[The correlation study between PM2.5 and the life quality in patients with allergic rhinitis]

Objective:This study aims to research the relationship betweeen allergic rhinitis (AR) patients life quality and the PM2.5 concentration. Method:Fifty-two patients with clinically diagnosed AR were enrolled in this study. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaire about the quality of life of rhinoconjunctivitis (RQLQ) continuously. The concentrations of PM2.5 in their living environment were continuously tested for one month (31 days) and SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze data through descriptive statistical method, Spearman correlation analysis and nonparametric test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result:There were significant association between PM2.5 and nasal symptoms (r=0.121, P<0.01), daily activities (r=0.146, P<0.01) and practical problems (r=0.099, P<0.01). However, sleep (r=0.059, P=0.051), non-hay fever symptoms (r=0.042, P=0.169), emotion (r=0.042, P=0.168), eye symptoms (r=0.087, P=0.274) and PM2.5 had no statistical significance. AR patients have faced notable differences in genders. The scores of activities, non hay fever symptoms and emotions also showed the difference. Female AR patients have demonstrated the statistical significance with the concentration of PM2.5 among the activity, non hay fever symptoms, practical problems, nasal symptoms and emotions. While the male AR patients existed a statistical significance in the concentration of PM2.5 only between the activity and nasal symptoms. Conclusion:PM2.5 concentration is negatively associated with the life quality of AR patients. The higher concentration of PM2.5, the lower AR patients quality of life they got.

Elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR possibly associated with doxycycline and cefoperazone co-administration: A case report

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Little is known regarding changes in blood coagulation parameters associated with tetracycline antibiotics. We report a possible case of elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR associated with doxycycline and cefoperazone co-administration.

CASE SUMMARY

An 83-year-old Chinese male inpatient with severe pneumonia, chronic renal insufficiency and malnutrition experienced elevated PT, APPT and PT/INR which occurred within a few days of doxycycline added to his cefoperazone treatment and returned to normal after removal of it.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Very close monitoring of coagulation parameters might be advisable in those subjects when administering doxycycline and cefoperazone concomitantly.

A novel approach to estimating the Doppler shift frequency from quadrature mixer output

Doppler backscattering systems (DBSs) have been widely used in magnetic confinement fusion devices to measure the density fluctuations and propagation velocity of turbulence. However, the received signals of a DBS usually include both zero-order reflection and backscattering components, which results in interference in calculating the Doppler shift frequency from the backscattering components. A novel method is introduced here for estimating the Doppler shift frequency by separating the zero-order reflection and backscattering components using the cross-phase spectrum between the I-signal and Q-signal from a quadrature mixer, based on the difference in symmetrical characteristics between the zero-order reflection and backscattering signal spectra. It is proven that this method is more effective than traditional approaches, such as multiple signal classification and fast Fourier transformation, for extracting Doppler shift information.

An eight-channel Doppler backscattering system in the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

Doppler backscattering system can measure the perpendicular velocity and fluctuation amplitude of the density turbulence with intermediate wavenumber. An eight-channel Doppler backscattering system has been installed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which can probe eight different radial locations simultaneously by launching eight fixed frequencies (55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 67.5, 70, 72.5, 75 GHz) into plasma. The quasi-optical system consists of circular corrugated waveguide transmission, a fixed parabolic mirror, and a rotatable parabolic mirror which are integrated with quasi-optics front-end of the profile reflectometer inside the vacuum vessel. The incidence angle can be chosen from 5° to 12°, and the wavenumber range is 2-15/cm with the wavenumber resolution Δk/k≤0.21. Ray tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering locations and the perpendicular wavenumber. The dynamic range of this new eight-channel Doppler backscattering system can be as large as 40 dB in the EAST. In this article, the hardware design, the ray tracing, and the preliminary experimental results in the EAST will be presented.

