Effect of radiomics from different virtual monochromatic images in dual-energy spectral CT on the WHO/ISUP classification of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

AIM

To investigate the effect of radiomics obtained from different virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) in dual-energy spectral computed tomography (CT) on the World Health Organization/International Association for Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) classification of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of 99 ccRCC patients who underwent contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT was undertaken. ccRCC was confirmed at surgery or biopsy and graded according to the WHO/ISUP pathological grading criteria as low grade (n=68, grade I and II) or high grade (n=31, grade III and IV). Radiomics risk scores (RRSs) for differentiating high and low grades of ccRCC were constructed from 11 sets of VMI in (40-140 keV, 10 keV interval) the cortical phase. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn and the area under the curves (AUCs) was calculated to evaluate the discriminatory power of RRS for each VMI. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of each model and the decision curve was used to analyse its net benefit to patients.

RESULTS

The AUC values for distinguishing low-from high-grade ccRCC with RRS of 40-140 keV VMIs were all >0.920. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the p-values of RRS of VMIs were >0.05, suggesting good fits. In the decision curve analysis, RRS from the 40-140 keV VMIs had similar decision curves and provided better net benefits than considering all patients either as high-grade or low-grade.

CONCLUSIONS

The RRS obtained from multiple VMIs in dual-energy spectral CT have high diagnostic efficiencies for distinguishing between low- and high-grade ccRCC with no significant differences between different VMIs.

Langmuir probe array for the small angle slot divertor in DIII-D

The DIII-D small angle slot (SAS) divertor is designed for divertor physics studies with enhanced neutral confinement and special target geometries in a closed divertor. The closed nature of the SAS makes optical diagnostic measurements difficult, so a specially designed, multipurpose array of Langmuir probes has been implemented to study the plasma conditions in and around the slot. The probes are spaced to provide at least 2 mm resolution (shorter than the energy decay length) of the near scrape-off layer when mapped to the outer mid-plane. Due to space limitations at the bottom of the slot, a novel spring-loaded probe and tile design was developed to clamp several short rooftop probe tips and insulators to the cooled baseplate. Initial probe measurements revealed tile to tile edge shadowing, especially where magnetic field line surface angles were less than 1°. Additionally, it was found, using three Langmuir probes (at 90°, 180°, and 270°), that the strike point variation of ±5 mm radially around the torus was not well aligned with the circular slot geometry [Watkins et al., Nucl. Mater. Energy 18, 46 (2019)]. These issues were resolved by (1) designing tiles with all probes mounted near the tile center instead of near the edges and (2) aligning these new custom tiles to the measured strike point toroidal surface with a very accurate laser scanning alignment tool. Post-alignment Langmuir probe measurements and plasma behavior demonstrated close agreement at two separate toroidal locations that were 45° apart.

[Chaihu Guizhi decoction produces antidepressant-like effects via sirt1-p53 signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of the antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu Guizhi decoction (CGD).

OBJECTIVE

Chaihu Guizhi decoction at the daily dose of 17 g/kg and solvent vehicle were administered by gavage in 12 and 14 male C57BL/6J mice for 7 consecutive days, respectively. Forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, open field test (OFT) and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSF) were performed to assess the depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and motor ability of the mice. We further used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and social interaction test to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of CGD in comparison with the solvent vehicle. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expressions of sirt1, p53, acetylated p53, and the neuron plasticity-related genes including synapsin I (Syn1), Rab4B, SNAP25 and tubulin beta4b in the hippocampus of the mice.

OBJECTIVE

In FST, the immobility time of CGDtreated mice was decreased significantly (P < 0.05); no significant differences were found in the performances in EPM, NSF and OFT tests between the two groups. In social interaction test, the mouse models of CSDS treated with CGD showed significantly increased time in the interaction zone (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the vehicle group, the CGD-treated mouse models exhibited significantly increased protein level of SIRT1 and decreased p53 acetylation (P < 0.05) with up-regulated synapsin I mRNA expression in the hippocampus (P < 0.05); no significant difference were found in Rab (P=0.813), SNAP (P=0.820), or Tubb mRNA expressions (P=0.864) between the two groups.

OBJECTIVE

CGD produces antidepressant-like effects in mice possibly through the sirt1-p53 signaling pathway and synaptic plasticity.

