Hepatitis B virus(HBV) is a member of the hepadnavirus family.Hepadnaviruses can be found in both mammals(orthohepadnaviruses) and birds(avihepadnaviruses).The genetic variability of HBV is very high.There are eight g...Hepatitis B virus(HBV) is a member of the hepadnavirus family.Hepadnaviruses can be found in both mammals(orthohepadnaviruses) and birds(avihepadnaviruses).The genetic variability of HBV is very high.There are eight genotypes of HBV and three clades of HBV isolates from apes that appear to be additional genotypes of HBV.Most genotypes are now divided into subgenotypes with distinct virological and epidemiological properties.In addition,recombination among HBV genotypes increases the variability of HBV.This review summarises current knowledge of the epidemiology of genetic variability in hepadnaviruses and,due to rapid progress in the field,updates several recent reviews on HBV genotypes and subgenotypes.展开更多
We report graphene films composed mostly of one or two layers of graphene grown by controlled carbon precipitation on the surface of polycrystalline Ni thin films during atmospheric chemical vapor deposition(CVD).Cont...We report graphene films composed mostly of one or two layers of graphene grown by controlled carbon precipitation on the surface of polycrystalline Ni thin films during atmospheric chemical vapor deposition(CVD).Controlling both the methane concentration during CVD and the substrate cooling rate during graphene growth can signifi cantly improve the thickness uniformity.As a result,one-or two-layer graphene regions occupy up to 87%of the fi lm area.Single layer coverage accounts for 5%11%of the overall fi lm.These regions expand across multiple grain boundaries of the underlying polycrystalline Ni fi lm.The number density of sites with multilayer graphene/graphite(>2 layers)is reduced as the cooling rate decreases.These fi lms can also be transferred to other substrates and their sizes are only limited by the sizes of the Ni fi lm and the CVD chamber.Here,we demonstrate the formation of fi lms as large as 1 in^(2).These fi ndings represent an important step towards the fabrication of large-scale high-quality graphene samples.展开更多
The basic concepts and advantages of more/all electric aircraft （M/AEA） are briefly addressed. The combined starter/generator （CS/G） system is introduced as a key technology to enable M/AEA. Some important perform...The basic concepts and advantages of more/all electric aircraft （M/AEA） are briefly addressed. The combined starter/generator （CS/G） system is introduced as a key technology to enable M/AEA. Some important performance requirements for CS/G system are obtained. Based on these requirements, a high speed switched reluctance machine （SRM） is designed to operate as a starter/generator. The entire design process is mainly divided into two stages： electromagnetic design and thermal design. In electromagnetic design stage, the electromagnetic structure and dimensions of the machine and the number of phase winding turns per pole are obtained; the topology and main technical details of the converter are briefly introduced as well. In thermal design stage, a liquid-cooling system is designed based on the thermal analysis of the machine. In the end, the performances of the designed SRM are basically verified by simulation. To get high performances, the exciting angles are optimized in two different operating modes respectively, and the optimized performances in the motoring mode are given as well.展开更多
The influence of tree species on soils has received much attention,but we know little about either the pattern and underlying mechanisms of net nutrient and carbon inputs under canopy for various tree species or the e...The influence of tree species on soils has received much attention,but we know little about either the pattern and underlying mechanisms of net nutrient and carbon inputs under canopy for various tree species or the effects of net nutrient input on soil nutrient contents.To address these issues,we selected three tree species with distinct leaf sizes and arranged litter traps around the target individuals to test what affected net nutrient and carbon inputs under canopy of target individuals,and how net nutrient inputs influenced soil nutrient contents.The results showed that net litter manganese(Mn)and lignin inputs were significantly different among these tree species,as well as soil exchangeable potassium(K),available iron(Fe)and available Mn.The results also revealed that the species with the smallest sized leaves may stimulate more net Mn and lignin inputs than the species with the largest sized leaves.At the same time,net nutrient inputs correlated with soil available Fe,while the ratio of lignin to nitrogen of net litter correlated with total phosphorus contents.These results demonstrated that litter production may be the main factor deciding net nutrient and carbon inputs under different tree species’canopy,which significantly differentiated soil iron’s availability.展开更多
