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Spectroscopic studies of water clusters provide insight into the hydrogen bond structure of water and ice. The authors measure infrared spectra of neutral water octamers using a threshold photoionization technique based on a tunable vacuum-UV free electron laser, identifying two cubic isomers in addition to those previously observed.

Hongna Dong,1,* Yuqiu Hao,1,* Dapeng Li,2 Zhenzhong Su,1 Wei Li,1 Bingqing Shi,1 Peng Gao1 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jilin Medical College, Jilin, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Peng GaoDepartment of Respiratory, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-43181136866Email gaopeng1234@sina.comBackground: The exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) seriously affects the patient’s quality of life and prognosis. This multicenter cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics of stable COPD and risk factors for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) in patients in Changchun, Jilin Province, China.Methods: The study included 400 outpatients admitted to four secondary hospitals and four tertiary hospitals in Jilin Province from March 2018 to March 2019. Data on the general condition of stable COPD patients, patient self-management, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores, number of acute exacerbations in the past 12 months, and medications received during the study period were collected using a questionnaire.Results: Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were obtained from 306 patients, and drug prescription data were obtained from 329 patients. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that CAT scores were positively correlated with the number of acute exacerbations. Age, education level, smoking history, disease duration, number of comorbidities, and the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) were associated with AECOPD. Moreover, the level of education, disease duration, and the presence of IHD were independent risk factors for AECOPD. Poor compliance due to the lack of understanding of the disease and the high cost of treatment is a risk factor for AECOPD. In addition, increased air pollution in industrial cities and vitamin D deficiency are closely related to AECOPD.Conclusion: Low education level, long disease duration, and the presence of IHD may promote the exacerbation and poor control of COPD in patients in Jilin Province.Keywords: COPD, exacerbation, risk factors, Jilin Province

Wei Dong,1,2,* Hua Yu,1,2,* Yu-Yao Zhu,1,2,* Zhi-Hong Xian,1,2 Jia Chen,1,2 Hao Wang,3 Chun-Chao Shi,4 Guang-Zhi Jin,5 Hui Dong,1,2 Wen-Ming Cong1,2 1Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, The Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of China; 4Second Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Oncology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200050, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hui DongDepartment of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail 13917078308@126.comWen-Ming CongDepartment of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail wmcong@smmu.edu.cnPurpose: This study aimed to propose an effective quantitative pathological scoring system and to establish nomogram to assess the stage of cirrhosis and predict postoperative survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis patients after hepatectomy.Methods: The scoring system was based on a retrospective study on 163 patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for HCC with cirrhosis. The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 163 HCC with cirrhosis patients who underwent hepatectomy in our hospital from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. A scoring system was established based on the total value of independent predictive factors of cirrhosis. The results were validated using 97 patients operated on from 2011 to 2015 at the same institution. Nomogram was then formulated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to analyze.Results: The scoring system was ultimately composed of 4 independent predictive factors and was divided into 3 levels. The new cirrhosis system score strongly correlated with Child–Pugh score (r=0.8058, P< 0.0001) 3 months after surgery; higher cirrhosis system scores predicted poorer liver function and stronger liver damage 3 months after surgery. Then, a four-factor nomogram for survival prediction was established. The concordance indices were 0.79 for the survival-prediction nomogram. The calibration curves showed good agreement between predictions by the nomogram and actual survival outcomes.Conclusion: This new scoring system of cirrhosis can help us predict the liver function and liver injury 3 months after surgery, and the nomogram enabled accurate predictions of risk of overall survival in patients of HCC with cirrhosis after hepatectomy.Keywords: cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC, pathology, scoring system, nomogram

Shiwei Liu,1 Exian Mou,1 Shiyan Zeng,1 Lu Wang,2 Hao Dong,3 Juan Ji,3 Hong Yang,3 Junjie Li,1 Hao Wang,1 Hui Li,1 Jia Xu1 1Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Operating Room, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pathology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hui Li; Jia XuDepartment of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 55, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-02885420456Email zlyy_lh@163.com; scszlyyxujia@sohu.comPurpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trastuzumab on the pathological complete response (pCR) rate and event-free survival (EFS) in neoadjuvant-treated HER2-positive breast cancer with a low infiltrating level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).Patients and Methods: The infiltrating level of TILs was evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from diagnostic needle biopsies, and a low infiltrating level of TILs was defined as TILs < 10%. Data of 179 HER2-positive patients with a low infiltrating level of TILs were retrospectively reviewed and compared according to whether trastuzumab was administered or not. The associations of clinicopathological characteristics with pCR or EFS were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. EFS was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log rank test.Results: Of 179 patients, the overall pCR rate was 20.1%, and 74 patients (41.3%) received trastuzumab. Patients treated with trastuzumab showed a pCR rate of 20.3% compared with 20.0% for those without trastuzumab (P = 0.965). Trastuzumab administration was not associated with pCR in univariate (P = 0.965) and multivariate (P = 0.994) analyses. Negative status of hormone receptor (HR) (P < 0.001) and histological grade 3 (P = 0.007) were independent predictors for pCR in multivariate analyses. Trastuzumab usage had no significant impact on EFS in univariate (P = 0.916) and multivariate (P = 0.431) analyses, and pCR was the only independent predictor for favorable EFS (P = 0.012) in multivariate analyses.Conclusion: In neoadjuvant-treated HER2-positive breast cancer with a low infiltrating level of TILs, additional trastuzumab had no significant influence on the pCR rate and EFS. HR-negative status and histological grade 3 were independently associated with higher pCR rates, and pCR was the only independent predictor for improved survival. Our findings may help identify patients who are resistant to trastuzumab, thereby guiding the de-escalating choice of anti-HER2 therapy.Keywords: HER2, trastuzumab, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, pathological complete response, event-free survival

