[Molecular biological and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus in children with bronchiolitis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)bronchiolitis and molecular biological characteristics of RSV in children in Beijing. Method: In a systematic retrospective study, 2 296 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected from children diagnosed with bronchiolitis from July 2006 to June 2016 for respiratory virus screening using direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA). For specimens positive for RSV, subgroup A or B was confirmed by real time RT-PCR and genotype of RSV was determined by amplifying the full G glycoprotein gene and sequencing. Clinical data were evaluated by the modified Tal score to compare the severity between RSV subtypes, as well as genotypes. Statistical analyses were performed using t test, Mann-Whitney U test and χ(2) test. Result: In 2 296 bronchiolitis cases, 961(41.9%) were RSV positive, including 719(74.8%) RSV A and 236 (24.6%) RSV B. The dominant RSV subtype changed from year to year: A-A-B-B-A-A-B-AB-A-AB and more bronchiolitis cases were identified in RSV A dominant years. Six genotypes of RSV A (NA1, NA2, NA3, NA4, GA5 and ON1) and 5 genotypes of RSV B (BA3, BA7, BA9, BA10 and CB1) were prevalent in Beijing. The dominant genotypes of RSV A were NA1 (55.9%) with high rates (50.0%-100%) before 2014 and ON1 (39.1%), mainly detected after 2014, while BA9 (90.6%) was the absolute dominant RSV B genotype. No significant difference in the severity of bronchiolitis was shown between cases of RSV A and B. Children positive for NA1 were more likely to stay longer in hospital (Median time: 8 days) compared to the group positive for ON1(Median time: 6 days ) (U=1.035, P=0.005) and had higher proportion of moderate to severe degree symptoms (Moderate: 41.0%, Severe: 10.0%) compared with ON1 group (Moderate: 22.9%, Severe: 4.3%) (U=9.785, P=0.008). In the group positive for ON1, more children had fever (ON1: 38.6%, NA1: 15.0%) (χ(2)=11.064, P=0.001) and more were younger than 3 months(ON1: 54.3%, NA1: 33.0%) (χ(2)=77.408, P<0.001). Conclusion: The dominant RSV subgroup changed from year to year with a shifting pattern. The correlation between RSV genotypes and the severity of disease was documented in the study.

[Prevalence characteristics of influenza viruses in children in Beijing during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 influenza seasons]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence characteristics of influenza viruses in children in Beijing during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 influenza seasons.

METHOD

Throat swabs were collected weekly from children with influenza-like illnesses who visited in Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics during the period from September 2014 to May 2016.Influenza viruses A and B viruses were detected by real-time RT-PCR, followed by identification of H3N2, H1N1pdm, B/Victoria-like and B/Yamagata-like.The prevalence characteristics of influenza viruses was estimated by means of descriptive statistics.The t test and chi-square test were used to compare median age and gender ratio of infected children among different types of influenza viruses.

RESULT

Out of 1 821 throat swabs collected, 139 (7.6%) were positive for H3N2 and 43 (2.4%) for H1N1pdm and 204 (11.2%) for influenza B virus, including 108 for B/Victoria-like and 96 for B/Yamagata-like.The median age of H1N1pdm infected children ((3.3±2.2) years) was significantly younger than that of H3N2 ((4.7±3.2) years) and influenza B virus((4.9±2.8) years) (H1N1pdm vs. H3N2: t=2.848, P=0.002; H1N1pdm vs. influenza B, t=3.682, P=0.000). Two epidemic peaks were presented in 2014-2015 influenza season, dominated definitely by H3N2 and B/Yamagata-like, respectively, while one delayed peak started at the 51(st) week, 2015, co-circulated with H3N2, H1N1pdm and influenza B viruses, among which B/Victoria-like virus was predominant during the 2015-2016 season.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence characteristics of influenza viruses are different between 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 influenza seasonal epidemics in children in Beijing. It is important to monitor the genetic variations of influenza viruses and to keep close attention to influenza B virus as well as influenza A virus.

[Less common variants association study and statistical analysis]

In the past decade, based on the "common disease-common variant" hypothesis, genomewide association studies (GWAS) have been extensively used to dissect the genetic components of complex diseases and quantitative traits. However, the identified disease-associated common variants by GWASs can only explain small part of the corresponding disease heritability. "Common disease-rare variant" hypothesis has been proposed to explore the missed heritability. With the development of the next generation sequencing technology, various association studies of less common variants are ongoing. This paper provides an overview of the study designs and statistical tests of these variants.

