Differences of bacterioplankton communities between the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River: microbial structure, co-occurrence pattern, and environmental influencing factors

The source area of the Yangtze River is located in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is known as the "Earth's third pole." It is the water conservation area and the natural barrier of the ecosystem of the Yangtze River basin. It is also the most sensitive area of the natural ecosystem, and the ecological environment is very fragile. Microorganisms play key roles in the biogeochemical processes of water. In this paper, the bacterioplankton communities in the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River were studied based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, and their environmental influencing factors were further analyzed. Results showed that the upstream region had higher richness and diversity than the source region. The predominant bacterial phyla in the source and upstream regions were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota. The bacterial phyla associated with municipal pollution and opportunistic pathogen, such as Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota, were more abundant in the upstream. By contrast, distinct planktonic bacterial genera associated with mining pollution, such as Acidiphilium and Acidithiobacillus, were more abundant in the source region. The co-occurrence network showed that the interaction of bacterioplankton community is more frequent in the upstream. The bacterioplankton community compositions, richness, and functional profiles were affected by the spatial heterogeneity. Moreover, variation partitioning analysis further confirmed that the amount of variation in the source region independently explained by variables of altitude was the largest, followed by water nutrient. This paper revealed the spatial distribution of planktonic bacterial communities in the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River and its correlation with environmental factors, providing information support for ensuring the health and safety of aquatic ecosystems in the Yangtze River Basin.

Spatially explicit estimation of freshwater fish stock biomass with limited data: A case study of an endangered endemic fish on the Tibetan Plateau, China

Accurate evaluation of fish stock biomass is essential for effective conservation management and targeted species enhancement efforts. However, this remains challenging owing to limited data availability. Therefore, we present an integrated modeling framework combining catch per unit effort with ensemble species distribution modeling called CPUESDM, which explicitly assesses and validates the spatial distribution of stock biomass for freshwater fish species with limited data, applied to Herzensteinia microcephalus. The core algorithm incorporates the Leslie regression model, ensemble species distribution modeling, and exploratory spatial interpolation techniques. We found that H. microcephalus biomass in the Yangtze River source area yielded an initial estimate of 113.52 tons. Our validation results demonstrate high accuracy with a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.78 and root mean square error of 0.05. Furthermore, our spatially-explicit, global, absolute biomass density map effectively identified areas with high and low concentrations of biomass distribution centers. Additionally, this study offers access to the source code, example raw data, and a step-by-step instruction manual for other researchers using field data to explore the application of this model. Our findings can help inform for future conservation efforts around fish stock biomass estimation, especially for endangered species.

[Short-term efficacy of empagliflozin in children with glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb]

Objective: To analyze the short-time efficacy of empagliflozin in the treatment of glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb (GSD Ⅰb). Methods: In this prospective open-label single-arm study, the data of 4 patients were collected from the pediatric department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022. All of them were diagnosed by gene sequencing and had neutropenia. These patients received empagliflozin treatment. Their clinical symptoms such as height and weight increase, abdominal pain, diarrhea, oral ulcer, infection times, and drug applications were recorded at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 15 months after treatment to assess the therapeutic effect. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to monitor the changes in 1, 5-anhydroglucitol (1, 5AG) concentration in plasma. At the same time, adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia and urinary tract infection were closely followed up and monitored. Results: The 4 patients with GSD Ⅰb were 15, 14, 4 and 14 years old, respectively at the beginning of empagliflozin treatment, and were followed up for 15, 15, 12 and 6 months, respectively. Maintenance dose range of empagliflozin was 0.24-0.39 mg/(kg·d). The frequency of diarrhea and abdominal pain decreased in cases 2, 3, and 4 at 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment, respectively. Their height and weight increased at different degrees.The absolute count of neutrophils increased from 0.84×10⁹, 0.50×10⁹, 0.48×10⁹, 0.48×10⁹/L to 1.48×10⁹, 3.04×10⁹, 1.10×10⁹, 0.73×10⁹/L, respectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was gradually reduced in 1 patients and stopped in 3 patient. Plasma 1, 5 AG levels in 2 children were significantly decreased after administration of empagliflozin (from 46.3 mg/L to 9.6 mg/L in case 2, and from 56.1 mg/L to 15.0 mg/L in case 3). All 4 patients had no adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia, abnormal liver or kidney function, or urinary system infection. Conclusion: In short-term observation, empagliflozin can improve the symptoms of GSD Ⅰb oral ulcers, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and recurrent infection, also can alleviate neutropenia and decrease 1, 5AG concentration in plasma, with favorable safety.

