[Development of needle-thread integrative embedding needle].

The needle-thread integrative embedding needle consists of needle handle, needle core, thread, locker and needle guard. The thread is fixed in the core by the locker. With the needle inserted into acupoint, the locker is separated from the thread, while the thread is embedded directly into acupoint, to achieve one acupoint with one needle. This type of thread embedding needle is operated simply and safely without cross infection occurrence, easy to carry.

Proteomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid in pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.

BACKGROUND: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. METHODS: Extracted proteins from 34 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples [patients with MOGAD (MOG group, n = 12); healthy controls (HC group, n = 12); patients with MOG seronegative and metagenomics next-generation sequencing-negative inflammatory neurological diseases (IND group, n = 10)] were processed and subjected to label-free quantitative proteomics. Supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal PLS-DA (O-PLS-DA) models were also performed based on proteomics data. Functional analysis of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) was performed using Gene Ontology, InterPro, and Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the complement levels in serum from patients with MOGAD. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-nine DEPs (149 upregulated and 280 downregulated proteins) were identified in the MOG group compared to the HC group according to the P value and fold change (FC). Using the O-PLS-DA model, 872 differentially abundant proteins were identified with variable importance projection (VIP) scores > 1. Five proteins (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, cathepsin F, interalpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 5, latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 4 and leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1) overlapping between the top 30 DEPs with top-ranked P value and FC and top 30 proteins in PLS-DA VIP lists were acquired. Functional analysis revealed that the dysregulated proteins in the MOG group were primarily involved in complement and coagulation cascades, cell adhesion, axon guidance, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis compared to the HC group. CONCLUSION: The proteomic alterations in CSF samples from children with MOGAD identified in the current study might provide opportunities for developing novel biomarker candidates.

Clinical Characteristics and Gene Mutations of Two Families with MODY 3 in Inner Mongolia.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and gene mutations of two families with maturity-onset diabetes of the young 3 (MODY 3) in Inner Mongolia. Methods: Fifty-three patients in Inner Mongolia suspected of having MODY 3 were enrolled in this study according to clinical manifestations. Blood samples were collected, and all exons of the HNF1α gene were analyzed; the second-generation DNA of the splicing regions of the gene was determined by direct sequencing. Results: In Family 1, the proband, mother, and uncle all carried the missense heterozygous mutation on exon 2 of the HNF1α gene (c.512G>A, p.Arg171Gln), and both the proband and uncle had MODY 3. In Family 2, the proband, grandfather, father, uncle I, and uncle II all carried a missense mutation on exon 2 (c.391C>t, p.Arg131Trp), and all had MODY 3. The blood glucose control in these patients was stable while they were being treated with oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs alone or with insulin. Uncle II had serious macrovascular and microvascular complications. Conclusion: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young 3 gene mutations (c.512G>A, p.Arg171Gln) and (c.391C>T, p.Arg131Trp) may be the main pathogenic genes of the two families with MODY 3. The two gene mutations found in this study have not been reported previously in China.

[International standard ISO 22236 Traditional Chinese medicine-Thread-embedding acupuncture needle for single use: experience and recommendation].

The ISO 22236 Traditional Chinese medicine-Thread-embedding acupuncture needle for single use, as the first international standard (IS) in acupoint thread-embedding field, has been officially published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2020. The background of its development, difficulties and countermeasures in the process of development were reviewed, and the experience of standard development was summarized, aiming to provide methods and references for future IS development of acupuncture and moxibustion instruments. It is suggested that strengthening the discourse power in the process of IS development, increasing the compound talents cultivation for IS, valuing the importance of enterprises in the development of IS, and creating an advantageous environment for the development of IS are the keys to improve the level of standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion instruments and play a more important role in the IS development.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of DCL, AGO and RDR gene families in Saccharum spontaneum.

