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Sheet-to-cloud cavitation transitions are very complex owing to the simultaneous appearance of the re-entrant jet and shock waves. The objective of this paper is to investigate the physics of compressible cavitating flows with emphasis on the simultaneous existence of the re-entrant jet and shock waves. A compressible cavitating solver, which considers the compressibility effects of both the liquid and the vapour, was used to account for the different shedding characteristics induced by the re-entrant jet mechanism (RJM), the shock wave mechanism (SWM), and both the re-entrant jet and the shock waves (RJM-SMW). The solver used Large Eddy Simulations (LES) and the Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model. The numerical results are first compared with available experimental data [1] which showed satisfactory agreement for various aspects of the flow, including the pressure distribution, cavity shapes, condensation front speed, and shedding frequency. The results first show three different cavity shedding processes induced by the re-entrant jet and the shock waves. Frequency analyses show that the shock waves produce a wider frequency distribution which indicates that shock waves induce more shedding than the re-entrant jet. The quasi-periodic characteristics of the transitions between the various cavity shedding characteristics are mainly induced by the variations of the pressure, residual cavity volume and medium compressibility. Further analyses show that the different pressure, residual cavity volume and medium compressibility amplitudes determine the cavity shedding characteristics in the subsequent shedding cycle. When the conditions favour both the re-entrant jets and the shock wave effects, both the re-entrant jet and the shock waves impact the cavity shedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compressible cavitation model is developed in this paper, in which the bubble wall velocity is obtained by solving the compressible Rayleigh–Plesset (R–P) equation. Additionally, vapor compressibility is also included during evaporation/condensation to correct the phase change rate. The predicted results around a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 66 (mod) hydrofoil are compared with the available experimental data, and a satisfied agreement is obtained. By (mod), we mean the NACA 66 hydrofoil modified by Brockett ["Minimum pressure envelopes for modified NACA-66 sections with NACA a = 0.8 camber and BuShips type I and type II sections," Technical Report No. 1780 (David Taylor Model Basin Washington DC Hydromechanics Lab, 1966)] and Valentine ["The effect of nose radius on the cavitation-inception characteristics of two-dimensional hydrofoils," Technical Report No. 3813 (Naval Ship Research and Development Center, 1974)]. Several crucial flow properties, e.g., fluid compressibility, cavitation evolution features, and pressure statistical characteristics, are studied in detail. The results suggest that the developed compressible cavitation model is better suited for predicting the collapse behavior of cavitation. Moreover, our work captures the liquid re-entrant jet and bubbly shock waves well and reveals that these two mechanisms jointly dominate the cavity shedding dynamics. Shock-induced pressure pulses play a more important role in flow features, with a maximum amplitude exceeding 200 kPa, significantly larger than the pressure pulse caused by liquid re-entrant jets. Finally, the statistical analysis indicates that the pulsating pressure presents non-Gaussian nature with positive skewness, and shock waves exhibit high-frequency and high-energy characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss of immune homeostasis to enteric pathogens is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key for this immune homeostasis. Helios exhibits an important effect on regulating the suppressive function of Tregs. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is more commonly detected in UC. However, whether there is an association between EBV infection and Helios+Tregs and its impact on disease activity of UC remain unclear. We aimed to explore the clinical significance of Helios+Tregs and their potential association with EBV infection in UC. Methods: Seventy-six UC patients and 38 controls were consecutively enrolled. Helios+FoxP3+Tregs were analyzed using flow cytometry and compared among groups. Eight active UC patients treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid were followed up. Correlation analyses were conducted between Helios+FoxP3+Tregs and disease activity indicators. In addition, EBV viral loads in the mucosal lesion were quantified in active UC by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and were comprehensively analyzed in subgroups of different disease severity, and their associations with Helios+FoxP3+Tregs were also analyzed. Results: Helios+FoxP3+Tregs were significantly decreased in active UC and were inversely correlated with serum C-reactive protein and Mayo score. Moreover, we observed the recovery of Helios+FoxP3+Tregs in followed-up active UC achieving remission after treatment. EBV loads were higher in active UC, and levels of