[Prevalence and risk factors of perivascular space in the population of Shunyi Study]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence on imaging, topographic distribution and risk factors of perivascular space (PVS) in community population. Methods: This study was based on the population of Shunyi Study in China from June 2013 to September 2016. One thousand two hundred and thirty-two stroke free participants older than 35 years, who completed cerebral MRI, were included. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by interview, physical examination and blood sample tests. PVS were evaluated on high-resolution 3-dimensional-T1WI, T2WI and FLAIR sequences. On T1WI, PVS were detected according to 3D imaging criteria. The number and anatomic location of large PVS (≥3 mm) were recorded. And severity of PVS was then semiquantitatively graded in both white matter (WM) and basal ganglia (BG). Associations between risk factors and PVS were analyzed by multinominal Logistic regression models and adjusted for age, gender and relevant confounders. Results: Perivascular spaces were observed in the BG or WM in every subject, aged (55±10) years and 37.3% male. Large PVS were detected in 19.0% (460/1 232) of participants. Severity of PVS was found to be strongly associated with age in both basal ganglia (severe versus mild: OR=1.81; 95%CI 1.45-2.27, P<0.01) and white matter (OR=1.39; 95%CI 1.13-1.71, P<0.01), and the proportion of subjects with hypercholesterolemia decreased with the severity of PVS in BG (OR=0.58, P=0.01) . The present of large PVS was found to be associated with age(present versus absent: OR=1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.05, P<0.01) and ApoE ε4 carrier genotype(OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.01-2.23, P=0.04). Conclusions: Perivascular spaces are always detected in the BG or WM in elderly people, and large PVS are also prevalent in community-based population. The risk factors are different due to distribution and size, and may depend on anatomic or pathologic characteristics.

RNA-Seq analysis of duck embryo fibroblast cell gene expression during the early stage of egg drop syndrome virus infection

Egg drop syndrome virus (EDSV), a member of the family Adenoviridae and an economically important pathogen with a broad host range, leads to markedly decreased egg production. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the host-EDSV interaction remains unclear. Here, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to study the dynamic changes in host gene expression at 6, 12, and 24 hours post-infection in duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) infected with EDSV. Atotal of 441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after EDSV infection. Gene Ontology category and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were associated with multiple biological functions, including signal transduction, host immunity, virus infection, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and pathogenicity-related and metabolic process signaling pathways. We screened and identified 12 DEGs for further examination by using qRT-PCR. The qRT-PCR and RNA-Seq results were highly consistent. This study analyzed viral infection and host immunity induced by EDSV infection from a novel perspective, and the results provide valuable information regarding the mechanisms underlying host-EDSV interactions, which will prove useful for the future development of antiviral drugs or vaccines for poultry, thus benefiting the entire poultry industry.

[Evaluating the efficacy of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and impulse oscillometry in screening out cough variant asthma from patients with subacute cough]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and impulse oscillometry (IOS) in screening out cough variant asthma (CVA) from patients with subacute cough. Methods: Patients with subacute cough were included from the outpatient department of Respiratory Medicine of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from May to October in 2016. Based on "the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cough (2015 edition)" , patients were classified into CVA group, and non CVP group with other causes of subacute cough. Lung function, bronchial provocation test, FeNO and IOS were measured. The diagnostic efficiency and optimal cut-off points of FeNO and IOS indicators to diagnose CVA from subacute cough were respectively assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: A total of 85 patients with subacute cough were included. Among them, 35 patients were diagnosed with CVA (CVA group), the others are classified as non CVP group (n=50). In CVA group, the levels of FeNO and total respiratory impedance (Zrs) were significantly higher, while maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF)%pred, and mid expiratory flow (MEF)75/50/25%pred, reactance at 5 Hz (X5) levels were significantly lower than those in non CVP group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the FeNO had a positive correlation with Zrs and Fres (ρ=0.312, P=0.003 and ρ=0.318, P=0.003, respectively), had a negative correlation with X5 (ρ=-0.288, P=0.007). A ROC analysis indicated that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of FeNO in diagnosis of CVA was 0.786 (95% CI: 0.684-0.889), the best cut-off point of FeNO volume ratio was 24.5×10(-9). When FeNO volume ratio=24.5×10(-9,) the sensitivity of in diagnosing CVA was 77.8%, specificity was 70.0%. The AUC for Zrs and X5 were 0.679 and 0.687, respectively. The combination of FeNO and X5 had a greater AUC than other indicators (AUC: 0.817, 95% CI: 0.726-0.908), the sensitivity and specificity were 80.6% and 66.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Both FeNO level and IOS index can be used to screen CVA in patients with subacute cough, and the combination of both have better value in diagnosing CVA.

