[Prevalence of frailty and related factors in middle-aged and elderly people in island and mountainous areas of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province]

Objective: To compare the prevalence of frailty and related factors in middle-aged and elderly people aged ≥45 years in island and mountainous areas of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. Methods: Based on cross-sectional design, stratified cluster sampling and quota sampling methods were adopted. One administrative district was randomly selected from each of six coastal and three inland administrative districts in Taizhou during July to August, representing two different geographical terrains. In the island area (Jiaojiang District), all residents aged ≥45 years were included by cluster sampling. In the mountainous area (Xianju County), participants were selected through quota sampling, with same gender and age distributions. Data about their demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health-related factors were collected through questionnaire surveys and laboratory examinations. The prevalence of frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype scale. Hierarchical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare the influencing factors of frailty. Results: A total of 1 011 local residents were studied, in whom island and mountainous residents accounted for 48.1% (486/1 011) and 51.9% (525/1 011) respectively; men and women accounted for 45.9% (464/1 011) and 54.1% (547/1 011) respectively. Middle-aged (45-49 years), younger elderly (60-74 years), and older elderly (≥75 years) residents accounted for 38.6% (390/1 011), 44.6% (451/1 011), and 16.8% (170/1 011) respectively. The overall prevalence rate of frailty was 3.6% (36/1 011), the prevalence rate was 3.7% (17/464) in men and 3.5% (19/547) in women. The prevalence rates in age groups 45-59,60-74 years and ≥75 years were 0.3% (1/390), 2.2% (10/451), and 14.7% (25/170), respectively. The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty in island area were 6.0% (29/486) and 39.1% (190/486), respectively, which was higher than those in mountainous area (1.3%, 7/525) and (30.9%, 162/525). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risk for frailty in island residents was significantly higher than that in mountainous residents (aOR=1.55,95%CI: 1.07-2.25,P=0.019). In island area, older age (60-74 years:aOR=2.52,95%CI: 1.56-4.13; ≥75 years:aOR=11.65,95%CI:5.38-26.70), being women (aOR=1.94,95%CI: 1.20-3.17), suffering from depression (aOR=1.09,95%CI:1.02-1.17) were associated with frailty symptoms. In mountainous area, older age was also associated with an increased risk of frailty symptoms, but the OR value was lower than those in island area (60-74 years: aOR=1.74,95%CI:1.04-2.94;≥75 years: aOR=4.78,95%CI:2.45-9.50). Polydrug use (aOR=2.08,95%CI: 1.14-3.80) and suffering from depression (aOR=1.10,95%CI: 1.02-1.18) had significant positive association with frailty symptoms. Higher education level had significant negative association with frailty symptoms (junior high school: aOR=0.40,95%CI: 0.21-0.75; senior high school and technical secondary school: aOR=0.29,95%CI: 0.15-0.53; college or above:aOR=0.22,95%CI: 0.11-0.42). Conclusions: The prevalence of frailty in middle-aged and elderly community residents was significantly higher in island area than in mountainous area in Taizhou. The frailty-related factors varied with area. The elderly people (≥75 years) and women in island area had higher risk for frailty. Older age and suffering from depression were the independent risk factors for frailty. It is necessary to pay attention to the health risk factors and special environment in island area, and take comprehensive intervention measures to delay the process of debilitation and improve the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people.

The safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for the management of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy

OBJECTIVES

Is same-day discharge mode safe and feasible for thoracoscopic lobectomy? This study assesses the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study from January to December 2022, all patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were screened for eligibility, and participating eligible patients were separated into a same-day discharge lobectomy (SDDL) group and an inpatient lobectomy (InpL) group based upon length of stay. All discharged patients underwent 30-day postoperative follow-up performed by a team of medical professionals. In addition, eligible patients that underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy from January to December 2021 were included in the historical lobectomy (HisL) group.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients that met the eligibility criteria for same-day discharge, 17 were discharged within 24 h after surgery. In the SDDL group, of whom 1 (5.9%) underwent emergency treatment and readmission within 30 days after surgery due to a pulmonary infection, no patients experienced complications such as reoperation, air leakage, atelectasis, chylothorax, or blood transfusion events during the follow-up period. No differences in overall postoperative complication rates were detected between the SDDL and InpL groups (P>0.05), there was a non-significantly higher rate of readmission and emergency visits in the SDDL group relative to the other two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results emphasize the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy, it may further revolutionize the general approach to the hospitalization of thoracoscopic lobectomy patients.

[Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver disease]

Biliary liver disease refers to intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct system lesions or bile duct epithelial cells damage, resulting in abnormal liver function, inflammation and fibrosis, which mainly manifests as chronic cholestatic liver disease. The common causes include primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, progressive familial intrahepatic cholangitis, bile duct complications after liver transplantation, and vanishing bile duct syndrome caused by drugs or serious infections, and the most prominent symptoms affecting the patients quality life is pruritus and jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde duodenoscopic cholangiopancreatography and cholangiopancreatoscopy (SpyGlass) and other endoscopic examinations can significantly improve the accuracy of early differential diagnosis,cytology and biopsy of primary sclerosing cholangitis, immunoglobulin G4-related cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, balloon dilatation and intrabiliary stent implantation can significantly improve pruritus symptoms, liver biochemical indicators and prognosis. Therefore, gastrointestinal endoscopy has important value and application prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver diseases.

[Drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas.

METHODS

A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned.

RESULTS

There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

[Analysis of asymmetric hearing loss in both ears of patients with occupational noise-induced deafness]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of asymmetric hearing loss in left and right ears of patients with occupational noise-induced deafness and to explore the possible causes of asymmetric hearing loss. Methods: A total of 423 cases of occupational noise-induced deafness diagnosed in Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment from May 2015 to May 2018 were investigated retrospectively. On the basis of three consecutive pure tone audiometry (PTA) with intervals of more than 3 d in hospital, the minimum of hearing threshold of each frequency and the frequency response threshold of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) , and based on the GBZ 49-2014 "Diagnosis of Occupational Noise-induced Deafness". The statistical analysis of Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman correlation analysis were carried out by nonparametric test. The hearing threshold weight of PTA and the response threshold of ASSR were tested and compared from different dimensions according to sex, age, length of service of exposure noise, diagnosis grade and so on. Results: There were 369 male (87.23%) and 54 female (12.77%) ; the age was (41.8±7.6) years; the length of service was (10.1±6.2) years. The weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were higher than those of right ear (P<0.001) . The weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were higher than those of right ear (P<0.05) in men, patients with age ≤ 40 and 41-60 years, 3-9 years of service, and patients with mild grade (P<0.05) . After the equalization of characteristic variables, the weighted values of left ear PTA and ASSR were also higher than those of right ear (P<0.05) . There was a positive correlation between the weighted value of PTA and the weighted value of ASSR (P<0.001) . Conclusion: There is asymmetry in hearing loss of patients with occupational noise deafness, and hearing loss in the left ear is higher than that in the right ear.

Hollow Plasma Acceleration Driven by a Relativistic Reflected Hollow Laser

In order to address the present difficulty in experimentally generating the relativistic Laguerre-Gaussian laser, primarily due to damage caused to optical modulators, a high-reflectivity phase mirror is applied in the femtosecond petawatt laser system to generate a relativistic hollow laser at the highest intensity of 6.3×10^{19}  W/cm^{2} for the first time. A simple optical model is used to verify that the vortex laser may be generated in this new scheme; using such a relativistic vortex laser, the hollow plasma drill and acceleration are achieved experimentally and proven by particle-in-cell simulations. With the development of the petawatt laser, this scheme opens up possibilities for the convenient production of the relativistic hollow laser at high repetition and possible hollow plasma acceleration, which is important for a wide range of applications such as the generation of radiation sources with orbital angular momentum, fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, and jet research in the astrophysical environment.

Research Progress?on?Age?Determination?of?Venous?Thrombosis in Forensic Medicine

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism （PTE）, which is caused by detachment of venous thrombosis, is a common cause of sudden death in forensic practice. In the cases which die of PTE after trauma or die of PTE during non-thrombosis disease hospitalization, forensic pathologists are required to analyze the time sequence between trauma or medical practice and venous thrombosis, and then analyze their causal relationship. This review summarizes the history of thrombus age estimation and recent advances in forensic medicine, and then gives a brief outlook for future research to provide reference for forensic identification of PTE and guide follow-up studies.

