Trial of Chloroquines in the Treatment of COVID-19 and Its Research Progress in Forensic Toxicology

Abstract

Chloroquines are the long-established prescription drug, which are often used clinically to treat malaria and connective tissue diseases. Since December 2019, corona virus disease 2019 （COVID-19） outbreaks caused by 2019 novel coronavirus （2019-nCoV） has occurred in China and many countries around the world. Due to the lack of drugs against COVID-19, the disease spreads rapidly and the mortality rate is relatively high. Therefore, specific drugs against 2019-nCoV need to be quickly screened. The antimalarial drug chloroquine phosphate which has already been approved is confirmed to have an anti-2019-nCoV effect and has been included in diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. However, awareness of the risk of chloroquine phosphate causing acute poisoning or even death should be strengthened. The current dosage recommended in clinical treatment is larger than that in previous treatment of malaria and the period of treatment is longer. Many provinces have required close clinical monitoring of adverse reactions. This paper reviews the pharmacological effects, poisoning and toxicological mechanisms, in vivo metabolism and distribution, and forensic issues of chloroquine drugs, in order to provide help to forensic practice and clinical work.

Coupled plasmon-phonon modes in monolayer MoS2

We present a theoretical study of the plasmon-phonon coupling in a suspended monolayer MoS₂ and a MoS₂ substrate system using a diagrammatic self-consistent field theory. The four coupled plasmon-phonon modes and the four plasmon-surface phonon modes are observed due to the spin-orbit and electron-optic phonon interactions. The two of coupled plasmon-phonon and plasmon-surface phonon modes are optic-like and the other two are acoustic-like. The plasmon are strongly coupled with the optic-phonon in MoS₂ and the surface optic-phonon in the substrates as the electron density or wave-vector increases. The strong plasmon-phonon coupling shows that the optoelectronic properties of monolayer MoS₂ are evidently modulated by electron-phonon interactions. The hybrid plasmon-phonon polaritons can be achieved by strong light-mater interactions. This study is relevant to the application of MoS₂ as novel plasmonic and nanophotonic devices.

[Clinical and imaging characteristics of 110 patients with infectious sacroiliitis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of infectious sacroiliitis. Methods: A total of 110 patients diagnosed with infectious sacroiliitis were retrospectively analyzed between 2008 and 2017.Clinical manifestations and therapeutic responses, laboratory tests such as HLA-B(27), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), T cell spot test for tuberculosis infection(TB-SPOT), Brucella agglutination test ect., blood culture of pathogens, pathological findings as well as magnetic resonance imaging were all recorded and analyzed. Results: Among the 110 patients, the male to female ratio was 44 to 66 with an average age 15-58(29.4±10.8) years and the course of disease 0.3-60 (5.7±13.2) months. As to the pathogens, 71 cases were pyogenic, 24 cases with tuberculous sacroiliitis, and 15 cases were brucellosis infections. The majority of patients (97.3%) had unilateral sacroiliac joint involvement. Ten (9.1%) patients suffered infectious sacroiliac arthritis after delivery. Hip pain was the main clinical manifestation (83/110,75.5%) and fever as the second (77/110,70.0%). HLA-B(27) was positive in 11 patients (10.0%). Both ESR and CRP were elevated in the majority. There were 103 patients receiving sacroiliac joint puncture biopsy. Seven patients were diagnosed through blood culture or brucellosis agglutination test. Bone marrow edema and osteolytic lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were more common in pyogenic or tuberculous sacroiliitis than in brucellosis infections. Conclusion: Infectious sacroiliitis should be differentiated from spondyloarthritis, which develops more in female patients, with short disease duration and fever, mostlynegative HLA-B(27). The majority patients present unilateral sacroiliitis. Active inflammatory lesions are usually beyond sacroiliac joints with osteolytic changes in MRI examinations.

