[Concomitant extragenital malformations of female reproductive tract anomalies: analysis of 444 cases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital].

Objective: To analyze the incidence and clinical phenotype of the concomitant extragenital malformations in the patients with female reproductive tract anomalies. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of hospitalized patients diagnosed with uterine, cervical, or vaginal malformations from January 2003 to December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The malformations were classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine müllerian anomalies classification 2021, and in each type, the incidence and specific manifestations of concomitant extragnital malformations were analyzed. Results: A total of 444 patients were included. The overall incidence of concomitant extragenital malformations was 43.5% (193/444), including urinary system, skeletal system, and other system malformations. Renal malformations on the obstructed side were present in all patients with oblique vaginal septum syndrome (100.0%, 78/78). The total incidence of concomitant extragnital malformations was as high as 8/11 in uterus didelphys, 43.5% (10/23) in unicornuate uterus, 33.6% (79/235) in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, 18.8% (6/32) in septate uterus and 18.5% (12/65) in cervical agenesis. Urinary system malformations (30.6%, 136/444) and skeletal system malformations (13.5%, 60/444) were the most common concomitant malformations in all types, in which, unilateral renal agenesis and scoliosis were the most common. Conclusions: Urinary and skeletal system malformations are important features of female reproductive tract anomalies. Urologic ultrasonography and spinal roentgenogram are recommended for all patients with female reproductive tract anomalies.

[Study of susceptibility weighted imaging on MR and pathologic findings to distinguish benign or malignant soft tissue tumor].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic performance of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI)in distinguishing benign or malignant soft tissue tumor, and to study pathological observation. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with soft tissue tumor, who received no previous treatment or invasive examination, received routine preoperative MRI examination and SWI scanning. The graduation and distribution of intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity(ITSS) and proportion of tumor volume were observed.The pathological results were also included for comparative analysis. Results: Fourty of 68 patients were benign and 28 were malignant. 72.5% (29/40) patients with benign soft tissue tumors were ITSS grade 1 and ITSS grade 3 (hemangioma). 89.3%(25/28) patients with malignant soft tissue tumors were ITSS grade 2 and ITSS grade 3. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The distribution of ITSS in patients with benign soft tissue tumors was dominated by peripheral distribution and diffuse distribution (hemangioma), accounting for 90.0% (36/40). The distribution of ITSS in patients with malignant soft tissue tumors mainly distributed in the central region, accounting for 78.6% (22 /28). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The proportion of tumor volume occupied by ITSS in benign soft tissue tumors was <1/3 and> 2/3 (hemangioma), accounting for 90.0% (36/40). The volume of malignant soft tissue tumors were predominantly <1/3 , accounting for 82.1% (23/28). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: SWI is sensitive in displaying the vein and blood metabolites in soft tissue lesions, which is helpful for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors in soft tissue.

Effect of the reversal of coenzyme specificity by expression of mutated Pichia stipitis xylitol dehydrogenase in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

AIMS: To determine the effects on xylitol accumulation and ethanol yield of expression of mutated Pichia stipitis xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) with reversal of coenzyme specificity in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. METHODS AND RESULTS: The genes XYL2 (D207A/I208R/F209S) and XYL2 (S96C/S99C/Y102C/D207A/I208R/F209S) were introduced into S. cerevisiae, which already contained the P. stipitis XYL1 gene (encoding xylose reductase, XR) and the endogenously overexpressed XKS1 gene (encoding xylulokinase, XK). The specific activities of mutated XDH in both strains showed a distinct increase in NADP(+)-dependent activity in both strains with mutated XDH, reaching 0.782 and 0.698 U mg(-1). In xylose fermentation, the strain with XDH (D207A/I208R/F209S) had a large decrease in xylitol and glycerol yield, while the xylose consumption and ethanol yield were decreased. In the strain with XDH (S96C/S99C/Y102C/D207A/I208R/F209S), the xylose consumption and ethanol yield were also decreased, and the xylitol yield was increased, because of low XDH activity. CONCLUSIONS: Changing XDH coenzyme specificity was a sufficient method for reducing the production of xylitol, but high activity of XDH was also required for improved ethanol formation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The difference in coenzyme specificity was a vital parameter controlling ethanolic xylose fermentation but the XDH/XR ratio was also important.

Electrochemical lithography: fabrication of nanoscale Si tips by porous anodization of Al/Si wafer.

Porous anodization of Al/Si wafer in sulfuric acid results in the formation of Si nanotips on the surface of Si substrate with ultrahigh packing density.

A new area in the human brain associated with learning and memory: immunohistochemical and functional MRI analysis.

