[Treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with them in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors in adults with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) . Methods: Between January 2008 and February 2021, date of consecutive cases of younger than 65 years of adults with sAML were assessed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics at diagnosis, treatment responses, recurrence, and survival were evaluated. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were employed to determine significant prognostic indicators for treatment response and survival. Results: 155 patients were recruited, including 38, 46, 57, 14 patients belonging to t-AML, and AML with unexplained cytopenia, post-MDS-AML, and post-MPN-AML, respectively. In the 152 evaluable patients, the rate of MLFS after the initial induction regimen was 47.4%, 57.9%, 54.3%, 40.0%, and 23.1% in the four groups (P=0.076) . The total rate of MLFS after the induction regimen was 63.8%, 73.3%, 69.6%, 58.2%, and 38.5% (P=0.084) , respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that male gender (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038 and OR=0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, P=0.015) , SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.6, P=0.014 and OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.004) and receiving low-intensity regimen as induction regimen (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.003 and OR=0.1, 95%CI 0.1-0.2, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors impacting the first CR and the final CR; PLT<45 × 10(9)/L (OR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038) and LDH ≥258 U/L (OR=0.3, 95%CI 0.1-0.7, P=0.005) were independent factors for CR. Among the 94 patients with achieving MLFS, 46 cases had allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up period of 18.6 months, the probabilities of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 years were 25.4% and 37.3% in patients with transplantation, and in patients with chemotherapy, the probabilities of RFS and OS at 3-year were 58.2% and 64.3%, respectively. At the time of achieving MLFS, multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥46 years (HR=3.4, 95%CI 1.6-7.2, P=0.002 and HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.1-6.0, P=0.037) , peripheral blasts ≥17.5% at diagnosis (HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.2-4.9, P=0.010 and HR=4.1, 95%CI 1.7-9.7, P=0.002) , monosomal karyotypes (HR=4.9, 95%CI 1.2-19.9, P=0.027 and HR=28.3, 95%CI 4.2-189.5, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors influencing RFS and OS. Furthermore, CR after induction chemotherapy (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.8, P=0.015) and transplantation (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.028) were substantially linked to longer RFS. Conclusion: Post-MDS-AML and post-MPN-AML had lower response rates and poorer prognoses than t-AML and AML with unexplained cytopenia. In adults with male gender, low platelet count, high LDH, and SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate at diagnosis, and receiving low-intensity regimen as the induction regimen predicted a low response rate. Age ≥46 years, a higher proportion of peripheral blasts and monosomal karyotype had a negative effect on the overall outcome. Transplantation and CR after induction chemotherapy were greatly linked to longer RFS.

Mutational Status and Clinical Outcomes Following Systemic Therapy with or without Focal Radiation for Resected Melanoma Brain Metastases

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases occur frequently in advanced melanoma and traditionally require surgery and radiation therapy. New evidence demonstrates that systemic therapies are effective for controlling metastatic melanoma brain metastases. This study evaluated outcomes after resection of melanoma brain metastases treated with systemic therapy, with or without focal radiotherapy.

METHODS

All patients received immunotherapy or BRAF/MEK inhibitors preoperatively or in the immediate 3 months postoperatively. Resection cavity failure, distant central nervous system progression, and adverse radiation effects were reported in the presence and absence of focal radiotherapy using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2020, 37 resection cavities in 29 patients met criteria for analysis. Of lesions, 22 (59%) were treated with focal radiotherapy, and 15 (41%) were treated with targeted therapy or immunotherapy alone. The 12- and 24-month freedom from local recurrence was 64.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 42.1%-99.8%) and 46.3% (95% CI 24.5%-87.5%), respectively, for systemic therapy alone and 93.3% (95% CI 81.5%-100%) at both time points for focal radiotherapy (P = 0.01). On univariate analysis, focal radiotherapy was the only significant factor associated with reduction of local recurrence risk (hazard ratio 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.85; P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in central nervous system progression-free survival or overall survival between patients who received systemic therapy plus focal radiotherapy compared with systemic therapy alone. BRAF mutation status was reviewed for either the brain metastasis (n = 9 patients, 31%) or the primary site (n = 20 patients, 69%), and patients harboring BRAF^V600E mutations had worse progression-free survival (P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Focal radiotherapy with systemic therapy for resected melanoma brain metastases significantly decreased resection cavity recurrence compared with systemic therapy alone. BRAF mutation status correlated with poorer outcomes.

