Anthropogenic, biogenic, and photochemical influences on surface formaldehyde and its significant decadal (2006-2017) decrease in the Lewiston-Clarkston valley of the northwestern United States

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a key carcinogen and plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry. Both field measurements and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) modeling have been employed to investigate the concentrations and sources of HCHO in the Lewiston-Clarkston (LC) valley of the mountainous northwestern U.S. Different instruments were deployed to measure surface formaldehyde and other related compounds in July of 2016 and 2017. The measurements reveal that the average HCHO concentrations have significantly decreased to 2-5 ppb in the LC valley in comparison to its levels (10-20 ppb) observed in July 2006. This discovery with surface measurements deserves attention given that satellite retrievals showed an increasing long-term trend from 2005 to 2014 in total vertical column density of HCHO in the region, suggesting that satellite instruments may not adequately resolve small valleys in the mountainous region. Our PMF modeling identified four major sources of HCHO in the valley: (1) emissions from a local paper mill, (2) secondary formation and background, (3) biogenic sources, and (4) traffic. This study reveals that the emissions from the paper mill cause high HCHO spikes (6-19 ppb) in the early morning. It is found that biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the area are influenced by national forests surrounding the region (e.g., Nez Perce-Clearwater, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests). The results provide useful information for developing strategies to control HCHO levels and have implications for future HCHO studies in atmospheric chemistry, which affects secondary aerosols and ozone formation.

[Clinical analysis of 86 cases of acute fatty liver of pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and maternal and fetal prognosis of pregnant women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). Methods: The clinical data of 86 AFLP pregnant women admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from September 2017 to August 2022 were collected, and their general data, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and maternal and fetal outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) General information: the age of the 86 pregnant women with AFLP was (30.8±5.4) years, and the body mass index was (21.0±2.5) kg/m2. There were 50 primiparas (58.1%, 50/86) and 36 multiparas (41.9%, 36/86). There were 64 singleton pregnancies (74.4%, 64/86) and 22 twin pregnancies (25.6%, 22/86). (2) Clinical characteristics: the main complaints of AFLP pregnant women were gastrointestinal symptoms, including epigastric pain (68.6%, 59/86), nausea (47.7%, 41/86), anorexia (46.5%, 40/86), vomiting (39.5%, 34/86). The main non-gastrointestinal symptoms were jaundice of skin and/or scleral (54.7%, 47/86), edema (38.4%, 33/86), fatigue (19.8%, 17/86), bleeding tendency (16.3%, 14/86), polydipsia or polyuria (14.0%, 12/86), skin itching (8.1%, 7/86), and 17.4% (15/86) AFLP pregnant women had no obvious symptoms. (3) Laboratory tests: the incidence of liver and kidney dysfunction and abnormal coagulation function in AFLP pregnant women was high, and the levels of blood ammonia, lactate dehydrogenase and lactic acid were increased, and the levels of hemoglobin, platelet and albumin decreased. However, only 24 cases (27.9%, 24/86) of AFLP pregnant women showed fatty liver by imageology examination. (4) Pregnancy outcomes: ① AFLP pregnant women had a high incidence of pregnancy complications, mainly including renal insufficiency (95.3%, 82/86), preterm birth (46.5%, 40/86), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (30.2%, 26/86), gestational diabetes mellitus (36.0%, 31/86), fetal distress (24.4%, 21/86), pulmonary infection (23.3%, 20/86), disseminated intravascular coagulation (16.3%, 14/86), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (16.3%, 14/86), hepatic encephalopathy (9.3%, 8/86), and intrauterine fetal death (2.3%, 2/86). ② Treatment and outcome of AFLP pregnant women: the intensive care unit transfer rate of AFLP pregnant women was 66.3% (57/86). 82 cases were improved and discharged after treatment, 2 cases were transferred to other hospitals for follow-up treatment, and 2 cases (2.3%, 2/86) died. ③ Neonatal outcomes: except for 2 cases of intrauterine death, a total of 106 neonates were delivered, including 39 cases (36.8%, 39/106) of neonatal asphyxia, 63 cases (59.4%, 63/106) of neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 3 cases (2.8%, 3/106) of neonatal death. Conclusions: AFLP is a severe obstetric complication, which is harmful to mother and fetus. In the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment, attention should be paid to the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests of pregnant women, early diagnosis and active treatment, so as to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Ruxolitinib reverses checkpoint inhibition by reducing programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and increases anti-tumour effects of T cells in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) tumour cells evade host immunity through a variety of mechanisms, which may potentially include the programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1):programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) axis. This interaction contributes to the immunosuppressive bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, ultimately leading to reduced effector cell function. PD-L1 is overexpressed in MMBM and is associated with the resistance to immune-based approaches for treating MM. Ruxolitinib (RUX), an inhibitor of the Janus kinase (JAK) family of protein tyrosine kinases, is approved for myeloproliferative diseases. We investigated the effects of RUX alone or in combination with anti-MM agents on the expression of PD-L1 and T-cell cytotoxicity in MM. We showed that the expression of the PD-L1 gene was markedly increased in BM mononuclear cells from patients with MM with progressive disease versus those in complete remission. Furthermore, RUX treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of PD-L1 gene expression in the MM tumour cells cultured alone or co-cultured with stromal cells compared with untreated cells. The results also demonstrated that RUX increased MM cell apoptosis in the presence of interleukin-2-stimulated T cells to a similar degree as the treatment with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies. In summary, these results indicate that RUX can block PD-L1 expression resulting in augmentation of anti-MM effects of T cells.

