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The characteristics of structural discontinuities in the subsurface environment often play a key role in the overall behaviour of such systems and their response to externally imposed conditions. Rock joints are one of such features that constitute the heterogeneity of rock masses. Akin to other forms of discontinuities, the characteristics of rock joints affect the performance of their parent rock masses, which are constituents of rock formations. The fracturing process is one of such key geo-mechanical phenomena that is inevitably influenced by pre-existing joints. A numerical technique implemented via a discrete element method (DEM) is herein adopted to evaluate two fundamental properties that control the shear and dilatancy responses of discontinuities. Though these properties are also assessed in isolation, their interdependency, which is a dominant factor, is investigated. As joint frictional resistance increases, it escalates the potential of the joint to attenuate the rate of fracture growth. On the other hand, an increase in joint dilatancy increases the intensity of fracturing. The impact of joint frictional resistance is more pronounced at high friction magnitudes, and in this range, the predominant influence of joint friction overwhelms any effect of joint dilatancy. Contrarily, at low joint frictional resistance, contributions from even a small magnitude of joint dilatancy increases the degree of fracturing. The inter-relationship between joint friction and dilatancy has influencing implications that govern the performance of rock masses. An inquiry into their combined contributions provides information prerequisite for a more accurate estimation and appraisal of fracture behaviour in underground systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyene antibiotics, including amphotericin, nystatin, pimaricin, and tetramycin, are important antifungal agents. Increasing the production of polyenes and generation of their improved analogues based on the biosynthetic pathway engineering has aroused wide concern in application researches. Herein, tetramycin and nystatin, both of which share most of acyl-CoA precursors, are produced by Streptomyces hygrospinosus var. beijingensis CGMCC 4.1123. Thus, the intracellular malonyl-CoA is found to be insufficient for PKSs (polyketide synthases) extension of tetramycin by quantitative analysis in this wild-type strain. To circumvent this problem and increase tetramycin titer, the acyl-CoA competing biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) of nystatin was disrupted, and the biosynthetic genes of malonyl-CoA from S. coelicolor M145 were integrated and overexpressed in nys-disruption mutant strain (SY02). Moreover, in order to specifically accumulate tetramycin B from A, two copies of tetrK and a copy of tetrF were introduced, resulting in elevating tetramycin B fermentration titer by 122% to 865 ± 8 mg/L than the wild type. In this optimized strain, a new tetramycin derivative, 12-decarboxy-12-methyl tetramycin B, was generated with a titer of 371 ± 26 mg/L through inactivation of a P450 monooxygenase gene tetrG. Compared with tetramycin B, the new compound exhibited higher antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodotorula glutinis, but lower hemolytic toxicity to erythrocyte. This research provided a good example of employing biosynthetic engineering strategies for fermentation titer improvement of polyene and development of the derivatives for medicinal applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five coordination polymers (CPs) {[Zn4(FDA)4(H2O)12]}n (1) {[M(FDA)(azopy)·DMF]}n (2) [M = Zn (2a), Co (2b) and Cd (2c)] and {[Zn(FDA)(azopy)]·CH3CN·0.5DMF}n (3) have been harvested from furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H2FDA) and 4,4′-azobispyridine (azopy), and structurally characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analysis, thermogravimentric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. CP 1 shows an interesting one-dimension chain structure. CP 2a and CP 2b are isostructural and demonstrate two-dimensional 4-connected sql topological structures where FDA2− connected the nearest Zn(II) ions to generate a one-dimension chain and the chains could be further linked by azopy. CP 2c significantly differs from CP 2a and CP 2b in coordination number as well as in the coordination mode of carboxylate groups. However CP 2c can generate the same two-dimensional sql structure as well. While CP 3 is an interesting pillared-layer three-dimensional two-fold interpenetrating framework with a pcu alpha-Po primitive cubic topology. The luminescence properties of CP 1, CP 2a, CP 2c and CP 3 are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wellbore drilling operations frequently entail the combination of a wide range of variables. This is underpinned by the numerous factors that must be considered in order to ensure safety and productivity. The heterogeneity and sometimes unpredictable behaviour of underground systems increases the sensitivity of drilling activities. Quite often the operating parameters are set to certify effective and efficient working processes. However, failings in the management of drilling and operating conditions sometimes