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Carbon nanotube (CNT) materials show large degradation in tensile strength when they are exposed in chemically active environments due to the loss of inter-tube bonding. Here, we report the suppression of such degradation by chemical vapor infiltration of amorphous carbon into CNT films. The amorphous carbon generated by the thermal decomposition of the gaseous hydrocarbon of acetylene is firmly bonded on the CNT sidewalls and intersections. Based on the improved inter-tube bonding and restriction of inter-tube sliding, the tensile strength of the film is improved to be 3 times of the original level. More importantly, the bonding is so strong and stable that the high tensile strength remains with little loss even in harsh wet environments such as boiling alcoholic, acidic, alkaline solutions and seawater. Such harsh environments-tolerant properties, which were rarely observed before, could open new windows for the CNT/C composite material to be applied from functional devices to structural components under extreme corrosive conditions.

The release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into vasculature is an early event in the metastatic process and the detection of CTCs has been widely used clinically. In addition, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the source of distant metastasis. However, the relationship between CTCs and CSCs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients was largely unknown. A total of 93 NPC patients were enrolled in this study. The CTCs in the peripheral blood were detected. The expression of ALDH1A1 in the tumor tissues of the corresponding patients was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The prognostic value of CTCs level and the correlation with the expression of ALDH1A1 was evaluated. Data showed that the detection of CTCs was positively correlated with metastasis (p0.001). The positive detection of CTCs was also associated with poor overall survival (p=0.025). CTCs ≥2 demonstrated good specificity and sensitivity in predicting distant metastasis, while CTCs ≥8 demonstrated better specificity and sensitivity in predicting prognosis than CTCs ≥2. Furthermore, we found that there was a positive relationship between the detection of CTCs and the expression of ALDH1A1 (p=0.001). The prognosis analysis also demonstrated that high ALDH1A1 expression was correlated with poor overall survival (p=0.006). Our study demonstrated a positive correlation between the CTCs and the expression of CSCs, both were positively correlated with metastasis and poor prognosis. These results indicated that the CTCs might indirectly reflect the expression of CSCs.

Background Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common intractable epilepsy in adults, and elucidation of the underlying pathological mechanisms is needed. Voltage-gated chloride channels (ClC) play diverse physiological roles in neurons. However, less is known regarding their functions in the epilepogenesis of TLE. Methods ClC-mediated current and the spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents (sIPSC) in hippocampal neurons of epileptic lesions were investigated by electrophysiological recording. The EEG data were analyzed by Z-scored wavelet and Fourier transformations. The expression of ClC-3, a member of ClC gene family, was detected by immunostaining and western blot. Findings ClC-mediated current was increased in the hippocampal neurons of chronic TLE mice. Application of chloride channel blockers, NPPB (5-Nitro-2- [3-phenylpropylamino] benzoic acid) and DIDS (4,4’-Diisothiocyanato-2,2’-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt) reduced ClC-mediated current and increased inhibitory synaptic transmission in TLE mice. NPPB and DIDS reduced the seizure frequency and the average absolute power of ictal high-frequency oscillations (HFOs, 80-500 Hz) in TLE mice. In addition, both drugs induced outwardly rectified currents, which might be tonic inhibitory currents in the hippocampal neurons of TLE patients. Furthermore, the expression of ClC-3 was increased in the hippocampus of TLE mice and patients and positively correlated with both the absolute power and number of ictal HFOs per seizure in the sclerotic hippocampus. Interpretation These data suggest that ClC participate in the epilepogenetic process of TLE and the inhibition of ClC may have anti-epileptic effect. Funding This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81601143, No. 81771217).

Background: The development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has revolutionized the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of clinical stage on radiation doses to organs at risk (OARs) in NPC. Material and Methods: One hundred and forty-eight patients with newly diagnosed and untreated NPC were prospectively enrolled. Based on the anatomic definition and pathogenesis of radiation induced injury, a total of 28 OARs surrounding the nasopharynx were contoured on axial computed tomography (CT) planning images in each patient. Dose-volume histograms, as well as the mean and maximal doses for each structure, were calculated. Results: Radiation doses to 15 OARs (including the brain stem, temporal lobe and eye) were positively correlated with T stage, the radiation doses to 13 OARs (including the brachial plexus, parotid and thyroid) increased significantly with N stage, and the radiation doses to the spinal cord and mandible had no association with T or N stage. Based on the characteristic of excess rates, 9 OARs (e.g. spinal cord, eye, trachea, and et al.) met tolerance doses easily in all stages, 9 OARs (e.g. brain stem, temporal lobe, brachial plexus, and et al.) easily in early stages but with difficulty in advanced stages, and 10 OARs (e.g. cochlea, parotid, thyroid, and et al.) with difficulty in all stages. Conclusions: The radiation doses to most of OARs are associated with T or N stage, and there are three kinds of patterns for them: 1) meet tolerance doses easily in all stages; 2) meet tolerance doses easily in early stages but with difficulty in advanced stages; and 3) meet tolerance doses with difficulty in all stages.

