Rap1 is indispensable for TRF2 function in etoposide-induced DNA damage response in gastric cancer cell line

The telomeric protein TRF2, involving in telomeric and extratelomeric DNA damage response, has been previously reported to facilitate multidrug resistance (MDR) in gastric cancer cells by interfering ATM-dependent DNA damage response induced by anticancer drugs. Rap1 is the TRF2-interacting protein in the shelterin complex. Complex formation between Rap1 and TRF2 is essential for their function in telomere and end protection. Here we focus on the effects of Rap1 on TRF2 function in DNA damage response induced by anticancer drugs. Both Rap1 and TRF2 expression were upregulated in SGC7901 and its MDR variant SGC7901/VCR after etoposide treatment, which was more marked in SGC7901/VCR than in SGC7901. Rap1 silencing by siRNA in SGC7901/VCR partially reversed the etoposide resistance. And Rap1 silencing partially reversed the TRF2-mediated resistance to etoposide in SGC7901. Rap1 silencing did not affect the TRF2 upregulation induced by etoposide, but eliminated the inhibition effect of TRF2 on ATM expression and ATM phosphorylation at serine 1981 (ATM pS1981). Furthermore, phosphorylation of ATM targets, including γH2AX and serine 15 (S15) on p53, were increased in Rap1 silencing cells in response to etoposide. Thus, we confirm that Rap1, interacting with TRF2 in the shelterin complex, also has an important role in TRF2-mediated DNA damage response in gastric cancer cells treated by etoposide.

Functional inactivation of hypocretin 1 receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex affects the pyramidal neuron activity and gamma oscillations: An in vivo multiple-channel single-unit recording study

The hypocretin signaling is thought to play a critical role in maintaining wakefulness via stimulating the subcortical arousal pathways. Although the cortical areas, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), receive dense hypocretinergic fibers and express its receptors, it remains unclear whether the hypocretins can directly regulate the neural activity of the mPFC in vivo. In the present study, using multiple-channel single-unit recording study, we found that infusion of the SB-334867, a blocker for the Hcrtr1, beside the recording sites within the mPFC substantially exerted an inhibitory effect on the putative pyramidal neuron (PPN) activity in naturally behaving rats. In addition, functional blockade of the Hcrtr1 also selectively reduced the power of the gamma oscillations. The PPN activity and the power of the neural oscillations were not affected after microinjection of the TCS-OX2-29, a blocker for the Hcrtr2, within the mPFC. Together, these data indicate that endogenous hypocretins acting on the Hcrtr1 are required for the normal neural activity in the mPFC in vivo, and thus might directly contribute cortical arousal and mPFC-dependent cognitive processes.

Increased human epididymis protein 4 in benign gynecological diseases complicated with chronic renal insufficiency patients

We examined the serum concentration of human epididymis protein (HE4) in patients with benign gynecological diseases complicated with chronic renal deficiency and its significance in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant gynecological diseases. Serum HE4 and cancer antigen 125 concentrations were detected by chemiluminescence. Clinically or pathologically confirmed gynecological diseases were grouped and retrospectively analyzed, including 50 cases of gynecological benign diseases, 35 cases of non-mucinous epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 36 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma, 15 cases of gynecological benign diseases patients complicated with chronic renal deficiency, 15 cases of gynecological diseases without chronic renal deficiency, and 30 normal controls. Serum HE4 values in the ovarian cancer group, endometrial cancer group, gynecological benign diseases with chronic renal deficiency group, and chronic renal deficiency group were significantly increased compared with the benign gynecological diseases and normal control groups, showing a significant difference (P < 0.001). A comparison of 4 groups with high HE4 showed that the HE4 level in the 2 groups with renal deficiency were higher than those in the ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer groups, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05); there was no significant difference between 2 groups with renal deficiency (P > 0.05). Serum concentration of HE4 was high in patients with chronic renal deficiency, which should be distinguished during differential diagnosis of gynecological benign and malignant tumors in patients with chronic renal deficiency to avoid misdiagnosis.

