Gastroduodenal artery disconnection during liver transplantation decreases non-anastomotic stricture incidence

Background:The hepatic artery is the only blood source nourishing the biliary duct and associated with biliary complication after liver transplantation(LT).Gastroduodenal artery(GDA)disconnection increased proper hepatic artery flow.Whether this procedure attenuates biliary non-anastomotic stricture(NAS)is not clear.Methods:A total of 241 patients with LT were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the GDA disconnection(GDA-)and GDA preservation(GDA+)groups.Propensity score matching(PSM)was administrated to reduce bias.Logistic regression was conducted to analyze risk factors for biliary NAS before and after PSM.Postoperative complications were compared.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were performed to compare overall survival.Results:In all,99 patients(41.1%)underwent GDA disconnection,and 49(20.3%)developed NAS.Multivariate logistic regression revealed that GDA preservation(OR=2.24,95%CI:1.11-4.53;P=0.025)and model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score>15(OR=2.14,95%CI:1.12-4.11;P=0.022)were risk factors for biliary NAS.PSM provided 66 pairs using 1:2 matching method,including 66 GDA disconnection and 99 GDA preservation patients.Multivariate logistic regression after PSM also showed that GDA preservation(OR=3.15,95%CI:1.26-7.89;P=0.014)and MELD score>15(OR=2.41,95%CI:1.08-5.36;P=0.031)were risk factors for NAS.When comparing complications between the two groups,GDA preservation was associated with a higher incidence of biliary NAS before and after PSM(P=0.031 and 0.017,respectively).In contrast,other complications including early allograft dysfunction(P=0.620),small-for-size graft syndrome(P=0.441),abdominal hemorrhage(P=1.000),major complications(Clavien-Dindo grade≥3,P=0.318),and overall survival(P=0.088)were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusions:GDA disconnection during LT ameliorates biliary NAS incidence and may be recommended for application in clinical practice.

Linear-like polypeptide-based micelle with pH-sensitive detachable PEG to deliver dimeric camptothecin for cancer therapy

Nano drug delivery systems have made significant progress in delivering anticancer drugs camptothecin(CPT).However,many challenges for CPT delivery remain,including low drug loading efficiency,premature drug leakage,and poor cellular internalization.Herein,we report a novel dual-sensitive polypeptide-based micelle with remarkably high drug loading of CPT for cancer therapy.This self-assembled micelle possesses the following essential components for CPT:(1)pH-sensitive PEG(OHC-PEG-CHO)for prolonging blood circulation and allowing biocompatibility by shielding the cationic micelles,which can be detached under the tumor acidic microenvironment and facilitates the cellular uptake;(2)polypeptide polylysine-polyphenylalanine(PKF)synthesized via ring-opening polymerization for micelle formation and CPT analogue loading;(3)dimeric CPT(DCPT)with redox-sensitive linker for increasing CPT loading and ensuring drug release at tumor sites.Interestingly,the linear-like morphology of PEG-PKF/DCPT micelles was able to enhance their cellular internalization when compared with the spherical blank PKF micelles.Also,the anticancer efficacy of DCPT against lung cancer cells was significantly improved by the micelle formation.In conclusion,this work provides a promising strategy facilitating the safety and effective application of CPT in cancer therapy.

Identification of SNPs and expression patterns of FZD3 gene and its effect on wool traits in Chinese Merino sheep(Xinjiang Type)

