[The prevalence and relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, anxiety and depression in otolaryngology outpatients]

Objective: To obtain the prevalence laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), anxiety and depression in otorhinolaryngology outpatients and to explore the role of mental and psychological factors (anxiety and depression) in their pathogenesis. Methods: A questionnaire survey of reflux symptom index(RSI) scale and hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale were used to report 1 111 cases of outpatients in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, from July 2017 to June 2018 (486 males, 625 females, age of 18-96 years old, median age of 38[30,53] years old) and to obtain the prevalence of LPRD, anxiety and depression. RSI-positive patients were selected in the case group, and RSI-negative patients were selected in the control group. The differences in HAD scores between the two groups were compared, and the risk factors of laryngopharyngeal reflux were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: There were 151 cases in the case group and 960 cases in the control group. The prevalence of LPRD was 13.59% (151/1 111).There was no significant difference in the prevalence of LPRD between different genders (P>0.05). The prevalence rate was the highest in the 18-40 age group, and the difference in the prevalence of all age groups (18~ 40 years old; 41-65 years old; >65 years old) was statistically significant (P<0.05). The prevalence of LPRD among smokers and non-drinkers was higher than that of non-smokers and non-drinkers and the prevalence of the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The most common symptoms of the RSI scale were pharyngeal foreign body sensation (92.72%,140/151), persistent clearing throat (88.74%,124/151), excessive sputum or nasal reflux (82.12%, 124/151). There were significant statistical differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Ninty-one patients with anxiety, the prevalence was 8.19%(91/1 111); 76 patients with depression, the prevalence was 6.84%(76/1 111).Among the LPRD patients, the hospital anxiety scale scored 29.14% (44/151), and the hospital depression scale scored 17.22% (26/151). The scores of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms in the LPRD group were higher than those in the non-LPRD group. The above scores were statistically significant (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, anxiety and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were independent risk factors for laryngopharyngeal reflux. Conclusions: The prevalences of LPRD, anxiety and depression in the otorhinolaryngology clinic are 13.59%, 8.19% and 6.84%, respectively. Among patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux, the prevalence of anxiety is 29.14%, and the prevalence of depression is 17.22%. Age, smoking, drinking, alcohol consumption, education level, course of disease, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, pharyngeal foreign body sensation, etc. are related to LPRD. Mental factors (anxiety and depression) may play a role in LPRD. Smoking, anxiety symptoms and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are closely related to the incidence of LPRD.

[Preliminary application of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in individualized treatment of patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension complicated with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the individualized treatment of patients with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage caused by portal hypertension. Methods: Prospective study of clinical data of 47 patients with portal hypertension and refractory ascites and variceal bleeding admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2017 to December 2018, 26 males and 21 females, aged 23-75 (52±14) years old. The Viabahn stent was used to control the diameter of the shunt and the preoperative interval of PPG after individualized TIPS was determined according to the preoperative liver function Child-Pugh classification. The PPG of the Child A and B patients was <10 mm Hg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), Child-Pugh C grade patients with postoperative PPG interval values of 12 to 15 mmHg. The success rate, hemostasis rate, ascites remission rate, and complication rate were recorded. Results: Forty-seven patients were with a success rate of 100%, and there was no surgically related fatal complications. The portal pressure gradients of patients with Child-Pugh A, B and Child-Pugh C were reduced from preoperative (22.5±5.4), (24.4±2.6) mm Hg to postoperative (8.8±2.5), (13.2±1.1) mm Hg (all P<0.05). All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, with a median follow-up of 13 months. The success rate of hemostasis in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 93.5% (29/31), the remission rate of patients with refractory ascites was 14/16, the postoperative rebleeding rate was 6.5% (2/31), the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 8.5% (4/47), and the shunt disorder was 2.1% (1/47). Conclusion: The use of Viabahn stent for individualized TIPS in the treatment of portal hypertension with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage is feasible, and the clinical efficacy is affirmative, which can reduce the incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and shunt dysfunction.

