Performance demonstration of vacuum microwave components critical for the operation of the ITER low-field side reflectometer

Final design studies in preparation for manufacturing have been performed for functional components of the vacuum portion of the ITER Low-Field Side Reflectometer (LFSR). These components consist of an antenna array, electron cyclotron heating (ECH) protection mirrors, phase calibration mirrors, and vacuum windows. Evaluation of these components was conducted at the LFSR test facility and DIII-D. The antenna array consists of six corrugated-waveguide antennas for simultaneous profile, fluctuation, and Doppler measurements. A diffraction grating, incorporated into the plasma-facing miter bend, provides protection of sensitive components from stray ECH at 170 GHz. For in situ phase calibration of the LFSR profile reflectometer, an embossed mirror is incorporated into the adjacent miter bend. Measurements of the radiated beam profile indicate that these components have a small, acceptable effect on mode conversion and beam quality. Baseline transmission characteristics of the dual-disk vacuum window are obtained and are used to guide ongoing developments. Preliminary simulations indicate that a surface-relief structure on the window surfaces can greatly improve transmission. The workability of real-time phase measurements was demonstrated on the DIII-D profile reflectometer. The new automated real-time analysis agrees well with the standard post-processing routine.

XPG gene polymorphisms and glioma susceptibility: a two-centre case-control study

Background: Glioma, the most common tumour in children next to leukaemia, is difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG) plays a key role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which may modulate individual susceptibility to developing cancer. We hypothesized links between XPG variants and glioma in children.Methods: We tested our hypothesis in a study comparing 171 glioma cases with 228 age and sex matched controls, determining XPG polymorphisms rs2094258 C > T, rs751402 C > T, rs2296147 T > C, rs1047768 T > C, rs873601 G > A by standard molecular genetic methods.Results: rs2094258 C > T was associated with a decreased glioma risk, but carrying the rs1047768 C or rs873601 A allele brought an increased risk. Subjects carrying 5 risk genotypes had a significantly increased glioma risk at an adjusted odds ratio of 1.97 (95% confidence Interval 1.26-3.08)(p = 0.003) when compared with those carrying 0-4 risk genotypes. Furthermore, children with 5 risk genotypes had a higher glioma risk when aged >60 months, were more likely to be male, and with subtypes of astrocytic tumours, and low-grade clinical stage, when compared to those with 0-4 risk genotypes. Preliminary functional exploration suggested that rs2094258 is linked with the expression of its surrounding genes in the expression quantitative trait locus analysis.Conclusion: Certain variants of XPG are risk factors for paediatric glioma, and so may be useful in early diagnosis.

The effect of in-hospital high-dose vs. low-dose intensive statin in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Background

Statins remain a standard treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We aimed to determine the association between different dosages of in-hospital statins and the prognoses among patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

NSTE-ACS patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014 from five centres in China. Patients receiving either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin during their hospitalizations were included. All the patients were categorized into high-dose statin group (40mg atorvastatin or 20mg rosuvastatin) or low-dose statin group (20mg atorvastatin or 10mg rosuvastatin). In-hospital events and long-term all-cause death was recorded.

Results

Of the 7,008 patients included in the study, 5,248 received low-dose intensive statin (mean age: 64.28±10.39; female: 25.2%), and 1,760 received high-dose intensive statin (mean age: 63.68±10.59; female: 23.1%). There was no significant difference in in-hospital all-cause death between the two groups (adjusted OR, 1.27; P=0.665). All-cause death was similar between the two groups during the long-term follow-up period (30-day: adjusted HR, 1.28; P=0.571; 3-year: adjusted HR, 0.83; P=0.082). However, there was a robust association between the high-dose statin and the reduction in in-hospital dialysis (adjusted OR, 0.11; P=0.030).

Conclusions

The in-hospital high-dose intensive statin is not associated with lower risks of in-hospital or follow-up all-cause death in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI. Considering the robust beneficial effect of in-hospital dialysis, an individualized high-dose intensive statin can be rational in specified populations.

