Phase diagram of superconductivity in the integer quantum Hall regime.

An interplay between pairing and topological orders has been predicted to give rise to superconducting states supporting exotic emergent particles, such as Majorana particles obeying non-Abelian braid statistics. We consider a system of spin polarized electrons on a Hofstadter lattice with nearest-neighbor attractive interaction and solve the mean-field Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations in a self-consistent fashion, leading to gauge-invariant observables and a rich phase diagram as a function of the chemical potential, the magnetic field, and the interaction. As the strength of the attractive interaction is increased, the system first makes a transition from a quantum Hall phase to a skyrmion lattice phase that is fully gapped in the bulk but has topological chiral edge current, characterizing a topologically nontrivial state. This is followed by a vortex phase in which the vortices carrying Majorana modes form a lattice; the spectrum contains a low-energy Majorana band arising from the coupling between neighboring vortex-core Majorana modes but does not have chiral edge currents. For some parameters, a dimer vortex lattice occurs with no Majorana band. The experimental feasibility and the observable consequences of skyrmions as well as Majorana modes are indicated.

[Analysis of long-term outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty for congenital corneal opacity].

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes of corneal grafts after penetrating keratoplasty(PK) for congenital corneal opacity(CCO) in children aged 0 to 5 years and the related influencing factors. Methods: It was a retrospective series case study. Data of 39 children (55 eyes) who underwent PK surgery due to CCO in the keratology Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital from April 2014 to April 2018 and were followed up for more than 30 months were collected. Among them, there were 17 males (43.6%) and 22 females (56.4%). The age at operation was (16.2±13.3) months, and the follow-up time was (46.4±13.8) months. Clinical data such as basic information, preoperative diagnosis, operation age, operation method and postoperative complications were recorded. The corneal graft transparency was analyzed according to preoperative diagnosis, corneal neovascularization area, age at surgery, monocular or binocular surgery interval, primary surgery type and further surgery, and postoperative complications were observed. Results: At 12 months, 24 months and the last follow-up after PK, 78.2% (43/55), 70.9% (39/55) and 58.2% (32/55) of the affected eyes had clear corneal grafts, respectively.There was no statistical significance between Peters anomaly and sclerocornea (P>0.05), while the extent of neovascularization in the limbus had a significant effect on corneal graft transparency, and graft opacity was more likely to occur in patients with vessel area exceeding 2 quadrants (P<0.05).The highest corneal graft transparency was found in children aged 1 to 3 years 80.8%(21/26) (P<0.05), followed by children younger than 6 months (7/15).The translucency rate of the corneal graft was higher in patients undergoing unilateral surgery than in those undergoing bilateral surgery (P<0.05).Translucency of corneal graft was higher in children with simple surgery than with combined surgery (P<0.05), however, cataract surgery after PK had no significant effect on corneal graft transparency (P>0.05).The postoperative complications mainly included immune rejection in 19 eyes (34.5%), complicated cataract in 13 eyes (23.6%), glaucoma in 7 eyes (13.2%), persistent corneal epithelial defect in 7 eyes (13.2%). Conclusions: After PK in children with CCO, the transparent rate of corneal grafts decreases gradually with time, but the long-term translucency of corneal grafts can still be obtained. The range of corneal neovascularization, age at the time of surgery, whether the surgery was binocular and whether the surgery was combined had an effect on the transparency of corneal graft.

CT and MRI features in 22 cases of primary malignant thymic germ cell tumours.

AIM: To analyse the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of malignant thymic germ cell tumours (GCTs), in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of these tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients (20 men, two women; age, 28 ± 8.64 years) with malignant thymic GCTs confirmed at histopathology were enrolled retrospectively, and their CT and MRI findings were analysed. RESULTS: According to the CT findings, malignant thymic GCTs usually manifest as a bulky mass that typically grows to both sides of the midline (20/22, 90.9%), with irregular shape (15/22, 68.2%), lobulation (12/22, 50%), ill-defined margin (9/22, 40.9%), and incomplete capsule (21/22, 95.5%). Twenty masses revealed heterogeneous density with multifocal necrosis or cystic change in 19 (86.4%). Most cases (16/18, 88.9%) showed mild to moderate enhancement, and the branch-like vessel was found in 14 (14/18, 77.8%) cases. The minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) values in 14 patients were (1.13 ± 0.45) and (1.37 ± 0.49) × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively. Compared with CT findings, the incidences of an incomplete capsule, heterogeneous signal, and necrotic or cystic change on MRI images occurred in all patients with malignant thymic GCT. In addition, peritumoural oedema was found in all 14 (100%) cases. CONCLUSION: MRI is superior to CT in showing incomplete capsule, peritumoural oedema, heterogeneous signal, and necrotic or cystic change of GCTs. Branch-like enhancement and multifocal necrosis may help the diagnosis of malignant thymic GCTs.

