Search

This retrospective study aims to investigate the diagnostic yields of multiple strategies of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) for children with rare neurological disorders (NDs). A total of 220 pediatric patients with NDs who visited our hospital between Jan 2017 and Dec 2018 and had undergone NGS were included. Most patients were 5 years old or younger, and the number of patients visiting the hospital decreased with age. Seizures were the most common symptom in this cohort. The positive rates for targeted NGS panels (Panel), whole‐exome sequencing (WES), and copy number variation sequencing (CNVseq) were 26.5% (9/34), 36.6% (63/172), and 16.7% (22/132), respectively. The positive rate for patients undergoing a combination of WES and CNVseq (WES + CNVseq) was 47.8% (54/113), which was significantly better than the positive rate for patients who underwent WES alone (32.7%, 37/113). A total of 83 variants were found in 42 genes, and SCN1A was the most frequently mutanted gene. Twenty‐four CNVs were identified in 22 patients: two CNVs were inherited from the mother; 12 CNVs were de novo; and the CNV origins could not be determined in 10 patients. WES + CNVseq may potentially be the mostly effective NGS approach for diagnosis of rare NDs in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes were fabricated as one-off urine glucose test sensor strips. • Au@CuO nanocatalyst was synthesized to mimic the glucose oxidase and develop the urine glucose test sensor. • The effect of V 2 CT x MXene on the LIG-based non-enzymatic urine glucose test sensor was explored. • The developed sensor was demonstrated to achieve an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1.124 × 106 μA mM−1 cm−2. Glucose monitoring is of great significance for the health management of diabetic patients. Herein, non-enzymatic glucose sensors were developed by modifying Au@CuO or Au@CuO/V 2 CT x MXene nanocomposites (NCs) on the surface of disposable laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode. The structures and morphologies were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental analysis. The electrochemical performances of NCs were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). The results demonstrated that both Au@CuO/LIG and Au@CuO/V 2 CT x MXene/LIG have excellent electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation in an alkaline medium. However, it was found that Au@CuO/V 2 CT x MXene/LIG was easily oxidized. Hence, the combination of Au@CuO/LIG was preferred for glucose test. Under optimized conditions, the electrochemical sensor achieved a detection range of 0.005 to 5.0 mM with a sensitivity of 1.124 × 106 μA mM−1 cm−2. The response time was 1.5 s and the limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 1.8 μM. The sensor has good selectivity and stability (84.12 % activity retained after 6 weeks). Its affordable price, disposable usage and portable essence are suitable for clinical application. Our study presented a novel strategy to the field of non-enzymatic glucose sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use is an important issue that has caused growing concerns in China as well as other countries, the knowledge of long-term patterns of ATS use in China is limited. This study explored long-term patterns of ATS use in Shanghai, China, and compared the differences by ATS use trajectory groups, seeking to identify risk factors that have implications for the development of targeted intervention programs. Methods A total of 377 ATS users were recruited from the Compulsory Isolation Center for Drug Rehabilitation in Shanghai. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify distinctive trajectories of ATS use over 8 years at the time of interviews conducted in 2012. The mean number of days using ATS per month over a year from years 2005 to 2012 was analyzed with a censored normal model. Results Three distinctive groups were identified: high-use (19.1%), low-use (66.0%), and increasing-use (14.9%). Relative to the low-use group, the high-use and increasing-use groups were more likely to report having used opiate-type drugs and to have more craving experiences. Psychiatric symptoms following ATS use were frequently reported, with ATS users in the increasing-use and high-use groups more likely to report depression symptoms and suicide behaviors compared to the low-use group. The low-use and increasing-use groups reported more months in drug abuse treatment programs compared to the high-use group. Conclusions Addressing ATS use should take into consideration patients’ use-related psychiatric symptoms as well as other risk factors, particularly among those with persistent high-level ATS use trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. It has been reported that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( -13910C/T, -22018G/A, -13907C/G, -13915T/G, and -14010G/C) within the lactase gene are associated with lactase persistence. In our previous study, we found that -13910C/T is not a good predictor of lactase persistence in Chinese populations. To obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of lactase persistence, we examined the frequencies in Northern China of the four other alleles that are associated with lactase persistence. Material and methods. We evaluated the allele frequencies of -22018G/A, -13907C/G, -13915T/G, and -14010G/C in six northern Chinese populations (Manchu, Mongol, Hezhen, Oroqen, Kazak, and northern Han) using the methods of polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and resequencing. Results. By genotyping 1092 chromosomes, we found that the frequency of the -22018A allele was highest in the Kazak population and extremely low in the northern Han population. Although there are little available data about the frequency of lactase persistence in northern Chinese populations, we compared the allele frequencies with the phenotype frequencies that have been published previously. We found that the frequency of the -22018A allele was basically consistent with the reported frequencies of lactase persistence in Northern China. With respect to the -13907C/G, -13915T/G, and -14010G/C polymorphisms, we found no individuals with the derived allele. Conclusions. The frequency of the -22018A allele differed significantly among the six populations and the frequency reflected the frequency of lactase persistence. Taking into consideration the results of previous studies, we believe that the origins of lactase persistence-associated alleles are different in different pastoral populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MSM are at high risk of HIV infection. Previous studies have shown that the cell cycle regulation plays an important role in HIV-1 infection, especially at the G2/M checkpoint. ATR, Chk1, Cdc25C and CDK1 are key genes of G2/M checkpoint. However, the association between SNPs of these genes and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression remains unknown. Methods: In this study, 42 tSNPs from the above four G2/M checkpoint genes were genotyped in 529 MSM and 529 control subjects from northern China to analyze this association. Results: The results showed that rs34660854 A and rs75368165 A in ATR gene and rs3756766 A in Cdc25C gene could increase the risk of HIV-1 infection (P = 0.049, OR = 1.234, 95% CI 1.001–1.521; P = 0.020, OR = 1.296, 95% CI 1.042–1.611; P = 0.011, OR = 1.392, 95% CI 1.080–1.794, respectively), while Chk1 rs10893405 (P = 0.029, OR = 1.629, 95% CI 1.051–2.523) were significantly associated with AIDS progression. Besides, rs34660854 (P = 0.019, OR = 1.364, 95% CI 1.052–1.769; P = 0.022, OR = 1.337, 95% CI 1.042–1.716, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) and rs75368165 (P = 0.006, OR = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.114–1.899; P = 0.007, OR = 1.418, 95% CI 1.099–1.831, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in ATR gene, rs12576279 (P = 0.013, OR = 0.343, 95% CI 0.147-0.800; P = 0.048, OR = 0.437, 95% CI 0.192–0.991, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) and rs540436 (P = 0.012, OR = 1.407, 95% CI 1.077–1.836; P = 0.021, OR = 1.359, 95% CI 1.048–1.762, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in Chk1 gene, rs3756766 (P = 0.013, OR = 1.455, 95% CI 1.083–1.954; P = 0.009, OR = 1.460, 95% CI 1.098–1.940, under Codominant model and Dominant model, respectively) in Cdc25C gene and rs139245206 (P = 0.022, OR = 5.011, 95% CI 1.267–19.816; P = 0.020, OR = 5.067, 95% CI 1.286–19.970, under Codominant model and Recessive model, respectively) in CDK1 gene were significantly associated with HIV-1 infection under different models. Conclusions: We found that genetic variants of G2/M checkpoint genes had a molecular influence on the occurrence of HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression in a northern Chinese MSM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex microbial community exists in oil reservoirs after the application of chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies, where the dynamic interactions of microorganisms are thought to be critical to petroleum composition, recovery, and production technologies but are poorly understood. Here, we used the 16S rRNA gene to construct co-occurrence networks for bacterial and archaeal communities associated with water-, polymer-, and alkaline surfactant polymer (ASP)-flooded oil reservoirs. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis showed that bacterial and archaeal community structures differed significantly (p < 0.01) among the oil reservoirs with different EOR compositions. The microbial co-occurrence pattern in water-flooded reservoirs was more complex, with more nodes, edges, and average degrees (i.e., average links per node in the network) than in the polymer- and ASP-flooded reservoirs. However, the archaeal co-occurrence pattern maintained a more robust structure than that of bacteria under the application of polymer and ASP flooding technologies, suggesting that the application of different enhanced oil recovery techniques has diverse effects on the bacterial and archaeal co-occurrence patterns in reservoirs. The pH and [HCO 3 −] were significantly correlated with the variations in bacterial and archaeal network structures. Our findings provide new insights into the response of microbes to diverse EOR processes by regulating their interactions in deep oil reservoirs. Revealing the effects of water, polymer, and ASP flooding on the co-occurrence patterns of bacteria and archaea in oil reservoirs, which may facilitate the implementation of microbial enhanced oil recovery technology in the future. [Display omitted] • Microbial co-occurrence pattern in water flooded were more complex than in EOR flooded oil reservoirs. • Archaeal maintained more robust structure compared with bacteria under the application of polymer and ASP flooding technologies • pH and HCO 3 - explained major variations in bacterial and archaeal network structure in oil reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study synthesized an imidazoline biosurfactant (IM-BioSurf) from biomass residue and tetraethylenepentamine in two steps. Its structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and proton NMR spectra (1H-NMR). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension (γCMC) of IM-BioSurf were measured, as well as the interfacial tension between the IM-BioSurf aqueous solution and asphalt. At 298 K, the CMC and γCMC of IM-BioSurf were 4.95 g/L and 38.27 mN·m−1, respectively. IM-BioSurf significantly reduced the oil-water interfacial tension, thus conferring excellent surface and interfacial activity. Emulsified asphalt prepared with the IM-BioSurf emulsifier had excellent storage stability and a uniform particle size distribution with an average size of 1.55 μm. In addition, the influence of IM-BioSurf on evaporation residue performance indicators was very small. Moreover, micro-surface tests showed that the emulsified asphalt acts as an excellent binder in asphalt mixtures. Most importantly, the biomass residue used to prepare IM-BioSurf can be readily obtained at low cost. As such, it is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and can greatly reduce the cost of emulsifier production. IM-BioSurf has broad application prospects as an asphalt emulsifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether cytokine genetic polymorphisms influence the outcome of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we tested 337 consecutive DLBCL treated with CHOP or rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) from interleukin 10 (IL10), Bcl-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α polymorphisms. Patients who carried the IL10 rs1800871 TT or rs1800872 AA genotype showed higher complete response (CR) and overall response rate (ORR) significantly. A longer progression-free survival (PFS) was observed in patients with IL10 rs1800871 TT (P = 0.017) or rs1800872 AA (P = 0.017) genotype after rituximab-based chemotherapy, and better PFS was also noted with Bcl-2 rs1801018 AA genotype in the CHOP group (P = 0.048). Furthermore, the R-CHOP group patients who carried the IL10 non-CCA haplotype had longer PFS (P = 0.030). Cox proportional hazards analyses demonstrated that the genotype TT of IL10 rs1800871 and AA plus AC of rs1800872 were predictive of longer PFS and event-free survival (EFS) in DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP. And the Bcl-2 rs2279115 AA plus AC genotypes and rs1801018 GG genotype were risk factors for EFS in DLBCL patients treated with CHOP. In conclusion, the results reminded us those DLBCL patients with IL10 rs1800871 TT, rs1800872 AA, or IL10 non-CCA haplotype are likely to benefit from the therapy of rituximab-based chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV infection. The nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway is the main way of double-stranded DNA break (DSB) repair in the higher eukaryotes and can repair the DSB timely at any time in cell cycle. It is also indicated that the NHEJ pathway is associated with HIV-1 infection since the DSB in host genome DNA occurs in the process of HIV-1 integration. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NHEJ pathway genes with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression among MSM residing in northern China. Methods. A total of 481 HIV-1 seropositive men and 493 HIV-1 seronegative men were included in this case-control study. Genotyping of 22 SNPs in NHEJ pathway genes was performed using the SNPscan™ Kit. Results. Positive associations were observed between XRCC6 rs132770 and XRCC4 rs1056503 genotypes and the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. In gene-gene interaction analysis, significant SNP-SNP interactions of XRCC6 and XRCC4 genetic variations were found to play a potential role in the risk of HIV-1 infection. In stratified analysis, XRCC5 rs16855458 was significantly associated with CD4+ T cell counts in AIDS patients, whereas LIG4 rs1805388 was linked to the clinical phases of AIDS patients. Conclusions. NHEJ gene polymorphisms can be considered to be risk factors of HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression in the northern Chinese MSM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water vapor is ubiquitously present for energy conversion and combustion systems, yet its effect on the oxidation of crucial structure components of heat-resistant alloys remains elusive. Departure from the well-established phenomenon of exclusive alumina growth from the NiAl oxidation in dry O 2 , we demonstrate that the NiAl oxidation in H 2 O results in the precipitation of a significant number of metallic Ni clusters within the Al 2 O 3 scale by adsorbing Ni atoms from the alloy through a vacancy-assisted solute capture solute capture process of the enhanced oxide/alloy interface migration. The Ni clusters initially have a hcp structure at small sized, transitioning into an fcc structure when their size exceeds ∼12.5 nm. Using atomistic modeling, we show that the dissolution of a high concentration of H derived from H 2 O into the oxide scale is the key to stabilizing the hcp Ni structure. Subsequent coarsening of the hcp Ni clusters lowers the H concentration, leading to the hcp → fcc transformation. These results provide mechanistic insight into the effect of water vapor on the long-term stability of the structure alloys by influencing the oxidation-induced mass transport across the scale/alloy interface and microstructure evolution within the oxide scale. • NiAl oxidation in H 2 O results in the precipitation of metallic Ni clusters in the Al 2 O 3 scale. • The Ni clusters initially have the hcp structure at the small size and transform into the fcc structure at the size greater than ∼12.5 nm. • A high concentration of H derived from H 2 O into the oxide scale is the key to stabilizing the hcp Ni structure. • The coarsening of hcp Ni clusters lowers the H concentration and thus results in the hcp to fcc transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metals fluorides (MFs) are potential conversion cathodes to replace commercial intercalation cathodes. However, the application of MFs is impeded by their poor electronic/ionic conductivity and severe decomposition of electrolyte. Here, a composite cathode of FeF2 and polymer‐derived carbon (FeF2@PDC) with excellent cycling performance is reported. The composite cathode is composed of nanorod‐shaped FeF2 embedded in PDC matrix with excellent mechanical strength and electronic/ionic conductivity. The FeF2@PDC enables a reversible capacity of 500 mAh g–1 with a record long cycle lifetime of 1900 cycles. Remarkably, the FeF2@PDC can be cycled at a record rate of 60 C with a reversible capacity of 107 mAh g–1 after 500 cycles. Advanced electron microscopy reveals that the in situ formation of stable Fe3O4 layers on the surface of FeF2 prevents the electrolyte decomposition and leaching of iron (Fe), thus enhancing the cyclability. The results provide a new understanding to FeF2 electrochemistry, and a strategy to radically improve the electrochemical performance of FeF2 cathode for lithium‐ion battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People start to use heroin in different patterns. This study identified three initial heroin use patterns in a heroin use cohort: No-factor initial pattern (with no factors of initial heroin use), Single-factor initial pattern (with 1 of 3 factors of initial heroin use), and Multiple-factor initial pattern (with 2 or 3 factors of initial heroin use). The cumulative heroin relapse rate was 53.3%, 62.4%, and 72.7% respectively for No-factor, Single-factor, and Multiple-factor initial patterns during the 5-year follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) was 1.401 (95% CI: 1.091–1.799, p = 0.008) in Single-factor initial pattern and 2.381 (95% CI: 1.546–3.668, p < 0.001) in Multiple-factor initial pattern compared to No-factor initial pattern. This study added new evidence to the impact of initial heroin use on long-term relapse risk, which suggested that initial heroin use patterns should not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies reported that DNA damage repair (DDR) genes may play an important role in HIV-1 infection. The MRE11 gene, a member of the MRN complex, plays an essential part in the homologous recombination