Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.

Novel Sum-of-Sinusoids Simulation Channel Modeling for 6G Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Vehicle-to-Everything Communications

In this paper,a statistical cluster-based simulation channel model with a finite number of sinusoids is proposed for depicting the multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO)communications in vehicleto-everything(V2X)environments.In the proposed sum-of-sinusoids(SoS)channel model,the waves that emerge from the transmitter undergo line-of-sight(LoS)and non-line-of-sight(NLoS)propagation to the receiver,which makes the model suitable for describing numerous V2X wireless communication scenarios for sixth-generation(6G).We derive expressions for the real and imaginary parts of the complex channel impulse response(CIR),which characterize the physical propagation characteristics of V2X wireless channels.The statistical properties of the real and imaginary parts of the complex CIRs,i.e.,autocorrelation functions(ACFs),Doppler power spectral densities(PSDs),cross-correlation functions(CCFs),and variances of ACFs and CCFs,are derived and discussed.Simulation results are generated and match those predicted by the underlying theory,demonstrating the accuracy of our derivation and analysis.The proposed framework and underlying theory arise as an efficient tool to investigate the statistical properties of 6G MIMO V2X communication systems.

基于YOLO v8n-seg和改进Strongsort的多目标小鼠跟踪方法

多目标小鼠跟踪是小鼠行为分析的基本任务,是研究社交行为的重要方法。针对传统小鼠跟踪方法存在只能跟踪单只小鼠以及对多目标小鼠跟踪需要对小鼠进行标记从而影响小鼠行为等问题,提出了一种基于实例分割网络YOLO v8n-seg和改进Strongsort相结合的多目标小鼠无标记跟踪方法。使用RGB摄像头采集多目标小鼠的日常行为视频,标注小鼠身体部位分割数据集,对数据集进行增强后训练YOLO v8n-seg实例分割网络,经过测试,模型精确率为97.7%,召回率为98.2%,mAP50为99.2%,单幅图像检测时间为3.5 ms,实现了对小鼠身体部位准确且快速地分割,可以满足Strongsort多目标跟踪算法的检测要求。针对Strongsort算法在多目标小鼠跟踪中存在的跟踪错误问题,对Strongsort做了两点改进:对匹配流程进行改进,将未匹配上目标的轨迹和未匹配上轨迹的目标按欧氏距离进行再次匹配;对卡尔曼滤波进行改进,将卡尔曼滤波中表示小鼠位置和运动状态的小鼠身体轮廓外接矩形框替换为以小鼠身体轮廓质心为中心、对角线为小鼠体宽的正方形框。经测试,改进后Strongsort算法的ID跳变数为14,MOTA为97.698%,IDF1为85.435%,MOTP为75.858%,与原Strongsort相比,ID跳变数减少88%,MOTA提升3.266个百分点,IDF1提升27.778个百分点,与Deepsort、ByteTrack和Ocsort相比,在MOTA和IDF1上均有显著提升,且ID跳变数大幅降低,结果表明改进Strongsort算法可以提高多目标无标记小鼠跟踪的稳定性和准确性,为小鼠社交行为分析提供了一种新的技术途径。

NH_3 selective catalytic reduction of NO: A large surface TiO_2 support and its promotion of V_2O_5 dispersion on the prepared catalyst

A titania support with a large surface area was developed, which has a BET surface area of 380.5 m^2/g, four times that of a traditional titania support. The support was ultrasonically impregnated with 5 wt% vanadia. A special heat treatment was used in the calcination to maintain the large surface area and high dispersion of vanadium species. This catalyst was compared to a common V2O5-TiO2 catalyst with the same vanadia loading prepared by a traditional method. The new catalyst has a surface area of 117.7 m^2/g, which was 38% higher than the traditional V2O5-TiO2 catalyst. The selective catalytic reduction（SCR） performance demonstrated that the new catalyst had a wider temperature window and better N2 selectivity compared to the traditional one. The NO conversion was 80% from 200 to 450 °C. The temperature window was 100 °C wider than the traditional catalyst. Raman spectra indicated that the vanadium species formed more V-O-V linkages on the catalyst prepared by the traditional method. The amount of V-O-Ti and V=O was larger for the new catalyst. Temperature programmed desorption of NH3, temperature programmed reduction by H2 and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that its redox ability and total acidity were enhanced. The results are helpful for developing a more efficient SCR catalyst for the removal of NOx in flue gases.

