[Design of wearable auxiliary device based on upper limb lifting workers and ergonomics simulation analysis].

In order to solve the problem of high incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in upper limb lifting workers, a wearable auxiliary device which could be used in upper limb lifting operation was designed. The auxiliary device could be used in upper limb lifting through torsion spring device to reduce the tension of the arm muscles. The back bracket could be adjusted to adapt to the wearers of different height. The 3D model of the auxiliary device was constructed by using SoildWorks software. And the relative position and constraint between the auxiliary device and the digital simulation human were adjusted by using Jack as the main simulation tool. And then the virtual model of upper limb lifting were simulated and analyzed. Through the comparison of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scale, Krist comfort score and simulation results of two-handed reachable domain before and after wearing the auxiliary device, which proved that the wearable auxiliary device could reduce the risk of WMSDs in upper limb lifting workers.

A further survey of the quantitative trait loci affecting swine body size and carcass traits in five related pig populations.

Breeding for good meat quality performance while maintaining large body size and desirable carcass traits has been the major challenge for modern swine selective breeding. To address this goal, in the present work we studied five related populations produced by two commercial breeds (Berkshire and Duroc) and two Chinese breeds (Licha black pig and Lulai black pig). A single-trait GWAS performed on 20 body size and carcass traits using a self-developed China Chip-1 porcine SNP50K BeadChip identified 11 genome-wide significant QTL on nine chromosomes and 22 suggestive QTL on 15 chromosomes. For the 11 genome-wide significant QTL, eight were detected in at least two populations, and the rest were population-specific and only mapped in Shanxia black pig. Most of the genome-wide significant QTL were pleiotropic; for example, the QTL around 75.65 Mb on SSC4 was associated with four traits at genome-wide significance level. After screening the genes within 50 kb of the top SNP for each genome-wide significant QTL, NR6A1 and VRTN were chosen as candidate genes for vertebrae number; PLAG1 and BMP2 were identified as candidate genes for body size; and MC4R was the strong candidate gene for body weight. The four genes have been reported as candidates for thoracic vertebrae number, lumbar vertebrae number, carcass length and body weight respectively in previous studies. The effects of VRTN on thoracic vertebrae number, carcass length and body length have been verified in Shanxia black pig. Therefore, the VRTN genotype could be used in gene-assisted selection, and this could accelerate genetic improvement of body size and carcass traits in Shanxia black pig.

Ultra-long high quality catalyst-free WO3 nanowires for fabricating high-performance visible photodetectors.

This work presents a study on the controlled growth of WO3 nanowires via chemical vapor deposition without catalyst, and their potential applications in visible photodetectors. The influence of growth conditions on the morphology of WO3 nanowires is studied in order to understand the growth mechanism of WO3 nanowires, and ultra-long (60 [Formula: see text], the longest one ever reported) WO3 nanowires with a spindle shape are achieved by optimizing the growth conditions. It was found that the length of WO3 nanowires increases from 15 [Formula: see text] to 60 [Formula: see text] with increasing the argon carrier gas flow rate from 30 sccm to 90 sccm, and then saturates with further increasing the argon carrier gas flow rate. However, the length of WO3 nanowires reduces from 60 [Formula: see text] to 19 [Formula: see text] with increasing the tube inner pressure from 2.5 Torr to 3.5 Torr. The photoconductor detectors based on WO3 single nanowires present excellent device performance with a responsivity as high as 19 A W-1 at a bias of 0.1 V, a detectivity as high as 1.06 × 1011 Jones, and a response (rising and decay) time as short as 8 ms under the illumination of a 404 nm laser. These results indicate the great potential of WO3 nanowires for applications in fabricating high performance visible photodetectors.

[Current research status and progress in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer in the era of targeted therapy].

The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) has continuously shown an upward trend all over the world. It remains one of the most challenging malignant tumors in clinical practice and is characterized by difficult diagnosis in early stages, low surgical resection rate and poor prognosis. Due to its significant genetic heterogeneity, there are notable individual differences in disease progression, clinical efficacy, sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy, and prognosis among PC patients. In-depth study is needed to reveal the molecular biological characteristics of different PC subtypes and their correlation with clinical manifestations and chemoradiotherapy sensitivity, which could contribute to develop corresponding targeted therapeutic strategies.It is not only the fundamental basis for the innovation of PC morphological classification to molecular subtyping, but also a prerequisite for achieving a shift in treatment mode from "standard therapeutic strategy for different diseases" to "treat the same disease with different strategies" .This article reviews several hot issues on the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of PC in the era of targeted therapy and prospects its future development.

