Complete plastome sequence of Acorus tatarinowii (Acoraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China

The complete plastome of Acorus tatarinowii is 153,296 bp in length, with two long inverted repeats (25,752 bp for each) separating by a large single-copy (83,533 bp) and a small single-copy (18,240 bp). The plastome contained 112 unique genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNAs, and 4 ribosomal RNAs. Phylogenetic analyses showed that A. tatarinowii was closely related to A. gramineus.

[The value of multi-gene testing in benign or malign diagnosis of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology]

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of a multi-gene molecular testing in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Methods: From February 2018 to September 2018, patients with thyroid nodules who underwent fine needle aspiration(FNA) at Peking University Cancer Hospital were enrolled. Three hundred and sixty patients were included, consisting of 86 men and 274 women, with a mean age of 45.8 years (between 13 and 89 years old). Among 391 nodules, 141 were cytologically inderminate and 75 were resected. FNA samples underwent prospective testing using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay, which included 16 genes for point mutations and 26 types of gene fusions. The testing results of indeterminate nodules were compared with surgical outcomes, to determine the diagnostic performance. The results were compared with the BRAF V600E single gene mutation analysis by χ(2) test. Results: The multi-gene testing showed a sensitivity of 73.2%, specificity of 96.8%, positive predictive value of 96.8%, and negative predictive value of 73.2%. The diagnostic accuracy of multi-gene testing was significantly higher than the BRAF V600E mutation test (83.3% vs 73.6%, χ(2)=31.588, P<0.01). Conclusion: Multi-gene testing in FNA samples is an effective method to diagnose cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules, which has a higher accuracy than BRAF V600E mutation detection.

Convergent horizontal gene transfer and cross-talk of mobile nucleic acids in parasitic plants

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the movement and genomic integration of DNA across species boundaries, is commonly associated with bacteria and other microorganisms, but functional HGT (fHGT) is increasingly being recognized in heterotrophic parasitic plants that obtain their nutrients and water from their host plants through direct haustorial feeding. Here, in the holoparasitic stem parasite Cuscuta, we identify 108 transcribed and probably functional HGT events in Cuscuta campestris and related species, plus 42 additional regions with host-derived transposon, pseudogene and non-coding sequences. Surprisingly, 18 Cuscuta fHGTs were acquired from the same gene families by independent HGT events in Orobanchaceae parasites, and the majority are highly expressed in the haustorial feeding structures in both lineages. Convergent retention and expression of HGT sequences suggests an adaptive role for specific additional genes in parasite biology. Between 16 and 20 of the transcribed HGT events are inferred as ancestral in Cuscuta based on transcriptome sequences from species across the phylogenetic range of the genus, implicating fHGT in the successful radiation of Cuscuta parasites. Genome sequencing of C. campestris supports transfer of genomic DNA-rather than retroprocessed RNA-as the mechanism of fHGT. Many of the C. campestris genes horizontally acquired are also frequent sources of 24-nucleotide small RNAs that are typically associated with RNA-directed DNA methylation. One HGT encoding a leucine-rich repeat protein kinase overlaps with a microRNA that has been shown to regulate host gene expression, suggesting that HGT-derived parasite small RNAs may function in the parasite-host interaction. This study enriches our understanding of HGT by describing a parasite-host system with unprecedented gene exchange that points to convergent evolution of HGT events and the functional importance of horizontally transferred coding and non-coding sequences.

China's biodiversity hotspots revisited: A treasure chest for plants

n/a.

Gentianella macrosperma, a new species of Gentianella (Gentianaceae) from Xinjiang, China

Gentianella macrosperma Ma ex H.F. Cao, J.D. Ya & Q.R. Zhang, a new species of Gentianaceae from Xinjiang, Northwest China is described and illustrated. This new species is unique in having equal length of corolla lobe and corolla tube, nectaries located at the throat of the corolla tube and large seeds up to 1.6 mm in diameter. In addition, an updated identification key to the Chinese species of Gentianella is provided.

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae): I. One new species from northwest Yunnan, China

Pedicularis multicaulis W.B.Yu, H.Wang & D.Z.Li (series Oliganthae Prain) is a new species described and illustrated herein. This new species is endemic to northwest Yunnan and only two populations were found in Weixi county. Phylogenetic analyses support P. multicaulis as a new species, sister to P. taihaiensis Bonati and P. macilenta Franch. Morphological comparisons between P. multicaulis and P. macilenta and P. taihaiensis also support P. multicaulis as a new species to science.

