Sodium caseinate medium promotes the in vitro digestion of starch: An insight into the macromolecular crowding effect

The macromolecular crowding effects of polysaccharides can alter the activity of digestive enzymes; however, whether protein crowding affects the digestive properties of starch remains unknown. Herein, the interaction of sodium caseinate (NaCas) with starch and pig pancreas α-amylase (PPA) and their effects on enzyme activity and starch digestion were studied. NaCas delayed gelatinization and reduced the leaching amount of amylose and increased the relative content of easily digestible starch. The ratio of the ordered structure (α-helix and β-sheet) to disordered structure (β-turns) of PPA increased with NaCas concentration, indicating that NaCas maintained the conformational stability of the enzyme and thereby accelerated the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the detailed mechanism of NaCas-induced enhancement of starch digestibility and suggests a nonnegligible macromolecular crowding effect should be considered when evaluating the function of food macromolecules.

Mass, Spectroscopy, and Two-Neutron Decay of ^{16}Be

The structure and decay of the most neutron-rich beryllium isotope, ^{16}Be, has been investigated following proton knockout from a high-energy ^{17}B beam. Two relatively narrow resonances were observed for the first time, with energies of 0.84(3) and 2.15(5) MeV above the two-neutron decay threshold and widths of 0.32(8) and 0.95(15) MeV, respectively. These were assigned to be the ground (J^{π}=0^{+}) and first excited (2^{+}) state, with E_{x}=1.31(6)  MeV. The mass excess of ^{16}Be was thus deduced to be 56.93(13) MeV, some 0.5 MeV more bound than the only previous measurement. Both states were observed to decay by direct two-neutron emission. Calculations incorporating the evolution of the wave function during the decay as a genuine three-body process reproduced the principal characteristics of the neutron-neutron energy spectra for both levels, indicating that the ground state exhibits a strong spatially compact dineutron component, while the 2^{+} level presents a far more diffuse neutron-neutron distribution.

Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveals the regulatory mechanism of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in response to Nocardia seriolae infection

Nocardia seriolae is a severe bacterial pathogen that has seriously affected the development of aquaculture industry. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a commercially significant freshwater fish that suffers a variety of environmental threats, including bacterial pathogens. However, the immune responses and metabolic alterations of largemouth bass to N. seriolae infection remain largely unclear. We discovered that N. seriolae caused pathological alterations in largemouth bass and shifted the transcript of immune-related and apoptotic genes in head kidney after infection. To answer the aforementioned question, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis was employed to explore the alterations in genes, metabolites, and metabolic pathways in largemouth bass following bacterial infection. A total of 3579 genes and 1929 metabolites are significant differentially changed in the head kidney post infection. In response to N. seriolae infection, host modifies the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TCA cycle, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. The integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome suggested that with the arginine metabolism pathway as the core, multiple biomarkers (arg gene, arginine) are involved in the antibacterial and immune functions of largemouth bass. Thus, we hypothesized that arginine plays a crucial role in the immune responses of largemouth bass against N. seriolae infection, and increasing arginine levels suitably is beneficial for the host against bacterial infection. Our results shed light on the regulatory mechanism of largemouth bass resistance to N. seriolae infection and contributed to the development of more effective N. seriolae resistance strategies.

The effect of macromolecular crowding degree on the self-assembly of fatty acid and lipid hydrolysis

Investigation on the physiochemical nature involved in the production of fatty acid catalyzed by the vesicles is of importance to understand the digestion of lipid. In this paper, the effects of crowding degree, which was constructed by polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the autocatalytic production of fatty acid with different chain lengths was studied. The results showed that the higher crowding degree led to the slower production rate of decanoic acid but the faster rate of oleic acid. The reason lies in that the presence of macromolecules resulted in the increased sizes of decanoic acid vesicles, but decreased sizes of oleic acid vesicles. Meanwhile, decanoic acid vesicles in more crowded medium exhibited viscous behavior, whereas oleic acid displayed elastic behavior. This research provides useful information for understanding the unusual autocatalyzed production of fatty acid in macromolecular crowding and may also draw an attention to the physiologically relevant lipid digestion.

[Surgical treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer with simultaneous liver metastasis]

Objective: To explore the outcome of different treatment strategies in patients with pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis (sLMPC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data and treatment results of 37 patients with sLMPC treated in China-Japan Friendship Hospital was performed from April 2017 to December 2022. A total of 23 males and 14 females were included,with an age(M(IQR)) of 61 (10) years (range: 45 to 74 years). Systemic chemotherapy was carried out after pathological diagnosis. The initial chemotherapy strategy included modified-Folfirinox, albumin paclitaxel combined with Gemcitabine, and Docetaxel+Cisplatin+Fluorouracil or Gemcitabine with S1. The possibility of surgical resection (reaching the standards of surgical intervention) was determined after systemic treatment,and the chemotherapy strategy was changed in the cases of failed initial chemotherapy plans. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the overall survival time and rate,while Log-rank and Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the differences of survival curves. Results: The median follow-up time for the 37 sLMPC patients was 39 months,and the median overall survival time was 13 months (range:2 to 64 months) with overall survival rates of 1-,3-,and 5-year of 59.5%,14.7%,and 14.7%,respectively. Of the 37 patients,97.3%(36/37) initially received systemic chemotherapy, 29 completed more than four cycles,resulting in a disease control rate of 69.4% (partial response in 15 cases,stable disease in 10 cases,and progressive disease in 4 cases). In the 24 patients initially planned for conversion surgery,the successful conversion rate was 54.2% (13/24). Among the 13 successfully converted patients,9 underwent surgery and their treatment outcomes were significantly better than those (4 patients) of those who did not undergo surgery (median survival time not reached vs. 13 months,P<0.05). Regarding the 9 patients whose conversion was unsuccessful, no significant differences were observed in median survival time between the surgical group (4 cases) and the non-surgical group (5 cases) (P>0.05). In the allowed-surgery group(n=13),the decreased in pre-surgical CA19-9 levels and the regression of liver metastases were more significant in the successful conversion sub-group than in the ineffective conversion sub-group;however, no significant differences were observed in the changes in primary lesion between the two groups. Conclusion: For highly selective patients with sLMPC who achieve partial response after receiving effective systemic treatment,the adoption of an aggressive surgical treatment strategy can significantly improve survival time;however, surgery dose not provide such survival benefits in patients who do not achieve partial response after systemic chemotherapy.

Multiple Mechanisms in Proton-Induced Nucleon Removal at ∼100 MeV/Nucleon

We report on the first proton-induced single proton- and neutron-removal reactions from the neutron-deficient ^{14}O nucleus with large Fermi-surface asymmetry S_{n}-S_{p}=18.6  MeV at ∼100  MeV/nucleon, a widely used energy regime for rare-isotope studies. The measured inclusive cross sections and parallel momentum distributions of the ^{13}N and ^{13}O residues are compared to the state-of-the-art reaction models, with nuclear structure inputs from many-body shell-model calculations. Our results provide the first quantitative contributions of multiple reaction mechanisms including the quasifree knockout, inelastic scattering, and nucleon transfer processes. It is shown that the inelastic scattering and nucleon transfer, usually neglected at such energy regime, contribute about 50% and 30% to the loosely bound proton and deeply bound neutron removal, respectively. These multiple reaction mechanisms should be considered in analyses of inclusive one-nucleon removal cross sections measured at intermediate energies for quantitative investigation of single-particle strengths and correlations in atomic nuclei.

Tendon microstructural disruption promotes tendon-derived stem cells to express chondrogenic genes by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress

The erroneous differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts is believed to play an important role in the development of tendinopathy. However, the regulatory mechanisms of TDSC differentiation remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution and mechanism of the tendon microstructural disruption to the differentiation of TDSCs. Bovine Achilles tendons were sliced. The tendon slices were stretched with different tensile strains to mimic the tendon structure alteration at various scales. The TDSCs were cultured on the tendon slices. The differentiation of TDSCs and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the TDSCs were investigated with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining and western blot. The effect of ER stress inhibition on chondrogenic differentiation of the TDSCs was further investigated. The structural alteration did not affect the viability of TDSCs. However, the structural alteration of tendon slices with 6.4% strain promoted TDSCs to express the chondrogenic genes. ER stress-related markers, ATF-4 and PERK, were also upregulated. With the inhibition of ER stress, the expression of ATF-4 and the chondrogenic gene SOX9 of TDSCs were inhibited. The study indicated that tendon microdamage could induce the chondrogenic differentiation of TDSCs through triggering ER stress to activate ATF-4 and SOX9 subsequently.

