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OBJECTIVE: The aim in this study was to determine the efficacy of shear wave dispersion (SWD) technique for the prediction of post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy and develop an SWD based risk prediction model. METHODS & MATERIALS: We prospectively enrolled 205 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pre-operative SWD examination, laboratory data and some other clinicopathological tests were collected. The risk factors of PHLF were identified according to univariate and multivariate analysis, a predictive model was established based on logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: SWD examination was successfully performed in 205 patients. PHLF occurred in 51 patients (24.9%), including 37/11/3 patients with Grade A/B/C, respectively. There was a high correlation between SWD value of liver and liver fibrosis stage (r = 0.873, p < 0.05). Patients with PHLF has a higher median SWD value of liver than patients without PHLF [17.4 vs 14.7 (m/s)/kHz, p < 0.05]. The SWD value of liver, total bilirubin (TB), international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (INR) and splenomegaly were significantly related to PHLF based on the multivariate analysis. A new prediction model (PM) for PHLF was established (PM = –12.918 + 0.183× SWD + 6.668× INR +0.100×TB+1.240×splenomegaly). The optimal cutoff value of SWD for predicting PHLF was 16.7 (m/s)/kHz. The area under the curve (AUC) of the PM for PHLF was 0.833, which was higher than that of SWD, INR, Forns, FIB4, APRI (p < 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: SWD is a promising and reliable method for PHLF prediction in patients with HCC who were undergoing hepatectomy. Compared with SWD, Forns, APRI and FIB-4, PM demonstrate better efficacy for preoperative PHLF prediction.

To evaluate ablation zone sizes in patients undergoing pulmonary tumor cryoablation with 14-gauge cryoablation probes.A single-center retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent cryoablation of pulmonary tumors with 1 or more 14-gauge probes (August 2017 to June 2020) was performed. Intraprocedural and 1-2-month postprocedural chest computed tomography (CT) scans were evaluated to characterize pulmonary lesions, ice balls, and ablation zones. Single-probe 14-gauge ablation zone volumes were compared with manufacturer reference isotherms and single- and 2-probe ablation zones from a prior investigation of 17-gauge probes. Overall survival and local recurrence-free survival were calculated to 3 years.Forty-seven pulmonary malignancies in 42 patients (women, 50%; mean age, 75.2 years ± 11.5) underwent cryoablation with 1 (n = 35), 2 (n = 10), or 3 (n = 2) cryoablation probes. One- to 2-month follow-up CT images were available for 30 of the 42 patients. The mean cryoablation zone volumes at 1-2 months when 1 (n = 21), 2 (n = 8), and 3 (n = 1) probes were used were 5.0 cmFourteen-gauge probes generate larger ablation volumes than those generated by 17-gauge probes. Manufacturer-reported isotherms are significantly larger than actual cryoablation zones. Cryoablation can attain low rates of local recurrence.

The goal of the study described here was to define the predictive value of pre-operative clinical information and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging characteristics in combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) patients with microvascular invasion (MVI). Seventy-six patients with pathologically confirmed CHC were enrolled in this study, comprising 18 patients with MVI-positive status and 58 with MVI-negative CHC nodules. The pre-operative clinical data and CEUS imaging features were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the potential predictors of MVI in CHC. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) after hepatectomy was compared between patients with different MVI status using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Univariate analysis indicated that the following parameters of patients with CHC significantly differed between the MVI-positive and MVI-negative groups (p0.05): tumor size, α-fetoprotein ≥400 ng/mL, enhancement patterns in arterial phase and marked washout during the portal venous phase on CEUS. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the CEUS characteristics of heterogeneous enhancement (odds ratio = 6.807; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.099, 42.147; p = 0.039) and marked washout (odds ratio = 4.380; 95% CI: 1.050,18.270; p = 0.043) were identified as independent predictors of MVI in CHC. The combination of the two risk factors in predicting MVI achieved a better diagnostic performance than each parameter alone, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.736 (0.622, 0.830). After hepatectomy, CHC patients with MVI exhibited earlier recurrence compared with those without MVI (hazard ratio = 1.859; 95% CI: 0.8699-3.9722, p = 0.046). The CEUS imaging features of heterogeneous enhancement in the arterial phase and marked washout during the portal venous phase were the potential predictors of MVI in CHC. Aside from that, CHC patients with MVI had an earlier recurrence rate than those without MVI after surgery.