Comparison of platelet reactivity between prasugrel and ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Background

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of prasugrel and ticagrelor on high (HTPR) and low on-treatment platelet reactivity (LTPR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

Eligible studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. HTPR and LTPR were evaluated on the basis of the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein platelet reactivity index (VASP-PRI) and P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs). HTPR and LTPR were analyzed using risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI were used to calculate the pooled effect size of platelet reactivity (PR).

Results

Fourteen eligible studies were obtained, which included 2629 patients treated with ticagrelor (n = 1340) and prasugrel (n = 1289). The pooled results showed that the prasugrel-treated patients had higher platelet reactivity than the ticagrelor-treated patients (PRU: WMD = − 32.26; 95% CI: − 56.48 to − 8.76; P < 0.01; VASP-PRI: WMD = − 9.61; 95% CI: − 14.63 to − 4.60; P = 0.002). No significant difference in HTPR based on PRU was identified between the ticagrelor and prasugrel groups (P = 0.71), whereas a lower HTPR based on VASP-PRI was found in the ticagrelor-treated patients than in the prasugrel-treated patients (RR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.75; P = 0.010). In addition, the results showed a lower LTPR was observed in the prasugrel group than in the ticagrelor group (RR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.08–1.81; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Prasugrel might enable higher platelet reactivity than ticagrelor. Ticagrelor could lead to a decrease in HTPR and increase in LTPR. However, this result was only obtained in pooled observational studies. Several uncertainties such as the nondeterminancy of the effectiveness of ticagrelor estimated using VASP-PRI or the definition of HTPR (a high or modifiable risk factor) might have affected our results.

JAK1/2 pathway inhibition suppresses M2 polarization and overcomes resistance of myeloma to lenalidomide by reducing TRIB1, MUC1, CD44, CXCL12, and CXCR4 expression

Monocytes polarize into pro-inflammatory macrophage-1 (M1) or alternative macrophage-2 (M2) states with distinct phenotypes and physiological functions. M2 cells promote tumour growth and metastasis whereas M1 macrophages show anti-tumour effects. We found that M2 cells were increased whereas M1 cells were decreased in bone marrow (BM) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients with progressive disease (PD) compared to those in complete remission (CR). Gene expression of Tribbles homolog 1 (TRIB1) protein kinase, an inducer of M2 polarization, was increased in BM from MM patients with PD compared to those in CR. Ruxolitinib (RUX) is an inhibitor of the Janus kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) and is effective for treating patients with myeloproliferative disorders. RUX markedly reduces both M2 polarization and TRIB1 gene expression in MM both in vitro and in vivo in human MM xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice. RUX also downregulates the expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, MUC1, and CD44 in MM cells and monocytes co-cultured with MM tumour cells; overexpression of these genes is associated with resistance of MM cells to the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide. These results provide the rationale for evaluation of JAK inhibitors, including MM BM in combination with lenalidomide, for the treatment of MM patients.

