Overexpression of miR-145-5p alleviated LPS-induced acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a disease with high incidence and no effective therapeutic treatments. miR- 145-5p has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in lung injury tissues, suggesting a potential role in the progression and development of ALI. To validate this hypothesis and explore the underlying mechanism, a mouse model of ALI was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Hematoxylin and eosin (Hand E) staining verified the successful establishment of mouse model with ALI. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL- 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. Mouse type II alveolar epithelial cells (AT II) were isolated and treated with LPS. miR-145-5p was significantly down-regulated both in mice with acute lung injury and LPS-induced AT II cells. Dual luciferase assays confirmed miR-145-5p could target and regulate Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4). Further analysis showed that miR-145-5p overexpression decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced AT II cells. miR-145-5p overexpression also blocked the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in AT II cells. Finally, in ALI mouse model, miR-145-5p overexpression alleviated lung tissue injury, decreased the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and reduced MPO activity. In conclusion, miR-145-5p participated in the progression and development of ALI by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB pathway and suppressing ROS accumulation, shedding light on miR-145-5p as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ALI.

[Predictive value of 3 different risk stratification models for patients after congenital heart surgeries]

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of 3 different risk stratification models including the risk adjustment in congenital heart surgery-1 (RACHS-1), Aristotle basic complexity (ABC), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for cardiothoracic surgery congenital heart surgery mortality score (STAT) risk scoring system for death and major complications in patients after congenital heart surgeries. Methods: A total of 3 578 patients (age<18 years old) received surgery for congenital heart diseases from January to December 2015 in Fuwai hospital were enrolled, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The congenital heart disease patients were 1.7 (0.8, 4.5) years old, and the male accounted for 54.3% (1 943 cases).Death after surgery and major complications including use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, bedside thoracotomy, peritoneal dialysis for renal failure, bedside hemofiltration for renal failure, tracheotomy, reoperation for mediastinum infection, reoperation for heart in hospital were observed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the predictive value for mortality after surgery and major complications with RACHS-1, ABC, and STAT risk scoring systems. Results: The mortality after surgery was 0.4% (14/3 578) , and the rate of major complications was 3.2% (113/3 578) . For mortality after surgery, areas under the ROC curve were 0.682 (95%CI 0.570-0.795, P=0.002), 0.722 (95%CI 0.612-0.832, P<0.001), and 0.753 (95%CI 0.659-0.847, P<0.001) with RACHS-1, ABC and STAT risk scoring systems, respectively. For major complications, areas under the ROC curve were 0.709 (95%CI 0.667-0.751, P<0.001), 0.743 (95%CI 0.702-0.784, P<0.001), and 0.731 (95%CI 0.693-0.770, P<0.001) with RACHS-1, ABC and STAT risk scoring systems, respectively. Conclusion: STAT risk scoring system is superior to RACHS-1 and ABC risk scoring systems on predicting death after surgery, and ABC risk scoring system is superior to RACHS-1 and STAT risk scoring systems on predicting major complications in Chinese patients with congenital heart disease in the single center.

Response of AMP-activated protein kinase and lactate metabolism of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under acute hypoxic stress

To study adaptation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to hypoxic stress, we investigated physiological responses and lactate metabolism of the fish under acute hypoxia. The objectives of this study were to (a) observe changes in glucose, glycogen, and lactate content; (b) detect the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, brain, heart, and liver tissues; and (c) quantify the dynamic gene expression of AMP activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), and lactate dehydrogenase-a (LDHa) following exposure to hypoxia. The fish were subjected to two hypoxia stresses (dissolved oxygen [DO] 1.20 ± 0.2 mg/L and 3.50 ± 0.3 mg/L, respectively) for 24 h. Our results showed that hypoxic stress significantly increased the decomposition of liver glycogen and significantly increased the concentration of blood glucose; however, the muscle glycogen content was not significantly decreased, which indicates that liver glycogen was the main energy source under acute hypoxia. Moreover, hypoxia led to accumulation of a large amount of lactic acid in tissues, possibly due to the activity of lactic acid dehydrogenase, but this process was delayed in the heart and brain relative to the liver. Additionally, hypoxia induced the expression of AMPKα, HIF-1α, MCT1, MCT4, and LDHa, suggesting that glycometabolism had switched from aerobic to anaerobic. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the response to hypoxia in largemouth bass.

[Genetic characteristic of hemagglutinin of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Guizhou Province in 2017]

The number of H7N9 bird flu cases was high and the situation was grim in guizhou province in 2017. To understand the molecular characteristics of the hemagglutinin gene (HA) and the risk of human infection with avian influenza virus A(H7N9) in Guizhou Province, 2017. Homology, genetic evolution and pivotal sites related to receptor binding regions, pathogenicity and potential glycosylation of 14 avian influenza viruses A(H7N9) were analyzed by a series of bioinformation softwares. It was cleared that there was 95.9%-100% similarity among 14 strains in nucleotide of the HA gene, and there were 96.8%-97.8% and 96.8%-97.9% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 14 HA genes were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they could be derived from five diffenrent strains. Then 13 of 14 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein revealed they were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, while A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017 was high pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutation G186V at the receptor binding sites in the HA was found in all 14 strains, and mutation Q226L in 13 strains besides A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017. All five potential glycosylation motifs in the HA were conservative.

Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay

We report a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation from the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment with nearly 4 million reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} inverse β decay candidates observed over 1958 days of data collection. The installation of a flash analog-to-digital converter readout system and a special calibration campaign using different source enclosures reduce uncertainties in the absolute energy calibration to less than 0.5% for visible energies larger than 2 MeV. The uncertainty in the cosmogenic ^{9}Li and ^{8}He background is reduced from 45% to 30% in the near detectors. A detailed investigation of the spent nuclear fuel history improves its uncertainty from 100% to 30%. Analysis of the relative ν[over ¯]_{e} rates and energy spectra among detectors yields sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0856±0.0029 and Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.471_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the normal hierarchy, and Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.575_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the inverted hierarchy.

[Analysis of the factors affecting the efficacy of (131)I remnant ablation in patients after thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the influential factors of efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy for thyroid remnant in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients after thyroidectomy. Methods: Eighty-nine PTMC patients who underwent twice (131)I ablation therapy and (131)I whole body follow-up scan ((131)I-WBS) within 5 to 8 months in our department from September 2007 to October 2016 were identified and enrolled in present study. Patients were divided into complete-ablation group and uncomplete-ablation group according to whether or not radioactivity was detected at the thyroid bed in (131)I-WBS. The χ(2) test and multi-variance Binary logistic regression were performed for the factors which might affect the therapeutic efficacy. Results: The first (131)I ablation therapy was successful in 41 of 89 patients (46.07%). Residual thyroid weight was found to be associated with therapeutic efficacy (P<0.05), while gender, age, surgical method, lesions'maximum diameter, with or without LN metastasis, with or without distant metastasis, time of operation from first (131)I treatment, lesions'number, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), the consistency of (131)I-WBS and (99)Tc(m)-pertechnatate, TNM stage, ATA risk, Tg/TSH ratio were not significant associated with therapeutic efficacy. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed in these respects and it indicated that residual thyroid weight and ATA risk were not statistically significant independent variable (P>0.05). Conclusions: Residual thyroid weight might affect efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy on thyroid remnant in PTMC patients after thyroidectomy, but it is not an independent factor. Multiple interrelated factors should be considered when predicting the efficacy of the first (131)I ablation therapy.

