Observation of topological superconductivity in a stoichiometric transition metal dichalcogenide 2M-WS2.

Topological superconductors (TSCs) are unconventional superconductors with bulk superconducting gap and in-gap Majorana states on the boundary that may be used as topological qubits for quantum computation. Despite their importance in both fundamental research and applications, natural TSCs are very rare. Here, combining state of the art synchrotron and laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigated a stoichiometric transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), 2M-WS2 with a superconducting transition temperature of 8.8 K (the highest among all TMDs in the natural form up to date) and observed distinctive topological surface states (TSSs). Furthermore, in the superconducting state, we found that the TSSs acquired a nodeless superconducting gap with similar magnitude as that of the bulk states. These discoveries not only evidence 2M-WS2 as an intrinsic TSC without the need of sensitive composition tuning or sophisticated heterostructures fabrication, but also provide an ideal platform for device applications thanks to its van der Waals layered structure.

Computed tomography-quantified body composition predicts short-term outcomes after gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

Background: Malnutrition is a common and critical problem that influences outcome in cancer patients. Body composition reflects a patient's metabolic profile and physiologic reserves, which might be the true determinant of prognosis. In the present study, which aimed to identify valuable new prognostic indicators, we investigated the association between computed tomography-quantified body composition and short-term outcomes after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: Skeletal muscle index, mean muscle attenuation, and ratio of visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue area (vsr) were calculated from preoperative computed tomography images. Low skeletal muscle index, low mean muscle attenuation, and high vsr were respectively termed "sarcopenia," "myosteatosis," and "visceral obesity." The association of body composition with postoperative complications and serum markers of nutrition and inflammation after radical gastrectomy were analyzed. Results: The overall complication rate was significantly higher in the sarcopenia (62.5% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.001) and myosteatosis groups (38.2% vs. 4%, p = 0.002). Patients with visceral obesity had a higher incidence of inflammatory complications (20.3% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sarcopenia (p = 0.013), myosteatosis (p = 0.017), and low serum retinol-binding protein (p = 0.019) were independent risk factors for overall complications. Compared with control subjects, patients with sarcopenia had lower postoperative levels of serum retinol-binding protein (p = 0.007), and patients with visceral obesity had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and visceral obesity were significantly associated with increased rates of postoperative complications and affected the postoperative nutrition and inflammation status of patients with gastric cancer.

[ZHENG Wenzhuo's Yi gu (Medical Original Events) and ZHANG Binglin's Yi gu mei pi qi ze (Seven Pieces of Headnotes for Yi gu)].

Yi gu (Medical Original Events) is a rare documentation science book for textual research in traditional Chinese medicine, which makes the textual research on ancient books before the Tang Dynasty by probing its provenance and development, judging the right from wrong, citing extensively with relatively reliable evidences. Actually, many items in this work were written to refute the Confucian master Yu Yue's Fei yi lun (On Abolishment of Chinese Medicine), and, to some extent, makes contributions to defend the status of traditional Chinese medicine. ZHANG Binglin, a disciple of Yu Yue, sharply accused Yi gu of textual misconducts by commenting in his Seven Pieces of Headnotes for Yi gu. It is beneficial by mutual reference and citations.

Usefulness of normal saline for sealing the needle track after CT-guided lung biopsy.

AIM: To determine whether the use of normal saline for sealing the needle track can reduce the incidence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomised, controlled trial enrolling 322 patients was conducted. All patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those in whom the needle track was not sealed with normal saline (n=161, Group A) and those who did receive normal saline (n=161, Group B). CT-guided biopsy was performed with coaxial technique. Normal saline, which ranged from 1-3 ml, was injected while the trocar needle was being withdrawn. Patient characteristics, lesion, and procedure variables were analysed as potential risk variables for occurrence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement. RESULTS: The incidence of pneumothorax was 26.1% in Group A and 6.2% in Group B (p<0.001). Nine patients in Group A and one patient in Group B required chest tube placement (p=0.010). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, smaller lesion size, greater needle-pleural angle, longer lesion-pleural distance, presence of emphysema, and no sealing the needle track with normal saline were significantly associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax, and that the latter three factors were also associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement. CONLUSION: Normal saline for sealing the needle track significantly reduces the incidence of pneumothorax and prevents subsequent chest tube placement after CT-guided lung biopsy.

