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We report a high efficiency and noninvasive microfluidic particle switching device with integrated optical microstructures. Microfluidic channels are combined with a cylindrical microlens and an optical fiber to achieve on-chip optical switching of colloidal particles without the need for an optical microscope. A laser beam is coupled into an optical fiber and redirected by the microlens. The angle of incidence of the optical force can be changed by varying the position of the optical fiber relative to the microlens. Under certain circumstances, a switching efficiency approaching 100% was achieved with a relatively fast response time for a solution containing 10 μm polystyrene spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate the association between dietary habits and the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive carriers in Qidong, an hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐epidemic area in China. Methods: A total of 3199 HBsAg carriers aged 30‐70 years in a prospective cohort in Qidong, China from 2007 to 2011 were included in the study. At baseline, all participants self‐reported their dietary habits in a questionnaire interview. A follow‐up check‐up was performed every 6 months to identify HCC cases until November 2017. Cox's regression analysis and an interaction analysis were performed to estimate the relative risks of HCC in terms of baseline diet. Results: Among 3199 HBsAg‐positive participants, 270 developed HCC (143.86/100 000 person‐years [PYs]). Compared with participants who rarely consume garlic, the risk of HCC in those who consumed it ≥ once per week decreased along with the increase in frequency (HR = 1.00, 0.90 and 0.62 in those who consumed it rarely vs those who consumed it 1‐6 times per week and ≥ 7 times per week, respectively). This study found a synergistic effect between garlic and tea consumption on the risk of HCC (P = 0.039 for a multiplicative interaction). Conclusions: HBsAg carriers should improve their diet. Regular consumption of garlic and tea drinking may reduce the HCC incidence in HBsAg carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryo implantation requires temporospatial maternal-embryonic dialog. Using single-cell RNA sequencing for the uterus from 2.5 to 4.5 days post-coitum (DPC) and bulk sequencing for the corresponding embryos of 3.5 and 4.0 DPC pregnant mice, we found that estrogen-responsive luminal epithelial cells (EECs) functionally differentiated into adhesive epithelial cells (AECs) and supporting epithelial cells (SECs), promoted by progesterone. Along with maternal signals, embryonic Pdgfa and Efna3/4 signaling activated AECs and SECs, respectively, enhancing the attachment of embryos to the endometrium and furthering embryo development. This differentiation process was largely conserved between humans and mice. Notably, the developmental defects of SOX9-positive human endometrial epithelial cells (similar to mouse EEC) were related to thin endometrium, whereas functional defects of SEC-similar unciliated epithelial cells were related to recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Our findings provide insights into endometrial luminal epithelial cell development directed by maternal and embryonic signaling, which is crucial for endometrial receptivity. [Display omitted] • A transcriptional single-cell census during peri-implantation period in mice • Maternal signals control endometrial epithelial cell differentiation • Embryonic signals activate adhesive and supporting epithelial cells • Epithelial cell defects contribute to thin endometrium and RIF Wang et al. identify maternal and embryonic signals regulating endometrial epithelial cell differentiation and activity during peri-implantation period. They showed that this process is conserved in humans and mice, and defects in endometrial epithelial cells are associated with thin endometrium and recurrent implantation failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We attempt to assess the impact of hepatis-B virus (HBV) status on the prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) using a Chinese case cohort.Methods: Five hundred and one consecutive newly diagnosed subjects with CLL were enrolled in this case cohort. HBV infection was defined as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive or hepatitis-B core antibody (HBcAb) positive. Univariate and stepwise multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen the prognostic risk factors associated with the end point of time-to-treatment (TTT) or overall survival (OS). Bootstrap re-sampling method was used to evaluate the model’s internal validity. The discriminative ability of the models was evaluated using time-dependent receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves and corresponding areas under the curve (AUC).Results: One hundred and twenty-one subjects (24%) among 501 patients were HBV positive. HBV infection was an independent predictor for the prognosis of TTT (HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.04-1.80) or OS (HR =2.85; 95% CI 1.80-4.52). The AUCs for HBV infection were 0.62 (95% CI 0.58-0.66) for TTT and 0.69 (95% CI 0.66-0.72) for OS, respectively. When we combined HBV infection with the traditional clinical and biological factors, significant improvements for model’s discrimination were observed for TTT [AUC: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77-0.85) vs. 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74-0.82), P < 0.001] and OS [AUC: 0.81 (95% CI 0.76-0.86) vs. 0.76 (95% CI 0.71-0.82), P < 0.001). Further bootstrap re-sampling method revealed good internal consistence for the final optimal models (Average AUC: 0.78 for TTT and 0.79 for OS based on 1000 bootstraps).Conclusions: Our results indicated that HBV infection should be served as an important risk predictor for prognosis of CLL (TTT and OS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in situ observation system was developed to monitor the magnetic domain structure in the process of rubbing. By means of this system, the magnetic domain motion beneath the sliding area was observed while a carbon steel 1045/316 L stainless steel pin specimen rubbed on a pure iron block specimen under certain loads. Experiments showed that plastic deformation stimulated changes in magnetic domain beneath the rubbing surface as a result of sliding friction, which means plastic deformation was a crucial activation factor for tribo-magnetization. Then the variations of the magnetic domain structure beneath the rubbing surface with the increasing of rubbing cycles were characterized. From experimental results the relation between plastic deformation in tribological process and the original process in mechanism of the tribo-magnetization phenomenon was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) without an atrial septal defect (ASD) associated with coarctation of the aortic arch is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly. This rare combination is only described in a few studies; none report the correction of these two malformations in a single surgery.Case Presentation: A 5-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital because the echocardiography revealed coarctation of the aortic arch; this diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography (CT), which also showed her left superior pulmonary vein draining into the vertical vein without ASD (Fig. 1). She exhibited no special clinical symptoms. Her upper-limb blood pressure was approximately 110/90 mmHg, whereas her lower-limb blood pressure was approximately 75/50 mmHg.Conclusions: We surgically repaired the case of PAPVC to the vertical vein with aortic coarctation, in which the two cardiovascular malformations were corrected in a single surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To retrospect the construction and application of the dual referral system for infertility treatment in Jiangsu Province, China. With the standard procedure to screen infertile pathogeny, those doctors of reproductive medicine with formal training can diagnose and treat patients step by step, and smoothly transfer treatment between superior and subordinate reproductive centers. Methods:The standardized diagnosis and treatment procedure of infertility and sterility and the clinical pathway of preliminary screening on the pathogeny were established. The database system, CCRM, was upgraded in the practice in our center. The advanced training course of 3 months was designed for doctors. The expert out-calls and lecture tours were scheduled in Jiangsu Province. The clinical shortcut service system, so called the Green Channel, and the demonstration clinics were well developed. Results : There were 211 309 patients undergone the preliminary screening system from January 2005 to October 2013 in our center. 21 hospitals joined the program. 1 149 patients underwent the transfer treatment, the referral rate is 2.6% (1 149/211 309). The cost of the preliminary screening on pathogeny was 1 116.4 RMB. Times of the expert out-call were 14,and 1 185 patients were diagnosed in those expert out-calls. 236 trainees finished their three-months' advanced training program; 2 529 participants finished training in 28 courses. 40 outpatient clinics of infertility were set up and 56 hospitals joined in the training of the database system. Conclusions-It is concluded from our practice that the infertility dual referral system was effectively developed in Jiangsu Province, China, and that the standardized infertility diagnosis and treatment procedure was also successfully developed. With above system and procedure and the clinical pathway of preliminary screening on the pathogeny of infertility, it is feasible to reduce the medical cost for patients, and to provide the high-quality medical service in the limited times of visiting doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]