Time-Integrated Neutrino Source Searches with 10 Years of IceCube Data

This Letter presents the results from pointlike neutrino source searches using ten years of IceCube data collected between April 6, 2008 and July 10, 2018. We evaluate the significance of an astrophysical signal from a pointlike source looking for an excess of clustered neutrino events with energies typically above ∼1  TeV among the background of atmospheric muons and neutrinos. We perform a full-sky scan, a search within a selected source catalog, a catalog population study, and three stacked Galactic catalog searches. The most significant point in the northern hemisphere from scanning the sky is coincident with the Seyfert II galaxy NGC 1068, which was included in the source catalog search. The excess at the coordinates of NGC 1068 is inconsistent with background expectations at the level of 2.9σ after accounting for statistical trials from the entire catalog. The combination of this result along with excesses observed at the coordinates of three other sources, including TXS 0506+056, suggests that, collectively, correlations with sources in the northern catalog are inconsistent with background at 3.3σ significance. The southern catalog is consistent with background. These results, all based on searches for a cumulative neutrino signal integrated over the 10 years of available data, motivate further study of these and similar sources, including time-dependent analyses, multimessenger correlations, and the possibility of stronger evidence with coming upgrades to the detector.

[Computational investigation of Artemisia pollen deposition in realistic nasal cavities of residents in northwest China]

Objective: To investigate the deposition rate of Artemisia pollen in different nasal cavity regions and its influence factors in residents of northwest China. Methods: Thirty healthy adults from northwest China were enrolled. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete phase model (DPM) were used for numerical simulation of nasal structures. The pollen deposition fraction in each anatomical part was counted and the effects of pollen density and breathing rate on deposition were analyzed. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The hottest deposition parts of Artemisia pollen were nasal septum (30.70%±12.27%), vestibule (27.45%±8.21%), middle turbinate area (13.59%±8.98%) and nasopharynx (7.14%±5.90%). When the inspiratory flow rate increased to 30 L/min, the deposition rates of pollen in nasal vestibule and nasal septum were significantly higher than that at the rate of 15 L/min (43.20%±11.14% vs 27.45%±8.21%, 51.48%±9.77% vs 30.70%±12.27%, t value was -8.126,-5.264, respectively, all P<0.05), which indicated that with the increase of the inspiratory flow rate, the deposition hotspot moved forward. Compared with the wet Artemisia pollen, the deposition rate of the dry pollen in nasal vestibule and nasal septum decreased significantly (16.55%±4.33% vs 27.45%±8.21%, 7.09%±3.69% vs 30.70%±12.27%, t value was 8.669, 9.173, respectively, all P<0.05). The escape rate at outlet increased from 17.00%±9.57% to 43.48%±13.43% (t=-9.282, P<0.05). Conclusions: The deposition of Artemisia pollen in nasal cavity is highly concentrated. The inhalation velocity and the dry-wet degree of pollen are the main determinants of the deposition site.

Electrophysiological effects of melatonin on rat trigeminal ganglion neurons that participate in nociception in vitro

OBJECTIVE

Melatonin (MT) is a hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland. It may be involved in the regulation of nociception, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. In the present study, electrophysiological effects of MT on neurons were studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cultured neurons were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats trigeminal ganglia (TG). The neuron was voltage clamped using the whole cell patch clamp technique. We recorded resting membrane potential, action potential threshold and number, action potential duration and GABA-activated inward currents in the presence of 0.01 μM, 10 μM MT, and in the absence of MT.

RESULTS

In the presence of high concentration of MT, the spontaneous action potential disappeared and action potential threshold was significantly increased. GABA-activated inward currents were recorded and blocked by GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, in the majority of TG neurons (91% 40/44). Continuous perfusion of MT could cause a decrease of GABA-activated currents. The inhibiting effect was dose-dependent and irreversible.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that MT has several electrophysiological effects on TG neurons, which may be involved in the peripheral mechanisms of orofacial pain.

P886Exercise left ventricular outflow track obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: peak exercise or post-exercise pressure gradients?

Background

Left ventricular outflow track obstruction (LVOTO) is a key feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), associated with poor prognosis and requiring specific management in symptomatic patients. Furthermore, new drugs targeting LVOTO are under investigation. Exercise echocardiography is the more relevant test to unmask latent obstruction in patients with HCM and to link obstruction to symptoms during physical activity. However, little is known about the role and impact of obstruction according to the precise time of occurrence during exercise or immediate recovery.

Objective

We hypothesized that LVOT pressure gradients could be enhanced during immediate recovery after exercise compared to peak exercise in patients with HCM.

Methods

We conducted an observational, single center and retrospective study and included all the patients with HCM referred to our department between 2010 and 2018 for an exercise echocardiography. All exercises were performed on a bicycle in a semi-supine position and LVOT pressure gradient were recorded continuously during and immediately after exercise in the same position.

