Efficient all-optical router and beam splitter for light with orbital angular momentum

We propose an efficient scheme for realizing all-optical router or beam splitter (BS) by employing a double tripod-type atomic system, where the ground levels are coupled by two additional intensity-dependent weak microwave fields. We show that the high-dimensional probe field encoded in a degree of freedom of orbital angular momentum can be stored, retrieved, and manipulated. Due to the constructive or destructive interference between the introduced microwave fields and the atomic spin coherence, the generated stationary light pulses and the retrieved probe fields can be increased or decreased with high efficiency and fidelity in a controllable manner. On the basis of the results and a general extension, a tunable all-optical router or BS, which can split a high-dimensional probe field into two or more ones, can be achieved by actively operating the controlling fields and the microwave fields. The current scheme, integrating multiple functions and showing excellent performance, could greatly enhance the tunability and capacity for the all-optical information processing.

LncRNA H19 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cells invasion and metastasis through the p53/TNFAIP8 pathway

Background

Long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer through regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods

LncRNA H19 and TNFAIP8 were identified by qRT-PCR and western blotting. CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay were performed to determine cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle of breast cancer respectively. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were utilized to evaluate the protein expression levels of p53, TNFAIP8, and marker proteins of EMT cascades in vivo. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull down assay were conducted to evaluate the interactions of lncRNA H19, p53 and TNFAIP8.

Results

The expression of lncRNA H19 and TNFAIP8 was up-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Functionally, knockdown of lncRNA H19 or TNFAIP8 coused the capacities of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were suppressed, and cell cycle arrest was induced, as well as that the EMT markers were expressed abnormal. Mechanistically, lncRNA H19 antagonized p53 and increased expression of its target gene TNFAIP8 to promote EMT process. Furthermore, silencing of lncRNA H19 or TNFAIP8 also could inhibit tumorigenesis and lymph node metastases of MDA-MB-231 cells in xenograft nude mouse models.

Conclusions

Our findings provide insight into a novel mechanism of lncRNA H19 in tumorigenesis and metastases of breast cancer and demonstrate H19/p53/TNFAIP8 axis as a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer, especially for TNBC.

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor in the pelvic cavity: A case report and review of the literature

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumors (CFPs) are rare benign lesions mostly occurring in the limbs, necks and gastrointestinal tracts of young adults. In the present study, we report the first known case of a pelvic CFP in China in a 67-year-old male patient. The solitary tumor had an extremely regular shape and was in the vicinity of the sigmoid colon. Surgical resection was performed and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as CFP. We reviewed 64 cases of CFPs and discussed the clinical features of this disease in China and other countries. We found that the CFPs were most common in patients aged 18-60 and often had no obvious symptoms. They were immunoreactive for vimentin and factor XIIIa, while negative for CD117 and S100. In China, CFPs were mostly identified in the stomach, possibly associated with Chinese eating. The pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. More research is needed to confirm the present results.

A novel ML domain-containing protein (SpMD2) functions as a potential LPS receptor involved in anti-Vibrio immune response

The myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2)-related lipid-recognition (ML) proteins display diverse biological functions in host immunity and lipid metabolism by interacting with different lipids. Human MD2, an indispensable accessory protein in TLR4 signaling pathway, specifically recognizes lipopolysaccharides (LPS), thereby leading to the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway to produce many effectors that participate in inflammatory and immuneresponses against Gram-negative bacteria. Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways are first characterized in Drosophila and are reportedly present in crustaceans, but the recognition and activation mechanism of these signaling pathways in crustaceans remains unclear. In the present study, a novel ML protein was characterized in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) and designated as SpMD2. The complete SpMD2 cDNA sequence is 1114 bp long with a 465 bp open reading frame; it encodes a protein that contains 154 amino acids (aa). In the deduced protein, a signal peptide (1-21 aa residues) and a ML domain (43-151 aa residues) were predicted. SpMD2 shared a similar three-dimensional structure and a close evolutionary relationship with human MD2. SpMD2 was highly expressed in gills, hemocytes, intestine, and hepatopancreas and was upregulated in gills and hemocytes after challenges with bacteria, thereby suggesting its involvement in antibacterial defense. Western blot assay showed that SpMD2 possesses strong binding activities to different bacteria and two fungi. ELISA demonstrated that SpMD2 exhibits binding abilities to LPS, lipid A, peptidoglycan (PGN), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Its binding ability to LPS and lipid A were stronger than to PGN or LTA, implying that SpMD2 was an important LPS-binding protein in mud crab. Bacterial clearance assay revealed that the pre-incubation of Vibrio parahemolyticus with SpMD2 facilitates bacterial clearance in vivo and that knockdown of SpMD2 dramatically suppresses the bacterial clearance and decreases the expression of several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Furthermore, SpMD2 overexpression could enhance the promoter activity of SpALF2. These results revealed that SpMD2 affects bacterial clearance by regulating AMPs. Thus, by binding to LPS and by regulating AMPs, SpMD2 may function as a potential receptor, which is involved in the recognition and activation of a certain immune signaling pathway against Gram-negative bacteria. This study provides new insights into the diverse functions of ML proteins and into the antibacterial mechanisms of crustaceans.

