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This paper presents an automatic three-dimensional reconstruction method based on multi-view stereo vision for the Mogao Grottoes. 3D digitization technique has been used in cultural heritage conservation and replication over the past decade, especially the methods based on binocular stereo vision. However, mismatched points are inevitable in traditional binocular stereo matching due to repeatable or similar features of binocular images. In order to reduce the probability of mismatching greatly and improve the measure precision, a portable four-camera photographic measurement system is used for 3D modelling of a scene. Four cameras of the measurement system form six binocular systems with baselines of different lengths to add extra matching constraints and offer multiple measurements. Matching error based on epipolar constraint is introduced to remove the mismatched points. Finally, an accurate point cloud can be generated by multi-images matching and sub-pixel interpolation. Delaunay triangulation and texture mapping are performed to obtain the 3D model of a scene. The method has been tested on 3D reconstruction several scenes of the Mogao Grottoes and good results verify the effectiveness of the method.

Photoionization time delays are measured with two-color (XUV+IR) interferometric techniques. The combination of attosecond temporal resolution and high spectral resolution from narrowband harmonics allows the study of ultrafast dynamics in both time and frequency domain.

Background & Aims Early life adversity is considered a risk factor for the development of gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. We hypothesized that early life colonic inflammation causes susceptibility to aggravated overexpression of interleukin (IL)1β. Methods We developed a 2-hit rat model in which neonatal inflammation (NI) and adult inflammation (AI) were induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Results Aggravated immune responses were observed in NI + AI rats, including a sustained up-regulation of IL1β and other cytokines. In parallel with exacerbated loss of inhibitor of kappa B alpha expression, NI + AI rats showed hyperacetylation of histone H4K12 and increased V-Rel Avian Reticuloendotheliosis Viral Oncogene Homolog A binding on the IL1B promoter, accompanied by high levels of norepinephrine/epinephrine. Propranolol, a β-blocker, markedly ameliorated the inflammatory response and IL1β overexpression by mitigating against epigenetic modifications. Adrenalectomy abrogated NI-induced disease susceptibility whereas yohimbine sensitized the epithelium for exacerbated immune response. The macrophages of NI rats produced more IL1β than controls after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting hypersensitization; incubation with LPS plus Foradil (Sigma, St. Louis, MO), a β2-agonist, induced a greater IL1β expression than LPS alone. Epinephrine and Foradil also exacerbated LPS-induced IL1β activation in human THP-1–derived macrophages, by increasing acetylated H4K12, and these increases were abrogated by propranolol. Conclusions NI sensitizes the colon epithelium for exacerbated IL1β activation by increasing stress hormones that induce histone hyperacetylation, allowing greater access of nuclear factor-κB to the IL1B promoter and rendering the host susceptible to aggravated immune responses. Our findings suggest that β blockers have a therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility and establish a novel paradigm whereby NI induces epigenetic susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease.

Barium titanate ceramic is generally employed as capacitor material owing to its large dielectric permittivity, and has been widely used in electronic and energy storage devices. However, the dielectric permittivity varies sharply in the vicinity of Curie temperature, which restricts thermal stability for its relevant devices. Therefore, it is of practical importance to improve the dielectric temperature stability for its application reliability. In this paper, we report an approach to enhance the temperature stability of dielectric permittivity through introducing the composition gradient in barium titanate ceramic. Firstly, the graded ceramic (consisting of BaTiO 3 -xBaSnO 3 , x=0.07, 0.09, 0.105, 0.12, 0.14) was prepared by a conventional solid state reaction process with a modified forming process. Secondly, a comparison has been made between the temperature dependency of dielectric property with different composition gradient arrangement by simulation, and the optimal one has been selected. Finally, the dielectric permittivity of graded ceramic was measured and it has been found that the temperature variation parameter Δ∊ r % = (∊ r — ∊ r25°C )/∊ r25°C of graded ceramic is lower than that of other single composition ceramic from 20°C to 60°C, which verifies the validity for composition gradient method to improve the dielectric temperature stability of BaTiO 3 ceramics.

