[COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway and promotes human lung adenocarcinoma primary cell migration and invasion]

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of COL11A1 in lung adenocarcinoma migration and invasion. Methods: Surgical pathological tissues of 4 patients with lung adenocarcinoma admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from September to November 2020 were used. Immunohistochemical methods were used to identify lung adenocarcinoma tissues, para-cancerous tissues and parallel transcriptome sequencing. Genetic prognostic analysis was conducted by TCGA and GTEx databases.The expression level of COL11A1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissues was detected by Western blotting.The primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells cultured. The COL11A1 siRNA was transfected into primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells, then the transcriptome sequencing of differential genes was performed,and KEGG enrichment analysis of differential gene enrichment pathway was conducted. Protein expression and phosphorylation were detected by Western blot method. Cell migration was detected by scratch healing test. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 method and invasion ability was detected by Transwell method. Results: Ten differentially expressed genes were screened by transcription sequencing in lung adenocarcinoma. Prognostic analysis of single gene showed that COL11A1 gene expression level was correlated with survival rate (P<0.001). The expression of COL11A1 in lung adenocarcinoma was higher than that in adjacent tissues by Western blot (P<0.001). Transcriptome sequencing of COL11A1 siRNA transfection into primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells showed that differential genes were concentrated in PI3K-akt pathway. The expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN in siRNA transfection group was significantly higher than that in control group and negative transfection group by Western blot. The expression of Aktp-Akt 473 p-Akt 308 p-PTENp-PDK1p-c-Rafp-GSK-3 β was down-regulated (all P<0.05).Compared with the negative control group, the ability of migration, proliferation and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells in siRNA transfection group decreased (all P<0.05). COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3 β pathway to promote migration and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Conclusion: COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3 β pathway to promote migration and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Exosomes Derived from Endothelial Cells Inhibit Neointimal Hyperplasia Induced by Carotid Artery Injury in Rats via ROS-NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

This study attempted to investigate whether exosomes derived from rat endothelial cells (EC-Exo) attenuate intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury using hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, Evans blue staining, and Western blotting. The results indicated that EC-Exo inhibited intimal hyperplasia in the carotid artery after balloon injury, promoted re-endothelialization, and reduced vascular inflammation and ROS-NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis. Thus, EC-Exo can inhibit neointimal hyperplasia after carotid artery injury in rats presumably by inhibiting the ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome and phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

[Phenotype-genotype analysis of the autosomal recessive hereditary hearing loss caused by OTOA variations]

Objective: To analyze the phenotypic-genotypic characteristics of hereditary deafness caused by OTOA gene variations. Methods: Family histories, clinical phenotypes and gene variations of six pedigrees were analyzed, which were diagnosed with hearing loss caused by OTOA gene variations at the PLA General Hospital from September 2015 to January 2022. The sequence variations were verified by Sanger sequencing and the copy number variations were validated by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the family members. Results: The hearing loss phenotype caused by OTOA variations ranged from mild to moderate in the low frequencies, and from moderate to severe in the high frequencies in the probands, which came from six sporadic pedigrees, among which a proband was diagnosed as congenital deafness and five were diagnosed as postlingual deafness. One proband carried homozygous variations and five probands carried compound heterozygous variations in OTOA gene. Nine pathogenic variations (six copy number variations, two deletion variations and one missense variation) and two variations with uncertain significance in OTOA were identified in total, including six copy number variations and five single nucleotide variants, and three of the five single nucleotide variants were firstly reported [c.1265G>T(p.Gly422Val),c.1534delG(p.Ala513Leufs*11) and c.3292C>T(p.Gln1098fs*)]. Conclusions: OTOA gene variations can lead to autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss. In this study, the hearing loss caused by OTOA defects mostly presents as bilateral, symmetrical, and postlingual, and that of a few presents as congenital. The pathogenic variations of OTOA gene are mainly copy number variations followed by deletion variations and missense variations.

Symmetry-broken Josephson junctions and superconducting diodes in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene

The coexistence of gate-tunable superconducting, magnetic and topological orders in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene provides opportunities for the creation of hybrid Josephson junctions. Here we report the fabrication of gate-defined symmetry-broken Josephson junctions in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene, where the weak link is gate-tuned close to the correlated insulator state with a moiré filling factor of υ = -2. We observe a phase-shifted and asymmetric Fraunhofer pattern with a pronounced magnetic hysteresis. Our theoretical calculations of the junction weak link-with valley polarization and orbital magnetization-explain most of these unconventional features. The effects persist up to the critical temperature of 3.5 K, with magnetic hysteresis observed below 800 mK. We show how the combination of magnetization and its current-induced magnetization switching allows us to realise a programmable zero-field superconducting diode. Our results represent a major advance towards the creation of future superconducting quantum electronic devices.

[The surveillance analysis of the adverse events following immunization of the domestic 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in Zhejiang Province]

To evaluate the safety of the domestic 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine-tetanus toxoid protein (PCV13-TT) after its licensure. The adverse event following immunization (AEFI) and the vaccination data of PCV13-TT in Zhejiang province from July 2020 to October 2021 were collected from national adverse event following immunization surveillance system and Zhejiang provincial immunization information system. Descriptive epidemiological method was used for this analysis. From July 2020 to October 2021, 302 317 doses of PCV13-TT were administered in children under 6 years old in Zhejiang Province and 636 AEFI case reports were received, with a reporting rate of 21.04 per 10 000 doses. Of these AEFI cases, 97.17% were mild vaccine product-related reaction (20.54 per 10 000 doses) and 95.44% occurred in the 0-1 d after vaccination (20.08 per 10 000 doses). The most common clinical diagnoses of AEFI included fever (224 cases), redness (204 cases), and induration (190 cases), while allergic rash (11 cases) was the most common diagnosis among the abnormal reactions. In conclusion,the present results bolstered that the domestic PCV13-TT was generally well tolerated in children under 6 years old in Zhejiang Province.

Histopathology-Based Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Deep Learning

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is prevalent around the world and is associated with poor prognosis. OSCC is typically diagnosed from tissue biopsy sections by pathologists who rely on their empirical experience. Deep learning models may improve the accuracy and speed of image classification, thus reducing human error and workload. Here we developed a custom-made deep learning model to assist pathologists in detecting OSCC from histopathology images. We collected and analyzed a total of 2,025 images, among which 1,925 images were included in the training set and 100 images were included in the testing set. Our model was able to automatically evaluate these images and arrive at a diagnosis with a sensitivity of 0.98, specificity of 0.92, positive predictive value of 0.924, negative predictive value of 0.978, and F1 score of 0.951. Using a subset of 100 images, we examined whether our model could improve the diagnostic performance of junior and senior pathologists. We found that junior pathologists were able to delineate OSCC in these images 6.26 min faster when assisted by the model than when working alone. When the clinicians were assisted by the model, their average F1 score improved from 0.9221 to 0.9566 in the case of junior pathologists and from 0.9361 to 0.9463 in the case of senior pathologists. Our findings indicate that deep learning can improve the accuracy and speed of OSCC diagnosis from histopathology images.