result in catastrophes such as well collapse or fluid loss. This study investigates the hypothesis that optimising drilling parameters, for instance mud pressure, is crucial if the margin of safe operating conditions is to be properly defined. This was conducted via two main stages: first a deterministic analysis—where the operating conditions are predicted by conventional modelling procedures—and then a probabilistic analysis via stochastic simulations—where a window of optimised operation conditions can be obtained. The outcome of additional stochastic analyses can be used to improve results derived from deterministic models. The incorporation of stochastic techniques in the evaluation of wellbore instability indicates that margins of the safe mud weight window are adjustable and can be extended considerably beyond the limits of deterministic predictions. The safe mud window is influenced and hence can also be amended based on the degree of uncertainty and the permissible level of confidence. The refinement of results from deterministic analyses by additional stochastic simulations is vital if a more accurate and reliable representation of safe in situ and operating conditions is to be obtained during wellbore operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracturing phenomenon within the reservoir environment is a complex process that is controlled by several factors and may occur either naturally or by artificial drivers. Even when deliberately induced, the fracturing behaviour is greatly influenced by the subsurface architecture and existing features. The presence of discontinuities such as joints, artificial and naturally occurring faults and interfaces between rock layers and microfractures plays an important role in the fracturing process and has been known to significantly alter the course of fracture growth. In this paper, an important property (joint friction) that governs the shear behaviour of discontinuities is considered. The applied numerical procedure entails the implementation of the discrete element method to enable a more dynamic monitoring of the fracturing process, where the joint frictional property is considered in isolation. Whereas fracture propagation is constrained by joints of low frictional resistance, in non-frictional joints, the unrestricted sliding of the joint plane increases the tendency for reinitiation and proliferation of fractures at other locations. The ability of a frictional joint to suppress fracture growth decreases as the frictional resistance increases; however, this phenomenon exacerbates the influence of other factors including in situ stresses and overburden conditions. The effect of the joint frictional property is not limited to the strength of rock formations; it also impacts on fracturing processes, which could be particularly evident in jointed rock masses or formations with prominent faults and/or discontinuities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess methanogen diversity in feces of pigs, archaeal 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed from feces of the pig. After the amplification by PCR using primers Met86F and Met1340R, equal quantities of PCR products from each of the five pigs were mixed together and used to construct the library. Sequence analysis showed that the 74 clones were divided into ten phylotypes as defined by RFLP analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that three phylotypes were most closely affiliated with the genus Methanobrevibacter (46% of clones). The library comprised 55.4% unidentified euryarchaeal clones. Three phylotypes (LMG4, LMG6, LMG8) were not closely related to any known Euryarchaeota sequences. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the archaea found in the libraries were all clustered into the Euryarchaeota. The data from the phylogenetic tree showed that those sequences belonged to three monophyletic groups. Phylotypes LGM2 and LGM7 grouped within the genus Methanobrevibacter. Phylotypes LGM4, LGM6, LGM8 and LGM9 grouped within the genus Methanosphaera. Other phylotypes grouped together, and formed a distantly related sister group to Aciduliprofundum boonei and species of the Thermoplasmatales including Thermoplasma volcanium and Thermoplasm acidophilum. Our results showed that methanogens belonging to the genus Methanobrevibacter were predominant in pig feces, and that many unique unknown archaea sequences were also found in the library. Nevertheless, whether these unique sequences represent new taxonomic groups and their role in the pig gut need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of research on volumetric multi-slice CT (MSCT) application in hip densitometric assessment and geometric measures in elderly women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. A total of 237 elderly women were divided into three groups based on BMD values of the lumbar spine (AP-SPINE) and/or the femoral neck (NECK) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA): osteoporosis with (OP_FX, 53 cases) or without vertebral fracture (OP_NONFX, 94 cases), or normal BMD (CONTROL, 90 cases). Volumetric BMD of trabecular bone (TRAB), integral bone (INTGL) and cortical bone (CORT) with neck axis length (NAL) and minimum cross-section area (mCSA) measures