Ultrafast processes in matter, such as the electron emission following light absorption, can now be studied using ultrashort light pulses of attosecond duration ($10^{-18}$s) in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The lack of spectral resolution due to the use of short light pulses may raise serious issues in the interpretation of the experimental results and the comparison with detailed theoretical calculations. Here, we determine photoionization time delays in neon atoms over a 40 eV energy range with an interferometric technique combining high temporal and spectral resolution. We spectrally disentangle direct ionization from ionization with shake up, where a second electron is left in an excited state, thus obtaining excellent agreement with theoretical calculations and thereby solving a puzzle raised by seven-year-old measurements. Our experimental approach does not have conceptual limits, allowing us to foresee, with the help of upcoming laser technology, ultra-high resolution time-frequency studies from the visible to the x-ray range., 5 pages, 4 figures

Structural shape reconstruction is a critical issue for real-time structural health monitoring in the fields of engineering application. This paper shows how to implement structural shape reconstruction using a small number of strain data measured by fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. First, the basic theory of structural shape reconstruction is introduced using modal superposition method. A transformation is derived from the measured discrete strain data to global displacement field through modal coordinate, which is the same for strain mode shape superposition and displacement mode shape superposition. Then, optimization of the sensor layout is investigated to achieve the effective reconstruction effect. Finally, structural shape reconstruction algorithm using modal superposition method is applied in experiments. The experiment results show that the reconstructed displacements match well with those measured by a laser displacement sensor and the proposed approach is a promising method for structural shape reconstruction.

Background Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is often used as an entry criterion in clinical trials (CT) of patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), resulting in the potential exclusion of pts with active disease and high screen failure rates1. Objectives To assess the relevance of requiring an elevated CRP (≥1 mg/dL) as an inclusion criterion for clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes. Methods This post hoc analysis used data from 2 randomized CTs in RA pts with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX). In DE019, pts on background MTX received adalimumab (ADA) or placebo (PBO)2; in MUSICA, pts received either 7.5 or 20 mg MTX, along with ADA3. Data from MUSICA were used to confirm observations from DE019. Pts were subgrouped by CRP level at entry (CRP Results In DE019, 183 pts (89 and 94 in the ADA and PBO arms, respectively) had CRP Conclusions While pts with elevated CRP at entry experienced larger improvements from BL in clinical and functional outcomes upon treatment, significant improvements in most outcomes were also observed in those without elevated CRP at entry (as low as 0.75 mg/dL), suggesting that an elevated CRP may not be required to see differences between active and inactive treatment. References Von Vollenhoven et al. 2015, Arthritis Rheum 67: 2855–2860. Keystone et al. 2004. Arthritis Rheum;5:1400–11. Kaeley et al. 2016. J Rheum;8:1480–9. Acknowledgements AbbVie: study sponsor, contributed to study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation; writing, reviewing, and approval of the final version. Medical writing assistance: Naina Barretto, of AbbVie. Disclosure of Interest C. Scoville Speakers bureau: AbbVie, J. Suboticki Employee of: AbbVie, S. Zhong Employee of: AbbVie, E. Keystone Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biotest, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, F Hoffmann-LaRoche, Genentech, Genzyme, Merck, Novartis, Nycomed, Pfizer, and UCB., Consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biotest, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, F Hoffmann-LaRoche, Genentech, Genzyme, Merck, Novartis, Nycomed, Pfizer, and UCB., Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biotest, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Centocor, F Hoffmann-LaRoche, Genentech, Genzyme, Merck, Novartis, Nycomed, Pfizer, and UCB.

On Feb. 18, 2017, the Digestive Disease Institute Week (DDI Week) sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation annually successfully ended, after a 5-day scientific and compact agenda. The event took place in Boca Raton, a beautiful city located in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. With a history of 28 years’ development, promotion and efforts, it has been a prestigious excellent meeting in digestive disease, enjoying a rather high reputation in China as well. The meeting is dedicated to providing comprehensive in-depth, detailed overview of new, controversial, challenging, and provocative themes, advances, innovations and inspirations in digestive disease.