Helios+FoxP3+Tregs in the EBV-positive subgroup were lower than the EBV-negative subgroup in moderate and severe active patients. Most importantly, we found that Helios+FoxP3+Tregs were significantly negatively correlated with EBV viral loads. Conclusion: Helios+FoxP3+Tregs are likely to play a pivotal role in disease activity of UC and may be influenced by EBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease, which is characterized with overactive immune response. It is well established that the imbalance between Tregs and Th17 cells plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of UC. In this study, we investigated the impact of functional changes in Treg subsets on Treg/Th17 ratio and further explored their clinical significance in the activity of UC. Treg subsets were comprehensively analysed using flow cytometry and in vitro cultured in both active and remission UC patients, of which nine active UC patients were further followed up. The correlation analyses were performed to explore the potential associations between Treg subsets and clinical indicators, as well as the impact of serum cytokines, detected by ELISA, on IL‐17A secretion and CCR6 co‐expression of Treg subsets. In active UC patients, we found CD45RA‐FoxP3hiTregs were obviously decreased and inversely correlated with disease activity, while CD45RA+FoxP3loTregs were increased and positively correlated with disease activity. Meanwhile, IL‐17A secretion and CCR6 co‐expression levels in Tregs were significantly increased in active UC. Moreover, Tregs co‐expressing CCR6 possesses higher level of IL‐17A secretion. In nine followed up patients, we observed downregulated IL‐17A secreting and CCR6 co‐expression when achieving remission from active stage. In addition, IL‐17A+FoxP3+ and IL‐17A+FoxP3+CCR6+Tregs were positively correlated with serum IL‐21 and disease activity, respectively. These findings suggested that upregulated IL‐17A secretion and CCR6 co‐expression in Treg subsets may be related to the imbalance between Tregs and Th17 cells and associated with the disease activity in UC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECDRR), as a key reaction in artificial photosynthesis to implement renewable energy conversion/storage, has been inhibited by the low efficiency and high costs of the electrocatalysts. Herein, we synthesize a fluorine‐doped carbon (FC) catalyst by pyrolyzing commercial BP 2000 with a fluorine source, enabling a highly selective CO2‐to‐CO conversion with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 90 % at a low overpotential of 510 mV and a small Tafel slope of 81 mV dec−1, outcompeting current metal‐free catalysts. Moreover, the higher partial current density of CO and lower partial current density of H2 on FC relative to pristine carbon suggest an enhanced inherent activity towards ECDRR as well as a suppressed hydrogen evolution by fluorine doping. Fluorine doping activates the neighbor carbon atoms and facilitates the stabilization of the key intermediate COOH* on the fluorine‐doped carbon material, which are also blocked for competing hydrogen evolution, resulting in superior CO2‐to‐CO conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECDRR), as a key reaction in artificial photosynthesis to implement renewable energy conversion/storage, has been inhibited by the low efficiency and high costs of the electrocatalysts. Herein, we synthesize a fluorine‐doped carbon (FC) catalyst by pyrolyzing commercial BP 2000 with a fluorine source, enabling a highly selective CO2‐to‐CO conversion with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 90 % at a low overpotential of 510 mV and a small Tafel slope of 81 mV dec−1, outcompeting current metal‐free catalysts. Moreover, the higher partial current density of CO and lower partial current density of H2 on FC relative to pristine carbon suggest an enhanced inherent activity towards ECDRR as well as a suppressed hydrogen evolution by fluorine doping. Fluorine doping activates the neighbor carbon atoms and facilitates the stabilization of the key intermediate COOH* on the fluorine‐doped carbon material, which are also blocked for competing hydrogen evolution, resulting in superior CO2‐to‐CO conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the single-molecule conductance through an acid oxidant triggered phenothiazine (PTZ-) based radical junction using the mechanically controllable break junction technique. The electrical conductance of the radical state was enhanced by up to 200 times compared to the neutral state, with high stability lasting for at least two months and high junction formation probability at room-temperature. Theoretical studies revealed that the conductance increase is due to a significant decrease of the HOMO-LUMO gap and also the enhanced transmission close to the HOMO orbital when the radical forms. The large conductance enhancement induced by the formation of the stable PTZ radical molecule will lead to promising applications in single-molecule electronics and spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the single-molecule conductance through an acid oxidant triggered phenothiazine (PTZ-) based radical junction using the mechanically controllable break junction technique. The electrical