Background: Clinical examination, while useful, has been shown to be insuffici ent as the sole screening method in infants. Ultrasound examination at 8 weeks i n high risk infants is an integral part of the screening ...Background: Clinical examination, while useful, has been shown to be insuffici ent as the sole screening method in infants. Ultrasound examination at 8 weeks i n high risk infants is an integral part of the screening process in some units. Aims: To snow the efficiency of hip sonography in detection of developmental dys plasia of the hips in those without clinically dislocated hips. Methods: All inf ants born at the National Maternity Hospital between January 1994 and December 2 001 were included. All those with clinically dislocated hips were treated by a P avlik harness and referred for follow up to a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. An 8 week hip ultrasound scan was performed for those infants with stable hips on examination but who met the following criteria: (1) a first degree relative with congenital dislocation of hips; (2) breech presentation at birth; and (3) a per sistent “click”at birth in an otherwise stable hip. Results: During the period of study a total of 52 893 infants were born in the National Maternity Hospital . Based on the criteria above, 5485 hip ultrasound scans were performed. Of thos e scanned, 18 (0.33%)were found to have dislocated hips and 153 (2.78%)-to ha ve dysplasic hips. The 18 infants with dislocation were treated with Pavlik harn ess; the remaining 153 were followed up by serial ultrasound examinations but di d not require active intervention. Conclusions: Among the population of infants at increased risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip, the hip screening progr amme identified 18 cases among 5485 infants; a rate of 3.2 per 1000. Hip sonogra phy is therefore worthwhile.展开更多
One and half centuries ago, Charles Darwin (1859) presented overwhelming evidence and argued that all life on the earth shared common descent, and "from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most...One and half centuries ago, Charles Darwin (1859) presented overwhelming evidence and argued that all life on the earth shared common descent, and "from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved". Ernst Haeckel (1886)展开更多
AIM: To review the use of the Months Backwards Test(MBT) in clinical and research contexts.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of reports relating to the MBT based upon a search of Psych INFO and MEDLINE between...AIM: To review the use of the Months Backwards Test(MBT) in clinical and research contexts.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of reports relating to the MBT based upon a search of Psych INFO and MEDLINE between January 1980 and December 2014. Only reports that specifically described findings pertaining to the MBT were included. Findings were considered in terms of rating procedures, testing performance, psychometric properties, neuropsychological studies and use in clinical populations.RESULTS: We identified 22 data reports. The MBT is administered and rated in a variety of ways with very little consistency across studies. It has been used to assess various cognitive functions including focused and sustained attention as well as central processingspeed. Performance can be assessed in terms of the ability to accurately complete the test without errors("MB accuracy"), and time taken to complete the test("MB duration"). Completion time in cognitively intact subjects is usually < 20 s with upper limits of 60-90 s typically applied in studies. The majority of cognitively intact adults can complete the test without error such that any errors of omission are strongly suggestive of cognitive dysfunction. Coverage of clinical populations, including those with significant cognitive difficulties is high with the majority of subjects able to engage with MBT procedures. Performance correlates highly with other cognitive tests, especially of attention, including the digit span backwards, trailmaking test B, serial threes and sevens, tests of simple and complex choice reaction time, delayed story recall and standardized list learning measures. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability are high(both > 0.90). Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies comparing the months forward test and MBT indicate greater involvement of more complex networks(bilateral middle and inferior frontal gyri, the posterior parietal cortex and the left anterior cingulate gyrus) for backwards cognitive processing. The MBT has been usefully appl展开更多
