Next Generation Driver for Attosecond and Laser-plasma Physics

The observation and manipulation of electron dynamics in matter call for attosecond light pulses, routinely available from high-order harmonic generation driven by few-femtosecond lasers. However, the energy limitation of these lasers supports only weak sources and correspondingly linear attosecond studies. Here we report on an optical parametric synthesizer designed for nonlinear attosecond optics and relativistic laser-plasma physics. This synthesizer uniquely combines ultra-relativistic focused intensities of about 10²⁰ W/cm² with a pulse duration of sub-two carrier-wave cycles. The coherent combination of two sequentially amplified and complementary spectral ranges yields sub-5-fs pulses with multi-TW peak power. The application of this source allows the generation of a broad spectral continuum at 100-eV photon energy in gases as well as high-order harmonics in relativistic plasmas. Unprecedented spatio-temporal confinement of light now permits the investigation of electric-field-driven electron phenomena in the relativistic regime and ultimately the rise of next-generation intense isolated attosecond sources.

Comparison of micro-CT and cone beam CT on the feasibility of assessing trabecular structures in mandibular condyle

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in assessing trabecular structures.

METHODS

Two human mandibles were scanned by micro-CT (Skyscan 1173 high-energy spiral scan micro-CT; Skyscan NV, Kontich, Belgium) and CBCT (3D Accuitomo 170; Morita, Japan). The CBCT images were reconstructed with 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses. The condylar images were selected for registration. A parallel algorithm for histogram computation was introduced to perform the registration. A mutual information (MI) value was used to evaluate the match between the images obtained from micro-CT and CBCT.

RESULTS

In comparison with the micro-CT image for the two samples, the CBCT image with 0.5 mm thickness has a MI value of 0.873 and 0.903 while that with 1.0 mm thickness has a MI value of 0.741 and 0.752. The CBCT images with 0.5 mm thickness were better matched with micro-CT images.

CONCLUSIONS

CBCT shows comparable accuracy with high-resolution micro-CT in assessing trabecular structures. CBCT can be a feasible tool to evaluate osseous changes of jaw bones.

Competitive benzyl cation transfer and proton transfer: collision-induced mass spectrometric fragmentation of protonated N,N-dibenzylaniline

Collision-induced dissociation of protonated N,N-dibenzylaniline was investigated by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Various fragmentation pathways were dominated by benzyl cation and proton transfer. Benzyl cation transfers from the initial site (nitrogen) to benzylic phenyl or aniline phenyl ring. The benzyl cations transfer to the two different sites, and both result in the benzene loss combined with 1,3-H shift. In addition, after the benzyl cation transfers to the benzylic phenyl ring, 1,2-H shift and 1,4-H shift proceed competitively to trigger the diphenylmethane loss and aniline loss, respectively. Deuterium labeling experiments, substituent labeling experiments and density functional theory calculations were performed to support the proposed benzyl cation and proton transfer mechanism. Overall, this study enriches the knowledge of fragmentation mechanisms of protonated N-benzyl compounds. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Application of spontaneous acrosome reaction of sperm in prediction of outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical application of spontaneous acrosome reaction (AR) rate of sperm in predicting the outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODS

The spontaneous AR rate of the sperm of patients who underwent IVF-ET treatment in our center during the period from November to December 2014 were studied. The cut-off value from 6% to 12% were set and analyzed its association between the IVF-ET outcomes (including fertility rates, normal fertilization rates and high-quality embryo rates). For those who underwent fresh embryo transplantation, the rates of chemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy were calculated, and compared the spontaneous AR rates and quantity of acrosomal enzyme according to the pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

