Transition from Flat-Band Localization to Anderson Localization in a One-Dimensional Tasaki Lattice

We report an extensive experimental investigation on the transition from flat-band localization (FBL) to Anderson localization (AL) in a one-dimensional synthetic lattice in the momentum dimension. By driving multiple Bragg processes between designated momentum states, an effective one-dimensional Tasaki lattice is implemented with highly tunable parameters, including nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor coupling coefficients and onsite energy potentials. With that, a flat-band localization phase is realized and demonstrated via the evolution dynamics of the particle population over different momentum states. The localization effect is undermined when a moderate disorder is introduced to the onsite potential and restored under a strong disorder. We find clear signatures of the FBL-AL transition in the density profile evolution, the inverse participation ratio, and the von Neumann entropy, where good agreement is obtained with theoretical predictions.

Acute heat stress alters the expression of genes and proteins associated with the unfolded protein response pathway in the liver of broilers

1. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of acute heat stress on serum hormone levels and the expression of genes and proteins related to the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway and apoptotic process in the liver of broilers.2. A total of 144 Arbor Acres broilers (35-d-old) were randomly allocated to 4 different environmental-controlled chambers for acute heat exposure. The temperature of the 4 environmental chambers was adjusted to 26°C (control), 29°C, 32°C, and 35°C within 1 h, respectively. The blood and liver samples were collected after 6 h of constant heat exposure at set temperatures.3. The results showed that 6 h of acute heat stress increased serum hormone levels and up-regulated the expression of heat shock protein. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, GRP78 and GRP94, in the liver of broilers were significantly upregulated at the mRNA and protein levels. The PERK, IRE1, and XBP1 genes, which are involved in the unfolded protein response signalling, were significantly up-regulated at the mRNA levels. However, other pro-apoptotic genes showed no significant changes in the liver of broiler chickens in all groups except for upregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-xl.4. The results suggested that broilers have tolerance to acute heat stress to a certain extent. The UPR activation can alleviate ER stress and further prevent apoptosis in the liver of broilers under short-term exposure to high ambient temperatures.

[Analysis of genotype and hematological phenotype of 14 patients with coinheritance HKαα and South-East deletion thalassemia]

Objective: To analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations among those thalassemia samples with the presence of -α(3.7,) --(SEA) and normal α(2) alleles on their α-globin gene clusters. Methods: Fourteen patients(including 1fetus, 4 males and 9 females, aged 0- 56 years old)who were suspected diagnosed by hematologic analysis and genetic testing among 16 080 participants in our laboratory since from August 2011 to August 2016, were enrolled. Complete blood cell count was performed on XE4000i automatic hemocyte analyzer. HbA0, HbF and HbA2 were tested by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gap-PCR was adopted to detect three common deletional thalassemia deletions. Reverse dot-blot (RDB) assay was applied for detecting 17 common β-globin gene mutations and three common non-deletional α(2) gene mutations. Two-round nested PCR assay was established to detect the genotype of HKαα in α-thalassemia. Results: Fourteen cases were identified as HKαα/--(SEA) (14/16 080), including a pedigree and a rare case of HKαα/--(SEA) co-inheritance with IVS-Ⅱ-654(C→T) heterozygote. In HKαα/--(SEA) thalassemia group, mean cell volume(MCV) was (69.54±5.92)fl, and mean cell hemoglobin(MCH) was(22.11±2.22)pg and hemoglobin(Hb) was (117.64±18.14) g/L. Compared with normal group, MCV, MCH and Hb in HKαα/--(SEA) thalassemia group, was significantly decreased(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between α-thalassemia control group(--(SEA) /αα) in most hematological parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion: The two-round nested PCR could effectively detect the HKαα/--(SEA) genotype. The hematologic characteristics changed significantly in HKαα/--(SEA) group compared with HbH thalassemia and normal group. The genotype and phenotype non-correlation in patients with α-thalassemia should especially be causious to avoid a misdiagnosis of genetic tests, especially in prenatal diagnosis.

Effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese

We investigated the effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese. A total of 468 one-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates per group and 26 geese per replicate. The geese were then raised for 70 days on diets with a dietary fiber level of 2.5% (Group I), 6.1% (Group III), or 4.3% for d one to 28 and 6.1% for d 29 to 70 (Group II). The geese in Groups II and III had higher body weight, higher average daily gain, and lower ratio of feed to gain compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III had greater body-size measurements (half-diving length, body length, keel length, and shank circumference), heavier viscera (heart, gizzard, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum), greater slaughter yield (semi-eviscerated carcass yield, eviscerated carcass yield, and breast yield), lower serum levels of alanine transaminase, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen, and higher serum levels of glucose and high-density lipoprotein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III exhibited greater utilization of energy and crude protein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05). Taken together, the results suggest that the low-fiber diet had negative effects on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization. As herbivorous poultry, geese depend on dietary fiber for normal performance. Dietary fiber is thus an essential nutrient for geese.

[Reflection on rescue and treatment of mass burn patients involved in August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident]

The treatment of mass burn patients is related to social stability, life saving, and disability reducing. It is also an important opportunity to accumulate, summarize, and improve clinical rescue and treatment experience. Aiming at August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion, this article reviews and summarizes experience and problems about rescue reserve, first-aid system, multidisciplinary cooperation, and integration of usual time and emergent time treatment, so as to propose corresponding strategies and provide reference for the treatment of mass burn patients and critically burned patients.

Down-regulation of miR-1246 in cervical cancer tissues and its clinical significance

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of mRNAs by binding to their 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs). Accumulating evidences show that miRNAs are involved in tumorigenesis such as lung cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, and cervical cancer. In this study, we focused on the expression of miR-1246 in clinical cervical cancer tissues as well as the relationship between miR-1246 and HPV16E6 infection status.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology was used to detect the expression of miR-1246 in 68 cervical cancer tissues and 52 normal tissues. The expression of miR-1246 also was tested in HPV16E6 negative cervical cell line (SiHa) or HPV16E6 positive cell line (C33A). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of DYRK1A after knocking down HPV16E6.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the expression of miR-1246 was dramatically decreased in cervical cancer tissue, compared with normal control group (p=0.0012), and miR-1246 was negatively correlated with clinical stage and HPV16E6 infected status (p=0.0410), but no correlation was observed with age, tumor diameter, cervical invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, or vascular invasion (p>0.05). Knock down of HPV16E6 significantly raised DYRK1A protein expression targeted by miR-1246.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of miR-1246 is negatively correlated with cervical cancer procedure as well as HPV16E6 infection status and the miR-1246 may act as a diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer. In addition, HPV16E6 infection may be a major reason leading to decrease the expression of miR-1246 in cervical cancer. This finding contributes to deep understanding of the miR-1246 function in cervical carcinogenesis.

Prediction of pregnancy outcomes with combined ultrasound scanning of yolk sacs and serum CA125 determinations in early threatened abortion

OBJECTIVES

To assess the predictive value of the combination of ultrasound scanning, yolk sacs and CA125 levels for pregnancy outcomes in early threatened abortion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total 196 pregnant women at less than 12 weeks gestation were enrolled. They were assigned into: (A) normal pregnancy (n = 61); (B) early threatened abortion but with favorable outcomes after active treatment (n = 56); (C) pregnancy with spontaneous miscarriage and threatened abortions (n = 79). The yolk sacs were examined and serum CA125 levels were measured.

