[International multi-center evaluation of a rapid antigen test based on gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]

Objective: The gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen was evaluated by international multi-center clinical trial. Methods: A total of 1 855 clinical parallel samples with valid test results (for nucleic acid and antigen tests, respectively) were collected from nine countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, France, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States of America and Brazil, with sampling period from January 3, 2021 to September 22, 2021. These samples were detected by SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit (colloidal gold immunochromatography assay) and nucleic acid detection kit (real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Positive coincidence rates [(number of antigen-positive cases/nucleic acid-positive cases)×100%], negative coincidence rates [(number of antigen-negative cases/nucleic acid-negative cases)×100%], total coincidence rates [(number of cases with consistent results for both antigen and nucleic acid detection/number of total cases) ×100%], as well as Kappa values were calculated. The differences of the above indictors among different countries were evaluated by the coefficient of variation. The detection rates of the antigen test for samples with different cycle threshold values (Ct values) for the nucleic acid detection, different characteristics and different mutant strains were analyzed. Results: For all samples, the positive, negative, and total coincidence rate between the antigen test and nucleic acid assay was 90.8% (569/627), 99.7% (1 224/1 228) and 96.7% (1 793/1 855), respectively, and the consistency coefficient Kappa value was 0.924. Among these countries, the coefficient of variation for positive coincidence rates (except for Malaysia with a lot of samples with Ct value>30), negative coincidence rates (except for France without negative samples) and total coincidence rates (except for France) was 6%,<1%, and 6%, respectively. When Ct values were less than 25, the detection rates of antigen test were 83.3%-100% for each countries (the coefficient of variation was 6%); The total detection rate and the coefficient of variation was 93.4% (428/458) and 5%, respectively, for asymptomatic infected persons and cases within 7 days post onset of symptoms; the total detection rate for various SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains was 97.5% (119/122); and it showed negative results for samples from cases infected with other viruses, including influenza A virus subtype H1N1, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B, coxsackievirus 16, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 4, Epstein-Barr virus and adenovirus. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit showed excellent authenticity, and there were few differences for its indictors among nine countries, therefore it can meet the needs of large-scale early screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic analyses of cervical neuroblastoma]

Objective: To determine the characteristics of cervical neuroblastoma and the effect of resection extent on survival and outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 32 children with cervical neuroblastoma treated at Beijing Children's Hospital between April 2013 and August 2020. Data were collected from the medical record. The individualized therapy was designed based on staging and risk group. Based on the extent of resection, patients were divided into incomplete and complete resection groups. Event free and overall survival rates were compared between two groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The ages of patients ranged from 1 month to 81 months, with a median age of 11 months, including 7 males and 15 females. Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) presented with cervical painless mass. The average diameter of the primary tumors was (5.12±1.43) cm. Tumors were located in the parapharyngeal space in 25 cases (78.1%) and in the root of the neck in 7 cases (21.9%). None had MYCN amplification. According to International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS), 15 patients (46.9%) were identified as stage 1, 11 patients (34.3%) as stage 2B, 3 patients (9.4%) as stage 3 and 3 patients (9.4%) as stage 4. There were 12 patients (37.5%) at low risk, 17 patients (53.1%) at intermediate risk and 3 patients at high risk according to Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk classification system. All patients underwent tumor resection. Postoperatively Horner's syndrome occurred in 13 patients (40.6%), pneumonia in 9 patients (28.1%), pharyngeal dysfunction in 8 patients (25.0%) and transient hoarseness in 4 patients (12.5%). At a median follow-up of 36.5 months, the overall survival rate was 96.4%, with no significant difference between incomplete and complete resection groups (100.0% vs. 96.3%, χ²=0.19, P=0.667); the event free survival rate was 78.1%, with a significant difference between the two groups (40.0% vs. 85.2%, χ²=6.71, P=0.010). Conclusions: Primary cervical neuroblastoma has a young onset age, mostly in low and medium risk groups, and represents favorable lesions with good outcomes after multidisciplinary therapy. Less aggressive surgery with preservation of important structures is recommended. Complete resection should not be attempted if it would compromise vital structures.

Effects of wearing personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic on composition and diversity of skin bacteria and fungi of medical workers

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing PPE can induce skin damage such as erythema, pruritus, erosion, and ulceration among others. Although the skin microbiome is considered important for skin health, the change of the skin microbiome after wearing PPE remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to characterize the diversity and structure of bacterial and fungal flora on skin surfaces of healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).

