Discovery of New Isotopes

Using the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{106}Cd(^{58}Ni,4n)^{160}Os and the gas-filled recoil separator SHANS, two new isotopes _{76}^{160}Os and _{74}^{156}W have been identified. The α decay of ^{160}Os, measured with an α-particle energy of 7080(26) keV and a half-life of 201_{-37}^{+58} µs, is assigned to originate from the ground state. The daughter nucleus ^{156}W is a ß^{+} emitter with a half-life of 291_{-61}^{+86} ms. The newly measured α-decay data allow us to derive α-decay reduced widths (δ^{2}) for the N=84 isotones up to osmium (Z=76), which are found to decrease with increasing atomic number above Z=68. The reduction of δ^{2} is interpreted as evidence for the strengthening of the N=82 shell closure toward the proton drip line, supported by the increase of the neutron-shell gaps predicted in theoretical models.

[Association of greenness exposure with waist circumference and central obesity in Chinese adults aged 65 years and over].

Objective: To examine the association of greenness exposure with waist circumference (WC) and central obesity in older adults in China. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2017-2018, 14 056 participants aged 65 years and over were included. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, WC, and other information were collected through a questionnaire and physical examination. Based on the satellite monitoring data of moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) provided by NASA, the annual mean of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within a radius of 1 000 meters was obtained as the measurement value of greenness exposure. Multivariate linear regression model, multivariate logistic regression model, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) model were used to analyze the association and dose-response relationship between greenness exposure and WC and central obesity in older adults in China. Results: A total of 14 056 participants were enrolled with a median age of 84.0 years [IQR: 75.0-94.0 years]. About 45.0% (6 330) of them were male and 48.6% (5 853) were illiterate. There were 10 964 (78.0%) participants from rural. The mean of WC was (84.4±10.8) cm. Central obesity accounted for 60.2% (8 465), and the NDVI range was (-0.06, 0.78). After adjusting for confounding factors, the multivariate linear regression model showed that the change value of WC in the urban group [ß (95%CI):-0.49 (-0.93, -0.06)] was smaller than that in the rural [-0.78 (-0.98, -0.58)] for every 0.1 unit increase in NDVI (Pinteraction=0.022). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, WC of Q2 and Q3 groups in rural decreased, and the ß (95%CI) values were-1.74 (-2.5, -0.98) and-2.78 (-3.55, -2.00), respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of central obesity decreased for urban and rural older adults with an increase of 0.1 unit in NDVI, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.87 (0.80, 0.95) and 0.86 (0.82, 0.89), respectively (Pinteraction=0.284). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, the risk of central obesity in the Q2 and Q3 groups in rural was lower, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.68 (0.58, 0.80) and 0.57 (0.49, 0.68), respectively. The results of the multivariate regression model with RCS showed that there was a non-linear association of NDVI with WC (Pnonlinear=0.006) and central obesity (Pnonlinear=0.025). Conclusion: Greenness exposure is negatively associated with WC and central obesity in older adults in China.

[Short-term prognostic predictive value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio combined with prognostic nutritional index in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Objective: To explore the prognostic predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) combined with prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Methods: Clinical data from 149 HBV-ACLF patients admitted to the infectious diseases Department of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data of the enrolled patients and the initial clinical-related data after admission were collected. Patients were divided into survival (93 cases) and death groups (56 cases) according to their prognostic condition 90 days after discharge. Demographic and clinical differences were compared between the two groups data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the optimal cutoff values for NLR and PNI in predicting the 90-day mortality rate of HBV-ACLF patients. The COX regression model was used to conduct univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate the correlation between NLR and PNI and the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to explore the effects of NLR and PNI on the survival of HBV-ACLF patients. Results: The death group NLR was higher than that of the survival group, while the PNI was lower than that of the survival group, with a statistically significant difference. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.842, 95% CI: 0.779-0.906) showed patients with adverse prognosis assessed by NLR combined with PNI had a superior prognosis than that of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and its combined serum sodium (MELD-Na) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores. COX regression analysis showed that NLR≥3.03 and MELD score were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients. PNI > 36.13 was a protective factor for evaluating the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients. Conclusion: NLR combined with PNI can enhance the prognostic predictive value of HBV-ACLF.

