Photothermal-Controllable Microneedles with Antitumor, Antioxidant, Angiogenic, and Chondrogenic Activities to Sequential Eliminate Tracheal Neoplasm and Reconstruct Tracheal Cartilage

The optimal treatment for tracheal tumors necessitates sequential tumor elimination and tracheal cartilage reconstruction. This study introduces an innovative inorganic nanosheet, MnO2 /PDA@Cu, comprising manganese dioxide (MnO2 ) loaded with copper ions (Cu) through in situ polymerization using polydopamine (PDA) as an intermediary. Additionally, a specialized methacrylic anhydride modified decellularized cartilage matrix (MDC) hydrogel with chondrogenic effects is developed by modifying a decellularized cartilage matrix with methacrylic anhydride. The MnO2 /PDA@Cu nanosheet is encapsulated within MDC-derived microneedles, creating a photothermal-controllable MnO2 /PDA@Cu-MDC microneedle. Effectiveness evaluation involved deep insertion of the MnO2 /PDA@Cu-MDC microneedle into tracheal orthotopic tumor in a murine model. Under 808 nm near-infrared irradiation, facilitated by PDA, the microneedle exhibited rapid overheating, efficiently eliminating tumors. PDA's photothermal effects triggered controlled MnO2 and Cu release. The MnO2 nanosheet acted as a potent inorganic nanoenzyme, scavenging reactive oxygen species for an antioxidant effect, while Cu facilitated angiogenesis. This intervention enhanced blood supply at the tumor excision site, promoting stem cell enrichment and nutrient provision. The MDC hydrogel played a pivotal role in creating a chondrogenic niche, fostering stem cells to secrete cartilaginous matrix. In conclusion, the MnO2 /PDA@Cu-MDC microneedle is a versatile platform with photothermal control, sequentially combining antitumor, antioxidant, pro-angiogenic, and chondrogenic activities to orchestrate precise tracheal tumor eradication and cartilage regeneration.

Characterization of reproductive hormones and related gene expression in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the egg-laying interval in White King pigeon

The egg-laying interval (LI) directly reflects the laying performance of breeding pigeons, influenced by reproductive hormones. This study aimed to assess reproductive hormone levels in serum and the expression of related genes and their receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in 4 stages: first (LI1), third (LI3), fifth (LI5), and seventh (LI7) days. The results showed that serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) level decreased from LI1 to LI7 (P < 0.01) and peaked in LI1. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels stayed at high levels from LI1 to LI5. The FSH level decreased slightly from LI5 to LI7 (P > 0.05), but the LH level decreased rapidly (P < 0.01). The prolactin (PRL) levels significantly increased in LI5 (P < 0.01) compared with LI1 and then stayed at a high level. The GnRH1 expression in the hypothalamus had no significant change in LI (P > 0.05). However, the GnRHR first decreased from LI1 to LI3 (P < 0.05) and then increased. The FSH mRNA level in the pituitary gland decreased from LI1 to LI3 and slightly increased in LI5 (P > 0.05). The change pattern of FSHR was similar to that of FSH and peaked in LI5 (P < 0.05). The LH expression level was the highest in LI5 and significantly higher than that in LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05). However, the LHR mRNA level decreased in LI (P < 0.05). The expression patterns of PRL and PRLR were similar; they were upregulated in LI and peaked in LI7 (P < 0.01). The expression pattern of GnRHR was similar to that of FSH, LH, and FSHR, suggesting the critical role of GnRHR in LI. Furthermore, the expression levels of these genes peaked in LI5, closely correlating with the maturation of the first largest follicle in pigeons. PRL-PRLR signaling inhibited GnRH activity to promote ovulation. This study provided a basis for further investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of reproduction in pigeons.

[A systematic review of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of artificial stone-related silicosis and dust protection]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, on-site dust monitoring and individual protection of the patients with artificial stone-related silicosis. Methods: In March 2022, the literature on artificial stone-related silicosis published from January 1965 to February 2022 was searched in China Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, EMbase and PubMed. Chinese and English search terms include "silica dust""silica dust""silicosis""artificial stone""pneumoconiosis", etc. References were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted. The epidemiological characteristics, natural course of disease, workplace dust concentration and individual protection level of patients with artificial stone-related silicosis were analyzed by systematic review. Results: A total of 30 literatures were included, including 7 cohort studies, 14 cross-sectional studies, 3 case-control studies and 6 case reports. A total of 1358 patients with artificial stone-related silicosis were diagnosed from 1997 to 2020, with an average age of 41.5 years old and an average dust exposure time of 11.3 years. Among them, 36.2% (282/778) had progressive mass fibrosis or accelerated progressive silicosis at first diagnosis. Chest imaging showed diffuse small nodule shadow, pulmonary fibrosis, and silico-alveolar proteinosis. Pulmonary function showed restricted or mixed ventilation disorder with or without decreased diffusion volume. The disease progressed rapidly, with progressive mass fibrosis, respiratory failure, and even death. Patients engaged in artificial quartz stone processing, with high concentration of silica including ultra-fine particles, most of which were dry operation, lack of on-site ventilation measures and no effective personal protection. Conclusion: The artificial stone processing workers suffer from artificial stone-related silicosis due to dry cutting, lack of on-site dust removal facilities and personal protective measures, and the disease progresses rapidly, leading to poor prognosis.

[Diagnostic value of nasal nitric oxide for children with primary ciliary dyskinesia]

Objective: To evaluate the value of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement as a diagnostic tool for Chinese patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Methods: This study is a retrospective study. The patients were recruited from those who were admitted to the respiratory Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2018 to September 2022. Children with PCD were included as the PCD group, and children with situs inversus or ambiguus, cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, chronic suppurative lung disease and asthma were included as the PCD symptom-similar group. Children who visited the Department of Child health Care and urology in the same hospital from December 2022 to January 2023 were selected as nNO normal control group. nNO was measured during plateau exhalation against resistance in three groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the nNO data. The receiver operating characteristic of nNO value for the diagnosis of PCD was plotted and, the area under the curve and Youden index was calculated to find the best cut-off value. Results: nNO was measured in 40 patients with PCD group, 75 PCD symptom-similar group (including 23 cases of situs inversus or ambiguus, 8 cases of CF, 26 cases of bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease, 18 cases of asthma), and 55 nNO normal controls group. The age of the three groups was respectively 9.7 (6.7,13.4), 9.3 (7.0,13.0) and 9.9 (7.3,13.0) years old. nNO values were significantly lower in children with PCD than in PCD symptom-similar group and nNO normal controls (12 (9,19) vs. 182 (121,222), 209 (165,261) nl/min, U=143.00, 2.00, both P<0.001). In the PCD symptom-similar group, situs inversus or ambiguus, CF, bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease and asthma were significantly higher than children with PCD (185 (123,218), 97 (52, 132), 154 (31, 202), 266 (202,414) vs. 12 (9,19) nl/min,U=1.00, 9.00, 133.00, 0, all P<0.001). A cut-off value of 84 nl/min could provide the best sensitivity (0.98) and specificity (0.92) with an area under the curve of 0.97 (95%CI 0.95-1.00, P<0.001). Conclusions: nNO value can draw a distinction between patients with PCD and others. A cut-off value of 84 nl/min is recommended for children with PCD.