[Identification and evaluation on methods with upstream flank sequences of CRISPR1, regarding Escherichia coli and Shigella]

Objective: To analyze the effect of the identification and evaluation of Escherichia (E.) coli and Shigella, based on the upstream flanking sequences of CRISPR1. Methods: Both CRISPR and cas sequences were obtained through the BLAST with repeating sequences against the publicly complete genome in GenBank that related to E. coli and Shigella. Clustal X was used to perform multi-sequences alignment of the flanking sequences. PCR method was used to amplify the upstream flanking sequences of CRISPR1 in order to appraise the effect of identification and evaluation of upstream flanking sequences on E. coli and Shigella, which were based on the upstream flanking sequences of CRISPR1. Results: The results showed that 73.4% of the strains containing the I-E CRISPR/Cas that belonged to the phylogroups A, B1, D while 8.4% strains carried the I-F CRISPR/Cas. Another 17.2% of the strains owned CRISPR3-4 (non-CRISPR/Cas) only belonged to the phylogroups B2. All the Shigella strains carried I-E CRISPR/Cas. More than 99% of similarity the CRISPR1 upstream-flanking sequences was seen in E. coli (except B2) and Shigella and E. coli (B2). Both sensitivity and specificity were greater than 91% after PCR amplification in the region to identify the E.coli and Shigella. Conclusion: The upstream of CRISPR1 could achieve a preliminary identification effect on E.coli and Shigella.

[Effect of anatomic features of ciliary body on primary angle closure]

The mechanisms of primary angle closure are complex and varied. It is well known that the anatomic features of iris and lens may have influence on the presence of angle closure. However, the effect of structural features of ciliary body on primary angle closure remain unclear yet. The anterior situation of ciliary processes was extensively proved to be one of the predisposing factors of angle closure. While it's still controversial how the thickness of ciliary body may affect angle closure. Recent researches found that primary angle closure was associated with thinner ciliary body thickness. This review is aimed at introducing current researches of the effects of ciliary processes position and ciliary body thickness on primary angle closure. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 716-720).

[Screening of the SETX gene in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients of Chinese origin]

Objective: To investigate all coding regions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-related gene Senataxin (SETX) in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients of Chinese origin. Methods: From January 2010 to December 2014, the peripheral venous blood samples and clinical data were collected from 311 patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) and 311 healthy controls who were of Chinese ancestry from the Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood of all participants using standard methods. The coding regions of SETX were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened for mutations using next-generation sequencing technology. The online software SIFT and PolyPhen-2 were used to analyze the conservation of an altered amino acid and predict the potential pathogenicity of identified mutations. The SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the clinical feature of all participants. Results: Tenkinds of rare and one novel nonsynonymous mutations were identified and were absent in 311 controls. Twelve (3.86%) patients carried one SETX gene mutation. Five (1.61%) out of above-mentioned 12 patients carried highly pathogenic mutations including p. Pro1868Leu (c.5603G>A), p. Pro1331Leu (c.3992G>A), p. Glu756Val (c.2267T>A), p. Leu564Val (c.1690A>C), and p. Asn144Ser (c.431T>C). Patients carried SETX mutations were not different from other patients in onset age. Conclusion: Mutations in SETX are likely to be a pathogenesis for Chinese sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

[Prognosis and risk factors of 1 791 patients with breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery based on real-world data]

