Role of Ferroptosis-related Gene GLS2 in Pan-cancer Prognosis and Immunity

Objective To assess the role of the ferroptosis-associated gene GLS2 in the prognosis of pan-cancer and immunity using bioinformatics methods. Methods GLS2 expression levels in pan-cancer were profiled using publicly available databases: The Cancer Genome Atlas, GTEx, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and the International Cancer Genome Consortium. The aim was to explore the role of GLS2 gene expression, gene variation survival analysis, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint related genes, TMB, and MSI in different tumors. Results Difference in GLS2 expression levels between cancer and paraneoplastic tissues was statistically significant in most cancer types, and the expression level was correlated with survival in these cancer types. A positive correlation was found between GLS2 expression and immune cell infiltration in multiple cancer types, and GLS2 expression level was positively correlated with TMB, MSI, and methylation, and its expression is an indicator for potential therapeutic response. Conclusion Pan-cancer analysis shows that the ferroptosis-related gene GLS2 can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of clear cell carcinoma of kidney, adrenocortical carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Viburnum farreri (Adoxaceae)

The whole chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of Viburnum farreri has been characterized from Illumina pair-end sequencing. The complete cp genome was 158,516 bp in length, containing a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,990 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,502 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,512 bp. The genome contained 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes (4 rRNA species). Most genes occur as a single copy, while 17 gene species are duplicated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that V. farreri is closely related to the species of V. brachybotryum

Applications of nanotechnology in orthodontics: a comprehensive review of tooth movement, antibacterial properties, friction reduction, and corrosion resistance

Abstract Nanotechnology has contributed important innovations to medicine and dentistry, and has also offered various applications to the field of orthodontics. Intraoral appliances must function in a complex environment that includes digestive enzymes, a diverse microbiome, mechanical stress, and fluctuations of pH and temperature. Nanotechnology can improve the performance of orthodontic brackets and archwires by reducing friction, inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm formation, optimizing tooth remineralization, improving corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of metal substrates, and accelerating or decelerating orthodontic tooth movement through the application of novel nanocoatings, nanoelectromechanical systems, and nanorobots. This comprehensive review systematically explores the orthodontic applications of nanotechnology, particularly its impacts on tooth movement, antibacterial activity, friction reduction, and corrosion resistance. A search across PubMed, the Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar yielded 261 papers, of which 28 met our inclusion criteria. These selected studies highlight the significant benefits of nanotechnology in orthodontic devices. Recent clinical trials demonstrate that advancements brought by nanotechnology may facilitate the future delivery of more effective and comfortable orthodontic care

A new modular framework for high-level application development at HEPS

As a representative of the fourth-generation light sources, the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) in Beijing, China, utilizes a multi-bend achromat lattice to obtain an approximately 100 times emittance reduction compared with third-generation light sources. New technologies bring new challenges to operate the storage ring. In order to meet the beam commissioning requirements of HEPS, a new framework for the development of high-level applications (HLAs) has been created. The key part of the new framework is a dual-layer physical module to facilitate the seamless fusion of physical simulation models with the real machine, allowing for fast switching between different simulation models to accommodate the various simulation scenarios. As a framework designed for development of physical applications, all variables are based on physical quantities. This allows physicists to analytically assess measurement parameters and optimize machine parameters in a more intuitive manner. To enhance both extensibility and adaptability, a modular design strategy is utilized, partitioning the entire framework into discrete modules in alignment with the requirements of HLA development. This strategy not only facilitates the independent development of each module but also minimizes inter-module coupling, thereby simplifying the maintenance and expansion of the entire framework. To simplify the development complexity, the design of the new framework is implemented using Python and is called Python-based Accelerator Physics Application Set (Pyapas). Taking advantage of Python's flexibility and robust library support, we are able to develop and iterate quickly, while also allowing for seamless integration with other scientific computing applications. HLAs for both the HEPS linac and booster have been successfully developed. During the beam commissioning process at the linac, Pyapas's ease of use and reliability have significantly reduced the time required for the beam commissioning operators. As a development framework for HLA designed for the new-generation light sources, Pyapas has the versatility to be employed with HEPS, as well as with other comparable light sources, due to its adaptability

A randomized, open-label, phase 3 study evaluating safety and immunogenicity of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Chinese infants and children under 6 years of age