Previous studies identified a new brain area, the marginal division (MrD), at the caudomedial border of the neostriatum in the brain of the rat, cat and monkey. The MrD was distinguishable from the rest of the striatum by the presence of spindle-shaped neurons, specific connections, and dense immunoreactivity for neuropeptides and monoamines in fibers, terminals and neuronal somata. Behavioral testing demonstrated that the MrD contributes to learning and memory in the rat. In the present study, the structure and the function of the MrD were investigated in the human brain. The presence of spindle-shaped neurons and the distribution of neurotransmitters in the MrD were evaluated by immunocytochemical methods. The function of the MrD was identified with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of healthy volunteers tested with an auditory digital working memory task. Highly active areas were observed in the prefrontal cortex and MrD with left sided predominance during performance of the task, but other parts of the neostriatum were not excited and the MrD was not activated in a control test of non-working memory. The results of the present investigation therefore indicate the existence of a new area associated with learning and memory function in the human brain. The MrD probably plays an important role in the execution of digital working memory and appears to link the limbic system and the basal nucleus of Meynert. The MrD may also be involved in the mechanism of Alzheimer's disease.

Spherical growth and surface-quasifree vibrations of Si nanocrystallites in Er-doped Si nanostructures.

Si-based Er-doped Si nanostructures were fabricated for exploring efficient light emission from Er ions and Si nanocrystallites. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations reveal that Si nanocrystallites are spherically embedded in the SiO2 matrix. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis indicates that the Er centers are distributed at the surfaces of nanocrystallites surrounded by the SiO2 matrix. Low-frequency Raman scattering investigation shows that Lamb's theory can be adopted to exactly calculate the surface vibration frequencies from acoustic phonons confined in spherical Si nanocrystallites and the matrix effects are negligible.

A new subdivision, marginal division, in the neostriatum of the monkey brain.

A new subdivision, the "marginal division" (MrD), was discovered at the caudal border of the striatum and surrounds the rostral edge of the globus pallidus in the rat brain in our previous studies. The neuronal somata of the MrD are mostly fusiform in shape with their long axes lining dorsoventrally. The MrD is more densely filled with substance P (SP)-, Leucine-enkephalin (L-Enk)-, dynorphin B-, neurotensin-, somatostatin- and cholecystokinin (CCK)-immunoreactive fibers and terminal-like structures than the rest of the striatum. The MrD was confirmed in the cat neostriatum as well. The present study intended to explore whether the MrD exists in the monkey neostriatum (putamen) with Nissl, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. A band of fusiform neurons were obviously identified at the caudomedial edge of the putamen. These neurons lie outside the lateral medullary lamina and indirectly surround the rostrolateral border of the globus pallidus. The abundance of SP-, L-Enk-, neuropeptide Y-, CCK-, dopamine- and serotonin-positive fibers and terminal-like structures with a few positive fusiform neurons accumulating at the caudomedial border of the putamen obviously distinguishes this zone from the rest of neostriatum and globus pallidus. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) positive and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) containing fusiform neurons are distinctly visualized in the same zone. The morphological figure and the location of these neurons, and the histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of this area coincide well with those of the MrD in the rat and cat striatum. This study thus convincingly identifies the existence of the MrD in the monkey neostriatum. It is fairly asserted that the MrD is a universal structure in the mammalian brain.

Ultrastructure of the marginal division in the rat striatum.

The discovery of a new subdivision in the striatum of the rat, the marginal division, has recently been reported. The marginal division is located at the caudal extent of the striatum, surrounding the rostrolateral border of the globus pallidus, and has different cellular morphology, immunohistochemistry and an efferent projection pattern from those of the main body of the striatum. In the present study, the ultrastructural organization of the marginal division was investigated. Most neuronal somata in the marginal division were fusiform in shape and had a large pale oval nucleus without in-foldings. There were four types of synapses in the marginal division: axo-somatic, axo-dendritic, axo-spinous and axo-axonic. Both symmetric and asymmetric synapses were observed on the somata, dendrites, or dendritic spines. Most of the symmetric synapses contained pleomorphic vesicles, whereas the asymmetric ones contained mainly round vesicles. Individual axo-axo-spinous synapses, which were first described in the striatum, were also observed in the marginal division. These ultrastructural characteristics distinguish the marginal division from the rest of the striatum.

Ultrastructural characteristics of substance P-immunoreactive terminals in marginal division of rat striatum.

