Functional analysis of Trichinella spiralis serine protease 1.2 by siRNA mediated RNA interference

A T. spiralis serine protease 1.2 (TsSP1.2) was identified in the muscle larvae (ML) and intestinal larvae surface/excretory-secretory (ES) proteins by immunoproteomics. The aim of this study was to determine the TsSP1.2 function in the process of T. spiralis intrusion, growth and reproduction by using RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi was used to silence the expression of TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein in the nematode. On 2 days after the ML were electroporated with 2 µM of TsSP1.2-specific siRNA 534, TsSP1.2 mRNA and protein expression declined in 56.44 and 84.48%, respectively, compared with untreated ML. Although TsSP1.2 silencing did not impair worm viability, larval intrusion of intestinal epithelium cells (IEC) was suppressed by 57.18% (P < 0.01) and the suppression was siRNA-dose dependent (r = 0.976). Infection of mice with siRNA 534 transfected ML produced a 57.16% reduction of enteral adult burden and 71.46% reduction of muscle larva burden (P < 0.05). Moreover, silencing of TsSP1.2 gene in ML resulted in worm development impediment and reduction of female fertility. The results showed that silencing of TsSP1.2 by RNAi inhibited larval intrusion and development, and reduced female fecundity. TsSP1.2 plays a crucial role for worm invasion and development in T. spiralis life cycle, and is a potential vaccine/drug target against Trichinella infection.

Effect of sitagliptin on expression of skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 and irisin in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of sitagliptin on skeletal muscle expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), irisin, and phosphoadenylated adenylate activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A high-fat diet/streptozotocin T2DM rat model was established. Rats were divided into T2DM, low-dose sitagliptin (ST1), high-dose sitagliptin (ST2), and normal control groups (NC). PGC-1α, irisin, and p-AMPK protein levels in skeletal muscle were measured by western blot, and PCG-1α and Fndc5 mRNA levels were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FIns), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly up-regulated in the T2DM compared with the other groups, and FPG, FIns, total cholesterol, triglycerides, TNF-α, and HOMA-IR were significantly down-regulated in the ST2 compared with the ST1 group. PGC-1α, irisin, and p-AMPK expression levels decreased successively in the ST2, ST1, and DM groups compared with the NC, and were all significantly up-regulated in the ST2 compared with the ST1 group.

CONCLUSION

Down-regulation of PGC-1α and irisin in skeletal muscle may be involved in T2DM. Sitagliptin can dose-dependently up-regulate PCG-1α and irisin, potentially improving insulin resistance and glycolipid metabolism and inhibiting inflammation.

Function of Long Noncoding RNA UCA1 on Gastric Cancer Cells and its Clinicopathological Significance in Plasma

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer (GC) at early stages is challenging, causing great difficulties to patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may serve both as novel molecular markers and therapeutic targets in diagnosis and prognosis of cancers. This study aimed to investigate the function of long non-coding RNA Urothelial Carcinoma Associated 1 (UCA1) on GC cells and evaluate its diagnostic value in GC.

METHODS

In total, 90 patients with GC and 43 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. Venous blood samples from 40 of the 90 GC patients who underwent surgery were collected before and one week after the surgery. Thirty GC and matched normal tissues were sampled from patients who had undergone surgical resection. The plasma level of UCA1 was quantified using RT-qPCR. In situ hybridization was carried out on formaldehyde-fixed tissue sections from GC patients to detect UCA1. Cell migration assay, cell proliferation assay, and flow cytometry analysis were carried out to study the effect of UCA1 on GC development in vitro.

RESULTS

RT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of UCA1 in GC tissues were significantly higher compared to those in adjacent normal specimens. Down-regulation of UCA1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of GC cells. In GC patients, plasma expression of UCA1 was significantly up-regulated compared to that in healthy controls (1.417 ± 0.106 vs. 0.223 ± 0.030, p < 0.0001). Plasma UCA1 was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (p < 0.05), T stage (p < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). Plasma UCA1 expression (AUC = 0.883) in post-surgery samples was significantly decreased compared to the expression level of pre-surgery patients (1.403 ± 1.329 versus 0.712 ± 0.944, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

UCA1 promoted proliferation, migration and apoptosis of GC cells and was significantly up-regulated in GC plasma, indicating poor tumor prognosis.