RNA silencing is a conserved mechanism in eukaryotic organisms to regulate gene expression. Argonaute (AGO), Dicer-like (DCL) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) proteins are critical components of RNA silencing, but how these gene families' functions in sugarcane were largely unknown. Most stress-resistance genes in modern sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) were originated from wild species of Saccharum, for example S. spontaneum. Here, we used genome-wide analysis and a phylogenetic approach to identify four DCL, 21 AGO and 11 RDR genes in the S. spontaneum genome (termed SsDCL, SsAGO and SsRDR, respectively). Several genes, particularly some of the SsAGOs, appeared to have undergone tandem or segmental duplications events. RNA-sequencing data revealed that four SsAGO genes (SsAGO18c, SsAGO18b, SsAGO10e and SsAGO6b) and three SsRDR genes (SsRDR2b, SsRDR2d and SsRDR3) tended to have preferential expression in stem tissue, while SsRDR5 was preferentially expressed in leaves. qRT-PCR analysis showed that SsAGO10c, SsDCL2 and SsRDR6b expressions were strongly upregulated, whereas that of SsAGO18b, SsRDR1a, SsRDR2b/2d and SsRDR5 was significantly depressed in S. spontaneum plants exposed to PEG-induced dehydration stress or infected with Xanthomonas albilineans, causal agent of leaf scald disease of sugarcane, suggesting that these genes play important roles in responses of S. spontaneum to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Major Uterine Wall Resection and Reconstruction of the Uterus Combined with LNG-IUS for the Treatment of Severe Adenomyosis.

Objective Aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of major uterine wall resection and reconstruction of the uterus (MURU) combined with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for the treatment of adenomyosis. Methods Ninety patients diagnosed with adenomyosis were enrolled in this study. All participants were examined by transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Serum levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) were quantitatively measured. All patients underwent MURU in combination with LNG-IUS. The therapeutic safety of MURU was assessed during surgery and the patients' stay in hospital. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparatively analyzing changes in dysmenorrhea, volume of menstrual blood, uterine volume and serum levels of CA 125 before, and at 3, 6 and 12 months following MURU. Results All 90 patients enrolled in the study were successfully treated with MURU combined with LNG-IUS. No significant complications were observed during surgery and hospital stay. The mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay were 82.4 ± 13.8 min, 53.3 ± 20.3 ml, and 4.3 ± 0.8 days, respectively. Dysmenorrhea completely disappeared in all patients. Uterine volume and serum levels of CA 125 were restored to normal ranges. No recurrence of adenomyosis was observed during postoperative follow-up. Conclusion MURU combined with LNG-IUS is an efficacious and safe treatment for severe adenomyosis. This combined technique is not only effective to manage severe adenomyosis but also preserves as much of the uterus as possible.

Microstructure analysis and mechanical properties of phosphorus-reinforced ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy.

An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of the P content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy. Alloys of various compositions, (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5% wt.% P) were melted in a melting furnace under 1200 °C and cast into metal mould, the hardness, strength and elongation of alloy castings which adding P or not in melting process were tested and the casting mircostructure was analyzed. The results show that the second phase appeared and gradually increased in amount with the content of P elements increased. Also, the microstructure of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy was refined, and the average size of lead inclusions was reduced and formed a dispersed network of eutectoid inclusions.The addition of P had a beneficial effect on the microstructure and properties of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy. The hardness and tensile strength of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy increased, but the elongation increased at first, then decreased, when the P content increased. When the P content was less than 0.1 wt.%, the functions of phosphorous copper mainly was used as a deoxidizing initial gas, but when exceeded 0.1 wt.%, a second phase reinforcing particle formed with copper or nickel together, which improved the mechanical properties of the alloy. However, the elongation was lowered due to the brittle phosphide phase.

Association between expression of HOTAIR and invasiveness of gliomas, and its predictive value.

