A high resolution reaction microscope with universal two-region time-focusing method.

This paper presents a novel reaction microscope designed for ion-atom collision investigations, established at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China. Its time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer employs an innovative flight-time focusing method consisting of two acceleration regions, providing optimal time focusing conditions for charged fragments with diverse initial velocities. The TOF spectrometer's axis intentionally tilts by 12° relative to the ion beam direction, preventing potential obstructions from the TOF grid electrodes. The introduced focusing method allows for a flexible time-focusing TOF spectrometer design without restricting the length ratio of the two regions. In addition, this configuration in our case significantly suppresses noise on the recoil ion detector produced by residual gas in the ion beam trajectory, which is a considerable challenge in longitudinal spectrometers. In a test experiment on the single electron capture reaction involving 62.5 keV/u He2+ ions and a helium atomic beam, the recoil longitudinal momentum resolution achieved 0.068 atomic units. This novel configuration and successful test run show excellent precision for ion-atom collision studies.

[Comparison between laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery for left colorectal cancer: 5-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using Cai tube for treating left-sided colorectal cancer. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were as follows: preoperative pathological diagnosis of left-sided colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal, sigmoid colon, descending colon, or left transverse colon cancer with the caudad margin ≥8 cm from the anal margin); preoperative abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging) showing maximum tumor diameter <4.5 cm; and BMI <30 kg/m2. Patients with synchronous multiple primary cancers or recurrent cancers, a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, preoperative evidence of significant local infiltration, distant metastasis, or complications such as intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation, or who were not otherwise considered suitable for laparoscopic surgery were excluded. A random number table was used to randomize sequential patients to NOSES surgery using Cai tube (non-assisted incision anal sleeve: patent number ZL201410168748.2) (NOSES group) or traditional laparoscopic-assisted surgery (CLS group). Relevant clinical data of the two groups of patients were analyzed, the main outcomes being disease-free survival, overall survival, overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate 5 years after surgery. Results: Patients in both study groups completed the surgery successfully with no requirement for additional surgery. After mean 70 (7-83) months postoperative follow-up, the 5-year overall postoperative survival in the NOSES and CLS groups was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively (P=0.455); disease free survival was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively (P=0.455); overall recurrence rate 6.6% and 10.0%, respectively (P=0.625); and local recurrence rate both were 3.3% (P=0.990), respectively. None of these differences was statistically significant. Conclusions: NOSES and CLS have similar long-term efficacy, and NOSES deserves to be used in clinical practice.

Two rare copy number variants involving loss of NPHP1, MALL, and MTLN genes contribute to nephronophthisis-induced nephropathy progression in a family: A case report.

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a common pediatric cystic kidney disease, accounting for approximately 10% of end-stage renal failure cases in children. NPHP is primarily diagnosed through the identification of indel mutations and copy number variants (CNVs), and patients carrying NPHP1 mutations usually progress to renal failure at a mean age of 13 years old. However, the association between CNVs containing NPHP1 variations and the progression of NPHP-induced disease remains unclear. Here, we report three NPHP patients in a family. The proband had developed stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) at 9 years old, and her younger brother and older sister had developed renal failure at 8 and 10 years old, respectively. A genetic diagnosis showed that they carried two rare CNVs, including homozygous loss of NPHP1, MALL, ACTR1AP1, MTLN, and LOC100507334. Heterozygous deletions mainly consisted of non-coding RNA genes on both sides of the CNVs. The proband was in stage 4 of CKD while her brother had progressed to renal failure, probably due to more extensive heterozygous deletion of a 67.115 kbp fragment, which included LIMS3-LOC440895, LOC440895, GPAA1P1, ZBTB45P1, and LINC0112 genes. This report demonstrates that larger CNV deletions, including homozygous NPHP1, MALL, and MTLN mutations and heterozygous deletions, presumably accelerate disease progression. Therefore, early genetic diagnosis plays a crucial role in the intervention and prognosis of these patients.

