Research on characteristics of symmetric optothermal microactuators

This paper proposes and studies symmetric optothermal microactuators (OTMAs) which are directly controlled by a laser beam. Based on the principle of thermal flux, a theoretical model is established to describe the laser-induced temperature rises and optothermal expansions of the OTMAs' expansion arms. Temperature rise distributions of the arms with lengths of 590, 990, and 2260 μm are simulated separately, which reveals that, under 2 mW laser irradiation, the maximum temperature rises are invariably less than 75.9°C. Simulations are also made to consider optothermal expansions of the arms caused by laser irradiation, which turns out that expansion increases considerably when the arm's length increases from 250 to 1000 μm, while insignificantly between 1250 and 2500 μm. Under a laser beam of 2 mW power, experiments on three microfabricated OTMAs have been further conducted, which demonstrate that the OTMAs are capable of generating maximum deflections of 7.3, 11.3, and 13.6 μm, and that the growth of deflection is comparatively obvious in the case when the total length changes from 750 to 1200 μm, while insignificant for the range between 1200 and 2380 μm. With regard to simulations and experiments, it has been proved that the OTMAs are capable of implementing direct laser-controlled microactuation in which only about 2 mW laser power is demanded. Moreover, it has been proved that twofold total length or arm length does not correspondingly result in doubling the deflection, nor the expansion. Therefore, total length/expansion arm's length around or less than 1200/1000 μm is more appropriate for obtaining satisfactory characteristics of OTMAs, which may be potentially applied in MEMS/MOEMS and micro-/nano-technology.

[Clinical comparison of modified laparoscopic and conventional placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters]

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of the modified laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters by nephrologists. Methods: A total of 188 patients diagnosed as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were enrolled, who received catheter and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy from January 2011 to May 2016 in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital. They were divided into group A (with modified laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters, n=59) and group B (with conventional placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter, n=129). The demographic and clinical characteristics, past abdominal operation history, surgery time, hospital stay after operation, expenses for surgery and hospitalization, early and late complications including bleeding, pain, leakage, peritonitis and catheter displacement were observed. Results: Patients with previous abdominal surgery accounted for 11.9% in group A and 0 in group B(χ²=15.897, P<0.001). The duration of the operation was (38.9±12.8)min in group A and (64.1±12.7)min in group B(t=-6.466 6, P=0.000 0). The cost of the operation was (5 488.4±156.1) yuan in group A and (1 602.7±48.92) yuan in group B (t=257.129, P=0.000 0). Catheter displacement within one month was observed in 0 and 11.6%(χ²=7.455 3, P=0.003), pain in 15.3% and 41.9% (χ²=12.862 2, P=0.000), and catheter displacement after one month in 0 and in 16.3% (χ²=10.812 4, P=0.000) of the patients, respectively in group A and group B. The incidences of peritonitis within one month and beyond one month, leakage, bleeding and so on showed no difference between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusions: Placement of PD catheter with laparoscope is suitable for renal failure patients with abdominal operation history and replacement PD catheter. It also has the advantages of shorter surgery time, less pain and lower incidences of catheter displacement, expanding the application of PD. However, bleeding, leakage, hernia and other complications are frequently seen.

[Analysis of curative effect of transoral radiofrequency ablation microsurgery on glottic carcinoma with anterior commissure involvement at the early stage]

