Rapid sequential determination of the explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine in forensic samples employing a graphite sheet sensor and cyclic square-wave stripping voltammetry.

The development of a portable analytical procedure is described for rapid sequential detection and quantification of the explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) in forensic samples using a graphite sheet (GS). A single GS platform works as a collector of explosive residues and detector after its assembly into a 3D-printed cell. The detection strategy is based on cyclic square-wave stripping voltammetry. The cathodic scan from + 0.1 to -1.0 V with accumulation at 0.0 V enables the TNT detection (three reduction peaks), and the anodic scan from + 0.2 to + 1.55 V with accumulation at -0.9 V provides the RDX detection (two oxidation processes). Low detection limit values (0.1 µmol L-1 for TNT and 2.4 µmol L-1 for RDX) and wide linear ranges (from 1 to 150 µmol L-1 for TNT and from 20 to 300 µmol L-1 for RDX) were obtained. The sensor did not respond to pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), which was evaluated as a potential interferent, because plastic explosives contain mixtures of TNT, RDX, and PETN. The GS electrode was also evaluated as a collector of TNT and RDX residues spread on different surfaces to simulate forensic scenarios. After swiping over different surfaces (metal, granite, wood, cloths, hands, money bills, and cellphone), the GS electrode was assembled in the 3D-printed cell ready to measure both explosives by the proposed method. In all cases, the presence of TNT and RDX was confirmed, attesting the reliability of the proposed device to act as collector and sensor.

Predictive model for postoperative unrecovered olfactory function in CRSwNP patients with olfactory disorder.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory disorder (OD) is a prevalent and challenging symptom in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aims to investigate the risk factors and develop a predictive model for poor olfactory prognosis in CRSwNP patients with OD after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). METHOD: Seventy-eight CRSwNP patients with OD who underwent ESS were enrolled. Preoperative and 6-month-postoperative olfactory function were assessed using Sniffin' Sticks. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to set the cutoff points. Risk factors were determined by logistic models. A power analysis was conducted to evaluate the sample size. RESULTS: Overall, 66.7% of CRSwNP patients had unrecovered olfaction after surgery. Patients with unrecovered olfaction displayed higher preoperative threshold-discrimination-identification (TDI) score, lower Questionnaire for Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (QOD-NS) score, lower total olfactory cleft score (TOCS), and fewer tissue eosinophils than those of the improved/recovered group. QOD-NS≤5.0, preoperative TOCS≤4.5 and tissue eosinophil count≤8.3 were independent risk factors for unrecovered olfaction. Based on these variables, a predictive model was developed. The area under the ROC curve for the model was 0.845, and the optimal cutoff value was 2.0 points, with a sensitivity of 82.7% and specificity of 80.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of QOD-NS score (preoperative), TOCS (preoperative) and tissue eosinophil count are independent risk factors for short-term unrecovered olfaction in CRS patients with OD postoperatively. The predictive model developed here is practical and convenient for the early identification of poor prognosis of OD, enabling early additional intervention.

CO2-plasma surface treatment of graphite sheet electrodes for detection of chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and sulphanilamide.

Graphite sheet (GS) electrodes are flexible and versatile substrates for sensing electrochemical; however, their use has been limited to incorporate (bio)chemical modifiers. Herein, we demonstrated that a cold (low temperature) CO2 plasma treatment of GS electrodes provides a substantial improvement of the electrochemical activity of these electrodes due to the increased structural defects on the GS surface as revealed by Raman spectroscopy (ID/IG ratio), and scanning electron microscopy images. XPS analyses confirmed the formation of oxygenated functional groups at the GS surface after the plasma treatment that are intrinsically related to the substantial increase in the electron transfer coefficient (K0 values increased from 1.46 × 10-6 to 2.09 × 10-3 cm s-1) and with reduction of the resistance to charge transfer (from 129.8 to 0.251 kΩ). The improved electrochemical activity of CO2-GS electrodes was checked for the detection of emerging contaminant species, such as chloramphenicol (CHL), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulphanilamide (SUL) antibiotics, at around + 0.15, + 1.10 and + 0.85 V (versus Ag/AgCl), respectively, by square wave voltammetry. Limit of detection values in the submicromolar range were achieved for CHL (0.08 µmol L-1), CIP (0.01 µmol L-1) and SFL (0.11 µmol L-1), which enabled the sensor to be successfully applied to natural waters and urine samples (recovery values from 85 to 119%). The CO2-GS electrode is highly stable and inexpensive ($0.09 each sensor) and can be easily inserted in portable 3D printed cells for environmental on-site analyses.

[Clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of primary peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of patients with primary peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome (PNHS). Methods: The clinical data of 20 patients who were diagnosed with PNHS in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from April 2016 to January 2023 were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent neuroelectrophysiological examinations. Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were compared between the antibody positive and antibody negative groups, according to serum and cerebrospinal fluid anti-contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) and/or anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI-1) antibodies. Results: There were 12 males and 8 females, with a mean age of (44.0±17.2) years and the disease course of [M (Q1, Q3)] 2.3 (1.1, 11.5) months. Motor symptoms included fasciculations, myokymia, muscle pain, cramps, and stiffness. These symptoms were commonly seen in the lower limbs (17 patients), followed by upper limbs (11 patients), face (11 patients) and trunk (9 patients). Nineteen (19/20) patients had sensory abnormalities and/or autonomic dysfunction, 13 patients had central nervous system involvement, and 5 patients had concomitant lung cancer or thymic lesions. The characteristic spontaneous potentials on needle electromyography (EMG) were myokymia potential (19 patients), fasciculation potential (12 patients), spastic potential (3 patients), neuromyotonic potential (1 patients), etc, which were commonly seen in the lower limb muscles, especially the gastrocnemius muscle(12 patients). After-discharge potential was found in 8 patients, and 7 were in the tibial nerve. Seven patients had positive serum anti-CASPR2 antibodies, and 3 of them had concomitant anti-LGI1 antibodies. And 1 patient had positive serum anti-LGI1 antibody alone. Compared with patients in the antibody negative group (n=12), the patients who had anti-VGKC complex antibodies (n=8) had a shorter course of disease [M (Q1, Q3): 1.8 (1, 2) months vs 9.5 (3.3, 20.3) months, P=0.012], higher incidence of after-discharge potential (6/8 vs 2/12, P=0.019). The immunotherapy regimen (multi-dru, single-drug, no immunotherapy: 6, 2, 0 patients) in antibody-positive patients was different from the antibody-negative group (3, 6, 3 patients, U=21.00, P=0.023). Conclusions: The symptoms of motor nerve hyperexcitation, characteristic EMG spontaneous potentials and after-discharge potentials in PNHS patients are most commonly seen in the lower limbs. Attention should be paid to concomitant sensory and autonomic nerve hyperexcitation. PNHS patients with positive serum anti-CASPR2 antibodies may require immunotherapy with multiple drugs.

FE UPTAKE-INDUCING PEPTIDE1 maintains Fe translocation by controlling Fe deficiency response genes in the vascular tissue of Arabidopsis.

FE UPTAKE-INDUCING PEPTIDE1 (FEP1), also named IRON MAN3 (IMA3) is a short peptide involved in the iron deficiency response in Arabidopsis thaliana. Recent studies uncovered its molecular function, but its physiological function in the systemic Fe response is not fully understood. To explore the physiological function of FEP1 in iron homoeostasis, we performed a transcriptome analysis using the FEP1 loss-of-function mutant fep1-1 and a transgenic line with oestrogen-inducible expression of FEP1. We determined that FEP1 specifically regulates several iron deficiency-responsive genes, indicating that FEP1 participates in iron translocation rather than iron uptake in roots. The iron concentration in xylem sap under iron-deficient conditions was lower in the fep1-1 mutant and higher in FEP1-induced transgenic plants compared with the wild type (WT). Perls staining revealed a greater accumulation of iron in the cortex of fep1-1 roots than in the WT root cortex, although total iron levels in roots were comparable in the two genotypes. Moreover, the fep1-1 mutation partially suppressed the iron overaccumulation phenotype in the leaves of the oligopeptide transporter3-2 (opt3-2) mutant. These data suggest that FEP1 plays a pivotal role in iron movement and in maintaining the iron quota in vascular tissues in Arabidopsis.

A novel kinase subverts aluminium resistance by boosting ornithine decarboxylase-dependent putrescine biosynthesis.