[Incidence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in rural community population on islands in Zhejiang province]

Objective: To estimate the incidence of metabolic syndrome and explore possible risk factors for metabolic syndrome in adults of rural communities in Yuhuan county, Zhejiang province, China. Methods: During June-December, 2018, a follow-up survey was conducted in participants without metabolic syndrome at baseline survey in 2012 to obtain the information collected in questionnaire survey, anthropometric data and laboratory data. The incidence of metabolic syndrome in the participants was estimated, and Logistic regression model was used to explore the risk factors, adjusted risk ratio (aRR) and 95%CI. Results: Among 3 162 participants, 522 new metabolic syndrome cases were identified. The 6-year cumulative incidence rate of metabolic syndrome was 16.5%, and the cumulative incidence rate was higher in women (20.6%) than that in men (12.3%, P<0.001). Those incidence rates were higher in those in jobless, smoking or drinking groups. Being women (aRR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.50-2.58) and family history of hypertension (aRR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.04-1.63) were independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The follow up indicated that the incidence of metabolic syndrome was relatively high in rural adults on islands in Zhejiang, and women or those with family history of hypertension were more likely to have metabolic syndrome.

Genome-wide analysis of mitochondrial DNA copy number reveals loci implicated in nucleotide metabolism, platelet activation, and megakaryocyte proliferation

Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) measured from blood specimens is a minimally invasive marker of mitochondrial function that exhibits both inter-individual and intercellular variation. To identify genes involved in regulating mitochondrial function, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 465,809 White individuals from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium and the UK Biobank (UKB). We identified 133 SNPs with statistically significant, independent effects associated with mtDNA-CN across 100 loci. A combination of fine-mapping, variant annotation, and co-localization analyses was used to prioritize genes within each of the 133 independent sites. Putative causal genes were enriched for known mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (p = 3.09 × 10-15) and the gene ontology (GO) terms for mtDNA metabolism (p = 1.43 × 10-8) and mtDNA replication (p = 1.2 × 10-7). A clustering approach leveraged pleiotropy between mtDNA-CN associated SNPs and 41 mtDNA-CN associated phenotypes to identify functional domains, revealing three distinct groups, including platelet activation, megakaryocyte proliferation, and mtDNA metabolism. Finally, using mitochondrial SNPs, we establish causal relationships between mitochondrial function and a variety of blood cell-related traits, kidney function, liver function and overall (p = 0.044) and non-cancer mortality (p = 6.56 × 10-4).

Long-term prognostic value of non-invasive lesion-specific hemodynamic index

Background

With advancement in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, novel lesion-specific hemodynamic parameters can be estimated non-invasively. However, their long-term prognostic implications have not been fully defined.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the ten-year outcomes of lesion-specific hemodynamic indices derived-from coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Methods

A total of 145 vessels (95 patients) with stable coronary artery disease who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived by coronary computed tomographic angiography (FFRCT) and invasive FFR measurement was included from the first-in-human study of FFRCT. Study participants were enrolled from October 2009 to January 2011 and were followed up until December 2020. A total of 340 lesions with % diameter stenosis ≥30% were identified, and wall shear stress (WSS) and change FFRCT across the lesion (ΔFFRCT) were obtained using CFD techniques by an independent core laboratory. The optimal cut-off for WSS and ΔFFRCT was applied for outcome analysis. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) including cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 10 years.

Results

The median WSS and ΔFFRCT was 183.3 [112.8; 273.9] and 0.06 [0.03; 0.13]. WSS and ΔFFRCT was mildly correlated with FFRCT (r=−0.18, P=0.001 for WSS; r=−0.36, P&lt;0.001 for ΔFFRCT). Of 179 lesions with deferral of revascularization at the index procedure of FFR measurement, TLF occurred in 16 (8.9%) lesions. In prediction of 10-year TLF, % diameter stenosis (per-lesion) ≥50%, FFRCT ≤0.80, WSS ≥256.1 dyn/cm2, and ΔFFRCT ≥0.06 were significant predictors. However, in multivariate analyses with those predictors, % diameter stenosis (per-lesion) ≥50%, FFRCT ≤0.80 became insignificant, and lesion-specific hemodynamic indices were only predictive of 10-year TLF (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–7.22, P=0.055 for WSS ≥256.1 dyn/cm2; aHR 5.88, 95% CI 1.10–33.25, P=0.045 for ΔFFRCT ≥0.06). WSS ≥256.1 dyn/cm2 and ΔFFRCT ≥0.06 had higher information gain in predicting outcomes than % diameter stenosis (per-lesion) ≥50% and FFRCT ≤0.80, and both improved predictability for 10-year TLF risk of the model with % diameter stenosis (per-lesion) ≥50% and FFRCT ≤0.80 (P=0.068 for WSS ≥256.1 dyn/cm2; P=0.011 for ΔFFRCT ≥0.06) (Figure).

Conclusions

Non-invasive lesion-specific hemodynamic indices (i.e., high WSS and high ΔFFRCT) were the robust predictors of 10-year outcomes of a target lesion with incremental predictability over anatomical severity and low FFRCT. Clinical application of non-invasive hemodynamic indices will provide better long-term risk stratification over the current prognostication scheme before an invasive procedure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Abbott, Philips, HeartFlow

Sex differences in mapping and rhythm outcomes of a repeat atrial fibrillation ablation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

The risk of procedure-related complications and rhythm outcomes differ between men and women after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA). We evaluated whether consistent sex differences existed in mapping and rhythm outcomes in repeat ablation procedures.

Methods

Among 3,282 patients in the registry, we analysed 443 consecutive patients (24.6% female, 58.5 ± 10.3 years old, 61.5% paroxysmal AF) who underwent a second AFCA. We compared the clinical factors, mapping, left atrial (LA) pressure, complications, and long-term clinical recurrences after propensity score matching.

Results

The LA volume index (43.1 ± 18.6 vs. 35.8 ± 11.6 ml/m2, p &lt; 0.001) was higher, but LA dimension (40.0 ± 6.8 vs. 41.6 ± 6.3mm, p = 0.018), LA voltage (0.94 ± 0.55 vs. 1.20 ± 0.68 mV, p = 0.002), and pericardial fat volume (89.5 ± 43.1 vs. 122.1 ± 53.9 cm3, p &lt; 0.001) lower in women with a repeat ablation than in their male counterparts. The pulmonary vein (PV) reconnections were lower (58.7% vs. 74.9%, p = 0.001), but the proportion of extra-PV triggers (27.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.026) and elevated LA pulse pressures (79.7% vs. 63.7%, p = 0.019) was significantly higher in women than men. There was no significant sex difference in the procedure-related complication rate (4.6% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.791). During a 31(8∼60) month median follow-up, clinical recurrences were significantly higher in women after both the de novo procedure (log rank p = 0.039, antiarrhythmic drug [AAD]-free log rank p &lt; 0.001) and second procedure (log rank p = 0.006, AAD-free log rank p = 0.093). A female sex (HR 1.51 [1.06-2.15], p = 0.023), non-paroxysmal AF (HR 1.78 [1.30-2.34], p &lt; 0.010), and extra-PV triggers (HR 1.88 [1.28-2.75], p = 0.001) were independently associated with clinical recurrences after repeat procedures.

Conclusions

During the repeat AFCA procedures, PV reconnections were lower in women than men, and the existence of extra-PV triggers and an LA pressure elevation was more significant, which resulted in poor rhythm outcomes.

