Brain charts for the human lifespan

Over the past few decades, neuroimaging has become a ubiquitous tool in basic research and clinical studies of the human brain. However, no reference standards currently exist to quantify individual differences in neuroimaging metrics over time, in contrast to growth charts for anthropometric traits such as height and weight1. Here we assemble an interactive open resource to benchmark brain morphology derived from any current or future sample of MRI data ( http://www.brainchart.io/ ). With the goal of basing these reference charts on the largest and most inclusive dataset available, acknowledging limitations due to known biases of MRI studies relative to the diversity of the global population, we aggregated 123,984 MRI scans, across more than 100 primary studies, from 101,457 human participants between 115 days post-conception to 100 years of age. MRI metrics were quantified by centile scores, relative to non-linear trajectories2 of brain structural changes, and rates of change, over the lifespan. Brain charts identified previously unreported neurodevelopmental milestones3, showed high stability of individuals across longitudinal assessments, and demonstrated robustness to technical and methodological differences between primary studies. Centile scores showed increased heritability compared with non-centiled MRI phenotypes, and provided a standardized measure of atypical brain structure that revealed patterns of neuroanatomical variation across neurological and psychiatric disorders. In summary, brain charts are an essential step towards robust quantification of individual variation benchmarked to normative trajectories in multiple, commonly used neuroimaging phenotypes.

The effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on arachidonic acid-, GTPgammaS-, and phorbol ester-induced Ca2+-sensitization of smooth muscle

The effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 [1] on Ca2+-sensitization of force induced by arachidonic acid (AA), phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), GTPgammaS, and by the stable thromboxane analog, 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxy-PGF2alpha (U-46619), were determined in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscles. Y-27632 relaxed (up to 99%) Ca2+-sensitization by GTPgammaS (10 microM) and U46619 (1 microM), but not by PDBu (20 microM), and reduced GTPgammaS-induced myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation from 28% to 17% (P=0.002). GTPgammaS-induced force sensitization was inhibited by Y-27632 more potently when the inhibitor was added during the plateau of force than prior to stimulation. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, Y-27632 inhibited AA (50 microM)-induced Ca2+-sensitization of force (by 66 +/- 1.3%) and reduced MLC20 phosphorylation. In contrast, Y-27632 did not relax force Ca2+-sensitized by AA in smooth muscle permeabilized with Triton X-100. We conclude that (i) AA induces Ca2+-sensitization through dual mechanisms, one mediated by Rho-kinase (or a related kinase), and (ii) Rho-kinase is not required for phorbol ester-induced Ca2+-sensitization.

Femtosecond electron-phonon lock-in by photoemission and x-ray free-electron laser

The interactions that lead to the emergence of superconductivity in iron-based materials remain a subject of debate. It has been suggested that electron-electron correlations enhance electron-phonon coupling in iron selenide (FeSe) and related pnictides, but direct experimental verification has been lacking. Here we show that the electron-phonon coupling strength in FeSe can be quantified by combining two time-domain experiments into a "coherent lock-in" measurement in the terahertz regime. X-ray diffraction tracks the light-induced femtosecond coherent lattice motion at a single phonon frequency, and photoemission monitors the subsequent coherent changes in the electronic band structure. Comparison with theory reveals a strong enhancement of the coupling strength in FeSe owing to correlation effects. Given that the electron-phonon coupling affects superconductivity exponentially, this enhancement highlights the importance of the cooperative interplay between electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions.