[Risk for metastasis of lymph node between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in papillary thyroid cancer]

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for metastasis of lymph nodes between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (LNSS) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: Papillary thyroid cancer patients with clinically positive lateral lymph node metastasis (cN1) who underwent surgery including LNSS dissection between May 1, 2013 and May 31, 2016 at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively studied. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate possible clinicopathological factors related to LNSS metastasis. Results: In 85 patients, 54 patients (63.5%) showed LNSS in their surgical specimen, and 20 patients (23.5%) had pathologically positive LNSS metastasis. Patients with LNSS showed preoperatively higher levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) compared to patients only with fibrofatty tissues between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (P<0.05), and they also displayed a higher proportion of multifocality in ipsilateral thyroid lobe (P<0.05). Multi-factor analysis indicated that LNSS metastasis was correlated with original tumor size (OR=1.819, 95%CI 1.050-3.850, P=0.002) and Level Ⅳ lymph node metastasis (OR=2.190, 95%CI 1.132-2.334, P=0.005). Furthermore, the number of positive LNSS was tightly correlated to that of level Ⅳ lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). Conclusion: LNSS metastasis is occult but not quite rare in PTC. Patients with extensive lymph node metastasis in Level Ⅳhave a higher risk for metastasis of LNSS.

Influence of lithium coating on the optics of Doppler backscatter system

This paper presents the first investigation of the effect of lithium coating on the optics of Doppler backscattering. A liquid lithium limiter has been applied in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), and a Doppler backscattering has been installed in the EAST. A parabolic mirror and a flat mirror located in the vacuum vessel are polluted by lithium. An identical optical system of the Doppler backscattering is set up in laboratory. The power distributions of the emission beam after the two mirrors with and without lithium coating (cleaned before and after), are measured at three different distances under four incident frequencies. The results demonstrate that the influence of the lithium coating on the power distributions are very slight, and the Doppler backscattering can work normally under the dosage of lithium during the 2014 EAST campaign.

Microwave Doppler reflectometer system in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

A Doppler reflectometer system has recently been installed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting (EAST) Tokamak. It includes two separated systems, one for Q-band (33-50 GHz) and the other for V-band (50-75 GHz). The optical system consists of a flat mirror and a parabolic mirror which are optimized to improve the spectral resolution. A synthesizer is used as the source and a 20 MHz single band frequency modulator is used to get a differential frequency for heterodyne detection. Ray tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering location and the perpendicular wave number. In EAST last experimental campaign, the Doppler shifted signals have been obtained and the radial profiles of the perpendicular propagation velocity during L-mode and H-mode are calculated.

Molecular cloning, expression, and imprinting status of maternally expressed gene 8 (Meg8) in dairy cattle

At present, small number imprinted genes have been reported in cattle compare to human and mouse. Maternally expressed gene 8 (Meg8), a non-coding gene, have been identified maternally expressed in mouse and sheep, but its sequences and imprinting status have not been established in cattle. In this study, the full-length of cattle Meg8cDNA sequence was obtained by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method, which has a high homology in exons sequences with the corresponding region of sheep Meg8. The isolation of cDNA sequence showed the presence of multiple splice variants in cattle Meg8 gene. The Meg8 was found to be expressed in all adult examined tissues, including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in exon 6 by Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP), and used to distinguish between monoallelic and biallelic expression in cattle tissues. The expression analysis of Meg8 in a heterozygous cattle showed that only one parental allele was expressed in all examined tissues, suggesting that Meg8 is imprinted in cattle.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to (poly100)S1 protein of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Fragments within S1 genes ((poly100)S1) of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains ZJ971, M41 and SC021202 (SC) were subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the recombinant (poly100)S1 proteins were produced, characterized and used to analyse epitopes on the S1 subunit of IBV. Nine mAbs raising from the three (poly100)S1 proteins recognized five different epitopes of the S1 subunit, designated as S1-A, B, C, D and E. Epitopes S1-C and S1-D are common for the three IBV strains, while S1-A and S1-B exist on ZJ971 and M41 strains, and S1-E was a strain-specific epitope for SC strain. Immunocytochemistry indicated that all the mAbs to the (poly100)S1 proteins can react with the homologous S1 glycoprotein expressed in Vero cells. Moreover neutralization test demonstrated that only mAbs 6E2, 4F9 and 6G4 had neutralization activity for the homologous IBV. These mAbs to (poly100)S1 protein were potential candidates for detecting and distinguishing IBV strains, and also used to examine antigenic variation of the S1 protein.