Objective: To explore the key technique and outcome of transoral radiofrequency ablation microsurgery for early stage of glottic carcinoma with anterior commissure involvement (ACI). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients, who were diagnosed as early stage glottic carcinoma during January 2010 to March 2016 in ENT Department. According to whether the anterior commissure was involved or not, two groups were divided. There were eleven cases with ACI (stages T1a, T1b, and T2). Twenty cases without ACI (stages Tis, T1a, and T2). All the patients received transoral radiofrequency ablation microsurgery and followed up closely.Only one case received radiotheraphy after surgery. SPSS19.0 software was used to analyze data. Results: The follow-up time was 12-67 months, and the median follow-up time was 30 months. Nine among 11 cases with ACI obtained good oncologic outcomes, initial local recurrence was identified in 2/11 cases, including 2 cases of T2. Two cases ultimately required salvage total laryngectomy. Meanwhile, initial local recurrence was identified in 2/20 cases without ACI, including 1 case of T1a and 1 case of T2. One case underwent elective neck dissection, and another one received salvage total laryngectomy.Compared to the patients without ACI, it seemed that the cases with ACI always accomponied with a little higher initial local recurrence and lower overall laryngealpreservation, but the difference had no significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: Transoral radiofrequency ablation microsurgery is an effective treatment for glottic carcinoma with ACI. Its advantages, such as more flexibility and deformability, make it more feasible to operate at the narrow space of anterior commissure assisted with laryngeal endoscopy.Good oncologic outcomes can be obtained by this technique with lower initial local recurrence as well as higher overall laryngeal preservation rate.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: thiopurines decrease the risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high risk of developing colorectal neoplasia.

AIM

To investigate whether thiopurines can decrease the risk of developing colorectal neoplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of 24 observational studies involving 76,999 participants to evaluate the risks of developing colorectal neoplasia in IBD patients receiving thiopurine treatment. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risks of colorectal neoplasia were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The overall pooled estimate revealed a protective effect of thiopurine use on colorectal neoplasia in patients with IBD (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.86). The effect was significant in UC patients (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-0.98), but was not significant in CD patients (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.54-2.09). Thiopurines exposure significantly decreased the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.96) and advanced colorectal neoplasia (CRC and/or high-grade dysplasia) (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.89), but did not decrease the risk of dysplasia alone (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.37-2.21). Tendencies towards the protective effect of thiopurines were distinct in clinic-based studies (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.42-0.82) and case-control studies (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.26-0.62), but not in population-based studies (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.55-1.62) and cohort studies (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.81-1.18). Interestingly, studies conducted in Europe (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.31-0.77), rather than in North America (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.67-1.24), showed the protective effect of thiopurines.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis revealed an antineoplastic effect of thiopurines on colorectal neoplasia in patients with IBD, particularly amongst patients with UC.

Molecular identification of hemoplasma and piroplasma species from Rattus edwardsi based on sequences analysis of ribosomal DNA, China

The present study provides the first report on the molecular epidemiological data regarding infection by hemoplasma and piroplasma species in wild Rattus edwardsi, from China. In the current study, blood samples were investigated from 32 wild Rattus edwardsi from Hunan (23) and Guangxi (9) provinces, China. The prevalence of hemoplasma and piroplasma was 65.63% (21/32) and 6.25% (2/32), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that hemoplasmas (HQ183731, HQ183732) derived from wild Rattus edwardsi in China, can be grouped into a solitary clade closely related to H. muris (HMU82963) and M. haemomuris (AB758435). In addition, it was shown that piroplasmas from this study have very close genetic distance to other unidentified piroplasma species isolated from China (AB242140) and Japan (AB188086). The results suggested that hemoplasmas isolated in this study should be represented as a new genotype. Piroplasmas on the other hand needs more sequenced samples in its life-cycle and evidence to check its taxonomic status. These data may have important implications for researching on the epidemiology and population biology as well as for studying the taxonomy status of hemoplasmas and piroplasmids of wild rodents.

[Effects of noninvasive proportional assist vs pressure support ventilation on respiratory work in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with hypercapnia]