[Patient-reported outcomes of locally advanced gastric cancer undergoing robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy: a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To compare the patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods: This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery,Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2020 to August 2022. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were to undergo radical gastrectomy were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1, and received robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcomes (including postoperative complications, surgical quality and postoperative short-term recovery) were compared between the two groups by t test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated ANOVA, generalized estimating equation, χ2 test and Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 237 patients were enrolled for modified intention-to-treat analysis (120 patients in the robotic group, 117 patients in the laparoscopic group). There were 180 males and 59 females, aged (63.0±10.2) years (range: 30 to 85 years). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the robotic group and laparoscopic group (16.7% (20/120) vs. 15.4% (18/117), χ2=0.072, P=0.788). The robotic group had higher patient-reported outcomes scores in general health status, emotional, and social domains compared to the laparoscopic group, differences in time effect, intervention effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant (general health status: χ2 value were 275.68, 3.91, 6.38, P value were <0.01, 0.048, 0.041; emotional: χ2 value were 77.79, 6.04, 6.15, P value were <0.01, 0.014, 0.046; social: χ2 value were 148.00, 7.57, 5.98, P value were <0.01, 0.006, 0.048). However, the financial burden of the robotic group was higher, the differences in time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect were statistically significant (χ2 value were 156.24, 4.08, 36.56, P value were<0.01, 0.043,<0.01). Conclusion: Compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group could more effectively relieve postoperative negative emotions and improve recovery of social function in patients.

[Efficacy comparison of minimally invasive atlantoaxial mass fusion and open atlantoaxial fusion in the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation].

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of minimally invasive intermuscular atlantoaxial lateral mass fusion (Mis-PALF) and open atlantoaxial fusion in patients with atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods: The clinical data of patients with atlantoaxial dislocation who received Mis-PALF operation (17 cases) or open atlantoaxial fusion (88 cases, as control) in the Third Hospital of Peking University from September 2015 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. In Mis-PALF group, there were 9 males and 8 females, aged (45.8±19.8) years; and there were 48 males and 40 females in the control group, aged (50.0±13.9) years. The operation time, perioperative blood loss, postoperative body temperature, postoperative pain [assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS)], postoperative additional analgesic drugs, postoperative hospitalization time, the improvement rate of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores of spinal cord function in three-months follow-up and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: Mis-PALF group had less perioperative blood loss than control group [(111.8±35.9)ml vs (362.9±18.6)ml, P<0.01], shorter hospitalization time [(3.06±0.63) days vs (4.24±0.14) days, P<0.01] and fewer additional analgesic drugs (3/17 vs 56/88, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the Mis-PALF and control group in operation time [(125±7)min vs (113±8)min, P=0.525], patients with fever(11/17 vs 37/88, P=0.086) or postoperative pain (1/17 vs 13/88, P=0.357), the improvement rate of JOA score (66.9%±28.8% vs 74.2%±28.6%, P=0.409) and complications rate (1/17 vs 3/88, P=1.000). Conclusion: Mis-PALF can significantly reduce the perioperative blood loss, shorten the postoperative hospitalization time and the additionally use of analgesic drugs without increasing complications.

[The effects of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic-assisted radical right hemicolectomy on short-term outcome and long-term prognosis based on propensity score matching].