[Study the impacts of diagnosis on occupational noise-induced deafness after bring into the different high frequency hearing threshold weighted value]

Objective: Study of the results and the degree on occupational noise-induced deafness in-to the different high frequency hearing threshold weighted value, in order to provide theoretical basis for the re-vision of diagnostic criteria on occupational noise-induced deafness. Methods: A retrospective study was con-ducted to investigate the cases on the diagnosis of occupational noise-induced deafness in Guangdong province hospital for occupational disease prevention and treatment from January 2016 to January 2017. Based on the re-sults of the 3 hearing test for each test interval greater than 3 days in the hospital, the best threshold of each frequency was obtained, and based on the diagnostic criteria of occupational noise deafness in 2007 edition, Chi square test, t test and variance analysis were used to measure SPSS21.0 data, their differences are tested among the means of speech frequency and the high frequency weighted value into different age group, noise ex-posure group, and diagnostic classification between different dimensions. Results: 1. There were totally 168 cases in accordance with the study plan, male 154 cases, female 14 cases, the average age was 41.18 ±6.07 years old. 2. The diagnosis rate was increased into the weighted value of different high frequency than the mean value of pure speech frequency, the weighted 4 kHz frequency increased by 13.69% (χ(2)=9.880, P=0.002) , 6 kHz increased by 15.47% (χ(2)=9.985, P=0.002) and 4 kHz+6 kHz increased by15.47% (χ(2)=9.985, P=0.002) , the difference was statistically significant. The diagnostic rate of different high threshold had no obvious differ-ence between the genders. 3. The age groups were divided into less than or equal to 40years old group (A group) and 40-50 years old group (group B) , there were higher the diagnostic rate between high frequency weighted 4 kHz (A group χ(2)=3.380, P=0.050; B group χ(2)=4.054, P=0.032) , weighted 6 kHz (A group χ(2)=6.362, P=0.012; B group χ(2)=4.054, P=0.032) , high frequency weighted 4 kHz+6 kHz (A group χ(2)=6.362, P=0.012; B group χ(2)=4.054, P=0.032) than those of speech frequency average value in the same group on oc-cupational noise-induced deafness diagnosis rate, the difference was statistically significant. There was no sig-nificant difference between age groups (χ(2)=2.265, P=0.944) . 4. The better ear's mean value of pure speech fre-quency and the weighted values into different high frequency of working years on each group were compared, working years more than 10 years group was significantly higher than that of average thresholds of each frequen-cy band in 3-5 group (F=2.271, P=0.001) , 6-10 group (F=1.563, P=0.046) , the difference was statistically significant. The different high frequency weighted values were higher than those of the mean value of pure speech frequency, and the high frequency weighted 4 kHz+6 kHz had the highest frequency difference, with an average increase of 2.83 dB. 5. The diagnostic rate into weighted different high frequency was higher in the mild, moderate and severe grades than in the pure speech frequency. In the comparison of diagnosis for mild occupational noise-induced deafness, in addition to the weighted 3 kHz high frequency (χ(2)=3.117, P=0.077) had no significant difference, the weighted 4 kHz (χ(2)=10.835, P=0.001) , 6 kHz (χ(2)=9.985, P=0.002) , 3 kHz+4 kHz (χ(2)=6.315, P=0.012) , 3 kHz+6 kHz (χ(2)=6.315, P=0.012) , 4 kHz+6 kHz (χ(2)=9.985, P=0.002) , 3 kHz+4 kHz+6 kHz (χ(2)=7.667, P=0.002) were significantly higher than the diagnosis rate of the mean value of pure speech frequency. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the moderate and se-vere grades (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Bring into different high frequency hearing threshold weighted value in-creases the diagnostic rate of occupational noise-induced deafness, the weighted 4 kHz, 6 kHz and 4 kHz+ 6 kHz high frequency value affects the result greatly, and the weighted 4 kHz+6 kHz high frequency hearing threshold value is maximum the effect on occupational noise-induced deafness diagnosis.

