Rose-like NiCo2O4 with Atomic-Scale Controllable Oxygen Vacancies for Modulating Sulfur Redox Kinetics in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The long-term stability of Li-S batteries is significantly compromised by the shuttle effect and insulating nature of active substance S, constraining their commercialization. Developing efficient catalysts to mitigate the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) is still a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized a rose-like cobalt-nickel bimetallic oxide catalyst NiCo2O4-OV enriched with oxygen vacancies (OV) and verified the controllable synthesis of different contents of OV. Introducing the OV proved to be an efficient approach for controlling the electronic structure of the electrocatalyst and managing the absorption/desorption processes on the reactant surface, thereby addressing the challenges posed by the LiPS shuttle effect and sluggish transformation kinetics in Li-S batteries. In addition, we investigated the effect of OV in NiCo2O4 on the adsorption capacity of LiPSs using adsorption experiments and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. With the increase in the level of OV, the binding energy between the two is enhanced, and the adsorption effect is more obvious. NiCo2O4-OV contributes to the decomposition of Li2S and diffusion of Li+ in Li-S batteries, which promotes the kinetic process of the batteries.

Combined with the first dorsal (plantar) metatarsal artery pedicle free bilobed flap with a cell scaffold for the repair of a mid-distal adjacent finger defect: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Assessing the clinical effectiveness of combining with the first dorsal (plantar) metatarsal artery pedicle free bilobed flap with a cell scaffold to repair mid-distal defects in adjacent fingers. METHODS: From September 2012 to April 2022, 21 patients with 42 mid-distal defects of adjacent fingers underwent treatment using combined with the first dorsal (plantar) metatarsal artery pedicle free bilobed flap with a cell scaffold. The flaps size ranged from 2.1 cm * 1.6 to 4.9 cm * 3.2 cm. Follow-up evaluations included assessing function, sensation, and appearance, etc. of the injured fingers and donor areas. RESULTS: All 42 flaps survived in 21 patients without any vascular crises, and the wounds healed in phase I. The mean follow-up time was 12.2 months (range 7-22 months). During follow-up, in injured fingers, according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHOQ), the functional recovery and appearance were satisfactory; in Dargan Function Evaluation (DFE), the results were both "excellent" in fourteen patients, "excellent" and "good" in five patients, both "good" in one patient, "good" and "general" in one. In static two-point discrimination (2PD), the variation ranges from 4 to 9 mm in injured fingers and 6-10 mm in donor toes. Cold Intolerance Severity Score (CISS) is mild in all patients. The visual analogue score (VAS) showed no pain in the injured fingers and donor toes. No deformities or other complications were noted at the donor toes. According to Chinese Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (C-MFPDI), there was no morbidity on foot function in all donor areas. CONCLUSION: The surgical procedure of combined with the first dorsal (plantar) metatarsal artery pedicle free bilobed flap with a cell scaffold for the repair of mid-distal adjacent fingers defect is highly satisfactory. This approach helps the injured fingers to achieve good function, sensibility and appearance, while also achieving satisfactory results in the donor toes.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Genetics, Mechanisms, and Adverse Effects on Health.

Nearly all living organisms, from cyanobacteria to humans, have an internal circadian oscillation with a periodicity of approximately 24 h. In mammals, circadian rhythms regulate diverse physiological processes including the body temperature, energy metabolism, immunity, hormone secretion, and daily sleep-wake cycle. Sleep is tightly regulated by circadian rhythms, whereas a misalignment between the circadian rhythms and external environment may lead to circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD). CRSD includes four main kinds of disorders: the advanced sleep-wake phase disorder (ASPD), the delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSPD), the irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder and the non-24-h sleep-wake rhythm disorder. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the genetic basis of CRSD. Deciphering the genetic codes for ASPD and DSPD has so far been more successful than the other CRSDs, which allow for the development of animal models and understanding of the pathological mechanisms for these disorders. And studies from humans or animal models implicate CRSDs are associated with adverse health consequences, such as cancer and mental disorders. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the genetics, underlying mechanisms and the adverse effects on health of ASPD and DSPD.

