[Study of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 1B gene polymorphism in relation to the outcomes of HCV infection]

Objective: To investigate the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 1B gene (TNFRSF1B) polymorphism in relation to the outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: One thousand six hundred and forty-five cases without HCV infection, 545 cases with HCV clearance, and 783 cases with chronic HCV infection were enrolled. TaqMan probe method was used to investigate genotype rs1061622 (T > G) and rs1061624 (G > A). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sites were genotyped and haplotypes were constructed to evaluate their relation with the outcome of HCV infection. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no relation to the two SNPs with HCV infection susceptibility and chronicity (P > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that carrier TA had an increased susceptibility to HCV infection [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 1.30, P = 0.038)]. Carrier TA and GG haplotypes were conducive to chronic HCV infection (adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.53, P = 0.006; OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.66, P = 0.026). Conclusion: The combinational effects of rs1061622 and rs1061624 in TNFRSF1B gene may increase the risk of HCV chronicity and infection.

[Association between TNFRSF11A and TNFRSF11B gene polymorphisms and the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection]

Objective: To explore the relationship between the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily members 11A (TNFRSF11A) and 11B (TNFRSF11B) gene polymorphisms and the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: In this case-control study, 749 cases of persistent HCV infection, 494 cases of spontaneous clearance and 1 486 control subjects were included from 2008 to 2016. TaqMan-MGB probe method was used to detect the genotype of TNFRSF11A rs1805034 and TNFRSF11B rs2073617. The genotypes distribution of the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were analyzed in different populations. Results: Co-dominant model showed that individuals carrying the rs2073617 CC genotype were prone to have chronic HCV infection, compared with individuals carrying the rs2073617 TT genotype (OR=1.517, 95%CI: 1.055-2.181, P=0.024). Recessive model results showed that individuals carrying rs2073617 CC genotype were more likely to develop chronic HCV infection compared with individuals carrying rs2073617 TT or TC genotype (OR=1.435, 95%CI: 1.033-1.996, P=0.032). Additive model showed that the risk for chronic HCV infection increased with the increase of the number of rs2073617 C alleles (OR=1.204, 95%CI: 1.013-1.431, P=0.035). Conclusion: The genetic polymorphism of TNFRSF11B rs2073617 might be related with the chronicity of HCV infection.

[Study on thyroid hormone levels and influence factors in drug users in a drug rehabilitation center in Jiangsu province]

Objective: To understand the serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) and identify the related influencing factors of thyroid dysfunction in drug users. Methods: From June to August 2018, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in 788 male drug users in a drug rehabilitation center in Jiangsu province to collect their socio-demographic information. Then, venous blood sample was collected from each participant for the detection of various hematological indicators, such as thyroid hormones. Results: The abnormal rates of T3, T4, FT3, FT4 and TSH were 4.57%, 1.27%, 0.51%, 0.38% and 0.89%, respectively, in the male drug users. HCV infection was an influencing factor for abnormal T3 level in the male drug users (OR=8.52, 95%CI: 2.36-30.74, P=0.001). And serum T3 (P<0.001) and T4 (P=0.048) levels increased with increasing HCV viral load. Conclusions: HCV infection was an influencing factor for the abnormality of serum T3 level in drug users. Therefore, thyroid-related knowledge should be added in the health education for drug users, and the monitoring of thyroid function should be strengthened for drug users infected with HCV.

The complete chloroplast genome of Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L., Asteraceae)

Tagetes erecta is an important ornamental and medicinal plant indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala. The complete chloroplast genome of T. erecta was newly sequenced in this study. The total chloropalst genome size of T. erecta was 152,055 bp. In total, 123 genes were indetified, including 79 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. Twelve genes are containing introns (ycf3 and clpP contained two introns). The overall GC content of this genome was 37.4%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Asteraceae, including 23 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Tagetes. The complete plastome of T. erecta will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, evolution, and molecular breading studies in Asteraceae.

