Prognostic markers of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA in lung adenocarcinomas

Ferroptosis is a recently established type of iron-dependent programmed cell death. Growing studies have focused on the function of ferroptosis in cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the factors involved in the regulation of ferroptosis-related genes are not fully understood. In this study, we collected data from lung adenocarcinoma datasets of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-LUAD). The expression profiles of 60 ferroptosis-related genes were screened, and two differentially expressed ferroptosis subtypes were identified. We found the two ferroptosis subtypes can predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses in LUAD patients. Furthermore, key long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were screened by single factor Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) based on which co-expressed with the 60 ferroptosis-related genes. We then established a risk score model which included 13 LUAD ferroptosis-related lncRNAs with a multi-factor Cox regression. The risk score model showed a good performance in evaluating the outcome of LUAD. What’s more, we divided TCGA-LUAD tumor samples into two groups with high- and low-risk scores and further explored the differences in clinical characteristics, tumor mutation burden, and tumor immune cell infiltration among different LUAD tumor risk score groups and evaluate the predictive ability of risk score for immunotherapy benefit. Our findings provide good support for immunotherapy in LUAD in the future

Effects of Angle of Epiglottis on Aerodynamic and Acoustic Parameters in Excised Canine Larynges.

OBJECTIVES(#br)The aim of this study is to explore the effects of the angle of epiglottis (Aepi) on phonation and resonance in excised canine larynges.(#br)METHODS(#br)The anatomic Aepi was measured for 14 excised canine larynges as a control. Then, the Aepis were manually adjusted to 60° and 90° in each larynx. Aerodynamic and acoustic parameters, including mean flow rate, sound pressure level, jitter, shimmer, fundamental frequency (F0), and formants (F1’-F4’), were measured with a subglottal pressure of 1.5 kPa. Simple linear regression analysis between acoustic and aerodynamic parameters and the Aepi of the control was performed, and an analysis of variance comparing the acoustic and aerodynamic parameters of the three treatments was carried out.(#br)RESULTS(#br)The results of the study are as follows: (1) the larynges with larger anatomic Aepi had significantly lower jitter, shimmer, formant 1, and formant 2; (2) phonation threshold flow was significantly different for the three treatments; and (3) mean flow rate and sound pressure level were significantly different between the 60° and the 90° treatments of the 14 larynges.(#br)CONCLUSIONS(#br)The Aepi was proposed for the first time in this study. The Aepi plays an important role in phonation and resonance of excised canine larynges

Effects of Angle of Epiglottis on Aerodynamic and Acoustic Parameters in Excised Canine Larynges

Summary(#br)Objectives(#br)The aim of this study is to explore the effects of the angle of epiglottis (Aepi) on phonation and resonance in excised canine larynges.(#br)Methods(#br)The anatomic Aepi was measured for 14 excised canine larynges as a control. Then, the Aepis were manually adjusted to 60° and 90° in each larynx. Aerodynamic and acoustic parameters, including mean flow rate, sound pressure level, jitter, shimmer, fundamental frequency (F0), and formants (F1′–F4′), were measured with a subglottal pressure of 1.5 kPa. Simple linear regression analysis between acoustic and aerodynamic parameters and the Aepi of the control was performed, and an analysis of variance comparing the acoustic and aerodynamic parameters of the three treatments was carried out.(#br)Results(#br)The results of the study are as follows: (1) the larynges with larger anatomic Aepi had significantly lower jitter, shimmer, formant 1, and formant 2; (2) phonation threshold flow was significantly different for the three treatments; and (3) mean flow rate and sound pressure level were significantly different between the 60° and the 90° treatments of the 14 larynges.(#br)Conclusions(#br)The Aepi was proposed for the first time in this study. The Aepi plays an important role in phonation and resonance of excised canine larynges

Novel Yersinia enterocolitica Prophages and a Comparative Analysis of Genomic Diversity