Exploration of Novel Biomarkers in Vasculitis by Integrated Bioinfomatic Approaches

Angiitis, also known as vasculitis, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells in surroundings of blood vessels, accompanied by vascular damage including fibrin deposition, collagen fiber degeneration, myocyte, and endotheliocyte necrosis. This work aimed to perform an integrated bioinformatic analysis of three data sets concerning vasculitis to explore and examine the potential diagnostic and therapeutic makers contributing to illuminating the pathomechanisms of vasculitis. We collected three sets of gene expression data designed by dual-channel method from Gene Expression Omnibus, which were based on the same platform (Agilent-014850 Whole Human Genome Microarray 4x44K G4112F). The meta-analysis was used to analyze the gene expression profiles and screen the differentially expressed genes followed by functional features identification. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction and transcriptional regulation network were conducted for further investigation of expression mechanisms of vasculitis. Totally, 73 consistently upregulated genes, 49 consistently downregulated genes, and 26 genes with different expression directions were identified. Functional enrichment and transcription regulation analysis suggested upregulated genes (PPBP, PLAU, and HIST1H2BH) and downregulated genes such as IL23A gene were predominately associated with immune responses and cytokine receptors function. In addition, specific cancer-related genes such as MRVI1 was also extracted and considered as promising biomarkers of the development and progression of vasculitis. This study established an integrated meta-analysis approach and identified novel biomarkers involved in vasculitis, which further facilitate to explore and unravel the etiopathogenesis of vasculitis.

Correction to: Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery for the prevention of surgical wound infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Unfortunately, an author name (Nuzhat Iqbal) was missed out in the original publication. The complete updated author list is given below.

Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery for the prevention of surgical wound infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Among the techniques investigated to reduce the risk of surgical wound infection or surgical space infection (SSI) in patients having colorectal surgery are topical application of antimicrobials (antibiotics and antiseptics) to the open wound or immediately after closure. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on those treatments, with the exception of antibiotic ointments applied to closed skin, which are adequately assessed elsewhere, and a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Only randomized trials of patients having only colorectal surgery were included in this review. Studies were sought in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials.gov, and the World Health Organization Internet clinical trials register portal. In addition, reference lists of included studies and other published reviews were screened. Meta-analysis was performed for all included studies and subgroup analyses done for each individual intervention. Risk of bias was assessed for each included study, paying particular attention to the preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis used in each study. Sensitivity analyses were done to investigate heterogeneity of the analyses, excluding those studies with a significant risk of bias issues. Absolute risk reduction (RR) was calculated. The overall quality of the evidence for each individual intervention was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and was classified as high, moderate, low or very low.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies are included in this review with 5511 patients, 665 of whom had SSI. The interventions included: 10 studies of gentamicin impregnated sponge or beads wound inlays, 4 studies of chlorhexidine impregnated suture, 11 studies of direct wound lavage or powder application or injection of antibiotics before closure, 4 studies of ionized silver dressing applied to the closed skin, and 1 study of vitamin E oil applied to the open wound. All but one study used preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in addition to topical procedures, although, in some studies, the systemic antibiotic prophylaxis was not the same between groups or varied significantly from the recommended guidelines. Use of gentamycin sponge did not decrease SSI (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75-1.16; low-quality evidence) even after including only the studies of abdominal wounds (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.80-1.30; low-quality evidence). However, sensitivity analysis excluding studies at high risk of bias decreased the heterogeneity and increased the effect of the prophylaxis for all wounds (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.33-0.78; low-quality evidence) and for abdominal wounds only (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.20-0.72; moderate-quality evidence). Chlorhexidine impregnated suture showed no effect on SSI (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56-1.10; low-quality evidence) and an increased efficacy after sensitivity analysis (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.22-0.79; low-quality evidence). Antibiotic lavage showed a significant decrease in SSI (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.79; low-quality evidence) which increased after sensitivity analysis (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.15-0.72; moderate-quality evidence). Application of silver dressing to the closed wound resulted in a decrease of SSI (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.85; moderate-quality evidence). The one study of topical vitamin E oil applied to the open wound showed a significant risk reduction (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.98; low-quality evidence).

CONCLUSIONS

Each of these interventions appears to be effective in decreasing SSI, but the number of studies for each is small and the quality of evidence is very low to moderate. Within the various outcomes of GRADE assessment, even a moderate classification suggests that further studies may well have very different results.. No randomized trials exist of combinations of two or more of the above interventions to see if there is a combined effect. Future studies should make sure that the antibiotic used preoperatively is uniform within a study and is consistent with the current guidelines. Deviation from this leads to a significant heterogeneity and risk of bias.

