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Summary: We developed a new tool to assess the severity of osteoporotic vertebral fracture using radiographs of the spine. Our technique can be used in patient care by helping to stratify patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures into appropriate treatment pathways. It can also be used for research purposes. Purpose: The aim of our study was to propose a semi-quantitative (SQ) grading scheme for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. Methods: On AP radiographs, the vertebrae are divided into right and left halves, which are graded (A) vertical rectangle, (B) square, (C) traverse rectangle, and (D) trapezoid; whole vertebrae are graded (E) transverse band or (F) bow-tie. Type A and B were compared with normal and Genant SQ grade 1 OVF, Type C and D with grade 2 OVF, and Type E and F with grade 3 OVF. Spine AP radiographs and lateral radiographs of 50 females were assessed by AP radiographs SQ grading. After training, an experienced board-certified radiologist and a radiology trainee assessed the 50 AP radiographs. Results: The height-to-width ratio of the half vertebrae varied 1.32–1.48. On lateral radiographs, 84 vertebrae of the 50 patients had OVFs (38 grade 1, 24 grade 2, and 22 grade 3). On AP radiographs, the radiologist correctly assigned 84.2%, 91.7%, and 77.2% and the trainee correctly assigned 68.4%, 79.2%, and 81.8% of grade 1, 2, and 3 OVFs, respectively. Compared with lateral radiographs, the radiologist had a weighted Kappa of 0.944 including normal vertebrae and 0.883 not including normal vertebrae, while the corresponding Kappa values for the trainee were 0.891 and 0.830, respectively. Conclusion: We propose a new semi-quantitative grading system for vertebral fracture severity assessment on AP spine radiographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the volume-of-fluid (VOF) multiphase model and the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model, combined with the overset grid technology of the STAR-CCM+ software, a computational model for the oblique entry of truncated projectiles into water is established. The hydrodynamic characteristics and structural response characteristics of the projectile for various water entry angles are calculated and analyzed, and the evolution law of cavitation is determined. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer structural system is expected to reduce demagnetization energy and obtain outstanding magnetic anisotropy. The effects of layer modulus (n) on the phase evolutions and magnetic properties of [MgO/FePt]n multilayer thin films were systematically investigated. The low ordering parameters and coercivity when annealing at 600 °C indicated that the existence of the MgO phase would enhance the L10–FePt transformation temperature. When annealing at 800 °C, the coercivity of 9 kOe with a superior in-plane magnetic anisotropy was obtained in [MgO/FePt]2 multilayer film. This multilayer film has reasonable exchange coupling interactions between the magnetic grains (α = 2.4) that could be utilized as an ideal candidate for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prolactinoma may reduce bone mineral density (BMD) and increase fracture risk, but its influence on bone microarchitecture remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate bone microarchitecture parameters by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in prolactinoma patients. Methods: 31 prolactinoma patients and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in our center were included, and HR-pQCT was used to evaluate their bone microarchitecture at the radius and tibia. Z-scores for bone microarchitecture parameters were calculated based on previously published reference. Results: After adjusting for height and weight, prolactinoma patients had lower trabecular (− 0.011 mm, p = 0.005) and cortical thickness (− 0.116 mm, p = 0.008) and cortical area (− 6.0 mm2, p = 0.013) at radius, as well as lower trabecular (− 0.014 mm, p = 0.008) and cortical (− 0.122 mm, p = 0.022) thickness at tibia compared with the controls. Patients with higher prolactin level had more severe bone microarchitecture impairments. After adjusting for prolactin level and age, male patients had lower trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD), trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and cortical porosity at radius, as well as lower trabecular vBMD, trabecular bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and cortical area, and higher trabecular separation at tibia compared with female patients. Z-score for radius vBMD was correlated with Z-score for areal BMD (aBMD) at lumbar and femoral neck, while Z-score for tibia vBMD was correlated with Z-score for lumbar aBMD, and some patients with vBMD Z-score below − 2.0 had aBMD Z-score within normal range. Conclusion: Peripheral bone microarchitecture was impaired in prolactinoma patients, especially in patients with higher prolactin level. Summary: We compared the bone microarchitecture of prolactinoma patients and healthy controls by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), and found that many bone microarchitecture parameters were impaired among prolactinoma patients. Such impairment was more prominent among patients with higher prolactin level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological superconductors have long been predicted to host Majorana zero modes which obey non-Abelian statistics and have potential for realizing non-decoherence topological quantum computation. However, material realization of topological superconductors is still a challenge in condensed matter physics. Utilizing high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we predict and then unveil the coexistence of topological Dirac semimetal and topological insulator states in the vicinity of Fermi energy (EF) in the titanium-based oxypnictide superconductor BaTi2Sb2O. Further spin-resolved measurements confirm its spin-helical surface states around EF, which are topologically protected and give an opportunity for realization of Majorana zero modes and Majorana flat bands in one material. Hosting dual topological states, the intrinsic superconductor BaTi2Sb2O is expected to be a promising platform for further investigation of topological superconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study was the first prospective cohort evaluated the efficacy and safety of different doses of calcitriol in XLH children. The results suggested that a dose of 40 ng/kg/day calcitriol, compared with 20 ng/kg/day, was more effective in relieving the rickets, with similar safety outcomes. Further investigations were expected to set more dose groups. Introduction: Dose recommended for calcitriol in X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) varies in different studies. Therefore, we aimed to compare the efficacy as well as the safety of 20 ng/kg/d and 40 ng/kg/d calcitriol in Chinese XLH pediatrics population. Methods: A 2-year, randomized, open-label, prospective study recruited 68 XLH children, which were randomized to receive either 40 ng/kg/day or 20 ng/kg/day calcitriol. Efficacy endpoints were the total Thacher ricket severity score (RSS) change from baseline to month 12 and 24, the difference in serum TALP level, fasting serum phosphate level, body height Z-score, and frequency of dental abscess. Safety assessments were done using renal ultrasound nephrocalcinosis grades (0–4), fasting serum and 24 h urine calcium level, and the occurrence of hyperparathyroidism. Results: The decrease in the total RSS from baseline was more significant in the high-dose group at 12 (difference 0.87, p = 0.049) and 24 month (difference 1.23, p = 0.011). The serum TALP level was significantly lower in the high-dose group at 6 months. Pi level, height Z-score change, frequency of dental abscess and ratio of de novo nephrocalcinosis were comparable. A lower incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was seen in the high-dose group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: For the first time in this prospective cohort, 40 ng/kg/d calcitriol was shown to be the more effective therapy in XLH children than the 20 ng/kg/d. Moreover, 40 ng/kg/d calcitriol was not associated with increasing adverse events. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 03,820,518. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricate CrP4 single crystal under high pressure and high temperature at 5 GPa and 1373 K. The comprehensive physical properties including electronic transport, magnetic properties, specific heat, Hall, thermal Seebeck and thermal conductivity are reported here. The resistivity shows a good metallic conductivity and T2.7 law relation in the low temperature, which indicates a weak correlation of electrons. It is interesting to note that CrP4 shows large magnetoresistance (MR) of 500% under T = 2 K and B = 9 T, and the MR does not reach saturation until 9 T. The mechanism of large MR in CrP4 is interpreted as the Fermi surface anisotropy. The Hall measurement shows that there is only one single type of carriers in CrP4 with holes. CrP4 exhibits paramagnetic behavior observed from the magnetic susceptibility measurement. Though CrP4 exhibits high electrical conductivity, unexpected low thermal conductivity is observed at low temperature, which is due to the zigzag chain of CrP6 octahedra along the c-axis. Low thermal conductivity is useful to design thermoelectric materials or devices by properly doping in CrP4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic persists, methods that can quickly and reliably confirm infection and immune status is extremely urgently and critically needed. In this contribution we show that combining laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with machine learning can distinguish plasma of donors who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR from those who did not, with up to 95% accuracy. The samples were also analyzed by LIBS-ICP-MS in tandem mode, implicating a depletion of Zn and Ba in samples of SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects that inversely correlate with CN lines in the LIBS spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a 3-dimensional (3D) implementation of representative volume element homogenization using bond-based peridynamic formulation is presented. Periodic boundary condition is established by coupling the displacements of periodic point pairs. Homogenized (effective) material properties are obtained based on peridynamic displacement gradient tensor. The current approach is validated by considering a composite material without defects and comparing homogenized properties with results obtained from another homogenization approach. Next, the capability of the current approach is demonstrated by considering randomly generated cracks with arbitrary orientation and location. It can be concluded that the current approach can be an alternative approach to obtain 3-dimensional homogenized material properties for heterogeneous materials with defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: By analyzing iron status of 14 ADHR patients, we found that iron deficiency was an important trigger of ADHR. Correcting iron deficiency significantly improved patients' symptoms. Meanwhile, patients' serum phosphate showed positive correlations with iron metabolism parameters and hemoglobin-related parameters, suggesting the necessity of monitoring and correcting the iron status in ADHR. Introduction: Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is unique for its incomplete penetrance, variety of disease onsets, and waxing and waning phenotypes. Iron deficiency is a trigger of ADHR. This study aimed to clarify the role of iron deficiency in ADHR. Methods: Data of clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations were collected from patients among eight kindreds with ADHR. Multiple regression and Pearson's correlation tests were performed to test the relationships of serum phosphate levels and other laboratory variables during the patients' follow-ups. Results: Among 23 ADHR patients with fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) mutations, 14 patients presented with obvious symptoms. Ten patients had iron deficiency at the onset of ADHR, coinciding with menarche, menorrhagia, pregnancy, and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Two patients who did not have their iron status tested presented with symptoms after abortion and pregnancy in one patient each, which suggested that they also had iron deficiency at onset. Patients were treated with ferrous succinate tablets, vitamin C, and neutral phosphate and calcitriol. With correction of the iron status, the patients' symptoms showed notable improvement, with increased serum phosphate levels. Two patients' FGF23 levels also declined to the normal range. There were strong correlations between serum phosphate and serum iron levels (r = 0.7689, p < 0.0001), serum ferritin levels (r = 0.5312, p = 0.002), iron saturation (r = 0.7907, p < 0.0001), and transferrin saturation (r = 0.7875, p < 0.001). We also examined the relationships between serum phosphate levels and hemoglobin-related indices, which were significant (hemoglobin: r = 0.71, p < 0.0001; MCV: r = 0.7589, p < 0.0001; MCH: r = 0.8218, p < 0.0001; and MCHC: r = 0.7751, p < 0.0001). Longitudinal data of six patients' follow-up also showed synchronous changes in serum phosphate with serum iron levels. Conclusions: Iron deficiency plays an important role in triggering ADHR. Monitoring and correcting the iron status are helpful for diagnosing and treating ADHR. Iron metabolism parameters and hemoglobin-related parameters are positively correlated with serum phosphate levels in patients with ADHR and iron deficiency, and these might serve as good indicators of prognosis of ADHR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: There is limited evidence regarding changes in bone microstructure in patients with hypoparathyroidism. In the current study, we used a non-invasive technique to assess bone structure in hypoparathyroidism patients and discovered site-specific changes which were mainly influenced by age and menstrual status. Such changes were more prominent in the trabeculae as well as in non-surgical as opposed to post-surgical patients. Introduction: Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is a rare disease characterized by the lack of parathyroid hormone. There is limited evidence regarding changes in bone microstructure in patients with non-surgical hypoPT. We investigated bone microstructure of patients with non-surgical hypoPT using a non-invasive technique. Methods: Patients with hypoPT were assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls randomly selected from a pre-existing HR-pQCT database in a cross-sectional study. Preliminary comparison between patients with different etiologies of hypoPT was performed. Associations between bone microstructure and clinical parameters were investigated using correlation and regression analyses. Results: A total of 94 patients with non-surgical hypoPT were recruited. Patients displayed an increase in trabecular volumetric BMD of the tibia (170.57 ± 34.32 vs. 156.48 ± 40.55 mg HA/cm3, p = 0.011) and increase in trabecular number of both the radius (1.48 ± 0.29 vs. 1.36 ± 0.22 mm−1, p = 0.003) and tibia (1.42 ± 0.23 vs. 1.24 ± 0.22 mm−1, p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Trabecular number was higher for non-surgical hypoPT compared to post-surgical hypoPT (1.37 ± 0.25 and 1.17 ± 0.13 mm−1, p = 0.022). Trends towards increase in cortical volumetric BMD were only present for post-menopausal female and male patients above the age of 50. For female patients, cortical volumetric BMD and area increased with age and decreased after menopause. For males, age had little influence on bone microstructure, but cortical porosity increased with longer treatment durations. Conclusions: Results from this pilot study suggested that both cortical and trabecular bone were altered in this group of patients with hypoPT. Etiology for hypoPT might influence bone microstructure, mainly on trabeculae. Age, menstrual status, and treatment duration were likely to influence bone microstructure in hypoPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the arc plasma axial motion under an axial magnetic field, a high-speed charge-coupled device camera was used to observe the arc plasma images in a magnetically rotating arc plasma generator. Experimental results indicate that the arc plasma moves towards the cathode bottom as the magnetic field strength increases, while a higher arc current facilitates the cathode arc root to move to the cathode terminus. A two-dimensional coupled model was used to analyze the arc plasma axial motion under different magnetic field strengths. The numerical simulation shows that the arc plasma is axially compressed and curves towards the cathode bottom. It is proposed that the arc plasma structure is derived from the strong backflow from the anode outlet, which is induced by the low-pressure region near the cathode. Moreover, the coupled model predicts the movement of the cathode arc root in agreement with the experimental results. It is inferred that the movement of the cathode arc root is relevant to the energy flux, which is transported from the arc column plasma to the cathode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study built a micro-simulation Markov model to determine the treatment threshold of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Mainland China. Treatment with zoledronate is cost-effective when FRAX-based (Fracture risk assessment tool) fracture probability is over 7%. Introduction: The purpose of this study is to estimate FRAX-based fracture probabilities in Mainland China using real-world data, at which intervention could be cost-effective. Methods: We developed a micro-simulation Markov model to capture osteoporosis states and relevant morbidities including hip fracture, vertebral fracture, and wrist fracture. Baseline characteristics including incidences of osteoporosis and distribution of risk factors were derived from the Peking Vertebral Fracture study, the largest prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women in Mainland China. We projected incidences of fractures and deaths by age groups under two treatment scenarios: 1) no treatment, and 2) zoledronate. We also projected total quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) and total costs including fracture management and osteoporosis drugs for cost-effectiveness analysis. Cost-effective intervention thresholds were calculated based on the Chinese FRAX model. Results: Treatment with zoledronate was cost-effective when the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture based on FRAX was above 7%. The FRAX threshold increased by age from 51 to 65 years old, and decreased in elder age groups, ranging from 4% to 9%. Conclusions: Using real-world data, our model indicated that widespread use of zoledronate was of both clinical and economic benefit among Chinese postmenopausal women. Using a FRAX-based intervention threshold of 7% with zoledronate should permit cost-effective access to therapy to patients and contribute to reducing the disease burden of osteoporosis in Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study evaluated bone features of PHPT using HR-pQCT. The results showed both cortical and trabecular bones were significantly impaired in PHPT patients. Male and female PHPT patients suffered similar damages in bone. HR-pQCT indices were not observed to differ in MEN1 and sporadic PHPT patients. Introduction: High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT is a novel imaging technique used to separately assess trabecular and cortical bone status of the radius and tibia in vivo. Using HR-pQCT, we aimed to evaluate bone features of primary hyperparathyroidism patients in a Chinese population and reveal similarities and differences in bone features in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1–related PHPT and sporadic PHPT patients in the Chinese population. Methods: A case-control study was designed. In 58 PHPT patients and 58 sex- and age-matched healthy controls, the distal radius and tibia were scanned using HR-pQCT. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was also determined in PHPT patients using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: In comparison with controls, PHPT patients were observed to exhibit reduced volumetric BMD at the cortical and trabecular compartments, thinner cortices, and more widely spaced trabeculae. Significant differences were still observed when comparing data of female and male patients with age-matched controls separately. MHPT patients (n = 11) were found to have lower aBMD Z-scores in the lumbar spine, trochanteric region, and total hip compared with sporadic PHPT patients (n = 47), while no differences were observed in HR-pQCT indices between the two groups. In multiple linear regression models, no significant correlations were identified between PTH and HR-pQCT indices. However, height was found to positively correlate with HR-pQCT-derived trabecular indices at both the radius and tibia. Conclusions: PHPT affects geometry, volumetric density, and microstructure in both the cortical and trabecular bones in both male and female Chinese patients. MHPT patients were observed to have reduced aBMD as determined by DXA in the lumbar spine and hip in comparison with sporadic PHPT patients. However, HR-pQCT indices were not observed to differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in PHO patients by HR-pQCT. Results showed distinguished differences in bone architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between PHO patients and healthy controls using HR-pQCT assessment. Besides, serum PGE2, hsCRP and ESR levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD. Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) patients firstly by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Methods: Fifteen PHO patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Bone erosions in hands at distal interphalangeal joints (DIPs) in both PHO patients and controls were evaluated by X-ray. Bone geometry, vBMD, microstructure parameters, and size of individual bone erosion were also measured at the 3rd DIP by HR-pQCT as well. Blood biochemistry levels between the two groups were also compared. Results: Compared to X-ray, HR-pQCT assessment were more sensitive for detection of bone erosions, with 14 PHO patients by HR-pQCT versus ten PHO patients by X-ray judged at the 3rd DIP. The average depth, width, and volume of erosions size in PHO patients were 1.38 ± 0.80 mm, 0.79 ± 0.27 mm, and 1.71 ± 0.52 mm3, respectively. The bone cross-areas including total area (+ 25.3%, p ≤ 0.05), trabecular area (+ 56.2%, p ≤ 0.05), and cortical perimeter (+ 10.7%, p ≤ 0.05) at the defined region of interest of 3rd DIP was significantly larger than controls. Total vBMD was 11.9% lower in PHO patients compared with the controls (p ≤ 0.05). Biochemical test results showed the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, bone resorption markers, and joint degeneration markers in PHO patients. Serum prostaglandin PGE2, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD. Conclusions: This study demonstrated higher sensitivity of the HR-pQCT measurement at DIPs by showing the differences in architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between the PHO patients and healthy controls, which would be of interest clinically to investigate bone deterioration in PHO patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many specific detection assays have been developed in order to efficiently detect GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in feed and food. Existing approaches to screen or detect GM crops always rely on thermal cycling device. Therefore, these rapid visual detection assays were developed and characterized for the four transgenic soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) events MON87701, MON87705, MON87708, and MON87769 using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. Four sets of specific primers were successfully designed to recognize the junction sequences of specific soybean events. The optimum primers and reaction temperature of each assay were tested respectively. Different kinds of genomic DNAs of transgenic events and non-transgenic crop samples were examined with the methods that indicated the good specificity of GM soybean species. The detection limit of each LAMP assays could reach 0.05%, showing sensitivity 10 times higher than that of the regular PCR method. Due to their simplicity, rapidness and low cost, the established LAMP assays would be practical for detecting the GM soybeans MON87701, MON87705, MON87708, MON87769 and their derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We design high-power AlGaInP laser diodes emitting at ~640 nm. AlN and SiC submounts are used as heat sinks for the laser chips. The laser diode with SiC submount showed a higher thermal rollover power of 3.9 W and higher maximum conversion efficiency of 39% at 25°C. In the range of 15 – 35°C, the two types of lasers have similar characteristic temperature T0. At higher temperatures beyond 40°C, the laser chip mounted on SiC revealed an improved T0, compared to that on AlN. By measuring the wavelength drift of the two types of lasers, we estimate the thermal resistance to be 9.1 K/W for the laser diode on AlN and 5.6 K/W for the laser diode on SiC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a study that examine the quality of life (QoL) in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Topics discussed include the Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is hereditary disease characterized by multiple fragility fractures and progressive skeletal deformities, mentions the validated questionnaire of PedsQL to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents with OI, and information on the patients with severe OI had poorer HRQoL scores.

The article offers a study which reveals the Pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets (PDDR) disease that is caused by CYP27B1. Topics discussed include PDDR is rare autosomal recessive disorder caused due to defect in 25- hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase, mentions the methods of treatment of CYP27B1 mutations with calcitriol in PDDR patients, and information on the findings of seven novel mutations of CYP27B1 gene in seven Chinese PDDR families.

Substantial evidence exists that diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Low bone strength as well as bone extrinsic factors are probably contributing to the increased bone fragility in diabetes. Bone density and quality are important determinants of bone strength. Although bone mineral density (BMD) and the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) are very useful clinical tools in assessing bone strength, they may underestimate the fracture risk in diabetes mellitus. Through advances in new technologies such as trabecular bone score (TBS) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), we can better assess the bone quality and fracture risk of patients with diabetes mellitus. Invasive assessments such as microindentation and histomorphometry have been great complement to the existing bone analysis techniques. Bone turnover markers have been found to be altered in diabetes mellitus patients and may be associated with fractures. This review will give a brief summary of the current development and clinical uses of these assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aspirin could reduce the risk of cancer metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a key factor of cancer metastasis, but no evidence has revealed how aspirin affects CTCs and its epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we conducted a clinical trial to investigate how aspirin affects CTCs in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC) and breast cancer patients (MBC).Methods: The trial is retrospective registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02602938). The eligible patients are given 100 mg aspirin q.d. for 8 weeks, and CTCs are evaluated at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks for absolute number, phenotype (epithelial type, E+, mesenchymal type, M+, and biophenotypic type, B+), and vimentin expression.Results: Data on 21 MCC and 19 MBC patients are analyzed, and it revealed that the CTC numbers decreased with aspirin treatment in MCC (p < 0.001) but not MBC (p = 0.0532); besides, ratio of E+ CTCs increased (p = 0.037) and M+ CTCs decreased at 2 months in MCC (p = 0.013), but neither the ratio of E+ or M+ CTCs changes significantly in MBC; vimentin expression of M+ CTCs is higher than E+ and B+ CTCs either in MBC or MCC patients at baseline (p < 0.01); and aspirin suppresses the vimentin expression in M+ (p = 0.002)and B+ (p = 0.006) CTCs of MCC and M+ CTCs of MBC (p = 0.004); besides it find vimentin expression in B+ (p = 0.004) or M+ (p < 0.001), CTCs are markedly decreased in patients with total CTC numbers declined.Conclusion: Aspirin could decrease CTCs numbers and block EMT transition in MCC patients and part of MBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ar + H2 plasma interacting with liquid lithium was carried out on a one-cathode