Objective: To investigate the overall efficacy of early breast cancer after breast-conserving treatment. To analyze risk factors affecting local regional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM) and survival. Methods: 1 791 breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion criteria were pathologic diagnosis of invasive breast cancer without supraclavicular and internal mammary node metastasis, T1-2N0-3M0, and no neoadjuvant therapy. Univariate analysis of survival was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: The median follow-up time was 4.2 years. For all patients, the 5-year LRR, DM, disease-free survival(DFS) and overall survival(OS) rates were 3.6%, 4.6%, 93.0% and 97.4%, respectively. The LRR rates of patients with Luminal A, Luminal B1, Luminal B2, HER-2 over-expressed and triple-negative breast cancer were 2.0%, 6.1%, 5.9%, 0 and 10.0%, while the DM rates were 3.2%, 6.7%, 8.3%, 4.8% and 7.3%, respectively. Among the N0 patients, axillary dissection was performed in 689 cases and sentinel lymph node biopsy in 652 cases. The 5-year LRR rates were 3.3% and 3.2% (P=0.859), and the OS rates were 98.2% and 98.3% (P=0.311) respectively, which showed no statistically significant. There were 1 576 patients that underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Postoperative radiotherapy significantly reduced the 5-year LRR compared with surgery alone (2.5% vs 12.9%). The 5-year LRR rates of patients who received conventional fractionated radiotherapy and hypo-fractionated radiotherapy were 2.7% and 3.1%, respectively. But the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.870). Multivariate analysis showed that age, lymphovascular invasion, pathological T staging, postoperative radiotherapy, ER/PR status and endocrine therapy were independent factors of LRR in breast cancer patients (all P<0.05). Histological grade and pathological N staging were independent factors of DM (all P<0.05). The age, lymphovascular invasion, pathological T and N staging, postoperative radiotherapy, ER/PR status and endocrine therapy were independent factors for DFS (all P<0.05). Histological grade, pathological N staging, ER/PR status and endocrine therapy were factors for OS (all P<0.05). Conclusions: With contemporary standard treatment, the recurrence rate of early breast cancer after breast conserving treatment is less than 10%. Node-negative patients after sentinel lymph node biopsy did not need axillary dissection. The overall utilization of radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery is satisfactory. Hypofractionated radiotherapy is as effective as conventional fractionated radiotherapy. Local regional recurrence and distant metastasis have different risk factors.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast conservation therapy]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of the ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast conserving surgery. Methods: From 1999 to 2013, 63 women with IBTR after breast conserving surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had adequate information on tumor location both at first presentation and at recurrence, with or without regional recurrence or distant metastasis. The histologic changes between true local recurrence and elsewhere recurrence groups were compared. The local recurrence, the overall survival after IBTR (IBTR-OS), the disease-free survival after IBTR (IBTR-DFS) were also compared. Results: All patients had undergone lumpectomy, including 38 cases with additional axillary lymph node dissection and 13 cases with sentinel lymph node biopsy. There were 11.3% (7/63) cases received neoadjuvant systemic therapy, 68.3% (43/63) had adjuvant radiotherapy, 60.3% (38/63) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and 47.6% (30/63) received hormonal therapy. Forty-five cases (71.4%) had recurrence in the same quadrant, and 18 cases (28.6%) had elsewhere recurrence. Compared with histology at presentation, 10.3% of the patients (6/58) had different ones at recurrence and 28.9% of patients (13/45) had different molecular subtypes. The conversion rate of estrogen receptor status (33.3% vs 9.5%, P=0.012) and progesterone receptor status (56.3% vs 19.0%, P=0.005) in patients with elsewhere recurrence was significantly higher than that in patients with same quadrant recurrence. Fifty-nine cases had undergone surgery after IBTR, with 48 cases of secondary breast-conserving surgery and 11 cases of salvage mastectomy. The median time to IBTR of same quadrant recurrence and elsewhere recurrence groups were 26 months and 62 months (P=0.012), respectively. There were 84.4% and 44.4% cases who had local recurrence within 5 years after breast conserving surgery, respectively. Of all cases, the overall 5-year IBTR-OS and 5-year IBTR-DFS rates were 79.4% and 60.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in 5-year IBTR-OS (77.4% vs. 83.6%, P=0.303) or 5-year IBTR-DFS (60.0% vs. 62.8%, P=0.780) between same quadrant recurrence and elsewhere recurrence groups. Univariate analysis showed that pN0-1 (P<0.001), luminal subtype (P=0.026), adjuvant endocrine therapy (P=0.007) at first presentation, recurrent tumor < 3 cm (P=0.036) and having surgery after IBTR(P=0.002) were favorable factors of IBTR-OS. pN0-1 (P<0.001) at first presentation, recurrent tumor stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ (P<0.001) and having surgery after IBTR(P=0.001) were favorable factors of IBTR-DFS. There was no significant difference between second breast-conserving surgery and salvage mastectomy in IBTR-OS and IBTR-DFS (P>0.05). Conclusions: The IBTR after breast conserving surgery mainly occurred at the original quadrant. Second breast-conserving surgery did not affect patient's prognosis. There were significant differences in biological features between the same quadrant recurrence and elsewhere recurrence, requiring different therapeutic strategies in the future.