Integrating clinical indexes into four-diagnostic information contributes to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment has been commonly used to treat Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in Asian countries based on TCM syndrome diagnosis, also called "ZHENG". The syndrome is identified through the four-diagnostic methods, with certain degree of subjectivity and ambiguity from individual doctors. Normally those CHB patients also receive series of parameters from modern clinical examination, while they are routinely believed to be unrelated with the TCM syndrome diagnosis. In this study, we investigated whether these biomedical indexes in modern medicine could be beneficial to TCM syndrome diagnostics in an integrative way. Based on 634 patient samples from health controls and three subtypes of CHB syndromes, a two-view based hierarchical classification model was tested for TCM syndromes prediction based on totally 222 parameters integrated from both TCM practice and modern clinical tests. The results indicated that the performance of syndrome classification based on a proper integration of TCM and modern clinical indexes was significantly higher than those based on one view of parameters only. Furthermore, those indexes correlated with CHB syndrome diagnosis were successfully identified for CM indexes and biochemical indexes respectively, where potential associations between them were hinted to the MAPK signaling pathway.

Differences between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm identified by comparative proteomics

This study was undertaken to investigate differences in protein expression between high- and low-motility sperm of swamp buffalo. The research used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) to analyse the different proteins. The results showed 18 different expression protein spots between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm; eight of these proteins were up-regulated in low-motility sperm, five were down-regulated, one deleted and four proteins specifically expressed. Finally, four proteins were successfully identified by MS as belonging to three unique proteins; they are outer dense fibre of sperm tails protein 2 (ODF2), ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5A1) and succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit beta (SUCLG2). In summary, these results help to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with low-motility sperm and provide clues for finding molecular markers associated with sperm motility.

Suppression of the nuclear transporter-KPNβ1 expression inhibits tumor proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignant tumors and leads to the highly death in the solid tumors, but its mechanism remains unclear. KPNβ1 is one of the soluble nuclear transport receptors, has been reported to act as an important role in the occurrence and development of tumor, such as cervical cancer, head and neck and lung cancer. However, the expression mechanisms and physiological significance of KPNβ1 in HCC is still unclear.

AIM

The expression of KPNβ1 and its involvement in HCC was studied.

METHODS

The expression of KPNβ1 protein was measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in HCC. We analyzed the effects of growth and interference of KPNβ1 in the cell cycle process by CCK8 and flow cytometrical analysis.

RESULTS

KPNβ1 protein level was up-regulated in HCC tissue samples. The KPNβ1 expression was significantly associated with histological differentiation. The levels of KPNβ1 were significantly correlated with histological grade (P = 0.03), metastasis (P = 0.01), vein invasion (P = 0.04) and tumor size (P = 0.01) in HCC samples. Serum starvation assay proved that KPNβ1 was arrested in G1 phase and was gradually reduced by refeeding serum. Moreover, the knockdown of KPNβ1 induced cell proliferation arrest in HepG2 cell. Western blot analyses showed that KPNβ1 was correlated with NF-кB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our datum showed that KPNβ1 expression was up-regulated in HCC tissue samples and increasing HCC cells growth and the KPNβ1 expression was associated with poor survival. KPNβ1 may take part in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma via NF-кB signaling pathway and serve as an independent prognostic indicator and a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5)  pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6)  MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2)  MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.

Association of the IRF5 SNP rs2004640 with systemic sclerosis in Han Chinese

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease involving multiple genetic factors. An association of the IRF5 polymorphism with SSc was reported in Caucasian populations of Europe and North America, as well as in Japanese populations. The present study aimed to examine whether the SSc-associated SNP rs2004640 of IRF5 gene confer susceptibility to SSc and clinical features of SSc in a Han Chinese population. A Han Chinese cohort consisting of 424 SSc patients and 502 healthy controls were examined in the study. TaqMan assays were carried out to examine the SNP. Exact p-values were obtained (Fisher’s test) from 2x2 tables of allele counts and disease status. SSc patients of Han Chinese showed increased homozygous TT genotype of the rs2004640 (p = 0.027, odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, CI =1.03-1.93), which was significantly associated with pulmonary fibrosis of SSc and ATA-positive SSc of Han Chinese. The lcSSc and ACA-positive SSc of Han Chinese appeared also in association with the increased T allele frequency. However, the Chinese dcSSc did not show any association with the rs2004640. The results were consistent with previous reports in other ethnic populations in supporting the notion that polymorphisms of IRF5 may play an important role in susceptibility to SSc.

