[Impact of different diagnostic criteria for assessing mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis: an analysis based on a prospective, multicenter, real-world study].

Objective: To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ (2) test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results: After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea (Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome and positive anti-Ro52 antibody].

To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The clinical data of 203 ASS patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatment and outcome were collected including data of 18 patients with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). In total, the majority were women (148,72.9%). The average onset age was (51.9±13.3) years. There were 163 (80.3%) patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The positivity in women (77.3% vs. 55.0%, P=0.004) was higher, and the median time from disease onset to diagnosis [4.5 (2.0, 24.0) months vs. 2.0 (1.0, 12.0) months, P=0.024] was longer in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody than those negative. Compared with negative patients, patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody had a higher incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (96.9% vs. 65.0%, P<0.001), arthritis (33.7% vs. 17.5%, P=0.046), and arthralgia (39.3% vs. 20.0%, P=0.022). Higher rate of positve antinuclear antibody (ANA) (85.3% vs. 55.0%, P<0.001), lower rate of positive anti-Jo-1 antibody (32.5% vs. 50.0%, P=0.039), lower albumin level [(34.6±5.2) g/L vs. (37.3±4.7) g/L,P=0.004] and lower lymphocyte counts [(1.4±0.8) ×109/L vs. (1.8±0.8) ×109/L, P=0.014] were more common in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibody. The presence of anti-Ro52 antibody is associated with a particular phenotype of ASS, leading to common ILD, involvement of joints, high ANA positivity, low albumin and low lymphocyte counts.

[Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy treated with Descemet's stripping without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK): a case report].

A patient with chief complaint of bilateral progressive visual impairment was diagnosed with Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FECD) in both eyes, macular hole in the left eye, and intraocular lens eye in the right eye. After communication with the patient and his family, they agreed to receive Descemet's stripping without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) in the left eye. One year after the operation, the cornea of the left eye was transparent, and the central posterior elastic layer was missing about 4.0 mm diameter. The naked vision of left eye was 0.1, and the correction was not improved. It can be seen that DWEK surgery has a good therapeutic effect on patients with mild FECD.

[Early histological changes detected by confocal microscopy in patients with advanced keratoconus receiving collagen cross-linking therapy].

Objective: To investigate the early histological changes by confocal microscopy of patients with advanced keratoconus receiving collagen cross-linking therapy. Methods: In this prospective case series study, confocal microscopy was used to observe 23 patients (32 eyes) who were diagnosed with advanced keratoconus and treated with collagen cross-linking at the Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2017 to March 2019, aged (26±10) year. All patients were examined before and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the therapy. The tissue structure changes, the density of nerve fibers, stromal cells and endothelial cells, and the depth of the corneal stroma were recorded and compared. The overall differences at different times were compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance or Friedman test, and the pairwise comparison was corrected by LSD-t test or Bonferroni test. Results: One week after collagen cross-linking, the epithelial cells were in the repair stage, showing an increased nucleolar size and an enhanced reflection, and the activated cells could be detected under the epithelium. The superficial corneal stroma was swollen and spongiform, while the deep corneal stroma was patchy or cord-like, scattered and with a strong reflection. One month after the therapy, epithelial cells recovered, subepithelial nerves began to grow, the superficial corneal stroma still showed a spongy structure, and the reflection was further enhanced. The activation of the deep corneal stroma exhibited as thicker plaques or cord-like structure. Three months after the therapy, the continuous elongation of single nerve fibers could be detected occasionally. There was statistically significant difference in the density of nerve fibers before and early after the therapy (F=233.30, P<0.001). Compared with the preoperative value [(14.60±2.57) mm/mm2], the density of subepithelial nerve fibers decreased significantly in the early postoperative period, which was (0.51±0.31), (3.65±2.21) and (8.50± 4.02) mm/mm2, respectively, at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, and there were significant differences between different time points (all P<0.05). There was also statistically significant differences in the density of anterior stromal cells before and early after the therapy (χ2=92.48, P<0.001). Compared with the preoperative value [347.00(345.00,395.75) cells/mm2] the density of anterior stromal cells decreased significantly in the early postoperative period, which was 2.00(1.00,5.75), 2.50(1.00,5.75) and 79.00(64.25,94.00) cells/mm2, respectively, at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, and there were significant differences between different time points (all P<0.05). Within 3 months after the therapy, the depth of the corneal stroma observed by confocal microscopy ranged from 245 to 536 µm, with an average of (400.56±86.12) µm. Histologically, the depth of the corneal stroma ranged from 245 to 536 µm [average, (402.13±89.20) µm], from 251 to 527 µm [average, (399.88±85.92) µm] and from 259 to 530 µm [average, (399.69±85.94) µm] at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, respectively, with no significant difference (F=0.797, P=0.455). There was no significant difference in the density of posterior stromal cells [(260.6±33.2) cells/mm2 preoperatively, (264.4±44.5) cells/mm2 at 1 week, (263.9±37.6) cells/mm2 at 1 month and (266.3±40.2) cells/mm2 at 3 months] and endothelial cells [(2 707±152.6) cells/mm2 preoperatively, (2 704±148.5) cells/mm2 at 1 week, (2 705±152.6) cells/mm2 at 1 month and (2 704±150.1) cells/mm2 at 3 months] between different time points (F=1.380, 1.011; P=0.259, 0.351). Conclusions: Confocal microscopy is able to clearly document the early morphological characteristics after collagen cross-linking in the treatment of keratoconus, including the epithelial and subepithelial nerve injury repair, the spongiform superficial corneal stroma, the patchy or cord-like deep corneal stroma, and the relatively stable stromal depth change.

