Epicardial and pericoronary adipose tissue and coronary plaque burden in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: To assess coronary inflammation by measuring the volume and density of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) and coronary plaque burden in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: This study included 29 patients with CS and 58 matched patients without CS who underwent CCTA. The EAT volume, EAT density, FAI and coronary plaque burden were measured. The high-risk plaque (HRP) was also evaluated. CS duration from diagnosis, 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC), and abdominal visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT) of CS patients were recorded. RESULTS: The CS group had higher EAT volume (146.9 [115.4, 184.2] vs. 119.6 [69.0, 147.1] mL, P = 0.006), lower EAT density (- 78.79 ± 5.89 vs. - 75.98 ± 6.03 HU, P = 0.042), lower FAI (- 84.0 ± 8.92 vs. - 79.40 ± 10.04 HU, P = 0.038), higher total plaque volume (88.81 [36.26, 522.5] vs. 44.45 [0, 198.16] mL, P = 0.010) and more HRP plaques (7.3% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.026) than the controls. The multivariate analysis suggested that CS itself (ß [95% CI], 29.233 [10.436, 48.03], P = 0.014), CS duration (ß [95% CI], 0.176 [0.185, 4.242], P = 0.033), and UFC (ß [95% CI], 0.197 [1.803, 19.719], P = 0.019) were strongly associated with EAT volume but not EAT density, and EAT volume (ß [95% CI] - 0.037[- 0.058, - 0.016], P = 0.001) not CS was strongly associated with EAT density. EAT volume, FAI and plaque burden increased (all P < 0.05) in 6 CS patients with follow-up CCTA. The EAT volume had a moderate correlation with abdominal VAT volume (r = 0.526, P = 0.008) in CS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CS have higher EAT volume and coronary plaque burden but less inflammation as detected by EAT density and FAI. The EAT density is associated with EAT volume but not CS itself.

[Changes of gut microflora in newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and its correlation with clinical risk factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gut microbiota in newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2 and the association between the gut microbiota and the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Fresh fecal samples were collected from nineteen newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with CKD stages 1-2 and fifteen age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Fecal bacterial DNA was extracted and microbiota composition were characterized using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) high-throughput sequencing for the V3-V4 region. The Illumina Miseq platform was used to analyze the results of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of fecal flora. At the same time, the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy patients were collected to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and the clinical risk factors. RESULTS: (1) At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly reduced (P=0.046), and the abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly increased (P=0.001). At the genus level, the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Bifidobacte-rium, Dorea and others were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The abundance of Lachnospira, Coprococcus_2 and Sutterella was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and the healthy control group (P>0.05), but there were differences in the structure of the gut microbiota between the two groups. The results of LEfSe analysis showed that there were 16 differential bacteria in the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients and healthy controls. Among them, the abundance of the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients was increased in Enterobacteriales, Actinobacteria, Escherichia-Shigella, etc. The healthy control group was increased in Bacteroidetes and Lachnospira. (3) The result of redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with serum IgA levels, 24-hour urinary protein levels and the presence of hypertension. Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with the presence of hypertension. Escherichia-Shigella was positively correlated with urine red blood cells account. Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with the proliferation of capillaries. Faecalibacterium was positively correlated with cell/fibrocytic crescents. Ruminococcus_2 was positively correlated with mesangial cell proliferation, glomerular segmental sclerosis and renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. CONCLUSION: The gut microbiota in the newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients with CKD stages 1-2 is different from that of the healthy controls. Most importantly, some gut bacteria are related to the clinical risk factors of IgA nephropathy. Further research is needed to understand the potential role of these bacteria in IgA nephropathy.