[Secular trends of age at menarche and age at menopause in women born since 1951 from a county of Shandong Province, China]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the secular trends of age at menarche and age at natural menopause of women from a county of Shandong Province.

METHODS

Based on the data of the Premarital Medical Examination and the Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening of the county, the secular trends of age at menarche in women born in 1951 to 1998 and age at menopause in women born in 1951 to 1975 were studied. Joinpoint regression was used to identify potential inflection points regarding the trend of age at menarche. Average hazard ratios (AHR) of early menopause among women born in different generations were estimated by performing multivariate weighted Cox regression.

RESULTS

The average age at menarche was (16.43±1.89) years for women born in 1951 and (13.99±1.22) years for women born in 1998. The average age at menarche was lower for urban women than that for rural women, and the higher the education level, the lower the average age at menarche. Joinpoint regression analysis identified three inflection points: 1959, 1973 and 1993. The average age at menarche decreased annually by 0.03 (P < 0.001), 0.08 (P < 0.001), and 0.03 (P < 0.001) years respectively for women born during 1951-1959, 1960-1973, and 1974-1993, while it remained stable for those born during 1994-1998 (P=0.968). As for age at menopause, compared with women born during 1951-1960, those born during 1961-1965, 1966-1970 and 1971-1975 showed a gradual decrease in the risk of early menopause and a tendency to delay the age at menopause. The stratified analysis presented that the risk of early menopause gradually decreased and the age of menopause showed a significant delay among those with education level of junior high school and below, but this trend was not obvious among those with education level of senior high school and above, where the risk of early menopause decreased and then increased among those with education level of college and above, and the corresponding AHRs were 0.90 (0.66-1.22), 1.07 (0.79-1.44) and 1.14 (0.79-1.66).

CONCLUSION

The age at menarche for women born since 1951 gradually declined until 1994 and leveled off, with a decrease of nearly 2.5 years in these years. The age at menopause for women born between 1951 and 1975 was generally delayed over time, but the trend of first increase and then decrease was observed among those with relatively higher education levels. In the context of the increasing delay in age at marriage and childbearing and the decline of fertility, this study highlights the necessity of the assessment and monitoring of women' s basic reproductive health status, especially the risk of early menopause.

Development of a novel piezoelectric-driven non-resonant elliptical vibrator with adjustable characteristics

Aiming at the fabrication of a micro-textured surface, a novel piezoelectric-driven non-resonant elliptical vibrator is proposed in this paper; the output characteristics could be adjusted by the length change of the tool holder. The flexible mechanism is the primary structure of the vibrator, which includes a lever type mechanism, an enhanced Scott-Russell mechanism, and a T-shaped mechanism. The former two mechanisms are used to enlarge the output of the piezoelectric actuator, and the T-shaped mechanism is applied to transfer the parallel movements to the elliptical trajectory. The theoretical models including the elliptical trajectory, output stiffness, and resonant frequencies are established to investigate the impacts of the tool holder and controlling signals on the output characteristics of the vibrator, which are further validated using the finite element analysis method. A prototype is developed by integrating the non-resonant elliptical vibrator assembly and controlling system. Some experiments are carried out to verify the basic performance and the adjustable properties of the vibrator.

[Epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of Blastocystis hominis infection among children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of Blastocystis hominis infection among children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City.

METHODS

Children with diarrhea under 5 years of age admitted to Guangzhou Children's hospital, Guangzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital and Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2020, were enrolled. Participants' demographics, living environments and health status were collected using questionnaire surveys. Stool samples were collected from participants and nucleic acid was extracted. B. hominis infection was identified using PCR assay and sequence alignment, and the factors affecting B. hominis infection among children with diarrhea under 5 years of age were identified using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 684 children with diarrhea under 5 years of age were enrolled, including 468 male children and 216 female children, with a mean age of (1.79 ± 1.12) years. The overall prevalence of B. hominis infection was 4.97% [34/684, 95% confidential interval (CI): (3.59%, 6.86%)] among participants, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of B. hominis infection between children with chronic [7.52% (20/266), 95% CI: (4.92%, 11.33%)] and acute diarrhea [3.35% (14/418), 95% CI: (2.01%, 5.54%)] (χ² = 5.983, P = 0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified keeping pet [odds ratio (OR) = 6.298, 95% CI: (2.711, 14.633)], drinking non-tap water [OR = 4.522, 95% CI: (1.769, 11.561)], lactose intolerance [OR = 4.221, 95% CI: (1.043, 17.087)], antibiotic use [OR = 0.125, 95% CI: (0.017, 0.944)] and chronic diarrhea [OR = 2.172, 95% CI: (1.018, 4.637)] as factors affecting B. hominis infection among children with diarrhea under 5 years of age in Guangzhou City.

CONCLUSIONS

B. hominis infections is detected in children with diarrhea under five years of age in Guangzhou City. Improving home environments and pet-keeping hygiene is recommended to reduce the likelihood of B. hominis infection among children.

[Application of LASSO and its extended method in variable selection of regression analysis]

Multicollinearity is an important issue affecting the results of regression analysis. LASSO developed in recent years has great advantages in selecting explanatory variables, processing high-dimensional data, and solving multicollinearity problems. This method adds a penalty term to the model estimation, which can compress the regression coefficients of some unnecessary variables to zero and then remove them from the model to achieve the purpose of variable screening. This paper focuses on the LASSO method and compares it with optimal subsets, ridge regression, adaptive LASSO, and elastic net results. It is found that both LASSO and adaptive LASSO have good performance in solving independent variable multicollinearity problems and enhancing model interpretation and prediction accuracy.

WDR87 interacts with CFAP47 protein in the middle piece of spermatozoa flagella to participate in sperm tail assembly

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that includes spermatogonia self-renewal, spermatocyte meiosis and spermatozoa assembly. Recent studies have revealed that WD40-repeat domain-containing (WDR) proteins play important roles in spermatocyte division, spermatozoa flagella assembly and head shaping. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of WDR87 and found that it was highly expressed in the testis of both humans and mice. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that mouse WDR87 was distributed in the perinuclear cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and round spermatids. In the spermiogenesis stage, with extension of the nucleus, WDR87 migrated to the manchette and finally localized to the middle piece of the spermatozoa tail. Furthermore, we identified a cilia- and flagella-associated protein, CFAP47, which interacted with WDR87 in the flagellar midpiece of the spermatozoa, suggesting that WDR87 may be associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF). Subsequently, we screened gene mutations in seven MMAF individuals and found two novel mutations in CFAP47 (c.706G>A, Val236Met; c.1337C>T, Thr446Met) in one case. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence revealed that CFAP47 was dramatically reduced in spermatozoa from the CFAP47-mutated man. Meanwhile, the expression of WDR87 was also significantly decreased, and weak signals were detected adjacent to the spermatozoa nuclei, indicating that CFAP47 was necessary for WDR87 transportation during spermatozoa flagella biogenesis. These data indicate that WDR87 is located in the middle piece of the sperm tail and interacts with CFAP47 to form a complex which is involved in spermatozoa tail assembly.

