Circulating Circular RNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Prediction of Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) show promise as stroke biomarkers because of their participation in various pathophysiological processes associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and stability in peripheral blood. Methods- A circRNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed circulating circRNAs in a discovery cohort (3 versus 3). Validation (36 versus 36) and replication (200 versus 100) were performed in independent cohorts by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Rapid Cycling and Exceptional Yield in a Metal-Organic Framework Water Harvester.

Sorbent-assisted water harvesting from air represents an attractive way to address water scarcity in arid climates. Hitherto, sorbents developed for this technology have exclusively been designed to perform one water harvesting cycle (WHC) per day, but the productivities attained with this approach cannot reasonably meet the rising demand for drinking water. This work shows that a microporous aluminum-based metal-organic framework, MOF-303, can perform an adsorption-desorption cycle within minutes under a mild temperature swing, which opens the way for high-productivity water harvesting through rapid, continuous WHCs.

Smart meta-superconductor MgB constructed by the dopant phase of luminescent nanocomposite.

On the basis of the idea that the injecting energy will improve the conditions for the formation of Cooper pairs, a smart meta-superconductor (SMSC) was prepared by doping luminescent nanocomposite YO:Eu/Ag in MgB. To improve the superconducting transition temperature (T) of the MgB-based superconductor, two types of YO:Eu/Ag, which has the strong luminescence characteristic, with different sizes were prepared and marked as m-YO:Eu/Ag and n-YO:Eu/Ag. MgB SMSC was prepared through an ex situ process.

Detection of Hemodynamically Significant Coronary Stenosis: CT Myocardial Perfusion versus Machine Learning CT Fractional Flow Reserve.

Background Direct intraindividual comparison of dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and machine learning (ML)-based CT fractional flow reserve (FFR) has not been explored for diagnosing hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease. Purpose To investigate the diagnostic performance of dynamic CT MPI and ML-based CT FFR for functional assessment of coronary stenosis. Materials and Methods Between January 2, 2017, and October 17, 2018, consecutive participants with stable angina were prospectively enrolled.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Interbody Fusion With an Expandable Meshed Allograft Containment Device: Analysis of Subsidence With 12-Month Minimum Follow-Up.

Background: We have previously reported the use of a minimally invasive allograft-filled expandable meshed-bag containment system in the lumbar spine. Subsidence has not been reported with this device. In this retrospective case series, we describe subsidence after lumbar interbody fusion using this device, with 12-month minimum radiographic follow-up.

Variant Interpretation for Cancer (VIC): a computational tool for assessing clinical impacts of somatic variants.

Background: Clinical laboratories implement a variety of measures to classify somatic sequence variants and identify clinically significant variants to facilitate the implementation of precision medicine. To standardize the interpretation process, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and College of American Pathologists (CAP) published guidelines for the interpretation and reporting of sequence variants in cancer in 2017. These guidelines classify somatic variants using a four-tiered system with ten criteria.

Protective Effects of Hydrolyzed Chicken Extract (Probeptigen®/Cmi-168) on Memory Retention and Brain Oxidative Stress in Senescence-Accelerated Mice.

The senescence-accelerated prone (SAMP8) mouse model shows age-dependent deterioration in learning and memory and increased oxidative stress in the brain. We previously showed that healthy subjects on a six-week supplementation of a chicken meat hydrolysate (ProBeptigen®/CMI-168) demonstrated enhanced and sustained cognitive performance up until two weeks after the termination of supplementation. In this study, we investigate the effect of ProBeptigen on the progression of age-related cognitive decline.

Quantitative tooth mobility evaluation based on intraoral scanner measurements.

Background: Tooth mobility assessment is subjective and current techniques require the translation of a continuous variable to a categorical variable based on the perception of the examiner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a novel technique to assess tooth mobility.

Methods: Three experienced periodontists were asked to push tooth #16 into a buccal position to in a typodont model with different mobility (M1-M2).

Regulation of YAP by Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 in Endothelial Cells Controls Blood Pressure Through COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE Cascade.

Endothelial cells regulate vascular tone by producing both relaxing and contracting factors to control the local blood flow. Hypertension is a common side effect of mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) inhibitors. However, the role of endothelial mTORC1 in hypertension remains elusive.

Cross-sectional analysis of cognitive function using multivariate normative comparisons in men with HIV disease.

Background: Prevalence estimates of cognitive impairment in HIV disease vary widely. Here we used multivariate normative comparison (MNC) with identify individuals with impaired cognition, and to compare the results with those using the Frascati and Gisslén criteria.

Methods: The current project used data collected before October 2014 from bisexual/gay men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Development of a Gold Nanoparticle-Functionalized Surface Plasmon Resonance Assay for the Sensitive Detection of Monoclonal Antibodies and Its Application in Pharmacokinetics.

As a prominent human therapeutic, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have attracted increasing attention in the past decade due to their high-targeting specificity, low toxicity, and prolonged efficacy. Systematic pharmacokinetic analysis of mAbs not only largely facilitates the understanding of their biologic functions but also promotes the development of therapeutic drug discovery, early clinical trial implementation, and therapeutic monitoring. However, the extremely complex nature of biomatrices and the especially low dosages of mAbs make their detection in biomatrices and further pharmacokinetic analysis highly challenging.

Loci for human leukocyte telomere length in the Singaporean Chinese population and trans-ethnic genetic studies.

