Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0^{-+} from J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'}

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst)  MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

Observation of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} in the Amplitude Analysis of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η

We perform for the first time an amplitude analysis of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η and report the observation of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} using 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. As the only W-annihilation-free decay among D to a_{0}(980) pseudoscalar, D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} is the ideal decay in extracting the contributions of the W-emission amplitudes involving a_{0}(980) and to study the final-state interactions. The absolute branching fraction of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η is measured to be (1.27±0.04_{stat}±0.03_{syst})%. The branching fractions of intermediate processes D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} with a_{0}(980)^{+}→π^{+}η and D^{+}→π^{+}K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0} with K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0}→K_{S}^{0}η are measured to be (1.33±0.05_{stat}±0.04_{syst})% and (0.14±0.03_{stat}±0.01_{syst})%, respectively.

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12<Q^{2}<25 GeV^{2} and Discovery of the Charmless Decay ψ(3770)→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0}

We present cross sections for the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0} at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5  fb^{-1}. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12 Collapse

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[Analysis of the efficacy of transnasal endoscopic annulus of zinn area decompression in the treatment of dysthyroid optic neuropathy]

Objective: To evaluate the early efficacy and safety of transnasal endoscopic decompression in the annulus of zinn (AZ) region for refractory dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and to preliminarily analyze the correlated factors of postoperative visual function outcome. Methods: From July 2021 to January 2023, 35 patients (56 eyes) with DON who received AZ area decompression in Peking University Third Hospital were included retrospectively, including 9 males (13 eyes) and 26 females (43 eyes), aging (52.2±12.0) years. Among them, 35 eyes underwent two-wall (medial and inferior) orbital decompression using an endonasal endoscopic approach, while 21 eyes received three-wall (medial, lateral, and inferior) orbital decompression through a combined approach. Key parameters such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field (MD value), eyeball prominence, intraocular pressure, and complications were recorded. Postoperative data were collected one month after surgery. The statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: Significant outcomes were observed post surgery in BCVA, visual field, intraocular pressure and proptosis (t value was 8.37, 6.17, 4.50, and 9.20, respectively, all P<0.001). The reduction in proptosis was statistically significant between the 2-wall and 3-wall orbital decompression groups (t=-2.82, P=0.007). Changes in BCVA, visual field, and intraocular pressure before and after surgery was greater in the 3-wall orbital decompression group compared to 2-wall orbital decompression group, although the difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Change in postoperative visual acuity and visual field was significantly positively correlated with preoperative visual acuity and preoperative visual field (all P<0.001). Similarly, change in intraocular pressure and proptosis was positively correlated with preoperative intraocular pressure and preoperative protrusion (all P<0.001). Preoperative diplopia was reported in seven patients (20.0%), and two new cases (5.7%) were noted post-operation, which resolved within 3 months after surgery. Conclusions: Endoscopic endonasal decompression of the AZ area is a safe and effective surgical treatment for DON, with notable improvements in BCVA. Furthermore, three-orbital wall decompression seems to yield better outcomes in terms of eye retraction.

[Research progress on Mycobacterium tuberculosis acetyltransferase]

The protein acetylation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) plays an important role in virulence, drug resistance, regulation of metabolism and host anti-tuberculosis immune response. The proteins acetylation of MTB and host protein could be induced by the MTB acetyltransferase, which is related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of tuberculosis (TB). A clear understanding of the function of MTB acetyltransferase and identification of its targeted regulatory protein acetylation modification is critical to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism and drug resistance mechanism of TB, and then this could then provide new targets for the development of anti-tuberculosis drugs. This article systematically reviewed the research progress on MTB acetyltransferase related functions, which will provide a theoretical basis for further research on its mediated protein acetylation modification, further development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs and elucidation of drug resistance mechanism.

[A case of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome with optic disc pit and macular hole]

A 69-year-old female patient presented to the ophthalmology department with complaints of blurred vision in the left eye for more than 10 days. Her medical history revealed a history of right renal tumor and left pheochromocytoma, which were treated with surgical resection at an external institution. Ophthalmic examination revealed a temporal superior cup-shaped optic disc pit in the left eye, along with a macular hole approximately 1/5 the size of the optic disc diameter in the macular region. Additionally, peripheral retinal examination at the 6 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions showed vascular tumors, each approximately 1.5 times the size of the optic disc diameter. Based on the patient's medical history, fundus findings, and auxiliary examination results, a diagnosis of macular hole in the left eye, optic disc pit in the left eye, and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome was established. Subsequently, the patient underwent left vitrectomy and macular hole repair surgery, leading to an improvement in visual acuity.

Qiliqiangxin capsule improves cardiac remodeling in rats with DOCA-salt-induced diastolic dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of action (MOA) of Qiliqiangxin capsule (QL) in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-induced rat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nono-nephrectomy sixty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats received DOCA salt injection and 1% saline in drinking water for 4 weeks and were randomly divided into four groups on average: Model group (n=15), Sac/Val group (Sacubitril Valsartan 0.02 g/kg, n=15), QL-L group (Qiliqiangxin 0.25 g/kg, n=15) and QL-H group (Qiliqiangxin 1 g/kg, n=15). Another Normal group was set (n=15). Blood pressure, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac index, echocardiography, and hemodynamics were measured to evaluate heart function. Masson and Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was performed to observe the fibrosis deposition and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of cardiomyocytes. The concentration levels of the serum cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10 inflammatory factors, were detected by ELISA; matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Smad homologue 2 (Smad2) and Smad homologue 3 (Smad3) expression were detected by Western-blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the Model group, QL treatment significantly ameliorated the heart function in DOCA salt-induced rat HFpEF model, showing a decrease in cardiac index, an increase of the EF and E/A ratio, a reduction in the left ventricular anterior/posterior wall (LVAW/LVPW), in the time contraction of isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT), -dP/dt Max, and Tau, and the decrease of serum NT-ProBNP. Masson and WGA staining indicated that QL inhibited the fibrosis deposition and the myocardial hypertrophy compared with the Model group, which was consistent in reducing the protein expression levels of cardiac remodeling such as TGF-β1, MMP2, MMP9, Smad2, and Smad3. Moreover, QL treatment inhibited the expression of NF-κB in the heart tissues and decreased the serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-2, instead, increasing the IL-10 concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

QL improved the cardiac function and inhibited the myocardial fibrosis in DOCA salt-induced rat HFpEF by improving diastolic dysfunction, preventing left ventricular hypertrophy, and ameliorating the inflammatory responses model in DOCA salt-induced rat HFpEF model.

[Research progress in non-coding RNAs in mediating immune responses of macrophages to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. Macrophages are the first line in defensing MTB infection and the main host cells for the growth and persistence of MTB. Changes in macrophage function are critical for the host response to tuberculosis. Non-coding RNAs are involved in the pathophysiological process of many diseases, including TB, and play a very important regulatory role in the macrophage mediated immune response process. Therefore, we reviewed the mechanisms of the non-coding RNAs mediated function alteration of macrophages, in order to facilitate identification of potential therapeutic targets for host-directed anti-TB treatment.

[Mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on interleukin-6 receptor 3'-untranslated region methylation in CD4+T cells]

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of DNA methylation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB lysate) -induced downregulation of interleukin-6 receptor(IL-6R) expression in CD4⁺T cells. Methods: A prospective study was conducted. Bisulfite sequencing (BSP) was applied to determine the methylation levels of CpG island in IL-6R promoter region and 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) region in CD4⁺T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of control group (healthy person, n=10) and TB group (tuberculosis patients, n=10) in Shenzhen Third People's Hospital between 2019 and 2020. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of IL-6R, DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B in MTB lysate-stimulated CD4⁺T cells and Jurkat E6-1 cells. Furthermore, PBMC in control group and Jurkat E6-1 cells activated by anti-CD3/CD28 antibody were stimulated by MTB lysates to detect the methylation levels of CpG island and IL-6R and DNMT expression. Transcriptional activity of differently methylation regions of IL-6R 3'UTR was detected by using luciferase reporter gene system. Results: IL-6R expression in TB group was lower than that in control group, but DNMT1 and DNMT3B expressions were higher than those in control group in CD4⁺T cells isolated from PBMC. There was no significant difference in the methylation rate of IL-6R promoter CpG island of CD4⁺T cells between control and TB group. However, the methylation rates of CpG island in 3'UTR region were significantly higher (P<0.001) in TB (69.5%±3.4%), compared with control (54.3%±4.7%). Besides, IL-6R expression was lower than unstimulated, while DNMT1 and DNMT3B expression was higher than unstimulated after MTB lysate-stimulation of activated control PBMC in vitro. The methylation rate of CpG island in IL-6R 3'UTR region of CD4⁺T cells increased from 58.8%±11.6% to 79.4%±10.9% (P<0.001) after MTB lysate-stimulated PBMC of the control. The same results were observed in the MTB lysate-stimulated CD4⁺T cells isolated from PBMC in control and Jurkat E6-1 cell line. Furthermore, IL-6R expression after co-treatment of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine (5-aza) with MTB lysate was higher than that stimulated by MTB lysate alone. In addition, the methylation levels of CpG islands in the 3' UTR region of IL-6R were lower than those stimulated by MTB lysates alone after co-treatment of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine (5-aza) with MTB lysates. The transcriptional activity of the fully unmethylated IL-6R 3'UTR CpG island reporter gene was higher than that of the fully methylated IL-6R 3'UTR CpG island. Conclusions: MTB lysates stimulation inhibited IL-6R expression transcriptionalely as well as on the protein level by inducing hypermethylation of CpG island in IL-6R 3'UTR region of CD4⁺T cells. The hypermethylation of CpG island in IL-6R 3'UTR region of CD4⁺T cells induced by MTB may be related to the increased expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3B.

[The clinical value of further accurate staging of pT2 gastric cancer based on the depth of invasion]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of pT2 gastric cancer staging pT2a and pT2b according to the depth of muscularis propria invasion in evaluating the prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods: According to the 8th edition of TNM staging system for gastric cancer proposed by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical surgery in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2015 were selected and divided into pT2a and pT2b stage group according to the depth of tumor invasion. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between the two groups. Results: The median follow-up time of 1 411 patients with postoperative pathological pT2 stage was 68.8 months, and 1 347 patients (95.46%) received complete follow-up data. The 5-year OS rate was 65.85%, and the 5-year DFS rate was 67.83 %. The 5-year OS rate and 5-year DFS rate of 709 pT2a patients were 72.50% and 73.91%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate and 5-year DFS rate of 638 pT2b patients were 58.46% and 61.13%, respectively, significantly different from those of the pT2a group (P<0.001). Hierarchical analysis was performed according to N staging. The 5-year OS rates of pT2aN0M0 (274 cases), pT2aN1M0 (192 cases), pT2aN2M0 (147 cases), pT2aN3aM0 (59 cases) and pT2aN3bM0 (37 cases) were 83.58 %, 72.40 %, 68.71 %, 54.24 % and 35.12 %, respectively. The 5-year DFS rates were 84.67 %, 77.08 %, 67.35 %, 54.24 % and 35.14 %, respectively. In the pT2b group, the 5-year OS rates of pT2bN0M0 (209 cases), pT2bN1M0 (166 cases), pT2bN2M0 (127 cases), pT2bN3aM0 (78 cases) and pT2bN3bM0 (58 cases) were 76.08%, 62.05%, 56.69%, 37.18% and 17.24%, respectively, and the 5-year DFS rates were 80.86%, 69.28%, 54.33%, 35.90% and 15.52%, respectively. Under the same N stage, the OS rates of patients in the pT2a group were better than those in the pT2b group (P values were 0.023, 0.034, 0.034, 0.043 and 0.018, respectively). When the N stage was N0 and N1, there was no significant difference in the 5-year DFS rate between the pT2a group and the pT2b group (P values were 0.199 and 0.090, respectively). When the N stages were N2, N3a and N3b, the difference between the pT2a stage group and the pT2b stage group was statistically significant (P values were 0.027, 0.022 and 0.025, respectively). Conclusions: In the 8th edition of AJCC/UICC gastric cancer staging system, pT2 stage can be divided into pT2a stage (invasion of superficial muscularis) and pT2b stage (invasion of deep muscularis) according to the infiltration depth of muscularis propria. There are significant differences in prognosis between the two groups. Combined with the number of lymph node metastasis, the prognosis of patients with pT2 gastric cancer can be more accurately evaluated.

Nitrogen-plasma doping of carbon film for a high-quality layered Si/C composite anode

The effect of the chemical component and microstructure, not to mention their facile modification, of the coating/wrapping carbon layer on the electrochemical performance of the Si/C composite anode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) hasn't been actively explored although Si/C has been recognized as one of the most promising route for the high energy density LIBs. Herein we propose a novel nitrogen-plasma doping route to modify the top carbon film in an elaborately constructed layered Si/C composite anode. The electrochemical performance, e.g., the initial coulombic efficiency (CE), cycle stability and specific capacity of the composite anode is drastically improved by this plasma processing due to the increased kinetics of lithium ions. By means of the appropriate adjustment of the N doping ratio and N chemical configuration in the carbon layer through a N₂/H₂ plasma processing, the lithium diffusion rate in the composite anode was memorably increased as the pseudocapacitance effects promoted. The optimized Si/C composite exhibits a high capacity of 1120.7 mA h g^-1 and an initial CE of 80.8% at the current of 2 A g^-1 after a long cycle of 1500, increasing by ~40% of specific capacity and ~29% of the initial CE.

[Diagnostic performance of a novel Mycobacterium Tuberculosis specific T-Cell based assay for tuberculosis]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnosic performance of a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) specific T-cell based assay for tuberculosis, which targets the mRNA detection of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10). Methods: Suspected tuberculosis patients were prospectively and consecutively recruited in Beijing Chest Hospital between March 2018 and November 2019, and individuals with lower risk of MTB infection were also recruited. IP-10.TB and T-SPOT.TB assays were simulataneously performed on peripheral blood samples. The diagnostic performance of IP-10.TB and T-SPOT.TB were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Accordance of IP-10.TB and T-SPOT.TB was analyzed by Cohen's kappa test, while the correlation between the expression level of IP-10 mRNA in IP-10.TB test and the number of SFCs in T-SPOT.TB test were analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Results: A total of 235 patients with tuberculosis, 110 patients with other diseases and 153 individuals with lower risk of MTB infection were included in the final analysis. No significant difference was detected in the rate of indeterminate results between IP-10.TB assay (3/498, 0.60%) and T-SPOT.TB assay (6/498, 1.21%). The total sensitivity and specificity of IP-10.TB assay were 91.3% (95%CI 86.8%-94.6%) and 81.1% (95%CI 75.8%-85.7%). The specificity of IP-10.TB in individuals with lower risk of MTB infection was 98.0% (95%CI 94.4%-99.6%). The total sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB assay were 93.0% (95%CI 88.9%-96.0%) and 83.8% (95%CI 78.7%-88.1%). The specificity of T-SPOT.TB in individuals with lower risk of MTB infection was 100% (95%CI 97.6%-100.0%). No significant differences were detected in sensitivity and specificity between IP-10.TB and T-SPOT.TB assays (P>0.05). The positive coincidence rate of these 2 methods was 91.0% (95%CI 87.5%-94.5%), and the negative coincidence rate was 88.9% (95%CI 84.9%-92.9%) and the total coincidence rate was 90.0% (95%CI 87.3%-92.6%). The Cohen's kappa value was 0.80 (95%CI 0.75-0.85, P<0.001) between IP-10.TB and T-SPOT.TB assays. Conclusion: These results showed that the diagnostic performance of IP-10.TB was consistent with that in T-SPOT.TB, and this test could be a novel adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