Synthesis and characterization of CdIn(2)S(4) nanorods by converting CdS nanorods via the hydrothermal route

The ternary semiconductor CdIn(2)S(4) nanorods were synthesized by a method based on CdS nanorods via the hydrothermal route, in which CdS nanorods were converted by reaction with InCl(3) and thiourea in aqueous solution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that the typical sizes of the CdIn(2)S(4) nanorods were 10-30 nm in diameter and 200-1000 nm in length. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis of the surface stoichiometry (CdIn(2.03)S(4.15)) and room-temperature Raman spectrum (RS) were recorded. The influences of reaction temperature, time, and sulfur sources on the formation for CdIn(2)S(4) nanorods were investigated. A possible formation mechanism of the CdIn(2)S(4) nanorods was also proposed.

[Medicolegal appraisals of 22 cases of ocular penetration]

22 cases of ocular penetration injury were analyzed and a clinical criteria of the injury's degree was proposed. The reasons causing ocular penetration and the characteristics of injuries were discussed.

Delayed radiation encephalopathy after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: a CT study of 45 cases

The CT features of 45 cases of delayed radiation encephalopathy (including radiation necrosis) following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are reported. The brain lesions were uni- or bilateral and involved mainly the white matter and subsequently the gray matter of the lower portion of the brain included within the portals of irradiation and its vicinity. The lesions were edematous and hypodense on CT and showed postcontrast enhancement in 50% of the cases. Within the period of follow-up (1-5 years), the lesions showed remissions and exacerbations and in some cases stabilized. In addition, there was progressive cerebral atrophy, manifesting itself mainly as dilatation of the temporal horns, the neighboring cisterns, and sylvian fissures. In some cases that were followed for a long time, the cerebral lesions showed either foci of calcification or encephalomalacia and/or porencephaly.

Reassessment on roentgenologic signs of early rickets. Roentgenopathologic correlations of 52 en block specimens

Correlation of the X-ray manifestation and the en bloc sections of 52 wrists of infants and children aged from 0-4 years from autopsy was carried out to identify the real X-ray signs of rickets. Simple ill-defined provisional calcified zone (PCZ), enlargement of head of ulna, shallow saucer-shaped and undulant or multilaminar PCZ are normal in variation. The signs of early rickets included marginal spur, saucer-shaped deformity, ill-defined and disordered trabeculae under PCZ, mild brush appearance and osteoporosis. However, only when five of the above mentioned criteria were met at the same time, can early rickets be diagnosed.

[The roentgenologic diagnosis of cor triatriatum sinistrum]

Varied in compliance with the presence and size of the septal foramen, existence and location of the atrial shunt and abnormal pulmonary venous connection, the haemodynamic status of the reported 10 cases of cor triatriatum sinistrum might be classified into four types: Pulmonary venous hypertensive, polyemic, cyanotic polyemic and normal. Accordingly, the roentgenologic features of this anomaly manifested differently and mimicked mitral stenosis or atrial septal defect.

[Abdominal wall desmoid tumor--analysis of 42 patients]

Forty two patients with abdominal wall desmoid tumor, including one Gardner's syndrome, are reported. All patients were female except one. The tumor occurred in various sites in the abdominal wall, 66% in the lower abdominal wall. The fascia, sheath and muscle layer were chiefly involved and a very large tumor could invade peritoneum and viscera. This tumor shows aggressive growth and is prone to recurrence. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Local recurrence rate was 5.5%. Abdominal wall desmoid tumor associated colonic polyposis is named Gardner's syndrome. The authors emphasize that a local extended resection should be performed with a safety margin at least 2-3 cm beyond the tumor. Peritoneum, if involved, should be resected together with the primary focus.