Rydberg atom electric field sensing for metrology, communication and hybrid quantum systems

Rydberg atoms-based electric field sensing has developed rapidly over the past decade. A variety of theoretical proposals and experiment configurations are suggested and realized to improve the measurement metrics, such as intensity sensitivity, bandwidth, phase, and accuracy. The Stark effect and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) or electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) are fundamental physics principles behind the stage. Furthermore, various techniques such as amplitude- or frequency-modulation, optical homodyne read-out, microwave superheterodyne and frequency conversion based on multi-wave mixing in atoms are utilized to push the metrics into higher levels. In this review, different technologies and the corresponding metrics they had achieved were presented, hoping to inspire more possibilities in the improvement of metrics of Rydberg atom-based electric field sensing and broadness of application scenarios.

Ergodicity breaking from Rydberg clusters in a driven-dissipative many-body system

It is challenging to probe ergodicity breaking trends of a quantum many-body system when dissipation inevitably damages quantum coherence originated from coherent coupling and dispersive two-body interactions. Rydberg atoms provide a test bed to detect emergent exotic many-body phases and nonergodic dynamics where the strong Rydberg atom interaction competes with and overtakes dissipative effects even at room temperature. Here, we report experimental evidence of a transition from ergodic toward ergodic breaking dynamics in driven-dissipative Rydberg atomic gases. The broken ergodicity is featured by the long-time phase oscillation, which is attributed to the formation of Rydberg excitation clusters in limit cycle phases. The broken symmetry in the limit cycle is a direct manifestation of many-body collective effects, which is verified experimentally by tuning atomic densities. The reported result reveals that Rydberg many-body systems are a promising candidate to probe ergodicity breaking dynamics, such as limit cycles, and enable the benchmark of nonequilibrium phase transition.

Exercise to socialize? Bidirectional relationships between physical activity and loneliness in middle-aged and older American adults

Physical inactivity and loneliness are both associated with health risks and can affect each other through various social and behavioral mechanisms. However, current evidence on this relationship is equivocal and mostly based on cross-sectional data. This longitudinal study aims to determine whether current levels of physical activity (moderate- and vigorous-intensity) and loneliness are associated with future respective states of themselves and each other. Data from waves 6-14 (2002-2018) of the Health and Retirement Study were used (n=20,134) in a mixed-effects and random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Analysis showed that current loneliness and physical activity were associated with each future respective state. Additionally, weekly participation in moderate-intensity, but not vigorous-intensity, physical activity was associated with a lower likelihood of becoming lonely in the future (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.99). However, changes in physical activity were not associated with deviation from a person's typical level of loneliness (vigorous-intensity mean deviation (MD): 0.00; 95% CI: -0.04-0.03, moderate-intensity MD: 0.01; 95% CI: -0.03-0.04). Loneliness was not associated with moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity in subsequent waves. This suggests that while lower physical activity levels can be associated with future loneliness, changing levels of physical activity has little impact on loneliness at the individual level.

Impact of Enhanced Emergency Nursing Processes on the Rescue Outcomes of Emergency Patients with Chest Pain

Background

Chest pain, a sudden and perilous symptom, is frequently encountered in the emergency department. Prompt and efficient first-aid measures and nursing interventions are crucial for effectively rescuing emergency patients experiencing chest pain.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the impact of an enhanced emergency nursing process on the rescue outcomes of emergency patients with chest pain.

Design

A randomized controlled study was conducted.

Setting

The research was conducted at Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.

Participants

A total of 90 emergency chest pain patients admitted between December 2021 and June 2022 were selected and divided into two groups, with 45 cases in each group.

Interventions

The control group received routine emergency nursing, while the observation group underwent an improved emergency nursing protocol.

Primary Outcome Measures

(1) Treatment initiation time, emergency rescue time, recovery time of vital signs, and hospital stay; (2) curative effect; (3) pain scores; (4) incidence of adverse events; and (5) patient satisfaction.

Results

Compared to the control group, the observation group exhibited shorter treatment initiation time, emergency rescue time, recovery time of vital signs, and hospital stay (P < .05). The effective rate in the observation group was higher (P < .05), and pain scores were lower at 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, and 240 min post-rescue (P < .05). The occurrence of adverse events was reduced in the observation group (P = .005), and patient satisfaction was higher at discharge (P < .05).

Conclusion

The enhanced emergency nursing process effectively reduces the clinical rescue time for emergency patients with chest pain, enhances rescue efficiency, seizes crucial opportunities for saving lives, and improves patient satisfaction. These findings have significant positive implications for clinical applications.

Effect of the molecular weight of DOM on the indirect photodegradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is ubiquitous and widespread in natural water and influences the transformation and removal of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the influence of DOM molecular weight (MW) on the indirect photodegradation of antibiotics has rarely been reported. This study attempted to explore the influence of the molecular weight of DOM on the indirect photodegradation of two fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs), ofloxacin (OFL) and norfloxacin (NOR), by using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that indirect photodegradation was considered the main photodegradation pathway of FQs in DOM fractions. Triplet-state excited organic matter (3DOM*) and singlet oxygen (1O2) were the main reactive intermediates (RIs) that affected the indirect photodegradation of FQs. The indirect photodegradation rate of FQs was significantly promoted in DOM fractions, especially in the low molecular weight DOM fractions (L-MW DOM, MW < 10 kDa). The results of excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) showed that terrestrial humic-like substances had a higher humification degree and fluorophore content in L- MW DOM fractions, which could produce more 3DOM* and 1O2 to promote the indirect photodegradation of FQs. This study provided new insight into the effects of DOM at the molecular weight level on the indirect photodegradation of antibiotics in natural water.

Environmental forcing of phytoplankton carbon-to-diversity ratio and carbon-to-chlorophyll ratio: A case study in Jiaozhou Bay, the Yellow Sea

The relationships between phytoplankton carbon (C) biomass and diversity (i.e., C-to-H' ratio) and chlorophyll a (i.e., C-to-Chl a ratio) are good indicators of marine ecosystem functioning and stability. Here we conducted four cruises spanning 2 years in Jiaozhou Bay to explore the dynamics of C-to-H' and C-to-Chl a ratios. The results showed that the phytoplankton C biomass and diversity were dominated by diatoms, followed by dinoflagellates. The average C-to-H' ratio ranged from 84.10 to 912.17, with high values occurring in the northern region of the bay. In contrast, the average C-to-Chl a ratio ranged between 15.55 and 89.47, and high values primarily appeared in the northern or northeastern part of the bay. In addition, the redundancy analysis showed that temperature and phosphate (DIP) were significantly correlated with both ratios in most cases, indicating that temperature and DIP may be key factors affecting the dynamics of C-to-H' and C-to-Chl a ratios.

The Impact of a Humanized Nursing Model on the Nursing Outcomes of Emergency Transfusion Patients

Background

Emergency transfusion is a frequently performed invasive medical procedure. Patients often experience negative emotions and exhibit poor compliance during transfusion. Therefore, it is imperative to proactively implement effective nursing interventions.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the impact of a humanized nursing model on the nursing outcomes of emergency transfusion patients.