[Cloning expression and serological evaluation on Mycobacterium tuberculosis four new antigens]

Objective: To evaluate the serological diagnostic value of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis four new antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c and Rv1547. Methods:Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c and Rv1547 were amplified from M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA by using PCR, among which Rv1547 was divided into two segments for amplification (Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2). The segments were cloned into expression vector PET-32a while the recombinant proteins were purified by affinity chromatography. Serums were incubated with BL21 (DE3) proteins. Antibodies IgG against M. tuberculosis were tested with 151 serum samples (41 healthy people and 110 TB patients) by using ELISA. The diagnostic efficiency of antigens was analyzed by means of receiver operating characteristic curve. Difference of the objective proteins in TB patients and healthy controls was compared by t-test. Results: Recombinant antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2 were successfully expressed and purified. Results from ELISA showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Youden index and area under the curve of Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2, as 43.64%-92.73%, 80.49%-92.68%, 0.92-0.94, 0.38-0.80, 0.363-0.732 and 0.649-0.915. All the objective proteins showed significantly higher antibody levels in TB patients, when compared to the healthy controls (P<0.000 1). Conclusion: The newly identified antigens Rv0432, Rv0674, Rv1566c, Rv1547-1 and Rv1547-2 all performed well when being used for TB serological diagnosis, thus were expected to be new candidate antigens used for TB diagnosis.

Risk factors for early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors related to ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. From January 2011 to December 2015, a single-center retrospective study including 200 SAH patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥48 h was performed. The clinical data of these patients were collected and analyzed. The age range of the patients were 41-63 and 72 (36%) were male. The Glasgow coma scale score range was 5-15 and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II range was 31-52. One hundred and forty-eight (74%) patients had a World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WNFS) score ≥III. Aneurysm was secured with an endovascular coiling procedure in 168 (84%) patients and 94 (47%) patients presented VAP. Male gender (OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.15-4.45), use of mannitol (OR=3.02, 95%CI=1.53-5.94) and enteral feeding above 20 kcal·kg-1·day-1 (OR=2.90, 95%CI=1.26-6.67) after day 7 were independent factors for VAP. Patients with early-onset VAP had a longer duration of sedation (P=0.03), MV (P=0.001) and ICU length of stay (P=0.003) and a worse Glasgow Outcome Scale score (P<0.001), but did not have a higher death rate.

[Clinical research of anxiety and depression state among patients suffered from sudden deafness with vertigo]

Objective:To offer the objective evidences for the diagnosis by analyzing anxiety and depression among patients with sudden deafness and vertigo and their possible causes. Method:Eighty patients with sudden deafness and vertigo of single ear as the observation group; 80 patients with sudden deafness without vertigo and 60 healthy people as control group.Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) are used for quantitative analysis and compare the results of each group score. Result:①The HAMA score of the deafness group with vertigo was significantly higher than that of the group without vertigo and the healthy group (P<0.01). The HAMD score of the deafness group with vertigo was significantly higher than that of the group without vertigo and the healthy group (P<0.01). ②There was correlation between HAMA and sex, age, duration of dizziness, tinnitus, DHI and efficacy grading (P<0.05). There was no correlation between HAMA and the mean hearing threshold, urban and rural distribution, ear fullness (P> 0.05). There was a correlation between HAMD and sex, age, tinnitus, DHI and efficacy grading (P<0.05). There was no correlation between HAMD and the mean hearing threshold, duration of dizziness, urban and rural distribution, ear fullness (P>0.05). Conclusion:There are anxiety and depression in patients with deafness and vertigo. It is mainly related to sex, age, dizziness duration, tinnitus, DHI and grade of efficacy. It is necessary to pay attention to the mental state of patients in clinical treatment. Psychological counseling or treatment can be used to improve clinical efficacy.

[Clinical research of features of magnetic resonance imaging of high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage]

Objective: To analyze the features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with high-voltage electrical burns, conforming to the study criteria, were hospitalized in our unit from March 2013 to August 2016. T(1) weighted imaging (T(1)WI), T(2)WI, fat-suppression T(2)WI plain scan, and fat-suppression T(1)WI enhanced scan of MRI were performed in 78 limbs, including 56 upper limbs and 22 lower limbs at post injury hour 72. The MRI signal characteristics of electrical burns in skin and subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, tendon, joint ligament, and skeleton of limbs were analyzed. " Sandwich-like" necrosis and injury in skeletal muscle, injuries of tendon, joint ligament, and skeleton were observed. MRI signal characteristics of amputated upper limbs and salvaged limbs were also analyzed. All patients underwent surgery within 24 h after MRI examination, and the muscle vitality was judged during operation. Muscle tissue without reaction to electrical stimulation which was completely necrotic as shown by MRI, muscle tissue with weak reaction to electrical stimulation which was injured with blood supply as shown by MRI, and muscle tissue with edema as shown by MRI were collected, and then the pathological characteristics of muscle tissue were observed with HE staining. Results: (1) The defect area of patients at entrance of current was bigger than that at exit. The skin and subcutaneous tissue extensively unevenly thickened. T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven enhancement. Zonal effusion was seen in the region of serious subcutaneous edema. (2) For complete necrosis of skeletal muscle, T(2)WI manifested hypointense, isointensity, or slight hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, slight hyperintensity, or mixed signal of isointensity and slight hyperintensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested most no enhancement area with clear boundary. The MRI signals of injured skeletal muscle could be divided into two types. Type Ⅰ signal was for partial necrotic muscle adjacent to the completely necrotic zone. T(2)WI manifested uneven hyperintensity or slight hyperintensity, with unclear boundary. T(1)WI manifested isointensity or slight hyperintensity. Fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested significant banding or laciness enhancement. Type Ⅱ signal was for deep muscle tissue far from the complete necrotic zone. T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or main isointensity mixed with hyperintensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven moderate or slight enhancement. Normal muscle signal, type Ⅰ signal, and type Ⅱ signal were all mixed with necrotic signal, showing " sandwich-like" change. For skeletal muscle edema, T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity and unclear boundary, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no obvious enhancement. (3) For complete necrosis of tendon, T(2)WI manifested isointensity or slight hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement. For tendon injury, T(2)WI manifested isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested slight enhancement. (4) Severe injury of wrist joint were manifested as complete necrosis of soft tissue around joint. T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity or isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement or slightly uneven enhancement. For completely destroyed wrist joints, the structures were not clear from outside to inside. T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity or isointensity, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense or isointensity, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested no enhancement. For elbow injury, T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested isointensity or hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested uneven enhancement. For knee injury, T(2)WI manifested hyperintensity, and T(1)WI manifested hypointense, while fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested slight enhancement. (5) For bone edema, T(2)WI manifested isointensity, while fat-suppression T(2)WI manifested slight hyperintensity. T(1)WI manifested isointensity, and fat-suppression enhanced T(1)WI manifested patchy enhancement. (6) MRI of amputated upper limbs showed necrosis signals, type Ⅰ signals, type Ⅱ signals, and mixed signals of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ in skeletal muscle. The necrosis signal and type Ⅰ signal area of the distal end were more than 50% greater than those of the lesion. The scope of the ecological tissue was large and the boundary was not clear. There were diffuse injuries in both anterior and posterior muscles, and the ulnar and radial artery pulsation disappeared in the upper limbs. The MRI of salvaged limbs were type Ⅰ signal, type Ⅱ signal, mixed signals of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ, and local necrosis signals of skeletal muscle. The type Ⅰ signal was the main type, and the distal end showed type Ⅱ signal. (7) For completely necrotic skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed loss of muscle viability, and pathological examination showed complete necrosis of striated muscle tissue. For injury area of skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed interecological muscle with activity worse than mormal muscle, and pathological examination showed normal muscle cells and muscle fiber mixed with necrotic striated muscle cells having karyopyknosis, with different degree of injury. For edema area of skeletal muscle as shown by MRI, surgical exploration showed swelling skeletal muscle and normal muscle vitality, and pathological examination showed striated muscle interstitial edema with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration. The manifestions of MRI were consistent with the results of surgical exploration and pathological examination. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle complete necrosis, injury, and edema could be preferably differentiated by MRI, and the definite scope and depth of electrical injury, the injury of skin, tendon, joint ligament, and bone could also be displayed well on MRI. It can provide objective imaging basis for the diagnosis of high-voltage electrical burns in limbs at early stage, the establishment of clinical operation plan, and the judgment of intraoperative tissue vitality.