Another new attempt to repair finger pulp defects: retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting.

This study investigated the surgical method and therapeutic effect of retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting to repair finger pulp defects. From June 2008 to May 2020, 21 fingers (19 patients) were repaired using this method. The postoperative flap survival rate and complications, and the clinical effect, were evaluated. All flaps survived, and all patients were followed-up for 12 to 46 months. The static two-point discrimination (2PD) was 7 to 11 mm, no apparent complications were observed in the donor area and the McIndoe cold intolerance symptom severity (CISS) scores indicated mild severity. The Michigan hand outcome questionnaire (MHQ) indicated that all patients were satisfied with their overall hand appearance and function. Results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 4 cases, according to the Dargan function evaluation (DFE). It is safe and effective to repair finger pulp defects with a retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting. This skin flap has the advantages of simple severing, good texture and concealed donor area, which is convenient for early postoperative functional exercise of the finger.

Health risk of fluorine in soil from a phosphorus industrial area based on the in-vitro oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility.

Health risk of F in soil is of special concern due to the continuously elevated concentration of F in soil. However, there is still a dearth of risk assessments of F in soil based on in-vitro bioaccessibility posed by multiple exposure routes. Herein, the oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility of F in soil was firstly obtained by adapting and combining in-vitro methods, which then was introduced to remedy an information gap of a comprehensive risk of F in soil posed by a multi-exposure pathway. Combined in-vitro tests indicate the oral, inhalation, and dermal bioaccessibility of F was 13.15 ± 2.63%, 16.55 ± 2.63%, and 1.27 ± 0.73%, respectively. Plasma yielded a detoxic potential for the absorbed F after digesting in small intestine, while effects of enzymes, sweat, and food on the oral bioaccessibility of F were insignificant. Different with metals, the major dissolving phase of F was the interstitial fluid in the deep lung instead of in the alveolar macrophages intracellular environment. A potentially major release of F in the exocrine sweat was noted than in the apocrine sweat. Risk assessments based on the daily exposure incorporated with the in-vitro bioaccessibility suggested that compared with inhalation and dermal contact, oral ingestion was the main exposure route of F in soil to human. Present findings provide insights into the bioaccessibility and health risk of F in soil by multiple exposure routes, which are crucial for the risk control of F contamination in soil.

Curculigoside Protects against Titanium Particle-Induced Osteolysis through the Enhancement of Osteoblast Differentiation and Reduction of Osteoclast Formation.

Wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis is mainly responsible for joint replacement failure and revision surgery. Curculigoside is reported to have bone-protective potential, but whether curculigoside attenuates wear particle-induced osteolysis remains unclear. In this study, titanium particles (Ti) were used to stimulate osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence or absence of curculigoside, to determine their effect on osteoblast differentiation. Rat osteoclastic bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were cocultured with Ti in the presence or absence of curculigoside, to evaluate its effect on osteoclast formation in vitro. Ti was also used to stimulate mouse calvaria to induce an osteolysis model, and curculigoside was administrated to evaluate its effect in the osteolysis model by micro-CT imaging and histopathological analyses. As the results indicated, in MC3T3-E1 cells, curculigoside treatment attenuated the Ti-induced inhibition on cell differentiation and apoptosis, increased alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and cell mineralization, and inhibited TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 production and ROS generation. In BMSCs, curculigoside treatment suppressed the Ti-induced cell formation and suppressed the TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 production and F-actin ring formation. In vivo, curculigoside attenuated Ti-induced bone loss and histological damage in murine calvaria. Curculigoside treatment also reversed the RANK/RANKL/OPG and NF-κB signaling pathways, by suppressing the RANKL and NF-κB expression, while activating the OPG expression. Our study demonstrated that curculigoside treatment was able to attenuate wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis in in vivo and in vitro experiments, promoted osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation, and inhibited osteoclast BMSC formation. It suggests that curculigoside may be a potential pharmaceutical agent for wear particle-stimulated osteolysis therapy.

