Terahertz parametric amplification as a reporter of exciton condensate dynamics

Condensates are a hallmark of emergence in quantum materials such as superconductors and charge density waves. Excitonic insulators are an intriguing addition to this library, exhibiting spontaneous condensation of electron-hole pairs. However, condensate observables can be obscured through parasitic coupling to the lattice. Here we employ nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy to disentangle such obscurants through measurement of the quantum dynamics. We target Ta2NiSe5, a putative room-temperature excitonic insulator in which electron-lattice coupling dominates the structural transition (Tc = 326 K), hindering identification of excitonic correlations. A pronounced increase in the terahertz reflectivity manifests following photoexcitation and exhibits a Bose-Einstein condensation-like temperature dependence well below the Tc, suggesting an approach to monitor the exciton condensate dynamics. Nonetheless, dynamic condensate-phonon coupling remains as evidenced by peaks in the enhanced reflectivity spectrum at select infrared-active phonon frequencies, indicating that parametric reflectivity enhancement arises from phonon squeezing. Our results highlight that coherent dynamics can drive parametric stimulated emission.

[Analysis of etiology and complications in children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease]

Objective: To investigate the etiology, complications, and prognostic factors of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) in children. Methods: A case series study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the general situation, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing, and follow-up data (until October 2022) of 174 children with CKD5 who were diagnosed and hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2012 to April 2021. The characteristics of complications in the children were compared based on age, gender, and etiology. Based on the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), patients were divided into LVH group and non LVH group for analyzing the influencing factors of cardiovascular disease. Patients were also divided into death group and survival group, peritoneal dialysis group and hemodialysis group based on the follow-up data for analyzing the prognostic factors. The chi-square test, independent sample t-test, Fisher exact probability test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze data among different groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: A total of 174 children with CKD5 were enrolled in the study (96 boys and 78 girls), aged 11.2 (8.2, 13.0) years. Congenital kidney and urinary tract malformations (CAKUT) were the most common causes of the CKD5 (84 cases, 48.3%), followed by glomerular diseases (83 cases, 47.7%), and among which 28 cases (16.1%) were hereditary glomerular diseases. The common complications of CKD5 included anemia (98.2%, 165/168), mineral and bone disorder in chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) (97.7%, 170/174), lipid metabolism disorders (87.5%, 63/72), hypertension (81.4%, 127/156) and LVH (57.6%,57/99). The incidences of hypertension in primary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT(93.8%(30/32) vs.73.7%(56/76),χ2=5.59,P<0.05). The incidences of hypertension in secondary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT and that in hereditary kidney disease (100.0%(20/20) vs. 73.7%(56/76), 68.2%(15/22), both P<0.05). The incidence of hypocalcemia in CAKUT, primary glomerular disease, and hereditary kidney disease was higher than that in secondary glomerular disease (82.1%(69/84), 88.2%(30/34), 89.3%(25/28) vs. 47.6%(10/21), χ2=10.21, 10.75, 10.80, all P=0.001); the incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in women was higher than that in men (80.0%(64/80) vs. 95.0%(57/60), χ2=6.58, P=0.010). The incidence of LVH in children aged 6-<12 was higher than that in children aged 12-18 (73.5%(25/34) vs. 43.1%(22/51), χ2=7.62, P=0.006). Among 113 follow-up children, the mortality rate was 39.8% (45/113). Compared to the survival group, the children in the death group had lower hemoglobin, higher blood pressure, lower albumin, lower alkaline phosphatase and higher left ventricular mass index ((67±19) vs. (75±20) g/L, 142 (126, 154) vs. 128(113, 145) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (91±21) vs. (82±22) mmHg, 32 (26, 41) vs. 40 (31, 43) g/L, 151 (82, 214) vs. 215 (129, 37) U/L, 48 (38, 66) vs. 38(32, 50) g/m2.7,t=2.03, Z=2.89, t=2.70, Z=2.49, 2.79, 2.29,all P<0.05), but no independent risk factors were identified (all P>0.05). The peritoneal dialysis group had better alleviation for anemia, low calcium, and high phosphorus than the hemodialysis group ((87±22) vs. (72±16) g/L, (1.9±0.5) vs. (1.7±0.4) mmol/L, (2.2±0.7) vs. (2.8±0.9) mmol/L, t=2.92, 2.29, 2.82, all P<0.05), and the survival rate of the peritoneal dialysis group was significantly higher than that of the hemodialysis group (77.8% (28/36) vs. 48.4% (30/62), χ2=8.14, P=0.004). Conclusions: CAKUT is the most common etiology in children with CKD 5, and anemia is the most common complication. The incidence of complications in children with CKD 5 varies with age, gender and etiology. Anemia, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, reduced alkaline phosphatase and elevated LVMI may be the prognostic factors in children with CKD5. Peritoneal dialysis may be more beneficial for improving the long-term survival rate.

[Clinical characteristics of convalescent children infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Tianjin]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infected children in convalescence in Tianjin. Methods: A total of 104 pediatric patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant Tianjin First Central Hospital (designated hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Tianjin) for convalescent treatment from January 22^nd, 2022 to February 24^th were included for a retrospective study.Clinical data including clinical typing, SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM test and 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test were collected.The cases were divided into 2-dose group and zero-dose group based on the doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The children were divided into repositive group and negative group, according to the nucleic acid test during hospitalization. Chi-square test was used for the comparison between the groups. Results: The age of these 104 children was 10.0 (0.3, 14.0) years on admission, 53 children were males and 51 were females, 92 cases (88.5%) had mild symptoms, 12 cases (11.5%) had common symptoms.The age and SARS-CoV-2 IgG level of zero-dose group was lower (2.0 (0.3, 10.2) vs. 10.0 (3.2, 14.0) years, 10 (2, 17) vs. 193 (157, 215), χ²=-5.57, Z=-48.76,both P<0.001) than that of 2-dose group. The zero-dose group had a high rate of transmission among family members and a high level of SARS-CoV-2 IgM level (13/14 vs. 62.2% (56/90), 0.4 (0.2, 0.8) vs. 0.4 (0.2, 1.1),χ²=5.09, Z=-48.95, both P<0.05) than the 2-dose group. Repositive group had a high rate of underlying diseases and SARS-CoV-2 IgM level was higher (2/13) vs. 1.1% (1/91), (0.6 (0.2, 1.0) vs. 0.3 (0.2, 0.7), χ²=8.29, Z=2.70, both P<0.05) than negative group. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG level of repositive group was lower than that of negative group (160 (78, 197) vs. 213 (186, 231), χ²=-3.20, P<0.05). Conclusions: Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Tianjin were mainly transmitted by family members, and most of them had mild symptoms. Two-dose group had higher IgG levels and lower IgM levels than zero-dose group.The probability of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test repositivity increased in children with underlying diseases and lower IgG levels.

[Genotype-phenotype analysis and prognosis in children with primary distal renal tubular acidosis]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between genotypes and clinical phenotypes of primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in children. Methods: Clinical information, genetic testing information and follow-up data (until March 2021) of children with dRTA from Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (from January 2010 to December 2020) were analyzed retrospectively. According to different pathogenic genes, patients were divided into SLC4A1 gene and ATP6V0A4+ATP6V1B1 gene groups. Age at onset, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were compared. Self-comparisons of height standard deviation score (HtSDS), weight standard deviation score (WtSDS), blood pH and serum potassium before and after treatment were tested. T-test, Fisher's exact test and rank sum test were used to analyze among groups. Results: Among 27 children with dRTA (16 boys and 11 girls), the age of onset was 33.4 (10.0, 36.0) months.There were 22 patients (81%) with SLC4A1 gene variation, 3 patients (11%) with ATP6V1B1 gene variation and 2 patients (8%) with ATP6V0A4 gene variation. Totally 22 patients (81%) with renal calcium deposition, 19 patients (70%) hypokalemia, 18 patients (67%) short stature, 16 patients (59%) malnutrition, 16 patients (59%) rickets, and 15 patients (56%) polydipsia and polyuria. Noteworthily, the genotyping results indicated that the age at onset in SLC4A1 gene group was older than that in ATP6V0A4+ATP6V1B1 gene group, with a statistically significant difference (27.3 (12.0, 36.0) vs. 8.2 (2.5, 15.0) months, H=6.33, P=0.012). However, there were no significant differences in clinical manifestations or laboratory test results (all P>0.05). Furthermore, the course of disease was 3.9 (1.3, 6.0) years and the follow-up period was 3.1 (1.0, 4.5) years in 27 patients. In addition, there were no significant differences in recovery rate of clinical manifestations and last laboratory findings between SLC4A1 gene group and ATP6V0A4+ATP6V1B1 gene group (all P>0.05). HtSDS and WtSDS of those patients significantly increased after treatment (-3.2±1.9 vs. -2.1±1.1, -2.5±1.5 vs. 0±1.9, t=-2.94, -5.44, both P<0.01). Serum K⁺ and blood pH were restored eventually ((3.2±0.5) vs. (4.0±0.5) mmol/L, 7.27±0.07 vs. 7.37±0.07, t=-4.92, -5.25, both P<0.01). Totally 14 patients had normalized serum potassium, 12 patients had normalized blood pH, but only 4 patients had normalized serum bicarbonate concentration and normal base excess. Conclusions: The age of onset of patients who had SLC4A1 gene mutation was older than that of patients with ATP6V0A4 gene and ATP6V1B1 gene mutations. However, there was no obvious correlation between the condition and prognosis of the dRTA patients and pathogenic genes. Early diagnosis, early treatment, regular follow-up and timely adjustment of the dosage of medication can significantly improve the prognosis of dRTA in children. Serum bicarbonate concentration and actual base excess might not be the necessory indicators to assess clinical recovery.