Identification of a glutathione S-transferase gene of Physarum polycephalum as a biomarker for nanosized TiO2 exposure under dark conditions

In this study, a glutathione S-transferase gene (gst) from sensitive Physarum polycephalum was selected for its ability to detect nanosized TiO₂ (nTiO₂ ) exposure under dark conditions. The concentration of nTiO₂ (25, 40 and 60 nm) for subsequent assays was first determined (5-18 mg ml^-1 ) and total GST enzyme activity of P. polycephalum was confirmed to be increased 6-44 fold in groups treated with nTiO₂ . Second, an RNA-seq study was performed to identify candidate gst genes before isolation of an optimum gst gene of P. polycephalum (Ppgst), which encoded 223 amino acids. Third, the transcriptional level of the Ppgst gene was further confirmed to be positively correlated with nTiO₂ exposure within the concentration range of (5-15 mg ml^-1 ) by qPCR. In conclusion, these results indicated that the transcriptional level of Ppgst can reflect nTiO₂ exposure, suggesting that it may be employed as a new biomarker for nTiO₂ pollution under dark conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study identifies a new gst gene for indicating nanosized TiO₂ under dark conditions and provides a new option for detection of nanosized TiO₂ pollution under dark conditions.

[The role of acoustic impedance test in the diagnosis for occupational noise induced deafness]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of acoustic impedance test and its diagnostic role for occupational noise induced deafness, in order to provide an objective basis for the differential diagnosis of occupational noise induced deafness. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the cases on the diagnosis of occupational noise-induced deafness in Guangdong province hospital for occupational disease prevention and treatment from January 2016 to January 2017. A total of 198 cases (396 ears) were divided into occupation disease group and non occupation disease group based on the diagnostic criteria of occupational noise deafness in 2014 edition, acoustic conductivity test results of two groups were compared including tympanograms types, external auditory canal volume, tympanic pressure, static compliance and slope. Results: In the occupational disease group, 204 ears were found to have 187 ears (91.67%) of type A, which were significantly higher than those in the non occupational disease group 143/192 (74.48%) , the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=21.038, P<0.01). Detection of Ad or As type, occupation disease group in other type were 16/204 (7.84%) , 3/204 (1.47%) , were lower than Ad or As type of occupation disease group (15.63%) , other type (9.38%) , the differences were statistically significant[ (χ(2)=5.834, P<0.05) , (χ(2)=12.306, P<0.01) ]. Occupation disease group canal volume average (1.68±0.39) ml higher than that of non occupation disease group (1.57±0.47) ml, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.756, P<0.01) ; occupation disease group mean static compliance (1.06±0.82) ml higher than that of non occupation disease group (0.89±0.64) ml. The difference was statistically singificant (t=2.59, P<0.01) . Conclusion: We observed that acoustic impedance test had obvious auxiliary function in the differential diagnosis of occupational noise induced deafness, More than 90% of the confirmed cases showed an A-form tympanograms, it is one of the objective examination methods which can be used in the differential diagnosis of pseudo deafness.

[Dynamic investigation of nutritional risk in patients with malignant tumor during hospitalization]

