Search

To assess the trends in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) incidence in Hong Kong from 1990 to 2019 and the associations of age, calendar period, and birth cohort, to make projections to 2030, and to examine the drivers of NMSC incidence. We assessed the age, calendar period, and birth cohort effects of NMSC incidence in Hong Kong between 1990 and 2019 using an age-period-cohort model. Using Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis with integrated nested Laplace approximations, we projected the incidence of NMSC in Hong Kong to 2030. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rate of NMSC increased from 6.7 per 100,000 population to 8.6 per 100,000 population in men and from 5.4 per 100,000 to 5.9 per 100,000 population in women, among the 19,568 patients in the study (9812 male patients [50.14%]). The annual net drift was 2.00% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–2.50%) for men and 1.53% (95% CI: 0.95–2.11%) for women. Local drifts increased for both sexes above the 35–39-year age group. The period and cohort risk of developing NMSC tended to rise but slowed gradually in the most recent period and post-1975 birth cohort. From 2019 to 2030, it is projected that the number of newly diagnosed NMSC cases in Hong Kong will increase from 564 to 829 in men and from 517 to 863 in women. Population aging, population growth, and epidemiologic changes contributed to the increase in incident NMSCs, with population aging being the most significant contributor. The slowing of the period and cohort effects suggests that the rising incidence of NMSC is partly attributable to increased awareness and diagnosis. The increasing prevalence of NMSC among the elderly and an aging population will significantly impact the clinical workload associated with NMSC for the foreseeable future.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is an important foodborne pathogen known to cause severe enteric disease. Thus, timely detection of V. parahaemolyticus in seafood is crucial to prevent food poisoning and reduce economic losses. Traditional lateral flow immunoassay strips (LFIS) required good labelling materials and pairing of two antibodies, which made them costly and difficult to manufacture. In this study, a label-free and lac dye coloration-based LFIS (LD-LFIS) to detect trh

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a blister-producing chemical warfare agent which could lead to a cascade of systemic damage, especially severe acute lung injury. Oxidative stress is considered to be vital processes for the SM toxicity mechanism. We previously proved the therapeutic effect of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in promoting the repair of alveolar epithelial barrier and inhibiting apoptosis. However, the key functional components in exosomes and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elaborated. This research shed light on the function of the key components of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes. Results: We noted that HMSCs-Ex showed better antioxidant abilities to attenuate SM-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, it was identified that HMSCs-Ex-derived miR-199a-5p played the vital role in reducing pneumonocyte oxidative stress. We observed that the overexpression of miR-199a-5p in HMSCs-Ex exerted protective effects against SM-induced oxidative injury by activating the NRF2 signaling pathway. Moreover, it was confirmed that Caveolin1 (CAV1) was the target gene regulated by miR-199a-5p. MiR-199a-HMSCs-Ex reduced CAV1 expression, leading to the upregulation of NRF2 and the activation of the NRF2 antioxidant signal pathway.Conclusions: MiR-199a-5p was one of the key molecules in HMSCs-Ex that attenuated SM-associated oxidative stress via regulating CAV1/NRF2 signaling pathway.

Accurate and rapid detection of pathogens is essential for food safety, epidemic prevention, disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. So far, many CRISPR/Cas systems have been gradually developed as new biosensing tools for biological nucleic acid detection. These effectors are coupled with existing nucleic acid amplification methods to produce sensitive, sequence-specific pathogen identification in multiple field-deployable formats. With the maturity of CRISPR technology, researchers have achieved detection signal amplification by combining nanotechnology and various biosensor technologies, which not only greatly improves the sensitivity and specificity of detection, but also enriches signal output forms. Hence, the classification of CRISPR-Cas systems and the properties of Cas effectors in Class2 are outlined. Furthermore, we also highlight the ways to improve pathogen detection performance based on CRISPR/Cas biosensors. The challenges and directions of this field of CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors are further discussed.