Aim： To explore the interaction between bladder compliance （BC） and bladder outflow obstruction （BOO） in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） using cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Methods： A t...Aim： To explore the interaction between bladder compliance （BC） and bladder outflow obstruction （BOO） in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） using cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Methods： A total of 181 men with BPH were recruited, and 100 of them were followed for one year. Cystometry was performed in a standing or a sitting position with 30 mL/min infusion. BC was manually corrected and defined. Obstruction coefficient （OCO）, linear passive urethral resistance relation and international continence society （ICS） nomogram were used to diagnose BOO. The obstructed parameters were compared between the reduced BC group and the non-reduced group. BC was compared between the first investigation at the beginning of study and the second investigation at the end of study during the one-year follow-up period. Results： The group with reduced BC had increased OCO and linear passive urethral resistance relation. BC was significantly lower in the obstructed group （55.7 mL/cm water） than that in unobstructed and equivocal one （74.9 mL/cm water, P 〈 0.01）. BC gradually reduced with the increased obstructed grade. There was a significantly weak negative correlation between BC and OCO （r = - 0.132, P 〈 0.01）. Over the one-year follow-up period in the longitudinal study, BC for all men changed from 54.4 to 48.8 mL/cm water （P 〉 0.05）, and BC for the group with BOO fell from 58.4 ± 70.1 to 46.5 ± 38.7 mL/cm water （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： In men with BPH, a significant systematic decrease occurred in BC in the obstructed group and a significant systematic increase with urethral resistance occurred in the low BC group. A longitudinal study of the tendency of BC reduction in a group with BOO is necessary in the future.展开更多
AIM： To analyze our Wilson disease patient cohort （n = 106） for alterations in the gene coding for MURR1. METHODS： Patients with an established diagnosis of Wilson disease but normal ceruloplasmin blood levels wer...AIM： To analyze our Wilson disease patient cohort （n = 106） for alterations in the gene coding for MURR1. METHODS： Patients with an established diagnosis of Wilson disease but normal ceruloplasmin blood levels were chosen for our study （n = 14）. Patients with two known disease-causing mutations in the ATPTB gene were not included. The three exons of the human MURR1 gene were sequenced after amplification of the genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： Our study did not reveal any mutations leading to an amino acid change in the MURR1 sequence of Wilson disease patients. A polymorphism at 472 bp of the coding sequence could be confirmed. CONCLUSION： The MURRI gene plays no role in the pathogenesis of Wilson disease patients with normal serum ceruloplasmin levels.展开更多
Background:Type 2 diabetes(T2D)is an adult-onset and obese form of diabetes caused by an interplay between genetic,epigenetic,and environmental components.Here,we have assessed a cohort of 11 genetically different col...Background:Type 2 diabetes(T2D)is an adult-onset and obese form of diabetes caused by an interplay between genetic,epigenetic,and environmental components.Here,we have assessed a cohort of 11 genetically different collaborative cross(CC)mouse lines comprised of both sexes for T2D and obesity developments in response to oral infection and high-fat diet(HFD)challenges.Methods:Mice were fed with either the HFD or the standard chow diet(control group)for 12 weeks starting at the age of 8 weeks.At week 5 of the experiment,half of the mice of each diet group were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria strains.Throughout the 12-week experimental period,body weight(BW)was recorded biweekly,and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed at weeks 6 and 12 of the experiment to evaluate the glucose tolerance status of mice.Results:Statistical analysis has shown the significance of phenotypic variations between the CC lines,which have different genetic backgrounds and sex effects in different experimental groups.The heritability of the studied phenotypes was estimated and ranged between 0.45 and 0.85.We applied machine learning methods to make an early call for T2D and its prognosis.The results showed that classification with random forest could reach the highest accuracy classification(ACC=0.91)when all the attributes were used.Conclusion:Using sex,diet,infection status,initial BW,and area under the curve(AUC)at week 6,we could classify the final phenotypes/outcomes at the end stage of the experiment(at 12 weeks).展开更多
