Investigating Size-Dependent Conductive Properties on Individual Si Nanowires

Periodically ordered arrays of vertically aligned Si nanowires (Si NWs) are successfully fabricated by nanosphere lithography combined with metal-assisted chemical etching. By adjusting the etching time, both the nanowires' diameter and length can be well controlled. The conductive properties of such Si NWs and particularly their size dependence are investigated by conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) on individual nanowires. The results indicate that the conductance of Si NWs is greatly relevant to their diameter and length. Si NWs with smaller diameters and shorter lengths exhibit better conductive properties. Together with the I-V curve characterization, a possible mechanism is supposed with the viewpoint of size-dependent Schottky barrier height, which is further verified by the electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) measurements. This study also suggests that CAFM can act as an effective means to explore the size (or other parameters) dependence of conductive properties on individual nanostructures, which should be essential for both fabrication optimization and potential applications of nanostructures.

MicroRNA-124 regulates lactate transportation in the muscle of largemouth bass (micropterus salmoides) under hypoxia by targeting MCT1

Carbohydrate metabolism switches from aerobic to anaerobic (glycolysis) to supply energy in response to acute hypoxic stress. Acute hypoxic stress with dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/L for 24 h and 12 h re-oxygenation was used to investigate the response of the anaerobic glycolytic pathway in Micropterus salmoides muscle. The results showed that the glucose concentration was significantly lower in muscle, while the lactic acid and pyruvic acid concentrations tended to increase during hypoxic stress. No significant difference was observed in muscle glycogen, and ATP content fluctuated significantly. The activities of gluconeogenesis-related enzymes were slightly elevated, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). The activities of the glycolytic enzymes increased after the induction of hypoxia, such as hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Curiously, phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity was significantly down-regulated within 4 h during hypoxia, although these effects were transient, and most indices returned to control levels after 12 h of re-oxygenation. Upregulated hif-1α, ampkα, hk, glut1, and ldh mRNA expression suggested that carbohydrate metabolism was reprogrammed under hypoxia. Lactate transport was regulated by miR-124-5p according to quantitative polymerase chain reaction and dual luciferase reporter assays. Our findings provide new insight into the molecular regulatory mechanism of hypoxia in Micropterus salmoides muscle.

Research Progress on Forensic Genetics of Facial Morphological Depiction

Abstract

Forensic DNA phenotyping （FDP） analysis uses DNA from biological samples left in crime scenes to predict individual phenotypic traits, such as geographical origin of ethnic group, height, weight, skin color, hair color and shape, iris color, male baldness, facial morphology, age, etc., thereby providing clues for case investigations. Among these traits, features of facial morphology are relatively more complicated. This paper makes an overall analysis of the measurement and collection of facial morphology, research on facial morphology related genes, forensic application and establishment of facial morphology depiction model, ethical issues, etc., then summarizes the latest research progress on features of facial morphology.

[Pedigree analysis of C19ORF12 p.Asp18Tyr mutation in a family with mitochondrial membrane protein associated neurodegeneration]

Objective: To explore the clinical features and analyze the chromosome 19 open reading frame 12(C19ORF12) gene mutation of a family with mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN). Methods: The pedigree diagnosed as neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) in Henan Provincial People's Hospital in May 2018 was collected, and clinical data of the patients in this family was further analyzed. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing (WES) was employed to identify the disease-causing genes. Subsequently, the pathogenic mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results: We identified 3 brothers, born of consanguineous Chinese parents. These patients were thought to carry autosomal recessive genes. The age of the onset ranged from 8 to 10 years old. All of the patients exhibited a chronic course, then got worse progressively. Parkinsonism was the first symptom. Other clinical features included cognitive decline, ataxia, gait abnormality, dysarthria and spastic paraplegia. All cases showed hypo-intensity in bilateral substantia nigra and globus pallidus on T(2)WI, FLAIR and SWI of MRI. However, the "eye-of-the-tiger sign" , which was commonly found in pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), was absent. Further findings included cerebellar atrophy (all 3 patients) and the atrophy of temporal lobe (only one brother of the proband). The homozygous mutation c.52G>T (p.Asp18Tyr) was found through WES and Sanger sequencing. The proband's mother was heterozygous. This novel mutation was not reported in mutation database. Consequently, the pathogenic mutation in C19ORF12 gene (exon2, c.2327C>T, p.P776L) was identified from the patients according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline. The final diagnosis of the family was MPAN. Conclusions: We successfully identify a novel p.Asp18Tyr mutation in a family with MPAN. Our finding enriches the known MPAN mutation types and provides evidence for further research.

