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M dwarfs are the dominating type of stars in the solar neighbourhood. They serve as excellent tracers for the study of the distribution and properties of the nearby interstellar dust. In this work, we aim to obtain high accuracy reddening values of M dwarf stars from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Data Release 8 (DR8). Combining the LAMOST spectra with the high-quality optical photometry from the Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3), we have estimated the reddening values E (G BP − G RP) of 641 426 M dwarfs with the machine learning algorithm random forest regression. The typical reddening uncertainty is only 0.03 mag in E (G BP − G RP). We have obtained the reddening coefficient |$R_{(G_{\rm BP}-G_{\rm RP})}$|⁠ , which is a function of the stellar intrinsic colour (G BP − G RP)0 and reddening value E (B − V). The values of E (B − V) are also provided for the individual stars in our catalogue. Our resultant high accuracy reddening values of M dwarfs, combined with the Gaia parallaxes, will be very powerful to map the fine structures of the dust in the solar neighbourhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a large catalogue of molecular clouds with accurate distance estimates in the Southern sky. Based on the three-dimensional dust extinction map and the best-fitting extinction and distance information of over 17 million stars presented in Guo et al. (2021, ApJ, 906, 47), we have identified 250 dust/molecular clouds in the Southern sky using a hierarchical structure identification algorithm. Amongst these are 71 clouds located at high Galactic latitudes (b < −10°). We have estimated the distances to the clouds by fitting the extinction versus distance profiles of the lines of sight overlapping with the clouds, using a simple Gaussian dust distribution model. The typical uncertainties of the distances are less than 7 per cent. We also provide the physical properties of the individual clouds, including the linear radius, mass and surface mass density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high-resolution maps of the dust reddening in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). The maps cover the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud (LMC and SMC) area and have a spatial angular resolution between ∼26 arcsec and 55 arcmin. Based on the data from the optical and near-infrared (IR) photometric surveys, including the Gaia Survey, the SkyMapper Southern Survey (SMSS), the Survey of the Magellanic Stellar History (SMASH), the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), and the near-IR YJK S VISTA survey of the Magellanic Clouds system (VMC), we have obtained multiband photometric stellar samples containing over 6 million stars in the LMC and SMC area. Based on the measurements of the proper motions and parallaxes of the individual stars from Gaia Early Data Release 3 (Gaia EDR3), we have built clean samples that contain stars from the LMC, SMC, and Milky Way (MW), respectively. We apply the spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting to the individual sample stars to estimate their reddening values. As a result, we have derived the best-fitting reddening values of ∼1.9 million stars in the LMC, 1.5 million stars in the SMC, and 0.6 million stars in the MW, which are used to construct dust reddening maps in the MCs. Our maps are consistent with those from the literature. The resultant high-resolution dust maps in the MCs are not only important tools for reddening correction of sources in the MCs, but also fundamental for the studies of the distribution and properties of dust in the two galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) has been utilized for diagnosing infectious diseases. It is a culture‐free and hypothesis‐free nucleic acid test for diagnosing all pathogens with known genomic sequences, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. While this technique greatly expands the clinical capacity of pathogen detection, it is a second‐line choice due to lengthy procedures and microbial contaminations introduced from wet‐lab processes. As a result, we aimed to reduce the hands‐on time and exogenous contaminations in mNGS. Methods and Results: We developed a device (NGSmaster) that automates the wet‐lab workflow, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR‐free library preparation and purification. It shortens the sample‐to‐results time to 16 and 18·5 h for DNA and RNA sequencing respectively. We used it to test cultured bacteria for validation of the workflow and bioinformatic pipeline. We also compared PCR‐free with PCR‐based library prep and discovered no differences in microbial reads. Moreover we analysed results by automation and manual testing and found that automation can significantly reduce microbial contaminations. Finally, we tested artificial and clinical samples and showed mNGS results were concordant with traditional culture. Conclusion: NGSmaster can fulfil the microbiological diagnostic needs in a variety of sample types. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study opens up an opportunity of performing in‐house mNGS to reduce turnaround time and workload, instead of transferring potentially contagious specimen to a third‐party laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate the solar peculiar velocities and Oort constants using a sample of 5627 A-type stars with |$d\lt 0.6\, \rm kpc$| and |$|z|\lt 0.1\, \rm kpc$|⁠ , selected from the LAMOST (Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope) surveys. The radial and tangential velocities of these A-type stars are fitted by using a non-axisymmetric model. The best-fitting result yields the solar peculiar velocities |$(U_\odot ,V_\odot ,W_\odot)=(11.69\pm 0.68, 10.16\pm 0.51, 7.67\pm 0.10)\, \rm km\, s^{-1}$| and Oort constants |$A=16.31\pm 0.89\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$|⁠ , |$B=-11.99\pm 0.79\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$|⁠ , |$C=-3.10\pm 0.48\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$|⁠ , and |$K=-1.25\pm 1.04\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$|⁠. |$|K+C|\gt 4\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$| means that there is a radial velocity gradient in the extended local disc, implying that the local disc is in a non-asymmetric potential. Using the derived Oort constants, we derive the local angular velocity |$\Omega \, {\approx }\, A-B=28.30\pm 1.19\, \rm km\, s^{-1}\, kpc^{-1}$|⁠. By using A-type star sample of different volumes, we further try to evaluate the impacts of the ridge pattern in the R – V ϕ plane on constraining the solar motions and Oort constants. As the volume becomes larger towards the anticentre direction, the values of A and B become larger (implying a steeper slope of the local rotation curve) and the value of V ⊙ becomes smaller probably caused by the ridge structure and its signal increasing with distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter (with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2·5 μm, PM2·5) air pollution has been associated with skin‐related diseases or disorders. Objectives: To evaluate the potential skin‐protective effects of fish‐oil supplementation against PM2·5 exposure. Materials and methods: This is an exploratory analysis based on a pilot randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial among 65 healthy young adults between September 2017 and January 2018 in Shanghai, China. We randomly assigned participants to take either fish oil or placebo 2·5 g daily for four consecutive months. Four rounds of skin D‐Squame® tape samples were collected in the last 2 months, and five secondary biomarkers of skin inflammation and oxidative stress were measured. Fixed‐site PM2·5 concentrations