SUMMARY: The myodural bridge is a dense connective tissue connecting muscles and ligaments to the spinal dura mater in the atlanto-occipital interspace. Some researchers believe that the myodural bridge may play a vital physiological role. It is possible, for instance, that the prevention of spinal dura mater infoldings might be involved in regulated cerebrospinal fluid circulation. For instance, it is possible to prevent spinal dura mater infoldings, regulating cerebrospinal circulation. Bats are nocturnal and the only mammals that can perform a genuine and sustained flight, whereas tree shrews are arboreal mammals that often climb to a high altitude of about 10,000 feet. Both animals have lifestyles that are different from other previously studied mammals. The study of these two animals will shed further light on the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. Gross anatomical dissection was used to observe the connections between the deep muscles of the neck and the dura mater at the level of the atlanto-occipital interspace. The existing structures were analyzed using conventional and special histological staining techniques. The suboccipital regions in bats and tree shrews contained the rectus capitis dorsal major (RCDma), rectus capitis dorsal minor (RCDmi), oblique capitis anterior (OCA), and oblique capitis posterior (OCP). Dense connective tissue connects the RCDmi to the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the latter to the spinal dura mater. The myodural bridge in these mammals shares a similar structure to the myodural bridge in humans. Histological analyses confirmed that the connective fibers of the myodural bridge were primarily type I collagen fibers. In this study, it is supplemented by the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. This further demonstrates that myodural bridge widely exists in the normal anatomy of mammals. This provides morphological support for a comparative anatomical study of the physiological function of the myodural bridge.

RESUMEN: El puente miodural es un tejido conjuntivo denso que conecta los músculos y los ligamentos a la duramadre espinal en el espacio atlanto-occipital. Algunos investigadores creen que el puente miodural puede desempeñar un papel fisiológico vital. Es posible, por ejemplo, que la prevención de los pliegues de la duramadre espinal pueda estar involucrada en la circulación regulada del líquido cefalorraquídeo. En esta instancia, es posible prevenir los pliegues de la duramadre espinal, regulando la circulación cerebro espinal. Los murciélagos son animales nocturnos y los únicos mamíferos que pueden realizar un vuelo real y sostenido, mientras que las musarañas arborícolas son mamíferos arbóreos que a menudo ascienden a una gran altura de unos 10 000 pies. Ambos animales tienen estilos de vida diferentes a los de otros mamíferos previamente estudiados. El estudio de estos dos animales ofrecerá más información sobre la existencia del puente miodural en los mamíferos. Se realizó una disección anatómica macroscópica para observar las conexiones entre los músculos profundos del cuello y la duramadre a nivel del espacio atlanto-occipital. Las estructuras existentes se analizaron mediante técnicas de tinción histológica convencionales y especiales. Las regiones suboccipitales en murciélagos y musarañas arbóreas presentaban el músculo recto dorsal mayor de la cabeza (RCDma), el recto dorsal menor de la cabeza (RCDmi), el oblicuo anterior de la cabeza (OCA) y el oblicuo posterior de la cabeza (OCP). El tejido conjuntivo denso conecta el RCDmi con la membrana atlanto- occipital posterior (PAOM) y esta última con la duramadre espinal. El puente miodural en estos mamíferos comparte una estructura similar al puente miodural en humanos. Los análisis histológicos confirmaron que las fibras conectivas del puente miodural son principalmente fibras de colágeno tipo I. Esto demuestra además que el puente miodural existe ampliamente en la anatomía normal de los mamíferos. Esta investigación proporciona apoyo morfológico para un estudio anatómico comparativo de la función fisiológica del puente miodural.

