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Objective: To explore experiences of Chinese nurses who study for Master of Science in Professional Practice (health care) in the United Kingdom. Methods: A qualitative approach was applied, consisting of semi-structured telephone interviews (n = 8). The Colaizzi seven-step framework analysis method was used to extract themes. Results: The themes that emerged are as follows: (1) gains from studying overseas, (2) difficulties during studying, and (3) impacts of learning experience on work. The gains for nurses studying overseas include the improvement of scientific research capabilities, reconstruction of critical thinking, and development of reflection ability. Difficulties while studying mainly include language barrier, strict assessment, and boring life. Conclusions: The education of nursing postgraduate attaches importance to the cultivation of thinking. Nurses are very interested in nursing research including qualitative and quantitative methods. Nurses encountered language barriers in their study and life even though they knew a certain level of English.

Natural water-soluble Monascus pigments (WSMPs) have been in increasing demand but have not been able to achieve industrial production due to the low production rate. This study aimed to improve the biosynthesis and secretion of extracellular yellow pigments (EYPs) through submerged fermentation with Monascus ruber CGMCC 10,910 supplemented with sodium starch octenyl succinate (OSA-SNa). The results demonstrated that the yield was 69.68% and 48.89% higher than that without OSA-SNa in conventional fermentation (CF) and extractive fermentation (EF), respectively. The mainly increased EYP components were Y3 and Y4 in CF, but they were mainly Y1 and Y2 as well as secreted intracellular pigments, including Y5, Y6, O1, and O2, in EF. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the mycelium presented an uneven surface profile with obvious wrinkles and small fragments with OSA-SNa. It was found that a higher unsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio in the cell membrane resulted in increased permeability and facilitated the export of intracellular yellow pigments into the broth with OSA-SNa treatment. In addition, a higher NAD+/NADH ratio and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity provided a reducing condition for yellow pigment biosynthesis. Gene expression analysis showed that the expression levels of the key genes for yellow pigment biosynthesis were significantly upregulated by OSA-SNa. This study provides an effective strategy to promote the production of WSMPs by microparticle-enhanced cultivation using OSA-SNa. KEY POINTS: • OSA-SNa addition facilitated the production of Monascus yellow pigments. • Mycelial morphology and membrane permeability were affected by OSA-SNa. • The key gene expression of yellow pigments was upregulated.

The ISO14046 water footprint evaluation method was used in this study to calculate the water shortage footprint and water degradation footprint in plate glass production, in order to improve the water efficiency and management level in the production process of plate glass in China. A certain enterprise in Hebei province was selected for investigation in 2018. The results show that the water shortage footprint generated by the production of flat glass was 0.435 m3H2Oeq/weight box. The proportion at raw material production stage was the largest, being 86%, so the water consumption control in raw material mining and the circulating water system should be strengthened and improved to reduce the fresh water consumption. Water degradation footprint in flat glass industry mainly consisted of eutrophication and acidification footprints. The eutrophication footprint was calculated as 0.027 kgNO3-eq/weight box, and water acidification footprint was 0.271 kgSO2eq/weight box. The largest proportion occurred at flat glass production stage. It should be paid attention at this stage, to update the relatively clean production equipments and add the waste gas processing steps to reduce pollution discharge.

A variety of devices used in daily life and biomedical field will generate magnetic fields with different parameters, raising concern about their influences on people's physiological functions. Multiple experimental works have been devoted to the influences of magnetic fields on circadian rhythms, yet the findings were not always consistent due to the differences in magnetic field parameters and experimental organisms. Also, clear regulatory mechanisms have not been found. By systematizing the major achievements in research on magnetic and circadian rhythms based on magnetic flux density and analyzing the potential mechanisms of the magnetic fields affecting circadian rhythms, this review sheds light on the effects of magnetic fields on circadian rhythms and the potential applications in biomedicine.