Results

121 patients with HCM were included (age 49±16 y, 64% male, 59% NYHA 2 and 3, LV ejection fraction 66±7%, max LV wall thickness 19±5 mm, 69% receiving betablockers). Exercise was performed until exhaustion at a mean workload of 118±58 Watts. Overall, the maximal LVOT gradients increased from rest, to peak exercise and recovery (respectively 17±18, 39±43 and 55±60 mmHg, p<0,0001). More than half of the patients (52%) had a gradient ≥30 mmHg at least in one phase, but a maximal gradient ≥50 mmHg (threshold for invasive treatment in symptomatic patients) was observed in only 7% of the population at rest, 25% at peak exercise and 37% at recovery (p<0.001). Finally, a maximal gradient ≥50 mmHg was recorded only during immediate recovery (69±25 mmHg) and not during exercise in 16 patients (13%). None of them experienced post-exercise syncope.

Conclusion

The time course of significant LVOTO during exercise in HCM should be evaluated carefully. LVOTO is more severe and more prevalent during immediate recovery. Some patients exhibit only significant post-exercise LVOT pressure gradients, which therefore cannot explain limitation during exercise.

Anti-α-enolase antibody combined with β2 microglobulin evaluated the incidence of nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVE

Anti-α-enolase antibody (Ab) combined with β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) were investigated to predict the incidence of nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

METHODS

Levels of serum anti-α-enolase Ab and urinary β2-MG were detected in 115 SLE patients, 29 SLE patients with nephritis and 70 healthy controls by ELISA and immunoturbidimetry, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation between anti-α-enolase Ab combined with β2-MG and the incidence of nephritis in SLE patients was evaluated by correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The optical density value of serum anti-α-enolase Ab in SLE patients with nephritis (0.84) was greatly increased compared with SLE patients (0.76) or healthy controls (0.54). Moreover, the levels of urinary β2-MG in SLE patients with nephritis (6.75 mg/L) were increased compared with SLE patients (3.45 mg/L) or healthy controls (1.48 mg/L). There was a positive correlation between the level of anti-α-enolase Ab and β2-MG ( r = 0.754). Furthermore, anti-α-enolase Ab combined with β2-MG for evaluating the incidence of nephritis in SLE patients had the best assessment of the effectiveness (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC): 92.7%) compared with only anti-α-enolase Ab (AUC: 80.9%) or β2-MG (AUC: 84.5%).

CONCLUSION

These data suggested that anti-α-enolase Ab may be a potential indicator for the prediction of nephritis in SLE patients.

[The effect of arthroscopic synovectomy on refractory knee arthritis with popliteal cyst in 153 patients]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of arthroscopic synovectomy on refractory knee arthritis complicated with popliteal cyst. Methods: Patients diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA) with refractory knee arthritis who underwent knee arthroscopic synovectomy in our hospital from 2010 to 2017 were enrolled, including 20 patients (16 RA, 4 SpA) with popliteal cyst. Clinical data, RA disease activity score (DAS28), SpA back pain score, etc, were collected to evaluate the efficacy of knee surgery. Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [58(17, 79)mm/1h vs. 19(9, 30)mm/1h, P< 0.001],C reactive protein (CRP) [3.72(0.92,8.14) mg/L vs. 0.85(0.10,3.08) mg/L,P<0.001], rheumatoid factor [64.6(20.2,193.3) vs. 20.5(10.0,58.4),P<0.001], DAS28 score(4.67±1.25 vs. 2.81±1.23,P<0.001), knee joint discomfort score [5(4,6) vs. 2(1,3),P<0.001] and the volume of knee joint effusion by ultrasound (P<0.05) in 95 RA patients were significantly decreased compared to those before operation. ESR [27(12,54)mm/1h vs. 20 (16,28) mm/1 h,P<0.001], CRP [3.27(1.06,6.95) mg/L vs. 1.41(0.34,3.03)mg/L,P<0.001],knee discomfort score [2(0,5) vs. 1(0,3),P<0.05], back pain visual analogue score (VAS) [5(4,5) vs. 2(1,3), P<0.001], and the volume of knee joint effusion by ultrasound (P<0.001) in 58 SpA patients were significantly lower than those before the operation.The rate [16.84%(16/95) vs. 6.32%(6/95),P=0.023] and grading (P=0.007) of popliteal cyst in RA were decreased after the operation. No statistically difference was observed in the rate [6.90% (4/58) vs. 5.17%(3/58), P=0.697] of popliteal cyst in patients with SpA, yet with a trend of decrease in 4 patients. Conclusion: This study provide evidence that knee arthroscopic synovectomy has a good effect for refractory knee arthritis, which can reduce disease activity, improve joint symptoms and decrease the grading of popliteal cyst.