Extended p_{3/2} Neutron Orbital and the N=32 Shell Closure in ^{52}Ca

The one-neutron knockout from ^{52}Ca in inverse kinematics onto a proton target was performed at ∼230  MeV/nucleon combined with prompt γ spectroscopy. Exclusive quasifree scattering cross sections to bound states in ^{51}Ca and the momentum distributions corresponding to the removal of 1f_{7/2} and 2p_{3/2} neutrons were measured. The cross sections, interpreted within the distorted-wave impulse approximation reaction framework, are consistent with a shell closure at the neutron number N=32, found as strong as at N=28 and N=34 in Ca isotopes from the same observables. The analysis of the momentum distributions leads to a difference of the root-mean-square radii of the neutron 1f_{7/2} and 2p_{3/2} orbitals of 0.61(23) fm, in agreement with the modified-shell-model prediction of 0.7 fm suggesting that the large root-mean-square radius of the 2p_{3/2} orbital in neutron-rich Ca isotopes is responsible for the unexpected linear increase of the charge radius with the neutron number.

[Present situation of myopia among primary and junior high school students in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province]

Objective: To determine the situation of myopia among primary and junior high school students from 2019 to 2021 in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, carried out a cross-sectional study by reviewing the results of five times visual acuity screens among primary and junior high school students from 2019 to 2021 in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. The myopia rate, High myopia rate and spherical equivalent refraction were calculated according to the uncorrected distance visual acuity and non-cycloplegic subjective refraction. Chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to analysis the difference of myopia among term, sex and eye. Results: The visual acuity screen had been completed five times from 2019 to 2021 in Yinzhou District, with a total of 458 654 people, of which 454 812 people met the inclusion criteria. The myopia rate of each screen is 56.6%(50 443/89 122),52.5%(48 463/92 311),63.7%(57 968/91 002),53.2%(48 351/90 886),64.4%(58 920/91 491). The rate of Myopia increased gradually with promoting to high grade, and it was obviously in low grade,up to 17.6%. Conclusion: The myopia rate of primary and junior high school students was raising volatility from 2019 to 2021 in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province.

[Analysis of clinical phenotype and genotype of Chinese children with disorders of sex development]

Objective: To explore the heterogeneity and correlation of clinical phenotypes and genotypes in children with disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: A retrospective study of 1 235 patients with clinically proposed DSD in 36 pediatric medical institutions across the country from January 2017 to May 2021. After capturing 277 DSD-related candidate genes, second-generation sequencing was performed to analyzed the heterogeneity and correlation combined with clinical phenotypes. Results: Among 1 235 children with clinically proposed DSD, 980 were males and 255 were females of social gender at the time of initial diagnosis with the age ranged from 1 day of age to 17.92 years. A total of 443 children with pathogenic variants were detected through molecular genetic studies, with a positive detection rate of 35.9%. The most common clinical phenotypes were micropenis (455 cases), hypospadias (321 cases), and cryptorchidism (172 cases) and common mutations detected were in SRD5A2 gene (80 cases), AR gene (53 cases) and CYP21A2 gene (44 cases). Among them, the SRD5A2 mutation is the most common in children with simple micropenis and simple hypospadias, while the AMH mutation is the most common in children with simple cryptorchidism. Conclusions: The SRD5A2 mutation is the most common genetic variant in Chinese children with DSD, and micropenis, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias are the most common clinical phenotypes. Molecular diagnosis can provide clues about the biological basis of DSD, and can also guide clinicians to perform specific clinical examinations. Target sequence capture probes and next-generation sequencing technology can provide effective and economical genetic diagnosis for children with DSD.

[Analysis of clinical features and etiological diagnostic indices of reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and the value of different diagnostic indices for etiology in reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism. Methods: The medical records of 96 reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism in the multi-disciplinary team of Peking University First Hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on final diagnosis: congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (n=8), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n=67), idiopathic hyperandrogenism (n=13) and other specific diseases (n=8), respectively. The indices related to androgens in different groups were compared, and then their efficiency for diagnosis of CAH and PCOS were analyzed with receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). Results: A total of 96 patients with hyperandrogenism were recruited, with the age of 19-45 (29±6) years old. Overall, 4.2% (4/96) of the patients were with single clinical hyperandrogenism, 56.3% (54/96) were with single laboratory hyperandrogenaemia and 39.6% (38/96) were with both. The breakdown into laboratory hyperandrogenaemia subtypes was as follows: only T elevation 22.8% (21/92), only A2 elevation 7.6% (7/92), none DHEAS elevation, only FAI elevation 5.4% (5/92) and elevation of more than one of the androgen indices mentioned above accounted for 64.1% (59/92). In the reasons of consultation, simple irregular menstruation (36.0%, 32/89) or accompanied by clinical hyperandrogenism with or without infertility (36.0%, 32/89) were the most common. As for primary visiting departments, Obstetrics and Gynecology accounted for 53.2% (51/96), and then Endocrinology as 39.5% (38/96). The 17-OHP level of CAH, PCOS and idiopathic hyperandrogenism group was 20.0 (8.2, 33.1), 1.1 (0.8, 1.4), 0.9 (0.8, 1.3) ng/ml, respectively. The androstenedione level in these groups was 6.3 (4.6, 8.7), 3.8 (2.9, 4.8) and 3.2 (2.7, 3.7) ng/ml, respectively. The 17-OHP and androstenedione levels of CAH group were significantly higher than that in PCOS or idiopathic hyperandrogenism group (all P<0.05). The ratio of LH and FSH in these three groups was 0.8(0.5, 1.0), 1.3(0.6, 1.9) and 0.6(0.3, 0.7), respectively. The ratio of LH and FSH was significantly higher in PCOS than that in idiopathic hyperandrogenism group (P=0.024), but yet there was no significant difference compared with CAH group (P>0.05). The AUC of ROC curve of 17-OHP for CAH diagnosis was 0.94, followed by androstenedione 0.83, whereas LH/FSH for PCOS diagnosis was only 0.63. Conclusions: Among the reasons of consultation in reproductive age women who visited our multi-disciplinary team for female hyperandrogenism, simple irregular menstruation or accompanied by clinical hyperandrogenism with or without infertility are the most common. PCOS accounts for the majority of different androgen excess disorders. 17-OHP is the most valuable parameter for the diagnosis of CAH and secondly androstenedione.

[Efficacy of two-lung ventilation with different tidal volume assisted by CO2 pneumothorax for airway management in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer using combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of two-lung ventilation with different tidal volume assisted by CO₂ pneumothorax for airway management in patients undergoing radical esophagectomy using combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients undergoing radical esophagectomy using combined thoracoscopy and laparoscopy under general anesthesia from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between February and September 2019 were randomly divided into three groups (group V₁, V₂, V₃, n=60) according to the tidal volume (TV) used. The TVs of group V₁-V₃ were 4, 5, 7 ml/kg during thoracoscopic surgery, respectively. All the patients were intubated with a single-lumen endotracheal tube and underwent two-lung ventilation assisted by continuous positive pressure CO₂ pneumothorax in group V₁, V₂ and V₃, with the CO₂ pressure of 10 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and the frequency of 20 times/min. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before thoracoscopic surgery (T₁), 30 minutes after thoracoscopic surgery (T₂), at the end of thoracoscopic surgery (T₃), after thoracoscopic surgery and 30 minutes after two-lung intermittent positive pressure ventilation, respectively. The results of arterial blood gas were collected at T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄. Recovery time from anesthesia, consciousness recovery time, and lung collapse condition were recorded. Results: At T₂, the value of MAP in group V₁ was (81±10) mmHg, which was higher than those of group V₂ [(69±7) mmHg] and group V₃ [(71±8) mmHg], with a statistically significant difference (F=9.270, P<0.05). Meanwhile, at T₂, the value of HR in group V₁ was (83±7) times/min, which was higher than those of group V₂ [(68±6) times/min] and group V₃ [(71±7) times/min], and there was a statistically significant difference (F=23.460, P<0.05). However, at T₂, the values of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) in three groups were (262±16), (249±16) and (241±20) mmHg, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (F=1.929, P>0.05). At T₃, the value of arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) in group V₃ was (46±5) mmHg, which was lower than those of group V₁ [(63±9) mmHg] and V₂ [(62±10) mmHg], with a statistically significant difference (F=20.890, P<0.05). Moreover, at T₃, the value of pH in group V₃ was (7.35±0.04), which was higher than those of group V₁ (7.28±0.04) and V₂ (7.32±0.04), and there was a statistically significant difference (F=9.309, P<0.05). Additionally, the satisfaction rates of lung collapse in group V₃ was 57.1%, which was lower than those of group V₁ (94.7%) and group V₂ (96.3%), with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.601, P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the time of awakening and consciousness recovery among three groups (F=1.020 and 1.110, both P>0.05). Conclusion: The two-lung ventilation with 5 ml/kg tidal volume assisted by CO₂ pneumothorax has advantages in terms of hemodynamics and surgical field exposure, and is more suitable as the appropriate dose for respiratory management in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer using combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach.