Univariate and multivariate analyses

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangzhou City athe China Youth Research Funding

[Transnasal endoscopic surgery of choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To discuss the effect of endoscopic dilatation and plasty for choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Nineteen patients with choanal atresia who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2018 were reviewed, with 12 males and 7 females aging from 33 to 59 years old. All of the patients had a history of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and were confirmed by electronic nasopharyngoscope and nasopharyngeal imaging. Among 19 patients, there were 3 cases of unilateral occlusion and 16 cases with bilateral atresia, and all of them were membranous atresia. All patients received the transnasal endoscopic surgery of resecting partial vomer bone while trying to keep normal mucosa tissues and using the septonasal mucoperiosteal flap to repair under general anesthesia. One week after operation, the patients were told to do physiological saline nasal irrigation and received regular clean and observation under endoscope. Descriptive statistical method was used to analyze the outcome. Results: The patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively by electronic nasopharyngoscopic examination. There was no failure case in all the 19 patients including 16 patients with a wide choana and 3 patients had narrowing of the choana (<50%), with adequate and satisfactory airway. Conclusions: Transnasal endoscopic surgery was an effective treatment for choanal atresia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Application of septonasal mucoperiosteal flap for repairing nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa would avoid recurrence.

Hydrogen peroxide assisted photorelease of an anthraquinone-based ligand from [Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)2(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-olate)]Cl in aqueous solution

A new class of light-activated ruthenium(ii) complex was designed as a potential blocker of biological functioning, especially for targeting redox reactions within mitochondria under light activation. Based on our concepts the complex [Ru(bipy)2(1-hydroxyanthra-9,10 quinone)]Cl (RU1) was prepared and studied to understand the preliminary reaction mechanisms and its excited state behaviour through a series of stability tests, electrochemistry, UV-Visible kinetics and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy experiments. Under white light in the presence of H2O2 two different reactions (fast and slow) appear to take place. The complex loses the quinone-based ligand and a resulting Ru(iii) or Ru(v) species is produced. The complex RU1 shows potential to consume H2O2 from the one carbon metabolism in mitochondria, and hence may cut the energy cycle pathway of tumor cells.

Identification of risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women and provide evidence for the primary prevention of falls in postmenopausal women. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170927). We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE for observational studies on the risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women. Review Manager 5.3 was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) of potential risk factors related to falls. STATA 14.0 was used for the quantitative evaluation of publication bias. Eleven studies with 42,429 patients from 7 countries were included. The main risk factors for falls in postmenopausal women were patient sociodemographic risk factors (age: WMD = 0.37, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.68; body weight: WMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.12; BMI: WMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.46; exercise: RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99; and FES-I: WMD = 6.60, 95% CI 0.72 to 12.47) and medical risk factors (dietary calcium intake: WMD = - 16.91, 95% CI - 25.80 to - 8.01; previous fracture history: RR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.29; previous falls: RR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.14; number of diseases, ˃ 2: RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.23; and number of reported chronic health disorders: WMD = 0.30, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.49). Knowledge of the many risk factors associated with falls in postmenopausal women can aid in fall prevention. However, we cannot rule out some additional potential risk factors (age at the onset of menopause, years since last menstruation, hormone therapy and BMD) that need further clinical research.

The effectiveness of a self-made modular elastic compression device for patients with a fracture of the tibia and fibula

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-made modular elastic compression device for patients with a fracture of the tibia and fibula.

METHODS

Fifty-nine healthy adult patients with a unilateral fracture of the tibia and fibula were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given the self-made combined elastic compression device for the compression treatment of the affected limbs after the operation. The main endpoints included the convenience, safety, and effectiveness of the self-made modular elastic compression device for patients with a fracture of the tibia and fibula.

