[A study on the dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among adolescents in Shandong Province].

Objective: To understand the current status and its associated factors of dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among adolescents in Shandong Province and explore the reasons for dual use behavior. Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted among 7 999 middle school students who were selected by stratified multi-stage cluster sample method. Data were weighted and analyzed by the SPSS 25.0 complex program. Results: In Shandong Province, the prevalence rates of attempting and current dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among adolescents appeared as 7.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Male, friends smoking, and secondhand smoke exposure in the past 7 days were risk factors for dual use. Compared with cigarette smokers, dual users have no differences in cognition and behavior in quitting smoking (P>0.05). The main reason for dual users to smoke e-cigarettes was curiosity. Conclusions: Dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes is common among adolescents in Shandong Province, and its influencing factors are similar to traditional cigarettes. Dual use is not a transitional stage for smoking cessation. Dual users are more likely to continue smoking in the future, which should be paid attention and concern.

[Efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage â ¡-â ¢ melanoma].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ melanoma. Methods: A total of 296 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ cutaneous orlimb melanoma at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Shanghai Electric Power Hospital between 2017 and 2021 and received adjuvant PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, low-dose interferon (IFN), or observational follow-up were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (164 cases) and the IFN or observation group (IFN/OBS group, 132 cases) based on postoperative adjuvant treatment methods. Patients' disease recurrence and survival were observed. Results: Among the 296 patients, 77 had cutaneous melanoma and 219 had limb melanoma; 110 were stage Ⅱ and 186 were stage Ⅲ. Among stage Ⅱ patients, the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (46 cases) did not reach, while the median RFS in the IFN/OBS group (64 cases) was 36 months. The 1-year RFS rates were 85.3% and 92.1% and the 2-year RFS rates were 71.9% and 63.7% in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.394). Among stage Ⅲ patients, the median RFS rates in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (118 cases) and the IFN/OBS group (68 cases) were 23 and 13 months, respectively. The 1-year RFS rates were 70.0% and 51.8% and the 2-year RFS rates were 51.8% and 35.1%in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.010). Stratified analysis showed that the advantage of PD-1 monoclonal antibody adjuvant therapy in improving RFS persisted in the subgroups of primary ulceration (HR=0.558, 95% CI: 0.348-0.893), lymph node macroscopic metastasis (HR=0.486, 95% CI: 0.285-0.828), stage ⅢC (HR=0.389, 95% CI: 0.24-0.63), and the subgroup without BRAF/c-Kit/NRAS gene mutations (HR=0.347, 95% CI: 0.171-0.706). In terms of recurrence patterns, in stage Ⅱ patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 15.2% (7/46) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, significantly lower than the IFN/OBS group [43.8% (28/64), P=0.002]. In stage Ⅲ melanoma patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 42.4% (50/118) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, also lower than the IFN/OBS group [63.2% (43/68), P=0.006]. Conclusions: In real-world settings, compared with patients receiving low-dose IFN adjuvant therapy or observational follow-up, PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy can reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate of cutaneous and limb melanoma, and prolong the postoperative RFS of stage Ⅲ cutaneous and limb melanoma patients. Patients with a heavier tumor burden benefit more from immunotherapy.

Spontaneous Ferromagnetism Induced Topological Transition in EuB_{6}.

The interplay between various symmetries and electronic bands topology is one of the core issues for topological quantum materials. Spontaneous magnetism, which leads to the breaking of time-reversal symmetry, has been proven to be a powerful approach to trigger various exotic topological phases. In this Letter, utilizing the combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy, and first-principles calculations, we present the direct evidence on the realization of the long-sought spontaneous ferromagnetism induced topological transition in soft ferromagnetic EuB_{6}. Explicitly, we reveal the topological transition is from Z_{2}=1 topological insulator in paramagnetic state to χ=1 magnetic topological semimetal in low temperature ferromagnetic state. Our results demonstrate that the simple band structure near the Fermi level and rich topological phases make EuB_{6} an ideal platform to study the topological phase physics.

Hypoxia-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 increases basement membrane degradation by downregulating collagen type IV alpha 1 chain.