Can diffusion-weighted imaging be used to differentiate brain abscess from other ring-enhancing brain lesions? A meta-analysis.

AIM: To explore the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the discrimination of brain abscess from other ring-enhancing brain lesions through meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PUMBED, OVID, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, from January 1995 to March 2013, were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of DWI in the discrimination of brain abscess lesions. Using the data collected, pooled sensitivities and specificities across studies were determined, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were constructed. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies fulfilled all of the inclusion criteria and were considered for the analysis. The pooled sensitivity values and pooled specificity values including 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 0.95 (0.87-0.98) and 0.94 (0.88-0.97). The pooled positive LR (95% CI) was 4.13(2.55-6.7); the pooled negative LR (95% CI) was 0.01 (0-1.7); and the area under the curve of the symmetric SROC was 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: DWI has high sensitivity and specificity for the differentiation of brain abscess from other intracranial cystic mass lesions.

Factors influencing diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy for bone lesions.

AIM: To evaluate the factors influencing diagnostic yield of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) for bone lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2005 and July 2011, 162 consecutive CT-guided CNB procedures were performed in 155 patients. The variables analysed were age, sex, lesion location, lesion type, lesion size, specimen size, biopsy needle gauge, and individual radiologist. The factors influencing diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous CNB for bone lesions were determined by multivariate analysis of variables. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield was 81.5%. Diagnostic yield was 89.9% for lytic bone lesions and 48.5% for sclerotic bone lesions (p < 0.001), and 89.2% for lesions ≥3 cm and 73.4% for lesions <3 cm (p = 0.010). The significant factors influencing diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous CNB for bone lesions were lesion type [p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) for a lytic lesion was approximately 12 times higher than that for a sclerotic lesion; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.22-34.01], and lesion size (p = 0.012; OR for a lesion size ≥3 cm was about five-times higher than that for a lesion size <3 cm; 95% CI: 1.42-16.71). CONCLUSION: Lesion type and lesion size are determining factors in diagnostic yield. The higher diagnostic yield is correlated with lytic lesion and lesion size ≥3 cm.

Assessment of genetic, antigenic and pathotypic criteria for the characterization of IBDV strains.

The aim of this work was the selection and comparison of representative infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strains. Nine strains of IBDV, isolated at different times and from different geographic regions of Europe and China, were characterized. Batches of all strains were prepared following standardized protocols and checked for the absence of contaminating viruses. Criteria used for their characterization were: (i) the nucleotide sequence of the VP2 variable region, (ii) binding to a panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies in antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and (iii) virulence in specific pathogen free chickens after infection with a standardized number of median embryo infective doses. Based on the first two criteria, two of nine strains were classified as classical virulent (cv) IBDV (F52/70, Cu-1wt), and five as very virulent (vv) IBDV (849VB, 96108, HK46, GX, Harbin). Remarkably, although a clear-cut difference was demonstrable between European cvIBDV (F52/70 and Cu-1wt) and vvIBDV (849VB and 96108) strains, there was a continuum in the pathogenicity of Chinese vvIBDVs. Our results indicate the probable existence of differences in virulence within IBDV lineages determined on the basis of antigenic typing using monoclonal antibodies and the alignment of the VP2 sequences. This indicates limitations in the analysis of IBDV pathotypes based on the VP2 variable region and emphasizes that these criteria may not be sufficient for the classification of IBDV strains.

DNA sequence and comparative analysis of chimpanzee chromosome 22.

Human-chimpanzee comparative genome research is essential for narrowing down genetic changes involved in the acquisition of unique human features, such as highly developed cognitive functions, bipedalism or the use of complex language. Here, we report the high-quality DNA sequence of 33.3 megabases of chimpanzee chromosome 22. By comparing the whole sequence with the human counterpart, chromosome 21, we found that 1.44% of the chromosome consists of single-base substitutions in addition to nearly 68,000 insertions or deletions. These differences are sufficient to generate changes in most of the proteins. Indeed, 83% of the 231 coding sequences, including functionally important genes, show differences at the amino acid sequence level. Furthermore, we demonstrate different expansion of particular subfamilies of retrotransposons between the lineages, suggesting different impacts of retrotranspositions on human and chimpanzee evolution. The genomic changes after speciation and their biological consequences seem more complex than originally hypothesized.

