Effect of negative remodeling of the side branch ostium on the efficacy of a two-stent strategy for distal left main bifurcation lesions:an intravascular ultrasound study

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether negative remodeling(NR) detected by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) of the side branch ostium(SBO) would affect in-stent neointimal hyperplasia(NIH) at the one-year follow-up and the clinical outcome of target lesion failure(TLF) at the long-term follow-up for patients with left main bifurcation(LMb) lesions treated with a two-stent strategy.METHODS A total of 328 patients with de novo true complex LMb lesions who underwent a 2-stent strategy of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) treatment guided by IVUS were enrolled in this study. We divided the study into two phases. Of all the patients, 48 patients who had complete IVUS detection pre-and post-PCI and at the 1-year follow-up were enrolled in phase Ⅰ analysis, which aimed to analyze the correlation between NR and in-stent NIH at SBO at the 1-year follow-up. If the correlation was confirmed, the cutoff value of the remodeling index(RI) for predicting NIH ≥ 50% was analyzed next. The phase Ⅱ analysis focused on the incidence of TLF as the primary endpoint at the 1-to 5-year follow-up for all 328 patients by grouping based on the cutoff value of RI.RESULTS In phase I: according to the results of a binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis, the RI cutoff value predicting percent NIH ≥ 50% was 0.85 based on the ROC curve analysis, with a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 88.3%, and an AUC of 0.893(0.778, 1.000), P = 0.002. In phase Ⅱ: the TLR rate(35.8% vs. 5.3%, P < 0.0001)was significantly higher in the several NR(s NR, defined as RI ≤ 0.85) group than in the non-s NR group.CONCLUSION The NR of LCx O is associated with more in-stent NIH post-PCI for distal LMb lesions with a 2-stent strategy,and NR with RI ≤ 0.85 is linked to percent NIH area ≥ 50% at the 1-year follow-up and more TLF at the 5-year follow-up.

定向能量沉积增材制造过程中粉末对凝固影响的数值模拟

对激光定向能量沉积增材制造过程中粉末对颗粒温度和显微组织的影响进行模拟。利用离散元法模拟金属粉末颗粒的空间分布;借助电磁波理论分析,计算颗粒和激光的相互作用时飞行颗粒所消耗的能量。结合相场法,研究颗粒尺寸对显微组织演变的影响。通过与实验观察到的显微组织进行对比来验证模型的有效性。结果表明,窄粒度分布有利于获得更加均匀的沉积层温度,并有利于在样品侧面形成较小的等轴晶;适当尺寸的粉末颗粒有利于将电磁能转化为热能。粒径小的颗粒有助于形成等轴晶粒,提高产品质量;合适的粉末流量可以提高激光能量效率;较高的粉末流量使得截面两侧的等轴晶粒分布更加均匀。

In vitro Anti-viral Activity of the Total Alkaloids from Tripterygium hypoglaucum against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a commonly occurring human pathogen worldwide. There is an urgent need to discover and develop new alternative agents for the management of HSV-1 infection. Tripterygium hypoglaucum (level) Hutch (Celastraceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine plant with many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and antifertility. The usual medicinal part is the roots which contain about a 1% yield of alkaloids. A crude total alkaloids extract was prepared from the roots of T. hypoglaucum amd its antiviral activity against HSV-1 in Vero cells was evaluated by cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, plaque reduction assay and by RT-PCR analysis. The alkaloids extract presented low cytotoxicity (CC50 = 46.6 μg/mL) and potent CPE inhibition activity, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 6.5 μg/mL, noticeably lower than that of Acyclovir (15.4 μg /mL). Plaque formation was significantly reduced by the alkaloids extract at concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL to 12.5 μg/mL, the plaque reduction ratio reached 55% to 75% which was 35% higher than that of Acyclovir at the same concentration. RT-PCR analysis showed that, the transcription of two important delayed early genes UL30 and UL39, and a late gene US6 of HSV-1 genome all were suppressed by the alkaloids extract, the expression inhibiting efficacy compared to the control was 74.6% (UL30), 70.9% (UL39) and 62.6% (US6) respectively at the working concentration of 12.5μg/mL. The above results suggest a potent anti-HSV-1 activity of the alkaloids extract in vitro.