Hypoxia can cause basement membrane (BM) degradation in tissues. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is involved in various human cancers as well as BM degradation by downregulating type IV collagen (COL4). This study investigated the role of MMP-9 in hypoxia-mediated BM degradation in rat bone marrow based on its regulation of collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1). Eighty male rats were randomly divided into four groups based on exposure to hypoxic conditions at a simulated altitude of 7,000 m, control (normoxia) and 3, 7, and 10 days of hypoxia exposure. BM degradation in bone marrow was determined by transmission electron microscopy. MMP-9 levels were assessed by western blot and real-time PCR, and COL4A1 levels were assessed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Microvessels BMs in bone marrow exposed to acute hypoxia were observed by electron microscopy. MMP-9 expression increased, COL4A1 protein expression decreased, and BM degradation occurred in the 10-, 7-, and 3-day hypoxia groups compared with that in the control group (all P < 0.05). Hypoxia increased MMP-9 levels, which in turn downregulated COL4A1, thereby increasing BM degradation. MMP-9 upregulation significantly promoted BM degradation and COL4A1 downregulation. Our results suggest that MMP-9 is related to acute hypoxia-induced BM degradation in bone marrow by regulating COL4A1.

[Combined application of field epidemiology and laboratory etiology analysis in the investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak in Xinjiang uygur Autonomous Region, 2016].

Objectives: To analyze the causes of a foodborne outbreak in rural areas of Xinjiang between April 2 and April 5 in 2016. Methods: Cases and the relevant background information were obtained by consulting outpatient records of local health centers and regional people's hospitals and interviewing doctors and residents. All samples were collected by the laboratory test through epidemiological and food hygiene investigations. The χ2 test (Fisher's exact probability method) was used to compare differences in incidence rates. Molecular typing, virulence genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) were analyzed by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Results: A total of 142 cases were found in this study, with incidence rate at 5.7‰ (142/24 979). Among all cases, the main symptoms were nausea (94%), vomiting (92%) and abdominal pain (67%), and the incubation period was about 2 h (1-7.5 h). There were 16 Staphylococcus aureus isolates identified and all of them could produce A+C+E mixed enterotoxin. PFGE showed 100% homology. WGS further revealed that there were 9 and 1 strains contained by Sequence Type 1 (ST1) and ST5405, respectively. All ST1 strains were in the same clade on the genome tree. Among these, 7 strains shared close proximity (74 SNPs) and 2 strains shared close relationships as well (127 SNPs). The S. aureus isolates that caused the outbreak were introduced by a mutant isolate from the milk supply station. Conclusions: This foodborne outbreak was mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

Investigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion inhibition of 304 stainless steel by D-cysteine in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The influence of D-cysteine (D-cys) on the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of 304 stainless steel caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated in this work. Immersion tests in the sterile and P. aeruginosa-inoculated culture media with different D-cys concentrations were carried out. The results showed that the addition of D-cys inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms on stainless steel surfaces. D-cys itself did not affect the corrosion of stainless steel but could decrease the corrosion rate of MIC of stainless steel caused by P. aeruginosa. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) analysis indicated that the biofilm inhibition effect of D-cys greatly reduced the destructive effect of the adhered P. aeruginosa cells on the passive film of the stainless steel, thus inhibiting the MIC of the stainless steel.