[An investigation of psychological state at different stages of occupational AIDS exposure and related influencing factors in Nanning, China]

Objective: To investigate the changes in psychological state after occupational exposure in the AIDS occupational exposure population and related influencing factors, and to provide baseline data and a basis for related departments to conduct mental health prevention and intervention for personnel with occupational AIDS exposure. Methods: AIDS risk assessment was performed for all personnel with occupational AIDS exposure in 2014 in Nanning, China, and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) psychological scale was used for psychological state evaluation at 24 hours, 1 week, and 3 months after occupational exposure in all persons who met the research criteria. Results: Most of the persons with occupational AIDS exposure came from secondary and tertiary hospitals (85%) , and nurses accounted for the highest percentage (78.3% ). The age ranged from 21 to 50 years, and the mean age was 31.02 ± 7.92 years. The persons with occupational AIDS exposure aged 20~29 years accounted for the highest percentage (51.6%) , and most persons (76.7%) graduated from junior colleges. Compared with the adult norm, there was significant increases in the total psychological score and the number of positive items after occupational exposure (P<0.05). The scores of all items at 24 hours were significantly higher than those at the other time points, and the scores of all items gradually decreased over time (F=227.24, 267.57, and 287.46, P<0.05). Compared with the adult norm, there were significant increases in the factor points at 24 hours and significant reductions in the factor points at 3 months (P<0.05). Compared with those at 24 hours, the factor scores at 3 months decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Occupational AIDS exposure affects the mental status of related personnel, and the mental status at 24 hours after exposure is poor. Related departments should provide corresponding psychological counseling for the occupational exposure population at different exposure times.

Evaluation of overall survival rate of different therapies in the treatment of T1-T3 prostate cancer: a network meta-analysis

We performed this network meta-analysis (NMA) in order to compare the overall survival rate of six different therapies of T1-T3 prostate cancer (PC). The therapies include radiotherapy (RT), endocrine therapy (ET), Cryoablation (CRYO), radical prostatectomy (RP), RT+ET and RP+ET. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science and MEDLINE were searched to collect relevant literature from the inception of the study till February 2017. Cohort studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. A combination of direct and indirect evidence was performed to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and draw surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA). Nine eligible cohort studies were included in this NMA, including 20,644 patients suffering from T1-T3 PC. The pairwise meta-analysis revealed that compared with the ET regimen, the RP and RP+ET regimens exhibited comparatively higher overall survival rates (OR = 2.81, 95%CI = 2.09 ~ 3.78; OR = 3.15，95%CI = 1.80 ~ 5.50, respectively). The results of SUCRA values demonstrated that the RP + ET regimen occupied the first place (89.5%) in terms of overall survival rate, and the RP regimen came second (84.83%). Thus, the RP+ET regimen had better efficacy in the treatment of T1-T3 PC in combined-therapeutic regimens, and the RP regimen presented better efficacy in mono-therapeutic regimen. Our findings indicate that the RP+ET regimen had better efficacy on improving the overall survival rate of T1-T3 PC patients, and the RP regimen ranked second.

Morphological Parameters Related to Aneurysm Wall Enhancement in Patients with Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been suggested as a potential in vivo method to detect inflammation of aneurysm wall and identify unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) at high risk for rupture. This study aims to investigate the correlation between aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) on vessel wall MRI and rupture-related morphological parameters in patients with multiple UIAs.