Design

This research was conducted as a randomized controlled experiment.

Setting

The study was conducted in the emergency department of Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine.

Participants

A total of 120 patients who underwent emergency transfusion treatment in our hospital from February 2021 to October 2022 were selected. They were divided into two groups, the control group, and the observation group, using a random number table method, with 60 patients in each group.

Interventions

The control group received standard nursing care, while the observation group received humanized nursing.

Primary Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measures included (1) assessment of psychological states, (2) evaluation of physical and mental comfort, (3) assessment of transfusion compliance, (4) incidence of adverse transfusion events, and (5) assessment of nursing satisfaction.

Results

Prior to nursing interventions, anxiety and depression scores were not significantly different between the two groups (P > .05). After nursing interventions, both groups exhibited a decrease in scores, with the observation group showing a more significant reduction compared to the control group (P < .05). In all aspects of physical and mental comfort, the observation group scored significantly higher than the control group (P < .05). Transfusion compliance and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P < .01). The incidence of adverse transfusion events in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < .01).

Conclusions

Humanized nursing significantly improves anxiety and depression in emergency transfusion patients, enhances their physical and mental comfort, and increases transfusion compliance while reducing adverse transfusion events. It leads to high patient satisfaction with nursing services.

Reliability and validity testing of the ASSIST functional performance index

Reliability and validity testing of the ASSIST Functional Performance Index (AFPI) was conducted, focusing on persons with physical disabilities (PwPD). The AFPI was iteratively developed to assess persons' needs for Mainstream Smart Home Technologies (MSHT) as Assistive Technology (AT) and to measure the impact of a service delivery model for MSHT. The AFPI consists of 46 items organized by functional domains. A total of N = 22 PwPD completed the AFPI twice. The median response time between these two time points was four days. Test-retest reliability of overall scores was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient model (ICC, 3.1). The weighted kappa coefficient was applied to conduct an item analysis, demonstrating moderate to substantial agreement in all but one of the items. During the second administration, validity was established by correlating the number of hours of assistance and total AFPI scores with the SCI-FI Self-Care and Basic Mobility Short Form Questionnaires. Results indicate that the AFPI demonstrates good to very good validity as an assessment tool and outcome measure in recommending and evaluating the impact of MSHT for PwPD. Future studies, including more participants and persons with cognitive and sensory disabilities, may further establish the clinical utility of the AFPI.

Spatial distribution and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the sediments of fishing ports along the coasts of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea

More than 1,154 fishing ports are widely distributed in China's coastal areas. To date, however, few studies on the pollution and ecological risks of heavy metals in these fishing ports have been reported. In this study, the heavy metals of 148 sediment samples collected from 37 fishing ports along the coasts of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea were detected. The results showed that the average contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd were 53.58 ± 44.53, 27.90 ± 18.10, 143.52 ± 74.72 and 0.28 ± 0.15 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (RI), we found that fishing ports were the most severely polluted by Cu, but Cd had the highest ecological risk, and most of fishing ports were in moderate potential ecological risk. The positive correlation between heavy metals and total organic carbon indicated that heavy metals in fishing ports were mainly affected by anthropogenic activities.

The characteristics of CDOM structural composition and the effect on indirect photodegradation of sulfamerazine

Sulfamerazine (SM) is a commonly used antibiotic and have been widely used to control various bacterial infectious diseases. The structural composition of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is known to be a major factor that influences the indirect photodegradation of SM, yet the influence mechanism remains unknown. In order to understand this mechanism, CDOM from different sources was fractionated using ultrafiltration and XAD resin, and characterized using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The indirect photodegradation of SM in these CDOM fractions was then investigated. Humic acid (JKHA) and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) were used in this study. The results showed that CDOM could be divided into four components (three humic-like components and one protein-like component), and terrestrial humic-like components C1 and C2 were found to be the main components that promote SM indirect photodegradation due to their high aromaticity. The indirect photodegradation of SM was much faster in low molecular weight (MW) solutions, whose structures were dominated by greater aromaticity and terrestrial fluorophores in JKHA and higher terrestrial fluorophores in SRNOM. The HIA and HIB fractions of SRNOM contained large aromaticity and high fluorescence intensities of C1 and C2, resulting in a greater indirect photodegradation rate of SM. The HOA and HIB fractions of JKHA had abundant terrestrial humic-like components and contributed more to SM indirect photodegradation.

[Soybean isoflavones alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory cascade reaction]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism that mediates the effect of soybean isoflavones (SI) against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in light of the regulation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), ferroptosis, inflammatory response and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.

METHODS

A total of 120 male SD rats were equally randomized into sham-operated group (Sham group), cerebral I/R injury group and SI pretreatment group (SI group). Focal cerebral I/R injury was induced in the latter two groups using a modified monofilament occlusion technique, and the intraoperative changes of real-time cerebral cortex blood flow were monitored using a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF). The postoperative changes of cerebral pathological morphology and the ultrastructure of the neurons and the BBB were observed with optical and transmission electron microscopy. The neurological deficits of the rats was assessed, and the severities of cerebral infarction, brain edema and BBB disruption were quantified. The contents of Fe²⁺, GSH, MDA and MPO in the ischemic penumbra were determined with spectrophotometric tests. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1βwere analyzed using ELISA, and the expressions of GPX4, MMP-9 and occludin around the lesion were detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The rCBF was sharply reduced in the rats in I/R group and SI group after successful insertion of the monofilament. Compared with those in Sham group, the rats in I/R group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarction volume, brain water content and Evans blue permeability (P < 0.01), decreased Fe²⁺ level, increased MDA level, decreased GSH content and GPX4 expression (P < 0.01), increased MPO content and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P < 0.01), increased MMP-9 expression and lowered occludin expression (P < 0.01). All these changes were significantly ameliorated in rats pretreated with IS prior to I/R injury (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSION

SI preconditioning reduces cerebral I/R injury in rats possibly by improving rCBF, inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory response and protecting the BBB.

The Joint Effect of Body Mass Index and Serum Lipid Levels on Incident Dementia among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the joint effect of body mass index (BMI) and serum lipids levels on incident dementia.

METHODS

We prospectively followed up with 1,627 dementia-free community residents aged ≥60 for 5.7 years on average. At baseline, weight, and height were measured, and total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected in serum. Demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires. Dementia was based on consensus diagnosis of neurologists and neuropsychologists using DSM-IV criteria. Additive Cox proportional model was used to assess the exposure-response relationship between BMI and serum lipid levels and dementia risk. Interactions and further classifications of BMI and serum lipid levels were further presented by bivariate surface models and decision-tree models.