To investigate the methodology and clinical application of ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) and comparative analyze the diagnostic performance of ATI and controlled attenuation parameters (CAP) for detecting and grading hepatic steatosis.A total of 159 patients with NAFLD were prospectively enrolled. CAP and ATI examinations were performed within a week before proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (The median value of AC for detecting hepatic steatosis was 0.831 dB/cm/MHz. For the intraobserver consistency of ATI, the ICC was 0.931. Compared with 10 measurements, a minimum of four ATI measurements was required. The correlation of AC with hepatic fat fraction (HFF) was significantly higher than that of CAP (0.603 vs 0.326, P = .0015). The HFF and triglyceride (TG) were the significant factors for the ATI. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves of ATI and CAP were 0.939 and 0.788 for detecting ≥10% hepatic steatosis; 0.751 and 0.572 for detecting33% hepatic steatosis. The cutoff values of ATI and CAP were 0.697 dB/cm/MHz and 310 dB/m for detecting ≥10% hepatic steatosis; 0.793 dB/cm/MHz and 328 dB/m for detecting33% hepatic steatosis. The sensitivity of ATI and CAP were 85.92% and 52.11% for detecting ≥10% hepatic steatosis; 87.50% and 82.14% for detecting33% hepatic steatosis. The specificity of ATI and CAP were 94.12% and 100% for detecting ≥10% hepatic steatosis; 54.37% and 43.69% for detecting33% hepatic steatosis.ATI technology showed excellent intraobserver consistency and the optimal minimum number of ATI measurements was 4. ATI is a promising noninvasive, quantitative and convenient tool for assessing hepatic steatosis.

To investigate the impact of different treatment methods on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine detection.CSF samples were collected from 25 patients. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-2 were measured after CSF was stored at room temperature (25°C) or 4°C for 6, 12, and 24 hrs. The CSF was frozen at -80°C, thawed at room temperature for 1 hr every 8 hrs and then frozen. This process was repeated three times in a row, and then cytokine levels in CSF were detected again.The four cytokines were stable when the CSF was kept at room temperature for 6 hrs. After 12 hrs of storage, the levels of the four cytokines decreased, and the changes in IL-6 and IL-10 levels were statistically significant. After 24 hrs of storage, the levels of the four cytokines were further reduced, and the changes were statistically significant. Cytokines were stable when CSF was stored at 4°C, and only IL-10 exhibited statistically significant changes when stored for 24 hrs. IL-6, IL-10 IFN-γ, and IL-2 were stable in CSF samples after three freeze-thaw cycles.The stability of CSF cytokines is poor after storage at room temperature and good after storage at 4°C. Therefore, cytokine detection should be carried out after CSF collection as often as possible. If the detection cannot be done quickly enough, the specimens should be stored in cold storage for no more than 24 hrs.

Intratumoral heterogeneity remains as a major challenge in the treatment resistance of prostate cancer. Understanding the mechanism of prostate cancer heterogeneity is essential for developing effective therapies. In this study, we reported the heterogeneous activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer. We developed a Wnt/β-catenin signaling reporting system to directly characterize the differences between Wnt/β-catenin signaling active (GFP+) and inactive (GFP-) cells. Compared to GFP- cells, GFP+ cells demonstrated cancer stem cell properties with higher colony formation efficiency, slower cell cycle, higher resistance to docetaxel and higher expression of cancer stem cell markers. In addition, we found that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is negatively correlated with H3K27me3 levels. Further studies demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling affected H3K27me3 levels by regulating the expression of KDM6A, one of the H3K27me3 demethylases. H3K27me3 suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling by directly silencing LEF1 promoter. Together, our studies suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling makes a major contribution to prostate cancer heterogeneity and targeting both Wnt/β-catenin signaling active and inactive populations is essential for developing more effective therapies.

To investigate the diagnostic value of tumor markers in peritoneal lavage fluid in the diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer.One hundred eighty-six patients with colorectal cancer and 15 patients with benign disease who underwent surgical treatment were included. The abdominal cavity and pelvis of the patients were lavaged with 200 ml of normal saline immediately after abdominal cavity incision or pneumoperitoneum establishment. Five milliliters of lavage fluid was collected for peritoneal lavage fluid tumor marker detection (pCEA, pCA19-9, pCA125 and pCA724), and another 100 ml of lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination.There were 13 patients with abdominal and pelvic nodules found intraoperatively and confirmed by postoperative pathology as peritoneal metastasis, and 24 patients were cytologically peritoneal lavage-positive, with a positivity rate of 12.9%. Peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer was related to tumor T stage, N stage, and serum CEA and CA19-9 elevation. Peritoneal lavage fluid tumor markers had diagnostic value for patients with and without peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer, and the differences were statistically significant (T stage, N stage, and serum CEA and CA19-9 elevation are associated with peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer. Peritoneal lavage fluid tumor markers have diagnostic value for peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer, among which pCA19-9 has the highest diagnostic value.

