[Analysis and precise intervention on pathogenic genes and mechanisms of lupus nephritis]

Lupus nephritis is the most common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an important cause of end-stage kidney disease and death in patients with SLE. The pathogenesis of SLE is complex, with no effective treatment and poor long-term prognosis. The development of genomic medicine provides a new way to explore the disease-causing genes and pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. Here, the article introduces how to uncover the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis from the genome level and explore new strategies for diagnosis and treatment on this disease.

Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood in patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Aim: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a severe complication following glucocorticoid therapy. This study aimed to identify the differential mRNA expression and investigate the molecular mechanisms of SONFH. Materials & methods: RNA sequencing was performed in eight SONFH patients, five non-SONFH patients and five healthy individuals. Results: A total of 1555, 3997 and 5276 differentially expressed mRNAs existed between the following combinations: SONFH versus non-SONFH, SONFH versus healthy subjects and non-SONFH versus healthy subjects. Increased ISM1 expression might contribute to a high risk of SONFH through antiangiogenesis. Decreased FOLR3 expression might affect the metabolism of homocysteine, leading to avascular necrosis of the femoral head. KCNJ2, which plays a pivotal role in regulating bone development, was also deregulated. Conclusion: ISM1, FOLR3 and KCNJ2 might be related to the occurrence of SONFH.

[Respiratory virus infection and its influence on outcome in children with septic shock]

Objective: To investigate respiratory virus infection in children with septic shock in pediatric care units (PICU) in China and its influence on clinical outcomes. Methods: The clinical data of children with septic shock in children's PICU from January 2018 to December 2019 in 10 Chinese hospitals were retrospectively collected. They were divided into the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 groups according to the onset of disease, and the characteristics and composition of respiratory virus in the 2 groups were compared. Matching age, malignant underlying diseases, bacteria, fungi and other viruses, a new database was generated using 1∶1 propensity score matching method. The children were divided into the respiratory virus group and non-respiratory virus group according to the presence or absence of respiratory virus infection; their clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment were compared by t-test, rank sum test and Chi-square test. The correlation between respiratory virus infection and the clinical outcomes was analyzed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 1 247 children with septic shock were included in the study, of them 748 were male; the age was 37 (11, 105) months. In the pre-and post-COVID-19 groups, there were 530 and 717 cases of septic shock, respectively; the positive rate of respiratory virus was 14.9% (79 cases) and 9.8% (70 cases); the seasonal distribution of septic shock was 28.9% (153/530) and 25.9% (185/717) in autumn, and 30.3% (161/530) and 28.3% (203/717) in winter, respectively, and the corresponding positive rates of respiratory viruses were 19.6% (30/153) and 15.7% (29/185) in autumn, and 21.1% (34/161) and 15.3% (31/203) in winter, respectively. The positive rates of influenza virus and adenovirus in the post-COVID-19 group were lower than those in the pre-COVID-19 group (2.1% (15/717) vs. 7.5% (40/530), and 0.7% (5/717) vs. 3.2% (17/530), χ2=21.51 and 11.08, respectively; all P<0.05). Rhinovirus virus were higher than those in the pre-Covid-19 group (1.7% (12/717) vs. 0.2% (1/530), χ2=6.51, P=0.011). After propensity score matching, there were 147 cases in both the respiratory virus group and the non-respiratory virus group. Rate of respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress, rate of disseminated coagulation dysfunction, and immunoglobulin usage of the respiratory virus group were higher than those of non-respiratory virus group (77.6% (114/147) vs. 59.2% (87/147), 17.7% (26/147) vs. 4.1% (6/147), 15.6% (25/147) vs. 4.1% (7/147), and 35.4% (52/147) vs. 21.4% (32/147); χ2=11.07, 14.02, 11.06 and 6.67, all P<0.05); and PICU hospitalization of the former was longer than that of the later (7 (3, 16) vs. 3 (1, 7)d, Z=5.01, P<0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of respiratory viral infection was associated with respiratory failure, disseminated coagulation dysfunction, the use of mechanical ventilation, and the use of immunoglobulin and anti-respiratory viral drugs (OR=2.42, 0.22, 0.25, 0.56 and 1.12, all P<0.05). Conclusions: The composition of respiratory virus infection in children with septic shock is different between pre and post-COVID-19. Respiratory viral infection is associated with organ dysfunction in children with septic shock. Decreasing respiratory viral infection through respiratory protection may improve the clinical outcome of these children.

Achieving High Core Neuron Density in a Neuromorphic Chip Through Trade-off Among Area, Power Consumption, and Data Access Bandwidth

As a crucial component of neuromorphic chips, on-chip memory usually occupies most of the on-chip resources and limits the improvement of neuron density. The alternative of using off-chip memory may result in additional power consumption or even a bottleneck for off-chip data access. This article proposes an on- and off-chip co-design approach and a figure of merit (FOM) to achieve a trade-off between chip area, power consumption, and data access bandwidth. By evaluating the FOM of each design scheme, the scheme with the highest FOM (1.085× better than the baseline) is adopted to design a neuromorphic chip. Deep multiplexing and weight-sharing technologies are used to reduce on-chip resource overhead and data access pressure. A hybrid memory design method is proposed to optimize on- and off-chip memory distribution, which reduces on-chip storage pressure and total power consumption by 92.88% and 27.86%, respectively, while avoiding the explosion of off-chip access bandwidth. The co-designed neuromorphic chip with ten cores fabricated under standard 55 nm CMOS technology has an area of 4.4 mm 2 and a core neuron density of 4.92 K/mm 2, an improvement of 3.39  ∼ 30.56× compared with previous works. After deploying a full-connected and a convolution-based spiking neural network (SNN) for ECG signal recognition, the neuromorphic chip achieves 92% and 95% accuracy, respectively. This work provides a new path for developing high-density and large-scale neuromorphic chips.