Concrete structures are some of the largest constructions in human civilization.Their manufacture releases CO_(2)into atmosphere,which is partially readsorbed by standing structures,and further release occurs when the...Concrete structures are some of the largest constructions in human civilization.Their manufacture releases CO_(2)into atmosphere,which is partially readsorbed by standing structures,and further release occurs when they are demolished.Concrete is chemically similar to basaltic minerals,both adsorb CO_(2)where they are exposed on the earth's surface.Sequestration of CO_(2)is beneficial to reduce atmospheric concentrations,and thus limit future temperature increases.Therefore,multiple options are being examined for CO_(2)sequestration.For the first time,we compare the CO_(2)sequestration capacity of these two materials.We review previous work quantifying CO_(2)sequestration capacity of both materials and for the first time,compare their potential quantitative roles.Costs of that are compiled,to the extent they have been examined.Costly grinding of these materials to small particle sizes accelerates CO_(2)sequestration,and mycorrhizae in agricultural soils might reduce the associated costs.Both these materials can improve nutrient status in agricultural soils,and limit acidification from external nitrogen fertilization.Limitations are discussed in terms of land-use and material availability,and soil pH conditions.We call for further experiments with these materials that compare CO_(2)sequestration and other biogeochemical processes in agricultural systems across climates,carried out especially where such materials are conveniently available.展开更多
AIM: To analyze the metallochaperone antioxidant-1 (Atox1) gene sequence in Wilson disease patients. METHODS: Mutation analysis of the four exons of the Atox1 gene including the intron- exon boundaries was performed i...AIM: To analyze the metallochaperone antioxidant-1 (Atox1) gene sequence in Wilson disease patients. METHODS: Mutation analysis of the four exons of the Atox1 gene including the intron- exon boundaries was performed in 63 Wilson disease patients by direct sequencing. RESULTS: From 63 selected patients no mutations were identified after the entire coding region including the intron- exon boundaries of Atox1 were sequenced. One known polymorphism within the Atox1 gene (5’UTR -99 T>C) in 31 (49%) of the Wilson patients as well as one previously undescribed variation (5’UTR -68 C>T) in 2 of the Wilson patients could be detected. Statistical analyses revealed that the existence of a variation within the Atox1- gene showed a tendency towards an earlier onset of the disease. CONCLUSION: Based on the data of this study, no major role can be attributed to Atox1 in the pathophysiology or clinical variation of Wilson disease.展开更多
AIM:To analyze phospholipid profiles in intrahepatic bile from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)and secondary sclerosing cholangitis(SSC).METHODS:Intrahepatic bile specimens collected via endoscopic re...AIM:To analyze phospholipid profiles in intrahepatic bile from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)and secondary sclerosing cholangitis(SSC).METHODS:Intrahepatic bile specimens collected via endoscopic retrograde cholangiography from 41 patients were analyzed.Fourteen of these patients were diagnosed with PSC,10 with SSC,11 with choledocholithiasis or no identifiable biliary disease,and 6 with cholangiocellular carcinoma(CCC).Bile acid,cholesterol,protein,and bilirubin contents as well as pancreas lipase activity in bile were determined by biochemical methods.Phosphatidylcholine(PC)and lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC)species were quantified using nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTS:Bile from all the examined patient groups showed a remarkably similar PC and LPC species composition,with only minor statistical differences.Total biliary PC concentrations were highest in controls(8030±1843 mol/L)and lowest in patients with CCC(1969±981 mol/L)(P=0.005,controls vs SSC and CCC,respectively,P<0.05).LPC contents in bile were overall low(4.2%±1.8%).Biliary LPC/PC ratios and ratios of biliary PC to bilirubin,PC to cholesterol,PC to protein,and PC to bile acids showed no intergroup differences.CONCLUSION:PC and LPC profiles being similar in patients with or without sclerosing cholangitis,these phospholipids are likely not of major pathogenetic importance in this disease group.展开更多
Aims Soil plays an important role in the formation and heterogene-ity of habitats and thus can cause changes in vegetation struc-ture and plant diversity.The differentiation between Cerrado/savanna and forest is well ...Aims Soil plays an important role in the formation and heterogene-ity of habitats and thus can cause changes in vegetation struc-ture and plant diversity.The differentiation between Cerrado/savanna and forest is well known,but the relationship between soil and habitats from savannic or forest formations still needs to be better understood,particularly in tropical ecotonal areas.We studied the association between attributes of plant com-munities,namely structure and diversity,and physicochemical characteristics of soils in the Caatinga domain at the transition to Cerrado in Brazil.Methods Chemical and physical analyses of soils were performed in samples of 38 plots from savannic formations and 30 plots from forest forma-tions.Vegetation was characterized floristically and structurally in all plots,five habitats being assessed in each plant formation.Soil features and vegetation parameters were highly distinct among the different habitats.Important Findingsin general,forest habitats were more nutrient rich than savannic