Intercomparison of dose enhancement ratio and secondary electron spectra for gold nanoparticles irradiated by X-rays calculated using multiple Monte Carlo simulation codes

PURPOSE

Targeted radiation therapy has seen an increased interest in the past decade. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed enhanced radiation doses due to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to tumors in mice and demonstrated a high potential for clinical application. However, finding a functionalized molecular formulation for actively targeting GNPs in tumor cells is challenging. Furthermore, the enhanced energy deposition by secondary electrons around GNPs, particularly by short-ranged Auger electrons is difficult to measure. Computational models, such as Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport codes, have been used to estimate the physical quantities and effects of GNPs. However, as these codes differ from one to another, the reliability of physical and dosimetric quantities needs to be established at cellular and molecular levels, so that the subsequent biological effects can be assessed quantitatively.

METHODS

In this work, irradiation of single GNPs of 50 nm and 100 nm diameter by X-ray spectra generated by 50 and 100 peak kilovoltages was simulated for a defined geometry setup, by applying multiple MC codes in the EURADOS framework.

RESULTS

The mean dose enhancement ratio of the first 10 nm-thick water shell around a 100 nm GNP ranges from 400 for 100 kVp X-rays to 600 for 50 kVp X-rays with large uncertainty factors up to 2.3.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the absolute dose enhancement effects have large uncertainties and need an inter-code intercomparison for a high quality assurance; relative properties may be a better measure until more experimental data is available to constrain the models.

[Study on low temperature moisture regain drying characteristics of different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix based on Weibull distribution function]

The drying process of different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix under low temperature and resurgence conditions was simulated based on the Weibull distribution function,in order to clarify the low-temperature moisture regain drying characteristics of different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix,and explore the effect of grade and drying conditions on the drying process of Angelicae Sinensis Radix. Research results indicated that the Weibull function can be used to simulate different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix low-temperature moisture regain drying process,and the lower the drying temperature,the smaller the grade,and the better the simulation effect. The grade and drying temperature showed a significant effect on the low-temperature moisture regain drying process of Angelicae Sinensis Radix,and the effect of temperature on the relative moisture regain rate of Angelicae Sinensis Radix was greater than the grade. The relative moisture regain rate of different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix at 40 ℃ was higher than 55 ℃,and the relative moisture regain rate at 40 ℃ was first class > second class > third class. After drying,the moisture ratio at 40 ℃ was lower than that at 55 ℃; the effect of the grade on the effective diffusion coefficient of dry water was greater than the temperature. Under different conditions of 40 ℃ and 55 ℃ moisture regain,the effective diffusion coefficient of water was between 2. 941 6×10^-6-7. 991 5×10^-6 and3. 093 8×10^-6-8. 483 8×10^-6 for different grades. Under the same temperature conditions,the effective diffusion coefficient of water was first class > second class > third class. Therefore,Weibull function can be used to study and simulate the drying characteristics of different grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix under low-temperature moisture regain conditions,providing experimental basis for the improvement of traditional drying technology of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and the optimization of drying process of different specifications or grades of Angelicae Sinensis Radix.

Immunological and biochemical evidence for identity of tartrate-resistant isoenzymes of acid phosphatases from human serum and tissues

We purified acid phosphatase isoenzyme 5b from a human spleen affected by leukemic reticuloendotheliosis and used it to produce a specific antiserum. The antiserum was used to show complete immunological identity among isoenzymes 5a and 5b in human serum, and 5b isolated from a giant-cell bone tumor and from the spleen of a case of Hodgkin's disease. Acid phosphatase 5b in a giant-cell bone tumor was isolated for biochemical characterization. Its pH optimum and substrate specificity were very similar to those of isoenzyme 5b from human spleen.

The extra domain A of fibronectin facilitates osteoclastogenesis in radicular cysts through vascular endothelial growth factor

AIM

To analyse the effects of the alternatively spliced fibronectin (FN) gene and its isoforms on osteoclastogenesis in radicular cysts.