Objective: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical right hemicolectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the right colon. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database identified 288 right colon cancer patients who underwent either robotic-assisted (n=57) or laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy (n=231) between October 2014 and October 2020 at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. There were 161 males and 127 females, aging (60.3±12.8) years (range: 17 to 86 years). After propensity score matching as 1∶4 between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy, there were 56 cases in robotic group and 176 cases in laparoscipic group. Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were compared between the two groups using t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ2 test, Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test, respectively. Results: The total operative time was similar between the robotic and laparoscopic group ((206.9±60.7) minutes vs. (219.9±56.3) minutes, t=-1.477, P=0.141). Intraoperative bleeding was less in the robotic group (50 (20) ml vs. 50 (50) ml, Z=-4.591, P<0.01), while the number of lymph nodes retrieved was significantly higher (36.0±10.0 vs. 29.0±10.1, t=4.491, P<0.01). Patients in robotic group experienced significantly shorter hospital stay, shorter time to first flatus, and defecation (t: -2.888, -2.946, -2.328, all P<0.05). Moreover, the overall peri-operative complication rate was similar between robotic and laparoscopic group (17.9% vs. 22.7%, χ²=0.596,P=0.465). The 3-year overall survival were 92.9% and 87.9% respectively and the 3-year disease-free survival rates were 83.1% and 82.6% with no statistical significance between the robotic and laparoscopic group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared to laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy, robot-assisted right hemicolectomy could improve some short-term clinical outcomes. The two procedures are both achieving comparable survival.

New α-Emitting Isotope

A new α-emitting isotope ^{214}U, produced by the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{182}W(^{36}Ar,4n)^{214}U, was identified by employing the gas-filled recoil separator SHANS and the recoil-α correlation technique. More precise α-decay properties of even-even nuclei ^{216,218}U were also measured in the reactions of ^{40}Ar, ^{40}Ca beams with ^{180,182,184}W targets. By combining the experimental data, improved α-decay reduced widths δ^{2} for the even-even Po-Pu nuclei in the vicinity of the magic neutron number N=126 are deduced. Their systematic trends are discussed in terms of the N_{p}N_{n} scheme in order to study the influence of proton-neutron interaction on α decay in this region of nuclei. It is strikingly found that the reduced widths of ^{214,216}U are significantly enhanced by a factor of two as compared with the N_{p}N_{n} systematics for the 84≤Z≤90 and N<126 even-even nuclei. The abnormal enhancement is interpreted by the strong monopole interaction between the valence protons and neutrons occupying the π1f_{7/2} and ν1f_{5/2} spin-orbit partner orbits, which is supported by the large-scale shell model calculation.

Short-Lived α-Emitting Isotope

A new, very short-lived neutron-deficient isotope ^{222}Np was produced in the complete-fusion reaction ^{187}Re(^{40}Ar,5n)^{222}Np, and observed at the gas-filled recoil separator SHANS. The new isotope ^{222}Np was identified by employing a recoil-α correlation measurement, and six α-decay chains were established for it. The decay properties of ^{222}Np with E_{α}=10016(33) keV and T_{1/2}=380_{-110}^{+260} ns were determined experimentally. The α-decay systematics of Np isotopes is improved by adding the new data for ^{222}Np, which validates the N=126 shell effect in Np isotopes. The evolution of the N=126 shell closure is discussed in the neutron-deficient nuclei up to Np within the framework of α-decay reduced width.

WHITE STRIPE LEAF8, encoding a deoxyribonucleoside kinase, is involved in chloroplast development in rice.

KEY MESSAGE: WSL8 encoding a deoxyribonucleoside kinase (dNK) that catalyzes the first step in the salvage pathway of nucleotide synthesis plays an important role in early chloroplast development in rice. The chloroplast is an organelle that converts light energy into chemical energy; therefore, the normal differentiation and development of chloroplast are pivotal for plant survival. Deoxyribonucleoside kinases (dNKs) play an important role in the salvage pathway of nucleotides. However, the relationship between dNKs and chloroplast development remains elusive. Here, we identified a white stripe leaf 8 (wsl8) mutant that exhibited a white stripe leaf phenotype at seedling stage (before the four-leaf stage). The mutant showed a significantly lower chlorophyll content and defective chloroplast morphology, whereas higher reactive oxygen species than the wild type. As the leaf developed, the chlorotic mutant plants gradually turned green, accompanied by the restoration in chlorophyll accumulation and chloroplast ultrastructure. Map-based cloning revealed that WSL8 encodes a dNK on chromosome 5. Compared with the wild type, a C-to-G single base substitution occurred in the wsl8 mutant, which caused a missense mutation (Leu 349 Val) and significantly reduced dNK enzyme activity. A subcellular localization experiment showed the WSL8 protein was targeted in the chloroplast and its transcripts were expressed in various tissues, with more abundance in young leaves and nodes. Ribosome and RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that some components and genes related to ribosome biosynthesis were down-regulated in the mutant. An exogenous feeding experiment suggested that the WSL8 performed the enzymic activity of thymidine kinase, especially functioning in the salvage synthesis of thymidine monophosphate. Our results highlight that the salvage pathway mediated by the dNK is essential for early chloroplast development in rice.

