Determination of Strong-Phase Parameters in D→K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-}

We report the most precise measurements to date of the strong-phase parameters between D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} decays to K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} using a sample of 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. Our results provide the key inputs for a binned model-independent determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ/ϕ_{3} with B decays. Using our results, the decay model sensitivity to the γ/ϕ_{3} measurement is expected to be between 0.7° and 1.2°, approximately a factor of three smaller than that achievable with previous measurements, based on the studies of the simulated data. The improved precision of this work ensures that measurements of γ/ϕ_{3} will not be limited by knowledge of strong phases for the next decade. Furthermore, our results provide critical input for other flavor-physics investigations, including charm mixing, other measurements of CP violation, and the measurement of strong-phase parameters for other D-decay modes.

First Observation of D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and Measurement of Its Decay Dynamics

By analyzing a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure for the first time the absolute branching fraction of the D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} decay to be B_{D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ}}=(10.4±1.0_{stat}±0.5_{syst})×10^{-4}. Using the world averaged value of B_{D^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e}}, the ratio of the two branching fractions is determined to be B_{D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ}}/B_{D^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e}}=0.91±0.13_{(stat+syst)}, which agrees with the theoretical expectation of lepton flavor universality within uncertainty. By studying the differential decay rates in five four-momentum transfer intervals, we obtain the product of the hadronic form factor f_{+}^{η}(0) and the c→d Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| to be f_{+}^{η}(0)|V_{cd}|=0.087±0.008_{stat}±0.002_{syst}. Taking the input of |V_{cd}| from the global fit in the standard model, we determine f_{+}^{η}(0)=0.39±0.04_{stat}±0.01_{syst}. On the other hand, using the value of f_{+}^{η}(0) calculated in theory, we find |V_{cd}|=0.242±0.022_{stat}±0.006_{syst}±0.033_{theory}.

First Observation of D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and Measurement of Its Decay Dynamics

By analyzing a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure for the first time the absolute branching fraction of the D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} decay to be B_{D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ}}=(10.4±1.0_{stat}±0.5_{syst})×10^{-4}. Using the world averaged value of B_{D^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e}}, the ratio of the two branching fractions is determined to be B_{D^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ}}/B_{D^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e}}=0.91±0.13_{(stat+syst)}, which agrees with the theoretical expectation of lepton flavor universality within uncertainty. By studying the differential decay rates in five four-momentum transfer intervals, we obtain the product of the hadronic form factor f_{+}^{η}(0) and the c→d Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| to be f_{+}^{η}(0)|V_{cd}|=0.087±0.008_{stat}±0.002_{syst}. Taking the input of |V_{cd}| from the global fit in the standard model, we determine f_{+}^{η}(0)=0.39±0.04_{stat}±0.01_{syst}. On the other hand, using the value of f_{+}^{η}(0) calculated in theory, we find |V_{cd}|=0.242±0.022_{stat}±0.006_{syst}±0.033_{theory}.

Amphiphilic Organic Cages: Self-Assembly into Nanotubes and Enhanced Anion-π Interactions

An amphiphilic organic cage was synthesized and used as self-assembly synthon for the fabrication of novel functional supramolecular structures in solution. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that this amphiphilic cage self-assembled in aqueous solution into unilamellar nanotubes with a diameter of 29±4 nm at a concentration of 0.05 mg mL^-1 . Interestingly, the self-assembly of this cage significantly enhanced the anion-π interactions as indicated by a remarkable increasement of association constant (K_a ) between Cl^- and this amphiphilic cage after self-assembly. In specific, K_a was increased from 223 M^-1 for discrete cages in methanol to 6800 M^-1 for aggregated cages after self-assembly in water at the same concentration of 2.26×10^-5  M. A mechanism based on a synergistic effect was proposed in order to explain this self-assembly process through enhanced anion-π interactions.

Regulation of HBV replication and gene expression by miR-501-3p via targeting ZEB2 in hepatocellular carcinoma

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

WITHDRAWN: LncRNA-LINC00261 suppresses the progression of NSCLC cells through upregulating miR-19a-mediated Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2)

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Observation of a Resonant Structure in e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0}

A partial-wave analysis is performed for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0} at the center-of-mass energies ranging from 2.000 to 2.644 GeV. The data samples of e^{+}e^{-} collisions, collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider with a total integrated luminosity of 300  pb^{-1}, are analyzed. The total Born cross sections for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0}, as well as the Born cross sections for the subprocesses e^{+}e^{-}→ϕπ^{0}π^{0}, K^{+}(1460)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1400)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-}, and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892), are measured versus the center-of-mass energy. The corresponding results for e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0} and ϕπ^{0}π^{0} are consistent with those of BABAR with better precision. By analyzing the cross sections for the four subprocesses, K^{+}(1460)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1400)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-}, and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892), a structure with mass M=(2126.5±16.8±12.4)  MeV/c^{2} and width Γ=(106.9±32.1±28.1)  MeV is observed with an overall statistical significance of 6.3σ, although with very limited significance in the subprocesses e^{+}e^{-}→K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-} and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892). The resonant parameters of the observed structure suggest it can be identified with the ϕ(2170), thus the results provide valuable input to the internal nature of the ϕ(2170).

[Exploration of potential beneficial people of neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on clinical staging in gastric cancer: a single center retrospective study]

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the clinical staging by comparing preoperative clinical stage and pathological stage in gastric cancer patients, and to explore the potential beneficial population of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer. Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of consecutive patients with gastric cancer who met the inclusion criteria (gastric adenocarcinoma, undergoing laparoscopic or open D2 radical operation, definite cTNM and pTNM) for admission of the Gastrointestinal Center of Peking University Cancer Hospital from July 2013 to April 2019. Patients with the number of harvested lymph nodes less than 16, history of gastric operation or preoperative radiochemotherapy were excluded. Preoperative clinical stage was obtained from abdominal and pelvic enhanced CT by radiologists, and postoperative pathological stage was derived from postoperative pathology reports. The concordance rate between preoperative clinical stage and postoperative pathological stage, and the proportion of pathological stage I in patients with specific preoperative clinical TNM stage were analyzed and compared. The potential beneficial population of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were considered as pI < 5%. Relationship between clinical features and concordance rate of stage was further analysed. Results: A total of 459 patients were included in the analysis, including 321 males and 138 females with mean age of 60 (23 to 85) years old. The concordance rate from T1 to T4 between preoperative clinical T staging and postoperative pathological T staging was 82.5% (33/40), 31.1% (28/90), 34.4% (62/180), and 55.0% (96/149), respectively. The concordance rate from N0 to N3 between preoperative clinical N staging and postoperative pathological N staging was 58.8% (134/228), 22.1% (19/86), 23.6% (26/110), and 54.3% (19/35), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of abdominal enhanced CT in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were 64.5% (171/265) and 69.1% (134/194) respectively. The clinical stage of cT3/T4 patients with pathological stage I was 9.1% (30/329), and the sensitivity of corresponding pathological stage III was 94.8% (164/173), while the cT3/4+cN1-3 patients with pathological stage I stage was 1.4% (3/218), and the sensitivity of corresponding pathological phase III was 76.9% (133/173). Tumor location was associated with the concordance of cT/pT staging [gastroesophageal junction: 64 (56.6%), upper stomach: 9 (9/17), middle stomach: 31 (40.3%), lower stomach: 97 (39.9%), whole stomach: 4(4/9), χ(2)=9.845, P=0.043]; the degree of tumor differentiation was associated with the concordance of cN/pN staging [poorly differentiated: 94 (42.3%), moderated differentiated: 92 (41.1%), well differentiated: 12 (12/13), χ(2)=13.261, P=0.001], whose differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on a single-center retrospective data from Peking University Cancer Hospital, we think that the potential beneficial population of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer are those clinically staged as cT3/4+N1-3.

