Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

[The relationship between classroom environment and myopia]

Objective: Based on a cohort and intervention study of the Eastern Chinese Student Surveillance, Cohort and Intervention Study (ES-SCI), this research aims to explore the correlation between monitor of the school environment and longitudinal data on myopia and provide evidence for the government myopia intervention strategy. Methods: This survey adopts the stratified cluster sampling method with the school as the unit. Students from grade 1 to grade 3 were selected according to the whole class to monitor the school environment in the classroom. Students will use the full-automatic computer optometer (TOPCON RM800) to conduct optometry from 2019 to 2021 under the condition of mydriasis to perform refractive eye examinations. Meantime eye axis length monitoring was also conducted. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to explore the relationship between school environmental monitoring and the occurrence and development of students' myopia. Results: From 2019 to 2021, 2 670 students from 77 classrooms participated in the observation study. The students' diopter after right/left eye mydriasis decreased in varying degrees (P<0.001), and the axial length of the right/left eye increased in various degrees (P<0.001). The weighted qualified rate of per capita area of primary school classrooms increased from 18.0% in 2019 to 26.0% in 2021, the weighted average illuminance pass rate of blackboard surface increased from 23.8% in 2019 to 26.4% in 2021, and the weighted average illuminance pass rate of classroom table decreased from 86.7% in 2019 to 77.5% in 2021. The trend chi-square test was significant (P<0.05). Cox proportional risk regression showed that after correcting for the grade, gender, parental myopia, diet, sleep, near work (sitting posture, working time, electronic mobile equipment, eye exercises), and outdoor activities, the per capita area of 1.36- m² was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.778, 95%CI: 0.659-0.918, P=0.003); The average reflection ratio of blackboard 0.15-0.19 was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.685, 95%CI: 0.592-0.793, P<0.001); The average illumination of the blackboard 150-, 300-, 500- lx was the protective factor of the eye axis length (HR=0.456, 95%CI: 0.534-0.761, P<0.001; HR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.705-0.895, P<0.001; HR=0.690, 95%CI: 0.619-0.768, P<0.001). The blackboard evenness 0.40-0.59 was the risk factor of eye axis length (HR=1.528, 95%CI: 1.018-2.293, P=0.041), and the blackboard evenness 0.80- was the protection factor of eye axis length (HR=0.542, 95%CI: 0.404-0.726, P<0.001). The evenness of the desktop 0.40-0.59 was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.820, 95%CI: 0.698-0.965, P=0.017). The average illuminance of 150-, 300-, 500- lx was the protective factor of a diopter (HR=0.638, 95%CI: 0.534-0.761, P<0.001; HR=0.911, 95%CI: 0.848-0.978, P=0.011; HR=0.750, 95%CI: 0.702-0.801, P<0.001). The average illumination of desktop 500- lx was a protective factor of a diopter (HR=0.855, 95%CI: 0.763-0.958, P=0.007). Conclusion: School environmental monitoring indicators, such as meeting per capita area standards, passing blackboard, and desk top-related indicators, all play protective effects on myopia development in students.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first measurement of high-energy reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay, with nearly 9000 inverse beta decay candidates in the prompt energy region of 8-12 MeV observed over 1958 days of data collection. A multivariate analysis is used to separate 2500 signal events from background statistically. The hypothesis of no reactor antineutrinos with neutrino energy above 10 MeV is rejected with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. A 29% antineutrino flux deficit in the prompt energy region of 8-11 MeV is observed compared to a recent model prediction. We provide the unfolded antineutrino spectrum above 7 MeV as a data-based reference for other experiments. This result provides the first direct observation of the production of antineutrinos from several high-Q_{β} isotopes in commercial reactors.

