Ultrafast Microfluidic PCR Thermocycler for Nucleic Acid Amplification.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is essential in nucleic acid amplification tests and is widely used in many applications such as infectious disease detection, tumor screening, and food safety testing; however, most PCR devices have inefficient heating and cooling ramp rates for the solution, which significantly limit their application in special scenarios such as hospital emergencies, airports, and customs. Here, we propose a temperature control strategy to significantly increase the ramp rates for the solution temperature by switching microfluidic chips between multiple temperature zones and excessively increasing the temperature difference between temperature zones and the solution; accordingly, we have designed an ultrafast thermocycler. The results showed that the ramp rates of the solution temperature are a linear function of temperature differences within a range, and a larger temperature difference would result in faster ramp rates.

Effect of X-ray radiation on the pharmacokinetics of apatinib in rats.

The "radiotherapy-pharmacokinetic" ("RT-PK") phenomenon refers to the fact that radiation can significantly alter the pharmacokinetic behavior of a drug. At present, it is not clear whether there is an "RT-PK" phenomenon that can affect apatinib during concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In this study, we used a rat irradiation model to study the effects of X-ray radiation on absorption, tissue distribution, and excretion of apatinib.

[Identification of chemical constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS].

Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, composed of 13 Chinese medicinal materials, are used for treating the diseases such as hemiplegia, pain of muscles and bones, rheumatism, and joint pain. The chemical composition and pharmacodynamics of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills have not been reported. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to quickly identify the chemical components of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, which was performed with Shim-pack GIST C_(18) column(4.

Machine Learning for Structure Determination in Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy: A Systematic Review.

Recently, single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become an indispensable method for determining macromolecular structures at high resolution to deeply explore the relevant molecular mechanism. Its recent breakthrough is mainly because of the rapid advances in hardware and image processing algorithms, especially machine learning. As an essential support of single-particle cryo-EM, machine learning has powered many aspects of structure determination and greatly promoted its development.

Centromere-Specific Retrotransposons and Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in the Genome of Yellowhorn (, Sapindaceae), an Oil-Producing Tree With Significant Drought Resistance.

In-depth genome characterization is still lacking for most of biofuel crops, especially for centromeres, which play a fundamental role during nuclear division and in the maintenance of genome stability. This study applied long-read sequencing technologies to assemble a highly contiguous genome for yellowhorn (), an oil-producing tree, and conducted extensive comparative analyses to understand centromere structure and evolution, and fatty acid biosynthesis. We produced a reference-level genome of yellowhorn, ∼470 Mb in length with ∼95% of contigs anchored onto 15 chromosomes.

The complete chloroplast genome of , an excellent mangrove plant.

is an excellent mangrove plant. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of , a salt tolerant plant of Acanthaceae, was generated. The length of chloroplast genome is 150,758 bp, in which the large-single copy region (LSC) is 82,963 bp, the small-single copy (SSC) region is 17,191 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IRa and IRb) regions is 25,302 bp.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of (L. F.) K. Schum., a semi-mangrove plant.

(L. F.) K.

Aminolactonization of Unactivated Alkenes Catalyzed by Aryl Iodine.

A one-step protocol of the aryl iodine-catalyzed aminolactonization of unactivated alkenes under oxidation conditions was first reported to efficiently construct diverse amino lactones in a short time using HNTs as the compatible nitrogen source. In addition, we investigated the influence of the reaction rate based on the structure of the iodoarene precatalyst, which revealed the selective adjustment effect on aminolactonization and oxylactonization. Finally, preliminary experiments verified the feasibility of asymmetric aminolactonization catalyzed by a chiral iodoarene precatalyst.

Advantages of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy in determining the etiology of painless hematuria originating from the upper urinary tract.

The present study investigated the use of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (RFU) in the discrimination of the etiology of hematuria that originates from the upper urinary tract (UUT). The present study collected retrospective data for patients who presented with hematuria and cystoscopy-detected bleeding from the UUT between June 2006 and August 2018 in Ningbo First Hospital. All patients accepted RFU to determine the etiology of hematuria.

[Carbon dioxide fluxes at the water-air interface and the main influencing factors from diffe-rent aquaculture systems of Sebastes schlegelii and Chlamys farreri].

The static chamber-gas chromatography method was applied to observe CO fluxes across the water-air interface from different aquaculture systems, including four groups of mesocosms, i.e., blank control system (CK), monoculture system of Sebastes schlegelii (F), monoculture system of Chlamys farreri (B) and polyculture system of S.

Development of novel EST-SSR markers for (Ephedraceae) by transcriptome database mining.

Premise Of The Study: (Ephedraceae) is a gymnosperm shrub with a wide distribution across Central and Eastern Asia. It is widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, but its wild populations are monitored to determine whether protection is needed.

Methods And Results: Thirty-six microsatellite markers, including 11 polymorphic markers, were developed from RNA-Seq data deposited in the National Center for Biotechology Information dbEST database.

