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To uncover the role of satellite cells (SCs) in paravertebral muscle development and aging, we constructed a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of mouse paravertebral muscle across seven timepoints spanning the embryo (day 16.5) to old (month 24) stages. Eight cell types, including SCs, fast muscle cells, and slow muscle cells, were identified. An energy metabolism-related gene set, TCA CYCLE IN SENESCENCE, was enriched in SCs. Forty-two skeletal muscle disease-related genes were highly expressed in SCs and exhibited similar expression patterns. Among them, Pdha1 was the core gene in the TCA CYCLE IN SENESCENCE; Pgam2, Sod1, and Suclg1 are transcription factors closely associated with skeletal muscle energy metabolism. Transcription factor enrichment analysis of the 42 genes revealed that Myod1 and Mef2a were also highly expressed in SCs, which regulated Pdha1 expression and were associated with skeletal muscle development. These findings hint that energy metabolism may be pivotal in SCs development and aging. Three ligand-receptor pairs of extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interactions, Lamc1-Dag1, Lama2-Dag1, and Hspg2-Dag1, may play a vital role in SCs interactions with slow/fast muscle cells and SCs self-renewal. Finally, we built the first database of a skeletal muscle single-cell transcriptome, the Musculoskeletal Cell Atlas (http://www.mskca.tech), which lists 630,040 skeletal muscle cells and provides interactive visualization, a useful resource for revealing skeletal muscle cellular heterogeneity during development and aging. Our study could provide new targets and ideas for developing drugs to inhibit skeletal muscle aging and treat skeletal muscle diseases.

Abstract To investigate the role of tracheal wall injury in the development of benign airway stenosis in rabbits. Prospective study. We injured the tracheal walls of 28 New Zealand white rabbits using four different methods. Experimental group: Group A (n = 7, mild injury of tracheal mucosa by ordinary brush under bronchoscopy); Group B (n = 7, severe injury of tracheal mucosa by nylon brush under tracheotomy); Group C (n = 7, tracheal cartilage was injured by vascular clamp after tracheotomy); Group D (n = 7, the tracheal cartilage was injured with vascular forceps and the tracheal mucosa was injured with a nylon brush after tracheotomy). Bronchoscopy was performed on each experimental rabbit at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after operation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and endobronchial optical coherence tomography (EB-OCT) were performed at 4 weeks, and the rabbits were sacrificed after the examination. Their gross and histological findings were comparatively determined whether the experimental rabbit stenosis was established. No airway stenosis was observed in group A. In group B, 28.57% of experimental rabbits developed tracheal stenosis (granulation tissue proliferation was observed in rabbits No. 2 and No. 6 at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after operation, and the tracheal scar contracture was observed in No.6 rabbit at 4 weeks after operation). Fourteen rabbits in group C and group D had tracheal stenosis caused by granulation tissue proliferation at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after operation. At the fourth week after operation, 71.43% of experimental rabbits had tracheal stenosis due to granulation tissue hyperplasia, 7.14% of experimental rabbits had tracheal stenosis due to scar contracture and granulation hyperplasia, and 21.43% of experimental rabbits had tracheal stenosis due to scar contracture. EB-OCT scan showed that the cartilage layer with low signal reflection band was discontinuous. The injury of cartilage is the key factor of benign airway stenosis. Acute injury of airway mucosa alone is unlikely to cause airway stenosis, but combined with cartilage injury may aggravate airway stenosis. EB-OCT can clearly identify the airway layers of rabbits, which is helpful to evaluate the damage of tracheal cartilage and mucosa. The diagnostic potential of this technique makes EB-OCT a promising approach for the study and monitoring of airway diseases.

In 1954, Felix Wankel became the first in the world to successfully develop a rotary engine with the cooperation of the NSU. The invention of the rotary engine is a revolution in the structure of the internal combustion engine. The rotary engine exhibits advantages of simple structure, small and light, stable operation, and better high-speed performance. However, the development of the rotary engine is seriously restricted by its poor sealing problem. The apex seal is provided on each apex of the rotor to keep each working chamber gas-tight. Since it is directly exposed to high-pressure combustion gas and subjected to various kinds of restraint involved in the planetary motion, most efforts have been concentrated on the study of its performance and durability. The apex seal has three key problems: vibration, gas leakage, and wear. These problems will lead to the emergence of chatter marks that are called the nail marks of the devil. These problems directly affect the working performance and service life of the rotary engine. Mazda and NSU have made great contributions to the improvement of apex seals. Many types of apex seals have been developed, such as solid-type, split-type, cross-hollow, and three-piece. Many materials have been used as apex seals, such as alumetizing carbon, special cast iron, and fiber-reinforced ceramics. With the development of material technology, some new materials and treatment processing technology could be applied to the apex seal, e.g., laser surface treatment and new coatings. Carbon fibers, graphene, and nanometer materials could improve the wear resistance and mechanical property. This paper summarized the achievements of Mazda, NSU, and Curtiss-Wright. Finally, according to the new materials and treatment processing technology, the new structures and new materials for the apex seals were given in this paper. The trumpet-shaped notch structure, roller pin structure, cantilever flexure structure and multi apex sealing system can be used to improve the sealing performance of apex seals. Laser surface textured and new materials such as nano-ceramic and graphene are the breakthrough point to solve the sealing and wear problem of apex seals. This paper puts forward some suggestions for the future development of apex seals.