Monascus pigments (MPs) are widely used natural colorants in Asian countries. The problems of low extracellular red pigment (ERP) and high citrinin remain to be solved in Monascus pigment production. The effect of lanthanum(III) ion (LaCl3) on Monascus purpureus fermentation was investigated in this study. The yields of ERP and biomass respectively reached maxima of 124.10 U/mL and 33.10 g/L by adding 0.4 g/L La3+ on the second day in the total 8-day fermentation; simultaneously, citrinin was decreased by 59.93% and 38.14% in the extracellular and intracellular fractions, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were obviously improved by La3+ treatment, while the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were increased compared with the control. The ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids in mycelia was increased from 2.94 to 3.49, indicating that the permeability and fluidity of the cell membrane were enhanced under La3+ treatment. Gene expression analysis showed that the relative expression levels of Monascus pigment synthesis genes (pksPT, mppB, mppD, MpFasB2, and MpPKS5) were significantly upregulated by La3+ treatment, and in contrast, the relative expression levels of citrinin synthesis genes (ctnA, pksCT and mppC) were markedly downregulated. This work confirmed that LaCl3 possesses the potential to induce red pigment biosynthesis and inhibit citrinin production in M. purpureus fermentation. KEY POINTS: • La3+ induced red pigment and inhibited citrinin production in Monascus fermentation. • La3+ regulated genes expression up for Monascus pigment and down for citrinin. • La3+ increased the UFAs in cell membrane to enhance the permeability and fluidity.

Background The main treatment of parapelvic cysts is flexible ureteroscope currently. Considering the intraoperative localization of the cyst may fail with flexible ureteroscope, we tend to use an innovative method by ultrasound-guided for easily locating cystic wall during flexible ureteroscopic surgery Methods We retrospectively reviewed 17 consecutive cases of parapelvic renal cysts treated by ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscope between March 2017 and May 2020. The differences of simple flexible ureteroscopic technique and ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic technique were compared. The surgical procedures, postoperative complications, results and patients’ follow-ups were evaluated. Results The cysts wall were seen clearly in 10 patients with ureteroscopic vision. Another 7 patients changed to ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic surgery since it was difficult to identify the cyst wall. Mean operative time were 25.9 ± 8.7 minutes and 37.1 ± 10.1 minutes for conventional and modified technique respectively (P =0.004), of which 17.6 ± 5.8 minutes and 26.5 ± 8.4 minutes to search the cysts, respectively (P = 0.002), and the mean time of the incising were 7.1 ± 4.9 minutes and 12.1 ± 5.6 minutes, respectively (P = 0.000). All of the patients were followed-up 12 months, there were no serious complications and recurrence observed. Conclusions We demonstrated that it is feasible and safe to treat parapelvic renal cyst by ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscopic incision and drainage. The less sample size and further studies were the limitations of our study.

Stretching polymer in fluid flow is a vital process for studying and utilizing the physical properties of these molecules, such as DNA linearization in nanofluidic channels. We studied the role of hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) in stretching a free star polymer in Poiseuille flow through a tube using mesoscale hydrodynamic simulations. As increasing the flow strength, star polymers migrate toward the centerline of tube due to HIs, whereas toward the tube wall in the absence of HIs. By analyzing the end monomer distribution and the perturbed flow around the star polymer, we found that the polymer acts like a shield against the flow, leading to additional hydrodynamic drag forces that compress the arm chains in the front of the star center toward the tube axis and lift the arm chains at the back toward the tube wall. The balanced hydrodynamic forces freeze the polymer into a trumpet structure, where the arm chains maintain a steady strongly stretched state at high flow strength. In contrast, the polymer displays remarkably large conformational change when switching off HIs. Our simulation results explained the coupling between HIs and the structure of star polymers in Poiseuille flow.