formation.Furthermore,soil variables showed effects both on vegetation structure and on its species diversity,more pronouncedly in the savannic formations.Habitats were structurally distinct,and diversity differed between savannic and forest communities;however,a higher differentiation occurred when the savannic formation habitats were compared among them.Although plant diversity did not differ among forest formation habitats,soil attributes showed a close relationship with edaphic factors and can contribute for similar vegetation.The soil-vegetation relationship in highly diverse ecotonal landscapes is important from the conservation biology point of view and aid in the execution of proactive plans for the maintenance of biodiversity.Thus,we noticed that diversity and soil behaves distinctly between savannic and forest communities.展开更多
Dear Editor,In recent years,criteria based on the combinationof morphology and biology have been proposed forimproving the selection of hepatocellular cancer(HCC)patients waiting for liver transplantation(LT)[1,2].Sin...Dear Editor,In recent years,criteria based on the combinationof morphology and biology have been proposed forimproving the selection of hepatocellular cancer(HCC)patients waiting for liver transplantation(LT)[1,2].Since all the proposed models showed suboptimalresults in predicting the risk of postLT recurrence,aprediction model constructed using artificial intelligence(Al)could be an attractive way to surpass this limit[3,4].Therefore,the Time_Radiological-response_Alpha-fetoproteIN_Artificial-Intelligence(TRAIN-AI)modelwas developed,combining morphology and biology tumorvariables.展开更多
Land-sea breeze(LSB)is an atmospheric mesoscale circulation that occurs in the vicinity of the coast and is caused by uneven heating resulting from the difference in specific heat capacity between the sea and land sur...Land-sea breeze(LSB)is an atmospheric mesoscale circulation that occurs in the vicinity of the coast and is caused by uneven heating resulting from the difference in specific heat capacity between the sea and land surfaces.The circulation structure of LSB was quantitatively investigated with a Doppler wind lidar Windcube100s on the west coast of the Yellow Sea for the first time.The time of observation was 31 August to 28 September 2018.It was found that the height of LSB development was 700 m to 1300 m.The duration of conversion of LSB was between 6 h and 8 h.The biggest average horizontal sea-breeze wind speed at 425 m was 5.6 m s^(-1),and at 375 m it was 4.5 m s^(-1).During the conversion process from sea breeze to land breeze,the maximum wind shear exponent was 2.84 at 1300 m altitude.During the conversion process from land breeze to sea breeze,the maximum wind shear exponent was 1.28 at 700 m altitude.The differences in wind shear exponents between sea-breeze and landbreeze systems were between 0.2 and 3.6 at the same altitude.The maximum value of the wind shear exponent can reflect the height of LSB development.展开更多
文摘Hepatitis B virus(HBV) is a member of the hepadnavirus family.Hepadnaviruses can be found in both mammals(orthohepadnaviruses) and birds(avihepadnaviruses).The genetic variability of HBV is very high.There are eight genotypes of HBV and three clades of HBV isolates from apes that appear to be additional genotypes of HBV.Most genotypes are now divided into subgenotypes with distinct virological and epidemiological properties.In addition,recombination among HBV genotypes increases the variability of HBV.This review summarises current knowledge of the epidemiology of genetic variability in hepadnaviruses and,due to rapid progress in the field,updates several recent reviews on HBV genotypes and subgenotypes.
基金by the Materials,Structures and Devices(MSD)Focus Center,one of the five centers of the Focus Center Research Program,a Semiconductor Research Corporation program.Support from NSF/CTS 05-06830(X.J.and M.S.D)and NSF/DMR07-04197(A.R.and M.S.D.)is also acknowledged.Raman measurements were carried out in the George R.Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory supported by NSF-CHE 0111370 and NIH-RR02594 grants.
文摘We report graphene films composed mostly of one or two layers of graphene grown by controlled carbon precipitation on the surface of polycrystalline Ni thin films during atmospheric chemical vapor deposition(CVD).Controlling both the methane concentration during CVD and the substrate cooling rate during graphene growth can signifi cantly improve the thickness uniformity.As a result,one-or two-layer graphene regions occupy up to 87%of the fi lm area.Single layer coverage accounts for 5%11%of the overall fi lm.These regions expand across multiple grain boundaries of the underlying polycrystalline Ni fi lm.The number density of sites with multilayer graphene/graphite(>2 layers)is reduced as the cooling rate decreases.These fi lms can also be transferred to other substrates and their sizes are only limited by the sizes of the Ni fi lm and the CVD chamber.Here,we demonstrate the formation of fi lms as large as 1 in^(2).These fi ndings represent an important step towards the fabrication of large-scale high-quality graphene samples.