基于改进YOLO v7和DeepSORT的罐笼人员跟踪计数方法

煤矿副井罐笼载人时,超载现象时有发生,给副井运输安全带来了隐患。针对该问题,提出了基于改进YOLO v7和DeepSORT的罐笼人员跟踪计数方法。首先利用煤矿副井罐笼区域的监控摄像头采集的视频制作罐笼行人数据集,再利用改进的YOLO v7对罐笼人员进行识别:基于GhostNet网络改进YOLO v7以提升模型的实时性;通过引入ACmix注意力机制提升模型对副井复杂背景人员的感知能力,并基于SIoU损失函数进一步增强模型的鲁棒性;最后利用优化后的DeepSORT算法对罐笼人员进行跟踪计数:基于CIOU优化DeepSORT算法的匹配准确度,使目标追踪更加稳定。试验结果表明:在构建的CP dataset数据集上,改进后的YOLO v7网络的均值平均精度mAP达到了97.4%,算法的跟踪准确性MOTA和跟踪精度MOTP分别达到了95.74%和94.26%。

基于YOLO v5+DeepSORT算法的羊群游走同步群体决策行为研究

随着畜牧养殖智能化监控技术的产业化应用,进一步提升畜禽养殖的分类施策精细化管理,成为现代畜牧业精细高效养殖管理的新需求。采用固定机位、多角度视频采集技术,实时记录羊群牧食过程中的游走行为;针对羊群游走视频中易出现遮挡的复杂情况,设计了基于YOLO v5模型的羊群多目标检测模型,羊群游走过程中的多目标实时跟踪识别率可达90.63%;采用羊群游走多目标轨迹跟踪DeepSORT算法,通过提取羊目标的深度表观特征,计算出羊群游走轨迹和变化节拍规律。结果表明,羊的游走过程通常为慢走、快走和疾走3种方式,单只羊的游走过程通常是不固定的随机组合。在中大规模羊群中,由于亲缘关系结构的复杂性,羊群往往分化为多个小群体,这使得从整体上观察和分析羊群行为变得异常困难。为此,聚焦于小规模羊群进行研究,通过羊群散列、聚集和同步3个游走过程分析,初步验证了羊群游走节拍周期上的同步现象。

Ti6Al4V合金高温拉伸变形Norton-Hoff与Arrhenius本构理论的模型化与比较(英文)

为研究Ti6Al4V合金在热成形过程中的力学性能,在923~1023K温度和0.0005~0.05s1应变速率范围内,进行片状试样的恒温高温拉伸试验,采集应力—应变试验数据并建立材料的本构模型。将Arrhenius和Norton-Hoff本构模型用于表征合金的高温拉伸行为。拟合结果显示,考虑材料常数应变补偿的Arrhenius模型和改进的Norton-Hoff模型均可以准确地预测Ti6Al4V合金多数条件下的流变应力,由拟合结果比较可知改进的Norton-Hoff模型比Arrhenius模型更精确。

基于Point Transformer v2的点云枝叶分离方法研究

准确高效的点云枝叶分离对精确计算森林树木的垂直参数至关重要。然而,当前的研究方法计算成本高,且依赖先验知识导致泛化能力不足。针对以上问题,文章提出利用基于点特征的Transformer网络进行自动化的森林场景三维点云的枝叶分离研究。该方法使用Point Transformer v2网络,首先利用网格编码模块提取可学习的局部结构关系,保留点云的几何拓扑结构;其次使用分组注意力实现多通道联合学习,降低特征的冗余度,提高计算的效率;最后构建了基于点的Transformer网络实现高精度森林树木三维点云语义分割,降低了对于先验知识的需求。使用地基激光扫描仪获取的加拿大和芬兰7个不同树种样地的三维点云数据,进行枝叶分离实验和精度评价。实验结果表明,网络整体精度(OA)为94.42%,mIoU为78.89%,能够适应不同树种、不同点云密度的森林场景的枝叶分离。

Electrochemical Hydrogen Charging on Corrosion Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in Artificial Seawater

This study employs advanced electrochemical and surface characterization techniques to investigate the impact of electrochemical hydrogen charging on the corrosion behavior and surface film of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy.The findings revealed the formation ofγ-TiH andδ-TiH_(2) hydrides in the alloy after hydrogen charging.Prolonging hydrogen charging resulted in more significant degradation of the alloy microstructure,leading to deteriorated protectiveness of the surface film.This trend was further confirmed by the electrochemical measurements,which showed that the corrosion resistance of the alloy progressively worsened as the hydrogen charging time was increased.Consequently,this work provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under hydrogen charging conditions.

