Optofluidic zoom system with increased field of view and less chromatic aberration.

Imaging systems are widely used in many fields. However, there is an inherent compromise between field of view (FOV) and resolution. In this paper, we propose an optofluidic zoom system with increased FOV and less chromatic aberration, which can realize switching between large FOV and high resolution. The proposed system consists of a liquid prism, a zoom objective, an image sensor and image processing module, which can realize optical zoom and deflection. The proposed system achieves non-mechanical optical zoom from f = 40.5 mm to f = 84.0 mm. Besides, the angular resolution of zoom objective is up to 26"18 at f = 84.0 mm. The deflection range is ±10°, and the whole FOV of proposed system can reach up to 30.3°. The proposed system is compact and easy to machine. In addition, we reduce chromatic aberration produced by the liquid prism significantly. The proposed system can be used in monitor system, target tracking system, telescope system and so on.

The positive effects of postbiotic (SWF concentration®) supplemented diet on skin mucus, liver, gut health, the structure and function of gut microbiota of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed with high-fat diet.

Postbiotics are an emerging research interest in recent years, which shows that metabolites, lysate extracts, cell wall components and even culture supernatants of probiotics can also exhibit significant prebiotic effects. In this study postbiotic stress worry free concentration® (SWFC) were prepared from the composition of culture supernatant of Cetobacterium somerae and Lactococcus lactis. The positive effects of SWFC supplemented diets on the growth performance, skin mucus, liver and gut health, and intestinal microbiota profile of Cyprinus carpio fed with high fat diets were investigated. 180 C. carpio with an average body weight of (3.01 ± 0.01) g were selected and randomly divided into three groups. They were fed with one of the three experimental diets supplemented with SWFC of 0 (control), 0.2 and 0.3 g/kg for 98 days, afterwards indexes were detected. The results revealed that, addition of SWFC had no significant effect on growth performance of C. carpio, while it can improve the health of the fish remarkably. In addition, SWFC improved mucosal C3, T-AOC, SOD activities, and decreased lipid peroxidation product MDA level, which were notably better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of the liver health systems, C. carpio fed on the diet supplemented with 0.2 g/kg of SWFC, showed significant improvement of the liver injured by HFD and reduce the contents of serum ALT and AST, and liver TAG (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). The expression of inflammation-related and lipid synthesis genes revealed that SWFC0.2 group could noteworthy enhance antioxidant capacity, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß) and lipid synthesis genes (ACC, FAS, PPAR-ß, PPAR-γ), and up-regulated the expression of anti-inflammatory factors (TGF-ß). Additionally, intestinal morphology arose inflammatory cell infiltration, while intestinal integrity was better in SWFC groups compared with the control. Furthermore, the contents of serum LPS and LBP were remarkably lower in the SWFC0.2 group compared with the control (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of genes related to gut health indicated that SWFC supplementation noteworthy up-regulated the expression of antioxidant (Nrf2, CAT, GPX), immune (Hepcidin, IL-10) and tight junction protein-related (ZO-1, Occludin). Simultaneously, the results of GF-zebrafish showed that the relative expression of anti-inflammatory genes (IL-1ß, TGF-ß) and antioxidant related genes (Nrf2, HO-1) were significantly up-regulated in SWFC groups. Data on intestinal microbiota profile verified that, at the phylum level, the abundance of Fusobacteria was remarkably elevated in the SWFC groups (P < 0.05), whereas the abundance of Firmicutes was declined noteworthy in SWFC0.2 and SWFC0.3 compared to the control group (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) respectively. At the genus level, the abundance of Cetobacterium in the SWFC groups were notably higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the Vibrio content in the SWFC groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). PCoA result indicated that the intestinal microflora of SWFC0.2 group was abundant and diverse. Our results elucidate that dietary supplementation of SWFC protects C. carpio from HFD induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, ameliorate skin mucus, liver and gut health, and improve the gut microbiota balance. Therefore, SWFC could be considered as an improving-fish-health additive, when supplemented to aquatic animal feed. With regards to how SWFC regulates the immunity and inflammatory responses and which signal transductions are involved remains unclear and more scientific evidences are needed to address these issues.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG triggers intestinal epithelium injury in zebrafish revealing host dependent beneficial effects.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), the well-characterized human-derived probiotic strain, possesses excellent properties in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, immunoregulation and defense against gastrointestinal pathogens in mammals. Here, we demonstrate that the SpaC pilin of LGG causes intestinal epithelium injury by inducing cell pyroptosis and gut microbial dysbiosis in zebrafish. Dietary SpaC activates Caspase-3-GSDMEa pathways in the intestinal epithelium, promotes intestinal pyroptosis and increases lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing gut microbes in zebrafish. The increased LPS subsequently activates Gaspy2-GSDMEb pyroptosis pathway. Further analysis reveals the Caspase-3-GSDMEa pyroptosis is initiated by the species-specific recognition of SpaC by TLR4ba, which accounts for the species-specificity of the SpaC-inducing intestinal pyroptosis in zebrafish. The observed pyroptosis-driven gut injury and microbial dysbiosis by LGG in zebrafish suggest that host-specific beneficial/harmful mechanisms are critical safety issues when applying probiotics derived from other host species and need more attention.

