[Design of a multifunctional urine bag]

At present, there are many monitoring devices for vital signs parameters for clinical selection, but urine monitoring has not received enough attention. The traditional manual visual measurement, intermittent measurement of urine pH value, and other methods are still in use, so the authors designed a multifunctional urine bag. The urine bag can set up an alarm system per unit time according to patient's age and condition as well as set up urine pH value detection area in hard plastic measuring bottle. This device can not only accurately monitor urine volume per unit time, but also hopefully realize the alarm automation of abnormal urine volume per unit time, as well as real-time dynamic monitoring of urine pH value. It is helpful for medical staff to make accurate judgment on patients' condition changes, to guide the formulation and modification of clinical treatment plans, and to reduce the workload of clinical nursing staff to a certain extent.

Comparison of microRNAs in adipose and muscle tissue from seven indigenous Chinese breeds and Yorkshire pigs

Elucidation of the pig microRNAome is essential for interpreting functional elements of the genome and understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits. Here, we extracted small RNAs from skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, and we compared their expression levels between one Western breed (Yorkshire) and seven indigenous Chinese breeds. We detected the expression of 172 known porcine microRNAs (miRNAs) and 181 novel miRNAs. Differential expression analysis found 92 and 12 differentially expressed miRNAs in adipose and muscle tissue respectively. We found that different Chinese breeds shared common directional miRNA expression changes compared to Yorkshire pigs. Some miRNAs differentially expressed across multiple Chinese breeds, including ssc-miR-129-5p, ssc-miR-30 and ssc-miR-150, are involved in adipose tissue function. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs are associated mainly with signaling pathways rather than metabolic and biosynthetic processes. The miRNA-target gene and miRNA-phenotypic traits networks identified many hub miRNAs that regulate a large number of target genes or phenotypic traits. Specifically, we found that intramuscular fat content is regulated by the greatest number of miRNAs in muscle tissue. This study provides valuable new candidate miRNAs that will aid in the improvement of meat quality and production.

Biodegradation Profiles of Proanthocyanidin-Accumulating Alfalfa Plants Coexpressing Lc- bHLH and C1-MYB Transcriptive Flavanoid Regulatory Genes

The utilization of the nutrient potential of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) cannot be maximized because of its rapidly degradable protein content in the rumen, leading to waste and various digestive disorders. This might be alleviated if protein-binding proanthocyanidins are present in aerial parts of alfalfa forage in adequate amounts. The Lc (bHLH) and C1 (MYB) genes of maize are transcription factors known to be collectively involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Lc and C1 gene transformations on the proanthocyanidin content, nutrient composition, and degradation characteristics of proteins and carbohydrates by comparing the transgenic alfalfa with its parental nontransgenic (NT) alfalfa and commercial AC-Grazeland cultivar. The DNA extracted from transgenic plants was tested for the presence of respective transgenes by amplification with specific primers of respective transgenes using PCR. Both Lc-single and LcC1-double transgenic alfalfa accumulated both monomeric and polymeric proanthocyanidins with total proanthocyanidins ranging from ca. 460 to 770 μg/g of DM. The C1-transgenic alfalfa did not accumulate proanthocyanidins similar to NT alfalfa. The C1 gene increased the NPN content significantly only in C1-single and Lc1C1-double transgenic alfalfa. The LcC1 combination seemed to have a synergic effect on reducing sugar in alfalfa. In contrast, the Lc gene appears to have a negative effect on starch content. The C1 gene tended to lower the PB3 content irrespective of the presence of the Lc gene. Although the cotransformation of Lc and C1 increased the total N/CHO ratio compared to Lc single gene transformation, the total N/CHO ratio of transgenic alfalfa was not significantly different from NT. In conclusion, Lc-bHLH single and LcC1 double gene transformation resulted in the accumulation of proanthocyanidins and affected the chemical profiles in alfalfa, which altered ruminal degradation patterns and impacted the nutrient availability of alfalfa in ruminant livestock systems.