[Clinical analysis of 49 cases of non-inflammasome related conditions]

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics and provide clues for early identification of non-inflammasome related conditions. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing and follow-up of 49 children with non-inflammasome related conditions in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2006 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 49 children, 29 of them were boys and 20 were girls. The age of onset was 0.8 (0.3, 1.6) years, the age at diagnosis was 5.7 (2.8, 8.8) years, and the time from onset to diagnosis was 3.6 (1.9, 6.3) years. Combined with genetic testing results, 49 children with non-inflammasome related conditions were found, including 34 cases (69%) of Blau syndrome, 4 cases (8%) of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, 4 cases (8%) of haploinsufficiency of A20, 2 cases (4%) of Majeed syndrome, 2 cases (4%) of pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acne syndrome and 3 cases (6%) of chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature syndrome. There were 22 cases (45%) with a positive family history. The clinical manifestations included 37 cases (76%) cases with rash, 38 cases (78%) with joint involvement, 33 cases (67%) with eye involvement, 17 cases (35%) with recurrent fever. In addition, 11 cases (22%) were complicated with digestive system involvement. Thirty cases (61%) presented as elevated inflammatory indexes (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and (or) C-reactive protein), positive autoantibodies were noticed in 3 cases (6%). The patients were treated with glucocorticoid in 23 cases (47%), immunosuppressive agents in 43 cases (88%) and biologic agents in 37 cases (76%). During the follow-up of 5.8 (2.9, 8.9) years, 3 cases (6%) died. Conclusions: The symptoms of non-inflammasome related conditions include recurrent fever, rash, joint and ocular involvement with increased inflammatory indexes and negative autoantibodies. Up to now, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants and biologic agents are the most popular medications for the non-inflammasome related conditions.

Research progress on humanistic care ability and influencing factors of intern nursing students

This paper is dedicated to reviewing relative research on humanistic caring ability of intern nursing students and proposing strategies to improve humanistic caring ability. Firstly, current paper collected information from both domestic and foreign literature, and then scientific analysis, summary and overview of research results were conducted with regards to humanistic caring ability of interns nursing students. By analyzing the current situation of intern nursing students' humanistic caring ability, and factors that have influence on humanistic caring ability of intern nursing students, the present paper is determined to come up with feasible change methods and form strategic paths. At present, the humanistic care ability of intern nursing students is relatively low. Students, schools, hospitals, and the society all exert influence on the humanistic care ability of intern nursing students. Although scholars' research is different in topics or focus, the conclusions drawn from this research are highly consistent. Nursing humanistic care is the internal quality of nursing staff concerning morality, humanity, and integration of knowledge, concepts, and attitudes. Nursing humanistic care ability includes caring experience ability and caring behavior ability. The necessary psychological characteristics of personality are regarded as a special ability. It is of great significance to promote the quality of nursing and humanistic care ability of intern nursing students who serve as the backup force of nursing talent team. Meanwhile, it is imperative to strengthen the construction of intern nursing students' humanistic care ability.

Precision Determination of the Neutral Weak Form Factor of ^{48}Ca

We report a precise measurement of the parity-violating (PV) asymmetry A_{PV} in the elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from ^{48}Ca. We measure A_{PV}=2668±106(stat)±40(syst) parts per billion, leading to an extraction of the neutral weak form factor F_{W}(q=0.8733  fm^{-1})=0.1304±0.0052(stat)±0.0020(syst) and the charge minus the weak form factor F_{ch}-F_{W}=0.0277±0.0055. The resulting neutron skin thickness R_{n}-R_{p}=0.121±0.026(exp)±0.024(model)  fm is relatively thin yet consistent with many model calculations. The combined CREX and PREX results will have implications for future energy density functional calculations and on the density dependence of the symmetry energy of nuclear matter.