[Screening core genes and cyclin B2 as a potential diagnosis, treatment and prognostic biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis]

Objective: To screen out and explore the core gene (Hub gene) involvement and the potential role of cyclin B2 (CCNB2) in the development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through bioinformatics methods. Methods: Four HCC-related datasets were screened, and downloaded from the GEO database. GEO2R tool was used to analyze data and identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis were completed using DAVID database and Cytoscape (ClueGO) plug-in, respectively. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of DEGs was established using the STRING database. Cytoscape software was used to visualize PPI network, key modules (cluster) construction and core genes identification. UCSC and UALCAN database were used to analyze the differential expression and survival of TCGA hepatocellular carcinoma core genes. Firebrowse, Oncomine and UALCAN databases were used to analyze the expression of core genes in multiple tumors including HCC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of candidate genes in HCC tissues and liver cancer cell lines. Results: A total of 73 DEGs were identified from the four datasets, including 15 up-regulated genes and 58 down-regulated genes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis signal showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in tumor-related pathways. PPI network based on DEGs had screened the key modules and 10 core genes. CCNB2 and NCAPG were highly expressed in liver cancer tissues in multiple databases. CCNB2 was positively correlated with NCAPG and was considered as a key gene related to prognosis (P < 0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that CCNB2 was highly expressed in human HCC tissues and cell lines (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Successfully screened DEGs and core genes related to HCC. Among them, CCNB2 is highly expressed in HCC and is related to the survival and prognosis of patients, so it is expected to become a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.

[Evaluation of lower facial esthetics in females with different skeletal patterns]

Objective: To evaluate lower facial profile in females in different skeletal patterns. Methods: Investigation pictures of three females with beautiful lower facial profiles from Department of Orthodontics, Henan Stomatological Hospital were collected. The skeletal patterns of these females were classified as average, low and high angle, respectively.Upper lip process point (UL) was moved backwards horizontally to reach towards the E line and go even further gradually in above pictures. The distance changed according to E line was defined as DE value. If UL was in front of E line,DE value was denoted as positive, or else negative. Collectively, we obtained 30 pictures (10 pictures in each skeletal facial type) with different DE values (-5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mm), which were divided into average, low and high angle group according to the skeletal facial type. The pictures were evaluated by 144 randomly-selected adult orthodontic patients [66 males, 78 females, aged (29.4±7.7) years] who visited Department of Orthodontics, Henan Stomatological Hospital from June to September, 2019 and 138 orthodontists (including qualified orthodontists and postgraduate orthodontic students [60 males, 78 females, aged (32.2±7.1) years] who participated orthodontics conferences in Henan Stomatological Hospital in June, 2019. The acceptance rate was calculated and rate above 60% was deemed as acceptable DE range. Evaluators were also asked to choose the most esthetic profiles for the best DE value in each skeletal facial type.Data discrepancy was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis and chi-square test. Results: Most accepted DE was -2 mm among total investigators including orthodonticpatients and orthodontists. There was no difference in total acceptance rate between orthodontists and patients (P>0.05). There was statistic difference in total acceptance rate in different skeletal patterns between orthodontic patients and orthodontists (P<0.05). In total investigators, total acceptance rate was 62.1% (1 752/2 820) in average angle group, 55.4%(1 563/2 820) in high angle group and 33.5%(946/2 820) in low angle group, respectively. Acceptable DE range in three facial types was -4~2 mm (average angle), -2~2 mm (high angle) and -2~-1 mm (low angle), respectively. Conclusions: According to the evaluation of both orthodontic patients and orthodontists, the best DE was-2 mm.Total acceptance rate and acceptable DE range ranked first in average angle group, second in high angle group and third in low angle group.

The antibiofilm and collagen-stabilizing effects of proanthocyanidin as an auxiliary endodontic irrigant

AIM

To evaluate the antibiofilm effect of proanthocyanidin (PA) solution as an irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and its influence on the mechanical properties and biodegradation resistance of demineralized root dentine.

METHODOLOGY

Enterococcus faecalis were introduced into human root dentine tubules by a serial centrifugation method and grown for 1 week. Dentine blocks infected with 1-week-old E. faecalis biofilms were treated with the following irrigants: sterile water (control), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), 2% PA, 5% PA and 10% PA. After treatment, the live and dead bacteria proportions within E. faecalis biofilms were analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. To evaluate the biostability of fully demineralized dentine treated by the aforementioned irrigants, the elastic modulus and hydroxyproline release of human dentine incubated in collagenase solution were tested at baseline, after irrigant treatment and after biodegradation, respectively. Furthermore, the surface chemical bond of demineralized dentine collagen treated by various irrigants was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way anova and Tukey's post hoc multiple comparisons with the significance level at 5%.

RESULTS

The proportion of dead E. faecalis volume was significantly higher in the PA and CHX groups than that in the control group (P < 0.05). PA irrigation significantly increased the mechanical properties of demineralized dentine (P < 0.05), and the effect was enhanced with increasing PA concentration. CHX and PA groups had significantly less elasticity loss and hydroxyproline release (P < 0.05). The biomodification of dentine collagen by PA was verified by increased C-O/C-N peak percentage under C1s and C-O peak percentage under O1s narrow-scan XPS spectra.

CONCLUSIONS

Proanthocyanidin killed E. faecalis within biofilms and enhanced the biostability of the collagen matrix of demineralized root dentine. It might be used as an auxiliary endodontic irrigant with antibiofilm and collagen-stabilizing effects.

[Biological characteristics and genomic information of a bacteriophage against pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a burn patient and its effects on bacterial biofilm]

