[Gene analysis and clinical features of MYH9-related disease]

Objective: To identify gene variants and investigate clinical features of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9-related disease (MYH9-RD). Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of patients with MYH9-RD admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital from July 2017 to September 2020 were extracted. The gene variants, clinical features and laboratory tests results were summarized. Results: Among the 6 children, 4 were males and 2 were females, aged 4.0 (0.5-7.6) years. Main clinical manifestations included thrombocytopenia (6 cases), epistaxis (3 cases), petechias (2 cases), traumatic hematoma (1 case), and abnormal liver enzymes (1 case). One patient had no family history, and the other 5 cases were pedigrees. Two pedigrees (2 cases) had long-term microscopic hematuria, one pedigree (2 cases) had history of early cataract, and three pedigrees (5 cases) had chronic mild elevation of liver enzymes. Four MYH9 gene variants were found in 12 patients, including c.2104C>T(p.R702C) in exon 17, c.4270G>A(p.D1424N) in exon 31, c.5521G>A (p.E1841K) in exon 39, and c.5797C>T (p.R1933X) in exon 41. According to the family pedigrees analysis, except for the case of variant in exon 17 which was spontaneous mutation with no family history, the other variants were from their father or mother. The complete blood count results showed a decreased platelet number in these patients, and the counting results of the automated hematology analyzer were significantly lower than that of manual counting method ((33.4±17.2) × 10⁹ vs. (60.4±21.0) × 10⁹/L,t=-5.83, P<0.05). The examination of the peripheral blood smear revealed the presence of thrombocytopenia with giant platelets and granulocyte inclusion bodies. The MYH9 gene variant (R702C) located at the N-terminus head domain of non-muscle myosin heavy chain ⅡA (NMMHC-ⅡA), which has ATPase activity, led to severe reduction of platelet number (<20×10⁹/L) and obscure granulocyte inclusion bodies. However, higher platelet numbers (40×10⁹-80×10⁹/L) and obvious granulocyte inclusion bodies were observed in patients with tail-position mutations at C-terminus. Conclusions: The clinical phenotypes of MYH9-RD were variable. The mutations in certain regions of MYH9 gene were related to platelet count and granulocyte inclusion bodies. MYH9-RD should be considered in individuals with unknown etiology and persistent thrombocytopenia which is non-responsive to conventional treatment, regardless of family history. Complete blood count and blood smear morphology examinations are the first steps to screen and diagnose the disease. The laboratory should pay attention to the morphological review rules and standardized reports.

[Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with sporadic multiple primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of sporadic multiple primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Case inclusion criteria: (1) postoperative pathological diagnosis of GIST; (2) primary GIST with single lesion or sporadic multiple primary GIST (sporadic GIST was defined as primary GIST other than familial and syndrome-related GIST, and multiple primary GIST was defined as the number of primary GISTs in the same patient ≥ 2); (3) patients with complete clinicopathological data. Those with tumor recurrence or distant metastasis, and with other malignancies were excluded. Medical records of patients with primary GIST who underwent surgical resection in the Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2010 to December 2020 were collected. Patients were divided into sporadic multiple primary GIST group and single primary GIST group according to the number of primary GIST lesions. The clinicopathological data and prognosis of the two groups were observed and compared. Results: A total of 1200 patients with primary GIST were enrolled in this study, including 628 males (52.3%) and 572 females (47.7%), with a median onset age of 58 (19-93) years. Among them, 1165 cases (97.1%) were sporadic primary GIST with single lesion; 35 cases (2.9%) were sporadic multiple primary GIST. Among 35 cases of sporadic multiple primary GIST, 3 cases (8.6%) had acid reflux as the first symptom, which was higher than the single primary GIST group (22/1165, 1.9%) (χ(2)=7.437, P=0.006). There were no significant differences in other clinical characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). Patients in the sporadic multiple primary GIST group contained a total of 80 primary tumors. Compared with the single primary GIST group, the sporadic multiple primary GIST group had a higher proportion of tumors originating in the stomach [87.5% (70/80) vs. 59.1% (689/1165)], lower proportion of spindle cell in histology [85.0% (68/80) vs. 93.7% (1092/1165)], higher proportion of positive CD34 [97.5% (78/80) vs. 87.6% (1021/1165)], smaller maximum diameter [maximum diameter ≤2.0 cm: 61.2% (49/80) vs. 28.8% (335/1165)], lower mitotic rate [≤5/50 high-power fields (HPF): 93.8% (75/80) vs. 74.5% (868/1165)], lower risk of recurrence [60.0% (48/80) vs. 23.3% (271/1165)], and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate in the sporadic multiple primary group and the single primary GIST group was 96.6% and 89.3% respectively (P=0.160), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 100.0% and 92.8%, respectively (P=0.088). Conclusions: The most common type of sporadic multiple primary GIST is multiple tumors originating in the stomach at the same time. Compared with primary GIST with single lesion, sporadic multiple primary GIST presents smaller maximum diameter and lower mitotic rate. The prognosis of patients between two groups is not significantly different.

