Arranged cohabitation among Chinese Muslims.

While modern family-related ideas and behaviors have become more widely accepted in contemporary China, Chinese Muslim minorities continue to hold on to traditional religious practices. Surprisingly, data from our survey conducted in Gansu province in China's northwestern borderlands reveal that Muslims of the Hui and Dongxiang ethnicities reported much higher rates of cohabitation experience than the secular majority Han. Based on follow-up qualitative interviews, we found the answer to lie in the interplay between the highly interventionist Chinese state and the robust cultural resilience of local Islamic communities. While the state maintains a high minimum legal age of marriage, the early marriage norm remains strong in Chinese Muslim communities, where religion constitutes an alternative and often more powerful source of legitimacy-at least in the private sphere of life. Using the 2000 census data, we further show that women in almost all 10 Muslim ethnic groups have higher percentages of underage births and premarital births than Han women, both nationally and in the northwest where most Chinese Muslims live. As the once-outlawed behavior of cohabitation became more socially acceptable during the reform and opening-up era, young Muslim Chinese often found themselves in "arranged cohabitations" as de facto marriages formed at younger-than-legal ages. In doing so, Chinese Muslim communities have reinvented the meaning of cohabitation. Rather than liberal intimate relationship based on individual autonomy, cohabitation has served as a coping strategy by which Islamic patriarchs circumvent the Chinese state's aggressive regulations aimed at "modernizing" the Muslim family.

HOTAIR/miR-1277-5p/FBN2 signaling axis is involved in recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating the growth, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells†.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the specific pathways by which HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA contributes to the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the differential expression levels of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in chorionic villi tissues from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients and women with voluntarily terminated pregnancies. HTR-8/SVneo served as a cellular model. Knockdown and overexpression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in the cells were achieved through siRNA transfection and pcDNA3.1 transfection, respectively. Cell viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated using cell counting kit-8, scratch, and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction among the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 axis was predicted through bioinformatics analysis and confirmed through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 signaling axis on cellular behaviors were validated in HTR-8/SVneo cells. RESULTS: We found that HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA was downregulated in chorionic villi tissues from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. Overexpression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA significantly enhanced the viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, while knockdown of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA had the opposite effects. We further confirmed the regulatory effect of the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 signaling axis in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Specifically, HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA and fibrillin 2 were found to reduce the risk of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion by enhancing cell viability, migration, and invasion, whereas miR-1277-5p exerted the opposite effects. CONCLUSION: HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA promotes unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion development by targeting inhibition of miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 axis.

Impact of moist wound dressing on wound healing time: A meta-analysis.

Among the assortment of available dressings aimed at promoting wound healing, moist dressings have gained significant popularity because of their ability to create an optimal environment for wound recovery. This meta-analysis seeks to compare the effects of moist dressing versus gauze dressing on wound healing time. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, encompassing publications up until April 1, 2023, across multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Cochrane Library. Stringent criteria were used to determine study inclusion and evaluate methodological quality. Statistical analyses were performed utilizing Stata 17.0. A total of 13 articles, encompassing 866 participants, were included in the analysis. The findings indicate that moist dressing surpasses gauze dressing in terms of wound healing time (standard mean difference [SMD] -2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.35 to -1.66, p < 0.01; I2 = 97.24%), wound site infection rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.54, p < 0.01; I2 = 39.91%), dressing change times (SMD -3.65, 95% CI -5.34 to -1.97, p < 0.01; I2 = 96.48%), and cost (SMD -2.66, 95% CI -4.24 to -1.09, p < 0.01; I2 = 94.90%). Subgroup analyses revealed possible variations in wound healing time based on wound types and regions. This study underscores the significant advantages associated with the use of moist dressings, including expedited wound healing, reduced infection rates, decreased frequency of dressing changes, and lower overall treatment costs.

