[Design of an improved percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage tube based on MRCP imaging data]

Objective: Quantified MRCP imaging data was used as a reference for design and preparation of a modified percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage (PTCD) tube. Methods: 3.0 T upper abdominal MR and MRCP imaging data of 2 300 patients treated from July 2015 to July 2020 at the Department of Radiology of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were screened and a total of 381 patients diagnosed with biliary duct structures were identified. Causative etiologies among these patients included pancreatic adenocarcinoma (pancreatic head), cholangiocarcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, as well as intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile duct dilation. An improved PTCD tube was designed based on MRCP quantification of left and right hepatic and common hepatic duct length. Results: In the setting of biliary obstruction caused by malignancy, the distance of the left hepatic duct from its origin to the point of left and right hepatic duct confluence was 15.9±3.8 mm, while the distance of the right hepatic duct from its origin to the point of left and right hepatic duct confluence was 12.4±3.2 mm; the length of the bile duct from its origin to the point of left and right hepatic duct confluence was 34.0±8.1 mm. The improved PTCD tube design incorporated an altered length of the drainage orifice. Conclusion: MRCP imaging of the biliary tract is effective for measuring biliary tract length in the setting of pathological dilation. Based on our biliary tract measurements, a modified PTCD tube was designed to more effectively meet drainage requirements and manage biliary obstruction caused by Bismuth-Corlette type Ⅱ and Ⅲ malignancies.

The diagnostic efficiency of diffusion-weighted imaging in placenta accreta spectrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study searched on PubMed, Embase, OVID, Cochrane, Scopus and CNKI, Chinese Bio-Medical Literature, VIP, Wanfang, Duxiu, databases for studies related to the diagnostic performance of DWI for PAS from inception to December 2022. The pooled sensitivity, the pooled specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), and diagnosis odds ratios (DOR) were calculated by Meta-disc 1.4 and STATA 16.0.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The effect indexes of DWI in combined PAS were as follows. The pooled sensitivity was 0.670 (0.619-0.719). The pooled specificity was 0.720 (0.661-0.773). The pooled LR+ was 2.161 (1.454-3.211). The pooled LR- was 0.413 (0.280-0.609). The pooled AUC was 0.7841, and Q* was 0.7221. The pooled diagnostic ratio DOR was 6.713 (2.981-15.118). Subgroup analysis showed that four studies used T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) + DWI to diagnose PAS, and the pooled AUC was 0.9822.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that DWI had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PAS. Furthermore, T2WI+DWI has higher diagnostic efficacy than DWI alone in the diagnosis of PAS. Therefore, it is necessary to set T2WI+DWI as a routine sequence for PAS, and T2WI+DWI should be a routine method for the daily diagnosis of PAS.

[The expression of Plakoglobin in residual cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and its prognostic impact on patients]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression levels of Plakoglobin protein in residual lesions after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Methods: Clinical and pathological data from 174 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery after receiving NAC at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2009 to December 2017 were collected. The expression level of Plakoglobin in residual cancer lesions was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between Plakoglobin expression level and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used for factor analysis. Results: Among the 174 patients, 140 had low expression of Plakoglobin, and 34 had high expression. The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the Plakoglobin low expression group were 59.46 and 71.68 months, respectively, both of which were higher than those in the high expression group (36.58 and 47.26 months, respectively, both P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that Plakoglobin expression, pathological N stage, lymphovascular invasion status, histological grade, Ki-67, and molecular subtypes were associated with OS (all P<0.05), while pathological N stage, histological grade, and Ki-67 were associated with DFS (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that Plakoglobin expression (HR=2.438, 95% CI: 1.256-4.735, P=0.008) was an independent predictor for OS, and Ki-67 (HR=2.228, 95% CI: 1.316-3.773, P=0.003) was an independent predictor for DFS. Conclusion: In breast cancer patients with residual lesions after NAC, those with low Plakoglobin expression have relatively longer OS and Plakoglobin is an independent prognostic factor for OS.

[Infiltration and significance of M1 macrophage in breast cancer: an analysis of METABRIC database and clinical validation]

Objective: To investigate the differences of immune microenvironment between stage T1N3 and stage T3N0 breast cancer patients and explore the relationship between M1 macrophage infiltration and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Methods: Clinical information and RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) expression data of stage T1N3 (n=9) and stage T3N0 (n=11) breast cancer patients were extracted from Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) databases. Using CIBERSORT, the proportions of 22 types of immune cells were calculated, and then the differences of immune cell infiltration between stage T1N3 and T3N0 patients were compared. From 2011 to 2022, pathologic specimens were collected from breast cancer patients who underwent curative resection at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including 77 at stage T1N3 and 58 at stage T3N0.The METABRIC database analysis results were verified by examining the density of M1 macrophages in tissues using dual-staining immunohistochemistry. Results: METABRIC data analysis showed M1 macrophage was the highest proportion, 15.85% in stage T1N3 breast cancer; M2 macrophage was the highest proportion, 13.07% in stage T3N0 breast cancer.M1 macrophage proportions were statistically different between patients with stage T1N3 and stage T3N0 (P=0.010). The dual-staining immunohistochemistry analysis of breast cancer tissues showed M1 macrophage density (median) of 62.0 and 38.0 cells/mm(2) for stage T1N3 and T3N0, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.002). Conclusion: The density of M1 macrophages is notably higher in stage T1N3 patients and is associated with lymph node metastasis.

[Value of direct immunohistochemical staining in assisting intraoperative frozen diagnosis of bronchiolar adenoma]

Objective: To explore the feasibility and application value of intraoperative direct immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in improving the diagnosis accuracy in difficult cases of bronchiolar adenoma (BA). Methods: Nineteen cases with single or multiple pulmonary ground-glass nodules or solid nodules indicated by imaging in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January to July 2021 and with difficulty in differential diagnosis at frozen HE sections were selected. In the experimental group, direct IHC staining of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p63 was performed on frozen sections to assist the differentiation of BA from in situ/micro-invasive adenocarcinoma/adenocarcinoma/invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. In the control group, two pathologists performed routine frozen HE section diagnosis on these 19 cases. The diagnostic results of paraffin sections were used as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of BA diagnosis, consistency with paraffin diagnosis and time used for frozen diagnosis were compared between the experimental group and the control group. Results: The basal cells of BA were highlighted by CK5/6 and p63 staining. There were no basal cells in the in situ/microinvasive adenocarcinoma/adenocarcinoma/invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. In the experimental group, the sensitivity and specificity with aid of direct IHC staining for BA were 100% and 86.7%, respectively, and the Kappa value of frozen and paraffin diagnosis was 0.732, and these were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The average time consumption in the experimental group (32.4 min) was only 7 min longer than that in the control group (25.4 min). Conclusions: Direct IHC staining can improve the accuracy of BA diagnosis intraoperatively and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, but require significantly longer time. Thus frozen direct IHC staining should be restricted to cases with difficulty in differentiating benign from malignant diseases, especially when the surgical modalities differ based on the frozen diagnosis.

