A Survey of Recent Practice of Artificial Life in Visual Art

Nowadays, interdisciplinary fields between Artificial Life, artificial intelligence, computational biology, and synthetic biology are increasingly emerging into public view. It is necessary to reconsider the relations between the material body, identity, the natural world, and the concept of life. Art is known to pave the way to exploring and conveying new possibilities. This survey provides a literature review on recent works of Artificial Life in visual art during the past 40 years, specifically in the computational and software domain. Having proposed a set of criteria and a taxonomy, we briefly analyze representative artworks of different categories. We aim to provide a systematic overview of how artists are understanding nature and creating new life with modern technology.

l-valine supplementation disturbs vital molecular pathways and induces apoptosis in mouse testes

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine and valine) are essential for animal growth and metabolic health. However, the effect of valine on male reproduction and its underlying molecular mechanism remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that l-valine supplementation (0.30% or 0.45%, water drinking for 3 weeks) did not change body and testis weights, but significantly altered morphology of sertoli cells and germ cells within seminiferous tubule, and enlarged the space between seminiferous tubules within mouse testis. l-valine treatment (0.45%) increased significantly the Caspase3/9 mRNA levels and CASPASE9 protein levels, therefore induced apoptosis of mouse testis. Moreover, gene expression levels related to autophagy (Atg5 and Lamb3), DNA 5 mC methylation (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Tet2 and Tet3), RNA m6A methylation (Mettl14, Alkbh5 and Fto), and m6A methylation binding proteins (Ythdf1/2/3 and Igf2bp1/2) were significantly reduced. Protein abundances of ALKBH5, FTO and YTHDF3 were also significantly reduced, but not for ATG5 and TET2. Testis transcriptome sequencing detected 537 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 26 up-regulated and 511 down-regulated), involved in multiple important signaling pathways. RT-qPCR validated 8 of 9 DEGs (Cd36, Scd1, Insl3, Anxa5, Lcn2, Hsd17b3, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1 and Agt) to be decreased significantly, consistent with RNA-seq results. Taken together, l-valine treatment could disturb multiple signaling pathways (autophagy and RNA methylation etc.), and induce apoptosis to destroy the tissue structure of mouse testis.

Overview and Current Advances in Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As a sulfone antibacterial agent, dapsone has been widely used to treat leprosy. Moreover, dapsone is also used in many immune diseases such as herpetic dermatitis because of its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, dapsone can cause several adverse effects, the most serious being dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome. Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome is characterized by a triad of eruptions, fever, and organ involvement, which limits the application of dapsone to some extent.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this article, we review current research about the interaction model between HLA-B*13:01, dapsone, and specific TCR in dapsone-induced drug hypersensitivity. In addition to the proposed mechanisms, we also discussed clinical features, treatment progress, prevalence, and prevention of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome. These studies reveal the pathogenesis, clinical features, and prevalence from the perspectives of genetic susceptibility and innate and adaptive immunity in dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome, thereby guiding clinicians on how to diagnose, prevent, and treat dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome.

Selection of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in developing chicken embryonic ovary

BACKGROUND

Normalization of the expression profiling of target genes, in a tissue-specific manner and under different experimental conditions, requires stably expressed gene(s) to be used as internal reference(s). However, to study the molecular regulation of oocyte meiosis initiation during ovary development in chicken embryos, stable reference gene(s) still need to be compared and confirmed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six candidate genes previously used as internal references for the chicken embryo (Actb, Cvh, Dazl, Eef1a, Gapdh and Rpl15) were chosen, and their expression profiles in left ovaries dissected at five chicken embryonic days (E12.5, E15.5, E17.5, E18.5 and E20.5) were evaluated, respectively. Separately, GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and Comparative ΔCt methods were used to assess the stability of candidate reference genes, and all results were combined to give the final rank by RefFinder. All methods identified that Eef1a and Rpl15 were the two most stable internal reference genes, whereas Cvh is the most unstable one. Moreover, expression levels of three marker genes for chicken oocyte meiosis entry (Stra8, Scp3 and Dmc1) were normalized, based on Eef1a, Rpl15, or their combinations, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide the most suitable internal reference genes (Eef1a and Rpl15), to investigate further molecular regulation of ovary development and oocyte meiosis initiation in chicken embryos.

