Non-destructive shadowgraph imaging of ultra-cold atoms.

An imaging system is presented that is capable of far-detuned non-destructive imaging of a Bose-Einstein condensate with the signal proportional to the second spatial derivative of the density. Whilst demonstrated with application to Rb85, the technique generalizes to other atomic species and is shown to be capable of a signal-to-noise of ∼25 at 1 GHz detuning with 100 in-trap images showing no observable heating or atom loss. The technique is also applied to the observation of individual trajectories of stochastic dynamics inaccessible to single shot imaging. Coupled with a fast optical phase locked loop, the system is capable of dynamically switching to resonant absorption imaging during the experiment.

A scalable method to concentrate lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with measles virus glycoproteins.

Lentiviral (LV) vectors have emerged as powerful tools for basic research and clinical applications because of their ability to stably transduce both dividing and nondividing cells. A wide range of viral envelope (Env) glycoproteins have the ability to associate with the membrane of LV vectors, a process that is referred to as pseudotyping. Pseudotyped vectors have the capacity to transduce specific cell types for specific applications. For example, LV vectors pseudotyped with the measles virus (MV)-derived hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) proteins have the ability to transduce quiescent lymphocytes. In addition, the MV H glycoprotein can be engineered allowing cell-specific targeting of LV vectors. One problem with MV glycoprotein-pseudotyped LV vectors is low titer during vector production. This results in the need to manufacture large volumes of the vectors and to concentrate them to appropriate titers. The commonly used centrifugation-based concentration techniques for LV vectors are not practical for large-scale vector manufacturing. Thus, there is a need for improved methods to concentrate LV vectors. In this study, we adapted an anion-exchange membrane chromatography method that we previously used in the context of LV vectors pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein to concentate MV glycoprotein-pseudotyped LV vectors. Up to 60% of the input vectors with an up to 5300-fold reduction in volume was achieved using this anion-exchange chromatography method in conjunction with a desalting/concentration step involving centrifugal filter units. This technique provides a rapid and scalable approach for concentrating MV-pseudotyped LV vectors that does not require an elaborate setup.

In-situ atomic layer deposition of tri-methylaluminum and water on pristine single-crystal (In)GaAs surfaces: electronic and electric structures.

The electronic structure of single-crystal (In)GaAs deposited with tri-methylaluminum (TMA) and water via atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented with high-resolution synchrotron radiation core-level photoemission and capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics. The interaction of the precursor atoms with (In)GaAs is confined at the topmost surface layer. The Ga-vacant site on the GaAs(111)A-2 × 2 surface is filled with Al, thereby effectively passivating the As dangling bonds. The As-As dimers on the GaAs(001)-2 × 4 surface are entirely passivated by one cycle of TMA and water. The presumed layerwise deposition fails to happen in GaAs(001)-4 × 6. In In0.20Ga0.80As(001)-2 × 4, the edge row As atoms are partially bonded with the Al, and one released methyl then bonds with the In. It is suggested that the unpassivated surface and subsurface atoms cause large frequency dispersions in CV characteristics under the gate bias. We also found that the (In)GaAs surface is immune to water in ALD. However, the momentary exposure of it to air (less than one minute) introduces significant signals of native oxides. This indicates the necessity of in situ works of high κ/(In)GaAs-related experiments in order to know the precise interfacial atomic bonding and thus know the electronic characteristics. The electric CV measurements of the ALD-Al2O3 on these (In)GaAs surfaces are correlated with their electronic properties.

Pediatric neurogenic bowel dysfunction: ICCS review document.

INTRODUCTION: The International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) aims to improve the quality of life in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction. A substantial portion of children also have problems with bowel dysfunction. There is a lack of evidence-based information on managing neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in children. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: The ICCS aimed to provide an up-to-date, selective, non-systematic review of NBD's definitions, assessment, and treatment. RESULTS: Specific definitions and terminology are defined within the document. Recommendations and considerations for physical assessment, history taking, and diagnostic studies are made. Management updates, both surgical and non-surgical, are provided as well as recommendations for follow-up and monitoring of individuals with NBD. CONCLUSION: This review of the current literature will help guide NBD management and research to improve NBD care.

Optimal Design for Marker-assisted Gene Pyramiding in Cross Population.