on campus were measured in real time. We used linear mixed‐effect models to analyse the associations between short‐term PM2·5 exposure and biomarkers in each group. Results: The 24‐h average PM2·5 concentration was 34·68 ± 15·83 μg m−3. There were generally weaker associations between PM2·5 and biomarkers in the fish‐oil group than in the placebo group, but the associations and the between‐group differences varied by biomarkers and lag periods. Compared with the placebo group, for a 10‐μg m−3 increase in PM2·5 concentration, the increments of interleukin‐1α and carbonyl protein in the fish‐oil group were 41·55% smaller [95% confidence interval (CI) 4·61–78·48%] at lag 0–48 h and 22·01% smaller (95% CI 11·25–32·77%) at lag 0–24 h, respectively. No significant between‐group differences were observed for other biomarkers. Conclusions: This study suggested that dietary fish‐oil supplementation may improve biomarkers of skin inflammation and oxidative‐stress response to short‐term PM2·5 exposure. What is already known about this topic? Fine particulate matter (with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2·5 μm, PM2·5) air pollution may contribute to a range of skin diseases, including inflammatory skin diseases.Few studies have evaluated the potential skin‐protective effects of dietary supplements of anti‐inflammatory and/or antioxidative agents against PM2·5 exposure.There is an urgent need for exploring a simple and effective way to protect skin health against exposure to ambient PM2·5 in areas with severe air pollution. What does this study add? Dietary fish‐oil supplementation may potentially improve biomarkers of skin inflammation and oxidative‐stress response induced by exposure to fine particulate pollution.Findings from this study, if confirmed and extended to vulnerable populations such as patients with existing skin disorders, may have significant clinical and public health implications. Plain language summary available online [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a large, homogeneous catalogue of molecular clouds within 4 kpc from the Sun at low Galactic latitudes (| b | < 10°) with unprecedented accurate distance determinations. Based on the 3D dust reddening map and estimates of colour excesses and distances of over 32 million stars presented in Chen et al., we have identified 567 dust/molecular clouds with a hierarchical structure identification method and obtained their distance estimates by a dust model fitting algorithm. The typical distance uncertainty is less than 5 per cent. As far as we know, this is the first large catalogue of molecular clouds in the Galactic plane with distances derived in a direct manner. The clouds are seen to lie along the Sagittarius, Local and Perseus Arms. In addition to the known structures, we propose the existence of a possible spur , with a pitch angle of about 34°, connecting the Local and the Sagittarius Arms in the fourth quadrant. We have also derived the physical properties of those molecular clouds. The distribution of cloud properties in different parameter spaces agrees grossly with the previous results. Our cloud sample is an ideal starting point to study the concentration of dust and gas in the solar vicinity and their star formation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform analysis of the 3D kinematics of Milky Way disc stars in mono-age populations. We focus on stars between Galactocentric distances of R  = 6 and 14  kpc, selected from the combined LAMOST Data Release 4 (DR4) red clump giant stars and Gaia DR2 proper motion catalogue. We confirm the 3D asymmetrical motions of recent works and provide time tagging of the Galactic outer disc asymmetrical motions near the anticentre direction out to Galactocentric distances of 14 kpc. Radial Galactocentric motions reach values up to 10 km s−1, depending on the age of the population, and present a north–south asymmetry in the region corresponding to density and velocity substructures that were sensitive to the perturbations in the early 6  Gyr. After that time, the disc stars in this asymmetrical structure have become kinematically hotter, and are thus not sensitive to perturbations, and we find the structure is a relatively younger population. With quantitative analysis, we find stars both above and below the plane at R ≳ 9 kpc that exhibit bending mode motions of which the sensitive duration is around 8  Gyr. We speculate that the in-plane asymmetries might not be mainly caused by a fast rotating bar, intrinsically elliptical outer disc, secular expansion of the disc, or streams. Spiral arm dynamics, out-of-equilibrium models, minor mergers or others are important contributors. Vertical motions might be dominated by bending and breathing modes induced by complicated inner or external perturbers. It is likely that many of these mechanisms are coupled together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more effective testing the abatement effects of radon exposure with different counter measures, an air-conditioned laboratory room was reformed as an experimental chamber. Based on the well control and real time monitoring of concentrations of 222Rn, its attached and unattached progeny and their size distributions, the chamber could provide three modules corresponding to ventilation, source reduction and filtration for abating radon exposure. Preliminary results showed that the chamber was useful for testing the abatement effect of indoor radon exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the influence of the static electricity on the measurement using passive radon detector, detectors were charged at the surface of chamber and its CR-39 elements respectively on purpose before the exposure in this study. The results of in-chamber experiments revealed that the static electricity would lead to critical influence on measurement especially when the CR-39 elements were negatively charged. The static charge would remain for several ten hours, which result in more significant influence on the short-term measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present three-dimensional (3D) dust mapping of 12 supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galactic anticentre (Galactic longitude l between 150○ and 210○) based on a recent 3D interstellar extinction map. The dust distribution of the regions, which cover the full extents in the radio continuum for the individual SNRs, is discussed. Four SNRs show significant spatial coincidences between molecular clouds (MCs) revealed from the 3D extinction mapping and the corresponding radio features. The results confirm the interactions between these SNRs and their surrounding MCs. Based on these correlations, we provide new distance estimates of the four SNRs, G189.1+3.0 (IC443, |$d=1729^{+116}_{-94} \rm \, pc$|⁠), G190.9–2.2 (⁠|$d=1036^{+17}_{-81} \rm \, pc$|⁠), G205.5+0.5 (⁠|$d=941^{+96}_{-94}$| or |$1257^{+92}_{-101} \rm \, pc$|⁠), and G213.0–0.6 (⁠|$d=1146^{+79}_{-80} \rm \, pc$|⁠). In addition, we find indirect evidences of potential interactions between SNRs and MCs for three other SNRs. New distance constraints are also given for these three SNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate whether decoloured cell‐free supernatant of Lysobacter enzymogenes C3 can decrease paper bioreceptivity to fungal attack. Methods and Results: To prepare colourless C3 supernatant, single‐factor design and uniform design were applied. The optimum conditions with high decolouration degree and low antifungal activity loss were achieved as follows: carbon granule content 1·6% (M/V), temperature 27°C, decolouring time 1·2 h and pH 8·0. An agar plate bioassay was used to assess the antifungal activity of the decoloured supernatant against the fungal isolates obtained from contaminated books, and strong suppression was