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This paper presents a hysteretic water retention curve (WRC) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity model for deformable soils based on the change in pore-size distribution (PSD). The PSD plays a decisive role in the water retention behaviour of soils. Although its evolution during deformation is rather complicated, experimental data showed that the overall shapes and distribution characteristics of the PSD function are not significantly altered. Based on these findings, the PSD function at a deformed state is obtained by horizontal shifting and vertical scaling of the corresponding PSD function at a reference state. On this basis, a hysteretic WRC model is formulated to account for the influences of deformation and hysteresis on the variation of saturation, using seven model parameters with clear physical meanings. The proposed model is then incorporated in the Mualem model to predict the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity for deformable soils, using only one additional parameter. A large number of published laboratory tests are used to validate the proposed model, showing that it can reasonably capture important features of retention and permeability properties for deformable soils in most cases under consideration.

The molecular characterization of cytogenetic abnormalities has not only provided insights into the mechanisms of leukemogenesis but also led to the establishment of new treatment strategies targeting these abnormalities and thereby further improve the prognosis of patients. We analyzed the prognosis of 1091 Chinese patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and explored the prognostic impacts of a large number of cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities. It was demonstrated that, in both B- and T-ALL settings, the prognosis was negatively correlated to the age as reported to date. For childhood T-ALL patients, it was also documented that the HOX11 expression represented a favorable prognostic factor as it was in adult ones. We identified CRLF2 overexpression as an intermediate-risk marker and Ik6 variant of IKZF1 gene as a high-risk one when stratifying pediatric B-ALL cases according to cytogenetic/molecular risks. We also found that Ik6 variant and CRLF2 overexpression had an important role in dictating the prognosis of Ph-negative patients, which may be useful markers in guiding the treatment of ALL in the future, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the other hand reversing the fate of Ph-positive ALL patients.

Background The primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL), with a low incidence, was highly misdiagnosed in clinic. The present study analyzes the clinical features, laboratory and imaging data, pathologic characteristics, and summarizes misdiagnosis reasons of PPL cases, aims to provide a better understanding and increase the accuracy of early diagnosis and minimize the misdiagnosis of PPL. Methods The clinical data of 19 cases were collected from the first affiliated hospital of Wenzhou medical university (PRC) from April 2010 to May 2016. All cases were confirmed by pathology. The process of misdiagnosis was described. This study retrospectively analyzed the incidence, clinical presentation, laboratory examination, Chest CT scan and diagnosis of the cases. Results The symptoms of the 19 cases were dyspnea, fever, hemoptysis, chest pain or physical findings without obvious symptoms. Five patients were pneumonia-like, nine patients had lung single nodule or mass and four patients got pleural effusion, which were reported by computed tomography (HRCT) scan. There were 2 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and 17 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In NHL cases, 12 cases were confirmed mucosa associated lymphoid tissue B lymphoma type, 3 cases were confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and ALK positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma were one case separately. Clinical and imaging manifestation of PPL is untypical, but there are still some hints: 1) Fuzzy shadow at the edge of lung mass with air bronchogram; 2) Lung mass shadow stable for a long time; 3) Pneumonia-like changing without infections clinical and lab manifestation. Thirteen patients (68.4%) were misdiagnosed as pneumonia, lung cancer and tuberculosis initially. The term between initial diagnosis and final diagnosis lasted for half a month up to 2 years, with median time of 6 months. Two cases were misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. One case was misdiagnosed as small cell lung cancer. Conclusion Clinical and imaging manifestation of PPL is untypical. Biopsies should be taken actively if the imaging findings don’t match the symptoms or the anti-infection treatments to “lung infection” don’t work. Accurate diagnosis requires adequate tissue sampling with appropriate ancillary pathologic studies. If clinical manifestation and the diagnosis don’t match, repeated biopsy should be ordered.

Background: Invasion and metastasis are the distinct biologic characteristics of cancer, resulting in an exceptionally low 5-year survival rate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Understanding in detail the mechanisms underlying PDAC metastasis is critical for prevention and effective interventions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been documented as having a critical role in cancer development and progression. Methods: We examined the expression levels of lncRNA ENST00000480739 and osteosarcoma amplified-9 (OS-9) mRNA in a cohort of 35 PDAC patients. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were examined with and without ENST00000480739 overexpression in PDAC cells. Results: We determined that the ENST00000480739 expression level was remarkably decreased in tumorous tissues compared with their corresponding non-tumorous tissues. The expression of ENST00000480739 was negatively associated with tumour node metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. In addition, ENST0000048073 was an independent prognostic factor of survival time in PDAC patients following surgery. Besides, enforced expression of ENST00000480739 suppressed PDAC cells’ invasion in vitro . Overexpression of ENST00000480739 significantly increased both mRNA and protein levels of OS-9, and the luciferase assays confirmed that ENST00000480739 positively regulates OS-9 by activating the transcription level of the OS-9 promoter. We further found that ENST00000480739 may target hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α ) expression by upregulating OS-9. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the frequently downregulated ENST00000480739 in PDAC contributes to tumour metastasis and progression by regulating HIF-1 α . Long non-coding RNA ENST00000480739 may provide not only a therapeutic potential to suppress metastasis but it may also be a novel biomarker for risk prognostication and personal therapy screening of PDAC patients.

