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Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an extremely rare condition. Information regarding the disease burden of PMP in developing countries is limited. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of PMP in China. PMP data were extracted from the national databases of Urban Basic Medical Insurance. All cases were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and Chinese diagnostic terms. The national prevalence from 2012 to 2016 and incidence in 2016 were estimated. In total, 153 patients with PMP were identified. The crude prevalence of PMP in 2016 was 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71 to 3.23) per million person-year, with a higher prevalence in females than males. Prevalence increased with age, with the first peak in those aged 15–29 years and the highest in those aged >80 years. The crude incidence of PMP in 2016 was 1.19 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.78) per million person-years. Similar to the prevalence, the rates were higher in women than in men. The incidence also increased with age, with the highest prevalence in those aged >80 years. Besides, the most frequent comorbidities before and after the first diagnosis of PMP were unspecified secondary malignancies and malignancies of unspecified sites, followed by abdominal malignant tumours. The rate of PMP was lower in mainland China than in European countries and increased with advancing age. Women were more likely to have PMP than men. Furthermore, an insufficient understanding of this rare disease presents a major challenge in accurately evaluating the disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereulide, a potent toxin produced by emetic Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), is a small, heat- and acid-stable cyclic dodecadepsipeptide known as a potassium-selective ionophore. Recently, cereulide is responsible for an increasing number of foodborne poisonings due to changes in lifestyle and eating habits. As such, the development of analytical methods for precise, rapid, and efficient detection of cereulide is necessary and urgently required for the health and safety of humans. The information currently available on the physicochemical properties and metabolic pathways of cereulide are briefly presented. The analytical methods for qualitative and quantitative detection of cereulide are presented and discussed with special emphasis on the inherent advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Investigating cereulide contamination requires detection of emetic B. cereus , cereulide, and/or its biomarkers. The primary method used for detection of emetic B. cereus is polymerase chain reaction, while whole genome sequencing is expected to become an alternative method in the future. PCR remains the gold standard for emetic B. cereus determination and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is widely accepted for cereulide quantification, while emerging techniques such as fluorescence and immunoassay have also been applied to detect cereulide and its biomarkers. It is also necessary to develop rapid screening methods to enhance the detection of cereulide in large numbers of samples. [Display omitted] • Physicochemical property and formation path of cereulide were summarized. • Advance in analytical methods for emetic B. cereus , cereulide and biomarkers was reviewed. • Polymerase chain reaction remains the gold standard for emetic B. cereus determination. • Mass spectrometry-based methods were predominantly for cereulide detection. • Rapid analytical method for screening purpose for cereulide was urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orange essential oil (OEO) is an important citrus by-product that has been utilized as a nutritional modulator. In the study, we investigated the effects of limonene, linalool, and decanal (the major components of OEO) on hepatic lipid composition and metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. The results showed that limonene, linalool and decanal treatments alleviated weight gain and dyslipidemia induced by HFD. In addition, compared to the HFD group, hepatic lipids were significantly altered in the treated groups, PIs, PEs and PGs screened as marker metabolites. Furthermore, we found that limonene, linalool and decanal accelerated the oxidation of fatty acids by stimulating of PPAR-α and CPT-1 expression. Therefore, our study can provide theoretical support for aromatics as nutritional regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anisodamine (654-1/654-2) significantly improved hemodynamics, and reduced plasma levels of lactic acid, inflammatory cytokines, endothelial and myocardial injury markers in septic shock rats. • 654-1 suppressed the NF-κB/NLRP-3 pathway, whereas 654-2 promoted the PI3K-AKT pathway and inhibited the NF-κB pathway. • Anisodamine (654-1/654-2) could alleviate myocardial damage in LPS-induced septic shock rats by improving inflammation invasion, cell apoptosis and endothelial injure. Septic shock, an extremely dangerous condition that causes impairment of organ function, always largely contributes to mortality in intensive care units. The impact of septic shock-induced organ damage on morbidity and mortality is substantially influenced by myocardial dysfunction. However, it remains unclear whether and in what manner anisodamine (654-1/654-2) ameliorates myocardial dysfunction caused by septic shock. This study is the pioneering investigation and validation about the protective efficacy of anisodamine (654-1/654-2) against LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction in septic shock rats. It also aims to explore the differences in the underlying molecular mechanisms of both drugs. A septic shock model was established in SD rats by after tail vein administration of LPS. 64 rats were distributed into eight groups, such as LPS group, control group, LPS+654-1 group (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg), and LPS+654-2 group (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg). The hemodynamics, echocardiography, immunohistochemical analysis, TEM, TUNEL assay, and H&E staining were utilized to assess the septic shock model and myocardial function. Lactic acid, inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), endothelial