Experimental quasi-single-photon transmission from satellite to earth.

Free-space quantum communication with satellites opens a promising avenue for global secure quantum network and large-scale test of quantum foundations. Recently, numerous experimental efforts have been carried out towards this ambitious goal. However, one essential step--transmitting single photons from the satellite to the ground with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at realistic environments--remains experimental challenging. Here, we report a direct experimental demonstration of the satellite-ground transmission of a quasi-single-photon source. In the experiment, single photons (~0.85 photon per pulse) are generated by reflecting weak laser pulses back to earth with a cube-corner retro-reflector on the satellite CHAMP, collected by a 600-mm diameter telescope at the ground station, and finally detected by single-photon counting modules after 400-km free-space link transmission. With the help of high accuracy time synchronization, narrow receiver field-of-view and high-repetition-rate pulses (76 MHz), a SNR of better than 16:1 is obtained, which is sufficient for a secure quantum key distribution. Our experimental results represent an important step towards satellite-ground quantum communication.

[Efficacies of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells with a hydroxylapatite composite in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacies of core decompression and implantation of concentrated autologous bone marrow containing mononuclear cells (BMMCs) with porous hydroxylapatite composite in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: A total of 35 patients with 57 osteonecrosis hips with ARCO stage I, stage II and stage IIIA disease were treated by BMMCs with a porous hydroxylapatite composite. The mean age at surgery was 39.4 (26-58) years and the mean period of follow-up 28 (12-40) months. In the control group, cell-free porous hydroxylapatite composite was implanted into 17 patients (27 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head and the outcomes were compared. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, postoperative Harris hip scores significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.0001). The magnitude of increase was significantly greater in the BMMCs group compared with the control group (28.3% ± 0.9% vs 18.4% ± 1.7%, P < 0.01). Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.01). The magnitude of decrease was significantly greater in the BMMCs group compared with the control group (-70.2% ± 2.1% vs -51.7% ± 2.9%, P < 0.001). The clinical success rate was significantly higher in the BMMCs group compared with the control group (75.4% vs 37.0%, P < 0.01). The radiological success rates were similar between the BMMCs and control groups (59.6% vs 40.7%, P = 0.1046). CONCLUSION: The combined regimen of core decompression and implantation of concentrated autologous BMMCs with porous hydroxylapatite composite appears to confer benefits in the treatment of in stages I-IIIA osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Decoy-state quantum key distribution with polarized photons over 200 km.

We report an implementation of decoy-state quantum key distribution (QKD) over 200 km optical fiber cable through photon polarization encoding. This is achieved by constructing the whole QKD system operating at 320 MHz repetition rate, and developing high-speed transmitter and receiver modules. A novel and economic way of synchronization method is designed and incorporated into the system, which allows to work at a low frequency of 40kHz and removes the use of highly precise clock. A final key rate of 15 Hz is distributed within the experimental time of 3089 seconds, by using super-conducting single photon detectors. This is longest decoy-state QKD yet demonstrated up to date. It helps to make a significant step towards practical secure communication in long-distance scope.

Electrophilic reaction of Ag(III) N-confused porphyrin with alcohols.

Experimental studies demonstrated that alcohols and amines can undergo a CF(3)COOAg-catalyzed nucleophilic addition at the outer C=N position of Ag(III) NCPs, leading to C-3-alkoxylated Ag(III) NCPs, which supports the computational result that the C=N bond on the periphery of Ag(III) NCPs is partially isolated from the 18 pi-electron macrocyclic conjugation system and is the active electrophilic center.