On Feb. 18, 2017, the Digestive Disease Institute Week (DDI Week) sponsored by Cleveland Clinic annually successfully ended, after a 5-day scientific and compact agenda. The event took place in Boca Raton, a beautiful city located in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. With a history of 28-year development, promotion and efforts, it has been a prestigious excellent meeting in digestive disease, enjoying a rather high reputation in China as well. The meeting is dedicated to providing comprehensive in-depth, detailed overview of new, controversial, challenging, and provocative themes, advances, innovations and inspirations in digestive disease.

With the progress of modern industry, the miniaturization of devices has become an ongoing demand in the advanced manufacturing technology. And one of the core issues of electronic equipment integration is to improve the dielectric permittivity of capacitor materials. Here, the functional dielectrics BaTiO 3−x BaSnO 3 (x=0∼0.2) (abbreviated as BT-xBS) were prepared by a conventional solid state reaction process. The dielectric permittivity can reaches to the value of e r =53644 at triple point (with the composition of x=0.105 at T=36.6°C). The nonlinear dielectric response of BT-xBS has also been analyzed by using Rayleigh relationship. The intrinsic activity is reported to the major contribution for the large dielectric response for such a triple point. Our results may provide guidance for developing ferroelectric ceramics with high permittivity.

On Feb. 18, 2017, the Digestive Disease Institute Week (DDI Week) sponsored by Cleveland Clinic annually successfully ended, after a 5-day scientific and compact agenda. The event took place in Boca Raton, a beautiful city located in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA ( Figure 1 ). With a history of 38 years’ development, promotion and efforts, it has been a prestigious excellent meeting in digestive disease, enjoying a rather high reputation in China as well. The meeting is dedicated to providing comprehensive in-depth, detailed overview of new, controversial, challenging, and provocative themes, advances, innovations and inspirations in digestive disease.

Synopsis Above-threshold ionization is a corner stone of attsecond science. In this work we extend Fano’s propensity rule to two-photon above-threshold ionization and show that the asymmetry between absorption and emission of the second photon predicted by this propensity rule has strong implications for angle-resolved pump-probe experiments and in particular for attosecond photoelectron interferometry.

Background Little has been done on assessing the safety and efficacy of programmed death-1 (PD-1) knockout (KO) engineered CART cells in cancer patients. Here we designed a clinical trial to evaluate the safety of PD-1 KO engineered anti-MUC1 CART cells for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary endpoint was to evaluate the safety of the new treatment. Methods Patients (age ≥ 18) were recruited according to the criteria in NCT03525782. MUC1-specific CARs were constructed using the SM3 scFv. Following lenti-MUC1 CAR retroviral transduction, efficiency of transgenic expression was assessed by flow cytometry. PD-1 gene KO in the CAR positive T cells was achieved using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and validated by sequencing and flow cytometry. MUC1-CAR+/PD-1- T cells at a starting dose of 2.5x106/KG were infused over 60 mins. Following treatment, patients' general condition, levels of lymphocytes, IL-6, hs-CRP, PCT, CYFRA21, NSE(E), and SCC were monitored. Circulating CART cells were checked regularly. Changes in tumor size were examined by MRI scans. Results Up to the study cutoff date, 19/9/2019, 20 patients diagnosed with NSCLC (IIIb to IV), were recruited. All participants received at least one cycle of anti-MUC1 CART cell treatment. Among the 20 treated patients, 8 received 1 cycle, 9 received 2 cycles, 2 received 3 cycles, and 1 received 4 cycles. Common adverse events (AEs) were acute fever (3 pts, 38.2-39.8 C◦), chills (2 pts), headache (1 pt), skin rash (1 pt), diarrhea (1 pt), and nausea & vomiting (1 pt). No grade 3-5 AEs and CRS was observed. Of the 20 assessed patients, 11 presented with stable disease while 9 had progressive disease. All patients had significant symptom improvements after infusion. Circulating CART cells gradually declined after infusion and the number dropped down to approximately 20% in 4 months after one cycle treatment, indicating the necessity of further cycles. Conclusion Our data suggests that the treatment with PD-1 disrupted anti- MUC1-CAR cells is safe and well tolerated by all NSCLC patients. Importantly no CRS was indicated in all cases. The efficacy of this unique combined therapy was still inconclusive and will be explored in our next phase study. Clinical trial identification NCT03525782. Legal entity responsible for the study Guangzhou Anjie Biomedical Technology Co. Ltd. Funding Guangzhou Anjie Biomedical Technology Co. Ltd. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background MAPK (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK-MAP) and mTOR inhibitors are novel treatments for pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The literature on common cutaneous adverse reactions to these therapies is sparse in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to describe common cutaneous adverse reactions to BRAF, MEK, and mTOR inhibitors in children with CNS tumors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, patients younger than 21 years of age receiving BRAF, MEK, and mTOR inhibitor monotherapy for a CNS tumor were enrolled over a one-year period. Full body skin examination, photographs of dermatologic findings, and initial treatment recommendations were included at the initial visit, and follow-up skin examinations were recommended every three months. Results Twenty-two patients were enrolled in the study. Fifty percent (11/22) received trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, 27.3% (6/22) received dabrafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, and 22.7% (5/22) received everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor. Median age at visit was 11 years (range, 3-19). Median time from treatment initiation to skin examination was 4.5 months (range, 0-43). Ninety-six percent (21/22) of all patients had at least one skin reaction. The most common reactions across treatment groups included follicular/acneiform eruptions and xerosis. Two patients on MEK inhibitors and one patient on a BRAF inhibitor required therapy cessation due to severe cutaneous reactions. Conclusions Cutaneous reactions to targeted anticancer therapy in children are common, treatable, and rarely require drug dose reduction or discontinuation. Routine surveillance and early intervention may improve quality of life and facilitate continuation of life-saving therapy.

