Microparticles from Endothelial Cells and Immune Cells in Patients with Takayasu Arteritis

AIM

This study was designed to analyze microparticles (MPs) from endothelial cells (EMPs) and immune cells from healthy individuals and paitents with Takayasu arteritis (TA), and any possible relationships between MPs and TA acitivity.

METHODS

MPs derived from the plasma of 51 subjects were analyzed, including 32 patients with TA and 19 healthy individuals. Flow cytometry was performed with Annexin (Anx)-V and antibodies against surface markers of endothelial cells (CD144), T cells (CD3), B cells (CD19), and monocytes (CD14).

RESULTS

The concentrations of total EMPs, AnxV＋ EMPs and AnxV- EMPs were significantly increased when comparing patients with TA and healthy controls (54×10³ vs. 32×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.0004; 22×10³ vs. 12×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.0006; and 31×10³ vs. 19×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.0005), and comparing active TA patients with remission ones (85×10³ vs. 45×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.016; 39×10³ vs. 14×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.0092; and 47×10³ vs.29×10³ MPs /ml, P=0.0371). In addition, the concentrations of total EMPs (odds ratio [OR]=1.024, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001 to 1.048, P=0.037), AnxV＋(OR=1.089, 95%CI: 1.011 to 1.172, P=0.024), and AnxV- EMPs (OR=1.029, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.056, P=0.034) were positively related to TA activity. With multiple linear regression analysis, platelet was associated with both total and AnxV- EMP concentrations independently, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate was independently correlated with AnxV＋EMPs.

CONCLUSION

Concentrations of endothelial microparticles are correlated with inflammation in Takayasu arteritis and may be useful markers to assess disease activity.

Synthesis, optical properties and theoretical modelling of discrete emitting states in doped silicon nanocrystals for bioimaging

The creation of multiple emission pathways in quantum dots (QDs) is an exciting prospect with fundamental interest and optoelectronic potential. For the first time, we report multiple emission pathways in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) where the number of emission pathways desired is controlled by the number of dopant atoms per quantum dot. The origin of additional emission pathways is explained by interactions between dopant states and NC energy levels. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of undoped 2.3 nm silicon (Si NCs) and the same NCs doped with 2 interstitial Cu atoms show good agreement to experiment. Such calculations provide valuable data to explain the changes in optical transitions due to the Cu dopant in terms of transition energies, quantum yield and dopant position as a function of dopants per NC. Changes in the optical properties of Si NCs induced by dopant concentration include extended excitation range and enhanced absorption coefficients, emission redshifts of up to 60 nm, and a two-fold increase in quantum yields up to 22%. The optical properties of doped NCs lead to significant bioimaging improvements illustrated by in vitro cell imaging, including redshifted excitation wavelengths away from natural autofluorescence and enhanced fluorescent signals.

Disparate effects of antibiotics on hypertension

Gut microbiota are associated with a variety of complex polygenic diseases. The usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics by patients affected by such diseases is an important environmental factor to consider, because antibiotics, which are widely prescribed to curb pathological bacterial infections, also indiscriminately eliminate gut commensal microbiota. However, the extent to which antibiotics reshape gut microbiota and per se contribute to these complex diseases is understudied. Because genetics play an important role in predisposing individuals to these modern diseases, we hypothesize that the extent to which antibiotics influence complex diseases depends on the host genome and metagenome. The current study tests this hypothesis in the context of hypertension, which is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to test the blood pressure (BP) and microbiotal effects of three different antibiotics, neomycin, minocycline, and vancomycin, on two well-known, preclinical, genetic models of hypertension, the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), both of which develop hypertension, but for different genetic reasons. Regardless of the class, oral administration of antibiotics increased systolic blood pressure of the S rat, while minocycline and vancomycin, but not neomycin, lowered systolic blood pressure in the SHR. These disparate BP effects were accompanied by significant alterations in gut microbiota. Our study highlights the need to consider an individualized approach for the usage of antibiotics among hypertensives, as their BP could be affected differentially based on their individual genetic and microbiotal communities.

IL-37 inhibits IL-4/IL-13-induced CCL11 production and lung eosinophilia in murine allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

IL-37 is emerging as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, particularly in innate inflammation. However, the role of IL-37 in Th2-mediated allergic lung inflammation remains uncertain. We sought to determine the role and the underlying mechanisms of IL-37 in the development of house dust mites (HDM)-induced murine asthma model.

METHODS

We examined the effect of IL-37 administration during the sensitization or challenge phase on Th2-mediated allergic asthma induced by inhaled HDM. Cellular source of CCL11 and distribution of IL-37 receptors, IL-18Rα and IL-1R8, were determined in HDM-exposed lungs. Finally, we examined the effect of IL-37 on CCL11 production and STAT6 activation in different primary lung structural cell types upon IL-4/IL-13 stimulation.

RESULTS

IL-37 had no effect on HDM sensitization, but when administrated during the challenge phase, significantly attenuated pulmonary eosinophilia, CCL11 production, and airway hyper-reactivity (AHR). Interestingly, IL-37 treatment had no significant effects on lung infiltrating T cells and Th2 cytokine production. Intranasal co-administration of CCL11 reversed the inhibiting effect of IL-37 on HDM-induced pulmonary eosinophilia and AHR. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CCL11 was primarily expressed by fibroblasts and airway smooth muscle cells (AMSC), while IL-37 receptors by tracheobronchial epithelial cells (TEC). In vitro study showed that IL-37 inhibited IL-4/IL-13-induced STAT6 activation and CCL11 production by fibroblasts and AMSC, which was dependent on its direct action on TEC. Moreover, cell contact was required for the inhibitory effect of IL-37-treated TEC.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-37 attenuates HDM-induced asthma, possibly by inhibiting IL-4/IL-13-induced CCL11 production by fibroblasts and AMSC via its direct act on TEC.

