Tracking the movement trajectory of newly emerged adult Chinese citrus flies with insect harmonic radar

Zhang-Zhang He,Jie Luo,Lian-You Gui,Deng-Ke Hua,Tian-Hua Du,Fu-Lian Wang,Peng Liang,Yong-Fang Shi,Xuan Yang 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.3

Previous work reveals that the adult Chinese citrus fly, Bactrocera minax (Enderlein), emerges from the ground in citrus orchards and presumably disperses to alternate food sources in neighboring shrubs and trees, where it stays and becomes reproductively mature, and then later returns to the orchard to lay eggs. We investigated the trajectories of early emerged adult Chinese citrus flies, which were tracked with portable harmonic radar in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 in four different habitats in Hubei province of China that presumably provided food sources for adults. This study we investigated whether early emerged adult Chinese citrus flies migrate into forests. A total of 47 adults were tracked following release in a citrus orchard. Our results showed that a total of 33 adults released in a citrus orchard flew into the forest, and 14 adults that disappeared during the tracking process in the citrus orchard. A total of 10 adults (in 2014) that were tracked and released in the forest flew to the forest. Of the adult flies investigated, 54.5% flew directly into the forest, while the remaining 45.5% finally arrived in the forest after repeatedly adjusting their trajectories. When there were Castanea mollissima Blume (Fagaceae) in the surrounding forest, the proportion of frequency of adult landing on the plant represented 58.3% and 88.5% of landing on all species in 2014 and in 2015, respectively. We conclude that early emerged adult Chinese citrus flies in the mosaic-type citrus orchard of the hilly terrain landform dispersed into adjacent forest.

Anomalous magnetization jumps in granular Pb superconducting films

Zhang An-Lei,Jiang Wan-Yan,Chen Xing-Hong,Zhang Xiao-Ke,Lu Wen-Lai,Chen Fei,Feng Zhen-Jie,Cao Shi-Xun,Zhang Jin-Cang,Ge Jun-Yi 한국물리학회 2022 Current Applied Physics Vol.35 No.-

In granular superconductors, the grain boundaries are closely related to the vortex dynamics and the macroscopic superconducting properties. In our research, Pb films with different grain sizes were prepared by tuning the substrate temperature. With the grain size decreasing, Pb films are prone to feature the anomalous magnetization jumps in the M − T curves, while in the M − H curves flux avalanche happens. Both phenomena appear in the same region of the H − T phase diagram and thus are considered to have the same origin. The further theoretical analysis shows that with grain size decreasing the pinning mechanism evolves from a mixed δTc and δl pinning to the δl pinning mechanism. The results shed light on the study of pinning mechanism for granular superconductors and is beneficial to the potential application of manipulating vortex pinning by regulation of intrinsic defects.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis in Chinese Young Adults

Hui Jie Hu,Zhen Wei Zhang,Yu Liang,Yan Yan Luo,Qi Feng Dou,Cui Ping Song,Hui Min Zhang,Ying Zhao,Guang Run Tian,Ke Zhang,Qiu Fang Mao,Jing Gui Song,Soren Rittig,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions: In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.

Physical properties and chemical composition of the cores in the California molecular cloud

Zhang, Guo-Yin,Xu, Jin-Long,Vasyunin, A. I.,Semenov, D. A.,Wang, Jun-Jie,Dib, Sami,Liu, Tie,Liu, Sheng-Yuan,Zhang, Chuan-Peng,Liu, Xiao-Lan,Wang, Ke,Li, Di,Wu, Zhong-Zu,Yuan, Jing-Hua,Li, Da-Lei,Gao, Springer-Verlag 2018 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.620 No.-

<P><I>Aims.</I> We aim to reveal the physical properties and chemical composition of the cores in the California molecular cloud (CMC), so as to better understand the initial conditions of star formation.</P><P><I>Methods.</I> We made a high-resolution column density map (18.2′′) with <I>Herschel</I> data, and extracted a complete sample of the cores in the CMC with the fellwalker algorithm. We performed new single-pointing observations of molecular lines near 90 GHz with the IRAM 30m telescope along the main filament of the CMC. In addition, we also performed a numerical modeling of chemical evolution for the cores under the physical conditions.</P><P><I>Results.</I> We extracted 300 cores, of which 33 are protostellar and 267 are starless cores. About 51% (137 of 267) of the starless cores are prestellar cores. Three cores have the potential to evolve into high-mass stars. The prestellar core mass function (CMF) can be well fit by a log-normal form. The high-mass end of the prestellar CMF shows a power-law form with an index <I>α</I> = −0.9 ± 0.1 that is shallower than that of the Galactic field stellar mass function. Combining the mass transformation efficiency (<I>ε</I>) from the prestellar core to the star of 15 ± 1% and the core formation efficiency (CFE) of 5.5%, we suggest an overall star formation efficiency of about 1% in the CMC. In the single-pointing observations with the IRAM 30m telescope, we find that 6 cores show blue-skewed profile, while 4 cores show red-skewed profile. [HCO<SUP>+</SUP>]/[HNC] and [HCO<SUP>+</SUP>]/[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] in protostellar cores are higher than those in prestellar cores; this can be used as chemical clocks. The best-fit chemical age of the cores with line observations is ~5 × 10<SUP>4</SUP> yr.</P>