Surface nanotopography-induced favorable modulation of bioactivity and osteoconductive potential of anodized 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy mesh structure

The objective of the study described here is to fundamentally elucidate the biological response of 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy mesh structures that were surface modified to introduce titania nanotubes with an average pore size of ∼80 nm via an electrochemical anodization process from the perspective of enhancing bioactivity. The bioactivity of the mesh structures were analyzed through immersion test in simulated body fluid, which confirmed the nucleation and growth of fine globular nanoscale apatite on the nanoporous titania-modified (anodized) mesh structure surface, and agglomerated apatite with fine flakes of apatite crystals on as-fabricated mesh structure surface, that were rich in calcium and phosphorous. The cellular activity of bioactive anodized mesh structure was explored in terms of cell–material interactions involving adhesion, proliferation, synthesis of extracellular and intracellular proteins, differentiation, and mineralization. Cells adhered with a sheet-like morphology on as-fabricated mesh structure, whereas, on anodized mesh structure, numerous filopodia-like cellular extensions interacting with nanotube pores were observed. The formation of a bioactive nanoscale apatite, cell–nanotube interactions as imaged via electron microscopy, higher expression of proteins (actin, vinculin, fibronectin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), and calcium content points toward the determining role of anodized mesh structure in modulating osteoblasts functions. The unique combination of nanoporous bioactive titania and interconnected porous architecture of anodized titanium alloy mesh structure provided a multimodal roughness surface ranging from nano to micro to macroscale, which helps in attaining strong primary and secondary fixation of the implant device along with the pathway for supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells and tissue.

Acute hypoxic stress: Effect on blood parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and expression of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 genes in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) plays a crucial role in survival, growth, and normal physiological functions of aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in hypoxic stress and adaptation have not been fully elucidated in Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). To reveal the effect of acute hypoxia on Largemouth bass, we simulated acute hypoxia (DO: 1.2 ± 0.2 mg/L) in the laboratory and analyzed physiological parameters (RBCs, Hb, SOD, CAT, NA⁺/K⁺-ATPase, GPx, and MDA) and gene expression (HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1) in Largemouth bass exposed to various durations of acute hypoxia (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). Our results indicated that acute hypoxic exposure significantly increased RBCs but decreased Hb. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activity was enhanced significantly in the liver and muscles at the initial stage of acute hypoxic exposure, but decreased significantly in gills during the entire process of hypoxic exposure. Furthermore, the expression levels of HIF-1alpha and GLUT-1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated in Largemouth bass under acute hypoxic exposure. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable basis for further elucidation of hypoxic adaptation and facilitates husbandry for an economically valuable species.

[Ventilator-associated pneumonia among premature infants <34 weeks' gestational age in neonatal intensive care unit in China: a multicenter study]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and pathogen distribution of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among preterm infants admitted to level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in China. Method: A prospective study was conducted in 25 level Ⅲ NICU, enrolling all preterm infants <34 weeks gestational age admitted to the participating NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2016. Chi-square test, t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Result: A total of 7 918 patients were enrolled, within whom 4 623(58.4%) were males. The birth weight was (1 639±415) g and the gestational age was (31.4±2.0) weeks; 4 654(58.8%) infants required non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 2 154(27.2%) required intubation. Of all the mechanically ventilated patients, VAP occurred in 95 patients. The overall VAP rate was 7.0 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days, varying from 0 to 34.4 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days in different centers. The incidence of VAP was 9.6 and 6.0 per 1 000 ventilator days in children's hospitals and maternity-infant hospitals respectively, without significant differences (t=1.002, P=0.327). Gram-negative bacilli (76 strains, 91.6%) were the primary VAP microorganisms, mainly Acinetobacter baumannii (24 strains, 28.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia (23 strains, 27.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 strains, 12.0%). Conclusion: The incidence of VAP in China is similar to that in developed counties, with substantial variability in different NICU settings. More efforts are needed to monitor and evaluate the preventable factors associated with VAP and conduct interventions that could effectively reduce the occurrence of VAP.

[A preliminary study on the molecular characteristics of D-cycloserine resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between D-cycloserine resistance and the gene mutations of alrA, ddlA and cycA of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis, as well as the association between D-cycloserine resistance and spoligotyping genotyping. Methods: A total of 145 M. tuberculosis strains were selected from the strain bank. D-cycloserine resistant phenotypes of the strains were determined by the proportion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration was determined by resazurin microtiter assay. PCR amplification and DNA direct sequencing methods were used for the analysis of gene mutations. Relationship between the resistance phenotype and genotype was analyzed by chi-square test. Results: Of the 145 clinically collected strains, 24 (16.6%) of them were D-cycloserine resistant and 121 (83.4%) were sensitive. There were only synonymous mutations noticed on alrA, ddlA and cycA in sensitive strains. Of the 24 D-cycloserine resistant strains, 3 (12.5%) isolates' cycA and 1 (4.2%) isolates' alrA happened to be non-synonymous mutations, in which the codes were 188, 318 and 508 of cycA, and 261 of alrA, respectively. Results on drug sensitivity tests confirmed the minimal inhibitory concentration of the mutant strains were all increased to some degrees. The D-cycloserine resistant rates of 88 Beijing genotype and 57 non-Beijing genotype strains were 20.5% and 10.5% , respectively, but with no statistically significant difference (χ(2) =2.47, P>0.05). Conclusions: The non-synonymous mutations of alrA and cycA might contribute to one of the mechanisms of M. tuberculosis D-cycloserine resistance. M. tuberculosis Beijing genotype or non-Beijing genotype was not considered to be associated with the D-cycloserine resistance.