Evidence that growth hormone can improve mitochondrial function in oocytes from aged mice

Decline in successful conception decreases more rapidly after 38 years of age owing to follicular depletion and decreased oocyte quality. However, limited information is available regarding the underlying mechanism and the useful treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of growth hormone supplementation on oocyte maturation in vivo in aged and young mice and to determine its effect on mitochondrial function. The influence of three different doses of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks before ovarian stimulation was analyzed. Superovulated oocytes were released from the oviduct of 12-week-old and 40-week-old female C57BL/6J mice 14-16 h after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. Ovarian follicle and morphological analysis and oocyte maturation parameters were then evaluated. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to report that medium- and high-dose rhGH significantly increases antral follicles in aged mice but anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Furthermore, derived oocytes, MII-stage oocyte rate, ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and frequencies of homogeneous mitochondrial distribution increased. In contrast, in both aged and young mice, the mtDNA copy numbers per oocyte were similar before rhGH administration, and upon saline administration, they did not differ significantly. We conclude that medium-dose rhGH supplementation before standard ovarian stimulation regimens improves oocyte quality in aged mice, probably by enhancing mitochondrial functionality.

Extraction of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Antineutrino Spectra at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first extraction of individual antineutrino spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu fission and an improved measurement of the prompt energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay. The analysis uses 3.5×10^{6} inverse beta-decay candidates in four near antineutrino detectors in 1958 days. The individual antineutrino spectra of the two dominant isotopes, ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, are extracted using the evolution of the prompt spectrum as a function of the isotope fission fractions. In the energy window of 4-6 MeV, a 7% (9%) excess of events is observed for the ^{235}U (^{239}Pu) spectrum compared with the normalized Huber-Mueller model prediction. The significance of discrepancy is 4.0σ for ^{235}U spectral shape compared with the Huber-Mueller model prediction. The shape of the measured inverse beta-decay prompt energy spectrum disagrees with the prediction of the Huber-Mueller model at 5.3σ. In the energy range of 4-6 MeV, a maximal local discrepancy of 6.3σ is observed.

[Application value of colonoscopic assessment in "watch and wait" strategy for mid-lower rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy]

