Analysis of the differentially expressed genes in Microsporum canis in inducing smooth skin and scalp tissue conditions

Microsporum canis is a common zoophilic dermatophyte, which causes a range of infections. To explore the pathogenic mechanism of tinea capitis, we used the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique to investigate the differences in gene expression between different cultures of Microsporum canis incubated on three different types of mineral media containing child glabrous skin, child scalp tissue and adult scalp tissue. Using dot-blot hybridization and real-time PCR technique, we successfully screened and identified a pair of genes that had expression levels 44.6 and 117 times higher in culture 1 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with child scalp tissue) than in culture 2 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with glabrous skin tissue), and another pair of genes with expression levels 78.2 and 9.8 times higher in culture 1 than in culture 3 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with adult scalp tissue). These four genes were found to have 41%, 53%, 40% and 94% homology to those encoding a hypothetical protein [family of serine hydrolases 1; (FSH1)], PQ loop repeat protein (PQ-LRP), a predicted protein [porphyrin galactose 4; (P-GAL4)] and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (NADH)1, respectively. The upregulation of the FSH1, PQ-LRP, P-GAL4 and NADH1 genes in cultures of child scalp tissue indicates that they are essential in the pathogenesis of tinea capitis caused by M. canis.

Association of Interleukin-11 with Mortality in Patients with Spontaneous Basal Ganglia Haemorrhage

This study evaluated interleukin (IL)-11 as an independent prognostic marker of mortality following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Plasma IL-11 levels in patients with ICH were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Multivariate analysis indicated that plasma IL-11 level was an independent predictor for mortality within 1 week of ICH onset and was positively associated with haematoma volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a baseline plasma IL-11 level > 20.9 pg/ml predicted mortality within 1 week of ICH onset with 81.2% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity. The area under the curve for IL-11 level was significantly smaller than that for the Glasgow Coma Scale score, but similar to that for haematoma volume. IL-11 did not, however, significantly improve the predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale or haematoma volume. Thus, IL-11 may be considered as a new independent prognostic marker of mortality and an additional valuable tool for risk stratification and decision-making in the acute phase of ICH.

Reversible changes in brain glucose metabolism following thyroid function normalization in hyperthyroidism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with hyperthyroidism frequently present with regional cerebral metabolic changes, but the consequences of endocrine-induced brain changes after thyroid function normalization are unclear. We hypothesized that the changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism are related to thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroid, and some of these changes can be reversed with antithyroid therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relative regional cerebral glucose metabolism was compared between 10 new-onset untreated patients with hyperthyroidism and 20 healthy control participants by using brain FDG-PET scans. Levels of emotional distress were evaluated by using the SAS and SDS. Patients were treated with methimazole. A follow-up PET scan was performed to assess metabolic changes of the brain when thyroid functions normalized.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, patients exhibited lower activity in the limbic system, frontal lobes, and temporal lobes before antithyroid treatment. There were positive correlations between scores of depression and regional metabolism in the cingulate and paracentral lobule. The severity of depression and anxiety covaried negatively with pretreatment activity in the inferior temporal and inferior parietal gyri respectively. Compared with the hyperthyroid status, patients with normalized thyroid functions showed an increased metabolism in the left parahippocampal, fusiform, and right superior frontal gyri. The decrease in both FT3 and FT4 was associated with increased activity in the left parahippocampal and right superior frontal gyri.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism are related to thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroidism, and some cerebral hypometabolism can be improved after antithyroid therapy.

Confirmation of the X(1835) and observation of the resonances X(2120) and X(2370) in J/ψ→γπ+π-η'

With a sample of (225.2±2.8)×10(6) J/ψ events registered in the BESIII detector, J/ψ→γπ(+)π(-)η(') is studied using two η(') decay modes: η(')→π(+)π(-)η and η(')→γρ(0). The X(1835), which was previously observed by BESII, is confirmed with a statistical significance that is larger than 20σ. In addition, in the π(+)π(-)η(') invariant-mass spectrum, the X(2120) and the X(2370), are observed with statistical significances larger than 7.2σ and 6.4σ, respectively. For the X(1835), the angular distribution of the radiative photon is consistent with expectations for a pseudoscalar.

