Measured proton electromagnetic structure deviates from theoretical predictions.

The visible world is founded on the proton, the only composite building block of matter that is stable in nature. Consequently, understanding the formation of matter relies on explaining the dynamics and the properties of the proton's bound state. A fundamental property of the proton involves the response of the system to an external electromagnetic field. It is characterized by the electromagnetic polarizabilities1 that describe how easily the charge and magnetization distributions inside the system are distorted by the electromagnetic field. Moreover, the generalized polarizabilities2 map out the resulting deformation of the densities in a proton subject to an electromagnetic field. They disclose essential information about the underlying system dynamics and provide a key for decoding the proton structure in terms of the theory of the strong interaction that binds its elementary quark and gluon constituents. Of particular interest is a puzzle in the electric generalized polarizability of the proton that remains unresolved for two decades2. Here we report measurements of the proton's electromagnetic generalized polarizabilities at low four-momentum transfer squared. We show evidence of an anomaly to the behaviour of the proton's electric generalized polarizability that contradicts the predictions of nuclear theory and derive its signature in the spatial distribution of the induced polarization in the proton. The reported measurements suggest the presence of a new, not-yet-understood dynamical mechanism in the proton and present notable challenges to the nuclear theory.

[Knobloch syndrome: a case report].

A 5-year-old girl came to the Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital in May 2021 because of her poor eyesight after birth. The physical examination showed that she had high myopia, esotropia, horizontal tremor, and high myopia retinopathy of both eyes. After inquiring about her medical history, we found that the baby's occipital cystic mass swelled after birth, and CT examination showed that the occipital skull plate defect with meningocele, but without treatment, at present, the occipital mass had subsided by itself. Considering the eye manifestations and skull changes of the child, it may be conformed to Knobloch syndrome, after the detection of V4 by full exon gene, it was found that the child had the compound heterozygous variation of pathogenic gene COL18A1, and Knobloch syndrome was definite, Knobloch syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease with typical features of high myopia, retinal detachment and occipital encephalocele. At present, there is no clear treatment plan, and gene therapy may be an effective treatment for Knobloch syndrome in the future.

[Occurrence and prediction on post-contrast acute kidney injury following endovascular interventions].

Objective: To investigate the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) and to evaluate the usefulness of serum cystatin C (sCysC) and serum creatinine (sCr) for the prediction of PC-AKI after endovascular interventions. Methods: The clinical data of 404 patients who underwent endovascular procedures from August 2014 to October 2018 in the Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Shanghai Jiao Tong University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received 0.9% sodium chloride through an angiographic catheter during the procedure. Patients with an estimated GFR (eGFR)<60 ml/(min·1.73m2) received a continuous intravenous hydration with isotonic saline from 6 hours before to 12 hours after an endovascular procedure. The level of sCr, eGFR and sCysC were measured at 1-2 days pre-procedure and at 48, 72 h, and 7 days post-procedure. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of PC-AKI. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the usefulness of various factors for the prediction of PC-AKI. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Thirteen patients (3.2%) developed PC-AKI. All patients were divided into PC-AKI group and no PC-AKI group for statistical comparison. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test revealed that sCr levels at 7 days post-procedure [63.0 (56.0, 74.0) µmol/L] were significantly lower than pre-procedure sCr levels [65.6 (56.2, 77.0) µmol/L] in patients without PC-AKI (P<0.05). Meanwhile, eGFR levels were significantly higher at 72 h [114.9 (96.3, 135.0) ml/(min·1.73m2)] and 7 days [116.7 (98.5, 139.9) ml/(min·1.73m2)] post-procedure than eGFR levels before endovascular procedures [112.3 (94.1, 133.5) ml/(min·1.73m2)] in patients without PC-AKI (P<0.05). However, there was an increase in sCysC at 48 h [0.9 (0.8, 1.1) mg/L] after endovascular procedures than pre-operative sCysC [0.9 (0.8, 1.1) mg/L] in patients without PC-AKI (P<0.05). SCr, sCysC, levels were significantly increased at 48 h [108.0 (95.3, 125.0) µmol/L, 1.5 (1.2, 2.0) mg/L] and 72 h [123.4 (91.3, 143.0) µmol/L, 1.6 (1.1, 2.0) mg/L] post-procedure than SCr, sCysC, levels before endovascular procedures [81.6 (63.1, 111.0) µmol/L, 1.1 (1.0,1.7) mg/L] and eGFR levels were significantly decreased at 48 h [55.8 (48.9, 77.6) ml/(min·1.73m2)] and 72 h [52.7 (47.7, 63.9) ml/(min·1.73m2)] after endovascular procedures than eGFR levels before exposure to CM [88.8 (65.6, 100.7) ml/(min·1.73m2)] in patients with PC-AKI (P<0.05). SCr, sCysC and eGFR in PC-AKI group tended to levels before an endovascular procedure within 7 days. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that preoperative sCysC and sCr levels had high discriminatory power for evaluating the risk of PC-AKI after an endovascular procedure. ROC analysis showed that sCysC before endovascular procedures was useful to predict the risk of PC-AKI with a satisfactory sensitivity of 69.2% (9/13), specificity of 77.5% (300/387), positive predictive value (PPV) of 9.3% (9/96) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.7% (300/304). The incidence of PC-AKI was low in patients with a pre-procedure sCysC<1.09 mg/L. The sCr was predictive of PC-AKI with a satisfactory sensitivity of 69.2% (9/13), specificity of 76.7% (300/391), PPV of 9.0% (9/100) and NPV of 98.7% (300/304). The incidence of PC-AKI was low in patients with a pre-procedure sCr<77.6 µmol/L. Results of univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that sCysC before endovascular procedures was an risk factor for PC-AKI (OR=13.917, 95%CI:1.666-116.237, P=0.015). The one-year, three-year and five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with PC-AKI was 50%, 30% and 30% respectively. The median survival time was 6 (0-26) months. Conclusions: The sCysC before endovascular procedures is an independent risk factor of PC-AKI. SCysC and SCr before an endovascular procedure with a cut-off value of 1.09 mg/L and 77.6 µmol/L may help to rule out patients at lower risk of PC-AKI.