Effects of 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose from P. emblica on HBsAg and HBeAg Secretion in HepG2.2.15 Cell Culture

A polyphenolic compound, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (1246TGG), was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae) and assayed for its potential as an anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) agent. The cytotoxicity of 1246TGG on HepG2.2.15 as well as HepG2 cells was determined by observing cytopathic effects, and the effects of 1246TGG on secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. Results indicates that treatment with 1246TGG (6.25 μg/mL, 3.13 μg/mL), reduced both HBsAg and HBeAg levels in culture supernatant, yet the inhibitory effects tend to decline with the assay time. This study provides a basis for further investigation of the anti-HBV activity and possible mechanism of action of 1246TGG.

Performance of digital patternless freeze-casting sand mould

Digital patternless freeze-casting technology is a new approach for obtaining frozen sand moulds using digital milling technology. The change law of tensile strength and air permeability of frozen sand moulds (100-mesh and 200-mesh silica sand, and zircon sand moulds) under different freezing temperatures and water contents was studied. Results show that with the decrease of freezing temperature and the increase of water contents, the tensile strength and air permeability of the sand moulds are gradually improved. Meanwhile, computed tomography technology was used to characterize the shape and size of the water film between the sand particles mixed with 4wt.% water. The results show that in silica sand moulds, the form of water film is lumpy, and 200-mesh silica sand moulds have more water films and higher proportion of small-sized water films than 100-mesh silica sand moulds, while in zircon sand moulds, the form of water film is membranous. At the same freezing temperature and water content, the tensile strength of zircon sand mould is the highest, and 100-mesh silica sand mould is the lowest. A comparative solidification experiment of A356 aluminum alloy was carried out in frozen sand mould and resin sand mould. The results show that the primary α-Al phase appears in the form of equiaxed and eutectic silicon phase is needle-like in freezing sand mould casting, but the primary α-Al phase grows in the form of dendrites, and the eutectic silicon phase is coarse needle-like in the resin sand mould casting. The difference of microstructure is caused by the different cooling rate. The cooling rate of A356 aluminum alloy in frozen sand mould is higher than that in resin sand mould.

At the crossroad of conception and infection: initiatives for immunoglobulin-based contraceptive R & D

Better understanding of the immunological mechanisms implying the insemination and the infertility of some menand women is needed and crucial to the development of an effective immunocontraceptive method. To provide goodprotection against conception or infection, and avoid any possible and unexpected comlications which immunocontra-ceptive 'vaccine' may arise of , it seems the right time for scientists to create a virtually new thinking for this extremelyurgent and important issue. This conceptual article describes our original thoughts of the future development of im-munocntraceptives, preferably, based on immunoglobulins rather than vaccines, against human sperm specific antigensand seminal plasma immunosuppressive factors. Its general correctness, advantages and feasibility for fertility regula-tion and prevention of infection are discussed. (Asian J Androl 1999 Sep; 1: 87-93)

Effect of siRNAs on HSV-1 Plaque Formation and Relative Expression Levels of RR mRNA

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process by which introduced small interfering RNA (siRNA) can cause the specific degradation of mRNA with identical sequences. The human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) RR is composed of two distinct homodimeric subunits encoded by UL39 and UL40,respectively. In this study,we applied siRNAs targeting the UL39 and UL40 genes of HSV-1. We showed that synthetic siRNA silenced effectively and specifically UL39 and UL40 mRNA expression and inhibited HSV-1 replication. Our work offers new possibilities for RNAi as a genetic tool for inhibition of HSV-1 replication.

Inhibition of mouse acrosome reaction and sperm-zona pellucida binding by anti-human sperm membrane protein 1 antibody

Aim： To investigate the possible functions of human sperm membrane protein （hSMP-1） in the process of fertilization. Methods： A 576-bp cDNA fragment of HSD-1 gene coding for the extracellular domain of hSMP-1 was cloned and expressed. The localization of this protein on human and mouse sperm was determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining by using anti-recombinant hSMP-1 （anti-rhSMP-1） antibodies. Sperm acrosome reaction and spermzona pellucida （ZP） binding assay were carried out in 10-week-old BALB/c mice. Results： Recombinant hSMP-1 was successfully cloned and expressed. The expression of the native protein was limited on the acrosome of human and mouse sperm. Treatment of anti-rhSMP-1 antibodies significantly decreased the average number of sperms bound to each egg. Meanwhile, the percentage of acrosome reaction was decreased in comparison to pre-immune control after treatment with anti-rhSMP-1 （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The results suggest that anti-rhSMP-1 antibody inhibited mouse acrosome reaction and sperm-ZP binding.

