How similar is "similar," or what is the best measure of soil spectral and physiochemical similarity?

Spectral similarity indices were used to select similar soil samples from a spectral library and improve the predictive accuracy of target samples. There are many similarity indices available, and precisely how to select the optimum index has become a critical question. Five similarity indices were evaluated: Spectral angle mapper (SAM), Euclidean distance (ED), Mahalanobis distance (MD), SAM_pca and ED_pca in the space of principal components applied to a global soil spectral library. The accordance between spectral and compositional similarity was used to select the optimum index. Then the optimum index was evaluated if it can maintain the greatest predictive accuracy when selecting similar samples from a spectral library for the prediction of a target sample using a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model. The evaluated physiochemical properties were: soil organic carbon, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay, silt, and sand content. SAM and SAM_pca selected samples were closer in composition compared to the target samples. Based on similar samples selected using these two indices, PLSR models achieved the highest predictive accuracy for all soil properties, save for CEC. This validates the hypothesis that the accordance information between spectral and compositional similarity can help select the appropriate similarity index when selecting similar samples from a spectral library for prediction.

Efficient Qubit Measurement with a Nonreciprocal Microwave Amplifier.

The act of observing a quantum object fundamentally perturbs its state, resulting in a random walk toward an eigenstate of the measurement operator. Ideally, the measurement is responsible for all dephasing of the quantum state. In practice, imperfections in the measurement apparatus limit or corrupt the flow of information required for quantum feedback protocols, an effect quantified by the measurement efficiency. Here, we demonstrate the efficient measurement of a superconducting qubit using a nonreciprocal parametric amplifier to directly monitor the microwave field of a readout cavity. By mitigating the losses between the cavity and the amplifier, we achieve a measurement efficiency of (72±4)%. The directionality of the amplifier protects the readout cavity and qubit from excess backaction caused by amplified vacuum fluctuations. In addition to providing tools for further improving the fidelity of strong projective measurement, this work creates a test bed for the experimental study of ideal weak measurements, and it opens the way toward quantum feedback protocols based on weak measurement such as state stabilization or error correction.

Deep small RNA-Seq reveals microRNAs expression profiles in lactating mammary gland of 2 sheep breeds with different milk performance.

Micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) is a type of noncoding RNA, and it has been revealed to play important roles in the activity of the mammary gland (MG) in some species. However, the function of miRNAs in MG of sheep is poorly understood. In the study, Gansu Alpine Merino (GAM; n = 9) and Small-tailed Han sheep (STH; n = 9) with different milk production traits were investigated. Microstructures and the expression profile of miRNAs of MG tissues at peak lactation were studied. Mature alveolar lumens of MG in appearance were larger in STH than GAM. The expression levels of CSN2 and the content of rough endoplasmic reticulum were also higher in STH ewes than GAM ewes. A total of 124 mature miRNAs were expressed, and 18 of these were differentially expressed between the 2 breeds. The KEGG analysis results showed that the targeted genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in some metabolic pathways and signaling pathways related to MG development, milk protein, and fat synthesis. The findings in the study can improve our understanding of the roles of miRNAs in the development and lactation of MG in sheep.

[Clinical efficacy of surgical opportunity of the modified transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage in treatment of the cervical incompetence].

Objective: To explore the surgical opportunity of the transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage in the treatment of the cervical incompetence and the effect on the pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A Retrospective controlled trial was carried out between January 2014 and December 2018 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Zhejiang, China and a total of 1 027 patients with cervical incompetence underwent the transvaginal cerclage. According to the different surgical opportunity, the patients were divided into two groups: the conception cerclage (n=736) and the preconception cerclage (n=291), and the former were divided into two subgroups depending on the condition of the cervix, the history indicated conception cerclage (n=511) and the ultrasound indicated conception cerclage (n=225). Main outcome measures were the gestational age, term delivery rate, the fetal weight and the fetal survival rate. Results: After the cerclage, the gestational age was (36±4) weeks, the term delivery rate was 69.6% (710/1 020), the fetal weight was (3 038±624)g and the fetal survival rate was 94.7% (966/1 020). Compared with the ultrasound indicated conception cerclage subgroup, the gestational age, the term delivery rate, and the fetal weight were all significantly higher in the history indicated conception cerclage subgroup [(37±4) vs (36±5) weeks, t=2.691; 72.8% vs 62.7%,χ(2)=7.593; (3 091±594) vs (2 963±756) g, t=2.396; all P<0.05], but the fetal survival rate was comparable in these two groups(95.3% vs 92.9%, χ(2)=1.772, P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the gestational age, the term delivery rate, the fetal weight and fetal survival rate between the history indicated conception cerclage and the preconception cerclage (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage is a promising and safe technique for improving obstetric outcomes in women with cervical incompetence, and the history indicated conception cerclage is better than the ultrasound indicated cerclage.

