Analysis of Mainland China’s International Air Cargo Network: Status Quo and Challenges

Based on air cargo import and export statistics of China Customs, the international air cargo network structure and its flow characteristics in mainland China were studied in this paper. Overall development trends and flow distribution of international air cargo in mainland China were analysed. The major air cargo import and export countries (regions), the main categories of commodities, and the major customs and hub airports were identified. Through our study, a relatively complete view of international air cargo network in mainland China was constructed, in which the major flight routes linking destinations and sources of international air cargo as well as the categories and amounts of air cargo could be revealed. This paper also includes challenges to the further development of mainland China\u27s international air cargo, and proposals to meet these challenges

HRN: Haze-Relevant Network Using Multi-Object Constraints for Single Image Dehazing

In recent years, some deep learning dehazing methods based on atmospheric scattering model mostly solve the dehazing results by using depth convolution neural networks (CNNs) to estimate the medium transmission map in the model. However, these methods usually ignored the potential correlation between the transmission map and the atmospheric light in the atmospheric scattering model, which can lead to colour distortion and incomplete dehazing in the dehazing results. To address this problem, this paper first presents a novel Haze-Veil model to increase the correlation between the model parameters by constructing an atmospheric veil term. Then, based on the proposed model, a haze-relevant end-to-end network (HRN) is designed to estimate the parameters of this model and directly output the final clear image. In addition, a cost function is designed by defining multi-object constraint cost functions to further establish the connections between the statistical attributes of the hazy image and the out of HRN. Experiments on benchmark images, which include synthesized and real images, show that HRN effectively removes haze and outperforms most of the existing and state-of-the-art dehazing methods

Polyneuropathy as Novel Initial Manifestation in a Case of “Nonsecretory” POEMS Syndrome with Sjögren’s Syndrome

POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) is a paraneoplastic syndrome driven by plasma cell dyscrasias. We report a patient with novel initial manifestation of polyneuropathy, which was considered due to Sjögren’s syndrome but with poor response to methylprednisolone (120 mg/d) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Further investigation by imaging tests and following biopsy eventually confirmed the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome secondary to solitary plasmocytoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of POEMS syndrome with Sjögren’s syndrome occurring in the absence of a peripheral monoclonal gammopathy, highlighting the diagnostic challenges posed by this disease and reviewing the diagnostic role of (18) F-FDG PET/CT in POEMS syndrome

Comparison of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assessment for Her-2 status in breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The concordance rate between IHC and FISH according to clinical performance is still controversial. We report a prospective study to reflect the concordance between IHC and FISH in Guilin city, People's Republic of China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast tested by IHC and scored as 0, 1+, 2+ and 3+ by pathologists were further analyzed by FISH using a commercially available double-color probe, and the FISH findings were compared with IHC test results.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total concordance of 82.0% was observed with a Kappa coefficient of 0.640 (P < 0.001). A high discordance was observed in 30.0% of the patients with IHC 2+, 7.1% in IHC 3+, 19.2% overall in IHC 0 and 1+.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The IHC can be used firstly to screen the HER-2 status, and FISH can be used as a supplementary role to IHC and 2+ and some negative cases. And only those cases with Her-2 status of IHC 3+ or FISH positive should be treated with Herceptin.</p

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity Evaluation of Novel Phenanthridine Derivatives

Based on the structure of sanguinarine, fourteen phenanthridine derivatives were designed and synthesized in the current study. The cytotoxic activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC3, Hela, A549, and HepG2 cell lines) via MTT assay. Among all the compounds tested, molecule 8a exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells with a IC50 value of 0.28 μM. A following up enzymatic assay indicated that compound 8a could inhibit the activity of DNA topoisomerase I/II. Further mechanistic studies performed in the MCF-7 cell line revealed that compound 8a could arrest cell cycle in S phase and induce cell apoptosis via downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax. Collectively, a potent DNA topoisomerase inhibitor (8a) was discovered, which exhibited potential as a candidate chemotherapeutic agent for the management of tumors in the present study

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Adjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy After Radical Surgery for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Randomized, Non-Inferiority, Multicenter Trial