[Investigation and analysis of quality of life of some pneumoconiosis patients in Hangzhou]

Objective: To understand the quality of life and influencing factors of patients with pneumoconiosis, and to provide a basis for formulating targeted improvement strategies to improve the quality of life. Methods: From April to December 2018, Questionnaire survey was conducted on patients with pneumoconiosis that diagnosed in Hangzhou Hospital for the Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, using self-made questionnaire and SF-36.237 valid questionnaires were used to investigate the basic conditions, health services, social assistance and quality of life of patients, and analyze the influencing factors of quality of life. Results: Hangzhou city's some pneumoconiosis patients were mostly with monthly income <3000 yuan (72.6%, 172/237) ; more patients with medical expenses of 8000 to 25000 yuan per year (60.3%, 143/237) ; The proportion of patients receiving medical assistance and work-related injury insurance was low, at 2.1% (5/237) and 23.8% (54/227) respectively. The scores of Pneumoconiosis patients in PhysicalFunction (PF) , Role-Physical (RP) , Bodily Pain (BP) , General Health (GH) , Vitality (VT) , Social Function (SF) , Role-Emotional (RE) and Mental Health (MH) were lower than the national norm (P<0.05) . The scores from high to low were BP, SF, MH, PF, VT, RE, RP and GH. There were significant differences in the quality of life scores of pneumoconiosis patients with different ages, work types, education levels and monthly income (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The quality of life of some patients with pneumoconiosis in Hangzhou is lower than that of the general population. Age, work types, and monthly income are factors influencing quality of life.

Coherent generation and manipulation of entangled stationary photons based on a multiple degrees of freedom quantum memory

We propose a quantum memory, each subsystem of which is comprised of two double M-type systems of cold atoms, for the first generation of entangled stationary photons (ESPs). Through the active operation of two pairs of counter-propagating controlling fields in time, the reversible transfer of entanglement between photons and atomic ensembles is realized, and the ESPs can be created due to the tight coupling and balanced competition between the corresponding retrieved signal photons. The reduced density matrix in the photon-polarization basis, which provides the lower bound for any purported entanglement, is constructed for discussing the dynamics evolution of the entanglement in terms of the concurrence. We show that the present scheme can be employed for the entangled photons encoded in degrees of freedom (DOFs) of polarization and orbital angular momentum. Such a multiple DOFs dependent scheme, with many benefits over that in a single one, could pave the way toward quantum nonlinear optics without a cavity and could greatly enhance the tunability and capacity for the quantum information processing.

Accurate global potential energy surface by extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and dynamics studies for ground state of H2S. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2019;219:267-273. [PMID: 31048256 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.04.051]

The atomic ions with hydrogen reactions play important role in biological chemistry, atmospheric and combustion chemistry. In this work, a full three-dimensional global many-body expansion potential energy surface (PES) for the ground state of H₂S^-(²A') is reported for the first time, since there is almost no investigations can accurately and completely describe the PES. It is obtained using many-body expansion theory and an extensive set of accurate ab initio energies extrapolated to the complete basis set limit, for improving the accuracy of the potential energy surface. The topographical features of the new three-dimensional global potential energy surface are examined in detail, and found to be in good agreement with theoretical and experimental results. To better test the reaction, such a surface was applied to quasi classical trajectory calculations for S^-(²P)+H₂(¹Σ_g⁺)→SH^-(¹Σ)+H(²S) reaction. The integral cross sections, differential cross sections and the rate coefficients have been computed. Results indicate that such a work can be recommended for corresponding atmospheric dynamics studies and as building blocks for constructing the many body expansion potential energy surface of larger S^-/H containing systems.