conductance of the radical state was enhanced by up to 200 times compared to the neutral state, with high stability lasting for at least two months and high junction formation probability at room-temperature. Theoretical studies revealed that the conductance increase is due to a significant decrease of the HOMO-LUMO gap and also the enhanced transmission close to the HOMO orbital when the radical forms. The large conductance enhancement induced by the formation of the stable PTZ radical molecule will lead to promising applications in single-molecule electronics and spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Naiver-Stokes equations are utilized to investigate the bubble dynamics subjected to the flow speed in the vicinity of a rigid wall. The predictions are compared with the Gilmore method and available experimental results, and a reasonable agreement is obtained. The important flow properties, e.g., bubble morphology, collapse time, jet development, pressure wave propagation, and vorticity evolution are studied in detail. The results demonstrate that the combined effect of the flow speed and rigid wall results in the generation of oblique jet, which may contribute to the development of the fish-scale pits on the surface of the hydraulic machinery. Moreover, our results show that the impulse loads caused by the bubble collapse in moving water are lower than those in stationary water. Finally, it is indicated that the stretching term plays a major role in the vorticity both inside and outside the bubble, while the dilatation term mainly influences the vorticity inside the bubble. • The bubble dynamics subject to the flow speed are numerically investigated. • The oblique jet induced by flow speed contributes to the formation of fish-scale pits. • The vorticity dynamics during bubble collapses are analyzed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To observe the clinical effect of arthrodesis in treating severe hallux rigidus. Methods Totally 30 patients (30 feet) with severe hallux rigidus treated by arthrodesis from January in 2010 to January in 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. AOFAS and VAS scoring system were employed to evaluate the clinical curative effect including acquiring the fusion rate, the time to fusion and the incidence rate of hallux valgus. Forefoot-plantar pressure values before and after operation were measured by Plantar pressure measurement system. Results The mean follow-up time was 18 months. AO-FAS score was raised from (48.2±7.6) to (72.8±6.2) after operation (P<0.01). VAS score was also increased from (1.7±0.7) to (8.3±1.1) after operation (P<0.01). The average healing time of knitting was 12.1 weeks. None was non-union and developed to hallux valgus. The forefoot-plantar pressure returned to normal postoperatively from abnormal laterally distribution. Conclusion The surgical strategy of arthrodesis is proved to be effective in treating severe hallux rigidus, in terms of capability of relief from pain, recovery of forefoot-plantar pressure distribution, low incidence of complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis is reported of a newseries of oligo(aryleneethynylene)(OAE) derivatives of up to ca. 6 nm in molecular length (OAE9) using iterative Pd-mediated Sonogashira cross-coupling methodology.The oligo-p-phenyleneethynylene cores of the molecularwires are functionalized at both termini with pyridyl units for attachmentto gold leads. The molecular structures determined by single-crystalX-ray analysis are reported for OAE4, OAE5, OAE7, and OAE8a. The charge transportcharacteristics of derivatives OAE3–OAE9in single-molecular junctions have been studied using the mechanicallycontrolled break junction technique. The data demonstrate that thejunction conductance decreases with increasing molecular length. Atransition from coherent transport via tunneling to a hopping mechanismis found for OAE wires longer than ca. 3 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To introduce the surgical strategy of extensive laminectomy (with inner 1/4 facet joint resection to expose the origin of the nerve root) and to discuss its benefit for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with myelopathy. Methods: From January 1998 to December 2005, 82 patients with cervical OPLL underwent extensive laminectomy. We assessed neurological function using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system, neck/shoulder pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and cervical curvature index (CCI) by the Ishihara method; the expansion degree and the drift-back distance of the spinal cord was calculated using the MRI image. Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 41.6 months. The postoperative JOA score suggested that neurological function improved significantly with a recovery rate of 64%. The incidence rate of transient palsy of the C5 nerve root, which occurred in only 2 patients who recovered to useful function over 2 weeks, was 2.4%. The postoperative VAS score suggested that the pain in the neck/shoulder was mild. Although the postoperative CCI was small, there was no correlation with the length of follow-up period. The increased cross-sectional area of the dural sac at the level of maximum compression together with the significant drift-back distance of the spinal cord suggested that decompression was complete. Conclusion: Extensive laminectomy is effective in treating cervical OPLL, with mild cervical/shoulder pain, low rate of C5 nerve root palsy, and no recurrence of spinal cord compression symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, large eddy simulation is utilized to study the effect of various wavy leading edges on the control of cavitation around a modified NACA63 4 -021 hydrofoil in the case of equal lift. Four sinusoidal wavy leading edges with different geometry parameters are numerically examined, with the baseline hydrofoil as a comparison. The numerical results are compared with available experimental data and a reasonable agreement is observed. The key flow characteristics, e.g., quasi-periodic behavior of cavity, time histories of pressure fluctuations and the effect of cavitation on streamwise vortices are compared in detail. The results show that in the case of equal lift, which is achieved by adjusting the angle of attack, no significant decrease in the volume of cavity is observed for the cases of wavy leading edges. This illustrates that none of the four different types of wavy leading edges introduced in this paper can appreciably suppress the generation and development of cavitation bubbles. However, our results indicate that the pressure fluctuations can be effectively suppressed, which is primarily caused by the compartmentalization effect of the leading edge protuberances. Meanwhile, the suppression capability decreases with an increasing amplitude-to-wavelength ratio. Further analysis shows that cavitation is the main source of affecting the development of the streamwise vortices. • The cavitating hydrofoils with various wavy leading edges are studied by LES. • The cavity volume is not effectively suppressed by wavy leading edges in the case of equal lift. • The pressure fluctuations can be effectively suppressed by wavy leading edges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development, nerve-secreted agrin induces acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering in muscle by activating the muscle-specific tyrosine kinase MuSK. Recently, it has been recognized that MuSK activation-dependent AChR clustering occurs in embryonic muscle even in the absence of agrin, but how this process is regulated is poorly understood. We report that inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases in cultured C2 mouse myotubes using pervanadate enhanced MuSK auto-activation and agrin-independent AChR clustering. Moreover, phosphatase inhibition also enlarged the AChR clusters induced by agrin in these cells. Conversely, in situ activation of MuSK in cultured Xenopus embryonic muscle cells, either focally by anti-MuSK antibody-coated beads or globally by agrin, stimulated downstream tyrosine phosphatases, which could be blocked by pervanadate treatment. Immunoscreening identified Shp2 as a major tyrosine phosphatase in C2 myotubes and down-regulation of its expression by RNA interference alleviated tyrosine phosphatase suppression of MuSK activation. Significantly, depletion of Shp2 increased both agrin-independent and agrin-dependent AChR clustering in myotubes. Our results suggest that muscle tyrosine phosphatases tightly regulate MuSK activation and signaling and support a novel role of Shp2 in MuSK-dependent AChR clustering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study the intracellular signaling involved in acetylcholine receptor (AChR) redistribution in muscle was investigated. In cultured Xenopus embryonic muscle cells, both the dispersal of preexisting AChR clusters and the induction of new AChR clusters by growth factor-coated polystyrene beads were inhibited by two specific antagonists of the ser/thr phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), Cyclosporin A, (CsA) and FK-506, but not by KN-93 that blocks CaM kinases. Moreover, CaN inhibition decreased AChR clustering in Xenopus muscle cells by beads coated with antibodies that cross-link and activate the agrin receptor MuSK (muscle-specific kinase) and reduced the agrin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MuSK in cultured mouse (C2) myotubes. Last, the length and the number of AChR clusters generated by agrin in C2 myotubes were decreased by treatment with CsA, but not KN-93, and following the forced expression of a dominant negative CaN mutant in these cells, but not wild-type CaN or reporter green fluorescent protein. Collectively, our results support a role for CaN signaling in the redistribution of AChRs in muscle induced by synaptogenic signals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The SLC26A4 gene is the second most common cause of hereditary hearing loss in human. The aim of this study was to utilize the minigene assay in order to identify pathogenic variants of SLC26A4 associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) and hearing loss (HL) in two patients. Methods: The patients were subjected to multiplex PCR amplification and next-generation sequencing of common deafness genes (including GJB2, SLC26A4, and MT-RNR1), then bioinformatics analysis was performed on the sequencing data to identify candidate pathogenic variants. Minigene experiments were conducted to determine the potential impact of the variants on splicing. Results: Genetic testing revealed that the first patient carried compound heterozygous variants c.