Objective: To isolate a bacteriophage against pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a burn patient, and to study its biological characteristics, genomic information, and effects on bacterial biofilm. Methods: (1) In 2018, pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae UA168 (hereinafter referred to as the host bacteria) solution isolated from the blood of a burn patient in Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as Ruijin Hospital) was used to isolate and purify the bacteriophage against pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from the sewage of Ruijin Hospital with sewage co-culture method, drip plate method, and double-agar plate method. The bacteriophage was named as phage KP168 and the plaque morphology was observed. (2) The phage KP168 solution was taken for cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation and dialysis, and then the morphology of phage KP168 was observed through transmission electron microscope after phosphotungstic acid negative staining. (3) The phage KP168 solution was taken to determine the lytic ability of the phage KP168 against 20 strains of pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from the burned patients' blood in Ruijin Hospital by the drip plate method, and then the lysis rate was calculated. (4) The phage KP168 solution at a initial titer of 9.3×10(11) plaque-forming unit (PFU)/mL (400 μL per tube) and the host bacteria solution at a concentration of 1×10(9) colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL (4 mL per tube) were conventionally shaking cultured together for 4 hours at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10.000, 1.000, 0.100, 0.010, or 0.001, respectively (1 tube per MOI). The titer of phage KP168 was measured by the double-agar plate method (the measurement method was the same below) to select the optimal MOI. The experiment was repeated three times. (5) The host bacteria solution at a concentration of 1×10(9) CFU/mL (4 mL per tube) and the phage KP168 solution at an adjusted titer of 5×10(7) PFU/mL (400 μL per tube) were mixed at the MOI of 0.005. The plaques were counted 0 (immediately), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, and 30 minutes (1 tube at each time point) after mixing by the double-agar plate method (the counting method was the same below), and the percentage of adsorbed phages was calculated to screen for the optimal adsorption time. The experiment was repeated three times. (6) The host bacteria solution at a concentration of 1×10(9) CFU/mL (300 μL per tube) and the phage KP168 solution at a titer of 5×10(8) PFU/mL (60 μL per tube) were mixed at MOI of 0.005 and conventionally shaking cultured after standing for the optimal adsorption time. The phage KP168 titer was measured 0 (immediately), 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 minutes after culture, and a one-step growth curve was drawn. The experiment was repeated three times. (7) The phage KP168 solution at a titer of 2.5×10(10) PFU/mL was left to stand for 1 hour at 37, 40, 50, 60, or 70 ℃ (3 tubes at each time point, 1 mL per tube) for counting the plaques, and then the thermal stability curve was drawn. SM buffer at a pH values of 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.4, 8.0, 9.0, or 10.0 were added to the phage KP168 solution at a titer of 3.0×10(10) PFU/mL, respectively. The mixed solution was left to stand for 1 hour at 37 ℃ (3 tubes of each pH, each tube containing 100 μL phage KP168 solution and 900 μL SM buffer), and then the plaques were counted, and an acid-base stability curve was drawn. (8) The phage KP168 solution was taken for DNA extraction and sequencing after dialysis as in experiment (2). The whole genome was annotated with Prokka to obtain the coding sequence of phage KP168. Nucleotide's BLAST function was used to proceed nucleic acid sequence alignment for finding a known phage with the highest similarity to the phage KP168 nucleic acid sequence, and Blastx function was used to translate the coding sequence into protein for its function prediction. The comparison with Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database and Virulence Factors Database was proceeded. (9) In a 96-well plate, at a MOI of 1.000, 0.100, 0.010 or 0.001 (3 wells per MOI), 20 μL phage KP168 solution at a initial titer of 5.8×10(10) PFU/mL was added to 200 μL host bacteria solution at a concentration of 1.5×10(8) CFU/mL (the same concentration below) for co-cultivation for 48 hours. After 200 μL host bacteria solution was left to stand for 48 hours, 20 μL phage KP168 solution at a titer of 1×10(6,) 1×10(7,) 1×10(8,) 1×10(9,) or 1×10(10) PFU/mL (3 wells per titer) was added respectively for action for 4 hours. In both experiments, 200 μL host bacteria solution added with 20 μL SM buffer (3 wells) acted as a negative control, and 220 μL LB culture medium (3 wells) acted as a blank control. Absorbance values were measured by a microplate reader, and inhibition/destruction rates of biofilm were calculated. The experiments were both repeated three times. Results: (1) The plaques of phage KP168 successfully isolated and purified were transparent and round, and its diameter was approximately 1.5 mm. (2) The phage KP168 has a regular polyhedron structure with a diameter of about 50 nm and without a tail. (3) The phage KP168 could lyse 13 of 20 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae from burned patients, with a lysis rate of 65.0%. (4) When MOI was 1.000, the titer was the highest after co-culturing the phage KP168 with the host bacteria for 4 hours, which was the optimal MOI. (5) After the mixing of the phage KP168 with the host bacteria for 4 minutes, the percentage of the adsorbed phage reached the highest, which was the optimal adsorption time. (6) The one-step growth curve showed that during the lysis of the host bacteria by phage KP168, the incubation period was about 10 minutes, and the lysis period was about 40 minutes. (7) With the condition of 40 ℃ or pH 7.4, the number of plaques and the activity of phage KP168 reached the highest. (8) The genome of phage KP168 was a linear double-stranded DNA with a length of 40 114 bp. There were 48 possible coding sequences. It had the highest similarity to Klebsiella phage_vB_Kp1. The most similar known proteins corresponding to the translated proteins of coding sequences contained 23 hypothetical proteins and 25 proteins with known functions. No resistance genes or virulence factor genes were found. The GeneBank accession number was KT367885. (9) After 48 hours of co-cultivation of the phage KP168 and the host bacteria at each MOI, the inhibition rates of biofilm were similar, with an average of about 45%. After the phage KP168 with a titer of 1×10(9) PFU/mL acted on the biofilm formed by the host bacteria for 4 h, the destruction rate of biofilm was the highest, reaching an average of 42%. Conclusions: In this study, a bacteriophage against pan-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from a burn patient, phage KP168, is isolated from sewage, which belongs to the tailless phage. It has a wide host spectrum, short adsorption time, and short incubation period, with certain thermal and acid-base stability. Its genomic information is clear, and it does not contain resistance genes or virulence factor genes. It also has an inhibitory effect on the formation of bacterial biofilm and a destructive effect on the formed bacterial biofilm.

[Research progress of idiopathic tinnitus]

SummaryIdiopathic tinnitus is a spontancous sense of hearing under neither external acoustic or electric stimuli,and is one of the common symptoms of otorhinolaryngology. At present，the clinical stages and classification of tinnitus vary among different countries. The examination of tinnitus is also multifaceted, including audiology, imaging, psychology and other tests to find tinnitus for the purpose. There are many treatments for tinnitus, including etiological treatment, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, tinnitus masking therapy, tinnitus therapy, hearing aids, cochlear implants, drug therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, electrical stimulation and so on.The above treatment methods have not reached a consensus on the efficacy of tinnitus. In recent years, some technology innovations based on sound have produced personalized treatment schemes for different types of tinnitus,which will inevitably become a hot topic in future research.

[Clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms by non-fluoroscopic occlusion via a micro-bone window frontolateral approach]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value and outcomes of technical improvement of hybrid operatical clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms. Methods: A review was conducted on 18 cases of large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm which were clipped by balloon non-fluoroscopic occlusion of the parent artery via a micro-bone window frontolateral approach in hybrid operating room at Neurosurgery Department of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from June 2014 to December 2017. There were 8 males and 10 females with age of (63±4) years. There were 6 cases of unruptured aneurysm and 12 cases of ruptured aneurysm of subarachnoid hemorrhage (6 cases of grade Ⅱ, 4 cases of grade Ⅲ and 2 cases of grade Ⅳ in Hunt-Hess classification). Frontolateral approach incision (average length of about 5 cm) and bone window about 3 cm×3 cm were performed. No incision of the neck was needed to expose the internal carotid artery for temporary occlusion. In the operation, the balloon was slowly pushed to the preset position of the internal carotid artery under non-fluoroscopy. The balloon was expanded to block the blood flow of internal carotid artery. Then aneurysm was clipped. The balloon was loosened and retraced to the guiding catheter after clipping. The clipping condition was examined by cerebral angiography. If there was residual aneurysm neck or stenosis of the parent artery, the balloon was pushed under non-fluoroscopy again to temporary occlusion and the clip was adjusted until the aneurysm neck was clamped satisfactorily. Results: Eighteen aneurysms were successfully clipped in hybrid operating room. Fourteen aneurysms showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm neck and no stenosis of the parent artery. Four cases showed residual aneurysm neck after clipping by intraoperative angiography, then aneurysms were clipped satisfy by adjusting the aneurysm clip. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 1 year. Ten patients recovered well (modifed Rankin score (mRS): 0), and 3 patients had no obvious disability (mRS: 1). Two patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ were slightly disabled (mRS: 2). 1 patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ were moderately disabled (mRS: 3). 1 patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ were severely disabled (mRS: 4). One elderly patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅳ were seriously disabled (mRS: 5). Conclusions: Application of balloon non-fluoroscopic occlusion clipping for large paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm via a micro-bone window frontolateral approach is safe, effective and minimally invasive.

Cancer risk assessment for occupational exposure to chromium and nickel in welding fumes from pipeline construction, pressure container manufacturing, and shipyard building in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the cancer risks resulting from the exposure to chromium, hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI) ), oxidic nickel (Ni), and soluble Ni in welding fumes during pipeline and shipyard construction and pressure container manufacturing in Taiwan. We also determined the roles of welding performance and demographic characteristics during the exposure to Cr and Ni.

METHODS

Personal air samples were collected for the analysis of Cr and Ni, and the concentrations of Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni were quantified. We assessed cancer slope factors for Cr, Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni, and we used the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk model proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to calculate excess risk.

RESULTS

The risks of exposure to Cr and Cr (VI) in welding fumes exceeded the acceptable level of occupational exposure (10-3). We ranked the excess cancer risk in three industries in decreasing order as follows: pipeline construction, shipyard construction, and pressure container manufacturing. The most sensitive parameters for the risk assessment were Cr and Ni concentrations. Statistically significant determinants of Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni concentrations were the following: stainless steel as the base metal and the filler metals of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that welders belong to a high cancer-risk group. Furthermore, we demonstrated the roles of filler metals and stainless steel in exposure to Cr and Ni.