ABSTRACT Introduction: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Objective: To explore predictive factors and potential mechanisms of new-onset POAF in isolated off-pump CABG patients. Methods: Retrospective observational case-control study of 233 patients undergoing isolated off-pump CABG surgery between August 2018 and July 2020 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. Associations between predictor variables and new-onset POAF were identified. The main outcome was new-onset POAF after CABG surgery. Results: A total of 75 (32.19%) patients developed new-onset POAF after CABG surgery. The new-onset POAF patients had advanced age, higher baseline systolic blood pressure, more preoperative use of diuretic drug, more transfusion of blood products, atrial dilation and postoperative positive inotropic drug treatment. Nineteen variates entered the multivariable logistic regression model with a Hosmer-Lemeshow test score of 7.565 (P=0.477). Postoperative left atrial enlargement, postoperative drainage in the first 24 hours and total length of hospital stay were statistically significant, while postoperative right atrial enlargement (OR and 95% CI, 7.797 [0.200, 304.294], P=0.272) and left atrial enlargement (3.524 [1.141, 10.886], P=0.029) assessed by echocardiography had the largest OR value. Conclusion: Atrial enlargement is strongly associated with new-onset POAF in patients with isolated off-pump CABG, thus it highlights the advantage of echocardiography as a useful tool for predicting new-onset POAF. Careful monitoring and timely intervention should be considered for these patients.

SUMMARY: The atlanto-occipital joint is composed of the superior fossa of the lateral masses of the atlas (C1) and the occipital condyles. Congenital Atlanto-occipital fusion (AOF) involves the osseous union of the base of the occiput (C0) and the atlas (C1). AOF or atlas occipitalization/assimilation represents a craniovertebral junction malformation (CVJM) which can be accompanied by other cranial or spinal malformations. AOF may be asymptomatic or patients may experience symptoms from neural compression as well as limited neck movement. The myodural bridge (MDB) complex is a dense fibrous structure that connects the suboccipital muscular and its related facia to the cervical spinal dura mater, passing through both the posterior atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial interspaces. It is not known if atlas occipitilization can induce structural changes in the MDB complex and its associated suboccipital musculature. The suboccipital region of a cadaveric head and neck specimen from an 87-year-old Chinese male having a congenital AOF malformation with resultant changes to the MDB complex was observed. After being treated with the P45 plastination method, multiple slices obtained from the cadaveric head and neck specimen were examined with special attention paid to the suboccipital region and the CVJM. Congenital atlanto-occipital fusion malformations are defined as partial or complete fusion of the base of the occiput (C0) with the atlas (C1). In the present case of CVJM, unilateral fusion of the left occipital condyle with the left lateral mass of C1 was observed, as well as posterior central fusion of the posterior margin of the foramen magnum with the posterior arch of C1. Also noted was a unilateral variation of the course of the vertebral artery due to the narrowed posterior atlanto-occipital interspace. Surprisingly, complete agenesis of the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmi) and the obliques capitis superior (OCS) muscles was also observed in the plastinated slices. Interestingly, the MDB, which normally originates in part from the RCPmi muscle, was observed to originate from a superior bifurcation within an aspect of the nuchal ligament. Therefore, the observed changes involving the MDB complex appear to be an effective compensation to the suboccipital malformations.

RESUMEN: La articulación atlanto-occipital está compuesta por las caras articulares superiores de las masas laterales del atlas (C1) y los cóndilos occipitales. La fusión atlanto-occipital congénita (FAO) implica la unión ósea de la base del occipucio (C0) y el atlas (C1). La FAO u occipitalización/asimilación del atlas representa una malformación de la unión craneovertebral (MUCV) que puede presentar otras malformaciones craneales o espinales. La FAO puede ser asintomática o los pacientes pueden experimentar síntomas de compresión neural así como movimiento limitado del cuello. El complejo del puente miodural (PMD) es una estructura fibrosa densa que conecta el músculo suboccipital y su fascia relacionada con la duramadre espinal cervical, pasando a través de los espacios intermedios atlanto-occipital posterior y atlanto-axial. No se sabe si la occipitilización del atlas puede inducir cambios estructurales en el complejo PMD y en la musculatura suboccipital. Se observó en la región suboccipital de un espécimen cadavérico, cabeza y cuello de un varón chino de 87 años con una malformación congénita de FAO con los cambios resultantes en el complejo PMD. Se examinaron múltiples cortes obtenidos de la muestra de cabeza y cuello después de ser tratados con el método de plastinación P45, con especial atención a la región suboccipital y la MUCV. Las malformaciones congénitas por fusión atlanto-occipital se definen como la fusión parcial o completa de la base del occipucio (C0) con el atlas (C1). En el presente caso de MUCV se observó la fusión unilateral del cóndilo occipital izquierdo con la masa lateral izquierda de C1, así como fusión posterior central del margen posterior del foramen magnum con el arco posterior de C1. También se observó una variación unilateral del curso de la arteria vertebral por el estrechamiento del espacio interatlanto-occipital posterior. Se observó además agenesia completa de los músculos Rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmi) y oblicuos capitis superior (OCS) en los cortes plastinados. Curiosamente, se observó que el MDB, que normalmente se origina en parte del músculo RCPmi, se origina en una bifurcación superior dentro de un aspecto del ligamento nucal. Por lo tanto, los cambios observados en el complejo PMD parecen ser una compensación de las malformaciones suboccipitales.