[Potential value of FDG PET-CT in predicting occult lymph node metastasis in clinical stage â A lung adenocarcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan for occult lymph node metastasis in patients with stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: The image and pathological data of 272 patients with stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma from October 2006 to September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent preoperative (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan followed by lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection. The correlation between occult lymph node metastasis and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of primary tumor as well as other clinicopathological factors was analyzed to screen the risk factors of occult lymph node metastasis in stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma. Results: Occult lymph node metastasis was detected in 50 patients (18.4%), with 24 (8.8%) patients of pN1 involvement and 26 (9.6%) of pN2 involvement. Among the 272 patients enrolled, 39 had pure ground glass nodule, 59 had part-solid nodule and 174 had solid nodule. All patients with pure ground glass nodule or nodule≤1 cm were pN0. For the 233 patients with part-solid and solid nodule, no lymph node metastasis was found in T1a stage (tumor length ≤1 cm). Primary tumor SUV(max) (Z=-5.663, P<0.001), nodule type (χ(2)=21.586, P<0.001), tumor location (χ(2)= 12.790, P< 0.001), histological grade (χ(2)= 22.784, P< 0.001) and visceral pleural invasion (χ(2)=5.357, P=0.021) showed significant differences between occult lymph node metastasis group (pN+ ) and non-lymph node metastasis group (pN0). With SUV(max)=2.405 as cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting occult lymph node metastasis were 90.0% and 61.7%, the area under curve was 0.761(95%CI=0.700~0.823), and the negative predictive value was 95.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that SUV(max) >2.405 (P<0.001), central location (P=0.030) and higher histological grade (P=0.024) were independent predictors of occult lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: For clinical stage ⅠA adenocarcinoma, primary tumor SUV(max) > 2.405, central location and higher histological grade were independent risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis. Systematic lymph node dissection may be avoided in lung adenocarcinoma with pure ground glass density, tumor length ≤1 cm or SUV(max) ≤ 2.405, due to the very low probability of nodal involvement.

A cross-sectional study of acute diarrhea in Pudong, Shanghai, China: prevalence, risk factors, and healthcare-seeking practices.

Diarrhea is a common cause of morbidity and mortality and the incidence of diarrhea in the world has changed little over the past four decades. To assess the prevalence of and healthcare practices for diarrhea, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Pudong, Shanghai, China. In October 2014, a total of 5324 community residents were interviewed. Respondents were asked if they had experienced diarrhea (defined as ⩾3 passages of watery, loose, bloody, or mucoid stools within a 24-h period) in the previous month prior to the interview. The monthly prevalence of diarrhea was 4·1% (95% CI: 3·3-4·8), corresponding to an incidence rate of 0·54 episodes per person-year. The proportion of individuals with diarrhea who sought healthcare was 21·2% (95% CI: 13·4-29·0). Diarrhea continues to impose a considerable burden on the community and healthcare system in Pudong. Young age and travel were identified as predictors of increased diarrhea occurrence.