Dynamic changes of 3'UTR length during oocyte-to-zygote transition of in vitro pig embryos

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) generates different 3'-untranslated regions (3'UTRs) to regulate gene expression and localization, and affects a variety of biological processes. Here, we characterized the 3'UTR dynamics during the oocyte-to-zygote transition by analysing our previously reported porcine single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) datasets (in vitro matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes, in vitro fertilized zygotes (IVF1) and parthenogenetically activated 1-cell embryos (PA1)). After IVF1 versus MII comparison, dynamic analyses of APA from RNA-seq (DaPars) method identified 139 mRNAs with significantly different 3'UTRs (p_adj . ≤ .05), mainly enriched in cell cycle, regulation of cyclin-dependent protein kinase activity, histone modification, mRNA surveillance, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. For PA1 versus MII comparison, 105 mRNAs with significantly different 3'UTRs (p_adj . ≤ .05) were identified to be mainly enriched in intracellular transport, mitotic spindle organization, cell cycle, pyruvate metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, there were 7 mRNAs with more significant 3'UTR differences (|△PDUI| ≥ 0.45 and |log₂ [PDUI ratio]| ≥ 0.59) respectively in IVF1 versus MII (Lrp2bp, Mtfr2, Nhlrc2, Psip1, Smu1, Ssr1 and Wtap) and PA1 versus MII (Asf1b, Dimt1, Nap1l1, Ncoa4, Nudt21, Pnn and Rpl15) comparisons. Integrative genomics viewer analysis further identified that 3'UTRs of Psip1, Smu1, Ssr1 and Wtap had more than 140 nt average length changes, whereas those of Dimt1, Nap1l1 and Rpl15 were shortened with more than 460 nt. Regulatory elements (PAS, CPE, microRNA binding sites and m⁶ A sites) in 3'UTRs of different lengths were predicted. Our findings provide useful information to further investigate the molecular mechanism of 3'UTR in regulating the oocyte-to-zygote transition of pig embryos.

Global 3'-UTRome of porcine immature Sertoli cells altered by acute heat stress

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) affects the composition of cis-elements in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR), to regulate gene expression and localization, and subsequently the downstream biological processes. Acute heat stress could change rapidly the cellular transcriptome, however the underlying molecular changes are less explored. Here, we systematically catalogued the global 3'-UTRome dynamics, by analyzing our previously reported transcriptome sequencing data of porcine immature Sertoli (iST) cells before (Control group), acute heat stress treatment at 43 °C for 0.5h (HS0.5 group), and 36h recovery culture (HS0.5-R36h group) after acute heat stress treatment. After three group comparisons (HS0.5 vs. Control, HS0.5-R36 vs. HS0.5, and HS0.5-R36 vs. Control), DaPars (dynamic analysis of alternative polyadenylation) identified 639, 464 and 290 mRNAs, and APAtrap (a tool to identify APA sites and detect changes of APA site usage) identified 713, 518 and 321 mRNAs, with significantly different 3'-UTRs (Padj.≤0.05), respectively. These genes with different 3'-UTR patterns were mainly enriched in P53, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, HIF-1, apoptosis, PI3K-Akt and AMPK signaling pathways. Further analysis identified that average 3'-UTR lengths of Acss2, Inpp1 and Nr1h4 were more than 140 nt longer (HS0.5-R36 vs. HS0.5), and contained different cis-elements (PAS, CPE and microRNA binding sites). Moreover, Hsp70.2, Inhbb and Dhrs were identified to have extremely different 3'-UTR abundances. Further 3'RACE assays validated several 3'-UTRs of Nr1h4, and RT-qPCR confirmed the abundance changes of different 3'-UTR isoforms for Nr1h4 and Hsp70.2. Our findings provide useful information and resources to further uncover the molecular role of 3'-UTR, in regulating the response of porcine iST cells to acute heat stress.

SNCA inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and correlates to favorable prognosis of breast cancer

Alpha-synuclein (SNCA) is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease, known to be involved in cancer occurrence and development; however, its specific effects in breast cancer remain unknown. Data from 150 patients with breast cancer were retrieved from tissue microarray and analyzed for SNCA protein level using immunohistochemistry. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the potential role of SNCA in breast cancer. SNCA-mediated inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was confirmed with western blotting. The effects of SNCA on invasion and migration were evaluated using transwell and wound-healing experiments. Furthermore, the potential influence of SNCA expression level on drug sensitivity and tumor infiltration by immune cells was analyzed using the public databases. SNCA is lowly expressed in breast cancer tissues. Besides, in vitro and in vivo experiments, SNCA overexpression blocked EMT and metastasis, and the knockdown of SNCA resulted in the opposite effect. A mouse model of metastasis verified the restriction of metastatic ability in vivo. Further analysis revealed that SNCA enhances sensitivity to commonly used anti-breast tumor drugs and immune cell infiltration. SNCA blocks EMT and metastasis in breast cancer and its expression levels could be useful in predicting the chemosensitivity and evaluating the immune microenvironment in breast cancer.

