A nanofluidic spiking synapse.

Currently, the nanofluidic synapse can only perform basic neuromorphic pulse patterns. One immediate problem that needs to be addressed to further its capability of brain-like computing is the realization of a nanofluidic spiking device. Here, we report the use of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate membrane to achieve bionic ionic current-induced spiking. In addition to the simulation of various electrical pulse patterns, our synapse could produce transmembrane ionic current-induced spiking, which is highly analogous to biological action potentials with similar phases and excitability. Moreover, the spiking properties could be modulated by ions and neurochemicals. We expect that this work could contribute to biomimetic spiking computing in solution.

Dual Engine Boosts Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor for Enhanced Modulation and Bioanalysis.

Organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) has shown substantial potential in the development of next-generation bioanalysis yet is limited by the either-or situation between the photoelectrode types and the channel types. Inspired by the dual-photoelectrode systems, we propose a new architecture of dual-engine OPECT for enhanced signal modulation and its biosensing application. Exemplified by incorporating the CdS/Bi2S3 photoanode and Cu2O photocathode within the gate-source circuit of Ag/AgCl-gated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) channel, the device shows enhanced modulation capability and larger transconductance (gm) against the single-photoelectrode ones. Moreover, the light irritation upon the device effectively shifts the peak value of gm to zero gate voltage without degradation and generates larger current steps that are advantageous for the sensitive bioanalysis. Based on the as-developed dual-photoelectrode OPECT, target-mediated recycling and etching reactions are designed upon the CdS/Bi2S3, which could result in dual signal amplification and realize the sensitive microRNA-155 biodetection with a linear range from 1 fM to 100 pM and a lower detection limit of 0.12 fM.

Biocompatibility and potential anticancer activity of gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles against nasal squamous cell carcinoma.

Chemotherapy as a cornerstone of cancer treatment is slowly being edged aside owing to its severe side effects and systemic toxicity. In this case, nanomedicine has emerged as an effective tool to address these drawbacks. Herein, a biocompatible carrier based on bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd2O3@BSA) was fabricated for curcumin (CUR) delivery and its physicochemical features along with its potential anticancer activity against nasal squamous cell carcinoma were also investigated. It was found that the fabricated Gd2O3@BSA containing CUR (Gd2O3@BSA-CUR) had spherical morphology with hydrodynamic size of nearly 26 nm, zeta-potential of -36 mV and high drug (CUR) loading capacity. Drug release profile disclosed that the release of CUR from the prepared Gd2O3@BSA-CUR nanoparticles occurred in a sustained- and pH-dependent manner. Also, in vitro cytotoxicity analysis revealed that the fabricated Gd2O3@BSA nanoparticles possessed excellent biosafety toward HFF2 normal cells, while Gd2O3@BSA-CUR appeared to display the greatest anticancer potential against RPMI 2650 and CNE-1 cancer cell lines. The results also show that the Gd2O3@BSA nanoparticles were compatible with the blood cells with minor hemolytic effect (< 3%). The manufactured NPs were found to be completely safe for biological applications in an in vivo subacute toxicity study. Taken together, these finding substantiate the potential anticancer activity of Gd2O3@BSA-CUR nanoparticles against nasal squamous cell carcinoma, but the results obtained demand further studies to assess their full potential.

Dynamic Gold Nanostructures Based on DNA Self Assembly.

The combination of DNA nanotechnology and Nano Gold (NG) plasmon has opened exciting possibilities for a new generation of functional plasmonic systems that exhibit tailored optical properties and find utility in various applications. In this review, the booming development of dynamic gold nanostructures are summarized, which are formed by DNA self-assembly using DNA-modified NG, DNA frameworks, and various driving forces. The utilization of bottom-up strategies enables precise control over the assembly of reversible and dynamic aggregations, nano-switcher structures, and robotic nanomachines capable of undergoing on-demand, reversible structural changes that profoundly impact their properties. Benefiting from the vast design possibilities, complete addressability, and sub-10 nm resolution, DNA duplexes, tiles, single-stranded tiles and origami structures serve as excellent platforms for constructing diverse 3D reconfigurable plasmonic nanostructures with tailored optical properties. Leveraging the responsive nature of DNA interactions, the fabrication of dynamic assemblies of NG becomes readily achievable, and environmental stimulation can be harnessed as a driving force for the nanomotors. It is envisioned that intelligent DNA-assembled NG nanodevices will assume increasingly important roles in the realms of biological, biomedical, and nanomechanical studies, opening a new avenue toward exploration and innovation.