Ulinastatin improves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective role of ulinastatin (UTI) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats via endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced apoptosis pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=20), myocardial I/R model group (model group, n=20), and myocardial I/R model+UTI treatment group (treatment group, n=20). The myocardial function indicators [creatinine (Scr) and creatine kinase (CK)] were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Meanwhile, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat left ventricular tissues were determined by ELISA as well. The cardiac function indexes were determined via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography (ECG). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining assay was carried out to detect the apoptosis of myocardial tissues. Additionally, the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis genes were measured through quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay and Western blotting analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), CK, and Scr in model group were significantly higher than those in normal group (p<0.05). Besides, rats in model group had significantly lowered SOD, ejection fraction (EF, %), and fractional shortening (FS, %) than those in normal group (p<0.05). In addition, remarkably increased contents of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9, MDA, and ROS, as well as higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd) were observed in model group in comparison with normal group (p<0.05). TUNEL staining results revealed that there were more apoptotic cells in model group than that in the other two groups (p<0.05). Expression levels of cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease 12 (Caspase-12) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were evidently higher in model group than those in normal group (p<0.05), while the expression level of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was clearly lower in model group than that in normal group (p<0.05). UTI treatment partially reversed the above expression changes (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UTI has a protective effect against myocardial I/R injury in rats by repressing the occurrence of ERS-induced apoptosis.

CircABCB10 promotes the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells through down-regulating microRNA-217 expression.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at studying the role and molecular mechanism of circular RNA circABCB10 in the progression of lung cancer (LCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected LCa tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology to determine circABCB10 expression and performed survival analysis based on the clinical data of LCa patients. At the same time, the specific effects of circABCB10 on the biological function of LCa cell lines were determined by certain cell function experiments, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test, plate cloning experiment, transwell and cell wound healing assays. The downstream key gene microRNA-217 of circABCB10 was predicted through bioinformatics analysis and the potential regulation between them was confirmed by luciferase assay. microRNA-217 was knocked down in LCa cell lines to verify its important role in the progression of LCa. RESULTS: CircABCB10 showed abnormally high expression in LCa tissues and cell lines and was related to the poor prognosis of patients. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that knocking down circABCB10 remarkably suppressed the proliferation and migration ability of LCa cells. In addition, circABCB10 can specifically bind to microRNA-217 and negatively regulate its expression of microRNA-217 in LCa cells. Finally, cell functional experiments showed that microRNA-217 is a key downstream gene that mediates the regulation of circABCB10 on LCa cell function. CONCLUSIONS: CircABCB10, abnormally highly expressed in LCa tissues, is able to induce the malignant progression of this cancer.

[The clinical efficacy of laparoscopic cornuotomy on interstitial tubal pregnancy which diameter was shorter than 3 cm].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of Laparoscopic cornuotomy on Interstitial Tubal Pregnancy (IP) which diameter was shorter than 3 cm. Methods: The women who had IP under 3 cm diameter were selected from January, 2016 to December, 2018 at the Department of Gynecology, JiaXing Maternity and Child Health care Hospital. A total of 32 IP patients were divided into two groups. They were all treated with laparoscopic surgery. 17 patients were in study group, conducted by a cornuotomy and suturing the cornual.15 patients were in control group, conducted by a cornual resection and suturing the cornual. Patients' genenral conditions were not significantly different(all P values>0.05). The peri-surgical data and the related clinical data were compared in the two groups. Results: All the 32 patients were successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. The mean operating time was significantly shorter for cornuotomy than for cornual resection[ (33±6) min vs (53±9) min, P<0.05].Changes in blood loss[(45±5) ml vs (50±7) ml]、the total hospital stays[ (4.4±1.4) d vs (4.6±1.4) d] and the recovery time of HCG[(16±5) d vs (15±5) d] were not significantly different between the two groups (all P values>0.05) . There were no persistent ectopic pregnancy and uterine rupture happened in two groups. Compared with the control group,the interval time to pregnancy was shorter[ (8±3) m vs (16±4) m, P<0.05] and the number of full-term pregnancy cases were more (9 vs 3, P<0.05). Conclusion: The Laparoscopic cornuotomy was feasible and safe on interstitial tubal pregnancy which diameter was shorter than 3cm. It deserved popularization in the clinical work and regarded as one of selection operative treatment on interstitial heterotopic pregnancy.