[Establishment and clinical validation of an artificial intelligence YOLOv51 model for the detection of precancerous lesions and superficial esophageal cancer in endoscopic procedure]

Objective: To construct the diagnostic model of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions in endoscopic images based on the YOLOv5l model by using deep learning method of artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis of early ESCC and precancerous lesions under endoscopy. Methods: 13, 009 endoscopic esophageal images of white light imaging (WLI), narrow band imaging (NBI) and lugol chromoendoscopy (LCE) were collected from June 2019 to July 2021 from 1, 126 patients at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, ESCC limited to the mucosal layer, benign esophageal lesions and normal esophagus. By computerized random function method, the images were divided into a training set (11, 547 images from 1, 025 patients) and a validation set (1, 462 images from 101 patients). The YOLOv5l model was trained and constructed with the training set, and the model was validated with the validation set, while the validation set was diagnosed by two senior and two junior endoscopists, respectively, to compare the diagnostic results of YOLOv5l model and those of the endoscopists. Results: In the validation set, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the YOLOv5l model in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes were 96.9%, 87.9%, 98.3%, 88.8%, 98.1%, and 98.6%, 89.3%, 99.5%, 94.4%, 98.2%, and 93.0%, 77.5%, 98.0%, 92.6%, 93.1%, respectively. The accuracy in the NBI model was higher than that in the WLI model (P<0.05) and lower than that in the LCE model (P<0.05). The diagnostic accuracies of YOLOv5l model in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes for the early ESCC and precancerous lesions were similar to those of the 2 senior endoscopists (96.9%, 98.8%, 94.3%, and 97.5%, 99.6%, 91.9%, respectively; P>0.05), but significantly higher than those of the 2 junior endoscopists (84.7%, 92.9%, 81.6% and 88.3%, 91.9%, 81.2%, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusion: The constructed YOLOv5l model has high accuracy in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in endoscopic WLI, NBI and LCE modes, which can assist junior endoscopists to improve diagnosis and reduce missed diagnoses.

Joint Determination of Reactor Antineutrino Spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Fission by Daya Bay and PROSPECT

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.

Performance of the BL03U beamline at SSRF

The vacuum ultraviolet beamline BL03U with a photon energy range from 7 eV upwards has been constructed at the 3.5 GeV Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Equipped with an APPLE-Knot undulator, this beamline is dedicated to angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. An energy-resolving power of higher than 4.6 × 10⁴ has been achieved in the photon energy range 21.6-48 eV, which is almost the same as the theoretical estimation.

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}.

Extraction of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Antineutrino Spectra at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first extraction of individual antineutrino spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu fission and an improved measurement of the prompt energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay. The analysis uses 3.5×10^{6} inverse beta-decay candidates in four near antineutrino detectors in 1958 days. The individual antineutrino spectra of the two dominant isotopes, ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, are extracted using the evolution of the prompt spectrum as a function of the isotope fission fractions. In the energy window of 4-6 MeV, a 7% (9%) excess of events is observed for the ^{235}U (^{239}Pu) spectrum compared with the normalized Huber-Mueller model prediction. The significance of discrepancy is 4.0σ for ^{235}U spectral shape compared with the Huber-Mueller model prediction. The shape of the measured inverse beta-decay prompt energy spectrum disagrees with the prediction of the Huber-Mueller model at 5.3σ. In the energy range of 4-6 MeV, a maximal local discrepancy of 6.3σ is observed.

Research Progress?on?Age?Determination?of?Venous?Thrombosis in Forensic Medicine

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism （PTE）, which is caused by detachment of venous thrombosis, is a common cause of sudden death in forensic practice. In the cases which die of PTE after trauma or die of PTE during non-thrombosis disease hospitalization, forensic pathologists are required to analyze the time sequence between trauma or medical practice and venous thrombosis, and then analyze their causal relationship. This review summarizes the history of thrombus age estimation and recent advances in forensic medicine, and then gives a brief outlook for future research to provide reference for forensic identification of PTE and guide follow-up studies.

Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay

We report a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation from the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment with nearly 4 million reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} inverse β decay candidates observed over 1958 days of data collection. The installation of a flash analog-to-digital converter readout system and a special calibration campaign using different source enclosures reduce uncertainties in the absolute energy calibration to less than 0.5% for visible energies larger than 2 MeV. The uncertainty in the cosmogenic ^{9}Li and ^{8}He background is reduced from 45% to 30% in the near detectors. A detailed investigation of the spent nuclear fuel history improves its uncertainty from 100% to 30%. Analysis of the relative ν[over ¯]_{e} rates and energy spectra among detectors yields sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0856±0.0029 and Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.471_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the normal hierarchy, and Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.575_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the inverted hierarchy.