Neuroprotective Effects of IVIG against Alzheimer' s Disease via Regulation of Antigen Processing and Presentation by MHC Class I Molecules in 3xTg-AD Mice

BACKGROUND

The results of clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) revealed inconsistency in efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the neuroprotective effects and possible mechanisms of different IVIG in 3xTg-AD mice.

METHODS

3-month-old 3xTg-AD mice were administered intraperitoneally with different IVIG (A/B/C) for 3 months and then the therapeutic effects were observed and tested at 9 months of age. The bioavailability of IVIG and Aβ40/42 concentrations in parietotemporal cortex was measured by ELISA. Behavioral tests were performed to examine cognitive functions. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to examine the deposition of Aβ, the phosphorylation of tau, the levels of GFAP and Iba-1 in the hippocampus. Proteomics, Luminex assay and parallel reaction monitoring were performed to identify and verify the proteins that showed a marked change in the hippocampus.

RESULTS

IVIG-C was more effective than IVIG-A and IVIG-B in counteracting cognitive deficits, ameliorating Aβ deposits and tau phosphorylation, attenuating the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus and inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. IVIG-C affected innate immunity and suppressed the activation of antigen processing and presentation by MHC class I molecule (APP-MHC-I).

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of different IVIG on AD was significantly different, and only IVIG-C has been confirmed to possess significant neuroprotective effects, which are related to the inhibition of APP-MHC-I. IVIG may be a potential therapeutic for AD but further research is needed to evaluate the functional of IVIG before clinical trials of AD treatment.

Adverse radiation effect and freedom from progression following repeat stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases

OBJECTIVE

The authors previously evaluated risk and time course of adverse radiation effects (AREs) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases, excluding lesions treated after prior SRS. In the present analysis they focus specifically on single-fraction salvage SRS to brain metastases previously treated with SRS or hypofractionated SRS (HFSRS), evaluating freedom from progression (FFP) and the risk and time course of AREs.

METHODS

Brain metastases treated from September 1998 to May 2019 with single-fraction SRS after prior SRS or HFSRS were analyzed. Serial follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical pathology reports were reviewed to score local treatment failure and AREs. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate FFP and risk of ARE measured from the date of repeat SRS with censoring at the last brain MRI.

RESULTS

A total of 229 retreated brain metastases in 124 patients were evaluable. The most common primary cancers were breast, lung, and melanoma. The median interval from prior SRS/HFSRS to repeat SRS was 15.4 months, the median prescription dose was 18 Gy, and the median duration of follow-up imaging was 14.5 months. At 1 year after repeat SRS, FFP was 80% and the risk of symptomatic ARE was 11%. The 1-year risk of imaging changes, including asymptomatic RE and symptomatic ARE, was 30%. Among lesions that demonstrated RE, the median time to onset was 6.7 months (IQR 4.7-9.9 months) and the median time to peak imaging changes was 10.1 months (IQR 5.6-13.6 months). Lesion size by quadratic mean diameter (QMD) showed similar results for QMDs ranging from 0.75 to 2.0 cm (1-year FFP 82%, 1-year risk of symptomatic ARE 11%). For QMD < 0.75 cm, the 1-year FFP was 86% and the 1-year risk of symptomatic ARE was only 2%. Outcomes were worse for QMDs 2.01-3.0 cm (1-year FFP 65%, 1-year risk of symptomatic ARE 24%). The risk of symptomatic ARE was not increased with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunotherapy before or after repeat SRS.

CONCLUSIONS

RE on imaging was common after repeat SRS (30% at 1 year), but the risk of a symptomatic ARE was much less (11% at 1 year). The results of repeat single-fraction SRS were good for brain metastases ≤ 2 cm. The authors recommend an interval ≥ 6 months from prior SRS and a prescription dose ≥ 18 Gy. Alternatives such as HFSRS, laser interstitial thermal therapy, or resection with adjuvant radiation should be considered for recurrent brain metastases > 2 cm.

BODIPY-based Probe for Amyloid-β Imaging In Vivo

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, and the efficient detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques can greatly enhance diagnosis and therapy. Most reported probes used to detect Aβ are based...