[Effect of alprostadil on wound healing of scalded rats and the mechanism]

Objective: To explore effect of alprostadil on wound healing of scalded rats and the mechanism. Methods: According to random number table method, forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were divided into sham scald group, simple scald group, lithium chloride group, and alprostadil group, with 12 rats in each group. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured on the back, and rats in the other three groups were inflicted with 30% total body surface area deep partial thickness scald on the back.Immediately after scald, rats in sham scald group and simple scald group were injected with 1 mL saline through caudal vein, and rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were injected respectively with 1 mL lithium chloride and alprostadil through caudal vein. Saline, lithium chloride, and alprostadil were injected once in a day and lasted for 14 days. General wound appearance and wound healing rate on post scald day (PSD) 7, 10, 14 were observed and calculated. Expressions of protein and mRNA of Wnt1 and β-catenin on PSD 14 were detected. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, Student Newman Keuls q test, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) On PSD 7, wounds of scalded rats in each group formed dry eschar and had little exudation. On PSD 10, wounds of rats in simple scald group were covered with eschar, with little exudation, and wounds of rats in lithium chloride group were covered with eschar, and partial wounds healed under the eschar. On PSD 10, partial eschar of rats in alprostadil group desquamated; partial wounds healed; newly burned skin was ruddy. On PSD 14, partial wounds of rats in simple scald group were healed under eschar with little exudation. On PSD 14, most of the eschar of rats in lithium chloride group were desquamated with patial wounds healed and little exudation. On PSD 14, wounds of rats in alprostadil group were basically healed with vigorously growing hair on the back. (2) On PSD 7, the wound healing rates of rats in simple scald group, lithium chloride group, and alprostadil group were close (F=0.41, P>0.05). On PSD 10 and 14, wound healing rate of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were significantly higher than that in simple scald group (q=5.73, 17.45, 26.30, 11.28, P<0.05), and wound healing rate of rats in alprostadil group was significantly higher than that in lithium chloride group (q=32.03, 28.73, P<0.05). (3) On PSD 14, the mRNA expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were significantly higher than those in simple scald group (q=65.40, 19.16, 66.79, 18.41, P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in simple scald group was significantly higher than those in sham scald group (t=14.86, 4.46, P<0.05). (4) On PSD 14, the protein expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in lithium chloride group and alprostadil group were 0.98±0.05, 0.98±0.06, 0.97±0.06, and 1.00±0.06, which were significantly higher than 0.49±0.04 and 0.66±0.04 of rats in simple scald group (q=34.62, 22.38, 33.61, 23.47, P<0.05). On PSD 14, the protein expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin of rats in simple scald group was significantly higher than 0.29±0.03 and 0.31±0.03 of rats in sham scald group (q=14.73, 23.88, P<0.05). Conclusions: Alprostadil can accelerate wound healing through activating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and upregulating the expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin.

Discovery of 4 exonic and 1 intergenic novel susceptibility loci for leprosy

Seven new risk coding variants have been identified through an exome-wide association study (EWAS), which studied the contributions of protein-coding variants to leprosy susceptibility. But some potential susceptibility loci were not studied in the previous EWAS study because of the project consideration. Seventeen unstudied potential susceptibility loci of the previous EWAS were validated in 3169 cases and 9814 controls in this study. Four disease-associated exonic loci were identified: rs671 in ALDH2 (P = 2.0 × 10^-20 , odds ratio [OR] = 1.35), rs13259978 in SLC7A2 (P = 1.74 × 10^-8 , OR = 1.28), rs925368 in GIT2 (P = 9.18 × 10^-17 , OR = 1.44), and rs75680863 in TCN2 (P = 8.37 × 10^-21 , OR = 0.74). Potentially implicating ZFP36L1 as a new susceptibility gene, 1 intergenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1465788 (P = 7.81 × 10^-6 , OR = 0.88), was also suggested to be associated with leprosy. A luciferase reporter assay showed that the rs1465788 risk allele notably decreased the transcription activity of the flanking sequence. These findings suggest the possible involvement of lipid metabolism, NF-κB homeostasis and macrophage antimicrobial pathways in leprosy pathogenesis.

Comparison of heat transfer models with databank of supercritical fluid

Because of the large variation of thermal–physical properties near pseudo-critical point, heat transfer of supercritical water shows abnormal behavior. Thus, an accurate prediction of heat transfer between the cladding and fluid plays a very important role. It is necessary to investigate the reliably of heat transfer models in the vicinity of the pseudo-critical point. In the frame of evaluating the present HT models and developing new reliable prediction models, databank of heat transfer of supercritical water flowing in tube were established by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with more than 35,000 experimental data. A thorough analysis and assessment was carried out, to give an insight into the characters of the database. Experimental data from different sources are compared to figure out the deviation between different sources and to present the reliability of the database.

