越南木樨科植物新记录

报道了越南木樨科(Oleaceae)植物1 新记录种大果素馨(Jasminum macrocarpum Merr.).该种产自越南中南部嘉来省的K’Bang, Kon Ha Nung 地区, 凭证标本保存在 HN, IBSC.     

Why and how to objectively evaluate medical gestures?

Junior physicians mainly learn during their observation in the operative room. The senior physicians evaluate them based on the same kind of observation. Knowledge transfer evaluation is thus done without quantitative methods and it mainly lies on a subjective assessment. In this paper, we present some recent techniques used to objectively evaluate medical gestures. The classical techniques used are Hidden Markov Models (HMM) or Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). Both techniques lies on the temporal analysis of the gestures. We proposed here a technique based on the arc length parametrization in order to analyze the gestures in space which is more appropriate because it gives information about the shape of the gestures independently of the chosen coordinate system.     

Ribosomal Protein S27-Like in Colorectal Cancer: A Candidate for Predicting Prognoses

Background

The development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) involve a complex process of multiple genetic changes. Tumor suppressor p53 is capable of determining the fate of CRC cells. However, the role of a p53-inducible modulator, ribosomal protein S27-like (RPS27L), in CRC is unknown.

Methods

Here, the differential expression of RPS27L was examined in the feces and colonic tissues of CRC patients, to explore its possible correlation with patient survival and to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying their clinical outcomes. Eighty intermediate-stage CRC patients (42 at stage II and 38 at stage III) were divided into two groups according to their fecal RPS27L mRNA levels. The survival probabilities of the groups were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The RPS27L protein in the colonic tissues of stage III patients with different prognoses was further examined immunohistochemically. RPS27L expression in LoVo cells was manipulated to examine the possible cellular responses in vitro.

Results

Elevated RPS27L expression, in either feces or tissues, was related to a better prognosis. In vitro, RPS27L-expressing LoVo cells ceased DNA synthesis and apoptotic activity while the expression of their DNA repair molecules was upregulated.

Conclusions

Elevated RPS27L may improve the prognoses of certain CRC patients by enhancing the DNA repair capacity of their colonic cells, and can be determined in feces. By integrating clinical, molecular, and cellular data, our study demonstrates that fecal RPS27L may be a useful index for predicting prognoses and guiding personalized therapeutic strategies, especially in patients with intermediate-stage CRC.     

Machine Perfusion versus Cold Storage of Kidneys Derived from Donation after Cardiac Death: A Meta-Analysis

Background

In response to the increased organ shortage, organs derived from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors are becoming an acceptable option once again for clinical use in transplantation. However, transplant outcomes in cases where DCD organs are used are not as favorable as those from donation after brain death or living donors. Different methods of organ preservation are a key factor that may influence the outcomes of DCD kidney transplantation.

Methods

We compared the transplant outcomes in patients receiving DCD kidneys preserved by machine perfusion (MP) or by static cold storage (CS) preservation by conducting a meta-analysis. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched. All studies reporting outcomes for MP versus CS preserved DCD kidneys were further considered for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the pooled data between groups that were transplanted with kidneys that were preserved by MP or CS.

Results

Four prospective, randomized, controlled trials, involving 175 MP and 176 CS preserved DCD kidney transplant recipients, were included. MP preserved DCD kidney transplant recipients had a decreased incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) with an odd ration of 0.56 (95% CI = 0.36–0.86, P = 0.008) compared to CS. However, no significant differences were seen between the two technologies in incidence of primary non-function, one year graft survival, or one year patient survival.

Conclusions

MP preservation of DCD kidneys is superior to CS in terms of reducing DGF rate post-transplant. However, primary non-function, one year graft survival, and one year patient survival were not affected by the use of MP or CS for preservation.     

Notch Pathway Activation Contributes to Inhibition of C2C12 Myoblast Differentiation by Ethanol

The loss of muscle mass in alcoholic myopathy may reflect alcohol inhibition of myogenic cell differentiation into myotubes. Here, using a high content imaging system we show that ethanol inhibits C2C12 myoblast differentiation by reducing myogenic fusion, creating smaller and less complex myotubes compared with controls. Ethanol administration during C2C12 differentiation reduced MyoD and myogenin expression, and microarray analysis identified ethanol activation of the Notch signaling pathway target genes Hes1 and Hey1. A reporter plasmid regulated by the Hes1 proximal promoter was activated by alcohol treatment in C2C12 cells. Treatment of differentiating C2C12 cells with a gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) abrogated induction of Hes1. On a morphological level GSI treatment completely rescued myogenic fusion defects and partially restored other myotube parameters in response to alcohol. We conclude that alcohol inhibits C2C12 myoblast differentiation and the inhibition of myogenic fusion is mediated by Notch pathway activation.     