[The correlation between methylation in HPV16 long control region and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more: a Meta-analysis]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between methylation in human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) long control region (LCR) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade ≥2 (CIN2+). Methods: The literature retrieval was conducted by using the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang data and Weipu according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the retrieval period was from the establishment of the databases to February 27^th, 2022. Software RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1 were used for Meta-analysis. Results: A total of 17 literatures were included involving 1 421 subjects. Results of Meta-analysis showed that OR of the correlation between methylation of HPV16 LCR and CIN2+ was 1.56 (95%CI: 0.70-3.47). Subgroup analysis showed that methylation of the 5' terminal, enhancer and promoter regions were not associated with CIN2+, while in four E2 binding sites (E2BS), the methylation of E2BS1, E2BS3 and E2BS4 increased the risk of CIN2+, with the ORs of 3.92 (95%CI: 1.92-7.99), 10.50 (95%CI: 3.67-30.04) and 3.65 (95%CI: 1.58-8.41), respectively. However, subgroup analysis on E2BS2 was not performed due to the limitation of the number of literatures. According to the different sources of population, the risk of CIN2+ in Chinese population was associated with methylation of HPV16 LCR (OR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.31-3.50). There was a correlation between the risk of CIN2+ and HPV16 LCR methylation in the population with pyrosequencing of HPV16 LCR, and OR was 1.75 (95%CI: 1.03-2.98). Conclusion: The risk of CIN2+ is correlated with the methylation of E2BS in HPV16 LCR, which can be used as potential biomarkers.

[A nested case-control study on the relationship between red blood cell folate and the prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between red blood cell folate (RBC folate) and the prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1). Methods: In the married women cohort established in 2014, 564 women with CIN 1 diagnosed by pathology were recruited. The demographic characteristics and factors of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were collected. Meanwhile, the infection status of human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected by molecular diversion hybridization, and the level of RBC folate was measured by chemical photoimmunoassay. After 24 months of follow-up, pathological examination was performed again to observe the prognosis of participants. The women with reversal were taken as the control group,and those with continuous and progressive CIN 1 were taken as the case group respectively. The relationship between RBC folate and CIN 1 outcome was evaluated by logistic regression model. Results: 453 women completed the follow-up, aged (49.72±6.84) years old. CIN 1 was reversed in 342 women, continued in 58 cases and progressed in 53 cases. The RBC folate level M (Q_1,Q₃) were 399.01 (307.10, 538.97) ng/ml, 316.98 (184.74, 428.49) ng/ml and 247.14 (170.54, 348.97) ng/ml, respectively. With the decrease of RBC folate, the risk of continuous and progressive CIN 1 increased (all P<0.001), while the risk of reversal CIN 1 decreased gradually (P<0.001). Combined with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection status, low level of RBC folate could increase the risk of CIN 1 progression regardless of HR-HPV infection (HR-HPV infection: OR=21.34, 95%CI: 3.98-114.54; HR-HPV uninfection: OR=11.15, 95%CI: 2.34-53.13). Conclusion: Low level of RBC folate could increase the risk of CIN 1 persistence and progression regardless of HR-HPV infection.

[A family of hereditary protein S deficiency with the onset of pulmonary embolism and literature review]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and genotype of PROS1 gene related hereditary protein S deficiency (PSD) with the onset of pulmonary embolism in children. Methods: A family with pulmonary embolism was diagnosed as hereditary PSD in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital in November 2020, and the clinical data, including clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging and genetic results, were collected for a retrospective research. The family members were also screened for protein S activity and PROS1 gene mutations. A literature search with "PROS1" "protein S deficiency" "homozygous" and "complex heterozygous" as key words was conducted at PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (up to October 2021). Case reports of patients with PROS1 gene homozygous or complex heterozygous variants and related clinical features, protein S activity, and genotype were reviewed and analyzed. Results: The proband, a 14-year-old girl, was admitted to the hospital for a 9-day history of coughing and a 4-day history of chest pain in November 2020. After admission, laboratory tests showed that D-dimer was 8.38 mg/L (reference:<0.24 mg/L). An urgent CT pulmonary angiography confirmed bilateral pulmonary embolism and right lower pulmonary infarction, while an ultrasonography showed deep vein thrombosis in her left leg. Further examination revealed that protein S activity was less than 10%. The proband's second sister, a 12-year-old girl, was admitted to the hospital in December 2020. Her protein S activity was 8% and an ultrasonography showed deep vein thrombosis in her right leg. The protein S activity of the proband's father and mother were 36% and 26%, respectively. Trio-whole-exome sequencing detected compound heterozygous PROS1 gene variants (c.-168C>T and c.200A>C (p.E67A)) for the proband and her second sister, that were inherited from her father and mother, respectively. The proband's third sister's protein S activity was 28%; she and the proband's grandfather both carried c.200A>C (p.E67A) variants. The proband and her younger sister were treated with rivaroxaban and responded well during the 3-month follow-up. A total of 1 Chinese report in literature and 18 English literature were retrieved and 14 patients with protein S deficiency caused by homozygous or complex heterozygous variants of PROS1 gene were enrolled, including 8 male and 6 female patients. The ages ranged from 4 days to 35 years. Three patients experienced fulminant purpura or severe intracranial hemorrhage in early neonatal-period, while the remaining 11 patients developed venous thromboembolism in adolescence. Protein S activity was examined in 11 patients, and all showed less than 10% of activity. Missense variants was the most common type of gene variants. Conclusions: For children with pulmonary embolism, if there are no clear risk factors for thrombosis, hereditary protein S deficiency should be considered, and protein S activity should be examined before oral anticoagulant drugs. If protein S activity is less than 10%, protein S deficiency caused by homozygous or complex heterozygous variants should be considered.

[Histopathological features of squamous cell carcinoma of lung neoadjuvant immunotherapy focusing on responses]

Objective: To analyze the pathologic features of responses to neoadjuvant immunotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. Methods: The study included 31 patients with resected lung SCC post neoadjuvant immunotherapy. All patients were recruited from the neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 (Sintilimab) phase Ⅰb clinical trial (ChiCTR-OIC-17013726). The histopathological morphology and different degrees of pathologic response to immunotherapy were evaluated basing on irPRC standard. Results: According to the percentage of residual viable tumor (% RVT), pathologic responses of complete pathologic response (cPR), major pathologic response (MPR) and non-MPR were noted in 19% (n=6), 29% (n=9), and 52% (n=16) of patients respectively. In addition, extensive immune activation phenomena (immune cell infiltration, including infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, foamy macrophages, lymphocyte aggregation and tertiary lymphoid structures formation) and tissue repair features (giant cells, granuloma formation, proliferative fibrosis and neovascularization) were observed in tumor regression bed. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has favorable effect on lung SCC. Pathologic assessment of resected lung cancer specimens after neoadjuvant immunotherapy shows unique histopathological features consistent with its mechanism.

MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3, by H.-Y. Cao, C.-H. Xiao, H.-J. Lu, H.-Z. Yu, H. Hong, C.-Y. Guo, J.-F. Yuan, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (15): 6478-6485-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18531-PMID: 31378887" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18531.

