Risk Profile of Ischemic Stroke Caused by Small-Artery Occlusion vs. Deep Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Small-artery occlusion (SAO) subtype accounts for a quarter of the cases of ischemic stroke and is mainly caused by pathological changes in cerebral small vessels, which also involve in deep intracerebral hemorrhage (dICH). However, the factors that drive some cases to SAO and others to dICH remained incompletely defined. Material and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study from the China National Stroke Registry that included consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage between August 2007 and September 2008. We compared the risk profile between the two subgroups using multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 1,135 patients with SAO stroke and 1,125 dICH patients were included for analyses. Generally, patients with SAO stroke were more likely to be male (odds ratio = 0.74, confidence interval = 0.58-0.94) and have diabetes (0.30, 0.22-0.40), higher atherogenic lipid profiles, higher body mass index (0.96, 0.94-0.99), higher waist/height ratio (0.12, 0.03-0.48), higher platelet count (0.84, 0.77-0.91), and higher proportion of abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (<90, ml/min/1.73 m²) (0.77, 0.62-0.95). Conversely, patients with dICH were more likely to have higher blood pressure parameters, inflammation levels (white blood cell count: 1.61, 1.48-1.76; high sensitivity C-reactive protein: 2.07, 1.36-3.16), and high-density lipoprotein-c (1.57, 1.25-1.98). Conclusions: The risk profile between SAO stroke and dICH were different. Furthermore, despite of traditional indexes, waist/height ratio, platelet count, inflammation levels, lipid profile, and estimated glomerular filtration rate also play important roles in driving arteriolosclerosis into opposite ends.

A fast key parameter extraction algorithm for long fiber distributed sensing based on Brillouin scattering

A fast key parameter extraction algorithm is proposed to improve the real-time performance of temperature and strain measurements when performing Brillouin scattering-based fiber-distributed sensing. The algorithm uses a new initial value method that takes the extracted key parameters of the current point in the fiber as the initial guesses for the next point. Based on the old and new initial value method, the existing objective method, optimization algorithm, and convergence criterion, the key parameter extraction algorithms developed are implemented in Matlab using the typical Lorentzian, Gaussian, and pseudo-Voigt profiles. These algorithms are used to extract the parameters over a large range of measured Brillouin spectra for the entire fiber with different averaging times. The results reveal that apart from the case when the frequency sweep spans is less than the linewidth and the pseudo-Voigt profile is used (in this case, the mean computation time of the proposed algorithm is 1.1% larger than that of the referenced algorithm), the proposed algorithm not only ensures high accuracy in extracting the key parameters, but also improves the arithmetic efficiency by 16.3%-49.1%.

[Infiltration of tumor associated macrophages in multiple myeloma and its clinical significance]

目的

探讨肿瘤相关性巨噬细胞（TAM）在多发性骨髓瘤（MM）中的临床意义及其与肿瘤血管生成、免疫抑制的关系。

方法

以2015年8月至2017年6月就诊的70例MM患者为观察对象，以20例良性血液病（缺铁性贫血13例，巨幼细胞性贫血7例）患者为对照，采用免疫组化法检测骨髓标本中CD163、CD34、VEGF的表达，采用流式细胞术检测Treg细胞比例，采用ELISA法检测IL-10水平，结合临床特征进行分析。

结果

①70例患者中，男31例，女39例，中位年龄65（50~78）岁。MM患者组的TAM浸润密度、微血管密度（MVD）、VEGF表达水平、Treg细胞比例及IL-10水平均较对照组升高（P值均<0.05）。②在MM患者组中，疾病稳定组（15例）患者的上述指标均较初诊组（35例）和复发难治组（20例）低（P值均<0.05）；后两组差异无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。③35例初诊MM患者中27例完成4个疗程治疗，有效组（15例）治疗后TAM浸润密度较治疗前明显下降，差异有统计学意义[（20.20±7.66）对（28.87±11.97）个/高倍，t=2.362，P=0.025]；无效组（12例）治疗前后差异无统计学意义[（42.00±13.76）对（48.25±13.59）个/高倍，t=1.119，P=0.275]。④硼替佐米方案治疗有效组患者（21例次）的TAM浸润密度较非硼替佐米方案治疗有效组（18例次）减低[（16.52±4.26）对（19.27±5.82）个/高倍，t=1.662，P=0.170]。⑤MM患者的TAM浸润密度与MVD、VEGF表达水平、Treg细胞比例及IL-10水平呈正相关（P值均<0.001）。