[Purification of recombinant hEGF expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris and the study on its characters].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain recombinant human epidermal growth factor(hEGF) that can be used in animal experiments and clinical trial. METHOD: Chemically synthesized hEGF gene was expressed in Yeast Pichia pastoris and the secretory hEGF was purified by Phenysepharose 6 Fast Flow(high sub), Q-sepharose High Performance, and Superdex 30 chromatography, and its characters were studied by respective methods. RESULTS: The purified hEGF doesn't contain pyrogen, endotoxin, or yeast chromosome DNA and the purity reached 98%. The recombinant human EGF has correct molecular weight, pI, N-terminal amino acids sequences, peptide map, ultraviolet spectrum and well-biological activity. CONCLUSION: The purified hEGF is in accord with the requirements for animal experiments and clinical trial which provides the basis of preparing EGF agents for clinical test.

[A telemedical multilevel server network system].

Telemedicine is a hot research focus. When we develop the telemedicine system, we find that in China the network condition can not fit the demands of the transregional telemedicine service. In order to improve the poor conditions, we have designed a set of telemedicine system based on distributed multilevel server network model. The paper expounds the structure and the working process of the system, then goes into the technology details in realizing it, finally discusses some relative questions.

Evaluation of recombinant chitinase and SXP1 antigens as antimicrofilarial vaccines.

Prior studies indicate that a microfilarial stage-specific chitinase is a possible candidate antigen for a transmission-blocking vaccine against Brugian filariasis. The antigen is a functional enzyme that progressively appears as microfilariae mature and become able to infect and develop in a susceptible mosquito vector. It is recognized by a monoclonal antibody that reduces microfilaremia in infected animals and by a subset of sera from infected persons who remain amicrofilaremic. Immunization of jirds with recombinant chitinase induced partial protection against microfilaremia resulting from subsequent infection with Brugia malayi, but did not reduce adult worm burdens. Vaccination was much less effective when administered during the prepatent stage of infection and was ineffective when given to microfilaremic jirds. The protective epitope appears to be located close to the carboxy terminus of the chitinase molecule. Immunization of jirds with SXP1, an antigen present in multiple worm stages, also reduced microfilaremia and, in some experiments, adult worm burdens, but hyperimmunization with a recombinant filarial myosin was not protective. These observations indicate that the relative timing of immunization and infection is an important factor in the efficacy of antimicrofilarial vaccines.

Urine lipids in patients with a history of filariasis.

The presence of lipids in postprandial urine was assessed in 116 patients with a history of filariasis and 70 normal individuals using a biochemical autoanalyzer. Urinary triglycerides (TGs) ranging from 10 to 1955 mg/dl were detected in 13 individuals with a history of chyluria, including 3 with TG levels ranging from 233 to 1955 mg/dl and cholesterol levels of 6-35 mg/dl. Three patients who had a filarial history but without chyluria were also found to have urinary TGs (13-15 mg/dl) without detectable cholesterol. Neither TGs nor cholesterol were detected in the urine of normal individuals. Fluctuations in postprandial urine lipid contents were measured by time course determinations of urinary TG and cholesterol in 17 patients with filariasis and a history of chyluria, 16 patients with filariasis and hydrocele and 16 normal individuals. The level of urine lipid excretion was found to increase within 1-4 h postprandially, with urinary TG levels ranging between 7.8 and 1284 mg/h in eight patients and urinary cholesterol levels between 1.2 and 138 mg/h in seven patients with a history of chyluria. To evaluate the origin of the urine lipids in hematochyluria, fish oil containing 360 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 240 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was prescribed to a patient with hematochyluria. The excretion of EPA and DHA in urine was increased postprandially in the patient, similar to the elevation of urinary TG and cholesterol. The profile of fatty acids from urine samples showed it was of dietary origin. Our results suggest that postprandial urine lipids, especially TG, might be used as markers for the clinical evaluation of chyluria.

[Clinical research on the treatment of acute leukemia with autologous bone marrow transplantation].