Marker-assisted gene pyramiding aims to produce individuals with superior economic traits according to the optimal breeding scheme which involves selecting a series of favorite target alleles after cross of base populations and pyramiding them into a single genotype. Inspired by the science of evolutionary computation, we used the metaphor of hill-climbing to model the dynamic behavior of gene pyramiding. In consideration of the traditional cross program of animals along with the features of animal segregating populations, four types of cross programs and two types of selection strategies for gene pyramiding are performed from a practical perspective. Two population cross for pyramiding two genes (denoted II), three population cascading cross for pyramiding three genes(denoted III), four population symmetry (denoted IIII-S) and cascading cross for pyramiding four genes (denoted IIII-C), and various schemes (denoted cross program-A-E) are designed for each cross program given different levels of initial favorite allele frequencies, base population sizes and trait heritabilities. The process of gene pyramiding breeding for various schemes are simulated and compared based on the population hamming distance, average superior genotype frequencies and average phenotypic values. By simulation, the results show that the larger base population size and the higher the initial favorite allele frequency the higher the efficiency of gene pyramiding. Parents cross order is shown to be the most important factor in a cascading cross, but has no significant influence on the symmetric cross. The results also show that genotypic selection strategy is superior to phenotypic selection in accelerating gene pyramiding. Moreover, the method and corresponding software was used to compare different cross schemes and selection strategies.

Stable expression of rice dwarf virus Pns10 suppresses the post-transcriptional gene silencing in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants.

UNLABELLED: RNA silencing is a conserved mechanism that defends against viral infection and retrotransposon activity for protection of the genome. Segment 10 (S10) of Rice dwarf virus (RDV) encodes Pns10 protein, a viral suppressor of RNAi that suppresses the host RNA silencing machinery. In this study, we obtained stable transgenic RDV-S10 Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing Pns10. Suppression of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) by Pns10 supported the conclusion that this protein exhibited the RNA silencing suppressor activity. In particular, the transgenic plants stably expressing a viral suppressor of RNAi (VSR) provide a model system for investigating the mechanism of RNA silencing.
KEYWORDS: RNA silencing; VSR; Rice dwarf virus; Pns10; transgenic plant.

Effects of taurine on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens.

To investigate the effects of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and lipid metabolism in broilers, 384 male broilers (Arbor Acres, 1 D of age) were randomly allocated into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 8 birds. Dietary treatments were supplemented with taurine at the level of 0.00, 2.50, 5.00, and 7.50 g/kg of the diet (denoted as CON, TAU1, TAU2, TAU3, respectively). The BW gain from 1 to 21 D and from 22 to 42 D were all increased linearly (linear, P < 0.001) by taurine supplementation. Throughout the trial period, the highest BW gain and favorable gain-to-feed ratio were observed in the TAU2 group. Taurine supplementation increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased (linear, P < 0.001) the content of malondialdehyde in both serum and the liver of broilers and alleviated oxidative damage through enhancing (P < 0.05) the hepatic genes expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Correspondingly, in serum, the activities of hepatic lipase and total lipase were decreased linearly and quadratically (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) with the increasing inclusion of taurine in the diet. Meanwhile, in serum, the content of triglycerides was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and except for TAU3, the total cholesterol content was also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by taurine supplementation. In addition, the hepatic content of triglycerides was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the TAU1 and TAU2 groups. Compared with the CON group, the hepatic genes expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), silent 1, (SIRT1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) were all increased (P < 0.05), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) expression was decreased (P < 0.05) in the TAU2 group. These results indicated that taurine supplementation improved the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of broilers.

Emergence of a novel highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in China.

From 2014 to 2015, four novel highly pathogenic PRRS virus (HP-PRRSV) strains named 14LY01-FJ, 14LY02-FJ 15LY01-FJ, and 15LY02-FJ were isolated from high morbidity (100%) and mortality (40%-80%) in piglets and sows in Fujian Province. To further our knowledge about these novel virus strains, we characterized their complete genomes and determined their pathogenicity in piglets. Full-length genome sequencing analysis showed that these four isolates were closely related to type 2 (North American type, NA-type) isolates, with 88.1%-96.3% nucleotide similarity, but only 60.6%-60.8% homology to the Lelystad virus (LV) (European type, EU-type). The full length of the four isolates was determined to be 15017 or 15018 nucleotides (nt), excluding the poly(A) tail. Furthermore, the four isolates had three discontinuous deletions (aa 322-432, aa 483, and aa 504-522) within hypervariable region II (HV-II) of Nsp2, as compared to the reference strain VR-2332. This deletion pattern in the four isolates is consistent with strain MN184 and strain NADC30 isolated from America. Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses indicated that these virulent strains originated from a natural recombination event between the JXA1-like HP-PRRSV (JXA-1 is one of the earliest Chinese HP-PRRSV strains; sublineage 8.7) and the NADC30-like (lineage 1) PRRSV. Animal experiments demonstrated that these four strains caused significant weight loss and severe histopathological lung lesions as compared to the negative control group. High mortality rate (40% or 80%) was found in piglets infected with any one of the four strains, similar to that found with other Chinese HP-PRRSV strains. This study showed that the novel variant PRRSV was HP-PRRSV, and it is therefore critical to monitor PRRSV evolution in China and develop a method for controlling PRRS.