A Direct Current Measurement Method Based on Terbium Gallium Garnet Crystal and a Double Correlation Detection Algorithm

When applying an optical current transformer (OCT) to direct current measurement, output signals exhibit a low signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-noise band overlap. Sinusoidal wave modulation is used to solve this problem. A double correlation detection algorithm is used to extract the direct current (DC) signal, remove white noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Our sensing unit uses a terbium gallium garnet crystal in order to increase the output signal-to-noise ratio and measurement sensitivity. Measurement errors of single correlation and double correlation detection algorithms are compared, and experimental results showed that this measurement method can control measurement error to about 0.3%, thus verifying its feasibility.

[Fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology for the detection of lateral lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A total of 109 lateral lymph nodes with suspicious metastases from 85 patients were retrospectively subjected to FNAC, fine-needle aspiration thyroglobulin measurement (FNATg), and FNATg/SerumTg measurement. Lymph node pathological results after surgery were taken as the gold standard. Using Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson linear model and ROC curve were used for data analysis. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNATg for the diagnosis of lateral neck lymph node metastasis were respectively 93.7%, 90.0% and 93.3% and those of FNATg/SerumTg were respectively 89.9%, 90.0% and 93.2% respectively, the threshold values for FNATg and FNATg/SerumTg were 0.925 ng/ml and 1.007, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNATg combined with FNAC were respectively 91.0%,93.5% and 94.4%. The existence of thyroid tissue and the expression of serum Tg did not affect the expression of lymph node FNATg. The FNATg cutoff value of 0.925 ng/ml showed the best diagnostic performance in patients with a thyroid gland, while the FNATg/SerumTg cutoff ratio of 14.95 showed the best diagnostic performance in patients without a thyroid gland. The serum TgAb significantly interfered with the expression of FNATg in the lateral neck metastatic lymph nodes (P=0.049). Conclusions: FNATg alone or the combination of FNATg with FNAC are highly reliable in the diagnosis of lateral neck lymph node metastases in patients with PTC. The expression of TgAb may interfere with the accuracy of the diagnostic performance of FNATg.

Risk factors and score for recollapse of the augmented vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Our study demonstrated a high incidence of recollapse of the augmented vertebrae after PVP treatment for OVCFs. A risk score based on all significant factors can predict the rate of recollapse and gain clinical benefits to prevent recollapse in patients at high risk.

BACKGROUND

Recollapse of the augmented vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) has obtained much attention. However, little is known about risk factors and score for recollapse of the augmented vertebrae.

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk factors and furthermore develop a risk score related to recollapse of the augmented vertebrae after PVP treatment for OVCFs.

METHODS

Patients who were treated with PVP for single OVCFs and met this study's inclusion criteria were retrospectively reviewed. The follow-up period was at least 2 years. Associations of recollapse with co-variates (age, gender, bone mass density [BMD] with a T-score, fracture level, intravertebral cleft [IVC], fracture type, cement volume, cement leakage, leakage into a disc, cement distribution pattern, Non-PMMA-endplate-contact [NPEC], preoperative fracture severity, reduction rate [RR], reduction angle [RA]) were analyzed and a risk score for recollapse was further developed to predict recollapse.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients were included. Recollapse group was found in 42 (27.6%) patients. Preoperative IVC, solid lump cement distribution pattern, more RR (a cutoff value of 7%) and larger RA (a cutoff value of 3°) was significantly associated with increased risk for recollapse of the augmented vertebrae. A risk score was developed based on the number of risk factors present in each patient. Patients with a score of 4 had an approximately ninefold increased risk of developing recollapse over patients with a score of 0. The receiver operating characteristic curve of the risk score generated an area under the curve of 0.899 (95% CI 0.642-0.836, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

A risk score based on preoperative IVC, cement distribution pattern, reduction rate, and reduction angle predicts the rate of recollapse. Additional studies should aim to validate this score and inspect clinical benefits of recollapse prophylaxis in patients at high risk.

