[Current research progress on health problems and health management of E-sports players]

Electronic sports (E-sports) are series of competitive activities different from the traditional physical sports, and E-sports athlete is becoming a new profession. Along with the fast development of E-sports industry, the number of E-sports athletes increased tremendously. The early retirement of some top-ranking athletes caused by occupational injuries has aroused the societal attentions on the health problems of E-sports athletes. Facing special occupational exposure, E-sports athletes encounter different health issues comparing to the counterparts of their ages. It is necessary to scientifically identify their health hazards and common health issues, in order to conduct effective health management for this particular professional group. This review summarized global literature on health issues and health management on E-sports athletes. The research on their health issues were mainly descriptive and there was a paucity on interventional research and health management. These provide references and directions on the future health services and research on E-sports athletes.

[Effects of S(+)-ketamine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia on the early recovery in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of S(+)-ketamine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer and explore its impact on patients' early recovery. Methods: One hundred and ten patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to March 2021, were divided into two groups (n=55) using a random number table: group S received PCIA, with continuous infusion of S(+)-ketamine combined with sufentanil, while group C received PCIA, with continuous infusion of sufentanil. PCIA was initiated at the end of the surgery, and the formulations were as follows: group S, S(+)-ketamine (1.44 mg/kg), sufentanil (1.05 μg/kg), ketorolac tromethamine (2.0 mg/kg) and tropisetron (5 mg), in 100 ml of normal saline; group C: sufentanil (1.50 μg/kg), ketorolac tromethamine (2.0 mg/kg) and tropisetron (5 mg), in 100 ml of normal saline. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Ramsay sedation scale were recorded at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 h after the surgery. The incidence of remedial analgesia, the effective compressions number of PCI during 48 h after the operation. Time to first ambulation, time to first anal exhaust, time to resume oral feeding were recorded. The occurrence of adverse effects was compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 10 patients were excluded during the study, including 4 cases of conversion to laparotomy, 3 cases of dropping out of the study, and 3 cases with operation time more than 4 hours. Finally, 50 cases in group S and 50 cases in group C completed the study. There were no significant differences in VAS scores and Ramsay sedation sores at all time points between two groups (all P>0.05). Likewise, there were also no significant differences in the number of remedial analgesia and effective compressions of PCIA during 48 h after the operation between the two groups (both P>0.05). The total dosage of sufentanil consumption in group S [(64±9) μg] was lower than that in group C [(95±12) μg] within 48 h of PCIA, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Time to first ambulation in group S was (1.1±0.2) d, which was shorter than that in group C [(1.6±0.5) d], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Likewise, time to first anal exhaust in group S [(1.3±0.4) d] was shorter than that in group C [(1.8±0.6) d], with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Additionally, time to resume oral feeding in group S was (2.5±0.6) d, which was shorter than that in group C [(3.1±0.7) d], and there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting and pruritus in group S were 4.0%, 2.0% and 0, which were lower than that in group C (16.0%, 10% and 8.0%, respectively), with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). No case with psychiatric symptoms was found in both groups. Conclusion: When used for postoperative intravenous analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer, S(+)-ketamine combined with sufentanil can provide satisfactory analgesic effects, decrease total consumption of sufentanil and the incidence of adverse effects, and thus facilitate patients' early recovery.

Genetic analysis of grain shape and weight after cutting rice husk

Grain shape and weight are the most important components of rice yield and are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study, a double-haploid population, derived from the cross of japonica CJ06 and indica TN1, was used to analyze QTLs for grain shape and weight under two conditions: normal growth with unbroken husk and removing partial husk after flowering. Correlation analysis revealed that these traits, except grain weight, had a connection between the two conditions. Twenty-nine QTLs for grain shape and weight were detected on chromosomes 1 to 3; 6; 8 to 10; and 12, with the likelihood of odds value ranging from 2.38 to 5.36, including 10 different intervals. Some intervals were specifically detected after removing partial husk. The results contribute to the understanding of the genetic basis of grain filling and growth regulation, and provide us some assistance for improving grain plumpness in rice breeding.

