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AIM: To assess the effect of age at diabetes onset and uncontrollable high HbA1c levels on the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of diabetic patients in Subei district, China. Data covering physical measurements, fasting blood-glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood lipid, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), ocular fundus examination, and diabetes treatment records were collected. An independent sample t-test were used to analyze differences. A Logistic regression analysis was applied to study the independent risk factors of DR. RESULTS: A total of 1282 patients with type 2 DM were enrolled, and 191 cases had DR (14.9%). The age at diabetes onset, education level, alcohol consumption, HbA1c level, UACR level, and hypoglycemic drugs were independent influencing factors for DR. The older the onset of diabetes, the less likely to develop DR (OR: 0.958, 95%CI: 0.942-0.975, P=0.000). Patients were then divided in terms of age at diabetes onset as follows

Screening suitable reference genes is the premise of quantitative Real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)for gene expression analysis. To provide stable reference genes for expression analysis of genes in Aconitum vilmorinianum, this study selected 19 candidate re-ference genes(ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, aTUB1, aTUB2, bTUB, 18S rRNA, UBQ, eIF2, eIF3, eIF4, eIF5, CYP, GAPDH1, GAPDH2, PP2A1, PP2A2, ACP, and EF1α) based on the transcriptome data of A. vilmorinianum. qRT-PCR was conducted to profile the expression of these genes in the root, stem, leaf, and flower of A. vilmorinianum. The Ct values showed that 18S rRNA with high expression level and GAPDH2 with large expression difference among organs were not suitable as the reference genes. NormFinder and geNorm showed similar results of the expression stability of the other candidate reference genes and demonstrated PP2A1, EF1α, and CYP as the highly stable ones. However, BestKeeper suggested EF1α, ACT3, and PP2A1 as the top stable genes. In view of the different results from different softwares, the geometric mean method was employed to analyze the expression stability of the candidate re-ference genes, the results of which indicated that PP2A1, EF1α, and ACT3 were the most stable. Based on the comprehensive analysis results of geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and geometric mean method, PP2A1 and EF1α presented the most stable expression in different organs of A. vilmorinianum. PP2A1 and EF1α were the superior reference genes for gene expression profiling in different organs of A. vilmorinianum.

Background Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening trials indicated that LDCT is effective for the early detection of lung cancer, but the findings were accompanied by high false positive rates. Therefore, the detection of lung cancer needs complementary blood biomarker tests to reduce false positive rates. Methods In order to evaluate the potential of metabolite biomarkers for diagnosing lung cancer and increasing the effectiveness of clinical interventions, serum samples from subjects participating in a low-dose CT-scan screening were analyzed by using untargeted liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS). Samples were acquired from 34 lung patients with ground glass opacity diagnosed lung cancer and 39 healthy controls. Results In total, we identified 9 metabolites in electron spray ionization (ESI)(+) mode and 7 metabolites in ESI(-) mode. L-(+)-gulose, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)(22:2(13Z,16Z)/15:0), cysteinyl-glutamine, S-japonin, threoninyl-glutamine, chlorate, 3-oxoadipic acid, dukunolide A, and malonic semialdehyde levels were observed to be elevated in serum samples of lung cancer cases when compared to those of healthy controls. By contrast, 1-(2-furanylmethyl)-1H-pyrrole, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, monoethyl carbonate, guanidinosuccinic acid, pseudouridine, DIMBOA-Glc, and 4-feruloyl-1,5-quinolactone levels were lower in serum samples of lung cancer cases compared with those of healthy controls. Conclusions This study demonstrates evidence of early metabolic alterations that can possibly distinguish malignant ground glass opacity from benign ground glass opacity. Further studies in larger pools of samples are warranted.

