[Analysis of positive rate of sinusitis in children with head and pituitary MRI]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of asymptomatic sinusitis in children by magnetic resonance imaging. Method: Collected the head MRI of 1-12 years old children. According to the examination site,the MRI group and the pituitary MRI group (both sinus level) were included.The nasal-sinusitis-like changes in the field were used as positive criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted on the test results. Result: In 3 900 children with MRI, the positive rate of sinusitis was 30.21%. The positive rate increased from 2 years old to 3 years old and remained at the age of 11 years.The higher positive rate was slightly decreased at 12 years old; 1 228 cases of pituitary MRI examination, the positive rate of nasal-sinusitis was 38.27%, the positive rate increased significantly from the age of 2, reached the peak at 6 years old, and then fell back, still kept high positive rate, the lowest to 12 years old. The positive rate of total sinusitis was 32.14%. No obvious difference was found between two groups. Conclusion: Children's skull and pituitary MRI imaging suggests that the positive rate of nasal-innocuous sinusitis is related to age, peaking at 3 to 8 years old, and then gradually decreasing.

[The clinicopathological features and HPV detection of conjunctival actinic keratosis]

Objective: To describe the clinicopathological features of conjunctival actinic keratosis (AK) and relation to the infection of human papillomavirus (HPV). Method: Retrospective case series study. Eighteen cases (18 eyes) of conjunctival AK were obtained in Tianjin Eye Hospital and Institute (2005-2018). The clinical and histopathological features were studied. HPV was detected by a modified general primer HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system in all formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Results: The male to female ratio was 5∶1. The mean age at diagnosis was 60 years (range: 43-79 years). Sixteen cases were located in the nasal interpalpebral region, and two cases were located in the temporal interpalpebral region. All cases were located in corneal limbus, and the mean distance of corneal invasion was 2 mm (range, 1-4 mm). The mean diameter was 4.6 mm (range, 2.0-8.0 mm). Clinically, most lesions (16 cases) appeared as a white or milky, flat plaque with clear borderline and conjunctival hyperemia; a few lesions (2 cases) showed a brown-black mass, partially white. Pathologically, conjunctival AK was a proliferation of epithelium with prominent parakeratosis or hyperkeratosis, stratum spinosm thickening and basal cell proliferation. Many AKs show solar elastosis and a mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the stroma. Most lesions (15 cases) were hypertrophic type, two cases were pigmented type, and one case was acantholytic type. HPV was negative in 18 cases. All case were removed by complete surgical excision. The rage of follow-up period was 1.0-10.4 years, ten cases were recorded, and no case recurred after surgical excision. Conclusions: Conjunctival AK is epithelial precancerous lesion that occurs in the keratoconjunctival margin. HPV infection might not be a causative factor in conjunctival AK. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 531-535).

[Association of arsenic with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion: a case-control study]

Objective: To explore the association of arsenic with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). Methods: A case-control study was conducted to select URSA patients who were admitted to the Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from April to October 2018 as a case group. Women who had a normal pregnancy in the Family Planning Department of the hospital but volunteered to have an abortion were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired in a 1: 1 ratio. The inclusion criteria of the case group were patients with newly diagnosed recurrent spontaneous abortion who had clinically confirmed more than 2 spontaneous abortions and had 20 weeks prior to pregnancy, excluding patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion caused by abnormal blood coagulation (anti-phospholipid antibody positive), abnormal physiological anatomy (B-ultrasound), abnormal immune factors (anti-nuclear antibody positive, anti-cardiolipin antibody, etc.), genetic chromosomal abnormalities (karyotype analysis) and pathogenic microbial infection. The control group was matched according to the age of the case group (±3 years old) and the gestational age (±2 weeks) to exclude adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, congenital malformation, premature delivery and low birth weight infants. A total of 192 subjects were included. Questionnaires were used to collect information of all subjects, and 12 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected to detect blood arsenic levels. Blood arsenic levels were divided into low concentration group (<1.00 μg/L), medium concentration group (1.00-1.50 μg/L) and high concentration group (>1.50 μg/L). The multivariate conditional logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between blood arsenic exposure and URSA and explore the influencing factors of blood Arsenic. Results: The geometric mean values of blood arsenic level in the cases group and control group were 1.68 (1.50-1.86) μg/L and 1.26 (1.17-1.37) μg/L, respectively. The blood arsenic level in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for tobacco exposure during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy body mass index and the effects of residential decoration in past five years, the risk of URSA was higher in the high-concentration group compared with the low-concentration group (OR=2.56, 95%CI:1.06-6.24). Conclusion: Blood arsenic may increase the risk of URSA in women of childbearing age.