BACKGROUND: Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is upregulated and associated with a poor prognosis in many cancer types. Besides, it is involved in the invasion and metastasis of non-small-cell lung cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the expression of HOTAIR and the grades of gliomas, and to explore its possible mechanism, as well as to evaluate the value of HOTAIR applied in predicting the grades of gliomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 123 patients undergoing glioma surgeries were enrolled. Patients with grade I and grade II-IV tumors were regarded as the control group (n = 36) and the case group (n = 87), respectively. The expression of HOTAIR, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in glioma tissues and then compared between grade I and grades II-IV. The correlation between the relative expression of HOTAIR and that of MMP-7, MMP-9 and VEGF was analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to evaluate the predictive value. RESULTS: The relative expression of HOTAIR, MMP-7, MMP-9, and VEGF was lower in glioma tissues of grade I than in the case of grades II-IV, and the relative expression of HOTAIR was positively correlated with the relative expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and VEGF. Multivariate analysis showed that the relative expression of HOTAIR was independently associated with the grades of gliomas, but the relative expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and VEGF was not. Besides, multivariate analysis showed that the expression level of HOTAIR >0.40 was an independent risk factor for grades II-IV after classifying the relative expression of HOTAIR, and ROC analysis showed that the expression level of HOTAIR >0.40 had a moderate value when applied in predicting grades II-IV. CONCLUSIONS: Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA might promote the invasion of gliomas through upregulating the expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and VEGF, and the expression level of HOTAIR >0.40 had a moderate value when applied in predicting grades II-IV.

Effect of P content on microstructure and wear properties of ZCuPb20Sn5 alloy.

The properties and friction behavior of ZCuPb20Sn5 modified with P were investigated. With the P addition and content increase, the second phase appeared and gradually increased in amount. Also, the microstructure of ZCuPb20Sn5 was refined and evenly distributed. The addition of P had a beneficial effect on the microstructure and properties of ZCuPb20Sn5. As the P content increased, the hardness and tensile strength of ZCuPb20Sn5 increased, but the elongation, the friction coefficient and the wear rate decreased. The wear mechanism of ZCuPb20Sn5 was mainly adhesive wear, and a small amount of debris was produced. As the P content increased, the anti-wear resistance of ZCuPb20Sn5 deteriorated.

Experimental study on ablation of leiomyoma by combination high-intensity focused ultrasound and iodized oil in vitro.

AIM: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether iodized oil (IO) enhances high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine leiomyoma and to determine the features of hyperechoic changes in the target region. METHODS: Forty samples of uterine leiomyoma were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. In the experimental group, the leiomyoma was ablated by HIFU 30 min after 1 mL of iodized oil had been injected into the center of the myoma. The hyperechoic values and areas in the target region were observed by B-modal ultrasound after HIFU ablation. The samples were cut successively into slices and stained by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) solution within 1 h after HIFU ablation. The diameters of TTC-non-stained areas were measured and tissues in the borderline of the TTC-stained and -non-stained areas were observed pathologically. All procedures in the control group were the same as those in the experimental group except IO was replaced by physiological saline. RESULTS: The hyperechoic value in the target region in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group 4 min after HIFU ablation (P < 0.05). Hyperechoic areas in the target region as well as TTC-non-stained volumes in the experimental group were greater than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Routine pathologic observation showed that coagulation necrosis of leiomyoma occurred in the target region in both groups. CONCLUSION: IO causes coagulation necrosis, enlarges tissue damage, and postpones the attenuation of hyperechoic changes in the target region when HIFU ablation is carried out for leiomyoma in vitro.

Origin of Symmetric Dimer Images of Si(001) Observed by Low-Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

It has been a long-standing puzzle why buckled dimers of the Si(001) surface appeared symmetric below ~20 K in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments. Although such symmetric dimer images were concluded to be due to an artifact induced by STM measurements, its underlying mechanism is still veiled. Here, we demonstrate, based on a first-principles density-functional theory calculation, that the symmetric dimer images are originated from the flip-flop motion of buckled dimers, driven by quantum tunneling (QT). It is revealed that at low temperature the tunneling-induced surface charging with holes reduces the energy barrier for the flipping of buckled dimers, thereby giving rise to a sizable QT-driven frequency of the flip-flop motion. However, such a QT phenomenon becomes marginal in the tunneling-induced surface charging with electrons. Our findings provide an explanation for low-temperature STM data that exhibits apparent symmetric (buckled) dimer structure in the filled-state (empty-state) images.

Energetics and kinetics of Cu atoms and clusters on the Si(111)-7 × 7 surface: first-principles calculations.