[Prospects of hernia and abdominal wall surgery in China]

In recent 20 years, hernia and abdominal wall surgery has made great progress in China. However, what we've done still leaves much to be desired. Related guidelines of hernia disease had been conducted, but China is short of multi-center, prospective, and large-sample research evidence. These guidelines are still with low evidence level, and contents need additional modified to well meet Chinese real situation. In terms of treatment of inguinal and abdominal wall incisional hernia, some consensus has been reached from certain key issues globally, but further exploration are still needed. To stand at top of the world, we are a long distance. We should not only strengthen training and quality control but also establish patient registration system and overall management process.

Factors influencing QTL mapping accuracy under complicated genetic models by computer simulation

The accuracy of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified using different sample sizes and marker densities was evaluated in different genetic models. Model I assumed one additive QTL; Model II assumed three additive QTLs plus one pair of epistatic QTLs; and Model III assumed two additive QTLs with opposite genetic effects plus two pairs of epistatic QTLs. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) (50-1500 samples) were simulated according to the Models to study the influence of different sample sizes under different genetic models on QTL mapping accuracy. RILs with 10-100 target chromosome markers were simulated according to Models I and II to evaluate the influence of marker density on QTL mapping accuracy. Different marker densities did not significantly influence accurate estimation of genetic effects with simple additive models, but influenced QTL mapping accuracy in the additive and epistatic models. The optimum marker density was approximately 20 markers when the recombination fraction between two adjacent markers was 0.056 in the additive and epistatic models. A sample size of 150 was sufficient for detecting simple additive QTLs. Thus, a sample size of approximately 450 is needed to detect QTLs with additive and epistatic models. Sample size must be approximately 750 to detect QTLs with additive, epistatic, and combined effects between QTLs. The sample size should be increased to >750 if the genetic models of the data set become more complicated than Model III. Our results provide a theoretical basis for marker-assisted selection breeding and molecular design breeding.

Impact of human activities on subaqueous topographic change in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River estuary, China, during 1955-2013

Estuaries have been sites of intensive human activities during the past century. Tracing the evolution of subaqueous topography in estuaries on a decadal timescale enables us to understand the effects of human activities on estuaries. Bathymetric data from 1955 to 2010 show that land reclamation decreased the subaqueous area of Lingding Bay, in the Pearl River estuary, by ~170 km² and decreased its water volume by 615 × 10⁶ m³, representing a net decrease of 11.2 × 10⁶m³ per year and indicating the deposition of approximately 14.5 Mt/yr of sediment in Lingding Bay during that period. Whereas Lingding Bay was mainly governed by natural processes with slight net deposition before 1980, subsequent dredging and large port engineering projects changed the subaqueous topography of the bay by shallowing its shoals and deepening its troughs. Between 2012 and 2013, continuous dredging and a surge of sand excavation resulted in local changes in water depth of ± 5 m/yr, far exceeding the magnitude of natural topographic evolution in Lingding Bay. Reclamation, dredging, and navigation-channel projects removed 8.4 Mt/yr of sediment from Lingding Bay, representing 29% of the sediment input to the bay, and these activities have increased recently.

[Protective effect of astragaloside IV against acute liver failure in experimental mice]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of astragaloside IV in the early treatment of mice with acute liver failure and possible mechanisms. Methods: A mouse model of acute liver failure induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) was established, and the mice were given astragaloside IV at different doses. The survival rate of mice, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, liver histopathological changes, apoptosis of hepatocytes, and the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in each group. The least significant difference test was used for data with homogeneity of variances, the Dunnett's T3 test was used for data with heterogeneity of variance, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Compared with the model group, the high-dose astragaloside IV group had a significant increase in the 48-hour survival rate [60% (9/15) vs 13.3% (2/15), P < 0.05], significant reductions in the serum ALT and AST levels (P < 0.01), and significant reductions in liver histopathological indices and the degree of apoptosis of hepatocytes (P < 0.01), as well as a significant reduction in the content of MDA in liver homogenate (P < 0.01) and a significant increase in the activity of SOD (P < 0.05). Conclusion: High-dose astragaloside IV has a significant protective effect against D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice, and its mechanisms may be associated with its effects against cell apoptosis and oxidative damage.

Disaster nursing experiences of Chinese nurses responding to the Sichuan Ya'an earthquake

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the disaster experiences of nurses called to assist survivors one month after the 2013 Ya'an earthquake.

BACKGROUND

China has experienced an increasing number of earthquake disasters in the past four decades. Although a health and disaster management system was initiated after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, nurses' roles and experiences in a disaster have been overlooked.

METHODS

The researchers used qualitative descriptive design that included 16 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and observation notes, after which a qualitative content analysis was conducted.

FINDINGS

Three major themes emerged: the process of being dispatched from hospitals to the disaster zone, the effort involved in getting to and working in the affected site and reflecting on the challenges they encountered.

DISCUSSION

About half of the participants had received disaster nursing training before deploying to the disaster site, but they consistently expressed a lack of physical and psychological preparedness regarding the process of being dispatched from their hospitals to the disaster zone.

LIMITATIONS

This was a single-incident experience. Caution should be taken when trying to extend the findings to other parts of China.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlighted the need for disaster in-service training as well as for having disaster plans in place.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Hospital and nursing leaders should provide disaster training opportunities that included topics such as compiling resource inventories, formulating disaster drills and simulations, managing emergencies, and using emergency communication methods. Health policy-makers should be required to prioritize capacity-building training for front-line nurses as well as to develop and implement disaster management plans to better prepare nurses for future disasters.

The common CARD14 gene missense polymorphism rs11652075 (c.C2458T/p.Arg820Trp) is associated with psoriasis: a meta-analysis

Recent genetic evidence suggests a robust association of the CARD14 single nucleotide polymorphism rs11652075 (c.C2458T/p.Arg820Trp) and other rare mutations in this gene with psoriasis. To assess whether combined data support the relationship between CARD14 rs11652075 and susceptibility to this disease, we conducted a meta-analysis. PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant papers published in English. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I² statistics. A total of five published studies, including 32,807 psoriasis patients and 45,458 controls, met our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled OR of the association between the minor allele of this polymorphism and psoriasis was 0.877 (95%CI = 0.834-0.922; P < 0.001). In a stratified analysis, pooled ORs relating to European and Asian ancestry were 0.883 (95%CI = 0.822-0.948) and 0.872 (95%CI = 0.812-0.936), respectively. Those calculated for studies with case sample sizes above and below 1000 were 0.912 (95%CI = 0.870- 0.956) and 0.824 (95%CI = 0.734-0.924), respectively. No publication bias was present, and the exclusion of any single dataset did not substantially alter the corresponding pooled ORs. Due to the limited data available regarding clinical classification of cases and genotypes, subgroup stratification by clinical type was not performed. Our results demonstrate a significant association between the CARD14 rs11652075 polymorphism and psoriasis.