Measurement of D^{0} Azimuthal Anisotropy at Midrapidity in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report the first measurement of the elliptic anisotropy (v_{2}) of the charm meson D^{0} at midrapidity (|y|<1) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurement was conducted by the STAR experiment at RHIC utilizing a new high-resolution silicon tracker. The measured D^{0} v_{2} in 0%-80% centrality Au+Au collisions can be described by a viscous hydrodynamic calculation for a transverse momentum (p_{T}) of less than 4  GeV/c. The D^{0} v_{2} as a function of transverse kinetic energy (m_{T}-m_{0}, where m_{T}=sqrt[p_{T}^{2}+m_{0}^{2}]) is consistent with that of light mesons in 10%-40% centrality Au+Au collisions. These results suggest that charm quarks have achieved local thermal equilibrium with the medium created in such collisions. Several theoretical models, with the temperature-dependent, dimensionless charm spatial diffusion coefficient (2πTD_{s}) in the range of ∼2-12, are able to simultaneously reproduce our D^{0} v_{2} result and our previously published results for the D^{0} nuclear modification factor.

[Clinical value of a rapid respiratory syncytial virus antigen detection in point-of-care testing]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of a rapid respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen detection in point-of-care testing (POCT). Method: A total of 209 specimens, including 78 throat swabs (TS) and 131 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs), were collected from inpatients who visited the Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics and were diagnosed as acute respiratory infection from 5 January to 7 February, 2015. These specimens were tested for RSV by a rapid antigen detection kit which was compared with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) for RSV detection. Result: Compared with DFA for NPAs, the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen detection were 83.9% and 97.3%, respectively, with Kappa value of 0.86; Compared with RT-PCR, the sensitivity (NPAs, 74.2%; TS, 77.8%) and specificity (NPAs, 100.0%; TS, 92.0%) of rapid antigen detection were high, too, with Kappa value of 0.74 in NPAs and 0.62 in TS. However, the RSV positive rate of rapid antigen detection in TS (21.7%) from pediatric patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection was lower than that in NPAs (78.3%), as well as that of RT-PCR (7.3% in TS verse 78% in NPAs). The RSV rapid antigen detection kit can be finished in about 10 minutes. Conclusion: With characteristics of high specificity, high sensitivity, being rapid, efficient and easy to operate in comparison with DFA and RT-PCR, RSV rapid antigen detection in this study is suitable for POCT. For pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infection, NPA was better than TS for RSV detection.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibition increases BCL-2 dependence and enhances sensitivity to venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Although the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib has transformed the management of patients with CLL, it does not induce substantial apoptosis in vitro, and as such the mechanisms underlying its ability to kill CLL cells are not well understood. Acalabrutinib, a more specific BTK inhibitor now in development, also appears to be highly effective in CLL, but the connection of its mechanism with CLL cell death is also unclear. Using dynamic BH3 profiling, we analyzed alterations in the function of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway induced by ibrutinib and acalabrutinib. We studied CLL patient samples treated ex vivo with both drugs, as well as primary samples from CLL patients on clinical trials of both drugs. We found that BTK inhibition enhances mitochondrial BCL-2 dependence without significantly altering overall mitochondrial priming. Enhancement of BCL-2 dependence was accompanied by an increase in the pro-apoptotic protein BIM. In contrast, treatment with the selective BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax enhanced overall mitochondrial priming without increasing BCL-2 dependence. Pre-treatment of CLL cells with either BTK inhibitor, whether ex vivo or in vivo in patients, enhanced killing by venetoclax. Our data suggest that BTK inhibition enhances mitochondrial BCL2 dependence, supporting the ongoing development of clinical trials combining BTK and BCL-2 inhibition.

Charge-Dependent Directed Flow in Cu+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of charge-dependent directed flow in Cu+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The results are presented as a function of the particle transverse momentum and pseudorapidity for different centralities. A finite difference between the directed flow of positive and negative charged particles is observed that qualitatively agrees with the expectations from the effects of the initial strong electric field between two colliding ions with different nuclear charges. The measured difference in directed flow is much smaller than that obtained from the parton-hadron-string-dynamics model, which suggests that most of the electric charges, i.e., quarks and antiquarks, have not yet been created during the lifetime of the strong electric field, which is of the order of, or less than, 1  fm/c.

On the mechanism of gas adsorption for pristine, defective and functionalized graphene

Defects are no longer deemed an adverse aspect of graphene.

Anticoagulation endpoints with clinical implementation of warfarin pharmacogenetic dosing in a real-world setting: A proposal for a new pharmacogenetic dosing approach

Achieving therapeutic anticoagulation efficiently with warfarin is important to reduce thrombotic and bleeding risks and is influenced by genotype. Utilizing data from a diverse population of 257 patients who received VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genotype-guided warfarin dosing, we aimed to examine genotype-associated differences in anticoagulation endpoints and derive a novel pharmacogenetic nomogram to more optimally dose warfarin. We observed significant differences across patients with 0, 1, or ≥2 reduced-function VKORC1 or CYP2C9 alleles, respectively, in time to achieve therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) (7.8 ± 5.8, 7.2 ± 4.7, and 5.4 ± 4.6 days, P = 0.0004) and mean percentage of time in therapeutic range in the first 28 days (22.2, 27.8, and 32.2%, P = 0.0127) with use of existing pharmacogenetic algorithms. These data suggest that more aggressive dosing is necessary for patients with 0 to 1 VKORC1/CYP2C9 variants to more efficiently achieve therapeutic anticoagulation. Herein, we provide a novel kinetic/pharmacodynamic-derived dosing nomogram optimized for a heterogeneous patient population.