RESULTS

There were 29 cases in the experimental group and 30 cases in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the general data: age, gender, fracture site, and cause of injury. The preoperative swelling elimination time was 3.3 ± 1.2 days, and the postoperative swelling elimination time was 3.1 ± 1.4 days in the experimental group; the preoperative swelling elimination time was 6.3 ± 1.2 days, and the postoperative swelling elimination time was 7.3 ± 1.2 days in the control group. The preoperative and postoperative swelling degree in the experimental group was shorter than those in the control group. The difference in the postoperative detumescence time between the experimental group (3.1 ± 1.4 days) and the control group (7.3 ± 1.2 days) was significant, and the total hospital stay was 8.1 ± 1.5 days in the experimental group and 13 ± 2.5 days in the control group with a statistical significance of P < 0.05. The change of discharge hemoglobin volume (11.2 ± 6.5 g/L) of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (3.5 ± 1.2 days), the total drainage volume was 260 ± 50 ml, and the change of admission and discharge hemoglobin volume was 30.3 ± 10.4 g/L. Specifically, although the difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups was statistically significant, the difference was only 1 day, and the clinical difference was not significant. However, in the change of the cumulative drainage volume and hemoglobin volume, the experimental group that was given compression therapy was significantly lower than the control group with a statistical significance (P < 0.05). The pressure injury (4 cases) in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (8 cases) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A modular combined elastic compression device in patients with a tibial and fibular fracture can significantly accelerate a patient's rehabilitation, shorten the hospital stay, reduce blood loss, relieve the patient's pain, and relieve the patient's social-economic burden during recovery.

Study on the function and mechanism of long non-coding RNA DMTF1v4 in the occurrence of colon cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DMTF1v4 in colon cancer, and the relationship between its expression and disease occurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human colon cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were harvested. The expression of lncRNA DMTF1v4 was measured by semi-quantitative PCR. The expression of DMTF1v4 in HT-29 colon cancer cells was downregulated using siRNA, and the effect of its downregulation on cell growth was determined by MTT assay and plate clone assay. The effect of DMTF1v4 downregulation on colon cancer cell migration was determined using a transwell assay and scratch wound assay. The effect of DMTF1v4 on colon cancer cell apoptosis was determined using Annexin V/PI double-staining. The changes in p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 were measured by Western blot. HT-29 cells with downregulated DMTF1v4 expression were used to establish the subcutaneous heterotopic transplantation tumor model in nude mice to study the effect of DMTF1v4 on tumor growth in animals.

RESULTS

Compared with para-carcinoma tissue, lncRNA DMTF1v4 in colon cancer tissue was highly expressed (p<0.001). Downregulating lncRNA DMTF1v4 in HT-29 cells showed that lncRNA DMTF1v4 promotes cell proliferation and migration, and suppresses apoptosis (p<0.05). The effect of lncRNA DMTF1v4 on the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway was evaluated. The expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 was increased significantly compared with the control group (p<0.01). The effect of downregulating DMTF1v4 on tumor growth in animals showed that tumor growth in nude mice was decreased, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was increased (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of lncRNA DMTF1v4 is elevated in colon cancer tissues; lncRNA DMTF1v4 promotes colon cancer cell proliferation and migration, and inhibits apoptosis by downregulating the expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38, thus affecting the progression of colon cancer. This will provide a basis for the development of new clinical treatments for colon cancer.

An unprecedented oxidised julolidine-BODIPY conjugate and its application in real-time ratiometric fluorescence sensing of sulfite

Reaction of a julolidine-based BODIPY compound with silver(i) ions in the presence of white light produced the oxidised julolidine version (OXJUL) containing a quaternary nitrogen. The oxidation of one ring at the julolidine site is highly unusual and there is no other reported literature example. The fluorescence maximum of OXJUL is altered from 648 nm to 608 nm by the addition of an aqueous solution of Na2SO3 over several minutes. In the presence of a large excess of sulfite a further slower reaction is observed which further shifts the emission maximum to 544 nm. The alterations form the basis of a real-time ratiometric sensor for sulfite and its detection in a white wine.

The influence of antibiotics on gut bacteria diversity associated with laboratory-reared Bactrocera dorsalis

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is a destructive insect pest of a wide range of fruit crops. Commensal bacteria play a very important part in the development, reproduction, and fitness of their host fruit fly. Uncovering the function of gut bacteria has become a worldwide quest. Using antibiotics to remove gut bacteria is a common method to investigate gut bacteria function. In the present study, three types of antibiotics (tetracycline, ampicillin, and streptomycin), each with four different concentrations, were used to test their effect on the gut bacteria diversity of laboratory-reared B. dorsalis. Combined antibiotics can change bacteria diversity, including cultivable and uncultivable bacteria, for both male and female adult flies. Secondary bacteria became the dominant population in female and male adult flies with the decrease in normally predominant bacteria. However, in larvae, only the predominant bacteria decreased, the bacteria diversity did not change a lot, likely because of the short acting time of the antibiotics. The bacteria diversity did not differ among fruit fly treatments with antibiotics of different concentrations. This study showed the dynamic changes of gut bacterial diversity in antibiotics-treated flies, and provides a foundation for research on the function of gut bacteria of the oriental fruit fly.