Boosting adsorption of heavy metal ions in wastewater through solar-driven interfacial evaporation of chemically-treated carbonized wood.

Once the adsorbent is selected, almost introducing larger specific surface area and more surface functional groups becomes the only way to improve its adsorption performance. However, this approach is generally limited in practical application for intricate and costly engineering steps. Herein, we provided a novel avenue for boosting adsorption activities towards specific metal ions in wastewater. Solar-driven interfacial water evaporation produces the localized temperature field and concentration gradient of metal ions inside small pores, endowing with a new sorption mechanism. By using chemically-treated carbonized wood as all-in-one solar absorption and metal ion adsorption system, we achieved higher water evaporation rate and heavy metal ion removal efficiency than carbonization-only wood reported previously. In particular, this system exhibited a strong dependence of specific metal ion adsorption capacity on solar intensity. Pb2+ adsorption capacity was enhanced by over 225% with the solar intensity increased to 3.0 kW·m-2. This could originate from the formed temperature field localized specially on the surface of adsorbents that not only induces Pb2+ concentration gradient near to solid-liquid interface but also activate inactive adsorption sites. Besides, the chemical-treated & carbonized wood showed excellent cyclic stability and can be directly utilized for wastewater treatment, recovery and reuse.

Genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of CCDC141 variants in a Chinese cohort with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

OBJECTIVE: To identify CCDC141 variants in a large Chinese cohort with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and to assess the contribution of CCDC141 to CHH. DESIGN: Detailed phenotyping was conducted in CHH patients with CCDC141 variants and co-segregation analysis was performed, when possible. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 177 CHH patients and 450 unrelated, ethnically matched controls from China. RESULTS: Seven novel CCDC141 rare sequencing variants (RSVs) were identified in 12 CHH pedigrees. Four of the variants were private mutations; however, p.Q409X, p.Q871X and p.G1488S were identified in more than one patient. Up to 75% (9/12) of patients had mutations in other CHH-associated genes, which is significantly higher than CHH patients without CCDC141 RSVs. The co-segregation analysis for eight CHH families showed that 75% (6/8) CCDC141 RSVs were inherited from their fertile parents. Over half (58.3%, 8/18) of the patients exhibited other clinical deformities in addition to hypogonadism. One patient harbouring a CCDC141 RSV showed a reversal of CHH after sex-steroid replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results broaden the genotypic spectrum of CCDC141 in CHH, as CCDC141 RSVs alone do not appear sufficient to cause CHH. The phenotypic spectrum in patients with CCDC141 RSVs is much wider than originally believed.

[Progress on prevention and treatment of heterotopic ossification].

Heterotopic ossification is the formation of pathological bone in non-skeletal tissues (including muscles, tendons or other soft tissues), and the pathogenesis is not completely clear. It is often caused by musculoskeletal trauma, postoperative bone and joint surgery, or damage of the nervous system, the clinical manifestations are joint swelling, pain, and movement disorders, which often occur around the hips, knees, and elbows. At present, the prevention of heterotopic ossification mainly includes drugs, radiotherapy, molecular biological mechanism intervention, and Chinese medicine-related measures. Among them, drugs and radiotherapy are more effective methods to prevent heterotopic ossification. The intervention of molecular biology mechanism to prevent heterotopic ossification has become a new research direction and focus of attention inrecent years, and is basically at the experimental research stage. The treatment of heterotopic ossification includes various methods such as drugs, physical therapy, and surgery. Among them, surgery is recognized as the most effective treatment, however there are still some controversies and disagreements about the choice of operation time and surgical methods.

Fluorine in the environment in an endemic fluorosis area in Southwest, China.

