Anti-atherosclerotic effect of Longxuetongluo Capsule in high cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis model rats

Chinese dragon's blood, the red resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis, one of the famous traditional medicines, has been used to promote blood circulation, disperse blood stasis, stop bleeding, relieve pain and muscle regeneration for thousands of years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Longxuetongluo Capsule (LTC), which made by total phenolic compounds of Chinese dragon's blood, in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced atherosclerosis model rats and explore the possible mechanism. Atherosclerosis rats were induced by administration of HCD for 4 weeks and treated with atorvastatin (2.08mg/kg/d) or various concentrations of LTC (81, 162 and 324mg/kg/d) for additional 4 weeks. Body weight (BW), lipid profiles, serum VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, AST and ALT were then tested. Histopathological evaluation of aorta and liver were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. NF-κB expression in aorta was detected by Immunohistochemical staining. Meanwhile, the inhibition effects of LTC on the migration and proliferation and Intracellular Ca²⁺ levels induced by PDGF-BB were also evaluated in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5). The results demonstrated that LTC produced a significant anti-atherosclerotic activity in terms of reduction in serum lipids and lipoprotein profile, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, AST, ALT levels, and increase in HDL-c level compared to atherosclerotic group. Rats treated with LTC not only attenuated the pathological region and atheroma formation, but also reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical analysis showed LTC reduced NF-κB expression in aorta. Furthermore, PDGF-BB induced proliferation and migration of A7r5 and intracellular calcium rise were also abrogated by LTC. The results indicate that LTC prevents atherosclerosis and fatty liver by controlling lipid metabolism, the underlying mechanism may attributed to its anti-inflammation activity, regulation of the vascular smooth muscle function and intracellular calcium signaling.

Edaravone Attenuates the Proinflammatory Response in Amyloid-β-Treated Microglia by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated IL-1β Secretion

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Microglial activation is an important pathological feature in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides play a crucial role in microglial activation. In addition, edaravone (EDA) was recently shown to suppress oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokine production in APPswePS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice. However, the mechanism by which EDA inhibits the Aβ-induced proinflammatory response in microglia is poorly understood.

METHODS

The mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψm) was evaluated using JC-1 staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS levels were detected using CM-H2DCFDA and MitoSOXTM Red, respectively. The levels of CD11b, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1 and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD-2) were observed by western blotting, and the levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in culture supernatants were quantified using an ELISA kit.

RESULTS

Aβ induced microglia activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with ROS accumulation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Importantly, Aβ induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release in microglia. Moreover, EDA obviously attenuated the depolarization of ∆ψm, reduced mitochondria-derived ROS production and increased SOD-2 activity, resulting in the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β secretion in Aβ-treated microglia.

CONCLUSION

EDA is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on Aβ-treated microglia.

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA represses E-cadherin expression by binding to EZH2 in gastric cancer

AIM

To clarify the mechanisms of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) in gastric cancer (GC) migration and invasion.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of HOTAIR in GC tissues. The correlation of its expression with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC_ROC) was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of HOTAIR. Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect the biological effects of HOTAIR in GC cells. qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used for the analysis of EZH2 interactions with HOTAIR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to investigate direct interactions between EZH2 and E-cadherin.

RESULTS

The expression of HOTAIR was up-regulated in GC tumorous tissues compared with the para-tumorous tissues (P < 0.001). Its over-expression was correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.024), tumor invasion (P = 0.018), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.023), and poor prognosis (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed expression of HOTAIR as an independent predictor of overall survival (P = 0.033), together with TNM stage (P = 0.002) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002). The AUC_ROC was up to 0.709 (95%CI: 0.623-0.785, P < 0.001). Knockdown of HOTAIR by siRNA in GC cells suppressed the migration and invasion of GC cells. Significantly negative correlation between HOTAIR and E-cadherin was found in GC tissues and cell lines, and HOTAIR contributed to the regulation of E-cadherin through binding to EZH2 with the E-cadherin promoter.

CONCLUSION

HOTAIR may play a pivotal role in tumor cell migration and invasion. It can be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for GC.