[Comparative analysis of two assaysin detection of sperm DNA fragmentation index, flow cytometry and AI-based fluorescence microscopy, based on AO staining: A multicentre study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation, consistency, and variations between two assays of DNA fragmentation index based on acridine orange (AO) staining via AI-based fluorescence microscopy(AI-DFI), and flow cytometry (FCM-DFI) across multiple centers. METHODS: We selected 421 male patients from Nanjing Drum Tower hospital ( Hospital G) (226 cases), Eastern Theatre General Hospital (Hospital J) (89 cases) and Jiangsu Province Hospital (Hospital S) (106 cases) . Semen samples from each patient were analyzed for routine semen parameters and for DFI using both AI fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. We studied the two methods' stability as well as the correlation, consistency, and variation between the two methods' results in various centers. RESULTS: The two replicate studies' results of AI-DFI and the three centers' FCM-DFI for linear regression analysis indicated strong stability (R2>0.9).Overall(Group A), the AI-DFI results demonstrated good correlation and consistency with the FCM-DFI results of three centers (r>0.85；ICC>0.9).The semen specimens were categorized into two groups: normal specimen group (group B) and abnormal specimen group (group C) (including asthenozoospermia, oligospermia, and semen samples with high impurities).Group C's results showed a decline in correlation and consistency when compared to group A and group B, whereas group B's results showed a little rise in correlation and consistency when compared to group A. Although the consistency and correlation between the results of the two DFI testing methods in the three centers were good, there was still a significant difference between Groups A and C (P<0.05), and in Group B there was a significant difference between the two DFI testing methods only in Hospital G (p＝0.02), with no significant difference in Hospitals J and S (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The two detection methods exhibit good stability and correlation. However, significant differences are observed in the DFI detection methods in samples with abnormal semen parameters and high complexity. The main reason for these significant differences may lie in the variations in detection principles. Each detection method has its own advantages, allowing clinical or research settings to choose between them based on laboratory conditions or specific requirements.

Interaction between 038R and 125R of Cherax quadricarinatus iridovirus (CQIV) and their effects on virus replication.

Iridovirids are a group icosahedral viruses containing linear double-stranded DNA, and mainly infect invertebrates and poikilothermic vertebrates. Cherax quadricarinatus iridovirus (CQIV) is a new species of the family Iridoviridae and can cause high mortality in shrimps. In CQIV genome, there are 25 conserved genes and the putative products are involved in several viral processes. In this study, three core protein including CQIV-032R, CQIV-125R and CQIV-160L were identified to interact with CQIV-038R by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), and the interaction between CQIV-038R and CQIV-125R was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays. In the expression system, EGFP-038R and mCherry-125R were colocalized in the cytoplasm when co-expressed in Sf9 cells. Moreover, silencing the expression of 038R, 125R or both of these two proteins respectively in C. quadricarinatus cells by small interfering RNAs showed significantly inhibit CQIV replication. Collectively, we identified the interaction between 038R and 125R, and demonstrated they are essential for CQIV replication.

[Artificial intelligence-based fluorescence method versus traditional flow cytometry in detection of sperm DNA fragmentation index].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the result of the artificial intelligence (AI) recognition-based fluorescence method and that of traditional flow cytometry in the examination of the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and assess the reliability of the AI-based fluorescence detection. METHODS: Using flow cytometry and the AI-based fluorescence method, we examined the sperm DFI in the semen samples collected from 338 outpatients. We analyzed the correlation between the results and compared the positive rates detected by the two methods. We repeated the AI-based fluorescence method twice for each semen sample to observe its technical stability in the detection of sperm DFI. RESULTS: The result of flow cytometry was well correlated with that of the AI-based fluorescence method in the detection of sperm DFI (R2 = 0.7131), but poorly correlated for low-concentration, sticky semen and some other extreme samples (R2 = 0.2065). No statistically significant difference was found between the two methods in the positive rate of detection. The AI-based fluorescence method exhibited an excellent technical stability (R2 = 0.9671). CONCLUSION: The AI-based fluorescence method has an excellent technical stability in the detection of sperm DFI and the result is not significantly different from that of traditional flow cytometry.

Time-resolved Fluorescence Immunoassay (TRFIA) for the Simultaneous Detection of MMP-9 and Lp-PLA2 in Serum.