Geolocation Inference of Forensic Individual Origin by Soil Metagenomic Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Objective To preliminarily discuss the feasibility of geolocation inference of forensic individual origin by soil metagenomic analysis. Methods The 33 soil samples from Heilongjiang, Qinghai and Tibet were collected, total bacterial DNA in the samples were extracted, and universal primers were used to amplify the V3 and V4 hypervariable region of bacterial 16S rDNA. The region was sequenced by high-throughput sequencing （HTS） with the MiSeq sequencer. Bioinformatics analysis such as species composition and sample comparison was performed on sequencing data. The richness index and diversity index were calculated based on operational taxonomic unit （OTU） results. Results A total of 2 720 149 sequences were generated by sequencing. Those sequences were clustered into 114 848 OTUs. The Chao1 indexes of soil microorganisms in Heilongjiang, Qinghai, and Tibet were 797.45, 745.11 and 535.98, respectively, and Shannon indexes were 6.46, 6.36 and 6.25, respectively. The number of bacterial species and the community diversity in the soil from high to low were Heilongjiang > Qinghai > Tibet. The composition of soil bacteria in three provinces at various classification levels were obtained, the dominant genuses in Heilongjiang were Chthoniobacteraceae DA101 and an unannotated genus of Thermogemmatisporaceae; the dominant genuses in Qinghai were an unannotated genus of Cytophagaceae and an unannotated genus of Nocardioidaceae; the dominant genuses in Tibet were an unannotated genus of Comamonadaceae and Verrucomicrobiaceae Luteolibacter. The results of principal co-ordinates analysis demonstrated that, according to the weighted UniFrac analysis, the three principle components represented 56.36% of the total variable, and according to the unweighted UniFrac analysis, the three principle components represented 34.81% of the total variable. The samples from the same province could be clustered together, and the species and content of soil microorganisms from different provinces were significantly different. Conclusion Based on the metagenomic analysis method, soil samples from different regions can be effectively distinguished, which has potential application value in geolocation inference of forensic individual origin in the future.

Performance of the BL03U beamline at SSRF.

The vacuum ultraviolet beamline BL03U with a photon energy range from 7 eV upwards has been constructed at the 3.5 GeV Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Equipped with an APPLE-Knot undulator, this beamline is dedicated to angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. An energy-resolving power of higher than 4.6 × 104 has been achieved in the photon energy range 21.6-48 eV, which is almost the same as the theoretical estimation.

[Efficacy of minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant administration in preterm infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter clinical trial].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods: In this multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial, 92 preterm infants with gestation age ≤30 weeks and diagnosed with NRDS were enrolled in 8 level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1(st) July 2017 to 31(st) December 2018. They were randomly assigned to minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) group or endotracheal intubation surfactant administration (EISA) group according to random number generated by computer. Infants in both groups received calf pulmonary surfactant preparation at a dose of 70-100 mg/kg. The data of demography, perinatal situation, medication administration, complications, clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared with Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the 92 preterm infants, 53 were males, 39 were females; 47 were in the MISA group (25 males), and 45 were in the EISA group (28 males). The gestational age and birth weight were (29.5±1.2) weeks and (1 271±242) g in all patients, (29.5±1.4) weeks and (1 285±256) g in the MISA group, and (29.6±0.9) weeks and (1 255±227) g in the EISA group. The duration of surfactant infusion and the length of whole procedure in the MISA group were significantly longer than that in the EISA group (60 (18, 270) s vs. 50 (30, 60) s, Z=3.009, P=0.003; 90 (60, 300) s vs. 60 (44, 270) s, Z=3.365, P=0.001). For the outcomes, the incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were lower in the MISA group than in the EISA group (36% (17/47) vs. 67% (30/45), χ(2)=8.556, P=0.003; 26% (12/47) vs. 47% (21/45), χ(2)=4.464, P=0.035). Conclusions: Minimally invasive surfactant administration is applicable in preterm infants ≤30 weeks gestational age with NRDS. Although the length of whole procedure is longer than route endotracheal administration, the benefit of decreasing the incidences of hsPDA and BPD outweighs this demerit.

Photoemission Spectroscopic Evidence for the Dirac Nodal Line in the Monoclinic Semimetal SrAs_{3}.

Topological nodal-line semimetals with exotic quantum properties are characterized by symmetry-protected line-contact bulk band crossings in the momentum space. However, in most of identified topological nodal-line compounds, these topological nontrivial nodal lines are enclosed by complicated topological trivial states at the Fermi energy (E_{F}), which would perplex their identification and hinder further applications. Utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we provide compelling evidence for the existence of Dirac nodal-line fermions in the monoclinic semimetal SrAs_{3}, which possesses a simple nodal loop in the vicinity of E_{F} without the distraction from complicated trivial Fermi surfaces. Our calculations revealed that two bands with opposite parities were inverted around Y near E_{F}, resulting in the single nodal loop at the Γ-Y-S plane with a negligible spin-orbit coupling effect. The band crossings were tracked experimentally and the complete nodal loop was identified quantitatively, which provide a critical experimental support for the existence of nodal-line fermions in the CaP_{3} family of materials. Hosting simple topological nontrivial bulk electronic states around E_{F} and without complication from the trivial states, SrAs_{3} is expected to be a potential platform for topological quantum state investigation and applications.

