Curved focal plane extreme ultraviolet detector array for a EUV camera on CHANG E lander

A novel curved focal plane extreme ultraviolet (EUV) detector array designed for a moon-based EUV camera is demonstrated. The curved focal plane detector array operating in a pulse-counting mode consists of a curved microchannel plate (MCP) stack and an induced charge wedge-strip anode (WSA). The curved MCP is fabricated by firstly thermally slumping of the MCPs, and then followed by optical polishing and core glass etching. By using this technology, curved MCPs with a length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of 80:1 and a radius of curvature of 150 mm have been successfully achieved. The performance of the curved MCP detector is fully characterized in terms of the background noise, pulse height distribution, gain, image linearity and spatial resolution. It is measured that a spatial resolution of 7.13 lp/mm can be achieved with a background noise of less than 0.3 counts/cm2⋅s. The characterization results indicate that the curved focal plane detector can fulfill the requirements of the moon-based EUV camera.

Treatment of silicosis with hepatocyte growth factor-modified autologous bone marrow stromal cells: a non-randomized study with follow-up

Pulmonary silicosis is an irreversible and untreatable disease that is characterized by interstitial lesions and perpetual fibrosis in the lungs. This study was performed to determine whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) could exhibit therapeutic effects on human silicosis. This non-randomized uncontrolled trial comprised four patients with pulmonary silicosis who had developed lung fibrosis and received autologous bone marrow MSCs previously transfected by a vector containing human HGF cDNA (MSCs/HGF). MSCs/HGF were intravenously administered weekly for three consecutive weeks at a dose of 2 x 10(6) cells/kg. Pulmonary function, high kilo-voltage chest X-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and peripheral blood lymphocyte subset and serum IgG concentrations were evaluated after cell therapy. The treatment was found to be generally safe. Symptoms such as cough and chest distress gradually ameliorated at six months post-therapy, accompanied by the significant improvement of pulmonary function. The ratios of the peripheral CD4- and CD8- positive cell concentrations were increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the serum IgG levels in these patients were decreased and reached the normal range (P < 0.05). CT scans showed partial absorption of the nodular and reticulonodular lesions in the lungs during follow-up of at least 12 months. The effectiveness of this novel regimen observed in these patients suggests that a placebo-controlled clinical trial needs to be developed. This study carries trial registration No. NCT01977131 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

MicroRNA-200c overexpression plays an inhibitory role in human pancreatic cancer stem cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

AIM

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be the 'seed cell' in cancer recurrence and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates due to their ability to regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of miRNA-200c (miR-200c) on the EMT, tumorigenesis, colony formation, invasion and chemoresistance of human pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs).

METHODS

PCSCs with CD24+CD44+ESA+ as the marker was sorted from PANC-1 cell line by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of miR-200c and EMT-associated phenotypes. Transfection of miR-200c mimic into PCSCs was performed to establish miR- 200c overexpressed cells. The assays of colony forming, cellular invasion and survival in vitro and tumor progression in vivo were performed.

RESULTS

Expression of miR-200c was significantly reduced in PCSCs compared with PANC-1 cells. However, the stable over expression of the miR-200c in the PCSCs resulted in a significant down-regulation of zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and the Vimentin expression, an upregulation of the E-cadherin expression as well as a decrease of colony forming, chemoresistance and invasion in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo in nude mice by inhibition of the EMT.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that miR-200c may become a new therapeutic target for gene therapy in patients suffered from pancreatic cancer.

Polyactives: controlled and sustained bioactive release via hydrolytic degradation

Significant and promising advances have been made in the polymer field for controlled and sustained bioactive delivery. Traditionally, small molecule bioactives have been physically incorporated into biodegradable polymers; however, chemical incorporation allows for higher drug loading, more controlled release, and enhanced processability. Moreover, the advent of bioactive-containing monomer polymerization and hydrolytic biodegradability allows for tunable bioactive loading without yielding a polymer residue. In this review, we highlight the chemical incorporation of different bioactive classes into novel biodegradable and biocompatible polymers. The polymer design, synthesis, and formulation are summarized in addition to the evaluation of bioactivity retention upon release via in vitro and in vivo studies.

