TIAM2S-positive microglia enhance inflammation and neurotoxicity through soluble ICAM-1-mediated immune priming

TIAM Rac1-associated GEF 2 short form (TIAM2S) as an oncoprotein alters the immunity of peripheral immune cells to construct an inflammatory tumor microenvironment. However, its role in the activation of microglia, the primary innate immune cells of the brain, and neuroinflammation remains unknown. This study investigated the mechanism underlying TIAM2S shapes immune properties of microglia to facilitate neuron damage. Human microglial clone 3 cell line (HMC3) and human brain samples were applied to determine the presence of TIAM2S in microglia by western blots and double immunostaining. Furthermore, TIAM2S transgenic mice combined with multiple reconstituted primary neuron-glial culture systems and a cytokine array were performed to explore how TIAM2S shaped immune priming of microglia and participated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuron damage. TIAM2S protein was detectable in HMC3 cells and presented in a small portion (~11.1%) of microglia in human brains referred to as TIAM2S-positive microglia. With the property of secreted soluble factor-mediated immune priming, TIAM2S-positive microglia enhanced LPS-induced neuroinflammation and neural damage in vivo and in vitro. The gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) participated in neurotoxic immune priming of TIAM2S+ microglia. Together, this study demonstrated a novel TIAM2S-positive microglia subpopulation enhances inflammation and neurotoxicity through sICAM-1-mediated immune priming.

[Progress in the application of alveolar organoids in common lung diseases]

Organoids are tissue cultures formed by culturing cells in three-dimensional environments that simulate the physiological or pathological conditions of the human body. The cultivation of organoids is used to study the temporal and spatial transformation of cells during the development of tissues or organs, to investigate changes in cellular functions and inter-communications caused by various risk factors, and to discover potential therapeutic targets. This article provided an overview of the cultivation and identification methods of alveolar organoids, as well as the research progress in their application to common respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, viral pneumonia, and so on. The limitations and future applications of alveolar organoids are also analyzed and discussed.

Néel Spin Currents in Antiferromagnets

Ferromagnets are known to support spin-polarized currents that control various spin-dependent transport phenomena useful for spintronics. On the contrary, fully compensated antiferromagnets are expected to support only globally spin-neutral currents. Here, we demonstrate that these globally spin-neutral currents can represent the Néel spin currents, i.e., staggered spin currents flowing through different magnetic sublattices. The Néel spin currents emerge in antiferromagnets with strong intrasublattice coupling (hopping) and drive the spin-dependent transport phenomena such as tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and spin-transfer torque (STT) in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions (AFMTJs). Using RuO_{2} and Fe_{4}GeTe_{2} as representative antiferromagnets, we predict that the Néel spin currents with a strong staggered spin polarization produce a sizable fieldlike STT capable of the deterministic switching of the Néel vector in the associated AFMTJs. Our work uncovers the previously unexplored potential of fully compensated antiferromagnets and paves a new route to realize the efficient writing and reading of information for antiferromagnetic spintronics.

[Safety and efficacy of dual guiding catheter kissing technique in the treatment of stent partially dislodgement in coronary artery]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of dual guiding catheter kissing technique (DCK) in the treatment of stent partly dislodgement in coronary artery. Methods: The study retrospectively involved 6 hospitalized patients with coronary artery stent partly dislodgement during PCI at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2016 to June 2019, DCK was used in these patients. We observe the success rate of stent retrieval, success rate of PCI, incidence of complications and major adverse cardiovascular events in 1 year follow up. Results: 6 patients were involved, of which 3 are male, ages range 49 to 68 years old, 4 patients are diagnosed with unstable angina, the other two are stable angina. All the partially disloged stents in the 6 patients were successfully removed from coronary artery. Except for 1 patient who refused coronary artery stenting again, the other 5 patients were successfully implanted coronary artery stenting. No serious complications occurred, no patients died and no major adverse cardiovascular events happened during 1 year follow up. Conclusions: DCK is safe and effective to remove partially dislodged stent in coronary artery.

Temperature-Induced Lifshitz Transition and Possible Excitonic Instability in ZrSiSe

The nodal-line semimetals have attracted immense interest due to the unique electronic structures such as the linear dispersion and the vanishing density of states as the Fermi energy approaching the nodes. Here, we report temperature-dependent transport and scanning tunneling microscopy (spectroscopy) [STM(S)] measurements on nodal-line semimetal ZrSiSe. Our experimental results and theoretical analyses consistently demonstrate that the temperature induces Lifshitz transitions at 80 and 106 K in ZrSiSe, which results in the transport anomalies at the same temperatures. More strikingly, we observe a V-shaped dip structure around Fermi energy from the STS spectrum at low temperature, which can be attributed to co-effect of the spin-orbit coupling and excitonic instability. Our observations indicate the correlation interaction may play an important role in ZrSiSe, which owns the quasi-two-dimensional electronic structures.

