Simulation of Cardiac Flow under the Septal Defect Based on Lattice Boltzmann Method.

In this paper, the lattice Boltzmann method was used to simulate the cardiac flow in children with aseptal defect. The inner wall model of the heart was reconstructed from 210 computed tomography scans. By simulating and comparing the cardiac flow field, the pressure field, the blood oxygen content, and the distribution of entropy generation before and after an operation, the effects of septal defect on pulmonary hypertension(PH), cyanosis, and heart load were analyzed in detail. It is found that the atrial septal defect(ASD) of the child we analyzed had a great influence on the blood oxygen content in the pulmonary artery, which leads to lower efficiency of oxygen binding in the lungs and increases the burden on the heart. At the same time, it also significantly enhanced the entropy generation rate of the cardiac flow, which also leads to a higher heart load. However, the main cause of PH is not ASD, but ventricular septal defect (VSD). Meanwhile, it significantly reduced the blood oxygen content in the brachiocephalic trunk, but rarely affects the blood oxygen contents in the downstream left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery, and descending aorta are not significantly affected by VSD. It causes severe cyanosis on the face and lips.

ß-Carboline-Based pH Fluorescent Probe and Its Application for Monitoring Enzymatic Ester Hydrolysis.

A novel pH-activatable fluorescent probe, 1-(propan-2-yl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid (L-1), based on ß-carboline derivatives, has been developed, which displays significant fluorescent response toward pH variation with high selectivity, good photo-stability and favorable pKa value. Moreover, L-1 can dynamically monitor the release of protons during ester hydrolysis reaction in consistent with enzymatic kinetics manner.

Trichothecrotocins D-L, Antifungal Agents from a Potato-Associated Trichothecium crotocinigenum.

Seven new merosesquiterpenoids, trichothecrotocins D-J (1-7), two new trichothecene sesquiterpenoids, trichothecrotocins K (12) and L (13), and six known compounds (8-11, 14, and 15), were isolated from a potato-associated fungus, Trichothecium crotocinigenum. Compounds 5 and 6 were racemates which were further separated as pure enantiomers. Structures together with absolute configurations were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, as well as quantum chemistry calculations on ECD and optical rotations. Compounds 1-4 are rare meroterpenoids featuring a seco-phenyl group, while 1 and 2 possessed a novel 6-6/5 fused ring system. Compounds 1-4, 8, 11, and 12 showed antifungal activity against four plant pathogens with MIC values of 8-128 µg/mL. It is suggested that the meroterpenoids produced by T. crotocinigenum may play an important role in the antifungal property of the fungus, thereby protecting the host plant, i.e., potato.

Immunoenhancing glucuronoxylomannan from Tremella aurantialba Bandoni et Zang and its low-molecular-weight fractions by radical depolymerization: Properties, structures and effects on macrophages.

In this study, a glucuronoxylomannan named TAP-3 was obtained from high-value Tremella aurantialba Bandoni et Zang. Physicochemical analysis revealed that TAP-3, which had a molecular weight of ∼624 kDa, mainly consisted of d-mannose (Man), d-xylose (Xyl), and d-glucuronic acid (GlcA) in a molar ratio of 3.0:1.0: 1.0. Structural analyses of its depolymerized fragments clarified that TAP-3 contained a (1 → 3) and (1 → 2)-linked α-Manp backbone, side chains formed by ß-Xylp and ß-GlcpA linked to the C-2 position of α-Manp, and acetyl groups connected to the sixth hydroxyl positions of Manp. TAP-3 showed marked immune enhancement activity, promoting NO, IL-1ß and TNF-α secretion from macrophages. The critical membrane receptor of TAP-3 was identified to be TLR4, and the chain length was essential for its immunoregulatory activity. These findings expand knowledge of the structural types of glucuronoxylomannan and illustrate its biological activity as an immunopotentiator.

Diagnostic value of color Doppler sonography for spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection.

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of color Doppler sonography (CDS) in the diagnosis of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD). The ultrasonographic images of 19 patients with SISMAD confirmed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) were retrospectively analyzed and the ultrasonographic features were summarized. The paired t-test was used to statistically analyze the differences in parameters determined by CTA vs. CDS, including the minimal inner diameter (MID), cross-sectional area (CSA), diameter and area stenosis rate, and flow rate of the true lumen. Of the 19 patients, 18 (94.7%) were diagnosed with SISMAD with correct classification by CDS. There was no significant difference between CTA and CDS with regard to minimal ID, CSA, diameter stenosis and area stenosis rate, and flow rate of the true lumen (all P>0.05). CDS was indicated to be an effective imaging modality for the diagnosis of SISMAD.