Objective: To investigate the effect of noninvasive proportional assist ventilation (PAV) on respiratory work in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients, in comparison to noninvasive pressure support ventilation(PSV). Methods: Ten severe COPD patients with hypercapnia during acute exacerbation were examined. The baseline inspiratory pressure of PSV (PS) and the assistance level of PAV(PA) were titrated by patients' tolerance. In addition to the baseline PS and PA, an additional decrease by 25% (PS-=75% PS, PA-=75% PA) or increase by 25% (PS+ =125% PS, PA+ =125% PA) of the assist level were applied to the patients. After the assessment of unassisted spontaneous breathing (SB), the patient was placed on the 6 levels of noninvasive-PSV and noninvasive-PAV in random sequence. Each level lasted at least 20 minutes. Respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (Vt), and respiratory work(Wex, Wip and Wv) were measured. Asynchrony index (AI) was calculated. Results: During ventilation, Vt was significantly higher with each assist level than with SB. The Vt was significant increased with PS+ than with PA+ . An increase in expiratory work(Wex) and decrease in inspiratory work(Wip) were observed respectively, with the increasing assist level. The inspiratory muscles assessed by Wip were more unloaded at PS compared with PA [PS: (1.59±1.27) J/min vs PA: (4.99±3.48) J/min P<0.01]. However, the Wex was significantly higher with PS+ than with PA+ [PS+ : (1.17±0.54) J/min vs PA+ : (0.49±0.56)J/min, P<0.01]. The AI was increased with the increasing assist level of PSV [PS-: (0.46±0.57)%, PS: (1.36±1.24)% PS+ : (5.26±4.77)]. No asynchrony events were observed at PA- and PA. "Runaway" (expiratory asynchrony) was observed during PA+ [AI: (2.62±2.72)%]. Conclusions: Noninvasive-PAV can increase the Vt and decrease the Wip of the COPD patients with hypercapnia and avoid the over-assistance. The "Runaway" will occur at assist level higher than that set by tolerance. Physiological data can monitor the patient's responses and the ventilator-patient interaction, which may provide objective criteria for ventilator setting.

[Assessment of comprehensive nutritional status and eating behavior among 311 middle aged and aged women with osteoporosis in Chengdu]

Objective: To investigate the comprehensive nutritional status and diet behavior of middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis, and thereby to explore the relationship between diet behavior and comprehensive nutritional status. Methods: 311 middle-aged and elderly women with osteoporosis in Chengdu were included in this study. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was applied to assess their comprehensive nutritional status. Information of social-demographic characteristics and diet behavior (about meals, snacks and water drinking, etc.) of the subjects was collected by questionnaire. Chi square test was used to assess the differences in nutritional status among patients who have different eating behaviors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between diet behaviors and comprehensive nutritional status. Results: The mean MNA score of subjects was 25.8±2.5. 20.3% (63/311) of the subjets were at risk of potential malnutrition, but there was no malnourished subjects found. 46.9% (46/311) of the subjects were in good appetite. 95.2% (296/311) of them had a fixed food intake each meal. 65.8% (198/311) of them had snacks every day, and the most common choice was fruit (86.4% (248/287)). 54.8% (165/311) of them had initiative drinking water habits, and the most common choice was plain boiled water (79.9%, 246/308). 76.5% (238/311) of them had daily portable water less than 1 500 ml. After adjusting the effects of age, occupation and education level, bad appetite (OR=3.50, 95%CI: 1.18-10.62), unfixed food intake (OR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.40-35.83), and seldom or never intake of snack (OR=3.71, 95%CI: 1.42-9.72) were risk factors for malnutrition risk, while tea drinking was protective factor(OR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.11-0.93). Conclusion: Risk of potential malnutrition and unhealthy diet behavior among the middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis should be paid more attention. Unhealtghy diet behavior has a negative effect on their comprehensive nutritional status.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics of plasma cell myeloma with marrow fibrosis]

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features of plasma cell myeloma(PCM) with bone marrow fibrosis (MF). Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 175 cases of newly diagnosed PCM patients were retrospectively analyzed. Based on reticular fiber staining, these cases were divided into PCM-MF and non-PCM-MF groups. Results: Sixty-three cases were PCM-MF(36%), 112 were non-PCM-MF (64%). No statistical difference in gender, age, hemoglobin level, platelet counts, the classification of immunoglobulin, ISS staging, immunohistochemical phenotypes and genetic features was found between PCM-MF and non-PCM-MF groups (P>0.05). Compared to non-PCM-MF group, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)level and renal impairmentrate were higher in PCM-MF group (P<0.05). The degree of bone marrow hyperplasia, the percentage of myeloma cells and cells with plasmablastic morphology were significantly higher in PCM-MF group(P<0.05). Conclusion: The higher LDH level, renal impairment rate, and more significant bone marrow hyperplasia, proliferation of plasma cells and plasmablastic myeloma cells infiltration indicate poor prognosis of PCM-MF patients.