observed. Small‐sacle laboratory test was further introduced, in which common book papers were artificially inoculated with the fungal isolates, and then sprayed uniformly with decoloured supernatant or water. The results showed that, after treatment, the paper showed a significantly low extent of fungal colonization and high tensile strength, and maintained the same colour before and after treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that the decoloured C3 supernatant inhibits fungal growth on types of paper commonly used in books. Significance and Impact of the Study: Decoloured C3 supernatant could be used as a preventive agent to protect books and other paper‐based items against fungal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new three-dimensional (3D) interstellar dust reddening maps of the Galactic plane in three colours, E (G − K S), E (G BP − G RP), and E (H − K S). The maps have a spatial angular resolution of 6 arcmin and covers over 7000 deg2 of the Galactic plane for Galactic longitude 0° < l < 360° and latitude | b | < 10°. The maps are constructed from robust parallax estimates from the Gaia Data Release 2 (Gaia DR2) combined with the high-quality optical photometry from the Gaia DR2 and the infrared photometry from the Two Micron All Sky Survey and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer survey. We estimate the colour excesses, E (G − K S), E (G BP − G RP), and E (H − K S), of over 56 million stars with the machine-learning algorithm Random Forest regression, using a training data set constructed from the large-scale spectroscopic surveys, Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope, Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration, and Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment. The results reveal the large-scale dust distribution in the Galactic disc, showing a number of features consistent with the earlier studies. The Galactic dust disc is clearly warped and show complex structures possibly spatially associated with the Sagittarius, Local, and Perseus arms. We also provide the empirical extinction coefficients for the Gaia photometry that can be used to convert the colour excesses presented here to the line-of-sight extinction values in the Gaia photometric bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification of stellar spectra from voluminous spectra is a very important and challenging task. In order to better classify stellar spectra, inspired by the principle of deep convolutional neural network (CNN), we propose a supervised algorithm for stellar spectra classification based on 1D stellar spectra convolutional neural network (1D SSCNN). In 1D SSCNN, we modify the traditional 2D convolutional neural network into 1D network to adapt to the spectral classification. On the basis of using convolution algorithm, the spectral features are extracted and used for classification. We first use the stellar spectra data to train a 1D SSCNN to obtain a well-trained model, and then we apply the well-trained model to classify the unknown spectra. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms, we apply 1D SSCNN to classify three spectral types: F-type spectra, G-type spectra, and K-type spectra and 10 subclasses of K-type spectra: A0-type, A5-type, F0-type, F5-type, G0-type, G5-type, K0-type, K5-type, M0-type, and M5-type spectra from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our 1D SSCNN algorithm obtain higher classification accuracy compared with support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we expand the coverage and improve the homogeneity of the distribution of MILES template stars in the parameter space, as well as extend the wavelength coverage of the template spectra to the far red beyond the Ca  ii triplet. To achieve this, we have carried out a major observational campaign using two long-slit spectrographs: the OMR mounted on the National Astronomy Observatory of China (NAOC) 2.16-m telescope and the Yunnan Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (YFOSC) mounted on the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory (YNAO) 2.4-m telescope. The original sample is based on the MILES library, supplemented by 918 stars selected from the PASTEL data base. In total, 822 OMR and 1324 YFOSC spectra have been collected and reduced, covering the wavelength ranges λλ3800–5180 and λλ5150–9000, respectively. The spectra have a mean resolution full width at half-maximum of ∼3.3 Å and are wavelength- and flux-calibrated to an accuracy of ∼20 km s−1 and ∼5 per cent, respectively. The spectra are further corrected for systematic errors in the wavelength calibration to an accuracy of ∼4 km s−1 by cross-correlating with the theoretical spectra. Almost all the spectra have an average signal-to-noise ratio better than 100 per pixel. Combined with the MILES spectra, there are now 1731, 1542, 1324 and 1273 stars with spectra covering λλ3800–5180, λλ3800–7500, λλ5150–9000 and λλ3800–9000, respectively. In this paper, we describe our template star selection, the observation and data reduction, and we present the reduced spectra collected hitherto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed analysis of the selection function of the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anti-centre (LSS-GAC). LSS-GAC was designed to obtain low-resolution optical spectra for a sample of more than 3 million stars in the Galactic anti-centre. The second release of value-added catalogues of the LSS-GAC (LSS-GAC DR2) contains stellar parameters, including radial velocity, atmospheric parameters, elemental abundances, and absolute magnitudes deduced from 1.8 million spectra of 1.4 million unique stars targeted by the LSS-GAC between 2011 and 2014. For many studies using this data base, such as those investigating the chemodynamical structure of the Milky Way, a detailed understanding of the selection function of the survey is indispensable. In this paper, we describe how the selection function of the LSS-GAC can be evaluated to sufficient detail and provide selection function corrections for all spectroscopic measurements with reliable parameters released in LSS-GAC DR2. The results, to be released as new entries in the LSS-GAC value-added catalogues, can be used to correct the selection effects of the catalogue for scientific studies of various purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether a prolonged interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and esophagectomy could benefits conditions such as rectal cancer, still remains unknown. We therefore performed the current study to evaluate the influence of the interval between nCRT and esophagectomy on the clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer. PubMed and Embase were searched to identify eligible cohort studies. The primary outcome was five-year overall survival (OS), and secondary outcomes included the incidence of anastomotic complications, perioperative mortality, pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) rate, and R0 resection rate. A random-effects model was used for all meta-analyses irrespective of heterogeneity. Ten cohort studies with 2383 patients were included. Overall, the pooled estimate revealed that the prolonged interval has no impact on five-year OS (odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.14, P = 0.30), with low heterogeneity (PH = 0.78, I2 = 0%). However, it was associated with an increased risk of anastomotic complication (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.54, P = 0.008), with no effect on perioperative mortality (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.83, P = 0.40). Additionally, the prolonged interval failed to increase the pCR rate (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.33, P = 0.89). Even worse, it was correlated with a decreased R0 resection rate (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.88, P = 0.009) and increased positive CRM rate (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.36, P < 0.001). This study suggests that the prolonged interval between nCRT and esophagectomy fails to result in better outcomes, and in fact, could worsen clinical outcomes, with increasing anastomotic complications, and undermine resection completeness. However, this conclusion should be treated with caution because of the limitations of retrospective cohort study and substantial clinical heterogeneity. (The study was registered at PRESPERO as CRD42016048210). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a three-dimensional (3D) extinction analysis in the region towards the supernova remnant (SNR) S147 (G180.0-1.7) using multiband photometric data from the Xuyi Schmidt Telescope Photometric Survey of the Galactic Anticentre (XSTPS-GAC), 2MASS and WISE. We isolate a previously unrecognized dust structure likely to be associated with SNR S147. The structure, which we term as 'S147 dust cloud', is estimated to have a distance d = 1.22 ± 0.21 kpc, consistent with the conjecture that S147 is associated with pulsar PSR J0538 + 2817. The cloud includes several dense clumps of relatively high extinction that locate on the radio shell of S147 and coincide spatially with the CO and gamma-ray emission features. We conclude that the usage of CO measurements to trace the SNR associated MCs is unavoidably limited by the detection threshold, dust depletion and the difficulty of distance estimates in the outer Galaxy. 3D dust extinction mapping may provide a better way to identify and study SNR-MC interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the second release of value-added catalogues of the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anticentre (LSS-GAC DR2). The catalogues present values of radial velocity Vr, atmospheric parameters - effective temperature Teff, surface gravity log g, metallicity [Fe/H], α-element to iron (metal) abundance ratio [α/Fe] ([α/M]), elemental abundances [C/H] and [N/H] and absolute magnitudes MV and MKs deduced from 1.8 million spectra of 1.4 million unique stars targeted by the LSS-GAC since 2011 September until 2014 June. The catalogues also give values of interstellar reddening, distance and orbital parameters determined with a variety of techniques, as well as proper motions and multiband photometry from the far-UV to the mid-IR collected from the literature and various surveys. Accuracies of radial velocities reach 5 km s-1 for the late-type stars, and those of distance estimates range between 10 and 30 per cent, depending on the spectral signal-to-noise ratios. Precisions of [Fe/H], [C/H] and [N/H] estimates reach 0.1 dex, and those of [α/Fe] and [α/M] reach 0.05 dex. The large number of stars, the contiguous sky coverage, the simple yet non-trivial target selection function and the robust estimates of stellar radial velocities and atmospheric parameters, distances and elemental abundances make the catalogues a valuable data set to study the structure and evolution of the Galaxy, especially the solar-neighbourhood and the outer disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotation curve (RC) of the Milky Way out to ~100 kpc has been constructed using ~16 000 primary red clump giants (PRCGs) in the outer disc selected from the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anti-centre (LSS-GAC) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)-III/APOGEE survey, combined with ~5700 halo K giants (HKGs) selected from the SDSS/SEGUE survey. To derive the RC, the PRCG sample of the warm disc population and the HKG sample of halo stellar population are, respectively, analysed using a kinematical model allowing for the asymmetric drift corrections and re-analysed using the spherical Jeans equation along with measurements of the anisotropic parameter β currently available. The typical uncertainties of RC derived from the PRCG and HKG samples are, respectively, 5- 7 km s-1 and several tens km s-1.We determine a circular velocity at the solar position, Vc(R0) = 240 ± 6 km s-1 and an azimuthal peculiar speed of the Sun, V☉ = 12.1 ± 7.6 km s-1, both in good agreement with the previous determinations. The newly constructed RC has a generally flat value of 240 km s-1 within a Galactocentric distance r of 25 kpc and then decreases steadily to 150 km s-1 at r ~ 100 kpc. On top of this overall trend, the RC exhibits two prominent localized dips, one at r ~11 kpc and another at r ~ 19 kpc. From the newly constructed RC, combined with other constraints, we have built a parametrized mass model for the Galaxy, yielding a virial mass of the MilkyWay's dark matter halo of 0.90+0.07 -0.08 × 1012 M☉ and a local dark matter density, ρ☉,dm = 0.32+0.02 -0.02 GeV cm-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters accumulated by many bacteria under unbalanced growth conditions, and have been used to meet the various demands in areas of agriculture, medicine, and materials especially belong to a rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. Unfortunately, the high production cost than the traditional synthetic materials has greatly limited the wide application of PHA. Here, we systematically summarized recent progress in production of PHAs and a series of optimization strategies such as supplying renewable carbon substrates, developing better bacterial strains, optimization of fermentation processes, engineering new pathways and etc., were applied to reduce production cost, therefore providing many new ideas and methods for the production of PHAs in economically viable processes. This is believed to be a comprehensive report to show different strategies and methods for low-cost production of PHAs. Further studies are still needed to make PHAs more and more economically viable to meet a wide range of applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been developed as a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia for years. However, the optimal length of submucosal tunnel and myotomy of muscle bundles during procedure of POEM has not yet been determined, so we aim to assess safety and efficacy of modified POEM with shorter myotomy of muscle bundles in achalasia patients. Consecutive achalasia patients had been performed modified POEM with shorter myotomy, and assessed by symptoms, high-resolution manometry, and barium swallow examinations before and 3 months after POEM for safety and efficacy evaluation. Modified POEM with shorter submucosal tunnel (mean length 6.8 cm) and endoscopic myotomy of muscle bundles (total mean length 5.4 cm) were completed in 46 consecutive achalasia patients. During the 3-month follow up in all cases, significant improvement of symptoms (a significant drop in the Eckardt score 8.4 ± 3.2 vs. 2.7 ± 1.9; P < 0.001), decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure (39.4 ± 10.1 vs. 24.4 ± 9.1 mmHg; P < 0.001) and integrated relaxation pressure (38.6 ± 10.4 vs. 25.7 ± 9.6 mmHg; P < 0.01), and a drop in height of esophagus barium-contrast column (5.4 ± 3.1 vs. 2.6 ± 1.8 cm; P < 0.001) were observed. The frequencies of adverse events were lower in those under endotracheal anesthesia and CO2 insufflations compared with intravenous anesthesia and air insufflations. Only three patients were found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease on follow up. Modified POEM with shorter myotomy under endotracheal anesthesia and CO2 insufflations shows its good safety and excellent short-term efficacy in the treatment of achalasia. But further studies are warranted to assess the long-term efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more accurate assessment of the enhanced external exposure to dwellers caused by decorative stones, based on a