[Plasma differentially expressed genes and bioinformatics analysis of workers occupationally exposed to mercury]

Objective: To screen and identify plasma differentially expressed genes and related signal pathway by human gene expression profile array and fluorescent quantitative PCR. Methods: From September 2018 to October 2019, 291 workers from a Mercury-in-glass thermometer factory in Jiangsu Province were selected for an occupational health examination, a total of 60 persons were divided into two groups: high and low mercury exposure groups (30 persons in each group) . Plasma total RNA samples from the high exposure group and the low exposure group (10 cases each) were detected by gene expression microarray, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with fold change >2 were selected. DEGs were submitted to David and Metascape for gene function clustering, pathway and protein interaction network analysis. Finally, fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to verify the changes in the expression levels of key DEGs in the high exposure group and the low exposure group (another 20 cases in each group) . Results: A total of 269 DEGs, of which 203 up regulated and 66 down regulated were identified in the differential expression analysis of gene expression microarray. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that, DEGs were involved in forebrain development, glial cell fate determinants of GO biological process and PID NF-KB, PTEN signal pathway. NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 (P<0.05) were confirmed down regulated in high level group by fluorescent quantitative PCR compared with the low level group (fold changes were 2.10, 11.52, 2.19, and 4.38 respectively) . Conclusion: The plasma NFE2L1, SOX8, SOX6 and RNF2 gene expressions are significantly altered in occupa tional high mercury exposure population. PTEN signaling pathway and fate of glia cells determines the biological process may be closely related to the body injury caused by mercury exposure.

[The correlation between serum uric acid levels in the third trimester of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes]

Objective: To investigate the associations between serum uric acid levels during the third trimester of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 7 995 pregnant women who were hospitalized for childbirth from January 2014 to January 2019 were collected to compare pregnancy outcomes between subjects with or without hyperuricemia (HUA). A smooth curve analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between uric acid levels and preterm delivery, low birth weight and smaller than gestational age. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the interaction of the factors. Results: During the third trimester of pregnancy, the uric acid levels of about 10% pregnant women were over 420 μmol/L. In those with HUA, the median neonatal birth weight was 2 590 (1 790, 3 410) g, the probability of premature birth was 49.81%, and the incidence of small than gestational age was 20.41%. These were significantly different from the women without HUA (the median neonatal birth weight: 3300 (2850, 3640) g; the probability of premature birth 23.09%; the incidence of small than gestational age 6.55%, respectively) (All P<0.001). Maternal uric acid levels were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight, and positively correlated with the risk of smaller than gestational age. It has a U-shaped association with the probability of premature birth, and the lowest probability of premature birth was at 200-400 μmol/L of the uric acid. Risks of low birth weight (adjusted β=-5.22, 95%CI-6.46--3.99) and smaller than gestational age (adjusted OR=1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04) were increased in the function of uric acid levels. High uric acid, hypertension, oligoamnios and preeclampsia were important risk factors for the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight enhanced when hyperuricemia combined with hypertension and preeclampsia. Conclusions: Serum uric acid level can be used as one of reliable markers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, which might provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention in practice.

