A two-dimensional fingerprint nanoprobe based on black phosphorus for bio-SERS analysis and chemo-photothermal therapy

Flake-shaped nanohybrids based on black phosphorus (BP) have been developed as multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms for drug delivery, phototherapy and bioimaging. In this work, we report a facile strategy for fabrication of black phosphorus-Au nanoparticle hybrids (BP-AuNPs), which reveal an extraordinary near-infrared (NIR) photothermal transduction efficiency and drug delivery capacity. The applications of the nanocomposites as therapeutic agents for high-performance chemo-photothermal tumor therapy are accomplished in vitro and in vivo. BP-AuNPs also exhibit wonderful surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity under NIR laser excitation with a low Raman background, allowing BP-AuNPs to be used as a promising two-dimensional (2D) fingerprint nanoprobe for bio-SERS analysis. The cellular component identification and label-free live-cell bioimaging based on this type of 2D SERS substrate are generally investigated, which open up promising new perspectives in nanomedicine, including diagnosis, imaging and therapy.

Investigating the autophagy pathway in silver@gold core-shell nanoparticles-treated cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Previous studies have shown that nanoparticles can induce autophagy, and the main approach for investigating autophagy induced by nanoparticles is via traditional methods such as TEM and biochemical assay. These methods measurements suffer from the disadvantages of complicated experimental processes, cell destruction, as well as lack of characterization of individual stages of the autophagy pathway. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been extensively used in biological applications. With the combination of SERS and chemometric methods, such as principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA), identification and distribution mapping of endosomes and lysosomes in the endocytosis of Au nanoparticles has been achieved by segregating the spectra from complex SERS data sets in the previous study. In this study, silver@gold core-shell nanoparticles (Ag@Au NPs) were synthesized by reduction of gold ions on the surface of the silver nanoparticles, and the autophagy induced by Ag@Au NPs was studied with Ag@Au NPs serving both as an autophagy inducer and as a high-performance SERS substrate. Pro-survival autophagy induced by Ag@Au NPs was proved by the western blot assay, flow cytometry and fluorescent staining. Furthermore, the autophagy pathway in Ag@Au NPs-treated cells was first elucidated by SERS combined with a modified reference-based PCA-LDA methodology. This study provides a feasible way of using SERS to elucidate the autophagy pathway induced by nanoparticles.

[Analysis on the trend of innovation and development in the field of ophthalmology]

Objective: To systematically analyze the innovation and development trend in the field of ophthalmology. Methods: The latest ophthalmology funding program from the National Eye Institute and National Natural Science Foundation of China, and funding project for 2012 to 2016 from the National Institutes of Health, National Natural Science Foundation of China and National key research and development plan of China was collected. Using the comparative analysis method, the major ophthalmology funding areas at home and abroad were analyzed. Papers published in 2012 to 2016 in the field of ophthalmology were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection, among which ESI highly cited papers and hot papers were particularly selected. Using bibliometric methods, the time trend of the number of papers and the citation frequency were analyzed. Using the co-occurrence cluster analysis method, the continued focuses and emerging concerns of ophthalmology papers was analyzed. Results: The funding plan of the National Eye Institute mainly covers nine major diseases in ophthalmology. NSFC focuses on retinal damage and repair mechanisms. The National Key Research and Development Program of China focuses on research on high-end ophthalmic implants. NIH continues to focus on the molecular mechanisms of blinding eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal disease and cataracts, basic research in genetics, and advanced diagnostic techniques such as imaging. Latest areas of interest involve gene editing techniques and the application of stem cell technology in ophthalmology. In China, research and application of stem cells in ophthalmic diseases, intraocular sustained-release drug carrier, and precision medicine research in ophthalmology are emerging areas of funding. In 2012 to 2016, research topics of 168 papers collected by ESI focused on macular degeneration, retinal diseases, glaucoma and other eye diseases. How to quickly promote new drugs and new technological achievements to the clinical application is a problem in the field of ophthalmology. How to change the ophthalmology clinic model, so as to provide patients with convenient and quality service, has become a research topic that needs to be given attention to. Conclusions: Based on the multidimensional analysis of innovation and development in the field of ophthalmology, cross application and integration of ophthalmology and high - tech fields such as advanced imaging technology, stem cell technology, gene editing technology, molecular targeting, and artificial intelligence will provide a strong basis for the enhancement of China's ophthalmology research innovation and international competitiveness. Research efforts for ophthalmic transformation should be strengthened, in order to realize the clinical application of the achievements as soon as possible. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 452-463).

