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The follow-up timing observations were carried out for 24 pulsars discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey. We report their phase-connected timing ephemeris, polarization pulse profiles, and Faraday rotation measurements. With their spin periods spanning from 2.995 ms to 4.34 s, their period derivatives were determined to spread between 7.996(8) × 10−21 and 9.83(3) × 10−15 s s−1, which imply that they have characteristic ages from 1.97 × 106 to 5.93 × 109 yr. It is inferred that PSRs J0211+4235 and J0518+2431 are beyond the ‘traditional death line’. PSR J0211+4235 is beyond the ‘death valley’. The death line model of Zhang et al. also cannot explain the radio presence of PSR J0211+4235. This suggests that radiation theory needs to be improved. Besides, ten of the 22 canonical pulsars show nulling phenomena. Moreover, PSR J1617+1123 exhibits variation of emission and J0540+4542 shows subpulse drifting. The DM of five pulsars is larger than the estimated by the YMW16 electron density model, which could suggest that electron density models need updates for higher Galactic latitude regions. PSRs J0447+2447 and J1928−0548 are isolated millisecond pulsars. With their flux densities spanning from 5(1)–553(106) μJy, some of these new pulsars found by FAST are distant, dim, and low-$\dot{E}$ ones and are suitable for testing pulsar emission theories.

We report the phase-connected timing ephemeris, polarization pulse profiles, Faraday rotation measurements, and Rotating-Vector-Model (RVM) fitting results of 12 millisecond pulsars (MSPs) discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in the Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST survey (CRAFTS). The timing campaigns were carried out with FAST and Arecibo over 3 yr. 11 of the 12 pulsars are in neutron star–white dwarf binary systems, with orbital periods between 2.4 and 100 d. 10 of them have spin periods, companion masses, and orbital eccentricities that are consistent with the theoretical expectations for MSP–Helium white dwarf (He WD) systems. The last binary pulsar (PSR J1912−0952) has a significantly smaller spin frequency and a smaller companion mass, the latter could be caused by a low orbital inclination for the system. Its orbital period of 29 d is well within the range of orbital periods where some MSP–He WD systems have shown anomalous eccentricities, however, the eccentricity of PSR J1912−0952 is typical of what one finds for the remaining MSP–He WD systems.

This paper analyzes the literatures about community-based smoking cessation interventions in recent decades and introduces the effectiveness of cessation interventions developed under different theoretical frameworks applied in the community. Because of the severe smoking prevalence in China and the shortage of existing smoking cessation services, the application of smoking cessation services in reducing the smoking rate in Chinese is discussed to provide a reference for the theoretical framework and practical application of community smoking cessation intervention research in China.通过对近几十年国内外以社区为基础开展戒烟干预研究的文献进行分析汇总，介绍根据不同理论框架开发的戒烟措施在社区应用的效果。针对中国严峻的烟草流行形势和现有戒烟服务的不足，探讨其在降低中国人群吸烟率中的应用前景，以期为国内开展社区戒烟干预研究的理论框架和实践应用提供参考。.