Currently, atherosclerosis accounts for the majority of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, and predicting the stability of atherosclerotic plaque is the main method to prevent atherosclerotic death. This study aims to establish a dual-label time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) of matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipaseA2 (Lp-PLA2) to predict atherosclerotic plaque stability. A dual-label TRFIA was introduced for the simultaneous quantification of MMP-9 and Lp-PLA2 using fluorescent lanthanide (Eu3+ and Sm3+) chelates. The performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision and reference intervals in different subjects) of this TRFIA was evaluated and compared with commercial kit. The sensitivity of the TRFIA for MMP-9 was 0.85 ng/mL and for Lp-PLA2 was 0.68 ng/mL with high affinity and specificity. The average recoveries were 94.58% to 109.82%, and 104.32% to 109.26%, respectively. All intra- and inter-assay CVs ranged from 3.10% to 5.46%. For the normal subjects, the cutoff value was 160.70 ng/mL for MMP-9 and 183.73 ng/mL for LP-PLA2; for the subjects with stable plaque, the cutoff value was 181.98~309.22 ng/mL for MMP-9 and 194.73~337.89 ng/mL for LP-PLA2; for the subjects with unstable plaque, the cutoff value was 330.43 ng/mL for MMP-9 and 343.23 ng/mL for LP-PLA2. This TRFIA detection results agreed well with the results of commercial kit (R2=0.9567 and R2=0.9771, respectively) in clinical serum samples. The TRFIA developed has a wide detection range and good sensitivity for the high-throughput simultaneous detection of MMP-9 and Lp-PLA2 in serum, which provides a new method for predicting the stability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Establishment and validation of prognostic nomograms to predict overall survival and cancer-specific survival for patients with osteosarcoma.

This study aimed to develop and validate nomograms predicting the survival of osteosarcoma patients from the SEER database and our hospital. Data of 1,066 osteosarcoma patients from the SEER database were randomly divided into a development cohort (n=800) and validation cohort one (n=266). Another cohort of 126 patients from our hospital was utilized as validation cohort two. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Nomograms predicting the 3- and 5-year OS and CSS probability were constructed and validated. The predictive performances of the established nomograms were evaluated by the concordance index (C-index) and the calibration plot. Variables of age, surgical stage, surgery, grade, tumor site, and tumor size were identified as independent prognosticators for OS and CSS in Cox analyses. The C-indexes for OS and CSS in the development cohort were 0.818 and 0.829. Comparatively, the C-indexes for OS and CSS were 0.843 and 0.834, 0.736 and 0.782 for validation cohort one and two, respectively. Calibration plots showed excellent consistency between nomogram prediction and actual survival. Nomograms based on the SEER database are of high accuracy and can serve as a reliable tool for individualized consultation and survival prediction in osteosarcoma patients.

A Left Pulmonary Artery Sling in an Asymptomatic Adult Patient, A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly. Ninety percent of patients with PAS have respiratory distress and need surgical correction. Asymptomatic adult presentation of PAS is rare. We report the case of a 56-year-old female with an asymptomatic left pulmonary artery sling.

[Impacts of different Y chromosome microdeletions on spermatogenesis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the semen parameters of the patients with Y chromosome microdeletions and their impacts on the spermatogenesis of the patients. METHODS: We selected 151 male infertility patients with Y chromosome microdeletions from those diagnosed and treated in our hospital and retrospectively analyzed the influence of their semen parameters on the spermatogenic function. RESULTS: Of the 151 cases of Y chromosome microdeletions, AZFc was involved in 102 (66.89%), AZFb in 6 (3.97%), AZFa in 5 (3.31%), AZFa+c in 1 (0.66%), AZFb+c in 6 (3.97%), AZFc+d in 1 (0.66%), AZFb+c+d in 13 (8.61%), AZFa+b+c+d in 12 (7.95%), sY127 in 3 (1.99%), sY134 in 1 (0.66%) and sY86 in 1 (0.66%). Among the total number of the infertility patients, 48 (31.78%) were diagnosed with azoospermia, 74 (49%) with cryptozoospermia, 28 (18.54) with oligoasthenozoospermia and 1 (0.66%) with asthenoteratozoospermia. CONCLUSIONS: Y chromosome microdeletions may lead to decreased sperm quality, and different types of deletion have different impacts on the spermatogenic function of the patients.