[Mechanism of scavenger receptor-A in high glucose-induced inflammatory injury of mesangial cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of high glucose on scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) in human glomerular mesangial cells (HMC) and explore the mechanism of inflammatory injury mediated by SR-A in HMC cultured in high-glucose medium. Methods: According to the concentration of D-glucose in culture medium, HMC were divided into normal glucose group (5.5 mmol/L) and high glucose group (30 mmol/L), with mannitol group as hypertonic control. High glucose group was transfected with SR-A small interfering RNA (siSR-A) and the transfection control (siNC) group were set up. Western blotting technology was used to detect the levels of SR-A, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) protein. Immunofluorescent staining was applied to measure the SR-A in HMC. The mRNA of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, FN, ColⅣ, α-SMA and GRP78 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The relative activity of Caspase-1 was detected by enzyme method and the concentration of IL-1β in culture medium was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell cycles of HMC. One-way ANOVA and SNK-q test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The protein level of SR-A in high glucose group was higher than that in normal glucose group and mannitol group (1.23±0.21 vs. 0.68±0.10, 1.23±0.21 vs. 0.78±0.13, all P<0.05). In addition, mean fluorescence intensity of SR-A, protein levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β, mRNA of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β, relative activity of Caspase-1 as well as the concentration of IL-1β in high glucose group were all significantly higher than those in normal glucose group and mannitol group (all P<0.05).After transfection induced silencing, SR-A protein in high glucose siNC group was higher than that in high glucose siSR-A group and normal glucose siNC group (1.23±0.10 vs. 0.20±0.01, 1.23±0.10 vs. 0.87±0.01, all P<0.01). In high glucose siNC group, the NLRP3, IL-1β proteins, the NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β mRNA, all of the mRNA levels of FN, ColⅣ, α-SMA, GRP78 and the proportion of DNA synthesis phase were all higher than those in high glucose siSR-A group and normal glucose siNC group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: High glucose can promote abnormal cell proliferation, increase mesangial matrix production and enhance oxidative stress response through upregulating SR-A expression, and ultimately aggravate cellular inflammatory damage in HMC, which may be associated with NLRP3-Caspase-1-IL-1β pathway regulated by SR-A expression.

[Meta-analysis of clinical effects of microskin grafting and Meek microskin grafting in repairing extensively deep burn wounds]

Objective: To systematically evaluate the clinical effects of microskin grafting and Meek microskin grafting in repairing extensively deep burn wounds using meta-analysis. Methods: Foreign language databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched with the terms of " Meek micrografting, burn" , and Chinese databases including Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, VIP database, and Wanfang Data were searched with the terms in Chinese version of ", Meek," to retrieve the publicly published randomized controlled trials on the microskin grafting and Meek microskin grafting in repairing extensively deep burn wounds from the establishment of each database to March 20, 2019. The outcome indexes included the survival rate of skin graft, primary healing rate, operation time, and surgical treatment cost after the first operation, as well as the wound healing time and length of hospital stay. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 statistical software were used to conduct a meta-analysis of eligible studies. Results: A total of 821 patients with extensively deep burns were included in 15 studies, including 410 patients in microskin group who received microskin grafting and 411 patients in Meek microskin group who received Meek microskin grafting. The bias risks of the 15 studies included were uncertain. Compared with those of microskin group, the survival rate of skin graft and primary healing rate of patients in Meek microskin group were significantly increased, with relative risks of 0.76 and 0.66 (95% confidence interval=0.66-0.88, 0.50-0.88, P<0.01), the surgical treatment cost was significantly reduced, with a standardized mean difference of 3.19 (95% confidence interval=1.36-5.01, P<0.01), and the operation time, wound healing time, and length of hospital stay were significantly shortened, with standardized mean differences of 6.05, 2.39, and 2.35 (95% confidence interval=3.66-8.44, 1.43-3.35, 2.03-2.68, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that microskin grafting combined with allogenic skin graft might be a heterogeneous source of operation time. Sensitivity analysis showed that the combined effect size was stable in the operation time, surgical treatment cost, and wound healing time. There was no publication bias in the survival rate of skin graft, operation time, wound healing time, and length of hospital stay (P>0.05), while the primary healing rate and surgical treatment cost had publication bias (P<0.01). Conclusions: Compared with microskin grafting, Meek microskin grafting improves the rates of skin graft survival and primary healing, shortens operation time, wound healing time, and length of hospital stay, and reduces the treatment cost in treating extensively deep burn wounds.

[Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver injury in Shaanxi region]

Objective: To understand the clinical characteristics, change of liver function, influencing factors and prognosis in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) combined with liver injury. Methods: The general conditions, biochemical indicators of liver, blood clotting mechanism, routine blood test, UGT1A1 * 28 gene polymorphism and other data of 40 cases with COVID-19 admitted to the isolation ward of Tangdu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics, influencing factors and prognosis of liver injury in patients with liver injury group and those with normal liver function group were compared. The mean of two samples in univariate analysis was compared by t-test and analysis of variance. The counting data was measured by χ(2) tests. The non-normal distribution measurement data were described by the median, and the non-parametric test was used. Statistically significant influencing factors were used as the independent variables in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the main influencing factors of liver injury. Results: Of the 40 cases, 25 were male (62.5%) and 15 were female (37.5%), aged 22 to 83 (53.87 ± 15.84) years. Liver injury was occurred in 22 cases (55%) during the course of the disease. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was initially increased (4.4 to 3.5 times of the normal value) along with decrease of albumin in the second week, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Ten cases (43.5%) had highest abnormal total blood bilirubin (54.1 μmol/ L). There was no correlation between the increase in transaminase and the increase in total blood bilirubin (R = -0.006, P = 0.972). Three cases had prothrombin activity (PTA) of ≤50%, 10 cases had elevated FDP, and 13 cases had elevated D-dimer, all of whom were severe or critically ill. Liver function injury was more likely to occur in patients who used many types of drugs and large amounts of hormones (P = 0.002, P = 0.031), and there was no correlation with the TA6TA7 mutation in the UGT1A1 * 28 gene locus. Multiple regression analysis showed that the occurrence of liver injury was only related to critical illness. The liver function of all patients had recovered within one week after conventional liver protection treatment. Conclusion: COVID-19 combined with liver function injury may be due to the slight elevation of transaminase, mostly around the second week of the disease course. Severe patients have a higher proportion of liver injury, and critical type is an independent risk factor for liver injury.