[Analysis of association of human 8-oxoguanine giycosylase 1 polymorphism with the susceptibility of laryngeal cancer]

Objective: To study the association between human 8-oxoguanine giycosylase 1 (hOGG1) gene polymorphisms and the risk of laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: A total of 86 patients with laryngeal carcinoma treated in The Air Force General Hospital and the Bozhou People's Hospital of Anhui Province from Jan 2010 to Dec 2014 were included in experimental group, and 86 healthy adults were selected as control group. The hOGG1 gene polymorphisms of subjects in two group were detected with by polymerase chain reaction amplification and gene sequencing technology, the differences in hOGG1 gene polymorphisms between two groups were analyzed. Results: The frequencies of hOGG1 gene heterozygous type (Ser/Cys) and mutant type (Cys/Cys) in experimental group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05). Compared to individuals with hOGG1 gene Ser/Ser, individuals with hOGG1 gene Ser/Cys had a 2.97-fold increased risk of laryngeal carcinoma, and individuals with hOGG1 gene Cys/Cys had a 8.09-fold increased risk of laryngeal carcinoma. Stratified by smoking or not, it was found that the proportion of heterozygous type or mutant type in smokers was higher significantly than non-smokers (P<0.05). Conclusion: Individuals with hOGG1 gene heterozygous type (Ser/Cys) or mutant type (Cys/Cys) have a higher risk of laryngeal carcinoma, with interaction between these gene types and smoking, and the gene types could be used as predictors for the occurrence of laryngeal carcinoma.

[Breast lymphoma ultrasound image and clinical pathological analysis]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between different image sonographic findings and different pathological breast lymphoma. Methods: A total of 24 patients of breast lymphoma from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University who were confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed between January 2006 and December 2015.All the ultrasound and clinical pathologic features of relevant information were collected to observe the pathological changes of ultrasonographic performance. Results: Ultrasonic image can be divided into mass type and diffuse typpe .There were 10 cases of diffuse type (10/24, 41.7%), 14 cases of mass type (14/24, 58.3%) .Pathology was given priority to diffuse large B lymphoma .Sonographic findings of different classification were based on pathological histology, which were related with the lymphoma cells infiltrating location, degree, scope and different stages of progression.Mass type and diffuse type were different in the lesion range comparison.Secondary and primary breast lymphoma in ultrasound performance type had no significant difference. There were differences in the lesion distribution comparison. Conclusion: Breast lymphoma have different sonographic features based on histological features.

Investigation on the nasal airflow characteristics of anterior nasal cavity stenosis

We used a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to study the inspiratory airflow profiles of patients with anterior nasal cavity stenosis who underwent curative surgery, by comparing pre- and postoperative airflow characteristics. Twenty patients with severe anterior nasal cavity stenosis, including one case of bilateral stenosis, underwent computed tomography (CT) scans for CFD modelling. The pre- and postoperative airflow characteristics of the nasal cavity were simulated and analyzed. The narrowest area of the nasal cavity in all 20 patients was located within the nasal valve area, and the mean cross-sectional area increased from 0.39 cm² preoperative to 0.78 cm² postoperative (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the mean airflow velocity in the nasal valve area decreased from 6.19 m/s to 2.88 m/s (P<0.01). Surgical restoration of the nasal symmetry in the bilateral nasal cavity reduced nasal resistance in the narrow sides from 0.24 Pa^.s/mL to 0.11 Pa^.s/mL (P<0.01). Numerical simulation of the nasal cavity in patients with anterior nasal cavity stenosis revealed structural changes and the resultant patterns of nasal airflow. Surgery achieved balanced bilateral nasal ventilation and decreased nasal resistance in the narrow region of the nasal cavity. The correction of nasal valve stenosis is not only indispensable for reducing nasal resistance, but also the key to obtain satisfactory curative effect.

