Three species of Aeromonas (A. dhakensis, A. hydrophila and A. jandaei) isolated from freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) with pneumonia and septicemia

Hundreds of farmed Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) died during July 2016 at a farm in Wenchang, Hainan, China. In two necropsied crocodiles, we observed symptoms of dermatorrhagia, hepatomegaly and hepatic congestion. Pulmonitis was diagnosed by pulmonary congestion and pulmonary fibrinous exudate. Septicaemia was diagnosed by isolation of three Aeromonas species from blood and visceral tissues; A. dhakensis, A. hydrophila and A. jandaei were identified by biochemical and molecular tests. We used a zebrafish model to determine the half-maximal lethal dose (LD₅₀ ), and A. dhakensis was found to be the most virulent species, with an LD₅₀ of 8·91 × 10⁵ CFU per ml. The results of a drug sensitivity test indicated that these species were sensitive to 11 antibiotics. This is the first report of A. dhakensis, A. hydrophila and A. jandaei being isolated from a mixed infection in Siamese crocodiles. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study, we isolated three species of Aeromonas (A. dhakensis, A. hydrophila and A. jandae) from farmed Siamese crocodiles with fatal fibrinous pneumonia and septicaemia. This is the first description of a mixed infection with three Aeromonas species among captive crocodilians.

[ORAI1 variation induced combined immunodeficiency: a case report and literature review]

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and gene variations of combined immunodeficiency caused by ORAI1 variation with a case report and literature review. Methods: The clinical data of the patient who was diagnosed with ORAI1 variation caused combined immunodeficiency in the Department of Pediatrics in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in February 2018 were extracted and analyzed. The literature till August 2018 was searched with key words of 'ORAI1', and 'immunodeficiency' in both English and Chinese in the database of China national knowledge infrast ructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Pubmed. Results: The patient was a 15 months old girl with acute onset of bilateral ptosis after upper respiratory tract infection, which was rapidly progressed to systemic myasthenia and accompanied with recurrent respiratory tract infection during the treatment. The patient poorly to responded immunomodulatory therapy and anti-infection therapy. Laboratory tests demonstrated decreased complement C3 and NK cell (CD3(-)CD56(+)), increased anti-thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase antibody and B lymphocyte (CD3(-)CD19(+)), and slightly increased anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. Genetic analysis showed the homozygous variation of ORAI1 gene exon l c.12 G>T (p.E4D), with heterozygostty of both parents. There were only 4 papers reporting this disease in the literature review. A total of 7 patients with ORAI1 gene variation were reported, including 3 homozygous variations, 2 heterozygous variations and 2 complex heterozygous variations. The clinical manifestations included early onset recurrent infection, congenital hypotonia, elevated serum IgA and IgM, decreased NK cells, and family history of hereditary diseases. Four of the 7 reported cases died of pulmonary infection and sepsis, and the other 3 survived with low muscular tone and poor self-care ability. Conclusions: The most common clinical manifestations of ORAI1 variation caused combined immunodeficiency are recurrent infection and congenital hypotonia. Myasthenia induced recurrent respiratory tract infection is an important factor of poor prognosis in severe patients. There is a lack of effective treatment for this disease, and the prognosis is poor.

[A family with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome due to SLC16A2 gene mutation]

