[Evaluation and embolization strategy by ASITN/SIR grade for injured internal carotid artery of nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To study the strategy of endovascular treatment for patients with the risks of internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture and bleeding during the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on American Society of Intervention and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) grade of collateral circulation. Methods: A total of 56 patients (45 males and 11 females, aged from 28 to 76 years old) diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4, 24 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 2, 5 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 1, and 7 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 0. The events of stroke and death were analyzed statistically. Results: ALL patients with ASITN/SIR grade 4 or 3 and some of patients with ASITN/SIR grades 2-0 passed balloon occlusion test and electrophysiological monitoring. ICA pseudoaneurysm was found in 35 patients, and one-stage ICA embolization was performed in 29 patients after evaluation. Among them, 8 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 4 and 10 cases of ASITN/SIR grade 3 with obvious posterior circulation compensation obtained successful one-stage ICA embolization without cerebral ischemia; cerebral ischemic events occurred in 5 (55.6%) of 9 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 3 and in 1(50.0%) of 2 patients with ASITN/SIR grade 2. The total incidence of ischemic events was 20.7% (6/29) and 1 case was disabled (1/29, 3.4%). Among patients with ASITN/SIR 3, there were statistically significant differences in stroke event rate between patients with obvious posterior circulation compensation and patients with slight or without posterior circulation compensation (0/10 vs. 5/9, χ(2)=4.95, P=0.026). Follow-up time was 10.1±7.8 months, and 46 patients were survival (46/56, 82.1%) and 10 patients died (10/56, 17.9%) with a mean survival time of 2.6±1.4 months. Conclusions: For NPC patients with ICA invasion, ASITN/SIR based on DSA can simplify the assessment process of cerebral blood flow compensation. ICA can be embolized directly in patients with ASITN/SIR 4 or 3 with obvious posterior communicating compensation.

[Effect of integrated schistosomiasis control measures in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of the integrated schistosomiasis control measures in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019, so as to provide insights into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy.

METHODS

The integrated schistosomiasis control measures implemented by the health, agriculture, water resources, forestry, land and resources sectors were retrospectively collected in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019, and the completion of each measure, cost of control measures, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and bovines, and snail status were analyzed each year. An index system for assessing the integrated schistosomiasis control effect was constructed using the Delphi method to calculate the integrated schistosomiasis control effect index. In addition, a cost-effect analysis was performed in terms of the decline in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in humans and bovines, areas with snails in inner embankments, and areas with infected snails.

RESULTS

A total of 7 110 926 500 Yuan were invested into the integrated schistosomiasis control program of Hunan Province from 2004 to 2019. During the 16-year period, a total of 277 437.12 hm² snail habitats received molluscicidal treatments, 6 927 230 person-times given expanded chemotherapy, 2 116 247 bovine-times given expanded chemotherapy, 954 850 harmless toilets built, 290 359 bovines fenced, 136 666 bovines eliminated, 141 905 machines used to replace bovines, 39 048.63 hm² water lands improved as dry lands, 724.12 km irrigation regions improved, 3 994 300 populations covered with safe water, 191 102.89 hm² forests planted and 38 535.27 hm² lands leveled. The prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 4.29% in humans and 4.48% in bovines in Hunan Province in 2004, with 2 449.37 hm² snail habitats in inner embankments and 3 423.74 hm² infected snail areas. In 2019, the prevalence of S. japonicum infections reduced to 0 in both humans and bovines, and areas of snail habitats reduced to 540.92 hm² (77.92% reductions), while the areas with infected snails reduced to 0. The overall integrated schistosomiasis control effect index appeared a tendency towards a rise over years since 2004, and the integrated schistosomiasis control effect index was 97.35 in 2019; the annual mean costs for a 1% reduction in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in 100 populations and 100 bovines were 70.11 Yuan and 4 204.78 Yuan, and the annual mean costs for a 1% reduction in the snail areas in inner embankments and infected snail areas were 2 010.20 Yuan and 1 298.09 Yuan, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The integrated control measures achieve remarkable effectiveness for schistosomiasis control in Hunan Province, with a remarkable decline in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in humans and bovines and great shrinking of snail areas in inner embankments and infected snail areas. Adequate fund investment is required to improve the integrated schistosomiasis control measures and consolidate the control achievements.

[Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the changes in the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Hunan Province, so as to provide scientific basis for the development of the schistosomiasis elimination programme in the province.

METHODS

According to the requirements of the National Guidelines for Schistosomiasis Surveillance in China (2014 version), a total of 41 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in all disease-endemic counties (districts) across Hunan Province. During the period between 2015 and 2019, Schistosoma japonicum infections were monitored in local residents, mobile populations and livestock, and snail status was monitored. The morbidity due to schistosomiasis and snail status was compared between years.

RESULTS

The sero-prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 2.57% and 1.56% in local residents and mobile populations in national surveillance sites of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2019, respectively, and the sero-prevalence appeared a tendency towards a decline over years. A higher sero-prevalence rate of S. japonicum infections was seen in men than in women (P < 0.01). During the 5-year study period, the sero-prevalence rate of human S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in the marshland, embankment, inner embankment and hilly types of endemic areas over years. There were 44 and 19 egg -positives detected in local residents and 5 and 1 egg-positives in mobile populations in 2015 and 2016 respectively. A total of 9 346 domestic animals were monitored from 2015 to 2019, and 6 egg-positives were detected in 2015 and 2016 (all were bovine). A total of 0.155 billion m² settings were surveyed from 2015 to 2019, and the mean density of living snails appeared a tendency towards a decline over years, with a 45.79% reduction in 2019 as compared to 2015. However, no S. japonicum infections were identified in snails during the 5-year period. A total of 1 469 mixed snail samples were detected using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and 6 positive snail samples were identified in 2015 (one sample) and 2017 (5 samples).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall endemic situation of schistosomiasis appears a tendency towards a decline in Hunan Province, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infections is at a low level in humans and livestock; however, there is still a risk of schistosomiasis transmission. Improvements of health education, intensification of schistosomiasis examinations in mobile populations and reinforcement of the surveillance-response system is required to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis control in Hunan Province.

Influenza a virus and Streptococcus pneumonia coinfection potentially promotes bacterial colonization and enhances B lymphocyte depression and reduction

Influenza has frequently been epidemic in recent years. However, the mechanisms of severe pneumonia with postinfluenza Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) secondary infection have not been fully understood. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of pneumonia in postinfluenza A virus (IAV) infection via a mouse model. Mice were intranasally inoculated with SP three days after IAV inoculation. We then collected samples at three time points to dynamically observe the pathological progression. In IAV infection alone, lymphocyte infiltration and widened alveolar intervals were observed. In the blood, levels of the CD19+, CD19+CD21+ and CD19+CD79β+B lymphocyte subpopulations were reduced, and IFN-γ and IL-10 were elevated. Slight atrophy was seen in the spleen, which was due to splenic B lymphocyteinitiated apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. When SP infection occurred after IAV infection, the pulmonary inflammation was significantly aggravated; a fair number of lymphocytes and neutrophils infiltrated simultaneously with exfoliated bronchial epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, widened alveolar septum and hemorrhaging. Increasing edema fluid and bacteria accumulated in the alveolar cavity. Decreased CD19+, CD19+CD21+ and CD19+CD79β+B lymphocyte subpopulations and increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or interleukin 10 (IL-10) were more prominent compared to those with viral infection alone. Spleen atrophy resulting from coinfection was more obvious because of massive splenic B lymphocyte apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway compared to viral infection alone. This study shows that although inflammation caused by SP infection alone was temporary, preceding IAV infection provided favorable conditions for SP colonization and multiplication by destroying lung structure and suppressing humoral immunity. Synergistic IAV-SP coinfection is likely to facilitate more SP colonization and promote B lymphocyte-suppression and reduction. Eventually, the pneumonia worsened.

Overexpression of paralogues of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA8 improves low-temperature tolerance in Arabidopsis