[Analysis of the occurrence of interstitial pregnancy during the re-pregnancy after modified tubal resection or ligation].

Objective: To investigate the effect of modified tubal resection or ligation on the incidence of interstitial pregnancy during the re-pregnancy. Methods: Patients who underwent tubal resection or ligation in our hospital from June 2017 to June 2019 were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 43 cases in each group.The observation group received modified tubal resection or ligation, while the control group received traditional tubal resection or ligation, and the occurrence of re-gestation interstitial pregnancy was followed up. Results: A total of 86 subjects were included, with an average age of (32.3±2.6) years old, 2-5 pregnancies, and 2-4 births. There was no statistical difference in general data between the two groups.The success rate of operation in both groups was more than 95%, with 6.98% (3/43) patients in the observation group having temporary fever and other discomforts after operation, and 9.30%(4/43) patients in the control group having good outcomes.In the observation group and the control group, 36 and 34 patients underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer three months after the operation, respectively, and 23 pregnancies were successful in each group. All pregnancies in the observation group were intrauterine, and no ipsilateral tubal interstitial pregnancy occurred; in the control group, 19 were intrauterine pregnancies, and 4 cases of ipsilateral tubal interstitial pregnancy occurred.Ipsilateral tubal interstitial pregnancy after modified tubal ligation was significantly lower than that after traditional tubal resection or ligation (χ(2)=4.195, P=0.041). Conclusion: Modified tubal ligation and resection can effectively reduce the occurrence of interstitial pregnancy during the re-pregnancy.

MiR-506 suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis via targeting IL17RD.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of microRNA-506-3p (miR-506) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and to further explore the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-506 in clinical cases was detected by Real Time-fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Meanwhile, RT-qPCR was performed to determine miR-506 expression in different PTC cell lines. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the possible target genes of miR-506. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay together with Western blot (WB) assay were used to verify the prediction results. Finally, cellular functions such as proliferation and metastasis capacities were detected in vitro. RESULTS: RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression level of miR-506 in 80 paired PTC cases. The results showed that the expression level of miR-506 in PTC tissues was significantly decreased. In vitro, miR-506 expression was also markedly suppressed in four PTC cell lines. TPC-1 cells expressed the lowest level of miR-506. Subsequently, the target gene of miR-506 was predicted by TargetScan, miRBase and miRanda. The prediction results indicated that IL17RD was an alternative target gene of miR-506. Furthermore, miR-506 was found to remarkably inhibit the Luciferase activity of wild-type IL17RD. However, it had no effect on mutant-type. Besides, the protein expression level of IL17RD was significantly reduced in miR-506-overexpressing TPC-1 cells. More importantly, the restored expression of IL17RD could alleviate the blocking effects of miR-506 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that miR-506 could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of PTC cells. Meanwhile, IL17RD might be a downstream target of the biological process. Our findings provided a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of PTC.

Ultrastrong Parametric Coupling between a Superconducting Cavity and a Mechanical Resonator.

We present a new optomechanical device where the motion of a micromechanical membrane couples to a microwave resonance of a three-dimensional superconducting cavity. With this architecture, we realize ultrastrong parametric coupling, where the coupling not only exceeds the dissipation in the system but also rivals the mechanical frequency itself. In this regime, the optomechanical interaction induces a frequency splitting between the hybridized normal modes that reaches 88% of the bare mechanical frequency, limited by the fundamental parametric instability. The coupling also exceeds the mechanical thermal decoherence rate, enabling new applications in ultrafast quantum state transfer and entanglement generation.

