[The application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection in immunocompromised patients].

Objective: To evaluate the application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection in immunocompromised patients. Methods: A total of 78 patients with immunocompromised pulmonary infection [55 males and 23 females, aged (50.3±16.9) years] and 61 patients with non-immunocompromised pulmonary infection [42 males and 19 females, aged (63.6±15.9) years] in the Intensive Care Unit of the First Medical Center of College of the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital from November 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively selected. Patients in both groups received bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) while clinically diagnosed with pulmonary infection. The diagnostic positive rate, pathogen detection rate and clinical coincidence rate of the two methods were compared. At the same time, the difference of adjustment rate of anti-infective treatment strategy based on the results of mNGS detection was compared between the two groups. Results: The positive rates of mNGS in patients with pulmonary infection were 94.9% (74/78) and 82.0% (50/61) in the immunocompromised group and the non-immunocompromised group, respectively. The positive rates of CMTs in patients with pulmonary infection were 64.1% (50/78) and 75.4% (46/61) in the immunocompromised group and the non-immunocompromised group, respectively. The positive rates of mNGS and CMTs in patients with pulmonary infection in immunocompromised group showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The detection rates of mNGS in the immunocompromised group for pneumocystis jirovecii and cytomegalovirus were 41.0% (32/78) and 37.2% (29/78), respectively, and the detection rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, chlamydia psittaci and Legionella pneumophila were 16.4% (10/61), 9.8% (6/61) and 8.2% (5/61) in the non-immunocompromised patients, respectively, which were higher than those of CMTs [1.3% (1/78), 7.7% (6/78), 4.9% (3/61), 0 and 0] (all P<0.05). In the immunocompromised group, the clinical coincidence rates of mNGS and CMTs and were 89.7% (70/78) and 43.6% (34/78), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the non-immunocompromised group, the clinical coincidence rates of mNGS and CMTs were 83.6% (51/61) and 62.3% (38/61), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.008). In the immunocompromised group, according to the results of the etiology of mNGS, the adjustment rate of anti-infection treatment strategy was 87.2% (68/78), while in the non-immunocompromised group, the adjustment rate of anti-infective treatment strategy was 60.7% (37/61), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: In patients with immunocompromised pulmonary infection, mNGS has more advantages than CMTs in diagnostic positive rate, diagnosis rate of mixed infection, pathogen detection rate and guidance of anti-infection treatment strategy adjustment, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

The value of microbiology rapid on-site evaluation of sepsis caused by pulmonary infection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the value of microbial rapid on-site evaluation (M-ROSE) of sepsis, and septic shock caused by pulmonary infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with sepsis and septic shock due to hospital-acquired pneumonia were analyzed. Accuracy and time were compared with M-ROSE, traditional culture, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: A total of 48 strains of bacteria and 8 strains of fungi were detected by bronchoscopy in 36 patients. The accuracy rate of bacteria and fungi was 95.8% and 100%, respectively. M-ROSE took an average of 0.34±0.01 hours, much faster than NGS (22h±0.01 h, p<0.0001) and traditional culture time (67.50±0.91 h, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: M-ROSE may quickly identify common bacteria and fungi, so it may be a useful method for the etiological diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock caused by pulmonary infection.

[Analysis of brain volume asymmetry and clinical application in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis based on automatic brain segmentation].

Objective: To analyze whole brain structural volume asymmetry in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) using automated brain segmentation technology, and to investigate the application value of this technology in the diagnosis of TLE-HS and the performance in determining the location the lateralization of epileptogenic focus. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with TLE-HS were enrolled in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2019 to October 2020, including 13 females and 15 males, aged ranged from 18 to 63 (30±12) years, and these patients were divided two group according to the epilepsy lateralization, left TLE-HS(LTLE-HS) group (n=11), right TLE-HS(RTLE-HS) group (n=17) and 28 normal controls [aged ranged from 18 to 49 (29±10) years]. All of these subjects underwent three-dimensional T1 weighted image (3D T1WI). The differences of brain structure and volumes in LTLE-HS, RTLE-HS and normal controls group were retrospectively analyzed, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the left and right volume correlations, and effect size was used for evaluating the differences in left and right volume averages. The asymmetry index (AI) of the left and right lateral volumes in each group was also calculated and compared among the three groups. Results: Standard volumes of all structures within the brain were asymmetric in the normal controls, LTLE-HS, and RTLE-HS groups, with smaller volumes of ipsilateral hippocampus than contralateral hippocampus in both the LTLE-HS and RTLE-HS groups(0.20%±0.03% vs 0.24%±0.02%,0.21%±0.03% vs 0.25%±0.02% respectively;both P<0.001), and smaller volumes of gray and white matter of the ipsilateral temporal lobe than contralateral in the LTLE-HS group(4.41%±0.38% vs 5.01%±0.43%,1.83%±0.22 % vs 2.22%±0.14%;both P<0.001). There was a moderate to strong linear correlation (0.553