model room and different decorative conditions, the 3-D distributions of indoor gamma dose rates were computed by the Monte Carlo simulations, and a new model was established to estimate the extra gamma dose rate at the centre of the room in this study. For verification of the simulation results, the gamma radiation was both instantaneously and cumulatively measured in a test room. The results showed that both the gamma dose rate at the centre of the room and the distribution of indoor gamma radiation were in general agreement with the simulated ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wire screens are widely used for sampling radioactive aerosols. The front-to-total activity ratio is a critical factor in describing the self-shielding effect of the wire screens. In this study, computational fluid dynamic method was applied to simulate the deposition of aerosols on the surface of the wire screens. Four different types of screens were investigated for particle size varying from 1 nm to 10 µm. Experimental verification was carried out in a radon chamber. The results showed good agreement between experimental data interception and the simulation. Significant differences on the front-to-total activity ratio for the different types of screens were observed when the size of particle was <20 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, based on the electrostatic integrating radon monitor (EIRM) developed by Iida et al., a new type of EIRM with the allyl glycol carbonate (CR-39) as alpha-particle detector was developed for outdoor radon measurements. Besides using the CR-39 to replace the cellulose nitrate film as alpha-particle detector, the electrode and the setting place of the CR-39 were also optimally designed based on the simulation results of the electric field and the detection efficiency. The calibration factor of the new EIRM was estimated to be 0.136±0.002 tracks cm-2 (Bq m-3 h)-1, with the lower detection limit of 0.6 Bq m-3 for a 2-month exposure. Furthermore, both the battery and the dry agent were also replaced to protect the environment. The results of intercomparison and field experiments showed that the performances of the new EIRM were much better than the original one. It suggests that the new type of ERIM is more suitable for large-scale and long-term outdoor radon surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between murine double minute 2 ( MDM2) T309G polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk has been discussed with discrepant results. The aim of our study is to investigate the systematic association between the potentially functional MDM2 T309G polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk. Eligible studies were included through searching the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (up to April 2014). The crude odds ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) were used to estimate the strength of the association. Six published case-control studies, including 1899 cases and 3016 controls, were identified. Overall, our study suggested that MDM2 T309G polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer ( TT vs. GG: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65-0.90, P = 0.002; T vs. G: OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.96, P = 0.002). In subgroup analyses stratified by source of controls, ethnicity, and quality score assessment, respectively, similar results were obtained ( TT vs. GG: OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.48-0.89, P = 0.007 for hospital-based studies; T vs. G: OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81-0.99, P = 0.04 for population-based studies; and T vs. G: OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.78-0.93, P = 0.004 for Asians). The results of Begg's test and Egger's test did not suggest publication bias in the studies. Therefore, the MDM2 T309G polymorphism may be significantly associated with increased esophageal cancer risk, especially among Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The combination of fat grafting and negative pressure ( VAC) therapy represents a synergistic interaction of all essential components for wound healing. The aim of this experimental study was to determine whether it could promote healing of wounds with exposed bone. Methods Full-thickness wounds with denuded bone in Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either polyurethane foam dressing, fat grafting alone, polyurethane foam dressing with VAC, or polyurethane foam dressing with VAC combined with a single, or two administrations of fat graft. Wound healing kinetics, tissue growth, cell proliferation (Ki-67) and angiogenesis (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 and α-smooth muscle actin) were investigated. Messenger RNA levels related to angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b- FGF)), profibrosis (platelet-derived growth factor A and transforming growth factor β), adipocyte expression (fatty acid-binding protein ( FABP) 4 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ), and extracellular matrix remodelling (collagen I) were measured in wound tissues. Results Wounds treated by VAC combined with fat grafting were characterized by cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis and maturation of functional blood vessels; they showed accelerated granulation tissue growth over the denuded bone compared with VAC- or foam dressing-treated wounds. Fat grafting alone over denuded bone resulted in complete necrosis. Expression of angiogenesis markers ( VEGF and b- FGF) and adipocyte expression factors ( FABP-4) was upregulated in wounds treated with VAC combined with fat grafting. Conclusion Fat grafting with VAC therapy may represent a simple but effective clinical solution for a number of complex tissue defects, and warrants testing in clinical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We re-estimate the peculiar velocity of the Sun with respect to the local standard of rest (LSR) using a sample of local stars within 600 pc of the Sun, selected from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST, also named the Guoshoujing Telescope) Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anti-centre (LSS-GAC). The sample consists of 94 332 FGK main-sequence stars with well-determined radial velocities and atmospheric parameters. To derive the LSR, two independent analyses are applied to the data. First, we determine the solarmotion by comparing the observed velocity distribution to that generated with the analytic formulism of Schönrich & Binney that has been demonstrated to show excellent agreement with rigorous torus-based dynamics modelling by Binney & McMillan. Secondly, we propose that cold populations of thin disc stars, selected by applying an orbital eccentricity cut, can be directly used to determine the LSR without the need of asymmetric drift corrections. Both approaches yield consistent results of solarmotion in the direction of Galactic rotation, V⊙, that are much higher than the standard value adopted hitherto, derived from Strömgren's equation. The newly deduced values of V⊙ are 1-2 km s-1 smaller than the more recent estimates derived from the Geneva-Copenhagen Survey (GCS) sample of stars in the solar neighbourhood (within 100 pc).We attribute the small difference to the presence of several well-known moving groups in the GCS sample that, fortunately, hardly affect the LSS-GAC sample. The newly derived radial (U⊙) and vertical (W⊙) components of the solar motion agree well with the previous studies. In addition, for all components of the solar motion, the values yielded by stars of different spectral types in the LSS-GAC sample are consistent with each other, suggesting that the local disc is well relaxed and that the LSR reported in the current work is robust. Our final