Association of benign thyroid diseases with thyroid cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective observational studies

PURPOSE

Evidence showed that benign thyroid disease was one of the risk factors for thyroid cancer. However, the results of some studies were inconsistent and were previously meta-analyses of case-control studies. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of prospective studies to investigate the relationship between benign thyroid diseases and thyroid cancer risk.

METHODS

All eligible studies were identified via systematic searches of multiple literature databases. The combined RR (relative risk)/HR (hazard ratio) or SIR (standardized incidence ratio) with 95% confidence interval was calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I² test. Publication bias and subgroup analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The pooled RR/HR of thyroid carcinoma in benign thyroid diseases was 4.39 (95% CI 3.22-5.55). The pooled SIR of thyroid carcinoma in benign thyroid diseases was 5.98 (95% CI 4.09-7.86). Subgroup analysis was performed using the type of benign thyroid diseases. Effect value was RR/HR: hyperthyroidism (RR/HR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.69-6.08), hypothyroidism (RR/HR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.04-4.41), and goiter (RR/HR = 22.18, 95% CI = 12.09-32.28). Effect value was SIR: hyperthyroidism (RR/HR = 5.96, 95% CI = 1.88-10.03), goiter (RR/HR = 7.65, 95% CI = 6.94-8.37), and thyroiditis (RR/HR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.62-4.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has shown that benign thyroid diseases might be associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer, especially in hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and goiter. However, further investigation is needed to better understand the underlying biological mechanisms.

First Measurements of the Double-Polarization Observables F, P, and H in ω Photoproduction off Transversely Polarized Protons in the N^{*} Resonance Region

First measurements of double-polarization observables in ω photoproduction off the proton are presented using transverse target polarization and data from the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) FROST experiment at Jefferson Lab. The beam-target asymmetry F has been measured using circularly polarized, tagged photons in the energy range 1200-2700 MeV, and the beam-target asymmetries H and P have been measured using linearly polarized, tagged photons in the energy range 1200-2000 MeV. These measurements significantly increase the database on polarization observables. The results are included in two partial-wave analyses and reveal significant contributions from several nucleon (N^{*}) resonances. In particular, contributions from new N^{*} resonances listed in the Review of Particle Properties are observed, which aid in reaching the goal of mapping out the nucleon resonance spectrum.

Application of dexmedetomidine-remifentanil in high-intensity ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids: a randomised study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of dexmedetomidine-remifentanil with the traditional analgesia and sedation regimen midazolam-remifentanil during HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Department of Anesthesia in a single hospital.

POPULATION

Patients with uterine fibroids.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids and scheduled for selective HIFU treatment were randomly divided into the dexmedetomidine group (the D group) and midazolam group (the M group). At 20 minutes before the HIFU procedure, patients in the D group received a loading dose of 0.8 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.2 μg/kg/hour until the end of the operation. Patients in the M group were given a corresponding amount of 0.9% saline. Patients in the M group received a slow intravenous infusion of 0.03 mg/kg midazolam before the procedure, an intravenous injection of 0.02 mg/kg 30 minutes later, another 0.02 mg/kg 60 minutes later, followed by 0.02 mg/kg at 40-minutes intervals. Patients in the D group were given a corresponding amount of 0.9% saline. During the HIFU procedure, patients in both groups were administered remifentanil at an effect site concentration of 1.0 ng/ml. Sedation and analgesia were rated using the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before drug administration (T1), after drug administration but before HIFU (T2), at the beginning of HIFU (T3), 15 minutes later (T4), 45 minutes later (T5), 75 minutes later (T6), and at the end of HIFU (T7). Patient satisfaction score and Steward recovery score survey were conducted 30 minutes after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Different effects of the traditional midazolam-remifentanil regimen and dexmedetomidine-remifentanil.