There were 202 patients in this study and the mean spontaneous AR rate was 5.99%±5.18%. For patients with the spontaneous AR rate ≥9% versus <9%, the fertility rate, normal fertilization rate and high-quality embryo rate were 81.33% vs 83.85%, 60.53% vs 60.99%, and 51.10% vs 59.67%, respectively, with statistically significant difference in the high-quality embryo rate (P=0.02). For patients who underwent fresh embryo transplantation, when comparison was made between those with spontaneous AR rate ≥8% and those <8%, the rate of chemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy were 48.57% (17/35) vs 69.64% (78/112) and 37.14% (13/35) vs 63.39% (71/112), respectively, both with statistically significant difference (P=0.02 and P<0.01). The patients with clinical pregnancy had lower spontaneous AR rate than those without clinical pregnancy (5.41%±3.87% vs 7.40%±6.79%, P=0.04), while the quantity of acrosomal enzyme showed no significant difference [(131.79±68.50) vs (153.62±59.59) μU/10(6,) P=0.06]. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated association between spontaneous AR rates and clinical pregnancy (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.87-0.99, P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The spontaneous AR rate of sperm may have clinical significance in predicting the outcome of IVF-ET, as it is reversely correlated with IVF high-quality embryo rate and pregnancy rate. The quantity of acrosomal enzyme may not have significant predictive value for the outcome of IVF.

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-associated Protein 4 Acts on Local Draining Lymph Nodes in the Allogeneic Abdominal Skin Flap of a Rat Model to Extend Its Survival

BACKGROUND

Early acute allograft rejection is the result of immune cells mainly composed of thymocyte (T) cells, which are activated, mature, and differentiate in lymphoid tissue.

METHODS

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) competitively suppresses the cluster of differentiation 28/CTLA4-B7 costimulatory signaling pathway and alters the ratio of T helper 1 to T helper 2, leading to the inhibition of T cell activation.

RESULTS

We used lentivirus-packed CTLA4-Ig to infect the local draining lymph nodes of the allograft skin flap in a rat model, which effectively extended the survival of the allograft. Meanwhile, it also reduced the dose of immunosuppressant necessary in the early stages of transplantation, which lowered the toxicity and side effects of the drug.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide new insights into transplantation immunology, facilitate the exploration of a safe and effective immunosuppressive therapy, and promote the wide clinical application of composite tissue allotransplantation.

Correlation of genetic results with testicular histology, hormones and sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia patients with testis biopsy

To investigate the frequency and types of genetic results in different testicular histology of patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), and correlated with hormones and sperm retrieval (SR), a retrospective study was conducted in 286 Chinese NOA patients who underwent testis biopsy and 100 age-matched fertile men as the control group. Chromosome karyotype analyses were performed by the peripheral blood chromosome G-band detection method. Screening of Y chromosome microdeletions of azoospermia factor (AZF) region was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 11 sequence-tagged sites (STS). The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone (T) and the appearance of scrotal ultrasound were also obtained. In 286 cases of NOA, 14.3% were found to have chromosomal alterations. The incidence of chromosomal abnormality was 2.8%. Sex chromosomal abnormalities were seen in six cases (four cases of Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY) and two cases of mosaics). The incidence of polymorphic chromosomal variants was 3% in the normal group and 11.5% in the NOA group. In total, 15.7% of NOA patients were found to have AZF microdeletions and AZF (c + d) was the most frequent one. The results of hormone and SR were found to be significantly different among all testicular histological types, whereas no significant differences were found when it comes to genetic alterations. It is concluded that the rate of cytogenetic alterations was high in NOA patients. So screening for chromosomal alterations and AZF microdeletions would add useful information for genetic counselling in NOA patients with testis biopsy and avoid vertical transmission of genetic defects by assisted reproductive technology.

The influence of testicular microlithiasis on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation in a Chinese Han population

To investigate the influence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), we retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonography results of the TM patients who underwent IVF treatment in our hospital. They were classified as classic-TM (CTM) or limited-TM (LTM) comparing with patients without TM (Non-TM). Semen parameters, rates of fertilisation, normal fertilisation, good embryos and clinical pregnancy were analysed. The Non-TM group showed higher percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa than the CTM or LTM group (4.08 ± 2.07 versus 3.40 ± 2.00 versus 3.04 ± 1.66, p = .003) while the other general semen parameters were comparable. The LTM group showed higher rate of fertilisation than the CTM group (85.10% versus 81.12%, p = .044). Moreover, the rates of normal fertilisation of Non-TM (62.47%) and LTM (66.32%) group were significantly higher than the CTM (58.02%) group (p = .027 and p = .001 respectively). There were 333 embryo transfer cycles in total (including 222 fresh and 111 frozen). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 54.95%, 58.33% and 64.12% in the group of CTM, LTM and Non-TM respectively. However, no statistically significant difference was obtained (p = .326). Our results suggest that TM may have influence on the IVF outcomes. The extent of microlithiasis correlates inversely with the rates of fertilisation and normal fertilisation.