[Relationship of motor deficits and imaging features in metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of motor deficits of the lower extremities with the imaging features of malignant spinal cord compression (MESCCs). METHODS: From July 2006 through December 2008, 56 successive MESCC patients were treated at our department. All were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography and were scored according to motor deficits Frankel grading on admission. Imaging assessment factors of main involved vertebrae were level of vertebral metastatic location, epidural space involvement, vertebral body involvement, lamina involvement, posterior protrusion of posterior wall, pedicle involvement, continuity of main involved vertebrae, fracture of anterior column, fracture of posterior wall, location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction. RESULTS: Occurrence was the same between paralytic state of MESCCs and epidural space involvement of imaging features. Multiple regression equation showed that paralytic state had a linear regression relationship with imaging factors of lamina involvement (X1), posterior protrusion of posterior wall (X2), location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction (X7) of main involved vertebrae. The optimal regression equation of paralytic state (Y) and imaging feature (X) was Y = -0.009 +0.639X, + 0.149X, +0.282X. Lamina involvement of main involved vertebrae has a greatest influence upon paralytic state of MESCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging factors of lamina involvement, posterior protrusion of posterior wall, location in upper thoracic spine and/or cervicothoracic junction of main involved vertebrae can predict the paralytic state of MESCC patients. MESCC with lamina involvement is more easily encroached on epidural space.

Real-time and ultrahigh accuracy image synthesis algorithm for full field of view imaging system.

In this paper, we propose a real time, ultrahigh accuracy and full-field-of-view (RUF) algorithm for full field of view (FOV) imaging system. The proposed algorithm combines rough matching and precise matching method to stitch multiple images with the whole FOV in short time and high imaging quality. In order to verify real-time imaging effect of RUF algorithm, we also fabricate a multi-camera imaging system which includes 19 independent cameras. And the experiment result practically illustrates that full-FOV system can achieve good performances under a near-limiting FOV of 360° × 240° with low distortion, meanwhile, optical resolution reaches up to 95 megapixels. 100% registration-accuracy RUF algorithm for imaging in one second can be widely applied to any optical imaging engineering field with large FOV, such as remote sensing imaging, microscopy imaging, monitoring system engineering fields and so on.

[Intraarterial neoadjuvant chemotherapy for extremity osteosarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experiences in intraarterial neoadjuvant chemotherapy for extremity osteosarcoma. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2007, 111 patients with stage IIB extremity osteosarcoma received preoperative intraarterial chemotherapy after placing chemotherapy pump subcutaneously, en bloc resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There were 63 males and 48 females with an average age of 18 years old (range: 14 - 39). The time from symptom onset to hospitalization varied from several days to 6 months. The induction chemotherapy regimen included epirubicin [50 - 70 mg/m(2) by 4-hour intraarterial infusion/day for 3 days] and epirubicin plus adriamycin [100 - 120 mg/m(2) by 2-hour intraarterial infusion/day for 3 days] repetitively every 2 - 3 weeks. Among which 24 cases only received 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy was assigned into the nonstandard chemotherapy group and 87 cases receiving 3 - 6 cycles of induction chemotherapy the standard chemotherapy group. The number of preoperative chemotherapeutical cycles of standard chemotherapy group depended on the clinical and radiographic evaluation of chemotherapy efficacy. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 28 (8 - 48) months. The rate of extremity preservation surgery was 89.53% (77/86) in the standard chemotherapy group and 37.5% (9/24) in the nonstandard chemotherapy group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate of all 111 cases were 68.3% and 65.9% respectively. There were significant differences in overall survival rate (38.9%, 80.0%, P = 0.000), disease-free survival rate (30.1%, 79.5%, P = 0.000), distant metastatic rate (66.67%, 16.09%, P = 0.0000) and local recurrence rate (58.33%, 13.79%, P = 0.0000) between two groups. CONCLUSION: Standard intraarterial neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is more effective than nonstandard intraarterial induction chemotherapy to treat stage IIB extremity osteosarcoma.

[Therapy progress of spinal cord compression by metastatic spinal tumor].

Metastatic epidural compression of the spinal cord is a significant source of morbidity in patients with systemic cancer. With improvment of oncotheray, survival period in the patients is improving and metastatic cord compression is en- countered increasingly often. Surgical management performed for early circumferential decompression for the spinal cord com- pression with spine instability, and spine reconstruction performed. Patients with radiosensitive tumours without spine instabili- ty, radiotherapy is an effective therapy. Spinal stereotactic radiosurgery and minimally invasive techniques, such as vertebro- plasty and kyphoplasty, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, radiofrequency ablation are promising options for treatment of cer- tain selected patients with spinal metastases.