[Long-term efficacy analysis of laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty for high and middle imperforate anus]

Objective: To explore the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty and conventional anorectoplasty in the treatment of children with high and middle anal atresia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was used. Inclusion criteria: (1) children with high and middle anal atresia; (2) complicated with rectourethral or rectovesical fistula; (3) complete follow-up data. Exclusion criteria: (1) complicated with 21-trisomy; (2) cerebral palsy and other mentaldisabilities; (3) Currarino syndrome; (4) FG syndrome. Clinical data of 88 patients with middle and high anal atresia, who complicated with rectourethral fistula or rectovesical fistula, and underwent anoplasty at Department of Pediatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2009 to June 2014 were enrolled in the study and analyzed. There were 24 cases with middle atresia and 64 cases with high atresia. All the cases were divided into 2 groups based on the operative method: laparoscopic group (laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty, 49 cases), pena group (posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, 39 cases). The demographic features of two groups were comparable. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass, classification of anomaly types and sacral ratio (all P>0.05). Student t test and Chi square tests were used to compare the surgical conditions (operative time, postoperative hospital stay and complications), anal function (Kelly score), constipation (Krickenbeck constipation score) and anorectal pressure. Results: Children of both groups all completed operation ssuccessfully. There were no statistically significant differences between laparoscopic group and pena group in the operative time [(120±31) minutes vs. (112±23) minutes, t=1.343, P=0.091] and postoperative hospital stay [(7.1±2.3) days vs. (10.7±3.3) days, t=6.021, P=1.000]. Complications were more common in the pena group [16.3% (8/49) vs. 35.9% (14/39), χ(2)=4.436, P=0.035]. The main complications in laparoscopic group were anal prolapse (8.2%, 4/49) and anal stenosis (6.2%, 3/49), while in pena group were anal stenosis (12.8%, 5/39) and perioperative perianal skin erosion (10.3%, 4/39). As for the anal function, the degree of feces, defecation control and sphincter contractility, the single scoring differences of Kelly scoring system were not statistically significant between the two groups, but the proportion of good function in the laparoscopic group was higher than that in the pena group [67.3% (8/49) vs. 38.5% (15/39), χ(2)=7.308, P=0.007]. Constipation occurred in 6 (12.2%) patients in the laparoscopic group, of whom 5 were improved by diet regulation and 1 required laxatives, while 9 (23.1%) patients developed constipation in the pena group, of whom 4 were improved by diet regulation and 5 required long-term laxatives. The difference of constipation ratio was not statistically significant (χ(2)=1.802, P=0.180). There were no cases of Krickenbeck constipation grade 3. Compared to the pena group, the laparoscopic group had higher anal resting pressure [(33.35±9.69) mmHg vs. (27.68±10.74) mmHg, t=2.599, P=0.011], higher dilating pressure [(9.00±5.61) mmHg vs.(6.51±3.24) mmHg, t=2.462, P=0.016], higher maximal squeeze pressure [(65.80±17.23) mmHg vs. (56.74±18.93) mmHg, t=2.389, P=0.019] and longer maximal contraction time [(21.16±5.02) seconds vs. (18.44±7.24) seconds, t=2.079, P=0.041]. The rectal resting pressure [(5.36±3.00) mmHg vs. (4.61±3.93) mmHg, t=1.015, P=0.312] was not statistically significantly different. Conclusions: Compared with posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty in the treatment of high and middle anal atresia has better long-term efficacy with less perioperative complications.

[Quantitative study on the development of fetal ventricles and cisterna magna in second and third trimesters with MRI]

Objective: To analyze the changes of growth and development of normal fetal ventricles and cisterna magna with gestational age(GA) and the correlation with fetal gender in the second and third trimester,and establish the MR prenatal diagnosis reference standards. Methods: A total of 633 fetuses (mean GA (27.0±4.1) weeks (18.9-40.6 weeks))without central nervous system abnormalities were retrospectively collected from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from June 2012 to August 2017. The lateral ventricle trigonometric width (LVTW), third ventricle width (TVW), fourth ventricle width (FVW), anterior-posterior diameter of the fourth ventricle(APDFV), cavum septum pellucidum width (CSPW) and cisterna magna width (CMW) were obtained in the standard measure planes on MR image.The correlation between the biometrics and GA and the correlation between the biometrics and fetal gender were analyzed respectively, and the normal reference values of the biometrics were calculated. Spearman correlation analysis, Pearson correlation analysis,linear regression analysis, independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test were used for statistic analysis. Results: (1)Fetal LLVTW,RLVTW,TVW,CSPW and CMW in second and third trimesters were correlated with GA at medium and low levels(the correlation coefficient r were 0.311, 0.277, 0.207, 0.226, 0.295, respectively, all P<0.01). FVW and APDFV were statistically correlated with GA, and the linear regression equations were as follows: y=0.022×GA-0.043 (adjusted R(2)=0.642); y=0.018×GA-0.159 (adjusted R(2)=0.690). (2)Fetal LLVTW,RLVTW,FVW,APDFV and CSPW were not correlated with fetal gender in second and third trimesters(r=-0.078,-0.057,-0.087,-0.004 and 0.024, P=0.124,0.258,0.085,0.931 and 0.618, all P>0.05). TVW and CMW were statistically correlated with fetal gender(r=-0.310, -0.180, P=0.000, 0.006, all P<0.05). (3) The mean values of LLVTW and RLVTW were (0.71±0.13) cm and (0.68±0.13) cm, respectively, and significant difference was found between them(t=3.180, P=0.002). The mean value of CSPW was (0.59±0.15) cm. And the mean values of male and female fetuses for TVW and CMW were (0.17±0.05) cm, (0.16±0.06) cm and (0.68±0.15) cm, (0.58±0.15) cm, respectively. The corresponding prenatal MRI diagnostic criteria were as follows: LLVTW 1.1 cm, RLVTW 1.0 cm, CSPW 1.0 cm, TVW 0.3 cm, CMW (male 1.1 cm, female 1.0 cm). Conclusions: The normal fetal ventricles and cisterna magna are increased with the GA in the second and third trimesters. TVW and CMW are related to fetal gender. The establishment of normal reference values of fetal ventricles and cisterna magna based on GA and fetal gender are conducive to enhance the accuracy of MRI prenatal diagnosis.

[Expression of type 1 and type 2 cytokines from serum of coal miners and the evaluation in surveillance of coal workers' pneumoconiosis at earlier stage]

Objectives: To explore the expression regulation of type 1 and type 2 (Th1 and Th2) cytokines from serum of coal miners and the evaluation in surveillance of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 630 coal miners were studied. Methods: A total of 90 male patients diagnosed as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in a institute for occupational health and 19 male workers newly diagnosed as CWP patients was chosen as CWP group with simple random sampling method from a coal mine group from January 2013 to December in 2015. 180 male coal miners with abnormal but not diagnosed as CWP were selected as CWP suspected group with simple random sampling methods, meanwhile 180 male coal miners with normal chest X-ray photograph was as dust-exposed group by 1∶1 matched as age. And 161 healthy males accepted pre-employed examination were selected as control group, CWP suspected group, dust-exposed group and control group called as non-CWP group. According to screening test and diagnosis test, the basic information and occupational history of all subjects were collected, and cytokines including IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 of serum were detected. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of each cytokine. Area under curve (AUC), the validity and reliability were calculated and judged. Results: The average age of control group, dust-exposed group, CWP suspected group and CWP group were (27.4±5.0) , (43.4±10.7) , (48.2±6.2) , (64.7±7.0) years old, respectively. The median level of IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-6 in cases group (1 638.30, 2 099.49, 815.18,140.32 pg/ml) were higher than that of non-cases group (1 445.57, 1 402.26, 736.38, 95.73 pg/ml) (P<0.05) . The level of IL-8 (1 503.99 pg/ml) in CWP suspected group was higher than that of control group (1 295.67 pg/ml) and dust-exposed group (1 376.94 pg/ml) , but the level of IL-10 (654.08 pg/ml) was lower than that of control group (596.64 pg/ml) . The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-6 ranged from 5 to 8, and the ratio in CWP group (5.87) was lower than that of non-CWP group (7.61) . The IL-6 and IL-8 among the subjects of dust-exposed group in terms of the age distribution of among had reached statistical significance. According to ROC, the cutoff value of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and INF-γ reached 1 582.65, 116.53, 1 791.54, 581.08 and 792.69 pg/ml, respectively. The AUC was 0.668, 0.895, 0.859, 0.716 and 0.637, respectively. It was found that IL-6 and IL-8 could be used as biomarkers in detecting CWP, the sensitivity and specificity was 82.6% and 84.6%, 78.0% and 84.8%, respectively; Youden's index was 0.674 and 0.628 and the consistency rate was 84.3% and 83.7%, while Kappa value was 0.55 and 0.52. Conclusion: There was Type 1 and type 2 cytokine dysregulation in CWP patients. IL-6 and IL-8 can be used as effective biomarkers to forecast lung injury before X-ray changes.