Mechanistic prediction of post dryout heat transfer and rewetting

Post dryout heat transfer and rewetting are important processes determining the level and the time duration of high temperature phase and the integrity of the fuel cladding. In spite of extensive studies in the past decades, reliable prediction methods are still missing due to the complexity of processes involved, which consist mainly of interaction between solid wall, main gas flow and droplets. In the present study, a phenomenological model is proposed considering the three individual heat transfer processes between the three parts. Main new features of the present model compared to the models available in the open literature are the mechanistic modeling of (a) droplet concentration and droplet size, (b) turbulent fluctuation velocity of droplets and its critical value, (c) evaporation rate of droplets arriving the wall. Comparison of the new model with selected experimental data shows at least qualitatively good agreement. The experimental behavior of wall temperature can be well explained. According to the new model the Leidenfrost effect results in the hysteresis behavior of wall temperature.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition reduces brain damage by promoting collateral recruitment in a cerebral hypoxia-ischemia mice model

OBJECTIVE

The collateral circulation development is considered as a compensatory inherent mechanism to restore damaged blood perfusion after ischemia. We aimed to detect the collateral flow and the mean blood-flow velocities (mBFVs) level in the basilar trunk during or after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia in the mice brain and explore the effect of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibition on the collateral flow.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice and the nNOS knockout (KO) mice were randomly divided into a sham-operated group (control) and the hypoxia-ischemia (HI) groups that were treated with the phosphate buffered solution (PBS) control or 7-nitroindazole (7-NI). Cortexes were harvested after the HI treatment for analysis of nNOS expression using Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ultrasound imaging experiments were performed to detect the collateral flow and the mBFVs level in the basilar trunk.

RESULTS

After cerebral HI, the cortical nNOS mRNA and protein levels increased markedly compared with the sham-operated control mice. Besides, 7-NI treatment had no effect on the blood flow in the sham-operated control mice. What's more, either the 7-NI pretreatment or the nNOS gene knockdown before the HI procedure could attenuate the brain injury by the increased collateral flow and the decreased mBFVs level in the basilar trunk.

CONCLUSIONS

nNOS inhibition protected hypoxic-ischemic-induced mice brain damage by the increased collateral flow and the decreased mBFVs level in the basilar trunk. Therefore, the 7-NI administration may have potential utility for the treatment of HI injury in human beings.

RPYFMM: Parallel Adaptive Fast Multipole Method for Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa Tensor in Biomolecular Hydrodynamics Simulations

RPYFMM is a software package for the efficient evaluation of the potential field governed by the Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa (RPY) tensor interactions in biomolecular hydrodynamics simulations. In our algorithm, the RPY tensor is decomposed as a linear combination of four Laplace interactions, each of which is evaluated using the adaptive fast multipole method (FMM) [1] where the exponential expansions are applied to diagonalize the multipole-to-local translation operators. RPYFMM offers a unified execution on both shared and distributed memory computers by leveraging the DASHMM library [2, 3]. Preliminary numerical results show that the interactions for a molecular system of 15 million particles (beads) can be computed within one second on a Cray XC30 cluster using 12, 288 cores, while achieving approximately 54% strong-scaling efficiency.

All-polymer fiber-optic pH sensor

A novel all-polymer fiber-optic pH sensor using a UV-cured pH-sensitive hydrogel, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), coated on a polymer fiber Bragg grating was developed. The PEGDA increased in volume according to the pH value of the surrounding fluid, which subsequently induced a lateral stress in the polymer fiber Bragg grating. The proposed pH sensor exhibits a pH sensitivity of up to -0.41 nm/pH and a fast response time of 30 s.

Prospective plasma efavirenz concentration assessment in Chinese HIV-infected adults enrolled in a large multicentre study

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have explored the optimal dosing for efavirenz in individuals from China. We investigated plasma efavirenz concentrations and their association with efficacy and tolerance of efavirenz 600 mg daily in Chinese HIV-infected adults.

METHODS

An analysis was performed using plasma samples from 455 patients enrolled in a prospective multicentre trial in China. A total of 1198 plasma samples collected at weeks 4, 24 and 48 following antiretroviral therapy initiation were analysed. The mid-dose interval efavirenz concentrations (C12 ) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

The median efavirenz concentration (interquartile range) steadily increased over time from 3.02 (2.28-4.23) to 3.71 (2.91-4.91) mg/L from week 4 to 48 (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with C12 > 4.0 mg/L also rose from 28.0% to 34.2% and 43.8%, measured at 4, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001). Five patients had efavirenz concentrations < 1.0 mg/L at week 4, 24 or 48. In the multivariable regression analysis, lower body weight and non-Han ethnicities were associated with higher efavirenz concentrations over time. At each time-point, patients with a body weight < 60 kg had significantly higher efavirenz C12 compared with those with body weight ≥ 60 kg (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Efavirenz concentrations increased steadily over 48 weeks, and a substantial proportion of participants had efavirenz C12 above the upper limit of the proposed therapeutic window, especially those with low body weight (< 60 kg). Based upon these findings, a dosage reduction of efavirenz to 400 mg daily may warrant consideration in this population, especially for those with lower body weight.

The optimal anatomic site for a single slice to estimate the total volume of visceral adipose tissue by using the quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in Chinese population

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between the cross-sectional visceral adipose tissue (VAT) areas at different anatomic sites and the total VAT volume in a healthy Chinese population using quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and to identify the optimal anatomic site for a single slice to estimate the total VAT volume.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A total of 389 healthy Chinese subjects aged 19-63 years underwent lumbar spine QCT scans. The cross-sectional area of total adipose tissue and VAT were measured using the tissue composition module of the software (QCT Pro, Mindways) at each intervertebral disc level from T₁₂/L₁ to L₅/S₁, as well as at the umbilical level. The total VAT volume was defined as the fat areas multiplied by the height of vertebral body for all six slices. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between single-slice VAT areas and the total VAT volume. Moreover, the optimal anatomic site for a single slice to estimate the total VAT volume was identified by multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The cross-sectional area of VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) measured at each anatomic site was all highly correlated with the total VAT volume and the total SAT volume (r = 0.89-0.98). Additionally, the VAT area measured at the L₂/L₃ level showed the strongest correlation with the total VAT volume (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). Covariates including age, gender, BMI, waist, and hypertension make a slight effect on the prediction of the total VAT volume.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to perform measurements of VAT area on a single slice at L₂/L₃ level for estimating the total VAT volume.