[Specimen extraction through natural orifices with Cai tubes in gastrointestinal surgery: a single-institute series of 234 cases].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of Cai tube-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This was a descriptive case-series study. Inclusion criteria: (1) colorectal or gastric cancer diagnosed by preoperative pathological examination or redundant sigmoid or transverse colon detected by barium enema; (2) indications for laparoscopic surgery; (3) body mass index <30 kg/m2 (transanal surgery) and 35 kg/m2 (transvaginal surgery); (4) no vaginal stenosis or adhesions in female patients undergoing transvaginal specimen extraction; and (5) patients with redundant colon aged 18-70 years and a history of intractable constipation for more than 10 years. Exclusion criteria: (1) colorectal cancer with intestinal perforation or obstruction, or gastric cancer with gastric perforation, gastric hemorrhage, or pyloric obstruction; (2) simultaneous resection of lung, bone, or liver metastases ; (3) history of major abdominal surgery or intestinal adhesions; and (4) incomplete clinical data. From January 2014 to October 2022, 209 patients with gastrointestinal tumors and 25 with redundant colons who met the above criteria were treated by NOSES utilizing a Cai tube (China invention patent number:ZL201410168748.2) in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University. The procedures included eversion and pull-out NOSES radical resection in 14 patients with middle and low rectal cancer, NOSES radical left hemicolectomy in 171 patients with left-sided colorectal cancer, NOSES radical right hemicolectomy in 12 patients with right-sided colon cancer, NOSES systematic mesogastric resection in 12 patients with gastric cancer, and NOSES subtotal colectomy in 25 patients with redundant colons. All specimens were collected by using an in-house-made anal cannula (Cai tube) with no auxiliary incisions. The primary outcomes included 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and postoperative complications. Results: Among 234 patients, 116 were male and 118 were female. The mean age was (56.6±10.9) years. NOSES was successfully completed in all patients without conversion to open surgery or procedure-related death. The negative rate of circumferential resection margin was 98.8% (169/171) with both two positive cases having left-sided colorectal cancer. Postoperative complications occurred in 37 patients (15.8%), including 11 cases (4.7%) of anastomotic leakage, 3 cases(1.3%) of anastomotic bleeding, 2 cases (0.9%) of intraperitoneal bleeding, 4 cases (1.7%) of abdominal infection, and 8 cases (3.4%) of pulmonary infection. Reoperations were required in 7 patients (3.0%), all of whom consented to creation of an ileostomy after anastomotic leakage. The total readmission rate within 30 days after surgery was 0.9% (2/234). After a follow-up of (18.3±3.6) months, the 1-year RFS was 94.7%. Five of 209 patients (2.4%) with gastrointestinal tumors had local recurrence, all of which was anastomotic recurrence. Sixteen patients (7.7%) developed distant metastases, including liver metastases(n=8), lung metastases(n=6), and bone metastases (n=2). Conclusion: NOSES assisted by Cai tube is feasible and safe in radical resection of gastrointestinal tumors and subtotal colectomy for redundant colon.

Molecular Ionization Dissociation Induced by Interatomic Coulombic Decay in an ArCH_{4}-Electron Collision System.

Interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) is a significant fragmentation mechanism observed in weakly bound systems. It has been widely accepted that ICD-induced molecular fragmentation occurs through a two-step process, involving ICD as the first step and dissociative-electron attachment (DEA) as the second step. In this study, we conducted a fragmentation experiment of ArCH_{4} by electron impact, utilizing the coincident detection of one electron and two ions. In addition to the well-known decay pathway that induces pure ionization of CH_{4}, we observed a new channel where ICD triggers the ionization dissociation of CH_{4}, resulting in the cleavage of the C-H bond and the formation of the CH_{3}^{+} and H ion pair. The high efficiency of this channel, as indicated by the relative yield of the Ar^{+}/CH_{3}^{+} ion pair, agrees with the theoretical prediction [L. S. Cederbaum, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 8964 (2020).JPCLCD1948-718510.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02259; Y. C. Chiang et al., Phys. Rev. A 100, 052701 (2019).PLRAAN2469-992610.1103/PhysRevA.100.052701]. These results suggest that ICD can directly break covalent bonds with high efficiency, bypassing the need for DEA. This finding introduces a novel approach to enhance the fragmentation efficiency of molecules containing covalent bonds, such as DNA backbone.