METHODOLOGY

Specimens of radicular cysts were collected surgically from 22 patients whose radiolucent periapical areas were measured on digital panoramic radiographs before surgery. The associations between the radiolucent areas and FN isoforms, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression or micro-vessel density, as well as the relationships amongst them, were analysed by immunohistochemical staining using the antibodies IST-9, BC-1, P1F11, VEGF and CD34. Fibroblasts isolated from those specimens were used to induce Trap + MNCs, and the effects of induction were assessed by blocking FN containing extra domain A (EDA + FN), COX-2 or VEGF in vitro. The effects of EDA exon knockout using CRISPR/Cas system were also assessed. Quantitative PCR was used to analyse relative expression of FN isoforms and osteoclastogenic genes. Data were analysed using linear regression, Spearman's rank correlation analysis, chi-square test and Student's t-test; P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Micro-vessel density and EDA + FN staining were positively associated with the size of radiolucent periapical areas (mm² ; P < 0.05), consistent with a positive association between Trap + MNCs and VEGF expression in fibroblasts (P < 0.05). Blocking the interaction between EDA + FN and fibroblasts inhibited Trap + MNC formation. In addition, EDA exon knockout decreased VEGF expression and inhibited Trap + MNC formation to the extent of blocking VEGF by bevacizumab, but osteoclastogenic induction was restored by recombinant VEGF. Using retrospective clinicopathological data, VEGF staining was shown to be positively associated with EDA + FN staining, micro-vessel density and the size of radiolucent areas (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In fibrous capsules of radicular cysts, the alternatively spliced isoform EDA + FN generated by fibroblasts stimulated VEGF expression via an autocrine effect and then facilitated osteoclastogenesis. Both blockage of VEGF and EDA exon knockout could be used to inhibit bone destruction.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment options of hearing impairment caused by hyperbilirubinemia]

SummaryNeonatal hyperbilirubinemia is the most common clinical symptom in neonates. When the concentration of free bilirubin in blood is too high, it crosses through the blood-brain barrier and selectively deposits in specific brain nuclei to cause neurotoxicity and bilirubin neurological dysfunction. The auditory nervous system is highly sensitive to bilirubin. Therefore, auditory neuropathy is the most important or even the only clinical symptom of bilirubin neurological dysfunction. Chronic bilirubin encephalopathy can be classified to three types as mild, moderate and severe，according to the audiological manifestations and other neurological sequelae. Early recognition and intervention of bilirubin-induced hearing impairment is of great significance to improve the speech recognition rate of the referred children. This article reviews the most important studies about the clinical characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment of bilirubin-induced hearing impairment.

[Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of foodborne Yersinia enterocolitica in Pudong New District, Shanghai]

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of foodborne Yersinia (Y.) enterocolitica in Pudong New District of Shanghai. Methods: Four kinds of raw food samples were collected in retail circulation sites in Pudong from 2012 to 2016. Cold enrichment method was used to isolate Y. enterocolitica and further detection of biotype, serotype, virulent genes, antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were conducted. Results: A total of 3 900 raw food samples were collected during this period, including poultry product (n=590), livestock product (n=1 074), aquatic product (n=1 488), vegetable (n=748), in which 111 (2.8%) were contaminated by Y. enterocolitica. The detection rates of Y. enterocolitica in poultry product samples (5.3%, 31/590) and livestock product samples (4.5%, 48/1 074) were higher than those in aquatic product samples (1.6%, 24/1 488) and vegetable samples (1.1%, 8/748). The predominant biotype was 1A (95.5%) and predominant serotype was O∶8 (42.3%). All the strains lacked ail, ystA, yadA and virF genes, which encoded pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. Seventy six (68.5%) strains harbored ystB gene, in which 35 (31.5%) belonged to 1A/O∶8/ystB pattern. Most strains were resistant to ampicillin (74.8%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (70.3%), and non-sensitive rate to Cefoxitin was over 50.0%. No third generation cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone resistant strains were detected, but 38.7% (43/111) strains were multidrug resistant (MDR). Serotype O∶8 and O∶5 strains had 44 and 18 PFGE patterns, respectively. Conclusions: The main foodborne exposure sources of Y. enterocolitica in raw food were poultry and livestock products in Pudong New District. 1A/O∶8/ystB was the predominant pattern with potential pathogenicity despite lacks of typical pathogenic virulent genes. The antimicrobial resistant rates of Y. enterocolitica were at a low level, but MDR strains still existed. Molecular types of the isolates showed highly genetic diversity.

[Effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet-treated titanium implant surface on macrophage behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion]

Objective: To investigate the effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet (UV)-treated titanium surface on macrophage biological behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion, and to provide basis for clinical application of UV-treatment in dental implant modification. Methods: Titanium disks were allocated into two groups. Samples in one group were acid-etched in hydrofluoric acid (Acid Ti group), and those in the other group were acid-etched and anodized (Anodization group) to form two nanotopographies respectively. The surface morphology was evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The samples were stored in the dark for 8 weeks. Thirteen samples from each group were exposed to UV-irradiation for 48 h (Acid Ti+UV group and Anodization+UV group), UV-untreated samples from Acid Ti and Anodization groups served as control. Hydrophilicity of samples was measured using contact angle measuring device. After 4, 24 and 72 h of incubation, macrophage cell adhesion and proliferation were conducted using cell counting kit-8. Cytokine/chemokine secretions [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α)] were measured from cell culture supernatants at 24 and 72 h using magnetic luminex assay. Cell morphology was examined using FE-SEM after 2 h of incubation. Results: Micropitted/nanopillar and micropitted/nanotubular topographies were observed in Acid Ti group and Anodization group respectively. Contact angles in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups (20.2°±2.8° and 0.0°±0.0°) were significantly smaller than those in the Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05). Cell adhesion and proliferation in all groups at 4 and 24 h showed no difference (P>0.05). Cell proliferation in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (0.92±0.13) and (1.10±0.08) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups. TNF-α concentration in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (1.03±0.11) and (0.87±0.10) ng/L, MCP-1 were (301.7±50.3) and (240.8±18.7) ng/L, MIP-1α were (224.9±30.6) and (233.9±14.9) ng/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: UV treatment can increase hydrophilicity of two titanium surface topographies, especially of Anodization+UV group. UV-treated titanium surfaces can promote macrophage proliferation and reduce the inflammatory response in vitro.

Effect of tannins and cellulase on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood profiles, intestinal morphology and carcass characteristics in Hu sheep

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tannins and cellulase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, intestinal morphology, and carcass characteristics in Hu sheep.

Methods

A total of 48 three-month-old meat Hu sheep (25.05±0.9 kg) were blocked based on body weight, and randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 3 replicates of 4 sheep each. The experiment lasted for 80 d, and dietary treatments were as follows: i) CON, control diet; ii) TAN, CON+0.1% tannins; iii) CEL, CON+0.1% cellulase; iv) TAN+CEL, CON+0.1% tannins and 0.1% cellulase.

Results

Compared with CON, CEL, and TAN+CEL had greater (p<0.05) final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain but lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio, while FBW of TAN+ CEL was lower (p<0.05) than that of CEL. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter in TAN, CEL, and TAN+CEL groups were higher (p<0.05) than that in CON. CEL and TAN+CEL groups had greater (p<0.05) ATTD of crude fiber compared with TAN and CON, while TAN group had lower (p<0.05) ATTD of crude protein than other treatments. TAN, CEL, and TAN+CEL groups increased (p<0.05) serum globulin and alkaline phosphatase but decreased (p<0.05) albumin/globulin. Serum total protein was greatest for TAN+CEL, intermediate for TAN and CEL and least for CON (p<0.05). TAN+CEL group increased (p<0.05) dressing percentage compared with CON, while the backfat thickness of CEL was lower (p<0.05) than that of CON. The villus height of jejunum and ileum in CEL and TAN+CEL groups were greater (p<0.05) than that in CON, and the crypt depth and villus height: crypt depth of jejunum were increased (p<0.05) in TAN, CEL, and TAN+CEL groups.

Conclusion

The addition of tannins and cellulase together promoted nutrient digestion, liver protein synthesis and intestinal development and thus improved growth performance and carcass characteristics.