Soils in large areas of China are enriched in fluorine (F). The present study analyzed F concentrations in cultivated soil, water, chemical fertilizer, and human hair, and metal concentrations in soils from an endemic fluorosis area in Southwest, China. In order to reveal the effects of industry on F concentration in the environment, 3 towns mainly with agriculture production and another 3 towns with developed phosphorus chemical industry in a same city were selected for sample collection. The total F concentrations of the 277 surface agricultural soil samples were 378.79-1576.13 µg g-1, and F concentrations of nearly 95% of the soil samples were higher than the Chinese average topsoil F concentration (480 µg g-1). Only a small fraction (0.75%) of total F was water soluble. The average total F, water soluble F, Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Rb, and Sr concentrations in soil samples from towns with intensive industry were higher than those from towns mainly with agriculture. Significant correlations were found between soil pH with total F (p < 0.01) and with water soluble F concentration (p < 0.1). Low F concentrations (<0.5 mg L-1) were found in irrigation water, well water and tap water in a town where the industry is dense. The phosphorus fertilizer and compound fertilizer had hundreds of times of contribution to soil F increment than the nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. Nearly half percent of F in the human hair samples was of exogenic origin. Based on soil ingestion pathway, the health risk for adults exposure to F in soils was acceptable, however, F may pose possible health risks to children in high F concentration areas.

Mechanism of vanadium(IV) resistance of the strains isolated from a vanadium titanomagnetite mining region.

Microbial treatment for vanadium contamination of soils is a favorable and environment-friendly method. However, information of the resistant mechanism of the strains in soils to vanadium, especially to tetravalent vanadium [vanadium(IV)], is still limited. Herein, potential of the vanadium(IV) biosorption and biotransformation of the strains (4K1, 4K2, 4K3 and 4K4) which were capable of tolerating vanadium(IV) was determined. For biosorption, the bioadsorption and the bioabsorption of vanadium(IV) occur on the bacterial cell wall and within the cell, respectively, were taken into consideration. Comparison of the vanadium(IV) adsorbed on the bacterial cell walls and remained in the cells after sorption indicated the major bacterial vanadium(IV) sorption role of the bioadsorption which was at least one order of magnitude higher than the bioabsorption amount. Isotherm study using various isotherm models revealed a monolayer and a multilayer vanadium(IV) biosorption by 4K2 and the others (4K1, 4K3 and 4K4), respectively. Higher biosorption was observed in acidic conditions than in alkaline conditions, and the maximum biosorption was 2.41, 9.35, 7.76 and 8.44 mg g-1 observed at pH 6 for 4K1, at pH 3 for 4K2, and at pH 4 for 4K3 and 4K4, respectively. At the present experimental range of the initial vanadium(IV) concentration, optimal biosorption capacity of the bacteria was observed at the vanadium(IV) level of 100-250 mg L-1. Different biotransformation level of vanadium(IV) in soils by the stains was observed during a 28-d pot incubation of the soils mixed with the strains, which can be attributed to the discrepancy of both soil properties and bacterial species. Present study can help to fill up the gaps of the insufficient knowledge of the vanadium(IV) resistant mechanism of the strains in soils.

Adsorption-desorption and co-migration of vanadium on colloidal kaolinite.

Vanadium (V) pollution in soil has been widely noted, while knowledge about the effect of soil colloid on migration of V is scarce. Batch adsorption-desorption and transportation of the colloid-adsorbed V in columns packed with quartz sand under various environment conditions were carried out to explore the retention and transportation of V by colloidal kaolinite. Batch adsorption-desorption studies show that the adsorption of V by the colloidal kaolinite was mainly specific adsorption and redox played a limited role in the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of the colloidal kaolinite was 712.4 mg g-1, and about 5.9-8.7% of the adsorbed V could be desorbed. Both the adsorption-desorption and migration of V with colloidal kaolinite were highly ambient condition dependent. The column studies show that V was highly mobile in the saturated porous media. An easier transfer of V with an increase in pH, IS, and velocity of flow was noted. However, the increase of IS lead to the blockage of the colloidal kaolinite transportation. The recovery rate of the colloidal kaolinite at pH 7 and 9 was 2.0 and 2.1 times that at pH 5, respectively. The migration of colloidal-adsorbed V in sand column preceded that of V ion, but more colloidal-bound V than V ion remained in the column. Lack of consideration of the combination and co-transportation of V and colloidal kaolinite will lead to an overestimation of the risk of V to deeper soil profiles and groundwater. Graphical abstract.

