PB@PDA nanocomposites as nanolabels and signal reporters for separate-type cathodic photoelectrochemical immunosensors in the detection of carcinoembryonic antigens

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassays exhibiting high sensitivity and decent operability have considerable potential in areas such as cancer diagnostics. In particular, cathodic PEC configurations can prevent interference from reductive substances, which can occur in biological samples; however, challenges remain in terms of sensitivity and operability. In this study, separate-type PEC immunoassays were developed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by combining microplate-based immune recognition and off-on cathodic PEC detection. Polydopamine (PDA)-coated Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles (PB@PDA NPs) were used as signal tags to label the detection antibody. The PB NPs and PDA captured on the microplates both disassembled under strongly alkaline conditions to generate redox-active electron acceptors. The disassembled products were quantitatively transferred to PEC detection cells and synergistically enhanced the PEC current with microstructured BiOI, which operated as a cathodic semiconductor electrode. As proof of principle, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was applied to elucidate the potential application of PEC immunoassay in clinical diagnosis, and the obtained linear range of the sensor was 0.001-100 ng mL^-1 with the detection limit of 54.9 fg mL^-1 (S/N = 3). The proposed separate-type off-on PEC strategy showed high sensitivity and decent operability for CEA detection, indicating its potential for the identification of other tumor markers.

Clopidogrel monotherapy following dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome post-drug-eluting stent implantation: a systematic review and direct/indirect treatment comparison

Background

In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) receiving a drug-eluting stent (DES), treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic events. Optimal duration of DAPT depends on patient characteristics and switching to single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) is recommended after the course of DAPT.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of switching to clopidogrel SAPT following DAPT in patients with ACS post DES-implantation.

Methods

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted by searching MEDLINE®, Embase, and CENTRAL up to July 27, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that evaluated clopidogrel SAPT following DAPT in adults with ACS post-DES implantation were included. Heterogeneity of included studies was vetted in a feasibility assessment. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted using the metafor package for R. Direct comparisons were conducted for clopidogrel vs. aspirin and clopidogrel vs. DAPT. Using the Bucher method, aspirin vs. DAPT was indirectly compared by taking the difference between their respective pooled treatment effects vs. clopidogrel. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by including studies with a follow-up of 12 months.

Results

Of 5,349 records identified, seven unique studies (four RCTs and three observational studies) were eligible to be included in the SLR and quantitative treatment comparison. Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was lower in patients who switched to clopidogrel SAPT after DAPT compared with those who switched to aspirin monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54, 0.98), and this difference was significant. No significant difference in risk of MACE was found between switching to clopidogrel SAPT after DAPT and continuation of DAPT (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.25). This finding was consistent with the sensitivity analysis representing studies with follow-up of 12 months (HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.69, 1.31). Risk of bleeding was not analysed due to insufficient data across included studies for patients with ACS. However, within-study findings from one RCT of 4,136 patients demonstrated a significantly lower risk of bleeding, defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (major and/or minor, for switching to clopidogrel SAPT following DAPT compared with continuation of DAPT (0.54% vs. 1.17% of patients had bleeding [HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.94]).

Conclusion

Findings from this SLR suggest switching to clopidogrel SAPT after DAPT in ACS post-DES implantation has a lower risk of MACE compared with switching to aspirin monotherapy, and no difference in the risk of MACE compared with continuation of DAPT. There was insufficient data across the included studies to evaluate the bleeding risk, however, a single study indicated a lower bleeding risk with switching to clopidogrel SAPT.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Sanofi

Effects of Atomoxetine Hydrochloride on Regulation of Lifespan in Drosophila Model

Nootropics (smart drugs) are used by students to enhance cognitive performance which have been reported times in recent years. However, some of the nootropics are central nervous system stimulants which are very likely to lead to addiction or complications such as vomiting and dizziness. Are there nootropics that can improve learning behavior while having potential positive effect on health? Here, we reported that Atomoxetine (ATX) has sex-specific effect on prolonging the life span of female Drosophila melanogaster. Further study indicated that ATX enhanced female resistance to heat stress and their vertical climbing ability, but it did decrease the number of eggs laid. ATX increased food-intake and sleep time both of females and males, and significantly reduced the 24h spontaneous activity of females and males. Our results present the sex dimorphic effect of ATX on life span regulation in Drosophila, and support further research on the beneficial role of ATX and the mechanisms in other animal models.