Nutrition and physical activity related school environment/policy factors and child obesity in China: a nationally representative study of 8573 students in 110 middle schools

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a serious threat to global health. School is a key setting for obesity intervention. Research on school risk factors for child obesity is limited in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

To examine regional variations in obesity and school environments/policies and their associations among students in China.

METHODS

Analyses were based on the first nationally representative sample of 8573 9^th graders in 110 middle schools from 28 regions across China. Multilevel models tested associations between school factors and child self-reported weight outcomes and by school urbanicity setting (urban, rural).

RESULTS

Overweight/obesity rate is higher among boys and in urban areas. Schools in rural areas, or less developed regions, promote longer on-campus life, as is indicated by the presence of school cafeterias, night study sessions and longer class hours. Multilevel models show that (i) school cafeterias (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.35-4.75) and internet bars close to school (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.15-2.30) are associated with increased overweight/obesity risk in rural areas, especially for boys; (ii) school night study sessions are associated with lower overweight/obesity risk (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50-0.96) in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

China has large regional disparities in school environment/policies related to nutrition and physical activity. Some school factors are associated with students' weight status, which vary across gender and areas. Future school-based interventions should attend to diverse regional contexts.

Neutralization of Interleukin-17 Attenuates Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis in Mice

Anti-inflammation strategy is one of the proposed therapeutic approaches to hepatic fibrosis. IL-17 is critical in inflammation, but the role of IL-17 in liver fibrosis has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigate the role of IL-17 on bile duct ligation-induced liver injury and fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were sacrificed at designated times, and serum and liver tissues were collected for analysis of liver function and serum IL-6, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels. IL-17 blockade with anti-IL-17A mAb significantly improved liver function and decreased hepatocellular necrosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, neutrophils and macrophages influx. Furthermore, CD3 + and CD8 + lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages were found to express IL-17, and neutrophils are the principal IL-17-producing cells after BDL-induced liver injury. These data indicated that IL-17 signal contributes to the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver injury and blocked of IL-17 could potentially benefit patients with cholestatic liver disease.

Minifish shows high genetic variation in mtDNA size

The genus Paedocypris is a newly described taxon of minifish species that are characterized by extensive chromosome evolution and one of the smallest known vertebrate nuclear genomes. Paedocypris features a tiny adult size, a short generation time, low fecundity and fragmented tropical habitats, which are factors that favor rapid speciation. Most recently, we have revealed that P. progenetica (Pp), the type species of the genus Paedocypris, has an unusual mtDNA bearing - within its D-loop - a tandem array of a 34-bp repeat sequence called the minifish repeat, which shows compromised replication efficiency in vitro. Here we report that Pp exhibits high genetic variation in mtDNA size. The efficiency of D-loop amplification was found to depend upon primers. Interestingly, Pp individuals of one and the same population differed drastically in mtDNA size resulting from varying copy numbers of the minifish repeat. We conclude that minifish has a high mutation rate and perhaps represents a rapidly evolving taxon of vertebrates.

Interleukin 8 enhances the immune response of ducks to avian influenza vaccine

Interleukins are reported to be valuable immunostimulants in enhancing the immune efficiency of conventional vaccines. In this study, the effect of expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) on the immune response of ducks to avian influenza vaccine was investigated. The results showed that the serum antibody titer, lymphocyte transformation efficiency and serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) level of ducks injected with avian influenza vaccine along with a plasmid expressing duck IL-8 were higher than those of ducks injected with conventional immunostimulant Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) or empty plasmid. Therefore, the duck IL-8 may be used as a good immunostimulant to enhance the immune efficiency of avian influenza vaccine in ducks.

Minifish mtDNA has abundance of repeat sequences and inefficient replication in vitro

Paedocypris is a newly described minifish genus endemic to Southeast Asia. Besides a tiny adult size of ~8 mm in length, minifish feature fragmentary habitats of acidic peat blackwater swamps, an unusual reproduction mode, truncated development and one of the smallest known genomes. A complete sequence is absent for the minifish mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Here we report the complete mtDNA sequence and its unusual feature in the minifish P. progenetica (Pp). We show that the Pp mtDNA is a circular molecule of 17,382 bp in length and has the same number of similarly oriented genes as in other vertebrates. Specifically, it comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 1 D-loop. Surprisingly, the D-loop is elusive for amplification by standard PCR conditions. The D-loop possesses a 28-bp dinucleotide TA repeat and more intriguingly, up to 25 copies of a 34-bp tandem repeat sequence. These tandem repeats predict the formation of paired regions. Hence, besides a generally conserved mtDNA with other vertebrates, the Pp mtDNA features an unusual D-loop and compromised DNA replication in vitro.

Severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy through activating innate CD8(+)CD44(hi) T cells by upregulating IFN-γ

Thymic atrophy has been described as a consequence of infection by several pathogens including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and is induced through diverse mechanisms. However, whether influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy and the mechanisms underlying this process have not been completely elucidated. Our results show that severe infection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 led to progressive thymic atrophy and CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive (DP) T-cells depletion due to apoptosis. The viruses were present in thymus, where they activated thymic innate CD8⁺CD44^hi single-positive (SP) thymocytes to secrete a large amount of IFN-γ. Milder thymic atrophy was observed in innate CD8⁺ T-cell-deficient mice (C57BL/6J). Neutralization of IFN-γ could significantly rescue the atrophy, but peramivir treatment did not significantly alleviate thymic atrophy. In this study, we demonstrated that thymic innate CD8⁺CD44^hi SP T-cells have critical roles in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection-induced thymic atrophy through secreting IFN-γ. This exceptional mechanism might serve as a target for the prevention and treatment of thymic atrophy induced by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.

Correlation between hardness and bond orientation of vanadium borides

The relationship between hardness and bond characteristic of vanadium borides was investigated by first-principles approach.

Correlation between hardness and pressure of CrB4

The correlation between hardness and pressure for two different structures of CrB₄ is investigated by a first-principles approach.

Improving the in vivo persistence, distribution and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by inhibiting the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment

Adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy of malignant tumors has the problem of symbiosis between effector cells and tumor cells, a short in vivo residence time, and a poor killing efficiency of effector cells. Thus, releasing effector cells from the cancer immunosuppressive microenvironment and improving their effective time and functional status in vivo would seem to be ideal strategies for facilitating immunotherapy. Low-dose cyclophosphamide administration can effectively break immunotolerance by inhibiting regulatory T cells. In the present study, in order to verify whether the persistence, distribution and function of effector cells can be improved by inhibiting immunosuppressive microenvironment, low-dose cyclophosphamide was previously intraperitoneally injected into melanoma-bearing C57BL/6 mice, thereafter, CFSE-labeled cytotoxic T lymphocytes were transfused intravenously, and their effective time, distributive pattern, and killing efficiency in different groups were observed by measuring the fluorescence intensity and cell cycle of cytotoxic T lymphocytes distributed in various organs, in comparison with tumor growth. We found down-regulating Tregs in vivo can simultaneously reduce the levels of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β. Migration and distribution of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo was found to vary with time. Inhibition of immunotolerance can significantly improve the persistence, distribution, and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Correspondingly, significantly higher secretion of perforin, granzyme B, IL-2, and IFN-γ in tumor tissues with decreased tumor growth was seen in the cyclophosphamide injection group than in the control group. Our study may provide useful information on the cyclophosphamide-mediated mechanism for facilitating tumor immunotherapy by inhibiting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Determination of carrier-envelope phase of relativistic few-cycle laser pulses by Thomson backscattering spectroscopy

A method is proposed to determine the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of a relativistic few-cycle laser pulse via the frequency of the Thomson backscattering (TBS) light. We theoretically investigate the generation of a flying mirror when a few-cycle drive pulse with relativistic intensity interacts with a target combined with a thin and a thick foil. The frequency of the TBS light generated from the flying mirror shows a sensitive dependence on the CEP of the drive pulse. The obtained results are verified by one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and are explained by an analytical model.

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Relativistic single-cycled short-wavelength laser pulse compressed from a chirped pulse induced by laser-foil interaction

By particle-in-cell simulation and analysis, we propose a plasma approach to generate a relativistic chirped pulse based on a laser-foil interaction. When two counterpropagating circularly polarized pulses interact with an overdense foil, the driving pulse (with a larger laser field amplitude) will accelerate the whole foil to form a double-layer structure, and the scattered pulse (with a smaller laser field amplitude) is reflected by this flying layer. Because of the Doppler effect and the varying velocity of the layer, the reflected pulse is up-shifted for frequency and chirped; thus, it could be compressed to a nearly single-cycled relativistic laser pulse with a short wavelength. Simulations show that a nearly single-cycled subfemtosecond relativistic pulse can be generated with a wavelength of 0.2 μm after dispersion compensation.