As a member of the Frizzled family, Frizzled3 (FZD3) is a receptor of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and plays a vital role in mammalian hair follicle developmental processes. However, its effects on wool traits are not clear. The objectives of this study were to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the expression patterns of FZD3 gene, and then to determine whether it affected wool traits of Chinese Merino sheep (Xinjiang Type) or not. PCR-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing were used to identify mutation loci, and general linear model (GLM) with SAS 9.1 was used for the association analysis between wool traits and SNPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to investigate FZD3 gene expression levels. The results showed that six exons of FZD3 gene were amplified and two mutation loci were identified in exon 1 (NC_019459.2: g.101771685 T>C (SNP1)) and exon 3 (NC_019459.2: g.101810848, A>C (SNP2)), respectively. Association analysis showed that SNP1 was significantly associated with mean fiber diameter (MFD)(P=0.04) and live weight (LW)(P=0.0004), SNP2 was significantly associated with greasy fleece weight (GFW)(P=0.04). The expression level of FZD3 gene in skin tissues of the superfine wool (SF) group was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the fine wool (F) group. Moreover, it had a higher expression level (P<0.01) in skin tissues than in other tissues of Chinese Merino ewes. While, its expression level had a fluctuant expression in skin tissues at different developmental stages of embryos and born lambs, with the highest expression levels (P<0.01) at the 65th day of embryos. Our study revealed the genetic relationship between FZD3 variants and wool traits and two identified SNPs might serve as potential and valuable genetic markers for sheep breeding and lay a molecular genetic foundation for sheep marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Genome Array on Differentially Expressed Genes of Skin Tissue in Cashmere Goat at Early Anagen of Cashmere Growth Cycle Using DNA Microarray

In order to study the molecular mechanism involved in cashmere regeneration, this study investigated the gene expression profile of skin tissue at various stages of the cashmere growth cycle and screen differentially expressed genes at proangen in 10 cashmere goats at 2 years of age using agilent sheep oligo microarray. Significance analysis of microarray （SAM） methods was used to identify the differentially expressed genes, Hierarchical clustering was performed to clarify these genes in association with different cashmere growth stages, and GO （Gene ontology） and the pathway analyses were con-ducted by a free web-based Molecular Annotation System3.0 （MAS 3.0）. Approximately 10200 probe sets were detected in skin tissue of 2-yr-old cashmere goat. After SAM analysis of the microarray data, totally 417 genes were shown to be differentially expressed at different cashmere growth stages, and 24 genes are significantly up-regulated （21） or down-regulated （3） at proangen concurrently compared to angen and telogen. Hierarchical clustering analysis clearly distinguished the differentially expressed genes of each stage. GO analysis indicated that these altered genes at proangen were predominantly involved in collagen fibril organization, integrin-mediated signaling pathway, cell-matrix adhesion, cell adhesion, transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） receptor signaling pathway, regulation of cell growth. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） analysis showed that the significant pathways involved mainly included focal adhesion and extracellular matrixc （ECM）-receptor interaction. Some important genes involved in these biological processes, such as COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, SPARC, CYR61 and CTGF, were related to tissue remolding and repairing and detected by more than one probe with similar expression trends at different stages of cashmere growth cycle. The different expression of these genes may contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of cashmere regeneration.

Laser induced fluorescence diagnostic for velocity distribution functions:applications,physics,methods and developments

With more than 30 years of development,laser-induced fluorescence(LIF)is becoming an increasingly common diagnostic to measure ion and neutral velocity distribution functions in different fields of studies in plasma science including Hall thrusters,linear devices,plasma processing,and basic plasma physical processes.In this paper,technical methods used in the LIF diagnostic,including modulation,collection optics,and wavelength calibration techniques are reviewed in detail.A few basic physical processes along with applications and future development associated with the LIF diagnostics are also reviewed.

Prediction of proton-induced SEE error rates for the VATA160 ASIC

We predict proton single event effect(SEE)error rates for the VATA160 ASIC chip on the Dark Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE) to evaluate its radiation tolerance.Lacking proton test facilities,we built a Monte Carlo simulation tool named PRESTAGE to calculate the proton SEE cross-sections.PRESTAGE is based on the particle transport toolkit Geant4.It adopts a location-dependent strategy to derive the SEE sensitivity of the device from heavy-ion test data,which have been measured at the HI-13 tandem accelerator of the China Institute of Atomic Energy and the heavy-ion research facility in Lanzhou.The AP-8,SOLPRO,and August 1972 worst-case models are used to predict the average and peak proton fluxes on the DAMPE orbit.Calculation results show that the averaged proton SEE error rate for the VATA160 chip is approximately 2.17×10^(-5)/device/day.Worst-case error rates for the Van Allen belts and solar energetic particle events are 1-3 orders of magnitude higher than the averaged error rate.