Pairing Forces Govern Population of Doubly Magic ^{54}Ca from Direct Reactions

Direct proton-knockout reactions of ^{55}Sc at ∼220  MeV/nucleon were studied at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Populated states of ^{54}Ca were investigated through γ-ray and invariant-mass spectroscopy. Level energies were calculated from the nuclear shell model employing a phenomenological internucleon interaction. Theoretical cross sections to states were calculated from distorted-wave impulse approximation estimates multiplied by the shell model spectroscopic factors, which describe the wave function overlap of the ^{55}Sc ground state with states in ^{54}Ca. Despite the calculations showing a significant amplitude of excited neutron configurations in the ground-state of ^{55}Sc, valence proton removals populated predominantly the ground state of ^{54}Ca. This counterintuitive result is attributed to pairing effects leading to a dominance of the ground-state spectroscopic factor. Owing to the ubiquity of the pairing interaction, this argument should be generally applicable to direct knockout reactions from odd-even to even-even nuclei.

[Relationship between insulin resistance, serum VCAM-1, FGF19, IGF-1 and colorectal polyps]

Objective: To explore the relationship between insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism related molecules and colorectal polyps. Methods: A total of 262 healthy people who underwent colonoscopy in Shandong cancer hospital from June 2019 to September 2020 were selected. The levels of serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), insulin like growth factor (IGF-1), fasting blood glucose and fasting blood insulin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated, and the influencing factors of occurrence, pathological type, size and number of polyps were analyzed. Results: Among 262 cases, 116 cases were polyp free, 113 cases were adenomatous polyp and 33 cases were inflammatory polyp. HOMA-IR, VCAM-1 and FGF19 in polyp group were 2.904±1.754, (334.415±139.573) ng/ml and (135.865±98.470) pg/ml, respectively, which were higher than 2.369±1.306, (302.480±99.946) ng/ml and(110.694±76.044) ng/ml in non-polyp group, respectively (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the gender (OR=4.269, 95%CI: 1.963-9.405) and FGF19 (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=2.385, 95%CI: 1.155-4.926) were independent factors of colorectal polyps. The gender (OR=3.799, 95%CI: 1.650-8.748) and FGF19 (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=2.290, 95%CI: 1.072-4.891) were independent factors of colorectal adenomatous polyps. The gender(OR=6.725, 95%CI: 1.853-24.410) and fasting plasma glucose (≥6.5 mmol/L: OR=0.047, 95%CI: 0.009-0.245) were independent factors of colorectal inflammatory polyps. The gender (OR=3.539, 95% CI: 1.293-9.689) was an independent factor for the occurrence of single polyp. The gender (OR=5.063, 95% CI: 2.048-12.515), FGF19 (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=2.502, 95%CI: 1.102-5.681), fasting plasma glucose (≥6.5 mmol/L: OR=0.282, 95%CI: 0.095-0.839) were independent factors of multiple polyps. The gender (OR=3.416, 95% CI: 1.134-10.289) and fasting insulin (≥9.4 μU/ml: OR=9.480, 95% CI: 1.485-60.521) were independent risk factors for colorectal polyps<0.5 cm. The gender (OR=3.151, 95%CI: 1.244-7.984) and fasting plasma glucose (≥6.5 mmol/L: OR=0.310, 95%CI: 0.102-0.941) were independent risk factors for colorectal polyps with the size of 0.5-0.9 cm. The gender (OR=22.649, 95%CI: 4.154-123.485), age (55 to 64 years old: OR=4.473, 95%CI: 1.070-18.704; ≥65 years old: OR=5.815, 95%CI: 1.300-26.009), BMI (≥28 kg/m(2): OR=5.310, 95%CI: 1.224-23.032) and FGF19 (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=7.474, 95%CI: 1.903-29.351) were independent factors for colorectal polyps with size ≥ 1.0 cm. Gender stratification analysis showed that FGF19 was an independent factor for the occurrence of male polyps (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=6.109, 95%CI: 1.688-22.104) and adenomas (77.0-131.4 pg/ml: OR=6.401, 95%CI: 1.717-23.864). The age (55 to 64 years old: OR=3.783, 95%CI: 1.052-13.611) and VCAM-1 (≥352.8 ng/ml: OR=4.341, 95%CI: 1.142-16.493) were independent risk factors of female polyps. The age (55 to 64 years old: OR=5.743, 95%CI: 1.205-27.362, ≥65 years old: OR=6.885, 95%CI: 1.143-41.467), VCAM-1 (≥352.8 ng/ml: OR=6.313, 95%CI: 1.415-28.159) and IGF-1 (≥7.6 ng/ml: OR=5.621, 95%CI: 1.069-29.543) were independent factors of female adenoma. Conclusions: The occurrences of colorectal polyps and adenomatous polyps are related to insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism. Serum FGF19 is an independent influencing factor for the occurrence of colorectal polyps and adenomatous polyps, and is a potential serological diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for colorectal polyps and adenomatous polyps.

[Application of different kinds of endotracheal intubation in the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy]

Objective: To observe the application of three different kinds of endotracheal intubation in the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy. Methods: one hundred and eighty patients undergoing combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy under general anesthesia from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February to September 2019 were randomly divided into three groups which include: double-lumen endotracheal intubation group (group S,n=60),single-lumen endotracheal intubation group (group D,n=60) and Coopdech occlusion of bronchial catheter combined with a single-lumen endotracheal intubation group (group C,n=60). The arterial blood samples were collected immediately after endotracheal intubation (T₀), 30 min after artificial pneumothorax (single lung ventilation) (T₁), 30 min after artificial pneumothorax (double lung ventilation) (T₂), and 30 min after extubation (T₃) to detect arterial blood gas. Patients' heart rate (HR), blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO₂), blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO₂) and airway pressure(Paw) were recorded at T₀-T₃.Completion time of endotracheal intubation, carbon dioxide intrathoracic inflation pressure, degree of lung collapse and incidence of postoperative 3-day pneumonia in three groups were recorded. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients at T₀, T₂ and the end of the operation (T₄) were collected to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in BALF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 14 patients were excluded during the operation, of which 9 cases lasted longer than 6 hours, 3 cases had arrhythmia during the operation and 2 cases lasted less than 1 hour. Finally, 56 cases in group S, 54 cases in group D and 56 cases in group C completed the experiment. The satisfaction rates of lung collapse in group S, group D and group C were 85.7% (48/56), 100.0% (54/54), 89.2% (50/56), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (χ²=1.308, P>0.05). The intrathoracic inflation pressure of carbon dioxide in group D was (10.2±2.2) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), which was higher than (5.1±3.4) mmHg in group S and (5.6±3.1) mmHg in group C, the difference was statistically significant (F=-9.303, P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative 3-day pneumonia in group D was 14.8%, which was lower than 39.3% in group S and 17.8% in group C, the difference was statistically significant (χ²=8.300, P<0.05). At T₄, the value of TNF-α in group D was (122.4±4.4) ng/L, which was lower than that in group S and group C, (257.9±6.3) and (185.8±5.6) ng/L, with statistically significant difference (F=69.020, P<0.05). At T₄, the value of IL-6 in group D was (175.4±4.9) ng/L, which was lower than that of patients in group S and group C, (289.6±6.8) and (226.2±4.4) ng/L, with statistically significant difference (F=59.750, P<0.05). At T₄, the value of IL-8 in group D was (303.1±7.2) ng/L, which was lower than in group S and group C, (595.4±22.1) and (436.8±10.9) ng/L, with statistically significant difference (F=55.359, P<0.05). Conclusion: All the three endotracheal intubations can produce satisfactory ventilation effect in the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy, however, single-lumen endotracheal intubation has less effect on lung injury.