Low temperature is one of the important factors limiting wheat yield in cold regions. Expansins are nonenzymatic proteins that loosen cell walls and play important roles in diverse biological processes related to cell wall modification, including development and stress tolerance. Many studies have shown that expansins are involved in resistance to various abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought. However, the role of expansins in response to low-temperature stress remains unclear. Based on our previous transcriptome data of a winter wheat cultivar Dongnongdongmai 2 (DN2), we found that one of the expansin genes, TaEXPA8, was significantly induced by low temperature, indicating a role for TaEXPA8 in cold resistance. In this study, the paralogous TaEXPA8 genes TaEXPA8-A, TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D were cloned by RT-PCR. These three genes were then transformed into Arabidopsis by the floral dip method. Expression patterns of TaEXPA8 genes in different tissues and in response to several abiotic stresses and hormones were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that TaEXPA8-A and TaEXPA8-B were expressed mainly in roots, while TaEXPA8-D was expressed predominantly in flowers. TaEXPA8 genes were induced by low-temperature and drought. The overexpression of TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D enhanced low-temperature resistance and had increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity and soluble protein, MDA and proline content. In summary, our study suggested that the expansins TaEXPA8-B and TaEXPA8-D are involved in the response to low temperature and possibly play a role in cold resistance by activating the protective enzyme system.

Magnetism study on a triangular lattice antiferromagnet Cu2(OH)3Br

Magnetism of Cu₂(OH)₃Br single crystals based on a triangular lattice is studied by means of magnetic susceptibility, pulsed-field magnetization, and specific heat measurements. There are two inequivalent Cu²⁺ sites in an asymmetric unit. Both Cu²⁺ sublattices undergo a long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) order at [Formula: see text] K. Upon cooling, an anisotropy crossover from Heisenberg to XY behavior is observed below 7.5 K from the anisotropic magnetic susceptibility. The magnetic field applied within the XY plane induces a spin-flop transition of Cu²⁺ ions between 4.9 T and 5.3 T. With further increasing fields, the magnetic moment is gradually increased but is only about half of the saturation of a Cu²⁺ ion even in 30 T. The individual reorientation of the inequivalent Cu²⁺ spins under field is proposed to account for the magnetization behavior. The observed spin-flop transition is likely related to one Cu site, and the AFM coupling among the rest Cu spins is so strong that the 30 T field cannot overcome the anisotropy. The temperature dependence of the magnetic specific heat, which is well described by a sum of two gapped AFM contributions, is a further support for the proposed scenario.

Discrete Superconducting Phases in FeSe-Derived Superconductors

A general feature of unconventional superconductors is the existence of a superconducting dome in the phase diagram. Here we report a series of discrete superconducting phases in the simplest iron-based superconductor, FeSe thin flakes, by continuously tuning the carrier concentration through the intercalation of Li and Na ions with a solid ionic gating technique. Such discrete superconducting phases are robust against the substitution of 20% S for Se, but they are vulnerable to the substitution of 2% Cu for Fe, highlighting the importance of the iron site being intact. The superconducting phase diagram for FeSe derivatives is given, which is distinct from that of other unconventional superconductors.

[Clinical efficacy of of endoscopic assisted open pathway combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced maxillary sinus malignant tumor]

Objective:The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical effect of endoscopic assisted open pathway combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced maxillary sinus malignant tumor.Method:A retrospective analysis was performed on the survival of 29 patients with advanced maxillary sinus malignant tumor treated by endoscopic assisted open approach combined with radiotherapy.Result:A total of twenty nine patients with cancer lesions were successfully resected, of which 7 cases underwent preoperative radiotherapy plus surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy, 22 cases were treated by surgery plus radiotherapy after operation. The median follow up time was 60 months (23-129 months). The 3 year and 5 year survival rate of the patients was 72% and 61%, respectively (90% and 80% was in Ⅱ stage respectively. 63% and 51% was in Ⅲ+Ⅳ stage respectively).Conclusion:Endoscopic assisted open pathway combined with radiotherapy is an effective method for the treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma, and it can still be well treated with preoperative radiotherapy in patients with stage Ⅳ without distant metastasis.

The association between subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation profiles and hypertension in the Uygur, Kazak, Kirgiz, and Tajik populations