Objective: To report a family diagnosed with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS) due to SLC16A2 gene mutation and to summarize the phenotypes, genotypes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Methods: The clinical features of a family of AHDS diagnosed in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in November 2017 were analyzed. Related literature was searched at Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang database (from the establishment of databases to June 2018) by using "Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome" , and "AHDS" as keywords and the case reports from April 2013 to June 2018 were reviewed. Results: The proband was a boy aged 8 months who presented with global developmental retardation, inability to hold up the head, disability to sit independently or grab, no language development, elongated face, big ears, esotropia, scoliosis, hypotonia in the trunk, hypertonia in extremities, and hyperreflexia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed widening of the extracerebral space and delayed myelination. Thyroid function tests revealed increased FT3, decreased FT4 and normal TSH. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed the SLC16A2 gene c.431-1 (IVS1) G>C hemizygous mutation. The infant's mother and grandmother are carriers, but whose father had no related mutation. One uncle from maternal side had severe psychomotor retardation as well as dystonia and died at one year of age with unknown etiology. A total of 97 articles were retrieved in which 19 case reports were reviewed. Forty-two cases (22 from 8 families and 20 sporadic) were reported. Among these 42 cases (all males), all of them presented with moderate to severe cognitive dysfunction, 15 with seizures; 36 were bedridden, only 4 could walk; 31 had no language development, 2 could speak sentences, 4 could speak few words, 1 had babbling sounds. Furthermore,16 had microcephaly, 18 had facial dysmorphism, 6 had esotropia, 2 had hearing loss,14 had scoliosis, 11 had joint contracture, 30 had low body weight/muscle wasting, 37 had hypotonia in trunk or extremities, 32 had progressive spastic paraplegia or hypertonia. In terms of thyroid function, 33 had abnormal results, within whom 30 had increased T3, 25 had decreased T4 and 3 had increased TSH. Brain MRI showed delayed myelination in 22 cases, within which one normalized with development. Genetic tests showed that 31 had missense mutation (14 sporadic), 5 had deletion mutation (3 sporadic, and 1 due to frameshift mutation), 5 had insertion mutation (2 sporadic), and 1 had repeated mutation. The prognosis was poor as patients often died of recurrent respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: The main clinical manifestations of AHDS are severe global developmental retardation, hypotonia, spastic paraplegia, abnormal serum levels of thyroid hormone and delayed brain myelination. SLC16A2 c. 431-1 (IVS1) G > C mutation is accountable for this disease.

A PPy/ZnO functional interlayer to enhance electrochemical performance of lithium/sulfur batteries

To enhance the electrochemical performance of the lithium/sulfur batteries, a novel interlayer was prepared by coating the slurry of PPy/ZnO composite onto the surface of a separator. Owing to a three-dimensional hierarchical network structure, PPy/ZnO composite serves as a polysulfide diffusion absorbent that can intercept the migrating soluble polysulfides to enhance the electrochemical performance of the Li/S batteries. The specific capacity of the cell with PPy/ZnO interlayer remained at 579 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. This interlayer can provide novel avenues for the commercial applications of Li/S batteries.

High-Performance and Multifunctional Skinlike Strain Sensors Based on Graphene/Springlike Mesh Network

The development of skinlike strain sensors that are integrated with multiple sensing functions has attracted tremendous attention in recent years. To mimic human skin, strain sensors should have the abilities to detect various deformations such as pressing, stretching, bending, and even subtle vibrations. Here, we developed a facile, cost-effective, and scalable method for fabrication of high-performance strain sensors based on a graphene-coated springlike mesh network. This composite-based sensor exhibits an incorporation of low detection limit (LOD) for minute deformation (LOD of 1.38 Pa for pressure, 0.1% for tensile strain, and 10 μm for vibration), multiple sensing functions, long-term stability, and wide maximal sensing range (up to 80 kPa for pressure and 110% for tensile strain). On the basis of its superior performance, it can be applied for in situ monitoring of human motions ranging from subtle physiological signals (e.g., pulse, respiration, and phonation) to substantial movements (e.g., finger bending).

Realization of a half-metallic state on bilayer WSe2 using doping transition metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) in its interlayer

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni-doped bilayer WSe₂ are predicted by using first principles calculations. The doped transition-metal (TM) atoms show a covalent-binding with the nearest Se atoms. The calculated electronic structures reveal that the TM Cr, Mn, Fe and Co-doped bilayer WSe₂ exhibits a half-metallic character with a 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level, and the reason is ascribed to the strong hybridization peak between the transition metals and the parent W and Se atoms. The Ni-doped bilayer WSe₂ is still a semiconductor with nonmagnetism. The Fe-doped system has a robust stability of half-metallicity because there are three connected states peak spanning the Fermi level. The doping of Cr, Mn, Fe and Co atoms leads to a prominent total magnetism (0.93-3.65 [Formula: see text] moment per unit cell), and an induced ∼0.3 [Formula: see text] moment in parent W atoms is found in addition to the main contribution of TM atomic magnetism (0.71-3.33 [Formula: see text] moment per atom). The predicted Cr, Mn, Fe and Co-doped bilayer WSe₂ should be the candidate materials for spintronic devices due to their magnetic and half-metallic nature.

Micro-Spherical Sulfur/Graphene Oxide Composite via Spray Drying for High Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries

An efficient, industry-accepted spray drying method was used to synthesize micro-spherical sulfur/graphene oxide (S/GO) composites as cathode materials within lithium sulfur batteries. The as-designed wrapping of the sulfur-nanoparticles, with wrinkled GO composites, was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The unique morphological design of this material enabled superior discharge capacity and cycling performance, demonstrating a high initial discharge capacity of 1400 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C. The discharge capacity remained at 828 mAh g⁻¹ after 150 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance indicates that the S/GO composite improves electrical conductivity and alleviates the shuttle effect. This study represents the first time such a facile spray drying method has been adopted for lithium sulfur batteries and used in the fabrication of S/GO composites.