[Application of chest CT scan in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with lung metastasis]

Objective: To explore the role of CT scan for the diagnosis of lung metastasis in stage Ⅲ gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) . Methods: To figure out the role of CT scan for lung metastasis in GTN initial diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, 93 GTN patients with lung metastasis from January, 2015 to December, 2016 were retrospectively analyzed in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. Results: (1) Among 93 GTN patients with lung metastasis, 70 patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score ≤6 were defined as low risk GTN and 23 patients score score ≥7 were defined as high risk GTN. Forty nine patients had negative chest X-ray findings and 39 cases with pulmonary lesions were identified both by chest X-ray compared to CT scan. Five cases were excluded due to no consensus could make for the results of chest X-ray. The true positive rate of chest X-ray for lung metastasis were 41% (29/70) in low risk GTN and 43% (10/23) in high risk GTN patients without statistical difference (χ(2)=0.090, P=0.925) . For those patients with positive chest CT scan and negative chest X-ray finding, pulmonary lesions in 32 (65%, 32/49) cases were blocked by heart, chest wall or diaphragm in chest X-ray. Seventeen (35%,17/49) patients with lung lesions less than 5 mm had negative chest X-ray results due to the lower sensitivity compared to CT scan. (2) In 88 patients with stage Ⅲ, 78 patients had successful initial treatment, but 4 of them were recurrence in twelve months follow-up. Ten patients were chemotherapy resistance for the initial treatment. The initial chemotherapy remission rate in low risk GTN patients was higher than that in high risk ones (χ(2)=4.911, P=0.027) . In 49 cases with negative chest X-ray, there was no correlation with the rate of remission,chemotherapy resistance and recurrence in stage Ⅲ patients (P>0.05) . (3) For those patients who had poorly response to initial chemotherapy, the diameters of lesions in lung were unchanged or increased during the treatment, form (5.1±4.1) mm to (7.4±2.8) mm. The pulmonary lesions were continuously shrunk from (7.8±5.3) mm to (4.7±4.4) mm for those patients with complete and partial remission including the recurrent GTN patients (Z=-2.713, P=0.007) . Conclusions: Patients with GTN in stage Ⅲ have down staging if only use chest X-ray for imaging at the initial diagnosis. Chest CT scan is recommended for primary imaging evaluation of FIGO staging in qualified medical organization. For those patients with persistent abnormal serum hCG level and negative chest X-ray, chest CT scan is strongly recommended to identify the persist or resistant lung lesions and follow up.

Phototunable Dielectric Huygens' Metasurfaces

Conventional dielectric metasurfaces achieve their properties through geometrical tuning and consequently are static. Although some unique properties are demonstrated, the usefulness for realistic applications is thus inherently limited. Here, control of the resonant eigenmodes supported by Huygens' metasurface (HMS) absorbers through optical excitation is proposed and demonstrated. An intensity transmission modulation depth of 99.93% is demonstrated at 1.03 THz, with an associated phase change of greater than π/2 rad. Coupled mode theory and S-parameter simulations are used to elucidate the mechanism underlying the dynamics of the metasurface and it is found that the tuning is primarily governed by modification of the magnetic dipole-like odd eigenmode, which both lifts the degeneracy, and eliminates critical coupling. The dynamic HMS demonstrates wide tunability and versatility which is not limited to the spectral range demonstrated, offering a new path for reconfigurable metasurface applications.

[Management of T3 supraglottic carcinoma: a retrospective study]

Objective: To discuss the strategy of therapeutic management of T3 supraglottic carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 459 patients with T3 supraglottic carcinoma treated in our hospital was performed. We evaluated the results of different managements, including surgery alone, preoperative radiotherapy, postoperative radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone. The extent of the lesion was also put into analysis. Statistical analysis of the overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), local control (LC), regional control(RC), function-conservation (FC) were performed with the statistical package from SPSS. Results: In all patients, the rates of 5-year OS, CSS, LC, RC and FC were 64.2%, 71.2%, 87.8%, 78.8% and 64.5% respectively. The OS, LC and FC of the patients treated by surgery alone, preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy had no significant difference, and were remarkably better than that of patients treated by radiotherapy alone (P<0.001). In 412 patients treated by surgery, 300 patients received function-conservation laryngectomy. 209 patients (50.7%, 209/412) survived and maintained well-function of larynx for 5 years, which was significantly better than those in the radiotherapy alone group (27.7%, 13/47). The patients with the lesion invading the pre-epiglottic space but limited in supraglottic area had better OS (70.2%), LC (93.5%) and FC (85.1%). The rate of 5-year neck lymphatic metastasis was 56.2%(258/459), and the 5-year OS of patients with N0, N1, N2 and N3 stage were 76.0%, 66.2%, 50.5% and 13.0% respectively. Conclusions: Surgical treatment was the best therapeutic approach for T3 supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma. Most patients with T3 lesions are suitable for function-conservation laryngectomy. Surgical procedure was determined by tumor invaded location and extension. The combined therapy of surgery and radiotherapy had no significant advantage.

ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism association with glioma susceptibility in a Chinese population

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism in glioma development. A total of 165 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed to have gliomas and 330 controls were collected at Jiujiang First People's Hospital between July 2012 and June 2014. The ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism was analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. By conditional regression analysis, we found that the GG genotype of the ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to gliomas when compared to the TT genotype (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.11-3.79). In the recessive model, the GG genotype is associated with an increased risk of gliomas when compared with the TT+TG genotype (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.03-3.37). In conclusion, the ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism is correlated with an increased risk of gliomas in codominant and recessive models, which suggests that this polymorphism could influence the etiology of gliomas.

Mechanism of age-related changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in senile osteoporosis

This study was carried out to explore the age-related changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in mice as well as the influence of autophagy on the age-related changes of BMMSCs. BMMSCs aging-associated protein acetylation P53, P21 and P16 expressions in young and senile mice, protein expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were detected and compared; the expression of BMMSCs autophagy associated gene, autophagy related protein molecule and LC3 molecule were detected; the influence of differently concentrated rapamycin and 3-MA on BMMSCs autophagy level was observed to select effective concentrations; the influence of rapamycin and 3-MA on BMMSCs cell cycle-related gene expression, apoptosis related gene expression and ROS level were discussed. Results revealed that the senile BMMSCs group had higher acetylation P53, P21 and P16 expression and fluorescence intensity than the young group, but its TERT expression, Beclin1 and LC3 gene expression and fluorescence intensity were lower than the young group. Both rapamycin and 3-MA inhibited CyclinD1 (CCND1) and CyclinD2 (CCND2) expression. Rapamycin promoted the expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase3 and Caspase8 in the senile group, while 3-MA inhibited them in both the young and senile groups. It can therefore be concluded that senile BMMSCs have multiple age-related changes, performing as decrease of osteogenic capability and multiplication capacity, increase of acetylation P53, P21 and P16 protein expression, apoptosis and ROS level as well as decrease of telomerase activity. Furthermore, the autophagy level in senile BMMSCs reduced compared with young cells; autophagy activation can decrease ROS level and autophagy suppression improves ROS level; and autophagy regulation affects cell cycle and apoptosis.

Growth and acid production of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 in the fermentation of algal carcass

Algal carcass is a low-value byproduct of algae after its conversion to biodiesel. Dried algal carcass is rich in protein, carbohydrate, and multiple amino acids, and it is typically well suited for growth and acid production of lactic acid bacteria. In this study, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 was used to ferment different algal carcass media (ACM), including 2% ACM, 2% ACM with 1.9% glucose (ACM-G), and 2% ACM with 1.9% glucose and 2g/L amino acid mixture (ACM-GA). Concentrations of organic acids (lactic acid and acetic acid), acetyl-CoA, and ATP were analyzed by HPLC, and activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetokinase (ACK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were determined by using a chemical approach. The growth of L. bulgaricus cells in ACM-GA was close to that in the control medium (de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe). Lactic acid and acetic acid contents were greatly reduced when L. bulgaricus cells were grown in ACM compared with the control medium. Acetyl-CoA content varied with organic acid content and was increased in cells grown in different ACM compared with the control medium. The ATP content of L. bulgaricus cells in ACM was reduced compared with that of cells grown in the control medium. Activities of PFK and ACK of L. bulgaricus cells grown in ACM were higher and those of PK and LDH were lower compared with the control. Thus, ACM rich in nutrients may serve as an excellent substrate for growth by lactic acid bacteria, and addition of appropriate amounts of glucose and amino acids can improve growth and acid production.

Effect of the absence of the CcpA gene on growth, metabolic production, and stress tolerance in Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus

The catabolite control protein A (CcpA) is a kind of multi-effect regulatory protein. In the study, the effect of the inactivation of CcpA and aerobic conditions on the growth, metabolic production, and stress tolerance to heat, oxidative, and cold stresses in Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus was investigated. Results showed that inactivation of CcpA distinctly hindered growth. Total lactic acid concentration was significantly lower in aerobiosis for both strains and was lower for the mutant strain than L. bulgaricus. Acetic acid production from the mutant strain was higher than L. bulgaricus in aerobiosis compared with anaerobiosis. Enzyme activities, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphate fructose kinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and pyruvic dehydrogenase (PDH), were significantly lower in the mutant strain than L. bulgaricus. The diameters of inhibition zone were 13.59 ± 0.02 mm and 9.76 ± 0.02 mm for L. bulgaricus in anaerobiosis and aerobiosis, respectively; and 8.12 ± 0.02 mm and 7.38 ± 0.02 mm for the mutant in anaerobiosis and aerobiosis, respectively. For both strains, cells grown under aerobic environment possess more stress tolerance. This is the first study in which the CcpA-negative mutant of L. bulgaricus is constructed and the effect of aerobic growth on stress tolerance of L. bulgaricus is evaluated. Although aerobic cultivation does not significantly improve growth, it does improve stress tolerance.

