Association between Iodized Salt Intake and Cognitive Function in Older Adults in China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between iodized salt intake and cognitive function in older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Individuals from the Zhejiang Major Public Health Surveillance Program (ZPHS). PARTICIPANTS: Data of 10,217 participants (including 4,680 coastal residents and 5,537 inland residents) aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS: Salt intake was evaluated using a questionnaire, and participants were stratified into the following three groups: iodized salt, non-iodized salt, and mixed salt. Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination and defined using education-specific cut-off points. Logistic regression models controlling for an extensive range of potential confounders were generated to examine the association between salt intake and cognitive function among all participants. RESULTS: Data from 10,217 participants with a 16.1% prevalence of cognitive impairment were analyzed. Compared with non-iodized salt intake, consumption of iodized salt was inversely associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR], 0.410; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.351-0.480; P < 0.001) in all participants after multivariable adjustment. An association between iodized salt intake and cognitive impairment was observed in coastal (OR, 0.441; 95% CI, 0.340-0.572; P < 0.001) and inland residents (OR, 0.569; 95% CI, 0.439-0.738; P < 0.001). Despite the insufficient sample size, the results for individuals consuming mixed salt suggested an inverse association between mixed salt intake and cognitive impairment among coastal residents (OR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.405-0.885; P = 0.010) after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that iodized salt intake may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults living in coastal or inland areas, and the protective effect of iodized salt intake is greater in coastal areas than in inland areas.

[Influence of sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period on emotional and behavioral problem at the age of 6 years: a birth cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the influence of sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period on emotional and behavioral problems at the age of 6 years. Methods: Using a prospective cohort design, 262 children were extracted from mother-child birth cohort recruited from May 2012 to July 2013 in Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Children's sleep and physical activities were assessed using actigraphy at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age, from which the sleep fragmentation index (FI) at each follow-up point was calculated. Children's emotional and behavioral problems at 6 years of age were assessed using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Group-based trajectory model was applied to determine sleep FI in infancy and toddler period trajectory groups with Bayesian information criteria being used to determine the best fitting model. Children's emotional and behavioral problems between groups were examined with independent t test and linear regression models, etc. Results: A total of 177 children, with 91 boys and 86 girls, were included in the final analysis and were divided into 2 groups: high FI group (n=30) and low FI group (n=147). Compared with children in the low FI group, those in the high FI group presents with higher total difficulties score and higher hyperactivity or inattention score ((11.0±4.9) vs. (8.9±4.1), (4.9±2.7) vs. (3.7±2.3) scores, t=2.17, 2.23, both P<0.05, respectively), with the differences remaining significant after adjusting for covariates (t=2.08, 2.09, both P<0.05 respectively). Conclusion: High sleep fragmentation in infancy and toddler period is associated with more emotional and behavioral problems, especially hyperactivity or inattention problems, at 6 years of age.

Thyroid Lobectomy for Low-Risk 1-4 CM Papillary Thyroid Cancer is not Associated with Increased Recurrence Rates in the Dutch Population with a Restricted Diagnostic Work-Up.

INTRODUCTION: The 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines recommend to de-escalate treatment such as Thyroid lobectomy instead of total thyroidectomy for 1-4 cm papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Dutch guidelines endorse restricted work-up for thyroid incidentalomas recommending only fine needle aspiration in case of a 'palpable thyroid nodule'. This diagnostic work-up algorithm may result in the identification of less indolent PTCs and may lead to a patient population with relatively more aggressive PTCs. This study aims to retrospectively analyze recurrence rates of low-risk 1-4 cm PTC in the Netherlands. METHODS: From the national cancer registry, patients with low-risk 1-4 cm PTC between 2005 and 2015 were included for analysis. Disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival were compared between patients who underwent TT ± RAI and TL without RAI. Post-hoc propensity score analysis was performed correcting for age, sex, T-stage, and N-stage. RESULTS: In total 901 patients were included, of which 711 (78.9%) were females, with a median follow-up of 7.7 years. TT was performed in 893 (94.8%) patients. Recurrence occurred in 23 (2.6%) patients. Multivariable analysis showed no significant correlation between extent of surgery and DFS (p = 0.978), or overall survival (p = 0.590). After propensity score matching, multivariable analysis showed no significant difference on extent of surgery and recurrence. CONCLUSION: Low-risk PTC patients with 1-4 cm tumor who underwent TL showed similar recurrence rates as those who underwent TT ± adjuvant RAI, which suggests that TL can be sufficient in treating low-risk 1-4 cm PTC, possibly reducing morbidity of these patients in the Netherlands.

