Selenium spiked in soil promoted zinc accumulation of Chinese cabbage and improved its antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation

Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are necessary mineral nutrients for human body but millions of people have an inadequate intake of them, and eat food enriched with Se and Zn may minimize these problems. Chinese cabbage is an important food in people's daily life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of single Se, Zn and their combination treatment in soil on their accumulation, antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation in roots and leaves of Chinese cabbage using soil pot culture experiment. When 0.5 mg kg^-1 Se +30 mg kg^-1 Zn and 1.0 mg kg^-1 Se +30 mg kg^-1 Zn were spiked in soils, Zn concentrations in roots and leaves of Chinese cabbage were significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 20.2%, 37.8% and 17.9%, 34.1% respectively compared to the treatment of 30 mg kg^-1 Zn added, and the latter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of former, indicating Se significantly promoted Zn accumulation. Almost all physiological indexes including POD, SOD, CAT, APX, GR, Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Carotenoids, MDA and Free proline in the treatments of Se or Zn spiked were significantly improved (p < 0.05) or basically unaffected compared to the control without Se or Zn added. The biomass change trends were similar with these indexes either. These results showed that the addition in soil of Se and Zn significantly increased their accumulation in Chinese cabbage without affected its formal growth. Particularly, the addition of Se promoted Zn accumulation. The conclusions were more important reference for the production practice of cash crop enriched of Se and Zn either.

A new reliable test for crossmatching: microplate hydrogel immunoassay technology

OBJECTIVES

To provide a novel assay to detect incomplete antibodies in the crossmatching test.

BACKGROUND

There is a requirement in China that both major and minor crossmatch tests are required. Among all methods of crossmatching, the tube anti-human globulin test requires tedious washing steps and is time-consuming, whereas the microcolumn gel immunoassay anti-human globulin test is susceptible to sample quality.

METHODS

The process of the microplate hydrogel immunoassay anti-human globulin test involves the use of our patented hydrogel chromatography medium and U-bottom microplates pre-coated with goat anti-human globulin (AHG). A mixture of red blood cells (RBCs) and serum is centrifuged through the hydrogel under precise conditions. In incompatible reactions, the sensitised RBCs are captured by the pre-coated AHG and form a layer over the bottom of the well, whereas in compatible reactions, the unbound RBCs form a button at the bottom of the well. The sensitivity of this new approach and the performance when testing old specimens were evaluated.

RESULTS

This approach was more convenient and slightly more sensitive than the tube anti-human globulin test and was superior to the microcolumn gel immunoassay when testing old specimens.

CONCLUSION

In general, this assay is suitable for the routine clinical use of crossmatching to detect incomplete antibodies.

[The plasma level of amyloid-β is associated with cognitive decline: a two years follow-up study in Xi'an rural areas]

Objective: To explore the relationship between plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) and cognitive decline during 2 year follow-up in a population-based cohort in Xi'an rural areas. Methods: The study was conducted in Qubao village in Xi'an suburbs cognitively normal residents over 40 years old were recruited from October 2014 to March 2015 and given a face-to-face standardized interview. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was employed to evaluate the global cognitive function, and quantification of plasma Aβ was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline. Two years later, MMSE was tested at the end of study. Then logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between baseline Aβ and cognitive change during 2 year follow-up. Results: A total of 1 020 participants completed the study, among whom 223 subjects (21.9%) presented MMSE scores decline (defined as MMSE scores decreased ≥2 points). Compared with those without decline, participants in the MMSE decline group were older (P<0.001) and had lower education level (P<0.001), while gender, hypertension, hyperlipemia, diabetes mellitus and APOE genotype were not significantly different between two groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the MMSE score decline was slighter in the lower tertile of baseline Aβ(1)-40 compared with middle tertile (P=0.012), while MMSE decline were similar between different Aβ(1)-42 level groups and Aβ(1-42)/Aβ(1-40) ratio groups (P=0.758, P=0.671, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that MMSE scores in the lower baseline plasma Aβ(1-40) level declined more slowly (OR=0.565, 95%CI 0.379-0.845, P=0.005). However, the MMSE decline were also similar among different baseline plasma Aβ(1-42) levels groups and Aβ(1-42)/Aβ(1-40) ratio groups. Conclusion: Population with lower level of baseline plasma Aβ(1-40) manifests lower cognitive decline during 2 years, however further investigation on dynamics of plasma Aβ and long term follow up are needed.