[Glomuvenous malformation: a clinicopathological analysis of 31 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of glomuvenous malformation (GVM). Methods: Thirty-one cases of GVM diagnosed at the Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2011 to December 2021 were collected. Their clinical and pathological features were analyzed. The expression of relevant markers was examined using immunohistochemistry. The patients were also followed up. Results: There were 16 males and 15 females in this study, with an average age of 11 years (range, 1-52 years). The locations of the disease included 13 cases in the limbs (8 cases in the upper limbs, 5 cases in the lower limbs), 9 cases in the trunks, and 9 cases in the foot (toes or subungual area). Twenty-seven of the cases were solitary and 4 were multifocal. The lesions were characterized by blue-purple papules or plaques on the skin surface, which grew slowly. The lumps became larger and appeared to be conspicuous. Microscopically, GVM mainly involved the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, with an overall ill-defined border. There were scattered or clustered irregular dilated vein-like lumens, with thin walls and various sizes. A single or multiple layers of relatively uniform cubic/glomus cells were present at the abnormal wall, with scattered small nests of the glomus cells. The endothelial cells in the wall of abnormal lumen were flat or absent. Immunohistochemistry showed that glomus cells strongly expressed SMA, h-caldesmon, and collagen IV. Malformed vascular endothelial cells expressed CD31, CD34 and ERG. No postoperative recurrence was found in the 12 cases. Conclusions: GVM is an uncommon type of simple venous malformation in the superficial soft tissue and different from the classical glomus tumor. Morphologically, one or more layers of glomus cells grow around the dilated venous malformation-like lumen, which can be combined with common venous malformations.

[Pituicytoma: a clinicopathological analysis of twenty-one cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and treatment strategies of pituicytoma. Methods: Twenty-one cases of pituicytoma were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2009 to 2020. The clinical data of 21 pituicytoma patients was retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: Twenty-one patients aged 4 to 68 years, including 8 males and 13 females. All patients underwent surgical treatment. Histologically, the tumor was consisted almost entirely of elongate, bipolar spindle cells arranged in a fascicular or storiform pattern. Mitotic figures were rare. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were diffusely positive for S-100 protein (21/21), vimentin (15/15) and TTF1 (14/14), while they were weakly or focally positive for GFAP (13/16) and EMA (6/12). CKpan was negative in all cases and Ki-67 proliferation index was low (<5%). Among the 18 patients with follow-up, all survived and 2 relapsed after surgery. Conclusions: Pituicytoma is a rare low-grade glioma of the sellar area. It is easily confused with other sellar tumors. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. It needs to be confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Microsurgery is the main treatment method at present.

The risk of malignancy in patients with secukinumab-treated psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: analysis of clinical trial and postmarketing surveillance data with up to five years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Data on the use of biologic therapy and malignancy risk are inconsistent due to limited long-term robust studies. OBJECTIVES: To assess the malignancy risk in patients with secukinumab-treated psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: This integrated safety analysis from both the secukinumab clinical trial programme and postmarketing safety surveillance data included any patient receiving at least one approved dose of secukinumab with a maximum of 5 years of follow-up. Safety analyses evaluated the rate of malignancy using exposure-adjusted incidence rates [EAIR; incidence rates per 100 patient treatment-years (PTY)]. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were reported using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database as a reference population. Crude incidence of malignancy was also reported using postmarketing surveillance data. RESULTS: Safety data from 49 clinical trials with secukinumab-treated patients were included: 10 685 patients with psoriasis, 2523 with PsA and 1311 with AS. Across indications over a 5-year period, the EAIR of malignancy was 0·85 per 100 PTY [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·74-0·98] in secukinumab-treated patients, corresponding to 204 patients per 23 908 PTY. Overall, the observed vs. expected number of malignancies from secukinumab clinical trial data were comparable, as indicated by an SIR of 0·99 (95% CI 0·82-1·19) across indications. The estimated crude cumulative incidence reporting rate per 100 PTY for malignancy was 0·27 in the postmarketing surveillance data across indications with a cumulative exposure of 285 811 PTY. CONCLUSIONS: In this large safety analysis, the risk of malignancy was low for up to 5 years of secukinumab treatment. These data support the long-term use of secukinumab in these indications.

Efficacy of secukinumab and adalimumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis and concomitant moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from EXCEED, a randomized, double-blind head-to-head monotherapy study.