Additively manufactured Ti–Ta–Cu alloys for the next-generation load-bearing implants

Bacterial colonization of orthopedic implants is one of the leading causes of failure and clinical complexities for load-bearing metallic implants. Topical or systemic administration of antibiotics may not offer the most efficient defense against colonization, especially in the case of secondary infection, leading to surgical removal of implants and in some cases even limbs. In this study, laser powder bed fusion was implemented to fabricate Ti3Al2V alloy by a 1:1 weight mixture of CpTi and Ti6Al4V powders. Ti-Tantalum(Ta)–Copper(Cu) alloys were further analyzed by the addition of Ta and Cu into the Ti3Al2V custom alloy. The biological,mechanical, and tribo-biocorrosion properties of Ti3Al2V alloy were evaluated. A 10 wt.% Ta(10Ta) and 3 wt.% Cu(3Cu) were added to the Ti3Al2V alloy to enhance biocompatibility and impart inherent bacterial resistance. Additively manufactured implants were investigated for resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains of bacteria for up to 48 h. A 3 wt.% Cu addition to Ti3Al2V displayed improved antibacterial efficacy, i.e.78%–86% with respect to CpTi. Mechanical properties for Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy were evaluated, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance, exceptional shear strength, and improved tribological and tribo-biocorrosion characteristics when compared to Ti6Al4V. In vivo studies using a rat distal femur model revealed improved early-stage osseointegration for alloys with10 wt.% Ta addition compared to CpTi and Ti6Al4V. The 3 wt.% Cu-added compositions displayed biocompatibility and no adverse infammatory response in vivo. Our results establish the Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy’s synergistic effect on improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance for the next generation of load-bearing metallic implants.

Morphological disruption and visual tuning alterations in the primary visual cortex in glaucoma(DBA/2J)mice

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreve rsible blindness wo rldwide,and previous studies have shown that,in addition to affecting the eyes,it also causes abnormalities in the brain.However,it is not yet clear how the primary visual cortex(V1)is altered in glaucoma.This study used DBA/2J mice as a model for spontaneous secondary glaucoma.The aim of the study was to compare the electrophysiological and histomorphological chara cteristics of neurons in the V1between 9-month-old DBA/2J mice and age-matched C57BL/6J mice.We conducted single-unit recordings in the V1 of light-anesthetized mice to measure the visually induced responses,including single-unit spiking and gamma band oscillations.The morphology of layerⅡ/Ⅲneurons was determined by neuronal nuclear antigen staining and Nissl staining of brain tissue sections.Eighty-seven neurons from eight DBA/2J mice and eighty-one neurons from eight C57BL/6J mice were examined.Compared with the C57BL/6J group,V1 neurons in the DBA/2J group exhibited weaker visual tuning and impaired spatial summation.Moreove r,fewer neuro ns were observed in the V1 of DBA/2J mice compared with C57BL/6J mice.These findings suggest that DBA/2J mice have fewer neurons in the VI compared with C57BL/6J mice,and that these neurons have impaired visual tuning.Our findings provide a better understanding of the pathological changes that occur in V1 neuron function and morphology in the DBA/2J mouse model.This study might offer some innovative perspectives regarding the treatment of glaucoma.