Correlation of acetabular chondrocyte apoptosis with caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression in developmental dislocations of the hip

This study aimed to determine whether abnormal apoptosis is present in acetabular cartilage in early developmental dislocations of the hip (DDH), and if so, whether it is correlated with the expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2. DDH was induced in 24 4-week-old New Zealand white rabbits. Acetabular cartilage specimens from the experimental and control groups were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Animals from the experimental group developed acetabular dysplasia. Apoptotic chondrocytes were observed by ultrastructural electron microscopy and H&E. TUNEL assays revealed significantly greater acetabular chondrocyte apoptosis in the treated samples as compared to the control. Significantly higher caspase-3 expression and lower Bcl-2 expression were also measured in the DDH group compared with the control. We conclude that excessive apoptosis does occur in acetabular cartilage with DDH, and is positively correlated with high caspase-3 expression as well as low Bcl-2 expression.

High levels of glucose promote the activation of hepatic stellate cells via the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway

The relationship between the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signal pathway and high glucose-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation was investigated in this study. Sixty human HSC samples were randomly selected and used in the control (cultured normally), high-glucose (cultured in the presence of high glucose), and blocking (cultured under high-glucose conditions in the presence of the p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580) groups. The cells were incubated for 120 h and subsequently analyzed for morphological changes by inverted microscopy and for a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) expression (to determine the degree of HSC activation) by the method of streptavidin-biotin complex and western blot. Phospho-p38-MAPK protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. a-SMA and phospho-p38-MAPK expression was significantly upregulated in HSCs cultured under high-glucose conditions, compared to the HSCs cultured normally (P < 0.01). On the other hand, phospho-p38-MAPK and a-SMA protein levels were significantly lower in the blocking group compared to the high-glucose group (P < 0.01). Based on these results, we concluded that high-glucose levels induce HSC activation mediated by phospho-p38-MAPK. Therefore, blocking the p38-MAPK signal pathway could inhibit this effect.

E3 Ubiquitin ligase RNF126 regulates the progression of tongue cancer

This study aims to analyze the role of RNF126 in the oncogenesis of tongue cancer. The cell proliferation and viability of human tongue cancer cells, SCC25 and SCC9 cells, were determined by cell counting and MTT assay, respectively. The effect of RNF126 on regulating AKT signaling pathway was analyzed through western blotting. The transplantation tumor model of nude mice was used to evaluate the tumorigenecity of RNF126. Knockdown of RNF126 inhibited the proliferation and viability of SCC9 and SCC25 cells. Inhibition of RNF126 also decreased the activity of AKT1 as well as its downstream molecules. Furthermore, RNF126 regulated the tumor volume on mice model. These data suggested that RNF126 might be related to the progression of tongue cancer through regulating AKT signaling pathway.

Impact of common SNPs in VEGF gene on the susceptibility of osteosarcoma

We conducted a case-control study to assess the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -634G/C, +936C/T, and +1612G/A genetic variations in the development of osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. This hospital-based case-control study examined 130 patients with osteosarcoma and 130 age- and gender-matched healthy controls from March 2011 and March 2013. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to assess the VEGF -634G/C, +936C/T, and +1612G/A gene polymorphisms. Using conditional regression analysis, individuals carrying the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T were found to be correlated with an elevated risk of osteosarcoma, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.70 (1.02-8.28). In conclusion, our study suggests that the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T genetic variants is associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma.

