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This study aimed to investigate the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on chemotaxis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils for spermatozoa and semen quality of preserved boar semen. The different concentrations of dexamethasone were added to boar semen dilutions to detect its effects on the chemotaxis of neutrophils and phagocytosis of neutrophils and sperm motility sperm malformation rate, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and spermatozoa motility parameters. The study results showed that the experimental groups of DEX significantly inhibited the phagocytosis and chemotaxis of PMNs for spermatozoa. With the increased concentration of DEX, there was an inhibition effect on PMNs activity. In addition, under 17 °C storage conditions, the addition of DEX 1 × 10

We developed an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine by using Re-11, Re-12, and H7-Re2 vaccine seed viruses, which were generated by reverse genetics and derived their HA genes from A/duck/Guizhou/S4184/2017(H5N6) (DK/GZ/S4184/17) (a clade 2.3.4.4d virus), A/chicken/Liaoning/SD007/2017(H5N1) (CK/LN/SD007/17) (a clade 2.3.2.1d virus), and A/chicken/Guangxi/SD098/2017(H7N9) (CK/GX/SD098/17), respectively. The protective efficacy of this novel vaccine and that of the recently used H5/H7 bivalent inactivated vaccine against different H5 and H7N9 viruses was evaluated in chickens. We found that the H5/H7 bivalent vaccine provided solid protection against the H7N9 virus CK/GX/SD098/17, but only 50–60% protection against different H5 viruses. In contrast, the novel H5/H7 trivalent vaccine provided complete protection against the H5 and H7 viruses tested. Our study underscores the importance of timely updating of vaccines for avian influenza control.

The evidence regarding the impact of the scores on healthy eating indices on the risk of cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. As such, in this study, we examined the associations of adherence to the Chinese and American dietary guidelines and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese individuals with T2D. We conducted a 1:1 age- and sex-matched case–control study based on a Chinese population. We used a structured questionnaire and a validated 79-item food-frequency questionnaire to collect general information and dietary intake information, and calculated the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). As participants, we enrolled a total of 419 pairs of hospital-based CVD cases and controls, all of whom had T2D. We found a significant inverse association between diet quality scores on the CHEI and HEI-2015 and the risk of CVD. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per five-score increment were 0.68 (0.61, 0.76) in the CHEI and 0.60 (0.52, 0.70) in the HEI-2015. In stratified analyses, the protective associations remained significant in the subgroups of sex, BMI, smoking status, tea-drinking, hypertension state, dyslipidemia state, T2D duration, and medical nutrition therapy knowledge (all p < 0.05). These findings suggest that a higher CHEI or HEI-2015 score, representing a higher-quality diet relative to the most recent Chinese or American dietary guidelines, was associated with a decreased risk of CVD among Chinese patients with T2D.

Crude oil is a serious soil pollutant, requiring large-scale remediation efforts. Bacterial consortia in combination with rhamnolipids can be an effective bioremediation method. However, the underlying mechanisms and associated changes in soil bacterial composition remain uncharacterized. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of rhamnolipids in petroleum hydrocarbon removal, and the associated bacterial community dynamics during bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils. Contaminated soils were subjected to natural attenuation, bioremediation with rhamnolipids, bioremediation with bacterial consortia, or bioremediation with bacterial consortia supplemented with rhamnolipids (BMR). High-throughput sequencing of bacterial sample partial 16S rRNA sequences was performed. Additionally, the n-alkanes and aromatic fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results showed that rhamnolipid supplementation increased the rate and extent of total petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation to a maximum of 81% within 35 days. Further, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the bacterial community was composed of 14 phylotypes (similarity level = 97%). Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were the two core phyla in all samples, accounting for 63-89%, but Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum in the BMR sample (~ 53%). Among the top 20 genera, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Cavicella, Mycobacterium, Rhizobium, and Acinetobacter were more abundant in BMR samples compared to other samples. Predicted functional profiles revealed that rhamnolipid addition also induced changes in gene abundance related to hydrocarbon metabolic pathways. This study provided comprehensive insights into the synergistic effect of rhamnolipids and bacterial consortia for altering bacterial populations and specific functional traits, which may serve to improve bacteria-mediated petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in contaminated soils.