[The prevention and control of a new coronavirus infection in department of stomatology]

During a short period of time, the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus, named Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (NCP), was first reported in China, spreading to 24 countries and regions rapidly. The number of confirmed cases and deaths continued to rise. World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Efficient infection control can prevent the virus from further spreading, which makes the epidemic situation under control. Due to the specialty of oral healthcare settings, the risk of cross infection is severe among patients and oral healthcare practitioners. It's more urgent to implement strict and efficient infection control protocols. This paper, based on existing guidelines and published researches pertinent to dental infection-control principles and practices, mainly discusses epidemiological characteristics of NCP and the features of nosocomial infection in oral healthcare settings, and furthermore provides recommendations on patient's evaluation, and infection control protocols in department of stomatology under current circumstance..

Measurement of Proton Electromagnetic Form Factors in e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] in the Energy Region 2.00-3.08 GeV

The process of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is studied at 22 center-of-mass energy points (sqrt[s]) from 2.00 to 3.08 GeV, exploiting 688.5  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross section (σ_{pp[over ¯]}) of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is measured with the energy-scan technique and it is found to be consistent with previously published data, but with much improved accuracy. In addition, the electromagnetic form-factor ratio (|G_{E}/G_{M}|) and the value of the effective (|G_{eff}|), electric (|G_{E}|), and magnetic (|G_{M}|) form factors are measured by studying the helicity angle of the proton at 16 center-of-mass energy points. |G_{E}/G_{M}| and |G_{M}| are determined with high accuracy, providing uncertainties comparable to data in the spacelike region, and |G_{E}| is measured for the first time. We reach unprecedented accuracy, and precision results in the timelike region provide information to improve our understanding of the proton inner structure and to test theoretical models which depend on nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics.

[Quality improvement of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: establishment and implementation of the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union Database]

Since the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union was established, it has continuously collected the annual reports of 95 gastrointestinal surgery centers nationwide from 2014 to 2017, and collected data on more than 130 000 cases of gastric cancer. This article combines the experience of associated databases at home and abroad to analyze the construction of the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union Database, and explore the role of multi-center cooperation and big data analysis in the promotion of gastrointestinal surgery. For a complete database to successfully achieve its ultimate goal, it needs clear goals, continuous funding, a qualified management team, consensus on data content, a high completion rate, and the support and cooperation of an advanced processing system. As a high-quality database with clear construction goals and database project construction based on the goals, while promoting the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is also widely used in risk prediction model development, audit supervision, epidemiological research, health service research, and clinical hypothesis testing, etc. How to build a high-quality database to give a full promotion in clinical diagnosis and treatment is a huge challenge. Although the construction of medical databases in China has just started, we believe that with the further improvement in understanding, management and analysis capabilities for surgical databases, more databases including the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Union Database will make greater contributions in promoting the development of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in China and the world.

Measurement of the Cross Section for e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} and Observation of an Excited Ξ Baryon

Using a total of 11.0  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data with center-of-mass energies between 4.009 and 4.6 GeV and collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, we measure fifteen exclusive cross sections and effective form factors for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} by means of a single baryon-tag method. After performing a fit to the dressed cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, no significant ψ(4230) or ψ(4260) resonance is observed in the Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} final states, and upper limits at the 90% confidence level on Γ_{ee}B for the processes ψ(4230)/ψ(4260)→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} are determined. In addition, an excited Ξ baryon at 1820  MeV/c^{2} is observed with a statistical significance of 6.2-6.5σ by including the systematic uncertainty, and the mass and width are measured to be M=(1825.5±4.7±4.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(17.0±15.0±7.9)  MeV, which confirms the existence of the J^{P}=3/2^{-} state Ξ(1820).

Observation of the Semileptonic D^{+} Decay into the K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0} Axial-Vector Meson

By analyzing a 2.93  fb^{-1} data sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions, recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII collider, we report the first observation of the semileptonic D^{+} transition into the axial-vector meson D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} with a statistical significance greater than 10σ. Its decay branching fraction is determined to be B[D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e}]=(2.30±0.26_{-0.21}^{+0.18}±0.25)×10^{-3}, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively, and the third originates from the input branching fraction of K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{0}.

Observation of the Leptonic Decay D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}

We report the first observation of D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} with a significance of 5.1σ. We measure B(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})=(1.20±0.24_{stat}±0.12_{syst})×10^{-3}. Taking the world average B(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(3.74±0.17)×10^{-4}, we obtain R_{τ/μ}=Γ(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})/Γ(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=3.21±0.64_{stat}±0.43_{syst}., which is consistent with the standard model expectation of lepton flavor universality. Using external inputs, our results give values for the D^{+} decay constant f_{D^{+}} and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| that are consistent with, but less precise than, other determinations.

[Comprehensive analysis of unplanned abdominal - pelvic reoperations in Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute from 2008 to 2018]