A clinical analysis of diagnosis was performed as well as the management of orbital foreign bodies, to investigate the methods to avoid missed diagnosis. A total of 15 cases of an orbital foreign body was reviewed, and for these cases, the clinical manifestation, imaging data and operative situation were studied. Among the patients, 4 cases turned out to have wooden, 3 metallic, 2 glass, 2 bones, and 4 other foreign bodies. Twelve cases had received debridement and suture before our management, and 1 foreign body was treated more than once. In conclusion, detailed traumatic history and imaging examination are necessary for the diagnosis of orbital foreign bodies, while prompt diagnosis, accurate location and professional surgical skills are important for the treatment.

Stem cell transplantation has brought new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases. The key to stem cell therapy lies in inducing the specific differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells. Because the differentiation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo is affected by multiple factors, the final differentiation outcome is strongly associated with the microenvironment in which the stem cells are located. Accordingly, the optimal microenvironment for inducing stem cell differentiation is a hot topic. EGb761 is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree. It is used worldwide and is becoming one of the focuses of stem cell research. Studies have shown that EGb761 can antagonize oxygen free radicals, stabilize cell membranes, promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, and replicate the environment required during the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells. This offers the possibility of using EGb761 to induce the differentiation of stem cells, facilitating stem cell transplantation. To provide a comprehensive reference for the future application of EGb761 in stem cell therapy, we reviewed studies investigating the influence of EGb761 on stem cells. These started with the composition and neuropharmacology of EGb761, and eventually led to the finding that EGb761 and some of its important components play important roles in the differentiation of stem cells and the protection of a beneficial microenvironment for stem cell transplantation.

An investigation of flow in valveless micropumps is presented. Numerical simulations are done using ANSYS. It is found that both laminar flow and turbulence phenomena would occurs in the diffuser/nozzle element. And SST (shear stress transport) turbulence model is chosen to be the most appropriate turbulence model,The simulations show when the opening angel gets bigger, the flow in the micropump, especially in the diffuser/nozzle becomes unsteady. When separation flow of fluid appears, pressure loss coefficient decreases rapidly.

Aluminum borate whisker (ABO w ) and silicon carbide particle (SiC p ) hybrid reinforced 6061Al matrix composites ((ABO w +SiC p )/6061Al) were fabricated by semi-solid mechanical stirring technique with different stirring temperatures and different stirring time. The influence of stirring parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tensile tests. The results reveal that the homogeneity of reinforcement and tensile properties increase with decreasing the stirring temperature and increasing the stirring time. The optimal stirring parameters of 640°C and 30 min are exploited based on the microstructure observation and tensile properties of the composites.

RETRACTED PAPER: A method of tool wear intelligence measure based on Discrete Hidden Markov Models (DHMM) is proposed to monitor tool wear and to predict tool failure. FFT features are first extracted from the vibration signal and cutting force in cutting process, and then FFT vectors are presorted and converted into integers by SOM. Finally, these codes are introduced to DHMM for machine learning and 3 models for different tool wear stage are built up. Pattern of HMM is recognised by calculating probability. The results of tool wear intelligence measure and pattern recognition of tool wear experiments show that the method is effective.

Al–6.8Mg aluminum composites reinforced by 10 vol.% SiC particle (10 vol.% SiCp/Al–6.8Mg) with homogeneous particle distribution and superior mechanical properties were successfully fabricated by semi-solid stirring technique. The effects of SiC particle pretreatment and stirring parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tensile tests. The results show that SiC particle pretreatment significantly improves the wettability and interfacial bonding strength between SiCp and Al–6.8Mg matrix, which further improves the homogeneity of SiC particle distribution and tensile properties of the composites. The optimal stirring parameters of 612 °C/500 rpm/30 min are exploited based on the SEM microstructure and tensile properties of the composites. The tensile strength of the composite fabricated by the optimal parameters is 344 MPa, which is 43.3% higher than that of the monolithic Al–6.8Mg alloy (240 MPa).