Characteristic of adsorption, desorption, and co-transport of vanadium on humic acid colloid.

Understanding the interactions between humic acid colloid (HAC) and vanadium (V) in soils is of great importance in forecasting the behaviors and fates of V in the soil and groundwater systems. This study investigated the characteristics and factors that affect V adsorption-desorption by the HAC; meanwhile, we also explored the co-transport of the HAC and V in a saturated porous media. Scanning Electronic Microscopy micrographs showed the variation of morphological features on the surface of the HAC before and after V adsorption. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra revealed that the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbon-carbon double bond, amino, and aromatic ring on the HAC participated in V adsorption. The adsorption isotherms were well described by the Langmuir model, and the adsorption kinetics of the HAC was better described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic models. The adsorption-desorption was strongly dependent on the initial V concentration, solution pH, and temperature. The maximum adsorption amount was 861.17 mg g-1 by 200 mg L-1 HAC at the initial V concentration of 500 mg L-1, and the corresponding desorption amount was 15.13 mg g-1. These results showed that the HAC had high fixation capacity of V in soil. In addition, the HAC sped up the mobility of V; however, it decreased mass of migration of V in the saturated quartz sand column. These results are expected to provide insight into the potential impact of HAC on geochemical behaviours of V in vulnerable ecosystems.

Phenotypic Spectrum of Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism Patients With CHD7 Variants From a Large Chinese Cohort.

PURPOSE: Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) and CHARGE (C, coloboma; H, heart abnormalities; A, choanal atresia, R, retardation of growth and/or development; G, gonadal defects; E, ear deformities and deafness) syndrome are 2 distinct developmental disorders sharing features of hypogonadism and/or impaired olfaction. CHD7 variants contribute to >60% CHARGE syndrome and ~10% IHH patients. A variety of extended CHARGE-like features are frequently reported in CHARGE patients harboring CHD7 variants. In this study, we aimed to systematically analyze the diagnostic CHARGE features and the extended CHARGE-like features in patients with IHH with CHD7 variants. METHODS: Rare sequencing variants (RSVs) in CHD7 were identified through exome sequencing in 177 IHH probands. Detailed phenotyping was performed in the IHH patients harboring CHD7 variants and their available family members. RESULTS: CHD7 RSVs were identified in 10.2% (18/177) of the IHH probands. Two diagnostic CHARGE features, hearing loss and ear deformities, were significantly enriched in patients with CHD7 variants. Furthermore, CHD7 variants were significantly associated with a panel of extended CHARGE-like phenotypes, including mild ocular defects, dyspepsia/gastroesophageal reflux disease and skeletal defects. We also developed a predictive model for prioritizing CHD7 genetic testing in IHH patients. CONCLUSION: CHD7 variants rarely cause isolated IHH. Surveillance of symptoms in CHARGE syndrome-affected organs will facilitate the proper treatment for these patients. Certain clinical features can be useful for prioritizing CHD7 genetic screening.

