[PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway in endocrine disrupting chemicals-induced apoptosis and autophagy of thyroid follicular cells]

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a kind of exogenous chemicals widely existing in the environment, which cause serious harm to the environment and human health. At present, the impact of this type of substance on the thyroid has attracted much attention.This review summarized the effects of EDCs on thyroid hormones, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) /protein kinase B (Akt) /mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway and its role in thyroid diseases, and explore the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in EDCs-induced apoptosis and autophagy of thyroid follicular epithelial cells.This paper could provide further understandings for thyroid diseases induced by the autophagy and apoptosis of thyroid follicular epithelial cells.

Fiber Length Distribution in Twin-Screw Extrusion of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Comparison between Shear and Extensional Mixing

New extensional mixing elements (EME) for twin-screw extrusion were applied to compound glass fibers (GF), carbon fibers (CF) or polyethylene terephthalate fibers (PETF) reinforced polymer composites with polymer matrix of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene oxide (PEO) and the resulting fiber degradation upon processing was evaluated and compared with compounding via shear flow-dominated kneading blocks (KB). Composites structures were characterized in terms of fiber length and distribution, and cumulative length ratio, at five locations along the mixing zone. Although significant fiber breakage was achieved for both configurations, it was markedly lower in composites processed using the EME, because whereas the high shear stress kneading motion in the KB degrades fibers significantly, fiber breakup is significantly minimized by the alignment induced by the EME prior to flow in the high-stress regions.

Roton Excitations in an Oblate Dipolar Quantum Gas

We observe signatures of radial and angular roton excitations around a droplet crystallization transition in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates. In situ measurements are used to characterize the density fluctuations near this transition. The static structure factor is extracted and used to identify the radial and angular roton excitations by their characteristic symmetries. These fluctuations peak as a function of the interaction strength indicating the crystallization transition of the system. We compare our observations to a theoretically calculated excitation spectrum allowing us to connect the crystallization mechanism with the softening of the angular roton modes.

The significance of Hashimoto's thyroiditis for postoperative complications of thyroid surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common immune-mediated diseases. It makes thyroid surgery more complicated and difficult because there may be adhesions between the thyroid gland and surrounding structures. However, it is still controversial whether HT patients carry a high risk for postoperative complications of thyroid surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of HT for the postoperative complications of thyroid surgery.

METHODS

A search for studies assessing the postoperative complication risks of HT patients compared with that of patients with benign nodules (BNs) was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Nine studies (20,118 cases, 1,582 cases of HT and 18,536 cases of BN) were identified, and the data from the relevant outcomes were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the HT group and BN group in recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (PHP). The rate of transient hypocalcaemia (THC) was significantly higher in the HT group (16.85%) than in the BN group (13.20%).

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis showed that HT only increased the risk of the postoperative complication THC compared to BN. Understanding the significance of HT in postoperative hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery would help clinicians perform sufficient preoperative (and postoperative) assessments and to optimise surgical planning.

An Acylase from Shewanella Putrefaciens Presents a Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Acylhomoserine Lactone-Degrading Activity and Exhibits Temperature-, Ph- and Metal-Dependences

Shewanella putrefaciens supernatant was found to increase the virulence factors of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by efficiently degrading its acylhomoserine lactone (AHL). To further reveal the regulation mechanism and its key degrading enzyme, a potential AHL-degrading enzyme acylase (Aac) from S. putrefaciens was cloned, and the influences of temperature, pH, protein modifiers, and metals on Aac were tested. Aac was significantly influenced by temperature and pH, and exhibited the highest AHL-degrading activity at temperatures of 37 °C and pH of 8. Mg2+ and Fe2+ can further increase the AHL-degrading activity. 10 mM EDTA inhibited its activity possibly by chelating the co-factors (metals) required for Aac activity. Tryptophan and arginine were identified as key components for Aac activity that are critical to its AHL-degrading activity. This study provides useful information on Aac and for V. parahaemolyticus control.

User testing to examine patient understanding of pharmacy generated medication labels

OBJECTIVE

To examine patients' and carers' understanding of pharmacy generated medication labels.

