Controlling the quantity of γ-Fe inside multiwall carbon nano-onions: the key role of sulfur

One of the most interesting structural features of multiwall carbon onions (MWCNOs) and nanotubes (MWCNTs) is the excellent chemical stability, which allows in situ encapsulation of chosen magnetic materials of interest and multifunctional applications. In this letter, we present an innovative chemical vapour synthesis (CVS) approach, in which the inclusion of small quantities of sulfur during the pyrolysis of ferrocene/dichlorobenzene mixtures allows for an important control in the relative abundance of FCC γ-Fe, up to a maximum value of ∼86.5% (structural- and phase-control). The variation in the relative percentage of the encapsulated Fe-based phases was estimated by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement analyses. The magnetic characterization was achieved by employing superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, with zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) curves acquired at applied fields of 300 Oe and ∼50 000 Oe.

[Analysis and significance of HBV DNA below the lower detection limit of HBV RNA levels after long-term NAs antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis]

Objective: To analyze the significance of HBV DNA below the lower detection limit of HBV RNA levels after long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis. Methods: 97 cases with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis treated with NAs antiviral therapy for at least 3 years between May 2018 to July 2019 were selected. High-sensitivity HBV DNA (<20 IU/ml), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV RNA at least twice every 6 months were detected. According to Child-Pugh classification, HBeAg, HBsAg level, and HBV RNA level intergroup comparison was performed. Rank sum test, χ² test and linear regression analysis were performed on the data. Results: Compared with the HBV RNA level of child-Pugh class A patients, the HBV RNA level of Child-Pugh class B+C patients were significantly higher [4.1 (0,4.9) log₁₀ copies/ml and 2.0 (0,3.5) log₁₀ copies/ml], and the difference was statistically significant (Z=2.370, P<0.05). According to different HBeAg levels, they were divided into HBeAg positive and negative group, and the quantitative comparison of HBV RNA levels between the two groups were 2.0 (0, 4.5) log₁₀ copies/ml and 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) log₁₀ copies/ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=3.233, P<0.05). According to different HBsAg levels, they were divided into three groups: HBsAg≤100 IU/ml, 100<HBsAg<1 000 IU/ml, and HBsAg≥1 000 IU/ml, and the quantitative comparison of HBV RNA levels among the three groups were 0 (0, 2.0) log₁₀, 2.0 (0,4.6) log_10, and 2.2 (2.0, 4.7) log₁₀ copies/ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H=11.265, P<0.05). Gender, age, ALT, AST, GGT, HBsAg, and HBeAg were included for linear regression analysis, and the HBsAg and AST levels were correlated with HBV RNA quantification (P<0.05). Adverse events occurrence during 1-year follow-up were recorded. 19 (31.7%) out of 60 cases had adverse events with detectable HBV RNA, and 3 (8.1%) out of 37 cases had adverse events with undetectable HBV RNA, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=7.24, P<0.05). Conclusion: HBV RNA can still be detected after HBV DNA falls below the detection limit in patients with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis treated with long-term NAs antiviral therapy. HBV RNA quantification level is higher in patients with Child Pugh class B and C. Patients with detectable HBV RNA has higher proportion of adverse events, and AST and HBsAg levels may be correlated with serum HBV RNA.

[Correlation analysis between blood routine-derived inflammatory markers and respiratory function in pneumoconiosis patients]