Spectroscopic Investigation and Nanoscale Characterization of Epinephrine Autooxidation under Alkaline Conditions

Melanins are intriguing biomaterials with unique physical and chemical properties. Due to the insoluble nature of the synthetic melanins prepared from different precursors, such as 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) and dopamine (DA), it is still challenging to reveal the structure-property relationships. In this work, the autoxidation of epinephrine (EP) under basic conditions was investigated from the perspective of supramolecular chemistry, and the formed soluble epinephrine-melanin (EPM) was characterized on the nanoscale. The supramolecular aggregate nature of oxidation products has been identified on the basis of spectroscopic investigations. A two-dimensional sheet-like morphology with highly ordered in-plane stacking structures was observed for the first time, and the thickness of the nanosheet increased with increasing EPM concentration. More importantly, in contrast to the well-known monotonic absorption profiles of synthetic melanins, EPM shows featured and unusual pH-responsible absorption profiles in the near-ultraviolet region (UVA). The decrease in pH can induce the disappearance of the absorption in the lower-energy band and the reduction of aggregate size. The oxidative and aggregation kinetic processes of EP were investigated in three different alkaline systems by the combination of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The oxidation process of EP shows concentration- and buffer-dependent behaviors. The unusual absorption properties of EPM were exploited for the fabrication of transparent UV-shielding chitosan biofilms and gelatin hydrogels. Extensive research on the molecular structures, supramolecular exciton coupling, and material-oriented property exploitation of EPM is highly anticipated.

LINC00324 exerts tumor-promoting functions in lung adenocarcinoma via targeting miR-615-5p/AKT1 axis

OBJECTIVE

The underlying mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) has not been fully understood yet. Hence, this study aimed to determine the biological function of LINC00324 in LAC and to provide a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for it.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of LINC00324 in 87 paired LAC tumor tissues and matched para-tumor tissues was detected using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to analyze the cell proliferative ability, whereas flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptotic rate. Cell metastasis change was measured using wound-healing assay and transwell assay. Luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blotting analysis were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanism of LINC00324 in LAC.

RESULTS

LINC00324 was highly expressed in LAC tissues compared with the para-tumor samples. Identically, the expression level of LINC00324 was significantly higher in LAC cell lines. The overexpression of LINC00324 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis of LAC cells, while knockdown of LINC00324 presented the opposite effect. Up-regulation of LINC00324 accelerated cell migration and invasion, but down-regulation of LINC0324 decreased cell metastasis of LAC cells. Furthermore, miR-615-5p was found to be regulated by LINC00324 and inhibited AKT1 expression, indicating that LINC00324 promoted cell progression via affecting the miR-615-5p/AKT1 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00324 was significantly over-expressed in LAC tissues and cells. It promoted proliferation and metastasis but inhibited cell apoptosis of LAC cells via sponging miR-615-5p to promote AKT1 expression. Our results demonstrated LINC00324 as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for LAC.

Nonlocal Spin Transport as a Probe of Viscous Magnon Fluids

Magnons in ferromagnets behave as a viscous fluid over a length scale, the momentum-relaxation length, below which momentum-conserving scattering processes dominate. We show theoretically that in this hydrodynamic regime viscous effects lead to a sign change in the magnon chemical potential, which can be detected as a sign change in the nonlocal resistance measured in spin transport experiments. This sign change is observable when the injector-detector distance becomes comparable to the momentum-relaxation length. Taking into account momentum- and spin-relaxation processes, we consider the quasiconservation laws for momentum and spin in a magnon fluid. The resulting equations are solved for nonlocal spin transport devices in which spin is injected and detected via metallic leads. Because of the finite viscosity we also find a backflow of magnons close to the injector lead. Our work shows that nonlocal magnon spin transport devices are an attractive platform to develop and study magnon-fluid dynamics.