Two- and three-body dissociations of C3H6 isomer dications investigated by 4 keV/u Ar8+ impact.

The fragmentation dynamics of two isomers of C3H6, cyclopropane and propene, induced by 4 keV/u Ar8+ are investigated employing a reaction microscope. Four two-body and two three-body dissociation channels of C3H6 2+ dications are identified for each isomer, among which the channels involving CC bond breaking are found to be much more favored than H3 + and H2 + formation channels. The observation of the CH3 + or H3 + formation channels from cyclopropane are direct evidence of the proton migration within the carbon skeleton before dissociation. Obvious isomer effects are revealed by comparing the relative branching ratios of different channels of the two isomers. Moreover, it was shown that a sequential dissociation mechanism with H elimination prior to CC bond cleavage may be dominant for the two three-body dissociation channels for both isomers.

[TXNDC17 protein overexpression in uterine papillary serous carcinoma is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis].

Objective: To analyze clinicopathological characteristics of patients with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) in China, and investigate roles of TXNDC17 protein in UPSC clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Methods: Fifty-five patients with UPSC treated in Women's Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University from 2003 to 2016 were analysed retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to TXNDC17 and BECN1 (Beclin 1 protein, a key regulator of autophagy) protein expression respectively. Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate, Log-rank test was performed to compare the difference in cumulative survival rate among patients with different clinicopathological characteristics, and Cox regression model was used to analyze the related between TXNDC17 expression and prognosis of UPSC patients. Results: The median age of the 55 UPSC patients was 63(49, 79) years, 43.6%(24/55) with late stages (stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ), and 32.7 % (18/55) exhibiting more than half of myometrium invasion were enrolled. Notably, 28 (50.9%) patients had TXNDC17 protein overexpression, and associated with BECN1 overexpression(P=0.023). Besides, co-expression of TXNDC17 and BECN1 occurred at an advanced stage and deep myometrial invasion (P=0.013,0.009). The cumulative survival rate of TXNDC17 overexpression(37.4% vs 91.5%),FIGO Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage(44.1% vs 70.1%), deep myometrium invasion(36.1% vs 75.4%) and BECN1 overexpression(0 vs 83.0%)patients was low (P<0.05). The multivariate proportional hazards model revealed that myometrial invasion and TXNDC17 overexpression were associated with prognosis of UPSC patients. Conclusions: This study shows that TXNDC17 overexpression is associate with poor survival in UPSC patients. Co-expression of TXNDC17 and BECN1 shows characteristics of advanced stages and deep myometrial invasion. TXNDC17 may be a potential predictor or target in UPSC therapeutics..

[Comparison between laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery for left colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled study with 3-year follow-up results].