Intercomparison of Monte Carlo calculated dose enhancement ratios for gold nanoparticles irradiated by X-rays: Assessing the uncertainty and correct methodology for extended beams.

Results of a Monte Carlo code intercomparison exercise for simulations of the dose enhancement from a gold nanoparticle (GNP) irradiated by X-rays have been recently reported. To highlight potential differences between codes, the dose enhancement ratios (DERs) were shown for the narrow-beam geometry used in the simulations, which leads to values significantly higher than unity over distances in the order of several tens of micrometers from the GNP surface. As it has come to our attention that the figures in our paper have given rise to misinterpretation as showing 'the' DERs of GNPs under diagnostic X-ray irradiation, this article presents estimates of the DERs that would have been obtained with realistic radiation field extensions and presence of secondary particle equilibrium (SPE). These DER values are much smaller than those for a narrow-beam irradiation shown in our paper, and significant dose enhancement is only found within a few hundred nanometers around the GNP. The approach used to obtain these estimates required the development of a methodology to identify and, where possible, correct results from simulations whose implementation deviated from the initial exercise definition. Based on this methodology, literature on Monte Carlo simulated DERs has been critically assessed.

[Performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Oncomelania snails in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted regions].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and microscopic examinations for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania hupensis in transmission-interrupted regions, so as to provide insights into the optimization of snail surveillance tools in these regions. METHODS: Four hilly schistosomiasis-endemic villages where transmission interruption was achieved were selected in Heqing County of Yunnan Province as the study villages, including Xinzhuang and Gule villages in hilly regions and Lianyi and Yitou villages in dam regions. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling combined with environmental sampling in July 2018. All captured snails were identified for S. japonicum infections using microscopy. In addition, 10 to 20 snails were randomly sampled from each snail habitat following microscopy, numbered according to environments and subjected to LAMP assay. The positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was compared among villages. RESULTS: A total of 7 949 living snails were captured from 83 snail habitats in 4 villages, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. There were 226 mixed samples containing 1 786 snails subjected to LAMP assay, and positive LAMP assay was found in 3 mixed samples from 3 snail habitats in 2 dam villages. The positive rates of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails were comparable between Lianyi Village (one setting) and Yitou Village (2 set tings) (5.89% vs. 14.29%, P = 0.344). However, the overall positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was significantly higher in dam villages (9.67%, 3/31) than in hilly villages (0) (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: LAMP assay is more sensitive to detect S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis than conventional microcopy method, which may serve as a supplementary method for detection of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis in high-risk snail habitats in hilly transmission-interrupted regions.