linear plasma device (SCU-PSI). The lithium sample was covered with capillary porous structure (CPS). It is found that the electron temperature of applied plasma ranged from ~0-1 eV and electron density ranged from 0.1 × 1020 to 1 × 1020 m−3. The experimental results indicate that a reduction in the electron temperature and the lithium evaporation is found as the percentage of H2 increases When the ratio of argon and hydrogen keeps constant, the electron temperature and lithium evaporation increase with applied input power, respectively. The retention of hydrogen atoms in lithium surface results in reducing the lithium evaporation. The XRD analysis result shows that during plasma radiation no LiH is formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We identified novel compound heterozygous mutations in SERPINH1 in a Chinese boy suffering from recurrent fractures, femoral deformities, and growth retardation, which resulted in extremely rare autosomal recessive OI type X. Long-term treatment of BPs was effective in increasing BMD Z-score, reducing fracture incidence and reshaping vertebrae compression.Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone disorder characterized by low bone mineral density, recurrent fractures, and progressive bone deformities. Mutation in serpin peptidase inhibitor clade H, member 1 (SERPINH1), which encodes heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), leads to rare autosomal recessive OI type X. We aimed to detect the phenotype and the pathogenic mutation of OI type X in a boy from a non-consanguineous Chinese family.Methods: We investigated the pathogenic mutations and analyzed their relationship with the phenotype in the patient using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing. Moreover, the efficacy of long-term bisphosphonate treatment in this patient was evaluated.Results: The patient suffered from multiple fractures, low bone mass, and bone deformities in the femur, without dentinogenesis imperfecta or hearing loss. Compound heterozygous variants were found in SERPINH1 as follows: c.149 T>G in exon 2 and c.1214G>A in exon 5. His parents were heterozygous carriers of each of these mutations, respectively. Bisphosphonates could be helpful in increasing BMD Z-score, reducing bone fracture risk and reshaping the compressed vertebral bodies of this patient.Conclusion: We reported novel compound heterozygous mutations in SERPINH1 in a Chinese OI patient for the first time, which expanded the spectrum of phenotype and genotype of extremely rare OI type X. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The achievement of more accurate diagnosis would greatly benefit the management of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). In this study, we present the largest OI sample in China as screened by next generation sequencing. In particular, we successfully identified 81 variants, which included 45 novel variants. We further did a genotype-phenotype analysis, which helps make a better understanding of OI. Introduction: This study aims to reveal the gene mutation spectrum and the genotype-phenotype relationship among Chinese OI patients by next generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: We developed a NGS-based panel for targeted sequencing of all exons of 14 genes related to OI, and performed diagnostic gene sequencing for a cohort of 103 Chinese OI patients from 101 unrelated families. Mutations identified by NGS were further confirmed by Sanger sequencing and co-segregation analysis. Results: Of the 103 patients from 101 unrelated OI families, we identified 79 mutations, including 43 novel mutations (11 frameshift, 17 missense, 5 nonsense, 9 splice site, and 1 chromosome translocation) in 90 patients (87.4%). Mutations in genes encoding type I collagen, COL1A1 ( n = 37), and COL1A2 ( n = 29) accounts for 73.3% of all molecularly diagnosed patients, followed by IFITM5 ( n = 9, 10%), SERPINF1 ( n = 4, 4.4%), WNT1 ( n = 4, 4.4%), FKBP10 ( n = 3, 3.3%), TMEM38B ( n = 3, 3.3%), and PLOD2 ( n = 1, 1.1%). This corresponds to 75 autosomal dominant inherited (AD) OI patients and 15 autosomal recessive (AR) inherited patients. Compared with AD inherited OI patients, AR inherited patients had lower bone mineral density (BMD) at spine ( P = 0.05) and less frequent blue sclera ( P = 0.001). Patients with type I collagen qualitative defects had lower femoral neck BMD Z-score ( P = 0.034) and were shorter compared with patients with type I collagen quantitative defects ( P = 0.022). Conclusion: We revealed the gene mutation spectrum in Chinese OI patients, and novel mutations identified here expanded the mutation catalog and genotype and phenotype relationships among OI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In a random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women, the prevalence of radiographic vertebral fractures increased from 13% between ages 50 and 59 to over 50% after age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors predicted the probability of vertebral fractures as well with as without BMD and better than a model with only three risk factors. More than half an hour of outdoor activity per day might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population. Introduction: We aimed to describe the prevalence and develop a model for prediction of radiographic vertebral fractures in a large random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women. Methods: We enrolled 1760 women from an age-stratified random sample of postmenopausal women in Beijing, China. The presence of vertebral fracture was assessed by semi-quantitative grading of lateral thoracolumbar radiographs, risk factors by interview, bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and markers of bone turnover from a fasting blood sample. Associations of these factors were analyzed in logistic models and discrimination by areas of receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC). Results: The prevalence of vertebral fracture, ranged from 13.4% ages 50 to 59 years old to 58.1% at age 80 years or older. Older age, a history of non-vertebral fracture, lower femoral neck BMD T-score, body mass index (BMI), height loss, housework, and less than half an hour of outdoor activity were significantly associated with increased probability of having a vertebral fracture. A model with those seven factors had a similar AUC with or without BMD and performed better than a simple model with three factors. Conclusion: This study is from a true random sample of postmenopausal women in urban China with high response rate. The prevalence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women in Beijing increases from 13% under age 60 to over 50% by age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors with or without BMD is better than simple models and may guide the use of spine x-rays to identify women with vertebral fractures. More than half an hour of outdoor activity might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We identified a novel large fragment deletion from intron 9 to 3'UTR in PLS3 (E10-E16del) in one Chinese boy with X-linked early-onset osteoporosis and vertebral fractures, which expanded the pathogenic spectrum of X-linked early-onset osteoporosis. Treatment with zoledronic acid was beneficial for increasing BMD and reshaping the vertebral bodies of this patient. Introduction: X-linked