In the presence/absence of N-donor ancillary ligands, through utilizing two well-designed chiral 4,4′-oxybisbenzoyl alanine/proline derivatives, two new Cu(II)-bearing coordination polymers whose chemical formulae are [Cu(ODBALa)H2O]·H2O (1, H2ODBALa = 4,4′-oxybisbenzoyl-bis(L-alanine)) and [Cu(ODBPRo)(dpy)]·7H2O (2, H2ODBPRo = 4,4′-oxybisbenzoyl-bis(L-proline), dpy = (E)-1,2-di(pyridin-4-yl)diazene) have been fabricated via a solvothermal preparation method. The magnetic researches demonstrate that compounds 1 and 2 have antiferromagnetic catena among the neighboring metal ions. Their application values on the mixed vaginitis were assessed and the mechanism involved was also discussed. Firstly, after prescribed treatment, an ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) detection was used to evaluated the inflammatory levels in the body. Apart from this, the real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) was performed and the Lactobacillus abundance was measured. Compound 1 was better than compound 2 on the vaginitis treatment.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen that causes invasive infections in adults and children. Accurate serotyping is important to study its epidemiological distribution and to assess vaccine efficacy.Invasive S. pneumoniae isolates (n = 300) from 27 teaching hospitals in China were studied. The Quellung reaction was used as the gold standard to identify the S. pneumoniae serotypes. Subsequently, multiplex PCR and cpsB gene-based sequetyping methods were used to identify the serotypes.Based on the Quellung reaction, 299 S. pneumoniae isolates were accurately identified to the serotype level and 40 different serotypes were detected. Only one strain was non-typeable, and five most common serotypes were identified: 23F (43, 14.3%), 19A (41, 13.7%), 19F (41, 13.7%), 3 (31, 10.3%), and 14 (27, 9.0%). Overall, the multiplex PCR method identified 73.3 and 20.7% of the isolates to the serotype and cluster levels, respectively, with 1.7% of the isolates misidentified. In contrast, the cpsB sequetyping method identified 59.0 and 30.3% of the isolates to the serotype and cluster levels, respectively, and 7% were misidentified.The cpsB gene sequetyping method combined with multiplex PCR, can greatly improve the accuracy and efficiency of serotyping, besides reducing the associated costs.

To investigate the correlation between FOXP3, CD11c protein expression and the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).This study included 48 patients with DLBCL who were admitted to Jiujiang No.1 People's Hospital and TCM-Integrated Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2015 to January 2019. The DLBCL tissues removed during the operation were collected as test specimens. The expression of FOXP3 and CD11c protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. The deadline for postoperative follow-up was December 31, 2019, and the patient's short-term efficacy (complete remission, partial remission) and progression-free survival were recorded.FOXP3 protein was positively expressed in the nucleus, mostly focally or diffusely distributed, the FOXP3In some patients with DLBCL, FOXP3 and CD11c expresse positively, and the positive expression rate is related to the clinical stage and international prognostic index score. The positive expression of FOXP3 and CD11c indicate a good prognosis.FOXP3、CD11c蛋白表达与弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤患者预后的相关性.探讨FOXP3、CD11c蛋白表达与弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）患者预后的相关性.本研究纳入2015年1月至2019年1月九江市第一人民医院和南方医科大学中西医结合医院收治的48例DLBCL患者，收集患者术中切除的DLBCL组织作为检测标本，采用免疫组织化学法检测组织中FOXP3、CD11c蛋白的表达，术后随访截止日期为2019年12月31日，记录患者的近期疗效（完全缓解、部分缓解）和无进展生存期.FOXP3蛋白为核阳性表达，多以局灶性或弥漫性分布，FOXP3阳性率为54.17%（26/48）；CD11c蛋白为细胞膜阳性表达，多以弥漫性分布，CD11c阳性率为60.47%（29/48）。FOXP3、CD11c蛋白表达与DLBCL患者的年龄、性别、累及部位及乳酸脱氢酶水平无明显相关性，但与临床分期和国际预后指数评分存在明显相关性，差异有统计学意义（P0.05），即DLBCL患者临床分期越低、国际预后指数评分越低，则FOXP3、CD11c蛋白阳性表达率越高（r=0.637，r=0.709）。术后1年，FOXP3阳性表达或CD11c阳性表达的DLBCL患者的总有效率明显高于FOXP3阴性表达或CD11c阴性表达患者（P0.05）；至随访结束，FOXP3阳性表达或CD11c阳性表达的DLBCL患者的中位无进展生存期也明显长于FOXP3阴性表达或CD11c阴性表达患者（P0.05）.在部分DLBCL患者组织中FOXP3、CD11c阳性表达，且阳性表达率与临床分期及国际预后指数评分相关，FOXP3和CD11c蛋白阳性表达提示预后良好.