METHODS

A total of 10 Chinese volunteers were recruited and the microbiome of their face, hand, and back were analyzed before and after wearing PPE. Moreover, VISIA was used to analyze skin features.

RESULTS

Results of alpha bacterial diversity showed that there was statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indice in the skin samples from face, hand, and three sites after wearing PPE as compared with the indice in the skin samples before wearing PPE. Further, the results of evaluated alpha fungal diversity show that there was a statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indices in the skin samples from hand after wearing PPE as compared with the indices in the skin samples before wearing PPE (P<0.05). Results of the current study found that the main bacteria on the face, hand, and back skin samples before wearing the PPE were Propionibacterium spp. (34.04%), Corynebacterium spp. (13.12%), and Staphylococcus spp. (38.07%). The main bacteria found on the skin samples after wearing the PPE were Staphylococcus spp. (31.23%), Xanthomonas spp. (26.21%), and Cutibacterium spp. (42.59%). The fungal community composition was similar in three skin sites before and after wearing PPE.

CONCLUSION

It was evident that wearing PPE may affect the skin microbiota, especially bacteria. Therefore, it was evident that the symbiotic microbiota may reflect the skin health of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Advances in studies on schistosome-host interactions mediated by extracellular vesicles]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are minute particles secreted by the cells of living organisms, which can encapsulate various bioactive molecules for long-distance transport to present biological functions. With the recent studies on parasite-host interactions, EVs, as a carrier for long-distance transport of worm-derived molecules, have been paid much attention during the across-species regulation of hosts. During schistosome infections, adult worms and eggs have been found to mediate hosts via secretion of EVs. This review presents the advances in the studies on schistosome-host interactions mediated by EVs.

Exploring Lorentz Invariance Violation from Ultrahigh-Energy γ Rays Observed by LHAASO

Recently, the LHAASO Collaboration published the detection of 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources above 100 TeV, with the highest energy photon reaching 1.4 PeV. The first detection of PeV γ rays from astrophysical sources may provide a very sensitive probe of the effect of the Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which results in decay of high-energy γ rays in the superluminal scenario and hence a sharp cutoff of the energy spectrum. Two highest energy sources are studied in this work. No signature of the existence of the LIV is found in their energy spectra, and the lower limits on the LIV energy scale are derived. Our results show that the first-order LIV energy scale should be higher than about 10^{5} times the Planck scale M_{Pl} and that the second-order LIV scale is >10^{-3}M_{Pl}. Both limits improve by at least one order of magnitude the previous results.

Magnetic field effect on topological properties of Dirac semimetals PdTe2/PtTe2/PtSe2

We investigated magnetic field effect on the topological properties of transition metal dichalcogenide Dirac semimetals (DSMs) PdTe₂/PtTe₂/PtSe₂based on Wannier-function-based tight-binding (WFTB) model obtained from first-principles calculations. The DSMs PdTe₂/PtTe₂/PtSe₂undergo a transition from DSMs into Weyl semimetals with four pairs of Weyl points (WPs) in the entire Brillouin zone by splitting Dirac points under external magnetic fieldB. The positions and energies of WPs vary linearly with the strength of theBfield under thec-axis magnetic fieldB. Under thea- andb-axisBfield, however, the positions of magnetic-field-inducing WPs deviate slightly from thecaxis, and theirk_zcoordinates and energies change in a parabolic-like curve with the increasingBfield. However, the system opens an axial gap on theA-Γ axis, and the gap changes with the direction of theBfield when the out ofc-axisBfield is applied. When we further apply the magnetic field in theac,bc, andabplanes, the results are more diverse compared to the axial magnetic field. Under theacandbcplaneBfield, thek_zand energies of WPs within angleθ= [0°, 90°] andθ= [90°, 180°] are mirror symmetrically distributed. The distribution of WPs shows broken rotational symmetry under theabplaneBfield due to the difference of non-diagonal part of Hamiltonian. Our theoretical findings can provide a useful guideline for the applications of DSM materials under external magnetic field in the future topological electronic devices.