RESUMEN Este estudio se realizó para analizar las características de los ciclones marítimos en la costa de Guangdong entre los años 1949 y 2016, además de su variación interanual, la intensidad de los ciclones tropicales, el lugar y el momento de creación, y su recorrido. Las características temporales y espaciales también fueron estudiadas. Los resultados muestran que 183 ciclones tropicales tocaron tierra en la costa de Guangdong en estos 68 años, con un promedio de 2.7 por año, de los cuales el 60 por ciento se consideran tifones. Muchos de los ciclones tropicales se generaron en el noroeste del Pacífico, y van de abril a diciembre. Las direcciones de recorrido son principalmente norte, noroeste, y oeste. La fuerza de los ciclones tropicales se redujeron desde la costa central de Guangdong hacia el este y el oeste, mientras que el sector entre las ciudades de Zhanjiang y Shenzhen es el más vulnerable a los ciclones. Los ciclones tropicales generados en el mar del Sur de China tienden a tocar tierra en el oeste de la costa de Guangdong, mientras que aquellos que se producen en el noroeste del Pacífico suelen recorrer hacia la costa este. En el área de estudio, los ciclones tropicales frecuentemente ocurren de julio a septiembre y son más fuertes en septiembre. Se evidenciaron recorridos y direcciones de los ciclones propias a cada mes. Finalmente, de acuerdo con la información estadística y los resultados de investigación, el recorrido de los ciclones tropicales en la costa de Guangdong fueron analizados preliminarmente.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to analyze the maritime cyclone characteristics in Guangdong coast in the years of 1949 to 2016, including inter-annual variation, the intensity of tropical cyclones, generating location and time, and path direction. Also, the temporal-spatial characteristics were also studied. Results show there were 183 tropical cyclones landed in Guangdong coast in the past 68 years, with an average of 2.7 each year, which more than 60 percent were a typhoon. Most of the tropical cyclones were generated in the northwest Pacific, spanning from April to December. The path directions were mainly north, northwest, and west. The strengths of the tropical cyclones were reduced from central Guangdong coast to the east and the west sides, and the section of Zhanjiang city to Shenzhen city was the most vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones that generated in the South China Sea tend to attack the west of the Guangdong coast, while the ones that produced in the northwest Pacific tend to attack the east of the Guangdong coast. In the study area, the tropical cyclones frequently occurred from July to September and became strongest in September. There are a most common landing section and path direction for each month. Finally, based on the statistical data and research results, the tropical cyclone paths in Guangdong coast were preliminarily analyzed.

Abstract The study of metabolomics requires extracting as many metabolites as possible from a biological sample. This study aimed to determine the optimal method for the extraction of metabolites from solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM). The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS global metabolomics technology was used to detect the metabolites in FCSM, and the extraction quantity and extraction efficiency of seven different extraction methods, specifically the WA, 50MeOH, 50MeOHB, 50MeCNB, 80MeOHB, 80MeOH and AMF methods were evaluated. The results showed that the number of VIP metabolites extracted by AMF method are 196 and 184 in ESI+ and ESI- mode respectively, it is the largest number of all exacted methods; and the AMF methods also provided a higher extraction efficiency compared with the other methods, especially in indoleacrylic acid, dl-tryptophan and epicatechin (p < 0.01). As a result, AMF/-4 °C method was identified as the best method for the extraction of metabolites from FCSM by Lactobacillus acidophilus. Our study establishes a technical basis for future metabolomics research of fermented feed.

