Numerical method based on transfer function for eliminating water vapor noise from terahertz spectra

Water vapor noise in the air affects the accuracy of optical parameters extracted from terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy. In this paper, a numerical method was proposed to eliminate water vapor noise from the THz spectra. According to the Van Vleck-Weisskopf function and the linear absorption spectrum of water molecules in the HITRAN database, we simulated the water vapor absorption spectrum and real refractive index spectrum with a particular line width. The continuum effect of water vapor molecules was also considered. Theoretical transfer function of a different humidity was constructed through the theoretical calculation of the water vapor absorption coefficient and the real refractive index. The THz signal of the Lacidipine sample containing water vapor background noise in the continuous frequency domain of 0.5-1.8 THz was denoised by use of the method. The results show that the optical parameters extracted from the denoised signal are closer to the optical parameters in the dry nitrogen environment.

Carbon nanotube entangled Mn3O4 octahedron as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

A nanocomposite of Mn₃O₄ octahedrons entangled by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method assisted with a non-ionic surfactant. The integration of octahedral structure and CNTs could offer many critical features, which are needed for high activity anodes, such as fast ion diffusion, good electronic conductivity, and skeleton supporting function, thus enabling the nanocomposite-based anodes with excellent electrochemical performance. In addition, CNTs can not only serve as the conductive network and structure skeleton to improve the anode performance, but also play an indispensable role in the formation of more uniform Mn₃O₄ octahedrons. The lithium-ion batteries based on the CNTs-entangled Mn₃O₄ octahedrons delivered a high capacity of over 800 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 0.2 C for 200 cycles, and even as high as 678.4 mAh g^-1 when cycled at 0.5 C after 400 cycles, exhibiting a high capability and ultralong cycle life.

Combating Antibody-dependent Enhancement of Dengue Viral infection in Peripheral Blood Monocytes by NK Cell-mediated Antibody Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity

Background

The dengue virus (DENV) group is composed of 4 serotypes, DENV-1, -2, -3 and -4. The 4 serotypes of DENV share70% sequence homology, therefore cross-reactivity among 4 serotypes is common. Cross-reactive antibodies (Ab) can cause Ab-dependent enhancement (ADE) of viral infection. ADE is thought to be an underlying mechanism of elevated immune-pathology associated with severe dengue diseases. Human monocytes and macrophages are target cells for ADE. This study investigates NK cell-mediated Ab-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) as a critical control mechanism following an established ADE intracellularly.

Methods

To model the physiological situation, whole human PBMCs were infected with DENV in the presence of autologous serially diluted sera. ADE in monocytes was detected by intracellular staining of viral antigens and by RT-PCR. NK cell activation was monitored in the same cultures by a degranulation marker CD107a. Other NK cell markers, cell proliferation and cytokine/chemokines were investigated.

Results

ADE was only detected in monocytes with the serially diluted immune sera. NK cell activation occurred concomitantly with the detection of ADE. The peak of the ADCC response was 48 hours post infection, but the response was still detectable at day 7. Minimal activation of T cells was observed. The power of ADE in monocytes ranged between 3 to 10.2 folds when NK cells were depleted as compared to 0.6 to 1.8 folds under normal condition. Activated NK cells had elevated expression of CD69, CD335, CD336, and CD96, but had downregulated CD337 and CD314.

Conclusion

ADCC is activated when DENV escapes from Ab neutralization and establishes infection in host cells, and it can act as the first line of defense to combat ADE.

The segment-dependent changes in lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion

Objectives

Many studies have investigated the kinematics of the lumbar spine and the morphological features of the lumbar discs. However, the segment-dependent immediate changes of the lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion are still unclear. This study examined the changes of intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion of lumbar specimens.

Methods

First, we validated the accuracy and repeatability of a custom-made mechanical loading equipment set-up. Eight lumbar specimens underwent CT scanning in flexion, neural, and extension positions by using the equipment set-up. The changes in the disc height and distance between adjacent two pedicle screw entry points (DASEP) of the posterior approach at different lumbar levels (L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1) were examined on three-dimensional lumbar models, which were reconstructed from the CT images.

Results

All the vertebral motion segments (L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1) had greater changes in disc height and DASEP from neutral to flexion than from neutral to extension. The change in anterior disc height gradually increased from upper to lower levels, from neutral to flexion. The changes in anterior and posterior disc heights were similar at the L4/5 level from neutral to extension, but the changes in anterior disc height were significantly greater than those in posterior disc height at the L3/4 and L5/S1 levels, from neutral to extension.