Application of Indirect Signs of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Prenatal Diagnosis of Abnormally Invasive Placenta.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the value of indirect MRI signs in the prenatal diagnosis of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). MATERIAL AND METHODS This study involved the retrospective analysis of indirect signs of 109 patients with AIP and 59 patients without AIP. The numbers of cases of placenta increta, accreta, and percreta confirmed by surgical and pathological results were 54, 19, and 36, respectively. The indirect signs included the following: dark intraplacental bands in T2WI sequence, focal outward bulging of the placenta, abnormal placental vascularity, and heterogeneous placental signal intensity. RESULTS There were significant differences in dark intraplacental bands in T2WI sequence, focal outward bulging of the placenta, and abnormal placental vascularity between the AIP and the non-AIP groups. There was no significant difference in dark intraplacental bands in T2WI sequence between the placenta percreta and increta groups, but there was a significant difference between the other 2 AIP groups and the placenta accreta group. Focal outward bulging of the placenta was significantly different between the percreta group and the placenta accreta group, but there was no significant difference between the other 2 AIP groups and the placenta increta group. There were no significant differences in abnormal placental vascularity among the3 subtypes of AIP. CONCLUSIONS The indirect signs of dark intraplacental bands in T2WI sequence, focal outward bulging of the placenta, and abnormal placental vascularity are reliable signs of AIP. The indirect sign of dark intraplacental bands in T2WI sequence may be used to distinguish placental accreta from the other 2 subtypes of AIP.

EIN3-LIKE1, MYB1, and ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR3 Act in a Regulatory Loop That Synergistically Modulates Ethylene Biosynthesis and Anthocyanin Accumulation.

Ethylene regulates climacteric fruit ripening, and EIN3-LIKE1 (EIL1) plays an important role in this process. In apple (Malus domestica), fruit coloration is accompanied by ethylene release during fruit ripening, but the molecular mechanism that underlies these two physiological processes is unknown. In this study, we found that ethylene treatment markedly induced fruit coloration as well as the expression of MdMYB1, a positive regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit coloration. In addition, we found that MdEIL1 directly bound to the promoter of MdMYB1 and transcriptionally activated its expression, which resulted in anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit coloration. Furthermore, MdMYB1 interacted with the promoter of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR3, a key regulator of ethylene biosynthesis, thereby providing a positive feedback for ethylene biosynthesis regulation. Overall, our findings provide insight into a mechanism involving the synergistic interaction of the ethylene signal with the MdMYB1 transcription factor to regulate ethylene biosynthesis and fruit coloration in apple.

Two- and Three-Dimensional Heterometallic Ln[Ru2-α-Ammonium Diphosphonate] Nets: Structures, Porosity, Magnetism, and Proton Conductivity.

By virtue of its magnetic moment and variable valencies, the D4h paddlewheel ruthenium dimer is a desirable molecular building block for the construction of functional networks. If in addition to the Ru open axial site the organic ligand is designed to allow transversal connections, a wider range of structural possibilities is expected. The organic ligand can also be modified to introduce other functionalities. In the present study we employed a diphosphonate containing a protonated amine, 1-ammoniummethylenediphosphonate [NH3CH(PO3)23-; (Hamdp)], as the ligand to construct paddlewheel Ru2(Hamdp)2 building block. Three networks of different structural dimensionalities were obtained. (H3O)2[RuII2(Hamdp)2] (1) forms one-dimensional chain of S = 1 RuII2 bridged at axial positions through Ru-O bonds. From 1 as a starting material, its reaction with lanthanide ions results in the bimetallic Dy(H2O)3[Ru2(Hamdp)2][Ru2(Hamdp)2(H2O)2][Ru2(Hamdp)(amdp)]0.5·12H2O (2), which has a pillared-bilayer structure and Yb[Ru2(Hamdp)2]2[Ru2(Hamdp)2(H2O)2]·15H2O (3), which is a three-dimensional open framework, both contain mixed-valent RuII/III2 units and show new connection topologies of the Ru2 dimers. After activation 2 does not adsorb N2 and CO2 but takes up 12 H2O. In contrast, 3 take up all three gases. The optimum proton conductivities were moderate reaching 1.44 × 10-6 for 2 and 0.93 × 10-5 S cm-1 for 3 at 95% relative humidity and 55 °C.