Photodynamic therapy in spinal metastases: a qualitative analysis of published results.

The current study was to perform qualitative comparison of photodynamic therapy (PDT), based on previously published articles on spinal disease distribution status before and after treatment. Spinal metastasis, the migration of primary cancer cells and establishment of secondary tumors in the spine. We electronically searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2012), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and AMED (from their beginning to December 31, 2012) to identify published studies assessing the effectiveness of PDT in spinal metastases. Our inclusion criteria resulted in only 4 articles, all in mice models. Due to study limitations and sparse data, the quality of evidence for all outcomes was low. Our analyses shows that effects on stereological and mechanical properties observed at the 1-week time point post-PDT are maintained at a longer 6-week time point, with combined PDT + bisphosphonate treatment being the most beneficial in terms of bone enhancement. Additionally, the combination of PDT + radiation therapy also demonstrated significant increases in stereological parameters, suggesting that previous radiation therapy treatment does not preclude the bone-enhancing effects of PDT and in fact may be synergistic in the longer term. The bone-enhancing effects of PDT in combination with conventional treatments, and its ability to destroy metastatic human breast cancer cells within bone, present PDT as an attractive novel treatment for spinal metastasis. The positive results from these preclinical studies might motivate future clinical translation of PDT for spinal metastasis.

[Single factor analysis of motor dysfunction and imaging and clinical features in metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of motor dysfunction of the lower extremities with the imaging appearances and clinical features of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCCs). METHODS: From July 2006 to December 2007, 26 successive patients with metastases of the thoracic, lumbar and the cervical spine were treated in our department. Forty-three main involved vertebra in all 26 patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and were scored according motor dysfunction in this study. Fourteen patients (25 vertebrae) had motor dysfunction. RESULTS: Among 26 patients, 12 cases with visceral metastasis,in which had motor dysfunction in 10 cases; 14 cases without visceral metastasis, in which had motor dysfunction in 4 cases; comparison between two groups, P=0.0079. Among vertebral presence of continuity of 43 main involved vertebrae, 16 vertebrae had motor dysfunction;among vertebral absence of continuity, motor dysfunction occurred in 9 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.1034. Among vertebral presence of lamina involvement of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of lamina involvement, motor dysfunction occurred in 14 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.020 5. Among vertebral presence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall of 43 main involved vertebrae, 12 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall, 13 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.0334. Among vertebral presence of involvement epidural space of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of involvement epidural space, 14 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.003 6. Such factors as age, gender, whether or not received regular chem before admission, back pain degree of metastasis, received regular chem before admission, therapeutic efficacy of primary tumor, number of bony metastases outside spine, number of the main involved vertebrae, level of vertebral metastases location, level of continuous involved vertebrae, vertebral-body involvement, fracture of anterior column, fracture of posterior wall, and pedicle involvement had no effects on incidence of motor dysfunction due to MESCC (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MESCC with visceral metastases, lamina involvement, presence of outstanding buttocks sign of posterior wall,involvement epidural space tended to cause symptomatic MESCC. Incidence of continuity of main involved vertebrae occurred more frequently in the CUTS compared with other levels of spine.

Development of a Polarizable Force Field Using Multiple Fluctuating Charges per Atom.

A polarizable force field (PFF) using multiple fluctuating charges per atom, ABEEMσπ PFF, is presented in this work. The fluctuating partial charges are obtained from the electronegativity equalization principle applied to the decomposition scheme of atom-bond regions into multiple charge sites: atomic, lone-pair electron, and σ and π bond regions. These multiple partial charges per atom should better account for the polarization effect than single atomic charge in other PFFs. To evaluate the PFF, structural and energetic properties for some organic and biochemical systems, including rotational barriers; binding energies of base pairs; a base-base interaction in a B-DNA decamer; and interaction energies of ten stationary conformers of a water dimer, peptides, and bases with water molecules, have been calculated and compared with the experimental data or ab initio MP2 results. Molecular dynamics simulations using the PFF have been performed for crambin and BPTI protein systems. Better performances in modeling root-mean-square deviations of backbone bond lengths, bond angles, key dihedral angles, the coordinate root-mean-square shift of atoms, and the distribution of hydrogen bonds have been observed in comparison with other PFFs. These results indicate that the fluctuating charge force field, ABEEMσπ/MM, is accurate and reliable and can be applied to wide ranges of organic and biomolecular systems.