SAT0560 THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC HYPERURICEMIA

Background:

Chronic and steady asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) can eventually lead to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and soft tissues. The rate of progression from AHU to clinically evident gout varies and mainly depends on serum uric acid levels. However, little is known about the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in individuals with AHU in detail.

Objectives:

To explore the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Methods:

We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings (snowstorm sign, double-contour (DC) sign, tophi, bone erosion, and abnormal blood flow) of bilateral knees, ankles and the first metatarsal-phalangeal joints (1st MTP) of individuals with AHU at Peking University People’s hospital between June 2014 and May 2016. All individuals were followed up for two years.

Results:

Among 218 individuals with AHU, the prevalence of snowstorm sign, DC sign, tophi, bone erosion and abnormal blood flow was 41%, 23%, 4%, 9% and 13%, respectively. Gout attacked in 36 patients during 2-year follow-up with 4.5 years of HU duration. The first attack affected the 1st MTP in 60%, the ankle in 31%, and the knee in 11% of the patients with gout. Patients with gout attack has longer hyperuricemia duration compared with individuals with AHU without gout attack. DC sign, tophi, and bone erosion on ultrasound were more frequently presented in patients with gout attack compared with individuals with AHU without gout attack. However, the prevalence of snowstorm sign and and abnormal blood flow on ultrasound has no significant differences between patients with gout attack and individuals with AHU without gout attack.

Conclusion:

Longer hyperuricemia duration, DC sign, tophi, and bone erosion on ultrasound in individuals with AHU could be associated with gout attack.

References:

[1]Neogi T, Jansen TL, Dalbeth N, Fransen J, Schumacher HR, Berendsen D, et al. 2015 Gout classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(10):1789-98.

[2]Estevez-Garcia IO, Gallegos-Nava S, Vera-Pérez E, Silveira LH, Ventura-Ríos L, Vancini G, et al. Levels of cytokines and MicroRNAs in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and ultrasonographic findings of gout: A Bench-to-Bedside Approach. Arthritis Care Res. 2018;70(12):1814-21.

[3]Elsaman AM, Muhammad EM, Pessler F. Sonographic findings in gouty arthritis: diagnostic value and association with disease duration. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2016;42(6):1330-6.

[4]Joosten LAB, Crişan TO, Bjornstad P, Johnson RJ. Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia: a silent activator of the innate immune system. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2020;16(2):75-86.

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81571684 to Jiaan Zhu), Peking University People’s Hospital Research and Development Funds (RDC2014-02 to Wenting Fan).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0474 CAROTID CONTRAST ENHANCED ULTRASOUND IN CASES OF TAKAYASU ARTERITIS COMPLICATED WITH BEHCET’S DISEASE

Background:

Carotid contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used for diagnosis and activity determination of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA). However, very little is known about the carotid CEUS features of TA complicated with Behcet’s disease (BD).

Objectives:

This study reports the carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD (TBD).

Methods:

A total of 10 carotid CEUS examinations were performed on 4 patients of TBD. 10 TA patients complicated with no rheumatoid disease were included as control group. For each carotid artery lesion, the carotid CEUS features was graded as follows: Grade 0, artery wall shows no microbubbles, Grade 1, artery wall shows limited or moderate microbubbles, Grade 2, artery wall shows severe microbubbles.

Results:

2/10 patients in TBD group has oral ulcer during the CEUS examination, while all the other patients included in our study showed no clinical symptoms related to active TA or BD. The carotid wall thickness was greater of CEUS grade 2 than grade 1 in both group(TBD: 2.62±0.74mm vs 1.66±0.22mm,p=0.001; TA:1.84±0.31mm vs 1.53±0.5mm,p=0.136). The carotid wall thickness was significantly greater in TBD group than TA group, but there was no significant differences between the two groups in clinical data and CEUS grade (table 1).

Table 1.

Clinical data and carotid CEUS features of both groups

TBDTApAge (year)32.5±3.4430.5±9.20.487Male320.605ESR (mm/h)4(2, 10)7(3.5, 11)0.406CRP (mg/L)6.42(0.55, 15.38)0.58(0.44, 5.05)0.168Wall thickness (mm)2.10±0.701.67±0.440.030CEUS grade 29120.527

Conclusion:

This study first shows carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD, which may help with the comprehensive treatments of the disease.