[Establishment and research of a New Zealand rabbit model of laryngopharyngeal reflux]

Objective: To establish a New Zealand rabbit animal model of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) using esophageal balloon together with metal internal stent dilation and to investigate the changes of mucosa. Methods: 20 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 10 in each group. Balloon dilatation and metal internal stent dilation were carried out in experimental group to reproduce the animal model of LPRD.The middle of balloon was placed at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) while the stent was placed at the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The guide wire was placed in the control group, but the balloon was not expanded and the stent was not placed. The general condition, pH value of hypopharynx, laryngeal histopathology and changes of pepsin content of New Zealand rabbits were observed regularly. The difference between experimental group and control group was compared. Results: The 24-hour Dx-pH monitoring results showed that the number of reflux episodes(20.0[9.5, 35.0], 13.0[6.5, 22.0]), and the percent time below pH 5.5 (1.36%[0.60%, 4.57%], 1.36%[0.43%, 2.77%]) in the experimental group at the 2nd and 4th week were significantly different from those in the control group (0[0,3.0], 1.0[0.5, 3.8]; 0[0, 0.01%], 0[0, 0], respectively, all P<0.01), suggesting that the experimental group New Zealand rabbits developed LPRD. Compared with the control group under microscope, lymphocytes infiltration and submucosal gland hyperplasia increased in the mucosa of the throat of the experimental group. The results of pepsin immunohistochemical staining between the two groups were statistically significant (P=0.014). Conclusion: The use of balloon dilatation of the LES combined with metal stent dilatation of the UES can successfully establish a laryngopharyngeal reflux model, and lesions in the throat tissue can be observed.

[Trend in proportion and clinicopathological characteristics of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer]

Objective: To analyze the 13 years trend in proportion, risks factors and clinicopathological characteristics of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer by using multi-center data of cervical cancer in China. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 46 313 patients with cervical cancer treated from 37 hospitals in China were obtained from January 2004 to December 2016. Using clinical and pathologic data, each patient's stage was reclassified by the 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. A total of 19 041 patients were selected according to the following criteria: FIGO stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2, underwent type B or C radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. All the patients were divided into two groups: the study group of 1 888 patients aged 35 years or younger and the control group of 17 153 patients aged over 35 years. The 13 years trend in proportion of young women with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer, risks factors and clinicopathological characteristics of two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) The total number of hospitalized patients with stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer increased annually. However, a downward trend of patients aged 35 years or younger was observed (P<0.01) . The constituent ratio of patients aged 35 years or younger was significantly greater during 2004-2010 than that during 2011-2016 [12.6% (820/6 484) and 8.5% (1 068/12 557) , respectively; χ(2)=82.101, P<0.01]. (2) Compared with patients aged over 35 years, patients aged 35 years or younger had an earlier age at menarche, a later age at marriage, lesser gravida and parity (all P<0.01). The positive rate of high-risk HPV infection was not statistically different between two groups (all P>0.05). (3) The proportions of stage Ⅰ, exophytic type and non-squamous histological type in patients aged 35 years or younger were clearly higher than those in patients aged over 35 years (83.4% vs 68.5%, P<0.01; 63.2% vs 56.2%, P<0.01; 13.9% vs 12.0%, P<0.05, respectively). Whereas the poor differentiation ratios of the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). (4) As for the postoperative pathological risk factors, the rate of surgical margin involvement in patients aged 35 years or younger was lower than that aged over 35 years (1.1% vs 1.8%, P<0.05), and the rate of depth of stromal invasion >1/2 in patients aged 35 years or younger was lower than that in patients aged over 35 years (40.1% vs 50.9%, P<0.01). In addition, there were no significant difference in parametrial margin involvement, tumor size and lymph vascular space invasion between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The trend in proportion among hospitalized patients for stage Ⅰa2 to Ⅱa2 cervical cancer in young women is decreasing yearly. Compared with cervical cancer in middle-aged and elderly women, cervical cancer in young women have an earlier age at menarche, a higher proportion of stage Ⅰ patients and non-squamous histological type. In terms of the postoperative pathological risk factors, the rate of surgical margin involvement and depth of stromal invasion >1/2 in young women with cervical cancer are lower than in middle-aged and elderly women.

MicroRNA-142 Is Critical for the Homeostasis and Function of Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that defend against viruses and mediate anti-tumor responses, yet mechanisms controlling their development and function remain incompletely understood. We hypothesized that the abundantly expressed microRNA-142 (miR-142) is a critical regulator of type 1 ILC biology. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling induced miR-142 expression, whereas global and ILC-specific miR-142-deficient mice exhibited a cell-intrinsic loss of NK cells. Death of NK cells resulted from diminished IL-15 receptor signaling within miR-142-deficient mice, likely via reduced suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (Socs1) regulation by miR-142-5p. ILCs persisting in Mir142^-/- mice demonstrated increased expression of the miR-142-3p target αV integrin, which supported their survival. Global miR-142-deficient mice exhibited an expansion of ILC1-like cells concurrent with increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. Further, miR-142-deficient mice had reduced NK-cell-dependent function and increased susceptibility to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Thus, miR-142 critically integrates environmental cues for proper type 1 ILC homeostasis and defense against viral infection.

