[Discussion of grading method of small opacity profusion of pneumoconiosis on CT scans and the corresponding reference images].

Objective: To explore the CT grading method of small opacity profusion of pneumoconiosis, and draw up the corresponding CT reference film. Methods: In December 2019, Three hundred thirty-seven cases of pneumoconosis and suspected pneumoconiosis were examined by chest radiography and Computed Tomography (CT) in the same period. According to Diagnosis of Occupational Pneumoconiosis (GBZ 70-2015) , small opacity profusion of pneumoconiosis in each zone of lung was divided. On CT scans, it was divided into 5 grades of 0, 0+, 1, 2 and 3. Grade 0 corresponded to Sub-grade 0/- and Sub-grade 0/0 of Grade 0 in chest radiograph. Grade 0+ was equivalent to Sub-grade 0/1 of Grade 0. Grade 1, 2, 3 were equivalent to Grade 1, 2 and 3, respectively (including each sub-grade) . The CT image quality of each zone of lung was divided into 1 to 4 levels. Results of level 4 were not included in statistical analyses.Based on the results of small opacity profusion in each zone of lung, consistency analysis was performed between chest radiograph and CT. The selection method of reference films was developed. Based on the types and grades of small opacity, the final reference films were determined. Results: There were 1877 zones of lung with CT image quality from level 1 to 3, including 335 in upper right, 319 in middle right, 284 in lower right, 334 in upper left, 320 in middle left and 286 in lower left. The Kappa values of small opacity profusion in upper right zone, upper left zone, left middle zone, and lower left zone were all between 0.4-0.75. In middle right zone and lower right zone, they were all above 0.75.Among all 6 zones of lung, the diagnostic concordance rates between CT and chest radiograph were all above 80%.The corresponding CT reference films were proposed, including type p and q in Grade 2 and 3, type r in Grade 2, type s and t in Grade 0+ to 3. Conclusion: The CT grading method for small opacity profusion of pneumoconiosis is feasible, and the application value of its reference films needs to be further verified.

Dynamic characteristics of AHLs-secreting strain Aeromonas sp. A-L2 and its bioaugmentation during quinoline biodegradation.

AIMS: In order to probe a more environmentally friendly method of pollutant treatment based on microbial bioaugmentation and quorum sensing (QS) effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: The dynamic characteristics and QS effects of the acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs)-secreting strain Aeromonas sp. A-L2 (A-L2), which was isolated from the activated sludge system, was discussed. According to the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results, N-butyryl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and N-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) were the major AHLs secreted by strain A-L2, and the swarming of strain Ochrobactrum sp. LC-1 (LC-1) was induced by these compounds. The extracellular polymeric substance secretion of the strain LC-1 was mainly led by C6-HSL, and the biofilm formation ability was mainly influenced by C6-HSL or C4-HSL (60 µg l-1 ). The optimal AHLs secretion conditions of strain A-L2 were also studied. Drawing support from the AHLs-secreting strain A-L2 during quinoline degradation by strain LC-1, the degradation time was greatly shortened. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, AHLs-secreting strain A-L2 can be useful as an AHLs continuous supplier during bioaugmentation and pollutant biodegradation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The bioaugmentation process of strain A-L2 on quinoline biodegradation based on QS effects would lay a certain theoretical and practical significance for large-scale applications.

MiR-204 promotes fracture healing via enhancing cell viability of osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and related mechanisms of miR-204 on fracture healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 was used in our experiment. Three groups were established to investigate the potential function between miR-204 and osteoblastic cells: miR-NC group (negative control), miR-204 mimics group (MC3T3-E1 cells transfected with miR-204 mimics) and miR-204 mimics + inhibitor group (MC3T3-E1 cells transfected with miR-204 mimics and inhibitor). After incubation, cell viability, activity of caspase-3, and migration ability of MC3T3-E1 cells, were measured. Further, the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Osterix (OSX) were detected and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with miR-NC group, the cell viability and migration ability of MC3T3-E1 cells were enhanced while the activity of caspase-3 was respectively mitigated. Besides, the expression level of RUNX2 and OSX was increased by treatment of miR-204 mimics. However, these variations of the indicators were reversed by the intervention using miR-204 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: We revealed the promotion effect of miR-204 on fracture healing, indicating that miR-204 could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of a fracture.

Instant single-photon Fock state tomography.

Heralded single photons are prepared at a rate of approximately 100 kHz via conditional measurements on polarization-nondegenerate biphotons produced in a periodically poled potassium-titanyl phosphate crystal. The single-photon Fock state is characterized using high-frequency pulsed optical homodyne tomography with a fidelity of (57.6+/-0.1)%. The state preparation and detection rates allowed us to perform on-the-fly alignment of the apparatus based on real-time analysis of the quadrature measurement statistics.