[Evaluation of bioceramic putty repairment in primary molars pulpotomy]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and effectiveness of bioceramic putty repairment (iroot BP Plus) used as pulp capping agents on pulpotomy in primary molars.

METHODS

Forty primary molars were treated by pulpotomy with bioceramic putty repairmen as the pulp capping agents at the Third Clinical Division of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, from September 2016 to September 2017. The children who were followed up over one year were selected as the subjects of this study. The teeth were checked clinically and radiographically during fixed intervals, and classified into one of five outcomes: N, H, P₀, P_X, P_Y. N, absence of clinical symptoms, and absence of apical radiolucency; H, absence of clinical symptoms, and nonpathologic radiographic change present; P₀, absence of clinical symptoms, and pathologic change present, no need for treatment; P_X, present or absence of clinical symptoms, pathologic change present treatment or extract immediately; P_Y, premature loss of deciduous tooth. Molars classified into N and H were regarded as successful, classified into P₀, P_X and P_Y were regarded as failed.

RESULTS

Followed up for 12-24 months (the average follow up time was 16months), thirty four children were finally included, aged from 3.1 years to 8.5 yaers (the average age was 4.3 years), forty primary molars were included. Thirty four primary molars were included into N group, with absence of clinical symptoms, absence of apical radiolucency. Two molars were included into H group with physiological root absorption. One molar was included into P₀group with absence of clinical symptoms butinternal absorption of the root. Three molars were included into P_X group, with gingival fistula and apical radiolucency. None was included into P_Y group. Thirty six teeth got successful treatment, four molars failed. One year success rate of pulpotomy of primary molars using bioceramic putty repairment was 95%.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that bioceramic putty repairment as a pulpotomy medicament showed satisfied clinical and radiographic result in pulpotomy of primary molars. Bioceramic putty repairment is an acceptable material when used in pulpotomy of primary molars.

Effect of Protein Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The loss of muscle mass, strength and function associated with increasing age has various health ramifications, including the elevated risk for falls, fractures, frailty, poor quality of life, and mortality. Several studies have confirmed the effects of protein supplementation and RT (resistance training) for this age-related change independently, but whether a combination of the two produces a stronger effect remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore whether a combination of protein supplementation and RT leads to reduction of muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly.

METHODS

We retrieved RCTs (randomized controlled trials) reporting the effects of protein supplementation combined with RT on muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly, published before May 2018 through PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and manual searches.

RESULTS

Twenty-one RCTs were included, involving 1,249 participants. The results showed that protein supplementation combine with RT significantly enhances the muscle mass and strength of the older adults, where FFM (fat-free mass) increased by 0.23 kg (95% CI: 0.09, 0.38; P=0.002), ASMM (appendicular skeletal muscle mass) by 0.39 kg (95% CI: 0.14, 0.64; P=0.002), handgrip strength by 0.29 kg (95% CI: 0.08, 0.50; P=0.008), knee extension strength by 0.27 kg (95% CI: 0.06, 0.47; P=0.013), leg press strength by 0.33 kg (95% CI: 0.01, 0.64; P=0.04), but no significant effects were seen on muscle function.

CONCLUSION

Compared to simple RT, protein supplementation combine with RT is more effective in enhancing the muscle mass and strength in the elderly, and the findings do not support the benefit of combination treatment for muscle function.