The giant planar Hall effect and anisotropic magnetoresistance in Dirac node arcs semimetal PtSn4

Topological semimetals (TSMs) present intriguing quantum states and have attracted much attention in recent years because of exhibiting various anomalous magneto-transport phenomena. Theoretical prediction shows that some novel phenomena, such as negative magnetoresistance (MR) and the planar Hall effect (PHE), originate from the chiral anomaly in TSMs. In this work, high-field (33 T) Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations are obtained to reveal the topology of PtSn4. Giant PHE and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) are observed in Dirac node arcs of semimetal PtSn4. First, a non-zero transverse voltage can be acquired while tilting the in-plane magnetic field. Moreover, the amplitude of PHE sharply increases at T * ∼ 50 K with decreasing temperature, which is suggested to be related to the Fermi surface reconstruction observed in PtSn4. Subsequently, the field-dependent amplitudes of the PHE show an abnormal behavior around 50 K, which is thought to stem from the complex correlation between the chiral charge and electric one in PtSn4 driving the system into different coupling states due to the complicated band structure. On the other hand, the relative AMR is negative and up to -98% at 8.5 T. Our work proves that the PHE measurements are a convincing transport fingerprint feature to confirm the chiral anomaly in TSMs.

[Outcomes of patients treated with drug-coated balloons for de novo large coronary vessels]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloons (DCB) for de novo large coronary vessels. Methods: One hundred and two patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study, there were 104 lesions with the reference lumen diameter of target vessel more than 2.8 mm and patients were treated with DCB in de novo lesions during May 2015 and July 2017 in our center. Coronary artery angiography and quantitative coronary angiography were performed in 82 (80.4%) patients at follow up period ((8.1±1.7) months post procedure). The endpoints were late lumen loss (LLL) at follow up,and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent or target lesion thrombosis at 12 months post procedure. Results: Ninety-eight lesions were treated with DCB only, 6 (5.9%) bailout drug-eluting stent (DES) were used because of severe coronary dissection, 2 patients (2.0%) received revascularization driven by acute ischemic events during hospitalization. Cutting balloons and NSE balloons were used in 65.4% (68/104) and 26.0% (27/104) lesions. The lesion length was (12.57±3.58) mm and the DCB length was (19.87±4.55) mm. The late lumen loss was (0.01±0.52) mm during angiographic follow up. The TLR rate and overall MACE rate was 3.9% (4/102) and 3.9% (4/102) and there was no death,MI and target lesion thrombosis at 12 months follow up. Conclusion: DCB treatment for de novo large coronary vessels is effective and safe.

[A comparative study of two chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mouse models established by different methods]

Objective: To compare chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mouse models established by two different methods-cigarette smoke (CS) exposure alone and CS exposure combined with airway instillation of bacterial LPS. Methods: Male C57 mice were randomly divided into control group(CTL group), CS exposure group (CS group) and intra-tracheal LPS instillation combined with CS exposure group (LPS+CS group) according to the random number table, with 8 rats in each group. After the models were established, we measured the lung function and collected the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to detect the number of inflammatory cells and the expression of mucin and inflammatory mediators. HE and PAS staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in airway and lung tissue and to detect the goblet cells in airway, respectively. Results: Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC) and airway resistance (RI) of the CS and LPS+CS groups were higher than those of the CTL group, while the FEV(50)/FVC of these 2 groups was lower (P<0.05). Moreover, both RI and FEV(50)/FVC in the LPS+CS group were higher compared with the CS group (P<0.05). HE staining of lung tissue showed that the average alveolar intercept and thickness of small airway wall in the CS and LPS+CS groups were higher compared to the CTL group. In addition, the average alveolar intercept in the LPS+CS group was lower than that in the CS group [(47.86±2.82) μm and (61.94±7.68) μm respectively, P<0.05], but the area of bronchial inflammation of LPS+CS group was higher. The number of total white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in BALF of CS and LPS+CS groups were higher than those of CTL group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the number of neutrophils and IL-6 level in BALF of LPS+CS group were higher in comparison with CS group, while the number of macrophages in BALF of LPS+CS group was lower (P<0.05). PAS staining of lung tissue indicated that the number of goblet cells in large airways of CS and LPS+CS groups increased more significantly compared to the CTL group, and the number of goblet cells in the LPS+CS group was higher than that in the CS group [(0.16±0.02) and (0.09±0.02) respectively, P<0.05]. The expression levels of Muc5ac and Muc5b in BALF of LPS+CS and CS groups were also higher than those of CTL group (P<0.05), and the level of Muc5ac in BALF of LPS+CS group was higher compared with CS group[(2.69±0.72) and (2.19±0.29) respectively, P<0.05]. Conclusions: Combined exposure of LPS and CS for establishing a COPD mouse model could better simulate the pathological characteristics of human COPD during the acute exacerbation period. The COPD mouse model established by CS exposure alone was able to better imitate the basic features of human COPD in the stable period. Researchers could choose a more appropriate modeling method according to different purposes.