Objective: To analyze the correlation between blood routine-derived inflammation indicators and respiratory function in patients with pneumoconiosis. Methods: In January 2021, 492 male pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized in Hefei Institute of Occupational Disease Control and Prevention from 2012 to 2020 were randomly selected as the case group, 492 dust exposed non pneumoconiosis workers who underwent occupational health examination at the same time were taken as the control group. The occupational history and clinical examination data of the two groups of subjects were collected, the correlation between blood routine-derived inflammatory indexes and pulmonary function and blood gas analysis was analyzed retrospectively. Results: Compared with the control group, the lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) in the case group was decreased, and the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . There were significant differences in forced vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value (FVC) , forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of the predicted value (FEV(1)%) , one second rate (FEV(1)/FVC) , partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) , partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) , and pH among pneumoconiosis patients at different stages (P<0.05) . FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC, and PaO(2) decreased with the increase of the stage, the trend test was statistically significant (tau-b=-0.24, -0.34, -0.37, -0.17, P<0.05) , PaCO(2) and pH increased with the increase of the stage, and the trend test was statistically significant (tau-b=0.10, 0.08, P<0.05) . There were statistically significant differences in LYM, LMR, NLR, platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with pneumoconiosis at different stages (P<0.05) , and LYM and LMR decreased with the increase of stage, trend test showed that there was statistically significant (tau-b=-0.11, -0.13, P<0.05) . There were significant differences in FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC, PaO(2), pH, LMR, NLR, PLR among patients with different types of pneumoconiosis (P<0.05) . LMR in pneumoconiosis patients was significantly positively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=0.342, 0.324, 0.203, 0.207, P<0.05) , NLR was significantly negatively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=-0.193, -0.202, -0.164, -0.177, P<0.05) , PLR was significantly negatively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=-0.194, -0.193, -0.106, -0.113, P<0.05) . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that LMR in pneumoconiosis patients was positively related with FVC%, FEV(1)% and PaO(2) (P<0.05) . Conclusion: LMR in patients with pneumoconiosis has a certain correlation with lung function and blood gas analysis, LMR is expected to become a sensitive indicator for evaluating pneumoconiosis.

Early graft loss due to acute thrombotic microangiopathy accompanied by complement gene variants in living-related kidney transplantation: case series report

Background

Recently, early graft loss has become very rare in living-related kidney transplantation (LKT) as a result of decreased risk of hyperacute rejection and improvements in immunosuppressive regimens. Post-transplant acute thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare, multi-factorial disease that often occurs shortly after kidney transplantation and is usually resistant to treatment with dismal renal outcomes. The complement genetic variants may accelerate the development of TMA. However, the complement genetic test was seldom performed in unknown native kidney disease recipients scheduled for LKT.

Case presentation

We reported three cases of unknown native kidney diseases who had fulminant TMA in the allograft shortly after LKT. Both the donors and the recipients were noted to carry complement genetic variants, which were identified by genetic testing after transplantation. However, all recipients were refractory to treatment and had allograft loss within 3 months after LKT.

Conclusion

This case series highlights the suggestion to screen complement gene variants in both the donors and the recipients with unknown native kidney diseases scheduled for LKT.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-022-02868-7.

[Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog signaling inhibits fibrous scar formation and adversely affects functional outcome after ischemic brain injury in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling on fibrous scar formation and functional outcome after ischemic brain injury.

METHODS

Adult SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion (I/R) group, I/R with intraventricular empty adenoviral vector (rAd-NC) injection group, and I/R with adenovirus-mediated Shh knockdown (rAd-ShShh) group. After the treatments, the neurological deficits of the rats were assessed, and the protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin (Fn), α-SMA, and Shh in the ischemic hemisphere were detected with immunofluorescence assay and qPCR; TUNEL staining was used for detecting neural cell apoptosis. In the cell experiment, primary meningeal fibroblasts isolated from neonatal SD rats were pretreated for 24 h with TGF-β1 or TGF-β1 plus cyclopamine (CYC) before oxygen-glucose deprivation for 150 min followed by reoxygenation for 72 h (OGD/R). CCK-8 assay and scratch test were performed to examine the changes in cell proliferation and migration, and immunofluorescence assay, qPCR and Western blotting were used for detecting cell transformation and the expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn.