MicroRNA-142 Is an Essential Negative Regulator of B Cell Maturation and Malignant Transformation

microRNA-142 (miR-142) is expressed predominantly in cells of hematopoietic origin and plays a vital role in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. We have previously shown that miR-142 ablation in mice results in a marked expansion of the immature and mature B cell compartments. To better understand the role of miR-142 in B cell ontogenesis, we examined the early B cell development in miR-142 null mice using Hardy fraction analysis. Our findings indicate that miR-142 deletion significantly upregulates the frequency of pro-B cells, large pre-B cells, and immature B cells (Fractions B, C, and E), while decreasing the relative number of the earliest B cell progenitors (pre-pro-B cells; Fraction A). Our data links accumulation of pro-B and large pre-B cells in miR-142−/− bone marrow to an increase in their survival capacity. Moreover, we established miR-142 as a negative regulator of interleukein-7 receptor (IL7R), a cytokine receptor which plays a critical role in B cell maturation from pro-B to pre-B cell stage. In agreement with this notion, miR-142-deficient pro-B cells displayed elevated IL7R levels on their surface and proliferated more vigorously than WT cells in response to IL-7 stimulation in vitro. To test the effect of miR-142 dysregulation on malignant B cell transformation, we bred miR-142−/− mice with Eμ-myc transgenic mice, which spontaneously develop a mix of B cell lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma. Interestingly, miR-142 haploinsufficiency dramatically accelerated development of the disease in Eμ-myc transgenic mice. Collectively, our results establish miR-142 as an essential negative regulator of primary B cell development, whose dysregulation may contribute to malignant B cell transformation.

[The role of PDK1 in the transition of endothelial to hematopoietic cells]

目的

研究磷酸肌醇依赖性激酶1（PDK1）在内皮细胞向造血细胞转化阶段对造血干细胞（HSC）发生的影响。

方法

应用Vec-Cre在内皮细胞中特异性敲除PDK1基因，取对照组PDK1^fl/fl、PDK1^fl/+小鼠及敲除组Vec-Cre；PDK1^fl/fl小鼠胚胎的主动脉-性腺-中肾区（AGM区）细胞进行集落形成实验，检测PDK1基因对造血祖细胞功能的影响；取对照组和敲除组AGM区细胞行移植实验，检测PDK1对HSC功能的影响；取对照组和敲除组AGM区细胞，通过流式细胞术检测PDK1对能够向造血转化的CD31⁺c-Kit^high细胞群比例、细胞周期及细胞凋亡的影响；分选对照组和敲除组AGM区CD31⁺c-Kit^high细胞群，通过Real-time PCR检测PDK1对内皮向造血转换相关的转录因子（RUNX1、P2-RUNX1、GATA2）的影响。

结果

PDK1敲除后，造血祖细胞形成的克隆形态变小，数目减少[敲除组CFU-GM为（24±5）个/ee，对照组为（62±1）个/ee，P=0.001]；破坏了造血干细胞重建造血及多向分化的能力（敲除组移植5只，0只重建，对照组移植7只，5只重建，P=0.001）；AGM区CD31⁺c-Kit^high比例降低[敲除组CD31⁺c-Kit^high比例为（0.145±0.017）%，对照组比例为（0.385±0.04）%，P=0.001]；并且AGM区由内皮细胞向造血细胞转换的关键转录因子表达下降，但对CD31⁺c-Kit^high细胞的增殖和凋亡无明显影响。