Objective: To summarize the characteristics of abdominal-pelvic unplanned reoperation (URO) in a cancer hospital. Methods: Retrospectively descriptive cohort research was adopted. The classification of diseases was based on ICD-10, and surgical classification was based on ICD-9-CM-3. Medical record summary database from 2008 to 2018 in Beijing Cancer Hospital was collected, and all URO information of abdominal-pelvic surgery was retrieve. The time of URO, disease type, surgery type and cause were statistically analyzed. Distribution of main disease incidence and constituent ratio, and the application of major surgery and surgery type composition ratio were analyzed as well. Results: From 2008 to 2018, a total of 46854 cases underwent abdominal-pelvic surgery (including gastrointestinal, hepatic-biliary-pancreatic, gynecological, urological, or esophageal cancer surgery) and 713 patients received URO (1.52%), including 486 males and 227 females (2.14:1.00) with a mean age of (58.1±12.2) years. A total of 246 patients (34.50%) had comorbidity, and with comorbidity: without comorbidity was 1.13:1.00. The hospital stay was (44.5±43.0) days, and the total cost was (178000±112000) yuan. There were 22 deaths (3.09%). The median interval between URO and the first operation was 8 (0 to 131) days. The highest rate of URO was 2.45% (89/3629) in 2012, while the lowest was 0.95% (53/5596) in 2015. The top 3 major cancer types of URO included colorectal cancer (222 cases, 31.14%), gastric cancer (166 cases, 23.28%) and esophageal cancer (45 cases, 6.31%). The cancer types with the highest URO rate included pancreatic cancer (3.97%, 30/756), gastric cancer (1.81%, 166/9171) and colorectal cancer (1.80%, 222/12333). The top 3 surgical procedures resulting in URO were rectal resection (109 cases, 15.29%), total gastrectomy (79 cases, 11.08%), and total pancreatectomy (64 cases, 8.98%). Focusing on 497 URO cases from 2012 to 2018, 465 cases (93.56%) followed relatively difficult grade III and IV surgery, while only 32 cases (6.44%) followed grade I and II surgery. The top 5 main causes of URO were bleeding (225 cases, 31.56%), anastomotic leak (225 cases, 31.56%), infection (89 cases, 12.48%), intestinal obstruction (53 cases, 7.43%), and wound dehiscence (35 cases, 4.91%), adding up to a total of 87.94% of all URO. Conclusion: This study summarizes the epidemiology of abdominal - pelvic URO in our cancer institution, providing the solid baseline for future investigation of URO and the subsequent formulation of corresponding prevention and intervention measures.

Complete Measurement of the Λ Electromagnetic Form Factors

The exclusive process e^{+}e^{-}→ΛΛ[over ¯], with Λ→pπ^{-} and Λ[over ¯]→p[over ¯]π^{+}, has been studied at sqrt[s]=2.396  GeV for measurement of the timelike Λ electric and magnetic form factors, G_{E} and G_{M}. A data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 66.9  pb^{-1}, was collected with the BESIII detector for this purpose. A multidimensional analysis with a complete decomposition of the spin structure of the reaction enables a determination of the modulus of the ratio R=|G_{E}/G_{M}| and, for the first time for any baryon, the relative phase ΔΦ=Φ_{E}-Φ_{M}. The resulting values are R=0.96±0.14(stat)±0.02(syst) and ΔΦ=37°±12°(stat)±6°(syst), respectively. These are obtained using the recently established and most precise value of the asymmetry parameter α_{Λ}=0.750±0.010 measured by BESIII. In addition, the cross section is measured with unprecedented precision to be σ=118.7±5.3(stat)±5.1(syst)  pb, which corresponds to an effective form factor of |G|=0.123±0.003(stat)±0.003(syst). The contribution from two-photon exchange is found to be negligible. Our result enables the first complete determination of baryon timelike electromagnetic form factors.

[Evaluation of postoperative complications registration status of gastric cancer by medical information: A single center feasibility study]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of assessing complications registration through medical information. Methods: A descriptive case series study was performed to retrospectively collect medical information and complication registration information of gastric cancer patients at Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Center Ward I, Peking University Cancer Hospital from November 1, 2016 to March 1, 2017 (the first period), and from November 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 (the second period). Case inclusion criteria: (1) adenocarcinoma confirmed by gastroscopy and biopsy; (2) patients undergoing open surgery or laparoscopic radical gastrectomy; (3) complete postoperative medical information and complication information. Patients who were directly transferred to ICU after surgery and underwent emergency surgery were excluded. Because difference of the complication registration procedure at our department existed before and after 2018, so the above two periods were selected to be used for analysis on enrolled patients. The prescription information during hospitalization, including nursing, medication, laboratory examination, transference, surgical advice, etc. were compared with the current Standard Operating Procedure (SOP, including preoperative routine examinations, inspection, perioperative preventive antibiotic use, postoperative observational tests, inspection, routine nutritional support, prophylactic anticoagulation, and prophylactic inhibition of pancreatic enzymes, etc.) for gastric cancer at our department. Medical order beyond SOP was defined as medical order variation. Postoperative complication was diagnosed using the Clavien-Dindo classification criteria, which was divided into I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, and V. Medical order variation and complication registration information were compared between the two periods, including consistence between medical order variation and complication registration, missing report, underestimation or overestimation of medical order variation, and registration rate of medical order variation [registration rate = (total number of patients-number of missing report patients)/total number of patients], severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III), medical order variation deviating from SOP and the corresponding inferred grading of complication. The data was organized using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Results: A total of 177 gastric cancer patients were included in the analysis. The first period group and the second period group comprised 89 and 88 cases, respectively. The registrated complication rate was 23.6% (21/89) and 36.4% (32/88), and the incidence of severe complication was 2.2% (2/89) and 4.5% (4/88) in the first and the second period, respectively. The complication rate inferred from medical order variation was 74.2% (66/89) and 78.4% (69/88), and the incidence of severe complication was 7.9% (7/89) and 4.5% (4/88) in the first and second period, respectively. In the first and second period, the proportions of medical order variation in accordance with registered complication were 36.0% and 45.5% respectively; the proportion of underestimation, overestimation and missing report were 5.6% and 4.5%, 4.5% and 4.5%, 53.9% and 45.5%, respectively; the registration rate of medical order variation was 46.1% and 54.5%; the number of case with grade I complications inferred from medical order variation was 34 (38.2%) and 25 (28.4%), respectively; and the number of grade II was 12 (13.5%) and 15 cases (17.0%), respectively. The reason of the missing report of medical order variation corresponding to grade I complication was mainly the single use of analgesic drugs outside SOP, accounting for 76.5% (26/34) and 64.0% (16/25) in the first and second period respectively, and that corresponding to grade II complication was mainly the use of non-prophylactic antibiotics, accounting for 9/12 cases and 5/15 cases, respectively. Conclusions: Medical information can evaluate the morbidity of complication feasibly and effectively. Attention should be paid to routine registration to avoid specific missing report.

[Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer: a single center large sample case investigation]

OBJECTIVE

Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is different from the traditional gastric cancer (Epstein-Barr virus non-associated gastric cancer, EBVnGC), and has unique clinicopathological features. This study investigated the largest single center cancer series so as to establish the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EBVaGC in China.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on EBVaGC and EBVnGC patients diagnosed at Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2003 to 2018 by comparing their clinicopathological features and prognosis. The gastric cancer (GC) dataset of public database was analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes. The expression of important genes and their association with prognosis of GC were verified in GC tissues from our hospital.