In our previous work using immunocytochemical method combined with tract tracing techniques a new subdivision was described in the striatum of the rat. This "marginal division" is more densely filled with substance P, enkephalin and dynorphin B terminals than the rest of the striatum. In the present study, the synaptic organization of the substance P immunoreactive (SPIR) terminals in the marginal division of the rat striatum was studied using electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry for substance P (SP). Four major types of SPIR synapses were identified in the marginal division: axodendritic, axospinous, axo-axonal, and compound synapses. Axodendritic and axospinous synapses, in which the postsynaptic targets were small or large dendrites or spines, were the most common. A few axo-axonic synapses were observed as were several subtypes of compound synapses with more than two synaptic components. SPIR axon terminals formed the presynaptic components of all these synaptic types, but in one case an unlabeled bouton was observed making a synaptic connection onto a SPIR dendrite. Both symmetric and asymmetric SPIR synapses were observed in the marginal division. The vesicles in the SPIR presynaptic boutons were mostly pleomorphic although a few of them were round. The existence of asymmetric synapses, round synaptic vesicles and small postsynaptic dendrites distinguishes the ultrastructure of the marginal division from that of the other parts of the striatum. The complex characteristics of the synaptic organization in the marginal division implies that the SPIR terminals in the marginal division originate from a different source than those in the rest of the striatum. The complexity of the synaptic organization further suggests that the function of the marginal division is different from that of the rest of the striatum.

Dendritic architecture of nucleus ambiguus motoneurons projecting to the upper alimentary tract in the rat.

The motor innervation for palatal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and esophageal muscles originates within the nucleus ambiguus. Although the viscerotopic organization of the upper alimentary tract in the nucleus ambiguus has been extensively studied, little information concerning the dendritic arborization of nucleus ambiguus motoneurons is available. The neural tracer cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase, which is particularly effective at revealing dendrites of retrogradely labeled neurons, was used to determine the dendritic architecture and organization of nucleus ambiguus motoneurons. In 72 rats, cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase in volumes of 1.0-18 microliters was directly applied under pressure to the musculature of various sites along the upper alimentary tract. Motoneurons innervating the soft palate, pharynx, cricothyroid muscle, and cervical esophagus were all found to have extensive dendrites that extended into the adjacent reticular formation with a distinct pattern for each muscle group. In contrast, the dendrites of motoneurons innervating the thoracic and subdiaphragmatic esophagus were confined to the compact formation of the nucleus ambiguus. Dendritic bundling within the confines of the nucleus ambiguus was prominent following injection of tracer into the soft palate, pharynx, and esophagus. The bundles were primarily oriented in a rostrocaudal direction. These data suggest that the extensive extranuclear dendritic arborization of motoneurons innervating the soft palate, pharynx, larynx, and cervical esophagus provide a wide ranging target for multiple central afferents that may be involved in the differential control of muscles that participate in multiple complex motor functions. The lack of extensive extranuclear dendrites of motoneurons innervating the distal esophagus suggest that they receive focused central afferents. The prominent bundling of dendrites within the nucleus ambiguus may provide for synchronization of motoneurons innervating a specific muscle and perhaps for synchronization of motoneurons innervating different muscles acting in sequence.

Viscerotopic representation of the upper alimentary tract in the rat: sensory ganglia and nuclei of the solitary and spinal trigeminal tracts.

The aim of this study was to map the viscerotopic representation of the upper alimentary tract in the sensory ganglia of the IXth and Xth cranial nerves and in the subnuclei of the solitary and spinal trigeminal tracts. Therefore, in 172 rats 0.5-65 microliters of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), wheat germ agglutinin-HRP, or cholera toxin-HRP were injected into the trunks and major branches of the IXth and Xth cranial nerves as well as into the musculature and mucosa of different levels of the upper alimentary and respiratory tracts. The results demonstrate that the sensory ganglia of the IXth and Xth nerves form a fused ganglionic mass with continuous bridges of cells connecting the proximal and distal portions of the ganglionic complex. Ganglionic perikarya were labeled in crude, overlapping topographical patterns after injections of tracers into nerves and different parts of the upper alimentary tract. After injections into the soft palate, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach, anterograde labeling was differentially distributed in distinct subnuclei in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS). Palatal and pharyngeal injections resulted primarily in labeling of the interstitial and intermediate subnuclei of the NTS and in the paratrigeminal islands (PTI) and spinal trigeminal complex. Esophageal and stomach wall injections resulted in labeling primarily of the subnucleus centralis and subnucleus gelatinosus, respectively. The distribution of upper alimentary tract vagal-glossopharyngeal afferents in the medulla oblongata has two primary groups of components, i.e., a viscerotopic distribution in the NTS involved in ingestive and respiratory reflexes and a distribution coextensive with fluoride-resistant acid-phosphatase-positive regions of the PTI and spinal trigeminal nucleus presumably involved in visceral reflexes mediated by nociceptive or chemosensitive C fibers.