In situ characterization of structural dynamics in swelling hydrogels

Characterizing the structural morphology and the local viscoelastic properties of soft complex systems raises significant challenges. Here we introduce a dynamic light scattering method capable of in situ, continuous monitoring of structural changes in evolving systems such as swelling gels. We show that the inherently non-stationary dynamics of embedded probes can be followed using partially coherent radiation, which effectively isolates only single scattering contributions even during the dramatic changes in the scattering regime. Using a simple and robust experimental setup, we demonstrate the ability to continuously monitor the structural dynamics of chitosan hydrogels formed by the Ag(+) ion-triggered gelation during their long-term swelling process. We demonstrate that both the local viscoelastic properties of the suspending medium and an effective cage size experienced by diffusing probe particles loaded into the hydrogel can be recovered and used to describe the structural dynamics of hydrogels with different levels of cross-linking. This characterization capability is critical for defining and controlling the hydrogel performance in different biomedical applications.

[Clinical and electroencephalographic analysis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDAR encephalitis) in children.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and EEG data of 105 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis treated in Beijing Children's Hospital (August 2011-March 2015). Of the 105 patients, 38 were male and 67 were female.The age of onset was from 6 months and 26 days to 15 years and 8 months (average (8±4)years). The time for confirmed diagnosis was from 4 days to 850 days (median 24.5 days). According to the modified Rankin scales, the patient's clinical conditions were assessed and underwent continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring.The data were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULT

Based on the severity of the disease, the 105 patients were divided into three groups: mild group (12 cases), moderate group (65 cases), and severe group (28 cases). There were 91 cases(86.7%)with abnormal EEG patterns, including 28 cases (26.7%) with slow background activity in EEG, 25 cases (23.8%) with generalized or diffuse slow waves, 33 cases (31.4%) had focal slow waves, 41 cases (39.0%) had epileptic waves; 10 cases (9.5%) showed unilateral or diffuse alpha-theta band rhythms in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, 7 cases (6.7%) showed extreme delta brush waves (EDB). Accordingly, the number of patients with abnormal EEG in mild, moderate and severe groups was 5, 58 (89.2%) and 28(100.0%). Seven patients with EDB phenomenon were all in the severe group, and 10 patients with abnormal alpha-theta band rhythms were in the moderate group.

CONCLUSION

In children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, the EEG patterns are in line with the changes of EEG in general encephalitis.The extent of EEG abnormalities correlates with the clinical severity of the disease. Extreme delta brush and alpha-theta band rhythms may be suggestive of diagnosis and clinical assessment of the disease.

[Outcomes of total deafness type of idiopathic suddendeafness in different ages]

Objective:This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of hearing recovery in the complete deafness type of SSNHL(≥81 dBHL) in patients with different ages.Method:Clinical outcomes of 179 total deafness type of idiopathic sudden deafness were compared.Patients were divided into 5 groups according to age,they were,pediatric group(13 years or less),youthful group(14-44 years),middle-aged group(45-59 years),presenium group(60-74 years),senectitude group(75 years or higher).Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the initial degree of hearing loss: 81 dB group (81-89 dBHL),90 dB group(90- 99 dBHL),100 dB group(100 dBHL or higher).Routine comprehensive treatment including corticosteroids,the inner ear microcirculation improvement drugs,neurotrophic drugs,saturationoxygen and hyperbaric oxygen therapy,etc.was applied.Patients were treated in accordance with the age and body weight.Result:The percentage of youthful group(83/179,46.4%) was highest(P<0.05),middle-aged group(57/179,31.8%)followed(P<0.05),presenium group(26/179,14.5%)was lower(P<0.05),pediatric group(8/179,4.5%) and senectitude group(5/179,2.8%)were the lowest.No a complete recovery in either pediatric group or senectitude group.A complete recovery was rare in the other groups.Recovery rate of the different aged groups was similar(P>0.05).The percentage of 100 dB group(108/179,60.3%) was highest(P<0.05).The percentage of 81 dB group(39/179,21.8%)was similar to 90 dB group(32/179,17.9%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate was similar in 81 dB group(25/39,64.1%)and 90 dB group(18/32,56.2%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of both 81 dB group and 90 dB group were greater than 100 dB group(24/108,22.2%)(P<0.05).The 100 dB group reduced the satisfactory recovery effects.There were no differences in the proportion of the patients with dizziness(95/179,53.1%)and without dizziness(84/179,46.9%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of patients without dizziness(43/84,51.2%) was greater than with dizziness(24/95,25.3%)(P<0.05).The percentage of the patients without dizziness(31/39,79.5%)in 81 dB group was the highest(P<0.05),90 dB group(18/32,56.2%)followed(P<0.05).The percentage of the patients with dizziness in 100 dB group(73/108,67.6%)was highest(P<0.05).Recovery rate was similar in the patients without dizziness of 81 dB group(21/31,67.7%)and 90 dB group(11/18,61.1%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of the above two groups was greater than that of 100 dB group(11/35,31.4%)(P<0.05).Conclusion:Recovery rate of the different aged groups was similar.The percentage of the patients with dizziness in 100 dB group was highest.Initial hearing threshold in excess of 100 dB reduced the satisfactory recovery in patients with total deafness type of SSNHL.Our results provided a good reference for other clinicians.