Phylogenetic approaches resolve taxonomical confusion in Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae): Reinstatement of Pedicularis delavayi and discovering a new species Pedicularis milliana

Morphological identification of Pedicularis depends on floral characters. However, some important characters may be lost during the process of pressing the specimen. Pedicularis delavayi was described from northwestern Yunnan, and widely adopted as a variety of P. siphonantha. Unfortunately, the name "P. siphonantha var. delavayi' incorrectly referred to P. milliana (a new species described in this study) or P. tenuituba in some herbarium specimens and publications. Moreover, phylogenetic relationships among P. delavayi, P. siphonantha and its allies (P. milliana and P. tenuituba) were not fully resolved. In this study, we sampled 76 individuals representing 56 taxa. Of them, 10 taxa were from P. siphonantha lineage, and 11 individuals of P. delavayi represented 9 populations. These species were named as P. siphonantha group on the basis of morphological similarity. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and four chloroplast genes/regions were used for phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the P. siphonantha group was polyphyletic: P. delavayi was sister to P. obliquigaleata in clade A; and the remaining species of P. siphonantha group were monophyletic in clade B, named as P. siphonantha lineage. In the P. siphonantha lineage, P. milliana, P. siphonantha, and P. tenuituba were well supported as monophyletic, and P. dolichosiphon was sister to P. leptosiphon. Morphologically, P. delavayi differs from species of the P. siphonantha lineage in having a long petiole (~ 50 mm) and pedicel (~ 40 mm), a ridged corolla tube, and a folded lower-lip of the corolla. Therefore, both morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence strongly supported to reinstate P. delavayi as an independent species and describe P. milliana as new species. In addition, P. neolatituba was proposed to reduce as a new synonymy of P. delavayi.

Evolutionary Comparisons of the Chloroplast Genome in Lauraceae and Insights into Loss Events in the Magnoliids

Available plastomes of the Lauraceae show similar structure and varied size, but there has been no systematic comparison across the family. In order to understand the variation in plastome size and structure in the Lauraceae and related families of magnoliids, we here compare 47 plastomes, 15 newly sequenced, from 27 representative genera. We reveal that the two shortest plastomes are in the parasitic Lauraceae genus Cassytha, with lengths of 114,623 (C. filiformis) and 114,963 bp (C. capillaris), and that they have lost NADH dehydrogenase (ndh) genes in the large single-copy region and one entire copy of the inverted repeat (IR) region. The plastomes of the core Lauraceae group, with lengths from 150,749 bp (Nectandra angustifolia) to 152,739 bp (Actinodaphne trichocarpa), have lost trnI-CAU, rpl23, rpl2, a fragment of ycf2, and their intergenic regions in IRb region, whereas the plastomes of the basal Lauraceae group, with lengths from 157,577 bp (Eusideroxylon zwageri) to 158,530 bp (Beilschmiedia tungfangensis), have lost rpl2 in IRa region. The plastomes of Calycanthus (Calycanthaceae, Laurales) have lost rpl2 in IRb region, but the plastome of Caryodaphnopsis henryi (Lauraceae) remain intact, as do those of the nonLaurales magnoliid genera Piper, Liriodendron, and Magnolia. On the basis of our phylogenetic analysis and structural comparisons, different loss events occurred in different lineages of the Laurales, and fragment loss events in the IR regions have largely driven the contraction of the plastome in the Lauraceae. These results provide new insights into the evolution of the Lauraceae as well as the magnoliids as a whole.

Downregulation of histone demethylase JMJD1C inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis through targeting ATF2

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers. Metastasis is a major leading of death in patients with CRC and many patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we showed that JMJD1C was overexpressed in colon cancer tissues compared to normal samples and was positively associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. Silencing JMJD1C strongly inhibits CRC migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Further, we found that knockdown of JMJD1C decreased the protein and mRNA levels of ATF2, mechanistically, and JMJD1C regulated the expression of ATF2 by modulating the H3K9me2 but not H3K9me1 activity. In addition, we further performed some "rescues experiments". We found that overexpression of ATF2 could reverse the abrogated migration and invasion ability by knockdown of JMJD1C in CRC. Our results demonstrated that an increase of JMJD1C was observed in colon cancer and knockdown of JMJD1C regulated CRC metastasis by inactivation of the ATF2 pathway. This novel JMJD1C/ATF2 signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic target for CRC metastasis.

Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with abdominal wall lift in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Initial experience

AIM

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new technology combining low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (LPP) and abdominal wall lift (AWL) in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

From November 2015 to July 2017, 26 patients underwent laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer using LPP (6-8 mmHg) with subcutaneous AWL in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China. Clinical data regarding patients’ demographics, intraoperative monitoring indices, operation-related indices and pathological outcomes were prospectively collected.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic TME was performed in 26 cases (14 anterior resection and 12 abdominoperineal resection) successfully, without conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery with standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Intraoperative monitoring showed stable heart rate, blood pressure and paw airway pressure. The mean operative time was 194.29 ± 41.27 min (range: 125-270 min) and 200.41 ± 20.56 min (range: 170-230 min) for anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection, respectively. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 16.71 ± 5.06 (range: 7-27). There was no positive circumferential or distal resection margin. No local recurrence was observed during a median follow-up period of 11.96 ± 5.55 mo (range: 5-23 mo).

