[Impact of cardiovascular metabolic diseases on COVID-19: review of recent progress]

The high comorbidity between cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CVMD) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the consequent high mortality and the potential risk of cardiovascular damage have brought great challenges to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the condition. The latest studies found that advanced age, immune function defects, inflammatory factor storms and oxidative stress damage all potentially contribute to the high comorbidity of the two. Direct virus invasion, myocardial oxygen supply and demand imbalance and vascular endothelial and coagulation dysfunction may be important mechanisms for cardiovascular injury in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the expression level of ACE2 (the cell membrane receptor of SARS-CoV-2) in various organs and the peripheral blood not only mediates the direct invasion and damage of the organs, but also participates in regulation of the balance of systematic inflammation and oxidative stress, thus affecting the susceptibility and outcomes of the patients. Herein we review the recent research progress in the comorbidity between COVID-19 and CVMD and explore the mechanisms of cardiovascular damage caused by SARS-CoV-2, thus to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 with underlying CVMD.

Potential probiotics Lactobacillus casei K11 combined with plant extracts reduce markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in mice

AIMS

Probiotics and plant extracts have been used to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study aimed to explore the effect of the interaction between potential probiotics and bitter gourd extract (BGE) or mulberry leaf extract (MLE) on T2DM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Potential probiotics were tested for their gastrointestinal tract viability and growth situation combined with BGE and MLE in vitro. The diabetes model was constructed in C57BL/6 mice, and the potential effect and mechanism of regulating blood glucose were verified. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), gas chromatography (GC), ELISA, and RT-PCR were also used for analysis. The results showed that Lactobacillus casei K11 had outstanding gastrointestinal tract viability and growth situation with plant extracts. Administration of L. casei K11 combined with BGE and MLE significantly reduced blood glucose levels and ameliorated insulin resistance in diabetic mice than the administration of Lactobacillus paracasei J5 combined with BGE and MLE. Moreover, in L. casei K11 combined with BGE and MLE groups, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were regulated. Furthermore, the results indicated that L. casei K11 combined with BGE and MLE improved free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) upregulation, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that L. casei K11 combined with BGE and MLE modified the SCFA-FFAR2-GLP-1 pathway to improve T2DM.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study identified a new modality for evaluating interactions between potential probiotics and plant extracts. Our findings revealed that L. casei K11 combined with BGE and MLE significantly promoted the SCFA-FFAR2-GLP-1 pathway to inhibit T2DM.

A hyperbranched polysiloxane containing carbon dots with near white light emission

In this work, we prepared a novel hyperbranched polysiloxane containing carbon dots, which can emit near white light with the CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.301, 0.333) via mixing dual emission at 414 and 532 nm excited at λ_ex = 340 nm.

[Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in a national surveillance site of Yangzhong City from 2015 to 2018]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in a national surveillance site of Yangzhong City, so as to provide the scientific evidence for adjusting the local schistosomiasis control strategy and consolidating the control achievements.

METHODS

According to the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Scheme (2014 version), the snail status, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock and wild feces contamination were monitored in Zhinan Village, a national schistosomiasis surveillance site in Yangzhong City from 2015 to 2018.

RESULTS

Theareasofsnailhabitatsreducedfrom 8.10 hm² in 2015 to 2.72 hm² in 2018, and the mean density of living snails decreased from 0.27 snails/0.1 m² in 2015 to 0.07 snails/0.1 m² in 2018 in Zhinan Village; however, no S. japonicum infections were identified in snails during the period from 2015 to 2018. Serological testing for S. japonicum infections was performed in 2 034 local populations and 858 mobile populations from 2015 to 2018, and the sero-prevalence of S. japonicum human infections was 0.59% to 1.98%, with no egg-positives detected. A total of 79 goats were detected for S. japonicum infections from 2015 to 2018, and no egg-positives were found. In addition, no other livestock was found in Zhinan Village from 2015 to 2018, and no wild feces were found in snail habitats.

CONCLUSIONS

A great success has been achieved in schistosomiasis control in Yangzhong City; however, there are still snails breeding in the city. Monitoring of the risk factors pertaining to schistosomiasis transmission should be further intensified to consolidate the control achievements.

Correlations of degree of coronary artery stenosis with blood lipid, CRP, Hcy, GGT, SCD36 and fibrinogen levels in elderly patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlations between the degree of coronary artery stenosis with blood lipid, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), soluble cluster determinant 36 (sCD36), and fibrinogen (Fib) levels in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Gensini scores for the coronary artery stenosis were analyzed in patients with single-vessel, double-vessel, and multi-vessel coronary artery diseases in observation group and normal people in control group. Changes in blood lipid-associated parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib were compared between the two groups. The correlations between the Gensini score with changes of the blood-associated parameters, CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib were analyzed. Finally, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors for coronary artery stenosis in elderly patients with coronary heart disease.

