Ultrafast quasiparticle dynamics and coherent phonon in nodal line topological material LaBi.

We use an ultrafast optical pump-probe spectroscopy to study quasiparticle (QP) dynamics in a topological insulator LaBi. Temperature-dependent optical measurements have been carried out, by which we observed nearly constant fast component (with a lifetime of 0.15 ps) and slow component (with a lifetime of 1.5 ps) for the whole range from 10 K to 295 K. The laser fluence dependence result shows that there is no saturation for the QP dynamics up to 3.3 mJ /cm2. Moreover, an Eg mode transverse optical (TO) coherent phonon has also been observed, with a frequency of 2.8 THz. Our results provide for the first time the ultrafast dynamics information of both the QPs and coherent phonons in a nodal line topological material.

[The role of abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fission in PBDE-47-induced change in mitochondrial mass in PC12 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of 2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47) on the mitochondrial mass in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and the potential mechanisms. Methods: Highly differentiated PC12 cells were divided into control, 1, 10 or 20 µmol/L PBDE-47-treated groups and cultured for 24 h. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the changes in mitochondrial morphology and quantity in PC12 cells. Flow cytometry was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of Nonyl Acridine Orange (NAO) , a fluorescent indicator of mitochondrial membrane cardiolipin, to reflect mitochondria mass. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of Mitofusion 1 (Mfn1) and Fission 1 (Fis1) proteins. To further explore the role of abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fission in PBDE-47-induced mitochondrial mass changes, PC12 cells were divided into control group, 5 µmol/L M1 treatment group, 20 µmol/L PBDE-47 treatment group and 5 µmol/L M1+20 µmol/L PBDE-47 combined treatment group and cultured for 24 h, then the fluorescence intensity of NAO and expression levels of Mfn1 and Fis1 proteins were detected. Results: The control group showed numerous mitochondria with normal morphology, while the number of mitochondria decreased after PBDE-47 treatment. Especially, the disappeared cristae, swelling and vacuoles of mitochondria and decreased fluorescence intensity of NAO (P<0.05) were observed in 10 and 20 µmol/L PBDE-47-treated groups. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Mfn1 and Fis1 proteins in the 10 and 20 µmol/L PBDE-47-treated groups were significantly decreased compared with control group (P<0.05) . However, 5 µmol/L M1 co-treatment with 20 µmol/L PBDE-47 significantly increased the levels of Mfn1 and Fis1 proteins and fluorescence intensity of NAO compared with the 20 µmol/L PBDE-47 group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: PBDE-47 can inhibit the mitochondrial fusion and fission process, thus leading to damage of mitochondria mass in PC12 cells.

[The effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial biogenesis dysfunction induced by fluoride in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells].

Objective: To explore the role of mitochondrial biogenesis and the neuroprotective mechanism of resveratrol in fluoride neurotoxicity. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells in exponential phase were treated with different concentrations (20, 40, 60 mg/L) of sodium fluoride (NaF) for 24 h. Co-treatment with 60 mg/L NaF, 20 µmol/L resveratrol (RSV) was administrated in the resveratrol intervene trial. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis key regulating factor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) , nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) in SH-SY5Y cells. The mRNA levels of PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM were determined by Quantitative Real-time PCR in SH-SY5Y cells, as well as the relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contents and mRNA expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes subunit CO1 and ATP8. Flow cytometry was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential in SH-SY5Y cells. Results: Both the protein and mRNA levels of PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM were decresed after 60 mg/L NaF treatment in SH-SY5Y cells (P<0.05) . The relative mtDNA contents and mRNA expression of complexes subunit CO1 and ATP8 were also significantly decreased compared with control (P<0.05) . Mitochondrial membrane potential were also significantly decreased after 60 mg/L NaF treatment in SH-SY5Y cells (P<0.05) . Compared with 60 mg/L NaF group, the protein and mRNA levels of PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM in 20 µmol/L RSV+60 mg/L NaF group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . The relative mtDNA contents, mitochondrial membrane potential and mRNA levels of complexes subunit CO1 and ATP8 in 20 µmol/L RSV+60 mg/L NaF group were also significantly higher than that in 60 mg/L NaF group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Resveratrol may alleviate the fluoride-induced mitochondrial biogenesis dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells.

