The sapphire substrate pretreatment effects on high-temperature annealed AlN templates in deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes

Evolution of crystalline quality of AlN via high-temperature (HT) annealing induced by different sapphire pretreatments is investigated.

Realization of low dislocation density AlN on a small-coalescence-area nano-patterned sapphire substrate

Growth behaviors of AlN on hexagonal configuration hole-type and truncated-cone-pillar-type nano-patterned sapphire substrates (NPSSs) have been investigated.

Crystal quality evolution of AlN films via high-temperature annealing under ambient N2 conditions

The crystal quality evolution of AlN films via high-temperature (HT) annealing under nitrogen is investigated.

[Evaluation of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio in children of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective:To evaluate neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in children of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Method:122 cases of OSAHS patients were selected, and divided into 3 groups： mild OSAHS group (41 cases), moderate OSAHS group (41 cases), and severe OSAHS group （40 cases）, according to the stage apnea hypoventilation index (AHI) and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO₂). In addition, 40 cases healthy children were selected as control group. The differences NLR and PLR between 4 groups were compared. Result:The NLR in the severe OSAHS group (1.57±0.58) was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (0.98±0.22), mild OSAHS group (1.24±0.47), and moderate OSAHS group (1.36±0.46), P<0.05. However, there was no significant difference in PLR between the normal control group and other OSAHS groups (P> 0.05). A positive correlation between AHI and NLR (r=0.385,P=0.000), and a negative correlation between AHI and minimal oxygen saturation were observed (r=-0.686,P=0.000). Conclusion:NLR might be used as a marker to evaluate the severity of inflammatory status in OSAHS patients, but PLR could no.

[Retroperitoneal laparoscopic debridement therapy for infected severe acute pancreatitis]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and availability of retroperitoneal laparoscopic debridement therapy for patients with infected severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: Clinical data of 6 patients with severe acute pancreatitis who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic necrotic tissue debridement therapy in the Severe Acute Pancreatitis Center of Sir Run Run Hospital between August 2014 and October 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. The laparoscopic instruments and sponge forceps were used to remove necrotic tissue under retroperitoneal space, and double-cavity drainage tube was left for continuous washing. The perioperative indicators were collected and analyzed. Results: Two of six patients underwent two surgeries, and the others underwent one surgery, with an average operation time of (220.0±58.3) minutes and a mean hospital stay time of 62.6 days (35-117 days). One patient underwent re-operation after 33 days because of intraperitoneal hemorrhage, and another patient suffered pancreatic pseudocyst after the surgery, but no one died in hospital. Conclusion: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic debridement therapy is an additional choice for patients with infected severe acute pancreatitis, especially for those who had limited necrosis under retroperitoneal space. Furthermore, the therapy is in line with the concept of minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery.

Intra-articular injection of microRNA-140 (miRNA-140) alleviates osteoarthritis (OA) progression by modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis in rats

OBJECTIVE

Disruptions of extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis are key events in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). MicroRNA-140 (miRNA-140) is expressed specifically in cartilage and regulates ECM-degrading enzymes. Our objective in this study was to determine if intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 can attenuate OA progression in rats.

DESIGN

miRNA-140 levels in human normal and OA cartilage derived chondrocytes and synovial fluid were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After primary human chondrocytes were transfected with miRNA-140 mimic or inhibitor, PCR and western blotting were performed to quantify Collagen II, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 expression. An OA model was induced surgically in rats, and subsequently treated with one single intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 agomir. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, OA progression were evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically in these rats.

RESULTS

miRNA-140 levels were significantly reduced in human OA cartilage derived chondrocytes and synovial fluid compared with normal chondrocytes and synovial fluid. Overexpressing miRNA-140 in primary human chondrocytes promoted Collagen II expression and inhibited MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 expression. miRNA-140 levels in rat cartilage were significantly higher in the miRNA-140 agomir group than in the control group. Moreover, behavioural scores, chondrocyte numbers, cartilage thickness and Collagen II expression levels in cartilage were significantly higher, while pathological scores and MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 expression levels were significantly lower in the miRNA-140 agomir group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 can alleviate OA progression by modulating ECM homeostasis in rats, and may have potential as a new therapy for OA.