Exploring the properties of noble metal atoms and nano- or subnano-clusters on the semiconductor surface is of great importance in many surface catalytic reactions, self-assembly processes, crystal growth, and thin film epitaxy. Here, the energetics and kinetic properties of a single Cu atom and previously reported Cu magic clusters on the Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface are re-examined by the state-of-the-art first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. First of all, the diffusion path and high diffusion rate of a Cu atom on the Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface are identified by mapping out the total potential energy surface of the Cu atom as a function of its positions on the surface, supporting previous experimental hypothesis that the apparent triangular light spots observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) are resulted from a single Cu atom frequently hopping among adjacent adsorption sites. Furthermore, our findings confirm that in the low coverage of 0.15 monolayer (ML) the previously proposed hexagonal ring-like Cu6 cluster configuration assigned to the STM pattern is considerably unstable. Importantly, the most stable Cu6/Si(111) complex also possesses a distinct simulated STM pattern with the experimentally observed ones. Instead, an energetically preferred solid-centered Cu7 structure exhibits a reasonable agreement between the simulated STM patterns and the experimental images. Therefore, the present findings convincingly rule out the tentative six-atom model and provide new insights into the understanding of the well-defined Cu nanocluster arrays on the Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface.

H18 Carbon: A New Metallic Phase with sp2-sp3 Hybridized Bonding Network.

Design and synthesis of three-dimensional metallic carbons are currently one of the hot issues in contemporary condensed matter physics because of their fascinating properties. Here, based on first-principles calculations, we discover a novel stable metallic carbon allotrope (termed H18 carbon) in () symmetry with a mixed sp(2)-sp(3) hybridized bonding network. The dynamical stability of H18 carbon is verified by phonon mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulations, and its mechanical stability is analyzed by elastic constants, bulk modulus, and shear modulus. By simulating the x-ray diffraction patterns, we propose that H18 carbon would be one of the unidentified carbon phases observed in recent detonation experiments. The analysis of the band structure and density of states reveal that this new carbon phase has a metallic feature mainly due to the C atoms with sp(2) hybridization. This novel 3D metallic carbon phase is anticipated to be useful for practical applications such as electronic and mechanical devices.

Upregulated ROS production induced by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 on XBP1 gene expression and cell apoptosis in Tca-8113 cells.

Exposure of Tca-8113 cells to proteasome inhibitor carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG-132) causing apoptosis is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) is an important regulator of a subset of genes active during ER stress, which is related to cell survival and is required for tumor growth. The present study is to evaluate the effect of MG-132 on ROS production, XBP1 gene expression, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), ASK1 and c-jun protein expression in tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca-8113 cells. ROS production was measured by reactive oxygen species assay. X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) mRNA was analyzed by real-time-PCR, TRAF2, ASK1 and c-jun protein were investigated by western blot and immunocytochemistry respectively. The result indicated that ROS production, TRAF2, ASK1 and c-jun were elevated in MG-132 treated cells. Giving ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) largely prevented the effects of MG-132. Furthermore, treating with MG-132 lead to decreased XBP1 mRNA expression but could not completely block the expression of XBP1. Taken together, these findings provide the evidence that MG-132 induced ER stress lead to Tca-8113 cells apoptosis through ROS generation and TRAF2-ASK1-JNK signal pathway activation.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 associated with gastric ulcer recurrence.

AIM: To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in gastric ulcer (GU) and chronic superficial gastritis (CSG). METHODS: This study enrolled 63 patients with GU and 25 patients with CSG. During upper gastroduodenal endoscopy, we took samples of gastric mucosa from the antrum and ulcer site from patients with GU, and samples of antral mucosa from patients with CSG. Mucosal biopsy tissues were cultured for 24 h, and the culture supernatant was measured for levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. After receiving eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and 8 wk proton-pump inhibitor therapy for GU, follow-up endoscopy examination was performed after 6 mo and whenever severe symptoms occurred. RESULTS: Levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 at the ulcer site or in the antrum were significantly higher in GU than CSG patients. MMP-9 levels at the ulcer site were significantly higher than in the antrum in GU patients, and had a significantly positive correlation with TIMP-1. MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in H. pylori-positive than H. pylori-negative GU and CSG patients. Levels of MMP-9 or TIMP-1 at the ulcer site were associated with the histological severity of activity and inflammation. About 57 GU patients were followed up, and seven had GU recurrence. H. pyloriinfection and MMP-9 levels were risk factors for the recurrence of GU adjusted for age and sex by multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MMP-9 may perform an important function in gastric ulcer formation and recurrence.