Oridonin inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition of laryngeal carcinoma by positively regulating LKB1/AMPK signaling.

Oridonin is the main bioactive component of Rabdosia rubescens, and its anticancer activity has been reported in a variety of cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of oridonin in laryngeal carcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of oridonin on laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 and TU212 cell lines were initially detected by modified MTT assay. The results showed that oridonin had a dose-dependent anti-proliferative effect on laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 and TU212 cells. Next, we found that oridonin significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 and TU212 cell lines by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Subsequently, the results of quantitative real-time PCR assay and western blotting assay confirmed that oridonin upregulated the expression of E-cadherin while downregulated the expression of N-cadherin in a concentration-dependent manner at mRNA and protein levels. In addition, phosphorylation levels of liver kinase B1 (p-LKB1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) were also elevated upon oridonin treatment. To further verify the role of LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway in laryngeal carcinoma, overexpression of LKB1 was constructed by plasmid transfection. The data exhibited that overexpression of LKB1 could further reinforce the increase of E-cadherin level and decrease of N-cadherin level mediated by oridonin. Additionally, AMPK inhibitor compound C could reverse anti-metastatic effect of oridonin on laryngeal carcinoma, and antagonise EMT expression. In contrast, AMPK activator AICAR presented the opposite effect. In conclusion, our study revealed that oridonin could remarkably reverse the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of laryngeal carcinoma by positively regulating LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway, which suggested that oridonin may be a potential candidate for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma in the future.

A Light-Powered Single-Stranded DNA Molecular Motor with Colour-Selective Single-Step Control.

Top-down control of small motion is possible through top-down controlled molecular motors in replacement of larger actuators like MEMS or NEMS (micro- or nano-electromechanical systems) in the current precision technology. Improving top-down control of molecular motors to every single step is desirable for this purpose, and also for synchronization of motor actions for amplified effects. Here we report a designed single-stranded DNA molecular motor powered by alternated ultraviolet and visible light for processive track-walking, with the two light colours each locking the motor in a full directional step to allow saturated driving but no overstepping. This novel nano-optomechanical driving mechanism pushes the top-down control of molecular motors down to every single step, thus providing a key technical capability to advance the molecular motor-based precision technology and also motor synchronization for amplified effects.

Oridonin represses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis of thyroid cancer via downregulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Oridonin, a bioactive diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens, has been reported to exert anticancer activity in various cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of oridonin in thyroid cancer has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, oridonin was found to significantly inhibit migration and invasion of thyroid cancer TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, as evidenced by wound healing assay, transwell migration assay and Matrigel invasion assay. In addition, oridonin could partially impede epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating E-Cadherin expression and downregulating N-Cadherin and vimentin expressions in a concentration-dependent manner. Accumulating evidence indicated that JAK2 (Janus kinase-2)/STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) signaling pathway was associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. As expected, the protein levels of phosphorylated-JAK2 and phosphorylated-STAT3 were dramatically reduced upon oridonin treatment in thyroid cancer TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. Subsequently, the findings revealed that JAK2 overexpression could weaken the anti-metastatic effect and partially attenuate MET (mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition) by oridonin, while AG490, a JAK2 antagonist, enhanced the above process in thyroid cancer cells. The subsequent results showed that oridonin inhibited angiogenesis and VEGFA expression in thyroid cancer cells by tube formation assay, western blot and ELISA assay. Meanwhile, AG490 could further attenuate oridonin-treated VEGFA protein level. In addition, the in vivo results further confirmed that oridonin inhibited tumorigenicity in thyroid cancer xenograft. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that oridonin repressed metastatic phenotype, angiogenesis and modulated EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) of thyroid cancer cells via the inactivation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, suggesting that JAK2 may be a novel therapeutic target of oridonin against thyroid cancer.