[Clinical features and spinal lesions in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and spinal lesions related to micturitionin of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CP/CPPS) patients. Methods: Patients with CP/CPPS were enrolled to this study at the outpatient department of Tongji Hospital between January and June 2019. The data of clinical features was collected and analyzed, including lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS), bowel syndrome and pain over different parts of body, as well as lower urinary tract dysfunction, spinal lesions and pelvic organ morphological changes demonstrated by MRI. The potential role of spinal lesions in the development of CP/CPPS syndrome was investigated. Results: A total of 126 CP/CPPS patients were included, with an age［M（Q1，Q3）］of 41(31,53) years and a course of disease of 2(1,20) years. Among them, 126 (100.0%) were complicated with LUTS, 72(57.1%) with bowel dysfunction and 88(69.8%) with pain. MRI showed the cervical central disc herniation(126 cases, 100.0%), the ischemic changing in the cervical area of visceral efferant pathway(82 cases, 65.1%), the lumbar central disc herniation(65 cases, 51.6%), and the sacral nerve cysts(97 cases, 77.0%) are commonly seen. In addition, the morphological changes in the visceral organs containing smooth muscle were demonstrated, including thickened bladder wall(91 cases, 72.2%), distended seminal vesicles(70 cases, 55.6%) and distended sigmoid colon/rectum(59 cases, 46.8%). Conclusions: CP/CPPS patients were characterized by the co-existence of LUTS, bowel dysfunction and somatic pain in one individual. The presence of multi-organ symptoms, combined with the high prevalence of spinal lesions associated with micturition reflex, suggesting the potential role of the spinal lesions in the development of CP/CPPS.

[Analysis of the application of radiotherapy facility construction project evaluation standard in health management institutions].

Objective: To investigate the application of GBZ/T 220.2-2009 "The Specification of Radiological Protection Assessment for Occupational Hazard in Construction Project-Part 2: Radiotherapy Facility" in health management institutions, and to understand the scientificity, practicability and problems existing in the implementation of the standard. Methods: The method of multistage stratified sampling and questionnaire survey were used to collect the standard application status among 96 radiological health managers who had participated in the evaluation of radiotherapy facility construction projects in 6 provinces and cities from November 2020 to April 2021. A descriptive statistical analysis method was used to analyze the basic information of the survey object, the knowledge of the standard, the publicity and implementation of the standard. Results: The radiological health management personnel mainly came from health supervision agencies (62.5%, 60/96) , and 86.5% (83/96) were engaged in the pre-evaluation of radiotherapy device construction project and the approval and supervision of control effect evaluation. The awareness rate and training rate of radiological health managers on GBZ/T 220.2-2009 were 88.5% (85/96) and 31.3% (30/96) , respectively. 89.6% (86/96) managers thought it could meet the needs of radiotherapy facility construction project approval or supervision. 49.0% (47/96) of managers believed that the standard needed to be revised. Conclusion: The content of GBZ/T 220.2-2009 is basically scientific and reasonable, but the publicity, implementation and training of radiological health administrator still need to be strengthened. It is suggested to revise some clauses in the standard that do not meet the requirements.

[Diagnostic value of 4-dimensional computed tomography in preoperative localization in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism].