[The effects of Xuebijing injection on apoptosis and expression of regulatory factors TNF-α、NF-κB and Caspase-3 expression in the lung tissues of acute paraquat-induced rats]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Xuebijing injection in the treatment of acute paraquat poisoning by means of studying the expression of TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, Caspase-3 and the changes of cell apoptosis rate detected by TUNEL in the lung tissue of acute paraquat-induced rats. Methods: On the base of random number table, 126 Wister rats weighing 220 g to 270 g were divided into 3 groups: (1) Control group: 42 rats, (2) Poisoned group: 42 rats, (3) Treatment group: 42 rats. On 1(st)、3(rd)、7(th)、14(th)、21(st)、28(th)、and 35(th) day, six rats from each group were anaesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of chloral hydrate. To cut the chest and take the lung tissue samples. The expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Nuclear Factor-kappa B and Caspase-3 protein in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining, as well as apoptotic cell rate was detected by TUNEL staining. Results: The expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Nuclear Factor-kappa B, Caspase-3 protein and TUNEL staining in the lung tissue of the poisoned group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) . Compared with the poisoned group, the expression of TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, Caspase-3 and TUNEL in treatment group decreased significantly (P<0.05) , but they were still higher than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Apoptosis and TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B and Caspase-3 play an important role in lung injury of paraquat-induced rats. Xuebijing injection can inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, Caspase-3 in lung tissue, reduce the apoptosis rate and alleviate the damage of lung tissue in paraquat-poisoning rats.

Inversion symmetry breaking induced triply degenerate points in orderly arranged PtSeTe family materials

k paths exactly with [Formula: see text] symmetry allow to find triply degenerate points (TDPs) in band structures. The paths that host the type-II Dirac points in PtSe₂ family materials also have the [Formula: see text] spatial symmetry. However, due to Kramers degeneracy (the systems have both inversion symmetry and time reversal symmetry), the crossing points in them are Dirac ones. In this work, based on symmetry analysis, first-principles calculations, and [Formula: see text] method, we predict that PtSe₂ family materials should undergo topological transitions if the inversion symmetry is broken, i.e. the Dirac fermions in PtSe₂ family materials split into TDPs in PtSeTe family materials (PtSSe, PtSeTe, and PdSeTe) with orderly arranged S/Se (Se/Te). It is different from the case in high-energy physics that breaking inversion symmetry I leads to the splitting of Dirac fermion into Weyl fermions. We also address a possible method to achieve the orderly arranged in PtSeTe family materials in experiments. Our study provides a real example that Dirac points transform into TDPs, and is helpful to investigate the topological transition between Dirac fermions and TDP fermions.

[Establishment and evaluation of a new method for determining hemodynamics of pulmonary hypertension rats]

Objective: By evaluating the hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output (CO), right ventricular pressure (RVP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and total pulmonary resistance index (TPRI) in pulmonary hypertension rat model, we established a more comprehensive hemodynamic evaluation system, which objectively evaluated the severity of disease and exercise tolerance in rats with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and a model group with 5 rats in each group. The model group was intraperitoneally injected with SU5416 (20 mg/kg) and placed in an oxygen chamber at a 10% oxygen concentration for 21 days and then placed in a normoxic environment for 14 days. After modeling, rats were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. The operator cut the skin along the right paraxial line, detached and ligated the intercostal artery, and then cut off the 3 and 4 ribs, exposing the heart and freeing aortic root about 0.2 cm. The flowmeter probe was set in the dissected aortic segment, and real-time recording time, blood flow waveforms, cardiac output were calculated accordingly. Then the needle attached to the baroreceptor was inserted into the right ventricle and the system acquired the right ventricular time-pressure waveform. After the waveform stabilized for about 30 seconds, the end of the cannula was sent to the pulmonary artery trunk through the entrance of the pulmonary artery to record the time-pressure curve of the pulmonary artery. Results: RVSP, PASP, PADP and mPAP in the model group were significantly higher than those of the control group [ RVSP(23.4±5.4) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa vs (56.4±13.0) mmHg, PASP (22.8±4.4) mmHg vs (58.5±14.9) mmHg, PADP (9.7±1.9) mmHg vs (30.3±7.0) mmHg, mPAP (14.1±2.7) mmHg vs (41.9±8.0) mmHg, all P<0.05 ]. Compared with the control group, the cardiac index in the model group was significantly lower [ CI (0.54±0.08) ml·min(-1)·g(-1) vs (0.40±0.09) ml·min(-1)·g(-1,) P=0.02 ]. Furthermore, compared with the control group, pulmonary vascular resistance index was significantly increased in the model group[PVRI (0.27±0.03) mmHg·ml(-1)·min(-1)·kg(-1) vs (0.06±0.01) mmHg·ml(-1)·min(-1)·kg(-1,) P<0.05]. The pathological results also showed that the middle part of pulmonary arterioles in the model group had muscular hypertrophy and muscular pulmonary arterioles, and even plexiform lesions. Conclusion: In this study, we established a new method that simultaneously determined several hemodynamic parameters such as RVSP, PASP, PADP, CO, CI and PVRI, which provided a more comprehensive assessment of hemodynamic changes in pulmonary hypertension rat models.