Objective: To investigate the value of colonoscopic assessment in "watch and wait" strategy for mid-lower rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods: A single-center retrospective case series study was performed. Database of mid-lower rectal cancer patients at Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute from March 2011 to June 2017 was retrieved. Inclusion criteria: (1) nCRT was completed (50.6 Gy/22 f, plus oral capecitabine); (2) radical surgery was performed within 12 weeks after nCRT treatment; (3) clinical response to nCRT was determined as clinical complete response (cCR) or near-cCR. Patients who did not undergo colonoscopy and MRI in our center during initial assessment and follow-up, or whose colonoscopy data were unable to re-evaluated, were excluded. Initial evaluation of nCRT response was carried out between 6 and 16 weeks after nCRT. The results of endoscopy (eCR, near-eCR and non-eCR) and MRI (mCR, near-mCR and non-mCR) were compared to local lesion relapse during follow-up. The consistency of the results of colonoscopy and MRI was evaluated by Kappa test (Kappa value of 0.21 to 0.40 indicates general consistency, 0.41 to 0.60 moderate consistency, and 0.61 to 0.80 high consistency). The non-regrowth disease-free survival (NR-DFS) curves of the eCR group and the near-eCR group were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Clinical significance of colonoscopy examination in the following "watch and wait" strategy during follow-up period was analyzed. Results: A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the study, including 21 (65.6%) males and 11 (34.4%) females with a median age of 57 years old. The differentiated type of rectal cancer included 1 (3.1%) case of well-differentiated, 26 (81.2%) of moderately differentiated and 5 (15.6%) of poorly differentiated. Clinical stage of the patients included 9 (28.1%) cases of T2-3N0 and 23 (71.9%) of T2-3N+. Median follow-up period was 48 (18 to 80) months. The local regrowth rate was 34.4% (11/32) and median interval of local regrowth was 10.0 (4 to 37) months. Initial colonoscopy evaluation was carried out at a median time of 9 (5 to 19) weeks after nCRT was completed. According to endoscopic findings, patients were divided into 3 groups, including 15 cases in eCR group, 15 cases in near-eCR group and 2 cases in non-eCR group. According to the appearance of MRI, patients were divided into 3 groups, including 8 cases in mCR group, 21 cases in near-mCR group and 3 cases in non-mCR group. The regrowth rate of eCR group was lower than that of mCR group (1/15 vs. 1/8) without significant difference (P=1.000). The regrowth rate of near-eCR group was higher than that of near-mCR group [9/15 vs. 42.9% (9/21)] without significant difference as well (P=0.500). The consistency between colonoscopy and MRI in response evaluation of cCR or near-cCR after nCRT was unsatisfactory (Kappa=0.341, P=0.011). After initial evaluation, 31 patients underwent watch and wait strategy, and 1 underwent local resection. The 1- and 3-year NR-DFS in the eCR group was both 100%, which was higher than that in the near-eCR group (53.3% and 38.9%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). During watch and wait period, 11 cases developed local regrowth by colonoscopy examination and the biopsy result included 4 case of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HIN), 6 cases of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of chronic mucosal inflammation. Meanwhile lateral developmental tumor of ascending colon in 1 case and of sigmoid in a case was found by colonoscopy and confirmed as HIN by postoperative pathology. Besides, 4 cases developed colonic multiple adenoma and all underwent endoscopic resection. Conclusion: Colonoscopy examination plays an important role in both initial assessment and regrowth monitoring during watch and wait strategy after nCRT treatment.

[Analysis on condom use negotiation with sex partners and condom use in female sex workers]

Objective: To know condom use negotiation with clients and regular sex partners and condom use in female sex workers (FSWs), and provide reference for the development of comprehensive HIV/AIDS intervention for FSWs. Methods: The cross sectional survey was conducted in Jianshui county and Mengzi county in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture. A total of 476 FSWs aged 16 years and above were recruited from entertainment venues, and the information about their demographic characteristics, condom use negotiation and condom use were collected by using questionnaires. Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors of condom use after negotiation between FSWs and clients unwilling use condom. Results: A total of 852 FSWs who aged (24.29±8.44) years old participated in the survey. In past month, 499 FSWs had negotiation for condom use with unwilling clients (58.6%, 499/852), after negotiation, 441 FSWs (88.4%, 441/499) had consistent condom use in each sex with the clients. In the past one month, 99 FSWs had negotiation for unwilling use condom with regular sex partners (14.4%, 99/687), after negotiation, 54 FSWs (54.5%, 54/99) had consistent condom use in each sex with regular sex partners. Among the FSWs, 266 (53.3%, 266/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condom. 97(19.4%, 97/499) reported that they could say "There is risk for infection" to persuade clients who were unwilling to use condoms. 115 (23.1%,115/499) reported that they could say "It is a mandatory requirement" and "there is risk for infection" to persuade their unwilling clients to use condoms. 21 (4.2%, 21/499) reported that they used other strategies. 22 (4.4%, 22/499) felt that it was difficult to persuade clients to use condoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with FSWs who felt difficult in persuading clients to use condoms, FSWs who felt moderate difficulty were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.00, 95%CI: 1.55-10.32) and FSWs who felt easy in persuading clients to use condoms were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=30.17, 95%CI: 3.22-282.44). Compared with FSWs used other strategies to persuade their clients to use condoms, FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement were more likely to have consistent condom use after negotiation (OR=4.44, 95%CI: 1.41-14.01) and FSWs who said it was a mandatory requirement and there was risk for infection were also more likely to have consistent condom use (OR=5.52, 95%CI: 1.55-19.73). Conclusions: Negotiation for condom use increased the rate of condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. The negotiation strategy of "It is a mandatory requirement" would promote condom use in FSWs in sex with clients who were unwilling to use condom. Besides, the negotiation strategy of saying "there is risk for infection" had additional effects.