An Integrated Approach for High-Shear Wet Granulation (HSWG) Processing of TPGS-Based Formulations: Demonstration of Process Robustness through Experimental Design Conditions

The goal of this study was to understand the impact of high-shear wet granulation (HSWG) processing conditions on product attributes for a tablet formulation containing the non-ionic surfactant TPGS. The use of TPGS in oral solid drug products has been reported to be challenging due to the low melting temperature of TPGS. In addition, literature on TPGS-based HSWG formulations, especially practical processing and scale-up knowledge, is limited. Presented here is an extension of this TPGS application in a tablet formulation, with a focus on the HSWG processing and scale-up across different granulators. To understand the processing space for this TPGS-based HSWG formulation, two consecutive studies were conducted with different objectives. First, an exploratory study was conducted to understand the impact of extreme processing conditions on product attributes. Subsequently, a factorial design of experiment (DoE) study assessed the separate contributions and interactions from HSWG processing variables. The outcome of both studies led to a successful process scale-up and product transfer from lab to commercial development using different granulators. The TPGS-based formulation was demonstrated to provide robust downstream processing (improved flowability and reduced segregation potential) within a wide HSWG operating space, while having a minimal impact on product performance across different granulators.

[Effect of hemocoagulase agkistrodon on coagulation status in patients with traumatic brain injury in vitro]

Objective: To analyze the effects of hemocoagulase agkistrodon (HCA) on the coagulation status of healthy people and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in vitro. Methods: A total of 10 TBI patients were enrolled from December 2018 to June 2019,and 24 age and sex matched healthy controls were also enrolled. Clinical and pathological data, blood samples of all subjects were collected. Different gradient concentrations of HCA were added to the blood samples which were detected by thromboelastography, and the R value, K value, α angle and MA value of thromboelastography parameters between the two groups were analyzed to explore the effect of HCA on the coagulation status of patients with TBI. Results: With the increase of HCA concentration in blood samples, the R and K values gradually increased, and the α angles and MA values gradually decreased in both TBI patients group which included 7 males and 3 females, with an median age of 33 (28-39) years old and healthy control group which included 11 males and 13 females, with an median age of 33 (23-49) years old. The differences in the R values, K values, α angles, and MA values of different concentration gradients were statistically significant in both healthy control group and TBI patients group (χ² were 109.80, 131.28, 185.47, 165.97 and 54.92, 75.60, 80.12, 59.25, respectively, all P<0.001). The differences between R values after adding HCA of 0-0.105 U/ml in the healthy group were statistically significant (P=0.025), but K values, α angles and MA values were not statistically significant (P values were 0.275, 0.206 and 0.330, respectively); the R values of the TBI patients group were not statistically significant after adding HCA of 0 to 0.105 U/ml (P=0.976), and the K values, α angles, and MA values were statistically significant (P values were 0.047, 0.041, and 0.034, respectively).The R values of the healthy control group, the TBI patients group, and the overall data were significantly positively correlated with the HCA dose (r values were 0.552、0.700、0.420, respectively, P<0.001), the K values were significantly positively correlated with the HCA dose (r values were 0.726、0.861、0.750, respectively, P<0.001), the α angles were significantly negatively correlated with the HCA dose (r values were -0.815、-0.876、-0.807, respectively, P<0.001) and the MA values were significantly negatively correlated with the HCA dose (r values were -0.757、-0.710、-0.729, respectively, P<0.001). Conclusions: HCA does not aggravate the procoagulant state of blood in healthy people and TBI patients, and with the increase of HCA concentration in blood, the blood samples of both groups show a tendency to decrease the coagulation ability.