CONCLUSION

LPP combined with AWL is safe and feasible for laparoscopic TME. The technique can provide satisfactory exposure of the operative field and stable operative monitoring indices.

The Hemiparasitic Plant Phtheirospermum (Orobanchaceae) Is Polyphyletic and Contains Cryptic Species in the Hengduan Mountains of Southwest China

Phtheirospermum (Orobanchaceae), a hemiparasitic genus of Eastern Asia, is characterized by having long and viscous glandular hairs on stems and leaves. Despite this unifying character, previous phylogenetic analyses indicate that Phtheirospermum is polyphyletic, with Phtheirospermum japonicum allied with tribe Pedicularideae and members of the Ph. tenuisectum complex allied with members of tribe Rhinantheae. However, no analyses to date have included broad phylogenetic sampling necessary to test the monophyly of Phtheirospermum species, and to place these species into the existing subfamiliar taxonomic organization of Orobanchaceae. Two other genera of uncertain phylogenetic placement are Brandisia and Pterygiella, also both of Eastern Asia. In this study, broadly sampled phylogenetic analyses of nrITS and plastid DNA revealed hard incongruence between these datasets in the placement of Brandisia. However, both nrITS and the plastid datasets supported the placement of Ph. japonicum within tribe Pedicularideae, and a separate clade consisting of the Ph. tenuisectum complex and a monophyletic Pterygiella. Analyses were largely in agreement that Pterygiella, the Ptheirospermum complex, and Xizangia form a clade not nested within any of the monophyletic tribes of Orobanchaceae recognized to date. Ph. japonicum, a model species for parasitic plant research, is widely distributed in Eastern Asia. Despite this broad distribution, both nrITS and plastid DNA regions from a wide sampling of this species showed high genetic identity, suggesting that the wide species range is likely due to a recent population expansion. The Ph. tenuisectum complex is mainly distributed in the Hengduan Mountains region. Two cryptic species were identified by both phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters. Relationships among species of the Ph. tenuisectum complex and Pterygiella remain uncertain. Estimated divergence ages of the Ph. tenuisectum complex corresponding to the last two uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at around 8.0-7.0 Mya and 3.6-1.5 Mya indicated that the development of a hot-dry valley climate during these uplifts may have driven species diversification in the Ph. tenuisectum complex.

Geometry-dependent band shift and dielectric modification of nanoporous Si nanowires

In order to obtain a detailed understanding of the modulation of electronic properties in nanoporous Si (np-Si) nanowires with containing ordered, nanometer-sized cylindrical pores, we propose a theoretical method to clarify the band shift and associated with the dielectric modification determined by the geometrical parameters, including nanowire diameter, pore size, pore spacing and porosity, in terms of size-dependent surface energy and atomic-bond-relaxation correlation mechanism. Our results reveal that the self-equilibrium strain induced by the atoms located at inner and outer surfaces with high ratio of under-coordinated atoms as well as elastic interaction among pores in np-Si nanowires play the dominant role in the bandgap shift and dielectric depression. The tunable electronic properties of np-Si nanowires with negative curvature make them attractive for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.

[Hypoxia regulates the expression of OPG/RANKL mRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells]

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) mRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs).

METHODS

rBMSCs were isolated and cultured by whole bone marrow cell adherent method, and an optimal hypoxic preconditioning model was established with CoCl₂ (cobalt chloride). rBMSCs were incubated in cell culture mediums with different concentrations of CoCl₂ (final concentrations of CoCl₂ were 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 μmol/L) and incubated for different times. MTT assay was applied to detect the effect of CoCl₂ on cell proliferation. mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α of rBMSCs was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. After treated with 100 μmol/L CoCl₂ for 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 h, the expression of rBMSCs OPG/RANKL mRNA were detected by real-time PCR. The differences in distribution of each genotype were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 software package.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, 200, 400 μmol/L CoCl₂ inhibited the proliferation of rBMSCs (P<0.05). However, 50, 100 μmol/L CoCl₂ had no significant impact on the proliferation of rBMSCs (P>0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that HIF-1α expression in 50 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L CoCl₂ groups was significantly higher than the control group; the effect of 100 μmol/L CoCl₂ was significantly greater than 50 μmol/L CoCl₂. After cultivated in hypoxia condition for 12 h, the expression of OPG and RANKL mRNA in rBMSCs didn't change significantly (P>0.05). After cultured hypoxia condition for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, the expression of OPG mRNA in rBMSCs increased while the RANKL decreased, thus the ratio of OPG/RANKL increased and the difference was significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoxia can regulate the mRNA expression of OPG and RANKL mRNA in rBMSCs and significantly promote osteogenic differentiation.