RESULTS

The visualization rate in groups A and B were significantly higher than that in group C. For the mean yolk sac diameter, there was a statistically significant difference between groups A and C (p < 0.05), B and C (p < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed between A and B (p > 0.05). The mean serum CA125 levels were significantly different (p < 0.05) among three groups. The sensitivity, specificity, and Youden Index for predicting adverse outcomes using irregular shape, abnormal size, or non-visualization of the yolk sac were 81.01%, 85.71%, and 0.67, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The combination of ultrasound scanning of yolk sacs and measurement of serum CA125 levels is of great value for predicting pregnancy outcomes.

Identification and Pathogenicity of Chrysoporthe cubensis on Eucalyptus and Syzygium spp. in South China

The genus Chrysoporthe includes important pathogens of plantation-grown Eucalyptus spp. and has been reported from several tree genera in the order Myrtales in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. During disease surveys in South China, fruiting structures typical of Chrysoporthe spp. were observed on cankers on Eucalyptus spp. and Syzygium cumini trees. The aim of this study was to confirm the identity of the Chrysoporthe cubensis infecting the Eucalyptus spp. and S. cumini and to test the pathogenicity of the fungus. Following glasshouse trials to select virulent isolates, field inoculations were undertaken to screen different commercial Eucalyptus genotypes for their susceptibility to the fungus. Isolates were characterized based on their morphology and DNA sequence data for the β-tubulin and internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal DNA. Results showed that the putative pathogen represented the Asian form of C. cubensis, which occurred on numerous different Eucalyptus spp. and hybrid clones as well as S. cumini. Field inoculations showed that all six of the Eucalyptus genotypes tested are susceptible to infection by C. cubensis. Significant differences were observed between them, providing prospects to select disease-tolerant planting stock in the future.

Biomarkers of thrombosis, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in patients with severe sepsis due to community-acquired pneumonia with and without Streptococcus pneumoniae

BACKGROUND

Severe Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneum) pneumonia has historically been associated with an acute presentation and increased mortality. Using data from patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and severe sepsis, we investigated: (1) the baseline patient characteristics and biomarkers of thrombosis, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in patients with CAP due to S. pneum infection (S. pneum CAP) or CAP due to infection with other or unidentified organisms (non-S. pneum CAP); (2) the behavior of these biomarkers over time and during treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA, recombinant activated protein C).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from the PROWESS (Recombinant Human Activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation on Severe Sepsis) trial were retrospectively analyzed by treatment (DrotAA or placebo) in patients with CAP.

RESULTS

Patients with S. pneum CAP (n = 157) tended to be younger and had fewer comorbid conditions than patients with non-S. pneum CAP (n = 445). Overall disease severity (median APACHE II scores) was not significantly different between the two groups at baseline. However, there were significant baseline differences in protein C and markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation. Although thrombosis markers were not different at baseline, D-dimer levels significantly increased from baseline to day 4 in placebo-treated patients with S. pneum compared to those with non-S. pneum. DrotAA treatment was associated with statistically significant improvements in protein C and markers of thrombosis in patients with S. pneum. In addition, the proportion of patients with severe protein C deficiency ( </= 40% activity) at baseline was significantly greater in patients with S. pneum than those with non-S. pneum. Among patients with S. pneum and severe protein C deficiency at baseline, a significantly greater proportion of patients were no longer severely protein C deficient after 4 days of DrotAA therapy.

CONCLUSION

In this population of patients with severe sepsis, patients with S. pneum CAP had a more severe dysregulation of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation than patients with non-S. pneum CAP; the former also developed significantly elevated levels of markers of thrombosis. Treatment with DrotAA was associated with significant improvements in protein C levels as well as markers of thrombosis. These characteristics may make patients with S. pneum CAP and severe sepsis particularly suited to derive a benefit from therapy with DrotAA.