New Isotope

A new short-lived neutron-deficient isotope ^{220}Np was synthesized in the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{185}Re(^{40}Ar,5n)^{220}Np at the gas-filled recoil separator SHANS. Based on the measurement of the correlated α-decay chains, the decay properties of ^{220}Np with E_{α}=10040(18) keV and T_{1/2}=25_{-7}^{+14} µs were determined, which are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. From the new experimental results coupled with the recently reported α-decay data of ^{219,223}Np, the α-decay systematics for Np isotopes around N=126 was established, which allows us for the first time to test the robustness of the N=126 shell closure in Z=93 Np isotopes. The results also indicate that, in the region of nuclei with Z≥83, the proton drip line has been reached for all odd-Z isotopes up to Np.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for treating gastritis cystica profunda.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in inflammation. It is partly produced by three forms of NOS: eNOS of inflammatory cells, nNOS of neural cells and iNOS (inducible isoform). Estrogens can cause an anti-inflammatory effect, although it is not yet clear through which NOS isoforms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the different NOS isoforms, as well as estrogen receptors (ERs) α and ß, on the anti-inflammatory effects of estrogens. To avoid the influence of endogenous glucocorticoids or sexual hormones, male rats were hypophysectomized. Animals were segregated into two control groups (no-treatment control group and SHAM-operated animals) and three hypophysectomized groups (no-hormonal treatment, with estradiol-17ß, or with testosterone replacement treatment). Freund's complete adjuvant (1 mg) was administered to the footpad of all animals. Measurements were made based on footpad inflammation (with a plethysmometer) such as eNOS, nNOS, iNOS and ER α and ß protein expression (by immunohistochemistry principle/method) on days 1, 7 and 14. Only estradiol decreased inflammation, accompanied by increased levels of eNOS and nNOS and differential expression of ERs α and ß in the inflammatory infiltrate. The higher levels of estradiol-induced eNOS and nNOS ocurred perhaps through the activation of ER ß.

[The application of hybrid operation suite in the management of cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hybrid operation suite in the treatment of cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients with various cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors who were treated by hybrid surgery at Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital from October 2016 to December 2017.There were 70 male and 62 female patients with a mean age of 48.33 years (range: 14-78 years), including 64 cases of intracranial aneurysm (41 complicated aneurysm cases), 28 cases of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM), 12 cases of hypervascular tumor, 12 cases of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis, 5 cases of Moyamoya disease, 3 cases of intracranial aneurysm or BAVM combined with tumor, 1 case of scalp arteriovenous fistula and 1 case of critical brain trauma in which a foreign metal stick approached the basal vascular circuit.Abnormalities were found in 16 cases in intraoperative angiography. The clinical data of all patients was collected as a perspective cohort. The success rate of hybrid surgery, intra-operative and post-operative complications, morbidity, mortality, rate of infection, the length of hospital stay were all analyzed to illustrate the effect of hybrid operation mode to traditional surgical pattern. Results: For 64 cases with intracranial aneurysms, the immediate complete occlusion rate was 90.5%, with a mortality of 4.7% and a morbidity of 14.0%. For 28 cases of BAVM and 12 cases of DAVF, all patients achieved total obliteration and favorable social independent outcomes after hybrid surgery, with no complication.For 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis and 5 cases of Moyamoya, intra-operative confirmed good cerebral reperfusion without any new post-operative neurologic deficits. After tumor vessels embolization, 4 out of 12 cases of hypervascular tumor needed intra-operative blood transfusion, and all patients achieved total tumor resection in a single stage. Only one patient with medulla oblongata hemangioblastoma died 6 months after operation due to respiratory deficit related pneumonia. Compared to traditional surgeries, the hybrid operation pattern did not significantly increase the total infection rate, central nervous system infection rate, hospital stay days and post-operative hospital stay days (all P>0.05) while the in-patient cost increased mildly (119 332 yuan vs.98 215 yuan, t=2.38, P=0.02). Conclusions: The operations of complex cerebral and spinal vascular diseases and intracranial hypervascular tumors can be performed in hybrid operation suite safely.This surgical mode can ensure the quality of operation and promote the development of innovative and complicated surgical procedures.