The actual potential distributions inside cavities under gas evolution and film formation conditions

The non-uniform distribution of the electrode potential within submerged cavities is an important consideration in understanding the mechanisms of various electrochemical processes.

First Report of Curvularia lunata Causing Leaf Spot on Lotus in China

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is a flowering aquatic plant, and is widely planted as a vegetable and ornamental plant in China. In June 2011, a leaf spot was observed on lotus in Pingxiang City of Jiangxi Province, causing approximately 60% of leaves to die and leading to 10 to 15% yield loss. Initial symptoms were purple-brown spots emerging on the leaf surfaces with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm, which later developed grayish white centers and a black-brown banding pattern on the edges. Lesions often merged to form large necrotic areas, covering more than 70% of the leaf surface, which may have contributed to plant death. Small pieces (5 mm²) of symptomatic leaves were excised from the junction of diseased and healthy tissue, surface sterilized in 70% ethanol solution for 1 min and 0.1% mercuric chloride solution for 5 min, washed in three changes of sterile distilled water, and transferred to potato dextrose agar plates. Cultures were maintained in an incubator at 25°C for 5 to 7 days. After 7 days, six black-brown colonies were isolated, which developed dark brown septate conidiophores. Conidia were 20 to 25 × 9 to 13 μm, with three-horizontal septa, and curved at the third cell from the base that was longer and darker than the others. Cells at each end were subhyaline and intermediate cells were medium brown. These characteristics were consistent with Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijng (1,2,4). Molecular characterization was based on rDNA sequence. For two isolates, DNA was extracted using a CTAB protocol with 0.8% mercaptoethanol, then the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was amplified with primers ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') (3). PCR products were cloned and sequencing reactions were run on an AB3730 Stretch DNA sequencing system. On the basis of a comparison of 598 base pairs, both isolates had the same sequence (GenBank Accession No. JQ701798), which differed by one base pair from Cochliobolus lunatus NBRC 100173 (GenBank Accession No. JN943426) (conidial state: Curvularia lunata). Pathogenicity experiments were conducted by inoculating a conidial suspension (10⁶ CFU/ml) on five newly matured leaves of healthy lotus. Plants inoculated with sterile water served as the noninoculated controls. Plants were incubated in the greenhouse at 20 to 25°C. All the inoculated leaves started showing disease symptoms (purple flecks) after 7 days and the noninoculated control plants remained asymptomatic. C. lunata was consistently recovered from all inoculated plants, except the control, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by C. lunata on lotus in China. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, Surrey, England, 1971. (2) M. M. Hawa, et al. Plant Dis. 93: 971, 2009. (3) K. J. Martin and P. T. Rygiewicz. BMC Microbiol. 5:28, 2005. (4) F. B. Rocha et al. Austral. Plant Pathol. 33: 601, 2004.

Omental milky spots in screening gastric cancer stem cells

The existence of cancer stem and progenitor cells in solid tumors has been widely postulated. However, neither the cancer stem cells nor the cancer progenitor cells have been definitively identified and functionally characterized. Here we propose a new strategy to identify and isolate gastric cancer stem cells -using omental milky spots to screen gastric cancer stem cells in peritoneal metastasis mouse models of gastric cancer. In this study, we used the property that the macrophages in omental milky spots are cytotoxic against tumor cells and so able to screen and collect cancer stem cells. Our findings suggest that macrophages in omental milky spots have not only cytotoxic properties against tumor cells but also provide a microenvironment within milky spots in which cancer stem cells are capable to survive and grow into micrometastasis. Omental milky spot become a cancer stem cell niche in this situation. Further we studied the omental milky spots for screening gastric cancer cells (OMSS-GCCs) and found that omental milky spot enriched the volume of gastric cancer stem cells. Tumors were consistently generated after an injection of 1×103 OMSS-GCCs. OMSS-GCCs high express CD133 and low express CD324. Omental milky spots are a highly efficient "natural filter" for screening gastric cancer stem cells.