Background: The ability of T-SPOT.TB to differentiate Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the spine from other infections is little known. This study quantified the efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay to distinguish between spinal tuberculosis (STB) caused by M. tuberculosis and other infections of the spine and evaluated whether diagnostic performance was improved by adjusting the T-SPOT.TB assay criteria. Methods: From January 2010 to May 2020, 147 patients with spinal infections were recruited. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected, and the number of spot-forming cells was observed. Patients’ white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), and TB antibodies were recorded. Specimen/tissue bacteriological culture was the reference standard for sensitivity and specificity. Results: There were 77 (52.4%) participants with confirmed TB and 70 (47.6%) with other infections. The groups were comparable in T-SPOT.TB assay results, age, sex, lesions in the segments, WBC count, CRP, procalcitonin, ESR, and TB antibodies. The sensitivity and specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay for identifying STB was 88.3% and 40.0%, respectively. On the basis of Relative operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and the Youden index, when we adjusted the T-SPOT.TB assay’s diagnostic criteria, ESAT-6>12 or CFP-10>19,the sensitivity and specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay for identifying STB was 83.1% and 64.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The T-SPOT.TB assay has great sensitivity to distinguish STB from other spinal infections; however, the specificity is extremely low. Specificity can be significantly improved while sensitivity is guaranteed by adjusting the diagnostic criteria.

Background The evidence regarding the impact of the healthy eating index on the risk of cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. To examine the associations of adherence to the Chinese and American dietary guidelines and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese individuals with T2D. Methods This 1:1 matched case-control study included 419 enrolled pairs hospital-based CVD cases and controls who were matched by age and sex, in Guangdong province, China, all of whom had T2D. A structured questionnaire and a 79-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect general information and dietary intake information. Diet quality scores were calculated according to the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). Results After adjustment for various confounding factors, the higher diet quality scores on the CHEI and HEI-2015 showed a significant association with a lower risk of CVD. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per 5-score increment were 0.88(0.83,0.92) in the CHEI and 0.80(0.74,0.88) in the HEI-2015, respectively. In stratified analyses, the protective associations remained significant in the subgroups of sex, smoking status, tea-drinking, hypertension state, dyslipidemia state, BMI, and T2D duration, but not among the drinkers in CHEI. Conclusion Greater adherence to the most recent Chinese or American dietary guidelines were associated with a lower risk of CVD incidents among Chinese patients with T2D.

Background The evidence regarding the impact of the healthy eating index on the risk of cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited. Objectives To examine the associations of adherence to the Chinese and American dietary guidelines regarding subsequent risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese individuals with T2DM. Methods This 1:1 matched case-control study included 419 enrolled pairs hospital-based CVD cases and T2DM controls who were matched by age and gender, in Guangdong province, China. A structured questionnaire and a 97-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect general information and dietary intake information. Diet quality scores were calculated according to the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). Results After adjustment for various confounding factors, the higher diet quality scores on the CHEI and HEI-2015 showed a significant association with a lower risk of CVD. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per 5-score increment were 0.73 (0.67, 0.79) in the CHEI and 0.63 (0.55, 0.72) in the HEI-2015, respectively. In stratified analyses, the protective associations remained significant in the subgroups of gender, smoking status, tea-drinking, hypertension state, dyslipidemia state, BMI, and T2DM duration, but not among the drinkers in CHEI. Conclusion Greater adherence to the most recent Chinese or American dietary guidelines may protect against CVD incidents among Chinese patients with T2DM. These data further provide novel evidence that supports the extensive benefits of adopting a healthy dietary pattern in reducing the subsequent burden of CVD complications in patients with T2DM.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans DN002 is capable of utilizing numerous aromatic hydrocarbons as sole carbon and energy resource. In this study, the whole genome of strain DN002 was sequenced and analyzed, which consisted of one circular chromosome of 5,943,204 bp and a 278,917 bp plasmid with an average GC content of 65.46 mol%, 5694 protein-coding genes, 13 rRNA genes and 57 tRNA genes. Analysis of cluster of orthologous group (COG) demonstrated that strain DN002 had remarkable gene abundance foramino acid transport and metabolism, transcription, inorganic ion transport and metabolism, energy production and conversion, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism. Genes related to biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons, chemotaxis and flagella were identified from the genome, which will advance our fundamental understanding the molecular mechanism for degradation and metabolizing of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Background: This study aims to investigate the associations of different (low/medium/high) levels of fasting triglyceride (TG) levels with cardiovascular endpoints. Methods: This cohort study comprised of in-service and retired employees of the Kailuan Coal Mine Group, who participated in the health examination conducted in 11 hospitals in the Kailuan region from June 2006 to October 2007 (n=100,271). The study population was divided into five groups according to different TG levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with elevated TG, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of different TG levels on endpoint events. Results: After a median follow-up of 7 years, 961 patients developed MI and 3,142 subjects died. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated TG, an age of ≥65 years old, body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m 2 , fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥6.1 mmol/L and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) Conclusions: In the study population of the Kailuan region, elevated fasting TG increases the risk of MI, particularly in populations with an age of ≥65 years old, BMI >25 kg/m 2 , FBG ≥6.1 mmol/L and HDL-C