Quasifree Neutron Knockout Reaction Reveals a Small s-Orbital Component in the Borromean Nucleus ^{17}B

A kinematically complete quasifree (p,pn) experiment in inverse kinematics was performed to study the structure of the Borromean nucleus ^{17}B, which had long been considered to have a neutron halo. By analyzing the momentum distributions and exclusive cross sections, we obtained the spectroscopic factors for 1s_{1/2} and 0d_{5/2} orbitals, and a surprisingly small percentage of 9(2)% was determined for 1s_{1/2}. Our finding of such a small 1s_{1/2} component and the halo features reported in prior experiments can be explained by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum, revealing a definite but not dominant neutron halo in ^{17}B. The present work gives the smallest s- or p-orbital component among known nuclei exhibiting halo features and implies that the dominant occupation of s or p orbitals is not a prerequisite for the occurrence of a neutron halo.

Surface Localization of the Dineutron in ^{11}Li

The formation of a dineutron in the ^{11}Li nucleus is found to be localized to the surface region. The experiment measured the intrinsic momentum of the struck neutron in ^{11}Li via the (p,pn) knockout reaction at 246  MeV/nucleon. The correlation angle between the two neutrons is, for the first time, measured as a function of the intrinsic neutron momentum. A comparison with reaction calculations reveals the localization of the dineutron at r∼3.6  fm. The results also support the density dependence of dineutron formation as deduced from Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for nuclear matter.

[A study of the relationships between occupational stress career calling and occupational burnout among primary teachers]

Objective: To discuss the relationships between occupational stress, career calling and occupational burnout among primary school teachers, and test whether career calling moderates the relationship between occupational stress and occupational burnout. Methods: 399 teachers from public primary schools were recruited as participant. Their occupational stress and burnout, and career calling were assessed via online questionnaire in the period between March and August 2018. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the moderating role of career calling. Results: The score of occupational stress was (3.59±0.85) , the score of career calling was (3.15±0.69) and the score of occupational was (3.26±0.88) . Occupational stress was significantly and positively related to occupational burnout (r=0.42, P<0.01) , while career calling was significantly and negatively related to occupational stress (r=-0.30, P<0.01) and occupational burnout (r=-0.32, P<0.01) . Career calling moderated the relationship between occupational stress and occupational burnout. Conclusion: Career calling as a personal resource buffers the positive relationship between occupational stress and occupational burnout. School leaders can promote teachers' career calling by endowing educational work with more meaning, which leading to lower level of occupational burnout.

[Effect of silencing hepatocyte growth factor receptor c-Met expression on biological characteristics of colon cancer cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) expression on the biological characteristics of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Methods: Cellular model of c-Met transient transfection was established by using small interfering RNA (siRNA), the expression of c-Met in colon cancer cells was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. The apoptosis assay, cell invasion assay, cell migration and other experiments were conducted to observe the effects of silencing c-Met on the biological characteristics of colon cancer cells. Results: RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression levels of c-Met mRNA in siRNA-Met group, blank control group and siRNA negative control (siRNA-NC) group were 0.32±0.26, 1.01±0.03 and 1.05±0.23, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression level of c-Met protein in the siRNA-Met group was 0.24±0.03, significantly lower than 1.23±0.06 in the blank control group and 1.18±0.11 in the siRNA-NC group (P<0.05). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) results showed that the 72-hour absorbance (A) values of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were 1.13±0.05, 1.48±0.08 and 1.53±0.07, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Cell cycle results showed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase was (14.65±1.41)% in siRNA-Met group , (5.07±0.70)% in blank control group and (5.63±0.71)% in siRNA-NC group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins Cdc25c and cyclin B1 in siRNA-Met group were significantly decreased. The apoptotic rate in siRNA-Met group was (5.85±0.35)%, significantly higher than (1.00±0.17)% in blank control group and (0.91±1.14)% in siRNA-NC group (P<0.05). The expression level of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 in the siRNA-Met group was significantly decreased while Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) expression level was significantly increased. The cell scratching result showed that the cell migration abilities of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were (51.33±8.62)%, (100.00±3.72)% and (102.33±6.43)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The number of cell penetrating into the basement membrane of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were 47.50±10.60, 100.00±5.33 and 102.50±10.61, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expressions of invasion related proteins including MMP-2 and MMP-9 in siRNA-Met group were decreased significantly. Conclusions: c-Met plays an important role in maintaining the biological characteristics of colon cancer cells. Inhibition of c-Met may have important values in the treatment of colon cancer.

[Resection of lumbar nerve sheath tumors via muscle-pedicle open-door laminoplasty approach]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of resection of lumbar nerve sheath tumors via muscle-pedicle open-door laminoplasty approach. Methods: From March 2016 to June 2018, 6 patients (4 males and 2 females, average age (45±14) years) with lumbar spinal nerve sheath tumors received surgical treatment via muscle-pedicleopen-door laminoplasty approach in the Department of Spinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The operation time, blood loss, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage, and pre- and post-operative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and low back and leg pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded for all patients. Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis was measured on the standing lateral X-ray before and 6 months after surgery. Bone fusion was observed in computed tomography at six months after surgery. Results: Total tumor resection was achieved in all the 6 patients. The operation time was from 76 to 117 minutes (average, (102±15) minutes). The blood loss was from 160 to 280 ml (average, (256±24) ml). No CSF leakage was observed in this cohort.All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. ODI and VAS for low back and leg pain were much better at one month after operation than those before the operation(t=7.70, 8.63,11.31, all P<0.05). The Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis before operation and at six months after the operation were comparable in all six patients(t=0.70, P>0.05). Bone fusion was observed in computed tomography at six months after surgery. No bone necrosis or absorption, no lamina dislodgement or spinal stenosis was occurred. Conclusions: The muscle-pedicle open-door laminoplasty approach is proved effective and safe to incise nerve sheath tumors in the lumbar spine. Some blood supply of lamina can be kept intact to accelerate bone fusion.

Quasifree Neutron Knockout from ^{54}Ca Corroborates Arising N=34 Neutron Magic Number

Exclusive cross sections and momentum distributions have been measured for quasifree one-neutron knockout reactions from a ^{54}Ca beam striking on a liquid hydrogen target at ∼200  MeV/u. A significantly larger cross section to the p_{3/2} state compared to the f_{5/2} state observed in the excitation of ^{53}Ca provides direct evidence for the nature of the N=34 shell closure. This finding corroborates the arising of a new shell closure in neutron-rich calcium isotopes. The distorted-wave impulse approximation reaction formalism with shell model calculations using the effective GXPF1Bs interaction and ab initio calculations concur our experimental findings. Obtained transverse and parallel momentum distributions demonstrate the sensitivity of quasifree one-neutron knockout in inverse kinematics on a thick liquid hydrogen target with the reaction vertex reconstructed to final state spin-parity assignments.