Effects of increasing dietary inclusion of camelina cake on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the dietary inclusion rate of camelina cake (CC) that would support the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs similar to that of a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Pigs (n = 192; BW = 35.2 kg; Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)), balanced for sex and initial weight, were assigned to pens (8 pigs/pen) and pens were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments (6 pens/treatment). Treatments consisted of a non GMO corn-soybean meal control diet (CON), or CON containing 5% (5CC), 10% (10CC), or 15% (15CC) camelina cake. Feed disappearance on a pen basis and individual body weights of pigs were recorded every other week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) on a pen basis. Prior to harvest, real-time ultrasonic measurements of back fat depth and loin eye area were collected on all live pigs. Pigs were harvested as a single group at about 23 weeks of age at a commercial abattoir. Data were analyzed using Proc Glimmix with dietary treatment as a fixed effect and pen serving as the experimental unit. Growth performance data collected over time were analyzed using repeated measures within the Proc Glimmix procedure. Overall, pigs fed CON exhibited similar ADG to those consuming 5CC and higher ADG than pigs consuming 10CC and 15CC diets (1.10 kg vs. 1.05 kg for 10CC and 1.02 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for both mean comparisons). Pigs fed CON consumed more feed than pigs fed any of the CC diets (ADFI = 2.66 kg for CON vs. 2.46 kg for 5CC, 2.46 kg for 10CC and 2.47 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for all). These differences resulted in heavier (P < 0.05) CON-fed pigs at marketing than 10CC or 15CC-fed pigs. There were no differences in any carcass traits analyzed. From these data, we conclude that feeding up to 5% CC in corn-soybean meal-based diets did not negatively influence growth performance, or carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs.

[Well differentiated grade 3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:new insights into diagnosis and therapeutic strategy]

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor G3(GEP-NET G3) is a novel subtype of neuroendocrine neoplasms proposed in 2019,which has unique biological behavior characteristics. However,there are still many challenges and controversies in its diagnosis and treatment. There are obvious differences between GEP-NET G3 and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) in genetic alterations and molecular profiles. The most frequently mutated genes in NET G3 are MEN1,DAXX/ATRX,while in NEC,TP53 and Rb are the most frequently mutated genes. Currently,the mainstream view is that NET G3 and NEC are two distinct diseases with different genetic backgrounds,and NET G3 will not develop into NEC. Several clinical and pathological factors should be considered to distinguish GEP-NET G3 and NEC,which including patients' medical history,histopathological morphology of neoplasms,Ki-67 index,immunohistochemical results of TP53,Rb,DAXX/ATRX and other markers. Multidisciplinary treatment,including radical resection,chemotherapy,targeted therapy,peptide receptor radionuclide therapy,immunotherapy should be applied in patients with GEP-NET G3. Overall,given its relatively indolent biological behavior,the therapeutic strategy should be more actively. Although the cure strategy of NET G3 has many similarities with NET G1/2,it is completely different from NEC.

[Collateral circulation compensation mode in patients with severe bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between collateral flow compensation mode and interventional treatment decision in patients with severe bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion. Methods: According to the location of internal carotid artery lesions, patients with severe stenosis/occlusion of bilateral internal carotid artery were selected at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University and the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2017 to June 2020. Results: A total of 42 patients were finally enrolled and divided into 4 types, including 34 males and 8 females with median age 61±8(48-82)years. The collateral circulation pathways manifested as following modes: anterior communicating artery collateral, posterior communicating artery collateral, ophthalmic artery collateral, posterior cerebral middle cerebral artery pial anastomosis collateral, posterior choroidal artery anterior choroidal artery collateral, external carotid internal carotid artery C4 segment collateral, pericallosal artery anastomosis collateral, dural and pial collateral and neovascularization. Type Ⅰ severe stenosis/occlusion of C1 segment was found in 20 cases (47.6%). There were 5 cases (11.9%) of type Ⅱ severe stenosis/occlusion from C2 to C6 prior to ophthalmic artery branch. Type Ⅲ severe stenosis/occlusion occurred in 2 cases (4.8%) after the split of ophthalmic artery. Type Ⅳ was mixed type in 15 cases (35.7%). Conclusions: The compensatory pathway of collateral circulation is closely related to the lesion location. To explore the compensatory pattern of collateral circulation is helpful for clinicians to accurately analyze the lesion characteristics and guide individualized interventional therapy.