The integrity of descending white matter pathways, measured by fractional anisotropy from DW-MRI, is a key prognostic indicator of motor recovery after stroke. Barriers to translation of fractional anisotropy measures into routine clinical practice include the time required for manually delineating volumes of interest (VOIs), and inter-examiner variability in this process. This study investigated whether registering and then editing template volumes of interest ‘as required’ would improve inter-examiner reliability compared with manual delineation, without compromising validity. MRI was performed with 30 sub-acute stroke patients with motor deficits (mean NIHSS = 11, range 0–17). Four independent examiners manually delineated VOIs for the posterior limbs of the internal capsules on T1 images, or edited template VOIs that had been registered to the T1 images if they encroached on ventricles or basal ganglia. Fractional anisotropy within each VOI and interhemispheric asymmetry were then calculated. We found that 13/30 registered template VOIs required editing. Edited template VOIs were more spatially similar between examiners than the manually delineated VOIs (p = 0.005). Both methods produced similar asymmetry values that correlated with clinical scores with near perfect levels of agreement between examiners. Contralesional fractional anisotropy correlated with age when edited template VOIs were used but not when VOIs were manually delineated. Editing template VOIs as required is reliable, increases the validity of fractional anisotropy measurements in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, and is less time-consuming compared to manual delineation. This approach could support the use of FA asymmetry measures in routine clinical practice., Highlights • Fractional anisotropy in the PLIC is a key prognostic indicator of motor recovery after stroke. • Editing template PLIC volumes of interest is valid, reliable and efficient. • A template-based approach may translate FA asymmetry measures to clinical practice.

Objective.Five core domains have been endorsed by Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) for acute gout: pain, joint swelling, joint tenderness, patient global assessment, and activity limitation. We evaluated instruments for these domains according to the OMERACT filter: truth, feasibility, and discrimination.Methods.A systematic search strategy for instruments used to measure the acute gout core domains was formulated. For each method, articles were assessed by 2 reviewers to summarize information according to the specific components of the OMERACT filter.Results.Seventy-seven articles and abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Pain was most frequently reported (76 studies, 20 instruments). The pain instruments used most often were 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) and 5-point Likert scale. Both methods have high feasibility, face and content validity, and within- and between-group discrimination. Four-point Likert scales assessing index joint swelling and tenderness have been used in numerous acute gout studies; these instruments are feasible, with high face and content validity, and show within- and between-group discrimination. Five-point Patient Global Assessment of Response to Treatment (PGART) scales are feasible and valid, and show within- and between-group discrimination. Measures of activity limitations were infrequently reported, and insufficient data were available to make definite assessments of the instruments for this domain.Conclusion.Many different instruments have been used to assess the acute gout core domains. Pain VAS and 5-point Likert scales, 4-point Likert scales of index joint swelling and tenderness and 5-point PGART instruments meet the criteria for the OMERACT filter.