Prevalence of Piroplasma in Ticks Collected from Dogs and Cattle in Guangxi, South China Determined by Reverse Line Blot Hybridization Assay

Piroplasmosis is a disease of domestic and wild animals caused by tick-borne protozoa of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Piroplasmosis leads to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. This disease has been frequently reported in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. However, information regarding the prevalence of piroplasma in ticks collected from dogs and cattle is lacking in most areas. To assess the potential threat of piroplasmosis in South China, 671 ticks were collected in Guangxi Province. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from these ticks to evaluate the presence of piroplasma through a reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay using the hypervariable V4 region of the piroplasmic 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (r)RNA genes as probes to detect Theileria and Babesia species. The RLB results indicated that 144/671 (21.46%) ticks were infected with piroplasma species belonging to the genera Theileria or Babesia. Theileria buffeli, Babesia vogeli, Theileria annulata, and Theileria luwenshuni were present in the ticks at frequencies of 60/671 (8.94%), 21/671 (3.13%), 6/671 (0.89%), and 6/671 (0.89%), respectively. Mixed infections with 2 or more piroplasma species were present in 8/671 (1.19%) tick samples. The hypervariable V4 region of the piroplasmic 18S rRNA genes from 6 tick DNA samples with single infections was cloned, sequenced, and aligned to related sequences from GenBank. The Theileria and Babesia sequences were analyzed separately. 18S rRNA gene fragment sequences of T. annulata and T. buffeli were compared with previously reported homologous sequences. All 3 B. vogeli sequences examined in this study were grouped into the same cluster and belonged to the same genotype. The present study provides important epidemiological information regarding piroplasmosis occurrence in China. The existence of tick-borne piroplasma likely leads to high infection risks among the local animals in the studied areas.

[Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic tuberculosis: experiences of 10 cases]

Objectives: To study the clinical characteristics of pancreatic tuberculosis, and therefore to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods: The clinical data of 10 patients with pancreatic tuberculosis form 1990 to 2017 were reviewed, including clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and imaging features. Results: The ten patients aged 28 to 71 (median 56) years. All of them presented varying degrees of abdominal pain and weight loss (3 to 8 kg). Hypo-echoic pancreatic masses were shown by abdominal ultra-sound in 7 cases, and cystic-solid masses with thick wall was shown by abdominal CT scan in 4 cases, but dilatation of the pancreatic duct was found in none of the 10 cases. Hemoglobin levels lower than 12 g/L were found in 6 cases, and ESR more than 20 mm/1 h was present in 7 cases. Four cases received PPD test, but only one was positive. CA19-9 was found to be higher than normal (27 IU/ml) in 3 cases (39.2 IU/ml, 125.7 IU/ml, 88.9 IU/ml respectively). Three cases received T-spot.TB tests, and all the results were positive. Seven cases received laparotomy, and the other 3 received endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy. Caseous necrosis and Langerhans cells were found in all the 10 cases. Nine patients were treated by 6 to 12 months' anti-tuberculosis therapies, and at 1-5 years' follow-up, 8 were cured and 1 improved. Conclusions: The manifestations of pancreatic tuberculosis were easy to be confused with other diseases, and therefore a comprehensive understanding of history and careful examinations were important for a correct diagnosis. Once the diagnosis was made, prompt standard anti-tuberculosis therapy could lead to a favorable outcome.

[Ultrastructural and clinical findings of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy:report of 27 cases]

Objective: To investigate the ultrastructural features of muscle in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: The clinical data of 27 mitochondrial encephalomyopathy patients who underwent left or right biceps brachii muscle biopsy at Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from July 2006 to August 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The muscle biopsy specimens were examined underlight microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results: There were 27 patients (17 males, 10 females) with an age range of 12 to 62 years (mean 29 years). The age of onset ranged from 3 to 38 years. The course of disease ranged from 1 month to 24 years. Twenty-two cases presented with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, four with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) syndrome, and one with chronic progressive paralysis of extraocular muscle (CPEO) syndrome. Skeletal muscle biopsy showed abundant ragged red fibers and strongly SDH-reactive vessel. Genetic studies showed 17 of 22 cases of MELAS syndrome had A3243G mutation, and the other 5 cases had no abnormality. A8344G mutation was found in 3 of 4 cases of MERRF syndrome. No single or multiple mtDNA mutations were found in the single case of CPEO. Transmission electron microscopy of all 27 cases showed diffuse proliferation of mitochondria between the myofibrils and beneath the sarcolemma, with increased spacing between muscle cells. Seven cases showed numerous glycogen and four showed subsarcolemmal lipid droplets, 13 cases showed unusual mitochondrial morphology, including mitochondrial electron-dense substances and paracrystal line inclusions ("parking lot" change)in eight cases. Conclusions: Transmission electron microscopy shows significant differences in ultrastructural pathological changes among different patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Some patients with mild clinical symptoms have increased mitochondrial number, increased metabolism of glycogen and lipid droplets, while others with severe clinical symptoms have abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Typical crystalloid inclusions are found in mitochondria, which are of great value in the diagnosis of this disease.

How Robust is the N=34 Subshell Closure? First Spectroscopy of ^{52}Ar

The first γ-ray spectroscopy of ^{52}Ar, with the neutron number N=34, was measured using the ^{53}K(p,2p) one-proton removal reaction at ∼210  MeV/u at the RIBF facility. The 2_{1}^{+} excitation energy is found at 1656(18) keV, the highest among the Ar isotopes with N>20. This result is the first experimental signature of the persistence of the N=34 subshell closure beyond ^{54}Ca, i.e., below the magic proton number Z=20. Shell-model calculations with phenomenological and chiral-effective-field-theory interactions both reproduce the measured 2_{1}^{+} systematics of neutron-rich Ar isotopes, and support a N=34 subshell closure in ^{52}Ar.

[Effect of single lumen endobronchial tube and double lumen endobronchial tube on ventilation and lung injury in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy]

Objective: To investigate the effect of the single lumen endobronchial tube and the double lumen endobronchial tube on ventilation and lung injury in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy. Methods: Sixty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy were divided into single lumen endobronchial tube group (D group, n=30) and double lumen endobronchial tube group (S, n=30) according to the random number table. Blood samples were harvested at the moment of tracheal intubation (T(0)), after artificial pneumothorax (one lung ventilation) 30 min (T(1)), after artificial pneumothorax (one lung ventilation) 90 min (T(2)), artificial pneumothorax over (double lung ventilation) 30 min (T(3)) and after extubation 30 min (T(4)) for arterial blood gas analysis. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), oxygen tension (PaO(2)), carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO(2)) and airway pressure (PAW) were recorded at T(0)-T(4). The incidences of pneumonia of two groups were record at 3 days after operation. Results: There were no obvious differences in HR, MAP, SpO(2), PaO(2), PaCO(2) between two groups at T(0)-T(4) (P>0.05). Compared with T(0), the levels of HR and PaO(2) were increased remarkably at T(1)-T(3) (P<0.05), the levels of PaCO(2) were increased remarkably at T(1)-T(4) (P<0.01), and the levels of Paw were increased remarkably at T(1)-T(3) (P<0.01). Compared with S group, the levels of Paw were decreased remarkably at T(1)-T(2) (29.5±3.7 vs 21.3±2.1, P=0.001; 30.7±4.8 vs 20.3±2.3, P=0.001). There were no obvious differences in the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) between two groups at T(0) (P>0.05). Compared with T(0), the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 in BALF were increased remarkably at T(3), T(5) (P<0.05). Compared with S group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 in D group in BALF were decreased remarkably at T(3), T(5) (P<0.05). Compared with S group, the incidence of pneumonia in D group were decreased remarkably at 3 days after operation (4(13.3%) vs 11(36.7%), P=0.017). Conclusion: The ventilation effect of the single lumen endobronchial tube on lung injury for patients with esophageal cancer undergoing combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy is the same as that of the double lumen endobronchial tube, however the single lumen endobronchial tube has less injury on the lung.

Oxaliplatin-rapamycin combination was superior to mono-drug in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo

The presented study aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of combination of oxaliplatin with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The activation status of mTOR pathway was first examined in HCC cell lines HepG2, BEL7402, and HuH7 using Western blotting. Effects of rapamycin, oxaliplatin, and their combination on the proliferation of HCC cells were determined in vitro using MTT assay and in vivo using a nude mice model bearing HepG2 xenografts. Drug-induced cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Expression of apoptosis-related protein was determined by Western blotting. We observed that mTOR pathway was activated in all three cell lines used in the current study. MTT assay demonstrated that oxaliplatin in combination with rapamycin synergistically inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells. The combination regimen reduced terminal tumor burden more efficiently than the corresponding monotherapy. The percentages of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins including cleaved caspase-9, -3, and PARP were significantly higher in combination-treatment groups than those in mono-drug-treatment groups. The ratios of Bax/Bcl-2 in cells exposed to both oxaliplatin and rapamycin were significantly increased compared to those in cells subjected to oxaliplatin or rapamycin alone treatment. Results obtained in the presented study suggested that combination of oxaliplatin and rapamycin was superior to mono-drug and may have a potential value in treatment of HCC.