Long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 promotes proliferation and metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer by miR-628-5p/KLF12 axis.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AGAP2-AS1 acts as an oncogene in several types of cancers. However, the role and mechanism of AGAP2-AS1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we aimed to explore the role of AGAP2-AS1 in PTC. Our results showed that AGAP2-AS1 was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues. Knockdown of AGAP2-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of PTC cells. In vivo experiment showed that AGAP2-AS1 knockdown inhibited the tumorigenesis of PTC. MiR-628-5p was found to act as a target miRNA of AGAP2-AS1 in PTC. The expression level of miR-628-5p in PTC tissues was negatively associated with that of AGAP2-AS1. Inhibition of miR-628-5p attenuated the effects of AGAP2-AS1 knockdown on PTC. Moreover, miR-628-5p directly bound to the 3'UTR of KLF12 and inhibited the expression of KLF12. Knockdown of KLF12 enhanced the inhibitory effects of miR-628-5p on PTC cell proliferation and metastasis. In conclusion, these findings indicated that AGAP2-AS1 exerted an oncogenic role in PTC progression and metastasis. The effects of AGAP2-AS1 might be mediated by the regulation of miR-628-5p/KLF12 axis.

Oridonin inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by negatively regulating AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Oridonin, derived from Rabdosia rubescens, has exhibited anticancer activity in a variety of cancers. However, few studies have explored the effect of oridonin (ORI) on migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In our study, the results demonstrated that oridonin significantly inhibited migration and invasion of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z and HNE-1 cell lines, as depicted by wound healing and Transwell assays. In addition, oridonin increased the expression of E-Cadherin while decreased the expressions of vimentin and twist1 at the mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, oridonin also decreased cell mobility in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The subsequent results of western blotting uncovered that the phosphorylation levels of AKT and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were decreased upon oridonin treatment. Furthermore, co-treatment with the AKT activator SC-79 attenuated the anti-metastatic effect of oridonin on nasopharyngeal carcinoma and partially abolished the high expression of E-cadherin and the low expression of twist1 mediated by oridonin. In conclusion, the results revealed that oridonin could repress metastatic phenotype and reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by negatively regulating AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway, suggesting that AKT/STAT3 signaling may be the potential therapeutic target of oridonin against nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A mathematical optimization model for efficient assignment of inpatients in an oncology center in China.

This paper addresses a problem for assignment of chemo-receiving inpatients in an oncology care center, which has not been addressed in the literature. Chemotherapy is regarded as one of the most effective treatments for cancer. In recent years, as cancer incidence increased, the number of patients admitted to a cancer treatment center has also been rising. How to balance the workload of medical service resources by planning admission of patients has become an essential problem that must be given consideration by policy- makers. The allocation of chemotherapy patients, different from that of the routine inpatients, is restrained by treatment agreements of patients and presents periodic features. Therefore, the allocation of chemotherapy patients is much more difficult than that of routine patients. A mixed integer programming (MIP) model was first formulated for this problem in order to maximize the usage of beds. Specific features of chemotherapy, such as chemotherapy protocols, were integrated into this model. The inpatient assignment problem was proved to be non-deterministic polynomial- complete and we propose an exact method to solve it. Numerical experiments on suitable use-case scenarios and a practical Chinese oncology center were performed to test and evaluate this model. The obtained results demonstrated the effectiveness of our method. Some useful managerial implication are provided for policy-makers through the analysis of obtained results. The models and methods suggested here can be effectively applied in similar departments of other countries and regions.

YTHDC1-Mediated lncRNA MSC-AS1 m6A Modification Potentiates Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development via Repressing ATXN7 Transcription.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has the highest mortality rate among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study was designed to investigate the biological effect of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MSC antisense RNA 1 (MSC-AS1) on LSCC development and the underlying mechanism. The expression and prognostic value of lncRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were predicted in the bioinformatics tools. The overexpression of MSC-AS1 in LSCC patients predicted a poor prognosis. Depletion of MSC-AS1 using shRNA repressed the malignant phenotype of AMC-HN-8 and TU-177 cells. MSC-AS1, mainly localized in the nucleus, interacted closely with the transcription factor CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). CTCF played anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo. Ataxin-7 (ATXN7) was predicted to be a downstream target of CTCF, whose expression was negatively controlled by MSC-AS1. MSC-AS1 was found to block the expression of CTCF, thereby repressing ATXN7. Finally, MSC-AS1 overexpression in LSCC was governed by YTH domain-containing protein 1 (YTHDC1)-mediated m6A modification. In summary, our research identified the YTHDC1/MSC-AS1/CTCF/ATXN7 axis in LSCC development, which indicated that MSC-AS1 is an attractive biomarker in the LSCC treatment.