结论

骨髓微环境中浸润的TAM与MM发生、发展、疗效及治疗耐药有关，其作用机制可能与TAM促进肿瘤血管形成及抑制免疫反应有关。

Downregulation of miR-633 activated AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting AKT1 in lupus CD4+ T cells

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that the AKT/mTOR pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through activating T cells, and there are few studies looking into the role of microRNA (miRNAs) in the mechanism. We first found that miR-633 expression in CD4+T cells of SLE patients was significantly reduced.

Objective

To investigate the role of miR-633 in the AKT/mTOR pathway in lupus CD4+T cells.

Methods

Samples of 17 SLE cases and 16 healthy controls were collected to detect the expression of miR-633, AKT1, mTOR mRNA and proteins by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western-blot, respectively. To determine whether AKT1 is a direct target of miR-633, a luciferase assay was performed. In vitro, AKT1 siRNA, miR-633 mimics/inhibitors or negative controls were transfected to Jurkat cells, human primary CD4+T cells and lupus CD4+T cells. RNA and proteins were extracted after 48 h, and levels of AKT/mTOR pathway markers and downstream multiple cytokines were detected by qPCR or Western-blot.

Results

In SLE patients, the miR-633 levels in CD4+T cells were significantly decreased and negatively correlated with SLEDAI. AKT1, mTOR mRNA and proteins were all up-regulated. The degree of downregulation of miR-633 was correlated negatively with AKT1 mRNA. The luciferase assay proved that AKT1 is a direct target of miR-633. In Jurkat and lupus CD4+T cells, overexpression of miR-633 could result in lower levels of AKT1 and mTOR. Inhibition of miR-633 expression in primary CD4+T cells caused reverse effects, and protein levels of p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-S6RP increased. Moreover, among various cytokines, the expression of IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ mRNA was raised.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that miR-633 deletion can activate the AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting AKT1 to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.

[Frailty progress and related factors in the elderly living in community: a prospective study]

Objective: To investigate frailty progress status and related factors in the elderly living in communities. Methods: A cohort of elderly people aged 65 and over in Pingyi community of Dujiangyan, Sichuan province, was established. Face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted by trained interviewers. The frailty status, cognitive function, nutrition status and other functions of the subjects surveyed were evaluated at baseline survey and during follow-up. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects surveyed were assessed at baseline survey. Binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with frailty progress. Results: A total of 653 elderly people were surveyed in January 2014, and 507 elderly people were followed up while 146 elderly people terminated further follow-up in January 2017. The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty at baseline survey were 11.2% (n=57) and 26.2% (n=133), respectively. After 3 years, 205 subjects (40.4%) surveyed experienced frailty progress, 276 (54.5%) remained to be in frailty state at baseline survey, and 26 (5.1%) had improvement. Disability (OR=8.27, 95%CI: 1.62-42.26), visual problem (OR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.27-3.22), cognitive impairment (OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.08-3.48), poor self-rated health (OR=1.89, 95%CI: 1.07-3.31), chronic pain (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.03-2.40) and older age (OR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.08-1.17) were independently associated with the progress of frailty. In contract, overweight was a protective factor (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.34-0.85). Conclusions: Frailty is a dynamic syndrome affected by several socio-demographic factors and geriatric factors. The results of the study can be used in the prevention of frailty progress in the elderly in communities.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging in post-treatment evaluation in the early stage in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association between abnormal signs on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and post-treatment outcome in the early stage in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients with middle cerebral artery territory infarction were recruited. Baseline and 24-hour follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Pre- and 24-hour post-treatment clinical conditions were assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Prominent vessel sign (PVS) on SWI and infarcted areas on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were assessed using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT (ASPECT) score system. Susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) was evaluated and recorded. The associations between image abnormalities and clinical scores were analyzed.