RESULTS

In this study, 3 241 GC patients were included, and a total of 163 EBVaGC (5.0%) patients were identified. Compared with EBVnGC, EBVaGC was higher in male and younger patients, and positively associated with remnant GC, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and mixed type GC. EBVaGC was inversely related to lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate of EBVnGC and EBVaGC was 59.6% and 63.2% respectively (P<0.05). In order to explore molecular features of EBVaGC, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was analyzed (n=240), and 7 404 significant differentially expressed genes were obtained, involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. The down-regulated invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and the up-regulated immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 were important molecular features of EBVaGC. Validation of these two genes in large GC series showed that the majority of the EBVaGC was SALL4 negative (1/92, 1.1%, lower than EBVnGC, 303/1 727, 17.5%), and that PD-L1 was mostly positive in EBVaGC (81/110, 73.6%, higher than EBVnGC, 649/2 350, 27.6%). GC patients with SALL4 negative and PD-L1 positive were often associated with better prognosis.

CONCLUSION

EBVaGC is a unique subtype of GC with less metastasis and a good prognosis. It also has a distinct molecular background. The down-regulation of invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and up-regulation of immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 are important molecular features.

Development of Integrated Device of Trace Bloodstains Imaging and Age Analysis

Abstract

Objective To develop a device of trace bloodstains imaging and age analysis, so as to provide a non-destructive, simple and objective method for age estimation of bloodstains at the crime scene. Methods Based on the principle of digital imaging and color pattern analysis, the mobile terminal of the device was used to collect images of bloodstains of different ages. The time-dependent pattern of 6 parameters （R, G, B, C, Y, M） reflecting the changes of color of images of different ages was obtained by computer image analysis. A multiparameter comprehensive inference equation of bloodstains age was established and embedded into the device software to realize the intelligent inference of the bloodstains age. Then the capability and reliability of the device was verified. Results This integrated device of bloodstains imaging and age analysis could quickly collect bloodstains at the crime scene and automatically analyze and infer the age of bloodstains combined with related intelligence software. In the blind test, the detection accuracy of this device was 95% in both natural light airtight group and dark airtight group, and 80% in the natural light ventilation group. Conclusion The integrated device of trace bloodstains imaging and age analysis can be used in a simple manner, which provides a new objective method for bloodstains age estimation.

[An epidemiologic study of pelvic organ prolapse in urban Chinese women: a population-based sample in China]

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a representative sample of Chinese urban women. Methods: A total of 29613 Chinese urban women were recruited to this cross-sectional study between February 2014 and March 2016. The prevalence of POP, defined as any stage Ⅱ or higher POP resulting in symptoms, was assessed using questionnaires and physical examinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with POP. Results: 2 864 of 29 613 women (9.67%) had POP. The prevalence of POP increased with age ranging from 1.23% (82/6 646) of women aged between 20 and 29 years to 26.11% (727/2 784) for those aged 70 years or older (P<0.000 1). Overweight and obese women were more likely to have POP than normal weight women [AOR=1.56, 95%CI 1.42-1.72 vs AOR=1.74, 95%CI 1.48-2.03]. In the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors were cough (AOR=1.70, 95%CI 1.44-2.02), constipation (AOR=2.05, 95%CI 1.82-2.32), physical disease (AOR=1.27, 95%CI 1.15-1.41), and gynecological diseases (AOR=2.08, 95%CI 1.89-2.29). Nulliparous (AOR=0.12, 95%CI 0.06-0.22) and caesarean section (CS) (AOR=0.55, 95%CI 0.47-0.64) were protective factors for POP. Conclusions: POP affects nearly 10% of women in Chinese urban region. The prevalence of POP increases significantly with age. The independent risk factors for POP are body mass index, cough, constipation, physical disease and gynecological diseases. Nulliparous and CS are protective factors for POP.

[Analysis of labor progression characteristics of 1 089 nulliparas managed by the new partogram]

Objective: To analyze labor progression characteristics among nulliparas and provide reference to labor progress management. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1 089 women who went for vaginal delivery at the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yet-San University from January 1st, 2015 to May 31th, 2016. The duration of cervical dilation from 1.0 cm to the next and the process of initial cervical dilation (2.0 cm or 3.0 cm) to full cervical dilation of nulliparas were analyzed. Results: The cervical dilation speed was accelerating with the progress of labor. The rate of cervical dilation changed fastest between 5.0-6.0 cm dilation, which was more than 3.0 cm/hour. With regard to labor curves, at admission of 2.0 cm cervical dilation, it rose dramatically from 5.0 cm dilation. At admission of 3.0 cm dilation, it presented approximately linear rising before 5.5 cm dilation, then became steeper. Conclusions: The cervical dilation speed is fast. Both labor curves of initial cervical dilation (2.0 cm or 3.0 cm) to full cervical dilation show obvious acceleration stage with steep slope.

[Application of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with lymphoma: a prospective, multicenter, open-label clinical trial]

目的

评价聚乙二醇化重组人粒细胞刺激因子（PEG-rhG-CSF）预防淋巴瘤患者化疗后发生中性粒细胞减少症的有效性和安全性。

方法

本研究为多中心、开放、单臂、Ⅳ期临床试验。纳入410例淋巴瘤患者接受多周期化疗并预防性使用PEG-rhG-CSF。主要观察患者各化疗周期Ⅲ/Ⅳ度中性粒细胞减少症和发热性中性粒细胞减少（FN）的发生率，同时观察患者整个化疗期间抗生素的使用率。

结果

①410例患者中，违背入选标准8例（1.95%），失访35例（8.54%），发生不良事件19例（4.63%），出现符合终止研究标准者12例（2.93%），疾病进展或复发15例（3.66%），故最终321例（78.29%）进入符合方案集。②在第1~4个治疗周期，初级预防给予PEG-rhG-CSF后，Ⅳ度中性粒细胞减少症的发生率分别为19.14%（49/256）、12.50%（32/256）、12.18%（24/197）、13.61%（20/147），FN的发生率分别为3.52%（9/256）、0.39%（1/256）、2.54%（5/197）、2.04%（3/147）；次级预防给药后，Ⅳ度中性粒细胞减少症的发生率从61.54%（40/65）降至16.92%（11/65）、18.46%（12/65）、20.75%（11/53），FN的发生率从16.92%（11/65）降至1.54%（1/65）、4.62%（3/65）、3.77%（2/53）。③整个化疗期间接受抗生素治疗的受试者比例为34.39%（141/410）。④与PEG-rhG-CSF相关的不良事件发生率为4.63%（19/410），最常见的不良反应为骨痛[3.90%（16/410）]、乏力（0.49%）和发热（0.24%）。

结论

在淋巴瘤患者化疗过程中，预防性使用PEG-rhG-CSF能够有效降低化疗过程中Ⅲ/Ⅳ度中性粒细胞减少症和FN的发生率，确保淋巴瘤患者接受标准剂量化疗，提高治愈率。

[Advances in the research of characteristics and treatment of burns in the elderly]

With the development of society and the improvement of medical level, the average life span of human has been increasing year by year. The proportion of elderly burn patients is also increasing yearly, which has become a social problem that can not be ignored. Because of physiological characteristics, such as decreased function of heart, lung, and kidney, degenerative changes of neural system, reduced gastrointestinal function and immunological function, and mostly accompanied by primary diseases of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, elderly burn patients suffer from high shock rate and mortality, and their wounds are not easy to heal. With the purpose of providing ideas for prevention and treatment of elderly burn patients, this review summarizes the physiological characteristics, wound treatment, fluid resuscitation, organ protection, nutrition support, and psychological guidance of elderly burn patients.