[Prospective association between childhood abuse experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescence]

Objective: To evaluate the prospective association between childhood abuse experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescence. Methods: Students in grade 3 and 4 from three primary schools were selected, with informed consent, through convenience cluster sampling in Bengbu, Anhui province in May 2013. The students' body height, weight were assessed. Childhood abuse experiences including emotional, physical or sexual abuses, as well as depressive symptoms were reported by children themselves. Data on parental educational background and household economic status were collected through parent questionnaire. A follow up was conducted 4 years later after baseline survey. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by using Children's Depression Inventory at baseline survey, and by using Mood and Feeling Questionnaire at follow-up. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescence. Results: A total of 1 172 students were included in baseline survey, and a follow-up was conducted for 87.1% of them (n=1 021). Among 1 126 students with complete information on childhood abuse experiences at baseline survey, the reported rates of physical, emotional and sexual abuses were 12.8% (144/1 126), 11.1% (125/1 126) and 10.9% (123/1 126), respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms at baseline survey and follow-up was 7.0% (82/1 172) and 12.3% (126/1 021), respectively. After adjusted for baseline depressive symptoms, age at follow-up, sex, the only-child in family, household economic status, divorce of parents and BMI, childhood emotional and physical abuse experiences were significant risk factors for depressive symptoms in mid-adolescence, with the ORs were 1.86 (95%CI: 1.03-3.36, P=0.039) and 2.37 (95%CI: 1.39-4.03, P=0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Childhood physical and emotional abuse might increase the risk of depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Association of size-fractionated indoor particulate matter and black carbon with heart rate variability in healthy elderly women in Beijing

Associations between size-fractionated indoor particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) and heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) in elderly women remain unclear. Twenty-nine healthy elderly women were measured for 24-hour HRV/HR indices. Real-time size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were monitored on the same day and on the preceding day. Mixed-effects models were applied to investigate the associations between pollutants and HRV/HR indices. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM were significantly associated with declines in power in the high-frequency band (HF), power in the low-frequency band (LF), and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN). The largest decline in HF was 19% at 5-minute moving average for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (24 μg/m³ ) in PM_0.5 . The results showed that smaller particles could lead to greater reductions in HRV indices. The reported associations were modified by body mass index (BMI): Declines in HF at 5-minute average for an IQR increase in PM_0.5 were 34.5% and 1.0% for overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m² ) and normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m² ) participants, respectively. Moreover, negative associations between BC and HRV indices were found to be significant in overweight participants. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were associated with compromised cardiac autonomic function in healthy elderly women, especially overweight ones.

[Therapeutic effects of psychological intervention combined with manual reduction on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly]

Objective:To explore the best treatment for elderly patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Method:Sixty-eight BPPV patients aged 60-85 years were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated by simple manipulation. The study group was treated by manual reduction combined with psychological intervention. The curative effect was compared. Result:The cure rates of the control group and the study group were 44.4% and 43.8% respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05); the effective rates were 52.78% and 87.50% respectively, with significant difference (P<0.05). The recurrence rates of control group and study group were 8.3% and 3.1% after 2 weeks of treatment, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The recurrence rates at 3 months were 5.6% and 0 respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The difference of SAS and SDS between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the residual symptoms between the two groups at the first follow-up (P>0.05), and at 1 week and 4 weeks (P<0.05). The residual symptoms of the patients after reoperation were relieved compared with those of the control group. The DHI scores of the study group between 60-70 years old and 71-85 years old group for the first time, after 1 week and 4 weeks were statistically significant (P<0.05), and the residual symptoms in the 60-70 years group were reduced compare to the 71-85-year-old group. Conclusion:Elderly people with BPPV are susceptible to anxiety and depression. Manipulation combined with psychological intervention can promote the curative effect well, but personalized treatment plan should be developed.

