Electrospun MoS2-CNTs-PVA/PVA Hybrid Separator for High-Performance Li/FeS2 Batteries.

As a promising candidate for high-energy-density rechargeable lithium metal batteries, Li/FeS2 batteries still suffer from the large volume change and severe shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides during cycling. To improve the electrochemical performance, great efforts have been made to modify FeS2 cathodes by constructing various nanocomposites. However, energy density is sacrificed, and these materials are not applicable at a large scale. Herein, we report that the electrochemical performance of commercial FeS2 can be greatly enhanced with the application of a double-layer MoS2-CNTs-PVA (MCP)/PVA separator fabricated by electrospinning. The assembled Li/FeS2 batteries can still deliver a high discharge capacity of 400 mAh/g after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.5 C. The improved cycling stability can be attributed to the strong affinity towards lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) of the hydroxyl-rich PVA matrix and the unique double-layer structure, in which the bottom layer acts as an electrical insulation layer and the top layer coupled with MoS2/CNTs provides catalytic sites for LiPS conversion.

Machine learning models for prediction of invasion Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome in diabetes mellitus: a singled centered retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning algorithm-based model for predicting invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome(IKPLAS) in diabetes mellitus and compare the performance of different models. METHODS: The clinical signs and data on the admission of 213 diabetic patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses were collected as variables. The optimal feature variables were screened out, and then Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Tree, and XGBoost models were established. Finally, the model's prediction performance was evaluated by the ROC curve, sensitivity (recall), specificity, accuracy, precision, F1-score, Average Precision, calibration curve, and DCA curve. RESULTS: Four features of hemoglobin, platelet, D-dimer, and SOFA score were screened by the recursive elimination method, and seven prediction models were established based on these variables. The AUC (0.969), F1-Score(0.737), Sensitivity(0.875) and AP(0.890) of the SVM model were the highest among the seven models. The KNN model showed the highest specificity (1.000). Except that the XGB and DT models over-estimates the occurrence of IKPLAS risk, the other models' calibration curves are a good fit with the actual observed results. Decision Curve Analysis showed that when the risk threshold was between 0.4 and 0.8, the net rate of intervention of the SVM model was significantly higher than that of other models. In the feature importance ranking, the SOFA score impacted the model significantly. CONCLUSION: An effective prediction model of invasion Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome in diabetes mellitus could be established by a machine learning algorithm, which had potential application value.

Replication and transmission of West Nile virus in simulated overwintering adults of Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) in China.

West Nile virus is perhaps the widest distributed arbovirus globally, being maintained in nature by transmission among ornithophagic Culex mosquitoes and a wide-variety of birds. A factor contributing to the success of the WNV invasion is the ability of the virus to successfully overwinter. Experimental studies on the preservation and transmission of West Nile virus by Culex pipiens pallens under simulated overwintering conditions have shown that Cx. p. pallens has a preservative effect on West Nile virus under low-temperature conditions. After the temperature rises, the virus reproduces rapidly and can spread to susceptible animals while the mosquitos feed on blood. This research is of great significance for exploring how West Nile virus enters new areas and how the cycle of transmission is maintained China.

Enhanced Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica rapa by Activating Host Immunity through Exogenous Verticillium dahliae Aspf2-like Protein (VDAL) Treatment.

Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most destructive diseases in Brassica rapa. Verticillium dahliae Aspf2-like protein (VDAL) is a secretory protein of V. dahliae which has been shown to enhance the resistance against fungal infections in several plants. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms of VDAL-primed disease resistance are still poorly understood. In this study, we performed physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses of Brassica rapa in order to understand how VDAL confers resistance to S. sclerotiorumn infections in plants. The results showed that foliar application of VDAL significantly reduced the plaque area on leaves inoculated with S. sclerotiorum. It also enhanced antioxidant capacity by increasing activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), and defense-related enzymes ß-1,3-glucanase and chitinase during the infection periods. This occurred in parallel with significantly reduced relative conductivity at different periods and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content as compared to sole S. sclerotiorum inoculation. Transcriptomic analysis showed a total of 146 (81 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in VDAL-treated leaves compared to the control. The most enriched three Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant-pathogen interaction, all of which were associated with plant immunity. DEGs associated with MAPK and hormone signal transduction pathways were ethylene response sensor ERS2, EIN3 (Ethylene Insensitive3)-binding F-box protein 2 (EBF2), ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF94, MAPK 9 (MKK9), protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C37), auxin-responsive proteins (AUX/IAA1 and 19), serine/threonine-protein kinase CTR1, and abscisic acid receptors (PLY 4 and 5). Among the DEGs linked with the plant-pathogen interaction pathway were calmodulin-like proteins (CML5, 24, 27), PTI1-like tyrosine protein kinase 3 (Pti13) and transcription factor MYB30, all of which are known to play key roles in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) for hypersensitive response (HR), cell wall reinforcement, and stomatal closure in plants. Overall, VDLA treatment triggered repression of the auxin and ABA signaling pathways and de-repression of the ethylene signaling pathways in young B. rapa seedlings to increase plant innate immunity. Our results showed that VDAL holds great potential to enhance fungal disease resistance in B. rapa crop.

The Potential Vector Competence and Overwintering of West Nile Virus in Vector Aedes Albopictus in China.

West Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus, which causes widespread zoonotic disease globally. In China, it was first isolated in Jiashi County, Kashgar Region, Xinjiang in 2011. Determining the vector competence of WNV infection has important implications for the control of disease outbreaks. Four geographical strains of Aedes Albopictus (Ae. Albopictus) in China were allowed to feed on artificial infectious blood meal with WNV to determine the infection and transmission rate. The results indicated that four strains of Ae. Albopictus mosquitoes could infect and transmit WNV to 1- to 3-day-old Leghorn chickens. The infection rates of different strains were ranged from 16.7 to 60.0% and were statistically different (χ2 = 12.81, p < 0.05). The highest infection rate was obtained from the Shanghai strain (60.0%). The transmission rates of Ae. Albopictus Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Chengdu strains were 28.6, 15.2, 13.3, and 6.7%, respectively. Furtherly, the results reveal that Ae. Albopictus Beijing strain infected orally can transmit WNV transovarially even the eggs are induced diapausing. The study confirmed that WNV could survive in the diapause eggs of Ae. Albopictus and could be transmitted to progeny after diapause termination. This is of great significance for clarifying that the WNV maintains its natural circulation in harsh environments through inter-epidemic seasons.

Role of melatonin in promoting plant growth by regulating carbon assimilation and ATP accumulation.

Melatonin (MT) is a phytohormone important in mediating diverse plant growth processes. In this study, we performed transcriptomic, qRT-PCR, physiological and biochemical analyses of Brassica rapa seedlings in order to understand how MT promotes plant growth. The results showed that exogenous MT increased the rate of cyclic electron flow around photosystem (PS) I, fluorescence quantum yield, and electron transport efficiency between PSII and PSI to promote the vegetative growth of B. rapa seedlings without affecting oxidative stress level, as compared to control. However, MT treatment significantly reduced photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs) by 2.25-, 1.23- and 3.50-fold at 0.05 level, respectively. This occurred in parallel with the down-regulation of the genes for carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms in a KEGG pathway enrichment. More accelerated plant growth despite the reduced photosynthesis rate and the enhanced electron transport rate suggested that NADPH and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were preferentially diverted into other anabolic reactions than the Calvin cycle upon MT application. MT treatment increased ATP level and facilitated carbon assimilation into primary metabolism that led to a significant enhancement of soluble protein, sucrose, and fructose, but a significant decrease in glucose content. MT-induced carbon assimilation into primary metabolism was driven by up-regulation of the genes for glutathione metabolism, Krebs cycle, ribosome, and DNA replication in a KEGG pathway enrichment, as well as down-regulation of the genes for secondary metabolites. Our results provide an insight into MT-mediated metabolic adjustments triggered by coordinate changes in a wide range of gene expression profiles to help improve the plant functionality.

Complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach (Asteraceae).