A retrospective study of peanut and tree nut allergy: Sensitization and correlations with clinical manifestations

Peanut (PN) and tree nut (TN) allergies are among the leading causes of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis and are increasing in prevalence, especially in children. Their cosensitization and concurrent clinical allergy have been understudied. This retrospective study investigated the correlation between PN and TN allergy, both in terms of in vitro sensitization (IVS) and clinical allergic manifestations. We conducted a retrospective medical record review at the Allergy Clinic at University Hospital of Brooklyn. Fourteen hundred six charts were reviewed, of which 76 (5.4%) had documented relevant clinical allergy: PN allergy but not TN allergy (n = 29) or TN allergy but not PN allergy (n = 11) or both (n = 30). Six patients with PN allergy but no TN exposure history were not included in the analysis. The majority of patients (67/76, 88.1%) had a concurrent history of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, or AD. Sensitivity of TN IVS predicting PN IVS was 38/39 (97%). Similarly, sensitivity of PN IVS predicting TN IVS was 38/42 (91%). Sensitivity of TN clinical allergy predicting PN allergy was 30/59 (51%). Sensitivity of PN clinical allergy predicting TN allergy was 30/41 (73%). The total number of organ systems involved in reported clinical reactions correlated with IVS to TN (p = 0.004) but not IVS to PN (p = 0.983). In summary, we found PN sensitization predicts TN sensitization in vitro, with lower predictability for clinical reactions.

Retrospective analysis of pathologic nipple discharge

The cause of pathologic nipple discharge is mainly benign lesions, but there is still a possibility of malignancy. Pathologic nipple discharge may be the only or the first symptom of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinical factors associated with lesions in patients with pathologic nipple discharge using a retrospective analysis of clinical data in 207 cases. The univariate analysis showed that age >50 years, breast lumps, or breast calcifications were risk factors associated with breast cancer in nipple discharge patients (P < 0.05). Discharge characteristics, duration of disease, and identification of lesions had no clear clinical significance (P > 0.05). The multivariate analysis also showed that age >50 years, breast lumps, and breast calcifications were risk factors associated with breast cancer in nipple discharge patients (P < 0.05). Age, breast lumps, and breast calcifications had important clinical significance in identification of benign and malignant nipple discharge.

Diversity of platelet function and genetic polymorphism in clopidogrel-treated Chinese patients

We investigated the correlation between genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzyme genes and the outcome of clopidogrel treatment in 118 coronary disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into an ischemia event relapse group (IERG) and a non-IERG group (NIERG) based on relapse of ischemia events within 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention. Ischemia occurred in 26.27% of patients. Thromboelastogram platelet mapping results showed that compared with the NIERG, the ADP-induced platelet inhibition ratio in the IERG was significantly lower (31.33 ± 24.91% vs 54.68 ± 26.63%, P < 0.05). The platelet inhibition ratio of patients carrying mutant alleles CYP3A5*3 (41.98 ± 29.33% vs 52.89 ± 26.49%), CYP2C19*2 (43.15 ± 27.97% vs 55.89 ± 26.71%), and P2Y12*1 (38.74 ± 24.36% vs 52.19 ± 28.58%) was lower than patients with the wild-type alleles. The frequency of ischemia event relapse in patients with the mutant alleles CYP3A5*3 and CYP2C19*2 was significantly higher than patients carrying the G/G genotype; however, there was no significant difference between patients carrying the T/T genotype and C allele of P2Y12*1. Thus, coexisting polymorphisms of CYP3A5*3 and 2C19*2, but not P2Y12*1, play an important role in the variability of clopidogrel's curative effect.