A reproducible route to p-ZnO films and their application in light-emitting devices

Although great efforts have been made, reproducible p-type doping is still one of the largest hurdles that hinders the optoelectronic applications of ZnO. In this Letter, a reproducible route to p-type ZnO films employing lithium-nitrogen as a dual-acceptor dopant has been demonstrated, and p-i-n structured light-emitting devices (LEDs) have been constructed. Obvious purple emissions have been observed from the LEDs, confirming the applicability of the p-type ZnO films in optoelectronic devices. The results reported in this Letter provide a reproducible route to p-type ZnO films, and thus may lay a solid ground for future optoelectronic applications of ZnO.

Bridging the gap between education and practice in public health, with particular reference to less-developed provinces in China

Ongoing healthcare system reform is one of the most important issues in China. There is an increasing awareness that public health education should be reformed to meet the demands of public health practice. This paper summarizes the current status of increasing public healthcare demand and public health service capacity in China, especially in less-developed provinces, and introduces the current public health educational system and public health administration structure. The paper also provides evidence for a considerable gap between public health education and practice, and suggests possible measures to bridge the gap.

Evidence for ψ' decays into γπ0 and γη

The decays ψ'→γπ(0), γη and γη' are studied using data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e(+)e(-) collider. The processes ψ'→γπ(0) and ψ'→γη are observed for the first time with signal significances of 4.6σ and 4.3σ, respectively. The branching fractions are determined to be B(ψ'→γπ(0))=(1.58±0.40±0.13)×10(-6), B(ψ'→γη)=(1.38±0.48±0.09)×10(-6), and B(ψ'→γη')=(126±3±8)×10(-6), where the first errors are statistical and the second ones systematic.

First Detection of Virulence in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in China to Resistance Genes Yr24 (=Yr26) Present in Wheat Cultivar Chuanmai 42

Stripe rust disease of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici was observed on previously resistant bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Chuanmai 42 during the 2008-2009 crop season in Pi County, Sichuan Province, China. More than 10 single pustules were isolated from the diseased leaf samples collected in the field and inoculated on 7-day-old susceptible wheat seedlings cv. Mingxian 169. After 18 to 24 h of incubation at 100% relative humidity in darkness, the plants were moved into the greenhouse, maintained at 15 to 18°C, and supplemented with 10,000 lx of fluorescent light for 10 h per day. The second leaves were clipped when chlorotic spots appeared on leaves (~7 days postinoculation), and plants were covered with glass cylinders to prevent cross contamination. Urediniospores of each isolate were collected 16 days after inoculation and temporarily kept in a dryer at low temperature (3 to 4°C). The virulence spectra of the isolates were tested on Chinese differentials and wheat lines with known Yr genes at the seedling stage (1). A new Yr24 (=Yr26) virulent pathotype, different from currently known pathotypes in China, was identified. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Yr24 virulence in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici populations on Chuanmai 42. In addition, the new pathotype was also virulent to Lantian 17, Guinong 22 (Chinese differential), and 92R137 derived wheat lines Nannong 04Y10 and Nannong 05Y628, known to carry Yr24 (2,3). The avirulence/virulence formula of the new pathotype is Yr1, 3, 4, H46, 5, 6, 15, 17, 18, 32, Sp, Sd/Yr2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24 (=26), 31, and Su. Wheat cultivars and breeding materials, previously protected by Yr24 gene, are now vulnerable to stripe rust epidemics in the region. Pure isolates of the new pathotype (Accession No. 09-6-16-3) are stored in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS; Beijing) stripe rust collection. References: (1) W. Q. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 93:1093, 2009. (2) G. Q. Li et al. Theor. Appl. Genet. 112:1434, 2006. (3) Z. F. Li et al. Plant Dis. 90:1302, 2006.

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes formed via interfacial stress imbalance

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) with outer diameters of 130-220 nm and lengths of approximately 1 microm have been synthesized using thermal evaporation. High resolution scanning electron microscopy reveals that the NT formation stems from the intrinsic interfacial stress imbalance in the strained Si/SiO2 bilayered film, consequently leading to NTs with different orifice levels. The NT diameters depend strongly on the bilayer film thicknesses and crystal orientations of the Si and SiO2 layers. A modified Timoshenko formula is derived to calculate the dependence of the tube diameter on the bilayer film thickness. The obtained results are consistent well with experimental data.

Sclerotherapy of voluminous venous malformation in head and neck with absolute ethanol under digital subtraction angiography guidance

OBJECTIVES

Venous malformation (VM) is the most common symptomatic low-flow vascular malformation, which predominantly occurs in the head and neck region. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the results of endovascular sclerotherapy of voluminous VM, when the lesion is either >or=15 cm in maximum diameter or the lesion invades more than one anatomical space, in the head and neck region using absolute ethanol under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guidance.