Period Increase and Amplitude Distribution of Kink Oscillation of Coronal Loop

Coronal loops exist ubiquitously in the solar atmosphere. These loops puzzle astronomers over half a century. Solar magneto-seismology (SMS) provides a unique way to constrain the physical parameters of coronal loops. Here, we study the evolution of oscillations of a coronal loop observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA). We measure geometric and physical parameters of the loop oscillations. In particular, we find that the mean period of the oscillations increased from 1048 to 1264 s during three oscillatory cycles. We employ the differential emission measure method and apply the tools of SMS. The evolution of densities inside and outside the loop is analyzed. We found that an increase of density inside the loop and decrease of the magnetic field strength along the loop are the main reasons for the increase in the period during the oscillations. Besides, we also found that the amplitude profile of the loop is different from a profile would it be a homogeneous loop. It is proposed that the distribution of magnetic strength along the loop rather than density stratification is responsible for this deviation. The variation in period and distribution of amplitude provide, in terms of SMS, a new and unprecedented insight into coronal loop diagnostics.

[Clinical significance of targeting drug-based molecular biomarkers expression in ovarian clear cell carcinoma]

Objective: To assess the expression level of targeting drug-based molecular biomarkers in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) tissues and its clinical significance. Methods: A total of 63 OCCC patients included 40 primary OCCC and 23 recurrent OCCC for secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS), who had received primary surgeries at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between January, 2008 and December, 2015 were enrolled, and immunohistochemistry SP method was used to test human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), aurora kinase A (AURKA), breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), BRCA2 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)protein expression in paraffin-embedded tissues. Results: The positive rates of EGFR, HER2, AURKA,BRCA1, BRCA2 and PD-L1 in primary and recurrent tumor tissues were respectively 20% (8/40) vs 30% (7/23) , 22% (9/40) vs 35% (8/23) , 38% (15/40) vs 35% (8/23) , 42% (17/40) vs 39% (9/23) , 20% (8/40) vs 22% (5/23) , 25% (10/40) vs 17% (4/23) , and there were no significant differences between primary and recurrent OCCC (all P>0.05). χ(2)-test or Fisher exact analysis revealed that HER2 expression in recurrent tumor tissues had a relationship with chemoresistance (P<0.05), while the expression of other biomarkers showed no significant relationship with chemoresistance (all P>0.05). Further, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with HER2 and AURKA-positive expression had a significantly shorter progression-free survival time in primary OCCC (4 months vs 10 months, log-rank test, P<0.05 for HER2; and 4 months vs 10 months, P<0.05 for AURKA); and a shorter overall survival time after SCS in recurrent OCCC (10 months vs 44 months, P<0.05 for HER2; and 13 months vs 43 months, P<0.05 for AURKA). However, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that none of these 6 biomarkers was independent risk factor of progression-free survival time of primary OCCC or overall survival time after SCS for recurrent OCCC (P>0.05). Conclusion: HER2 and AURKA could serve as prognostic factors in ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Effects of coexisting BDE-47 on the migration and biodegradation of BDE-99 in river-based aquifer media recharged with reclaimed water

Two prominent polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners have been included in the persistent organic pollutant list, 2,2',4,4',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) and 2,2,4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), which have been detected in treated municipal wastewater, river water, and sediments in China. A lab-scale column experiment was established to investigate the effects of the competitive sorption of BDE-47 on BDE-99 biodegradation and migration in two types of river-based aquifer soils during groundwater recharge with reclaimed water. Two types of recharge columns were used, filled with either silty clay (SC) or black carbon-amended silty clay (BCA). The decay rate constants of BDE-99 in the BCA and SC systems were 0.186 and 0.13 m^-1 in the single-solute system and 0.128 and 0.071 m^-1 in the binary-solute system, respectively, showing that the decay of BDE-99 was inhibited by the coexistence of BDE-47. This was particularly evident in the SC system because the higher hydrophobicity of BDE-99 determined the higher affinity and competition for sorption sites onto black carbon. The biodegradation of BDE-99 was suppressed by the coexistence of BDE-47, especially in the SC system. Lesser-brominated congeners (BDE-47 and BDE-28) and higher-brominated congeners (BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, and BDE-183) were generated in the four recharge systems, albeit at different ratios. Bacterial biodiversity was influenced by the presence of BDE-47 in the SC system, while it had no significant effect on the BCA system, because the high sorption capacity of black carbon on the hydrophobic PBDEs effectively reduced their toxicity. The ranking order of the most abundant classes changed markedly due to the coexistence of BDE-47 in both the SC and BCA systems. The ranking order of the most abundant genera changed from Azospira, Methylotenera, Desulfovibrio, Methylibium, and Bradyrhizobium to Halomonas, Hyphomicrobium, Pseudomonas, Methylophaga, and Shewanella, which could be involved in PBDE degradation.