BACKGROUND: Secukinumab [an interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor] has demonstrated significantly higher efficacy vs. etanercept (a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor) and ustekinumab (an IL-12/23 inhibitor) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To report 52-week results from a prespecified analysis of patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) having concomitant moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis from the head-to-head EXCEED monotherapy study comparing secukinumab with adalimumab. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive secukinumab 300 mg via subcutaneous injection at baseline, week 1-4, and then every 4 weeks until week 48 or adalimumab 40 mg via subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks from baseline until week 50. Assessments in patients with concomitant moderate-to-severe psoriasis, defined as having affected body surface area > 10% or Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥ 10 at baseline, included musculoskeletal, skin and quality-of-life outcomes. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. RESULTS: Of the 853 patients [secukinumab (N = 426), adalimumab (N = 427)], 211 (24·7%) had concomitant moderate-to-severe psoriasis [secukinumab (N = 110, 25·8%), adalimumab (N = 101, 23·7%)]. Up to week 50, 5·5% of patients discontinued secukinumab vs.17·8% in the adalimumab group. The proportion of patients who achieved American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response was 76·4% with secukinumab vs. 68·3% with adalimumab (P = 0·175), PASI 100 response was 39·1% vs. 23·8% (P = 0·013), and simultaneous improvement in ACR 50 and PASI 100 response at week 52 was 28·2% vs. 17·7%, respectively (P = 0·06). Secukinumab demonstrated consistently higher responses vs. adalimumab across skin endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: This prespecified analysis in PsA patients with concomitant moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in the EXCEED study provides further evidence that IL-17 inhibitors offer a comprehensive biological treatment to manage the concomitant features of psoriasis and PsA.

Blood flow index as an indicator of successful sciatic nerve block: a prospective observational study using laser speckle contrast imaging.

BACKGROUND: Laser speckle contrast imaging allows real-time, non-invasive, quantitative measurements of regional blood flow. The objectives of this prospective observational study were to use laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate blood flow changes after sciatic nerve block, and to determine whether this novel optical technique can evaluate block success. METHODS: This observational study included 63 adult patients undergoing elective lower limb surgery with sciatic nerve block. Blood flow images and blood flow index (BFI) values of toes were recorded using laser speckle contrast imaging 5 min before nerve block and at 5 min intervals until 30 min after sciatic block. The sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off value of laser speckle contrast imaging for predicting successful sciatic block were determined by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The BFI values of toes were significantly increased at each time point after successful sciatic block, compared with the baseline value obtained 5 min before nerve block; in failed sciatic block, there were no significant differences. For successful sciatic block, the highest increase of BFI value was at the big toe. BFI increase of the big toe at 10 min after sciatic block has great potential as an indicator of block success. The area under the ROC curve was 0.954 at a cut-off value of 8.48 perfusion units (PU) with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Laser speckle contrast imaging might be an early, objective, quantitative, and reliable indicator of successful sciatic block. BFI increase of the big toe not reaching 8.48 PU within 10 min after sciatic block indicates block failure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03169517.

Gate-tuning of graphene plasmons revealed by infrared nano-imaging.

Surface plasmons are collective oscillations of electrons in metals or semiconductors that enable confinement and control of electromagnetic energy at subwavelength scales. Rapid progress in plasmonics has largely relied on advances in device nano-fabrication, whereas less attention has been paid to the tunable properties of plasmonic media. One such medium--graphene--is amenable to convenient tuning of its electronic and optical properties by varying the applied voltage. Here, using infrared nano-imaging, we show that common graphene/SiO(2)/Si back-gated structures support propagating surface plasmons. The wavelength of graphene plasmons is of the order of 200 nanometres at technologically relevant infrared frequencies, and they can propagate several times this distance. We have succeeded in altering both the amplitude and the wavelength of these plasmons by varying the gate voltage. Using plasmon interferometry, we investigated losses in graphene by exploring real-space profiles of plasmon standing waves formed between the tip of our nano-probe and the edges of the samples. Plasmon dissipation quantified through this analysis is linked to the exotic electrodynamics of graphene. Standard plasmonic figures of merit of our tunable graphene devices surpass those of common metal-based structures.

Phylogeny of dermatophytes with genomic character evaluation of clinically distinct Trichophyton rubrum and T. violaceum.

Trichophyton rubrum and T. violaceum are prevalent agents of human dermatophyte infections, the former being found on glabrous skin and nail, while the latter is confined to the scalp. The two species are phenotypically different but are highly similar phylogenetically. The taxonomy of dermatophytes is currently being reconsidered on the basis of molecular phylogeny. Molecular species definitions do not always coincide with existing concepts which are guided by ecological and clinical principles. In this article, we aim to bring phylogenetic and ecological data together in an attempt to develop new species concepts for anthropophilic dermatophytes. Focus is on the T. rubrum complex with analysis of rDNA ITS supplemented with LSU, TUB2, TEF3 and ribosomal protein L10 gene sequences. In order to explore genomic differences between T. rubrum and T. violaceum, one representative for both species was whole genome sequenced. Draft sequences were compared with currently available dermatophyte genomes. Potential virulence factors of adhesins and secreted proteases were predicted and compared phylogenetically. General phylogeny showed clear gaps between geophilic species of Arthroderma, but multilocus distances between species were often very small in the derived anthropophilic and zoophilic genus Trichophyton. Significant genome conservation between T. rubrum and T. violaceum was observed, with a high similarity at the nucleic acid level of 99.38 % identity. Trichophyton violaceum contains more paralogs than T. rubrum. About 30 adhesion genes were predicted among dermatophytes. Seventeen adhesins were common between T. rubrum and T. violaceum, while four were specific for the former and eight for the latter. Phylogenetic analysis of secreted proteases reveals considerable expansion and conservation among the analyzed species. Multilocus phylogeny and genome comparison of T. rubrum and T. violaceum underlined their close affinity. The possibility that they represent a single species exhibiting different phenotypes due to different localizations on the human body is discussed.