[In vivo and in vitro experimental studies of remote digital control endovascular robotic system in interventional angiography].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of the remote control endovascular robotic system in interventional angiography. Method: The endovascular robotic system Heifetz™ and the matched steerable catheter Mirage™ were used to cannulate all the target vessels in the vascular model and cerebral arteries originated from the aorta of Bama mini-pigs under fluoroscopic guidance. The technical success rate, cannulation time and exposure dose were all collected and compared with the result of using conventional techniques. Result: All the target vessels were successfully cannulated.The average cannulation time for the steerable catheter into left subclavian artery, left common carotid artery, brachiocephalic artery, right common carotid artery and right subclavian artery in the vascular model was (21.3±2.8)s, (28.8±5.2)s, (17.7±2.6)s, (31.5±5.1)s and (24.2±3.7) s, respectively, while the average exposure dose was (9.3±1.2)mGy, (12.4±2.2)mGy, (7.4±1.2)mGy, (14.2±2.5)mGy and( 10.4±1.9)mGy, respectively. The endovascular robotic system completed the cerebral angiography in Bama mini-pigs successfully. The average cannulation time for left innominate artery, right innominate artery, right subclavian artery, common internal carotid trunk, left internal carotid artery and right internal carotid artery was (41.5±6.8)s, (29.1±3.7)s, (40.7±5.5)s, (40.1±5.8)s, (59.6±9.0)s and( 60.3±10.1)s, respectively, while the average exposure dose was (40.6±6.5)mGy, (36.0±5.2)mGy, (39.8±6.1)mGy, (43.9±6.7)mGy, (51.0±7.4)mGy and( 50.1±7.8)mGy, respectively. There was no significant difference between robotic and conventional group in success rate, cannulation time and exposure dose. Conclusion: The remote digital control endovascular robotic system could cannulate the target vessel in both vascular model and complete the cerebral angiography in Bama mini-pigs, which shows the feasibility of using this robotic system in endovascular intervention procedures under remote control.

Observation of enhanced monopole strength and clustering in (12)Be.

In a recent breakup-reaction experiment using a Be12 beam at 29 MeV/nucleon, the 0+ band head of the expected He4+He8 molecular rotation was clearly identified at about 10.3 MeV, from which a large monopole matrix element of 7.0±1.0 fm2 and a large cluster-decay width were determined for the first time. These findings support the picture of strong clustering in Be12, which has been a subject of intense investigations over the past decade. The results were obtained thanks to a specially arranged detection system around zero degrees, which is essential in determining the newly emphasized monopole strengths to signal the cluster formation in a nucleus.

On-site in situ high-pressure ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy instrument.

We conceive and construct an on-site in situ high-pressure time-resolved ultrafast optical spectroscopy instrument that facilitates ultrafast pump-probe dynamics measurements under high pressure conditions. We integrate an ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy system with a diamond anvil cell (DAC) system. Significantly, both the DAC and the sample are fixed within the light path without motion and rotation throughout the whole ultrafast spectroscopy experiment, including tuning and calibrating the pressure. This instrument thus avoids introducing artifacts due to sample motion or rotation, enabling precision high-pressure ultrafast pump-probe dynamics investigations. As a demonstrating example, we compare the effect of on-site in situ conditions with off-site in situ conditions on the ultrafast dynamics of Sr2IrO4 under 0-44.5 GPa high pressure. Our data and analysis show that conventional possible artifacts are greatly reduced by using the on-site in situ layout. Our work helps the high-pressure ultrafast science investigation develop into a promising new area, which enables the exploration of nonequilibrium excited quantum states in the high-pressure regime.