Proton Shell Evolution below ^{132}Sn: First Measurement of Low-Lying β-Emitting Isomers in ^{123,125}Ag

The β-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich ^{123,125}Ag isotopes is investigated at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN, and the long-predicted 1/2^{-} β-emitting isomers in ^{123,125}Ag are identified for the first time. With the new experimental results, the systematic trend of energy spacing between the lowest 9/2^{+} and 1/2^{-} levels is extended in Ag isotopes up to N=78, providing a clear signal for the reduction of the Z=40 subshell gap in Ag towards N=82. Shell-model calculations with the state-of-the-art V_{MU} plus M3Y spin-orbit interaction give a satisfactory description of the low-lying states in ^{123,125}Ag. The tensor force is found to play a crucial role in the evolution of the size of the Z=40 subshell gap. The observed inversion of the single-particle levels around ^{123}Ag can be well interpreted in terms of the monopole shift of the π1g_{9/2} orbitals mainly caused by the increasing occupation of ν1h_{11/2} orbitals.

[Clinical analysis of 92 cases of unilateral sinonasal diseases]

Objective:To investigate the etiology of unilateral sinonasal disease and clinical features. Method:The clinic data of 92 patients with unilateral sinonasal diseases were analyzed. Result:42 cases of chronic sinusitis (31 cases of nasal polyps), 17 cases of nasal inverted papilloma, 9 cases of sinus fungal disease, 6 cases of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, 3 cases of maxillary choanal polyp, 4 cases of nasal blood vessels tumor, 3 cases of sinus osteoma, 6 cases of sinus cyst, 2 cases of sinonasal malignancies. Conclusion:Among unilateral sinonasal diseases, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps are very common, but there are still more than half of the other pathological changes, the most common one is the nasal inverted papilloma. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the preoperative differential diagnosis.

[Comparing the immunogenicity and safety of sequential inoculation of sIPV followed by bOPV (Ⅰ+Ⅲ) in different dosage forms]

Objective: To compare the safety and immunogenicity of two different sequential schedules of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine made from Sabin strain (sIPV) followed by typeⅠ+Ⅲ bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) in Drug Candy (DC) form or liquid dosage form). Methods: This randomized, blinded, single center, parallel-group controlled trial was done from September 2015 to June 2016 in Liuzhou, Guangxi province. Healthy infants aged ≥2 months were eligible for enrollment and divided into 1sIPV+2bOPV or 2sIPV+1bOPV sequential schedules. According to the bOPV dosage form each sequential schedules, the subjects again were divided into drug candy(DC) form or liquid dosage form group, being 1sIPV+bOPV (DC)/1sIPV+2bOPV(liquid)/2sIPV+1bOPV(DC)/2sIPV+1bOPV(liquid). According to 0, 28, 56 d immunization schedule, Each group were given 3 doses. We recorded adverse events during the clinical trial (399 participants who receive at least one dose). 28 days post-Dose 3, we receive a total of 350 blood samples (excluding the quitters or subjects against trial plan), using cell culture trace against polio virus neutralization test Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ neutralizing antibody (GMT), calculating the antibody positive rate.PolioⅠ,Ⅱand Ⅲ antibody titers were assessed by virus-neutralizing antibody assay and the seroconversion (4-fold increase in titer) from pre-Dose 1 to 28 days post-Dose 3 was calculated (total 350 samples) . Results: During the vaccination, the incidence of AEs in 1sIPV+2bOPV(DC), 1sIPV+2bOPV (liquid), 2sIPV+1bOPV(DC), 2sIPV+1bOPV (liquid) group were 79%, 76%, 80% and 74% (χ(2)=1.23, P=0.747) , respectively. The severe AEs in groups were 6%, 5%, 6% and 4% (χ(2)=0.57, P=0.903) , respectively, and none was considered to be vaccination related. 28 days after 3(rd) vaccination, the seroconversion rates in 1sIPV+2bOPV (DC), 1sIPV+2bOPV (liquid), 2sIPV+1bOPV (DC), 2sIPV+1bOPV (liquid) group, were 99%, 100%, 99% and 99% (χ(2)=0.94, P=0.815) , respectively, for type Ⅰ poliovirus; and 47%, 57%, 80%, 79% (χ(2)=31.56, P<0.001) , respectively, for type Ⅱ; and were 100%, 99%, 100%, 99% (χ(2)=2.02, P=0.568) , respectively, for type Ⅲ. In each group, the GMT of antibody against poliovirus typeⅠ were 4 539.68, 6 243.43, 6 819.53 and 7 916.29 (F=25.87, P<0.001) , respectively; Type Ⅱ were 12.98, 10.54, 63.75 and 84.21 (F=8.68, P=0.034) , respectively; Type Ⅲ were 1 172.55, 1 416.03, 2 648.89 and 3 250.75 (F=14.50, P=0.002) , respectively. Conclusion: On the same sequential schedules, there was no significant difference between the dosage forms, all of them showed good safety and immunogenicity. In the same dosage forms with different sequential schedules, the seroconversion rate was higher in 2 dose sIPV group than the 1 dose sIPV group, especially at the neutralizing antibody GMT level against polio type Ⅱ and Ⅲ after vaccination.

[Safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy in the interventional treatment of coronary chronic total occlusion lesions]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy in the interventional treatment of coronary chronic total occlusion lesions. Methods: In this retrospective study,a total of 31 consecutive patients with coronary chronic total occlusion(CTO) lesions underwent rotational atherectomy in our hospital from February 2004 to December 2016 were enrolled,and the clinical features were analyzed. Coronary atherectomy was performed if balloon failed to cross the CTO lesions or balloon could not be fully dilated in the CTO lesions after wire crossing. The definition of procedure success was defined as residual stenosis less than 20% after implantation of drug eluting stent and rotational atherectomy. After the procedure, the patients were followed up to observe major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events which including cardiogenic death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and target lesion revascularization. Results: The 1.25 mm diameter burr was firstly selected in 80.6% (25/31) patients,and 96.8%(30/31) patients used only 1 burr to complete the rotational atherectomy procedure. The complication rate was 9.8% (3/31) including 1 patient with coronary dissection and 3 patients with slow flow or no flow. There was 1 patent with both coronary dissection and slow flow. The procedure success rate was 96.8%(30/31). Interventional treatment related myocardial infarction occurred in 3 patients during hospitalization.The 30 patients with procedure success were followed up 36(11, 96) months. The incidence rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events was 13.3% (4/30), of which the cardiogenic death rate was 3.3% (1/30), the myocardial infarction rate was 6.7% (2/30), cerebrovascular accident rate was 3.3%(1/30),and the target lesion revascularization rate was 6.7% (2/30). Conclusion: Rotational atherectomy is safe and effective in the interventional treatment of coronary CTO lesions.