Rice, as one of the most aluminium (Al)-resistant cereal crops, has developed more complicated Al resistance mechanisms than others. By using forward genetic screening from a rice ethyl methanesulfonate mutant library, we obtained a mutant showing specifically high sensitivity to Al. Through MutMap analysis followed by a complementation test, we identified the causal gene, Al-related Protein Kinase (ArPK) for Al-sensitivity. ArPK expression was induced by a relatively longer exposure to high Al concentration in the roots. The result of RNA-sequencing indicated the functional disorder in arginine metabolism pathway with downregulation of N-acetylornithine deacetylase (NAOD) expression and upregulation of Ornithine decarboxylase1 (ODC1) expression in arpk mutant. Al specifically and rapidly upregulated ODC1 expression and causes overaccumulation of putrescine (Put), whereas the ODC inhibitor difluoromethylornithine reverted Al-sensitive phenotype of arpk, suggesting that overaccumulation of endogenous Put might be harmful for root growth, and that ArPK seems to act as an endogenous inhibitor of ODC1 action to maintain suitable endogenous Put level under Al treatment. Overall, we identified ArPK and its putative repressive role in controlling a novel ODC-dependent Put biosynthesis pathway specifically affecting rice Al resistance, thus enriching the fundamental understanding of plant Al resistance.

[The significance of preoperative evaluation for atlantoaxial reducibility should be reevaluated].

For treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation, the evaluation of reducibility used to be the main basis for its classification. In recent years, with the development of posterior reduction techniques, the treatment paradigm for atlantoaxial dislocation is gradually changing from a combined anterior and posterior approach to a direct posterior approach. Through posterior intra-articular release and distraction, part of atlantoaxial dislocation which is irreducible in traditional concept can become reducible. With the new proposed strategy based on posterior reduction techniques, the significance and necessity of preoperative evaluation for atlantoaxial reducibility should be reevaluated. Based on our clinical experience, we put forward our views on this hot topic for peer reference and criticism.

[Surgical treatment strategy for difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation].

Objective: To discuss the surgical strategy for difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods: Clinical data of 82 patients with difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital from January 2018 to February 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Total of 32 men and 50 women were included, with a mean age of (41.8±12.9) years. Most cases (n=80) were treated with one-staged posterior atlantoaxial joint distraction and cage implantation, a few (n=2) underwent ventral decompression. All cases were followed up, postoperative improvement of clinical symptoms and radiology parameters were analyzed. Results: Of the patients, 80 cases (97.6%) received one-staged posterior atlantoaxial joint distraction and cage implantation; lateral facet joint bony fusion was found in 4 patients and was cut off with an osteotome. Transoral odontoidectomy was performed in 2 cases (2.4%) with fused atlanto-odontoid joint. All the patients were followed-up for (18.6±7.3) months. Postoperative CT showed complete reduction of ADI was achieved in 60 patients (75.0%). The ADI decreased significantly after the operation [(2.1±1.4) mm vs (5.0±1.5) mm, P<0.05]. The postoperative vertical distance between odontoid process and the Chamberlain line decreased significantly when compared with that before the operation [(3.9±3.8) mm vs (10.2±5.2) mm, P<0.05]. The mean JOA score at 6 months post operation improved significantly than that before the operation (13.7±1.5 vs 11.2±1.7, P<0.05). Seventy-five patients (93.8%) had atlantoaxial intra-articular bony fusion at 1 year follow-up. Conclusion: Most difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocations can be managed well by posterior one-staged atlantoaxial joint distraction and Cage implantation.

[Posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction technique as revision surgery to treat atlanto-axial dislocation associated with basilar invagination].

Objective: To examine the effect of posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction technique as revision surgery for failed posterior fossa decompression in patients with basilar invagination(BI) and atlanto-axial dislocation(AAD). Methods: The clinical data of 13 cases of AAD accompanied with BI treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 10 females,aged (42.6±9.5) years (range:30 to 63 years). All cases had assimilation of atlas and once underwent posterior fossa decompression. Anterior tissue was released through posterior approach followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital-cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including atlantodental interval (ADI), the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line(DCL),clivus-canal angle(CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected. Paired sample t test was used to compared the data before and after operation. Results: All patients underwent surgery successfully, the mean surgical time was (187.7±47.4) minutes (range from 116 to 261 minutes). Twenty occipital condyle screws, 26 C2 pedicle screws and 3 occipital plates were implanted. Clinical symptoms improved in all patients. Twelve patients had complete reduction of basilar invagination and atlanto-axial dislocation, 1 achieved near completely reduction of basilar invagination. The postoperative ADI, DCL and CCA significantly improved((4.3±1.1) mm vs. (1.8±0.8) mm, (11.7±5.0) mm vs. (6.4±2.8) mm, (142.4±7.9)° vs. (133.3±7.9)°, all P<0.01).There were 5 cases with syringomyelia before surgery, and shrinkage of syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in all cases. Eight patients achieved bone fusion 3 months after surgery, all patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. The JOA score increased from 12.8±2.3 before surgery to 14.8±1.3 one year after surgery, with statistically significant difference (t=4.416, P<0.01).No implant failure, spacer subsidence and infection were observed. Conclusion: In cases of failure posterior fossa decompression of basilar invagination and atlanto-axial dislocation, using posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction and cantilever technique with cage implantation could achieve complete reduction and symptomatic relief.

[Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy for L5~S1 disc herniation].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) for L5~S1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods: One hundred and two cases of L5~S1 LDH from April 2016 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 patients with high iliac crest. Pre-and postoperative pain was measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and functional status was assessed by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: All the operations were successful and no severe complications occurred such as hemorrhages, infections, injury of nerves. The operation time was (87.6±21.0) min; the frequencies of intraoperative fluoroscopy were 29.1±11.7; the postoperative bedridden time was (4.6±1.1) hours and the hospital stay was (3.6±0.5) days. The mean VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved (P<0.01) postoperatively. The efficiency of 102 cases were excellent in 89 cases (87.3%), good in 8 cases (7.8%), fair in 4 cases (3.9%) and poor in 1 cases (1.0%). One patient (1.0%) relapsed at 6 months after surgery. Conclusions: PETD is a safe and effective method for treatment of L5~S1 LDH. The "transverse process localization method" might be an effective technique for patient with high iliac crest and/or hypertrophic transverse process.

[Reduction of the atlantoaxial dislocation associated with basilar invagination through single-stage posterior approach: using Xuanwu occipital-cervical reduction surgical suite].

Objective: To examine the effect of posterior reduction in atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) associated with basilar invagination(BI) using Xuanwu occipital-cervical fusion system in single stage. Methods: Thirty-seven AAD accompanied with BI cases treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical Universiy and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospective analyzed. There were 15 males and 22 females with age of (42.3±12.3)years (range: 18-69 yars). All the cases had congenital osseous abnormalities, such as assimilation of atlas and abnormal cervical fusion. Anterior tissue was released through posterior route followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital-cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including anterior atlantodental interval (ADI),the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line,clivus-canal angle (CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected.The preoperative and postoperative JOA score and radiological measurements were compared by paired t-test. Results: The mean JOA score of the patients increased from 10.5 to 14.4 at the one-year follow-up(t=14.3,P=0.00).Complete reduction of AAD and BI was achieved in 34 patients.The mean clivus-canal angle improved from 118.0 degrees preoperative to 143.7 degrees postoperative(t=6.2,P=0.00). Shrinkage of the syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in 24 patients, and 6 months in 31 patients. Twenty-eight patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. All the patients achieved bone fusion 12 months after surgery. One-side vertebral artery occlusion was diagnosed in 1 case postoperatively for transient dizziness, and relieved in 2 weeks. Two patients developed moderate neck pain after surgery, and relieved in 1 month. No implant failure, spacer subsidence or infection was observed. Conclusions: The treatment of AAD associated with BI using Xuanwu occipital-cervical fusion system from posterior approach in single stage is effective and safe. Cage implantation intraarticularly and fixation with cantilever technique achieve complete reduction in most cases.

[Observation of clinical and electrophysiological features in patients with distal myasthenia gravis].

Objective: To explore the clinical and electrophysiological features and prognosis of distal myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: Data of MG patients in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from October 2016 to March 2017 were reviewed, including thorough neurological examinations, nerve conduction studies, repetitive nerve stimulations (RNS) and needle electromyographies. Distal MG patients were included and were analyzed as to their clinical and electrophysiological features and response to treatments. Results: Four patients (7.7%) could be classified as distal type among 52 definitely diagnosed MG patients. They had initial symptoms at age 36 to 64 and developed distal limb muscle weakness in the first month to 6 years after the onset of this disease. Hand muscles were preferentially involved in a non-uniform way. And one patient also had leg weakness on his tibialis anterior muscles. RNS showed a more significant decrement at slow rates in distal muscles, compared with proximal muscles. The baseline compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the distal affected muscles presented with slightly decreased or fluctuating amplitudes. Their weakness of ocular, bulbar, proximal and distal limb muscles improved generally after administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or steroids plus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Electrophysiological reexaminations revealed increased baseline CMAPs, reduced decrement on RNS, and relief of myogenic changes on needle electromyography. Conclusions: Relatively prominent distal limb muscle weakness can be found in a minority of MG patients. Besides profound decrement on slow rate RNS, the involved distal muscles may have a characteristic decreased baseline CMAP, sometimes with a diurnal fluctuation. Distal MG responds well to regular treatments. Its short-term prognosis seems similar to that of common MG with proximal predominance.