Clinical Outcomes of Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Retrospective Analysis of 142 Cases

Zhang, Bai-Hua,Cheng, Gui-Yu,Xue, Qi,Gao, Shu-Geng,Sun, Ke-Lin,Wang, Yong-Gang,Mu, Ju-Wei,He, Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (BSCCE) is a rare and distinctive tumor with no standard treatment. This study aimed to explore treatment in relation to prognosis of the disease. Methods: A total of 142 patients with BSCCE that underwent treatment in our hospital from March 1999 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received surgery, 42 postoperative radiotherapy and 28 patients chemotherapy. Results: There were 26 patients included in stage I, 60 in stage II, 53 in stage III and 3 in stage IV. The clinical symptoms and macroscopic performances of BSCCE did not differ from those of typical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Among 118 patients receiving endoscopic biopsy, only 12 were diagnosed with BSCCE. The median survival time (MST) of the entire group was 32 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 81.4%, 46.8% and 31.0%, respectively. The 5-year OS of stage I and II patients was significantly longer than that of stages III/IV, at 60.3%, 36.1% and 10.9%, respectively (p<0.001, p=0.001). The MST and 5-year OS were 59.0 months and 47.4% in patients with tumors located in the lower thoracic esophagus, and 27.0 months and 18.1% in those with lesions in the upper/middle esophagus (p=0.002). However, the survival was not significantly improved in patients undegoing adjunctive therapy. Multivariate analysis showed TNM stage and tumor location to be independent prognostic factors. Furthermore, distant metastasis was the most frequent failure pattern, with a median recurrence time of 10 months. Conclusion: BSCCE is an aggressive disease with rapid progression and a propensity for distant metastasis. It is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis via preoperative biopsy. Multidisciplinary therapy including radical esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy should be recommended, while the effectiveness of radiochemotherapy requires further validation for BSCCE.

Novel Phage Display-Derived H5N1-Specific scFvs with Potential Use in Rapid Avian Flu Diagnosis

( Jie Wu ),( Xian Qiao Zeng ),( Hong Bin Zhang ),( Han Zhong Ni ),( Lei Pei ),( Li Rong Zou ),( Li Jun Liang ),( Xin Zhang ),( Jin Yan Lin ),( Chang Wen Ke ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.5

The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 subtype infect poultry and have also been spreading to humans. Although new antiviral drugs and vaccinations can be effective, rapid detection would be more efficient to control the outbreak of infections. In this study, a phage-display library was applied to select antibody fragments for HPAI strain A/Hubei/1/2010. As a result, three clones were selected and sequenced. A hemagglutinin inhibition assay of the three scFvs revealed that none exhibited hemagglutination inhibition activity towards the H5N1 virus, yet they showed a higher binding affinity for several HPAI H5N1 strains compared with other influenza viruses. An ELISA confirmed that the HA protein was the target of the scFvs, and the results of a protein structure simulation showed that all the selected scFvs bound to the HA2 subunit of the HA protein. In conclusion, the three selected scFVs could be useful for developing a specific detection tool for the surveillance of HPAI epidemic strains.

Cytosolic escape of mitochondrial DNA triggers cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis-dependent nucleus pulposus cell pyroptosis

Zhang Weifeng,Li Gaocai,Luo Rongjin,Lei Jie,Song Yu,Wang Bingjin,Ma Liang,Liao Zhiwei,Ke Wencan,Liu Hui,Hua Wenbin,Zhao Kangcheng,Feng Xiaobo,Wu Xinghuo,Zhang Yukun,Wang Kun,Yang Cao 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Low back pain (LBP) is a major musculoskeletal disorder and the socioeconomic problem with a high prevalence that mainly involves intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, characterized by progressive nucleus pulposus (NP) cell death and the development of an inflammatory microenvironment in NP tissue. Excessively accumulated cytosolic DNA acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that is monitored by the cGAS-STING axis to trigger the immune response in many degenerative diseases. NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis is a type of inflammatory programmed death that promotes a chronic inflammatory response and tissue degeneration. However, the relationship between the cGAS-STING axis and NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration remains unclear. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology to demonstrate that cGAS, STING, and NLRP3 are associated with the degree of IVD degeneration. Oxidative stress induced cGAS-STING axis activation and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in a STING-dependent manner in human NP cells. Interestingly, the canonical morphological and functional characteristics of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening with the cytosolic escape of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were observed in human NP cells under oxidative stress. Furthermore, the administration of a specific pharmacological inhibitor of mPTP and self-mtDNA cytosolic leakage effectively reduced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic NP cell death and microenvironmental inflammation in vitro and degenerative progression in a rat disc needle puncture model. Collectively, these data highlight the critical roles of the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis and pyroptosis in the progression of IVD degeneration and provide promising therapeutic approaches for discogenic LBP.