AIM: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and association with drug induced liver injury(DILI) in patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis(TB) therapy.METHODS: Four hund...AIM: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and association with drug induced liver injury(DILI) in patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis(TB) therapy.METHODS: Four hundred and twenty nine patients with newly diagnosed TB- either active disease or latent infection- who were due to commence antiTB therapy between September 2008 and May 2011 were included. These patients were prospectively tested for serological markers of HBV, HCV and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infections- hepatitis B core antigen(HBc Ag), hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), hepatitis B e antigen, Ig G and Ig M antibody to HBc Ag(anti-HBc), HCV Ig G antibody and HIV antibody using a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot assay and polymerase chain reaction techniques. Patients were reviewed at least monthly during the TB treatment initiation phase. Liver function tests were measured prior to commencement of antiTB therapy and 2-4 wk later. Liver function tests were also performed at any time the patient had significant nausea, vomiting, rash, or felt non-specifically unwell. Fisher's exact test was used to measure significance in comparisons of proportions between groups. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Of the 429 patients, 270(62.9%) had active TB disease and 159(37.1%) had latent TB infection. 61(14.2%) patients had isolated anti-HBc positivity, 11(2.6%) were also HBs Ag positive and 7(1.6%) were HCV-antibody positive. 16/270 patients with active TB disease compared to 2/159 patients with latent TB infection had markers of chronic viral hepatitis(HBs Ag or HCV antibody positive; P = 0.023). Similarly the proportion of HBs Ag positive patients were significantly greater in the active vs latent TB infection group(10/43 vs 1/29, P = 0.04). The prevalence of chronic HBV or HCV was significantly higher than the estimated United Kingdom prevalence of 0.3% for each. We found no association between DILI and presence of serologica展开更多
Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm ...Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality, as well as predisposing to HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis has the highest prevalence and incidence of any sexually transmitted infection. The 5-nitroimidazole drugs, of which metronidazole is the most prescribed, are the only approved,effective drugs to treat trichomoniasis. Resistance against metronidazole is frequently reported and crossresistance among the family of 5-nitroimidazole drugs is common, leaving no alternative for treatment, with some cases remaining unresolved. The mechanism of metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis from treatment failures is not well understood, unlike resistance which is developed in the laboratory under increasing metronidazole pressure. In the latter situation, hydrogenosomal function which is involved in activation of the prodrug, metronidazole, is down-regulated. Reversion to sensitivity is incomplete after removal of drug pressure in the highly resistant parasites while clinically resistant strains, so far analysed, maintain their resistance levels in the absence of drug pressure. Although anaerobic resistance has been regarded as a laboratory induced phenomenon, it clearly has been demonstrated in clinical isolates. Pursuit of both approaches will allow dissection of the underlying mechanisms. Many alternative drugs and treatments have been tested in vivo in cases of refractory trichomoniasis, as well as in vitro with some successes including the broad spectrum anti-parasitic drug nitazoxanide. Drug resistance incidence in T. vaginalis appears to be on the increase and improved surveillance of treatment failures is urged.展开更多
The expansion of non-industrial private forests (NIPF) in Ireland is unique in the European context in which the almost doubling of forest cover within the last thirty years has taken place largely on farmland. This i...The expansion of non-industrial private forests (NIPF) in Ireland is unique in the European context in which the almost doubling of forest cover within the last thirty years has taken place largely on farmland. This is not surprising as Ireland has some of the highest growth rates for conifers in Europe and also has a large proportion of land which is marginal for agriculture but highly productive under forests. However, in recent years, afforestation in Ireland as in many European countries has fallen well short of policy targets. As the farm afforestation decision essentially involves an inter-temporal land use change, farmers need comprehensive information on forest market returns under different environmental conditions and forest management regimes. This paper describes the systematic development of a cohort forest bio-economic model which examines financially optimal afforestation and management choices. Simulating a range of productivity and harvesting scenarios for Sitka spruce, we find that different objectives result in different outcomes. We see substantial differences between the biologically optimal rotation, the reduced rotation in common usage and the financially optimal rotation which maximises net present value and find that the results are particularly sensitive to the choice of management and methodological assumptions. Specifically, we find that better site productivity and thin versus no-thin options result in shorter rotations across all optimisations, reinforcing the usefulness of this type of financial modelling approach. This information is critical for future policy design to further incentivise afforestation of agricultural land.展开更多