[Relationship between age at menarche and obesity in women]

Objective: To explore the relationship between age at menarche and general obesity (based on BMI) and central obesity (based on WC or WHtR) in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Methods: A total of 6 363 women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included. Restricted cubic splines based on binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationship between age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Age at menarche was divided into four groups: ≤13, 14- (control group), 16- , and ≥18 years old. Binary logistic regressions were applied to analyze the relationship between the continuous or grouped variable of age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Results: After adjusting potential confounders, the age at menarche showed a negative linear relationship with the risk of general obesity and central obesity. The risk for obesity based on BMI, WC and WHtR significantly decreased by 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99), 4% (OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.92-1.00), and 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99) for each 1 year increase in age at menarche. Compared with participants who had menarche at age 14- years old, the risk for obesity based on BMI (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.55-0.91), WC (OR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.62-0.92) and WHtR (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.61-0.96) significantly decreased by 29%, 25%, and 24% in participants who had menarche at age ≥18 years old. Conclusions: There was a negative linear relationship between age at menarche and the risk for general obesity and central obesity in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Older age at menarche might be negatively associated with risk for obesity in middle-aged and elderly women.

Peta-electron volt gamma-ray emission from the Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula is a bright source of gamma rays powered by the Crab Pulsar's rotational energy through the formation and termination of a relativistic electron-positron wind. We report the detection of gamma rays from this source with energies from 5 × 10^-4 to 1.1 peta-electron volts with a spectrum showing gradual steepening over three energy decades. The ultrahigh-energy photons imply the presence of a peta-electron volt electron accelerator (a pevatron) in the nebula, with an acceleration rate exceeding 15% of the theoretical limit. We constrain the pevatron's size between 0.025 and 0.1 parsecs and the magnetic field to ≈110 microgauss. The production rate of peta-electron volt electrons, 2.5 × 10³⁶ ergs per second, constitutes 0.5% of the pulsar spin-down luminosity, although we cannot exclude a contribution of peta-electron volt protons to the production of the highest-energy gamma rays.

Extended Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emission Surrounding PSR J0622+3749 Observed by LHAASO-KM2A

We report the discovery of an extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source around the location of the middle-aged (207.8 kyr) pulsar PSR J0622+3749 with the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The source is detected with a significance of 8.2σ for E>25  TeV assuming a Gaussian template. The best-fit location is (right ascension, declination) =(95.47°±0.11°,37.92°±0.09°), and the extension is 0.40°±0.07°. The energy spectrum can be described by a power-law spectrum with an index of -2.92±0.17_{stat}±0.02_{sys}. No clear extended multiwavelength counterpart of the LHAASO source has been found from the radio to sub-TeV bands. The LHAASO observations are consistent with the scenario that VHE electrons escaped from the pulsar, diffused in the interstellar medium, and scattered the interstellar radiation field. If interpreted as the pulsar halo scenario, the diffusion coefficient, inferred for electrons with median energies of ∼160  TeV, is consistent with those obtained from the extended halos around Geminga and Monogem and much smaller than that derived from cosmic ray secondaries. The LHAASO discovery of this source thus likely enriches the class of so-called pulsar halos and confirms that high-energy particles generally diffuse very slowly in the disturbed medium around pulsars.

Ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4 petaelectronvolts from 12 γ-ray Galactic sources

The extension of the cosmic-ray spectrum beyond 1 petaelectronvolt (PeV; 10¹⁵ electronvolts) indicates the existence of the so-called PeVatrons-cosmic-ray factories that accelerate particles to PeV energies. We need to locate and identify such objects to find the origin of Galactic cosmic rays¹. The principal signature of both electron and proton PeVatrons is ultrahigh-energy (exceeding 100 TeV) γ radiation. Evidence of the presence of a proton PeVatron has been found in the Galactic Centre, according to the detection of a hard-spectrum radiation extending to 0.04 PeV (ref. ²). Although γ-rays with energies slightly higher than 0.1 PeV have been reported from a few objects in the Galactic plane^3-6, unbiased identification and in-depth exploration of PeVatrons requires detection of γ-rays with energies well above 0.1 PeV. Here we report the detection of more than 530 photons at energies above 100 teraelectronvolts and up to 1.4 PeV from 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources with a statistical significance greater than seven standard deviations. Despite having several potential counterparts in their proximity, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, the PeVatrons responsible for the ultrahigh-energy γ-rays have not yet been firmly localized and identified (except for the Crab Nebula), leaving open the origin of these extreme accelerators.