[Safety of an inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine (Vero) in adults aged 60 years and older]

Objective: To analyze the safety of an inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine (Vero cell) in adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted in May 2020 The eligible residents aged 60 and above were recruited in Renqiu city, Hebei Province. A total of 422 subjects (phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ:72/350) were enrolled. Two doses of the trial vaccine or placebo were randomly administered according to a 0 and 28-day immunization schedule. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups in Phase Ⅰ. Within each group, participants received vaccine or placebo in a ratio of 2∶1. Subjects were randomly divided into four groups in phase Ⅱ to receive low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose vaccine and placebo, respectively, in a ratio of 2∶2∶2∶1. A combination of regular follow-up and active reporting was used to observe adverse reactions within 28 days after vaccination, and compare the incidence rate of adverse reactions in the trial and control groups. Results: 422 subjects were (66.45±4.70) years old, and 48.82% were male (206/422). There were 100, 124, 124 and 74 patients enrolled into the low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose vaccine groups and the placebo group, respectively. One person without the vaccination was removed, and 421 participants who received at least one dose of vaccine were included in the safety analysis. Within 28 days after the first or second dose, a total of 20.67% (87/421) subjects had adverse reactions (both solicitation and non-solicitation). About 76 patients suffered grade 1 adverse reactions [18.05% (76/421)] and 22 patients suffered grade 2 adverse reactions [5.23% (22/421)]. No grade 3 or above adverse reactions occurred. A total of 19.71% (83/421) subjects had solicited adverse reactions. The most common grade 1 adverse reaction was injection site pain, followed by fever and fatigue. The most common grade 2 adverse reactions were fever and fatigue, followed by muscle pain and injection site redness. A total of 2.61% (11/421) subjects had unsolicited adverse reactions. A total of 1.66% (7/421) subjects had serious adverse events after vaccination, and no serious vaccine-related adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is safe for people aged 60 years and above.

[Chemical constituents from Urtica dioica fruits]

The chemical constituents in Urtica dioica fruits were investigated by silica gel chromatography, preparative HPLC, NMR, and HR-MS for the first time. As a result, 21 compounds were isolated from the fruits of U. dioica and identified 7R,8S,8'R-olivil(1), oleic acid(2), α-linoleic acid(3), palmic acid(4), methyl palmitate(5), α-linolenic acid(6), α-linolenic acid methyl ester(7), 5-O-caffeoyl-shikimic acid(8), vanillic acid(9), p-coumaric acid(10), 5-O-p-coumaroylshikimic acid(11), cinnamic acid(12), quinic acid(13), shikimic acid(14), ethyl caffeate(15), coniferyl ferulate(16), ferulic acid(17), caffeic acid(18), chlorogenic acid(19), pinoresinol(20), and quercetin(21). Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 2-16 were isolated from U. dioica for the first time.

Network analysis reveals different hub genes and molecular pathways for pig in vitro fertilized early embryos and parthenogenotes

Maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) occurs when maternal transcripts decay and zygotic genome is activated gradually at early stage of embryo development. Previously, single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) has helped us to uncover the MZT-associated mRNA dynamics of in vitro produced pig early embryos. Here, to further investigate functional modules and hub genes associated with MZT process, the weighted gene-coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed on our previously generated 45 scRNA-seq datasets. For the in vitro fertilized embryo (IVF) group, 5 significant modules were identified (midnightblue/black/red and blue/brown modules, positively correlated with 1-cell (IVF1) and 8-cell (IVF8), respectively), containing genes mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as Wnt, regulation of RNA transcription, fatty acid metabolic process, poly(A) RNA binding and lysosome. For the parthenogenetically activated embryo (PA) group, 9 significant modules were identified (black/purple/red, brown/turquoise/yellow, and magenta/blue/green modules, positively correlated with MII oocytes, 1-cell (PA1), and 8-cell (PA8), respectively), mainly enriched in extracellular exosome, poly(A) RNA binding, mitochondrion, transcription factor activity. Moreover, some of identified hub genes within 3 IVF and 9 PA significant modules, including ADCY2, DHX34, KDM4A, GDF10, ABCC10, PAFAH2, HEXIM2, COQ9, DCAF11, SGK1, ESRRB etc., have been reported to play vital roles in different biological processes. Our findings provide information and resources for subsequent in-depth study on the regulation and function of MZT in pig embryos.