[Effects of interpregnancy interval on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy: a multicenter retrospective study].

Objective: To explore the effects of interpregnancy interval (IPI) on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 21 hospitals in China. Information of age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, IPI, history of diseases, complications of pregnancy, gestational age of delivery, delivery mode, and pregnancy outcomes of the participants were collected by consulting medical records of pregnant women who had two consecutive deliveries in the same hospital during 2011 to 2018. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to IPI:<18 months, 18-23 months, 24-59 months and ≥60 months. According to the WHO's recommendation, with the IPI of 24-59 months group as a reference, to the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy were analyzed. Stratified analysis was further carried out based on age, history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), macrosomia, and premature delivery, to explore the differences in the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes among women with different characteristics. Results: A total of 8 026 women were included in this study. There were 423, 623, 5 512 and 1 468 participants in <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group, respectively. (1) The age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), history of cesarean section, GDM, gestational hypertension and cesarean section delivery rate of <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group were gradually increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) After adjusting for potential confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, the risk of premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and oligohydramnios were increased by 42% (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.07-1.88, P=0.015), 46% (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.13-1.88, P=0.004), and 64% (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.13-2.38, P=0.009) respectively for women in the IPI≥60 months group. No effects of IPI on other pregnancy outcomes were found in this study (P>0.05). (3) After stratified by age and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of oligohydramnios for women with advanced age (OR=2.87, 95%CI: 1.41-5.83, P=0.004); and <18 months could increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women under the age of 35 (OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.04-2.43, P=0.032). Both the risk of premature rupture of membranes (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.18-2.13, P=0.002) and premature delivery (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.07-2.17, P=0.020) were significantly increased in the IPI≥60 months group. After stratified by history of GDM and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would lead to an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage for women with a history of GDM (OR=5.34, 95%CI: 1.45-19.70, P=0.012) and an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of GDM (OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.10-1.90, P=0.009). After stratified by history of macrosomia and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months could increase the proportion of cesarean section for women with a history of macrosomia (OR=4.11, 95%CI: 1.18-14.27, P=0.026) and the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of macrosomia (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.12-1.89, P=0.005). After stratified by history of premature delivery and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of premature delivery (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.13-1.92, P=0.004). Conclusions: Both IPI≥60 months and <18 months would increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. Healthcare education and consultation should be conducted for women of reproductive age to maintain an appropriate IPI when they plan to pregnant again, to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy.

Growth and laser properties of Nd3+-doped Bi4Ge3O12 single-crystal fiber.

The Nd3+-doped Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) single-crystal fiber (SCF) was successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down method with the resistance heating system. The fluorescence spectrum and transmission spectrum of the Nd:BGO SCF were measured. Excited by a continuous-wave 808-nm laser diode, a fluorescence peak around 1064 nm was observed. At an absorbed pump power of 15.25 W, the Nd:BGO SCF laser delivered a power of 3.37 W with a slope efficiency of 31.2%.