of the left femoral neck were calculated, respectively, by using OsteoCAD software based on MSCT scans of the abdominal-pelvic region of all participants, then the index of femoral neck strength (FNSI) was estimated. The values of TRAB, CORT and INTGL of OP_FX were significantly lower than those of OP_NONFX, with the decrease in 6.8-21.8%, as well as being lower than those in CONTROL, whereas no significant differences in the values of AP-SPINE and NECK were found between OP_FX and OP_NONFX. No significant difference of the value of mCSA was found among these three groups. The NAL value of OP_NONFX was larger than that of CONTROL. FNSI of femoral neck in OP_FX (0.42 ± 0.15 g(2)/cm(4)) was significantly lower than OP_NONFX (0.50 ± 0.14 g(2)/cm(4)) (p < 0.05). vQCT measurement seemed to be more effective than DXA in evaluating hip densitometric changes and discriminating osteoporotic elderly subjects with fractured vertebrae from the non-fractured in a group of Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The status of central lymph nodes is crucial for determining the surgical approach to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Because of the differences between genders in central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), we aimed to construct separate predictive models for CLNM according to gender. Methods: In our study, a total of 1258 PTC patients who underwent thyroid cancer surgery from September 2021 to March 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The data were analysed univariately and multivariately using SPSS software grouped according to gender and nomograms of CLNM were plotted using R software. The variables included in this study were sex, Age, body mass index, Diabetes, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), Suspicious central lymph node (SCLN), A/T, Margin, Microcalcification (MC), BRAF, Number, Location, CLNM. Results: The preoperative nomogram in male patients included four clinical variables: CLT, Margin, Number, Size. The preoperative nomogram of female patients included six clinical variables: Age, SCLN, Margin, MC, Number, Size. The calibration curves showed great agreement in both the training group and the validation group. The decision curve analysis showed the feasibility of nomogram in predicting CLNM in both man and woman. Conclusion: Based on the successful establishment of nomogram, we can analyze the variability of CLNM between male and female, which may provide clinicians with personalized clinical schemes in the treatment of PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At present, it is still controversial whether lymph nodes posterior to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (LN-prRLN) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients should be dissected. Failure to dissect metastatic lymph nodes results in continued metastasis from the positive lymph nodes to other regions. Our study aimed to establish a predictive model and predict the probability of metastasis of the lymph nodes posterior to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (LNM-prRLN) in patients. Methods: A total of 309 patients underwent surgery for thyroid cancer between May 2019 and September 2022. The risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses, and statistically significant risk factors identified in the multivariate analysis were included in the nomogram. We used the calibration curve and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to verify the accuracy of the prediction model. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that irregular tumor margins (OR: 3.549, 95% CI 1.294–9.733, P = 0.014), extrathyroidal extension (OR: 4.507, 95% CI 1.694–11.993, P = 0.003), maximum tumor diameter > 1 cm (OR: 5.729, 95% CI 2.617–12.542, P < 0.001), overweight status (OR: 2.296, 95% CI 1.057–4.987, P = 0.036), high total cholesterol level (OR: 5.238, 95% CI 2.304–11.909, P < 0.001), and multifocality (OR: 11.954, 95% CI 5.233–27.305, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for LNM-prRLN. The area under the ROC curve was 0.927. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predicted and observed rates of LNM-prRLN. Conclusion: The probability of LNM-prRLN could be predicted by a nomogram based on the statistically significant risk factors identified in the multivariate analysis. This nomogram can guide clinicians when preoperatively evaluating the status of the LN-prRLN with regard to LNM-prRLN in PTC patients. For patients at high risk for LNM-prRLN, the preventive dissection of LN-prRLNs can be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for LLNM and establish prediction models that could individually assessed the risk of LLNM. Methods: A total of 619 PTC patients were retrospectively analyzed in our study. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for male and female patients, respectively, to assess relationships between clinicopathological features and LLNM. By integrating independent predictors selected by binary logistic regression modeling, preoperative and postoperative nomograms were developed to estimate the risk of LLNM. Results: LLNM was detected in 80 of 216 male patients. Of 403 female patients, 114 had LLNM. The preoperative nomogram of male patients included three clinical variables: the number of foci, tuner size, and echogenic foci. In addition to the above three variables, the postoperative nomogram of male patients included extrathyroidal extension (ETE) detected in surgery, central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and high-volume CLNM. The preoperative nomogram of female patients included the following variables: age, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), BRAF V600E, the number of foci, tumor size and echogenic foci. Variables such as CLT, BRAF V600E, the number of foci, tumor size, ETE detected in surgery, CLNM, high-volume CLNM and central lymph node ratio were included in the postoperative nomogram. Above Nomograms show good discrimination. Conclusions: Considering the difference in the incidence rate of LLNM between men and women, a separate prediction system should be established for patients of different genders. These nomograms are helpful in promoting the risk stratification of PTC treatment decision-making and postoperative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel three-dimensional 3d-4f metal-organic framework (MOF), {[(CH3)2NH2]2[Zn2Gd2(FDA)6(DMF)2]·2DMF}n (Zn-Gd) (H2FDA = furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid) assembled with furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid has been isolated and characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure analysis indicates this MOF is an interesting three-dimensional 8-connected bcu body centered cubic topological net. Moreover, Zn-Gd MOF shows a tolerance towards moisture and the corresponding solvents, demonstrating the excellent chemical stability. The magnetic property of Zn-Gd MOF suggests a weak antiferromagnetic coupling interaction between adjacent Gd(III) ions in Zn-Gd MOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground state structures of TiMo and Ti ( n = 1 − 7) clusters and their structural, electronic and magnetic properties are investigated with the density functional method at B3LYP/LanL2DZ level. One Mo atom substituted Ti structure is the dominant growth pattern, and the TiMo clusters exhibit enhanced structural stabilities according to the averaged binding energies. The electronic properties are also discussed by investigating chemical hardness and HOMO-LUMO energy gap. The results reveal that TiMo and TiMo keep higher chemical stabilities when compared with the other clusters. For all the studied clusters, the Mo atoms always get electrons from Ti atoms and present negative charges. Moreover, the doping of Mo in the bare titanium clusters can alter the magnetic moments of them. TiMo and TiMo show relatively large total magnetic moments, which may be related to the presence of exchange splitting behavior in their densities of states. Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase of CO2 present in a saline reservoir influences the change of the pore geometry properties of reservoir rocks and consequently the transport and storage integrity of the reservoir. In this study, digital rock physics was used to evaluate pore geometry properties of rocks saturated with the different phaseCO2-brine under reservoir conditions. The changes in the pore geometry properties due to the different phaseCO2-brine-rock interaction were quantified. In addition to compression, CO2-brine-rock interaction caused a further reduction in porosity by precipitation. Compared to the dry sample, the porosity of the gaseous CO2-br sample was reduced the most, and was lower by 15% after saturation and compression. There was reduction in the pre-compression porosity after compression for all the samples, however, the reduction was highest in the gaseous CO2-br-saturated sample (13%). The flatness of pore surfaces was reduced, and pores became less rounded after compression, especially in supercritical CO2-br-saturated rock. The results from this research provide a valuable input to guide a robust simulation of CO2 storage in reservoir rocks where different phases of CO2 could be present. Highlights: Effect of phase of CO2 on changes in pore geometry of saline reservoir is evaluated. scCO2-br caused the highest change in pore flatness and shape. gCO2-br caused the greatest change in pore volume. Phase of CO2 is important in CO2-brine-rock relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Dabie complex unit (NDC) is a widely exposed petro-tectonic unit. To understand post-orogenic uplift history and mechanism of the Dabie orogenic belt, many samples of granite, granodiorite, diorite, and alkali feldspar granite with precise zircon U-Pb ages were collected for electron microprobe analysis of hornblende. Emplacement pressure values were then calculated by using an Al-in-hornblende geobarometer. The result shows that total Al (Al) values in hornblende range from 1.17 to 1.97 p.f.u., X(=Fe/(Fe+Mg)) from 0.4 to 0.65, and corresponding pressure values from 256.8 to 676.2 MPa for Al greater than 1.17. It is suggested that although the main mechanism for the uplift is tectonic extension, inhomogeneous uplift related to the pluton emplacement is also important during post-orogenic evolution of the Dabie orogenic belt. Emplacement depth distribution of the plutons shows that uplift in the NDC is affected by horst-graben