recommended LSR is, (U⊙, V⊙,W⊙)=(7.01 ± 0.20, 10.13 ± 0.12, 4.95 ± 0.09) km s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the correlation between extinction and HI and CO emission at intermediate and high Galactic latitudes (|b| > 10°) within the footprint of the Xuyi Schmidt Telescope Photometric Survey of the Galactic anticentre (XSTPS-GAC) on small and large scales. In Paper I, we present a three-dimensional (3D) dust extinction map within the footprint of XSTPS-GAC, covering a sky area of over 6000 deg² at a spatial angular resolution of 6 arcmin. In the current work, the map is combined with data from gas tracers, including HI data from the Galactic Arecibo L-band Feed Array HI survey and CO data from the Planck mission, to constrain the values of dust-to-gas ratio DGR = AV/N(H) and CO-to-H2 conversion factor XCO = N(H2)/WCO for the entire GAC footprint excluding the Galactic plane, as well as for selected star-forming regions (such as the Orion, Taurus and Perseus clouds) and a region of diffuse gas in the northern Galactic hemisphere. For the whole GAC footprint, we find DGR = (4.15 ± 0.01) × 10-22 mag cm² and XCO = (1.72 ± 0.03) × 1020 cm-2 (K km s-1)-1. We have also investigated the distribution of 'CO-dark' gas (DG) within the footprint of GAC and found a linear correlation between the DG column density and the V-band extinction: N (DG) ≃ 2.2 × 1021(AV - AcV) cm-2. The mass fraction of DG is found to be fDG ~ 0.55 towards the Galactic anticentre, which is respectively about 23 and 124 per cent of the atomic and CO-traced molecular gas in the same region. This result is consistent with the theoretical work of Papadopoulos et al. but much larger than that expected in the H2 cloud models by Wolfire et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed and implemented an iterative algorithm of flux calibration for the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic anticentre (LSS-GAC). For a given LSS-GAC plate, the spectra are first processed with a set of nominal spectral response curves (SRCs) and used to derive initial stellar atmospheric parameters (effective temperature Teff, surface gravity log g and metallicity [Fe/H]) as well as dust reddening E(B − V) of all targeted stars. For each of the 16 spectrographs, several F-type stars with good signal-to-noise ratios are selected as flux standard stars for further, iterative spectral flux calibration. Comparison of spectrophotometric colours, deduced from the flux-calibrated spectra, with the photometric measurements yield average differences of 0.02 ± 0.07 and −0.04 ± 0.09 mag for (g − r) and (g − i), respectively. The relatively large negative offset in (g − i) is because we have opted not to correct for the telluric bands, most notably the atmospheric A band in the wavelength range of the i band. Comparison of LSS-GAC multi-epoch observations of duplicate targets indicates that the algorithm has achieved an accuracy of about 10 per cent in relative flux calibration for the wavelength range 4000–9000 Å. The shapes of SRCs deduced for individual LAMOST spectrographs vary by up to 30 per cent for a given night, and larger for different nights, indicating that the derivation of SRCs for the individual plates is essential to achieve accurate flux calibration for the LAMOST spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) stellar parameter pipeline at Peking University – lsp3, developed and implemented for the determinations of radial velocity Vr and stellar atmospheric parameters (effective temperature Teff, surface gravity log g, metallicity [Fe/H]) for the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anticentre (LSS-GAC). We describe the algorithms of lsp3 and examine the accuracy of parameters yielded by it. The precision and accuracy of parameters yielded are investigated by comparing results of multi-epoch observations and of candidate members of open and globular clusters, with photometric calibration, as well as with independent determinations available from a number of external data bases, including the PASTEL archive, the APOGEE, SDSS and RAVE surveys, as well as those released in the LAMOST DR1. The uncertainties of lsp3 parameters are characterized and quantified as a function of the spectral signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and stellar atmospheric parameters. We conclude that the current implementation of lsp3 has achieved an accuracy of 5.0 km s−1, 150 K, 0.25 dex, 0.15 dex for the radial velocity, effective temperature, surface gravity and metallicity, respectively, for LSS-GAC spectra of FGK stars of SNRs per pixel higher than 10. The lsp3 has been applied to over a million LSS-GAC spectra collected hitherto. Stellar parameters yielded by the lsp3 will be released to the general public following the data policy of LAMOST, together with estimates of the interstellar extinction E(B − V) and stellar distances, deduced by combining spectroscopic and multiband photometric measurements using a variety of techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As a major component of the LAMOST Galactic surveys, the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anticentre (LSS-GAC) aims to survey a significant volume of the Galactic thin/thick discs and halo for a contiguous sky area of over 3400 deg2 centred on the Galactic anticentre (|b| ≤ 30°, 150 ≤ l ≤ 210°), and obtain λλ3700–9000 low-resolution (R ∼ 1800) spectra for a statistically complete sample of ∼3 M stars of all colours down to a limiting magnitude of r ∼ 17.8 mag (to 18.5 mag for limited fields). Together with Gaia, the LSS-GAC will yield a unique data set to advance our understanding of the structure and assemblage history of the Galaxy, in particular its disc(s). In addition to the main survey, the LSS-GAC will also target hundreds of thousands objects in the vicinity fields of M 31 and M 33 and survey a significant fraction (over a million) of randomly selected very bright stars (r ≤ 14 mag) in the Northern hemisphere. During the Pilot and the first year Regular Surveys of LAMOST, a total of 1042 586 [750 867] spectra of a signal-to-noise ratio S/N(7450 Å) ≥ 10 [S/N(4650 Å) ≥ 10] have been collected. In this paper, we present a detailed description of the target selection algorithm, survey design, observations and the first data release of value-added catalogues (including radial velocities, effective temperatures, surface gravities, metallicities, values of interstellar extinction, distances, proper motions and orbital parameters) of the LSS-GAC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims To improve the oxygen-tolerant capability of a newly isolated anaerobic bacterium and to biosynthesize O-desmethylangolensin ( O-Dma) from daidzein aerobically. Methods and Results After a long-term domestication process, an oxygen-tolerant bacterium, which we named Aeroto- AUH- JLC108, was derived from the newly isolated obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium sp. AUH- JLC108. Strain Aeroto- AUH- JLC108 differed from the natively anaerobic wild-type strain AUH- JLC108 by various characteristics, including a change in bacterial shape, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequences. Both the growth speed and the maximal optical density ( OD) value of strain Aeroto- AUH- JLC108 grown aerobically were significantly increased compared to that of the wild-type strain grown anaerobically. The maximal concentration of the substrate daidzein that the oxygen-tolerant strain Aeroto-AUH-JLC108 grown aerobically was able to convert efficiently was 2·0 mmol l−1 and 0·6 mmol l−1 for strain AUH- JLC108 that was grown anaerobically. Conclusions Strain Aeroto- AUH- JLC108 is a conditional oxygen-tolerant bacterium. The growth speed, bacterial growth mass and bioconversion capability of strain Aeroto- AUH- JLC108 grown aerobically