Aim To evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System for Ultrasound (US-BI-RADS) 3 and 4 lesions with calcifications. Materials and methods A retrospective study of 168 breast lesions with calcifications detected on both mammography and conventional ultrasonography (US) in 152 patients were categorised as US-BI-RADS 3–4 at US between June 2009 and June 2018. CEUS scores were obtained based on a CEUS five-point scoring system. The combination of US-BI-RADS and CEUS scores created the Rerated BI-RADS (referred to as CEUS-BI-RADS). All results were compared with the histological findings. The diagnostic performances of US and CEUS-BI-RADS were compared. Results The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US were 81.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.6%, 92%), 85% (95% CI: 78.4%, 91.5%), and 83.9% (95% CI: 78.4%, 89.5%), respectively, while those for CEUS-BI-RADS were 98.2% (95% CI: 94.7%, 100%), 90.3% (95% CI: 84.8%, 95.7%), and 92.9% (95% CI: 89%, 96.8%), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy values of CEUS-BI-RADS greatly improved compared with those of US (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for US and CEUS-BI-RADS were 0.888 (95% CI: 0.840, 0.936) and 0.963 (95% CI: 0.936, 0.989), respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS-BI-RADS was significantly higher than that of US alone (p=0.004). Conclusion CEUS-BI-RADS significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy for breast US-BI-RADS 3 and 4 lesions with calcifications compared with US.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the indications and treatment outcomes of two transcutaneous approaches for the removal of impacted parotid stones. Sixty-eight consecutive patients with impacted parotid stones underwent endoscopy-assisted lithotomy via a direct mini-incision or a peri-auricular flap. Clinical safety and outcomes were evaluated. Complete stone extraction was achieved in all patients. In the mini-incision group (52 patients), the stones were in the middle third of the main duct in 31 patients, at the hilum in 16, and in the intraglandular duct in five. In the flap group (16 patients), they were in the middle third of the main duct in one patient, at the hilum in seven, and in the intraglandular duct in eight. Salivary fistula occurred in five mini-incision group patients (9.6%) and four flap group patients (25%). The clinical outcome in the mini-incision group (47 patients, median 25 months of follow-up) was good in 28 patients, fair in 13, and poor in six (12.8%). The clinical outcome in the flap group (16 patients, median 84 months of follow-up) was good in nine patients, fair in five, and poor in two (12.5%). The direct mini-incision approach was found to be safe and effective for impacted stones in the middle third, hilum, and proximal third of the main duct, while the peri-auricular approach would be best reserved for deeper intraglandular stones.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the different types of fibrous dysplasia (FD) of cranio-maxillofacial region, so as to provide a new reference for clinicians to treat these patients and make prognostic judgement. METHODS: Clinical records, radiographic data and pathological information of 105 patients diagnosed with FD or McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) at the Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University Hospital of Stomatology from January 2013 to December 2020 were collected. The patients were divided into 4 groups: monostotic FDs, polyostotic FDs, MAS and a specific type called craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) limited in the craniofacial region. The clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and follow-up data of each type were analyzed. RESULTS: Of all the 105 patients, 46 were males and 59 were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 ∶1.3. The onset age ranged from 0 to 56 years and the median age was 12 years. On the basis of different involvement conditions, 4 types were divided. The most common type was monostotic FDs (43 cases, 40.95%), including maxilla (29 cases), mandibular (12 cases) and zygoma (2 cases). 32 cases (30.48%) were diagnosed with polyostotic FDs, 7 cases (6.67%) were MAS, and 23 cases (21.90%) were CFDs confirmed by computed tomography (CT) analysis. CFD was clearly distinct from other types of FD, such as the patient gender and the serum alkaline phosphatase level in peripheral blood before operative surgery. The pathologic findings of various types FD were quite similar, whilst the predominant fibrous tissue hyperplasia could be observed in polyostotic FDs and MAS types. CONCLUSION: The clinicopathologic features of FD in the cranio-maxillofacial region are different from the FD lesions in other parts of the body. The clinicopathological features of CFD are significantly different from those of monostotic and polyostotic FDs in the cranio-maxillofacial region. Therefore, the clinicians should pay attention to distinguish CFD in clinic, imaging and pathology aspects, so as to further clarify its features in clinic management and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of quercetin and isoquercitrin on gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes. METHODS: Mouse primary hepatocytes were cultured with lactic acid and pyruvic acid. After treatment with quercetin and isoquercitrin for 24 hours, the glucose concentration in the culture supernatant was determined. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNAs of PEPCK, G6Pase, LKB1, and AMPKα. Protein levels of LKB1, AMPKα, and Thr172 phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: The glucose concentration in the gluconeogenesis group (GN) was significantly higher than in the control group (C), but the glucose concentrations in the high level quercetin(group 80Q) and high level isoquercitrin (group 80I) were significantly lower than in the group GN, P