Overexpression of miR-145-5p alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a disease with high incidence and no effective therapeutic treatments. miR- 145-5p has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in lung injury tissues, suggesting a potential role in the progression and development of ALI. To validate this hypothesis and explore the underlying mechanism, a mouse model of ALI was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Hematoxylin and eosin (Hand E) staining verified the successful establishment of mouse model with ALI. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL- 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. Mouse type II alveolar epithelial cells (AT II) were isolated and treated with LPS. miR-145-5p was significantly down-regulated both in mice with acute lung injury and LPS-induced AT II cells. Dual luciferase assays confirmed miR-145-5p could target and regulate Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4). Further analysis showed that miR-145-5p overexpression decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced AT II cells. miR-145-5p overexpression also blocked the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in AT II cells. Finally, in ALI mouse model, miR-145-5p overexpression alleviated lung tissue injury, decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and reduced MPO activity. In conclusion, miR-145-5p participated in the progression and development of ALI by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB pathway and suppressing ROS accumulation, shedding light on miR-145-5p as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ALI.

[Predictive value of 3 different risk stratification models for patients after congenital heart surgeries]

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of 3 different risk stratification models including the risk adjustment in congenital heart surgery-1 (RACHS-1), Aristotle basic complexity (ABC), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for cardiothoracic surgery congenital heart surgery mortality score (STAT) risk scoring system for death and major complications in patients after congenital heart surgeries. Methods: A total of 3 578 patients (age<18 years old) received surgery for congenital heart diseases from January to December 2015 in Fuwai hospital were enrolled, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The congenital heart disease patients were 1.7 (0.8, 4.5) years old, and the male accounted for 54.3% (1 943 cases).Death after surgery and major complications including use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, bedside thoracotomy, peritoneal dialysis for renal failure, bedside hemofiltration for renal failure, tracheotomy, reoperation for mediastinum infection, reoperation for heart in hospital were observed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the predictive value for mortality after surgery and major complications with RACHS-1, ABC, and STAT risk scoring systems. Results: The mortality after surgery was 0.4% (14/3 578) , and the rate of major complications was 3.2% (113/3 578) . For mortality after surgery, areas under the ROC curve were 0.682 (95%CI 0.570-0.795, P=0.002), 0.722 (95%CI 0.612-0.832, P<0.001), and 0.753 (95%CI 0.659-0.847, P<0.001) with RACHS-1, ABC and STAT risk scoring systems, respectively. For major complications, areas under the ROC curve were 0.709 (95%CI 0.667-0.751, P<0.001), 0.743 (95%CI 0.702-0.784, P<0.001), and 0.731 (95%CI 0.693-0.770, P<0.001) with RACHS-1, ABC and STAT risk scoring systems, respectively. Conclusion: STAT risk scoring system is superior to RACHS-1 and ABC risk scoring systems on predicting death after surgery, and ABC risk scoring system is superior to RACHS-1 and STAT risk scoring systems on predicting major complications in Chinese patients with congenital heart disease in the single center.