[Meta-analysis of Ac-SDKP inhibition of Pulmonary fibrosis in animal models]

Objective: To systematically study the anti-fibrotic effect of N-acetyl-seryl-as partyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) on pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: In May 2021, a computer search was performed on CNKI, Wanfang Knowledge Service Platform, VIP.com, China Biomedical Literature Database, Pubmed, OVID and other databases. The retrieval time was from January 2008 to May 2021. Randomized controlled experiments on the inhibition of pulmonary fibrosis by Ac-SDKP were screened. The control group was the pulmonary fibrosis model group and the experimental group was the Ac-SDKP treatment group. The quality of the literature was assessed using the syrcle risk of bias assessment tool, and data were extracted. Data analysis was Performed using revman 5.4 software. Results: 18 papers were included, with a total of 428 animal models. The results of meta analysis showed that the contents of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type I collagen, type Ⅲ collagen, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Nodule area in the exPerimental group were lower than those in the control grouP. [SMD=-2.44, 95%CI (-3.71--1.17), P=0.000][SMD=-5.36, 95%CI (-7.13--3.59), P=0.000] [SMD=-3.07, 95%CI (-4.13--2.02), P<0.000][SMD=-2.88, 95%CI (-3.63--2.14), P=0.000] [SMD=-1.80, 95%CI (-2.42--1.18), P=0.000], the content of hydroxy proline in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [SMD=7.62, 95%CI (4.90-10.33), P=0.000], all indexes included in the literature were statistically significant. Conclusion: Ac-SDKP has obvious inhibitory effect on the process of pulmonary fibrosis, and may become a new clinical drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

A Co-Designed Neuromorphic Chip With Compact (17.9K F2) and Weak Neuron Number-Dependent Neuron/Synapse Modules

Many efforts have been made to improve the neuron integration efficiency on neuromorphic chips, such as using emerging memory devices and shrinking CMOS technology nodes. However, in the fully connected (FC) neuromorphic core, increasing the number of neurons will lead to a square increase in synapse & dendrite costs and a high-slope linear increase in soma costs, resulting in an explosive growth of core hardware costs. We propose a co-designed neuromorphic core (SRCcore) based on the quantized spiking neural network (SNN) technology and compact chip design methodology. The cost of the neuron/synapse module in SRCcore weakly depends on the neuron number, which effectively relieves the growth pressure of the core area caused by increasing the neuron number. In the proposed BICS chip based on SRCcore, although the neuron/synapse module implements 1∼16 times of neurons and 1∼66 times of synapses, it only costs an area of 1.79 × 10⁷ F², which is 7.9%∼38.6% of that in previous works. Based on the weight quantization strategy matched with SRCcore, quantized SNNs achieve 0.05%∼2.19% higher accuracy than previous works, thus supporting the design and application of SRCcore. Finally, a cross-modeling application is demonstrated based on the chip. We hope this work will accelerate the development of cortical-scale neuromorphic systems.

[Analysis of clinical features and surgical outcomes of petrous bone cholesteatomas]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and surgical outcomes of petrous bone cholesteatomas (PBCs). Methods: Data from 39 PBCs patients treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xijing Hospital from September 2011 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively, including 23 males, 16 femals, aged 12-71 years old, with the median age of 37. Clinical classifications, surgical methods, facial and hearing function, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were made summary analysis. Results: In this study, five patients were congenital PBCs and 34 patients were acquired PBCs. The common clinical symptoms were hearing loss (100%, 39/39), ear discharge/pus (89.7%, 35/39) and facial paralysis (46.2%, 18/39). According to Sanna's classification, 14 cases were supralabyrinthine, including three cases underwent transcochlear (TC) approach, six cases underwent transotic (TO) approach and five underwent translabyrinthine (TL) approach. 10 cases were infralabyrinthine, including eight cases underwent subtotal petrosectomy, one case underwent TO approach and one underwent TL approach.10 cases were massive, including seven cases underwent TC approach, three cases underwent TO approach. Five cases were infralabyrinthine-apical, including two cases underwent TC approach, two cases underwent TO approach, and one case underwent endoscope assisted infratemporal fossa type B. The degree of facial nerve (FN) dysfunction from high to low was massive (6/10), supralabyrinthine (8/14), infralabyrinthine-apical (2/5) and infralabyrinthine (2/10). 19 cases involved in facial nerve operation, three cases underwent FN decompression, four cases underwent FN rerouting, four cases underwent nerve grafting, and one case underwent facial-hypoglossal anastomosis. Preoperative FN involvement in 18 cases, and the FN function was improved in 14 cases after surgery. The improved rate of postoperative FN function was 77.8%. The bone conducted hearing retained 50.0% (14/28) postoperatively. Five cases with cerebrospinal fluid leak were managed by inserting free muscle plugs and cavity obliteration. Two cases with the cholesteatomas matrix involved the sigmoid sinus and the jugular bulb, and occlusion of the sigmoid sinus was performed. Postoperatively, two patients presented with synkinesis. The patients were followed up for 40 to 115 months, and there was no recurrence. Conclusions: There are no specific clinical manifestations for PBCs, thus, it is difficult in early diagnosis and treatment. According to Sanna's classification, preoperative FN and hearing function, the best surgical approach should be selected with minimal recurrences and perioperative morbidity.

[Long-term efficacy of radiofrequency closure in the treatment of great saphenous vein varicose]

Objective: To examine the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency closure in the treatment of great saphenous vein varicose. Methods: The clinic data of 185 patients with varicose veins of lower limbs treated with radiofrequency closure admitted at Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University from July 2016 to January 2017 was analyzed retrospectively. A total of 203 limbs were treated by radiofrequency closure. The long-term efficacy of radiofrequency closure was evaluated by analyzing the closure rate, clinical-etiology- anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) grading, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) score, and complications, using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: All procedures were successful. The closure rate was 98.0% (199/203) at one year and two years postoperative, which was still maintained at 97.5% (198/203) at 3 years of follow-up. Postoperative CEAP grading was significantly downgraded compared with that before the operation. Totally 88.4% (76/86) of C5 to C6 grade patients downgraded to C2 to C4 grade at 6 months, and 95.3% (82/86) downgraded to C0 to C2 garde at 3 years postoperative. VCSS and CIVIQ score in both groups significantly improved at all follow-up time points compared to preoperative scores (VCSS: F=1 064.7, P=0.003; CIVIQ score: F=2 984.3, P=0.001). The most common complication was subcutaneous blood stasis (10.8%), most of which disappeared within 1 month after the surgery. Other complications included pigmentation and thrombophlebitis (5.9% and 3.9%, respectively). Conclusion: The long-term efficacy of radiofrequency closure of the great saphenous vein is satisfactory.

