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© 2017 American Physical Society. The Daya Bay experiment has observed correlations between reactor core fuel evolution and changes in the reactor antineutrino flux and energy spectrum. Four antineutrino detectors in two experimental halls were used to identify 2.2 million inverse beta decays (IBDs) over 1230 days spanning multiple fuel cycles for each of six 2.9 GWth reactor cores at the Daya Bay and Ling Ao nuclear power plants. Using detector data spanning effective Pu239 fission fractions F239 from 0.25 to 0.35, Daya Bay measures an average IBD yield σf of (5.90±0.13)×10-43 cm2/fission and a fuel-dependent variation in the IBD yield, dσf/dF239, of (-1.86±0.18)×10-43 cm2/fission. This observation rejects the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino flux as a function of the Pu239 fission fraction at 10 standard deviations. The variation in IBD yield is found to be energy dependent, rejecting the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino energy spectrum at 5.1 standard deviations. While measurements of the evolution in the IBD spectrum show general agreement with predictions from recent reactor models, the measured evolution in total IBD yield disagrees with recent predictions at 3.1σ. This discrepancy indicates that an overall deficit in the measured flux with respect to predictions does not result from equal fractional deficits from the primary fission isotopes U235, Pu239, U238, and Pu241. Based on measured IBD yield variations, yields of (6.17±0.17) and (4.27±0.26)×10-43 cm2/fission have been determined for the two dominant fission parent isotopes U235 and Pu239. A 7.8% discrepancy between the observed and predicted U235 yields suggests that this isotope may be the primary contributor to the reactor antineutrino anomaly.

The expressions of prophenoloxidase activating enzyme (ppA), prophenoloxidase (proPO) I, proPO II, and antioxidant enzymes like cytosolic manganese dismutase (cytMnSOD), mitochondrial manganese dismutase (mtMnSOD), and extracellular copper and zinc dismutase (ecCuZnSOD) as well as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were examined in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared for 24 weeks at salinities of 2.5%, 5%, 15%, 25%, and 35%. The expression levels of ppA, proPO I, proPO II, cytMnSOD, mtMnSOD, ecCuZnSOD, and HSP70 of shrimp reared at 2.5% and 5% were significantly higher than in shrimp reared at 15%, 25%, and 35%. We concluded that white shrimp kept under long-term culture at 2.5% and 5% were under chronic stress had up-regulated expressions of ppA, proPO, MnSOD, CuZnSOD, and HSP70 that may provide candidate biomarkers in low salinity shrimp farming.

The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Investigations have shown that environmentally driven epigenetic changes contribute to the etiology of SLE. Here, we hypothesize that aberrant DNA methylation may contribute to the activation of the immune machinery and trigger lupus disease activity. A whole genome methylation array was applied to investigate the DNA methylation changes between 12 pairs of active SLE patients and healthy controls. The results were further confirmed in 66 SLE patients, 102 healthy controls. The methylation statuses of the IL10 and IL1R2 genes were significantly reduced in the SLE patient samples relative to the healthy controls (age-adjusted odds ratios, 64.2 and 16.9, respectively, P