Response of AMP-activated protein kinase and lactate metabolism of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under acute hypoxic stress

To study adaptation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to hypoxic stress, we investigated physiological responses and lactate metabolism of the fish under acute hypoxia. The objectives of this study were to (a) observe changes in glucose, glycogen, and lactate content; (b) detect the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, brain, heart, and liver tissues; and (c) quantify the dynamic gene expression of AMP activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), and lactate dehydrogenase-a (LDHa) following exposure to hypoxia. The fish were subjected to two hypoxia stresses (dissolved oxygen [DO] 1.20 ± 0.2 mg/L and 3.50 ± 0.3 mg/L, respectively) for 24 h. Our results showed that hypoxic stress significantly increased the decomposition of liver glycogen and significantly increased the concentration of blood glucose; however, the muscle glycogen content was not significantly decreased, which indicates that liver glycogen was the main energy source under acute hypoxia. Moreover, hypoxia led to accumulation of a large amount of lactic acid in tissues, possibly due to the activity of lactic acid dehydrogenase, but this process was delayed in the heart and brain relative to the liver. Additionally, hypoxia induced the expression of AMPKα, HIF-1α, MCT1, MCT4, and LDHa, suggesting that glycometabolism had switched from aerobic to anaerobic. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the response to hypoxia in largemouth bass.

[Genetic characteristic of hemagglutinin of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Guizhou Province in 2017]

The number of H7N9 bird flu cases was high and the situation was grim in guizhou province in 2017. To understand the molecular characteristics of the hemagglutinin gene (HA) and the risk of human infection with avian influenza virus A(H7N9) in Guizhou Province, 2017. Homology, genetic evolution and pivotal sites related to receptor binding regions, pathogenicity and potential glycosylation of 14 avian influenza viruses A(H7N9) were analyzed by a series of bioinformation softwares. It was cleared that there was 95.9%-100% similarity among 14 strains in nucleotide of the HA gene, and there were 96.8%-97.8% and 96.8%-97.9% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 14 HA genes were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they could be derived from five diffenrent strains. Then 13 of 14 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein revealed they were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, while A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017 was high pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutation G186V at the receptor binding sites in the HA was found in all 14 strains, and mutation Q226L in 13 strains besides A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017. All five potential glycosylation motifs in the HA were conservative.

Triple-shelled CuO/CeO2 hollow nanospheres derived from metal–organic frameworks as highly efficient catalysts for CO oxidation

Through a metal–organic framework engaged strategy, triple-shelled CuO/CeO₂-8% hollow nanospheres are fabricated as superior nanocatalysts for CO oxidation with excellent catalytic activity and cyclic stability.

Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay

We report a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation from the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment with nearly 4 million reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} inverse β decay candidates observed over 1958 days of data collection. The installation of a flash analog-to-digital converter readout system and a special calibration campaign using different source enclosures reduce uncertainties in the absolute energy calibration to less than 0.5% for visible energies larger than 2 MeV. The uncertainty in the cosmogenic ^{9}Li and ^{8}He background is reduced from 45% to 30% in the near detectors. A detailed investigation of the spent nuclear fuel history improves its uncertainty from 100% to 30%. Analysis of the relative ν[over ¯]_{e} rates and energy spectra among detectors yields sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0856±0.0029 and Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.471_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the normal hierarchy, and Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.575_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the inverted hierarchy.