New Measurements of the Beam-Normal Single Spin Asymmetry in Elastic Electron Scattering over a Range of Spin-0 Nuclei

We report precision determinations of the beam-normal single spin asymmetries (A_{n}) in the elastic scattering of 0.95 and 2.18 GeV electrons off ^{12}C, ^{40}Ca, ^{48}Ca, and ^{208}Pb at very forward angles where the most detailed theoretical calculations have been performed. The first measurements of A_{n} for ^{40}Ca and ^{48}Ca are found to be similar to that of ^{12}C, consistent with expectations and thus demonstrating the validity of theoretical calculations for nuclei with Z≤20. We also report A_{n} for ^{208}Pb at two new momentum transfers (Q^{2}) extending the previous measurement. Our new data confirm the surprising result previously reported, with all three data points showing significant disagreement with the results from the Z≤20 nuclei. These data confirm our basic understanding of the underlying dynamics that govern A_{n} for nuclei containing ≲50 nucleons, but point to the need for further investigation to understand the unusual A_{n} behavior discovered for scattering off ^{208}Pb.

Measurement of the Nucleon F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p} Structure Function Ratio by the Jefferson Lab MARATHON Tritium/Helium-3 Deep Inelastic Scattering Experiment

The ratio of the nucleon F_{2} structure functions, F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p}, is determined by the MARATHON experiment from measurements of deep inelastic scattering of electrons from ^{3}H and ^{3}He nuclei. The experiment was performed in the Hall A Facility of Jefferson Lab using two high-resolution spectrometers for electron detection, and a cryogenic target system which included a low-activity tritium cell. The data analysis used a novel technique exploiting the mirror symmetry of the two nuclei, which essentially eliminates many theoretical uncertainties in the extraction of the ratio. The results, which cover the Bjorken scaling variable range 0.19<x<0.83, represent a significant improvement compared to previous SLAC and Jefferson Lab measurements for the ratio. They are compared to recent theoretical calculations and empirical determinations of the F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p} ratio.

Hydrodynamics Regulate Longitudinal Plankton Community Structure in an Alpine Cascade Reservoir System

Previous studies report significant changes on biotic communities caused by cascade reservoir construction. However, factors regulating the spatial–temporal plankton patterns in alpine cascade reservoir systems have not been fully explored. The current study explored effects of environmental factors on the longitudinal plankton patterns, through a 5-year-long study on the environmental factors and communities of phytoplankton and zooplankton in an alpine cascade reservoir system located upstream of Yellow River region. The findings showed that phytoplankton and zooplankton species numbers in the studied cascade reservoir system were mainly regulated by the hydrological regime, whereas nutrient conditions did not significantly affect the number of species. Abundance and biovolume of phytoplankton in cascade reservoirs were modulated by the hydrological regime and nutrient conditions. The drainage rate, N:P ratio, and sediment content in cascade reservoirs were negatively correlated with abundance and biovolume of phytoplankton. Abundance and biovolume of zooplankton were not significantly correlated with the hydrological regime but showed a strong positive correlation with nutrient conditions in cascade reservoirs. Shannon–Wiener index (H’) and the Pielou index (J) of phytoplankton were mainly regulated by the hydrological regime factors, such as drainage rate and sediment content in cascade reservoirs. However, temperature and nutrient conditions were the main factors that regulated the Shannon–Wiener index (H’) and the Pielou index (J) of zooplankton. Species number, abundance, and biovolume of phytoplankton showed a significant positive correlation with those of zooplankton. Hydrodynamics and nutrient conditions contributed differently in regulating community structure of phytoplankton or zooplankton. These findings provide an understanding of factors that modulate longitudinal plankton community patterns in cascade reservoir systems.

Composition and Functional Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Bacterioplankton Community in the Huangshui River, China

Bacterial community plays a key role in environmental and ecological processes of river ecosystems. Given the special climatic and geographical conditions, studying the compositional characteristics of microorganisms in highland rivers and the relationship between such microorganisms and water physicochemical factors is important for an in-depth understanding of microbial ecological mechanisms. In the present study, high-throughput sequencing was used to investigate and study the bacterioplankton community of the Huangshui River in the ecotone zone of the Qinghai Plateau and Loess Plateau. The results showed that the Huangshui River had significantly lower alpha diversity than the plain rivers. Despite the similarity in their environmental conditions, the main taxonomic compositions of the bacterial communities were distinct between the Huangshui River and polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctica). Proteobacteria accounted for the largest proportion (30.79–99.98%) of all the sequences, followed by Firmicutes (0–49.38%). Acidiphilium was the most numerous genera, which accounted for 0.03–86.16% of the assigned 16S reads, followed by Acidocella (0–95.9%), both belonging to Alphaproteobacteria. The diverse taxa of potential pathogens, such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Aeromonas, were also identified. A principal coordinates analysis, coupled with a canonical correspondence analysis, showed spatial variations in the bacterial community composition. The water physical properties (e.g., Cr⁶⁺, total phosphorus, and COD_Mn); altitude; and land use (e.g., urban land cover and aquaculture) determined the distribution of the bacterioplankton composition. PICRUSt2 revealed that the overall functional profiles of the bacterial communities in different samples were similar, and our results suggested the potential health risks of water sources in this area. This work provided valuable insight into the composition of the plankton bacterial community and its relationship with the environmental factors in the Huangshui River in the ecotone zone of the Qinghai Plateau and Loess Plateau and a theoretical foundation for ecological health management.