Results

PVS was found in 35 patients and SVS in seven patients. The extent of PVS was significantly correlated with the post-treatment DWI ASPECT score (r = 0.79), but not with the post-treatment NIHSS score or the post−pre NIHSS difference score. The presence of SVS was significantly correlated with the post-treatment NIHSS score (r = 0.41).

Conclusion

PVS might be a useful predictor of early imaging prognosis and infarct growth in patients with acute ischemic stroke. SVS is related to a poor early outcome and could be useful for assessing stroke.

The interruptive effect of electric shock on odor response requires mushroom bodies in Drosophila melanogaster

Nociceptive stimulus involuntarily interrupts concurrent activities. This interruptive effect is related to the protective function of nociception that is believed to be under stringent evolutionary pressure. To determine whether such interruptive effect is conserved in invertebrate and potentially uncover underlying neural circuits, we examined Drosophila melanogaster. Electric shock (ES) is a commonly used nociceptive stimulus for nociception related research in Drosophila. Here, we showed that background noxious ES dramatically interrupted odor response behaviors in a T-maze, which is termed blocking odor response by electric shock (BOBE). The interruptive effect is not odor specific. ES could interrupt both odor avoidance and odor approach. To identify involved brain areas, we focused on the odor avoidance to 3-OCT. By spatially abolishing neurotransmission with temperature sensitive Shibire^TS1 , we found that mushroom bodies (MBs) are necessary for BOBE. Among the 3 major MB Kenyon cell (KCs) subtypes, α/β neurons and γ neurons but not α'/β' neurons are required for normal BOBE. Specifically, abolishing the neurotransmission of either α/β surface (α/β_s ), α/β core (α/β_c ) or γ dorsal (γ_d ) neurons alone is sufficient to abrogate BOBE. This pattern of MB subset requirement is distinct from that of aversive olfactory learning, indicating a specialized BOBE pathway. Consistent with this idea, BOBE was not diminished in several associative memory mutants and noxious ES interrupted both innate and learned odor avoidance. Overall, our results suggest that MB α/β and γ neurons are parts of a previously unappreciated central neural circuit that processes the interruptive effect of nociception.

Functional assessment of cerebral artery stenosis: A pilot study based on computational fluid dynamics

The fractional pressure ratio is introduced to quantitatively assess the hemodynamic significance of severe intracranial stenosis. A computational fluid dynamics-based method is proposed to non-invasively compute the FPR_CFD and compared against fractional pressure ratio measured by an invasive technique. Eleven patients with severe intracranial stenosis considered for endovascular intervention were recruited and an invasive procedure was performed to measure the distal and the aortic pressure ( P_d and P_a). The fractional pressure ratio was calculated as [Formula: see text]. The computed tomography angiography was used to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) arteries for each patient. Cerebral hemodynamics was then computed for the arteries using a mathematical model governed by Navier-Stokes equations and with the outflow conditions imposed by a model of distal resistance and compliance. The non-invasive [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and FPR_CFD were then obtained from the computational fluid dynamics calculation using a 16-core parallel computer. The invasive and non-invasive parameters were tested by statistical analysis. For this group of patients, the computational fluid dynamics method achieved comparable results with the invasive measurements. The fractional pressure ratio and FPR_CFD are very close and highly correlated, but not linearly proportional, with the percentage of stenosis. The proposed computational fluid dynamics method can potentially be useful in assessing the functional alteration of cerebral stenosis.