[X-linked immunodeficiency with magnesium defect, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and neoplasia: report of a family and literature review]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and genetic characteristics of cases with X-linked immunodeficiency with magnesium defect, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and neoplasia (XMEN). Methods: Characteristics of clinical material, immunological data and gene mutation of two cases with XMEN in the same family in China were retrospectively analyzed. The related reports literature were searched by using search terms'MAGT1 gene'or'XMEN'. Results: The proband, a 2-year-eight-month old boy, was admitted due to 'Urine with deepened color for two days and yellow stained skin for one day'. He had suffered from recurrent upper respiratory tract infection and sinusitis previously. Hemoglobin level was 38 g/L. The absolute count of reticulocytes was 223.2×10(9)/L. Urobilinogen level was 38 μmol/L (3-16 μmol/L). Coomb's test was positive. Both total (77.2 μmol/L) and indirect bilirubin (66 μmol/L) levels were elevated. There was an inverted CD4(+)/CD8(+)T cell ratio (0.89). The gene sequencing results showed MAGT1 gene c.472delG, p.D158Mfs*6 mutation. His 1-year-6-month old brother, was also identified to have MAGT1 gene c.472delG, p.D158Mfs*6 mutation.The younger brother mainly suffered from recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, accompanied by an inverted CD4(+)/CD8(+)T cell ratio (0.45), an elevated ratio and number of total B cells (45.7%). A total of 7 reports were retrieved including 11 male cases caused by MAGT1 gene mutation. These 11 cases were characterized by EBV viremia (11 cases), recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media or sinusitis (10 cases), secondary neoplasia diseases (8 cases), reduction of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell ratio (7 cases),and autoimmune thrombocytopenia or hemolytic anemia (2 cases). Conclusion: XMEN often manifests as male onset, recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media or sinusitis, EBV viremia, lymphoproliferative disease or lymphoma, autoimmune diseases and reduction of CD4(+)/CD8 (+)T cell ratio. NKG2D expression in NK cells is significantly reduced, and gene sequencing analysis shows a pathogenic mutation in MAGT1 gene.

Describing the quality of life of boys with haemophilia in China: Results of a multicentre study using the CHO-KLAT

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of haemophilia varies across countries and across regions within some countries. Similar variation has been observed in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Relatively little is known about the HR-QoL of boys with haemophilia in China.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the HR-QoL of boys with haemophilia in China using the Canadian Haemophilia Outcomes-Kids Life Assessment Tool (CHO-KLAT).

METHODS

Boys (4-18 years of age) with haemophilia and their parents were enroled in a cross-sectional study. All parents/guardians of study subjects were requested to complete a CHO-KLAT questionnaire during a clinic visit, and report on several other clinical and socioeconomic factors in the past year. Boys who were > 7 years also completed the CHO-KLAT.

RESULTS

A total of 269 parents of boys with haemophilia, from 13 hospitals in 12 provinces, were enroled during 2014. The boys ranged from 4.0 to 17.9 years of age; 91% had haemophilia A, most had moderate (52%) or severe (36%) disease, and most were receiving sub-optimal on-demand therapy or low-dose prophylactic therapy. Child self-report CHO-KLAT scores were available for 171 boys ≥7 years of age and ranged from 24.2 to 85.3 with a mean of 57.6 (n = 171). Parent proxy-reported CHO-KLAT scores ranged from 25.0 to 88.7 with a mean of 55.1 (n = 269).

CONCLUSION

HR-QoL scores in boys with haemophilia in China were substantially lower than reported from Canadian and European boys with haemophilia. Longer term prospective studies are required to examine the factors impacting the HR-QoL for boys with haemophilia in China.

[Clinical characteristics in gout patients with different body mass index]

Objective: Obesity is one of the risk factors for gout. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of gout patients with different BMI. Methods: A total of 5 104 patients with gout were enrolled and divided into three groups according to the BMI. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected. SPSS software was applied for the statistical analyses. Results: There were significant differences in the ratios of gender, regular exercise, hypertension, tophus, renal insufficiency, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, liver dysfunction among the three groups (all P<0.01). The onset age in overweight [45(36, 55) years] and obese subjects [40(31, 50) years] were earlier than that of the normal weight subjects [50(38, 61) years]. Moreover, waist circumstances [103(99, 108) cm and 94 (90, 98) cm vs 87 (82, 91) cm], systolic pressure [130 (120, 145) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)and 130(120, 140)mmHg vs 128(115, 140) mmHg], diastolic pressure [90 (80, 100) mmHg and 85 (80, 92) mmHg vs 80 (79, 90) mmHg], fasting blood glucose [5.77 (5.30, 6.44) mmol/L and 5.65 (5.19, 6.26) mmol/L vs 5.55 (5.10, 6.15) mmol/L], TG [2.10 (1.46, 3.04) mmol/L and 1.88 (1.35, 2.78) mmol/L vs 1.52 (1.07, 2.39) mmol/L], TC [5.20 (4.55, 5.93) mmol/L and 5.07 (4.46, 5.75) mmol/L vs 4.95 (4.27, 5.65) mmol/L], serum uric acid [483(418, 552) μmol/L and 461(395, 524) μmol/L vs 440 (368, 517) μmol/L], ALT [30 (21, 46) U/L and 25 (18, 36) U/L vs 21 (14, 29) U/L], AST [21(17, 28) U/L and 20 (17, 26) U/L vs 20 (6, 25) U/L], the number of joints involved [2(1, 3)joints and 2(1, 2) joints vs 1(1, 2) joints] in the overweight and obese groups were higher than those in the normal weight group ( all P<0.01). There were no statistical differences in family history, involvement of upper limb joints, kidney stones and coronary heart disease among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Obesity is associated with an earlier age of gout onset.With the increase of BMI, the blood pressures, glucose, lipid, serum uric acid, liver transaminase levels and the number of involved joints increased gradually. Cautions should be taken in treating patients with different BMI.