Disclosure of Interests: :

None declared

DFT study on Ag loaded 2H-MoS2 for understanding the mechanism of improved photocatalytic reduction of CO2

Transition metal modified molybdenum disulfide to improve the performance of photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide has been receiving much attention. Herein, a novel high-efficiency photocatalytic composite Ag/2H-MoS2 has been constructed and simulated using density functional theory (DFT) for unveiling the mechanism of improved photocatalytic reduction of CO2 in our experimental research. Our calculations about the band structure and electronic and optical properties indicate that the loading of Ag atoms enhances the photocatalytic performance of 2H-MoS2 nanosheets by transferring the photogenerated electrons from the valence band of 2H-MoS2 to the loaded Ag atoms. Furthermore, 20 wt% Ag loaded 2H-MoS2 is the most suitable for the thermodynamic requirement of reducing CO2 to CH4 among the catalysts with different Ag loadings, and the formation of *CHO in 20 wt% Ag/2H-MoS2 is the potential-determining step, whose Gibbs free energy reduces from 2.830 eV of 2H-MoS2 to 0.925 eV. Meanwhile the thermochemical results predict the best path for reducing CO2 on such a photocatalyst as CO2 → *COOH → *CO → *CHO → *CH2O → *OCH3 → *CH3OH → CH4. The photocatalytic performance of pristine 2H-MoS2 in CO2 reduction is therefore significantly improved by loading silver. This research provides a theoretical reference for transition metal modified 2H-MoS2 nanosheets.

The Nab experiment: A precision measurement of unpolarized neutron beta decay

Neutron beta decay is one of the most fundamental processes in nuclear physics and provides sensitive means to uncover the details of the weak interaction. Neutron beta decay can evaluate the ratio of axial-vector to vector coupling constants in the standard model, λ = gA/gV, through multiple decay correlations. The Nab experiment will carry out measurements of the electron-neutrino correlation parameter a with a precision of δa/a = 10−3 and the Fierz interference term b to δb = 3 × 10−3 in unpolarized free neutron beta decay. These results, along with a more precise measurement of the neutron lifetime, aim to deliver an independent determination of the ratio λ with a precision of δλ/λ = 0.03% that will allow an evaluation of Vud and sensitively test CKM unitarity, independent of nuclear models. Nab utilizes a novel, long asymmetric spectrometer that guides the decay electron and proton to two large area silicon detectors in order to precisely determine the electron energy and an estimation of the proton momentum from the proton time of flight. The Nab spectrometer is being commissioned at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Lab. We present an overview of the Nab experiment and recent updates on the spectrometer, analysis, and systematic effects.

Smart identification of psoriasis by images using convolutional neural networks: a case study in China

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which holds a high incidence in China. However, professional dermatologists who can diagnose psoriasis early and correctly are insufficient in China, especially in the rural areas. A smart approach to identify psoriasis by pictures would be highly adaptable countrywide and could play a useful role in early diagnosis and regular treatment of psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

Design and evaluation of a smart psoriasis identification system based on clinical images (without relying on a dermatoscope) that works effectively similar to a dermatologist.

METHODS

A set of deep learning models using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) was explored and compared in the system for automatic identification of psoriasis. The work was carried out on a standardized dermatological dataset with 8021 clinical images of 9 common disorders including psoriasis along with full electronic medical records of patients built over the last 9 years in China. A two-stage deep neural network was designed and developed to identify psoriasis. In the first stage, a multilabel classifier was trained to learn the visual patterns for each individual skin disease. In the second stage, the output of the first stage was utilized to distinguish psoriasis from other skin diseases.

RESULTS

The area under the curve (AUC) of the two-stage model reached 0.981 ± 0.015, which outperforms a single-stage model. And, the classifier showed superior performance (missed diagnosis rate: 0.03, misdiagnosis rate: 0.04) than 25 Chinese dermatologists (missed diagnosis rate: 0.19, misdiagnosis rate: 0.10) in the diagnosis of psoriasis on 100 clinical images.

CONCLUSIONS

Using clinical images to identify psoriasis is feasible and effective based on CNNs, which also builds a solid technical base for smart care of skin diseases especially psoriasis using mobile/tablet applications for teledermatology in China.