[Advances in gut microbiomes and immunology of IgG4-related hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases]

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition associated with chronic fibroinflammatory lesions that can affect nearly any organ. IgG4-related hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases are IgG4-RD involving the hepatobiliary and pancreatic system, which is characterized with elevated serum IgG4 concentrations, large numbers of IgG4 positive lymphoplasma cells infiltration in affected organs, storiform fibrosis, and imaging changes of organ morphology. Due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, histopathology is still an important basis for diagnosis. The pathogenesis of IgG4-related hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases has not been clarified. This review focuses on the recent advances in intestinal microecology-immunology, host genetics-immunity and recurrence monitoring of IgG4-related hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

Comparative transcriptome analysis identifies important maternal molecules and associated biological pathways for pig and human mature oocytes

Recent researches reveal that during oocyte maturation, species-specific molecular profile exists, and has important functional roles. However, molecular differences between pig (a larger animal model for human reproduction) and human mature oocytes remain unknown. Here, by comparative transcriptome analyses of single cell RNA-seq data, we aimed to identify the common and unique maternal factors and associated biological processes between in vivo and in vitro matured pig oocytes, and between in vitro matured human and pig oocytes. Annotated protein coding mRNAs were identified in pig in vivo (11147) and in vitro (11997), and human in vitro (14491) MII oocytes, respectively. For in vivo and in vitro derived pig MII oocytes, 10551 annotated maternal mRNAs were common, mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, microtubule cytoskeleton, MAPK, RNA processing/binding. Besides, in vivo (596) and in vitro (1446) pig MII-specific mRNAs and their involved signaling pathways (in vivo: Bmp, calcium-mediated signaling, PI3K-Akt; in vitro: growth factor activity, JAK-STAT, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway) were also found. As for in vitro derived human and pig MII oocytes, 10285 annotated mRNAs were common, enriched in a variety of signaling pathways (cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, microtubule, AMPK, RNA splicing, protein serine/threonine kinase activity, etc). In vitro MII-specific mRNAs were found for humans (4206) and pigs (1712), which were also enriched in species-specific signaling pathways (humans: golgi related terms, transcription repressor and hormone activity; pigs: ATP biosynthetic process, G protein-coupled peptide receptor activity, animoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis), respectively. These findings improve our understanding on oocyte maturation, and also the limitations of pig model for human oocyte maturation and fertilization.

Identification of lncRNAs involved in maternal-to-zygotic transition of in vitro-produced porcine embryos by single-cell RNA-seq

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function through multiple tiers of molecular circuits and are vital to gamete maturation and early embryo development. However, in pig early embryos, identification and expression dynamics of lncRNAs remain less studied. Here, we systematically analysed the expression dynamics of lncRNAs based on our previously published single-cell RNA-seq data from pig mature oocytes (GSE160334), and single blastomeres biopsied from pig in vitro fertilized (IVF) and early parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos (1- to 8-cell stages; GSE164812). With the progression of embryo development, the total number of expressed lncRNAs gradually decreased and showed great variation at each developmental stage for both IVF and PA groups. Consecutive stage pairwise comparison of MII oocytes, 1-cell zygotes, 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell IVF embryos identified 151, 245, 1119 and 188 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs, including 119, 80, 867, 77 up-regulated and 32, 165, 252, 111 down-regulated, while 289, 437, 895 and 495 DE lncRNAs (141, 89, 768, 97 up-regulated and 148, 348, 127, 398 down-regulated) were identified in PA embryos at the same stages. The DE lncRNAs identified within IVF embryos were much different from that identified within PA embryos, showing embryo type-specific manner. Further cross-comparison between PA and IVF embryos identified 184, 656, 2502 and 266 DE lncRNAs for the 1- to 8-cell embryo stages, respectively. Further GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of DE mRNAs targeted by DELs indicated that different signalling pathways were involved in maternal-only and bi-parental embryo development. Collectively, comparative profiling of lncRNA expression dynamics between pig IVF and PA embryos provides a valuable resource, to investigate further regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs associated with ZGA and maternal RNA decay during early embryo development.

Isolation of Novel Mycobacterium Species from Skin Infection in an Immunocompromised Person

We investigated a case of cutaneous infection in an immunocompromised patient in China that was caused by a novel species within the Mycobacterium gordonae complex. Results of whole-genome sequencing indicated that some strains considered to be M. gordonae complex are actually polyphyletic and should be designated as closely related species.

Global 3'-untranslated region landscape mediated by alternative polyadenylation during meiotic maturation of pig oocytes