Characterization of Th17 and FoxP3(+) Treg Cells in Paediatric Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions affecting both children and adults. Growing evidence indicates that T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the relationship between Th17 and Treg cells and their dynamic variations in paediatric psoriasis remain unclear. In this study, we found that both Th17 and FoxP3(+) Treg cells and the ratio of Th17 to Treg cell frequency in the peripheral circulation were increased in patients with paediatric psoriasis and were positively correlated with the disease severity. The function of Treg to suppress CD4(+) CD25(-) T cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion was impaired during the onset of psoriasis. After disease remission, both the Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were decreased, and the suppressive function of the Treg cells was obviously restored. However, neither Treg cells from the disease onset nor those after remission can regulate IL-17 secretion by CD4(+) T cells. These findings will further our understanding of the associations between Th17 and Treg cells in paediatric psoriasis and their influence on disease severity.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in the neuroplastin locus associates with cortical thickness and intellectual ability in adolescents

Despite the recognition that cortical thickness is heritable and correlates with intellectual ability in children and adolescents, the genes contributing to individual differences in these traits remain unknown. We conducted a large-scale association study in 1583 adolescents to identify genes affecting cortical thickness. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; n=54,837) within genes whose expression changed between stages of growth and differentiation of a human neural stem cell line were selected for association analyses with average cortical thickness. We identified a variant, rs7171755, associating with thinner cortex in the left hemisphere (P=1.12 × 10(-)(7)), particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes. Localized effects of this SNP on cortical thickness differently affected verbal and nonverbal intellectual abilities. The rs7171755 polymorphism acted in cis to affect expression in the human brain of the synaptic cell adhesion glycoprotein-encoding gene NPTN. We also found that cortical thickness and NPTN expression were on average higher in the right hemisphere, suggesting that asymmetric NPTN expression may render the left hemisphere more sensitive to the effects of NPTN mutations, accounting for the lateralized effect of rs7171755 found in our study. Altogether, our findings support a potential role for regional synaptic dysfunctions in forms of intellectual deficits.

Regulation by GDI of RhoA/Rho-kinase-induced Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle myosin II

We characterized the role of guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) in RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle. Endogenous contents (approximately 2-4 microM) of RhoA and RhoGDI were near stoichiometric, whereas a supraphysiological GDI concentration was required to relax Ca2+ sensitization of force by GTP and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS). GDI also inhibited Ca2+ sensitization by GTP. G14V RhoA, by alpha-adrenergic and muscarinic agonists, and extracted RhoA from membranes. GTPgammaS translocated Rho-kinase to a Triton X-114-extractable membrane fraction. GTP. G14V RhoA complexed with GDI also induced Ca2+ sensitization, probably through in vivo dissociation of GTP. RhoA from the complex, because it was reversed by addition of excess GDI. GDI did not inhibit Ca2+ sensitization by phorbol ester. Constitutively active Cdc42 and Rac1 inhibited Ca2+ sensitization by GTP. G14V RhoA. We conclude that 1) the most likely in vivo function of GDI is to prevent perpetual "recycling" of GDP. RhoA to GTP. RhoA; 2) nucleotide exchange (GTP for GDP) on complexed GDP. RhoA/GDI can precede translocation of RhoA to the membrane; 3) activation of Rho-kinase exposes a hydrophobic domain; and 4) Cdc42 and Rac1 can inhibit Ca2+ sensitization by activated GTP. RhoA.

Dietary acid load, kidney function, osteoporosis, and risk of fractures in elderly men and women

SUMMARY

Because kidney dysfunction reduces the ability to excrete dietary acid excess, we hypothesized that underlying kidney function may have confounded the mixed studies linking dietary acid load with the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in the community. In a relatively large survey of elderly men and women, we report that dietary acid load did neither associate with DEXA-estimated bone mineral density nor with fracture risk. Underlying kidney function did not modify these null findings. Our results do not support the dietary acid-base hypothesis of bone loss.

INTRODUCTION

Impaired renal function reduces the ability to excrete dietary acid excess. We here investigate the association between dietary acid load and bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, and fracture risk by renal function status.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted in 861 community-dwelling 70-year-old men and women (49% men) with complete dietary data from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS). The exposure was dietary acid load as estimated from 7-day food records by the net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL) algorithms. Renal function assessed by cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in 21% of the individuals. Study outcomes were BMD and osteoporosis state (assessed by DEXA) and time to fracture (median follow-up of 9.2 years).