[Room tilt illusion: a chief complaint need to be alert in otology clinic]

Objective:This study aims to investigated the clinical significance of room tilt illusion（RTI） in screening for central vertigo in otology clinic. Method:A retrospective study of 8 RTI cases out of 656 patients with dizziness and/or vertigo. The characteristics of the symptoms, signs, physical examination, and other examinations of RTI patients were analyzed. Result:①Patients with RTI complaints accounted for 1.2% of all patients with dizziness and/or vertigo in the same period. Of all 8 patients, 2 were with acute vestibular syndrome, 5 were with episodic vestibular syndrome, and one had no dizziness and/or vertigo attack. ②Two was diagnosed with acute cerebellar infarction, and 3 was diagnosed with posterior circulation transient ischemic attacks, 2 were diagnosed with definite vestibular migraine, and one was unable to identify the cause. ③All 8 patients had a sensation of environment tilting, which was episodic（single or repeated）, transient（seconds to minutes）, in the coronal plane, and with tilt angle 30-180°. ④Seven patients had dizziness and/or vertigo for minutes to hours after a transient RTI, and one patient had no other symptoms after RTI. ⑤All patients had no decrease in vHIT gain, 6 patients had abnormal oculomotor function, and one patient had mild horizontal semicircular canal paresis. Conclusion:Patients with RTI complaints mainly had central dizziness and vertigo diseases, and once are found in otology clinic, should be alert to the possibility of suffering from central diseases.

Evaluation of endothelial microparticles as a prognostic marker in hemolytic disease of the newborn in China

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate endothelial microparticles (EMPs) as a potential prognostic marker in hemolytic disease of the Chinese neonate.

Methods

We compared 29 newborns with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (ABO HDN), 22 newborns with Rh HDN, and 21 healthy newborns with matched mother and infant blood groups (controls). Markers of hemolysis and von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF Ag) were analyzed. EMP (CD144+) levels were measured before and after therapy.

Results

vWF Ag and pretherapy EMP levels were higher in the ABO HDN and Rh HDN groups than in the control group. Additionally, vWF Ag and pretherapy EMP levels were significantly higher in the ABO HDN group than in the Rh HDN group. Posttherapy EMP levels were decreased compared with pretherapy levels in the ABO HDN and Rh HDN groups. Moreover, hemoglobin and indirect bilirubin levels were independently correlated with pretherapy EMP levels in the ABO HDN group.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that EMP measurement in neonates with HDN may provide a novel method of monitoring possible severe vascular dysfunction in patients in China. An external validation in larger datasets is necessary for further study.

[Concept and clinical application of surgical margin principle on head and neck cancers]

Surgical margin principle is one of the central surgical principles for head and neck cancers. Negative surgical margin is the primary purpose of surgery for head and neck cancers. This paper is based on the current clinical application of surgical margins of head and neck cancers, and it is proposed that surgical margins of head and neck cancers may be classified into three types: surface margin, deep margin, and tissue interface margin in consideration of surgical exposure of tumors. The classification of surgical margins can make the clinical application and the research of surgical margins of head and neck cancers more systematic and clear.

[Prevalence and risk factors of aortic valve calcification among the elderly residents of Wuxi city, Jiangsu province]

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of aortic valve calcification among the elderly (≥65 years old) resident of Wuxi city, Jiangsu province. Methods: The household registration population aged ≥65 years old in Wuxi city was selected as the research subject by stratified sampling method from August 2017 to December 2018. Echocardiography was performed to assess the aortic valve calcification, and the participants were divided into calcification group and non-calcification group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the related risk factors of aortic valve calcification. Results: The age of the respondents was (73.6±7.1) years old, of which 48.8% (461 cases) were males.The prevalence rate of aortic valve calcification was 22.0% (208/944) in the elderly (≥ 65 years old) residents in Wuxi city. The prevalence rate in 65-69 years old, 70-74 years old, 75-79 years old, 80-84 years old and ≥85 years old was 16.7% (58/347),16.7% (41/245),16.2% (26/161),23.3% (24/103), and 67.0% (59/88),respectively. There were significant differences in age, weight, abdominal circumference, hip circumference, high-salt diets, exercise, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and carotid atherosclerosis between the non-calcified group (736 cases) and the calcified group (208 cases) (P<0.01 or 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.077, 95%CI 1.053-1.101, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.697, 95%CI 1.174-2.453, P=0.005), and coronary heart disease (OR=1.964, 95%CI 1.378-2.799, P<0.001) were the risk factors of aortic valve calcification. Conclusions: The prevalence of aortic valve calcification in the elderly (≥65 years old) residents in Wuxi city of Jiangsu province increases with aging. Age, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease are the risk factors of aortic valve calcification in this population cohort.

[How to initially screen common central "malignant vertigo" at the bedside?]

Most of the common dizziness/vertigo diseases in otology clinic are peripheral vertigo diseases, and while about 20% -30% of all vertigo diseases are caused by central nervous system diseases. Pseudo vestibular neuritis, acute ischemic stroke with audiovestibular loss, and central paroxysmal positional vertigo are the three types of central "malignant vertigo" diseases which are most easily misdiagnosed by otologists. This article described the clinical characteristics and bedside physical performance of these three diseases, and summarized the differential diagnosis points for clinical reference.

[Clinical characteristics of LC-BPPV patients with bilateral direction-fixed horizontal nystagmus in primary Roll test]

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of LC-BPPV with direction-fixed horizontal nystagmus in the primary Roll test. Method:Nine patients of LC-BPPV with bilateral direction-fixed horizontal nystagmus in the first Roll test were treated by repositioning maneuvers after judging the affected side and the prognosis was observed. Result:The affected side of eight patients was the side of the apogeotropic nystagmus. Barbecue or Gufoni maneuvers was effective for reposition. The other one had no conversion of nystagmus and could not judge the affected side. Conclusion:The nystagmus performance of patients with LC-BPPV is complicated. It is necessary to carefully analyze the nystagmus performance of each position. Combining with bow and lean test, lying down test and null plane, the position of the otolith is inferred. Comprehensive use of the Barbecue or Gufoni maneuvers, forced side lying on the affected side, mastoid sniper, shaking head method is effective to complete the reposition treatment.