ABSTRACT Altered metabolites level in the biosystems, is the potential cause of cancer, the primary reason of alteration of metabolism is change in nutrient consumption and waste excretion, as a result genetic mutation leads to cancer initiation and progression. Aberration of specific metabolites such as fumarate, succinate, 2-hydroxyglutarate may alter cell signaling. We collected liver and kidney samples and prepared for 1H NMR analysis, then executed NMR spectroscopy. We used a set of domestic R scripts to perform an unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and a supervised orthogonal signal correction partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OSC-PLS-DA). It signifies class discrimination for getting a clear separation, whereas PCA scores plot signifies the model group kept further away from the control group than drug group on the horizontal axis. In another PCA scores plots, most parts of the control group was overlapping with the drug group but was distant from the model group. Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) (Chines name: Xiao-Ai-Ping, XAP) modulates level of crucial metabolites such as fumarate, lactate, succinate, determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and their altered level contributes major role in cancer.

Cobalt blue pigments were prepared by self-propagating combustion followed by sol-gel method using aluminum nitrate and cobalt nitrate as the raw material. X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fiber optic spectrometer and colorimetric analysis were used to investigate the effect of reaction temperature, metal ion concentration and dispersant upon the gel formation. The results show that the formation of gel network could be promoted by increasing the concentration of metal ion (0.01~0.2 mol/L) and sol-gel reaction temperature (80~90°C), and the disper-sibility and stability of the pigment powder could be improved with dispersing agent. The dried gel precursor was calcined at 1250 °C to form 200~500 nm cobalt aluminum with spinel structure with highly negative value of b*.

Al films and TiO2 films were separately coated on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrates by means of magnetron sputtering method. The surface properties of the samples were explored and compared. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observed the compact structure characteristics of as-deposited Al films and TiO2 films. After heat treatment under 200ºC for half an hour the films kept the compact structure characteristics and there didn’t exist structural defects on the surface of the films. Nano-indentation measurement results display that the micro-hardness of as-deposited Al film and TiO2 film reaches about 1.90 Gpa and 1.51 Gpa, separately. Al film is a bit harder than TiO2 film. Finally, the corrosion experiments in simulated body fluid initially indicate the different corrosion properties for Al film and TiO2 film. Al film presents more effective anti-corrosion properties than TiO2 film.