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for 1%-5% of all TB infections. Host genetic variation influences susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expressed on cells has been identified as a regulatory molecule in cell death/apoptosis, killing of intercellular pathogens, and bone turnover. This study investigated the P2X7 gene polymorphisms and protein levels in spinal TB. P2X7 gene -762C>T and 489C>T polymorphisms were genotyped. The expression of P2X7R in bone or intervertebral disc (ID) tissues was analyzed by Western blot assay. The -762C>T and 489C>T polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to spinal TB. Having the -762CC genotype and -762C allele increased the risk of developing spinal TB (CC vs. TT: P=0.031, OR [95%CI]=1.865 [1.053-3.304]; C vs. T: P=0.028, OR [95%CI]=1.355 [1.034-1.775]). The presence of the 489T allele was associated with an increased risk of developing spinal TB (TT vs. CC: P=0.004, OR [95%CI]=2.248 [1.283-3.939]; CT vs. CC: P=0.044, OR [95%CI]=1.755 [1.011-3.047]; T vs. C: P=0.004, OR [95%CI]=1.482 [1.134-1.936]; TT+CT vs. CC: P=0.010, OR [95%CI]=1.967 [1.171-3.304]; TT vs. CT+CC: P=0.037, OR [95%CI]=1.489 [1.023-2.167]). The expression of P2X7R in TB-induced bone lesions increased significantly among spinal TB patients (t=0.011). Carrying the P2X7 -762CC genotype and 489T allele is associated with an increased risk of developing spinal TB in a Southern Chinese Han population.

Hypertriglyceridaemia is a very rare disorder caused by the mutations of LPL gene, with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Here, we identified two unrelated Chinese patients manifested with severe hypertriglyceridaemia and acute pancreatitis. The clinical symptoms of proband 1 are more severe than proband 2. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed. Functional analysis of the identified mutations has been done. Whole exome sequencing identified two pairs of variants in LPL gene in the proband 1 (c.162C>A and c.1322+1G>A) and proband 2 (c.835C>G and c.1322+1G>A). The substitution (c.162C>A) leads to the formation of a truncated (p.Cys54*) LPL protein. The substitution (c.835C>G) leads to the replacement of leucine to valine (p.Leu279Val). The splice donor site mutation (c.1322+1G>A) leads to the formation of alternative transcripts with the loss of 134 bp in exon 8 of the LPL gene. The proband 1 and his younger son also harbouring a heterozygous variant (c.553G>T; p.Gly185Cys) in APOA5 gene. The relative expression level of the mutated LPL mRNA (c.162C>A, c.835C>G and c.1322+1G>A) showed significant differences compared to wild-type LPL mRNA, suggesting that all these three mutations affect the transcription of LPL mRNA. These three mutations (c.162C>A, c.835C>G and c.1322+1G>A) showed noticeably decreased LPL activity in cell culture medium but not in cell lysates. Here, we identified three mutations in LPL gene which causes severe hypertriglyceridaemia with acute pancreatitis in Chinese patients. We also described the significance of whole exome sequencing for identifying the candidate gene and disease-causing mutation in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia and acute pancreatitis.