Nuclear Dependence of the Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetry in the Production of Charged Hadrons at Forward Rapidity in Polarized p+p, p+Al, and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the nuclear dependence of transverse single-spin asymmetries (TSSAs) in the production of positively charged hadrons in polarized p^{↑}+p, p^{↑}+Al, and p^{↑}+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements have been performed at forward rapidity (1.4<η<2.4) over the range of transverse momentum (1.8<p_{T}<7.0  GeV/c) and Feynman x (0.1<x_{F}<0.2). We observed positive asymmetries for positively charged hadrons in p^{↑}+p collisions, and significantly reduced asymmetries in p^{↑}+A collisions. These results reveal a nuclear dependence of TSSAs for charged-hadron production in a regime where perturbative techniques are applicable. These results provide new opportunities to use p^{↑}+A collisions as a tool to investigate the rich phenomena behind TSSAs in hadronic collisions and to use TSSAs as a new handle in studying small-system collisions.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

Hyaluronidase Pretreatment Improves the Cryopreservation of Human Ovarian Tissue

BACKGROUND

Slow freezing has been widely applied to preserve human ovarian tissue.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine whether human ovarian cortex pretreated with hyaluronidase can improve the protective effect of cryopreservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human ovarian biopsies from seven patients were cryopreserved using slow freezing. The samples in the experimental group were incubated in culture medium with hyaluronidase for a short time before cryopreservation. The histology of the thawed ovarian tissue was investigated; the levels of steroid hormone in the culture media were then used to evaluate the development and function of thawed ovarian tissue.

RESULTS

The result showed that the percentage of morphologically abnormal primordial follicles was higher in the freezing control than in the experimental group (P<0.05). 17β-estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) concentrations were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the freezing control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that human ovarian cortex pretreatment with hyaluronidase can improve the protective effect of cryopreservation by improving the penetration of cryoprotectant.

Pseudorapidity Dependence of Particle Production and Elliptic Flow in Asymmetric Nuclear Collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

Asymmetric nuclear collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV provide an excellent laboratory for understanding particle production, as well as exploring interactions among these particles after their initial creation in the collision. We present measurements of charged hadron production dN_{ch}/dη in all such collision systems over a broad pseudorapidity range and as a function of collision multiplicity. A simple wounded quark model is remarkably successful at describing the full data set. We also measure the elliptic flow v_{2} over a similarly broad pseudorapidity range. These measurements provide key constraints on models of particle emission and their translation into flow.

Towards high-energy, high-resolution computed tomography via a laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray source

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful method for non-destructive testing (NDT) and metrology awakes with expanding application fields. To improve the spatial resolution of high energy CT, a micro-spot gamma-ray source based on bremsstrahlung from a laser wakefield accelerator was developed. A high energy CT using the source was performed, which shows that the resolution of reconstruction can reach 100 μm at 10% contrast. Our proof-of-principle demonstration indicates that laser driven micro-spot gamma-ray sources provide a prospective way to increase the spatial resolution and toward to high energy micro CT. Due to the advantage in spatial resolution, laser based high energy CT represents a large potential for many NDT applications.

Nosocomial outbreak of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit in China

BACKGROUND

Candida parapsilosis is a common agent of fungaemia, but few outbreaks of Candida parapsilosis infection have been reported in China.

AIM

To elaborate an outbreak of nosocomial Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a comprehensive hospital in China from July to October 2017.

METHODS

Epidemics and characteristics of fungaemia cases were investigated. Surveillance samples were collected. Vitek 2 Compact System, internal transcribed spacer sequencing, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing were conducted to identify the isolates. Antifungal susceptibility test was performed for all bloodstream isolates.

FINDINGS

Sixteen neonates were diagnosed as Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia during this period. Presenting symptoms included leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and respiratory crackles. Fifteen cases were cured whereas one case who suffered from severe concomitant diseases died. The isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and 5-fluorocytosine. A total of 313 surveillance samples were collected, and Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto was identified from 16 environmental samples and one sample from an ultrasonographer's hand. The colonized locations included wiping cloths, faucets, sinks, operating table, puddles in the bathroom, a ventilator, and an ultrasonic probe. The RAPD patterns of all the Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates from bloodstream and surveillance samples were identical. The outbreak was controlled after a series of infection control measures.

CONCLUSION

Contaminated environment was associated with this outbreak. Close attention to immunocompromised patients, thorough environmental disinfection and hand hygiene should be strengthened in NICU.