Direct and Indirect Roles of Macrophages in Hypertrophic Scar Formation

Hypertrophic scars are pathological scars that result from abnormal responses to trauma, and could cause serious functional and cosmetic disability. To date, no optimal treatment method has been established. A variety of cell types are involved in hypertrophic scar formation after wound healing, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and cellular origins of hypertrophic scars are not fully understood. Macrophages are major effector cells in the immune response after tissue injury that orchestrates the process of wound healing. Depending on the local microenvironment, macrophages undergo marked phenotypic and functional changes at different stages during scar pathogenesis. This review intends to summarize the direct and indirect roles of macrophages during hypertrophic scar formation. The in vivo depletion of macrophages or blocking their signaling reduces scar formation in experimental models, thereby establishing macrophages as positive regulatory cells in the skin scar formation. In the future, a significant amount of attention should be given to molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause the phenotypic switch of wound macrophages, which may provide novel therapeutic targets for hypertrophic scars.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways Between Male and Female Red-Tail Catfish (Mystus wyckioides)

Sexual dimorphism is widespread in fish species. The red-tail catfish (Mystus wyckioides) is a commercially important catfish in the lower reaches of the Lancang River and the Mekong basin, and it shows a growth advantage in males. Here, RNA-seq was for the first time used to explore the gene expression difference between the sexes in the hypothalamus and pituitary of red-tail catfish, respectively. In the hypothalamus, 5732 and 271 unigenes have significantly higher and lower expressions, respectively, in males compared with females. KEGG analysis showed that 212 DEGs were annotated to 216 signaling pathways, and enrichment analysis suggested different levels of cAMP and glutamatergic synapse signaling between male and female hypothalami and some of the DEGs appear involved in gonad development and growth. In the pituitary, we found only 19 differentially expressed unigenes, which were annotated to 32 signaling pathways, most of which play important roles in gonad development.

The complete mitochondrial genome of heartbreak grass Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth. (Gelsemiaceae)

Gelsemium elegans, endemic to southern Asia, is a highly toxic plant with various medicinal functions. The complete mitochondrial genome of G. elegans was sequenced and assembled in this study. The genome is 405,990 bp in length and contains 37 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree based on 15 protein-coding genes common to six mitochondrial genomes in Gentianales support that G. elegans of Gelsemiaceae is sister to Apocynaceae.

The combination therapy of HIF1α inhibitor LW6 and cisplatin plays an effective role on anti-tumor function in A549 cells

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) has been demonstrated to be involved in the resistance of various human cancer cells to chemotherapies. However, the correlation between HIF1α and the sensitivity of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to cisplatin has not been illuminated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of HIF1α on drug resistance in NSCLC cells. A549 cells were incubated in 21% or 0.5% O2 followed by the assessment of the level of HIF1α with qRT-PCR and western blot and ROS level by DCFH-DA assays. Effects of hypoxia or HIF1α inhibitor LW6 on the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells were evaluated via CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. IC50 of A549 cells to cisplatin was determined by MTT assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured via JC-1 staining. Moreover, the expression of apoptosis related protein (Bcl-2, Bax) and drug resistance related proteins (MDR1, MRP1) were measured by western blotting. Exposure of A549 cells to 1% O2 significantly up-regulated HIF1α expression, maintained cell viability to cisplatin but decreased the ROS level, which promoted chemoresistance to cisplatin. LW6-treated A549 cells showed an increase in ROS level that blocked the hypoxia induced resistance to cisplatin and in addition, decreased expression of MDR1 and MRP1 in cisplatin-treated cells. This study revealed that hypoxia-improved cisplatin chemoresistance of NSCLC cells by regulated MDR1 and MRP1 expression via HIF1α/ROS pathway is reversed by LW6, suggesting that LW6 may act as effective sensitizer in chemotherapy for NSCLC.

L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in stem cells and tissue engineering

L‐type voltage‐gated calcium ion channels (L‐VGCCs) have been demonstrated to be the mediator of several significant intracellular activities in excitable cells, such as neurons, chromaffin cells and myocytes. Recently, an increasing number of studies have investigated the function of L‐VGCCs in non‐excitable cells, particularly stem cells. However, there appear to be no systematic reviews of the relationship between L‐VGCCs and stem cells, and filling this gap is prescient considering the contribution of L‐VGCCs to the proliferation and differentiation of several types of stem cells. This review will discuss the possible involvement of L‐VGCCs in stem cells, mainly focusing on osteogenesis mediated by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different tissues and neurogenesis mediated by neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs). Additionally, advanced applications that use these channels as the target for tissue engineering, which may offer the hope of tissue regeneration in the future, will also be explored.