The potential role of attitudes towards suicide between mental health status and suicidal ideation among Chinese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of mental health status and attitudes towards suicide on suicidal ideation in a sample of 6568 Chinese children and adolescents in China. Attitudes towards suicide were investigated as a possible moderator and mediator of the influence of mental health status on suicidal ideation. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analyses, Pearson correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were adopted as methods of data analyses. RESULTS: Approximately 35.38% of children and adolescents in our study reported having suicidal ideation. Mental health status and attitudes towards suicide both had an independent effect on the severity of suicidal ideation. Results indicated that mental health status was positively associated with suicidal ideation, while attitudes towards suicide were negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Moderation analysis showed that the impact of mental health status on suicidal ideation was significantly greater among children and adolescents who reported favourable attitudes towards suicide. Attitudes towards suicide partially mediated the link between mental health status and the severity of suicidal ideation. Specifically, students who experienced poorer mental health status might be more likely to report significantly more favourable attitudes towards suicide, which in turn promote greater suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: These results have implications for the prevention of youth suicide, suggesting that mental health status and attitudes towards suicide could be important targets for prevention and intervention for children and adolescents at risk of suicidal ideation.

Phylogenetic analysis of the pathogenic genus Aeromonas spp. isolated from diseased eels in China.

Analyses of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes (HKGs) were valuated as identification markers for pathogenic Aeromonas isolated from diseased eels. The interrelationships of 32 Aeromonas strains which had been verified as pathogens to eels were studied using phylogenetic analysis with 16S rRNA and HKG sequences (cpn60, gyrB, rpoB and dnaJ) and identified by Biolog automatic microbiology analysis system (gene III). From the analysis of 5 genes, the mean gene divergences of 16S rRNA, cpn60, gyrB, rpoB and dnaJ in 32 isolates were 1.4 ± 0.2%, 7.1 ± 0.7%, 5.2 ± 0.5%, 2.2 ± 0.4% and 6.8 ± 0.5%, respectively. The results of comparative phylogeny between nucleotide based analyses (excluding the third codon position) of four HKGs with the sequences from 55 strains of Aeromonas (including 23 referenced strains of Aeromonas) showed cpn60 and dnaJ have higher discriminate power than gyrB and rpoB comparing with the taxonomical identification by Biolog system. In addition, amino acid sequences of concatenated cpn60-rpoB-gyrB is a good method for Aeromonas pathogens identification. This study showed analysis of HKG sequences can be used as an alternative method for sound identification of bacterial pathogens isolated from diseased eels in China.

[Serological and pathological features of drug-induced liver injury and autoimmune hepatitis].

Objective: To investigate the differences and similarities between drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in serum biochemical parameters and liver pathology, and to provide some thoughts for clinical diagnosis and differentiation of these two diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the biochemical, immunological, autoantibody, and liver pathological data of 106 DILI patients and 63 AIH patients who were hospitalized, diagnosed, and treated in our hospital from January 2012 to October 2014. The patients' general data, biochemical parameters, immunological data, Ishak score, and qualitative changes in liver tissue were analyzed and compared. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison of nonparametric data between multiple groups, the Nemenyi test was used for comparison of nonparametric data between any two groups, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison of Ishak scores, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of constituent ratio of categorical data. Results: There were significant differences between AIH group and DILI hepatocyte injury group/mixed-type DILI group in the following serum biochemical parameters: alanine aminotransferase (187.2 U/Lvs 1 326.5 U/L and 455.6,P< 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (172.2 U/L vs 759.5 U/L and 349.5 U/L,P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (209.3 U/L vs 157.3 U/L and 169.4 U/L,P< 0.05), gamma-glutamyl transferase (254.8 U/L vs 176.5 U/L and 170.5 U/L,P< 0.05), total bilirubin (37.2µmol/L vs 95.8µmol/L and 52.6µmol/L,P< 0.05), serum iron (18.9µmol/L vs 36.2µmol/L and 23.9µmol/L,P< 0.05), serum ferritin (122.5µmol/L vs 410.4µmol/L and 186.5µmol/L,P< 0.05), immunoglobulin G (18.4 g/L vs 12.6 g/L and 12.3 g/L,P< 0.05), and immunoglobulin M (1.8 g/L vs 1.3 g/L and 1.1 g/L,P< 0.05). There were also significant differences between AIH group and DILI hepatocyte injury group/mixed-type DILI group in the Ishak score for interface inflammation (2.2±0.8 vs 1.3±0.7 and 1.3±0.6,P< 0.05), Ishak score for portal inflammation (2.3±0.9 vs 1.5±0.7 and 1.4±0.8,P< 0.05), and fibrosis score (2.8±1.1 vs 1.5±0.7 and 1.3±0.7,P< 0.05). There were significant differences between AIH group and DILI hepatocyte injury group/mixed-type DILI group in the proportion of wax-like deposition (0 vs 29.2% and 34.5%, P <0.05) and proportion of iron deposition (11.1% vs 52.1% and 25.9%,P< 0.05). Conclusion: There are differences in biochemistry, immunology, and liver histology between DILI and AIH patients. AIH patients have more serious interface inflammation and portal inflammation and a higher fibrosis degree compared with DILI patients, while DILI patients have greater proportions of wax-like deposition and iron deposition compared with AIH patients.