RESULTS

In cross-section, dietary acid load had no significant associations with BMD or with the diagnosis of osteoporosis. During follow-up, 131 fractures were validated. Neither NEAP (adjusted hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)), 1.01 (0.85-1.21), per 1 SD increment) nor PRAL (adjusted HR (95% CI), 1.07 (0.88-1.30), per 1 SD increment) associated with fracture risk. Further multivariate adjustment for kidney function or stratification by the presence of kidney disease did not modify these null associations.

CONCLUSIONS

The hypothesis that dietary acid load associates with reduced BMD or increased fracture risk was not supported by this study in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Renal function did not influence on this null finding.

Coexistence of Replica Bands and Superconductivity in FeSe Monolayer Films

To elucidate the mechanisms behind the enhanced T_{c} in monolayer (1 ML) FeSe on SrTiO_{3} (STO), we grew highly strained 1 ML FeSe on the rectangular (100) face of rutile TiO_{2}, and observed the coexistence of replica bands and superconductivity with a T_{c} of 63 K. From the similar T_{c} between this system and 1ML FeSe on STO (001), we conclude that strain and dielectric constant are likely unimportant to the enhanced T_{c} in these systems. A systematic comparison of 1 ML FeSe on TiO_{2} with other systems in the FeSe family shows that while charge transfer alone can enhance T_{c}, it is only with the addition of interfacial electron-phonon coupling that T_{c} can be increased to the level seen in 1 ML FeSe on STO.

Diphtheria toxin fused to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and Ara-C exert synergistic toxicity against human AML HL-60 cells

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor fused to truncated diphtheria toxin (DT388-GM-CSF) sensitized wild-type and Bcl2-overexpressing HL60 human leukemia cells to intoxication by Ara-C based on proliferation and clonogenic assays. The toxin/drug combination showed dramatic synergistic toxicity with combination indices of < 0.1. Synergy was not seen with two other protein synthesis inhibiting drugs--ricin and cycloheximide nor with GMCSF alone. No changes in Ara-C incorporation into cellular DNA or cell cycle occupancy were seen. As compared to exposure to DT388-GM-CSF or Ara-C alone, co-treatment produced significant increases in cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c, a higher percentage of cells with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in reactive oxygen species and morphologic changes of apoptosis, and a greater induction of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45) cleavage activities of caspase 3. Co-treatment did not significantly alter Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax or Fas receptor (FasR), but modestly increased Fas ligand (FasL) protein. These finding suggest that co-treatment with DT388-GM-CSF may lead to a lowered apoptotic threshold and clonogenic survival of human AML blasts due to Ara-C. These observations also suggest that clinical trials of combination therapy may be warranted in patients with AML.

Origin of the low critical observing temperature of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in V-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 film

The experimental realization of the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect in magnetically-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 films stands out as a landmark of modern condensed matter physics. However, ultra-low temperatures down to few tens of mK are needed to reach the quantization of Hall resistance, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the ferromagnetic phase transition temperature of the films. Here, we systematically study the band structure of V-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 thin films by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and show unambiguously that the bulk valence band (BVB) maximum lies higher in energy than the surface state Dirac point. Our results demonstrate clear evidence that localization of BVB carriers plays an active role and can account for the temperature discrepancy.

A new locus regulating MICALL2 expression was identified for association with executive inhibition in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Impaired executive inhibition is a core deficit of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is a common childhood-onset psychiatric disorder with high heritability. In this study, we performed a two-stage genome-wide association study of executive inhibition in ADHD in Han Chinese. We used the Stroop color-word interference test to evaluate executive inhibition. After quality control, 780 samples with phenotype and covariate data were included in the discovery stage, whereas 922 samples were included in the replication stage. We identified one new significant locus at 7p22.3 for the Stroop word interference time (rs11514810, P=3.42E-09 for discovery, P=0.01176 for replication and combined P=5.249E-09). Regulatory feature analysis and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data showed that this locus contributes to MICALL2 expression in the human brain. Most genes in the network interacting with MICALL2 were associated with psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, hyperactive-impulsive-like behavior was induced by reducing the expression of the zebrafish gene that is homologous to MICALL2, which could be rescued by tomoxetine (atomoxetine), a clinical medication for ADHD. Our results suggested that MICALL2 is a new susceptibility gene for executive inhibition deficiency related to hyperactive-impulsive behavior in ADHD, further emphasizing the possible role of neurodevelopmental genes in the pathogenic mechanism of ADHD.