Emticicia soli sp. nov., a novel member of the family 'Flexibacteraceae', isolated from tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil

Bacterial strain ZZ-4T, a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil in PR China. The taxonomic position of this strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-4T was a member of the genus Emticicia and showed the highest sequence similarity to Emticicia fontis IMCC1731T (98.0 %) and Emticicia ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T (97.2 %), and lower (<97 %) sequence similarity to other known Emticicia species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-4T possessed menaquinone MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone; and iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω5c were the predominant fatty acids. Strain ZZ-4T showed low DNA-DNA relatedness with E. fontis IMCC1731T (39.8±3.1 %) and E. ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T (44.51±1.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 38.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain ZZ-4T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Emticicia, for which the name Emticicia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZZ-4T (=KCTC 52344T=CCTCC AB 2016137T).

[Pathological insights of radiotherapy-related damage to surgical margin after preoperative radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer]

Objective: To investigate the effect of irradiation to anastomosis from preoperative radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer by studying the pathological changes. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients enrolled in the FOWARC study from January 2011 to July 2014 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were included. In the FOWARC study, enrolled patients with local advanced rectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive either neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Among these patients, 23 patients were selected as radiation proctitis (RP)group, who fulfilled these conditions: (1) received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy followed by sphincter-preserving surgery; (2) developed radiation proctitis as confirmed by preoperative imaging diagnosis; (3) had intact clinical samples of surgical margins. Twenty-three patients who had received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy but without development of radiation proctitis were selected as non-radiation proctitis (nRP) group. Meanwhile, 23 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy only were selected as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) group. Both nRP and CT cases were selected by ensuring the basic characteristics such as sex, age, tumor site, lengths of proximal margin and distal margin all maximally matched to the RP group. Both proximal and distal margins were collected for further analysis for all selected cases. Microscopy slices were prepared for hematoxylin & eosin staining and Masson staining to show general pathological changes, and also for immunohistochemistry with anti-CD-34 as primary antibody to reveal the microvessel. Microvessel counting in submucosal layer and proportion of macrovessel with stenosis were used to evaluate the blood supply of the proximal and distal end of anastomosis. A modified semi-quantitative grading approach was used to evaluate the severity of radiation-induced injury. Either ANOVA analysis, Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test or χ(2) test was used for comparison among three groups, and Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups. Results: Compared to group of neoadjuvant chemotherapy only, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy had lower microvessel count in both proximal and distal margins (M(Q(R)): proximal, 25.5 (19.6) vs. 50.0 (25.0), Z=3.915, P=0.000; distal, 20.5 (17.5) vs. 49.0 (28.0), Z=3.558, P=0.000), higher proportions of macrovessel with stenosis (proximal, 9.5% (23.8%) vs. 0, Z=3.993, P=0.000; distal, 11.5%(37.3%) vs. 0 (2.0%), Z=2.893, P=0.004), higher histopathologic score (proximal, 4.0 (2.0) vs. 1.0 (2.0), Z=6.123, P=0.000; distal, 5.0 (3.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0), Z=4.849, P=0.000). In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, compared to nRP group, RP group had lower microvessel count in both proximal and distal margins (proximal, 19.0 (23.0) vs. 30.4 (38.0), Z=2.845, P=0.004; distal, 19.0 (13.0) vs. 30.0(29.1), Z=2.022, P=0.043), higher proportions of macrovessel with stenosis (proximal, 23.0% (40.0%) vs. 0(11.0%), Z=3.248, P=0.001; distal, 27.0% (45.0%) vs. 3.0% (19.0%), Z=2.164, P=0.030). Rate of anastomotic leakage for CT, nRP and RP group were 8.7% (2/23), 30.4% (7/23), and 52.2% (12/23), and the differences among three groups were statistically significant (χ(2)=10.268, P=0.007). Conclusion: Radiation-induced injury existed on both margins of the resected rectal site after preoperative radiotherapy, and those diagnosed as radiation proctitis had more severe microvascular injury.

Terrimonas suqianensis sp. nov., isolated from a tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil

Strain C3-5^T, a Gram-negative, asporogenous, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from a tetrabromobisphenol A contaminated soil. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain C3-5^T is a member of the genus Terrimonas and exhibits high sequence similarities with Terrimonas pekingensis QH^T (99.0%) and Terrimonas rhizosphaerae CR94^T (97.3%), and exhibits low (<97%) sequence similarities with other known Terrimonas species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain C3-5^T possesses menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the major isoprenoid quinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c) as the major (>5% of total) fatty acids. The polar lipids were determined to be a lipid, glycolipid, phospholipid, phosphoaminolipid and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was found to be 42.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values with the closely related strains T. pekingensis QH^T and T. rhizosphaerae CR94^T were 25.2 and 48.5%, respectively. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, strain C3-5^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Terrimonas, for which the name Terrimonas suqianensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C3-5^T (= CCTCC AB 2017042^T = KCTC 52676^T).