[Study of susceptibility weighted imaging on MR and pathologic findings to distinguish benign or malignant soft tissue tumor].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic performance of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI)in distinguishing benign or malignant soft tissue tumor, and to study pathological observation. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with soft tissue tumor, who received no previous treatment or invasive examination, received routine preoperative MRI examination and SWI scanning. The graduation and distribution of intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity(ITSS) and proportion of tumor volume were observed.The pathological results were also included for comparative analysis. Results: Fourty of 68 patients were benign and 28 were malignant. 72.5% (29/40) patients with benign soft tissue tumors were ITSS grade 1 and ITSS grade 3 (hemangioma). 89.3%(25/28) patients with malignant soft tissue tumors were ITSS grade 2 and ITSS grade 3. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The distribution of ITSS in patients with benign soft tissue tumors was dominated by peripheral distribution and diffuse distribution (hemangioma), accounting for 90.0% (36/40). The distribution of ITSS in patients with malignant soft tissue tumors mainly distributed in the central region, accounting for 78.6% (22 /28). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The proportion of tumor volume occupied by ITSS in benign soft tissue tumors was <1/3 and> 2/3 (hemangioma), accounting for 90.0% (36/40). The volume of malignant soft tissue tumors were predominantly <1/3 , accounting for 82.1% (23/28). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: SWI is sensitive in displaying the vein and blood metabolites in soft tissue lesions, which is helpful for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors in soft tissue.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects retinal vascular endothelial cells from high glucose stress in vitro via the MAPK/ERK-VEGF pathway.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent microvascular complication of diabetes, and one of the most common causes of legal blindness in the world. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) produces an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect against various human diseases. In this study, we determined the effect of EGCG on a human retinal endothelial cell (HREC) line. The cell viability was determined by a standard MTT assay, while the cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry. Inflammatory marker expression was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment of HRECs with EGCG (20 and 40 mM) led to a significant decrease in the apoptosis rate (2.35 ± 0.56 and 1.24 ± 0.32%). The culture supernatant of cells treated with high glucose concentrations showed significantly higher levels of TNF-α (598.7 ± 89.7 vs 193.2 ± 38.5 pg/mL; P < 0.001), IL-6 (6.16 ± 0.51 vs 1.61 ± 0.21 ng/mL; P < 0.001), and ICAM-1 (31.6 ± 4.4 vs 14.8 ± 2.9 ng/mL; P < 0.001) compared to the cells in the control group. EGCG decreased the expression level of phosphorylated p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. Moreover, EGCG was shown to significantly inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, EGCG treatment ameliorated the negative effect of high glucose concentrations on the cell viability and apoptotic rate. The protective effects of EGCG under high glucose conditions may be attributed to the regulation of inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of the MAPK/ERK-VEGF pathway.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α gene polymorphism with osteoarticular tuberculosis prognosis in a Hebei population.

This study investigated the association of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-308, -238, and -863 polymorphisms with osteoarticular tuberculosis (OA-TB) prognosis in a Hebei population. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood samples of 120 OA-TB patients and 100 healthy volunteers. TNF-α-308, -238, and -863 were analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism; genotype and allele frequencies were calculated. Serum TNF-α level was significantly higher in OA-TB patients (283.16 ± 51.68 ng/L) than in control (122.54 ± 54.65 ng/L; P < 0.05). Higher frequency of TNF-α-308 GG genotype in healthy volunteers (91.0%) than in OA-TB patients (79.2%) indicated that it was a protective factor against OA-TB (OR = 0.405, 95%CI = 0.147-0.657, P = 0.007). Higher frequencies of TNF-α-308 GA genotype and TNF-α-308 allele (A) in OA-TB patients (20.8 and 10.4%, respectively) than in healthy volunteers (8.0 and 5.0%, respectively) indicated an association with increased risk of OA-TB (OR = 3.112, 95%CI = 1.520-6.343, P = 0.003; OR = 3.109, 95%CI = 1.676-6.538, P = 0.006; respectively). Haplotype association analysis of TNF-α polymorphisms (-308/-238/-863) showed a higher frequency of TNF-α AGA in OA-TB patients (12.1%) than in healthy volunteers (3.5%), indicating that it was a risk factor for OA-TB (OR = 4.201, 95%CI = 1.80-9.91, P = 0.010). TNF-α-308 G/A and TNF-α AGA (-308/-238/-863) were associated with a predisposition to OA-TB, which could aid clinical detection, prevention, and prognosis of OA-TB.

[Clinical, pathological and imaging features of primary pelvic Ewing's sarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical, pathological and imaging features of Ewing's sarcoma in pelvis and to improve knowledge and diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical, pathological and imaging data of pathologically confirmed 13 cases of Ewing's sarcoma in pelvis was carried out between May 2008 and March 2016 in the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. RESULTS: The median age 13 cases of pelvic primary Ewing's sarcoma was 17 years old.The X-ray and CT imagings showed osteolytic and mixed bone destruction, CT showed mixed type in 10 cases, 8 cases of bone tumors as a flocculent, 10 cases of bone expansion failure, 10 cases of periosteal reaction, the layered 5 cases, radial in 5 cases.Thirteen cases showed soft tissue mass, soft tissue mass was equal or slightly lower density.Four cases showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement.The lesions showed low signal in T1WI and mixed high signal in T2WI of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). The boundary of the lesions were obscure, and 5 cases had patchy necrosis area, and 9 cases had incomplete false capsule, surrounding soft tissue was violated.Four cases showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement after MRI enhancement scan. CONCLUSIONS: The age of onset of Ewing's sarcoma of the pelvis is more concentrated in about 15 years.The imaging feaures are mixed bone destruction and more bone is swelling and permeability damage, soft tissue mass is larger, bone tumor is cloudy or acicular, periosteal reaction in a layered and radial, most cases show that the false envelope is not complete.Combined with clinical and imaging examination, the diagnosis of the disease can be made.