结论

在内皮细胞中特异敲除PDK1基因，导致具有向造血转化的内皮细胞群比例降低，影响了HSC的发生，破坏了HSC重建造血的能力。

[Effectiveness evaluation between enhanced recovery after surgery and traditional treatment in unilateral total knee arthroplasty]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 98 patients received unilateral TKA from September 2015 to September 2016 in the Orthopaedic Departmentof Affiliated Hospital of Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces.Of the patients, 52 cases were treated by traditional operation (routine group) and the other 46 cases were treated with ERAS concept (ERAS group). The following data were gathered and statistically analyzed between the groups: gender, age, body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative visible blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin at 24 hour after operation, blood transfusion rate, postoperative VAS score, length of hospital stay, the satisfaction rate, preoperative and 1 and 6 months postoperative evaluation with hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS), postoperative range of motion (ROM) of knees after 2 weeks, 1 month and 6 months of surgery, incidence rate of complications after surgery.Data between groups were analyzed with one-factor analysis of variance or chi-square test. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative data between two groups.Postoperative visible blood loss of ERAS group was significantly lower than that in routine group[(224±59) vs (361±70) ml, t=4.723, P<0.01]; postoperative hemoglobin after 24 hours in ERAS group was significantly higher than that in routine group[(109±8) vs (96±10) g/L, t=-3.297, P=0.004]; blood transfusion rate of ERAS group was significantly lower than that in routine group[6.5 %(3/46) vs 46.2%(24/52), χ(2)=19.207, P<0.01]; the 12-hour and 48-hour postoperative VAS scores in ERAS groups were both significantly lower than those in routine group (t=3.708, 3.894, both P<0.05); length of hospital stay in ERAS group was significantly shorter than that in routine group[(6.8±1.2) vs (13.1±2.6) d, t=6.924, P<0.01]; HSS scores of ERAS groups at 1 month and 6 months after surgery were both significantly higher than those in routine group (t=-3.677, -3.594, both P<0.05); knees ROM in ERAS group at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery were both significantly higher than those in routine group (t=-4.628, -4.442, both P<0.05); the rate of postoperative nausea vomiting in ERAS group was significantly lower than that in routine group[13.0%(6/46) vs 48.1%(25/52), χ(2)=13.852, P=0.002]. VAS score at 1 month after surgery, knees ROM at 6 months after surgery and the satisfaction rate were all comparable between the two groups (t=0.412, -1.026, χ(2)=3.695, all P>0.05). Conclusions: Condition of patients treated by unilateral TKA under ERAS model improves effectively during perioperative period when compared with routine treatment, patients have earlier rehabilitation and better experience in hospital and operation.

[Analyses of pathogenic factors and clinicopathological characteristics of vocal leukoplakia]

Objective: To investigate the pathogenic factors of vocal leukoplakia and its clinical and pathological features. Methods: Eighty-one patients with vocal cord leukoplakia who underwent surgery between February 2010 and December 2016 and 160 volunteers without pharyngeal symptoms designed as controls were included in this case control study. The clinicopathological characteristics of 81 patients were summarized and analyzed synthetically. Results: There was statistical significance in reflux symptom index(RSI), reflux finding score(RFS), smoking index, and drinking index between case group and control group(Z=-5.35, -4.82, -4.76, -2.44, P<0.05). The voice-using duration per day in case group was significantly longer than that of control group.There was no statistical significance in hospital anxiety and depression scale for anxiety(HADA) scores、hospital anxiety and depression scale for depression(HADD) scores between case group and control group(P>0.05). In 42 patients who received 24-hour dual probe pH monitoring the prevalence of pathologic LPR was 42.8%. In 81 patients, 39(48%)patients were pathologically diagnosed as squamous cell hyperplasia, 18(22%)patients as mild dysplasia, 12(15%)sides as moderate dysplasia , 10(12%)patients as severe dysplasia and 2(2%)patients as carcinoma in-situ. The average age of high-risk pathological vocal leukoplakia was significantly higher than that of low-risk leukoplakia(t=-2.73, P<0.01). The propotion of speckled leukoplakia in high-risk leukoplakia was significantly higher than that of low-risk leukoplakia(χ(2)=23.81, P<0.01). There was no statistical significance between high-risk leukoplakia and low-risk leukoplakia in the prevalence of pathologic LPR(P>0.05). The bilateral lesions, speckled leukoplakia were more likely to relapse(χ(2)=4.27, 12.17, P<0.05). The more serious the pathology, the more likely it was to relapse (Z=-2.168, P=0.03). There was no statistical significance between recurrence group and non-recurrence group in the prevalence of pathologic LPR(P>0.05). Conclusions: LPR, smoke constitute the risk factors of vocal cord leukoplakia. Drinking, voice abuse are related to vocal cord leukoplakia. Senile, speckled leukoplakia are more likely to be malignancy. A speckled leukoplakia, bilateral leukoplakia, severe pathological degree are important factors to predict recurrence.

Low-protein diet improves meat quality of growing and finishing pigs through changing lipid metabolism, fiber characteristics, and free amino acid profile of the muscle

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding reduced CP, AA-supplemented diets on meat quality in growing and finishing pigs as well as the related mechanism. In experiment 1, 18 growing pigs (36.5 kg BW) were assigned randomly and fed 1 of 3 corn-soybean meal diets containing either 18% CP (normal protein, NP), 15% CP (low protein, LP), or 12% CP (very low protein, VLP). In experiment 2, 18 finishing pigs (62.3 kg BW) were allotted randomly into 1 of the following diets: 16% CP (NP), 13% CP (LP), or 10% CP (VLP). In both experiments, the LP and VLP diets were supplemented with crystalline AA to achieve equal content of standardized ileal digestible lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. At the end of each experiment, all pigs were slaughtered to collect longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) samples. Samples were used for determining meat quality, intramuscular fat (IMF) content, fatty acid composition, free AA profile, and expression of genes for myosin heavy chain isoforms. Results showed that growing and finishing pigs fed the LP diets increased (P < 0.05) redness value of LM, while finishing pigs fed the LP and VLP diets decreased (P < 0.05) the shear force values. Compared with the NP diet, growing and finishing pigs fed lower CP diets had higher (P < 0.05) contents of IMF and MUFA, and lower (P < 0.05) contents of PUFA. Besides, higher (P < 0.05) expression levels of type I and/or IIa muscle fibers were observed in LP diet-fed growing and finishing pigs, and greater concentrations of taurine and tasty AA in VLP diet-fed growing and finishing pigs. Taken together, our results indicate that low-protein diets could positively affect meat quality of growing and finishing pigs, and likely through regulation of IMF content and fatty acid composition, fiber characteristics, and free AA profile in the muscle.