Haemocyanin is essential for embryonic development and survival in the migratory locust

Haemocyanins are commonly known as copper-containing oxygen carriers within the haemolymph of arthropods, and have been found in many orders of insects. However, it remains unresolved why haemocyanins persist in insects that possess elaborate tracheal systems for oxygen diffusion to cells. Here we identified haemocyanins in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria that consists of two distinct subunits, Hc1 and Hc2. Genomic sequence analysis indicated that Hc1 and Hc2 have four and three gene copies, respectively, which may have evolved via gene duplication followed by divergent evolution of introns. The two subunits exhibit abundant and embryonic-specific expression at the mRNA and protein level; their expression peaks in the mid-term embryo and is not detectable in the late nymphal and adult stages. A larger proportion of the haemocyanins is present in the yolk compared with that in the embryo. Immunostaining shows that haemocyanins in the embryo are mainly expressed in the epidermis. Knockdown of Hc1 and Hc2 results in significant embryonic developmental delay and abnormality as well as reduced egg hatchability, ie the proportion of hatched eggs. These results reveal a previously unappreciated and fundamental role for haemocyanins in embryonic development and survival in insects, probably involving the exchange of molecules (eg O2 ) between the embryo and its environment.

Investigating the Potential of Amnion-Based Scaffolds as a Barrier Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration

Guided bone regeneration is a new concept of large bone defect therapy, which employs a barrier membrane to afford a protected room for osteogenesis and prevent the invasion of fibroblasts. In this study, we developed a novel barrier membrane made from lyophilized multilayered acellular human amnion membranes (AHAM). After decellularization, the AHAM preserved the structural and biomechanical integrity of the amnion extracellular matrix (ECM). The AHAM also showed minimal toxic effects when cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as evidenced by high cell density, good cell viability, and efficient osteogenic differentiation after 21-day culturing. The effectiveness of the multilayered AHAM in guiding bone regeneration was evaluated using an in vivo rat tibia defect model. After 6 weeks of surgery, the multilayered AHAM showed great efficiency in acting as a shield to avoid the invasion of the fibrous tissues, stabilizing the bone grafts and inducing the massive bone growth. We hence concluded that the advantages of the lyophilized multilayered AHAM barrier membrane are as follows: preservation of the structural and mechanical properties of the amnion ECM, easiness for preparation and handling, flexibility in adjusting the thickness and mechanical properties to suit the application, and efficiency in inducing bone growth and avoiding fibrous tissues invasion.

Intake of water and different beverages in adults across 13 countries

Purpose

To describe the intake of water and all other fluids and to evaluate the proportion of adults exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on energy intake from free sugar, solely from fluids.

Methods

A total of 16,276 adults (46 % men, mean age 39.8 years) were recruited in 13 countries from 3 continents. A 24-h fluid-specific record over 7 days was used for fluid assessment.

Results

In Spain, France, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and China, fluid intake was characterised by a high contribution of water (47–78 %) to total fluid intake (TFI), with a mean water intake between 0.76 and 1.78 L/day, and a mean energy intake from fluids from 182 to 428 kcal/day. Between 11 and 49 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendations, considering solely fluids. In Germany, UK, Poland and Japan, the largest contributors to TFI were hot beverages (28–50 %) and water (18–32 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged from 415 to 817 kcal/day, and 48–62 % of adults exceeded free sugar WHO recommendations. In Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the contribution of juices and regular sugar beverages (28–41 %) was as important as the water contribution to TFI (17–39 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged 565–694 kcal/day, and 60–66 % of the adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation.

Conclusions

The highest volumes recorded in most of the countries were for water, mean energy intake from fluids was up to 694 kcal/day, and 66 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation solely by fluids. Actions to create an environment in favour of water consumption and reduce sugar intake from fluids therefore are warranted.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0952-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A novel multivariate scoring system for determining the prognosis of lymph node-negative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following surgical therapy: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Identifying patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with negative prognostic factors, which have an extremely low survival rate, has been problematic.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical data for 648 patients with lymph node-negative ESCC who were treated at the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center from 1990 to 2005. Survival difference was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We identified advancing age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), surgical procedure, tumor location, number of resected lymph nodes, poor tumor differentiation, and surgical stage as independent prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, based on the results of multivariate analysis, we constructed a novel scoring system that included the factors of age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, number of resected lymph nodes, tumor differentiation, and surgical stage. Risk score (RS) was computed with the scoring system, and patients were divided into Class A (RS: 0-5) and Class B (RS: 6-10). P < 0.001 indicated statistical significance. A significant difference (p < 0.001) demonstrated that Class B was strongly related to a low survival rate and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

We developed a new simple flexible scoring system of high prognostic significance, which has the potential to guide postoperative therapeutic strategies and follow-up frequency and to provide better prognostic information for patients and their families.