Conservation of imprinting of MKRN3 and NAP1L5 in rabbits

Maternally imprinted genes of makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) and nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 5 (NAP1L5) have been identified in many species but have not yet been investigated in rabbits. In this study, a polymorphism-based approach and bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP) were used to determine the imprinting status of MKRN3 and NAP1L5 in rabbits. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based sequencing results demonstrated that MKRN3 and NAP1L5 were expressed preferentially from the paternal allele. Furthermore, the BSP results showed the gamete-specific methylation patterns and hemimethylation in brain and full methylation in liver were observed in MKRN3 and NAP1L5 respectively. Thus, we provide the first evidence that MKRN3 and NAP1L5 are paternally expressed genes and that the CpG islands located in the promoter region may be the putative differentially methylated region of these two genes in rabbits.

Measurement of the Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetry in p^{↑}+p→W^{±}/Z^{0} at RHIC

We present the measurement of the transverse single-spin asymmetry of weak boson production in transversely polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=500  GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured observable is sensitive to the Sivers function, one of the transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions, which is predicted to have the opposite sign in proton-proton collisions from that observed in deep inelastic lepton-proton scattering. These data provide the first experimental investigation of the nonuniversality of the Sivers function, fundamental to our understanding of QCD.

Beam Energy Dependence of the Third Harmonic of Azimuthal Correlations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We present results from a harmonic decomposition of two-particle azimuthal correlations measured with the STAR detector in Au+Au collisions for energies ranging from sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7 to 200 GeV. The third harmonic v_{3}^{2}{2}=⟨cos3(ϕ_{1}-ϕ_{2})⟩, where ϕ_{1}-ϕ_{2} is the angular difference in azimuth, is studied as a function of the pseudorapidity difference between particle pairs Δη=η_{1}-η_{2}. Nonzero v_{3}^{2}{2} is directly related to the previously observed large-Δη narrow-Δϕ ridge correlations and has been shown in models to be sensitive to the existence of a low viscosity quark gluon plasma phase. For sufficiently central collisions, v_{3}^{2}{2} persist down to an energy of 7.7 GeV, suggesting that quark gluon plasma may be created even in these low energy collisions. In peripheral collisions at these low energies, however, v_{3}^{2}{2} is consistent with zero. When scaled by the pseudorapidity density of charged-particle multiplicity per participating nucleon pair, v_{3}^{2}{2} for central collisions shows a minimum near sqrt[s_{NN}]=20  GeV.

The prevalence of leucocyte alloantibodies in blood donors from South China

BACKGROUND

Several studies had demonstrated that leucocyte antibodies including anti-human leucocyte antigen (anti-HLA) antibodies (class I and class II) and anti-human neutrophil antigen (anti-HNA) antibodies (HNA-1, -2 and -3) present in the blood products are responsible for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Therefore, selection of blood products exclusive of anti-HLA and anti-HNA antibodies may lower the risk of TRALI reaction. However, the prevalence of leucocyte antibodies among blood donors in China is currently not known.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 454 male and 560 female donors (143 nulliparous and 417 multiparous female). HLA class I and II antibodies were analyzed by bead assays. Anti-HNA-1 and -2 antibodies were screened by the LABScreen assay (One Lambda Inc.), and HNA-3 were detected by antigen capture assay, and confirmed by the granulocyte agglutination test (GAT).

RESULTS

Screening of the total cohort showed higher prevalence of HLA antibodies in female compared with male donors (19.64 vs. 4.63%). We found antibodies against HLA class I (13.21%) and HLA class II (11.43%) in 560 female donors. The most frequent antibodies against HLA class I and II in parous females (n = 69) reacted with were A*11 (28.81%), B*07 (42.37%), Cw*07 (20.34%) and DRB1*04 (40.43%) molecules. Among 778 donors (randomly selected from 1014 donors), we found three donors with neutrophil reactive antibodies, two against HNA-2 and one without known specificity. Anti-HNA-3 antibodies were not found so far.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found alloimmunization against HLA class I, II and HNA in 4.63, 24.70 and 0.39%, respectively, in our female blood donors, indicating that the use of plasma containing blood products from parous female blood donors without HLA antibodies pre-testing may increase the risk of TRALI reaction. Although immunization against HNA seems to be a rare event in China, further observation is necessary to decide the necessity of HNA antibodies screening in our blood donors.