Promoting Ethylene Selectivity from CO2 Electroreduction on CuO Supported onto CO2 Capture Materials

Cu is a unique catalyst for CO₂ electroreduction, since it can catalyze CO₂ reduction to a series of hydrocarbons, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Nevertheless, such Cu catalysts suffer from poor selectivity. High pressure of CO₂ is considered to facilitate the activity and selectivity of CO₂ reduction. Herein, a new strategy is presented for CO₂ reduction with improved C₂ H₄ selectivity on a Cu catalyst by using CO₂ capture materials as the support at ambient pressure. N-doped carbon (N_x C) was synthesized through high-temperature carbonization of melamine and l-lysine. We observed that the CO₂ uptake capacity of N_x C depends on both the microporous area and the content of pyridinic N species, which can be controlled by the carbonization temperature (600-800 °C). The as-prepared CuO/N_x C catalysts exhibit a considerably higher C₂ H₄ faradaic efficiency (36 %) than CuO supported on XC-72 carbon black (19 %), or unsupported CuO (20 %). Moreover, there is a good linear relationship between the C₂ H₄ faradaic efficiency and CO₂ uptake capacity of the supports for CuO. The local high CO₂ concentration near Cu catalysts, created by CO₂ capture materials, was proposed to increase the coverage of CO intermediate, which is favorable for the coupling of two CO units in the formation of C₂ H₄ . This study demonstrates that pairing Cu catalysts with CO₂ capture supports is a promising approach for designing highly effective CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts.

Tunable coupling of spin ensembles

Spin ensembles are promising candidates for quantum memory units because they have long coherence time. Controlling the coupling between spin ensembles is necessary and important in quantum information processing. In this Letter, we propose a method to realize tunable coupling between spin ensembles by a superconducting flux qubit acting as a coupler. The resulting coupling can be used to high-fidelity speed up the adiabatic transfer of quantum information.

Cu overlayers on tetrahexahedral Pd nanocrystals with high-index facets for CO2 electroreduction to alcohols

Cu overlayers on tetrahexahedral Pd nanocrystals with {310} high-index facets exhibit a high Faradaic efficiency towards alcohols for CO₂ electroreduction.

RESEARCH ARTICLE Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a matrix Gla protein gene in the spinyhead croaker, Collichthys lucidus

The matrix Gla (gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich) protein (MGP), a vitamin K-dependent and Gla-containing protein, is a calcification inhibitor that mainly functions in tissue calcification and mineralization. In this study, we obtained the complete cDNA sequence of MGP from the spinyhead croaker (Collichthys lucidus), which we named Cl-MGP. Cl-MGP was 923 bp long with a 384-bp open reading fragment that encoded 127 amino acids. The predicted MGP protein sequence contained a 19-residue hydrophobic signal peptide, suggesting that it possesses secretory characteristics. The Gla domain and the invariant unit ErraEtCedyspC, which has been identified in all known vitamin K-dependent vertebrate proteins, were highly conserved in Cl-MGP, suggesting that it uses the same mechanism to function as the known proteins. An alignment analysis revealed that Cl-MGP had the highest identity with Larimichthys crocea (93%), which had lost five amino acid residues in the C-terminal. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that Cl-MGP expression was highest in the gill, followed by the cholecyst and spleen, with almost no expression in the blood, muscle, or testes. The high Cl-MGP expression in the gill is similar to that observed in other fish species, but the relatively high expression found in the cholecyst and spleen is not seen in all species. Future studies should investigate the tissue distributions of both mRNA and proteins in different species, in order to understand the function and evolution of MGP in different species.

Molecular cloning and gene expression analysis of cystatin C-like proteins in spinyhead croaker Collichthys lucidus