Optic Nerve Crush Induces Changes of Hydrogen Sulfide Synthases Expression in the Rat Retina

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the expression changes of the hydrogen sulfide synthases cystathionine γ-lyase （CSE）, cystathionine β-synthase （CBS）, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase （3-MST）, after optic nerve crush （ONC） in rat the retina.

METHODS

The rat model of ONC was established. Rats were divided into normal control, ONC, and sham control groups. Histopathologic changes in retina, the number of retinal ganglion cells （RGC） and retinal thickness of inner part （RTIP） were measured. The changes of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA expression were detected with quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The retinal histostructure was normal in normal controls and with minor changes in sham controls, respectively. Compared with sham group, significant retina damages were found in the ONC group： a time-dependent reduction of RGC number and RTIP. Expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA in rat retina were detected in normal control. Compared with normal controls, the expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA did not show any significant changes in the sham controls. Compared with sham controls, CBS mRNA expressions showed a time-dependent increase at 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after crush in the ONC group; CSE mRNA expressions increased to the peak at 3 d and then slightly reduced at 14 d after crush; 3-MST mRNA expressions showed the trend of increase at 3 d and 7 d and then enhanced remarkably at 14 d after crush.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrogen sulfide synthases CSE, CBS and 3-MST expressions were up-regulated in rat retina following ONC, which may cause an increase in local endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in the retina and a compensatory protective effect.

Efficient high-power dual-wavelength lime-green Nd:YVO4 lasers

An efficient high-power dual-wavelength lime-green Nd:YVO₄ self-Raman laser is inventively developed by using two different lithium triborate (LBO) crystals. The first and second LBO crystals are employed to generate the 559 nm lime and 532 nm green lasers, respectively. The temperature of the first LBO crystal is fixed at the optimal phase matching, whereas the temperature of the second LBO crystal is tuned to flexibly control the relative strengths between the 532 and 559 nm waves. When the temperature of the second LBO crystal is set for the maximal total output power, the 532 and 559 nm output powers, respectively, are 7.1 and 2.9 W at a pump power of 31.6 W, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 31.6%. When the temperature is controlled for the balanced output, the 532 and 559 nm powers, respectively, are 4.3 and 4.2 W at a pump power of 31.6 W, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 26.9%.

Efficient high-power continuous-wave lasers at green-lime-yellow wavelengths by using a Nd:YVO4 self-Raman crystal

Efficient high-power continuous-wave Nd:YVO₄ visible lasers at versatile wavelengths of 532 (green), 559 (lime), and 588 nm (yellow) are demonstrated to be achieved by using the identical cavity mirrors and gain medium. A dichroic coating is deposited on one end surface of the gain medium to gather the backward green-yellow emission. The green, lime, and yellow outputs are individually optimized by using different phase-matched lithium triborate (LBO) crystals for second harmonic generation (SHG) of the fundamental field, sum frequency generation (SFG) of the fundamental and the stimulated Raman fields, and SHG of the stimulated Raman field, respectively. At a pump power of 31.6 W, the output powers at 532, 559, and 588 nm can be up to 6.8, 5.4, and 3.1 W. The high efficient and compact Nd:YVO₄ lasers at green-lime-yellow wavelengths can be potentially beneficial to future applications in retinal photocoagulation.