Bidens pilosa L. hyperaccumulating Cd with different species in soil and the role of EDTA on the hyperaccumulation

Investigating whether the same hyperaccumulator shows a high accumulation potential for different species of the same heavy metal in the soil has rarely been considered until now. In this experiment, Cd accumulation by a hyperaccumulator Bidens pilosa L. from soils spiked with 3 and 9 mg Cd kg^-1 in the form of Cd(NO₃)₂, CdCl₂, CdBr₂, CdI₂, CdSO₄, CdF₂, Cd(OH)₂, CdCO₃, Cd₃(PO₄)₂, and CdS and effect of soil amendment with EDTA were determined. The results showed that the Cd concentrations in B. pilosa for high-solubility species were basically higher. But the enrichment factors (EFs) (shoot to soil Cd concentration ratio) and translocation factors (TFs) (shoot to root Cd concentration ratio) of low-solubility Cd species were all greater than 1, either indicating that there was a high Cd hyperaccumulative potentials of B. pilosa without considering on Cd species in soil. EDTA significantly improved B. pilosa Cd hyperaccumulation, especially for low-solubility Cd forms in soils. These results can perfectly explain the accumulation properties of one hyperaccumulator to different species of the same heavy metal. Phytoremediation may be applied for a wide scope for different Cd species-contaminated soil. Moreover, the total amount of Cd in soil was important when assessing the risk of Cd-contaminated soils.

[Exploring of a prognostic long non-coding RNA signature of hepatocellular carcinoma by using public database]

Objective: To explore an effective long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature in predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through the analysis on RNA sequencing data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and peritumoral tissues in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Methods: The clinical characteristics and RNA sequencing data of 377 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were obtained from TCGA database by the end of February 2018. Then, differentially expressed lncRNAs between 50 pairs of tumor and peritumoral tissues were explored using student's t-test. Next, a lncRNA signature was established through LASSO Cox regression analysis. All the patients were divided into four groups (<P(25), P(25)-, P(50)-, ≥P(75)) based on the cut-off quartiles signature. Finally, compared with the control group (<P(25)), the hazard ratios (HRs) of three groups (P(25)-, P(50)-, ≥P(75)) were calculated by using Cox regression. The survival outcomes of patients in the four groups were compared to evaluate the capacity of the lncRNA signature model. Results: A total of 951 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between tumor and peritumoral tissues. A three-lncRNA signature, including LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was established to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The outcome suggested that the death risk of the ≥P(75) group was 1.57 times larger than that of the <P(25) group (95%CI: 1.06-2.31, P<0.05). Conclusion: The three-lncRNA signature, which established by LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was significantly associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients based on TCGA database data.

[Different anthropometric indices and incident risk of hypertension in elderly population: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To explore the relationship between anthropometric indices and the incident risk of hypertension, compare novel anthropometric indices with traditional indices in hypertension prediction and establish hypertension prediction models among elderly Chinese. Methods: A total of 27 009 retirees from the Dongfeng Motor Corporation were recruited at baseline in 2008 and the first follow-up was conducted in 2013. After the exclusion of participants less than 60 years old, participants with hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and those with missing data, a total of 6 784 elderly participants were enrolled in this study. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between traditional anthropometric indices, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), novel anthropometric indices, visceral adiposity index (VAI), body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), and the incident risk of hypertension. Meanwhile, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to establish hypertension prediction models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to compare the prediction ability of different models. Results: A total of 1 787 incident cases of hypertension were identified, with the incidence of hypertension about 27.59%. Significant positive associations were detected between BMI, WC, WHtR, VAI, BRI and the incident risk of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders (all P values<0.05). In men, the OR (95%CI) (upper tertile vs lower tertile) was 1.45 (1.22-1.73) for VAI, and 1.86 (1.55-2.23) for BRI. In women, the OR (95% CI) (upper tertile vs lower tertile) was 1.55 (1.22-1.96) for VAI, and 1.60 (1.27-2.01) for BRI. For ABSI, no significant association was observed in either men (OR (95%CI): 1.07 (0.90-1.28)) or women (OR (95%CI): 1.03 (0.82-1.29), both P values >0.05). The basic hypertension prediction model included age, drinking (only in men), education status (only in men), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and fasting blood glucose levels. Based on the basic prediction model, BMI (in men: AUC=0.697) and BRI (only in men: AUC=0.696) improved area under ROC curve (AUC) significantly (P<0.05). BMI was the strongest predictor in both men (AUC=0.697) and women (AUC=0.685) in the extended model. Conclusion: Significant positive associations were detected between BMI, WC, WHtR, VAI, BRI and the incident risk of hypertension among elderly Chinese. BMI was the strongest predictor in hypertension prediction model compared with other anthropometric indices.