Blood pressure control over time in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous

Introduction Hypertension (HTN) is prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and causes early cardiovascular aging and progression of renal and cardiac disease. The aim of this longitudinal retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of HTN, the follow-up blood pressure trends, and risk factors for HTN in a population-based cohort with childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). Methods Demographic and clinical data of consecutive visits from the baseline to the last visit were extracted from electronic medical records of patients with cSLE. Results A total of 110 patients with cSLE were identified with a median follow-up duration of 29.5 months; 19% had lupus nephritis (LN) at diagnosis. Further, 29% and 23% had HTN and preHTN at the baseline visit. Compared to those without HTN, patients with HTN had higher disease activity, obesity, more frequent LN, and lower eGFR. In multivariate analysis, the presence of LN, obesity, and high extra-renal disease activity were independent predictors of HTN at baseline. Conclusions While HTN is a known feature of LN, HTN is common and persistent in cSLE without LN, with about one-third of patients having uncontrolled elevated blood pressure almost three years after the onset of lupus. In addition to LN, obesity and high overall disease activity were independent predictors of HTN.

[The effect of short-term exposure to ambient NO(2) on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in 33 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of short-term exposure to ambient NO(2) has influence on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods: A panel of doctor-diagnosed stable COPD patients (n=33) were recruited and repeatedly measured for lung function and FeNO from December 2013 to October 2014. The patients who lived in Beijing for more than one year and aged between 60 and 85 years old were included in the study. We excluded patients with asthma, bronchial tensor, lung cancer and other respiratory disorders other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and occupational exposure and chest trauma surgery patients. Because the frequency of each subject visiting to the hospital was different, a total of 170 times of lung function measurements and 215 times of FeNO measurements were conducted. At the same time, the atmospheric NO(2) data of Beijing environmental monitoring station near the residence of each patient during the study period were collected from 1 day to 7 days lag before the measurement. Effects of short-term NO(2) exposure on lung function and FeNO in COPD patients were estimated by linear mixed-effects models. Results: The subjects' forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and exhaled NO of subjects were (3.26±0.83) L, (1.66±0.61) L, (4.13±1.77) L/s, and (48.99±14.30) μg/m(3), respectively. The concentration of NO(2) was (70.3±34.2) μg/m(3) and the interquartile range (IQR) was 39.0 μg/m(3). Short-term exposure to NO(2) resulted in a significant decrease in FVC among COPD patients' which was most obvious in 2 days lag. Every quartile range increased in NO(2) (39 μg/m(3), 2 day) would cause a 1.84% (95%CI: -3.20%- -0.48%) reduction in FVC. The effects of exposure to higher concentration of NO(2) (≥58.0 μg/m(3)) on FVC estimate was -2.32% (95%CI: -4.15%- -0.48%)(P=0.02). No significant relevance of FeNO and NO(2) was observed in this study. Conclusions: Short term exposure to ambient NO(2) may bring down pulmonary function in COPD patients.

Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data revealed critical genes in colon adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

RNA-seq data of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) were analyzed with bioinformatics tools to discover critical genes in the disease. Relevant small molecule drugs, transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) were also investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RNA-seq data of COAD were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differential analysis was performed with package edgeR. False positive discovery (FDR) < 0.05 and |log2 (fold change)|>1 were set as the cut-offs to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene coexpression network was constructed with package Ebcoexpress. GO enrichment analysis was performed for the DEGs in the gene coexpression network with DAVID. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was also performed for the genes with KOBASS 2.0. Modules were identified with MCODE of Cytoscape. Relevant small molecules drugs were predicted by Connectivity map. Relevant miRNAs and TFs were searched by WebGestalt.

RESULTS

A total of 457 DEGs, including 255 up-regulated and 202 down-regulated genes, were identified from 437 COAD and 39 control samples. A gene coexpression network was constructed containing 40 DEGs and 101 edges. The genes were mainly associated with collagen fibril organization, extracellular matrix organization and translation. Two modules were identified from the gene coexpression network, which were implicated in muscle contraction and extracellular matrix organization, respectively. Several critical genes were disclosed, such as MYH11, COL5A2 and ribosomal proteins. Nine relevant small molecule drugs were identified, such as scriptaid and STOCK1N-35874. Accordingly, a total of 17 TFs and 10 miRNAs related to COAD were acquired, such as ETS2, NFAT, AP4, miR-124A, MiR-9, miR-96 and let-7.