A Feasibility Study of a New Unibody Branched Stent Graft Applied to Reconstruct the Canine Aortic Arch

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new unibody branched stent graft for the reconstruction of the canine aortic arch.

METHODS

The unibody branched stent grafts included single branched stent grafts and double branched stent grafts. The main stent graft and branched limbs were sutured together. The branched stent grafts were folded into the introducer system, which consisted of a double channel catheter, a detachable sleeve, and an introducer sheath. The branched stent grafts were introduced and deployed into the aortic arch by the delivery system. Twenty adult mongrel dogs were used for the experiments. Ten dogs were implanted with single branched stent grafts; the other 10 were implanted with double branched stent grafts. The surviving animals were followed up for 3 months. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to observe the status of the branched stent grafts.

RESULTS

All the unibody branched stent grafts were successfully implanted into the canine aortic arches. The technical success rate was 100%. There was no cerebral infarction, paraplegia or incision infection. CTA showed that all the branched stent grafts were patent; there was no endoleak or stent migration.

CONCLUSIONS

The unibody branched stent graft system could be used to reconstruct the aortic arch. The animal experimental procedures demonstrated the safety and feasibility of the unibody branched stent graft system.

[Comparison of the prognostic value of the seventh and eighth edition of The AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System for the patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲesophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To compare and evaluate the prognostic value of the 7(th) and 8(th) edition of The AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System for patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The clinical data of 328 esophageal cancer patients who received operation at Department of Esophageal Cancer, Tianjin Tumour Hospital from January 2006 to December 2010 were restrospectively analyzed. There were 63 female and 265 male patients. The mean age was 65 (range: 33 to 87) years. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the prognosis factors. Results: The five years overall survival rates among patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ were both significantly different (χ(2)=87.035, 84.730, all P=0.000) according to the 7(th) and 8(th) editions of the TNM staging systems. The five years overall survival rate among patients with stage ⅡB and ⅢA were significantly different (39.6% vs 23.4%, P=0.001) according to the 7(th) edition of the esophageal cancer staging systems.According to the 8(th) edition of the esophageal cancer staging system, the 5 years survival rate of patients with stage ⅡA and ⅡB, ⅢB and Ⅳ was statistically significant (58.5% vs. 35.5%, P=0.040; 18.9% vs. 0, P=0.000). In multivariate analysis, tumor size, T staging, N staging and tumor differentiation (HR=1.592, 95%CI: 1.185 to 2.139, P=0.002; HR=1.519, 95% CI: 1.236 to 1.867, P=0.000; HR=1.647, 95% CI: 1.448 to 1.874, P=0.000; HR=1.404, 95% CI: 1.059 to 1.861, P=0.018) were the main independent prognosis factors affecting the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. Conclusions: Both the 7(th) and the 8(th) editions of TNM staging systems are able to reflect the clinical prognosis of patients receiving radical resection of esophageal cancer, and the factors of tumor size, differentiaton, invasion depth and lymph node metastases are the independent predictors of prognosis. The 8(th) edition provides a more detailed and more reasonable for the staging of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ for esophageal cancer patients than the 7(th) edition, and it is more accurate for the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery.

Dissection of a circulating CD3+ CD20+ T cell subpopulation in patients with psoriasis

CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells are a population of CD3⁺ T cells that express CD20 and identified in healthy donors and autoimmune diseases. However, the nature and role of these cells in patients with psoriasis remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the level, phenotype, functional and clinical relevance of CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. We found that a small subset of CD3⁺ T cells expressed CD20 molecule in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis, and their levels were similar to those in healthy donors. Circulating CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells in patients with psoriasis were enriched in CD4⁺ cells and displayed an activated effector phenotype, as these cells contained fewer CD45RA⁺ -naive and CCR7⁺ cells with increased activity than those of CD3⁺ T cells lacking CD20. In addition, compared with healthy donors, circulating CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells in patients with psoriasis produced more cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17A, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-21, but not IL-4 and IFN-γ. Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found between the levels of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-21-production CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores. Our findings suggest that CD3⁺ CD20⁺ T cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Spectacles need and ownership among multiethnic students in rural China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and associated factors of spectacles need and ownership among multiethnic school students in rural China.