[Role of preoperative ultrasound-guided inferior parathyroid gland localization and new classification to assist intraoperative search and protection of parathyroid glands]

Objective: To investigate the role and significance of ultrasound-guided inferior parathyroid gland (IPTG) localization in searching and protecting parathyroid glands before thyroid surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 306 patients (433 cases of lateral parathyroidectomy) who underwent primary thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection in Beijing Tongren Hosipital from March to October 2021 were enrolled. In order to locate IPTG more quickly and effectively, new IPTG classification and the definition of quadrant position were carried out. The patients were divided into the study group (n=228) and the control group (n=205). The study group underwent ultrasound-guided IPTG examination before operation and measured the distance between the IPTG and the lower pole of the thyroid and the midline of the trachea. During the operation, the IPTG was found and protected depending on the localization. The control group did not use any auxiliary preoperative positioning method. The distribution ratio of IPTG and the coincidence rate between intraoperative validation and ultrasound localization were calculated. Results: There were 306 patients enrolled in the final analysis (95 males and 211 females), with a median age of 41 years old (18-70). Type Ⅱ and Ⅲ IPTG accounted for 77.2% (176/228) of the total cases. The total coincidence rate ranged from 72.8% to 79.4% in different IPTG groups. Type Ⅲ and quadrant 2 IPTG had the highest coincidence rate [92.4% (73/79) and 92.9% (79/85), respectively]. The study group had better in situ retention rate [82.0% (187/228) vs 73.2% (150/205), χ²=4.896, P=0.027] and less implantation rate [8.8% (20/228) vs 16.1% (33/205), χ²=5.393, P=0.020] than those of the control group. The in situ retention rate were better in type Ⅲ IPTG group, compared with those of the control group [94.9% (74/78) vs 77.4% (48/62), χ²=7.898, P=0.005]. There was no permanent hypoparathyroidism in two groups and the temporary hypoparathyroidism rate was 32.0% (24/75) and 34.6% (18/52), respectively (χ²=0.095, P=0.758). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided IPTG localization examination has important implications for searching and protecting IPTG during operation, which can significantly increase in situ retention rate of IPTG and decrease the implantation rate.

Measuring the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on university resumption and suggestions for countermeasures

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities around the world had to find a balance between the need to resume classes and prevent the spread of the virus by ensuring the health of students. The purpose of our study was to effectively assess the overall risk of universities reopening during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Design and methods

Using the pressure-state-response model, we designed a risk evaluation method from a disaster management perspective. First, we performed a literature review to find the main factors affecting the virus spread. Second, we used the pressure-state-response to represent how the considered hazards acts and interacts before grouping them as disaster and vulnerability factors. Third, we assigned to all factors a risk function ranging from 1 to 4. Fourth, we modeled the risk indexes of disaster and of system vulnerability through simple and appropriate weights and combined them in an overall risk for the university resumption. Finally, we showed how the method works by evaluating the reopening of the Hebei Province University in 2022 and highlighted the resulting advice for reducing related risks.

Results

Our model included 20 risk factors, six representing exogenous hazards (disaster factors) that university can only monitor and 14 related to system vulnerability that can also control. Disaster factors included epidemic risk level of students' residence and the school's location, means of transportation back to school, size of the university population, the number of migrants on and off campus and express carrier infection. Vulnerability factors included student behaviors, routine campus activities and all the other actions the university can take to control the virus spread. The university of Baoding city (Hebei Province) showed a disaster risk of 1.880 and a vulnerability of 1.666 which combined provided a low risk of school resumption.

Conclusion

Our study judged the risks involved in resuming school and put forward specific countermeasures for reducing the risk levels. This not only protects public health security but also has some practical implications for improving the evaluation and rational decision-making abilities of all parties.