Mucosa-associated microbiota signature in colorectal cancer

The aim of this study was to explore the gut microbiota profiles of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to examine the relationship between gut microbiota and other key molecular factors involved in CRC tumorigenesis. In this study, a 16S rDNA sequencing platform was used to identify possible differences in the microbiota signature between CRC and adjacent normal mucosal tissue. Differences in the microbiota composition in different anatomical colorectal tumor sites and their potential association with KRAS mutation were also explored. In this study, the number of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased, while the number of Fusobacteria increased in the gut of CRC patients. In addition, at the genus level, Fusobacterium was identified as the key contributor to CRC tumorigenesis. In addition, a different distribution of gut microbiota in ascending and descending colon cancer samples was observed. Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis-associated microbial genes were enriched in tumor tissues. Our study suggests that specific mucosa-associated microbiota signature and function are significantly changed in the gut of CRC patients, which may provide insight into the progression of CRC. These findings could also be of value in the creation of new prevention and treatment strategies for this type of cancer.

Netrin-1 overexpression improves neurobehavioral outcomes and reduces infarct size via inhibition of the notch1 pathway following experimental stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Administration of Netrin-1 during the peri-infarct period has been shown to decrease infarct size in rats; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We addressed this question in the present study by inducing stroke in rats via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and evaluating the effects of Netrin-1 treatment by neurobehavioral testing, immunocytochemistry, and western blotting. Netrin-1 overexpression increased neurobehavioral test scores and reduced cerebral infarct volume following MCAO via inhibition of the Notch1 signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that early administration of Netrin-1 can is an effective therapeutic approach for improving outcome after stroke. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gut microbiota and colorectal cancer

The gut microbiota is considered as a forgotten organ in human health and disease. It maintains gut homeostasis by various complex mechanisms. However, disruption of the gut microbiota has been confirmed to be related to gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer, as well as remote organs in many studies. Colorectal cancer is a multi-factorial and multi-stage involved disorder. The role for microorganisms that initiate and facilitate the process of colorectal cancer has become clear. The candidate pathogens have been identified by culture and next sequencing technology. Persuasive models have also been proposed to illustrate the complicated and dynamic time and spatial change in the carcinogenesis. Related key molecules have also been investigated to demonstrate the pathways crucial for the development of colorectal cancer. In addition, risk factors that contribute to the tumorigenesis can also be modulated to decrease the susceptibility for certain population. In addition, the results of basic studies have also translated to clinical application, which displayed a critical value for the diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer. In this review, we not only emphasize the exploration of the mechanisms, but also potential clinical practice implication in this microbiota era.

Horse-Expert: An aided expert system for diagnosing horse diseases

In contrast to the rapid development of the horse husbandry in China, the ability of horse veterinarians to diagnose diseases has not been improved and only a few domain experts have considerable expertise. At present, many expert systems have been developed for diseases diagnosis, but few for horse diseases diagnosis have been studied in depth. This paper presents the design and development of a computer-aided expert system for diagnosing horse diseases. We suggest an approach for diagnosis of horse diseases based on the analysis of diagnostic characteristics and the experiential knowledge of domain experts. It is based on using evidence-weighted uncertainty reasoning theory, which is a combination of evidence theory and an uncertainty pass algorithm of confidence factors. It enables drawing of inferences with atypical clinical signs and the uncertainty of the user's subjective understanding. It reduces the influence of subjective factors on diagnostic accuracy. The system utilizes a user friendly interface for users and requests a confidence factor from users when feedback is given to the system. Horse-Expert combines the confidence factors with weight factors assigned to clinical signs by experts during the knowledge acquisition process to make diagnostic conclusions. The system can diagnose 91 common horse diseases, and provides suggestions for appropriate treatment options. In addition, users can check the medical record through statistical charts. The system has been tested in seven demonstration areas of Xinjiang province in northwestern China. By constantly maintaining and updating the knowledge base, the system has potential application in veterinary practice.