Discovery of clubroot-resistant genes in Brassica napus by transcriptome sequencing

Clubroot significantly affects plants of the Brassicaceae family and is one of the main diseases causing serious losses in B. napus yield. Few studies have investigated the clubroot-resistance mechanism in B. napus. Identification of clubroot-resistant genes may be used in clubroot-resistant breeding, as well as to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind B. napus clubroot-resistance. We used three B. napus transcriptome samples to construct a transcriptome sequencing library by using Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. In total, 171 million high-quality reads were obtained, containing 96,149 unigenes of N50-value. We aligned the obtained unigenes with the Nr, Swiss-Prot, clusters of orthologous groups, and gene ontology databases and annotated their functions. In the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database, 25,033 unigenes (26.04%) were assigned to 124 pathways. Many genes, including broad-spectrum disease-resistance genes, specific clubroot-resistant genes, and genes related to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) signal transduction, cytokinin synthesis, and myrosinase synthesis in the Huashuang 3 variety of B. napus were found to be related to clubroot-resistance. The effective clubroot-resistance observed in this variety may be due to the induced increased expression of these disease-resistant genes and strong inhibition of the IAA signal transduction, cytokinin synthesis, and myrosinase synthesis. The homology observed between unigenes 0048482, 0061770 and the Crr1 gene shared 94% nucleotide similarity. Furthermore, unigene 0061770 could have originated from an inversion of the Crr1 5'-end sequence.

The functional response of bioactive titania-modified three-dimensional Ti-6Al-4V mesh structure toward providing a favorable pathway for intercellular communication and osteoincorporation

The objective of the study is to fundamentally elucidate the biological response of 3D printed mesh structures subjected to plasma electrolytic oxidation process through the study of osteoblast functions. The cellular activity of plasma electrolytic-oxidized mesh structure was explored in terms of cell-to-cell communication involving proliferation, synthesis of extracellular and intracellular proteins, and mineralization. Upon plasma electrolytic oxidation of the mesh structure, a thin layer of bioactive titania with pore size 1-3 µm was nucleated on the surface. The combination of microporous bioactive titania and interconnected porous architecture provided the desired pathway for supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells and tissue and a favorable osteogenic microenvironment for tissue on-growth and in-growth, in relation to the unmodified mesh structure. The formation of a confluent layer as envisaged via electron microscopy and quantitative assessment of the expression level of proteins (actin, vinculin, and fibronectin) point toward the determining role of surface-modified mesh structure in modulating osteoblasts functions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2488-2501, 2016.

Estrogen/ERR-α signaling axis is associated with fiber-type conversion of upper airway muscles in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Estrogen is related with the low morbidity associated with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) in women, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we examined the relationship between OSAS and estrogen related receptor-α (ERR-α). We found that the expression levels of ERR-α and Myh7 were both downregulated in palatopharyngeal tissues from OSAS patients. In addition, we report that ERR-α is dynamically expressed during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Knockdown of ERR-α via instant siRNA resulted in reduced expression of Myh7, but not Myh4. Furthermore, differentiation of C2C12 cells under 3% chronic intermittent hypoxia, a model resembling human OSAS, was impaired and accompanied by a obvious reduction in Myh7 expression levels. Moreover, activation of ERR-α with 17β-estradiol (E2) increased the expression of Myh7, whereas pretreatment with the ERR-α antagonist XCT790 reversed the E2-induced slow fiber-type switch. A rat ovariectomy model also demonstrated the switch to fast fiber type. Collectively, our findings suggest that ERR-α is involved in estrogen-mediated OSAS by regulating Myhc-slow expression. The present study illustrates an important role of the estrogen/ERR-α axis in the pathogenesis of OSAS, and may represent an attractive therapeutic target, especially in postmenopausal women.

Genetic polymorphisms of the FATP1 gene and their associations with meat quality traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle

Fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), an integral membrane protein that facilitates long-chain fatty acid influx, is involved in the genetic network for oleic acid synthesis. The aim of this study was to examine the association of FATP1 polymorphisms with live animal meat quality traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that FATP1 has a broad tissue distribution in Qinchuan cattle and is highly expressed in longissimus dorsi muscle and back fat. Using direct DNA sequencing of the FATP1 gene in 458 Qinchuan cattle, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; g.28265 G>C, g.28381 G>A, g.28470 T>C, and g.28672 G>A) were identified for genotyping within a 671-bp region, including exon 3, intron 3, exon 4, intron 4, and part of exon 5 of the FATP1 gene. Positive effects of genotypes CC (g.28470 T>C locus) and AA (g.28672 G>A locus) on meat quality traits were obtained by association analysis. These results indicate the associations of g.28470 T>C and g.28672 G>A with meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle. Thus, the FATP1 gene may be used in marker-assisted selection of beef cattle in breeding programs.

Osteoblast functions in functionally graded Ti-6Al-4 V mesh structures

We describe here the combined efforts of engineering and biological sciences as a systemic approach to fundamentally elucidate osteoblast functions in functionally graded Ti-6Al-4 V mesh structures in relation to uniform/monolithic mesh arrays. First, the interconnecting porous architecture of functionally graded mesh arrays was conducive to cellular functions including attachment, proliferation, and mineralization. The underlying reason is that the graded fabricated structure with cells seeded from the large pore size side provided a channel for efficient transfer of nutrients to other end of the structure (small pore size), leading to the generation of mineralized extracellular matrix by differentiating pre-osteoblasts. Second, a comparative and parametric study indicated that gradient mesh structure had a pronounced effect on cell adhesion and mineralization, and strongly influenced the proliferation phase. High intensity and near-uniform distribution of proteins (actin and vinculin) on struts of the gradient mesh structure (cells seeded from large pore side) implied signal transduction during cell adhesion and was responsible for superior cellular activity, in comparison to the uniform mesh structure and non-porous titanium alloy. Cells adhered to the mesh struts by forming a sheet, bridging the pores through numerous cytoplasmic extensions, in the case of porous mesh structures. Intercellular interaction in porous structures provided a pathway for cells to communicate and mature to a differentiated phenotype. Furthermore, the capability of cells to migrate through the interconnecting porous architecture on mesh structures led to colonization of the entire structure. Cells were embedded layer-by-layer in the extracellular matrix as the matrix mineralized. The outcomes of the study are expected to address challenges associated with the treatment of segmental bone defects and bone-remodeling through favorable modulation of cellular response. Moreover, the study provides a foundation for a new branch of functionally graded materials with interconnected porous architecture.

Effects of choice of month of treatment and parity order on bovine superovulation traits

In this study, the performance of 300 Changbaishan Black cattle treated for superovulation from June to September was evaluated to determine the optimal conditions and herds for bovine embryo production. Data analysis revealed that cattle treated in July and August had higher numbers of available embryos (NAE), M1 embryos (NM1), and total embryos (NTE), as well as a higher percentage of M1 embryos (PM1). The temperature and precipitation observed during July and August were greater than those seen in the other two months; strong correlations were observed between these traits and the choice of month of treatment. In addition, multiparous cattle showed a better performance, higher NTE, NAE, NM1, and PM1 values, higher percentages of available embryos, and a lower percentage of degenerated embryos. The co-efficient correlation analysis showed that the month chosen for the treatment did not affect the superovulation traits of nulliparous cattle; however, the choice of the month affected multiparous cattle. Multiparous and nulliparous cattle exhibited many significant differences when treated in July and in August. In addition, the superovulatory traits of multiparous cattle, and not the nulliparous cattle, were strongly correlated to the choice of month of treatment. The results suggested that superovulation is more effective during a period with appropriate environmental temperature and humidity, and that multiparous cattle are more suitable for morula production.