METHODS

A total of 23 patients with head and neck VMs between October 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received direct puncture ethanol sclerotherapy under DSA guidance. Follow-up assessments were performed at 3-25 months after therapies were completed, and complications were reported in some cases.

RESULTS

All patients were satisfied with the results of therapy. Seventeen patients (73.9%) achieved excellent responses and six patients (26.1%) achieved good responses in magnetic resonance imaging assessments. Minor complications developed during the procedures, all of which were successfully managed with full recovery during follow-ups. Serious complications such as acute pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary embolism were not encountered.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that sclerotherapy with absolute ethanol under DSA guidance is an important alternative therapy for voluminous and extensive VM, as the procedure is reasonably safe and offers good therapeutic results.

MS-275, an histone deacetylase inhibitor, reduces the inflammatory reaction in rat experimental autoimmune neuritis

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system and serves as the animal model of human inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies. MS-275, a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor currently undergoing clinical investigations for various malignancies, has been reported to demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory activities. In our present study, MS-275 administration (3.5 mg/kg i.p.) to EAN rats once daily from the appearance of first neurological signs greatly reduced the severity and duration of EAN and attenuated local accumulation of macrophages, T cells and B cells, and demyelination of sciatic nerves. Further, significant reduction of mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma, interleukine-17, inducible nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 was observed in sciatic nerves of MS-275 treated EAN rats. In lymph nodes, MS-275 depressed pro-inflammatory cytokines as well, but increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukine-10 and of foxhead box protein3 (Foxp3), a unique transcription factor of regulatory T cells. In addition, MS-275 treatment increased proportion of infiltrated Foxp3(+) cells and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in sciatic nerves of EAN rats. In summary, our data demonstrated that MS-275 could effectively suppress inflammation in EAN, through suppressing inflammatory T cells, macrophages and cytokines, and inducing anti-inflammatory immune cells and molecules, suggesting MS-275 as a potent candidate for treatment of autoimmune neuropathies.

Comparison of dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America

Different educational and professional developments within the dental field create different sets of missions, norms, and practices regarding dental diseases and their appropriate treatment. This review has addressed differences in dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America. Many factors influence the choice of model and it is very difficult to predict which model will become predominant. However, there is growing sentiment that the independent faculty model in North America is logical and superior to the model, which 'integrates' dental and medical education in mainland China. Many North America dental schools place a high priority on preclinical and clinical training in the curriculum in order to expose students to patient oral health needs and systemic dental problems much earlier than in mainland China. North America dental schools promote and embrace students self-learning skills by the use of PBL, CRL, and TRAD education methodologies and new e-based technologies and approaches whereby students learn rather than are taught. In mainland China, the traditional lecture-based format is still employed in the majority of dental schools; however, strategies to enhance students self-learning skills is increasingly utilised in most well-known Chinese dental schools. The Chinese dental education model, which treats dentistry as a sub-specialty of medicine, has brought about fundamental differences, with the dentist functioning essentially as a stomatologist. For example, China has built up a large oral and maxillofacial surgery society, and craniofacial surgery is performed to a much broader extent by Chinese dentists than by most North American counterparts. In North America, dentists engage in full-time work, attend continuing training/education programmes, belong to an association, gain legal status, and construct a code of ethics emphasising the quality of care delivered to the public. Currently, continuing dental education in North America is available through a variety of venues involving licensing authorities, universities and private programmes. The concept of professional development in mainland China is relatively new and is still considered primarily in the context of promotion or achieving a higher professional title. Mandatory continuing dental professional education requirements do not guarantee the competence of members of the profession. Today, the Chinese government and society place increasing emphasis upon the accountability of self-regulating professions. Rather than attempting to summarise the current scope of dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America, this paper hopes to enhance mutual understanding, and promote greater academic exchanges in dental education.

Impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in multiple insulin-sensitive tissues of humans with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Alteration of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) may contribute to insulin resistance. It is unclear, however, which characteristics are common to insulin-sensitive tissues. Using an oligonucleotide microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the gene expression profiles of skeletal muscle, visceral adipose tissue and liver from autopsy donors with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus were determined. Common dysregulated genes were enriched in mitochondrial OXPHOS, and most of these genes were down-regulated in both the skeletal muscle and visceral adipose tissue of diabetic subjects, but up-regulated in diabetic liver. Messenger RNA (mRNA) for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1alpha was significantly increased in diabetic liver but significantly reduced in diabetic skeletal muscle. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha mRNA was significantly down-regulated in diabetic visceral adipose tissue. The mitochondrial DNA content was slightly, though not significantly, reduced in diabetic liver and diabetic skeletal muscle. It is concluded that defects in OXPHOS genes and individual transcription co-factors in insulin-sensitive tissues may play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes and the insulin-resistant state.