Hypertension results from the interaction of genetic and acquired factors. IgG occurs in the form of different subclasses, of which the effector functions show significant variation. The detailed differences between the glycosylation profiles of the individual IgG subclasses may be lost in a profiling method for total IgG N-glycosylation. In this study, subclass-specific IgG Fc glycosylation profile was investigated in the four northwestern Chinese minority populations, namely, Uygur (UIG), Kazak (KZK), Kirgiz (KGZ), and Tajik (TJK), composed of 274 hypertensive patients and 356 healthy controls. The results showed that ten directly measured IgG N-glycan traits (i.e., IgG1G0F, IgG2G0F, IgG2G1FN, IgG2G1FS, IgG2G2S, IgG4G0F, IgG4G1FS, IgG4G1S, IgG4G2FS, and IgG4G2N) representing galactosylation and sialylation are significantly associated with hypertension, with IgG4 consistently showing weaker associations of its sialylation, across the four ethnic groups. We observed a modest improvement on the AUC of ROC curve when the IgG Fc N-glycan traits are added into the glycan-based model (difference between AUCs, 0.044, 95% CI: 0.016-0.072, P = 0.002). The AUC of the diagnostic model indicated that the subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycan profiles provide more information reinforcing current models utilizing age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity, and demonstrate the potential of subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation profiles to serve as a biomarker for hypertension. Further research is however required to determine the additive value of subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation on top of biomarkers, which are currently used.

Field-Driven Quantum Criticality in the Spinel Magnet ZnCr_{2}Se_{4}

We report detailed dc and ac magnetic susceptibilities, specific heat, and thermal conductivity measurements on the frustrated magnet ZnCr_{2}Se_{4}. At low temperatures, with an increasing magnetic field, this spinel material goes through a series of spin state transitions from the helix spin state to the spiral spin state and then to the fully polarized state. Our results indicate a direct quantum phase transition from the spiral spin state to the fully polarized state. As the system approaches the quantum criticality, we find strong quantum fluctuations of the spins with behaviors such as an unconventional T^{2}-dependent specific heat and temperature-independent mean free path for the thermal transport. We complete the full phase diagram of ZnCr_{2}Se_{4} under the external magnetic field and propose the possibility of frustrated quantum criticality with extended densities of critical modes to account for the unusual low-energy excitations in the vicinity of the criticality. Our results reveal that ZnCr_{2}Se_{4} is a rare example of a 3D magnet exhibiting a field-driven quantum criticality with unconventional properties.

Evidence of an Improper Displacive Phase Transition in Cd_{2}Re_{2}O_{7} via Time-Resolved Coherent Phonon Spectroscopy

We have used a combination of ultrafast coherent phonon spectroscopy, ultrafast thermometry, and time-dependent Landau theory to study the inversion symmetry breaking phase transition at T_{c}=200  K in the strongly spin-orbit coupled correlated metal Cd_{2}Re_{2}O_{7}. We establish that the structural distortion at T_{c} is a secondary effect through the absence of any softening of its associated phonon mode, which supports a purely electronically driven mechanism. However, the phonon lifetime exhibits an anomalously strong temperature dependence that decreases linearly to zero near T_{c}. We show that this behavior naturally explains the spurious appearance of phonon softening in previous Raman spectroscopy experiments and should be a prevalent feature of correlated electron systems with linearly coupled order parameters.

Three-dimensional magnetic interactions in quasi-two-dimensional PdAs2O6

Millimeter-sized PdAs₂O₆ single crystals are grown using the vapor transport technique. The magnetic order at [Formula: see text] K is studied by measuring magnetic properties, specific heat, and neutron single crystal diffraction. The anisotropic magnetic susceptibility and a metamagnetic transition observed in magnetic fields above 20 kOe suggest that the magnetic moment lies in the ab plane, consistent with the magnetic structure determined by neutron single crystal diffraction. Below 140 K, Pd²⁺ ions order ferromagnetically in the ab plane but antiferromagnetically along the crystallographic c axis. The ordered moment is refined to be 2.09(2) [Formula: see text]/Pd²⁺ using the fitted magnetic form factor of Pd²⁺ . A weak λ-type anomaly around T _N was observed in specific heat and the magnetic entropy change across T _N is 1.72 J mol^-1 K.This small entropy change and the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility support the presence of short range correlations in a wide temperature range [Formula: see text] 250 K. The comparison with SrRu₂O₆ suggests that the magnetic interactions in PdAs₂O₆ are dominated by Pd-(O-[Formula: see text]-O)-Pd super-superexchange and three dimensional despite the quasi-two-dimensional arrangement of magnetic ions. The comparison with NiAs₂O₆ suggests that increasing covalency of isostructural compounds is an effective approach to design and to discover new materials with higher magnetic order temperatures in the localized regime.