Ethnic and sex differences in E-cigarette use and relation to alcohol use in California adolescents: the California Health Interview Survey

OBJECTIVES

E-cigarette use is not only prevalent among adolescents but is growing at an alarming rate. This study sought to determine e-cigarette use prevalence and its relation to alcohol use as a potential gateway drug, and how this may differ by sex and ethnicity in a multi-ethnic sample of California adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

We included data from 1806 adolescents (weighted to 3.0 million) aged 12-17 in the 2014 and 2015 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) cycles. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was calculated within sex and ethnic groups and the prevalence of alcohol use according to e-cigarette use was also examined with sample weighting providing population estimates. Multiple logistic regression models were built to predict the odds of using alcohol from e-cigarette use status adjusted for sociodemographic and other characteristics.

RESULTS

The prevalence of e-cigarette use was 9.1% (projected to 0.3 million) overall in California adolescents but highest in boys among non-Hispanic Whites (15.1%) and in Asian girls (13.3%). Among e-cigarette users, 61.3% of boys and 71.0% of girls reported using alcohol as well. The logistic regression odds of alcohol use, adjusted for age, ethnicity, body mass index, cigarette smoking status, socioeconomic status, parents' education level, and insurance status among e-cigarettes users (compared with non-users) was 9.2 in girls and 3.1 in boys (both P < 0.01). Asians/others, non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics were similarly at increased odds: 17.8, 5.4, and 3.0, respectively (P < 0.01 for Asians/others and for whites) of using alcohol compared with their non-e-cigarette using counterparts, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Attention needs to be paid to the high prevalence of e-cigarette smoking as well as its potential as a gateway drug for alcohol drinking in adolescents, especially among girls and Asians.

Measurements of Multiparticle Correlations in d+Au Collisions at 200, 62.4, 39, and 19.6 GeV and p+Au Collisions at 200 GeV and Implications for Collective Behavior

Recently, multiparticle-correlation measurements of relativistic p/d/^{3}He+Au, p+Pb, and even p+p collisions show surprising collective signatures. Here, we present beam-energy-scan measurements of two-, four-, and six-particle angular correlations in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200, 62.4, 39, and 19.6 GeV. We also present measurements of two- and four-particle angular correlations in p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. We find the four-particle cumulant to be real valued for d+Au collisions at all four energies. We also find that the four-particle cumulant in p+Au has the opposite sign as that in d+Au. Further, we find that the six-particle cumulant agrees with the four-particle cumulant in d+Au collisions at 200 GeV, indicating that nonflow effects are subdominant. These observations provide strong evidence that the correlations originate from the initial geometric configuration, which is then translated into the momentum distribution for all particles, commonly referred to as collectivity.

Nuclear Dependence of the Transverse-Single-Spin Asymmetry for Forward Neutron Production in Polarized p+A Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

During 2015, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) provided collisions of transversely polarized protons with Au and Al nuclei for the first time, enabling the exploration of transverse-single-spin asymmetries with heavy nuclei. Large single-spin asymmetries in very forward neutron production have been previously observed in transversely polarized p+p collisions at RHIC, and the existing theoretical framework that was successful in describing the single-spin asymmetry in p+p collisions predicts only a moderate atomic-mass-number (A) dependence. In contrast, the asymmetries observed at RHIC in p+A collisions showed a surprisingly strong A dependence in inclusive forward neutron production. The observed asymmetry in p+Al collisions is much smaller, while the asymmetry in p+Au collisions is a factor of 3 larger in absolute value and of opposite sign. The interplay of different neutron production mechanisms is discussed as a possible explanation of the observed A dependence.

Regulation of oncogenes and gap junction intercellular communication during the proliferative response of zearalenone in TM3 cells

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species. The exposure risk to humans and animals is the consumption of contaminated food and animal feeds. The aim of this study was to investigate ZEA-induced effects and its tumorigenic mechanism in TM3 cells (mouse Leydig cells). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) were assessed in this study. Results showed that low concentrations of ZEA could significantly promote the growth of TM3 cells. The percentage of cell distribution was decreased significantly in G1/G0 phase and was increased significantly in S phase with 10 and 20 μg/L of ZEA for 72 h ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The expressions of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 were significantly increased in the exposure groups compared with the control group ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis was significantly decreased in 10 and 20 μg/L groups ( p < 0.01), and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein level was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The protein levels of proto-oncogene c-Myc, c-Jun, and c-Fos were significantly elevated and the protein levels of anti-oncogene p53 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) were decreased obviously compared with the control group ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01). ZEA affected the expressions of connexins and inhibited the activity of GJIC. These results demonstrated that ZEA can disturb the dynamic balance between proliferation and apoptosis and causes abnormal regulation of oncogenes, GJIC, and connexins in TM3 cells, which may easily induce the translation of normal cells into tumor cells.