Effect and mechanism of commonly used four nitrogen fertilizers and three organic fertilizers on Solanum nigrum L. hyperaccumulating Cd

Solanum nigrum L. is a hyperaccumulator and shows very high phytoremediation potential for Cd-contaminated soil. Fertilizer addition to soil is an effective pathway to improve Cd hyperaccumulation. This article compared the strengthening roles of commonly used four nitrogen fertilizers with three organic fertilizers on S. nigrum hyperaccumulating Cd at the same total nitrogen level. The results showed that Cd concentrations in roots and shoots of S. nigrum were not affected by the addition of inorganic nitrogen like NH₄HCO₃, NH₄Cl, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and CH₄N₂O compared with the control without nitrogen addition. However, Cd concentrations in S. nigrum roots and shoots were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when the organic nitrogen was added in the form of chicken manure, pig manure, and commercial organic fertilizer (by 15.6% and 15.1%, 30.1% and 23.6%, 20.3% and 16.8%, respectively). On the other hand, of all nitrogen treatments, the addition of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CH₄N₂O to the soil enormously increased S. nigrum biomass, i.e., S. nigrum shoot biomass increased 2.0- and 2.1-fold compared with the control. Correspondingly, Cd loads in S. nigrum shoots were also the highest in former two treatments and amounted to 79.91 μg pot^-1 and 80.17 μg pot^-1, respectively. Compared with the control, the addition of three organic fertilizers significantly increased (p < 0.05) pH and decreased (p < 0.05) available Cd concentrations in the soil, which could be the main reasons for their negative effects on S. nigrum accumulating Cd. (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CH₄N₂O significantly increased S. nigrum biomasses and exerted no effects on the available soil Cd concentration, which made them more better fertilizers in practice. In general, the same fertilizer may show different effects on different hyperaccumulators. The selection of fertilizer should be decided in accordance with the specific conditions in the phytoremediation practice of contaminated soil.

Genome-wide identification and comparison of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs in porcine intramuscular, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissues

Many types of RNAs, including messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play crucial roles in regulating fat cell differentiation and tissue development. However, the expression profiles of these RNAs in different adipose tissues are still largely unknown. To shed light on this issue, we performed a transcriptome analysis of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs obtained from intramuscular adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue and mesenteric adipose tissue of Chinese Erhualian pigs. A number of differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs were identified among the four adipose tissues. Tissue-specific analysis indicated that circRNAs exhibited the highest tissue specificity among mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs, whereas intramuscular adipose tissue had the most tissue-specific genes among the four adipose tissues. Gene Ontology analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNAs among groups were involved mainly in lipid metabolism and immune inflammatory response processes. Furthermore, the co-expression network construction of mRNAs-lncRNAs revealed that several important lncRNAs, such as MSTRG.426159 and MSTRG.604206, might associate with lipid metabolic process. Taken together, these data provide a genome-wide resource of mRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs potentially involved in porcine fat metabolism, thus improving understanding of their function in diverse adipose tissues.

Abstract P2-07-03: Refining neoadjuvant predictors of three year distant metastasis free survival: Integrating volume change as measured by MRI with residual cancer burden

Background: Patients achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant therapy have significantly improved event-free survival relative to those who do not; and pCR is an FDA-accepted endpoint to support accelerated approval of novel agents/combinations in the neoadjuvant treatment of high risk early stage breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that recurrence risk increased with increasing burden of residual disease (as assessed by the RCB index). As well, these studies suggest that patients with minimum residual disease (RCB-I class) also have favorable outcomes (comparable to those achieving a pCR) within high risk tumor subtypes. In this study, we assess whether integrating RCB with MRI functional tumor volume (FTV), which in itself is prognostic, can improve prediction of distant recurrence free survival (DRFS); and identify a subset of patients with minimal residual disease with comparable DRFS as those who achieved a pCR. Imaging tools can then be used to identify the subset that will do well early and guide the timing of surgical therapy.