A circular white-light flare with impulsive and gradual white-light kernels

White-light flares are the flares with emissions visible in the optical continuum. They are thought to be rare and pose the most stringent requirements in energy transport and heating in the lower atmosphere. Here we present a nearly circular white-light flare on 10 March 2015 that was well observed by the Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer and Solar Dynamics Observatory. In this flare, there appear simultaneously both impulsive and gradual white-light kernels. The generally accepted thick-target model would be responsible for the impulsive kernels but not sufficient to interpret the gradual kernels. Some other mechanisms including soft X-ray backwarming or downward-propagating Alfvén waves, acting jointly with electron beam bombardment, provide a possible interpretation. However, the origin of this kind of white-light kernel is still an open question that induces more observations and researches in the future to decipher it.

Research Challenges of Heat Transfer to Supercritical Fluids

Supercritical fluids (SCFs) become more and more important in various engineering applications. In nuclear power systems, SCFs are considered as coolant of the reactor core such as the supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR), superconducting magnets and blankets in the fusion reactors, or as fluid in the energy conversion systems of the next generation nuclear reactors. Accurate determination of heat transfer and the temperature of the structural material (e.g., fuel rod cladding) is of crucial importance for the system design. Thus, extensive studies on heat transfer to SCFs have been carried out in the past five decades and are still ongoing worldwide. However, no breakthrough is recognized or expected in the near future. In this paper, the status, main challenges, and future R&D needs are briefly reviewed. Three aspects are taken into consideration, i.e., experimental studies, numerical analysis, and model development for the prediction of heat transfer coefficient (HTC). Several key challenges and also the important subjects of the future R&D needs are identified. They are (a) data base for turbulence quantities, (b) multisolution of wall temperature, (c) extensive Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (ERANS) method, and (d) new prediction method for HTC.

Break-through bleeding in relation to pharmacokinetics of Factor VIII in paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A

INTRODUCTION

As the pharmacokinetics (PK) of factor VIII (FVIII) is individualized in children with haemophilia A (HA), PK parameters may be indicators of patients' bleeding phenotype and instruction for their personalized replacement program.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between PK/FVIII level and bleeding frequency in Chinese paediatric patients with severe (HA).

METHODS

A total of 24 patients were enrolled in Beijing Children's Hospital from February to October 2015, all of whom were given 50 IU/kg of FVIII concentrates after a 72-hours washout period. Samples' activities (FVIII:C) were tested at 5 time points, using WinNonlin software for PK testing, and then the individual half-life(t_1/2 ) and the time (h) of FVIII concentrations <1 IU/dL within a week during prophylaxis were calculated. Baseline and the annual bleeding rate (ABR), annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR) were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean t_1/2 of FVIII was 10.20 ± 2.72 hours and the mean time of FVIII <1 IU/dL in 1 week was 44.7 hours (-38.56 to 102.33 hours). A significant relationship between t_1/2 of FVIII and ABR₀ /AJBR₀ (baseline bleeding) was found (R²  = 0.75 and 0.62, P < .001). Besides, baseline and the annual bleeding rate during prophylactic treatment of haemophilia had a positive correlation with the time (hours) of FVIII <1 IU/dL in 1 week (R²  = 0.67 and 0.52, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

t_1/2 was an important indicator to prevent bleeding in severe HA; the frequency of bleeding will be reduced with the increased of t_1/2 of FVIII. The data also demonstrates that increasing the time with a FVIII<1 IU/dL is associated with an increased rate of bleeding during prophylaxis.

Age-related changes of bone mineral density in mandible by quantitative computed tomography

Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) was used to investigate age-related changes in trabecular bones of the mandible. The volumetric Bone Mineral Density (vBMD) of mandibles was found to be increasing with aging in the 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 age groups, while resulted decreasing in the 50~ years age group in a Chinese population. The aim of this study was to validate QCT as a reliable method to measure the vBMD of the mandible and to assess vBMD of the mandible in a Chinese population. A total of seven hundred and eighteen volunteers (299 males, 419 females), ranging from 20 to 63 years of age, previously enrolled in another study, were included for vBMD measurements by QCT. A total of 50 subjects were enrolled for the validation of QCT measurement. Basic information (age, height and weight), and vBMD of the mandible (middle, body and angle) were recorded. Comparisons among age and sex groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Linear correlation analysis between vBMD and age was performed. The mandibular vBMD was twice measured with QCT by one operator and resulted highly repeatable (ICC 0. 97, P 0. 05). The vBMD in the middle of the mandible was the highest, followed by that in the body and at the angle of mandible. In each age group, the mean vBMD increased with aging except for the 50~ years age group (P less than 0.05) in which it decreased. The mean mandibular vBMD was higher in females than males in each age group (P less than 0.05). Correlation between vBMD and age was statistically significant (r=0.15, P less than 0.01). QCT shows high precision for the measurement of BMD in the mandible. The present study provides normative data of the mandible in an age- and sex-stratified manner, which can be helpful in clinical practice.