Chemical investigations of volatile kairomones produced by Hyphantria cunea (Drury), a host of the parasitoid Chouioia cunea Yang

In tritrophic 'plants-herbivores-natural enemies' systems, there are relatively few reports concerning the role(s) of kairomones in pupal parasitism. Chouioia cunea Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an endoparasitic chalcid wasp, parasitizes pupae of the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury). The role of host-related kairomones was investigated using electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral techniques. Chemicals from some host stages (pupae) and host by-products (frass), induced arrestment behavior of female parasitoids, while chemicals from prepupae, were inactive. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of volatiles collected from pupae, frass and prepupae using solid-phase microextration revealed seven compounds with carbon chain lengths ranging from C4 to C20. All of the chemicals elicited significant EAG responses in C. cunea. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays demonstrated a significant positive response of mated female C. cunea to 1-dodecene. These data provide a better understanding of the host location mechanisms of pupal parasitoid.

The increased expression of TCF3 is correlated with poor prognosis in Chinese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Regulatory factors controlling stem cell identity and self-renewal are often active in aggressive cancers and are thought to promote cancer growth and progression. B-cell-specific transcription factor 3 (TCF3/E2A) is a member of the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factor family that is central to regulating epidermal and embryonic stem cell identity. It has been reported that TCF3 was connected with the development and progression of a number of human cancers. In this study, we aimed to identify the expression of TCF3 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and evaluate its clinical significance.

DESIGN

To investigate the expression of TCF3 in NPC and its relationship to prognosis.

SETTING

An in vitro study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We analysed the expression of TCF3 in NPC and in non-tumourous nasopharyngeal tissues by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression patterns of TCF3 in 117 archived paraffin-embedded NPC specimens were characterised by immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between the TCF3 protein expression and the clinicopathological features of NPC was analysed.

RESULTS

We observed that TCF3 had a higher expression in NPC than in non-tumourous nasopharyngeal tissues of 117 archived paraffin-embedded NPC specimens, and 80 (68.4%) biopsy tissues revealed high levels of TCF3 expression. Furthermore, statistical analyses demonstrated that the increased expression of TCF3 was closely related to clinical stage, locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis of NPC. NPC patients with high levels of TCF3 expression had a shorter survival time, whereas patients with lower levels of TCF3 expression survived longer. Moreover, multivariate analysis suggested that the upregulation of TCF3 was a critical prognostic factor for NPC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest, for the first time, that TCF3 is significantly associated with the development and progression of NPC, which can be used as an important prognostic marker for patients with NPC and may be an effective target for the treatment of NPC.

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation treatment for lung metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for treating lung metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From December 2012 to November 2014, 17 patients (15 males, and two females, averaged 45.7 years old) with lung metastases from NPC accepted computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous MWA. The average number of lung metastases was 1.7 (range: 1-4), and the biggest tumor diameter was 4.2 cm (range: 0.8-4.2 cm). Nineteen nodules located in the right lung and 10 nodules located in the left lung. A total of 29 ablation sites were performed to 29 lung metastases in 22 MWA sessions. Postoperative assessments of complete tumor necrosis rate, safety, local tumor progression, and survival period were carried out.

RESULTS

Of the 29 lesions, complete response was achieved for 27 lesions; residual tumor was found in one lesion 3 months postoperatively; and another lesion was found enlarged 3-month postoperatively with obvious enhancement. Four patients had a small amount of postoperative parenchyma bleeding and two patients had a small amount of pneumothorax. Six months after MWA treatment, new metastatic lesions appeared in six patients, five patients had new metastatic lesions inside the lung, and the other patient had metastatic lesions in the thoracic vertebra. The time for the appearance of new pulmonary metastases for the five patients was 4-20 months, averaged 7.2 months.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided MWA is a promising treatment alternative for local tumor control in selected patients with lung metastases from NPC.