Three Heat Shock Protein Genes from Bactrocera (Tetradacus) minax Enderlein: Gene Cloning, Characterization, and Association with Diapause

Bactrocera (Tetradacus) minax Enderlein is a major pest to wild and cultivated species of citrus. Bactrocera minax produces one generation per year with a long pupal diapause period of over 6 months, which hinders efforts to obtain vast numbers of insects under standard room conditions. Determining the mechanisms of diapause is significantly important for obtaining large quantities of these insects. To characterize the heat shock protein (Hsp) genes of B. minax and to unravel their potential contribution to diapause, we performed 3' and 5' RACE to isolate the complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences, bioinformatics to examine the phylogenetic relationships, and real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression patterns of three Hsp genes during various developmental stages. These results represent the first characterization of the three Hsp genes of B. minax; the open reading frames of Bmhsp23, Bmhsp70, and Bmhsp90 were 510, 1,911, and 1,089 bp, encoding 170, 636, and 363 amino acids, respectively. BmHsp70 and BmHsp90 displayed high identity to previously identified Hsp70 and Hsp90 genes, respectively. BmHsp23 displayed varying similarity, from 28 to 83%, to previously identified small Hsps. Bmhsp23 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was found to be upregulated during diapause initiation, maintenance, and termination. Bmhsp70 mRNA expression peaked during diapause initiation. Bmhsp90 mRNA expression remained at a relatively low level during deep diapause. Our present results suggest that Bmhsp70 might play an important role in diapause initiation, while Bmhsp23 in diapause initiation and maintenance and Bmhsp90 in diapause regulation. These results improve our understanding of the mechanism of diapause in B. minax at the molecular level.

Estimation of the net energy requirements for maintenance in growing and finishing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy requirements for maintenance of growing and finishing pigs using regression models. Thirty-six growing (27.38 ± 2.24 kg) and 36 finishing (70.25 ± 2.61 kg) barrows were used and within each phase. Pigs received a corn-soybean meal diet fed at 6 levels of feed intake, which were calculated as 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% of the estimated ad libitum ME intake (2,400 kJ ME/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1)) of the pigs. Measurements were conducted on 6 pigs per feeding level and per stage of growth. After a 5-d adjustment period, barrows in the fasted treatment were kept in respiration chambers for 2 d to measure the fasting heat production. Barrows in the other treatments were kept individually in respiration chambers for a 5-d balance trial followed by a 2-d fasting period. Heat production (HP) in the fed state was measured and feces and urine were collected in the balance trial. The total HP increased (P < 0.01) with increasing feeding levels. Fasting HP increased (P < 0.01) as previous feeding level increased and was less (P = 0.012) in finishing pigs than growing pigs if calculated per kilogram BW(0.6) per day. When using an exponential regression analysis, ME requirements for maintenance were estimated at 973 and 921 kJ/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1) and NE requirements for maintenance were estimated at 758 and 732 kJ/kg BW(0.6)·d(-1) for growing and finishing pigs, respectively. The efficiencies of using ME for growth and for maintenance were estimated at 66 and 78.7% for growing and finishing pigs, respectively. It is concluded that exponential regression between HP and a wide range of ME intake may be used as a new method to determine the NE requirement for maintenance.

High Variation in Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Insertions/Deletions (Indels) in the Highly Invasive Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1)

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is invasive and adaptive to varied environments throughout the world. The adaptability is closely related to genomic variation such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (indels). In order to elucidate the feature of SNPs and indels in MEAM1, and reveal the association between SNPs/indels and adaptive capacity to various environments, a computational approach with QualitySNP was used to identify reliable SNPs and indels on the basis of 9110-expressed sequence tags of MEAM1 present in the NCBI database. There were 575 SNPs detected with a density of 10.1 SNPs/kb and 6.4 SNPs/contig. Also, 237 transitions (39.3%) and 366 transversions (60.7%) were obtained, where the ratio of transitions to transversions was 0.65:1. In addition, 581 indels with a density of 14.1 indels/kb and 9.2 indels/contig were detected. Collectively, it showed that invasive MEAM1 has high SNPs density, and higher SNPs percentage than non-invasive B. tabaci species. A high SNPs density/percentage in MEAM1 yielded a high genomic variation that might have allowed it to adapt to varied environments, which provides some support to understand the invasive nature of MEAM1 at the genomic level. High levels of genomic variation are implicated in the level of adaptive capacity and invasive species are thought to exhibit higher levels of adaptive capacity than non-invasive species.

SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, suppresses growth of JNK-inactive glioblastoma cells through cell-cycle G2/M phase arrest

SP600125 is a well studied inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Its direct biochemical effects on JNK-inactive tumor cells are usually ignored. In this study, we investigated the effects of SP600125 on JNK-inactive U251 human glioblastoma cells. Our results demonstrate that, 20 microM or more SP600125 can induce significant cell growth inhibition and cell-cycle G2/M phase arrest in U251 cells. Interestingly, we also found that SP600125 can stop the duplicated chromosomes from separating into two cells and the karyokinesis progression. Our study opened up a new perspective for further studies involved in JNK inhibitors or anti-glioma therapy.

RAPD fingerprint construction and genetic similarity of Mesona chinensis (Lamiaceae) in China

Mesona chinensis is an economically important agricultural crop, primarily cultivated for making grass jelly. It was originally discovered in South China. We examined 18 cultivars, including cultivars from Guangdong, Fujian, and Guangxi, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia, and a hybrid (a cross between cultivars from Indonesia and Guangdong), based on RAPD markers. The genetic similarity coefficient was calculated by NTSYS 2.10 and the clustering analysis was made by UPGMA. PCR amplification with 10 primers produced 163 bands; 94% of the amplified loci were polymorphic. The primers S208, S206, and S253 could completely distinguish all 19 samples by constructing a DNA fingerprint. Cluster analysis divided the 19 cultivars into five groups, with an overall genetic similarity coefficient of 0.68. Correlations were found among regional distributions, parental sources, and RAPD markers, demonstrating the rich genetic diversity of these 19 cultivars of M. chinensis. This study provides useful information for the classification, identification, and breeding of M. chinensis.

Effects of ginger root (Zingiber officinale) processed to different particle sizes on growth performance, antioxidant status, and serum metabolites of broiler chickens

A study using 144 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers was conducted to assess the effects of dried ginger root (Zingiber officinale) that was processed to particle sizes of 300, 149, 74, 37, and 8.4 microm on growth performance, antioxidant status, and serum metabolites of broiler chickens. The birds were housed in 24 wire cages in an environmentally controlled room. Dietary treatments were no supplementation (control) and supplementation with ginger root processed to 5 particle sizes at the level of 5 g/kg of diet. Average daily gain, ADFI, and feed conversion rate of chicks of each cage were measured weekly. Blood samples from 8 broilers per treatment were obtained at d 21 and 42 of the experiment to determine antioxidant enzymatic activities and metabolites in the serum, and the birds were subsequently killed to determine carcass yield and abdominal fat content. All broilers had similar ADFI or feed conversion rate over the entire experimental period. However, broilers supplemented with ginger powder tended to have higher ADG and had greater (P=0.014) carcass yield compared with that of the control. Supplementation of ginger increased (P<0.001) activities of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase but reduced (P<0.01) concentrations of malondialdehyde and cholesterol in serum of broilers at 21 and 42 d of age. Concentration of total protein in serum of ginger-supplemented broilers tended (P=0.092) to be higher at 21 d and was higher (P=0.002) at 42 d of age compared with that of control broilers. Reducing particle size of ginger powder linearly reduced (P<0.05) cholesterol (d 21) and linearly increased (P<0.05) glutathione peroxidase (d 21), total superoxide dismutase (d 42), and total protein (d 21 and 42). Supplementation of ginger at the level of 5 g/kg improved antioxidant status of broilers and the efficacy was enhanced as the particle size was reduced from 300 to 37 microm.

Colonic motility diagnosis based on colonic pressure

Manometry of the alimentary tract is a valuable and widely used means to evaluate and diagnose the function of the alimentary tract. However, the measurement can be inconvenient due to the invasive method used, and the many factors affecting results. Research on colonic pressure data is even more insufficient. This paper deals with colonic pressure data via an improved method ensuring that pressure data of the whole colon is available. The data is analysed based on the learning vector quantization (LVQ) method. Testing results show that this method distinguishes the normal data and the abnormal data, consistently with the original diagnoses. This method can serve as an assistant diagnosis of colonic motility and contributes to further research on colonic motility based on pressure data.