RESULTS

Cerebral I/R injury significantly increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn in the ischemic hemisphere of the rats, but their expression levels were significantly lowered by intraventricular injection of rAd-Shshh (P < 0.05), which obviously increased cell apoptosis in the ischemic hemisphere (P < 0.05) and improved modified mNSS and modified Bederson scores of the rats (P < 0.05). In the cell experiment, pretreatment with TGF-β1 and TGF-β1+CYC both increased the viability of the primary meningeal fibroblasts after OGD/R. TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the migration ability and induced obvious transformation of the exposed cells (P < 0.05), but these effects were significantly attenuated by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05). The expressions of Shh, α-SMA and Fn in the TGF-β1 group were all significantly higher in TGF-β1-treated cells (P < 0.05) and were obviously lowered by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of Shh signaling may inhibit fibrous scar formation and functional recovery in rats after ischemic brain injury.

POS0409 INTESTINAL HIF1α EXPRESSION PROTECTS AGAINST EPITHELIAL CELL DEATH IN ARTHRITIS

Background

While a so-called gut-joint axis is supported by many clinical observations, the current knowledge on such axis is mostly confined to descriptive and correlative data, e.g. showing the microbiota changes are associated with arthritis. In contrast, mechanistic data on how molecular changes in the intestinal epithelium influence the development of arthritis are scarce.

Objectives

To investigate, whether the mucosal barrier in the intestine dependent of the epithelial cell survival maintenance, influences the development of arthritis.

Methods

Intestinal hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression was assessed before, at onset and during experimental arthritis and human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Intestinal epithelial cell-specific HIF1α conditional knock-out mice were generated (HIF1αΔIEC) and subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Clinical and histological courses of arthritis were recorded, and T and B cell subsets were analyzed in the gut and secondary lymphatic organs, and intestinal epithelial cells were subjected to molecular mRNA sequencing in HIF1αΔIEC and littermate control mice. Furthermore, pharmacologic HIF1α stabilization by PHD inhibitor was used for the treatment of arthritis.

Results

Intestinal HIF1α expression peaked at onset and remained high in experimental arthritis and RA. Conditionally deletion of HIF1α in gut epithelial cells strongly exacerbate arthritis and was associated with increased gut epithelial cell death, intestinal and lymphatic Th1 and Th17 activation. Mechanistically, HIF1α inhibits the transcription of necroptotic and apoptotic markers, which leads to a defect in the intestinal barrier integrity. Furthermore, treatment with HIF1α stabilization reinforced the gut epithelial cell survival and inhibited arthritis.

Conclusion

These findings show that the HIF1α regulating epithelial cells survival is critical for the breakdown of the intestinal barrier function in arthritis highlighting the functional link between intestinal homeostasis and arthritis.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

Time-dependent cardiac structural and functional changes after kidney transplantation: a multi-parametric cardiac magnetic resonance study

OBJECTIVES

To map time-dependent cardiac structural and functional change patterns after renal transplantation (KT) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with pre-KT and post-KT CMR exams were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the time of post-KT CMR: group 1 (3 months post-KT, n = 16), group 2 (6 months post-KT, n = 21), and group 3 (over 9 months post-KT, n = 16). Twenty-one age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited for the study. CMR-derived left ventricular (LV) volumes, LV mass index (LVMi), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and native T1 value were compared. The association between the changes of CMR parameters was assessed.

RESULTS

LVMi post-KT decreased in groups 2 (p < 0.001) and 3 (p = 0.004) but both groups had higher LVMi values compared to HC (both p < 0.001). GLS post-KT was decreased in group 1 (p = 0.021), but slightly increased in group 2 (p = 0.728) and group 3 (p = 0.100) without significant difference. GLS post-KT in group 3 was not different from HC (p = 0.104). LVEF, GRS, and GCS post-KT in groups 2 and 3 significantly increased and showed no significant difference from HC. The post-KT native T1 value in all three groups significantly decreased; however, no group showed any significant difference from HC. The change of LVEF was associated with the change of GCS, GRS, and GLS.

CONCLUSIONS

Although GRS, GCS, GLS, and native T1 values reversed to normal level, LVMi remained impaired in median 14 months after KT.