[Effects of endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide on early apoptosis of human neutrophil through PIM3].

Objective: To explore the effects of endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on early apoptosis of human neutrophil through PIM3. Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from a healthy adult volunteer to isolate neutrophils. The neutrophils were divided into control group, LPS group, and LPS+ PIM447 group according to the random number table. No treatment was given to the cells in control group. The cells in LPS group underwent LPS stimulation (1 µL, 1 µg/mL). The cells in LPS+ PIM447 group underwent PIM447 (1 µL, final amount-of-substance concentration of 5 µmol/L) intervention 30 min before having the same LPS stimulation as that in LPS group. After conventional culture for 1 h, the early cell apoptosis rate was determined with flow cytometer; the generation level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed with dihydrogenrhodamine 123 fluorescent probe staining method; and the level of PIM3 was detected by Western blotting. After conventional culture for 2 h, the cell chemotaxis distance was measured by agarose chemotaxis cell model. The sample numbers of each group in the 4 experiments were all 5. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: (1) The early apoptosis rate of cells in LPS group [(0.891±0.012)%] was close to that in control group [(1.351±0.183)%, P>0.05)]. The early apoptosis rate of cells in LPS+ PIM447 group [(82.057±0.121)%] was higher than that in LPS group (P<0.01). (2) The cell chemotaxis distance of cells in LPS group [(984±5) µm] was significantly shorter than that in control group [(2 241±7) µm, P<0.01]. The cell chemotaxis distance of cells in LPS+ PIM447 group [(1 785±11) µm]was significantly longer than that in LPS group (P<0.05). (3) The generation level of ROS in cells of LPS group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The generation level of ROS in cells of LPS+ PIM447 group was significantly lower than that in LPS group (P<0.05). (4) The expression level of PIM3 in cells of LPS group (1.297±0.015) was significantly higher than that in control group (0.789±0.021, P<0.05). The expression level of PIM3 in cells of LPS+ PIM447 group (0.731±0.011) was significantly lower than that in LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusions: LPS stimulation can reduce the early apoptosis of human neutrophils. Pre-intervention with PIM447 can significantly increase the early apoptosis of neutrophils after LPS stimulation, recover the chemotaxis, and inhibit the production of ROS. The mechanism may be related to LPS promoting the expression of PIM3.

Effects of Ulinastatin on myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation in severely burned rats.

OBJECTIVE: By constructing the severe burns model in rat, we explored the effects of different doses of Ulinastatin (UTI) on protecting myocardium from oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The severe burns model in rat was first constructed. Burned rats were intervened with different doses of UTI. Contents of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rat serum and heart homogenate were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), and MDA (malondialdehyde) were detected by commercial kits. The inflammation and pathological changes in rat heart were observed by HE (Hematoxylin-Eosin) staining. Protein expressions of Cox-2, iNOS, NF-κB, Nrf2, and HO-1 in rat myocardium were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Higher levels of cTnI, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were found in model group than those of control group (p<0.05). Besides, decreased contents of cTnI, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were observed in both UTI 50 ku/kg group and UTI 100 ku/kg group compared with those of model group (p<0.05). Decreased activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, as well as increased MDA level were observed in model group than those of control group (p<0.05). However, UTI treatment remarkably elevated SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities, whereas downregulated MDA level in burned rats (p<0.05). Abundant infiltration of inflammatory cells was found in the rat's myocardium of model group, which was alleviated in UTI group in a dose-dependent manner. Upregulated Cox-2, iNOS, and NF-κB, as well as downregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 were found in model group compared with those of control group (p<0.05). UTI pretreatment remarkably reversed the above-mentioned trends. CONCLUSIONS: Ulinastatin alleviates myocardial injury induced by severe burns. It exerts a protective role in myocardium via inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

[Genetic Polymorphisms of 30 InDel Loci in Ewenki Ethnic Group from Inner Mongolia].