LncRNA NEAT1 accelerates the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy by sponging miR-23c

OBJECTIVE

LncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to play an oncogenic role in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of our study was to investigate the potential mechanism by which NEAT1 facilitates the progression of DN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to determine the abundance of NEAT1, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin D1, P38, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), Fibronectin, α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and miR-23c in the serum of DN patients, normal patients and mouse mesangial cells (MMCs). Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. Flow cytometry and Western blot were applied to measure apoptosis of MMCs. Cell fibrosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The binding sites between miR-23c and NEAT1 were predicted by starBase bioinformatics software, and the relationship was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The enrichment of NEAT1 was elevated in the serum of DN patients and MMCs induced by high concentration of glucose. NEAT1 overexpression accelerated proliferation, fibrosis and EMT and restrained apoptosis of MMCs induced by high concentration of glucose. MiR-23c bound to NEAT1, and the inhibition of miR-23c counteracted the suppressive effect of NEAT1 depletion on proliferation, fibrosis and EMT of MMCs induced by high concentration glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA NEAT1 promoted proliferation, fibrosis and EMT while impeded apoptosis of MMCs through sponging miR-23c. LncRNA NEAT1 and miR-23c might be underlying therapeutic targets for the treatment of DN.

BSA-Sugar Conjugates as Ideal Building Blocks for SPR-Based Glycan Biosensors

Controlled immobilization of sugar probes is of key importance for the development of glycan biosensors. To this end, a series of BSA-sugar conjugates with different numbers of mannose units are prepared via the squaric acid-mediated coupling reaction. The conjugates can absorb directly on gold substrate without any derivation reactions, thus providing a simple and effective method for the construction of SPR-based glycan biosensors. SPR measurements show that the BSA-mannose conjugate with 11 mannoses exhibit the highest affinity to the lectin concanavalin A with a limit of detection of ca. 1.8 nM. Regeneration and specificity of the obtained glycan biosensors are also investigated.

MYC reshapes CTCF-mediated chromatin architecture in prostate cancer

MYC is a well characterized oncogenic transcription factor in prostate cancer, and CTCF is the main architectural protein of three-dimensional genome organization. However, the functional link between the two master regulators has not been reported. In this study, we find that MYC rewires prostate cancer chromatin architecture by interacting with CTCF protein. Through combining the H3K27ac, AR and CTCF HiChIP profiles with CRISPR deletion of a CTCF site upstream of MYC gene, we show that MYC activation leads to profound changes of CTCF-mediated chromatin looping. Mechanistically, MYC colocalizes with CTCF at a subset of genomic sites, and enhances CTCF occupancy at these loci. Consequently, the CTCF-mediated chromatin looping is potentiated by MYC activation, resulting in the disruption of enhancer-promoter looping at neuroendocrine lineage plasticity genes. Collectively, our findings define the function of MYC as a CTCF co-factor in three-dimensional genome organization.

Effect of epidermal growth factor on glutamine metabolic enzymes in small intestine and skeletal muscle of parenterally fed rats

Exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) markedly increases the in vivo uptake of glutamine by small intestine during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Since glutamine is the major oxidative fuel for the small intestine and is synthesized mainly in skeletal muscle, we investigated whether EGF would induce changes in the activity of the enzymes that mediate glutamine degradation (glutaminase) and synthesis (glutamine synthetase) in the two tissues. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: group I (chow) were fed rat chow and water and libitum, group II (TPN) received a standard formula of TPN, and group III (TPN-EGF) received the same TPN as group II and injections of EGF (0.1 microgram/ gm body weight (bw)) subcutaneously twice daily. TPN was given for 2 wk; when EGF was administered along with TPN, the glutaminase activity of intestinal mucosa and the glutamine synthetase activity of skeletal muscle were increased, respectively, by 25% and 24% (P < 0.05, versus TPN group). These data suggest a mechanism whereby EGF enhances the intestinal utilization of glutamine by changing the activities of glutamine metabolic enzymes in the small intestine and skeletal muscle during TPN.

