First Observation of New Flat Line Fano Profile via an X-Ray Planar Cavity.

A new Fano profile of a flat line is achieved experimentally by manipulating the relative amplitude of the continuum path, when q takes the pure imaginary number of -i in the x-ray regime. The underlying mechanism is that the interference term in the scattering will cancel the discrete term exactly. This new Fano profile renders only an observable continuum along with an invisible response to the discrete state of atomic resonance. The results suggest not only a different strategy to invisibility studies which provides a possible tool to identify weaker structures hidden by the strong white line, but also a new scenario to enrich the manipulations of two-path interference and nonlinear Fano resonance.

The Study of the Low-Lying Valence-Shell Excitations of Hydrogen Sulfide by Fast Electron Impact.

The valence-shell excitations of hydrogen sulfide have been studied by fast electron impact at a collision energy of 1.5 keV and an energy resolution of about 70 meV. By analyzing the variations of intensity and shape of the feature in the range of 5.0-7.5 eV at different scattering angles, the excitation energy of 5.85 ± 0.01 eV and the line width of 0.80 ± 0.01 eV of the 3b21A2 state have been determined. The generalized oscillator strengths of the valence-shell excitations in the energy range of 5.0-9.2 eV of hydrogen sulfide have been determined from the measured spectra. The corresponding optical oscillator strengths have been obtained by extrapolating the generalized oscillator strengths to the limit of zero squared momentum transfer. The integral cross sections have also been systematically determined from the threshold to 5000 eV by means of the BE-scaling method. The presently obtained oscillator strengths and integral cross sections have significant applications in the studies of planetary atmospheres and interstellar gases.

Prevention and Control of Pathogens Based on Big-Data Mining and Visualization Analysis.

Morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases rank first among all human illnesses. Many pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear, while misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Infectious diseases spread rapidly and pathogens mutate quickly, posing new threats to human health. However, with the increasing use of high-throughput screening of pathogen genomes, research based on big data mining and visualization analysis has gradually become a hot topic for studies of infectious disease prevention and control. In this paper, the framework was performed on four infectious pathogens (Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Streptococcus salivarius) through five functions: 1) genome annotation, 2) phylogeny analysis based on core genome, 3) analysis of structure differences between genomes, 4) prediction of virulence genes/factors with their pathogenic mechanisms, and 5) prediction of resistance genes/factors with their signaling pathways. The experiments were carried out from three angles: phylogeny (macro perspective), structure differences of genomes (micro perspective), and virulence and drug-resistance characteristics (prediction perspective). Therefore, the framework can not only provide evidence to support the rapid identification of new or unknown pathogens and thus plays a role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, but also help to recommend the most appropriate strains for clinical and scientific research. This paper presented a new genome information visualization analysis process framework based on big data mining technology with the accommodation of the depth and breadth of pathogens in molecular level research.

Concordance Study Between IBM Watson for Oncology and Clinical Practice for Patients with Cancer in China.

BACKGROUND: IBM Watson for Oncology (WFO), which can use natural language processing to evaluate data in structured and unstructured formats, has begun to be used in China. It provides physicians with evidence-based treatment options and ranks them in three categories for treatment decision support. This study was designed to examine the concordance between the treatment recommendation proposed by WFO and actual clinical decisions by oncologists in our cancer center, which would reflect the differences of cancer treatment between China and the U.S. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 362 patients with cancer were ingested into WFO from April 2017 to October 2017. WFO recommendations were provided in three categories: recommended, for consideration, and not recommended. Concordance was analyzed by comparing the treatment decisions proposed by WFO with those of the multidisciplinary tumor board. Concordance was achieved when the oncologists' treatment decisions were in the recommended or for consideration categories in WFO. RESULTS: Ovarian cancer showed the highest concordance, which was 96%. Lung cancer and breast cancer obtained a concordance of slightly above 80%. The concordance of rectal cancer was 74%, whereas colon cancer and cervical cancer showed the same concordance of 64%. In particular, the concordance of gastric cancer was very low, only 12%, and 88% of cases were under physicians choice. CONCLUSION: Different cancer types showed different concordances, and only gastric cancers were significantly less likely to be concordant. Incidence and pharmaceuticals may be the major cause of discordance. To be comprehensively and rapidly applied in China, WFO needs to accelerate localization. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03400514. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: IBM Watson for Oncology (WFO) has begun to be used in China. In this study, concordance was examined between the treatment recommendation proposed by WFO and clinical decisions for 362 patients in our cancer center, which could reflect the differences of cancer treatment between China and the U.S. Different cancer types showed different concordances, and only gastric cancers were significantly less likely to be concordant. Incidence and pharmaceuticals may be the major causes of discordance. To be comprehensively and rapidly applied in China, WFO needs to accelerate localization. This study may have a significant effect on application of artificial intelligence systems in China.