RESULTS

All patients in both groups underwent a successful HIFU procedure without developing serious complications during the postoperative period. However, the D group reported significantly fewer cases of respiratory depression than the M group during HIFU treatment (P < 0.05). The pause during HIFU ablation in the D group was significantly shorter than that in the M group. HIFU ablation intensity, the number of patients with an RSS of 3 or 4 measured at different time points, and the number of patients with an RSS of 3 or 4 measured at arousal were significantly greater in the D than the M group (P < 0.05). Likewise, the D group scored significantly higher in the evaluation of patient satisfaction, recovery score, and surgeon satisfaction (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both dexmedetomidine-remifentanil and midazolam-remifentanil met the requirements and ensured the safety of HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids. However, compared with the traditional midazolam-remifentanil regimen, dexmedetomidine-remifentanil was associated with more stable sedation in patients, more efficient HIFU treatment and higher degree of patient comfort.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Dexmedetomidine-remifentanil is associated with more stable sedation in patients, more efficient HIFU treatment and higher degree of patient comfort than is midazolam-remifentanil.

Constraints on Minute-Scale Transient Astrophysical Neutrino Sources

High-energy neutrino emission has been predicted for several short-lived astrophysical transients including gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), core-collapse supernovae with choked jets, and neutron star mergers. IceCube's optical and x-ray follow-up program searches for such transient sources by looking for two or more muon neutrino candidates in directional coincidence and arriving within 100 s. The measured rate of neutrino alerts is consistent with the expected rate of chance coincidences of atmospheric background events and no likely electromagnetic counterparts have been identified in Swift follow-up observations. Here, we calculate generic bounds on the neutrino flux of short-lived transient sources. Assuming an E^{-2.5} neutrino spectrum, we find that the neutrino flux of rare sources, like long gamma-ray bursts, is constrained to <5% of the detected astrophysical flux and the energy released in neutrinos (100 GeV to 10 PeV) by a median bright GRB-like source is <10^{52.5}  erg. For a harder E^{-2.13} neutrino spectrum up to 30% of the flux could be produced by GRBs and the allowed median source energy is <10^{52}  erg. A hypothetical population of transient sources has to be more common than 10^{-5}  Mpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} (5×10^{-8}  Mpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} for the E^{-2.13} spectrum) to account for the complete astrophysical neutrino flux.

Potential involvement of S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway in cardiac valve damage due to rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a public health burden in developing countries. Th17 cell-associated cytokines might play a role in the pathogenesis and development of RHD, but the specific molecular mechanism is not completely understood. We investigated the potential role of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in cardiac valve damage in a rat model of RHD. We used 20 Lewis rats divided randomly into control and RHD groups. The RHD model was constructed by injecting inactivated group A Streptococci and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats in the control group were injected with normal saline and CFA. Th17 cell-related cytokines were measured by ELISA. Fibrosis was assessed by histological examination. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of S1PR1 and STAT3/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3). The S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway was activated in the RHD model. Compared to the control group, serum levels of IL-17 and IL-21 cytokines associated with Th17 cells were increased significantly in the RHD group; the collagen volume fraction also was substantially increased. The S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway might be involved in RHD induced cardiac valve damage by regulating Th17 cells.

Two-Photon Lithographic Patterning of DNA-Coated Single-Microparticle Surfaces

The spatially defined functionalization of microparticles with asymmetric shape-controlled nucleic acid patterns is a major challenge in materials science. The asymmetric patterning of microparticles is important to allow the controlled fabrication of crystalline lattices or controlled aggregates of microparticles. We present the combination of two-photon lithography and photocleavable o-nitrobenzylphosphate ester nucleic acid coating-modified microparticles as a versatile means to asymmetrically pattern single microparticle surfaces. The two-photon patterning of microparticles with predesigned nucleic acid structures of different sizes (700 nm to 2.8 μm) and shapes (circles, rings, triangles, and squares) are demonstrated. In addition, complex patterned domains consisting of two different asymmetric nucleic acid domains are fabricated by the controlled Z-positioning of the microparticles in respect to the two-photon irradiation sources. In addition, the two-photon lithographic patterning of the photocleavable DNA coating allows the generation of functional nucleic acid domains for the photostimulated activation of the catalytic hybridization assembly (CHA) of branched nucleic acid structures on single microparticles.