Accurate Determination of the Neutron Skin Thickness of ^{208}Pb through Parity-Violation in Electron Scattering

We report a precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry A_{PV} in the elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from ^{208}Pb. We measure A_{PV}=550±16(stat)±8(syst) parts per billion, leading to an extraction of the neutral weak form factor F_{W}(Q^{2}=0.00616  GeV^{2})=0.368±0.013. Combined with our previous measurement, the extracted neutron skin thickness is R_{n}-R_{p}=0.283±0.071  fm. The result also yields the first significant direct measurement of the interior weak density of ^{208}Pb: ρ_{W}^{0}=-0.0796±0.0036(exp)±0.0013(theo)  fm^{-3} leading to the interior baryon density ρ_{b}^{0}=0.1480±0.0036(exp)±0.0013(theo)  fm^{-3}. The measurement accurately constrains the density dependence of the symmetry energy of nuclear matter near saturation density, with implications for the size and composition of neutron stars.

Probing Few-Body Nuclear Dynamics via ^{3}H and ^{3}He (e,e^{'}p)pn Cross-Section Measurements

We report the first measurement of the (e,e^{'}p) three-body breakup reaction cross sections in helium-3 (^{3}He) and tritium (^{3}H) at large momentum transfer [⟨Q^{2}⟩≈1.9  (GeV/c)^{2}] and x_{B}>1 kinematics, where the cross section should be sensitive to quasielastic (QE) scattering from single nucleons. The data cover missing momenta 40≤p_{miss}≤500  MeV/c that, in the QE limit with no rescattering, equals the initial momentum of the probed nucleon. The measured cross sections are compared with state-of-the-art ab initio calculations. Overall good agreement, within ±20%, is observed between data and calculations for the full p_{miss} range for ^{3}H and for 100≤p_{miss}≤350  MeV/c for ^{3}He. Including the effects of rescattering of the outgoing nucleon improves agreement with the data at p_{miss}>250  MeV/c and suggests contributions from charge-exchange (SCX) rescattering. The isoscalar sum of ^{3}He plus ^{3}H, which is largely insensitive to SCX, is described by calculations to within the accuracy of the data over the entire p_{miss} range. This validates current models of the ground state of the three-nucleon system up to very high initial nucleon momenta of 500  MeV/c.

[A major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ deficiency case report and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize and report the clinical characteristics and laboratory results of a case and those reported in literature with MHC class Ⅱ deficiency.

METHOD

The clinical features, laboratory results and gene mutation analysis of an infant with MHC class Ⅱ deficiency, who was diagnosed and treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital since December 2013, were retrospectively analyzed."Major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ deficiency"or"bare lymphocyte syndrome"were used as keywords in order to retrieve reports from CNKI (from its establishment to October 2015) and Wanfang Database (from its establishment to October 2015), PubMed Database (from its establishment to October 2015) was searched. The characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were summarized by reviewing related articles.

RESULT

The patient was a 8-month-old boy. Since the fourth month of life, he started to have repeated fever, susceptible to a variety of pathogens, immune hemolytic anemia, severe malnutrition, and finally diagnosed as MHC class Ⅱ deficiency disease when he was 20-month-old.No related reports were retrieved from CNKI and Wanfang database, there were 20 articles and 179 patients were reported worldwide in the past 10 years. Patients exhibit an extreme vulnerability to infections(resptratory infection(82%, 146/178), inpection of gastroin testinal(76%, 135/178)). The common laboratory examinations showed hypogammaglobulinemia, CD4(+) lymphopenia(93%, 107/115) etc. Diagnosis relies on the flow-cytometric analysis and genetic analysis.