Garlic for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

In the past decade, garlic has become one of the most popular complementary therapies for blood pressure (BP) control used by hypertensive patients. Numerous clinical studies have focused on the BP-lowering effect of garlic, but results have been inconsistent. Overall, there is a dearth of information available to guide the clinical community on the efficacy of garlic in hypertensive patients.

AIM

To systematically review the medical literature to investigate the current evidence of garlic for the treatment of hypertension.

METHODS

PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched for appropriate articles from their respective inceptions until August 2014. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials comparing garlic vs. a placebo in patients with hypertension were considered. Papers were independently reviewed by two reviewers and were analyzed using Cochrane software Revman 5.2.

RESULTS

A total of seven randomized, placebo-controlled trials were identified. Compared with the placebo, this meta-analysis revealed a significant lowering effect of garlic on both systolic BP (WMD: -6.71 mmHg; 95% CI: -12.44 to -0.99; P = 0.02) and diastolic BP (WMD: -4.79 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.60 to -2.99; P < 0.00001). No serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials.

CONCLUSION

The present review suggests that garlic is an effective and safe approach for hypertension. However, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials focusing on primary endpoints with long-term follow-up are still warranted before garlic can be recommended to treat hypertensive patients.

First Report of Fusarium solani Causing Root Rot of Juglans sigllata Dode in China

Juglans sigllata Dode, known as the iron walnut, is widely planted in Liangshan prefecture of southwest China for its nuts and wood. Liangshan prefecture is a major traditional growing area of J. sigllata and has unique advantages for walnut industrial development because of its good soil, climate, and availability of water. Currently there are 2.7 million hectares of walnut, contributing important incomes for farmers. In April 2013, numerous J. sigllata were found infected with root rot in the Muli county of Liangshan prefecture. Symptoms included dried leaves, dead branchcs, and even death. Rotted roots were collected and surface-sterilized in 2% NaOCl and 70% ethanol. The junction (1 cm) between infected and healthy regions was removed, plated on rose bengal-glycerin-urea medium, and incubated at 20°C for 12 h. A fungus was found and purified successively by transferring hyphal tips from the margin of a thinly growing colony on 2% water agar (3). Morphological characteristics were identified both on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and carnation leaf-piece agar. Evaluation of pigmentation and colony growth rate were also measured using PDA. Ovoid microconidia (average dimensions 10.6 × 9.1 μm) were observed after 2 to 3 days, and most of them had no septa or only one septum. Macroconidia (average dimensions 47.4 × 5.3 μm), with one to three septate sickle shapes, were found after 3 to 6 days. Single or paired chlamydospores (average dimensions 10.3 × 9.2 μm), which were circular to ovate, smooth or not smooth, were observed after 7 days of incubation in clean water. According to the cultural characteristics, the fungus was primarily identified as Fusarium solani (1). To better determine the species, universal primers ITS1/ITS4 for the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) coupled with translation elongation factor (EF-1α) primers EF1/EF2 were used for PCR-based molecular identification. Against GenBank and the FUSARIUM-ID databases, our sequences shared 99 and 98% identities with ITS (FJ459973.1) and EF-1α (JX677562.1) of F. solani, respectively. Both sequences produced in this study have been deposited in GenBank under accession numbers KJ528277 for ITS and KJ528278 for EF-1α. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by drop inoculating 20 ml of microconidia suspension (10⁶ spores/ml) on the roots of 1-year-old healthy potted J.sigllata, Mianyang walnut, and Xinjiang walnut. Controls were not treated with F. solani. Fifteen plants were in each group. All materials, including pots and soil, were disinfected. After 12 days, all J. sigllata inoculated with F. solani exhibited dried leaves, and after 17 days, Mianyang walnut and Xinjiang walnut infected with F. solani also developed the same symptoms. After 24 days, the inoculated J. sigllata died. However, control plants remained asymptomatic. The fungus re-isolated from infected roots showed the same characteristics as described above and was totally identical in appearance to the isolates used to inoculate the plants. No colonies of F. solani were isolated from untreated plants. At present, F. solani has been reported in stem cankers on English walnut in South Africa (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of root rot caused by F. solani in J. sigllata in China. References: (1) C. Booth. Fusarium Laboratory Guide to the Identification of the Major Species. CMI, Kew, England, 1977. (2) W. Chen and W. J. Swart. Plant Dis. 84:592, 2000. (3) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006.

Evaluating the annotation of protein-coding genes in bacterial genomes: Chloroflexus aurantiacus strain J-10-fl and Natrinema sp J7-2 as case studies

Gene annotation plays a key role in subsequent biochemical and molecular biological studies of various organisms. There are some errors in the original annotation of sequenced genomes because of the lack of sufficient data, and these errors may propagate into other genomes. Therefore, genome annotation must be checked from time to time to evaluate newly accumulated data. In this study, we evaluated the gene density of 2606 bacteria or archaea, and identified 2 with extreme values, the minimum value (Chloroflexus aurantiacus strain J-10-fl) and maximum value (Natrinema sp J7-2), to conduct genome re-annotation. In the genome of C. aurantiacus strain J-10-fl, we identified 17 new genes with definite functions and eliminated 34 non-coding open-reading frames; in the genome of Natrinema sp J7-2, we eliminated 118 non-coding open reading frames. Our re-annotation procedure may provide a reference for improving the annotation of other bacterial genomes.

Ginkgo biloba extract for essential hypertension: a systemic review

BACKGROUND

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a traditional natural herbal product, is often used in the treatment of essential hypertension (EH) as complementary therapy in China and European countries.

AIM

To critically assess the current clinical evidence of efficacy and safety of GBE for EH.

METHODS

7 electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, VIP, CBM, Wanfang data, and CNKI) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GBE for EH. Methodological quality was assessed independently using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

RESULTS

A total of 9 RCTs with 1012 hypertensive patients were identified and reviewed. Most RCTs were of high risk of bias with flawed study design and poor methodological quality. 6 trials demonstrated potential positive effect of GBE as complementary therapy on BP reduction when compared with antihypertensive drug therapy; however, it was not associated with a statistically significant effect on both SBP and DBP reduction in 3 other trials. Despite the positive findings, there were so many methodological limitations and significant clinical heterogeneity. Most of the trials did not report adverse effects, and the safety of GBE is still uncertain.

CONCLUSION

No confirmative conclusions on the efficacy and safety of GBE for EH could be drawn. More rigorous trials are warranted to support their clinical use.

Characteristics of growth traits and their effects on body weight of G₁ individuals in the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)

The mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) is considered a potentially important marine crab species for selective breeding. Here, we first examined sex ratio and differences in 16 growth traits between females and males in a G1 population of S. paramamosain, and we then analyzed the correlation between these growth traits and their effects on body weight (BW). Of these growth traits, nine were significantly different between sexes. In females, the correlation coefficients in all trait pairs ranged from 0.524 to 0.997. The traits carapace length (CL) and distance between lateral spine 2 (DLS2) significantly affected BW directly, with the path coefficients being 1.124 and -0.186, respectively. The determination coefficients of traits CL and DLS2 to BW were 1.263 and 0.035 with the total value being 0.951, indicating that the two traits were the key factors affecting BW. In males, the correlation coefficients in all trait pairs ranged from 0.881 to 0.999. The three traits body height (BH), fixed finger height of the claw (FFHC), and meropodite length of pereopod 2 (MLP2) significantly affected BW directly, with the path coefficients being 0.484, 0.300, and 0.225, respectively. The determination coefficients of traits BH, FFHC and MLP2 to BW were 0.234, 0.090 and 0.051, with the total value being 0.967, indicating that these three traits played a key role in affecting BW. Moreover, we constructed two best-fit linear regression equations, which were Y (BW) = 4.969 X1 (CL) - 0.758 X2 (DLS2) - 140.177 and Y (BW) = 3.806 X1 (BH) + 2.371 X2 (FFHC) + 1.725 X3 (MLP2) - 123.559 in females and males, respectively.