[An analysis of medical X-ray examination frequency in ten hospitals in Tianjin, China]

Objective: To investigate the usage frequency of radiological diagnosis devices in ten hospitals in Tianjin, China, and to provide a basis for the survey of medical radiation frequency in Tianjin. Methods: Ten hospitals from the ten districts in Tianjin were enrolled as subjects by a convenient sampling method. A survey was conducted to assess the general information and radiological diagnosis device information and usage frequency in those hospitals in 2016. The radiological examination frequency in Tianjin was estimated. Results: A total of 610 458 patients received radiological examinations in the sampled hospitals in 2016. In those patients, 371 882 received X-ray examinations for imaging and 238 576 for computed tomography (CT) ; there were slightly more female patients than male patients, suggesting a relatively equal gender distribution; patients older than 40 years accounted for 65.53%, which was the highest among all the age groups. Different types of radiological diagnosis devices were mostly used in tertiary and secondary hospitals. In Tianjin, the estimated frequency of X-ray examination for imaging and CT scanning was 451 and 188 per thousand people, respectively, in 2016. Conclusion: The frequency of radiological diagnosis is relatively high in the ten hospitals in Tianjin. The investigation of medical radiation in Tianjin needs to be improved.

[Study on history of processing and drying of Angelicae sinensis]

Angelicae sinensis Radix( ASR) is a commonly used medicinal material in Chinese medicine,widely used in clinical practice of Chinese medicine,Gansu province is the genuine production area of ASR. This paper studies the evolution law of drying method of ASR,the results showed that drying process was the key affection of the medicinal properties and quality of ASR,and it was an important reflection of the authentic properties of ASR. The drying history of ASR has gradually changed from the earliest shade drying to various drying methods. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulates that the drying method of ASR is"fumigation drying",and the traditional drying method can not meet the processing needs of the origin. In recent years,the new drying methods and drying effects on the quality of ASR are more.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter VcaM from Vibrio cholerae is Dependent on the Outer Membrane Factor Family for Its Function

Vibrio cholerae ATP-binding cassette transporter VcaM (V. cholerae ABC multidrug resistance pump) has previously been shown to confer resistance to a variety of medically important drugs. In this study, we set to analyse its properties both in vitro in detergent-solubilised state and in vivo to differentiate its dependency on auxiliary proteins for its function. We report the first detailed kinetic parameters of purified VcaM and the rate of phosphate (Pi) production. To determine the possible functional dependencies of VcaM on the tripartite efflux pumps we then utilized different E. coli strains lacking the principal secondary transporter AcrB (Acriflavine resistance protein), as well as cells lacking the outer membrane factor (OMF) TolC (Tolerance to colicins). Consistent with the ATPase function of VcaM we found it to be susceptible to sodium orthovanadate (NaOV), however, we also found a clear dependency of VcaM function on TolC. Inhibitors targeting secondary active transporters had no effects on either VcaM-conferred resistance or Hoechst 33342 accumulation, suggesting that VcaM might be capable of engaging with the TolC-channel without periplasmic mediation by additional transporters. Our findings are indicative of VcaM being capable of a one-step substrate translocation from cytosol to extracellular space utilising the TolC-channel, making it the only multidrug ABC-transporter outside of the MacB-family with demonstrable TolC-dependency.

[Clinical characteristics and whole exon sequence study of a Chinese family with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy]

Objective: To explore the genetic characteristics in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE) and analyze the correlation between genotype and phenotype. Methods: The natural history, clinical data and peripheral blood sample were collected in all patients and two healthy members of this ADLTE family. Whole exon sequence (WES) analysis strategy was used to explore the underlying mutations. Possible causative genetic variation was further confirmed by direct PCR and Sanger sequencing. The genotype-phenotype features were compared with previously reported cases. Results: A novel pathogenetic LGI1 frameshift mutation p.T134fs was identified in this study. The clinical phenotype was different from reported. Conclusion: This study reports a pathogenic LGI1 mutation in a Chinese ADLTE family for the first time, which suggests that LGI1 is a new genetic abnormality of ADLTE in Chinese.