[Method for recording tension changes of small pulmonary artery and vein using the isolated vessel tension measurement system]

Objective: To establish a standardized method for isolated pulmonary artery and vein rings with different diameter, pressure and length, which could provide a more scientific method for in vitro study of pulmonary vessel diseases. Methods: Male SD rats were anesthetized, and the right ventricular systolic pressure were measured. Small pulmonary artery and vein rings with 200-400 μm in diameter and 2 mm in length were prepared by dissecting pulmonary arteries and veins. The pulmonary vessel rings were mounted in the organ bath by 2 stainless steel wires with diameter of 40 μm. Then the internal circumference of the vessel rings was increased gradually with 100 μm per step. At the same time the vascular tension was recorded by the Myograph System and Acknowledgement data acquisition system, and subsequently the passive length-tension exponential curve was made. The initial tension of the rings was set, equilibrated for another 30 min, and then stimulated with 60 mmol/L KCl 3 times, and the best contractile reactivity was achieved. The contractile reactivity of pulmonary artery rings and endothelial integrity were detected by exposure to 1 μmol/L phenylephrine(PE) and 10 μmol/L acetylcholine(Ach), while the contractile reactivity of pulmonary vein rings was detected by exposure to 1 μmol/L U46619 and 10 μmol/L papaverine. Results: The contraction and relaxation effects of the pulmonary artery rings reached 0.39 mg and 92% when they were stimulated by 1 μmol/L PE and 10 μmol/L Ach. The contraction and relaxation effects of pulmonary vein rings were up to 0.13 mg and 84% when they were exposed to 1 μmol/L U46619 and 10 μmol/L papaverine, respectively. Conclusion: Pulmonary artery and vein rings with appropriate basal tension and optimal vasodilator activity were prepared, and a standardized method of tension experiment for isolated pulmonary artery and vein rings established.

Large Positive Thermal Expansion and Small Band Gap in Double-ReO3-Type Compound NaSbF6

Double-ReO₃-type structure compound NaSbF₆ undergoes a low-temperature rhombohedral to high-temperature cubic phase between 303 and 323 K, as revealed by temperature-dependent X-ray diffractions. Although many double-ReO₃-type fluorides exhibit either low thermal expansion or negative thermal expansion (NTE), NaSbF₆ exhibits positive thermal expansion (PTE) with a large volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion, α_v = 62 ppm/K, in its cubic phase. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the low-frequency transverse vibration of fluorine atoms is stiffened in NaSbF₆, compared with the typical NTE compound CaZrF₆ with the same structure. The related weak contraction associated with the polyhedral rocking would be overcome by the notable elongation of the Na-F bond length on heating, thus leading to the large volumetric PTE. Unlike ScF₃ and CaZrF₆ which are insulators with a wide band gap, a relative small band gap of 3.76 eV was observed in NaSbF₆. The small band gap can be attributed to the hybridization between the Sb 5s and F 2p orbitals.

[Primary culture and functional identification of distal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in mice]

Objective: To establish a method of isolation and primary culture of mice distal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and identify the functional properties. Methods: PASMCs were harvested from the distal pulmonary artery (PA) tissue of mice by enzymatic digestion of collagenaseⅠand papain; and the growth characteristics were observed under inverted microscope and identified by Immunofluorescence technique. Effects on the intracellular calcium ion concentration of distal PASMCs were detected by Fura-2-AM fluorescent probe tracer under a fluorescence microscope in Krebs solution containing clopiazonic acid (CPA) and nifedipin (Nif). Results: PASMCs density reached approximately to 80% in a typical valley-peak-like shape after 6 days. Cell α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunofluorescence identified that 95% of the cultured cells were PASMCs. More than 95% PASMCs responded well to calcium-potassium Krebs solution (potassium ion concentration of 60 mmol/L) and showed a rapid increase in basal [Ca(2+) ](i) after 1 minute's perfusion (Δ[Ca(2+) ](i)>50), which demonstrated that the voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) of distal PASMCs were in good function; after the perfusion of calcium Krebs, calcium-free/calcium-Krebs containing CPA and Nif, distal PASMCs showed two typical peaks, indicated the full function of store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) in distal PASMCs. Conclusion: This experiment successfully established a stable and reliable mice distal PASMCs model and the study of pulmonary vascular diseases could benefit from its higher purity and better functional condition.