[Microcystic, elongated and fragmented invasive pattern in endometrial adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of 72 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of microcystic, elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Methods: HE and immunohistochemistry staining method were used to analysis morphologic features and immunophenotype of 72 patients of endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF pattern invasion, and chi-square test was used to analysis the clinicopathologic features. Results: The mean age of 72 patients was 54 years (40 to 70 years). Thirty-two patients were pre-menopausal and 40 were post-menopausal. According to the FIGO staging system (2014), 32 cases(44.4%)were at stage Ⅰ, 22 cases(30.6%)at stage Ⅱ, 17 cases(23.6%)at stage Ⅲ and 1 case(1.4%) at stage Ⅳ. Microscopically, MELF invasion showed microcystic, elongated slit-like or fragmented glands in myometrium and their lining cells usually were cube or flat, as well as the single or clusters of eosinophilic tumor cells mimicking histocytes. In addition, a fibromyxoid or inflammatory stromal response was often present.Immunohistochemical staining showed that MELF invasion was positive for p16, CA125 and CA19-9, but negative for ER, PR and p53.Compared with non-MELF pattern invasion, significant differences were noted in menopause pausimenia, FIGO stages, deep invasion into myometrium, lymph metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSL), serum CA125 and CA19-9 in patients with MELF pattern invasion (all P<0.05). Conclusions: MELF pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma is characterized by advanced FIGO stage, deep myoinvasion, high metastasis rate to lymph node and LVSL. Pathologists should recognize the MELF invasion and evaluate the depth of myometrium of infiltration and LVSL with special attention to the presence of MELF invasion with necessary immunohistochemistry for more accurate pathological diagnosis.

Tacrolimus population pharmacokinetics according to CYP3A5 genotype and clinical factors in Chinese adult kidney transplant recipients

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES

Tacrolimus is characterized by a narrow therapeutic index and a considerable inter- and intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability. The aim of our study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of tacrolimus in adult kidney transplant of Chinese patients, identify factors especially CYP3A5*3 genetic polymorphism that explain variability, and determine dosage regimens.

METHODS

Pharmacogenomic data obtained from 83 Chinese kidney transplant patients treated with tacrolimus were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Trough blood concentration data were collected from all of the patients during the 12 months of post-transplantation days and were analysed using the nonlinear mixed-effects modelling program. After building the final model, 1000 bootstraps were performed to validate the final model.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. In this study, we observed that POD, HCT and CYP3A5*3 genotype were determinant factors in CL/F and POD related with V/F of tacrolimus significantly. The final model with the clearance covariates was presented as: Cl/F=THETA(1)*EXP(THETA(4)*(83/POD))*(39.1/HCT)**THETA(5)*EXP(THETA(6)*CYP3A5), and the final model with the volume covariates was presented as: Vd/F=THETA(2)*POD**THETA(3). The Ka was fixed to 4.5 h^-1 .

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The HCT, CYP3A5*3 genetic polymorphism and POD contributed to the interindividual variability of oral tacrolimus in Chinese adult renal transplant patients.