[Influence of fracture resistance of prosthesis with different thickness of ferrule restored with fiber post and resin core and crown]

Objective: To evaluate the influence of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with different thickness of ferrule by mechanical fatigue test and static loading test, and so as to provide a reference for the clinical treatment planning. Methods: Fifty bovine incisors were divided into 5 groups by random number table method (n=10). Group A was the control group in which the incisors were prepared without a ferrule design (0 mm). The other four groups (B, C, D, E) were experimental groups, and the thickness of the dentin ferrule prepared for specimens in each group was 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm. The height of ferrules in all the specimens was 2 mm. Cyclic fatigue loading (2.33 Hz, 50 N) was applied on each specimen until either the specimen was dislodged/fractured or the 300 000 cycles were finished. After fatigue loading, the mode of failure was observed. Those intact specimen after fatigue loading were tested under a gradually increasing force using a universal testing machine (0.05 mm/min) until fracture occurred. The forces required to fracture and failure model was recorded. Results: The results of cyclic loading tests showed that: all specimens survived the 300 000 cycles of intermittent loading. The results of static loading tests showed that: the fracture force of A, B, C, D and E groups respectively were (226.4±67.7), (369.7±34.5), (400.7±48.2), (528.1±56.3), and (555.4±98.5) N (F=15.227, P=0.000). There was a significant difference in fracture resistance between group A and the other four groups, and between group B, C and group D, E (P<0.05). No statistical difference were found in fracture resistance among the other groups (P>0.05). There was strong correlation between the thickness of ferrule and the fracture force by Pearson correlation analysis (r=0.973, P=0.002). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: The different thickness of ferrule can influence the fracture resistance of the teeth, and when the height of the ferrule is 2.0 mm, the fracture force increased significantly with an increasing ferrule thickness.

Sol-Gel Derived Antibacterial Ag-Containing ZnO Films on Biomedical Titanium

ZnO and Ag-containing ZnO (ZnO/Ag) films with the Ag/Zn molar ratio of 3.3 and 9.1%, respectively were sol-gel coated on biomedical titanium for antibacterial and bioactive surface modification. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that ZnO peaks increase with the calcination temperature of the samples. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive of X-ray analyses reveal Ag-rich white particles (300~750 nm) on ZnO/Ag samples that were calcined at 400 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of ZnO/Ag samples shows that Zn and O exist as ZnO and Ag presents in metallic state. The coating samples exhibit similar UV light-induced hydrophilic conversion behavior. Potentiodynamic polarization test in a Ca-free Hank's balanced solution demonstrates better corrosion resistance of the coating samples compared with the polished sample. In the in vitro bioactivity test using the simulated body fluid, a layer of apatite is gradually deposited on the surface of sample ZnO/9Ag after 12 days of soaking. The MTT assay test shows that ZnO and ZnO/Ag films have weak compatibility with the L929 cells. The antibacterial test against E. Coli by the disk diffusion assay reveals that antibacterial activity of the coating samples increases with silver content of the films.

Effective Dose of Remifentanil for Control of Haemodynamic Response to Insertion of the Streamlined Liner of the Pharyngeal Airway

Objective

To determine the dose of remifentanil needed to achieve successful insertion of the Streamlined Liner of the Pharyngeal Airway (SLIPA™) without the development of hypertension in 95% of the patients.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

operating theatre of a university hospital

Methods

A total of 100 ASA I or II patients requiring SLIPA insertion were randomly assigned to receive normal saline (Group C) or one of the four different doses (0.5 µg/kg [Group R0.5], 1.0 µg/kg [Group R1], 1.5 µg/kg [Group R1.5] or 2.0 µg/kg [Group R2]) of remifentanil. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at preanesthetic baseline, preinserton, and every one minute during the initial 3 minutes period after insertion.

Results

A Probit model of remifentanil concentration was predictive of successful insertion of SLIPA without the development of hypertension. The ED95 of remifentanil needed to suppress haemodynamic response from SLIPA insertion was 1.39 µg/kg (95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.61 µg/kg).

Conclusions

A single administration of remifentanil can effectively suppress haemodynamic changes due to the insertion of SLIPA.

Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway: Randomised Comparison of Size Selection Strategies with Regard to Patient Height versus Thyroid Cartilage Width

Introduction

Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA) is a disposable supraglottic airway. There are two strategies to select the size of SLIPA: by height and width of thyroid cartilage. This study compared the utility of the two strategies in selecting the optimal size.

Methods

One hundred forty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups with size selection by height (H) and the maximal width of the thyroid cartilage (T). The SLIPA size was selected by height in group H, and by the width of thyroid cartilage in group T. After inserting SLIPA, the investigator made note of the oropharyngeal leakage pressure (OLP) and the degree of insertion difficulty. We set the OLP as a primary outcome. In cases of an OLP <15 cmH2O, the investigator manipulated the apparatus to try to reposition it. If air still leaked, another attempt was made using a SLIPA one size larger until an OLP >15 cmH2O was achieved in up to three attempts. After insertion, the investigator measured the inspiratory and expiratory tidal volume. Post-operatively, the presence of blood or regurgitated fluid on the device was evaluated.

Results

OLP for group T was higher than that of group H (p=0.009). The need for manipulation and the leak fraction was higher in group H than in group T (p=0.008 and 0.034, respectively). The degree of insertion difficulty, number of trials and incidence of blood and regurgitated fluid on the device were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

Both the width and height of thyroid cartilage can be used for selecting the optimal SLIPA size. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015;22:303-311)

Repeated Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Is Not Essential for Asthma Screening

BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE

Older guidelines recommend that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) should be checked more than twice during the same session to confirm an asthma diagnosis. Recent studies show the excellent reproducibility of FeNO measurements. Objetive: We aimed to determine whether repeated FeNO measurements during the same session are necessary for asthma screening.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of adult outpatients who visited the respiratory medicine department for diagnosis of asthma and assessed FeNO measurements obtained from June 2016 to July 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 132 patients enrolled, 79 (59.8%) were diagnosed with asthma. Repeated FeNO measurements taken during the same session showed high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.9; P<.001) and a strong correlation (Pearson coefficient >0.9; P<.001), although reproducibility and correlation were slightly weaker in patients with low FeNO values. The value of repeated measurement was not significant; however, the second FeNO measurement was significantly higher than the first measurement in patients with the worst and best lung function. The predictive power of the first measurement of FeNO (sensitivity, 80.5%; specificity, 85.1%) was not inferior to the second (sensitivity, 76.6%; specificity 85.1%). The same was true of the geometric mean of the two.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated FeNO measurement during the same session is not essential for asthma screening in cases where the first acceptable FeNO measurement is performed using the proper method.

Acute hypoxic stress: Effect on blood parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and expression of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 genes in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) plays a crucial role in survival, growth, and normal physiological functions of aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in hypoxic stress and adaptation have not been fully elucidated in Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). To reveal the effect of acute hypoxia on Largemouth bass, we simulated acute hypoxia (DO: 1.2 ± 0.2 mg/L) in the laboratory and analyzed physiological parameters (RBCs, Hb, SOD, CAT, NA⁺/K⁺-ATPase, GPx, and MDA) and gene expression (HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1) in Largemouth bass exposed to various durations of acute hypoxia (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). Our results indicated that acute hypoxic exposure significantly increased RBCs but decreased Hb. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activity was enhanced significantly in the liver and muscles at the initial stage of acute hypoxic exposure, but decreased significantly in gills during the entire process of hypoxic exposure. Furthermore, the expression levels of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated in Largemouth bass under acute hypoxic exposure. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable basis for further elucidation of hypoxic adaptation and facilitates husbandry for an economically valuable species.