[Preparation and evaluation of blank and doxorubicin loaded poly (acrylic acid) microspheres for embolization]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare ion exchange doxorubicin-loaded poly (acrylic acid) microspheres (DPMs) and evaluate the properties of these chemoembolic agents.

METHODS

Poly (acrylic acid) microspheres (PMs) without drug were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization method and then doxorubicin was loaded by ion exchange mechanism to prepare DPMs. Optical microscope was used to investigate the morphology and particle size distribution of PMs and DPMs; fluorescence microscope and confocal microscope were used to observe the distribution of doxorubicin after drug loading. Elasticities of both the microspheres were evaluated by texture analyzer. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established to determine the drug loading behavior of PMs and releasing behavior of DPMs. The in vivo embolic property was evaluated by embolizing the hepatic artery of a rabbit with 0.1 mL of DPMs.

RESULTS

PMs and DPMs were both spherical in shape, smooth in surface and dispersed well. Doxorubicin was mainly in the outer area inside of DPMs and distributed evenly. The average particle size of PMs and DPMs were (283±136) μm and (248±149) μm, respectively. PMs and DPMs both had good compression ability with the Young's modulus of (62.63±1.65) kPa and (93.94±1.10) kPa separately. PMs reached the drug loading balance at 12 h, and the entrapment efficiency was greater than 99%. Drug loading of PMs in doxorubicin solution at the concentration of 5.0 g/L and 12.5 g/L was (19.78±0.27) g/L and (49.45±0.37) g/L, respectively. Doxorubicin released slowly from DPMs in PBS and the accumulative release percentages of DPMs with corresponding drug loading were 6.82%±0.02% and 2.83%±0.10% after 24 h, respectively. Arterial angiograms showed that the hepatic artery of the rabbit was successfully embolized with DPMs.

CONCLUSION

DPMs with good performance of loading doxorubicin could be a potential embolic agent for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

[The role of Th1/Th2 cells imbalance in the pathogenesis of secretory otitis media]

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the role of Th1/Th2 cells imbalance in the pathogenesis of secretory otitis media. Method:Ninety secretory otitis media patients were enrolled in observation group. According to medical history, they were divided into acute and chronic group. In addition, 90 healthy volunteers during the same period were selected as the control group. The levels of Th1-type cytokines IFN-γ, Th2-type cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IFN-γ/IL-4 in peripheral blood were compared between observation group and control group. Compare with acute and chronic secretory otitis media patients IFN-γ, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4 levels as well as the compare with middle ear effusion and peripheral blood sIFN-γ, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4 levels in observation group. Result:The level of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-4 in the peripheral blood in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-4 in the peripheral blood of patients in the chronic group were higher than those in the acute group. There was no significant difference in IL4, IFN-γ/IL-4 levels between the observation group and the middle ear effusion (P>0.05), IFN-γ levels in peripheral blood were lower than those of the middle ear effusion IFN-γ (P<0.05). Conclusion:Abnormal IFN-γ, IL-4 levels of the peripheral blood and the middle ear effusion have some relationship with secretory otitis media, and Th1/Th2 imbalance may be a risk factor for secretory otitis media.

Golden single-atomic-site platinum electrocatalysts

Bimetallic nanoparticles with tailored structures constitute a desirable model system for catalysts, as crucial factors such as geometric and electronic effects can be readily controlled by tailoring the structure and alloy bonding of the catalytic site. Here we report a facile colloidal method to prepare a series of platinum-gold (PtAu) nanoparticles with tailored surface structures and particle diameters on the order of 7 nm. Samples with low Pt content, particularly Pt₄Au₉₆, exhibited unprecedented electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of formic acid. A high forward current density of 3.77 A mg_Pt^-1 was observed for Pt₄Au₉₆, a value two orders of magnitude greater than those observed for core-shell structured Pt₇₈Au₂₂ and a commercial Pt nanocatalyst. Extensive structural characterization and theoretical density functional theory simulations of the best-performing catalysts revealed densely packed single-atom Pt surface sites surrounded by Au atoms, which suggests that their superior catalytic activity and selectivity could be attributed to the unique structural and alloy-bonding properties of these single-atomic-site catalysts.

[Measurement of the tibial alignment after total knee replacement without the extramedullary cutting guide]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy and analysis of the influencing factors of the tibia prosthetic coronal alignment after total knee arthroplasty without tibia extramedullary cutting guide.

METHODS

In the study, 76 patients (96 knees) who had primary total knee arthroplasty in Peking University First Hospital from February 2012 to April 2016 were selected retrospectively. All of the cases were performed by the same experienced orthopedic surgeon team. The patients were divided into 2 groups randomly: tibia cutting without guide group and tibia cutting with extramedullary guide group. Lower extremity standard anterior and posterior X-ray films of the knees were taken before and after surgery, and the anatomical tibial angle (AT), the posterior slope angle (PSA) before and after surgery, the tibia component angle (TCA) were measured in the X-ray films. We also recorded the beginning and finishing time of the operation, the operation sequence of the day respectively at the same time. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis, t test and chi square test between the two groups.

RESULTS

The age, gender, body mass index, AT/PSA before the surgery and TCA/PSA after the surgery of the two groups were no significant differences (P>0.05). The rate of 90-TCA≥ 3° was 31.5% (17 knees) and 31% (12 knees) respectively, there were no significant differences (P=0.956) between the two groups. The postoperative TCA of two groups was not correlated with age, gender, body mass index (BMI), operation side (P>0.05), there was also no correlation between the postoperative TCA and the start time of the operation, the whole operation time, and the operation sequence of the day (P>0.05). The two groups were divided into subgroups according to 90-AT before the operation (0°≤90-AT<3°, 3°≤90-AT<5°, 5°≤90-AT<8°, 90-AT≥8°), and there was no difference among them. But we found there was a much higher rate of 90-TCA<3° in the group without cutting guide than the group with extramedullary guide when 90-AT≥8° before the surgery (the rates were 71.4 % and 42.9%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is no significant difference of the tibia prosthetic coronal alignment accuracy between the tibia cutting without guide and the traditional extramedullary guided bone cutting by experienced surgeons. Only if when patients already have suffered severe malformation of knee joint (90-AT≥8°) before the operation, tibia cutting without cutting guide is more effective to rectify the tibia prosthetic coronal alignment.