Objective: To provide more options for preoperative localization diagnosis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), the diagnostic efficacy of parathyroid 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) in patients with PHPT was evaluated. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study including 57 patients with surgical proved PHPT. All of the patients underwent 4D-CT, 99Tcm -sestamibi parathyroid imaging (MIBI), and ultrasonography (US) preoperatively. The reference standard for correct localization was based on operation reports and pathology confirmation. The patients were grouped according to the preoperative serum calcium levels, tumor diameter, or ectopic lesions (yes/no), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve (AUC) of 4D-CT, MIBI and US, alone or in combination, were analyzed in total and each subgroup patients. Results: Fifty-seven patients (39 women, 18 men; mean age of 56.5 years) were evaluated, including four cases with multi-gland disease and thirteen cases with ectopic parathyroid lesions. In all the patients, similar diagnostic efficacy was found in 4D-CT (AUC: 0.943) and MIBI (AUC: 0.927), both of which were higher than that of US (AUC: 0.847) (P = 0.01 for 4D-CT vs. US; P = 0.04 for MIBI vs. US). In a subset analysis for ectopic quadrants, the diagnostic efficacy of 4D-CT was significantly higher than that of MIBI (P = 0.04) or US (P = 0.01), with the sensitivity of 100%, 69.2%, and 61.5%, and AUC of 0.989, 0.846, and 0.808 for 4D-CT, MIBI and US, respectively. Conclusions: 4D-CT has similar diagnostic efficacy for preoperative localization to MIBI in patients with PHPT, and it is superior to MIBI and US in identifying the ectopic parathyroid gland. 4D-CT can be recommended as an alternative preoperative localization method, especially when parathyroid lesions could not be precisely located by US and MIBI.

[Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in Chinese patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorders].

Objective: To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in the brain and spinal cord of Chinese patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies associated diseases (MOGAD). Methods: Forty nine MOGAD patients with seropositive MOG-IgG and 58 AQP4-IgG positive patients were enrolled in this study. The characteristics of brain and spinal cord MRI were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the proportion of abnormal brain MRI of the two groups (69.4% vs 65.5%, P=0.177) , while the proportion of abnormal spinal cord MRI of the AQP4-IgG positive group was significantly higher than that in the MOG-IgG positive group (84.5% vs 36.7%, P=0.001) . The proportion of MOG-IgG positive patients with subcortical white matter lesions and large lesions in the brain MRI was significantly higher than that in AQP4-IgG positive group (48.9% vs 13.8%, P=0.003, 46.9% vs 12.1%, P=0.000) . The longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in spinal cord MRI of AQP4-IgG positive group was significantly higher than that in the MOG-IgG group (70.7% vs 24.5%, P=0.002) . In addition, the proportion of MOG-IgG positive child patients with large lesions in the brain was significantly higher than that in AQP4-IgG positive child patients (76.9% vs 20.0%, P=0.047) . Conclusion: Demyelinating MRI lesions caused by MOG-IgG are heterogeneous, and could lead to a wide range of clinical phenotypes which is significantly different from those with AQP4-IgG.

[All levels miniplate fixation and a modified hybrid fixation method in expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty: a retrospective comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare the effect of alternate levels miniplate and anchor fixation with the effect of all levels miniplate fixation in expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty (EOLP). METHODS: Patients with cervical spondylosis underwent EOLP between July 2015 and June 2016 were included in the study. There were 33 patients in the alternate group (alternate levels miniplate and anchor fixation group) and 34 patients in the miniplate group (all levels miniplate fixation group). Neurological function was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and degree of pain was assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Basic clinical and surgical data, complication rates and medical costs of the two groups were compared. In addition, radiological examinations were performed pre- and post-operatively and at the final follow-up. Relative imaging data such as anteroposterior diameter (APD), cervical curvature index (CCI) and open angle were collected and compared. RESULTS: (1) The mean follow-up time was 18.6 months in the alternate group and 18.9 months in the miniplate group. There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complication rates, post-operative hospital stays, VAS scores and neurological recovery rates preoperatively and at the final follow-up between the two groups. (2) Additionally, no obvious differences were observed about CCIs and APDs at the three follow-up time points between the two groups. Post-operative open angles at C4 and C6 in the alternate group were significantly smaller than those in the miniplate group. However, there were no significant differences in C3, C5 and C7 open angles between the two groups post-operatively. Notably, no significant differences were detected about the open angles at all levels between the two groups at the final follow-up. (3) When comparing radiologic data at different time points in each group, CCIs and open angles at each level had no significant differences, but APDs after surgery and at the final follow-up were significantly larger than pre-operative APDs. (4) Total costs in the alternate group were significantly lower than those in the miniplate group. CONCLUSION: The two surgical methods showed almost the same neurological recovery rates and complication rates. However, use of alternate levels miniplate and anchor fixation in EOLP can reduce medical expenses.