Slater Insulator in Iridate Perovskites with Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling

The perovskite SrIrO_{3} is an exotic narrow-band metal owing to a confluence of the strengths of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and the electron-electron correlations. It has been proposed that topological and magnetic insulating phases can be achieved by tuning the SOC, Hubbard interactions, and/or lattice symmetry. Here, we report that the substitution of nonmagnetic, isovalent Sn^{4+} for Ir^{4+} in the SrIr_{1-x}Sn_{x}O_{3} perovskites synthesized under high pressure leads to a metal-insulator transition to an antiferromagnetic (AF) phase at T_{N}≥225  K. The continuous change of the cell volume as detected by x-ray diffraction and the λ-shape transition of the specific heat on cooling through T_{N} demonstrate that the metal-insulator transition is of second order. Neutron powder diffraction results indicate that the Sn substitution enlarges an octahedral-site distortion that reduces the SOC relative to the spin-spin exchange interaction and results in the type-G AF spin ordering below T_{N}. Measurement of high-temperature magnetic susceptibility shows the evolution of magnetic coupling in the paramagnetic phase typical of weak itinerant-electron magnetism in the Sn-substituted samples. A reduced structural symmetry in the magnetically ordered phase leads to an electron gap opening at the Brillouin zone boundary below T_{N} in the same way as proposed by Slater.

Novel mutations in quinolone resistance-determining regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE in Shigella flexneri clinical isolates from eastern Chinese populations between 2001 and 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance and mechanisms of selected fluoroquinolone resistance in Shigella flexneri isolates. A total of 624 S. flexneri strains isolated between 2001 and 2011 in Jiangsu Province of China were analysed for their fluoroquinolone susceptibility. The quinolone resistance-determining region of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE were amplified and sequenced. In general, 90.5 % of S. flexneri exhibited resistance to nalidixic acid. The mean norfloxacin resistance rate was 22.4 % during the 11 years from 2001 to 2011 (6.4 % from 2001 to 2005 and 36.8 % from 2006 to 2011). Sequencing of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes of all S. flexneri isolates showed that the mutation rate was as high as 93.9 %. In addition, 91.8 % and 92.3 % of S. flexneri harboured mutations in gyrA and parC, respectively. About 35.2 % of S. flexneri isolates susceptible to nalidixic acid contained mutations. Meanwhile, mutations were detected in 91.2 % of norfloxacin-susceptible strains, and almost all S. flexneri isolates resistant to fluoroquinolone contained mutations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the occurrence of point mutations Asn57Lys and His80Pro in gyrA and Ala85Thr, Asp111His and Ser129Pro in parC. Emerging fluoroquinolone resistance with a significantly high mutation rate of the gyrA and parC genes in S. flexneri in Jiangsu Province deserves attention, and monitoring antibiotic susceptibility is important for the effective management of S. flexneri infections.

Quasi-One-Dimensional Metal-Insulator Transitions in Compound Semiconductor Surfaces

Existing examples of Peierls-type 1D systems on surfaces involve depositing metallic overlayers on semiconducting substrates, in particular, at step edges. Here we propose a new class of Peierls system on the (101[over ¯]0) surface of metal-anion wurtzite semiconductors. When the anions are bonded to hydrogen or lithium atoms, we obtain rows of threefold coordinated metal atoms that act as one-atom-wide metallic structures. First-principles calculations show that the surface is metallic, and below a certain critical temperature the surface will condense to a semiconducting state. The idea of surface scaffolding is introduced in which the rows are constrained to move along simple up-down and/or sideways displacements, mirroring the paradigm envisioned in Peierls's description. We predict that this type of insulating state should be visible in the partially hydrogenated (101[over ¯]0) surface of many wurtzite compounds.

Cotransport of graphene oxide and Cu(II) through saturated porous media

This study examines the cotransport of graphene oxide (GO) and Cu in porous media. The impacts of GO concentration and ion strength (IS) on Cu transport in laboratory packed columns were investigated. The results indicated that GO had fairly high mobility at a IS of 1mM, and could serve as an effective carrier of Cu(II). The facilitated transport was found to increase with increasing concentration of GO (CGO). The peak effluent concentration (C/C0)max of Cu was 0.57 at CGO of 120mg/L and IS=1mM and 0.13 at 40mg/L and IS=1mM. The Cu appears to be irreversibly adsorbed by the sand because no Cu appeared in the effluent in the absence of GO. However, the GO-facilitated Cu transport was reduced as the IS increased from 1 to 1000mM. In fact, the facilitated transport was zero percent at an IS of 1000mM. Particle size analysis, Zeta potential measurements and DLVO calculations demonstrated that higher IS values made the GO became unstable and it flocculated and attached to the sand. We also fed GO into the column pre-equilibrated by Cu as sequential elution experiments and found that the later introduced GO can complex the pre-adsorbed Cu from the sand surface because GO has a higher adsorption affinity for Cu. An advection-dispersion-retention numerical model was able to describe the Cu and GO transport in the column. Our work provides useful insights into fate, transport and risk assessment of heavy metal contaminants in the presence of engineered nanoparticles.