Relationship between Variation of Pre-ablation Stimulated Thyroglobulin and Distant Metastasis in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the dynamic variation of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin(sTg)and distant metastasis in patietns with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC). METHODS: DTC patients after total or near total thyroidectomy were divided into two groups as M1 group(n=38)and M0 group(n=130)according to the presence of distant metastases or not. Clinical data including pre-ablation sTg and the corresponding thyrotropin(TSH)values were dynamically measured. The pre-ablation sTg and corresponding TSH collected at the first time were defined as Tg1 and TSH1,while as Tg2 and TSH2 at the last time. χ(2) test was used to compare the variation tendency of sTg between these two groups. Tg1,Tg2,pre-ablation sTg variation(∆Tg),and ∆Tg/∆TSH ratio between M0 and M1 were compared by Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and diagnostic critical point(DCP)were employed to evaluate the predictive values of the above indicators. RESULTS: Both Tg1 and Tg2 of M1 were significantly higher than those of M0(the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test:Tg1 P<0.001,Tg2 P<0.001). The corresponding areas under the ROC curve(AUC)to differentiate the two groups were 0.921 and 0.942,respectively. The cut-off value of Tg2,which was more accurate in predicting distant metastasis,was 24.3 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 92.11% and a specificity of 83.85%. Both ∆Tg and ∆Tg/∆TSH between these two groups were significantly different(the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test:∆Tg P=0.002,∆Tg/∆TSH P<0.001). ∆Tg/∆TSH worked better than Tg2 in predicting distant metastasis with both higher accuracy(87.50%)and higher specificity(86.92%). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamically tracing pre-ablation sTg may improve the accuracy and specificity of distant metastases prediction in DTC patients. ∆Tg/∆TSH,which means the ratio of sTg variation to TSH variation,may be a useful diagnostic marker for predicting distant metastases in DTC.

Postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin level and recurrence risk stratification in differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) has been evaluated in predicting prognosis and success of ablation regarding differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however, its relationship with recurrence risk and radioiodine decision-making remains uncertain, especially in Chinese DTC patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between ps-Tg and recurrence risk stratification in DTC, to provide incremental values for ps-Tg in postoperative assessment and radioiodine management. METHODS: Seven hundred and seven patients with DTC were included; low-risk (L; n = 90), intermediate-risk (I; n = 283), and high-risk (H; n = 334, 117 with distant metastasis [M1]) patients were divided according to recurrence risk stratification. The M1 group was further analyzed regarding evidence of metastasis. Cut-off values of ps-Tg were obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Patients with more advanced disease at initial risk stratification were more likely to have higher ps-Tg levels (I vs. L: P < 0.05; H vs. I: P < 0.001; H vs. L: P < 0.001). The corresponding cut-off value of ps-Tg for distinguishing sensitivity and specificity in each of the two groups was 2.95 ng/ml (I vs. L: 61.5%, 63.3%), 29.5 ng/ml (H vs. I: 41.9%, 92.6%), 47.1 ng/ml (M1 vs. M0 in the H group: 79.5%, 88.9%) and 47.1 ng/ml (M1 vs. M0 in all patients: 79.5%, 93.7%). With the cut-off value at 47.1 ng/ml, ps-Tg was the only factor that could be used to identify distant metastases, and consequently if measured before radioiodine therapy would prevent 10.26% of patients with M1 from undertreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ps-Tg, as an ongoing reassessment marker, favors differential recurrence risk grading and provides incremental values for radioiodine treatment decision-making.

[Association study between Y-chromosome haplo group and susceptibility to spermatogenisis impairment in Han People from Southwest China].

Idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia are one of the most important reasons for male infertility. Abnormal karyotype and azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletion are two widely acknowledged reasons, but the most causes remain unclear. Y chromosome, as the male-specific chromosome, is closely related to the development of male reproductive system. To understand better the etiology of idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia, we investigated the possible association between Y-haplogroup distributions and susceptibility to idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligospermia. Peripheral blood was collected from 193 men with normal reproductive history, 193 men with idiopathic azoospermia, and 72 men with idiopathic severe oligospermia. All the subjects underwent karyotyping and AZF deletion analysis to screen out those with AZF deletion and abnormal karyotype. The comparison of Y-haplogroup distribution between experimental group and control group was performed with SPSS V.18.0 software. Significant difference of Y-haplogroup distribution was observed in D1*, F*, K*, N1* and O3*(P=0.032, 0.022, 0.009, 0.009, 0.017, <0.05). The results suggest that Y chromosome haplogroup plays a important role in spermatogenic impairment.

Time to disappearance of thyroglobulin antibodies and influencing factors in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time to disappearance of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and its influencing factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with positive TgAb after radioiodine ((131)I) ablation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 64 PTC patients who had undergone a total thyroidectomy and subsequent (131)I therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of concurrent Hashimoto thyroiditis (HD). TgAb1 (TgAb levels determined before (131)I therapy) were above the normal thresholds in all patients. The method of survival analysis (including Life tables and Cox Regression analysis) was used to assess the time to disappearance of TgAb and its influencing factors. RESULTS: The median time to disappearance of positive TgAb (9.0 months vs. 10.4 months, P=0.923) showed no significant difference between these two groups. Cox Regression analysis showed that, among the potential influencing factors including TgAb [partial regression coefficient (B)=-0.004, P=0.001], age(B=-0.018, P=0.362), sex (B=0.644, P=0.320) and HD (B=0.341, P=0.372), only TgAb1 was correlated with the TgAb negative conversion time. CONCLUSIONS: TgAb1 has remarked influence on the time to disappearance of positive TgAb in PTC patients. Patients with a higher TgAb need longer time to achieve negative conversion.

[Clinical study of the infra-patellar fat pad strain treated by galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine combined with ultrasonic wave and manipulation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine combined with ultrasonic wave and manipulation in the treatment of strain of the infrapatellar fat pad, to study an effective approach in the treatment of this diseas. METHODS: Eighty patients were divided randomly into treatment group and control group, there were 40 cases in each group. In treatment group 40 cases were treated by galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine, ultrasonic wave and manipulation, included 22 males and 18 females with an average age of (63.15 +/- 8.10) years old and a mean disease course of (6.84 +/- 3.50) years. In control group, 40 cases were treated with ultrasonic wave and manipulation, included 23 males and 17 females with an average age of (62.63 +/- 8.20) years old and the course was (6.59 +/-3.70) years. visual analogue scale (VAS) and the scales for pain with finger press were evaluated before and after treatment in two groups. The clinical effects were researched and analysed statistically. RESULTS: In treatment group,12 patients were in remarkable effects, 17 in good effective, 9 in effective and 2 in ineffective. As well in control group, above data were 8,15, 8 and 9 respectively. There was a significant difference in the rate of general effective between treatment group and control group (P < 0.05). In treatment group, the scales for VAS before and after treatment were (7.92 +/- 2.21) and (2.16 +/- 1.87) and the scales for pain with finger press before and after treatment were (3.01 +/- 0.63) and (0.86 <-- 0.46). As well in control group, above data were (7.71 +/2.65), (3.83 +/- 2.45), (2.98 +/- 0.61) and (1.32 +/- 0.52) respectively. The comparison of the scales for VAS and pain with finger press before and after treatment in two groups had significant difference (P < O.01). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic wave and manipulation have a good effect in the treatment of stain of the infrapatellar fat pad, when the galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine is applied at the same time, the therapeutic efficiency can be improved significantly. Three therapies are used in treatment at the same, it can improve the therapeutic effect, and it is an easy, economic, practical and effective comprehensive approach.

[Effect of platelet CD42a modification by mPEG-SPA with different molecular masses].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect platelet antigen modification by mPEG-SPA with different molecular masses. METHODS: Platelet CD42a was modified by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity of CD42a was detect by flow cytometry and the three-dimensional structure of CD42a simulated to analyze the distribution of lysine in CD42a molecule. RESULTS: After platelet CD42a modification by 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA, the fluorescence intensity of CD42a decreased sharply by 85.54% and 88.65%, respectively, and multiple lysine regions were identified on the surface of CD42a molecule. CONCLUSION: Both 5 kD and 20 kD mPEG-SPA allow useful modification of platelet CD42a, but 20 kD mPEG-SPA is more advantageous than 5 kD mPEG-SPA.