Ovarian steroid hormones regulate follicular growth and atresia. This study aims to determine whether key ovarian sterol-regulatory genes are differentially expressed in Hu sheep under different short-term nutritional regimens. Estrus was synchronized using intravaginal progestagen sponges. The ewes were assigned randomly to 3 groups. On d 6 to 12 of their estrous cycle, the control (CON) group received a maintenance diet (1.0×M), the supplemented (SUP) group received 1.5×M, and the restricted (R) group received 0.5×M. On d 7 to 12, blood samples were taken. The sheep were slaughtered at the end of the treatment, and their organs and ovaries were collected. The plasma concentrations of urea (P 2.5 mm. Follicle size affected the mRNA expression of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), FSH receptor (FSHR), CYP17A1, and CYP19A1 (P

The present study was conducted to describe the pharmacokinetic profile of immediate-release compound omeprazole capsule and compare it with the enteric-coated formulation under fasting and fed condition. This study was designed to phase I, open-label, randomized, 3-part clinical trial. 12 subjects in part one received single doses (20 mg and 40 mg) and repeated doses (20 mg). Different 30 subjects in part 2 (fasting condition) and part 3 (fed condition) received either compound omeprazole capsule (40 mg) or delayed-release omeprazole (40 mg) separated by 7 days. Compound omeprazole capsule showed dose non-proportionality in the range from 20 mg to 40 mg. The AUC0–t of 20 mg omeprazole is 78% higher after repeated doses. The C max was higher and T max was lower for compound omeprazole capsule than delayed-release omeprazole. 90% CIs for AUC0–t of the 2 periods (test/reference) under fasting and fed conditions were 106.3% (102.2%~109.2%) and 104.1% (93.4%~109.6%), respectively. Presence of food reduced the rate (C max) and extent (AUC0–t) of systemic exposure of the test and reference formulations from 1 462 to 777 ng · mL−1, 1 055 to 602 ng · mL−1, 2 597 to 1 852 ng · h · mL−1 and 2 454 to 1 873 ng · h · mL−1, respectively. Exposed dose of omeprazole in subjects with compound omeprazole capsule was time- and dose-dependent. Compared with delayed-release omeprazole, compound omeprazole capsule had rapid but similar degree of absorption of omeprazole.

Land degradation and global warming are currently highly active research topics. Land degradation can both change land cover and surface climate and significantly influence atmospheric circulation. Researches have verified that carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are major greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere and are directly affected by human activity. However, to date, there is no research on the spatial distribution of GHG concentrations and also no research on how land degradations affect GHG concentrations in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, we used GHG data from the ENVIronment SATellite (ENVISAT) and the Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and precipitation data from ground stations to analyze the way land degradation affects GHG concentrations in northern China and Mongolia, which exhibit the most serious land degradation process in East Asia. Our research revealed that the CO2 and CH4 concentrations (XCO2 and XCH4) increased from 2003 to 2009 and then decreased into 2011. We used geostatistics to predict and simulate the spatial distribution of XCO2 and XCH4 and found that the distribution of XCO2 displays a seasonal trend and is primarily affected by plant photosynthesis, soil respiration and precipitation. As the distribution of XCH4 is mainly affected by the sources' distribution, microbial processes, LST and submarine hydrate, the CH4 concentration presents no obvious seasonal changes and the high XCH4 values are primarily found in northeast and southeast China. Land degradation increases the concentration of GHG: the correlation coefficient between NDVI and XCO2 is R2 = 0.76 (P < 0.01) and the value between NDVI and XCH4 is R2 = 0.75 (P < 0.01).