Grafting Halloysite Nanotubes with Amino or Carboxyl Groups onto Carbon Fiber Surface for Excellent Interfacial Properties of Silicone Resin Composites.

The quality of interphase in carbon fibers (CFs) composites makes a key contribution to overall performance of composites. Here, we achieved for the first time the chemical grafting of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with amino or carboxyl groups onto the CFs surface aiming to increase composites interfacial strength. HNTs were grafted using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) followed by succinic anhydride treatment, and HNTs with amino groups (HNT⁻NH2) or carboxyl groups (HNT⁻COOH) were separately introduced into the interphase of composites. Functional groups of HNTs and fiber surface structures were characterized, which confirmed the modification success. The wettability between the modified CFs and resin have been enhanced obviously based on the improved fiber polarity and enhanced surface roughness by the introduced two functionalized HNTs with the uniform distributions onto fiber surface. Moreover, interfacial properties and anti-hydrothermal aging behaviors of modified methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites were improved significantly, especially for HNT⁻COOH grafting. In addition, the interfacial reinforcement mechanisms for untreated and modified CF composites are discussed and compared.

De Novo Paternal FBN1 Mutation Detected in Embryos Before Implantation.

BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in the Fibrillin (FBN)1 gene and characterized by disorders in the cardiovascular, skeletal, and visual systems. The diversity of mutations and phenotypic heterogeneity of MFS make prenatal molecular diagnoses difficult. In this study, we used pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to identify the pathogenic mutation in a male patient with MFS and to determine whether his offspring would be free of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS The history and pedigree of the proband were analyzed. Mutation analysis was performed on the couple and immediate family members. The couple chose IVF treatment and 4 blastocysts were biopsied. PGD was carried out by targeted high-throughput sequencing of the FBN1 gene in the embryos, along with single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotyping. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the causative mutation. RESULTS c.2647T>C (p.Trp883Arg) was identified as the de novo likely pathogenic mutation in the proband. Whole-genome amplification and sequencing of the 3 embryos revealed that they did not carry the mutation, and 1 blastocyst was transferred back to the uterus. The amniocentesis test result analyzed by Sanger sequencing confirmed the PGD. A premature but healthy infant free of heart malformations was born. CONCLUSIONS The de novo mutation c.2647T>C (p.Trp883Arg) in FBN1 was identified in a Chinese patient with MFS. Embryos without the mutation were identified by PGD and resulted in a successful pregnancy.

Value of higher-resolution MRI in assessing middle cerebral atherosclerosis and predicting capsular warning syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between middle cerebral atherosclerosis and capsular warning syndrome (CWS) and assess the value of higher-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prognostication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 97 transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients who underwent an MRI from February 2010 to December 2013 were included in the retrospective study and divided into either a CWS or middle cerebral artery (MCA) TIA group according to their eventual clinical diagnosis. 3T MRI included fast-spin echo T2 -weighted imaging, double-inverse recovery T1 -weighted imaging, and T1 contrast-enhanced scan sequences. Baseline characteristics, MRI results in terms of MCA plaque formation, plaque characteristics such as enhancement, and development of infarction were compared between the two groups to study the distribution and characteristics of cerebral atherosclerotic plaques. Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with infarction 1 week after plaque identification. RESULTS: Based on the MR images, 76% of both groups of patients had middle cerebral atherosclerosis. Compared to TIA patients, the median age of CWS patients was younger (58 [range 42-73] vs. 67 [36-84] years, P = 0.003), and CWS patients had a lower rate of stroke history (10.9% vs. 41.2%, P = 0.001). Infarction was more common in CWS patients than in TIA patients (52.2% vs. 20.5%, P = 0.003) and a superior plaque was correlated with infarction occurrence (odds ratio 5.674, 95% confidence interval 1.112-28.958). CONCLUSION: Patients with CWS have large arterial plaques, including MCA plaques. There was a correlation between CWS and the MCA plaque location. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1277-1283.

Primer-introduced restriction analysis polymerase chain reaction method for non-invasive prenatal testing of ß-thalassemia.

We have developed a new method for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of paternally inherited fetal mutants for ß-thalassemia (ß-thal). Specially designed primer-introduced restriction analysis-polymerase chain reaction (PIRA-PCR) were used to detect four major mutations [IVS-II-654, HBB: c.316-197C > T; codon 17 (A > T), HBB: c.52A > T; -28 (A > G), HBB: c.-78A > G and codons 41/42 (-TTCT), HBB: c.126_129delCTTT] causing ß-thal in China. The PIRA-PCR assay was first tested in a series of mixed DNA with different concentrations and mixed proportions. Subsequently, this assay was further tested in 10 plasma DNA samples collected from pregnant women. In the DNA mixture simulation test, the PIRA-PCR assay was able to detect 3.0% target genomic DNA (gDNA) mixed in 97.0% wild-type gDNA isolated from whole blood. For plasma DNA testing, the results detected by PIRA-PCR assay achieved 100.0% consistency with those obtained from the amniocentesis analysis. This new method could potentially be used for NIPT of paternally inherited fetal mutants for ß-thal.