[The effect of cancer nodules on survival prognosis of gastric cancer patients]

Objective: To explore the relationship between cancer nodules and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer, and analyze its impact on survival prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2 386 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical surgery from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2015 in the Third Surgery Department of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University was performed. The relationship between cancer nodules and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer and its impact on survival prognosis of gastric cancer patients were analyzed. Results: Among the 2 386 patients, there were 459 cases (19.24%) with cancer nodules, and 1 927 cases (80.76%) without cancer nodules. Logistic multivariate analysis showed that pT staging (P=0.036), pN staging (P=0.024), pTNM staging (P=0.032), Borrmann classification (P=0.008), vascular tumor thrombus (P=0.001) were independent risk factors for cancer nodules. The complete follow-up date of 2 273 cases (95.26%) of 2 386 patients with gastric cancer were obtained. A total of 1 259 patients relapsed and 1 152 died during the follow-up period. The 5-years overall survival (OS) rate was 49.32%, and the 5-years disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 44.61%. Among them, the 5-years OS rate and DFS rate of those with cancer nodules were 26.76% and 24.94%, while the 5-years OS rate and DFS rate of those without cancer nodules were 54.75% and 49.34%, respectively (P<0.001). Patients with positive cancer nodules were divided into 3 groups according to the number of cancer nodules: 1 (115 cases), 2 to 3 (202 cases), and more than 4 (124 cases). The 5-years OS rates of 3 groups were 41.74%, 30.69% and 10.48%, respectively (P<0.001). The 5-years DFS rates were 40.00%, 28.22% and 9.68%, respectively (P<0.001). Cox multivariate analysis showed that histological type (P=0.004), pT staging (P=0.007), pN staging (P=0.004), pTNM staging (P=0.002), vascular tumor thrombus (P=0.034), cancer nodules (P=0.005) and the number of cancer nodules (P=0.001) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients, and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.043) was a protective factor for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Conclusion: Cancer nodules are closely related to the tumor stage and prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The number of cancerous nodules is an independent risk factor for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Effects of sodium selenite and coated sodium selenite on lactation performance, total tract nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation in Holstein dairy cows

Se can enhance lactation performance by improving nutrient utilization and antioxidant status. However, sodium selenite (SS) can be reduced to non-absorbable elemental Se in the rumen, thereby reducing the intestinal availability of Se. The study investigated the impacts of SS and coated SS (CSS) supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbiota in dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were blocked by parity, daily milk yield and days in milk and randomly assigned to five treatments: control, SS addition (0.3 mg Se/kg DM as SS addition) or CSS addition (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg Se/kg DM as CSS addition for low CSS (LCSS), medium CSS (MCSS) and high CSS (HCSS), respectively). Experiment period was 110 days with 20 days of adaptation and 90 days of sample collection. Dry matter intake was higher for MCSS and HCSS compared with control. Yields of milk, milk fat and milk protein and feed efficiency were higher for MCSS and HCSS than for control, SS and LCSS. Digestibility of DM and organic matter was highest for CSS addition, followed by SS addition and then control. Digestibility of CP was higher for MCSS and HCSS than for control, SS and LCSS. Higher digestibility of ether extract, NDF and ADF was observed for SS or CSS addition. Ruminal pH decreased with dietary Se addition. Acetate to propionate ratio and ammonia N were lower, and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentration was greater for SS, MCSS and HCSS than control. Ruminal H ion concentration was highest for MCSS and HCSS and lowest for control. Activities of cellobiase, carboxymethyl-cellulase, xylanase and protease and copies of total bacteria, fungi, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus amylophilus increased with SS or CSS addition. Activity of α-amylase, copies of protozoa, Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and serum glucose, total protein, albumin and glutathione peroxidase were higher for SS, MCSS and HCSS than for control and LCSS. Dietary SS or CSS supplementation elevated blood Se concentration and total antioxidant capacity activity. The data implied that milk yield was elevated due to the increase in total tract nutrient digestibility, total VFA concentration and microorganism population with 0.2 or 0.3 mg Se/kg DM from CSS supplementation in dairy cows. Compared with SS, HCSS addition was more efficient in promoting lactation performance of dairy cows.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of NTRK-rearranged mesenchymal tumors in childhood]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of pediatric NTRK-rearranged tumors. Methods: Four NTRK-rearranged soft tissue tumors and one renal tumor at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University and Singapore KK Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2017 to September 2019 were identified. Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry, and the ALK and ETV6 gene break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridizations (FISH) were performed. NTRK gene rearrangement was detected using sequencing-based methods. Results: There were 3 males and 2 females in this study. The patients were between 3 months and 13 years of age. Histologically, the tumors were infiltrative spindle cell tumors with variable accompanying inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry showed positive reactivity for pan-TRK in all tumors, with nuclear staining for NTRK3 fusion, and cytoplasmic staining for NTRK1 fusion. The molecular testing revealed NTRK gene fusions (one each of TPM3-NTRK1, ETV6-NTRK3 and DCTN1-NTRK1, and two cases of LMNA-NTRK1). Two patients were receiving larotrectinib. The others were are well without disease, with follow-up durations of 9 to 29 months. Conclusions: NTRK-rearranged mesenchymal tumors from soft tissue sites and kidney are identified. A novel DCTN1-NTRK1 fusion is described. Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry is useful for diagnosis. NTRK-targeted therapy may be an option for unresectable, recurrent or metastatic cases.

[Pathological characteristics and survival analysis of 355 patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms]

Objective: Biological behavior, pathological characteristics and prognostic factors of 355 cases with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) were analyzed in this retrospective study. Methods: In our study, 355 patients pathologically diagnosed as GEP-NENs were identified from April 2006 to November 2017 in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The biological behavior, pathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 355 patients (228 males and 127 females) with a mean age of 58.3±10.7 years. GEP-NENs were detected most frequently in the stomach (48.2%), followed by the pancreas (16.1%), colorectum (14.1%), esophagus (7.6%), duodenum/jejunum(5.6%), liver (4.2%), appendix (2.3%) and gallbladder/bile duct (2.0%). The main clinical manifestations of non-functional GEP-NENs were abdominal pain (88/350, 25.14%), ventosity (77/350, 22.00%) and dysphagia (68/350, 19.43%), which were generally lacking specificity at the first diagnosis. 295 patients were treated surgically, including 45 cases of endoscopic resection and 250 cases of laparoscopic operation. Concerning to pathological grading, there were 22.5% (80/355) patients in grade 1 (G1), 12.7% (45/355) in grade 2 (G2), and 58.9% (209/355) in grade 3 (G3). The median follow-up time was 34 months. Furthermore, the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival calculated by Kaplan-Meier method were 80.1%, 59.8%, and 57.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor site, treatment, operation type, depth of tumor invasion, TNM staging, pathological grading, vascular embolus, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, preoperative leukomonocyte level and preoperative plasma albumin were associated with overall survival (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that treatment, operation type, depth of tumor invasion, TNM staging, pathological grading, vascular embolus, lymph node metastasis and tumor size were independent prognostic factors for GEP-NENs (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The clinicopathological characteristics of GEP-NENs should be mastered by clinicians, and the standard treatment measures were also needed to be formulated based on the prognostic factors in order to improve the prognosis of patients.