The Role of Dual-Source Computed Tomography Angiography in Evaluating the Aortic Arch Vessels in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Retrospective Study of 42 Patients.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the role of dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA) to evaluate the anatomy of the aortic arch vessels in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (AD). MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 42 patients with acute Type A AD who underwent DSCTA and were treated in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2018. The findings were compared with a control group of 45 healthy individuals with hypertension and without aortic arch lesions. RESULTS The diagnostic accuracy of DSCTA in patients with acute Type A AD was almost 100%. The innominate artery was most frequently affected. The mean DSCTA imaging measurements for the root of the innominate artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery, in the coronal plane of the aortic arch, were 17.7±3.7 mm, 17.7±3.7 mm, and 12.9±3.1 mm, respectively. The angles formed by the origin of the three aortic arch branches vessels and the aortic arch were 70.5±10.2°, 58.5±15.5°, and 90.2±22.7°, respectively. In the transverse plane of the aortic arch, the mean angles were 110.5±22.3°, 100.3±15.2°, and 95.4±10.6°, respectively. These DSCTA imaging findings were significantly different in the patient group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS DCTA demonstrated that patients with Type A AD showed anatomic differences in the aortic arch vessels. These findings may help surgeons to develop treatment strategies and select the most appropriate vascular grafts and stents.

[Influence of mycoplasma genitalium infection on semen parameters and seminal plasma biochemical indicators in male infertility patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection on semen parameters and seminal plasma biochemical indicators in infertile men and the relationship of MG infection with male infertility. METHODS: This retrospective study included 420 male patients with idiopathic infertility confirmed in our hospital from February 2016 to February 2018. We examined the MG RNA in the urine of the patients by nucleic acid amplification test, analyzed the semen parameters using the computer-assisted semen analysis system, observed the sperm morphology by modified Shorr staining, and determined the activities of α-glucosidase (α-Glu), fructose (Fru), zinc and γ-L-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) in the seminal plasma. RESULTS: Of the 420 cases of idiopathic infertility, 101 were MG-positive and the other 319 MG-negative. Compared with the MG-negative patients, the MG-positive group showed a remarkably decreased semen volume (ï¼»3.57 ± 1.36ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.20 ± 1.30ï¼½ ml, P = 0.016) but no statistically significant differences in sperm concentration (ï¼»57.36 ± 40.88ï¼½ vs ï¼»54.80 ± 36.54ï¼½ ×106/ml, P > 0.05), the percentage of progressively motile sperm (ï¼»45.33 ± 20.42ï¼½% vs ï¼»41.29 ± 18.71ï¼½%, P > 0.05) and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (ï¼»5.87 ± 2.97ï¼½% vs ï¼»5.67 ± 2.86ï¼½%, P > 0.05). Nor were there any significant differences between the MG-negative and -positive groups in the activities of α-Glu (ï¼»338.82 ± 126.36ï¼½ vs ï¼»352.47 ± 213.34ï¼½ U/L, P > 0.05), Fru (ï¼»15.62 ± 6.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»14.93 ± 6.53ï¼½ mmol/L, P > 0.05), zinc (ï¼»2.82 ± 1.23ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.98 ± 1.30ï¼½ mmol/L, P > 0.05), and γ-GT (ï¼»1993.98 ± 556.03ï¼½ vs ï¼»1925.64 ± 593.41ï¼½ U/L, P > 0.05) in the seminal plasma. CONCLUSIONS: MG infection can reduce the semen volume but has no significant influence on the other semen parameters and seminal plasma biochemical indicators in male infertility patients.

[Cell suspension examination versus histopathological technique in detecting sperm in the testis tissue of non-obstructive azoospermia patients undergoing testicular sperm aspiration].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical selection and application of cell suspension examination (CSE) or histopathological technique (HPT) in detecting sperm in the testis tissue obtained by testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). METHODS: Totally, 1 006 NOA patients underwent TESA and their testis tissues were subjected to CSE or HPT for sperm detection. Based on the results of CSE, the testicular tissue samples were divided into groups A (with sperm, n = 567) and B (without sperm, n = 439) and the results were compared with those of HPT. RESULTS: HPT showed 508 cases with but 59 without sperm in group A, and 403 with and 36 without sperm in group B. The consistency rate of CSE with that of HPT was 90.56% (Kappa =0.809), and CSE exhibited a significantly higher rate of sperm detection than HPT (56.36% vs 54.08%, P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: CSE combined with HPT for detecting sperm in the testis tissue of NOA patients undergoing diagnostic TESA helps clinical diagnosis and treatment. The results of CSE have a decisive significance for assisted reproductive therapy, while those of HPT may provide some definite etiological evidence for drug therapy or surgery.