Effects of dietary octacosanol supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum hormone levels, and expression of genes related to the reproductive axis in laying hens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary octacosanol supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum hormone levels, and gene expression related to reproductive axis in laying hens to confirm the reproduction-promoting function of octacosanol. In total, 360 Hy-Line Brown (67-wk-old) laying hens were randomly assigned to one of three treatments with 0, 5, and 10 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for 10 weeks. The results showed that the dietary addition of 5 and 10 mg/kg octacosanol improved feed efficiency by 4.9% and 3.4% (P < 0.01), increased the albumen height by 20.5% and 13.3% (P < 0.01), the Haugh unit score by 12.9% and 8.7% (P < 0.01), and the eggshell strength by 39.5% and 24.5% (P < 0.01), respectively, compared with the control diet. Dietary octacosanol addition significantly affected serum triiodothyronine, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone levels (P < 0.05), and progesterone and luteinizing hormone level (P < 0.01). Compared with the control, dietary addition of octacosanol at 5 mg/kg promoted the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA expression in different-sized follicles, and significantly increased the FSHR mRNA expression of granulosa cells from the F2 and F3 follicles (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with both 5 and 10 mg/kg octacosanol promoted the mRNA expression of luteinizing hormone receptor and prolactin receptor in different-sized follicles, and significantly up-regulated the expression levels in F1 granulosa cells (P < 0.05). The ovarian weight was significantly increased with the dietary addition of 5 mg/kg octacosanol (P < 0.05). The numbers of small yellow follicles and large white follicles were increased with the addition of dietary 5 and 10 mg/kg octacosanol (P < 0.01). This study provides evidence that octacosanol has the capacity to improve reproductive performance, indicating that it is a potentially effective feed additive in egg production.

[Clinical application and observation of injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel filler for facial cosmetic surgery]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of injectable modified sodium hyaluronate gel filler in the treatment of facial profile modification and rejuvenation. Methods: A total of 125 patients who received facial injection of hyaluronate gel from October 2013 to October 2015 were collected. The patients included 62 cases for rhinoplasty, 28 for chin augmentation, 20 for nasolabial fold correction and 15 for lacrimal groove correction. The post-operation results, satisfaction survey and adverse reaction were observed. Results: All the injected positions improved immediately, and the instant average satisfaction score was 9.3±0.7, followed by 8.1±0.7 after 3 months, 6.9±0.8 after 6 month and 5.2±0.8 after 1 year. Thirty cases exhibited swelling, 5 cases bruised, and they all recovered within one week. Conclusions: Sodium hyaluronate is effective and stable in the treatment of facial contour modification and rejuvenation.

[Relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers. Methods: 437 coke oven workers and 163 work-ers in water treatment department were recruited in this study. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle of lymphocyte. For the measurement of urinary metabolites, urine samples were treated with β-glucuronidase and analyzed using HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Results: The concentrations of urinary 2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 9-phenanthrol and 1-hydroxypyrene l in coke oven workers were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01) . The distributions of cell cycle were analyzed in high exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites high than P75) and low exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites low than P25) . According to the content of 1-hydroxypyrene, the proportions of S phase in high exposure group were significant-ly higher than those of low exposure group (Z=-2.496, P=0.013) , but the proportions of G0/G1 phase were sig-nificantly lower than low exposure group (Z=-2.074, P=0.038) . The similar results were not been found in other hydroxylated metabolites as internal exposure group. Conclusion: Increasing levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene might resulting in cell cycle of lymphocyte disorders, mainly for G0/G1 phase shorten and S phase arrest.

[Evaluation and establishment of Mongolian gerbil model of long-term infection of Helicobacter pylori with highly-expressed thioredoxin-1 gene]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a Mongolian gerbils model by long-term infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) with highly-expressed thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) gene and to investigate the histopathological findings of gastric mucosa in Mongolian gerbils.

METHODS

In this study, 75 healthy male Mongolian gerbils were randomly divided into 3 groups: Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene group (n=30), Hp with lowly-expressed Trx1 gene group (n=30), and control group (n=15). The animals underwent gastric perfusion of Hp suspension once a week for 5 weeks. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 4, 20, 34, 48, 70, and 90 weeks after inoculation for detecting Hp colonization by rapid urease test and Warthin-Starry silver staining and histological examination, respectively.