To determine the genotype of an individual suspected for Aw through DNA sequencing.Serologic testing was carried out with standard methods. Exons 6 and 7 of the ABO genes were amplified by PCR and subjected to direct sequencing or sequenced after gene cloning.Serological testing showed that the forward typing and reverse typing were Aw and A, respectively. DNA sequencing revealed that the individual has carried an Aw allele and an O allele. Haplotype sequencing of each allele has revealed a nt543 variant (543GC) in the Aw allele.The individual was verified as a rare A subtype, which was previously unreported in mainland China.

Bile leaks are rare but potentially devastating iatrogenic or posttraumatic complications. This is being diagnosed more frequently since the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and propensity toward nonsurgical management in select trauma patients. Timely recognition and accurate characterization of a bile leak is crucial for favorable patient outcomes and involves a multimodal imaging approach. Management is driven by the type and extent of the biliary injury and requires multidisciplinary cooperation between interventional radiologists, endoscopists, and hepatobiliary/transplant surgeons. Interventional radiologists have a vital role in both the diagnosis and management of bile leaks. Percutaneous interventional procedures aid in the characterization of a bile leak and in its initial management via drainage of fluid collections. Most bile leaks resolve with decompression of the biliary system which is routinely done via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. Some bile leaks can be definitively treated percutaneously while others necessitate surgical repair. The primary principle of percutaneous management is flow diversion away from the site of a leak with the placement of transhepatic biliary drainage catheters. While this can be accomplished with relative ease in some cases, others call for more advanced techniques. Bile duct embolization or sclerosis may also be required in cases where a leaking bile duct is isolated from the main biliary tree.

The genomic full-length sequence of HLA-B*15:198 was identified by a group-specific sequencing approach from China.

Genomic full-length sequence of the HLA-A*24:225:01 was identified by a group-specific sequencing approach in a Chinese Han individual.

To explore the molecular basis for an individual suspected as AwB subtype through DNA sequencing.ABO serology was carried out with the standard tube method. To identify the ABO gene haplotype, the amplicons of exon 7 were cloned and sequenced.Serological results showed that the forward typing was AwB and the reverse typing was B. Sequencing analysis revealed that the sample has contained an O01 allele in addition with c.297AG, c.657CT, c.796CA, c.803GC, c.930GA variants as compared with the A101 allele.Through sequencing analysis, the sample with an AwB subtype by serological testing was identified as a novel B(A) phenotype, which was unreported previously.

To delineate the blood group for a pair of twins with inconclusive ABO blood typing result.Serological test for blood group was carried out by using ABO and Rh Blood Grouping Cards (Microcolumn Gel Immunoassay). Sequence specific primer-PCR (PCR-SSP), direct sequencing and TA clone sequencing were used to analyze the ABO gene. Genetic status was analyzed by using 16 short tandem repeat (STR) markers.Red blood cells of the twins displayed 2+ mixed agglutination phenomenon with anti-A, anti-A1 and anti-E. PCR-SSP and DNA sequencing of exons 6 to 7 revealed that they have an ABO*O.01.01/ABO*O.01.02 genotype. DNA sequencing of microsatellite enhancer region revealed presence of A gene. STR analysis revealed more than two haplotypes for 9 loci between the twins. After clustered by anti-A, the red blood cells were divided into two groups: A, CcDEe and O, CcDee, respectively.Serological and molecular techniques have characterized the twins as blood group chimeras.