Inhibition of Nkcc1 promotes axonal growth and motor recovery in ischemic rats

Bumetanide is a selective inhibitor of the Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^--co-transporter 1(NKCC1). We studied whether bumetanide could affect axonal growth and behavioral outcome in stroke rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats treated with vehicle or bumetanide, and ischemic rats treated with vehicle or bumetanide. Endothelin-1 was used to induce focal cerebral ischemia. Bumetanide administration (i.c.v.) started on postoperative day 7 and continued for 3 weeks. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the right imotor cortex on postoperative day 14 to trace corticospinal tract (CST) fibers sprouting into the denervated cervical spinal cord. Nogo-A, NKCC1, KCC2 and BDNF in the perilesional cortex and BDA, PSD-95 and vGlut1 in the denervated spinal cord were measured by immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot. Behavioral outcome of rats was assessed by the beam walking and cylinder tests. The total length of CST fibers sprouting into the denervated cervical spinal cord significantly increased after stroke and bumetanide further increased this sprouting. Bumetanide treatment also decreased the expressions of NKCC1 and Nogo-A, increased the expressions of KCC2 and BDNF in the perilesional cortex and enhanced the synaptic plasticity in the denervated cervical spinal cord after cerebral ischemia. The behavioral performance of ischemic rats was significantly improved by bumetanide. In conclusion, bumetanide promoted post-stroke axonal sprouting together accompanied by an improved behavioral outcome possibly through restoring and maintaining neuronal chloride homeostasis and creating a recovery-promoting microenvironment by overcoming the axonal growth inhibition encountered after cerebral ischemia in rats.

[Dynamic change in Th17/regulatory T cell ratio in peripheral blood of patients with acute hepatitis B and its significance]

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes in the frequencies of Th17 (CD3⁺CD8-IL-17⁺) and regulatory T cells (Treg, CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^low) and Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood in patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB), as well as their association with the outcome of AHB. Methods: A total of 10 AHB patients were enrolled as observation group, and according to the outcome of AHB, these patients were further divided into acute stage group, early recovery group, and full recovery group. Another 10 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination were enrolled as control group. Flow cytometry was used to measure the frequencies of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood, and the Th17/Treg ratio was calculated. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure liver function parameters, and RT-PCR was used to measure HBV DNA. An one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and the t-test was used for comparison between any two groups. Results: Compared with the control group, the acute stage group showed significant increases in the frequencies of Th17 and Treg (18.22%±4.13%/6.46%±2.46% vs 0.68%±0.29%/1.62%±0.18%,P< 0.01) and the Th17/Treg ratio (3.37±1.73 vs 0.42±0.20,P< 0.01). Compared with the acute stage group, the early recovery group showed a significant reduction in the frequency of Th17 (3.14%±1.90%,P< 0.01), a significant increase in the frequency of Treg (11.73%±1.76%,P< 0.01), and a significant reduction in the Th17/Treg ratio (0.27±0.19,P< 0.01). Compared with the early recovery group, the full recovery group showed a slight increase in the frequency of Th17 (3.31±0.95,P= 0.888), a significant reduction in the frequency of Treg (6.83%±1.85%,P< 0.01), but which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P< 0.01), and a slight increase in the Th17/Treg ratio (0.52±0.21,P< 0.05), which showed no significant difference between this group and the control group (P= 0.286). In the acute stage of AHB, HBsAg and HBeAg levels were positively correlated with Th17/Treg ratio (r= 0.639,P< 0.05;r= 0.633,P< 0.05). Conclusion: The dynamic changes in the frequencies of Th17 and Treg and the Th17/Treg ratio may be associated with the outcome of AHB.

[Retroperitoneal laparoscopic with renal pedicle rotation for partial nephrectomy of ventro-renal tumor]

OBJECTIVE

Retro-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a challenge for ventro-renal tumors, especially hilar tumors. The tumors are partial or entirely out of operative field and there is blind space for operation. To solve this problem, a set of techniques including renal pedicle rotation is developed.

METHODS

A set of techniques including renal pedicle rotation, double-layer suture, early artery unclamping for retro-laparoscopic nephrectomy for ventro-renal tumors, especially hilar tumors were developed. Hilar tumors were located anteriorly to the angle of the renal and renal arteries and in contact with the anterior surface of the renal artery. The evaluation of the outcomes included the operation time, warm ischemia time, estimated haemorrhage, surgical margin, renal function after operation, and complications. This study reviewed the data of 28 patients with ventro-renal tumor, including 15 patients with complex hilar tumors.

RESULTS

The average tumor size was (3.8±0.5) cm. The average R.E.N.A.L score was 8 (ranging from 7 to 9). The average warm ischemia time was (23.8±4.7) min, and suture time was (26.2±6.5) min, and operation time was (124.1±12.1) min. The median hospital stay was 4 days and the average estimated haemorrhage was (139.1±54.0) mL. All the surgeries were operated under laparoscope and no surgery switched to open surgery. Seven patients developed Clavien Dindo I-II complications after operation. Three patients (10.7%) developed collective system damage and received repair of collective system in time and three patients (10.7%) developed slightly gross hematuria (Clavien-Dindo I). Two patients developed wound infection (Clavien-Dind II). Three patients (10.7%) got renal vein clamped because of capillary hemorrhage from basilar part of tumors. There were 14 patients received early unclamping of renal artery, and no obvious renal vessel damage was found. There were statistically significant differences between the serum creatinine levels (P<0.05) and the estimated glomerular filtration rates (P=0.02) before and after surgery. All the patients' serum creatinine levels were in normal range and no patient needed regular dialysis. There was no positive surgical margin and the median follow-up was 7 months without local recurrence or distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

It is safe and effective to apply renal pedicle rotation technique in retro-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for ventro-renal tumors. The short-term follow-up results are optimistic, but long follow-up is required.