Effect of bamboo vinegar powder on the expression of the immune-related genes MyD88 and CD14 in weaning piglets.

The aim was to explore the feasibility of using bamboo vinegar powder as an antibiotics substitute in weaning piglets. Forty-five healthy Duroc × Landrance × Yorshire piglets (weight 6.74 ± 0.17 kg; age 31 days) were randomly divided into the control group (basic diet), ANT group (basic diet + 0.12% compound antibiotics), BV1 group (basic diet + 0.1% bamboo vinegar powder), BV5 group (basic diet + 0.5% bamboo vinegar powder) and BV10 group (basic diet + 1% bamboo vinegar powder). MyD88 and CD14 expression in immune tissues was examined using real-time PCR. MyD88 expression in the control group were significantly lower than that in other groups in all tissues (p⟨0.05), while CD14 expression showed the opposite trend. MyD88 expression was significantly higher in the BV10 group than in other groups in lung tissue (P⟨0.05), significantly higher in the ANT group than in the BV1 group in the kidneys (P⟨0.05), significantly higher in the BV10 group than in the BV1 group in the thymus (P⟨0.05), and signifi- cantly higher in the BV1 group than in the BV10 group in the lymphatic tissue (P⟨0.05). These differences between experimental groups were not observed for the CD14 gene (P>0.05). Thus, adding bamboo vinegar powder to the basic diet of weaning piglets had immune effects similar to antibiotics and the effect was dose-dependent. Moreover, the MyD88 and CD14 genes appear to play a role in these immune effects.

MiR-99a-5p regulates proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of human oral carcinoma cells by targeting NOX4.

Previous research has showed that miR-99a-5p was a tumor suppressor. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of miR-99a-5p on the vitality and proliferation, migration together with the invasion of oral tumor cells via inhibiting the expression of NOX4. QRT-PCR and Western blot were applied to examine the expression level of miR-99a-5p and NOX4 in human oral tumorous and adjacent tissues. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to confirm that miR-99a-5p negatively regulated directly on NOX4 in TSCC1 cells. Cell transfection and lentiviral vectors were used to up-regulate expression of miR-99a-5p and NOX4, respectively. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and invasion along with the migration in different groups were assessed using MTT assay, colony formation assay, the flow cytometry, transwell assay and the wound healing assay, respectively. MiR-99a-5p was under-expressed in human oral tumor, while NOX4 was over-expressed. There was a negative relationship between miR-99a-5p and NOX4. Up-regulating miR-99a-5p or down-regulating NOX4 suppressed the vitality, proliferation, migration together with invasion of TSCC1 cells. MiR-99a-5p affected the vitality and proliferation, migration together with the invasion of oral tumor cells through targeting NOX4.

Nramp1 gene expression in different tissues of Meishan piglets from newborn to weaning.

Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein gene 1 (Nramp1) plays an important role in the innate immune response of swine, and is believed to influence disease resistance. In this study, a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique was used to investigate Nramp1 expression in 12 different tissues in newborn and 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, and 35-day-old Meishan piglets. Results indicated that Nramp1 was expressed to varying degrees in all sample tissues, although expression differed among growth stages. For example, Nramp1 was highly expressed in the spleen, but minimally expressed in heart, liver, and muscle tissues among the various piglet age classes. Overall, Nramp1 expression increased with age, reaching significant levels in 21- and 28-day-old animals. Nramp1 was expressed in all 12 tissues tested; however, expression in spleen, lung, kidney, and thymus tissues was highest among newborns, which is consistent with this gene's role in innate immunity improvement. Before and after weaning, Nramp1 was highly expressed in digestive (stomach) and intestinal (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) tissues, further indicating a genetic role in both immune regulation to compensate for weaning stress and enhanced development of intestinal immunity.