Cytogenetic and molecular identification of a wheat-Leymus mollis alien multiple substitution line from octoploid Tritileymus x Triticum durum.

Leymus mollis (Trin.) Pilger (NsNsXmXm, 2n = 28), a wild relative of common wheat, possesses many traits that are potentially valuable for wheat improvement. In order to exploit and utilize the useful genes of L. mollis, we developed a multiple alien substitution line, 10DM50, from the progenies of octoploid Tritileymus M842-16 x Triticum durum cv. D4286. Genomic in situ hybridization analysis of mitosis and meiosis (metaphase I), using labeled total DNA of Psathyrostachys huashanica as probe, showed that the substitution line 10DM50 was a cytogenetically stable alien substitution line with 36 chromosomes from wheat and three pairs of Ns genome chromosomes from L. mollis. Simple sequence repeat analysis showed that the chromosomes 3D, 6D, and 7D were absent in 10DM50. Expressed sequence tag-sequence tagged sites analysis showed that new chromatin from 3Ns, 6Ns, and 7Ns of L. mollis were detected in 10DM50. We deduced that the substitution line 10DM50 was a multiple alien substitution line with the 3D, 6D, and 7D chromosomes replaced by 3Ns, 6Ns, and 7Ns from L. mollis. 10DM50 showed high resistance to leaf rust and significantly improved spike length, spikes per plant, and kernels per spike, which are correlated with higher wheat yield. These results suggest that line 10DM50 could be used as intermediate material for transferring desirable traits from L. mollis into common wheat in breeding programs.

Impaired Bronchoprotection Is Not Induced by Increased Smooth Muscle Mass in Chronic Treatment In Vivo with Formoterol in Asthmatic Mouse Model.

OBJECTIVE: Inhaling ß2-adrenoceptor agonist is first-line asthma treatment, which is used for both acute relief of and prevention of bronchoconstriction. However, chronic use of ß-agonists results in impaired bronchoprotection and increasing occurrences of severe asthma exacerbation, even death in clinical practice. The mechanism of ß-adrenoceptor hyposensitivity has not been thoroughly elucidated thus far. Bronchial smooth muscle contraction induces airway narrowing and also mediates airway inflammation. Moreover, bronchial smooth muscle mass significantly increases in asthmatics. We aim to establish an asthmatic model that demonstrated that formoterol induced impaired bronchoprotection and to see whether increased smooth muscle mass play a role in it. METHODS: We combined routine allergen challenging (seven weeks) with repeated application of formoterol, formoterol plus budesonide or physiological saline in allergen-sensitized BALB/c mouse. The bronchoprotection mediated by ß-agonist was measured in five consecutive weeks. Smooth muscle mass was shown by morphometric analysis, and α-actin expression was detected by western blot. RESULTS: The trend of bronchoprotection was wavy in drug interventional groups, which initially increased and then decreased. Chronic treatment with formoterol significantly impaired bronchoprotection. According to the morphometric analysis and α-actin expression, no significant difference was detected in smooth muscle mass in all groups. CONCLUSION: This experiment successfully established that a chronic asthmatic mouse model, which manifested typical features of asthmatic patients, when treated chronically with formoterol, resulted in a loss of bronchoprotection. No significant difference was detected in smooth muscle mass in all groups, which implied some subcellular signalling changes may be the key points.

Development of 5Ns chromosome-specific SCAR markers for utilization in future wheat breeding programs.