[1149 + 1G > A]; [919–2 A > G] in the SLC26A4 gene, while the second patient carried compound heterozygous variants c.[2089 + 3 A > T]; [919–2 A > G] in the same gene. Minigene experiments demonstrated that both c.1149 + 1G > A and c.2089 + 3 A > T affected mRNA splicing. According to the ACMG guidelines and the recommendations of the ClinGen Hearing Loss Expert Panel for ACMG variant interpretation, these variants were classified as "likely pathogenic". Conclusions: This study identified the molecular etiology of hearing loss in two patients with EVA and elucidated the impact of rare variants on splicing, thus contributing to the mutational spectrum of pathogenic variants in the SLC26A4 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, the increasing development of digital-driven technologies such as the Internet, cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things and the popularization of computers and mobile electronic devices have accelerated the evolution of global business organizations, thus making a new form of business organization, platform economy. As the most important form of industrial organization in the new economic era, the development of the platform has received extensive attention from the academia. Through literature analysis and inductive deduction, this paper reviews the connotation of platform economy, the historical context of development, the competition and monopoly (differentiation) of multilateral platforms, the evaluation mechanism of platform, antimonopoly governance, and research methods, and provides theoretical references and new ideas for future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The cavitation evolution around the baseline and biomimetic hydrofoils is studied by LES approach. • Far-field cavitation noise for both hydrofoils is compared by permeable FW-H method. • The noise reduction mechanism of wavy leading edge is revealed. This paper investigates the noise reduction performance of biomimetic hydrofoils with wavy leading edge and the corresponding mechanisms. We employ Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach and permeable Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (PFW–H) method to predict cavitation noise around the baseline and biomimetic hydrofoils. The results show that the wavy leading edge can effectively reduce the high-frequency noise, but has little effect on the low-frequency noise. Further analyses and discussions deal with the noise reduction mechanisms. The main source for the low-frequency noise is the cavity volume acceleration, while the wavy leading edge has little effect on it. The high-frequency noise sources, related to the surface pressure fluctuations and the turbulence characteristics, are significantly suppressed by the wavy leading edge, thus decreasing the high-frequency noise intensity. Our investigation indicates that the wavy leading edge has great prospects for cavitation noise reduction technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past two decades, dengue fever (DF) has emerged as a significant arboviral disease in Yunnan province, China, particularly in the China-Myanmar border area. Aedes aegypti, an invasive mosquito species, plays a crucial role in transmitting the dengue virus to the local population. Insecticide-based vector control has been the primary tool employed to combat DF, but the current susceptibility status of Ae. aegypti to commonly used insecticides is unknown. Assessment of Ae. aegypti resistance to pyrethroid insecticides and an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this resistance in the China-Myanmar border region is of significant strategic importance for effectively controlling the DF epidemic in the area. Methods: Aedes aegypti larvae collected from Ruili and Gengma counties in Yunnan Province were reared to adults in the laboratory and tested for susceptibility to three pyrethroid insecticides (3.20% permethrin, 0.08% lambda-cyhalothrin and 0.20% deltamethrin) by the standard WHO susceptibility bioassay. Genotyping of mutations in the knockdown gene (kdr), namely S989P, V1016G and F1534C, that are responsible for resistance to pyrethroid insecticides was performed using allele-specific PCR methods. A possible association between the observed resistant phenotype and mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (VGSC) was also studied. Results: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes collected from the two counties and reared in the laboratory were resistant to all of the pyrethroids tested, with the exception of Ae. aegypti from Gengma County, which showed sensitivity to 0.20% deltamethrin. The mortality rate of Ae. aegypti from Ruili county exposed to 3.20% permethrin did not differ significantly from that of Ae. aegypti from Gengma County (χ2 = 0.311, P = 0.577). By contrast, the mortality rate of Ae. aegypti from Ruili County exposed to 0.08% lambda-cyhalothrin and 0.20% deltamethrin, respectively, was significantly different from that of Ae. aegypti