METHODS

Clinical data and vessel wall MRI images were reviewed in 14 patients with 30 multiple UIAs. The AWE was defined as enhancement of the aneurysm wall in postcontrast vessel wall MRI using the precontrast MRI as a reference. Morphological parameters, including aneurysm size, aspect ratio, size ratio, bottleneck factor, height-to-width ratio, nonsphericity index (NSI), and inflow angle, were measured using 3-dimensional rotation angiography. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between morphological parameters and the presence of AWE.

RESULTS

Sixteen of the 30 multiple UIAs presented with AWE on vessel wall MRI. On univariate analyses, UIAs with AWE were significantly larger (P = 0.001) and had significantly higher aspect ratio (P = 0.047), size ratio (P = 0.003), bottleneck factor (P = 0.007), and NSI (P = 0.007) values. Further multivariate logistic regression showed that aneurysm size (odds ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-11.35; P = 0.033) and NSI (odds ratio, 3.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-11.80; P = 0.040) were independently associated with the presence of AWE in multiple UIAs.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of AWE on vessel wall MRI was significantly correlated with conventional morphological rupture risk factors in patients with multiple UIAs, which might indicate AWE as a potential radiologic predictor for UIAs with high rupture risk.

A SLC24A2 Gene Variant Uncovered in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Whole Exome Sequencing

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents as an aggressive malignancy caused by environmental and genetic factors. In order to identify causal genes for PDAC, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) to detect gene mutations in seven pairs of PDAC tissue and adjacent non-tumor tissue samples. Finally, we found a new nonsynonymous single nucleotide variant (nsSNV) in solute carrier 24 family member 2 (SLC24A2) gene resulting in the substitution of native glutamic acid (E) into aspartic acid (D) at position of 287 amino acid (E287D) in SLC24A2 protein, and confirmed this variant by Sanger gene sequencing. SLC24A2 is a potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger and can transport metal ion across cell membrane. Multiple in silico variants' effects analyses methods including SIFT, PolyPhen, PROVEAN, and PANTHER demonstrated this variant had probably damaging effects, which was consistent with the results obtained from Mutation Taster software analysis with a probability of 0.99999997 to be "disease causing." The three dimension (3D) structure analysis results suggested this variant had little effects on the solubility and hydrophobicity of the protein; but it could decrease the protein stability by increasing the total protein structure energy (-8874.33 kJ/mol for the mutant and -8963.54 kJ/mol for the native) and by causing the mutant protein decreasing three stabilizing residues. Less stability of the mutant 287D protein than the native E287 protein was also supported by I-Mutant and Western-blotting analysis results. Overall, a new mutation in SLC24A2 gene was identified to decrease the stability of SLC24A2, which may have potential clinical usages.

[Effect of Kruppel-like factor 2 on the migration of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) on the migration of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Methods: Cultured human LSEC were infected with different lenti-viruses to overexpress or suppress KLF2 expression (LV5-KLF2 and LV3-shKLF2, respectively), the infection efficacies were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.Transwell migration assay was used to investigate the role of KLF2 on the migration of LSEC.The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively.The expression and phosphorylation of Src, P38 MAPK, and P44/42 MAPK were detected by Western blot. Results: The up-regulation of KLF2 expression dramatically inhibited migration of treated LSEC, compared with LV5-NC and WT control cells, fewer LV5-KLF2 cells migrated to the lower side of the filter after 12 h [ (35.6±1.4), (71.3±2.4) and (69.3±1.6), P<0.001 for all comparisons]. In contrast, the down-regulation of KLF2 expression promoted the migration of LSEC, more LV3-KLF2 cells migrated to the lower side of the filter compared with the LV3-NC and WT control cells [(189.5±5.4), (83.4±2.5) and (82.2±3.4), P<0.001 for all comparisons]. Furthermore, up-regulation of KLF2 reduced the mRNA and protein expression level of VEGFR2, while down-regulation of KLF2 significantly increased its expression in LSEC.Additionally, up-regulation of KLF2 inhibited the phosphorylation of Src, P38 MAPK, and P44/42 MAPK pathway in LSEC, whereas down-regulation of KLF2 promoted the phosphorylation of those signaling pathway proteins. Conclusions: KLF2 may inhibit the migration of human LSEC through the Src/ MAPK signaling pathway.