OBJECTIVES: To study the genetic polymorphisms of 30 insertion/deletion （InDel） loci and evaluate their forensic application in Ewenki ethnic group from Inner Mongolia. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 87 unrelated healthy individuals in Ewenki ethnic group. Genomic DNA were extracted, and 30 InDel loci of the samples were multiplex amplified and genotyped. Hardy-Weinberg balance tests were preformed for all loci and genetic parameters were calculated by modified PowerStats v1.2 software. The linkage disequilibrium between loci were tested by SNPAnalyzer v2.0 software. Based on the allele frequencies of 30 InDel loci, the genetic relationships between Ewenki ethnic group and other populations were evaluated by analysis of molecular variance, principal component analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction. RESULTS: After correction, 30 InDel loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. It was found that the pairwise InDel loci were in linkage equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The results of population genetics indicated that Ewenki ethnic group had close genetic relationships with Henan Han and Beijing Han populations; whereas it was significantly different from several populations in Europe and Mexico. CONCLUSIONS: There are relatively high genetic polymorphisms on 30 InDel loci of Ewenki ethnic group from Inner Mongolia, which can be used as a helpful supplement application for STR detection system.

Pinopode score around the time of implantation is predictive of successful implantation following frozen embryo transfer in hormone replacement cycles.

STUDY QUESTION: Is pinopode measurement of any prognostic value? SUMMARY ANSWER: Pinopode expression was significantly associated with the occurrence of pregnancy after frozen embryo transfer. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Pinopodes are expressed in the endometrium during the implantation period. Pinopode measurement has been proposed as a marker of endometrial receptivity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, between 2014 and 2016, recruiting 172 women with infertility and undergoing frozen embryo transfer following IVF treatment. Among 172 participants, 46 women took part in the first study to quantify the daily changing pattern of pinopodes 3-7 days after the initiation of progesterone therapy in the hormone replacement cycles and the remaining 126 women with infertility participated in a study to examine the relationship between pinopode count and pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer in hormone replacement cycles. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The mean age of participants was 29 years old. All participants received an artificial hormone replacement protocol capable of supporting successful implantation. Endometrial biopsies from 46 women were obtained 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days after the initiation of progesterone therapy (P + 3, n = 6; P + 4, n = 6; P + 5, n = 11; P + 6, n = 13; P + 7, n = 10, respectively). Another 126 endometrial biopsies were obtained precisely 6 days after the initiation of progesterone. Scanning electron microscopy was used to capture the pinopode images, followed by use of the image J program to quantify the count and subtype of the pinopodes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We found that at least 60 microscopic fields were necessary to achieve a reproducible result. An intra-observer variability study showed good agreement between two measurements regarding the developing pinopode (DP) subtype (r = 0.95) and the fully developed pinopode (FDP) subtype (r = 0.86) but not for the regressing (RP) pinopode subtype (r = 0.39). The proportion of DP/total pinopodes (TP) declined rapidly form day P + 4 to a minimum on day P + 6. The percentage of FDP/TP increased rapidly from day P + 4 to reach a peak on day P + 6. On the other hand, the percentage of RP/TP reached a peak on day P + 7. Participants who conceived had a significantly (P = 0.011) higher percentage of FDP/TP on day P + 6 and significantly (P = 0.005) lower percentage of DP/TP on the same day compared with participants who did not become pregnant. Using a scoring system incorporating the percentages of DP and FDP, it was found that the pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate of women with a high pinopode score (82.3%; 63.0%) was significantly (P = 0.001; P = 0.046) higher than that of women with a low pinopode score (53.3%; 46.7%), respectively. There remains a possibility that the observations could have arisen due to chance. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study examined pinopode count and subtype in the HRT cycles, and it is uncertain whether the same observations apply to in natural cycles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FNDINGS: Pinopodes have been questioned as a potential marker of endometrial receptivity for many years. Our results suggested that pinopode measurement may be of value in predicting pregnancy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was supported by the grants from the general project of medicine and health in Zhejiang Province of China (2015KYA142; 2018KY106), the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province (2017C03022) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81701514).The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. We have no competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN26300668.

[Co-culture with endometrial stromal cells promotes the differentiation of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into endometrial epithelial cells].

