Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic across Chinese mainland was gradually stabilized at a low level with sporadic outbreaks, before the emergence of Omicron variant. Apart from non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), COVID-19 vaccine has also been implemented to prevent and control the pandemic since early 2021. Although many aspects have been focused, the change of the spatiotemporal distribution of COVID-19 epidemic across Chinese mainland responding to the change of prevention and control measures were less concerned. Here, we collected the confirmed case data (including domestic cases and overseas imported cases) across Chinese mainland during both 2020/04-2020/08 and 2021/04-2021/08, and then conducted a preliminary data comparison on the spatiotemporal distribution of confirmed cases during the identical period between the two years. Distribution patterns were evaluated both qualitatively by classification method and quantitatively through employing coefficient of variation. Results revealed significant differences in the homogeneity of spatiotemporal distributions of imported or domestic cases between the two years, indicating that the important effect of the adjustment of prevention and control measures on the epidemic evolution. The findings here enriched our practical experience of COVID-19 prevention and control. And, the collected data here might be helpful for improving or verifying spatiotemporally dynamic models of infectious diseases.
Project description:Giant cell granulomas of the jaws often occur sporadically as single central or peripheral lesions. They are characterized by KRAS, FGFR1, or TRPV4 somatic mutations, the latter occurring exclusively in the central form. Less commonly, multiple giant cell lesions can develop in the context of syndromes such as cherubism, which is an autosomal dominant bone disease. Morphologically, giant cell granulomas can closely resemble other giant cell-rich lesions such as non-ossifying fibroma and aneurysmal bone cyst, and to a minor extent giant cell tumour of bone and chondroblastoma. The epigenetic basis of these giant cell-rich tumours is unclear and, recently, DNA methylation profile has been shown to be clinically useful for the diagnosis of other tumour types, including brain tumours as well as bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Therefore, we aimed to assess the DNA methylation profile of central and peripheral sporadic giant cell granulomas of the jaws and cherubism to test whether DNA methylation patterns can help to distinguish these entities. Additionally, we further compared the DNA methylation profile of these lesions with those of other giant cell-rich mimics to investigate if the microscopic similarities extend to the epigenetic level. Our results showed that central and peripheral sporadic giant cell granulomas of the jaws and cherubism share a related DNA methylation pattern with that of peripheral sporadic giant cell granulomas and cherubism appearing slightly distinct, while central sporadic giant cell granulomas show overlap with both of the former. Non-ossifying fibroma, aneurysmal bone cyst, giant cell tumour of bone, and chondroblastoma, on the other hand, have distinct methylation patterns. Therefore, DNA methylation profiling is currently not capable of clearly distinguishing sporadic and cherubism-associated giant cell lesions of the jaws. Conversely, it could discriminate sporadic giant cell granulomas from their giant cell-rich mimics.
Project description:ObjectivesThis study examines alcohol consumption and smoking behaviors by pregnancy status and race/ethnicity in order to inform improved interventions designed to assist women of all races to avoid alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy for their health and to prevent potential fetal exposure.MethodsThis retrospective secondary data analysis utilized nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2001 and 2018. Smoking and alcohol use were evaluated by race/ethnicity and pregnancy risk. Sexual behavior, reproductive health, and prescription drug use determined pregnancy risk, categorized as low pregnancy risk, at risk of becoming pregnant, and pregnant. Binary and multinomial multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 10,019 women of which 11.8% were Mexican American, 7.7% other Hispanic, 65.5% white, and 15% black (weighted percentages). White low pregnancy risk and pregnancy risk smoked most frequently in respective pregnancy risk groups (p < 0.001). Among pregnant women, smoking prevalence was highest among black women (14.0%, p < 0.01). Pregnancy risk women were more likely to smoke and pregnant women were less likely to smoke compared with low pregnancy risk. Low pregnancy risk and pregnancy risk Hispanics had a lower prevalence of binge drinking, but prevalence decreased less among pregnant Hispanics than other racial/ethnic groups. In adjusted analyses, pregnancy risk black women had more than 2 times the odds of combined smoking and alcohol consumption compared with low pregnancy risk black women.ConclusionWomen who may become pregnant need interventions and improved policy to prevent alcohol use and smoking. Culturally appropriate alcohol and smoking cessation interventions before pregnancy and improved contraception access are needed.
