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OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationship between the diffusion indexes of corticospinal tract (CST) and the neurological motor outcomes in chronic pontine stroke patients. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is performed in 27 patients with chronic pontine stroke. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values along the CST area, the track number, and the CST length are measured. Neurological and motor outcomes are evaluated based on Fugl-meyer (FM), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI), and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. The relationships between FA ratios (rFAs) in the CST of stroke subjects and their clinical motor scores are analyzed through Spearman’s correlation analysis. Then, diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) is performed to show the injury degree of CST. RESULTS: First, FA values are decreased in the infarct area, cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of the internal capsule, and precentral gyrus compared with those in the contralateral side. The number of CST is decreased in the ipsilateral side of the infarct. Second, rFAs in the cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of the internal capsule, and CST rnum correlate positively with FM scores (r = 0.824, 0.672, 0.651, p

To explore the application value of three reciprocating single nickel-titanium instruments in preparation of simulated curved root canals.One hundred and fifteen single-curved resin simulation root canals were selected and divided into Reciproc group (group A, 28), One file group (group B, 29), Wave One group (group C, 29) and control group (group D, 29) by random graph method. The simulated root canals were prepared according to the specifications of the instructions, root canal preparation, resin removal, root canal cleaning effect, center positioning ability and root canal width were compared. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.There was no significant difference in quality and curvature among four groups(P＞0.05). The difference in root canal preparation time among the four groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05), and the root canal preparation time in group B was the shortest(P＜0.05). Comparison of resin removal at the root canal orifice and the midpoint of the bending start point among four groups, the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05). The root canal wall debris scores and smear layer scores in four groups were significantly different(P＜0.05). Compared with group A, B and D, the root canal wall debris scores of the crown, middle and tip of group C were the lowest, the scores of smear layer on the crown and middle of the root canal wall was the lowest(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the center positioning ability of the four groups at 5 mm, 6 mm and 7 mm from the apical foramen(P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in root canal width among four groups (P＞0.05).Reciproc, One file and Wave One reciprocating single nickel-titanium instruments can maintain the original shape of the simulated root canal. Compared with Reciproc and Wave One, One file has better root canal shaping ability and cleaning effect.

Three new cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes [(cf3piq)2Ir(N∧N)][PF6] (Ir1–Ir3) have been synthesized and characterized. The solid structure of Ir1 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. T...

Creep behavior is one of the most important mechanical behaviors of coal. In the present study, we systematically carried out a series of creep experiments of briquette samples under triaxial compression and gas pressure. The experimental results showed that the creep deformation characteristics of coal were related to deviatoric stress and gas pressure. The accelerating creep stage initiated when the deviatoric stress reached or exceeded the yield stress until failure took place. In contrast, when the deviatoric stress was less than the yield strength, only transient and steady creep stage occurred. Besides, gas pressure played a positive role in the creep process of coal. The axial strain of coal slightly increased with gas pressure (range from 0.13 to 0.40 MPa) when the effective triaxial stress remained constant. For example, in the steady creep stage (σ1 = 9 MPa, p = 0.13 MPa), the axial strain of sample S1 is 2.710% and that of sample S2 is 3.361%, that is, coal samples with high gas pressure have higher axial strain. Moreover, gas pressure has two main effects on the mechanical behavior of coal. One is that the coal adsorbs gas molecules resulting in swelling strain and swelling stress, and the other is that the gas pressure may compress the coal particles. Considering the swelling stress and gas pressure, we intensively studied the effective stress formula of coal containing gas. Then, the effective stress was taken into consideration in the nonlinear Nishihara creep model. Furthermore, the tertiary creep factor n was introduced in the nonlinear model to control the creep deformation evolution with time so that the nonlinear model could accurately describe the full creep stage of coal. In contrast, due to the lack of such a controlling parameter, the Nishihara model failed to reproduce the accelerating creep stage.