Objective To investigate the plasma fibrinogen gamma‐chain concentration in preeclampsia patients and explore its value in preeclampsia prediction and auxiliary diagnosis. Methods Follow‐up of pregnant women who regularly attended perinatal care at two hospitals in China was performed, and clinical data and plasma samples were collected at each examination until delivery. The gamma‐chain concentration was detected by Western blotting, and Quantity One Software was used for gamma‐chain grayscale value measurements. Results Forty‐two patients with preeclampsia and 42 control patients completed the follow‐up. In the control group, the gamma‐chain concentration at 32 weeks of gestation was higher than that at 20 weeks of gestation, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the experimental group, the gamma‐chain concentration at preeclampsia diagnosis was significantly higher than that at 20 weeks of gestation (p, To investigate the plasma fibrinogen gamma‐chain concentration in preeclampsia patients and explore its value in preeclampsia prediction and auxiliary diagnosis. Follow‐up of pregnant women who regularly attended perinatal care at two hospitals in china was performed, and clinical data and plasma samples were collected at each examination until delivery. The gamma‐chain concentration was detected by Western blotting, and Quantity One Software was used for gamma‐chain grayscale value measurements. Forty‐two patients with preeclampsia and 42 control patients completed the follow‐up. In the control group, the gamma‐chain concentration at 32 weeks gestation was higher than that at 20 weeks gestation, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the experimental group, the gamma‐chain concentration at preeclampsia diagnosis was significantly higher than that at 20 weeks gestation (p

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) is an unusual variant of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Revealing the imaging features is important to the diagnosis of FLHCC.The aim of this study was to investigate the imaging characteristics of FLHCCs.This retrospective study included 29 patients with histopathologically proved FLHCC and 96 patients proved HCC. All patients underwent an ultrasound examination pre-operation.The average maximum diameters of the FLHCC and HCC lesions were 7.4±4.1 cm and 4.1±3.0 cm, respectively. On the ultrasound, 79.3% of the FLHCCs and 12.3% of the HCCs showed the internal hyperechoic area; 48.3% of the FLHCCs and 3.3% of the HCCs displayed a strip-like attenuation. Calcification was noted in 20.7% of the FLHCCs, while none in HCCs. On the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), all FLHCC lesions and 87.7% of the HCCs displayed hyperenhancement in the arterial phase. An internal, unenhanced central scar appeared in all FLHCCs, while none in HCCs.The ultrasonographic features of FLHCC lesions indicate that they are relatively large masses showing the internal hyperechoic area or strip-like attenuation or calcification on the US and hypervascularity with an unenhanced central scar on the CEUS as compared with conventional HCC lesions.

As an important component of innate immunity, human circulating γδ T cells function in rapid responses to infections and tumorigenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical regulatory role in multiple biological processes and diseases. Therefore, how the functions of circulating human γδ T cells are regulated by miRNAs merits investigation. In this study, we profiled the miRNA expression patterns in human peripheral γδ T cells from 21 healthy donors and identified 14 miRNAs that were differentially expressed between peripheral αβ T cells and γδ T cells. Of the 14 identified genes, 7 miRNAs were downregulated, including miR-150-5p, miR-450a-5p, miR-193b-3p, miR-365a-3p, miR-31-5p, miR-125b-5p and miR-99a-5p, whereas the other 7 miRNAs were upregulated, including miR-34a-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-22-5p and miR-9-5p, in γδ T cells compared with αβ T cells. In subsequent functional studies, we found that both miR-125b-5p and miR-99a-5p downregulated γδ T cell activation and cytotoxicity to tumor cells. Overexpression of miR-125b-5p or miR-99a-5p in γδ T cells inhibited γδ T cell activation and promoted γδ T cell apoptosis. Additionally, miR-125b-5p knockdown facilitated the cytotoxicity of γδ T cells toward tumor cells in vitro by increasing degranulation and secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Our findings improve the understanding of the regulatory functions of miRNAs in γδ T cell activation and cytotoxicity, which has implications for interventional approaches to γδ T cell-mediated cancer therapy.

The present study evaluates the in vitro release of diclofenac sodium (DFNa) from contact lenses based on poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA) hydrogels containing an embedded microemulsion to extend release duration. The oil (ethyl butyrate)-in-water microemulsion systems are prepared with two non-ionic surfactants, Brij 97 or Tween 80, together with a long-alkyl chain cationic surfactant, cetalkonium chloride (CKC). Without CKC, Brij 97 or Tween 80-based microemulsions showed average droplet sizes of 12 nm and 18 nm, respectively. The addition of CKC decreased the average droplet sizes to 2&ndash, 5 nm for both non-ionic surfactants. Such significant reduction in the average droplet size corresponds to an increase in the DFNa release duration as revealed by the in vitro experiments. Contact lens characterization showed that important properties such as optical transparency and water content of Brij 97-based contact lenses with cationic microemulsions was excellent. However, the optical transparency of the corresponding Tween 80 based contact lenses was unsatisfactory. The results indicate that cationic microemulsion-laden contact lenses can benefit from combinatory effects of microemulsions and cationic surfactant at low CKC weight percentage, e.g., with the release of 70% of the drug in 45, 10, and 7 h for B97-CKC-0.45%, CKC-0.45%, and control lenses, respectively. However, the microemulsion effect on extending DFNa release became negligible at the highest CKC weight percentage (1.8%).