Centrality and Transverse Momentum Dependence of Elliptic Flow of Multistrange Hadrons and ϕ Meson in Au+Au Collisions at √[sNN]=200 GeV

We present high precision measurements of elliptic flow near midrapidity (|y|<1.0) for multistrange hadrons and ϕ meson as a function of centrality and transverse momentum in Au+Au collisions at center of mass energy √[sNN]=200  GeV. We observe that the transverse momentum dependence of ϕ and Ω v2 is similar to that of π and p, respectively, which may indicate that the heavier strange quark flows as strongly as the lighter up and down quarks. This observation constitutes a clear piece of evidence for the development of partonic collectivity in heavy-ion collisions at the top RHIC energy. Number of constituent quark scaling is found to hold within statistical uncertainty for both 0%-30% and 30%-80% collision centrality. There is an indication of the breakdown of previously observed mass ordering between ϕ and proton v2 at low transverse momentum in the 0%-30% centrality range, possibly indicating late hadronic interactions affecting the proton v2.

Clinical and experimental role of ring finger protein 180 on lymph node metastasis and survival in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The hypermethylation of ring finger protein (RNF) 180 DNA promoter is significantly associated with lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. The present study explored the potential mechanism of RNF180-regulated lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Associations between clinicopathological and survival data and RNF180 expression in gastric cancer tissues were analysed. The effects of RNF180 re-expression on gastric cancer cells were determined by means of proliferation, invasion, growth and lymphangiogenesis assays. A genome microarray was used to find potential target genes associated with lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer cells regulated by RNF180.

RESULTS

RNF180 was silenced or downregulated in 99 (73·9 per cent) of 134 gastric cancer tissues compared with 41·8 per cent of paired non-tumour tissues from patients. As an independent prognostic indicator of gastric cancer, RNF180 expression in gastric cancer tissues was negatively related to the number of metastatic lymph nodes. RNF180 was also downregulated in all seven gastric cancer cell lines examined. The re-expression of RNF180 in gastric cancer cells inhibited colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro; re-expression of RNF180 also suppressed tumour growth and lymphangiogenesis in mice. Furthermore, re-expression of RNF180 downregulated the expression of hepatocyte growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP-14, vascular endothelial growth factor C/D and chemokine receptor 7 in gastric cancer cells; it also downregulated the expression of podoplanin in tumour tissue of nude mice.

CONCLUSION

RNF180 appears to act as a suppressor gene that inhibits lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

SURGICAL RELEVANCE

Biological mechanisms that lead to lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer have not been clarified. Ring finger protein (RNF) 180 has been shown to participate in the processes of lymph node metastasis in several human malignancies. In this study, silencing or downregulation of RNF180 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. In vitro, RNF180 expression suppressed the common biological characteristics of gastric cancer cells (HGC-27), including proliferation, invasion, lymphangio genesis and chemotaxis. RNF180 expression also inhibited tumour growth and tumour lymphangiogenesis in vivo. These results show that RNF180 is capable of inhibiting lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer by suppressing the intracellular activation of malignant molecular signals. Therefore, RNF180 could be considered as a promising biomarker for evaluation of the tumour aggressiveness and may be a target for future therapeutic intervention.

Advances and challenges in cryo ptychography at the Advanced Photon Source

Ptychography has emerged as a nondestructive tool to quantitatively study extended samples at a high spatial resolution. In this manuscript, we report on recent developments from our team. We have combined cryo ptychography and fluorescence microscopy to provide simultaneous views of ultrastructure and elemental composition, we have developed multi-GPU parallel computation to speed up ptychographic reconstructions, and we have implemented fly-scan ptychography to allow for faster data acquisition. We conclude with a discussion of future challenges in high-resolution 3D ptychography.

Observation of Transverse Spin-Dependent Azimuthal Correlations of Charged Pion Pairs in p^{↑}+p at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report the observation of transverse polarization-dependent azimuthal correlations in charged pion pair production with the STAR experiment in p^{↑}+p collisions at RHIC. These correlations directly probe quark transversity distributions. We measure signals in excess of 5 standard deviations at high transverse momenta, at high pseudorapidities η>0.5, and for pair masses around the mass of the ρ meson. This is the first direct transversity measurement in p+p collisions.

Azimuthal Anisotropy in U+U and Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

Collisions between prolate uranium nuclei are used to study how particle production and azimuthal anisotropies depend on initial geometry in heavy-ion collisions. We report the two- and four-particle cumulants, v_{2}{2} and v_{2}{4}, for charged hadrons from U+U collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. Nearly fully overlapping collisions are selected based on the energy deposited by spectators in zero degree calorimeters (ZDCs). Within this sample, the observed dependence of v_{2}{2} on multiplicity demonstrates that ZDC information combined with multiplicity can preferentially select different overlap configurations in U+U collisions. We also show that v_{2} vs multiplicity can be better described by models, such as gluon saturation or quark participant models, that eliminate the dependence of the multiplicity on the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions.