A new route has been developed to prepare polyaniline (PANI)/ layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanocomposites through in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of metanilic acid (m-NH2C6H4SO3H) intercalated in MgAl LDH under nitrogen atmosphere by using the pre-intercalated nitrate as the oxidizing agent. The whole process involves the synthesis of the precursor LDHs [Mg2Al (OH)6](NO3)·nH2O, the intercalation of the monomer metanilic acid into LDH and its in situ polymerization between the layers by thermal treatment under nitrogen atmosphere. The interlayer polymerization was monitored by thermogravimetry (TG)-differential thermal analysis (DTA) - mass spectrometry (MS), UV-vis spectroscopy and in situ high temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD). UV-vis spectroscopy give strong evidence on the polymerization of the intercalated metanilic acid, with the increase of the interlayer distance and broadening of the diffraction peaks. It has been found by the in situ technologies that the co-intercalated nitrate anions act as the oxidizing agent which participate in the polymerization of the interlayer monomers under nitrogen atmosphere by heating from 300 oC to 350 oC.

Objective To evaluate the long-term results of using surgical large-sized thin split-thickness skin grafting to treat aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) in neonates. Methods This study included 18 ACC neonates with large skin defects who underwent large-sized thin split-thickness skin grafting at our hospital from March 2002 to November 2011. The size of the lesion was >10% of the total body surface area (TBSA) in 16 patients, 7% of TBSA in one patient, and 3% of TBSA in another patient. The size of the skin graft was designed to be equal to or slightly larger than the size of the lesion. Results Skin grafts in 16 patients who were followed for periods of 6 months–7 years after surgery showed good survival; however, two patients were lost to follow-up. The wound healed completely without scarring in five patients. One of the five patients who healed without scarring had failed previous conservative treatment. Several mild hypertrophic scars occurred in one patient, and flat, thin, shiny, soft, parchment-like scars were noted in five other patients. Dark red, hard, raised hypertrophic scars occurred in five patients who had partial necrosis in the skin graft after surgery. Conclusion A large-sized thin split-thickness skin graft can be used to effectively close a wound and permit healing to occur with reduced long-term scarring. This procedure is ideal for treating skin defects in patients with ACC.

To investigate the association of five SNPs (rs823083, rs708723, rs4951261, rs823076 and rs16856110) at the PARK16 locus with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to potentiate its forensic application. The genomic DNAs of 215 PD patients and 212 matched controls from the northern Han Chinese population were amplified in two independent PCR systems and subsequently genotyped by digestion with the three endonucleases (Hinf I, Nco I and Msp I ). The genetic parameters and association studies were carried out with SPSS 13.0, Haploview version 4.2 and PLINK 1.07 softwares. We detected accurately all genotypes in the five SNPs with multiplex PCR-RFLP and mismatched multiplex PCR-RFLP techniques. The genotypes of four SNPs, except for rs823083, were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The four SNPs, rs16856110, rs4951261, rs708723 and rs823076, which were in linkage equilibrium, should not be associated with PD (P-values ranging from 0.077 to 0.544). The SNPs investigated at the PARK16 locus were not found to be involved in PD-associated blocks in the northern Han Chinese population. The allele distributions of rs708723, rs4951261, rs823076 and rs16856110 in the northern Han Chinese population can be highly polymorphic, which can be applied to genetic analysis and forensic practices.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a “vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) – artificial dermis implantation (ADI) – thin partial thickness skin grafting (TSG)” sequential therapy for deep and infected wounds in children. Materials and methods Fifty-three pediatric patients with deep and infected wounds were treated with sequential VSD-ADI-TSG therapy. The efficacy of this treatment was compared with that of the surgical debridement-change dressings-thin partial thickness skin grafting previously performed on 20 patients. Survival of tissue grafts, color and flexibility, subcutaneous fullness and scar formation of the graft site were examined and compared. Results The sequential therapy combined the advantages of the VSD treatment, in reducing tissue necrosis and infection on the wound surfaces and promoting the growth of granulation tissue, with the enhancement of grafting by artificial dermis. Compared with the 20 controls, skin grafted on the artificial dermis was more smooth and glossy, while the textures of the region were more elastic, and the scars were significantly lighter in Vancouver scale. Conclusion The sequential VSD-ADI-TSG therapy is a simple and effective treatment for children with deep and infected wounds. Level of evidence IV.