Glebionis coronaria (Asteraceae) is widely distributed in China, and it regulates the stomach, strengthens the spleen, reduces blood pressure, and reinforces the brain. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of G. coronaria was reported. The total chloroplast genome cycle was 149,750 bp, and it formed a large single-copy (LSC, 82,290 bp), a small single-copy (SSC, 18,414 bp), and two inverted repeats (IR, 24,523 bp) regions. The GC content of this genome was 36.35%. The whole-genome contained 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that G. coronaria appeared within a clade comprised of Chrysanthemum species.

Prevalence characteristics of single and multiple HPV infections in women with cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in Beijing, China.

We assessed the prevalence characteristics of single and multiple high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections. A total of 1783 women who underwent colposcopy and cervical biopsy for abnormal ThinPrep Cytology Test and/or HR-HPV subtype genotyping results were enrolled in the study. Among the participants, 770 were diagnosed with cervicitis, 395 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), 542 with CIN2-3, and 76 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with HR-HPV infection rates of 75.8%, 85.8%, 95.9%, and 88.4%, respectively. The prevalence of total and multiple HR-HPV infections exhibited a bimodal age distribution with a peak at ≤25 years, a decline with age and a second peak at ≥55 years, whereas single HR-HPV infections exhibited one peak from 35 to 44 years. The four most dominant HPV genotypes were HPV 16 (29.5%), 52 (15.0%), 58 (14.2%), and 18 (10.4%). In total, 67.0%, 70.4%, and 82.1% of patients with CIN1, CIN2-3, and SCC, respectively, had a single HR-HPV infection, which increased significantly with the aggravation of the cervical lesion grade (P = 0.045). Patients with a single HPV 16 infection had higher incidences of CIN2+ (62.2%) than those with multiple HPV 16 infections (52.4%) (P = 0.021). Patients coinfected with HPV 16 had higher CIN2+ incidence than those with single HPV 52, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 56, or 59 infections (P < 0.001). This study provided baseline data on the prevalence characteristics of single and multiple HR-HPV infections in women attending a gynecological outpatient clinic in Beijing.

Noninvasive prenatal test for FGFR3-related skeletal dysplasia based on next-generation sequencing and plasma cell-free DNA: Test performance analysis and feasibility exploration.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and accuracy of a noninvasive prenatal test for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)-related skeletal dysplasia based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of plasma cell-free DNA. METHOD: Fragmented genome DNA (gDNA) of fetuses with achondroplasia (ACH) and thanatophoric dysplasia type I (TD I) was mixed with postdelivery maternal plasma cell-free DNA to generate spiked samples of different modeled fetal fractions. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the 19 FGFR3 loci, and the amplification products were then sequenced by NGS to detect the fetal mutant alleles. Then, maternal plasma samples of pregnant women carrying ACH (n = 4) and TD I fetuses (n = 2), as well as healthy controls (n = 15), were tested by NGS, and the test performance was evaluated. RESULTS: Fetal FGFR3 mutations were detected in all artificial mixtures with fetal gDNA concentrations above 3%. In clinical validation, our method identified all fetal FGFR3 mutant alleles from maternal plasma, with no false positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of our method were 100% (95% CI, 54.1%-100%) and 100% (78.2%-100%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our method had a favorable performance for noninvasively detecting fetal FGFR3 mutations in maternal plasma, highlighting its promising value in developing a noninvasive prenatal test for de novo and paternally inherited disorders.

Whole­exome sequencing analysis of products of conception identifies novel mutations associated with missed abortion.

Missed abortion (MA) refers to a pregnancy in which there is fetal demise without outside intervention, and additionally no uterine activity that may expel the product of conception (POC) prior to 20 weeks of gestation. Chromosomal abnormalities are the primary cause of MA and single gene defects in the POC may additionally be associated with MA; however, few studies have been conducted on the identification of mutations by whole­exome sequencing. In the present study, 19 unrelated MA POCs were collected and whole­exome sequencing was performed on the POC. Bioinformatics analysis was performed on sequence variants from a list of 286 selected candidate genes that were associated with early embryonic lethality and MA. A total of 36 sequence variants in 32 genes potentially associated with MA were identified in 15 out of 19 patients. Gene Ontology analysis suggested that these genes were enriched in biological processes in early embryonic development, including 'chordate embryonic development', 'cell proliferation' and 'forebrain development'. Further strict in silico bioinformatics analysis predicted that the LIM domain­binding protein 1 (c.662C>T; p.S221L) variant was a highly pathogenic variant. In conclusion, the results of the present study provide researchers and clinicians with a better understanding of the etiology and molecular mechanism of human embryonic lethality and MA.