[Comparison of demographical characteristics of malaria cases from malaria control to elimination in China].

OBJECTIVE: To further identify the high-risk population at malaria elimination phase, and to provide the scientific evident for targeted prevention and control measures, we compared the demographical feature and its change trend for malaria cases between malaria control stage and elimination stage in China. METHODS: The data of individual case (probable and confirmed) and population during 2007-2014 were collected from China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System, and the data of epidemiological investigation for malaria case (imported and indigenous) during 2011-2014 were collected from China Parasite Disease Prevention and Control Information System. All of the data didn't include China's Hongkong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign cases. We described the demographic features of malaria cases, e.g. sex, age, occupation and mobility, to compare the differences of cases between malaria control stage (2007-2010) and the elimination phase (2011-2014). RESULTS: From 2007 to 2014, a total of 108 076 malaria cases were reported nationwide, which 13 355 cases were reported at the elimination stage. The proportion of male cases considerably increased from 65.1% (6 1625 cases) at the control stage to 91.4% (12 209 cases) at the elimination phase, with the cases aged 15-64 years among male cases dramatically rose from 74.3% (45 793 cases) to 97.2% (11 870 cases). In terms of occupation, the proportion of children and students decreased from 17.8% (16 891 cases) to 2.7% (356 cases), while the percentage of migrant workers, workers and other professional cases increased from 8.5% (8 031 cases), 3.5% (3 319 cases) and 3.6% (3 435 cases) to 13.1% (1 757 cases), 11.5% (1 534 cases) and 11.4% (1 517 cases), respectively. During the elimination stage,P. faliparium cases have higher proportion of male (96.4%, 7 179 cases) and adult aged 15-64 year (99.4%, 7 399 cases) than that of P. vivax cases , 83.9% (4 344 cases) and 90.3% (4 679 cases), respectively. Moreover, the proportion of imported cases rose from 63.6% (2 599 cases) in 2011 to 97.7% (2 854 cases) in 2014, and the proportion of the migrants in indigenous cases also showed an increasing trend from 13.5% (201 cases) in 2011 to 28.4% (19 cases) in 2014. CONCLUSION: Compared with the control stage, great changes of demographical characteristics of malaria cases occurred at the elimination stage. Male adults aged 15-64 year-old, imported cases and domestic migrants were the high-risk population for targeted control and prevention at the malaria elimination stage.

[Epidemic features and impact factors on hospitalization of Plasmodium vivax in China 2011-2014].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and impact factors on hospitalization of Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) since initiation of national malaria elimination program, so as to facilitate the adjustment of technical guideline in response to the epidemic changing of malaria in China. METHODS: The data of individual P. vivax case (probable and confirmed) and population during 2011-2014 were collated from China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System, and the data of epidemiological investigation for individual P. vivax case (imported and indigenous) during 2011-2014 were collected from China Parasite Disease Prevention and Control Information System. All of the data didn't include China's Hongkong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign cases. The risk factors on hospitalization were explored by multiple factors variable binary classification unconditioned logistic regression model. RESULTS: During study period of four years, a total of 5 656 Plasmodium vivax cases were detected. Among them, 69.9% (3 951 cases) were imported cases and 30.1% (1 705 cases) were autochthonous cases. The male cases accounted for 82.7% of all cases. Among the autochthonous cases, 535 cases (31.4%) occurred in the cross-bordering areas, and 577 cases (33.8%) were reported in the junction of difference provinces. The amount of autochthonous cases decreased from 1 363 cases in 2011 to 53 cases in 2014, and the county affected by autochthonous cases was shrunk from 185 counties to 10 counties. The proportion of autochthonous cases introduced by domestic migrants increased constantly, which reached 41.5% in 2014. The imported cases were detected from 614 counties of 30 provinces, who were originated from 57 overseas countries of 4 continents, with Southeast Asia being the leading origins (2 772 cases, 70.2%). There were 1 494 cases hospitalized for treatment, with the male (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.16-1.71), 14 years old and younger (OR=2.26, 95%CI: 1.44-3.56), and oversea imported cases (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 2.30-3.25) were the high risk group for hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The scale and scope of P. vivax occurrence decreased dramatically since initiation of malaria elimination grogram in 2010. However, the risk of P. vivax introduction by the overseas imported cases and domestic migrants should be highlighted.