Yersinia enterocolitica is a major agent of foodborne diseases worldwide. Prophage plays an important role in the genetic evolution of the bacterial genome. Little is known about the genetic information about prophages in the genome of Y. enterocolitica, and no pathogenic Y. enterocolitica prophages have been described. In this study, we induced and described the genomes of six prophages from pathogenic Y. enterocolitica for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole genome sequencing revealed that these novel Yersinia phages are genetically distinct from the previously reported phages, showing considerable genetic diversity. Interestingly, the prophages induced from O:3 and O:9 Y. enterocolitica showed different genomic sequences and morphology but highly conserved among the same serotype strains, which classified into two diverse clusters. The three long-tailed Myoviridae prophages induced from serotype O:3 Y. enterocolitica were highly conserved, shared ≥99.99% identity and forming genotypic cluster A; the three Podoviridae prophages induced from the serotype O:9 strains formed cluster B, also shared more than 99.90% identity with one another. Cluster A was most closely related to O:5 non-pathogenic Y. enterocolitica prophage PY54 (61.72% identity). The genetic polymorphism of these two kinds of prophages and highly conserved among the same serotype strains, suggested a possible shared evolutionary past for these phages: originated from distinct ancestors, and entered pathogenic Y. enterocolitica as extrachromosomal genetic components during evolution when facing selective pressure. These results are critically important for further understanding of phage roles in host physiology and the pathology of disease

Effects of high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, and guideline-based physical activity on cardiovascular metabolic markers, cognitive and motor function in elderly sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes (HIIT-DM): a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectiveSedentary behavior is of increasing concern in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to its potential adverse effects on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and motor function. While regular exercise has been shown to improve the health of individuals with T2DM, the most effective exercise program for elderly sedentary patients with T2DM remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and guideline-based physical activity programs on the cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and motor function of this specific population.MethodsThis study will be a randomized, assessor-blind, three-arm controlled trial. A total of 330 (1:1:1) elderly sedentary patients diagnosed with T2DM will be randomly assigned the HIIT group (10 × 1-min at 85–95% peak HR, intersperse with 1-min active recovery at 60–70% peak HR), MICT (35 min at 65–75% peak HR), and guideline-based group (guideline group) for 12 weeks training. Participants in the guideline group will receive 1-time advice and weekly remote supervision through smartphones. The primary outcomes will be the change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after 12-weeks. Secondary outcomes will includes physical activity levels, anthropometric parameters (weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body mass index), physical measurements (fat percentage, muscle percentage, and fitness rate), cardiorespiratory fitness indicators (blood pressure, heart rate, vital capacity, and maximum oxygen), biochemical markers (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HbA1c), inflammation level (C-reactive protein), cognitive function (reaction time and dual-task gait test performance), and motor function (static balance, dynamic balance, single-task gait test performance, and grip strength) after 12 weeks.DiscussionThe objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of HIIT, MICT, and a guideline-based physical activity program on elderly sedentary patients diagnosed with T2DM. Our hypothesis is that both HIIT and MICT will yield improvements in glucose control, cognitive function, cardiopulmonary function, metabolite levels, motor function, and physical fitness compared to the guideline group. Additionally, we anticipate that HIIT will lead to greater benefits in these areas. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the selection of appropriate exercise regimens for elderly sedentary individuals with T2DM.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Reproductive Hospital Affiliated with China Medical University (approval number: 202203). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants or their guardians. Upon completion, the authors will submit their findings to a peer-reviewed journal or academic conference for publication.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR2200061573

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs

Thickness-shear and thickness-twist modes in an oblate elliptical ceramic cylinder and energy trapping in contoured acoustic wave resonators

We study shear-horizontal motions of a piezoelectric ceramic cylinder with an oblate elliptical cross section and axial poling. Exact thickness-shear and thickness-twist vibration modes are obtained. These modes show energy trapping, i.e., the vibration is mainly confined near the thick, central region and decays to almost nothing near the edges. The results are useful for the understanding and design of contoured piezoelectric resonators for strong energy trapping

Sustainability of local budget airlines.

This research is aimed to examine the sustainability of local budget airlines through two aspects, namely from the operational and consumer aspect. In addition, we will be giving recommendations to local budget airlines based on our findings