DCST1-AS1 Promotes TGF-β-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Enhances Chemoresistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via ANXA1

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic breast cancer subtype, and the primary systemic treatment strategy involves conventional chemotherapy. DC-STAMP domain containing 1-antisense 1 (DCST1-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA that promotes TNBC migration and invasion. Studying the role of DCST1-AS1 in promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance will provide a new strategy for TNBC therapy. In the present study, we found that DCST1-AS1 regulates the expression or secretion of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin, snail family zinc finger 1 (SNAI1), vimentin, matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9). Interference with DCST1-AS1 impaired TGF-β-induced TNBC cell invasion and migration. DCST1-AS1 directly binds to ANXA1 in BT-549 cells and affects the expression of ANXA1. DCST1-AS1 enhances TGF-β/Smad signaling in BT-549 cells through ANXA1 to promote EMT. The combination of DCST1-AS1 and ANXA1 also contributes to enhancement of the resistance of BT-549 cells to doxorubicin and paclitaxel. In conclusion, DCST1-AS1 promotes TGF-β-induced EMT and enhances chemoresistance in TNBC cells through ANXA1, and therefore represents a potentially promising target for metastatic breast cancer therapy.

[Long-term prognostic value of mean platelet volume in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between admission mean platelet volume (MPV) and 2-year cardiac mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and explored the consistence of this relationship in diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM subgroups. Method: A total of 4 293 patients who underwent PCI in Fuwai Hospital in 2013 were enrolled and divided into two groups according to MPV as follows: lower MPV (n=2 219, MPV≤10.5fL) and higher MPV (n=2 074, MPV>10.5fL). Result: Patients with high MPV had a higher rate of DM (30.4%(674/2 219) vs 34.5%(715/2 074)), smoking (53.3%(1 183/2219) vs 57.0%(1 182/2 074)), and previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (4.0%(88/2 219) vs 5.4%(112/2 074)), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (64±7 vs 63±7), and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (92±14 vs 91±15) were lower compared with patients in the low MPV group (all P<0.05). In the laboratory examination, patients with high MPV had higher glycosylated hemoglobin, and lower platelet count (all P<0.05). In coronary angiography, there was no significant difference in SYNTAX scores, left main/three-vessel lesions, stent type, success rate of operation, and total stent length (all P>0.05). Compared with low MPV group, patients with high MPV had ahigher cardiac mortality [18 (0.9%) vs 5 (0.2%), P=0.004]. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that compared to low MPV group, cardiac mortality in high MPV group was significantly higher (Log-rank P=0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high MPV was independently associated with 2-year cardiac mortality (HR 4.127, 95%CI 1.373 to 12.405, P=0.012). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis also showed that MPV had a good diagnostic value in predicting 2-year cardiac mortality (area under the curve=0.624, 95%CI: 0.511-0.738, P=0.04). Subgroup analysis showed that in patients with DM (HR 2.090, 95%CI 1.217-3.589, P=0.008) and male (HR 1.561, 95%CI 1.007-2.421, P=0.047), MPV was significantly related with cardiac mortality. Conclusion: In patients with stable CAD who underwent elective PCI, high MPV was independently associated with an increase in 2-year cardiac mortality, especially in patients with DM and male gender.

Global genetic diversity of Spirometra tapeworms

Spirometra larvae are etiological agents of human sparganosis. However, the systematics of spirometrid cestodes has long been controversial. In order to determine the current knowledge on the evolution and genetic structure of Spirometra, an exhaustive population diversity analysis of spirometrid cestodes using the mitochondrial gene: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) was performed. All publicly available cox1 sequences available in the GenBank and 127 new sequencing genes from China were used as the dataset. The haplotype identify, network, genetic differentiation and phylogenetic analysis were conducted successively. A total of 488 sequences from 20 host species, representing four spirometrid tapeworms (S. decipiens, S. ranarum, S. erinaceieuropaei and Sparganum proliferum) and several unclassified American and African isolates from 113 geographical locations in 17 countries, identified 45 haplotypes. The genetic analysis revealed that there are four clades of spirometrid cestodes: Clade 1 (Brazil + USA) and Clade 2 (Argentina + Venezuela) included isolates from America, Clade 3 contained African isolates and one Korean sample, and the remainders from Asia and Australia belonged to Clade 4; unclassified Spirometra from America and Africa should be considered the separate species within the genus; and the taxonomy of two Korea isolates (S. erinaceieuropaei KJ599680 and S. decipiens KJ599679) was still ambiguous and needs to be further identified. In addition, the demographical analyses supported population expansion for the total spirometrid population. In summary, four lineages were found in the spirometrid tapeworm, and further investigation with deeper sampling is needed to elucidate the population structure.