KEY POINTS

• Kidney transplantation has favorable effects on cardiac structure and function. • In a median 14 months of follow-up after KT, left ventricle strain and native T1 value reversed to normal level while LV mass index (LVMi) did not. Left ventricular hypertrophy may help to explain why KT recipients are still at increased cardiovascular risk. • The reason for the decrease of native T1 value after KT may be more than myocardial fibrosis and needs to be further studied.

Conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to mizoribine in the early stages of BK polyomavirus infection could improve kidney allograft prognosis: a single-center study from China

Background

Some studies have suggested mizoribine (MZR) could inhibit the replication of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). The purpose of this study was to explore whether conversion from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to MZR in the early stages of BKPyV infection can improve kidney allograft prognosis.

Methods

Twenty-one kidney transplant recipients with BKPyV viruria/viremia and ten with BK polyomavirus-associated allograft nephropathy (BKPyVAN) received MZR conversion therapy were retrospectively identified. The clearance rate of urine and blood BKPyV DNA, change of serum creatinine (SCr), uric acid (UA), hemoglobin (HB), white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte ratio, platelet (PLT), routine urinalysis, panel reactive antibody (PRA), and gastrointestinal disorders during follow-up of the 2 groups were evaluated and compared.

Results

After MZR conversion therapy, the clearance rate of urine and blood viral load in BKPyV viruria/viremia group were 85.7 and 100 %, while that in BKPyVAN were 40 and 87.5 %, respectively. Stable SCr were observed in all cases of BKPyV viruria/viremia group, while that of BKPyVAN was only 40 % (P < 0.001) and one even progressed to end-stage renal disease. The results of routine urinalysis in the two groups showed no significant changes before and after MZR conversion therapy. However, in BKPyV viruria/viremia group, four cases developed acute rejection and one had positive PRA-II but no donor specific antibody, requiring conversion back to MMF. Hyperuricemia was the common adverse effect of MZR.

Conclusions

Conversion from MMF to MZR could help clear BKPyV infection. As compared to BKPyVAN, patients who underwent initiation of MZR conversion therapy in the early stages of BKPyV infection maintained stable allograft function. Prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to ascertain this preliminary finding.

Combination therapy with interleukin-15 and metformin as a synergistic treatment for pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacies and mechanisms of combination therapy with interleukin-15 (IL-15) and metformin (Met) on suppressing pancreatic cell proliferation and protecting Panc02-bearing mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT assays were applied to assess the inhibitory effects of IL-15 combined Met or Met and IL-15 alone on proliferation of normal HPDE6-C7 and Panc02 cells. After tumor grew up to 150 mm3, the Panc02-bearing xenograft model mice were randomly divided into saline group, IL-15 and Met alone group and combined treatment group (n=8) with the administration of each agent every other day for three weeks, and survival rates were recorded. The changes in tumor size, expression levels of the apoptosis, autophagy as well as Akt/mTOR/STAT3-related factors in tumor tissues were all measured.

RESULTS

MTT assays demonstrated significantly inhibiting efficacy of combination therapy with IL-15 and Met on Panc02 cell proliferation compared to other groups (all p<0.05) with combination index<1 showing evident synergistic effect. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of Panc02 cell under combined treatment were 95.5±3.2% and significantly higher than those of others (all p<0.01). In addition, combined administration remarkably inhibited the growth of pancreatic carcinoma, and improved survival rate of Panc02-bearing model with less body weight loss. Furthermore, combined treatment significantly downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins as well as Akt/mTOR/STAT3 signaling pathway and upregulated autophagy related factors, respectively, compared with those of monotherapy groups in both Panc02 cells and tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined treatment of IL-15 with Met showed synergistic anti-tumor efficacies on Panc02 cells attributing to promotion on apoptosis, autophagy and inhibition on Akt/mTOR/STAT3 signaling-transduction in Panc02-bearing model mice.