Massage therapy for essential hypertension: a systematic review

Massage, an ancient Chinese healing art, is widely practiced for symptom relief in hypertensive patients with anxiety, depression, headache, vertigo, chronic pain in neck, shoulder and back. A large number of case series and clinical trials have been published. However, it is still unclear whether massage can be recommended as an effective therapy for essential hypertension (EH). We estimated the current clinical evidence of massage for EH. Articles published before 10 December 2013 were searched using Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang data and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Randomized controlled trials comparing massage with any type of control intervention were included. Trials testing massage combined with antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs were included as well. Meta-analysis was performed on the effects on blood pressure (BP). Twenty-four articles involving 1962 patients with EH were selected. Methodological quality of most trials was evaluated as generally low. Meta-analyses demonstrated that massage combined with antihypertensive drugs may be more effective than antihypertensive drugs alone in lowering both systolic BP (SBP; mean difference (MD): -6.92 (-10.05, -3.80); P<0.0001) and diastolic BP (MD: -3.63 (-6.18, -1.09); P=0.005); massage appears beneficial for reducing SBP (MD: -3.47 (-5.39, -1.56); P=0.0004) for hypertensive patients as compared with antihypertensive drugs. Safety of massage is still unclear. There is some encouraging evidence of massage for EH. However, because of poor methodological quality, the evidence remains weak. Rigorously designed trials are needed to validate the use of massage in future.

Repair of articular cartilage defects by tissue-engineered cartilage constructed with adipose-derived stem cells and acellular cartilaginous matrix in rabbits

After injury, inflammation, or degeneration, articular cartilage has limited self-repair ability. We aimed to explore the feasibility of repair of articular cartilage defects with tissue-engineered cartilage constructed by acellular cartilage matrices (ACMs) seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). The ADSCs were isolated from 3-month-old New Zealand albino rabbit by using collagenase and cultured and amplified in vitro. Fresh cartilage isolated from adult New Zealand albino rabbit were freeze-dried for 12 h and treated with Triton X-100, DNase, and RNase to obtain ACMs. ADSCs were seeded in the acellular cartilaginous matrix at 2x10(7)/mL, and cultured in chondrogenic differentiation medium for 2 weeks to construct tissue-engineered cartilage. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into A, B, and C groups. Engineered cartilage was transplanted into cartilage defect position of rabbits in group A, group B obtained ACMs, and group C did not receive any transplants. The rabbits were sacrificed in week 12. The restored tissue was evaluated using macroscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the tissue-engineered cartilage group (group A), articular cartilage defects of the rabbits were filled with chondrocyte-like tissue with smooth surface. Immunohistochemistry showed type II-collagen expression and Alcian blue staining was positive. TEM showed chondrocytes in the recesses, with plenty of secretary matrix particles. In the scaffold group (group B), the defect was filled with fibrous tissue. No repaired tissue was found in the blank group (group C). Tissue-engineered cartilage using ACM seeded with ADSCs can help repair articular cartilage defects in rabbits.

FSHR genotype affects estrogen levels but not pregnancy rates in Luxi cattle subjected to embryo transfer

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), which mediates the functioning of FSH, plays a central role in reproduction. We investigated bovine FSHR gene polymorphisms and analyzed their relationships with pregnancy rates after embryo transfer and with hormone concentrations on the day of embryo transfer. One reported SNP of FSHR, G-278A, located in the 5'-upstream region, was analyzed and three genotypes (GG, GA and AA) were detected in 132 Luxi cattle recipients. Statistical analysis revealed that recipients with the GG genotype had significantly higher estrogen levels on the day of embryo transfer than did GA and AA genotypes. There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates among genotypes, after embryo transfer. We conclude that variation at these loci of the FSHR gene has no significant effect on pregnancy rates in Luxi cattle.

Polymorphism of the inhibin βA gene and its relationship with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein cows

Inhibin is a major regulator of secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone, which is involved in follicular development and regulation of steroidogenesis in females. The objectives of this study were to detect polymorphisms of the bovine inhibin beta-A subunit (INHβA) gene and to evaluate its associations with superovulatory responses in 171 Chinese Holstein cows treated for superovulation. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism revealed a C>T transition determining the StyI polymorphism at position 7639 in intron I of the bovine INHβA gene, and three genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) were detected. The frequencies of the three genotypes showed a tendency for CT > TT > CC, and this polymorphism was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences of least square means for superovulation traits among the three genotypes (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate, for the first time, that the detected loci of the INHβA gene have no significant effects on superovulation performance in Chinese Holstein cows.

High methylation of the SEPT9 gene in Chinese colorectal cancer patients

Methylation of the septin 9 gene (SEPT9) occurs in higher frequency in colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to control samples, which suggests that SEPT9 methylation is a useful biomarker for screening CRC. However, the methylation status of SEPT9 in Chinese CRC patients is scarcely reported. In the present study, SEPT9 methylation was tested in CRC tissues obtained from a Chinese population and correlations with pathological characteristics were investigated. The methylation status of SEPT9 was detected using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (MSP-DHPLC) in 234 colorectal tissues (172 cases, 62 controls). Samples were sequenced to confirm the results from MSP-DHPLC. The chi-squared test was used to analyze the correlation of SEPT9 gene methylation status and pathological characteristics in CRCs. SEPT9 gene methylation was detected in 152 of 172 (88.4%) cases of verified CRC and in 4 of 62 (6.5%) healthy controls (χ(2) = 137.62, P < 0.001). There was no association between the methylation status of SEPT9 and age, gender, Duke's stage, TNM stage, differentiation, and site of cancer (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that SEPT9 gene methylation is a valuable biomarker for screening CRC in the Chinese population.

Temporospatial expression of Dmrt1 in chicken urogenital system (Gallus gallus) using whole mount in situ hybridization

Doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1) is a Z-linked gene that putatively determines the phenotype of gonads in birds. The sex differential expression of Dmrt1 was examined using wholemount in situ hybridization (WISH) in the urogenital systems during embryogenesis. The results revealed that Dmrt1 showed dimorphic expression in chicken gonads, which increased from day 6.5 to day 10.5. The expression of Dmrt1 in male (ZZ) gonads was not twice as much as in female (ZW) gonads, suggesting the existence of other regulatory mechanisms in addition to Z chromosome dosage effect.