Genetic Dissection of Quantitative Resistance to Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.) by Combined Genome-Wide Association Study, Linkage Mapping, and Genomic Prediction

Common rust is one of the major foliar diseases in maize, leading to significant grain yield losses and poor grain quality. To dissect the genetic architecture of common rust resistance, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) panel and a bi-parental doubled haploid (DH) population, DH1, were used to perform GWAS and linkage mapping analyses. The GWAS results revealed six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with quantitative resistance of common rust at a very stringent threshold of P-value 3.70 × 10^-6 at bins 1.05, 1.10, 3.04, 3.05, 4.08, and 10.04. Linkage mapping identified five quantitative trait loci (QTL) at bins 1.03, 2.06, 4.08, 7.03, and 9.00. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) value of each QTL ranged from 5.40 to 12.45%, accounting for the total PVE value of 40.67%. Joint GWAS and linkage mapping analyses identified a stable genomic region located at bin 4.08. Five significant SNPs were only identified by GWAS, and four QTL were only detected by linkage mapping. The significantly associated SNP of S10_95231291 detected in the GWAS analysis was first reported. The linkage mapping analysis detected two new QTL on chromosomes 7 and 10. The major QTL on chromosome 7 in the region between 144,567,253 and 149,717,562 bp had the largest PVE value of 12.45%. Four candidate genes of GRMZM2G328500, GRMZM2G162250, GRMZM2G114893, and GRMZM2G138949 were identified, which played important roles in the response of stress resilience and the regulation of plant growth and development. Genomic prediction (GP) accuracies observed in the GWAS panel and DH1 population were 0.61 and 0.51, respectively. This study provided new insight into the genetic architecture of quantitative resistance of common rust. In tropical maize, common rust could be improved by pyramiding the new sources of quantitative resistance through marker-assisted selection (MAS) or genomic selection (GS), rather than the implementation of MAS for the single dominant race-specific resistance gene.

Association of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles with pre-eclampsia and associated hypercoagulability: a clinical observational study

OBJECTIVE

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-associated condition initiated by placental factors. We have demonstrated that placental extracellular vesicles (pcEVs) cause hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study with both case-control and longitudinal designs.

SETTING

A single centre at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University.

POPULATION

We collected blood samples and clinical information from 54 PE patients, 33 normally pregnant women at 30-36 gestational weeks and on postpartum days 1 and 4 for the cross-sectional study, and at 22-31, 32-35 and 36-40 weeks for the longitudinal study. Non-pregnant women were also recruited.

METHODS

Blood samples were analysed using flow cytometry, coagulation tests and ELISA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was plasma pcEV and other extracellular vesicles (EVs), and their expressions of anionic phospholipids and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Secondary variables included coagulation, ADAMTS-13 and the anionic phospholipid-binding proteins.

RESULTS

Plasma pcEVs progressively increased from pregnant women during non-menstrual period (NW) to PE patients (interquartile range [IQR] for NW: 206/microlitre [116-255], normal pregnancy [NP]: 1108/microlitre [789-1969] and PE: 8487/microlitre [4991-16 752]) and predicted PE. EVs from endothelial cells, platelets and erythrocytes accounted for <10% of pcEVs. VWF became hyper-adhesive in PE patients and contributed to the pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability.

CONCLUSION

Placental, platelet- and endothelial cell-derived EVs were significantly elevated in PE patients, but only pcEVs predicted PE. These EVs played a causal role in the pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Placenta-derived extracellular vesicles predict pre-eclampsia and the associated hypercoagulability.

Novel plasma biomarkers in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: the role of ST2 and GDF-15 in predicting biventricular involvement

Background

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart muscle disease characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium and ventricular arrhythmias. Biventricular (BiV) involvement in ARVC may lead to heart failure.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the role of novel plasma biomarkers soluble (s)ST2, Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and GDF-15 in predicting BiV involvement and adverse outcomes in ARVC patients.

Methods

ARVC patients from two independent cohorts were studied. 108 patients were included from the discovery cohort and 47 patients were included from a second validation cohort. All patients had a definite ARVC diagnosis at time of blood withdrawal. sST2, Gal-3 and GDF-15 were independently correlated with NT-proBNP, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, late gadolinium enhancement by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and clinical outcome.

Results

ARVC patients with LV involvement had higher levels of sST2 and GDF-15 as compared to controls and patients with isolated right ventricular involvement. sST2 and GDF-15 significantly correlated to late gadolinium enhancement on CMR and also correlated to adverse heart failure outcomes. Gal-3 was elevated in ARVC patients with and without LV involvement as compared to controls. The combined use of the three biomarkers (NT-proBNP, sST2 and GDF-15) showed the best performance in predicting LV involvement in both the discovery and the validation cohort. Plasma drawn from coronary arteries and coronary sinus showed a transmyocardial elevation of sST2.