Wear and corrosion resistance of CoCrNi composite coatings by laser cladding

Two kinds of CoCrNi composite coatings,CoCrNiMo and CoCrNiMoBC,were prepared by laser cladding on the base metal of 304 stainless steel.The wear and corrosion properties of the coatings were studied by wear tests and electrochemical tests.Results show that the addition of B_(4)C promotes the generation of the ceramic phase,and therefore improving the microhardness of the coating and enhancing its wear resistance,while simutaneously keeps its excellent corrosion resistance.Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis shows that the chromium distribution in the two coatings is relatively uniform,which is beneficial for corrosion resistance.Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy results reveal that the potential difference between dendrites and interdendrites is only 20 mV,which leads to a relatively low driving force for galvanic corrosion.Observation through the atomic-scale high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the fundamental reason for the high wear and corrosion resistance of the coating is the excellent coherent interface between the two phases,which reduces the interface energy and potential difference and thus improving its corrosion resistance.

通脉养心丸对心肌缺血再灌注大鼠心室重构的影响

[目的]本研究旨在确定通脉养心丸(TM)是否可以进一步缓解心室重构(VR)。探索潜在的机制。[方法]建立大鼠心肌缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤模型后,将大鼠分为7组,分别为对照组、假手术组、I/R组、TM(1 g/kg)组、TM(2 g/kg)组、TM(4 g/kg)组和通心络胶囊(TXL)组。在给药后第3天和第28天进行实验。通过超声检测心脏结构和功能。2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色观察心肌缺血面积。通过苏木精-伊红染色进行心脏病理学评估。采用全自动生化分析仪和试剂盒分别检测心肌酶活性和氧化活性。Masson染色用于检测胶原化程度。通过ELISA检测炎症和心肌纤维化相关蛋白的表达水平。[结果]给药3天后,TM改善了心脏功能和形态。有效改善I/R大鼠心肌梗死面积,抑制心肌酶的异常活性,显著降低超氧化物歧化酶活性和CRP、TNF-α以及IL-1β蛋白表达。它抑制氧化应激和炎症的爆发,减少心肌病理损伤。给药28天后,TM改善心功能,抑制心室扩张,改善心室壁厚度,显著降低CTGF、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达,降低心肌纤维化程度。[结论]TM可有效缩小梗死面积,改善心脏结构和功能,降低心肌胶原化程度,进一步缓解VR。具体机制涉及早期抑制炎症反应和晚期缓解心肌纤维化。

Presheath formation and area design limit satellite-based Langmuir probes

In this article,the effect of the finite conductive surface area of a satellite on the use of satellite-based Langmuir probes is reviewed in light of the basic theory of asymmetric double Langmuir probes(ADLPs).Recent theoretical and experimental studies have discussed electron sheath/presheath formation and the electron Bohm criterion along with their implications for satellite-based Langmuir probes.The effects predicted by the latest theory of the electron Bohm criterion were not experimentally observed and the experimental results remain supportive of a critical area ratio(A_(L)/A_(S))_(crit)=(m_(i)/(2.3m_(e)))^(1/2)between the probe area A_(S)and the satellite area A_L as conventionally believed.A satellite-based Langmuir probe must satisfy this criterion to physically act as a single Langmuir probe.However,experimental investigations also found that high-energy electrons adversely affect(A_(L)/A_(S))_(crit)and a Langmuir probe's signal quality by giving additional electron current to A_(L).Based on these results,a number of limitations of the maximum probe area are derived when designing satellite-based Langmuir probes,with consideration of both the aim of the satellite and the plasma where the satellite-based probe works.These proposed measures are expected to only partially alleviate the effect of the inadequate satellite surface area on the application of satellite-based Langmuir probes.Using a larger satellite to carry a Langmuir probe remains the most viable means to obtain precise space plasma parameters.