STUDY DESIGN

School-based cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This school-based eye study was conducted in Yunnan province located in Southwestern China. Questionnaires were filled out by children with the help of their parents concerning demographic characteristics, spectacles usage, and myopia-related lifestyle exposures. Spectacles need was defined as participants who had an uncorrected visual acuity (VA) of less than 6/12 but could be corrected to more than 6/12 in the better-seeing eye, with myopia of less than -0.5 diopters (D), hyperopia of more than +2.0 D, or astigmatism of more than 0.75 D in both eyes. Definition of spectacles ownership was based on spectacles wearing at school on the examination day.

RESULTS

Among the 7681 students aged 5-16 years participating in this study, 7166 (93.3% of the study participants) successfully completed VA tests and questionnaires. The rate of spectacles need among children with an uncorrected VA of 6/12 or worse in either eye was 68.3% (623/912). Among the students who needed spectacles, only 18.9% owned them. Multivariate analyses revealed that spectacles ownership was significantly associated with increasing age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.55), more time on reading and writing (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.15-2.40), having myopic friend(s) (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.01-3.56), self-awareness of myopia (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.48-17.92), and poorer uncorrected VA (OR: 4.57; 95% CI: 2.78-7.52).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a lower rate of spectacles ownership among rural children compared with those of similar ages in urban China. These findings may have important public health implications for China and other countries regarding vision-related health resources allocation.

Note: Development of a multichannel magnetic probe array for magnetohydrodynamic activity studies in Sino-United Spherical Tokamak

A 30-channel movable magnetic probe radial array measuring the poloidal magnetic field's time derivative Ḃ_θ has been developed and installed on the Sino-United Spherical Tokamak to investigate the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activities in ohmic discharges. The probe array consists of thirty identical commercial chip inductors mounted on a slim printed circuit board and shielded by a customized quartz tube of 14 mm in outer diameter. With the application of instrumentation amplifiers, the system exhibits a good signal to noise ratio and the measured vertical field spatial distribution agrees well with the simulation result. The measured spatial and temporal distribution of Ḃ_θ during the MHD activities exhibits a clear phase reversal layer, which is a direct proof of tearing mode and provides a reliable indication of the magnetic island chain position.

Soluble TAM receptor tyrosine kinases in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with disease activity and bone destruction

The TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (TAM RTK) are a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, the role of which in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus has been well explored, while their functions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of soluble TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (sAxl/sMer/sTyro3) in patients with RA. A total of 306 RA patients, 100 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 120 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled into this study. The serum concentrations of sAxl/sMer/sTyro3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), then the associations between sAxl/sMer/sTyro3 levels and clinical features of RA patients were analysed. We also investigated whether sTyro3 could promote osteoclast differentiation in vitro in RA patients. The results showed that compared with healthy controls (HCs), sTyro3 levels in the serum of RA patients were elevated remarkably and sMer levels were decreased significantly, whereas there was no difference between HCs and RA patients on sAxl levels. The sTyro3 levels were correlated weakly but positively with white blood cells (WBC), immunoglobulin (Ig)M, rheumatoid factor (RF), swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, total sharp scores and joint erosion scores. Conversely, there were no significant correlations between sMer levels and the above indices. Moreover, RA patients with high disease activity also showed higher sTyro3 levels. In-vitro osteoclast differentiation assay showed further that tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)⁺ osteoclasts were increased significantly in the presence of sTyro3. Collectively, our study indicated that serum sTyro3 levels were elevated in RA patients and correlated positively with disease activity and bone destruction, which may serve as an important participant in RA pathogenesis.