Liver disease after bone marrow transplantation--the Taiwan experience.

To investigate the causes of impaired liver function (LF)* after BMT, 88 patients were included for analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, transplant methods, preconditioning regimens, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Fifty of them (56.8%) developed abnormal LF after BMT and among them, 29 (32.9%) developed chronic hepatitis (CH). By univariate analysis, HCV infection, pretransplant abnormal LF, allogeneic BMT, and preconditioning regimen with total body irradiation were all significantly related to higher incidence of post-BMT impaired LF. However, only HCV infection, pretransplant abnormal LF, and acute GVHD were associated with higher incidence of CH. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, HCV infection and pretransplant abnormal LF were the two most significant interpreters for abnormal LF, especially for CH (odds ratios: 7.86 and 4.735, respectively) after BMT. Although the incidence of abnormal LF was found high in this study, there was no significant disadvantage in terms of survival for patients who developed abnormal acute and chronic liver function after BMT. However, a long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate survival pathology of CH, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatoma.

Bone marrow transplantation in Taiwan: low incidence of acute GVHD in patients with hematologic malignancies and severe aplastic anemia.

A total of 116 consecutive patients, including 82 cases of hematologic malignancies and 34 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), were treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The conditioning regimens and post-graft immunosuppressive agents were as described by Thomas in Seattle and Santos in Baltimore. The incidence of grades II-IV acute GVHD in patients with hematologic malignancies with a full HLA match, with one locus and with two loci mismatches was 6.3% (4 of 63), 0% (0 of 11) and 37.5% (3 of 8), respectively. None of SAA patients developed grade II-IV acute GVHD. The low incidence of acute GVHD after BMT among Chinese patients may be associated with the use of isolation in laminar airflow rooms and a relatively low level of genetic diversity in histocompatibility antigens. This is an interesting issue for further study.

Effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement program aiming to reduce unplanned extubation: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) program in reducing the incidence of unplanned endotracheal extubation. DESIGN: Prospective study over a 9-month period. SETTING: Adult intensive care units (ICUs including coronary care unit, medical ICU, surgical ICU, and cardiovascular surgical ICU) in a university-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS: 831 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients. INTERVENTIONS: CQI program focusing on standardization of procedures, improvement of communication, and identification and management of high-risk patients. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: With the implementation of this CQI program, the overall incidence density of unplanned extubation (defined as number of new unplanned extubations per mechanical ventilation patient-days) significantly decreased from 2.6% in the first trimester to 1.5% in the second trimester and 1.2% in the third trimester (p = 0.01). This reduction was essentially the result of a decrease in unplanned extubation in orally intubated patients (incidence density 4.6, 1.7 and 1.0% for three trimesters, respectively; p < 0.0001). Unplanned extubation in nasally intubated patients remained largely unaffected (1.2, 1.4, and 1.4% for three trimesters, respectively; p = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a concerted CQI program is effective in reducing the overall incidence of unplanned endotracheal extubation.

Trisomy 21 in acute myeloid leukemia.

We report two cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), constitutionally normal, with trisomy 21. Trisomy 21 does not often occur as a sole numerical karyotypic abnormality in AML leukemia. The possible prognostic significance of the finding in acute leukemia is discussed.

Intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma: case report and review of the literature.

A 50-year-old woman developed an intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma at the site of a previously clipped aneurysm in the right temporal lobe. This tumor rarely originates within the brain. Review of the literature suggests that postoperative and/or postirradiation effects may contribute to the growth of this particular tumor.

Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the breast: report of a case.