[Clinical analysis of hypoparathyroidism with altered serum muscle enzymes: report of 41 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical features of hypoparathyroidism (HP) with altered serum muscle enzymes and explore the correlations with age, gender, disease duration, serum total calcium, serum total phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH). METHODS: From January 2005 to October 2011, a total of 41 HP patients at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 16 patients with elevated serum muscle enzymes and 25 with normal serum muscle enzymes. The former group included 11 patients of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IHP) and 5 of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP); serum calcium was (1.53 ± 0.25) mmol/L and serum phosphorus (2.1 ± 0.6) mmol/L; medians of creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transfer enzymes (AST) were 309 (126 - 10 046), 279 (131 - 741) and 27 (17 - 467) U/L in HP patients respectively. And the latter group included 20 IHP patients and 5 PHP ones; serum calcium was (1.64 ± 0.29) mmol/L and serum phosphorus (2.2 ± 0.6) mmol/L. The levels of serum muscle enzyme were compared before and after treatment in the former group. And they significantly declined with the rising serum level of calcium after treatment. The serum levels of CK (r = -0.82), LDH (r = -0.55) and AST (r = -0.56) in HP patients with elevated serum muscle enzymes had a negative correlation with the serum level of calcium (all P < 0.05). And there was no correlation with age, gender, disease duration or serum total phosphorus (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elevated serum muscle enzymes in HP patients have a negative correlation with serum level of calcium and there is no correlation with age, gender, disease duration, serum total phosphorus or parathyroid hormone. And elevated serum muscle enzymes are gradually restored with the normalized serum level of calcium.

Ischemic preconditioning protects against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits by attenuating blood spinal cord barrier disruption.

Ischemic preconditioning has been reported to protect against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. To investigate this, Japanese white rabbits underwent I-R (30 min aortic occlusion followed by reperfusion), ischemic preconditioning (three cycles of 5 min aortic occlusion plus 5 min reperfusion) followed by I-R, or sham surgery. At 4 and 24 h following reperfusion, neurological function was assessed using Tarlov scores, blood spinal cord barrier permeability was measured by Evan's Blue extravasation, spinal cord edema was evaluated using the wet-dry method, and spinal cord expression of zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by Western blot and a real-time polymerase chain reaction. ZO-1 was also assessed using immunofluorescence. Spinal cord I-R injury reduced neurologic scores, and ischemic preconditioning treatment ameliorated this effect. Ischemic preconditioning inhibited I-R-induced increases in blood spinal cord barrier permeability and water content, increased ZO-1 mRNA and protein expression, and reduced MMP-9 and TNF-α mRNA and protein expression. These findings suggest that ischemic preconditioning attenuates the increase in blood spinal cord barrier permeability due to spinal cord I-R injury by preservation of tight junction protein ZO-1 and reducing MMP-9 and TNF-α expression.

Tetra-pyridine-bis(trichloro-acetato)nickel(II).

The title compound, [Ni(C(2)Cl(3)O(2))(2)(C(5)H(5)N)(4)], was prepared by the reaction of pyridine and trichloro-acetatonickel(II) in ethanol solution at room temperature. The Ni(II) atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and has a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination made up of four N atoms of the pyridine ligands and two O atoms of trichloro-acetate anions. The mol-ecular structure and packing are stabilized by intra- and inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

1-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-ol.

In the title compound, C(9)H(7)ClN(2)O, the dihedral angle between the aromatic ring planes is 11.0 (2)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds generate R(2) (2)(8) loops.

4-Meth-oxy-N-(2-nitro-benzyl-idene)aniline.

The title compound, C(14)H(12)N(2)O(3), was prepared by reaction of 2-nitro-benzaldehyde with 4-methoxy-benzenamine at 377 K. The molecule has an E configuration, with a dihedral angle between the two benzene rings of 43.3 (5)°. An intermolecular C-H⋯O interaction links molecules in zigzag chains down the a axis.