[The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of liver hemangioma in health adults]

Objective: To report the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of liver hemangioma in health adults from a large sample of Health Examination Database. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical Characteristics of liver hemangioma from people who underwent examination in China-Japan friendship hospital from 2014 to 2016. The analysis was also included the relationship between gender or age and the incidence and tumor size. Results: A total of 83 964 healthy adults (age≥18) were included in the study. The overall incidence of liver hemangioma was 2.95%. There was no significant difference of liver hemangiomas incidence between male which was 3.03%, and which was 2.88% in female. Liver hemangiomas incidence had shown obviously increased with patients' age, as the evidence indicating that the prevalence of liver hemangioma in <30 age group was only 1.87%, and the prevalence of liver hemangioma in 41-50 age group raised to 3.72%. While the size of liver hemangioma in different genders was also increasing with age, the tumor size of liver hemangioma in <30 age group was the smallest. Under 50 years old, the size of female patients' liver hemangioma was larger than that of male patients in each age group. The size of female patients' liver hemangioma had obviously decreased over 60 years old. Conclusion: The progress of liver hemangioma was highly influenced by age and gender.

Matrix stiffness regulates the differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells through FAK-ERK1/2 activation

Tendon derived stem cells (TDSCs) were vital in tendon homeostasis. Nevertheless, the regulation of TDSCs differentiation in tendinopathy is unclear. Matrix stiffness modulated stem cells differentiation, and matrix stiffness of tendinopathic tissues decreased significantly. In order to clarify the role of matrix stiffness in TDSCs differentiation, they were cultured on the gelatin hydrogels with the stiffness from 2.34 ± 1.48 kPa to 24.09 ± 14.03 kPa. The effect of matrix stiffness on TDSCs proliferation and differentiation were investigated with CCK8 assay, immunofluorescences, real time PCR and western blot. It was found the proliferation of TDSCs increased and more stress fibers formed with increasing matrix stiffness. The differentiation of TDSCs into tenogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages were inhibited on stiff hydrogel evidenced by reduced expression of tenocyte markers THBS4, TNMD, SCX, chondrocyte marker COL2, and osteocyte markers Runx2, Osterix, and ALP. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of FAK and ERK1/2 were enhanced when TDSCs grew on stiff hydrogel. After FAK or ERK1/2 was inhibited, the effect of matrix stiffness on differentiation of TDSCs was inhibited as well. The above results indicated matrix stiffness modulated the proliferation and differentiation of TDSCs, and the regulation effect could correlate to the activation of FAK or ERK1/2.

[Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced CT scans in identifying lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as ground glass nodules]

Objective: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced CT scans in differential diagnosis of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimal invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in patients who manifested as ground glass nodules (GGNs) or mixed GGNs (mGGNs) in unenhanced CT imaging. Methods: The unenhanced and enhanced CT images of 194 patients with GGNs in the lung were retrospectively analyzed, including 64 cases with pre-invasive lesions, 80 cases with MIA, and 50 cases with IAC. The prediction of pathological types was based on maximal diameters and the solid portions of the lesions displayed on unenhanced and enhanced CT images, and then compared with pathological diagnosis. Results: In 64 patients with pre-invasive lesions, the CT value increased in 59 cases after contrast-enhanced administration, whereas the solid portions increased in 5 cases. In the 80 patients with MIA, solid portions increased in 50 cases and the CT value increased in 30 cases after contrast administration. In 50 cases with IAC, almost all of them showed increased solid portions, whereas only 2 cases showed an increase of CT values. In the pre-invasive group and the MIA group, the increase of CT values after contrast administration was (45.88±15.97) HU and (66.47±44.54) HU, respectively, showing statistically significant difference (P=0.001). The increase of solid portions in the MIA group and IAC group was (1.55±0.73) mm and (1.88±0.75) mm, respectively, also showing significant difference (P=0.032). Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced CT scans were more useful than unenhanced CT scans for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as GGNs .

In situ cross-linking carbodiimide-modified chitosan hydrogel for postoperative adhesion prevention in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion often causes many complications. Chitosan fluid has been used in clinic to prevent intra-abdominal adhesion. However, fluid can be easily diluted and cannot stay on the wound site. As hydrogel is able to form stable physical barrier to separate injured tissues, we developed a chitosan hydrogel for better prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion in this study.

METHODS

We synthesized a carbodiimide-derivatized chitosan gelatin (cd-CS-gelatin) hydrogel and investigated its rheological properties. A rat model was used to compare the anti-adhesion effect of chitosan hydrogel and fluid. The wounds were created with damage of the underlying muscle of the abdominal wall and the serosal layer of the cecum. They were coated with chitosan fluid or cd-CS-gelatin hydrogel. At day 14 after surgery, the animals were euthanized and intra-abdominal adhesion was assessed.

RESULTS

The cd-CS-gelatin hydrogel solidified within 3min after the mixing of the reagents. The cecum-abdomen adhesion occurred in all rats without anti-adhesion treatment. The application of cd-CS-gelatin significantly reduced the adhesion rate from 100% to 50%, compared the chitosan fluid only to 88%. The decrease of adhesion breaking strength also manifested that cd-CS-gelatin was more effective than chitosan fluid to reduce postsurgical intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Chitosan hydrogel is more effective than chitosan fluid to prevent postoperative cecum-abdomen adhesion. It indicates that hydrogel could be a more promising state than liquid to prevent postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion.

BN-9, a chimeric peptide with mixed opioid and neuropeptide FF receptor agonistic properties, produces nontolerance-forming antinociception in mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) behaves as an endogenous opioid-modulating peptide. In the present study, the opioid and NPFF pharmacophore-containing chimeric peptide BN-9 was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Agonist activities of BN-9 at opioid and NPFF receptors were characterized in in vitro cAMP assays. Antinociceptive activities of BN-9 were evaluated in the mouse tail-flick and formalin tests. Furthermore, its side effects were investigated in rotarod, antinociceptive tolerance, reward and gastrointestinal transit tests.

KEY RESULTS

BN-9 acted as a novel multifunctional agonist at μ, δ, κ, NPFF1 and NPFF2 receptors in cAMP assays. In the tail-flick test, BN-9 produced dose-related antinociception and was approximately equipotent to morphine; this antinociception was blocked by μ and κ receptor antagonists, but not by the δ receptor antagonist. In the formalin test, supraspinal administration of BN-9 produced significant analgesia. Notably, repeated administration of BN-9 produced analgesia without loss of potency over 8 days. In contrast, repeated i.c.v. co-administration of BN-9 with the NPFF receptor antagonist RF9 produced significant antinociceptive tolerance. Furthermore, i.c.v. BN-9 induced conditioned place preference. When given by the same routes, BN-9 had a more than eightfold higher ED50 value for gastrointestinal transit inhibition compared with the ED50 values for antinociception.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

BN-9 produced a robust, nontolerance-forming analgesia with limited inhibition of gastrointestinal transit. As BN-9 is able to activate both opioid and NPFF systems, this provides an interesting approach for the development of novel analgesics with minimal side effects.

Misdiagnosis of primary hepatic marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type, a case report

Background

Extra-nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue originating in the liver is less common.

Case presentation

We described the clinical presentation, immunohistochemistry, and immunophenotypes of this lymphoma, which was misdiagnosed with tiny hepatic carcinoma in a 44-year-old woman with hepatitis C; the patient underwent left lateral sectionectomy. The immunophenotype identified the most of the lymphoid cells as positive CD20, CD34, Ki67, CD3, CD4, CD79a, CD45RO, MUM-1, and CD5 and negative CD10, CD15, CD30, ACT, CK, CRO, DES, and HMB45. The diagnosis of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) was made by histology after surgery; the patient went through the excellent recovery with no chemotherapy and is disease free for 27 months.

Conclusions

Primary hepatic MALT is less common with incidental finding; local resection is beneficial due to its oncological indolence.