Dietary supplementation with a nucleotide-rich yeast extract modulates gut immune response and microflora in weaned pigs in response to a sanitary challenge

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the short-term effect of supplementing a nucleotide-rich yeast extract (NRYE) on growth performance, gut structure, immunity and microflora of piglets raised under sanitary and unsanitary conditions. A total of 84, 21-day old piglets were used in this study; 42 piglets were raised in a room designated as the clean room that was washed once per week, whereas the other 42 piglets were raised in a room designated as the unclean room in which 7 kg of manure from the sow herd was spread on each pen floor on day 1 and 7 and the room was not washed throughout the experiment. The pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet without or with 0.1% NRYE. Each treatment had 7 replicate pens in each room, and each pen housed 3 pigs. Feed disappearance and BW were recorded on day 1 and 14. On day 14, one pig per pen was euthanized to collect ileum, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen tissues, and cecum and colon digesta. Overall, NRYE supplementation did not affect growth performance in both clean and unclean conditions, improved kidney weight in both clean (P=0.0002) and unclean room (P<0.0001) and tended to improve the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the clean room (P=0.073). Supplementing NRYE was associated with upregulation of Ileal programmed cell death gene-1 (P=0.0003), interleukin (IL)-1β (P<0.0001), IL-6 (P=0.0003), IL-10 (P<0.0001) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P<0.0001) in pigs raised in the unclean room. Supplementing the NRYE in pigs raised in the clean room suppressed growth of cecal Enterobacteriacea (P<0.0001) members and colonic Enterococcus spp. (P<0.019), improved proliferation of cecal Lactobacillus spp. (P<0.002) and colonic Clostridium cluster IV (P<0.011) and XVIa members (P<0.0002). Supplementing the NRYE in the unclean room improved proliferation of cecal Clostridium cluster IV (P<0.026) and suppressed proliferation of colonic Enterococcus spp. (P<0.037). In conclusion, supplementing the NRYE to piglets under unsanitary conditions improved ileal immune response by upregulating inflammatory cytokines, and positively modulated proliferation of beneficial gut bacteria and suppression of harmful ones in both clean and unclean rooms.

Facile Synthesis of SiO2@C Nanoparticles Anchored on MWNT as High-Performance Anode Materials for Li-ion Batteries

Carbon-coated silica nanoparticles anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SiO₂@C/MWNT composite) were synthesized via a simple and facile sol-gel method followed by heat treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) studies confirmed densely anchoring the carbon-coated SiO₂ nanoparticles onto a flexible MWNT conductive network, which facilitated fast electron and lithium-ion transport and improved structural stability of the composite. As prepared, ternary composite anode showed superior cyclability and rate capability compared to a carbon-coated silica counterpart without MWNT (SiO₂@C). The SiO₂@C/MWNT composite exhibited a high reversible discharge capacity of 744 mAh g^-1 at the second discharge cycle conducted at a current density of 100 mA g^-1 as well as an excellent rate capability, delivering a capacity of 475 mAh g^-1 even at 1000 mA g^-1. This enhanced electrochemical performance of SiO₂@C/MWNT ternary composite anode was associated with its unique core-shell and networking structure and a strong mutual synergistic effect among the individual components.

Na4Mn9O18/Carbon Nanotube Composite as a High Electrochemical Performance Material for Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries

The aqueous sodium-ion battery (ASIB) is one of the promising new energy storage systems owing to the abundant resources of sodium as well as efficiency and safety of electrolyte. Herein, we report an ASIB system with Na₄Mn₉O₁₈/carbon nanotube (NMO/CNT) as cathode, metal Zn as anode and a novel Na⁺/Zn²⁺ mixed ion as electrolyte. The NMO/CNT with microspherical structure is prepared by a simple spray-drying method. The prepared battery delivers a high reversible specific capacity and stable cyclability. Furthermore, the battery displays a stable reversible discharge capacity of 53.2 mAh g^-1 even at a high current rate of 4 C after 150 cycles. Our results confirm that the NMO/CNT composite is a promising electrode cathode material for ASIBs.