在湖南西部中、晚寒武世地层发现了三维保存的精美的软躯体动物化石,即典型的奥斯坦型保存化石(fossils of Orsten-type preservation).描述了Hesslandonasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Phosphatocopida目)和Skarasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Skaracarid...在湖南西部中、晚寒武世地层发现了三维保存的精美的软躯体动物化石,即典型的奥斯坦型保存化石(fossils of Orsten-type preservation).描述了Hesslandonasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Phosphatocopida目)和Skarasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Skaracarida目).简要介绍了奥斯坦型保存化石的科学研究意义,并展望了今后的工作.展开更多
Background:Esports players,like traditional athletes,practice for long hours and,thus,are vulnerable to the negative health effects of prolonged sitting.There is a lack of research on the physical activity and the hea...Background:Esports players,like traditional athletes,practice for long hours and,thus,are vulnerable to the negative health effects of prolonged sitting.There is a lack of research on the physical activity and the health ramifications of prolonged sitting by competitive players.The purpose of this study was to investigate activity levels,body mass index(BMI),and body composition in collegiate esports players as compared to agematched controls.Methods:Twenty-four male collegiate esports players and non-esports players between 18 and 25 years of age signed a written consent to participate.Physical activity was examined using daily activity(step count)with a wrist-worn activity tracker.A questionnaire assessing physical activity was also administered.Secondary outcomes included body-fat percentage,lean-body mass,BMI,and bone mineral content measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results:The step count in the esports players was significantly lower than the age-matched controls(6040.2±3028.6 vs.12843.8±5661.1;p=0.004).Esports players exhibited greater body-fat percentage(p=0.05),less lean body mass(p=0.003),and less bone mineral content(p=0.03),despite no difference in BMI between the esports and non-esports players.Conclusion:As compared to non-esports players,collegiate esports players were significantly less active and had a higher body-fat percentage,with lower lean body mass and bone mineral content.The BMIs showed no difference between the 2 groups.Esports athletes displayed significantly less activity and poor body composition,which are all correlated with potential health issues and risk of injury.BMI did not capture this difference and should not be considered as an accurate measure of health in competitive esports players.展开更多
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer depend on rapid,sensitive,and selective detection of tumor cells.Current diagnosis of cancers,especially leukemia,relies on histology and fl ow cytometry using sing...Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer depend on rapid,sensitive,and selective detection of tumor cells.Current diagnosis of cancers,especially leukemia,relies on histology and fl ow cytometry using single dye-labeled antibodies.However,this combination may not lead to high signal output,which can hinder detection,especially when the probes have relatively weak affi nities or when the receptor is expressed in a low concentration on the target cell surface.To solve these problems,we have developed a novel method for sensitive and rapid detection of cancer cells using dye-doped silica nanoparticles(NPs)which increases detection sensitivity in fl ow cytometry analyses between 10-and 100-fold compared to standard methods.Our NPs are~60 nm in size and can encapsulate thousands of individual dye molecules within their matrix.We have extensively investigated surface modifi cation strategies in order to make the NPs suitable for selective detection of cancer cells using fl ow cytometry.The NPs are functionalized with polyethylene glycol(PEG)to prevent nonspecifi c interactions and with neutravidin to allow universal binding with biotinylated molecules.By virtue of their reliable and selective detection of target cancer cells,these NPs have demonstrated their promising usefulness in conventional fl ow cytometry.Moreover,they have shown low background signal,high signal enhancement,and effi cient functionalization,either with antibody-or aptamer-targeting moieties.展开更多
Articulated natural assemblages contain direct evidence of the element numbers,morphologies,positions and structures for reconstructing the feeding apparatuses of conodont animals,but these kind of materials are very ...Articulated natural assemblages contain direct evidence of the element numbers,morphologies,positions and structures for reconstructing the feeding apparatuses of conodont animals,but these kind of materials are very rare in fossil records.Here we report ten new conodont natural assemblages from Member II of the Guanling Formation in Luoping County,eastern Yunnan Province,southwestern China.These assemblages were obtained from the fossil-bearing layers of the Luoping Biota,dated to the early Middle Triassic Anisian stage(Pelsonian substage).These fossiliferous laminated limestones mainly consist of calcites and dolomites,with platy clay minerals and pyrites as subordinate components,indicating that the conodont assemblages were preserved in a lower energy and anoxic sedimentary environment.The new natural assemblages preserve the primary collapse orientations of the Nicoraella feeding apparatus from the Luoping Biota,showing the relative original positions of the S,M and P elements,that could be further used to refine the architecture of this apparatus in space variable M elements and the position unclear P1 elements.Integrating previously reported three-dimensional and