Posterior hemivertebra resection in combination with screw rod internal fixation in the treatment of pediatric congenital scoliosis.

Congenital scoliosis, a commonly seen disease occurring in children, can not only affect the growth, but also can uglify the individual which can severely affect the health and quality of life of children. To investigate the efficacy of posterior hemivertebra resection in combination with screw rod internal fixation in the treatment of congenital hemivertebra scoliosis, 115 patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Patients in the observation group were treated by posterior hemivertebra resection in combination with screw rod internal fixation, while patients in the control group were treated by posterior hemivertebra resection only. The surgical evaluation indicators, postoperative improvement of scoliosis and incidence of complications were recorded. The results demonstrated that the observation group had longer average operation time and less average blood loss compared to the control group, and the differences had statistical significance (P less than0.05); the correction efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P less than 0.05); the incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups had no significant difference, but the incidence of correction loss of the observation group was much lower than that of the control group (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, posterior hemivertebra resection in combination with screw rod internal fixation is a highly efficient and safe treatment which can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms and cause few complications.

Association analysis of IL-17A and IL-17F polymorphisms in Chinese women with cervical cancer.

We selected six tagged single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-17F genes, and evaluated the relationship between the six common SNPs and environmental factors in cervical cancer patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the IL-17A (rs2275913, rs3748067, and rs3819025) and IL-17F (rs763780, rs9382084, and rs1266828) SNPs. The associations between IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphisms and risk of cervical cancer were estimated by conditional logistic regression. Compared with the control subjects, the cervical cancer patients had a lower age at first live birth, a habit of smoking, a family history of cancer, and a greater incidence of human papillomavirus-16 or 18 infections. The logistic regression analysis showed that the variant AA genotype of rs2275913 was associated with a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer than the wild-type GG genotype (OR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.12-3.50). However, no evidence of the association was observed between rs3748067, rs3819025, rs763780, rs9382084, and rs1266828 polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. We suggest that rs2275913 may play a role in the etiology of cervical cancer. These findings could be helpful in identifying individuals at increased risk of developing cervical cancer.

Long-term survival of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with EGFR inhibitor treatment.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib are effective in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the median survival of patients is short. Here, we describe 2 patients with NSCLC receiving conventional chemotherapy and alternative treatment with gefitinib or erlotinib as second-line therapy. The first patient was alive at 8 years with alternative conventional chemotherapy and gefitinib, and the second patient was alive at long-term follow-up with conventional chemotherapy and gefitinib or erlotinib. Gefitinib, erlotinib, and conventional chemotherapy can be combined for satisfactory therapy for NSCLC.

Risk analysis of duo parentage testing with limited STR loci.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Goldeneye 20A system (containing 19 short tandem repeats) can avert the shortage of duo parentage tests. Among routine cases typed by the Identifiler system, we identified 42 motherless cases, 2 fatherless cases, and 34 trio cases containing 1 locus mismatch and 4 motherless cases with 2 locus mismatches. One true trio case was rejected by fatherhood testing because of the omission of the mother's genotype and because the genotype of the putative father matched that of the child. All of the cases were retyped by the Goldeneye 20A system with the mother's or father's sample. In total, 39 motherless cases were verified by one mutation, 3 motherless cases were rejected for paternity, and 4 motherless cases with 2 locus mismatches were ruled out by fatherhood testing. After adding the father's genotype, 1 motherless case was confirmed by a single-locus mutation, whereas another case was rejected by motherhood testing. The mutation and exclusion rates detected with the Goldeneye 20A system accorded with the corresponding rates identified in the Identifiler system. The trio case also rejected fatherhood without the mother's genotype, and we found only 2 locus mismatches. Neither the Identifiler system nor the Goldeneye 20A system compensates for the absence of genetic information from the mother or father.