Recombinant-attenuated Salmonella Pullorum strain expressing the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) protects chickens against NDV and Salmonella Pullorum challenge

Ke Ding,Ke Shang,Zu-Hua Yu,Chuan Yu,Yan-Yan Jia,Lei He,Cheng-Shui Liao,Jing Li,Chun-Jie Zhang,Yin-Ju Li,Ting-Cai Wu,Xiang-chao Cheng 대한수의학회 2018 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.19 No.2

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Salmonella Pullorum have significant damaging effects on the poultry industry, but no previous vaccinecan protect poultry effectively. In this study, a recombinant-attenuated S. Pullorum strain secreting the NDV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase(HN) protein, C79-13ΔcrpΔasd (pYA-HN), was constructed by using the suicide plasmid pREasd-mediated bacteria homologousrecombination method to form a new bivalent vaccine candidate against Newcastle disease (ND) and S. Pullorum disease (PD). The effectof this vaccine candidate was compared with those of the NDV LaSota and C79-13ΔcrpΔasd (pYA) strains. The serum hemagglutinationinhibition antibody titers, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, secretory IgA, and stimulation index in lymphocyte proliferation wereincreased significantly more (p < 0.01) in chickens inoculated with C79-13ΔcrpΔasd (pYA-HN) than with C79-13ΔcrpΔasd (pYA) but werenot significantly increased compared with the chickens immunized with the LaSota live vaccine (p > 0.05). Moreover, the novel strain provides60% and 80% protective efficacy against the NDV virulent strain F48E9 and the S. Pullorum virulent strain C79-13. In summary, in this study,a recombinant-attenuated S. Pullorum strain secreting NDV HN protein was constructed. The generation of the S. Pullorum C79-13ΔcrpΔasd(pYA-HN) strain provides a foundation for the development of an effective living-vector double vaccine against ND and PD.

High-Definition Computed Tomography for Coronary Artery Stent Imaging: a Phantom Study

Wen Jie Yang,Ke Min Chen,Li Fang Pang,Ying Guo,Jian Ying Li,Huang Zhang,Zi Lai Pan 대한영상의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.13 No.1

Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm). Objective: To assess the performance of a high-definition CT (HDCT) for imaging small caliber coronary stents (≤ 3 mm) by comparing different scan modes of a conventional 64-row standard-definition CT (SDCT). Materials and Methods: A cardiac phantom with twelve stents (2.5 mm and 3.0 mm in diameter) was scanned by HDCT and SDCT. The scan modes were retrospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated helical and prospective ECG-triggered axial with tube voltages of 120 kVp and 100 kVp, respectively. The inner stent diameters (ISD) and the in-stent attenuation value (AVin-stent) and the in-vessel extra-stent attenuation value (AVin-vessel) were measured by two observers. The artificial lumen narrowing (ALN = [ISD - ISDmeasured]/ISD) and artificial attenuation increase between in-stent and in-vessel (AAI = AVin-stent - AVin-vessel) were calculated. All data was analyzed by intraclass correlation and ANOVA-test. Results: The correlation coefficient of ISD, AVin-vessel and AVin-stent between the two observers was good. The ALNs of HDCT were statistically lower than that of SDCT (30 ± 5.7% versus 35 ± 5.4%, p < 0.05). HDCT had statistically lower AAI values than SDCT (15.7 ± 81.4 HU versus 71.4 ± 90.5 HU, p < 0.05). The prospective axial dataset demonstrated smaller ALN than the retrospective helical dataset on both HDCT and SDCT (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no differences in ALN between the 120 kVp and 100 kVp tube voltages on HDCT (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High-definition CT helps improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary stents compared to SDCT. HDCT with 100 kVp and the prospective ECG-triggered axial technique, with a lower radiation dose than 120 kVp application, may be advantageous in evaluating coronary stents with smaller calibers (≤ 3 mm).

Improved Fiber Uniformity and Jet Number in Multi-spinneret Electrospinning via Auxiliary Electrode

Yu-Ke Wu,Zong-Jie Li,Jie Fan,Liang Wang,Peng-Fei Zhang,Jian Liu,Yong Liu 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.6

Auxiliary-electrode electrospinning process is a novel technique to improve nanofiber production rate Due to theformation of multiple jets. In the present work, dual-spinneret (DSE) and tri-spinneret electrospinning (TSE) with anauxiliary electrode were employed to evaluate the number of jets and fiber uniformity in this electrospinning process. Theresults showed that all the spinnerets in DSE and TSE with an auxiliary electrode could produce 2-12 jets, which could beadjusted by controlling the process parameters such as applied voltage and injection speed. The number of jets initiallyincreased and then decreased with a rise in applied voltage in these two systems. Moreover, the produced nanofibers weresmaller in size and possessed a more uniform fiber diameter per distribution in comparison to those without the auxiliaryelectrode. This work provides a new insight on mass production of nanofibers and designing electrospinning apparatus.