Search

Yuxiang Liao,1 Li Yuan,2 Zhiping Zhang,1 Ao Lin,3 Jingying Zhou,4 Zhenjian Zhuo,3 Jie Zhao1 1Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jie ZhaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail steelzj@csu.edu.cnZhenjian ZhuoDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13510841053Email zhenjianzhuo@163.comBackground: Central nervous system (CNS) tumor is a malignancy commonly seen occurring in childhood, worldwide. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) enzyme, initially identified as an obesity-related protein, also functions as a susceptibility gene for cancers. However, predisposing effect of FTO gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on CNS tumor risk remains unknown.Methods: Herein, we genotyped 314 CNS tumor patients and 380 healthy controls samples from three hospitals to explore whether FTO gene SNPs impact CNS tumor risk. TaqMan SNP genotyping assay was applied for the genotyping. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), generated from multinomial logistic regression, were applied to determine the associations of SNPs (rs1477196 G>A, rs9939609 T>A, rs7206790 C>G, and rs8047395 A>G) in FTO gene with risk of CNS tumor.Results: We failed to detect significant associations between FTO gene SNPs and CNS tumor risk, either in single-locus or combined analysis. A significantly increased ependymoma risk was found for carriers with 3– 4 risk genotypes in comparison to 0– 2 risk genotypes (adjusted OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.11– 3.37, P=0.020).Conclusion: Our data indicated that FTO gene SNPs are unlikely to have large effects on CNS tumor risk but may have weaker effects.Keywords: CNS tumor, risk, FTO, polymorphism, Chinese

Neuropathic pain following brachial plexus avulsion injury (BPAI) induces plastic changes in multiple brain regions associated with somatosensory function, pain, or cognition at the group level. The alternation of the whole pattern of resting-state brain activity and the feasibility of a brain imaging, information-based diagnosis of pain following BPAI is poorly investigated.To investigate whether brain pattern alternation can identify neuropathic pain from healthy controls at an individual level and the specific regions that can be used as diagnostic neuroimaging biomarkers.Controlled animal study.The research took place in the school of rehabilitation science of a university and affiliated hospitals.A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180 g-200 g were randomly assigned to either the BPAI group (n = 24) or normal control group (n = 24). A neuropathic pain rat model following BPAI was established in the BPAI group and a mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) test was performed to verify the presence of neuropathic pain. Micro-positron emission tomography with [Fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG-PET) was used to obtain the whole brain metabolic activity scans. Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) was performed with a linear support vector machine (SVM) analysis both in PRoNTo toolbox (based on regions of interests) and SearchlightSearchlight approach (based on voxels within the region).Compared with baseline status, MWT of the left (intact) forepaw was significantly reduced in the BPAI group (P0.001). The accuracy of a whole brain image that correctly discriminated BPAI from normal controls rats was 87.5% with both the PRoNTo toolbox and SearchlightSearchlight method. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations (P0.05) between MWT and the standard taken values of brain regions including the left olfactory nucleus, right entorhinal cortex in the PRoNTo toolbox, and bilateral amygdala, right piriform cortex and right ventral hippocampus in Searchlight method.The alternation of metabolic connectivity among regions and functional connectivity among different networks were not investigated in the present study.Our study indicated that MVPA based on the PET scans of rats' brains could successfully identify neuropathic pain from health condition at the individual level and predictive regions could potentially be provided as neuroimaging biomarkers for the neuropathic pain following BPAI.

Summary Mazes are broadly used to investigate animal decision-making and spatial learning. However, they have been sparsely employed to explore C. elegans behavior and training-improved performance. This protocol describes a highly reproducible, low-cost maze platform, made of the standard, agar-based, nematode culturing material. It can be used to reliably assess C. elegans' maze behavior, and we have recently applied this protocol to establish multisensory learning. Limitations include challenges in locomotion tracking and in distinguishing learning formation versus retrieval. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gourgou et al. (2021)., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Design and 3D-print the maze mold and fabricate the maze plates • Bait the mazes and insert C. elegans nematodes • Record nematode behavior and analyze data • Tips on steps that require extra caution, Mazes are broadly used to investigate animal decision-making and spatial learning. However, they have been sparsely employed to explore C. elegans behavior and training-improved performance. This protocol describes a highly reproducible, low-cost maze platform, made of the standard, agar-based, nematode culturing material. It can be used to reliably assess C. elegans' maze behavior, and we have recently applied this protocol to establish multisensory learning. Limitations include challenges in locomotion tracking and in distinguishing learning formation versus retrieval.