Design, modeling, and testing of a one degree of freedom manipulator with three-stage amplification mechanism

The one degree of freedom (1-DOF) manipulator with nano-resolution is a significant component in the micro-/nano-manipulation. In order to simultaneously achieve a large stroke and high precision, a piezo-driven 1-DOF flexure-based manipulator consisting of an enhanced double Scott-Russell mechanism (EDSRM), a lever type mechanism, and a Z-shaped mechanism is proposed in this paper. Analytical models are developed to examine the kinetostatic and dynamic properties of the manipulator. A finite element analysis is further performed to evaluate the characteristics of the EDSRM and the complete manipulator. The prototype is fabricated on monolithic AL7075, and various experimental tests have been carried out to investigate the correctness of the modeling. The experimental results show that the proposed manipulator has a satisfactory amplification ratio, static stability, and dynamic performance.

[Research progress of occupational and environmental exposure and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]

Occupational and environmental exposure can directly cause specific lung diseases, and can also induce autoimmune diseases that can lead to various types of interstitial lung diseases. In recent years, it was discovered that certain occupational and environmental exposure was related to the increased risk of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) disease and progression, including metal and mineral dust, wood dust, organic dust, asbestos dust, silica dust, cigarette smoke and air pollution. IPF is a chronic progressive fibrotic lung disease of unknown etiology, with a characteristic imaging and histologic pattern called usual interstitial pneumonia. This article is a review based on the correlation and mechanism of occupational and environmental exposure in the pathogenesis and disease progression of IPF to improve the understanding of the disease and promote the formulation of treatment plans.

Defective hBN-Supported Fe2N Single Cluster Catalyst for Active and Selective Electro-Reduction of Multiple CO to Propane: Theoretical Elucidation of Metal-Nonmetal Synergic Effects

The present work introduces the multiple CO reduction toward C₃ products promoted by a newly designed single cluster catalyst consisting of defective hBN and embedded dimerized Fe, by means of density functional theory calculations. We find the strong metal-support interactions give rise to the local strain and electron accumulation of the N coordinated with two metals and resultantly form a Fe₂N active center. The metal-nonmetal synergic effect facilitates the coadsorption and C-C coupling of triple CO molecules and finally generates propane in a highly active and selective way.

[Improving China's public health emergency response based on One Health theory]

With the progress of globalization and the improvement of transportation, a public health emergency can spread across country's boundary in a short period of time from its original place to other areas or regions, posing public health threatens. Public health emergencies not only affect human-animal/plant-environmental health, but also have long-term implications for social development, so the public health emergency response has gone beyond general public health and requires an integrated and comprehensive One Health approach. This paper analyzes the problems and shortcomings of China's current public health emergency response system in a view of One Health and put forward the recommendations based on One Health concept on integrality, collaboration, development and sustainability of public health emergency response. These recommendations can be used as reference to further optimize the response system of public health emergencies in China.

Long-term exercise training down-regulates m6A RNA demethylase FTO expression in the hippocampus and hypothalamus: an effective intervention for epigenetic modification

Background

Exercise boosts the health of some brain parts, such as the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Several studies show that long-term exercise improves spatial learning and memory, enhances hypothalamic leptin sensitivity, and regulates energy balance. However, the effect of exercise on the hippocampus and hypothalamus is not fully understood. The study aimed to find epigenetic modifications or changes in gene expression of the hippocampus and hypothalamus due to exercise.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sedentary and exercise groups. All mice in the exercise group were subjected to treadmill exercise 5 days per week for 1 h each day. After the 12-week exercise intervention, the hippocampus and hypothalamus tissue were used for RNA-sequencing or molecular biology experiments.

Results

In both groups, numerous differentially expressed genes of the hippocampus (up-regulated: 53, down-regulated: 49) and hypothalamus (up-regulated: 24, down-regulated: 40) were observed. In the exercise group, increased level of N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) was observed in the hippocampus and hypothalamus (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) of the hippocampus and hypothalamus were down-regulated in the exercise group (p < 0.001). In addition, the Fto co-expression genes of the mouse brain were studied and analyzed using database to determine the potential roles of exercise-downregulated FTO in the brain.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that long-term exercise might elevates the levels of m⁶A-tagged transcripts in the hippocampus and hypothalamus via down-regulation of FTO. Hence, exercise might be an effective intervention for epigenetic modification.

[Clinical phenotypes and genotypic spectrum of cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency in children]

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genotypic spectrum of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in children with cystic fibrosis. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 12 children with cystic fibrosis who presented to Children's Hospital of Fudan University from December 2017 to December 2021. Clinical features, fecal elastase-1 level, genotype, diagnosis and treatment were systematically reviewed. Results: A total of 12 children, 7 males and 5 females, diagnosis aged 5.4 (2.0, 10.6) years, were recruited. Common clinical features included chronic cough in 12 cases, malnutrition in 7 cases, steatorrhea in 7 cases, bronchiectasis in 5 cases and electrolyte disturbance in 4 cases. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency were diagnosed in 8 cases,the main clinical manifestations were steatorrhea in 7 cases, of which 5 cases started in infancy; 6 cases were complicated with malnutrition, including mild in 1 case, moderate in 2 cases and severe in 3 cases; 3 cases had abdominal distension; 2 cases had intermittent abdominal pain; 4 cases showed fatty infiltration or atrophy of pancreas and 3 cases showed no obvious abnormality by pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging or B-ultrasound. All 8 children were given pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, follow-up visit of 2.3 (1.2,3.2) years. Diarrhea significantly improved in 6 cases, and 1 case was added omeprazole due to poor efficacy. A total of 20 variations of CFTR were detected in this study, of which 7 were novel (c.1373G>A,c.1810A>C,c.270delA,c.2475_2478dupCGAA,c.2489_c.2490insA, c.884delT and exon 1 deletion). Conclusions: There is a high proportion of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Chinese patients with cystic fibrosis. The main clinical manifestations are steatorrhea and malnutrition. Steatorrhea has often started from infancy. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy can significantly improve the symptoms of diarrhea and malnutrition.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for pneumonia convalescence in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has advantages in treating sequela symptoms of pediatric pneumonia convalescence. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CHM using a meta-analysis approach.

Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met the search strategy were selected from seven databases from the inception date to December 17, 2021. Based on the Cochrane handbook, the quality of the selected studies was assessed using the risk of bias. Data were expressed as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) and with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed. The Grading Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to assess the evidence certainty.

Result: Twenty RCTs with 2,241 participants were identified using the search criteria. CHMs included Danshen injection, Liujunzi decoction, Qingfei Tongluo decoction, Yiqi Huoxue decoction, Yupingfeng granule, XiaoErFeiKe granule, Sha-Sheng-Mai-Dong decoction, and so on. Results indicated that CHM combined with Western medicine (WM) or CHM alone improved the total clinical effective rate (RR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.15–1.29), reduced cough relief time (MD = −2.16; 95% CI: −2.46 to −1.85), lung rales disappearance time (MD = −1.82; 95% CI: −2.17 to −1.47), and length of hospital stay (MD = −2.01, 95% CI: −3.81 to −0.22) in the treatment of pneumonia convalescence in children. However, there was no significant statistical difference regarding the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.23–1.43).

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Identifier CRD42022298936

Cu-Catalyzed Diarylthiolation of Ynones with Aryl Iodides and Elemental Sulfur: An Access to Tetrasubstituted (Z)-1,2-Bis(arylthio)alkenes and Benzo[b][1,4]dithiines

A copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of ynones, aryl iodides, and elemental sulfur via a syn-addition process is established. The reaction features operational practicality, broad substrate scope, and readily accessible scale-up synthesis by affording a series of (Z)-1,2-bis(arylthio)alkenes in good to excellent yield. Moreover, benzo[b][1,4]dithiines can be also constructed efficiently by using 1,2-diiodobenzene as the coupling partner.

[Analysis of the new WHO guideline to accelerate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China]

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.

[Prediction of trends for fine-scale spread of Oncomelania hupensis in Shanghai Municipality based on supervised machine learning models]

OBJECTIVE

To predict the trends for fine-scale spread of Oncomelania hupensis based on supervised machine learning models in Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into precision O. hupensis snail control.

METHODS

Based on 2016 O. hupensis snail survey data in Shanghai Municipality and climatic, geographical, vegetation and socioeconomic data relating to O. hupensis snail distribution, seven supervised machine learning models were created to predict the risk of snail spread in Shanghai, including decision tree, random forest, generalized boosted model, support vector machine, naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor and C5.0. The performance of seven models for predicting snail spread was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1-score and accuracy, and optimal models were selected to identify the environmental variables affecting snail spread and predict the areas at risk of snail spread in Shanghai Municipality.

RESULTS

Seven supervised machine learning models were successfully created to predict the risk of snail spread in Shanghai Municipality, and random forest (AUC = 0.901, F1-score = 0.840, ACC = 0.797) and generalized boosted model (AUC= 0.889, F1-score = 0.869, ACC = 0.835) showed higher predictive performance than other models. Random forest analysis showed that the three most important climatic variables contributing to snail spread in Shanghai included aridity (11.87%), ≥ 0 °C annual accumulated temperature (10.19%), moisture index (10.18%) and average annual precipitation (9.86%), the two most important vegetation variables included the vegetation index of the first quarter (8.30%) and vegetation index of the second quarter (7.69%). Snails were more likely to spread at aridity of < 0.87, ≥ 0 °C annual accumulated temperature of 5 550 to 5 675 °C, moisture index of > 39% and average annual precipitation of > 1 180 mm, and with the vegetation index of the first quarter of > 0.4 and the vegetation index of the first quarter of > 0.6. According to the water resource developments and township administrative maps, the areas at risk of snail spread were mainly predicted in 10 townships/subdistricts, covering the Xipian, Dongpian and Tainan sections of southern Shanghai.

CONCLUSIONS

Supervised machine learning models are effective to predict the risk of fine-scale O. hupensis snail spread and identify the environmental determinants relating to snail spread. The areas at risk of O. hupensis snail spread are mainly located in southwestern Songjiang District, northwestern Jinshan District and southeastern Qingpu District of Shanghai Municipality.

Comprehensive analysis to identify noncoding RNAs mediated upregulation of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) correlated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular

Object: Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is involved in the development and progression of various cancers. This work investigated the usefulness of MELK in the prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis.

Methods: Information on MELK expression was obtained by pan-cancer analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The TCGA-liver hepatic cancer (TCGA-LIHC), Oncomine datasets, International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) datasets were used to investigate MELK expression in HCC. The prognostic roles of MELK in HCC were assessed by univariate and multivariate survival analyses. The underlying mechanism for noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in MELK expression was investigated by in silico studies, correlation, methylation, and survival analyses. The relationships between MELK expression and immune cells, immune markers, and checkpoint markers were also analyzed.

Results: (1) MELK was identified as an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) in HCC patients (MELK high vs. low expression, HR 2.469; 95% CI 1.217–5.008; p = 0.012) in a multivariate Cox analysis, with a concordance index (C-index) value of 0.727 (95% CI 0.750–0.704). (2) The noncoding RNA miR3142HG and the LINC00265/has-miR-101-3p axis were found to regulate MELK expression in HCC tissue. (3) MELK levels were linked to various immune functions, including tumor infiltration and the expression of immune checkpoints and biomarkers in HCC.

Conclusion: MELK may have an oncogenic function in HCC and was found to be up-regulated by ncRNAs and associated with immune cell infiltration and unfavorable prognosis.

[Current status and challenges for taeniasis and cysticercosis control in China]

In the WHO new road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, the disease-specific targets are classified into control, elimination as a public health problem, elimination and eradication, and taeniasis and cysticercosis are targeted for control. The overall prevalence of taeniasis and cysticercosis is low in China, and varies remarkably in regions and populations; however, there are many challenges for elimination of taeniasis and cysticercosis in China. Based on previous taeniasis and cysticercosis control programs, developing a sensitive taeniasis and cysticercosis surveillance-response system, updating criteria for diagnosis of taeniasis and cysticercosis, proposing a national guideline for treatment of taeniasis and cysticercosis, and strengthening interdisciplinary and intersectoral communications and collaborations are urgently needed under the One Health concept.

[Application of regression discontinuity design in epidemiological research]

Regression discontinuity design (RDD) is a rigorous quasi-experimental method. Based on the randomness of the distribution of samples around the critical value, the data on both sides are used for regression respectively, so as to avoid the interference of potential confounding factors and provide strong evidence for the inference of causal correlation. This study introduces the RDD and its research progress, and expounds its application in detail combined with cases, in order to provide reference for the application of RDD in epidemiological research.

[Research progress on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease animal models]

In recent years, with the changes in living standards and dietary structure, the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been increasing year by year in China, and the incidence rate in the general population is as high as 29.81%. An increasingly epidemiological evidence suggests that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become one of the causes of increasing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, its etiology and pathogenesis are complex and have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, establishing an appropriate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease animal models for pre-clinical research is essential to elucidate its pathogenesis. This article summarizes the latest research progress of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease animal models, which are common at home and abroad in recent years.