Acrolein-induced apoptosis of smooth muscle cells through NEAT1-Bmal1/Clock pathway and a protection from asparagus extract

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accelerates manifestation of plaque vulnerability in atherosclerosis. Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 participates in the proliferation and apoptosis of cells. In addition, circadian clock genes play a significant role in cell apoptosis. However, whether acrolein, an environmental pollutant, affects the apoptosis of VSMCs by regulating NEAT1 and clock genes is still elusive. We established VSMCs as an atherosclerotic cell model in vitro. Acrolein exposure reduced survival rate of VSMCs, and raised apoptosis percentage through upregulating the expression of Bax, Cytochrome c and Cleaved caspase-3 and downregulating Bcl-2. Asparagus extract (AE), as a dietary supplementation, was able to protect VSMCs against acrolein-induced apoptosis. Expression of NEAT1, Bmal1 and Clock was decreased by acrolein, while was ameliorated by AE. Knockdown of NEAT1, Bmal1 or Clock promoted VSMCs apoptosis by regulating Bax, Bcl-2, Cytochrome c and Caspase-3 levels. Correspondingly, overexpression of NEAT1 inhibited the apoptosis. We also observed that silence of NEAT1 repressed the expression of Bmal1/Clock and vice versa. In this study, we demonstrated that VSMCs apoptosis induced by acrolein was associated with downregulation of NEAT1 and Bmal1/Clock. AE alleviated the effects of proapoptotic response and circadian disorders caused by acrolein, which shed a new light on cardiovascular protection.

3D printing of bioinspired textured surfaces with superamphiphobicity

Natural superwettable surfaces have received extensive attention due to their unique wetting performance and functionalities. Inspired by nature, artificial surfaces with superwettability, particularly superamphiphobicity, i.e., superhydrophobicity and superoleophobicity, have been widely developed using various methods and techniques, where 3D printing, which is also called additive manufacturing, is an emerging technique. 3D printing is efficient for rapid and precise prototyping with the advantage of fabricating various architectures and structures with extreme complexity. Therefore, it is promising for building bioinspired superamphiphobic surfaces with structural complexity in a facile manner. Herein, the state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques and methods for fabricating superwettable surfaces with micro/nanostructures are reviewed, followed by an overview of their extensive applications, which are believed to be promising in engineered wettability, bionic science, liquid transport, microfluidics, drag reduction, anti-fouling, oil/water separation, etc.

Channel-resolved rotationally dependent predissociation rate constants reveal the state-to-state dissociation dynamics of carbon monoxide in electronically excited states

Rotational dependence of the total predissociation rate constants deduced from linewidth measurements in spectroscopic studies have often been used to predict the possible electronic coupling schemes in the photodissociation process of carbon monoxide (CO), while the intrinsic multi-channel characteristics of CO photodissociation make the prediction unreliable and sometimes misleading conclusions could be reached. Here, we demonstrate for the first time in the Rydberg 4p(2) and 5p(0) complexes region of ¹³C¹⁶O that absolute partial predissociation rate constants into each individual channel and their dependences on the rotational quantum numbers can be obtained through branching ratio measurements in combination with the total predissociation rate constants reported in spectroscopic studies. These channel-resolved rotationally dependent predissociation rate constants are found to unambiguously reveal the detailed state-to-state photodissociation dynamics of CO, which is not available from either the branching ratio or the total predissociation rate constant measurements individually.