[Analysis on infection risk in secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients].

Objective: To study the infection rate of secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients, and assess the infection risk in the contacts. Methods: COVID-19 patients' close contacts (with a clear exposure time to index case) with negative nucleic acid test results and secondary close contacts were surveyed in continuous isolation and medical observation in this prospective study. The dynamic nucleic acid test results of the close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients were collected to assess their risk of infection. Results: A total of 4 533 close contacts were surveyed, in whom 14 were confirmed as COVID-19 patients with overall secondary attack rate of 0.31%, and 4 201 secondary contacts were tracked, in whom no subsequent infections occurred. Conclusion: Close contacts of COVID-19 patients entered in centralized isolation for medical observation with negative nucleic acid tese results,the secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients have no risk of infection.

Eggs Consumption in Relation to Lower Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly: Findings from a 6-Year Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the longitudinal association of eggs consumption with cognitive function in Chinese elderly. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 9028 participants aged ≥60 years from Zhejiang Ageing and Health Cohort Study without cognitive impairment at baseline survey. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and three waves of follow-up (2015, 2016, and 2019-2020). Data on eggs consumption was collected in the diet habits section within the questionnaire at baseline. Log-binomial regression models with the Generalized Estimating Equations, controlled for an extensive range of potential confounders, were used to evaluate the association and estimate relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: After 6 years of follow-up, 3266 (36.18%) participants were indicated as cognitive impairment by MMSE at least once. Compared with non-consumers or less-than-weekly consumers, participants consuming 0.1-2.9 eggs/week and 3.0-5.9 eggs/week had 18% (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.76-0.89) and 9% (RR=0.91, 95%CI 0.84-0.99) lower risks of cognitive impairment respectively, whereas no association was found in those consuming ≥6.0 eggs/week (P=0.32). Moreover, infrequent lower-quantity consumption (1-2 days/week and 0.1-1.9 eggs/day), infrequent higher-quantity consumption (1-2 days/week and ≥2.0 eggs/day), and frequent lower-quantity consumption (≥3 days/week and 0.1-1.9 eggs/day) were associated with better cognitive performance, whereas null association was found among frequent higher-quantity consumers (≥3 days/week and ≥2.0 eggs/day). The sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results to the main analysis. CONCLUSION: Limited eggs consumption is prospectively related to a lower risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly.

High-effective biosynthesis of baccatin â ¢ by using the alternative acetyl substrate, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine.