Increased expression of the lncRNA PVT1 is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients

AIM

Long non-coding RNA PVT1 (lncRNA PVT1) has been identified and it plays an oncogenic role in various human cancers. However, its roles in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. The aim of this paper was to explore the PVT1 expression levels and relationship with survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and to establish the significance of PVT1 in the development and progression of PDAC.

METHODS

In this study, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression levels of lncRNA PVT1 in paired PDAC and adjacent nontumor tissues. The association of PVT1 expression with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to analyze the association of PVT1 expression with overall survival rate of patients with PDAC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were carried out to analyze the prognostic significance of PVT1 expression.

RESULTS

The study results showed that the PVT1 expression was significantly increased in PDAC tissues compared to adjacent nontumor tissues. The expression of PVT1 was associated with clinical stage and N-classification (P<0.05). Patients with high PVT1 expression level had shorter overall survival times compared to those with low PVT1 expression level (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses suggested that PVT1 might be an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival rate in patients with PDAC.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggested that the increased expression of lncRNA PVT1 in PDAC was correlated with tumor progression, and PVT1 might be a potential molecular biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with PDAC.

Gene-gene interaction of CFH, ARMS2, and ARMS2/HTRA1 on the risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Chinese population

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association and interaction of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three genes (CFH, ARMS2, and ARMS2/HTRA1) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 300 nAMD and 300 PCV patients and 301 normal subjects participated in the present study. The allelic variants of rs800292, rs2274700, rs3750847, rs3793917, and rs1065489 were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Gene-gene interactions were evaluated by the data mining approach multifactor-dimensionality reduction (MDR) method.

RESULTS

The risk alleles of CFH rs800292, rs2274700, ARMS2 rs3057847, and ARMS2/HTRA1 rs3793917 showed significant difference between nAMD or PCV patients and controls (all P<0.01). The homozygosity of risk alleles for rs800292, rs2274700, rs3750847, and rs3793917 were significantly different between nAMD patients and controls (all P<0.01), and predisposed to PCV patients (all P<0.01). After cross-validation consistency (CVC) and permutation tests, the two-locus model rs2274700_rs3750847 has a balanced accuracy of 64.37% in predicting nAMD disease risk. The one-marker model, rs3750847, and two-locus model rs2274700_rs3750847 has a balanced accuracy of 66.07% and 65.89% in predicting PCV disease risk, respectively. Furthermore, CFH rs1065489 did not show significant association with nAMD (P>0.01), but was strongly associated with PCV in Chinese patients (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found that the interaction of ARMS2 and ARMS2/HTRA1 is significantly associated with nAMD, and the interaction of CFH and ARMS2 is pronounced in PCV development in Chinese population.

Brain discriminative cognition on the perception of touching different fabric using fingers actively

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Using touching movement of fingers, human subjects can discriminate various tactile perception of fabric. As a continuation of the previous study, we aim to further investigate the discriminative mechanisms of the brain cognition to tactile stimulation of different fabric.

METHODS

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to observe the brain responses when the subjects touched linen fabric, as well as revisited the data from the previous silk fabric. And all the subjects were asked to compare the perception of touching the two fabric.

RESULTS

Combining the results of brain responses and perception comparison, we found that activation in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), especially parietal operculum 1 (OP1) in this region, could discriminate this two kinds of fabric distinctly.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that the functional regions involved in the macrogeometric properties of fabric (such as pliability) is in SI, and the perception of microgeometry of fabric surface (such as roughness and glutinousness) in SII, especially in the sub-region OP1 of the OP. Besides, activation in motor cortex can be a reference for the characterization of the brain cognition on the tactile stimulation of fabric.

