Retrospective study on the predictive factors in chronic trismus

Trismus is one of the most debilitating and treatment-resistant complications resulting from head and neck oncological treatments. The objective of this study was to assess how primary tumour variables could assist in predicting chronic trismus. From a (retrospective) oncological database (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven), tumour-related, surgical, and oral functional variables were reviewed. Contributing factors for chronic trismus, defined as a mouth opening of less than 35 mm, at least one year after treatment for oral squamous cell cancer, were assessed via logistic regression. A mediational analysis was conducted on the significant predictive variables. Thirteen out of 52 patients were observed to have chronic trismus. A significantly higher prevalence of trismus was found for increasing clinical T classification (p < 0.01), tumours based in the maxilla or the retromolar trigone (p = 0.04), after adjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.04), and/or with masticatory muscle tumour invasion (p ≤ 0.02). Furthermore, radiotherapy significantly impacted T classification in chronic trismus, while T classification was significantly related to masticatory muscle invasion. Although radiotherapy and clinical T classification are well-established risk factors for postoperative trismus, masticatory muscle invasion should be considered as one of the main predictive factors.     

Cytokine and LL-37 gene expression levels in Bartonella spp. seropositive and seronegative patients of a rheumatology clinic

PurposeThe variation in the immune response to Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. The present study compares the expression of selected interleukins, cytokines and cathelicidin (LL-37) in rheumatology clinic patients suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms with healthy blood donors. The patients had previously been tested for the presence of Bartonella henselae antibodies.MethodsGene expression of LL-37, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, interferon-(IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)-α was determined in blood samples using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was prepared with STATISTICA.ResultsStatistically significant differences in the mRNA levels of the tested cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12; p<0.0001) were observed between the healthy controls and patients; however, no difference was observed for LL37 mRNA (p ?= ?0.1974). No significant differences in mRNA expression were observed between IgG in anti-Bartonella seropositive and seronegative individuals (p>0.05). The only significant differences between the Bartonella spp. DNA positive and negative patients, indicated by PCR, were observed for TNF-α and IL-12 mRNA (p ?= ?0.0045 and p ?= ?0.0255, respectively).ConclusionA broadly similar immune response to the tested cytokines was observed among the participants irrespective of anti-Bartonella spp. IgG seropositivity. However, the Bartonella DNA-positive participants demonstrated significantly lower expression of IL-12 and TNF-α mRNA; this may indicate that these bacteria have a suppressive influence on the immune system.     

2035年中国入围科技期刊“世界第一方阵”:基础、差距与推进思路

【目的】 在“中国科技期刊卓越行动计划”实施三周年之际,有必要对我国科技期刊2035年迈入“世界第一方阵”目标的具体任务进行重新审视和预判,以进一步明确发展方向,动态调整推进思路。【方法】 采用国内外科技期刊、科技论文、科技期刊评价成果的系统性发展数据对科技期刊“世界第一方阵” 国家(或地区)在高水平科技期刊数量与质量层面的入围标准进行界定,在深入总结现有基础和优势的同时,对我国科技期刊综合实力与“世界第一方阵”国家(或地区)的现实差距进行逐一梳理和剖析,并对实现目标的可行性和推进思路进行研判和设计。【结果】 必须继续加强高水平英文科技期刊创办和培育力度、持续加大优秀中文科技期刊的建设强度、快速推进国内外科技期刊论文等质同效评价制度的建设与引导,并积极探索建立科学家和科研机构办好一流科技期刊的责任制度和贡献激励机制、创新发展编辑人才队伍培养与激励管理思路、深入实践灵活多样的期刊出版市场资本运作模式、稳步推进期刊出版市场机制和管理制度改革,为我国科技期刊事业的高质量发展提速增效。【结论】 虽然当前阶段目标任务艰巨,但迈入“世界第一方阵”未来可期。     

Safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) vaccine in healthy Japanese adults: Interim report of a phase I/II randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWe evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373, a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticle vaccine, in healthy Japanese participants.MethodsThis phase 1/2, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Japan (two sites), enrolled healthy Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with no history/risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and no prior exposure to other approved/investigational SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or treatments. Participants were stratified by age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years) and randomized to receive two doses of either NVX-CoV2373 (5 μg SARS-CoV-2 rS; 50 μg Matrix-M1) or placebo, 21 days apart. Primary outcomes were safety and immunogenicity assessed by serum IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 rS protein on day 36. Herein, we report the primary data analysis at 4 weeks after the second dose, ahead of 12-month follow-up completion (data cut-off: 8 May 2021).ResultsBetween 12 February 2021 and 17 March 2021, 326 subjects were screened, and 200 participants enrolled and randomized: NVX-CoV2373, n = 150; placebo, n = 50. Solicited adverse events (AEs) through 7 days after each injection occurred in 121/150 (80.7%) and 11/50 (22.0%) participants in the NVX-CoV2373 and placebo arms, respectively. In the NVX-CoV2373 arm, tenderness and injection site pain were the most frequently reported solicited AEs after each vaccination, irrespective of age. Robust immune responses occurred with NVX-CoV2373 (n = 150) by day 36: IgG geometric mean fold rise (95% confidence interval) 259 (219, 306); seroconversion rate 100% (97.6, 100). No such response occurred with placebo (n = 49).ConclusionTwo doses of NVX-CoV2373 given with a 21-day interval demonstrated acceptable safety and induced robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in healthy Japanese adults. Funding: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04712110.     