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

Parameter estimation for nonlinear sandwich system using instantaneous performance principle

The vast majority of reports mainly focus on the steady-state performance of parameter estimation. Few findings are reported for the instantaneous performance of parameter estimation because the instantaneous performance is difficult to quantify by using the design algorithm, for example, in the initial stage of parameter estimation, the error of parameter estimation varies in a specific region on the basis of the user's request. With that in mind, we design an identification algorithm to address the transient performance of the parameter estimations. In this study, the parameter estimation of nonlinear sandwich system is studied by using the predefined constraint technology and high-effective filter. To achieve the above purpose, the estimation error information reflecting the transient performance of parameter estimation is procured using the developed some intermediate variables. Then, a predefined constraint function is used to prescribe the error convergence boundary, in which the convergence rate is lifted. An error equivalent conversion technique is then employed to obtain the transformed error data for establishing an parameter adaptive update law, in which the estimation error convergence and the predefined domain can be achieved. In comparison with the available estimation schemes, the good instantaneous performance is obtained on the basis of the numerical example and practical process results.

Histone H3.3 deposition in seed is essential for the post-embryonic developmental competence in Arabidopsis

The acquisition of germination and post-embryonic developmental ability during seed maturation is vital for seed vigor, an important trait for plant propagation and crop production. How seed vigor is established in seeds is still poorly understood. Here, we report the crucial function of Arabidopsis histone variant H3.3 in endowing seeds with post-embryonic developmental potentials. H3.3 is not essential for seed formation, but loss of H3.3 results in severely impaired germination and post-embryonic development. H3.3 exhibits a seed-specific 5' gene end distribution and facilitates chromatin opening at regulatory regions in seeds. During germination, H3.3 is essential for proper gene transcriptional regulation. Moreover, H3.3 is constantly loaded at the 3' gene end, correlating with gene body DNA methylation and the restriction of chromatin accessibility and cryptic transcription at this region. Our results suggest a fundamental role of H3.3 in initiating chromatin accessibility at regulatory regions in seed and licensing the embryonic to post-embryonic transition.

[Clinical features, risk factors and prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy complicated by ischemic stroke]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, risk factors and prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) complicated with ischemic stroke (IS) (DCM-IS). Methods: The clinical data of patients with idiopathic DCM (n=613) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Liangxiang Hospital and Fuxing Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected, and among them, 123 cases were DCM-IS. Clinical features of patients with DCM-IS were summarized and multivariate logistic regression model was utilized to analyze the independent risk factors of DCM-IS. Furthermore, 1-year follow-up was conducted and Kaplan-Meier curve was adopted to analyze the prognosis of DCM, using all-cause death and heart transplantation as adverse outcomes. Results: Among the 70 patients with DCM-IS, 6 patients (8.6%, 6/70) were in accordance with the subtype of large artery atherosclerosis, and 47 patients (67.1%, 47/70) were in line with the subtype of cardiogenic embolism, and small artery occlusion subtype (ie, lacunar infarction) were detected in 17 cases (24.3%, 17/70). Hypertension [odds ratio (OR)=1.617, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.049-2.491, P=0.029], hyperlipidemia (OR=1.918, 95%CI: 1.198-3.073, P=0.007), atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR=1.617, 95%CI: 1.016-2.572, P=0.043), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR=0.986, 95%CI: 0.977-0.996, P=0.005) and a higher incidence of intracardiac thrombus (OR=6.127, 95%CI: 3.174-11.827, P<0.001) were risk factors for DCM-IS. The overall 1-year survival rate was lower in DCM-IS patients (70.7%) than DCM patients without stroke (83.6%, P=0.004), and the main causes of death included obstinate heart failure (3 cases of DCM-IS, and 5 cases of non-DCM-IS) and malignant arrhythmia (DCM-IS) (22 cases of DCM-IS, and 18 cases of non-DCM-IS). Conclusions: Among IS patients with idiopathic DCM, cardioembolism is the most common, followed by lacunar infarction, and the large-artery atherosclerotic subtype is the least common.Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, AF, lower eGFR value and higher incidence of intracardiac thrombus are risk factors for DCM-IS. DCM patients complicated with IS have poor short-term prognosis, and obstinate heart failure and malignant arrhythmia are their main causes of death.