Conclusions

The lumbar motion segment showed level-specific changes in disc height and DASEP. The data may be helpful in understanding the physiologic dynamic characteristics of the lumbar spine and in optimising the parameters of lumbar surgical instruments.

Cite this article: M. Fu, Q. Ye, C. Jiang, L. Qian, D. Xu, Y. Wang, P. Sun, J. Ouyang. The segment-dependent changes in lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:245–252. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.64.BJR-2016-0245.R1.

[Preventive and therapeutic effects of rapamycin against autoimmune hepatitis and liver fibrosis and possible mechanisms]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of rapamycin (RAPA) on autoimmune hepatitis and liver fibrosis induced by concanavalin A (ConA) and possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Female C57BL/6 mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into normal control group, ConA model group, and ConA+RAPA treatment group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured; hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining and Knodell HAI and Ishak scoring systems were used to evaluate the degrees of liver inflammation and fibrosis. Gradient centrifugation was used to separate mononuclear cells, flow cytometry was used to measure CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, and intracellular cytokine staining was performed to measure the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in immune cells. The t-test was used for data comparison between groups.

RESULTS

The RAPA treatment group showed a significant reduction in serum ALT level compared with the ConA model group (P < 0.05). Liver inflammatory injury was reduced significantly, and there was no obvious fibrous tissue proliferation. The level of TGF-β in mononuclear cells was reduced significantly, and the treatment group had a significantly lower level of TGF-β than the model group (8.91%±1.25% vs 16.65%±2.05%, P < 0.05). The proportions of CD4(+) and CD8(+)T cells in the liver were reduced, and the treatment group had significantly lower proportions of CD4(+) and CD8(+)T cells than the model group (proportion of CD4(+)T cells: 4.09%±1.20% vs 8.91%±0.69%, P < 0.05; proportion of CD8(+)T cells: 3.28%±0.66% vs 9.68%±1.46%, P < 0.05). The proportion of Th1 cells was reduced, and the treatment group had a significantly lower proportion of Th1 cells than the model group (1.02%±0.06% vs 2.83%±0.21%, P < 0.05); the proportions of Th3 and Tr1 regulatory T cells were increased, and the treatment group had significantly higher proportions of Th3 and Tr1 regulatory T cells than the model group (proportion of Th3 regulatory T cells: 59.53%±9.82% vs 47.13%±4.79%, P < 0.05; proportion of Tr1 regulatory T cells: 10.63%±2.27% vs 7.09%±1.66%, P < 0.05), but the proportion of Th2 cells showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

RAPA can promote the differentiation of Th3/Tr1 cells, reduce the expression of TGF-β in mononuclear cells, slow down the progression of chronic hepatitis induced by ConA into liver fibrosis, and thus prevent liver fibrosis.

Does adjuvant radiation therapy benefit women with small mammography-detected breast cancers?

BACKGROUND

Women with small nonpalpable breast tumours have an excellent prognosis. The benefit of radiotherapy in this group of low-risk women is unknown.

METHODS

A cohort of 1595 women with stages i-iii invasive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery were followed for local recurrence. Using t-tests, baseline demographic data and tumour characteristics were compared for the women who had palpable (n = 1023) and mammography-detected (n = 572) breast cancers. The 15-year actuarial risk of local recurrence was estimated using a Kaplan-Meier method, stratified for adjuvant radiation therapy (yes or no), tumour palpability (palpable or not), and tumour size (≤1 cm or >1 cm). Hazard ratios (hrs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% cis) were calculated using a multivariate Cox regression model. Results were considered statistically significant if 2-tailed p values were less than 0.05.

RESULTS

Among women with a nonpalpable tumour, the 15-year actuarial rates of local recurrence were, respectively, 13.9% and 18.3% for those treated and not treated with adjuvant radiation therapy (hr: 0.65; 95%ci: 0.40 to 1.06; p = 0.08). Among women with small nonpalpable breast cancers (≤1.0 cm), the rates were 14.6% and 13.4% respectively (p = 0.67). The absolute reduction in 15-year local recurrence was 11.0% for women with palpable tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that women with small (<1 cm) screen-detected nonpalpable breast cancers likely derive little benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy; however, an adequately powered randomized trial would be required to make definitive conclusions.