from Gengma. There was no significant difference in the observed KDT50 of Ae. aegypti from the two counties to various insecticides. Four mutation types and 12 genotypes were detected at three kdr mutation sites. Based on results from all tested Ae. aegypti, the V1016G mutation was the most prevalent kdr mutation (100% prevalence), followed by the S989P mutation (81.6%) and the F1534C mutation (78.9%). The constituent ratio of VGSC gene mutation types was significantly different in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from Ruili and those Gengma. The triple mutant S989P + V1016G + F1534C was observed in 274 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes (60.8%), with the most common genotype being SP + GG + FC (31.4%). The prevalence of the F1534C mutation was significantly higher in resistant Ae. aegypti from Ruili (odds ratio [OR] 7.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–32.29; P = 0.01) and Gengma (OR 9.29; 95% CI 3.38–25.50; P = 0.00) counties than in susceptible Ae. aegypti when exposed to 3.20% permethrin and 0.08% lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively. No significant association was observed in the triple mutation genotypes with the Ae. aegypti population exposed to 3.20% permethrin and 0.20% deltamethrin resistance (P > 0.05), except for Ae. aegypti from Gengma County when exposed to 0.08% lambda-cyhalothrin (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.20–6.81; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Aedes aegypti from Ruili and Gengma counties have developed resistance to various pyrethroid insecticides. The occurrence of multiple mutant sites in VGSC strongly correlated with the high levels of resistance to pyrethroids in the Ae. aegypti populations, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to manage the spread of resistance. A region-specific control strategy for dengue vectors needs to be implemented in the future based on the status of insecticide resistance and kdr mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) is associated with hereditary components, and some deleterious germline variants have been regarded as effective therapeutic targets. We conducted a clinic-based, observational study to better understand the distribution of deleterious germline variants and assess any clinicopathological predictors related to the variants among Chinese BC patients using a 32 cancer-related genes next-generation sequencing panel. Between November 2020 and February 2022, a total of 700 BC patients were recruited, and 13.1% (92/700) of them carried deleterious germline variants in 15 cancer-related genes, including 37 (37/700, 5.3%) in BRCA2, 29 (29/700, 4.1%) in BRCA1, 8 (8/700, 1.1%) in PALB2, 4 (4/700, 0.6%) in NBN, 3 (3/700, 0.4%) in MRE11A, 3 (3/700, 0.4%) in TP53 and 12 (12/700, 1.7%) in other genes. There were 28 novel variants detected: 5 in BRCA1, 14 in BRCA2, and 9 in non-BRCA1/2 genes. The variants in panel genes, HRR (homologous recombination repair)-related genes, and BRCA1/2 were significantly associated with the following clinicopathological factors: age at the initial diagnosis of BC, family history of any cancer, molecular subtype, Ki-67 index, and hereditary risk. In conclusion, we further expanded the spectrum of germline deleterious variants in Chinese BC patients, and the clinicopathological predictors of variants were identified to facilitate clinical genetic testing and counseling for appropriate individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterisation is described of six diaryltetrayne derivatives [Ar-(CC)4-Ar] with Ar=4-NO2-C6H4- ( NO24), 4-NH(Me)C6H4- ( NHMe4), 4-NMe2C6H4- ( NMe24), 4-NH2-(2,6-dimethyl)C6H4- ( DMeNH24), 5-indolyl ( IN4) and 5-benzothienyl ( BTh4). X-ray molecular structures are reported for NO24, NHMe4, DMeNH24, IN4 and BTh4. The stability of the tetraynes has been assessed under ambient laboratory conditions (20 °C, daylight and in air): NO24 and BTh4 are stable for at least six months without observable decomposition, whereas NHMe4, NMe24, DMeNH24 and IN4 decompose within a few hours or days. The derivative DMeNH24, with ortho-methyl groups partially shielding the tetrayne backbone, is considerably more stable than the parent compound with Ar=4-NH2C6H4 ( NH24). The ability of the stable tetraynes to anchor in Au|molecule|Au junctions is reported. Scanning-tunnelling-microscopy break junction (STM-BJ) and mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) techniques are employed to investigate single-molecule conductance characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures of the Southwest Vortex (SWV) differ depending on the different environmental conditions, ultimately resulting in various types of disasters. Based on SWV Year Book during 20122017, this paper mainly makes statistical analysis on the characteristics of summer SWV and winter SWV. The radius and vertical depth between summer and winter SWVs are compared. Using composite method, PV tendency equation and angular momentum, the differences of both types of SWV scales are analyzed to reveal environmental conditions and the mechanism of different scales. The result shows that:(1) approximately 90% of winter SWVs are characterized by shallow pattern, but