The structure of 38 atoms Ag-Cu cluster is studied by using a combination of a genetic algorithm global optimization technique and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is demonstrated that the truncated octahedral (TO) Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell cluster is less stable than the polyicosahedral (pIh) Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell cluster from the atomistic models and the DFT calculation shows an agreeable result, so the newfound pIh Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell cluster is further investigated for potential application for O 2 dissociation in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activation energy barrier for the O 2 dissociation on pIh Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell cluster is 0.715 eV, where the d -band center is −3.395 eV and the density of states at the Fermi energy level is maximal for the favorable absorption site, indicating that the catalytic activity is attributed to a maximal charge transfer between an oxygen molecule and the pIh Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell cluster. This work revises the earlier idea that Ag 32 Cu 6 core-shell nanoparticles are not suitable as ORR catalysts and confirms that Ag-Cu nanoalloy is a potential candidate to substitute noble Pt-based catalyst in alkaline fuel cells.

We demonstrate, for the first time, the direct generation of a bottle beam with a well-isolated three-dimensional zero-intensity dark core (high potential barrier) from a compact intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YVO 4 laser with a nearly hemispherical cavity. We also numerically calculate the physical properties of the generated bottle beam using a coherent superposition of a series of frequency-locked Laguerre–Gaussian modes.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is an important public health issue. The study aimed to characterize the patient demographics, clinical features, antibiotic susceptibility, and clinical outcomes of keratitis caused by S. aureus, and to make a comparison between MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates. Patients (n = 59) with culture-proven S. aureus keratitis treated in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010, were included in our study. Patients' demographic and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six MRSA (44%) and 33 MSSA (56%) isolates were collected. The MRSA keratitis was significantly more common among the patients with healthcare exposure (P = 0.038), but 46.2% (12/26) of patients with MRSA keratitis were considered to have community-associated infections. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. MRSA isolates were significantly more resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Ocular surface disease was a significant risk factor for MRSA keratitis (P = 0.011). Visual outcome did not differ significantly between the MRSA and MSSA groups. However, age (B = 0.01, P = 0.035, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.019) and visual acuity at presentation (B = 0.749, P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.573-0.926) were significantly correlated with visual outcome. Ocular surface disease is an important predisposing factor for S. aureus keratitis, especially for MRSA infections. Advanced age and poor visual acuity at presentation are important prognostic indicators for poor visual outcome in S. aureus keratitis. Oxacillin resistance may not be a significant prognostic indicator.

Summary Aims The association between inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) development is uncertain. We conducted a population‐based case–control study to investigate whether ICS use increases the risk of developing TB. Methods Tuberculosis patients aged 18 years and older were identified using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan between 2002 and 2010. Each TB patient was frequency matched to four control patients according to age, sex and index year. We retrospectively followed up the medications and comorbid medical conditions for the 5 years prior to the index date. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of TB development using multiple logistic regression models. Results Most of the study participants were men (68.7%), and the mean age among the 8091 TB patients and 32,364 comparison participants was 61.3 ± 18.6 years. After adjusting for potential covariates, ICS use caused a 2.04‐fold increased risk of developing TB (adjusted OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.78–2.33). When considering dose‐response and adjusting for potential covariates, ICS and oral corticosteroids (OCS) use remained independent risk factors and exhibited a dose‐response relationship of TB development. The multiplicative increased risk of TB was also significant in patients using ICS and OCS compared with patients not using ICS and OCS (adjusted OR: 4.31, 95% CI: 3.39–5.49). Previous TB history exhibited the greatest risk of TB development among the comorbidities (adjusted OR: 8.50, 95% CI: 7.52–9.61). Conclusion Long‐term ICS use may increase the risk of TB.

The finite volume method (FVM) is used to numerically investigate the sloshing behaviors of dual liquid tanks with gas inflow in this study. The sloshing process of a single liquid tank is simulated to verify the feasibility of the numerical method. Three different inlet boundary conditions are then discussed in order to obtain a reasonable gas flow rate. The sloshing process of a dual liquid tank with the gas inflow is simulated, and the effects of three different factors on the sloshing behaviors are investigated. The results indicate that the overload, flow rate, and filling ratio can affect the peak value of the impact force acting on the tank wall. The impact force is positively proportional to the overload (1G, 3G, or 5G). An increase in flow rate (50 g/s, 1000 g/s, or 5000 g/s) or a decrease in filling ratio (99.52%, 75.64%, or 63.69%) can increase the size and number of bubbles, leading to intensified sloshing behavior and increased impact force.