Tamsulosin for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tamsulosin has been used for the off-label treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. Over the past few years, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the clinical effectiveness and safety of tamsulosin for LUTS in women. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tamsulosin in treating LUTS in women, which may resolve some of the current controversies over use of the drug and provide more reliable evidence for the use of tamsulosin. A literature review was performed to identify all published RCTs of tamsulosin for the treatment of LUTS in women. The search included the following databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trail Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Six RCTs studies involving 764 female participants were included in the analysis. Four out of the six RCTs compared tamsulosin with placebo, one RCT compared tamsulosin with prazosin and the other study compared tamsulosin with tamsulosin combined with tolterodine. Two RCTs evaluated total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and improved total IPSS compared with the placebo (standardized mean difference=-4.08, 95% confidence interval=-5.93 to -2.23, P<0.00001). IPSS (storage symptom score), IPSS (voiding symptom score) and quality-of-life score also showed the similar effects. In addition, tamsulosin improved the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire score when compared with placebo in only one RCT. For urodynamic parameters, tamsulosin improved the average flow rate and the post-void residual volume when compared with prazosin and tolterodine combined with tamsulosin, respectively. Beyond that, the other parameters showed no significant difference between the treatment and control groups. On the basis of the present evidence, tamsulosin is an effective treatment for the relief of LUTS in women when compared with placebo. However, the safety of the tamsulosin remains unknown. Further, well-conducted trials that examine long-term outcomes are required.

Glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia with insulin glargine 300 U/mL compared with glargine 100 U/mL in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin plus oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs (EDITION JP 2 randomised 12-month trial including 6-month extension)

AIMS

To compare insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) with glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) in Japanese adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on basal insulin and oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs over 12 months.

METHODS

EDITION JP 2 was a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study. Following a 6-month treatment period, participants continued receiving previously assigned once daily Gla-300 or Gla-100, plus oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs, in a 6-month extension period. Glycaemic control, hypoglycaemia and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

The 12-month completion rate was 88% for Gla-300 and 96% for Gla-100, with comparable reasons for discontinuation. Mean HbA_1c decrease from baseline to month 12 was 0.3% in both groups. Annualised rates of confirmed (≤3.9mmol/L [≤70mg/dL]) or severe hypoglycaemia were lower with Gla-300 than Gla-100 (nocturnal [00:00-05:59h]: rate ratio 0.41; 95% confidence interval: 0.18 to 0.92; anytime [24h]: rate ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.94). Cumulative number of hypoglycaemic events was lower with Gla-300 than Gla-100. Adverse event profiles were comparable between treatments.

CONCLUSION

Over 12 months, Gla-300-treated participants achieved sustained glycaemic control and experienced less hypoglycaemia, particularly at night, versus Gla-100, supporting 6-month results.

Applications of geographic information systems (GIS) data and methods in obesity-related research

Geographic information systems (GIS) data/methods offer good promise for public health programs including obesity-related research. This study systematically examined their applications and identified gaps and limitations in current obesity-related research. A systematic search of PubMed for studies published before 20 May 2016, utilizing synonyms for GIS in combination with synonyms for obesity as search terms, identified 121 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We found primary applications of GIS data/methods in obesity-related research included (i) visualization of spatial distribution of obesity and obesity-related phenomena, and basic obesogenic environmental features, and (ii) construction of advanced obesogenic environmental indicators. We found high spatial heterogeneity in obesity prevalence/risk and obesogenic environmental factors. Also, study design and characteristics varied considerably across studies because of lack of established guidance and protocols in the field, which may also have contributed to the mixed findings about environmental impacts on obesity. Existing findings regarding built environment are more robust than those regarding food environment. Applications of GIS data/methods in obesity research are still limited, and related research faces many challenges. More and better GIS data and more friendly analysis methods are needed to expand future GIS applications in obesity-related research.

Long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention for Takayasu arteritis patients with coronary artery involvement

OBJECTIVE

Coronary artery involvement significantly increases mortality of patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA); however, the optimal revascularization strategy for this condition has not been established. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of TA patients with coronary artery involvement treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting (PCI).

METHODS

Data from 46 TA patients with coronary artery involvement were analyzed according to their revascularization strategies. The resulting events included myocardial infarction, repeated revascularization, cardiac death, and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which is a combination of the former events.

RESULTS

The risk of MACE was significantly higher in the PCI group than in the CABG group during a median of 41.0 months follow-up (P < 0.001), especially in those who underwent revascularization at the active stage of TA (P = 0.001), whereas no difference was found between PCI and CABG groups in patients who underwent revascularization at the stable stage of TA (P = 0.138). The incidence of MACE was higher in TA patients at the active stage than those at the stable stage in all patients (P < 0.001). For patients at the active stage, the risk of MACE was significantly lower in patients with than those without usage of prednisone (P = 0.028); while no difference was found between patients who were stable not requiring prednisone and patients who were stable on prednisone (P = 0.525).

CONCLUSION

With regard to MACE, CABG is superior to PCI despite medical therapy in TA patients with coronary artery involvement. In TA patients at the stable stage, PCI is similar with CABG in prognosis. For patients at the active stage, if emergency revascularization is necessary, CABG is ideal; if not, receiving medical therapy until disease remission and then undergoing PCI may be an alternative choice of CABG.

Microchambers for cell exposure: from the design to applications

In the last decades, the advances in the micro and nano fabrication techniques have led to the development of microdevices that improved the possibility of analysis at cell level. These devices can be used in different applications (e.g., cell detection and identification, manipulation, cell treatments). The requisites, that are necessary to achieve, are different for various applications and represent the starting point of the project. The numerical multiphysics models can be very advantageous to analyze the performances of such devices and to predict their operation. Aim of this work is to give a look of the design rules of microchamber devices in particular for their application in electric field exposure. Two different applications for cell discrimination and characterization are reported considering time and frequency domain measurements.