early-onset osteoporosis is a rare disease, which is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), and/or long bone fractures. We aimed to detect the phenotype and the underlying pathogenic mutation of X-linked early-onset osteoporosis in a boy from a nonconsanguineous Chinese family. Methods: We investigated the pathogenic mutation of the patient with X-linked early-onset osteoporosis by targeted next-generation sequencing and confirmed it by Sanger sequencing. We also observed the effects of zoledronic acid on fracture frequency and BMD of the patient. Results: Low BMD and multiple VCFs were the main phenotypes of X-linked early-onset osteoporosis. We identified a total of 12,229 bp deletion in PLS3, involving intron 9 to the 3'UTR (E10-E16 del). This large fragment deletion might be mediated by Alu repeats and microhomology of 26 bp at each breakpoint junction. Zoledronic acid treatment could significantly increase the Z-score of BMD and reshape the compressed vertebral bodies. Conclusion: We identified a large fragment deletion mutation in PLS3 for the first time and elucidated the possible mechanism of the deletion, which led to X-linked early-onset osteoporosis and multiple vertebral fractures. Our findings would enrich the etiology spectrum of this rare disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients had low proximal hip BMD, which could be explained by reduced muscle strength, elevated bone resorption markers, vitamin D deficiency, and increased PTH levels in those with MG compared to controls. Introduction: Muscle strength is closely correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D status. Here, we evaluated muscle strength, BMD, and vitamin D status in a large sample of Chinese patients with MG. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 86 patients with MG without glucocorticoid treatment and 86 healthy controls were included. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25OHD], parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone turnover markers (BTMs), and BMD were measured and compared between the two groups. Grip strength and one-leg standing time (OLST) were also assessed in MG patients. Results: Low grip strength and short OLST were found in 11 (12.8%) and 12 (14.0%) MG patients, respectively. There were 3 (3.5%) MG patients with low bone mass for chronological age. Serum beta C-terminal telopeptide and PTH levels were higher ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), and BMD at the femoral neck and trochanter were lower in MG patients ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) compared to healthy controls. In patients with MG, grip strength was positively correlated with BMD. Serum 25OHD levels were lower in MG patients than in healthy controls (17.36 ± 6.64 vs. 22.11 ± 7.28 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Grip strength was positively correlated with BMD in Chinese patients with MG. MG patients tended to have low proximal hip BMD, which may partially be explained by reduced muscle strength, vitamin D deficiency, increased PTH levels, and elevated bone resorption markers compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus and poliovirus continue to present significant risks and burden of disease to children in developing countries. Developing a combined vaccine may effectively prevent both illnesses and may be advantageous in terms of maximizing compliance and vaccine coverage at the same visit. Recently, we sought to generate a vaccine vector by incorporating multiple epitopes into the rotavirus group antigenic protein, VP6. In the present study, a foreign epitope presenting a system using VP6 as a vector was created with six sites on the outer surface of the vector that could be used for insertion of foreign epitopes, and three VP6-based PV1 epitope chimeric proteins were constructed. The chimeric proteins were confirmed by immunoblot, immunofluorescence assay, and injected into guinea pigs to analyze the epitope-specific humoral response. Results showed that these chimeric proteins reacted with anti-VP6F and -PV1 antibodies, and elicited antibodies against both proteins in guinea pigs. Antibodies against the chimeric proteins carrying PV1 epitopes neutralized rotavirus Wa and PV1 infection in vitro. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the use of VP6-based vectors as multiple-epitope delivery vehicles and the epitopes displayed in this form could be considered for development of epitope-based vaccines against rotavirus and poliovirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A normal reference value of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was established for the first time in a large sample of healthy Chinese subjects by completely excluding interference of vitamin D deficiency. A high PTH level correlated significantly with an elevated bone turnover and a reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Introduction: The aims of this study are to establish a normal reference value for serum PTH and to evaluate the effect of parathyroid gland status on bone turnover and BMD. Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 1436 healthy individuals from 5 different Chinese cities. Concentrations of serum PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), procollagen I N-terminal peptide (P1NP, a bone formation marker), and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX, a bone resorption marker) were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The relation of PTH concentration to age, gender, height, and weight was examined. Reference values of PTH were established for all subjects and for subjects categorized by serum 25OHD concentrations. Correlations of PTH levels with bone turnover biomarkers and BMD were statistically analyzed. Results: Reference values of PTH were 8.84-69.95 pg/mL in all the subjects and 7.48-60.73 and 5.83-56.78 pg/mL in the subjects with serum 25OHD concentrations of ≥20 and ≥30 ng/mL, respectively. Serum PTH showed a negative linear correlation with 25OHD, and the breakpoint was 18.21 ng/mL, below which the PTH level rapidly increased. The increase in PTH levels with age showed a positive linear correlation with P1NP and β-CTX concentrations and a negative linear correlation with BMD at the lumbar spines and the femoral neck. Conclusions: A reference value of PTH was established in a large sample of healthy Chinese subjects according to 25OHD status, gender, and age. A high PTH level correlated significantly with an elevated bone turnover and a reduced BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Osteopetrosis is a group of genetic bone disorders. Mutations in the chloride channel 7 gene ( CLCN7) lead to chloride channel defect, which results in autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADO-II), autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO), and intermediate autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (IARO). In the present study, we identified seven novel mutations of the CLCN7 gene and reported the first case of IARO with compound heterozygous mutation in Chinese population. Introduction: Osteopetrosis is a heritable bone disorder due to the deficiency of or function defect in osteoclasts. Mutations in the CLCN7 lead to chloride channel defects, which result in osteopetrosis with diverse severity ranging from asymptomatic or relatively