Abnormal methylation of spermatozoa induced by benzo(a)pyrene in rats

Epigenetic mutations caused by pollutants are possibly linked to many diseases. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most representative air pollutants and has aroused wide concern because of its strong carcinogenicity. The reproductive toxicity induced by BaP has been identified, but little is known about the characteristics of the methylation changes induced by BaP. In this study, a methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing method was used to detect the methylation of sperm DNA of rats exposed to BaP. Compared with the respective genes in normal rats, there were 3227 hypomethylated genes and 828 hypermethylated genes after BaP exposure. Gene ontology enrichment analysis reported that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were enriched in the localization, single-multicellular organism process and plasma membrane. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the DMGs were significantly enriched in the Ras signalling pathway, Rap1 signalling pathway, pancreatic secretion and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. DisGeNET disease spectrum analysis showed that DMGs were associated with infertility and certain genetic diseases. Further research needs to be done to explore whether these abnormal methylation are transgenerational.

[Multicenter investigation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation application in pediatric intensive care unit in China]

Objective: To survey the conduction and evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in China mainland. Methods: In a questionnaire-based survey, we retrospectively reviewed the application of ECMO in children's hospital and general hospital in China mainland to summarize and analyze the categories of diseases and prognosis of children treated with ECMO therapy. Results: By December 31, 2017, a total of 23 hospitals using ECMO, including 22 tertiary referral hospitals and 1 secondary hospital, among which 16 were children's hospitals and 7 were general hospitals. Thirty-seven ECMO equipment was available. A total of 518 patients treated with ECMO, within whom 323 (62.4%) successfully weaned from ECMO and 262 (50.6%) survived to discharge. Among 375 pediatric patients, 233 (62.1%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and 186 (49.6%) survived to discharge. Among 143 newborn patients, 90 (62.9%) successfully weaned from ECMO, 76 (53.1%) survived to discharge. ECMO was applied in veno-arterial (VA) mode to 501 (96.7%) patients, veno-venous (VV) mode to 14 (2.7%) patients, and VV-VA conversion mode to 3 (0.6%) patients. Sixty-nine patients required extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), including 20 newborn patients (29.0%) and 38 pediatric patients (71.0%), who were all with cardiovascular disease. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (26/61), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (12/61), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (11/61) are the most common pulmonary diseases in newborn patients; among whom, infants with PPHN had highest survival rate (10/12), followed by MAS (9/11). Among newborn patients with cardiovascular diseases, those who admitted were after surgery for congenital cardiac disease were the most common (54/82), while those with septic shock had the highest survival rate (2/3). In pediatric pulmonary diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome was the most common (42/93), while plastic bronchitis was with the highest survival rate (4/4), followed by viral pneumonia (13/16). Among pediatric cardiovascular diseases, congenital cardiac defect was the most common (124/282), while fulminant myocarditis had the highest survival rate (54/77). Conclusion: The application of ECMO as a rescue therapy for children with severe cardiopulmonary failure has dramatically developed in China mainland.

[Expression of long non-coding RNA LINC00460 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and its clinical significance]

Objective:To understand the expression of LINC00460 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and to discuss the role of LINC00460 in carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Method:The expression of LINC00460 in 68 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues were examined by real-time PCR. The relationship between the expression levels of LINC00460 and the clinicopathological features including clinical stage, histological grade, pathological type, and lymph node metastasis in LSCC was analyzed according to the clinical data. Result:The expression of LINC00460 was significantly upregulated in the LSCC tissue compared with that of adjacent normal mucosal tissue (P=0.006). There were no statistical differences of the quantity of LINC00460 expression among supraglottic, glottic and subglottic LSCC (P>0.05). Moreover, LINC00460 had no significant changes in poorly differentiated LSCC when compared with that of well and moderately differentiated LSCC (P>0.05). Furthermore, the expression of LINC00460 in LSCC with lymph node metastasis had no significant changes when compared with that without of lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). Notably, LINC00460 expression in T1+T2 stages patients were significantly lower than T3+T4 stages (P<0.05). Conclusiont:Upregulation of long non-coding RNA LINC00460 might contribute to the carcinogenesis and development of LSCC, furthermore play important biological function.

Role of an external electric field on hybrid halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 band gaps

The organic-inorganic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 has attracted much attention due to their power conversion efficiency as a potential photovoltaic material, but the role of an external electric field has not been well understood. Based on first-principles calculations, the effects of an external electric field (E) applied along the [111] direction of the orthorhombic perovskite, CH3NH3PbI3, on its electronic structure and optical properties are investigated. Our results indicate that the electric field strength affects the band gap (Eg) of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3, MA = CH3NH3). The energy difference between the two peaks closest to the Fermi level in the density of states diagram decreases with increasing applied electric field strength along the [111] direction, indicating that the covalent character increases between A-sites cations and I-sites anions. Both the cell volume and the final energy show the same increasing trend. The absorption peaks move toward the visible-frequency range, with the optimal band gap of 1.1-1.45 eV and E = 0.04-0.06 eV/Å/e. In particular, the non-linear change of the second-order Stark effect causes a non-linear change in the band gap.

[The expression of long non-coding RNA LINC00261 in laryngeal carcinoma tissue and their clinical significance]

Objective:To investigate the expression of LINC00261 in laryngeal carcinoma and to discuss their relevance and the roles in carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma. Method:The expressions of LINC00261 in laryngeal carcinoma tissue and paired adjacent normal tissue was determined by real-time PCR. The relationship between the expressions of LINC00261 and the clinic pathological characteristics including clinical stage, pathological type, histological grade and lymph node metastasis in LSCC was analysed according to the clinical data. Result:①The expression of LINC00261 was significantly decreased in the LSCC tissue compared with the normal laryngeal tissue(P<0.01).②In clinical stage grouping, there were no statistical differences of the quantity of LINC00261 expression among supraglottic, glottic and subglottic LSCC(P>0.05).In histological differentiation grouping, LINC00261 had no significant changes in poorly differentiated LSCC compared with the well and moderately differentiated LSCC(P>0.05). In histological grade grouping, the expression of LINC00261 in T1+T2 stages was significantly higher than T3+T4 stages(P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of LINC00261 in LSCC with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that without of lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). Conclusion:Down regulation of LINC00261 in laryngeal carcinoma may contribute to the carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinoma. The decreased expression of LINC00261 maybe relative to T term degree and lymphamatic metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Effects of immuno-related gene polymorphisms on a bispecific antibody targeting colorectal cancer cell

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common type of cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer around the world. M701 is a CD3/EpCAM bispecific antibody that shows promising cytotoxicity toward CRC cells.