MicroRNA-142 guards against autoimmunity by controlling Treg cell development and function

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in preventing aberrant immune responses. Post-transcriptional gene control by microRNA (miRNA), a large class of small regulatory RNA, has recently emerged as a key genetic element required for Treg cell function. Nevertheless, specific miRNA gene(s) that play a vital role in the regulation of Treg cell activity are still unknown. Here we report that mice with Treg cell-specific ablation of miR-142 (hereafter Foxp3CremiR-142fl/fl mice) developed a fatal systemic autoimmune disorder due to a breakdown in peripheral T cell tolerance. Foxp3CremiR-142fl/fl mice displayed a sharp decrease in abundance and suppressive capacity of Treg cells. Analysis of miR-142-deficient Treg cells revealed excessive IFNγ production and dysregulated IFNγ signaling. We have identified several of the derepressed IFNγ-related genes, including Ifngr2 receptor and Hif1a transcription factor, as direct miR-142 targets. Furthermore, lowering the Hif1a gene dose in Treg cells significantly diminished the hyperactivation of peripheral effector T cells in Foxp3CremiR-142fl/flmice. Thus, miR-142 is an indispensable regulator of Treg cell development and function that mediates its control by attenuating IFNg response.

[Impacts of EGFR 19 exon mutations on brain metastases in treatment-naïve patients with lung adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and brain metastases in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: From August 2010 to May 2015, a total of 1 063 lung adenocarcinoma patients with identified status of EGFR mutations in Shanxi Cancer Hospital were enrolled, of which 456 patients had EGFR mutations. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between EGFR mutation status and brain metastases in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Results: In 125 patients with brain metastases before initial treatment, 65 patients had EGFR mutations, including 36 patients with deletion mutations in exon 19. The frequency of EGFR 19 exon mutation was 28.8% (36/125). Among 456 patients with EGFR mutations, 65(14.3%) patients were with brain metastases, in which 36(55.0%) had deletion mutations in exon 19. The multivariate analysis showed that age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, EGFR mutations and N staging were associated with brain metastases(P<0.05). Further subgroup multivariate analyses showed that age, ECOG score, mutation status in exon 19 and N staging were associated with brain metastases (P<0.05). Conclusions: EGFR mutation status is related to brain metastases. Mutations in EGFR exon 19 is an independent risk factor for brain metastases.

Dynamics of levitated objects in acoustic vortex fields

Acoustic levitation in gaseous media provides a tool to process solid and liquid materials without the presence of surfaces such as container walls and hence has been used widely in chemical analysis, high-temperature processing, drop dynamics and bioreactors. To date high-density objects can only be acoustically levitated in simple standing-wave fields. Here we demonstrate the ability of a small number of peripherally placed sources to generate acoustic vortex fields and stably levitate a wide range of liquid and solid objects. The forces exerted by these acoustic vortex fields on a levitated water droplet are observed to cause a controllable deformation of the droplet and/or oscillation along the vortex axis. Orbital angular momentum transfer is also shown to rotate a levitated object rapidly and the rate of rotation can be controlled by the source amplitude. We expect this research can increase the diversity of acoustic levitation and expand the application of acoustic vortices.

Experimental investigations and phase-field simulations of triple-phase-separation kinetics within liquid ternary Co-Cu-Pb immiscible alloys