Corticosteroid switching can reverse abiraterone resistance in some patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Here, we investigated the potential biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of corticosteroid switching during treatment with abiraterone acetate (AA). We retrospectively analyzed 101 mCRPC patients receiving corticosteroid switching from West China Hospital and Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center between January 2016 and December 2018. All cases received AA plus prednisone as first-line therapy during mCRPC. Primary end points were biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) and overall survival (OS). The risk groups were defined based on multivariate analysis. A total of 42 (41.6%) and 25 (24.8%) patients achieved 30% and 50% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), respectively, after corticosteroid switching. The median bPFS and median OS on AA plus dexamethasone were 4.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7–6.0) months and 18.8 (95% CI: 16.2–30.2) months, respectively. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) expression (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.15, 95% Cl: 1.22–3.80, P = 0.008) and baseline serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP; HR: 4.95, 95% Cl: 2.40–10.19, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of efficacy before corticosteroid switching in the multivariate analysis of bPFS. Only baseline serum ALP >160 IU l−1 (HR: 3.41, 95% Cl: 1.57–7.38, P = 0.002) together with PSA level at switch ≥50 ng ml−1 (HR: 2.59, 95% Cl: 1.22–5.47, P = 0.013) independently predicted poorer OS. Based on the predictive factors in multivariate analysis, we developed two risk stratification tools to select candidates for corticosteroid switching. Detection of serum ALP level, PSA level, and tissue AKR1C3 expression in mCRPC patients could help make clinical decisions for corticosteroid switching.

CU test and CD test were performed to capture the stress-strain characteristics of the clay in Dongting Lake area, China. Since the classical constitutive model cannot ideally describe the strain hardening behavior of the clay, an improved constitutive model that involved three damage factors was proposed. The damage first factor D1, which represents elemental volume strength F, was fitted by the Weibull function. The second and third damage factors D2 and D3, which represent the porosity ratio e and the drainage rate Pε respectively, were fitted by Harris function. The CD test damage model is constructed by D1, D2, and D3. In the CU test, the porosity ratio e is a constant value, and the drainage volume is 0, so that D2 is constant value and D3 is 0. Therefore, the CU test damage model of the clay was constructed using the damage first factor D1. In the end, the accuracy of the proposed CU/CD damage constitutive models of the clay was validated with the experimental results. It is found that the results fitted by the proposed methodology are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between endoscopic and microscopic surgery via transnasal⁃transsphenoidal approach for recurrent nonfunctional pituitary adenoma, and to explore the best way of operation. Methods The clinical data of 43 patients with recurrent nonfunctional pituitary adenoma who underwent surgery via transnasal ⁃ transsphenoidal approach were analyzed retrospectively from October 2012 to August 2019, including 21 cases of endoscopic surgery (endoscopy group) and 22 cases of microscopic surgery (microscopy group). The bleeding volume during operation, operative time, tumor total resection rate, postoperative symptom remission rate, incidence rate of postoperative complications (including intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, hypophysis function, olfactory disturbance, epistaxis, bleeding in operation area) and tumor recurrence rate were recorded. Results The bleeding volume during operation [(60.67 ± 33.27) ml vs. (111.33 ± 49.26) ml; t = 0.107, P = 0.030] and operation time [(81.77 ± 26.40) min vs. (168.95 ± 45.34) min; t = 0.006, P = 0.000] in the microscopy group were lower than those in the endoscopy group, but there was no significant difference in tumor total resection rate, postoperative symptom remission rate, incidence rate of postoperative complications and tumor recurrence rate ( P > 0.05, for all). Conclusions Neuroendoscopic and microscopic transnasal ⁃ transsphenoidal surgery are two common methods for the treatment of recurrent nonfunctional pituitary adenoma, which can achieve satisfactory results and high safety. The fusion of neuroendoscopy and microscopy is a trend of pituitary adenoma resection. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2020.03.011