Anisotropic dependence of light extraction behavior on propagation path in AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

The anisotropic extraction dependence of polarized light on propagation path in AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is investigated by simulations and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Theoretical calculations based on k⋅p approximation and Monte Carol ray tracing indicate that there are two kinds of polarized sources with different angular distributions in ~280 nm AlGaN-based LEDs, s-polarized (spherical-shaped) and p-polarized (dumbbell-shaped) sources, which have different extraction behaviors. It is found that the total light extraction intensities are improved with decreasing the propagation path, and the lateral surface extraction gradually becomes dominant. Moreover, the extraction intensity of s-polarized light improves more than that of p-polarized light when the propagation path decreases, leading to a greater polarization degree. Polarization-resolved PL measurements show that the polarization degree of extracted light from lateral facet of the AlGaN multiple quantum well sample can be enhanced from 1% to 17% as the average propagation path reduces by 0.6 mm, which is consistent with the simulation results of the anisotropic dependence of light extraction on propagation path. Our results are significant for understanding and modulating the anisotropic extraction behavior of polarized light to realize high efficiency AlGaN-based DUV LEDs.

Research Progress on Detection Methods of Amphetamines in Human Hair

Amphetamines are chemical synthetic drugs that are becoming increasingly popular in China. As a common sample in the inspection of poisons, hair has the advantages of easy storage, good stability, and long detection time compared with traditional human body fluid samples （blood, urine）, thus possesses an unique application value in the field of forensic toxicology analysis. By now, methods for detecting amphetamines in human hair have been widely used, and validity of the results has been recognized and adopted by the court. This paper reviews domestic and foreign research progress of the detection of amphetamines in hair samples, including the pretreatment and analytic methods.

Effect of N-acetyl-l-methionine supplementation on lactation performance and plasma variables in mid-lactating dairy cows

The objective of current study was to investigate the effect of N-acetyl-l-methionine (NALM) supplementation on lactation performance and plasma variables in mid-lactating dairy cows. Forty-eight multiparous cows were blocked into 12 groups based on parity, days in milk, and milk production and were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 treatments: 0, 15, 30, or 60 g/d of NALM per cow to supplement the basal diet. The experiment was conducted over a 13-wk period, with the first week as adaptation. The yields of milk, fat-corrected milk, and milk lactose were increased quadratically, and energy-corrected milk yield tended to increase with increased NALM supplementation in a quadratic manner. The dry matter intake, milk protein yield, milk fat yield, contents of milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, total solids, and milk urea nitrogen), feed efficiency, and body weight change were not affected by NALM supplementation. In addition, plasma methionine concentration was increased quadratically, and proline, total nonessential AA, and total AA concentrations were significantly higher in the 30 g/d group compared with that of the control group. However, other AA and total essential AA concentrations were not affected with supplementation of NALM. Adding NALM increased concentrations of total protein and globulin in plasma, but decreased plasma urea nitrogen concentration in a quadratic manner. Meanwhile, plasma malonaldehyde concentration decreased linearly as doses of NALM addition increased. Our results suggested that the supplementation of NALM improved milk yield and protein synthesis in the liver, and lowered lipid peroxidation in mid-lactating dairy cows.

Low-Threshold Organic Lasers Based on Single-Crystalline Microribbons of Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens

Solid-state lasers (SSLs) play an important role in developing optoelectronic devices, optical communication, and modern medicine fields. As compared with inorganic SSLs, the electrically pumped organic SSLs (OSSLs) still remain unrealized because of the high lasing threshold and low carrier mobility. Herein, we first demonstrate the laser action at ∼520 nm based on the self-assembled single-crystalline organic microribbons of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules of 1,4-bis(( E)-4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)styryl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene (TPDSB). Moreover, these as-prepared organic microribbons exhibit an effective optical waveguide with a low optical loss of 0.012 dB μm^-1, indicating good light confinement for laser resonator feedback. Impressively, the multiple mode and the single mode lasing are both achieved from individual organic microribbons, whose lasing threshold is as low as 653 nJ cm^-2. These "bottom-up" synthesized organic microribbons based on AIE-active molecules offer a new strategy for the realization of the ultralow threshold OSSLs, which would eventually contribute to the realization of electrically pumped OSSLs.

[The role of heme oxygenase-1 on oxidative stress injury induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles in human umbilical vein endothelial cells line EA.hy926 cells]