MiR-129 reduces CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK3

OBJECTIVE

Abnormal expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) is related to invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of multiple tumor cells. MiR-129 expression is associated with gastric cancer. Bioinformatics analysis showed a targeting relation between miR-129 and MAPK3. This study investigated whether miR-129 plays a role in regulating MAPK3 expression, affecting proliferation, apoptosis, and cisplatin (CDDP) resistance of gastric cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the targeted regulation between miR-129 and MAPK3. The expression of miR-129 and MAPK3 in CDDP-resistant cell line MGC-803/CDDP and the parental MGC-803 cells was measured. MGC-803/CDDP cells were cultured in vitro and divided into miR-NC group and miR-129 mimic group. The expression of MAPK3 and p-MAPK3 protein were detected by Western blot and the effect of CDDP treatment on cell apoptosis and proliferation was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

There was a targeted regulation relation between miR-129 and MAPK3 mRNA. MiR-129 expression in MGC-803/CDDP cells was significantly lower than that in MGC-803 cells and the expression of MAPK3 mRNA and protein was significantly higher than that in MGC-803 cells. Compared with miR-NC group, the expression of MAPK3 and p-MAPK3 in MHC-803/CDDP cells in miR-129 mimic transfection group was significantly decreased, with increased cell apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

The decreased expression of miR-129 and the up-regulation of MAPK3 are associated with CDDP resistance in gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-129 inhibits MAPK3 expression and cell proliferation, it induces cell apoptosis and reduces CDDP resistance.

Dietary L-arginine supplementation enhances growth performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity and modulates gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens

This study investigated the effects of dietary Arginine (Arg) on performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity, and gut microbiota in Chinese yellow-feathered chickens. One thousand two hundred 1-day-old female Qingyuan partridge chickens were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 6 replicates of 40 birds each. Chickens were fed diets with 5 levels of total Arg (8.5, 9.7, 10.9, 12.1, and 13.3 g/kg) without antibiotics for 30 d. The ADFI, ADG, and feed conversion ratio were improved with dietary Arg levels (P < 0.05). The proportions of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ lymphocytes responded in a linear (P < 0.05) manner and those of CD4⁺ in a linear or quadratic (P < 0.05) manner as dietary Arg levels increased. Dietary Arg level had a linear (P < 0.05) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the gene expression of glutathione peroxidase 1, heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidative capacity in the jejunum and ileum. The relative expression of IL-1β, myeloid differentiation primary response 88, and Toll-like receptor 4 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in the ileum with increasing dietary Arg levels; secretory IgA contents were increased. In addition, sequencing data of 16S rRNA indicated that dietary Arg increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum, Romboutsia and Candidatus Arthromitus genera, while decreased that of Clostridium sensu stricto 1. A diet containing 12.1 g Arg/kg promoted growth performance, intestinal antioxidation, and innate immunity and modulated gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens.

Anomalous Thermoelectric Effects of ZrTe_{5} in and beyond the Quantum Limit

Thermoelectric effects are more sensitive and promising probes to topological properties of emergent materials, but much less addressed compared to other physical properties. We study the thermoelectric effects of ZrTe_{5} in a magnetic field. The presence of the nontrivial electrons leads to the anomalous Nernst effect and quasilinear field dependence of thermopower below the quantum limit. In the strong-field quantum limit, both the thermopower and Nernst signal exhibit exotic peaks. At higher magnetic fields, the Nernst signal has a sign reversal at a critical field where the thermopower approaches zero. We propose that these anomalous behaviors can be attributed to the gap closing of the zeroth Landau bands in topological materials with the band inversion. Our understanding to the anomalous thermoelectric properties in ZrTe_{5} opens a new avenue for exploring Dirac physics in topological materials.

[Application of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction veo and 80 kv in renal computed tomography angiography]

Objective: To explore the application of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction Veo (ASIR-V) and 80 kV in renal computed tomography angiography(CTA). Methods: Eighty patients with renal computed tomography angiography were prospectively collected from April 2018 to July 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine and randomly divided into group A and group B. The patients in group A adopted tube voltage 120 kV and contrast agent concentration 600 mgI/kg and reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), while the patients in group B were scanned with tube voltage 80 kV and contrast agent concentration 350 mgI/kg and reconstructed with FBP and ASIR-V from 10% to 100% with 10% interval. The CT values and standard deviation (SD) of the right renal artery, left renal artery were measured respectively to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).The image quality of renal CTA was subjectively scored by two experienced radiologists blindly using a 5-point criteria.The contrast agent,CT volume dose index(CTDI(vol)) and dose length product(DLP) in both groups were recorded and the effective radiation dose(ED) was calculated. Results: The ED ((2.11±0.19)mSv) and contrast agent ((21.9±3.0)g) in group B were 65.1% (P<0.05) and 42.2% (P<0.05) lower than those in group A ((6.04±1.89)mSv and (38.0±3.8)g).With the increase of ASIR-V percentage in group B, CT values showed no significant difference, SD values gradually decreased, SNR values and CNR values gradually increased.The CT values with different reconstruction algorithm showed no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05) between group A and group B. The SD values with 40%ASIR-V to 100%ASIR-V reconstruction in group B were significantly lower than those of group A (all P<0.05).The SNR values with 50% ASIR-V to 100% ASIR-V reconstruction and CNR values with 70%ASIR-V to 100%ASIR-V were significantly higher than those of group A(all P<0.5).Two radiologists had excellent consistency in subjective scores of image quality for renal CTA(all kappa>0.75, P<0.05). The subjective scores with 60% ASIR-V to 90% ASIR-V in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05), of which 70%ASIR-V reconstruction achieved the highest subjective score for renal CTA. Conclusion: ASIR-V and 80 kV can significantly reduce radiation dose (about 65.1%) and contrast agent (about 42.2%) in renal CTA, ASIR-V reconstruction can significantly improve the image quality of renal CTA, of which 70% ASIR-V reconstruction achieved the best image quality in 80 kV renal CTA.

[Dietary pattern and its seasonal characteristic in residents of Shanghai, 2012-2014]

Objective: To analyze dietary pattern and its seasonal characteristic in residents of Shanghai. Methods: A representative sample was surveyed and followed up in four different seasons during 2012-2014. Information of food consumption was collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recall and condiments weighing method. The intake of energy and macronutrients were calculated according to the Chinese Food Composition Table. Results: Annual average daily intake was 191.09 g for grain, 250.69 g for vegetable, 107.23 g for fruit, 223.53 g for animal food, 96.39 g for dairy products, 11.19 g for soy bean and its product, 36.54 g for cooking oil, and 7.57 g for salt. Significant differences were observed in food consumption among different seasons (P<0.05). Annual average daily intake of energy was 2 048.70 kcal, carbohydrates was 241.04 g, protein was 82.35 g, fat was 85.99 g and proportion of energy contributed by fat was 37.99%. Different seasons, age, residential areas, and income were influence factors for food consumption (P<0.05). Conclusions: Energy intake was adequate in residents of Shanghai. Unhealthy dietary pattern, including high proportion of fat and consumption of cooking oil and salt (lower than average intake of large cities, but higher than recommendation), was observed. It is necessary to take appropriate nutrition intervention, and future researches on dietary intake should consider seasonal influences.