CONCLUSION

It is considered necessary for patients with young onset age, manifestation of clinically opportunistic infection as immune deficient disease, including the MHC class Ⅱ deficiency disease, especially long-term diarrhea, poor development and cryptosporidium infection. This disease could coexist with autoimmune disorders.

Pilot study special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 investigating as a potential biomarker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and assess the correlation between its expression and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the disease. SATB1 expression in ESCC tissue was determined by using immunohistochemical analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis. The relationship between SATB1 expression and clinicopathological features was examined by using the chi-squared test, and the survival rate was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The correlation between the indicators and patient survival was estimated by using a Cox regression analysis. High SATB1 expression in was detected in 48.3% and 7.8% of ESCC and normal esophagus tissues (P < 0.05), respectively. SATB1 expression did not significantly correlate with clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that patients with high SATB1 expression had significantly shorter survival than those with low SATB1 expression. In a multivariate Cox regression model, high SATB1 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for patients with ESCC. In conclusion, these results suggest that high SATB1 expression is predictive of poor prognosis in ESCC and may be a promising new candidate for targeted therapies for ESCC.

Reforms and open policy in china

Reforms of the economic and research and development management systems are spreading far and wide in China in a planned manner. The creative and pragmatic spirit demonstrated by the Chinese government in these reforms has won enthusiastic support of the Chinese people and aroused keen interest of statesmen, economists, and scientists the world over. The four previously established special economic zones, the opening up of 14 coastal cities and Hainan Island to foreign investment, and the smooth settlement of the Hong Kong issue by means of "one country, two systems" have brought new splendor to China's reforms. Many people in the press regard the decision of "one country, two systems" as the most courageous and fascinating creation of the 20th century.

Doping and temperature dependence of the mass enhancement observed in the cuprate Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta)

High-resolution photoemission is used to study the electronic structure of the cuprate superconductor, Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta), as a function of hole doping and temperature. A kink observed in the band dispersion in the nodal line in the superconducting state is associated with coupling to a resonant mode observed in neutron scattering. From the measured real part of the self-energy it is possible to extract a coupling constant which is largest in the underdoped regime, then decreasing continuously into the overdoped regime.

Mechanism of electroreduction of allyl alcohol at platinized platinum electrode in acidic aqueous solution

The electroreduction of allyl alcohol to form propene at the platinized platinum electrode in acidic aqueous solution has been studied using CV plots, IR, ESR, and MS spectra, and a semiempricial MO method (MOPAC7/AM1, PM3). From the determinations of charge-transfer coefficients, reaction orders and apparent activation energy for the given reaction, the detection of the intermediates such as C(3)H(5)(+), C(3)H(5)(*), and C(3)H(5)(-) species, and PM3 calculations of charge distribution and frontier orbital energies of the reaction species C(3)H(5)OH and C(3)H(5)(+), the authors suggest that in acidic aqueous solution the production of propene via reductive splitting of the C-OH bond situated in the allyl position of allyl alcohol obeys a carbonium ion-carbanion mechanism.

Effects of scanning and reconstruction parameters on image quality in electron-beam CT angiography: coronary artery phantom study

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

This study compared the image quality obtained with different scanning and reconstruction parameters for electron-beam computed tomographic (CT) angiography and sought optimal methods for visualizing the coronary artery lumen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electron-beam CT angiography with contrast material enhancement was used to image 35 branches of fresh postmortem swine coronary arteries. Different collimation widths, fields of view (FOVs), reconstruction kernels, and algorithms were employed to reconstruct the acquired raw data into CT angiographic images. Image quality was compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

The contrast-to-noise ratios (C/Ns) for 1.5-, 2-, and 3-mm section thickness were 28.4 +/- 15.2, 31.9 +/- 9.3, and 33.8 +/- 14.5, respectively (P < .05). The lengths of visualized coronary artery lumina were significantly longer for 1.5-mm scanning (71.6 mm +/- 4.3) than for 2-mm (58.3 mm +/- 5.5) and 3-mm scanning (59.0 mm +/- 8.0) (P < .01). The C/Ns for 12.7-, 18.0-, and 26.0-cm FOV reconstruction were 32.8 +/- 9.9, 28.9 +/- 8.2, and 27.1 +/- 8.2, respectively (not significant), and the visualized luminal lengths were 76.1 mm +/- 12.5, 71.7 mm +/- 14.6, and 65.4 mm +/- 13.1, respectively (not significant). The highest C/N (48.2 +/- 13.3) was achieved with smooth kernels and a cone-beam algorithm, and the lowest (14.7 +/- 3.4) with very sharp kernels and a normal algorithm. Cone-beam algorithm images had significantly higher C/Ns than did normal algorithm images (P < .001), and they demonstrated longer coronary artery lumina (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Collimation width, FOV, reconstruction kernels, and algorithms are important in the processing of high-quality electron-beam coronary angiograms. A 1.5-mm collimation width, 12.7-cm FOV, cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, and very sharp kernels should help in obtaining the best image quality and depicting the longest segments of coronary artery lumen.

Multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber ring lasers with overlap-written fiber Bragg gratings

Eight-wavelength Er-doped fiber lasers with lasing wavelength separations of ~1.6 and ~0.8 nm , respectively, have been achieved by use of overlap-written fiber Bragg gratings (OWFBG's) in the fiber lasers and by cooling of the Er-doped fiber with liquid N(2) . Our experiment shows that by utilizing the OWFBG's to select the lasing wavelengths one can achieve fiber lasers with lasing wavelengths and lasing wavelength separations that match the International Telecommunication Union channel-allocation grid well.

[Maxillary pre-implant rehabilitation: a study of 55 cases using autologous bone graft augmentation]

Preprosthetic rehabilitation of the maxillary bone is sometimes difficult due to severe bone resorption in the posterolateral regions. The sinus lift with autogenous bony graft has given us satisfactory results since 1990 but requires a rigorous protocol before and during surgery to assure a lasting anchorage to the prosthesis. We describe morbidity and technical choices of this intervention in a series of 55 patients.

[The study on clinical significance of human herpesvius 6 infection of NPC tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To study the infection of human herpesvirus 6(HHV-6) in NPC and its role in the carcinogensis of NPC.

METHODS

By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) HHV-6 and EBV DNA to from the paraffin-embedded tissues of normal nasopharynx precancerous nasopharynx and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV LMP1 was also detected in 36 tissues of NPC by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

HHV-6 DNA PCR were detected in 30.9% (13/42) of tissues of NPC, 4.7% (1/21) of precancerous nasopharynx and non in the normal nasopharynx. Within the same tissues, EBV DNA positive rates were 95.2% (40/42), 66.6% (14/21) and 25.9% (7/27), respectively. By using ISH, HHV-6 DNA were detected only in 11 NPC tissues out of 13 HHV-6 DNA positive NPC cases and EBV DNA were detected in 47.6% (10/21) of precancerous nasopharynx tissues and 85.7% (36/42) of NPC cases. EBV LMP1 expression were detected in 47.2% (17/36) of NPC tissues.

CONCLUSION

NPC tissues can be infected with both HHV-6 and EBV, HHV-6 infection is correlated with the expression of EBV LMP1, suggesting that HHV-6 plays a direct/or indirect role in carcinogenesis of NPC via upregulating the expression of EBV LMP1.

[Therapeutic arthroscopy for recurrent temporomandibular luxation]

Surgery is sometimes indicated in cases of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation (luxation). Among the panel of available techniques, therapeutic arthroscopy with retrodiscal tissue and oblique protuberance coagulation has been used to prevent new episodes. Therapeutic arthroscopy was used for 6 patients. Outcome was considered to be satisfactory in 66% with a mean 3.1-year follow-up. This technique can be recommended as first line therapy when surgery is indicated. In case of failure, eminectomy is scheduled.

Phase modulation spectroscopy using an all-fiber piezoelectric transducer modulator for a resonator fiber-optic gyroscope

The theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration of phase modulation spectroscopy employing an all-fiber piezoelectric transducer modulator for a fiber ring resonator fiber-optic gyroscope is presented for the first time as far as we know. The results support the feasibility of such a technique as a rotation detection scheme for a resonator fiber-optic gyroscope.