Observation of Complex Time Structures in the Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Fluxes with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present high-statistics, precision measurements of the detailed time and energy dependence of the primary cosmic-ray electron flux and positron flux over 79 Bartels rotations from May 2011 to May 2017 in the energy range from 1 to 50 GeV. For the first time, the charge-sign dependent modulation during solar maximum has been investigated in detail by leptons alone. Based on 23.5×10^{6} events, we report the observation of short-term structures on the timescale of months coincident in both the electron flux and the positron flux. These structures are not visible in the e^{+}/e^{-} flux ratio. The precision measurements across the solar polarity reversal show that the ratio exhibits a smooth transition over 830±30 days from one value to another. The midpoint of the transition shows an energy dependent delay relative to the reversal and changes by 260±30 days from 1 to 6 GeV.

Precision Measurement of Cosmic-Ray Nitrogen and its Primary and Secondary Components with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement of the nitrogen flux with rigidity (momentum per unit charge) from 2.2 GV to 3.3 TV based on 2.2×10^{6} events is presented. The detailed rigidity dependence of the nitrogen flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index rapidly hardens at high rigidities and becomes identical to the spectral indices of primary He, C, and O cosmic rays above ∼700  GV. We observed that the nitrogen flux Φ_{N} can be presented as the sum of its primary component Φ_{N}^{P} and secondary component Φ_{N}^{S}, Φ_{N}=Φ_{N}^{P}+Φ_{N}^{S}, and we found Φ_{N} is well described by the weighted sum of the oxygen flux Φ_{O} (primary cosmic rays) and the boron flux Φ_{B} (secondary cosmic rays), with Φ_{N}^{P}=(0.090±0.002)×Φ_{O} and Φ_{N}^{S}=(0.62±0.02)×Φ_{B} over the entire rigidity range. This corresponds to a change of the contribution of the secondary cosmic ray component in the nitrogen flux from 70% at a few GV to <30% above 1 TV.

Observation of Fine Time Structures in the Cosmic Proton and Helium Fluxes with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present the precision measurement from May 2011 to May 2017 (79 Bartels rotations) of the proton fluxes at rigidities from 1 to 60 GV and the helium fluxes from 1.9 to 60 GV based on a total of 1×10^{9} events collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer aboard the International Space Station. This measurement is in solar cycle 24, which has the solar maximum in April 2014. We observed that, below 40 GV, the proton flux and the helium flux show nearly identical fine structures in both time and relative amplitude. The amplitudes of the flux structures decrease with increasing rigidity and vanish above 40 GV. The amplitudes of the structures are reduced during the time period, which started one year after solar maximum, when the proton and helium fluxes steadily increase. Above ∼3  GV the p/He flux ratio is time independent. We observed that below ∼3  GV the ratio has a long-term decrease coinciding with the period during which the fluxes start to rise.

[Mechanism of cell autophagy for regulating skeletal muscle wasting of rats after severe burns]

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of cell autophagy for regulating skeletal muscle wasting of rats after severe burns. Methods: Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were collected and divided into sham injury group, simple burn group, burn+ phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, and burn+ 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group according to the random number table, with 18 rats in each group. Rats in simple burn group, burn+ PBS group, and burn+ 3-MA group were inflicted with 30% total body surface area full-thickness scald (hereinafter referred to as burns). Rats in sham injury group were sham injured. Immediately after burns and fluid resuscitation, rats in burn+ PBS group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL PBS, and rats in burn+ 3-MA group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL 3-MA (125 g/L). On post injury day 3 and 7, the weights of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs and body of rats were measured to calculate percentage of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight. Protein expressions of microtubule related protein 1 light chain 3A (LC3A) and Beclin-1 of anterior tibial muscle were observed by immunofluorescence method and detected by Western blotting, and ratio of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ was calculated. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, t-test and Bonferroni correction. Results: On post injury day 3 and 7, percentages of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight of rats in simple burn group were (0.148±0.009)% and (0.134±0.018)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in sham injury group [(0.203±0.009)%, (0.181±0.015)%, t=10.585, 4.913, P<0.01]. Percentages of anterior tibial muscle of right hind limbs weight of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were (0.187±0.004)% and (0.192±0.009)%, respectively, which were obviously higher than those in burn+ PBS group [(0.162±0.005)%, (0.167±0.005)%, t=9.564, 5.948, P<0.01]. On post injury day 3 and 7, protein expressions of Beclin-1 and microtubule related protein 1 LC3A of anterior tibial muscle of rats in simple burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group, while protein expressions of Beclin-1 and microtubule related protein 1 LC3A of anterior tibial muscle of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were significantly lower than those in burn+ PBS group. Ratios of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ of anterior tibial muscle of rats in simple burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (t=3.461, 3.353, P<0.05), while ratios of microtubule related protein 1 LC3A-Ⅱ to LC3A-Ⅰ of anterior tibial muscle of rats in burn+ 3-MA group were significantly lower than those in burn+ PBS group (t=3.129, 3.977, P<0.05). Conclusions: Cell autophagy induced by severe burns is involved in the process of skeletal muscle wasting of rats, and inhibition of cell autophagy may contribute to the remission of skeletal muscle wasting of rats induced by burns.

[Correlation between postoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and recurrence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after radical liver resection]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between postoperative peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and recurrence and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 344 patients with HCC who underwent radical liver resection from May 2010 to April 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of the 344 patients, 104 had early recurrence and 84 had late recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the NLR predicted area under the curve (AUC) of early recurrence was 0.622 (P<0.001), the optimal cut-off value was 2.41. The AUC of late recurrence was 0.634 (P=0.001), the optimal cut-off value was 2.15. Cox multivariate analysis showed the serum concentration of hepatitis B surface antigen (HR=2.508, 95% CI: 1.311-4.798), microvascular invasion (HR=2.422, 95% CI: 1.239-4.734), Milan criteria (HR=2.373, 95% CI: 1.427-3.948) and postoperative NLR (HR=2.285, 95% CI: 1.379-3.788) were independent risk factors of early recurrence after HCC resection. Postoperative NLR (HR=2.927, 95% CI: 1.630-5.255), liver cirrhosis (HR=2.531, 95% CI: 1.291-4.962) and serum concentration of albumin (HR=2.257, 95% CI: 1.251-4.073) were independent risk factors of late recurrence after HCC resection. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the 344 patients was 45.0 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 63.2 months. ROC curve analysis showed that the postoperative NLR predicted 5-year survival AUC was 0.689 (P<0.05), with an optimal cutoff of 2.29. Cox multivariate analysis showed microvascular invasion (HR=2.247, 95% CI: 1.534-3.291), postoperative NLR (HR=2.217, 95% CI: 1.653-2.974), and liver cirrhosis (HR=1.685, 95% CI: 1.168-2.431), Milan criteria (HR=1.679, 95% CI: 1.238-2.277), serum concentration of hepatitis B surface antigen (HR=1.623, 95% CI: 1.102-2.392), serum concentration of albumin (HR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.066-1.918) were independent factors of RFS after HCC resection, while microvascular invasion (HR=3.862, 95% CI: 2.407-6.197), Barcelona staging (HR=2.864, 95% CI: 1.600-5.125), postoperative NLR (HR=2.688, 95% CI: 1.782-4.055), liver cirrhosis (HR=2.039, 95% CI: 1.184-3.514), serum concentration of albumin (HR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.204-2.720) were independent factors of OS. Conclusions: For HCC patients who receive radical liver resection, postoperative NLR ≥2.29 implicates poor prognosis. Moreover, postoperative NLR ≥2.41 suggests early recurrence, while NLR ≥2.15 suggests late recurrence.