Spin-orbit torque switching in a T-type magnetic configuration with current orthogonal to easy axes

Different symmetry breaking ways determine various magnetization switching modes driven by spin–orbit torques (SOT). For instance, an applied or effective field parallel to applied current is indispensable to switch magnetization with perpendicular anisotropy by SOT. Besides of this mode, here we experimentally demonstrate a distinct field-free switching mode in a T-type magnetic system with structure of MgO/CoFeB/Ta/CoFeB/MgO where a perpendicular layer with tilted easy axis was coupled to an in-plane layer with a uniaxial easy axis. Current was applied orthogonal to both easy axes and thus also normal to an in-plane effective field experienced by the perpendicular layer. Dynamic calculation shows perpendicular layer could be switched at the same time as the in-plane layer is switched. These field-free switching modes realized in the same T-type magnetic system might expedite the birth of multi-state spin memories or spin logic devices which could be operated by all electric manners.

Spin-orbit torque (SOT) induced magnetization switching facilitates all electric multi-state spin memories and spin logic devices. Here the authors show a new SOT field-free switching mode where the perpendicular layer with tilted easy axis is coupled to an in-plane layer with a uniaxial easy axis.

Evidence for Weyl fermions in a canonical heavy-fermion semimetal YbPtBi

The manifestation of Weyl fermions in strongly correlated electron systems is of particular interest. We report evidence for Weyl fermions in the heavy fermion semimetal YbPtBi from electronic structure calculations, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, magnetotransport and calorimetric measurements. At elevated temperatures where 4f-electrons are localized, there are triply degenerate points, yielding Weyl nodes in applied magnetic fields. These are revealed by a contribution from the chiral anomaly in the magnetotransport, which at low temperatures becomes negligible due to the influence of electronic correlations. Instead, Weyl fermions are inferred from the topological Hall effect, which provides evidence for a Berry curvature, and a cubic temperature dependence of the specific heat, as expected from the linear dispersion near the Weyl nodes. The results suggest that YbPtBi is a Weyl heavy fermion semimetal, where the Kondo interaction renormalizes the bands hosting Weyl points. These findings open up an opportunity to explore the interplay between topology and strong electronic correlations.

[Predictive value of serum glycosylated hemoglobin for the onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To discuss the affect of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level for the onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in cohort population. Methods: An epidemiological survey of the relationship between HbA1c and NAFLD conducted in 2012 was based at cohort baseline, and three follow-up sessions conducted in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In total 2 811 subjects were included in the study after exclusion of NAFLD patients at baseline and those who lost their lives due to relocation, and death. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and other risk factors of NAFLD. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. χ (2)-test was used for the measurement of categorical data. Results: A total of 2 811 subjects with mean age of 59 (58.2±9.8) years old, including 1 664 males and 1 147 females. Age, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, γ-glutamyltransferase and fasting blood glucose level of HbA1c abnormal group were higher than normal group. The incidence of NAFLD in the abnormal HbA1c level group (25.4%) was higher than normal group (14.9 %), and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower than normal group and the differences were statistically significant. During the three follow-up intervals, there were 440 new cases of NAFLD, consisting 285 males and 155 females with cumulative incidence of 15.7% (440/2 811). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients with elevated HbA1c had a higher risk of developing NAFLD (HR 1.796; 95% CI 1.335~2.418; P < 0.01), and the increased HbA1c level after adjustment for gender, age, and metabolic syndrome-related factors remained an independent risk factors for NAFLD (HR 1.580; 95.0% CI 1.161-2.152; P < 0.01). Conclusion: An elevated HbA1c levels have a positive predictive value for the onset of NAFLD.

[General plan of Shanghai Diet and Health Survey]

Shanghai Diet and Health Survey (SDHS) was designed to prospectively access local residents' food consumption, energy and nutrient intake, related chemical contaminant exposure, and the seasonal change trend to explore the relationship of diet with health. Data from SDHS can be used as fundamental information and scientific evidences for the development of local nutrition and food safety policies.

[Prognostic factors and model of primary liver cancer treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors of primary liver cancer treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and then to establish a prognostic model. Methods: Clinicopathological and follow-up data of 145 patients who underwent TACE combined with RFA from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model, and the prognostic model was established. Results: The 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates were 92.6%, 81.4% and 66.2%, respectively. The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate was 64.8%.Multivariate analysis showed that female cases and higher serum albumin levels were the protective factors for the 3-year overall and relapse-free survival of patients(P<0.05 for all). High levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), portal vein thrombosis and higher Child Pugh stages were the independent risk factors for the 3-year overall survival(P<0.05 for all). High levels of AFP, TBIL, portal vein thrombosis and advanced stages of BCLC staging (B and C) were the independent risk factors for tumor recurrence and metastasis(P<0.05 for all). The predictive model established based on the multivariate analysis showed good sensitivity and specificity. The area under ROC curve were higher than 0.90. Conclusions: The prognosis of liver cancer patients treated with TACE combined with RFA is affected by various clinicopathological factors. The systematic evaluation of the relevant factors before treatment may help to select proper patients and improve prognosis.

[Effect analysis on Deanxit combined with Shuganjieyu capsule in the treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease]

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of Deanxit combined with Shuganjieyu capsule on the treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods: A total of 125 patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease who had failed in standard lansolazole capsule treatment in the Department of Gastroenterology, First People's Hospital of Neijiang were selected. According to the symptom scores and mood scores of gastroesophageal reflux disease, patients were randomly and double-blindly divided into five groups. Group A(Lansoprazole Capsules + Mosapride Citrate + Deanxit), B(Lansoprazole Capsules + Mosapride Citrate + Shuganjieyu capsule), C(Lansoprazole Capsules + Mosapride Citrate+ Deanxit + Shuganjieyu capsule) and D(Deanxit) groups are study groups, the other was control group (Lansoprazole Capsules + Mosapride Citrate). The scores of symptoms and mood were compared after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment. Results: The clinical symptoms score, HAMA and HAMD scores were significantly lower in the all study groups in comparison to the control group after 4 weeks and 8 weeks therapy. The clinical symptoms score, HAMA and HAMD scores in group C were significantly lower than those in group A and B (P<0.05), while the difference between group A and B was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The HAMA and HAMD scores of group D were significantly higher than those of group A, B, C and control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rate of study groups were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rate of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and B (χ(2)=6.47, P<0.05). The total effective rate of group A at the end of the 8th week was significantly higher than that of group B (χ(2)=6.52, P<0.05). The total effective rate of group D at the end of the 4th and 8th week was significantly lower than those of the group A, B, C and control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=5.85, P<0.05). Conclusions: Deanxit combined with Shuganjieyu capsule is significantly effective in treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can effectively improve the total treatment efficiency, reduce the symptom scores and mood scores of gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

Analysis of specialized nursing on respiratory functions in thoracotomy patients

To analyze the nursing effect on the respiratory function of thoracotomy patients, sixty thoracotomy hospitalized patients were studied. The subjects were divided into a normal group (A) and an observation group (B). The patients in group A received routine nursing only, while those in group B received chest physiotherapy as well as routine nursing. Afterwards, the respiratory function indicators of the two groups were compared and a data analysis was performed. The results showed that the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) value of the patients in group B was greater than that of the patients in group A while the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) value in group B was smaller than that in group A, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p less than 0.05). The vital capacity under normal circumstances and forced breathing of group B were greater than that of group A and the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). The incidence of complications (atelectasis, respiratory infections, pleural effusion) was statistically significant between the two groups (p less than 0.05). The degree of autonomic respiratory dysfunction in group B was lower than that in group A, and there was a significant difference (p less than 0.05), suggesting that the respiratory function in patients receiving chest physiotherapy improved significantly.