Cystatins are natural tight-binding reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases. In this study, a cDNA library was constructed from Collichthys lucidus using the SMART technique. A complete cDNA sequence with high identity to the conserved sequence of the cystatin C gene was cloned from the library using EST analysis and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), then subjected to further investigation. The full-length cDNA of cystatin C from C. lucidus (Clcys) was 699 bp long, including a 5'-terminal untranslated region (5'-UTR) of 52 bp, a 3'-UTR of 290 bp, and an open-reading frame of 357 bp. The gene encoded a polypeptide of 118 amino acids, constituting a predicted molecular weight of 12.875 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.81. The amino acid sequence of Clcys possessed typical features of type II cystatins and had the highest identity with cystatin C of Pseudosciaena crocea (89%); therefore, it clustered with the cystatin C group in the UPGMA phylogenetic tree. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription analysis revealed that the highest expression was found in the kidney, followed by the liver, heart, and testis, with the lowest expression in muscle. Interestingly, Clcys had relatively low identity with cystatin C genes from other fish and mammals, and its expression pattern did not possess features of a housekeeping gene. Based on these findings, we suspect that the classification of cystatins in fish is somewhat confusing, and the identification of more cystatin gene sequences is needed before a definite conclusion can be drawn.

Characterization, molecular cloning, and expression analysis of Ecsit in the spinyhead croaker, Collichthys lucidus

Evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (Ecsit) is reported to play an essential role in innate immunity, embryogenesis, and assembly or stability of the mitochondrial complex I. In this study, the full-length cDNA of Ecsit was cloned from the spinyhead croaker Collichthys lucidus based on the expressed sequence tags from our cDNA library constructed using the SMART technique. The cDNA was 1669 bp long, including a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 121 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 183 bp, and an open reading frame of 1365 bp encoding a 454-amino acid polypeptide. The estimated molecular weight of C. lucidus Ecsit (ClEcsit) was 52.50 kDa with an isoelectric point of 6.14, and contained a typical Ecsit domain that is conserved in other Ecsits. Multiple alignment of ClEcsit with other selected Ecsits suggested that some amino acid residues were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that ClEcsit was more similar to its identities in Sciaenidae and grouped with Ecsits from other Perciformes. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis revealed broad expression of ClEcsit and the transcript was strongly expressed in the gill and weakly expressed in other tissues.

Long-distance quantum information transfer with strong coupling hybrid solid system

In this paper, we demonstrate how information can be transferred among the long-distance memory units in a hybrid solid architecture, which consists the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) ensemble acting as the memory unit, the LC circuit acting as the transmitter (receiver), and the flux qubit acting as the interface. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the high-fidelity quantum information transfer between memory unit and transmitter (receiver) can be implemented, and this process is robust to both the LC circuit decay and NV ensemble spontaneous emission.

Direct measurement on the geometric phase of a double quantum dot qubit via quantum point contact device

We propose a direct measurement scheme to read out the geometric phase of a coupled double quantum dot system via a quantum point contact(QPC) device. An effective expression of the geometric phase has been derived, which relates the geometric phase of the double quantum dot qubit to the current through QPC device. All the parameters in our expression are measurable or tunable in experiment. Moreover, since the measurement process affects the state of the qubit slightly, the geometric phase can be protected. The feasibility of the scheme has been analyzed. Further, as an example, we simulate the geometrical phase of a qubit when the QPC device is replaced by a single electron transistor(SET).

HOW EXPRESSIONS OF CLAUDIN-1 AND MMP-2 IN RETINOBLASTOMA CORRELATE WITH HISTOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION AND OPTIC NERVE INVASION

Retinoblastoma is a commonly seen and dangerous intraocular malignant tumor in infants. Studies have found that Claudin-1 and MMP-2, whose expressions may be connected, play roles in tissues of retinoblastoma. In this study we analyze and discuss changes of Claudin-1 and MMP-2 expressions, and the correlation between the expressions and retinoblastoma histological differentiation and optic nerve invasion. MaxVisionTM was applied to detect expressions of Claudin-1 and MMP-2 in 45 samples of retinoblastoma and 15 paraffin-embedded samples of normal retina. The correlation between Claudin-1 expression and MMP-2 expression was analyzed based on chi-squared test and Spearman’s correlation test. Positive expressions of Claudin-1 in retinoblastoma were fewer than those in retina; higher positive expressions were found in differentiated tissues than in undifferentiated tissues; while compared to expressions in invasive optic nerves, Claudin-1 expressed more positively in optic nerves without invasion. As for MMP-2, its expressions were higher in retinoblastoma than in normal retina; undifferentiated tissues had higher positive expressions than differentiated tissues, which were not statistically significant; higher positive expressions were detected in invasive optic nerves. Thus, it could be concluded that the correlation between Claudin-1 expression and MMP-2 expression in retinoblastoma was negative. Expressions of Claudin-1 were positively related to histological differentiation and optic nerve invasion of retinoblastoma; while MMp-2 expression had negative correlation with histological differentiation and optic nerve invasion of retinoblastoma. Claudin-1 and MMP-2 played a negative role in the optic nerve invasion and tumor development of retinoblastoma.