[Clinical research about the consecutive pain and flubiprofen axetil analgesia following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty]

Objective:To evaluate the postoperative pain degree on OSAHS patients following UPPP, analyze the pain characteristic during seven consecutive days, and discuss the mechanism. To observe the analgesia effect by using flubiprofen axetil. Finally making a comprehensive understanding about UPPP perioperative period and providing more choices about analgesia treatment.Method:Fifty-five patients who underwent UPPP in the First Hospital of China Medical University were divided into analgesia group（n=30）and control group（n=25）.Normal saline 50 ml+ flubiprofen axetil 100 mg was used bid for pain relief in analgesia group during seven days following operation, and normal saline 50ml was used in control group.A visual analog scale(VAS) was used for measuring mean pain intensity each day during the period from operative day to the post-operative 7th day，scores were recorded. Continuous changes about pharynx pain were observed and VAS pain scores were compared betweenanalgesia groupand control group. Result:VAS pain scores were the highest on the operative day and the post-operative 1st day, median (interquartile range) was 7（5.5-8.25），7（6-8）respectively,then decreased gradually. The most significantly decrease happened on the post-operative 2nd and 5th day(P<0.01). Pain scores in analgesia group were most significantly lower than control group from the operative day to the post-operative 4th day(P<0.01), were lower during the post-operative 5th and 6th day(P<0.05),no difference on the post-operative 7th day. Conclusion:The most painful period following UPPP is from the operative day to the post-operative 1st day, then pain decreases gradually. The pain reduces significantly on the post-operative 2nd and 5,6th day.Surgical trauma, in flammatory reaction and suture pulling may be the reason of pain. Flubiprofen axetil effectively reduces pain and the suggested analgesia period is from the operative day to the post-operative 4th-6th day.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine and propofol for conscious sedation in inguinal hernia repair: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Objective The ideal agents for conscious sedation during ambulatory inguinal hernia repair are still unclear. We aimed to compare the analgesic, sedative, haemodynamic, and side effects of dexmedetomidine with those of propofol in combination with fentanyl for conscious sedation in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Methods Eighty patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair were prospectively randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (n = 40) or propofol (n = 40). Dexmedetomidine and propofol dosages were adjusted to maintain the targeted level of sedation. Results After administration of sedative drugs, patients who received dexmedetomidine had a significantly lower heart rate. The intraoperative requirement of fentanyl was significantly lower in patients who received dexmedetomidine compared with patients who received propofol. Administration of dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced postoperative pain score, longer time for onset of sedation, and a slightly longer recovery time. No serious adverse events occurred in either group. The patients' overall satisfaction score was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine is an effective adjuvant when co-administered with fentanyl for conscious sedation in patients who undergo inguinal hernia repair. Administration of dexmedetomidine decreases the requirement of fentanyl and the pain score, but slightly prolongs the time to sedation and recovery.

A coumarin-based colorimetric and fluorescent dual probe for palladium(ii) ions that can be used in live cells

The new sensor containing oxime-ether can detect Pd²⁺with high sensitivity and high selectivity in aqueous medium.

Analysis of symptom clusters in Chinese cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the common symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone, chemorachothierapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy, and evaluate differences among multi-modality treatment in these symptom clusters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three patients diagnosed with cervical cancer were recruited to the survey, in which destination time was the fourth friday of radiotherapy. Symptoms of patients were evaluated by the Chinese version of the 13-item M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI).

RESULTS

Among the symptoms, lack of appetite was the most common and the most severe symptome, treatment modalities may have important effects on symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results offer valuable information for the future development treatment-based symptom cluster intervention.

[Influencing factors for duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in children with influenza A]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the features and duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in children with influenza A.