LAIR-1通过阻断JAK2 V617F突变的人HEL细胞JAK/STAT和PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路抑制其增殖并促进其凋亡

目的研究人白细胞相关免疫球蛋白样受体1(LAIR-1)对Janus激酶2(JAK2)V617F突变的人急性髓系白血病HEL细胞JAK/信号转导子与转录激活子(STAT)和磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/蛋白激酶B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(PI3K/AKT/mTOR)信号通路的调节作用,以及对细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法采用反转录PCR和基因测序鉴定JAK2 V617F突变;应用免疫共沉淀和Western blot法鉴定LAIR-1募集的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶(PTP)种类;采用CCK-8法检测HEL细胞的增殖;采用异硫氰酸荧光素标记的膜联素Ⅴ/碘化丙啶(annexinⅤ-FITC/PI)双标记结合流式细胞术检测HEL细胞的凋亡率;采用Western blot法检测JAK/STAT和PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路蛋白酪氨酸磷酸化水平及细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)、Bcl2相关X蛋白(BAX)和B细胞淋巴瘤因子2(Bcl2)的蛋白表达。结果在JAK2 V617F突变的HEL细胞中,LAIR-1与其配体胶原蛋白结合后可募集含Src同源域2磷酸酶2(SHP-2);LAIR-1可以下调HEL细胞JAK2、STAT1、STAT3、STAT5、AKT和mTOR的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸化水平,并能够显著抑制cyclin D1和Bcl2的表达,而对BAX的表达水平未见显著影响;LAIR-1能够明显抑制HEL细胞的增殖,促进HEL细胞凋亡。结论在JAK2 V617F突变的人白血病HEL细胞中,LAIR-1可通过募集SHP-2抑制JAK/STAT和PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路的活化,进而抑制HEL细胞的增殖,促进细胞凋亡。

Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin, CD44v6 and CD44v4/5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM： To study the relationship between the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin （HCG）, CD44v6, CD44v4/5 and the infiltration, metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS： By labeled streptavidin-biotin technique, the expressions of HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 in 42 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were examined. RESULTS： The positive rate of HCG expression in patients with lymph node metastasis was 85.71% （18/21）, higher than that （57.14%, 12/21） in those without lymph node metastasis （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of CD44v6 expression was 71.43% （15/21） in lymph node metastasis group, and 38.09% （8/21） in nonmetastasis group; there was a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of CD44v4/5 expression was 76.19% （16/21） in lymph node metastasis group, and 42.86% （9/21） in non-metastasis group; there was also a significant difference between them （P〈0.05）. From grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅲ in differentiation, the positive rate of HCG expression was 84.62% （11/13）, 70.59% （12/17） and 58.33% （7/12）, respectively, there was no significant difference among them （P〉0.05）. The positive rate of CD44v6 expression in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ of cancer tissues was 76.92% （10/13）, 52.94% （9/17）, and 33.33% （4/12） respectively; there was no significant difference among them. The positive rate of CD44v4/5 expression in grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ of cancer tissues was 69.23% （9/13）, 64.71% （11/17）, and 41.67% （5/12） respectively; there was no significant difference among the three groups. There was no correlation between the positive rates of HCG and CD44v6, CD44v4/5 expression. Cancer cells in carcinomatous emboli and those infiltrating into vascular wall strongly expressed HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5. CONCLUSION： Expression of HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is related to its infiltration and metastasis. HCG, CD44v6, and CD44v4/5 have different effects on the infiltration and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Positive impact of adding No.14v lymph node to D2 dissection on survival for distal gastric cancer patients after surgery with curative intent

Background： D2 lymphadenectomy has been increasingly regarded as standard surgical procedure for advanced gastric cancer （GC）, while the necessity of No.14v lymph node （14v） dissection for distal GC is still controversial. Methods： A total of 920 distal GC patients receiving at least a D2 lymph node dissection in Department of Gastric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were enrolled in this study, of whom, 243 patients also had the 14v dissected. Other 677 patients without 14v dissection were used for comparison. Results： Forty-five （18.5%） patients had 14v metastasis. There was no significant difference in 3-year overall survival （OS） rate between patients with and without 14v dissection. Following stratified analysis, in TNM stages I, II, IIIa and IV, 14v dissection did not affect 3-year OS; in contrast, patients with 14v dissection had a significant higher 3-year OS than those without in TNM stages IIIb and IIIc. In multivariate analysis, 14v dissection was found to be an independent prognostic factor for GC patients with TNM stage IIIb/IIIc disease [hazard ratio （HR）, 1.568; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.186-2.072; P=0.002]. GC patients with 14v dissection had a significant lower locoregional, especially lymph node, recurrence rate than those without 14v dissection （11.7 % vs. 21.1%, P=0.035）. Conclusions： Adding 14v to D2 lymphadenectomy may be associated with improved 3-year OS for distal GC staged TNM IIIb/IIIc.