Chao Chen,1 Hao Dong,1 Chunhui Shou,1 Xiaoxiao Shi,1 Qing Zhang,1 Xiaosun Liu,1 Kankai Zhu,1 Baishu Zhong,2 Jiren Yu1 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiren YuDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel + 86 571 8723 6147Fax + 86 571 8707 2577Email yujr0909@zju.edu.cnPurpose: To investigate the feasibility and utility of computer tomography (CT) volumetry in evaluating the tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients.Patients and Methods: One hundred and seventeen Patients with AGC who received NAC followed by R0 resection between January 2006 and December 2012 were included. Tumor volumes were quantified using OsiriX software. The volume reduction rate (VRR) was calculated as follows: VRR = [(pre-chemotherapy total volume) − (post-chemotherapy total volume)]/(pre-chemotherapy total volume) × 100%. The optimal cut-off VRR for differentiating favorable from unfavorable prognosis was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and values were compared using the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was determined by the Cox proportional regression model.Results: The optimal cut-off VRR was 31.95% according to ROC analysis, with a sensitivity of 70.4% and a specificity of 71.7%. Based on the cut-off VRR, patients were divided into the VRR-High (VRR ≥ 31.95%, n = 63) and VRR-Low (VRR < 31.95%, n = 54) groups. The VRR-Low group exhibited a worse prognosis than that of the VRR-High group (HR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.69– 4.82, P < 0.001), with 3-year survival rates of 40.7% and 79.4%, and 5-year survival rates of 31.5% and 63.5%, respectively.Conclusion: CT volumetry is a feasible and reliable method for assessing the tumor response to NAC in patients with AGC.Keywords: advanced gastric cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, computed tomography volumetry

Han Dong,1 Bin Dong,1 Na Zhang,2 Songyan Liu,3 Huiying Zhao1 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Electrical Diagnosis, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huiying ZhaoDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-431-88783239Fax +86-431-88786439Email zhaohuiyingjdyy@126.comSongyan LiuDepartment of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-431-84595348Fax +86-431-84596133Email songyanliujilin@163.comPurpose: To explore the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of Apelin (APLN), and to study the regulation of APLN expression by microRNA (miRNA) in epilepsy.Materials and Methods: In vitro and in vivo epileptic models were established with hippocampal neurons and Wistar rats. Apoptosis of neurons was identified by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA). Bioinformatics software was used to predict target genes of miRNA, which were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene system and functional experiments.Results: Our study demonstrated protective effects of APLN against neuronal death in epilepsy both in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanisms involved are inhibiting the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), Bax, and caspase-3; promoting the expression of Bcl-2; and increasing phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) levels in neurons. For the first time, we found that miR-182 could negatively regulate both transcriptional and translational levels of APLN, and that the up-regulation of miR-182 inhibited the expression of APLN and Bcl-2, and promoted the expression of Bax and caspase-3.Conclusion: APLN could protect the neurons from injury in epilepsy by regulating the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and mGluR1 and increasing p-AKT levels, which were attenuated by miR-182. Hence, miR-182/APLN may be potential targets for epilepsy control and treatment.Keywords: epilepsy, apelin, neuroprotective effects, miR-182, regulation

Feshbach resonances are transiently trapped states along a reaction coordinate, providing a probe to the reaction’s potential energy surface (PES) but difficult to analyze in polyatomic systems. Here the authors identify Feshbach resonances in a reacting 4-atom system by state-to-state quantum dynamics using a full-dimensional PES.