Learning with a stimulus from one sensory modality can facilitate subsequent learning with a new stimulus from a different sensory modality. To date, the characteristics and mechanism of this phenomenon named transfer effect still remain ambiguous. Our previous work showed that electrical stimulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as a conditioned stimulus (CS) could successfully establish classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC). The present study aimed to (1) observe whether transfer of EBC learning would occur when CSs shift between central (mPFC electrical stimulation as a CS, mPFC-CS) and peripheral (tone as a CS, tone CS); (2) compare the difference in transfer effect between the two paradigms, delay EBC (DEBC) and trace EBC (TEBC). A total of 8 groups of guinea pigs were tested in the study, including 4 experimental groups and 4 control groups. Firstly, the experimental groups accepted central (or peripheral) CS paired with corneal airpuff unconditioned stimulus (US); then, CS shifted to the peripheral (or central) and paired with US. The control groups accepted corresponding central (or peripheral) CS and pseudo-paired with US, and then shifted CS from central (or peripheral) to peripheral (or central) and paired with US. The results showed that the acquisition rates of EBC were higher in experimental groups than in control groups after CS switching from central to peripheral or vice versa, and the CR acquisition rate was remarkably higher in DEBC than in TEBC in both transfer ways. The results indicate that EBC transfer can occur between learning established with mPFC-CS and tone CS. Memory of CS–US association for delay paradigm was less disturbed by the sudden switch of CS than for trace paradigm. This study provides new insight into neural mechanisms underlying conditioned reflex as well as the role of mPFC.

In order to reduce the complexity of the experiment processes for the study of gas-sensing material properties, we have designed programmed temperature control gas-sensing characteristic tester. To obtain the precise measurement of gas-sensing materials’ resistance and programmed output voltage, the tester has used ratio method, SCM control technology, basic circuit principles, A/D converter, D/A conversion, the feedback network. Test results show that this system provides a great convenience for gas-sensing materials testing.

4017 Background: Diffuse-type or mixed-type gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with poor prognosis, and more effective treatment is needed. In Asia, S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) is the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for advanced gastric cancer. Nevertheless, some clinical data suggested that oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy might be more efficacious and more tolerant than cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Methods: This trial is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, phase 3 trial in China. Patients aged 18-75 years, with PS 0-2, adequate organ function, histology confirmed, unresectable, advanced diffuse-type or mixed-type gastric adenocarcinoma/GEJA were randomized 1:1 to S-1 plus oxaliplatin group (SOX) (S-1: 40-60mg bid on d1-14, q3w; oxaliplatin: 130 mg/m2 on d1, q3w) or SP group (S-1: 40-60mg bid on d1-14, q3w; cisplatin: 60 mg/m2 d1, q3w). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) in the full analysis set (FAS). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF) and safety. Results: Between Jul 2013 and Jul 2018, 576 patients were randomized and 558 initiated treatment (279 patients/group). The median number of chemotherapy cycles was four in each group. In the FAS, the SOX group showed improved OS (13.0 vs. 11.8 months, HR = 0.764, 95% CI: 0.636-0.918), PFS (5.7 vs. 4.9 months, HR = 0.752, 95%CI: 0.632-0.895), and TTF (5.2 vs. 4.7 months, HR = 0.763, 95%CI: 0.641-0.909) compared with the SP group. In terms of grade≥3 adverse events, SOX showed lower occurrences of neutropenia (10.0% vs. 22.9%), leukopenia (9.7% vs. 21.9%), anemia (4.3% vs. 14.3%),vomiting (3.9% vs. 10.4%), nausea (2.2% vs. 10.4%), anorexia (2.2% vs. 6.8%), and febrile neutropenia (2.5% vs. 6.8%) than SP (all P < 0.05). The occurrence of grade≤2 sensory neuropathy(41.6% vs. 12.2%, P < 0.001)was higher with SOX than with SP. Conclusion: Compared with SP, SOX was more effective and less toxic (except neurosensory toxicity ) in patients with previously untreated advanced diffuse-type or mixed-type gastric adenocarcinoma/GEJA. Clinical trial information: NCT01824459.