the percentage of summer SWVs sharing the similar pattern drops below 50%. Additionally, the average radius of SWVs in both seasons exhibits distinct variations with summer SWVs and winter SWVs reaching 100 km and 130 km, respectively. (2) Higher levels of environment angular momentum are exhibited in summer compared to winter, resulting in lager radius of winter SWV than summer SWV. (3) The PV tendency equation suggests that the diabatic heating effect is benefited to transport PV to higher level and strong convergence resulting in higher vertical extension height and radius contraction. (4) Winter SWV exhibits a wide range of inertial stability, which negatively affects the transport of angular momentum to the vortex core, consequently causing a maximum tangential wind and transport of angular momentum to appear outside the core. • Compared to the winter Southwest Vortex (SWV), the summer SWV is deeper on vertical scale but narrower on horizontal scale. • Winter conditions, such as lack of water vapor and more angular momentum, are more conducive to generating larger but not deeper SWV. • A mechanism contributing to the differences in summer and winter SWV scales is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue fever has been a significant public health challenge in China. This will be particularly important in the context of global warming, frequent international travels, and urbanization with increasing city size and population movement. In order to design relevant prevention and control strategies and allocate health resources reasonably, this study evaluated the economic burden of dengue fever in China in 2019. Methods: The economic burden of dengue fever patients was calculated from both family and the organisation perspectives. A survey was conducted among 1,027 dengue fever patients in Zhejiang, Chongqing, and Yunnan Provinces. Treatment expenses, lost working days, and insurance reimbursement expenses information were collected to estimate the total economic burden of dengue fever patients in 2019. The expenditures related to dengue fever prevention and control from government, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), communities and subdistrict offices of 30 counties (or districts) in Zhejiang Province and Chongqing City were also collected. Results: The direct, indirect and total economic burden for dengue fever patients in 2019 in the three Provinces were about 36,927,380.00 Chinese Yuan (CNY), 10,579,572.00 CNY and 46,805,064.00 CNY, respectively. The costs for prevention and control of dengue fever for the counties (or districts) without cases, counties (or districts) with imported cases, and counties (or districts) with local cases are 205,800.00 CNY, 731,180.00 CNY and 6,934,378.00 CNY, respectively. The total investment of dengue fever prevention and control in the 30 counties in China in 2019 was approximately 3,166,660,240.00 CNY. Conclusion: The economic burden of dengue fever patients is relatively high, and medical insurance coverage should be increased to lighten patients' direct medical economic burden. At the same time, the results suggests that China should increase funding for primary health service institutions to prevent dengue fever transmission. Author summary: Dengue fever is one of the most important arbovirus diseases in the world. The distribution of cases has also increased significantly with the number of affected areas the highest in history. Dengue fever mainly occurs in southern provinces in China and its epidemic showed a trend of high incidence in 2019. This study estimated the economic burden of dengue fever in China in 2019 from the perspectives of both family and organisation. We recruited 1,027 dengue fever patients from Zhejiang Province, Chongqing City and Yunnan Province. At the same time, the costs related to dengue fever prevention and control from governments, CDCs, communities and subdistrict offices of 30 counties located in Zhejiang Province and Chongqing City were also collected. The results showed that in family perspective, the total economic burden of dengue in 2019 is estimated to be 46,805,064.00 CNY. In terms of organization expenditures, the regions with a higher incidence had higher costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in the F10-coding gene can cause factor X (FX) deficiency, leading to abnormal coagulation activity and severe tendency for hemorrhage. Therefore, identifying mutations in F10 is important for diagnosing congenital FX deficiency. Methods: We studied a 63-year-old male patient with FX deficiency and 10 of his family members. Clotting and immunological methods were used to determine activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen levels, FX activity, and FX antigen levels. The platelet count was determined. A mixing study was performed to eliminate the presence of coagulation factor inhibitors and lupus anticoagulant. Mutations were searched using whole-exome sequencing and certified by Sanger sequencing. Results: Genetic analysis of the proband identified two single-base substitutions: c.1085G>A (p.Ser362Asn) and c.1152C>A (p.Tyr384Ter, termination codon, caused by the DNA sequence TAA). His FX activity and antigen levels were 1.7% and 408.53 pg/mL, respectively; aPTT