Understandingd*(2380) in a chiral quark model

We review our recent progresses made in the study of the structure and decay properties of the newly observedd*(2380) within a chiral constituent quark model. It is found that thed*(2380) can be explained as a compact hexaquark-dominated exotic state with a fraction of hidden color components of about 2/3 in its configuration. Based on this scenario the single- and double- pionic partial decay widths are calculated and the corresponding numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Tunable superamphiphobic surfaces: a platform for naked-eye ATP detection

A superamphiphobic surface composed of two different size ranges of TiO₂ nanoparticles was simply fabricated through spraying the perfluorosilane coated TiO₂ nanoparticles suspension dispersing in ethanol. The surface chemistry was finely regulated through gradient UV irradiation-induced organic compound degradation to fabricate surface with gradient solid surface energy or wettability. The fabricated surface shows good droplet sorting ability, which can successfully discriminate ethanol droplets with different concentrations. As a proof-of-concept, the biosensor application of this surface was demonstrated by using it for naked-eye ATP detection. Liquid droplets with different concentrations of ATP after ATP-dependent rolling circle amplification (RCA) can be effectively sorted by the surface. This developed biosensor methodology based on droplet sorting ability of the fabricated surface is energy-efficient and economical which is promising for biosensors, point-of-care testing, and biochemical assays. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Search for neutrinos from decaying dark matter with IceCube: IceCube Collaboration

With the observation of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, interest has risen in models of PeV-mass decaying dark matter particles to explain the observed flux. We present two dedicated experimental analyses to test this hypothesis. One analysis uses 6 years of IceCube data focusing on muon neutrino 'track' events from the Northern Hemisphere, while the second analysis uses 2 years of 'cascade' events from the full sky. Known background components and the hypothetical flux from unstable dark matter are fitted to the experimental data. Since no significant excess is observed in either analysis, lower limits on the lifetime of dark matter particles are derived: we obtain the strongest constraint to date, excluding lifetimes shorter than10 28 s at 90% CL for dark matter masses above 10 TeV .

Association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of thyroid cancer: a case-control study and a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Although vitamin D is reportedly associated with various cancers, the association between vitamin D and thyroid cancer is indefinite. We aimed to investigate whether this association applies to thyroid cancer (TC).

METHODS

A total of 276 Chinese Han people were recruited in a current matched case-control study. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was computed to estimate the association between plasma 25(OH)D and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In addition, we searched relevant studies in PubMed and Web of Science databases before December 2017 to conduct a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In our case-control study, plasma 25(OH)D concentration was inversely associated with PTC risk (highest tertile vs lowest tertile: adjusted OR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.10, 0.61; P_trend = 0.003). This association was independent of body mass index and physical activity (all adjusted P_interaction > 0.05). A total of 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis, among which ten studies have been published and one was our case-control study. Compared with 25(OH)D non-deficient group, the pooled OR of TC was 1.42 (95% CI 1.17, 1.73) in the deficient group. Similarly, blood 25(OH)D levels in patients with TC were tend to be lower than those in the controls (SMD = - 0.20, 95% CI - 0.36, - 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of circulating 25(OH)D was associated with a decreased TC risk. This association has important significance in public health and should, therefore, be further studied.

[Effect of ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase on cisplatin sensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1]

Objective: To investigate the effect of ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase 1(CKMT1) on the sensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1 to DDP. Methods: CNE-1 cells were transiently transfected with CKMT1 overexpression (CKMT1) or empty vector (EV). The growth curve and DDP IC50 were developed by MTT assay, plate clone formation assay was performed by gradient concentration of DDP treatment, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, levels of apoptosis related protein Bax/Bcl-2/C-PARP and the transcription factor p-STAT3-Tyr705 were detected by Western Blot. Results: The transfection efficiencies of CKMT1 and EV were more than 90% with a higher proliferation rate in the CKMT1-transfected cells. However, the CKMT1-transfected cells had a DDP IC50 of 2.76 μmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of 4.60 μmol/L in the EV-transfected cells (P<0.01). With the treatment of certain concentration of DDP, the CKMT1-transfected cells had a lower clone formation rate, the cell cycle arrested more obviously in G2/M phase, and the apoptosis rate was higher (P<0.01), with higher levels of Bax/C-PARP (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but lower levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.01) and p-STAT3-Tyr705 (P<0.01), compare with the EV-transfected cells. Conclusions: CKMT1 may inhibit the activation of STAT3, increasing the sensitivity of CNE-1 to chemotherapeutic drug DDP.