Ethanol Extract of Chinese Propolis Attenuates Early Diabetic Retinopathy by Protecting the Blood-Retinal Barrier in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Propolis has been shown to reduce the level of blood glucose and suppress the histopathological changes in diabetics. However, it still remains unknown if propolis has a similar effect on diabetic retinopathy (DR). Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ethanol extract of Chinese propolis (EECP) on early DR in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. EECP was given to diabetic rats by oral intubation for 12 weeks. The concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were measured. Pathological examinations, including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunofluorescence, were also conducted to provide further evidence of EECP's effect on early DR. EECP was able to attenuate diabetes via directly decreasing the levels of FBG and HbA1c, which also resulted in the reduction of MDA, ROS, and RNS. Furthermore, EECP could protect against the damages of photoreceptor cells, as well as retinal thickening. And the inhibition of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) leakage was also observed in EECP-treated diabetic rats, along with the inhibition the loss of tight junction proteins (occludin, ZO-1). These results suggest that EECP has an ameliorating effect on early DR by inhibition of blood-retinal barrier breakdown. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study sheds light on the protective effect of the ethanol extract of Chinese propolis on early diabetic retinopathy and the molecular actions underlying the inhibition of blood-retinal barrier breakdown. Our study suggests that ethanol extract of Chinese propolis can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of early diabetic retinopathy.

[Cause and control of non-sampling error in China National Human Biomonitoring Program]

The size of the non-sampling error is directly related to the accuracy and reliability of the sampling survey result. This paper studied the non-sampling errors generated during the sampling process of the China National Human Biomonitoring Program(CNBP), mainly including the sampling frame error, non-response error and measurement error. The program reduced the influence of the non-sampling error on the quality of the survey effectively by scientifically designing the sampling scheme and questionnaire, strengthening investigator trainings and standardizing the data review, which could be used to provide reference for the control of non-sampling errors in public health monitoring projects in China.

Role of HMGB1 in Post-traumatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Rat Lung Tissues

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role of high mobility group B1 （HMGB1） protein in the post-traumatic endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS） in rat lung tissues.

METHODS

The rat model of acute lung injury was established by crushing the hind limbs of rats with standard weight. The first experiment was to divide rats into postural control group and crush groups （6 h, 18 h and 30 h after crushing）. The second experiment was to divide rats into postural control group, 18 h crush group, HMGB1 inhibitor sodium butyrate （SB） group and 18 h crush+SB group. The protein expression changes of HMGB1 and ERS- related proteins （GRP78, caspase-12, CHOP and IRE1α） in rat lung tissues were detected with Western blotting. Meanwhile, the pathological changes of rat lungs were observed by HE stain.

RESULTS

Compared with the postural control group, the expression levels of ERS-related proteins （GRP78, caspase-12, CHOP and IRE1α） and HMGB1 protein in rat lung tissues by crushing the hind limbs of rats were obviously increased. The protein levels reduced at 30 h after crushing but were still higher than those of postural control group and obvious pathological changes of acute lung injury were observed simultaneously in rats. Compared with the 18 h crush group, the expression levels of the ERS-related proteins and HMGB1 protein in rat lung tissues were attenuated in 18 h crush+SB group, and the pathological changes of rat lung injury began to alleviate.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1-ERS pathway activated by traumatic stress can lead to acute lung injury in rats.

[The relationship between IL-4 and trace elements in patients with allergic rhinitis of hui and han populations in Ningxia]

Objective: To examine the relationship between trace elements and IL-4 in patients with allergic rhinitis(AR).Method:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 260 cases in AR group(130 hui cases, 130 han cases),and 260 cases in normal control group(130 hui cases, 130 han cases) were recruited in this study. The concentrations of IL-4 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the contents of Zn, Mn, Ni, Se and Fe were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES), and the correlation between the trace elements and IL-4 were also analyzed.Result:IL-4 levels in serum of both hui and han AR patients were higher than those in control group(P <0.05). Contents of serum Zn and Se in hui AR patients were lower than those in control group(P <0.05), Ni content was higher than that in control group(P <0.05);Zn level in serum of han AR cases was lower than that in control group,Ni content was higher than that in control group (P <0.05).The serum IL-4 level in AR group was positively correlated with Ni(P <0.01,r=0.671), and negatively correlated with Zn(P <0.01, r=-0.819).Conclusion:We demonstrated that there are significant correlations between IL-4 and Zn,Ni in the serum of patients with AR in Ningxia hui and han population. It indicates that trace elements are involved in the occurrence and development of AR, and may as a therauptic target of AR.