Analysis of specific sequences in mutant rice generated by introduction of exogenous corn DNA

Rice variation induced by the introduction of exogenous DNA has become an important method of improving rice varieties and creating new germplasms. In this study, we transferred maize genomic DNA fragments to the receptor of Nipponbare rice using a modified "pollen-tube pathway" method. Material from mutant rice B1 and B2 were acquired and 14 specific bands were obtained from the material using amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. From the 14 specific sequences obtained, there were 3791 bp, including 144 base mutations with a base mutation rate of 3.80%. Specific bands resulted from base mutation of selective bases or restriction endonuclease recognition sequences, or insertion or deletion of DNA fragments. The frequency of single-base mutations was significantly higher than that of double-base mutations, three-sequential base mutations, and multiple-sequential base mutations. The site frequency of base substitution (87.04%) was significantly higher than that of base insertion (3.70%) or deletion (9.26%). In all cases of base substitution, the frequency of transition (76.47%) was significantly higher than transversion (23.53%). The above results indicate that transferring foreign-species DNA into rice cells can induce base mutations in the receptor, with base substitutions occurring at the highest frequency, and the dominant type of base substitutions being transition. Preliminary analysis reveals that the molecular mechanism of transferring exogenous DNA into rice causes mutations, which provides theoretical data on biological mutagenesis for further research.

Morphology and photosynthetic enzyme activity of maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase transgenic rice

The morphology and photosynthetic enzyme activity were studied in maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase transgenic rice and non-transgenic rice. The results showed that compared with non-transgenic rice, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase transgenic rice was taller and had a stronger stalk, wider leaves, and more exuberant root system, with increased photosynthetic enzyme activity and improved yield components. Therefore, given the superiority of this plant type and heterosis, this is a novel breeding strategy for rice for the introduction of C4 photosynthesis genes into high-yielding rice.

An investigation on the biotribocorrosion behaviour of CoCrMo alloy grafted with polyelectrolyte brush

Surface grafting of polyelectrolyte brush, such as 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMK), on hip implant materials has been reported to reduce the wear of the orthopaedic bearing surface. However, the biotribocorrosion behaviour of the SPMK brush has not been taken into consideration in previous research. In the present study, SPMK was grafted on Co28Cr6Mo alloy through photo-induced polymerization, and the biotribocorrosion behaviour was investigated by a series of frictional-electrochemical tests using a universal materials tester combined with an electrochemical measurement (three-electrode) system. Co28Cr6Mo disk and polyethylene (PE) pin were used as the contact pair, and the lubricants were 0.9% saline solution (NaCl) and 0.9% saline solution coupled with 25% bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results showed that SPMK was successfully grafted on Co28Cr6Mo alloy, which was confirmed by the comparison of Raman spectroscopy and static contact angle of the samples before and after surface modification. The greatly reduced electrochemical parameters such as corrosion current and pitting potential indicated that the corrosion rate of Co28Cr6Mo alloy was significantly reduced following SPMK grafting. Additionally, the frictional-electrochemical coupled measurement performed under reciprocating sliding demonstrated that the lowest corrosion current was obtained for the SPMK-grafted Co28Cr6Mo disk, with 0.9% NaCl coupled with 25% BSA as the electrolyte. It is indicated from the present study that SPMK polyelectrolyte brush can greatly improve the anti-biotribocorrosion properties of Co28Cr6Mo alloy, and thus has potential application on surface modification of hip implant materials.

Lubricin in human achilles tendon: The evidence of intratendinous sliding motion and shear force in achilles tendon

Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly injured tendons. Mechanical force is regarded as a major causative factor. However, the biomechanics of Achilles tendon and mechanical mechanism of the injuries are unclear. Lubricin expresses at regions exposed to sliding motion and shear force in a number of tissues. This study investigated the distribution and concentration of lubricin in human Achilles tendons for better understanding the biomechanics of Achilles tendon. Achilles tendons were harvested from nine cadavers. Lubricin was extracted from various locations proximal to the calcaneal insertion and quantified with ELISA. The distribution of lubricin was investigated with immunohistochemistry. Lubricin was mainly identified at the interfaces of tendon fascicles, especially in the mid-portion of the tendon. The concentration of lubricin in Achilles tendons varied by individual and the distance from its calcaneal insertion. The distal portion of the tendon had a higher concentration of lubricin than the proximal regions of the tendon. This study suggests the presence of intratendinous sliding motion of fascicles and shear force at interfaces of fascicles in human Achilles tendon. Shear force could be an important mechanical factor for the development of Achilles tendinopathy and rupture.

Identification of commonly dysregulated genes in colorectal cancer by integrating analysis of RNA-Seq data and qRT-PCR validation

The progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multistep process and metastatic CRC is always incurable; consequently, CRC is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. There is therefore an urgent need for identifying useful biomarkers with enough sensitivity and specificity to detect this disease at early stages, which will significantly reduce the mortality for this malignancy. In this study, we performed an integrating analysis of different RNA-Seq data sets to find new candidate biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and as therapeutic targets for this malignancy, as well as to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CRC carcinogenesis. We identified 883 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across the studies between CRC and normal control (NC) tissues by combining five RNA-Seq data sets. Gene function analysis revealed high correlation with carcinogenesis. The top 10 most significantly DEGs were further evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in both rectal cancer (RC) and colon cancer (CC), and the results matched well with integrating data, suggesting that the method of integrating analysis of different RNA-seq data sets is acceptable. Therefore, integrating analysis of different RNA-seq data sets may be a useful way to overcome the limitation of small sample size in a single RNA-seq study. In addition, our study showed that some genes, such as SIM2, ADAMTS6, FOXD4L4 and DNAH5, may have an important role in the development of CRC, which could be applied for diagnosis, prognosis and as therapy for this malignancy. Our findings would also help to understand the pathology of CRC.

Effect of mechanical stimulation on bone marrow stromal cell-seeded tendon slice constructs: a potential engineered tendon patch for rotator cuff repair

Cell-based tissue engineered tendons have potential to improve clinical outcomes following rotator cuff repair, especially in large or massive rotator cuff tears, which pose a great clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a method of constructing a functional engineered tendon patch for rotator cuff repair with cyclic mechanical stimulation. Decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) were seeded with BMSCs and subjected to cyclic stretching for 1, 3, or 7 days. The mechanical properties, morphologic characteristics and tendon-related gene expression of the constructs were investigated. Viable BMSCs were observed on the DTS after 7 days. BMSCs penetrated into the DTSs and formed dense cell sheets after 7 days of mechanical stretching. Gene expression of type I collagen, decorin, and tenomodulin significantly increased in cyclically stretched BMSC-DTS constructs compared with the unstrained control group (P < 0.05). The ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of the cyclically stretched tendon constructs were similar to the unstrained control group (P > 0.05). In conclusion, mechanical stimulation of BMSC-DTS constructs upregulated expression of tendon-related proteins, promoted cell tenogenic differentiation, facilitated cell infiltration and formation of cell sheets, and retained mechanical properties. The patch could be used as a graft to enhance the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears.

GeneChip expression profiling reveals the alterations of energy metabolism related genes in osteocytes under large gradient high magnetic fields

The diamagnetic levitation as a novel ground-based model for simulating a reduced gravity environment has recently been applied in life science research. In this study a specially designed superconducting magnet with a large gradient high magnetic field (LG-HMF), which can provide three apparent gravity levels (μ-g, 1-g, and 2-g), was used to simulate a space-like gravity environment. Osteocyte, as the most important mechanosensor in bone, takes a pivotal position in mediating the mechano-induced bone remodeling. In this study, the effects of LG-HMF on gene expression profiling of osteocyte-like cell line MLO-Y4 were investigated by Affymetrix DNA microarray. LG-HMF affected osteocyte gene expression profiling. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and data mining were further analyzed by using bioinfomatic tools, such as DAVID, iReport. 12 energy metabolism related genes (PFKL, AK4, ALDOC, COX7A1, STC1, ADM, CA9, CA12, P4HA1, APLN, GPR35 and GPR84) were further confirmed by real-time PCR. An integrated gene interaction network of 12 DEGs was constructed. Bio-data mining showed that genes involved in glucose metabolic process and apoptosis changed notablly. Our results demostrated that LG-HMF affected the expression of energy metabolism related genes in osteocyte. The identification of sensitive genes to special environments may provide some potential targets for preventing and treating bone loss or osteoporosis.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Coated by Layer-by-Layer Self-assembly Using Cucurbit[7]uril for in Vitro and in Vivo Anticancer Drug Release