DNA barcoding of common soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) in China

The soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) are a group of sap-sucking plant parasites, many of which are notorious agricultural pests. The quarantine and economic importance of soft scales necessitates rapid and reliable identification of these taxa. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (barcoding region) and 28S rDNA were generated from 340 individuals of 36 common soft scales in China. Distance-based [(best match, Automated Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD)], tree-based (neighbor-joining, Bayesian inference), Klee diagrams, and general mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) models were used to evaluate barcoding success rates in the data set. Best match showed that COI and 28S sequences could provide 100 and 95.52% correct identification, respectively. The average interspecific divergences were 19.81% for COI data and 20.38% for 28S data, and mean intraspecific divergences were 0.56 and 0.07%, respectively. For COI data, multiple methods (ABGD, Klee, and tree-based methods) resulted in general congruence with morphological identifications. However, GMYC analysis tended to provide more molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). Twelve MOTUs derived from five morphospecies (Rhodococcus sariuoni, Pulvinaria vitis, Pulvinaria aurantii, Parasaissetia nigra, and Ceroplastes rubens) were observed using the GMYC approach. In addition, tree-based methods showed that 28S sequences could be used for species-level identification (except for Ceroplastes ceriferus - Ceroplastes pseudoceriferus), even with low genetic variation (<1%). This report demonstrates the robustness of DNA barcoding for species discrimination of soft scales with two molecular markers (COI and 28S) and provides a reliable barcode library and rapid diagnostic tool for common soft scales in China.

The mRNA-binding protein HuR promotes hypoxia-induced chemoresistance through posttranscriptional regulation of the proto-oncogene PIM1 in pancreatic cancer cells

Previously, it has been shown that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) tumors exhibit high levels of hypoxia, characterized by low oxygen pressure (pO2) and decreased O2 intracellular perfusion. Chronic hypoxia is strongly associated with resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy and chemoradiation in an understudied phenomenon known as hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. The hypoxia-inducible, pro-oncogenic, serine-threonine kinase PIM1 (Proviral Integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1) has emerged as a key regulator of hypoxia-induced chemoresistance in PDA and other cancers. Although its role in therapeutic resistance has been described previously, the molecular mechanism behind PIM1 overexpression in PDA is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that cis-acting AU-rich elements (ARE) present within a 38-base pair region of the PIM1 mRNA 3'-untranslated region mediate a regulatory interaction with the mRNA stability factor HuR (Hu antigen R) in the context of tumor hypoxia. Predominantly expressed in the nucleus in PDA cells, HuR translocates to the cytoplasm in response to hypoxic stress and stabilizes the PIM1 mRNA transcript, resulting in PIM1 protein overexpression. A reverse-phase protein array revealed that HuR-mediated regulation of PIM1 protects cells from hypoxic stress through phosphorylation and inactivation of the apoptotic effector BAD and activation of MEK1/2. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of HuR by MS-444 inhibits HuR homodimerization and its cytoplasmic translocation, abrogates hypoxia-induced PIM1 overexpression and markedly enhances PDA cell sensitivity to oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil under physiologic low oxygen conditions. Taken together, these results support the notion that HuR has prosurvival properties in PDA cells by enabling them with growth advantages in stressful tumor microenvironment niches. Accordingly, these studies provide evidence that therapeutic disruption of HuR's regulation of PIM1 may be a key strategy in breaking an elusive chemotherapeutic resistance mechanism acquired by PDA cells that reside in hypoxic PDA microenvironments.

Precision Measurement of the Longitudinal Double-Spin Asymmetry for Inclusive Jet Production in Polarized Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report a new measurement of the midrapidity inclusive jet longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, A_{LL}, in polarized pp collisions at center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=200  GeV. The STAR data place stringent constraints on polarized parton distribution functions extracted at next-to-leading order from global analyses of inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS), semi-inclusive DIS, and RHIC pp data. The measured asymmetries provide evidence at the 3σ level for positive gluon polarization in the Bjorken-x region x>0.05.

Nrf2-ARE signals mediated the anti-oxidative action of electroacupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are early events associated with dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies indicated that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is effective in protecting dopaminergic neurons from degeneration in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. In this study, we further characterized the effect of EA on MPTP-induced oxidative responses in the mouse dopamine system. We found that subacute administration of MPTP enhanced lipid and protein oxidation and reduced expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the striatum. MPTP also reduced expression of an antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and Nrf2-regulated antioxidant enzymes (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 and heme oxygenase-1) in the striatum and/or midbrain. Using human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP) as a reporter of Nrf2-regulated gene expression in hPAP transgenic mice, we found that MPTP suppressed hPAP expression in the striatum and midbrain. Application of EA at an effective frequency (100 Hz) was sufficient to reverse these changes induced by MPTP. In addition, EA reduced microglia activation and astrogliosis in the striatum and midbrain, increased tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum, and improved vertical movement in MPTP mice. These results provide further evidence supporting that EA produces a series of anti-oxidative effects that effectively counteract with the oxidative stress in the nigrostriatal dopamine system induced by MPTP in a mouse model of PD.