Generating quasi-single-cycle relativistic laser pulses by laser-foil interaction

A scheme for producing nearly single-cycle relativistic laser pulses is proposed. When a laser pulse interacts with an overdense thin foil, because of self-consistent nonlinear modulation, the latter will be more transparent to the more intense part of the laser, so that a transmitted pulse can be much shorter than the incident pulse. Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation and analytical modeling, it is found that a transmitted pulse of duration 4 fs and peak intensity 3 x 10{20} W/cm{2} can be generated from a circularly polarized laser pulse. The intensity of the resulting pulse is only limited by that of the incident pulse, since this scheme involves only laser-plasma interaction.

UGT1A1*28 polymorphism as a determinant of irinotecan disposition and toxicity

The metabolism of irinotecan (CPT-11) involves sequential activation to SN-38 and detoxification to the pharmacologically inactive SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G). We have previously demonstrated the role of UGT1A1 enzyme in the glucuronidation of SN-38 and a significant correlation between in vitro glucuronidation of SN-38 and UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism. This polymorphism (UGT1A1*28) is characterized by the presence of an additional TA repeat in the TATA sequence of the UGT1A1 promoter, ((TA)7TAA, instead of (TA)6TAA). Here we report the results from a prospective clinical pharmacogenetic study to determine the significance of UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on irinotecan disposition and toxicity in patients with cancer. Twenty patients with solid tumors were treated with a 90 min i.v. infusion of irinotecan (300 mg m(-2)) once every 3 weeks. The frequency of UGT1A1 genotypes was as follows: 6/6--45%, 6/7--35% and 7/7--20%, with allele frequencies of 0.375 and 0.625 for (TA)7TAA and (TA)6TAA, respectively. Patients with the (TA)7TAA polymorphism had significantly lower SN-38 glucuronidation rates than those with the normal allele (6/6>6/7>7/7, P = 0.001). More severe grades of diarrhea and neutropenia were observed only in patients heterozygous (grade 4 diarrhea, n = 1) or homozygous (grade 3 diarrhea/grade 4 neutropenia, n = 1 and grade 3 neutropenia, n = 1) for the (TA)7TAA sequence. The results suggest that screening for UGT1A1*28 polymorphism may identify patients with lower SN-38 glucuronidation rates and greater susceptibility to irinotecan induced gastrointestinal and bone marrow toxicity.

Cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis in thymic stromal lymphopoietin transgenic mice

Mixed cryoglobulins are complexes of immunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate in the cold and lead to a systemic disease in humans. Renal involvement usually manifests as a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with marked monocyte infiltration and, at times, intracapillary thrombi. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a recently cloned cytokine that supports differentiation and long-term growth of B cells. Here we report that TSLP overexpression in mice results in the development of mixed cryoglobulins, with renal involvement closely resembling cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis as it occurs in humans. One hundred twenty-three mice were sacrificed at monthly intervals, with at least five TSLP transgenic mice and five controls in each group. Blood, kidneys, spleen, liver, lung, and ear were collected and studied by routine microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. TSLP transgenic animals developed polyclonal mixed cryoglobulinemia (type III) and a systemic inflammatory disease involving the kidney, spleen, liver, lung, and ears. Renal involvement was of a membranoproliferative type demonstrating thickened capillary walls with cellular interposition and double contours of the basement membrane, expansion of the mesangium because of increased matrix and accumulation of immune-deposits, subendothelial immune-deposits, focal occlusion of capillary loops, and monocyte/macrophage influx. In contrast to the severe glomerular lesions, the tubulointerstitium was not involved in the disease process. The renal lesions and the disease course were more severe in females when compared to males. We describe a mouse strain in which a B-cell-promoting cytokine leads to formation of large amounts of mixed cryoglobulins and a systemic inflammatory injury that resembles important aspects of human cryoglobulinemia. This is the first reproducible mouse model of renal involvement in mixed cryoglobulinemia, which enables detailed studies of a membranoproliferative pattern of glomerular injury.

[Red-cell immune functions, T subsets and B-cell detection and their clinical significances in patients with primary lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To explore the relation between red-cell immune status and distribution of T subsets and B-cell and their clinical significances in patients with primary lung cancer .