An imbalance between T Helper 1 (TH1) and T Helper 2 (TH2) cytokine production is important for the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to investigate gene—gene associations of TH1 and TH2 cytokines genes in Chinese patients with SLE. Twenty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight cytokines genes were genotyped in 110 SLE patients and 138 healthy controls in a case—control association study. The minor allelic frequencies of interleukin4(IL4) -590 T/C, -33 T/C, 9241C/G, and IL10 -592 A/C were significantly increased in SLE patients compared with those in controls (p < 0.05). None of the separate 20 SNPs showed significant association with SLE after Bonferroni correction. An IL4 haplotype -590C/-33C/9241G/14965C was significantly associated with SLE (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5—8.9, p = 0.004, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.024). A borderline significant three-locus gene—gene interaction among IL4 9241 C/G, IL4 -33 T/C, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, IL4-induced (STAT6) 2892 C/T was detected by a multifactor dimensionality reduction test (p = 0.051). However, the presence of two at-risk genotypes lead to increased risk of SLE for two-locus interaction using logistic regression method. The risk of SLE increased significantly when a subject has two at-risk genotypes for IL4 -590C and STAT6 2892C (odds ratio, 3.24, 95% CI 1.5—7.0, p = 0.003, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.009), IL4 -33C and STAT6 2892C (odds ratio 3.06, 95% CI 1.4— 6.7, p = 0.005, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.015), as well as IL4 9241G and STAT6 2892C (odds ratio 3.34, 95% CI 1.6—7.1, p = 0.002, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.006). Further, plasma IL-4 concentrations were significantly lower in SLE patients than in healthy controls (1.59 + 3.53 versus 5.67 + 11.28 pg/ml, p = 0.042). These results indicated that IL4 and STAT6 genes might be involved in the etiology of SLE and potentially increased SLE risk through their interaction effect in Chinese patients.

A technique for in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of transversely suspended zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) using microfabricated heaters is presented. A number of issues relating to seed layer preparation, directed alignment, local heating control and the concentration of the synthesis solution are investigated for this method. It is shown that ZnO NWs can be synthesized and aligned from the ZnO seed surface to bridge two adjacent microheater elements. Moreover, hybrid ZnO nanotubes and nanorods are also synthesized by controlling the concentration of the synthesis solution employed. The crystalline structure of synthesized ZnO nanostructures are characterized by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and selective area electron diffraction (SAED). Finally, ZnO NW devices based on proposed microheater synthesis approach are characterised for UV photoresponsivity demonstrating the potential of this approach to address practical device applications.

An 83-year old male presented to the emergency department with productive cough and acute shortness of breath. Imaging, biochemical and microbiological studies of the pleural fluid indicated empyema. After antibiotic treatment and tube drainage, symptoms of the patient persisted and he received thoracoscopic decortication. His condition improved gradually, but histopathological examination showed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. Clinicians are alerted to the possible association of malignant tumours and empyema in older patients.

This study was to examine immune response of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus when shrimp received Petalonia binghamiae extract in vitro and in vivo. Shrimp hemocytes incubated with 1 mg/ml extract showed increased Phenoloxidase (PO) activity and respiratory burst (RB, release of superoxide anion). The total hemocyte count (THC), Phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory Burst (RB) of shrimp received the extract at 6 and 10 μg/g were significantly higher than those of shrimp received saline and the control shrimp after 48, 96 and 144 h. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity of shrimp received the extract at 6 and 10 μg/g were significantly higher than those of shrimp received saline and the control shrimp after 48 h. Phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to Vibrio alginolyticus in the shrimp that received the extract at 6 and 10 μg/g were significantly higher than those of shrimp received saline and the control shrimp after 24, 48, 96 and 144 h. In another experiment, shrimp which had received the extract at 2, 6, and 10 μg/g after one day were challenged with V. alginolyticus at 1.4×106 colony-forming units (cfu)/shrimp, and then placed in seawater. The survival rate of shrimp that received the extract at 6 and 10 μg/g was significantly higher than that of control shrimp after 12-144 h. It was concluded that P. binghamiae extract could cause activation of shrimp immunity, and concluded that shrimp received the extract at 6~10 μg/g increased immune response of shrimp as well as resistance to V. alginolyticus infection.