We present a compact implementation of the ultrashort pulse measurement technique based on dispersion scans (d-scan), allowing single-shot measurement of few-cycle pulses. The main novelty in our design, making our setup extremely compact and simple, is the use, after a prism, of a spherical mirror in an off-axis geometry. The intentionally introduced strong astigmatism makes it possible to image the output of the crystal in one direction while focusing it in the other direction, resulting in the output face of the prism being imaged into a line in the second-harmonic crystal. The technique is validated by comparing measured dispersion scans, retrieved spectral phases and temporal profiles of this single-shot system with standard d-scan results.

We are glad to share with you the good news that Annals of Translational Medicine ( ATM ) is officially endorsed by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) ( Figure 1 ) from Oct 13, 2016. This is a meaningful milestone for ATM as an acknowledgement of its expansion and dedication to medical oncology and will tremendously advance its continued exploration in this field.

A novel home-built system for imaging cold atom samples is presented using a readily available astronomy camera which has the requisite sensitivity but no timing-control. We integrate the camera with LabVIEW achieving fast, low-jitter imaging with a convenient user-defined interface. We show that our system takes precisely timed millisecond exposures and offers significant improvements in terms of system jitter and readout time over previously reported home-built systems. Our system rivals current commercial “black box” systems in performance and user-friendliness.

The effects of the Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 strain, isolated from Tibetan mushrooms, on plasma lipids, egg cholesterol level, egg quality, and intestinal health of laying hens were evaluated. In total, 160 Beijing fatty laying hens (43 weeks old) were divided into four groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.5% freeze-dried K. marxianus M3 powder for four weeks. The results showed that yeast supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels (p

Prof. Kazuhiro Yasufuku ( Figure 1 , right) is Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Staff Thoracic Surgeon at the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Toronto General Hospital. He is the Director of the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program at the University Health Network (UHN), and also the clinical lead of Thoracic Surgery within the GTx program within UHN. He leads the Thoracic Robotic Surgery Program at the UHN.

As a common neurotransmitter in the nervous system, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulates locomotory patterns in both vertebrates and invertebrates. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects of GABAergic modulation are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate that a GABAergic signal in C. elegans modulates the amplitude of undulatory head bending through extrasynaptic neurotransmission and conserved metabotropic receptors. We show that the GABAergic RME head motor neurons generate undulatory activity patterns that correlate with head bending and the activity of RME causally links with head bending amplitude. The undulatory activity of RME is regulated by a pair of cholinergic head motor neurons SMD, which facilitate head bending, and inhibits SMD to limit head bending. The extrasynaptic neurotransmission between SMD and RME provides a gain control system to set head bending amplitude to a value correlated with optimal efficiency of forward movement. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.14197.001

Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a common sequela of surgical or radiation therapy of breast cancer. Although being an important part of conservative therapy, the role of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on BCRL is still debating. The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether the addition of MLD to the standard therapy (ST) could manage BCRL more effectively. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for related randomised clinical trials to compare the volume reduction, improvement of symptoms and arm function between groups with or without MLD. Four randomised controlled trials, with 234 patients, were included. Results showed there was a significant difference in volume reduction between MLD plus routine treatment and sole routine treatment. Current trials show that adding MLD to the ST could enhance the effectiveness of treating volume reduction of lymphoedema, but might not improve subjective symptoms or arm function.

OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of the clusterin ( CLU) gene occurs in breast cancer and is associated with lymph node metastasis. The present study explored the effect of CLU silencing on invasion and metastasis, and the relationship between CLU expression and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) / matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP) signalling pathway in human breast cancer cells. METHODS: A pcDNA3.1-based RNA interference approach was used to knockdown the CLU gene in MDA-231 cells (MDA-231-CLUi); control MDA-231 cells were transfected with an empty vector (MDA-231-Vec). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to assess CLU and MMP-9 mRNA levels, and Western blotting was used to analyse CLU, MMP-9 and ERK protein levels. Metastatic potential was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models of invasion and metastasis. RESULTS: Compared with MDA-231-Vec cells, the MDA-231-CLUi cells demonstrated reduced migration and invasion in vitro and decreased metastatic potential in vivo. Reintroduction and reexpression of the CLU gene into the MDA-231-CLUi cells restored the invasive phenotype. MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels were reduced in MDA-231-CLUi cells, and there was a correlation between activated ERK and CLU and MMP-9 protein levels. CONCLUSION: CLU may regulate the aggressive behaviour of human breast cancer cells through modulation of ERK signalling and MMP9 expression.