Aim To evaluate the technical feasibility and treatment results of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with ethanol ablation (EA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe. Materials and methods The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and the requirement for informed consent was waived. From October 2009 to June 2016, there were 49 patients with HCC in the caudate lobe underwent ablation. Among them, 14 patients (12 men and two women, mean age: 49.9±14.9 years) with 16 caudate lobe HCCs (mean size: 3±1.1 cm) who underwent US-guided RFA-EA were identified. These patients were compared with patients who underwent RFA alone (n=17) and EA alone (n=18). Results HCCs in the RFA-EA group were larger than those in the EA-alone group (3±1.1 versus 2.1±0.7 cm, p=0.028). In the RFA-EA group, all the patients achieved treatment success (14/14) and entered follow-up. After a follow-up period of 17.1±10.6 months (range, 5–36 months), local tumour progression (LTP) was detected in four tumours. The 1- and 2-year LTP rates after RFA-EA were 18.8% and 27.8%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 35.7% and 13.4%. Six patients died, with the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates of 85.1%, 63.1%, and 21%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the LTP, DFS, and OS rates between the RFA-EA group and RFA-alone or EA groups (p=0.363–0.733). Conclusion US-guided percutaneous RFA-EA appears to be a feasible and effective treatment for HCC in the caudate lobe.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors in odontoge-nic keratocyst (OKC), and to provide new reference for clinic treatment and management of these patients. METHODS: Clinicopathological data of 844 cases initially diagnosed as or associated with OKC at Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University Hospital of Stomatology from 2000 to 2018 were collec-ted. The cases were divided into 4 groups: sporadic OKCs (intraosseous, cystic lesion irrelevant to nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome), syndromic OKCs, solid OKCs and peripheral OKCs. The patients were follow-up for 6 to 216 months and the factors that might relate to recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 805 cases (95.4%) of sporadic OKCs, 32 cases (3.8%) of syndromic OKCs, 3 cases of solid OKCs and 4 cases of peripheral OKCs. The main age of sporadic OKCs was 36.03 years with the peak at the second and third decades. Ratio of male and female was 1.27 ∶1. The predilection site was the molar and ramus area of mandibular (56.2%). In the study, 428 cases (71.2%) were unilocular in radiography while 28.8% were multilocular. The recurrent rate of enucleation with the follow-up was 20.1% (118/588) while most of them occurred in 1-3 years after surgery. The recurrent rate of multilocular patients (39.0%) was significantly higher than that of the unilocular. Enucleation after marsu-pialization (43 cases) or enucleation only (545 cases) showed no difference in recurrence (P>0.05). The syndromic OKCs was younger (main 20.97) and preferred to be multiple compared with sporadic OKCs (30/32, 93.7%). The predilection site was also molar and ramus area of mandibular (41.7%). Age and gender distribution of multiple cases had no significant difference with those in sporadic OKCs. More daughter cysts and epithelial islands were seen (56.3% and 17.9%). Furthermore, the recurrent rate was significantly higher than that of the sporadic OKCs (13/29, 44.9%). But there was no evidence of recurrent-related factors. The age of solid and peripheral OKCs, averaged at 45.00 and 65.75 years, were older than others. Four of peripheral OKCs showed no recurrence after enucleation. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of sporadic OKCs after enucleation is 20.1%. The multilocular lesions prefer to be recurrent. There is no significant difference of recurrence with enucleation only or enucleation after marsupialization. Compared with sporadic OKCs, the syndromic patients are younger and easier to be multiple. It tends to be recurrent frequently and rapidly. There are no related factors about recurrence of syndromic patients. The clinicians should considerate comprehensively and make an individual management of therapy and follow-up. Solid and peripheral OKCs are rare and older.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of using digital technology to design anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) in oral and maxillofacial defect reconstruction. METHODS: Ten cases underwent oral and maxillofacial defects reconstruction with ALTFs in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from June 2019 to Oct. 2019 were enrolled. There were 7 males and 3 females with the mean age of 47.1 years. Preoperative high frequency color Doppler ultrasound examination was performed to detect the perforators of ALTF. CT data of the thigh was imported in DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) format to the Proplan CMF 3.0 software (Materalise, Belgium), then virtual harvest of ALTF was performed according to the points of perforators detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound and the virtual flap volume was calculated by Proplan CMF 3.0 software. ALTF was harvested followed by preoperative virtual design, and the actual flap volume of ALTF was measured by the draining method during the surgery. Finally, the accuracy rate of using high frequency color Doppler ultrasound to detect perforators of ALTFs was calculated, and the differences between the virtual flap volume measured by Propaln CMF 3.0 software and the actual volume of ALTF by the draining method were compared using paired samples T test. RESULTS: Fifteen perforators in the flaps area of 10 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial defects reconstruction with ALTFs were detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound, and 16 perforators were identified during the surgery, with the accuracy rate of 87.5%. The flaps size ranged from 5 cm×7 cm to 8 cm×15 cm, all the 10 flaps survived. The donor sites were primarily closed without skin graft, and no surgery complication was found on the donor site. The mean flap volume measured by Propaln CMF 3.0 software was 71.4 cm (3) (range: 36.1-188.4 cm (3)), and the mean volume measured by the draining method was 70.7 cm (3) (range: 38.3-172.5 cm (3)). There was no significant difference between the virtual flap volume measured by Propaln CMF 3.0 software and the actual volume measured by draining method (t=0.318; P=0.758). CONCLUSION: Preoperative virtual design of ALTF has good feasibility and accuracy and can be used to guide the harvest of ALTF during operation.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the imaging features of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma (HEAML) to those of hepatocellular carcinoma negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody (NBNC-HCC) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles.Twenty-two patients (4 men, 18 women) with a mean age of 42.6±10.2 (SD) years (range: 22-63 years) with histopathologically confirmed HEMAL were included in the study. Forty-four patients (30 men, 14 women) with a mean age of 57.3±15.9 years (range: 19-85 years) with histopathologically confirmed NBNC-HCC were randomly selected from our institution's database as a control group. The CEUS characteristics of the two groups were compared.On conventional ultrasound, significant differences in tumor diameter were found between HEAML (4.0±2.0 [SD] cm; range: 1.3-8.9cm) and NBNC-HCC (8.4±4.4 [SD] cm; range: 1.6-18cm) (P0.001) as well as in degrees of enhancement during the portal (P=0.001) and late phases (P=0.003), contrast distribution (P0.001) and absence of pseudocaspule (P0.001). On CEUS, hyperenhancement during the arterial phase was observed in 21/22 (95.5%) HEAMLs and in 43/44 (97.7%) NBNC-HCCs (P0.999). Homogeneous enhancement was more frequent in HEAMLs (20/22; 90.9%) than in NBNC-HCCs (13/44; 29.6%) (P0.001). Pseudocapsule was observed in 0/22 HEAMLs (0.0%) and in 36/44 NBNC-HCCs (81.8%) (P=0.017). A prolonged enhancement was observed in 5/22 HEAMLs (22.7%) and in 0/44 NBNC-HCCs (0.0%) (P0.001) during the late phase.CEUS with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles is helpful in discriminating between HEAML and NBNC-HCC. Homogeneous enhancement and lack of pseudocapsule are suggestive features for the diagnosis of HEAML.