[Effect and significance of mild hypothermia on cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebral extraction rate of oxygen in patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Objective: Through studying the variations of cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebral extraction rate of oxygen to investigate the effect and mechanism of mild hypothermia therapy on early brain injury (EBI) and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) induced by sever subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: A total of 62 adult patients admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery of Tianjin TEDA Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016 with severe SAH without contraindications of hypothermia therapy were randomly divided into mild hypothermia (MH) group of 30 cases and routine treatment (RT) group of 32 cases.The general data were no significant difference.The routine treatment group got bloody cerebrospinal fluid drainage, spasmolysis, 3H treatment, etc.Besides conventional treatment, MH group got mild hypothermia therapy started on the day of admission within 2-8 hours, lower rectal temperature and maintained at (35±1) ℃, maintain 5-7 d. The mean velocity of middle cerebral artery blood flow (VmMCA) and Lindergaard index of two groups were detected by transcranial Doppler to indirectly evaluate the degree and evolution of CVS.Blood gas analysis was performed to obtain the blood oxygen content of the artery and jugular vein (CaO(2)/CjvO(2)) in the two groups at the same time, and the cerebral extraction rate of oxygen (CERO(2)) = (CaO(2)-CjvO(2))/CaO(2) was calculated. Results: Within 5 times of admission d1, d2, d3, d7 and d14, mean results of VmMCA of RT group were significantly higher than those of the MH group at d2, d3, d7 and d14 on statistics.The changes of CERO(2) between MH group and RT group during the observation period were compared at the same time: there was no significant difference between d1 and d14 (P>0.05); at d2, d3 and d7 showed marked differences, and that of the MH group was significantly lower than that of the RT group' (P<0.01). The correlation analysis showed that it had a weak correlation between CERO(2) and VmMCA (P>0.05) in the MH group, and CERO(2) was significantly positively correlated with VmMCA in the RT group (P<0.01). Conclusion: MH therapy has a positive significance to reduce the incidence, degree and the duration of CVS.The relationship between CVS and the degree of hypoxia in brain was broken by the MH therapy to reduce the adverse effects of EBI through reducing metabolism, thereby alleviating hypoxia damage in brain tissue.Setting the appropriate target temperature and the course of treatment and then the gentle rewarming process can reduce the incidence of complications of hypothermia therapy.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting Incidence of Early Allograft Dysfunction Following Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is frequent complication post-liver transplantation and is closely related to recipient's mortality and morbidity. We sought to develop a nomogram for predicting incidence of EAD.

METHODS

Based on multivariate analysis of donor, recipient, and operation data of 199 liver transplants from deceased donors between 2013 and 2015, we identified 5 significant risk factors for EAD to build a nomogram. The model was subjected to prospective validation with a cohort of 42 patients who was recruited between January and June 2016. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability were measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation was showed by the calibration curve.

RESULTS

Incidence rate of EAD in the training set and validation cohort were 55.91% (104/199) and 54.76% (23/42), respectively. In the training set, according to the results of univariable and multivariable analysis, 5 independent risk factors including donor gender, donor serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level, donor serum urea level, donor comorbidities (respiratory, cardiac, and renal dysfunction), and recipient Model for End-stage Liver Disease score were identified and assembled into the nomogram. The AUC of internal validation using bootstrap resampling and prospective validation using the external cohort of 42 patients was 0.74 and 0.60, respectively. The calibration curves for probability of EAD showed acceptable agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. According to the score table, the probability of EAD was under 30% when the total point tally was under 72. But when the total was up to 139, the risk of EAD increased to 60%.

CONCLUSION

We've established and validated a nomogram that can provide individual prediction of EAD for liver transplant recipients. The practical prognostic model may help clinicians to qualify the liver graft accurately, making a more reasonable allocation of organs.

[Loss of BRCA associated protein 1 expression in malignant mesothelioma and its diagnostic application]

Objective: To investigate the expression of BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) in malignant mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer and carcinosarcoma, and its application in the differential diagnosis. Methods: Twenty-two cases of malignant mesothelioma including 17 epithelioid type, 2 sarcomatoid type and 3 biphasic type were collected.As the study control, 80 non-small cell lung cancers infringement pleural membrane(including 40 lung adenocarcinomas and 40 lung squamous cell carcinomas) and 15 carcinosarcomas were included. BAP1 expression was detected using immunohistochemical method. A differential diagnosis antibody panel, including calretinin, WT1, CK5/6, D2-40, CAM5.2, CEA, TTF1, Napsin A, p63 and p40 was tested in all cases. Results: All 80 cases of non-small cell lung cancer and 15 cases of carcinosarcoma were BAP1 positive. In contrast, 64% (14/22) of malignant mesotheliomas lost BAP1 expression (P<0.01). Addition of BAP1 to the mesothelioma marker panel, the diagnostic accuracy of malignant mesothelioma was enhanced to 93%. Focal expression of BAP1 in tumors suggested multiclonal evolution of mesothelioma. Conclusions: Loss of BAP1 expression helps to confirm the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma whereas all non-small cell lung cancer expresses BAP1. It is therefore recommended that BAP1 can be used in conjunction with other immunohistochemical markers to improve the diagnostic accuracy of malignant mesothelioma.

Meta-analysis of the association between PADI4 -92C/G polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese population

Many studies have evaluated the correlation between peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) -92C/G polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the results remain inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis in the Chinese population to provide comprehensive data on the association between PADI4 -92C/G polymorphism and RA. Eligible studies published before May 2016 were identified in PubMed and Chinese databases. The strengths of these associations were assessed by pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Eight studies documenting a total of 1351 RA cases and 1585 controls were included in this meta-analysis. In the overall analysis, a significant association between the PADI4 -92C/G polymorphism and RA was found in the Chinese population (G vs C: OR=1.32, 95%CI=1.02-1.71; GG+CG vs CC: OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.20-2.53). The subgroup analyses stratified by geographic area(s) and source of controls revealed significant results in South China, in hospital-based studies and population-based studies. In summary, this meta-analysis suggested that PADI4 -92C/G polymorphism may be associated with the RA incidence in the Chinese population, especially for South China. Further studies conducted on other ethnic groups are required for definite conclusions.