AIM

To investigate the influence of immuno-related gene polymorphisms on M701 mediated cytotoxicity to CRC cell HCT116.

METHOD

We analyzed the influence of the effect of M701 on the activation and cytotoxicity of peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 129 healthy volunteers with different genotypes.

RESULT

When incubated with M701, peripheral mononuclear blood cells from CD247 rs2949655 AA homozygotes showed significantly lower cytotoxicity than those from AG/GG heterozygotes.

CONCLUSION

CD247 rs2949655 was significantly associated with the cytotoxicity of M701 to HCT116, which might contribute to personalized medicine of M701.

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for rescuing 12 children with acute fulminant myocarditis]

Objective: To summarize clinical experience of using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in rescuing children with acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM). Method: Data of 12 children with acute fulminate myocarditis (6 boys and 6 girls, median age 8.3 (0.6, 13.0) years, median weight 33.1 (6, 61) kg) who were rescued with ECMO in Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University from September 2009 to August 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The analysis focused on the intervene timing of ECMO for the cardiogenic shock and hypoperfusion caused by heart failure and(or) lethal arrhythmia and the essentials of ECMO cardiopulmonary resuscitation(ECPR) for cardiac arrest in pediatric AFM were summarized. Result: The median ECMO duration was 110(22, 240) h. Ten cases survived and 2 were dead of the total of 12 patients. Six ECPR patients survived and 2 were dead in the total of 8 ECPR patients. The complication of 10 survivors were cannula site bleeding (3 cases), hypernatremia and intracranial hemorrhage (1 case), limping (1 case), hoarse voice (1 case), and cerebral injury (1 case). Conclusion: The key points of improving ECMO rescuing outcome for the AFM children are grasping the ECMO intervene timing and training skilled ECMO team. For ECPR patients, keeping effective chest compressions resuscitation is the key to achieve survival and improve the quality of life.

Role of Deficient Mismatch Repair in the Personalized Management of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common type of cancer in developed countries and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Personalized management of CRC has gained increasing attention since there are large inter-individual variations in the prognosis and response to drugs used to treat CRC owing to molecular heterogeneity. Approximately 15% of CRCs are caused by deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype. The present review is aimed at highlighting the role of MMR status in informing prognosis and personalized treatment of CRC including adjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy to guide the individualized therapy of CRC.

Effect of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase on all-trans-retinoic acid efficacy and cytochrome P450 26A1 expression in human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells

OBJECTIVES

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), a naturally occurring metabolite of vitamin A, has been shown to have great potential as an antitumorigenic drug to treat acute leukaemia by promoting cancer cell differentiation. Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is the only obligate electron donor for all of the microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP26A1 which is highly specific for ATRA metabolism and efficacy in human myeloid leukaemia cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of POR on ATRA efficacy and CYP26A1 expression in human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells.

METHODS

Stably expressed POR and POR-RNAi HL-60 cell lines were established by transfecting POR overexpression or RNAi (RNA interference) vectors mediated by lentivirus. The protein expression of POR and CYP26A1 was examined by Western blot. The potential roles of POR on ATRA efficacy in HL-60 cells were explored by cell viability assay, cell cycle distribution, cellular differentiation and apoptosis analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

All-trans-retinoic acid treatment caused the expression of POR upregulation and CYP26A1 downregulation in dose- and time-dependent manners. POR overexpression decreased CYP26A1 expression in HL-60 cells. When POR gene was interfered, the downregulation of CYP26A1 expression by ATRA was abolished. In addition, POR overexpression in HL-60 cells significantly compromised ATRA-induced cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis, whereas downregulation of POR significantly potentiated ATRA effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study therefore suggested that POR played an important role in regulating ATRA efficacy and CYP26A1 expression in HL-60 cells.

[Expression of Has-miR-93-5p in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance]

Objective:To investigate the expression of has-miR-93-5p on human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and the influence on malignant phenotype of Hep-2 cell.Method:The expression of has-miR-93-5p of paraffin samples in LSCC was determined by looped-primer Real-time PCR, and the relationship between the expression and the clinical pathological parameters was analysed. The has-miR-93-5p Inhibitor sequence was transfected into Hep-2 cells as the Inhibitor group. Using the MTS assay, Edu and colony formation assay to investigate the change of cell viability,proliferation and clone formation ability after transfection. Transwell invasion assay was used to detect the changes of cell migration and invasion ability. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of cell cycle and apoptosis.Result:The relative expression of has-miR-93-5p in LSCC was 11.148±1.141,which was higher than in normal tissues of adjacent to carcinoma1(985±4.547)（P <0.01）.The constituent ratio of has-miR-93-5p high expression in the group of low differentiation, T3+T4 and lymphatic metastasis was 69.8%、76.5%and 89.5%,which was higher than the group of high differentiation,T1+T2 and nonlymphatic metastasis respectively（P <0.05）, Inhibition the expression of has-miR-93-5p in vitro in Hep-2 cells could obviously inhibit the cell vitality, proliferation, clone, migration, and invasion ability, also could retardant the cells in G2/M phase, and promote its apoptosis.Conclusion: has-miR-93-5p might be an important molecule in pathogenesis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. It could inhibit malignant phenotype of laryngeal squamous cancer cells when has-miR-93-5p expressionwas suppressed in vitro.