All in one plasma process: From the preparation of S-C composite cathode to alleviation of polysulfide shuttle in Li-S batteries

Tremendous efforts have been made to improve the electrochemical performance of the lithium-sulfur batteries. However, challenges remain in achieving fast electronic and ionic transport while accommodate the significant cathode volumetric change. On the other hand, the severe capacity decay mainly attributed to polysulfide shuttle also hampers the practical applications. Here, we report a simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly method for the one-step preparation of a binder-free S-C composite cathode by plasma dissociation of CS₂ containing gases at room-temperature. The key issue of polysulfide shuttle effect in Li-S batteries is also effectively resolved just by the introduction of N₂ into the precursor gases. The electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of ~600 mAh/g of the total hybrid of S + C at 100 mA/g after 100 cycles with an excellent initial coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%. The cells also demonstrate along cycle life and an extremely high capacity of ~306 mAh/g even after 300 cycles at 1 A/g with a high coulombic efficiency of about 100%. The proposed method will open the way for the plasma applications in facile preparation of Li-S batteries and the improvement of its electrochemical performance.

Relationship between Expression Changes of CB2R and Wound Age of Brain Contusion in Mice

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of cannabinoid type 2 receptor （CB2R） at different time points after brain contusion and its relationship with wound age of mice. Methods A mouse brain contusion model was established with PCI3000 Precision Cortical Impactor. Expression changes of CB2R around the injured area were detected with immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting at different time points. Results Immunohistochemical staining results showed that only a few cells in the cerebral cortex of the sham operated group had CB2R positive expression. The ratio of CB2R positive cells gradually increased after injury and reached the peak twice at 12 h and 7 d post-injury, followed by a decrease to the normal level 28 d post-injury. The results of Western blotting were consistent with the immunohistochemical staining results. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that the changes of the ratio of CB2R positive cells in neurons, CB2R positive cells in monocytes and CB2R positive cells in astrocytes to the total cell number showed a single peak pattern, which peaked at 12 h, 1 d and 7 d post-injury, respectively. Conclusion The expression of CB2R after brain contusion in neurons, monocytes and astrocytes in mice suggests that it is likely to be involved in the regulation of the biological functions of those cells. The changes in CB2R are time-dependent, which suggests its potential applicability as a biological indicator for wound age estimation of brain contusion in forensic practice.

[A reevaluation of diagnostic efficacy of International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis and Japanese Association for Acute Medicine criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis disseminated intravascular coagulation]

Objective: To reevaluate the diagnostic efficacy of International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) and Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) criteria for sepsis disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Methods: A total of 769 patients diagnosed as sepsis were enrolled in our study. Blood samples were collected within the first hour in ICU and the index of coagulation was detected. The correlation between the conventional coagulation index and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores was analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic efficacy were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: In the 769 cases, 95 cases (12.35%) conformed to the standard of ISTH and 271 cases (35.24%) were in accordance with the standard of JAAM. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) was seen in 726 cases (94.41%). Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged in 434 cases (56.44%). Plasma fibrinogen (Fib) was decreased in 94 cases (12.22%) and increased in 365 cases(47.46%). Platelet (PLT) count decreased in 158 cases (20.55%). D-dimer was elevated in 759 cases (98.70%). Fibrin degradation product (FDP) was increased in 724 cases (94.15%). PT, APTT, D-dimer, FDP, PLT were correlated with APACHE Ⅱ(r value were 0.259, 0.348, 0.319, 0.289,-0.275, all P values<0.05) and SOFA score(r values were 0.409, 0.445, 0.407, 0.411,-0.526, respectively, all P values<0.05). The areas under the curve (AUCs) in the ISTH standard from high to low were accordingly PT (0.813), FDP (0.792), PLT (0.746), Fib (0.563). The AUCs from high to low were FDP (0.844), PLT (0.716), and PT (0.660), respectively in the JAAM standard. Under the criteria of ISTH, the diagnostic sensitivities of PT, PLT, Fib and FDP were 92.63%, 67.37%, 9.47%, 98.95%, respectively, and specificities as 53.56%, 86.05%, 99.26% and 33.38%% respectively. As to the JAAM criteria, the diagnostic sensitivities of PT, PLT, and FDP were 74.54%, 52.77%, 91.51% and specificities as 51.61%, 84.94%, 40.76% respectively. Conclusions: According to the ISTH and JAAM diagnostic criteria, the diagnostic efficacy of PT and PLT is relatively high, which is associated with the severity of DIC. D-dimer and FDP have the high sensitivity but the specificity is poor. The diagnostic specificity of Fib is good, yet with low sensitivity and poor overall efficacy.

KLF11 promotes gastric cancer invasion and migration by increasing Twist1 expression

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of global cancer-related death. The incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer in China are second and third ranked in all forms of malignant tumors. Krüppel-like factor11 (KLF11) is a member of the KLF family, and previous studies have shown it significantly influences epithelial ovarian, pancreatic and liver cancer proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the expression and some biological functions of KLF11 in GC are still unclear. We therefore collected and analyzed the mRNA and protein expressions of KLF11 in 59 paired gastric cancer tissues and matched healthy gastric tissue samples. We then investigated the KLF 11 biological functions and potential mechanisms in BGC823 and HGC27 gastric cancer cell lines. Analysis of KLF11 in gastric cancer specimens confirmed up-regulation compared to adjacent healthy gastric tissues, and similar results were evident in the GC cell lines. Ectopic expression of KLF11 was significantly associated with GC cell invasion and migration. KLF11 functions were most effective in Twist1 expression and knockdown, and also in KLF11 up-regulation which was accompanied by corresponding change in Twist1 expression; but these effects were inhibited when KLF11 was silenced by the small interfering RNA (siRNA). The relative Twist1 promoter region activity increased gradually with increasing KLF11 plasma, and KLF11 therefore has a critical role in regulating gastric cancer migration and invasion by increasing Twist1 expression. Finally, the results of this study should improve understanding of the KLF11 and EMT regulating network and KLF11's use as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Three-vessel-trachea view in the diagnosis of fetal cardiac great vessel malformation

Fetal cardiac great vessel malformation is attracting increasing attention in the prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal congenital heart disease. To investigate the clinical diagnostic values of three-vessel-trachea view (3VT view) in the ultrasonic diagnosis of this malformation, the present study analyzed the echocardiographic examination results of 77 fetuses with great vessel malformation, retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic characteristics in the three-vessel-trachea view, and followed up the enrolled cases. The results suggest that great vessel malformation had characteristic manifestations, such as abnormal arrangement order, inner diameter, blood flow direction and branch. Color Doppler flow imaging found V, O, C, U, Ioo and oVo structures. There were 20 cases of blood vessel position abnormality, 38 cases of abnormal blood vessel diameter, and 19 cases of abnormal number of blood vessels. The detection rate of abnormal blood vessel diameter was 95%, which was the highest; the detection rate of abnormal blood vessel position was 97.4%, and that of abnormal number of blood vessels was 84.2%. It is concluded that the 3VT view can indicate fetal cardiac great vessel malformation. The 3VT view is beneficial to timely prenatal diagnosis, relief of body pain and improvement of quality of birth.