[The role of estrogen related-receptor γ and ATP-dependent K(+) channel Kcnj1 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between estrogen related-receptorγ (ERRγ) and ATP-dependent K(+) channel Kcnj1 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and its possible role in regulating ischemic preconditioning. Methods: The expression of ERRγ in kidney tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of ERRγ and Kcnj1 in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) under hypoxia (1% O(2)) were detected by RT-PCR. The ERRγ-deficient heterozygous mice model and the ERRγ-deficient completely mice model were established. The pretreatedischemia-reperfusion model were constructed in wild-type mice, ERRγ-deficient heterozygous mice and ERRγ-deficient completely mice, respectively. Renal injury was observed under a light microscope with PAS staining. ERRγ and Kcnj1 were tested by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results: ERRγ in mice kidney tissue was mainly expressed in renal tubules, and the expressions of ERRγ and Kcnj1 were decreased 59% and 29.5% respectively after hypoxia in the renal tubular cells (HK-2). In the animal model, the expressions of ERRγ and Kcnj1 were decreased 31.9% and 11% in early ischemic mice kidney tubular cells of wild type. The expressions of ERRγ and Kcnj1 in renal tubular cells were decreased 33.2% and 19.1% after ischemia and reperfusion. When ERRγ were overexpressed in renal tubular cells, ERRγ was increased by 89%, and the expression of Kcnj1 was increased by 72.5%. The expression of Kcnj1 was decreased by 75.7% in ERRγ-deficient completely mice. However, Kcnj1 expression in renal tissue of ERR-γ-deficient mice was stable, but ischemic preconditioning failed to interfere with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Conclusion: ERRγ-Kcnj1 is closely related to ischemic preconditioning and protects renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and may be one of the regulatory factors. To explore the protective effect of the regulating pathway on ischemia reperfusion injury couldprovide a theoretical basis for the development of drug pretreatment.

Enhancement of the spin polarization of an Fe3O4(100) surface by nitric oxide adsorption

The geometric, electronic and magnetic properties of a nitric oxide (NO) adsorbed Fe3O4(100) surface have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. NO molecules preferentially bond with surface Fe(B) atoms via their N atoms. The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is not recommended to be used in such a strongly correlated system since it provides not only an overestimation of the adsorption energy and an underestimation of the Fe(B)-N bond length, but also magnetic quenching of the adsorbate and the bonded Fe(B) atoms. In contrast, a tilted geometry and magnetization of the adsorbate and the bonded Fe(B) atom are obtained after including the strong on-site Coulomb interactions through a Hubbard term (GGA+U). The spin-down 2π* states of the NO molecule are filled and broadened due to the adsorbate-substrate interaction and the molecule-molecule interaction. The surface spin polarization close to the Fermi level is expected to be greatly enhanced by the NO adsorption which has significance for interface design in spintronic devices.

[Role of BoBs technology in early missed abortion chorionic villi]

Objective: To investigate the value of bacterial artificial chromosome-on-beads (BoBs) technology in the genetic analysis of early missed abortion chorionic villi. Methods: Early missed abortion chorionic villi were detected with both conventional karyotyping method and BoBs technology in Peking Union Medical Hospital from July 2014 to March 2015. Compared the results of BoBs with conventional karyotyping analysis to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this new method. Results: (1) A total of 161 samples were tested successfully in the technology of BoBs, 131 samples were tested successfully in the method of conventional karyotyping. (2) All of the cases obtained from BoBs results in (2.7±0.6) days and obtained from conventional karyotyping results in (22.5±1.9) days. There was significant statistical difference between the two groups (t=123.315, P<0.01) . (3) Out of 161 cases tested in BoBs, 85 (52.8%, 85/161) cases had the abnormal chromosomes, including 79 cases chromosome number abnormality, 4 cases were chromosome segment deletion, 2 cases mosaic. Out of 131 cases tested successfully in conventional karyotyping, 79 (60.3%, 79/131) cases had the abnormal chromosomes including 62 cases chromosome number abnormality, 17 cases other chromosome number abnormality, and the rate of chromosome abnormality between two methods was no significant differences (P=0.198) . (4) Conventional karyotyping results were served as the gold standard, the accuracy of BoBs for abnormal chromosomes was 82.4% (108/131) , analysed the normal chromosomes (52 cases) and chromosome number abnormality (62 cases) tested in conventional karyotyping, the accuracy of BoBs for chromosome number abnormality was 94.7% (108/114) . Conclusion: BoBs is a rapid reliable and easily operated method to test early missed abortion chorionic villi chromosomal abnormalities.

Correction to: Characterization of bactericidal efficiency, cell selectivity, and mechanism of short interspecific hybrid peptides

Facing rising global antibiotics resistance, physical membrane-damaging antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising antimicrobial agents. Various strategies to design effective hybrid peptides offer many advantages in overcoming the adverse effects of natural AMPs.

[Preparation and characterization of citric acid-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare and characterize citric acid (CA)-modified super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for magnetic targeting, hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

CA-modified SPIONs (CA-SPIONs) were prepared by co-precipitation method and then the magnetic responsiveness, morphology, particle size, infrared feature, weight percentage of CA, magnetic property and X-ray diffraction pattern of CA-SPIONs were respectively characterized by magnet, transmission electron microscope, laser particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analyzer, vibrating sample magnetometer and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The heating efficiency of the CA-SPIONs was investigated by a high frequency induction heater. The transverse relaxivity (r2) of the CA-SPIONs was evaluated by a 3.0 T MRI scanner.