Bio-Root and Implant-Based Restoration as a Tooth Replacement Alternative

We previously reported that dental stem cell-mediated bioengineered tooth root (bio-root) regeneration could restore tooth loss in a miniature pig model. As a potential new method for tooth restoration, it is essential to compare this method with the widely used commercial dental implant-based method of tooth restoration. Tooth loss models were created by extracting mandibular incisors from miniature pigs. Allogeneic periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were isolated and cultured. A PDLSC sheet was prepared by adding 20.0 µg/mL vitamin C to the culture medium; in addition, a hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP)/DPSC graft was fabricated and cultured in a 3-dimensional culture system. A total of 46 bio-root implantations and 9 dental implants were inserted, and crown restorations were performed 6 mo after implantation. Histological, radiological, biomechanical, and elemental analyses were used to evaluate and compare tissue-engineered bio-roots and dental implants to the natural tooth roots. After 6 mo, both computed tomography scans and histological examinations showed that root-like structures and dentin-like tissues had formed. Three months after crown restoration, clinical assessments revealed that tooth function was equivalent in the regenerated bio-root and the dental implant. Biomechanical testing showed that the bio-roots were similar to natural tooth roots in compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and torsional force; however, these properties were significantly higher in the dental implants. Elemental analysis revealed a higher similarity in elemental composition between bio-roots and natural tooth roots than between bio-roots and dental implants. However, the dental implant success rate was 100% (9 of 9) and the bio-root success rate was only 22% (10 of 46). Taken together, we showed that an allogeneic HA/TCP/DPSC/PDLSC sheet could successfully build a bio-root with structure and function similar to the natural tooth root; however, tissue engineering procedures must be optimized further to improve the success rate.

Analysis of POU1F1 gene DdeI polymorphism in Chinese goats

As a member of the POU-domain family, the POU1F1 is a positive regulator for growth hormone, prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone b, by binding to target DNA promoters as a dimer in mammals. This study described the polymorphisms at the goat POU1F1-DdeI locus and analyzed the distribution of alleles in 15 indigenous Chinese goat breeds. The PCR-RFLP analysis showed a predominance of the D1D1 genotype and the D1 allele, with average frequencies of 0.550 and 0.790, respectively, irrespective of goat utility type. The D1D2 genotype was the second most frequent, with a mean frequency of 0.371. The distributions of genotypic and allelic frequencies at this locus were found to be significantly different among populations based on a Chi square test (P < 0.001), suggesting that the breed factor significantly affected the molecular genetic character of the POU1F1 gene. The genetic diversity analysis revealed that Chinese indigenous populations had a wide spectrum of genetic diversity at the goat POU1F1-DdeI locus. However, an ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences in gene homozygosity, gene heterozygosity, effective allele numbers, or polymorphism information content among meat, dairy, and cashmere utility types (P > 0.05). This suggests that the goat utility types had no significant effect on the spectrum of genetic diversity.

Up-regulation of the Ang II/AT1 receptor may compensate for the loss of gastric antrum ICC via the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway in STZ-induced diabetic mice

The classic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a complex system in which angiotensin II (Ang II) has been identified as an important endogenous regulator that influences both smooth muscle contraction and cell growth. Although a local RAS is known to exist in the gastrointestinal tract, it is unclear whether Ang II is involved in the loss of gastric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in diabetic mice. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Ang II on ICC survival in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Western blot, immunofluorescence, isometric muscle recording, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a cell counting kit-8 were used in this research. Our results demonstrate that the c-Kit and membrane-bound stem cell factor (mSCF) protein expression levels in gastric smooth muscle were decreased in STZ-induced diabetic mice. However, the angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R) expression levels in gastric smooth muscle and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression levels in gastric mucosa were increased. The effect of Ang II on the tonic contraction of gastric smooth muscle was potentiated in diabetic mice, and the plasma Ang II level was enhanced. Ang II increased mSCF expression, cell proliferation, and Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation in cultured gastric smooth muscle cells (GSMCs). These effects were reduced by specific inhibitors ZD7155 (an AT1R antagonist) and LY294002 (a PI3-kinase inhibitor). Our results suggest that Ang II increases mSCF expression and cell proliferation in cultured GSMCs in a PI3K/Akt signaling-dependent manner. ACE and AT1R up-regulation in the stomach may help compensate for ICC loss in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Evaluation of Relative Bioavailability of 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol to Cholecalciferol for Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBV) of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D₃) to cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) in 1- to 21-d-old broiler chickens fed with calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets. On the day of hatch, 450 female Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to nine treatments, with five replicates of ten birds each. The basal diet contained 0.50% Ca and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) and was not supplemented with vitamin D. Vitamin D₃ was fed at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μg/kg, and 25-OH-D₃ was fed at 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/kg. The RBV of 25-OH-D₃ was determined using vitamin D₃ as the standard source by the slope ratio method. Vitamin D₃ and 25-OH-D₃ intake was used as the independent variable for regression analysis. The linear relationships between the level of vitamin D₃ or 25-OH-D₃ and body weight gain (BWG) and the weight, length, ash weight, and the percentage of ash, Ca, and P in femur, tibia, and metatarsus of broiler chickens were observed. Using BWG as the criterion, the RBV value of 25-OH-D₃ to vitamin D₃ was 1.85. Using the mineralization of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus as criteria, the RBV of 25-OH-D₃ to vitamin D₃ ranged from 1.82 to 2.45, 1.86 to 2.52, and 1.65 to 2.05, respectively. These data indicate that 25-OH-D₃ is approximately 2.03 times as active as vitamin D₃ in promoting growth performance and bone mineralization in broiler chicken diets.

First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Agastache rugosa in China

Agastache rugosa (family Lamiaceae) is one of the most common herbs of traditional Chinese medicine in China, and the species increasingly gains popularity on the international market. In June 2012, typical mosaic symptoms were observed on many A. rugosa plants in a field in Shanxi Province. The incidence of this disease reached more than 60% in a 2.6-ha field. Seven symptomatic plants were tested by DAS-ELISA using monoclonal antibodies specific for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV); all antisera used in DAS-ELISA were generated and validated in our laboratory. CMV was found in all seven samples tested, but not TMV and ToMV. Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) extracted from infected leaves were used as templates in the subsequent two-step RT-PCR reaction (1). In order to further confirm the presence of CMV, a pair of specific primers (forward: 5'-ACGTCGACCATGGACAAATC-3', and reverse: 5'-TACCCGGGTCAGACTGGTAGCACC-3') based on the coat protein gene sequence of CMV were used to amplify PCR products of the expected size (657 bp) from ELISA-positive samples (2). These PCR products were cloned into pUCm-T Vector (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai) and sequenced. Five independent clones have been sequenced to obtain the consensus sequence. This consensus sequence (GenBank Accession No. JQ403529) was compared with other CMV sequences available in GenBank using DNAMAN. The partial CMV coat protein sequence showed the highest 97.9% nucleotide identity with a subgroup IB CMV isolate from China (DQ459481). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of CMV on A. rugosa. References: (1) M. Krajacić et al. J. Chromatogr. A. 1144:111, 2007. (2) F. Li et al. J. Zhejiang Univ. 26:261, 2000.