Invasion and metastasis ability of renal cancer cell strains 786-0: under the influence of miR-141

This study aimed to explore the invasion and metastasis ability of miR-141 in 786-0 renal cancer tissue cells, as well as identify the key function of endogenous miR-141 in adjustment and control of malignant activities of renal cancer. The renal cancer cell strain with overexpression of miR-141 and its control renal cancer cell line were constructed; methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was adopted to measure proliferation of renal cancer cells; Transwell assay was performed to measure the invasion and metastasis ability of cells; MTT assay and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) were used for measurement of cell apoptosis and drug susceptibility. Results indicated that the expression of miR-141 in 786-0 cells could be significantly increased 400-fold by slow viruses that contained miR-141; moreover, c omprehensive functions showed that miR-141 inhibited the invasion and metastasis ability of renal cancer cells to a great extent (p less than 0.001), partially inhibited cell growth (p less than 0.05) and also induced cell cycle to be arrested in G0/G1 as well as reducing the number of cells in S phase (DNA replicative phase). Moreover, miR-141 could not induce morphologic changes of renal cancer cells, had no direct stimulating effect on cell apoptosis and could not improve the drug susceptibility of renal cancer cells to drugs such as cis-Dichlorodiamineplatinum (DDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and tumor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). In conclusion, miR-141 can be considered an important cancer suppressor gene of renal cancer by inhibiting proliferation and metastasis of renal cancer cells.

Improvements of PKU PMECRIS for continuous hundred hours CW proton beam operation

In order to improve the source stability, a long term continuous wave (CW) proton beam experiment has been carried out with Peking University compact permanent magnet 2.45 GHz ECR ion source (PKU PMECRIS). Before such an experiment a lot of improvements and modifications were completed on the source body, the Faraday cup and the PKU ion source test bench. At the beginning of 2015, a continuous operation of PKU PMECRIS for 306 h with more than 50 mA CW beam was carried out after success of many short term tests. No plasma generator failure or high voltage breakdown was observed during that running period and the proton source reliability is near 100%. Total beam availability, which is defined as 35-keV beam-on time divided by elapsed time, was higher than 99% [S. X. Peng et al., Chin. Phys. B 24(7), 075203 (2015)]. A re-inspection was performed after another additional 100 h operation (counting time) and no obvious sign of component failure was observed. Counting the previous source testing time together, this PMECRs longevity is now demonstrated to be greater than 460 h. This paper is mainly concentrated on the improvements for this long term experiment.

Duty factor variation possibility from 1% to 100% with PKU microwave driven Cs-free volume H⁻ sources

Microwave driven cesium-free volume H(-) sources, that have the ability to deliver tens of mA H(-) at 35 keV both in CW and 10% duty factor (100 Hz/1 ms), were developed at Peking University (PKU) [S. X. Peng et al., in Proceeding of IPAC 2015, WEPWA027, Richmond, Virginia, USA, 3-8 May 2015]. Recently, special efforts were paid on the investigation of duty factor variation possibility from 1% to 100% with them. Most of the experiments were carried out with a pulsed length (τ) of 1 ms and different intervals of 99 ms, 49 ms, 39 ms, 29 ms, 19 ms, 9 ms, 4 ms, 2 ms, 1 ms, 0.5 ms, and 0 ms, respectively. Other experiments were focused on CW operation and fixed duty factor of 1%. Experimental results prove that PKU H(-) sources can deliver tens of mA H(-) at duty factor from 1% to 100%. The RF power efficiency increases steadily with the increasing of duty factor from 1% to CW at a fixed pulsed length. Under a given duty factor and pulsed length, RF power efficiency keeps constant and the H(-) current increases with RF power linearly. Details will be presented in the paper.

Study on space charge compensation in negative hydrogen ion beam

Negative hydrogen ion beam can be compensated by the trapping of ions into the beam potential. When the beam propagates through a neutral gas, these ions arise due to gas ionization by the beam ions. However, the high neutral gas pressure may cause serious negative hydrogen ion beam loss, while low neutral gas pressure may lead to ion-ion instability and decompensation. To better understand the space charge compensation processes within a negative hydrogen beam, experimental study and numerical simulation were carried out at Peking University (PKU). The simulation code for negative hydrogen ion beam is improved from a 2D particle-in-cell-Monte Carlo collision code which has been successfully applied to H(+) beam compensated with Ar gas. Impacts among ions, electrons, and neutral gases in negative hydrogen beam compensation processes are carefully treated. The results of the beam simulations were compared with current and emittance measurements of an H(-) beam from a 2.45 GHz microwave driven H(-) ion source in PKU. Compensation gas was injected directly into the beam transport region to modify the space charge compensation degree. The experimental results were in good agreement with the simulation results.

Effect of recombinant human endostatin on the expression of c-Myc and bFGF in mouse gastric cancer cells

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of re-combinant human endostatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse gastric cancer cells, and explore some possible mechanisms of recom-binant human endostatin inhibition of cancer. A murine gastric cancer xenograft model was established. A total of 20 mice were divided into two groups (control and experimental groups). The expression of c-Myc and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immu-nohistochemical staining methods. Tumor volume was measured and a growth curve was calculated. The tumor diameter in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that in the control group after treat-ment with endostatin for 21 days. The expression levels of c-Myc and bFGF in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression of c-Myc and bFGF in the experimental group. Microvessel density was significantly inhibited in the experimental group (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that recombinant human endostatin could in-hibit tumor metastasis by inhibition of the expression of c-Myc and bFGF in gastric cancer tissue as well as by inhibition of angiogenesis.

Detection of methemoglobin in whole blood based on confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy and multivariate statistical techniques

Raman spectroscopy has been shown to have the potential for revealing oxygenated and spin ability of hemoglobin. In this study, confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy is developed to monitor the effect of sodium nitrite on oxyhemoglobin (HbO2 ) in whole blood. We observe that the band at 1,638 cm(-1) which is sensitive to the oxidation state decreases dramatically, while the 1,586 cm(-1) (low-spin state band) reduces both in methemoglobin (MetHb) and poisoning blood. Our results show that adding in sodium nitrite lead to the transition from HbO2 (Fe(2+) ) to MetHb (Fe(3+) ) in whole blood, and the iron atom converts from the low spin state to the high spin state with a delocalization from porphyrin plane. Moreover, multivariate statistical techniques, including principal components analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) are employed to develop effective diagnostic algorithms for classification of spectra between pure blood and poisoning blood. The diagnostic algorithms based on PCA-LDA yield a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% for separating poisoning blood from normal blood. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve further confirms the effectiveness of the diagnostic algorithm based on PCA-LDA technique. The results from this study demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy combined with PCA-LDA algorithms has tremendous potential for the non-invasive detection of nitrite poisoning blood.

Longitudinal follow-up of patients with mild traumatic brain injury by magnetic resonance spectroscopic technique

OBJECTIVE

To explore the changes in the concentrations of neural markers immediately or several months after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

METHODS

The metabolic markers of neurons in white matter tissues above the lateral ventricle were semi-quantitatively determined by employing 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic technique (1-H-MRS) in 30 clinically diagnosed cases of mTBI. At the same time, the neurological functions of the subjects, including ability to pay attention, memory, working memory and operational capacity etc were also assessed.