文摘The basic concepts and advantages of more/all electric aircraft （M/AEA） are briefly addressed. The combined starter/generator （CS/G） system is introduced as a key technology to enable M/AEA. Some important performance requirements for CS/G system are obtained. Based on these requirements, a high speed switched reluctance machine （SRM） is designed to operate as a starter/generator. The entire design process is mainly divided into two stages： electromagnetic design and thermal design. In electromagnetic design stage, the electromagnetic structure and dimensions of the machine and the number of phase winding turns per pole are obtained; the topology and main technical details of the converter are briefly introduced as well. In thermal design stage, a liquid-cooling system is designed based on the thermal analysis of the machine. In the end, the performances of the designed SRM are basically verified by simulation. To get high performances, the exciting angles are optimized in two different operating modes respectively, and the optimized performances in the motoring mode are given as well.
文摘The influence of tree species on soils has received much attention,but we know little about either the pattern and underlying mechanisms of net nutrient and carbon inputs under canopy for various tree species or the effects of net nutrient input on soil nutrient contents.To address these issues,we selected three tree species with distinct leaf sizes and arranged litter traps around the target individuals to test what affected net nutrient and carbon inputs under canopy of target individuals,and how net nutrient inputs influenced soil nutrient contents.The results showed that net litter manganese(Mn)and lignin inputs were significantly different among these tree species,as well as soil exchangeable potassium(K),available iron(Fe)and available Mn.The results also revealed that the species with the smallest sized leaves may stimulate more net Mn and lignin inputs than the species with the largest sized leaves.At the same time,net nutrient inputs correlated with soil available Fe,while the ratio of lignin to nitrogen of net litter correlated with total phosphorus contents.These results demonstrated that litter production may be the main factor deciding net nutrient and carbon inputs under different tree species’canopy,which significantly differentiated soil iron’s availability.
文摘Aim： To explore the interaction between bladder compliance （BC） and bladder outflow obstruction （BOO） in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） using cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Methods： A total of 181 men with BPH were recruited, and 100 of them were followed for one year. Cystometry was performed in a standing or a sitting position with 30 mL/min infusion. BC was manually corrected and defined. Obstruction coefficient （OCO）, linear passive urethral resistance relation and international continence society （ICS） nomogram were used to diagnose BOO. The obstructed parameters were compared between the reduced BC group and the non-reduced group. BC was compared between the first investigation at the beginning of study and the second investigation at the end of study during the one-year follow-up period. Results： The group with reduced BC had increased OCO and linear passive urethral resistance relation. BC was significantly lower in the obstructed group （55.7 mL/cm water） than that in unobstructed and equivocal one （74.9 mL/cm water, P 〈 0.01）. BC gradually reduced with the increased obstructed grade. There was a significantly weak negative correlation between BC and OCO （r = - 0.132, P 〈 0.01）. Over the one-year follow-up period in the longitudinal study, BC for all men changed from 54.4 to 48.8 mL/cm water （P 〉 0.05）, and BC for the group with BOO fell from 58.4 ± 70.1 to 46.5 ± 38.7 mL/cm water （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： In men with BPH, a significant systematic decrease occurred in BC in the obstructed group and a significant systematic increase with urethral resistance occurred in the low BC group. A longitudinal study of the tendency of BC reduction in a group with BOO is necessary in the future.
文摘AIM： To analyze our Wilson disease patient cohort （n = 106） for alterations in the gene coding for MURR1. METHODS： Patients with an established diagnosis of Wilson disease but normal ceruloplasmin blood levels were chosen for our study （n = 14）. Patients with two known disease-causing mutations in the ATPTB gene were not included. The three exons of the human MURR1 gene were sequenced after amplification of the genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： Our study did not reveal any mutations leading to an amino acid change in the MURR1 sequence of Wilson disease patients. A polymorphism at 472 bp of the coding sequence could be confirmed. CONCLUSION： The MURRI gene plays no role in the pathogenesis of Wilson disease patients with normal serum ceruloplasmin levels.