METHODS

The red-cell immune functions and distribution of T subsets and B-cell in the peripheral blood were detected in 60 patients with primary lung cancer and 40 normal adults as control by Guo-Feng's methods and indirect immunofluorescence technique respectively. The detection of red-cell immune funtions included the rossett rate of red-cell immune adherence activity of C3b receptors ( RBC-C3bRR) and that of red-cell immune complex ( RBC-ICR) and that of direct erythrocyte-cancer cell immune adherence ( RBC-CaR) .

RESULTS

The RBC-C3bRR and RBC-CaR in the patients with primary lung cancer were significantly lower than those in the controls ( P < 0. 01) , and the CD3+ and CD4+ and CD20+ scores and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio were significantly lower in the patients than those in the controls ( P < 0. 01 or 0. 05) , but the RBC-ICR in the patients was also significantly higher than that in the controls ( P < 0. 01) , and the CD8+ score in the patients was not remarkably changed than that in the controls ( P > 0. 05) . The direct correlation between the CD4+ score and the RBC-C3bRR was observed in the patients ( r= 0. 811 2, P < 0. 01) , but there was no remarkable correlation among the other subjects ( P > 0. 05) .

CONCLUSIONS

There are abnormalities of T subsets and B-cell and red-cell immune functions in patients with primary lung cancer. There may be a direct interaction between T helper cell and C3b receptors on erythrocytes, which may play an important role in immunity regulation in patients with primary lung cancer.

Bone mineral density and fracture among prevalent kidney stone cases in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Concern that people who form kidney stones may have reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk has motivated clinical and population-based studies, but findings are inconsistent. In this cross-sectional study, we use the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to determine whether a history of kidney stones (n = 793) is associated with lower femoral neck BMD and whether the association is similar for men and women. We further ask whether dietary calcium modifies the association between kidney stone history and BMD and whether there is an association between kidney stone history and prevalent spine or wrist fracture. We find that men with kidney stone history have lower femoral neck BMD than men without kidney stone history after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, and other potential confounders. The effect of kidney stone history on BMD is weaker for women. Men with kidney stone history also are more likely to report prevalent wrist and spine fractures. Dietary calcium, represented by usual milk consumption, is associated positively with BMD for both men and women and modifies the effect of kidney stone history on BMD for men. For men who form kidney stones, milk consumption is associated more strongly with femoral neck BMD than for men without such a history. The effect modification is such that the difference in BMD between men with and without kidney stone history is observed only at lower levels of milk consumption.

Dislocation kink-pair energetics and pencil glide in body-centered-cubic crystals

When body-centered-cubic crystals undergo plastic deformation, the slip planes are often noncrystallographic. By performing atomistic simulation on the activation pathway of dislocation jumps in bcc iron, we show that the main reason for bcc crystals to exhibit this phenomenon is that one type of kink pair has significantly lower energy than all the other types on the same slip plane. Dislocation motion therefore cannot continue on the same slip plane, and the dislocation has to cross slip onto an intersecting slip plane after each atomic jump. Thus in the long run, the average slip plane would be zigzag and noncrystallographic.

The sequence of the human genome

A 2.91-billion base pair (bp) consensus sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome was generated by the whole-genome shotgun sequencing method. The 14.8-billion bp DNA sequence was generated over 9 months from 27,271,853 high-quality sequence reads (5.11-fold coverage of the genome) from both ends of plasmid clones made from the DNA of five individuals. Two assembly strategies-a whole-genome assembly and a regional chromosome assembly-were used, each combining sequence data from Celera and the publicly funded genome effort. The public data were shredded into 550-bp segments to create a 2.9-fold coverage of those genome regions that had been sequenced, without including biases inherent in the cloning and assembly procedure used by the publicly funded group. This brought the effective coverage in the assemblies to eightfold, reducing the number and size of gaps in the final assembly over what would be obtained with 5.11-fold coverage. The two assembly strategies yielded very similar results that largely agree with independent mapping data. The assemblies effectively cover the euchromatic regions of the human chromosomes. More than 90% of the genome is in scaffold assemblies of 100,000 bp or more, and 25% of the genome is in scaffolds of 10 million bp or larger. Analysis of the genome sequence revealed 26,588 protein-encoding transcripts for which there was strong corroborating evidence and an additional approximately 12,000 computationally derived genes with mouse matches or other weak supporting evidence. Although gene-dense clusters are obvious, almost half the genes are dispersed in low G+C sequence separated by large tracts of apparently noncoding sequence. Only 1.1% of the genome is spanned by exons, whereas 24% is in introns, with 75% of the genome being intergenic DNA. Duplications of segmental blocks, ranging in size up to chromosomal lengths, are abundant throughout the genome and reveal a complex evolutionary history. Comparative genomic analysis indicates vertebrate expansions of genes associated with neuronal function, with tissue-specific developmental regulation, and with the hemostasis and immune systems. DNA sequence comparisons between the consensus sequence and publicly funded genome data provided locations of 2.1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A random pair of human haploid genomes differed at a rate of 1 bp per 1250 on average, but there was marked heterogeneity in the level of polymorphism across the genome. Less than 1% of all SNPs resulted in variation in proteins, but the task of determining which SNPs have functional consequences remains an open challenge.