RESULTS

The Gensini score was significantly higher in coronary heart disease patients with multi-vessel, double-vessel, and single-vessel coronary artery diseases compared with that in normal people (p<0.05). The levels of the blood lipid-associated parameters TC, TG, and LDL-C in observation group were substantially higher than those in control group (p<0.05), and the level of HDL-C was notably lower than that in control group (p<0.05). Subjects in observation group had markedly higher levels of CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib than control group (p<0.05). The Gensini score for the degree of coronary artery stenosis was positively correlated with the levels of the blood lipid-associated parameters TC and TG, CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib (p<0.05) and negatively associated with the level of HDL-C (p<0.05). Blood lipid-associated parameters, CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib were the independent risk factors for coronary artery stenosis in elderly patients with coronary heart disease patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The elevations of blood lipid, CRP, Hcy, GGT, sCD36, and Fib levels are closely associated with coronary artery stenosis, and serve as the independent risk factors for coronary artery stenosis.

[Analysis of mutation site characteristics of Gilbert syndrome and Crigler--Najjar syndrome in relation to uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase A1 gene]

Objective: To investigate the mutation characteristics and clinical relevance of Gilbert syndrome (GS) and Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CNS) in relation to uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase A1 (UGT1A1) gene. Methods: The characteristics of UGT1A1 gene mutation and their clinical relevance were analyzed by searching PubMed and Human Gene Mutation Databases. Results: A total of 163 mutation sites were found in the UGT1A1 gene since November 16, 2018. The following patterns existed at the above sites: (1) the numbers of gene mutations occurring between different exons of UGT1A1 was related to GS or CNS phenotypes, and were positively correlated with the length of the exon; (2) nonsense point mutations was mainly occurred in type I of CNS; (3) GS, Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II compound heterozygous mutation sites had a certain combination and distribution, among which - 3279t > G mutation was found in all four GS complex heterozygous compositions; (4) UGT1A1 gene mutation sites reported in Asia had marked aggregation in c.211-c.558. Conclusion: UGT1A1 gene mutation characteristics and clinical relevance varies with different mutation sites, reporting areas and populations. This study has reference value for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of GS and CNS.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis reveals potential candidate genes affecting drip loss in pork

Drip loss is an essential evaluation indicator for pork quality. It is closely related to other meat quality indicators, including water-holding capacity, water loss rate and pH value at 45 min (pH₁ ) and 24 h post-mortem (pH₂ ), and is influenced by environmental and genetic factors and their interactions. We previously conducted differentially expressed gene analysis to identify candidate genes affecting drip loss using eight individuals with extremely high- and low-drip loss selected from 28 purebred Duroc pigs. Using 28 identical samples, in the present study, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis with drip loss and drip loss-related traits, including water-holding capacity, water loss rate, pH₁ and pH₂ . A total of 25 modules were identified, and five of them correlated with at least two drip loss or drip loss-related traits. After functional enrichment analysis of genes in the five modules, three modules were found to be critical, as their genes were significantly involved in amino acid metabolism, immune response and apoptosis, which have potential relationships with drip loss. Furthermore, we identified five candidate genes affecting drip loss in one critical module, AASS, BCKDHB, ALDH6A1, MUT and MCCC1, as they overlapped with differentially expressed genes detected in our previous study, exhibited protein-protein interactions and had potential biological functions in affecting drip loss according to the literature. The outcomes of the present study enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying drip loss and will aid in improving the pork quality.

Energy-Transfer-Induced Multiexcitation and Enhanced Emission of Hyperbranched Polysiloxane

Fluorescent hyperbranched polysiloxane (HBPSi) has attracted increasing attention due to its good biocompatibility. However, its emission mechanism remains an open question. Unfortunately, the excitation spectra of HBPSi are rarely systematically investigated and show a narrow excitation band, which hinders the emission mechanism study. Herein, we synthesized a series of novel HBPSi containing l-glutamic acid (HBPSi-GA). Surprisingly, these polymers have four excitation peaks and two emission peaks, which are caused by the energy transfer from free functional groups to heterogeneous electron delocalizations in different clusters. Meanwhile, the fluorescence and biocompatibility of HBPSi-GA are significantly improved with increasing l-glutamic acid. Furthermore, HBPSi-GA exhibits dual stimuli-responsive fluorescence to temperature and Fe³⁺ as well as potential application in cell imaging. This research possesses important guidance to develop multiexcitation unconventional fluorescent polymers.

[Research progress of the application of regional citrate anticoagulation in artificial liver to treat liver failure]

Liver failure is a rapidly progressive condition with a high mortality rate. Artificial liver treatment is one of the most important treatments for liver failure. In order to ensure the smooth functioning of in vitro circulation device, anticoagulants such as heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin are often used in clinical practice. However, it induces hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia and other adverse reactions, thereby threatening the life safety of liver failure patients. Regional citrate anticoagulation does not affect the coagulation mechanism in vivo, nor does it effects platelets, so in vitro circulating anticoagulants has become the first choice anticoagulant treatment method for continuous renal replacement therapy. Combined with the current research condition at home and abroad, the research progress of the application of regional citrate anticoagulation in artificial liver to treat liver failure is discussed, covering its principle content, application status and application prospect.