Objective: To prospectively investigate the changes in nutritional status of patients with malignant tumors during hospitalization by using nutritional risk screening (NRS2002), and to analyze the correlation between the nutritional status and clinical outcomes . Methods: This was a prospective and parallel research done by multi-center collaboration from 34 hospitals in China from June to September 2014.Hospitalized patients with malignant tumors inthese departments (Department of Gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, oncology, general surgery, thoracic surgery and geriatrics)were investigated. Only the patients with age≥ 18 years and hospitalization time between 7-30 days were included. During hospitalization, the physical indexes of human bodywere measured, and the NRS 2002 scores, and monitored the nutritional support at the time points of admission and 24 hours before discharge were recorded.And whether there was a nutritional risk in hospitalized patients and its association with clinical outcomes were investigated. Results: A total of 2 402 patients with malignancies were enrolled in this study. Seventy fourpatients who did not complete NRS2002 were eliminated, and 2 328 patients were included. The number of the main diseases was the top five, including 587 cases of colorectal cancer, 567 cases of lung cancer, 564 cases of gastric cancer, 146 cases of esophageal cancer, and 119 cases of liver tumor. At the time of discharge, compared with admission, the BMI, body weight, grip and calf circumferences of patients with malignant tumor were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The total protein, albumin, prealbumin and hemoglobin were significantly lower than those at admission (P<0.05). In 2 328 patients who were completed nutritional risk screening, the rate of malnutrition at admission was 11.1% (BMI =18.5, 258/2 328) and the rate of malnutrition at discharge was 10.9% (BMI =18.5, 254/2 328), there were no significant differences (χ(2)=0.019 7, P=0.888). There were 1 204 patients with nutritional risk at admission (51.7%, NRS2002 score≥3)and 1 352 patients with nutritional risk at discharge (58.1%, NRS2002 score≥3), with significant differences (χ(2)=49.9, P<0.001). The incidence of nutritional risk in patients with colorectal, stomach, and lung tumors at discharge was significantly higher than that at admission (P<0.05). The infective complications and other complications of patients with nutritional risk were significantly greater than those without nutritional risk at admission and at discharge.ICU hospitalization stay of patients with nutritional risk was increased significantly than those without nutritional risk at admission(P=0.042). Hospitalization expenses of patients with nutritional risk was increased significantly than those of patients without nutritional risk at discharge(P<0.01). Conclusion: The patients with malignant tumor have a higher incidence rate of malnutrition at both admission and discharge and malnutritionhas correlation with adverse clinical outcomes.The aboveindicators did not improve significantly at discharge.Doctors should pay more attention to the nutritional status (screening and evaluation)of patients before discharge and use appropriate and adequate nutrition support in order to prevent the weight loss and improve the life quality of patients.

[Exploratory study of circulating tumor DNA detection in early breast cancer: an analysis of 75 next-generation sequencing results]

Objective: To explore the utility of circulating tumor DNA detection in early breast cancer by using next-generation sequencing. Methods: This exploratory study of circulating tumor DNA detection is for early invasive breast cancer patients treated in Breast Disease Center, Peking University First Hospital from December 2015 to July 2016. Plasma samples were collected and were used to isolate plasma cell-free DNA.Exons or hotspots of 247 cancer related genes were sequenced by next-generation sequencing. Mutations and their correlation with clinic-pathological factors were analyzed. The correlation between mutations and clinic-pathological factors was evaluated by χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Seventy-five patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were female and aged from 31 to 88 years with median age of 58 years. All patients' clinic-pathological records were complete. Sixty-four mutations in 18 genes (ALK, BCR, ERBB2, ROS1, PDGFRA, EGFR, FGFR2, CYP1B1, CALR, CASP7, BRAF, FGFR1, FGFR3, MET, NRAS, PTEN, KIT, SOD2) were detected in 47 (62.7%) among all 75 patients.Exons were captured in 10 genes, and mutations in 2 of 3 genes analyzed were clustered. Gene mutations were not correlated with menopausal status, histological type, primary tumor (T), regional lymph nodes (N), TNM stage, histological grade, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, Ki-67 and molecular subtype (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Circulating tumor DNA sequencing by next-generation sequencing was useful for detecting breast cancer-related mutations.

Collisionless Shock Acceleration of High-Flux Quasimonoenergetic Proton Beams Driven by Circularly Polarized Laser Pulses

We present experimental studies on ion acceleration using an 800-nm circularly polarized laser pulse with a peak intensity of 6.9×10^{19}  W/cm^{2} interacting with an overdense plasma that is produced by a laser prepulse ionizing an initially ultrathin plastic foil. The proton spectra exhibit spectral peaks at energies up to 9 MeV with energy spreads of 30% and fluxes as high as 3×10^{12}  protons/MeV/sr. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations reveal that collisionless shocks are efficiently launched by circularly polarized lasers in exploded plasmas, resulting in the acceleration of quasimonoenergetic proton beams. Furthermore, this scheme predicts the generation of quasimonoenergetic proton beams with peak energies of approximately 150 MeV using current laser technology, representing a significant step toward applications such as proton therapy.