Two new tfmpiq-based bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, [(tfmpiq) 2 Ir(imdzppo)] ( 2a ) and [(tfmpiq) 2 Ir(idzpo)] ( 2b ) (where tfmpiq = 1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isoquinoline, imdzppo = 2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)phenol, idzpo = 2-(2 H -indazol-2-yl)phenol), have been synthesized and fully characterized. The single crystal structure of 2b has been determined. The relationship between the structures and photophysical properties of both complexes are considered, and the DFT calculations have been used to further support the deduction. These Ir(III) complexes emit red light with quantum yields of 39.9–51.9% in degassed CH 2 Cl 2 solution at room temperature. Also, their emission originates from a hybrid 3 MLCT/ 3 LLCT/ 3 LC excited state. All these results show that iridium(III) complexes 2a - 2b are suitable for red-phosphorescent materials in OLEDs.

Blood flow inside the left ventricle (LV) is a concern for blood pump use and contributes to ventricle suction and thromboembolic events. However, few studies have examined blood flow inside the LV after a blood pump was implanted. In this study, in vitro experiments were conducted to emulate the intraventricular blood flow, such as blood flow velocity, the distribution of streamlines, vorticity and the standard deviation of velocity inside the LV during axial blood pump support. A silicone LV reconstructed from computerized tomography (CT) data of a heart failure patient was incorporated into a mock circulatory loop (MCL) to simulate human systemic circulation. Then, the blood flow inside the ventricle was examined by particle image velocimetry (PIV) equipment. The results showed that the operating conditions of the axial blood pump influenced flow patterns within the LV and areas of potential blood stasis, and the intraventricular swirling flow was altered with blood pump support. The presence of vorticity in the LV from the thoracic aorta to the heart apex can provide thorough washing of the LV cavity. The gradually extending stasis region in the central LV with increasing blood pump support is necessary to reduce the thrombosis potential in the LV.

An ultra-miniaturized transparent electromagnetic shield based on hollow hexagonal grid with the grid line less than 5 microns is proposed. The proposed structure contains two layers of metallic grid and two layers of transparent substrate. Each unit cell is only about λ 0 /68 (λ 0 is the wavelength of the center frequency of shielding band in free space). The surface metal occupancy of the structure is only 6.6%, therefor, a high transparency of more than 90% can be realized theoretically. Simulation results show that shielding effectiveness above 45dB can be achieved throughout the band of 5-30GHz. Additionally, the proposed structure is insensitive to the polarization and the incidence angle of the illumination due to its small unit size. In this paper, multiple parameters have been studied to explore the influence they have on the shielding effectiveness.

To study the temporal expression of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) in the development of periodontitis in rats.SD rats were randomly divided into control group and model group, and 4 subgroups were divided in each model group according to the time of measurement: group A (1 week), group B (2 weeks), group C (3 weeks) and group D (4 weeks). There were 8 rats in each subgroup. Maxillary periodontitis models were made by using "thread ligation + vaccination LPS-PG" in rats. Periodontal tissue specimens were examined and bone resorption areas were determined in each group. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) mRNA in periodontal tissue in each group were determined by RT-PCR method. PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression in periodontal tissues in each group were determined by Western blotting. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software package.During modeling period, amelocemental junction-alveolar crest(ACJ-AC) distance and bone resorption area of the first molar in model group gradually increased (P0.05), which were significantly different from the control group at the corresponding time point (P0.01). During modeling period, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA level in periodontal tissues in the model group was continuously increased(P0.05), and TGF-β mRNA was continuously decreased(P0.05), which was significantly different from the control group at the corresponding time point(P0.01). During disease progress, PD-1 and PD-L1 protein level in periodontal tissues in each model group was continuously increased(P0.05), which was significantly different from the control group at the corresponding time point (P0.01); and PD-1 and PD-L1 protein levels in periodontal tissues in each model group was positively correlated to TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels(P0.01).PD-1, as an immunosuppressive molecule and its receptor PD-L1, can promote the progression of periodontal inflammation, and its effect may be achieved by regulating the expression of TNF-α and IL-6.Regulating the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 may be a new target for the treatment of periodontitis.