ABSTRACT Background: Alternative splicing (AS), which plays an important role in gene expression and functional regulation, has been analyzed on genome-scale by various bioinformatic approaches based on RNA-seq data. Compared with the huge number of studies on mouse, the AS researches approaching the rat, whose genome is intermedia between mouse and human, were still limited. To enrich the knowledge on AS events in rodents' brain, we perfomed a comprehensive analysis on four transcriptome libraries (mouse cerebrum, mouse cerebellum, rat cerebrum, and rat cerebellum), recruiting high-throughput sequencing technology. An optimized exon-exon junction library approach was introduced to adapt the longer RNA-seq reads and to improve mapping efficiency. Results: In total, 7,106 mouse genes and 2,734 rat genes were differentially expressed between cerebrum and cerebellum, while 7,125 mouse genes and 1,795 rat genes exhibited varieties on transcript variant level. Only half of the differentially expressed exon-exon junctions could be reflected at gene expression level. Functional cluster analysis showed that 32 pathways in mouse and 9 pathways in rat were significantly enriched, and 6 of them were in both. Interestingly, some differentially expressed transcript variants did not show difference on gene expression level, such as PLCβ1 and Kcnma1. Conclusion: Our work provided a case study of a novel exon-exon junction strategy to analyze the expression of genes and isoforms, helping us understand which transcript contributes to the overall expression and further functional change.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: Em geral, os defeitos da maxila são reabilitados por uma prótese obturadora. OBJETIVO: O estudo avaliou o funcionamento da prótese obturadora em pacientes com defeitos unilaterais após maxilectomia. MÉTODO: De 49 pacientes, 28 foram submetidos a maxilectomia como cirurgia de ablação tumoral e tiveram como sequela defeitos maxilares unilaterais. A avaliação do funcionamento foi efetuada pela aplicação da Escala Funcional do Obturador (EFO). RESULTADOS: De um total de 49 pacientes, 28 foram tratados da seguinte forma: nove com prótese obturadora retentiva convencional (POC), 11 (39%) com prótese obturadora retentiva com fixação por pino (POP) e oito (28%) com prótese obturadora retentiva com fixação magnética (POM). O escore médio na EFO foi de 80. Os escores para funções da fala, deglutição e mastigação alcançaram significância estatística (p < 0,05) entre os três subgrupos. Na comparação entre os grupos POC e POM, os escores da EFO nos domínios da "Fala-capacidade de discursar em público" e "Deglutição-vazamento de líquidos" foram significativamente mais altos no grupo POP. Na comparação com o grupo POC, os escores da EFO nos domínios de "Deglutição-vazamento com sólido" e "Mastigação/ingestão" estavam significativamente aumentados (p < 0,05) nos grupos POM e POP. CONCLUSÃO: A prótese obturadora melhorou o funcionamento oral de pacientes com defeitos maxilares; a retenção da prótese obturadora reforçada pela adição de dispositivos de fixação demonstrou maiores benefícios na função oral.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Maxillary defects are usually rehabilitated by a prosthetic obturator. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the functioning of obturators prosthesis in patients with unilateral defects after maxillectomy. METHODS: Of 49 patients, 28 underwent to maxillectomy as a result of tumor ablative surgery, and acquired unilateral maxillary defects. Evaluation of the function was performed by applying the Obturator Functional Scale (OFS). RESULTS: From a total of 49 patients, 28 were treated as follows: 9 with a conventional retained obturator prosthesis (COP), 11 (39%) with an enhanced retentive obturator prosthesis with stud attachment (POP) and 8 (28%) with an enhanced retentive obturator prosthesis with magnetic attachment (POM). The mean OFS score was 80. Scores on functions of speech, swallowing and chewing reached statistical significances (p < 0.05) among these three subgroups. Comparing COP and MOP groups, the scores of OFS in the domains of "Speech-ability to speak in public" and "Swallowing-leakage with liquids" were significantly higher in AOP group. Comparing COP group, the scores of OFS in "Swallowing-leakage with solid" and "Chewing/eating" domains were increased significantly (p < 0.05) both in MOP and AOP groups. CONCLUSION: Obturator prosthesis improves oral function of patients after maxillary defects; the retention of the obturator prosthesis enhanced by the addition of attachments showed more benefits in oral function.

BACKGROUND: Use of rapid diagnostic tests for HIV and syphilis has increased remarkably in the last decade. As new rapid diagnostic tests become available, there is a continuous need to assess their performance and operational characteristics prior to use in clinical settings. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Chembio Dual Path Platform (DPP®) HIV-Syphilis Assay to accurately diagnose HIV, syphilis, and HIV/syphilis co-infection. METHOD: In 2013, 990 serum samples from the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia, United States were characterised for HIV and syphilis and used to evaluate the platform. HIV reference testing combined third-generation Enzyme Immunoassay and Western Blot, whereas reference testing for syphilis was conducted by the Treponema pallidum passive particle agglutination method and the TrepSure assay. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the DPP assay on this panel by comparing results with the HIV and syphilis reference testing algorithms. RESULTS: For HIV, sensitivity was 99.8% and specificity was 98.4%; for syphilis, sensitivity was 98.8% and specificity was 99.4%. Of the 348 co-infected sera, 344 (98.9%) were detected accurately by the DPP assay, but 11 specimens had false-positive results (9 HIV and 2 syphilis) due to weak reactivity. CONCLUSION: In this evaluation, the Chembio DPP HIV-Syphilis Assay had high sensitivity and specificity for detecting both HIV and treponemal antibodies. Our results indicate that this assay could have a significant impact on the simultaneous screening of HIV and syphilis using a single test device for high-risk populations or pregnant women needing timely care and treatment.