Objective: To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using the Cai tube in the treatment of left colorectal cancer. Methods: A prospective randomized control trial (China Clinical Trials Registration Number: ChiCTR-OOR-15007060) was performed. Sixty patients with left colorectal cancer at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital from September 2015 to August 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Case inclusion criteria: (1) left colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal cancer with distance ≥ 8 cm from tumor low margin to anal edge, sigmoid colon cancer, descending colon cancer and left transverse colon cancer) confirmed by preoperative pathology; (2) satisfactory conditions of conventional laparoscopic surgery; (3) maximum diameter of the tumor < 4.5 cm confirmed by preoperative abdominal and pelvic CT or MRI; (4) BMI < 30 kg/m2. Case exclusion criteria: (1) benign lesions, mucinous adenocarcinoma, signet-ring cell carcinoma and other special pathological types of tumors confirmed by preoperative pathological examination; (2) multiple or recurrent cancers; (3) with a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; (4) obvious regional infiltration or distant metastasis indicated by preoperative imaging examination; (5) intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, etc. Participants were randomly assigned to NOSES group (using the Cai tube) and conventional laparoscopy (CL) group by random number table method. Clinical data between two groups were compared and analyzed, including perioperative conditions, tumor exfoliation cell detection and bacterial culture results of intraperitoneal lavage fluid, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grading), postoperative pain [visual simulation scoring (VAS) assessment], anal function (Kirwan anal function grading assessment), and postoperative 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled, with 30 in the NOSES group and 30 in the CL group. All the patients in the NOSES group successfully completed operation with Cai tube. Baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in conversion rate to open surgery, number of lymph node harivested, proximal and distal resection margin of tumor, negative rate of circumferential margin, operation time, blood loss, inflammatory indexes, postoperative anal function, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, morbidity of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II or above) (all P>0.05). Compared to the CL group, the NOSES group had lower maximum postoperative VAS score (2.5±0.3 vs. 5.1±0.4, t=3.187, P<0.01), and fewer use of additional postoperative analgesia [6.7% (2/30) vs. 33.3% (10/30),χ2=6.670, P=0.02]. The postoperative time to gas passage was shorter in the NOSES group [(2.2±1.4) days vs. (3.1±1.2) days,P=0.026]. No tumor cells and bacterial contamination were found in abdominal lavage fluid before and after operation in either group. The anal function at postoperative 3-month of all the patients in the NOSES group was Kirwan grade I to II, while in the CL group, anal function of 2 cases (6.7%) was Kirwan grade III, and of 28 cases was also Kirwan grade I to II, whose difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the NOSES group and the CL group, 3-year DFS was 96.7% and 83.3% (P=0.090), OS was 100% and 90% (P=0.096), overall recurrence rate was 3.3% and 10.0% (P=0.166), and local recurrence rate was 3.3% and 3.3% (P=0.999), respectively, whose differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions: In the treatment of left colorectal cancer, compared with conventional laparoscopic colectomy, NOSES colectomy using Cai tube exhibits less scar, less postoperative pain, shorter recovery of gastrointestinal function, and similar mid-term outcomes. Given proper surgical indications, the surgical procedure is safe and feasible.

Improving early running-in wear characteristics for dental lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by ion-exchange.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of Li+→Na+ ion-exchange on the early wear performance of dental lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramics. METHODS: Specimens with different shapes were prepared using IPS e.max Press as the LD glass-ceramics. Ion-exchange was conducted by placing polished specimens in molten salt containing 25% NaNO3 and 75% KNO3 at 385 °C for 16 or 64 h. The ion-exchanged specimens were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate the structure and the elemental distribution. Thereafter, the specimens were tested for flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and fracture resistance. A portion of the specimens were tested with a pin-on-disk tribometer with 10 N for 40 × 104 wear cycles in artificial saliva. Wear analysis of the specimens was performed using a 3D profilometer and analyzed with one-way analyses of variance and Tukey's post hoc pairwise comparisons. Worn surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The LD glass-ceramics exhibited strong time-dependent wear behavior, with typical running-in and steady wear stages. Ion-exchange treatments at 385 °C for 16 h and 64 h both enhanced the mechanical properties and decreased the wear rates of early running-in wear stage. The early wear performance of specimens treated with ion-exchange for long time (64 h) was improved significantly. CONCLUSION: A thicker ion-exchange layer may be obtained by processing ion-exchange for a long time. This protocol improves the early wear performance of the glass-ceramics effectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental restorations may fail prematurely due to excessive wear. It is important to improve the early wear performance of the glass-ceramics. Ion-exchange has the potential to strengthen dental LD glass-ceramics. Understanding the effect of ion-exchange on the early wear performance of glass-ceramics provides insight improving the early wear performance of these restorations.

Effect of Li+/Na+ exchange on mechanical behavior and biological activity of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic.

Lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramics with a stoichiometric composition were ion-exchanged in pure NaNO3 or mixed NaNO3 + KNO3 molten salt baths below the glass transition temperature (Tg). The microstructures, surface morphologies, mechanical properties and bioactivities of the ion-exchanged glass-ceramics were studied in detail. It was found that the strength and toughness of LD glass-ceramic could be enhanced from 175 MPa to 0.96 MPa m1/2 before ion-exchange to 546 MPa and 4.31 MPa m1/2 respectively under a lowered ion-exchange temperature because the less stress relaxation. In addition, a gradient of Na+ rich layer in the surface of glass-ceramic was induced by Li+/Na+ exchange, which could be beneficial to the formation of HA (Hydroxyapatite) with nano-size porous after soaking in SBF (Simulated Body Fluid) solution and exhibited better bioactivity compared with the original LD glass-ceramic. The results might provide a reference for the strengthening and biological activation of LD glass-ceramics in bone restoration applications.

Effects of surface roughness on the time-dependent wear performance of lithium disilicate glass ceramic for dental applications.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surface roughness on the time-dependent wear performance of lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramic. METHODS: Friction pairs (pin and disk specimens) were prepared by IPS e.max® Press lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. The lateral faces of friction pairs (N = 12) were grinded with silicon carbide papers, and 6 friction pairs were polished with a 0.25 µm diamond suspension after grinding. The friction pairs were tested for wear performance using a pin-on-disk tribometer with 10 N for 1.02 × 106 wear cycles in artificial saliva. Wear analysis of the pin and disk was performed with a 3D profilometer. The microstructure and worn surface morphology were examined with scanning electron microscopy. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc pairwise comparison were used to analyze the wear data. RESULTS: The two group LD friction pairs presented strong time-dependent wear performance. The polished group (GP) exhibited a high wear rate and extensive surface wear during 0-1 × 105 cycles (running-in wear stage). The wear rate, height loss and surface roughness were obviously lower than those of grinded group (GG) in running-in wear stage. However, these wear parameters were similar during the steady wear stage. The worn surface topographies of the pin and disk in GP were smoother at the same cycle before the GG entering the steady wear stage. CONCLUSION: Running-in, which means the initial stage of wear process, is a critical period to determine the final wear loss and surface degradation, when compare the wear behavior of lithium disilicate ceramic with different initial surface states. Ceramic layer with smooth contact area leads to low wear rate and short running-in wear stage.

Long noncoding RNA OIP5-AS1 exhibits oncogenic activity in bladder cancer through miR-217 and MTDH.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of long non-coding Opa-interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) in bladder cancer (BCa), and the mechanism of OIP5-AS1/microRNA-217 (miR-217)/metadherin (MTDH) in promoting the progression of BCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: OIP5-AS1, miR-217 and MTDH expressions in BCa tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot. CCK-8 and transwell assays were used to determine the proliferation and invasion of BCa cells. The correlation between OIP5-AS1 and miR-217, miR-217 and MTDH, and OIP5-AS1 and MTDH were studied by Luciferase reporter assay and Spearman correlation analysis. Statistical analysis of test data was performed using t-test. RESULTS: OIP5-AS1 was upregulated in BCa tissues and cells, and OIP5-AS1 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation and invasion of BCa cells. MiR-217 was a direct-acting target of OIP5-AS1, and MTDH was a target of miR-217. OIP5-AS1 knockdown inhibits human BCa cell proliferation and invasion through miR-217/MTDH axis. CONCLUSIONS: This study systematically explored the effect of OIP5-AS1 in human BCa. MiR-217/MTDH pathway mediated the promotion of OIP5-AS1 in BCa cells proliferation and invasion. OIP5-AS1, as an oncogene, could be used as a biomarker for the treatment of BCa.

Punicalagin suppresses osteosarcoma growth and metastasis by regulating NF-κB signaling.