内镜下透明帽辅助尼龙绳结扎术在胃底黏膜下肿瘤治疗中的应用

目的评估内镜下透明帽辅助尼龙绳结扎术(C-ENLL)作为一种新而简单的方法治疗胃底黏膜下肿瘤(SMT)的可行性及安全性。方法回顾性研究2015年1月-2016年6月在该院超声胃镜提示直径≤2.00 cm的胃底SMT患者74例。所有患者均经C-ENLL治疗,观察其临床疗效及进行统计分析。结果 74例患者术前均行超声内镜检查,70例来源于固有肌层,3例来源于黏膜肌层,1例来源于黏膜下层,病变平均直径0.50~1.80 cm。所有患者均成功顺利切除病灶,操作时间18~45 min,平均26 min。2例发生迟发性穿孔,予以尼龙绳及金属夹荷包缝合创面,留置胃肠减压,内科保守治疗成功。术后均无迟发性出血。术后病理诊断:间质瘤49例(66.2%),平滑肌瘤20例(27.0%),炎性纤维瘤5例(6.8%)。患者接受随访3~12个月,未见病灶残留和复发。结论内镜下带槽透明帽辅助尼龙绳结扎术是治疗直径较小的胃底SMT的一种可行有效、费用低的方法。

单钳道内镜下荷包缝合术在结直肠内镜黏膜下剥离术后的临床应用

目的探讨采用单钳道内镜下荷包缝合术夹闭结直肠内镜黏膜下剥离术(ESD)后创面的疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析2019年10月-2020年10月在东莞东华医院消化内科住院并诊断为结直肠病变行ESD术的220例患者的临床资料,共224处病变。根据ESD术后创面是否行荷包缝合术分为研究组(ESD术后行荷包缝合术夹闭创面,n=121)和对照组(ESD术后创面不夹闭,n=103),总结两组患者治疗完成情况、并发症发生情况及随访结果。结果病灶位于直肠114处(50.89%),左半结肠56处(25.00%),右半结肠36处(16.07%),回盲部18处(8.04%)。研究组手术时间(73.12±12.23)min较对照组的(69.24±11.54)min长,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);研究组术后平均住院时间(3.85±0.98)d,较对照组的(5.04±1.24)d短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组术后总体并发症发生率、术后出血发生率明显低于对照组,两组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组住院费用为(23728.85±3916.89)元,较对照组的(22820.84±5051.80)元多,但两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组术后穿孔、发热和腹痛腹胀发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论单钳道内镜下荷包缝合术能有效夹闭结直肠ESD术后创面,缩短术后住院时间,减少术后出血,降低总体并发症发生率,安全性高,不增加总体住院费用,值得临床推广应用。

经粘膜下隧道内镜肿瘤切除术治疗来源于固有肌层食管贲门粘膜下肿瘤临床效果观察

背景经粘膜下隧道内镜肿瘤切除术(submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection,STER)是近年出现治疗粘膜下肿瘤的新方法,该方法微创,并发症少,患者恢复快.本研究通过对我院实施该手术患者的病例资料统计分析,探讨该手术治疗粘膜下肿瘤的可行性、有效性及安全性.目的探讨STER治疗食管贲门粘膜下肿瘤的有效性、安全性及临床应用价值.方法收集我院消化科2018-03/2019-03间行STER的食管贲门粘膜下肿瘤病例60例.观察患者超声内镜诊断,手术成功率,术后并发症发生率,术后病理诊断,并进行统计学分析.结果所有患者均完成STER,手术成功率100%.粘膜下肿瘤直径1.0-5.0 cm,平均直径1.83 cm±1.37 cm.手术耗时31-123 min,平均耗时81.73 min±23.23 min.粘膜下隧道长度为4-8 cm,平均隧道长度为5.88 cm±1.17 cm.术前超声内镜:平滑肌瘤45例,间质瘤15例.术后病理:平滑肌瘤为42例,间质瘤18例.术后并发症发生率:2例出现皮下气肿,经内科保守治疗痊愈出院.患者住院时间为7-11 d,平均住院天数9.96 d±2.24 d.结论STER治疗来源于固有肌层的食管贲门粘膜下肿瘤疗效确切有效,并发症少,安全性高,值得临床推广应用.