Chromatography of human prothrombin from Nitschmann fraction III on DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow using axial and radial flow column

An axial column (3 x 2.6 cm) and a radial flow column (3.5 x 5 cm) packed with DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow media was evaluated for the separation of human prothrombin from Nitschmann fraction III. Under radial flow conditions, a sample flow rate up to 14 mL/min (approximately 18 bed vols/h) was achieved. Breakthrough capacity was determined and both columns had almost the same breakthrough capacity per mL media, indicating that the sample loading was independent of radial column geometry.

Hepatic resection: effective treatment for primary and secondary tumors

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection is an accepted therapeutic modality for isolated colorectal metastases (CRM) and primary hepatobiliary cancers (PC). Controversy continues regarding the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of resection for noncolorectal metastases (NCM).

METHODS

A retrospective review of 167 resections in 160 patients was performed to evaluate the impact of demographics and perioperative data on survival and recurrence. Statistical analyses were performed by Student t test, analysis of variance, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.

RESULTS

Resections were performed for CRM, 110 of 167 (66%), NCM, 31 of 167 (19%), and PC, 26 of 167 (15%). The interval from primary to metastases was significantly longer in the NCM group than the CRM group (34.7+/-45.1 vs. 18.7+/-23.7 months; P<.01). Mean number of lesions was not different between groups; however, NCM were larger than CRM (5.9+/-4.5 vs 4.5+/-2.9 cm; P<.05). Operative complications were significantly greater for PC (54%) versus CRM and NCM (21% and 19%, respectively; P<.01), although length of stay was similar between groups. Perioperative mortality was 2%. Actuarial survival at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was CRM 91%, 54%, and 40%, PC 75%, 60%, and 38%, and NCM 68%, 36%, and not available, respectively (CRM vs. NCM; P<.01 at 3 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic resection for primary and secondary malignancy can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. Resection of NCM is associated with a lower overall survival compared with CRM and PC. The disease-free interval from resection of the primary to metastasectomy is prolonged and hepatic recurrence infrequent after resection in the NCM group. These results suggest that tumor biology is a critical determinant of outcome after hepatic resection of primary and secondary hepatic tumors.

Purification of human prothrombin from Nitschmann fraction III using DEAE membrane radial flow chromatography

A DEAE membrane radial column (4x5 cm) was used to purify human prothrombin from Nitschmann fraction III and performances of the column were investigated. Sample flow-rate of 20-30 ml/min (i.e., 24-36 bed volumes/h) and elution velocity up to 40 ml/min (i.e., 48 bed volumes/h) were obtained without compromising the separation efficiency. Its breakthrough capacity was one-third to half that of the commercial DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow media. It was concluded that the novel column is an attractive alternate to traditional axial column.

[The diagnosis and treatment of nipple discharge in 253 cases]

Among 253 cases of nipple discharge, 96 cases of them were diagnosed as intracanalicular papilloma(37.9%), 73 cases as cystic disease of breast(28.9%), 41 cases as mammary duct ectasia (16.2%), 35 cases as breast cancer(13.8%) and 8 cases as acute suppurative mastitis(3.2%). The masses beneath areolar region were smaller those outside areola. Finding of cancer cells or suspicious cancer cells through cytologic examination of nipple discharge smear and breast mass puncture usually had important significance. In addition, near infrared ray scanning shows high rate of correct diagnosis; estimation of carcinoembryonic autigen(CEA) in nipple discharge is beneficial to the early diagnosis of malignant diseases.