The phase-separation kinetics and microstructure evolution mechanisms of liquid ternary Co_{43}Cu_{40}Pb_{17} immiscible alloys are investigated by both the drop tube technique and phase-field method. Two successive phase separations take place during droplet falling and lead to the formation of a three-phase three-layer core-shell structure composed of a Co-rich core, a Cu-rich middle layer, and a Pb-rich shell. The Pb-rich shell becomes more and more conspicuous as droplet diameter decreases. Meanwhile, the Co-rich core center gradually moves away from the core-shell center. Theoretical analyses show that a larger temperature gradient inside a smaller alloy droplet induces the accelerated growth of the surface segregation shell during triple-phase separation. The residual Stokes motion and the asymmetric Marangoni convection result in the appearance of an eccentric Co-rich core and the core deviation degree is closely related to the droplet size and initial velocity. A three-dimensional phase-field model of ternary immiscible alloys, which considers the successive phase separations under the combined effects of Marangoni convection and surface segregation, is proposed to explore the formation mechanisms of three-phase core-shell structures. The simulated core-shell morphologies are consistent with the experimental observations, which verifies the model's validity in reproducing the core-shell dynamic evolution. Numerical results reveal that the development of three-phase three-layer core-shell structures can be attributed to the primary and then secondary phase separations dominated simultaneously by Marangoni convection and surface segregation. Furthermore, the effects of droplet temperature gradient on the growth kinetics of the surface segregation shell are analyzed in the light of phase-field theory.

Control of B cell development and malignant transformation by microRNA-142

MicroRNA-142 (miR-142) is a versatile posttranscriptional regulator that plays a crucial role in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Abrogation of miR-142 expression in mice results in a profound immunodeficiency that is characterized by hypoimmunoglobulinemia and failure to mount robust humoral immune responses to soluble antigen challenges. Paradoxically, miR-142−/− mice display a significant expansion of the B cell compartment due to the accumulation of immature and mature B lymphocytes. To better understand the role of miR-142 in B cell ontogenesis, we examined the early B cell development in miR-142−/− mice using the Hardy fraction analysis. We found that miR-142 deletion results in a significant increase in the frequency of the pro-B and large pre-B cells (Fractions B and C), while the pre-pro-B cell population (Fraction A) decreased. In contrast, miR-142 ablation had little effect on the frequency of small pre-B cell and immature B cell populations. Furthermore, our data suggest that the accumulation of pro-B and large pre-B cells in miR-142−/− bone marrow is linked to an increase in their survival capacity.

Because genetic lesions that disrupt control of B cell maturation frequently contribute to the malignant transformation of B cells, we decided to examine the role of miR-142 dysregulation in B cell lymphomagenesis. To address this question, we bred miR-142−/− mice with Eμ-myc transgenic mice that spontaneously develop a mix of pre-B cell and mature B cell lymphomas. We found that miR-142 haploinsufficiency dramatically accelerated lymphoma development in this mouse model. Collectively, our results establish miR-142 as an essential negative regulator of B cell maturation and lymphomagenesis.

Liquid Supercoolability and Synthesis Kinetics of Quinary Refractory High-entropy Alloy

The high-entropy configuration of equiatomic multicomponent alloys opens an effective access to the development of advanced materials. Here we report the synthesis of a new quinary refractory WMoTaNbZr high-entropy alloy under electrostatic levitation condition. It showed a high liquidus temperature of 2686 K and achieved a maximum supercooling of 640 K (0.24 T_L) at molten state. The containerless measurements revealed a linear increasing tendency for both its liquid state density and the specific heat to emissivity ratio versus alloy supercooling. A high-entropy body-centered cubic (HEB) phase dominated its phase constitution despite the formation of a negligible amount of solid solution (Zr) phase. The dendritic growth of HEB phase always governed the crystallization process, attained a fastest growth velocity of 13.5 m/s and displayed a power function relation to alloy supercooling. The high speed videographic research of recalescence phenomenon indicated Johnson-Mehl-Avrami type transition kinetics for its rapid solidification process. As supercooling increases, the microstructures of primary HEB phase were refined conspicuously and exhibited an obvious solute trapping effect of the segregative Zr component. Meanwhile, the Vickers hardness of HEB phase displayed the rising tendency with supercooling.

Ultrafast charge-transfer in organic photovoltaic interfaces: geometrical and functionalization effects

Understanding the microscopic mechanisms of electronic excitation in organic photovoltaic cells is a challenging problem in the design of efficient devices capable of performing sunlight harvesting. Here we develop and apply an ab initio approach based on time-dependent density functional theory and Ehrenfest dynamics to investigate photoinduced charge transfer in small organic molecules. Our calculations include mixed quantum-classical dynamics with ions moving classically and electrons quantum mechanically, where no experimental external parameter other than the material geometry is required. We show that the behavior of photocarriers in zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and C60 systems, an effective prototype system for organic solar cells, is sensitive to the atomic orientation of the donor and the acceptor units as well as the functionalization of covalent molecules at the interface. In particular, configurations with the ZnPc molecules facing on C60 facilitate charge transfer between substrate and molecules that occurs within 200 fs. In contrast, configurations where ZnPc is tilted above C60 present extremely low carrier injection efficiency even at longer times as an effect of the larger interfacial potential level offset and higher energetic barrier between the donor and acceptor molecules. An enhancement of charge injection into C60 at shorter times is observed as binding groups connect ZnPc and C60 in a dyad system. Our results demonstrate a promising way of designing and controlling photoinduced charge transfer on the atomic level in organic devices that would lead to efficient carrier separation and maximize device performance.