FPR1 interacts with CFH, HTRA1 and smoking in exudative age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

PURPOSE

To determine the genetic association of an inflammation-related gene, formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1), in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

METHODS

The coding region of FPR1 gene was sequenced in 554 unrelated Chinese individuals: 155 exudative AMD patients, 179 PCV patients, and 220 controls. Interactions and combined effects of FPR1 with complement factor H (CFH), high temperature requirement factor A1 (HTRA1), and smoking were also investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 28 polymorphisms in FPR1 were identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs78488639 increased the risk to exudative AMD (P=0.043) and PCV (P=0.016), whereas SNP rs867229 decreased the risk to exudative AMD (P=0.0026), but not PCV. Homozygous G allele of rs1042229 was associated with exudative AMD (P=0.0394, odds ratio (OR)=2.27, 95% confident interval: 1.08-4.74), but not with PCV. Exudative AMD, but not PCV, was associated with the heterozygous genotypes of rs2070746 (P=0.019, OR=0.57) and rs867229 (P=0.0082, OR=0.54). Significantly, interactions were identified among FPR1 rs78488639, CFH rs800292, and HTRA1 rs11200638 in both exudative AMD and PCV. Combined heterozygous risk alleles of CFH rs800292 GA and FPR1 rs78488639 CA were posed to PCV (P=2.22 × 10(-4), OR=10.47), but not exudative AMD. Furthermore, FPR1 rs78488639 CA combining with HTRA1 rs11200638 and smoking was also predisposed risks to exudative AMD and PCV.

CONCLUSION

FPR1 is associated with exudative AMD and PCV in a Hong Kong Chinese cohort. FPR1 rs78488639 interacted with CFH rs800292, HTRA1 rs11200638, and smoking, enhancing risk to exudative AMD and PCV.

Genetic diversity and relationship of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) using sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers

Chicory is a crop with economically important roles and is cultivated worldwide. The genetic diversity and relationship of 80 accessions of chicories and endives were evaluated by sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers to provide a theoretical basis for future breeding programs in China. The polymorphic rate was 96.83%, and the average polymorphic information content was 0.323, suggesting the rich genetic diversity of chicory. The genetic diversity degree of chicory was higher (GS = 0.677) than that of endive (GS = 0.701). The accessions with the highest genetic diversity (effective number of alleles, NE = 1.609; Nei's genetic diversity, H = 0.372; Shannon information index, I = 0.556) were from Italy. The richest genetic diversity was revealed in a chicory line (NE = 1.478, H = 0.289, I = 0.443) among the 3 types (line, wild, and cultivar). The chicory genetic structure of 8 geographical groups showed that the genetic differentiation coefficient (GST) was 14.20% and the number of immigrants per generation (Nm) was 3.020. A GST of 6.80% and an Nm of 6.853 were obtained from different types. This observation suggests that these chicory lines, especially those from the Mediterranean region, have potential for providing rich genetic resources for further breeding programs, that the chicory genetic structure among different countries obviously differs with a certain amount of gene flow, and that SRAP markers could be applied to analyze genetic relationships and classifications of Cichorium intybus and C. endivia.

Clinical features of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and treatment responses of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) with ascites.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected on 6 EG patients with ascites from 2000 to 2012.

RESULTS

Six patients were included in this study, ranging in age from 15 to 30 years. Most had an acute onset (5/6). The clinical manifestations included abdominal pain (5/6), vomiting (4/6), and diarrhea (3/6). The absolute values and percentages of peripheral blood eosinophils (Eos) were significantly elevated in all patients. Erosive or ulcerative lesions were found on endoscopic examination of all patients (6/6). Eosinophilic inflitration was confirmed by endoscopic biopsies (4/6). Ultrasound or abdominal CT showed gastrointestinal wall thickening and peritoneal effusion (6/6). Ascites from the patients were analyzed. Eos were found in ascites by pathological examination in the majority (5/6). The symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia responded to glucocorticoid treatment (p < 0.05). All the patients had good outcomes. One female patient had a relapse, which responded to re-administration of glucocorticoid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

EG with ascites is more common in young patients, often presenting with non-specific symptoms. Typical clinical manifestations include acute onset, abdominal pain, and ascites. Eos in ascites and peripheral blood are the main diagnostic clues. Ultrasound and CT examinations are important to support the diagnosis of EG, and endoscopic biopsies can help to establish the diagnosis. Treatment with glucocorticoids is effective.

