[An experimental study on bone marrow purging in vitro for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of IL-2, IFN and bcr-abl AS-ODN on bone marrow purging in vitro for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

METHODS

By amplifying in vitro clone forming culture, and purging the bone marrow of 5 CML patients through different combined use of IL-2, IFN and bcr-abl AS-ODN, we compared the effects of 4 combined regimens.

RESULTS

It was found that the suppressive effects of the 4th regimen combining IL-2 (800 U/ml), IFN (800 u/ml) and bcr-abl AS-ODN (30 micrograms/ml) on leukemia cell clone forming unit (CFU) were significantly different from the suppressive effects of the other 3 regimens (P < 0.01). With the use of the 4th regimen, the GM-CFU and L-CFU survival rates were 26.91% and 3.49% respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The combined regimen of IL-2 (800 U/ml), IFN (800 u/ml) and bcr-abl AS-ODN (30 micrograms/ml) has good effect on selective CML bone marrow purging in vitro and can be used in clinical purging of CML bone marrow.

[Blossom and growth of pangdahai at Hainan Island]

Two species of Pangdahai--Scaphium lychnophorum Pierre and Scaphium wallichii Schoott & Endl. were introduced into Hainan Island in 1970s. Over a long-term observation and investigation at four different trial points, the results showed the main limited factor of the cultivation was typhoon; only in Nada area, northwest in Hainan Island, the upper two species grown well and bloomed after 14-16 years of planting, but not fruit. The analysis of the causes of the non-blossom and fruitlessness have also been made in this article.

[The influence of pulsed magnetic fields on SOD's activity and MDA value in metabolism of mice]

This experiment aimed to investigate the influence of pulsed extremely-low-frequency-magnetic fields on free radical metabolism of mice. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups and were exposed to 0 T, 0.25 T, 0.34 T and 0.64 T intensity pulsed magnetic fields of 20 Hz for 40 min. The 0 T exposed group was the control group. The free radical metabolism, SOD's activity and MDA, of mice were measured respectively. The result showed the SOD's activity and MDA of the 0.34 T exposed group were both significantly lower (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) than that of the control group, while the 0.25 T and 0.64 T exposed groups were not significantly different from the control group. This demonstrates that the biological effect of pulsed extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields on free radical metabolism of mice varies and depends on the intensity of the fields. The "window" effect may exist.

[Determination of trace iron (II) and molybdenum (VI) in ground water by pyrocatechol resin-phase spectrophotometry]

In weak acid medium (pH 6.20), Fe(III) and Mo(VI) can form colored complexes with pyrocatechol and quantitatively adsorbed on 717 strong base anion exchange resin. The apparent molar absorption coefficients of resin phase are epsilon = 4.1 x 10(4) L/(mol x cm) at 520 nm for Fe(III) and epsilon = 9.0 x 10(4) L/(mol x cm) at 400 nm for Mo(VI). Beer's law is obeyed for Fe (III) and Mo(VI) in the range of 0-2.2 mg x L(-1) and 0-1.6 mg x L(-1). The method has been applied to the determination of trace Fe(III) and Mo(VI) in ground water. The relative standard deviations are 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively.

[Interpretation of defeating meningitis by 2030: a global road map]

Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. In order to reduce its threat to public health, the World Health Assembly indorsed a resolution in 2020 for urgent global action to prevent and control meningitis. Defeating Meningitis by 2030: a Global Roadmap was officially launched by the World Health Organization in 2021. We interpreted some key information of the roadmap from the aspects of coverage, objectives and pillar strategies, providing ideas for further strengthening the prevention and control of bacterial meningitis in China.

[Analysis on antimicrobial sensitivity of Neisseria meningitidis in China from 2005 to 2019]

Objective: To analyze the antimicrobial resistance characteristics of 538 Neisseria meningitidis isolated from 2005 to 2019 in China. Method: Total of 538 Neisseria meningitidis strains collected from 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed based on the standards of clinical and laboratory standardization association (CLSI) including 11 recommended antibiotics. Gradient diffusion method was used to detect the antibiotic sensitivity of Neisseria meningitidis. Results: All 538 strains were sensitive to azithromycin, meropenem, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and ceftriaxone. As to other six antibiotics, the antibiotics sensitivity rates were cefotaxime (97.4%, 524 strains), ampicillin (87.7%, 472 strains), penicillin (84.8%, 456 strains), minocycline (95.2%, 512 strains), ciprofloxacin (24.9%, 134 strains) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (11.2%, 60 strains) respectively. Conclusions: Neisseria meningitidis isolated from 2005-2019 in China were all sensitive to azithromycin, meropenem, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and ceftriaxone. It should highlight Neisseria meningitidis resistant to cefotaxime, ampicillin and penicillin. Ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole are not recommended as the priority choice for clinical treatment and prophylactic medication.