[Study on the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with prior hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To explore the role of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with prior hepatitis B virus infection (HBsAg-negative and anti-HBC-positive). Methods: 1605 hospitalized patients who were first diagnosed with HCC at Nanfang Hospital between 2015 to 2017 were retrospectively studied. Patients who developed HCC on the basis of active HBV infection (HBsAg-positive, anti-HBc positive) were used as control. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between NAFLD and HCC in patients with prior hepatitis B virus infection. Results: Among HCC patients with both HBsAg and anti-HCV negative, the proportion of prior HBV infection accounted for 86.7%. NAFLD prevalence was higher in patients with HCC based on prior HBV infection than active HBV infection (19.7% vs. 8.5%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for gender, age, hypertension, alanine aminotransferase, and liver cirrhosis, patients with HCC based on prior HBV infection were more likely to develop NAFLD (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.40-3.74), and this phenomenon was observed only in patients with non-cirrhosis (OR: 5.26, 95% CI: 2.53-10.96) and aged≥50 years (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.33-4.20). Conclusion: NAFLD may be a risk factor for HCC in a previously infected patients with HBV, especially in non-cirrhotic and population aged≥50 years.

Is there only one equilibrium configuration for spontaneous bending of liquid crystal elastomer circular plates with free edges?

In this paper, the spontaneous bending of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) circular plate under light illumination is investigated. The large bending deformation configurations for the LCE circular plate with free edges are obtained by minimizing the potential energy. It is found that for an LCE circular plate with random distribution of liquid crystal molecules, if the light intensity is small, there is only one equilibrium configuration for bending of the LCE circular plate. However, when the light intensity reaches a critical value, the circular plate will buckle and there will be three possible equilibrium configurations. On the other hand, for an LCE circular plate with uniform orientation of liquid crystal molecules, the strain induced by light is anisotropic, and there is only one equilibrium configuration. In addition, bending shapes of the LCE circular plate depend on its thickness. These results may be useful for designing light-driven LCE devices.

[Higher proportion of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma combined with metabolic diseases in patients receiving antiviral therapy].

Objective: To investigate the proportion of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who have received antiviral therapy and compare the clinical characteristics of HCC patients who have received antiviral therapy with those who have not received antiviral therapy. Methods: Data of 2590 newly diagnosed hepatitis B-related HCC cases who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from 2015 to 2017 were collected. Two independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ(2) test were used to compare the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B-related HCC patients who had received antiviral therapy and those who had not received antiviral therapy. Propensity score was used to match some clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients, and the differences in clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients after matching were further compared. Patients with HCC who had not received antiviral therapy were used as reference, and then the clinical characteristics of HCC patients who had received antiviral treatment were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among the 2 590 patients with hepatitis B-related HCC, only 18.10% of patients had received antiviral therapy, while 82.20% of patients who did not receive antiviral therapy met the treatment criteria. HCC patients who had received antiviral therapy were older (P < 0.05), had a higher proportion of liver cirrhosis (P < 0.001), and lower levels of platelets and alanine aminotransferases and smaller maximum tumor diameter (P < 0.001). In terms of metabolic disease, patients who had received antiviral treatment had higher prevalence of diabetes (14.50% vs. 7.70%, P < 0.001), hypertension (16.60% vs. 11.20%, P < 0.05), obesity (28.50% vs. 22.30%, P < 0.05), overweight (53.80% vs. 43.50%, P < 0.001) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (18.30% vs.8.00%, P < 0.001). After matching other different clinical characteristics, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients who received antiviral therapy was still higher than that of patients who did not receive antiviral therapy (14.50% vs. 9.80%, P < 0.05; 16.60% vs. 10.20%, P < 0.05; 18.30% vs. 7.00%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCC patients who had received antiviral therapy had a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR: 2.054, 95% CI: 1.404~3.004) than those who had not received antiviral therapy. Conclusion: Among patients with hepatitis B-related HCC, the proportion of patients who have received antiviral therapy is significantly low (under 20%), which suggests that the popularization and promotion of antiviral therapy has a long way to go. Compared with HCC patients who have not received antiviral therapy, the proportion of HCC patients who have received antiviral therapy combined with metabolic diseases is higher; therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the role of metabolic factors in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B-related HCC.