AIMS: Paclitaxel is a type of broad-spectrum anticancer drug in short supply. The price of acetyl-CoA (17 709 677·4 USD mol-1 ), which is the acetyl group donor for the enzymatic synthesis of the intermediate, baccatin Ⅲ, is still the bottleneck of the mass production of paclitaxel. This study reports a novel acetyl group donor, which could substantially reduce the cost of production. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, a substrate spectrum with 14 kinds of representative acetyl-donor substitutes predicted by computer-aided methods was tested in a 10-deacetylbaccatin Ⅲ-10-O-acetyltransferase (DBAT) heterogeneous-expressed open-whole-cell catalytic system. The results of computer prediction and experimental analysis revealed the rule of the acetyl-donor compounds based on this substrate spectrum. N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (30·95 USD mol-1 , about 572 202-fold cheaper than acetyl-CoA) is selected as a suitable substitute under the rule. The yield when using N-acetyl-d-glucosamine as acetyl donor in open-whole-cell catalytic system was 2·13-fold of that when using acetyl-CoA. In the in vivo system, the yield increased 24·17%, which may indicate its cooperation with acetyl-CoA. CONCLUSION: The success of open-whole-cell synthesis and in vivo synthesis of baccatin Ⅲ by adding N-acetyl-d-glucosamine as acetyl substrate demonstrates that it is a useful substrate to improve the yield of baccatin Ⅲ. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: All these findings provided a potential acetyl-donor substitute for acetyl-CoA, as well as a low cost and efficient method of preparing paclitaxel through baccatin Ⅲ semi-synthesis.

Association between Depressive Symptoms and Supplemental intake of Calcium and Vitamin D in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the associations between depressive symptoms and supplemental calcium and vitamin D intake in older adults. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 8,527 older adults aged ≥60 years from Zhejiang Major Public Health Surveillance Program (ZPHS) without depressive symptoms at baseline survey. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were divided into non-supplementation, calcium (Ca), vitamin D, and calcium plus vitamin D (CaD) groups based on their supplemental intake during the past year. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between depressive symptoms and supplemental intake. RESULTS: When compared to the non-supplementation group, the Ca group exhibited a significant odds ratio (OR) of 0.731 (95% CI: 0.552-0.967, P=0.028). After adjusting for age, sex, and Ca food sources, the OR was even smaller for the CaD group (OR: 0.326; 95% CI: 0.119-0.889, P=0.029). Additionally, our results indicated that taking Ca supplements ≥4 days/week yielded a significant OR of 0.690 (95% CI: 0.492-0.968) after full adjustment. Taking CaD supplements ≥4 days/week yielded a significant OR of 0.282 (95% CI: 0.089-0.898) after adjusting for age, sex, and Ca food sources. CONCLUSIONS: Supplemental intake of Ca or CaD ≥4 days/week can decrease the risk of depressive symptoms in older adults, although CaD supplements may be more effective.

MiR-212-5p regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells through targeting FZD5.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of microRNA-212-5p (miR-212-5p) on biological functions of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to find the potential molecular mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured the expression level of miR-212-5p in 35 AML patients and 20 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) as control cases. Besides, the miR-212-5p expression at cellular level was checked as well. In order to screen the functional targets of miR-212-5p, online prediction software was used and gene frizzled class receptor 5 (FZD5) attracted our attention. The effects of miR-212-5p on biological functions of AML cell line (Kasumi-1) were analyzed by subsequent experiments. The mRNA and protein expressions of FZD5 were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB) analysis, respectively. Cell proliferation was tested by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Finally, protein expression of ß-catenin was analyzed by WB assay. RESULTS: In AML cases and cells, miR-212-5p was found to be lowly expressed. The potential target of miR-212-5p was predicated in three public databases. Through a series of experiments including qRT-PCR, WB and luciferase assay, we identified FZD5 as a functional target of miR-212-5p. In further cellular functional experiments on Kasumi-1, we found overexpression of miR-212-5p in Kasumi-1 cells greatly inhibited the cell viability and proliferation. The ratio of cells in G0/G1 phase and the proportion of apoptotic cells increased after miR-212-5p overexpression. Furthermore, Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway was the most apparent pathway that was regulated by miR-212-5p according to WB results. However, the effects of miR-212-5p were suppressed after restoring the expression of FZD5. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of miR-212-5p was significantly lower in AML patients and cell lines, indicating that miR-212-5p served as a tumor-suppressor gene in AML. According to our in vitro experiments, miR-212-5p/FZD5 was likely to become a new therapeutic target for AML.