Rational design of spontaneous reactions for protecting porous lithium electrodes in lithium-sulfur batteries

A rechargeable lithium anode requires a porous structure for a high capacity, and a stable electrode/electrolyte interface against dendrite formation and polysulfide crossover when used in a lithium-sulfur battery. Here, we design two simple steps of spontaneous reactions for protecting porous lithium electrodes. First, a reaction between molten lithium and sulfur-impregnated carbon nanofiber forms a fibrous network with a lithium shell and a carbon core. Second, we coat the surface of this porous lithium electrode with a composite of lithium bismuth alloys and lithium fluoride through another spontaneous reaction between lithium and bismuth trifluoride, solvated with phosphorous pentasulfide, which also polymerizes with lithium sulfide residual in the electrode to form a solid electrolyte layer. This protected porous lithium electrode enables stable operation of a lithium-sulfur battery with a sulfur loading of 10.2 mg cm-2 at 6.0 mA cm-2 for 200 cycles.

Retraction Note: circRNA_100290 plays a role in oral cancer by functioning as a sponge of the miR-29 family

The Editors and Publisher have agreed to retract the above paper following a request from the authors.

Clinical study of the radiotherapy with EDGE accelerator in the treatment of the moderate and severe thyroid associated ophthalmopathy

OBJECTIVE

To explore the short-term efficacy, acute complications and response factors after the radiotherapy with EDGE accelerator in patients with moderate and severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 68 patients with moderate and severe TAO who received the radiotherapy with EDGE accelerator between August 1st, 2017 and May 1st, 2011 were enrolled in the present study. The clinical data were collected, and the efficacy and acute complications were followed up, and the response factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients (136 eyes) were followed up for 6 months after radiotherapy. The total score after radiotherapy was significantly lower compared to that before the therapy (p<0.05), and the effective rate was 75.74%. After the radiotherapy, the patient's exophthalmia, soft tissue involvement, eye external muscle involvement, corneal involvement, decreased vision and diplopia, tearing and eyelid pain have improved. Acute complications included increased local inflammation, hair loss, pigmentation and xerophthalmias. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that thyroid hormone level was the independent factor for the response to the radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with moderate and severe TAO, radiotherapy with EDGE accelerator is a safe and effective treatment option. Maintaining normal thyroid hormone level can improve the effective rate of radiotherapy.

Genetic diversity and maternal origin of Northeast African and South American donkey populations

To investigate the mtDNA variation and origin of maternal lineages in South American donkeys and to reassess the domestication of donkeys in northeast Africa, we analyzed sequences (489 bp of the D-loop) from 323 domestic donkeys sampled from Peru, Brazil, Ethiopia and Egypt. Altogether, the 323 sequences displayed 53 different haplotypes (45 in Ethiopia, 14 in Egypt, eight in Peru and six in Brazil). Among the four populations, Egyptian donkeys possessed the highest haplotype diversity (0.910 ± 0.032), followed by Brazilian donkeys (0.879 ± 0.060). The Clade I haplotypes dominated in Peruvian donkeys (65%), whereas Clade II haplotypes dominated in Brazilian donkeys (67%). Estimates of F_ST values showed a high genetic differentiation between Peruvian and Brazilian donkey populations (F_ST  = 0.4066), which could be explained by the complex introduction history of South American donkeys. Phylogeographic analysis indicates that northeast Africa could be the most probable domestication center for Clade I donkeys. Analysis of molecular variance confirmed a weak genetic structure in domestic donkey populations among four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa and South America).

Bench test of phase measurement on dispersion interferometer for EAST

In recent years, different traditional interferometers have been the necessary diagnostic of electronic density measurement on fusion devices. Until now, two main problems always influence the density measurement: the mechanical vibration and fringe jump in the calculation. The dispersion interferometer (DI) with a long-wavelength infrared wavelength is a good choice because mechanical vibrations can be canceled and the fringe jump can be inhibited. This paper describes the bench test of phase measurement using a wedge instead of plasma on the DI. The results show good agreement with the theoretical calculations. In the background measurement, this DI without a vibration isolation system has good performance, and the drift of the baseline is less than 2 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 in 3 s and less than 5 × 10¹⁷ m^-2 in 400 s. Plasma data will be obtained during the next campaign on EAST (Experimental and Advanced Superconducting Tokamak).