CONCLUSIONS

Several critical genes and relevant drugs, TFs and miRNAs were revealed in COAD. These findings could advance the understanding of the disease and benefit therapy development.

[Surveillance on the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease during the outbreaks in three cities of Jiangsu province, 2012-2015]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics through monitoring the outbreaks of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), in three cities of Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2015 and to provide evidence for prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Data related to cases of HFMD during the outbreaks was collected through active surveillance programs in three cities of Jiangsu province, under the guidelines of clusters and outbreaks of HFMD (2012 edition HFMD). Features related to clusters and outbreaks of the disease were identified according to the real-time RT-PCR detection. Descriptive analysis was conducted to understand the type/subtype of HFMD virus and time, area, place and extent of the outbreaks. Logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors. Results: From 2012 to 2015, a total of 1 425 HFMD epidemics, including 1 314 clusters and 111 outbreaks were reported. Two incidence peaks were observed each year, between March and June, as well as between September and December, accounting for 58.18% (829/1 425), 33.68% (480/1 425), respectively. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks were reported in Wuxi city, accounting for 59.30% (845/1 425) of the total. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks happened in kindergartens, accounting for 68.63% (978/1 425) of the total. A total of 931 HFMD clusters and outbreaks were confirmed under laboratory findings. The main pathogens were Entervirus type 71 (EV71) in 2013 and Coxsackie A16 (Cox A16) in 2015, respectively, while both EV71 and Cox A16 were predominant in 2012 and 2014. With multivariate backward conditional regression, surrounding environment was identified as important risk factor associated with the attack rate. Health condition of the environment was quite good, with low attack rates (middle vs. bad: OR=0.150, 95% CI: 0.034-0.667; good vs. bad: OR=0.072, 95%CI: 0.016-0.317). Time between the onset of index patient and the reporting of HFMD clusters or outbreaks was important in the control program of HFMD epidemics (4-7 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=3.452, 95%CI: 2.293-5.198; 8 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=12.108, 95%CI: 7.767-18.763). Conclusions: The clusters and outbreaks of HFMD happened in Jiangsu province showed an obvious feature of seasonality. The predominant types or subtypes of the virus varied in different years. Kindergartens were the hard-hit places of HFMD clusters and outbreaks. Timely report of the disease appeared the key point regarding the control of HFMD clusters and outbreaks.

[Effect of air pollution on health service demand of the elderly and middle-age patients with hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: based on analysis of data from CHARLS]

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of air pollution with health service demand of the elderly and middle-age patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and to provide a scientific basis for development of environmental protection policy and health service policy of the Chinese government.

METHODS

This study included survey data on self-evaluated health, outpatient service demand and inpatient service demand of the patients with hypertension, heart disease and stroke in 62 cities of 17 provinces from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011 and 2013, and combined it with the data on the annual concentrations of inhalable particulate matter (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide(SO(2)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) of those provinces and cities. Conditional Logistic regression was carried out to assess the possible effects of air pollutants on self-evaluated health and health service utilization.

RESULTS

The results showed that turning points existed in the effects of concentrations of NO(2) and SO(2) on the health service demand of the patients with hypertension, heart disease and stroke. The inpatient service demand of the hypertension patients increased with NO(2) concentration when it was lower than 35.1 μg/m(3) and decreased with NO(2) concentration for higher value. Self-evaluated health of the patients with heart disease and stroke decreased with SO(2) concentration when it was lower than 63.8 μg/m(3) and increased with SO(2) concentration for higher value. In addition, no evidence was found for the association between PM(10) and health service demand.

CONCLUSION

Air pollution may have effects on health service demand of the patients with hypertension,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and different air pollutants at high or low concentration may have different health effects.