The effect of BM67 gene deletion on Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus replication

Homologs of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) Bm67 gene ORF67 have been found in the genome of all lepidopteran nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, but their function is still not very clear. In order to analyze it we employed a  bacmid harboring the complete BmNPV genome including the Bm67 gene and expressing infectious virus (wtBacmid) for the construction of its Bm67-deficient variant (Bm67-KO-Bacmid) using the Red recombination system and the Bm67-repaired variant (Bm67-Re-Bacmid) using the Bac-to-Bac system. By transfecting BmN cells with these bacmids we demonstrated that the Bm67-deficient virus did not generate infectious virus, while the repaired virus restored its infectivity, indicating that the Bm67 gene is essential for the formation of infectious budding virus (BV). Electron microscopy of BmN cells transfected with the abovementioned bacmids showed many mature rodshaped virus particles in both wtBacmid- and Bm67-Re-Bacmid-transfected cells but none in Bm67-KO-Bacmid-transfected ones. Moreover, the real-time RT-PCR showed that the deletion of Bm67 from wtBacmid significantly reduced the levels of viral genomic DNA and transcripts of viral early genes dnapol, ie-1 and lef-3 but not those of transcripts of late gene vp39 and very late gene p10. The finding that the Bm67-deficient virus generated reduced levels of infectious virus and transcripts of early dnapol gene but not those of late genes indicates that the Bm67 gene is essential for BmNPV replication.

Investigation of the cortical activation by touching fabric actively using fingers

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Human subjects can tactually estimate the perception of touching fabric. Although many psychophysical and neurophysiological experiments have elucidated the peripheral neural mechanisms that underlie fabric hand estimation, the associated cortical mechanisms are not well understood.

METHODS

To identify the brain regions responsible for the tactile stimulation of fabric against human skin, we used the technology of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to observe brain activation when the subjects touched silk fabric actively using fingers.

RESULTS

Consistent with previous research about brain cognition on sensory stimulation, large activation in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI), the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) and moto cortex, and little activation in the posterior insula cortex and Broca's Area were observed when the subjects touched silk fabric.

CONCLUSION

The technology of fMRI is a promising tool to observe and characterize the brain cognition on the tactile stimulation of fabric quantitatively. The intensity and extent of activation in the brain regions, especially the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), can represent the perception of stimulation of fabric quantitatively.

Association between HLA rs3129882 polymorphism and Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

As one of potential candidate genes for the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), the HLA-DRA/PARK18 (rs3129882, A > G) gene has been studied extensively. However, direct evidence for the genetic association studies between PD and rs3129882 remains inconclusive. The aim of our meta-analysis was to determine a more reliable association between the rs3129882 and PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comprehensive search strategy was used for electronic searches through PubMed, Elsevier, Springer Link, CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) and WanFang (Chinese) databases to evaluate the association between rs3129882 and PD risk. Data were extracted and the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis of 13 appropriate papers by using a total of 11951 patients and 11902 controls.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed no significant association between rs3129882 and PD risk in all four models (the allele model, dominant model, homozygote model and the recessive model). In allele model, the result was OR = 1.043 (95% CI = 0.978, 1.113). Moreover, this association remained no significant in the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

In current meta-analysis, no significant association was found for rs3129882 and PD risk. And more well-designed primary researches will be needed to further evaluate the interaction of rs3129882 polymorphism and the susceptibility of PD.

A novel thermal reflow method for the fabrication of microlenses with an ultrahigh focal number

A novel thermal reflow method for the monolithic fabrication of microlens arrays with ultrahigh focal numbers and tunable lens profiles.