METHODS

The clinical data of 90 children with influenza A with positive influenza A virus nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swab detected by PCR were collected, and these children were divided into simple influenza A group (n=10), influenza A-pneumonia group (n=61), influenza A-nervous system damage group (n=10), and influenza A-underlying disease group (n=9). A retrospective analysis was performed for clinical features, treatment process, duration of viral nucleic acid shedding, and prognosis.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms in these children were fever (89/90, 99%), cough (89/90, 99%), running nose (69/90, 77%), shortness of breath (26/90, 29%), and myalgia (23/90, 26%). The mean duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in 90 children was 9.4±2.9 days. The simple influenza A group had a significantly shorter duration of viral nucleic acid shedding than the influenza A-pneumonia, influenza A-nervous system damage, and influenza A-underlying disease groups (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the influenza A-pneumonia, influenza A-nervous system damage, and influenza A-underlying disease groups (p>0.05). The children who received antiviral therapy within 48 hours after disease onset had significantly shorter duration of viral nucleic acid shedding and time to body temperature recovery than those who received antiviral therapy more than 48 hours after disease onset (p<0.05). Of all the children with body temperature recovery, 83% still tested positive for viral nucleic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications, underlying diseases, and timing of antiviral therapy are influencing factors for the duration of influenza A virus nucleic acid shedding, and whether body temperature returns to normal cannot be used to decide whether to continue antiviral therapy.

[Effect of three kinds of modelling of mandible on the finite element analysis of implant]

Objective: To investigate the effect of three types of material homogeneities(isotropy, transverse isotropy, and orthotropy) of mandible on the finite element analysis of implant. Methods: Three-dimensional model of complete mandible containing an implant was constructed and analyzed with isotropic, transversely isotropic, and orthotropic models, respectively. Results: The effective stress, tensile stress, and compressive stress of cortical bone of the orthogonal model were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.1 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective stress, tensile stress, and compressive stress of cancellous bone of the orthogonal model were 1.6, 2.6, and 3.3 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective strain, tensile strain, and compressive strain of cortical bone of the transversely isotropic model were 1.1, 1.0, and 1.1 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective strain, tensile strain, and compressive strain of cortical bone of the orthogonal model were 2.2, 1.8, and 1.7 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The stress and strain of cancellous bone increased when the material homogeneity changed from isotropy to transverse isotropy and to orthotropy. Moreover, in term of stress and strain distribution, the orthotropic modelling of mandible was most uniform followed by the transverse isotropy and the isotropy. Conclusions: In the finite element analysis of implant system, the orthotropic property of the mandible can not be neglected.

The efficacy of thymosin α1 as immunomodulatory treatment for sepsis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Thymosin α1 (Tα1) as immunomodulatory treatment is supposed to be beneficial for the sepsis patients by regulating T cell subsets and inflammatory mediators. However, limited by the small sample size and the poor study design, the persuasive power of the single clinical studies is weak. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of Tα1 on the sepsis patients.

METHODS

We searched for the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM, VIP, CNKI, WANFANG, Igaku Chuo Zasshi (ICHUSHI) and Korean literature databases reporting the effects of Tα1 on outcomes in sepsis patients.

RESULTS

Among 444 related articles, 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met our inclusion criteria. Mortality events were reported in 10 RCTs included 530 patients, and the meta-analysis showed significant decrease in Tα1 group compared with control group (RR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.45 to 0.77, p = 0.0001). The subgroup analysis showed no difference between the two dosages (RR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.43 to 0.81; RR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.35 to 0.98, respectively). In 9 RCTs, with a total of 489 patients, Tα1 administered once per day decrease APACHE II score significantly (SMD -0.80, 95 % CI -1.14 to -0.47, p < 0.0001) while Tα1 twice per day showed no effect (SMD 0.30, 95 % CI-0.10 to 0.70, p = 0.14). However, the length of ICU stay, the incidence of multiple organ failure (MOF) and duration of mechanical ventilation were not significantly affected by Tα1 treatment (SMD -0.52, 95 % CI -1.06 to 0.11, p = 0.06; SMD -0.49, 95 % CI -1.09 to 0.11, p = 0.11; SMD -0.37, 95 % CI -0.90 to 0.17, p = 0.17, respectively). As to the immunological indicators, the level of HLA-DR were increased by Tα1 (SMD 1.23, 95 % CI 0.28 to 2.18, p = 0.01) according to the pooled analysis of 8 studies involving 721 patients. Lymphocyte subsets CD3, CD4 and cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were also beneficially affected by Tα1 treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Tα1 may be beneficial to sepsis patients in reducing mortality and modulating inflammation reactions. However, the quality of evidence supporting the effectiveness is low considering the small sample sizes and inadequate adherence to standardized reporting guidelines for RCTs among the included studies.

[The reliability of electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of dentin sialophosphoprotein in gingival crevicular fluid]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the reliability of electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for the detection of dentin sialophosphoprotein(DSPP)in gingival crevicular fluid(GCF)of orthodontic patients.