Neuroprotection effect of interleukin (IL)-17 secreted by reactive astrocytes is emerged from a high-level IL-17-containing environment during acute neuroinflammation

An increase in interleukin (IL)-17A-producing cells, particularly at sites of tissue inflammation, is observed frequently, yet the mechanism is not fully understood. This study aims to dissect the role of IL-17 in autoimmunity-mediated neuroinflammation. The cytokine milieu containing elevated IL-17, which often appears in active states of autoimmunity, was mimicked in vitro by a supernatant obtained from rat peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with phorbol mystistate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin. The application of such inflammatory media on only primary cultured cerebellar granule neurones resulted in significant apoptosis, but the presence of astrocytes largely prevented the effect. The supernatants of the stimulated astrocytes, especially those that contained the highest level of IL-17, achieved the best protection, and this effect could be blocked by anti-IL-17 antibodies. Protein IL-17 inhibited intracellular calcium increase and protected the neurones under inflammatory attack from apoptosis. IL-17, but not interferon (IFN)-γ, in the inflammatory media contributed to astrocyte secretion of IL-17, which depended on the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway activation. The astrocytes that were treated with IL-17 alone or with prolonged treatment of the inflammatory media failed to produce sufficient levels of IL-17. Moreover, confirmatory data were obtained in vivo in a monophasic experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in Lewis rats; in this preparation, the high-level IL-17-containing the cytokine milieu was demonstrated, along with IL-17 secretion by the resident neural cells. The antagonism of IL-17 at a late stage disturbed the disease resolution and resulted in significant neural apoptosis. Our data show a dynamic role of IL-17 in the maintenance of homeostasis and neuroprotection in active neuroinflammation.

Single-step implementation of a multiple-target-qubit controlled phase gate without need of classical pulses

We propose a simple method for achieving a multiqubit phase gate of one qubit simultaneously controlling n target qubits, by using three-level quantum systems (i.e., qutrits) coupled to a cavity or resonator. The gate can be realized via one operational step, without need of classical pulses, and by a virtual photon process. Thus, the gate operation is greatly simplified and decoherence from the cavity decay is much reduced, when compared with previous proposals. In addition, the operation time is independent of the number of qubits and no adjustment of the qutrit level spacings or the cavity frequency is needed during the operation.

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: comparison of stapled and manual coloanal anastomosis

AIM

The study aim was to analyse the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with stapled coloanal anastomosis for low rectal cancer.

METHOD

Between March 2009 and August 2010, 22 patients underwent laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with a stapled coloanal anastomosis without a diverting ileostomy. The results were compared retrospectively with hand-sewn coloanal anastomoses performed between January 2001 and May 2009, which included 55 open and 38 laparoscopic intersphincteric resections. The morbidity comparison only included data relevant to the anastomosis. Function was compared using the Saito function questionnaire and the Wexner score and only involved data relevant to the laparoscopy.

RESULTS

The anastomotic complication rates were similar for fistula, bleeding and neorectal mucosal prolapse (P = 0.526, P = 0.653 and P = 0.411, respectively). Anastomotic leakage and stricture formation of the stapled coloanal anastomosis were significantly lower than those of the hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (P = 0.037 and P = 0.028, respectively). There were no significant differences in the Saito function questionnaire and the Wexner score between the stapled and hand-sewn coloanal anastomotic groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with a stapled coloanal anastomosis is technically feasible and is less likely to result in anastomotic leakage and stricture formation than a hand-sewn anastomosis.

Effect of a carbohydrate-containing late-evening snack on energy metabolism and fasting substrate utilization in adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure due to Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO; lotus-root starch) predominant, late-evening snack (LES), containing 200 kcal (50 g CHO) on fasting resting energy expenditure (REE) and nutrient oxidation in hospitalized adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Adults with ACLF were randomized to receive daily LES (treatment; n=35) or standard care (n=35; non-supplemented control) for 14 days. REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry, nutrient oxidation (CHO, protein and fat), intake and biochemical parameters were measured in both groups at baseline and after 14 days using validated techniques. Disease severity was measured using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD).

