The complete chloroplast genome of Bothriochloa ischaemum.

Bothriochloa ischaemum (Linn.) 1936 is a high-quality perennial forage in Loess Plateau of China. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of B. ischaemum, which was a circular DNA of 138,316 bp in length, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 80,226 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 12,526 bp, and the circular DNA was separated by a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 22,782 bp each. A total of 134 genes were identified, including 87 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree showed that B. ischaemum was closer to B. decipiens and B. alta, genus Bothriochloa was closely related to genus Pseudanthistiria. Our findings will be helpful for better understanding of genetic diversity of Bothriochloa plants.

Facile Synthesis of Highly Dispersed and Well-Alloyed Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Oxide Support.

Supported alloy catalysts play a pivotal role in many heterogeneous catalytic processes of socioeconomic and environmental importance. But the controlled synthesis of supported alloy nanoparticles with consistent composition and tight size distribution remains a challenging issue. Herein, a simple yet effective method for preparation of highly dispersed, homogeneously alloyed bimetallic nanoparticles on oxide supports is reported. This method is based on solid solution of metal cations in parent oxide and strong electrostatic adsorption of a secondary metal species onto the oxide surface. In the reductive annealing process, hydrogen spillover occurs from the surface metal with a higher reduction potential to the solute metal in solid solution, leading to metal exsolution and homogenous alloying of the metals on the oxide surface. The ceria-supported Ni-Pt alloy is chosen as a model catalyst and hydrazine monohydrate decomposition is chosen as a probe reaction to demonstrate this method, and particularly its advantages over the conventional impregnation and galvanic replacement methods. A systematic application of this method using different oxides and base-noble metal pairs further elucidates its applicability and generality.

Uncovered stent insertion for isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to describe our clinical outcomes in isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SMAD) patients that underwent uncovered stent insertion.Between January 2016 and August 2019, consecutive isolated SMAD patients at our center were treated via uncovered stent insertion. Both short- and long-term outcomes in these patients were analyzed.Over the course of the study period, 11 total isolated SMAD patients meeting the criteria for stent insertion at our hospital were treated via uncovered stent insertion. Stent placement across the SMAD site was successful in all patients, with 1 stent being used per patient. There were no instances of procedure-related complications, and the median operative duration was 60 minutes. Patency of the distal superior mesenteric artery and branches thereof was achieved in all cases. Patients experienced progressive SMAD-related symptom relief and were followed for 6 to 49 months (median: 22 months). Over this follow-up period, the obliteration of the dissection was observed within 3 months in all patients. We did not detect any instances of stent occlusion, bowel ischemia, or anti-platelet-related bleeding during the follow-up period.Uncovered stent insertion can achieve favorable short- and long-term outcomes in isolated SMAD patients.

Relationship between Maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA and HBV Serological Markers and its Effect on HBV Intrauterine Transmission.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalenty closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA) and other HBV serological markers and its effects on HBV intrauterine transmission. METHODS: We enrolled 290 newborns and their hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers. HBV cccDNA in PBMC and HBV DNA in serum were detected by a real-time PCR-TaqMan probe while HBV serological markers were detected with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the levels of PBMC HBV cccDNA and serum HBV DNA and HBeAg (r = 0.436 and 0.403, P < 0.001). The detection rate of pattern A ['HBsAg (+), HBeAg (+), and anti-HBc (+)'] was significantly higher in the PBMC HBV cccDNA positive group than in the control group (χ2 = 48.48, P < 0.001). There was a significant association between HBV intrauterine transmission and PBMC HBV cccDNA (χ2 = 9.28, P = 0.002). In the presence of serum HBV DNA, HBeAg, and PBMC HBV cccDNA, the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was three times higher (OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.30-10.42) than that observed in their absence. The risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was the greatest (OR = 5.89, 95% CI: 2.35-14.72) when both PBMC HBV cccDNA and pattern A were present. A Bayesian network model showed that maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA was directly related to HBV intrauterine transmission. CONCLUSION: PBMC HBV cccDNA may be a direct risk factor for HBV intrauterine transmission. Our study suggests that serological markers could be combined with PBMC-related markers in prenatal testing.

Direct observation of solid-state reversed transformation from crystals to quasicrystals in a Mg alloy.

Phase transformation of quasicrystals is of interest in various fields of science and technology. Interestingly, we directly observed unexpected solid-state epitaxial nucleation and growth of Zn6Mg3Y icosahedral quasicrystals in a Mg alloy at about 573 K which is about 300 K below the melting point of Zn6Mg3Y, in contrast to formation of quasicrystals through solidification that was usually found in many alloys. Maximizing local packing density of atoms associated with segregation of Y and Zn in Mg adjacent to Mg/Zn3MgY interfaces triggered atomic rearrangement in Mg to form icosahedra coupled epitaxially with surface distorted icosahedra of Zn3MgY, which plays a critical role in the nucleation of icosahedral clusters. A local Zn:Mg:Y ratio close to 6:3:1, corresponding to a valence electron concentration of about 2.15, should have been reached to trigger the formation of quasicrystals at Mg/Zn3MgY interfaces. The solid-state icosahedral ordering in crystals opens a new window for growing quasicrystals and understanding their atomic origin mechanisms. Epitaxial growth of quasicrystals onto crystals can modify the surface/interface structures and properties of crystalline materials.