The Biology of Streptococcus mutans

As a major etiological agent of human dental caries, Streptococcus mutans resides primarily in biofilms that form on the tooth surfaces, also known as dental plaque. In addition to caries, S. mutans is responsible for cases of infective endocarditis with a subset of strains being indirectly implicated with the onset of additional extraoral pathologies. During the past 4 decades, functional studies of S. mutans have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms the organism employs to form robust biofilms on tooth surfaces, to rapidly metabolize a wide variety of carbohydrates obtained from the host diet, and to survive numerous (and frequent) environmental challenges encountered in oral biofilms. In these areas of research, S. mutans has served as a model organism for ground-breaking new discoveries that have, at times, challenged long-standing dogmas based on bacterial paradigms such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In addition to sections dedicated to carbohydrate metabolism, biofilm formation, and stress responses, this article discusses newer developments in S. mutans biology research, namely, how S. mutans interspecies and cross-kingdom interactions dictate the development and pathogenic potential of oral biofilms and how next-generation sequencing technologies have led to a much better understanding of the physiology and diversity of S. mutans as a species.

Dexmedetomidine attenuation of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury requires sirtuin 3 activation

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine attenuates renal ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury, but its mechanism of action is unclear. As sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) activation can alleviate acute kidney injury, we investigated whether dexmedetomidine acts through SIRT3 to reduce renal I/R injury.

METHODS

The potential involvement of SIRT3 in dexmedetomidine attenuation of renal I/R injury was tested in HK2 cells subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation and C57BL/6J mice subjected to renal I/R. A short interfering RNA targeting SIRT3 was used in some experiments to examine the potential role of SIRT3. Cell death and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were analysed in cultured cells. Mitochondrial damage in mice was assessed using electron microscopy and markers for renal function. Expression of cyclophilin D, cytochrome c, and SIRT3, and the level of cyclophilin D acetylation were determined.

RESULTS

Hypoxia/reoxygenation of HK2 cells increased cell death, cytochrome C expression, and cyclophilin D acetylation, and decreased Δψm and SIRT3 expression (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine attenuated these changes. The dexmedetomidine effects were enhanced by SIRT3 overexpression and eliminated by SIRT3 knockdown. I/R in mice damaged renal function, and increased histological lesions, mitochondrial damage, cytochrome c expression, and cyclophilin D acetylation, while SIRT3 activity was decreased by 51% (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine inhibited these changes in mice expressing normal levels of SIRT3, but not in SIRT3-knockdown mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine appears to act, at least in part, by up-regulating SIRT3 to inhibit mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis and thereby protect against renal I/R injury.

Antiviral effect of baicalin phospholipid complex against duck hepatitis A virus type 1

Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the main pathogens of ducklings and causes a high mortality rate. Baicalin (BA) has potent antiviral effect, but the solubility is very poor. In order to increase the absorption, solubility, and pharmacological activity, the phospholipid complex was used to modify BA in present study. Therefore, BA phospholipid complex (BAPC) was prepared. The anti-DHAV-1 abilities of BA and BAPC in vitro was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and reverse transcription quantitative PCR. The curative effects of BA and BAPC on ducklings which were infected by DHAV-1 in addition to the ALT and AST levels were also detected. The results indicated the anti-DHAV-1 ability of BAPC was stronger than that of BA both in vitro and in vivo. To explore the anti-DHAV-1 mechanism, the influence of BAPC on DHAV-1 adsorption, replication, and release was studied. Furthermore, the anti-oxidative and immuno-enhancing abilities of BAPC in the treatment of infected ducklings were also determined. The results showed BAPC inhibited DHAV-1 adsorption, replication and release. Furthermore, it played anti-oxidative and immno-enhancing roles in the treatment, and the immno-enhancing role was crucial to the treatment.