Association of PS1 1/2, ACE I/D, and LRP C/T polymorphisms with Alzheimer's disease in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

The objective of this study was to assess the associations of presenilin 1 (PS1) 1/2, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) C/T polymorphisms with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Chinese population. PS1 1/2, ACE I/D, and LRP C/T, which are commonly investigated polymorphisms, were evaluated to obtain summary estimates regarding their associations with AD. In total, the data from 24 studies (2611 patients with AD and 2822 control subjects from 23 provinces and special districts in China) that were obtained from the Chinese Biomedicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, and Medline were included. Different models (i.e., dominant, recessive, etc.) of these polymorphisms were analyzed using the Cochrane Review Manager. Statistically significant associations among patients with AD for the 1/1 genotype of the PS1 1/2 polymorphism [odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-3.04; P = 0.04] and the I/I genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism (OR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.78-3.35; P < 0.01) were identified. Statistically significant associations were also found for the PS1 1/2 polymorphism in both the dominant and recessive genetic models, whereas no association was found for the LRP C/T polymorphism. All studies exhibited heterogeneity (P < 0.05). This meta-analysis suggests that the 1/1 genotype of the PS1 1/2 polymorphism and the I/I genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism are significantly associated with an increased risk of AD in the Chinese population.

Comparative evaluation of 2.0 mm locking plate system vs 2.0 mm non-locking plate system for mandibular angle fracture fixation: a prospective randomized study

OBJECTIVE

This prospective randomized study evaluated the efficacy of a 2.0 mm locking plate/screw system compared with a 2.0-mm nonlocking plate/screw system in fixation of 60 isolated non-comminuted mandibular angle fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive a 2.0 mm locking plate (group A, n = 30) or 2.0 mm non-locking plate (group B, n = 30). All patients were followed up to 6 months postoperatively and evaluated for complications, occlusal stability and overall results of fixation.

RESULTS

Five complications occurred in the locking group and fourteen in the non-locking group with complication rates equalling 17% and 47% respectively. When comparing the overall results according to plates used, the χ² test showed a statistically significant difference between the locking and non-locking plates (p < 0.01). Fewer patients required IMF in group A.

CONCLUSIONS

Mandibular angle fractures treated with 2.0 mm locking plates show greater stability and were associated with fewer complications than with 2.0 mm non-locking plates.

First Report of Botrytis pseudocinerea Causing Gray Mold on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Central China

A tomato field in Qianjiang County, Hubei Province, China, was surveyed for gray mold in April 2013. Diseased leaves with V-shaped lesions along the margin and masses of grayish hyphae and conidia on the surface were collected from different plants. Eight Botrytis isolates were obtained from eight symptomatic leaves by plating the conidia from each leaf onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). A representative isolate (No. 116) was compared to two reference isolates, B. cinerea B05.10 (from Z. H. Ma, Zhejiang University, China) and B. pseudocinerea 10091 (from A. S. Walker, INRA, France) for morpho-cultural and molecular features. On PDA at 20°C, isolate 116 grew 13.8 mm/day (n = 9), which was similar to those of isolates 10091 (13.7 mm/day), and B05.10 (14.6 mm/day). The isolates all formed black sclerotia of similar shape and size (2 to 13 × 1 to 7 mm). To induce conidia production, the isolates each were inoculated onto tomato fruit (cv. Hezuo 903, Jiangsu Seed Co., China) using colonized agar plugs (each 6 mm in diameter), with four plugs per fruit and four fruits tested per isolate. After incubation of the fruit for 10 days (20°C), abundant conidia were produced on the fruit surface. The conidial size of isolate 116 (6.8 to 14.3 × 6.1 to 10.2 μm) was similar to that of isolates 10091 (7.7 to 12.2 × 7.0 to 9.8 μm) and B05.10 (7.0 to 14 × 6.6 to 10.5 μm). The three isolates were indistinguishable morphologically. The sequences of each of four nuclear genes (Bc-hch, G3PDH, HSP60, and MS547) and the microsatellite Bc6 locus (1,4) were determined and analyzed for each isolate. DNA was extracted from mycelium of each isolate and used as a template to amplify each gene by PCR using specific primers (1,2,4). Bc-hch-RFLP genotyping of the 1,171-bp amplicon (2,4) showed that isolates 116 and 10091 had a 601-bp DNA product, whereas B05.10 had a 517-bp product. The G3PDH, HSP60, and MS547 sequences of isolate 116 (GenBank Accession Nos. KJ534270, KJ534271, and KJ534273, respectively) and those of B. aclada, B. calthae, B. cinerea, B. pseudocinerea, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (3) were used for phylogenetic analysis. Isolate 116 and eight B. pseudocinerea isolates formed a subclade with 100% bootstrap support. Furthermore, two DNA markers, 86 bp for isolates 116 and 10091 vs. 170 bp for B05.10 were identified at the Bc6 locus. These results suggest that isolate 116 belongs to B. pseudocinerea (1,4). Pathogenicity of each isolate was tested by inoculation of each of five newly expanded tomato leaves on a 50-day-old plant (cv. Hezuo 903, Jiangsu Seed Co) with a 20-μl droplet of a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁵ conidia/ml), using a pipette. Five noninoculated control leaves were treated similarly with water. The plants were all maintained at 20°C and 100% RH for 72 h, and lesion diameter was then measured. While control leaves remained asymptomatic, leaves inoculated with isolates 116, 10091, and B05.10 developed necrotic lesions averaging 19 to 20 mm in diameter. A fungus re-isolated from the lesions on isolate-116-inoculated leaves formed colonies with morphology identical to that of the original isolate 116. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. pseudocinerea on tomato in China. The remaining seven isolates were identified as B. cinerea based on Bc-hch-RFLP genotyping (data not shown), suggesting that B. pseudocinerea may infect tomato plants at a low frequency in this region of China. References: (1) E. Fournier et al. Mol. Ecol. Notes 2:253, 2002. (2) E. Fournier et al. Mycologia 95:251, 2003. (3) P. R. Johnston et al. Plant Pathol. 63:888, 2014. (4) A. S. Walker et al. Phytopathology 101:1433, 2011.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus and the correlation of HPV infection with cervical disease in Weihai, China