[Epidemiological analysis of the deaths of malaria in China, 2005-2014].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the epidemiological features of deaths of malaria from 2005 to 2014, so as to provide the evidence for subsequently more effective strategic planning of malaria elimination in China. METHODS: The data of individual malaria cases (including probable and confirmed cases, population data, geographic distribution, diagnosis and reporting information) were obtained from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System from 2005 to 2014 and the epidemiological investigation information (including the clinical systems and the imported and indigenous cases) was extracted from Parasite Disease Prevention and Control Information System from 2011 to 2014. All of the data didn't include Hongkong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign cases. The population characteristics, clinical systems, geographic distribution, diagnosis and reporting and sources of infections of deaths were analyzed. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2014, a total of 228 deaths of malaria were reported, with 203 (89.0%) of P. falciparum malaria, 13 (5.7%) of P. vivax malaria, 1 (0.5%) of P. malariae malaria and 11(4.8%) other cases. The fatality rate of malaria increased since 2010. Among the deaths, 48 (81.4% ) had serious complications, which included cerebral lesion, coma, severe renal and hepatic injuries and hemolysis and so on. In 2005-2010, the geographical distribution of malaria deaths was mainly in Yunnan (78 deaths, 56.1%), Sichuan (13 deaths, 9.4%), Henan (7 deaths, 5.0%), Shandong (6 deaths, 4.3%) and Zhejiang (5 deaths, 3.6%) province. However, since the initiation of malaria elimination program in 2010, the areas with malaria deaths have changed, which mainly distributed in Henan (10 deaths, 11.2%), Sichuan (9 deaths, 10.1%), Shandong (8 deaths, 9.0%), Jiangsu (7 deaths, 7.9%) and Hunan province (7 deaths, 7.9%). Besides there were nine deaths (10.0%) reported in non-endemic areas of malaria (Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Ningxia) in 2011-2014. The median time from illness onset to diagnosis for deaths was 5.5 (P25-P75: 3.0-8.5) d, which was longer than 3.0 (2.0-6.0)d for survivors. Moreover, for deaths, the median P50 (P25-P75)(6.0, 4.0-9.0 d) from illness onset to diagnosis in 2011-2014 was longer than that in 2005-2010 (5.0, 3.0-9.0 d). Among imported deaths, 77 deaths (90.6%) originated from Africa and 8 deaths (9.4%) from Southeast Asia. CONCLUSION: Although the reported deaths of malaria were stable in 2005-2014, the geographical distribution of malaria deaths changed significantly and the time from illness onset to the diagnosis was longer since 2010. Special attention should be paid to the diagnosis and treatment of imported cases to reduce the fatality at the malaria elimination stage.

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the leg mimicking lower limb cellulitis.

Erosive pustular dermatosis (EPD) of the leg is an unusual form of amicrobial pustulosis, which typically affects elderly patients with chronic venous insufficiency. We report a patient who presented with painful erythema, crusted erosions and pustules on her right lower leg. Histology showed a dermal infiltration made up predominantly of neutrophils. Bacteria were isolated from the lesions. The condition was initially diagnosed as cellulitis, but antibiotic treatment was unsuccessful. After the correct diagnosis was made, complete resolution was obtained with betamethasone 0.05%.

A new tospovirus causing chlorotic ringspot on Hippeastrum sp. in China.

