KIR3DS1*0130111: a novel KIR allele identified using molecular typing methods

KIR3DS1*0130111 differs from KIR3DS1*0130101 with two previously undescribed single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Magnetic resonance venography in the diagnosis of inferior vena cava obstruction in Budd-Chiari syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the informativeness of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in the diagnosis of different types of inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

56 patients with IVC obstruction underwent MRV scans. These scans were evaluated for morphology of the obstruction and compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images.

RESULTS

Using DSA, we determined that 47 patients had complete obstruction and 9 had partial obstruction. MRV scans revealed 6 cases of partial obstruction. Using MRV, we determined the morphology of the proximal and distal ends of the complete obstructions in the IVC. We classified our observations into cone, plateau, and irregular subtypes. Both DSA and MRV scans were compared to assess the consistency between two methods. MRV demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) for diagnosing a complete obstruction of the IVC, and its specificity was 66.7%. The positive and negative predictive values of MRV were 94% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRV imaging is a valuable alternative to DSA for detection of obstructions in the IVC in Budd-Chiari syndrome, particularly in the distal end, which could expedite the decision making for interventional treatment programmes. However, MRV imaging is less suitable for observing the morphology of the proximal ends of obstructions due to the limitations of the scanning plane and the influence of pseudo shadows.

The role of 3D computed tomography (CT) imaging in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of FBA in children and to decrease the rate of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and morbidity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed the clinical features and the three-dimensional reconstructed CT images of 590 children with foreign body aspiration (FBA) in the Xuzhou area of the Jiangsu province.

RESULTS

CT imaging revealed common complications of FBA including emphysema (n = 379), pneumonia (n = 174), and atelectasis (n = 26). The remaining 120 patients had no visible complications on the three-dimensional reconstructed CT images. Serious complications including pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumatorrhachis could also be observed. The types of foreign bodies were diverse: the most common were peanuts and sunflower seeds. The diagnostic accuracy of the three-dimensional CT imaging was high, with a sensitivity and specificity of 99.83% and 99.89%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

3D CT imaging is an accurate, non-invasive technique to evaluate children with suspected FBA that can help decrease the rate of misdiagnosis and eliminate a delay in treatment for this potentially life-threatening condition.

Reliability and validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale in a Chinese sample of treatment-seeking ketamine users

OBJECTIVE

Despite growing popularity of ketamine misuse in Asia, there is a lack of a validated instrument to measure the severity of ketamine dependence. Psychometric properties of Chinese Severity of Dependence Scale for ketamine (C-SDS-K) were examined in a sample of treatment-seeking ketamine users in Hong Kong.

METHODS

A total of 80 treatment-seeking ketamine users were recruited from 3 treatment centres. The C-SDS-K was administered to assess their severity of dependence on ketamine in the previous month. The diagnosis of their ketamine misuse as per the DSM-IV criteria, and the count of dependence criteria fulfilled in the previous month were determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I).

RESULTS

The C-SDS-K showed high internal consistency (α = 0.74) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95). Total score of C-SDS-K correlated positively with frequency (rs = 0.73, p < 0.001) and dose (rs = 0.89, p < 0.001) of ketamine use per week in the previous month, duration of regular ketamine use (rs = 0.28, p = 0.01), and the count of DSM-IV ketamine dependence criteria met in the previous month (rs = 0.84, p < 0.001). All items loaded strongly on a single factor (factor loading ≥ 0.60) in principal component analysis.

CONCLUSION

The findings support SDS as a reliable and valid tool for measuring the severity of dependence in the treatment-seeking population of Chinese ketamine users.

Predictive value of the novel risk score BETTER (BiomarkErs and compuTed Tomography scorE on Risk stratification) for patients with unstable angina

BACKGROUND

The Braunwald classification and TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) risk score are used to stratify cardiovascular risk in patients with unstable angina (UA). However, these scores have a limited capacity in the practice of cardiology.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to develop a new score, based on blood biomarkers and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) characteristics, for patients with UA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 201 patients with confirmed UA. Follow-up time was 1 year; major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) included cardiovascular death, recurrent acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and re-admission to hospital. Blood biomarkers including high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (Hs-cTnT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured. CCTA characteristics such as stenosis, plaque, epicardial fat volume (EFV), and calcification were evaluated. After analysis of relationships, the novel risk BETTER (BiomarkErs and compuTed Tomography scorE on Risk stratification) score was assessed in 201 patients.

RESULTS

In all, 25 MACEs (12.44 %) occurred: 2 cardiac deaths (1.00 %), 13 non-fatal myocardial infarctions (6.47 %), 10 recurrent ACS and re-admission in hospital (4.96 %). Serum levels of MPO, NT-proBNP, Hs-TnT, Hs-CRP, and IMA were correlated with MACEs (r = 0.20, r = 0.40, r = 0.18, r = 0.24, p < 0.01, respectively; r = 0.12, p > 0.05). CCTA characteristics of stenosis, plaque, EFV, and calcification were significantly correlated with MACEs (r = 0.53, r = 0.57, r = 0.42, and r = 0.52, all p < 0.01 respectively) and were significantly higher in the MACEs group than in the non-MACEs group. Thus, a new risk score was created combining biomarkers and CCTA statistics into a Cox multivariable for risk prediction of 1-year MACEs: BETTER risk score = MPO•0.1 + Hs-TnT•50 + Hs-CRP•0.4 + stenosis•9 + plaque•13 + EFV•0.2. The areas under the curve (AUC) for the prediction by Hs-cTnT, Hs-CRP, and MPO were 0.536 (95 % CI 0.409-0.662), 0.745 (95 % CI 0.641-0.850), and 0.650 (95 % CI 0.541-0.760), respectively. The AUC for the prediction of CCTA characteristics of stenosis, plaque, and EFV were 0.905 (95 % CI 0.860-0.950), 0.912 (95 % CI 0.867-0.957), and 0.835 (95 % CI 0.752-0.917), respectively. In addition, the AUC was 0.621 (95 % CI 0.492-0.750) for the Braunwald classification and 0.680 (95 % CI 0.559-0.801) for the TIMI score. The AUC for the BETTER risk score was 0.937 (95 % CI 0.902-0.972).