Differentially Expressed Protein Are Involved in Dynamic Changes of Catechins Contents in Postharvest Tea Leaves under Different Temperatures

In this study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technology were used to investigate three samples from postharvest tea leaves that were treated at room temperature (25 °C, control group), high temperature (38 °C), and low temperature (4 °C) for 4 h. In heat and cold treatments, a total of 635 and 566 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were determined, respectively. DEPs were annotated to GO and KEGG databases, which revealed that DEPs involved in various aspects of biological process. Three catechins-related DEPs, CsCHI, CsF3H, and CsANR, were identified. Both catechins contents and the expression profiles of catechins biosynthesis-related genes changed significantly under different temperature treatments. The correlations between catechins contents, gene expression profiles, and DEPs were analyzed. This study provides potential new insights into the molecular basis for tea production of postharvest leaves and catechins content changes at diverse temperature conditions and will guide the improvement of tea-processing technology.

A new crustin homologue (SpCrus6) involved in the antimicrobial and antiviral innate immunity in mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

Crustins play important roles in defending against bacteria in the innate immunity system of crustaceans. In present study, we identified a crustin gene in Scylla paramamosain, which was named as SpCrus6. The ORF of SpCrus6 possessed a signal peptide sequence (SPS) at the N-terminus and a WAP domain at the C-terminus. And there were 5 Proline residues, 5 Glycine and 4 Cysteine residues between SPS and WAP domain in SpCrus6. These features indicated that SpCrus6 was a new member of crustin family. The SpCrus6 mRNA transcripts were up-regulated obviously after bacteria or virus challenge. These changes showed that SpCrus6 was involved in the antimicrobial and antiviral responses of Scylla paramamosain. Recombinant SpCrus6 (rSpCrus6) showed strong inhibitory abilities against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis). But the inhibitory abilities against four Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio parahemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi and Escherichia coli) and two fungi (Pichia pastoris and Candida albicans) were not strong enough. Besides, rSpCrus6 could strongly bind to two Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtilis and B. megaterium) and three Gram-negative bacteria (V. alginolyticus, V. parahemolyticus, and V. harveyi). And the binding levels to S. aureus and two fungi (P. pastoris and C. albicans) were weak. The polysaccharides binding assays' results showed rSpCrus6 had superior binding activities to LPS, LTA, PGN and β-glucan. Through agglutinating assays, we found rSpCrus6 could agglutinate well three Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis and B. megaterium). And the agglutinating activities to Gram-negative bacteria and fungi were not found. In the aspect of antiviral functions, rSpCrus6 could bind specifically to the recombinant envelop protein 26 (rVP26) of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) but not to recombinant envelop protein 28 (rVP28), whereas GST protein could not bind to rVP26 or rVP28. Besides, rSpCrus6 could suppress WSSV reproduction to some extent. Taken together, SpCrus6 was a multifunctional immunity effector in the innate immunity defending response of S. paramamosain.

[The study on behaviour of protective equipment utilization of workers exposed to benzene and factors based on Planned Behavior Theory]

Objective: To investigate and predict the behavioral intention and mode of the protective equipment utilization selection of the workers who used Benzene, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was applied to establish the behavioral model to enhance the theoretical foundation for long-term intervention. Methods: Questionnaires were used to survey the 707 workers, and all the behaviors of using protective equipment were investigated. Evaluate the relationships between each variable and obtain the influence affects by structural equation model. Results: The investigation showed that 38.47% of the total workers (272 cases) used whole body protection, 13.58% used partially, and 16.69% didn't use any body protection. There were significant difference between the varying degrees in the four dimensions (behavioral attitude, perceived behavior control, subjective norm, and behavioral intention) (P<0.01) . The results of structural equation model revealed that perceived behavior control was the most important influencing factor, subjective norm, positive attitude, negative attitude were the other three respects in sequence. The path co-efficient were 0.600、0.215、0.141 and 0.046 respectively. Conclusion: The study show that the theory of planned behavior can effectively explain the behavioral intention and behavior of protective equipment utilization. Therefore, combining the subjective initiative of individuals with the supervision of enterprises, In order to effectively enhance the protective equipment utilization of benzene workers.