Consistency checks of results from a Monte Carlo code intercomparison for emitted electron spectra and energy deposition around a single gold nanoparticle irradiated by X-rays.

Organized by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), a Monte Carlo code intercomparison exercise was conducted where participants simulated the emitted electron spectra and energy deposition around a single gold nanoparticle (GNP) irradiated by X-rays. In the exercise, the participants scored energy imparted in concentric spherical shells around a spherical volume filled with gold or water as well as the spectral distribution of electrons leaving the GNP. Initially, only the ratio of energy deposition with and without GNP was to be reported. During the evaluation of the exercise, however, the data for energy deposition in the presence and absence of the GNP were also requested. A GNP size of 50 nm and 100 nm diameter was considered as well as two different X-ray spectra (50 kVp and 100kVp). This introduced a redundancy that can be used to cross-validate the internal consistency of the simulation results. In this work, evaluation of the reported results is presented in terms of integral quantities that can be benchmarked against values obtained from physical properties of the radiation spectra and materials involved. The impact of different interaction cross-section datasets and their implementation in the different Monte Carlo codes is also discussed.

MiR-329-3p inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration through USP22-Wnt/ß-Catenin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA-329-3p (miR-329-3p) has been shown to be involved in tumor development. But its role in hepatocellular carcinoma has not been explored. Our study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of miR-329-3p on hepatocellular carcinoma development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and paired paracancerous specimens from 31 hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing surgery were collected. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were employed to measure genes expression at mRNA and protein level. CCK-8 and transwell assays were performed to evaluate hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation and migration. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was designed to validate the target gene of miR-329-3p. RESULTS: Our study showed miR-329-3p expression was significantly lower in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue. MiR-329-3p mimic inhibits proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. By using Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay, we proved that miR-329-3p inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation and migration by targeting USP22 directly. By up- and downregulation of USP22 expression, we also proved that USP22 can activate the Wnt/ß-Catenin pathway, which in turn affected the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that miR-329-3p can inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting USP22-Wnt/ß-Catenin pathway. Our study provides novel insights into the aetiology and potential treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Effectiveness of spirolactone on the treatment of laryngeal edema and complications after H-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective:To determine whether taking spirolactone orally after H-UPPP may relieve laryngeal edema and complications for patients with obstructive sleep apnea（OSA）. Method:Fifty patients with OSA to undergo H-UPPP operation were randomly divided equally to the intervention group（taking spirolactone 20 mg orally twice a day for 7 days after H-UPPP） or the control group, all patients received conventional therapy after H-UPPP including anti-infection, hemostatic treatment, fluid replacement and expectorant by fogged absorption. The pharyngeal wound, diet, sleep and speaking pronunciation of all patients in each group were evaluated every other day in 7 days postoperation. The minimum oxygen saturation of blood（SaO2） during sleep at night each day and the period needed for staphyledema resolution of all patients were recorded and compared between each group. Result:Postoperatively, the intervention group had significantly slighter bleeding at wound site, better sleep and more legible speaking pronunciation than the control group after 3 days to 5 days（P<0.05）. The wound dehiscence of the intervention group was significantly slighter than the control group within 7 days after operation（P<0.05）. During 3 days to 7days after operation, the intervention group had a significantly better diet than the control group（P<0.05）. The average minimum SaO2during sleep at night in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group from 3 days to 5 days post operation（P<0.05）. Period needed for staphyledema resolution in the intervention group（4.1±1.5） days was significantly shorter than that in the control group（5.9±1.8） days （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Taking spirolactone orally after H-UPPP may relieve laryngeal edema and complications for OSA patients, and it will also shorten the period needed for staphyledema resolution.

Intercomparison of dose enhancement ratio and secondary electron spectra for gold nanoparticles irradiated by X-rays calculated using multiple Monte Carlo simulation codes.