A free-standing wire scattering technique to monitor calibration variations of the DIII-D density profile reflectometer

Real-time phase calibration of the ITER profile reflectometer is essential due to the long plasma duration and expected waveguide path length changes during a discharge. Progress has been recently made in addressing this issue by employing a phase calibration technique on DIII-D that monitors calibration variations that occur during each plasma discharge. By installing a thin free-standing metallic wire (1 mm diameter) near the end of the overmoded waveguide transmission system (oriented perpendicular to the waveguide axis), the round-trip phase shift from the wire is detected simultaneously with the plasma phase shifts. Variations in the reflectometer round trip path length (∼26 m) are then calculated after each DIII-D plasma discharge, allowing the calibration phase to be accurately monitored and updated. The round-trip reflectometer path length is observed to vary by ∼3 mm (root mean square value) during a typical DIII-D discharge. Using the variations in calibration phase, the density profile measurement accuracy can be improved. Since the wire retro-reflected power is ∼0.01 of the plasma signal, minimal effect is observed on the reflected signal from the plasma. Importantly, through a suitable choice in wire diameter, the calibration signal can be made approximately independent of the V-band reflectometer launch polarization. This is particularly important on DIII-D since orthogonal X- and O-mode polarized beams are coupled into the same transmission waveguide and launch antenna.

Biology of Oral Streptococci

Bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus are the first inhabitants of the oral cavity, which can be acquired right after birth and thus play an important role in the assembly of the oral microbiota. In this article, we discuss the different oral environments inhabited by streptococci and the species that occupy each niche. Special attention is given to the taxonomy of Streptococcus, because this genus is now divided into eight distinct groups, and oral species are found in six of them. Oral streptococci produce an arsenal of adhesive molecules that allow them to efficiently colonize different tissues in the mouth. Also, they have a remarkable ability to metabolize carbohydrates via fermentation, thereby generating acids as byproducts. Excessive acidification of the oral environment by aciduric species such as Streptococcus mutans is directly associated with the development of dental caries. However, less acid-tolerant species such as Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus gordonii produce large amounts of alkali, displaying an important role in the acid-base physiology of the oral cavity. Another important characteristic of certain oral streptococci is their ability to generate hydrogen peroxide that can inhibit the growth of S. mutans. Thus, oral streptococci can also be beneficial to the host by producing molecules that are inhibitory to pathogenic species. Lastly, commensal and pathogenic streptococci residing in the oral cavity can eventually gain access to the bloodstream and cause systemic infections such as infective endocarditis.

Genetic contribution of suppressor of cytokine signalling polymorphisms to the susceptibility to infection after traumatic injury

Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are crucial negative regulators in many signalling pathways and are implicated in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to uncover possible associations of common polymorphisms within SOCS genes with infectious outcomes after traumatic injury. A total of 1087 trauma patients (Chongqing cohort 806 and Yunnan cohort 281) were recruited and followed-up for the development of infectious outcomes, such as sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Twelve selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened by pyrosequencing to determine their genotypes and associations with infectious complications. Among the 12 selected SNPs, only the cytokine-inducible Src homology (SH2) domain protein (CISH) promoter rs414171 polymorphism was found consistently to be associated statistically with the incidence of sepsis and MOD score in the two cohorts, despite analysing the SNPs independently or in combination. Further, patients with a T allele had significantly lower CISH expression and lower production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but higher production of interleukin (IL)-10. Luciferase assay confirmed that the A→T variant in the rs414171 polymorphism inhibited the transcriptional activities of the CISH gene significantly. The CISH rs414171 polymorphism is associated significantly with susceptibility to sepsis and MODS in traumatic patients, which might prove to be a novel biomarker for indicating risk of infectious outcomes in critically injured patients.

[Relevant factors of tinnitus in the elderly: an analysis of 150 volunteers]

Objective:To evaluate and characterize tinnitus in elderly volunteers，try to find out the relevant factors that can affect the incidence of tinnitus.Method:The study included 150 elderly volunteers. All volunteers had taken the otology examination and pure tone audiometry. They were interviewed by the investigators who were trained together, using the same questionnaire. The characteristics of tinnitus and the relationship between all relevant factors and tinnitus were analyzed.Result:Average age was 71.4 years. There are now 77 patients with tinnitus(51.3%), of which 31 cases have sustained tinnitus for more than 3 months, accounting for 40.3% of existing tinnitus volunteers. There was negative correlation between tinnitus and age. There was positive correlation between tinnitus and hearing loss. Tinnitus and headache had no correlation(P>0.05).Conclusion:After reach a certain age(70 years old), the incidence of tinnitus decreased. Hearing loss might be the most dangerous factor.If the hearing loss was more serious, the incidence of the tinnitus became higher. Tinnitus in the elderly may be the result of a combination of factors.