Toxic effects of dietary exposure to T-2 toxin on intestinal and hepatic biotransformation enzymes and drug transporter systems in broiler chickens

The effects of the mycotoxin T-2 on hepatic and intestinal drug-metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450) and drug transporter systems (MDR1 and MRP2) in poultry were investigated during this study. Broiler chickens received either uncontaminated feed, feed contaminated with 68μg/kg or 752μg/kg T-2 toxin. After 3weeks, the animals were euthanized and MDR1, MRP2, CYP1A4, CYP1A5 and CYP3A37 mRNA expression were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Along the entire length of the small intestine no significant differences were observed. In the liver, genes coding for CYP1A4, CYP1A5 and CYP3A37 were significantly down-regulated in the group exposed to 752μg/kg T-2. For CYP1A4, even a contamination level of 68μg/kg T-2 caused a significant decrease in mRNA expression. Expression of MDR1 was not significantly decreased in the liver. In contrast, hepatic MRP2 expression was significantly down-regulated after exposure to 752μg/kg T-2. Hepatic and intestinal microsomes were prepared to test the enzymatic activity of CYP3A. In the ileum and liver CYP3A activity was significantly increased in the group receiving 752μg/kg T-2 compared to the control group. The results of this study show that drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporter mechanisms can be influenced due to prolonged exposure to relevant doses of T-2.

RNA interference targeting extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) inhibits growth and increases chemosensitivity in human cervical cancer cells

Overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inducer (EMMPRIN CD147) has been implicated in the growth and survival of malignant cells. However, its presence and role in cervical cancer cells has not been well-studied. In the present study, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed and synthesized to breakdown the expression of CD147. The present data demonstrated that 24 and 48 hours after transfecting CD147 siRNA, both the CD147 mRNA and protein expression were significantly inhibited as determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. Meanwhile, simultaneous silencing of CD147 resulted in distinctly increasing MMP-9, VEGF, and MDR-1. Further studies demonstrated decreased CD147 expression, resulted in G1/S phase transition with flow cytometry analysis, as well as the resistance of the cells to 5-FU. These findings provide further evidence that CD147 may become a promising therapeutic target for human cervical cancer and a potential chemotherapy-sensitizing agent.

Different gene transfer methods at the very early, early, late and whole embryonic stages in chicken

New technologies in gene transfer combined with experimental embryology make the chicken embryo an excellent model system for gene function studies. The techniques of in ovo electroporation, in vitro culture for ex ovo electroporation and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer have already been fully developed in chicken. Yet to our knowledge, there are no definite descriptions on the features and application scopes of these techniques. The survival rates of different in vitro culture methods were compared and the EGFP expression areas of different gene transfer techniques were explored. It was that the optimal timings of removing embryo for EC culture and Petri dish system was at E1.5 and E2.5, respectively; and optimal timing of injecting retrovirus is at E0. Results indicated that the EC culture, in ovo electroporation, the Petri dish system and retrovirus-mediated method are, respectively, suitable for the very early, early, late and whole embryonic stages in chicken. Comparison of different gene transfer methods and establishment of optimal timings are expected to provide a better choice of the efficient method for a particular experiment.

Insight into the vertical detachment energy oscillation of Na(n)C60(-) clusters

We have performed a detailed density functional theory study on the structural and electronic properties of Na(n)C(60)(-) (n = 1-12) clusters. The calculated vertical detachment energies show good agreement with the experimental data, which confirms the 3p (n = 3p) oscillation rule. The oscillation can be attributed to the combination of the charge depletion distribution induced by removing electrons and the number of the sodium atoms in direct contact with the fullerene. Based on the structural and electronic properties, the Na atoms can be categorized into two groups, one is for the metal atoms directly bonded to the fullerene surface, and the other one is for those without bonding to the fullerene. The Na atoms in group one would donate electrons to both the fullerene and the Na atoms in group two. As the total number of the sodium atoms increases, the number of Na atoms in group one would continue increasing till the size n = 3p - 1 to meet a shoulder from n = 3p - 1 to n = 3p, which accounts for the maximum vertical detachment energy at the size of n = 3p as drawn from the detailed electronic property studies.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of 2 tablet formulations of olanzapine in healthy Chinese volunteers: a randomized, open-label, single-dose study

Olanzapine is a widely used agent for the treatment of schizophrenia.The aim of this study was to evaluate bioequivalence of two 10-mg tablet formulations of olanzapine following single oral dose in adult male volunteers.This was a randomized, single-dose, open-label, crossover bioequivalence study. Plasma samples were collected before dosing and at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 12.0, 24.0, 36.0, 48.0, 72.0, 96.0, 120.0 and 144.0 h after dosing. Plasma concentrations of olanzapine were determined by using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method. Statistical analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, AUC0-144, and AUC0-∞ was conducted to determine bioequivalence. Adverse events were monitored, recorded and evaluated by investigators throughout the study.24 healthy male Chinese volunteers between the ages of 18-40 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 24 kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) Cmax, AUC0-144, and AUC0-∞ values after administration of the test and reference formulations, respectively, were as follows: 18.91 (5.320) vs. 18.44 (4.758) ng/mL, 582.9 (118.23) vs. 587.3 (127.12) ng/mL · h, and 615.4 (131.39) vs. 615.8 (137.45) ng/mL · h. The 90% CIs for the ratios of AUC0-144 and Cmax were 96.9% to 102.4% and 93.7% to 110.2%, respectively. The relative bioavailability of the test formulation to reference formulation was 100.1%. Both formulations were generally well tolerated and no serious AEs were reported in the study.The 90% CIs for the ratios of mean Cmax, AUC0-144, and AUC0-∞ met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence.

Molecular cloning, expression, and imprinting status of maternally expressed gene 8 (Meg8) in dairy cattle

At present, small number imprinted genes have been reported in cattle compare to human and mouse. Maternally expressed gene 8 (Meg8), a non-coding gene, have been identified maternally expressed in mouse and sheep, but its sequences and imprinting status have not been established in cattle. In this study, the full-length of cattle Meg8cDNA sequence was obtained by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method, which has a high homology in exons sequences with the corresponding region of sheep Meg8. The isolation of cDNA sequence showed the presence of multiple splice variants in cattle Meg8 gene. The Meg8 was found to be expressed in all adult examined tissues, including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in exon 6 by Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP), and used to distinguish between monoallelic and biallelic expression in cattle tissues. The expression analysis of Meg8 in a heterozygous cattle showed that only one parental allele was expressed in all examined tissues, suggesting that Meg8 is imprinted in cattle.

Association analysis between variants in bovine progesterone receptor gene and superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to identify a predictor to forecast superovulation response on the basis of associations between superovulation performance and gene polymorphism. The PCR-RFLP method was applied to detect two reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of G59752C and T81637C (rs41614030) located in introns 3 and 4 of the bovine progesterone receptor (PGR) gene in 171 Chinese Holstein cows treated for superovulation and evaluate its associations with superovulation traits. In polymorphic locus 81637, all cows without superovulation response were g.81637TC and g.81637TT genotypes. Association analysis showed that these two SNPs had significant effects on the total number of ova (TNO) (p<0.05), and the T81637C polymorphism was significantly associated with the number of transferable embryos (p<0.05). In addition, significant additive effects (p<0.05) on TNO were detected in the polymorphisms of G59752C and T81637C. These results showed for the first time that the G59752C and T81637C polymorphisms in PGR gene were associated with superovulation traits and indicated that PGR gene can be used as a predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein cows.