Conclusion

Our study shows that sST2 and GDF-15 may predict BiV involvement and the combined use of NT-proBNP, sST2 and GDF-15 shows the best prediction of LV involvement in ARVC. Transmyocardial elevation of sST2 suggests that this biomarker is produced by myocardial tissue in ARVC.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fuwai ARVC Program was supported by CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Zurich ARVC Program was supported by grants from the Schwyzer Foundation and Baugarten Foundation

[Efficacy evaluation after 5 years of inoculation of 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for the elderly aged 60 years old and above in Shanghai during 2013-2018]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) inoculation against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among the elderly aged 60 years old and above in Shanghai. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted using a stratified random sampling from October 2013, in which 1 214 and 2 387 elderly people aged 60 and above were selected as the inoculation group and control group, respectively. And a unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information of the subjects in the inoculation group and the control group. From October 2013 to December 2018, the subjects were followed up at home or by telephone for a total of 20 times, mainly for whether they had CAP during the observation period. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to calculate RR and 95%CI of CAP incidence between inoculation group and control group for comparing. Results: There were 556 males (45.8%) in the inoculation group and 1 012 males (42.4%) in the control group. And the incidence density of CAP in the inoculation group was lower than that of the control group (0.848/100 person-years vs. 1.452/100 person-years), and the vaccine protection rate was 41.6%, with a statistically significant difference ［RR (95%CI)= 0.584 (0.428-0.790), P<0.001］. After adjusting for age, RR (95%CI) was 0.699 (0.507-0.956), and the difference was still statistically significant (P=0.025).Further stratified analysis showed that the vaccine protective rates of PPV23 in the 60-69 year-old group, the 70-79 year-old group and the ≥80 year-old group were 36.7%, 21.6% and 26.0%, respectively, but only in the 60-69 year-old group showed statistical difference (RR=0.633, 95%CI=0.399-0.990, P=0.045). Conclusion: To a certain extent, the incidence of CAP can be reduced by inoculation of PPV23 in elderly population aged 60 and above in Shanghai, and it should be further recommended in elderly population of low age.

[Analysis on the project personnel's attitude and its influential factors of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination program for the elderly in Shanghai]

Objective: To understand the project personnel's attitude towards the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination program for the elderly in Shanghai and its conversion to routine vaccination and to explore its influential factors, so as to provide reference for the further development of the program. Methods: In 2016, a one-to-one questionnaire survey was conducted among the people involved in the project in the 9 districts of Shanghai and the data of demographic characteristics, cognition of pneumococcal pneumonia and PPV23, evaluation of the project, support rate of the project and its conversion to routine vaccination of the project personnel were collected. Results: Among the 2005 respondents, 28.6% (574 persons) of them were male, 85.5% (1 714 persons) of them supported the free vaccination for the elderly, and 69.5% of them (1 394 persons) supported the routine vaccination. For the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination program, people under 55 years old, in Qingpu District, with poor cognition of pneumonia and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) or having lower evaluation of the project's scientificity or enforceability had lower support rate than others, and the OR (95%CI) were 0.38 (0.19-0.75), 0.21 (0.10-0.43), 0.16 (0.06-0.41) and 0.26 (0.10-0.69). People believing that the elderly were susceptible to pneumococcal pneumonia and PPV23 was safe and reliable, and those who were willing to vaccinate the elderly at home had higher support rate, and the OR (95%CI) were 2.30 (1.18-4.47), 2.84 (1.62-4.69) and 5.60 (3.74-8.38). For the program's conversion to routine vaccination, people under 35 years old, in Qingpu District, in the vaccination clinic, and those believing that the project was not scientific and difficult to implement had low support rate, and the OR (95%CI) were 0.56 (0.32-0.98), 0.48 (0.26-0.89), 0.26 (0.12-0.59), 0.58 (0.42-0.79) and 0.50 (0.30-0.81); people with technical secondary school or senior school, in Jiading, Putuo or Minhang District, believing that PPV23 was effective in the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia in the elderly, and those who were willing to vaccinate the elderly with PPV23 had higher support rate, and the OR (95%CI) were 1.63 (1.11-2.39), 2.28 (1.71-3.03), 1.69 (1.25-2.28) and 4.10 (2.86-5.88). Conclusion: The support rate of pneumococcal vaccination project for the elderly in Shanghai needs to be improved, especially its conversion to the routine vaccination.