Several noteworthy liverworts are reported from China, including Bazzania horridula Schiffn. and Riccardia tamariscina (Steph.) Schiffn. new to China, and five species new to mainland China. Cololejeunea dozyana (Sande Lac.) Schiffn. and Leptolejeunea udarii M.Dey & D.K.Singh are reported new to Thailand. Chiloscyphus yunnanensis C.Gao & Y.H.Wu, previously known only from the type locality, is proposed to be synonymous with the tropical Asian Chiloscyphus ciliolatus (Nees) J.J.Engel & R.M.Schust. SEM observations reveal that the wax-like projections on the thallus surface of Riccardia tamariscina do not belong to surface wax. Two types of oil bodies in Bazzania are illustrated. It is suggested avoiding the use of the term ‘Bazzania-type’ when oil bodies are described.

Growing evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating cellular radiosensitivity. This study aimed to explore the role of miRNAs in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) radiosensitivity. Microarray was employed to compare the miRNA expression profiles in B cell lymphoma cell line Raji before and after a 2-Gy dose of radiation. A total of 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified including 10 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated (defined as P

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunoreactive neurons were identified in the rat kidney by using an antibody against type Ia NOS and the avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase method in whole kidneys examined in 100 microns serial sections. The histochemical method for demonstration of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) was also used to characterize NOS-containing neurons. All somata showing NOS immunoreactivity also displayed NADPH-d activity. The greatest number of neuronal somata were observed in groups at the wall of the renal pelvis and in the angular space formed by the pole of the renal parenchyma and renal pelvic wall. They were also seen at the renal hilus close to the renal artery and along the interlobar vasculature. The size of the neuronal somata in the 35-day-old rat ranged from 13.6 to 34.8 microns, with a mean size of 21.52 +/- 4.81 microns. Seventy percent, however, ranged in size from 17.8 to 26.8 microns. The shape of the neuronal somata also varied, with the majority having an ovoid or round shape. The distribution of the postganglionic fibers was investigated by means of the camera lucida. Postganglionic fibers projected into the wall of the renal pelvis and/or to the interlobar arteries extending to the arcuate arteries and to the beginning of the afferent arterioles. The NOS-immunoreactive neurons may have a vasodilator and relaxing function on the renal pelvic wall and vasculature. In addition, the presence of NOS-containing nerve fibers in nerve bundles, which are known to have predominantly vasomotor and sensory fibers, suggest that they may have a possible modulatory role on renal neural function.

To develop simple but reliable intracellular labelling method for high-resolution visualization of the fine structure of single neurons in brain slice with thickness of 500 microm.Biocytin was introduced into neurons in 500 microm-thickness brain slices while blind whole cell recording. Following processed for histochemistry using the avidin-biotin-complex method, stained slices were mounted in glycerol on special glass slides. Labelled cells were digital photomicrographed every 30 microm and reconstructed with Adobe Photoshop software.After histochemistry, limited background staining was produced. The resolution was so high that fine structure, including branching, termination of individual axons and even spines of neurons could be identified in exquisite detail with optic microscope. With the help of software, the neurons of interest could be reconstructed from a stack of photomicrographs.The modified method provides an easy and reliable approach to revealing the detailed morphological properties of single neurons in 500 microm-thickness brain slice. Without requisition of special equipment, it is suited to be broadly applied.

Stab wounds are the main type of penetrating cardiac injury in China and they have a fairly good prognosis when the patient receives expeditious and appropriate management. The objective of this study is to present the experience of managing the patients with penetrating cardiac injuries. A retrospective study involving 82 cases with penetrating wounds of the heart in the past 16 years was carried out. Stab wounds accounted for 86.58% of this series (71 of 82 patients). All 82 cases were treated operatively. The amount of preoperative infusion as fluid resuscitation for shock was less than 1,000 ml in 65.85% of the present study. Only in three patients was preoperative pericardiocentesis performed, yielding a false-negative result in one. Six patients sustaining cardiac arrest soon after arrival were subjected to emergency room thoracotomy (ERT), and five of them survived. The overall survival rate was 96.34%. One patient died of exsanguination due to injury of multiple chambers; of the remaining 2 deaths after operation 1 was associated with abdominal injuries and the other with failure of cerebral resuscitation. From the experience reported in this study, early establishment of diagnosis and prompt thoracotomy against time are the fundamental factors affecting the outcome of penetrating cardiac injuries. Preoperative massive transfusion and pericardiocentesis are not advocated.