METHODS

GCF were collected from the orthodontic patients, and then the amount of DSPP in GCF were detected by electrochemical ELISA and spectroscopic ELISA respectively. The difference between the results of two methods were analyzed.

RESULTS

In electrochemical ELISA, the second order derivative linear sweep voltammetric peak current was linear with DSPP concentration in the range from 0.25-800.00 ng/L. It was found that the detection limit of the electrochemical method(0.25 ng/L)was much lower than that of the spectroscopic method. The paired-samples rank sum test showed no significant difference between the DSPP concentrations in human GCF samples measured by spectroscopic ELISA procedure and those measured by electrochemical ELISA procedure(P=0.063).

CONCLUSIONS

Electrochemical ELISA is a viable way of detecting DSPP in GCF with higher sensitivity than spectroscopic ELISA.

Associations between uterine fibroids and obstetric outcomes in twin pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

To examine potential associations between the presence of fibroids and obstetric outcomes in twin pregnancies.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study compared obstetric outcomes between individuals with twin pregnancies who did and did not have fibroids. Patients were considered for inclusion if they underwent first-trimester ultrasonography examination, and went on to deliver at the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital between September 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014. Participants were grouped based on the presence or absence of fibroids and baseline demographics, fibroid characteristics, and obstetric outcomes were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In total, 153 patients with twin pregnancies were recruited; 51 had fibroids and 102 did not. Patients in the fibroid group demonstrated a higher maternal age (P<0.001), higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (P=0.01), and higher rate of assisted reproductive technology use (P=0.04). The presence of fibroids was not associated with any change in obstetric outcomes, and obstetric outcomes were unaffected by the number, size, location, and type of fibroids (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Fibroids were not a risk factor for any adverse obstetric outcomes among patients with twin pregnancies.

[Clinical and electroencephalographic analysis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDAR encephalitis) in children.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and EEG data of 105 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis treated in Beijing Children's Hospital (August 2011-March 2015). Of the 105 patients, 38 were male and 67 were female.The age of onset was from 6 months and 26 days to 15 years and 8 months (average (8±4)years). The time for confirmed diagnosis was from 4 days to 850 days (median 24.5 days). According to the modified Rankin scales, the patient's clinical conditions were assessed and underwent continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring.The data were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULT

Based on the severity of the disease, the 105 patients were divided into three groups: mild group (12 cases), moderate group (65 cases), and severe group (28 cases). There were 91 cases(86.7%)with abnormal EEG patterns, including 28 cases (26.7%) with slow background activity in EEG, 25 cases (23.8%) with generalized or diffuse slow waves, 33 cases (31.4%) had focal slow waves, 41 cases (39.0%) had epileptic waves; 10 cases (9.5%) showed unilateral or diffuse alpha-theta band rhythms in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, 7 cases (6.7%) showed extreme delta brush waves (EDB). Accordingly, the number of patients with abnormal EEG in mild, moderate and severe groups was 5, 58 (89.2%) and 28(100.0%). Seven patients with EDB phenomenon were all in the severe group, and 10 patients with abnormal alpha-theta band rhythms were in the moderate group.

CONCLUSION

In children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, the EEG patterns are in line with the changes of EEG in general encephalitis.The extent of EEG abnormalities correlates with the clinical severity of the disease. Extreme delta brush and alpha-theta band rhythms may be suggestive of diagnosis and clinical assessment of the disease.

SSR-based association mapping of salt tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with salt tolerance in cotton contributes to molecular assisted selection (MAS), which can improve the efficiency of traditional breeding. In this study, 134 samples of upland cotton cultivars were selected. The seedling emergence rates were tested under 0.3% NaCl stress. A total of 74 SSR markers were used to scan the genomes of these samples. To identify SSR markers associated with salt tolerance, an association analysis was performed between salt tolerance and SSR markers using TASSEL 2.1, based on the analysis of genetic structure using Structure 2.3.4. The results showed that the seedling emergence rates of 134 cultivars were significantly different, and 27 salt-sensitive and 10 salt-tolerant cultivars were identified. A total of 148 loci were found in 74 SSR markers involving 246 allelic variations, which ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 3.32 per SSR marker. The gene diversity ranged from 0.0295 to 0.4959, with the average being 0.2897. The polymorphic information content ranged from0.0290 to 0.3729, with the average being 0.2381. This natural population was classified into two subgroups by Structure 2.3.4, containing 89 and 45 samples, respectively. Finally, eight SSR sites associated with salt tolerance ware found through an association analysis, with the rate of explanation ranging from 2.91 to 7.82% and an average of 4.32%. These results provide reference data for the use MAS for salt tolerance in cotton.