[Prevalence characters of peripheral artery disease and associated factors among Beijing residents aged equal and above 35 years old].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence characters of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and associated factors among people aged 35 and above in Beijing. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 208 community-based individuals aged equal and above 35 in Beijing were chosen with stratified multistage random sampling method. Structure questionnaire was used to collected the information of demographic factors, habits and chronic disease history. Ankle brachial blood pressure was detected and ankle brachial index (ABI) was calculated. ABI was used to diagnose PAD (ABI≤0.90). Based on the 2010 Beijing Municipal Population Census, the age-and gender-specific weight-adjusted sample was acquired to estimate the prevalence of PAD and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the associated factors of PAD. Results: The age-and sex-standardized prevalence of PAD was 3.84% (200/5 208, 95%CI 3.32%-4.36%). There was no significant difference between male and female (3.83%(102/2 664, 95%CI 3.10%-4.56%) vs. 3.85% (98/2 544, 95%CI 3.10%-4.60%), P=0.965). The prevalence of PAD in urban was higher than that in rural (4.34% (163/3 755, 95%CI 3.69%-4.99%) vs. 2.55% (37/1 453, 95%CI 1.74%-3.36%), P=0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of PAD increased with age (P(trend)<0.01), and the difference between genders did not change with ageing (all P>0.05). In addition, age (OR=1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.04), urban (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.08-2.12), smoking (OR=1.83, 95%CI 1.29-2.59), hypertension (OR=1.61, 95%CI 1.17-2.22) and diabetes (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.08-1.93) were related with increased risk of PAD in logistic regression analysis models. Conclusions: The prevalence of PAD increases with age in Beijing and there are significant difference between urban and rural on prevalence of PAD. Age, urban, smoking, hypertension and diabetes are related with increased risk of PAD.

[Survey of prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in urban areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women in urban areas of China. Methods: The study was a national cross-sectional survey conducted from September 19th, 2016 to November 20th, 2016. According to the classification of the National Bureau of Statistics, all survey sites were set up in 6 regions of the country.Pregnant women were continuously selected using multistage stratified sampling. A total of 12 403 pregnant women were collected and examined for serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Results: The median serum ferritin level during pregnancy was 20.60 µg/L (11.78-36.98 µg/L) , the hemoglobin level was (118±12) g/L. With the progress of pregnancy, the levels of serum ferritin and hemoglobin decreased gradually. The median serum ferritin levels in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 54.30 µg/L (34.48-94.01 µg/L) , 28.60 µg/L (16.40-50.52 µg/L) , and 16.70 µg/L (10.20-27.00 µg/L) respectively (P<0.01) . The mean hemoglobin levels were (127±10) g/L, (119±11) g/L and (117±11) g/L respectively (P<0.01) . The prevalence of ID in urban pregnant women was 48.16% (5 973/12 403) , and IDA prevalence was 13.87% (1 720/12 403) . The prevalence of IDA in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 1.96% (20/1 019) , 8.40% (293/3 487) and 17.82% (1 407/7 897) ,respectively (P<0.01) . The prevalence of standardized ID and IDA were significantly different in various regions of China (P<0.01) . The standardized prevalence of ID were relatively higher in East China and Northeast China, 57.37% and 53.41% respectively, while it was the lowest in Southwest China, 30.51%. The standardized prevalence of IDA in South Central, Northwest, and East China were relatively high, 21.30%, 16.97% and 17.53% respectively, and the standardized prevalence of IDA in Southwest China was the lowest, 5.44%, the differents in various regions were significant (all P<0.01) . Conclusion: The current phenomenon of ID and IDA in pregnant women is still very common, and nutrition and health care during pregnancy should be strengthened.

[An analysis of medical X-ray examination frequency in ten hospitals in Tianjin, China].