RESULTS

The joint effects of TC with BMI, TG with BMI, and LDL-C with BMI on the risk of incident dementia shared a similar pattern, different from their independent exposure-response curves. The joint effect of HDL-C with BMI showed an S-surface but without statistical significance. Participants with TC<5.4 mmol/L and BMI<21 kg/m2 (Hazard Ratio(HR) 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-3.53), TC<5.4 mmol/L and BMI≥21 kg/m2 (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.09-2.72), and TC≥5.4 mmol/L and BMI<21 kg/m2 (HR 4.02, 95% CI 2.10-7.71) were identified to have the increased risk of incident dementia compared to those with TC≥5.4 mmol/L and BMI≥21 kg/m2. Participants with TG<1.7 mmol/L and BMI<21 kg/m2 had an increased risk of incident dementia compared to those with TG≥1.7 mmol/L and BMI≥21 kg/m2 (HR 1.98, 95%CI 1.17-3.3). Participants with LDL-C≥3.3 mmol/L and BMI<21 kg/m2 were identified to have an increased risk of incident dementia compared to those with LDL-C≥3.3 mmol/L and BMI≥21 kg/m2 (HR 3.33, 95%CI 1.64-6.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that low BMI combined with low or high levels of serum lipids may increase the risk of dementia among older adults. This finding suggests the potential impacts of these two metabolic indexes on the risk of dementia.

Ocean acidification and warming significantly affect coastal eutrophication and organic pollution: A case study in the Bohai Sea

Most coastal ecosystems are faced with novel challenges associated with human activities and climate change such as ocean acidification, warming, eutrophication, and organic pollution. However, data on the independent or combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on coastal eutrophication and organic pollution at present are relatively limited. Here, we applied the generalized additive models (GAMs) to explore the dynamics of coastal eutrophication and organic pollution in response to future climate change in the Bohai Sea. The GAMs reflected the fact that acidification alone favors eutrophication and organic pollution, while warming alone inhibits these two variables. Differently, the interactions between acidification and warming in the future may further exacerbate the organic pollution but may mitigate the progress of eutrophication. These different responses of eutrophication and organic pollution to acidification and warming may be attributed to algae growth and microbial respiration, as well as some physical processes such as stratification.

Different responses of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities to current changing coastal environments

Marine plankton are faced with novel challenges associated with environmental changes such as ocean acidification, warming, and eutrophication. However, data on the effects of simultaneous environmental changes on complex natural communities in coastal ecosystems are relatively limited. Here we made a systematic analysis of biological and environmental parameters in the Bohai Sea over the past three years to suggest that plankton communities responded differently to current changing coastal environments, with the increase of phytoplankton and the decrease of zooplankton. These different changes of phyto- and zooplankton potentially resulted from the fact that both the effect of acidification as a result of pH decline and the effect of warming as a consequence of increasing temperature favored phytoplankton over zooplankton at present. Furthermore, water eutrophication and salinity as well as heavy metals Hg, Zn, and As had more or less diverse consequences for the dynamics of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Differently, with ongoing climate change, we also revealed that both phytoplankton and zooplankton would decrease in the future under the influence of interactions between acidification and warming.

Spatiotemporal evolution of nutrients and the influencing factors in Laizhou Bay over the past 40 years

The nutrient status in Laizhou Bay has changed in composition and structure as a result of anthropogenic activities and climate change, which has led to several environmental problems (e.g., eutrophication, organic pollution and red tides). To better understand the spatiotemporal variations in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and eutrophication in the Laizhou Bay, we collected historical research data and conducted four cruises in 2021. The highest surface DIN was found to occur in autumn and predominantly concentrated in the southwestern bay. The highest surface DIP content was found in winter and distributed in the northwestern bay. Surface organic pollution showed estuaries as the most polluted areas. In the past 40-60 years, the DIN, DIP, and eutrophication have shown an inverted U-shaped trend, and the bay has changed from N limitation to P limitation. Economic development, phytoplankton absorption, and bottom mineral release are factors influencing the content and distribution of nutrient in the bay.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metal pollutants and total petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments of the Bohai Sea, China

Heavy metals and organic pollutants like total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in coastal marine sediments are receiving extensive attention, as they may pose a serious threat to the aquatic environment and ecosystem health. To date, however, data on the long-term variations in the levels of sedimentary heavy metals and TPHs as well as their ecological risks are relatively limited. Here, we conducted 12 cruises spanning 3 years in the Bohai Sea and obtained ~1400 sediment samples to explore the long-term variations of heavy metals (i.e., Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) and TPHs, and to assess their potential ecological risks. The results suggested that the ranges for the levels of Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and TPHs in sediments between 2019 and 2021 were <0.01-0.07, 0.23-10.72, 8.07-20.67, 25.52-46.55, 10.94-28.19, 0.14-0.56, and 9.14-18.41 mg kg^-1, respectively. Based on the single factor evaluation (F_i) for sediment quality, we found that most of the evaluation factors in the study area met the requirements of sediment quality standard (i.e., F_i < 1), except for the factor of metal Cd in some cases. The implication is that the sediment in the Bohai Sea was fairly clean in terms of heavy metals and TPHs. However, the concentration of metal Cd exceeded the sediment quality standard during May 2019 and 2020 (i.e., F_i > 1), indicating that Cd could be identified as a major pollutant in surface sediments. Also, based on the ecological risk assessment (E_i) of heavy metal pollutants, we found that the metal Cd had reached a level with potential ecological risk in some cases (80 ≤ E_i < 160). As such, we further suggested that the Cd contamination might have a potential risk on the Bohai Sea' ecosystem.

Diagnostic performance of on-site computation of quantitative flow ratio by a coronary computed tomography angiography based algorithm: comparison of distal and lesion-specific measurements

Introduction

Guidelines recommend secondary ischemia assessment following a coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary CTA-derived quantitative flow ratio (CT-QFR) is an on-site technique performed on acquired CTA images that estimates the functional severity of a coronary stenosis. However, CT-QFR measurements are available throughout the coronary vessel with no clear recommendations as to which specific values should be used for identifying obstructive CAD, e.g. most distal or lesion-specific values.

Purpose

First, to investigate the feasibility of CT-QFR and the correlation and agreement with invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR). Secondly, to compare the diagnostic performance of distal versus lesion-specific CT-QFR for identifying obstructive CAD defined by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with FFR.

Methods

A total of 1732 prospectively included patients with symptoms suggestive of CAD referred for CTA were included. All patients with ≥50% diameter stenosis (DS) on CTA were subsequently referred for ICA with conditional FFR in lesions with 30–89%DS. Obstructive CAD was defined by ICA as FFR ≤0.80 or high-grade stenosis by visual assessment (≥90%DS). A blinded analysis of CT-QFR was performed in patients referred to ICA with measurements at the distal end of a vessel (distal CT-QFR) and 1 cm distal to stenotic lesions on CTA (lesion-specific). CT-QFR ≤0.80 was defined as abnormal. For correlation analyses to invasive FFR, CT-QFR was assessed corresponding to the position of the invasive pressure sensor.