This paper investigates to what extent the charging demand of electric vehicles (EVs) can be scheduled in China by 2030. A general framework is proposed to this evaluation with different vehicle-to-grid (V2G) modes. Multiple characteristics from users, EVs, and charging equipment, are explored based on real-world data in China. A case with SO million EVs shows that about 7.7% of the electricity consumption of China by 2030 will be contributed by electrification of road transportation. Uncoordinated charging may raise the peak load by 12% to 1,345 GW, comparing with no EVs. With the objective of load flattening, the peak load decreases to 1,236 GW and 1,210 GW by unidirectional V2G and bidirectional V2G, respectively. The valley to peak ratio of these cases rises from 0.815 to 0.923 and 0.967, respectively. Quantitatively evaluating the theoretical V2G potentials helps to assess the value of deploying EVs and V2G for the power system.

In order to solve the problem of noise interference caused by electromagnetic environment in indoor positioning environment, and to reduce the smoothing effect of wavelet denoising, the time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithm in is applied in ultra wide band (UWB) indoor positioning system. A set of initial coordinate points is calculated by TDOA equations. Fisher linear discriminant is used to classify the set of coordinate points and the motion state is judged. Then wavelet de-noising is used to process the detail coefficient according to different motion states. The experimental results show that the improved algorithm is feasible, which improves the positioning accuracy, avoids the time-consuming iteration calculation, and ensures the real-time positioning.

Novel aromatic main-chain benzoxazine copolymer oligomers are synthesized by the Mannich reaction. Cured main-chain benzoxazine copolymers possess improved processing and high-frequency dielectric properties in comparison with corresponding main-chain benzoxazines, owing to the decreased molecular polarity and molecular weight. It should be noted that the polar/nonpolar heterogeneous solvent indeed plays a key role in the preparation of main-chain copolymer oligomers. The copolymers prepared in the optimized heterogeneous solvent condition has the least activation energy, the minimum high-frequency dielectric constants (2.81, 5 GHz; 2.75, 10 GHz), and a relatively high glass transition temperature (260 °C). Therefore, this work not only provides a simple path for improving processing and high-frequency dielectric properties of main-chain benzocaine but also gives some insight into the effects of solvent on the formation of copolymers.

A simple, precise, and highly sensitive detection method is urgently needed for diagnosis and monitoring of foodborne pathogens. To meet these requirements, we designed a micro-propulsion reactor based on the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for simultaneous amplification and detection and named it “Cas12a-MPR”. This method can provide a contamination- and instrument-free nucleic acid rapid detection platform with precision and ultrasensitivity using CRISPR-Cas12a combined with RPA in the same vessel. For improved performance, the interaction between the CRISPR detection system and the RPA reagent was explored. Our data showed that the impact of CRISPR reagents on RPA was negligible, but magnesium ions played a vital role in the functioning of the CRISPR/Cas12a system. After exploring the interaction between the CRISPR detection system and the RPA reagent, the method was further optimized to specifically detect target DNA at the attomolar level and achieved a limit of detection of 10 CFU mL-1 at 37 °C. Compared to qPCR, our detection results exhibited 100 % accuracy for detection of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. All the results demonstrated that Cas12a-MPR has great promise for the detection of foodborne pathogens.

Sulfur mustard is one of the most harmful chemical warfare agents and can induce skin, eye, and lung injuries. However, it is hard for medical stuff to diagnose sulfur mustard poisoning early because of the incubation period after sulfur mustard exposure. Detecting intact sulfur mustard in vivo might be an effective approach for the early diagnosis of sulfur mustard poisoning. A series of fluorescent probes for intact sulfur mustard detection were developed in this study. All of the developed probes could react with sulfur mustard selectivity. Among these probes, SiNIR-SM exhibited an extremely good response rate and a high off/on contrast. To the best of our knowledge, SiNIR-SM is the first near-infrared fluorescent probe for the sulfur mustard detection. Both SiNIR-SM and OxSM-1 were successfully applied to image sulfur mustard in living cells. Using SiNIR-SM, we found that sulfur mustard accumulates in the mitochondria of living cells. This result could provide a new insight for the treatment of sulfur mustard injuries. We also found that SiNIR-SM is suitable for the early diagnostic imaging of sulfur mustard poisoning in SKH-1 mice via the detection of intact sulfur mustard.