Logistic回归模型在乳腺小结节超声鉴别诊断中的应用

目的筛选出乳腺小结节(直径≤1 cm)良、恶性鉴别诊断的超声征象,建立Logistic预报回归模型。方法回顾性分析215例女性乳腺小结节患者的临床资料,以病理结果为因变量,超声征象及年龄作为自变量,建立二分类Logistic回归模型,绘制ROC曲线,评价回归模型的预测能力。结果经Logistic回归分析内部回声均匀性、形态、边缘特征、纵横比、血流分级、血流阻力指数、高回声声晕、微钙化、同侧腋窝淋巴结肿大及年龄进入回归方程。不同超声特征经Logistic回归分析中最大似然比分析,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。Logistic回归模型与术前超声诊断正确率分别为94.2%和87.2%。Logistic回归模型的曲线下面积为0.918(95%CI:0.873,0.963)。结论基于超声征象建立的Logistic回归模型有较高的预报准确率和临床实用性。

Development of a compact high-density blue core helicon plasma device under 2000 G magnetic field of ring permanent magnets

A helicon wave plasma source in a tube of ring permanent magnets(PMs)has been constructed to study the effect of the conflguration of the magnetic fleld with zero magnetic points on plasma parameters.This device also serves as an exploration platform for a simple,compact helicon wave plasma source adaptable to engineering applications.A small-diameter(26 mm)highdensity(~10^(18)m^(-3))blue core plasma is produced in~1 Pa argon by helicon RF(radiofrequency)discharge using a NagoyaⅢantenna under magnetic fleld(~2 k G)of compact ring PMs(length~204 mm).Operational parameters,i.e.RF power and neutral gas pressure are scanned and plasma density is measured by an RF compensated probe to explore the operating characteristics of the device.Iconic feature of a helicon discharge,such as blue core plasmas and E-H-W mode transitions are well observed in the device,despite the wavelength calculated using the conventional dispersion relation of a bounded whistler waves(Chen 1991 Plasma Phys.Control.Fusion 33339)is order of magnitudes longer than the length of the plasma in this device which seems to suggest that such helicon device is impossible.Surprisingly,the wavelength calculated by the unbounded whistle wave dispersion formula in turn suggests the occurrence of a half wavelength resonance.

Fast-sweeping Langmuir probes:what happens to theⅠ–Ⅴtrace when sweeping frequency is higher than the ion plasma frequency?

Limited particle transit time is one of several limiting factors which determine the maximum temporal resolution of a Langmuir probe.In this work,we have revisited the known fast sweep Langmuir probe techniques in a uniform,quiescent multi-dipole confined hot cathode discharge with two operation scenarios:one in which the probe sweeping frequency fsweepis much lower than the ion plasma frequency fpi,another one where fsweepis much greater than fpi,respectively.This allows investigation into the effect of limited ion-motion on I–V traces.Serious distortions of I–V traces at high frequencies,previously claimed to be an ion-motion limitation effect,were not found unless shunt resistance is sufficiently high,despite a f;/f;ratio of~3.On the other hand,evidences of sheath capacitance on the I–V traces have been observed.Distortions of I–V traces qualitatively agree with predictions of sheath capacitance response to the sweeping voltage.Additionally,techniques in fast sweep Langmuir probe are briefly discussed.The comparison between the high-speed dual Langmuir probe(HDLP)and the single probe setup shows that the capacitive response can be removed via subtracting a leakage current for the single probe setup almost as effectively as using the HDLP setup,but the HDLP setup does remain advantageous in its facilitation of better recovery of weak current signal commonly in low density plasma.

Fucoidan sulfate from Sargassum fusiforme regulates the SARS-CoV-2 receptor AXL expression in human embryonic lung diploid fibroblast cells

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a global infectious disease that seriously endangers human life and health and affects normal social activities.Since the pandemic outbreak from December 2019 to February 2023,the total number of confirmed cases has exceeded 753 million,and the deaths caused by COVID-19 have reached 6.6 million(https://covid19.who.int;accessed on Feb.16,2023).