Background: There is a lack of consensus in optimal management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis. The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and thrombosis burden change for cirrhotic patients with non-tumoral PVT managed by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) only, anticoagulation only, or no treatment. Methods: This single-center retrospective study evaluated 52 patients with cirrhosis and non-tumoral PVT managed by TIPS only (14), anticoagulation only (11), or no treatment (27). The demographic, clinical, and imaging data for patients were collected. The portomesenteric thrombosis burden and liver function tests at early follow-up (6–9 months) and late follow-up (9–16 months) were compared to the baseline. Adverse events including bleeding and encephalopathy were recorded. Results: The overall portomesenteric thrombosis burden improved in eight (72%) TIPS patients, three (27%) anticoagulated patients, and two (10%) untreated patients at early follow-up (p = 0.001) and in seven (78%) TIPS patients, two (29%) anticoagulated patients, and three (17%) untreated patients in late follow-up (p = 0.007). No bleeding complications attributable to anticoagulation were observed. Conclusion: TIPS decreased portomesenteric thrombus burden compared to anticoagulation or no treatment for cirrhotic patients with PVT. Both TIPS and anticoagulation were safe therapies.

To investigate whether serum levels of 19 eicosanoids are associated with pre-eclampsia.A case-control study was performed using data for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, normotensive pregnant women, and nonpregnant women, for all of whom serum samples had been collected at a hospital in Shanghai, China, between December 2012 and December 2013. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the serum levels of 19 eicosanoids.Overall, 49 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, 26 normotensive pregnant women, and 14 nonpregnant women were included. Women with pre-eclampsia had significantly higher serum levels of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET), the hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids 5-HETE, 8-HETE, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE, and leukotriene B4 than did women with a normal pregnancy and nonpregnant women, both before and after the onset of pre-eclampsia (P0.01 for all comparisons). Women with severe pre-eclampsia had significantly higher serum levels of 5-HETE, 15-HETE, and leukotriene B4 than did women with mild pre-eclampsia, women with a normal pregnancy, and nonpregnant women (P0.01 for all comparisons).The eicosanoids 11,12-EET, 5-HETE, 8-HETE, 12-HETE, 15-HETE, and leukotriene B4 might play important parts in the occurrence and development of pre-eclampsia.

Drying behavior and change of physicochemical compositions of sweet potato in intermittent microwave drying (IMD) and continuous microwave drying (CMD) combined with or without carbonic maceration (CM) pre-treatment were investigated. A quantity of 100 g of fresh or CM pre-treated samples were dried in IMD at 700 W with power on–off ratio of 1/6 (5 s/30 s, ton/toff) or dried in CMD with power density of 1 W/g. The results indicated that the process of CM + IMD as compared with IMD, CMD, and CM + CMD had the shortest drying time, the lowest activation energy (Ea), and the biggest effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) and exhibited the highest total content of phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, β-carotene, ascorbic acid retention rate, as well as scavenging free radical capability 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydracyl of dried product. Meanwhile, color measurements indicated that CM + IMD could get the most desirable color of dried sweet potatoes. Therefore, CM pre-treatment is promising for industrial appl...