RESULTS

No significant differences in macronutrient intake, anthropometric, demographic characteristics or MELD scores were observed between groups at baseline (P>0.05). Fasting RQ was significantly higher in the LES supplemented verses the control group after 2 weeks (P=0.02). CHO oxidation was significantly higher (P=0.001) and fat oxidation (P=0.02) was lower in the LES-supplemented group when compared with controls after 2 weeks. Fasting RQ and REE in the LES-supplemented group increased significantly (0.83 verses 0.88; P=0.007/1301±409 vs 1687±718 kcal/day; P=0.02) in patients with MELD scores 30 when compared with patients with MELD scores >30 (0.82 verses 0.84; P=0.27/ 1361±405 vs 1437±429 kcal/day; P=0.67) after supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

A carbohydrate-predominant LES is associated with increases in fasting carbohydrate oxidation, REE and reductions in fat oxidation in adults with ACLF. Therapeutic strategies utilizing LES may promote improved nutritional status in adults with ACLF.

Overexpression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (cyp71av1) and cytochrome P450 reductase (cpr) genes increased artemisinin content in Artemisia annua (Asteraceae)

Finding an efficient and affordable treatment against malaria is still a challenge for medicine. Artemisinin is an effective anti-malarial drug isolated from Artemisia annua. However, the artemisinin content of A. annua is very low. We used transgenic technology to increase the artemisinin content of A. annua by overexpressing cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (cyp71av1) and cytochrome P450 reductase (cpr) genes. CYP71AV1 is a key enzyme in the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway, while CPR is a redox partner for CYP71AV1. Eight independent transgenic A. annua plants were obtained through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, which was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. The real-time qPCR results showed that the gene cyp71av1 was highly expressed at the transcriptional level in the transgenic A. annua plants. HPLC analysis showed that the artemisinin content was increased in a number of the transgenic plants, in which both cyp71av1 and cpr were overexpressed. In one of the transgenic A. annua plants, the artemisinin content was 38% higher than in the non-transgenic plants. We conclude that overexpressing key enzymes of the biosynthesis pathway is an effective means for increasing artemisinin content in plants.

The effect of overweight and obesity on psoriasis patients in Chinese Han population: a hospital-based study

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence indicates that psoriasis is associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity. However, few studies have investigated this relationship in Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between overweight/obesity and psoriasis and to evaluate the overweight/obesity effect on the clinical features of psoriasis in Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A hospital-based study was conducted, which involved in 4452 patients and 1166 controls of Chinese Han through epidemiological investigation. Controls used in the study were individuals without psoriasis from health examination centre, and other skin disease patients from outpatient department.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, a significantly greater prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in psoriasis patients. The estimated ORs were 1.301 (95% CI, 1.105-1.531) and 1.680 (95% CI, 1.134-2.491) respectively. The disease severity of psoriasis measured by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was statistically correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.184, P < 0.01). Moreover, a high proportion of overweight patients had affected hands or/and feet, buttocks, trunk, legs, arms and arthritis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that psoriatic patients have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared with non-psoriatic patients in Chinese Han population. Overweight and obesity has different risk effect on severity and manifestations of psoriasis and might be useful for better evaluating psoriasis clinically.

Overexpression of α-2,6 sialyltransferase stimulates propagation of human influenza viruses in Vero cells

Human influenza viruses are major concern as the leading cause of global pandemics. In infecting cells, they preferentially bind to sialyloligosaccharides containing terminal N-acetyl sialic acid linked to galactose by an α-2,6-linkage (NeuAcα2,6Gal). The amount of NeuAcα2,6Gal in Vero cells, which are predominantly used for production of influenza vaccines over the past 30 years, may not be as high as that in epithelial cells of human respiratory tract, what leads to the suboptimal virus growth in Vero cells. In this study, we stably transfected Vero cells with cDNA of human α-2,6-sialyltransferase (SIAT1), an enzyme catalyzing α-2,6-sialylation of galactose on glycoproteins. Overexpression of SIAT1 in the transfected Vero cells (Vero-SIAT1 cells) was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy. Vero-SIAT1 cells expressed 7 times higher amounts of NeuAcα2,6Gal, but 3 times lower amounts of NeuAcα2,3Gal as compared to parental Vero cells. Furthermore, the influenza viruses A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B grew in Vero-SIAT1 cells to the higher titers than in Vero cells. Taken together, these results imply that Vero-SIAT1 cells are useful not only for the propagation of human influenza viruses, but also for the preparation of influenza vaccines.