structures since 120 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance processors give opportunities and challenges for development of real-time and embedded applications. New advances in hardware introduce new questions as alternatives to enable multiple applications to share a single processor and memory, so that the high-performance hardware that contains millions of transistors can be fully utilized, as also the way to keep system dependable and stable by making applications stay in spatial and temporal isolation inside same system. It is introduced in this paper XtratuM, a real-time hypervisor designed and implemented based on the concept of a partitioned system, by enabling partitions to execute simultaneously in spatial and temporal isolation without interfering with each other, but sharing the same hardware. Still in this paper, we provide a brief introduction on partitioned systems and its significance, also presenting the prototype implementation of XtratuM on PowerPC architecture including essential parts: hypercalls, timer, interrupt, and memory management implementations. Benchmark applications have been carried out to illustrate that the model implemented by XtratuM is suitable to offer the capability of spatial and temporal isolation under real-time requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial Ag-agents are intensively applied as broad spectrum, high-stability, high-efficiency and high-safety inorganic antibacterial agents. We have developed a new kind of antibacterial Ag-agent, namely Ag2-x(NH4)xMo3O10.3H2O nanowires (NWs). Carrying Ag atoms in the lattice and Ag-rich nanoparticles on the surface, the Ag-doped NWs show strong antibacterial effects for a variety of bacteria including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. By performing systematic comparison experiments, we have proven that the main antibacterial effects are neither resulted from the tiny amount of Ag+ ions released from the Ag-doped NWs in aqueous solutions, nor resulted from Ag-rich nanoparticles of fragments of the NWs when they are slowly dissolved in the Martin broth. Instead, the effects are mainly resulted from a contact mechanism, under which, the Ag-doped NWs need to be physically in contact with the bacteria to be eliminated. This is a novel phenomenon observed in the interactions between nanomaterials and live cells, which is worthy of further investigation at the molecular scale. As the Ag-doped NWs are not dissolved in pure water or weak acids, one may find practical antibacterial applications in textile industry and food storage industry for these unique nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report their experience with a new strategy for radioguided breast surgery that combines radioguided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. The study population comprised 38 women with non-palpable breast lesions suspicious for breast cancer (BI-RADS 4-5). On the day before surgery, 0.2 ml solution containing particles of dextran labelled with approximately 15 MBq of technetium99m was injected under stereotaxic guidance by mammography. All patients underwent open surgical biopsy guided by gamma probe, radiographic control of the surgical specimen and frozen section analysis. The rate of confirmation of lesion removal was 100% and the rate of simultaneous SLN mapping was 97.3% (37/38). Eleven cases of infiltrating carcinoma and eight of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were diagnosed intraoperatively. In the first eight invasive lesions, the SLN was biopsied and complete axillary lymph node dissection was performed; in the three other invasive lesions and in two aggressive cases of DCIS, only the SLN was dissected. The intraoperative results of SLN analysis and the definitive histopathological examinations of the SLN were always negative. It is concluded that ROLL and SLN can be employed simultaneously when dextran is used as a tracer; this technique allows frozen section diagnosis and intraoperative node analysis, and has many advantages over the conventional two-step procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the mechanical properties and permeability of chemically corroded rock during deep underground tunneling. Nuclear magnetic resonance tests are carried out to quantify the chemical damage of limestone samples at the microscopic scale. Coupled hydrostatic pressure-unloading tests at different unloading rates are also conducted on these chemically corroded limestone samples to investigate permeability changes and chemical effects on mechanical behaviours. Magnetic resonance imaging, T2 spectrum distribution and porosity of the samples are obtained, and the chemical micro damage is visualized and quantified. The relationship between permeability and mechanical behaviors of the rock under hydrochemical–mechanical coupled effects is investigated. The results show that the permeability development process of the chemical corroded samples can be divided into three stages: at the first stage, the permeability initially decreases, and the second stage starts at the inflection point of the permeability curve, from where the permeability begins to increase slightly. At the third stage, the permeability of the limestone increases dramatically until