[Changes and differences of DNA methylation in human macrophages infected with virulent and avirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis]

Objective: To profile DNA methylation and compare differentially methylated region (DMR) of macrophages infected with virulent and avirulent strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Methods: PMA(50 ng/ml) treated THP-1 macrophages were left uninfected or infected with the virulent H37Rv(THP-1/Rv) or avirulent H37Ra(THP-1/Ra). The genomic DNA was then extracted and DNA methylation was profiled via Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS). The DNA methylation pattern and DMRs between the tested samples were indentified. DMRs-associated genes were annotated, clustered by Gene Ontology (GO), and the pathways analyzed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). mRNA expression of several DMR-associated genes were verified by Q-PCR, and Student's t-test was used to analyze the differential expression between either 2 samples. Results: The mostly DNA methylated C in 3 samples was in CG, accounting for 98% of all types of methylated C(CG, CGH, CHH). Besides, the average DNA methylation level in THP-1/Rv, THP-1/Ra and THP-1/NC were 7.72%, 7.38% and 7.58% in the promoter, and 9.90%, 9.57% and 9.80% in the CpG island (CGI), respectively. We identified 58 DMRs between H37Rv and H37Ra infected THP-1 macrophages with an average length of 152 bp. Six DMRs-associated genes were enriched. Among them, AP-1 and DDIT4 were differentially expressed in cells infected with H37Rv and H37Ra. Conclusions: Infection with MTB is not correlated with a large-scale gain or loss in DNA methylation in host cells. AP-1 and DDIT4 might be novel virulence-related genes regulated by DNA methylation of their corresponding promoter regions.

[A retrospective clinical study of sixty-three cases with persistent inflammation immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome]

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with persistent inflammation immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome (PICS) in ICU. Methods: A total of 126 patients admitted to ICU (ICU stay of more than 10 days, age≥18 years) between January 2014 to December 2014 were retrospectively studied.Data were collected from electronic medical records including demographics, underlying disease, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, laboratory parameters, ICU acquired infections and clinical outcome. Results: The overall incidence of PICS in ICU patients (ICU stay of more than 10 days) was 50.0%(63/126). There were no significant differences in baseline data such as gender, age, APACHEⅡscore, SOFA score and underlying diseases between the two groups(all P>0.05). Compared with the non-PICS group, there were more patients with gastrointestinal perforation in the PICS group (P=0.042), however, the medical or surgical admission did not differ between the two groups(P>0.05). During the stay in ICU, the PICS group showed a higher risk of developing acquired infections compared with the non-PICS group[PICS 63.5%(40/63) vs non-PICS 23.8%(15/63); P<0.001]. The infections were more caused by Candida in the PICS group than the non-PICS group [PICS 22.4%(11/49) vs non-PICS 2/17; P=0.003]. Moreover, the PICS group experienced longer stay in ICU[PICS(31.6±28.8) days vs non-PICS (20.4±11.3) days; P=0.0046] and higher ICU mortality [PICS 28.6%(18/63) vs non-PICS 6.3%(4/63), P=0.001]. Conclusion: PICS is a common manifestation of patients who stay in ICU more than 10 days, which is associated with high risk of ICU acquired infections, prolonged length of stay and high mortality.

[DNA damage associated genetic variants contribute to lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between DNA damage-related genetic variants and lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population.

METHODS

This case-control study enrolled patients from the Cancer Hospital of Jiangsu Province and Jiangsu Province Hospital from 2003 to 2009. Controls were randomly selected from individuals who visited the same hospital or a community-based health examination program during the same time period. A 5 ml venous blood sample was obtained from each participant and epidemiological information was collected on a standard questionnaire. Illumina Infinium(®) BeadChip was used for genotyping of 35 DNA damage-related single nucleotide variations (SNVs), which were identified in our previous study. Multivariate and binary logistic regressions were used to calculate the OR and 95%CI for lung cancer risk. HaploReg V4.1 and Regulome DB were used to understand functional annotation on important SNV.

RESULTS

The distributions of age (61.06±10.15) vs. (61.32±11.07) years; t=-0.72, P=0.473) and sex (χ(2)=1.81, P=0.179) were similar between cases and controls. However, the case group had a higher frequency of smokers (61.08% vs. 48.54%; χ(2)=50.04, P<0.001) and heavy smokers (42.28% vs. 24.07%; χ(2)=122.32, P<0.001). Among the 34 SNVs that passed quality control, two SNVs were significantly associated with lung cancer risk after adjustments for age, sex and cumulative smoking dose: rs9267576 C>A (CA genotype/CC genotype, OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.40) and rs3130683 A>G (AG genotype/AA genotype, OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.09). After step-wise logistic regression analysis, only the rs3130683 SNV was retained in the model, indicating that the association between rs9267576 and lung cancer may be due to the effect of rs3130683. Functional annotation indicated that rs3130683 was located in the promoter and enhancer regions, and was an expression quantitative trait loci of HLA. The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that expression of HLA-C, DQB1, DRB1 and DRB5 in lung cancer tissue was significantly lower than in paired normal tumor-adjacent tissue, with down-regulation of the four respective genes in 81.3%, 88.8%, 90.7% and 90.7% of lung cancer tissues (P-values were 6.68×10(-15), 2.21×10(-13), 2.20×10(-16), 2.58×10(-13), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The SNV rs3130683 (A>G) was associated with the risk of lung cancer in a Han Chinese population. This SNV may affect the risk of lung cancer by regulating HLA expression.

Magnetization reversal and magnetic interactions in anisotropic Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B/MgO/α-Fe disks and multilayers

We report on a field induced domain evolutionary procedure in the anisotropic Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B/MgO/Fe multilayers by using first-order-reversal-curves and magnetic force microscopy. Different reversal behaviors and domain sizes are found in well coupled and decoupled multilayers by changing the thickness of the spacer layer. The competition between dipolar magnetostatic energy and Zeeman energy is evaluated by in-field observation throughout nucleation and annihilation processes. In addition, lithography-patterned arrays of soft Fe disks onto a continuous Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B hard-magnetic layer are designed. By decreasing the applied field, it is found that magnetization orientations of the Fe disk and Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B layer are aligned parallel. In the decoupled disk, although the out-of-plane magnetization orientations are observed, the orientation of the domains in the Fe disk is random. Furthermore, it is found that a stronger anisotropy of the Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B layer decreases the interaction length. Our results provide a new understanding of anisotropic nanocomposite magnets with long-ranged magnetic interactions.

[Modified capsular arthroplasty for young patients with developmental dislocation of the hip]

Developmental dislocation of the hip(DDH) is one of the most serious hip diseases. Patients with unilateral DDH are prone to secondary osteoarthritis, low back pain, gait disturbance and compensatory scoliosis because of the leg length discrepancy. Total hip arthroplasty(THA) is the highly effective treatment for patients with hip pain or dysfunction caused by unilateral DDH, thus decrease the demand for hip-preserving surgeries such as capsular arthroplasty which may postpone or avoid hip replacement. However, the failure rate of THA for young patients is high and the majority of young patients may require one or more revision arthroplasties throughout their lifetime. The basic principle of capsular arthroplasty is that the femoral head wrapped by capsule is placed into a newly reamed socket on the location of true acetabulum. Therefore, hip replacement for patients with previous capsular arthroplasty becomes easier and safer than primary THA. However, the early capsular arthroplasty have been abandoned due to the relatively high rates of femoral head necrosis and hip stiffness. Ganz modified the early procedure with the technique of surgical hip dislocation in 2012, and emphasized the importance of postoperative rehabilitation. The incidence of complication, therefore, decreased greatly due to the preservation of main blood supply of femoral head as well as the proper postoperative management. In order to improve the clinical outcomes of this modified procedure, the selection of indications and surgeons' experience should also be taken into consideration.

[Novel biomarkers for latent tuberculosis infection by plasma proteomic profiling]

OBJECTIVE

To screen specific biomarkers for latent tuberculosis infection by comparing the plasma proteomic profiling between latent tuberculosis infection and healthy controls.