Phylogenetic reassessment of tribe Anemoneae (Ranunculaceae): Non-monophyly of Anemone s.l. revealed by plastid datasets

Morphological and molecular evidence strongly supported the monophyly of tribe Anemoneae DC.; however, phylogenetic relationships among genera of this tribe have still not been fully resolved. In this study, we sampled 120 specimens representing 82 taxa of tribe Anemoneae. One nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and six plastid markers (atpB-rbcL, matK, psbA-trnQ, rpoB-trnC, rbcL and rps16) were amplified and sequenced. Both Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods were used to reconstruct phylogenies for this tribe. Individual datasets supported all traditional genera as monophyletic, except Anemone and Clematis that were polyphyletic and paraphyletic, respectively, and revealed that the seven single-gene datasets can be split into two groups, i.e. nrITS + atpB-rbcL and the remaining five plastid markers. The combined nrITS + atpB-rbcL dataset recovered monophyly of subtribes Anemoninae (i.e. Anemone s.l.) and Clematidinae (including Anemoclema), respectively. However, the concatenated plastid dataset showed that one group of subtribes Anemoninae (Hepatica and Anemone spp. from subgenus Anemonidium) close to the clade Clematis s.l. + Anemoclema. Our results strongly supported a close relationship between Anemoclema and Clematis s.l., which included Archiclematis and Naravelia. Non-monophyly of Anemone s.l. using the plastid dataset indicates to revise as two genera, new Anemone s.l. (including Pulsatilla, Barneoudia, Oreithales and Knowltonia), Hepatica (corresponding to Anemone subgenus Anemonidium).

Establishment of polyethylene-glycol-mediated protoplast transformation for Lecanicillium lecanii and development of virulence-enhanced strains against Aphis gossypii

BACKGROUND

Lecanicillium lecanii has been developed as a biopesticide and used in biological control of several agricultural insects. To improve fungal virulence, an optimised polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation system was established for L. lecanii. Pr1A-like cuticle-degrading protease gene (Cdep1) from Beauveria bassiana was transferred into L. lecanii, and its resulting activity against Aphis gossypii was assessed.

RESULTS

The optimised protoplast generation yielded 2.5 × 10(8) protoplasts g(-1) wet mycelium of fungi, and gave nearly 98% viability and 80% regeneration on plates. Protease activities were increased about fivefold in transformants expressing CDEP1. The median lethal concentration (LC50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was twofold lower than that for the wild type (WT). The median survival time (LT50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was also 14.2% shorter than that for WT, though no significant difference. There were no significant differences in conidial germination as colony growth and conidial yield on plates between transformants expressing CDEP1 and WT. The transformants expressing CDEP1 grew significantly quicker than WT in insects. The transformants expressing CDEP1 were lower in conidial yields on insect cadavers, but insignificantly different from WT.

CONCLUSION

The PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system was effective for L. lecanii, and the expression of CDEP1 significantly enhanced fungal virulence against cotton aphids. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pollen size strongly correlates with stigma depth among Pedicularis species

Darwin proposed that pollen size should be positively correlated with stigma depth rather than style length among species given that pollen tubes first enter the stigma autotrophically, then grow through the style heterotrophically. However, studies often show a positive relationship between pollen size and style length. Five floral traits were observed to be correlated among 42 bumblebee-pollinated Pedicularis species (Orobanchaceae) in which stigmas are distinct from styles. The phylogenetic independent contrast analysis revealed that pollen grain volume was more strongly correlated with stigma depth than with style length, consistent with Darwin's functional hypothesis between pollen size and stigma depth.