In order to study the effect of nonlinear phase noise on the performance of DQPSK modulation system, based on the analysis of mathematical model of nonlinear phase noise, the property of bit-error rate(BER) varying with optical signal-to-noise ratio(OSNR) at transmitter is simulated in 40Gb/s DPSK and DQPSK system. The result shows: compared with DPSK system, DQPSK system is more sensitive to the effect of nonlinear phase noise, and the BER will obviously increase when the nonlinearity is big enough, by which communication quality of the system will be surely seriously influenced.

A novel cylinder head, which is specially used in free-piston linear alternator (FPLA) with a passive intake valve system was designed in this paper. The finite element model of the cylinder head was built to analyze its strength and hardness with ANSYS. The thermal, mechanical and machinery-thermal coupling stresses were calculated with the model. The result indicates that it is available for the free piston engine and the maximum stress meets the requirements of the material strength in different conditions.

To reveal the sequence variations of the full coding region of the human alpha (1,beta/1,4) fucosyltransferase 5 gene (FUT5) in a Chinese Han population.The whole coding region of the FUT5 gene was amplified and sequenced in a total of 30 unrelated Chinese Han individuals. The PCR products containing the nucleotide variants observed in the study were subcloned into plasmid pcDNA to determine all potential haplotypes in the investigated population. Genetic polymorphisms of C560T (rs778970) and C484A loci were further analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RLFP) method.In addition to seven previously reported base substitutions, two novel polymorphisms, namely C484A (Leu162Met) and T684C, were found in the coding region of the FUT5 gene in the 30 individuals. Seven haplotypes were identified by subcloning the variants into plasmid and subsequent DNA sequencing. The allele frequencies in the rs778970 locus in 160 Chinese Han individuals was 0.3031 for 560C and 0.6969 for 560T, while no polymorphism was detected in the C484A locus.The sequence of the coding region in the human FUT5 gene demonstrated high genetic diversity, and the allelic distribution of the rs778970 locus in the Chinese populations is polymorphic.

To explore a method to repair nasal side mucosa of wide incomplete cleft palate and reduce the tension of wound by using oral mucosa flap in the top of fissure.27 cases of wide incomplete cleft palatal were included in the study. On the basis of two-flap palatoplasty, the triangular oral mucosa flap in the top of fissure was turned and sewed with side mucosa to repair nasal side mucosa of wide palatal cleft.Without postoperative active bleeding, airway obstruction and wound infection, 27 cases had been repaired satisfactorily by this procedure. 1-3 months followed up demonstrated that all the wounds healed well without wound dehiscence or fistulas and the scars in the palate were not severe.Using oral mucosa flap in the top of fissure to repair nasal side mucosa of wide palatal cleft can get a reduced tension and correspondingly increase the width of mucoperiosteal flaps so as to decrease incidence rate of palatal fistulas and reduce formation of scars.