Modification of bovine serum albumin with aminophenylboronic acid as glycan sensor based on surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry

Aminophenylboronic acid (ABA) modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) was prepared as neolectin and its interactions with oligosaccharides and glycopolymer were studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The conjugation between the primary amine group of the ABA molecule and lysine residues on BSA was performed with an adipate-based strategy to afford the synthetic neoprotein. The number of ABA molecules loaded to BSA surface was determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. In the BSA-ABA and sugar interaction study, no signal was observed for both the SPR and ITC sensor platform using monosaccharides as the analyte, indicating a weak binding affnity, while the galactose modified polymer showed an enhanced response. The binding affinities of the galactosyl-polymer to BSA-ABA from SPR and ITC data were in the micromolar range.

The self-similar character of the microscopic thermal fluctuation inside an argon-copper nanofluid

The microscopic thermal behavior inside an argon-copper nanofluid is investigated based on equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. A self-similar structure appears in the signal of the microscopic heat current in the nanofluid system at the equilibrium state. The fractal dimension is calculated to mathematically quantify the self-similar structure. It is found that the fractal dimension increases with the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. The relationship between the fractal dimension of the microscopic heat current and the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid serves as a link between the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the nanofluid.

Amide-sialoside protein conjugates as neomucin bioshields prevent influenza virus infection

We report the preparation of multivalent amide-sialoside-decorated human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as mimics of natural mucin and bioshields against influenza virus infection. Free sialic acid with an amine on C-2 was covalently attached to the protein scaffolds using di-(N-succinimidyl) adipate. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the synthetic neomucins were able to act as bioshields and aggregate the influenza virion particles. The dissociation constants (K_D) of the interactions between the prepared glycoconjugates and three different viral strains were measured by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) indicating the multivalent presentation of sialyl ligands on the HSA and BSA backbones can dramatically enhance the adsorbent capability compared to the corresponding monomeric sialoside. Hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) assays showed that the glycoconjugates acted as moderate HA and NA inhibitors, thus impeding viral infection. Moreover, the different binding affinities of the glycoproteins to HA and NA proteins from different influenza viruses demonstrated the importance of HA/NA balance in viral replication and evolution. These findings provide a foundation for the development of antiviral drugs and viral adsorbent materials based on mimicking the structure of mucin.

Blood glucose fluctuations in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus correlates with heart rate variability: A retrospective analysis of 210 cases

Aim

This retrospective analysis aims to evaluate the correlation between blood glucose fluctuation (BGF) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Subjects and Methods

In total, 210 patients with CHD and T2DM from January 2014 to January 2019 admitted to Wenling Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled in this study. Based on whether BGF existed, patients were allocated to BG control group and BG fluctuation group. The HRV parameters, frequency of adverse events, and Gensini score between groups were recorded and Pearson analysis was performed.

Results

Results displayed that no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), alcohol consumption history, drinking history, or serum lipid were found between groups (P > 0.05 for all items). However, the BGF parameters were significantly higher while the HRV parameters were significantly lower in BG fluctuation group, compared with BG control group (P < 0.05 for all items). Pearson analysis showed that despite mean blood glucose (MBG) and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) both correlated with a standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) level, the correlation coefficient of MAGE-SDNN was much higher (-0.705 vs -0.185). Additionally, the frequencies of adverse events and Gensini scores were also significantly higher in the BG fluctuation group than the BG control group.