Results

In total, 445/1732 (25%) patients had suspected obstructive CAD at CTA and underwent subsequent ICA. CT-QFR analysis was feasible in 423/445 (95%) patients. CT-QFR correlated (Pearson's rho 0.54, p&lt;0.001) and agreed (mean difference –0.02±0.09) to FFR with CT-QFR overestimating FFR (Fig. 1). Obstructive CAD was identified in 190/423 (44%) patients by ICA. Distal and lesion-specific CT-QFR classified 196 (46%) and 171 (40%) patients as abnormal, respectively. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for distal versus lesion-specific CT-QFR were similar (0.86 (95% CI: 0.82–0.89) vs. 0.86 (0.82–0.90), p=0.80). Sensitivities for distal and lesion-specific CT-QFR were 78% (95% CI: 71–84) vs. 74% (67–80), p=0.01, respectively, and specificities 79% (95% CI: 74–84) vs. 87% (82–91), p&lt;0.01, respectively. Distal and lesion-specific CT-QFR had similar diagnostic accuracy (79 (95% CI: 75–83), vs. 81 (77–85), p=0.07) (Fig. 2).

Conclusion

In patients with suspected obstructive CAD on CTA, non-invasive estimation of FFR using CT-QFR is feasible with moderate correlation and good agreement with invasive FFR. Overall diagnostic performance of distal and lesion-specific values for discriminating obstructive CAD by invasive FFR are similar. The use of CT-QFR could therefore potentially reduce the need for referral to invasive angiography after CTA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Aarhus UniversityRegion Mid Jutland

Comparison of second-line on-site computed quantitative flow ratio from coronary computed tomography angiography to PET perfusion imaging for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease

Introduction

In patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary computed tomography (CTA), guidelines endorse second-line selective testing for hemodynamic evaluation of suspected CAD. A variety of non-invasive modalities are available, and myocardial perfusion imaging with Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) is an established method with high diagnostic performance. Recently, an on-site method estimating computed tomography-derived quantitative flow ratio (CT-QFR) showed promising results for discriminating obstructive CAD. However, no study has compared the diagnostic performances of PET and CT-QFR.

Purpose

To assess a possible non-inferiority of CT-QFR compared to PET in patients with suspected obstructive CAD at CTA using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as reference.

Methods

Patients (n=1732, 57% males, age 59±9.5) referred on a clinical indication with symptoms suggestive of obstructive CAD underwent routine CTA. Patients with ≥50% diameter stenosis (DS) on CTA were referred for PET and subsequent ICA with FFR. CT-QFR was analyzed post-hoc blinded to PET and ICA results.

Abnormal CT-QFR was defined as CT-QFR ≤0.80 in any vessel with a diameter ≥1.5mm. An independent core-lab evaluated PET scans as abnormal/normal with optional analyst-dependent application of pre-specified criteria; summed stress score of ≥4 in ≥2 contiguous segments, vessel-specific myocardial blood flow (MBF) &lt;2.00 ml/g/min, global myocardial blood flow reserve ≤1.8, and/or transient ischemic dilatation ratio &gt;1.13. Obstructive CAD was defined as ICA with FFR ≤0.80 or high-grade stenosis (≥90% DS).

Results

In total, 445/1732 patients (25%) had suspected obstructive CAD on CTA of whom 400/445 patients (90%) underwent subsequent PET and ICA. CT-QFR was successfully analysed in 383/400 (96%) patients classifying 174/383 (45%) patients as having disease. In comparison, PET classified 130/383 (34%) patients as having disease. In total, obstructive CAD by ICA with FFR was identified in 162 (42%) patients.

There was no significant difference in area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for CT-QFR compared to the best performing PET metric (lowest vessel-specific MBF); 0.84 (95% CI 0.80–0.89) vs. 0.81 (0.77–0.85), p=0.19)) (Fig. 1). Overall diagnostic accuracy of CT-QFR versus PET was similar (78% (95% CI 74–82) vs. 77% (72–81), p=0.70. Sensitivities for CT-QFR and PET were 78% (71–84) and 63% (55–70), p&lt;0.01, respectively, and specificities 78% (72–84) and 87% (82–91), p=0.01, respectively (Fig. 2). Three-vessel or left main disease on ICA was correctly identified in 30/31 patients by both CT-QFR and PET.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected obstructive CAD by CTA, second-line CT-QFR was non-inferior to PET for discriminating obstructive CAD by invasive FFR; Although diagnostic accuracy was similar, CT-QFR demonstrated higher sensitivity while PET showed higher specificity

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Aarhus University PhD fellowshipRegion Mid Health Research Foundation

Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio for assessment of left main bifurcation derived from a single fluoroscopic angiographic view as compared to FFRCT

Background

In patients with complex CAD, the presence of left main (LM) disease is an important prognostic factor in assessing the risk balance between PCI and CABG. Functional assessment has become standard of care to evaluate the significance of coronary stenosis and to justify the performance of PCI in the contemporary practice. FFRCT is a well-established method based on 3D reconstruction of coronary artery derived from CCTA. The Murray law-based quantitative flow reserve (μQFR) is a novel computational method of invasive angiography relying on a single angiographic view that takes into account side branches diameters to compute fractal flow division. The aim of the current analysis is to evaluate in patients with complex CAD the feasibility of μQFR in LM bifurcation and its diagnostic concordance with FFRCT. The impact of the optimal viewing angle defined by CCTA on the physiological assessment of the LM bifurcation using a single angiographic view was also evaluated.

Methods

In 299 consecutive patients with 3-vessel disease with or without LM coronary artery disease, up to 3 analyzable fluoroscopic projections per patient were analysed with μQFR retrospectively. FFRCT and μQFR were measured at 3 fiducial landmark points: i) point of LM bifurcation (POB); ii) proximal LAD 10 mm distal to POB; ii) proximal LCX 10 mm distal to POB. CCTA-based “optimal viewing angle” of LM bifurcation are computed by creating a 3-point closed spline involving the LM, LAD, and LCX at 5mm from the POB and subsequently by reconstructing the “en face” fluoroscopic viewing angle of the spline. The en face viewing angle provides an optimal assessment of the bifurcation geometry [1]. In terms of Rx gantry angulation, the closest angiographic projection to the optimal viewing angle derived from CCTA was defined as the “best fluoroscopic projection” for each patient.

Results

In 299 patients, 793 projections were analysed with μQFR and compared to FFRCT. Single view μQFR was analyzable in 100%. Correlation and agreement between μQFR and FFRCT for 793 projections in 299 patients are shown in Figure 1A, 2A. The Spearman's correlation coefficient showed moderate correlations at POB (r=0.481, p&lt;0.001) and LCX (r=0.584, p&lt;0.001), and strong correlation at LAD (r=0.642, p&lt;0.001). Correlation and agreement between μQFR and FFRCT for best projections from each patient are shown in Figure 1B, 2B. Correlations were improved in the best projections with the following Spearman's correlation coefficient: at POB (r=0.522, p&lt;0.001), LCX (r=0.622, p&lt;0.001), and LAD (r=0.695, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Computation of μQFR from a single angiographic view has a high feasibility. Tailored optimal fluoroscopic view is essential for the physiological assessment of the LM bifurcation using a single angiographic view. Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of μQFR warrants further analysis of the LMCAD after prospective planning of the optimal fluoroscopic view based on the selection of the best CCTA 3D view.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Surfactant Protein B Alleviates Inflammatory Response in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Regulating Macrophage Polarization

Background:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe disorder that is related to a high mortality. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown strong effects in relieving lung injury.