To collect the data of measuring skin thickness of children of both genders of different ages and parts of body with non-invasive high-frequency ultrasound method.Two hundred and twenty-one children from 1 to 18 years of age,without systemic disease or injury in skin, were enrolled in the study and divided into 4 groups: i.e., infant group (112 years of age), pre-school age group (3-6 years of age), school age group (7-12 years for boys and 7-11 years for girls), adolescent age group (13-18 years for boys and 12-18 years for girls), and each group was subdivided into 2 groups according to the gender. The skin thicknesses of children in cheek, chest, abdomen, forearms, fundament and thigh was respectively measured by 13 MHz high-frequency ultrasound.The region with thinnest skin in children was the cheek, and the thickest was the back and buttock. (1) There were no significant differences in thickness of skin in the same region between genders and also among different age groups (P0.05). (2) There were also no obvious differences of thickness of the dermis and the whole skin in the same region between male and female, or among infants, pre-school age and school age groups (P0.05). In adolescent group, the average thickness of dermis in male was (1.16 +/- 0.04 ) - (1.98 +/- 0.47) mm, the average whole thickness of skin in male was (1.27 +/- 0.12) - (2.20 +/- 0.45) mm, while those of female were (1.00 +/- 0.18) - (1.60 +/- 0.30) mm and (1.10 +/- 0.17) - (1.83 +/- 0.29) mm (P0.05).It is reliable to measure the skin thickness by 13MHz ultrasound as a non-invasive method. The main factor which determined the thickness of the skin is dermal thickness, especially in males. The significant differences of skin thickness among cheek, back and buttock provide the basis for us to choose the appropriate thickness of skin grafts harvested from different body parts.

To investigate the method for simultaneous correction of nasal deformity and unilateral cleft lip so as to decrease the secondary operation for the deformity.The Millard procedure (or Millard plus triangle flap insertion) was used to repair the unilateral cleft lip. Through the incisions, the greater alar and nasalis were repositioned to the normal anatomical positions. The deviated septum and columella were corrected by cutting the abnormal attachment of the orbicular muscle of mouth to the anterior nasal spine. The mattress sutures through the tip of the columella and ala nasi helped to recover the shape of the nostril.108 patients were treated with this method. They aged from one month to 19 years, included 30 with second degree cleft lip and 78 with third degree cleft lip. The follow-up for as long as 3 years showed satisfactory results.This technique can eliminate the severe cleft nasal deformity and elevate the displaced alar cartilage at the time of lip repair without interference with nasal growth. It is recommended for the treatment of unilateral cleft lip with severe nasal deformity.

To evaluate the advantage and disadvantage of laser-assisted liposuction compared with conventional liposuction.Ten swines were devided into three groups, the laser liposuction group, conventional liposuction group and control group. We compared the two surgical groups with the following aspects: ecchymosi, edema, lipocrit study, hemoglobin studies and blood biochemical changes, etc.There is a benefit of laser-assisted liposuction in the following aspects such as ecchymosi, edema, lipocrit and postoperative complications. The two aspects, that is, ecchymosi and lipocrit study was statistically significant. Hemoglobin change was not statistically significant between the two groups. Laser-assisted liposuction did not lead to dysfunction of organs such as liver and kidney.Laser-assisted liposuction can significantly decrease the blood lose, ecchymosis and edema compared with conventional liposuction, and it did not give rise to dysfunction of organs.

To investigate the collagen constitution of hyperplastic scar (HS) in different ages and the change of relative factors.Thirty cases with HS were divided into two groups according to patients' age: group 1 (1 - 19 years, A) and group 2 (20 - 50 years, B). The normal skin (NS) from corresponding age of volunteers was employed as control group. The changes in TGFbeta1, collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1beta) and the collagen ratio were observed by means of in situ hybridization technique and SABC (Strept-Avidin-Biotin complex) immunohistochemistry and image analysis.The ratio of type I to type III collagen in A group was 6.48 in average and 3.76 in B group, but there was no evident difference in the ratio during the disease process in both groups. The expression of TGFbeta1 in A group was much higher than that in B group (P0.01). The TIMP-1 mRNA expression showed no difference among all age groups in HS patients, but it was much higher than that in NS group. The MMP-1 expression was evidently lower than TIMP-1 expression, and there was no difference in MMP-1 expression compared with NS group.(1) The TGFbeta1 expression in HS patients was negatively correlated with age, and the increased expression of TGFbeta1 produced an increase ratio of type I to type III collagen. (2) High level expression of TIMP-1 led to the formation of HS by inhibiting MMP-1 expression, and the expression was not related to age.