Conclusions

It suggests that BGF strongly correlated with HRV in patients with CHD and T2DM. It also provides experimental instructions for clinical practice.

U-shaped association of body mass index in early adulthood with unintentional mortality from injuries: a cohort study of Swedish men with 35 years of follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the dose-response association between body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood and the risk of mortality caused by unintentional injuries.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study including 7 43 398 men identified by linkage of the Multigeneration Register and the Military Service Conscription Register. Cox regression models were used to examine crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of the relationships between BMI at age 18-20 years and the risk of death from all unintentional injuries as well as from specific unintentional injuries. We then estimated the population attributable fractions (PAFs)-the proportion of unintentional deaths that was attributable to underweight, overweight and obesity in this population-based cohort.

RESULTS

During 35.9 years of follow-up, 6461 deaths occurred from unintentional injuries, including 3064 deaths from road injury, 978 from poisoning, 503 from falls, 243 from fire and 348 from drowning. Underweight subjects had a higher risk of mortality in all unintentional injuries (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) and mortality in burns (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.13-2.40) compared with BMI between 18.5 and 22.5 kg m(-2) (reference group). BMI >25 kg m(-2) was associated with increased risk of death from all unintentional injuries (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.65) and road accidents (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.14-1.97). Estimates of PAF suggested that 4.4% of the mortality in Swedish men caused by unintentional injuries could have been avoided if BMI values were kept between 18.5 and 22.5 kg m(-2).

CONCLUSIONS

A U-shaped association was observed between BMI and risk of unintentional death. Both underweight and overweight were associated with increased mortality risk for all unintentional injuries and for subtype causes. Our study suggests that BMI might be a significant target for preventive interventions on deaths caused by unintentional injuries.

[The prognostic significance of peripheral lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and PET-2 evaluation in adult Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) and PET scan performed after first two cycles of chemotherapy (PET-2) in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) . Methods: The clinical data of 133 patients with HL diagnosed from January 2007 to March 2016 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. The X-tile software was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value of LMR. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used for survival analysis. Results: The median age of 133 HL patients was 33 (18-84) years, and the male to female ratio was 1.9∶1. The optimal cut-off value of LMR was 2.5, and progression free survival (PFS) (P<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (P<0.001) were significantly lower in the LMR<2.5 group than that of LMR≥2.5. Multivariate survival analysis showed that LMR<2.5 was an independent predictor of PFS (P=0.002, HR=2.35, 95%CI 1.36-4.07) and OS (P=0.002, HR=10.36, 95%CI 2.35-45.66) in HL patients. The analysis of PET-2 from 56 HL patients showed that PET-2 positive patients had significantly poorer PFS (P=0.022) . After grouping LMR combined with PET-2, significant differences were found in PFS and OS between the three groups (P values were 0.009 and 0.012) . Conclusion: LMR<2.5 is an independent prognostic factor for patients with HL. PET-2 combined with LMR may have better prognostic value.

[Determination of myristicin and safrol in the volatile oil of semen Myristicae and its processed products by TLC-scanning]

This paper reports the determination of myristicin and safrol in the volatile oil of Semen Myristicae and its processed products by TLC-Scanning. The results showed that in the processed products myristicin decreased markedly and safrol decreased slightly. The quantity of myristicin roasted with paste less than with wheat bran less than with talcum powder less than the unprocessed one. The toxicity of Semen Myristicae is related to the quantities of myristicin.

[Taxonomic rank of human parasites]

Biological category is effective to indicate the evolution of organism populations between past and present. Conventional taxonomy of human parasites mainly depends on important morphological features, which suffers from a problem of categorizing related-genera species with similar morphological characteristics. With recent advances in molecular biological technologies, the effective applications of mitochondrial and ribosomal biomarkers and sequencing greatly improve the development of the taxonomic rank of human parasites. Worldwide, the classification of human parasites have been continuously revised and improved. Hereby, we re-categorize parasitic Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda and Nematoda, so as to provide insights into the researches on molecular systematics and genetic evolution of human parasites.