Effects of dietary lysine levels on apparent nutrient digestibility and serum amino Acid absorption mode in growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different dietary lysine levels on the apparent nutrient digestibility, the serum amino acid (AA) concentration, and the biochemical parameters of the precaval and portal vein blood in growing pigs. In Experiment 1, 15 noncannulated pigs received diets with different lysine densities (0.65%, 0.95%, and 1.25% lysine) for 13 d. A total collection digestion test was performed, and blood samples were collected from the precaval vein at the end of the experiment. In Experiment 2, four cannulated pigs were fed the same diets of Experiment 1. The experiment used a self-control experimental design and was divided into three periods. On d 5 of each period, at 0.5 h before feeding and hourly up to 8 h after feeding, single blood samples were collected from catheters placed in the portal vein. In Experiment 1, some serum AAs (including lysine), serum urinary nitrogen (SUN), and total protein (TP) concentrations were significantly affected by the dietary lysine levels (p<0.05). Moreover, the 0.65% lysine treatment showed a significant lower apparent digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, crude protein, and phosphorus than the other treatments (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, serum lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, isoleucine (p = 0.0588), triglyceride, and SUN (p = 0.0572) concentrations were significantly affected by the dietary lysine levels (p<0.05). Additionally, almost all of the determined serum AA and total AA concentrations reached their lowest values at 0.5 h before feeding and their highest values at 2 h after feeding (p<0.05). These findings indicate that the greatest absorption of AA occurred at 2 h after feeding and that the dynamic profile of serum AA is affected by the dietary lysine levels. Moreover, when the dietary lysine content was 0.95%, the growing pigs achieved a better nutrient digestibility and serum metabolites levels.

Prognostic value of HMGB3 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

HMGB3 overexpression has been reported in a variety of human cancers. However, the role of HMGB3 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In this study, the HMGB3 expression was examined at mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in NSCLC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Statistical analyses were applied to test the associations between HMGB3 expression, clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis. Western blotting and qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of HMGB3 mRNA and protein were both significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than those in non-cancerous tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that HMGB3 expression was significantly correlated with tumor grade, tumor size, clinical stage, and lymph node metastases. The results of Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that a high expression level of HMGB3 resulted in a significantly poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Importantly, multivariate analysis showed that high HMGB3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC patients. In sum, our data suggest that HMGB3 plays an important role in NSCLC progression, and that overexpression of HMGB3 in tumor tissues could be used as a potential prognostic marker for patients with NSCLC.

Dentin regeneration using deciduous pulp stem/progenitor cells

Reparative dentin formation is essential for maintaining the integrity of dentin structure during disease or trauma. In this study, we investigated stem/progenitor cell-based tissue engineering for dentin regeneration in a large animal model. Porcine deciduous pulp stem/progenitor cells (PDPSCs) were mixed with a beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold for dentin regeneration. Different concentrations of PDPSCs were tested to determine the optimal density for dentin regeneration. Aliquots of 5×10(5) PDPSCs in 1 mL resulted in the highest number of cells attached to the scaffold and the greatest alkaline phosphatase activity. We labeled PDPSCs with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and used the optimal cell numbers mixed with β-TCP to repair pulp chamber roof defects in the premolars of swine. Four weeks after transplantation, GFP-positive PDPSCs were observed in PDPSC-embedded scaffold constructs. At 16 weeks after transplantation, the PDPSCs mixed with β-TCP significantly regenerated the dentin-like structures and nearly completely restored the pulp chamber roof defects. This study demonstrated that the PDPSC/scaffold construct was useful in direct pulp-capping and provides pre-clinical evidence for stem/progenitor cell-based dentin regeneration.

Genetic diversity of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in Chinese native buffalo

The origins of the domestic water buffalo remain contentious. To better understand the origins of Chinese water buffalo, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene from 270 individuals representing 13 Chinese domestic swamp buffalo populations. We found genetic evidence of introgression of river buffalo into Chinese swamp buffalo herds. Swamp buffalo haplotypes can be divided into two highly divergent lineages (A and B), suggesting that Chinese native swamp buffalo have two maternal origins. We found that the A→G transition in the buffalo MT-CYB gene stop codon resulted in buffalo haplotypes being terminated by one of two stop codons: AGA or AGG. AGA is common to river buffalo and lineage A of swamp buffalo, while AGG is specific to lineage B of swamp buffalo. Lineage A appears to have been domesticated in China. Further genetic evidence is required to clarify the origins of lineage B.

Over-expression of NYGGF4 (PID1) inhibits glucose transport in skeletal myotubes by blocking the IRS1/PI3K/AKT insulin pathway

INTRODUCTION

Defects in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle are the important early events in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. NYGGF4 (also named PID1) is a recently discovered gene which is suggested to be associated with obesity-associated insulin resistance. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of NYGGF4 on glucose uptake and insulin signaling in rat skeletal muscle cells.

METHODS

Rat L6 myoblasts were transfected with either an empty vector or an NYGGF4-expressing vector and induced to differentiate into mature L6 skeletal myotubes. Glucose uptake was determined by measuring uptake of 2-deoxy-d-[(3)H] glucose. Immunoblotting was performed to detect the translocation of insulin-sensitive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Immunoblotting was also used to measure phosphorylation and total protein levels of the insulin signaling proteins including insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38, and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK).

RESULTS

NYGGF4 over-expression in L6 skeletal myotubes reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. It also diminished insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1 and serine phosphorylation of Akt without affecting the phosphorylation of IR, ERK1/2, p38, or JNK.

CONCLUSIONS

Over-expression of NYGGF4 inhibits glucose transport in skeletal myotubes by blocking the IRS1/PI3K/AKT insulin pathway. These observations highlight the potential role of NYGGF4 in glucose homeostasis and the development of insulin resistance in obesity.