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection rate in female genital tracts, as well as the HPV genotype distribution and HPV correlation with cervical disease in Weihai, Shandong Province, China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A random sample of 9,460 volunteers was simultaneously screened using gene chips and examined by ThinPrep liquid-based cytology test (TCT). Cervical biopsy samples were collected from women with positive HPV-DNA and abnormal TCT for pathological diagnosis.

RESULTS

The overall HPV prevalence was 6.93% (656 of 9,460). A total of 753 subjects were infected with HPV subtypes (including multiple HPV infections). Of those with infections, 688 were infected with high-risk (HR) types (91.37%), and 65 were infected with low-risk subtypes (8.63%). The single-infection rate was 63.1%.The prevalence rates of HPV in women aged 20 to 39 years and 40 to 59 years were 7.29% and 6.71%, respectively. The most common genotype was HPV16. The HR genotypes were associated with cervical diseases such as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) (37.9%), atypical squamous cells high grade (ASC-H) (42.5%), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (50%), and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion HSIL (66.7%). Cervical biopsy results show that the HPV detection rate increased in the following biopsy samples: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (74.11%), CIN II (84.31%), CIN III (90.32%), and squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) (100%).

CONCLUSIONS

The HPV infection rate with associated cervical disease in Weihai is equal to those in foreign countries but is lower than the average rate in China. The prevalence of HPV was higher in young people. The most common HPV genotype was 16, followed by 52 and 58. HR HPV is the most probable infection factor for cervical diseases.

Light-driven hydrogen evolution with a nickel thiosemicarbazone redox catalyst featuring Ni⋯H interactions under basic conditions

New metal thiosemicarbazone complexes containing phosphine donors were achieved as catalysts for light driven H₂ evolution in a homogeneous environment.

Construction and measuring combination of KDR-targeted ultrasound contrast agent in vitro for evaluating endometrial receptivity

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the preparation of a new kind of targeted lipid ultrasound contrast agent with anti-KDR antibody based on biotin-avidin bridge (MB-BAB-KDR) which could combine specifically with KDR that increases during the time of embryo implantation. Then its binding capability in vitro was evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The agitation of high-speed method was employed to prepare biotin-microbubbles (MB-B), and biotin-avidin mediated technique was used to produce MB-BAB-KDR. MB-BAB-KDR, MB-B, and biotin-microbubbles-KDR (MB-B-KDR) were incubated with fluorescein-conjugated affiniPure goat anti-rat IgG (H+L) to assess the linked condition. Second, MB-BAB-KDR and control groups (MB-B and MB-B-KDR) were incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). Rosette formation rate was observed and calculated. Then, the parallel plate flow chamber technology was used to access attachment efficiency to KDR Fc.