[Safety evaluation of mass inoculation of 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine among elderly people aged 60 and above in Shanghai from 2013 to 2017]

Objective: To evaluate the safety of 23 Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23) among eldly people aged 60 and above in Shanghai. Methods: A total of 1 310 660 monitoring data of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of PPV23 among people aged 60 and above were collected through the National AEFI Surveillance System from September 14, 2013 to December 31, 2017 in Shanghai. And the descriptive epidemiological methods were used for analysis. Results: 433 cases of AEFI were reported from September 14, 2013 to December 31, 2017, with the incidence rate of AEFI was 33.04/100 000 doses. The general reactions were reported as 392 cases (90.53%), with 17 cases of abnormal reactions (3.93%), 23 cases of coincidences (5.31%) and 1 case of psychogenic reactions (0.23%). The reported incidence rates of general reactions and abnormal reactions of free PPV23 inoculation among elderly people in urban areas were 41.31 per 100 000 doses and 1.91/100 000 doses, respectively, which were higher than those in suburban areas (24.18/100 000 doses, 1.32/100 000 doses) and exurban areas (27.84/100 000 doses, 0.59/100 000 doses). The reported incidence rate of general reaction in females (35.38/100 000 doses) was higher than that in males (24.06/100 000 doses), and the reported incidence rate of abnormal reaction in males (1.58/100 000 doses) was higher than that in females (1.03/100 000 doses). The reported incidence rates of general and abnormal reactions were the highest in 60-64 years old group (62.65/100 000 doses and 4.87/100 000 doses, respectively). In addition, all patients with general reactions or abnormal reactions were better or cured. Conclusion: PPV23 vaccination is safe among people aged 60 and above in Shanghai.

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}.

Low body mass index is associated with ectopic pregnancy following assisted reproductive techniques: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and ectopic pregnancy (EP) following embryo transfer (ET).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

POPULATION

A total of 16 378 pregnancies derived from either fresh ET or frozen-thawed ET between January 2008 and December 2017.

METHODS

We used the generalised estimating equation (GEE) to analyse the association between BMI categories and EP, as one woman may contribute to more than one pregnancy. Generalised additive models were also used to demonstrate the non-linear association. Models were adjusted for age, parity, gravidity, previous history of ectopic pregnancy, duration of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, diagnosis of tubal problems, ovarian reserve markers, ovarian stimulation parameters, insemination protocol, endometrial thickness and embryo transfer policies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Ectopic pregnancy.

RESULTS

According to the WHO criteria, the number of cycles with low (<18.5 kg/m² ), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m² ) and high (≥25 kg/m² ) BMI were 2155, 13 447 and 776, respectively. In comparison with the normal BMI group, the rate of EP was significantly increased in the low BMI group (2.92% versus 2.02%, relative risk 1.45, 95% CI 1.11-1.90), but not in the high BMI group (2.84%, relative risk 1.41, 95% CI 0.92-2.20). Adjusted for confounding factors, the odds ratio for EP comparing low BMI versus normal BMI was 1.61 (95% CI 1.19-2.16) and that comparing high BMI versus normal BMI was 1.12 (95% CI 0.72-1.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Low BMI is associated with an increased risk of EP.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The ectopic pregnancy rate after embryo transfer for lean women is higher than that for women of normal weight.

QTL mapping of spontaneous haploid genome doubling using genotyping-by-sequencing in maize (Zea mays L.)