Outsourcing the Unsigncryption of Compact Attribute-Based Signcryption for General Circuits

In the driven of big data, social computing and information security is undergoing rapid development and beginning to cross. This paper describes a key-policy attribute-based signcryption scheme which has less computation costs than existing similar schemes by utilizing secure outsourcing of scientific computation in cloud computing and eliminates overhead for users, the ciphertext is short, compact, the correctness of transformation algorithm is verifiable. The decrease of ciphertext is 17 %. Additionally, new scheme remits the key escrow problem and is proven selective security in the standard model, it could be verified publicly, applied in mobile devices.

A Communication Theory Perspective on Prompting Engineering Methods for Large Language Models

The springing up of large language models(LLMs)has shifted the community from single-task-orientated natural language processing(NLP)research to a holistic end-to-end multi-task learning paradigm.Along this line of research endeavors in the area,LLM-based prompting methods have attracted much attention,partially due to the technological advantages brought by prompt engineering(PE)as well as the underlying NLP principles disclosed by various prompting methods.Traditional supervised learning usually requires training a model based on labeled data and then making predictions.In contrast,PE methods directly use the powerful capabilities of existing LLMs(e.g.,GPT-3 and GPT-4)via composing appropriate prompts,especially under few-shot or zero-shot scenarios.Facing the abundance of studies related to the prompting and the ever-evolving nature of this field,this article aims to 1)illustrate a novel perspective to review existing PE methods within the well-established communication theory framework,2)facilitate a better/deeper understanding of developing trends of existing PE methods used in three typical tasks,and 3)shed light on promising research directions for future PE methods.

The potential application of formulation with pimelic acid as eye drops for corneal collagen cross-linking

Background and aim:Keratoconus is a slowly progressive and non-inflammatory disease of eye of unknown etiology characterized by significant structural degeneration,thinning and protrusion of cornea.Collagen cross linking using Riboflavin/ultraviolet A,paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde has been widely used to treat keratoconus,but these techniques have several clinical complications.This study aimed to develop a rapid,safer,less toxic and more effective method to increase the corneal stiffness hence treating keratoconus by using EDC/NHS coupling with pimelic acid(PA)as cross-linkers.Methods:The viability of corneal epithelial and endothelial cells was examined using Alamar blue.The corneal collagen and tissue integrity were evaluated with Masson and hematoxylin and eosin stains respectively.Uniaxial tensile testing was conducted to determine the tissue stiffness.We further assessed the effective penetration depth of cross-linking by fluorescence dye and confocal microscopy.TUNEL assay was performed to detect the damaged DNA fragments in the presence of PA.Results:The effect of PA solution on corneal cross-linking showed a significant increase in corneal rigidity without affecting the epithelium integrity under neutralized pH condition,while DEC/NHS alone did not induce the mechanical property.The penetration depth showed consistent results with increased stiffness,which could be affected by the parameters including pH condition,coupling with or without PA.In addition,PA significantly decreased the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells compared to that of EDC/NHS only condition.The cytotoxic effect to endothelium was considered minimal and protected in the presence of PA.Conclusions:We demonstrated PA as a potential alternative for cross-linking in the model of whole eye with intact epithelium and its protective role on endothelium.The administration of this chemical cross-linker stands as an extremely promising technique for the treatment of corneal keratoconus.

Evolution of word-syllable structures and the diversity of world languages

A fundamental difference among modern languages in the world are made by word-syllable structures(WSS), not by distinctive phonemes. Language diversity is supposed to be an evolutionary result of the WSSs, which is decided by types of syllable constitution and the length of word by syllables. Here we use Swadesh lists of 179 modern languages to analyze their geographic distribution of WSS diversity index and try to discover their developing positions and depths in the evolutionary processes. We also set an ideal WSS offset model for languages, calculate the offset distance and offset direction of each language, and then divide languages into three groups according to the data result, each of which represents an evolutionary type. Our conclusion is that the WSS diversity and the WSS offset model represent the evolutionary trend of diversity and the evolutionary process of human languages in the world. In addition, every language nowadays keeps the most primary WSS features to some extent. Therefore, the WSS may be regarded as genetic factors of human languages.