We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment

Molecular typing of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates circulating in Jiangsu Province, China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Globally, China is the second place with high burden of tuberculosis (TB). To explore the characteristics of the pathogens of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>(MTB) circulating in this area is helpful for understanding and controlling the spread of the strains. Recent developments in molecular biology have allowed prompt identification and tracking specific strains of MTB spreading through the population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Spacer-oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) were performed in combination to yield specific genetic profiles of 260 MTB strains isolated from 30 counties of Jiangsu province in China between June and July 2010. The spoligotyping results were in comparison to the world Spoligotyping Database of Institute Pasteur de Guadeloupe (SpolDB4). Drug susceptibility test (DST) was performed on all strains by proportion method on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture media.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on the spoligotyping method, 246 strains displayed known patterns and 14 were absent in the database. Predominant spoligotypes belonged to the Beijing family (80.4%). By using the 24-loci VNTR typing scheme, 224 different patterns were identified, including 20 clusters and 204 unique patterns. The largest clade comprised 195 strains belonging to the Beijing family. The combination of spoligotyping and 24-loci MIRU-VNTR demonstrated maximal discriminatory power. Furthermore, we observed a significant association between Beijing family strains and drug-resistant phenotypes. The Beijing family strains presented increased risks for developing multi-drug resistant TB, with the OR (95% CI) of 11.07(1.45-84.50).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study demonstrated that Beijing family isolates were the most prevalent strains circulating in Jiangsu province of China. The utility of spoligotyping in combination with 24-loci MIRU-VNTR might be a useful tool for epidemiological analysis of MTB transmission.</p

Regulation of Hemolysin Expression and Virulence of Staphylococcus aureus by a Serine/Threonine Kinase and Phosphatase

Exotoxins, including the hemolysins known as the alpha (α) and beta (β) toxins, play an important role in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus infections. A random transposon library was screened for S. aureus mutants exhibiting altered hemolysin expression compared to wild type. Transposon insertions in 72 genes resulting in increased or decreased hemolysin expression were identified. Mutations inactivating a putative cyclic di-GMP synthetase and a serine/threonine phosphatase (Stp1) were found to reduce hemolysin expression, and mutations in genes encoding a two component regulator PhoR, LysR family transcriptional regulator, purine biosynthetic enzymes and a serine/threonine kinase (Stk1) increased expression. Transcription of the hla gene encoding α toxin was decreased in a Δstp1 mutant strain and increased in a Δstk1 strain. Microarray analysis of a Δstk1 mutant revealed increased transcription of additional exotoxins. A Δstp1 strain is severely attenuated for virulence in mice and elicits less inflammation and IL-6 production than the Δstk1 strain. In vivo phosphopeptide enrichment and mass spectrometric analysis revealed that threonine phosphorylated peptides corresponding to Stk1, DNA binding histone like protein (HU), serine-aspartate rich fibrinogen/bone sialoprotein binding protein (SdrE) and a hypothetical protein (NWMN_1123) were present in the wild type and not in the Δstk1 mutant. Collectively, these studies suggest that Stk1 mediated phosphorylation of HU, SrdE and NWMN_1123 affects S. aureus gene expression and virulence

An isotope study (delta O-18 and delta D) of water movements on the Loess Plateau of China in arid and semiarid climates

Precipitation infiltration and evaporation are the main controlling factors on soil water content (SWC) in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). However, the temporal and spatial variations of soil water in the CLP are still unclear. Here, we investigate the stable isotope compositions (delta O-18 and delta D) of soil water for five different vegetation cover types in the central CLP, to trace the dynamics and movement mechanisms of soil water. Our results show that the depth of precipitation infiltration is approximately 120 cm in five different vegetation cover types under natural rainfall conditions throughout the year. The rapid O-18-enrichment of shallow (&lt;30 cm depth) soil water, which is observed in all profiles, indicates that the evaporation effect mainly occurs in the shallow layer. The delta O-18 isotope dynamic pattern between 30 and 120 cm depth is probably controlled by the precipitation infiltration characteristics at a mean annual precipitation of 572.4 mm. In contrast, deep (&gt;120 cm depth) soil water is in a steady state in our study period, which suggest that the residence times of this water can be several months or more. Although the vegetation cover types can affect the profile dynamics of delta O-18, we find that variations in seasonal precipitation are the key factor that influences the profile dynamics of delta O-18, which is attributed to the large differences in the climate parameters and the frequency of rainfall. We suggest that delta O-18 is more sensitive in tracing the precipitation infiltration depth and recharge mechanisms of soil water than the soil water content. Further observation over a much longer time scale and an combination of both the oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of soil water in the CLP would provide more insight into role of isotopic techniques in tracing the soil water cycle