Alternative polyadenylation affects the length and composition of 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) and regulates mRNA stability or translational activity to affect important biological processes. However, global 3'-UTR landscape and its relationship with gamete maturation remain less studied. Here, we analysed our previously reported single-cell RNA-seq data of germinal vesicle and metaphase II stage oocytes in pigs to systematically catalogue the 3'-UTR dynamics during oocyte maturation. Two softwares (DaPars and APAtrap) were employed and identified 110 and 228 mRNAs with significantly different 3'-UTRs (adjusted p ≤ .05), respectively. Gene enrichment analyses found signalling pathways related with biological processes of female gametophyte production, methyltransferase activity and mRNA surveillance (DaPars) and cell cycle process, regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, regulation of translation, spindle organization, kinetochore, condensed chromosome and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation (APAtrap), respectively. Moreover, 18 of 110 mRNAs (|△PDUI| ≥ 0.25 and |log₂ PDUI ratio| ≥ 0.59) and 15 of 228 mRNAs (Perc. diff. ≥ 0.5) were with greater difference of 3'-UTR length or abundance, and integrative genomics viewer analysis further identified 4 (Alg10, Hadhb, Hsd17b4 and Sbds) of 18 mRNAs to be with 3'-UTR length differed ≥150 bp and 6 (Gcc1, Hnrnpa2b1, Lsm6, Prpf18, Sfr1 and Ust) of 15 mRNAs to be with 3'-UTR abundance extremely differed. Furthermore, the location, sequences and number of cis-elements were predicted, which were shown to derange cytoplasmic polyadenylation element, poly(A) site and microRNA binding sites within 3'-UTRs of Alg10, Hadhb, Hsd17b4 and Sbds mRNAs. Taken together, global 3'-UTR landscape changes dynamically with oocyte meiotic maturation, potentially involved in regulating oocyte meiotic process in pigs.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Related to Leprosy Risk and Clinical Phenotypes Among Chinese Population

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified some immune-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be associated with leprosy.

Methods

This study investigated the association of 17 SNPs based on previously published GWAS studies with susceptibility to leprosy, different polar forms and immune states of leprosy in a case–control study from southwestern China, including 1344 leprosy patients and 2732 household contacts (HHCs) (1908 relatives and 824 genetically unrelated contact individuals). The differences of allele distributions were analyzed using chi-squared analysis and logistic regression.

Results

After adjusting covariate factors, rs780668 and rs3764147 polymorphisms influenced susceptibilities to genetically related or unrelated leprosy contact individuals. rs142179458 was associated with onset early cases, rs73058713 A allele and rs3764147 A allele increased the risk of reversal reaction, while rs3764147 G allele had higher risk to present lepromatous leprosy and erythema nodosum leprosum.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that genetic variants in the LACC1, HIF1A, SLC29A3 and CDH18 genes were positively correlated with the occurrence of leprosy and leprosy clinical phenotypes, providing new insights into the immunogenetics of the disease.

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals mRNAs and lncRNAs important for oocytes in vitro matured in pigs

The faithful execution of molecular programme underlying oocyte maturation and meiosis is vital to generate competent haploid gametes for efficient mammalian reproduction. However, the organization and principle of molecular circuits and modules for oocyte meiosis remain obscure. Here, we employed the recently developed single-cell RNA-seq technique to profile the transcriptomes of germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) oocytes, aiming to discover the dynamic changes of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during oocyte in vitro meiotic maturation. During the transition from GV to MII, total number of detected RNAs (mRNAs and lncRNAs) in oocytes decreased. Moreover, 1,807 (602 up- and 1,205 down-regulated) mRNAs and 313 (177 up- and 136 down-regulated) lncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed (DE), i.e., more mRNAs down-regulated, but more lncRNAs up-regulated. During maturation of pig oocytes, mitochondrial mRNAs were actively transcribed, eight of which (ND6, ND5, CYTB, ND1, ND2, COX1, COX2 and COX3) were significantly up-regulated. Both DE mRNAs and targets of DE lncRNAs were enriched in multiple biological and signal pathways potentially associated with oocyte meiosis. Highly abundantly expressed mRNAs (including DNMT1, UHRF2, PCNA, ARMC1, BTG4, ASNS and SEP11) and lncRNAs were also discovered. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed 20 hub mRNAs in three modules to be important for oocyte meiosis and maturation. Taken together, our findings provide insights and resources for further functional investigation of mRNAs/lncRNAs in in vitro meiotic maturation of pig oocytes.

[The effect of booster dose vaccination 21- to 32-years after primary vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine in the population born from 1986 to 1996 in Zhengding County of Hebei Province]