Objective: To explore the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells line EA.hy926. Methods: The EA.hy926 cells in logarithmic growth phase were incubated with 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/L ZnO-NPs respectively. The ROS level, reflected by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), was examined by flow cytometer after 4 hours exposure, the protein expression of HO-1 which was determined by Western Blot after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 24 hours. Cells incubated with 15.0 mg/L were set as the ZnO-NPs group; a blank control group was set at the same time. Cells were pretreated with HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPPIx) and HO-1 activator cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPPIx), they were classified as ZnPPIx group and CoPPIx group. 15 mg/L ZnO-NPs was chosen to conduct the experiment of HO-1 activation and inhibition. Cells were classified as ZnPPIX+ ZnO-NPs group and CoPPIx+ ZnO-NPs group after pretreated with 10 μmol/L ZnPPIx or CoPPIx for 1 h, added 15 mg/L ZnO-NPs to cell culture medium. In all groups ROS levels were detected after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 4 hours, the protein expression of HO-1 was detected after exposed to ZnO-NPs for 24 hours. Results: With the increased dose of ZnO-NPs, levels of ROS and HO-1 in EA.hy926 cells were clearly elevated (the MFI of 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/L ZnO-NPs incubated groups was 22 627.22±718.27, 24 726.47±568.52, 31 141.75±1 312.24, 39 824.82±4 774.74, 50 569.03±1 497.63 respectively, and HO-1 relative expression were 0.16±0.01, 0.19±0.02, 0.16±0.01, 0.23±0.02, 0.92±0.06 respectively). HO-1 expression in ZnPPIx pretreatment group decreased compared with ZnO-NPs group (1.05±0.05 vs. 1.12±0.01, P<0.05), meanwhile ROS level enhanced (62 683.95±2 589.59 vs. 53 654.53±2 229.01, P<0.05). However, CoPPIx pretreatment had higher HO-1 level and lower level of ROS compared with ZnO-NPs group (HO-1: 1.74±0.11 vs. 0.22±0.03, P<0.05; ROS: 32 845.04±993.48 vs. 53 654.53±2 229.01, P<0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to ZnO-NPs significantly induced ROS generation in EA.hy926 cells in a dose-dependent manner. HO-1 regulated ZnO-NPs-induced oxidative stress.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum, Amaryllidaceae)

Leucojum aestivum (Amaryllidaceae) is an important medicinal plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. Its wild resources are Endangered because of excavation. In the present study, the chloroplast genome of L. aestivum was sequenced. The plastome length is 157,241 bp. A total of 132 genes were identified, consisting of 86 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Thirty-four species from Asparagales were used for phylogenomic analysis.

Head-to-head trials of systemic psoriasis therapies: a systematic review of study design and maximum acceptable treatment differences

There is increasing use of head-to-head clinical trials in dermatology when establishing the efficacy of a new treatment. Active comparator trials (ACTs) can be classified into three distinct study trial designs: non-inferiority, equivalence and superiority. A better understanding of the statistical parameters, such as acceptable treatment differences (also known as the margin or delta), is necessary to properly design and interpret findings of active comparator trials (ACTs) in the field of dermatology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to summarize the maximum acceptable treatment differences in clinical trials that examine the efficacy of an oral or biologic psoriasis therapy with an active comparator. We conducted a systematic search using MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to 31 August 2017. All ACTs with adult participants that had a primary outcome of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score were included. Bibliographies of articles were further reviewed. Two investigators independently assessed for article inclusion and separately completed data extraction of predefined data points. When there was a disagreement, a third investigator was consulted. Of the 49 ACTs included, there were 13 superiority, eight non-inferiority and seven equivalence trials. Another 21 studies had inadequate information for classification. All of the non-inferiority trials reported the margin, one of the superiority and six of the equivalence trials stated the treatment difference explicitly. For superiority trials, acceptable treatment differences ranged from 14% to 20%. The non-inferiority studies reported lower bound margins ranging from -20% to -10%. The equivalence trials reported upper and lower bound margins ranging from ±12.5% to ±18%. The results demonstrate the need for harmonization in the conduct of dermatological clinical trials and in the approaches of reporting research parameters.

The complete chloroplast genome of the Chinese Abelia Lineae chinensis (R.Br.) A.Braun & Vatke (Caprifoliaceae)

Linnaea chinensis (Caprifoliaceae), which inhabits in China and Japan, is commonly cultivated as an ornamental shrub. The complete chloroplast genome of L. chinensis was newly assembled in this study based on Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The full length of L. chinensis plastome is 155,813 bp. In total, 124 genes were identified, including 75 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 42 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of this genome was 38.4%. A further phylogenomic analysis including16 species from Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae was constructed.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Chinese privet Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae)

Ligustrum lucidum is a species of privet native to the southern half of China. It is often used as an ornamental tree, sometimes as a cultivar. In present study, we reported the Ligustrum lucidum chloroplast (cp) genome. The total chloroplast genome size of L. lucidum was 154,793 bp. In total, 124 genes were identified, including 81 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. Twenty genes contained introns (clpP and ycf3 contained two introns) and 17 genes had two copies. The overall GC content of this genome was 38.2%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Oleaceae, including 21 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Ligustrum. The complete plastome of L. lucidum will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies of the genus and the family.