Photoactivated Specific mRNA Detection in Single Living Cells by Coupling "Signal-on" Fluorescence and "Signal-off" Electrochemical Signals

The spatiotemporal detection of a target mRNA in a single living cell is a major challenge in nanoscience and nanomedicine. We introduce a versatile method to detect mRNA at a single living cell level that uses photocleavable hairpin probes as functional units for the optical (fluorescent) and electrochemical (voltammetric) detection of MnSOD mRNA in single MCF-7 cancer cells. The fluorescent probe is composed of an ortho-nitrophenylphosphate ester functionalized hairpin that includes the FAM fluorophore in a caged configuration quenched by Dabcyl. The fluorescent probe is further modified with the AS1411 aptamer to facilitate the targeting and internalization of the probe into the MCF-7 cells. Under UV irradiation, the hairpin is cleaved, leading to the intracellular mRNA toehold-stimulated displacement of the FAM-functionalized strand resulting in a switched-on fluorescence signal upon the detection of the mRNA in a single cell. In addition, a nanoelectrode functionalized with a methylene blue (MB) redox-active photocleavable hairpin is inserted into the cytoplasm of a single MCF-7 cell. Photocleavage of the hairpin leads to the mRNA-mediated toehold displacement of the redox-active strand associated with the probe, leading to the depletion of the voltammetric response of the probe. The parallel optical and electrochemical detection of the mRNA at a single cell level is demonstrated.

[The analysis of "Wasting-and-Thirst" disease from Wei-Jin to Tang Dynasty]

Huangdi Neijing ()considered that "wasting-and-thirst" patients should not take mineral drugs. The period from Wei-Jin to Tang Dynasty, to meet the need for mildly strengthening Yang by tonic, people no longer considered that "wasting-and-thirst" patients can't take mineral drugs. It was popular to take mineral elixir. The rich people who consumed mineral elixir were susceptible of diabetes. The practitioners observed that taking mineral elixir and sexual behaviors were related to "wasting-and-thirst" , and therefore, they realized that taking mineral elixir was main cause of getting it. They inferred that "mineral heat" deposited in kidney and "kidney deficiency" resulted in "wasting-and-thirst" . Therefore, many cure medicines presented. Among the group of rich people from Wei-Jin to Tang Dynasty, many were patients of elixir poisoning and diabetes, also including its many complications. Some experiences and ideas of treating "wasting-and-thirst" patients from Wei-Jin to Tang are still helpful clinically to cure diabetes today.

[Clinical value of the early use of ulinastatin in patients with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis]

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and the effects on serum inflammatory factors of early use of ulinastatin in patients with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP/SAP). Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2013 to May 2016. A total of 42 cases were enrolled and assigned into either observation group or conventional treatment group (n=21 each). The conventional treatment group received somatostatin, while the observation group received somatostatin combined with ulinastatin. After treatment, clinical characteristics, serum indicators, clinical complications and serum level of inflammatory factors were analyzed. Results: Intra-abdominal pressure and relief time of abdominal pain were significantly decreased in observation group [ (10.4±2.1) cmH(2)O; (2.5±1.2) d ] compared with the conventional treatment group [ (11.7±2.2) cmH(2)O; (3.33± 1.2) d ], P<0.05. White blood cells (WBC) were lower in observation group than those in conventional treatment group [ (11.2±1.8) ×10(9)/L vs (12.5±2.3) ×10(9)/L; P<0.05 ]. After treatment serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in observation group [ (30.5±3.3), (34.7± 6.5), (22.6±4.0) μg/L] were significantly lower than those in conventional treatment group [ (39.6±4.0), (40.9±3.4), (33.1±6.6) μg/L], P<0.05. There were no differences between the two groups in modified CT severity index (MCTSI), recovery time of defecation, ICU length of stay, serum amylase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and incidence rates of clinical complications. Conclusions: The early use of ulinastatin in the patients with MSAP/SAP can down-regulated the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, reduce the inflammatory response, decrease intra-abdominal pressure and shorten abdominal pain time. It was beneficial and worthy of wider popularization.