基金Binational Science Foundation(BSF)grant number 2015077German Israeli Science Foundation(GIF)grant I-63-410.20-2017+1 种基金Israeli Science Foundation(ISF)grant 1085/18core fund from Tel Aviv University。
文摘Background:Type 2 diabetes(T2D)is an adult-onset and obese form of diabetes caused by an interplay between genetic,epigenetic,and environmental components.Here,we have assessed a cohort of 11 genetically different collaborative cross(CC)mouse lines comprised of both sexes for T2D and obesity developments in response to oral infection and high-fat diet(HFD)challenges.Methods:Mice were fed with either the HFD or the standard chow diet(control group)for 12 weeks starting at the age of 8 weeks.At week 5 of the experiment,half of the mice of each diet group were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria strains.Throughout the 12-week experimental period,body weight(BW)was recorded biweekly,and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed at weeks 6 and 12 of the experiment to evaluate the glucose tolerance status of mice.Results:Statistical analysis has shown the significance of phenotypic variations between the CC lines,which have different genetic backgrounds and sex effects in different experimental groups.The heritability of the studied phenotypes was estimated and ranged between 0.45 and 0.85.We applied machine learning methods to make an early call for T2D and its prognosis.The results showed that classification with random forest could reach the highest accuracy classification(ACC=0.91)when all the attributes were used.Conclusion:Using sex,diet,infection status,initial BW,and area under the curve(AUC)at week 6,we could classify the final phenotypes/outcomes at the end stage of the experiment(at 12 weeks).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC Grant No.32001296)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS,China(Grant No.2022396),and Chinese Academy of Sciences President's International Fellowship Initiative.
文摘Concrete structures are some of the largest constructions in human civilization.Their manufacture releases CO_(2)into atmosphere,which is partially readsorbed by standing structures,and further release occurs when they are demolished.Concrete is chemically similar to basaltic minerals,both adsorb CO_(2)where they are exposed on the earth's surface.Sequestration of CO_(2)is beneficial to reduce atmospheric concentrations,and thus limit future temperature increases.Therefore,multiple options are being examined for CO_(2)sequestration.For the first time,we compare the CO_(2)sequestration capacity of these two materials.We review previous work quantifying CO_(2)sequestration capacity of both materials and for the first time,compare their potential quantitative roles.Costs of that are compiled,to the extent they have been examined.Costly grinding of these materials to small particle sizes accelerates CO_(2)sequestration,and mycorrhizae in agricultural soils might reduce the associated costs.Both these materials can improve nutrient status in agricultural soils,and limit acidification from external nitrogen fertilization.Limitations are discussed in terms of land-use and material availability,and soil pH conditions.We call for further experiments with these materials that compare CO_(2)sequestration and other biogeochemical processes in agricultural systems across climates,carried out especially where such materials are conveniently available.
基金German Research Foundation DFG Junior-Grant Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg
文摘AIM: To analyze the metallochaperone antioxidant-1 (Atox1) gene sequence in Wilson disease patients. METHODS: Mutation analysis of the four exons of the Atox1 gene including the intron- exon boundaries was performed in 63 Wilson disease patients by direct sequencing. RESULTS: From 63 selected patients no mutations were identified after the entire coding region including the intron- exon boundaries of Atox1 were sequenced. One known polymorphism within the Atox1 gene (5’UTR -99 T>C) in 31 (49%) of the Wilson patients as well as one previously undescribed variation (5’UTR -68 C>T) in 2 of the Wilson patients could be detected. Statistical analyses revealed that the existence of a variation within the Atox1- gene showed a tendency towards an earlier onset of the disease. CONCLUSION: Based on the data of this study, no major role can be attributed to Atox1 in the pathophysiology or clinical variation of Wilson disease.