injure markers (SDC-1, HS and TM) and myocardial injury markers (CK, c-TNT and NT-pro BNP) were assessed using ELISA or biochemical kits. Additionally, the mechanisms of 654-1/654-2 were analyzed using RNA-seq and bioinformatics, and validated using western blotting and RT-PCR. Administration of 654-1/654-2 significantly restored hemodynamics and improved myocardial and endothelial glycocalyx injury in septic shock rats. Furthermore, 654-1/654-2 dose-dependently reduced plasma levels of lactic acid, inflammatory cytokines, and markers of endothelial and myocardial injury. Analyses using RNA-seq, WB and RT-PCR techniques indicated that 654-1/654-2 could mitigate myocardial and endothelial injury by inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP-3 pathways, and activating the PI3K-AKT pathway. These findings demonstrated that 654-1/654-2 could alleviate myocardial damage in septic shock rats. Specifically, 654-1 inhibited the NF-κB/NLRP-3 pathway, whereas 654-2 promoted the PI3K-AKT pathway and inhibited the NF-κB pathway, effectively mitigating the inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Factors affecting the interaction between pectin and sodium caseinate was studied. • Extraction of orange pectin was performed based on interaction of pectin and sodium caseinate. • Physicochemical properties of pectin extracted using this method were determined. Abstract The interaction between commercial orange pectin (COP) and sodium caseinate (SC) was studied using FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, and LSCM. The effect of different conditions on the formation and separation of COP-SC complex was determined. The extraction of the orange pectin using SC precipitation (SCOP) was performed, and the physicochemical properties of SCOP were determined and compared with the orange pectin extracted by alcohol precipitation (APOP). The results showed that the electrostatic interaction was the main interaction between these two polymers, and it was strongly dependent on pH, COP/SC ratio, and salt concentration. The mixture of COP and SC formed an electrostatic complex in the pH range of 1.5–6.8 with the absence of NaCl. The recovery rate of SCOP and precipitation rate of SC were 89.43% and 98.33% when the ratio was 1:15. The physicochemical properties of SCOP were almost the same as APOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The laser interferometric method and high-speed camera techniques are used simultaneously to study dynamic characteristics of a single vapor bubble growth and departure from an ITO heater surface submerged in ethanol. Two high-speed cameras are used simultaneously in this experiment: one is used to record interference fringes of the microlayer at the bubble's bottom and the other is used to record the growth and detachment of the single bubble synchronously from the side view. By comparing these images frame by frame, it is found that the bubble's growth time can be divided into two periods sequentially: the microlayer period and the lateral rewetting period. Variations of dry spot radius, bubble contact radius, bubble volume and diameter, dynamic contact angles during these two periods are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents geochronological, petrological and geochemical data for the newly discovered Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite (HMA) in the Shiquanhe area, central Tibetan Plateau. It is the first report for high-Mg andesites in the west section of the Bangong Meso-Tethys suture zone. The Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite is in contact with the Shiquanhe ophiolite peridotites and has pillow structures indicating underwater eruption. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yields Late Jurassic ages (160.8 ± 2.3 Ma and 160.7 ± 2.9 Ma). The Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite is characterized by moderate SiO 2 (54.07–63.89 wt%), high MgO (4.12–7.24 wt%), Cr (up to 251 ppm), Mg # (58–70), Th (6.7–12.1 ppm), (La/Sm) N (3.2–5.4), ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) t (0.713513 to 0.715180), and low Ba/Th, U/Th, and Sr/Y, similar to the well-documented Cenozoic high-Mg andesite in southwest Japan and elsewhere in Tibetan Plateau. Negative whole-rock ε Nd ( t ) (−12.5 to −13.4) and zircon ε Hf ( t ) (−8.7 to −9.8) values of the Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite are similar to those of Middle Jurassic or older sediments and magmatic rocks in the northern Lhasa terrane. We argue that the Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite may be derived from partial melting of subducted sediments and their subsequent interaction with the overlying mantle peridotite in a high-temperature and low-pressure setting. The southward subduction of the young and hot Shiquanhe back-arc oceanic crust may melt the mantle wedge and northern Lhasa terrane-derived sediments, leading to the formation of the Shiquanhe high-Mg andesite. We suggest an analogous example of the sanukite in the Setouchi Volcanic Belt (SVB), SW Japan, which was argued to be produced by the subduction of the young and hot Shikoku back-arc oceanic crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A “molecular cage” was possibly built in glucose alkaline solution to limit the chemical reaction in a tiny space to control the size and morphology of HA nanoparticles. A possible reaction mechanism of HA nanoparticles confined space synthesis was proposed in this work. The super-small HA nanoparticles were successfully obtained in the first time in mild and green condition which had a 7 nm diameter. The adsorptions to Pb 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ ions in their mixture solution by the synthesized HA nanoparticles were studied. The adsorbent showed huge adsorption capacities for the targets (Pb 2+  = 3289 mg/g, Zn 2+  = 3150 mg/g, Ni 2+  = 3061 mg/g and Cd 2+  = 2784 mg/g), which indicated an excellent performance of the synthesized nano material in water treatment. Freundlich equation analysis and SEM images of the adsorption products suggested multilayer adsorptions to the targets, and a new recrystalline type adsorption on the surface of the host was found. Some Ca atoms in HA nanoparticles were also found to be substituted by