[Interaction between TRPC1 and STIM1 in calcium sensing receptor mediated calcium influx and nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells]

Objective: To investigate the interaction of Ca(2+) protein TRPC1 and STIM1 in extracellular Ca(2+) -sensing receptor (CaR)-induced extracellular Ca(2+) influx and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and incubated with CaR agonist spermine (activating store-operates cation channels (SOC) and receptor-operated channels (ROC)), CaR negative allosteric modulator Calhex231 (blocking SOC, activating ROC) and ROC analogue TPA (activating ROC, blocking SOC), protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro31-8220, PKCs and PKCμ inhibitor Go6967(activate SOC, blocking ROC), respectively. The interaction of TRPC1 and STIM1 was determined using the immunofluorescence methods. The interaction between TRPC1 and STIM1 were examined by Co-immuno precipitation. The HUVECs were divided into: TRPC1 and STIM1 short hairpin RNA group (shTRPC1+ shSTIM1 group), vehicle-TRPC1+ vehicle-STIM1 group and control group. The cells were incubated with four different treatments under the action of above mentioned interventions, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i)) was detected using the fluorescence Ca(2+) indicator Fura-2/AM, the production of NO was determined by DAF-FM. Results: (1) The expression of TRPC1 and STIM1 proteins levels in HUVECs: Under the confocal microscope, TRPC1 and STIM1 protein expression showed masculine gender, both located in cytoplasm in the normal control group. Post incubation with Calhex231+ TPA, Ro31-8220 and Go6967, TRPC1 and STIM1 positioned in cytoplasm was significantly reduced, and the combined TRPC1 and STIM1 was also significantly reduced. (2) The interaction of TRPC1 and STIM1 in HUVECs: The relative ratios of Calhex231+ TPA+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group, Ro31-8220+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group and Go6976+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group STIM1/TRPC1 and TRPC1/STIM1 were as follows: (25.98±2.17)% and (44.10±4.01)%, (20.85±1.01)% and (46.31±3.47)%, (23.88±2.05)% and (39.65±2.91)%, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (100.00±4.66)% and (100.00±6.40)% and in the Spermine+ Ca(2+) group (106.04±2.45)% and (107.78±2.66)% (all P<0.05). (3) The influence of joint TRPC1 and STIM1 transfection to four different drugs treated HUVECs on [Ca(2+) ](i) and NO generation: The changes of two excitation fluorescence intensity ratio and NO net fluorescence intensity values were consistent, [Ca(2+) ](i) and NO net fluorescence intensity values were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group and the vehicle group (all P<0.05), while which were similar between the vehicle group and control group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that TRPC1 and STIM1 jointly regulate CaR-mediated Ca(2+) influx and nitric oxide generation in HUVECs in the form of binary complex.

Determination of eddy current response with magnetic measurements

Accurate mutual inductances between magnetic diagnostics and poloidal field coils are an essential requirement for determining the poloidal flux for plasma equilibrium reconstruction. The mutual inductance calibration of the flux loops and magnetic probes requires time-varying coil currents, which also simultaneously drive eddy currents in electrically conducting structures. The eddy current-induced field appearing in the magnetic measurements can substantially increase the calibration error in the model if the eddy currents are neglected. In this paper, an expression of the magnetic diagnostic response to the coil currents is used to calibrate the mutual inductances, estimate the conductor time constant, and predict the eddy currents response. It is found that the eddy current effects in magnetic signals can be well-explained by the eddy current response determination. A set of experiments using a specially shaped saddle coil diagnostic are conducted to measure the SUNIST-like eddy current response and to examine the accuracy of this method. In shots that include plasmas, this approach can more accurately determine the plasma-related response in the magnetic signals by eliminating the field due to the eddy currents produced by the external field.

Multifunctional Nanoplatform Based on Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots for Bioimaging and Photodynamic/Photothermal Synergistic Cancer Therapy

A multifunctional nanoplatform based on black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) was developed for cancer bioimaging and combined photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). BPQDs were functionalized with PEG chains to achieve improved biocompatibility and physiological stability. The as-prepared nanoparticles exhibite prominent near-infrared (NIR) photothermal and red-light-triggered photodynamic properties. The combined therapeutic application of PEGylated BPQDs were then performed in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrate that the combined phototherapy significantly promote the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatment in comparison with PTT or PDT alone. BPQDs could also serve as the loading platform for fluorescent molecules, allowing reliable imaging of cancer cells. In addition, the low cytotoxicity and negligible side effects to main organs were observed in toxicity experiments. The theranostic characteristics of PEGylated BPQDs provide an uplifting potential for the future clinical applications.