Steady-state kinetic characterization of substrates and metal-ion specificities of the full-length and N-terminally truncated recombinant human methionine aminopeptidases (type 2)

The steady-state kinetics of a full-length and truncated form of the type 2 human methionine aminopeptidase (hMetAP2) were analyzed by continuous monitoring of the amide bond cleavage of various peptide substrates and methionyl analogues of 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) and p-nitroaniline (pNA), utilizing new fluorescence-based and absorbance-based assay substrates and a novel coupled-enzyme assay method. The most efficient substrates for hMetAP2 appeared to be peptides of three or more amino acids for which the values of k(cat)/K(m) were approximately 5 x 10(5) M(-1) min(-1). It was found that while the nature of the P1' residue of peptide substrates dictates the substrate specificity in the active site of hMetAP2, the P2' residue appears to play a key role in the kinetics of peptidolysis. The catalytic efficiency of dipeptide substrates was found to be at least 250-fold lower than those of the tripeptides. This substantially diminished catalytic efficiency of hMetAP2 observed with the alternative substrates MetAMC and MetpNA is almost entirely due to the reduction in the turnover rate (k(cat)), suggesting that cleavage of the amide bond is at least partially rate-limiting. The 107 N-terminal residues of hMetAP2 were not required for either the peptidolytic activity of the enzyme or its stability. Steady-state kinetic comparison and thermodynamic analyses of an N-terminally truncated form and full-length enzyme yielded essentially identical kinetic behavior and physical properties. Addition of exogenous Co(II) cation was found to significantly activate the full-length hMetAP2, while Zn(II) cation, on the other hand, was unable to activate hMetAP2 under any concentration that was tested.

[Isolation and verification of Triticum aestivum-Eremopyrum orientale addition lines and substitution lines by GISH]

Eremopyrum is a potential genus in wheat improvement. To breed T. aestivum-Er. orientale additional and substitutional lines, chromosome number of 96 BC2F3 individuals were accounted. Fifteen plants with 2n = 43 and eight plants with 2n = 44 were checked out. GISH results of the individuals with 43 chromosomes showed that they blonged to three different monosomic additions. Two disomic additions, one double-monosomic addition, one trible-monosomic addition and one monosomic addition were found in the 2n = 44 individuals. One double-monosomic substitution and one monosomic substitution were obtained. We also proved that it is relatively easier to obtain addition lines in the selfing population than to obtain double-monosomic additions.

Cloning and characterization of a novel human class I histone deacetylase that functions as a transcription repressor

Histone acetylation alters chromatin state by modifying lysines on histone and plays an important role in modulating gene transcription. A dynamic balance of histone acetylation/deacetylation is maintained by histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. Emerging evidence suggests that a family of histone deacetylases may exist to regulate diverse cellular functions, including chromatin structure, gene expression, cell cycle progression, and oncogenesis. We describe here a novel human histone deacetylase, named HDAC8, cloned from human kidney. HDAC8 encodes 377 amino acid residues and shares extensive homology to several known HDACs, in particular a histone deacetylase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Northern blot analyses revealed that HDAC8 expression pattern for HDAC8 is distinct from that for HDAC1 and HDAC3, and expression of HDAC8 mRNA occurs in multiple organs including heart, lung, kidney, and pancreas. HDAC8 mRNA was also observed in several cell lines derived from cancerous tissues. When expressed in HEK293 cells, HDAC8 exhibited deacetylase activity toward acetylated histone, indicating that this protein is a bona fide histone deacetylase. Its histone deacetylase activity was inhibited by trichostatin and other known histone deacetylase inhibitors. Furthermore, active recombinant HDAC8 was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. When ectopically expressed in cells, HDAC8 was found to be localized to the nucleus. Co-transfection experiments demonstrated that expression of HDAC8 repressed a viral SV40 early promoter activity. These results indicate that HDAC8 is a novel member of the histone deacetylase family, which may play a role in the development of a broad range of tissues and potentially in the etiology of cancer.

Structural elements of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 required for functional interaction with cytohesin-1

ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) is a 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding protein involved in vesicular trafficking. Conversion of inactive ARF-GDP to active ARF-GTP is catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange proteins such as cytohesin-1. Cytohesin-1 and its Sec7 domain (C-1Sec7) exhibit guanine nucleotide exchange protein activity with ARF1 but not ARF-like protein 1 (ARL1), which is 57% identical in amino acid sequence. With chimeric proteins composed of ARF1 (F) and ARL1 (L) sequences we identified three structural elements responsible for this specificity. Cytohesin-1 increased [35S]guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate binding to L28/F (first 28 residues of L, remainder F) and to a much lesser extent F139/L, and mut13F139/L (F139/L with random sequence in the first 13 positions) but not Delta13ARF1 that lacks the first 13 amino acids; therefore, a nonspecific ARF N terminus was required for cytohesin-1 action. The N terminus was not, however, required for that of C-1Sec7. Both C-1Sec7 and cytohesin-1 effectively released guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate from ARF1, but only C-1Sec7 displaced the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog bound to mut13F139/L, again indicating that structure in addition to the Sec7 domain is involved in cytohesin-1 interaction. Some element(s) of the C-terminal region is also involved, because replacement of the last 42 amino acids with ARL sequence in F139L decreased markedly the interaction with cytohesin-1. Participation of both termini is consistent with the crystallographic structure of ARF in which the two terminal alpha-helices are in close proximity. ARF1 residues 28-50 are also important in the interaction with cytohesin-1; replacement of Lys-38 with Gln, the corresponding residue in ARL1, abolished the ability to serve as substrate for cytohesin-1 or C-1Sec7. These studies have defined multiple structural elements in ARF1, including switch 1 and the N and C termini, that participate in functional interactions with cytohesin-1 (or its catalytic domain C-1Sec7), which were not apparent from crystallographic analysis.

Auxin deprivation induces synchronous Golgi differentiation in suspension-cultured tobacco BY-2 cells

To date, the lack of a method for inducing plant cells and their Golgi stacks to differentiate in a synchronous manner has made it difficult to characterize the nature and extent of Golgi retailoring in biochemical terms. Here we report that auxin deprivation can be used to induce a uniform population of suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv BY-2) cells to differentiate synchronously during a 4-d period. Upon removal of auxin, the cells stop dividing, undergo elongation, and differentiate in a manner that mimics the formation of slime-secreting epidermal and peripheral root-cap cells. The morphological changes to the Golgi apparatus include a proportional increase in the number of trans-Golgi cisternae, a switch to larger-sized secretory vesicles that bud from the trans-Golgi cisternae, and an increase in osmium staining of the secretory products. Biochemical alterations include an increase in large, fucosylated, mucin-type glycoproteins, changes in the types of secreted arabinogalactan proteins, and an increase in the amounts and types of molecules containing the peripheral root-cap-cell-specific epitope JIM 13. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that auxin deprivation can be used to induce tobacco BY-2 cells to differentiate synchronously into mucilage-secreting cells.

Monensin-induced redistribution of enzymes and products from Golgi stacks to swollen vesicles in plant cells

We have tested the hypothesis that monensin treatment of plant cells leads to the transfer of Golgi enzymes to the monensin-induced swollen vesicles using sycamore maple suspension-cultured cells and immunolabeling techniques. Cells treated for 20 and 60 min with 10 microM monensin were labeled with anti-V-H(+)-ATPase, anti-xyloglucan (XG) sidechain (CCRC-M1), anti-pectic polysaccharide (JIM7 and CCRC-M2), and anti-N-glycan (anti-beta Xyl, and anti-alpha Fuc) antibodies. Our results demonstrate that monensin causes most H(+)-ATPase to be displaced from the Golgi cisternae (label distribution in control cells: 11% cis, 32% medial, 57% trans cisternae) to the swollen vesicles, which explains why these vesicles remain swollen after detachment from the Golgi/trans Golgi network cisternae. We also show that the content of complete XG molecules (defined by completed trisaccharide sidechains) in the swollen vesicles increases 1.5-fold between the 20 and 60 min samples, suggestive of the transfer of functional XG backbone and sidechain synthesizing enzymes from the trans Golgi compartment to the swollen vesicles. In contrast, no increase in either anti-pectin antibody or N-glycan antibody labeling of the swollen vesicles was observed between the 20 min and 60 min monensin samples. Both of these latter types of molecules depend for their synthesis on enzymes located in multiple membrane compartments upstream from the trans Golgi cisternae, which greatly decreases the probability of transfer of complete enzyme systems to the swollen vesicles. Thus these latter findings do not contradict the anti-H(+)-ATPase and the anti-XG labeling data, which strongly support the Golgi enzyme displacement theory.