With the changes in China’s energy demand, the proportion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to account for 10% of the country’s total energy resources by 2020; thus, the demand for large storage tanks has become urgent. However, all LNG storage tanks in China are located aboveground, with no precedent set for fully- or semi-underground storage tank implementation. Therefore, the present study analyzes the displacement and pore water pressure characteristics of underground LNG storage tanks under anti-floatation conditions based on the construction of a 250,000 kL underground storage tank that is 91 m in diameter and 42 m in depth. Centrifuge tests were conducted to explore the development laws of displacement and pore water pressure of the bottom plate under different load conditions for fully- and semi-underground tanks. The displacement response of the tank under the flotage condition clearly exhibited three-stage characteristics, that is, the safe, dangerous, and failure stages. The development laws of each stage were then summarized, analyzed, and explained by numerical and analytical calculations to provide a theoretical basis for storage tank design and anti-floatation monitoring.

Deformation plays an essential role in the safety control of tunnel construction, especially for tunnels with large deformation disasters. Consequently, tunneling professionals need practical ways to monitor tunnel deformation. However, traditional methods are not yet available for 3D monitoring. This study presents a technology for measuring tunnel deformation on using a 3D laser scanner. This technology includes an automatic noise removal algorithm based on spatial features and a measurement technology of absolute coordinates. For point clouds with different times of section with the same mileage, a point-to-point deformation analysis is performed based on the azimuth. Based on the standard grid of point clouds in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the tunnel, an overall deformation cloud map of the noncircular tunnel is generated. The use of the proposed method in the construction of the Xinzai tunnel of the express connecting Jianshui and Yuanyang in Yunnan province allows engineers to obtain critical information about deformation. Compared with the traditional monitoring method, the proposed approach can meet engineering requirements well.

Compared with the construction method of a tunnel with a middle drift, the construction method of a tunnel without a middle drift is a more advanced, novel, efficient, and energy efficient. Moreover, the blasting excavation of late-excavated tunnel parts exerts a vibration impact on the lining structure of early excavated tunnel parts. To analyze and predict the influence of late-excavated tunnel blasting on an early excavated tunnel and surrounding rocks in a triangular area, this study uses the Ansys LS-DYNA software to build a three-dimensional tunnel model simulating multihole blasting and the fluid–solid interaction method to assess the interaction of different materials. In addition, the different working conditions of surrounding rock levels and explosive equivalents are simulated. The distribution law of peak particle vibration velocity and maximum principal stress peak value of surrounding rocks and the lining along the transverse and longitudinal directions of the early excavated tunnel are generalized based on the numerical simulation results. The influence of the blasting of a late-excavated tunnel on the initial lining, secondary lining, and the middle triangular area of a double-arch tunnel is analyzed. The relationship between the surrounding rock level, explosive equivalent, and vibration velocity peak value is concluded. The field experiment-measured vibration velocities from the double-arch tunnel without a middle drift in the Chenjiachong tunnel of the Chuyao expressway in Yunnan Province, China, are in satisfactory agreement with the numerical simulation results. The results of this study are verified by the field blasting vibration data of the Chenjiachong and Changba tunnels and can provide reference and guidance for the blasting engineering practices of late-excavated double-arch tunnels without a middle drift.