Objective: To investigate the usage frequency of radiological diagnosis devices in ten hospitals in Tianjin, China, and to provide a basis for the survey of medical radiation frequency in Tianjin. Methods: Ten hospitals from the ten districts in Tianjin were enrolled as subjects by a convenient sampling method. A survey was conducted to assess the general information and radiological diagnosis device information and usage frequency in those hospitals in 2016. The radiological examination frequency in Tianjin was estimated. Results: A total of 610 458 patients received radiological examinations in the sampled hospitals in 2016. In those patients, 371 882 received X-ray examinations for imaging and 238 576 for computed tomography (CT) ; there were slightly more female patients than male patients, suggesting a relatively equal gender distribution; patients older than 40 years accounted for 65.53%, which was the highest among all the age groups. Different types of radiological diagnosis devices were mostly used in tertiary and secondary hospitals. In Tianjin, the estimated frequency of X-ray examination for imaging and CT scanning was 451 and 188 per thousand people, respectively, in 2016. Conclusion: The frequency of radiological diagnosis is relatively high in the ten hospitals in Tianjin. The investigation of medical radiation in Tianjin needs to be improved.

Knockdown of human serine/threonine kinase 33 suppresses human small cell lung carcinoma by blocking RPS6/BAD signaling transduction.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth rate and a tendency to metastasize to distinct sites of patients' bodies. The human serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33) gene has shown its potency as a therapeutic target for prevention of lung carcinomas including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its function in the oncogenesis and development of SCLC remains unrevealed. In the current study, it was hypothesized that STK33 played a key role in the proliferation, survival, and invasion of SCLC cells. The expression of STK33 in human SCLC cell lines NCI-H466 and DMS153 was inhibited by specific shRNA. The cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and cell invasion of the cells were assessed with a series of in vitro assays. To explore the mechanism through which STK33 gene exerted its function in the carcinogenesis of SCLC cells, the effect of STK33 knockdown on the activity of S6K1/RPS6/BAD signaling was detected. Then the results were further confirmed with STK33 inhibitor ML281 and in vivo assays. The results demonstrated that inhibition of STK33 in SCLC cells suppressed the cell proliferation and invasion while induced cell apoptosis. Associated with the change in the phenotypic features, knockdown of STK33 also decreased the phosphorylation of RPS6 and BAD while increased the expression of cleaved caspase 9, indicating that apoptosis induced by STK33 suppression was mediated via mitochondrial pathway. Similar to the results of STK33 knockdown, incubating NCI-H466 cells with STK33 inhibitor also reduced the cell viability by suppressing RPS6/BAD pathways. Additionally, STK33 knockdown also inhibited tumor growth and RPS6/BAD activity in mice models. Findings outlined in our study were different from that in NSCLC to some extent: knockdown of STK33 in SCLC cells induced the apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway but independent of S6K1 function, inferring that the function of STK33 might be cancer type specific.

RNAi in the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, establishes a functional role for aminopeptidase N in Cry1Ab intoxication.

The striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, is a major target pest of transgenic rice expressing the Cry1Ab protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in China. Evolution of resistance in this pest is a major threat to the durability of Bt rice. Since Bt exerts its activity through binding to specific receptors in the midgut of target insects, identification of functional Cry1Ab receptors in the midgut of C. suppressalis larvae is crucial to evaluate potential resistance mechanisms and develop effective strategies for delaying insect resistance. In this work, we identified the putative Cry1Ab toxin-binding protein, aminopeptidase-N (APN), in the midgut of C. suppressalis by ligand blot and mass spectrometry. After cloning the full-length cDNAs encoding APN isoforms from the C. suppressalis larval midgut, we studied their spatiotemporal expression in different gut tissues and developmental stages. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi) against C. suppressalis aminopeptidases (CsAPNs) was employed to illustrate a functional role for CsAPNs in Cry1Ab toxicity to C. suppressalis larvae using injection and oral delivery of Stealth™ siRNA. Down-regulating the expression of CsAPNs by RNAi was closely associated with reduced susceptibility of C. suppressalis to Cry1Ab. These data provide the first direct evidence that CsAPNs participate in the mode of Cry1Ab action and may act as the functional receptor of Cry1A in C. suppressalis larvae.

Glutamate promotes neural stem cell proliferation by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor of astrocytes in vitro.