Expression and clinical significance of HOXA5, E-cadherin, and ß-catenin in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: HOXA5 has been identified as a biomarker in pathogenesis of several cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer cells. The role has not been explored in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). METHODS: Tissues of 120 cases with CSCC and 30 controls with chronic cervicitis were constructed from our archived surgical pathology files and staining with HOXA5. Additional antibodies to E-cadherin and ß-catenin were stained for comparison. For each marker, low expression was defined as staining score 0 to 3 points, whereas high expression referred to 4 points and above. Fifty-four patients in this research with cervical cancer were followed up for prognostic assessment. RESULT: HOXA5 had high expression in chronic cervicitis and low in CSCC (P=0.004). The positivity rates of HOXA5 in patients without muscular layer invasion (MLI) and lymphatic invasion (LI) was higher than that in metastasis (113 vs. 17; 117 vs. 3). Consistently, low expression of HOXA5 was more common in poorly differentiated carcinoma, CSCC subjects without MLI and LI. Expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin was parallel with the expression of HOXA5. Additionally, patients with higher expression of HOXA5 had much more favorable prognosis than those with lower expression among follow up of the 54 patients. CONCLUSION: In parallel with E-cadherin and ß-catenin, low expression of HOXA5 was more common in CSCC patients with poor differentiation, without MLI and LI, among those which showed poor prognosis.

Amniotic membrane-derived stem cells help repair osteochondral defect in a weight-bearing area in rabbits.

Our study evaluated the use of amniotic membrane-derived stem cells for repairing osteochondral defects in a weight-bearing area in rabbits. Twenty-four 3-month-old male or female New Zealand white rabbits were selected. The rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups of eight, according to the treatment received for an experimentally inflicted femoral medial malleolus lesion, group I received a human acellular amniotic membrane seeded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HAAM-BMSCs) implant; group II received a simple HAAM implant and the control group received no experimental lesion or treatment. The rabbits were sacrificed at 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures (4 rabbits in each time-point) and the cartilage repair status in each animal was evaluated under the microscope. The tissue of the HAAM-BMSCs group grew well covering an area in the visual field that was significantly larger than that of the HAAM group (p<0.05). The percentage of collagen II-positive area in the HAAM-BMSC group was significantly higher than that in HAAM group (p<0.05). The number of chondrocytes determined by toluidine blue staining was higher in the HAAM-BMSC group than that in the HAAM group (p<0.05). The Wakitani scores of the HAAM and HAAM-BMSC groups were significantly higher (worse) than those of the normal control group (p<0.05), but the score in the HAAM-BMSC group was significantly lower than that in the HAAM group (p<0.05). The Wakitani scores in the HAAM-BMSC group were not different between the two time-points taken. Based on our findings, the amniotic membrane-derived stem cells had a good therapeutic effect in repairing the osteochondral defects in the weight-bearing area, and the number of chondrocytes in the injured area was increased significantly, which accelerated the repair of the damaged tissue in rabbits.

Local influence of high molecular polyethylene particles on heterotopic ossification.

We studied the effect of molecular polyethylene particles on local heterotopic ossification. A total of 36 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (n=18) and the observation group (n=18). High molecular polyethylene particles were injected to rupture Achilles tendon position in the observation group, and normal saline was injected in the control group. X-ray examinations were conducted on Achilles tendon in the 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation. The incidence rate of heterotopic ossification was evaluated, and bone trabecula morphological structure was studied under optical microscope after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression levels were also measured. Our results showed that heterotopic ossification incidence in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Achilles tendon structure in the control group increased in volume, and its texture was harder and cartilage-like. In the observation group, trabecular bone volume, thickness and quantity were more than those observed in the control group. BMP-2, TGF-ß, IL-1, TNF-α, Runx2 and MMP-9 levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. We concluded that, high molecular polyethylene particles had a significant inhibiting effect on local heterotopic ossification.

Detection of fetal epigenetic biomarkers through genome-wide DNA methylation study for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.

The discovery of cell-free DNA fetal (cff DNA) in maternal plasma during pregnancy provides a novel perspective for the development of non­invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD). Against the background of maternal DNA, the use of the relatively low concentration of cff DNA is limited in NIPD. Therefore, in order to overcome the complication of the background of maternal DNA and expand the scope of cff DNA application in clinical practice, it is necessary to identify novel universal fetal­specific DNA markers. The GeneChip Human Promoter 1.0R Array set was used in the present study to analyze the methylation status of 12 placental tissue and maternal peripheral blood whole­genome DNA samples. In total, 5 fetus differential hypermethylation regions and 6 fetus differential hypomethylation regions were identified. In order to verify the 11 selected methylation regions and detect the differential CpG sites in these regions, a bisulfate direct sequencing strategy was used. In total, 87 fetal differential methylation CpG sites were identified from 123 CpG sites. The detection of fetal differential methylation DNA regions and CpG sites may be instrumental in the development of efficient NIPD and in the expansion of its application in other disorders.