First Report of Seedling Blight of Watermelon Caused by Acidovorax citrulli Transmitted from Rootstock of Pumpkin in China.

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) is a devastating disease caused by Acidovorax citrulli, which was first observed in the United States in 1988 (3). A. citrulli can cause severe infection on a wide range of cucurbits, including watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin. Cotyledon symptoms are brown, angular, necrotic spots or large necrotic lesions. The disease is seedborne, so seeds usually serve as the primary inoculum source for BFB outbreaks (2). In July 2012, seedling blight was observed by local farmers from Anhui province in China on watermelon seedlings grafted to pumpkin rootstocks; lesions were morphologically similar to those caused by A. citrulli. Presence of A. citrulli was detected in symptomatic samples by using species-specific primers BX-L1/BX-S-R2 (1). The seed company claimed seeds of watermelon (cv. Changfeng) were certified free of bacterial fruit blotch, but pumpkin seeds (cv. Kangkuxianfeng-1) had not been tested for A. citrulli. For investigating the inoculum source, the remaining seeds of watermelon (cv. Changfeng) and pumpkin (cv. Kangkuxianfeng-1) for seedling production were collected from the farmer and processed for pathogen extraction as described by Walcott and Gitaitis (2). Two microliters of seed wash was used as template for PCR using primers BX-L1/BX-S-R2 (1). The experiment was conducted three times. A 279-bp DNA fragment was consistently amplified by PCR from seed wash of pumpkin seeds, but not from the seed wash of watermelon seeds. Three Acidovorax-like strains (A1, A2, and A3) were isolated from pumpkin seed wash using TWZ semi-selective medium (0.5% peptone, 0.025% CaCl2, 1% Tween-80, 50 mg/liter berberine, 50 mg/liter cycloheximide, 50 mg/liter 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride). PCR was performed on the 16S rDNA gene from isolate strain A1, A2, and A3 (1,492 bp; GenBank Accession Nos. JX875533, JX875534, and JX875535) with primers rp1/fd2 (4), and PCR products were sequenced. Results of sequence analysis showed the sequences of strains A1, A2, and A3 were 99% identical to that of the type strain of A. citrulli AAC00-1 (NC_008752). Pathogencity was confirmed by injection of pumpkin cotyledons with bacterial suspensions of each isolate. Collected pumpkin seeds (n = 100 seeds) and watermelon seeds (n = 100 seeds) were planted in plastic pots containing sterilized field soil at room temperature to detect A. citrulli by a wet chamber growing out test. Eight days later, brown, angular, necrotic spots or wilt developed in pumpkin seedlings, but no symptoms were noted on the watermelon seedlings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. citrulli causing watermelon seedling blight transmitted from pumpkin seeds by grafting in China. References: (1) O. Bahar et al. Plant Pathol. 57:754, 2008. (2) R. R. Walcott and R. D. Gitaitis. Plant Dis. 84:470, 2000. (3) G. C. Wall et al. Phytopathology 78:1605, 1988. (4) W. G. Weisburg et al. J. Bacteriol. 173:697, 1991.

Design, modeling, and testing of a one degree of freedom manipulator with three-stage amplification mechanism.

The one degree of freedom (1-DOF) manipulator with nano-resolution is a significant component in the micro-/nano-manipulation. In order to simultaneously achieve a large stroke and high precision, a piezo-driven 1-DOF flexure-based manipulator consisting of an enhanced double Scott-Russell mechanism (EDSRM), a lever type mechanism, and a Z-shaped mechanism is proposed in this paper. Analytical models are developed to examine the kinetostatic and dynamic properties of the manipulator. A finite element analysis is further performed to evaluate the characteristics of the EDSRM and the complete manipulator. The prototype is fabricated on monolithic AL7075, and various experimental tests have been carried out to investigate the correctness of the modeling. The experimental results show that the proposed manipulator has a satisfactory amplification ratio, static stability, and dynamic performance.