[Clinical exploratory application of robotic resection of tumor in segment Ⅷ: a report for 7 cases]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and security of robotic resection of tumor in segment Ⅷ primarily. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 7 patients who underwent robotic resection of tumor in segment Ⅷ using daVinci robotic system in the Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgical Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2016 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The lesion size, the tumor malignance degree mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss and the rate of conversion to laparotomy, postoperative hospital stay, mobidity and motality of all the 7 patients were collected. Results: All the 7 operations were successfully performed with radical resection.The mean tumor diameter was (4.6±1.2)cm. The mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were(120.7±21.7)min, (100±106.7)ml, and(7.3±1.8)days respectively.All the patients were discharged successfully with no severe complications. Conclusions: According to our experiences, as a new operationmodel of minimally invasive surgery, robotic resection of tumor in segment Ⅷ has manyadvantages in laparoscopic like less trauma, less intraoperative bleeding, light postoperative pain, shorter postoperative hospital stay and so on. There are some certain advantages in exposure of Ⅷ segment under robotic surgery system. Robotic surgery system is safe and feasible for tumorresection of segmentⅧ, andhas clinical promoting value and application prospect.

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 level in postmenopausal women: correlation with β-catenin and bone mineral density

Many epidemiological studies have shown that in some tumors carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and β-catenin appear to be related. However, it remains to be established whether CEACAM1 is related to β-catenin in osteoporosis. Here, we reveal that CEACAM1 might influence the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway to modulate bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to assess the serum level of CEACAM1 in postmenopausal women and its correlation with β-catenin and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS

The BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) or the femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum CEACAM1, β-catenin, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), β-isomerized C-terminal crosslinking of type I collagen (β-CTX), intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), estradiol, and insulin were measured in 350 postmenopausal women. Patients were divided according to lumbar spine or femur neck T-scores into osteoporosis (group I), osteopenia (group II), and normal bone mineral density, the latter serving as control.

RESULTS

Serum CEACAM1 levels were significantly lower in group I and II compared to those in control subjects (P < 0.001). Serum CEACAM1 levels correlated positively with β-catenin and BMD, but correlated negatively to the ratio between RANKL and OPG.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that decreased serum CEACAM1 levels are related to low BMD in postmenopausal women, and that serum CEACAM1 levels correlated positively to β-catenin. It suggests that CEACAM1 might influence the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway to modulate bone metabolism.

High-resolution X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman scattering studies of Ge(:Ga) thin films grown on GaAs (001) substrates by MOCVD

Ga-doped Ge thin films grown on GaAs (001) substrates have been studied and compared with unintentionally doped Ge film by using HRXRD and Raman scattering in both surface and cross-section configurations.