Age-dependent expression of the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic （Cres） gene in mouse testis and epididymis

Aim： To investigate the spatial and temporal expression of the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic （Cres） gene in mouse testis and epididymis during postnatal development. Methods： The QuantiGene assay and indirect immunofluorescence technique were used to examine the Cres mRNA and Cres protein level in mouse testis and epididymis on postnatal days 14, 20, 22, 28, 35, 49, 70 and 420. Results： （1） In both the testis and epididymis, Cres mRNA was fast detected on day 20, then it increased gradually from day 20 to day 70, and the high expression level maintained till day 420. （2） In the testis, the Cres protein was exclusively localized to the elongating spermatids and was first detected on day 22. The number of Cres-positive spermatids increased progressively till day 49. From day 49 to day 420, the number of Cres-positive cells was almost stable. （3） The Cres protein was first detected on day 20 in the proximal caput epididymal epithelium. By day 35, the expression level of the Cres protein increased dramatically and the high level was maintained till day 420. Moreover, the luminal fluid of the midcaput epididymis was also stained Cres-positive from day 35 on. No Cres-positive staining was observed in distal caput, corpus and cauda epididymis throughout. Conclusion： The Cres gene displays a specific age-dependent expression pattern in mouse testis and epididymis on both the mRNA and protein level.

Efficient Stochastic Simulation Algorithm for Chemically Reacting Systems Based on Support Vector Regression

随机的模拟算法(SSA ) 精确地与化学种类的小人口描绘空间地同类的搅动得好的化学上反应的系统并且适当地表示当因为它的计算复杂性，为更大的系统建模时，噪音，而是它经常被放弃。在这个工作，成双的支持向量回归基于随机的模拟算法(TS3A ) 被联合成双的支持向量回归和 SSA 建议，前者是在机器学习的一个著名柔韧的回归方法。数字结果显示这个建议算法能被用于大量化学上反应的系统并且在存在方法上与更少模仿的跑在效率和精确性上获得重要改进。

Highly Oxygenated Limonoids and Lignans from Phyllanthus flexuosus

Two new highly oxygenated limonoids,flexuosoids A(1)and B(2),and three new arylnaphthalene lignan glycosides,phyllanthusmins D–F(3–5),were isolated from the roots of Phyllanthus flexuosus,in addition to three known lignans,phyllanthusmin C,arabelline,and(?)-diasyringaresinol.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods.Compounds 1 and 2,two new decaoxygenated limonoids with a C-19/29 lactol bridge and heptaoxygenated substituents at C-1,C-2,C-3,C-7,C-11,C-17,and C-30,represent the second example of limonoids in the Euphorbiaceae family.Most of the isolates were tested for their antifeedant,anti-herpes simplex virus 1,and cytotoxic activities.The new limonoids 1 and 2 showed promising antifeedant activity against the beet army worm(Spodoptera exigua)with EC50 values of 25.1 and 17.3 lg/cm2,respectively.In addition,both of them displayed moderate cytotoxicity against the ECA109 human esophagus cancer cell line,along with the known lignan glycoside,phyllanthusmin C,with the IC50 values of 11.5(1),8.5(2),and 7.8(phyllanthusmin C)lM,respectively.