Clinical features, treatments and prognosis of the initial cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus infection in Shanghai China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

As of 13 December 2009, more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, which have resulted in at least 10 582 deaths. As of 7 December 2009, 4328 severe cases were reported in Mainland China, resulting in 326 deaths. This study's objective was to determine the clinical features, treatments and prognosis of the initial cases of Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus infection in Shanghai, China, and how its clinical features related to patient gender.

METHODS

A total of 224 confirmed 2009 influenza A/H1N1-infected patients treated and discharged by Shanghai Public Health Clinical center between 24 May and 20 July 2009 were included in the study. Patients' personal information, signs and symptoms, laboratory and imagery data, disease course, hospitalization period and seroconversion duration for viral nucleic acid after antiviral treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 224 patients, 118 were male and 106 were female, yielding a sex ratio of 1.1:1. Approximately 52% of the patients came from Australia, and 63.8% were between 18 and 40 years old. Clinical manifestations included fever, cough and congestion of the throat, and lab findings were characterized by elevated C-reaction protein (CRP) and neutrophils. Female patients had significantly lower serum Prealbumin (PA) levels than male patients (P < 0.05). The patients' serum CRF levels significantly decreased after treatment (P < 0.05), while the levels of CD3, CD4 and CD8 significantly increased after treatment (P < 0.01). Approximately 29.9% of the patients had abnormal signs on chest computer tomography scan, and 21.9% had obvious signs indicating pneumonia. However, blood cultures were negative in these patients. The average disease course was 3.9 +/- 1.4 days, the average hospitalization period was 5.0 +/- 1.7 days, and the seroconversion duration for viral nucleic acid after antiviral treatment was 3.8 +/- 1.3 days.

CONCLUSION

Initial cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 were characterized by fever, cough and throat congestion, with elevated CRP and neutrophils being the most significant lab findings. The pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 strain was able to affect multiple organs, including the hepatic synthesis of PA and immune functioning. The novel 2009 Influenza A/H1N1 virus was mild clinically, with a short disease course and good prognosis.

Effects of intermixing on modulation p-doped quantum dot superluminescent light emitting diodes

Different capping of quantum dot (QD) materials is known to produce different degrees of intermixing during a post-growth thermal annealing process. We report a study of the effect of different degrees of intermixing on modulation beryllium doped quantum dot superluminescent light emitting diodes (QD-SLEDs). The intermixed QD-SLEDs show high device performance whilst achieving a large central emission wavelength shift of approximately 100nm compared to the as-grown device. The evolution of the emission spectra and power with drive current suggest a transition from QD-like to QW-like behavior with increasing degree of intermixing. A selective area intermixed QD-SLED is demonstrated, and with optimized differential intermixing, such structures should allow ultra-broadband sources to be realized.

Safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancers previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens: A preliminary report

PURPOSE

To determine the safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) with conventional radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locoregional advanced laryngeal cancer (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) were included: group 1(control, n=30)were not administered of sodium glycididazole; group 2 (test, n=30) received sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30 minutes before radiotherapy three times a week. Surrogate end-points of efficacy were tumor and nodal size. Safety parameters were vomiting, nausea, mucositis, laryngeal edema, esophagus and skin reaction, dysphagia, dyspnea, neurological deficit. Patients were evaluated weekly during treatment for 7 weeks and thereafter monthly for 3 months.

RESULTS

In the test, the overall response rate was 88.89% (95%CI, 71.00-97.00%) at 7 weeks and 92.59% (95%CI, 76.00 to 99.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. In the control, the overall response rate was 62.5% (95%CI, 41.00 to 81.00%) at 7 weeks and 58.33% (95%CI, 37.00 to 78.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. The short-term locoregional response rate was better in the test group at 7 weeks (p=0.027) and at 1 month (p=0.005) of follow-up. The test group had significantly more nausea and vomiting in weeks 1 (p=0.047), 2 (p=0.007), and 3 (p=0.01) of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates sodium glycididazole is an effective radiation-enhancing agent that improves short-term locoregional control and is well tolerated in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancer.