Fluid management in living donor hepatectomy:Recent issues and perspectives

The importance of the safety of healthy living liver donors is widely recognized during donor hepatectomywhich is associated with blood loss, transfusion, and subsequent post-operative morbidity. Although the low central venous pressure(CVP) technique can still be effective, it may not be advantageous concerning the safety of healthy donors undergoing hepatectomy. Emerging evidence suggests that stroke volume variation(SVV), a simple and useful index for fluid responsiveness and preload status in various clinical situations, can be applied as a guide for fluid management to reduce blood loss during living donor hepatectomy. Synthetic colloid solutions are also associated with serious adverse events such as the use of renal replacement therapy and transfusion in critically ill or septic patients. However, it is uncertain whether the intra-operative use of colloid solution is associated with similarly adverse effects in patients undergoing living donor hepatectomy. In this review article we discuss the recent issues regarding the low CVP technique and the high SVV method, i.e., maintaining 10%-20% of SVV, for fluid management in order to reduce blood loss during living donor hepatectomy. In addition, we briefly discuss the effects of intra-operative colloid or crystalloid administration for surgical rather than septic or critically ill patients.

Relationship between expression of CD44v6 and nm23-H1 and tumor invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To detect the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by in situ hybridization, and to evaluate the relationship between their expression and also relationship between their expressions and tumor invasion and metastasis.METHODS CD44v6 cDNA probe was synthesized with PCR technique and the nm23-H1 cRNA probe by in vitro transcription. The expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization.RESULTS In group with high invasion and metastasis potential, the positive rates of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA were 80% (8/10) and 40% (4/10), in group with poor invasion and metastasis potential, they were 21.7% (5/23) and 91.3% (21/23). There was a positive correlation between the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and tumor invasion and metastasis potential in HCC (P＜0.01), and a reverse correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor invasion and metastasis potential (P＜0.01) and a reverse correlation in the expression between CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA in HCC (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Detection of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA may be useful for tumor invasion and metastasis in HCC.INTRODUCTIONCD44 is a cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein. As a kind of adhesive molecule, it participates in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and interactions. Many studies revealed a correlation between high-level expression of CD44, especially CD44v and tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. The exon 6v containing isoforms may be an independent diagnostic parameter[1,2]. Some other studies, however, had different results[3,4]. Some researches showed a reverse correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor metastasis[5,6]. In order to evaluate the relationship between the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor invasive and metastatic potential in HCC and to evaluate the relationship in the expression between CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA, we detected their expression in HCC by in situ hybridization.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CD44 variant exon 6 in primary tumors and corresponding lymph node metastases of colorectal carcinoma with Dukes'stage C or D

AIM: To study changes in characteristics of colorectal carcinoma during the metastatic process and to investigate the correlation between cell proliferation activity and metastatic ability of patients with Dukes′ stage C or D.METHODS: Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded materials of primary tumors and corresponding lymph node metastases resected from 56 patients with Dukes′ stage C or D of colorectal carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD44variant exon 6 (CD44v6).RESULTS: Thirty-one of 56 patients (55.4 %) expressed PCNA in the primary sites and 36 of 56 patients (64.3 %)expressed PCNA in the metastatic lymph nodes. A significant relation in PCNA expression was observed between the primary site and the metastatic lymph node (0.010＜P＜0.025).Forty-one of 56 patients (73.2 %) expressed CD44v6 in the primary site and 39 of 56 patients (69.6 %) expressed CD44v6 in the metastatic lymph node. There was also an significant relationship of CD44v6 between the primary site and the metastatic lymph node (0.005＜P＜0.010). No difference was observed between expression of CD44v6 and PCNA in the primary site (0.250＜P＜0.500).CONCLUSION: This study partially demonstrates that tumor cells in metastatic lymph node of colorectal carcinoma still possess cell proliferation activity and metastatic ability of tumor cells in primary site. There may be no association between cell proliferation activity and metastatic ability in colorectal carcinoma.