[The prognostic value of circulating microRNA-29b in left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the level of microRNA-29b in circulation and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 240 subjects from Henan Province People's Hospital from June 2015 to June 2018 were included in the present study. Among them, 160 were hospitalized patients, and were divided into two groups. Patients with simple hypertension and had no left ventricular hypertrophy (80 cases) were in the simple hypertension group (HBP-NLVH), and patients with hypertension combined with left ventricular hypertrophy (80 cases) were in the high blood pressure with left ventricular hypertrophy group (HBP-LVH). Normal control subjects (80 cases) were those with no hypertension and randomly selected from the medical center of Henan Province People's Hospital. Serum microRNA-29b expressions were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The thickness of interventricular septum (IVSD) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWD) were measured by echocardiography. Results: Compared with the normal control group (1.95±0.79), the relative expression of microRNA-29b in the patients both in the HBP-NLVH group (2.67±0.92) and the HBP-LVH group (5.12±1.23) was up-regulated, and the difference between normal control and patients was statistically significant (P<0.05). In patients, the microRNA-29b level in the HBP-LVH group was significantly higher than that in the HBP-NLVH group (P<0.05). The expression level of microRNA-29b was positively correlated with IVSD (r=0.71, P<0.05) and LVPWD (r=0.74, P<0.05), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of serum microRNA-29b levels in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension patients were 96.8% and 91.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum microRNA-29b level is elevated in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, and is positively correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy. The circulation microRNA-29b might be a useful biomarker with prognostic value in left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension patients.

Quantitative assessment of the effects of human activities on phytoplankton communities in lakes and reservoirs.

Global algal blooms have been severely threatening safety of drinking water and development of socio-economy. Effective prevention and accurate control of algal blooms require a quantitative assessment of the influence of human activities and identification of priority areas. However, previous studies on the quantitative assessment of the effects of human activities on algal communities are lacking, severely hindering the effective and precise control of algal blooms. This paper proposes a quantitative assessment model to evaluate the impact intensity of human activities on phytoplankton. Applications showed that the proliferation of phytoplankton were more limited by nutrients such as total phosphorus and ammonia where waters are less influenced by human activities, yet were less limited by these nutrients where there are highly intensive human activities. The density of phytoplankton in waters increased with an increase in human activity intensity, particularly in concentrated agricultural areas, which are priority areas for the prevention and control of algal blooms. The methodologies can clearly identify key areas for algal bloom prevention and control and can provide scientific evidence for water and nutrient management throughout the world, reducing the risk of algal blooms and ensuring aquatic ecosystem health and potable water safety.

[Measurement and analysis of cochlea in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss with normal inner ear structure].

Objective:The cochlea of children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss with normal inner ear structure was measured and analyzed by high-resolution temporal bone CT(HRCT) imaging technique,its application value before cochlear implantation was evaluated and the appropriate electrode was selected.Method:We collected temporal bone HRCT images of 120 patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss,according to gender divided into two groups,including 60 males and 60 females.We used the PACS software to measure the distance A(the largest distance from the round window to the lateral wall) and the distance H(height of the cochlea) and calculate the cochlear duct length. Reproducibility of these data were evaluated and the results between the different groups were compared.Result:Measurement of parameter values between the intraobserver and interobserver showed great reproducibility. In the male children group,the measured values are shown as distance Aï¼»(8.55±0.31)mmï¼½,distance Hï¼»(4.57±0.28)mmï¼½and the cochlear duct length(CDL)ï¼»(27.59±1.23)mmï¼½; and in the female children group, the measured values are shown as distance Aï¼»(8.45±0.32)mmï¼½,distance Hï¼»(4.42±0.34)mmï¼½and the cochlear duct length(CDL)ï¼»(27.20±1.17)mm.The A,H,and CDL of the male cochlea were greater than those of the female, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Measuring the distance A and distance H of the cochlea and calculating the cochlear duct length CDL can be used to select a suitable length of electrode or to customize a personalized electrode. This is a simple and effective assessment method before cochlear implantation..