All-optical cascaded laser wakefield accelerator using ionization-induced injection

We report on near-GeV electron beam generation from an all-optical cascaded laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA). Electron injection and acceleration are successfully separated and controlled in different LWFA stages by employing two gas cells filled with a He/O2 mixture and pure He gas, respectively. Electrons with a Maxwellian spectrum, generated from the first LWFA assisted by ionization-induced injection, were seeded into the second LWFA with a 3-mm-thick gas cell and accelerated to be a 0.8-GeV quasimonoenergetic electron beam, corresponding to an acceleration gradient of 187  GV/m. The demonstrated scheme paves the way towards the multi-GeV laser accelerators.

Comparison of the survival of human biopsied embryos after cryopreservation with four different methods using non-transferable embryos

BACKGROUND

The standard embryo cryopreservation method is still less than optimal for biopsied embryos. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of biopsied embryos cryopreserved with four different methods using non-transferable embryos.

METHODS

Abnormal embryos from one or three pronuclei and spare embryos of grade 3 and 4 were used for this study. Non-biopsied embryos were cryopreserved using the standard method as control. Biopsied embryos were cryopreserved using four methods as follows: standard method, modified freezing method, modified thawing method and vitrification. Blastomere survival and blastulation of frozen-thawed embryos were compared between the different methods.

RESULTS

The proportion of embryos with > or = 50% blastomere survival and total blastomere survival rate of biopsied embryos were significantly higher with vitrification than the other three methods. Both the modified freezing and modified thawing methods had significantly higher embryo survival and total blastomere survival rates than standard methods. However, there was no significant difference in blastulation of surviving embryos in all the five groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-transferable embryos derived from clinical IVF/ICSI are useful for evaluation of the optimal freezing procedures for biopsied embryos. Vitrification increases the survival rate of human biopsied embryos above standard and modified cryopreservation methods.

Cloning and Phylogenetic Analysis of Interleukin-2 Gene in Xiaoshan Chicken, A Chinese Local Chicken Breed

Chicken interleukin 2 (cIL-2) is one of important nonmammalian cytokines isolated recently. In this paper, optimum condition for production of chicken IL-2 in vitro was developed. Isolation of spleen lymphocytes from Xiaoshan chicken, activation by ConA, followed by RT-PCR in a single step, resulted in the synthesis of chicken IL-2 cDNA. The full-length chicken IL-2 cDNA was 737 bp, encoding a 143 amino acids precursor. Only 1--5 amino acid difference were found compared with other three published chicken IL-2s. This IL-2 shared 69.4% homology with turkey IL-2 and shared 21.2%--9.4% homology with mammalian IL-2. The predicted protein had a leader sequence composed of 22 amino acids, and four conversed cysteines allowing the formation of two intrachain disulfide bonds. There were four regions of heptad repeats, with hydrophobic amino acids at positions 1 and 4, were presumably forming amphipathic alpha-helices. These regions were equivalent to mammalian helices A, B, C and D. The amino acids at positions 40(D), 65(Y), 82(E), 108(N) and 142(Q) might play roles in binding to receptors of chicken IL-2. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that the chicken IL-2 may have evolutionary relationship with mammalian IL-2 they showed however species difference in function because of selective pressure of immune systems.

[Enhanced immunogenicity of plasmid encoding polyprotein gene of infectious bursal disease virus by co-administration of chicken interleukin 2 (IL-2)]

Chicken interleukin 2 (IL-2) is one of important nonmammalian cytokines isolated recently. The influencing of IL-2 on immunogenicity of DNA vaccine was examined using infectious bursal disease virus as a model. The IL-2 cDNA of Xiaoshan chicken and the polyprotein gene of IBDV-ZJ2000 were amplified by RT-PCR, cloned, sequenced and inserted into the control of CMV promoter and enhancer of pCI vector. 14-day-old chickens were vaccinated intramuscularly with DNA vaccine, two weeks later, they were boosted with DNA, and two weeks post boost, they were challenged with virulent IBDV. The results showed that protective responses and neutralization antibody responses of DNA vaccine co-administrated with chicken IL-2 were much higher than those of injected with DNA vaccine alone. Furthermore, the T lymphocyte proliferation response of peripheral blood, thymus and spleen, and the B lymphocyte proliferation response of bursa induced by DNA vaccine can be significantly enhanced by chicken IL-2. These results obviously indicated that chicken IL-2 was a strong adjuvant which can significantly enhance the immunogenicity of IBDV DNA vaccine.