the sample is ruptured. Chemical corrosion and unloading rates have a combined and significant influence on the development of micro cracks in rocks, which is the root cause of the permeability changes. A stress-permeability model is proposed to describe the permeability and stresses in chemical-corroded limestone; this can be adopted for other sedimentary rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, based on the research of intelligent manufacturing, the thesis analyses the birth and development goals of the Internet of Things and its application in intelligent manufacturing. It sorts out the existing IoT application technology problems in the manufacturing industry and explains the urgency of this research. The paper then analyses the characteristics of high-end assembly fault diagnosis and early warning system in the manufacturing IoT environment, and explains the connotation and characteristics of the system; constructs the overall operation framework, network environment and topology structure; and realizes system construction. Finally, the paper uses the actual case to simulate the application of the system, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising biomedical tool for application to wound healing. However, there is limited scientific evidence that confirms its efficacy to inhibit scar formation. This study aims to investigate the role of non-thermal plasma in scar formation. Two full-thickness dorsal cutaneous wounds of rats were treated with either a non-thermal helium plasma jet or helium. It was determined that the non-thermal plasma jet accelerated the wound healing process from 5 days after surgery (day 5: 41.27% ± 2.351 vs 54.7% ± 5.314, p < 0.05; day 7: 56.05% ± 1.881 vs 75.28% ± 3.914, p < 0.01; day 14: 89.85% ± 2.991 vs 98.07% ± 0.839, p < 0.05). The width of the scars for the NTP group was narrower than those of control group (4.607 ± 0.416 mm vs 3.260 ± 0.333 mm, p < 0.05). In addition, a lower level of TGF-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 were detected in the NTP treated wounds (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). As expected, α-SMA was also significantly decreased in the NTP treatment group (p < 0.01). Moreover, the expression of type I collagen and the proportion of type I to III collagen were lower in the NTP group (p < 0.05). The results of the study suggest that NTP may play a potential role in scar formation by inhibiting the TGF β1 signal pathway and reducing the levels of α-SMA and type I collagen, and may have clinical utility in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to review the diagnosis and operative management of cases of high-grade pancreatic trauma. A retrospective analysis was performed on 14 patients treated for high-grade pancreatic trauma at our institution between December 2008 and November 2013. The patients were treated for injuries resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. The main clinical data of the patients was analyzed, including time to diagnosis, initial serum amylase level, ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings, pancreatic injury severity as scored according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale, injury to other organs, operative treatment method, postoperative complications, and patient outcome. All 14 patients were diagnosed with severe (≥ grade III) pancreatic trauma. Diagnosis was confirmed in all seven hemodynamically stable patients that underwent CT and in 9/13 patients receiving ultrasound examination. All patients underwent surgical operations, including emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy ( n = 8), splenectomy with distal pancreatectomy ( n = 3), spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy ( n = 1), medial pancreatectomy with Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy ( n = 1), and peripancreatic debridement and drainage ( n = 1). Diagnosis was delayed beyond 24 h in two patients, both of whom underwent reoperative peripancreatic debridement and drainage, with one death. The complications included pancreatic fistula ( n = 8), peripancreatic abscess ( n = 2), hepatic artery hemorrhage ( n = 1), gastrointestinal bleeding ( n = 1), and intra-abdominal abscess ( n = 1). CT is the most reliable method for diagnosing high-grade pancreatic trauma. Aggressive surgical therapy including pancreaticoduodenectomy is acceptable in hemodynamically stable patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans and animals is a worldwide zoonosis. Prevention and control of toxoplasmosis based on vaccination is one of the promising strategies. In the present study, recombinant T. gondii rhoptry proteins 38 and 18 (TgROP38 and TgROP18) were encapsulated into poly (lactide- co-glycolide) (PLG) (1:1), respectively, to obtain the stable water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion. Female Kunming mice were then immunized with the protein vaccines twice at a 2-week interval. Eight weeks after the second immunization, 10 mice from each group were challenged with T. gondii PRU strain (genotype II). The entrapment rates of PLG-rROP38 and PLG-rROP18 ranged from 65.5 to 77.7 % and 58.1 to 72.3 %, respectively. Immunization of mice with rROP38 and rROP18 proteins encapsulated into PLG microparticles