Functional role of SIRT1-induced HMGB1 expression and acetylation in migration, invasion and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancer is a commonly occurred tumor in females. High motility group box-1 protein (HHMB1) is a chromosome-related protein with multiple functions. A recent study revealed critical roles of HMGB1 in occurrence and progression of ovarian cancer. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a recently identified novel molecule, which regulates acetylation of HMGB1. Whether SIRT1 is involved in migration, invasion or angiogenesis of ovarian cancer is unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of SIRT1-induced HMGB1 acetylation in migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In ovarian cancer cell line, SIRT1 expression was potentiated. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to measure HMGB1 expression, acetylation level, and nuclear translocation. Scratch assay and transwell chamber methods were used to examine cell migration and invasion potency. A mouse model with ovarian cancer cell transplantation was generated to measure induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) and CD105 expression.

RESULTS

Compared to adjacent tissues, ovarian cancer tissues had significantly decreased SIRT1 expression. In ovarian cancer cells, SIRT1 over-expression decreased HMGB1 and acetylation levels, and SIRT1 knockdown facilitated HMGB1 expression and acetylation. SIRT1 over-expression also suppressed nuclear translocation of HMGB1. Meanwhile, SIRT1 could suppress, migration and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer cells via HMGB1.

CONCLUSIONS

SIRT1 over-expression effectively inhibited HMGB1 expression and acetylation, thus inhibiting ovarian cancer migration, invasion and angiogenesis. HMGB1 modulated behaviors of ovarian cancer via SIRT1. Therefore, SIRT1 might work as a treatment target for managing ovarian cancer migration.

EGCG regulates CTR1 expression through its pro-oxidative property in non-small-cell lung cancer cells

Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) plays an important role in increasing cisplatin intake. Our previous studies showed that CTR1 expression was upregulated by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, therefore enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in ovary cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. In the current study in the non-small-cell lung cancer cells, we uncovered a potential mechanism of EGCG-induced CTR1 through its pro-oxidative property. We found that EGCG increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while in the presence of ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), ROS production was eliminated. Changes of CTR1 expression were consistent with the ROS level. Simultaneously, EGCG downregulated ERK1/2 while upregulated lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) through ROS to induce CTR1 expression. Besides, in a nude mouse xenografts model, EGCG treatment raised ROS level, expression of CTR1 and NEAT1 in tumor tissue. Also, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were suppressed as well. Taken together, these results suggested a novel mechanism that EGCG mediated ROS to regulate CTR1 expression through the ERK1/2/NEAT1 signaling pathway, which provided more possibilities for EGCG as a natural agent in adjuvant therapy of lung cancer.

Circular RNA hsa-circ-0007766 modulates the progression of Gastric Carcinoma via miR-1233-3p/GDF15 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new kind of non-coding RNAs, have gradually been proved to be critical regulators of gene expression; however, the underlying mechanisms still need to be elaborated. In the present study, we investigated the role of hsa-circ-0007766 in gastric carcinoma (GC). Quantitative real-time PCR was applied to detect the differential expression levels of circRNA, miRNAs, and mRNAs in human tissues and specific cell lines. GC cell lines were transiently transfected with siRNA. Then the proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were performed to evaluate the effect of hsa-circ-0007766 in GC cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA pulldown assay was used to confirm the location of hsa-circ-0007766 and its relationship with miR-1233-3p. Luciferase reporter assay was then conducted to verify the interaction between miR-1233-3p and GDF15. Interestingly, we found that hsa-circ-0007766 was highly expressed in human GC tissues and GC cell lines. Knock-down of hsa-circ-0007766 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and down-regulated the expression of GDF15. Moreover, hsa-circ-0007766 was identified as a sponge of miR-1233-3p, which could target gene GDF15 to regulate the progression of GC. Finally, hsa-circ-0007766 was evaluated to be a valuable diagnostic marker with a sensitivity of 53.33% and specificity of 83.33% by ROC analysis. This study unveils a mechanism by which hsa-circ-0007766 regulates GDF15 via hsa-circ-0007766/miR-1233-3p/GDF15 axis, which may provide new insight for GC therapeutic strategies.

tiRNAs & tRFs Biogenesis and Regulation of Diseases: A Review

tiRNAs & tRFs are a class of small molecular noncoding tRNA derived from precise processing of mature or precursor tRNAs. Most tiRNAs & tRFs described originate from nucleus-encoded tRNAs, and only a few tiRNAs and tRFs have been reported. They have been suggested to play important roles in inhibiting protein synthesis, regulating gene expression, priming viral reverse transcriptases, and the modulation of DNA damage responses. However, the regulatory mechanisms and potential function of tiRNAs & tRFs remain poorly understood. This review aims to describe tiRNAs & tRFs, including their structure, biological functions and subcellular localization. The regulatory roles of tiRNAs & tRFs in translation, neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases, viral infections, and carcinogenesis are also discussed in detail. Finally, the potential applications of these noncoding tRNAs as biomarkers and gene regulators in different diseases is also highlighted.