Efficient femtosecond optical parametric generator with a birefringent delay compensator

A novel method based on a birefringent crystal is presented to compensate for the group-velocity mismatch between a femtosecond pulsed pump and the signal or idler in an optical parametric generator (OPG). With a thin calcite plate inserted between two beta-barium borate crystals for synchronization, an efficient four-pass OPG pumped by a frequency-doubled ~200-fs Ti:sapphire laser is obtained. The conversion efficiency is almost doubled throughout the whole tunable region compared with a conventional OPG pumped at the same power density, indicating that the total conversion efficiency of femtosecond optical parametric amplifier system can be raised significantly by use of this new four-pass OPG to generate the seed.

[Bioconversion of hemicellulose hydrolysates for xylitol production]

Xylitol has attracted much attention because of its many applications in the food, medicine and chemical industries. However the use has been limited by its high price. This coast is a result of the extensive purification steps needed for the preparation of a pure xylose solution, which is essential for the chemical process. The fermentative process of xylitol is an interesting alternative to conventional chemical process, since it does not require initial xylose purification. The present review describes the advantage of xylitol production by fermentation, xylitol-producting microorganisms, metabolic pathway of xylose in yeasts, detoxification of hemicellulose hydrolysates and fermentative conditions affecting xylitol production.

Production of virus resistant and insect tolerant transgenic tobacco plants

The cucumber mosaic virus coat protein (CMV-CP) gene and a modified Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxin (Bt toxin) gene were cloned into plant expression vector pE3. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. G28) leaf discs were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens A12 carrying recombinant pE14. Transgenic r0 and R1 tobacco plants expressing CMV-CP and Bt toxin genes were protected from CMV infection as well as feeding damage of Manduca Sexta (tobacco hornworm) larvae. These results demonstrate that it is feasible to breed new cultivars with multiple resistances via genetic engineering.

[Optimization of the preparing process for sinitang drop pills by orthogonal test]

The preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was optimized by orthogonal test. The results from nine experiments were subjected with three indexes to objective analysis and variance analysis, and an optimum preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was sieved out. The quality of the drop pills prepared in this way was examined to be up to the standard.

[The detection of infectious rotaviruses by cell culture technique: use and evaluation of the immunoperoxidase assay]

In the present study, virus isolation was attempted in one hundred and twenty-one fecal samples of children suffering from acute gastroenteritis. Virus isolation was performed either conventionally by examination of cytopathogenic effect (CPE) or by immunoperoxidase staining (IPS) of rotavirus group specific antigen (inner capsid) in trypsin free MA104 cells within 18 h. Applying the conventional technique, rotavirus was isolated in only 4 (3.3%) fecal specimens. In contrast, IPS detected infectious virus in 49 (40.5%) stool samples. The specificity of IPS was confirmed by the results obtained with an antigen detection ELISA ("Rotazyme", Abbott, Wiesbaden) and gel electrophoresis of rotaviral RNA (electrophoretyping). ELISA and RNA gel electrophoresis detected rotavirus in 66 (54.4%) and 56 (46.3%) stool samples respectively. IPS enables rapid diagnosis of rotavirus infections in cell cultures applied to detect infectious viral particles in order to be used in the investigation of nosocomial outbreaks, material- and surface contamination and evaluation of disinfectants.

Improvement in sensitivity of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of amino acids by di-isopropylphosphorylation

Positive ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric sensitivities of seven amino acids and the corresponding di-isopropylphosphorylated derivatives were carefully compared. Results showed that an improvement in sensitivity by factors of 4-29, mostly above 10, were achieved after the derivatization. The chemical noise derived from glycerol matrix was also greatly reduced by this derivatization.