METHODS

The plasma proteins from 15 cases with latent tuberculosis infection and 15 healthy controls were detected by the label-free quantitative proteomic technology. Differential expressed proteins were analyzed by GO, KEGG, and BiNGO analysis. Student's t test was used to analyze the differential expression between 2 groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-three candidate proteins were identified, among which 15 proteins were downregulated (<0.5-fold at P<0.05) and 8 proteins were upregulated (>2.0-fold at P<0.05) in the latent tuberculosis infection group. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 3 proteins AAT, C3 and C4A to be the most significant.

CONCLUSION

There were differential plasma protein profiles between latent tuberculosis infection and healthy controls. Candidate proteins AAT, C3 and C4A were promising biomarkers for discriminating cases with latent tuberculosis infection from healthy persons.

Modified cytospin slide microscopy method for rapid diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a modified method of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain and determine whether it improves the detection rate of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens.

DESIGN

Bronchoscopy of patients with suspected smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients was conducted to collect BALF to assess the efficacy and accuracy of the modified method for PTB diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 106 BALF specimens was collected from 74 PTB patients on the basis of BALF samples that were culture-positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When analysed by patient, the sensitivity and specificity of our modified method were respectively 87.8% and 99.6%, while the positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were respectively 98.5% and 96.8%. Conversely, the sensitivity of direct smears and concentrated smears was respectively 16.2% and 37.8%, with 100% specificity. On analysing 106 samples, the culture positivity rate of the direct smear and the concentrated smear methods was respectively 76.4%, 13.2% and 34%, while it was 91.5% for the modified method.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of our modified method was significantly higher than that of direct or concentrated smears. Overall, the modified method improved the detection rate of AFB in BALF specimens, and provided an efficient and accurate diagnosis of PTB in patients with suspected smear-negative PTB.

Valence-band offset and forward-backward charge transfer in manganite/NiO and manganite/LaNiO3 heterostructures

The valence-band offset (VBO) of the La(0.67)Sr(0.33)MnO(3)/NiO (LSMO/NiO), LaMnO(3)/NiO (LMO/NiO), LSMO/LaNiO(3) (LSMO/LNO) and LMO/LaNiO(3) (LSMO/LNO) heterostructures has been investigated using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The VBO values are calculated to be -0.72, -0.05, +1.43 and +1.51 eV for the LSMO/NiO, LSMO/LNO, LMO/LNO and LMO/NiO heterostructures, respectively. Hence, when compared with NiO and LNO, the valence band of LSMO is shifted to a lower binding energy, whereas that of LMO is shifted to a higher binding energy. In addition, the charge transfer at the interfaces has been depicted as Mn(3.3+) + 0.7e→ Mn(2.6+), Mn(3.3+) + 0.1e→ Mn(3.2+), Mn(3.0+)- 0.4e→ Mn(3.4+) and Mn(3.0+)- 0.5e→ Mn(3.5+) for the LSMO/NiO, LSMO/LNO, LMO/LNO and LMO/NiO heterostructures, respectively. Thus, the charge transfer procedure can be described as electron hopping from NiO and LNO to LSMO in the LSMO/NiO and LSMO/LNO heterostructures, and electron hopping from LMO to NiO and LNO in the LMO/NiO and LSMO/LNO heterostructures. Therefore, the charge transfer is dependent on the VBO, and the charge transfer direction can be determined from the negative or positive values of the VBO.

CoxNi100-x nanoparticles encapsulated by curved graphite layers: controlled in situ metal-catalytic preparation and broadband microwave absorption

We report a one-step approach for preparing dispersive CoxNi100-x nanoparticles completely encapsulated by curved graphite layers. The nanoparticles were prepared by evaporating Co-Ni alloys and the shell of graphite layers was formed by in situ metal-catalytic growth on the surface of nanoparticles whose layer number was controlled by tuning the Co content of the alloys. By modulating the composition of the magnetic core and the layer number of the shell, the magnetic and dielectric properties of these core/shell structures are simultaneously optimized and their permeability and permittivity were improved to obtain the enhanced electromagnetic match. As a result, the bandwidth of reflection loss (RL) exceeding -20 dB (99% absorption) of the nanocapsules is 9.6 GHz for S1, 12.8 GHz for S2, 13.5 GHz for S3 and 14.2 GHz for S4. The optimal RL value reaches -53 dB at 13.2 GHz for an absorber thickness of 2.55 mm. An optimized impedance match by controlling the growth of the core and shell is responsible for this extraordinary microwave absorption.

Monopole excitations of a harmonically trapped one-dimensional Bose gas from the ideal gas to the Tonks-Girardeau regime

Using a time-dependent modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation (MNLSE)-where the conventional chemical potential proportional to the density is replaced by the one inferred from Lieb-Liniger's exact solution-we study frequencies of the collective monopole excitations of a one-dimensional Bose gas. We find that our method accurately reproduces the results of a recent experimental study [E. Haller et al., Science 325, 1224 (2009)] in the full spectrum of interaction regimes from the ideal gas, through the mean-field regime, through the mean-field Thomas-Fermi regime, all the way to the Tonks-Giradeau gas. While the former two are accessible by the standard time-dependent NLSE and inaccessible by the time-dependent local density approximation, the situation reverses in the latter case. However, the MNLSE is shown to treat all these regimes within a single numerical method.

Inadequate values from an interferon-gamma release assay for smear-negative tuberculosis in a high-burden setting

OBJECTIVE

To examine the usefulness of an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for the diagnosis of smear-negative tuberculosis (TB) in China.

DESIGN

A total of 624 patients with presumed pulmonary TB were enrolled prospectively and categorised as smear-negative TB, smear-positive TB or no TB. All patients were tested using T-SPOT.TB.

RESULTS

Both the smear-negative and smear-positive TB groups had significantly more spot-forming cells (SFCs) than the no TB group (all P < 0.001), while the smear-negative group had fewer SFCs than the smear-positive TB group (P < 0.001). The specificity of T-SPOT.TB was 60.4% (95%CI 53.4-67.1). The sensitivities of T-SPOT.TB in the smear-negative and smear-positive TB groups were respectively 81.4% (95%CI 75.7-86.0) and 93.2% (95%CI 87.6-96.4). The sensitivity in the smear-negative TB group was much lower than that in the smear-positive TB (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity of T-SPOT.TB was lower due the paucibacillary nature of the samples, and the specificity was lower due to the high prevalence of latent tuberculous infection in the smear-negative TB patients. The T-SPOT.TB test should only be used as a supplementary test and not as a single test to rule in or rule out smear-negative TB.

Tailoring the magnetic anisotropy of Py/Ni bilayer films using well aligned atomic steps on Cu(001)

Tailoring the spin orientation at the atomic scale has been a key task in spintronics technology. While controlling the out-of-plane to in-plane spin orientation has been achieved by a precise control of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at atomic layer thickness level, a design and control of the in-plane magnetic anisotropy has not yet been well developed. On well aligned atomic steps of a 6° vicinal Cu(001) surface with steps parallel to the [110] axis, we grow Py/Ni overlayer films epitaxially to permit a systematic exploration of the step-induced in-plane magnetic anisotropy as a function of both the Py and the Ni film thicknesses. We found that the atomic steps from the vicinal Cu(001) induce an in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy that favors both Py and Ni magnetizations perpendicular to the steps, opposite to the behavior of Co on vicinal Cu(001). In addition, thickness-dependent study shows that the Ni films exhibit different magnetic anisotropy below and above ~6 ML Ni thickness.