Extracellular vesicles promote esophageal cancer progression by delivering lncZEB1-AS1 between cells

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of extracellular vesicle-derived lncZEB1-AS1 in esophageal cancer and its role in esophageal cancer progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The extracellular vesicles (EVs) from esophageal cancer patients (n = 26) and normal subjects (n = 26) were isolated by differential centrifugation. The expression of lncZEB1-AS1 in EVs was detected by Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The clinical data of normal subjects and patients were analyzed. In addition, the concentration of EVs and lncZEB1-AS1 in blood samples from normal subjects and esophageal cancer patients were assessed. After co-culture of esophageal cancer cell line EC109 and EVs with or without lncZEB1-AS1 knockdown, cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The possible target microRNAs of lncZEB1-AS1 in cytoplasm were predicted with miRcode, followed by correlation analysis of lncZEB1-AS1 and miR-214. Through literature review, lncZEB1-AS1 positively regulates ZEB1 expression, which was consistent with our result.

RESULTS

Quantitative Real-time PCR showed that the serum levels of EVs and the content of lncZEB1-AS1 in EVs from esophageal cancer patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls. LncZEB1-AS1 was overexpressed in esophageal cancer cells co-cultured with EVs of esophageal cancer patients. CCK-8 results indicated that EC109 cells co-cultured with EVs of esophageal cancer patients had stronger proliferative capacity. miRcode showed that miR-214 ranked the first of microRNAs that lncZEB1-AS1 might target, and miR-214 expression was significantly increased after lncZEB1-AS1 knockdown in EC109. After overexpressing lncZEB1-AS1 in EC109 or co-culturing EVs of esophageal cancer patients with EC109 cells, we found that lncZEB1-AS1 positively regulates ZEB1. In contrast, interfering with the expression of lncZEB1-AS1 in esophageal cancer cell lines can effectively reduce the expression of ZEB1.

CONCLUSIONS

EVs in the peripheral blood from esophageal cancer patients promote esophageal cancer progression by delivering lncZEB1-AS1 to esophageal cancer cells and targeting miR-214.

Synergic effect of graphene and core-shells structured Au NR@SiO2@TiO2 in dye-sensitized solar cells

Graphene and Au nanorods (AuNRs) coated with SiO₂@TiO₂ double shells (AuNR@SiO₂@TiO₂) were incorporated to form novel composite photoanodes in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The performances of the photoanodes and DSSCs are studied systematically. The short circuit current density (J _sc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of these composited DSSCs were greatly enhanced and the influences of the graphene, AuNRs and the SiO₂@TiO₂ double shells were revealed. The optimal properties with the maximal J _sc of 16.26 mA cm^-2 and PCE of 8.08% are obtained in the DSSC co-doped with graphene and AuNR@SiO₂@TiO₂, significantly higher than those of the conventional DSSC with pure TiO₂ photoanode by 37.7% and 32.9%, respectively. These significant enhancements in J _sc and PCE are attributed to the synergistic effect of graphene, the local surface plasma resonance of AuNRs, as well as the outer SiO₂@TiO₂ double shells, which result in the increased specific surface area and dye adsorption, the increased light absorption, the decreased charge transfer resistance R ₂ and electron recombination and thus the increased J _sc and PCE of the DSSCs.

[Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection]

Objective: To explore the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who received entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxianwan for 78 weeks. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were randomly treated with entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxian for 78 weeks. Ishak fibrosis score was used for blind interpretation of liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in liver fibrosis condition before and after the treatment was compared. Student's t test and non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-Test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the measurement data. The categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test method and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test bivariate associations. Results: Liver fibrosis improvement rate after 78 weeks of treatment was 36.53% (80/219) and the progression rate was 23.29% (51/219). The improvement of liver fibrosis was associated to the degree of baseline fibrosis and treatment methods (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of hepatic fibrosis in patients treated with anluohuaxianwan combined with entecavir at baseline F < 3 (54.74%, 52/95) was significantly higher than that in patients treated only with entecavir (33.33%, 16/48), P = 0.016 and the progression rate of hepatic fibrosis (13.68%, 13/95) was lower than that in patients treated alone (18.75%, 9/48), P = 0.466. In patients with baseline F < 3, the proportion of patients with improved and stable liver fibrosis in the combined treatment group (68.1%, 32/47) was higher than that in the treatment group alone (51.7%, 15/29). Conclusion: Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment can significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, it has the tendency to improve the stability rate and reduce the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.

Demand Estimation When There Are Unobservable Substitutions Amongst Choice Alternatives

Product stock-outs and the resultant purchase of substitutes by customer is common in retail. These stock-out lead to censored sales data; the observed demand for products with stock-outs could be lower that the true demand for the same while the observed demand for the substitutes could be inflated. If historical sales data is used to forecast future demand for a product without accounting for stock-outs, it could lead to errors in demand forecasting on account of misspecification. In this paper, we demonstrate the need and the benefits of data unconstraining and develop a data unconstraining method to address the dual issues of estimation of demand and substitution rates when there are unobserved substitutions among choice alternatives. We compare the effectiveness of the proposed technique by comparing it against the popular techniques available in extant literature.