[A comparison between the revision of Atlanta classification and determinant-based classification in acute pancreatitis]

Objective: To compare the performance of the revision of Atlanta classification (RAC) and determinant-based classification (DBC) in acute pancreatitis. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to a single center from January 2001 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into mild, moderately severe and severe categories based on RAC and were simultaneously classified into mild, moderate, severe and critical grades according to DBC. Disease severity and clinical outcomes were compared between subgroups. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to compare the utility of RAC and DBC by calculating the area under curve (AUC). Results: Among 1 120 patients enrolled, organ failure occurred in 343 patients (30.6%) and infected necrosis in 74 patients(6.6%). A total of 63 patients (5.6%) died. Statistically significant difference of disease severity and outcomes was observed between all the subgroups in RAC and DBC (P<0.001). The category of critical acute pancreatitis (with both persistent organ failure and infected necrosis) had the most severe clinical course and the highest mortality (19/31, 61.3%). DBC had a larger AUC (0.73, 95%CI 0.69-0.78) than RAC (0.68, 95%CI 0.65-0.73) in classifying ICU admissions (P=0.031), but both were similar in predicting mortality(P=0.372) and prolonged ICU stay (P=0.266). Conclusions: DBC and RAC perform comparably well in categorizing patients with acute pancreatitis regarding disease severity and clinical outcome. DBC is slightly better than RAC in predicting prolonged hospital stay. Persistent organ failure and infected necrosis are risk factors for poor prognosis and presence of both is associated with the most dismal outcome.

Does mental health mediate the effect of deviant peer affiliation on school adaptation in migrant children: evidence from a nationally representative survey in China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the impact of deviant peer affiliation on migrant children's school adaptation in China and explore the mediating role of mental health in the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and school adaptation among migrant children.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data.

METHODS

This study was based on the nationally representative China Education Panel Survey. Multiple linear regression models were used to quantify the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and school adaptation among 1,012 migrant children aged 12-17 years. Bootstrap test was used to evaluate the mediating effect of children's mental health.

RESULTS

Deviant peer affiliation showed a significant negative impact on the school adaptation of migrant children (β = -0.41, 95% confidence interval = -0.56 to -0.26). The relationship between deviant peer affiliation and school adaptation was partially mediated by children's mental health, resulting in an indirect effect of deviant peer affiliation on their school adaptation through their mental health (β = -0.05, 95% confidence interval = -0.09 to -0.03). The mediating role of mental health could explain 11.4% of the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and school adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS

Among migrant children, deviant peer affiliation showed unique effects on their school adaptation. Taking care of their mental health might help improve their school adaptation.

A Cetylpyridinium Chloride Oral Rinse Reduces Salivary Viral Load in Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

Evaluating the antiviral potential of commercially available mouthrinses on SARS-CoV-2 holds potential for reducing transmission, particularly as novel variants emerge. Because SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through salivary and respiratory secretions and aerosols, strategies to reduce salivary viral burden in an antigen-agnostic manner are attractive for mitigating spread in dental, otolaryngology, and orofacial surgery clinics where patients may need to unmask.

METHODS

Patients (n = 128) with confirmed COVID-19-positive status within 10 days of symptom onset or positive test result were enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of Food and Drug Administration-approved mouthrinses containing active ingredients ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, povidone iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or saline. The CPC, ethanol, and sterile water rinses were followed in a second double-blind randomized controlled trial (n = 230). Participants provided a saliva sample before rinsing (baseline) and again at 30 and 60 min after rinse. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load at all time points. An adjusted linear mixed-effect model was employed to compare viral load after rinsing relative to baseline.

RESULTS

The rinse containing CPC significantly reduced salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load 30 min postrinse relative to baseline (P = .015), whereas no other rinse significantly affected viral load at 30 min after rinsing. At 60 min postrinsing, no group had a significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 copy number relative to baseline, indicating a rebound in salivary viral load over a 1-hour window. Participants indicated a fair to good rinsing experience with the CPC product and high willingness to use oral rinses before and during dental and medical health care visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that preprocedural oral rinsing could be implemented as a feasible, inexpensive approach to mitigate spread of SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other enveloped viruses for short periods, which is relevant to clinical procedures involving the nasal and oropharyngeal region.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT

Rinsing with a cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouthrinse can significantly reduce salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load for up to 30 min; patients are willing to use mouthrinses in medical and dental settings to limit transmission risk in clinics.