Annexin A2 is implicated in multi-drug-resistance in gastric cancer through p38MAPK and AKT pathway

Studies have shown that Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is related with tumor proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and its mechanisms of ANXA2 in multi-drug-resistance (MDR) in gastric cancer. ANXA2 expression in both gastric cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. The cell proliferation was measured by SRB assay. The pool of siRNA against ANXA2 was designed and synthesized and then transfected into resistant gastric cancer SGC7901/DDP cells. ANXA2 expression was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Drug sensitivities of SGC7901/DDP cells to P-gp-related drug (doxorubicin) and P-gp-non-related drugs (5-FU and cisplatin) were measured by SRB assay. Expression of MDR-related genes and phosphorylation of AKT and MAPKs were also detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results showed that ANXA2 expression was significantly higher in gastric specimens than that in normal tissues, and negatively correlated with the differentiation level of gastric cancer. In addition, ANXA2 expression level was higher in SGC7901/DDP cells than that in parent SGC7901 cells. After knock-down ANXA2 expression using ANXA2 small interfering RNA, the drug sensitivity of SGC7901/DDP cells to doxorubicin, 5-FU and DDP increased. Delivery of ANXA2 siRNA significantly downregulated the expression of P-gp, MRP1 and Bcl-2, while markedly upregulated Bax in SGC7901/DDP cells. However, several other MDR factors such as GST-π, TOPO-I and TOPO-II had no obvious changes. Additionally, phosphorylation of P38MAPK and AKT, but not ERK1/2 or JNKs was specifically decreased in SGC7901/DDP cells after ANXA2 siRNA delivery. Importantly, P38MAPK and AKT inhibitor increased the drug sensitivity of SGC701/DDP cells in a similar way as ANXA2 siRNAs does. ANXA2 is involved in gastric cancer MDR through regulating p38MAPK and AKT pathways as well as certain MDR factors.

Granularity controlled nonsaturating linear magnetoresistance in topological insulator Bi2Te3 films

We report on the magnetotransport properties of chemical vapor deposition grown films of interconnected Bi2Te3 nanoplates. Similar to many other topological insulator (TI) materials, these granular Bi2Te3 films exhibit a linear magnetoresistance (LMR) effect which has received much recent attention. Studying samples with different degree of granularity, we find a universal correlation between the magnitude of the LMR and the average mobility (⟨μ⟩) of the films over nearly 2 orders of magnitude change of ⟨μ⟩. The granularity controlled LMR effect here is attributed to the mobility fluctuation induced classical LMR according to the Parish-Littlewood theory. These findings have implications to both the fundamental understanding and magnetoresistive device applications of TI and small bandgap semiconductor materials.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism of the pri-miR-34b/c gene is not associated with susceptibility to congenital heart disease in the Han Chinese population

Recent evidence has shown that the microRNA polymorphism may play an important role in the susceptibility to congenital heart disease (CHD). A potentially functional SNP rs4938723 (T>C) in the promoter region of pri-miR-34b/c might affect transcription factor GATA binding and therefore pri-miR-34b/c expression. We genotyped the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism in a case-control study of 590 patients and 672 controls in a Han Chinese population and assessed the effects of the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism on CHD susceptibility by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. There was no association between the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism and the risk of CHD in both genotype and allelic frequency. In a subsequent analysis of the association between this polymorphism and CHD classification, there was still no significant difference in both genotype and allelic frequency. Our results suggest that the pri-miR-34b/c polymorphism rs4938723 is not associated with susceptibility to sporadic CHD in the Han Chinese population.

S100A4 silencing suppresses proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion of thyroid cancer cells through downregulation of MMP-9 and VEGF

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is well documented that S100A4 is upregulated in many cancers and plays a pivotal role in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. However, the precise role and mechanism S100A4 exerts in the thyroid cancer have not been fully elucidated to date. In the present study, we investigated the effect of S100A4 on proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis in thyroid cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A plasmid construct was made that expressed full long S100A4 cDNA. The construct was stably transfected into BCPAP and ML-1 thyroid cancer cells (BCPAP/ S100A4 cDNA, ML-1/S100A4 cDNA). S100A4 siRNA was transiently transfected into the DRO cells (DRO/S100A4 siRNA). MMP-9 siRNA or VEGF siRNA was transiently transfected into the BCPAP/ S100A4 cDNA, ML-1/S100A4 cDNA cells (BCPAP/ S100A4 cDNA/VEGF siRNA, ML-1/S100A4 cDNA/ MMP-9 siRNA).

RESULTS

We found that the down-regulation of S100A4 by small interfering RNA decreased cell invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis by using chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), whereas S100A4 overexpression by cDNA transfection led to increased tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Consistent with these results, we found that the down-regulation of S100A4 reduced VEGF and MMP-9 expression. Furthermore, Knockdown of MMP-9 by MMP-9 siRNA inhibited cell invasion and metastasis in the BCPAP/S100A4 cDNA, ML-1/S100A4 cDNA cells. Knockdown of VEGF by VEGF siRNA inhibited cell angiogenesis in the BCPAP/ S100A4 cDNA, ML-1/S100A4 cDNA cells.We also found that downregulation of S100A4 by small interfering RNA resulted in enhanced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, and vice versa. Our data suggest S100A4 could be an effective approach for the regulation of proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. Downregulation of S100A4 could inhibit angiogenesis, proliferation and invasion by regulating the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that the downregulation of S100A4 using RNAi technology may provide an effective tool for thyroid cancer therapy.

Meta-analysis demonstrates lack of association of the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with bladder cancer risk

The functional polymorphism Ser326Cys (rs1052133) in the human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) gene has been implicated in bladder cancer risk. However, reports of this association between the Ser326Cys polymorphism and bladder cancer risk are conflicting. In order to help clarify this relationship, we made a meta-analysis of seven case-control studies, summing 2521 cases and 2408 controls. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) to assess the strength of the association. Overall, no significant association between the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and bladder cancer risk was found for Cys/Cys vs Ser/Ser (OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 0.74-1.65), Ser/Cys vs Ser/Ser (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.81-1.42), Cys/Cys + Ser/Cys vs Ser/Ser (OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.87-1.33), and Cys/Cys vs Ser/Cys + Ser/Ser (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.65-1.69). Even when stratified by ethnicity, no significant association was observed. We concluded that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism does not contribute to susceptibility to bladder cancer.

Liver abscesses in adult patients with and without diabetes mellitus: an analysis of the clinical characteristics, features of the causative pathogens, outcomes and predictors of fatality: a report based on a large population, retrospective study in China

In China, there are four types of liver abscesses (LAs) that meet the clinical criteria. Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) and amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs) are two of the most common types of abscesses, followed by fungal liver abscesses (FLAs) and hydatid secondary liver abscesses (HsLAs). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with the development of PLAs. However, there is a lack of population-based studies that have evaluated the underlying relationship between LAs (mainly PLAs and FLAs) and DM. We conducted a retrospective study based on a large population to identify the potential differences and factors that affect the mortality of PLA patients in DM and non-DM groups. Our results revealed that the prevalence of DM is 44.3% (158/357) in PLA patients and 35.3% (18/51) in FLA patients. Compared with the non-DM patients, statistically significant differences were found in DM patients according to symptomatology, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, microbiological characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, clinical treatments and outcomes in relation to mortality. In addition, the status of antibiotic resistance to E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which were isolated from the patient samples, is severe in the area in which the study was conducted. Regarding the treatment of PLAs, our study indicated that broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy and drug combinations should be recommended and initiated before the pathogens are cultured and identified. In the clinic, therapies that combine percutaneous drainage with antibiotics and surgery with antibiotics are the two most useful strategies for treating an LA. These two combined treatments resulted in satisfactory cure rates. In the DM and non-DM groups, the cure rates for percutaneous drainage with antibiotics were 90.3% and 92.0%, respectively, and the cure rates for surgery with antibiotics were 93.9% and 95.2%, respectively.