PURPOSE: Targeted radiation therapy has seen an increased interest in the past decade. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed enhanced radiation doses due to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to tumors in mice and demonstrated a high potential for clinical application. However, finding a functionalized molecular formulation for actively targeting GNPs in tumor cells is challenging. Furthermore, the enhanced energy deposition by secondary electrons around GNPs, particularly by short-ranged Auger electrons is difficult to measure. Computational models, such as Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport codes, have been used to estimate the physical quantities and effects of GNPs. However, as these codes differ from one to another, the reliability of physical and dosimetric quantities needs to be established at cellular and molecular levels, so that the subsequent biological effects can be assessed quantitatively. METHODS: In this work, irradiation of single GNPs of 50 nm and 100 nm diameter by X-ray spectra generated by 50 and 100 peak kilovoltages was simulated for a defined geometry setup, by applying multiple MC codes in the EURADOS framework. RESULTS: The mean dose enhancement ratio of the first 10 nm-thick water shell around a 100 nm GNP ranges from 400 for 100 kVp X-rays to 600 for 50 kVp X-rays with large uncertainty factors up to 2.3. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the absolute dose enhancement effects have large uncertainties and need an inter-code intercomparison for a high quality assurance; relative properties may be a better measure until more experimental data is available to constrain the models.

Unique Access to u-Channel Physics: Exclusive Backward-Angle Omega Meson Electroproduction.

Backward-angle meson electroproduction above the resonance region, which was previously ignored, is anticipated to offer unique access to the three quark plus sea component of the nucleon wave function. In this Letter, we present the first complete separation of the four electromagnetic structure functions above the resonance region in exclusive ω electroproduction off the proton, ep→e^{'}pω, at central Q^{2} values of 1.60, 2.45 GeV^{2}, at W=2.21 GeV. The results of our pioneering -u≈-u_{min} study demonstrate the existence of a unanticipated backward-angle cross section peak and the feasibility of full L/T/LT/TT separations in this never explored kinematic territory. At Q^{2}=2.45 GeV^{2}, the observed dominance of σ_{T} over σ_{L}, is qualitatively consistent with the collinear QCD description in the near-backward regime, in which the scattering amplitude factorizes into a hard subprocess amplitude and baryon to meson transition distribution amplitudes: universal nonperturbative objects only accessible through backward-angle kinematics.

Pituitary tumor transforming gene binding factor (PBF) is required for androgen-induced prostate cancer proliferation and invasion.

Pituitary tumor transforming gene binding factor (PBF) is a proto-oncogene that plays a role in many cancers; however, its involvement in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. Here, we examined PBF expression in clinical specimens and investigated its regulation and function in human PCa cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of patient tissues revealed higher PBF expression in PCa than in benign prostatic hyperplasia or adjacent normal prostate specimens. In LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells, PBF expression was upregulated by androgen treatment in a manner partially blocked by the androgen receptor (AR) antagonist bicalutamide. We identified a novel androgen response element in the PBF gene promoter and demonstrated its functional relevance using luciferase reporter assays. Androgen treatment of LNCaP cells induced binding between the endogenous AR and the androgen response element in PBF, as measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Finally, RNA interference of PBF expression significantly reduced androgen-induced LNCaP cell growth and invasion. Thus, PBF is a novel AR target gene and plays a role in androgen-induced proliferation and metastatic functions in PCa cells.

Longitudinal Microstructural Changes in Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats: A Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging, Histology, and Behavior Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem worldwide. Accurately evaluating the brain microstructural changes in traumatic brain injury is crucial for the treatment and prognosis assessment. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal brain microstructural changes in traumatic brain injury in the rat using diffusional kurtosis imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusional kurtosis imaging was performed in a group of 5 rats at preinjury and 3, 14, and 28 days after traumatic brain injury. The diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters were measured in the bilateral cortex, hippocampus, and corpus callosum. Another 4 groups of 5 rats were used in brain immunohistochemistry analysis of neuron (neuron-specific nuclear protein [NeuN]), astroglia (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]), microglia (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 [Iba-1]), and myelin (myelin basic protein [MBP]) in the same area as the diffusional kurtosis imaging parameter measurements. Furthermore, 2 groups of 6 rats underwent a Morris water maze test at 28 days after traumatic brain injury. The diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters, immunohistochemistry results, and Morris water maze test results were compared longitudinally or between traumatic brain injury and control groups. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, traumatic brain injury in the rat showed higher mean kurtosis and mean diffusivity values in the ipsilateral perilesional cortex and hippocampus and lower fractional anisotropy values in the corpus callosum (P < .05). The traumatic brain injury group showed higher staining of GFAP and Iba-1 and lower immunohistochemistry staining of NeuN and MBP in all ipsilateral ROIs (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the contralateral ROIs in diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters or immunohistochemistry results. The Morris water maze test revealed lower platform crossing times in the probe test (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that there were longitudinal changes in diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters, accompanied by multiple pathologic changes at different time points following traumatic brain injury, and that mean kurtosis is more sensitive to detect microstructural changes, especially in gray matter, than mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy.