Three-dimensional stress In vitro promotes the proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells implanted by bioactive glass

To analyze the biological and mechanical microenvironment on the directional differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) In vitro. PDLSCs were cultured in three-dimensional stress system In vitro for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Methods like immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were adopted and the proliferation and differentiation situation of PDLSCs were determined. Bioactive glass (BAG) of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% was implanted into PDLSCs with or without three-dimensional stress for 3 weeks, respectively. The proliferation and differentiation situation of PDLSCs were determined. The mRNA levels of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Type I Collagen (COL I), Type II Collagen (COL II), Bone sialoprotein (BSP), Osteocalcin (OCN) and Osteopontin (OPN) were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. 30% BAG and three-dimensional stress for 3 weeks promoted the proliferation and differentiation of PDLSCs mostly. PDLSCs induced by BAG and 3D force and the control all expressed the mRNA of ALP, COLⅠand COL Ⅱ. The BAG and three-dimensional stress induced PDLSCs also expressed the mRNA of BSP, OCN and OPN. BAG and three-dimensional stress indicated microenvironment In vitro can promote the proliferation and differentiation of PDLSCs.

Significant metal enhanced fluorescence of Ag2S quantum dots in the second near-infrared window

The amplification of light in NIR-II from Ag2S QDs via metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is reported for the first time. Significant fluorescence enhancement of over 100 times for Ag2S QDs deposited on Au-nanostructured arrays, paves the way for novel sensing and imaging applications based on Ag2S QDs, with improved detection sensitivity and contrast enhancement.

Whole-genome association analysis of treatment response in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Up to 30% of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibit an inadequate response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). To date, genetic predictors of OCD treatment response have not been systematically investigated using genome-wide association study (GWAS). To identify specific genetic variations potentially influencing SRI response, we conducted a GWAS study in 804 OCD patients with information on SRI response. SRI response was classified as 'response' (n=514) or 'non-response' (n=290), based on self-report. We used the more powerful Quasi-Likelihood Score Test (the MQLS test) to conduct a genome-wide association test correcting for relatedness, and then used an adjusted logistic model to evaluate the effect size of the variants in probands. The top single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was rs17162912 (P=1.76 × 10(-8)), which is near the DISP1 gene on 1q41-q42, a microdeletion region implicated in neurological development. The other six SNPs showing suggestive evidence of association (P<10(-5)) were rs9303380, rs12437601, rs16988159, rs7676822, rs1911877 and rs723815. Among them, two SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium, rs7676822 and rs1911877, located near the PCDH10 gene, gave P-values of 2.86 × 10(-6) and 8.41 × 10(-6), respectively. The other 35 variations with signals of potential significance (P<10(-4)) involve multiple genes expressed in the brain, including GRIN2B, PCDH10 and GPC6. Our enrichment analysis indicated suggestive roles of genes in the glutamatergic neurotransmission system (false discovery rate (FDR)=0.0097) and the serotonergic system (FDR=0.0213). Although the results presented may provide new insights into genetic mechanisms underlying treatment response in OCD, studies with larger sample sizes and detailed information on drug dosage and treatment duration are needed.

ApoE and S-100 expression and its significance in the brain tissue of rats with focal contusion

This study explored the effect of focal cerebral contusion on the expression of ApoE and S-100, and its significance in determining the time of brain injury. Based on a rat model of cerebral contusion, immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expressions of S-100 and ApoE at different time points after injury. Thirty minutes following cerebral contusion, ApoE protein expression was significantly increased in cortex neurons (P < 0.01), and S-100 protein expression was significantly (P < 0.001) elevated 2 h after cerebral contusion. Over time, the number of ApoE and S-100 positively expressing cells gradually increased. Three days after injury, ApoE was widely distributed throughout the tissue and the number of ApoE-positive cells and staining intensity reached a peak. ApoE expression decreased after this time point. Five days after cerebral contusion, the number of S-100-positive cells reached a peak level of expression higher than that in the control group. Our data demonstrate that the expression of ApoE and S-100 correlated with the progression of focal cerebral contusion. This suggests that both proteins may serve as effective biomarkers of focal cerebral contusions.