ID: 135: SINGLE CELL GENE EXPRESSION STUDIES IN LUPUS MONOCYTES REVEAL A UNIQUE ANTII-INFLAMMATORY NON-CLASSICAL MONOCYTE POPULATION ASSOCIATED WITH CLINICAL QUIESCENCE

Background

Our previous studies have shown that different cell types from the same blood sample demonstrate diverse gene expression parameters. In follow up work, it seems that this diversity extends to cells of the same type from the same blood sample. In this study, we examine single cell gene expression in SLE patient monocytes and determine correlations with clinical features.

Methods

CD14++CD16− classical monocytes (CLs) and CD14dimCD16+ non-classical monocytes (NCLs) from SLE patients were purified by magnetic separation. The Fluidigm single cell capture and pre-amplification system was used for single cell capture and target gene pre-amplification. Fluidigm Biomark system (Rt-PCR system) was used to quantify expression of 87 monocyte-related genes. IFN-induced genes in monocytes were identified by culturing monocytes isolated from whole blood of healthy controls with or without IFN-α. Genes significant up-regulated by IFN were identified as IFN-induced genes in current study. An individual cell IFN score was given based upon the sum of expression of IFN-induced genes.

Results

Both CLs and NCLs demonstrated a wide range of expression of IFN-induced genes, and NCL monocytes had higher IFN scores than CL monocytes. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering, we found four gene sets that clustered monocytes functionally. These included an IFN-induced gene set, two inflammatory gene sets, and one immunosuppressive gene set. Interestingly, we could define a large subset of NCL monocytes with upregulation of suppressive transcripts (including TGF-β and PDL1) and IFN-induced transcripts were also upregulated, while the two inflammatory gene sets were down-regulated. These cells were highly over-represented in a patient with inactive disease who was on immunosuppressants at the time of blood draw. The proportion of anti-inflammatory gene set expressing NCLs was inversely correlated with anti-dsDNA titers (rho=−0.77, p=0.0051) and positively correlated with C3 complement (rho=0.68, p=0.030) in the SLE patient group, suggesting that these cells are also associated with serological quiescence.

Conclusion

Using single cell gene expression, we have identified a unique population of NCL monocytes in SLE patients with upregulation of a combination of anti-inflammatory and IFN-induced transcripts. These cells correspond with clinical and serological quiescence.

ID: 133: SINGLE CELL GENE EXPRESSION IN CLASSICAL MONOCYTES CORRELATES WITH TREATMENT RESPONSE TO TNF-ALPHA INHIBITION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

In management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), initiating effective treatment as soon as possible within the so-called therapeutic “window of opportunity” is the strategy, and disease remission is a primary goal. Recent work from our group demonstrated that pre-treatment serum type I IFN-β/α activity ratio>1.3 can predict non-response to anti-TNF-alpha therapy in RA patients. The cellular mechanisms that underlie the IFN-β/α activity ratio that predicts response are not known. Effects of IFN on single immune cells and uncommon cell populations may be masked in whole blood or mixed cell populations.

Methods

To better understand the underpinnings of the pre-treatment IFN-β/α activity ratio, we used single cell expression analysis to investigate whether monocyte gene expression differs significantly between RA patients according to their pre-TNF-α inhibitor serum IFN-β/α activity ratio. Single classical (CL) and single non-classical (NCL) blood-derived monocytes were isolated from 15 seropositive RA subjects prior to biologic therapy. Total serum type I IFN, IFN-α, and IFN-β activity were measured using a functional reporter cell assay. Subjects were grouped by pre-TNF-α inhibitor serum IFN-β/α activity ratio into two groups, IFN-β/α>1.3 (n=6) and IFN-β/α<1.3 (n=9). Comparisons between groups were by Mann-Whitney. Hierarchical clustering of 87 target genes was done to determine if there were functional gene expression differences between groups.

Results

Hierarchical clustering revealed striking differences of expression of gene sets in CL monocytes between patients with IFN-β/α<1.3 and IFN-β/α>1.3, the groups which correspond to response/non-response to anti-TNF-α agents. This same clustering was not observed in NCL monocytes, and the differentiation between anti-TNF-α response patient groups was lost when hierarchical clustering was done on total monocytes (CL and NCL). Two major gene sets which differentiated subjects with IFN-β/α>1.3 (non-response to anti-TNF-α group) in CL monocytes included TLR and IFN pathway genes, cell surface markers and cytokines as follows: cluster 1 (TLR2, CD16, JAK1, IFI27, IL1A, and MAVS) and cluster 2 (GMCSF, TLR7, STAT2, ILT7, MYD88).