Development of solid state terahertz interferometer for the first plasma on HL-2M tokamak

A solid state terahertz interferometer has been developed on the recent commissioned HL-2M tokamak. It can work in a wide frequency region of 220-325 GHz, and the terahertz wave is generated from a low frequency phase locked voltage controlled oscillator with the frequency multiplying technique. A phase processor based on field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology is designed for the heterodyne interferometer, and it contributes to real-time display of electron density. To extract phase information, a novel numerical algorithm related to fast Fourier transform is written on the FPGA chip and enables one to obtain phase shift without being affected by amplitude variation induced by plasma absorption or frequency modulation from the outer electromagnetic environment. The interferometer achieves minimum measurable electron density in the order of 10¹⁶ m^-3. With the plasma diagnosis, electron density and low frequency tearing mode have been measured during the first experimental campaign.

Generation and Characterization of Mouse Models of C3 Glomerulonephritis With CFI D288G and P467S Mutations

C3 glomerulopathy (C3GP) is a disease entity caused by abnormality of the complement alternative pathway (AP) and characterized by C3 deposition in glomeruli. Many variations or mutations of complement factors are believed to underlie the susceptibility to C3GP, but there is a lack of experimental evidence. We have recently reported a patient with C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) and compound heterozygosity of two novel variations in the complement factor (CFI). Here, we generated a mouse model to mimic the CFI variations for studying pathogenicity of CFI variations in C3GN development. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to make mutant mouse lines that carried D288G and P467S mutations in CFI, respectively, and crossed them to generate mice with compound heterozygosity of CFI D288G and P467S. The mice were all normal in either SPF (specific pathogen free) or regular environment. When treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin that mimics infection and sepsis, the mice developed albuminuria, kidney function impairment, and C3 glomerular deposition at levels comparable with the wild-type mice. The mice with other genotypes concerning CFI D288G and P467S were also tested in parallel. Unexpectedly, we found that the D288G homozygotes all developed severe mesangial deposition of C3 in the LPS model, indicating that CFI D288G variation was involved in the C3 deposition, a key feature of C3GN. The mouse lines generated in the present study can be used to further study the role of CFI variations in C3GN development; in addition, they may be used to screen and test infections and environmental factors capable of triggering C3GN.

A remote gain controlled and polarization angle tunable Doppler backward scattering reflectometer

Remote control of the diagnostic systems is the basic requirement for the high performance plasma operation in a fusion device. This work presents the development of the remote control system for the multichannel Doppler backward scattering (DBS) reflectometers. It includes a remote controlled quasi-optical system and a remote intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier gain control system. The quasi-optical system contains a rotational polarizer, its polarization angle is tunable through a remote controlled motor, and it could combine the microwave beams with a wide frequency range into one focused beam. The remote IF gain control system utilizes the digital microcontroller (MCU) technique to regulate the signal amplitude for each signal channel. The gain parameters of amplifiers are adjustable, and the feedback of working status in the IF system will be sent to MCU in real time for safe operation. The gain parameters could be controlled either by the Ethernet remote way or directly through the local control interface on the system. Preliminary experimental results show the effectiveness of the remote controlled multichannel DBS system.