A randomized open-label clinical trial of an anti-HPV biological dressing (JB01-BD) administered intravaginally to treat high-risk HPV infection.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy for HPV infection. We conducted a randomized open-label clinical trial of JB01-BD, an anti-HPV biological dressing from Shanxi Jinbo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China, for treatment of HPV infection. Seventy-seven women with cervical infection by high-risk HPV were randomly divided into a treatment group and a non-treatment group. After treatment, about 60.5% (23/38) of HPV-positive women in the treatment group became HPV-negative compared with 13.5% (5/37) of women in the non-treatment group becoming HPV-negative (P < 0.001). These data suggest that JB01-BD is an effective topical biological agent for the treatment of cervical HPV infection.

An special epithelial staining agents: folic acid receptor-mediated diagnosis (FRD) effectively and conveniently screen patients with cervical cancer.

High-quality screening with cytology has markedly reduced mortality from cervical cancer. However, it needs experienced pathologists to review and make the final decisions. We have developed folic acid receptor-mediated diagnosis (FRD) kits to effectively and conveniently screen patients with cervical cancer. We conduct present study aim to assess clinical significances of FRD in screening cervical cancer. A total of 169 patients were enrolled at Chinese People's liberation Army (PLA) general hospital. We compared diagnostic significances of FRD with thinprep cytology test (TCT). Meanwhile, colposcopy was also performed to confirm any lesion suspicious for cervical cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of FRD were 71.93% and 66.07% in diagnosis cervical cancer, respectively. Meanwhile, the positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), Youden index were 51.90%, 82.22%, 0.38, respectively. On the other hand, the sensitivity and specificity of TCT in diagnosis cervical cancer were 73.68% and 61.61% respectively. PPV, NPV and Youden index for TCT were 49.41%, 82.14% and 0.35 respectively. Overall, FRD have high values of sensitivity, specificity and Youden index. However, this difference failed to statistical significance. FRD have comparable diagnostic significance with TCT. Therefore, FRD might serve as one effective method to screen cervical cancer. Especially for those patients living in remote regions of China, where cytology was unavailable.

Human telomerase gene and high-risk human papillomavirus infection are related to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Our aims were to evaluate the clinical performance of human telomerase RNA gene component (hTERC gene) amplification assay with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA test of Hybrid Capture 2 DNA test (HC2), for the detection of high grade cervical precancerous lesions and cancer (CIN 2+). In addition, the association shown between hTERC gene amplification and HPV DNA test positive in women with and without cervical neoplasia was assessed. There were 92 women who underwent cytology, HR-HPV DNA test, hTERC gene amplification test, colposcopy and biopsy. We compared the clinical performance of hTERC gene test along with HR-HPV DNA test of women with colposcopy and routine screening. The samples were histology- confirmed high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2) or worse (CIN2+) as the positive criterion. The test of hTERC gene showed the hTERC gene amplification positivity increased with the severity of histological abnormality and cytological abnormality. The test of hTERC gene showed higher specificity than HR-HPV DNA test for high-grade lesions (84.4% versus 50%) and also higher positive predictive value (90.4% versus 76.5%). Our results predicted that hTERC gene amplification demonstrated more specific performance for predicting the risk of progression and offer a strong potential as a tool for triage in cervical cancer screening, with the limited sensitive as HR-HPV DNA test.

[Detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy in pregnant women at advanced maternal age during the first trimester].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of maternal plasma cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) examination in detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy in pregnant women at advanced maternal ages during the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 136 pregnant women (11 to 13+6 gestational weeks) with advanced maternal ages were screened for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy with ultrasound and maternal plasma cff-DNA examination during March 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013, and the results were then confirmed by karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: Of the 136 women examined, cff-DNA screening detected chromosomal aneuploidy in 5 cases, including trisome-21 in 3 cases, trisome-18 in 1 case, and 45,X in 1 case as confirmed subsequently by karyotype analysis. Ultrasound screening reported a normal finding in one case of trisomy-21, thickening of the NT in the case of trisomy-18, and fetal anasarca in the case of 45,X. Karyotype analysis and follow-up of the women did not find chromosomal abnormality in the 131 negative cases screened by cff-DNA detection. CONCLUSION: Screening of material plasma cff-DNA allows accurate and early detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy in women of advanced maternal ages to avoid unnecessary invasive antenatal examinations.

Infection and dissemination of West Nile virus in China by the potential vector, Culex pipiens pallens.

The distribution of the West Nile virus (WNV) in the organs and tissues of the mosquito Culex pipiens pallens, a potential vector of WNV in China, was investigated up to 14 days after oral infection. The WNV antigen was detected in paraffin-embedded mosquitoes using immunocytochemistry and viral titers of post-infected mosquitoes determined by plaque assay. Viral titers sharply decreased 24 h post-infection, were undetectable for the first few days, then rose over the course of infection. The first midgut infection appeared after one day, and the overall infection rate (based on midgut infection) was 43.9%. Other tissues, including hindgut, foregut, ovarian follicles, Malpighian tubules, and ommatidia, showed weak WNV antigens as early as three days post-infection. Staining in the salivary glands first appeared after seven days, and the salivary gland infection rate on the 14th day was 37.5%. Specimens with no detectable WNV antigens in any tissues, and with positive results confined to the midgut, anterior midgut, and hindgut, were observed on the 14th day. The route of viral dissemination from the midgut, and the relative importance of amplifying tissues in mosquitoes' susceptibility to infection, were evaluated. The results indicate that Cx. p. pallens has the ability to harbor WNV throughout its alimentary system and that midgut epithelial cells may be the initial site of the replication of this virus in this species.

[Comparative study of HR HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HR-HPV DNA in cervical cancer screening].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of HR-HPV E6/E7 massager RNA (mRNA) test for detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in cervical cancer screening and compare the clinical performance of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA test with HC-2 and Cervista HPV DNA tests for cross-sectional positivity in women with and without cervical neoplasia. METHODS: A total of 172 women underwent cytology, HR-HPV DNA test, HR-HPV E6/7 mRNA test, colposcopy and biopsy. We compared the clinical performance of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA test with Hybrid Capture 2 DNA test (HC-2) and Cervista HR-HPV DNA test on the cervical brush specimens during colposcopy and routine screening. The samples were histologically confirmed high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II) or worse (CIN II+) as an endpoint. RESULTS: HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive rate was 37.9% in NILM, 67.9% in ASCUS and LSIL, 88.5% in ASC-H+. HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive rate was 38.6% in CIN I, 77.4% in CIN II-3 and 92.5% in SCC. HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA test showed a higher specificity than HC-2 and Cervista HPV DNA tests for high-grade lesions (61.4%, 54.3%, 55.7%, respectively, P < 0.05) and also a higher positive predictive value (75.9%, 74.8%, 74.6% respectively). Among three tests, HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA had the largest area of ROC curve and the best diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA test has a performance more specific for detecting CIN II+ with the same sensitivity as HC-2 and Cervista HPV DNA tests. And it may serve as a more specific test for predicting the risk of progression and offer a viable tool for triage during cervical cancer screening.