Active-disturbance-rejection controlling method is proposed in this essay aiming at the problems of omnidirectional robots, such as complex model, strong coupling and controlling difficulty caused by internal and external stochastic disturbance. Taking eight-wheel omnidirectional robots as the example, the coupling method based on active-disturbance-rejection is designed by analysing the kinematic-dynamic model of the robot. Non-linear function is used as the state feedback of the components of the active-disturbance rejection controller, and extended state observe is adopted to estimate the internal and external stochastic disturbances and to provide active disturbance compensation. Through simulation experiment comparing with traditional PID controller, the decoupled active-disturbance-rejection controller can control omnidirectional robots better inhibit the unknown disturbance and improve the performance of the system.

The objective of this study is to explore the biological roles of microRNA-101-5p (miR-101-5p) in the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer.The levels of miR-101-5p and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 6 (CXCL6) in cervical cancer tissues and cells were detected using the quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. The proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays were conducted using miR-101-5p transfected cervical cancer cell. The expression of CXCL6 was measured by the immunoblotting assay. Xenograft model was constructed to reveal the precise roles of miR-101-5p in the growth of cervical cancer cell in vivo.MiR-101-5p was down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues when compared to the normal controls. The levels of miR-101-5p were higher in cervical cancer cells (SiHa, Caski, C-4-I, C-33 A) than that in the human cervical surface epithelial cell line, HcerEpic. Over-regulation of miR-101-5p inhibited the aggressiveness phenotypes of a cervical cancer cell in vitro. Furthermore, over-regulation of miR-101-5p reduced the tumor growth of cervical cancer cell in vivo. CXCL6 was the target protein of miR-101-5p in cervical cancer as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assay. The mRNA level of CXCL6 was negatively associated with the miR-101-5p level in cervical cancer tissue. Finally, the rescue experiments suggested that the inhibitory role of miR-101-5p was mediated by regulating the expression of CXCL6 in cervical cancer.These findings indicated that the over-regulation of miR-101-5p suppressed the progression of cervical cancer by targeting CXCL6 and might function as a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

SUMMARY Immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS) is a newly recognized immune-mediated disease and one of immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RD). Our multidisciplinary research group investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of IgG4-RS during the past 10 years. Clinically, it showed multiple bilateral enlargement of major salivary glands (including sublingual and accessory parotid glands) and lacrimal glands. The comorbid diseases of head and neck region including rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and lymphadenopathy were commonly seen, which could occur more early than enlargement of major salivary glands. Internal organ involvements, such as autoimmune pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and interstitial pneumonia could also be seen. Thirty-five (38.5%)patients had the symptom of xerostomia. Saliva flow at rest was lower than normal. Secretory function was reduced more severely in the submandibular glands than in the parotid glands. Serum levels of IgG4 were elevated in almost all the cases and the majority of the patients had increased IgE levels. CT, ultrasonography, and sialography showed their imaging characteristics. Histologically it showed marked lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, large irregular lymphoid follicles with expanded germinal centers, prominent cellular interlobular fibrosis, eosinophil infiltration, and obliterative phlebitis. Their immunohistological examination showed marked IgG-positive and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration and high IgG4/IgG ratio. The disease could be divided into three stages according to severity of glandular fibrosis. The serum IgG4 level was higher and the saliva secretion lower as glandular fibrosis increased. IgG4-RS should be differentiated from other diseases with enlargement of major salivary gland and lacrimal gland, such as primary Sjögren syndrome, chronic obstructive submandibular sialadenitis, and eosinophilic hyperplastic lymphogranuloma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with different resolution settings in detecting the simulated external root resorption defects. METHODS: External root resorption defects were simulated in 51 human single rooted premolar teeth. Ca-vities simulating root resorption defects of 1 mm in diameter and 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.3 mm in depth were drilled in the cervical, middle and apical thirds of lingual surfaces of the teeth. In addition to the 51 locations as controls, a total of 102 cavities were obtained in the present study. Specimens were placed in a human dry mandible and scanned by ProMax 3D and DCT PRO CBCT with different resolution settings, respectively. The three-dimensional CBCT images were evaluated by two experienced observers. The data were analyzed with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. ROC curves were generated and the area under ROC curve (Az) was employed to express the diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy (Az value) of ProMax 3D CBCT with high, normal and low resolution settings were 0.867, 0.703 and 0.665 (P < 0.05), respectively. Defects with depths of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm were easier to be detected than those with depths of 0.1 mm (P < 0.05). The images obtained by high resolution mode scanning had obvious advantages in detecting smaller defects (depth 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm). The DCT PRO CBCT provided 4 resolution settings including normal quality + normal resolution, normal quality + high resolution, high quality + normal resolution and high quality + high resolution. The Az values for those 4 resolution settings were 0.527, 0.725, 0.743, and 0.794 (P < 0.05), respectively. Similar to ProMax 3D CBCT, the scanning mode with high resolution played a better role in detecting the defects with depth of 0.1 mm. Except for the scanning setting mode with normal quality + normal resolution, the other three modes could well be evaluated for the defects with depth of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the diagnostic ability for external root resorption of CBCT could be affected by resolution settings. Computer-aid imaging method can improve the CBCT diagnostic accuracy for external root resorption without increasing the radiation dose level during CBCT scanning.