Background Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has made great progress in the field of surgery, the guidelines point to the lack of high-quality evidence in upper gastrointestinal surgery. Methods Randomized controlled trials in four electronic databases that involved ERAS protocols for upper gastrointestinal surgery were searched through December 12, 2018. The primary endpoints were lung infection, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, postoperative anastomotic leakage and ileus. The secondary endpoints were postoperative length of stay, the time from end of surgery to first flatus and defecation, and readmission rates. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the type of surgery. Results A total of 17 studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that there was a decrease in rates of lung infection (RR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.75), postoperative length of stay (MD = -2.53, 95%CI: − 3.42 to − 1.65), time until first postoperative flatus (MD = -0.64, 95%CI: − 0.84 to − 0.45) and time until first postoperative defecation (MD = -1.10, 95%CI: − 1.74 to − 0.47) in patients who received ERAS, compared to conventional care. However, other outcomes were not significant difference. There was no significant difference between ERAS and conventional care in rates of urinary tract infection (P = 0.10), surgical site infection (P = 0.42), postoperative anastomotic leakage (P = 0.45), readmissions (P = 0.31) and ileus (P = 0.25). Conclusions ERAS protocols can reduce the risk of postoperative lung infection and accelerating patient recovery time. Nevertheless, we should also consider further research ERAS should be performed undergoing gastrectomy and esophagectomy.

The accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide plaques is a major pathogenic event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is a cleaved fragment of APP via BACE1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in APP processing and Aβ generation. Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is considered to be a potential target for AD treatment, because of its potent antioxidant and inhibitory effects on Aβ production by negatively regulating BACE1. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a highly active catechin found in green tea, is known to enhance metabolic activity and cognitive ability in the mice model of AD. To investigate whether the therapeutic effect of EGCG is related to the PPARγ pathway, we analysed the alterations in the intracellular molecular expression of PPARγ after EGCG treatment in the N2a/APP695 cell line. In this study, we observed that EGCG attenuated Aβ generation in N2a/APP695 cells, such as the PPARγ agonist, pioglitazone, by suppressing the transcription and translation of BACE1 and that its effect was attenuated by the PPARγ inhibitor, GW9662. Intriguingly, EGCG significantly reinforced the activity of PPARγ by promoting its mRNA and protein expressions in N2a/APP695 cells. Moreover, EGCG also decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, caspase-3), reduced the activity of the anti-inflammatory agent NF-κB and inhibited the oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of ROS and MDA and increasing the expression of MnSOD. Co-administration of GW9662 also significantly decreased the EGCG-mediated neuroprotective effect evidenced by the increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. The therapeutic efficacy of EGCG in AD may be derived from the up-regulation of PPARγ mRNA and protein expressions.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued its first antitrust administrative sanction decision relating to SEP licensing in 2015, finding that Qualcomm had abused its dominant position in the CDMA, WCDMA and LTE wireless communication standard-essential patents (SEPs) licensing market and baseband chip sale market by: (a) charging unfairly excessive royalties, (b) unreasonably bundling SEPs licensing with non-SEPs, and (c) making the sale of baseband chips conditional upon the buyer signing a patent license agreement with a patent no-challenge clause and other unfair clauses. As a result, Qualcomm was ordered to cease its abusive acts and was fined RMB 6.088 billion (approx. USD 975 million), the severest ever imposed by the NDRC or any other Chinese Anti-Monopoly Enforcement Authorities (AMEAs) under its Anti-Monopoly Law (AML). This article provides a structured description of the NDRC’s findings, explores the NDRC’s two-step approach of “the rebuttable assumed dominance” for SEPs and its flexible antitrust approach to correct Qualcomm’s SEPs package licensing practice, and lastly comments on the commercial and industrial significance of this decision in China and beyond.

To investigate the relationship between melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) gene polymorphism and tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility in Han population in southern China.A total of 341 patients with TB (173 with pulmonary TB and 168 with multifocal TB) and 359 healthy controls were enrolled. Genotyping was performed by PCR and DNA sequencing, and detection of protein was performed by western blot.The distributions of genotype and allele frequencies of rs6127698 differed significantly between the pulmonary and multifocal TB groups, and between the multifocal TB and control groups. The GG genotype was significantly more common among multifocal TB patients than among pulmonary TB patients (P = .009) and those in the control group (P = .001) under the recessive model. GG+GT genotype was more common in multifocal TB than in pulmonary TB (P .01) and control group (P .01) under the dominant model. G allele was more common in multifocal TB than in pulmonary TB (P .0167) and control group (P .0167). Patients with multifocal TB had an increased expression of MC3R protein than healthy controls (P .05).In the southern Chinese Han population, the MC3R rs6127698 polymorphism, which accompanying an increased expression of MC3R protein,was associated with susceptibility to multifocal TB. Presence of the G allele increased the risk of developing multifocal TB.