Conclusion

These within-cell expression patterns demonstrate biological differences in CL monocytes of RA patients with an IFN-β/α>1.3, the ratio of type I IFNs previously found to be predictive of non-response to anti-TNF-α therapy. Differentiation by gene expression among the response/non-response patient groups is lost when comparing gene expression in single NCL monocytes and single mixed population monocytes (CL and NCL), suggesting that further study of CL monocytes will likely illuminate molecular differences that determine treatment response to TNF-α inhibition in RA. This work will help to develop a more individualized approach to therapy in RA based upon the underlying biology of disease in a given patient.

Bovine leukemia virus infection in cattle of China: Association with reduced milk production and increased somatic cell score

The main objective of this study was to investigate the individual cow effect of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection on milk production and somatic cell score (SCS). The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) quantitative PCR established in this study and a commercial ELISA kit revealed that 49.1% of dairy cattle (964/1,963) from 6 provinces of China and 1.6% of beef cattle (22/1,390) from 15 provinces were BLV positive. In a detailed study of 105 cows, BLV was found most commonly in buffy coat samples that also had highest copy numbers (10(4.75±1.56) per mL); all cows negative for BLV in buffy coat samples were also negative in vaginal swab, milk, and fecal samples. Copy numbers of BLV were 10(2.90±0.42)/gram of feces, 10(0.83±0.62)/mL of milk, and 10(2.18±0.81) per vaginal swab. The BLV-positive cows had significantly lower milk production in the early (26.8 vs. 30.9kg) and middle stages of lactation (22.2 vs. 26.1kg) in animals with ≥4 parities than the BLV-negative cows; they also had significantly higher SCS in early and middle lactation stages (early=5.2 vs. 4.3; middle=4.9 vs. 3.9) in animals with ≥4 parities. Milk production and SCS did not significantly differ between the BLV-infected and -uninfected cows when they were in the late lactation stage or in animals with ≤3 parities. Taken together, our results indicate that BLV infections are widespread in the dairy farms of China. Vaginal secretions and feces may be involved in BLV transmission. A BLV infection may result in reduced milk yield and increased SCS in a parity and lactation stage-restricted manner.

FOXE1 polymorphisms and non-syndromic orofacial cleft susceptibility in a Chinese Han population

OBJECTIVE

FOXE1 plays an important role in craniofacial development. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between genetic variants of FOXE1 and risk of non-syndromic orofacial clefts in a Chinese population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three potentially functional SNPs of FOXE1 (rs3758250 and rs907577 in the 5' upstream and rs7043516 in the 3'-UTR) were selected and their associations with non-syndromic orofacial cleft susceptibility were investigated in a case-control study from a Chinese population (602 cases and 605 controls). Genotyping was performed with double ligation and multiplex fluorescence PCR. Associations between the SNPs and risk of non-syndromic orofacial clefts and its subgroups were estimated from unconditional logistic regression analysis. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to assess SNP function.

RESULTS

Overall, we did not find any of the individual SNP or haplotype was associated with NSOC susceptibility. Nevertheless, in stratified analysis, we found rs7043516, locating in the 3'-UTR of FOXE1, was associated with risk of cleft lip only. Further in vitro luciferase assay indicated that this SNP could contribute to differential binding ability with miRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, this study showed that rs7043516 may be considered as a potentially susceptible marker of cleft lip only among Chinese Han populations.

Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene (NG)/Nickle Oxide (NiO) Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor

A novel nitrogen-doped graphene (NG)/nickle oxide (NiO) nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile two-step method, where NiO particles were dispersed on the surface of NG. The NG/NiO nanocomposite is characterized by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of NG/NiO nanocomposite have been studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Compared with the nitrogen-doped graphene, the electrode prepared by NG/NiO nanocomposite has a mass specific capacitance of 342 F g(-1) at scan rate of 5 mV s(-1), which is much higher than that of nitrogen-doped graphene (NG). The galvanostatic charge/discharge results show this new kind nanocomposite has high specific capacitance with 320 F g(-1) in the range of 0.1-0.5 V at a current density of 1 A g(-1). The enhanced supercapacitive performance of NG/NiO nanocomposite suggesting its promising potential in supercapacitors.