[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on antioxidant capacity in brains of rats after acute carbon monoxide poisoning]

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to observe the antioxidant effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on brains of rats after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

METHODS

Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups including control group, CO group and HBO group.Morris water maze experiments were used for monitoring cognitive function.Antioxidant capacities were evaluated by detecting T-AOC, GSH-PX, GR and CAT activities in the brain.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group (45±17, 43±14, 35±12, 34±11, 29±13) s and the HBO group (40±10, 39±6, 35±9, 31±11, 21±10) s, the CO group (57±5, 54±8, 52±8, 52±10, 46±8) s had the longer escape latency (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (51±6) s and the HBO group(40±10) s, the CO group (8±5) s had the shorter swimming time in I quadrant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (1.25±0.40) U/mg and the HBO group(0.97±0.31, 0.97±0.39, 1.45±0.15, 1.40±0.25, 1.20±0.20) U/mg, the CO group (0.68±0.09, 0.45±0.17, 0.71±0.18, 0.69±0.29, 0.48±0.29) U/mg had the lower T-AOC activity of brain tissue.The GSH-PX activity (42±13, 106±46, 197±49, 173±42, 429±58) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group (182±53) U/mg and the HBO group (203±63, 325±86, 389±29, 385±100, 453±32) U/mg.GR activity (4.3±0.7, 2.6±0.5, 3.0±1.2, 1.8±0.8, 3.2±1.9) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group(14.5±3.0) U/mg and the HBO group (13.9±3.3, 4.3±1.0, 3.9±0.7, 4.8±0.9, 4.6±0.9) U/mg.CAT activity (1.6±0.8, 4.3±1.6, 3.9±1.0, 8.5±2.6, 5.4±1.7) U/mg in the CO group decreased compared with the control group(5.2±1.3) U/mg and the HBO group (5.2±2.2, 8.8±2.8, 5.3±1.0, 9.2±2.1, 14.1±3.8) U/mg.

CONCLUSIONS

HBO can improve the behavior of rats after acute CO poisoning.The antioxidant capacity in rat brain tissue after acute CO poisoning decreases, while after the HBO therapy, the antioxidant capacity in rat brain tissue can increase.

[Clinical outcome of mid-term follow-up of anterior cervical non-fusion surgery versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical spondylosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of artificial cervical disc replacement (Prodisc-C), dynamic cervical implant and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.

METHOD

From May 2011 to May 2013, a total of 44 cervical spondylosis patients that received cervical disc arthroplasty (Prodisc-C), dynamic cervical implant (DCI) or ACDF were retrospectively reviewed in Orthopedics Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University.The patients were divided into three groups by surgical methods.Parameters as gender, age, the operation time, blood loss and average hospital stay of three groups were compared.The patients were followed 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months postoperatively.Neck disability index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the three groups.We also measured the cervical lordosis, range of motion of surgical segment and adjacent segment and height of disc at pre-op and post-op.

RESULT

All the patients were got at least 24 months follow-up.The differences between postoperative JOA, NDI and VAS scores and preoperative scores were of statistical significance (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in average hospital stay, JOA, NDI and VAS recovery rate (P>0.05) among three groups.But the operative time and intraoperative blood loss were statistically different (P<0.05). Compared the pre-and postoperative ROM of C2-7, operative, upper and lower levels of each group respectively, the difference between pre-and postoperative ROM of ACDF group were of statistically significant [(16.6±3.6)°, (22.3±4.6)°, (18.1±3.1)°, P<0.05], while was no statistically significant of non-fusion group(P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between pre-and postoperative ROM of upper and lower levels among three groups (P>0.05), but had statistically difference in operative levels [(7.0±1.0) mm, (9.2±1.5) mm, (6.8±1.4) mm, P<0.05]. And there are no serious postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Two cervical non-fusion surgery and ACDF have received good clinical effects in the treatment of spondylotic myelopathy or radicular spondylosis.The artificial cervical disc replacement and dynamic cervical implant can not only recover cervical lordosis and keep the range of motion and stability of the surgical segment, but also reduce the incidence of compensatory motion at adjacent segments and will prevent from adjacent segment degeneration.