Evaluation of safety and efficacy of different continuous blood Purification methods in treating infantile sepsis.

The aim of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of two methods of continuous blood purification (CBP), continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and high volume hemofiltration (HVHF), for treatment of infantile sepsis. Eighty-six children with sepsis were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into two groups with 47 cases in the CVVH group and 39 cases in the HVHF group. Survival rate, duration of blood filtration, mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean heart rate and SaO2, APACHE II score, procalcitonin, hs-CRP and TXB2 were compared between the two groups. Results showed that survival rate, MAP, mean heart rate and SaO2 in the two groups did not have any significant differences. Duration of blood filtration and APACHE II score in the HVHF group was significantly shorter than that in the CVVH group. After therapy, levels of procalcitonin, hs-CRP and TXB2 declined dramatically in both groups, however this reduction was more significant in the HVHF group. We conclude that HVHF is a safer and more effective method as it produced stable hemodynamics, shorter filtration time, better APACHE II scores and better results in alleviating inflammatory reactions.

[Identification and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium thermoresistibile and Mycobacterium elephantis isolated from a cow with mastitis].

Objective: To understand the etiological characteristics and drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium thermoresistibile and Mycobacterium elephantis isolated from a cow with mastitis and provide evidence for the prevention and control of infectious mastitis in cows. Methods: The milk sample was collected from a cow with mastitis, which was pretreated with 4% NaOH and inoculated with L-J medium for Mycobacterium isolation. The positive cultures were initially identified by acid-fast staining and multi-loci PCR, then Mycobacterium species was identified by the multiple loci sequence analysis (MLSA) with 16S rRNA, hsp65, ITS and SodA genes. The drug sensitivity of the isolates to 27 antibiotics was tested by alamar blue assay. Results: Two anti-acid stain positive strains were isolated from the milk of a cow with mastitis, which were identified as non-tuberculosis mycobacterium by multi-loci PCR, and multi-loci nucleic acid sequence analysis indicated that one strain was Mycobacterium thermoresistibile and another one was Mycobacterium elephantis. The results of the drug susceptibility test showed that the two strains were resistant to most antibiotics, including rifampicin and isoniazid, but they were sensitive to amikacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ethambutol, streptomycin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin and linezolid. Conclusions:Mycobacterium thermoresistibile and Mycobacterium elephantis were isolated in a cow with mastitis and the drug susceptibility spectrum of the pathogens were unique. The results of the study can be used as reference for the prevention and control the infection in cows.

EURADOS work on internal dosimetry.

European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) Working Group 7 is a network on internal dosimetry that brings together researchers from more than 60 institutions in 21 countries. The work of the group is organised into task groups that focus on different aspects, such as development and implementation of biokinetic models (e.g. for diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid decorporation therapy), individual monitoring and the dose assessment process, Monte Carlo simulations for internal dosimetry, uncertainties in internal dosimetry, and internal microdosimetry. Several intercomparison exercises and training courses have been organised. The IDEAS guidelines, which describe - based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection's (ICRP) biokinetic models and dose coefficients - a structured approach to the assessment of internal doses from monitoring data, are maintained and updated by the group. In addition, Technical Recommendations for Monitoring Individuals for Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides have been elaborated on behalf of the European Commission, DG-ENER (TECHREC Project, 2014-2016, coordinated by EURADOS). Quality assurance of the ICRP biokinetic models by calculation of retention and excretion functions for different scenarios has been performed and feedback was provided to ICRP. An uncertainty study of the recent caesium biokinetic model quantified the overall uncertainties, and identified the sensitive parameters of the model. A report with guidance on the application of ICRP biokinetic models and dose coefficients is being drafted at present. These and other examples of the group's activities, which complement the work of ICRP, are presented.

[Comparison of the pulmonary function between adolescent patients with Chiari malformation associated scoliosis and idiopathic scoliosis].