ZnRF3 induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by antagonizing Wnt and Hedgehog signaling

AIM

The aim of this paper was to investigate the function an importance of E3-ubiquitin ligase ZnRF3 in the progression of cancer cell growth.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients (44 males and 14 females) were enrolled in the study and their gastric tumors were removed surgically and were staged by the TNM approach. Among these patients, 43 patients died and 15 survived at the time of this study. The tumors and the paracancerous tissues were examined by immunohostochemistry for the expression of ZnRF3. We assessed the expression of ZnRF3 in gastric tumors and paracancerous tissues from our patients and related this to patient survival.

RESULTS

A large proportion of malignant cancers of the stomach are gastric adenocarcinoma type. In spite of many studies, the molecular basis for this cancer is still unclear. Deregulated cell proliferative signaling via Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog pathways is considered important in the pathogenesis of many cancers including the gastric cancer. Recent studies identified ZnRF3 protein, which is a E3-ubiquitin ligase and which is either deleted or mutated in cancers, to inhibit Wnt signaling. However, the significance of ZnRF3 in the control of gastric cancer and whether it also regulates Hedgehog signaling pathway, is not known. ZnRF3 expression was much higher in tumors from aged patients. Male patients showed higher mortality than the females. Mechanistic studies using normal gastric cells (GES1) and gastric cancer cells (MGC-803) infected with either AdZnRF3 or AdGFP viral vectors, revealed that ZnRF3 overexpression causes significantly more apoptosis and lowered proliferation of cancer cells. ZnRF3 overexpression led to greatly reduced levels of Lgr5, a component of Wnt signaling and also Gli1, a component of Hedgehog signaling. Thus, ZnRF3 negatively influences both the Wnt and Hedgehog proliferative pathways and probably this way it negatively regulates cancer progression. These results suggest the importance of normal ZnRF3 function in checking the progression of cancer cell growth and indicate that a lack of this protein can lead to poorer clinical outcomes for gastric cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

We observed a clear relationship between ZnRF3 expression in paracancerous tissue and tumor size.

Mutation screening of DUOX2 in Chinese patients with congenital hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common neonatal endocrine disorder in infancy. Dual oxidase 2 gene (DUOX2) mutations have been reported to be one of the leading genetic causes of CH.

AIM

The aim of this study was to screen for DUOX2 gene mutations among CH patients in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and to define the relationships between DUOX2 genotypes and clinical phenotypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 45 CH patients in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of the DUOX2 gene together with their exon-intron boundaries were screened by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

Sequencing analysis of DUOX2 in 45 CH patients revealed ten different variants in thirteen individuals. The variants included five known mutations, namely c.3329G>A (p.R1110Q), c.1588A>T (p.K530X), c.2635G>A (p.E879K), c.2524C>T (p.R842X) and c.4027G>T (p.L1343F), and one novel frame shift variant c.3340delC (p.L1114SfsX56), as well as four novel missense variants c.903G>T (p.W301C), c.2048G>T (p.R683L), c.1736T>C (p.L579P) and c.3413C>A (p.A1138D). The variant p.K530X is highly recurrent in our patient cohort but the clinical phenotypes vary greatly among those carrying this variant. Most patients with monoallelic or biallelic DUOX2 pathogenic variants turned out to be cases of transient congenital hypothyroidism (TCH), while three patients with triallelic DUOX2 pathogenic variants were associated with permanent congenital hypothyroidism (PCH).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DUOX2 pathogenic variants was high (29 %) among patients with CH in Guangxi, China. Monoallelic and biallelic DUOX2 pathogenic variants were mainly associated with TCH, while triallelic DUOX2 pathogenic variants were associated with PCH. Our study expanded the DUOX2 mutation spectrum, and functional studies of the novel mutations need to be conducted in the future.

Effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ATP-binding cassette B1 gene on the clinical outcome of traumatic brain injury

The critical role of ATP-binding cassette B1 (ABCB1) in the function of the blood-brain barrier led us to conducted this prospective study in order to investigate the clinical outcome of patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injury. A total of 182 patients with traumatic brain injury were included in our study. Genotyping of ABCB1 C3435T and G2677T/A was conducted using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Using multivariate-logistic regression analysis, we found that patients carrying the CT+CC genotype of ABCB1 C3435T were more likely to have a better neurological outcome when compared with the TT genotype (odds ratio = 2.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-6.86). However, no significant association was found between the G2677T/A polymorphism and outcome of traumatic brain injury patients. Our study provides important information regarding the prognostic value of ABCB1 C3435T, and the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism may be used as a predictive marker for the outcome of traumatic brain injury patients.

Distribution and features of middle cerebral artery atherosclerotic plaques in symptomatic patients: a 3.0 T high-resolution MRI study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the distribution and features of middle cerebral artery (MCA) atherosclerotic plaques in patients with acute ischaemic strokes using high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

METHODS

Forty-six plaques from 44 MCAs (18 right and 26 left) in patients with acute symptomatic ischaemic strokes were studied. High-resolution MR imaging including tb1 weighted imaging (T1WI), tb2 weighted imaging (T2WI), PD weighted imaging (PDWI) and three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) sequences were used to visualise the plaques. The locations of plaques were classified into ventral, distal, superior and inferior wall of the MCA on oblique sagittal images. The thickness, area and signal intensities of plaques were recorded. The stenosis degree of MCA was calculated.

RESULTS

Among all 46 plaques, 26 plaques were located at the ventral wall (56.5%), 6 at the dorsal wall (13.0%), 9 at the superior wall (19.6%), and five at the inferior wall (10.9%). The average thickness and area of plaques were 1.37 ± 0.53 mm (range: 0.61-3.20 mm) and 3.80 ± 2.13 mm(2) (range: 1.01-12.2 mm(2)), respectively. No significant differences in plaque thickness (P = 0.464), plaque area (P = 0.107) or stenosis degree (P = 0.563) were noted between different locations. Most of the plaques (44/46) showed iso-intensity on tbl1WI. On tbl2WI and PDWI, 24 plaques showed iso-intensity, 12 plaques showed a slightly high signal intensity (SI), and eight plaques showed a slightly low SI. Intraplaque haemorrhage was found in two plaques, with high SI on tbl1WI and MP-RAGE and high or mixed SI on tbl2WI and PDWI.

DISCUSSION

Middle cerebral artery plaques in patients with acute infarction have certain tendency to locate at ventral and superior walls. Distribution and features of plaques revealed some plaque formation characteristics and would help to understand underlying mechanisms of ischaemic events.

Experimental quantum-walk revival with a time-dependent coin

We demonstrate a quantum walk with time-dependent coin bias. With this technique we realize an experimental single-photon one-dimensional quantum walk with a linearly ramped time-dependent coin flip operation and thereby demonstrate two periodic revivals of the walker distribution. In our beam-displacer interferometer, the walk corresponds to movement between discretely separated transverse modes of the field serving as lattice sites, and the time-dependent coin flip is effected by implementing a different angle between the optical axis of half-wave plate and the light propagation at each step. Each of the quantum-walk steps required to realize a revival comprises two sequential orthogonal coin-flip operators, with one coin having constant bias and the other coin having a time-dependent ramped coin bias, followed by a conditional translation of the walker.

Hemodynamic parameters distribution of upstream, stenosis center, and downstream sides of plaques in carotid artery with different stenosis: a MRI and CFD study

BACKGROUND

Histopathological studies have shown significant differences in plaque components and surface conditions between upstream and downstream of the stenosis. It can be deduced that the flow status near the plaques is different from the flow status at the upstream side, stenosis center, or downstream side of the plaque.