Liver trauma, the main cause of death in patients suffering abdominal injury, remains an unresolved problem, especially in its most severe forms. The objective of this study was to probe effective surgical procedures and improve the outcome for patients with severe hepatic injury. A retrospective study of 348 patients with hepatic trauma seen in our institution during the past 12 years was carried out. Of these 348 patients, 259 (74.4%) underwent surgery. To manage severe liver trauma (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade III to grade V), procedures such as packing of the laceration with omentum, hepatectomy or direct control of bleeding vessels within the liver substance by means of the Pringle maneuver, selective hepatic artery ligation, retrohepatic caval repair with total hepatic vascular occlusion, and perihepatic packing were selected and combined based on the specific injury. In the 259 patients treated operatively, the survival rate was 86.9% (225/259); and 15 of 40 with retrohepatic venous injury (RHVI) were cured with the maximum blood transfusion of 60 units. In 42 patients treated by perihepatic packing, the bleeding was stopped in 20 of 25 (80%) with RHVI and in 14 of 17 (82%) without such injury ( p > 0.75). The percentage of failure of nonoperative management was 17.2% (17/99); and it was 46.7% (14/30) in patients with grade III-V injury. Death occurred in 3 (50%) of 6 failures of grade IV-V injury. The overall mortality rate was 11.8% (41/348), and 51% of the deaths were due to exsanguination. The results suggest that severe hepatic injuries, especially grade IV-V injuries, usually require surgical intervention; reasonable surgical procedures based on classification of liver trauma and combined application of techniques can increase the survival rate; and perihepatic packing is effective in dealing with RHVI.

Transiently catecholaminergic cells (TC-cells) expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) have been shown in a variety of tissues during embryonic life. To investigate the possible relationship of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing renal neuronal somata (RNS) and the TC-cells, we examined serial 100 microm slices of whole kidneys for TH-immunofluorescence and NADPH-d histochemistry during prenatal and postnatal development. The number of TH-cells increased during the prenatal period, peaked at birth and were very rare by PD21. A subpopulation of TH-immunoreactive RNS displayed NADPH-d activity. By PD21 the TH-positive RNS had practically disappeared while the number of NADPH-d positive RNS was markedly increased. These results suggest that kidneys possess transient catecholaminergic cells which display NOS-activity and that NOS expression may be the end-point in the differentiation of the RNS.

An investigation of the changes in size, number and distribution of NOS-containing neuronal somata in the rat kidney was undertaken. The immunoperoxidase method for the staining of NOS and the histochemical method for the demonstration of NADPH-d were applied to serial thick sections (100 μm) of whole kidneys. Animals at embryonic day 14 (ED14), ED16, ED18, ED20, at birth (PD0), and at postnatal days 4 (PD4), PD12, PD21 and PD35 were studied. NOS-containing neuronal somata were observed by the 20th day of gestation in some kidneys and were consistently seen at birth. They were usually seen in groups of separated neuronal somata or in tight clusters. The neuronal somata were often attached or embedded in nerve bundles. As the kidney developed, the number of neuronal somata separated from each other increased, while the number of clusters remained relatively constant. The size of the neuronal somata increased with development. There were highly significant statistical differences in the size of the neuronal somata between all groups, except between PD12 and PD21. The distribution of neuronal somata at birth was similar to that of the adult. They could be found, (a) at the free renal pelvic wall; (b) in the connective tissue at the angular space between the renal pelvis and the renal parenchyma (SPP); and (c) along the interlobar vessels. At birth and in the early stages of development, the greatest number of neuronal somata were located at the renal pelvis. In the later stages of development, more neuronal somata appear in the connective tissue between the renal pelvis and the renal parenchyma. The location of NOS-containing neuronal somata suggests that they might have a modulatory role on the sympathetic and sensory renal nerves all through development.

Neuronal somata in the rat kidney are very often part of ganglionated plexus and contain nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Examining serial 100 μm slices of whole kidneys, we identified three subpopulations of neuronal somata by: (a) staining for NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochernistry followed by the demonstration of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) by immunoperoxidase, and (b) staining for DBH by immunofluorescence followed by the demonstration of NADPH-d histochemical activity. The largest subpopulation of neuronal somata displayed both DBH immunoreactivify and NADPH-d histochemical activity. The second largest group of somata showed NADPH-d activity only. A small group of neuronal somata showed only DBH immunoreactivity. The presence of catecholaminergic characteristics in NOS-containing neuronal somata is unusual and raises the question as to their origin. Their heterogeneity suggests different functions for the different subpopulations.

An epidemiologic study of Helicobacter pylori infection in three areas with high, moderate or low incidences of gastric carcinoma