[TCM societies in Shanghai during the first half of the 20(th) century].

In the first half of the 20(th) century, with the introduction of western academic thought and the assemblage of TCM doctors of different factions, the variety of cultures provided an ideological and academic background for TCM societies in Shanghai in modern times. Under the pressure of banning and exclusion, protective measures taken by the TCM circles promoted the establishment of TCM societies. The establishment and development of TCM societies in Shanghai in modern times included four stages - the embryonic stage (1903 - 1911), the development stage (1912 - 1926), the struggling stage (1927 - 1937) and the recovery stage (1938 - 1949). Aiming at academic studies, TCM societies in the early time could be divided into a national society and local societies and both were composed of scholars with the same academic viewpoints. Societies in the later stages aimed at maintaining status and fighting for rights. Activities held by these societies included starting publications, compiling textbooks, publishing, establishing hospitals and schools, prevention and control of infectious disease and innovation of TCM dosage forms. In the first half of the 20(th) century, the influence of TCM societies helped Shanghai become the TCM center in modern times.

[Analysis of medical thoughts of LU Yuan-lei-relationship with Japanese Kampo medicine].

LU Yuan-lei (1894 - 1955) is the representative of Chinese and Western Medicine Convergence School in modern times. He is also the advocate of scientization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM scientization is the refleetion of influence of Kampo medicine in modern China. Many academic viewpoints of LU Yuan-lei such as disease are caused by poison, scientifically elaborate ZHANG Zhong-jing's theories; thought on diseases not cured unless the medicine causes Mingxuan (a type of reaction in treatment'); the six meridians in Shanghanlun are not meridians in acupuncture; the value of pulse diagnosis and the sense of theory of 'Wu Yun Liu Qi' are influenced by Japanese Kampo medicine.

[Comparison of academic viewpoints between Yun Tie-qiao and Lu Yuan-lei].

Both Yun Tie-qiao and Lu Yuan-lei are medical professionals coming from the literary field with versatile and in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in medical education and clinical practice, all closely related to modern TCM development. Yun, the elder, insisted on reforming TCM and was early to advocate the academic idea of amalgamating western and traditional Chinese medicine; while Lu, the younger, insisted on the idea of "scientizing TCM" and was the representative of amalgamating western and traditional Chinese medicine in the later stage. They shared many common viewpoints, including venerating Zhang Zhongjing, stressing exogenous cold pathogens, advocating reformation and amalgamation of western medicine and TCM and objecting to the abolishment of TCM. However, there were discrepancies between them, including the relationship between the Inner Canon and the Essay on Exogenous Cold Diseases, warm disease theory, pulse theory, titles of TCM diseases and Japanese Kampo medicine. A comparison of them and noting their valuable contributions will be beneficial for the promotion of the development of TCM.

Increased liver-infiltrating CD8+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells are associated with tumor stage in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver, and patients who are diagnosed with this tumor typically have a poor prognosis. The suppressive effects of CD4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells on antitumor immune response in HCC have been studied in great detail. CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells have recently been detected in tumors; however, the role of CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells in HCC is still unknown. Here, the frequency and phenotype of CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry in liver of HCC patients and healthy donors. We observed that the percentage of these cells in HCC patients was significantly higher than that observed in healthy control donors (p = 0.0155); their phenotype was close to that of CD4(+) regulatory T cells. Furthermore, we show that CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells are activated and act as effector memory cells (EM, CD45RA(-)CCR7(-)CD27(+/-)CD28(+)). Most importantly, a higher percentage of intrahepatic CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells was found in patients with advanced HCC than in those with early HCC in terms of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (stage I vs III, p = 0.0007). These data suggest that CD8(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells may contribute to HCC immune escape and disease progression.

[Liver transplantation for treating hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Data of 92 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) performed during January 1999 and February 2005 at our institution were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 92 recipients, 8 HCC patients were stage I, 13 were stage II, 12 stage III and 59 stage IV (UICC TNM staging system). Overall 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year patient survival rates were 65.3%, 27.0%, 20.0%, and 6.9%, respectively. When OLT indications were considered, best recipients survival was obtained in stage I patients (100.0%, 100.0%, 66.7%, and 50.0% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively) and stage II patients (85.7%, 66.7%, and 66.7% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively). Whereas, 1, 2, 3 and 5-year recipients survival rates were 50.0%, 0, 0, 0 in stage III patients, and 58.1%, 20.0%, 13.0% and 5.0% in stage IV patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of different stages of HCC patients who underwent OLT was significantly different. The OLT recipients with HCC should be strictly selected. Long-term recipient survival could be obtained in stage I and stage II patients.