Optical Coherence in Atomic-Monolayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides Limited by Electron-Phonon Interactions

We systematically investigate the excitonic dephasing of three representative transition-metal dichalcogenides, namely, MoS_{2}, MoSe_{2}, and WSe_{2} atomic monolayer thick and bulk crystals, in order to gain a proper understanding of the factors that determine the optical coherence in these materials. Coherent nonlinear optical spectroscopy and temperature dependent absorption, combined with theoretical calculations of the phonon spectra, indicate electron-phonon interactions, to be the limiting factor. Surprisingly, the excitonic dephasing, differs only slightly between atomic monolayers and high quality bulk crystals, which indicates that material imperfections are not the limiting factor in atomically thin monolayer samples. The temperature dependence of the electronic band gap and the excitonic linewidth combined with "ab initio" calculations of the phonon energies and the phonon density of states reveal a strong interaction with the E' and E" phonon modes.

Stationary intraoral digital tomosynthesis using a carbon nanotube X-ray source array

OBJECTIVES

Intraoral dental tomosynthesis and closely related tuned-aperture CT (TACT) are low-dose three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities that have shown improved detection of multiple dental diseases. Clinical interest in implementing these technologies waned owing to their time-consuming nature. Recently developed carbon nanotube (CNT) X-ray sources allow rapid multi-image acquisition without mechanical motion, making tomosynthesis a clinically viable technique. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility of and produce high-quality images from a digital tomosynthesis system employing CNT X-ray technology.

METHODS

A test-bed stationary intraoral tomosynthesis unit was constructed using a CNT X-ray source array and a digital intraoral sensor. The source-to-image distance was modified to make the system comparable in image resolution to current two-dimensional intraoral radiography imaging systems. Anthropomorphic phantoms containing teeth with simulated and real caries lesions were imaged using a dose comparable to D-speed film dose with a rectangular collimation. Images were reconstructed and analysed.

RESULTS

Tomosynthesis images of the phantom and teeth specimen demonstrated perceived image quality equivalent or superior to standard digital images with the added benefit of 3D information. The ability to "scroll" through slices in a buccal-lingual direction significantly improved visualization of anatomical details. In addition, the subjective visibility of dental caries was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Feasibility of the stationary intraoral tomosynthesis is demonstrated. The results show clinical promise and suitability for more robust observer and clinical studies.

A first generation compact microbeam radiation therapy system based on carbon nanotube X-ray technology

We have developed a compact microbeam radiation therapy device using carbon nanotube cathodes to create a linear array of narrow focal line segments on a tungsten anode and a custom collimator assembly to select a slice of the resulting wedge-shaped radiation pattern. Effective focal line width was measured to be 131 μm, resulting in a microbeam width of ∼300 μm. The instantaneous dose rate was projected to be 2 Gy/s at full-power. Peak to valley dose ratio was measured to be >17 when a 1.4 mm microbeam separation was employed. Finally, multiple microbeams were delivered to a mouse with beam paths verified through histology.

Response inhibition and ADHD traits: correlates and heritability in a community sample

Endophenotypes or intermediate phenotypes are of great interest in neuropsychiatric genetics because of their potential for facilitating gene discovery. We evaluated response inhibition, latency and variability measures derived from the stop task as endophenotypes of ADHD by testing whether they were related to ADHD traits in the general population, heritable and shared genetic risk with ADHD traits. Participants were 16,099 children and adolescents, ages 6 to 18 years who visited a local science center. We measured ADHD traits using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-Behavior (SWAN) rating scale and performance on the stop signal task (SST)-response inhibition (SSRT), response latency (GoRT), and response variability (GoRTSD). Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of cognitive measures and ADHD traits while controlling for family, age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and treatment status. Heritability of ADHD and cognitive traits was estimated using SOLAR in 7,483 siblings from 3,507 families that included multiple siblings. Bivariate relationships between pairs of variables were examined. Individuals with greater ADHD trait scores had worse response inhibition, slower response latency, and greater variability. Younger participants and girls had inferior performance although the gender effects were minimal and evident in youngest participants. Inhibition, latency, variability, total ADHD traits, inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores were significantly heritable. ADHD traits and inhibition, but not latency or variability were coheritable. In the largest study in the general population, we found support for the validity of response inhibition as an endophenotype of ADHD.