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for, on average, 13 days after mTBI and the results showed that Cre, PCre and Glx in the white matter tissues were significantly elevated in mTBI patients. 17 patients (57%) recovered from the injury during the follow-up (median was defined as the 40th post-trauma day). Comparison in terms of intelligence among groups revealed that the levels of neural markers of intelligence development was positively related with intelligence scores).

CONCLUSIONS

Change in Glx concentrations is most sensitive during trauma or in ensuing repairing processes, and might be different from normal status in the following months and Glx level tends to be accompanied with change in Cre, another energy-related marker.

Handling radiation generated during an ion source commissioning

Radiation is an important issue, which should be carefully treated during the design and commissioning of an ion source. Measurements show that X-rays are generated around the ceramics column of an extraction system when the source is powered up to 30 kV. The X-ray dose increases greatly when a beam is extracted. Inserting the ceramic column into a metal vacuum box is a good way to block X-ray emission for those cases. Moreover, this makes the online test of an intense H(+) ion beam with energy up to 100 keV possible. However, for deuteron ion source commissioning, neutron and gamma-ray radiation become a serious topic. In this paper, we will describe the design of the extraction system and the radiation doses of neutrons and gamma-rays measured at different D(+) beam energy during our 2.45 GHz deuteron electron cyclotron resonance ion source commissioning for PKUNIFTY (PeKing University Neutron Imaging FaciliTY) project at Peking University.

Commissioning and operation of the deuteron injector for PKUNIFTY project

PKUNIFTY (PeKing University Neutron Imaging FaciliTY), a thermal neutron imaging facility based on a 2 MeV RFQ accelerator, has been constructed at Peking University. Its deuteron injector, which consists of a 2.45 GHz permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance (PMECR) deuteron ion source and a two-solenoid low energy beam transport (LEBT), aims at producing and delivering 50 mA, 50 keV deuteron beam with a duty factor of 10% (1 ms, 100 Hz). In the preliminary tests of RFQ accelerator, the ECR ion source and LEBT are required to operate at various duty factors (from 1% to 10%). The deuteron ion source has been tested with different pulse widths for this reason. In order to optimize the transmission parameters, the beam current at the exit of RFQ as a function of solenoids tuning and steering magnets tuning are carefully studied. The beam emittance at the entrance of RFQ has been measured with space charge compensation by different argon gas (RG) pressure from 1.6 × 10(-4) Pa to 4.7 × 10(-3) Pa. The measuring results show the best compensating pressure is 3.5 × 10(-3) Pa with a minimal normalized rms emittance of 0.12 pi mm mrad. During the commissioning, we found the purity of deuteron gas is an important factor which severely affects ECR discharge and plasma intensity inside the ion source chamber. The detailed experimental results obtained during the commissioning are discussed in this paper.

Plasma studies of the permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance ion source at Peking University

At Peking University (PKU) we have developed several 2.45 GHz Permanent Magnet Electron Cyclotron Resonance ion sources for PKUNIFTY, SFRFQ, Coupled RFQ&SFRFQ, and Dielectric-Wall Accelerator (DWA) projects (respectively, 50 mA of D(+), 10 mA of O(+), 10 mA of He(+), and 50 mA of H(+)). In order to improve performance of these ion sources, it is necessary to better understand the principal factors that influence the plasma density and the atomic ion fraction. Theoretical analysis about microwave transmission and cut-off inside the discharge chamber were carried out to study the influence of the discharge chamber diameters. As a consequence, experimental studies on plasma density and ion fraction with different discharge chamber sizes have been carried out. Due to the difficulties in measuring plasma density inside the discharge chamber, the output beam current was measured to reflect the plasma density. Experimental results show that the plasma density increases to the maximum and then decreases significantly as the diameter changed from 64 mm to 30 mm, and the atomic ion fraction has the same tendency. The maximum beam intensity was obtained with the diameter of 35 mm, but the maximum atomic ion fraction with a diameter of 40 mm. The experimental results are basically accordant with the theoretical calculation. Details are presented in this paper.

Characteristics of neurovascular compression in facial neuralgia patients by 3D high-resolution MRI and fusion technology

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the anatomical characteristics and patterns of neurovascular compression in patients suffering trigeminal neuralgia, using 3D high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging methods and fusion technologies.

METHODS

The analysis of the anatomy of the facial nerve, brain stem and the vascular structures related to this nerve was made in 100 consecutive patients for TN. 3D high resolution MRI studies (3D SPGR, T1 enhanced 3D MP-RAGE and T2/T1 3D FIESTA) simultaneous visualization were used to assessed using the software 3D DOCTOR.

RESULTS

In 93 patients (93%), there were one or several locals of neurovascular compression (NVC). The superior cerebellar artery was involved in 71 cases (76%), the other vessels including the antero-inferior cerebellar artery, the basilar artery, the vertebral artery, and some venous structures. The mean distance between NVC and nerve origin site in the brainstem was (3.76 ± 2.90) mm). In 39 patients (42%), the vascular compression was located proximally and in 42 (45%) the compression was located distally. Nerve dislocation or distortion by the vessel was observed in 30 cases (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

This 3D high resolution MRI and image fusion technology could be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in TN.

In vivo detection of Hirschsprung's disease by optical coherence tomography in rats

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a developmental intestinal obstruction, which is often diagnosed with a repeated biopsy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, real-time imaging modality. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of diagnosis of HSCR, the targeted biopsies of suspicious tissues and the location of operative treatment using OCT. An HSCR Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model (benzalkonium chloride-treated (BAC-treated)) was used. Colon tissues with BAC-treated and without BAC-treated were imaged using OCT. To establish OCT criteria for identification of HSCR, OCT images were compared with corresponding histology images and muscle layer thickness was measured. Furthermore, attenuation coefficients of OCT signals were calculated to illustrate the differences between tissues with BAC-treated and without BAC-treated. Our results show that OCT images of colon tissues with HSCR are well correlated with histology images. In comparison with a muscle layer without HSCR, the thickness of muscle layer with HSCR is increased significantly. The muscle layer in colon tissues with HSCR for 6 weeks had a higher attenuation coefficient than those without HSCR. However, the attenuation coefficient of those with HSCR for 3 weeks had no obvious change. In conclusion, the study demonstrates for the first time that OCT has the potential for diagnosis, biopsy and location of HSCR in vivo.

Second harmonic generation in 3-d uniform arrangement of type I collagen on nonlinear optics microscopy

Second harmonic microscopic imaging and spectroscopy technology has become a powerful tool for biomedical studies, especially in fibrosis-related diseases research. And type I collagen is the major risk factors for fibrotic diseases. In this study, model for three-dimensional (3-D) uniform arrangement type I collagen is set up for researching the second harmonic generation (SHG) on nonlinear optics microscopy. Based on this model, we discuss the influence of different length and size collagen in 3-D arrangement type I collagen. Results can guide us to neatly judge the size, length, and molecules density effect on SHG. For practical application, this theoretical approach can lead us to analyze different severity of collagen diseases.