[Prevalence of hearing disorders in China: a population-based survey in four provinces of China]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, severity of hearing disorders and demographics of people with hearing disorders based on the whole population in Jilin, Guangdong, Shannxi and Gansu provinces in China. Methods: According to " WHO Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol" , 144 clusters were chosen with probability proportional sampling(PPS) method from the four provinces covering 194, 688, 061 residents. Audiological test, otological examination and questionnaire surveying were conducted for all samples from August, 2014 to September, 2015. The hearing disorders were classified according to WHO criteria and classification. Results: Among 47 511 targeted residents, 45, 052 individuals (94.82% response rate) participated in the survey. The standardized prevalence rates of hearing disorders and disabling hearing disorders were 15.84 % and 5.17 % respectively. Almost 50% of people with hearing disorders had no awareness of it or its starting time. There was significant difference in the prevalence among people of different ages, genders, occupations, provinces, marital status and education levels. The prevalence of hearing disorders increased significantly as age grew. People above 60 years old occupied 55.31% of the total hearing disorders. The prevalence of hearing disorders among male, people of low education and those who lost husband or wife, as well as workers and farmers was relatively higher. Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing disorders is high, and hearing disorders are " invisible" . Demographics and socioeconomic factors significantly influence the prevalence of hearing disorders.

Disruption of the Accidental Dirac Semimetal State in ZrTe_{5} under Hydrostatic Pressure

We study the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetotransport properties of zirconium pentatelluride. The magnitude of resistivity anomaly gets enhanced with increasing pressure, but the transition temperature T^{*} is insensitive to it up to 2.5 GPa. In the case of H∥b, the quasilinear magnetoresistance decreases drastically from 3300% (9 T) at ambient pressure to 230% (9 T) at 2.5 GPa. Besides, the change of the quantum oscillation phase from topological nontrivial to trivial is revealed around 2 GPa. Both demonstrate that the pressure breaks the accidental Dirac node in ZrTe_{5}. For H∥c, in contrast, subtle changes can be seen in the magnetoresistance and quantum oscillations. In the presence of pressure, ZrTe_{5} evolves from a highly anisotropic to a nearly isotropic electronic system, which accompanies the disruption of the accidental Dirac semimetal state. It supports the assumption that ZrTe_{5} is a semi-3D Dirac system with linear dispersion along two directions and a quadratic one along the third.

[Acute effect of ambient air pollution on small airway lung functions among school children in Shanghai]

Objective: To study the acute effects of compound ambient air pollution on small airway lung functions among school children in Shanghai. Method: A longitudinal survey on lung functions was conducted among 233 school-children from three schools (A, B and C, located in innerring, mid-ring and outer-ring areas). Lung function test was performed once a week for 3 times respectively, among children in school A and B in Dec. 2013 and in school C in Dec. 2014. The fourth lung function test was tested in Jun. 2014 and May 2015 in the respective schools. Results: from the lung function would include items as: forced mid-expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (MEF(25%)), mid-expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (MEF(50%)), mid-expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (MEF(75%)) and mid-expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF(25%-75%)). Data regarding the daily air quality real-time of PM(2.5), PM(10), SO(2) and NO(2) in Dec. 2013, Dec. 2014, Jun. 2014 and May. 2015 from the three environmental monitoring spots and meteorological data from the Shanghai Meteorological Service system which were physically close to the three schools, were collected simultaneously. Linear mixed effect model was used to examine the levels of correlation between lung function indicators and ambient air pollutants. Results When confounding factors on meteorology and individuals were controlled, the lag effects and accumulated lag effects were found to have existed between the internal quarter rang (IQR) concentration of PM(2.5) and PM(10) in lag2 day and lag02 days, IQR concentration of SO(2) in lag02 day and IQR concentration of NO(2) lag0 day, when small airway lung functions like MEF(25%), MEF(50%), MEF(75%) and FEF(25%-75%)(P<0.05) were inspected. Results from the two air pollutants model analysis showed that SO(2) and NO(2) presenting interactive effects with PM(2.5), PM(10) and lag effects more significant than the individual SO(2) and NO(2), respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Contents on the ambient air pollutants as PM(2.5), PM(10), SO(2) and NO(2) were negatively associated with the lung functions in the small airways of children, in Shanghai.

Alendronate for steroid-induced osteopenia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: results of a pilot study

Background/objectives. Osteopenia is a significant morbidity in children undergoing therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). We conducted a pilot study to assess the impact of alendronate on whole body bone mineral content (WB-BMC), lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD), biochemical measures of bone mineral metabolism, as well as gross motor function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children undergoing therapy for ALL or NHL.

Methods. Ten children (nine boys) between the ages of 3.6 and 14.6 years, on identical maintenance chemotherapy for ALL or NHL were treated with oral alendronate once weekly, and daily calcium supplementation, for a period of six months. Outcome measures were WB-BMC and LSBMD; biochemical measures of bone mineral metabolism including plasma osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), serum calcium, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD), and parathyroid hormone (PTH); as well as assessments of motor function and HRQL.

Results. A gain in Z score was observed in 7/9 evaluable patients for WB-BMC (mean increase of 0.49) and LS-BMD (0.51). Plasma osteocalcin and CTx showed a change in bone turnover favouring formation over resorption. Serum calcium and 25- OHD remained normal throughout treatment. After an initial spike, serum PTH returned to baseline values at week 4. Measures of motor function showed some improvement and there were modest gains in HRQL.

Conclusions. Alendronate therapy was tolerated well. Further study in a larger sample of children with ALL or NHL is warranted, in the context of a randomized clinical trial.

[Expression analysis of a transformer gene in Daphnia pulex after RNAi]

In order to explore the importance of the transformer (tra) gene in reproductive mode switching in Daphnia pulex, we studied the effect of silencing of this gene using RNA interference (RNAi). We obtained Dptra dsRNA by constructing and using a dsRNA expression vector and transcription method in vitro. D. pulex individuals in different reproductive modes were treated by soaking in a solution of Dptra dsRNA. We then assayed the expression of the endogenous Dptra mRNA after RNAi treatment using RT-PCR and obtained the suppression ratio. Expression of the tra gene in the RNAi groups was down-regulated compared with the controls after 16 h (p < 0.05). We also analyzed the effect of RNAi on the expression of the TRA protein using Western blot, which showed that the expression level of the TRA protein was reduced after RNAi treatment. Our experimental results showed that soaking of D. pulex adults in tra-specific dsRNA transcribed in vitro can specifically reduce the level of tra mRNA and also reduce the expression of the TRA protein, demonstrating effective in vivo silencing of the tra gene.