Estimated Reductions in Added Sugar Intake among US Children and Youth in Response to Sugar Reduction Targets

BackgroundIn 2021, the National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative (NSSRI) released voluntary sugar reduction targets for packaged foods and drinks in the United States.ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to describe trends in added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and beverages among children and youth and estimate possible reductions if industry were to meet the targets.DesignThis study consisted of cross-sectional and trend analyses of demographic and 24-hour dietary recall data from eight survey cycles (2003-2004 to 2017-2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Participants/settingThe study sample included 23,248 children and youth (aged 2 to 19 years).Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measure was the percent of daily calories from added sugar for foods and beverages in NSSRI categories.Statistical analyses performedFoods and beverages reported by participants were mapped to one of the NSSRI’s categories or coded as a non-NSSRI item. Trends over time in added sugar intake were assessed using regression models. To assess possible reductions in added sugar intake if industry were to meet the targets, sales-weighted mean percent reductions for 2023 and 2026 targets were applied to NSSRI items in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Suvey data. Results were examined overall and by demographic characteristics.ResultsFrom 2003-2004 to 2017-2018, added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and beverages declined, but consumption remained high. During 2017-2018, NSSRI categories accounted for 70% of US child and youth added sugar intake. If industry met the NSSRI targets, US children and youth would consume 7% (2023 targets) to 21% (2026 targets) less added sugar.ConclusionsAlthough added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and drinks has declined over the past decade, added sugar intake from all sources remains high and consumption of added sugar from certain NSSRI categories has remained steady over time. If met, the NSSRI targets are expected to result in meaningful reductions in added sugar intake for US children and youth.     

经聚乙烯亚胺钝化的荧光碳点负载阿霉素抑制非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖、迁移侵袭的治疗研究

目的研究利用经聚乙烯亚胺（PEI）钝化的荧光碳点（CD）装载阿霉素（DOX）进行药物递送，旨在增加DOX对非小细胞肺癌的治疗作用，减少DOX的心肌毒性。 方法通过一步微波加热法将甘油和PEI的混合物制备成CD-PEI，并通过静电效应将DOX装载至CD-PEI。采用CCK8实验检测CD-PEI-DOX对非小细胞肺癌细胞A549的增殖能力的影响；Transwell实验评估CD-PEI-DOX对A549细胞迁移侵袭能力的影响；最后通过体内动物实验评估CD-PEI-DOX的心肌毒性以及对非小细胞肺癌皮下肿瘤生长的抑制效果。 结果体外细胞实验证实，对比单纯的DOX处理组，CD-PEI-DOX对非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移侵袭能力的抑制作用更为显著。体内实验证实，CD-PEI-DOX纳米复合物治疗组小鼠心肌细胞结构完整，并且能有效抑制小鼠皮下肺癌肿瘤的生长。 结论经PEI钝化的荧光碳点负载阿霉素能显著提高DOX对非小细胞肺癌的治疗效果，并减少DOX对心脏的毒性作用。运用CD-PEI纳米颗粒改善化疗药物递送的治疗方案取得了初步证实，这可为肺癌化学治疗提供新思路，具有广大的临床应用前景。     

Evaluation of the Role of Merromoside from Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal Hydroalcoholic Extract in the Downregulation of ROS Species in Overcoming MDR in Breast Cancer

Purpose: The medicinal plant Ipomoea aquatica belonging to convulvulaceae family is an effective natural herb for treatment of various ailments and possesses effective anticancer activity. The aim of the work is to characterize a secondary metabolite merromoside (a resin glycoside) for anti-breast cancer activity through down regulation of ROS species. Methods: The Extract of the whole plant has been prepared by maceration method using 50%v/v ethanol in distilled water to get a hydroalcoholic extract. The phytochemical evaluation reveals that the active secondary metabolite was isolated by using column chromatographic technique. The isolated compound was evaluated for its anticancer properties through invitro method such as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 Cell lines. The purity and structural characterization were done by high-performance thin layer chromatography, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Proton and13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Results: The isolated compound (W04) from the derived extract showed Rf value of 0.79 that showed IC50 of 182.8μg/ml. The chemical structure of W04 has been confirmed as [4,5-dihydroxy-6-[5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)-6-[(24,25,26-trihydroxy-5,23-dimethyl-9-oxo-19-pentyl-2,4,8,20,22-pentaoxatricyclo[19.2.2.13,7]hexacosan-6-yl)oxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-2-methyloxan-3-yl] 2-methyl propanoate with the molecular weight of 979.15268. The isolated compound merromoside from hydroalcoholic extract of Ipomoea aquatica has been evaluated for anti-breast cancer properties. The down regulation of ROS species will prevent reverse signalling and angiogenesis. This indicates that merromoside will overcome MDR in breast cancer especially DOX-resistant.