SPHK2 protein expression, Ki-67 index and infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in human glioma.

INTRODUCTION: Sphingosine kinases (SPHKs), the Ki-67 index and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with diverse human malignancies, including glioma. SPHK2, a subtype of SPHKs, has not been assessed in glioma or correlated with the Ki-67 index or TAM infiltration. We tested the hypothesis that expression of SPHK2 correlates with the Ki-67 index and TAM infiltration in patients with glioma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Western blot analysis was performed on protein lysates prepared from human astrocyte (HA) and glioma cell lines. Immunofluorescence was used to determine the subcellular location of SPHK2 protein in glioma cells. Next, immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze the correlations among SPHK2, Ki-67, CD68, and CD206 in 11 non-neoplastic brain tissues and 60 glioma tissues. All slides were evaluated under ×400 magnification, and the ratio of positively stained cells to the total number of cells was calculated for analysis. RESULTS: SPHK2, CD68 and CD206 were all increased in glioma tissues compared to non-neoplastic brain tissues, but there were no differences between WHO grades of glioma. Ki-67 was highest in WHO grade IV tumors and lowest in non-neoplastic brain tissues, and all between-group differences were statistically significant. Moreover, SPHK2 expression was positively correlated with the Ki-67, CD68 and CD206 indexes. Finally, the CD68 and CD206 indexes were both associated with the Ki-67 index. CONCLUSION: SPHK2 protein expression, the Ki-67 index and TAM infiltration in human glioma tissue were reported in this study for the first time. SPHK2 was positively associated with TAM infiltration and glioma proliferation. Mechanistically, SPHK2 may promote glioma growth by stimulating TAMs to polarize M2-type macrophages.

[The comparison of neurobehavioral changes and impaired locations between the mouse model of manganism and Parkinson's disease].

Objective: To investigate the effect of manganese chloride (MnCl(2)) or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the neurobehavioral and histopathology in C57BL/6 mice and provide evidence for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of manganism. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with MnCl(2) and MPTP respectively by intraperitoneal injection at the doses of 5, 10, 20mg Mn/kg and 30mg MPTP/kg. Controls were injected equivalent normal saline. All animals were administrated 5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks and sacrificed after behavior tests on the fifth week. Balance ability, anxiety and depression level and cognitive function were tested respectively by vertical pole test, open field locomotion test and Morris swim task. The neuron pathological changes of striatum and substantia nigra were examined through HE-staining pathological section by using optical microscope. Results: Compared with the control group, the high dose of MnCl(2) reduced body weight obviously (P<0.01) . The results of vertical pole test showed that MnCl(2) and MPTP lengthened the pole-climbing time and turnaround time. Open field locomotion test showed that movement distance, stand-up time and central field time were decreased after the exposure of MnCl(2) or MPTP. In the Morris swim task, the escape latency time increased and the target quadrant activity time decreased significantly after the injection of MPTP as well as high-dose MnCl(2), comparing with controls (P<0.05) . Moreover, the escape latency time of high dose MnCl(2) prolonged prominently comparing with MPTP grou (P<0.05) . The results of histopathology showed that acidophilic changes elevated in MnCl(2) and MPTP group, comparing with controls. Furthermore, in striatum the oxyphil cells number increased in MnCl(2) high-dose group comparing with MPTP group (P<0.01) . On the contrary, there were more oxyphil cells in MPTP group comparing with MnCl(2) groups in substantia nigra (P<0.01) . Conclusion: Both manganese and MPTP can induce the impairment of dopaminergic neural system, but the symptons and injured location of manganism are inconsistent with PD models induced by MPTP.