Ta2O5-TiO2 Composite Charge-trapping Dielectric for the Application of the Nonvolatile Memory

The charge-trapping memory devices with a structure Pt/Al₂O₃/(Ta₂O₅) _x (TiO₂) _1-x /Al₂O₃/p-Si (x = 0.9, 0.75, 0.5, 0.25) were fabricated by using rf-sputtering and atomic layer deposition techniques. A special band alignment between (Ta₂O₅) _x (TiO₂) _1-x and Si substrate was designed to enhance the memory performance by controlling the composition and dielectric constant of the charge-trapping layer and reducing the difference of the potentials at the bottom of the conduction band between (Ta₂O₅) _x (TiO₂) _1-x and Si substrate. The memory device with a composite charge storage layer (Ta₂O₅) _0.5 (TiO₂) _0.5 shows a density of trapped charges 3.84 × 10¹³/cm² at ± 12 V, a programming/erasing speed of 1 µs at ± 10 V, a 8% degradation of the memory window at ± 10 V after 10⁴ programming/erasing cycles and a 32% losing of trapped charges after ten years. The difference among the activation energies of the trapped electrons in (Ta₂O₅) _x (TiO₂) _1-x CTM devices indicates that the retention characteristics are dominated by the difference of energy level for the trap sites in each TTO CTM device.

[The effect of tanshinone ⅡA potentiates the effects of Cisplatin in Fadu cells in vitro through downregulation of survivin]

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of tanshinone ⅡA combined with cisplatin on tumor Fadu cells in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Method:Cytotoxicity was determined by CCK8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Western blotting was used to assess the protein expression of related signaling proteins. Result:Compared with the two single drug groups treated with Tan ⅡA and DDP respectively, the combination group showed significantly higher anti-proliferative rate (P<0.01), arrested cell cycle at S phase, and resulted in observably higher apoptotic cell fractions in human hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas Fadu cells; Western blotting showed that the protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP increased ,while survivin significantly decreased in the cells treated with the combination of tanshinone ⅡA and cisplatin. Conclusion:Tanshinone ⅡA potentiates the efficacy of Cisplatin in Fadu cells, which may be attributed to the downregulation of survivin protein expression.

Effectiveness of telephone-based interventions on health-related quality of life and prognostic outcomes in breast cancer patients and survivors-A meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of telephone-based interventions on prognostic outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients and survivors. A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Web of science, Medline, EMBASE, CNKI and CBM database was carried out. Randomised, controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of telephone-based intervention versus a control group receiving no telephone intervention, on prognostic outcomes and HRQoL with breast cancer were included. A meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of telephone-based interventions on anxiety, depression, fatigue, self-efficiency, physiological function, social-domestic function and quality of life. In total, 14 studies involving 2002 participants were included. Due to the effect of telephone-based interventions, statistically significant results were found on anxiety (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.16, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [0.01, 0.30], p = .04), self-efficiency (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI [-0.34, -0.10], p = .0004), social-domestic function (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI [-0.35, -0.03], p = .02) and quality of life (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI [-1.00, -0.08], p = .02). Although the effects on depression, fatigue and physiological function were in the expected direction, these effects were not statistically significant (p > .05) based on the insufficient evidence.

[Analysis on injury related deaths in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Jing'an district of Shanghai, 1975-2014]

Objective: To understand the characteristics and distribution of injury related deaths in residents aged ≥60 years in Jing'an district of Shanghai and provide evidence for the prevention of injury and effective intervention in this population. Methods: According to the data from diseases surveillance and death-reporting system in Jing'an during 1975-2014, the causes of 5 199 injury related deaths were analyzed. Results: The average injury related mortality in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Jing'an was 159.37/100 000 during this period. The injury related mortality increased with age. Fall was the first cause of injury related death, accounting for 53.30%. The characteristics and distribution of injury related deaths varied with age and gender. Conclusion: Injury has become an important cause affecting the health of the elderly. It is necessary to conducted targeted injury prevention and control in the elderly in communities.

Electromagnetic interference reduction design of alternating integrator for EAST

An alternating integrator has been designed for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak that is intended for long pulse operation of up to 1000 s. The electromagnetic operating environment for the device is so complex that it could affect the performance of the integrator. The new integrator system is carefully designed and actualized based on specific reduced electromagnetic interference requirements, which were formulated based on consideration of processing of the input signals, the isolation properties, and the circuit board layout and grounding. The developed integrator shows excellent electromagnetic compatibility and low-drift properties.

[The surgical strategy of microsurgical treatment for fulminant hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle]

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and advantage of improved microsurgery for fulminant hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle. Methods: The clinical data of 21 patients with fulminant hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent hemorrhage evacuation and improved atlantooccipital decompression via middle suboccipital trans-cerebellar vermis approach, with preceding external ventricular drain. Results: One patient died of brainstem failure postoperative, and 20 patients were followed up from 6 to 17 months.There were 8 patients whose KPS exceeded 90, 6 patients whose KPS were 60 to 90, 4 patients whose KPS were 30 to 60, and two patients whose KPS were lower than 30.There was no recurrence of hydrocephalus and posterior fossa fluid. Conclusions: The improved microsurgery for fulminant hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle not only could effectively raise the success rate of salvage, but also greatly reduce postoperative complications compared with traditional mode.