Invasive snails and flies are major pests of imported orchids, controlled by methyl bromide (MB) fumigation in Korea. We compared the efficacy and phytotoxicity of ethyl formate (EF) and MB on four species of imported orchids using juvenile stages of Achatina fulica and third and fourth instars of Lycoriella mali. EF was as effective as MB. The LCt99 values of EF were 68.1 and 73.1 g h/m3 at 15 °C; and those of MB were 95.9 and 78.4 g h/m3 at 15 °C for A. fulica and L. mali, respectively. In the scale-up trials, EF treatment at 35 g/m3 for 4 h at 15 °C resulted in complete control of both pests. MB treatment based on the current treatment guidelines for imported orchids (48 g/m3, 2 h, at >15 °C) resulted in complete control of L. mali but not of A. fulica. Chlorophyll content and hue values of treated orchids were not affected by EF treatment but significantly changed by MB (p-value < 0.05). All four treated species of orchids died within 30 d of MB treatment, while only one species died from EF treatment. Our results suggest that EF is a potential alternative to MB in phytosanitary treatment of imported orchids.

The reactivity and selectivity of bimetallic surfaces are of fundamental importance in industrial applications. Here, we report the first six-dimensional (6D) quantum dynamics study for the role of surface strain and ligand effects on the reactivity of HCl on a strained pseudomorphic monolayer of Au deposited onto a Ag(111) substrate, with the aid of accurate machine learning-based potential energy surfaces. The substitute of Au into Ag changes the location of the transition state; however, the static barrier height remains roughly the same as pure Au(111). The 6D quantum dynamics calculations reveal that the surface strain due to lattice expansion slightly enhances the reactivity. The ligand effect due to electronic structure interactions between Au and Ag substantially suppresses the reactivity of HCl in the ground vibrational state but promotes the reactivity via vibrational excitation at high kinetic energies. This finding can be attributed to more close interaction with Ag atoms at the transition state close to the fcc site, as well as the tight transition-state region, making the vibrational excitation highly efficient in enhancing the reactivity. Our study quantitatively unravels the dynamical origin of reactivity control by two metals, which will ultimately provide valuable insight into the selectivity of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) involves wear and tear, and a state of low-grade inflammation. Tissue repair responses include transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-induced myofibroblast production of extracellular matrix. Fibronectins are an essential part of the extracellular matrix, and injection of fibronectin fragments into rabbit joints is a previously established animal model of OA. Fibronectin containing the ED-A domain is currently being used as drug delivery target in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Dekavil). Methods In this study, samples of synovial membrane were obtained from patients with knee OA undergoing joint replacement surgery. Immunostaining for ED-A fibronectin and the myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was performed on fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) and synovial membranes. RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with recombinant ED-A fibronectin. Results The staining of ED-A fibronectin in OA FLS was increased by TGFβ but not by TNFα, lipopolysaccharide, or IL-6 (n = 3). ED-A fibronectin co-stained with the myofibroblast marker αSMA in both the OA FLS (n = 3) and in the OA synovial membranes (n = 8). ED-A fibronectin staining was associated with both number of lining layer cells (rho = 0.85 and p = 0.011) and sublining cells (rho = 0.88 and p = 0.007) in the OA synovium (n = 8), and co-distributed with TNFα (n = 5). Recombinant ED-A fibronectin increased the production of TNFα by RAW 264.7 macrophages (n = 3). Conclusions The disease process in OA shares features with the chronic wound healing response. Our findings support utilizing ED-A fibronectin for drug delivery or therapeutic targeting to reduce pro-inflammatory responses in OA.

Abstract Background Inflammatory mechanism has been implicated in delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and poor functional outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Identification of cytokine patterns associated with inflammation in acute SAH will provide insights into underlying biological processes of DCI and poor outcomes that may be amenable to interventions. Methods Serum samples were collected from a prospective cohort of 60 patients with acute non-traumatic SAH at four time periods (

© 2014 American Chemical Society.The activity of the M2 proton channel of the influenza A virus is controlled by pH. The tautomeric state and conformation of His37, a key residue in the M2 transmembrane four-helix bundle, controls the gating of the channel

Locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical for assessing recovery. Currently, available means to improve locomotor function include surgery, physical therapy rehabilitation and exoskeleton. Stem cell therapy with neural progenitor cells (NPCs) transplantation is a promising reparative strategy. Along this line, patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a remarkable autologous cell source, which offer many advantages including: great potential to generate isografts avoiding immunosuppression; the availability of a variety of somatic cells without ethical controversy related to embryo use; and vast differentiation. In this current work, to realize the therapeutic potential of iPSC-NPCs for the treatment of SCI, we transplanted purified iPSCs-derived NPCs into a cervical contusion SCI rat model. Our results showed that the iPSC-NPCs were able to survive and differentiate into both neurons and astrocytes and, importantly, improve forelimb locomotor function as assessed by the grooming task and horizontal ladder test. Purified iPSC-NPCs represent a promising cell type that could be further tested and developed into a clinically useful cell source for targeted cell therapy for cervical SCI patients.