RESULTS

The CA-SPIONs prepared were dispersed well in water with a dark black color and had good magnetic responsiveness. The CA-SPIONs were spherical in shape and uniform in size with an average size around 12 nm. The hydrodynamic average size of the CA-SPIONs was (72.35±4.47) nm with a polydispersity index of 0.231 ± 0.029. The result of infrared spectrum indicated that CA was successfully modified to the surface of SPIONs. The result of thermogravimetric analysis showed that the weight percentage of CA modified on the CA-SPIONs was 9.0%. The result of magnetic property evaluation demonstrated that the CA-SPIONs exhibited excellent superparamagetism with a saturation magnetism of 63.58 emu/g. The XRD result indicated that the CA-SPIONs were in inverse spinel structure. The crystallite size of the CA-SPIONs was calculated to be 12.4 nm by Debye-Scherrer equation. Under the high frequency alternating electromagnetic field with electric current of 9 A and frequency ranging from 45 to 50 kHz, the CA-SPIONs exhibited excellent heating efficiency and the specific absorption rate (SAR) value was calculated to be 26 W/g. The r2 of the CA-SPIONs was assessed to be 338 (mmol/L)^-1×s^-1 by a 3.0 T MRI scanner, which suggested the excellent negative contrast enhancement effect of the CA-SPIONs.

CONCLUSION

The CA-SPIONs are expected to be used as a promising agent for magnetic targeting, hyperthermia and MRI detection.

[Research status of tooth preparation quantitative guide technique]

Tooth preparation is a basic operation in prosthodontics treatment and the quality of preparation influences the effect of treatment directly. How to achieve a precise and quantitative tooth preparation is always one of the main aims of dental prosthodontics. The known types of tooth preparation guide technique can be divided into visual guidance, passive constraint guidance and active constraint guidance (automated tooth preparation), respectively represented by silicon rubber index, tooth preparation guide plate and computerized numerical control cutting system (CNC cutting system). Studies in advanced manufacturing technologies such as robot systems and numerical control ultra-short pulse laser (USPL) have also been reported recently. This review comprehensively introduced tooth preparation quantitative guide techniques and partially summarized the application effects and limitations to provide reference for relative researches and clinical application.

[A new prognostic score system of hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatectomy]

Objective: To establish a new scoring system based on the clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to predict prognosis of patients who received hepatectomy. Methods: A total of 845 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy from 1999 to 2010 at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. 21 common clinical factors were selected in this analysis. Among these factors, the cut-off values of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intraoperative blood loss were evaluated by using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model were used to evaluate the independent risk factors associated with the prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy. HCC postoperatively prognostic scoring system was established according to the minimum weighted method of these independent risk factors, and divided the patients into 3 risk groups, including low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk group. The relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among these groups. Results: The univariate analysis showed that clinical symptoms, preoperative α-fetoprotein (AFP) level, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, tumor size, tumor number, abdominal lymph node metastasis, macrovascular invasion or tumor thrombus, extrahepatic invasion or serosa perforation, the severity of hepatic cirrhosis, intraoperative blood loss, the liver operative method, pathological tumor thrombus, intraoperative blood transfusion, perioperative blood transfusion were significantly associated with median RFS of these HCC patients (P<0.05). Alternatively, clinical symptoms, preoperative AFP level, serum ALP level, tumor size, tumor number, abdominal lymph node metastasis, macrovascular invasion or tumor thrombus, extrahepatic invasion or serosa perforation, the severity of hepatic cirrhosis, intraoperative blood loss, the liver operative method, pathological lymphocyte invasion, pathological tumor thrombus, intraoperative blood transfusion, perioperative blood transfusion were significantly associated with the median OS of these HCC patients (P<0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that AFP ≥20 ng/ml, clinical symptoms, tumor diameter ≥5 cm, multiple tumors, macrovascular invasion or tumor thrombus, extrahepatic invasion or serosa perforation, moderate and severe liver cirrhosis, non- anatomic resection were the independent risk factors of RFS and OS (P<0.05). The independent risk factor of RFS was intraoperative bleeding loss ≥325 ml (P<0.05); The independent risk factors of OS were abdominal lymph node metastasis and pathological tumors thrombus (P<0.05). The respective weight of 11 independent factors was used to establish the scoring system (scores range from 0 to 26). In the score system, 0 to 5 points were defined as the low-risk group (286 cases), 6 to 12 points were determined as the intermediate-risk group (503 cases), more than 13 points were classified as the high-risk group (56 cases). The median RFS of the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk group were 80, 27 and 6 months, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). The median OS of the three groups were 134, 51 and 15 months, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: This new score system provides effective prediction of postoperative prognosis for HCC patients.

Observation of New Properties of Secondary Cosmic Rays Lithium, Beryllium, and Boron by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report on the observation of new properties of secondary cosmic rays Li, Be, and B measured in the rigidity (momentum per unit charge) range 1.9 GV to 3.3 TV with a total of 5.4×10^{6} nuclei collected by AMS during the first five years of operation aboard the International Space Station. The Li and B fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 7 GV and all three fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 30 GV with the Li/Be flux ratio of 2.0±0.1. The three fluxes deviate from a single power law above 200 GV in an identical way. This behavior of secondary cosmic rays has also been observed in the AMS measurement of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O but the rigidity dependences of primary cosmic rays and of secondary cosmic rays are distinctly different. In particular, above 200 GV, the secondary cosmic rays harden more than the primary cosmic rays.

Characterization of bactericidal efficiency, cell selectivity, and mechanism of short interspecific hybrid peptides

Facing rising global antibiotics resistance, physical membrane-damaging antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising antimicrobial agents. Various strategies to design effective hybrid peptides offer many advantages in overcoming the adverse effects of natural AMPs. In this study, hybrid peptides from different species were investigated, and three hybrid antimicrobial peptides, LI, LN, and LC, were designed by combining the typical fragment of human cathelicidin-derived LL37 with either indolicidin, pig nematode cecropin P1 (CP-1) or rat neutrophil peptide-1 (NP-1). In an aqueous solution, all hybrid peptides had an unordered conformation. In simulated membrane conditions, the hybrid peptide LI displayed more β-turn and β-hairpin structures, whereas LN and LC folded into α-helix structures. The three interspecific hybrid peptides LI, LN, and LC exhibited different levels of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. LI demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity and cell selectivity. The results of the swimming motility indicated that LI repressed bacterial motility in a concentration-dependent method. Endotoxin binding assay demonstrated that hybrid peptide LI conserved the binding ability to LPS (polyanionic lipopolysaccharides) of its parental peptides. Fluorescence assays, flow cytometry, and SEM further revealed that hybrid peptide LI acted through different bacteriostatic mechanisms than LL37 and indolicidin and that LI killed bacterial cells via membrane damage. In summary, this study demonstrated that hybrid peptide LI produced by interspecific hybrid synthesis possessed strong cell selectivity and is a promising therapeutic candidate for drug-resistant bacteria infection.

Observation of the Identical Rigidity Dependence of He, C, and O Cosmic Rays at High Rigidities by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O measured in the rigidity (momentum/charge) range 2 GV to 3 TV with 90×10^{6} helium, 8.4×10^{6} carbon, and 7.0×10^{6} oxygen nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) during the first five years of operation. Above 60 GV, these three spectra have identical rigidity dependence. They all deviate from a single power law above 200 GV and harden in an identical way.