Radio frequency measurement and tuning of a 13 MeV Alvarez-type drift tube linac for a compact pulsed hadron source

This paper describes the radio frequency (RF) measurement and tuning result of a 13 MeV Alvarez-type drift tube linac (DTL) for a compact pulsed hadron source (CPHS) at Tsinghua University. The design, machining, assembly, and alignment of the DTL are presented for integrity. The CPHS project consists of a high-current proton linac (13 MeV, 16 kW, peak current of 50 mA, 0.5 ms pulse width at 50 Hz), a neutron target station, a small-angle neutron scattering instrument, and a neutron imaging/radiology station. The linac contains an electron cyclotron resonance ion source, a low energy beam transport line, a four-vane radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator, an Alvarez-type DTL, a high energy beam transport line, and a RF power supply and distributor. Construction on the CPHS started in June 2009, and the CPHS has provided 2000 h since 2013 to users with the neutrons produced by the 3 MeV proton beam from the radio frequency quadrupole bombarding on the beryllium target as an achievement of its mid-term objective. Presently, the tuning of the assembled DTL cavity has been completed successfully. The 4.3-m-long DTL consists of 40 accelerating cells, among which 39 full-length drift tubes (DTs) are suspended inside the cavity, and two half-length DTs are mounted inside the two end flanges of the cavity. Each DT contains a permanent magnet quadrupole. Thirteen post couplers and nine tuners are available for the tuning of the field. The relative error of the field after tuning is within ±1.6%, with a tilt sensitivity within ±33%/MHz in all cells. The beam energy will reach its designed value of 13 MeV after the DTL is installed in the beam line downstream the 3 MeV RFQ accelerator.

[Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of having a child with polydactyly: a case-control study]

Objective: The number of children with polydactyly is increasing. In addition to genetic factors, an influence of maternal behavior or environmental effects during pregnancy is becoming increasingly apparent. However, epidemiological data on these effects are lacking. Methods: This hospital-based, case-control study enrolled 143 infants with polydactyly and 286 controls without genetic diseases to evaluate the association between active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy and the likelihood of giving birth to a child with polydactyly. Results: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of giving birth to a child with polydactyly (active smoking: OR=4.74, 95%CI: 1.43-15.65, P=0.011; passive smoking: OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.32-4.44, P=0.004). After adjusting for confounders, smoking during pregnancy remained significant influence on polydactyly (active smoking: aOR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.72-30.72, P=0.007; passive smoking: aOR=2.41, 95%CI: 1.11-5.23, P=0.026). Conclusion: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to be a risk factor for polydactyly in newborns.

[Changes and clinical significance of γδT cells in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon α-2a treatment]

Objective: To observe the changes of γδT cells in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during pegylated interferon α-2a treatment, and to analyze the correlation between clinical indicators and curative effects. Methods: Peripheral blood of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients were collected at different time points of Peg-IFNα-2a treatment, including 17 patients at 0 weeks, 20 patients at 12 weeks, 20 patients at 24 weeks, and 16 patients at 48 weeks. From these 11 patients, blood samples were frequently observed at 0, 12, 24, and 48 weeks of treatment. The frequencies of γδT and its subpopulation cells Vδ1T, Vδ2T, effector memory γδT (γδTem), central memory γδT (γδTcm), initial γδT (γδTnaive) and terminal differentiation effect γδT (γδTeff) cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Liver function, serum HBV markers and HBV DNA levels were measured simultaneously. SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to analyze the differences in cell proportions at each treatment time point, and the correlation between cell proportions and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBsAg, HBeAg or HBV DNA levels. In addition, the correlation between the proportions of γδT and its subpopulation cells and the response to Peg-IFNα-2a treatment in the 11 patients with continuous follow-up were analyzed. Results: The percentage of γδT and Vδ2T cells in peripheral blood of patients with CHB decreased gradually during the period of 0-48 weeks of Peg-IFNα-2a treatment. The percentages of γδT cells and Vδ2T cells at 48 weeks were 6.89% (5%, 8.15%), 4.61% (2.16%, 6.50%), respectively; significantly lower than the 0 week [12.5% ​​(7.73%, 19%), 6.59% (3.86%, 13.62%)], the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The proportions of Vδ1T, γδTem, γδTcm, γδTnaive, or γδTeff subpopulations were not statistically different at each time points (all P > 0.05). At the same time, the levels of ALT, HBsAg, HBeAg or HBV DNA were positively correlated with the ratio of γδT or Vδ2T cells (P < 0.05). Among the 11 patients with continuous followed- up, the proportion of γδTem cells in responders was significantly lower than that of non-responders at each time points, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: The proportion of γδT cells in the course of CHB treatment with Peg-IFNα-2a reduces the liver inflammation by decreasing the replication of HBV virus. Chronic hepatitis B patients with a lower proportion of effector memory (γδTem) cells may be more likely to get better response with Peg-IFNα-2a.