To evaluate S1AI-S4AI screw channels with three-dimensional digital technology simulation analysis and to study the feasibility and applicable features of sacral alar-iliac screw fixation in adults.Forty (20 men and 20 women) normal adult's pelvic CT scan data sets were selected to reconstruct the three-dimensional pelvic model. The ideal S1AI-S4AI screw channels were simulated, followed by precise measurement of their parameters.The results showed that there were no significant differences in the transverse angles, sagittal angles, radiuses of the maximal inscribed circles, or lengths of the screw channels in S1AI-S2AI screws between genders (P 0.05). In contrast, the radiuses of the maximal inscribed circles on the left and right, respectively, were 5.93 ± 1.02 mm and 5.92 ± 1.04 mm in males and 4.64 ± 0.98 mm and 4.59 ± 0.95 mm in females, and there was a significant difference in S3AI screws between genders (P 0.05). With a radius of 2.50 mm considered to be standard, there were 25 cases (62.5%) with an S4AI screw channel radius ≤ 2.50 mm in 40 adults, and 15 cases (37.5%; 9 males and 6 females) with a radius 2.50 mm. Furthermore, the transverse angles, the sagittal angles, the lengths of the screw channels, and the radiuses of the maximal inscribed circles were significantly different between genders in 15 cases (P 0.05).Only one maximum ideal screw can be placed on one side at a time. With a radius of 2.50 mm considered to be standard, it is feasible to place S1AI-S3AI screws with a radius 2.50 mm in the entire adult population and S4AI screws with a radius 2.50 mm in some of the adult population. Furthermore, preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction and three-matic research software can effectively simulate the sacral alar-iliac screw channels, and they can provide accurate data for clinical applications.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of the interaction between glycogen synthase kinase- 3β (GSK- 3β) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in the high glucose (HG)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs treated with 40 mmol/L glucose for 24 h were examined for expression levels of GSK-3β, GRP78, CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 protein using Western blotting. The cell viability was examined using CCK-8 assay and cell apoptosis was detected with Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining and photofluorography. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with dichlorfluoresein staining and photofluorography. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was tested by rhodamine 123 (Rh123) staining and photofluorography. RESULTS: Treatment of HUVECs with 40 μmol/L glucose for 3-24 h activated GSK-3β in a time-dependent manner, leading to significantly down-regulated expression of phosphorylated (p)-GSK- 3β (P < 0.05). HG exposure of the cells for 1-24 h induced ERS, evidenced by time-dependently up-regulated expression of GRP78 and CHOP (P < 0.05). LiCl, an inhibitor of GSK-3β, attenuated HG-induced ERS and significantly lowered the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP (P < 0.01). 4-PBA, an inhibitor of ERS, obviously ameliorated the activation of GSK-3β by HG as shown by the increase in p-GSK-3β expression level (P < 0.01). HG exposure for 24 h induced obvious injuries in HUVECs, which exhibited decreased cell viability, increased cell apoptosis, increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and ROS generation, and loss of MMP. Pretreatment of the cells with LiCl or 4-PBA for 60 min before HG exposure significantly lessened the cell injuries (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Interactions between GSK-3β and ERS occur in HUVECs exposed to HG and participate in HG-induced cell injuries.

We propose a quantum key distribution based on Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometry and interaction-free measurement on single photon. The raw key comes from the photons on which MZ interferometry happened. And the interaction-free measurements are used to detect eavesdroppers. The analysis indicates that the protocol is secure, and can prevent some familiar attacks, such as photon number splitting (PNS) attack. This scheme is easy to be realized in current experiments.