An Intestinal Symbiotic Bacterial Strain of Oscheius chongmingensis Modulates Host Viability at Both Global and Post-Transcriptional Levels

A rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Oscheius chongmingensis, has a stable symbiotic relationship with the bacterial strain Serratia nematodiphila S1 harbored in its intestines and drastically reduced viability when associated with a non-native strain (186) of the same bacterial species. This nematode is thus a good model for understanding the molecular mechanisms and interactions involved between a nematode host and a member of its intestinal microbiome. Transcriptome analysis and RNA-seq data indicated that expression levels of the majority (8797, 87.59%) of mRNAs in the non-native combination of O. chongmingensis and S. nematodiphila 186 were downregulated compared with the native combination, including strain S1. Accordingly, 88.84% of the total uniq-sRNAs mapped in the O. chongmingensis transcriptome were specific between the two combinations. Six DEGs, including two transcription factors (oc-daf-16 and oc-goa-1) and four kinases (oc-pdk-1, oc-akt-1, oc-rtk, and oc-fak), as well as an up-regulated micro-RNA, oc-miR-71, were found to demonstrate the regulatory mechanisms underlying diminished host viability induced by a non-native bacterial strain. Oc-rtk and oc-fak play key roles in the viability regulation of O. chongmingensis by positively mediating the expression of oc-daf-16 to indirectly impact its longevity and stress tolerances and by negatively regulating the expression of oc-goa-1 to affect the olfactory chemotaxis and fecundity. In response to the stress of invasion by the non-native strain, the expression of oc-miR-71 in the non-native combination was upregulated to downregulate the expression of its targeting oc-pdk-1, which might improve the localization and activation of the transcription factor DAF-16 in the nucleus to induce longevity extension and stress resistance enhancement to some extent. Our findings provide novel insight into comprehension of how nematodes deal with the stress of encountering novel potential bacterial symbionts at the physiological and molecular genetic levels and contribute to improved understanding of host-symbiont relationships generally.

ISRS Technical Guidelines for Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Treatment of Small Brain Metastases (≤1 cm in Diameter)

PURPOSE

The objective of this literature review was to develop International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society (ISRS) consensus technical guidelines for the treatment of small, ≤1 cm in maximal diameter, intracranial metastases with stereotactic radiosurgery. Although different stereotactic radiosurgery technologies are available, most of them have similar treatment workflows and common technical challenges that are described.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A systematic review of the literature published between 2009 and 2020 was performed in Pubmed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The search terms were limited to those related to radiosurgery of brain metastases and to publications in the English language.

RESULTS

From 484 collected abstract 37 articles were included into the detailed review and bibliographic analysis. An additional 44 papers were identified as relevant from a search of the references. The 81 papers, including additional 7 international guidelines, were deemed relevant to at least one of five areas that were considered paramount for this report. These areas of technical focus have been employed to structure these guidelines: imaging specifications, target volume delineation and localization practices, use of margins, treatment planning techniques, and patient positioning.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review has demonstrated that Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for small (1 cm) brain metastases can be safely performed on both Gamma Knife (GK) and CyberKnife (CK) as well as on modern LINACs, specifically tailored for radiosurgical procedures, However, considerable expertise and resources are required for a program based on the latest evidence for best practice.

New Direct Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Half-Life of ^{128}Te with CUORE

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN in Italy is an experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. Its main goal is to investigate this decay in ^{130}Te, but its ton-scale mass and low background make CUORE sensitive to other rare processes as well. In this Letter, we present our first results on the search for 0νββ decay of ^{128}Te, the Te isotope with the second highest natural isotopic abundance. We find no evidence for this decay, and using a Bayesian analysis we set a lower limit on the ^{128}Te 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}>3.6×10^{24}  yr (90% CI). This represents the most stringent limit on the half-life of this isotope, improving by over a factor of 30 the previous direct search results, and exceeding those from geochemical experiments for the first time.

[Cadmium induces apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes (GC-2 spd) by promoting mitochondrial fission]