Effect of miR-21/TLR4/NF-κB pathway on myocardial apoptosis in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the influences of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-21 and downstream Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway on myocardial apoptosis induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant adeno-associated virus rAAV9-ZsGreen-pre-miR-21 and blank control virus were constructed. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into S1 group (open chest only), S2 group (transfection with blank virus + open chest), I/R1 group (transfection with blank virus + 6 d of myocardial I/R), and I/R2 group (transfection with miR-21 + 6 d of myocardial I/R). The cardiac function and myocardial infarct size of rats were evaluated in each group. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was applied to measure the expression level of miR-21 in the myocardium. The level of myocardial apoptosis in each group was detected through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase-3, TLR4, and NF-κB in the myocardium. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: The cardiac function of rats in I/R1 and I/R2 groups was significantly lower than that in S1 and S2 groups (p<0.01). Rats in I/R2 group had better cardiac function than those in I/R1 group (p<0.01). In I/R1 group, the level of myocardial apoptosis of rats was overtly increased compared with that in S1, S2, and I/R2 groups (p<0.01), while the expression level of miR-21 in myocardium was evidently lower than that in S1, S2, and I/R2 groups (p<0.01). Compared with S1, S2, and I/R2 groups, I/R1 group had markedly decreased Bcl-2/Bax expression level and IL-10 content and overtly elevated expression levels of Caspase-3, p-TLR4, p-NF-κB, and IL-6 content in the myocardium (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial I/R injury in rats leads to decreased expression of miR-21. The overexpression of miR-21 is able to effectively inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and reduce the level of myocardial apoptosis of rats and the release of inflammatory factors.

[Electrocardiographic characteristics of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating from the tricuspid annulus regions].

Object: To explore the electrocardiographic characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from tricuspid annulus region. Methods: Present study included 169 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of VAs from tricuspid annulus origin in our department from August 2007 to September 2016. Based on the origin sites, the patients were divided into two subgroups, the free wall group (81 cases) and septal wall group (88 cases). Based on the location, patients in the free wall group were classified into anterolateral (22 cases), lateral (26 cases) and posterolateral (33 cases) subgroups. Patients in the septal group were classified into anteroseptal (10 cases), midseptal (71 cases) and posteroseptal (7 cases) subgroups. We analyzed the electrocardiographic features of these patients and in 87 patients with PVCs/VT originating from right ventricular outflow tract. Results: (1) A positive R wave inⅠ, aVL, V(5)-V(6) leads were found among most of patients, only few cases originating from tricuspid annulus anteroseptum group and tricuspid annulus anterolateral group demonstrated qr or qs pattern in aVL lead. 97.53% (79/81) patients demonstrated rS pattern in V(1)-V(3) leads with VAs originating from tricuspid annulus free wall, and 9/10 patients demonstrated rS pattern in V(1) lead with VAs originating from anteroseptum, and 97.44% (76/78) patients demonstrated QS pattern in V(1) lead with VAs originating from midseptum and posteroseptum. Precordial lead transition zone was on or behind V(3) for tricuspid annulus free wall group (96.3%, 78/81), but in front of V(3) for tricuspid annulus septum wall group (47.73%, 42/88) (P<0.01). The S wave's amplitude smaller than-1.81 mV in lead V(2) can be used as a cutoff value to identify if PVC/VT is originating from free wall or septum of TA. R wave in inferior wall leads was found among 98.85% (86/87) patients with PVCs/VT originating from right ventricular outflow tract. Conclusion: A positive R wave in Ⅰ, aVL, V(5)-V(6) leads was found among most of patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating from the tricuspid annulus regions, but VAs originating from different portions of tricuspid annulus area have distinct electrocardiographic characteristics.

[Electrocardiogram characteristics of patients with ventricular arrhythmia originating from the distal great cardiac vein].