38 cases of acute leukemia were treated with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). The marrow was purged with hyperthermia of 42 degrees C in vitro for one hour in microwave. Twenty-two among them were AML (CR1). Sixteen were ALL (CR1). The mean age was 26 (10-43) years. All the patients were engrafted successfully after ABMT. Mean DFS was 21 (3-69) months. Four cases relapsed at 3 to 8 months after ABMT. Two patients with ALL developed central nervous system leukemia at 12 and 15 months respectively after ABMT. The DFS and probability of relapse at 5 years were 67.8% and 16.8% respectively for all patients.

High performance optical absorbance detectors based on low noise switched integrators.

Optical absorption detection is the most common analytical measurement principle in liquid phase analysis. The current state-of-the-art of commercially available detectors exhibit peak-to-peak (p-p) noise levels in the range of 1 x 10(-5)-2 x 10(-5) absorbance units (10-20 microAU). Using circuitry based on newly available switched integrator integrated circuit (IC) packages, it is possible to construct inexpensive absorbance detectors with p-p noise levels as low as 3 microAU under actual use conditions. The necessary electronics are described and performance data are reported with light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources. Even in the capillary format with a rectangular capillary (50 x 1000 microm cross section) with a slitwidth <50 microm and with the 1000 microm dimension as the nominal pathlength, p-p noise levels of 10 microAU are observed, from which a concentration limit of detection (LOD) of 10 nM for bromothymol blue (BTB) can be estimated with a 660 nm light source.

[Efficacy of ivermectin for control of microfilaremia recurring after treatment with diethylcarbamazine: immunological observation].

We compared the effect of a single dose of ivermectin (100 micrograms/kg) with that of a standard course of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) (6 mg/kg) on several parameters of the host's antifilarial immune response in 60 patients with bancroftian filariasis enrolled in a double-blind drug trial. All participants had measurable serum levels of antifilarial antibodies and parasite antigens. Drug-induced clearance of microfilaremia was associated with a temporary increase in HC11 antigenemia and a decrease in serum levels of antibodies to soluble filarial antigens. Antigenemia progressively declined in patients who remained a microfilaremic after treatment, but declined and then rose in persons with recurrent microfilaremia. Treatment triggered a sustained increase in serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha and IFN gamma in all patients. Although Ivermectin and DEC are believed to exert their antiparasite activity via different mechanisms, the same pattern of serological changes was observed in patients treated with either drug.

[Efficacy of ivermectin for control of microfilaremia recurring after treatment with diethylcarbamazine. I. Clinical and parasitological observations].

We compared the efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin with that of a standard course of deithylcarbamazine (DEC) for the control of microfilaremia in 60 patients with banrroftian filariasis who had developed recurrent microfilaremia after each of three or more prior treatments with DEC. The study was done as a randomized, double-blind trial. Complete, but transient clearance of microfilaremia was observed in both treatment groups. One year later, recurrent microfilaremia was present in 7 patients treated with ivermectin and in 5 treated with DEC. Pretreatment levels of microfilaremia were significantly higher in patients who relapsed within one year after treatment than in those who remained amicrofilaremia. Side effects of either treatment were common but mild. Febrile reactions were more frequent in the ivermectin group: while localized reactions consistent with a flare up of acute filarial disease occurred mostly in the DEC group. We conclude that ivermectin is an effective and practical alternative to DEC for treatment of recurrent microfilaremia due to bancroftian filariasis.

Efficacy of ivermectin for control of microfilaremia recurring after treatment with diethylcarbamazine. I. Clinical and parasitologic observations.

We compared the efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin with that of a standard course of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for the control of microfilaremia in 60 patients with bancroftian filariasis who had developed recurrent microfilaremia after each of three or more prior treatments with DEC. The study was done as a randomized, double-blind trial. Complete, but in some cases, transient clearance of microfilaremia was observed in both treatment groups. At one year, recurrent microfilaremia was present in seven patients treated with ivermectin and in five treated with DEC. Pretreatment levels of microfilaremia were significantly higher in patients who relapsed within one year after treatment than in those who remained amicrofilaremic. Side effects with both treatments were common, but mild. Febrile reactions were more frequent in the ivermectin group; localized reactions consistent with a flare-up of acute filarial disease occurred mostly in the DEC group. We conclude that ivermectin is an effective and practical alternative to DEC for treatment of recurrent microfilaremia due to bancroftian filariasis.