Diode-laser tomography for arcjet plume reconstruction

Diode-laser absorption tomography is described with which the spatial temperature and the atomic number density distribution of a 3-kW class arcjet can be derived simultaneously by reconstruction of the absorption coefficient field of the arcjet's argon exhaust plume. One can perform various parameter measurements by changing the arcjet's mass-flow rates and discharge currents. The maximum temperature and atomic number density increase with the mass-flow rate and the discharge current. The trend for increase is not always found for a specific input power, although at a fixed mass-flow rate the power increases at that rate.

Enantioselective Michael addition of nitromethane to alpha, beta-enones catalyzed by chiral quaternary ammonium salts. A simple synthesis of (R)-baclofen

[reaction:see text] Enantioselective Michael addition of nitromethane to an alpha, beta-enone is a key step in the synthesis of (R)-baclofen.

Highly enantioselective Michael reactions catalyzed by a chiral quaternary ammonium salt. Illustration by asymmetric syntheses of (S)-ornithine and chiral 2-cyclohexenones

[formula: see text] The use of the chiral quaternary ammonium salts 1a and 1b makes possible enantioselective Michael reactions which have been applied to the asymmetric syntheses of (S)-ornithine (2) and the chiral 2-cyclohexenone 6.

Mechanism and conditions for highly enantioselective epoxidation of alpha,beta-enones using charge-accelerated catalysis by a rigid quaternary ammonium salt

[formula: see text] Highly enantioselective (up to 130:1) epoxidation of a variety of alpha,beta-enones to form alpha,beta-epoxy ketones is described along with a rational analysis of the mechanistic basis for this strong absolute stereochemical control by the chiral catalyst 2.

Diagnostics of an argon arcjet plume with a diode laser

The diode-laser absorption technique was applied for simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements of an argon plume exhausted by an arcjet. The Ar I absorption line at 811.531 nm was taken as the center absorption line. The velocity and the temperature were derived from the Doppler shift in the absorption profiles and the full width at half-maximum of the plume absorption profile, respectively. From the measured plume velocity and temperature, the total enthalpy of the exhausted plume, the thrust efficiency, and the thermal efficiency of the arcjet were derived, and the performance of the arcjet was examined. The results are demonstrated to agree with results derived by other methods, and the technique can be applied to the measurement of other arcjet systems without much modification.

[Conservative therapy of combining laparoscopy and Chinese medicine for ectopic pregnancy]

44 cases of ectopic pregnancy have been treated conservatively by combining laparoscopy with TCM and all were successful. After confirmatory diagnosis was made under laparoscope low dose (5-15mg) of Methotrexate (MTX) was injected into tubal swelling, as well as taking modified Huo-Luo-Xiao-Ling Dan orally and using Ding-Tong paste and Zi-Gong pill externally, it not only improved the function of herbal medicine that was not potent enough to kill active embryo, but also gave full play of TCM which could remove stasis and masses by promoting blood circulation to assist in killing the embryo. The successful rate (100%) of combined therapy was significantly higher than that (78.2%) of control group (using TCM only, P < 0.01). Comparing with the two groups in successful cases, the mean serum hCG concentrations per day of combined therapy lowered faster than that of control group (P < 0.005), the mean time of abdominal pain disappearance and hospitalized period of combined group were shorter (P < 0.01). In a word, this combined therapy is a simple and safe method which could preserve reproductive function to the maximum.

[Effect of liuwei dihuang granules, pills and decoction on contents of cAMP, E2, T, Zn and Cu in plasma of renal yin deficient patients]

Experiments showed that in patients of renal yin deficiency who took orally Liuwei Dihuang granules for 4 weeks, the contents of cAMP, E2, Zn and Cu were found mankedly lower, but the contents of T mankedly higher than before using the drugs. This indicates that the granules are equally effective as pills and decoction.