Synthesis of Au NP@MoS₂ Quantum Dots Core@Shell Nanocomposites for SERS Bio-Analysis and Label-Free Bio-Imaging

In this work, we report a facile method using MoS₂ quantum dots (QDs) as reducers to directly react with HAuCl₄ for the synthesis of Au nanoparticle@MoS₂ quantum dots (Au NP@MoS₂ QDs) core@shell nanocomposites with an ultrathin shell of ca. 1 nm. The prepared Au NP@MoS₂ QDs reveal high surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance regarding sensitivity as well as the satisfactory SERS reproducibility and stability. The limit of detection of the hybrids for crystal violet can reach 0.5 nM with a reasonable linear response range from 0.5 μM to 0.5 nM (R² ≈ 0.974). Furthermore, the near-infrared SERS detection based on Au NP@MoS₂ QDs in living cells is achieved with distinct Raman signals which are clearly assigned to the various cellular components. Meanwhile, the distinguishable SERS images are acquired from the 4T1 cells with the incubation of Au NP@MoS₂ QDs. Consequently, the straightforward strategy of using Au NP@MoS₂ QDs exhibits great potential as a superior SERS substrate for chemical and biological detection as well as bio-imaging.

Effect of photoperiod on serum hormone concentrations during the annual reproductive cycle in geese

The poor egg-laying rate of geese hinders the development of the goose industry; therefore, the reproductive performance of geese is an important area of investigation. To evaluate the relationship between photoperiod, reproductive hormones, and reproductive activity during the egg-laying cycle in geese under natural conditions, we collected blood samples from Sichuan white geese and Xupu geese to quantify changes in prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). We also calculated the rate of egg laying for the two populations during the egg-laying cycle. We show that the egg-laying rate and the serum concentration of some hormones (PRL, E2, VIP, FSH, GnIH, and LH) differed significantly between the two populations during the pre-laying, laying, and ceased-laying periods. Serum LH concentrations may be associated with maturation of the ovary and oviducts, whereas FSH, PRL, and GnIH play important roles in egg laying. These results provide a useful resource for future studies examining the laying rate in geese.

A millikelvin all-fiber cavity optomechanical apparatus for merging with ultra-cold atoms in a hybrid quantum system

We describe the construction of an apparatus designed to realize a hybrid quantum system comprised of a cryogenically cooled mechanical oscillator and ultra-cold ⁸⁷Rb atoms coupled via light. The outstanding feature of our instrument is an in situ adjustable asymmetric all-fiber membrane-in-the-middle cavity located inside an ultra-high vacuum dilution refrigerator based cryostat. We show that Bose-Einstein condensates of N=2×10⁶ atoms can be produced in less than 20 s and demonstrate a single photon optomechanical coupling strength of g₀=2π×9 kHz employing a high-stress Si₃N₄ membrane with a mechanical quality factor Q_m>10⁷ at a cavity setup temperature of T_MiM = 480 mK.

Effects of feeding conditions on gene expression in chicken breast muscle

Chicken meat quality is becoming increasingly important among breeders and consumers. To understand the effect of feeding conditions on chicken meat quality, we investigated the profiles of genes expressed in chicken breast muscle. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 336, 321, and 387 differentially expressed genes among Chengkou, Daninghe, and Qingjiaoma chickens under scatter- and captivity-feeding conditions. Twenty-two genes differentially expressed between different feeding conditions were shown to be common among the three breeds. Seven of these genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, which confirmed the findings of RNA sequencing and suggested that the results were viable. The differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for a series of significant pathways, including energy metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and the immune system. These results provide a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying chicken meat quality.