Crossover from a heavy fermion to intermediate valence state in noncentrosymmetric Yb2Ni12(P,As)7

We report measurements of the physical properties and electronic structure of the hexagonal compounds Yb₂Ni₁₂Pn₇ (Pn = P, As) by measuring the electrical resistivity, magnetization, specific heat and partial fluorescence yield x-ray absorption spectroscopy (PFY-XAS). These demonstrate a crossover upon reducing the unit cell volume, from an intermediate valence state in Yb₂Ni₁₂As₇ to a heavy-fermion paramagnetic state in Yb₂Ni₁₂P₇, where the Yb is nearly trivalent. Application of pressure to Yb₂Ni₁₂P₇ suppresses T_FL, the temperature below which Fermi liquid behavior is recovered, suggesting the presence of a quantum critical point (QCP) under pressure. However, while there is little change in the Yb valence of Yb₂Ni₁₂P₇ up to 30 GPa, there is a strong increase for Yb₂Ni₁₂As₇ under pressure, before a near constant value is reached. These results indicate that any magnetic QCP in this system is well separated from strong valence fluctuations. The pressure dependence of the valence and lattice parameters of Yb₂Ni₁₂As₇ are compared and at 1 GPa, there is an anomaly in the unit cell volume as well as a change in the slope of the Yb valence, indicating a correlation between structural and electronic changes.

Reemergent superconductivity and avoided quantum criticality in Cd-doped CeIrIn(5) under pressure

We investigated the electrical resistivity and heat capacity of 1% Cd-doped CeIrIn_{5} under hydrostatic pressure up to 2.7 GPa, near where long-range antiferromagnetic order is suppressed and bulk superconductivity suddenly reemerges. The pressure-induced T_{c} is close to that of pristine CeIrIn_{5} at 2.7 GPa, and no signatures of a quantum critical point under pressure support a local origin of the antiferromagnetic moments in Cd-CeIrIn_{5} at ambient pressure. Similarities between superconductors CeIrIn_{5} and CeCoIn_{5} in response to Cd substitutions suggest a common magnetic mechanism.

Microwave-assisted Extraction of Alantolactone and Isoalantolactone from Inula helenium

Microwave-assisted extraction was used for the extraction of alantolactone and isoalantolactone from Inula helenium. Effects of various experimental factors including ethanol concentration, particle size, microwave radiation time, the ratio of material to liquid and extraction temperature on yield of alantolactone and isoalantolactone were evaluated. The optimal extracting process of the alantolactone and isoalantolactone from the root of the Inula helenium was 1 g plant sample (sifted through 140 mesh) mixed with 15 ml of 80% ethanol solution, microwave radiation 120 s at 50°. Under these optimal conditions, the yield of alantolactone and isoalantolactone was 31.83±2.08 mg/g and 21.25±1.37 mg/g, respectively. Compared with heat reflux extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction was more efficient and timesaving for the extraction of alantolactone and isoalantolactone from Inula helenium.

Establishment of a new cell line from the heart of giant grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch), and its application in toxicology and virus susceptibility

A new marine fish cell line, derived from the heart of giant grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch), was established and characterized. The cell line was designated as ELGH and subcultured with more than 60 passages. The ELGH cells were mainly composed of fibroblast-like cells and multiplied well in Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) at 28 °C. Chromosome analysis indicated that the modal chromosome number was 48. The fluorescent signals were detected in ELGH when transfected with green fluorescent protein reporter plasmids. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50 ) of the extracellular products (ECPs) from Streptococcus iniae and Vibrio alginolyticus E333 on ELGH cells was 60.02 and 12.49 μg mL(-1), respectively. Moreover, the ELGH cells showed susceptibility to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), but not to soft-shelled turtle iridovirus (STIV), red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), which was demonstrated by the presence of a severe cytopathic effect (CPE) and increased viral titres. In addition, electron microscopy observation showed that abundant virus particles were present in the infected cells. Taken together, our data above provided the potential utility of ELGH cells for transgenic and genetic manipulation, as well as cytotoxicity testing and virus pathogenesis.

Superconductivity and structural distortion in BaPt2As2

We report the synthesis of BaPt2As2 single crystals and the discovery of superconductivity and a structural phase transition in this compound by measuring the electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat as well as the x-ray diffraction at low temperatures. BaPt2As2 crystallizes in the CaBe2Ge2-type tetragonal structure (P4/nmm) at room temperature and undergoes a first-order structural transition at TS ≃ 275 K, which is likely to be associated with a charge-density-wave (CDW) instability. BCS-like superconductivity with two subsequent transitions Tc1 ≃ 1.67 K and Tc2 ≃ 1.33 K is observed. Our results demonstrate that BaPt2As2 may serve as a new system for studying the interplay of superconductivity and the CDW order.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis

The prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains controversial. Eligible studies that investigated the association between survival in EAC and the expression status of EGFR were identified by an electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the impact of EGFR overexpression on clinicopathological parameters or overall survival (OS) in EAC. A total of seven studies including 1028 patients were subjected to the final analysis. The overall results suggested that overexpression of EGFR was significantly correlated with not only the depth of invasion, lymph node status, and tumors stage of EAC, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-8.35; Z = 2.09; P = 0.037), 3.05 (95% CI: 1.77-5.27; Z = 4.00; P < 0.001), and 5.37 (95% CI: 2.49-11.57; Z = 4.29; P < 0.001), respectively, but also the poorer OS with a pooled hazard ratio of 2.20 (95% CI: 1.47-3.31; Z = 3.79; P < 0.001). Overexpression of EGFR correlates with not only the clinicopathological features, but also the worse OS, and it might be useful as a predictive biomarker in clinical practice, yet the clinicopathological and prognostic role of EGFR in EAC still needs further confirmation by well-designed prospective studies.

Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing analysis of the light-chain and heavy-chain variable regions in the influenza A H1N1 virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody gene

The nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used for the amplification of the influenza A H1N1 virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody light-chain and heavy-chain genes. Sequence analysis of the obtained genes was then used to identify common cloning methods of the mouse immunoglobulin-kappa (Igκ) light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions. Twenty-two pairs of amplification primers for the mouse Igκ light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions were designed, and 6 mouse anti-human H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions were cloned and sequenced. Comparative analysis was conducted between our results and the mouse Ig sequences published in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The nested PCR method effectively avoided cloning the pseudogenes of the monoclonal antibody, and the amino acid sequence obtained was consistent with the characteristics of the mouse Ig variable region. A general method of cloning the mouse Ig light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions was established, which provides a basis for further cloning of mouse monoclonal antibody variable gene regions. This study also provides data for further studies of H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin antibody binding sites.