Identification for Exploring Underlying Pathogenesis and Therapy Strategy of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Bioinformatics Analysis

BACKGROUND Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common cavity-associated cancers, has a high incidence and worldwide mortality. However, the cause and underlying molecular mechanisms of OSCC remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three microarray datasets (GSE23558, GSE34105, and GSE74530) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded and then integrated to gain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We performed Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichments of DEGs in order to elucidate DEGs' biological roles. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established in order to identify hub genes. To validate the gene markers for OSCC, the data of TCGA OSCC were also assessed. RESULTS Together, 651 DEGs containing 288 upregulated genes and 363 downregulated genes were screened out, which could completely distinguish between OSCC and normal control tissues by principal component analysis (PCA). The GO analysis indicated the DEGs were enriched in chemokine activity in the biological process group. The molecular functions of DEGs included growth factor activity. The molecular functions included oxidoreductase activity. The main DEG-associated cellular components included extracellular exosome. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated the DEGs were mainly participated in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 and glutathione metabolism signal pathway. The co-expression network identified core genes from the PPI network. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CSF2 and EGF genes were significantly correlated with OSCC patients' overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Our study using an integrated bioinformatics analysis might provide valuable information for exploring potential new molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Pyruvate kinase genes in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella: molecular characterization, expression patterns, and effects of dietary carbohydrate levels

To explore features of carbohydrate metabolism and evolution of carbohydrate metabolism-associated genes in herbivorous fishes, the open reading frames (ORF) of PKL, PKMa, and PKMb genes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were obtained, encoding 538, 528, and 532 amino acids, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis showed that adjacent PK genes were highly conserved between fish and mammals. Gene expression profiles were quite different between the three PK genes in tissues and at developmental stages. PKL, PKMa, and PKMb had the highest expression levels in the liver, heart, and muscle, respectively. During embryogenesis, high expression levels of PKMa and PKMb were detected in unfertilized and fertilized eggs. Following a non-expression period, PKMa and PKMb exhibited high expressions again after the hatching stage. In contrast, PKL transcripts could not be detected in early developmental stages, and expression levels continued to increase from the hatching stage to 144 h post hatching. After the 8-week feeding trial with 18%, 30%, and 42% dietary carbohydrate levels, the concentrations of glucose and insulin in serum, pyruvate kinase enzymes, and gene expression levels in brain, muscle, and liver tissues all increased with the increase in carbohydrate levels in the diets. Furthermore, high carbohydrate levels (30% and 42% carbohydrate diets) had a greater effect on grass carp growth. This indicated that PKL, PKMa, and PKMb genes were not only very important in catalytic enzymes, which can be up-regulated by high carbohydrate dietary conditions, but also exhibited a complex and detailed division of labor in different tissues and developmental stages.

Drawing High-Definition and Reversible Hydrogel Paintings with Grayscale Exposure

High-definition and arbitrary grayscale hydrogel paintings that can appear reversibly with hydration/dehydration are realized through spatially grayscale exposure. Spatio-temporally grayscale images are used to guide the exposure of a hydrogel processor to dictate the gradient cross-linking density spatially, which thereafter results in the heterogeneity of hydrogels in swelling ratio, mechanical properties, and especially visible light transmittance, leading to swelling-induced patterns by gradient and local visible light scattering difference based on tunable mesh size and microphase separation. The resultant grayscale hydrogel patterns, with visible light transmittance adjustable, are reversible during hydration (in 1-2 s) and dehydration and possess the feature size of 70 μm and more pattern information compared with previous hydrogel patterning. Uniquely, the patterns can be realized not only on the outmost surface of hydrogels as usual but inside. Combining the unique grayscale exposure with three-dimensional printing technology, arbitrary hydrogel patterns that have plenty of details and even vary at different layers are fabricated readily, indicating its broad potential in smart anti-counterfeiting of security field, mechanics, engineering, and many others.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis between male and female patients with premature coronary artery disease after intervention]