Induction of c-fos protein by patterned visual stimulation in central visual pathways of the rat

Localized patterned visual stimulation was used in rats to investigate the feasibility of stimulus-dependent induction of the immediate early gene c-fos in neurons of cortical and subcortical visual centers of this mammal. Moving and stationary visual patterns, consisting of gratings and arrays of dark dots, induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in populations of neurons in retinotopically corresponding stimulated regions of the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN, vLGN), stratum griseum superficiale of the superior colliculus, nucleus of the optic tract, and primary (striate) visual cortex. Only moving stimuli induced Fos-like immunoreactive (FLI) neurons in extrastriate visual areas, particularly in the anterolateral (AL) visual area. This suggests that area AL is equivalent to the motion sensitive areas MT and PMLS of the monkey and cat. Stimulus-induced FLI neurons in the striate cortex were predominantly distributed in layers 4 and 6, while few labeled neurons were present in layers 2-3, and almost none in layer 5. The laminar distribution of stimulus-induced FLI cells in the extrastriate cortical area AL was similar to that of the striate cortex, with the exception that more FLI cells were present in layer 5. Statistical comparison of somata size of the stimulus-induced FLI neurons in dLGN with that of Cresyl violet stained neurons in the same sections revealed that the population of geniculate FLI neurons is composed of relay cells and interneurons.

CHARACTERISATION OF LARGE SECOND-ORDER OCELLAR NEURONES OF THE BLOWFLY CALLIPHORA ERYTHROCEPHALA

1. Blowflies have twelve large, second-order ocellar neurones (L-neurones) with axons in the single ocellar nerve. These neurones have fairly restricted arborizations in the posterior slope neuropile of the protocerebrum and cell bodies in the nerve, near to the fused ocellar retinae. 2. Like ocellar L-neurones of other insects, or large second-order neurones of the fly compound eye, blowfly L-neurones hyperpolarise in response to increases in light intensity and depolarise in response to decreases in light intensity. Both polarities of response have a strong phasic component. Adaptation to sustained illumination shifts the intensity&shy;response curve, with little change in its gradient. 3. The maximum responses of blowfly L-neurones to sinusoidal changes in light intensity occur at stimulus frequencies of 5&shy;10 Hz. 4. Hyperpolarising an L-neurone with small currents causes an increase in input resistance. Larger hyperpolarising currents cause oscillations in the membrane potential. The amplitude of the oscillations increases with current strength. Repolarisation generates brief rebound spikes of variable amplitude. 5. Injection of small hyperpolarising currents increases the amplitude of a response to a subsaturating pulse of light. This effect is not seen for saturating responses to light and is likely to be due to the increase in membrane resistance caused by hyperpolarisation.

[Carcinoma of the cervical stump. Clinic analysis of 10 cases]

Ten cases of carcinoma of the cervical stumps from Jan. 1965 to Dec. 1990 were analysed. All of the patients received subtotal hysterectomy because majority of patients suffered from benign uterine tumors except one case of ovarian cystadenocarcinoma. The age range of the patients was 40-65 years old. The stump carcinoma was discovered 2-18 years later after primary operations. The average duration was 10.3 years. Only one patient died of 2 years after treatment, remaining patients have good health by surgical and radiotherapy. The authors emphasize that the key to prevent the cervical stump carcinoma is to avoid missing diagnoses of the precancerous lesion and cancer of the cervix, and to closely follow-up the patients with the stumps.

[Inhibitory effects of enzymolytic product from normal human plasma on hematogenous metastasis of murine gastric carcinoma cells]

Enzymolytic product (EP) of normal human plasma (NHP), was prepared through combined digestion of alpha-chymotrypsin and pepsin. This product was studied with MGc 80-3 cells (human gastric carcinoma cell line) and FC cells (615-murine gastric carcinoma cell line). The adhesive rate of NHP to MGc 80-3 cells may reach 90%, while the capacity of NHP-EP to inhibit adhesion reached over 90%, being specific and non-cytotoxic. Intravenous coinjection of NHP-EP with FC murine gastric carcinoma cells remarkably inhibited the formation of lung tubercles in 615-mice, with an inhibitory rate of 83.3% and a median survival time prolonged 35 days, which was only 19 days in the controls. The results showed that NHP-EP can inhibit experimental hematogenous metastasis through interfering the adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular stroma. We believe that NHP-EP may have practical value in preventing, seeding of metastatic cells after surgical removal of a primary tumor.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors: a clinicopathologic study of nine cases

Nine cases of CEOT are reported. There are seven intra-osseous and two extraosseous tumors. All but one occurred in the mandible. The age range was 20 to 64 years; averaging 34.2 years. There were 7 females and 2 males. Radiographically, they appeared either as monocystic or polycystic translucent lesions with radiopaque spots or masses. Embedded teeth were seen in six cases. Microscopically, four different patterns are described. No recurrence has been found postoperatively within 2-14 years of follow-up study. The nature of the reddish homogeneous material, the histogenesis of the tumor and the treatment are briefly discussed.