and PT were 52.3 and 48.0 s, respectively. One brother had the same compound heterozygous mutations, and his FX activity and antigen levels were 1.3% and 465.47 pg/mL, respectively; his aPTT and PT were 65.2 and 54.5 s, respectively. His mother, another brother, and one sister were heterozygous for c.1085G>A (p.Ser362Asn), and his daughter and grandson (6 years old) were heterozygous for c.1152C>A (p.Tyr384Ter). Conclusion: The heterozygous variants p.Ser362Asn or p.Tyr384Ter indicate mild FX deficiency, but the compound heterozygous mutation of the two causes severe congenital FX deficiency and bleeding. Genetic analysis of these two mutations may help characterize the bleeding tendency and confirm congenital FX deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decreased levels of CD226-TIGIT+Tregs and CD226-TIGIT-Tregs were found in active UC. • The expressions of β7, α4 and αE on FoxP3+Tregs, CD226-TIGIT+Tregs and CD226-TIGIT-Tregs were significantly increased in active UC. • CD226-TIGIT+Tregs and CD226-TIGIT-Tregs were negatively correlated with disease activity of UC. • Elevation of CD226-TIGIT+Tregs and CD226-TIGIT-Tregs may contribute to recovering remission from active stage. • Serum IL-10 levels were positively while IL-12 levels were negatively correlated with CD226-TIGIT+Tregs and CD226-TIGIT-Tregs in UC. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory immune-related disease. Imbalance between pathogenic cells and immunosuppressive cells is associated with disease activity of UC. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for this immune homeostasis. However, the clinical significance of CD226 and TIGIT expressions on FoxP3+Tregs in UC remains unclear. Comprehensive analyses of CD226 and TIGIT expressions on FoxP3+Tregs were performed by flow cytometry in 72 UC patients and 35 healthy controls, and ten active UC patients achieving remission after treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid were followed up. Expressions of β7, α4 and αE on FoxP3+Tregs were analyzed. Clinical indicators were retrospectively acquired and serum cytokines were detected using ELISA, and their correlations with FoxP3+Treg subsets were conducted. In active UC, levels of FoxP3+Tregs and CD226−FoxP3+Tregs regardless of TIGIT expression were significantly decreased while percentages of CD226+TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs and CD226+TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs were obviously increased. The expressions of β7, α4β7 and αEβ7 in FoxP3+Tregs, CD226−TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs and CD226−TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs were significantly elevated in active UC. Furthermore, inverse correlations were found between FoxP3+Tregs, CD226−TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs, CD226−TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs and serum CRP, as well as Mayo scores. IL-10 was reduced and positively correlated with CD226−TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs and CD226−TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs while IL-12 was increased and negatively correlated with CD226−TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs and CD226−TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs in active UC. In follow-up patients, the levels of FoxP3+Tregs, CD226−TIGIT+FoxP3+Tregs and CD226−TIGIT−FoxP3+Tregs and serum IL-10 levels were significantly recovered when achieving remission after treatment. Lack of CD226 expression on FoxP3+Tregs regardless of TIGIT expression may play an important role in exhibiting their suppressive function and preventing from disease activity in UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the impact of corticosteroids on the outcome of antiviral therapy in rheumatic patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐emia. Method: Sixty‐two patients with rheumatic disease complicated by CMV infection from 2011 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Fifty‐five of 62 patients were diagnosed with CMV‐DNAemia. Most patients (43/55, 78.2%) achieved viral clearance within 5 weeks. It was shown that, while undergoing active antiviral therapy, there was no significant difference in the CMV‐DNAemia clearance rate between the pulse methylprednisolone (MPSL) therapy group and non‐pulse group (8/9, 88.9% vs 30/36, 83.3%; OR = 1.600, 95% CI 0.168‐15.273, P > 0.05) at the end of the 5‐week follow‐up. However, pulse MPSL might slightly prolong duration of CMV‐DNAemia than non‐pulse MPSL patients (20.78 ± 19.18 days vs 14.33 ± 9.01 days, P = 0.1430), especially in the high baseline titer group (33.7 ± 29.1 days in pulse MPSL group vs 18.3 ± 13.1 days in non‐pulse group, P = 0.457). But in the low baseline titer group, CMVemia duration in the pulse MPSL group (14.3 ± 10.0 days) was about the same as that in the non‐pulse MPSL group (13.4 ± 7.8 days). Conclusion: With effective antiviral therapy, pulse MPSL is acceptable in rheumatic disease patients with CMV‐DNAemia, without significant impact on final clearance of virus. However, duration of CMV‐DNAemia may be prolonged, especially in patients with high CMV‐DNA titer at baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]