PURPOSE

To study the hemodynamic parameter distribution in different locations near atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries with different stenosis degrees.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eleven patients were recruited in this study. CE-MRA was performed to obtain the carotid three-dimensional surface data and the stenosis degrees were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters including wall shear stress (WSS), pressure, and velocity near the plaques were obtained by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. Local hemodynamics parameters were analyzed and compared between different stenosis degree groups, and between upstream, stenosis center, and downstream sides of plaques. Relative ratio of velocity, WSS, and pressure values in different locations was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Fourteen carotid arteries (with 4 mild, 6 moderate, and 4 severe stenosis) were analyzed. Significant differences were found in Pressure max (P = 0.025), Pressure mean (P = 0.020), and Pressure min (P = 0.026) between three stenosis groups. It showed significant differences in Vmin (P < 0.001) and WSSmin (P < 0.001) between three different locations. It showed upstream to downstream ratio of WSSmax (P = 0.034) and WSSmean value (P = 0.042) was significantly different between mild and moderate/severe groups. Significant differences were found in upstream to stenosis center ratio of Pressure max value (P = 0.018), Pressure mean value (P = 0.029), and Pressure min value (P = 0.026), as well as in stenosis center to downstream ratio of Pressure min value (P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Velocity, WSS, pressure, and relative ratio of these parameters have certain trends in distribution around the plaques in the carotid arteries.

Effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia on ischemic cardiomyopathy cardiac function and autonomic neural function

We aimed at observing the effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia (HTEA) on cardiac structure and function, heart rate variability (HRV), and QT interval variation (QTV) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with chronic heart failure. We divided 30 ICM patients into HTEA (N = 16) and control (N = 14) groups.The control group was treated with medication, and the HTEA group was treated with HTEA and medication for 4 weeks. We measured the changes in the left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before and after treatment by using echocardiography and examined changes in HRV and QTV using ambulatory electrocardiogram. HTEA significantly narrowed the LVEDd, improved LVEF, significantly increased the HRV, and significantly reduced the QTV in the ICM group compared to the control group. HTEA significantly narrowed the ventricular chamber diameter size of ICM patients, enhanced myocardial contractility, increased myocardial electrical stability, and improved the cardiac structure and function.

Laboratory evolution of adenylyl cyclase independent learning in Drosophila and missing heritability

Gene interactions are acknowledged to be a likely source of missing heritability in large-scale genetic studies of complex neurological phenotypes. However, involvement of rare variants, de novo mutations, genetic lesions that are not easily detected with commonly used methods and epigenetic factors also are possible explanations. We used a laboratory evolution study to investigate the modulatory effects of background genetic variation on the phenotypic effect size of a null mutation with known impact on olfactory learning. To accomplish this, we first established a population that contained variation at just 23 loci and used selection to evolve suppression of the learning defect seen with null mutations in the rutabaga adenylyl cyclase. We thus biased the system to favor relatively simplified outcomes by choosing a Mendelian trait and by restricting the genetic variation segregating in the population. This experimental design also assures that the causal effects are among the known 23 segregating loci. We observe a robust response to selection that requires the presence of the 23 variants. Analyses of the underlying genotypes showed that interactions between more than two loci are likely to be involved in explaining the selection response, with implications for the missing heritability problem.

Thrombolysis and reperfusion: advanced understanding of early management strategies in acute ischemic stroke

Currently, intravenous (IV) thrombolysis within 3 hours from stroke onset is the only approved treatment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although effective, the definition of therapeutic time window and appropriate patient selection still remains controversial. Notably, early endovascular treatment strategies may serve as an adjunct therapy for time window extension in AIS. In this article, we review the safety and efficacy of IV thrombolysis in AIS as it pertains to the optimal time window, the selection of eligible patients, and in combination with endovascular treatment. Combined clinical application of IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy may improve the therapeutic outcomes for AIS patients.

Hamiltonian mechanics of stochastic acceleration

We show how to find the physical Langevin equation describing the trajectories of particles undergoing collisionless stochastic acceleration. These stochastic differential equations retain not only one-, but two-particle statistics, and inherit the Hamiltonian nature of the underlying microscopic equations. This opens the door to using stochastic variational integrators to perform simulations of stochastic interactions such as Fermi acceleration. We illustrate the theory by applying it to two example problems.