In previous studies, we developed a wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng disomic addition line 3-8-10-2, which exhibited high stripe rust resistance and could be used as a donor source for introducing novel disease resistance gene(s) into wheat in future breeding programs. It was identified using cytology, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), EST-SSR, EST-STS and morphological analyses. However, these techniques are not suitable for breeding programs that require the rapid screening of large numbers of genotypes because they are highly technical and time-consuming. In this study, three Ns genome-specific SCAR markers were developed via random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. These SCAR markers were further validated using a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines, which segregated the 5Ns disomic addition line individuals. Our results indicated that the SCAR markers associated with the 5Ns chromosome of P. huashanica and they provide a low cost, high efficiency, alternative tool for screening 5Ns chromosomes in a wheat background. These newly developed SCAR markers that species-specificity of the markers was proved by analysis of a wide range of cereal species, and specific for 5Ns chromosome, which should be useful in marker-assisted selection for wheat breeders who want to screen genotypes that may contain 5Ns chromatin.

Measurement of a reaction-diffusion crossover in exciton-exciton recombination inside carbon nanotubes using femtosecond optical absorption.

Exciton-exciton recombination in isolated semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes was studied using femtosecond transient absorption. Under sufficient excitation to saturate the optical absorption, we observed an abrupt transition between reaction- and diffusion-limited kinetics, arising from reactions between incoherent localized excitons with a finite probability of ~0.2 per encounter. This represents the first experimental observation of a crossover between classical and critical kinetics in a 1D coalescing random walk, which is a paradigm for the study of nonequilibrium systems.

A novel SCAR marker for detecting Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng chromatin introduced in wheat.

In this study, we cloned and sequenced a 938-base pair polymorphic band, pHs27, in the tightly linked random amplified polymorphic DNA marker OPU10 and converted it into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker referred to as RHS141, which was specific for the Ns genome of Psathyrostachys huashanica. A GenBank basic local alignment search tool search showed that the sequence of pHs27 had no primary sequence homology with known sequences, and Southern blotting confirmed this result. This SCAR marker was used to detect Ns genome chromatin in wheat, and it was successfully amplified in P. huashanica itself, a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines (1Ns-7Ns), and undetermined homoeologous group addition lines. This SCAR marker will be a powerful tool for the marker-assisted selection of P. huashanica chromosome(s) in a wheat background, and it should also allow wheat breeders to screen for the excellent traits found in P. huashanica chromatin.

Additive effect of tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine in the treatment of spinal cord injury caused by aortic cross-clamping in rats.

STUDY DESIGN: Tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine are effective agents for nerve injury. Experiments in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of spinal cord injury were performed. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine on neurological outcome and spinal cord hisotpathology after transient spinal cord ischemia in rats. SETTING: Chongqing Medical University and Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. METHODS: Spinal cord ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 30 min followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Animals were divided into a sham group with a sham procedure; control group with aortic occlusion, but no pharmacological intervention applied; and treatment group with aortic occlusion, treated with tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine. After 72 h of reperfusion, neurological status was evaluated in the animals. A histopathological study of spinal cords was performed, and glutamate level and metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 (mGluR1) mRNA expression were determined. RESULTS: All animals in the control group were completely paraplegic with 0% recovery. Tarlov criteria were significantly better in the animals treated with tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine than that in the control group (P<0.05). Functional parameters were fully correlated with the morphological findings. Glutamate level was elevated in the control group, whereas it was significantly supressed in animals treated with tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine treatment. The infrarenal artery occlusion significantly elevated the expression of mGluR-1 mRNA, whereas tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine greatly supressed the expression of mGluR-1 mRNA. CONCLUSION: The combination of tetramethylpyrazine and deferoxamine significantly reduced the incidence of paraplegia induced by spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion.

Identification and Distribution of Soybean mosaic virus Strains in Southern China.

From 1,417 leaf samples with Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)-like symptoms collected from about 1,500 fields of 117 counties of 13 provinces in Southern China during 2004 to 2006, 201 SMV isolates were obtained after biological purification with single-lesion isolation and serological determination. Based on disease reactions on 10 differentials used in China as a representative from various reported differential cultivar systems, the isolates were grouped into 12 strains. Among them, eight were the same as those previously reported from Northeast China and the Huang-Huai Valleys while the other four were new and were designated as SC18, SC19, SC20, and SC21. Strains SC15 and SC18, which were predominant and widespread in Southern China, accounted for 32.3 and 26.4% of the total isolates and were distributed in 9 and 10 provinces, respectively. Thus far, 21 strains have been identified in the three soybean-producing regions in China under the uniform differentials system. According to their responses on the 10 differentials, the strains were clustered into five groups at similarity coefficient 0.6. Among them, SC15 in cluster V is the most virulent strain because it infects all differentials. Therefore, specific attention should be placed on control of its prevalence in soybean production.