Nonlinear Transition from Mitigation to Suppression of the Edge Localized Mode with Resonant Magnetic Perturbations in the EAST Tokamak

Evidence of a nonlinear transition from mitigation to suppression of the edge localized mode (ELM) by using resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in the EAST tokamak is presented. This is the first demonstration of ELM suppression with RMPs in slowly rotating plasmas with dominant radio-frequency wave heating. Changes of edge magnetic topology after the transition are indicated by a gradual phase shift in the plasma response field from a linear magneto hydro dynamics modeling result to a vacuum one and a sudden increase of three-dimensional particle flux to the divertor. The transition threshold depends on the spectrum of RMPs and plasma rotation as well as perturbation amplitude. This means that edge topological changes resulting from nonlinear plasma response plays a key role in the suppression of ELM with RMPs.

Effects of Oxygen Impurities on Glass-Formation Ability in Zr2Cu Alloy

Using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we show that oxygen (O) impurities have a noticeable influence on the glass-formation ability (GFA) in Zr2Cu alloy. Cu-centered icosahedral clusters and Zr-centered Kasper polyhedra are the dominate short-range orders in undercooled Zr2Cu liquid which are most likely to be responsible for the glass formation in Zr2Cu systems. When O is introduced, a Zr octahedron is formed around the O impurity. Most of the Zr atoms in the octahedron also serve as the bridging atoms for cross-linked Kasper polyhedral network, resulting in an O-centered medium range order (MRO) structure. Meanwhile, Cu atoms are moved away from the first shell of O-centered octahedral clusters. With 1 at. % O impurities, the fractions of Zr-centered clusters are less affected, while the increase of ideal icosahedral order and decrease of distorted icosahedral order lead to a more stable atomic structure. This result suggests that a low concentration of O impurities would improve the GFA in Zr2Cu alloy. However, when ∼5 at. % O impurities are included, the ideal icosahedral clusters and Zr-centered Kasper polyhedra are seriously suppressed by the formation of O-centered MRO, which can lead to deterioration of GFA. Our analyses provide useful insight into glass formation behavior in O-doped metallic alloy systems.

Higher visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is a lack of studies evaluating the association between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and abdominal fat. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) or visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (VFA/SFA ratio) were associated with SIBO.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this case-control study, 152 eligible patients submitted to glucose hydrogen/methane breath test who also had computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen performed were included. Clinical and demographic information was obtained. VFA and SFA were measured using Image J software at lumbar 3 level on CT cross-sectional image of the 152 patients included in this study, 68 patients (44.7%) tested positive for SIBO. In the univariate analysis, the presence of SIBO was associated with older age (65.2 ± 1.5 vs. 59.3 ± 1.5, p = 0.007); type 2 diabetes mellitus (33.8% vs. 17.9%; p = 0.019); hypertension (63.2% vs. 39.3%; p = 0.003); metabolic syndrome (85.3% vs. 64.3%; p = 0.003); and higher VFA/SFA ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.7 ± 0.1; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR]: 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-5.7; p = 0.035) and higher VFA/SFA ratio (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.6-7.2; p = 0.002) remained independently associated with SIBO.

CONCLUSION

The presence of SIBO was found to be associated with high VFA/SFA ratio measured from cross-sectional CT image.

Interleukin (IL)-39 [IL-23p19/Epstein-Barr virus-induced 3 (Ebi3)] induces differentiation/expansion of neutrophils in lupus-prone mice

Interleukin (IL)-12 family cytokines play critical roles in autoimmune diseases. Our previous study has shown that IL-23p19 and Epstein-Barr virus-induced 3 (Ebi3) form a new IL-12 family heterodimer, IL-23p19/Ebi3, termed IL-39, and knock-down of p19 or Ebi3 reduced diseases by transferred GL7⁺ B cells in lupus-prone mice. In the present study, we explore further the possible effect of IL-39 on murine lupus. We found that IL-39 in vitro and in vivo induces differentiation and/or expansion of neutrophils. GL7⁺ B cells up-regulated neutrophils by secreting IL-39, whereas IL-39-deficient GL7⁺ B cells lost the capacity to up-regulate neutrophils in lupus-prone mice and homozygous CD19^cre (CD19-deficient) mice. Finally, we found that IL-39-induced neutrophils had a positive feedback on IL-39 expression in activated B cells by secreting B cell activation factor (BAFF). Taken together, our results suggest that IL-39 induces differentiation and/or expansion of neutrophils in lupus-prone mice.