Objective: To compare the pulmonary function between adolescent patients with Chiari malformation associated scoliosis (CMS) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 52 patients with CMS, and 52 patients with AIS were selected as the control group to match the CMS patients by age, sex, and Cobb angle. Preoperative pulmonary function tests were completed by all the patients, including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), and ratio of FEV(1) to FVC. The difference of pulmonary function parameters was analyzed between the two groups; Correlation between pulmonary function and radiographic parameters was analyzed in patients with CMS. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of sex, age, and the main coronal Cobb angle between the two groups. There were 42(80.7%) and 44(84.6%) of patients with restrictive ventilatory dysfunction (the percentage of predicted FVC<80%) in CMS and AIS group respectively. 18(42.8%) and 10 (22.7%) out of these patients were also with obstructive ventilation dysfunction (FEV(1)/FVC<92%) in CMS and AIS group respectively. Types of ventilation dysfunction distributed between the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05). No significant difference was noted between the two groups in the percentage of predicted VC, FVC, FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC (P>0.05). The percentage of predicted MMEF in patients with CMS was lower compared to those with AIS[(57.9±13.3)% vs (67.2±23.3)%, P=0.053]. In patients with CMS, the percentage of predicted VC, FVC, FEV(1) and MMEF had significantly negative correlation with the number of vertebrae involved (P<0.01). Main coronal Cobb angle had negative correlation with the percentage of predicted VC, FVC and FEV(1) (P<0.05). The percentage of predicted VC, FVC and FEV(1) had positive correlation with thoracic kyphosis (P<0.05). Conclusions: There are no significant differences in characteristics of the pulmonary dysfunction between patients with AIS and CMS without obviously neural deficit. Both groups mainly present with restrictive ventilation dysfunction.

Nitrogen doped hierarchical activated carbons derived from polyacrylonitrile fibers for CO2 adsorption and supercapacitor electrodes.

Nitrogen doped hierarchical activated carbons with high surface areas and different pore structures are prepared form polyacrylonitrile fibers through KOH activation by two steps. It is found that the specific surface area and porosity of the activated carbons depend strongly on the activation temperatures. The specific surface area increases from 607 m2 g-1 to 3797 m2 g-1 when the activation temperature increases from 600 °C to 800 °C, and then decreases to 3379 m2 g-1 at 900 °C. It shows that the hierarchical activated carbon prepared at a moderate activation temperature of 700 °C exhibits the largest CO2 capture amount, i.e., 5.25 and 3.63 mmol g-1 at 273 and 298 K, respectively, under the pressure of 1 bar. The excellent CO2 capture properties are due to the high specific surface area of 2146 m2 g-1 and high nitrogen content (5.2 wt%) of the obtained sample. On the other hand, when used as supercapacitor electrodes, the sample with the activation temperature at 800 °C shows the largest specific capacitance of 302 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, with an excellent rate capability of 231 F g-1 at 10 A g-1. Furthermore, a nearly linear relationship between nitrogen content in the nitrogen doped activated carbons and specific CO2 uptake as well as the specific capacitance were first established, indicating nitrogen doping was playing key roles in improving CO2 adsorption and supercapacitor performance. The experimental results indicate that the thus obtained nitrogen doped hierarchical activated carbons are very promising for reducing CO2 green house gas by adsorption as well as storing energy as utilized in supercapacitors.

Sentinel node necrosis is a negative prognostic factor in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a magnetic resonance imaging study of 252 patients.

PURPOSE: We explored the patterns of sentinel node metastasis and investigated the prognostic value of sentinel node necrosis (snn) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (npc), based on magnetic resonance imaging (mri). METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 252 patients at our institution who had metastatic lymph nodes from biopsy-confirmed npc and who were treated with definitive radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy. All participants underwent mri before treatment, and the resulting images were reviewed to evaluate lymph node status. The patients were divided into snn and non-snn groups. Overall survival (os), tumour-free survival (tfs), regional relapse-free survival (rrfs), and distant metastasis-free survival (dmfs) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Factors predictive of outcome were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 252 patients, 189 (75%) had retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis, and 189 (75%) had level iia or iib lymph node necrosis. The incidence of snn was 43.4% (91 of 210 patients with lymph node metastasis or necrosis, or both). After a median follow-up of 54 months, the 5-year rates of os, tfs, rrfs, and dmfs in the snn and non-snn groups were, respectively, 79.4% and 95.3%, 73.5% and 93.3%, 80.4% and 96.6%, and 75.5% and 95.3% (all p < 0.01). Age greater than 40 years, snn, T stage, and N stage were significant independent negative prognostic factors for os, tfs, rrfs, and dmfs. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic retropharyngeal lymph nodes and necrotic level ii nodes both seem to act as sentinels. Sentinel node necrosis is an negative prognostic factor in patients with npc. Patients with snn have a worse prognosis.