SETTING Risk of pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients due to comorbid pulmonary disease is not well understood. OBJECTIVE To compare factors associated with risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in COPD patients for those with and without lung cancer, bronchiectasis and/or history of active tuberculosis. DESIGN Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity < 0.70) between 2006 and 2010, including patient characteristics, occurrence of CAP and type of inhalation treatment. Pneumonia-free survivals were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Factors associated with CAP were assessed using Cox's proportional hazard regression and expressed as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Of 2630 patients, 402 (15.3%) developed CAP during follow-up. The likelihood of CAP increased with increased age (aHR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04), lower body mass index (BMI; aHR 0.97, 95%CI 0.95-1.00), lung cancer (aHR 3.81, 95%CI 2.88-5.05), bronchiectasis (aHR 2.46, 95%CI 1.70-3.55) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) containing treatment (aHR 1.60, 95%CI 1.30-1.96). ICS-containing treatment was associated with increased risk of CAP only for patients without comorbid pulmonary disease (aHR 1.68, 95%CI 1.30-2.17). CONCLUSION For COPD patients: 1) increased age, low BMI, lung cancer and bronchiectasis may increase the risk of CAP, and 2) without respiratory comorbid disease, ICS use increases the risk of CAP.

The 100-nm NiO-Ag composite films with Ag content of 0 to 24.4 at.% are deposited on glass substrates. It is found that an ultra high electric resistivity (rho) value is obtained and cannot be detected by four point probe measurement when the Ag content is less than 3.4 at.%. The rho value is reduced significantly to 29.0 Omega-cm as Ag content is increased to 4.2 at.%, and it decreases greatly to 0.009 Omega-cm as the content of Ag is further increased to 24.4 at.%. The NiO-Ag composite film with Ag content of 4.2 at.% shows p-type conduction. However, it becomes n-type when the Ag content increases to 9.3 at.%, which results from the Ag atoms segregated at grain boundary of NiO when the excess Ag atoms are added into NiO films. On the other hand, the transmittance of the NiO-Ag films drops continuously from 96.3% to 31.6% as the Ag content increases from 0 to 24.4%.

Cullin 4A (Cul4A) is important in cell survival, development, growth and the cell cycle, but its role in mesothelioma has not been studied. For the first time, we identified amplification of the Cul4A gene in four of five mesothelioma cell lines. Consistent with increased Cul4A gene copy number, we found that Cul4A protein was overexpressed in mesothelioma cells as well. Cul4A protein was also overexpressed in 64% of primary malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumours. Furthermore, knockdown of Cul4A with shRNA in mesothelioma cells resulted in up-regulation of p21 and p27 tumour suppressor proteins in a p53-independent manner in H290, H28 and MS-1 mesothelioma cell lines. Knockdown of Cul4A also resulted in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and decreased colony formation in H290, H28 and MS-1 mesothelioma cell lines. Moreover, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest was partially reversed by siRNA down-regulation of p21 and/or p27 in Cul4A knockdown H290 cell line. In the contrary, overexpression of Cul4A resulted in down-regulation of p21 and p27 proteins and increased colony formation in H28 mesothelioma cell line. Both p21 and p27 showed faster degradation rates in Cul4A overexpressed H28 cell line and slower degradation rates in Cul4A knockdown H28 cell line. Our study indicates that Cul4A amplification and overexpression play an oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. Thus, Cul4A may be a potential therapeutic target for MPM. © 2011 The Authors Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine © 2011 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Summary We report a woman with a lupus vulgaris-like skin eruption caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum. The presence of mycobacteria was confirmed with tissue culture and also the detection of mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (hsp65) DNA in the biopsy specimen. The eruption resolved after treatment with amikacin and clarithromycin. Lupus vulgaris-like lesions might be included in the clinical spectrum of infections caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria.