Genetic factors underlying leukocyte telomere length (LTL) may provide insights into telomere homeostasis, with direct links to disease susceptibility. Genetic evaluation of 23,096 Singaporean Chinese samples identifies 10 genome-wide loci (P < 5 × 10). Several of these contain candidate genes (TINF2, PARP1, TERF1, ATM and POT1) with potential roles in telomere biology and DNA repair mechanisms.

Ibrutinib and Venetoclax for First-Line Treatment of CLL.

Background: Ibrutinib, an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, and venetoclax, an inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma 2 protein, have been approved for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Preclinical investigations have indicated potential synergistic interaction of their combination.

Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated phase 2 study of combined ibrutinib and venetoclax involving previously untreated high-risk and older patients with CLL.

Hierarchically Porous Co/Co M (M = P, N) as an Efficient Mott-Schottky Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution in Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries.

Tailoring composition and morphology of electrocatalysts is of great importance in improving their catalytic performance. Herein, a salt-templated strategy is proposed to construct novel multicomponent Co/Co M (M = P, N) hybrids with outstanding electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The obtained Co/Co M hybrids present porous sheet-like architecture consisting of many hierarchical secondary building-units.

Impact of Platelet Endothelial Aggregation Receptor-1 Genotypes on Platelet Reactivity and Early Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Treated With Aspirin and Clopidogrel.

Background: The genetic determinants of response to clopidogrel and aspirin are incompletely characterized. Recently, PEAR1 (platelet endothelial aggregation receptor-1) rs12041331 polymorphism has been shown to influence the platelet reactivity, but its impact on cardiovascular outcomes remains unclear in patients treated with antiplatelet agents.

Methods And Results: In this prospective cohort study, 2439 Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome or stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary stent implantation and receiving clopidogrel and aspirin were consecutively recruited.

Atrial Fibrillation Known Before or Detected After Stroke Share Similar Risk of Ischemic Stroke Recurrence and Death.

Background and Purpose- We aim to compare the risk of 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence and death for atrial fibrillation diagnosed after stroke (AFDAS), atrial fibrillation known before stroke (KAF), and sinus rhythm (SR). Methods- From June 2012 to January 2013, 19 604 patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted to 219 urban hospitals in the China National Stroke Registry II. Based on heart rhythm assessed during admission, we classified patients as AFDAS, KAF, or SR.

Repeatability and Agreement of a Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Biometer IOLMaster 700 Versus a Scheimpflug Imaging-Based Biometer AL-Scan in Cataract Patients.

Purpose: To compare the repeatability and agreement between a swept-source biometer and a Scheimpflug biometer in cataract patients.

Methods: Three consecutive measurements were obtained using a swept-source biometer (IOLMaster 700) and a Scheimpflug biometer (AL-Scan) in 52 eyes of 52 patients. Keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length, and white-to-white (WTW) distance were recorded.

Efficacy and safety of insulin degludec/insulin aspart versus biphasic insulin aspart 30 in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes: A phase III, open-label, 2:1 randomized, treat-to-target trial.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of twice-daily insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) versus biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) twice daily, both ± metformin, in Chinese adults (N = 543) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on premixed/self-mixed or basal insulin ± metformin.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a 26-week, phase III, open-label, treat-to-target, 2:1 randomized trial. Hierarchical testing was used with non-inferiority of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) change from baseline to week 26 as the primary endpoint and superiority for the confirmatory secondary endpoints which were as follows: change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose (FPG); nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemic episodes (12:01-5:59 am, inclusive); total confirmed hypoglycaemic episodes (severe or plasma glucose <3.

Safety and efficacy of ertugliflozin in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: VERTIS Asia.

Aim: Phase III, randomized, double-blind study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on metformin, including evaluation in the China subpopulation.

Materials And Methods: A 26-week, double-blind study of 506 Asian patients (80.2% from mainland China), randomized 1:1:1 to placebo, ertugliflozin 5- or 15 mg, was performed.

Defining the genes for the final steps in biosynthesis of the complex polyketide antibiotic mupirocin by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB10586.

The mupirocin trans-AT polyketide synthase pathway, provides a model system for manipulation of antibiotic biosynthesis. Its final phase involves removal of the tertiary hydroxyl group from pseudomonic acid B, PA-B, producing the fully active PA-A in a complex series of steps. To further clarify requirements for this conversion, we fed extracts containing PA-B to mutants of the producer strain singly deficient in each mup gene.

Association of Perforator Stroke After Basilar Artery Stenting With Negative Remodeling.

Background and Purpose- We try to evaluate whether plaque features and perforator stroke after intracranial stenting is associated with the arterial remodeling patterns in patients with severe basilar artery stenosis. Methods- We studied patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis who underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging from September 2014 to January 2017. Among them, patients with basilar artery stenosis underwent angioplasty and stenting were recruited.

Bias in Neuroradiology Peer Review: Impact of a "Ding" on "Dinging" Others.

Background And Purpose: The validity of radiology peer review requires an unbiased assessment of studies in an environment that values the process. We assessed radiologists' behavior reviewing colleagues' reports. We hypothesized that when a radiologist receives a discrepant peer review, he is more likely to submit a discrepant review about another radiologist.

Increasing Safe Outpatient Management of Emergency Department Patients With Pulmonary Embolism: A Controlled Pragmatic Trial.

Background: Many low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department (ED) are eligible for outpatient care but are hospitalized nonetheless. One impediment to home discharge is the difficulty of identifying which patients can safely forgo hospitalization.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an integrated electronic clinical decision support system (CDSS) to facilitate risk stratification and decision making at the site of care for patients with acute PE.