Stable quantum memories that capable of storing quantum information for long time scales are an essential building block for an array of potential applications. The long memory time are usually achieved via dynamical decoupling technique involving decoupling of the memory states from its local environment. However, because this process is strongly limited by the errors in the pulses, an noise-protected scheme remains challenging in the field of quantum memories. Here we propose a scheme to design a noise-resisted \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\pi$$\end{document}π pulse, which features high fidelity exceeding \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$99.9\%$$\end{document}99.9% under realistic situations. Using this \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\pi$$\end{document}π pulse we can generate different dynamical decoupling sequences that preserve high fidelity for long time scales. The versatility, robustness, and potential scalability of this method may allow for various applications in quantum memories technology.

Age-related mobility decline is often associated with negative physical and psychological outcomes, such as frailty, in the elderly population. In C. elegans, during the early stage of the aging process, a progressive deficit of synaptic exocytosis in the motor neurons results in a functional decline at the neuromuscular junctions, which eventually leads to degeneration of both neurons and muscles. This age-dependent functional decline can be ameliorated by pharmacological interventions, such as arecoline, a muscarinic AChR agonist known to promote synaptic exocytosis at the neuromuscular junctions. In this study, we found that a short-term treatment of arecoline during the early stage of aging, when the NMJ functional decline begins, not only slows muscle tissue aging, but also extends lifespan in C. elegans. We have also demonstrated that arecoline acts on the GAR-2/PLCβ pathway in the motor neurons to increases longevity. Together, our findings suggest that synaptic transmission in aging motor neurons may serve as a potential target for pharmacological interventions to promote both health span and lifespan, when applied at the early stage aging. Impact statement The functional decline of motor activity is a common feature in almost all aging animals that leads to frailty, loss of independence, injury, and even death in the elderly population. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism that drives the initial stage of this functional decline and developing strategies to increase human healthspan and even lifespan by targeting this process would be of great interests to the field. In this study, we found that by precisely targeting the motor neurons to potentiate its synaptic releases either genetically or pharmacologically, we can not only delay the functional aging at NMJs but also slow the rate of aging at the organismal level. Most importantly, we have demonstrated that a critical window of time, that is the early stage of NMJs functional decline, is required for the beneficial effects. A short-term treatment within this time period is sufficient to extend the animals’ lifespan.

Background Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a rare congenital gastrointestinal disease characterized by the absence of intestinal submucosal and myometrial ganglion cells. Recently, researches indicated that miR-100 regulated the growth, differentiation and apoptosis of neurons, and affected the functions of HSCR-associated pathways. While miR-100 rs1834306 A>G polymorphism was shown to modify the susceptibility to tumors, the association between this polymorphism and HSCR susceptibility is still unknown. Methods This was a case-control study consisting of 1470 HSCR cases and 1473 controls from southern China. DNA was genotyped by TaqMan real-time PCR. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as statistical indicators. Results We found that miR-100 rs1834306 G allele and GG genotype significantly increased HSCR susceptibility (GG vs AA: adjusted OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.04-1.64, P=0.020; G vs A: adjusted OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.25, P=0.041; GG vs AA/AG: adjusted OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.07-1.59, P=0.010). In the stratified analysis, miR-100 rs1834306 GG genotype carriers had higher risk to develop HSCR in all clinical subtypes when compared with those with AA/AG genotypes, and OR was rising with HSCR aggravation (SHSCR: adjusted OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.03-1.59, P=0.029; LHSCR: adjusted OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.06-2.07, P=0.020; TCA: adjusted OR=2.12, 95% CI=1.22-3.69, P=0.008). Conclusion Our findings suggested that miR-100 rs1834306 A>G polymorphism was associated with increased HSCR susceptibility in southern Chinese children. Furthermore, miR-100 rs1834306 GG genotype had a greater genetic pathopoiesis in severe HSCR.