[Hypoxia induced the remodeling of pulmonary arterial smooth muscles and increased the pulmonary artery smooth muscle Krüppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 5 expression]

Objective: To study the effect of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary arterial remodeling and Krüppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 5 (KLF5) protein expression in pulmonary artery smooth muscles in a hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension model. Methods: Totally 20 adult SD rats (200-250 g) were divided into a normoxia group and a chronic hypoxia group by the random number table. Rats in the chronic hypoxia group were put in an automatic hypoxia box for 21 days. After that, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean right ventricular pressure (mRVP) and RV/(LV+ S) were measured. Lung tissue sections were made. The lumen area, ratio of wall thickness to radius of pulmonary artery were gauged by using the Image Pro Plus software. Primary PASMCs were cultured in oxygen-deficient environment (4% O₂)or normal oxygen environment (21% O₂)for 60 hours respectively, and then total protein or RNA were extracted for Western blotting and Q-PCR analysis.KLF5 protein expression in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells was detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normoxia group(28.3±0.4), (11.3±1.0)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), the RVSP and mRVP in the chronic hypoxia group [(43.9±1.3), (26.5±2.3)mmHg] were significantly increased(P<0.05). The Rv/(LV+ S)of the chronic hypoxia group was(0.48±0.03), markedly higher than that of the normoxia group(0.27±0.01, P<0.05). The luminal area/total area of artery in the chronic hypoxia group decreased to (46.1±6.6)% compared with that in the normoxia group [(68.73±3.06)%, P<0.05]. The wall thickness/arterial radius(WT%)of the chronic hypoxia group increased up to (5.64±0.32)% as compared with (3.7±0.4)% of the normoxia group (P<0.05). The level of KLF5 protein in pulmonary arterial smooth muscles of the chronic hypoxia group was (21.6±7.2) times that of the normoxia group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hypoxia induced the increase of RVSP, mRVP, RV/(LV+ S), accompanied with pulmonary arterial remodeling. The underlying mechanism of the artery change may be related to up-regulated expression of KLF5.

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution decreases mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease: an 11-year experience from a single institution

Cardioplegic reperfusion during a long term ischemic period interrupts cardiac surgery and also increases cellular edema due to repeated solution administration. We reviewed the clinical experiences on myocardial protection of a single perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) for high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease. This retrospective study included 101 high-risk patients undergoing arterial switch operation between March 2001 and July 2012. We divided the cohort into two groups: HTK group, myocardial protection was carried out with one single perfusion with HTK solution; and St group, myocardial protection with conventional St. Thomas' crystalloid cardioplegic solution. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between the two groups. The mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, post-operative hospitalization time, and number of transfusions in HTK group were lower than those in St group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that HTK is a statistically significant independent predictor of decreased early mortality and morbidity (P<0.05). In conclusion, HTK solution seems to be an effective and safe alternative to St. Thomas' solution for cardioplegic reperfusion in high-risk patients with complex congenital heart disease.

[The clinical characteristics and the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of duodenal papilla]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of duodenal papilla tumors.

METHODS

The clinical data of 76 patients diagnosed as tumor of duodenal papilla for endoscopic or surgical treatment, in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine since April 2004 to April 2015 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. There were 50 male and 26 female patients aging from 38 to 83 years with a median age of 62 years. All patients were diagnosed by ultrasound, CT or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. All the 76 patients accepted surgical treatment, among which 61 cases accepted pancreaticoduodenectomy, 6 cases accepted trans-duodenum papillae resection and reconstruction, 5 cases accepted endoscopic duodenal papilla tumor resection and 4 cases accepted palliative operations. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival rate.

RESULTS

Among the 76 cases of patients, the pathological diagnosis included 10 cases of benign tumors, 8 cases of precancerous lesions, 58 cases of malignant tumor. Death cases were not caused by postoperative complications. Coincidence rate of preoperative biopsy and postoperative pathological diagnosis was 77.6%. Postoperative follow-up was 2 to 120 months, the results showed that the 1, 3, 5 year survival rates were 73.2%, 51.8%, 32.1% for 53 patients with duodenal papillary carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Duodenal papilla tumors had varied clinical manifestations, ultrasound, CT and endoscopic examination and ERCP can improve the diagnostic rate of duodenal papilla tumors. For benign tumors and early stage malignant tumors, local excision or endoscopic resection was safe and effective. For advanced malignancies, radical pancreaticoduodenectomy was essential.