Facile synthesis of V-doped CoP nanoparticles as bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient water splitting

Adjusting the intrinsic activity and conductivity of electrocatalysts may be a crucial way for excellent performance for water splitting.Herein,the rational design of vanadium element doped cobalt phosphide(V-doped CoP)nanoparticles has been investigated through a facile gaseous phosphorization using cobalt vanadium oxide or hydroxide(Co-V hydr(oxy)oxide)as precursor.The physical characterization shows that the homogeneous dispersion of V element on V-doped CoP nanoparticles have obtained,which may imply the enhanced electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).The electrochemical measurements of the prepared V-doped CoP in alkaline electrolyte demonstrate the superior electrocatalytic activity for both HER(overpotential of 235 mV@10 mA cm^-2)and OER(overpotential of 340 mV@10 mA cm^-2).Further,V-doped CoP nanoparticles used as anode and cathode simultaneously in a cell require only 370 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^-2.The outstanding electrocatalytic activity may be ascribed to the improved conductivity and intrinsic activity owing to phosphating and the doping of V element.In addition,the long-term stability of V-doped Co P has been obtained.Therefore,metal doping into transition metal-based phosphides may be a promising strategy for the remarkable bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting.

Quasispecies evolution in NS5A region of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b during interferon or combined interferon-ribavirin therapy

AIM: To evaluate the implication of substitutions in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein in the resistance of HCV during mono-interferon (IFN) or combined IFN-ribavirin (IFN-R) therapy. Although NS5A has been reported to interact with the HCV RNA- dependent RNA polymerase, NS5B, as well as with many cellular proteins, the function of NS5A in the life cycle of HCV remains unclear. METHODS: HCV quasispecies were studied by clon- ing and sequencing of sequential isolates from patients infected by HCV genotype 1b. Patients were treated by IFN-α2b for 3 mo followed by IFN-α2b alone or com- bined IFN-R therapy for 9 additional months. Patients were categorized intro two groups based on their re- sponse to the treatments: 7 with sustained virological re- sponse (SVR) (quasispecies = 150) and 3 non-respond- ers (NR) to IFN-R (quasispecies = 106). RESULTS: Prior to treatment, SVR patients displayed a lower complexity of quasispecies than NR patients. Most patients had a decrease in the complexity of quasispe- cies during therapy. Analysis of amino acids substitu- tions showed that the degree of the complexity of the interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) and the V3 domain of NS5A protein was able to discriminate thetwo groups of patients. Moreover, SVR patients displayed more variability in the NS5A region than NR patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that detailed mo- lecular analysis of the NS5A region may be important for understanding its function in IFN response during HCV 1b infection.

Evaluation of high-resolution satellite precipitation products with surface rain gauge observations from Laohahe Basin in northern China

Three high-resolution satellite precipitation products, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission （TRMM） standard precipitation products 3B42V6 and 3B42RT and the Climate Precipitation Center＇s （CPC） morphing technique precipitation product （CMORPH）, were evaluated against surface rain gauge observations from the Laohahe Basin in northern China. Widely used statistical validation indices and categorical statistics were adopted. The evaluations were performed at multiple time scales, ranging from daily to yearly, for the years from 2003 to 2008. The results show that all three satellite precipitation products perform very well in detecting the occurrence of precipitation events, but there are some different biases in the amount of precipitation. 3B42V6, which has a bias of 21%, fits best with the surface rain gauge observations at both daily and monthly scales, while the biases of 3B42RT and CMORPH, with values of 81% and 67%, respectively, are much higher than a normal receivable threshold. The quality of the satellite precipitation products also shows monthly and yearly variation： 3B42RT has a large positive bias in the cold season from September to April, while CMORPH has a large positive bias in the warm season from May to August, and they all attained their best values in 2006 （with 10%, 50%, and -5% biases for 3B42V6, 3B42RT, and CMORPH, respectively）. Our evaluation shows that, for the Laohahe Basin, 3B42V6 has the best correspondence with the surface observations, and CMORPH performs much better than 3B42RT. The large errors of 3B42RT and CMORPH remind us of the need for new improvements to satellite precipitation retrieval algorithms or feasible bias adjusting methods.