Rat Dlx5 is expressed in the subventricular zone and promotes neuronal differentiation

The molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications of neural precursor cells have recently been the subject of intensive study. Dlx5, a homeobox transcription factor related to the distal-less gene in Drosophila, was shown to play an important role during forebrain development. The subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain harbors the largest abundance of neural precursors. The anterior SVZ (SVZa) contains the most representative neural precursors in the SVZ. Further research is necessary to elucidate how Dlx5-related genes regulate the differentiation of SVZa neural precursors. Here, we employed immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques to study the expression of Dlx5 and related homeobox genes Er81 and Islet1 in neonatal rat brain and in in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Our results show that Dlx5 and Er81 are also highly expressed in the SVZa, rostral migratory stream, and olfactory bulb. Islet1 is only expressed in the striatum. In cultured SVZa neural precursors, Dlx5 mRNA expression gradually decreased with subsequent cell passages and was completely lost by passage four. We also transfected a Dlx5 recombinant plasmid and found that Dlx5 overexpression promoted neuronal differentiation of in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Taken together, our data suggest that Dlx5 plays an important role during neuronal differentiation.

Functional gene silencing mediated by chitosan/siRNA nanocomplexes

Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles to knock down FHL2 gene expression were reported in this work. The physicochemical properties such as particle size, surface charge, morphology and complex stability of chitosan nanoparticle-incorporated siRNA were evaluated. Nanoparticles which were formulated with chitosan/siRNA exhibited irregular, lamellar and dendritic structures with a hydrodynamic radius size of about 148 nm and net positive charges with zeta-potential value of 58.5 mV. The knockdown effect of the chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles on gene expression in FHL2 over-expressed human colorectal cancer Lovo cells was investigated. The result showed that FHL2 siRNA formulated within chitosan nanoparticles could knock down about 69.6% FHL2 gene expression, which is very similar to the 68.8% reduced gene expression when siRNA was transfected with liposome Lipofectamine. Western analysis further showed significant FHL-2 protein expression reduced by the chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles. The results also showed that blocking FHL2 expression by siRNA could also inhibit the growth and proliferation of human colorectal cancer Lovo cells. The current results demonstrated that chitosan-based siRNA nanoparticles were a very efficient delivery system for siRNA in vivo as previously reported.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for feed consumption and feeding behaviors in a White Duroc x Chinese Erhualian resource population

To identify QTL for feed consumption and feeding behavior traits in pigs, ADFI, feed conversion ratio (FCR), number of visits to the feeder per day (NVD), and average feeding rate (AFR) were recorded in 577 F(2) animals from a White Duroc x Chinese Erhualian resource population during the fattening period of 120 to 240 d. A whole genome scan was performed with 183 microsatellites covering the pig genome across the entire resource population. A total of 8 QTL were identified on 5 pig chromosomes, including 3 genome-wide significant QTL for FCR on SSC2, 7, and 9, 1 significant QTL for ADFI on SSC3, and 1 for NVD on SSC7. These QTL were identified for the first time, except for the QTL for FCR on SSC2. Four of the 5 significant QTL were adjacent to the known QTL for growth, carcass, and fat deposition traits, supporting the existence of gene(s) with pleiotropic effects on these traits. White Duroc alleles were generally associated with greater phenotypic values, except for those on SSC7 and 9. Comparison of QTL for feed consumption and feeding behaviors indicated that distinct chromosomes had effects on the 2 types of traits. Characterization of causative gene(s) underlying the identified QTL would shed new light on the genetic basis of feed consumption and feeding behaviors in pigs.

Characterisation and evaluation of nano gelcoat degradations in marine environment

Nanotechnology has been extensively explored and exploited for developing functional and smart coating systems with significant performance enhancement. In this context, a development of novel characterisation methodology for surface quality evaluation of diverse coating systems at nano and micro scales has great importance and significance. In this study, nano particles were introduced into conventional gelcoat system in an attempt to achieve improved coating quality and enhanced anti-blistering performance. Accelerated gelcoat ageing in a marine environment was carried out by maintaining constant contact with water using a purpose built jig at 65 degrees C. The progressive ageing of samples has been monitored and evaluated by visual observation, nano-indention test, surface roughness and profile measurement. It was observed that the addition of nano-clays led to an increase in hardness. Although the ageing of various coating systems resulted in a reduction in hardness, the degree of hardness change due to ageing for all nano-coating was significantly less than for coating system without nano-clays. The coating degradations were further characterised by reduced surface homogeneity in terms of standard deviations of hardness. The accelerated ageing induced coating degradations were also quantified by surface profile and roughness measurement in which a stylus profilometer was employed to scan different locations of the coatings. It showed significant differences in surface roughness of different coatings systems and incremental degradations as a function of ageing durations. It has demonstrated that anti-blistering gelcoat systems can be developed by introducing chemically modified nano-clays into conventional gelcoat systems for marine applications.