Quasistationary Plasma Predator-Prey System of Coupled Turbulence, Drive, and Sheared E×B Flow During High Performance DIII-D Tokamak Discharges

A new, long-lived limit cycle oscillation (LCO) regime has been observed in the edge of near zero torque high performance DIII-D tokamak plasma discharges. These LCOs are localized and composed of density turbulence, gradient drives, and E×B velocity shear damping (E and B are the local radial electric and total magnetic fields). Density turbulence sequentially acts as a predator (via turbulence transport) of profile gradients and a prey (via shear suppression) to the E×B velocity shear. Reported here for the first time is a unique spatiotemporal variation of the local E×B velocity, which is found to be essential for the existence of this system. The LCO system is quasistationary, existing from 3 to 12 plasma energy confinement times (∼30-900 LCO cycles) limited by hardware constraints. This plasma system appears to contribute strongly to the edge transport in these high performance and transient-free plasmas, as evident from oscillations in transport relevant edge parameters at LCO time scale.

Effects of stray lights on Faraday rotation measurement for polarimeter-interferometer system on EAST

A double-pass radially view 11 chords polarimeter-interferometer system has been operated on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak and provides important current profile information for plasma control. Stray light originating from spurious reflections along the optical path (unwanted reflections from various optical components/mounts and transmissive optical elements such as windows, waveplates, and lens as well as the detectors) and also direct feedback from the retro-reflector used to realize the double-pass configuration can both contribute to contamination of the Faraday rotation measurement accuracy. Modulation of the Faraday rotation signal due to the interference from multiple reflections is observable when the interferometer phase (plasma density) varies with time. Direct reflection from the detector itself can be suppressed by employing an optical isolator consisting of a λ/4-waveplate and polarizer positioned in front of the mixer. A Faraday angle oscillation during the density ramping up (or down) can be reduced from 5°-10° to 1°-2° by eliminating reflections from the detector. Residual modulation arising from misalignment and stray light from other sources must be minimized to achieve accurate measurements of Faraday rotation.

Correlation of quantitative parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging with vascular endothelial growth factor, microvessel density and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Evaluation on radiosensitivity study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the correlation of parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (MR-PWI) with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and microvessel density (MVD) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) so as to explore the value of predicting radiosensitivity.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

Department of Head-and-neck radiotherapy in Hunan Cancer Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-four patients of NPC were included between December 2013 and December 2014.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The expression of VEGF, MVD and HIF-1α was studied by immunohistochemistry, and magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (MR-PWI) was performed before and after undergoing radiotherapy (20 Gy dose). Parameters of MR-PWI, volume of primary tumour and rate of tumour remission were measured and calculated. Patients with primary local tumour were then divided into completely response group (CR group) and partially response group (non-CR group) according to tumour regression condition. Relevant parameters were analysed by Spearman, and diagnostic efficiency of radiosensitivity was analysed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTS

The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with MVD (r = .322,P < .05), but the expression of HIF-1α was no significant correlations with VEGF and MVD. The expression VEGF was in positive correlation with fractional plasma volume (fpv) (r = .339, P = .05) before radiotherapy. There was a significant difference in the quantitative parameters of MR-PWI between CR group and non-CR group during the course of radiotherapy and at the end of radiotherapy treatment. The change of blood reflux constant (Δkep20) and extravascular extracellular space volume fraction (ΔVe20) before and after treatment was positively correlated with primary local tumour remission condition after 3 month treatment; Δkep and ΔVe were negatively correlated with primary local tumour remission condition after 3 months. Tumour regression rate was only positively correlated with Ve and the average volume of primary tumour after 2 week treatment (V1). ROC curve showed that R20 ≥ 65.69%, and was considered as a threshold to predict primary local tumour remission, with a sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.69, and area under the curve was 0.819 (P = .000).

CONCLUSIONS

The parameters of MR-PWI with the expression of VEGF, HIF-1α and MVD could be guidance for predicting radiosensitivity in NPC.