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis between male and female patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) post coronary intervention, and analyse the risk factors of major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and bleeding events. Methods: This was a prospective single-center observational study. From January 2013 to December 2013, 4 744 patients diagnosed as PCAD and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. The general clinical data, laboratory results and interventional treatment data of all patients were collected, and patients were followed up for 2 years after PCI and the incidence of events including MACCE and bleeding was analyzed. The baseline data and clinical events of PCAD patients of different genders were compared. Survival curves were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze whether gender was an influencing factor of different clinical events of PCAD patients within 2 years after PCI, and other relevant influencing factors of MACCE and bleeding events. Results: Among the 4 744 PCAD patients included, there were 3 390 (71.5%) male aged (47.0±5.4) years old and 1 354 (28.5%) female aged (57.0±5.8) years old. Compared with female patients, male patients had higher body mass index, higher proportion of hyperlipidemia, smoking, myocardial infarction, previous PCI, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, radial artery approach, intravenous ultrasound use and chronic occlusive lesions (all P<0.05). Age, left ventricular ejection fraction, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, past stroke history, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and the use of calcium channel blockers were lower in male patients than in female patients (all P<0.05). The 2-year follow-up results showed that the incidence of BARC type 1 hemorrhage was significantly higher in female patients than in male patients (6.9%(92/1 343) vs. 3.7%(126/3 378), P<0.001); however, the incidence of MACCE, all-cause death, cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, revascularization (target vessel revascularization and target lesion revascularization), stent thrombosis, stroke and BARC type 2-5 hemorrhage were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that gender was an independent risk factor for BARC type 1 bleeding in PCAD patients (HR=2.180, 95%CI 1.392-3.416, P<0.001), but it was not an independent risk factor for MACCE and BARC type 2-5 bleeding(all P>0.05). Hyperlipidemia, preoperative SYNTAX score, multivessel lesions and NSTE-ACS were the independent risk factors for MACCE in PCAD patients with PCI (the HRs(95%CI) were 1.289(1.052-1.580), 1.030(1.019-1.042), 1.758(1.365-2.264), 1.264(1.040-1.537), respectively); gender (HR=1.579, 95%CI 1.085-2.297, P=0.017), hyperlipidemia (HR=1.305, 95%CI 1.005-1.695, P=0.046), anticoagulant drugs including low molecular weight heparin (HR=1.321, 95%CI 1.002-1.741, P=0.048) or sulfonate(HR=1.659, 95%CI 1.198-2.298, P=0.002) were the independent risk factors for bleeding events. Conclusions: There are differences in clinical and coronary artery lesion characteristics between different genders in patients with PCAD. The incidence of minor bleeding is significantly higher in female PCAD patients than in male PCAD patients. Hyperlipidemia, preoperative SYNTAX score, multivessel lesions and NSTE-ACS are the independent risk factors for MACCE, and gender, hyperlipidemia, anticoagulant drugs including low molecular weight heparin or sulfonate are the independent risk factors for bleeding events in patients with PCAD.

Fractionation of alkali lignin by organic solvents for biodegradable microsphere through self-assembly

Here we report a centrifugation-based fractionation methodology that was integrated with three types of organic solvents to fractionate industrial alkali lignin toward the fabrication of lignin microsphere. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) result showed that the chemical structure of lignin was not changed by solvent fractionation. Soluble lignin in each solvent had lower molecular weight, improved polydispersity index (PDI) and less impurities (S, N), while insoluble lignin had a high bio-char yield and can be utilized as potential carbon source for porous carbon nanosphere materials. In addition, well-shaped lignin microsphere with smooth or anisotropic surface can be prepared by selecting proper lignin fraction without any chemical modification. This work thus provides a new strategy for the derivation of lignin as raw materials for value-added products, which paved a new way to develop a green and sustainable bio-refining industry.