Remodeling of the gut microbiota and structural shifts in Preeclampsia patients in South China

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the pregnancy metabolic diseases. Since Gut microbiota play important roles in the hosts' metabolism, it is necessary to investigate the gut microbiota in PE patients, so that some intestinal dysbiosis might be detected as a biomarker for PE early diagnosis or as a target for intervention. One hundred subjects were categorized into four groups: 26 PE patients in late pregnancy, healthy individuals in early, middle, and late pregnancy (26/24/24 women). Gut microbiota were analyzed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rDNA gene using Illuminal MiSeq. Data were analyzed by multivariate statistics. Bacteroidetes was the dominant bacterium (47.57-52.35%) in the pregnant women in South China. Tenericutes increased while Verrucomicrobia almost disappeared in late pregnancy. In the PE patients, there was an overall increase in pathogenic bacteria, Clostridium perfringens (p = 0.03) and Bulleidia moorei (p = 0.00) but a reduction in probiotic bacteria Coprococcus catus (p = 0.03). Our research suggests that there is a significant structural shift of the gut microbiota in PE patients, which might be associated with the occurrence and development of the disease. However, further studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Maternal anti-HBVs suppress the immune response of infants to hepatitis B vaccine

It is still controversial whether maternal anti-HBV antibodies (anti-HBVs) affect the infants' immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. This multicentre study aims to address this question. First, we determined whether the transplacental transfer of maternal anti-HBVs occurs by measuring the titres of 90 anti-HBVs-positive pregnant women and their newborns. The anti-HBVs-positive rates of newborns ranged from 89.7% to 100.0%, depending on the maternal anti-HBVs titres. Secondly, we investigated the effects of maternal anti-HBVs on the immune response of infants to HBV vaccination. A total of 1063 mother-and-infant pairs were enrolled and divided into three groups with maternal anti-HBVs titres of <10 IU/L (negative - 37.9%), 10-499 and ≥500 IU/L. The infants' anti-HBVs-positive rate and titres were negatively correlated with maternal anti-HBVs titres: the anti-HBVs-positive rate of infants were 88.9% (360/405), 84.5% (381/451) and 77.3% (160/207) in mothers with low, intermediate and high antibody titres, respectively, P<.0001. Median titres of anti-HBVs (IU/L) among infants were 169.1, 141.0 and 79.4, respectively, P=.020. One hundred and sixty-two infants were negative for anti-HBVs after the standard vaccination, and 120 of 131 of these infants (91.6%) reached anti-HBVs positivity after the first "booster" dose. The maternal anti-HBVs titres did not significantly affect infant response to this booster. In summary, transplacental transfer of anti-HBVs occurs and high titres of maternal anti-HBVs may suppress the immune response of infants to the standard HBV vaccination. The current schedule of the 0, 1 and 6 month may not be the optimal choice of infants with anti-HBVs-positive mothers.

[The evaluation of binocular visual field and clinical application of glaucoma]

Visual field is an important means of the assessment of visual function. In our daily life, the actual visual function is consist of both eyes. Therefore, the binocular visual field test is significant to understand the real visual function. Currently, the binocular vision assessment methods included Esterman visual test and Integrated visual fields. The IVF includes: binocular summation, best location, best eye and average eye. In this review, the significance of binocular visual field inspection, binocular visual field integration methods and its practical application in daily life and clinical glaucoma research work are summarized. We hope that it can do some favors to clinical and scientific researches of assessment and application of binocular visual field. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 872-875).

A high speed compact microwave interferometer for density fluctuation measurements in Sino-UNIted Spherical Tokamak

A single-channel 3 mm interferometer has been developed for plasma density diagnostics in the Sino-UNIted Spherical Tokamak (SUNIST). The extremely compact microwave interferometer utilizes one corrugated feed horn antenna for both emitting and receiving the microwave. The beam path lies on the equatorial plane so the system would not suffer from beam path deflection problems due to the symmetry of the cross section. A focusing lens group and an oblique vacuum window are carefully designed to boost the signal to noise ratio, which allows this system to show good performance even with the small-diameter central column itself as a reflector, without a concave mirror. The whole system discards the reference leg for maximum compactness, which is particularly suitable for the small-sized tokamak. An auto-correcting algorithm is developed to calculate the phase evolution, and the result displays good phase stability of the whole system. The intermediate frequency is adjustable and can reach its full potential of 2 MHz for best temporal resolution. Multiple measurements during ohmic discharges proved the interferometer's capability to track typical density fluctuations in SUNIST, which enables this system to be utilized in the study of MHD activities.