Correlation of Breast Ultrasound Classifications with Breast Cancer in Chinese Women.

The aim of this study was to identify potential links between ultrasonographic breast parenchymal patterns and the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women. The population of Chinese women at high risk for breast cancer was explored using the ultrasonographic classification. Ultrasonographic parenchymal patterns were classified into four types: heterogeneous type, ductal type, mixed type and fibrous type. A total of 5879 Chinese women underwent breast ultrasound examination from May 2010 to April 2014. Of the 5879 women, 256 women had pathology-confirmed breast cancer. Among the remaining 5623 women, 512 randomly selected, age-matched women were recruited into the present study. The correlation between ultrasonographic type and breast cancer revealed that the odds ratio (OR) was highest for the heterogeneous type (odds ratio = 4.11, 95% confidence interval: 2.01-8.41, p < 0.001), followed by the fibrous type (odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.51-2.78, p < 0.001). The odds ratios of the ductal and mixed types were both less than 1 (p < 0.05). This study indicates that the heterogeneous and fibrous types in the ultrasonographic classification are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and, therefore, can be used as a marker of breast cancer risk in the female population of China.

Visual detection of trace copper ions based on copper-catalyzed reaction of ascorbic acid with oxygen.

A visual detection method for trace Cu(2+) in aqueous solutions using triangular silver nanoplates (abbreviated as TAgNPs) as the probe was developed. The method is based on that TAgNPs could be corroded in sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) solutions. The absorption spectrum of TAgNPs solution changed when it is corroded by Na2S2O3. The reaction of oxygen with ascorbic acid (Vc) in the presence of a low concentration of Cu(2+) generates hydrogen peroxide that reacts with Na2S2O3, which leads the concentration of Na2S2O3 in the solution to be decreased. Therefore, the reaction between TAgNPs and the reacted mixture of Na2S2O3/Vc/Cu(2+) was prevented efficiently. When the Na2S2O3 concentration and reaction time are constant, the decrease in the concentration of Na2S2O3 is directly proportional to the Cu(2+) concentration. Thus, morphology, color, and maximum absorption wavelength of TAgNPs changed with the change of Cu(2+) concentration. The changed maximum absorption wavelength of TAgNPs (Δλ) is proportional to Cu(2+) concentration in the range from 7.5×10(-9) to 5.0×10(-7) M with a correlation coefficient of r=0.9956. Moreover, color change of TAgNP solution was observed clearly over a Cu(2+) concentration range from 7.5×10(-8) to 5.0×10(-7) M. This method has been used to detect the Cu(2+) content of a human hair sample, and the result is in agreement with that obtained by the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method.

Visual determination of trace cysteine based on promoted corrosion of triangular silver nanoplates by sodium thiosulfate.

In this study, triangular silver nanoplates (TAg-NPs) were used to detect trace Cysteine concentration in the presence of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3). Study showed that the TAg-NPs could be gently etched by Cysteine with the concentration of 1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1) through forming Ag-S covalent bond at the three corners. However, in the presence of Na2S2O3 (only 3.0×10(-6) mol L(-1)), the corrosion of Cysteine on TAg-NPs can be promoted significantly. It was also found that the color, morphology, and the maximum absorption wavelength of TAg-NPs change clearly with the concentrations of Cysteine as low as 2.5×10(-8) mol L(-1). Furthermore, the wavelength shift values (Δλ) of TAg-NPs solution were proportional to the concentrations of Cysteine in the range of 1.0×10(-9)-1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1), and the linear regression equation is Δλ=-0.89+319.94 c (c, µM, n=5) with the correlation coefficient of 0.990. At the same time, the color change of the TAg-NPs solution could be observed clearly by the naked eyes with increasing Cysteine concentrations in the range of 2.5×10(-8)-1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1). Thus, a novel method for the detection of Cysteine by either UV-vis spectrophotometry detection or naked eyes observation is established. It allows determination of Cysteine content in compound amino acid injection sample of 18AA-V.

Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance and immune function in chicks under beak trimming stress.

This experiment was undertaken to examine the effect of beak trimming stress on the growth performance and immune system, and to consider possible roles of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in this stress response. Results showed that body weight, feed intake and relative spleen weight were significantly increased by GABA at 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05) under beak trimming stress, whereas the relative organ weights of the bursa of fabricius and thymus were not significantly affected (P > 0.05). Adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in serum was highest for chicks fed the GABA-deficient water and was significantly decreased by the supplement of GABA at days 1, 3 and 5 after beak trimming (P < 0.05). The supplement of GABA significantly increased the proportions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes, especially at the dose of 60 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased by GABA at 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05). All the three cytokines expressed in the spleen were significantly decreased by GABA at 80 mg/kg when birds were under beak trimming stress (P < 0.05). It is concluded that beak trimming suppressed the immune response of chicks, whereas the immune response of chicks could be improved by GABA supplementation.