The Tur\'an number of special linear forest and star-path forest

The Tur\'an number of a graph $F$, denoted $ex(n, F)$, is the maximum number of edges in an $F$-free graph on $n$ vertices. Let $P_{\ell}$, $S_{\ell}$ denote the path and star on $\ell$ vertices, respectively. A linear forest is a forest whose connected components are paths. In 2013, Lidick\'y et al. considered the Tur\'an number of linear forest and $k_1P_4 \bigcup k_2 S_3$ for sufficiently large $n$. Recently, Fang and Yuan determine the Tur\'an numbers of $P_{\ell} \bigcup kS_{\ell-1}$, $k_1P_{2\ell} \bigcup k_2 S_{2\ell-1}$, $2P_5 \bigcup kS_4$ for $n$ appropriately large and characterized the corresponding extremal graphs. In this paper, We determine $ex(n, P_9 \bigcup P_7)$ for all $n\geq 16$ and characterize all extremal graphs, which partially confirms a conjecture proposed by Yuan and Zhang [L.T. Yuan, X.D. Zhang, J. Graph. Theory 98(3) (2021) 499--524]. And we determine the Tur\'an numbers of $\bigcup\limits _{i=1}^{k_1} P_{\ell _i} \bigcup\limits _{j=1}^{k_2} S_{a _j}$ for $n$ appropriately large, where $a_j\leq 2k_2+2 \sum\limits_{i=1}^{k_1} \lfloor\frac{\ell_i}{2}\rfloor-2j$ for any $j\in [k_2]$, which generalizes the results of Fang and Yuan. The corresponding extremal graphs are also completely characterizedComment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1711.07734 by other author

Regular graphs with a complete bipartite graph as a star complement

Let $G$ be a graph of order $n$ and $\mu$ be an adjacency eigenvalue of $G$ with multiplicity $k\geq 1$. A star complement $H$ for $\mu$ in $G$ is an induced subgraph of $G$ of order $n-k$ with no eigenvalue $\mu$, and the vertex subset $X=V(G-H)$ is called a star set for $\mu$ in $G$. The study of star complements and star sets provides a strong link between graph structure and linear algebra. In this paper, we study the regular graphs with $K_{t,s}\ (s\geq t\geq 2)$as a star complement for an eigenvalue$\mu$, especially, characterize the case of$t=3$completely, obtain some properties when$t=s$, and propose some problems for further study

The value of luteinizing hormone basal values and sex hormone-binding globulin for early diagnosis of rapidly progressive central precocious puberty

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of luteinizing hormone (LH) basal values and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) for rapidly progressive central precocious puberty (RP-CPP).MethodsA total of 121 girls presenting with secondary sexual characteristics were selected from the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Lianyungang Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, from May 2021 to June 2023. The children were followed up for 6 months and were divided into three groups: RP-CPP group (n=40), slowly progressive central precocious puberty (SP-CPP) group (n=40), and premature thelarche (PT) group (n=41). The differences in LH basal values and SHBG among girls in the three groups were compared. ROC curves were drawn to analyze the value of LH basal values and SHBG in identifying RP-CPP.ResultsSignificant differences were observed in age, height, predicted adult height (PAH), weight, body mass index (BMI), bone age (BA), BA-chronological age (CA), LH basal, LH peak, FSH basal, LH peak/FSH peak, estradiol (E2), testosterone, and SHBG levels between the RP-CPP group and the SP-CPP and PT groups (P < 0.05). The LH basal value in the RP-CPP group was higher than that in the SP-CPP group and the PT group, while SHBG levels were lower than in the latter two groups, and these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). When the LH basal value was ≥0.58 IU/L and SHBG was ≤58.79 nmol/L, the sensitivity for diagnosing RP-CPP was 77.5% and 67.5%, and the specificity was 66.7% and 74.1%.ConclusionDetection of basal LH and SHBG levels allows for early diagnosis of the progression of central precocious puberty

Myeloid Malignancies with Chromosome 5q Deletions Acquire a Dependency on an Intrachromosomal NF-κB Gene Network

SummaryChromosome 5q deletions (del[5q]) are common in high-risk (HR) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, the gene regulatory networks that sustain these aggressive diseases are unknown. Reduced miR-146a expression in del(5q) HR MDS/AML and miR-146a−/− hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) results in TRAF6/NF-κB activation. Increased survival and proliferation of HSPCs from miR-146alow HR MDS/AML is sustained by a neighboring haploid gene, SQSTM1 (p62), expressed from the intact 5q allele. Overexpression of p62 from the intact allele occurs through NF-κB-dependent feedforward signaling mediated by miR-146a deficiency. p62 is necessary for TRAF6-mediated NF-κB signaling, as disrupting the p62-TRAF6 signaling complex results in cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of MDS/AML cells. Thus, del(5q) HR MDS/AML employs an intrachromosomal gene network involving loss of miR-146a and haploid overexpression of p62 via NF-κB to sustain TRAF6/NF-κB signaling for cell survival and proliferation. Interfering with the p62-TRAF6 signaling complex represents a therapeutic option in miR-146a-deficient and aggressive del(5q) MDS/AML

The association between dietary inflammatory index and cognitive function in adults with/without chronic kidney disease