was significantly increased compared to that of the wild-type strain AUH- JLC108 grown anaerobically. Significance and Impact of the Study Strain Aeroto- AUH- JLC108 is the first reported pure culture responsible for the formation of O-Dma from daidzein in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a three-dimensional extinction map in the r band. The map has a spatial angular resolution, depending on latitude, between 3 and 9 arcmin and covers the entire Xuyi Schmidt Telescope Photometric Survey of the Galactic Anticentre (XSTPS-GAC) survey area of over 6000 deg2 for Galactic longitude 140 < l < 240 deg and latitude −60 < b < 40 deg. By cross-matching the photometric catalogue of the XSTPS-GAC with those of 2MASS and WISE, we have built a multiband photometric stellar sample of about 30 million stars and applied spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting to the sample. By combining photometric data from the optical to the near-infrared, we are able to break the degeneracy between the intrinsic stellar colours and the amounts of extinction by dust grains for stars with high photometric accuracy, and trace the extinction as a function of distance for low Galactic latitude and thus highly extincted regions. This has allowed us to derive the best-fitting extinction and distance information of more than 13 million stars, which are used to construct the three-dimensional extinction map. We have also applied a Rayleigh–Jeans colour excess (RJCE) method to the data using the 2MASS and WISE colour (H − W2). The resulting RJCE extinction map is consistent with the integrated two-dimensional map deduced using the best-fitting SED algorithm. However for individual stars, the amounts of extinction yielded by the RJCE method suffer from larger errors than those given by the best-fitting SED algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid ( SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, have not been studied in esophageal squamous cell cancer ( ESCC). Cell viability assay; flow cytometry for cell cycle and annexin V apoptosis assays; assays for cell migration, invasion, and adhesion to extracellular matrix ( ECM); and immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed in three ESCC cell lines. Tumor xenograft with semiquantitative immunohistochemistry was used to study the effects of SAHA in vivo. SAHA effectively inhibited growth of ESCC cells with half-inhibitory concentrations ( IC50) ranging from 2.6 to 6.5 μmol/L. SAHA restored acetylation of histone 3 lysine 9 ( H3K9Ac) and histone 4 lysine 12 ( H4K12Ac) with an induction of G1 or G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Expression of cell cycle checkpoint regulatory proteins including cyclin-dependent kinases ( CDKs) and cyclins was decreased, whereas expression of cell cycle suppressors, p21, p27, and Rb was increased in ESCC cells after SAHA treatment. SAHA inhibited migration, invasion, and ECM adhesion in ESCC cells with an induction of E-cadherin expression. SAHA significantly inhibited growth of ESCC tumors with increased expression of p21, p27, Rb, and E-cadherin while decreasing expression of CDK4 and cyclin D1 within the murine tumors. In conclusion, SAHA had antigrowth activity against ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo while inhibiting cell migration, cell invasion, and ECM adhesion, suggesting its potential as an epigenetic therapeutic agent for ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously unknown symbiotic fungus DT06 has been isolated from the single-celled blue-green alga Chroococcus sp. The sequences of ITS1, 5.8S r DNA and ITS2 regions of DT06 have a high similarity with that of Simplicillium (98%), which is closely related to Simplicillium lanosoniveum based on further phylogenetic analysis. However, DT06 produces unusual exocellular crystals with its conidium size twice that of S. lanosoniveum. Hence, DT06 is proposed to be a varietas of S. lanosoniveum and named as S. lanosoniveum var. Tianjinienss. Dong. (Type specimen was deposited at China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center, Number: CGMCC4460.). The striking character of DT06 is its massive production of a unique extracellular polysaccharide, which is composed of glucose and galactose and linked by 1-4 and 1-6 glycoside bonds according to UV, IR and NMR analysis. Therefore, DT06 may represent a new source of bioactive products, and also, its unusual symbiotic partnership with blue-green algae provides a model for investigating the interaction between photoautotrophic and heterotrophic micro-organisms in aquatic ecosystems. Significance and Impact of the Study A novel fungus ( Simplicillium) symbiotic with a single-celled blue-green alga Chroococcus sp. and its major primary metabolite have been isolated and identified. These findings broaden the scope of symbiotic fungi and provide a unique extracellular polysaccharide with potential applications in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the wide-spread and application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the demand of its standardization construction is increasingly prominent. On the basis of further investigation into the standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, this article summarize the research status of Chinese standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, analyse some problems existing in current construction of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization, and put forward several strategies for moving forward, in order to show an overall and objective understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, a number of patients present intolerance to chemoradiotherapy because of advanced age or malnutrition. Erlotinib, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, was shown to be effective in treating esophageal carcinoma, with mild toxicities. In this pilot study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of concurrent erlotinib and radiotherapy as an alternative treatment modality for esophageal carcinoma patients who are intolerant to chemoradiotherapy. Pathologically diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who could not tolerate concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. All patients were treated with concurrent erlotinib and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Erlotinib was given orally for 60 days (150 mg per day). Radiotherapy (total dose, 60 Gy) was given at dosages of 2 Gy for a total of 30 times. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess epidermal growth factor receptor expression. Toxicities were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). The overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional relapse-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Between December 2007 and March 2011, 18 patients were enrolled. The median age was 71.5 years. Primary disease was stages II, III, and IV in 3, 8, and 4 patients, respectively. There were three patients with recurrent disease after radical surgery. The median follow-up time was 17.2 months. Grade 3 esophagitis and skin rash were observed in five (27.8%) and two (11.1%) patients, respectively. Radiation pneumonitis of grades 2 and 5 was observed in one patient each. No grade 3/4 impaired liver function or hematological toxicity was observed. At 1 month after radiotherapy, two (11.1%) patients achieved complete response, 11 (61.1%) patients achieved partial response, and 5 (27.8%) patients had stable disease. The median time of overall survival and progression-free survival was 21.1 and 12 months, respectively. Two-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional relapse-free survival were 44.4%, 38.9%, and 66.7%, respectively. Five of six patients examined for epidermal growth factor receptor had