Method: We performed a pooled analysis of 596 patients from the I-SPY2 TRIAL with RCB, pre-surgical MRI FTV data and known follow-up (median 2.5 years). We first assessed whether FTV predicts residual disease (pCR or pCR/RCB-I) using ROC analysis. We applied a power transformation to normalize the pre-surgical FTV distribution; and assessed its association with DRFS using a bi-variate Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for HR/HER2 subtype. We also fitted a bivariate Cox model of RCB index adjusting for subtype; and assessed whether adding pre-surgical FTV to this model further improves association with DRFS using a likelihood ratio (LR) test. For the Cox modeling, penalized splines approximation of the transformed FTV and RCB index with 2 degrees of freedom was used to allow for non-linear effects of FTV and RCB on DRFS.

Result: Pre-surgical MRI FTV is significantly associated with DRFS (Wald p&lt;0.00001), and more effective at predicting pCR/RCB-I than predicting pCR alone (AUC: 0.72 vs. 0.65). Larger pre-surgical FTV remains associated with worse DRFS adjusting for subtype (Wald p &lt;0.00001). The RCB index is also significantly associated with DRFS adjusting for subtype (Wald p&lt;0.00001). Adding FTV to a model containing RCB and subtype further improves association with DRFS (LR p=0.0007). RCB-I patients have excellent DRFS (94% at 3 years compared to 95% in the pCR group). Efforts are underway to identify an optimal threshold for dichotomizing pre-surgical FTV and FTV change measures for use in combination with pCR/RCB-I class to generate integrated RCB (iRCB) groups as a composite predictor of DRFS.

Conclusion: Pre-surgical MRI FTV is effective at predicting minimal residual disease (RCB0/I) in the I-SPY 2 TRIAL. Despite the association between FTV and RCB, FTV appears to provide independent added prognostic value (to RCB and subtype), suggesting that integrating MRI volume measures and RCB into a composite predictor may improve DRFS prediction.

Citation Format: Hylton NM, Symmans WF, Yau C, Li W, Hatzis C, Isaacs C, Albain KS, Chen Y-Y, Krings G, Wei S, Harada S, Datnow B, Fadare O, Klein M, Pambuccian S, Chen B, Adamson K, Sams S, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Magliocco A, Feldman M, Rendi M, Sattar H, Zeck J, Ocal I, Tawfik O, Grasso LeBeau L, Sahoo S, Vinh T, Yang S, Adams A, Chien AJ, Ferero-Torres A, Stringer-Reasor E, Wallace A, Boughey JC, Ellis ED, Elias AD, Lang JE, Lu J, Han HS, Clark AS, Korde L, Nanda R, Northfelt DW, Khan QJ, Viscusi RK, Euhus DM, Edmiston KK, Chui SY, Kemmer K, Wood WC, Park JW, Liu MC, Olopade O, Tripathy D, Moulder SL, Rugo HS, Schwab R, Lo S, Helsten T, Beckwith H, Haugen PK, van't Veer LJ, Perlmutter J, Melisko ME, Wilson A, Peterson G, Asare AL, Buxton MB, Paoloni M, Clennell JL, Hirst GL, Singhrao R, Steeg K, Matthews JB, Sanil A, Berry SM, Abe H, Wolverton D, Crane EP, Ward KA, Nelson M, Niell BL, Oh K, Brandt KR, Bang DH, Ojeda-Fournier H, Eghtedari M, Sheth PA, Bernreuter WK, Umphrey H, Rosen MA, Dogan B, Yang W, Joe B, I-SPY 2 TRIAL Consortium, Yee D, Pusztai L, DeMichele A, Asare SM, Berry DA, Esserman LJ. Refining neoadjuvant predictors of three year distant metastasis free survival: Integrating volume change as measured by MRI with residual cancer burden [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-07-03.

Allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells suppress mTORC1 pathway in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the mechanism of ADSC transplantation.

METHODS

B6.MRL/lpr mice were administered ADSC intravenously every week from age 28 to 31 weeks, while the lupus control group and the normal control received phosphate buffered solution (PBS) on the same schedule.

RESULTS

Compared with the lupus control group, the ADSC treatment group had a significant improvement of histologic abnormalities, serologic abnormalities, and immunologic function. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, spleen/weight ratio, deposits of C3/IgG in the kidney, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly decreased with the transplantation of ADSC. A significant decrease of the Th17/CD4⁺ T cell ratio in the spleen, the serum IL-17 concentration, as well as renal IL-17 expression was observed in the ADSC treatment group. Western blot results also showed that ADSC treatment had a lower expression of protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, and HIF-1α.

CONCLUSION

ADSC treatment can prevent the development of lupus nephritis and significantly ameliorate already-established disease. ADSC treatment reduced Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, HIF-1α, and that this inhibition can avert IL-17-induced inflammation, suggesting that ADSC may be a promising treatment for SLE.

Nutrient use efficiencies, losses, and abatement strategies for peri-urban dairy production systems

Manure management is an important aspect of urban livestock production that has a profound impact on metropolitan living. Data were collected from 28 dairy farms in peri-urban Beijing and analysed to determine farm nitrogen and phosphorus flows and costs associated with various manure management options to reduce nutrient losses. Dairy production in peri-urban Beijing was characterized by its use of high protein diets (16.3-17.0% crude protein), high reliance on imported feeds (92-98%), and low manure recycling (3.0-10.8%). Farms of 900-2000 cattle showed lower use efficiencies than farms of <900 cattle. Costs of manure handling ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 Yuan kg^-1 milk. Among various manure treatment options, biogas digesters with aerobic lagoons had the lowest N losses and costs, justifying their investments. In conclusion, peri-urban dairy production systems were contrasting with traditional systems and within their own systems in nutrient use efficiency and losses, which was mainly decided by their farm size. To improve the nutrient use efficiencies and reduce losses, farmers and managers of peri-urban dairy production system should have a full awareness of different feed intake and manure management.

Ornamental hyperaccumulator Mirabilis jalapa L. phytoremediating combine contaminated soil enhanced by some chelators and surfactants

Mirabilis jalapa L. is an ornamental plant of the composite family, which was found hyperaccumulating Cd. Due to its larger biomass, developed root system, root exudation, and microbial interactions, certain organic pollutants in its rhizosphere can be effectively degraded. Thus, M. jalapacan be used to co-remediate heavy metal and organic pollutant co-contaminated soil. The aim of this paper is to explore the remediation capacity of M. jalapa for Cd-PAHs co-contaminated soil in the presence of five chelators or surfactants. The concentrations of Cd and PAHs in collected soil samples were 0.85 mg kg^-1 Cd and 1.138 mg kg^-1 PAHs (16 kinds of priority control polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by USEPA). The chelators or surfactants of EDTA, EGTA, CA, TW80, and SA were respectively spiked to the pots according to the experiment design at 1 month before the plant harvested. The results showed that the capacity of Cd in shoot of M. jalapa was 7.99 μg pot^-1 without any addition (CK4, M. jalapa in original soil without amendment). However, Cd capacity in shoot of M. jalapa was increased (p < 0.05) by 31.7%, 181.7%, and 107.4% in treatment of R_EGTA, R_CA and R_{EGTA + SA}, respectively. As for the degradation of PAHs in soil, there was no significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the treatment of CK2 (original soil spiked with 0.9 SA without M. jalapa), CK3 (original soil spiked with 0.3 TW80 without M. jalapa), and CK4 compared to the control CK1 (original soil without M. jalapa and amendment). When amendments were added to soils with M. jalapa,the PAHs concentrations in soils significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by 21.7%, 23.8%, 27.0%, 19.8%, 21.8%, 31.2%, and 25.5% for the treatment of R_{EDTA + SA}, R_{EDTA + T80}, R_{EGTA + SA}, R_{EGTA + T80}, R_{CA + T80}, R_{SA + T80 + EDTA}, and R_{SA + T80 + CA}, respectively. Basically, Cd capacity in shoot of M. jalapa was improved by chelators. PAHs degradation was caused by the existence of surfactants in rhizosphere of M. jalapa. But the roles of different chelators or surfactants were quite distinct. In short, the Cd capacity in the shoot and PAHs degradation in the rhizosphere of M. jalapa in the treatment of R_{EGTA + SA} were all significantly increased (p < 0.05), which was more practical for M. jalapa phytoremediating Cd-PAHs co-contaminated soil.