bilaterally symmetrical fused clusters,we statistically analyze the size of the positional homogenous elements within different sized materials,in particular S4,S3,or S2 elements,indicates that elements ontogenic changes do not affect the apparatus architecture.Architecture of Nicoraella apparatus remains stable in the process of ontogeny,so our reconstructed model is credible.It is the first time that ample types of materials have been used to restore a conodont apparatus within one genus,namely natural assemblages(articulated and disarticulated),fused clusters(articulated,disarticulated,compressed,and relatively three-dimensional),and abundant discrete elements,respectively.These materials together record the most complete information on architecture in the gondolelloid apparatuses,thus enabling us to reconstruct a reliable fifteen-element appar展开更多
文摘Background: Clinical examination, while useful, has been shown to be insuffici ent as the sole screening method in infants. Ultrasound examination at 8 weeks i n high risk infants is an integral part of the screening process in some units. Aims: To snow the efficiency of hip sonography in detection of developmental dys plasia of the hips in those without clinically dislocated hips. Methods: All inf ants born at the National Maternity Hospital between January 1994 and December 2 001 were included. All those with clinically dislocated hips were treated by a P avlik harness and referred for follow up to a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. An 8 week hip ultrasound scan was performed for those infants with stable hips on examination but who met the following criteria: (1) a first degree relative with congenital dislocation of hips; (2) breech presentation at birth; and (3) a per sistent “click”at birth in an otherwise stable hip. Results: During the period of study a total of 52 893 infants were born in the National Maternity Hospital . Based on the criteria above, 5485 hip ultrasound scans were performed. Of thos e scanned, 18 (0.33%)were found to have dislocated hips and 153 (2.78%)-to ha ve dysplasic hips. The 18 infants with dislocation were treated with Pavlik harn ess; the remaining 153 were followed up by serial ultrasound examinations but di d not require active intervention. Conclusions: Among the population of infants at increased risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip, the hip screening progr amme identified 18 cases among 5485 infants; a rate of 3.2 per 1000. Hip sonogra phy is therefore worthwhile.
文摘One and half centuries ago, Charles Darwin (1859) presented overwhelming evidence and argued that all life on the earth shared common descent, and "from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved". Ernst Haeckel (1886)
基金Supported by Health Research Board(Ireland)Funding(HRA-POR-2011-48)
文摘AIM: To review the use of the Months Backwards Test(MBT) in clinical and research contexts.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of reports relating to the MBT based upon a search of Psych INFO and MEDLINE between January 1980 and December 2014. Only reports that specifically described findings pertaining to the MBT were included. Findings were considered in terms of rating procedures, testing performance, psychometric properties, neuropsychological studies and use in clinical populations.RESULTS: We identified 22 data reports. The MBT is administered and rated in a variety of ways with very little consistency across studies. It has been used to assess various cognitive functions including focused and sustained attention as well as central processingspeed. Performance can be assessed in terms of the ability to accurately complete the test without errors("MB accuracy"), and time taken to complete the test("MB duration"). Completion time in cognitively intact subjects is usually < 20 s with upper limits of 60-90 s typically applied in studies. The majority of cognitively intact adults can complete the test without error such that any errors of omission are strongly suggestive of cognitive dysfunction. Coverage of clinical populations, including those with significant cognitive difficulties is high with the majority of subjects able to engage with MBT procedures. Performance correlates highly with other cognitive tests, especially of attention, including the digit span backwards, trailmaking test B, serial threes and sevens, tests of simple and complex choice reaction time, delayed story recall and standardized list learning measures. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability are high(both > 0.90). Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies comparing the months forward test and MBT indicate greater involvement of more complex networks(bilateral middle and inferior frontal gyri, the posterior parietal cortex and the left anterior cingulate gyrus) for backwards cognitive processing. The MBT has been usefully appl
基金Supported by Grants from the Wellcome Trustand the Higher Education Funding Council for England