Effects of cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water on behavior and performance of lactating sows under heat stress

This study was conducted to evaluate whether cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water could alleviate negative impacts of heat stress on lactating sows. Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, Parity = 1 to 6) were housed in individual farrowing stalls in two rooms with temperatures being controlled at 29.4°C (0700-1900 hours) and 23.9°C (1900-0700 hours). Sows in one room (Cool), but not in the other room (Control) were provided cooled floor pads (21-22°C) and chilled drinking water (13-15°C). Behavior of sows (15 sows/treatment) was video recorded during farrowing, and days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after farrowing. Videos were viewed continuously to register the birth time of each piglet, from which total farrowing duration and birth intervals were calculated. The number of drinking bouts and the duration of each drinking bout were registered for each sow through viewing videos continuously for 2 h (1530-1730 hours) each video-recording day. Postures (lying laterally, lying ventrally, sitting, and standing) were recorded by scanning video recordings at 5-min intervals for 24 h each video-recording day, and time budget for each posture was calculated. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured for all sows the day before and after farrowing, and then once weekly. Sow and litter performance was recorded. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS. The cooling treatment did not affect sow behavior or litter performance. Sows in the Cool room had lower rectal temperature (P = 0.03) and lower respiration rate (P < 0.001), consumed more feed (P = 0.03), tended to have reduced weight loss (P = 0.07), and backfat loss (P = 0.07) during lactation than sows in the Control room. As lactation progressed, sows increased drinking frequency (P < 0.001) and time spent lying ventrally (P < 0.0001), standing (P < 0.001), and sitting (P < 0.0001), and decreased time spent lying laterally (P < 0.0001) in both Cool and Control rooms. While cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water did not affect sow behavior, they did alleviate heat stress partially, as indicated by decreased rectal temperature, respiration rate, weight, and backfat loss, and increased feed intake in lactating sows.

[Progress in diagnosis and treatment of chylous leakage following pancreatic resection]

Compared with other postoperative complications following pancreatic resection, chylous leakage is rare in clinical, which could lead to serious morbidity, including malnutrition,immunosuppression and abdominal infection. The main risk factors for chylous leakage after pancreatic resection are the injury of cisterna chyli or lymphatic vessels caused by intraoperative lymph node dissection and early enteral nutrition. The clinical features of chylous leakage are not specific, and the diagnosis mainly depends on the composition analysis of the drainage fluid. The diagnostic criteria generally adopt the expert consensus of the international Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery,but it is only applicable to isolated chylous leakage and there is still no widely accepted diagnostic criteria in most complex cases. Abdominal fluid analysis and abdominal CT scan are the most applied diagnostic methods for chylous leakage after pancreatic resection,while lymphangiography can not only identify the site of leakage,but also has therapeutic value. For its treatment,the"step-up"treatment strategy is typically applied in most patients. Conservative treatments, including drainage,proper diet and applying octreotide, can benefit most patients. Surgical treatment is not commonly used,and its therapeutic value needs to be further verified. Optimizing perioperative management measures and personalized treatment strategies for different patients can effectively prevent postoperative chylous leakage and maximize the clinical benefits of patients who received pancreatic resection.

[Adenosine triphosphate induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells in vitro and in vivo]

Objective: To choose a suitable efficient concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which can induce human dental pulp cells (HDPC) differentiate into odontoblast successfully, and explore the role of this concentration of ATP in dentin regeneration in vivo. Methods: HDPC were treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 400, 600, 800 μmol/L) of ATP. Then cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blotting were used to detect the cell proliferation and the expressions of odontoblastic differentiation related markers, dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). Alizarin red S staining experiment was used to analyze the effect of ATP on the mineralization ability of HDPC. By the above experiments, the suitable effective concentration of ATP was chosen to pretreat the HDPC for 7 days, then cells were seeded on gelfoam, inserted into the root canal fragment, and subsequently transplanted into the subcutaneous space on the back of immunodeficient mice, after three months, the samples were stained with HE for histological analysis. Results: The CCK-8 results in 5 d showed that 10 μmol/L ATP obviously promoted the proliferation of HDPC, while the 600 and 800 μmol/L ATP apparently inhibited the HDPC proliferation, however, the proliferation in 800 μmol/L ATP group was lower than that of 600 μmol/L ATP group (P<0.05). qPCR and Western blotting results showed that the 600 and 800 μmol/L ATP significantly up-regulated the DMP1 and DSPP expressions (P<0.05), furthermore, there was no significant difference in the two groups, but no changes were found in other groups (P>0.05). After 21 days of culturing, there were obvious mineralization nodules in 600 and 800 μmol/L ATP groups, but no mineralization nodules in other groups. Quantitative analysis of the staining results showed the A value in 0, 10, 400, 600, and 800 μmol/L ATP groups were respectively 1.05±0.15, 1.11±0.23, 1.15±0.17, 3.65±0.30, and 3.40±0.43, and the A value in 600 and 800 μmol/L ATP groups were higher than those of other groups; however, there was no difference in 600 and 800 μmol/L ATP groups. The histological analysis showed that 600 μmol/L ATP could induce the HDPC differentiate into dentin-like structure in the root canal fragment. Conclusions: Therefore, the suitable effective concentration of ATP is 600 μmol/L, which could induce HDPC differentiate into odontoblast-like cells, and form the dentin-like structure in vivo.