Abstract P5-09-01: Plasma osteoprotegerin and the risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Synthesizing nonstoichiometric Li3−3xV2+x(PO4)3/C as cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries by solid state reaction

A simple solid state reaction method has been developed to synthesize nonstoichiometric Li_3−3xV_2+x(PO₄)₃/C (x = 0–0.15) nanocomposites.

Core–shell-structured Li3V2(PO4)3–LiVOPO4 nanocomposites cathode for high-rate and long-life lithium-ion batteries

A facile strategy has been developed to construct unique core–shell-structured Li_2.7V_2.1(PO₄)₃ nanocomposites with a Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ core and LiVOPO₄ shell by using nonstoichiometric design and high-energy ball milling (HEBM) treatment.

An efficient strategy for full mineralization of an azo dye in wastewater: a synergistic combination of solar thermo- and electrochemistry plus photocatalysis

An efficient strategy for full mineralization of azo dye in wastewater.

[Occupational hazard risk assessment of workers exposed to benzene in a petrochemical enterprise in Shanghai, China]

Objective: To investigate the exposure to benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene in workers in a petrochemical enterprise in Shanghai, China, and to conduct occupational hazard risk assessment. Methods: The environmental monitoring data on benzene series in the workplace of this petrochemical enterprise from 2010 to 2014 were collected, as well as workers' general status. The inhalation risk assessment model developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used for risk assessment to determine the occupational hazard risk level of benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene. Results: The pass rate of the monitoring concentration of benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene in the workplace of this petrochemical enterprise was 100%. The results of the EPA model showed that benzene had a high carcinogenic risk, benzene and dimethylbenzene had a high non-carcinogenic risk, and methylbenzene had a low non-carcinogenic risk. Conclusion: The workers exposed to benzene in this petrochemical enterprise have a high health risk, and the EPA model can be used for occupational hazard risk assessment in chemical industry.

A three-dimensional porous MoP@C hybrid as a high-capacity, long-cycle life anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Metal phosphides are great promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with a high gravimetric capacity. However, significant challenges such as low capacity, fast capacity fading and poor cycle stability must be addressed for their practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a versatile strategy for the synthesis of a novel three-dimensional porous molybdenum phosphide@carbon hybrid (3D porous MoP@C hybrid) by a template sol-gel method followed by an annealing treatment. The resultant hybrid exhibits a 3D interconnected ordered porous structure with a relatively high surface area. Benefiting from its advantages of microstructure and composition, the 3D porous MoP@C hybrid displays excellent lithium storage performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries in terms of specific capacity, cycling stability and long-cycle life. It presents stable cycling performance with a high reversible capacity up to 1028 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) after 100 cycles. By ex situ XRD, HRTEM, SAED and XPS analyses, the 3D porous MoP@C hybrid was found to follow the Li-intercalation reaction mechanism (MoP + xLi(+) + e(-)↔ LixMoP), which was further confirmed by ab initio calculations based on density functional theory.

Li3V2(PO4)3 encapsulated flexible free-standing nanofabric cathodes for fast charging and long life-cycle lithium-ion batteries

Lithiated transition metal phosphates with large theoretical capacities have emerged as promising cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. However, the poor kinetic properties caused by their low intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivity greatly hinder their practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate a novel strategy to prepare monoclinic lithium vanadium phosphate nanoparticles implanted in carbon nanofibers as the cathodes of Li-ion cells with high capacity, flexibility, long cycle stability and significantly improved high-rate performance. The composite nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning using polyacrylonitrile and Li3V2(PO4)3 nanoparticles, followed by annealing and coating with a thin layer of carbon by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The Li3V2(PO4)3 nanocrystals with the monoclinic phase were uniformly distributed in the composite nanofibers. The electrochemical performances of the as-prepared binder-free fibrous cathodes were characterized by potentiostatic and galvanostatic tests. At the rate of 0.5 C in the range of 3.0-4.3 V, the composite displayed an initial discharge capacity of 128 mA h g(-1) (96.2% of the theoretical capacity). A discharge capacity of 120 mA h g(-1) was observed even at a high rate of 10 C, and a capacity retention of 98.9% was maintained after 500 cycles at 5 C, indicating excellent high-rate capability and capacity retention. Compared to the control samples without a carbon outer-layer, the composite nanofibers with carbon coating demonstrated much better electrochemical performances. It indicates that the carbon coating can further protect the structural integrity of nanofabric electrodes during the charge/discharge processes without hindering the Li-ion mobility and also can prevent undesired side reactions with an electrolyte, thus greatly improving the rate performance and cyclic stability of the cathode.