Sestrin2 protects the myocardium against radiation-induced damage

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Sestrin2 in response to radiation-induced injury to the heart and on the cardiomyopathy development in the mouse. Mice with genetic deletion of the Sestrin2 (Sestrin2 knockout mice [Sestrin2 KO]) and treatment with irradiation (22 or 15 Gy) were used as independent approaches to determine the role of Sestrin2. Echocardiography (before and after isoproterenol challenge) and left ventricular (LV) catheterization were performed to evaluate changes in LV dimensions and function. Masson's trichrome was used to assess myocardial fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the capillary density. After 22 or 15 Gy irradiation, the LV ejection fraction (EF) was impaired in wt mice at 1 week and 4 months after irradiation when compared with sham irradiation. Compared to wt mice, Sestrin2 KO mice had significant reduction in reduced LVEF at 1 week and 4 months after irradiation. A significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and myocardial fibrosis and a significant decrease in capillary density were observed in irradiation-wt mice, as well as in irradiation-Sestrin2 KO mice. Sestrin2 involved in the regulation of cardiomyopathy (such as myocardial fibrosis) after irradiation. Overexpression of Sestrin2 might be useful in limiting radiation-induced myocardial injury.

Radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases: A randomized, placebo-controlled study

PURPOSE

Median survival of patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer is poor. This study was to investigate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole combined with whole-brain radiotherapy of multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-four patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer were included: the study group (n=32) received whole-brain radiotherapy combined with sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30minutes before radiotherapy, three times a week; the control group (n=32) only received whole-brain radiotherapy. The primary end point was central nervous system (CNS) progression-free survival and overall survival. The treatment-related toxicity was also recorded.

RESULTS

The CNS disease control rate was better (90.6% vs 65.6%, P=0.016) in the study group than in the control group at 3 month of follow-up. The median CNS progression-free survival time was longer in the study group than in the control group (7.0 months vs 4.0 months, P=0.038). There was no significant difference of the median overall survival time between the study group and the control group (11.0 months vs 9.0 months, P=0.418). On the other hand, the treatment-related toxicity showed no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that sodium glycididazole was an effective, promising radiation-enhancing agent that improved CNS disease control rate, extended the median CNS progression-free survival time and was well tolerated in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases.

Roseomonas chloroacetimidivorans sp. nov., a chloroacetamide herbicide-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, pink-pigmented, non-motile bacterium, designated BUT-13(T), was isolated from activated sludge of an herbicide-manufacturing wastewater treatment facility in Jiangsu province, China. Growth was observed at 0-5.5 % NaCl, pH 6.0-9.0 and 12-37 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BUT-13(T) is a member of the genus Roseomonas, and shows high sequence similarities to R. pecuniae N75(T) (98.0 %) and R. rosea 173-96(T) (97.5 %), and lower (<97 %) sequence similarities to all other Roseomonas species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain BUT-13(T) possesses Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone; summed feature 8 (C18:1 w7c and/or C18:1 w6c; 38.8 %), C18:0 (16.6 %), C16:0 (15.2 %), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7; 7.9 %) and C18:1 w9c (4.7 %) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids were found to consist of two aminolipids, a glycolipid, a phospholipid, a phosphoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain BUT-13(T) showed low DNA-DNA relatedness with R. pecuniae N75(T) (45.2 %) and R. rosea 173-96(T) (51.2 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.6 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and chemotaxonomic analysis, as well as biochemical characteristics, strain BUT-13(T) can be clearly distinguished from all currently recognised Roseomonas species and should be classified as a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas chloroacetimidivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-13(T) (CCTCC AB 2015299(T) = JCM 31050(T)).

Developmental methylation pattern regulates porcine GPR120 expression

DNA methylation is an important component of the epigenetic machinery and plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation. It mostly occurs in CpG abundant regions, known as CpG islands (CGIs). G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) functions as an omega-3 fatty acid receptor and is involved in multiple-biological processes, including lipogenesis. Herein, we show that GPR120 is highly expressed in porcine mature adipose tissue and is positively associated with adipose tissue development (r = 0.86, P < 0.01). We also predicted 5 CGIs across the GPR120 genomic sequence and investigated their methylation status using the MassArray approach. Our results show that these CGIs exhibit significantly different methylation states (P(CGI) < 0.01), and that the DNA methylation of GPR120 5ꞌ-untranslated and first exon regions can negatively regulate its expression levels. This study will aid further investigations on the epigenetic mechanism regulating GPR120 expression.