Aims:

To determine the role of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) together with surfactant protein B (SP-B) in ARDS.

Study Design:

Animal experimentation.

Methods:

Immunophenotypic characteristics of UC-MSCs were identified. BALB/c mice were intratracheally administrated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and received UC-MSCs or UC-MSCs transfected with SP-B (UC-MSCs-SP-B). Pathological changes and lung injury degrees after transplantation were assessed by histological and biochemical analyses. Inflammatory chemokine and cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Flow cytometry was used to examine macrophage phenotypes and differentiation of T-helper 17 (Th17) and T-regulatory (Treg) in the BALF.

Results:

Our results showed that isolated UC-MSCs possessed multilineage differentiation potential. SP-B transfection into UC-MSCs strengthened the effects of UC-MSCs on lung function repair in LPS-induced ARDS. UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-SP-B attenuated cellular infiltration. Additionally, UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-SP-B inhibited the inflammatory response by promoting M2-like polarization, as well as reduced Th17 differentiation and promoted Treg differentiation.

Conclusion:

UC-MSCs in combination with SP-B, alleviates inflammatory reaction in ARDS by regulating macrophage polarization.

Genetic variants associated with expression of TCF19 contribute to the risk of head and neck cancer in Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and includes cancers arising from the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Genome-wide association studies have found several genetic variants related to the risk of SCCHN; however, they could only explain a small fraction of the heritability. Thus, more susceptibility loci associated with SCCHN need to be identified.

METHODS

An association study was conducted by genotyping 555 patients with SCCHN and 1367 controls in a Chinese population. Single-variant association analysis was conducted on 63 373 SNPs, and the promising variants were then confirmed by a two-stage validation with 1875 SCCHN cases and 4637 controls. Bioinformatics analysis and functional assays were applied to uncover the potential pathogenic mechanism of the promising variants and genes associated with SCCHN.

RESULTS

We first identified three novel genetic variants significantly associated with the risk of SCCHN (p=7.45×10^-7 for rs2517611 at 6p22.1, p=1.76×10^-9 for rs2524182 at 6p21.33 and p=2.17×10^-10 for rs3131018 at 6p21.33). Further analysis and biochemical assays showed that rs3094187, which was in a region in high linkage disequilibrium with rs3131018, could modify TCF19 expression by regulating the binding affinity of the transcription factor SREBF1 to the promoter of TCF19. In addition, experiments revealed that the inhibition of TCF19 may affect several important pathways involved in tumourigenesis and attenuate the cell proliferation and migration of SCCHN.

CONCLUSION

These findings offer important evidence that functional genetic variants could contribute to development of SCCHN and that TCF19 may function as a putative susceptibility gene for SCCHN.

A two-in-one Janus NIR-II AIEgen with balanced absorption and emission for image-guided precision surgery

Fluorescence imaging in the near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) region opens up new avenues for biological systems due to suppressed scattering and low autofluorescence at longer-wavelength photons. Nonetheless, the development of organic NIR-II fluorophores is still limited mainly due to the shortage of efficient molecular design strategy. Herein, we propose an approach of designing Janus NIR-II fluorophores by introducing electronic donors with distinct properties into one molecule. As a proof-of-concept, fluorescent dye 2 TT-m, oC6B with both twisted and planar electronic donors displayed balanced absorption and emission which were absent in its parent compound. The key design strategy for Janus molecule is that it combines the merits of intense absorption from planar architecture and high fluorescence quantum yield from twisted motif. The resulting 2 TT-m, oC6B nanoparticles exhibit a high molar absorptivity of 1.12 ⨯104 M-1 cm-1 at 808 nm and a NIR-II quantum yield of 3.7%, displaying a typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) attribute. The highly bright and stable 2 TT-m, oC6B nanoparticles assured NIR-II image-guided cancer surgery to resect submillimeter tumor nodules. The present study may inspire further development of molecular design philosophy for highly bright NIR-II fluorophores for biomedical applications.

Genomic Signature of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Areca Nut-Related Oral Cancer

Areca nut (AN) chewing contributes to an increase of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases in South and Southeast Asia; however, genomic events underlying the carcinogenesis process of AN-related OSCC remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively describe the genomic and transcriptome alterations of 113 Chinese OSCC patients (89 AN related and 24 AN negative) by whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing, and we compared the genomic differences between AN-related and AN-negative samples by integrating sequencing data of 325 OSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 50 from a published Taiwanese study. We identified 11 significantly mutated genes for OSCC, including 4 novel ones (ATG2A, WEE1, DST, and TSC2), of which WEE1 and ATG2A mutated with significantly higher rates in AN-related samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively). Mutational signature analysis revealed that AN-related OSCCs were specially characterized by the genomic signature of mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), which could also predict the prognosis status of AN-related OSCC. In addition, an elevated PD-L1 expression was also observed in both AN-related patients (P = 3.71 × 10^-11) and those with a high dMMR level (P = 1.99 × 10^-4). Further differential expression analysis and in vitro experiments confirmed the role of dMMR in the development of OSCC induced by AN exposure. Taken together, this study first revealed the molecular profiles and highlighted the role of dMMR in AN-related OSCC among the Chinese population and identified that AN-related OSCC may represent a potential cohort for effective anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy.

A comparative study of phytoplankton community structure and biomass determined by HPLC-CHEMTAX and microscopic methods during summer and autumn in the central Bohai Sea, China

As the largest inland sea of China, the Bohai Sea has confronted significant environmental changes in recent decades, and a shift of phytoplankton community from diatoms to dinoflagellates was observed by microscopic method in previous studies. However, the counting of some small-sized non-diatoms (e.g., flagellates and cyanobacteria) have long been neglected due to the limitation of this method. In this study, we measured the phytoplankton community structure and abundance in the central Bohai Sea in summer and autumn of 2015 by employing both microscopic method and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigments - CHEMTAX analysis. The results of microscopic counting showed that the phytoplankton community was characterized by diatoms, dinoflagellates, and chrysophytes, which contained a total of 107 species. Dinoflagellates and diatoms co-dominated in summer while the latter became the dominant group in autumn. Compared with microscopic counting, CHEMTAX analysis allowed identification of a larger number of phytoplankton groups (including 8 phyla). The results of CHEMTAX analysis showed that besides diatoms and dinoflagellates, the small-sized non-diatoms (i.e., flagellates and cyanobacteria) also played an important role. Diatoms and cyanobacteria dominated the total Chl a (contributing 32.5% and 17.1%, respectively), followed by cryptophytes, dinoflagellates, and prasinophytes in the summer. A short-term summer to autumn variability of phytoplankton abundance and community was observed. Temperature and nutrient availability affected the succession of the phytoplankton community from diatoms and non-diatoms co-dominance in the summer to absolute diatoms dominance in the autumn. A direct comparison of algal cell abundance and CHEMTAX biomass showed that a significant positive correlation was observed only for dinoflagellates (P < 0.01) in the autumn. Our work provides some basic information on the dynamics of small-sized flagellates and cyanobacteria in this area, and also suggests that a combination of both the methods is needed in future investigations to better understand the current status as well as the future changes of phytoplankton community.