Factors influencing escalation of care by junior medical officers

Patients can acutely deteriorate unexpectedly. Junior medical officers (JMOs) are often first to review patients who become unwell. Opportunities to escalate care to a senior colleague may exist prior to the need for a rapid response team review. Little is known about the factors that influence JMO decisions to escalate care. In this study, our objective was to investigate the self-reported factors that influence escalation of care by JMOs in a university-affiliated, tertiary level hospital. We designed a face-to-face questionnaire of JMOs using standardised introduction to minimise interviewer bias. Fifty JMOs participated in the study (a 100% response rate). Most (63.3%) felt that they would be able to identify a clinically deteriorating patient. They would be more likely to escalate care if they were not familiar with the patient's clinical problem. If handover plans were seen to be adequate, JMOs felt it was less necessary to escalate care. Few JMOs (12%) agreed that they limited escalation due to fear of criticism or fear of conflict with senior medical staff. Although 36% agreed that they were concerned about waking seniors overnight, only 6% feared that escalating care overnight would affect their future career prospects. Escalation of care appears to be mostly influenced by the confidence and familiarity of the JMO with the cause of deterioration. JMOs identified clear handover with documented goals of treatment and suggested actions in event of clinical deterioration as the best means by which to improve the process of escalation of care for clinically deteriorating patients.

Characterization of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene mutations in phenylketonuria in Xinjiang of China

To investigate the spectrum and frequency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene mutations in phenylketonuria (PKU) patients in Xinjiang, China. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in combination with single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing analyses were performed, to screen potential mutations in the PAH gene in 46 individual PKU patients. Direct DNA sequencing was used to analyze the all of the exons in the PAH gene, including the promoter and flanking intron regions, in another 15 PKU patients. Our results indicated that, 30 different mutation types were identified in all 122 PAH alleles, with the mutation detection rate of 78.7% (96/122). Four novel mutations, i.e., 5'-Flanking -626G>A, 5'-Flanking -480DelACT, S196fsX4, and IVS8+1G>C, were identified for the first time. Similar to other regions in North China, R243Q, EX6-96A>G, IVS4-1A>G, R111X, and Y356X were the most prevalent PAH mutations in PKU patients from Xinjiang. Additionally, common mutations showed different frequencies in Xinjiang, when compared to other areas. Furthermore, sixteen different PAH gene mutation types were identified for the first time in the minorities in Xinjiang. Distinctive mutation spectrum of PAH gene in PKU patients from Xinjiang were characterized, which may promote the construction of PAH gene mutation database and serve as valuable tools for genetic diagnosis and counseling, and prognostic evaluation for PKU cases in the local area.

Exome sequencing of pleuropulmonary blastoma reveals frequent biallelic loss of TP53 and two hits in DICER1 resulting in retention of 5p-derived miRNA hairpin loop sequences

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare childhood malignancy of lung mesenchymal cells that can remain dormant as epithelial cysts or progress to high-grade sarcoma. Predisposing germline loss-of-function DICER1 variants have been described. We sought to uncover additional contributors through whole exome sequencing of 15 tumor/normal pairs, followed by targeted resequencing, miRNA analysis and immunohistochemical analysis of additional tumors. In addition to frequent biallelic loss  of TP53 and mutations of NRAS or BRAF in some cases, each case had compound disruption of DICER1: a germline (12 cases) or somatic (3 cases) loss-of-function variant plus a somatic missense mutation in the RNase IIIb domain. 5p-Derived microRNA (miRNA) transcripts retained abnormal precursor miRNA loop sequences normally removed by DICER1. This work both defines a genetic interaction landscape with DICER1 mutation and provides evidence for alteration in miRNA transcripts as a consequence of DICER1 disruption in cancer.

Reconsideration of the relevance of mild wedge or short vertebral height deformities across a broad age distribution

Based on an evaluation of vertebral fracture prevalence on lateral radiographs across all age groups in a large cohort, mild or wedge-shaped vertebral body changes identified among adults should be managed as osteoporosis or at least considered as a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture, since they are rare among young subjects.

INTRODUCTION

Radiographic assessment of vertebral fractures is limited by the inability to distinguish mild fractures from congenital mild wedge deformities or vertebrae of short vertebral height. We attempted to quantify the expected background prevalence of these deformities by measuring vertebral fracture prevalence across all age groups in a large hospital-based retrospective Chinese cohort.