A standard technique with potential diagnostic value for estimating the quadriceps muscle strength of critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is common, and so far, there is no digital technology with a standard procedure to estimate the muscle strength of these patients. Quadriceps maximal isometric voluntary contraction (QMVC) is a precise and reliable procedure to detect quadriceps muscle strength. Therefore, this research aimed to explore whether QMVC measurements can be used in critically ill patients at the bedside as a potential diagnostic method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tailor-made computerized equipment was designed to measure the QMVC of critically ill patients at the bedside, following a standard procedure. A total of 22 critically ill patients and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were divided into group 1 and group 2, respectively. SPASS 21.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: All subjects showed good endurance with the QMVC measurements and there were no side effects among these subjects. There was a significant decline in QMVC between group 1 and group 2 (p=0.000). QMVC was correlated closely with the APACHE II Score in group 1 (Pearson correlation, r=-0.427, p=0.047). Among the 10 patients with a Medical Research Council sum score (MRC SS) less than 60 in group 1, it was also correlated closely with the MRC SS (Pearson correlation, r=0.837, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a standard technique for quantifying quadriceps muscle strength that is feasible for use with critical patients. QMVC can accurately detect the decline of quadriceps muscle strength of critical patients, and it may also decline with the severity of the disease. In the future, this technique might be a potential diagnostic tool for ICUAW.

[Clinical features and laboratory data analysis of Aeromonas bacteremia with hematological diseases].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and laboratory features of Aeromonas bacteremia in patients with hematological diseases, and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of Aeromonas infection. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with bloodstream infection of Aeromonas in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2018 was carried out. The clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility, infection seasons, antimicrobial therapy and evolution were analyzed. Results: A total of 42 patients with hematological diseases had Aeromonas bloodstream infection within 5 years. Among them, 39 cases (92.9%) of bloodstream infection occurred in the stage of neutropenia. The median time of fever was 4 (1-27) d, 22 (52.4%) patients only had fever, 6 (14.3%) with gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, upper gastrointestinal bleeding) , 8 (19.0%) with pulmonary infection, 13 (31.0%) with skin and soft tissue infections. Seven patients (16.7%) died with skin and soft tissue infection. The resistance of Aeromonas to carbapenems was 68.3%-70.7%, while the resistance rate to cephalosporins, quinolones and aminoglycosides were less than 10%. Conclusions: Aeromonas bacteremia in patients with hematological diseases mainly occur in the neutropenia stage, usually with symptom like fever. The mortality is increased when accompanied by skin and soft tissue infection. Antibiotic use should be based on susceptibility results, and avoid the use of carbapenems.

[Perianal swabs surveillance cultures of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) can be hints for CRE bloodstream infection in patients with hematological diseases].

Objective: To analyze the hints role of surveillance cultures of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) by perianal swabs in patients with hematological diseases, and seek risk factors of CRE bloodstream infection. Methods: The resistance of CRE from 2 914 patients with hematological diseases who cultured perianal swabs, CRE bloodstream infection and risk factors were analyzed during January 2016 to December 2017. Results: In this study, perianal swabs from 2 914 patients with hematological diseases were cultured, 74 patients were CRE positive, and bloodstream infection with CRE was found in 13 of these patients. A total of 87 CRE strains were isolated (The same patient only keep the first one for the same location), including 31 Klebsiella pheuminiae, 43 Escherichia coli, 8 Enterobacter cloacae and 6 other Enterobacteriaceae. The resistance rates to piperacillin / tazobactam, imipenem, meropenam, amikacin, levofloxacin, tigecycline were 91.9%, 74.4%, 98.8%, 17.6%, 74.4% and 8.0%, respectively. Resistance to carbapenem, aminoglycoside, quinolones and tegacycline were highly consistent between two sites from 13 patients, whose both perianal swabs and blood were positive in CRE cultures. Febrile neutropenic time, digestive tract symptoms and perianal infection were independent risk factors for bloodstream infection in patients with perianal swabs positive results, the odds ratios (OR) were 1.10 (P=0.029), 1.13 (P=0.005) and 1.23 (P=0.016), respectively. Conclusion: Perianal swabs surveillance cultures of CRE can be hints for CRE bloodstream infection in patients with hematological diseases, and also can provide suggestions for antibiotics. Long time of febrile neutropenic, digestive tract symptoms and perianal infection can be the early warning for CRE bloodstream infections.

[Sero-epidemiological survey on hepatitis B virus in Yunnan province, between 2006 and 2014].