Objective: To study the underlying mechanism of cadmium-induced apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes (GC-2 spd) . Methods: In March 2021, GC-2 spd cells were exposed to different concentrations of CdCl(2) for 24 hours, namely 5 μmol/L CdCl(2) (low-dose) group and 10 μmol/L CdCl(2) (high-dose) group, and unexposed GC-2 spd cells were used as control group. Mitochondrial morphology was observed in the cells stained with Mito-Track Red CMXRos fluorescent probes by confocal microscopy and the mitochrondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry with JC-1 fluorescent probes. Mitochrondrial proteins, cytosolic proteins and total cellular proteins of GC-2 spd cells were extracted using cell mitochondria isolation kit and RIPA buffer, respectively. The expression of mitochondrial homeostasis regulatory proteins (FIS1 and OPA1), and apoptosis-related proteins (Cytochrome c and cleaved Caspase-3) were examined by Western blot. Results: Compared with the cells in the control group, the relative ratio of JC-1 red/green fluorescence signal in the cells of the low-dose and high-dose CdCl(2) groups decreased significantly (0.740±0.071, 0.570±0.028), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.017, 0.004) ; The morphology of mitochondria changed from long tube to point, and the proportion of cells containing point mitochondria increased significantly (45.1%±3.7% and 25.7%±4.9%), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.005, 0.001) ; The relative expression level of mitochondrial FIS1 in cells of low and high dose CdCl(2) groups was significantly higher (1.271±0.120, 1.693±0.155), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.046, 0.000) ; The relative expression level of OPA1 decreased significantly (0.838±0.050, 0.682±0.040), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.049, 0.001). Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of cytochrome c protein in the cytoplasm of cells in the low dose group of CdCl(2) was not significantly increased (1.249±0.151), and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.075). However, the relative expression level in the cytoplasm of cells in the high dose group of CdCl(2) was significantly increased (2.355±0.110), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000) ; The relative expression level of Cytochrome c in mitochondria of low and high dose CdCl(2) groups decreased significantly (0.681±0.043, 0.619±0.114), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.004, 0.001) ; Moreover, the level of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in cells gradually increased (5.486±0.544, 11.493±1.739), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.004, 0.000) . Conclusion: Cadmium induced cleaved Caspase-3 mediated apoptosis of GC-2 spd cells via promoting mitochrondrial fission and the release of Cytochrome c from the mitochrondria to the cytosol.

Flow characteristics of open channels based on patch distribution of partially discontinuous rigid combined vegetation

To clarify the flow characteristics of open channels under the combined distribution of vegetation in a patch, this study used the computational fluid dynamics tool FLUENT and the Reynolds stress model to design four combined and four discrete distribution modes under two different inundation states (submerged and non-submerged). The flow characteristics of longitudinally discontinuous rigid vegetation patches occupying half the width of the channel were numerically simulated. The numerical model is verified by indoor open channel flume experiments, and the obtained model data is in good agreement with the measured data. The results showed that: 1) The diameter of vegetation is an important factor affecting the wake structure. Under the submerged condition. 2)The submerged state, distribution pattern and combination form of vegetation are important factors that affect the distribution of flow velocity and change the structure of water flow. That is, the influence of vegetation distribution pattern on flow velocity and turbulence intensity under submerged condition is significantly weaker than that under non-submerged condition, and the flow velocity in non-vegetation area is significantly higher than that in vegetation area. The increase in the combined vegetation comprehensive stem thickness and the discrete degree resulted in an increase in the difference in flow velocity and turbulence intensity. 3) As the water flowed downstream, the flow velocity along the vegetated area continuously decreased, while it increased continuously along the non-vegetated area, and the difference in flow velocity between the two areas became more apparent. 4) The inundation state and combination characteristics of vegetation were important factors affecting the Reynolds stress of the channel location in the patch area.

New Degradable Semiconducting Polymers for Photoacoustic Imaging of λ-Carrageenan-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model

Semiconducting polymer has a high extinction coefficient and a long band absorption and can be used as a photoacoustic imaging contrast agent. However, nonbiodegradable semiconducting polymers may cause biosafety issues due to being retained in the body. Therefore, developing degradable semiconducting polymers is necessary for in vivo imaging. Herein, we developed three degradable semiconducting polymers with unique optical properties. We adjusted the optical properties of semiconducting polymers by designing the molecular structure of semiconducting polymers. Polymers with a donor-π-acceptor structure could easily improve the optical properties through adjusting the donor or acceptor units. Through adjusting the electron-donor and -acceptor units, three diketopyrrolopyrrole derivative polymers (DPPTz, DPPQu, and DPPWu) were synthesized and converted into nanosize particles. By introducing the degradable chemical groups in the main chain structure of semiconducting polymers, diketopyrrolopyrrole polymers could be degraded by ClO^-. Among these nanosize particles, DPPTz NPs and DPPQu NPs were used to achieve the in vivo photoacoustic imaging of λ-carrageenan-induced arthritis mouse model. This work provides a novel design idea for the designing of red-shifted semiconducting polymer with degradable properties.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O in the Gamow Windows of the s and i Processes

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.