[Preparation of chaperone-antigen peptide vaccine derived from human gastric cancer stem cells and its immune function]

Objective: To explore the method of extracting chaperone antigen peptide complexes from gastric cancer stem cells and its immune function. Methods: Gastric cancer stem cells and gastric cancer cells were screened by low temperature ultrasonic lysis. After salting out and dialysis, the lysate supernatant was processed with SDS-PAGE to analyze the expression of chaperone antigen peptide complexes, and then was separated and purified with CNBr-activated SepharoseTM 4B. Reverse high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were used to analyze the purity and nature of the acquired albumen. Lymphocyte proliferation assay and lymphocytotoxicity assay were used to ditermine the immunological activity of the chaperone-antigen peptide complexes. Results: The chaperone antigen peptide complexes of gastric cancer stem cells were prepared and identified successfully, of which the main components were the antigen peptides of HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and HSP110. 0.75 μg and 1.00 μg HSP70-antigen peptide and 1.00 μg HSP90-antigen peptide activated lymphocytes significantly. Their A(490) values were 0.26±0.03, 0.45±0.05 and 0.32±0.04, respectively, while the corresponding doses of HSP60-antigen peptide and HSP110-antigen peptide did not activate lymphocytes. The killing rates of 1.00 μg HSP70-antigen peptide and 1.00 μg HSP70 were (45.0±2.0)% and (16.0±2.0)%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P=0.012). Similarly, the killing rates of 1.00 μg HSP90-antigen peptide and 1.00 μg HSP90 were (36.0±5.0)% and (13.0±4.0)%, respectively, also showing a significant difference (P=0.048). Conclusions: The amount of chaperone antigen peptide complexes in gastric cancer cells is extremely low, but it is obviously increased in gastric cancer stem cells. After purification, the chaperone antigen peptide complexes with high purity can be prepared. The extracted chaperone antigen peptide complexes have stronger immunogenicity, and can be used to make tumor vaccine in vitro, which may have a good application value in the targeted therapy of gastric cancer.

[Reducing maternal parenting stress of children with autism spectrum disorder: father's involvement]

Objective: To explore the relationship between fathers' nursing time and maternal parenting stress of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Method: Mothers of 98 ASD children who were first diagnosed in the department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University during June 2015 to January 2016 were included in the ASD group, with mothers of 92 typical children from a Community Maternal and Child Health Hospital and a kindergarten in the control group. The evaluation of parenting stress, parents' nursing time and other related factors were cross-sectionally analyzed. Interview was conducted with the following tools: Parental Stress Index-Short Form(PSI-SF)for maternal parenting stress, and self-made General Parenting Information Questionnaire for nursing time of both parents and other related factors. The relationships were analyzed by Multiple Linear Regression analysis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test. Result: Maternal parenting stress of ASD children had a significant negative correlation with father's nursing time in total score of parenting stress, PCDI domain and PD domain (t=-2.76, -2.98, -2.79; P=0.007, 0.004, 0.006), within which PD domain also included family annual income and mothers' nursing time (R(2)=0.22, 0.24, 0.25); while no such correlation was found in control group in terms of father's nursing time(P=0.22, 0.42, 0.06). Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test showed that in 62 (63.3%) double-income ASD families and 72(78.3%) double-income typical families, there were significant differences between ASD fathers' and ASD mothers'and typical fathers'nursing time(2.0(0.5, 2.1)vs. 3.5(2.4, 6.0)vs. 3.0(2.0, 4.7)h, t=-86.32、-49.65, all P<0.01). Conclusion: Lack of fathers' involvements was common in ASD children's families. Increasing these fathers' nursing time, as well as their enthusiasm and initiative in the family intervention could relieve maternal parenting stress and improve the intervention pattern of ASD children.

[Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for testing validity and reliability of the Chinese language questionnaire for urinary incontinence diagnosis]

OBJECTIVE

To translate questionnaire for urinary incontinence diagnosis (QUID) into Chinese and to test its reliability and validity.

METHODS

The English version of QUID was translated into Chinese. The clinaical data of 95 patinents with urinary incontinence who were test by urinary dynamic study in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2014 to May 2015 were analyzed prospectively. The reliability of QUID was evaluated by completing QUID twice. The validity of QUID was evaluated by the standard of urinary dynamic study.