The present study included a total of 111 consecutive patients who had undergone coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, using a first-generation dual-source CT with automatic tube potential selection and tube current modulation. Body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) were recorded prior to CT examinations. Image noise and attenuation of the proximal ascending aorta (AA) and descending aorta (DA) at the middle level of the left ventricle were measured. Correlations between BW, BMI and objective image quality were evaluated using linear regression. In addition, two subgroups based on BMI (BMI ≤25 and >25 kg/m2) were analyzed. Subjective image quality, image noise, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were all compared between those. The image noise of the AA increased with the BW and BMI (BW: r=0.453, P25 kg/m2 group had a significant increase in image noise (33.1±6.9 vs. 27.8±4.0 HU, P25 kg/m2 (P=0.02). In conclusion, this method is not able to achieve a consistent objective image quality across the entire patient population. The impact of BW and BMI on objective image quality was not completely eliminated. BMI-based adjustment of the tube potential may achieve a more consistent image quality compared to automatic tube potential selection, particularly in patients with a larger body habitus.

Nine new phosphorus-coordinated iridium(III) complexes of the form [Ir(C∧N)2(P∧P)]PF6, [Ir(F-piq)2(xantphos)]PF6 (1), [Ir(F-piq)2(binap)]PF6 (2), [Ir(F-piq)2(dppp)]PF6 (3), [Ir(Me-piq)2(xantphos)]PF6 (4), [Ir(Me-piq)2(binap)]PF6 (5), [Ir(Me-piq)2(dppp)]PF6 (6), [Ir(CF3O-piq)2(xantphos)]PF6 (7), [Ir(CF3O-piq)2(binap)]PF6 (8), and [Ir(CF3O-piq)2(dppp)]PF6 (9) (F-piq = 1-(4-fluorophenyl)isoquinoline, Me-piq = 1-(p-tolyl)isoquinoline, CF3O-piq = 1-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)isoquinoline, xantphos = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene, binap = 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl, dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane), have been synthesized and fully characterized. The crystal structures of 1, 7, and 9 have been determined by X-ray analysis. The most representative molecular orbital energy-level diagrams and the lowest energy electronic transitions of 1–9 have been calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). All of the complexes are orange-red emiss...

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in healthy children aged 0-6 years. METHODS: A total of 826 healthy Han children aged 0-6 years were recruited. According to their age, the children were divided into four groups:newborn, infant, toddler and preschool. Their peripheral blood samples were collected to measure the percentages of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the percentages of CD3(+) T cells, CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio between boys and girls (P < 0.05). The girls had a lower percentage of CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells, higher percentages of CD3(+) T cells and CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and a higher CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio than the boys. The newborn group had the highest percentages of CD3(+) T cells and CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and the highest CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio gradually decreased with age and the preschool group had the lowest values (P < 0.05). The newborn group had the lowest percentages of CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells and CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells gradually increased with age and the preschool group had the highest percentage (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD3(-)CD19(+) B cells reached the peak in the toddler period and then decreased with age (P < 0.05). The preschool group had the highest percentage of CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells (P < 0.05). The variation trend of distribution of lymphocyte subsets in boys from different age groups was consistent with that in children from different age groups. For girls, the newborn group had the highest percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in healthy children is significantly different across ages and sexes. Therefore, the reference values should be established according to age and sex.

Six new pidz-based bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes (Ir1-Ir6) have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes contain 2-phenyl-2H-indazole (pidz, 2a), 2-(4-fluorophenyl)–2H-indazole (fpidz, 2b), 2-(p-tolyl)–2H-indazole (ch3pidz, 2c), 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)–2H-indazole (cf3pidz, 2d), 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)–2H-indazole (2,4-f2pidz, 2e) and 2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)–2H-indazole (3,5-f2pidz, 2f) as cyclometalated (C∧N) ligands, and acetylacetone (acacH) as ancillary ligand. The crystal structure of Ir2 has been determined by X-ray analysis. Different substituents of C∧N ligand in Ir2-Ir6 induce either a bathochromic or hypsochromic shift in the absorption spectra relative to the parent complex Ir1. The phenomenon is further well explained by DFT calculation and electrochemical study. All of the iridium(III) complexes are yellow emissive with quantum yields of 13.1–32.3% and lifetimes of 1.32–1.77 μs in solution at room temperature. We demonstrate that their emission originates from a hybrid 3MLCT/3ILCT/3LLCT excited state on the basis of the experimental and theoretical investigation. The corresponding yellow-emitting devices based on complexes Ir1, Ir2 and Ir4 can produce efficient electrophosphorescence with a luminance efficiency of 35.1–52.2 cd·A-1, a power efficiency of 20.8–32.1 lm·W−1 and an external quantum efficiency of up to 25.6%. All these EL data definitely suggest the bulky –CF3 skeleton in the doped materials could benefit the fabrication of high-efficiency phosphorescent OLEDs.