A Photoelectrochemical Retinomorphic Synapse.

Reproducing human visual functions with artificial devices is a long-standing goal of the neuromorphic domain. However, emulating the chemical language communication of the visual system in fluids remains a grand challenge. Here, a "multi-color" hydrogel-based photoelectrochemical retinomorphic synapse is reported with unique chemical-ionic-electrical signaling in an aqueous electrolyte that enables, e.g., color perception and biomolecule-mediated synaptic plasticity. Based on the specific enzyme-catalyzed chromogenic reactions, three multifunctional colored hydrogels are developed, which can not only synergize with the Bi2S3 photogate to recognize the primary colors but also synergize with a given polymeric channel to promote the long-term memory of the system. A synaptic array is further constructed for sensing color images and biomolecule-coded information communication. Taking advantage of the versatile biochemistry, the biochemical-driven reversible photoelectric response of the cone cell is further mimicked. This work introduces rich chemical designs into retinomorphic devices, providing a perspective for replicating the human visual system in fluids.

The rutting model of semi-rigid asphalt pavement based on RIOHTRACK full-scale track.

Semi-rigid asphalt pavement has a wide range of application cases and data bases, and rutting is a typical failure mode of semi-rigid asphalt pavement. The establishment of an accurate rutting depth prediction model is of great significance to pavement design and maintenance. However, due to the lack of perfect theoretical system and systematic research data, the existing rutting prediction model of semi-rigid asphalt pavement is not accurate. In this paper, machine learning and mechanical-empirical model are combined to study the feature selection affecting the rutting evolution and rutting depth model of semi-rigid asphalt pavement. First, the particle swarm optimization random forest model is used to select the important features that affect the evolution of rutting depth. Second, the R-F model based on important features is proposed for the first time, which is compared with modification of rutting model in the Chinese Specifications for Design of Highway Asphalt Pavement (JTG D50-2017) and R-B model based on the improved Burgers model. The results show that the R-F model has more accurate prediction ability and better generalization ability, and it does not need complex data preprocessing and noise reduction. Here, the machine learning method is introduced to analyze the data characteristics, and the R-F rutting depth prediction model framework is innovatively proposed, which greatly improves the applicability and accuracy of the existing model framework.

Short-Term Effect of Moderate Level Air Pollution on Outpatient Visits for Multiple Clinic Departments: A Time-Series Analysis in Xi'an China.

There is limited evidence concerning the association between air pollution and different outpatient visits in moderately polluted areas. This paper investigates the effects of moderate-level air pollution on outpatient visits associated with six categories of clinic department. We analyzed a total of 1,340,791 outpatient visits for the pediatric, respiratory, ear-nose-throat (ENT), cardiovascular, ophthalmology, and orthopedics departments from January 2016 to December 2018. A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to analyze the associations and was fitted and stratified by age and season (central heating season and nonheating season). We found SO2 had the largest effect on pediatrics visits (RR = 1.105 (95%CI: 1.090, 1.121)). Meanwhile, PM2.5 and SO2 had greater effects on ENT visits for people under 50 years old. The results showed a strong association between O3 and cardiovascular outpatient visits in the nonheating season (RR = 1.273, 95% CI: 1.189,1.358). The results showed every 10 µg/m3 increase in SO2 was associated with a lower number of respiratory outpatient visits. Significant different associations were observed in PM2.5, NO2, CO, and O3 on ophthalmology visits between the heating and nonheating seasons. Although no significant association has been found in existing studies, our findings showed PM2.5 and NO2 were significantly related to orthopedic outpatient visits for people under 60 (RR = 1.063 (95%CI: 1.032, 1.095), RR = 1.055 (95%CI: 1.011, 1.101)). This study also found that the effect-level concentrations of air pollutants for some clinic departments were lower than the national standards, which means that people should also pay more attention when the air quality is normal.

