.However,many exacerbations are not reported to healthcare professionals for therapy and yet these events,although often in short durations,have a significant impact on health status.111 Early detection and intervention of AECOPD as well as reducing of unreported episodes of AECOPD will potentially improve the prognosis.

A novel treatment workflow of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome:a single-center retrospective cohort study

Hypereosinophilic syndrome(HES),a rare systemic disease,was first described in 1968.As a subtype of HES,idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome(IHES)is defined as hypereosinophilia of unknown cause,excluding tumor,infection,allergy,and immune system disease.In most cases,more than 1 organ is affected in patients with IHES.[1]The first-line drug for the treatment of IHES is glucocorticoid,which is effective for both hypereosinophilia and clinical manifestations.[2]However,when the outcome of hormone treatment is unsatisfactory,immunosuppressive or antineoplastic agents can also be administered.

High house dust mite serum-specific immunoglobulin E indicates a high 5-year rhinitis-asthma conversion rate:a cross-sectional study

Allergic rhinitis(AR)is a costly and highly prevalent chronic disease now.[1]More seriously,many patients with AR also have allergic asthma(AA).The presence of AR is a risk factor for the development of AA.[2]Moreover,AA is still a significant cause of mortality for all ages.[3]Therefore,predicting and preventing AA can reduce accidental death,severe health hazards,and the society's enormous economic burden.