Background Context Studies over the past 20 years have revealed that there are fibrous connective tissues between the suboccipital muscles, nuchal ligament, and cervical spinal dura mater (SDM). This fibrous connection with the SDM is through the posterior atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial interspaces and is called the myodural bridge (MDB). Researchers have inferred that the MDB might have important functions. It was speculated that the function of MDB might be related to proprioception transmission, keeping the subarachnoid space and the cerebellomedullary cistern unobstructed, and affecting the dynamic circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, clinicians have found that the pathologic change of the MDB might cause cervicogenic or chronic tension-type headache. Previous gross anatomical and histologic studies only confirmed the existence of the MDB but did not reveal the fiber properties of the MDB. This is important to further mechanical and functional research on the MDB. Purpose Multiple histologic staining methods were used in the present study to reveal the various origin and fiber properties of the MDB. Muscles and ligaments participating in forming the MDB at the posterior atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial interspaces were observed, and the fiber properties of the MDB were confirmed. The present study provides a basis for speculating the tensile force values of the MDB on the SDM and a morphologic foundational work for exploring the physiological functions and clinical significances of the MDB. Study Design Anatomical and histologic analyses of suboccipital structures that communicate with the SDM at the posterior atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial interspaces were carried out. Methods Multiple histologic staining methods were used to evaluate the histologic properties and composition of the MDB at the posterior atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial interspaces in five formalin-fixed head-neck human specimens. Results The results show that the MDB traversing the atlanto-occipital interspace originated from the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmi). The MDB traversing the atlantoaxial interspace originated mainly from the RCPmi, rectus capitis posterior major, and obliquus capitis inferior. These fibers form the vertebral dural ligament in the atlantoaxial interspace and connect with SDM. The MDB is mainly formed by parallel running type I collagen fibers; thus, suboccipital muscle could pull SDM strongly through the effective force propagated by the MDB during head movement. Conclusions Myodural bridge is mainly formed by parallel running type I collagen fibers; thus, it can transmit the strong pull from the diverse suboccipital muscles or ligaments during head movement. The results of the present study will serve as a basis for further biomechanical and functional MDB research.

Background Dengue virus is transmitted by mosquito around the tropical and sub-tropical regions. There was a large-scale dengue epidemic in Guangdong province, China during 2014 and around fifty thousands dengue fever cases, including six deaths, have been reported. In this study, we aimed to understand the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue virus (DENV) infection and determined the origin of the virus from the outbreak. Methods We have summarized the data from 138 hospitalized patients who were laboratory confirmed for dengue infection in Guangzhou city. Patients were classified as either non-severe dengue fever or severe dengue fever according to the guidelines from the WHO. Viral serotypes were determined by real time RT-PCR. Genetic sequences of the envelope and non-structural genes were amplified and analyzed from the serum samples of eleven patients. Results Co-circulation of dengue serotype 1 and 2 were identified from the outbreak. Patients infected by serotype 1 or 2 showed similar clinical features. Patients with severe dengue fever showed prolonged hospitalization and significant impairment of organ functions. Four samples from serotype 1 and five samples from serotype 2 were closely related respectively and clustered with Guangzhou isolates from previous years. The remaining isolates of serotype 1 were related to viruses found in Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Singapore. Conclusion The phylogenetic grouping of Guangdong isolates suggests that dengue is no longer an imported disease in China. Analysis of the isolates obtained in this study together with the size of the outbreak are suggestive of endemic circulation in Guangdong province. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1379-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

According to in-depth study of embedded system architecture and working principles, this paper proposes an embedded kernel simulation system model – Device Operation Interface (DOI) model based in the computer simulation theory. Furthermore, an embedded 8051 simulated kernel is designed and developed based on this model. The 8051 simulation system achieves loading, compiling and linking the C language source file, simulates the process of 8051 command execution and displays the results through interfaces. The DOI model contributes to the reuse in different experimental simulation platforms