Table S1. List of antibodies used in the study. (PDF 231 kb)

Figure S1. Evaluation of respiratory function. (PDF 298 kb)

Objective. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the association between vitiligo and human leukocyte antigen- (HLA-) A.Methods. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and reference lists were searched for relevant original articles.Results. Nineteen case-control studies comprising 3042 patients and 5614 controls were included, in which 33 HLA-A alleles were reported. Overall, three alleles (HLA-A⁎02,A⁎33, and Aw⁎31) were significantly associated with increased risk of vitiligo, two (HLA-A⁎09 and Aw⁎19) were associated with decreased risk, and the remaining 28 were unassociated. Twelve alleles, seven alleles, and 19 alleles were common to three ethnicities, both types of vitiligo, and both typing methods, respectively. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity and typing methods, the association of six alleles and five alleles was inconsistent in three populations and both typing methods, respectively. In the subgroup analysis by clinical type, the association of all seven alleles was consistent in both types of vitiligo.Conclusion. The meta-analysis suggests that HLA-A⁎02,A⁎33, and Aw⁎31 are associated with increased risk of vitiligo, while HLA-A⁎09 and Aw⁎19 are associated with decreased risk of vitiligo. The association of some alleles varies in terms of ethnicity and typing methods.

A collaborative planning model for electric vehicle (EV) charging station and distribution networks is proposed in this paper based on the consideration of electric vehicle mobile energy storage. As a mobile charging load, EVs can interact with the power grid. Taking EVs as planning considerations, subsidies for EVs are used to shift the charging load to the feeder network area with a large margin, reducing the transformer capacity and reducing the overall planning cost. Finally, the article uses CPLEX to solve the optimization problem, and uses an 18-node distribution system for simulation verification.

A novel algorithm for measuring the power system frequency during a very short time is presented in this paper, based on an approximate linear current amplitude model. The presented measuring frequency algorithm is used to get the instantaneous value of the parameter accurately. In the algorithm, the amplitudes of four consecutive sampled currents are supposed to be linear. After rigorous mathematical deduction, including Taylor series expansion and the geometric proportion theorem, the instantaneous frequency could be derived. The errors arising from the linearization in the model are analyzed qualitatively, and then the errors of A/D conversion and Taylor series expansion are considered. By the proposed technique, the measured frequency can be derived easily, quickly, and accurately, without any digital filters. The results after simulation show that the proposed algorithm has high accuracy and noise immunity during power swings and in the normal state.  2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Background Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of haeme biosynthesis resulting from a partial decrease in ferrochelatase (FECH) activity leading to excessive accumulation of protoporphyrin. Clinical manifestation normally requires coinheritance of a common hypomorphic FECH allele and a deleterious FECH mutation. Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the inheritance of a Chinese family with EPP at molecular level, by identification and analysis of FECH sequence variation, including the IVS3-48C polymorphisms. Methods Polymerase chain reaction amplification was employed to identify the FECH sequence variation, including the IVS3-48C polymorphism, in a Chinese EPP family and a matched control cohort. Results A splicing mutation in IVS3 + 1GA was identified in the proband as well as his symptomatic sister, cousin, his grandfather and his asymptomatic mother, but was absent in his father and grandmother. All the family members with overt photosensitivity carried the low-expressed allele IVS3-48C, which were absent in the asymptomatic EPP patients of this family. Conclusion We described a novel splicing FECH mutation in a Chinese EPP family and analysed the hypomorphic IVS3-48C allele, which were believed to be responsible for generating the phenotypic symptoms in this family.

We investigate the inelastic transport properties of quantum dots connected to two leads, based on the combination of a recently developed nonperturbative technique and full counting statistics involving an approximate mapping of a many-body electron–phonon system onto a multichannel scattering system. The full counting statistics is adopted in the calculations of the inelastic transport processes of electrons where the electron–phonon interactions, which are the main source of the inelasticity, are taken into account. For serially coupled double quantum dots, we find that (i) both the current and the noise are suppressed when electron–phonon interaction switches on, and (ii) skewness becomes negative in a certain parameter regime, which is absent in the case without electron–phonon interactions.