Objective: To study the potential of differentiation of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSC) into endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) in vitro. Methods: Endometrial stromal cells (ESC) and MenSC were cultured and identified by certain methods.MenSC were co-cultured with ESC, added 10 ng/ml TGF-ß1, 10 ng/ml EGF, 10 ng/ml PDGF-BB and 1×10(-7) mol/L 17-ß-estradiol.The expression of cytokeratin, which was marker of EEC, was tested by immunofluorescence in differentiated MenSC. Results: MenSC proliferated quickly in vitro, and showed fusiform shape and clear structure within 10 generations.The expression rate of superficial markers of MenSC, CD44, CD90, CD73, and CD29, were 98.4%, 90.77%, 94.75% and 97.01% respectively.The expression of vimentin, which was stromal marker, was positive in cultured ESC (P3). After co-cultured with ESC for 3 weeks, MenSC morphology changed from fibroblast-like cells into epithelial-like cells.Immunofluorescence assay showed that the differentiated MenSC expressed cytokeratin. Conclusion: Under the condition of co-culture with ESC, MenSC has the ability to differentiate into endometrial epithelial cells. Cell growth factor and estrogen play the important roles in this process.

Comparative efficacy of whole-brain radiotherapy with and without elemene liposomes in patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We explored and compared the clinical effects of whole-brain radiotherapy (wbrt) with and without elemene liposomes in patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma (nsclc). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients with multiple brain metastases from nsclc who received wbrt (30 Gy in 10 fractions) at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to May 2013. In 30 patients, elemene liposomes (400 mg) were injected intravenously via a peripherally inserted central catheter for 21 consecutive days from the first day of radiotherapy. Overall survival (os) and nervous system progression-free survival (npfs) for the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Factors influencing npfs were examined by Cox regression analysis. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used for group comparisons. RESULTS: The median os was 9.0 months in the wbrt plus elemene group and 7.8 months in the wbrt-alone group (p = 0.581); the equivalent median npfs durations were 5.2 months and 3.7 months (p = 0.005). Patient treatment plan was an independent factor associated with npfs (p = 0.002). Tumour response and disease-control rates in the wbrt plus elemene group were 26.67% and 76.67% respectively; they were 18.75% and 62.5% in the wbrt group (p = 0.452). Compared with the patients in the wbrt-alone group, significantly fewer patients in the wbrt plus elemene group developed headaches (p = 0.04); quality of life was also significantly higher in the wbrt plus elemene group both at 1 month and at 2 months (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of elemene liposomes to wbrt might prolong npfs in patients with multiple brain metastases from nsclc, while also reducing the incidence of headache and improving patient quality of life.

[Validation of the Chinese version of Hull airway reflux questionnaire and its application in the evaluation of chronic cough].

OBJECTIVE: To validate the effectiveness, repeatability and treatment responsiveness of the Chinese version of Hull airway reflux questionnaire (HARQ), and to determine its clinical value. METHODS: A standard Chinese version of HARQ was developed by an established translation procedure and its repeatability was assessed in a preliminary study involving 55 untreated patients with stable chronic cough. Thereafter, a total of 132 patients with chronic cough referred to our respiratory clinic were recruited into the study between May 2014 and April 2015. After their cough was evaluated with the HARQ, cough symptom score or cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin and the correlations among them were analyzed, and the causes of chronic cough in all the patients were presumptively determined according to an established diagnostic protocol and finally confirmed with the subsequent therapy specific to the etiologies. After two weeks of effective treatment, HARQ, cough symptom score and cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin were measured once more, and treatment responsiveness was calculated. The score of the HARQ in 132 patients with chronic cough were compared with that in 104 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The repeatability of the Chinese version of the HARQ was validated at a week interval with the intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.96 (95%CI: 0.93-0.98, P=0.00) for total score (n=55). No correlation was found between the HARQ and cough symptom score, and the HARQ showed a weak negative correlation with cough threshold C2 (rIgC2=-0.23, P=0.01) but not with C5. The value of HARQ was significantly higher in patients with chronic cough than in healthy volunteers[20.00(14.00, 28.00) vs 4.00 (2.00, 6.00), Z=-12.89, P=0.00], but no difference of HARQ in gender or age existed in chronic cough. Although all the patients with various etiologies of chronic cough had an increased value of HARQ, cough due to gastroesophageal reflux showed the highest HARQ score among them[28.50 (25.00, 32.25) vs 18.50 (14.00, 26.25), Z=4.43, P=0.00]. After two weeks of effective treatment, the HARQ score decreased from 20.00 (14.00, 28.00) pre-treatment to 10.00 (4.25, 17.75) post-treatment (Z=-6.06, P=0.00), with 52.04% of score change ratio, 1.38 of effect side and 1.97 of standard response mean respectively. CONCLUSION: HARQ is a reliable and valid tool for the management of chronic cough with good treatment responsiveness, and may be used as an easy way to predict cough due to gastroesophageal reflux.