Identification and assessment of differentially expressed genes involved in growth regulation in Apostichopus japonicus

Rapid and efficient growth is a major consideration and challenge for global mariculture. The differential growth rate of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, has significantly hampered the total production of the industry. In the present study, forward and reverse suppression subtractive hybridization libraries were constructed and sequenced from a fast-growth group and a slow-growth group of the sea cucumber. A total of 142 differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with insertions longer than 150 bp were identified and further analyzed. Fifty-seven of these ESTs (approximately 40%) were functionally annotated for cell structure, energy metabolism, immunity response, and growth factor categories. Six candidate genes, arginine kinase, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, HSP70, β-actin, ferritin, and the ADP-ribosylation factor, were further validated by quantitative PCR. Significant differences were found between the fast- and slow-growth groups (P < 0.05) for the expression levels of arginine kinase, cytochrome c oxidase, HSP70, the ADP-ribosylation factor, and β-actin. However, no significant difference was observed for ferritin. Our results provide promising candidate gene markers for practical size screening, and also further promote marker-assisted selective breeding of this species.

Skeletal health in adult patients with classic galactosemia

SUMMARY

This study evaluated bone health in adults with galactosemia. Associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and nutritional and biochemical variables were explored. Calcium level predicted hip and spine BMD, and gonadotropin levels were inversely associated with spinal BMD in women. These results afford insights into management strategies for these patients.

INTRODUCTION

Bone loss is a complication of galactosemia. Dietary restriction, primary ovarian insufficiency in women, and disease-related alterations of bone metabolism may contribute. This study examined relationships between clinical factors and BMD in patients with galactosemia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional sample included 33 adults (16 women) with classic galactosemia, mean age 32.0 ± 11.8 years. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and was correlated with age, height, weight, fractures, nutritional factors, hormonal status, and bone biomarkers.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in hip BMD between women and men (0.799 vs. 0.896 g/cm(2), p = 0.014). The percentage of subjects with BMD-Z <-2.0 was also greater for women than men [33 vs. 18 % (spine), 27 vs. 6 % (hip)], and more women reported sustaining fractures. Bivariate analyses yielded correlations between BMI and BMD-Z [at the hip in women (r = 0.58, p < 0.05) and spine in men (r = 0.53, p < 0.05)]. In women, weight was also correlated with BMD-Z (r = 0.57, p < 0.05 at hip), and C-telopeptides (r = -0.59 at spine and -0.63 hip, p < 0.05) and osteocalcin (r = -0.71 at spine and -0.72 hip, p < 0.05) were inversely correlated with BMD-Z. In final regression models, higher gonadotropin levels were associated with lower spinal BMD in women (p = 0.017); serum calcium was a significant predictor of hip (p = 0.014) and spine (p = 0.013) BMD in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone density in adults with galactosemia is low, indicating the potential for increased fracture risk, the etiology of which appears to be multifactorial.

The influence of task environment and health literacy on the quality of parent-reported ADHD data

OBJECTIVES

To determine 1) the extent to which paper-based and computer-based environments influence the sufficiency of parents' report of child behaviors and the accuracy of data on current medications, and 2) the impact of parents' health literacy on the quality of information produced.

METHODS

We completed a randomized controlled trial of data entry tasks with parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Parents completed the NICHQ Vanderbilt ADHD screen and a report of current ADHD medications on paper or using a computer application designed to facilitate data entry. Literacy was assessed by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Primary outcomes included sufficient data to screen for ADHD subtypes and accurate report of total daily dose of prescribed ADHD medications.

RESULTS

Of 271 parents screened, 194/271 were eligible and 182 were randomized. Data from 180 parents were analyzed. 5.6% parents had inadequate/marginal TOFHLA scores. Using the computer, parents provided more sufficient and accurate data compared to paper (sufficiency for ADHD screening, paper vs. computer: 87.8% vs. 93.3%, P = 0.20; accuracy of medication report: 14.3% vs. 69.4%; p<0.0001). Parents with adequate literacy had increased odds of reporting sufficient and accurate data (sufficiency for ADHD screening: OR 8.0, 95% CI 2.0-32.1; accuracy of medication report: OR 4.4, 95% CI 0.5-37.4). In adjusted models, the computer task environment remained a significant predictor of accurate medication report (OR 18.7, 95% CI 7.5-46.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Structured, computer-based data entry by parents may improve the quality of specific types of information needed for ADHD care. Health literacy affects parents' ability to share valid information.

Poractant alfa and beractant treatment of very premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of the differences between availability of animal-derived surfactant preparations used to treat premature infants is incomplete. The objective of this study was to assess the short-term treatment efficacy of the two most commonly used surfactant preparations in the United States, beractant (100 mg kg(-1) initial and subsequent doses) and poractant alfa (200 mg kg(-1) initial and 100 mg kg(-1) subsequent doses), in very premature, mechanically ventilated infants <30 weeks gestation with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

STUDY DESIGN

Inborn infants at two institutions, open label, 1:1, randomized controlled trial. Level of respiratory support for first 72 h of life. Morbidities of prematurity observed during the neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization.

RESULT

We studied 52 infants 24 0/7 to 29 6/7 weeks gestation; 25 received poractant alfa (27.1±1.6 weeks, birth weight of 930±231 g) and 27 received beractant (26.7±1.7 weeks, P=0.343 and birth weight 900±271 g, P=0.668). Respiratory support for the first 72 h of life was lower in the poractant alfa than beractant group for mean airway pressure (MAP, P=0.003) and respiratory index (MAP × FiO(2), P=0.032). Infants in the poractant alfa group had a greater number of infants extubated at 48 (13/25 vs 6/27, P=0.027) and 72 h (15/25 vs 8/27, P=0.029) than the beractant group. Although the study was not powered to detect morbidities of prematurity, the prevalence of PDA and air leaks was less in the infants treated with poractant alfa than in those treated with beractant. Rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (8/23 vs 11/22, P=0.303) or death (2/25 [corrected] vs 5/27, P=0.272) were similar in the infants treated with poractant alfa and beractant, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests significant short-term benefits to the use of the larger initial dose of poractant alfa than beractant in very premature infants with RDS. Further studies involving a larger number of preterm infants are needed to assess long-term effects.

Abnormalities in stratum corneum function in patients recovered from leprosy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Leprosy involves both the skin and peripheral nervous system. Leprosy patients display an increased incidence of xerosis and altered sensory thresholds, which persist in previously active skin sites. We assessed here whether alterations in stratum corneum (SC) function persist in cured leprosy, and the relationship of epidermal functional abnormalities to each clinical subtype of leprosy.

METHODS

A total of 43 cured leprosy subjects and 29 normal control subjects were enrolled in this study. Basal skin surface pH, SC hydration, permeability barrier function as well as barrier recovery rates were measured over previously involved skin sites with a skin physiology monitor. One-way ANOVA and two-tailed Student's t test were used to determine the significance between 2 groups and 3 or more groups, respectively.

RESULTS

Competent barrier function was observed in all subtypes of cured leprosy subjects. All cured leprosy subjects except those with the borderline tuberculoid type exhibited a significantly lower SC hydration in comparison with normal subjects. Skin surface pH was significantly elevated in all cured leprosy subjects in comparison with normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

A varied spectrum of alterations in SC function remains in all subjects who have recovered from leprosy, but the spectrum of SC functional abnormalities varies with disease subtype.

