The overlap of neural selectivity between faces and words: evidences from the N170 adaptation effect

Faces and words both evoke an N170, a strong electrophysiological response that is often used as a marker for the early stages of expert pattern perception. We examine the relationship of neural selectivity between faces and words by using a novel application of cross-category adaptation to the N170. We report a strong asymmetry between N170 adaptation induced by faces and by words. This is the first electrophysiological result showing that neural selectivity to faces encompasses neural selectivity to words and suggests that the N170 response to faces constitutes a neural marker for versatile representations of familiar visual patterns.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant human bocavirus‐1,2 VP2 gene virus‐like particles in mice

Human bocavirus (HBoV), a recently identified pathogen with a worldwide distribution is closely related to paediatric acute respiratory infection and gastroenteritis. The present study was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of HBoV1 and HBoV2 virus‐like particles (VLPs) as vaccine candidates in mice. Both HBoV1 and HBoV2 VLPs were expressed in the bacmid virus–SF9 cell system. Mice were inoculated three times at 3‐week intervals with HBoV VLPs at one dose intramuscular (i.m.) or intradermal (i.d.) with or without the addition of the alum adjuvant. ELISA was used to detected antibody, and ELISPOT was used to test cellular immune responses. HBoV‐specific IgG antibodies were induced and alum adjuvant improved the antibody titres and avidity, while the inoculation pathway had no influence. T helper type 1/ type 2 immune responses were balanced induced by HBoV1 VLPs but not HBoV2 VLPs. Serum IgG antibody cross‐reactivity rates of the two subtypes were similar, but cross‐reactions of HBoV1 immunization groups were higher. The single i.m. group had more interferon‐γ‐secreting splenocytes. These data indicate that HBoV VP2 VLPs have good immunogenicity with induction of strong humoral and cellular immune responses, and they may be potential candidate vaccines for HBoV infection.     

Simultaneously enhanced mechanical properties and flame retardancy of UHMWPE with polydopamine-coated expandable graphite

The potential prospect of expandable graphite (EG) in the development of polymer composites is severely limited by required large additions and poor interface compatibility with the polymer. Inspired by mussels, polydopamine (PDA) can be used as an effective interface modifier for EG to prepare ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites with superior mechanical properties and high flame retardancy. The surface of expandable graphite (EG) was coated with a thin adhesive PDA film through self-polymerization of dopamine. The modified expandable graphite (EG@PDA) was combined with APP to prepare UHMWPE flame retardant composites. Compared with UHMWPE/APP/EG (with 20 wt% APP/EG), UHMWPE/APP/EG@PDA (with 20 wt% APP/EG@PDA) gives a decrement by 16.7% in limiting oxygen index, 29.7% in the peak of the heat release rate, 20.4% in total heat release and 49.3% in total smoke release, with an increment by 37% in tensile strength and 67.9% in elongation at break, respectively. It is suggested that the presence of PDA as an interface modifier can greatly improve the interfacial compatibility between EG and UHMWPE. Moreover, it can lead to forming more char residue and reducing the release of smoke particulates during combustion of the composites.

The potential prospect of expandable graphite (EG) in the development of polymer composites is severely limited by required large additions and poor interface compatibility with the polymer.     

A Robust Approach for Blind Detection of Balanced Chromosomal Rearrangements with Whole‐Genome Low‐Coverage Sequencing

Balanced chromosomal rearrangement (or balanced chromosome abnormality, BCA) is a common chromosomal structural variation. Next‐generation sequencing has been reported to detect BCA‐associated breakpoints with the aid of karyotyping. However, the complications associated with this approach and the requirement for cytogenetics information has limited its application. Here, we provide a whole‐genome low‐coverage sequencing approach to detect BCA events independent of knowing the affected regions and with low false positives. First, six samples containing BCAs were used to establish a detection protocol and assess the efficacy of different library construction approaches. By clustering anomalous read pairs and filtering out the false‐positive results with a control cohort and the concomitant mapping information, we could directly detect BCA events for each sample. Through optimizing the read depth, BCAs in all samples could be blindly detected with only 120 million read pairs per sample for data from a small‐insert library and 30 million per sample for data from nonsize‐selected mate‐pair library. This approach was further validated using another 13 samples that contained BCAs. Our approach advances the application of high‐throughput whole‐genome low‐coverage analysis for robust BCA detection—especially for clinical samples—without the need for karyotyping.     