Cadmium exposure and health effects among residents in an irrigation area with ore dressing wastewater

About 0.05 mg Cd l-1 was found in the irrigation water contaminated by the wastewater discharged from tungsten ore dressing plants, and about 1 mg Cd kg-1 was found in irrigated acid soils. The main sources of cadmium intake by residents of the polluted areas are agricultural products. The average intake of cadmium was 367-382 micrograms day-1, and for smokers 417 micrograms day-1. Among the residents who have been exposed to cadmium for more than 25 years, cadmium absorption (urinary cadmium greater than or equal to 10 micrograms g-1 creatine) was 60% and an early effect on the target organ (urinary cadmium greater than or equal to 15 micrograms g-1 creatinine and urinary beta 2-microglobulin greater than 500 micrograms g-1 creatinine) was detected in 17% of the sample of 433 persons. Levels of urinary cadmium and blood cadmium exceeded the critical value in the exposed group. The concentrations of urinary calcium, beta 2-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase were significantly higher in residents of contaminated areas than in those of control areas. Case-control study of the residents shows that many have suffered from a nephropathy with tubulo-interstitial abnormalities. Owing to the combined cadmium effect, the cases with fractional beta 2-microglobulin excretion greater than 0.10 were 46% in the exposed population, and were much higher than that in the control group (20.3%).

The effect of radix Salviae miltiorrhizae on vasoactive intestinal peptide in cerebral ischemia: an animal experiment

The levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in three regions of rat brain were assayed in 62 rats. Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was done in 50 rats. Half an hour before ligation 26 rats were given 10 g/kg of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM); 24 rats were given same volume of normal saline as controls. A sham operation was done in 12 rats. Half an hour (n = 30) and 3 hours (n = 32) after operation, the rats were quickly decapitated. VIP levels were assayed in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and caudate nucleus. In salin-treated animals, VIP levels of cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus at 3 hour group were significantly decreased compared with the sham-operated group. No significant difference was found between RSM-treated and sham-operated groups. The preliminary results suggest that VIP may be involved in the pathophysiological procedures of cerebral ischemia and RSM may attenuate the dysfunction of VIP during cerebral ischemia.

Nucleotide sequence and structure of the mouse cytokeratin endoB gene

We report the isolation and nucleotide sequence (7878 bp) of a genomic clone encoding murine cytokeratin EndoB, a type-I intermediate filament protein that is expressed coordinately with EndoA in trophectoderm cells during blastocyst formation. This clone contains the complete endoB gene including the 5' upstream and 3' downstream flanking regions. Sequencing analysis reveals the endoB gene consists of seven exons and six introns. Although the positions of the six introns coincide exactly with those of other type-I cytokeratin genes, the endoB gene has lost the seventh intron, which resides in the sequences coding for tail domains of other type-I cytokeratins. The 5' upstream regions of endoA and endoB genes contain homologous sequences around the respective TATA-like boxes, suggesting their involvement in coordinate regulation of their transcription and/or post-transcription. Surprisingly, this clone contains at least four murine B1 repetitive sequences. One typical B1 repetitive sequence was recognized in the 5' upstream region, and the other three in the 3' flanking region.

Cerebral infarction improved by safflower treatment

The effect of safflower on cerebral infarction was studied in 152 Mongolian gerbils. Sixty-three animals were evaluated neurological deficit over 8 hours postoperation, then sacrificed and NE, DA and 5-HT contents of each cerebral hemisphere and brain stem were determined. NE, DA and 5-HT of hemisphere ipsilateral to the ligated artery in untreated animals declined significantly compared with sham-operated animals and safflower-treated gerbils. There was no significant difference between safflower-treated and sham-operated animals in NE, DA and 5-HT contents. The mean stroke index at 8 hours in safflower treated animals was 2.1 +/- 0.7, whereas untreated gerbils was 7.8 +/- 1.9 (P less than 0.01). Eighty-nine animals were followed up for 5 days, the safflower-treated animals showed a benign clinical course and mortality rate was reduced by 29.7% (6/34 vs. 26/55) in safflower-treated animals compared with untreated animals (P less than 0.01). Safflower has a protective and beneficial effect on cerebral ischemia induced in Mongolian gerbils.