Led to significant capacity improvement to 1800 mA/h after 100 cycles for nano-graphene-N4, which is the first report for a carbonaceous materials anode. In addition, the doping level, id est, number of nitrogen atoms, had a significant influence on the molecular self-assembled structures through hierarchical self-assembly. As the nitrogen concentration increased, the d-space between the nanosheets increased from 3.4 to 4.3. The capacity of the nano-graphene increased greatly from 500 mAh/g for nano-graphene without N-doping to 1800 mAh/g for nano-graphene with nanographene-N4, indicating that the capacity is related to the structures, and was defined and the relationship between performance and structure was determined.

Magnetic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the facile alcohol-solution combustion approach, and they were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were employed to adsorb Congo red (CR) from aqueous medium. The study of magnetic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles for CR adsorption at room temperature was performed, and the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second kinetics model matched well with the adsorption process, those suggested that the mechanism of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles for CR adsorption followed the adsorption behavior of monolayer. The adsorbance descended with the increase of pH value, especially the pH value exceeded 7, and the adsorbance amounted to 77% of the initial one via 10 recycles. While, the electrochemical performances of bare magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE), MGCE/CuFe2O4 nanoparticles, and MGCE/nanoparticles adsorbed CR were measured by EIS and CV.

Summary Mazes are broadly used to investigate animal decision-making and spatial learning. However, they have been sparsely employed to explore C. elegans behavior and training-improved performance. This protocol describes a highly reproducible, low-cost maze platform, made of the standard, agar-based, nematode culturing material. It can be used to reliably assess C. elegans' maze behavior, and we have recently applied this protocol to establish multisensory learning. Limitations include challenges in locomotion tracking and in distinguishing learning formation versus retrieval. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gourgou et al. (2021) .

Background: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate a risk prediction model for the readmission of patients with CHF. Methods: The search was carried out in databases including PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and also domestic databases including Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Academic Journal Full Text Database, Wanfang Database, and Vipu Chinese Journal Service Platform. All the original studies published by July 2021. Two researchers identified previous studies involving readmission risk prediction models that met our selection criteria. The quality of the included studies was evaluated based on the CHARMS checklist, and the prediction models were systematically evaluated. Results: Of the overall 4787 studies retrieved, nine studies—two prospective, seven retrospective—met our selection criteria. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve exceeded 0.63 (0.63-0.80) for all the studies. The most common predictors in the model were B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-brain BNP (Odds Ratio 4.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.53–7.49; P

Single-electron spins in quantum dots are the leading platform for qubits, while magnons in solids are one of the emerging candidates for quantum technologies. How to manipulate a composite system composed of both systems is an outstanding challenge. Here, we use spin–charge hybridization to effectively couple the single-electron spin state in quantum dots to the cavity and further to the magnons. Through this coupling, quantum dots can entangle and detect magnon states. The detection efficiency can reach 0.94 in a realistic experimental situation. We also demonstrate the electrical tunability of the scheme for various parameters. These results pave a practical pathway for applications of composite systems based on quantum dots and magnons.