[Corrigendum] Thymoquinone inhibits epithelial­mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer cells by negatively regulating the TGF­ß/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

After the publication of the article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that the Du145 'Control' migration panel in Fig. 2C appeared to overlap with the Du145 'Control' invasion panel in Fig. 5A; furthermore, two of the Du145 panels in Fig. 5A also appeared to overlap. The authors have consulted their original data, and realize that these figures were inadvertently assembled incorrectly. The corrected versions of Figs. 2 and 5, incorporating the correct data for the Du145 'Control' panel in Fig. 2C, and the TQ­/TGF­ß OE­ invasion and migration panels, and the TQ+/TGF­ß OE+ migration panel, in Fig. 5A, are shown on the next page. These further corrections do not grossly affect the results or the conclusions reported in this work. The authors all agree to this Corrigendum, and are grateful to the Editor of Oncology Reports for granting them the opportunity to correct the errors that were made during the assembly of these figures. Lastly, the authors apologize to the readership for any inconvenience these errors may have caused. [Oncology Reports 38: 3592­3598, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.6012].

[Using titanium cerclage band to teat intra- and post-operative femoral fracture in total hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment and clinical result of using titanium cerclage band to teat intra- and post-operative femoral fracture in total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: From August 1999 to September 2007, twenty-two patients who suffered from intra-and post-operative femoral oblique fracture in total hip arthroplasty were reviewed among 2186 consecutive total hip arthroplasty patients performed by one surgeon. There were 12 fractures occurred intraoperative and 10 fractures postoperative. There are 9 primary and 13 revision total hip arthroplasty patients including 10 men and 12 women. All fractures are classified as Vancouver B1 type in 15 cases and B2 type in 7 cases. Two to five titanium cerclage bands had been used to fix the fracture followed by open reduction with 13 cases using 2 cerclage bands and 7 cases using 3 bands and 1 case using 4 bands and 1 case using 5 bands. Whether change the original stem or not depended on the classification of fractures and stability of stems. There were 15 cases of type B1 and 1 case of type B2 without changing stems and 6 cases of type B2 changing to revision stems of the same series of original stems. RESULTS: All fractures showed successfully union for 12 - 20 weeks (average 18 weeks) after operation. The average Harris score of the hip improved to 90 points (80 to 95 points) at an average 6.5 years follow-up (4 to 11 years) and the average range of motion of the hip got to 120° (105° - 135°). Femoral prostheses were well-fixed without any subsidence or lucent lines or loosening. All patients were satisfied with the results with well-fixed and good alignment of femoral stem. CONCLUSIONS: Strong fixation of the fractures and good initial stability of femoral stem can be obtained using titanium cerclage bands to fix the intra- and post-operative femoral oblique fracture. Original stems should be changed to revision stems in case of type B2 and be retained in case of type B1.

LKB1 inhibits proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis of thyroid cancer by upregulating SIK1.

Purpose: Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), also known as serine/threonine kinase 11, was considered as a tumor suppressor, which exhibited anti-cancer activity in a variety of cancers. However, the effect of LKB1 in thyroid cancer remains unclear. Methods: In the study, MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, western blot analysis, wound healing assay, transwell assays, quantitative real-time PCR, HUVEC migration assay, ELISA assay, tube formation assay and nude mice xenograft were used to investigate the anti-cancer capacity of LKB1 in thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results: In the present study, we found that the expression of LKB1 was lower in thyroid cancer tissues and cell lines, compared with the adjacent normal tissue and thyroid epithelial cell. After construction of stable clone cells with ectopic LKB1 overexpression, the findings revealed that LKB1 overexpression exerted anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic property in thyroid cancer TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. In addition, LKB1 overexpression could inhibit migration and invasion, downregulate MMP2 and MMP9 expressions, and reverse EMT in thyroid cancer cells. Furthermore, overexpression of LKB1 attenuated HUVEC recruitment, decreased the expression of VEGFA and inhibited the formation of new vessels in thyroid cancer cells. To validate the underlying mechanism of LKB1 in thyroid cancer, the results showed that LKB1 could positively regulate SIK1 in thyroid cancer TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. Additionally, the SIK1 inhibitor HG-9-91-01 could partially abrogate the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effect of LKB1, and reverse MET (mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition) mediated by LKB1 overexpression. Ultimately, the results in vivo revealed that LKB1 overexpression exhibited a strong inhibitory effect of tumorigenicity and presented anti-angiogenic characteristic in nude mice xenograft model. Conclusion: the results demonstrated that LKB1 could inhibit proliferation, metastasis phenotype and angiogenesis, and reverse EMT in thyroid cancer in vitro and vivo via the upregulation of SIK1, suggesting that LKB1 could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

[Medium and long-term clinical results of using Zweymüller cup to treat protrusio acetabuli].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss long-term clinical results of using Zweymüller cup to treat protrusio acetabuli. METHODS: From May 1998 to September 2006, 31 patients with 39 hips diagnosed protrusio acetabuli were treated with Zweymüller cup in total hip arthroplasties or revisions. There were 12 men and 19 women with average age of 57.6 years (from 30 to 82 years). The reasons causing protrusio acetabuli were as followed: rheumatoid arthritis 3 cases 6 hips, osteoarthritis followed femoral head necrosis 7 cases 12 hips, acetabular wear after hemi-arthroplasty 11 cases 11 hips and acetabular component loosening 10 cases 10 hips. During all operations, Zweymüller cup was used to fix the acetabular part. RESULTS: All cases were followed up 6 months and one year after operations. Two patients with 3 hips were died for lung cancer and acute myocardial infarction respectively. Twenty-four cases with 31 hips got recent follow-up with average 7.4 years (from 5.0 to 11.5 years). The average Harris score improved from 31.0 (from 14 to 61) preoperatively to 84.7 (from 70 to 95) postoperatively. There was one infection in right hip after bilateral hip arthroplasty treating by removal prosthesis and cement spacer insert. But until now this patient still did not get revision for her internal medicine. One rheumatoid arthritis patient with two-stage bilateral hip arthroplasty was found slight internal migration and loosening line of left acetabular component, but the patient had no pain with good hip function. All other cases had good hip functions and were very satisfied with clinical results. CONCLUSION: Using Zweymüller cup to treat protrusion acetabuli can get strong fixations and perfect medium and long-term clinical results for over 7.4 years.

Examining the Relationships Between Air Pollutants and the Incidence of Acute Aortic Dissection with Electronic Medical Data in a Moderately Polluted Area of Northwest China.

This paper explored whether air pollutants influenced acute aortic dissection (AAD) incidence in a moderately polluted area. A total of 494 AAD patients' data from 2013 to 2016 were analyzed. The results showed that AAD had the strongest associations with PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 on the day before an AAD incident (lag1) and with PM2.5 two days before an incident (lag2) in single-pollutant model. In the three-pollutant model, PM10 was associated with the highest risk of adverse effects (RR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.53), whereas PM2.5 was associated with the lowest risk (RR = .83, 95% CI: .79, .88). Both PM2.5 and PM10 were affected by season, and SO2 was significantly different between heating and non-heating seasons as well. This study revealed significant associations between short-term PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 exposure and daily AAD incidence, showing that PM10 and SO2 were strong predictors of AAD incidence in a moderately polluted area.

Designer Structures Assembled from Modular DNA Superbricks.

Self-assembled DNA structures hold great application potentials in many fields. The DNA structure of a specific feature, however, generally requires a distinct set of DNA strands with unique sequences, which is costly and error-prone. Herein, we expanded the modularity of DNA bricks to assemble a number of DNA structures including objects and lattices from the same set of DNA strands. We designed DNA superbricks composed of ∼200 conventional DNA bricks of 52 nucleotides. By modularly programming the sticky interactions between DNA superbricks, we have successfully assembled seven DNA structures of designer features including DNA objects and one-dimensional and two-dimensional DNA brick lattices.