To the Editors: Zygomycosis is an emerging infection caused by fungi of class Zygomycetes, order Mucorales. It occurs mostly in diabetic and immunocompromised patients, but occasionally occurs in immunocompetent individuals [1]. After rhinocerebral zygomycosis, pulmonary zygomycosis, which carries a high mortality rate, is the second most common presentation [1]. Common manifestations of pulmonary zygomycosis mainly include different types of pulmonary infiltrates [2], and other rare manifestations such as endobronchial mass lesions or mediastinitis. However, in the literature, bronchial perforation caused by zygomycetes has not been previously documented. This report presents the case of a diabetic patient infected with Rhizopus sp., which resulted in chronic mediastinitis and bronchial perforation. A 76-yr-old, Chinese, never-smoking female with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes experienced a productive cough for 6 months prior to admission. This patient denied having fever, breathlessness, night sweating or body weight loss. Physical examination revealed a moderately nourished female without respiratory distress or fever. Upon admission, laboratory studies revealed a haemoglobin level of 10.5 g·dL−1, white blood cell count 5.4×103 cells per μL (53.3% neutrophils, 28.3% lymphocytes, 6% monocytes and 12% eosinophils), platelet count 355×103 cells per μL, creatinine 0.9 mg·dL−1, C-reactive protein 1.7 mg·dL−1, fasting glucose level 311 mg·dL−1 and glycated haemoglobin 14.7%. The chest radiograph on admission revealed partial atelectasis of the …

Acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein PO has been widely used as an estradiol-independent housekeeping gene. Expression of acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein PO in canine prostate was detected and canine specific cDNA was cloned. Total cellular RNA was isolated from normal young (5 month-old) canine prostate tissue. Total cDNAs were synthesized from total cellular RNAs by reverse transcription assay. Primers used in polymerase chain reaction were designed from published human ARP0 cDNA sequences and utilized to amplify 562 base-pair (bp) canine acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein PO cDNA. Nucleotide sequences of canine ARP0 cDNA clones were determined on both strands. Canine ARP0 cDNA and their deduced amino acid sequences share very high homology to ARP0 orthologs from other vertebrate species including human, mouse, rat, chicken, and bovine.

Recently we demonstrated that gossypol (GP) a male antifertility agent, is a potent inhibitor of malignant human prostate cancer cell growth that acts by arresting cells in G0/G1 phase and that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)). In this study we examined the effect of GP on the growth of prostatic cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in vitro. Consistent with its inhibitory effect on the growth of malignant human prostate cancer cells, GP also acts as a potent inhibitor of cultured human BPH cell growth as assessed by thymidine incorporation assay. These results were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis which revealed that treatment of human BPH cells with increasing concentrations of GP resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase with a concomitant decrease in cells progressing to the S and G2/M phases. Since inhibition of prostate cancer cells by GP appears to be mediated by TGF-beta(1), we also investigated the effect of GP on TGF-beta(1) gene expression in BPH cells. The results show that GP treatment resulted in a marked elevation of TGF-beta(1) gene expression indicating that TGF-beta(1) might be involved at least in part in the inhibitory pathway that is initiated by GP.

This study investigated the effect of gossypol on hyperplastic canine prostates induced with long-term administration of androgen and estrogen. Twelve 16-week-old male beagle dogs were divided evenly (n=3) into 4 treatment groups. (1) Control: vehicle only; (2) Gossypol-Treated: 20 mg/kg gossypol acetic acid; (3) Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone and 40 mu g/kg estradiol-17 beta; (4) Gossypol-Treated and Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone, 40 mu g/kg estradiol-17 beta and 20 mg/kg gossypol. The subjects received treatments every other day for 1 month. The beagles treated with steroids developed an acute enlargement (approximately 10-fold) of the prostate as compared to control. The prostatic acini were underdeveloped and characterized by simple squamous to low cuboidal epithelium in the control subjects while acini in steroid-induced subjects were characterized by simple tall columnar epithelium. The subjects treated with gossypol had prostates histologically similar to controls with the exception of loosened periurethral connective tissue. Serum testosterone and estradiol-17 beta levels imply that gossypol can reduce steroid hormonal levels. Mean serum testosterone levels in gossypol-treated subjects were reduced approximately 50% from controls. Serum biochemistry profiles indicate that steroid and/or gossypol treatments were not toxic at the doses and duration used in this study. These observations imply that gossypol and steroid hormones can interact to alter prostate development and gossypol metabolism and/or clearance.