Intake of contaminated soils is considered as an important exposure pathway of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to humans, especially for children during their outdoor hand-to-mouth activities. Oral bioaccessibility is an essential tool to quantitatively assess the exposure risk of pollutants. In this study, we employed an in vitro digestion model to mimic the gastrointestinal digestion of typical PBDEs (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-153 at a series of initial concentrations) in three natural soil samples with different TOC contents and to verify a previous hypothesis that the sorption of PBDE fraction mobilized from soil into digestive fluid on the surface of residual solid phase may lead to an underestimation of bioaccessibility of PBDEs. In addition, a method with multiple fluid-to-solid ratios was applied to calibrate the underestimation. The results indicated that the calibrated digestibility values were commonly higher than those without correction. For the different soil samples, the averaged increasing rates of PBDE digestibility at different initial concentrations ranged from 14.3% to 42.3%, from 11.1% to 32.1%, from 4.9% to 12.3% and from 0.0% to 7.7% for BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-153, respectively. Therefore, the bioaccessibility of PBDEs in gastrointestinal gut would be significantly underestimated without calibration, especially for tri- and tetra-BDEs and soil samples with low TOC contents or high PBDEs concentrations. The corrected digestibility values of BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-153 were 21.9%-54.7%, 18.8%-43.1%, 13.4%-27.2% and 9.3%-19.9%, respectively. The results indicated that the PBDEs digestibility was negatively correlated with lgK(ow); whereas there was no significant correlation of PBDE bioaccessibility with TOC contents in soils or with initial concentrations of PBDEs, particularly for the highly brominated components.

An intelligent sliding mode controller has been developed for the tracking control of weapon pointing systems with uncertain external disturbances and system parameters perturbation. In this control scheme, nonsingular terminal sliding mode and Radial Basis Function neural network have been merged to compensate the uncertainties automatically. The control signal, therefore, has also been soften to reduce the chattering of the control system. The effectiveness of the control scheme has been verified by a unmaned turret pointing system simulation tests. This approach can also be utilized for the design and implementation of a large class of modern weapon pointing and platform systems with superior performance capabilities.

Ji Jun, Ji Shang-Yi, Yang Jian-An, He Xia, Yang Xiao-Han, Ling Wen-Ping, Chen Xiao-LingDepartment of Pathology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Shenzhen Sun Yat-Sen Cardiovascular Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of ChinaBackground: There are more than 300,000 prosthetic heart valve replacements each year worldwide. These patients are faced with a higher risk of thromboembolic events after heart valve surgery and long-term or even life-long anticoagulative and antiplatelet therapies are necessary. Some severe complications such as hemorrhaging or rebound thrombosis can occur when the therapy ceases. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic agent. One of the best strategies is gene therapy, which offers a local high expression of t-PA over a prolonged time period to avoid both systemic hemorrhaging and local rebound thrombosis. There are some issues with t-PA that need to be addressed: currently, there is no up-to-date report on how the t-PA gene targets the heart in vivo and the gene vector for t-PA needs to be determined.Aims: To fabricate an albumin nano-t-PA gene ultrasound-targeted agent and investigate its targeting effect on prevention of thrombosis after heart mechanic valve replacement under therapeutic ultrasound.Methods: A dog model of mechanical tricuspid valve replacement was constructed. A highly expressive t-PA gene plasmid was constructed and packaged by nanoparticles prepared with bovine serum albumin. This nanopackaged t-PA gene plasmid was further cross-linked to ultrasonic microbubbles prepared with sucrose and bovine serum albumin to form the ultrasonic-targeted agent for t-PA gene transfection. The agent was given intravenously followed by a therapeutic ultrasound treatment (1 MHz, 1.5 w/cm2, 10 minutes) of the heart soon after valve replacement had been performed. The expression of t-PA in myocardium was detected with multiclonal antibodies to t-PA by the indirect immunohistochemical method. Venous blood t-PA and D-dimer contents were tested before and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the operation.Results: The high expression of t-PA could be seen in myocardium with increases in blood t-PA and D-dimer contents and thrombosis was prevented 8 weeks after operation.Conclusion: We successfully fabricated an albumin nano-t-PA gene ultrasound-targeted agent that could prevent dog thrombosis after mechanical heart valve replacement. Our study provides an experimental basis for prevention of human thrombosis-related diseases.Keywords: albumin nanoparticles, ultrasonic microbubbles, valve replacement