RESULTS

(1) The Mongolian gerbil model of long-term infection of Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene and lowly-expressed Trx1 gene were successfully established. (2) The macroscopic mucosal lesions, including erythema, uneven, erosion, nodules, etc. could be observed in experimental groups. The severity of lesions and the time when lesions occurred in Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene group were heavier/earlier than that in Hp with lowly-expressed Trx1 gene group. (3) Histopathologically, the gastric mucosa of Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene group showed the mild dysplastic hyperplasia of epithelial cells 34 weeks after the Hp inoculation, and the time was in the 48th week in Hp with lowly-expressed Trx1 gene group. At the end of the 90th week after Hp inoculation, the gastric adenocarcinoma could be detected in the two experimental groups (71.4% vs. 42.8%). The difference between the two experimental groups did not reach statistical significance (P=0.592), which might be due to the small sample capacity and/or short observation time. In addition, there were 2 cases with severe epithelial dysplastic hyperplasia in Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene group, and only 3 cases with moderate epithelial dysplastic hyperplasia in Hp with lowly-expressed Trx1 gene group. The uninfected control animals showed no abnormal findings throughout the entire observation period.

CONCLUSION

Hp with highly-expressed/lowly-expressed Trx1 gene colonizes stably in the glandular gastric mucosa of Mongolian gerbils. The histological changes after infection are similar to those of the Hp infected human being, and Hp with highly-expressed Trx1 gene cause the injury of gastric mucosa and the occurrence of gastric adenocarcinoma. Trx1 maybe the virulence factor that participates in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and Hp expressing high levels of Trx1 should be highly toxic for gastric diseases in China.

Transformation of the CmACS-7 gene into melon (Cucumis melo L.) using the pollen-tube pathway

The aim of the present study was to develop a transformation system that may be useful for introducing agronomically and biotechnologically relevant traits into melon. The production of transplanted melon with maternal inheritance of the transgene could solve problems related to outcrossing between genetically modified crops and conventional crops or their wild relatives. By analyzing the main influencing factors systematically, the pollination time was ascertained and the pollen-tube pathway genetic transformation system was optimized. A screening system for resistant seeds from the T1 generation was established. The transformed seedlings were grown under standard field conditions and selected using a polymerase chain reaction-based analysis. The resistant plants were detected at a rate of 5%. These results indicate that enhanced production hastens the initiation of bisexual flowers, development of mature bisexual flowers, and fruit set in melon. We have established a melon transformation system based on the pollen-tube method.

[Value of cerebrovascular hemodynamics analysis on diagnosis of cerebral microcirculation disorder]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical value of cerebrovascular hemodynamics analysis (CVA) on cerebral microcirculation.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients from neurological department of Peking University People's Hospital from April to October, 2015, with symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, headache etc., who were diagnosed with ischemic cerebrovascular disease with normal transcranial doppler (TCD) and abnormal CVA, were recruited in this study.Other medical conditions were excluded through clinic and imaging examinations among these patients.Patients were categorized into mild, moderate and severe subgroups based on the degrees of decreased blood flow velocity and/or volume, and received treatment accordingly.CVA parameters including the minimum flow velocity (Vmin), the minimum flow volume (Qmin), peripheral resistance (R), critical pressure (CCP) and dynamic resistance (CVR) etc.before and after treatment were compared statistically (t test).