Highly efficient vortex four-wave mixing in asymmetric semiconductor quantum wells

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is an important property of vortex light, which provides a valuable tool to manipulate the light-matter interaction in the study of classical and quantum optics. Here we propose a scheme to generate vortex light fields via four-wave mixing (FWM) in asymmetric semiconductor quantum wells. By tailoring the probe-field and control-field detunings, we can effectively manipulate the helical phase and intensity of the FWM field. Particularly, when probe field and control field have identical detuning, we find that both the absorption and phase twist of the generated FWM field are significantly suppressed. Consequently, the highly efficient vortex FWM is realized, where the maximum conversion efficiency reaches around 50%. Our study provides a tool to transfer vortex wavefronts from input to output fields in an efficient way, which may find potential applications in solid-state quantum optics and quantum information processing.

Systematic analyses of genetic variants in chromatin interaction regions identified four novel lung cancer susceptibility loci

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported 45 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may contribute to the susceptibility of lung cancer, with the majority in non-coding regions. However, no study has ever systematically evaluated the association between SNPs in physical chromatin interaction regions and lung cancer risk. In this study, we integrated the chromatin interaction information (Hi-C data) of lung cancer cell line and conducted a meta-analysis with two Asian GWASs (7,127 cases and 6,818 controls) to evaluate the association of potentially functional SNPs in chromatin interaction regions with lung cancer risk. We identified four novel lung cancer susceptibility loci located at 1q21.1 (rs17160062, P=4.00×10^-6), 2p23.3 (rs670343, P=4.87×10^-7), 2p15 (rs9309336, P=3.24×10^-6) and 17q21.2 (rs9252, P=1.51×10^-5) that were significantly associated with lung cancer risk after correction for multiple tests. Functional annotation result indicated that these SNPs may contribute to the development of lung cancer by affecting the availability of transcription factor binding sites. The HaploReg analysis suggested that rs9309336 may affect binding motif of transcription factor Foxp1. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis revealed that rs9309336 and rs17160062 could regulate the expressions of cancer-related genes (PUS10 and CHD1L). Our results revealed that variants in chromatin interaction regions could contribute to the development of lung cancer by regulating the expression of target genes, which providing novel implications for the understanding of functional variants in the development of lung cancer.

P202 Are Chinese immigrants with CVD ready to use web-based health information: a comparative study in Australia

Background

Immigrant populations often have poor access to cardiovascular disease (CVD) secondary prevention due to linguistic and cultural barriers. Web-based interventions are effective in risk reduction and lifestyle modification and may reach those hard-to-reach populations such as Chinese immigrants. However, less is known about the current use of web-based health information and confidence in use.

Purposes

We compared the use of web-based health information and confidence in use between Chinese immigrants with CVD to those with and without another chronic condition; and explored the factors associated with the confidence in utilization.

Methods

Chinese immigrants with CVD, musculoskeletal conditions, or no chronic condition were recruited from Chinese communities across New South Wales, Australia. E-health literacy scale was used to explore the perceptions of web-based health information and confidence in use. Demographic, clinical data and use of web-based health information were collected and health literacy was measured using a validated single screening question.

Results

Participants (n = 90 CVD, n = 87 musculoskeletal, n = 154 no chronic conditions) were aged mean 59 ± 16 years, mostly female (69%), 75% reported fair to poor English proficiency, and 51% had completed university. The most accessed web-based health information concerned lifestyle (60%), health resources (45%), diseases (35%), and medications (30%). More than half (54%) were confident in using web-based health information.

Participants with CVD were the oldest (71 vs 65 vs 49 years, p&lt;.001) and participants with any chronic condition had less education (p&lt;.001) and English proficiency (p&lt;.001) than the healthy group. Approximately half of the participants with CVD perceived web-based health information as useful (48%) and important (46%), and the most accessed information concerned lifestyle and medication (56% and 32%). Participants with CVD accessed medication information more often than musculoskeletal group (32% vs 23%), but there was no difference in accessing other information. Both chronic groups showed no difference in accessing web-based medication and lifestyle information compared with the healthy group. Confidence in using web-based health information was similar for CVD and musculoskeletal groups and lower than the healthy group (p&lt;.001).

Participants with the least confidence to use web-based health information were older (p=.016), female (p=.014), had less than university level education (p&lt;.001), and lower health literacy (p=.001) after adjusting for age, gender, education, English proficiency, employment status, social support, health literacy, and number of chronic conditions.

Conclusions

There is a strong potential to provide web-based medication and lifestyle information for Chinese immigrants with CVD if support is provided to improve confidence in this technology for older, women, and those with less education and/or health literacy.

Ultraslow vortex four-wave mixing via multiphoton quantum interference

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) light is nowadays an intriguing resource in classical and quantum optics due to the richness of physical properties it shows in interaction with matter. A key ingredient needed to exploit the full potential of OAM light is the control of quantum interference, a crucial resource in fields like quantum communication and quantum optics. Here, we study the vortex four-wave mixing (FWM) via multi-photon quantum interference in an ultraslow propagation regime. We find that the structured information can be manipulated via two-photon detuning and three photon detuning, which manifests itself as a spatial modulation. The detailed explanations based on the dispersion relation are given, which are in good agreement with our simulations. Furthermore, in order to clearly show the modulated mechanism, we perform the interference between the FWM field and a same-frequency Gaussian beam. It is found that the interference patterns are also manipulated by adjusting the multi-photon detunings. This work may have some potential applications in quantum control based on OAM light.

[Role of a liver pathology standardized scoring system in the diagnosis of congenital biliary atresia and its relationship with prognosis]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of a histologic scoring system in congenital biliary atresia and its prognostic relevance. Methods: From January 2017 to June 2018 at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 172 wedge liver biopsy specimens were obtained from infants with neonatal cholestasis [119 patients with congenital biliary atresia (CBA) and 53 patients with non-obstructive cholestasis as control]. A pathologist, single-blinded to the final diagnosis, made the histological diagnosis individually based on an 8-feature (portal ductal proliferation, bile duct reaction, bile plugs in portal ductules, liver fibrosis, edema in portal region, cholestasis, inflammatory cells infiltration in portal region, and ductal plate malformation), 21-point scoring system. Results: The main pathologic changes of biliary atresia were hepatocyte cholestasis, hyperplasia of bile ducts, fibrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the portal area. There were significant difference in the degree of portal edema, bile duct hyperplasia and fibrosis between two groups (P<0.01). In addition, there were characteristic bile duct thrombosis in 97.5%(116/119) of the cases and abnormal development of bile duct plate in 9.2%(11/119) of the cases. Compared with non-CBA infant cholestasis group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The scoring system has high sensitivity, specificity (both 94.1%) and accuracy (94.3%) in the diagnosis of CBA. A score equal to or more than 11 points supported a diagnosis of CBA; whereas a score less than 11 points might suggest cholestasis. The degree of hepatic fibrosis and ductal plate malformation were related to prognosis. Conclusions: The liver pathology scoring system (8-feature, 21-point) is more accurate in diagnosing CBA than previous methods, which may guide the clinicopathological diagnosis. This histological scoring system also helps to assess the prognosis of CBA.