[An investigation of lanthanum and other metals levels in blood, urine and hair among residents in the rare earth mining area of a city in China]

Objective: To investigate the levels of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium in the blood, urine, and hair samples from residents in the rare earth mining area of a city in China, and to provide a scientific basis for the control of rare earth pollution and the protection of population health. Methods: A total of 147 residents who had lived in the rare earth mining area of a city for a long time were selected as the exposure group, and 108 residents in Guyang County of this city who lived 91 km away from the rare earth mining area were selected as the control group. Blood, urine, and hair samples were collected from the residents in both groups. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the content of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium in blood, urine, and hair samples. Results: In the exposure group, the median levels of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium were 0.854, 1.724, 0.132, and 0.839 μg/L, respectively, in blood samples, 0.420, 0.920, 0.055, and 0.337 μg/L, respectively, in urine samples, and 0.052, 0.106, 0.012, and 0.045 μg/g, respectively, in hair samples. The exposure group had significantly higher levels of the four rare earth elements in blood, urine, and hair samples than the control group (P<0.01) . Conclusion: The residents in the rare earth mining area of this city have higher content of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium in blood, urine, and hair than those in the non-mining area; the content of cerium is highest, followed by lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium.

Efficient images storage via modulating the atomic spin coherence in a N-type system

A four-level N-type cold atomic system is proposed for optimizing images storage based on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Both analytical analysis and numerical simulation clearly show that the application, during the storage time, of an additional intensity-modulated signal field and an additional microwave field can impose an intensity and a phase-dependent factors on the atomic spin coherence in a controlled manner, then the amplitude of the retrieved images can be increased or decreased with an enhancement in the visibility. Our results are very promising for the realization of all-optical information processing of images coherently stored in EIT media in the future.

[Experimental observation of hyperbaric oxygen combined with radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of nude mice bearing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen combined with radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Subcutaneous tumor model of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using TE-8 cells was established. Tumor bearing Balb/c(nu/nu) mice (60 mice) were divided into four groups, Cont group that treated with normal oxygen level, HBO group that treated with hyperbaric oxygen, RSI group that treated with radioactive seed implantation, and HBO+ RSI group that treated with hyperbaric oxygen combined with radioactive seed implantation. Tumor volume ratio and mean survival time of tumor bearing mice were observed. Pathological changes of tumor tissue after treatment were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to detect oxidative stress. Apoptosis related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results: After treatment, the tumor volume ratio of HBO+ RSI group was 3.51±0.80 and was significantly lower than that of Cont group, HBO group, and RSI group (P<0.05). The mean survival time of HBO+ RSI group tumor bearing mice was 62 d and was significantly longer than that in Cont group, HBO group, and RSI group (P<0.05). HE staining showed that the pathological changes of tumor tissues were most obvious in HBO+ RSI group. After treatment, the MDA and Bax levels in nude mice of HBO+ RSI group were significantly higher than those in Cont group, HBO group and RSI group, but the levels of GSH, SOD and Bcl-2 were significantly lower than those of Cont group, HBO group and RSI group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen combined with radioactive seed implantation could slow tumor growth and increase survival time of tumor bearing mice. The possible mechanism is that hyperbaric oxygen combined with radioactive seed implantation can improve the oxidative stress response and the expression of apoptosis protein in tumor bearing nude mice.