A new tospovirus, HCRV 2007-ZDH, was isolated from a Hippeastrum sp. plant displaying necrotic and chlorotic ringspot symptoms in Yunnan province. This virus isolate was characterized based on particle morphology and RNA sequences analyses. Quasi-spherical, enveloped particles measuring about 70-100 nm, typical of tospoviruses, were observed in sap and cells of the infected plants. Transmission studies by inoculating this isolate mechanically to Hippeastrum sp. confirmed that 2007-ZDH is the causal agent of the chlorotic ringspot disease of Hippeastrum sp. The complete sequence of S RNA of 2007-ZDH was 2,744 nucleotides in length, sharing 74.4 % nucleotide identity with Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV) isolate tomato (AY686718). The S RNA encoded a non-structural protein (NSs) (444 aa, 50.4 kDa) and the nucleocapsid (N) protein (273 aa, 30.1 kDa).The deduced NSs protein shared amino acid identities of 78.6, 76.3, and 74.9 % with that of TYRV, IYSV, and PolRSV, respectively. The deduced N protein shared amino acid identities of 86.1, 84.7, and 70.0 % with that of PolRSV, TYRV, and IYSV, respectively. These results suggest that the chlorotic ringspot virus belongs to a new tospovirus species, for which the name Hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRV) is proposed.

[Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus: imaging characteristics].

Objective: To explore and analyze the imaging features of arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, so as to provide reference for identifying sphenoid lesions. Methods: From May 2018 to September 2019, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 350 patients (183 males and 167 females, aged between 18 and 73 years) who had been completed the sinus CT examination in the outpatient department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University. Their imaging data were collected and the CT/MRI characteristics of the sphenoid body were observed. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The rate of arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was 2.0% (7/350), which occurred in the pteroid process, the slope region, and the sphenoid sinus body, respectively. CT showed a nondilated mixed-density lesion (7/7) in the pneumatizable sphenoid body. Within these regions, both fat and soft tissue density (7/7) were present. Internal curve calcification was observed in part of the region (3/7). The skull base canal structure was not affected (7/7). MRI showed a clear non-dilated lesion with an adipose signal, and none of the lesions showed medulla dilation or cortical destruction. Conclusions: Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is a normal anatomic variation. When non-dilated lesions with clear bony boundaries and internal fatty components are encountered in the vaporizable region of the sphenoid sinus, the possibility of arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus should be considered.

Occurrence of Chilli veinal mottle virus in Nicotiana tabacum in Yunnan, China.

Flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an important crop in Yunnan Province, China. During a survey in July 2010, tobacco plants (N. tabacum cv. Yunyan 85) in the fields near Dali County in the northwest Yunnan Province of China had symptoms of chlorosis along leaf veins and later showed symptoms of white or brown necrosis along the veins. In 10 surveyed fields in Baizhishu Village in the city of Weishan, a commercial tobacco field (10 ha) developed virus-like disease symptoms; the incidence of affected plants ranged from 0.5 to 3%, which caused obvious economic losses. An isolate (YN75) was collected at random from five symptomatic leaves sampled from five plants. Negative staining of crude extracts of the infected leaves and subsequent electron microscopy revealed flexuous rods of 12 to 13 × 750 nm. Pinwheel-like inclusion bodies were abundant in thin sections of infected leaves. The particle size suggested a species of Potyviridae. Thus, the isolate was assayed in double antibody sandwich-ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) for the presence of Potato virus Y, Tobacco etch virus, and Tobacco vein mottling virus. All antigens gave negative results. Total RNA was extracted from leaves and tested by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. The primer M4-T (5'-GTT TTC CCA GTC ACG ACT TTT TTT TTT TTT TT-3') was employed for cDNA synthesis described by Chen et al (1). The primer set ChiVMV-F (5'-TAG TTG YGC ATA C (C/G) C AGG AGA GAG-3')/M4 (5'-GTT TTC CCA GTC ACG AC-3') is complimentary to the region of coat protein and 3'-untranslated region of Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), respectively. The expected 1,189-bp fragments were amplified from RNA templates and the amplicon was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. HQ218936). Comparisons of amplicons with the amino acid sequence available in the NCBI database using BLAST showed 91.4% identity with ChiVMV from India (GenBank Accession No. EF213688) and 90.7% with ChiVMV from Taiwan (Accession No. DQ854950). The virus particle size, RT-PCR results, and sequence data revealed that these tobacco plants were infected by ChiVMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ChiVMV infecting N. tabacum in China. Reference: (1) J. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:757, 2001.