Proximal femoral nail antirotation internal fixation in treating intertrochanteric femoral fractures of elderly subjects

This study compared the effect of dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) in the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures of elderly subjects and evaluated the effect of PFNA internal fixation. Two hundred and sixteen elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fracture who received treatment in Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Shandong, China were selected. They were divided into a PFNA group which adopted PFNA for internal fixation and a DHS group which adopted DHS for internal fixation, 108 cases in each group. The physical condition of the patients in the two groups were recorded on admittance. The fracture was typed according to Evans-Jensen classification criteria. Patients were followed up after surgery to evaluate the postoperative recovery and Harris score of hip joint function. Except for the length of hospital stay, the length of incision, interoperative blood loss, volume of drainage and duration of operation of the PFNA group were all superior to those of the DHS group (P less than 0.05); the incidence of postoperative complications of the PFNA group was lower than that of the DHS group (P less than 0.05); the early Harris score of the treatment was superior to that of the DHS group, and there was no remarkable difference (P>0.05). PFNA has more advantages than DHS in treating intertrochanteric femoral fracture of the elderly; hence it is worth wide application in clinical use.

[The multicenter study on the registration and follow-up of low anticoagulation therapy for the heart valve operation in China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the optimal anticoagulation methods and monitoring strategy for Chinese patients undergoing heart valve replacement, which is potentially quite different from western populations.

METHODS

In this multicenter prospective cohort study, the anticoagulation and monitoring strategy data was acquired from 25 773 in-hospital patients in 35 medical centers and 20 519 patients in outpatient clinic in 11 medical centers from January 1st, 2011 to December 31th, 2015.

RESULTS

As for in-hospital patients, mean age of study population was (48.6±11.2) years old; main etiology of valve pathology was rheumatic (87.5%) origin among study cohort; 94.8% of study population received mechanical valve implantation; international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring (in all the study centers) and low-intensity anticoagulation strategy (31 hospitals chose target INR range of 1.5-2.5, and actual values of INR among 89.2% of 100 069 in-hospital monitoring samples were 1.5-2.5), with mean actual INR values of 1.84±0.53, and warfarin dosage of (2.82±0.93) mg/d were widely adopted among the study centers; strategies of in-hospital warfarin administration were similar in all the study centers; complication rates of low-intensity anticoagulation strategy were low in severe hemorrhage (0.02%), thrombosis (0.05%), and thromboembolism (0.05%) events, without anticoagulation-related death.As for 18 974 outpatient clinic patients, the follow-up rate was 92.47%, with a total of 30 012 patient-years (Pty). Anticoagulation-related morbidity and mortality rates were 0.67% and 0.15% Pty; major hemorrhage morbidity and mortality rates were 0.25% and 0.13% Pty; thromboembolism morbidity and mortality rates were 0.45% and 0.03% Pty.The mean dosage of warfarin daily dosage was (2.85±1.23) mg/d and INR value was 1.82±0.57.No significant regional difference in the intensity of anticoagulation therapy was noted during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

INR can be used as a normalized indicator for intensity of anticoagulation therapy in China.The optimal anticoagulation intensity with INR range from 1.5 to 2.5 is safe and effective for Chinese patients with heart valve replacement, and there is no significant regional difference in the intensity of anticoagulation therapy.

[Clinical experience of 302 cases with brain abscess]

Objective: To compare the diagnosis and treatment experience of brain abscesses and improve prognosis. Methods: The data of 302 patients of brain abscess at Department of Neurosurgery in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 1980 to 2014 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 215 male and 87 female patients aged from 11 to 82 years with mean age of (30±8) years. The patients was divided into 1980-2001 group and 2002-2014 group according to different diagnosis and the treatment methods. The therapy methods include operation and conservative treatment. There were 196 cases received operation, including 95 cases of excision, 89 cases of ventriculopuncture, 12 cases of excision after ventriculopuncture, 106 cases received drug conservative therapy. Two groups of information including clinical manifestation, abscess location, therapeutic effect and prognosis were compared by χ(2) test. Results: Compared to 1980-2001 group, adjacent infection incidence declined(χ(2)=8.000, P=0.005). The ratio of single abscess declined and multiple abscess increased(χ(2)=11.060, P=0.001), the infection proportion of frontal lobe and temporal lobe decreased(χ(2)=9.080, P=0.003; χ(2)=15.440, P=0.000). The ratio of headache and vomit and papilledema declined significantly(χ(2)=23.290, P=0.000; χ(2)=21.020, P=0.000; χ(2)=2.290, P=0.001). Total mortality of 302 patients were 23 cases and 5 cases of 1980-2001 group and 2002-2014 group (10.4% vs. 6.3%, χ(2)=1.180, P=0.277). However, there were statistical difference in postoperative mortality between both groups (14.4% vs. 4.0%, χ(2) =3.880, P=0.049). Conclusion: With the application of antibiotics and the development of neurosurgical techniques, the prognosis of brain abscess has been improved.

Thermosetting Polyimides with Improved Impact Toughness and Excellent Thermal and Thermo-Oxidative Stability

Thermoset polyimides were prepared by thermally curing B-staged endcapped polyimide resins that were obtained by thermally baking PMR polyimide matrix resins. The polyimide matrix resins were prepared by incorporating flexible ether-bridged aromatic segments [–Ar–O–Ar–] into PMR polyimide backbone to improve their processability and impact toughness. Experimental results indicated that the B-staged polyimide resins possessed adjustable and easily controllable thermal processability which ensure that thermoset polyimides are produced with improved impact strength and high glass transition temperature compared with PMR-15. Thermal and thermo-oxidative stability as well as hygrothermal resistance of the thermoset polyimides were also systemically investigated.

Processable Polyimides with High Glass Transition Temperature and High Storage Modulus Retention at 400°C

End-capped polyimide precursor solutions in ethyl alcohol were prepared by incorporating carbonyl groups into the polymer backbone of a second-generation PMR ( in situ polymerization of monomer reactants) polyimide, PMR-II-50, which exhibited good features as a matrix resin for carbon-fibrereinforced composites. Cured polyimides were prepared in an analogous process as the PMR-II polyimides. The thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of the cured polyimides was systemically investigated. It was found that the cured polyimide containing a 1:1 mole ratio of the carbonyl group [–C(O)–] to the hexafluoroisopropyl group [–C(CF3)2–] in the polymer backbone possessed a very high glass transition temperature (440 °C) and an excellent thermal decomposition temperature (576 °C). The onset temperature of the storage modulus curve was measured at about 400 °C with high retention ( >55%) of the storage modulus at 400 °C, compared to 10–15% of the corresponding PMR-II polyimide. Carbon-fibre-reinforced composites also showed a high onset temperature of the storage modulus (420 °C) and high storage modulus retention ( >85%) at 400 °C. Preliminary results indicated that the composite laminate exhibited excellent mechanical strength retention at 371 °C, which was superior to that of CF/PMR-II composites.

Preparation and Properties of PMR-II Polyimide/Chopped Quartz Fibre Composites

High-temperature polyimide composites with low and stable dielectric properties were produced by thermally curing prepolyimide moulding compounds which were prepared by the wet impregnation of chopped short quartz fibres with a PMR-II polyimide matrix resin solution, followed by the evaporation of the solvent with vigorous stirring. The mechanical properties, thermo-oxidative stability as well as the dielectric and electric properties of the composites were studied. The experimental results showed that the composites exhibit outstanding mechanical properties and excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stability at temperatures as high as 371 °C. It was revealed that both the dielectric constant (∼3.0) and loss tangent (∼10−3) of the composites were not obviously changed with a frequency in the broadband wavelength (1 kHz–20 GHz).