To evaluate the effects of endoscopy-assisted sialodochoplasty for the treatment of severe sialoduct stenosis with concurrent megaducts.From Jul.2010 to Dec. 2016, 8 patients presenting with severe parotid duct stenosis and 3 patients with occlusion of the Wharton's duct underwent endoscopy-assisted sialodochoplasty.All these patients had concurrent severe ductal ectasiaand manifested a painful swelling of the involved salivary glands.The diameter of ectasia and length of stenosis of the sialoducts were measured preoperatively by sialography, computed tomography, or ultrasonography. The megaducts were opened transorally and sutured to the buccal or oral floor mucosa, therefore creating a neo-ostium. All the patients were followed up periodically after operation. The treatment effects were evaluated by clinical signs, sialogram and sialometry.The length of the Stensen's duct stenosis was 5-12 mm, and the diameter of the concurrent ectasia was 8-16 mm. The length of the Wharton's duct stenosis was 10-20 mm, and the diameter of the concurrent ectasia was 6-8 mm.The neo-ostiums healed uneventfully 2 weeks after operation. The duration of the follow-up varied from 6 to 78 months (median: 24 months). Among the 8 patients with Stensen's duct stenosis, two experienced re-obliteration of the neo-ostium, but the buccal bulge and clinical symptoms disappeared; one reported recurrent clinical symptoms after initial alleviation, which could be controlled with self-massaging; the remaining 5 patients had satisfactory clinical results, i.e., disappearance of the obstruction symptoms and buccal bulge, patent ostium,clean saliva and improvement of the ductal ectasia on sialogram. Three patients with Wharton's duct occlusion were asymptomatic with clear saliva and patent ostium;two exhibited approximately normal appearance and one showed improvement of the sialogram.Sialometry was performed in 9 patients with patent neo-ostium of the involved glands,the resting saliva flow rate of the affected glands showed no differences compared with the normal side, and stimulated flow rate showed a significant increase, though less than the control side.The clinical results included good in 5 patients, fair in 4 patients, and poor in 2 patients, with a total effective rate of 82% (9/11).Endoscopy-assisted sialodochoplasty appears to be effective and can be a viable option for patients presenting with severe sialoducts tenosis and concurrent ectasia.

Aim To evaluate the relationship between the imaging features of combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and clinicopathological findings. Materials and methods From August 2004 to August 2016, 40 patients (29 males, 11 females; mean age 52.8±11.2 years) with histopathologically proven CHC were investigated. The CEUS imaging features and clinicopathological findings of CHC were analysed and compared retrospectively. Results On CEUS, peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement, diffuse heterogeneous enhancement, and diffuse homogeneous enhancement was illustrated in 13 (32.5%), 21 (52.5%), and six (15%) lesions, respectively. Histopathological findings showed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominance and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) predominance throughout the tumour were illustrated in 21 (52.5%) and 19 (47.5%) cases, respectively. HCC-predominant CHCs displayed diffuse heterogeneous enhancement more frequently than peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement (p=0.005), whereas CC-predominant CHCs displayed peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement more frequently than diffuse heterogeneous enhancement and homogeneous enhancement (p=0.005 and p=0.01, respectively). CHCs >5 cm displayed diffuse heterogeneous enhancement more frequently than diffuse homogeneous enhancement, whereas CHCs ≤5 cm displayed diffuse homogeneous enhancement more frequently than diffuse heterogeneous enhancement (p=0.004). Conclusion The enhancement pattern of CHC on CEUS depended on the relative proportions of the HCC and CC components and showed size-dependent characteristics.