Connexin 43 enhances oxaliplatin cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cell lines

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, is an important first-line drug in the treatment of colorectal cancers, but drug resistance causes treatment failure. It has been reported that gap junctional communication can enhance the cytotoxicity of platinum drugs.  The gap junction formed of connexin proteins provides a direct pathway for electrical and metabolic cell-cell interaction. The voltage-dependent gating of gap junction allows small hydrophilic molecules and ions to permeate to adjacent cells. Connexin 43 is a diagnostic marker for cancer therapy and the predominant connexin isoform in many cell types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of connexin 43 in oxaliplatin activity by using colorectal cancer cell lines. LoVo and HCT116 cell lines were used for analysis. Connexin 43 expression was confirmed by western blot and immunocytochemistry. MTT, western blot, "Parachute" dye-coupling assays and reactive oxygen species measurement were used to detect cytotoxicity and the inhibition of connexin 43 expression induced by oxaliplatin. Results showed that connexin 43 enhanced oxaliplatin cytotoxicity through gap junctional communication function and high concentration of oxaliplatin inhibited connexin 43 expression to counteract its cytotoxicity. This study suggested that connexin 43 could be considered a molecular target of oxaliplatin activity in colorectal cancer.

[Analysis of newborn screening for galactosemia and genotype-phenotype of confirmed galatosemia cases]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of galactosemia(GAL), and the characteristics of genotype and phenotype of newborns who were confirmed with GAL in newborn screening in Zhejiang province. Method: The number of all live births, newborn screened infants and all clinical data of confirmed newborns with GAL from October 2013 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed by reviewing the data of Zhejiang Province screening center database. And the characteristics of genes and the clinical data of GAL cases who were confirmed by correlative gene test and enzyme activity measurement were analyzed. Result: The prevalence of GAL in Zhejiang province was 1/189 857. Among them, there was 1 case confirmed with GAL typeⅠ (prevalence, 1/759 428), with mutations of c. 904+ 1G>T and c. 687G>A, the enzyme activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) was 56.4% of controls. And there was 1 case of GAL typeⅡ(prevalence, 1/759 428), with mutations of c. 85G>T and c. 502G>A. There were 2 cases confirmed with GAL type Ⅲ(prevalence, 1/379 714), with mutations of c. 505C>T, c. 452G>A, c. 280G>A and c. 925G>A, the enzyme activity of UDP-galactose-4'-epimerase (GALE) were 42% and 38% of controls, respectively. All cases had different abnormal biochemical marks of liver function, and 1 case had combined hyperlactacidemia or hyperammonemia or increase of multiple kinds of amino acids, respectively. The newborn of GAL type Ⅱ had phacoscotasmus before treatment. All the cases were fed with lactose free milk powder, and all the abnormal parameters were improved during following up. Conclusion: The disease of GAL is rare in Zhejiang province, and its genotype distribution is scattered with comparatively mind clinical manifestations, and the cases with early treatment with lactose free milk powder have good prognosis. All cases needed to be treated and followed up for a life-long time. It is recommended that the high risk cases with GAL should be screened as soon as possible.

[Copy number variants analysis in whole-genome of patients with lipoma tethered cord syndrome]

Objective: To explore the abnormality of chromosomes of patients with lipoma tethered cord syndrome and the probable association between Copy Number Variations (CNV) and lipoma tethered cord syndrome. Methods: By using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human CGH 8×60K Microarray Kit, we performed genome-wide screening for CNV on 11 patients with lipoma tethered cord syndrome adopted by the Neurosurgery Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital and their healthy parents from March 2015 to May 2015. We analyze CNVs got by the kit against the gene databases. Unrelated confirmed polymorphisms contained in Database of Genomic Variants (DGV) were discarded. Database of Chromosomal Imbalance and Phenotype in Humans using Ensemble Resources (DECIPHER) helps us with similarity inquiry, and UCSC Genome Browser helps in identification of non-polymorphic CNV. Biological process, cellular component and molecular function enrichment of these genes were conducted to confirm the association between the CNV and lipoma tethered cord syndrome. Results: 17 CNV were discovered by aCGH in 11 patients. Chr8: 39258894-39386158 and Chr15: 20481702-22509254 showed a high frequency of 5/11. Angelman syndrome and Prader-Wolli syndrome were found to be associated with the CNV of Chr15. Gene function enrichment analysis revealed that ADAM5P and ADAM3A contained in CNV obtained from patients with lipoma tethered cord syndrome was also associated with orofacial clefts. Conclusions: CNV in Chr8 and Chr15 of patients with lipoma tethered cord syndrome had a higher frequency than that of common human. It revealed that there is probable association between these two pieces of CNV and lipoma tethered cord syndrome. To explorer related genes or CNV, focusing on certain type of NTDs may increase the research efficiency and get more accurate results.