Mast cell-dependent IL-33/ST2 signaling is protective against the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in a house dust mite mouse model of asthma

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and its receptor ST2 have been influentially associated with the pathophysiology of asthma. Due to the divergent roles of IL-33 in regulating mast cell functions, there is a need to further characterize IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses and their significance in the context of asthma. This study aimed to investigate how IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses contribute to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma. Mast cell-deficient C57BL/6-Kit^W-sh (Wsh) mice engrafted with either wild-type (Wsh + MC-WT) or ST2-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells (Wsh + MC-ST2KO) were exposed to HDM delivered intranasally. An exacerbated development of AHR in response to HDM was seen in Wsh + MC-ST2KO compared with Wsh + MC-WT mice. The contribution of this IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell response to AHR seems to reside within the smaller airways in the peripheral parts of the lung, as suggested by the isolated yet marked effect on tissue resistance. Considering the absence of a parallel increase in cellular inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung, the aggravated AHR in Wsh + MC-ST2KO mice seems to be independent of cellular inflammation. We observed an association between the elevated AHR and reduced PGE₂ levels in BALF_. Due to the protective properties of PGE₂ in airway responses, it is conceivable that IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell induction of PGE₂ could be responsible for the dampening effect on AHR. In conclusion, we reveal that IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses can have a protective, rather than causative role, in the development of AHR.

[The progress of studies on aqueous humor dynamics abnormality induced by trabecular meshwork and Schlemm canal endothelial cell senescence and its relation with glaucoma]

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world next to cataract. Aging is a strong risk factor leading to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP is associated with aqueous humor circulation. Trabecular meshwork cells and Schlemm canal endothelial cells, which form the conventional outflow pathway, play an important role in maintaining the IOP. Cell senescence induces abnormalities of the aqueous humor dynamics, leading to elevated IOP. Trabecular meshwork cells cause increased intrinsic stiffness, autophagy dysfunction, abnormal expression of microRNA and mitochondrial dysfunction with senescence. The senescence of Schlemm canal endothelial cells decreases cell permeability and mechanotransduction and disrupts the endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. The changes will increase aqueous humor outflow resistance and elevate IOP. This review discusses how cell senescence induces aqueous humor dynamics abnormalities and the relation with glaucoma. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 868-873).

Reproductive investments driven by sex and altitude in sympatric Populus and Salix trees

The sex ratios of co-existing Populus and Salix vary depending on altitude and species: 1:1 equlibrium sex ratios are observed at mid-altitude but skewed ones at high altitudes, where Populus shows male-biased and Salix female-biased sex ratios. However, the underlying ecological mechanisms are poorly known. Reproductive investments of Populus purdomii Rehd. and Salix magnifica Hemsl. were assessed at altitudes of 2000 and 2600 m in the Gongga Mountain by different metrics, including biomass, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and construction cost, and by estimating the payback time that combines energy gain and associated costs. Reproductive investment measured as C, N and P concentrations, and construction cost was higher in P. purdomii females at 2600 m. However, in S. magnifica, no difference was observed for biomass, C and N at 2600 m, but the investments for P and construction cost were even greater in males. The payback time showed no significant differences for the sexes at 2000 m, but it was shorter for P. purdomii males and S. magnifica females at 2600 m. We concluded that nutrient- and construction cost-based estimates of reproductive allocation can provide more informative insight into the cost of reproduction than does biomass, and together with the payback time they can supply an explanation for divergent sex ratios in Populus and Salix. Consequently, our results improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of sexual dimorphism in dioecious species.