[Evaluation of maxillary three-dimensional changes in maxillary protraction with alternating rapid palatal expansion and constriction based on the cone-beam computed tomography]

OBJECTIVE

To use the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) changes of maxillary landmarks in the maxillary protraction with alternating rapid palatal expansion and constriction and with rapid palatal expansion, and to provide some clinical suggestions for the early treatment of Class III malocclusion.

METHODS

A total of 36 maxillary retrusive patients were included and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (alternating rapid palatal expansion and constriction group, RPE/C) or the control group (rapid palatal expansion group, RPE). Randomization was accomplished with permuted block randomization based on participation sequence. The patients in the RPE/C were treated for 10 weeks (0.5 mm/d) with the repetition of two-week palatal expansion and two-week palatal constriction. The patients in the RPE were taught to complete rapid palatal expansion for 2 weeks (0.5 mm/d ). The patients were instructed to come to the office for the follow-up to ensure the correct procedures. Damaged expanders were repaired (or replaced) and rebanded quickly. Sequential CBCT images including pretreatment (T1), post-expansion (T2) and post-protraction (T3) were required for 3D reconstruction, establishment of landmarks, measurement and analysis by Mimics 10.01.

RESULTS

There was significant forward movement of subspinale (A) in the RPE/C after the treatment with (3.06±1.29) mm, compared with RPE (2.16±1.27) mm, P<0.05. There were more symmetrical changes of the landmarks in the RPE/C and there was no statistic significance of the entire treatment time between the two groups. Moreover, the maxillary skeletal landmarks had the following 3D changes of a forward and downward movement during the expansion stages T2-T1, a forward and upward movement during the protraction stages T3-T2 and a forward and downward movement during the total treatments T3-T1 compared with the control group. And the width between the bilateral landmarks increased during the expansion stages T2-T1, narrowed down during the protraction stages T3-T2 and increased during the total treatments T3-T1.

CONCLUSION

The maxillary protraction with alternating rapid palatal expansion and constriction provided clinical benefits on maxillary advancement and symmetrical changes in the orthopedic treatment of the patients with maxillary retrognathism and it required further study on the orthodontic analysis and measurements of CBCT.

Enhanced phytoremediation of cadmium and/or benzo(a)pyrene contaminated soil by hyperaccumlator Solanum nigrum L

The role of same amendment on phytoremediating different level contaminated soils is seldom known. Soil pot culture experiment was used to compare the strengthening roles of cysteine (CY), EDTA, salicylic acid (Sa), and Tween 80 (TW) on hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. phytoremediating higher level of single cadmium (Cd) or Benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) and their co-contaminated soils. Results showed that the Cd capacities (ug pot^-1) in shoots of S. nigrum in the combined treatment T_{0.1EDTA+0.9CY} were the highest for the 5 and 15 mg kg^-1 Cd contaminated soils. When S. nigrum remediating co-contaminated soils with higher levels of Cd and BAP, that is, 5 mg kg^-1 Cd + 1 mg kg^-1 BAP and 15 mg kg^-1 Cd + 2 mg kg^-1 BAP, the treatment T_{0.9CY+0.9Sa+0.3TW} showed the best enhancing remediation role. This results were different with co-contaminated soil with 0.771 mg kg^-1 Cd + 0.024 mg kg^-1 BAP. These results may tell us that the combine used of CY, SA, and TW were more useful for the contaminated soils with higher level of Cd and/or BAP. In the combined treatments of Sa+TW, CY was better than EDTA.