Verticillium Wilt of Redbud in China Caused by Verticillium dahliae

Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis Bunge), a member of the Fabaceae, is an important ornamental plant native to China with reported desirable medicinal effects, including stimulating blood circulation, detumescence, and detoxification (1). In October 2011, wilt symptoms of gradual leaf yellowing, wilting, scorching (marginal browning), and twig dieback were observed on plants in Yangling, Shaanxi, China. The incidence of diseased plants was about 20% in two main areas (about 20 ha in Zijingshan Park in Zhengzhou, Henan Province; and about 3,000 ha in Taiping National Forest Park in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province). Wilted leaves of diseased plant senesced and died, but defoliation was not observed. Brown discoloration was observed in vascular tissues of petioles, twigs, and stems of diseased plants, sometimes in a ring pattern. The symptoms were often restricted to the lower part of the tree or a few branches. To identify the causal agent, six twigs (each approximately 50 mm in diameter and 10 cm long) sampled from an infected tree in Yangling were rinsed in running water, surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol for 2 min, rinsed in sterilized water three times, dried, cut into 1 cm long segments, and the segments put onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. A fungal isolate was recovered from diseased vascular tissues of each sample when cultured on PDA in the dark at 25°C. After 5 days, colonies changed from white to black as a result of production of microsclerotia. Microscopic observation revealed that conidiophores were hyaline and verticillate, with three to four phialides at each node. Conidia were ellipsoidal, hyaline, single-celled, and 2.5 to 7.5 × 1.25 to 4.5 μm. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Verticillium dahliae (3). To prove Koch's postulates, the roots of 10 healthy, 1-year-old C. chinensis plants were each irrigated in a greenhouse with 50 ml of a conidial suspension (1.0 × 10⁷ spores/ml) of an isolate recovered from an infected plant (2); five control plants were inoculated similarly with sterilized water. Fifteen days after inoculation, the same wilt symptoms observed on the original plants had developed on 9 of the 10 inoculated plants, whereas the control plants remained healthy. The pathogen was recovered 15 days after inoculation by isolating from petiole and stem tissues of symptomatic plants, but was not isolated from the control plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was PCR-amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4 (4), and sequenced. BLAST analysis of the ITS sequence (GenBank Accession No. AB735536) showed 100% homology with that of an isolate of V. dahliae (FJ572050). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Verticillium wilt on C. chinensis in China. References: (1) Y. Li et al. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 47:1021, 2005. (2) H. A. Melouk and C. E. Horner. Phytopathology 65:767, 1975. (3) G. F. Pegg and B. L. Brady. Verticillium Wilts, CABI Publishing, Oxford, UK, 2002. (4) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.

First Report of Smut of Saccharum arundinaceum Caused by Sporisorium sorghi in Yunnan, China

Saccharum arundinaceum (Retz.) is a wild species of S. officinarum with good resistance to pests, diseases, drought, cold, and infertile soils, and has favorable tillering potential (4). Hybridization of S. arundinaceum with sugarcane may enable favorable characteristics of S. arundinaceum to be exploited, broadening the genetic base of sugarcane breeding. In May 2009, symptoms of a disease were observed on plants of S. arundinaceum at the National Nursery of Sugarcane Germplasm Resources in Yunnan Province, China, on approximately 10% of 120 plants within three germplasm collections of S. arundinaceum. The initial symptom was dwarfing, resulting in the spike heading 1 to 2 months earlier than on healthy plants. As infection progressed, the spikelet of each diseased plant became full of the black, powdery mass of fungal spores enclosed in an off-white membrane. Finally, the entire spike became severely infected. A Sporisorium sp. was isolated from diseased spike tissues that were surface-sterilized with 70% alcohol, then with 0.1% mercury chloride, dipped in sterilized water three times for 3 min each time, dried on sterilized absorbent paper, and placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 27 ± 2°C in the dark. Nine fungal isolates were identified as Sporisorium sorghi Ehrenberg ex. Link based on sorus morphology as well as spore morphology and color (1). Sori were cylindrical or oval and 2.5 to 12.0 mm in diameter. Spores were spherical, light olive-brown or black, and 5.0 to 9.0 × 4.0 to 8.5 mm. Preliminary morphological identification of the fungus was confirmed by PCR assay using genomic DNA extracted from the mycelia of pure cultures of each of nine isolates, which generated a 750-bp amplified region of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA using ITS1/ITS4 universal primers (3). The ITS region was then sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JX183795), and displayed 98% similarity with the ITS sequence of an isolate of S. sorghi from Sorghum bicolor from each of France (AF038828.1) and Germany (AY740021.1). A pathogenicity test was completed with the S. arundinaceum isolate of S. sorghi by spraying 20 ml of a spore suspension (10⁴ conidia/ml) onto each of 10 stems (2) of S. arundinaceum in a field in February 2010. The spore suspension was prepared from 30-day-old cultures growing on PDA. Stems were inoculated approximately 4 cm above the ground, where each stem was cut with sterilized shears. For the control treatment, each of 10 cut stems was inoculated with 20 ml of sterilized water. Three replications of 10 stems were used for each treatment. Approximately 3.5 months after inoculation, symptoms began to appear on 18 of the 30 stems (three replicates of 10 stems) inoculated with the S. sorghi spore suspension, when heading occurred on the stems. Five months later, each entire spike exhibited symptoms. No symptoms were observed on control spikes of stems inoculated with water. S. sorghi was reisolated onto PDA from the tissues of diseased spikes on inoculated stems, and the reisolates were identified by PCR assay using ITS1/ITS4 universal primers, as described above. S. sorghi was not isolated from the spike tissues of the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of smut on S. arundinaceus caused by S. sorghi in Yunnan Province, China. References: (1) L. Guo. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum.12:51, 2000. (2) W. F. Li et al. Chinese Plant Prot. 34:127, 2008. (3) W. J. Lin et al. Chinese Agri. Sci. Bull. 23:293, 2007. (4) X. Lu et al. Southwest China J. Agric. Sci. 20:103, 2007.