pathway, which is one of the classical DDR pathways. Previous reports have demonstrated that MRE11 has an effect on HIV-1 replication. However, the role of SNPs in the MRE11 gene and their impact on HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression remain unknown.Methods: In this study, 434 MSM HIV-1-infected patients in northern China and 431 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Five SNPs (rs2155209, rs10831234, rs13447720, rs601341 and rs11020803) at the MRE11 gene were genotyped. Another series of cases (409 MSM HIV-1-infected patients) and controls (403 age-matched healthy males) were recruited as the validation set.Results: In our study, rs10831234 showed differences in allele frequencies between cases and controls (P = 0.005). Additionally, there was an association between rs10831234 and HIV-1 infection susceptibility in dominant and additive models (P = 0.005 and P = 0.006, respectively). All significant associations were replicated in the validation set, and the associations were still significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing when the two data sets were combined. Furthermore, in haplotype association analyses between the case and control groups, the frequencies of the haplotypes Crs11020803Crs10831234 and Trs11020803Trs10831234 showed significant differences (P = 0.0181 and P = 0.0068, respectively).Conclusions: We demonstrated that the MRE11 rs10831234-T allele may confer increased risk of HIV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe the polysubstance use patterns of heroin‐dependent patients and to understand the impact of polysubstance use patterns on relapse during the 5 years after completing compulsory rehabilitation programmes. Design In this secondary analysis, the baseline data of 503 heroin‐dependent patients were linked with their 5‐year follow‐up data from official records. Setting: Four compulsory rehabilitation centres in Shanghai, China. Participants: A total of 564 heroin‐dependent patients who were discharged from Shanghai compulsory rehabilitation facilities in 2007 and 2008 were recruited. Among these, 503 patients with available follow‐up records were included in this analysis. Measurements The baseline measurements included the Addiction Severity Index, the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. Relapses after discharge from the compulsory rehabilitation centres were extracted monthly from the official electronic record system. Latent class analysis was used to identify different polysubstance use patterns. Associations between the identified latent classes and heroin use and the factors related to relapse during the 5‐year follow‐up were analysed with the Cox regression model. Findings Three latent classes were identified in this cohort: (1) alcohol polydrug users (APU; 13.7%), (2) low polydrug users (LPU; 76.5%) and (3) amphetamine‐type stimulant polydrug users (ASPU; 9.7%). During the 5‐year follow‐up, 298 heroin patients relapsed, and the three groups showed different relapse rates (ASPU 69.4 versus LPU 60.5 versus APU 44.9%, P = 0.02). The average durations of abstinence for the three groups differed (ASPU 31.27 ± 3.41 months versus LPU 36.77 ± 1.19 months versus APU 42.46 ± 2.81 months, P = 0.02). Multivariate Cox regression analyses found that the LPU [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.63, 1.06–2.51] and ASPU (HR = 2.10, 1.24–3.56) classes were positively associated with the risk of heroin relapse. Conclusion: Polydrug use patterns differ among heroin‐dependent patients in compulsory rehabilitation programmes in China. A history of polydrug use may predict heroin relapse risk among patients in those compulsory rehabilitation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AC corrosion behavior of X70 steel under the combined action of cathodic protection and AC interference was studied by the laboratory simulation experiments in two kinds of typical soil simulated environments with different contents of calcium ion (Ca2+), magnesium ion (Mg2+), and sodium ion (Na+). The mechanisms of AC corrosion in different environments were investigated by process parameter monitoring, electrochemical measurement, corrosion morphology, and product analyses. The results showed that the corrosion rate of X70 steel in the simulated environment with higher Na+ content was 2 times higher than that in the simulated environment with higher Ca2+ and Mg2+ content under the same CP potential and AC current density. The reason was analyzed and it was found that the performance of product film, AC current distribution through the double layer interface of steel/electrolyte, and the enrichment of some ions near the interface attributed to AC corrosion rate in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV infection. The APOBEC3G (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing catalytic polypeptide 3G) protein is a component of innate antiviral immunity that inhibits HIV-1 replication. In the present study, a total of 483 HIV-1 seropositive men and 493 HIV-1 seronegative men were selected to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the APOBEC3G gene and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression among MSM residing in northern China. Genotyping of four SNPs (rs5757465, rs3736685, rs8177832, and rs2899313) of the APOBEC3G was performed using the SNPscan™ Kit, while the rs2294367 polymorphism was genotyped using the SNaPshot multiplex system. Our results disclosed no association between the SNPs of APOBEC3G and susceptibility to HIV-1, or effects of these polymorphisms on the CD4 T cell count or clinical phase of disease. A meta-analysis of 1624 men with HIV-1 infection and 1523 controls suggested that the association between rs8177832 and susceptibility was not significant. However, we observed a trend towards association with HIV-1 infection for haplotype TTACA ( p = 0.082). The potential role of variants of APOBEC3G in HIV-1/AIDS warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies have assessed the association between Fc gamma receptor IIIA (FCGR3A) 158 V/F and the response to rituximab-based therapy in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but the findings have been inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to obtain a better assessment of this relationship. Electronic database searches were conducted for relevant studies. A pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was used to assess the strength of the association. Analyses of the subgroup and publication bias were conducted. A total of 10 studies involving 1050 patients were analyzed. In all the genetic models, no clear relationship was found between the FCGR3A 158 V/F polymorphism and the response to rituximab-based therapy in NHL patients. When categorized by ethnicity, Asian individuals with the FCGR3A 158 V/V allele (OR = 4.37; 95 % CI = 1.07-17.73; P = 0.039) or the non-F/(FV + VV) (OR = 2.50; 95 % CI = 1.04-5.98; P = 0.040) allele have a significantly higher complete response rate (CR) compared to FF individuals. No obvious heterogeneities were observed. In addition, no statistical evidence for a publication bias was found. Our study suggested that the FCGR3A 158 V/F polymorphism can predict the treatment response to rituximab-based chemotherapy in NHL patients, especially for Asian individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Chronic methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with cognitive impairment and psychopathological symptoms. This longitudinal study aims to examine the cognitive function of MA addicts during periods of abstinence. Methods Fifty-four MA dependent individuals and 58 healthy controls (HC) completed the psychological wellbeing scales and the CogState Battery that evaluated seven cognitive domains. During approximately 6-month abstinence, the subjects completed the CogState battery twice at the interval of 3 months. Results In the tasks of verbal memory, social emotional cognition, and spatial working memory, working memory, and problem solving the MA group performed worse than the HC group (P < 0.05). After 6-month abstinence, impaired verbal memory, social emotion, and problem solving were improved in the MA group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the MA group showed lower scores in batteries of social adaptation ( t = 3.13, P = 0.002) and quality of life ( t = 3.70, P < 0.001) than the HC group, and 83.3% MA addicts displayed various psychiatric symptoms before study entry. Conclusions Chronic MA addicts exhibited impairment of some CogState battery domains and poor psychological wellbeing, and that some of these subdomains were recoverable on abstinence. Therefore, improved cognitive function should be considered an important component in the treatment of MA dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been reported that DNA repair genes play an important role in HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression. One DNA repair pathway, the mismatch repair (MMR) is associated with a wide variety of tumors. However, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MMR genes and their importance in HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression remain unclear. In the present study, 479 HIV-1-infected and 487 healthy individuals from northern China were genotyped for nine SNPs in the MSH2 gene (rs13019654, rs4608577, rs4952887, rs6726691, rs10191478, rs12999145, rs1981929, rs2042649, rs2303428) and five SNPs in the MSH6 gene (rs2348244, rs3136245, rs3136329, rs2072447, rs7562048). Our results showed that the rs7562048 G allele frequency was significantly higher in the cases with the CD4 + T-lymphocyte count < 200 cells/μl than those with > 200 cells/μl ( P = 0.001, OR = 1.811, 95% CI 1.255–2.614), which is in agreement with the result of the Bonferroni correction. The frequencies of the rs2348244 C allele and rs3136245 T allele were higher in the cases at clinical phase IV than those at clinical phase I + II + III ( P = 0.026, OR = 1.591, 95% CI 1.056–2.398 and P = 0.019, OR = 1.749, 95% CI 1.096–2.791, respectively); however, this difference is not supported by the Bonferroni correction. There were no significant differences in the frequency of allele, genotype and haplotype of the 14 SNPs between HIV-1-infected individuals and healthy controls ( P > 0.05). These results suggest that the rs7562048 is associated with the clinical features and that the MSH6 gene polymorphisms likely play an important role in the progression of AIDS in the northern Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double minute chromosomes (DMs) have important implications for cancer progression because oncogenes frequently amplified on them. We previously detected a functionally undefined gene amplified on DMs, Ribosomal L22-like1 (RPL22L1). The relationship between RPL22L1 and cancer progression is unknown. Here, RPL22L1 was characterized for its role in ovarian cancer (OC) metastasis and its underlying mechanism was examined. DNA copy number and mRNA expression of RPL22L1 in OC cells was analyzed using data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus database. An immunohistochemical analysis of clinical OC specimens was performed and the relationships between expression level and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to understand the role of RPL22L1 in OC. RPL22L1 expression was higher in OC specimens than in normal tissues, and its expression level was highly positively correlated with invasion and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). RPL22L1 over-expression significantly enhanced intraperitoneal xenograft tumor development in nude mice and promoted invasion and migration in vitro. Additionally, RPL22L1 knockdown remarkably inhibited UACC-1598 cells invasion and migration. Further, RPL22L1 over-expression up-regulated the mesenchymal markers vimentin, fibronectin, and α-SMA, reduced expression of the epithelial markers E-cadherin, α-catenin, and β-catenin. RPL22L1 inhibition reduced expression of vimentin and N-cadherin. These results suggest that RPL22L1 induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our data showed that the DMs amplified gene RPL22L1 is critical in maintaining the aggressive phenotype of OC and in triggering cell metastasis by inducing EMT. It could be employed as a novel prognostic marker and/or effective therapeutic target for OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CQDs/SBS were prepared based on pickering emulsion polymerization. • The physical and chemical properties of CQDs/SBS were characterized. • The modification effect of CQDs/SBS on asphalt was studied. • The cost of CQDs/SBS and SBS modifiers was compared. • CQDs/SBS is a good modifier for asphalt with high performance and low cost. This research aims to use the prepared bio-base carbon quantum dots/styrene–butadiene styrene block copolymer (CQDs/SBS) composite materials as asphalt modifiers based on Pickering emulsion polymerization. The physical and chemical properties of CQDs/SBS composite modifier and its effect on asphalt modification were researched and contrasted it with SBS modifier. The results show that strong van der Waals forces and chemical covalent bonds are formed between CQDs and SBS polymer chains through a series of physicochemical reactions, resulting in strong interactions. Thus CQDs are uniformly dispersed in the SBS phase to form a homogeneous composite material. With the addition of CQDs, the CQDs/SBS composite modifier with slightly lower molecular weight than SBS modifier and can be better dispersed in asphalt. In addition, CQDs/SBS composite modifier has better thermal stability. Furthermore, CQDs and SBS have a synergistic impact in progressing the high-temperature property of polymer modified asphalt (PMA), which is showed by the improvement in softening point, viscosity, rutting resistance, and elastic recovery rate of CQDs/SBS PMA. However, the low-temperature property of CQDs/SBS PMA decreased, which is manifested by decreased penetration and ductility, increased creep stiffness modulus (S), and decreased the rate of change of stiffness with time (m). Further, CQDs/SBS PMA appears superior better storage stability than SBS PMA. It has the preferences of facile preparation procedure and low cost too, making it a beneficial choice for asphalt modifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to test if cue-exposure therapy (CET) combined with biofeedback therapy (BT) could decrease craving and physiological reactivity to drug-related cues in heroin dependents. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to usual rehabilitation with or without CET combined with BT. Craving was assessed by a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS). Skin conductance (SC) and muscle electromyography (MEG) were recorded using a biofeedback device. After 2months of treatment, both the pre-cue exposure craving and the post-cue exposure craving, SC, and MEG were lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had a greater decrease in craving, SC, and MEG from baseline after the treatment. The results suggest that CET combined with BT treatment is effective in reducing craving and physiology reactivity in heroin dependents and could be used as a component of heroin-dependence rehabilitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous researches showed that the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) may play a critical role in drug dependence. This research aimed to determine whether DRD1 played a role in development of heroin dependence in Chinese heroin-dependent patients. 465 Chinese Han heroin-dependent subjects and 379 healthy controls were recruited in the Shanghai region. Five single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DRD1 gene were genotyped in all subjects. The results found that the frequencies of DRD1 SNP genotypes or haplotypes were not different between heroin-dependent patients and controls. Among heroin-dependent patients, subjects with rs5326CC and/or rs6882300AA genotypes develop to heroin-dependent more rapidly than those without rs5326CC and/or rs6882300AA genotypes. The results indicated that DRD1 gene polymorphism may not play an important role in the susceptibility of heroin dependence in the Chinese Han population, but it may be associated with the rapidity of heroin dependence development from first drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the different patterns of cue-induced craving and physiological reactions among recently abstinent and long-abstinent heroin-dependent patients. Method: 26 healthy adult controls (HC), 29 long-abstinent (more than 1 year, LA), and 26 recently abstinent (less than 1 month, RA) heroin-dependent individuals were exposed to heroin-related and neutral video cues, one video per session, on different days in random order. Self-reported heroin craving by a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), physiological reactions [skin conductance (SC), muscle electromyography (MEG), skin temperature (TEMP)] and cardiovascular arousal [heart rates (HR), systolic blood pressure (HBP) and diastolic blood pressure (LBP)] were assessed at baseline and after exposure. Results: Both heroin-abstinent groups showed increased heroin craving, SC, MEG, HR, SBP and LBP after exposure to heroin-related video, compared to the control group and compared to exposure to the neutral video. Except the RA group showed more HR changes, changes of heroin craving, SC, MEG, HR, SBP and LBP after exposure to the heroin cue video were not different between the LA and RA groups. Conclusions: Abstinent heroin-dependent patients had elevated craving and physiological reactions after exposure to videos containing heroin-related cues and the cue induced responses still occurred in long-abstinent patients. This phenomenon should be addressed in treatment and recovery services for heroin dependence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Variants in the gene encoding transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in several ethnic groups. Two intronic variants, rs290487 and rs11196218, were originally identified as T2D modifiers in Hong Kong Chinese and Taiwan Chinese populations, respectively. However, discrepancies were noted in subsequent replicated studies. In this study, an association of these two loci with T2D was investigated in a Harbin Chinese population. Whereas the two populations in the initial studies were southern Han Chinese, Harbin Chinese are from northeastern China. The SNPs rs290487 and rs11196218 were genotyped by ligase detection reactions in 700 T2D patients and 570 unrelated non-diabetic controls. Association analyses, which were carried out using the case-control sample set, yielded a significant association between rs290487 and T2D, with a trend opposite to that described in a previous report. Specifically, rs290487T was found to be significantly associated with disease susceptibility (p =0.039), and the allelic OR of rs290487T carriers was 1.184 (95% CI 1.008–1.391). There was no significant association between rs11196218 and T2D. Taken together, TCF7L2 may be an important susceptibility gene for T2D in some Chinese populations. The discrepancies in the allelic associations determined for northern vs. southern Chinese allude to the presence of genetic variation among the Han Chinese. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]