Facile Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes as High-Performance Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

ZnO/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (ZnO/NCNT) composite, prepared though a simple one-step sol-gel synthetic technique, has been explored for the first time as an anode material. The as-prepared ZnO/NCNT nanocomposite preserves a good dispersity and homogeneity of the ZnO nanoparticles (~6 nm) which deposited on the surface of NCNT. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the formation of ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of 6 nm homogeneously deposited on the surface of NCNT. ZnO/NCNT composite, when evaluated as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), exhibits remarkably enhanced cycling ability and rate capability compared with the ZnO/CNT counterpart. A relatively large reversible capacity of 1013 mAh·g⁻¹ is manifested at the second cycle and a capacity of 664 mAh·g⁻¹ is retained after 100 cycles. Furthermore, the ZnO/NCNT system displays a reversible capacity of 308 mAh·g⁻¹ even at a high current density of 1600 mA·g⁻¹. These electrochemical performance enhancements are ascribed to the reinforced accumulative effects of the well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles and doping nitrogen atoms, which can not only suppress the volumetric expansion of ZnO nanoparticles during the cycling performance but also provide a highly conductive NCNT network for ZnO anode.

Electrochemical Properties of an Na₄Mn₉O18-Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Synthesized via Spray Drying for an Aqueous Sodium-Ion Battery

An aqueous sodium ion battery (ASIB) with metal Zn as anode and Na₄Mn₉O₁₈-reduced graphene oxide (Na₄Mn₉O₁₈-RGO) as cathode has been developed. In this work, spherical Na₄Mn₉O₁₈-RGO composite particles were prepared via spray drying. The aqueous battery exhibits stable cyclability and high specific capacities. Typically, a high initial discharge capacity of 61.7 mAh·g⁻¹ is attained at a high current rate of 4 C, and a stabilizing reversible capacity of 58.9 mAh·g⁻¹ was obtained after 150 cycles. The network interlaced by RGO sheets provided fast electron conduction paths and structural stability to accommodate the mechanical stresses induced by sodium insertion and extraction, so the Na₄Mn₉O₁₈-RGO electrode displayed superior electrochemical performance in the ASIB.

Down-regulation of miR-329-3p is associated with worse prognosis in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

miR-329-3p has been reported to serve as a tumor suppressor in the progression of cervical cancer (CC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-329-3p in human CC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-329-3p expression in CC tissue samples and matched normal cervical tissues. The x2 test was used to analyze the association between miR-329-3p expression and clinical features of CC patients. Moreover, we evaluated the prognostic value of miR-329-3p by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression model.

RESULTS

We found that the mean expression level of miR-329-3p in CC tissues was significantly lower than the mean level in the adjacent normal tissues samples (p < 0.01). MiR-329-3p level was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.013), FIGO stage (p = 0.024) and distant metastasis (p = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference was found, that CC patients with low miR-329-3p expression level had distinctly shorter overall survival than patients with high miR-329-3p expression level (p = 0.001). Finally, multivariate analyses indicated that miR-329-3p represented an independent predictor for overall survival of CC (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated, for the first time, that down-regulation of miR-329-3p was associated with poor prognosis in CC patients. MiR-329-3p can be used as an independent factor to predict survival of patients with CC.

[Dynamin-1-related infantile spasms: a case report and review of literature]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and gene mutation characteristics of dynamin-1 (DNM1)-related infantile spasms. Method: Clinical, laboratory and genetic data of one case of DNM1-related infantile spasms diagnosed by Xiangya Hospital in September 2015 were analyzed.Through taking "Dynamin-1" "DNM1" as key words to search at CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed and OMIM to date (April 2016), the clinical characteristics of 9 reported cases of DNM1-related epileptic encephalopathy in international literature with our case were reviewed. Result: The boy is the second child of healthy and nonconsanguineous parents.At 7 months, he started to have seizures with head dropping, and he was brought for the first time to our hospital at the age of 17 months.The patient presented with severe psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, muscular hypotonia, and electroencephalography showed hypsarhythmia.He received 28 days of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy.After that, his seizures were improved with valproic acid and levetiracetam, and disappeared between 3 years and 5 months to 5 years and 5 months of age on treatment with valproic acid only.Exome-sequencing study (trios) identified novel heterozygous mutation c. 443A>G (p.Glu148Arg) in DNM1. Up to now, 9 cases of epileptic encephalopathy (infantile spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) associated with de novo DNM1 gene mutations have been reported. Conclusion: The main clinical features of DNM1 mutations include intractable seizures, intellectual disability, developmental delay, hypotonia, and developmental delay before the onset of seizures.