Effect of lesion location on endometriotic adhesion and angiogenesis in SCID mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of lesion location on adhesion and angiogenesis of transplanted endometriotic lesions in SCID mice. METHODS: Three groups of female SCID mice included intraperitoneal (i.p.) (n = 12), subcutaneous (s.c.) (n = 12), and mock surgery (control) (n = 12). At 2 weeks after ovariectomy, the mice were transplanted with eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients either subcutaneously or sutured within the peritoneal, or underwent mock surgery. After 4 weeks, the mice were sacrificed to evaluate the adhesion and volume changes of the implanted lesions. Furthermore, semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 as adhesion makers, and vWF, VEGF, and HIF-1α as angiogenesis markers. RESULTS: Adhesion occurred in 9 of 12 mice in the i.p. group, 3 of 12 mice in the s.c. group, and 3 of 12 mice in the control group. Fisher's exact test showed that the difference of adhesion occurrence between i.p. and s.c. groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Graft volume changes were higher in the s.c. group than those in the i.p. group. MMP-2 expression was higher in the s.c. group than that in the i.p. group (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference of TIMP-2 expression between s.c. and i.p. groups. vWF, VEGF, and HIF-1α expression was significantly higher in the s.c. group than that in the i.p. group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lesion location might be involved in the pathological changes of endometriosis. The intraperitoneal location is related to endometriotic adhesion, whereas the subcutaneous location is related to the infiltration of endometriotic lesions.

Effect of oxygen tensions on the proliferation and angiogenesis of endometriosis heterograft in severe combined immunodeficiency mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of oxygen on the proliferation and angiogenesis of endometriosis in vivo. DESIGN: Animal studies. SETTING: Animal research facility. ANIMAL(S): Thirty-six female severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, implanted with eutopic endometrium from seven endometriosis patients. INTERVENTION(S): Human eutopic endometrial tissues were randomized to normoxia, hyperoxia, or hypoxia pretreatment and were subcutaneously implanted into estrogen-treated ovariectomized SCID mice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The growth and quality of the implants were measured, and the expression of proliferation- and angiogenesis-associated markers (i.e., Ki67, CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α) were assessed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. RESULT(S): The growth curves of the implants were distinct with different oxygen pretreatments. The growth of the implants of the hypoxia group was significantly increased compared with the normoxia group, but the growth of the implants of the hyperoxia group was significantly decreased compared with the normoxia group. Microscopic examination indicated that lesions with hyperplastic cylindrical glandular epithelium were surrounded by the endometrial stroma in the hypoxia group, but the glandular epithelium was partially depauperate in the hyperoxia group. The expression of Ki67, CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the hypoxia-pretreated implants was significantly higher compared with the hyperoxia or normoxia groups. CONCLUSION(S): Oxygen can alter the growth patterns of endometriosis implants in a SCID mouse model. Hypoxia pretreatment promoted the proliferation and angiogenesis of endometriosis, whereas hyperoxia pretreatment exhibited the opposite effect.

Experimental studies on comparison of the potential vector competence of four species of Culex mosquitoes in China to transmit West Nile virus.

To assess the risk that indigenous mosquitoes in China are capable of transmitting and sustaining West Nile virus (WNV), four important Culex mosquito species, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex modestus, Culex pipiens pallens, and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, were allowed to feed on the artificial infectious blood meal with WNV dose of 10(6.8) plaque-forming unit/ml and tested approximately 2 wk later to determine infection and transmission rates. The results indicated that four Culex mosquitoes were competent laboratory vectors of WNV. The infection rates and transmission rates were statistical differences among different species of mosquito (chi2 = 20.620, P = 0.000; chi2 = 15.020, P = 0.005, respectively). The highest infection rate and transmission rate were obtained with Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (87.5 and 74.2%, respectively).

A new method of screening human papillomavirus genotypes and clinical validation.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary factor in the development of cervical cancer. A new HPV screening method, "Human Papillomavirus Genotyping (HPG)", was developed to detect 29 HPV genotypes distribution in China. The utility of HPG was compared to Hybrid Capture 2 High-Risk HPV DNA test (HC2), and it was determined that the HPG test had been proven to be a more credible and sensitive screening HPV method than the HC2 test. HPV16, HPV 52, HPV 56, and HPV 58 were the four most common HPV genotypes in women who have suffered chronic cervicitis or abnormal vaginal bleeding in China. HPV 16 (28.57%) and 18 (17.86%) were more likely to infect multiple HPV genotypes than other HPV genotypes. Age group more than 50 years had a higher risk than other age groups.