Determination of solubilities and n-octanol/water partition coefficients and QSPR study for substituted phenols

A shake-flask method was employed to determine the water solubility (-lgS (w)) and n-octanol/water partition coefficient (lgK (ow)) of 20 substituted phenols at 298.15 K. And optimized calculation was carried out at B3LYP/6-311G** level with DFT method. Afterwards the obtained parameters were taken as theoretical descriptors to establish the QSPR models for predicting -lgS (w) and lgK (ow), in which the conventional correlation coefficients (R (2)) are 0.9800 and 0.9941, respectively. The two models were further validated by variance inflation factors (VIF) and t-test. Upon comparison, the stability and predictive power are more advantageous than those based on AM1 molecular orbital method and molecular connectivity method.

[Evaluation of transvaginal ultrasonography-color Doppler energy imaging in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and color Doppler energy imaging (CDE) have been already applied in ultrasonography diagnosis extensively, but articles about the methods in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation are few. The objective of this study was to evaluate TVS-CDE in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation.

METHODS

Fifty-four cases of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation, which were doubted as recurrent malignant tumors in clinic, were scanned with transabdominal ultrasonography (TAS), TVS, and TVS-CDE. The results were compared with that of pathology. Then their sensitivity, specificity,and accuracy were calculated, and the accuracy was compared by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Forty-three cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TAS; Forty-six cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TVS,and the positions, sizes, characteristics of the recurrent malignant tumors could be depicted visually. Forty-seven cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TVS-CDE; Not only the blood flow characteristics of masses,but also more diagnostic information than TVS were provided. The sensitivity was 81.3%, 91.7%, and 95.9%, respectively; the specificity was 33.3%,66.7%, and 83.3%, respectively; the accuracy was 75.9%, 88.9%, and 94.4%, respectively. Obviously, the accuracy of both TVS and TVS-CDE was higher than that of TAS(P< 0.05), but the accuracy of TVS and TVS-CDE was similar (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION

TVS-CDE is helpful in the diagnosis of gynecologic malignant masses. It will be more effective in surveillance of recurrent gynecologic malignant tumors if it combined with CDE.

[Studies of transgene segregation and integration in maize]

The segregation, integration and stability of the transgene-Bt (Bacillus thuringensis) in eight transformants created by three ways of transformation were studied by means of PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) and DNA molecular hybridization. The results are as follows: (1) The transgene-Bt in most of the progenies of the transformants showed simple Mendelian segregation. Although some deviation from Mendelian fashion existed in the early generations, the normal Mendelian segregation would be found after R3 generations and the transgene could fix in the populations. (2) The integration patterns of the transgene varied to the some extent in the different transformants, but they were characterized by either smaller band and copy numbers or cascade integration or closely linked integration in all transformants. (3) Changes of the Southern land pattern were found in some families of some transformants, especially, in the two families of Ding 4R5.

[The phagetype and detection of drug-resistance of Salmonella typhi-muriun in Fujian province]

Salmonella typhimurium has accounted for 29.43% of total Salmonella according to the surveillance in Fujian province since 1975. Seven common phagetypes of S. typhimurium were found. The principal phagetype was 7774, which accounted for 46.6% of all phagetypes. S. typhimurium was significantly more resistant to antibiotics in early 1990's than in the 1980's. 57%-72% of the S. typhimurium strains were resistant to aminoglycosides (except amikacin), about 70% were strains resistant to first generation penicillins and tetracyclins while a high proportion of S. typhimurium strains have rapidly become resistant to new broad-spectrum penicillins. The strains of S. typhimurium which are resistant to the first and the second generation of cephalothins become sensitive only to the third generation of cephalo thins. There has been 20% of S. typhimurium strains resistant to some types of quinolones. All S. typhimurium were sensitive to norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. In the early 1980's resistant strains to 2-3 kinds of antibiotics accounted for 97%, and nostrains was resistant to more then 6 kinds of antibiotics. In the early 1990's, the strain resistant to 2-3 kinds of antibiotics were less than 20%; while strains resistant to more than 10 kinds of antibiotics were 66%. The increasing rate of resistant strains to antibiotics with widening of drug resistant pattern and the extensive appearance of multiresistant strains have become serious problems to be solved.