Unexpected separation of functions at the level of miR-146a targets regulates immune cell activation and malignant transformation

microRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been previously implicated as an essential molecular brake that prevents immune overreaction and malignant transformation by attenuating NF-κB signaling. miR-146a−/− mice display an autoimmune disorder, and also develop frank tumors in secondary lymphoid organs and a progressive myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as they age. miR-146a was proposed to exert its regulatory activity by targeting Traf6 and Irak1, genes which encode two key adapter proteins that function upstream of NF-κB activation. The exact contribution of miR-146a-mediated silencing of Traf6 and Irak1 to the control of immune activation is currently unknown. Therefore, we defined the role of the miR-146a-Traf6 axis in the regulation of immune homeostasis using mouse genetic epistasis analysis. Our studies have uncovered a unique separation of functions at the level of miR-146a targets. Lowering the Traf6 gene dose and consequent attenuation of NF-κB activation rescued many significant miR-146a−/− phenotypes such as splenomegaly, aberrant myeloproliferation, and excessive inflammatory responses. In contrast, decreasing Traf6 expression had no effect on the development of the MDS-like phenotype in aged miR-146a−/− mice, indicating that miR-146a controls hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis through a different molecular mechanism. Our genetic data implicate excessive IFNγ production as the main driver of HSC exhaustion and bone marrow failure in miR-146a−/− mice. Furthermore, our findings suggest that control of the Traf6-NF-κB regulatory axis by miR-146a is not essential for its tumor suppressor activity, because lowering the Traf6 gene dose did not affect the rate of development of miR-146a-deficient lymphomas.

Dynamic evolution process of multilayer core-shell microstructures within containerlessly solidifying Fe(50)Sn(50) immiscible alloy

Multilayer core-shell structures are frequently formed in polymers and alloys when temperature and concentration fields are well symmetrical spatially. Here we report that two- to five-layer core-shell microstructures were the dominant structural morphology of a binary Fe(50)Sn(50) immiscible alloy solidified under the containerless and microgravity states within a drop tube. Three dimensional phase field simulation reveals that both the uniformly dispersive structure and the multilayer core-shells are the various metastable and transitional states of the liquid phase separation process. Only the two-layer core-shell is the most stable microstructure with the lowest chemical potential. Because of the suppression of Stokes motion, solutal Marangoni migration becomes important to drive the evolution of core-shell structures.

Temperature- and Relative Humidity-Dependent Life History Traits of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Malvales: Malvaceae)

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a worldwide distributive invasive pest, originated from the United States, and it was first reported in Guangdong province, China, in 2008. The effects of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the life history traits of P. solenopsis on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvales: Malvaceae) were studied at seven constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, and 35°C) and three RHs (45, 60, and 75%). The results showed that temperature, RH, and their interactions significantly influenced the life history traits of P. solenopsis. First instar was the most sensitive stage to extreme temperatures with very low survival rates at 15 and 35°C. At 25-32.5°C and the three RHs, the developmental periods of entire immature stage were shorter with values between 12.5-18.6 d. The minimum threshold temperature and the effective accumulative temperature for the pest to complete one generation were 13.2°C and 393.7 degree-days, respectively. The percentage and longevity of female adults significantly differed among different treatments. It failed to complete development at 15 or 35°C and the three RHs. Female fecundity reached the maximum value at 27.5°C and 45% RH. The intrinsic rate for increase (r), the net reproductive rate (R0), and the finite rate of increase (λ) reached the maximum values at 27.5°C and 45% RH (0.22 d(-1), 244.6 hatched eggs, and 1.25 d(-1), respectively). Therefore, we conclude that 27.5°C and 45% RH are the optimum conditions for the population development of the pest.

Control of mammalian hematopoiesis and humoral immune response by microRNA-142 (IRM10P.617)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of powerful post-transcriptional regulators implicated in the control of diverse biological processes, including regulation of hematopoiesis and the immune response. To define the biological functions of miR-142, which is specifically and abundantly expressed in immune cells, we created a mouse line with targeted deletion of this gene. Our analysis of miR-142-/- mice revealed a critical role for this miRNA in the development and homeostasis of lymphocytes. Marginal zone B cells expand in the knockout spleen, while the number of T and B1 B cells in the periphery is reduced. Abnormal development of hematopoietic lineages in miR-142-/- animals is accompanied by a profound immunodeficiency, manifested by hypoimmunoglobulinemia and failure to mount a productive immune response to soluble antigens and virus. miR-142-/- B cells express elevated levels of BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) and as a result proliferate more robustly in response to BAFF stimulation. Lowering the BAFF-R gene dose in miR-142-/- mice rescued the B cell expansion defect, suggesting that BAFF-R is a bona fide miR-142 target through which it controls B cell homeostasis. Collectively, our results uncover miR-142 as an essential regulator of lymphocyte ontogenesis and suggest that lesions in this miRNA gene may lead to primary immunodeficiency.