[Prevalence and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving antiviral therapy].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) receiving antiviral treatment. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 3 477 cases with CHB who received antiviral therapy. The prevalence of NAFLD was investigated, and then the risk factors were screened and analyzed by stepwise regression method in CHB patients with NAFLD as the dependent variable and the related influencing factors as independent variables. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 24.1% in CHB patients who received antiviral therapy. After adjusting for age and gender, central obesity (OR: 7.44, 95%CI: 6.06 ~ 9.14), hypertension (OR: 1.74, 95%CI: 1.51 ~ 2.20), and triglyceride (OR: 1.52, 95%CI: 1.18 ~ 1.96) were positively associated with NAFLD, and cirrhosis was negatively associated with NAFLD (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.34 ~ 0.53). Patients with long-term antiviral therapy had increased risk of NAFLD. Conclusion: A significant proportion of CHB patients receiving antiviral therapy have suffered from NAFLD. Therefore, CHB patients receiving long-term antiviral treatment should pay more attention to the prevalence of NAFLD.

[Prevalence of diabetes and its associated factors in Blang ethnic adults].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of diabetes and prediabetes in Blang ethnic adults in Menghai county. Methods: A cross-sectional survey including 3 365 Blang ethnic adults (aged 18 and above from 5 administrative villages) was conducted from February 2017 to March 2017 in Menghai county. A questionnaire, physical examination, and blood assays were included in the survey. Finally, a total of 3 237 adults with complete data were selected into this analysis. Results: The standardized prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Blang ethnic adults were estimated based on the sixth national census in 2010. According to the 1999 WHO criteria, the overall standardized prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were 8.5% (men: 10.2%, women: 6.8%) and 16.1% (men: 18.0%, women: 14.1%), in which the standardized prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes among the total population was 7.3% (men: 8.7%, women: 5.8%). Multivariable multinominal logistic regression analyses showed that age, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and central obesity were significantly positively associated with both diabetes and prediabetes, with the corresponding odds ratios of 1.74 and 1.37, 2.39 and 2.02, 2.30 and 1.34, 2.55 and 1.73, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes is relatively high in Blang ethnic adults in Menghai county. Improving knowledge of diabetes among the local population is one of key steps in the prevention of diabetes.

Approximate and explicit expression of optical forces and pull-in instability of a silicon nano-optomechanical device.

Nano-optomechanical systems actuated by optical forces enable many interesting scientific and technological applications. They are vulnerable to the effects of surface stress and Casimir forces. Therefore, calculation of optical forces is essential for the reliability applications of these advanced devices. In this paper, an approximate and explicit expression is developed for the evaluation of the optical force existing between a waveguide and a substrate through the effective refractive index. The influences of surface stress and Casimir forces on the pull-in instability of a silicon nano-optomechanical device actuated by optical forces are investigated. It is found that if neglecting the effect of surface stress, the maximum size, which indicates the device can be safely fabricated, will be over-predicted. The surface stress reduces the critical optical power and its effect is more significant for a slender waveguide.

Isolation and biological characteristics of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from chick embryo intestine.

1. Over the past decade, rapid advancement in isolation methods for identifying markers of the once elusive intestinal stem cell (ISC) populations has laid the foundation for unravelling their complex interrelationships during homeostasis. Study on ISC in avian intestinal tissue might play a pivotal foundation for further studies on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastrointestinal disease and cell-based therapy as well as intestinal tissue engineering. 2. The following experiment isolated a population of fibroblast-like, plastic adhering cells derived from chick embryo intestine, showing a strong self-renewing and proliferative ability, which was maintained in vitro up to passage 25. The findings included growth characteristics, detected expression of cell surface markers and characterised the capability of these cells to differentiate towards the osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic cell lineages. 3. RT-PCR analysis showed that these cells from chick embryos expressed mesenchymal stromal cell markers CD44, CD90 and VIMENTIN as well as ISC-specific genes LGR5, MI1, SMOC2, BMI1, and HOPX. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry confirmed this biology characterisation further. 4. In conclusion, cells were isolated from the intestine of 18-day-old chicken embryos that exhibited the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells as well as markers of intestinal stem cells. Our findings may provide a novel insight for in vitro cell culture and characteristics of ISCs in avian species, which may also indicate a benefit for obtaining cell source for intestinal tissue engineering as well as cell-based investigation for gastrointestinal disease and treatment.