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on promoting healing of skin ulcers in diabetic rats

To investigate the effect of exogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the healing of skin ulcers in diabetic rats, male Sprague Dawleys (SD) rats with back skin ulcers were selected and divided into control group, model group and IGF-1 treatment group which received different doses of IGF-1 (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0mg/L). The results showed that the healing speed of the skin ulcers was significantly affected by IGF-1, which reduced the size of wound (P less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-9 was enhanced while the expression of TIMP-1 was decreased in diabetic rats with skin ulcers. The IGF-1 treatment helped to re¬store the normal expression of both MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in diabetic rats with skin ulcers, and diabetic skin ulcers in the 1.5 mg/L IGF-1 group showed the best healing. Histological examination showed that after 20 days, fibroblasts in the IGF-1 experimental group with an appropriate concentration increased and the numbers of fibroblasts and capillaries were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Moreover, there were obvious wound surface contractions and re-epithelialization, and the new epithelium moved to the center of the wound faster. Therefore, it is concluded that an appropriate concentration of IGF-1 can significantly promote the healing of skin ulcers in diabetic rats.

Improved simulation-optimization approach for identifying critical and developable pollution source regions and critical migration processes for pollutant load allocation

Simulation-optimization approaches are widely used in land-based pollutant load allocation and management. However, existing simulation-optimization approaches do not optimize the entire pathway of pollution (i.e., generation, transportation, and emission). Thus, the selected allocated load scheme and its reduction management are incomplete and non-optimal in supporting effective reduction measures to set in further. This study aims to establish a simulation-optimization load allocation approach covering the entire pathway of pollution and construct separate allocated loads for each migration process. By comparing the allocated loads to the actual pollutant loads, the critical and developable pollution source regions (CPSRs and DPSRs) and the critical pollution migration processes (CPMPs) are identified, and specific pollution management indicators are established for each pollution source region. This approach is applied to the Bohai Rim, which is currently a major economic development center with a most seriously deteriorating sea area in China. The CPSRs, DPSRs, and CPMPs for total nitrogen are identified, and comparisons of the management indicators with existing approaches are made. Water quality under the allocated load emissions is simulated via a simulation water quality model and compared with that of the actual pollutant loads. Quantitative results indicate that the new approach combines the specific mitigation indicators for each CPSR and CPMP when allowing the extra generation of allocated loads for DPRSs while keeping the water quality of the Bohai Sea under control.

Comparing two classification schemes for seizures and epilepsy in rural China

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) updated the classifications of seizures and epilepsies in 2017. The 2017 classifications were compared with the 1980s classifications in rural China.

METHODS

People with epilepsy receiving treatment under the National Epilepsy Control Programme were recruited from rural areas in China. Their seizures and epileptic syndrome were classified using the 1980s ILAE classification system and then re-classified according to the 2017 system. Differences in seizure, epilepsy and aetiology classifications were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 597 individuals (58% males, aged 6-78 years) were included. Amongst them 535 (90%) had a single seizure type, 57 (9.55%) had two types and five (0.84%) had three. There was complete agreement between the 1981 and 2017 classifications for the 525 individuals with focal seizures. Seizures originally classified as generalized in 10 of 65 individuals were re-classified as unknown in the 2017 classification. Compared to the 1980s classifications, the proportion of individuals with unknown seizures and unknown epilepsy increased from 1.2% (7/597) to 2.8% (17/597, P = 0.002), and unknown aetiology increased from 32% (189/597: 182 cryptogenic and seven unclassified) to 39% (230/597; P < 0.001) in the 2017 classifications.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1980s and 2017 classifications had 100% agreement in classifying focal seizures and epilepsy in rural China. A small but significant proportion of generalized seizures and epilepsy and aetiologies classified in the old classifications were re-classified to unknown in the new classifications. These results highlight the need for improvement in clinical evaluation of people with epilepsy in resource-poor settings.

[Application of MDCT and post-processing in children with tracheal foreign body]

Objective:To explore the clinical value of MDCT and post-processing in children with suspected foreign body in trachea.Method:Two hundred patients with suspected tracheal foreign body were treated with 64-slice spiral CT (MDCT) and simulated endoscopic imaging,then compared with seen in bronchoscopy; Compare the results of MDCT and post-processing with the coincidence of intraoperative findings.Result:One hundred and eighty-four cases of positive children were examined by MDCT postprocessing technique and bronchoscopy,179 cases were obstructed by exogenous foreign body,5 cases were phlegm thrombosis (endogenous foreign body) obstruction; 16 cases of children with no foreign body diagnosed by MDCT post-processing technique were also examined by bronchoscopy. The results showed that there was a foreign body in 1 case,and the foreign body was located in the pharyngeal cleft (watermelon spermoderm),and the remaining 15 cases had no foreign body. MDCT and post-treatment techniques for children with tracheal foreign body diagnosis of 99.4% sensitivity,specificity of 75%.There was no significant difference in the detection rate of foreign body between the two techniques of MDCT and post-processing technique and bronchoscopy (P>0.05). Examed by MDCT and postprocessing,we can understand the specific location and size of foreign body,nature,shape preoperatively.Conclusion:Although MDCT and post-processing techniques can not be used to treat tracheal foreign bodies,but the diagnostic rate of bronchial foreign bodies is comparable to that of bronchoscopy. We could apply MDCT examination and post processing before the bronchoscopy,for foreign body inhalation history is not clear,or suspected airway foreign body. We can improve the level of diagnosis and treatment through guiding the operation of bronchoscopy focus.

[Effects of sural nerve nutrition vess els-supported flap for reconstruction of distal lower leg and ankle soft tissue defects]

Objective: To observe the effects of sural nerve nutrition vessels-supported flap for reconstruction of distal lower leg and ankle soft tissue defects. Methods: From June 2014 to June 2017, 37 patients with calf distal and ankle soft tissue defect were repaired with sural nerve nutrition vessels-supported flap, of them 12 cases with calf distal soft tissue defect wounds and 25 cases with ankle soft tissue defect wounds.The scope of flaps was 9 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×9 cm, anti-infection, anti-freezing and dressing treatments were carried out after operation.The results of two-point discrimination among reexamination were recorded. Results: All the flaps survived without ulcer and effusion, only 1 flap for reconstruction of medial malleolus swelled and deactivated at the beginning while it recovered with proper dressings.During the follow-up periods, all the flaps kept favorable feelings, aspects and functions, and the two-point discrimination was 5 to 15 mm [averaged (11.2±1.7) mm]. Conclusion: Sural nerve nutrition vessels-supported flap brings significant effects with excellent safety and reliability in repairing calf and ankle soft tissue defects.