Establishment of a new fish cell line from the caudal fin of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus and its susceptibility to iridovirus

A new cell line derived from the caudal fin of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (TOCF) was successfully established and characterized. TOCF cells grew well at 28° C in L-15 medium supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS). The cell line has been subcultured in more than 100 passages. Molecular characterization of 18S ribosomal (r)RNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) confirmed that the TOCF cells were derived indeed from T. ovatus. TOCF cells have a modal chromosome number of 54. It was further showed that TOCF cells were transfected successfully with pEGFP-N3 and pDsRED-N1 plasmid, suggesting that TOCF cells could be used to research gene functions in vitro. Viral susceptibility tests showed that TOCF cells were susceptible to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), observed by the occurrence of the cytopathic effect (CPE) with the formation of inclusion bodies. In addition, the expression of major capsid protein (MCP) gene of SGIV changed during virus infection in TOCF cells. Thus, our present results described the characteristic of a TOCF cell line that could be a valuable tool for genetic manipulation, as well as isolation and propagation of iridovirus studies.

Highly sensitive flexible three-axis tactile sensors based on the interface contact resistance of microstructured graphene

The lack of high-performance tactile sensors, especially for pressure/force, is a huge obstacle for the widespread application of intelligent robots. Current pressure sensors are often operated in the high range of pressure and normal direction, showing a little ability in the low range of pressure and three-axis direction simultaneously. Herein, a highly sensitive flexible tactile sensor with three-axis force sensing capacity is presented by combining microstructured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) arrays and a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) film. The deformation of microstructured rGO/PDMS results in a change in the contact area between the rGO film and electrode, leading to a high sensitivity of -1.71 kPa-1 in the low range pressure of 0-225 Pa with a fast response time of 6 ms at a large feature size of 100 μm. To realize three-axis sensing, a sensing unit was built up, which was composed of the adjacent four parts of patterns and electrodes underneath a bump. A mechanical model of the exerted spatial force was established to calculate each axis force component via the deformation of the rGO/PDMS pattern. The experimental results show that the current difference between the adjacent two parts has a strong relationship with the applied force. As a proof of concept, we have demonstrated a 3 × 3 array sensor for arbitrary force sensing. Our tactile sensor would be used in transmitting information from a gentle spatial force and would exhibit broad applications as e-skin in integrated robots.

Inverse association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and type 2 diabetes mellitus among a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Plasma homocysteine concentrations have been reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with controversial findings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and T2DM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A cross-sectional study including 19,085 eligible participants derived from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort was conducted. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by Abbott Architect i2000 Automatic analyzer and T2DM was defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and T2DM. The prevalence of T2DM was 19.0% in the whole population (mean age 62.9 years), 21.8% in males, and 17.1% in females. In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, compared with those in the lowest quintile, the OR (95% CI) of T2DM was 1.05 (0.92-1.21), 0.99 (0.86-1.14), 0.90 (0.78-1.05), and 0.77 (0.66-0.90) for quintile 2 to quintile 5 of homocysteine concentrations after adjustment for potential confounders (P for trend < 0.0001). Homocysteine concentrations were associated with decreased T2DM prevalence risk (OR = 0.88 per SD increase of homocysteine concentration; 95% CI: 0.84-0.93). A significant interaction between homocysteine concentrations and drinking status on T2DM prevalence risk was observed (P for interaction = 0.03). The inverse association of plasma homocysteine concentrations with T2DM prevalence risk was observed in non-drinkers but not in current drinkers.

CONCLUSION

Plasma homocysteine concentrations were inversely correlated with T2DM among a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Associations between daily cooking duration and the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population: A cross-sectional study

Experimental and epidemiological studies indicated that ambient air pollution was positively associated with diabetes. Few studies investigated the associations between household air pollution, for example, daily cooking duration and diabetes or prediabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations of daily cooking duration with the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among a middle-aged and elderly population. A total of 26 089 individuals (11 250 males and 14 839 females) derived from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort study were included. Daily cooking duration was assessed by questionnaire. Diabetes and prediabetes were identified according to the criterion of American Diabetes Association. No significant association was observed between daily cooking duration and the prevalence risk of diabetes (odds ratio[OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval[CI]: [0.81-1.16], P for trend = .74); however, longer daily cooking duration was associated with higher prevalence risk of prediabetes (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07-1.47; P for trend = .003) and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.41; P for trend = .005). Our study suggested that daily cooking duration was not associated with diabetes but with higher prevalence risk of prediabetes/hyperglycemia in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.