BackgroundPrimary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands, the presence of anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La antibody and hypergammaglobulinemia.ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical manifestations in patients with early primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and cytokine difference based on the severity score under salivary gland ultrasonography.MethodsForty-six newly diagnosed patients with early pSS were enrolled and divided into mild (score 0-1) and severe (score 2-3) groups according to the salivary gland ultrasonography grade (SGUS) scores at baseline. Clinical evaluation, ESSPRI and ESSDAI index values, sicca symptoms of mouth, salivary capacity, and serum autoantibody and cytokines were investigated.ResultsMean age of pSS patients at diagnosis were 50.02 ± 12.4 years and the mean duration of sicca symptoms were 1.4 years. ESSPRI (EULAR Sjögren’s syndrome patient report index) and ESSDAI (EULAR Sjögren’s syndrome disease index) scores were 5.71 and 5.37, respectively. The higher prevalence of rheumatoid factor (p=0.04), antinuclear antibody (p=0.009) and elevation of total IgG (p=0.08) were found in severe group than in mild group. In addition, elevated titer of IL-18, IL-31 and IL-33 were detected in patients with pSS than in healthy subjects, but there were shown no statistical significance between mild and severe groups.ConclusionSalivary gland ultrasonography grade (SGUS) scans may help physician diagnose pSS. Clinical manifestation including the low production of saliva and autoantibody production such antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and anti-SSA antibody were found. The elevated titer of IL-18, IL-31 and IL-33 in patients may be implicated in the pathogenesis of pSS.References: NIL.CharacteristicsSS Patients(n=46)Mild(n=24)Severe(n=22)P-valueMean Age, y (SD)50.8 (12.4)50.7(13.1)50.8 (11.8)0.9785 aFemale, n (%)45 (97.8%)23 (95.8%)22 (100%)1.0000 bDisease duration, y (SD)1.4 (2.0)0.9 (1.0)1.9 (2.7)0.0974 aESSDAI, mean (SD)5.37 (4.80)4.04 (2.99)6.82 (5.95)0.0486 a Salivary gland ultrasonography scores (SD)1.26 (0.85)0.54 (0.51)2.05 (0.21)<.0001 a Parotid gland, degrade scoring (SD)1.22 (0.84)0.54 (0.51)1.95 (0.38)<.0001 a Submandibular gland, degrade scoring (SD)1.24 (0.85)0.54 (0.51)2.0 (0.31)<.0001 aESSPRI, mean (SD)5.71 (2.3)5.6 (2.5)5.8 (2.1)0.8052 a Sicca syndrome, level score (SD)6.6 (2.4)6.4 (2.6)6.9 (2.2)0.4871 a Fatigue, level score (SD)5.9 (2.9)5.3 (3.3)6.5 (2.2)0.1577 a Arthralgia, level score (SD)4.6 (3.8)5.2 (3.4)4.0 (4.1)0.2843 aRF, n (%)18 (39.1)6 (25.0)12 (54.5)0.0403 cAnti-SSA, n (%)46 (100)24 (100)22 (100)1.0000 bAnti-SSB, n (%)15 (32.6)6 (25.0)9 (40.9)0.2502 cAnti-RNP, n (%)0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)-Anti-Sm n (%)0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)-Antinuclear, n (%)31 (67.4)12 (50.0)19 (86.4)0.0086 cLow C3, n (%)6 (13)2 (8.3)4 (18.2)0.4052 cLow C4, n (%)2 (4.3)0 (0)2 (9.1)0.2232 bAnti-dsDNA, n (%)1 (2.2)0 (0)1 (4.5)0.4783 bHigh IgG, n (%)21 (45.7)8 (33.3)13 (59.1)0.0798 cHigh IgG4, n (%)4 (8.7)3 (12.5)1 (4.5)0.6093 cLow saliva production, n (%)17 (37.0)4 (16.7)13 (59.1)0.0029 ca Independent t test b Fisher’s exact test c Chisq-square test.Figure 1.Ultrasonographic images of four parotid glands illustrating varying grades of non-specific to pathological changes. Score 0-3 were determined by evaluation of US examination of each patient’s parotid and submandibular glands. (A) Score 0, (B) grade 1, (C) score 2, and (D) score 3. score 0-1 were considered as normal morphology, and score 2-3 were diagnosed as pathological changes, which were related to primary SS.Figure 2.The measurement of serum level of IL-17, IL-18, IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33 by using sera from patients with pSS and normal healthy controls. (A) pSS patient vs normal healthy controls. (B) Severe group vs mild group.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.