Analysis of (CAG)n expansion in ATXN1, ATXN2 and ATXN3 in Chinese patients with multiple system atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a complex and multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, and its pathogenesis remains uncertain. Patients with MSA or spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) show overlapping clinical phenotypes. Previous studies have reported that intermediate or long CAG expansions in SCA genes have been associated with other neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we screened for the number of CAG repeats in ATXN1, 2 and 3 in 200 patients with MSA and 314 healthy controls to evaluate possible associations between (CAG)_n in these three polyQ-related genes and MSA. Our findings indicated that longer repeat lengths in ATXN2 were associated with increased risk for MSA in Chinese individuals. No relationship was observed between CAG repeat length in the three examined genes and age at onset (AO) of MSA.

Two novel Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based complexes: inhibiting growth of human liver cancer cells

Two new Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based coordination polymers, {[Mg3(BTB)(DMA)4](DMA)2}n (1, H3BTB=1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoic acid, DMA=N,N-dimethylacetamide) and {(H2NMe2)2[Zn3(BTB)2(OH)(Im)](DMF)9(MeOH)7}n (2, Im=imidazole, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized under solvothermal conditions. 1 contains a linear [Mg3(COO)6] cluster that connected by the fully deprotonated BTB3- ligands to give a kgd-type 2D bilayer structure; 2 represents a microporous 3D pillar-layered system based on the binuclear Zn units and pillared Im ligands, which shows a (3,5)-connected hms topological net. In addition, in vitro anticancer activities of compounds 1 and 2 on 4 human liver cancer cells (HB611, HHCC, BEL-7405 and SMMC-7721) were determined.

Reticulocalbin-2 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation via modulating the EGFR-ERK pathway

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.230.

An immortalized microglial cell line (Mocha) derived from rat cochlea

Microglia are glial-immune cells that are essential for the function and survival of the central nervous system. Microglia not only protect neural tissues from immunological insults, but also play a critical role in neural development and repair. However, little is known about the biology of microglia in the cochlea, the auditory portion of the inner ear. In this study, we detected TMEM119+, CD11b+, CD45+ and Iba1+ populations of cells in the rat cochlea, particularly in Rosenthal's canal, inner sulcus and stria vascularis. Next, we isolated and enriched the population of CD11b+ cells from the cochlea and immortalized these cells with the 12S E1A gene of adenovirus in a replication-incompetent retroviral vector to derive a novel microglial cell line, designated Mocha (microglia of the cochlea). The resulting Mocha cells express a number of markers consistent with microglia and respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation by upregulation of genes (Cox2, ICAM-1, Il6r, Ccl2, Il13Ra and Il15Ra) as well as releasing cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-12, IL-13 and RANTES). As evidence of microglial function, Mocha cells phagocytose fluorescent beads at 37°C, but not at 4°C. The expression pattern of microglial markers in Mocha cells suggests that immortalization leads to a more primitive phenotype, a common phenomenon in immortalized cell lines. In summary, Mocha cells display key characteristics of microglia and are now available as a useful model system for the study of cochlear microglial behavior, both in vitro and in vivo.

Aerobic respiration by haemocyanin in the embryo of the migratory locust

It remains unresolved how insect embryos acquire sufficient oxygen to sustain high rates of respiratory metabolism during embryogenesis in the absence of a fully developed tracheal system. Our previous work showed that the two distinct subunits (Hc1 and Hc2) of haemocyanin (Hc), a copper-containing protein, display embryo-specific high expression that is essential for embryonic development and survival in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. Here we investigated the role of haemocyanins in oxygen sensing and supply in the embryo of this locust. Putative binding sites for hypoxia-regulated transcription factors were identified in the promoter region of all of the Hc1 and Hc2 genes. Embryonic expression of haemocyanins was highly upregulated by ambient O₂ deprivation, up to 10-fold at 13% O₂ content. The degree of upregulation of haemocyanins increased with increasing levels of hypoxia. Compared with low-altitude locusts, embryonic expression of haemocyanins in high-altitude locusts from Tibetan plateau was constitutively higher and more robust to oxygen deprivation. These findings strongly suggest an active involvement of haemocyanins in oxygen exchange in embryos. We thus propose a mechanistic model for embryo respiration in which haemocyanin plays a key role by complementing the tracheal system for oxygen transport during embryogenesis.

Thermotolerant hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes from Eupenicillium parvum 4-14 display high efficiency upon release of ferulic acid from wheat bran

AIMS

To characterize the hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes from novel fungi, and evaluate the potential of novel enzyme system in releasing ferulic acid (FA) from biomass resource.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzyme-producing fungus 4-14 was isolated from soil by Congo red staining method, and identified as Eupenicillium parvum based on the morphologic and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The optimum temperature of fungal growth was 37°C. Hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes were produced by this fungus in solid-state fermentation (SSF), and their maximum activities were 554, 385, 218, 2·62 and 5·25 U g(-1) for CMCase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, FPase and FAE respectively. These enzymes displayed the best catalytic ability at low pH values (pH 4·5-5·0). The optimum temperatures were 70°C, 70°C, 75°C and 55°C for CMCase, β-glucosidase, xylanase and FAE respectively. CMCase, xylanase and FAE were stable at different pHs or high temperature (60°C). Enzymatic hydrolysis experiment indicated that the maximum (76·8 ± 4)% of total alkali-extractable FA was released from de-starched wheat bran by the fungal enzyme system.

CONCLUSIONS

High activities of thermotolerant CMCase, β-glucosidase, xylanase and FAE were produced by the newly isolated fungus E. parvum 4-14 in SSF. The fungal enzyme system displayed high efficiency at releasing FA from wheat bran.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides a new fungal strain for researches of novel hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes and will improve the bioconversion and utilization of agricultural by-products.

Adherence to the 2006 American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk reduction is associated with bone mineral density in older Chinese

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and bone mineral density in Chinese adults. We found that better adherence to the AHA-DLR associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites.

INTRODUCTION

Accumulating evidence shows that cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis are associated with each other, yet little research has focused on whether strategies to reduce CVD risk could also benefit bone health. We aimed to assess the association between adherence to the modified 2006 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (AHA-DLR) and BMD in Chinese adults.

METHODS

We included 2092 women and 1051 men aged 40-75 years in this community-based cross-sectional study. Dietary information was assessed using a 79-item food frequency survey through face-to-face interviews at baseline (2008-2010) and 3 years later (2011-2013). Adherence to the AHA-DLR was assessed using modified diet and lifestyle scores (American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Score (AHA-DLS)) adjusted for bone health. BMD for the whole body, lumbar spine, total hip, femur neck, and trochanter sites was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 2011-2013.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential covariates, greater adherence to the modified AHA-DLS was positively and dose-dependently associated with BMD. The mean BMD was 1.93-3.11% higher in quartile 4 (vs. 1) (all p values <0.01) at multiple sites. Five-unit increases in the modified AHA-DLS score were associated with 4.20-6.07, 4.44-8.51, and 3.36-4.67 mg/cm² increases in BMD at multiple sites for the total subjects, males, and females, respectively (all p values <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Better adherence to the AHA-DLR shows protective associations with BMD at multiple sites in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.