Separation of scrapie prion infectivity from PrP amyloid polymers

The prion protein (PrP) undergoes a profound conformational change when the cellular isoform (PrPC) is converted into the scrapie form (PrPSc). Limited proteolysis of PrPsc produces PrP 27-30 which readily polymerizes into amyloid. To study the structure of PrP amyloid, we employed organic solvents that perturb protein conformation. Hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), which promotes alpha-helix formation, modified the ultrastructure of rod-shaped PrP amyloids; flattened ribbons with a more regular substructure were found. As the concentration of HFIP was increased, the beta-sheet content and proteinase K resistance of PrP 27-30 as well as prion infectivity diminished. HFIP reversibly decreased the binding of Congo red dye to the rods while inactivation of prion infectivity was irreversible. In contrast to 10% HFIP, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol (TFIP) did not inactivate prion infectivity but like HFIP, TFIP did alter the morphology of the rods and abolish Congo red binding. This study separates prion infectivity from the amyloid properties of PrP 27-30 and underscores the dependence of prion infectivity on PrPSc conformation. The results also demonstrate that the specific beta-sheet-rich structures required for prion infectivity can be differentiated from those needed for amyloid formation as determined by Congo red binding.

[Effects of recurrent laryngeal nerve on thyroid hormone secretion in rats]

The effects of recurrent laryngeal never (RLN) on serum thyroid hormones and thyroidal radioiodide uptake were examined in rats. The results are (1) Serum thyroxine (T4) level increased significantly after section of unilateral RLN. When the sectioned peripheral end was stimulated immediately after section, the serum T4 level went even significantly lower than the control within 30 minutes. (2) Radioiodide uptake by homolateral thyroid increased significantly after section of unilateral RLN. These results indicate that RLN normally exerts an inhibitory effect on thyroxine secretion possibly mediated by muscarinic receptors.

Different ARF domains are required for the activation of cholera toxin and phospholipase D

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs), initially described as activators of cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, regulate intracellular vesicular membrane trafficking and stimulate a phospholipase D (PLD) isoform. ARF-like (ARL) proteins are structurally related to ARFs but do not activate cholera toxin and have relatively little effect on PLD. A new human ARL gene termed hARL1, which shares 57% amino acid identity with hARF1, was identified using a polymerase chain reaction-based cloning method. To determine whether different structural elements are responsible for the activation structural elements are responsible for the activation of the A subunit of cholera toxin and PLD, chimeric proteins were constructed by switching the amino-terminal 73 amino acids of ARF1 and ARL1. The recombinant rL73/F protein, in which the amino-terminal 73 amino acids of ARL1 replaced those of ARF1, activated the A subunit of cholera toxin, whereas the rF73/L protein, in which the NH2-terminal 73 amino acids of ARF1 replaced those of ARL1, was inactive. The two chimeric proteins had quite opposite effects on PLD activity. rF73/L activated PLD as effectively as rARF1, whereas rL73/F protein activated PLD only slightly. It appears that the amino-terminal region of ARF1 is not critical for its action as a GTP-dependent activator of cholera toxin, whereas it is necessary for activation of the putative effector enzyme, PLD.

Intracerebral co-grafting of Schwann's cells and fetal adrenal medulla in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Intracerebral co-grafting of Schwann's cells and human fetal adrenal medullary tissue was performed in 10 patients with Parkinson's disease. One to six months after grafting, symptoms were improved significantly for 1 to 3 grade. Among them, 2 patients resumed nearly normal daily activities. Long-term follow-up showed that the symptoms were not improved satisfactorily in some patients. It is considered that careful selection of patients, administration of amantadine, and co-grafting of Schwann's cells which prompts the survival of chromaffin cells are essential to better results.

[Protective effect of tetrandrine on pancreatic islet cells damaged by alloxan in rats]

Tetrandrine (TET, 100 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally could prevent rats from diabetes induced by alloxan. After 48 h of injection of alloxan, the blood sugar of the preventive group decreased from the control value of 25.46 +/- 1.21 mmol/L to 7.63 +/- 0.44 mmol/L (P < 0.001) while the serum insulin level increased to 11.33 +/- 1.97 microU/ml and the plasma glucagon concentration to 66.85 +/- 5.07 pg/ml respectively from the control group's value of 7.13 +/- 0.45 microU/ml and 90.35 +/- 8.33 pg/ml. In glucose tolerance test, TET 100 mg/kg showed that the abnormal glucose tolerance induced by alloxan could be improved. The blood sugar area under the glucose tolerance curve of the preventive group decreased from the control groups level of 113.28 +/- 5.02 mmol.h/L to 29.45 +/- 1.63 mmol.h/L (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical observation of islet beta cells confirmed that TET could markedly prevent beta cells from injuries induced by alloxan and there was no obvious change in the appearance of islet beta cells in the preventive group. The above results suggested that TET could protect pancreatic islet beta cells from injuries caused by Alloxan.

[Bone metabolism in pregnant women]

Serum ionized calcium, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TR-ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in 80 pregnant women in different gestational weeks. The results showed that calcium level decreased significantly as the gestation week increased. Calcium level of umbilical cord was higher than that of third trimester of pregnancy. It indicated that calcium could be transported to fetus across the placenta against the concentration gradient. Both TR-ACP and ALP activity elevated as gestation week increased. This may suggest that the bone metabolism is very active in pregnant women.

Alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk in China

The alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk was measured in 71 mothers of preterm and term infants in China. The mean alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk was much lower than that reported in developed countries. alpha-Tocopherol levels were higher in colostrum and then decreased in the transition milk. Mothers of preterm infants produced colostrum with a slightly higher alpha-tocopherol content than that of the mothers of term infants. However, alpha-tocopherol levels in transition milk were similar in both groups.

Alpha-tocopherol concentrations in human milk from mothers of preterm and full-term infants in China

alpha-Tocopherol content in breast milk of 28 mothers who delivered preterm infants (preterm milk) and 43 mothers who delivered full-term infants (term milk) were measured. alpha-Tocopherol concentration in preterm milk did not differ significantly from that of term milk in the first 12 days of lactation (P > 0.05). There is a higher alpha-tocopherol concentration in the early colostrum, however, it decreases with the lactational days significantly. The investigation suggests that early breast-feeding would be beneficial to the improvement of vitamin E intake in neonates during the early life.

Effects of seasonality on blood ionized calcium in early neonatal periods

The levels of whole blood ionized calcium were observed in 200 healthy neonates in the first week of life in spring and in summer. Levels of blood ionized calcium were lower in neonates born in spring compared to those of neonates born in summer. The levels of blood ionized calcium in adults did not change in different seasons. This study suggested that seasonality had a significant effect on blood ionized calcium in early neonatal life.

Effect of brefeldin A on the structure of the Golgi apparatus and on the synthesis and secretion of proteins and polysaccharides in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) suspension-cultured cells

Brefeldin A (BFA), a specific inhibitor of Golgi-mediated secretion in animal cells, has been used to study the organization of the secretory pathway and the function of the Golgi apparatus in plant cells. To this end, we have employed a combination of electron microscopical, immunocytochemical, and biochemical techniques to investigate the effects of this drug on the architecture of the Golgi apparatus as well as on the secretion of proteins and complex cell wall polysaccharides in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) suspension-cultured cells. We have used 2.5 and 7.5 micrograms/mL of BFA, which is comparable to the 1 to 10 micrograms/mL used in experiments with animal cells. Electron micrographs of high-pressure frozen and freeze-substituted cells show that although BFA causes swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, unlike in animal cells, it does not induce the disassembly of sycamore maple Golgi stacks. Instead, BFA induces the formation of large clusters of Golgi stacks, an increase in the number of trans-like Golgi cisternae, and the accumulation in the cytoplasm of very dense vesicles that appear to be derived from trans Golgi cisternae. These vesicles contain large amounts of xyloglucan (XG), the major hemicellulosic cell wall polysaccharide, as shown by immunocytochemical labeling with anti-XG antibodies. All of these structural changes disappear within 120 min after removal of the drug. In vivo labeling experiments using [3H]leucine demonstrate that protein secretion into the culture medium, but not protein synthesis, is inhibited by approximately 80% in the presence of BFA. In contrast, the incorporation of [3H]fucose into N-linked glycoproteins, which occurs in trans-Golgi cisternae, appears to be affected to a greater extent than the incorporation of [3H]xylose, which has been localized to medial Golgi cisternae. BFA also affects secretion of complex polysaccharides as evidenced by the approximate 50% drop in incorporation of [3H]xylose and [3H]fucose into cell wall hemicelluloses. Taken together, these findings suggest that at concentrations of 2.5 to 7.5 mu g/mL BFA causes the following major changes in the secretory pathway of sycamore maple cells: (a) it inhibits the transport of secretory proteins to the cell surface by about 80% and of hemicelluloses by about 50%; (b) it changes the patterns of glycosylation of N-linked glycoproteins and hemicelluloses; (c) it reduces traffic between trans Golgi cisternae and secretory vesicles; (d) it produces a major block in the transport of XG-containing, dense secretory vesicles to the cell surface; and (e) it induces the formation of large aggregates of Golgi apparatus of plant and animal cels share many functional and structural characteristics, the plant Golgi apparatus possesses properties that make its response to BFA unique.