[Gene typing and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lower respiratory tract at two hospitals in Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genotyping characteristics and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) isolated from lower respiratory tract at 2 different level hospitals in Shanghai. METHODS: The subjects included 155 patients at Ruijin Hospital and Tongren Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014, including 108 males and 47 females, with a mean age of 67.8±16.5. The 155 MRSA strains were isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and spa typing were analyzed by the PCR method. The antimicrobial resistance of MRSA was tested by VITEK-32. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the 155 strains, 28 MLST-spa molecular types were identified, of which ST764-t002(41.29%), ST239-t037(17.42%) and ST239-t030(10.32%) were the most predominant types. The MRSA strains were susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin, and also had a lower resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin, with a susceptible rate of 83.9% and 83.2% respectively, but were highly resistant to other antibiotics. The resistance rate of ST239-t037 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was higher than that of other types, and the resistance rate of ST239-t030 to rifampin was higher than that of other types, the differences being significant(P<0.001). The mean length of hospital stay of the 155 patients was (97±84) days, and mechanical ventilation were used in 78(50.3%) patients, while 108(69.7%))patients received invasive procedures. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 136 (87.1%) patients. There were differences in age, hospitalization days, smoking history, history of COPD, mechanical ventilation, and operation between the 2 hospitals(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the MRSA strains at Ruijin Hospital and Tongren Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014 were multi-drug resistant, and the susceptibility spectrum of different genotypes was different.

Detecting Stealth Dark Matter Directly through Electromagnetic Polarizability.

We calculate the spin-independent scattering cross section for direct detection that results from the electromagnetic polarizability of a composite scalar "stealth baryon" dark matter candidate, arising from a dark SU(4) confining gauge theory-"stealth dark matter." In the nonrelativistic limit, electromagnetic polarizability proceeds through a dimension-7 interaction leading to a very small scattering cross section for dark matter with weak-scale masses. This represents a lower bound on the scattering cross section for composite dark matter theories with electromagnetically charged constituents. We carry out lattice calculations of the polarizability for the lightest "baryon" states in SU(3) and SU(4) gauge theories using the background field method on quenched configurations. We find the polarizabilities of SU(3) and SU(4) to be comparable (within about 50%) normalized to the stealth baryon mass, which is suggestive for extensions to larger SU(N) groups. The resulting scattering cross sections with a xenon target are shown to be potentially detectable in the dark matter mass range of about 200-700 GeV, where the lower bound is from the existing LUX constraint while the upper bound is the coherent neutrino background. Significant uncertainties in the cross section remain due to the more complicated interaction of the polarizablity operator with nuclear structure; however, the steep dependence on the dark matter mass, 1/m(B)(6), suggests the observable dark matter mass range is not appreciably modified. We briefly highlight collider searches for the mesons in the theory as well as the indirect astrophysical effects that may also provide excellent probes of stealth dark matter.

Thermal and Residual Excited-State Population in a 3D Transmon Qubit.

Remarkable advancements in coherence and control fidelity have been achieved in recent years with cryogenic solid-state qubits. Nonetheless, thermalizing such devices to their milliKelvin environments has remained a long-standing fundamental and technical challenge. In this context, we present a systematic study of the first-excited-state population in a 3D transmon superconducting qubit mounted in a dilution refrigerator with a variable temperature. Using a modified version of the protocol developed by Geerlings et al., we observe the excited-state population to be consistent with a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, i.e., a qubit in thermal equilibrium with the refrigerator, over the temperature range 35-150 mK. Below 35 mK, the excited-state population saturates at approximately 0.1%. We verified this result using a flux qubit with ten times stronger coupling to its readout resonator. We conclude that these qubits have effective temperature T(eff)=35 mK. Assuming T(eff) is due solely to hot quasiparticles, the inferred qubit lifetime is 108 µs and in plausible agreement with the measured 80 µs.