A genetic algorithm and Taguchi method were used to optimize parameters for the residual-current device (RCD) snubber circuit of a DC-DC flyback converter. The most suitable algorithm was determined by using test functions to compare performance in three multi-objective optimization methods: non-dominated sort genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), and multi-objective differential evolution algorithm (MODE). Comparisons of coverage rate, distance between non-dominant solutions, and maximum walking distance showed that NSGA-II was superior to both MOPSO and MODE. Therefore, NSGA-II was used to obtain parameter values for the RCD snubber circuit. However, practical application of the parameter values was limited because the values could not meet the specifications required for real-world circuits. Thus, the parameter values obtained by NSGA-II were used in further factor-level experiments performed by Taguchi method. The experimental results indicated that, compared to previous design methods, the proposed NSGA-II and Taguchi method obtains better parameter values for the RCD snubber circuit.

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin in the treatment of patients with epidual effusion after digital plastic titanium mesh cranioplasty. Methods A total of 58 patients with epidual effusion after digital plastic titanium mesh cranioplasty from August 2014 to January 2019 were randomly divided into control group (N = 23) and atorvastatin group (N = 35). Control group was given routine treatment, such as dilatation, improvement of microcirculation and nutritional nerve. Atorvastatin group was given atorvastatin therapy on the basis of routine treatment. The clinical efficacy of patients was evaluated after one month of treatment and the complete absorption time of epidual effusion in patients was recorded during the follow-up period from 2 to 4 months. Results The total effective rate of atorvastatin group was significantly higher than that of control group [91.43% (32/35) vs. 56.52% (13/23); Z = -3.143, P = 0.002]. Compare with control group, the total absorption time of epidual effusion in atorvastatin group was significantly shorter [(32.77 ± 7.00) d vs. (40.30 ± 13.22) d; t = - 2.511, P = 0.018]. Conclusions Atorvastatin can accelerate the absorption of epidual effusion and improve the prognosis after digital plastic titanium mesh cranioplasty. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2019.09.012

Objective To explore the multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment mode of elderly patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), and the effect and safety of trepanation and drainage under this mode. Methods A total of 37 elderly patients with CSDH (≥ 80 years old) were treated by trepanation and drainage under multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model from December 2014 to December 2018. Summarized the perioperative management process of CSDH in the elderly patients under MDT model, and observed its complications and prognosis. Bender grade was used to evaluate the clinical symptoms and neurological deficits, CT was used to evaluate the curative effect, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was used to evaluate quality of life. Results Operation-related complications of 37 patients included non-tension pneumocephalus (19 cases, 51.35% ), subdural effusion in (5 cases, 13.51% ),intracranial hypotension (2 cases, 5.41% ) and epilepsy (1 case, 2.70% ). The age-related complications included new pulmonary infection (1 case, 2.70% ), abnormal blood pressure (3 cases, 8.11% ), elevated blood sugar (2 cases, 5.41%) and acute coronary diseases (3 cases, 8.11%). There was no perioperative death. The clinical symptoms and neurological function was improved significantly after operation (Z = 6.198, P = 0.000). Postoperative CT showed that the total effective rate was 86.49% (32/37). During the follow-up period, the KPS was over 60 score, and CT showed that the total effective rate was 96.43% (27/ 28). Conclusions MDT model can optimize the diagnosis and treatment process of CSDH, and formulate detailed individualized treatment plan. Trepanation and drainage under the MDT model for the treatment of elderly patients with CSDH is helpful to improve prognosis and reduce mortality. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2019.09.011

Abstract. Background. Blood purification (BP) is one of the most important rescue measures for patients with critical illness in the intensive care unit (ICU), especially for those with acute kidney injury. The purpose of this nationwide survey was to reveal the real world of current BP practice in different ICUs all over China. This study was designed to be a multi-center cross-sectional study. Methods. All adult patients (over 18 years of age), who were admitted to ICU and required BP in 35 sub-centers across China were included during 30-day survey period in 2018. Demographic characteristics and clinical data were recorded including the timing of treatment initiation, indications, modality, relative contraindication, establishment of vascular access, selection of filter/membrane, settings, anti-coagulation, executive department, complication, intake, and output. Discussion. This nationwide survey may contribute to reveal the real world of current BP practice in different ICUs all over China. Trial registration. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-EOC-17013119; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=22487.

During the acute febrile phase of dengue virus (DENV) infection, viremia can cause severe systemic immune responses accompanied by hematologic disorders. This study investigated the potential induction and mechanism of the cytopathic effects of DENV on peripheral blood cells ex vivo. At one day postinfection, there was viral nonstructural protein NS1 but no further virus replication measured in the whole blood culture. Notably, DENV exposure caused significant vacuolization in monocytic phagocytes. With a minor change in the complete blood cell count, except for a minor increase in neutrophils and a significant decrease in monocytes, the immune profiling assay identified several changes, particularly a significant reduction in CD14-positive monocytes as well as CD11c-positive dendritic cells. Abnormal production of TNF-α was highly associated with the induction of vacuolization. Manipulating TNF-α expression resulted in cytopathogenic effects. These results demonstrate the potential hematological damage caused by ex vivo DENV-induced TNF-α.