Detection of 549 new HLA alleles in potential stem cell donors from the United States, Poland and Germany

We characterized 549 new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II alleles found in newly registered stem cell donors as a result of high‐throughput HLA typing. New alleles include 101 HLA‐A, 132 HLA‐B, 105 HLA‐C, 2 HLA‐DRB1, 89 HLA‐DQB1 and 120 HLA‐DPB1 alleles. Mainly, new alleles comprised single nucleotide variations when compared with homologous sequences. We identified nonsynonymous nucleotide mutations in 70.7% of all new alleles, synonymous variations in 26.4% and nonsense substitutions in 2.9% (null alleles). Some new alleles (55, 10.0%) were found multiple times, HLA‐DPB1 alleles being the most frequent among these. Furthermore, as several new alleles were identified in individuals from ethnic minority groups, the relevance of recruiting donors belonging to such groups and the importance of ethnicity data collection in donor centers and registries is highlighted.

[Property analysis of the finals mispronunciation in Chinese-speaking children with functional articulation disorder]

Objective: To characterize the finals mispronunciation in Chinese-speaking children with functional articulation disorder (FAD), in order to promote the standardized diagnosis. Method: A retrospective study was conducted. From January to December 2013, 90 FAD children, diagnosed by Dysarthria Rating Scale and Mandarin Finals scale, were included in this study. Among them, 22 were found to have finals mispronunciation; the average age was (6.56±0.26) years. According to the finals classification, six different finals (simple finals, front vowel compound finals, central vowel compound finals, back vowel compound finals, anterior nasal finals, and posterior nasal finals) were defined; the produced sound samples of those subjects were analyzed. Result: In all these children, 22 of 90 (24%) were found having finals mispronunciation, the occurring rates of which with omission and substitution errors were: 3% (4/132) for simple finals, 30% (26/88) for front vowel compound finals, 26% (23/88) for central vowel compound finals, 7% (8/110) for back vowel compound finals, 73%(128/176) for anterior nasal finals and 73% (112/154) for posterior nasal finals, respectively. In omission and substitution errors, the ratios of the finals above were 50% (150/301), 3% (10/301), 5% (14/301), 36% (107/301), 2% (5/301) and 5% (15/301), respectively. The most frequently occurred mispronunciation were omission, substitution and distortion, with rates of 37% (273/748), 4% (28/748) and 8% (61/748), respectively. Conclusion: The FAD children have remarkable mispronunciation of finals. Omission is the main error. The nasal finals are the most commonly involved, followed by front vowel and central vowel compound finals. The simple finals and the back vowel compound finals are most commonly produced in omission and substitution. These finals production features should be considered when making and implementing rehabilitation programs.

Transcriptome analysis of potential simple sequence repeat markers in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, an evergreen broadleaf legume shrub, can survive under conditions of high and low temperature, extreme salinity, and drought. This attribute makes it an ideal model for studying mechanisms of stress tolerance in plants. However, simple sequence repeat (SSR) resources for this species are insufficient in public databases. In this study, a total of 44,959 unigenes identified from the A. mongolicus transcriptome were used for SSR analysis by MIcroSAtellite (MISA). A total of 13,859 SSRs were found to be distributed within 10,409 unigenes, with an average length of 15 bp and an average density of one SSR per 4.4 kb. There were 222 different motif types in the A. mongolicus transcriptome, and mononucleotide repeats represented the main type, accounting for 44.2% of all SSRs. The (A/T)n repeat was the most frequent motif, accounting for 42.37% of all SSRs. We also performed Gene Ontology functional analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database pathway analysis, and eggNOG analysis, and identified 6157, 2301, and 9845 unigenes containing SSRs in these three databases, respectively. The functional categorization of A. mongolicus unigenes containing SSRs revealed that these unigenes represent many transcribed genes with different functions. These data provide sequence information that may be used to improve molecular-assisted markers for the study A. mongolicus genetic diversity.

Prescribing Pattern of Antidepressants in Children and Adolescents: Findings from the Research on Asia Psychotropic Prescription Pattern

OBJECTIVE

Pharmacotherapy of depression in children and adolescents is complex. In the absence of research into the efficacy and safety of antidepressants in this group of patients, their off-label prescription is common. This paper aimed to illustrate the prescription pattern of antidepressants in children and adolescents from major psychiatric centres in Asia.

METHODS

The Research on Asia Psychotropic Prescription Pattern on Antidepressants worked collaboratively in 2013 to study the prescription pattern of antidepressants in Asia using a unified research protocol and questionnaire. Forty psychiatric centres from 10 Asian countries / regions participated and 2321 antidepressant prescriptions were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 4.7% antidepressant prescriptions were for children and adolescents. Fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram were the most common antidepressants prescribed for children and adolescents. Almost one-third (30.3%) of prescriptions were for diagnoses other than depressive and anxiety disorders. There was less antidepressant polypharmacy and concomitant use of benzodiazepine, but more concomitant use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents compared with adults.

CONCLUSION

Off-label use of antidepressants in children and adolescents was reported by 40 Asian psychiatric institutions that participated in the study. In-service education and regulatory mechanisms should be reinforced to ensure efficacy and safety of antidepressants in children and adolescents.

Mutational analysis of BRCA1/2 gene and pathologic characteristics from Kazakh population with sporadic breast cancer in northwestern China

Mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but no large-scale research have examined the BRCA1/2 mutations in Chinese Kazakh women. We evaluated the frequency and distributions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in Kazakh sporadic breast cancer patients and healthy women in China. The association between the clinical-pathologic features of Kazakh breast cancer patients and BRCA1/2 mutations were also investigated. Two unclassified variants (T539M and T1915M) and 16 polymorphisms were detected in this study, 4 of which (G356A, His743, Asn991Asp, Val1269) were detected more frequently in breast cancer patients than in healthy controls. We observed a higher prevalence of BRCA1/2 common sequence alterations and a large number of Kazakh women carrying multiple co-existing BRCA1/2 mutations. The prevalence of BRCA1 mutations was similar to that of BRCA2 mutations. Although no significant differences were observed, BRCA1/2 carriers were generally younger at diagnosis of wild-type breast cancer patients. BRCA1-associated Kazakh sporadic breast cancers present with high tumor grade, early stage, negative lymph node status, absence of estrogen receptor expression and progesterone-positive status. Estrogen receptor expression was the only predominant histological type in BRCA2 carriers. In this study, we determined the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation status and determined the association with clinical-pathologic characteristics in a Chinese Kazakh population. Larger population-based screening studies screening the entire coding region of BRCA1/2 are required to evaluate the breast cancer risk induced by the sequence alterations detected in this study.

Effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay on neutral detergent fiber digestion, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and lactational performance by dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diets in comparison with an alfalfa hay-based diet on N utilization efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and lactational performance by mid-lactation dairy cows. Nine multiparous lactating Holstein cows (131 ± 22.6 d in milk), 3 of which were rumen fistulated, were fed 3 experimental diets in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Within squares, cows were randomly assigned to diets as follows: alfalfa hay-based diet (AHT), alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (ABT), and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (BT). Intakes of dry matter and crude protein were similar across treatments, whereas ABT and BT diets resulted in decreased fiber intake compared with AHT. Feeding BT tended to increase neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with AHT and ABT. Milk yield tended to increase for cows consuming ABT or BT diets. Milk true protein concentration and yield were greater for cows consuming ABT relative to those fed AHT. Concentration of total volatile fatty acids tended to increase by cows fed BT compared with those fed AHT and ABT. Feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay in a total mixed ration resulted in a tendency to decrease acetate proportion, but it tended to increase propionate proportion, leading to a tendency to decrease acetate-to-propionate ratio. Whereas concentration of ammonia-N was similar across treatments, cows offered BT exhibited greater microbial protein yield relative to those fed AHT and ABT. Cows offered birdsfoot trefoil hay diets secreted more milk N than AHT, resulting in improved N utilization efficiency for milk N. The positive effects due to feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay were attributed to enhanced neutral detergent fiber digestion, and thus it could replace alfalfa hay in high-forage dairy diets while improving N utilization efficiencies and maintaining lactational performance compared with alfalfa hay.