[The value of MRI plain scan and DWI in the diagnosis of brain metastases]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scan and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of brain metastases. Methods: The MRI plain imaging findings of 105 cases with brain metastases and 103 cases without brain metastases confirmed by enhanced MRI examination and clinical diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. The comparisons of plain MRI findings including T1 weighted image (T1WI), T2WI, T2/fluid attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR), DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were made between brain metastases and non-brain metastases. Results: The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T1WI in the brain metastatic group were 54, 23, 9 and 19, respectively, while the numbers of hypo-intensity and iso-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 52 and 51, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI in the brain metastatic group were 1, 9, 72 and 23, respectively, while the numbers of iso-intensity and hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group were 11 and 92, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of DWI in the brain metastatic group were 4, 31 and 65, respectively, while the number of hyper-intensity in the non-brain metastatic group was 4 and others were iso-intensity, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The numbers of hypo-intensity, iso-intensity, hyper-intensity and heterogeneous signal intensity of T2WI/FLAIR in the brain metastatic group were 4, 5, 60 and 36, respectively, while all cases in the non-brain metastatic group were hyper-intensity, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The number of lesion accompanied with peripheral edema in the brain metastatic group were 69 cases, significantly higher than 0 cases in the non-brain metastatic group (P<0.001). The mean ADC value in the brain metastatic group were (0.919±0.019)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, significantly lower than (1.098±0.012)×10(-3) mm(2)/s of non-brain metastatic group (P<0.05). Conclusions: For patients with a history of primary malignancy, the MRI plain scan signals of T1WI, T2WI, T2WI/FLAIR and DWI are significantly different between brain metastatic tumor and non-metastatic tumor. The mixed signal, peripheral edema and the restriction of DWI diffusion indicate brain metastases. The combined application of the above parameters can improve the diagnostic efficacy of predicting brain metastases, and contrast enhancement MRI examination should be performed for the confirmation of diagnosis.

Partial repigmentation of a vitiliginous nipple areolar complex following therapeutic mammoplasty

We discuss the unusual repigmentation of a vitiliginous region of a nipple areolar complex following a therapeutic mammoplasty. We consider the autoimmune mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of vitiligo and their potential interplay with the immunological pathways involved in this patient's breast cancer and ultimately in the postoperative recovery period. This case highlights the potential interconnecting thread of immunological disruptions, which may provide a springboard for further discussion around the treatment for vitiligo. It also provides a useful point of note when counselling darker skin patients around scarring when undergoing surgical interventions.

Detection of renal allograft fibrosis with MRI: arterial spin labeling outperforms reduced field-of-view IVIM

OBJECTIVE

To compare the value of reduced field-of-view (FOV) intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) for assessing renal allograft fibrosis and predicting long-term dysfunction.

METHODS

This prospective study included 175 renal transplant recipients undergoing reduced FOV IVIM DWI, ASL, and biopsies. Renal allograft fibrosis was categorized into ci0, ci1, ci2, and ci3 fibrosis according to biopsy results. A total of 83 participants followed for a median of 39 (IQR, 21-42) months were dichotomized into stable and impaired allograft function groups based on follow-up estimated glomerular filtration rate. Total apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_T), pure diffusion ADC, pseudo-perfusion ADC, perfusion fraction f from IVIM DWI, and renal blood flow (RBF) from ASL were calculated and compared. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the diagnostic and predictive performances.

RESULTS

RBF was different in ci0 vs ci1 (147.9 ± 46.3 vs 126.0 ± 49.4 ml/min/100 g, p = .02) and ci2 vs ci3 (92.9 ± 46.9 vs 70.8 ± 37.8 ml/min/100 g, p = .03). RBF in the stable group was higher than that in the impaired group (144.73 ± 49.33 vs 102.19 ± 47.58 ml/min/100 g, p < .001). AUCs in distinguishing renal allograft fibrosis and predicting long-term allograft dysfunction for RBF were higher than cortical ADC_T (ci0 vs ci1-3, 0.76 vs 0.59, p < .001; ci0-1 vs ci2-3, 0.79 vs 0.68, p = .01; ci0-2 vs ci3, 0.79 vs 0.68, p = .01; 0.76 vs 0.60, p = .04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared to reduced FOV IVIM DWI, ASL was a more promising technique for noninvasively distinguishing renal allograft fibrosis degree and predicting long-term allograft dysfunction.