Simultaneous detection of enteric bacteria from surface waters by QPCR in comparison with conventional bacterial indicators

A rapid quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) method was developed for simultaneous detection of enteric bacteria from surface waters by utilizing a pair of universal primers which targeted four bacteria strains, namely Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. It was estimated that the QPCR method had a 94% confidence, and a detection limit as 2.7 E. coli cells per sample in undiluted DNA extracts. The QPCR method was applied for the bacteriological examination of several surface waters in the urban area of Xi'an, China and comparison was made with the conventional bacteria indicators determined by conventional membrane filter (MF) method. As a result, the calibrator cell equivalents (CCE) determined by QPCR was 2.2 to five times of the total coliform CFU, and the characteristics of the bacterial quality of different waters could be well presented by the QPCR results with a higher sensitivity. The coefficient of variation (CV) of data obtained by QPCR was smaller than that by traditional MF method, indicating a more stable analysis result. The QPCR method could thus be used as a supplement of the conventional culture method for more sensitive detection of pathogenic enteric bacteria from water.

Stem cells from deciduous tooth repair mandibular defect in swine

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth have been identified as a new post-natal stem cell population with multipotential differentiation capabilities, including regeneration of mineralized tissues in vivo. To examine the efficacy of utilizing these stem cells in regenerating orofacial bone defects, we isolated stem cells from miniature pig deciduous teeth and engrafted the critical-size bone defects generated in swine mandible models. Our results indicated that stem cells from miniature pig deciduous teeth, an autologous and easily accessible stem cell source, were able to engraft and regenerate bone to repair critical-size mandibular defects at 6 months post-surgical reconstruction. This pre-clinical study in a large-animal model, specifically swine, allows for testing of a stem cells/scaffold construct in the restoration of orofacial skeletal defects and provides rapid translation of stem-cell-based therapy in orofacial reconstruction in human clinical trials.

Characteristics of bacterial and viral contamination of urban waters: a case study in Xi'an, China

In order to gain knowledge on the presence of bacteria and viruses in urban waters, the authors started a long-term study on the microbiological quality of urban lakes and rivers in Xi'an, China. In the current study, enteroviruses were chosen as typical viruses and RT-nested PCR was conducted for their detection. Universal primers were designed for simultaneous detection of poliovirus, coxsackievirus, and enterovirus 71 which are the most frequently encountered enteroviruses in China. The RT-nested PCR protocol established in this study showed high sensitivity and specificity. The detection limit was equivalent to 0.038 CCID50 per litre by applying a modified adsorption-elution concentration method. No cross-reactivity was observed using the genome of pathogenic bacteria as of PCR template. The occurrence of enteroviruses was compared with fecal coliform count in a 6-month period from July to December 2006 for the urban waters. As a result, it was noticed that the presence of enteroviruses might not relate to the fecal coliform count so much. Statistical analysis also indicated that there was no significant correlation between the presence of enteroviruses and that of total bacteria, total coliform, and fecal coliform.

A comparative study of one-level and two-level semiparametric estimation of hemodynamic response function for fMRI data

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is emerging as a powerful tool for studying the process underlying the working of the many regions of the human brain. The standard tool for analyzing fMRI data is some variant of the linear model, which is restrictive in modeling assumptions. In this paper, we develop a semiparametric approach, based on the cubic smoothing splines, to obtain statistically more efficient estimates of the underlying hemodynamic response function (HRF) associated with fMRI experiments. The hypothesis testing of HRF is conducted to identify the brain regions which are activated when a subject performs a particular task. Furthermore, we compare one-level and two-level semiparametric estimates of HRF in significance tests for detecting the activated brain regions. Our simulation studies demonstrate that the one-level estimates combined with a bias-correction procedure perform best in detecting the activated brain regions. We illustrate this method using a real fMRI data set and compare it with popular methods offered by AFNI and FSL.

[Changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with PTE diagnosed by spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were included as the trial group, while 20 person in which PTE was excluded served as the control group. P-selectin, and GPIIb/IIIa expressed on platelets were measured by flow cytometry, and plasma TXB(2), 6-Keto-PGF1alpha, vWF, D-dimer and serum ACA were measured by ELISA and the changes of these parameters were compared 1 week later.

RESULTS

In the trial group, the levels of P-selectin, GPIIb/IIIa, TXB(2), vWF, D-dimer and T/K were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). But the plasma level of 6-Keto-PGF1alpha in the patients with PTE was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The levels of ACA-IgG and ACA-IgA were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). After therapy the level of 6-Keto-PGF1alpha was significantly higher than that before therapy (P < 0.01), and other parameters were significantly lower than those before therapy (P < 0.01). P-selectin, GPIIb/IIIa and vWF were positively correlated with D-dimer (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Endothelium damage, platelet activation and hypercoagulation combined with fibrinolytic activation occur in patients with PTE.

[Comparison of several rib rings with intercostal muscles for tracheal replacement in dogs]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of several types of rib rings with intercostal muscles for the replacement of trachea in thorax.

METHODS

The surface layer of the third rib of dogs were ripped off and curved into triangular, quadrilateral and polygonal form. These three types of rib rings with intercostal muscles were used to replace a segment of trachea in thorax.

RESULTS

The stability of triangular rib ring was very well, but stricture of ring were often happened because of its smaller internal diameter. These stability of quadrilateral rib ring was the worst. The polygonal rib ring presented the biggest diameter and good stability compared to the other two kinds of rings. If silicone tube was supplemented in the polygonal rib ring, the quality of artificial trachea was excellent.

CONCLUSION

The rib rings with intercostal muscles are successfully used for replacing the defect of trachea in canine thorax. The polygonal rib rings have the best quality in the three types of rib ring for tracheal replacement.

Suitability of immobilized metal affinity chromatography for protein purification from canola

This work demonstrates that proper selection of a metal ion and chelating ligand enables recovery of a his(6)-tagged protein from canola (Brassica napus) extracts by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). When using Co(2+) with iminodiacetate (IDA) as the chelating ligand, beta-glucuronidase-his(6) (GUSH6) can be purified from canola protein extract with almost homogeneous purity in a single chromatographic step. The discrimination with which metal ions bound native canola proteins followed the order Cu(2+) < Ni(2+) < Zn(2+) < Co(2+) in regard to elimination of proteins coeluted with the fusion protein. IDA- and nitrilotriacetate (NTA)-immobilized metal ions showed different binding patterns, whose cause is attributed to a more rigid binding orientation of the his(6) in forming a tridentate with Me(2+)-IDA than in forming a bidentate with Me(2+)-NTA. The more flexible binding allows for multisite interactions over the protein.