Evaluation of the cold tolerance of Saccharum spontaneum L. clones with different ploidy levels on the basis of morphological and physiological indices.

Saccharum spontaneum L. is one of the most important germplasm resources for modern sugarcane breeding. Exploring the cold tolerance of S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels and screening for cold-tolerant material can be helpful in parent selection for breeding cold-tolerant sugarcane. Morphological indices, leaf ultrastructure and physiological indices were used to evaluate the cold tolerance of 36 S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels (2n = 40, 48, 54, 60, 64, 78, 80, 88, 92 and 96). The morphological indices of S. spontaneum clones with different ploidy levels were positively correlated with ploidy. Under low-temperature stress, the chloroplast and mitochondrial structures of the clones with high ploidy were more severely damaged than were those of clones with low ploidy. A comprehensive evaluation of the physiological indices showed that the 36 S. spontaneum clones could be divided into four categories: strongly cold tolerant, cold tolerant, moderately cold tolerant and cold sensitive. Correlation analysis of the morphological indices and cold tolerance revealed a significant negative correlation between cold tolerance and ploidy. On the basis of the morphological and physiological indices, optimal stepwise regression equations that can be used for the selection of cold-tolerant S. spontaneum resources were established. The S. spontaneum clones with low ploidy are more cold tolerant than those with high ploidy. Clones 12-37, 13-10 and 12-23 are strongly cold-tolerant germplasm resources, which suggests these germplasm sources have high potential for use in breeding cold-tolerant sugarcane.

Linkage of replication to start by the Cdk inhibitor Sic1.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, three G1 cyclins (Clns) are important for Start, the event committing cells to division. Sic1, an inhibitor of C1b-Cdc28 kinases, became phosphorylated at Start, and this phosphorylation depended on the activity of Clns. Sic1 was subsequently lost, which depended on the activity of Clns and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34. Inactivation of Sic1 was the only nonredundant essential function of Clns, because a sic1 deletion rescued the inviability of the cln1 cln2 cln3 triple mutant. In sic1 mutants, DNA replication became uncoupled from budding. Thus, Sic1 may be a substrate of Cln-Cdc28 complexes, and phosphorylation and proteolysis of Sic1 may regulate commitment to replication at Start.

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of Co-doped CeO(2): based on first principle calculation.

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of Co-doped CeO(2) are theoretically investigated by first principles calculations based on the density functional theory + U (DFT+U) methods, using the WIEN2k package. With the presence of oxygen vacancies (V(O)) in CeO(2), d and f orbits of Ce are obviously pulled closer to the Fermi level, but without spin polarization. On the other hand, in Co-doped CeO(2), V(O) defects can lead to strong ferromagnetic coupling between the nearest neighboring Co ions. Such ferromagnetic exchange coupling is mainly attributed to spin splitting of Co 3d states, via electrons trapped in V(O). The results provide direct evidence for the F-center mediated exchange interaction in oxide-based magnetic semiconductors.

UCP2 in early diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection, is a serious threat to the lives of patients. Sepsis can cause tissue hypoperfusion and septic shock which leads to organ dysfunction and death via a variety of mechanisms. Mitochondrial protein (UCP2) involves in immune response, regulation of oxidative stress, and maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential as well as energy production. However, the role of UCP2 in sepsis remains to be further explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 156 patients with sepsis from our hospital were included in this study (69 patients with sepsis and 87 patients with severe sepsis). A total of 69 healthy volunteers were included as controls. Levels of UCP2 in blood cells before and after treatment were measured using RT-PCR and Western blot. The correlation between levels of UCP2 and sepsis was analyzed. RESULTS: The level of UCPPC2 in blood cells of sepsis patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls at both mRNA level and protein level. The expression level of UCP2 in blood cells of sepsis patients was significantly reduced after treatment, compared to that before treatment. No significant difference was found in the level of UCP2 in blood cells of healthy controls before and after treatment ((p=0.45). Also, the level of UCP2 in blood cells of patients with severe sepsis was significantly higher than that of patients with sepsis at the protein level (p<0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the level of UCP2 protein and the severity of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: UCP2 in blood cells might be a specific biomarker for sepsis and the level of UCP2 is positively correlated with the severity of sepsis.