To compare the level of testosterone between type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and healthy controls and to investigate the status of hypogonadism and the influence of hypopgonadism on the quality of life.We collected serum total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and other clinical data from 166 T2DM patients aged over 30 years and 186 age-matched healthy controls. We investigated the quality of life (QoL) of the two groups of subjects using the questionnaires of Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM), Aging Male Symptoms (AMS), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Special Quality of Life for Diabetes Mellitus (DSQL).The level of calculated FT (cFT) was remarkably lower in the T2DM patients than in the healthy controls (P0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the levels of TT, bio-available testosterone (Bio-T), and SHBG. The T2DM males with hypogonadism showed significant differences from those without in age, height, systolic blood pressure, and creatinine (P0.05). Based on the criteria of cFT0.3 nmol/L and AMS score ≥27, the incidence rate of hypogonadism was 51.81% in the T2DM patients, 31.58% in the 30－39 yr group, 32.50% in the 40－49 yr group, 50% in the 50－59 yr group, 69.23% in the 60－69 yr group, and 77.27% in the ≥70 yr group, elevated by 77.4% with the increase of 10 years of age (OR = 1.774, P0.001). The AMS score was significantly correlated with the scores of DSQL (r = 0.557, P0.001) and SF-36 (r = －0.739, P0.001) in the T2DM patients.T2DM patients have lower levels of cFT than healthy men, accompanied with a higher incidence of hypogonadism. Age is a main risk factor of hypogonadism. Severer testosterone deficiency symptoms are associated with lower scores of QoL in T2DM males.目的： 比较2型糖尿病男性（T2DMM）与健康男性的雄激素水平，分析T2DMM性腺功能减退的状况以及性腺功能减退与生活质量的关系。方法： 选取166例30岁以上的T2DMM患者，收集血清总睾酮、游离睾酮等全面的临床资料，采用ADAM量表、AMS量表、SF-36量表、糖尿病患者生存质量特异性量表（DSQL）研究。选择186例年龄匹配的健康男性作为对照组，比较雄激素水平。结果: 在所有T2DMM患者，血清游离睾酮（cFT）水平明显低于各个同年龄组的健康男性对照(P0.05)，总睾酮水平(TT)、生物活性睾酮(Bio-T）和性激素结合球蛋白（SHBG）在两组间无统计学差异。T2DMM伴有性腺功能减退与不伴性腺功能减退患者相比，年龄、身高、收缩压、肌酐有统计学差异(P0.05)。以AMS问卷异常（得分≥27分）同时cFT低于0.3 nmol/L为性腺功能减退的诊断标准时，T2DMM伴发性腺功能减退达51.81%,且随年龄增长伴发率上升（30~39岁,31.58%; 40~49岁,32.5%; 50~59岁,50%; 60~69岁,69.23%; ≥70岁,77.27%）。年龄是性腺功能减退的危险因素，每增加10岁，性腺功能减退风险增加77.4%（OR=1.774, P0.001）。T2DMM患者AMS量表与SF-36量表（r= －0.7393, P0.001）、DSQL量表（r=0.557,P0.001）评分之间存在显著相关性。结论： T2DMM的游离睾酮低于健康男性，性腺功能减退的伴发率较高，年龄是性腺功能减退的主要危险因素。雄激素缺乏症状程度越严重，生活质量各个维度的评分越差。.

Anatomical and experimental studies of flaps have made a great leap forward, especially when the angiosome concept was introduced in 1987 by Taylor and Palmer, whereby the body was considered to be composed anatomically of multiple three-dimensional (3D) composite blocks of tissue supplied by particular source arteries. Since then, detailed studies of the forearm, leg, head, and neck have been carried out by Taylor and coworkers. The application of various flaps has resolved numerous problems in microsurgery. The traditional clinical training on flap anatomy, however, is conducted by means of textbooks, two-dimensional pictures, or cadavers. The rapid development of computer-based digitalization has made it possible to demonstrate flap anatomy in 3D, all-perspective, visualized, and vividly dynamic images, which will greatly enhance the understanding of the complex relationships between vessels, nerves, muscles, skin, and bones. It is expected that these possible images can be used in clinical anatomic training.

Spinal tuberculosis (STB) is an extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which accounts for around 2% of all TB cases and can lead to spine degeneration. It is widely accepted that host genetic factors participate in the pathogenesis of active TB, but the factors controlling which TB form will manifest after Mtb infection remain unknown. We hypothesized that a genetic difference may exist between the development of STB and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Here, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IFNG gene (rs2069718), IRGM gene (rs10065172), and MBL2 gene (rs11003125) were genotyped among 183 PTB patients, 177 STB patients, and 360 healthy controls from the Chinese Han population. We found that rs2069718 genotypes were significantly associated with PTB (TT, p = 0.007; CT, p = 0.008) but not STB, and the TT genotype (p = 0.046) of rs2069718 were less common in PTB than in STB. In contrast, neither PTB nor STB were found to be associated with rs10065172 and rs11003125. Overall, we found a difference in the rs2069718 genetic distribution between the STB and PTB patients in a Chinese Han population. The rs2069718 TT genotype was associated with a protective role in PTB but not STB development during active Mtb infection.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common chronic microvascular diabetic complication. The presence of DR may indicate microcirculatory dysfunction in other organ systems besides visual morbidity. The objective of this study was to develop a simple diabetic retinopathy risk score to identify DR in Chinese overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).A multicentre hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Guangdong Province between August 2011 and March 2012. The evaluated 2699 patients included 1263 males and 1436 females, with an average age of 59.4 ± 13.0 years.The diabetic retinopathy risk score was conducted by age, duration of DM, history of antihypertensive drug treatment, and waist circumference. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for DR was 0.700 (95% CI 0.671-0.729). Comparing Youden's index of different values, the optimal cut-off point was 20 to predict DR. The odds ratio for one unit increase in the diabetic retinopathy risk score associated with the risk of DR was 1.104 (95% CI 1.089-1.120).Our data suggest that the diabetic retinopathy risk score could be a reliable primary screening tool for the presence of DR in Chinese overweight/obese patients with T2DM.