Comparison between magnitude reconstruction and phase-sensitive mR imaging in the detection of myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To determine the deference between phase sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and magnitude reconstruction to detect infracted myocardium.

METHODS

Twenty patients (16 men; 4 women; mean age, 56 years). experienced Q-wave myocardial infarction 2 weeks earlier were examined with a 3.0-T MR system 10 minutes after administration of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight gadobenate dimeglumine. To determine the optimal TI, a TI scout sequence was used. A segmented 2D IR true fast imaging with steady-state precession (trueFISP) sequence that produces both phase-sensitive and magnitude-reconstructed images were used at TI values of 200-600 msec (TI values were varied in 100-msec steps) and at optimal TI (mean value, 330 msec). Contrast-noise ratios (CNRs) of normal and infarcted myocardium and the area of infarcted myocardium were determined. Two-tailed unpaired sample Student t test was used to compare CNRs, and area of infarction.

RESULTS

MMean CNR phase-sensitive and magnitude-reconstructed images at optimal TI (mean value, 330 msec) were 6.2, and 6.1, respectively. For a TI of 200 msec, CNR values were 5.5, and 4.2, respectively; for TI of 600 msec, CNR values were 5.8 and 4.3, respectively. Area of infarcted myocardium was underestimated on magnitude-reconstruction images (P = 0.002-0.03) for short TI values (ie., 200 msec) but not on phase sensitive reconstructed when compared with IR tureFISP images obtained at optimal TI.

CONCLUSIONS

LPhase-sensitive image reconstruction results in reduced need for precise choice of TI and more consistent image quality.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy study of the effect of Mid-Ultraviolet radiation on erythrocyte membrane

Mid-Ultraviolet (UVB) has a significant influence on human health. In this study, human erythrocytes were exposed to UVB to investigate the effects of UVB radiation on erythrocytes membrane. And Micro-Raman spectroscopy was employed to detect the damage. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify the control erythrocytes and the irradiated erythrocytes. Results showed that the erythrocytes membrane was damaged by Mid-Ultraviolet (UVB) radiation. The intensity of the Raman peaks at 1126 cm(-1) and 1082 cm(-1) were used to calculate the Longitudinal Order-Parameters in Chains (S(trans)) which can present the liquidity and ionic permeability of erythrocyte membrane. After UVB radiation for 30 min, both the liquidity and ionic permeability decreased. At the same time, the intensity of the peaks at 1302 cm(-1) (α-helix), 1254 cm(-1) (random coil), 1452 cm(-1) and 1430 cm(-1) (CH(2)/CH(3) stretch) have also changed which indicated the membrane protein also been damaged by UVB. In the whole process of radiation, the more UVB radiation dose the more damage on the erythrocyte membrane.

Intense beams from gases generated by a permanent magnet ECR ion source at PKU

An electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is designed for the production of high-current ion beams of various gaseous elements. At the Peking University (PKU), the primary study is focused on developing suitable permanent magnet ECR ion sources (PMECRs) for separated function radio frequency quadrupole (SFRFQ) accelerator and for Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility. Recently, other kinds of high-intensity ion beams are required for new acceleration structure demonstration, simulation of fusion reactor material irradiation, aviation bearing modification, and other applications. So we expanded the ion beam category from O(+), H(+), and D(+) to N(+), Ar(+), and He(+). Up to now, about 120 mA of H(+), 83 mA of D(+), 50 mA of O(+), 63 mA of N(+), 70 mA of Ar(+), and 65 mA of He(+) extracted at 50 kV through a φ 6 mm aperture were produced by the PMECRs at PKU. Their rms emittances are less than 0.2 π mm mrad. Tungsten samples were irradiated by H(+) or He(+) beam extracted from this ion source and H∕He holes and bubbles have been observed on the samples. A method to produce a high intensity H∕He mixed beam to study synergistic effect is developed for nuclear material irradiation. To design a He(+) beam injector for coupled radio frequency quadruple and SFRFQ cavity, He(+) beam transmission experiments were carried out on PKU low energy beam transport test bench and the transmission was less than 50%. It indicated that some electrode modifications must be done to decrease the divergence of He(+) beam.

Deuteron injector for Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility project

The deuteron injector developed for the PKUNIFTY (Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility) has been installed and commissioned at Peking University (PKU). The injector system must transfer 50 keV 50 mA of D(+) ion beam to the entrance of the 2 MeV radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) with 10% duty factor (1 ms, 100 Hz). A compact 2.45 GHz permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance (PMECR) ion source and a 1.36 m long low energy beam transport (LEBT) line using two solenoids was developed as the deuteron injector. A φ5 mm four-quadrant diaphragm was used to simulate the entrance of RFQ electrodes. The beam parameters are measured after this core with an emittance measurement unit (EMU) and a bending magnet for ion fraction analysis at the end of injector. During the commissioning, 77 mA of total deuteron beam was extracted from PMECR and 56 mA of pure D(+) beam that passed through the φ5 mm four-quadrant diaphragm was obtained at the position of RFQ entrance with the measured normalized rms emittance 0.12-0.16π mm mrad. Ion species analysis results show that the deuteron fraction is as high as 99.5%. All of the parameters satisfy PKUNIFTY's requirements. In this paper, we will describe the deuteron injector design and report the commissioning results as well as the initial operation.

Laser shaping of a relativistic intense, short Gaussian pulse by a plasma lens

By 3D particle-in-cell simulation and analysis, we propose a plasma lens to make high intensity, high contrast laser pulses with a steep front. When an intense, short Gaussian laser pulse of circular polarization propagates in near-critical plasma, it drives strong currents of relativistic electrons which magnetize the plasma. Three pulse shaping effects are synchronously observed when the laser passes through the plasma lens. The laser intensity is increased by more than 1 order of magnitude while the initial Gaussian profile undergoes self-modulation longitudinally and develops a steep front. Meanwhile, a nonrelativistic prepulse can be absorbed by the overcritical plasma lens, which can improve the laser contrast without affecting laser shaping of the main pulse. If the plasma skin length is properly chosen and kept fixed, the plasma lens can be used for varied laser intensity above 10(19) W/cm(2).

The deuteron injector progress of the Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility project

A deuteron radio frequency quadrupoles injector h has been developed at Peking University. A permanent magnetic electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is used in the injector system. A 50 keV 100 mA proton beam has been extracted from the ECR ion source and the measured normalized rms emittance is 0.11-0.14pi mm mrad. A deuteron beam has also been extracted at 50 kV with 83 mA total current and its emittance is less than 0.18pi mm mrad. The proton beam transmission has been investigated on a low energy beam transport test bench, and up to 93% transmission can be reached. The new injector with two solenoids has been designed and is being constructed. All the development results will be presented in this paper.