Surface spin-glass, large surface anisotropy, and depression of magnetocaloric effect in La(0.8)Ca(0.2)MnO(3) nanoparticles

The surface magnetic behavior of La(0.8)Ca(0.2)MnO(3) nanoparticles was investigated. We observed irreversibility in high magnetic field. The surface spin-glass behavior as well as the high-field irreversibility is suppressed by increasing particle size while the freezing temperature T(F) does not change with particle size. The enhanced coercivity has been observed in the particles and we attributed it to the large surface anisotropy. We have disclosed a clear relationship between the particle size, the thickness of the shell, and the saturation magnetization of the particles. The large reduction of the saturation magnetization of the samples is found to be induced by the increase of nonmagnetic surface large since the thickness of the spin-disordered surface layer increases with a decrease in the particle size. Due to the reduction of the magnetization, the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been reduced by the decreased particle size since the nonmagnetic surface contributes little to the MCE. Based on the core-shell structure, large relative cooling powers RCP(s) of 180 J/kg and 471 J/kg were predicted for a field change of 2.0 T and 4.5 T, respectively, in the small particles with thin spin-glass layer.

Real-space coexistence of the melted Mott state and superconductivity in Fe-substituted 1T-TaS2

We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of layered chalcogenide 1T-Fe(x)Ta(1-x)S(2) which undergoes a superconducting transition in the nearly commensurate charge-density-wave phase (melted Mott phase). We found a single electron pocket at the Brillouin-zone center in the melted Mott phase, which is created by the backfolding of bands due to the superlattice potential of charge-density-wave. This electron pocket appears in the x region where the samples show superconductivity, and is destroyed by the Mott- and Anderson-gap opening. Present results suggest that the melted Mott state and the superconductivity coexist in real space, providing a new insight into the interplay between electron correlation, charge order, and superconductivity.

Observation of the large magnetocaloric effect in an orbital-spin-coupled system MnV(2)O(4)

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in an orbital-spin-coupled spinel vanadate MnV(2)O(4) is investigated by magnetization measurement. MnV(2)O(4) has ferrimagnetic ordering occurring at T(C) = 57 K. The maximum magnetic entropy change reaches 14.8 and 24.0 J kg(-1) K(-1) for field changes of 0-2 and 0-4 T, respectively. The maximum adiabatic temperature is about 2.9 K for a magnetic field change of 2 T. Except for the spin entropy change, the observed giant MCE is suggested to be related to the orbital entropy change due to the change of the orbital state of V(3+) induced by an applied magnetic field around T(C).

In situ study of mass transfer in aqueous solutions under high pressures via Raman spectroscopy: a new method for the determination of diffusion coefficients of methane in water near hydrate formation conditions

A new method was developed for in situ study of the diffusive transfer of methane in aqueous solution under high pressures near hydrate formation conditions within an optical capillary cell. Time-dependent Raman spectra of the solution at several different spots along the one-dimensional diffusion path were collected and thus the varying composition profile of the solution was monitored. Diffusion coefficients were estimated by the least squares method based on the variations in methane concentration data in space and time in the cell. The measured diffusion coefficients of methane in water at the liquid (L)-vapor (V) stable region and L-V metastable region are close to previously reported values determined at lower pressure and similar temperature. This in situ monitoring method was demonstrated to be suitable for the study of mass transfer in aqueous solution under high pressure and at various temperature conditions and will be applied to the study of nucleation and dissolution kinetics of methane hydrate in a hydrate-water system where the interaction of methane and water would be more complicated than that presented here for the L-V metastable condition.