[Coverage rate and adverse reactions of National Immunization Program vaccines in children with spinal muscular atrophy: a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the coverage rate and the adverse reactions of National Immunization Program vaccines in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective cohort study was carried out from July 2016 to June 2019, 192 children (116 boys and 76 girls) with SMA registered by Capital Institute of Pediatrics and 191 healthy children (115 boys and 76 girls) vaccinated in Chaoyang Olympic Village Community Health Service Center from July 2016 to December 2018 were included. Questionnaire survey was designed to investigate the vaccination coverage rate and associated adverse events. The t-test and χ(2) test were used to compare the difference between SMA patients and healthy children. Results: The coverage rate of age-appropriate immunization in SMA children was 62.0% (119/192) in general, and were 52.2% (12/23), 55.7% (68/122), and 83.0% (39/47) for SMA type 1-3 patients, respectively (χ(2)=12.23, P=0.002). The vaccination coverage rates of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, the 3(rd) dose of hepatitis B, the 3(rd) dose of polio, the 3(rd) dose of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, the 1(st) dose of meningococcal polysaccharide group A, the 1(st) dose of measles or measles and rubella vaccine, the 1(st) dose of Japanese encephalitis vaccine, hepatitis A, measles-mumps-rubella, and group A+C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were 100.0% (192 cases), 94.3% (181 cases), 81.8% (157 cases), 88.5% (170 cases), 83.9% (161 cases), 76.6% (147 cases), 80.2% (154 cases), 68.2% (131 cases), 69.8% (134 cases), 54.7% (105 cases), respectively. Among the 73 patients who did not have their planned immunization completed, 57 cases (78.1%) gave up the vaccination due to parents' concern of potential aggravation of their disease, and 16 cases (21.9%) had the plan discontinued by the immunization department because of the disease. Fever, local redness and swelling were the most common side-effects after vaccination both in SMA patients and healthy children (19.8% (38/192) vs. 18.8% (36/191) , χ(2)=0.055, P=0.815). The main abnormal reactions of vaccination were rash and neurovascular edema, without significant difference between these two groups (2.6% (5/192) vs. 3.7% (7/191), χ(2)=0.355, P=0.551). The coverage rate of Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine in SMA patients were 22.4% (43 cases) and 31.8% (61 cases), respectively. The incidence of pneumonia in the SMA patients decreased from 59.0% (23/39) to 41.0% (16/39) after vaccination. And none of the Influenza vaccinated patients had the flu in the year of vaccination. Conclusions: The coverage rate of National Immunization Program vaccines in the SMA children is low, especially in type 1 SMA patients, which is mainly due to their guardians' concern of potential adverse events, even though the incidence of adverse reactions is similar in SMA patients and healthy children. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of pneumonia and flu in children with SMA effectively.

Synthesis of hard magnetic NdFeB composite particles by recycling the waste using microwave assisted auto-combustion and reduction method.

The present work provides a facile and energy-saving approach to recycle Nd-Fe-B wastes. Employing the severely oxidized and contaminated sintered Nd-Fe-B scraps as the raw materials, sub-micro sized Nd-Fe-B/α-Fe composite magnetic powders were successfully synthesized by microwave assisted auto-combustion method followed by a reduction diffusion process. In details, the waste magnets were dissolved in HNO3 solution and both the rare earth oxides and iron oxide were obtained by auto-combustion approach with the help of microwave heating. These oxides were then reduced to achieve Nd-Fe-B alloys with the reducing agent CaH2. To modify the composition of the final product, Nd(NO3)3·6H2O and H3BO3 were added during dissolving and consequently three compositions of the final products were obtained. TEM results demonstrate that the sizes of α-Fe and Nd2Fe14B grains are below 10 nm and 20 nm, respectively. The magnetic properties of the composite powders obtained from the wastes in this study are comparable to those obtained by other methods using pure reagents. The room temperature coercivity of as-synthesized Nd15Fe77B8 is higher than 400 kA/m. In addition, an appropriate mass ratio of CaH2 to Nd-Fe-B oxides is required in order to obtain good magnetic properties.