[Biomechanical behaviors of cervical spinal cord injury related to various bone fragment impact velocities: a finite element study].

Objective: To establish a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the whole cervical spinal cord (WSCS) and explore the biomechanical behaviors of cervical spinal cord injury related to different bone fragment impact velocities by FE analysis. Methods: A 3D FE model of WCSC was established based on the morphologic data of each segment of the human cervical cord. The reconstruction structures, which included the dura mater, the cerebrospinal fluid, the gray and white matter in the C(2) to C(7) cervical vertebrae, were validated.On the validated WCSC model, three kinds of pellets with same mass (7 g) but different impact areas (314, 157 and 78.5 mm(2)) were created to represent the bone fragments.These were positioned in the middle of the spinal cord to impact at various initial velocities.The maximum of von Mises stress and the reduction of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the spinal cord were measured from each impact. Results: The compression of WCSC (percentage) and the time to reach maximum compression were similar with the results reported in literatures, indicating the validity of the model.Regardless of the impact areas of the pellet, the maximum of von Mises stress and the reduction of CSA of the spinal cord increased with the increased velocity.The maximum of von Mises stress was 5.0-7.0 kPa at a pellet velocity of 1.5 m/s, and the reduction of CSA was 9.3%-12.3%.At a velocity of 3.5 m/s, the maximum of von Mises stress was 42-54 kPa and the reduction of CSA was over 30%.The stress of the spinal cord significantly increased when pellet velocity exceeded 3.5 m/s, and the fastest increase was recorded at 4.5 m/s.The von Mises stress of the spinal cord ranged between 240 and 320 kPa at a velocity of 6.0 m/s, and CSA decreased by more than 50%. Conclusion: The 3D FE model of WSCS could provide more insights on the biomechanical mechanisms of spinal cord injury through various bone fragment impacts in burst fracture.When the impact velocity of the bone fragment exceeds 3.5 m/s, the maximum stress significantly increases and the reduction of CSA of the spinal cord is over 30%, and this could possibly lead to the contusion injury of the spinal cord.

Electrostatic potential in a bent piezoelectric nanowire with consideration of size-dependent piezoelectricity and semiconducting characterization.

Determining the electric potential in a bent piezoelectric nanowire (NW) is a fundamental issue of nanogenerators and nanopiezotronics. The combined influence of the flexoelectric effect, the semiconducting performance and the angle of atomic force microscope (AFM) tip has never been studied previously and will be investigated in this paper. The exact solution for the electric potential of a bent piezoelectric semiconductor NW is derived. The electric potential of the present model with consideration of flexoelectric effect varies along the length of the NW and is different from that of the classical piezoelectric model. Flexoelectric effect enhances but the semiconducting performance reduces the electric potential of the NW. In addition, it is found that if the angle of the AFM tip reaches 30°, the error of the electric potential obtained from the model ignored the effect of the angle of the AFM tip is almost 16%, which is unacceptable.

[Radiological analysis of coronal and sagittal spinopelvic parameters in patients with degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis].