Ao-lin Yuan,1 Xin Shen,2 Bin Chen1 1Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Chengde Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Chengde, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Breast and Thyroid Surgical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Bin Chen, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Chengde Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Chengde, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China, Email drchenbin@vip.sina.comPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the use of the percutaneous intervertebral foramen lens technology for secondary molding of the intervertebral foramen in the treatment of calcified lumbar discs.Methods: The study included 104 patients who were divided into two groups. Group A comprised 50 patients with calcified lumbar disc herniation and group B comprised 54 patients with non-calcified lumbar disc herniation diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients underwent a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy at our hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Demographic characteristics before the surgery and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment outcome was analyzed using the numerical rating scale (NRS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and modified Macnab criteria.Results: Patients in groups A and B showed significant improvement in both the NRS and ODI scores after the surgery and maintained relatively low ODI and NRS scores during subsequent follow-ups. According to the evaluation under the modified MacNab standard, the good–excellent rate of clinical efficacy was 94% in group A and 92.6% in group B at the 3 month follow-up. In group A, one patient developed neck pain during the surgery, which was diagnosed as spinal hypertension syndrome, and the surgery was suspended until the patient’s condition improved. No similar complications occurred in group B. In both the groups, no patient reported any dural leak, infection, or other related complications.Conclusion: The use of transforaminal remolding technology can significantly improve the symptoms and dysfunction of patients with calcified and non calcified lumbar disc herniation. There are few intraoperative and postoperative complications and have little impact on vertebral stability. It can provide a reference for the treatment of special types of lumbar disc herniation.Keywords: lumbar disc herniation, calcification, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery, nerve root compression, visual analog scale, Oswestry, disability index, Macnab criteria

Electron spins in semiconductor quantum dots are a promising platform for qubits. An essential step toward quantum error correction with spin qubits requires the ability to read out states and identify errors in the two-spin logical basis in a fast and high-fidelity way. Here we propose a scheme for spin singlet-triplet readout in a double quantum dot, with a superconducting resonator serving as the detector. Making use of a spin driving pulse sequence, this procedure can read out the spin states with a fidelity of $99.9%$ in a time 100 ns. Interestingly, this method makes use of the spin driving pulse to adjust the resonator signal field, leading to significant improvement of the spin readout. In addition, this method can be directly applied to multiplexed readout of qubits and repeated readout to identify logical errors. These results pave the way for the implementation of quantum error correction and scalable quantum processor with spin qubits.

Quantum memories are building blocks for a variety of quantum technologies. However, the collective transfer between optical excitations and spin-wave excitations determines the performance of the quantum memory. Here we propose a method for collective excitations transfer with high efficiency and fidelity in a multimode quantum memory. The pulse uses modulations of the control parameters to cancel the nonadiabatic transitions during the evolution. We demonstrate the universality of the control pulse by simulations for an atomic frequency comb spin-wave quantum memory. The protocol is robust to various experimental imperfections in the pulse amplitude and duration. The protocol also allows one to achieve high multiplexed storage at small cost on efficiency reduction. The protocol is particularly useful in retaining the phase coherence since the environment dissipation would decohere the system. These results pave a way for efficient and robust coherent manipulations in a multiplexed quantum memory.

Glioma is a common central nervous system tumors in children.

A quartz crystal resonator (QCR) is an indispensable electronic component in the field of the modern electronics industry. By designing and depositing electrodes of different shapes and thicknesses on a quartz wafer with a certain fundamental frequency, the desired target frequency can be obtained. Affected by factors such as the deposition equipment, mask, wafer size and placement position, it is difficult to accurately obtain the target frequency at a given time, especially for mass-produced QCRs. In this work, a laser with a wavelength of 532 nm was used to thin the electrodes of a QCR with a fundamental frequency of 10 MHz. The electrode surface was etched through a preset processing pattern to form a processing method of local thinning of the electrode surface. At the same time, the effect of laser etching on silicon dioxide and resonator performance was analyzed. Satisfactory trimming frequency-increasing results were achieved, such as a frequency modulation accuracy of 1 ppm, frequency distribution with good consistency and equivalent parameters with small changes, by the laser partial etching of the resonator electrode. However, when the surface electrode was etched into using through-holes, the attenuation amplitude of the equivalent parameter became larger, especially in terms of the quality factor (Q), which decreased from 63 K to 1 K, and some resonators which had a serious frequency drift of &gt, 40%. In this case, a certain number of QCRs were no longer excited to vibrate, which was due to the disappearance of the piezoelectric effect caused by the local thermal phase change in the quartz wafer.