Promoter identification and analysis of key glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series pathway genes in piglets.

Glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series pathway genes (FUT1, FUT2, ST3GAL1, HEXA, HEXB, B3GALNT1, and NAGA) play an important regulatory role in the defense against Escherichia coli F18 in piglets. In this study, we identified the transcription initiation site and promoter of this gene cluster by mined previous RNA-seq results using bioinformatics tools. The FUT1 transcription initiation region included five alternative splicing sites and two promoter regions, whereas each of the six other genes had one promoter. Dual luciferase reporter results revealed significantly higher transcriptional activity by FUT1 promoter 2, indicating that it played a more important role in transcription. The promoters of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis genes identified contained a CpG island within the first 500 bp, except for the B3GALNT1 promoter which included fewer CpG sites. These results provide a deeper insight into methylation and the regulatory mechanisms of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series pathway genes in piglets.

LBP gene methylation involved in mRNA expression and resistance to E. coli F18 in weaned piglets.

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) plays an important role in recognizing and regulating endotoxin. In this study, we aimed at clarifying the relationship between the methylation of LBP gene and it's expression, to identify mechanisms involved in resistance to E. coli F18 in Sutai weaned piglets. LBP expression was detected by real-time PCR in duodenum and jejunum tissues from E. coli F18-sensitive or -resistant piglets. The LBP methylation status of the regions with many CG sites upstream of the transcription start site was analyzed by Bbisulfite Sequencing PCR (BSP) +Miseq in jejunum and duodenum tissue. The results showed that LBP expression was significantly higher in the sensitive group than the resistant group in duodenum tissue (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the methylation of CpG islands upstream of the LBP transcription start site and its expression; the methylation at two CpG sites in particular was significantly correlated with reduced LBP expression (CpG-1 and CpG-2; p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). These indicated that the methylation of CpG-1 and CpG-2 sites in the LBP region is involved in the regulation of LBP expression, and may provide key contributions to resisting E. coli F18 in Sutai weaned piglets.

Healthful dietary patterns and long-term weight change among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Diet represents a key strategy for the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), although effective dietary patterns to prevent weight gain in the long term are largely unknown. We sought to evaluate whether improvement in overall diet quality is associated with less long-term weight gain among high-risk women with prior GDM. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Women with a history of GDM (N=3397) were followed from 1991 to 2011, or until diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or other chronic disease. Usual diet was assessed via food frequency questionnaire every 4 years from which we calculated the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (aHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern scores. Weight, lifestyle and health-related outcomes were self-reported every 2 years. We estimated the change in dietary score with change in body weight using linear regression models adjusting for age, baseline body mass index (BMI), baseline and simultaneous change in physical activity and smoking status and other risk factors. RESULTS: Women were followed up to 20 years, gaining an average 1.9 kg (s.d.=7.0) per 4-year period. Women in the highest quintile (Q5) of diet change (most improvement in quality) gained significantly less weight per 4-year period than the lowest quintile (Q1; decrease in quality), independent of other risk factors (4-year weight change, aHEI-2010: Q5=1.30 kg vs Q1=3.27 kg; AMED: Q5=0.94 kg vs Q1=2.56 kg, DASH: Q5=0.64 kg vs Q1=2.75 kg). Significant effect modification by BMI (p-interactions <0.001) indicated a greater magnitude of weight change among women with a higher baseline BMI for all three patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Increased diet quality was associated with less weight gain, independent of other lifestyle factors. Post-partum recommendations on diet quality may provide one strategy to prevent long-term weight gain in this high-risk group.

Coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetism in (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe.

Iron selenide superconductors exhibit a number of unique characteristics that are helpful for understanding the mechanism of superconductivity in high-Tc iron-based superconductors more generally. However, in the case of AxFe2Se2 (A = K, Rb, Cs), the presence of an intergrown antiferromagnetic insulating phase makes the study of the underlying physics problematic. Moreover, FeSe-based systems intercalated with alkali metal ions, NH3 molecules or organic molecules are extremely sensitive to air, which prevents the further investigation of their physical properties. It is therefore desirable to find a stable and easily accessible FeSe-based superconductor to study its physical properties in detail. Here, we report the synthesis of an air-stable material, (Li0.8Fe0.2)OHFeSe, which remains superconducting at temperatures up to ~40 K, by means of a novel hydrothermal method. The crystal structure is unambiguously determined by a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, antiferromagnetic order is shown to coexist with superconductivity. This synthetic route opens a path for exploring superconductivity in other related systems, and confirms the appeal of iron selenides as a platform for understanding superconductivity in iron pnictides more broadly.