Binding between Saikosaponin C and Human Serum Albumin by Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Molecular Docking

Saikosaponin C (SSC) is one of the major active constituents of dried Radix bupleuri root (Chaihu in Chinese) that has been widely used in China to treat a variety of conditions, such as liver disease, for many centuries. The binding of SSC to human serum albumin (HSA) was explored by fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), UV-vis spectrophotometry, and molecular docking to understand both the pharmacology and the basis of the clinical use of SSC/Chaihu. SSC produced a concentration-dependent quenching effect on the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA, accompanied by a blue shift in the fluorescence spectra. The Stern-Volmer equation showed that this quenching was dominated by static quenching. The binding constant of SSC with HSA was 3.72 × 10³ and 2.99 × 10³ L·mol(-1) at 26 °C and 36 °C, respectively, with a single binding site on each SSC and HSA molecule. Site competitive experiments demonstrated that SSC bound to site I (subdomain IIA) and site II (subdomain IIIA) in HSA. Analysis of thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were mostly responsible for SSC-HSA association. The energy transfer efficiency and binding distance between SSC and HSA was calculated to be 0.23 J and 2.61 nm at 26 °C, respectively. Synchronous fluorescence and CD measurements indicated that SSC affected HSA conformation in the SSC-HSA complex. Molecular docking supported the experimental findings in conformational changes, binding sites and binding forces, and revealed binding of SSC at the interface between subdomains IIA-IIB.

Sodium glycididazole enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells through downregulation of ATM signaling pathway

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole, and the corresponding mechanisms of action on laryngeal cancer cells. Two laryngeal cancer cell lines (Hep-2 and UT-SCC-19A) were irradiated with X-rays in the presence or absence of sodium glycididazole. Cell survival, DNA damage and repair, cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, expression of proteins related to cell cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis were measured. Significantly increased DNA damages, decreased cells in the G1 phase, arrested cells at G2/M phase, decreased DNA repair protein XRCC1 foci formation, and enhanced cell apoptosis were observed in laryngeal cell lines treated by sodium glycididazole combined with irradiation compared with the irradiation alone. The combined treatment downregulated the protein expressions of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), p-ATM, CHK2, and P53 but upregulated the protein expressions of MDM2 and Cdk2. This study indicates that sodium glycididazole enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells through downregulation of ATM signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Estimation of the benchmark dose of urinary cadmium as the reference level for renal dysfunction: a large sample study in five cadmium polluted areas in China

BACKGROUND

Itai-itai disease primarily results from cadmium (Cd) exposure and is known as one of the four major pollution diseases in Japan. Cd pollution is more serious in several areas of China than in Japan. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the threshold level of Cd exposure for the adverse health effects in the general Chinese population. This study aims to evaluate the reference value of urinary Cd (UCd) for renal dysfunction in a Chinese population as the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) based on a large sample survey.

METHODS

A total of 6103 participants who lived in five Cd polluted areas of China participated in this study. We analyzed UCd levels as a biomarker of exposure and urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) levels as a renal tubular effect biomarker. The BMD studies were performed using BMD software. The benchmark response (BMR) was defined as a 10% additional risk above the background.

RESULTS

There was a positive correlation between the UCd levels and the prevalence of Uβ2-MG. The BMD of UCd for Uβ2-MG was estimated for each province. The findings showed that the BMD levels were related to the participants' geographic region, which may be partially due to the large differences in Cd exposure level, ethnic group, lifestyle and diet of the sample population in these study areas. The reference level of UCd for the renal effects was further evaluated by combining the five sets of data from all 6103 subjects. The overall BMDLs of UCd for Uβ2-MG with an excess risk of 10% were 2.00 μg/g creatinine (μg/g cr) in males and 1.69 μg/g cr in females, which were significantly lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold level of 5 μg/g cr for Cd-related renal effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The selection of the sample population and geographic region affected the BMDL evaluation. Based on the findings of this survey of a large sample population, the UCd BMDLs for Uβ2-MG in males with BMRs at 10% were 2.00 μg/g cr. The BMD was slightly lower in females, which indicated that females may be relatively more sensitive to Cd exposure than males.