文摘AIM: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and association with drug induced liver injury(DILI) in patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis(TB) therapy.METHODS: Four hundred and twenty nine patients with newly diagnosed TB- either active disease or latent infection- who were due to commence antiTB therapy between September 2008 and May 2011 were included. These patients were prospectively tested for serological markers of HBV, HCV and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infections- hepatitis B core antigen(HBc Ag), hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), hepatitis B e antigen, Ig G and Ig M antibody to HBc Ag(anti-HBc), HCV Ig G antibody and HIV antibody using a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot assay and polymerase chain reaction techniques. Patients were reviewed at least monthly during the TB treatment initiation phase. Liver function tests were measured prior to commencement of antiTB therapy and 2-4 wk later. Liver function tests were also performed at any time the patient had significant nausea, vomiting, rash, or felt non-specifically unwell. Fisher's exact test was used to measure significance in comparisons of proportions between groups. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Of the 429 patients, 270(62.9%) had active TB disease and 159(37.1%) had latent TB infection. 61(14.2%) patients had isolated anti-HBc positivity, 11(2.6%) were also HBs Ag positive and 7(1.6%) were HCV-antibody positive. 16/270 patients with active TB disease compared to 2/159 patients with latent TB infection had markers of chronic viral hepatitis(HBs Ag or HCV antibody positive; P = 0.023). Similarly the proportion of HBs Ag positive patients were significantly greater in the active vs latent TB infection group(10/43 vs 1/29, P = 0.04). The prevalence of chronic HBV or HCV was significantly higher than the estimated United Kingdom prevalence of 0.3% for each. We found no association between DILI and presence of serologica
文摘Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality, as well as predisposing to HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis has the highest prevalence and incidence of any sexually transmitted infection. The 5-nitroimidazole drugs, of which metronidazole is the most prescribed, are the only approved,effective drugs to treat trichomoniasis. Resistance against metronidazole is frequently reported and crossresistance among the family of 5-nitroimidazole drugs is common, leaving no alternative for treatment, with some cases remaining unresolved. The mechanism of metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis from treatment failures is not well understood, unlike resistance which is developed in the laboratory under increasing metronidazole pressure. In the latter situation, hydrogenosomal function which is involved in activation of the prodrug, metronidazole, is down-regulated. Reversion to sensitivity is incomplete after removal of drug pressure in the highly resistant parasites while clinically resistant strains, so far analysed, maintain their resistance levels in the absence of drug pressure. Although anaerobic resistance has been regarded as a laboratory induced phenomenon, it clearly has been demonstrated in clinical isolates. Pursuit of both approaches will allow dissection of the underlying mechanisms. Many alternative drugs and treatments have been tested in vivo in cases of refractory trichomoniasis, as well as in vitro with some successes including the broad spectrum anti-parasitic drug nitazoxanide. Drug resistance incidence in T. vaginalis appears to be on the increase and improved surveillance of treatment failures is urged.
文摘The expansion of non-industrial private forests (NIPF) in Ireland is unique in the European context in which the almost doubling of forest cover within the last thirty years has taken place largely on farmland. This is not surprising as Ireland has some of the highest growth rates for conifers in Europe and also has a large proportion of land which is marginal for agriculture but highly productive under forests. However, in recent years, afforestation in Ireland as in many European countries has fallen well short of policy targets. As the farm afforestation decision essentially involves an inter-temporal land use change, farmers need comprehensive information on forest market returns under different environmental conditions and forest management regimes. This paper describes the systematic development of a cohort forest bio-economic model which examines financially optimal afforestation and management choices. Simulating a range of productivity and harvesting scenarios for Sitka spruce, we find that different objectives result in different outcomes. We see substantial differences between the biologically optimal rotation, the reduced rotation in common usage and the financially optimal rotation which maximises net present value and find that the results are particularly sensitive to the choice of management and methodological assumptions. Specifically, we find that better site productivity and thin versus no-thin options result in shorter rotations across all optimisations, reinforcing the usefulness of this type of financial modelling approach. This information is critical for future policy design to further incentivise afforestation of agricultural land.
文摘在湖南西部中、晚寒武世地层发现了三维保存的精美的软躯体动物化石,即典型的奥斯坦型保存化石(fossils of Orsten-type preservation).描述了Hesslandonasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Phosphatocopida目)和Skarasp.(节肢动物门甲壳纲Skaracarida目).简要介绍了奥斯坦型保存化石的科学研究意义,并展望了今后的工作.
基金the New York Institute of Technology Center for Sports Medicine,Old Westbury,NY,for its assistance with and support for this project.
