Decreased CD10-positive granulocytes for the differential diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are highly heterogeneous myeloid neoplasms, and a large number of patients are difficult to diagnose and classify by blood and bone marrow examination. As a surface marker of granulocyte, studies have shown CD10 can be used to define the degree of granulocyte maturation in MDS patients. However, whether it can be used for differential diagnosis of MDS and other hematological diseases remains inconclusive. To explore the value of CD10 for differential diagnosis of MDS, 60 newly diagnosed MDS, 20 aplastic anemia (AA) patients, and 35 iron-deficient anemia (IDA) patients were selected for this study. Bone marrow (BM) specimens were processed for surface marker analysis and labeled with pre-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Stained cells were detected by flow cytometry. Our results indicated that CD10-positive granulocytes were significantly decreased in BM of MDS patients than AA and IDA patients, and the level of CD10-positive mature granulocytes was not associated with the clinical stages of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas under the curve (AUC) of CD10-positive granulocytes was 0.86 and 0.85, respectively, in MDS patients than the IDA group and AA group with good specificity and sensitivity. Further, CD10-positive granulocytes were increased after effective treatment. In conclusion, we found the decrease in CD10-positive granulocytes has a differential diagnostic value of MDS.     

Psychrophilic hydrogen production from petrochemical wastewater via anaerobic sequencing batch reactor: techno-economic assessment and kinetic modelling

Independent hydrogen production from petrochemical wastewater containing mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) via anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) was extensively assessed under psychrophilic conditions (15–25 °C). A lab-scale ASBR was operated at pH of 5.50, and different organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.00, 1.67, 2.67, and 4.00 gCOD/L/d. The hydrogen yield (HY) progressed from 134.32 ± 10.79 to 189.09 ± 22.35 mL/gMEG_initial at increasing OLR from 1.00 to 4.00 gCOD/L/d. The maximum hydrogen content of 47.44 ± 3.60% was achieved at OLR of 4.0 gCOD/L/d, while methane content remained low (17.76 ± 1.27% at OLR of 1.0 gCOD/L/d). Kinetic studies using four different mathematical models were conducted to describe the ASBR performance. Furthermore, two batch-mode experiments were performed to optimize the nitrogen supplementation as a nutrient (C/N ratio), and assess the impact of salinity (as gNaCl/L) on hydrogen production. HY substantially dropped from 62.77 ± 4.09 to 6.02 ± 0.39 mL/gMEG_initial when C/N ratio was increased from 28.5 to 114.0. Besides, the results revealed that salinity up to 10.0 gNaCl/L has a relatively low inhibitory impact on hydrogen production. Eventually, the cost/benefit analysis showed that environmental and energy recovery revenues from ASBR were optimized at OLR of 4.0 gCOD/L/d (payback period of 7.13 yrs).     

Trajectories of knowledge economy in SSA and MENA countries

In the first critical assessment of knowledge economy dynamic paths in Africa and the Middle East, but for a few exceptions, we find overwhelming support for diminishing cross-country disparities in knowledge-based economy dimensions. The paper employs all the four components of the World Bank's Knowledge Economy Index (KEI): economic incentives, innovation, education, and information infrastructure. The main finding suggests that sub-Saharan African (SSA) and the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries with low levels of KE dynamics and catching-up their counterparts of higher KE levels. We provide the speeds of integration and time necessary to achieve full (100%) integration. Policy implications are also discussed.     

The Interplay of Modulus,Strength, and Ductility in Adhesive Design Using Biomimetic Polymer Chemistry

High‐performance adhesives require mechanical properties tuned to demands of the surroundings. A mismatch in stiffness between substrate and adhesive leads to stress concentrations and fracture when the bonding is subjected to mechanical load. Balancing material strength versus ductility, as well as considering the relationship between adhesive modulus and substrate modulus, creates stronger joints. However, a detailed understanding of how these properties interplay is lacking. Here, a biomimetic terpolymer is altered systematically to identify regions of optimal bonding. Mechanical properties of these terpolymers are tailored by controlling the amount of a methyl methacrylate stiff monomer versus a similar monomer containing flexible poly(ethylene glycol) chains. Dopamine methacrylamide, the cross‐linking monomer, is a catechol moiety analogous to 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine, a key component in the adhesive proteins of marine mussels. Bulk adhesion of this family of terpolymers is tested on metal and plastic substrates. Incorporating higher amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) into the terpolymer introduces flexibility and ductility. By taking a systematic approach to polymer design, the region in which material strength and ductility are balanced in relation to the substrate modulus is found, thereby yielding the most robust joints.     

Effect of hyperbranched poly(citric polyethylene glycol) with various polyethylene glycol chain lengths on starch plasticization and retrogradation

A series of hyperbranched poly(citric polyethylene glycol) (PCPEG) materials with varied polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain lengths as plasticizers were mixed with maize starch (MS) via cooking and film‐forming. The structure, pasting property, plasticization, aging property, moisture absorption and compatibility of plasticized starches were studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, rapid viscosity analysis, tension testing, moisture absorption measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Compared with PEG and citric acid, PCPEG was more effective in promoting starch chain movement and inhibiting the retrogradation of starch film. Also, PCPEG/MS had smaller moisture content. The longer the plasticizer chain, the better were the aging resistance and moisture resistance of starch. But with an increase of PEG chain length, mechanical properties of PCPEG/MS deteriorated and the compatibility between PCPEG and MS decreased. The hyperbranched derivative of PEG with longer chain exhibited improved plasticization and compatibility with starch. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

调节性B细胞在自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的: 探讨自身免疫性溶血性贫血（AIHA）患者外周血中调节性B细胞（Bregs）的表达及其在该病发病中的意义。方法:选择16例自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者和14例健康志愿者为研究对象，用流式细胞术分析外周血CD19+IL-10+调节性B细胞及CD19+CD24hiCD27+调节性B细胞的表达；ELISA方法检测培养上清液中IL-10的水平。结果:自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者外周血中CD19+IL-10+调节性B细胞、CD19+CD24hiCD27+调节性B细胞的表达分别为（1.27±0.39）％、（9.85±2.18）％，健康志愿者组分别为（2.92±0.71）％、（26.47±4.31）％，两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者细胞培养上清中IL-10的水平低于健康志愿者组（P<0.05）。结论:自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者外周血中CD19+IL-10+调节性B细胞及CD19+CD24hiCD27+调节性B细胞比例降低，提示调节性B细胞可能参与自身免疫性溶血性贫血的发病过程。     

基于FPGA的ASI信号接收与发送的实现

提出了一种用FPGA芯片代替Cypress公司的CY78933和CY78923芯片来实现ASI信号接收与发送的方案，详细阐述了DVB—ASI接口的硬件组成与FPGA实现，该接口符合DVB—ASI的接口规范，可实现270Mbps的信号传输，已经得到实际运用。