Flexible modulation of electronic and magnetic properties of zigzag H-MoS2 nanoribbons by crack defects

The effects of crack defects on electronic and magnetic properties of zigzag MoS₂ nanoribbons are investigated systematically by first-principles calculations based on spin-polarized density functional theory. We find that not only the electronic and spin transport ability of zigzag MoS₂ nanoribbons can be enhanced significantly by the armchair crack defects, but also their magnetism could be modulated flexibly by crack defects. Our study suggests that the introduction of crack defect is a feasible way to modulate the electronic and magnetic properties of zigzag MoS₂ nanoribbons. We further propose that the crack defects may also provide a useful tool for improving the performance of devices.

In Situ Click Reaction Coupled with Quantitative Proteomics for Identifying Protein Targets of Catechol Estrogens

Catechol estrogens (CEs) are metabolic electrophiles that actively undergo covalent interaction with cellular proteins, influencing molecular function. There is no feasible method to identify their binders in a living system. Herein, we developed a click chemistry-based approach using ethinylestradiol (EE2) as the precursor probe coupled with quantitative proteomics to identify protein targets of CEs and classify their binding strengths. Using in situ metabolic conversion and click reaction in liver microsomes, CEs-protein complex was captured by the probe, digested by trypsin, stable isotope labeled via reductive amination, and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 334 liver proteins were repeatedly identified ( n ≥ 2); 274 identified proteins were classified as strong binders based on precursor mass mapping. The binding strength was further scaled by D/H ratio (activity probe/solvent): 259 strong binders had D/H > 5.25; 46 weak binders had 5.25 > D/H > 1; 5 nonspecific binders (keratins) had D/H < 1. These results were confirmed using spiked covalent control (strong binder) and noncovalent control (weak binder), as well as in vitro testing of cytochrome c (D/H = 5.9), which showed covalent conjugation with CEs. Many identified strong binders, such as glutathione transferase, catechol-O-methyl transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and cytochrome c, are involved in cellular redox processes or detoxification activities. CE conjugation was shown to suppress the superoxide oxidase activity of cytochrome c, suggesting that CEs modification may alter the redox action of cellular proteins. Due to structural similarity and inert alkyne group, EE2 probe is very likely to capture protein targets of CEs in general. Thus, this strategy can be adopted to explore the biological impact of CEs modification in living systems.

Royal Jelly Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation in BV-2 Microglial Cells through Modulating NF-κB and p38/JNK Signaling Pathways

Royal jelly (RJ), a hive product with versatile pharmacological activities, has been used as a traditional functional food to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory effect of RJ in microglial cells. The aim of this study is to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of RJ in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced murine immortalized BV-2 cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, RJ significantly inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression at mRNA and protein levels. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α was also downregulated by RJ in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, RJ protected BV-2 cells against oxidative stress by upregulating heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production. Mechanistically, we found that RJ could alleviate inflammatory response in microglia by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκBα, p38, and JNK and by inhibiting the nucleus translocation of NF-κB p65. These findings suggest that RJ might be a promising functional food to delay inflammatory progress by influencing the microglia function.

Blunt Traumatic Cardiac Rupture Presenting as Massive Haemothorax

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma in motor vehicle crash generally causes death at scene, and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. However, early emergency thoracotomy in the emergency department (ED) or operating room might reduce the mortality but the benefit is still controversial. A haemodynamically unstable 28-year-old woman following motor vehicle crash was detected to have right haemothorax on chest X-ray. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed additional lung contusions and multiple bone fractures. She developed cardiac arrest during open thoracotomy and had restored spontaneous circulation after open-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This report highlights that CT scan in haemodynamically unstable patients could delay surgical control of the injury. Open-chest CPR can be life-saving for blunt chest injury developing cardiac arrest. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015;22:320-323)

[Microdeletion and Mutation of Y Chromosome in Full Sibling Identification]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the identification method of full sibling between two males with microdeletion and mutation of Y chromosome.

METHODS

DNA were extracted from two samples. The type testing of Y-STR and autosomal STR were performed. Full sibling between two individuals was calculated by IBS, ITO and discriminant functions methods.

RESULTS

There were 2 loci mutations existed in 33 Y-STR loci and one of the two samples had 19 loci deletions. The IBS of two samples was 53 and greater than the threshold which was 42; FSI was 1.36×10¹⁶ and far greater than 19. The discriminant function of full sibling-unrelated individual D_FS2 was greater than D_R2, which meant the two individuals tend to be full sibling.