[Clinical, biochemical and gene mutation characteristics of short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency by neonatal screening]

Objective: To investigate the incidence, clinical, biochemical and gene mutation characteristics of short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD). Method: From January, 2009 to October, 2015, a retrospective analysis of the urine organic acids and acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (ACADS) gene mutation characteristics of patients diagnosed as SCADD by newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry in Department of Genetics and Metabolism (Newborn screening Center of Zhejiang Province), Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Dietary guidance, life management and supplementation of L-carnitine were conducted, and growth and intelligence development were observed during follow-up among the SCADD patients. Result: A total of 1 430 024 neonates, seventeen cases were diagnosed with SCADD with an incidence of 1/84 117. All patients had no clinical symptoms, and intelligence and physical development were normal. Blood butylacyl-carnitine (C4) levels and the ratios increased, C4 0.713.14 μmol/L(reference value 0.03-0.48 μmol/L), C4/C2 0.07-0.23(reference value 0.01-0.04), C4/C3 0.65-2.04(reference value 0.05-0.39). Thirteen with increased urinary ethyl malonic acid (9.30-90.99 mg/g creatinine (reference value 0-6.20 mg/g creatinine )), one patient was accompanied by increased methyl succinic acid (12.33 mg/g creatinine(reference value 0-6.40 mg/g creatinine)), one subject with increased acetylglycine (3.52 mg/g creatinine(reference value 0-0.70 mg/g creatinine)). A total of 13 known mutations were detected in the ACADS gene, 1 homozygous mutation (c.1031A>G), the others are compound heterozygous mutations. One frameshift mutation (c.508_509delGC) and 12 missense mutations were detected. Common mutation were c. 1031A>G(35.3%), c. 164C>T(20.6%) and c. 991G>A(11.8%). SCADD in newborn screening program had no clinical symptoms and normal growth development after 8-42 months follow-up. Conclusion: Cases with SCADD had no clinical symptoms with an incidence of 1/84117. The c. 164C>T and c. 1031A>G may be the common mutations.

A new method to induce molecular low bias negative differential resistance with multi-peaks

According to a first-principles study of the transport properties of two thiolated anthracene-9,10-diono molecules sandwiching ethyl, a new method to induce molecular low bias negative differential resistance with multi-peaks for strong n- or p-type molecules is proposed. The anthracene-9,10-diono molecule shows strong n-type characteristics when in contact with Au and Ag electrodes via a thiolate. The multiple negative differential resistance effect originated from the molecule-electrode couple is different between Ag and Au electrodes. Our investigations may promise potential for applications in molecular devices with low power dissipation and multifunction in the future.

[Relationship and clinical significance between mutated BRAF with prophylactic central-neck nodal dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the molecular diagnosis marker of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the relationship between lymphatic metastasis of central neck compartment PTC, and the operation indication of prophylactic central neck dissection.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study, including 275 PTC patients and detected their BRAF mutation rates during 2012 and 2014 and explored the risk factors of the central node lymphatic metastasis by Logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Of the 275 PTC patients, 224 (81.5%) were female and 51 (18.5%) were male. BRAF mutational rates were 53.8% (148/275) and lymphatic metastasis 57.8% (159/275). Multivariate analysis showed calcification (OR(adjusted)=1.47, 95%CI: 1.10-1.98, P=0.01), tumor diameter (OR(adjusted)=1.48, 95%CI: 1.04-2.30, P=0.048) and age (OR(adjusted)=1.48, 95%CI: 1.04-2.30, P=0.048) were associated with lymphatic metastasis. In stratified analysis, BRAF mutation (OR(adjusted)=3.19, 95%CI: 1.18-9.43, P=0.023) in clear boarder group and BRAF mutation (OR(adjusted)=4.84, 95%CI: 1.68-13.84, P=0.003) in calcification group were more likely to have lymphatic metastases.