Intrauterine Infections and Birth Defects

Intrauterine infection is an important cause of some birth defects worldwide. The most common pathogens include rubella virus, cytomegaloviurs, ureaplasma urealyticum, toxoplasma, etc. General information about these pathogens in epidemiology, consequence of birth defects, and the possible mechanisms in the progress of birth defects, and the interventions to prevent or treat these pathogens?infections are described. The infections caused by rubella virus, cytomegaloviurs, ureaplasma urealyticum, toxoplasma, etc. are common, yet they are proved to be fatal during the pregnant period, especially during the first trimester. These infections may cause sterility, abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and affect multiple organs that may induce loss of hearing and vision, even fetal deformity and the long-term effects. These pathogens?infections may influence the microenvironment of placenta, including levels of enzymes and cytokines, and affect chondriosome that may induce the progress of birth defect. Early diagnosis of infections during pregnancy should be strengthened. There are still many things to be settled, such as the molecular mechanisms of birth defects, the effective vaccines to certain pathogens. Birth defect researches in terms of etiology and the development of applicable and sensitive pathogen detection technology and methods are imperative.

Toxic response of aquatic organisms to guide application of artemisinin sustained-release granule algaecide

In our previous study,we prepared the granules by embedding artemisinin into alginate-chitosan using microcapsule technology.These granules can release artemisinin sustainably and have a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of both single Microcystis aeruginosa and mixed algae.To safely and effectively use artemisinin sustained-release granules to control algal blooms,the ecotoxicity was studied by assessing their acute and chronic toxicity to Daphnia magna(D.magna)and Danio rerio(D.rerio),along with their antioxidant activities.The results showed that the 48-h median effective concentration(EC50)of pure artemisinin to D.magna was 24.54 mg/L and the 96-h median lethal concentration(LC50)of pure artemisinin to D.rerio was 68.08 mg/L.Both values were classified as intermediate toxicity according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD).The optimal algae inhibitory concentration of artemisinin sustained-release granules(1 g/L)had low acute toxicity to both D.magna and D.rerio.The sustained-release granules had higher chronic toxicity to D.magna than to D.rerio.Partial indices of D.magna were inhibited by granules when the concentrations were larger than 0.1 g/L.Low granule concentration had an inductive effect on antioxidant enzyme activities in D.magna and D.rerio.With the increase of the exposure concentration and time,the enzyme activity presented a trend of first increasing and then decreasing,and the overall changes were significant.The change trend and range of enzyme activity indicated that the granules could cause serious oxidative stress to D.magna and D.rerio,and the changes were consistent with the results of toxicity experimentation.

Immune Responses and Histopathological Changes in Rabbits Immunized with Inactivated SARS Coronavirus

To evaluate the immunogenicity of inactivated SARS coronavirus(SARS-CoV),three groups of rabbits were immunized three times at 2-week intervals with inactivated vaccine + adjuvant,adjuvant,and normal saline respectively.Eight batchs of serum were sampled from the auricular vein at day 7 to day 51,and specific IgG antibody titers and neutralizing antibody titers were detected by indirect ELISA and micro-cytopathic effect neutralizing test.Antibody specificity was identified by proteinchip assay.Histopathological changes were detected by H&E staining.The results showed that,rabbits in the experimental group immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV all generated specific IgG antibodies with neutralizing activity,which suggested the inactivated SARS-CoV could preserve its antigenicity well and elicit an effective humoral immune responses.The peak titer value of specific IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody reached 1:40960 and 1:2560 respectively.In the experimental group,no obvious histopathological changes was detected in the H&E stained slides of heart,spleen,kidney and testis samples,but the livers had slight histopathological changes,and the lungs presented remarkable histopathological changes.These findings are of importance for SARS-CoV inactivated vaccine development.

Life science progress and andrology development

As requested by many participants, I would like to share with you the opening remark, which I made at the Third Asia-Pacific Forum on Andrology, in conjunction with the Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of Asian Journal of Andrology, Nanjing, China, October 10, 2009. In my opening remark, I raised three questions about the development of Andrology, as well as highlighted three major trends of current progress of life science, which might be of great help in setting up our strategy for Andrology development in the coming years.