Characteristics of coronary artery calcium and its relationship to myocardial ischemia in Chinese patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in Chinese population with suspected coronary artery disease (SCAD). METHODS: We studied 205 Chinese patients with SCAD who were subjected to combined MPI and CAC score (CACS) study on a hybrid single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPET/CT) scanner. RESULTS: a) Among the 205 patients 132 (64.3%) had CACS=0 and 73 (35.6%) had CACS>0. Of those with CACS>0, 58 (28.3%) had CACS of 1∼399 and 15 (7.3%) had CACS≥400. b) The prevalence of CAC and CACS increased significantly with age (P<0.05). c) Age and hypertension were independent risk factors for CAC. d) The incidence of ischemic MPI for all 205 patients was 10.6% (14/132), 19.0% (11/58) and 33.3% (5/15). For patients with CACS=0, of 1∼399 and ≥400, respectively, showing significant difference (P=0.034), and significantly increased with CACS increasing (P=0.010). The incidence of ischemic MPI increased with increasing CACS from 10.6% (CACS=0) to 33.3% (CACS≥400). e) CACS was weakly correlated or not correlated. The value of the correlation coefficient was very small, P value was less than 0.05 with ischemic MPI (r=0.164, P=0.019) but the accuracy of the presence of CAC for detecting ischemic MPI was only 65.4% (134/205). f) The area under the ROC curve was 0.615 (P<0.05, 95% CI: 0.500∼0.729). CONCLUSION: Compared with western populations, the prevalence of CAC and absolute CACS in Chinese population with intermediate likelihood of CAD was low. CACS was weakly correlated with ischemic MPI, the accuracy of the presence of CAC for predicting ischemic MPI was low. CACS was not a reliable screening tool prior to MPI in Chinese patients with SCAD.

Skin sensitivity and intolerance in Shanghai: cumulative influence of different meteorological parameters.

BACKGROUND: Although Sensitive skin (SS) conditions are reported to be affected by climate changes, the correlations with meteorological parameters remain mostly unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of facial skin conditions in different seasons in Shanghai, including the speed and severity of the influences imposed by different meteorological parameters. METHODS: Totally eighty-one healthy female volunteers completed the study in both spring (May) and summer (August). Evaluations of facial skin conditions included stimulating sensory test, clinical grading and biophysical measurements. Correlations between the meteorological parameters and ΔTEWL as well as clinical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two seasons in lactic acid sting test. The stimulation sensations felt by Vitamin B3 (VB3) containing cream was significantly higher in May than that in August. In accordance, baseline visual scores for erythema and scaliness in May were also significantly higher than those scores in August. The baseline transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value was significantly higher in May than that in August. Positive correlations were detected between ΔTEWL and atmospheric pressure on the test day, adjust 3-day and 7-day mean of daily solar radiation respectively. There were negative correlations between ΔTEWL and temperature outside on the test day, adjust 3-day mean as well as adjust 7-day mean of relative humidity. CONCLUSIONS: Facial skin conditions in summer are better than that in spring in Shanghai. The influences from atmospheric pressure and temperature are relatively quick in speed, while the influences from relative humidity and solar radiation are slow but cumulative.

Thermo-catalytic decomposition of formaldehyde: a novel approach to produce mesoporous ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic activities.

A novel method, thermo-catalytic decomposition of formaldehyde, is used to synthesize mesoporous ZnO crystals with enhanced photocatalytic activities. The mechanism of the mesoporous formation is investigated by synthesizing a series of samples at various systems and characterizing them with FT-IR, EDS, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The results show that formaldehyde can be adsorbed on the crystal planes of ZnO during the crystal growth and can then be catalytically decomposed into CO, CO2 and H2 during a sintering process. Because of the formation and the escape of these gases, which act as templates, the crystalline particles of ZnO are forced to rearrange consistently, and pores are formed in the internal crystal. Also, porous TiO2 crystals have been obtained via the same approach. Photocatalytic tests indicate that a porous ZnO crystal has higher activity than that of a nonporous one.