A new discussion of the cutaneous vascular reactivity in sensitive skin: A sub-group of SS?

BACKGROUND

Sensitive skin (SS) seems not to be a one-dimensional condition and many scholars concentrate on skin barrier disruption or sensorineural change, but few focus on its increased vascular reactivity. This study explored the possibility of using the different selection methods and measurement methods to verify a high vascular reactivity in SS without an impaired cutaneous barrier function.

METHODS

Sixty "self-perceived sensitive skin" volunteers were enlisted and each one completed three kinds of screening tests: assess cutaneous sensory using questionnaire survey and Lactic Acid Sting Test (LAST); assess barrier function using Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) skin irritation test and assess cutaneous vascular reactivity using 98% DMSO test and non-invasive measurement. Volunteers were divided into different groups based on response to SLS. The DMSO clinical score and the biophysical parameters obtained by non-invasive measurement were subsequently analysed.

RESULTS

(1) The positive correlations could be seen between sum LAST score and sum DMSO score regardless of the observation time; (2) The biological parameters (CBF、a*values and L* values) are all keeping with DMSO score; (3) If the participants were divided into SLS reactors and non-reactors, a composition ratio of DMSO score was significant difference in these two groups and in SLS non-reactors, there were still seven participants showed high reaction to DMSO.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a sub-group of SS for characteristics of a high vascular reactivity without an impaired cutaneous barrier function. The DMSO test and novel non-invasive measurements which are conducive to assess cutaneous vascular reactivity, combined with SLS skin irritation test could help us to screen this kind of SS.

NCRP Program Area Committee 5: Environmental Radiation and Radioactive Waste Issues

Program Area Committee 5 of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) focuses its activities on environmental radiation and radioactive waste issues. Historically this Committee addressed emerging issues of the nation pertaining to radioactivity or radiation in the environment or radioactive waste issues due either to natural origins or to man-made activities. The Committee continues to identify such issues in the future.

Quantum non-demolition measurement of photon number with atom-light interferometers

When atoms are illuminated by an off-resonant field, the AC Stark effect will lead to phase shifts in atomic states. The phase shifts are proportional to the photon number of the off-resonant illuminating field. By measuring the atomic phase with newly developed atom-light hybrid interferometers, we can achieve quantum non-demolition measurement of the photon number of the optical field. In this paper, we analyze theoretically the performance of this QND measurement scheme by using the QND measurement criteria established by Holland et al [Phys. Rev. A 42, 2995 (1990)]. We find the quality of the QND measurement depends on the phase resolution of the atom-light hybrid interferometers. We apply this QND measurement scheme to a twin-photon state from parametric amplifier to verify the photon correlation in the twin beams. Furthermore, a sequential QND measurement procedure is analyzed for verifying the projection property of quantum measurement and for the quantum information tapping. Finally, we discuss the possibility for single-photon-number-resolving detection via QND measurement.

[New advances in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis]

Various chronic liver diseases may progress to liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis. Assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis helps with clinical decision-making, prognosis prediction, and evaluation of therapeutic effect, and therefore, accurate diagnosis and evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis is a research hotspot at present. The advances in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in recent years include the publication of international consensuses and guidelines, evaluation of the outcome of liver fibrosis after antiviral therapy, development of the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with non-viral hepatitis, and constant update of noninvasive diagnostic techniques.

[Association between phage-mediated shiga toxin and molecular distribution of CRISPR in Escherichia coli O26 ∶ H11 or NM]

Objective: To investigate the association between phage-mediated shiga toxin and molecular distribution of CRISPR in Escherichia (E.) coli O26∶H11 or NM. Methods: A total of 135 E. coli O26 ∶ H11 or NM strains were collected from NCBI database. Software CRT and CRISPR Finder were used to extract CRISPR and Excel was used to assign the spacer of unique number and type CRISPR. And the relationship between CRISPR and stx phage was analyzed. Results: All the 135 E. coli O26 ∶ H11 or NM strains had the CRISPR. For CRISPR1, CRISPR2.1, CRISPR2.2 and CRISPR3-4, 19, 22, 1 and 1 subtypes were found, respectively. According to the four CRISPR sites, the strains could be divided into 40 subtypes. Stx-phage was only observed in the group C of CRISPR. Compared with E. coli of stx-phage negative, E. coli with stx-phage harbored more spacers. Conclusions: CRISPR loci was extensively existed in E. coli O26∶H11 or NM, and many subtypes were found in these strains. The presence of stx-phage was related to the molecular distribution of CRISPR in E. coli O26∶H11 or NM. CRISPR might be a valuable biomarker to identify strains with high virulent potential.