In this paper, we propose a quantum secure direct communication scheme based on six-qubit decoherence-free (DF) states, which can protect communication against collective decoherence noise. With the combination of DF states and error-correcting code (ECC), it achieves a fault tolerant quantum secure direct communication to prevent collective decoherence noise, limited photon loss and other noise.

In this paper, we propose a scheme for quantum private comparison using phase encoding. The analysis indicates that the scheme is secure, and can prevent some familiar attacks. With the use of error-correcting code (ECC), it achieves a limited fault tolerant quantum private comparison. The scheme is easy to be realized in current experiments.

A robust and efficient quantum key agreement (QKA) protocol is presented with decoherence-free (DF) states and single-particle measurements. Compared with all the previous QKA protocols, which are designed in ideal condition, this protocol can not only guarantee both the security and fairness of the shared key but also be immune to collective decoherence. In addition, our protocol has a high intrinsic efficiency due to the utilization of the delayed measurement technique. Finally, we show that the proposed protocol is secure against the attacks from both outside eavesdroppers and inside dishonest participants.

We propose a secure quantum protocol for comparing the equality of information with the help of a semi-honest third party (Trent). Our protocol utilizes the triplet W states, and the single-particle measurement. The technique for preparing W state is mature, which ensures the utility of our protocol. The security of our protocol with respect to both outsider attack and participant attack is discussed. Any information about the private information, the comparison result will not be leaked out, even the third party cannot know these information.

Artificial extracellular matrices play important roles in the regulation of stem cell behavior. To generate materials for tissue engineering, active functional groups, such as amino, carboxyl, and hydroxyl, are often introduced to change the properties of the biomaterial surface. In this study, we chemically modified coverslips to create surfaces with different amino densities and investigated the adhesion, migration, and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) under serum-free culture conditions. We observed that a higher amino density significantly promoted NSCs attachment, enhanced neuronal differentiation and promoted excitatory synapse formation in vitro. These results indicate that the amino density significantly affected the biological behavior of NSCs. Thus, the density and impact of functional groups in extracellular matrices should be considered in the research and development of materials for tissue engineering.

There are some quantum private comparison (QPC) schemes proposed previously. In this paper we study these QPC protocols in non-ideal scenario and find that they are not secure there. For resolving the problem, we propose a QPC scheme which could be performed in practical scenario. By the use of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states and error-correcting code (ECC), the scheme has the capability of fault-tolerate.

Objective. To investigate the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SP110 gene and TNF-α gene among pulmonary TB (PTB) and spinal TB (STB) patients. Methods. In a total of 190 PTB patients, 183 STB patients were enrolled as the case group and 362 healthy individuals at the same geographical region as the control group. The SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and the promoter -308G>A (rs1800629) and -238G>A (rs361525) polymorphisms in TNF-α were genotyped. Results. TNF-α -238G>A polymorphism was involved in susceptibility to STB, but not to PTB. The TNF-α -238 A allele was a protective factor against STB (A versus G: OR [95% CI] = 0.331 [0.113–0.972], P=0.044). Furthermore, the presence of the -238 A allele was considered a trend to decrease the risk of STB (AG versus GG: P=0.062, OR [95% CI] = 0.352 [0.118–1.053]; AA + AG versus GG: P=0.050, OR [95CI%] = 0.335 [0.113–0.999]). However, SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and TNF-α -308G>A (rs1800629) showed no association with PTB and STB in all genetic models. Conclusion. The TNF-α -238 A allele appeared a protective effect against STB, whereas the SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and TNF-α -308G>A (rs1800629) showed no association with susceptibility to PTB and STB patients in southern China.