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a considerable disease burden among children in China. Many isolates exhibit antimicrobial resistance but are often serotypes covered by the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Because the approved infant immunization schedule in China allows PCV13 vaccination only for those 6 weeks to 15 months of age, this phase 3 study was conducted to evaluate PCV13 immunogenicity and safety in unvaccinated older infants and children. Eligible participants were stratified by age into four cohorts: Cohort 1 (n = 125), 6 weeks−2 months; Cohort 2 (n = 354), 7−<12 months; Cohort 3 (n = 250), 1 −<2 years; Cohort 4 (n = 207), 2−<6 years. Cohort 1 received PCV13 at ages 2, 4, and 6 months; older cohorts were randomized 2:1 to PCV13 or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine using age-appropriate schedules. Within-group immune responses were assessed by immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) titers. Safety evaluations included solicited reactogenicity events and adverse events (AEs). IgG geometric mean concentrations and OPA geometric mean titers for all 13 PCV13 serotypes increased for all participants vaccinated with PCV13, but not those vaccinated with Hib. Immune responses in Cohorts 2–4 were generally comparable with those in Cohort 1 (the infant series) for most serotypes. PCV13 was well tolerated across cohorts, with reported AEs consistent with expectations in these age groups; no new safety signals were identified. These results suggest that PCV13 administered as a catch-up regimen to infants and children 7 months−<6 years of age in China will effectively reduce vaccine-type pneumococcal disease in this population. NCT03574389

Data_Sheet_1_Association of altitude and frailty in Chinese older adults: using a cumulative frailty index model.docx

ObjectiveThe population is aging exponentially and the resulting frailty is becoming increasingly evident. We aimed to explore the association between altitude and frailty, and to identify associated factors for frailty.MethodsThis is a community-based cross-sectional survey. 1,298 participants aged ≥60 years from three different altitudes were included in the study. To quantify frailty, we constructed a frailty index (FI) and a frailty score (FS). The FI was divided into non-frailty, prefrailty, and frailty. The Odds Ratios and confidence intervals (ORs, 95%CIs) were used to evaluate the association between altitude and FI and FS in multivariate ordinal logistic regression and linear regression.ResultsThere were 560 (53.1%) participants in the prefrailty and 488 (37.6%) in the frailty group. The FS increased with higher altitude (P for trend ConclusionThe study indicates that high altitude exposure is an associated factor for frailty in older adults. This association become stronger with higher altitudes. As a result, it is essential to conduct early frailty screening for residents living at high altitudes.</p

Mutual communication between radiosensitive and radioresistant esophageal cancer cells modulates their radiosensitivity

Abstract Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for patients with esophageal cancer; however, the response to radiation varies among different tumor subpopulations due to tumor heterogeneity. Cancer cells that survive radiotherapy (i.e., radioresistant) may proliferate, ultimately resulting in cancer relapse. However, the interaction between radiosensitive and radioresistant cancer cells remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the mutual communication between radiosensitive and radioresistant esophageal cancer cells modulated their radiosensitivity. Radiosensitive cells secreted more exosomal let-7a and less interleukin-6 (IL-6) than radioresistant cells. Exosomal let-7a secreted by radiosensitive cells increased the radiosensitivity of radioresistant cells, whereas IL-6 secreted by radioresistant cells decreased the radiosensitivity of radiosensitive cells. Although the serum levels of let-7a and IL-6 before radiotherapy did not vary significantly between patients with radioresistant and radiosensitive diseases, radiotherapy induced a more pronounced decrease in serum let-7a levels and a greater increase in serum IL-6 levels in patients with radioresistant cancer compared to those with radiosensitive cancer. The percentage decrease in serum let-7a and the percentage increase in serum IL-6 levels at the early stage of radiotherapy were inversely associated with tumor regression after radiotherapy. Our findings suggest that early changes in serum let-7a and IL-6 levels may be used as a biomarker to predict the response to radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer and provide new insights into subsequent treatments

Efficacy of the AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine in young Chinese women with oncogenic HPV infection at baseline: post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are efficacious against HPV infections and associated lesions in women HPV-naïve at vaccination. However, vaccine efficacy (VE) against oncogenic, high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types in women infected with any other HR-HPV type at first vaccination (baseline) remains unclear. This post-hoc analysis of a phase II/III study (NCT00779766) evaluated AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 (AS04-HPV-16/18) VE against HR-HPV type infection in 871 Chinese women aged 18–25 years over a 72-month follow-up period. Study participants were DNA-negative at baseline to HR-HPV type(s) considered for VE and DNA-positive to any other HR-HPV type. Initial serostatus was not considered. Baseline DNA prevalence was 14.6% for any HR-HPV type and 10.6% excluding HPV-16/18. In the total vaccinated cohort for efficacy, VE against 6-month and 12-month HPV-16/18 persistent infections (PIs) in women DNA-negative to HPV-16/18 but DNA-positive to any other HR-HPV type at baseline was 100.0% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 79.8–100.0) and 100.0% (95%CI: 47.2–100.0), respectively. VE against HPV-16/18 incident infections in women DNA-positive to one vaccine type but DNA-negative to the other one at baseline was 66.8% (95%CI: −18.9–92.5). VE against HPV-31/33/45 incident infections, in women DNA-positive to HPV-16/18 and DNA-negative to the considered HPV type at baseline was 71.0% (95%CI: 27.3–89.8). No HPV-16/18 PIs were observed in vaccinated women with non-vaccine HPV A7/A9 species cervical infection at baseline. These findings indicated that women with existing HR-HPV infection at vaccination might still benefit from the AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccine. However, this potential benefit needs further demonstration in the future