METHODS

We reviewed eligible lateral chest radiographs from patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during 2011 using the Genant semiquantitative method for vertebral fracture assessment (T4-L2). We evaluated fracture prevalence among subjects by sex, 10-year age group, and fracture severity grades subjectively. We further analyzed characteristics of subjects with mild (grade I) fractures to estimate the relative contribution of congenital mild wedge deformities.

RESULTS

A total of 10,720 subjects (5,396 men and 5,324 women) with lateral chest radiographs were evaluated. Subjects ranged in age from 0.5 to 97 years with a mean of 51.8 ± 17.4 years (men 52.8 ± 17.6 years; women 50.8 ± 17.2 years). When stratified by 10-year age groups, the prevalence of vertebral fractures was relatively low until about 40 years of age, after which prevalence increased for both genders. Fractures (13 fractures for 9 males and 6 fractures for 5 females) seen in subjects younger than 40 years of age were almost exclusively mild grade fractures. No fractures were identified in subjects younger than 20 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild or wedge-shaped vertebral body changes on lateral radiographs are rare among young subjects, indicating that when mild vertebral deformities are found among adults, they are likely to be the product of aging and not congenital variation. Clinically, therefore, mild vertebral body changes should be managed as osteoporosis or at least considered as a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture.

Osteoimmunology in orthodontic tooth movement

The skeletal and immune systems share a multitude of regulatory molecules, including cytokines, receptors, signaling molecules, and signaling transducers, thereby mutually influencing each other. In recent years, several novel insights have been attained that have enhanced our current understanding of the detailed mechanisms of osteoimmunology. In orthodontic tooth movement, immune responses mediated by periodontal tissue under mechanical force induce the generation of inflammatory responses with consequent alveolar bone resorption, and many regulators are involved in this process. In this review, we take a closer look at the cellular/molecular mechanisms and signaling involved in osteoimmunology and at relevant research progress in the context of the field of orthodontic tooth movement.

Comparison of the incidence between tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease after gastrectomy

PURPOSE

Gastrectomy is a well-known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). However, little data are available regarding the relationship between gastrectomy and the risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease. Here, we investigated the incidence of TB and NTM lung disease in gastrectomized patients.

METHOD

New cases of TB and NTM lung infection or disease were examined among patients who had undergone gastrectomy due to gastric cancer from 2003 to 2009 at a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea. Annualized incidence rates for cases were compared with those of the general population.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 2,684 patients. New mycobacterial cases were found in 41 patients. Cases of TB and NTM lung infection were 35 (85 %) and 6 (15 %) including 2 NTM lung disease cases, respectively. Annualized crude incidence rates for TB, NTM lung infection, and NTM lung disease were 327/100,000, 56/100,000, and 19/100,000, respectively. The age-standardized incidence rate of TB was significantly higher in gastrectomized patients than in the general population. However, the standardized incidences of NTM lung infection and disease were not significantly different from those of non-gastrectomized patients. Patients with NTM lung infection frequently exhibited comorbid chronic lung disease, while those with TB were more frequently found to have fibronodular lesions on preoperative chest radiography.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrectomy does not appear to increase the risk of NTM lung disease. However, NTM lung infection or disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis of pulmonary TB in gastrectomized patients accompanying chronic lung disease.

Electron density compression and oscillating effects on laser energy absorption in overdense plasma targets

An analytical model for energy absorption during the interaction of an ultrashort, ultraintense laser with an overdense plasma is proposed. Both the compression effect of the electron density profile and the oscillation of the electron plasma surface are self-consistently included, which exhibit significant influences on the laser energy absorption. Based on our model, the general scaling law of the compression effect depending on laser strength and initial density is derived, and the temporal variation of the laser absorption due to the boundary oscillating effect is presented. It is found that due to the oscillation of the electron plasma surface, the laser absorption rate will vibrate periodically at ω or 2ω frequency for the p-polarized and s-polarized laser, respectively. The effect of plasma collision on the laser absorption has also been investigated, which shows a considerable rise in absorption with increasing electron-ion collision frequency for both polarizations.