基金Supported by A Grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)
文摘AIM:To analyze phospholipid profiles in intrahepatic bile from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)and secondary sclerosing cholangitis(SSC).METHODS:Intrahepatic bile specimens collected via endoscopic retrograde cholangiography from 41 patients were analyzed.Fourteen of these patients were diagnosed with PSC,10 with SSC,11 with choledocholithiasis or no identifiable biliary disease,and 6 with cholangiocellular carcinoma(CCC).Bile acid,cholesterol,protein,and bilirubin contents as well as pancreas lipase activity in bile were determined by biochemical methods.Phosphatidylcholine(PC)and lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC)species were quantified using nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTS:Bile from all the examined patient groups showed a remarkably similar PC and LPC species composition,with only minor statistical differences.Total biliary PC concentrations were highest in controls(8030±1843 mol/L)and lowest in patients with CCC(1969±981 mol/L)(P=0.005,controls vs SSC and CCC,respectively,P<0.05).LPC contents in bile were overall low(4.2%±1.8%).Biliary LPC/PC ratios and ratios of biliary PC to bilirubin,PC to cholesterol,PC to protein,and PC to bile acids showed no intergroup differences.CONCLUSION:PC and LPC profiles being similar in patients with or without sclerosing cholangitis,these phospholipids are likely not of major pathogenetic importance in this disease group.
基金Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais(FAPEMIG)Secretaria de Estado de Ciência,Tecnologia e Ensino Superior(SECTES-MG)(FAPEMIG-SECTES-MG agreement 12.070/09).
文摘Aims Soil plays an important role in the formation and heterogene-ity of habitats and thus can cause changes in vegetation struc-ture and plant diversity.The differentiation between Cerrado/savanna and forest is well known,but the relationship between soil and habitats from savannic or forest formations still needs to be better understood,particularly in tropical ecotonal areas.We studied the association between attributes of plant com-munities,namely structure and diversity,and physicochemical characteristics of soils in the Caatinga domain at the transition to Cerrado in Brazil.Methods Chemical and physical analyses of soils were performed in samples of 38 plots from savannic formations and 30 plots from forest forma-tions.Vegetation was characterized floristically and structurally in all plots,five habitats being assessed in each plant formation.Soil features and vegetation parameters were highly distinct among the different habitats.Important Findingsin general,forest habitats were more nutrient rich than savannic formation.Furthermore,soil variables showed effects both on vegetation structure and on its species diversity,more pronouncedly in the savannic formations.Habitats were structurally distinct,and diversity differed between savannic and forest communities;however,a higher differentiation occurred when the savannic formation habitats were compared among them.Although plant diversity did not differ among forest formation habitats,soil attributes showed a close relationship with edaphic factors and can contribute for similar vegetation.The soil-vegetation relationship in highly diverse ecotonal landscapes is important from the conservation biology point of view and aid in the execution of proactive plans for the maintenance of biodiversity.Thus,we noticed that diversity and soil behaves distinctly between savannic and forest communities.
文摘Dear Editor,In recent years,criteria based on the combinationof morphology and biology have been proposed forimproving the selection of hepatocellular cancer(HCC)patients waiting for liver transplantation(LT)[1,2].Since all the proposed models showed suboptimalresults in predicting the risk of postLT recurrence,aprediction model constructed using artificial intelligence(Al)could be an attractive way to surpass this limit[3,4].Therefore,the Time_Radiological-response_Alpha-fetoproteIN_Artificial-Intelligence(TRAIN-AI)modelwas developed,combining morphology and biology tumorvariables.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China[Grant number 2016YFC0202001]the Chinese Academy of Sciences Strategic Priority Research Program[Grant number XDA23020301]the National Natural Science Foundation of China[Grant number 41375036]。
文摘Land-sea breeze(LSB)is an atmospheric mesoscale circulation that occurs in the vicinity of the coast and is caused by uneven heating resulting from the difference in specific heat capacity between the sea and land surfaces.The circulation structure of LSB was quantitatively investigated with a Doppler wind lidar Windcube100s on the west coast of the Yellow Sea for the first time.The time of observation was 31 August to 28 September 2018.It was found that the height of LSB development was 700 m to 1300 m.The duration of conversion of LSB was between 6 h and 8 h.The biggest average horizontal sea-breeze wind speed at 425 m was 5.6 m s^(-1),and at 375 m it was 4.5 m s^(-1).During the conversion process from sea breeze to land breeze,the maximum wind shear exponent was 2.84 at 1300 m altitude.During the conversion process from land breeze to sea breeze,the maximum wind shear exponent was 1.28 at 700 m altitude.The differences in wind shear exponents between sea-breeze and landbreeze systems were between 0.2 and 3.6 at the same altitude.The maximum value of the wind shear exponent can reflect the height of LSB development.
