[Characteristics of Microplastic Present in Urban Road Dust].

Microplastics (MPs), as an emerging contaminant, have attracted wide attention due to their potentially negative impact on the ecosystem. However, information on microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments, especially road dust, is still rare. In this study, the microplastic pollution in road dust from the Yushan District of Ma'anshan City was characterized. The abundances of MPs accumulated per square meter of road and dust were (18.11±32.36) n·m-2 and (223.00±197.01) n·kg-1, respectively, and the contents were (27.29±72.64) mg·m-2 and (385.23±628.93) mg·kg-1, respectively, with polypropylene (PP, 58.90%) and polyethylene (PE, 30.08%) as the major polymers based on the number fraction in dust. Additionally, in a given road area, the abundance of MPs in commercial areas was the highest[(78.32±101.24) n·m-2], followed by residential[(19.81±14.30) n·m-2], industrial[(10.95±5.54) n·m-2], suburban[(8.56±8.13) n·m-2], and educational[(6.99±5.74) n·m-2] areas. In the case of the same area, the microplastic pollution from the commercial area was heavier. Regarding the shape of the MPs detected in road dust, 66.64% were present as films, 16.14% as granules, 14.13% as fibers, and 3.10% as spheres out of the total number detected. Most of the MPs were less than 1000 µm in size. For a particular road area, the abundance of MPs was significantly correlated with the mass of dust (r=0.599, P<0.01), whereas there was no obvious correlation for the mass of MPs (r=0.067, P=0.780). Generally, the road dust can accumulate continuously prior to cleaning, whereas the mass of the MPs will not increase unless there is external input. Otherwise, MPs on the road will be broken down under the action of external forces such as vehicles, resulting in an increase in the number of MPs.

[Orthotopic T pouch ileal neobladder: evaluations of urodynamics and upper urinary tract functions].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the urodynamics and functions of upper urinary tract in a substitute of orthotopic T pouch ileal bladder. METHODS: From June 2004 through September 2009, 90 patients underwent the construction of an orthotopic T pouch ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The radiographic or ultrasound evaluation of upper urinary tract, determination of renal functions and urodynamic evaluation of T pouch ileal neobladder were performed by data analysis. RESULTS: Renal function as determined by serum creatinine remained in a normal range in all patients. Temporary dilation of renal pelvic and ureter was observed in 18 patients (20.0%) at Day 45 post-operation and then disappeared spontaneously in the late follow-up. A slight dilation of collecting system was found in other 4 patients (4.4%), but there was no negative impact on renal function. Reflux into afferent limb of neobladder was observed in 4 patients (4.4%) by cystography. Excellent daytime and nighttime continence was reported in 100% and 82.2% of evaluated patients respectively. The urodynamic assessment showed a mean capacity of (316 ± 96) ml with a mean intra-bladder pressure of (16 ± 10) cm H2O. These evaluated patients voided with a mean maximum intra-bladder pressure of (87 ± 25) cm H2O, a mean maximum flow rate of (17 ± 10) ml/s and a mean residual urine of (33 ± 29) ml. CONCLUSION: With an intermediate follow-up, the functional results of T pouch ileal neobladder are encouraging with an excellent capacity and compliance, successful daytime and nighttime continence and anti-reflux mechanism.

Expressional induction of Paralichthys olivaceus cathepsin B gene in response to virus, poly I:C and lipopolysaccharide.

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease of the papain-like enzyme family with multiple biological functions. In this study, Paralichthys olivaceus cathepsin B (PoCatB) cDNA was isolated from flounder embryonic cells (FEC) treated with UV-inactivated grass carp hemorrhage virus (GCHV) and subsequently identified as a virally induced gene. The full length cDNA of PoCatB is 1801bp encoding 330-amino acids. The deduced protein has high homology to all known cathepsin B proteins, containing an N-terminal signal peptide, cysteine protease active sites, the occluding loop segment and a glycosylation site, all of which are conserved in the cathepsin B family. PoCatB transcription of FEC cells could be induced by turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) rhabdovirus (SMRV), UV-inactivated SMRV, UV-inactivated GCHV, poly I:C or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and SMRV or poly I:C was revealed to be most effective among the five inducers. In normal flounder, PoCatB mRNA was detectable in all examined tissues. Moreover, SMRV infection could result in significant upregulation of PoCatB mRNA, predominantly in spleen, head kidney, posterior kidney, intestine, gill and muscle with 18.2, 10.9, 24.7, 12, 31.5 and 18 fold increases at 72h post-infection respectively. These results provided the first evidence for the transcriptional induction of cathepsin B in fish by virus and LPS, indicating existence of a novel function in viral defense.

MRI of alveolar soft-part sarcoma.

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is rare. We present a case of a 30-year-old woman with a 6-month history of a palpable mass in her left thigh. MRI showed an 8-cm mass and a satellite nodule at the left gluteus muscle. The main tumor exhibited an isointense signal on T1-weighted images and high-signal-intensity areas with low-signal-intensity scanty solid components on T2-weighted images. MR angiography showed dilated and tortuous veins around the tumor. Histologic findings were compatible with ASPS.