elicited strongly humoral and cell-mediated responses against T. gondii, associated with relatively high levels of total IgG, IgG2a isotype, and IFN-γ, as well as the mixed Th1/Th2 immunity responses. Immunization with various protein vaccines induced significant reduction of the brain cysts after chronic infection with the T. gondii PRU strain, and the most effective protection was achieved in the PLG-rROP38-rROP18-immunized mice, with a cyst reduction of 81.3 %. The findings of the present study indicated that recombinant rhoptry antigens encapsulated in PLG could maintain the protein immunogenicity in an extended period and elicit effective protection against chronic T. gondii infection, which has implications for the development of long-lasting vaccines against chronic toxoplasmosis in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-defined unnatural dipeptides based on cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine backbone were synthesized from commercially available starting materials meso-diethyl-2,5-dibromoadipate, ( S)-(−)-1-phenylethylamine, and phenylalanine. The configurations of all the chiral centers in these unnatural dipeptides are confirmed by X-ray crystal diffraction analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare virtual non-enhanced liver CT (VNCT) from dual-energy CT (DECT) with true non-enhanced liver CT (TNCT) in patients.Methods: A total of 102 patients underwent multi-phase abdominal CT. Liver arterial VNCT (VNCT(A)) and portovenous VNCT (VNCT(V)) images were derived from the arterial and portovenous DECT data. The mean CT number, signal to noise ratio (SNR), image quality, contrast to noise (CNR) of liver lesions, lesion detectability and radiation dose were compared.Results: There was no difference in mean CT numbers of all organs (all P>0.05). SNR on VNCT images was higher than that of TNCT (all P<0.001). Image quality of VNCT was diagnostic but lower than that of TNCT (P<0.001). VNCT(A) images were superior to VNCT(V) (P<0.001). VNCT(A) and VNCT(V) detected 78 (91%) and 70 (81%) of 86 hepatic focal lesions visualised on TNCT. There was no difference in the size, attenuation and CNR of focal hepatic lesions (all P>0.05), but SNR of the lesions on VNCT was higher than that on TNCT (P<0.001). Radiation dose of biphase DECT was lower than that of routine triphase CT (P<0.001).Conclusion: VNCT(A) may potentially replace TNCT as part of a multi-phase liver imaging protocol with consequent saving in radiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to compare the ability of dual energy CT (DECT) and perfusion scintigraphy (PS) to detect pulmonary embolism (PE) in a rabbit model. Gelfoam (n = 20) or saline (n = 4) was injected into the femoral vein of rabbits. After 2 h, DECT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was used to create blood flow imaging (BFI) and fusion images. The rabbits then underwent PS. Pathological determination of locations and numbers of lung lobes with PE was recorded. The sensitivity and specificity for BFI, CTPA, fused images and PS were calculated using the pathological results as reference standards. Compared with pathological evaluation, CTPA correctly identified PE in 40 lobes and absence of emboli in 80 lobes, corresponding to a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. BFI and fused images correctly identified PE in 40 lobes and the absence of emboli in 78 lobes, corresponding to a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 98%, respectively. PS correctly detected 27 lobes with PE and 65 lobes without PE, corresponding to a sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 81%, respectively. BFI, CTPA and fused images derived from a single contrast-enhanced DECT provide a higher diagnostic accuracy of detecting PE than PS in a rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "XtratuM/PPC: a hypervisor for partitioned system on PowerPC processors" is presented.

FLT3 has been identified as a valid target for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and some FLT3 inhibitors have shown very good efficacy in treating AML in clinical trials. Nevertheless, recent studies indicated that relapse and drug resistance are still difficult to avoid, and leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are considered one of the most important contributors. Here, we report the characterization of SKLB-677, a new FLT3 inhibitor developed by us recently. SKLB-677 exhibits low nanomolar potency in biochemical and cellular assays. It is efficacious in animal models at doses as low as 1mg/kg when administrated orally once daily. In particular, SKLB-677 but not first-generation and second-generation FLT3 inhibitors in clinical trials has the ability to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling; Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for the development of LSCs, but not necessary for the development of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This compound indeed showed considerable suppression effects on leukemia stem-like cells in in vitro functional assays, but had no influence on normal HSCs. Collectively, SKLB-677 is an interesting lead compound for the treatment of AML, and deserves further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]