Osteosarcoma is the most prevailing malignant bone tumor among adolescents. Punicalagin, a polyphenolic compound extracted from pomegranate, possesses many functions such as anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial, anti-virus, and immunosuppression, which can counter the aggressiveness of a variety of cancers such cervical, ovarian and prostate. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of punicalagin on the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells and its potential regulatory mechanisms. Osteosarcoma cell lines (HOS cells, U2OS cells and MG63 cells) were treated with different doses of punicalagin, and the effects on osteosarcoma cell activity were examined in vitro using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation and apoptosis assays. The mobility, migration and invasion abilities of osteosarcoma cells were detected by wound healing and Transwell assays. NF-κB activity was explored by the NF-κB p65 luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was used to investigate the expressions of downstream proteins. We found that punicalagin inhibited the viability of osteosarcoma cells in vitro in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners and promoted apoptosis. In addition, punicalagin could significantly impede the mobility, migration and invasion abilities of osteosarcoma cells. In terms of mechanism, punicalagin down-regulated the expressions of p65, survivin, XIAP, CIAP2 and other proteins, and suppressed the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells by repressing NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, it is concluded that punicalagin restrains the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma by obstructing the NF-κB signal transduction pathway.

Improved reliability of wear performance for a fluorapatite veneering porcelain by ion-exchange strengthening and toughening.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the present study was to explore the improvement of wear performance for a nano fluorapatite veneering porcelain by ion-exchange. METHODS: Bar and disk specimens were prepared by IPS e.max Ceram as the nano fluorapatite veneering porcelain. Ion-exchange was performed in a melted KNO3 bath at two temperatures for different time-periods. After the ion-exchange, the bars were tested for flexural strength, surface Vickers hardness and HIF toughness, the disks were tested for wear performance paired with zirconia antagonist using a pin-on-disk tribometer with 10 N for 70✕104 wear cycles in artificial saliva. Wear analysis of the porcelain and zirconia was performed with a 3D profilometer. The microstructure and worn surface morphology were examined with scanning electron microscopy. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc pairwise comparison were used to analyse the wear data. RESULTS: The nano fluorapatite veneering porcelain before ion-exchange presented strong time-dependent wear behavior. Furthermore, wear rate of the original porcelain exhibited a very large standard deviation in the running-in wear stage, which was correlated with highly inhomogeneous distribution of the characteristic fluorapatite crystals in the microstructure. After ion-exchange at 350 °C and 380 °C, especially after the processing at 350 °C for 128 h, the wear rates of both running-in and steady wear stages could be significantly decreased. More importantly, the standard deviation of wear rate in the running-in wear stage could be remarkably reduced after the treatment. The improved reliability of wear performance was attributed to the strengthening and toughening effects of the ion-exchange processing. CONCLUSION: For the fluorapatite veneering porcelain, the ion-exchange protocol to obtain an ion-exchange layer with less stress relaxation and a considerable depth could strengthen and toughen the porcelain; as a result, the reliability of wear performance could be remarkably improved.

Significance of LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression in diagnosis and prognosis judgment of myelodysplastic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression level of the long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), as well as the correlation between the expression level of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of MDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 MDS patients were selected as the MDS group and 20 healthy people as the control group. The expression levels of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in the serum of the two groups of participants were compared. The associations of the expression level of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 with the clinicopathological parameters of the MDS patients were analyzed. MDS was divided into various subtypes in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The expression level of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in all the subtypes was detected, and its correlation with the prognosis was judged. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference in the expression level of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 between the control group and the MDS group (p<0.001). The MDS patients with the low expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 had remarkably longer survival and progression-free survival (PFS) in comparison with those with the high expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 (p<0.001). The survival status and chemosensitivity of the MDS patients were closely related to the prognosis (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 presents high expressions in the MDS patients, indicating that it has a correlation with the prognosis of the MDS patients, and thus providing a new direction for the future treatment of the MDS patients.

Improving the wear performance of feldspathic veneering porcelain by ion-exchange strengthening.

OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the effects of Na+→K+ ion-exchange on the wear performance of feldspathic veneering porcelain. METHODS: Bar and disk specimens were prepared using IPS classic as the feldspathic veneering porcelain. After ion-exchange by immersion of the specimens in melted KNO3 at two temperatures for different time-periods, the bars were tested for flexural strength and Vickers surface hardness. The disks were paired with zirconia antagonists and tested with a pin-on-disk tribometer with 10 N for 70☓104 wear cycles in artificial saliva. Wear analysis of the porcelain and zirconia was performed using 3D profilometer and analysed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc pairwise comparison procedures. Worn surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The feldspathic veneering porcelain exhibited strong time-dependent wear behaviour, with typical running-in and steady wear stages. Ion-exchange treatments at 380 °C and 440 °C both enhanced the mechanical properties, decreased the wear rates of running-in wear and steady wear. The wear performance of porcelain treated by ion-exchange at lower temperature (380 °C) was improved significantly, especially reducing the wear rate of the running-in stage. CONCLUSION: A thicker ion-exchange layer with less stress relaxation may be obtained by ion-exchange at lower exchange temperature for a long processing time. Such a protocol improves the wear performance of the porcelain effectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Restorations with veneering porcelain may fail prematurely due to excessive wear. It important to improve the wear performance of the porcelain. Ion-exchange has the potential to strengthen dental veneering porcelain. Understanding the effect of ion-exchange on the wear performance of porcelain provides insight improving the wear performance of these restorations.

Strong time-dependence for strengthening a lithium disilicate parent glass and the corresponding glass-ceramic by Li+/Na+ exchange.

Chemical strengthening of a lithium disilicate (LD) parent glass with stoichiometric composition and the corresponding glass-ceramic by Li+/Na+ exchange was investigated. The ion-exchange was performed in a molten NaNO3 salt bath at 380 °C below the glass transition temperature over a wide time range from 3.75 to 480 min. It was found that strength of both the glass and glass-ceramic could be significantly enhanced after very short time treatment (3.75-15 min); however, significant strength decreases occurred similarly for the glass and glass-ceramic with further increasing the treatment time to obtain a greater ion-exchanged depth. Morphology analysis of the ion-exchanged surfaces revealed that the over-long treatment would induce surface failure for the glass, or LD crystal micro-cracking in the ion-exchanged region for the glass-ceramic. The strong time-dependence of the strengthening was attributed to dual effects of the ion-exchange. Besides the conventional "stuffing effect" of ion-exchange, the thermal expansion increase of surface layer induced by Li+/Na+ exchange might be a critical factor to be considered for strengthening the LD glass and glass-ceramic. With prolonging the processing time, the dual effects would change the surface residual stress from compressive into tensile, resulting in surface failure and undesirable strength degradation.

Semiochemical Regulation of the Intraspecific and Interspecific Behavior of Tomicus yunnanensis and Tomicus minor during the Shoot-Feeding Phase.

Two pine shoot beetles, Tomicus yunnanensis and Tomicus minor, are the most destructive pests of Pinus yunnanensis in southwestern China. We investigated behavioral responses within and between these two species during the shoot-feeding phase using walking bioassays. We also identified the pheromonal aspects of beetles by static solid phase microextraction (SPME) and hindgut extraction following interactive communication by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Both species were significantly attracted by their own species and the same sex, and attraction was inhibited by exposure to additional beetles or to the hindgut extracts of beetles which had shown interaction. Female and male T. minor and T. yunnanensis hindguts contained 0.19, 0.09, 0.22, and 0.05 ng/individual of (-)-trans-verbenol, respectively; following interaction with additional beetles, this increased to 16.74-292.71 ng/individual in T. minor females. Mean concentration of verbenone detected in the hindguts of female/male individuals of T. minor and T. yunnanensis under natural conditions were 0.16, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.05 ng/individual, respectively, but these correspondingly increased to 5.90, 2.43, 0.06, and 0.19 ng/individual after exposure to additional insects. In T. yunnanensis, the amounts of detectable (-)-trans-verbenol and verbenone extracted from hindguts were lower than those from T. minor. The levels of cis-verbenol and (-)-trans-verbenol most attractive to walking T. yunnanensis and T. minor were 0.1 and 1.0 ng/µl, respectively. Verbenone was not attractive at any of the concentrations tested. The addition of verbenone to cis-verbenol or (-)-trans-verbenol reduced the attraction responses. We conclude that the (-)-trans-verbenol produced by these two pine shoot beetles is attractive at low concentrations and repellant at high concentrations, thereby fostering intraspecific competition. Verbenone is produced to prevent overcrowding via interspecific inhibition, and to expel beetles during shoot-feeding.