Objective: To explore the electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from different portions of distal great cardiac veins (DGCV). Methods: The study included 49 patients underwent successful RFCA of premature ventricular complex(PVCs)/ventricular tachycardia(VT) from different portions of the DGCV in our department from July 2009 to March 2016. The surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and intraventricular ablation mapping features were analyzed. Patients were divided into four groups according to the mapping and ablation results: DGCV1(10 patients), DGCV2 (13 patients), proximalanterior interventricular vein (PAIV, 17 patients)and extend distal great cardiac vein (EDGCV, 9 patients). We analyzed the similarities and differences between surface 12-lead ECG of patients with PVCs/VT from different portions of DGCV, and compared with random chosen 290 patients with PVCs/VT from ventricular outflow tract and adjacent structure. Results: A positive R wave in inferior leads, a negative QS morphology in lead aVL and aVR were found among all groups. The different characteristics of surface 12-lead ECG of VAs originating from DGCV were as follows: (1)EDGCV patients demonstrated a positive R or r wave on lead Ⅰ(6/9) while a negative rS or qr wave was evidenced in other three groups (39/40). (2)A positive R pattern on lead V(1), V(5)-V(6) (11/13) was presented in patients of DGCV2 group; R (without S or s) wave on V(1) (9/10), RS or Rs wave on V(5)-V(6) were found in DGCV1 group; RS or rS wave was seen on lead V(1), R(without S)wave in lead V(5)-V(6) (25/26) were found in EDGCV and PAIV group and the amplification of R wave in EDGCV was higher than V(1) of PAIV group.(3)Precordial lead transition zone was in front of V(1) for DGCV1 and DGCV2 groups (23/23), within V(1)-V(3) for EDGCV group, but on V(2) or within V(2)-V(3) for PAIV group.(4)Patients of DGCV1 and DGCV2 demonstrated a longer Pseudo delta wave time(PdW), intrinsicoid deflection time (IDT), significantly larger maximum deflection index (MDI) than those in PAIV and EDGCV groups (P<0.001). (5)The different characteristics of surface 12-lead ECG between VAs originating from DGCV and those from ventricular outflow tract and adjacent structure were as follows: ① The ECG features were similar between PVIA and LCC group, both demonstrated a rs wave on the lead Ⅰ, rS wave on V(1)-V(2) and R wave on V(5)-V(6); ②The ECG features were similar betweenEDGCV and RCC group, both presented with R or r wave on the lead Ⅰ, the QRS wave of precordial leads was similar as PAIV and LCC groups; ③A R wave on the lead V(1), V(5)-V(6) was found in group DGCV2, and ILCC; ④Similar to the group Endo-MAA, patients in DGCV1 group also demonstrated a R wave on the lead V(1) and a Rs wave on V(5)-V(6). Conclusion: A positive R wave in inferior leads, a negative QS morphology in lead aVL and aVR are seen in all patients, but different electrocardiographic characteristics of PVC/VT originating from the different portions of the DGCV are presented on lead Ⅰ and V(1)-V(6).

[The impacts of testosterone on insulin sensitivity and chronic low-grade].

Objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) is a common manifestation in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Both clinical observations and animal studies have demonstrated that IR could be induced by hyperandrogenemia, which is the charac-teristic of PCOS.Nevertheless, the mechanisms of IR in PCOS are still unclear especially at the molecular level.We conduct this study to ellucidate the effects of androgen on insulin sensitivity and chronic low-grade inflammation in adult C57BL/6 female mice. Methods: Eleven adult female C57BL/6 mice aged 8 weeks weredaily injected with testosterone (1.0 mg/100 g body weight)which dissolved in sesame oil (experimental group T) for 16 weeks.Ten control mice were injected with sesame oil only (group Con). The changes of body weight and body fat content were detected.Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IGTT) were performed at 0, 2, 3 and 16 weeks treatment, blood from tail vein was taken to detect levels of glucose.Intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed at 16 weeks treatment.Both groups were sacrificed after16 weeks treatment, and phosphorylation of GSK3ßand InsR, two molecules of insulin signaling pathway, were detected by Western blot from adipose tissue.The phosphorylation of NF-κBp65, CD16/32, and CD206 were also detected in adipose tissues.ELISA was used totest the serum IL-6 and MCP-1. Results: (1) No obvious significance of body weight as well as body fat content was detected between both experimental groups (P>0.05); (2) 2 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the in-crease of fasting blood glucose and displayed obvious significance compared with group Con (P<0.05); (3) 3 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the increase of area under the curve (AUC) of the blood glucose following IGTT and displayed significance compared with group Con (P<0.05). And more obvious significance was detected at 16 weeks treat-ment (P<0.01); (4) 16 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the increase of AUC of the blood glucose following ITT(P<0.01); (5) the serum IL-6 and MCP-1 in testosterone treat-ment was higher than that in thecontrols (P<0.05). And 16 weeks treatment with testosterone decreased phosphorylation of GSK3ß and InsR in C57BL/6 adipose tissues (P<0.05), in-creased phosphorylation of NF-κBp65.Testosteroneenhanced the expression of CD206, and decreased the expression of CD16/32. Conclusions: Treatment with testosterone in adult fe-male mice can induce insulin resistance by blocking insulin signal transduction, without in-fluencing body weight and body fat content.Testosterone could activate the NF-κB to pro-mote the expression of IL-6 and MCP-1. And testosterone facilitated to promote macro-phage to M1-subtype transformation.

Quantitative risk analysis of the novel H7N9 virus in environments associated with H9 avian influenza virus, Zhejiang province, China.

H9 avian influenza virus played a key role during generation of the novel H7N9 virus. A surveillance programme was conducted to assess the H9 virus in relation to the risk of H7N9 virus contamination in the environment. Risk of H7N9 virus contamination in the presence of H9 virus was higher than without (adjusted odds ratio 4·49, 95% confidence interval 3·79-5·31). Adjusted odds ratios of the H7N9 virus associated with co-presence of H9 virus and interacting factors were 4·93 (rural vs. urban area), 46·80 (live poultry markets vs. other premises), 6·86 (Huzhou vs. Hangzhou prefecture), 40·67 (year 2015 vs. 2013), and 9·63 (sewage from cleaning poultry vs. poultry faeces). Regular surveillance on gene variability of H7N9 and H9 viruses should be conducted and extra measures are needed to reduce co-circulation of H7N9 and H9 viruses in the environment.

A compact membrane-driven diamond anvil cell and cryostat system for nuclear resonant scattering at high pressure and low temperature.

A new miniature panoramic diamond anvil cell (mini-pDAC) as well as a unique gas membrane-driven mechanism is developed and implemented to measure electronic, magnetic, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of materials using the nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (NRIXS) and the synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy (SMS) simultaneously at high pressure (over Mbar) and low temperature (T < 10 K). The gas membrane system allows in situ pressure tuning of the mini-pDAC at low temperature. The mini-pDAC fits into a specially designed compact liquid helium flow cryostat system to achieve low temperatures, where liquid helium flows through the holder of the mini-pDAC to cool the sample more efficiently. The system has achieved sample temperatures as low as 9 K. Using the membrane, sample pressures of up to 1.4 Mbar have been generated from this mini-pDAC. The instrument has been routinely used at 3-ID, Advanced Photon Source, for NRIXS and SMS studies. The same instrument can easily be used for other X-ray techniques, such as X-ray radial diffraction, X-ray Raman scattering, X-ray emission spectroscopy, and X-ray inelastic scattering under high pressure and low temperature. In this paper, technical details of the mini-pDAC, membrane engaging mechanism, and the cryostat system are described, and some experimental results are discussed.

[Effects and mechanism of testosterone on the production of inflammatory cytokines and glucose uptake in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophage and 3T3-L1 adipocytes].

Objective: To investigate the effects of testosterone (T) on inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production, insulin sensitivity of adipocyte and changes of macrophage phenotypes in indirect co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to mature in Transwell lower chamber, and then co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in the upper chambers for 72 hours. Testosterone 10 µmol/L was added into indirect co-culture for 24 h. ELISA was used to testing IL-6, MCP-1 concentrations in supernatant. Western blot was used to detecting the phosphorylation of NF kappa B, ERK1/2, and theexpression of CD16/32 and CD206. Glucose transport was assessed by[3H]2-deoxy glucose uptake in adipocytes. Results: Testosterone enhanced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production in indirect co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages, promoted the activation of ERK1/2 and nuclear factor kappa B p65, and inhibited glucose uptake in adipocytes. Testosterone facilitated the production of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. The above effects of testosterone can be completely reversed by PDTC, and can be partly reversed by PD98059 (70%-90%). Conclusion: NF kappa B and ERK1/2 could be the key proteins for testosterone to promote the production of inflammatory factors, to lead to insulin resistance, and to make macrophages differentiate to pro-inflammatory phenotypes in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

[Spatial analysis and prediction of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Zhejiang province, 2011-2015].

Objective: To understand the distribution of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Zhejiang province, and predict the incidence and the probability of SFTS outbreak. Methods: Based on the cases of SFTS from 2011-2015, software ArcGIS 10.0 was used to analyze the spatial distribution, Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi were used to analyze the spatial autocorrelation. The incidence trend was explored by trend surface analysis, and the prediction was made by Kriging interpolation. Results: The incidence of SFTS increased and the distribution expanded in Zhejiang from 2011 to 2015, the seasonal and the demographic characteristics of SFTS were similar to the previous research; there were regional clustering of the cases (P<0.001); a downward trend was observed from northeast to southwest in terms of incidence of SFTS; the second-order disjunctive Kriging interpolation based on circular model and the indicator Kriging interpolation based on exponential model had higher prediction accuracy, the probabilities of outbreak in Anji, Daishan and Tiantai were high, the prediction deviation of inland was less than that of edge area. Conclusion: The prediction of SFTS by Kriging interpolation had high accuracy, the incidence of SFTS was higher and the distribution of SFTS was larger than the results of surveillance, the risk areas for epidemic were Anji, Daishan, Ninghai,Tiantai, Sanmen and Linhai.

Survival advantage associated with multimodal therapy in women with node-positive (stage-IIIC) uterine papillary serous carcinoma: a National Cancer Database study.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) has become standard care in treatment of women with advanced-stage UPSC, but the role of consolidative radiotherapy (RT) is unclear. This study aims to evaluate survival outcomes of multimodal therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using a National Cancer Database (NCDB). SETTING: United States of America. SAMPLE: A total of 1816 women diagnosed with UPSC. METHODS: All women diagnosed with surgically staged FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage-IIIC UPSC were identified in the NCDB from January 1998 to December 2010. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify and control for prognostic factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 398 057 cases of uterine cancer were identified, 22 106 of which were UPSC. Of these women, 14 093 underwent lymph-node examination, 2902 (20.6%) were found to have stage-IIIC disease, and 1816 received chemotherapy. Younger age and higher number of total lymph nodes examined were independently predictive of receiving multimodality (CT + RT) therapy, compared with CT only. Median OS was 33.6 and 42.6 months, for the CT and CT + RT groups, respectively (P < 0.0005). Exploratory univariate analyses found age, comorbidity index, tumour size, and number of dissected and positive lymph nodes to be also associated with survival. Multivariable analysis controlling for the above found the use of consolidative radiotherapy to be independently predictive of improved OS, with a hazard ratio of 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.56-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage-IIIC UPSC may benefit from multimodal treatment that includes adjuvant radiotherapy in addition to chemotherapy. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: In this study of 1816 women with uterine papillary serous cancer, adjuvant radiotherapy increased survival.