Influence of the c.1517G>C genetic variant in the XRCC1 gene on pancreatic cancer susceptibility in a Chinese population

We investigated the influence of the c.1517G>C genetic variant in the X-ray repair complementing group 1 gene (XRCC1) on pancreatic cancer (PC) susceptibility in Chinese patients. A total of 390 PC patients and 392 controls were enrolled in this case-control study. The genotypes of c.1517G>C genetic variants were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Our findings suggested that the allele and genotype frequencies in PC patients were significantly different from those in cancer-free controls. The CC genotype was associated with an increased risk of PC compared to the wild-type GG genotype (odds ratio=2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.43-4.13, X2=11.19, P=0.001). The C allele may contribute to the development of PC (C vs G, odds ratio=1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.64, X2=6.25, P=0.012). Results from this study indicate that the c.1517G>C genetic variant of the XRCC1 gene is significantly associated with PC susceptibility in the Chinese population.

Lack of efficacy of a herbal preparation (RCM-102) for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background

A herbal preparation, known as RMIT Chinese Medicine 102 (RCM-102) consisting of eight herbs which demonstrates inhibition of the release of key inflammatory mediators associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) was used. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of RCM-102 for SAR.

Objective

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of RCM-102 for SAR.

Methods

This randomised placebo-controlled trial involved subjects aged between 18 and 65 who were randomly assigned to either RCM-102 or a placebo group. After a two-week baseline period, all subjects took either RCM-102 or placebo capsules (two capsules each time, three times daily with a four hour interval) for a period of eight weeks. The primary end-points were the Five-Point Scale symptom scores. Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, relief medication usage, adverse events, kidney and liver function tests and full blood examination were secondary end-points. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied.

Results

One hundred and four subjects were randomised with 52 in each group. Ninety-five subjects (47 and 48 subjects in RCM-102 and placebo groups) completed the trial. Nine subjects withdrew from the study prior to the end of the second treatment week. At the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to all outcome measures. There were no liver or kidney function abnormalities reported.

Conclusion

This mechanism-based RCM-102 was safe but not more beneficial than placebo for patients with SAR.

Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of nanofluids in a plate heat exchanger

In this paper, the heat transfer characteristics and pressure drop of the ZnO and Al2O3 nanofluids in a plate heat exchanger were studied. The experimental conditions were 100-500 Reynolds number and the respective volumetric flow rates. The working temperature of the heat exchanger was within 20-40 degrees C. The measured thermophysical properties, such as thermal conductivity and kinematic viscosity, were applied to the calculation of the convective heat transfer coefficient of the plate heat exchanger employing the ZnO and Al2O3 nanofluids made through a two-step method. According to the Reynolds number, the overall heat transfer coefficient for 6 vol% Al2O3 increased to 30% because at the given viscosity and density of the nanofluids, they did not have the same flow rates. At a given volumetric flow rate, however, the performance did not improve. After the nanofluids were placed in the plate heat exchanger, the experimental results pertaining to nanofluid efficiency seemed inauspicious.

Dynamic phase evaluation in sparse-sampled temporal speckle pattern sequence

The rapid progress of modern manufacturing technology has posed stringent requirements for inspecting techniques for vibration characterization and dynamic testing. Because of its simplicity, accuracy, and whole-field character, speckle interferometry has served as one of the major techniques for dynamic measurement, where normally a dense-sampled temporal speckle sequence is captured for phase retrieval using Fourier or wavelet transforms. In this Letter, a method is proposed for phase evaluation of sparse-sampled speckle patterns when the sampling rate is lower than two points per temporal cycle. Dynamic experiments using a high-speed camera demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method for complicated wrapped phase retrieval in electronic/digital speckle pattern interferometry.

Modeling of an Elastomeric Friction Damper

Frictional resistance of a hollow rubber cylinder steadily sliding inside a rigid sleeve has been studied theoretically and reported here. This is inspired by a new class of elastomeric friction damper consisting of an unbonded rubber cylinder, axially compressed and radially expanding to contact an outer rigid sleeve and generate friction. By considering the force equilibrium of each thin section of the rubber cylinder and adapting the principle of superposition, the tri-bological problem was decomposed into three fundamental sub-problems, which were solved consecutively. The results shed lights on the functional effects of various design parameters such as part dimensions, friction coefficient, and Young's modulus on the total friction force. Finite element analyses were also performed, and the results were compared with the closed-form solutions.