RESULTS

The surface of bubbles could carry KDR antibody through "biotin-avidin" bridge. After incubated with second antibody, bright green fluorescence (II grade) could be observed in MB-BAB-KDR group, as compared with weak fluorescence in control groups of MB-B (0 grade) and MB-B-KDR (I grade). The surrounding rosette formation rate on HUVEC was 89.86% in MB-BAB-KDR group and that of control groups were 7.13% (MB-B-KDR) and 3.02% (MB-B) (p < 0.05). The number of MB-BAB-KDR bound to KDR Fc increased as the KDR Fc density increased (p < 0.05). Under the same concentration, the MB-BAB-KDR bound to KDR Fc increased as time extended.

CONCLUSION

The successful preparation of MB-BAB-KDR with anti-KDR antibody which shows specially targeting binding capability with HUVEC and stability in shear stress may be served as a noninvasive detection of endometrial vascular KDR expression and provide an experimental foundation for evaluating endometrial receptivity in vivo.

A new method to prevent degradation of lithium–oxygen batteries: reduction of superoxide by viologen

The catalysis of the reduction of oxygen by ethyl viologen overcomes some of the greatest problems of the lithium–oxygen battery.

Emotional face recognition deficit in amnestic patients with mild cognitive impairment: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been conceptualized as a transitional stage between healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, understanding emotional face recognition deficit in patients with amnestic MCI could be useful in determining progression of amnestic MCI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of emotional face processing in amnestic MCI by using event-related potentials (ERPs). Patients with amnestic MCI and healthy controls performed a face recognition task, giving old/new responses to previously studied and novel faces with different emotional messages as the stimulus material. Using the learning-recognition paradigm, the experiments were divided into two steps, ie, a learning phase and a test phase. ERPs were analyzed on electroencephalographic recordings. The behavior data indicated high emotion classification accuracy for patients with amnestic MCI and for healthy controls. The mean percentage of correct classifications was 81.19% for patients with amnestic MCI and 96.46% for controls. Our ERP data suggest that patients with amnestic MCI were still be able to undertake personalizing processing for negative faces, but not for neutral or positive faces, in the early frontal processing stage. In the early time window, no differences in frontal old/new effect were found between patients with amnestic MCI and normal controls. However, in the late time window, the three types of stimuli did not elicit any old/new parietal effects in patients with amnestic MCI, suggesting their recollection was impaired. This impairment may be closely associated with amnestic MCI disease. We conclude from our data that face recognition processing and emotional memory is impaired in patients with amnestic MCI. Such damage mainly occurred in the early coding stages. In addition, we found that patients with amnestic MCI had difficulty in post-processing of positive and neutral facial emotions.

Ultrasonography versus laparoscopy in transcervical resection of septa: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of ultrasonography with laparoscopy on transcervical resection of septa (TCRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 126 patients with uterine septum at the present hospital between January 2010 and August 2012 that were randomly divided into two groups. Seventy patients had TCRS monitored by ultrasound (ultrasound group) while 56 patients were monitored by laparoscope (laparoscope group). Both groups were followed up for six to 24 months. The intraoperative status, short-term and long-term complications after operation, and pregnancy outcome of two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The operations of both groups were successfully completed. The operating time, the first time to get out of bed, postoperative 24hNRS (numeric rating scale) values, postoperative hospital stay, and the incidence of postoperative septum residue of ultrasound group were significantly less than laparoscope group (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in intraoperative complications and pregnancy ratio between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Both ultrasound and laparoscope monitored TCRS were safe and effective in the treatment of uterine septum. Ultrasound monitored TCRS was more simple, economical, accurate, and non-invasive. For patients without abnormal lesions in pelvic cavity, the present authors tend to choose the ultrasound monitored TCRS.