A prospective evaluation of contrast and radiation dose and image quality in cardiac CT in children with complex congenital heart disease using low-concentration iodinated contrast agent and low tube voltage and current.

OBJECTIVE: To the assess image quality, contrast dose and radiation dose in cardiac CT in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) using low-concentration iodinated contrast agent and low tube voltage and current in comparison with standard dose protocol. METHODS: 110 patients with CHD were randomized to 1 of the 2 scan protocols: Group A (n = 45) with 120 mA tube current and contrast agent of 270 mgI/ml in concentration (Visipaque™; GE Healthcare Ireland, Co., Cork, UK); and Group B (n = 65) with the conventional 160 mA and 370 mgI/ml concentration contrast (Iopamiro®; Shanghai Bracco Sine Pharmaceutical Corp Ltd, Shanghai, China). Both groups used 80 kVp tube voltage and were reconstructed with 70% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction algorithm. The CT value and noise in aortic arch were measured and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. A five-point scale was used to subjectively evaluate image quality. Contrast and radiation dose were recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference in age and weight between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The iodine load and radiation dose in Group A were statistically lower (3976 ± 747 mgI vs 5763 ± 1018 mgI in iodine load and 0.60 ± 0.08 mSv vs 0.77 ± 0.10 mSv in effective dose; p < 0.001). However, image noise, CT value, CNR, SNR and subjective image quality for the two groups were similar (all p > 0.05), and with good agreement between the two observers. Comparing the surgery results, the diagnostic accuracy for extracardiac and intracardiac defects for Group A was 96% and 92%, respectively, while the corresponding numbers for Group B were 95% and 93%. CONCLUSION: Compared with the standard dose protocol, the use of low tube voltage (80 kVp), low tube current (120 mA) and low-concentration iodinated contrast agent (270 mgI/ml) enables a reduction of 30% in iodine load and 22% in radiation dose while maintaining compatible image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Advances in knowledge: The new cardiac CT scanning protocol can largely reduce the adverse effects of radiation and contrast media to children. Meanwhile, it also can be used effectively to examine complex CHD.

Mechanisms underlying the antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of monotropein in hydrogen peroxide-treated osteoblasts.

Monotropein, the primary iridoid glycoside isolated from Morindacitrifolia, has been previously reported to possess potent antioxidant and antiosteoporotic properties. However, there is no direct evidence correlating the antiosteoporotic effect of monotropein with its observed antioxidant capacity, and the molecular mechanisms involved in mediating these processes remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of monotropein against oxidative stress in osteoblasts and the mechanisms involved in mediating this process. Osteoblast viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species were detected by flow cytometry analyses. Western blotting and enzyme­linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect protein expression levels. A significant reduction in osteoblast viability was observed at 24 h following exposure to various concentrations (100­1,000 µM) of H2O2 compared with untreated osteoblasts. The cytotoxic effect of H2O2 was notably reversed when osteoblasts were pretreated with 1­10 µg/ml monotropein. Pretreatment with 1-10 µg/ml monotropein increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species in osteoblasts following exposure to H2O2. In addition, the H2O2­induced increase in apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and caspase-9) and H2O2-induced reduction in sirtuin 1 levels were significantly reversed following pretreatment of cells with monotropein. Furthermore, monotropein significantly reduced H2O2­induced stimulation of NF­κB expression, in addition to the expression of a number of proinflammatory mediators. These results indicate that monotropein suppresses apoptosis and the inflammatory response in H2O2­induced osteoblasts through the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway and inhibition of the NF­κB signaling pathway.