Diagnosis of Congenital Coarctation of the Aorta and Accompany Malformations in Infants by Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Angiography and Transthoracic Echocardiography: A Chinese Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the diagnosis of congenital coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and accompanying malformations in infants. MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 2012 and December 2015, we enrolled 68 infants with clinically suspected CoA who underwent MDCT angiography and TTE in our hospital. Surgical correction was conducted to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of both examinations in all patients. RESULTS In this study, the diagnosis of CoA was confirmed infants by surgical results in 55 of 68 infants. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of MDCT angiography were 95.6%, 96.4%, and 92.3%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of TTE were 88.2%, 90.9%, and 76.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity between MDCT angiography and TTE (χ²=2.473, p>0.05, χ²=1.373, p>0.05 and χ²=1.182, p>0.05, respectively). In the diagnosis of concomitant cardiac abnormalities with CoA, the 2 methods also play different roles. CONCLUSIONS MDCT angiography and TTE play different roles in the diagnosis of CoA and accompany malformations. MDCT angiography in the diagnosis of the extra-cardiac vascular malformations is better than TTE, and TTE is superior to MDCT angiography in diagnosing intracardiac malformation. Combined MDCT angiography and TTE is a relatively valuable, reliable, and noninvasive method in the diagnosis of CoA and accompany malformations in infants.

China's rise as a major contributor to science and technology.

In the past three decades, China has become a major contributor to science and technology. China now employs an increasingly large labor force of scientists and engineers at relatively high earnings and produces more science and engineering degrees than the United States at all levels, particularly bachelor's. China's research and development expenditure has been rising. Research output in China has been sharply increasing since 2002, making China the second largest producer of scientific papers after the United States. The quality of research by Chinese scientists has also been improving steadily. However, China's rise in science also faces serious difficulties, partly attributable to its rigid, top-down administrative system, with allegations of scientific misconduct trending upward.

The development of dual-label time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) for screening of ovarian cancer based on simultaneous detection of human epididymis protein-4 and cancer antigen 125.

A two-step dual-label TRFIA was developed for the simultaneous detection of human epididymis protein-4 and cancer antigen 125 in a single run. The performance of this assay was first evaluated using clinical serum samples, and then compared with commercialized kits. The sensitivity of this assay for cancer antigen 125 detection was 0.5 U/mL (dynamic range, 0-1400 U/L), and the sensitivity for human epididymis protein-4 detection was 1 pM (dynamic range, 1-900 pM). High correlation coefficients (R) were obtained between the present dual-label TRFIA and commercially available kits (R = 0.99). The present dual-label TRFIA has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in clinical sample analysis. It is a good alternative to the single-label diagnostic methods.

Decreases in activated CD8+ T cells in patients with severe hepatitis B are related to outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Many studies on T helper (Th)1, Th2, T regulatory and Th17 cells have been carried out in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, CD8(+) T cell, as a main participant in immune-mediated injuries and defense against microorganisms, has seldom been studied in ACLF. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the CD8(+) T cell function, and the outcomes of patients with severe hepatitis [SH; serum bilirubin (SB) ≥ 10 mg/dl and prothrombin activity (PTA) < 60 %]. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with chronic HBV-associated SH were included. Twenty normal chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients (2 < SB < 10 (mg/dl) and PTA ≥ 60 %) and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled as control groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with SH were diagnosed with ACLF (SB ≥ 10 mg/dl and PTA ≤ 40 %). The non-recovered ACLFs (NR-ACLF) had higher HBV DNA loads than recovered ACLFs (R-ACLF) (6.03 ± 1.79 vs. 4.36 ± 1.61 (log10, IU/L)). The NR-ACLFs had the highest neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios (5.10 ± 2.37) (all P < 0.001; a = 0.05). The CHBs had higher perforin(+) and TCM (CD45RA(-)CD62L(hi)CCR7(+)) proportions [31.28 ± 19.51, 5.32 ± 3.57 (%)] compared to R-ACLFs (11.75 ± 15.35, 0.78 ± 0.76 (%); P = 0.004, 0.001, respectively), or NR-ACLFs (11.61 ± 5.79, 1.14 ± 0.67 (%); P = 0.006, 0.003). The non-ACLF SHs had higher CD38(+) proportions than R-ACLFs or NR-ACLFs (25.46 ± 8.02 vs. 16.24 ± 7.77 or 16.81 ± 6.30 (%), P = 0.039, 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: High neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios and a decrease in activated CD8(+) T cells may be related to poor outcomes in patients with SH.