[Long non-coding RNA UPK1A-AS1 promotes glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via stabilization of HIF-1α]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA UPK1A-AS1 on glycolysis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line with lentivirus-mediated stable UPK1A-AS1 overexpression and the cells infected with a negative control lentiviral vector were cultured under normoxic (21% O₂) or hypoxic (1% O₂) conditions for 24 h. The effect of UPK1A-AS1 overexpression on glycolysis of the HCC cells was examined. The expressions of glycolysis-related genes HIF1A, GLUT1, HK1, HK2 and PGK1 were detected by qRTPCR, and the effect of UPK1A-AS1 overexpression on HRE activity was detected by dual luciferase report assay. The HCC cells were treated with cycloheximide to detect the effect of UPK1A-AS1 overexpression on the stability of HIF-1α protein. Immunoprecipitation assay was used to analyze the changes in ubiquitin modification of HIF-1α protein in response to UPK1A-AS1 overexpression. The effects of UPK1A-AS1 overexpression and RNA interference of HIF-1α expression on glucose consumption, lactate production and expressions of HRE activity and glycolysis-related genes (HK1, HK2 and PGK1) were examined in the HCC cells.

OBJECTIVE

Compared with the control group, overexpression of UPK1A-AS1 significantly promoted glucose consumption and lactate production in HCC cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (P < 0.05). Overexpression of UPK1A-AS1 significantly increased the expression of glycolysis-related genes including HIF1A, GLUT1, HK1, HK2 and PGK1. Upregulation of UPK1A-AS1 obviously promoted the transcriptional activity of HRE (P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that UPK1A-AS1 overexpression obviously increased the stability of HIF-1α protein and significantly reduced ubiquitin modification of HIF-1α. Downregulation of HIF-1α obviously reversed the effect of UPK1A-AS1 overexpression in promoting glucose consumption, lactate production and HRE luciferase activity. Silencing HIF-1α also suppressed the upregulation of glycolysis-related gene expressions induced by UPK1A-AS1 overexpression (P < 0.05).

OBJECTIVE

The long noncoding RNA UPK1A-AS1 upregulates the expression of glycolysis-related genes by stabilizing the expression of HIF-1α, thereby promoting glycolysis level in HCC cells.

Trophoblast cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate the polarization of decidual macrophages by carrying miR-141-3p in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Dysregulation of macrophage polarization can prevent the invasion of trophoblast cells and further limit spiral artery remodeling in preeclampsia (PE). However, its mechanism is obscure. HTR8-/Svneo cells were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the culture supernatants were extracted. Next, the cells were incubated with those EVs to investigate their effects on trophoblasts. A co-culture system consisting of HTR8-/Svneo cells and macrophages was used to reveal how the trophoblast-derived EVs affected the macrophage subtype. Finally, a PE mouse model and miR-141-3p knockout mice were used to verify the function of miR-141-3p in PE. Hypoxia induced abnormal increases in the levels of miR-141-3p in HTR8-/Svneo cells and EVs. EVs from hypoxia-treated HTR8-/Svneo cells could downregulate PTEN, a potential target of miR-141-3p, and inhibit trophoblast mitophagy and invasion. However, HTR8-/Svneo cells transfected with an miR-141-3p inhibitor could attenuate the influence of EVs. In an HTR8-/Svneo cell plus macrophage co-culture system, hypoxia-pretreated cells promoted the transformation of macrophages into the M1-phenotye, and HTR8-/Svneo invasion was inhibited by the macrophages. MiR-141 from EVs could target and downregulate dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) expression in macrophages, induce formation of the M1 macrophage phenotype in THP-1 cells, downregulate DUSP1 expression, and upregulate TAB2/TAK1 signaling. These results were also demonstrated in normal pregnant mice and PE pregnant mice. A hypoxic environment could upregulate miR-141 expression in the EVs of HTR8-/Svneo cells, and THP-1-derived macrophages could uptake EVs releasing miR-141 to downregulate DUSP1 expression and induce the formation of M1 macrophages, which can lead to the development of PE.