Identification of Body Composition, Dietary Patterns and Its Associated Factors in Medical University Students in China

This study aimed to measure the body composition, dietary patterns and its associated factors in medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 695 students studying at Nanjing medical university, China. Data regarding dietary intake factors was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Principle component analysis and multivariate linear regressions were used. Body composition including BMI and visceral fats index of the males were significantly higher (P < .05) than females. While body fats percentage and fats mass index/free fat mass index (FMI/FFMI) ratio of females was significantly higher (P < .05) than males. Three dietary patterns were identified: western dietary pattern, meat pattern, and vegetables and fruits pattern. The western pattern was having an independent negative association (P < .05) with age and financial status, while positive association (P < .05) with sleeping duration and FMI/FFMI ratio. Vegetables and fruits patterns was having positive association with physical exercise and while negative association with FMI/FFMI ratio. Meat pattern was having positive association with educational levels and sleeping duration, while negative association with physical exercise and FMI/FFMI ratio. In conclusion, medical students adopted less healthy dietary patterns as compared to healthy dietary patterns, which were found to be more associated with some adverse dietary and lifestyle behavior outcomes.

Clock-Bmal1 mediates MMP9 induction in acrolein-promoted atherosclerosis associated with gut microbiota regulation

Circadian rhythm is believed to play important roles in atherosclerosis. The gut microbiota is found to be closely related to atherogenesis, and shows compositional and functional circadian oscillation. However, it's still unclarified whether circadian clock and intestinal microbiota are involved in the progression of atherosclerosis induced by environmental pollutant acrolein. Herein, patients with atherosclerosis showed higher MMP9, a promising biomarker for atherosclerosis, and lower Bmal1 and Clock expression in the plasma. Interestingly, acrolein exposure contributed to the increased MMP9, decreased Clock and Bmal1, and activated MAPK pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that knockdown of Clock or Bmal1 lead to upregulation of MMP9 in HUVECs, and that Clock and Bmal1 expression was elevated while MAPK pathways were blocked. Atherosclerotic apolipoproteinE-deficient mice consumed a high-fat diet were used and treated with acrolein (3 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water for 12 weeks. Upregulation of MMP9, and downregulation of Clock and Bmal1 were also observed in plasma of the mice. Besides, acrolein feeding altered gut microbiota composition at a phylum level especially for an increased Firmicutes and a decreased Bacteroidetes. Additionally, gut microbiota showed correlation with atherosclerotic plaque, MMP9 and Bmal1 levels. Therefore, our findings indicated that acrolein increased the expression of MMP9 through MAPK regulating circadian clock, which was associated with gut microbiota regulation in atherosclerosis. Circadian rhythms and gut microbiota might be promising targets in the prevention of cardiovascular disease caused by environmental pollutants.

Primary assessment of a T. spiralis putative serine protease for early serological detection of experimental trichinellosis

A putative serine protease of T. spiralis (TsSP) was expressed in Escherichia coli and its potential as a diagnostic antigen was primarily assessed in this study. Anti-Trichinella IgG in serum samples from T. spiralis different animal hosts (mice, rats, pigs and rabbits) were detected on Western blot analysis with rTsSP. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected in 100% (30/30) of experimentally infected mice by rTsSP-ELISA. Cross-reactions of rTsSPELISA were not found with sera from mice infected with other parasites (S. erinaceieuropaei, S. japonicum, C. sinensis, A. cantonensis and T. gondii) and sera from normal mice. There was no statistical difference in antibody detection rate among mice infected with the encapsulated Trichinella species (T. spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi, and T. nelsoni) (P>0.05). The results of rTsSP-ELISA showed that serum specific antibody IgG in mice infected with 100 or 500 T. spiralis muscle larvae (ML) were detectable early at 7-8 dpi, but not detected by ML ES antigen-ELISA prior to 10-12 dpi. Specific anti-Trichinella IgG was detected in 100% (18/18) of infected pigs by rTsSP-ELISA and ES-ELISA, but no specific antibodies was not detected in 20 conventionally raised normal pigs by two antigens. The results showed the rTsSP had the potential for early serodiagnosis of animal Trichinella infection, however it requires to be assayed with early infection sera of swine infected with Trichinella and other parasites.