The landscape of transposable elements and satellite DNAs in the genome of a dioecious plant spinach ( L.).

Background: Repetitive sequences, including transposable elements (TEs) and satellite DNAs, occupy a considerable portion of plant genomes. Analysis of the repeat fraction benefits the understanding of genome structure and evolution. Spinach ( L.

Comparative Mitogenomic Analysis of Species Representing Six Subfamilies in the Family Tenebrionidae.

To better understand the architecture and evolution of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), mitogenomes of ten specimens representing six subfamilies in Tenebrionidae were selected, and comparative analysis of these mitogenomes was carried out in this study. Ten mitogenomes in this family share a similar gene composition, gene order, nucleotide composition, and codon usage. In addition, our results show that nucleotide bias was strongly influenced by the preference of codon usage for A/T rich codons which significantly correlated with the G + C content of protein coding genes (PCGs).

[Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Vehicle Exhaust Emission Control Measures During the APEC Conference in Beijing].

Vehicle emission is one of the primary factors affecting the quality of atmospheric environment in Beijing. In order to improve the air quality during APEC conference, strict control measures including vehicle emission control were taken in Beijing during APEC meeting. Based on the activity level data of traffic volume, vehicle speed and vehicle types, the inventory of motor vehicle emissions in Beijing was developed following bottom-up methodology to assess the effectiveness of the control measures.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy vs. Open Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Open retropubic radical prostatectomy (ORP) remains the "gold standard" for surgical treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a robotic surgery used worldwide. The aim of this study is to collect the data available in the literature on RARP and ORP, and further evaluate the overall safety and efficacy of RARP vs.

[Emission Characteristics of Vehicle Exhaust in Beijing Based on Actual Traffic Flow Information].

The basic data of traffic volume, vehicle type constitute and speed on road networks in Beijing was obtained fly modei simulation and field survey. Based on actual traffic flow information and. emission factors data with temporal and spatial distribution features, emission inventory of motor vehicle exhaust in Beijing was built on the ArcGIS platform, meanwhile, the actual road emission characteristics and spatial distribution of the pollutant emissions were analyzed.

[Emission Factors of Vehicle Exhaust in Beijing].

Based on the investigation of basic data such as vehicle type composition, driving conditions, ambient temperature and oil quality, etc., emission factors of vehicle exhaust pollutants including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter(PM) were calculated using COPERT IV model. Emission factors of typical gasoline passenger cars and diesel trucks were measured using on-board measurement system on actual road.

A matched-pair comparison of single plus one port versus standard extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by a single urologist.

We conducted this study to report on our initial experience and assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of extraperitoneal single plus one port laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (SPOPL-RP), and determine whether it shows any objective advantage over standard laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. From June 2009 to September 2011, 15 extraperitoneal SPOPL-RPs were performed through a 2-3-cm subumbilical longitudinal incision and another 5-mm trocar placed at the McBurney point. This cohort was compared with 37 contemporary patients who underwent standard extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed by the same urologist.

Holmium laser versus conventional transurethral resection of the bladder tumor.

Background: Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) remains the gold standard for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Laser techniques have been widely used in urology. This analysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of holmium resection of the bladder tumor (HoLRBT) vs.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary seminal vesicle benign tumors: surgical techniques and follow-up outcomes.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary seminal vesicle benign tumors (SVBTs) and summarize our experience with surgical techniques and follow-up outcomes of this rare condition.

Methods: This study included 6 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary SVBTs between June 2005 and April 2011. A 5-port transperitoneal approach was used.

[Application of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal carcinoma patients with intermediate risk PADUA score].

Objective: To study the application of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal carcinoma patients with intermediate risk PADUA score.

Methods: From April 2005 to June 2011, 79 cases (48 males and 31 females) of intermediate risk PADUA score (range from 8 to 9 score) renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Mean age was (54 ± 9) years, mean tumor size was (2.

Evaluating the oncologic outcomes in 152 patients undergoing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Background: Although many midterm oncologic data have been reported for extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (ELRP) in western countries, few oncologic data of the extraperitoneal procedure was published in China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of patients treated with ELRP in China.

Methods: From January 2005 to March 2010, a total of 152 consecutive patients diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer were included in this study and treated with ELRP.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pheochromocytoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome caused by pheochromocytoma is rare. We reported a 15-year-old female patient who was admitted to hospital with typical Cushing’s syndrome. She had not started menstruation.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of seminal vesicle cyst: a single-center experience.

Background And Purpose: Seminal vesicle cyst (SVC) is a rare disease and its treatment is still controversial. This article contains the largest series of transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC to date, summarizing our surgical techniques and clinical experience with this disease.

Patients And Methods: From December 2003 to May 2010, seven patients received transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC using a five-port transperitoneal approach.