RESULTS

Internal consistency (Cronbach α) of the items that pertained to stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were 0.91 and 0.89, respectively. Test-retest reliability (Kappa) was 0.795 and criterion validity (Kappa) was 0.62. Sensitivity and specificity were 83% (43/52) and 86% (37/43), respectively, for SUI, and 72% (13/18) and 86% (66/77), respectively, for UUI.

CONCLUSIONS

QUID has good reliability and validity. It could be used in Chinese urinary incontinence women.

[Hot research topics on cardiovascular diseases in occupational population: a bibliometric analysis]

Objective: To investigate the literature characteristics and research topics on cardiovascular diseases in the occupational population quantitatively via a bibliometric analysis, and to provide a reference for the selection of research directions. Methods: A search strategy was developed according to the words in Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) , and PubMed database was searched for articles on cardiovascular diseases in the occupational population published from 2006 to 2015. The information of published year, authors, journals, and MeSH words was extracted, frequently used MeSH words were screened out, and a cluster analysis was performed for frequently used MeSH words. Results: A total of 1 272 articles were found, and about 150 articles were published annually from 2011 to 2015. Most articles were published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the author Tohr Nilsson had the highest number of published articles. The influencing factors mainly included occupational mental stress, smoking, and working system, and the health outcomes attracting the most attention were hypertension, hand-arm vibration, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. The articles were clustered into 5 types, and 5 hot topics were summarized. Conclusion: The bibliometric analysis of cardiovascular diseases in occupational population shows that hypertension and hand-arm vibration are hot research topics, which can provide a reference to researchers.

Fermentation of Foc TR4-infected bananas and Trichoderma spp

Fusarium wilt (also known as Panama disease) is one of the most destructive banana diseases, and greatly hampers the global production of bananas. Consequently, it has been very detrimental to the Chinese banana industry. An infected plant is one of the major causes of the spread of Fusarium wilt to nearby regions. It is essential to develop an efficient and environmentally sustainable disease control method to restrict the spread of Fusarium wilt. We isolated Trichoderma spp from the rhizosphere soil, roots, and pseudostems of banana plants that showed Fusarium wilt symptoms in the infected areas. Their cellulase activities were measured by endoglucanase activity, β-glucosidase activity, and filter paper activity assays. Safety analyses of the Trichoderma isolates were conducted by inoculating them into banana plantlets. The antagonistic effects of the Trichoderma spp on the Fusarium pathogen Foc tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) were tested by the dual culture technique. Four isolates that had high cellulase activity, no observable pathogenicity to banana plants, and high antagonistic capability were identified. The isolates were used to biodegrade diseased banana plants infected with GFP-tagged Foc TR4, and the compost was tested for biological control of the infectious agent; the results showed that the fermentation suppressed the incidence of wilt and killed the pathogen. This study indicates that Trichoderma isolates have the potential to eliminate the transmission of Foc TR4, and may be developed into an environmentally sustainable treatment for controlling Fusarium wilt in banana plants.

Regulation of size and uniformity of In2O3 nanooctahedra

Rational regulation of the size and uniformity of nanoparticles has drawn great interests and shown widespread application, but this cannot be simply achieved by the vapor route. In this work, by adopting a chemical vapor deposition approach, the growth process was intricately regulated to guide the reagent supersaturation, and the large-scale growth of uniform-sized In2O3 nanooctahedra was realized. A one-time nucleation and synchronous growth mode controlled by the reagent supersaturation ratio is proposed to be responsible for the uniformity of size. Furthermore, a series of comparative experiments were conducted to study the size dependence on reaction duration, and temperature difference between the heating and depositing zones. This study demonstrates a feasible approach to prepare uniform-sized nanoparticles through precisely controlling the crystal growth process, and the developed growth strategy could be generalized to synthesize uniform-sized nanostructures of other material systems.