First Report of Pomegranate Wilt Caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata in Yunnan, China

Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) is an important fruit crop in Yunnan Province, China. Recently, older pomegranate bushes in Mengzi County, Yunnan began dying. Initial symptoms were yellowing and wilting of leaves on one to several branches, followed by sudden death of the bush within 3 to 4 weeks. Roots of diseased bushes appeared brown to black, and irregularly shaped lesions were observed when the bark was removed. A species of Ceratocystis was consistently isolated from discolored roots, stem, and branch tissues from wilted bushes on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and was identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata Ellis & Halst, based on the morphology of perithecia, ascospores, conidia, and conidiophores. Perithecia were black with a globose base (130 to 300 μm) and a long neck (450 to 800 μm). Ascospores exuded from the apex of the perithecium neck in a long coil and were small, hyaline, and hat-shaped (3.8 to 5.0 μm long × 2.3 to 4.0 μm wide). Conidiophores were septate and hyaline to dark greenish brown. Hyaline conidia, 8 to 17 μm long × 6 to 15 μm wide, were usually produced in chains of 10 or more. Thick-walled endoconidia were globose to oval, olive brown, and 8 to 20 μm in diameter. Because of the increasing occurrence of the disease, surveys of the main pomegranate production areas in Mengzi County, including Xinan, Duofale, Caoba, Hongzhai, and Shilipu townships, were conducted from 10 to 20 August 2002. The disease was detected in 17 of 50 plantings surveyed. Disease was more severe in older plantings than in younger plantings. Disease incidence was 1% in 1- to 5-year-old bushes, 3.6% in 6- to 10-year-old bushes, and 6% in bushes more than 10 years old. Scolytid beetles were occasionally found on bushes, but we were unable to isolate the fungus from them as has been reported (1). Inoculations with an isolate of C. fimbrata were made by inserting mycelium with perithecia from 12-day-old cultures growing on PDA into root wounds made with a sterile scalpel on five pomegranate plants and then covering the wounds with Parafilm. Sterile medium was placed in an equal number of wounded bushes to serve as controls. Fourteen days later, symptoms began to appear in two bushes, and 5 days later, all bushes exhibited symptoms. No symptoms were observed on control bushes. The first visible symptom was a small area of blackened tissue near the point of inoculation. Lesions expanded slowly, but they expanded more rapidly upward than downward. The fungus was reisolated on PDA from roots of all artificially inoculated bushes. C. fimbriata has been previously reported as the cause of pomegranate wilt in India (2); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. fimbriata on pomegranate in China. Because environmental conditions which favor the pathogen (temperatures ranging from 18 to 30°C and frequent rains) typically occur in many areas during late spring and summer, the disease has the potential to seriously impact pomegranate production in China. References: (1) Y. M. Somasekhara. Plant Dis. 83:400, 1999. (2) Y. M. Somasekhara, et al. Res. Crops 1(1):63, 2000.

[Prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin following hip and knee surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) in prophylaxis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following hip and knee surgery.

METHODS

From April 1997 to October 1998, 46 patients undergoing hip and knee orthopedic procedures were randomized into 2 groups for studying. The following eligibility criteria were applied: age over 40 years old, no recently history of venous thromboembolism (over 3 months), normal result of preoperative hemostasis test and normal result of Doppler examination of the lower extremities. One group was control group and the other group received subcutaneously a low molecular weight heparin(Fraxiparine) with anti-factor X, activity of 41 IU/kg.day for three days, then 62 IU/kg.day from the 4th day to 10th day. All patients had venegraphy performed in the operated leg at 4 to 7 days after surgery.

RESULTS

eight patients(34.8%) developed DVT in the control group of 23 patients and 1 patient (4.3%) in the experimental group, also of 23 patients(P < 0.05). Two groups had no any bleeding complications.

CONCLUSION

The low molecular weight heparin is safe and effective in preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis in patients following hip and knee surgery.

[Prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis in lower limb after operation by intermittent pneumatic compression]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on prevention of deep venous thrombosis after operation of lower limbs.

METHODS

From Oct. 1997 to Aug. 1998, forty cases were received Doppler examination preoperatively, which showed no deep venous thrombosis in all the lower limbs of 40 cases. Among them, 24 cases were received total hip arthroplasties, 4 cases were received total knee arthroplasties and 12 cases were received dynamic hip screw. Postoperatively, every case were continuously received intermittent pneumatic compression for 14 to 21 days (2 hours, qid), and venography were performed on the operated lower limb on the 7th day after operation to check the presence of deep venous thrombosis.

RESULTS

Among the 40 cases, there were 4 cases of deep venous thrombosis without symptom of pulmonary embolism, the incidence rate was 10%.

CONCLUSION

Intermittent pneumatic compression can significantly reduce the incidence rate of deep venous thrombosis after the operation of the lower limbs.

Further investigation on the hypothesis of meridian-cortex-viscera interrelationship

The hypothesis of Meridian-Cortex-Viscera Interrelationship maintains: 1. Meridian channel system is an independent system connected with the nerves to the cortex; 2. It acts through the nerves; 3. The nervous action is realized by humoral agents. This article gives preliminary-experimental supports for the above criteria.