The high levels of glutamate might involve in neurogenesis after brain injuries. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of glutamate on the proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) through regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of astrocytes (ASTs) in vitro, and the cyclin D1 expression of NSCs. The results showed that glutamate promoted the expression and secretion of VEGF of rat astrocytes by activating group I mGluRs. Astrocyte conditioned medium-containing Glu [ACM (30%)] promoted the proliferation of embryonic NSCs compared with normal astrocyte conditioned medium+Glu [N-ACM (30%)+Glu (30 µM)] by increasing cell activity, diameter of neurospheres, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cell division; while ACM+VEGF neutralizing antibody [ACM (30%)+VEGF NAb (15 µg/ml)] significantly inhibited the proliferation of embryonic NSCs compared with ACM (30%). ACM (30%) increased the expressions of cyclin D1 and decreased cell death compared with N-ACM (30%)+Glu (30 µM). ACM (30%)+VEGF NAb (15 µg/ml) decreased the expressions of cyclin D1 and increased cell death compared with ACM (30%). These results demonstrated that glutamate could also indirectly promote the proliferation of rat embryonic NSCs through inducing the VEGF expression of ASTs in vitro, and VEGF may increase the expression of cyclin D1. These finding suggest that glutamate may be a major molecule for regulating embryonic NSC proliferation and facilitate neural repair in the process of NSC transplants after brain injuries.

The effect of silencing arginine kinase by RNAi on the larval development of Helicoverpa armigera.

Arginine kinase (AK) is an important regulation factor of energy metabolism in invertebrate. An arginine kinase gene, named HaAK, was identified to be differentially expressed between Cry1Ac-susceptible (96S) and Cry1Ac-resistant (Bt-R) Helicoverpa armigera larvae using cDNA-amplification fragment length polymorphism analysis. The full-length open reading frame sequence of HaAK gene with 1068 bp was isolated from H. armigera. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay revealed that HaAK gene is specifically expressed in multiple tissues and at larval developmental stages. The peak expression level of HaAK was detected in the midgut of the fifth-instar larvae. Moreover, the expression of HaAK was obviously down-regulated in Bt-R larvae. We further constructed a dsRNA vector directly targeting HaAK and employed RNAi technology to control the larvae. The feeding bioassays showed that minute quantities of dsRNA could greatly increase the larval mortality and delay the larval pupation. Silencing of HaAK significantly retarded the larval development, indicating that HaAK is a potential target for RNA interference-based pest management.

Influence of suppression of CapG gene expression by siRNA on the growth and metastasis of human prostate cancer cells.

This study investigated CapG gene expression in prostate cancer cell lines; in addition, we explored the effects of CapG suppression on DU145 cell growth, and the underlying mechanism with which CapG affects DU145 cell growth and invasiveness. The expression of CapG and 18 related genes in DU145 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), CCK8 assay, western blot, and the trans-well assay. DU145 cells were transfected with designed small interfering RNA (siRNA). CapG expression was quantified by qPCR and western blot. DU145 cell proliferation and invasiveness was analyzed using the CCK8, flow cytometric, and trans-well assays. CapG, TMPRSS1, EGFR, ETS-1, ERBB2, AKT, Cyclin D1, P21, Bcl-2, and Bak1 gene and Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, and CapG protein expressions were significantly lower in the siRNA group compared to the negative control group (P < 0.05). The proliferation of CapG siRNA DU145 cells was lower than that of the two control groups, 48 h after transfection. The cell inhibition rate was 24.5, 35.4, and 16,5% at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The growth curve indicated that CapG siRNA DU145 cells showed a significantly slower proliferation rate (P < 0.05). The trans-well assay showed a significant decrease in the migratory and invasive capacities of DU145 cells in the siRNA group (P < 0.05). The suppression of CapG expression caused a significant decrease in the proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis of DU145 cells. The mechanism with which CapG, with other oncogenes, influences cancer cell cycle remains to be elucidated.

Loss of STAG2 causes aneuploidy in normal human bladder cells.

The aim of this study was to determine how the function of human stromal antigen 2 (STAG2) plays an important role in proper chromosome separation. STAG2 mRNA in normal bladder cells and bladder tumor cells was evaluated by RT-PCR. The protein levels of STAG2 in normal bladder cells and bladder tumor cells were determined by western blot. A cell proliferation assay was used to measure the growth of tumor cells and STAG2-inhibited normal cells, and STAG2- inhibited normal cells were subjected to karyotype analysis. Both STAG-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in bladder cancer cells compared to the controls. Knockdown of STAG2 caused aneuploidy in normal bladder cells, leading to a decreased expression of the cohesin complex components SMC1, SMC3 and RAD21, but there was no obvious effect of STAG2 knockdown on cell proliferation. Our study indicated that abnormal expression of STAG2 could cause aneuploidy in normal bladder cells.