KEY POINTS

• Compared to total ADC from rFOV IVIM DWI, RBF from ASL can distinguish no fibrosis (ci0) vs mild fibrosis (ci1) (p = .02) and moderate fibrosis (ci2) vs severe fibrosis (ci3) (p = .04). • RBF had superior performance than diffusion parameters in discriminating fibrosis (no fibrosis [ci0] vs fibrosis [ci1-3], mild fibrosis [ci0-1] vs moderate to severe fibrosis [ci2-3], non-severe [ci0-2] vs severe [ci3] fibrosis; AUC = 0.76 vs 0.59, p < .001; 0.79 vs 0.68, p = .01; 0.79 vs 0.68, p = .01). • Compared to reduced FOV IVIM DWI, ASL was a more promising technique for noninvasively predicting long-term allograft dysfunction (AUC = 0.76 vs 0.60, p = .04).

Genomic scan revealed KIT gene underlying white/gray plumage color in Chinese domestic geese

Goose is an important type of domesticated poultry. The wild geese that are regarded as the ancestors of modern domestic geese present gray plumage. Domesticated, geese have both white and gray feathers. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the formation of white and gray plumage in geese, we resequenced the whole genome of 18 geese from six populations including white and gray goose breeds. The average sequencing depth per individual was 9.81× and the average genome coverage was 96.8%. A total of 346 genes were detected in the top 1% of F_ST scores of gray- and white-feathered geese, and a significant F_ST site was located in the intron region within the KIT gene, the 18 bp deletion in KIT having the strongest potential association with white feathers. It has been reported that a number of genes are associated with plumage colors in birds. However, no studies have identified the relationship between KIT and plumage color in birds at present, although the white coat can be attributed to mutations in KIT in some mammals. Our study showed that that KIT is a plausible candidate gene for white/gray plumage color in Chinese domestic geese.

Anomalous stepped-hysteresis and T-induced unit-cell-volume reduction in carbon nanotubes continuously filled with faceted Fe3C nanowires

Ferromagnetically-filled carbon nanotubes have been recently considered important candidates for application into data recording quantum disk devices. Achievement of high filling rates of the ferromagnetic materials is particularly desirable for applications. Here we report the novel observation of carbon nanotubes continuously filled along the capillary with unusual μm-long faceted Fe3C nanowires. Anomalous magnetic features possibly due to strain effects of the crystal facets are reported. Magnetization measurements revealed unusual stepped magnetic hysteresis-loops at 300 K and at 2 K together with an anomalous decrease in the coercivity at low temperature. The observed unusual shape of the hysteresis is ascribed to the existence of an antiferromagnetic transition within or at the boundary of the ferromagnetic facets. The collapse in the coercivity value as the temperature decreases and the characteristic width-enhancement of the hysteresis with the field increasing appear to indicate the existence of layered antiferromagnetic phases, possibly in the strain-rich regions of the nanowire facets. Zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) magnetic curves evidenced presence of magnetic irreversibilities, an indicator of a possible spin-glass-like behavior induced by competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions. Characterization performed with low temperature XRD measurements, further revealed a slight variation in the average Fe3C unit cell parameters, suggesting the absence of additional unit-cell volume induced ferromagnetic transitions at low temperature.

Is the level of HLA eplet mismatch a risk factor for graft loss among kidney transplant recipients who have already formed de novo donor specific antibody?

Eplet mismatches are associated with de novo DSA (dnDSA) and antibody mediated rejection (ABMR) among the general kidney transplant population. However, it is unclear whether the level of eplet mismatch can be used for risk stratification among patients with dnDSA. We performed a retrospective observational study of kidney transplant recipients with dnDSA (n = 44) transplanted between 10/2007 and 5/2014 to evaluate eplet mismatch as a risk factor for ABMR and allograft loss among dnDSA patients. High resolution typing was inferred from by imputation based on ethnicity and NMDP haplotypes, and the eplet mismatch was calculated using the Epvix algorithm. Biopsies (N = 151) from 95.3%(42/44) of patients were reviewed. The mean (SD) eplet mismatch was 69.8(22.8). The ABMR incidence was 71.4% (30/42) and 5 year death censored allograft survival was 67.4% during the mean (SD) follow-up of 5.3 (3.1) years. ABMR and death-censored allograft survival were not correlated with eplet mismatch among dnDSA patients. However, medication adherence and dnDSA MFI < 3000 were associated with reduced ABMR incidence. Among patients with both of these favorable characteristics, only 35.7% (15/42) developed ABMR. In conclusion, the level of eplet mismatch does not correlate with ABMR or allograft loss among high risk kidney transplant patients with dnDSA.