[Analysis of the factors affecting the efficacy of (131)I remnant ablation in patients after thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the influential factors of efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy for thyroid remnant in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients after thyroidectomy. Methods: Eighty-nine PTMC patients who underwent twice (131)I ablation therapy and (131)I whole body follow-up scan ((131)I-WBS) within 5 to 8 months in our department from September 2007 to October 2016 were identified and enrolled in present study. Patients were divided into complete-ablation group and uncomplete-ablation group according to whether or not radioactivity was detected at the thyroid bed in (131)I-WBS. The χ(2) test and multi-variance Binary logistic regression were performed for the factors which might affect the therapeutic efficacy. Results: The first (131)I ablation therapy was successful in 41 of 89 patients (46.07%). Residual thyroid weight was found to be associated with therapeutic efficacy (P<0.05), while gender, age, surgical method, lesions'maximum diameter, with or without LN metastasis, with or without distant metastasis, time of operation from first (131)I treatment, lesions'number, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), the consistency of (131)I-WBS and (99)Tc(m)-pertechnatate, TNM stage, ATA risk, Tg/TSH ratio were not significant associated with therapeutic efficacy. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed in these respects and it indicated that residual thyroid weight and ATA risk were not statistically significant independent variable (P>0.05). Conclusions: Residual thyroid weight might affect efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy on thyroid remnant in PTMC patients after thyroidectomy, but it is not an independent factor. Multiple interrelated factors should be considered when predicting the efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy.

[Cloning expression and serological evaluation on Mycobacterium tuberculosis four new antigens]

Objective: To evaluate the serological diagnostic value of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis four new antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c and Rv1547. Methods:Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c and Rv1547 were amplified from M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA by using PCR, among which Rv1547 was divided into two segments for amplification (Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2). The segments were cloned into expression vector PET-32a while the recombinant proteins were purified by affinity chromatography. Serums were incubated with BL21 (DE3) proteins. Antibodies IgG against M. tuberculosis were tested with 151 serum samples (41 healthy people and 110 TB patients) by using ELISA. The diagnostic efficiency of antigens was analyzed by means of receiver operating characteristic curve. Difference of the objective proteins in TB patients and healthy controls was compared by t-test. Results: Recombinant antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2 were successfully expressed and purified. Results from ELISA showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Youden index and area under the curve of Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2, as 43.64%-92.73%, 80.49%-92.68%, 0.92-0.94, 0.38-0.80, 0.363-0.732 and 0.649-0.915. All the objective proteins showed significantly higher antibody levels in TB patients, when compared to the healthy controls (P<0.000 1). Conclusion: The newly identified antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2 all performed well when being used for TB serological diagnosis, thus were expected to be new candidate antigens used for TB diagnosis.

Risk factors for early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors related to ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. From January 2011 to December 2015, a single-center retrospective study including 200 SAH patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥48 h was performed. The clinical data of these patients were collected and analyzed. The age range of the patients were 41-63 and 72 (36%) were male. The Glasgow coma scale score range was 5-15 and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II range was 31-52. One hundred and forty-eight (74%) patients had a World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WNFS) score ≥III. Aneurysm was secured with an endovascular coiling procedure in 168 (84%) patients and 94 (47%) patients presented VAP. Male gender (OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.15-4.45), use of mannitol (OR=3.02, 95%CI=1.53-5.94) and enteral feeding above 20 kcal·kg-1·day-1 (OR=2.90, 95%CI=1.26-6.67) after day 7 were independent factors for VAP. Patients with early-onset VAP had a longer duration of sedation (P=0.03), MV (P=0.001) and ICU length of stay (P=0.003) and a worse Glasgow Outcome Scale score (P<0.001), but did not have a higher death rate.

[Clinical research of anxiety and depression state among patients suffered from sudden deafness with vertigo]