Al/Mg compound materials were fabricated by a solid–liquid bonding method. The well bonded interface with a transition layer can be obtained. There were two kinds of interface structures in the ingot. The microstructures and bonding properties of Al/Mg interface were studied. The results showed that the brittle interface layer was composed mainly of intermetallic compound Al12Mg17 and Al3Mg2 at the top part and Al3Mg2 at the bottom part of ingot respectively. The reason why two kinds of interface structures existed was explained.

A variety of evidence has a connection with hippocampal neurogenesis in the pathophysiology of depression. However, whether other neurogenic regions in the adult central nervous system would likewise be involved is a highly interesting question. The olfactory bulb (OB) is one of the post-developmental neurogenesis areas in the adult mammalian brain. Clinical studies have shown a decreased olfactory sensitivity in depressed patients, and a recent study disclosed cases of reduced OB volume in acute major depression, indicating the OB may be also affected. Here, animal models are superior to human studies, which may provide further insight into such complex processes. We therefore investigated OB neurogenesis using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model of depression. Considering the functional analysis of adult neurogenesis which has been carried out at the synaptic level as well as animal behavior level, we detected pre-synaptic and olfactory function in the OB of rats after 4 weeks of chronic stress. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed a dramatic reduction of immature neurons marked by polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule and doublecortin as well as mature neurons labeled by neuronal nuclei. Moreover, chronic stress down-regulated the expression of synaptophsin but up-regulated syntaxin in the OB, as demonstrated by Western blot, whereas a significant variation at the mRNA level was lacking. Notably, in the rat model of depression, both a decreased OB volume and olfactory dysfunction were present at the same time, which is consistent with clinical findings in depressed patients. In summary, reduced OB neurogenesis and pre-synaptic dysfunction were observed in the rat model, which may at least in part correspond to the reduced OB volume and olfactory malfunction in patients suffering from depression.

Compound I, [di-μ-methoxo-bis[(2-aminopyridine)(chloro)copper(II)], was obtained by two different synthetic routes. In synthetic route 1, we first obtained intermediate by the addition of two equivalents of o-aminopyridine to copper chloride in an ethanolic solution, and then we recrystallized the intermediate from methanol and n-hexane to give compound I. Synthetic route 2 involved the reaction of o-aminopyridine with copper chloride in a methanol solution directly. The crystal structure of compound I was obtained. The reaction of m-xylylenediamine with Zn(OAc)2 · 2H2O in THF resulted in the production of one novel zinc complex C12H18N2O4Zn, bis(m-xylenediamine)zinc (II) and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes I and II were also characterized by elemental analysis, and IR. Then they were applied as catalysts for the Henry reaction, and they achieved good conversions (64 and > 99%, respectively).

The links between asthma and rhinitis are well characterized. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines stress the importance of these links and provide guidance for their prevention and treatment. Despite effective treatments being available, too few patients receive appropriate medical care for both diseases. Most patients with rhinitis and asthma consult primary care physicians and therefore these physicians are encouraged to understand and use ARIA guidelines. Patients should also be informed about these guidelines to raise their awareness of optimal care and increase control of the two related diseases. To apply these guidelines, clinicians and patients need to understand how and why the recommendations were made. The goal of the ARIA guidelines is to provide recommendations about the best management options for most patients in most situations. These recommendations should be based on the best available evidence. Making recommendations requires the assessment of the quality of available evidence, deciding on the balance between benefits and downsides, consideration of patients’ values and preferences, and, if applicable, resource implications. Guidelines must be updated as new management options become available or important new evidence emerges. Transparent reporting of guidelines facilitates understanding and acceptance, but implementation strategies need to be improved.