[Response and prognosis of neoadjuvant dose-dense or standard schedule chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes for Luminal B breast cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dose-dense or standard schedule chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes for Luminal B (HER2-)Breast Cancer. Methods: From January 2010 to December 2014, 168 Luminal B (HER2-) breast cancer patients with stageⅡA-ⅢC confirmed by pathology were randomly assigned to receive one of the following regimens: (group A) concurrent TEC× 4 every 3 weeks, ( group B ) sequential EC× 4-T × 4 every 3 weeks, (group C ) dose-dense TEC× 4 every 2 weeks with G-CSF, (group D) sequential EC× 4(dose-dense)-T × 4 with dose-dense every 2 weeks . Results: A total of 168 patients completed the neoadjuvant chemotherapy as planned. The pathologic complete response (pCR) was 16.8% in the 4 groups.The pCR were 30.9% and 26.1% in the group C and group D respectively, significantly higher than patients with group A and group B(9.5%and 7.1%) ( P<0.05). Median follow-up was 43 months (IQR 3-63). The 3-year disease free survival (DFS) rate was 64.7%, 55.5%, 87.8% and 92.1% and the 3-year overall survival(OS)rate was 79.4%, 77.7%, 95.1%, 97.3% in the 4 groups respectively. Patients in the dose-dense group had better 3-year DFS and 3-year OS than those with the regular group.The side-effects could be evaluated in 154 patients.The incidence of neutropenia was 29.2% and 21.9% in the group C and group D versus 65.7%and 51.3% in the regular group(P<0.05), the incidence of nervous toxicity was 54.2%, 18.9%, 60.0%, 26.8% in the 4 groups respectively. The incidence of nervous toxicity in the dose-dense group was lower than that in the regular regimen group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Neoadjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes for Luminal B (HER2-)Breast Cancer was effective and can improve the pCR, DFS and OS.Comparing the two dose dense regimens, sequentially with anthracyclines and taxanes, the incidence of nervous toxicity were lower.

Analysis of serum microRNA expression in male workers with occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a prevalent occupational disorder that impairs auditory function in workers exposed to prolonged noise. However, serum microRNA expression in ONIHL subjects has not yet been studied. We aimed to compare the serum microRNA expression profiles in male workers of ONIHL subjects and controls. MicroRNA microarray analysis revealed that four serum microRNAs were differentially expressed between controls (n=3) and ONIHL subjects (n=3). Among these microRNAs, three were upregulated (hsa-miR-3162-5p, hsa-miR-4484, hsa-miR-1229-5p) and one was downregulated (hsa-miR-4652-3p) in the ONIHL group (fold change >1.5 and P_bon value <0.05). Real time quantitative PCR was conducted for validation of the microRNA expression. Significantly increased serum levels of miR-1229-5p were found in ONIHL subjects compared to controls (n=10 for each group; P<0.05). A total of 659 (27.0%) genes were predicted as the target genes of miR-1229-5p. These genes were involved in various pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Overexpression of miR-1229-5p dramatically inhibited the luciferase activity of 3′ UTR segment of MAPK1 (P<0.01). Compared to the negative control, HEK293T cells expressing miR-1229-5p mimics showed a significant decline in mRNA levels of MAPK1 (P<0.05). This preliminary study indicated that serum miR-1229-5p was significantly elevated in ONIHL subjects. Increased miR-1229-5p may participate in the pathogenesis of ONIHL through repressing MAPK1 signaling.

Comparative proteomic analysis provides novel insights into chlorophyll biosynthesis in celery under temperature stress

Chlorophyll (Chl) is essential for light harvesting and energy transduction in photosynthesis. A proper amount of Chl within plant cells is important to celery (Apium graveolens) yield and quality. Temperature stress is an influential abiotic stress affecting Chl biosynthesis and plant growth. There are limited proteomic studies regarding Chl accumulation under temperature stress in celery leaves. Here, the proteins from celery leaves under different temperature treatments (4, 25 and 38°C) were analyzed using a proteomic approach. There were 71 proteins identified through MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis. The relative abundance of proteins involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein metabolism, amino acid metabolism, antioxidant and polyamine biosynthesis were enhanced under cold stress. These temperature stress-responsive proteins may establish a new homeostasis to enhance temperature tolerance. Magnesium chelatase (Mg-chelatase) and glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (GSAT), related to Chl biosynthesis, showed increased abundances under cold stress. Meanwhile, the Chl contents were decreased in heat- and cold-stressed celery leaves. The inhibition of Chl biosynthesis may be due to the downregulated mRNA levels of 15 genes involved in Chl biosynthesis. The study will expand our knowledge on Chl biosynthesis and the temperature tolerance mechanisms in celery leaves.

[Anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the lower lobe: three cases reports and literature review]

Objective: To improve the clinical recognition of anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the lower lobe in clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Three cases were presented and related literatures were reviewed. A literature review was performed with"anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal lower lobe of the lung","anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the lower lobe"and"anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the left lower lobe of the lung"as key words in Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, Wanfang database and CNKI. Result: Our 3 cases were male, with an average age of 36 years old; all of them were admitted with hemoptysis. Left lower lobectomy was performed in 2 cases, and the other 1 case underwent endovascular embolization. 26 related articles were retrieved and our 3 cases were included in this study with a total of 57 cases. The ratio of male to female was 2∶1 (38∶19), with an average age of about 35 years old. The most common symptom was hemoptysis (26/57), followed by asymptomatic (22/57). The main treatments included left lower lobectomy (17/47) and endovascular embolization of anomalous systemic artery (13/47). Conclusions: This disease is more common in male, and the most common symptom is hemoptysis. When chest CT scan shows a nodular retrocardiac density with hemoptysis symptom, clinicians and radiologists should raise suspicion of anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the lower lobe. Chest contrast-enhanced CT scan is an appropriate imaging method to confirm diagnosis. The main treatments include left lower lobectomy and endovascular embolization. For asymptomatic patient, observation may be an acceptable option.

[Screening on key techniques used for surveillance and disposal of public health emergencies]

Objective: To explore the key techniques used for surveillance and disposal of infectious diseases, food poisoning and hospital infection to improve the ability of surveillance and disposal on public health emergency. Methods: Framework on surveillance and disposal of infectious diseases, food poisoning and hospital infection was set up, based on literature review and expert group discussion. Delphi method and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution comprehensive evaluation method were used for ordering preference by similarity, to screen key techniques set for surveillance and disposal of the above said events. Results: Framework to be used for selecting key techniques was designed, based on the classification of emergency events, processing cycle of emergency events and level of techniques. Twenty six public health experts were selected for a 2-round consultation, with their authority as 0.796. Ten key techniques with important significance for surveillance and disposal of infectious diseases, food poisoning and hospital infection were selected from each event. Among these key techniques, the early-warning system was recognized as the key technique, important for the surveillance and disposal of all three emergency events. Items as technology used for unknown pathogenic microorganism detection, personal protection, gene sequencing and tracing technology, microorganism molecular typing technology, nucleic acid detection technology etc. were the key techniques and need to develop for the surveillance and disposal of infectious diseases and iatrogenic infection. Data regarding key technologies on security and privacy, early warning and forecasting, field rapid detection were sorted out that all in need to improve the surveillance programs on disposal of infectious diseases and food poisoning. Data exchange appeared another key technique on infectious diseases, with toxin detection and other 5 techniques the key techniques for food poisoning. Data collection, standardization and other 3 techniques appeared as the key techniques on iatrogenic infection. Conclusions: Key techniques were selected in this study to meet the requirements of surveillance, disposal of infectious disease, food poisoning and iatrogenic infection. Authority of the experts got improved in the two-round consultation, ensuring the reliability of the results of screening and providing a scientific basis for the further research and priority development of the key techniques.

[Effects of trabecular metal augments for the reconstruction of Paprosky type Ⅲ acetabulum bone defects]