high expression levels (3+). The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor expression and treatment outcomes could not be concluded. For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who cannot tolerate chemoradiotherapy, concurrent erlotinib and radiotherapy are tolerable and effective. Valuable markers to predict the effect of erlotinib should be exploited in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atopic dermatitis ( AD) is a chronic, relapsing allergic skin disease. The histamine H4 receptor ( HRH4) has been shown to be associated with a number of autoimmune disorders, including AD. Aim To explore a possible association between copy-number variations ( CNVs) of the HRH4 gene and the risk of AD in a Chinese population. Methods Genomic DNA and RNA were collected from 541 patients with AD and 613 healthy controls, and the CNVs and m RNA levels of HRH4 were examined. ELISA was used to measure the levels of Ig E in all participants. Results Amplifications of HRH4 copy numbers were associated with the risk of developing AD ( P < 0.05, OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.30-2.63), whereas deletions of HRH4 copy numbers were not associated with disease risk for AD ( P = 0.30, OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.57-1.19). HRH4 m RNA levels were much higher in samples with HRH4 copy-number amplifications than in those without such amplifications ( P < 0.05). Ig E levels were associated with amplifications ( P < 0.05, OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.19-3.25), but not with deletions ( P = 0.63, OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49-1.54) of HRH4 copy numbers. Conclusions CNVs of the HRH4 gene are associated with AD in a Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discrimination of different radiation signals is important for quantitative measurements of naturally occurring radionulides by using the technique of imaging plates (IPs). In this study, four discrimination algorithms previously proposed for discriminating and counting the incident alpha signals were experimentally compared from the view points of linearity response, the discrimination capability of alpha signals from beta signals and the detection uncertainty. The results showed that all the methods had a good linearity response and could discriminate alpha signals from beta signals. In general, a larger region of interest (ROI) has a higher detection efficiency, but the discrimination capability of alpha signals from beta signals is worse. By taking into account both the detection efficiency and the uncertainty of detection, the algorithm using an ROI of 5×100 μm×100 μm was considered to be the most appropriate method for quantitative measurements of alpha radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new technique was developed for measuring the concentrations of airborne radon progeny by using an imaging plate (IP). The concentrations of radon progeny collected on the sampling filter were measured with the IP at 2–5-, 6–20- and 21–30-min intervals after sampling, and the alpha disintegrations were automatically counted by a self-developed image analysis software. To reduce the overlapping impact on alpha counts, a plastic separator with a 0.5-mm thickness was set between the sampling filter and the IP. The lower limit of detection for the equilibrium equivalent concentration of radon was estimated to be ∼3.5 Bq m−3 for a 10-min sampling at 10 l min−1. Comparison experiments showed that results measured with the new technique were well consistent with those measured with the alpha spectrometer. It indicates that the new technique is a useful method for accurate measurements of airborne radon progeny concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to now, several different timetables have been proposed for thoron (220Rn) measurements by using the Lucas scintillation cell. In this study, based on the measuring principle, the uncertainty of the measurements was theoretically studied by using a self-developed simulation program. The results showed that a measuring timetable of 1-min consecutive counting lasted for 10 times was an optimal routine for 220Rn measurements. Compared with the previously proposed timetables, the new measuring timetable could reduce the uncertainty of 220Rn measurements by >19 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex genetic disease; the histamine H4 receptor (HRH4) has been shown to be related to different kinds of autoimmune disorders; and copy number variations (CNVs) have been found to be associated with various types of diseases. To explore a possible association between HRH4 (formerly H4R) CNVs and the risk of SLE. Genomic DNA and RNA from 340 patients with SLE and 392 healthy controls were extracted, and CNVs and mRNA levels of HRH4 were examined. The expression of HRH4 mRNA was significantly increased in patients with SLE compared with controls. Amplification of HRH4 copy numbers significantly increased the risk of SLE [ P < 0·001, odds ratio (OR) 2·26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·50-3·40]. HRH4 amplifications also positively correlated with the incidence of arthritis ( P = 0·019, OR 1·96, 95% CI 1·11-3·47), and proteinuria ( P < 0·001, OR 2·95, 95% CI 1·73-5·00) and antinuclear antibody abnormalities ( P < 0·001, OR 2·97, 95% CI 1·66-5·33). Deletions of HRH4 copy numbers were protective against proteinuria ( P = 0·03, OR 0·50, 95% CI 0·26-0·94). CNVs of the HRH4 gene are associated with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For estimating indoor thoron (220Rn) progeny concentrations with 220Rn measurements, both theoretical studies and field measurements were carried out in this work. Based on the theoretical study, it was found that the exhalation rate of 220Rn (ETn) could be optimally assessed with the 220Rn concentration measured at a point of 50 cm far from the source wall, and the equilibrium equivalent thoron concentration (EETC) could be further estimated with the ETn and the area of wall surface as well as the room volume. Field measurements testified that the estimated EETCs were in general agreement with the directly measured results with an average ratio of 0.87 ± 0.12. The new method developed in this study is thought to be preferable for long-term and large-scale surveys of indoor EETC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For accurate measurements of 220Rn concentration with airflow-through scintillation cell method, a theoretical study was performed for discussing the influences of sampling flow rate, volumes of sampling tube and scintillation cell on the measurements. It is found that a high flow rate and a large inner volume of scintillation cell as well as a small inner volume of sampling tube are not only preferable for measuring low levels of 220Rn, but also helpful for enhancing the measurement accuracy. In calibration experiments, both the sampling flow rate and the sampling tube volume should be noted. The variations of the flow rate and tube volume should be considered for accurate measurements in the fields. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For calibration and intercomparison experiments, a thoron chamber with an inner volume of 300 l was designed based on a programmable constant temperature and humidity testing device in this work. The commercial lantern mantles enriched with 232Th were used as the 220Rn source and the mantles were set in 3×3×3 points of lattice style inside the chamber. Experimental studies showed that 220Rn concentrations in the chamber could be easily controlled and adjusted from about 0.5 to 80 kBq m−3 through manual settings of the relative humidity and temperature, and the spatial distribution of 220Rn in the chamber was fairly homogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]