[Natural history of breast cancer: a systematic review of worldwide randomized controlled trials of mammography screening]

Objective: To parameterize the 1-year transition probabilities between different health status of the natural history of breast cancer based on the data of randomized controlled trial of X-ray mammography screening worldwide. Methods: Based on the breast cancer screening randomized controlled trials defined by a mammography screening review from the Cochrane 2013 and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a systematic review was initiated in PubMed by searching names of the key investigators of the trials, combined with the diseases, screening intervention and outcome indicators. If applicable, all the original cumulative incidence rates were converted into one-year transition rate, using the life-table approach considering time length of follow-up. Results: A total of 23 reports from 9 RCTs were included. The data on transition rate between the healthy status to precancerous lesions was absent. The 1-year transition rate from health to carcinoma in situ was 17.78 to 50.21 per 100 000 persons in the intervention group and 9.16 to 26.84 per 100 000 persons in the control group. Correspondingly, the 1-year transition rate from health to breast cancer (including carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer) were estimated as 143.75 to 316.97 per 100 000 persons in the intervention group, and 141.45 to 288.84 per 100 000 persons in the control group. Furthermore, the transition rate from the healthy status to invasive breast cancer was 159.79 to 264.60 per 100 000 persons in intervention group and 170.12 to 255.33 per 100 000 persons in control group. The transition rate from carcinoma in situ to invasive breast cancer varied among different pathological types. Conclusions: The most common natural history states of reported by the included trials involved the full healthy status, carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer. The findings of transition rates between different health statuses will be informative for future model development of natural history studies of breast cancer. Information in relation to breast precancerous lesions still limited and needs to be further addressed.

Association between small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth and deep vein thrombosis in patients with spinal cord injuries

Essentials Gastrointestinal dysfunction and vein thrombosis are complications after spinal cord injuries (SCI). We assess the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in SCI. 76 of the 377 SCI patients were DVT positive (20.2%) and 145 were defined as SIBO positive (38.5%). This study defines an association between SIBO and DVT in patient with SCI.

SUMMARY

Background Gastrointestinal dysfunction and vein thrombosis are well-known acute complications after spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Objective To determine the frequency and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with SCI. Methods A total of 377 consecutive eligible SCI patients tested for SIBO with the glucose hydrogen/methane breath test from January 2011 to December 2015 and who had also undergone venous ultrasound study for suspected DVT were evaluated within 3 months after admission. Results Seventy-six of the 377 SCI patients were DVT-positive (20.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.1-24.2%), and 145 were SIBO-positive (38.5%; 95% CI 29.9-59.0%). Among the 76 DVT-positive patients, 60 were SIBO-positive and 16 were SIBO-negative. The difference was statistically significant (41.4% versus 6.9%; odds ratio [OR] 5.99; 95% CI 3.15-9.33). Among the 145 SIBO-positive patients, 60 were DVT-positive and 85 were DVT-negative. The difference was statistically significant (78.9% versus 28.2%; OR 2.88; 95% CI 2.12-4.47). In the stepwise multivariate logistic regression, a family history of venous thrombosis (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.60-3.79), chronic kidney disease (OR 2.99; 95% CI 1.73-5.08) and the presence of SIBO (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.97-6.62) remained associated with DVT. Conclusions These data support an association between SIBO and DVT in SCI patients. Further studies should be carried out with respect to the relationship between SIBO and DVT.

Tumour-derived alkaline phosphatase regulates tumour growth, epithelial plasticity and disease-free survival in metastatic prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence suggests that bone-related parameters are the main prognostic factors for overall survival in advanced prostate cancer (PCa), with elevated circulating levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) thought to reflect the dysregulated bone formation accompanying distant metastases. We have identified that PCa cells express ALPL, the gene that encodes for tissue nonspecific ALP, and hypothesised that tumour-derived ALPL may contribute to disease progression.

METHODS

Functional effects of ALPL inhibition were investigated in metastatic PCa cell lines. ALPL gene expression was analysed from published PCa data sets, and correlated with disease-free survival and metastasis.

RESULTS

ALPL expression was increased in PCa cells from metastatic sites. A reduction in tumour-derived ALPL expression or ALP activity increased cell death, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and reduced migration. Alkaline phosphatase activity was decreased by the EMT repressor Snail. In men with PCa, tumour-derived ALPL correlated with EMT markers, and high ALPL expression was associated with a significant reduction in disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies reveal the function of tumour-derived ALPL in regulating cell death and epithelial plasticity, and demonstrate a strong association between ALPL expression in PCa cells and metastasis or disease-free survival, thus identifying tumour-derived ALPL as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of PCa progression.

Allergic rhinitis and allergy are risk factors for otitis media with effusion: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

We systematically reviewed the associations between allergic rhinitis or allergy and otitis media with effusion, by reference to published data.

STUDY DESIGN

A meta-analysis of case-controlled studies.

DATA SOURCE

Five databases (Pubmed, Highwire, Medline, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched for relevant studies in the English language published prior to November 12, 2015.

STUDIES CHOSEN

Studies with clearly defined experimental and control groups, in which the experimental groups had otitis media with effusion together with allergic rhinitis or allergy, were selected.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis on data from the identified cross-sectional and case-controlled studies using fixed- or random-effects models (depending on heterogeneity). We used Reviewer Manager 5.3 software to this end.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with otitis media with effusion and the control groups differed significantly in three studies (P<0.00001), as did the prevalence of allergy (in six studies; P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Allergic rhinitis and allergy appear to be risk factors for otitis media with effusion.