[Clinical analysis of head and neck neurogenic tumor in childhood]

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, imaging features and treatment of neurogenic tumor in chilehood and to improve the experience in diagnosis and treatment for the disease. Method:The twenty-nine inpatients of histopathologically proven neurogenic tumor from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The pathological types, clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and management were analyzed. Result: There were five cases of schwannoma aged from 9 years to 14 years, five cases of neurofibroma aged from 9 months to 9 years, and nineteen cases of neuroblastic tumor aged from 3 months to 5 years in our series. The chief manifestations were soft tissue masses, snore, and Honer syndrome. As the tumors had different components pathologically, on scans they presented as masses with heterogeneous density. Schwannoma showed as oval masses with clear margins, with the characteristic of"tail sign". The imaging findings of neurofibromas showed unclear boundaries and plexiform neurofibromas showed multiple clumps with visible separation. The ultrasonography of neuroblastic tumor was characterized by hypoechoic, heterogeneous and spotty calcification. All the cases underwent surgical resections. In 5 cases of schwannoma, it was confirmed that the tumors originated from the vagus nerve during the operation, which could be completely removed without postoperative complications. Two cases of neurofibromas were completely resected, 2 cases were only partially resected, and 1 case which located at the entrance of the esophagus was resected under supportive laryngoscopic for three times. Thirteen of 19 children with neuroblastogenic tumors underwent resection in our department after chemotherapy, and 2 patients with postoperative recurrence underwent another operation. Conclusion:Neuroblastoma is the most common neurogenic tumor in the head and neck of children. Most neurogenic tumors have their corresponding characteristics on imaging and should be differentiated. Schwannoma has clear boundary and intact capsule, so it is easier to complete resection. The neurofibroma is commonly difficult to remove with safety margin because of its unclear boundaries. Neuroblastoma should be treated according to the lesion range and stage. Most of the lesions are difficult to remove completely due to the wide range, peripheral blood vessels and important nerves. So preoperative chemotherapy is generally required.

Effects of tail docking and tail biting on performance and welfare of growing-finishing pigs in a confinement housing system

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the welfare and performance of victimized pigs by tail biting and tail biters. Pigs ( = 240; 25.7 ± 2.9 kg average weight), including 120 pigs that were tail docked at birth and 120 pigs that remained with intact tails, were used. Pigs were housed in 8 pens of 30 pigs in a confinement barn for 16 wk, with 4 pens each housing pigs of both sexes with docked or intact tails. Tail biters and victimized pigs with damaged tails were identified during outbreaks of tail biting. Growth performance was monitored, and skin lesions on the tail, ears, and body were assessed. Blood samples were collected from focal tail biters, victimized pigs, and nonvictimized pigs for analysis of total serum protein, IgG, and substance P concentrations. When pigs were marketed, carcass weights and the number of pigs with carcass trim loss were recorded. During the growing-finishing period, 48% of pigs with docked tails and 89% of pigs with intact tails experienced lesions on their tails, including 5% of docked pigs and 30% of intact pigs identified as victimized pigs that experienced puncture wounds with signs of infection on their tails or loss of tails ( < 0.001). Victimized pigs tended to gain less weight ( = 0.07) between 17 and 21 wk of age than other pigs when tail biting prevailed in this study. Victimized pigs were more frequently ( = 0.04) sold for less than full value and had a lower dressing percentage ( < 0.001) compared with nonvictimized pigs. For victimized pigs, total serum protein and IgG concentrations were elevated 5 d after tails were injured, suggesting that tail damage can cause inflammation, which may lead to carcass abscesses and trim loss. Compared with victimized pigs and nonvictimized pigs, tail biters had lower total serum protein ( = 0.01) and IgG ( = 0.01) concentrations, indicating that tail biters may experience poor immune functions. Results of this study demonstrated that tail docking reduced tail damage in pigs kept in a confinement system. Tail damage can cause inflammation and reduce the value of market pigs. More research is needed to test whether compromised immune functions predispose pigs to tail biting.