Fabrication of ordered ZnO/TiO2 heterostructures via a templating technique.

Two kinds of ordered ZnO/TiO2 heterostructures were fabricated via a facile approach. The architecture of the TiO2 substrate could be controlled by alternating the filling forms of the template, and the morphology of the secondary ZnO nanostructure could be further tuned by adjusting the parameters of the hydrothermal reaction. Then two different morphologies of ZnO/TiO2 heteroarchitectures with ZnO nanorods and nanoplates growing on TiO2 shells and bowls were successfully achieved, respectively.

CGRP Modulates Orofacial Pain through Mediating Neuron-Glia Crosstalk.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a crucial role in the modulation of orofacial pain, and we hypothesized that CGRP mediated a neuron-glia crosstalk in orofacial pain. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms whereby CGRP mediated trigeminal neuron-glia crosstalk in modulating orofacial pain. Orofacial pain was elicited by ligating closed-coil springs between incisors and molars. Trigeminal neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) were cultured for mechanistic exploration. Gene and protein expression were determined through immunostaining, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. Orofacial pain was evaluated through the rat grimace scale. Our results revealed that the expressions of CGRP were elevated in both trigeminal neurons and SGCs following the induction of orofacial pain. Intraganglionic administration of CGRP and olcegepant exacerbated and alleviated orofacial pain, respectively. The knockdown of CGRP through viral vector-mediated RNA interference was able to downregulate CGRP expressions in both neurons and SGCs and to alleviate orofacial pain. CGRP upregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through the p38 signaling pathway in cultured SGCs. In turn, L-arginine (nitric oxide donor) was able to enhance orofacial pain by upregulating CGRP expressions in vivo. In cultured trigeminal neurons, L-arginine upregulated the expression of CGRP, and this effect was diminished by cilnidipine (N-type calcium channel blocker) while not by mibefradil (L-type calcium channel blocker). In conclusion, CGRP modulated orofacial pain through upregulating the expression of nitric oxide through the p38 signaling pathway in SGCs, and the resulting nitric oxide in turn stimulated CGRP expression through N-type calcium channel in neurons, building a CGRP-mediated positive-feedback neuron-glia crosstalk.

Liver transplantation in swine without venovenous bypass.

INTRODUCTION: A model of orthotopic liver transplantation in swine was developed to investigate an advanced reperfusion approach. Thereby, we consciously disclaim otherwise commonly practiced venovenous bypass during the recipient operation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten liver transplantations were performed according to the described technique without using venovenous bypass. In each swine the observation period was 48 h. RESULTS: All transplantations were carried out after a median cold ischemic time of 307.5 min (295-340); the median warm ischemic time in these cases was 25 min (20-32). Eight of 10 swine survived 48 h after the operation. CONCLUSION: Orthotopic liver transplantations in the recipient swine are feasible even without using venovenous bypass.

Effects of active silicon uptake by rice on 29Si fractionation in various plant parts.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) accumulates large amounts of silicon which improves its growth and health due to enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon uptake and loading to xylem in rice are predominantly active processes performed by transporters encoded by the recently identified genes Lsi1 (Si influx transporter gene) and Lsi2 (Si efflux transporter gene). Silicon deposition in rice during translocation to upper plant tissues is known to discriminate against the heavier isotopes (29)Si and (30)Si, resulting in isotope fractionation within the plant. We analyzed straw and husk samples of rice mutants defective in Lsi1, Lsi2 or both for silicon content and delta(29)Si using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and compared these results with those for the corresponding wild-type varieties (WT). The silicon content was higher in husk than in straw. All the mutant rice lines showed clearly lower silicon content than the WT lines (4-23% Si of WT). The delta(29)Si was lower in straw and husk for the uptake defective mutant (lsi1) than for WT, albeit delta(29)Si was 0.3 per thousand higher in husk than in straw in both lines. The effect of defective efflux (lsi2) differed for straw and husk with higher delta(29)Si in straw, but lower delta(29)Si in husk while WT showed similar delta(29)Si in both fractions. These initial results show the potential of Si isotopes to enlighten the influence of active uptake on translocation and deposition processes in the plant.