Elevated intact parathyroid hormone is associated with reduced biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption measured in blood in infant piglets receiving oral dexamethasone for 15 days

Seven-day-old male Yorkshire piglets were randomized to receive either dexamethasone (DEX) 0.5 mg/kg/day or placebo (water) for 15 days (n = 8/group). Body weight and length, plasma intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), N-Mid osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) were measured at baseline and end of the study. The indices of bone metabolism did not differ between DEX and placebo groups at baseline. At the end of the study, plasma intact PTH was increased (p < 0.01) and N-Mid osteocalcin (p < 0.01) and CTx (p < 0.01) were decreased from baseline value in the DEX group but not in the placebo group. The reduction (Z-score) in N-Mid osteocalcin was greater than that in CTx (p < 0.05). We conclude that exogenous DEX in young piglets stimulates a rise in circulating intact PTH. Both circulating CTx and osteocalcin are reduced with the decline in osteocalcin greater than that in CTx.

Long-term valproate and lamotrigine treatment may be a marker for reduced growth and bone mass in children with epilepsy

PURPOSE

To determine whether long-term treatment with valproate (VPA) and/or lamotrigine (LTG) in children with epilepsy is associated with altered growth and/or bone metabolism.

METHODS

Twenty-seven boys and 26 girls, aged 3 to 17 years (9.2 +/- 3.9, mean +/- SD), with epilepsy treated with VPA and/or LTG for > or =2 years were evaluated for growth, nutrient intakes, physical activity, bone mineral density (BMD), and blood biochemical indices of mineral and bone metabolism.

RESULTS

Twenty-three (43.4%) of the children had a body height below the 10th percentile. Z-scores for BMD below -1.5 occurred in 24.4% of the children. When patients were divided into two groups according to daily activity score, a significantly lower Z-score for total body BMD (p = 0.007), percentile for body height (p = 0.05), and plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH; p = 0.04), osteocalcin (p = 0.04) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) (p = 0.01) were found in the inactive compared with the active group. Z-score for total body BMD was correlated with daily activity score (r = 0.43, p = 0.008). Plasma intact osteocalcin and intact PTH values correlated significantly (r = 0.36, p = 0.02). Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was within normal range for all subjects. When patients were divided into LTG-alone, VPA-alone, and LTG-plus-VPA treatment groups, significantly lower (p < 0.05) plasma osteocalcin and percentile for body height were found in the VPA-plus-LTG treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term VPA and LTG therapy, particularly when combined, is associated with short stature, low BMD, and reduced bone formation. These alterations may be mediated primarily through reduced physical activity rather than through a direct link to the VPA and/or LTG therapy.

Nanosphere-antibody conjugates with releasable fluorescent probes

Surface-functionalized, probe-containing, polymeric nanospheres with diameters between 10 nm and 40 nm (depending on the probe) were used to provide a fluorescent endpoint for nonextractive immunoassay. The probes inside the nanospheres were lanthanoid ions. Methyl methacrylate was used as the monomer to reduce random adsorption of proteins onto the nanosphere surfaces. The acid-group surface functionalization allowed the nanospheres to be conjugated to the amine groups on the antibodies (IgG). The surfaces were further functionalized with alcohol and ester groups to improve the suspension characteristics of the nanospheres. As many as four probe ions may be quantified simultaneously, although only three with a single ligand. Co-measurement of four probes required a combination of two ligands. The intensity of the fluorescence produced by these complexes allows detection with a sensitivity equivalent to enzyme-linked immunoassay.

[Development of a canine adenovirus type 1 vaccine strain E3-deleted based expression vector]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate canine adenovirus type 1 vaccine strain (Cannaught Laboratory Limited, CLL) as recombinant vaccine and gene transfer vector.

METHODS

Recombinant virus CLLEGFP which contains enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) reporter gene was constructed. CLLEGFP was used to infect various human derived cell lines(293, Hela, CO, SW, Hep-2 and CAM) by inoculating intraperitoneally(i.p.), intravenously(i.v.) and intramuscularly (i.m.) to Kunming mice other than oral administration. Various tissue samples of the mice were collected at multi-time point for observing EGFP green fluorescence. Anti-EGFP antibodies were detected by Western blot analysis in the sera after 4 weeks.

RESULTS

CLLEGFP can infect various human derived cell lines and express EGFP. EGFP green fluorescence were observed in liver tissue cells after i.p. transducing 3 days. All immune inoculation ways above could induce Kunming mice producing anti-EGFP antibodies which were identified by Western blot analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CLL possess powerful potential as recombinant vaccine and gene transfer vector.

Histone H1 and H3 dephosphorylation are differentially regulated by radiation-induced signal transduction pathways

We recently demonstrated that linker histone H1, which is thought to have a fundamental role in higher-order chromatin structure, becomes transiently dephosphorylated after ionizing radiation (IR) in a mutated ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) dependent manner. To establish whether H1 dephosphorylation was a component of a damage-response pathway that included dephosphorylation of other histones, we asked whether H3 was dephosphorylated in response to IR in a manner similar to H1. H1 and H3 are maximally phosphorylated in metaphase and both are dephosphorylated after IR. However, the duration of IR-induced H3 dephosphorylation is significantly longer than that of IR-induced H1 dephosphorylation. Moreover, H1 dephosphorylation is ATM-dependent, whereas H3 dephosphorylation is ATM-independent. These observations suggest that the damage-sensing pathways regulating H3 and H1 dephosphorylation diverge upstream of ATM.

Comparative response in growth and bone status to three dexamethasone treatment regimens in infant piglets

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine whether a zenith in bone formation (indicated by circulating osteocalcin) existed at night in early life, and 2) to compare the effects of three different dexamethasone (DEX) treatment regimens on bone turnover, bone mineral content, and growth. Three DEX treatment regimens were tested in 8-d-old piglets (n = 8/group): 1) low evening dose of DEX (0.5 mg/kg/d) as 70% in the morning and 30% in the evening for 10 d; 2) tapering course of DEX (0.5, 0.3, and 0.2 mg/kg/d) as 50% in the morning and 50% in the evening for 14 d; and 3) constant dose of DEX (0.5 mg/kg/d) as 50% in the morning and 50% in the evening for 10 d. Oral water placebo groups were tested with the same time courses. At pretreatment, plasma osteocalcin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at 0100 than at 0900 and 1700. At necropsy, measures for DEX groups were calculated as Z-scores using values from the placebo groups. The low evening DEX dose led to a significantly lower reduction in plasma osteocalcin compared with the tapered and constant dosing regimens (p < 0.05). The significant weight. reduction in the DEX group occurred at d 9 in the low evening dose regimen but at d 7 in the constant dosing regimen, compared with the placebo group. Bone mineral content Z-score was reduced similarly in all DEX-treated groups across the three dosing regimens. We conclude that a plasma osteocalcin zenith at night exists in early life. A high DEX dose in the morning and low DEX dose in the evening may partially attenuate corticosteroid-induced suppression of bone formation and growth restriction.