[The significances of peripheral neutrophils CD(55) and myeloperoxidase expression in patients with myeloperoxidase-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis]

Objective: To investigate the expression of CD(55) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) on neutrophils in patients with MPO-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis(MPO-AAV), and analyze the relationship between the expression and clinical manifestation. Methods: Forty untreated patients with active MPO-AAV (patient group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled in this study. The CD(55) on neutrophils and both membrane and cytoplasmic MPO were detected by flow cytometry. Serum fragment-from the activated complement factor B(Ba) and MPO were measured by ELISA. The clinical activity of vasculitis was valued by Birmingham vasculitis activity score-version 3(BVAS-V3). The significance of laboratory data was evaluated by Spearman correlation test and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: (1)The mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) of CD(55) expressed on neutrophils was significantly higher than that in control group[4 068.6±2 306.0 vs 2 999.5±1 504.9, P=0.033]. Similar results of serum MPO and Ba in patient group were found compared to controls [500.0(381.0, 612.7) IU/L vs 286.9(225.5, 329.1) IU/L, P<0.001; 35.2(25.2, 79.5) ng/L vs 18.0(15.0, 28.0) ng/L, P<0.001], respectively. However, MIF of cytoplasmic MPO in patients was significantly lower than that of control group(1 577.1±1 175.9 vs 3 105.3±2 323.0, P=0.003) . (2) In patient group, cytoplasmic intensity of MPO was negatively associated with the serum levels of MPO(r=-0.710, P<0.001) and Ba (r=-0.589, P=0.001). Moreover, serum MPO was positively associated with serum Ba(r=0.691, P<0.001). Membrane intensity of CD(55) on neutrophils was positively correlated with patient age (r=0.514, P=0.001), C reactive protein (r=0.376, P=0.018), peripheral neutrophils count (r=0.485, P=0.001) and BVAS-V3 (r=0.484, P=0.002), whereas negative correlation between membrane CD(55) and disease duration was seen (r=-0.403, P=0.01). (3) The result of multiple linear regression analysis showed there was statistically significant positive correlation between MFI of CD(55) expressed on neutrophils and BVAS-V3 (β=0.001, P=0.027). Conclusions: In MPO-AAV, CD(55) expression on neutrophils is markedly enhanced, which is one of the independent risk factors related to disease activity. It might protect neutrophils from attacking AAV, CD(55) expression on neutrophils is markedly enhanced, which is one of the independent risk factors related to disease activity. It might protect neutrophils from attacking by complement alternative pathway. Activated neutrophils release more MPO and lysosome to intensify the inflammation reaction and aggravate the disease. Thus CD(55) might become a new potential target for the treatment of this disease in the future.

[Preliminary analysis of lung function of population with biofuel smoke exposure]

Objective: To analyse the impaired lung functions of people with biofuel smoke exposure. Methods: Nonsmokers with biofuel smoke exposure were selected as research objects in a mountainous area of northern Guangdong where the families used biofuels as main energies and the nonsmokers without biofuel smoke exposure in the same area as control. Questionnaire interviews and spirometry tests were performed on all subjects. To analyse the differences of lung functions in both. Results: Seventy hundred and seventeen subjects were enro1led in this study.There were 530 nonsmokers with biofuel smoke exposure(observation group) including 442 women and 88 men, average age 54±10. There were 187 nonsmokers without biofuel smoke exposure(control group) including 141 women and 46 men, average age 54±10. There was no significant difference between two groups in age, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio(P>0.05). The pulmonary ventilation function index(FEV(1)%Pred, FEV(1)/FVC) in the observation group was significantly less than that in control group [(100±18) vs.(106±25); (80±10) vs.(83±6) respectively, P<0.05]. Small airway function index(PEF25, PEF50, PEF75, MMPEF and MMPEF%Pred) was significantly less than that in control group(P<0.01). According to the univariate regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis, regression coefficients between BIOFUEL-INDEX and FEV/FVC was -0.1, 95%CI(-0.1, -0.1, P<0.01). According to the threshold analysis, the vertice of BIOFUEL-INDEX was 46.0, where the predicted Y value was 81.76, 95%CI (80.2, 83.33). When BIOFUEL-INDEX<46.0, the regression coefficient was 0, 95%CI (-0.1, 0.0)(P>0.05); when BIOFUEL-INDEX> 46.0, the regression coefficient 2 was -0.1, 95%CI (-0.2, -0.1)(P<0.01). The difference between coefficient 2 and 1 was -0.1, 95%CI (-0.2, 0.0), which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The Log-Likelihood ratio between Model I and Model Ⅱ had statistical significance (P=0.019). Conclusions: The biofuel smokes exposure causes damages in lung function.