Ethanol embolization of arteriovenous malformations of the mandible

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Absolute ethanol was reported as an effective embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), but its use to treat AVMs in the mandible is not yet well established. Here, we present our clinical experience on treatment of mandibular AVMs with absolute ethanol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight consecutive patients with symptomatic AVMs of the mandible between August 2007 and September 2008 were enrolled in this study group. Among them, 6 patients underwent direct puncture embolization with absolute ethanol combined with coils, 1 patient underwent direct puncture embolization with absolute ethanol only, and the last patient had transarterial embolization with absolute ethanol alone. The use of coils decreased the flow and volume of the nidus, and then absolute ethanol embolization was directed against and obliterated the nidus completely. The procedure was performed with the patients under general anesthesia with nasal intubation, and the vital signs of the patients were constantly monitored during the injection of absolute ethanol. The total amount of absolute ethanol used per session was less than 1 mL/kg of body weight.

RESULTS

A total of 11 ethanol embolizations were performed on 8 patients, including 3 sessions with transarterial microcatheterization and 8 with direct puncture embolization. A venogram and control arteriogram performed immediately after the procedure were both obtained, which documented a significant thrombosis of the lesion in all patients. Follow-up examinations revealed that oral bleeding was controlled, the expansion of the external jugular vein in 5 cases was obliterated, and satisfactory shrinkage of the facial swelling was achieved. Follow-up angiography (mean, 4.2 months) was available in 4 patients, and there was no angiographic recurrence of the lesions. There were 3 cases with minor complications.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of our experience, treatment of AVMs in the mandible with absolute ethanol is a feasible, safe, and highly effective method.

The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC)

BACKGROUND

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) may exhibit a distinct biological behavior in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery was evaluated in patients with recurrent mEOC, and the prognosis was assessed.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with stages IIc to IV mEOC who experienced disease recurrence and received secondary cytoreductive surgery at Fudan University Cancer Hospital between Jan. 1997 and Dec. 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the significant comparison of survival rate was estimated by the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The median progression-free interval (PFI) was 14 months (range, 5-46 months) after the first cytoreduction. Seven patients (33%) who received secondary cytoreductive surgery were optimally cytoreduced with residual disease less than or equal 1cm, and the other 14 patients (67%) underwent suboptimal surgical cytoreduction. The overall median survival time was 27 months (range, 8-64 months). The median survival time after recurrence was 10 months (range, 3-32 months). There was no significant statistical difference in median survival between patients with optimal and suboptimal secondary surgical cytoreduction, with an estimated survival of 10 months and 9.8 months, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Optimal primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced mEOC was very important. Once it recurs, the prognosis is very poor. Patients with recurrent mEOC should be carefully assessed before performing secondary cytoreductive surgery, as this may have limited impact on the overall survival rates.

A p-type-doped quantum dot superluminescent LED with broadband and flat-topped emission spectra obtained by post-growth intermixing under a GaAs proximity cap

Broadband superluminescent light emitting diodes are realized by a post-growth annealing process, on modulation p-doped multiple InAs/InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot layer structures, under a GaAs proximity cap. The device exhibits a large and flat emission with spectral width up to 132 nm at 2 mW. This is mainly attributed to the reduction of the energy separation between the ground state and the excited state, in addition to the optical quality of the intermixed modulation p-doped quantum dot materials being comparable to that of the as-grown sample.

Malignant solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck: a clinicopathological study of nine consecutive patients

Malignant solitary fibrous tumor (MSFT) is one of the angiosarcomas arising from or resembling the components of blood vessels. Because of its rarity, the diagnosis is difficult. Between 1998 and 2008, 24 patients were diagnosed as having hemangiopericytomas (16) and solitary fibrous tumors (8). Nine of them were confirmed to be MSFT and treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. All patients were treated with surgery as the primary modality. Eight patients received postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy. The average follow-up duration was 4.6 years (range: 6 months-10 years). Of the nine patients reviewed in this study, three died of locoregional or distant metastasis, six survived 6 months-6 years (four survived over 4 years). The size of primary tumor, the number of mitoses per 10 high powered fields and cervical lymph node metastasis seemed to be correlated with poor prognosis in MSFT patients, although the small number of patients did not permit the performance of statistical analysis.