Objective: Aanalysis the effect of booster one dose of hepatitis B vaccine after 21-32 years of primary immunization in Zhengding Country of Hebei Province. Methods: A total of 322 participants who were born between 1986 and 1996, received a full course of primary vaccination with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), had no experience with booster vaccination, were HBsAg, anti-HBcnegative, had anti-HBs<10 mIU/ml, completed the booster and had laboratory results were enrolled between August 2017 to February 2018. A simple random method was uesd to randomly assigned 322 subjects to two groups, receiving a booster dose of HepB derived from either Saccharomyces cerevisiae ［HepB (SC), (151 cases)］ or Chinese hamster ovary-derived HepB ［HepB (CHO), (171 cases)］, the dose was 20 μg. Blood samples were collected 30 days after boosting and quantitatively tested for the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs to assess immunological effect. The related influencing factors of GMC and seroconversion rates of anti-HBs were analyzed by multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The 266 subjects (82.61%) had anti-HBs≥ 10 mIU/ml, and GMC was (131.63±12.94) mIU/ml.The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs in the anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml group and 2.5-10 mIU/ml group were 74.54% (161 cases) and 99.06% (105 cases), respectively (P<0.001).The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after one dose of HepB (CHO) was higher than that of one dose of HepB (SC), the seroconversion rates were 87.13% (149 cases) and 77.48% (117 cases), respectively (P=0.023). Participants boostered with HepB (CHO) was the factor influencing the effect of strengthening immunization compared with boostered with HepB (SC), and OR (95%CI) was 1.91 (1.02-3.56) (P=0.042).Compared with anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml, prebooster anti-HBs was between 2.5 mIU/ml and 10 mIU/ml was the related factor of seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after booster immunization, and OR (95%CI) was 36.15 (4.91-266.02) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Participants boostered withone dose of HepB had a good immune response. Pre-booster anti-HBs concentration and a variety of vaccine were related factors of immune response.

[Research progress on abnormal liver function in pregnancy]

Abnormal liver function in pregnancy is a common clinical problem in the department of obstetrics and liver disease, but its severity can cause danger to the life of the mother and fetus. Therefore, the different cause of abnormal liver function in pregnancy should be assessed accurately in order to take early intervention measures. Moreover, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the situation of both mother and fetus to obtain the optimal treatment effect for abnormal liver function caused by different types of pregnancy-related liver diseases.

[Effects of lateral and medial points of thoracic paravertebral nerve block by ultrasound for rapid recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided lateral and medial point blocks of thoracic paravertebral space on the rapid recovery of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: A total of 90 patients of either sex, aged 18-67 years, weighted 45.10-91.80 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into two groups (n=45) using a random number table: lateral point group of thoracic paravertebral space (group A) and medial point group of thoracic paravertebral space (group B). Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block was performed before induction of general anesthesia. The puncture point of group A was positioned as the intercostal block of the thoracic paravertebral space of the right side of T(6)-T(11), and the puncture point of the group B was positioned as the thoracic paravertebral body of the right side of T(6)-T(11) thoracic paravertebral space. The thoracic paravertebral block was performed with 2 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine per injection for a total of 10 ml. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores of resting pain and active pain at 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after operation were observed. The anus recovery time after surgery and perioperative hypotension were also recorded. Results: The blood pressures in group A were significantly higher than those in group B at 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after operation, which were(73±7) vs (70±7), (78±7) vs (74±7),(82±7) vs (79±7),and (87±7) vs (83±7) mmHg,and the differences were statistically significant (t=2.29, 2.54, 2.33, 2.37, all P<0.05). The VAS scores of resting pain and active pain in group A were significantly higher than those in group B, and the differences were statistically significant (Z=-2.29, -2.51, -2.21, -2.39, -2.53, -2.25, -2.30, -2.24, all P<0.05). The postoperative anal exhaust recovery time of the patients in group A was (21.8±1.9) min that was obvious lower than that in group B which was (22.7±1.9) min with statistically significant difference (t=2.12, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and pruritus (χ(2)=0.28, 0.72, 0.45, 0.21,all P>0.05). Conclusions: In the procedure of thoracic paravertebral block under the guidance of ultrasound, the closer blocking points are to the central axis of the spine, the better the postoperative analgesic effect, but the more obvious the postoperative blood pressure reduction and the longer the anal recovery exhaust time. The further away from the central axis of the spine, the more analgesic effect decreases, but the blood pressure decreases and the anal recovery time is relatively rapid.

Four-dimensional calibration turntable of the motional Stark effect diagnostic on EAST

The motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic is applied to measure the safety factor q and current density profile of a tokamak device, which are important parameters in realizing the high-performance and long-pulse steady state of a tokamak. A single-channel MSE diagnostic based on dual photoelastic modulators, whose sightline meets with the neutral beam injection at a major radius of R = 2.12 m, has been built for the D window of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). According to the requirements of MSE diagnostic polarimetric calibration, a high-precision four-dimensional calibration turntable, driven by four stepping motors and controlled by software running on the computer, was designed for EAST. The turntable allows us to rapidly calibrate the MSE diagnostic in a series of positions and angles during EAST maintenance. The turntable can move in four dimensions of translation, yaw, pitch, and roll of the polarizer and can create linearly polarized light at any given angle with accuracy of ∼0.05° for the MSE system offline calibration. The experimental results of the MSE diagnostic calibration in the laboratory show that the turntable has the advantages of high positioning accuracy, flexible spatial movement, and convenient control and fully meets the calibration requirements of an MSE diagnosis system.