Objective: To review and compare radiological parameters between degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis (DLKS) and degenerative lumbar kyphosis (DLK), and analyze the relationships between coronal and sagittal deformities and compensatory mechanisms of sagittal balance. Methods: A total of 82 patients with lumbar degenerative deformities were enrolled for our radiographic study at Department of Spinal Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital from January 2016 to May 2017. These patients were divided into two groups: DLKS group (39 patients) with lumbar coronal and sagittal deformities, and DLK group (43 patients) just with lumbar sagittal deformity. Complete spinopelvic radiographic parameters were compared. Results: The Cobb angle and lumbar lordosis of DLKS group were (23.0±11.8)° and (18.2±12.1)°, while the lumbar lordosis of DLK group was (20.4±10.2)°. In DLKS group, Cobb angle had correlations with lumbar lordosis(r=-0.338, P=0.035), and central sacral vertical line distance had significant correlations with thoracolumbar junctional angle (r=0.488, P=0.002) . Moreover, no significant differences of all sagittal spinopelvic parameters were found between two groups (P>0.05). In DLKS group, significant correlations between lumbar lordosis and sacral slope (r=0.617, P=0.000), and correlations between lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis(r=-0.363, P=0.023) were observed. In DLK group, lumbar lordosis showed significant correlations with thoracic kyphosis(r=-0.341, P=0.025) and sacral slope (r=0.772, P=0.000). According to Nash-Moe grading scale of apical vertebral rotation, 10 patients were with Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade while 29 patients with Ⅲ-Ⅴ grade in DLKS group. Conclusions: Both as typical lumbar degenerative deformities, there are some correlations between scoliosis and kyphosis. However, coronal scoliosis may not influent sagittal morphological parameters for DLKS patients. Thoracic curve changes and pelvic backtilt are both important for maintaining the sagittal balance in patients with degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis.

Full-scale computation for all the thermoelectric property parameters of half-Heusler compounds.

The thermoelectric performance of materials relies substantially on the band structures that determine the electronic and phononic transports, while the transport behaviors compete and counter-act for the power factor PF and figure-of-merit ZT. These issues make a full-scale computation of the whole set of thermoelectric parameters particularly attractive, while a calculation scheme of the electronic and phononic contributions to thermal conductivity remains yet challenging. In this work, we present a full-scale computation scheme based on the first-principles calculations by choosing a set of doped half-Heusler compounds as examples for illustration. The electronic structure is computed using the WIEN2k code and the carrier relaxation times for electrons and holes are calculated using the Bardeen and Shockley's deformation potential (DP) theory. The finite-temperature electronic transport is evaluated within the framework of Boltzmann transport theory. In sequence, the density functional perturbation combined with the quasi-harmonic approximation and the Klemens' equation is implemented for calculating the lattice thermal conductivity of carrier-doped thermoelectric materials such as Ti-doped NbFeSb compounds without losing a generality. The calculated results show good agreement with experimental data. The present methodology represents an effective and powerful approach to calculate the whole set of thermoelectric properties for thermoelectric materials.

Biological characterization of liver fatty acid binding gene from miniature pig liver cDNA library.

Liver fatty acid binding proteins (L-FABP) are a family of small, highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind to long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. In this study, a full-length enriched cDNA library was successfully constructed from Wuzhishan miniature pig, and then the L-FABP gene was cloned from this cDNA library and an expression vector (pEGFP-N3-L-FABP) was constructed in vitro. This vector was transfected into hepatocytes to test its function. The results of western blotting analysis demonstrated that the L-FABP gene from our full-length enriched cDNA library regulated downstream genes, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family in hepatocytes. This study provides a theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the application of L-FABP for the treatment of liver injury.

Reduced cortisol in the absence of bacterial infection in patients with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis.

In liver cirrhosis with bacterial infection, hepatoadrenal syndrome has been described recently as a progressive impairment in the adrenocortical reserve, with deficient production or action of glucocorticoids resulting in adrenal insufficiency. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of cortisol in hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis patients in the absence of bacterial infection. Fasting peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 107 patients with HBV cirrhosis in the absence of bacterial infection and 18 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection at 7 a.m. in the morning. The carbohydrate, cortisol-binding globulin, routine chemistry, liver function, and hepatitis B indicators were tested, and free cortisol was calculated. Cortisol (COR) levels were 18.72 ± 6.60 µg/dL in the CHB group and 14.20 ± 7.55 µg/dL in the HBV cirrhosis group (P = 0.002). COR levels were 15.11 ± 5.56, 14.88 ± 6.96, and 12.68 ± 8.36 µg/dL in Child-Pugh class A, B, and C cirrhotic patients, respectively (P = 0.006). Adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were 35.42 ± 24.49, 26.57 ± 15.72, and 19.65 ± 10.72 pg/mL in Child-Pugh class A, B, and C cirrhotic patients, respectively (P = 0.000). Patients with HBV cirrhosis had significantly lower serum COR levels compared with those of CHB patients, even if they are in the absence of bacterial infection. COR levels negatively correlated with Child-Pugh scores. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis might be damaged in patients with HBV cirrhosis.