[Immunohistochemical observation on the proliferative activity of rat liver in early hepatocarcinogenesis]

Anti-BrdU immunoperoxidase staining was used for cytogenetic investigation of altered foci and nodules in rat liver induced by a procedure including intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEM), feeding of 2-acetoaminoflurene (2-AAF) and 2/3 hepatectomy. Variation in number and size of the altered foci as well as the number of BrdU-positive hepatocytes inside and outside the foci were clearly observed in the early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis. A predominant distribution of BrdU-positive cells was obtained in the peripheral zone of the altered nodules favorable in explaining the phenomenon of monoclonal origin of the altered hepatocytes inside the nodules. This study also indicated that BrdU-immunoperoxidase staining is a reliable and convenient method in studying the dynamic change of DNA-replication in the process of active hepatocellular proliferation.

The epidemiology of diarrhoeal diseases in southeastern China

In a community survey of 19,410 people for 12 months in southeastern China (Fujian Province), the overall annual incidence rate of diarrhoea was 729.9 episodes/1,000 population. The incidence varied with different age groups; children aged under five years had the highest rate, 2.25 episodes per child per year. A bacterial pathogen was isolated from 883 cases (44.03%), and 147 (14.76%) strains from 996 healthy controls. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, enteropathogenic E. coli, and Shigella species were the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens. Isolation was highest during the hot summer months. The investigation showed that the diarrhoea incidence was related to the status of economy, education, healthy, hygiene, food, and water.

A possible role for DIF-2 in the formation of stalk cells during Dictyostelium development

The differentiation inducing factor (DIF) is essential for stalk cell formation in monolayers of Dictyostelium discoideum and is necessary for the expression of several prestalk cell-specific genes. DIF activity has been fractionated into a major species, designated DIF-1, and several minor species, including DIF-2. Although DIF-1 is an excellent inducer of stalk cell formation from vegetative cells, it is a poor inducer of stalk cell formation from prestalk cells. In contrast, DIF-2 is more active for the conversion of prestalk cells into stalk cells, than for the conversion of vegetative cells to stalk cells. The same results were obtained regardless of whether chemically synthesized or naturally occurring components were utilized. In addition, stalk cell formation was three- to fourfold higher when vegetative cells were incubated with DIF-1 for a suboptimal period and then subsequently incubated with DIF-2, than when cells were incubated with DIF-2 first and then subsequently with DIF-1. These results indicate a distinct role for DIF-2 during stalk cell formation and suggest the possibility that DIF-1 and DIF-2 act sequentially.

A Dictyostelium morphogen that is essential for stalk cell formation is generated by a subpopulation of prestalk cells

The stalk cell differentiation inducing factor (DIF) has the properties required of a morphogen responsible for pattern regulation during the pseudoplasmodial stage of Dictyostelium development. It induces prestalk cell formation and inhibits prespore cell formation, but there is as yet no strong evidence for a morphogenetic gradient of DIF. We have measured DIF accumulation by monolayers of isolated prestalk and prespore cells in an attempt to provide evidence for such a gradient. DIF is accumulated in the largest quantities by a subpopulation of prestalk cells that specifically express the DIF-inducible genes pDd56 and pDd26. Since it has been shown recently that cells that express pDd56 are localized in the central core of the prestalk cell region of the pseudoplasmodia, our current results suggest a morphogenetic gradient generated by this region.

Observation of molecular vibrations in the time domain with incoherent laser pulses

With the method of self-diffraction of incoherent light, molecular vibrations were observed in real time in various dye molecules pumped near the absorption edge. In Rhodamine 560, 35-fsec oscillations in the signal were measured, which corresponds to a vibrational frequency of 1000 cm(-1). Simultaneously, this technique can be used to deduce the ultrafast dephasing times in the molecular vibrational quasi-continuum. Dephasing times of 20 and 150 fsec were observed in Rhodamine 590 and Rhodamine 560, respectively.