A major QTL for SHGD was identified on chromosome 5 with stable expression across environments. The introgression this QTL can overcome the need of colchicine in DH lines development. Genome doubling of haploids is one of the major constraints of large-scale doubled haploid (DH) technology. Improving spontaneous haploid genome doubling (SHGD) is an alternative to overcome this limitation. In this study, we aimed to construct a high-density linkage map based on genotyping by sequencing of single nucleotide polymorphism, to detect QTL and QTL by environment (Q by E) interactions affecting SHGD and to identify the best trait for mapping and selection of haploid male fertility (HMF). To this end, a biparental population of 220 F_2:3 families was developed from a cross between A427 (high HMF) and CR1Ht (moderate HMF) to be used as donor. A high-density linkage map was constructed containing 4171 SNP markers distributed over 10 chromosomes with an average distance between adjacent markers of 0.51 cM. QTL mapping for haploid fertile anther emergence, pollen production, tassel size, and HMF, identified 27 QTL across three environments, and Q by E interactions were significant. A major QTL was identified on chromosome 5. This QTL explained over 45% of the observed variance for all traits across all environments. The introgression of this major QTL, using marker-assisted backcrossing, has great potential to overcome the need of using colchicine in DH line development.

[The influence of patellofemoral joint degeneration on outcome of Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty]

Objective: To explore the influence of lateral patellofemoral joint degeneration on the treatment of anteromedial osteoarthritis of knee joint by Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Methods: The clinical data of 73 patients (73 knees) with knee osteoarthritis underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2016 to December 2017 were analysed respectively.There were 18 males and 55 females, aged (68.6±7.5) years(range: 53 to 89 years).The lateral patellofemoral joints of patients were evaluated by Ahlback grading system. Patients with Ahlback 0 andⅠ were in the non degenerative group (37 cases), and those with Ahlback Ⅱ and above were in the degenerative group (36 cases). Hospital for special surgery knee score(HSS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, as well as the condition of kneeling, sit to stand movement, up stair and down stair were recorded. The data before and after operation were compared by paired sample t test, and the data between groups were compared by independent sample t test. χ(2) test was used for counting data. Pearson correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between ahlback score, HSS and WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Results: The follow-up time was (35.1±6.6) months (range: 25 to 47 months).The knee function of the patients improved significantly after operation.The HSS score increased from 57.7±11.8 preoperative to 81.8±7.8 postoperative (t=16.64, P=0.00) and WOMAC osteoarthritis index decreased from 48.9±13.4 preoperative to 15.6±8.8 postoperative (t=20.48, P=0.00). There was no statistical difference in the change of HSS between the degenerative group and the non-degenerative group before and after surgery(27.5±12.2 vs. 22.5±12.3, t=-1.65, P=0.10) as well as the change of WOMAC osteoarthritis index(31.8±14.0 vs. 36.4±13.7, t=-1.35, P=0.18), but the lateral patellofemoral joint degeneration was related to inability to complete squats (χ(2)=5.17, P=0.04) and sitting up (χ(2)=7.22, P=0.01). Conclusion: The degeneration of lateral patellofemoral joint has no effect on the early functional recovery of patients with anteromedial knee osteoarthritis after Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Mapping of QTL and identification of candidate genes conferring spontaneous haploid genome doubling in maize (Zea mays L.)

In vivo doubled haploid (DH) technology is widely used in commercial maize (Zea mays L.) breeding. Haploid genome doubling is a critical step in DH breeding. In this study, inbred lines GF1 (0.65), GF3(0.29), and GF5 (0) with high, moderate, and poor spontaneous haploid genome doubling (SHGD), respectively, were selected to develop mapping populations for SHGD. Three QTL, qshgd1, qshgd2, and qshgd3, related to SHGD were identified by selective genotyping. With the exception of qshgd3, the source of haploid genome doubling alleles were derived from GF1. Furthermore, RNA-Seq was conducted to identify putative candidate genes between GF1 and GF5 within the qshgd1 region. A differentially expressed formin-like protein 5 transcript was identified within the qshgd1 region.

Direct Detection Constraints on Dark Photons with the CDEX-10 Experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory

We report constraints on the dark photon effective kinetic mixing parameter (κ) with data taken from two p-type point-contact germanium detectors of the CDEX-10 experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory. The 90% confidence level upper limits on κ of solar dark photon from 205.4 kg-day exposure are derived, probing new parameter space with masses (m_{V}) from 10 to 300  eV/c^{2} in direct detection experiments. Considering dark photon as the cosmological dark matter, limits at 90% confidence level with m_{V} from 0.1 to 4.0  keV/c^{2} are set from 449.6 kg-day data, with a minimum of κ=1.3×10^{-15} at m_{V}=200  eV/c^{2}.