Identifying Human Genome-Wide CNV, LOH and UPD by Targeted Sequencing of Selected Regions.

Copy-number variations (CNV), loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and uniparental disomy (UPD) are large genomic aberrations leading to many common inherited diseases, cancers, and other complex diseases. An integrated tool to identify these aberrations is essential in understanding diseases and in designing clinical interventions. Previous discovery methods based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS) require very high depth of coverage on the whole genome scale, and are cost-wise inefficient. Another approach, whole exome genome sequencing (WEGS), is limited to discovering variations within exons. Thus, we are lacking efficient methods to detect genomic aberrations on the whole genome scale using next-generation sequencing technology. Here we present a method to identify genome-wide CNV, LOH and UPD for the human genome via selectively sequencing a small portion of genome termed Selected Target Regions (SeTRs). In our experiments, the SeTRs are covered by 99.73%~99.95% with sufficient depth. Our developed bioinformatics pipeline calls genome-wide CNVs with high confidence, revealing 8 credible events of LOH and 3 UPD events larger than 5M from 15 individual samples. We demonstrate that genome-wide CNV, LOH and UPD can be detected using a cost-effective SeTRs sequencing approach, and that LOH and UPD can be identified using just a sample grouping technique, without using a matched sample or familial information.

A short-read multiplex sequencing method for reliable, cost-effective and high-throughput genotyping in large-scale studies.

Accurate genotyping is important for genetic testing. Sanger sequencing-based typing is the gold standard for genotyping, but it has been underused, due to its high cost and low throughput. In contrast, short-read sequencing provides inexpensive and high-throughput sequencing, holding great promise for reaching the goal of cost-effective and high-throughput genotyping. However, the short-read length and the paucity of appropriate genotyping methods, pose a major challenge. Here, we present RCHSBT-reliable, cost-effective and high-throughput sequence based typing pipeline-which takes short sequence reads as input, but uses a unique variant calling, haploid sequence assembling algorithm, can accurately genotype with greater effective length per amplicon than even Sanger sequencing reads. The RCHSBT method was tested for the human MHC loci HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1, upon 96 samples using Illumina PE 150 reads. Amplicons as long as 950 bp were readily genotyped, achieving 100% typing concordance between RCHSBT-called genotypes and genotypes previously called by Sanger sequence. Genotyping throughput was increased over 10 times, and cost was reduced over five times, for RCHSBT as compared with Sanger sequence genotyping. We thus demonstrate RCHSBT to be a genotyping method comparable to Sanger sequencing-based typing in quality, while being more cost-effective, and higher throughput.

Identification of a novel HLA-C allele, HLA-C*04:82, by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual.

A novel HLA allele, C*04:82, was identified in a Chinese individual, which has nine nucleotides insertion compared with the closest matching allele HLA-C*04:01:01 in exon 5, resulting in three amino acid insertions: 301 Ala, 302 Val and 303 Leu.

Associative effects of supplementing rice straw-based diet with cornstarch on intake, digestion, rumen microbes and growth performance of Huzhou lambs.

Thirty-six male Hu lambs consuming a rice straw-based diet were used in a 60-day trial to study the associative effects of cornstarch supplementation on intake, digestion, ruminal microbial population and growth performance. All animals were fed rice straw ad libitum together with 160 g/day of rapeseed meal and supplemented with cornstarch at levels of 0 (control), 60, 120 or 180 g/day, respectively. Increment of supplementary cornstarch showed little influence on rice straw intake. Optimal growth performance and highest apparent digestibility of organic matter was achieved in the 120 g/day cornstarch group (P < 0.05), while the digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein were significantly decreased by 180 g/day cornstarch (P < 0.05). Similar results were observed for carboxymethyl cellulose activity and relative populations of cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogene). Blood urea nitrogen was reduced by supplementary cornstarch, indicating enhanced protein utilization efficiency. Carcass traits were all significantly improved by supplementary cornstarch. These results suggested that proper amounts of starch supplementation (within 0.5% BW) has little adverse effect on forage utilization, but could effectively improve growth performance. High levels of cornstarch, however, would decrease cellulase activity and populations of cellulolytic bacteria, and hence the digestibility of forage.