Influence of 5% dextrose volume on amphotericin B deoxycholate preparation

OBJECTIVES

Preparation of amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB-d) in different volumes of 5% dextrose (D5W) was studied to investigate a interesting phenomenon that AmB-d was easy to bring pipe blockage when diluted in 500 ml but not in 50 ml.

METHODS

AmB-d (25 mg/vial) in 50 ml, 250 ml or 500 ml D5W was prepared. Fluids were collected before and after infusion, then were assayed by validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Light obscuration assay was used to detect the particles in transfusions.

KEY FINDINGS

pH values of different volumes of D5W were all about 3.7, which was lower than the requirement of AmB-d package insert (pH > 4.2). The number of insoluble particles >10 μm/25 μm in 25 mg/500 ml infusions exceeded China Pharmacopoeia limit. Filters in 25 mg/500 ml infusion set were full of AmB-d after dripping slowly for 6 h, and 331.3 ml solution was left in the bottles and only 11.3% of AmB-d could flow out. Whereas the AmB-d infusion consists of 25 mg/50 ml, 25 mg/250 ml and 50 mg/500 ml could meet with China Pharmacopoeia standards, and they flowed out easily and completely.

CONCLUSIONS

In practice, 25 mg/250 ml and 50 mg/500 ml would be more suitable for clinical use, rather than 25 mg/500 ml. We provided a convenient method for AmB-d preparation.

Deletion of the BAC sequences from recombinant meq-null Marek's disease (MD) virus increases immunosuppression while maintaining protective efficacy against MD

Marek's disease virus (MDV) GX0101 is a field strain of MDV with a naturally occurring insertion of the reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) long terminal repeat (LTR) fragment. Both copies of the meq gene were knocked out in the GX0101 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone to construct the recombinant virus SC9-1, resulting in a complete lack of pathogenicity and providing better protection against MD than CVI988/Rispens. In the present study, the BAC sequences in SC9-1 were removed using a cre-loxP system, and the virus termed SC9-2. SC9-2 showed a significant increase in replication in vitro and in vivo. There was a significant decrease in chicken weight, immune organ index, and antibody levels compared with those of SC9-1-inoculated chickens. The immune protection index of SC9-2 was similar to that of SC9-1, and the difference was not significant. The results of our studies demonstrate that the SC9-2 virus provides protection in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens when challenged with a very virulent MDV rMd5, but it induces immunosuppressive effects in SPF chickens.

The Relationship between B-cell Epitope and Mimotope Sequences

B-cell epitope is a group of residues which is on the surface of an antigen. It invokes humoral responses. Locating B-cell epitope is important for effective vaccine design, and the development of diagnostic reagents. Mimotope-based B-cell epitope prediction method is a kind of conformational B-cell epitope prediction, and the core idea of the method is mapping the mimotope sequences which are obtained from a random phage display library. However, current mimotope-based B-cell epitope prediction methods cannot maintain a high degree of satisfaction in the circumstances of employing only mimotope sequences. In this study, we did a multi-perspective analysis on parameters for conformational B-cell epitopes and characteristics between epitope and mimotope on a benchmark datasets which contains 67 mimotope sets, corresponding to 40 unique complex structures. In these 67 cases, there are 25 antigen-antibody complexes and 42 protein-protein interactions. We analyzed the two parts separately. The results showed the mimotope sequences do have some epitope features, but there are also some epitope properties that mimotope sequences do not contain. In addition, the numbers of epitope segments with different lengths were obviously different between the antigen-antibody complexes and the protein-protein interactions. This study reflects how similar do mimotope sequence and genuine epitopes have; and evaluates existing mimotope-based B-cell epitope prediction methods from a novel viewpoint.

A CTAB-modified S/C nanocomposite cathode for high performance Li–S batteries

Two unique S/C/Ni foam nanostructure electrodes are fabricated by a facile cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) modified electrodeposition method.