Controllable Synthesis of Magnesium Oxysulfate Nanowires with Different Morphologies

One-dimensional magnesium oxysulfate 5Mg(OH)₂ · MgSO₄ · 3H₂O (abbreviated as 513MOS) with high aspect ratio has attracted much attention because of its distinctive properties from those of the conventional bulk materials. 513MOS nanowires with different morphologies were formed by varying the mixing ways of MgSO₄ · 7H₂O and NH₄OH solutions at room temperature followed by hydrothermal treatment of the slurries at 150 °C for 12 h with or without EDTA. 513MOS nanowires with a length of 20–60 μm and a diameter of 60–300 nm were prepared in the case of double injection (adding MgSO₄ · 7H₂O and NH₄OH solutions simultaneously into water), compared with the 513MOS with a length of 20–30 μm and a diameter of 0.3–1.7 μm in the case of the single injection (adding MgSO₄ · 7H₂O solution into NH₄OH solution). The presence of minor amount of EDTA in the single injection method led to the formation of 513MOS nanowires with a length of 100–200 μm, a diameter of 80–200 nm, and an aspect ratio of up to 1000. The analysis of the experimental results indicated that the hydrothermal solutions with a lower supersaturation were favorable for the preferential growth of 513MOS nanowires along b axis.

Congenital lumbosacral limb duplication: a case report

We report a case of congenital lumbosacral limb duplication at the pelvis, lower limb, and foot of a 4-year-old boy. The patient presented with a supernumerary lower limb joined at the lumbosacral region by a bony connection. A pseudo-navel and a pseudo-penis were found on the supernumerary limb and foot duplication was noted at the end. Radiography and a 3-dimensional computed-tomography reconstruction revealed duplication of an inversely oriented pelvis dorsal to the normal pelvis, semi-vertebrae in T7 to T9, thoracolumbar scoliosis, lumbosacral vertebral dysplasia, and dislocation of the left hip. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a tethered spinal cord and an adipoma in the sacral canal. Motor conduction velocity was reduced in the left peroneal nerve. Surgery to remove the supernumerary limb was successfully performed. The patient recovered well and further surgery is planned for functional reconstruction of the left lower limb.

[Determination of micro-elements in natural spirulina using FAAS]

The analytic results show that the spirulina powder have a plenty of microelements(K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn). Compared with that of rice, wheat flour, maize and soybean, the content of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn of it is respectively as from 4 to 10 times, from 10 to 80 times, from 25 to 70 times, from 3 to 15 times, from 4 to 36 times and from 4 to 24 times as theirs. The content of microelements of it compared with vegetable is much higher. The spirulina has a certain inhibition from cancer, high blood pressure, sugar diabetes and hasten body to absorb Se and Mo, and is of benefit to cardiac muscle. The experimental result indicated that spirulina was good health care food with value of nourish and medicinal.

Binding of the maize cytosolic Hsp70 to calmodulin, and identification of calmodulin-binding site in Hsp70

Using a gel-overlay technique of biotinylated calmodulin (CaM), we showed that maize cytosolic Hsp70 protein could bind to CaM in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2. The purified maize cytosolic Hsp70 inhibited the activity of CaM-dependent NADK in a concentration-dependent manner. A synthetic peptide, which possesses the 21 amino acid sequence, PRALRRLRTACERAKRTLSST, at positions 261-281 in maize cytosolic Hsp70, could associate with CaM in the presence of 1 mM calcium. The synthetic peptide inhibited CaM-dependent NADK activity and PDE activity. This indicates that the 21-amino acid sequence at positions 261-281 is the CaM-binding site. The binding of CaM to Hsp70 inhibited the ATPase activity of Hsp70. The possible regulator function of Hsp70 in cell signaling events in response to heat stress is discussed.