Focused screening of mitochondrial metabolism reveals a crucial role for a tumor suppressor Hbp1 in ovarian reserve

Granulosa cells (GCs) are tightly associated with fertility and the fate of ovarian follicles. Mitochondria are the central executers of apoptosis. However, the genetic basis underlying mitochondrial modulation in GCs during the ovarian development is poorly understood. Here, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic screening was used to identify genes conferring mitochondrial metabolism in human GCs. The results uncovered roles for several tumor suppressors, including HBP1, in the augmentation of mitochondrial function. Focused analysis revealed that high-mobility group (HMG)-box transcription factor 1 (Hbp1) levels regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, which is associated with global changes in transcription including Tfam. The systemic or granulosa-specific but not oocyte-specific ablation of Hbp1 promoted follicle growth and oocyte production, and is associated with the reduced apoptotic signals in mouse GCs. Consistent with increased mitochondrial function and attenuated GC apoptosis, the regulation of Hbp1 conferred substantial protection of ovarian reserve. Thus, the results of the present study provide a critical target to understand the control of the reproductive lifespan.

[Clinical analysis of food serum specific IgE in children with allergic rhinitis in Tianjin]

Objective: To define the common food allergens in children with allergic rhinitis in Tianjin with detection of serum specific immunoglobulin E(IgE) against foods and inhalation.Method:Mediwiss(Screen Allergy) was used to determine serum specific IgE. The relationships between food allergy and gender, age, season were also analyzed.Result:Most common food allergens in children with AR in Tianjin are milk(17.28%), followed by egg white(13.79%), crab(9.56%) and cashew nuts(8.64%). Children in food-related allergy group were significantly less than that in the inhalation-related allergy group, the difference was statistically significant（P <0.05）. Among food-related allergy group, one hundred and ninty four cases are both sensitive to food allergens and inhalation allergens, and the other 34 cases are only sensitive to food allergens. There were significant differences about the positive rate of allergy between different age groups(P <0.01).There was no significant difference in the total food allergens sensitivity rate between different gender and seasonal groups（P >0.05）. The cashew and beef allergen sensitivity rates are different between male and female. The sensitivity rates of amaranth, egg, white milk, and crab are different among different age groups. The difference was statistically significant（P <0.05）.Conclusion: Milk, egg, crab, cashew nuts are the most common food allergens in children with AR in Tianjin area. Only food-related allergy is rare, food allergies are usually accompanied by inhalation-related allergy. Cashew allergen sensitivity rate was higher in male than female. Milk allergen sensitivity rate was higher in female than male. Sensitivity rate of amaranth allergen increased significantly, while that of egg milk and crab allergen decreased significantly with age.

[(11)C]Ascorbic and [(11)C]dehydroascorbic acid, an endogenous redox pair for sensing reactive oxygen species using positron emission tomography

Here we report the radiosynthesis of an endogenous redox pair, [(11)C]ascorbic acid ([(11)C]VitC) and [(11)C]dehydroascorbic acid ([(11)C]DHA), the reduced and oxidized forms of vitamin C, and their application to ROS sensing. These results provide the basis for in vivo detection of ROS using positron emission tomography (PET).

Identification of protease m1 zinc metalloprotease conferring resistance to deltamethrin by characterization of an AFLP marker in Culex pipiens pallens

BACKGROUND

Continuous and excessive application of deltamethrin (DM) has resulted in the rapid development of insecticide resistance in Culex pipiens pallens. The quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for resistance to DM had previously been detected in Cx. pipiens pallens. But locating the QTLs on the chromosomes remained difficult. An available approach is to first characterize DNA molecular markers linked with the phenotype, and then identify candidate genes.

METHODS

In this study, the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker L3A8.177 associated with the QTL, was characterized. We searched for potential candidate genes in the flank region of L3A8.177 in the genome sequence of the closely related Cx. pipiens quinquefasciatus and conducted mRNA expression analysis of the candidate gene via quantitative real-time PCR. Then the relationship between DM resistance and the candidate gene was identified using RNAi and American CDC Bottle Bioassay in vivo. We also cloned the ORF sequences of the candidate gene from both susceptible and resistant mosquitoes.

RESULTS

The genes CYP6CP1 and protease m1 zinc metalloprotease were in the flank region of L3A8.177 and had significantly different expression levels between susceptible and resistant strains. Protease m1 zinc metalloprotease was significantly up-regulated in the susceptible strains compared with the resistant and remained over-expressed in the susceptible field-collected strains. For deduced amino acid sequences of protease m1 zinc metalloprotease, there was no difference between susceptible and resistant mosquitoes. Knockdown of protease m1 zinc metalloprotease not only decreased the sensitivity of mosquitoes to DM in the susceptible strain but also increased the expression of CYP6CP1, suggesting the role of protease m1 zinc metalloprotease in resistance may be involved in the regulation of the P450 gene expression.

CONCLUSION

Our study represents an example of candidate genes derived from the AFLP marker associated with the QTL and provides the first evidence that protease m1 zinc metalloprotease may play a role in the regulation of DM resistance in Cx. pipiens pallens.