Prevalence of hepatitis A viral RNA and antibodies among Chinese blood donors

Like other developing countries, China was reported to have a relatively high seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A antibodies (anti-HAV). However, no studies have evaluated the prevalence of anti-HAV and HAV RNA among voluntary blood donors with or without elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Anti-HAV antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was carried out for detection of HAV RNA. In the current study, we analyzed a total of 450 serum samples with elevated ALT levels (≥40 U/L) and 278 serum samples with non-elevated ALT levels. Seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV were 51.6% in donors with elevated ALT and 41.4% in donors with non-elevated ALT; however, none of the samples was positive for HAV RNA. The results of our study showed lower seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV in blood donors (irrespective of ALT levels) than those in published data on Chinese populations. Although donors with elevated ALT had statistically higher prevalence rates of anti- HAV than did those with non-elevated ALT, none of the serum samples had detectable levels of the active virus. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the transmission of hepatitis A by blood transfusion will occur rarely.

Transcriptional profiles of emasculated flowers of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) determined using the cDNA-AFLP technique

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a tree in the subfamily Faboideae, native to North America, that has been naturalized and widely planted in temperate Europe and Asia. Black locust has important ecological and economic value, but its quality needs improvement. Hybridization programs are important for black locust breeding, but the low rate of fruit set after controlled pollination limits both its breeding and that of other monoclinous plant species that share this problem. In this study, we investigated gene expression in emasculated black locust flowers using the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique to determine why the rate of fruit set is low after controlled pollination. Flowers that were emasculated after being frozen in liquid nitrogen were used as controls. Changes in the flower transcriptome were more dramatic at 5 h after emasculation than at 48 h. Injury caused by emasculation decreased the expression levels of genes associated with metabolism, growth regulation, signal transduction, and photosynthesis, and it increased the expression of genes related to stress-response metabolism, signal transduction, and promotion of senescence. The changes in the expression levels of these genes had negative effects on sugar metabolism, protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, matter transport, signal transduction, osmotic regulation, pH regulation, and photosynthesis. Thus, emasculation accelerated flower senescence, resulting in low fruit set.

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the M and N genes of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains in Anhui Province, China

To assess the homology and phylogenetic relationship between porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) Anhui strains and other PEDV strains, molecular homology and phylogenetic analyses of Anhui PEDV field strains were compared with those of reference strains. The results revealed that the M and N genes of PEDV were 681 and 1326 bp long, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the N genes of Anhui PEDV strains were 95.9-99.9% homologous with each other, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 92.5-99.8% homologous. Compared with the PEDV reference strains, the Anhui PEDV field strains had 94.1-99.5% nucleotide sequence homology in the N gene and 91.2-97.5% amino acid mutation homology in the N protein. The nucleotide sequences of the M genes of Anhui PEDV were 98.3-100% homologous, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 96.5-99.6% homologous. Compared with the PEDV reference strains, the Anhui PEDV field strains had 96.9-100% nucleotide sequence homology in the M gene and 96.5-99.6% amino acid homology in the M protein. The Anhui strains were genetically similar to USA strains (USA/Iowa/16465/2013 and USA/Indiana/17846/2013) but different from European (CV777;Br1/7), Korean (Chinju99), and Japanese (83p-5) strains.

Protective effect of the multitarget compound DPH-4 on human SSAO/VAP-1-expressing hCMEC/D3 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions: an in vitro experimental model of cerebral ischaemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are related pathologies in which the cerebrovascular system is involved. Plasma levels of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase/vascular adhesion protein 1 (SSAO/VAP-1, also known as Primary Amine Oxidase -PrAO) are increased in both stroke and AD patients and contribute to the vascular damage. During inflammation, its enzymatic activity mediates leukocyte recruitment to the injured tissue, inducing damage in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neuronal tissue. We hypothesized that by altering cerebrovascular function, SSAO/VAP-1 might play a role in the stroke-AD transition. Therefore, we evaluated the protective effect of the novel multitarget-directed ligand DPH-4, initially designed for AD therapy, on the BBB.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

A human microvascular brain endothelial cell line expressing human SSAO/VAP-1 was generated, as the expression of SSAO/VAP-1 is lost in cultured cells. To simulate ischaemic damage, these cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and re-oxygenation conditions. The protective role of DPH-4 was then evaluated in the presence of methylamine, an SSAO substrate, and/or β-amyloid (Aβ).

KEY RESULTS

Under our conditions, DPH-4 protected brain endothelial cells from OGD and re-oxygenation-induced damage, and also decreased SSAO-dependent leukocyte adhesion. DPH-4 was also effective at preventing the damage induced by OGD and re-oxygenation in the presence of Aβ as a model of AD pathology.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

From these results, we concluded that the multitarget compound DPH-4 might be of therapeutic benefit to delay the onset and/or progression of the neurological pathologies associated with stroke and AD, which appear to be linked.