Objective:To offer the objective evidences for the diagnosis by analyzing anxiety and depression among patients with sudden deafness and vertigo and their possible causes. Method:Eighty patients with sudden deafness and vertigo of single ear as the observation group; 80 patients with sudden deafness without vertigo and 60 healthy people as control group.Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) are used for quantitative analysis and compare the results of each group score. Result:①The HAMA score of the deafness group with vertigo was significantly higher than that of the group without vertigo and the healthy group (P<0.01). The HAMD score of the deafness group with vertigo was significantly higher than that of the group without vertigo and the healthy group (P<0.01). ②There was correlation between HAMA and sex, age, duration of dizziness, tinnitus, DHI and efficacy grading (P<0.05). There was no correlation between HAMA and the mean hearing threshold, urban and rural distribution, ear fullness (P> 0.05). There was a correlation between HAMD and sex, age, tinnitus, DHI and efficacy grading (P<0.05). There was no correlation between HAMD and the mean hearing threshold, duration of dizziness, urban and rural distribution, ear fullness (P>0.05). Conclusion:There are anxiety and depression in patients with deafness and vertigo. It is mainly related to sex, age, dizziness duration, tinnitus, DHI and grade of efficacy. It is necessary to pay attention to the mental state of patients in clinical treatment. Psychological counseling or treatment can be used to improve clinical efficacy.

[Clinical research of features of magnetic resonance imaging of high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage]

Objective: To analyze the features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with high-voltage electrical burns, conforming to the study criteria, were hospitalized in our unit from March 2013 to August 2016. T(1) weighted imaging (T(1)WI), T(2)WI, fat-suppression T(2)WI plain scan, and fat-suppression T(1)WI enhanced scan of MRI were performed in 78 limbs, including 56 upper limbs and 22 lower limbs at post injury hour 72. The MRI signal characteristics of electrical burns in skin and subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, tendon, joint ligament, and skeleton of limbs were analyzed. " Sandwich-like" necrosis and injury in skeletal muscle, injuries of tendon, joint ligament, and skeleton were observed. MRI signal characteristics of amputated upper limbs and salvaged limbs were also analyzed. All patients underwent surgery within 24 h after MRI examination, and the muscle vitality was judged during operation. Muscle tissue without reaction to electrical stimulation which was completely necrotic as shown by MRI, muscle tissue with weak reaction to electrical stimulation which was injured with blood supply as shown by MRI, and muscle tissue with edema as shown by MRI were collected, and then the pathological characteristics of muscle tissue were observed with HE staining. Results: (1) The defect area of patients at entrance of current was bigger than that at exit. The skin and subcutaneous tissue extensively unevenly thickened. T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven enhancement. Zonal effusion was seen in the region of serious subcutaneous edema. (2) For complete necrosis of skeletal muscle, T(2)WI manifested hypointense, isointensity, or slight hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, slight hyperintensity, or mixed signal of isointensity and slight hyperintensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested most no enhancement area with clear boundary. The MRI signals of injured skeletal muscle could be divided into two types. Type Ⅰ signal was for partial necrotic muscle adjacent to the completely necrotic zone. T(2)WI manifested uneven hyperintensity or slight hyperintensity, with unclear boundary. T(1)WI manifested isointensity or slight hyperintensity. Fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested significant banding or laciness enhancement. Type Ⅱ signal was for deep muscle tissue far from the complete necrotic zone. T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or main isointensity mixed with hyperintensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven moderate or slight enhancement. Normal muscle signal, type Ⅰ signal, and type Ⅱ signal were all mixed with necrotic signal, showing " sandwich-like" change. For skeletal muscle edema, T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity and unclear boundary, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no obvious enhancement. (3) For complete necrosis of tendon, T(2)WI manifested isointensity or slight hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement. For tendon injury, T(2)WI manifested isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested slight enhancement. (4) Severe injury of wrist joint were manifested as complete necrosis of soft tissue around joint. T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity or isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement or slightly uneven enhancement. For completely destroyed wrist joints, the structures were not clear from outside to inside. T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity or isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense or isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement. For elbow injury, T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven enhancement. For knee injury, T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested slight enhancement. (5) For bone edema, T(2)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity. T(1)WI manifested isointensity, and fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested patchy enhancement. (6) MRI of amputated upper limbs showed necrosis signals, type Ⅰ signals, type Ⅱ signals, and mixed signals of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ in skeletal muscle. The necrosis signal and type Ⅰ signal area of the distal end were more than 50% greater than those of the lesion. The scope of the ecological tissue was large and the boundary was not clear. There were diffuse injuries in both anterior and posterior muscles, and the ulnar and radial artery pulsation disappeared in the upper limbs. The MRI of salvaged limbs were type Ⅰ signal, type Ⅱ signal, mixed signals of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ, and local necrosis signals of skeletal muscle. The type Ⅰ signal was the main type, and the distal end showed type Ⅱ signal. (7) For completely necrotic skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed loss of muscle viability, and pathological examination showed complete necrosis of striated muscle tissue. For injury area of skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed interecological muscle with activity worse than mormal muscle, and pathological examination showed normal muscle cells and muscle fiber mixed with necrotic striated muscle cells having karyopyknosis, with different degree of injury. For edema area of skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed swelling skeletal muscle and normal muscle vitality, and pathological examination showed striated muscle interstitial edema with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration. The manifestions of MRI were consistent with the results of surgical exploration and pathological examination. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle complete necrosis, injury, and edema could be preferably differentiated by MRI, and the definite scope and depth of electrical injury, the injury of skin, tendon, joint ligament, and bone could also be displayed well on MRI. It can provide objective imaging basis for the diagnosis of high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage, the establishment of clinical operation plan, and the judgment of intraoperative tissue vitality.