A validated predictive model of coronary fractional flow reserve

Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR), an important index of coronary stenosis, is measured by a pressure sensor guidewire. The determination of FFR, only based on the dimensions (lumen diameters and length) of stenosis and hyperaemic coronary flow with no other ad hoc parameters, is currently not possible. We propose an analytical model derived from conservation of energy, which considers various energy losses along the length of a stenosis, i.e. convective and diffusive energy losses as well as energy loss due to sudden constriction and expansion in lumen area. In vitro (constrictions were created in isolated arteries using symmetric and asymmetric tubes as well as an inflatable occluder cuff) and in vivo (constrictions were induced in coronary arteries of eight swine by an occluder cuff) experiments were used to validate the proposed analytical model. The proposed model agreed well with the experimental measurements. A least-squares fit showed a linear relation as (Δp or FFR)(experiment) = a(Δp or FFR)(theory) + b, where a and b were 1.08 and -1.15 mmHg (r(2) = 0.99) for in vitro Δp, 0.96 and 1.79 mmHg (r(2) = 0.75) for in vivo Δp, and 0.85 and 0.1 (r(2) = 0.7) for FFR. Flow pulsatility and stenosis shape (e.g. eccentricity, exit angle divergence, etc.) had a negligible effect on myocardial FFR, while the entrance effect in a coronary stenosis was found to contribute significantly to the pressure drop. We present a physics-based experimentally validated analytical model of coronary stenosis, which allows prediction of FFR based on stenosis dimensions and hyperaemic coronary flow with no empirical parameters.

High dielectric loss in graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules

Graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules, with Ti nanoparticles as core and onion-like graphite layers as shell, have been prepared by a modified arc-discharge method in ethanol atmosphere, and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of the graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules have been investigated in the 2-18 GHz range. An equivalent circuit model was used to interpret the non-linear dielectric resonance behavior of the graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules. The high dielectric loss is mainly attributed to conductance loss and dipole-relaxation loss in the graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules. The graphite-coated Ti nanocapsules exhibit promising properties for application as a new type of shield or absorbent of electromagnetic waves.

Evaluation of POSSUM in predicting post-operative morbidity in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) is a predictive scoring system for post-operative morbidity. The present study assessed the value of POSSUM in predicting post-operative morbidity following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). POSSUM scores were prospectively calculated for 265 consecutive cases of PD performed between 2005 and 2007. Expected morbidity was estimated based on POSSUM scores and was compared with observed morbidity. Patients were also stratified into one of four groups based on their individual POSSUM scores and subsequent risk of morbidity. Mean expected morbidity was 43.81% (116 cases) and mean observed morbidity was 39.62% (105 cases) (no statistically significant difference). It is concluded that the POSSUM scoring system has high value for predicting the risk of morbidity in PD patients.

The Linear Thermal Expansion of Bulk Nanocrystalline Ingot Iron from Liquid Nitrogen to 300 K

The linear thermal expansions (LTE) of bulk nanocrystalline ingot iron (BNII) at six directions on rolling plane and conventional polycrystalline ingot iron (CPII) at one direction were measured from liquid nitrogen temperature to 300 K. Although the volume fraction of grain boundary and residual strain of BNII are larger than those of CPII, LTE of BNII at the six measurement directions were less than those of CPII. This phenomenon could be explained with Morse potential function and the crystalline structure of metals. Our LTE results ruled out that the grain boundary and residual strain of BNII did much contribution to its thermal expansion. The higher interaction potential energy of atoms, the less partial derivative of interaction potential energy with respect to temperature T and the porosity free at the grain boundary of BNII resulted in less LTE in comparison with CPII from liquid nitrogen temperature to 300 K. The higher LTE of many bulk nanocrystalline materials resulted from the porosity at their grain boundaries. However, many authors attributed the higher LTE of many nanocrystalline metal materials to their higher volume fraction of grain boundaries.

Anti-CD25 mAb, anti-IL2 mAb, and IL2 block tolerance induction through anti-CD154 mAb and rapamycin in xenogeneic islet transplantation

BACKGROUND

We have used anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb; MR1) and rapamycin (rapa) to induce tolerance to islet xenografts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether classical anergy and/or regulation by interleukin (IL)2-dependent CD25+ T regulatory cells played roles in the induction and maintenance of tolerance in this model.

METHODS

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were transplanted with rat islets. We performed the following groups: control group, islet transplantation without therapy; rapamycin group, 0.2 mg/kg by oral gavage on days 0, 1, 2, and every other day to day 14; anti-CD154 mAb (MR1) group, 0.5 mg intraperitoneally on days 0, 2, and 4; combination therapy group with rapa and MR1. We then administered in addition to the combination therapy with early (from days 0 to 14 [for IL2] or to 28 [for anti-IL2 mAb and anti-CD25 mAb] post-transplantation) or late (from days 100 to 114 [for IL2] or to 128 [for anti-IL2 mAb and anti-CD25 mAb] posttransplantation) recombinant IL2 (2000 U, intraperitoneally twice a day), a neutralizing anti-IL2 mAb (S4B6-1, 0.3 mg intraperitoneally twice weekly), and a depleting anti-CD25 mAb (PC61, 0.3 mg intraperitoneally twice weekly), respectively. Histology was performed at time of rejection.

RESULTS

Rapa and MR1 therapy alone significantly prolonged xenograft survival compared to the control group: median graft survival was 34 days versus 17 days (P<.05) and 98 days versus 17 days (P<.05), respectively, but rejection still occurred. Combination therapy with MR1 and rapa allowed indefinite graft survival (median graft survival [MGS]>200 days, P<.001). When exogenous IL2 was administered early with MR1 and rapa, rapid rejection developed in 18 of 18 mice (MGS 7 days), whereas when IL2 was given late, only 3 of 10 developed rejection. Early administration of anti-IL2 mAb led to rejection in 10 of 10 mice (MGS 42 days), whereas late administration led to rejection in only one of four mice. Early administration of anti-CD25 mAb led to rejection in eight of nine mice (MGS 49 days), whereas late administration led to rejection in only three of seven mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapa and MR1 allowed indefinite graft survival of islet xenografts. Classical anergy and regulation by IL2-dependent CD25+ T regulatory cells were critical in the induction of tolerance in the immediate posttransplantation period and less important for maintenance of tolerance.

The Electrochemical Corrosion of Bulk Nanocrystalline Ingot Iron in Acidic Sulfate Solution

The corrosion properties of bulk nanocrystalline ingot iron (BNII) fabricated from conventional polycrystalline ingot iron (CPII) by severe rolling were investigated by means of immersion test, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. These experimental results indicate that BNII possesses excellent corrosion resistance in comparison with CPII in acidic sulfate solution at room temperature. It may mainly result from different surface microstructures between CPII and BNII. However, the corrosion resistance of nanocrystalline materials is usually degraded because of their metastable microstructure nature, and the residual stress in nanocrystalline materials also can result in degradation of corrosion resistance according to the traditional point of view.

Dynamics of a bright soliton in Bose-Einstein condensates with time-dependent atomic scattering length in an expulsive parabolic potential

We present a family of exact solutions of the one-dimensional nonlinear Schro dinger equation which describes the dynamics of a bright soliton in Bose-Einstein condensates with the time-dependent interatomic interaction in an expulsive parabolic potential. Our results show that, under a safe range of parameters, the bright soliton can be compressed into very high local matter densities by increasing the absolute value of the atomic scattering length, which can provide an experimental tool for investigating the range of validity of the one-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We also find that the number of atoms in the bright soliton keeps dynamic stability: a time-periodic atomic exchange is formed between the bright soliton and the background.