Genetic improvement of the nematicidal fungus Lecanicillium attenuatum against Heterodera glycines by expression of the Beauveria bassiana Cdep1 protease gene

Lecanicillium attenuatum is an important nematophagous fungus with potential as a biopesticide against plant-parasitic nematodes. The Pr1A-like cuticle-degrading protease (Cdep1) gene originating from the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana was transformed into the nematophagous fungus L. attenuatum using a polyethylene-glycol mediated protoplast-based transformation system. Protease activity was increased 0.64- to 1.63-fold 2-10d after growth in the transformed L. attenuatum. Inhibition of egg-hatching and J2 motility of soybean cyst nematodes (Heterodera glycines) by cell-free fungal culture filtrates were enhanced by 17-76% 2-14d and 43-152% 1-13d after incubation, respectively.

[Risk factors of hypoparathyroidism following total or near total thyroidectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the risk factors for postoperative hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia.

METHODS

Totally 414 patients with thyroid diseases who underwent total or near total thyroidectomy at Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute from June 2007 to June 2014 were studied retrospectively. There were 119 male and 295 female patients with a median age of 47 years. The clinical and pathological features that related to post-operative hypoparathyroidism were studied by χ(2) test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 414 patients, 36.2% developed transient hypocalcemia, 36.5% developed transient hypoparathyroidism, 2.2% developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. In regression analysis, unilateral or bilateral center lymph node dissection were associated with mild transient hypocalcemia after surgery (OR=2.366, P=0.022; OR=5.216, P=0.000); unilateral or bilateral center lymph node dissection as well as surgical options were significant risk factors for severe transient hypocalcemia (OR=4.029, P=0.001; OR=8.384, P=0.000; OR=2.073, P=0.017) and hypoparathyroidism (OR=1.755, P=0.040; OR=4.144, P=0.000; OR=2.287, P=0.000). The parathyroid hormone concentration on postoperative day 1 was an independent risk factor for permanent hypoparathyroidism (OR=2.011, P=0.014). The concentration of parathyroid hormone threshold <5.28 ng/L was a predictor to permanent hypoparathyroidism with accuracy of 95.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral center lymph node dissection is a risk factor of permanent hypoparathyroidism in patients received total thyroidectomy should be taken thoughtfully. The parathyroid hormone concentration on postoperative day 1 provides better prediction for persistent hypoparathyroidism.

Protection and Dissection of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Salvage Thyroid Cancer Surgery to Patients with Insufficient Primary Operation Extent and Suspicious Residual Tumor

Some thyroid cancer patients undergone insufficient tumor removal in the primary surgery in China . our aim is to evaluate the impact of dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during a salvage thyroid cancer operation in these patients to prevent nerve injury. Clinical data of 49 enrolled patients who received a salvage thyroid operation were retrospectively reviewed. Primary pathology was thyroid papillary cancer. The initial procedure performed included nodulectomy (20 patients), partial thyroidectomy (19 patients) and subtotal thyroidectomy (10 patients). The effect of dissection and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the mechanism of nerve injury were studied. The cervical courses of the recurrent laryngeal nerves were successfully dissected in all cases. Nerves were adherent to or involved by scars in 22 cases. Three were ligated near the place where the nerve entered the larynx, while another three were cut near the intersection of inferior thyroid artery with the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Light hoarseness occurred to four patients without a preoperative voice change. In conclusion, accurate primary diagnosis allows for a sufficient primary operation to be performed, avoiding insufficient tumor removal that requires a secondary surgery. The most important cause of nerve damage resulted from not identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during first surgery , and meticulous dissection during salvage surgery was the most efficient method to avoid nerve damage.

Distributed parameter model for characterizing magnetic crosstalk in a fiber optic current sensor

The effects of magnetic crosstalk on a fiber optic current sensor are studied using the distributed parameter model. A new method to enhance the immunity to magnetic crosstalk is proposed. The experimental results show that magnetic crosstalk changes periodically with the azimuth angle and decreases as the distance between the conductors increases. When the sensing coil is placed at the optimal azimuth angle, the ratio error from magnetic crosstalk decreases from -0.32% to -0.02%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Diffusion of a Professional Social Network

Online professional social networks are becoming an instrumental tool to facilitate relationships between business and technology professionals for career success. Even though tools such as LinkedIn can be used to manage human capital for career success use and adoption still is not universally accepted. This paper seeks to better understand the effect university, gender, and degree type has on the diffusion of an online social network (LinkedIn) across three years (2011 to 2014). The authors' findings show diffusion is not consistent across business school graduates. Their business school findings suggest that university, gender, and degree type have significant associations with LinkedIn participation. This is the case even though the majority of graduates still have yet to join the LinkedIn social network. An analysis of the results and future research directions are presented.