the heavy metallic elements in the initial stage of the adsorptions. The synthesized nano material exhibits better application prospect in wastewater treatment field for its easy synthesis, low-cost and environmental friendly properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS), a rare variant of osteosarcoma, may be easily misdiagnosed as aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). The aims of this study were to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic factors of TOS by reviewing our experience with TOS and to develop a diagnostic model that may distinguish TOS from ABC. Materials and methods We identified 51 cases of TOS treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from March 2001 to January 2016 and reviewed their records, imaging information and pathological studies. A diagnostic model was developed to differentiate TOS and ABC by Bayes discriminant analysis and was evaluated. The log-rank test was used to analyze the prognostic factors of TOS and to compare the outcome differences between TOS and other high-grade osteosarcoma subtypes. Results The multi-disciplinary diagnostic method employed that combined clinical, imaging, and pathological studies enhanced the diagnostic accuracy. Age 18 years or younger and pathologic fracture were more common among the TOS patients than among the ABC patients (P = .004 and .005, respectively). The average white blood cell (WBC), platelet, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values of the TOS patients were higher than those of the ABC patients ( P = .002, .003, .007, and .007, respectively). Our diagnostic model, including the aforementioned factors, accurately predicted 62% and 78% of the TOS patients in the training and validation sets, respectively. The 5-year estimates of event-free survival and overall survival of the TOS patients were 52.5 ± 9.4% and 54.9 ± 8.8%, respectively, which were similar to those of patients with other osteosarcoma subtypes ( P = .950 and .615, respectively). Tumor volume and the LDH level were predictive prognostic factors ( P = .040 and .044) but not the presence of pathologic fracture or misdiagnosis ( P = .424 and .632, all respectively). Conclusions The multi-disciplinary diagnostic method and diagnostic model based on predictive factors, i.e. , age, the presence of pathologic fracture, and platelet, LDH, ALP and WBC levels, aided the differentiation of TOS and ABC. Smaller tumors and normal LDH levels were associated with better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the characteristics of bacterial communities in intertidal sediments along the Yangtze Estuary and their responses to environmental factors. The results showed that bacterial abundance was significantly correlated with salinity, SO 4 2 − and total organic carbon, while bacterial diversity was significantly correlated with SO 4 2 − and total nitrogen. At different taxonomic levels, both the dominant taxa and their abundances varied among the eight samples, with Proteobacteria being the most dominant phylum in general. Cluster analysis revealed that the bacterial community structure was influenced by river runoff and sewerage discharge. Moreover, SO 4 2 − , salinity and total phosphorus were the vital environmental factors that influenced the bacterial community structure. Quantitative PCR and sequencing of sulphate-reducing bacteria indicated that the sulphate reduction process occurs frequently in intertidal sediments. These findings are important to understand the microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycles in estuarine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the 16S rRNA-based Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to investigate the bacterial community structure and composition of intertidal biofilm taken along the Yangtze Estuary. The results showed that 680,721 valid sequences of seven samples were assigned to 147,239 operational taxonomic units, which belonged to 49 phyla, 246 family and 314 genera. Compared to other studies on water and sediments in the study area, biofilms showed highest index of bacterial diversity and abundances. At different taxonomic levels, both dominant taxa and their abundances varied among the seven samples, with Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum in general. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that bacterial communities at WSK differed from those at other sampling sites. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and nutrients were the vital environmental factors to influence the bacterial community structure of biofilms. These results may provide a new insight into the microbial ecology in estuarine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the heat and mass transfer between evaporating water film and air in limited space, the temperature and humidity distributions of air near the flowing water film were measured using dual-wavelength digital holographic interference (DHI). The holograms were recorded by CMOS with two different wavelengths of 532 nm and 671 nm. We derived the relationships between the phase changes reconstructed from the holograms and the air temperature and humidity changes based on the Edlen formulas. A water film evaporation (WFE) model was built to generate steady water film and demonstrate the heat and mass transfer in air countercurrent to the water film, which flows down on the copper plate. The model has two symmetrical tunnels isolated by a copper plate in the middle, allowing to compare the cases of heat and mass transfer with and without evaporation. The measurement precision is checked by comparing the reconstructed results with the sensor measured values and by calculations of heat balance and dimensionless Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. Based on the measurement results, the concept of feature transfer distance (FTD), is proposed, which characterizes the intensity of heat and mass transfer. By analyzing FTD, the main influencing factors of heat and mass transfer were obtained. • Dual-wavelength DHI is used to reconstruct air temperature and humidity fields. • The FTD is proposed to analyze the development of temperature and humidity fields. • By analyzing FTD, water evaporation prompts heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]