CONCLUSION

The BETTER risk score is new tool specifically developed for patients with UA. The score displays higher prediction accuracy in terms of discrimination and calibration than other currently available scores for risk stratification.

Diversity and potential application of endophytic bacteria in ginger

Here, 248 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated to assess the distribution and population diversity of endophytic bacteria in ginger plants. A total of 10.4 x 10(4) to 20.2 x 10(4) CFU/g fresh weight endophytic bacteria of different growth stages were isolated. Maximum bacterium numbers were obtained at the seedling stage. A total of 107 functional strains were screened, including 17 antibacterial strains and 90 indole acetic acid-producing strains. Based on 16S rDNA sequence restriction fragment length polymorphism and 16S rDNA sequences, these 107 strains were mapped and grouped into 16 genera. Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the dominant genera; however, the bacteria belonged to a tremendous range of genera, with the highest species richness being observed at the seedling stage. Sixteen strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against Pythium myriotylum Drechsler, while 7 strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against Phyllosticta zingiberi Hori. Bacillus was the dominant antibacterial strain. Pseudomonas fluorescens, B. megaterium, and Enterobacter ludwigii produced remarkably high levels of IAA. Only a few endophytic bacterial strains were inhibited in fresh ginger juice. Most of these strains were present during seedling stage, including Roseateles depolymerans, Chryseobacterium taiwanense, E. ludwigii, Agrobacterium larrymoorei, P. fluorescens, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. This study indicates that the community of endophytic bacteria in ginger changes with the synthesis of antibacterial substances.

A novel KIR3DS1*0130107 allele isolated by sequencing from an Asian donor

This novel KIR3DS1 allele officially named as KIR3DS1*0130107 was isolated from DNA samples from Asia using high-resolution sequenced-based techniques. KIR3DS1*0130107 differs from the first member of the KIR3DS1*013 subgroup (KIR3DS1*0130101) by a single mutation at position 8922A>G (intron 5), just nine nucleotides away from the start of exon 6.

Extension of the continuum time-dependent Hartree-Fock method to proton states

This paper deals with the solution of the spherically symmetric time-dependent Hartree-Fock approximation applied to nuclear giant monopole resonances in the small amplitude regime. The problem is spatially unbounded as the resonance state is in the continuum. The practical requirement to perform the calculation in a finite-sized spatial region yields an artificial boundary, which is not present physically. The question of how to ensure the boundary does not interfere with the internal solution, while keeping the overall calculation time low is studied. Here we propose an absorbing boundary condition scheme to handle the conflict. The derivation, via a Laplace transform method, and implementation is described. An inverse Laplace transform required by the absorbing boundaries is calculated using a method of nonlinear least squares. The accuracy and efficiency of the scheme is tested and results presented to support the case that they are an effective way of handling the artificial boundary.

Lung ischaemia-reperfusion injury in a canine model: dual-energy CT findings with pathophysiological correlation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate dual-energy CT (DECT) findings of pulmonary ischaemic-reperfusion injury (PIRI) and its pathophysiological correlation in the canine model.

METHODS

A PIRI model was established in 11 canines, utilizing closed pectoral balloon occlusion. Two control canines were also included. For the PIRI model, the left pulmonary artery was occluded with a balloon, which was deflated and removed after 2 h. DECT was performed before, during occlusion and at 2, 3 and 4 h thereafter and was utilized to construct pulmonary perfusion maps. Immediately after the CT scan at the fourth hour post reperfusion, the canines were sacrificed, and lung specimens were harvested for pathological analysis. CT findings, pulmonary artery pressure and blood gas results were then analysed.

RESULTS

Data at every time point were available for 10 animals (experimental group, n = 8; control group, n = 2). Quantitative measurements from DECT pulmonary perfusion maps found iodine attenuation values of the left lung to be the lowest at 2 h post embolization and the highest at 1 h post reperfusion. In the contralateral lung, perfusion values also peaked at 1 h post reperfusion. Continuous hypoxia and acid-based disorders were observed during PIRI, and comprehensive analysis showed physiological changes to be worst at 3 h post reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

DECT pulmonary perfusion mapping demonstrated pulmonary perfusion of the bilateral lungs to be the greatest at 1 h post reperfusion. These CT findings corresponded with pathophysiological changes.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

DECT pulmonary perfusion mapping can be used to evaluate lung ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Effects of Fe doping on the strain and optical properties of GaN epilayers grown on sapphire substrates

The effects of Fe doping on a series of Fe-doped GaN epilayers with different doping concentrations grown on sapphire substrates were investigated in detail by confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy under the back-scattering geometric configuration.

Phase stability, hardness and bond characteristics of ruthenium borides from first-principles

The structural stability, elastic modulus, hardness and electronic structure of RuB_2−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) borides are systematically investigated using a first-principles approach.