Hubbard Model for Atomic Impurities Bound by the Vortex Lattice of a Rotating Bose-Einstein Condensate.

We investigate cold bosonic impurity atoms trapped in a vortex lattice formed by condensed bosons of another species. We describe the dynamics of the impurities by a bosonic Hubbard model containing occupation-dependent parameters to capture the effects of strong impurity-impurity interactions. These include both a repulsive direct interaction and an attractive effective interaction mediated by the Bose-Einstein condensate. The occupation dependence of these two competing interactions drastically affects the Hubbard model phase diagram, including causing the disappearance of some Mott lobes.

Expression of key glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series pathway genes in Escherichia coli F18-resistant and Escherichia coli F18-sensitive piglets.

A pioneering study showed that the glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series pathway genes (FUT1, FUT2, ST3GAL1, HEXA, HEXB, B3GALNT1 and NAGA) may play an important regulatory role in resistance to Escherichia coli F18 in piglets. Therefore, we analysed differential gene expression in 11 tissues of two populations of piglets sensitive and resistant respectively to E. coli F18 and the correlation of differential gene expression in duodenal and jejunal tissues. We found that the mRNA expression of the seven genes was relatively high in spleen, liver, lung, kidney, stomach and intestinal tract; the levels in thymus and lymph nodes were lower, with the lowest levels in heart and muscle. FUT2 gene expression in the duodenum and jejunum of the resistant population was significantly lower than that in the sensitive group (P < 0.01). ST3GAL1 gene expression was also significantly lower in the duodenum of the resistant population than in the sensitive group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed among the remaining genes. The expression level of FUT1 was extremely significantly positively correlated with FUT2 and B3GALNT1 expression (P < 0.01) and also had a significant positive correlation with NAGA expression (P < 0.05). The expression level of FUT2 had extremely significant positive correlations with FUT1, ST3GAL1 and B3GALNT1 (P < 0.01). These results suggest that FUT2 plays an important role in E. coli F18 resistance in piglets. FUT1, ST3GAL1, B3GALNT1 and NAGA may also participate in the mechanism of resistance to E. coli F18.

Enhancement of Polyethylene Terephthalate Artificial Ligament Graft Osseointegration using a Periosteum Patch in a Goat Model.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a periosteum patch could enhance polyethylene terephthalate (PET) artificial ligament graft osseointegration in a bone tunnel. 12 female goats underwent ACL reconstruction with a PET artificial ligament graft in the right knees. Right knees in 6 goats were reconstructed with periosteum patch-enveloped PET grafts (Periosteum group) in the tibia bone tunnel, whereas the other 6 goats had no periosteum patch and served as the Control group. All the goats were sacrificed at 12 months after surgery. 3 tibial-graft complex samples in each group were harvested consecutively for microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and histological evaluation. The other 3 tibial-graft complex samples in each group were harvested for biomechanical testing. The mean pull-out load of the Periosteum group (208±25 N) at 12 months was significantly higher than that of the Control group (107±13 N) (p=0.0044). According to the micro-CT scan, more new bone formation was observed at the graft-bone interface in the Periosteum group compared with the Control group. Furthermore, MRI showed that the Periosteum group appeared to have a better graft osseointegration within the bone tunnel compared with the Control group. Histologically, application of a periosteum patch induced more new bone and Sharpey's fiber formation between the graft and bone tunnel compared with the controls. The study has shown that periosteum enveloping of the PET artificial ligament has a positive effect in the induction of artificial ligament osseointegration within the bone tunnel.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Quercus fabri (Fagaceae).

Quercus fabri is a pioneer species of secondary succession in evergreen broadleaved forests in China. In this study, we isolated and developed 12 polymorphic and 2 monomorphic microsatellite loci for Q. fabri using the biotin-streptavidin capture method. We characterized 12 polymorphic loci in 52 individuals from two populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 23. The observed and expected heterozygosities per locus were 0.033-0.773 and 0.138-0.924, respectively. These microsatellite loci will facilitate the studies on genetic variation, mating system, and gene flow of Q. fabri.