The association between acanthosis nigricans and dysglycemia in an ethnically diverse group of eighth grade students

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) and to quantify its association with dysglycemia in an ethnically diverse group of eighth‐grade students.

Design and Methods:

Data were collected in 2003 from a cross‐sectional study of students from 12 middle schools in three US states. Sex, race/ethnicity, and pubertal status were self‐reported. Anthropometric measures were recorded. Trained staff identified the presence and severity of AN by inspection of the back of the neck. Fasting and 2 h blood samples were analyzed for impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and high‐risk glycated hemoglobin (A1C), respectively, defined as ≥100 mg/dl, ≥140 mg/dl, and ≥ 5.7‐6.4%.

Results:

Overall, 25.0%, 58.2%, and 16.8% were Black, Hispanic, and White, respectively. AN was present among 406/1,438 (28.2%) of students: 39% among Black, 30% among Hispanic, and 5.4% among White. IGT and high‐risk A1C were present among 2.1%, and 12.4%, respectively. In multivariate logistic modeling after adjusting for gender, family history of diabetes, BMI percentile, and pubertal staging, the presence (vs. absence) of AN was associated with a 59% increased likelihood of high‐risk A1C: (P = 0.04), twice the likelihood of IGT (P = 0.06), and 47% greater likelihood of IGT/IFG combined (P < 0.0001). Adjustment for insulin attenuated the ORs by 25‐70%.

Conclusion:

In a racially/ethnically diverse sample of US adolescents, AN was common, occurring in 28% of the sample. AN was associated with a 50‐100% increased likelihood of dysglycemia even after consideration of established diabetes risk factors.     

Bioelectronic nose and its application to smell visualization

There have been many trials to visualize smell using various techniques in order to objectively express the smell because information obtained from the sense of smell in human is very subjective. So far, well-trained experts such as a perfumer, complex and large-scale equipment such as GC-MS, and an electronic nose have played major roles in objectively detecting and recognizing odors. Recently, an optoelectronic nose was developed to achieve this purpose, but some limitations regarding the sensitivity and the number of smells that can be visualized still persist. Since the elucidation of the olfactory mechanism, numerous researches have been accomplished for the development of a sensing device by mimicking human olfactory system. Engineered olfactory cells were constructed to mimic the human olfactory system, and the use of engineered olfactory cells for smell visualization has been attempted with the use of various methods such as calcium imaging, CRE reporter assay, BRET, and membrane potential assay; however, it is not easy to consistently control the condition of cells and it is impossible to detect low odorant concentration. Recently, the bioelectronic nose was developed, and much improved along with the improvement of nano-biotechnology. The bioelectronic nose consists of the following two parts: primary transducer and secondary transducer. Biological materials as a primary transducer improved the selectivity of the sensor, and nanomaterials as a secondary transducer increased the sensitivity. Especially, the bioelectronic noses using various nanomaterials combined with human olfactory receptors or nanovesicles derived from engineered olfactory cells have a potential which can detect almost all of the smells recognized by human because an engineered olfactory cell might be able to express any human olfactory receptor as well as can mimic human olfactory system. Therefore, bioelectronic nose will be a potent tool for smell visualization, but only if two technologies are completed. First, a multi-channel array-sensing system has to be applied for the integration of all of the olfactory receptors into a single chip for mimicking the performance of human nose. Second, the processing technique of the multi-channel system signals should be simultaneously established with the conversion of the signals to visual images. With the use of this latest sensing technology, the realization of a proper smell-visualization technology is expected in the near future.     

Fill Factor Losses in Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1−x)4 Solar Cells: Insights from Physical and Electrical Characterization of Devices and Exfoliated Films

Besides the open circuit voltage (V_OC) deficit, fill factor (FF) is the second most significant parameter deficit for earth‐abundant kesterite solar cell technology. Here, various pathways for FF loss are discussed, with focus on the series resistance issue and its various contributing factors. Electrical and physical characterizations of the full range of bandgap (E_g = 1.0–1.5 eV) Cu₂ZnSn(S_xSe_1?x)₄ (CZTSSe) devices, as well as bare and exfoliated films with various S/(S + Se) ratios, are performed. High intensity Suns‐V_OC measurement indicates a nonohmic junction developing in high bandgap CZTSSe. Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, Raman mapping, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate the formation of Sn(S,Se)₂, Mo(S,Se)₂, and Zn(S,Se) at the high bandgap CZTSSe/Mo interface, contributing to the increased series resistance (R_S) and nonohmic back contact characteristics. This study offers some clues as to why the record‐CZTSSe solar cells occur within a bandgap range centered around 1.15 eV and offers some direction for further optimization.