目的 探索脐血来源单个核细胞体外诱导分化为粒系细胞的方法。 方法 采用羟乙基淀粉沉降红细胞，淋巴细胞分离液分离单个核细胞。选择不同的培养基、添加剂以及培养模式诱导粒系细胞分化，显微镜观察细胞形态，流式细胞术检测细胞表型，免疫荧光测定粒系细胞CD18表达，并检测细胞吞噬功能。 结果 采用X-VIVO™ 15中添加细胞因子TPO、SCF、G-CSF诱导粒系细胞，细胞存活率、细胞数、粒系细胞分化效率均优于添加胎牛血清组。与SCGM培养基诱导粒系细胞相比，X-VIVO™ 15培养基效果更佳，且成本低。采用造血干细胞扩增和在基础培养基X-VIVO™ 15中添加细胞因子TPO、SCF、G-CSF诱导粒系细胞的两阶段扩增、诱导模式，21 d细胞扩增倍数近132倍；流式细胞术检测表明，粒系细胞分化效率滞后于直接诱导模式，粒系标志CD15表达分别为（69.60±1.06）%和（97.73±0.39）%；瑞氏-吉姆萨染色可见成熟的分叶核粒细胞；免疫荧光方法检测显示溶酶体蛋白CD18的表达；成熟的粒细胞具有较强吞噬墨汁的功能，吞噬效率为（51.43±0.05）%。且在细胞趋化因子IL-8作用下，粒细胞具有趋化作用。 结论 优化了诱导粒系细胞培养体系和培养模式，获得了具有一定功能的粒系细胞。

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines lack recommendations for the use of immunotherapy and immune-related biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to provide reliable evidence of the association of survival with HCC immunotherapy and to demonstrate that genomic mutation signature could be an effective biomarker to predict immunotherapy efficacy of HCC patients. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials with 2055 patients and an individual patient-level analysis of 31 patients. Trial data were identified in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central library, and individual patient data were obtained from the cBioPortal database. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed with the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018083991. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that compared to conventional therapy, immunotherapy resulted in prolonged OS (HR =0.65, P

The single phase perovskite ErMnO3 was synthesized using Er(NO3)3, manganese acetate, citric acid and urea by a facile sol-gel method. The gel of ErMnO3 precursor was kept for 36 hours in 100 °C oven to get the xerogel. Then, the xerogel was calcined at 800 °C for 12 hours in muffle furnace to prepare single phase ErMnO3. The prepared sample was characterized by thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Under ultraviolet light, the photocatalytic activity of ErMnO3 was studied with methyl orange of 20 mg/L as the simulated sewage. The results show that the ErMnO3 sample particle size distribution is relatively uniform, the average grain size is mainly around 100 nm. The photocatalytic experiment demonstrates that ErMnO3 is highly photocatalytic activity for removal of methyl orange from water. When methyl orange of 20 mg/L is degraded for 120 min in the presence of ErMnO3, the degradation rate of methyl orange can reach about 95%. The degradation of methyl orange accords with first order kinetic model in presence ErMnO3 sample, and the apparent rate constant is 0.022 min-1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging features of hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The imaging features of 12 pathologically proven hepatic AML lesions in 10 patients who had undergone baseline ultrasound (BUS) and CEUS examinations were evaluated retrospectively. The enhancement extent, pattern and dynamic change, along with the enhancement process, on CEUS were analysed. The diagnostic results of BUS and CEUS before pathological examination were also recorded. The results showed that 75% (9/12) of the AML lesions exhibited mixed echogenicity on BUS and most showed remarkable hyperechogenicity in combination with a hypoechoic or anechoic portion. Arterial flow signals were detected in 75% (9/12) of the lesions on colour Doppler imaging. On CEUS, 66.7% (n = 8) of the 12 lesions exhibited hyperenhancement in the arterial phase, slight hyperenhancement (n = 2) or isoenhancement (n = 6) in the portal phase, and slight hyperenhancement (n = 1) or isoenhancement (n = 7) in the late phase. Three (25%) lesions exhibited hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and hypoenhancement in both portal and late phases. One (8.3%) lesion exhibited hypoenhancement throughout the CEUS process. Before pathological examination with BUS, only 3 (25%) lesions were correctly diagnosed as hepatic AML. Conversely, on CEUS, correct diagnoses were made for 66.8% (8/12) of hepatic AMLs. Therefore, arterial hyperenhancement and subsequent sustained enhancement on CEUS were found in the majority of hepatic AMLs. The combination of BUS and CEUS leads to the correct diagnosis in the majority of hepatic AMLs, and is higher than the success rate achieved by BUS alone.

As the lateral dimension of spin Hall effect based magnetic random-access memory (SHE-RAM) devices is scaled down, shape anisotropy has varied influence on both the magnetic field and the current-driven switching characteristics. In this paper, we study such influences on elliptic film nanomagnets and theoretically investigate the switching characteristics for SHE-RAM element with in-plane magnetization. The analytical expressions for critical current density are presented and the results are compared with those obtained from macrospin and micromagnetic simulation. It is found that the key performance indicators for in-plane SHE-RAM, including thermal stability and spin torque efficiency, are highly geometry dependent and can be effectively improved by geometric design.