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising solid supports for controlled anticancer drug delivery. Herein, we report biocompatible layer-by-layer (LbL) coated MSNs (LbL-MSNs) that are designed and crafted to release encapsulated anticancer drugs, e.g., doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), by changing the pH or by adding competitive agents. The LbL coating process comprises bis-aminated poly(glycerol methacrylate)s (BA-PGOHMAs) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), where CB[7] serves as a molecular bridge holding two different bis-aminated polymeric layers together by means of host-guest interactions. This integrated nanosystem is tuned to respond under specific acidic conditions or by adding adamantaneamine hydrochloride (AH), attributed to the competitive binding of hydronium ions or AH to CB[7] with BA-PGOHMAs. These LbL-MSN hybrids possess excellent biostability, negligible premature drug leakage at pH 7.4, and exceptional stimuli-responsive drug release performance. The pore sizes of the MSNs and bis-aminated compounds (different carbon numbers) of BA-PGOHMAs have been optimized to provide effective integrated nanosystems for the loading and release of DOX. Significantly, the operating pH for the controlled release of DOX matches the acidifying endosomal compartments of HeLa cancer cells, suggesting that these hybrid nanosystems are good candidates for autonomous anticancer drug nanocarriers actuated by intracellular pH changes without any invasive external stimuli. The successful cellular uptake and release of cargo, e.g., propidium iodide (PI), in human breast cancer cell line MDA-231 from PI-loaded LbL-MSNs have been confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), while the cytotoxicities of DOX-loaded LbL-MSNs have been quantified by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) viability assay against HeLa cell lines and fibroblast L929 cell lines. The uptake of DOX-loaded LbL-MSNs by macrophages can be efficiently reduced by adding biocompatible hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) or CB[7] without destroying the capping. In vivo tumor-growth inhibition experiments with BALB/c nude mice demonstrated a highly efficient tumor-growth inhibition rate of DOX-loaded LbL-MSNs, suggesting that the novel type of LbL-MSN materials hold great potentials in anticancer drug delivery.

Diamagnetic levitation promotes osteoclast differentiation from RAW264.7 cells

The superconducting magnet with a high magnetic force field can levitate diamagnetic materials. In this study, a specially designed superconducting magnet with large gradient high magnetic field (LGHMF), which provides three apparent gravity levels (μg, 1 g, and 2 g), was used to study its influence on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation from preosteoclast cell line RAW264.7. The effects of LGHMF on the viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, morphology in RAW264.7 cells were detected by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, the Griess method, and the immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The changes induced by LGHMF in osteoclast formation, mRNA expression, and bone resorption were determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, semiquantity PCR, and bone resorption test, respectively. The results showed that: 1) LGHMF had no lethal effect on osteoclast precursors but attenuated NO release in RAW264.7 cells. 2) Diamagnetic levitation (μg) enhanced both the formation and bone resorption capacity of osteoclast. Moreover, diamagnetic levitation up-regulated mRNA expression of RANK, Cathepsin K, MMP-9, and NFATc1, while down-regulated RunX2 in comparison with controls. Furthermore, diamagnetic levitation induced obvious morphological alterations in osteoclast, including active cytoplasmic peripheral pseudopodial expansion, formation of pedosome belt, and aggregation of actin ring. 3) Magnetic field produced by LGHMF attenuated osteoclast resorption activity. Collectively, LGHMF with combined effects has multiple effects on osteoclast, which attenuated osteoclast resorption with magnetic field, whereas promoted osteoclast differentiation with diamagnetic levitation. Therefore, these findings indicate that diamagnetic levitation could be used as a novel ground-based microgravity simulator, which facilitates bone cell research of weightlessness condition.

A modified model of helical resonator with predictable loaded resonant frequency and Q-factor

High voltage radio frequency (RF) supply is a critical part in an ion trapping system. The RF supply should have high Q-factor and relatively high driving frequency. A frequently used RF supply for an ion trap system is a helical resonator. In certain applications, it is advantageous to have a predictable resonant frequency and Q-factor when the helical resonator is connected to a capacitive load. We develop a model to describe the behavior of a helical resonator with capacitive load. With this model, we can correctly predict the loaded resonant frequency and the loaded Q-factor. To test our prediction, we construct a helical resonator, and measure its resonant frequencies and Q-factors under different capacitive loads. The experimental results agree with our prediction.

Effect of imidacloprid on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male albino mice

Imidacloprid (IC) is a systemic insecticide related to the tobacco toxin nicotine. IC is a toxic substance frequently used into combat insects, rodents and plants pests and other creatures that can pose problems for agriculture. We, therefore, planned this study to assess risk factors, biochemical and histological alterations associated with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Forty-eight adult male albino mice were divided into four groups of 12 animals each. All the animals were given standard synthetic pellet diet. One group served as control, and the other three were served as experimental groups. Decrease in the body weight of the high dose group was observed at 15 mg/kg/day, and no mortality occurred during the treatment period. High dose of imidacloprid caused a significant elevation of serum clinical chemistry parameters, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvate kinase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBIL). Histology of liver and kidney indicates hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity at a high dose of imidacloprid. Based on the morphological, biochemical and histopathological analysis, it is evident that imidacloprid induced toxicological effects at 15 mg/kg/day to mice. The results of the present study demonstrate that IC had significant effects on body weight, liver functions and kidney (p < 0.05) at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. IC treatment 5 and 10 mg/kg/day may be considered as no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for mice. It was concluded that IC can cause hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity at a dose much lower than the LD₅₀ (131 mg/kg body weight) in mice.

Switchable host-guest systems on surfaces

CONSPECTUS: For device miniaturization, nanotechnology follows either the "top-down" approach scaling down existing larger-scale devices or the "bottom-up' approach assembling the smallest possible building blocks to functional nanoscale entities. For synthetic nanodevices, self-assembly on surfaces is a superb method to achieve useful functions and enable their interactions with the surrounding world. Consequently, adaptability and responsiveness to external stimuli are other prerequisites for their successful operation. Mechanically interlocked molecules such as rotaxanes and catenanes, and their precursors, that is, molecular switches and supramolecular switches including pseudorotaxanes, are molecular machines or prototypes of machines capable of mechanical motion induced by chemical signals, biological inputs, light or redox processes as the external stimuli. Switching of these functional host-guest systems on surfaces becomes a fundamental requirement for artificial molecular machines to work, mimicking the molecular machines in nature, such as proteins and their assemblies operating at dynamic interfaces such as the surfaces of cell membranes. Current research endeavors in material science and technology are focused on developing either a new class of materials or materials with novel/multiple functionalities by shifting host-guest chemistry from solution phase to surfaces. In this Account, we present our most recent attempts of building monolayers of rotaxanes/pseudorotaxanes on surfaces, providing stimuli-induced macroscopic effects and further understanding on the switchable host-guest systems at interfaces. Biocompatible versions of molecular machines based on synthetic macrocycles, such as cucurbiturils, pillararenes, calixarenes, and cyclodextrins, have been employed to form self-assembled monolayers of gates on the surfaces of mesoporous silica nanoparticles to regulate the controlled release of cargo/drug molecules under a range of external stimuli, such as light, pH variations, competitive binding, and enzyme. Rotaxanes have also been assembled onto the surfaces of gold nanodisks and microcantilevers to realize active molecular plasmonics and synthetic molecular actuators for device fabrication and function. Pillararenes have been successfully used to control and aid the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, semiconducting quantum dots, and magnetic nanoparticles. The resulting organic-inorganic hydrid nanomaterials have been successfully used for controlled self-assembly, herbicide sensing and detection, pesticide removal, and so forth, taking advantage of the selective binding of pillarenes toward target molecules. Cyclodextrins have also been successfully functionalized onto the surface of gold nanoparticles to serve as recycling extractors for C60. Many interesting prototypes of nanodevices based on synthetic macrocycles and their host-guest chemistry have been constructed and served for different potential applications. This Account will be a summary of the efforts made mainly by us, and others, on the host-guest chemistry of synthetic macrocyclic compounds on the surfaces of different solid supports.