RESULTS

Out of the 100 patients with abnormal CVA, 52 patients had bilateral changes and 48 patients had unilateral changes.The minimum flow velocity and the minimum flow volume anomalies were found in 100 and 92 cases, respectively.A total of 47, 32 and 21 patients had mild, moderate and severe abnormal changes, respectively.Out of the 63 patients who had follow-up CVA after treatment (drop-out 37 cases), there were 63 abnormal Vmin cases, 60 abnormal Qmin cases, 17 abnormal R cases, 18 abnormal CCP cases, 41 abnormal characteristic impedance (Zc) cases, 41 abnormal elastic wave velocity (Wv) cases, 23 abnormal vascular compliance (C) cases, all before treatment.After treatment, symptoms and Vmin synchronization improved in 61 cases (96.8%), Qmin improved in 58 cases (96.6%), R improved in 13 cases (76.5%), CCP improved in 10 cases (55.6%), Zc improved in 27 cases (65.8%), Wv improved in 25 cases (61.0%), C improved in 6 cases (26.1%). All improvements were statistically significant (P<0.05), with Vmin, Qmin, R and CCP showing most significant changes (P<0.000 1). The CVR treatment showed no significant before and after treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CVA is an important method in assessing cerebral microcirculation perfusion, providing information on intracranial microvascular bed that cannot be detected by TCD.It is not only helpful for diagnosis, but also evaluable for monitoring clinical treatment of cerebral microcirculation disorder.CVA is also helpful in determining the location of cerebral circulation impairment by correlation with carotid ultrasound and TCD.

Effects of Dietary Octacosanol on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Broiler Chicks

Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) pH_45min value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers’ diet.

Microstructures, mechanical properties and corrosion resistances of extruded Mg-Zn-Ca-xCe/La alloys

Magnesium alloys are considered as good candidates for biomedical applications, the influence of Ce/La microalloying on the microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion performance of extruded Mg-5.3Zn-0.6Ca (wt%) alloy has been investigated in the current study. After Ce/La addition, the conventional Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases are gradually replaced by new Mg-Zn-Ce/La-(Ca) phases (T1'), which can effectively divide the Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase. The Ca2Mg6Zn3/T1' structure in Mg-Zn-Ca-0.5Ce/La alloy is favorably broken into small particles during the extrusion, resulting in an obvious refinement of secondary phase. The dynamic recrystallized grain size is dramatically decreased after 0.5Ce/La addition, and the tensile yield strength is improved, while further addition reverses the effect, due to the grain coarsening. However, the corrosion resistance of extruded Mg-Zn-Ca alloy deteriorates after Ce/La addition, because the diameter of secondary phase particle is remarkably decreased, which increases the amount of cathodic sites and accelerates the galvanic corrosion process.

Naringin protects against anoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells via the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Naringin (Nar) is a major and active flavanone glycoside derivative of several citrus species. The antioxidant properties of Nar have an important function in its cardioprotective effects in various models. However, the effects of Nar on Nrf2 activation and the expression of its downstream genes in myocardial cells are yet to be elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Nar against anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R)-induced injury in H9c2 cells and determine its effects on the activity of Nrf2 and the expression of phase II antioxidant enzymes. H9c2 cells were pretreated with Nar for 6 h before exposure to A/R. A/R treatment severely injured the H9c2 cells, which was accompanied by apoptosis. Nar also suppressed the A/R-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase-3 activation. Nar pretreatment significantly reduced the apoptotic rate by enhancing the endogenous anti-oxidative activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, thereby inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, the presence of Nar alone in H9c2 cells increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as well as consistently increased the protein levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1) and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC). Nar increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, PKCδ, and AKT. However, the Nar-mediated Nrf2 activation and cardioprotection were abolished through the genetic silencing of Nrf2 by siRNA and partially inhibited by specific inhibitors of ERK1/2, PKCδ, and AKT. Therefore, Nar provided cardioprotection by inducing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, PKCδ, and AKT, which subsequently activated Nrf2 and its downstream genes.

Theoretical and experimental studies for high-repetition-rate disordered crystal lasers with harmonic self-mode locking

A harmonically self-mode-locked Nd:Sr3Y2/(BO3)4 disordered crystal laser with subpicosecond pulse duration is demonstrated. We exploit the damped harmonic oscillator model to numerically verify that the mode spacing of the laser cavity can be modified to be the harmonics of the free spectral range of the Fabry-Perot cavity when the optical length of the laser cavity is close to a commensurate ratio of the optical length of the Fabry-Perot cavity. In experiment, the Fabry-Perot cavity can be formed by the pump facet of the disordered crystal and the front mirror. A 110 GHz single-pulse harmonically mode-locked pulse train with pulse duration of 857 fs is experimentally achieved under optical lengths of 27.19 and 4.08 mm for the laser cavity and Fabry-Perot cavity respectively, corresponding to a fractional number of 20/3. A maximum output power of 162 mW is obtained at an incident pump power of 3.1 W.