Stone column anchors are a newly developed innovative method of resisting vertical tension and compressive loads on very soft ground such as reclaimed land. In the stone column anchor system, the ground slab is connected to an anchored frustum at the base of the column by a steel bar. This enables the stone column anchor to resist tension loads, while the shaft of the stone column and the surrounding soil form a composite foundation to resist compressive loads. This paper examines the vertical compression/tension load-carrying capacity of single stone column anchors tested under repeated loading. The results show that stone column anchors can be used to provide an increased tension and compression ground load-carrying capacity. The system has been implemented on reclaimed land for the construction of a new sewage treatment plant.

Background Tumour ablation using a thermal energy source has shown promising results, and is particularly suitable for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study evaluated long-term outcomes after percutaneous thermal ablation for recurrent HCC following liver resection. Methods Radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation was used to treat a total of 124 tumour nodules (0·9–7·0 cm in diameter) in 72 patients with recurrent HCC. Results Complete ablation of 119 (96·0 per cent) of 124 tumour nodules was achieved. There was no treatment-related death and the major complication rate was 4 per cent. During a mean(s.d.) follow-up of 27·9(17·8) months, local recurrence developed in 16 (13·6 per cent) of 118 successfully treated tumour nodules. Distant recurrence developed in 60 (85 per cent) of 71 patients, of whom 26 had repeat metachronous distant recurrence. With repeated ablation for both local and distant recurrence, the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates after initial ablation were 75, 43 and 18 per cent respectively. Patients with a serum α-fetoprotein level greater than 200 ng/ml before treatment had significantly poorer survival than those with a lower level (P = 0·034) and multivariate analysis identified preablation AFP level as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0·054). Conclusion With their advantages of preservation of non-tumorous liver tissue and easy repetition, percutaneous thermal ablative therapies were particularly suitable for recurrent HCC and improved long-term survival.

Post-earthquake fires cause significant harm to human populations. During the San Francisco Earthquake of April 8, 1906, the loss due to postearthquake fires was 10 times greater than the direct loss due to the earthquake itself. During the Tokyo Earthquake in 1923, 447,000 houses were burned and 56,000 people died from fires following the earthquake. It is therefore important to assemble the limited fire prevention power available within short time periods in order to prevent the spreading of post-earthquake fires. To achieve this, the area where post-earthquake fires can spread should be evaluated and simulated. Based on the statistical data of historical fires following earthquakes in America, Japan, and China, this study predicted places where fire might occur and simulates a dynamic fire spreading process employing Huygens’ Principle in the paper. This paper presents a prediction model to determine places where fires might occur. The authors have developed a database that specifies the buildings and roads in an urban area, and have integrated this with a geographic information system. The authors have also developed a computer system based on Arc Info for the simulation of areas where post-earthquake fires can spread. The system was applied in a project in Shan Tou, Guangdong province. The successful application confirmed that the system that can be used in the planning of city development, and to make emergency response plans for cities. This paper gives the algorithms employed in the system, details of the system’s architecture, and a practiced example.

Two methods, e.g. initial rate method and thermokinetic reduced extent method were presented for studies on non-competitive inhibition. Arginase-catalyzed the hydrolysis of L-arginine toL-ornithine and urea and the inhibition of this reaction by sodium fluoride were studied in the absence and presence of exogenous of Mn2+at 37°C in 40 mM sodium barbiturate-hydrochloric acid buffer solution (pH 7.4). Both methods were successively used to determine the values of K1. The advances and disadvantages of each method were compared in this paper. Exogenous Mn2+ could result in more sensitivity of arginase to F-1. Since the inhibition of arginase by F-1 depends on the pH values of the reaction system and behave as a non-competitive inhibition, it probably due to its small volume and high electronic density allow it access to the activity site of the enzyme and replaces of µ-OH2 (or µ-OH) as the bridge ligand with Mn(II, II) cluster. However, further studies are necessary to determine the modes of interaction of F-1 with bovine liver arginase.

A new cyclic chiral azobenzene compound Azo-o-Bi was synthesized, which exhibits photochemically reversible cis-trans isomerization in both organic solvents and liquid crystal hosts. When doping into a nematic liquid crystal, it displays high helical twisting power (HTP, β) and a large change in HTP (Δβ) due to photoisomerization. Therefore, we are able to reversibly tune the reflection colors from near-IR to blue using irradiation with light. For weak UV light irradiation, a broadband reflection film with pitch gradients can be obtained with superior stability in the dark. This stability is associated with the cyclo-shape of the Azo-o-Bi and the high viscosity of the host liquid crystal. The latter reduces the diffusion contribution of isomers to a negligible level. The spatial and temporal control of the light irradiation can be used to photoaddress the CLC with RGB reflection colors and white-on-black reflective displays.