How to prevent the iatrogenic diffusion of gynecological malignant tumors?

An analysis of the causes for iatrogenic diffusion of gynecological malignant tumors during their diagnosis and treatment, through clinical experience and a comprehensive review of both Chinese and international literatures was carried out. When a curettage, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy is performed, an iatrogenic diffusion of malignant tumors can be caused. Therefore this phenomenon needs to be prevented and reduced during the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignant tumors, and to improve the curative effect and survival times of tumor patients.

Optical control of surface anchoring and reorientation of liquid crystals via a plasmon-enhanced local field

Gold nanoparticles deposited on the windows of a liquid crystal (LC) cell were found to be able to reduce the surface anchoring energy of the LC, and hence the threshold for its reorientation phase transition, by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude when a cw pump light was used to excite the local plasmon resonance of the nanoparticles. The effect was due to the disorientation of LC molecules between nanoparticles by the plasmon-enhanced local field that softens the effective surface anchoring. A light-controlled variation of surface anchoring energy could provide new opportunities for optoelectronic applications of a LC.

TRAF2 docking with related proteins in silico studies

Using the protein-protein docking program, this study investigates the relationship between TRAF2 and its related proteins and the diversity within the 3D structures of TRAF2s. TRAF2 exists in monomer, trimer, and hexamer forms and it can combine with a number of proteins. Through comparative analysis we found that TRAF2(122), TRAF2(22), TRAF2(21740), TRAF2(2), TRAF2( 22ABC), and TRAF2(Phyre) perform very close homoousia in docking with the same group of ligands, though these TRAF2s come from different sources. The TRAF2-related proteins of cluster 1 change docking values strongly from top to bottom. The TRAF2- related proteins of clusters 2 and 3 have acceptable variation of the docking values. In consideration of the amino acid percentage, TRAF2-related proteins of cluster 2 represent appropriate docking values.

Effective treatment of experimental ragweed-induced asthma with STAT-6-IP, a topically delivered cell-penetrating peptide

BACKGROUND

Treatment of allergic airways disease including asthma remains primarily local immunosuppression with topical corticosteroid and symptomatic management with antihistamines and anti-leucotrienes. We have developed a novel topical therapy designed to specifically inhibit the events associated with Th2 cell activation.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the efficacy of our cell-penetrating STAT-6 inhibitory peptide (STAT-6-IP), a novel treatment for allergic airways disease, in a model of chronic ragweed-induced asthma.

METHODS

Six- to eight-week-old mice were sensitized over 5 weeks with intranasal (IN) exposures to whole ragweed allergen without adjuvant. Mice were then IN challenged with Amba 1 with and without treatment IN with STAT-6-IP and allergic responses assessed. Two weeks later, some animals were rechallenged with Amba 1 with or without STAT-6-IP.

RESULTS

Animals exposed to IN ragweed developed significant airway hyperresponsiveness and airways inflammation upon challenge. Cell cultures showed increases in Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. Topical STAT-6-IP treatment reduced production of Th2 cytokines, demonstrated increased expression of IL-10 and reduced frequency of cultured IL-4 positive CD4+ T cells derived from treated mice, suggesting that STAT-6-IP treatment may be immunomodulatory. Airway responsiveness to methacholine challenge in the treatment group was similarly reduced to that of the non-allergic PBS-exposed animals. Importantly, STAT-6-IP-treated mice remained hyporesponsive following second ragweed challenge 2 weeks after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These data suggest that topical application of the STAT-6-IP is sufficient to inhibit allergic airways responses in animals chronically sensitized and challenged with ragweed. Data show that a single topical treatment course is sufficient to block signs of allergic responses to ragweed in the airways for at least 2 weeks. STAT-6-IP is a novel potential treatment for chronic allergic asthma.