文摘Background:Esports players,like traditional athletes,practice for long hours and,thus,are vulnerable to the negative health effects of prolonged sitting.There is a lack of research on the physical activity and the health ramifications of prolonged sitting by competitive players.The purpose of this study was to investigate activity levels,body mass index(BMI),and body composition in collegiate esports players as compared to agematched controls.Methods:Twenty-four male collegiate esports players and non-esports players between 18 and 25 years of age signed a written consent to participate.Physical activity was examined using daily activity(step count)with a wrist-worn activity tracker.A questionnaire assessing physical activity was also administered.Secondary outcomes included body-fat percentage,lean-body mass,BMI,and bone mineral content measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results:The step count in the esports players was significantly lower than the age-matched controls(6040.2±3028.6 vs.12843.8±5661.1;p=0.004).Esports players exhibited greater body-fat percentage(p=0.05),less lean body mass(p=0.003),and less bone mineral content(p=0.03),despite no difference in BMI between the esports and non-esports players.Conclusion:As compared to non-esports players,collegiate esports players were significantly less active and had a higher body-fat percentage,with lower lean body mass and bone mineral content.The BMIs showed no difference between the 2 groups.Esports athletes displayed significantly less activity and poor body composition,which are all correlated with potential health issues and risk of injury.BMI did not capture this difference and should not be considered as an accurate measure of health in competitive esports players.
基金by the NIH National Cancer Institute,R21CA122648,ONR N00014-07-1-0982,and the State of Florida Center of Excellence.M.-C.E.acknowledges fi nancial support from the Department d’Universitats,Recerca i Societat de la Informacióde la Generalitat de Catalunya,Spain.
文摘Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer depend on rapid,sensitive,and selective detection of tumor cells.Current diagnosis of cancers,especially leukemia,relies on histology and fl ow cytometry using single dye-labeled antibodies.However,this combination may not lead to high signal output,which can hinder detection,especially when the probes have relatively weak affi nities or when the receptor is expressed in a low concentration on the target cell surface.To solve these problems,we have developed a novel method for sensitive and rapid detection of cancer cells using dye-doped silica nanoparticles(NPs)which increases detection sensitivity in fl ow cytometry analyses between 10-and 100-fold compared to standard methods.Our NPs are~60 nm in size and can encapsulate thousands of individual dye molecules within their matrix.We have extensively investigated surface modifi cation strategies in order to make the NPs suitable for selective detection of cancer cells using fl ow cytometry.The NPs are functionalized with polyethylene glycol(PEG)to prevent nonspecifi c interactions and with neutravidin to allow universal binding with biotinylated molecules.By virtue of their reliable and selective detection of target cancer cells,these NPs have demonstrated their promising usefulness in conventional fl ow cytometry.Moreover,they have shown low background signal,high signal enhancement,and effi cient functionalization,either with antibody-or aptamer-targeting moieties.
基金financially supported by the China Geological Survey (Nos. DD20230219, DD20221635-004, DD20190054)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 42272030, 41502013, 41772022, 41661134047)the Project of the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (No. PID2020-117373GA-I00) to Carlos Martínez-Pérez.
文摘Articulated natural assemblages contain direct evidence of the element numbers,morphologies,positions and structures for reconstructing the feeding apparatuses of conodont animals,but these kind of materials are very rare in fossil records.Here we report ten new conodont natural assemblages from Member II of the Guanling Formation in Luoping County,eastern Yunnan Province,southwestern China.These assemblages were obtained from the fossil-bearing layers of the Luoping Biota,dated to the early Middle Triassic Anisian stage(Pelsonian substage).These fossiliferous laminated limestones mainly consist of calcites and dolomites,with platy clay minerals and pyrites as subordinate components,indicating that the conodont assemblages were preserved in a lower energy and anoxic sedimentary environment.The new natural assemblages preserve the primary collapse orientations of the Nicoraella feeding apparatus from the Luoping Biota,showing the relative original positions of the S,M and P elements,that could be further used to refine the architecture of this apparatus in space variable M elements and the position unclear P1 elements.Integrating previously reported three-dimensional and bilaterally symmetrical fused clusters,we statistically analyze the size of the positional homogenous elements within different sized materials,in particular S4,S3,or S2 elements,indicates that elements ontogenic changes do not affect the apparatus architecture.Architecture of Nicoraella apparatus remains stable in the process of ontogeny,so our reconstructed model is credible.It is the first time that ample types of materials have been used to restore a conodont apparatus within one genus,namely natural assemblages(articulated and disarticulated),fused clusters(articulated,disarticulated,compressed,and relatively three-dimensional),and abundant discrete elements,respectively.These materials together record the most complete information on architecture in the gondolelloid apparatuses,thus enabling us to reconstruct a reliable fifteen-element appar