Note: Decoupling design for high frequency piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers with their clamping connections

This work presents the flexure-mechanism based decoupling design between high frequency piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers and their clamping connections to improve ultrasonic energy transmission efficiency. The ring, prismatic beam, and circular notched hinge based flanges were presented, and the crucial geometric dimensions of the transducers with the flexure decoupling flanges were determined. Finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the transducers. Finally, experiments were conducted to examine and verify the effects of the proposed decoupling flanges. FEA and experimental results show that smaller frequency deviations and larger tip displacement amplitudes have been achieved by using the transducers with the flexure flanges compared with the transducer with a rigid ring-type flange, and thus the ultrasonic transmission efficiency can be improved through the flexure flanges.

Study of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutations in breast carcinomas among Chinese women in Qinghai

Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase and RAS-activated signaling pathways play an important role in tumor formation. Abnormalities in relevant genes play essential roles in the occurrence and development of many human cancers. Studies of breast cancer have mainly focused on the women in western countries, but few studies have examined the frequency of mutations in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS in Chinese breast cancer patients. In this study, we conducted sequence analysis of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS and determined relationships with the occurrence of breast cancer in women from Qinghai. DNA was extracted from 25 cases of human breast cancer tissue samples. PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutation analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. No mutations were found in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS of adjacent tissues. However, PIK3CA mutations were observed in 32% (8) of the 25 breast cancer tissues examined, in which exon 9 accounted for 4% (1), exon 20 accounted for 28% (7), and no mutations were found in exon 1 of PIK3CA. Sequencing of exon 2 of KRAS suggested that 20% (5) of the 25 samples harbored a mutation and 16% (4) of BRAF harbored a mutation. Any mutation in these 3 oncogenes may induce the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

Design of ultrafast laser-driven microactuator based on photoacoustic mechanism

In this work, an ultrafast laser-driven microactuator based on the photoacoustic mechanism was proposed with large amplitude and high response frequency. The microactuator was fabricated by LIGA technology. The displacement of the microactuator could be up to 11 μm at resonance state when the repeat frequency was around 14 kHz using a nanosecond pulse laser. Theoretical model was set up and the calculated results agree reasonably well with the experimental data. The microactuator based on the photoacoustic mechanism provides a more efficient actuation method.

Lung cancer-a fractal viewpoint

Fractals are mathematical constructs that show self-similarity over a range of scales and non-integer (fractal) dimensions. Owing to these properties, fractal geometry can be used to efficiently estimate the geometrical complexity, and the irregularity of shapes and patterns observed in lung tumour growth (over space or time), whereas the use of traditional Euclidean geometry in such calculations is more challenging. The application of fractal analysis in biomedical imaging and time series has shown considerable promise for measuring processes as varied as heart and respiratory rates, neuronal cell characterization, and vascular development. Despite the advantages of fractal mathematics and numerous studies demonstrating its applicability to lung cancer research, many researchers and clinicians remain unaware of its potential. Therefore, this Review aims to introduce the fundamental basis of fractals and to illustrate how analysis of fractal dimension (FD) and associated measurements, such as lacunarity (texture) can be performed. We describe the fractal nature of the lung and explain why this organ is particularly suited to fractal analysis. Studies that have used fractal analyses to quantify changes in nuclear and chromatin FD in primary and metastatic tumour cells, and clinical imaging studies that correlated changes in the FD of tumours on CT and/or PET images with tumour growth and treatment responses are reviewed. Moreover, the potential use of these techniques in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of lung cancer are discussed.