Project description:Large and giant congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are rare melanocytic lesions mostly caused by post-zygotic acquisition of NRAS alteration. However, large/giant CMN may exhibit phenotypic differences among distinct areas patients and in addition, patients differ in features such as presence of multiple CMN or Spilus-like lesions. Overall, 50 fresh-frozen biopsies corresponding to 37 phenotypically characterized areas of large/giant CMNs, 9 satellite lesions, 1 acquired nevus and 3 healthy skin biopsies were analyzed by a multigene panel and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Mutational screening showed mutations in 76.2% of large/giant CMN. NRAS mutation was found in 57.1% of cases, and mutations in other genes such as BRAF, KRAS, APC and MET were detected in 14.3% of patients. RNA-seq revealed the fusion transcript ZEB2-ALK and SOX5-RAF1 in large/giant CMN from two patients without point mutations. Both alterations were not detected in unaffected skin and were detected in different affected skin. These findings suggest that large/giant CMN may result from distinct molecular events in addition to NRAS mutations including point mutations and fusions transcripts.
Project description:The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem stratified that varies along different sections of the gut. It comprises a wide array of metabolites originating from both food, host, and microbes. Microbially-derived metabolites, such as bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and indole derivatives, are of significant interest due to their direct interactions with host physiology and regulating function. Most current studies on the gut microbiome focus on fecal samples, which do not fully represent the upper parts of the gut due to its stratification. To collect microbiome samples from the proximal gut microbiome, endoscopic methods or new non-invasive medical devices can be used. To enable comprehensive profiling of the gut metabolome and analyze key metabolites, we developed a combined approach combining untargeted and semi-targeted metabolomics using a Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Initially, we selected 49 metabolites of interest for the gut metabolome based on four distinct criteria. We validated these metabolites through repeatability and linearity tests and created a compound database using the software TraceFinder (ThermoFisher Scientific). For untargeted metabolomics, we established a workflow for the annotation and discovery of molecules. Finally, 37 metabolites were validated for semi-targeted metabolomics, and we conducted a proof of concept on small intestinal and fecal samples form a clinical trial (NCT05477069). Our combined approach, facilitated by molecular networking, demonstrated the potential to discover new metabolites.
Project description:Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that women from cultures that consume high levels of dietary soy have reduced breast cancer rates compared to women from cultures where soy consumption is typically much lower. The types of soy products consumed can also differ with Asian cultures consuming primarily minimally refined soy products while Western cultures often consume more highly refined soy products such as isolated soy protein (ISP). Our previous work showed that lifetime exposure to a diet containing 20% ISP promoted mammary tumor development in MTB-IGFIR transgenic mice. In this study, lifetime exposure to lower levels of ISP were evaluated (5% ISP and 1% ISP) to determine whether more moderate levels of ISP could protect against mammary tumorigenesis. A standard rodent diet, Teklad 2018 was also included in this study and Teklad 2018 contains a less refined form of soy, namely soybean meal. MTB-IGFIR mice fed ISP diets, independent of the concentration, displayed increased mammary tumor incidence and reduced tumor latency compared to MTB-IGFIR mice fed a 20% casein diet. Unexpectedly, MTB-IGFIR mice fed Teklad 2018 were completely protected against mammary tumor development. Although RNA sequencing of mammary tumors from ISP or casein fed mice did not identified gene expression patterns associated with the ISP diets, the ISP diets consistently promoted the expression of contractile related proteins in pubertal mammary glands. Therefore, lifetime exposure to ISP may alter gene expression in pubertal mammary glands rendering them more susceptible to transformation. Based on these findings women may want to avoid highly refined soy products such as ISP and switch to less refined forms of dietary soy until additional studies can be performed.