To fulfill its commitment to carbon emission reduction and peak carbon emission in 2030, China is expected to conduct large-scale carbon capture and storage deployment in future decades, considering the dominant role of coal-based energy for power generation. As an important carbon emission mitigation technology, oxy-fuel combustion will play a significant role in this process. Meanwhile, the water scarcity in China is also worthy of attention, especially in coal-rich areas which are usually water-scarce. The development and implementation of coal-based carbon capture and storage technology may exacerbate the water shortage situation in these regions. Considering this background, a correct analysis of the water use of oxy-fuel combustion power plants is of great importance, before implementing the large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage. Therefore, this study aims to assess the life-cycle water consumption of a 600 MW oxy-fuel combustion power plant, retrofitted from a typical 600 MW coal-fired power plant in China. Based on a tiered hybrid method, the direct and indirect water consumption of a typical oxy-combustion CCS project is evaluated. Results show that 4.63 L of water is used for capturing 1 kg of carbon dioxide, while the calculated water intensity for power generation is 3.79 L/kWh. The operation and maintenance processes dominate the total water consumption, in which the cooling mode exerts a great influence on life cycle water consumption. Once-through cooling has lower water consumption than recirculating cooling in the retrofitted oxy-combustion power plant. If we compare water consumption with other power generation technologies, the water intensity of oxy-combustion carbon capture and storage power production is lower than that of bio-power, but beyond that of solar photovoltaic and wind power. Moreover, based on the thermal power production in China in 2017 and the water use calculated in this study, transforming all the thermal power plants to oxy-combustion systems is hardly feasible as the induced water withdrawal will account for 17.26%–827.19% of the total industrial water budget in 2030. Further regional analysis indicates that even to achieve 10 Gt of carbon dioxide abatement, Shanxi province will encounter great difficulties due to reduced water availability.

Available online 3 October 2019. This study examines cross-modality effects of a semantically-biased written sentence context on the perception of an acoustically-ambiguous word target identifying neural areas sensitive to interactions between sentential bias and phonetic ambiguity. Of interest is whether the locus or nature of the interactions resembles those previously demonstrated for auditory-only effects. FMRI results show significant interaction effects in right mid-middle temporal gyrus (RmMTG) and bilateral anterior superior temporal gyri (aSTG), regions along the ventral language comprehension stream that map sound onto meaning. These regions are more anterior than those previously identified for auditory-only effects; however, the same cross-over interaction pattern emerged implying similar underlying computations at play. The findings suggest that the mechanisms that integrate information across modality and across sentence and phonetic levels of processing recruit amodal areas where reading and spoken lexical and semantic access converge. Taken together, results support interactive accounts of speech and language processing. This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, NIDCD grant RO1 DC006220.

Circulating γδ T cells In healthy Individuals rapidly respond to bacterial and viral pathogens. Many studies have demonstrated that γδ T cells are activated and expanded by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a foodborne bacterial pathogen with high fatality rates. However, the roles of γδ T cells during L. monocytogenes infection are not clear. In the present study, we characterized the morphological characteristics of phagocytosis in γδ T cells after L. monocytogenes infection using transmission electron microscopy. Results show activation markers including human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) and lymph node-homing receptor CCR7 on γδ T cells were upregulated after stimulation via L. monocytogenes. Significant proliferation and differentiation of primary αβ T cells was also observed after coculture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with γδ T cells anteriorly stimulated by L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes infection decreased the percentage of γδ T cells in mouse intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and increased MHC-II expression on the surface of γδ T cells in vivo. Our findings shed light on antigen presentation of γδ T cells during L. monocytogenes infection.

MicroRNAs play crucial roles in modulating immune system. miR-146a, a potent feedback suppressor of NF-κB signaling, was shown to limit the innate immune response and myelopoiesis in a knockout mouse model. Here, we observed high lymphopoiesis demonstrated as mild splenomegaly and severe lymphadenopathy in a miR-146a transgenic mouse model. Overexpression of miR-146a resulted in enhanced proliferation and reduced apoptosis of T cells. More activated CD4+ T cells or effector memory T cells were observed in transgenic mice even under physiological conditions. Importantly, as one of the key steps to generate central tolerance, the positive selection of thymocytes is impaired in transgenic mice, resulting in more CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes but fewer CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8+ single-positive thymocytes. The maturation of selected CD4−CD8+ thymocytes was also impaired, leading to more severe loss of CD4−CD8+ than CD4+CD8− thymocytes in thymus of transgenic mice. Gene expression profiling analysis identified nine positive selection-associated genes, which were downregulated in transgenic mice, including genes encoding major histocompatibility complex class I/II molecules, IL-7 receptor α chain, and Gimap4, whose downregulation may contribute to the impairment of positive selection. Gimap4 was verified as a novel target of miR-146a. These findings further extend our understanding of the function of miR-146a in T cell biology and identify a novel regulatory mechanism underlying the positive selection during T cell development.

The novel allele, A*11:264, was identified in a Chinese individual by sequence-based typing.