CONCLUSIONS

The methods of IBS, ITO and discriminant functions of full sibling-unrelated individual can be used comprehensively to provide more reliable expert opinion in microdeletion and mutation of Y chromosome in full sibling identification.

MicroRNA-30a Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Metastasis Through Down-Regulation of Type I Insulin-Like Growth Factor Receptor

BACKGROUND

miR-30a expression is down-regulated and regulates tumor suppressors in various cancers.

AIM

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the biological role of miR-30a in CRC.

METHODS

MicroRNA, mRNA, and protein expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. The migration and invasion abilities of CRC were determined by wound healing assay, and trans-well migration and invasion. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the targets of miR-30a.

RESULTS

miR-30a expression was significantly down-regulated in CRC tissues and in CRC tissue with lymph node metastasis compared to CRC tissue without metastasis. Overexpression of miR-30a suppressed migration and invasion through insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in CRC cells. miR-30a suppresses IGF1R protein expression and inhibits β-catenin or p-AKT and increases E-cadherin expression. The IGF1R expression level is also up-regulated in CRC tumors and inversely correlated with miR-30a in CRC specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-30a functions as a tumor-suppressive miRNA, which may provide a therapeutic strategy for metastasis of CRC.

[Progress of molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer]

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. Although the staging and classification systems, such as tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) staging, are widely used in clinic, there are some limitations. For example, the patients with the same pathological type, TNM stage and treatment regimen show a completely different prognosis and outcome. In the present, molecular subtyping was concerned for a more precise and accurate staging of colorectal cancer. Herein, we reviewed the literature of the molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer in the past decades. The clinical significance of various molecular subtyping systems was evaluated and compared. It will provide reference for the precision medicine of colorectal cancer in the future.

Some Aspects on the One-Pot Fabrication of Nanoporous Pd-Au Surface Films by Electrochemical Alloying/Dealloying of (Pd-Au)-Zn from a Chlorozincate Ionic Liquid

The high thermal stability of the Lewis acidic ZnCl₂-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid enables the in situ fabrication of hierarchical nanostructured Pd-Au bimetallic surfaces via electrochemical alloying/dealloying of (PdAu)Zn on PdAu substrate in the ionic liquid. Nanostructured PdAu samples that consist of patterned cracks and ligaments are fabricated by using potential cycling method and constant-potential electrolysis method, respectively. The effects of working temperature and amounts of the deposited Zn on the morphology of the dealloyed (PdAu)Zn nanostructure are examined. The formation of the hierarchical nanostructure is a compromise between high-surface-diffusive Au and low-surface-diffusive Pd. Whereas Au in the alloy promotes the nanostructure formation, Pd in the PdAu nanostructure protects this material from coarsening. Compared with the plain PdAu, the nanostructured PdAu surface prepared at 150 °C exhibits a significantly higher active surface area and a high capability for the electro-oxidation of glucose.

SPECTRAL CORRECTION FACTORS FOR CONVENTIONAL NEUTRON DOSE METERS USED IN HIGH-ENERGY NEUTRON ENVIRONMENTS-IMPROVED AND EXTENDED RESULTS BASED ON A COMPLETE SURVEY OF ALL NEUTRON SPECTRA IN IAEA-TRS-403

This paper presents improved and extended results of our previous study on corrections for conventional neutron dose meters used in environments with high-energy neutrons (En > 10 MeV). Conventional moderated-type neutron dose meters tend to underestimate the dose contribution of high-energy neutrons because of the opposite trends of dose conversion coefficients and detection efficiencies as the neutron energy increases. A practical correction scheme was proposed based on analysis of hundreds of neutron spectra in the IAEA-TRS-403 report. By comparing 252Cf-calibrated dose responses with reference values derived from fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients, this study provides recommendations for neutron field characterization and the corresponding dose correction factors. Further sensitivity studies confirm the appropriateness of the proposed scheme and indicate that (1) the spectral correction factors are nearly independent of the selection of three commonly used calibration sources: 252Cf, 241Am-Be and 239Pu-Be; (2) the derived correction factors for Bonner spheres of various sizes (6"-9") are similar in trend and (3) practical high-energy neutron indexes based on measurements can be established to facilitate the application of these correction factors in workplaces.