Screening and analyzing genes associated with Amur tiger placental development.

The Amur tiger is a unique endangered species in the world, and thus, protection of its genetic resources is extremely important. In this study, an Amur tiger placenta cDNA library was constructed using the SMART cDNA Library Construction kit. A total of 508 colonies were sequenced, in which 205 (76%) genes were annotated and mapped to 74 KEGG pathways, including 29 metabolism, 29 genetic information processing, 4 environmental information processing, 7 cell motility, and 5 organismal system pathways. Additionally, PLAC8, PEG10 and IGF-II were identified after screening genes from the expressed sequence tags, and they were associated with placental development. These findings could lay the foundation for future functional genomic studies of the Amur tiger.

Coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in spinel FeCr2S4.

One of the core issues for multiferroicity is the strongly coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization, while so far most multiferroics have antiferromagnetic order with nearly zero magnetization. Magnetic spinel compounds with ferrimagnetic order may be alternative candidates offering large magnetization when ferroelectricity can be activated simultaneously. In this work, we investigate the ferroelectricity and magnetism of spinel FeCr2S4 in which the Fe(2+) sublattice and Cr(3+) sublattice are coupled in antiparallel alignment. Well defined ferroelectric transitions below the Fe(2+) orbital ordering temperature Too = 8.5 K are demonstrated. The ferroelectric polarization has two components. One component arises mainly from the noncollinear conical spin order associated with the spin-orbit coupling, which is thus magnetic field sensitive. The other is probably attributed to the Jahn-Teller distortion induced lattice symmetry breaking, occurring below the orbital ordering of Fe(2+). Furthermore, the coupled ferroelectric polarization and magnetization in response to magnetic field are observed. The present work suggests that spinel FeCr2S4 is a multiferroic offering both ferroelectricity and ferrimagnetism with large net magnetization.

Increasing directly observed therapy related to improved tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Taiwan.

SETTING: Directly observed therapy (DOT) is a core element of tuberculosis (TB) care and control efforts. In Taiwan, DOT was implemented in 2006, when the Stop TB Strategy was adopted as a national policy. OBJECTIVE: To quantify DOT among patients on anti-tuberculosis treatment and measure the association between proportion of DOT and TB treatment outcomes at a national level in Taiwan. DESIGN: We analyzed data prospectively collected on all new pulmonary TB cases reported to the national web-based registry between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2008. We compared treatment outcomes and proportion of DOT in multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Among 11,528 patients initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment, the proportion of days during which an official DOT observer witnessed treatment was >60% for 5150 (45%) patients and ≤60% for 4601 (40%) patients, whereas for 1777 (15%) patients no days of DOT were recorded. Being older, male, having positive bacteriology results and a non-World Health Organization recommended treatment regimen at baseline were independently related to unsuccessful treatment outcomes and mortality. A dose-response effect was found between proportion of DOT and these outcomes. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of ensuring universal DOT in improving treatment outcomes among new pulmonary TB patients.

Latent tuberculosis infection treatment for prison inmates: a randomised controlled trial.

SETTING: A prison in northern Taiwan. OBJECTIVE: To compare safety and the completion rate of the 4-month daily rifampicin regimen (4R) vs. the standard 6-month daily isoniazid regimen (6H) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in prison inmates. DESIGN: This was an open-label randomised trial among human immunodeficiency virus negative male inmates. Inmates without active tuberculosis (TB) who tested positive for both the tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube were eligible, but those with baseline glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels ≥ 120 U/l, bilirubin levels ≥ 2.4 U/l or a platelet count < 150 k/mm(3) were excluded. The primary endpoint was any adverse event that resulted in discontinuation of LTBI treatment. RESULTS: Participants (n = 373; 14% hepatitis B surface antigen positive, 21% anti-hepatitis C virus [HCV] positive) were randomised (stratified by hepatitis B virus, HCV status and 2-year prison term) to receive either 4R or 6H under directly observed treatment. The 4R group (n = 190) was less likely to experience an adverse event leading to discontinuation of treatment (2% vs. 12%, P < 0.001 for all adverse events; 0% vs. 8%, P < 0.001 for hepatotoxicity), and more likely to complete LTBI treatment (86% vs. 78%, P = 0.041), compared with the 6H group (n = 183). CONCLUSIONS: 4R is safer and has a higher completion rate than 6H as treatment for LTBI among male prison inmates.