METHODS

A user testing questionnaire was conducted individually for 80 participants at 2 hospitals through a face-to face semi-structured interview. Pharmacy generated medication labels from different locations were grouped based on components into 4 different variations. Participants were asked to read and demonstrate understanding of the dose and frequency from 1 of the 4 variations for 4 prescription medications. Twenty participants for each variation were recruited so that demographic characteristics matched between variations.

RESULTS

Overall, only 45% of participants were able to correctly understand the dose and frequency presented on all the pharmacy labels presented on medications. Medication labels with standardised timing performed better than other variations with 91% of participants able to determine the correct frequency. The use of numeric figures was understood by 80-90% of participants compared to the use of capitalised text (65-70%). Pharmacy generated medication labels that proposed one step were better understood than instructions that incorporated several steps.

CONCLUSION/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The study supports the use of simple, clear and explicit written instructions along with the use of numeric figures in pharmacy generated medication labels to achieve higher understandability in patients.

Ulinastatin alleviates mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis induced by isoflurane in human neuroglioma H4 cells

Isoflurane has been demonstrated to induce mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis. The isoflurane-induced inflammation may be an important reason for this phenomenon. Studies have shown that ulinastatin (UTI) has an anti-inflammatory effect. Our aim was to investigate whether UTI could attenuate isoflurane-induced mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis by inhibiting inflammation. Human neuroglioma H4 cells were exposed to isoflurane with or without UTI. The ratio of cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. β-Amyloid (Aβ) peptide and cleaved caspase 3 expression were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mitochondrial structural changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was determined by 5,5',6,6'-Tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). The activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I, II, III, and IV was determined by assay kits. UTI attenuated the TNF-α and IL-1β release induced by isoflurane. UTI could also reduce mitochondrial structure damage, mitigate the decrease in Δψm, and improve ETC complexes dysfunction. Furthermore, it decreased cell apoptosis induced by isoflurane in H4 cells. UTI had no effect on isoflurane-induced Aβ expression. UTI may mitigate isoflurane-induced mitochondrial damage and cytotoxicity by inhibiting inflammation.

[Efficacy of minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant administration in preterm infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter clinical trial]

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods: In this multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial, 92 preterm infants with gestation age ≤30 weeks and diagnosed with NRDS were enrolled in 8 level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1(st) July 2017 to 31(st) December 2018. They were randomly assigned to minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) group or endotracheal intubation surfactant administration (EISA) group according to random number generated by computer. Infants in both groups received calf pulmonary surfactant preparation at a dose of 70-100 mg/kg. The data of demography, perinatal situation, medication administration, complications, clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared with Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the 92 preterm infants, 53 were males, 39 were females; 47 were in the MISA group (25 males), and 45 were in the EISA group (28 males). The gestational age and birth weight were (29.5±1.2) weeks and (1 271±242) g in all patients, (29.5±1.4) weeks and (1 285±256) g in the MISA group, and (29.6±0.9) weeks and (1 255±227) g in the EISA group. The duration of surfactant infusion and the length of whole procedure in the MISA group were significantly longer than that in the EISA group (60 (18, 270) s vs. 50 (30, 60) s, Z=3.009, P=0.003; 90 (60, 300) s vs. 60 (44, 270) s, Z=3.365, P=0.001). For the outcomes, the incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were lower in the MISA group than in the EISA group (36% (17/47) vs. 67% (30/45), χ(2)=8.556, P=0.003; 26% (12/47) vs. 47% (21/45), χ(2)=4.464, P=0.035). Conclusions: Minimally invasive surfactant administration is applicable in preterm infants ≤30 weeks gestational age with NRDS. Although the length of whole procedure is longer than route endotracheal administration, the benefit of decreasing the incidences of hsPDA and BPD outweighs this demerit.