mild symptoms in ADO-II to the very severe phenotype in ARO. Heterozygous mutations in CLCN7 are associated to ADO-II, while homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations in CLCN7 may result in ARO and IARO. To date, a total of 24 mutations in CLCN7 were identified in ADO-II, and only 3 mutations were identified in IARO. In the present study, we reported seven unrelated ADO-II patients and one IARO patient from Chinese population and elucidated the characteristics of CLCN7 gene mutations in these patients. Methods: All 25 CLCN7 exons and exon-intron boundaries from genomic DNA were amplified and sequenced in eight affected individuals suffering from ADO-II/IARO. The clinical, biochemical, and radiographic analysis were evaluated to compare the differences between ADO-II and IARO both in genotype and phenotype. Results: The results showed that there were seven novel CLCN7 mutations identified in these ADO-II/IARO patients, including six heterozygous missense mutations (p.L224R, p.S290Y, p.R326G, p.G347R, p.S473N, and p.L564P) and a novel splice mutation (p.K691FS). Conclusions: The compound heterozygous mutations (p.L224R and p.K691FS) were firstly observed in one IARO patient. The present study would enrich the database of CLCN7 mutations and improve our understanding of this heritable bone disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We found that the fragility hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this Chinese female population, which was unexpectedly lower than those in western countries and other Asian countries. This was the first nationwide survey relating to post-fracture outcomes conducted among Chinese population in Mainland China. Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the mortality, self-care ability, diagnosis, and medication treatment of osteoporosis following fragility hip and vertebral fractures through a nationwide survey among female patients aged over 50 in Mainland China. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on medical chart review and patient questionnaire. Female patients aged 50 or older admitted for low-trauma hip or vertebral fractures and discharged from Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2012 were followed. Results: Total of 1151 subjects of hip fracture and 842 subjects of vertebral fracture were included. The mean age was 73.4 ± 10.0, and the median of duration from index fracture to interview was 2.6 years. The overall 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year cumulative mortality rates were 3.5, 7.0, 11.2, 13.1, and 16.9 %, respectively. The first year mortality rates in hip (3.8 %, 95% CI 3.3-4.4 %) and vertebral fracture (3.1 %, 95% CI 2.5-3.7 %) were significantly higher than that in the general population (1.6 %). Impaired self-care ability was observed in 33.2, 40.6, and 23.8 % of overall, hip fracture, and vertebral fracture group, respectively. The overall diagnosis rate of osteoporosis was 56.8 %, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement had never been conducted in 42.0 % among these women. After the index fracture, 69.6 % of them received supplements and/or anti-osteoporotic medications, among which 39.6 % only received calcium with/without vitamin D supplementation. Conclusions: The osteoporotic hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this population of Mainland China. The current diagnosis and medical treatment following the fragility fractures is still insufficient in Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study compares efficacy of ALN/D5600 versus that of calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women. ALN/D5600 produced greater bone mineral density (BMD) increases, greater bone turnover marker decreases, and less vitamin D insufficiency. This study provided detailed clinical information regarding ALN/D5600 treatment versus calcitriol 0.25 μg/day. The study did not evaluate fracture risk. Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate efficacy of alendronate 70 mg/vitamin D 5600 IU combination tablets (ALN/D5600) versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women. Methods: This study is a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator study with 6-month extension (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01350934) in postmenopausal women aged >55 years with osteoporosis (low bone mineral density (BMD) with/without prior fragility fracture). Patients were randomized to ALN/D5600 once weekly or calcitriol 0.25 μg daily. The primary efficacy end point of the base study was percent change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD (month 6). Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria were safety events of special interest. Results: A total of 219 patients (ALN/D5600 n = 111, calcitriol n = 108) were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar, 30.3 % baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤15 ng/mL. At months 6 and 12, changes in lumbar spine BMD from baseline were 3.5 versus 1.6 % and 5.2 versus 2.3 % for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol (between-group differences p < 0.001), respectively. Between-group differences for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol were significant ( p < 0.001) at months 6 and 12 for change from baseline in procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (−59.1 versus −16.8 %, −68.1 versus −17.0 %) and serum C-telopeptides (−79.2 versus −27.2 %, −76.2 versus −24.2 %). Drug-related adverse events (AEs) and discontinuations due to drug-related AEs occurred in 15 (14.0 %) versus 8 (7.4 %) patients and 3 (2.8 %) versus 0 patients in the ALN/D5600 and calcitriol group, respectively. Hypercalciuria 12-month incidence (24-h urine Ca >300 mg) was 8.4 (ALN/D5600) versus 13.9 % (calcitriol) ( p > 0.05). One patient (calcitriol) had hypercalcemia. Conclusions: ALN/D5600 produced greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and greater decreases in bone turnover markers versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese women. It is not known whether the greater increase in BMD results in fewer fractures. ALN/D5600 was generally well tolerated in Chinese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: We sought to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral therapy on skeletal metabolism in Chinese individuals with human immunodeficiency virus. Patients switched to tenofovir/lamivudine + lopinavir/ritonavir after treatment failure had an increase in bone resorption marker levels by nearly 60 %, which is greater than the magnitude previously described in non-Chinese populations. Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the effects of antiretroviral therapy on skeletal metabolism in Asian populations infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of bone turnover markers (BTM) at baseline and 2 years in stored plasma samples collected from 2/2009 to 1/2013 as part of a multi-center trial. Two groups were compared: (1) treatment-naïve patients initiated on zidovudine (AZT)/lamivudine (3TC) plus nevirapine (NVP) and (2) patients who failed first-line therapy and were switched to tenofovir (TDF)/3TC plus lopinavir/ritonavir (LPVr). Tests included the bone resorption marker, C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type-1 collagen (CTX), and the bone formation marker procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Results: In the TDF/3TC + LPVr group, samples were available from 59 patients at baseline and 56 patients at 2 years. Of these, 36 patients had samples available from both time points. In the AZT/3TC + NVP group, plasma samples were analyzed from 82 participants at baseline and of those, 61 had samples at 2 years. Median change over 2 years was greater in the TDF/3TC + LPVr group for both CTX (+0.24 ng/mL, interquartile ranges (IQR) 0.10-0.43 vs. +0.09 ng/mL, IQR −0.03 to 0.18, p = 0.001) and P1NP (+25.5 ng/mL, IQR 2.4-51.3 vs. +7.11 ng/mL, IQR −4.3 to 21.6, p = 0.012). Differences remained after adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Switching to TDF/3TC + LPVr after treatment failure resulted in greater increases in BTMs than initiation with AZT/3TC + NVP in Chinese patients with HIV. Following this change, bone resorption marker levels increased by nearly 60 %, which is greater than the 25-35 % increase from baseline described previously in non-Chinese populations. Further studies are warranted to elucidate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We found that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was associated with increased fracture risks in non-obese postmenopausal Chinese women, and suppressed bone turnover might be the underlying mechanism. This is the first study evaluating and explaining the association of T2DM with osteoporotic fracture in Chinese population with such high homogeneity. Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of T2DM with osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women. Methods: One thousand four hundred ten postmenopausal women were included and stratified into non-obese population [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m] and obese population (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m). Each type of population was classified into diabetes group, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group, and normal glucose group. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) and serum N-amino terminal prepeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) were quantified. Vertebral fractures (VFs) and non-VFs were assessed by vertebral X-ray and questionnaire, respectively. Results: Comparing to normal glucose group, diabetes group and IFG group both had lower levels of P1NP and β-CTX, despite population types. Despite having non-decreased BMD, non-obese diabetic patients had higher risks of total fracture and VF than BMI-matched normal glucose subjects (both P < 0.05). Non-obese population was further classified by a mean value of P1NP or β-CTX. Non-obese diabetic patients with low P1NP or high β-CTX had higher fracture risks (both P < 0.05), comparing to non-obese normal glucose subjects with high P1NP or high β-CTX, respectively. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetic patients had suppressed bone turnover, which might explain the increased fracture risks, independent of BMD. IFG patients might also have poor bone quality and need early prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of cutting force is important in research and development of metal cutting process and in designing cutting tools. This paper reports the theoretical computational formulae for cutting force for cylindrical turning using novel restricted contact tools that have inconstant tool/chip restricted contact length. These formulae are based on the minimum energy principle. The results of extensive cutting tests show that the derived theoretical computational formulae can predict the cutting force, especially the main cutting force, with reasonable accuracy. The novel RC tools-type II and type III can reduce cutting force as well as the conventional RC tools-type I. In addition, they can also effectively control the direction of chip curling, and type III RC tools may have a longer tool life due to the high strength of its cutting edge and the possibility of liquid coolant approaching the cutting zone. Finite element models have been developed to study the cutting force, and the results indicate that the main cutting force can be accurately predicted, while there are some inaccuracies for the feed force and thrust force because of the simplifications adopted during modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis: Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a widely distributed environmental endocrine disruptor, is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes in offspring. The underlying molecular mechanisms could involve epigenetics, as adverse effects induced by environmental exposure in early life are suggested through DNA methylation. In this study we sought to elucidate the relationship between perinatal BPA exposure and alteration of hepatic DNA methylation. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were administered BPA (50 μg/kg/day) or corn oil by oral gavage throughout gestation and lactation. Variables associated with insulin resistance and hepatic DNA methylation were examined at postnatal week 3 and week 21 in male offspring. Results: In BPA-treated offspring, serum insulin and HOMA-insulin resistance were increased, and the insulin sensitivity index and hepatic glycogen storage were decreased compared with controls at week 21. At week 3, none of these variables were significantly changed. However, hepatic global DNA methylation was decreased, accompanied by overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 3B mRNA at week 3. Meanwhile, perinatal exposure to BPA induced promoter hypermethylation and a reduction in gene expression of hepatic glucokinase. Moreover, increased promoter hypermethylation of Gck became more pronounced in BPA-treated offspring at week 21. Conclusions/interpretation: Abnormal DNA methylation in hepatic tissue precedes development of insulin resistance induced by perinatal BPA exposure. These findings support the potential role of epigenetics in fetal reprogramming by BPA-induced metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To (1) estimate the proportion of people in the community who could correctly recognize autism spectrum disorders (ASD); (2) describe the attitudes towards various treatments for ASD; and (3) identify factors associated with ASD recognition.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Harbin, China (n = 4,947). We estimated the proportions of participants who were at different levels of knowledge about ASD and of their attitudes towards mental health service use. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with the recognition of ASD.Results: Overall, 2,786 (57.8%) of the respondents could recognize the ASD. Recognition of autism depended on gender, residing areas, age and educational levels. With respect to the attitudes towards mental health service use for ASD, 4,007 respondents (84.6%) chose to visit a health organization for treatment; 2,470 (68.2%) made the choice of consulting a psychotherapist.Conclusions: There is a large room for improvement in awareness about ASD and treatment in the Chinese communities. Insufficient knowledge about ASD and inappropriate attitudes towards mental health service use may impede the efforts of early identification and intervention. Health education and promotion are needed to improve people's knowledge about ASD and available mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]