A 36-year-old female presented with a palpable mass in the right breast. She received a modified radical mastectomy after admission. Brain and multiple bony metastases were noted 10 months later. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of nodules of small spindle and large round cells showing abundant eosinophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli. No glandular or ductular differentiation could be identified. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin and desmin in focal areas, but negative for cytokeratin, S-100, epithelial membrane antigen, actin, myoglobin, or alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. Electron microscopy showed focally cohesive large cells maintained together by poorly-defined intercellular junctions and surrounded segmentally by thin basal laminae. Intracytoplasmic filaments were identified in some tumor cells, diffusely arranged in the cytoplasm. These findings indicate that this was a case of epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the breast. The literature concerning this rare neoplasm is reviewed.

Allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplant after bone marrow graft failure: report of a case.

A 31-year-old woman diagnosed with acute myelocytic leukemia received an allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplant one month after a previous bone marrow graft failed. PBPCs were mobilized with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor and collected by apheresis. T-cell depletion was not performed and no further chemo- or radiotherapy was given for the second transplant. Engraftment was prompt, with the peripheral blood leukocyte count rising dramatically to 2,400/microL, six days after completion of PBPC transplant. The platelet count reached 36,000/microL on the eighth day and was self-sustained thereafter. Both blood grouping and bone marrow karyotyping confirmed donor origin of the engraftment. At the time of writing, the patient has been disease-free for over 200 days without any complications of acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Excision of Mullerian duct remnant for persistent Mullerian duct syndrome provides favorable short- and mid-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: In dealing with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS), excision of Mullerian duct remnant (MDR) has been rarely mentioned in the past, but recent discussions have taken place. This study aimed to evaluate the operative feasibility and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients with PMDS operated on with excision of MDR between 2000 and 2009 were enrolled. Medical records were retrospectively collected and reviewed. RESULTS: Bilateral undescended testis was manifested in all cases. Two patients presented with incarcerated hernia, requiring emergency herniorrhaphy at the ages of 6 months and 10 days, respectively. Reconstruction comprising simultaneous MDR excision and orchiopexy was made at the age of 1 year. MDR was incidentally found in another patient during operation for undescended testis. Immediate reconstruction was accomplished. Follow-up periods were 12.0, 3.5, and 2.5 years, respectively. Worse outcomes were noted on the two testes with repeated operations for incarcerated hernias, whereas the outcomes on the other four testes with a single operation were favorable. CONCLUSIONS: Excision of MDR is technically feasible, and provides favorable outcomes in cases of a single operation. For experienced surgeons, immediate reconstruction should be the priority when this abnormality is incidentally encountered at an age suitable for orchiopexy.

Partial hydrodynamic screening of confined linear and circular double-stranded DNA dynamics.

We performed experiments and simulations to investigate the influence of hydrodynamic interaction on the diffusion dynamics of circular and linear λ-DNA confined in nanoslits. Contrary to the common assumption that intrachain hydrodynamic interaction (HI) is completely screened when polymers are confined in channels with height h smaller than the radius of gyration R(g), it is found that the HI is partially screened and approaches complete screening only for R(g)≪h. For λ-DNA, the HI becomes nearly completely screened only when the channel height is smaller than the Kuhn length. In addition, the dynamics of linear and circular λ-DNA in very strong confinement is shown to be independent of the chain topology.

Absence of association between two insertion/deletion coding genetic polymorphisms of TIM-1 gene and asthma in Chinese Han population.

TIM-1, a member of T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain (TIM) gene family, was implicated as an asthma susceptibility gene in previous studies. TIM-1 was expressed on CD4(+) T cells after activation and its expression was sustained preferentially in T-helper type 2 (T(H)2) but not in T(H)1 cells, therefore TIM-1 became a good candidate gene for atopic diseases. Recent studies indicated that two insertion/deletion (ins/del) coding genetic polymorphisms in exon 4 of TIM-1 were associated with asthma susceptibility in some but not in all populations. In order to investigate the relationship between TIM-1 genetic polymorphisms and asthma in Chinese Han population, we performed a case-control study for two insertion/deletion polymorphisms in TIM-1 exon 4 (5383_5397ins/del and 5509_5511delCAA) and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in intron 8 (IVS 8+9 G/A) between a healthy control group of 309 people and an asthma patient group of 352 people recruited from Chinese Han population. The polymorphisms were genotyped and the allele and genotype frequencies were analysed, but none of the three polymorphisms showed association with asthma susceptibility in single-locus association analyses. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses demonstrated that the two insertion/deletion polymorphisms were in strong LD but the haplotypes constructed from these two polymorphisms showed no significant association with asthma. In conclusion, our findings suggest that 5383_5397ins/del, 5509_5511delCAA and SNP IVS 8+9 G/A polymorphisms are not associated with asthma susceptibility in Chinese Han population.