CONCLUSION

Central neck metastasis takes up a high ratio in papillary thyroid cancer patients, BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma is a characteristic molecular event. Furthermore, patients with calcification under ultrasound detection, lower age group and longer tumor diameter are more susceptible to suffer central neck metastasis. Especially for stratified analysis, non-calcified BRAF mutation or BRAF mutation with clear border under ultrasound detection are more susceptible to suffer central neck metastasis, and radical prophylactic central neck dissection should be carried on for these patients.

Thermal conductivity of the diamond-chain compound Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

Thermal conductivity (κ) of a distorted spin diamond-chain system, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, is studied at low temperatures down to 0.3 K and in magnetic fields up to 14 T. In zero field, the κ(T) curve with heat current along the chain direction has very small magnitudes and shows a pronounced three-peak structure. The magnetic fields along and perpendicular to the chains change the κ strongly in a way having good correspondence to the changes of magnetic specific heat in fields. The data analysis based on the Debye model for phononic thermal conductivity indicates that the heat transport is due to phonons and the three-peak structure is caused by two resonant scattering processes by the magnetic excitations. In particular, the spin excitations of the chain subsystem are strongly scattering phonons rather than transporting heat.

shRNA inhibits the expression of chicken telomerase reverse transcriptase in MDCC-MSB1 cells

Here, we investigated the effects of blocking chicken telomerase reverse transcriptase (chTERT) in MDCC-MSB1 cells, using small-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) to interfere with gene expression. shRNAs specific to chTERT mRNA were designed, cloned into DNA plasmid vectors, and transfected into MDCC-MSB1 cells. The transfected chTERT RNAs were expressed by the RNA polymerase machinery of the MDCC-MSB1 cells. mRNA expression in transfected MDCC-MSB1 cells was detected using real-time PCR. After transfection, telomerase activity was monitored via a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay, and cell cycle analysis was performed using a flow cytometer. At 72 h after transfection, chTERT expression was considerably reduced in cells transfected with shRNA; the highest inhibition rate was 89%. Compared with the control group, telomerase activity was significantly reduced and the cells failed to progress to S phase. shRNA effectively reduced telomerase activity and prohibited the transition of MDCC-MSB1 cells from G2/M to S phase.

A and MdMYB1 allele-specific markers controlling apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) skin color and suitability for marker-assisted selection

Pre-selection for fruit skin color at the seedling stage would be highly advantageous, with marker-assisted selection offering a potential method for apple pre-selection. A and MdMYB1 alleles are allele-specific DNA markers that are potentially associated with apple skin color, and co-segregate with the Rf and Rni loci, respectively. Here, we assessed the potential application of these 2 alleles for marker-assisted breeding across 30 diverse cultivars and 2 apple seedling progenies. The red skin color phenotype was usually associated with the MdMYB1-1 allele and A(1) allele, respectively, while the 2 molecular markers provided approximately 91% predictability in the 'Fuji' x 'Cripps Pink' and 'Fuji' x 'Gala' progenies. The results obtained from the 30 cultivars and 2 progenies were consistent for the 2 molecular markers. Hence, the results supported that Rf and Rni could be located in a gene cluster, or even correspond to alleles of the same gene. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that red/yellow dimorphism is controlled by a monogenic system, with the presence of the red anthocyanin pigmentation being dominant. In addition, our results supported that the practical utilization of the 2 function markers to efficiently and accurately select red-skinned apple cultivars in apple scion breeding programs.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the pseudorabies virus UL31 gene

We amplified a 816-bp sequence of the UL31 gene from the pseudorabies virus (PRV) Becker strain genome. Evidence that this was the UL31 gene was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. The PRV UL31 gene encodes a putative protein of 271-amino acid residues, which was designated the UL31 protein. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PRV UL31 contains a conserved PHA03328 domain, closely related with the herpes virus nuclear egress lamina protein UL31 family and highly conserved among counterparts encoded by herpes UL31 genes. Nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequence alignments demonstrated that PRV UL31 has a relatively higher homology with UL31 homologous proteins of subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae than other subfamilies. In addition, phylogenetic analysis showed that PRV UL31 has a close evolutionary relationship with members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, especially bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), BoHV-5, equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4), EHV-9 and EHV-1. Antigen prediction demonstrated that several potential B-cell epitopes are located in PRV UL31. Additionally, secondary structure and three-dimension structure prediction revealed that PRV UL31 predominantly consists of α-helix. Taken together, these results provide insight on the function and mechanism of UL31 during PRV infection.