Oltipraz attenuates the progression of heart failure in rats through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of oltipraz (OPZ) on isoproterenol-induced heart failure (HF) and heart function. We also explore the underlying molecular mechanism of OPZ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into four groups, including normal control group, isoproterenol (ISO) group, ISO +100 mg/kg OPZ group, and OPZ group. Hemodynamic parameters, such as left-ventricular systolic pressure, were statistically analyzed. Besides, plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant markers were assessed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, histopathological examination was applied to assess the degree of cardiac interstitial fibrosis.

RESULTS

OPZ could statistically improve the hemodynamic parameters of the heart function, and could also obviously attenuate cardiac interstitial fibrosis in ISO-induced HF rats when compared with the ISO group. Besides, plasma level of BNP in ISO +100 mg/kg OPZ group dramatically decreased in comparison with that of ISO group. Moreover, compared with ISO group, OPZ treatment significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Moreover, OPZ treatment remarkably increased the levels of antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in ISO-induced HF rats.

CONCLUSIONS

OPZ administration may provide experimental evidence for the possible effect of OPZ on isoproterenol-induced heart failure in rats. Moreover, OPZ administration may have potential utility for the treatment of heart failure.

Fate of the Amplitude Mode in a Trapped Dipolar Supersolid

We theoretically investigate the spectrum of elementary excitations of a trapped dipolar quantum gas across the BEC-supersolid phase transition. Our calculations reveal the existence of distinct Higgs amplitude and Nambu-Goldstone modes that emerge from the softening roton modes of the dipolar BEC at the phase transition point. On the supersolid side of the transition, the energy of the Higgs amplitude mode increases rapidly, leading to a strong coupling to higher-lying modes. Our Letter highlights how the symmetry-breaking nature of the supersolid state translates to finite-size systems.

Using latent class analysis to identify money boys at highest risk of HIV infection

OBJECTIVES

Limited research has been conducted to investigate the characteristics of money boys (MBs) in China. This study was aimed to identify the subgroups of MBs based on sexual behaviors, Net-based venue sex-seeking, and substance abuse.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit MBs from December 2014 to June 2015 in Tianjin, China. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 330 MBs, and trained interviewers collected data.

RESULTS

The laboratory-confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive rate was 11.52% among 330 MBs. Four classes were identified through latent class analysis (LCA) method: 'relatively safe behavior' group, 'higher sexual risk' group, 'multiple sexual-partners' group, and 'unprotected sex and substance abuse' group, and there is a significant difference based on the HIV status. Significant differences were found in original residence, monthly income, duration in sex trade, employment, history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV testing, knowledge of free antiviral treatment policy, and awareness of free AIDS testing between the four latent classes (P < 0.05). MBs who used Net-based venues to seek sexual partners; who have inconsistent condom use, substance abuse, a longer duration in sex trade, multiple sexual clients, and multiple anal sex; and who were full-time employed had the highest risk of HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The utility of LCA to identify subgroups based on risky behaviors attributes to formulating targeted intervention strategy.

Alprostadil attenuates LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury by inhibiting the Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway

Background

Clinical research has demonstrated that alprostadil has an anti-inflammatory effect; however, to date, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity and related mechanisms of alprostadil in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9c2 cells.

Methods

Cell morphology was observed under an inverted light microscope, while cell viability was assessed with the 3‑(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were conducted to study biochemical indicators of cellular damage, such as released lactate dehydrase (LDH) and troponin, and inflammatory cytokine levels including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a, c‑jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were further investigated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of alprostadil on the Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway in H9c2 cells was examined by Western blotting.

Results

Alprostadil increased the cell viability of LPS-stimulated H9c2 cells, reduced LDH and troponin production, and attenuated IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α secretion. Moreover, alprostadil reduced the mRNA expression of Wnt5a, JNK, and NF-κB and decreased the expression of Wnt5a, NF-κB, and the ratio of p‑JNK/JNK in H9c2 cells treated with LPS. The siWnt5a or JNK inhibitor SP600125 significantly augmented the inhibitory effects of alprostadil on the Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway.

Conclusion

Our results show that alprostadil has anti-inflammatory effects and could attenuate LPS-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes via the Wnt5a/JNK/NF-κB pathway.