Effect of region of interest size on ADC measurements in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

To investigate the influence of region of interest (ROI) size on tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 64 patients with pathologically proved pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The tumor ADCs were measured by two independent readers using six round ROIs with sizes ranging from 20 to 214 mm² (9 to 97 pixels) in both the six separate measurements. The intra- and inter-observer variabilities were analyzed by using the coefficient of variance (CV), the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. The mean ADCs measured with the 6 different-sized ROIs were compared using one-way repeated analysis of variance. The sample sizes were calculated by using 80% power and a 5% significance level to detect 10 to 25% changes in ADC measurements.

RESULTS

The largest ROI (ROI₂₁₄) yielded the best intra-observer repeatability (CV, 6.3%; ICC, 0.93) and inter-observer reproducibility (CV, 10.1%; ICC, 0.84). The mean differences in ADC measurements ± limits of agreement between the two readers were (0.06 ± 0.47) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₂₀, (0.08 ± 0.46) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₄₆, (0.05 ± 0.37) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₈₂, (0.07 ± 0.42) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₁₁₅, (0.05 ± 0.43) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₁₅₂ and (-0.02 ± 0.29) × 10^-3 mm² for ROI₂₁₄.

CONCLUSIONS

ROI size had a considerable influence on the ADC measurements of PDACs.

Intravoxel incoherent motion DWI of the pancreatic adenocarcinomas: monoexponential and biexponential apparent diffusion parameters and histopathological correlations

Background

To investigate the associations between the diffusion parameters obtained from multiple-b-values diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the aggressiveness and local stage prediction, and assess the values of the quantitative parameters for the discrimination of tumors from healthy pancreas.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with surgical pathology-proven PDAC (size, 35 ± 12 mm) and fifty-seven healthy volunteers were enrolled. Diffusion parameters including monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_b and ADC_total) and biexponential intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters (ADC_slow, ADC_fast and f) based on 9 b-values (0 to 1000s/mm²) DWI were calculated for the lesions and the healthy pancreas. These parameters were compared by grades of differentiation, lymph node status, tumor stage and location. The diagnostic performances were calculated and compared by using the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analyses.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in ADC_b, ADC_total, ADC_slow, ADC_fast or f between PDAC stage T1/T2 and stage T3/T4 or moderately differentiated versus poorly differentiated PDAC (p = 0.060-0.941). In addition, no significant differences were observed for the quantitative parameters between tumors located in the pancreatic head versus other pancreatic regions (p = 0.203-0.954) or between tumors with and without metastatic peri-pancreatic lymph nodes (p = 0.313-0.917). ADC_25-600, ADC₁₀₀₀, ADC_total and ADC_fast were significantly lower for PDAC compared the healthy pancreas (all p < 0.05). ROC analyses showed the area under curve for ADC₂₀ was the largest (0.911) to distinguish PDAC from normal pancreas (cut-off value, 5.58 × 10⁻³mm²/s) and had the highest combined sensitivity (89.5%) and specificity (82.4%).

Conclusions

Multiple-b-values DWI derived monoexponential and biexponential parameters of PDAC do not exhibit significance dependence on tumor grade or tumor characteristics. ADC₂₀ provided the best accuracy for differentiating PDAC from healthy pancreas in the study.