Objective: To investigate the methods and short-time clinical results of reconstruction of Paprosky type Ⅲ acetabulum bone defects by using tantalum augments. Methods: A total of 17 patients (17 hips) with Paprosky type Ⅲ acetabulum bone defects, treated with tantalum augments in revision of total hip arthroplasty at Department of Orthopedics Surgery in General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army were retrospectively analyzed from March 2014 to May 2016.There were 6 males and 11 females aged from 23 to 74 years with an average of (50.2±16.3) years. Tantalum augments or TM-Cup augment (the cup-on-cup technique) were used to reconstruct the defects.The TM-Cup augment was the tantalum revision cup which was removed titanium ring. The cup-on-cup technique combined TM-Cup augment and biological acetabulum cup. Augments were served as the nonresorptive structural allograft in revision of total hip arthroplasty. Harris hip score was used to evaluate clinical effects. The vertical position of the rotation center was measured and analyzed. Radiographic assessments of the acetabular components were performed by DeLee-Charnley and the Anderson criteria and recorded postoperative complications. Results: All the patients were followed up from 3 to 29 months with an average of (16.2±5.4) months, tantalum augments and biological acetabulum cup were used in 13 patients, the TM-Cup augment and biological acetabulum cup were used in 4 patients. At the time of the latest follow-up, the mean Harris hip score increased compared to preoperatively (86.8±8.3 vs. 30.0±12.0) (t=12.78, P<0.01), the average vertical location of the center of rotation was decreased ((25.3±9.8) mm vs.(47.6±10.5)) mm (t=4.95, P<0.01). All the tantalum augments and biological acetabulum cups were stable, there were no infection, dislocation and other complications. Conclusions: The use of tantalum augments could be considered as an effective management of Paprosky type Ⅲ defects providing good clinical and radiographic outcomes in the short term.The cup-on-cup technique which was used in reconstruction of severe superior-invagination acetabular bone defects and restoration relatively normal center of rotation had special application value.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Immunocompromised Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Toxoplasma gondii has been suggested as an important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. We conducted a global meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised individuals. Electronic databases were reviewed for T. gondii infection in HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, and transplant recipients, and meta-analyses were conducted to calculate overall estimated prevalence and ORs using random or fixed-effects models. Totally, 72 eligible studies were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised patients and the control was 35.9 and 24.7% (p < 0.001), with an OR of 2.24, i.e., 42.1 and 32.0% for HIV/AIDS patients and the control (p < 0.05), 26.0 and 12.1% for cancer patients and the control (p < 0.001), and 42.1 and 34.5% for transplant recipients and the control (p > 0.05), whose estimated pooled ORs were 1.92 (95% CI, 1.44-2.55), 2.89 (95% CI, 2.36-3.55), and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.16-1.95), respectively. This study is the first to demonstrate that the immunocompromised patients are associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection, and appropriate prevention and control measures are highly recommended for these susceptible populations.

Association of genetic variations in miR-146a rs2910164 and miR-149 rs11614913 with the development of classic Kaposi sarcoma

Classic Kaposi sarcoma is a type of vascular proliferative inflammatory disease. Previous studies have reported significant associations between microRNAs expression and the development of classic Kaposi sarcoma. Here, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between miR-146a and miR-149 genetic polymorphisms and risk of classic Kaposi sarcoma in a Chinese population. Both classic Kaposi sarcoma patients and healthy controls were recruited between December 2013 and October 2015. Genotyping of miR-146a and miR-149 was performed by polymerase chain reaction-coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results showed that the GG genotype of miR-146a was associated with increased risk to classic Kaposi sarcoma (OR = 6.00, 95%CI = 1.19-30.12), as compared with the CC genotype. In the recessive model, we found that the GG genotype carried a 4.55-fold increased risk to classic Kaposi sarcoma as compared with the CC + CG genotype (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.04-20.29). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that miR-146a, but not miR-149 polymorphism, is associated with risk to classic Kaposi sarcoma in the Chinese population.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic relationships of the three-spot swimming crab (Portunus sanguinolentus)

In this study, we determined the whole mitochondrial genome profile of the three-spot swimming crab (Portunus sanguinolentus) and elucidated phylogenetic relationships between representative species in the order Decapoda. The mitochondrial genome was 16,024 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative control region. Of the 37 genes, 23 were encoded by the heavy strand while 14 were encoded by the light strand. Four types of start codons were identified; ATG initiated nine genes, ATT initiated two genes, and ATC and GTG each started one gene. Nine protein-coding genes ended with a complete TAA or TAG stop codon, and four genes ended with an incomplete T or TA codon. Fourteen non-coding regions were found, which ranged from 1 to 34 bp in length. Nine overlaps were observed, with lengths between 1 and 7 bp. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that P. sanguinolentus is genetically closest to P. trituberculatus and P. pelagicus. Charybdis feriata, C. japonica, and Thalamita crenata formed a single cluster, and were close to the genera Callinectes and Portunus. Therefore, the genera Charybdis and Thalamita should be classified into the subfamily Portuninae.