Effect of SNX-2112 on proliferation of esophageal cancer cells via regulation of excision repair cross-complementing 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, and p53 expression

SNX-2112 is a potential molecular targeted therapeutic drug against esophageal cancer (EC). However, its exact mechanism of action remains to be explained. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SNX-2112 on excision repair cross- complementing 1 (ERCC1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and p53, to elucidate the mechanism of action of SNX-2112 on EC. Fresh tumor sections were surgically obtained from 65 patients with EC, and the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53 was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, the effect of SNX-2112 (0.2 μM) on the proliferation of EC-9706 cells and the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53 in these cells were analyzed by a cell proliferation assay and western blot, respectively. We observed a significant decrease and increase in ERCC1 (P = 0.001) and p53 (P = 0.043) expression, respectively, and no significant difference in EGFR (P = 0.59) expression, with the TNM stage of EC, which suggested that ERCC1 and p53 could be potential markers for the TNM stage of EC. We also observed a significant increase in ERCC1 expression, and decrease in p53 and EGFR expression, in EC-9706 cells treated with SNX-2112 (P < 0.05), indicating the regulation of EC by SNX-2112. Furthermore, SNX-2112 treatment induced a significant decrease in the proliferation of EC-9706, which confirmed the function of SNX- 2112. In summary, SNX-2112 inhibits the proliferation of EC cells by regulating the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53.

[Surgical treatment of ventriculoperitoneal shunt guided by ultrasound to the patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of ventriculoperitoneal shunt treatment to patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

METHODS

The clinical data of 32 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who were admitted to Henan Provincial People's Hospital from August 2011 to February 2014 were collected.The underlying diseases included occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus (2 cases) and occlusion of transverse sinus (2 cases), and all 4 cases had a history of chronic otitis media.Twenty eight cases, with a history of oral contraceptive drugs (2 cases) and unclear etiology (26 cases), had normal venous sinus confirmed by imaging examination.All of 32 patients underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

RESULTS

The symptoms of 32 patients such as headache, nausea, and vomiting were relieved obviously after surgery.The symptom of visual impairment of 31 cases got better in varying degrees except that 1 case went blind before operation.Besides 2 cases of loss of follow-up, the remaining 30 cases were followed up for 2 years.Thirty cases had no perioperative infection.One case had infection 1 year after operation.No one had the shunt tube blockage.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension should be taken active surgical treatment when drug therapy fails and could obtain satisfactory clinical curative effect by accepting treatment of ventriculoperitoneal shunt.By intraoperative ultrasound guiding lateral ventricle puncture can be achieved accurately.

[Management of early bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the management of early bronchopleural fistula(BPF) within one month after pneumonectomy.

METHODS

A total of 30 cases developed BPF within one month after pneumonectomy in recent 30 years were reviewed from First Hospital of Jilin University. All patients were treated by reoperation, closed drainage with or without open thoracic window, or endobronchial glue.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were returned to the operating room for reclosure of BPF, one patients died of BPF and 16 reoperations were successful.Twelve cases were treated by closed drainage with or without followed open thoracic window. In 6 patients who were managed by closed drainage alone, 2 cases died of BPF and 4 bronchopleural fistulas closed spontaneously. In 6 patients treated with closed drainage and later with open thoracic window, one case died of BPF. One patient successfully underwent endoscopic glue to close BPF with injection three times.

CONCLUSION

Within one month postoperatively, BPF without established empyema with pus should be reoperated if the patient had enough cardiopulmonary reserve and could there fore tolerate reoperation. Contamination of pleural space is not the contraindication to reoperation. Reclosure via original thoracotomy and repair the fistula with pedicled intercostal muscle flap are convenient and efficient. Drainage with or without followed open thoracic window is appropriate for the patients with limited cardiopulmonary reserve, impaired general condition, secondary to empyema with pus, early recurred cancer, or some small fistulas.

5-Fluorouracil induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in chemotherapy for treatment of colorectal cancer. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR) is known to participate in the occurrence and development of breast cancer by regulating the rebirth of tumor vessels. This study aimed to explore the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells treated with 5-FU and related molecular mechanisms. 5-FU (20 μg/mL) was used to treat cultured HCT116 cells. An MTT test, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the LGR4 protein in HCT116 cells. Small interference RNA or over-expression techniques were used to manipulate LGR4 expression in HCT116 cells and describe the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 treated with 5-FU. A dosage of 20 μg/mL 5-FU resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells and significantly decreased expression levels of LGR4. The specific gene silence or over-expression of LGR4 in HCT116 cells increased and decreased the levels of apoptosis in HCT116, respectively. 5-FU induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and inhibits proliferation by suppressing LGR4 proteins.