[Expressions and clinicopathologic significance of Id2 and NF-κB/P65 in gastric cancer]

Objective: To investigate the expressions and clinicopathologic significance of Id2 and NF-κB/P65 in gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Id2 and NF-κB/P65 expressions in gastric cancer tissues of 336 cases and paraneoplastic normal mucosa tissues of 60 cases.The expressions of Id2 and NF-κB/P65 in gastric cancer were significantly higher than those in normal mucosa tissues (χ(2)=44.631, P<0.001; χ(2)=34.650, P<0.001). Results: The positive expression rates of Id2 and NF-κB/P65 were 71.4% (240/336) and 56.3% (189/336) in cancer tissues, and 26.7%(16/60) and 15.0%(9/60)in normal tissues, respectively.Id2 and NF-κB/P65 were all related to tumor size, differentiation degree, infiltrative depth, lymphatic invasion, distant metastasis and clinical TNM stage (P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate of the patients with Id2 or NF-κB/P65 expression was lower than that of patients with negative Id2 or NF-κB/P65 expression (χ(2)=52.329, P<0.001; χ(2)=20.525, P<0.001). Id2 expression in gastric cancer was positively correlated with the NF-κB/P65 expression (r=0.292, P<0.001). And the NF-κB/P65 expression in the Id2 positive group is significantly higher than that in the group with negative Id2 (χ(2)=28.681, P<0.001). The final multivariate Cox regression model indicated that Id2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival after operation (HR=2.327, 95%CI 1.622-3.337, P<0.001). Conclusions: Id2 and NF-κB/P65 may synergistically promote the generation and evolution of gastric cancer, and their co-detection can be of great importance for clinical assessment of tumor biological behavior and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Establishment and characterization of a brain-cell line from kelp grouper Epinephelus moara

A new brain-cell line, EMB, was developed from kelp grouper Epinephelus moara, a cultured marine fish. The EMB cells were subcultured for more than 60 passages. The cells were cultured in Leibovitz's L-15 medium (L15) supplemented with antibiotics, foetal bovine serum (FBS), 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The cells could grow at 18-30° C, with the maximum growth between 24 and 30° C. The optimum FBS concentration for the cells growth ranged between 15 and 20%. Chromosome analysis indicated that the modal chromosome number was 48 in the cells at passage 45. After being transfected with pEGFP-N3 plasmid, the cells could successfully express green fluorescence protein (GFP), implying that this cell line can be used for transgenic studies. A significant cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in the cells after infection with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) or red spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) and the viral replication was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qrt-PCR) assay, which suggested EMB's application potential for studies of SGIV and RGNNV.

Improvement of wound healing by regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy in a rabbit model

BACKGROUND

Development of drug therapies and other techniques for wound care have resulted in significant improvement of the cure rate and shortening of the healing time for wounds. A modified technique of regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) has been reported.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and impact of RO-NPT on wound recovery and inflammation.

METHODS

Infected wounds were established on 40 adult female white rabbits, which were then randomized to one of four groups: O₂ group, regulated negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RNPT) group, regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) group and healthy control (HC) group. Each day, the O₂ group was treated with a constant oxygen supply (1 L/min) to the wound, while the RNPT group was treated with continuous regulated negative pressure (70 ± 5 mmHg) and the RNPT + O₂ group was treated with both. The HC group was treated with gauze dressing alone, which was changed every day. Leucocyte count, colony count and wound-healing rate were calculated. Levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA.

RESULTS

RO-RNPT significantly decreased bacterial count and TNF-α level, and increased the wound-healing rate. IL-1β, IL-8 and leucocyte count had a tendency to increase in the early phase of inflammation and a tendency to decrease in the later phase of inflammation in the RO-RNPT group.

CONCLUSIONS

RO-NPT therapy assisted wound recovery and inflammation control compared with the RNPT and oxygen-enriched therapies. RO-NPT therapy also increased levels of IL-1β and IL-8 and attenuated expression of TNF-α in the early phase of inflammation.