Effect of p53 gene polymorphism on functions of prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer cells were transfected with plasmids [empty plasmids, wild-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V), mutant type pcDNA3.1- p53 (G/G)] to analyze the effect of p53 gene polymorphisms on the proliferation, cycle, and apoptosis of prostatic cancer cells. Empty plasmids containing wild-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V) and mutant type pcDNA3.1- p53 (G/G) were used to transfect PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h using the MTT method. Cells were collected at 24 and 72 h. The distribution of cell cycles in various groups was detected using flow cytometry (propidium iodide staining method) and the apoptosis rate was detected using annexin V + propidium iodide double staining. Compared with the control group, wild-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V) and mutant type pcDNA3.1-p53 (G/G) showed a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation (P < 0.05); the inhibitory effect of the mutant type was stronger than that of the wild-type. There was no significant difference between PC3 cells and LNCaP cells. After transfection with wild-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V) and mutant type pcDNA3.1-p53 (G/G), PC3 and LNCaP cells were arrested in the G0/G1 stage. Transfection with pcDNA3.1-p53 (G/G) showed a more significant effect than transfection with pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V). Both the wild-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (V/V) and mutant-type pcDNA3.1-p53 (G/G) led to an increased apoptosis rate of PC3 and LNCaP cells. The p53 gene polymorphism affects the proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle of prostate cancer cells and may serve as a reliable index for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

[Analysis on personal protection in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis and influencing factor in China].

Objective: To understand the current status of personal protection in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis in China and provide evidence for the evaluation of implementation of National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020). Methods: Four counties in Shanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected to conduct a questionnaire survey in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis from December 2019 to July 2020 by using cross-sectional survey methods. Results: A total of 2 384 persons at high risk for brucellosis were surveyed, and the standardized utilization rate of personal protective equipment (PPE) was 20.13% (480/2 384). The utilization rate of glove, mask, rubber shoe, and work cloth were 38.26% (912/2 384), 31.80% (758/2 384), 32.01% (763/2 384) and 30.87% (736/2 384),respectively. There were significant differences in the utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of the four types of PPE among populations in different age, occupation, educational level and area groups (all P<0.001). The utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of PPE were lower in people over 60 years old, women, farmers, and those with lower educational level. The results of multivariate analysis showed that occupation and area were the influencing factors for the standardized utilization of PPE, the standardized utilization rates of PPE were higher in herdsmen and veterinarians. The standardized utilization rate of PPE in Yanggao County and Huocheng County was significantly higher than that in Zuoyun County and Hunyuan County. Conclusions: The utilization rate of the four types of PPE in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis was not high in China, and the standardized utilization rate was low, lower than the requirement in National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan, and there were significant differences among different areas. It is urgent to distribute PPE to occupational population at high risk for brucellosis and carry out health education about PPE utilization. Meanwhile, it is necessary to strengthen information exchange or sharing among different areas.

Human papillomavirus type 16 infection may be involved in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis in Chinese Kazakh patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) prevalence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Xinjiang Kazakh patients and its role in ESCC carcinogenesis. One hundred and fifty cases of ESCC and 150 cases of corresponding normal esophageal mucosa (CNGM) samples were collected from north Xinjiang where the Kazakh ethnic group has lived since ancient times. HPV16 infection in ESCC and CNGM was detected by genotype-specific polymerase chain reaction. HPV16 DNA was detected in 55 of 150 ESCC samples (36.7%) and 24 of 150 corresponding normal esophageal mucosa samples (16%) with significant differences (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 3.039, 95% confidence interval: 1.756-5.260). No statistically significant correlations were found between HPV16 infection and the age or gender of patients, tumor site, tumor cell differentiation, or lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). HPV16 infection is common in cases of ESCC in the Kazakh ethnic group in Xinjiang and may be involved in ESCC carcinogenesis.