Surface nanotopography-induced favorable modulation of bioactivity and osteoconductive potential of anodized 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy mesh structure

The objective of the study described here is to fundamentally elucidate the biological response of 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy mesh structures that were surface modified to introduce titania nanotubes with an average pore size of ∼80 nm via an electrochemical anodization process from the perspective of enhancing bioactivity. The bioactivity of the mesh structures were analyzed through immersion test in simulated body fluid, which confirmed the nucleation and growth of fine globular nanoscale apatite on the nanoporous titania-modified (anodized) mesh structure surface, and agglomerated apatite with fine flakes of apatite crystals on as-fabricated mesh structure surface, that were rich in calcium and phosphorous. The cellular activity of bioactive anodized mesh structure was explored in terms of cell–material interactions involving adhesion, proliferation, synthesis of extracellular and intracellular proteins, differentiation, and mineralization. Cells adhered with a sheet-like morphology on as-fabricated mesh structure, whereas, on anodized mesh structure, numerous filopodia-like cellular extensions interacting with nanotube pores were observed. The formation of a bioactive nanoscale apatite, cell–nanotube interactions as imaged via electron microscopy, higher expression of proteins (actin, vinculin, fibronectin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), and calcium content points toward the determining role of anodized mesh structure in modulating osteoblasts functions. The unique combination of nanoporous bioactive titania and interconnected porous architecture of anodized titanium alloy mesh structure provided a multimodal roughness surface ranging from nano to micro to macroscale, which helps in attaining strong primary and secondary fixation of the implant device along with the pathway for supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells and tissue.

Acute hypoxic stress: Effect on blood parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and expression of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 genes in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) plays a crucial role in survival, growth, and normal physiological functions of aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in hypoxic stress and adaptation have not been fully elucidated in Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). To reveal the effect of acute hypoxia on Largemouth bass, we simulated acute hypoxia (DO: 1.2 ± 0.2 mg/L) in the laboratory and analyzed physiological parameters (RBCs, Hb, SOD, CAT, NA⁺/K⁺-ATPase, GPx, and MDA) and gene expression (HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1) in Largemouth bass exposed to various durations of acute hypoxia (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). Our results indicated that acute hypoxic exposure significantly increased RBCs but decreased Hb. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activity was enhanced significantly in the liver and muscles at the initial stage of acute hypoxic exposure, but decreased significantly in gills during the entire process of hypoxic exposure. Furthermore, the expression levels of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated in Largemouth bass under acute hypoxic exposure. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable basis for further elucidation of hypoxic adaptation and facilitates husbandry for an economically valuable species.