Background: Undernutrition during early life may increase the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, including dyslipidemia. Few investigations have confirmed the relationship between early life undernutrition and dyslipidemia in adulthood in China. Objectives: To assess the relationship between the Great Chinese Famine exposure during prenatal period or early postnatal period and lipid profiles in adulthood. Design: Data were extracted from the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) in 2010–2012, which included the participants who experienced the Great Chinese Famine during early life. Results: Participants who experienced the Great Chinese Famine in early postnatal period had a significantly higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (TC) (odds ratio: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.02) than unexposed participants. Female (odds ratio: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.31) were high risk than male (odds ratio: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.11) and physical inactivity group (odds ratio: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.29) were high risk than adequate physical activity group (odds ratio: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.07). Similar effect of famine exposure on elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed, except that no significant difference was found between adequate physical activity group and physical inactivity group. Participants who experienced the Great Chinese Famine in prenatal period had a significantly higher prevalence of lowed high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (odds ratio: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.37) than unexposed. Female were more likely to have lower HDL-C (odds ratio: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.74), but not found in male. Participants with physical inactivity were more likely to have lower HDL-C (odds ratio: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.61), but not found in adequate physical activity group. Conclusions: People who experienced the Great Chinese Famine during early life, especially in females and people physical inactivity, would impair of lipid profiles in later life. Healthy lifestyle like adequate physical activity may partially alleviate the adverse effects.

A novel distributed near neighbor search algorithm that makes use of real-time traffic information is presented.The geographic information are stored in the nearest smart camera using Voronoi partition,and cameras are located in the intersection.The intersection unimpeded degree is modeled and the time which vehicle travel between adjacent intersec-tions is estimated.When a vehicle search for some near neighbors,smart cameras set a delay to broadcast the near neighbor search packet based on the traffic parameters collected by smart camera networks.In this way,the near neighbor search packet can be transmitted according to current road conditions.Thus get the path to near targets quickly and effec-tively.Extensive experiments are londucted on real data sets,and the results show that proposed algorithm is efficient and scalable to large number of concurrent query,significantly outperforming state-of-the-art methods.

Undernutrition during early life may lead to obesity in adulthood. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between famine exposure during early life and the risk of abdominal obesity in adulthood. A total of 18,984 and 16,594 adults were surveyed in 2002 and 2010–2012 in two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys, namely China Nutrition and Health Survey, respectively. The risk of abdominal obesity was evaluated for participants born during 1956–1961 and compared with that of participants born during 1962–1964. The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity in adulthood showed a positive association with famine exposure during early life. The odds ratios of famine exposure were 1.31 (1.19–1.44) and 1.28 (1.17–1.40) in 2002 during fetal life and infancy and 1.09 (1.00–1.19) in 2012 during fetal life, respectively. The relationships between famine exposure and abdominal obesity across the famine exposure groups were distinct among females and those who lived in urban areas and were physical inactive (p < 0.05). Exposure to famine during early life was associated with increased risks of abdominal obesity in adulthood, which was partially alleviated by healthy lifestyle factors (e.g., physical activity).

Two case studies of salicylamide particle size reduction and isoniazid derivative synthesis and crystallization realized using sonocrystallization were investigated. The size, habit, structure, thermal behavior, and spectrometric properties of sonocrystallized crystals were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effects of the operating parameters, such as sonication intensity, sonication duration, and solution concentration, on sonocrystallization were compared. The crystal size of salicylamide was reduced from 595 μm (the original size) and was efficiently manipulated to be between 40 and 80 μm. Moreover, compared with the crystal habits of unprocessed crystals and recrystallized crystals fabricated through conventional methods, the crystal habit of salicylamide could be modified to present a regular shape. The structure, thermal behavior, and spectrometric properties of sonocrystallized salicylamide were found to be in agreement with those of an unprocessed sample. For producing isoniazid derivative crystals, N′-(propan-2-ylidene)-isonicotinohydrazide was synthesized using isoniazid in acetone at 318 K. The resulting solution was then cooled by applying power ultrasound to isolate N′-(propan-2-ylidene)-isonicotinohydrazide crystals. The solid-state properties of the synthesized N′-(propan-2-ylidene)-isonicotinohydrazide was verified through PXRD, DSC, and FTIR spectroscopy. The feasibility of particle size manipulation was then demonstrated through sonocrystallization.