Fast-ion Dα spectrum diagnostic in the EAST

In toroidal magnetic fusion devices, fast-ion D-alpha diagnostic (FIDA) is a powerful method to study the fast-ion feature. The fast-ion characteristics can be inferred from the Doppler shifted spectrum of D_α light according to charge exchange recombination process between fast ions and probe beam. Since conceptual design presented in the last HTPD conference, significant progress has been made to apply FIDA systems on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). Both co-current and counter-current neutral beam injectors are available, and each can deliver 2-4 MW beam power with 50-80 keV beam energy. Presently, two sets of high throughput spectrometer systems have been installed on EAST, allowing to capture passing and trapped fast-ion characteristics simultaneously, using Kaiser HoloSpec transmission grating spectrometer and Bunkoukeiki FLP-200 volume phase holographic spectrometer coupled with Princeton Instruments ProEM 1024B eXcelon and Andor DU-888 iXon3 1024 CCD camera, respectively. This paper will present the details of the hardware descriptions and experimental spectrum.

Measurement of the deuterium Balmer series line emission on EAST

Volume recombination plays an important role towards plasma detachment for magnetically confined fusion devices. High quantum number states of the Balmer series of deuterium are used to study recombination. On EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), two visible spectroscopic measurements are applied for the upper/lower divertor with 13 channels, respectively. Both systems are coupled with Princeton Instruments ProEM EMCCD 1024B camera: one is equipped on an Acton SP2750 spectrometer, which has a high spectral resolution ∼0.0049 nm with 2400 gr/mm grating to measure the D_α(H_α) spectral line and with 1200 gr/mm grating to measure deuterium molecular Fulcher band emissions and another is equipped on IsoPlane SCT320 using 600 gr/mm to measure high-n Balmer series emission lines, allowing us to study volume recombination on EAST and to obtain the related line averaged plasma parameters (T_e, n_e) during EAST detached phases. This paper will present the details of the measurements and the characteristics of deuterium Balmer series line emissions during density ramp-up L-mode USN plasma on EAST.

Filterscope diagnostic system on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST)

A filterscope diagnostic system has been mounted to observe the line emission and visible bremsstrahlung emission from plasma on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak during the 2014 campaign. By this diagnostic system, multiple wavelengths including D_α (656.1 nm), D_γ (433.9 nm), He ii (468.5 nm), Li i (670.8 nm), Li ii (548.3 nm), C iii (465.0 nm), O ii (441.5 nm), Mo i (386.4 nm), W i (400.9 nm), and visible bremsstrahlung radiation (538.0 nm) are monitored with corresponding wavelength filters. All these multi-channel signals are digitized at up to 200 kHz simultaneously. This diagnostic plays a crucial role in studying edge localized modes and H-mode plasmas, due to the high temporal resolution and spatial resolution that have been designed into it.

Magnetic topology changes induced by lower hybrid waves and their profound effect on edge-localized modes in the EAST tokamak

Strong mitigation of edge-localized modes has been observed on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak, when lower hybrid waves (LHWs) are applied to H-mode plasmas with ion cyclotron resonant heating. This has been demonstrated to be due to the formation of helical current filaments flowing along field lines in the scrape-off layer induced by LHW. This leads to the splitting of the outer divertor strike points during LHWs similar to previous observations with resonant magnetic perturbations. The change in the magnetic topology has been qualitatively modeled by considering helical current filaments in a field-line-tracing code.

A phenomenological approach to the anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect in tetragonal La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 thin films

A La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO(3) Hall bar with its long dimension roughly along the hard axis [110] was fabricated on a single-crystal-like tensilely strained film on SrTiO(3)(001). The anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and planar Hall effect (PHE) have been studied at various external magnetic fields and temperatures. A phenomenological model in the high field limit is developed, and the galvanomagnetic tensor based on a tetragonal symmetry 4/mmm (D(4h)), applicable to epitaxial films on a substrate, has been obtained by expanding the tensor to the sixth order. The derived in-plane transverse resistance R(xy) shows a sin2φ(M) angular dependence, while the longitudinal R(xx) is constituted by not only a two-fold cos2φ(M) term, but also a four-fold cos4φ(M) term due to the square symmetry of the lattice. The model is in good agreement with the experimental results in high fields, while deviations are observed near the {100} easy axis with the decreasing field. Close inspection of the fitting parameters reveals the evolution of these term weights with temperature and magnetic field, which is distinct from conventional ferromagnetic metals and cannot be explained by the phenomenological model. An alternative mechanism for AMR, stemming from the magnetization-induced local orbit deformation through spin-orbit interaction, as previously proposed by O'Donnell et al, may be prevalent in manganites and other systems of complicated crystal structure.