10% (volume fraction) SiC(subscript p)/Al-Mg composites with different Mg contents were successfully fabricated by semi-solid mechanical stirring techruque under optimum processing conditions. Effects of Mg content on microstructure and mechanical properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that SiC particles disperse homogeneously in Al-Mg matrix and interfacial reaction between Al matrix and SiC particles is effectively controlled. Distribution of SiC(subscript p) reinforcement and interfacial bonding are improved by adding Mg. Additionally, the mechanical properties of composites are remarkably improved with the Mg content increasing.

Two new acylated flavone C-glycosides, 6''-O-(2'''-methylbutyryl)isoswertisin (1) and 6''-O-(2'''-methylbutyryl)isoswertiajaponin (2), together with four known acylated flavone C-glycosides, were isolated for the first time from the whole plants of Hemistepta lyrata (Compositae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods including HR-ESI-MS, ESI-MS, UV, IR, and 1D and 2D NMR spectral techniques.

6061Al matrix composites reinforced by ZnO-coated Al 18 B 4 O 33 whiskers were fabricated by a semi-solid mechanical stirring technique. The effects of ZnO coating on interfacial reaction between whiskers and matrix and the tensile properties of the composites were investigated. Tensile tests on composites were performed at room temperature, and microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the surface treatment of whiskers could reduce interfacial reaction effectively, improve the wettability between whiskers and matrix and enhance the tensile properties of the composites obviously. In addition, semi-solid stirring parameters were also under preliminary study. The stirring parameters were determined by the distribution of whiskers in the composites. The composites with homogeneously distributed whiskers were fabricated by semi-solid stirring at 610 °C for 30 min.

Objectives To evaluate the characteristics for the changes and the feasibility of Quality Intima-media Thickness (QIMT) and Quality Arterial Stiffness (QAS) in different pathological grades of atherosclerosis by using pathological indexes as the gold standards. Methods After feeding with basic particle feeds for 1 week for adaptability Results In the AS group, QIMT Conclusions QIMT in combination with QAS can be used to evaluate the changes in the structure and flexibility of atherosclerosis at different pathological stages, and the established Fisher discriminant function can accurately determine the stage of atherosclerosis.

Objectives The aim of our study was to investigate the use of targeted contrast-enhanced high-frequency ultrasonography for molecular imaging of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression on carotid artery in a rabbit atherosclerotic model Methods Microbubbles targeting to VCAM-1 were prepared via electrostatic attraction way. Atherosclerotic lesions were induced by high cholesterol diet in 24 male New Zealand white rabbits. According to hyper-cholesterolaemic diet feeding time, they were randomly assigned to three groups, namely 4-w, 8-w and 12-w group, each group containing eight rabbits. Targeted and non-targeted contrast ultrasound imaging of the left carotid arteries were performed at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively. The imaging was digitally recorded and evaluated with Contrast quantitative analysis software. Left carotid specimens were harvested for HE staining and real time qPCR respectively. Pathological changes of atherosclerosis were evaluated by HE slice. Levels of VCAM-1 expression were quantified by real time qPCR and compared with the peak signal intensity (SI peak ) of the VCAM-1-targeted ultrasound contrast agent. Results A significantly lower SI peak was detected in the carotid wall of rabbits from the ‘4-w’ group as compared with rabbits from the ‘8-w and 12-w ‘ group (18.2±4.6 vs 36.2±3.8 vs 46.5±4.2 dB, respectively; p peak of carotid wall enhancement detected with ultrasound after injection of VCAM-1 targeted contrast agent strongly correlated with actual VCAM-1 measured in corresponding carotid segments using real time qPCR (r=0.85). In contrast, retention of the non-targeted contrast agent was not correlated with the level of VCAM-1 expression (r=0.13). Conclusions VCAM-1 targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can detection and quantification of VCAM-1 expression in an experimental early atherosclerotic model. It allowed an early detection of atherosclerosis and showed a significant gradual progression of atherosclerosis over time, supporting its utility as a clinical imaging tool for in vivo detection of early atherosclerosis.