Orderly aligned manganese-based nanotube arrays with controllable secondary structures

By combining a hard template with a dynamic negative template, orderly aligned micrometer-length manganese nanotubes (Mn-NTs) decorated with nanopores on their walls as the secondary structure are successfully grown by electrodeposition in aqueous solution. These nanopores were characterized and analyzed statistically. It is found that these nanopores evolve along the growth direction of the Mn-NTs and their morphology is well controlled by the deposition potential. In addition, the morphology evolution of the nanopores exhibits distinguished size distribution compared with that found in conventional nanoporous foam grown solely by the dynamic template approach, which is attributed to the nanoconfinement of the hard template.

MicroRNA-26b-5p alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via inhibiting the N-myc/PTEN axis by downregulating KLF10 expression

MicroRNAs plays important role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR). However, the role of miR-26b-5p in CIR injury remains unclear. PC12 cells were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and then reoxygenated for 24 h to construct an in vitro I/R model. Then, miR-26b-5p mimic, small interfering RNA of KLF10 and KLF10 overexpression plasmid were transfected into cells respectively for mechanism study. Our results showed that miR-26b-5p was downregulated in OGD/R-induced PC12 cells. After overexpression of miR-26b-5p, cell proliferation ability was enhanced, apoptosis, ROS and inflammatory mediators were inhibited. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that miR-26b-5p was directly bound to the 3' UTR of KLF10, and downregulated the expression of KLF10. KLF10 was upregulated in OGD/R cells, and transfection with si-KLF10 promoted cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis, NO concentration and inflammatory factor secretion. Moreover, pcDNA-KLF10 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-26b-5p mimic on apoptosis, NO content and inflammatory factor secretion, as well as the downregulation of N-myc and PTEN expression. Meanwhile, I/R rat models were constructed and divided into sham operation group (femoral artery isolation only), model group (middle cerebral artery occlusion model of rats was prepared by thread embolization), treatment group (200 µL of miR-26b-5p mimic was injected into the brain of model rats). We observed that the infarct size of brain tissue was reduced, KLF10 expression was downregulated, and apoptosis and inflammatory response were reduced. These results suggest that miR-26b-5p had protective effects on CIRI and it may be a potential treatment target.

[Application value of high-throughput gene copy number variation detection in the diagnosis of enlarged vestibular aqueduct]

Objective: To explore the application value of high-throughput gene detection method of copy number variations (CNV) in the diagnosis of enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). Methods: A total of 46 nonsyndromic hearing loss patients with EVA were recruited between May 2014 and December 2016 from Department of Otolaryngology of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. A high-throughput multiplex analysis method based on double ligation and multiple fluorescent PCR was designed and performed to detect CNV in the three EVA-related genes (SLC26A4, FOXI1 and KCNJ10). The data were analyzed by GeneMapper v4.1. Healthy volunteers (n=100) were selected as normal controls. Results: A total of 46 EVA patients were detected (32 males, 14 females, aged 1 to 26 years). In 4 EVA patients, deletions of exons 1-3 of SLC26A4 gene (4/46, 8.7%) were detected, which were not reported in the database of genomic variants (DGV), and were absent in 100 normal controls. There was no CNV detected in FOXI1 and KCNJ10 in the study. Conclusions: In the current study, three known EVA-related genes were designed as the target area for CNV detection by high-throughput ligation-dependent probe amplification (HLPA) analysis. This method can be used as a supplementary analysis of point mutation detection of hearing loss, which helps achieve the accurate genetic diagnosis of EVA.