Objective: Through two nationwide sero-epidemiological survey programs on hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis B markers in Yunnan province were compared between the findings in 2014 and in 2006. Results were used to understand the HBV epidemic status in Yunnan province and to estimate the efficiency of measures on prevention and control of the disease. Methods: People at the age of 1-29 years were sampled from 6 counties of the National Disease Surveillance sites in Yunnan province, by multi-stage random sampling method. Demographic information was collected by questionnaire, and 2-4 ml serum sample was taken to detect HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBeAg and anti-HBe, by ELISA method. Results: were logged-in the database and analyzed by SPSS 17.0. Results Between the two studies, no statistically significant differences were observed on the overall HBV infection rates and the positive rates of HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc. Positive rate of anti-HBs in 2014 was significantly higher than that in 2006. The main two combination profiles of hepatitis B markers were through the fifth model which was positive only for anti-HBs and the sixth model which was negative for all markers in 2006, and the same in 2014. Detection rate through the fifth profile in 2014 was significantly higher than the rate in 2006, while the detection rate of the sixth profile in 2014 was significantly lower than the one in 2006. When analyzing the differences in the same age group, between the two surveys, results showed that the positive rate of anti-HBs in 2014 was significantly higher than that in 2006, in both the10-14 and the 15-19 years-old groups. Positive rate of anti-HBc in the 20-29 year-olds in 2014 was significantly lower than the one of 2006. The positive rates of HBsAg in the age groups of 1-4, 5-14 and 15-29 were 1.12%,1.61% and 1.25% respectively, in 2014. Conclusion: Prevention and control measures on HBV seemed in great progres. However, more effective prevention and control measures should be taken continually among people under the age of 15, in Yunnan province.

In situ characterization of Cu-Co oxides for catalytic application.

In situ emission and absorption FTIR methods were employed to characterize the spatially resolved structure of binary Co-Cu oxides for low-temperature oxidation of CO and propene. Co-Cu oxide catalysts were controllably synthesized by pulsed-spray evaporation chemical vapor deposition. XRD, FTIR, XPS, UV-vis and helium ion microscopy (HIM) were employed to characterize the as-prepared thin films in terms of structure, composition, optical and thermal properties as well as morphology. In situ emission FTIR spectroscopy indicates that Co3O4, CuCo2O4 and CuO are thermally stable at 650, 655 and 450 °C, respectively. The catalytic tests with absorption FTIR display that the involvement of Co-Cu oxides can initiate CO and C3H6 oxidation at lower temperatures. The results indicate that in situ emission and absorption FTIR are useful techniques to explore the thermal properties and catalytic performance of functional materials, allowing many potential applications in tailoring their temporally and spatially resolved structure-property relationships.

Quantitative assessment of myocardial tissue velocities in normal children with Doppler tissue imaging.

Assessment of myocardial tissue velocities in children in feasible with DTI. We have described normal velocity values for left ventricular motion in children during systole and diastole, at the mitral annulus, and at the posterior wall. The pattern of mitral annular motion in diastole mimics that of mitral blood inflow, whereas the pattern of posterior wall motion differs and may provide for a new form of assessment of diastolic function. Further investigation of myocardial velocities in states of volume and pressure overload, as seen in various forms of congenital heart disease, is warranted.

The single ventricle heart in the fetus: accuracy of prenatal diagnosis and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fetal echocardiography in evaluating anatomic details of the single ventricle heart and the outcome of fetuses diagnosed with this anomaly. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of 57 fetuses in which the results of fetal echocardiography were compared with the diagnoses at postnatal echocardiography, and postnatal surgical outcome was reviewed. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy was present in predicting morphology of the predominant ventricle, visceral situs, presence of pulmonary or aortic outflow tract obstruction, and presence of obstructed pulmonary venous outflow (sensitivity 100%). However, the ability to predict for a ductal dependent pulmonary circulation was poor (sensitivity 63%). Errors were made in the fetal assessment of ventricular size and viability such that in three cases, postnatal plans were altered toward a two-ventricular intervention. Of the 57 fetuses, intervention was elected in 37 (75%). Termination or nonintervention was elected in 14, and and 6 died before intervention. Of those operated on, 71% are presently alive after various stages of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis of the fetal single ventricle heart is possible, and outcome is improving. Caution must be used in judging ventricular size and in predicting ductal dependent pulmonary circulation.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Ventilago leiocarpa Benth].

Three anthraquinones (1-3) and two naphthoquinones(4,5) were isolated from the root of Ventilago leiocarpa Benth (Rhamnaceae). On the basis of spectroscopic data and X-ray diffraction analysis compound 5, ventilagolin, was shown to be a new naphthoquinone occurring as a racemate.