We investigate the inelastic transport properties of a quantum dot connected to two leads, based on the combination of a recently developed nonperturbative technique and slave-boson methods involving the approximate mapping of the many-body electron–phonon coupling problem onto a multichannel scattering problem in the Kondo regime. The nonequilibrium Green's function method is adopted in calculations for the inelastic transport processes of electrons in the limit of large Coulomb interaction U → ∞ under nonequilibrium conditions. The electron–phonon interactions, which are the main source of the inelasticity, are taken into account. For a single quantum dot, we find that the differential conductance and the shot noise exhibit new structures of peaks and dips which are absent in the case without electron–phonon interactions.

The subspace-based maximum Doppler spread estimation algorithm with reduced time averaging (RTA) for Lattice Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (LOFDM) systems in doubly-dispersive channels is proposed. The proposed algorithm applies basis expansion model (BEM) to achieve the LOFDM block transmission strategy and estimate the averaging channel auto-correlation matrixes in time domain. Based on the frequency correlation among adjacent LOFDM pilots, the correlation matrix's dimension was reduced through superposition average processing. Consequently, the number of time samples required by the accurate estimation is reduced.

Background Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a mixture of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules localized on the back of the extremities and caused by the mutations in the DSRAD gene. Methods Two Chinese pedigrees of typical DSH were subjected to mutation detection in DSRAD. Direct sequencing of all PCR products of the whole coding regions of DSRAD was performed to identify the mutation. Results The c.1615delG (p.V539fs) mutation was found in the affected members but not in the healthy individuals in family 1 and the c.ins1372-9 CCACAGAT (p.D458fs) mutation was found in patients but not in the healthy members of family 2. Conclusion Our study found two novel frameshift mutations in the DSRAD gene. We add new variants to the knowledge of DSRAD mutations in DSH.

Background Many chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients recur after off-therapy and have to accept prolonged consolidation therapy with NUCs. We investigated the rate of HBV relapse after stopping NUCs therapy with different time period of prolonged consolidation therapy in HBeAg positive CHB patients, and analyzed the associated-factor of recurrence. Methods We recruited 162 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who met the standard of stopping NUCs therapy recommended by the 2005 APASL. Patients in group A, without the prolonged consolidation therapy, were as controls. Patients in group B were divided into 3 subgroups (group B1, 7 (range 3-11) months of the prolonged consolidation therapy; group B2, 17 (range 13-20) months of the prolonged consolidation therapy; group B3, 28 (range 25-34) months of the prolonged consolidation therapy). Virologic relapse was defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA to >10(3)copies/ml after off-therapy. Results One hundred and thirty-six patients (group A, 40 patients; group B1, 54 patients; group B2, 23 patients; group B3, 19 patients) were eligible for this study. The cumulative rates of relapse in group B at 6 months and 48 months were 29.2%, 41.7% after off-therapy, respectively. The cumulative rates of relapse in group B were statistically lower than that in group A at the same time periods. The cumulative rate of relapse in group B3 or group B2 was statistically lower than that in group B1, respectively. On multivariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazard model, age at off-therapy, baseline ALT and the different time period of the prolonged consolidation therapy were associated with the relapse of HBV after off-therapy. Conclusions Consolidation therapy with NUCs after HBeAg seroconversion should be further prolonged. Age at off-therapy, ALT at baseline and the time period of the prolonged consolidation therapy could provide information to direct anti-viral therapy.

Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a mixture of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules localized on the back of the extremities and caused by the mutations in the DSRAD gene.Two Chinese pedigrees of typical DSH were subjected to mutation detection in DSRAD. Direct sequencing of all PCR products of the whole coding regions of DSRAD was performed to identify the mutation.The c.1615delG (p.V539fs) mutation was found in the affected members but not in the healthy individuals in family 1 and the c.ins1372-9 CCACAGAT (p.D458fs) mutation was found in patients but not in the healthy members of family 2.Our study found two novel frameshift mutations in the DSRAD gene. We add new variants to the knowledge of DSRAD mutations in DSH.