Background and aimsCognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who face an elevated risk of developing cognitive decline. The fundamental mechanism underlying CI is linked to chronic inflammation, which can be gauged by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). The DII is categorized into anti-inflammatory diets with lower scores and pro-inflammatory diets with higher scores. Specifically, pro-inflammatory diets may contribute to chronic inflammation. However, the correlation between the inflammatory potential of diet and cognitive function in patients with CKD has not been explored. This study aims to investigate the connection between the inflammatory potential of diet and cognitive function in individuals with or without chronic kidney disease.MethodsData from the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilized. Participants under the age of 60 or lacking DII, CI, CKD, and other essential data were excluded. DII was computed based on a 24-h dietary recall interview for each participant. Cognitive performance was evaluated using three cognitive tests: the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) test, the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and the Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to assess the independent relationship between DII score and CI in the CKD and non-CKD populations.ResultsThe study included a total of 2069 subjects, with CI prevalence ranging from 21.4 to 23.5%. Multiple regression models showed that after adjusting for all covariates of the three cognitive function tests, higher DII scores were significantly associated with increased risk of CI (CERAD OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.1 ~ 1.26, AFT OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 ~ 1.23, DSST OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.11 ~ 1.28). Subgroup analysis indicated that the effect of DII score on CI remained consistent in all subgroups (p > 0.05).ConclusionHigher DII scores were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment in people with or without CKD, suggesting that consuming a pro-inflammatory diet may contribute to the impairment of the cognitive function

Segawa syndrome caused by TH gene mutation and its mechanism

Dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), also known as Segawa syndrome, is a rare neurotransmitter disease. The decrease in dopamine caused by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene mutation may lead to dystonia, tremor and severe encephalopathy in children. Although the disease caused by recessive genetic mutation of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene is rare, we found that the clinical manifestations of seven children with tyrosine hydroxylase gene mutations are similar to dopa-responsive dystonia. To explore the clinical manifestations and possible pathogenesis of the disease, we analyzed the clinical data of seven patients. Next-generation sequencing showed that the TH gene mutation in three children was a reported homozygous mutation (c.698G>A). At the same time, two new mutations of the TH gene were found in other children: c.316_317insCGT, and c.832G>A (p.Ala278Thr). We collected venous blood from four patients with Segawa syndrome and their parents for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of TH gene expression. We predicted the structure and function of proteins on the missense mutation iterative thread assembly refinement (I-TASSER) server and studied the conservation of protein mutation sites. Combined with molecular biology experiments and related literature analysis, the qPCR results of two patients showed that the expression of the TH gene was lower than that in 10 normal controls, and the expression of the TH gene of one mother was lower than the average expression level. We speculated that mutation in the TH gene may clinically manifest by affecting the production of dopamine and catecholamine downstream, which enriches the gene pool of Segawa syndrome. At the same time, the application of levodopa is helpful to the study, diagnosis and treatment of Segawa syndrome

Spatial analysis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in China

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in many provinces with high incidence in mainland China, although integrated intervention measures including rodent control, environment management and vaccination have been implemented for over ten years. In this study, we conducted a geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis on distribution of HFRS cases for the whole country with an objective to inform priority areas for public health planning and resource allocation. METHODS: Annualized average incidence at a county level was calculated using HFRS cases reported during 1994–1998 in mainland China. GIS-based spatial analyses were conducted to detect spatial autocorrelation and clusters of HFRS incidence at the county level throughout the country. RESULTS: Spatial distribution of HFRS cases in mainland China from 1994 to 1998 was mapped at county level in the aspects of crude incidence, excess hazard and spatial smoothed incidence. The spatial distribution of HFRS cases was nonrandom and clustered with a Moran's I = 0.5044 (p = 0.001). Spatial cluster analyses suggested that 26 and 39 areas were at increased risks of HFRS (p < 0.01) with maximum spatial cluster sizes of ≤ 20% and ≤ 10% of the total population, respectively. CONCLUSION: The application of GIS, together with spatial statistical techniques, provide a means to quantify explicit HFRS risks and to further identify environmental factors responsible for the increasing disease risks. We demonstrate a new perspective of integrating such spatial analysis tools into the epidemiologic study and risk assessment of HFRS

The maximum spectral radius of graphs of given size with forbidden subgraph

Let $G$ be a graph of size $m$ and $\rho(G)$ be the spectral radius of its adjacency matrix. A graph is said to be $F$-free if it does not contain a subgraph isomorphic to $F$. In this paper, we prove that if $G$ is a $K_{2,r+1}$-free non-star graph with $m\geq (4r+2)^2+1$, then $\rho(G)\leq \rho(S_m^1)$. Recently, Li, Sun and Wei \cite{li2022} showed that for any $\theta_{1,2,3}$-free graph of size $m\geq 8$, $\rho(G)\leq \frac{1+\sqrt{4m-3}}{2}$, with equality if and only if $G\cong S_{\frac{m+3}{2},2}$. However, this bound is not attainable when $m$ is even. We proved that if $G$ is $\theta_{1,2,3}$-free and $G\ncong S_{\frac{m+3}{2},2}$ with $m\geq 22$, then $\rho(G)\leq \rho_1$ if $m$ is even, with equality if and only if $G\cong F_{m,1}$, and $\rho(G)\leq \rho_2$ if $m$ is odd, with equality if and only if $G\cong F_{m,1}$, where $\rho_t$ is the largest root of $x^4-mx^2-(m-t-1)x+\frac{t}{2}\cdot (m-t-1)=0$ for $t=1,2$.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure