Measurement of the

The ^{18}O(α,γ)^{22}Ne reaction is critical for AGB star nucleosynthesis due to its connection to the abundances of several key isotopes, such as ^{21}Ne and ^{22}Ne. However, the ambiguous resonance energy and spin-parity of the dominant 470 keV resonance leads to substantial uncertainty in the ^{18}O(α,γ)^{22}Ne reaction rate for the temperature of interest. We have measured the resonance energies and strengths of the low-energy resonances in ^{18}O(α,γ)^{22}Ne at the Jinping Underground Nuclear Astrophysics experimental facility (JUNA) with improved precision. The key 470 keV resonance energy has been measured to be E_{α}=474.0±1.1 keV, with such high precision achieved for the first time. The spin-parity of this resonance state is determined to be 1^{-}, removing discrepancies in the resonance strengths in earlier studies. The results significantly improve the precision of the ^{18}O(α,γ)^{22}Ne reaction rates by up to about 10 times compared with the previous data at typical AGB temperatures of 0.1-0.3 GK. We demonstrate that such improvement leads to precise ^{21}Ne abundance predictions, with an impact on probing the origin of meteoritic stardust SiC grains from AGB stars.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.

Advancement of Photospheric Radius Expansion and Clocked Type-I X-Ray Burst Models with the New

We report the first (in)elastic scattering measurement of ^{25}Al+p with the capability to select and measure in a broad energy range the proton resonances in ^{26}Si contributing to the ^{22}Mg(α,p) reaction at type I x-ray burst energies. We measured spin-parities of four resonances above the α threshold of ^{26}Si that are found to strongly impact the ^{22}Mg(α,p) rate. The new rate advances a state-of-the-art model to remarkably reproduce light curves of the GS 1826-24 clocked burster with mean deviation <9% and permits us to discover a strong correlation between the He abundance in the accreting envelope of the photospheric radius expansion burster and the dominance of ^{22}Mg(α,p) branch.

Efficacy of scalp cooling for prevention of chemotherapy induced alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the risk of chemotherapy induced alopecia among patients with scalp cooling therapy, compared to those that did not receive scalp cooling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Google scholar databases. Studies, preferably randomized controlled trials, that compared scalp cooling with no scalp cooling (control) for risk of alopecia or hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy were considered for inclusion. The strength of association was presented in the form of pooled adjusted relative risk (RR) for categorical outcomes and weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous outcomes. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 14 articles were identified, of which 9 were included in the meta-analysis and for the remaining 5 articles, the findings were synthesized descriptively. Compared to control group patients, those that received scalp cooling had 41% lower risk of alopecia [RR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.66]. The overall quality of pooled evidence for the risk of alopecia was judged "moderate". There were no differences in the anxiety score [WMD 0.57, 95% CI: -0.55, 1.69], depression score [WMD 0.31, 95% CI: -1.19, 1.80], score reflecting emotional functioning [WMD 0.06, 95% CI: -1.37, 1.49] and social functioning [WMD -8.37, 95% CI: -25.7, 8.93] among the two groups of patients. The pooled evidence suggests that around 66% (95% CI: 37-95%) of the subjects reported some discomfort with use of scalp cooling system. The commonly reported complaints included headache, scalp and neck pain, discomfort due to chill, nausea/vomiting and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the use of scalp cooling, compared to no scalp cooling, reduces the risk of significant hair loss. The acceptability of this cooling system might be limited by a high incidence of reported complaints.

CT-based staging and prognosis of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia: correlation with blood glucose levels.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the latest epidemic situation and field experience, this study aims to explore the correlation of computed tomography (CT) stages and blood glucose level in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical data of first and multiple CT imaging re-examination and blood glucose levels from 62 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were collected for a retrospective analysis to determine the correlation between glucose level and CT-based staging. RESULTS: Of the 62 COVID-19 patients, 48 cases of early stage and 14 cases of advanced stage were found in the CT data of the first diagnosis. These 62 cases were currently under follow-up (17-32 days): 18 cases in early stage-resorption stage, 25 cases in early stage-advanced stage-resorption stage, 12 cases in advanced stage-resorption stage, 5 cases in early stage -advanced stage-severe stage-resorption stage, and 2 cases in advanced stage-severe stage-resorption stage. Among them, the CT of 14 patients with advanced stage at the first diagnosis showed multiple stage lesions (advanced stage + early stage) at the same time. Patients presented with statistically significant changes in blood glucose at early stage-resorption stage, early stage-advanced stage-resorption stage, advanced stage-resorption stage, and early stage-advanced stage-severe stage-resorption stage (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant alterations were observed in the glucose level of patients with advanced stage-severe stage-resorption stage (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Alteration of blood glucose is positively correlated with CT-based staging of COVID-19. Blood glucose is of great value in clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 and in determining the stage and prognosis of this disease.

[A multi-center study on the long-term mortality and related risk factors in patients with chronic heart failure receiving resynchronization therapy].

Objective: To analyze long-term mortality and patients characteristics of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: In-patients with chronic heart failure who received CRT in the three medical centers(Bethune International Peace Hospital, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army, and 251 Hospital of People's Liberation Army)from March 2001 to June 2013 were included.Mortality and related causes, echocardiographic parameters were analyzed. Results: A total of 200 patients were treated with CRT therapy (154 males, mean age (60.57±11.75) years), 59 cases suffered from ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), patients were followed up from 0.5 to 12 years.The all-cause mortality rate was 25.50% (51/200), 20 out of 59 (33.90%) ICM patients died, as compared with 31 deaths out of 141 (21.98%) in non-ischemic cardiomyopath (NICM) patients.Thirty-six patients died due to cardiac death (70.59%), in which sudden death occurred in 21 patients (41.18%). Non-cardiac death occurred in 13 patients (25.49%), two patients died due to unknown reasons (3.92%). Incidence of cardiac death was significantly higher than non-cardiac death (P<0.01). The main cause for cardiac death was NICM (28/36, 77.78%), while the main cause of non-cardiac death was ICM (11/13, 84.62%, P<0.01). Patients died due to cardiac death were younger (P<0.01) and had larger left atrial end-diastolic diameter (LAEDD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (P<0.01), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(P<0.05), higher pulmonary artery pressure(P<0.05) compared to patients with non-cardiac death.One hundred and fifty-two cases received CRT-P and 48 cases received CRT-D, there were no significant differences in gender, the course of heart failure, serum creatinine levels, pre-operative and post-operative QRS duration and so on between the CRT-P and CRT-D groups(all P>0.05). Eleven out of the 48 cases with CRT-D died during the following-up (21.57%) , while 40 out of 152 cases with CRT-P died (78.43%) during the following-up(χ2=3.13, P<0.01). The proportional mortality rate in cause of death in patients with CRT-D was non-cardiac while in those with CRT-P was cardiac (χ2=2.66, P<0.01), sudden death rate was also significantly higher in CRT-P group than in CRT-D group (χ2=2.16, P<0.01). By using single- and multiple-factor Cox regression analysis, age, disease course, pre-operation QRS duration and NYHA classification were predictors of cardiac death(all P<0.05). Conclusions: The all-cause mortality of CRT is 25.50% in this patient cohort, mortality rate was higher in ICM patients than in NICM patients.Sudden cardiac death rate was the highest mortality reason.The mortality rate of patients with CRT-P was significantly higher than in patients with CRT-D.In comparison with patients of non-cardiac death, patients of cardiac death had larger left atrium and left ventricle and worse heart function before CRT implantation.

[Salubrinal improves cardiac function in rats with heart failure post myocardial infarction through reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in ischemia-mediated cell death. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of salubrinal (Sal), a selective eIF2a dephosphorylation inhibitor, on heart failure rats and related mechanisms. METHODS: Heart failure was induced by coronary artery ligation (MI) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. To ensure comparable MI sizes post coronary artery ligation on various groups, echocardiography examination was performed before and 30 minutes after ligation in MI groups. Then rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Sham group (n=12), MI group (n=10), MI plus vehicle injections group (DMSO group, n=12) and MI plus Sal injection group (Sal group, n=12). Sal (1 mg/kg) or DMSO was injected via the tail vein daily for the first 3 days (starting at 30 minutes after ligation of the left coronary artery), followed by subcutaneous injections twice per week for 8 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and cell apoptosis assessed by flow cytometric analysis after 8 weeks. Protein and mRNA levels of ER stress markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and real time RT-PCR respectively. RESULTS: Eight weeks later, LVEF was significantly higher, while LVESD and LVEDD values were significantly lower in Sal group compared to MI and DMSO groups (all P<0.05); LV/BW ratio was significantly higher in MI group than in Sham group ((2.30±0.40) mg/g vs.(1.78±0.31) mg/g, P<0.05), which was significantly reduced in Sal group ((1.88±0.25) mg/g), but not in DMSO group((2.25±0.36) mg/g, P<0.05 vs. MI). In addition, flow cytometric analysis showed that Sal treatment significantly reduced apoptosis but not necrosis in post MI. Immunohistochemistry and real time PCR analysis showed that the myocardial protein and mRNA expression of ER stress markers were significantly lower in Sal group than in MI group, myocardial caspase-12 expression was significantly upregulated in MI group and significantly reduced by Sal treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that reduction of ER stress and myocardial apoptosis through inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation may serve as the potential mechanisms for the improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac remodeling post Sal treatment in this heart failure rat model.

Efficient generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Ectopic expression of defined sets of genetic factors can reprogramme somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that closely resemble embryonic stem cells. However, the low reprogramming efficiency is a significant handicap for mechanistic studies and potential clinical application. In this study, we used human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) as target cells for reprogramming and investigated efficient iPSC generation from hBMMSCs using the compounds of p53 siRNA, valproic acid (VPA) and vitamin C (Vc) with four transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC (compound induction system). The synergetic mechanism of the compounds was studied. Our results showed that the compound induction system could efficiently reprogramme hBMMSCs to iPSCs. hBMMSC-derived iPSC populations expressed pluripotent markers and had multi-potential to differentiate into three germ layer-derived cells. p53 siRNA, VPA and Vc had a synergetic effect on cell reprogramming and the combinatorial use of these substances greatly improved the efficiency of iPSC generation by suppressing the expression of p53, decreasing cell apoptosis, up-regulating the expression of the pluripotent gene OCT4 and modifying the cell cycle. Therefore, our study highlights a straightforward method for improving the speed and efficiency of iPSC generation and provides versatile tools for investigating early developmental processes such as haemopoiesis and relevant diseases. In addition, this study provides a paradigm for the combinatorial use of genetic factors and molecules to improve the efficiency of iPSC generation.

Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), a Novel Highly Pathogenic Entomopathogenic Nematode Member of Rhabditidae.

A novel entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. RG081015, collected from Rugao, China, is described. The new species is morphologically very similar to H. chongmingensis but can be distinguished from it on the basis of some morphological characteristics, combined with molecular data and a cross-hybridization test. Males of the new species can be recognized on the basis of body length averaging 1396.2 µm; lateral field with one ridge; metastome isoglottoid with one hemispherical swellings comprised of two to three well-developed warts; asymmetric spicules; peloderan bursa. In IJs, EP = 134.5 µm; ES = 149.3 µm; tail length = 82.5 µm; and a = 20.5. Hermaphroditic females have four to five lateral ridges. The 18S rDNA and ITS sequences of the two nematodes share 99% and 98% identity, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of 18S rDNA and ITS indicate that the new species is most closely related to H. chongmingensis; thus, the two nematodes belong to the same genus. Failure of cross-hybridization between them indicates that nematode strain RG081015 is a novel species and is described herein as H. rugaoensis n. sp. The LC50 of the novel species against Galleria mellonella were 24.35 IJs / ml within 48 hours of infection. Morphological characteristics, genetic similarity analyses, and phylogenetic relationships provide strong evidence that some species of Oscheius/Insectivora-group should be reassigned to the genus Heterorhabditidoides.

Neuroprotective Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on Oxidative Damage Induced by Oxygen-glucose Deprivation and Reperfusion in Cultured Hippocampal Cells / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the effect of Ginsenoside Rgl on glutathion (GSH) level and glutathion peroxidase (GPx) activity after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion in cultured hippocampal cells. Methods The model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion were established with the hippocampal neurons of rats. They were randomly divided into control group, model group and Ginsenoside Rgl treatment groups (5 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 60 μmol/L). The GSH level and GPx activity were measured 6 h after reperfusion. The apoptosis and the metabolic rate of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were detected 24 h after reperfusion. Results Compared with model group, the GSH level, GPx activity, and metabolic rate of MTT improved (P<0.001), and the apoptosis decreased in the Ginsenoside Rgl groups (P<0.001) except with the dosage of 5 μmol/L (P>0.05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rgl can protect the brain from ischemia by increasing the GSH level and GPx activity.

Traumatic carotid cavernous fistula concomitant with pseudoaneurysm in the sphenoid sinus.

SUMMARY: This study was designed to elucidate the generating mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (tCCF) concomitant with pseudoaneurysm in the sphenoid sinus. Six cases of tCCF concomitant with pseudoaneurysm in the sphenoid sinus were analyzed in this study. Clinical history, neurological examination, CT and MRI scans, pre- and postembolization cerebral angiograms and follow-up data were included. All patients presented with massive epistaxis and symptoms of tCCF. The pseudoaneurysms and fistulas were occluded with detachable balloons, and preservation of the parent artery in two cases. One patient also had indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) on the contralateral side embolized by transfacial vein approach with microcoils. Complete symptom resolution was achieved in all cases, without procedure related complications. During the follow-up period all patients returned to work. Falling from a high speed motorcycle without wearing a helmet may be one of the main causes of this disease. The site of impact during the accident mostly localizes in the frontal and lateral of the orbit. Intracavernous sinus hypertension of tCCF combining with fracture of the lateral wall of the sphenoid may lead to the formation of a pseudoaneurysm in the sphenoid sinus. MRI scan is very helpful in the diagnosis of this disease before the patient receives angiography. Detachable balloon occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm and fistula is a safe and efficient treatment.

[The enzymes activity of intestine grafts after combined small bowel/liver transplantation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the alteration of the enzymes activity of intestine grafts after combined small bowel/liver transplantation in rats and the relations between their changes, functions and immune rejection. METHOD: A kind of model of combined small bowel/liver transplantation (SLT) was established in SD closed colony rats. The enzymes activity of grafts were examined at regular postoperative intervals with histochemical methods. RESULT: The enzymes activity of grafts disappeared eventually in isolated small bowel transplantation rats. Contrary, those in SLT rats were remained and recovered after operation. CONCLUSION: The rejection in grafted intestine can be prevented or delayed in SLT rats. The examination of activity of enzymes and nerves in grafts may be used to monitor rejection and study function of grafts.

[Change of the guaning nucleotide-regulating protein in substantia gelatinosa of spinal cord of rats after unilateral transection of dorsal roots and electroacupuncture: an immunohistochemical observation].

The Subunit alpha o of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (rabbit polyclonal antiserum 9120, K,J. Chang. USA), in the areas of rat spinal cord was localized by immunohistochemical PAP methods, and the changes of alpha o-immunoreactivity (alpha o-IR) in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) were observed after unilateral transection of dorsal roots and electroacupuncture. Intense alpha o-IR was presented in Rexed lamina I to III of the dorsal horn, and the highest alpha o-IR in lamina (SG), which was found than that in the normal and control animals. Iateral spinal nucleus of rat revealed higher density of alpha o-IR containing fiber networks. Following unilateral transection of dorsal roots and pain threshold increased significantly after electroacupuncture applied at the point "Huantiao", alpha o-IR was markedly decreased than that in the normal and control group in those areas. The optic density (OD) of alpha o-IR were measured, which decreased more markedly in opration and electroacupuncture group than that normal and control group. The results mentioned above indicate that Go-protein in terminals of primary nociceptive neurons of SG decreases markedly after dorsal roots transected and electroacupuncture. It was inferenced that partial Go-protein probably originates from the primary sensory neurons, and the release of "inhibitory" of Go may increase (with weaker alpha o-IR). In a work, Go might play important roles on the primary afferents informational regulation and electroacupuncture analgesia of the regulation.

[Improvement of memory function of fornix-fimbria transected rats by transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion into hippocampus].

Memory impairments of passive avoidance response were observed in 38 Wistar rats with bilateral fornix-fimbria transection. After fornix-fimbria lesions the degree of performance decreased from 65.3% to 13.6% (P < 0.01). Autotransplantation of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) into bilateral dorsal hippocampi improved memory function to a considerable extent. In the end of the behavioral experiments, implanted rats were sacrificed for histofluorescence study of grafts and measurement of norepinephrine (NA) content in the hippocampus. These experiments showed that the hippocampal NA content in implanted rats was considerably higher than that in untransplanted fornix-fimbria transected rats and consequently suggested that improvement of memory function was to some extent due to supplement of monoamine transmitter by the transplanted SCG.

[Effects of capsaicin and electroacupuncture on the fluoride resistant acid phosphatase (FRAP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats: a histochemical observation].

UNLABELLED: 31 adult rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) Electroacupuncture group; 2) Capsaicin group (capsaicin was applied one the left sciatic nerve, the night on of the same body was used with vehicle as control); 3) Capaicin combined with electroacupuncture group; 4) Control group. Pain thresholds, both basal and after treatment were determined. Successive cryo-sections of DRG were cut and the neighbouring section of the same group were performed for AChE and FRAP examination. RESULTS: Little disparity in basal pain threshold was found among the four groups. The pain threshold became obviously higher after electroacupuncture, but only slightly higher after capsaicin treatment combined with electroacupuncture. In the electroacupuncture group, the number of DRG-B-type cell containing strong positive FRAP and AChE was obviously more than in the control group. In the capsaicin group, the number of DRG-B-type cell with FRAP and AChE activity was obviously reduced as compared with the untreated side of the same body. In the capsaicin and electroacupuncture group FRAP and AChE-activities in the DRG-B-type cells were slightly increased. The results showed that strong activities of FRAP and AChE were found in part of the DRG cells of normal rats, the two enzymes were found to coexist in the some B-type cells. The effect of electroacupuncture analgesia was depressed after capsaicin treatment, while the activities of the two enzymes and the number of positive cells appeared in the ganglion were reduced correspondingly. Nevertheless, under electroacupuncture analgesia AA the enzymes activities and the numbers of positive cells were increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)