Intraductal papillary neoplasms of bile duct. A distinct entity like its counterpart in pancreas

To recognize the new entity-intraductal papillary neoplasia of bile duct in liver, the authors reviewed the clinical records of sixteen patients, analyzed the microscopic features, and selected immunohistochemical reactivity (cytokeratins and mucins) that might correlate with classification. Ten patients were male and six were female, with a mean age of 58 years (range, 21-73 years). According to their cell phenotypes, these papillary tumors were classified as intestinal type (6 cases), pancratobiliary type (4 cases), gastric type (5 cases) and oncocytic type (1 case). Most were located in the left hepatic duct and accompanied with bile duct dilatation (10 cases). Eight showed minimal expansile invasion into the ductal wall and eight were noninvasive. Five patients were treated with a hepatectomy, three underwent segmental resections, and one underwent a left hepatic lobectomy. One patient died of unrelated causes 6 years after operation, and another died of postoperative complications. The remaining 7 patients are alive and disease free 1-5 years after surgery. Because of its distinct clinical, pathological features and a favorable prognosis can be expected after complete surgical resection, we suggested that intraductal papillary neoplasia should be distinguished from other types of peripheral cholangiocarcinoma, as a distinct entity, like its counterparts in the pancreas. Neoexpressed and overexpressed mucins are of clinical value as a marker for supportive diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring therapy.

[A study on the mechanism of reductive alkylation for preparing 3-(beta-hydroxy-ethyl-sulfonyl) N-ethyl aniline with HPLC/MS]

Hydrogenating 3-(beta-hydroxy-ethyl-sulfonyl)-aniline and acetaldehyde in the presence of Raney Nickel as a catalyst, 3-(beta-hydroxy-ethyl-sulfonyl)-N-ethyl-aniline was obtained with 98% conversion and 95% monoalkylation selectivity under optimum conditions. By using high performance liquid chromatography/mass selective detection technique to characterize the structures of the products, the mechanism of reductive alkylation is proposed. From the intermediates determined, it is shown that the reaction mechanism would go via an unstable N-alpha-hydroxyethylaniline derivative and Schiff base stage. After hydrogenation of Schiff base, finally the product 3-(beta-hydroxyethyl-sulfonyl)-N-ethyl aniline was formed.

Discrete subpopulations, defined by CD45 isoforms, coexist within the leukaemic cells of B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients

The expression of CD45 isoforms by B-CLL leukaemic lymphocytes has been analysed by 2 colour flow cytometry and vectorial iodination. The cytometry has demonstrated the presence of cells with different CD45 phenotypes which vary in the relative expression of the CD45RA and CD45RO determinants. Discrete populations have been detected which can coexist within an individual patient. One of these populations which is CD45RO-negative consists of cells expressing only the 230 kD isoform, in the others the smaller isoforms are expressed, the appearance of the CD45RO determinant of 180 kD being accompanied by the appearance of the 190 kD isoform. The relative proportion of cell populations is stable within patients but can be altered by phorbol ester which enhances CD45RO expression and diminishes CD45RA expression. The populations may be partially resolved by the density gradient fractionation.

The analysis of the variation of the surface proteins of leukemic lymphocytes of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients by high performance liquid chromatography

Surface phenotypes of leukemic lymphocytes are analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography of the vectorially iodinated surface proteins and the variation of the phenotypes of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) lymphocytes from different individuals is studied. A number of surface molecules show a coordinated variation between patients in their level of expression. Some of these molecules belong to recognized clusters of differentiation, e.g., CD45 and CD21 and their variation can be confirmed by flow cytometry. But the HPLC also reveals other components that have not been assigned to known clusters, e.g., a component of Mr of around 300 kD. Two types of B CLL lymphocytes can be recognized by this set of molecules and the patients ranked according to the level of expression of these markers on their leukemic cells. The effects of TPA treatment on expression suggests that these molecules represent a maturational sequence and that the leukemias are derived from progressive stages along this process.

The identification of antigens in antibody/antigen complexes using high performance liquid chromatography

A method for the identification of antigens in a complex mixture of proteins is described. It exploits the effect which addition of a monoclonal antibody and resultant formation of antibody/antigen complexes has on the apparent retention time of the antigen on a size exclusion column. An antigen in the mixture can be identified as that component whose retention time is decreased by addition of its antibody. The principle of the method is demonstrated using an HPLC size exclusion column (DuPont GF450) and three MoAbs, PD7/26, DA6 147 and W6/32 which are directed against three antigens of the lymphocyte surface, the leucocyte-common antigen, class II MHC and class I MHC respectively.