Association of surfactant protein B gene with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility

SETTING

Genetic predisposition, in addition to smoking, is known to play a key role in susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several candidate genes have been proposed for COPD, including surfactant protein B (SFTPB). However, large studies in populations with different ethnic backgrounds and environments are required to clarify the role of SFTPB in COPD.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association of SFTPB polymorphisms with COPD susceptibility and lung function in a Chinese Han population.

DESIGN

Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SFTPB gene were genotyped in 680 COPD patients and 687 controls. Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were compared between cases and controls and the potential relationships between these SNPs and lung function were investigated. Associations between haplotypes and COPD susceptibility were also assessed.

RESULTS

The SFTPB exon polymorphism rs1130866 significantly protected subjects from COPD (adjusted P = 0.004) and was associated with an increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (adjusted P = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

SFTPB variants are associated with COPD susceptibility and lung function in the Chinese Han population.

Tandem overexpression of five human factors renders murine hepatocytes susceptible to hepatitis C virus

Development of mouse model of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has great significance in drug screening and vaccine research. The barriers of interspecies transmission of HCV are increasingly better understood. Human factors, namely low-density lipoprotein receptor (hLDLR), CD81 (hCD81), scavenger receptor class B type I (hSCARB1), occludin (hOCLN) and claudin 1 (hCLDN1) are all required for rendering mouse hepatocytes permissive to HCV. With the aim to humanize mouse hepatocytes we constructed two recombinant vectors tandemly expressing the first three and the last two HCV entry factors mentioned above, respectively. Cotransfection of mouse hepatocytes with these vectors made them permissive to HCV binding and entry. Tandem overexpression of hLDLR, hSCARB1, hCD81, hCLDN1 and hOCLN is a novel approach to tailoring mouse hepatocytes to HCV binding and entry which can be further used to establish a mouse model of HCV infection as a basis for developing antiviral drugs and vaccines.

Clinical outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is associated with the polymorphisms of GSTP1 and XRCC1 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

This study is to evaluate the association of polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase A (ATP7A) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) with the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin-based treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The outcomes of 97 advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy were estimated. GSTP1, ATP7A, and XRCC1 genetic polymorphisms were determined via polymerase chain reaction of restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing. Association of the polymorphisms with the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin was analyzed, respectively.

RESULTS

Significant associations were observed between GSTP1 A313G and response rate (RR) (p = 0.027), disease control rate (DCR) (p = 0.019), and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.044), respectively. Patients with AG and GG of GSTP1 have notably lower risk of anemia (p = 0.046). XRCC1 A1196G was associated with the incidence of lymphopenia (p = 0.024) and diarrhea (p = 0.020). ATP7A C2299G was not related with RR, DCR, PFS, and the risk of toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced NSCLC patients with AA genotype of GSTP1 would obtain better curative effect followed with more risk of anemia when treated by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. ATP7A C2299G does not impact the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. XRCC1 1196A allele could predict the incidence of lymphopenia and diarrhea.

Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals in Calgary's Wastewater and Related Surface Water

The influents/effluents from Calgary's water resource recovery facilities and the surface water were analyzed for pharmaceuticals in the present study. The median concentrations in the effluents for the 15 targeted pharmaceuticals were within the range of 0.006 to 3.32 ppb. Although the wastewater treatment facilities were not designed to remove pharmaceuticals, this study indicates that the wastewater treatment processes are effective in removing some of the pharmaceuticals from the aqueous phase. The removal rate estimated can be 99.5% for caffeine, whereas little or no removal was observed for carbamazepine. Biodegradation, chemical degradation, and sorption could be some of the mechanisms responsible for the removal of pharmaceuticals. The drug residues in downstream surface water could be associated with incomplete removal of pharmaceuticals during the treatment process and may lead to concerns in terms of potential impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. However, this study does not indicate any immediate risks to the downstream aquatic environment.

ΛΛ Correlation function in Au+Au collisions at √[S(NN)]=200 GeV

We present ΛΛ correlation measurements in heavy-ion collisions for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The Lednický-Lyuboshitz analytical model has been used to fit the data to obtain a source size, a scattering length and an effective range. Implications of the measurement of the ΛΛ correlation function and interaction parameters for dihyperon searches are discussed.

Note: A pulsed laser ion source for linear induction accelerators

We have developed a high-current laser ion source for induction accelerators. A copper target was irradiated by a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG laser (266 nm) with relatively low intensities of 10(8) W/cm(2). The laser-produced plasma supplied a large number of Cu(+) ions (∼10(12) ions/pulse) during several microseconds. Emission spectra of the plasma were observed and the calculated electron temperature was about 1 eV. An induction voltage adder extracted high-current ion beams over 0.5 A/cm(2) from a plasma-prefilled gap. The normalized beam emittance measured by a pepper-pot method was smaller than 1 π mm mrad.