Antidepressant Prescription Pattern in the Presence of Medical Co-morbidity: REAP-AD 2013 Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prescription pattern of antidepressants in patients with medical co-morbidity from major psychiatric centres in Asia.

METHODS

The Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Pattern for Antidepressants (REAP-AD 2013) collected data from 42 psychiatric centres in 10 Asian countries and regions. Antidepressant prescriptions of 2320 patients with various psychiatric disorders were evaluated. Of these, 370 patients who had specified medical co-morbidities formed the study cohort.

RESULTS

Escitalopram (20%) and mirtazapine (20%) were the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in patients with medical co-morbidity followed by sertraline (16%), trazodone (15%), and paroxetine (12%). Overall, more than half (52%; 247/476) of prescriptions comprised selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Slightly less than two-thirds (63%; n = 233) of patients received at least 1 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. In addition, 79% of patients were prescribed only 1 antidepressant. The mean number of antidepressants used per patient was 1.25 (standard deviation, 0.56). There were subtle differences in the most preferred antidepressant across medical illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, liver dysfunction, acid peptic disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Differences were also seen in prescription patterns across different countries.

CONCLUSION

Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors formed the bulk of antidepressant prescriptions in the presence of medical co-morbidity, mirtazapine was also commonly used in the presence of medical co-morbidities. Specified medical morbidities do influence the selection of antidepressants.

CLOSED FEMORAL NAILING WITH THE TECHNIQUE OF USING A NEW FEMORAL DISTRACTOR: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

This study introduces the application of a new femoral distractor in the treatment of femoral fracture restoration with internal fixation of intramedullary nail. Sixty-three patients with femoral fracture from the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University underwent femoral facture restoration with the new femoral distractor in combination with internal fixation of an intramedullary nail from June 2011 to March 2014. There were 18 cases of proximal femur fractures, 44 cases of middle femoral shaft fractures and 1 case of distal femur fracture. Follow-up was on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 24th week after operation. All 63 patients successfully underwent the surgery and the steel needles used did not cause injury to the adjacent vessels or nerves. Five cases had to have steel needles reinserted, as they had failed in the distraction reduction due to being unsteadily fixed because of an improper position. Patients were followed up for 10~24 months (mean 16 months), and the total healing rate was 100%. Operative time was 93.5 minutes averagely. Average time of patients’ exposure to X-ray was 26.8 seconds. Bleeding volume was averagely 219.1 ml. There were no complications either during the operations or after them. All cases healed within 12 weeks (average 7.6 weeks). This study proves that, the new femoral distractor can help the closed reduction of fractures in treating femoral fractures with intramedullary nails to avoid the inconvenience of applying traction tables and the occurrence of potential complications.

Intracranial aneurysm risk factor genes: relationship with intracranial aneurysm risk in a Chinese Han population

Few studies have examined the genes related to risk fac-tors that may contribute to intracranial aneurysms (IAs). This study in Chinese patients aimed to explore the relationship between IA and 28 gene loci, proven to be associated with risk factors for IA. We recruited 119 patients with aneurysms and 257 controls. Single factor and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of IA and IA rup-ture with risk factors. Twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 22 genes were genotyped for the patient and control groups. SNP genotypes and allele frequencies were analyzed by the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis identified hypertension as a factor that increased IA risk (P = 1.0 x 10(-4); OR, 2.500; 95%CI, 1.573-3.972); IA was associated with two SNPs in the TSLC2A9 gene: rs7660895 (P = 0.007; OR, 1.541; 95%CI, 1.126-2.110); and in the TOX gene: rs11777927 (P = 0.013; OR, 1.511; 95%CI, 1.088-2.098). Subsequent removal of the influence of family relationship identified between 12 of 119 patients enhanced the significant association of these SNPs with IA (P = 0.001; OR, 1.691; 95%CI, 1.226-2.332; and P = 0.006; OR, 1.587; 95%CI, 1.137-2.213 for rs7660895 and rs11777927, respectively). Fur-thermore, the minor allele of rs7660895 (A) was also associated with IA rupture (P = 0.007; OR, 2.196; 95%CI, 1.230-3.921). Therefore, hypertension is an independent risk factor for IA. Importantly, the TSL-C2A9 (rs7660895) and TOX (rs11777927) gene polymorphisms may be associated with formation of IAs, and rs7660895 may be associated with IA rupture.

Mechanical force-induced specific MicroRNA expression in human periodontal ligament stem cells

It remains unclear how the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) might respond to mechanical stretch. To investigate specific miRNA expression in stretched PDLSCs, we used a Flexcell® FX-5000™ tension system to achieve external mechanical stimulation. Then, a custom-designed microarray assay was performed to investigate and describe the genome-wide differential expression of miRNAs in normal and stretched PDLSCs. Finally, we implemented integrative miRNA target prediction and network analysis approaches to construct an interaction network of the key miRNAs and their putative targets. We found that stretching induced morphological changes and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression in PDLSCs. The microarray data showed that 53 miRNAs were differentially expressed with stretching. With an interaction network, we examined the connections between 10 selected key miRNAs and their putative target genes, which were related to mechanical force. The results from the interaction network provided a basis for postulating the functional roles of miRNAs in PDLSCs.

Meta-analysis on postoperative complications of wristband acupoint pressure therapy

Through searching database such as MEDLINE, CNKI, etc., this paper assesses the effect of wristband acupoint pressure, acting on the neiguan acupoint, to relieve postoperative complications of adults (mainly nausea and vomiting) using nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) and RevMan5.0. In the experimental group, acupoint pressure wristband effectively reduced the incidence rate of postoperative vomiting by acting on the neiguan point, compared to the placebo control group (RR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.37~0.66, P < 0.01). As to the incidence rate of postoperative nausea, there was no statistical significance between the experimental group and the placebo control group (RR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.72~1.00, P < 0.05). It was revealed that the application of acupoint pressure wristband on neiguan point in postoperative care could effectively relieve postoperative vomiting; while postoperative vomiting was not relieved distinctly. Therefore, researchers are required to carry out more reliable RCT test for further study and discussion, and nurses can bring in acupoint pressure wristband for researches on its effectiveness and adaptability.

Identification of 2127 new HLA class I alleles in potential stem cell donors from Germany, the United States and Poland

We describe 2127 new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles found in registered stem cell donors. These alleles represent 28.9% of the currently known class I alleles. Comparing new allele sequences to homologous sequences, we found 68.1% nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions, 28.9% silent mutations and 3.0% nonsense mutations. Many substitutions occurred at positions that have not been known to be polymorphic before. A large number of HLA alleles and nucleotide variations underline the extreme diversity of the HLA system. Strikingly, 156 new alleles were found not only multiple times, but also in carriers of various parentage, suggesting that some new alleles are not necessarily rare. Moreover, new alleles were found especially often in minority donors. This emphasizes the benefits of specifically recruiting such groups of individuals.