结直肠侧向发育型肿瘤癌变的内镜学特征

目的 探讨结直肠侧向发育型肿瘤（laterally spreading tumor,LST）癌变的独立预测因素。方法 回顾性收集于2013年6月—2019年3月在首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院因结直肠LST行内镜治疗患者的性别、年龄、体重指数、吸烟史、病变的内镜学特征和病理学特点。用单因素分析寻找癌变的影响因素,对于其中差异有统计学意义的因素再纳入多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 共纳入了323例患者341处病变。假凹陷型LST的癌变率最高[85.48%（53/62）],其次为结节混合型[76.97%（117/152）],均显著高于颗粒均一型[29.51%（18/61）,P均＜0.001]和扁平隆起型[24.24%（16/66）,P均＜0.001]。单因素分析显示,假凹陷型（P＜0.001,OR=18.40,95%CI：7.46～45.42）、结节混合型（P＜0.001,OR=10.45,95%CI：5.30～20.58）、位于直乙部位（P＜0.001,OR=2.33,95%CI：1.47～3.69）、直径≥2 cm（P＜0.001,OR=2.60,95%CI：1.60～4.00）是病变发生癌变的危险因素。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,假凹陷型（P＜0.001,OR=17.51,95%CI：7.06～43.43）、结节混合型（P＜0.001,OR=8.25,95%CI：4.07～16.73）、直径≥2 cm（P=0.032,OR=1.80,95%CI：1.05～3.08）是结直肠LST发生癌变的独立预测因素。结论 当LST为假凹陷型、结节混合型或直径≥2 cm时病变发生癌变的风险高,需要采取整块切除的方式治疗。     

Transarterial chemoembolization with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy plus S-1 for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC) have shown promising local benefits for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). S-1, a composite preparation of a 5-fluorouracil prodrug, has proven to be a convenient oral chemotherapeutic agent with definite efficacy against advanced HCC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE followed by HAIC with or without oral S-1 for treating advanced HCC.METHODS In this single-center, open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 117 participants with advanced HCC were randomized to receive TACE followed by oxaliplatin-based HAIC either with(TACE/HAIC + S-1, n = 56) or without(TACE/HAIC, n = 61) oral S-1 between December 2013 and September 2017. Two participants were excluded from final analysis for withdrawing consent. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS) and secondary endpoints included overall survival(OS), objective response rate, disease control rate and safety.RESULTS In total, 115 participants(100 males and 15 females; mean age, 57.7 years ± 11.9) were analyzed. The median PFS and OS were 5.0 mo(0.4–58.6 mo)(95% confidence interval(CI): 3.82 to 6.18) vs 4.4 mo(1.1–54.4 mo)(95%CI: 2.54 to 6.26; P = 0.585) and 8.4 mo(0.4–58.6 mo)(95%CI: 6.88 to 9.92) vs 8.3 mo(1.4–54.4 m)(95%CI: 5.71 to 10.96; P = 0.985) in the TACE/HAIC + S-1 and TACE/HAIC groups, respectively. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 30.9% vs 18.4% and 72.7% vs 56.7% in the TACE/HAIC + S-1 and TACE/HAIC groups, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events had a similar frequency in both treatment groups.CONCLUSION No improvements in tumor response rates, PFS or OS were observed with the addition of S-1 to TACE/HAIC in advanced HCC. Both treatment regimens had a similar safety profile.