[The structure identification of zhepiresionol].

A new 3,7-dioxabicyclo[3, 3, O] octan-6-one named zhepeiresinol was isolated from Fritillaria thumbergii Miq. The spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis established the structure as 2-(3',5'-dimethoxy-4'-hjydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3, 3, O]octan-6-one.

Fetal middle cerebral artery blood flow velocities in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction and extreme abnormality in umbilical artery Doppler velocity.

If they are not delivered in a timely fashion, pregnancies complicated by severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can lead to fetal loss. Conventional fetal well-being tests, including ultrasound measurement of fetal growth rate, biophysical profile, nonstress test, and contraction stress test are used to manage these pregnancies. Some fetuses delivered based on abnormal fetal well-being tests show long-term sequelae. A better understanding of the malfunction of the placenta and its effect on the fetus is desperately required for better management of these cases. We are reporting our experience of 6 such pregnancies followed by fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity measurements. There was significant decrease in MCA flow velocities in all of these fetuses compared to normal population (p < 0.05). Reverting to normal values occurred prior to the appearance of abnormal conventional tests, on average 4 days earlier. In other words, normalization of MCA flow velocities was a harbinger of fetal jeopardy. Although our observation includes a small number of patients, there is a potential for use of MCA blood flow velocity measurement to aid us in understanding and managing fetuses with IUGR. This needs to be evaluated in a larger study.

Diastolic function of the fetal heart during second and third trimester: a prospective longitudinal Doppler-echocardiographic study.

To generate normal charts of fetal cardiac inflow velocities and to assess physiologic changes of ventricular diastolic function, velocity waveforms of tricuspid and mitral valves were studied longitudinally in 49 fetuses in 4 week intervals from 14 weeks gestation to term. Doppler tracings were analyzed for: peak early (E) and peak late (A) inflow velocities, time velocity integral (TVI) of total inflow and A-wave velocity waveforms and heart rate corrected isovolemic relaxation time. E- and A-velocity as well as total- and A-wave-TVI of both valves increased significantly with gestational age (P < 0.001). Heart rate and A/E ratio decreased significantly with gestational age (P < 0.001). The ratio of A-wave TVI to total TVI of both valves and heart rate corrected isovolemic relaxation time (IVR) was constant suggesting unchanged diastolic function. This study provides normal charts for fetal cardiac inflow velocities. After 14 weeks of gestation all inflow velocities and their respective TVI's increased linearly in the growing fetal heart. There was evidence that diastolic function did not change. Area ratios and IVR should be used to determine changes in ventricular diastolic function, rather than velocity ratios.

Echocardiographic evaluation of the fetus with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.

OBJECTIVES: The development of nonimmune hydrops is a known complication of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) in the fetus. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CCAM on hemodynamics in the fetus and to determine whether cardiac dysfunction contributes to the development of hydrops in this patient population. METHODS: The echocardiographic data from 41 consecutive fetuses diagnosed prenatally with CCAM were reviewed. The presence or absence of hydrops was noted in each patient. Two-dimensional ultrasonographic and Doppler data were compared between the two groups (with or without hydrops). RESULTS: The mean gestational age for the study group at the time of imaging was 23.2 +/- 3.0 weeks. Hydrops was noted in 15 of 41 fetuses (36.5%). The fetuses that developed hydrops had a lower cardiac/thoracic ratio than those which did not develop hydrops (0.18 vs. 0.23, P = 0.001). The fetuses with hydrops also demonstrated an increase in early ventricular filling. The ratio of early ventricular filling to atrial contraction (E/A ratio) at both the tricuspid and mitral valves was significantly higher in the fetuses with hydrops (P = 0.005 and P = 0.03, respectively). Doppler interrogation of the inferior vena cava demonstrated a greater degree of reversal with atrial contraction in the hydrops group (29.7% vs. 15.1%, P = 0.003). The development of significant atrioventricular valve insufficiency was rare in the fetuses with hydrops (one of 15 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Cystic adenomatoid malformation can result in significant cardiac compression in the fetus. This alters hemodynamics and may result in hydrops on the basis of elevated central venous pressure.