Effect of monensin on plant Golgi: re-examination of the monensin-induced changes in cisternal architecture and functional activities of the Golgi apparatus of sycamore suspension-cultured cells

We have re-examined the effects of the ionophore monensin on the Golgi apparatus of sycamore maple suspension-cultured cells using a combination of high pressure freezing, immunocytochemical and biochemical techniques. Exposure of the cells to 10 microM monensin, which reduces protein secretion by approximately 90%, resulted first in the swelling of the trans-Golgi network, then of the trans-most trans-cisterna, the remaining trans-cisternae, and finally of the cis and medial cisternae. We postulate that these different rates of swelling reflect an underlying hierarchy of compartmental acidification with the trans-Golgi network being the most acidic compartment. Recovery occurred in the reverse sequence. Previous studies have suggested that the large swollen vesicles that accumulate in the cytoplasm of monensin-treated cells arise from the swelling and detachment of entire trans-cisternae. However, based on the many membrane blebbing configurations seen in association with the trans-Golgi network and the trans-Golgi cisternae of monensin-treated cells, and the fact that the surface area of the trans-Golgi cisternae is about five times greater than the surface area of the swollen vesicles, it appears that the swollen vesicles are produced by a budding mechanism. After 35–40 min of monensin treatment, cells with smaller, non-swollen, compact Golgi stacks began to appear and rapidly increased in number, contributing &gt; 60% of the cell population after 60 min and &gt; 80% after 100 min. In contrast, large numbers of swollen vesicles persisted in the cytoplasm of all cells for over 100 min. Since azide treatment of monensin-treated cells can prematurely induce the unswelling response and cellular ATP levels drop substantially after 45 min of monensin treatment, we propose that un-swelling of the Golgi stacks is due to a monensin-induced decline in ATP levels in the cells. Immunocytochemical labeling of the high pressure frozen cells with anti-xyloglucan antibodies demonstrated that the concentration of xyloglucan, a hemicellulose, in the swollen vesicles increased with time. This increase in vesicle contents may explain why these swollen vesicles do not contract in parallel with the Golgi stacks. In vivo labeling experiments with [3H]fucose, [3H]UDP-glucose and [3H]leucine demonstrated that monensin-treatment not only inhibited protein secretion, but also cellulose synthesis. Protein synthesis, on the other hand, was reduced only slightly during the first 30 min of treatment, but quite strongly between 30 and 60 min, consistent with the observed drop in ATP levels after &gt; 40 min of exposure to monensin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Functional compartmentation of the Golgi apparatus of plant cells : immunocytochemical analysis of high-pressure frozen- and freeze-substituted sycamore maple suspension culture cells

The Golgi apparatus of plant cells is engaged in both the processing of glycoproteins and the synthesis of complex polysaccharides. To investigate the compartmentalization of these functions within individual Golgi stacks, we have analyzed the ultrastructure and the immunolabeling patterns of high-pressure frozen and freeze-substituted suspension-cultured sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells. As a result of the improved structural preservation, three morphological types of Golgi cisternae, designated cis, medial, and trans, as well as the trans Golgi network, could be identified. The number of cis cisternae per Golgi stack was found to be fairly constant at approximately 1, whereas the number of medial and trans cisternae per stack was variable and accounted for the varying number of cisternae (3-10) among the many Golgi stacks examined. By using a battery of seven antibodies whose specific sugar epitopes on secreted polysaccharides and glycoproteins are known, we have been able to determine in which types of cisternae specific sugars are added to N-linked glycans, and to xyloglucan and polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I, two complex polysaccharides. The findings are as follows. The beta-1,4-linked d-glucosyl backbone of xyloglucan is synthesized in trans cisternae, and the terminal fucosyl residues on the trisaccharide side chains of xyloglucan are partly added in the trans cisternae, and partly in the trans Golgi network. In contrast, the polygalacturonic/rhamnogalacturonan-I backbone is assembled in cis and medial cisternae, methylesterification of the carboxyl groups of the galacturonic acid residues in the polygalacturonic acid domains occurs mostly in medial cisternae, and arabinose-containing side chains of the polygalacturonic acid domains are added to the nascent polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I molecules in the trans cisternae. Double labeling experiments demonstrate that xyloglucan and polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I can be synthesized concomitantly within the same Golgi stack. Finally, we show that the xylosyl residue-linked beta-1,2 to the beta-linked mannose of the core of N-linked glycans is added in medial cisternae. Taken together, our results indicate that in sycamore maple suspension-cultured cells, different types of Golgi cisternae contain different sets of glycosyl transferases, that the functional organization of the biosynthetic pathways of complex polysaccharides is consistent with these molecules being processed in a cis to trans direction like the N-linked glycans, and that the complex polysaccharide xyloglucan is assembled exclusively in trans Golgi cisternae and the trans Golgi network.

Functional compartmentation of the Golgi apparatus of plant cells : immunocytochemical analysis of high-pressure frozen- and freeze-substituted sycamore maple suspension culture cells

The Golgi apparatus of plant cells is engaged in both the processing of glycoproteins and the synthesis of complex polysaccharides. To investigate the compartmentalization of these functions within individual Golgi stacks, we have analyzed the ultrastructure and the immunolabeling patterns of high-pressure frozen and freeze-substituted suspension-cultured sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells. As a result of the improved structural preservation, three morphological types of Golgi cisternae, designated cis, medial, and trans, as well as the trans Golgi network, could be identified. The number of cis cisternae per Golgi stack was found to be fairly constant at approximately 1, whereas the number of medial and trans cisternae per stack was variable and accounted for the varying number of cisternae (3-10) among the many Golgi stacks examined. By using a battery of seven antibodies whose specific sugar epitopes on secreted polysaccharides and glycoproteins are known, we have been able to determine in which types of cisternae specific sugars are added to N-linked glycans, and to xyloglucan and polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I, two complex polysaccharides. The findings are as follows. The beta-1,4-linked d-glucosyl backbone of xyloglucan is synthesized in trans cisternae, and the terminal fucosyl residues on the trisaccharide side chains of xyloglucan are partly added in the trans cisternae, and partly in the trans Golgi network. In contrast, the polygalacturonic/rhamnogalacturonan-I backbone is assembled in cis and medial cisternae, methylesterification of the carboxyl groups of the galacturonic acid residues in the polygalacturonic acid domains occurs mostly in medial cisternae, and arabinose-containing side chains of the polygalacturonic acid domains are added to the nascent polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I molecules in the trans cisternae. Double labeling experiments demonstrate that xyloglucan and polygalacturonic acid/rhamnogalacturonan-I can be synthesized concomitantly within the same Golgi stack. Finally, we show that the xylosyl residue-linked beta-1,2 to the beta-linked mannose of the core of N-linked glycans is added in medial cisternae. Taken together, our results indicate that in sycamore maple suspension-cultured cells, different types of Golgi cisternae contain different sets of glycosyl transferases, that the functional organization of the biosynthetic pathways of complex polysaccharides is consistent with these molecules being processed in a cis to trans direction like the N-linked glycans, and that the complex polysaccharide xyloglucan is assembled exclusively in trans Golgi cisternae and the trans Golgi network.

[Protective effect of verapamil against alloxan-induced damage on pancreatic islet beta-cells in rats]

An experimental diabetes model was produced by intravenous injection of alloxan. Verapamil (40 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to alloxan was able to decrease serum glucose from 22.93 +/- 1.37 mmol/L to 8.79 +/- 0.83 mmol/L after 48 hours of injection of alloxan. Histological findings showed that the number of secretory granules in beta cells of the pancreatic islet of rats pretreated with verapamil was markedly increased as compared to rats treated with alloxan alone.

Morphological evidence for newly discovered double projection spinal neurons

A novel population of spinal neurons is shown to terminate in two nuclei: the lateral cervical nucleus and the dorsal column nuclei. Nuclear yellow and Fast blue injected respectively into these nuclei are retrogradely transported to common neurons in the lumbosacral dorsal horn. The bifurcation of these neurons' axons appears to occur at the cervico-thoracic junction. These results indicate that some dorsal horn neurons transmit sensory information to two distinct nuclei. The two projections and their branching points may play a special role in neuronal communication.