To study the molecular mechanism and polymorphism of D gene of RhD negative and D variants among voluntary blood donors from Qingdao region.For 220 D-negative phenotype cases and 5 D variant cases confirmed by serological test, exons 1 to 10 of the RHD gene were detected by a PCR-SSP method. The samples which contain all or part of the exons were sequenced.Among the 220 cases, 166 (75.45%) had complete absence of the RHD gene, while 54 (24.55%) had retained some or all of the 10 exons. Eight genotypes were identified, which included RHD 1227GA in 28 cases (12.73%), RHD-CE- (2-9) -D in 19 cases (8.64%), RHD-CE- (3-7)-D in 1 case (0.45%), RHD 3GA in 1 case (0.45%), RHD 711delC in 2 cases (0.91%), RHD 845GA in 1 case (0.45%), RHD 1013TC in 1 case (0.45%), and RHD 1227A/G in 1 case (0.45%). No mutation was found in all of the 10 exons. Two alleles were identified in the 5 cases of D variants, which included RHD 845GA (4 cases) and RHD 697GA (1 case).Absence of the whole RHD gene is common among RhD negative blood donors from Qingdao region, and there are rich genetic polymorphisms for this locus.

One nucleotide replacement at nucleotide 811 of HLA-A*02:01:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA-A*02:692.

Combined teriparatide and denosumab increases spine and hip bone mineral density more than either drug alone. The effect of this combination on skeletal microstructure and microarchitecture, however, is unknown. Because skeletal microstructure and microarchitecture are important components of skeletal integrity, we performed high-resolution peripheral QCT assessments at the distal tibia and radius in postmenopausal osteoporotic women randomized to receive teriparatide 20-µg daily (n=31), denosumab 60-mg every 6 months (n=33), or both (n=30) for 12 months. In the teriparatide group, total volumetric BMD (vBMD) did not change at either anatomic site but increased in both other groups at both sites. The increase in vBMD at the tibia was greater in the combination group (3.1±2.2%) than both the denosumab (2.2±1.9%) and teriparatide groups (−0.3±1.9%) (p

Biomass combustion for power generation plays an important role in achieving 1.5 °C climate target and fulfilling global energy demand, while putting pressure on global water resources. Confronted with severe water shortage, it is imperative to understand its comprehensive impact on water resource. Recently remarkable advances of life cycle assessment and water footprint analysis have been witnessed in this field. Based on a review of the two methods' history, we propose a combination evaluation framework and define an associated indicators set to integrate both methods' advantages. By methods integration, direct and indirect water use are combined with the green, blue, and gray water footprint to describe the water use in detail. Furthermore, the life cycle water footprint of a typical biomass direct-combustion power generation system in China is evaluated based on the combined method. Results show the system life cycle water use is 11.71 L/MJ, while agricultural plantation accounts for the major part (84.61%). In addition, direct green water footprint is the largest component (46.54%), while direct and indirect blue water footprints account for 36.59% and 1.74%, respectively; indirect gray water footprint is 1.771 L/MJ. In terms of water use intensity, the direct-combustion power generation is lower than bio-oil power generation, but far more than solar photovoltaic and wind power. Sensitivity analysis suggests that improving power generation efficiency, straw collection coefficient and cultivating high water-efficient crops can evidently contribute to alleviating water stress conditions for bioenergy production.

This paper focuses on extending drug release duration from contact lenses by incorporating catanionic aggregates. The aggregates consist of a long-chain cationic surfactant, i.e., cetalkonium chloride (CKC), and an oppositely charged anti-inflammatory amphiphilic drug. We studied three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs with different octanol&ndash, water partition coefficients, diclofenac sodium (DFNa), flurbiprofen sodium (FBNa), and naproxen sodium (NPNa). Confirmation of catanionic aggregate formation in solution was determined by steady and dynamic shear rheology measurements. We observed the increased viscosity, shear thinning, and viscoelastic behavior characteristic of wormlike micelles, the rheological data are reasonably well described using a Maxwellian fluid model with a single relaxation time. In vitro release experiments demonstrated that the extension in the drug release time is dependent on the ability of a drug to form viscoelastic catanionic aggregates. Such aggregates retard the diffusive transport of drug molecules from the contact lenses. Our study revealed that the release kinetics depends on the CKC concentration and the alkyl chain length of the cationic surfactant. We demonstrated that more hydrophobic drugs such as diclofenac sodium show a more extended release than less hydrophobic drugs such as naproxen sodium.