Identifying factors contributing to slow growth in pigs

Pigs that grow slower than their contemporaries can cause complications for animal welfare and profitability. This study was conducted to investigate factors that may contribute to slow growth of pigs. Pigs ( = 440) farrowed by 65 sows were monitored from birth to market. Pigs were categorized as slow, average, and fast growers based on market weight adjusted to 170 d of age (slow growers were <105 kg, average growers were between 105 and 125 kg, and fast growers were >125 kg). Blood samples were collected from 48 focal pigs at 9 and 21 wk of age and analyzed for hormone and free AA concentrations. Data were analyzed using the Mixed and Logistic procedures of SAS. Slow-growing pigs accounted for 10% of pigs marketed, average growers accounted for 49% of pigs marketed, and fast growers accounted for 41% of pigs marketed. Compared with fast growers, slow growers were lighter at birth ( < 0.01), at weaning ( < 0.01), and at nursery exit ( < 0.01) and had less backfat ( < 0.01) and smaller loin muscle area ( < 0.01) at marketing at 21 wk of age. Slow growers had lower plasma concentrations of IGF-1 ( = 0.03) and insulin ( < 0.001) during the nursery period and lower concentrations of leptin ( < 0.001) and insulin ( < 0.001) during the finishing period compared with average and fast growers. Serum concentrations of several essential, nonessential, and total free AA were less for slow growers during both the nursery and finishing periods compared with average and fast growers. Gilts were more likely to become slow growers than barrows (odds ratio = 2.17, 95% confidence interval = 1.19 to 3.96, = 0.01). Litter size and parity of the pigs' dam were not associated with slow growth. These results suggest that low concentrations of IGF-1, insulin, leptin, and AA may contribute to or be associated with slow growth in pigs.

[Clinical observation on monovision of cataract surgery with different near addition]

Objective: To observe the influence on spectacle independence, satisfaction and visual function after cataract surgery monovision with different ADD. Methods: Prospective clinical study. All patients were collected from the department of ophthalmology, Shanghai JiaoTong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital who were diagnosed as bilateral cataract from Oct. 2013 to Mar. 2015. This study comprised 64 cases (128 eyes). All consecutive patients scheduled to undergo bilateral cataract phacoemulsification and implantation of a monofocal AcrySof IQ IOL. The average age of patients was (65.4± 6.0) years old, ranged from 51 to 70 years. 28 males and 36 females. According to the different demands of spectacle independence and living habits of patients, all cases were divided into two groups: MV1 group (32 patients), whose near addition being 1.25-1.75 D and MV2 group (32 patients), whose near addition being 2.25-2.75 D. Parameters 6 months postoperatively included binocular uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities, stereo vision and refractive states were analyzed. Parameters of spectacle independence, subjective visual symptoms and patient satisfaction according to visual function questionnaire were analyzed at the same time. T test was used to compare uncorrected visual acuity. Whitney U test was operated in stereo vision comparison. Chi-square test was applied in sex-distribution comparison and visual function questionnaire between two groups. Results: The uncorrected distance vision in MV1 group was (0.09±0.09), while it was (0.11±0.08) in MV2 group. The uncorrected intermediate vision in MV1 group was (0.27±0.25), and it was (0.30±0.22) in MV2 group. There were no significant difference between two groups in bilateral uncorrected distance vision (t=1.62, P=0.264, LogMAR), intermediate (t=- 0.23, P=0.876, LogMAR). However, there was significant difference between two groups in uncorrected near vision (t=2.38, P=0.021, LogMAR). It was (0.06±0.06) in MV1 group and (0.02±0.07) in MV2 group. Moreover, near stereo vision was better in MV1 group than MV2 group (Z=- 1.29, P=0.031). On the questionnaire, all patients in two groups had no significant difference in their daily lives discomfort (χ(2)=0.10, P=0.756). In MV2 group, there were 2 patients complained obstacles while walking stairs dimly. In MV1 group, there were 3 patients had to wear low degrees of presbyopic glasses when they were on near work. Percentage of patients spectacle independence was less than 90% in MV1 groups. In MV2 group, one case needed low degrees of myopic glasses when he was on intermediate computer work and playing table games. Conclusion: Different near addition has similar advantages to different patients on spectacle independence, satisfaction and visual function after cataract surgery. (Chin J Ophthalmol,2017,53: 451-454).