Afterword to men＇s health in Asia： special issue of Asian Journal of Andrology

As professor Tan, Guest Editor of the Special Issue on Men＇s Health in Asia, Asian Journal of Andrology, indicated in his foreword that this special issue reveals the many varied facets of men＇s health in Asia, including four papers on current status of men＇s health in different countries of Asia, four papers on men＇s sexual function, four on men＇s aging, one on prostate cancer and another four on male contraceptive, environmental impact and traditional medicine, respectively. After reading these papers carefully, we could reach the following common understanding：

Creating a ＂one-stop shop＂ for all the most interesting findings from across the field of andrology-Asian Journal of Andrology launches Research Highlights

Thumbing the pages of various scientific journals a researcher might wonder： how do I efficiently and accurately identify articles that invoke my enthusiasm while informing me of important breakthroughs across the field of andrology？ Skimming through an interesting article： how do I thoroughly and incisively comprehend the significance of the findings？ Closing the article pages： how do I integrate the conclusions derived from the findings into my own research？ Asian Journal of Andrology （AJA） would like to provide you an efficient information platform to address these questions through a brand new article type--Research Highlights.

Efficacy and safety of Huzhang Granule,a compound Chinese herbal medicine,for acute gouty arthritis:A double-blind,randomized controlled trial

Background:Acute gouty arthritis(AGA)is an inflammatory joint disease with a high prevalence.Typical medical interventions,including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,colchicine and glucocorticoids,can have serious adverse reactions.Huzhang Granule(HZG),a compound Chinese herbal medicine,has been used to treat AGA for more than 30 years with satisfactory effects and no significant adverse reactions.However,the efficacy and safety of HZG in AGA patients remains unknown.Objective:The present investigation was designed to examine the efficacy and safety profile of HZG in managing AGA patients.Design,setting,participants and interventions:The current study was conducted as a noninferiority,randomized controlled clinical trial on 180 eligible enrolled participants.Participants were randomly assigned into the HZG and etoricoxib groups.Treatments were administered for 5 d,during which the HZG group received HZG and placebo etoricoxib,while the etoricoxib group received etoricoxib and placebo HZG in the same ratio(1:1).Main outcome measures:The primary outcome was pain experienced by the patient in the gout-afflicted joint from days 2 to 5 of the treatment window.The pain level was measured via a visual analogue scale,ranging from 0 mm to 100 mm.The secondary outcomes comprised joint tenderness and swelling,reduction of inflammatory biomarkers,and the patient’s and investigator’s global evaluations of therapeutic response.Results:The mean reduction in pain was-51.22 mm(95%confidence interval[CI],[-53.42,-49.03]mm)for the HZG and-52.00 mm(95%CI,[-54.06,-49.94]mm)for the etoricoxib groups.The mean difference between the two groups was 0.78 mm(95%CI,[-2.25,3.81]mm).All additional efficacy endpoints,covering decreased inflammation and pain relief,yielded compelling proof of noninferiority.Patients in the HZG group exhibited a comparatively lower rate of adverse events compared to those in the etoricoxib group(4.44%vs 13.33%;P≤0.05).Conclusion:HZG and etoricoxib groups demonstrated similar levels of analgesic effectiveness.The safety and efficacy of HZG indicates that it can be used as a potential therapeutic option for treating AGA.

Collembolans maintain a core microbiome responding to diverse soil ecosystems

The unique gut habitat led to a core intestinal micro-biome in diverse soil ecosystems.The collembolan guts may help eliminate soil pathogens.Host-selection carried more weight on community assembly of gut microbiome.Soil invertebrates are widely distributed in the ecosystem and are essential for soil ecological processes.Inverte-brate gut microbiome plays an important role in host health and has been considered as a hidden microbial repository.However,little is known about how gut microbiome in soil invertebrates respond to diverse soil ecosystems.Based on a laboratory microcosm experiment,we characterized the assembling of microbiome of soil collembolans(Folsomia candida)from six representative regions of the soil ecosystem which they inhabit.Results showed that collembolan gut microbial communities differed significantly from their surrounding soil microbial communities.A dominant core gut microbiome was identified in gut habitat.Community analyses indicated that deterministic process dominated in the community assembly of collembolan gut microbiome.The results further demonstrate a dominant contribution of host selection in shaping gut microbiome.It is also worthy to mention that pathogens,such as common agricultural phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium,were involved in core microbiome,indicating that collembolans could act as vectors of pathogens.Our results unravelled the existence of gut core microbiome of collembolans in soil ecosystems and provided new insights for under-standing the crucial role of gut microbiome of soil fauna in maintaining microbial biodiversity and stability of soil ecosystems.