[Establishment of hysteroscopic scoring system of chronic endometritis and correlative analysis with pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in infertile patients]

Objective: To establish a hysteroscopic chronic endometritis (hCE) scoring system for patients with chronic endometritis, and observe the correlation of hCE score with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) pregnancy outcomes in infertile women. Methods: The study retrospectively investigated the correlation of morphologic features and hCE score with pregnancy outcomes during IVF-ET in infertile women with CE (n=429) at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between January 2017 and September 2018. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with different score levels (1-3,4-7 and 8-14) after IVF-ET treatment were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors. The correlation and regression between hCE score and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by curve fitting. Results: The age of 429 patients [M(Q₁, Q₃)] was 31 (29, 35) years. There were 50.6% (217 cases), 35.4% (152 cases), and 14.0% (60 cases) of patients with hCE score of 1-3, 4-7, and 8-14, respectively. The pregnancy rates of the three groups were 60.8% (132 cases), 44.7% (68 cases) and 16.7% (10 cases), P<0.001; The live birth rates were 51.2% (111 cases), 36.8% (56 cases) and 13.3% (8 cases), respectively (P<0.001). Compared with patients with hCE of 1-3, pregnancy rates in those with hCE of 4-7 and 8-14 were lower, and the OR values were 0.521 (0.342-0.793) and 0.129 (0.062-0.268). The live birth rates in patients with hCE of 4-7 and 8-14 were lower than that in patients with hCE of 1-3, and the OR values were 0.570 (0.372-0.873) and 0.162 (0.073-0.360), all P<0.05. Quadratic curve fitting results showed that clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate decreased with the increase of hCE score. Conclusions: With the increase of hCE score, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of patients gradually decrease. hCE 4 is an important cut-off threshold significantly affecting the pregnancy outcome.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm accelerated/blast phase]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm-accelerated phase/blast phase (MPN-AP/BP) . Methods: A total of 67 patients with MPN-AP/BP were enrolled from February 2014 to December 2021 at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Their clinical features and prognostic factors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: ① Sixty-seven patients with MPN-AP/BP with a median age of 60 (range, 33-75) years, including 31 males (46.3% ) and 36 females (53.7% ) , were analyzed. Forty-eight patients progressed from primary myelofibrosis (PMF) , and 19 progressed from other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) , which included polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and MPN unclassifiable. Patients who progressed from PMF had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels than those who progressed from other MPNs (925.95 vs. 576.2 U/L, P=0.011) , and there were higher proportions of patients who progressed from PMF with splenomegaly (81.4% vs. 57.9% , P=0.05) , a myelofibrosis grade of ≥2 (93.6% vs. 63.2% , P=0.004) , and a shorter duration from diagnosis to the transformation to AP/BP (28.7 vs. 81 months, P=0.001) . ② JAK2V617F, CALR, and MPLW515 were detected in 41 (61.2% ) , 13 (19.4% ) , and 3 (4.5% ) patients, respectively, whereas 10 (14.9% ) patients did not have any driver mutations (triple-negative) . Other than driver mutations, the most frequently mutated genes were ASXL1 (42.2% , n=27) , SRSF2 (25% , n=16) , SETBP1 (22.6% , n=15) , TET2 (20.3% , n=13) , RUNX1 (20.3% , n=13) , and TP53 (17.2% , n=11) . The ASXL1 mutation was more enriched (51.1% vs. 21.1% , P=0.03) , and the median variant allele fraction (VAF) of the SRSF2 mutation (median VAF, 48.8% vs. 39.6% ; P=0.008) was higher in patients who progressed from PMF than those who progressed from other MPNs. ③ In the multivariate analysis, the complex karyotype (hazard ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-6.05; P=0.036) was independently associated with worse overall survival (OS) . Patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) (median OS, 21.3 vs. 3 months; P=0.05) or acute myeloid leukemia-like (AML-like) therapy (median OS, 13 vs. 3 months; P=0.011) had significantly better OS than those who received supportive therapy. Conclusion: The proportions of patients with PMF-AP/BP with splenomegaly, myelofibrosis grade ≥2, a higher LDH level, and a shorter duration from diagnosis to the transformation to AP/BP were higher than those of patients with other Philadelphia-negative MPN-AP/BP. The complex karyotype was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Compared with supportive therapy, AML-like therapy and allo-HSCT could prolong the OS of patients with MPN-AP/BP.

The efficacy and safety of pulsed-field ablation in para-Hisian paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: first-in-human pilot trial

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program of China

Background

Para-Hisian paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is associated with a higher risk of atrioventricular block due to proximity of the His bundle during catheter ablation. Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) with high tissue selectivity may be a promising technique for catheter ablation in patients with para-Hisian PSVT.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PFA for para-Hisian PSVT.

Methods

This investigator-initiated, single-center, single-arm, prospective study was the first in-human pilot phase to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel PFA system in patients with PSVT. Patients diagnosed with para-Hisian PSVT via electrophysiological examination were included and treated with PFA. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve acute ablation success. The secondary outcome was ablation success and safety after 3 months.

Results

A total of seven patients with a mean age of 49.4±13.1 years were included and underwent PFA. Acute ablation success was achieved in all seven patients. The skin-to-skin procedure time was 135.0±17.7 minutes, fluoroscopy time was 4.3±1.6 minutes, and the number of PFA applications was 7±1.6. No adverse events occurred in any patient during the ablation or during the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion

PFA had favorable efficacy and safety in para-Hisian PSVT patients and can help minimize the risk of inadvertent atrioventricular block during ablation. PFA may be a favorable treatment choice for patients with para-Hisian PSVT.

[Effect of neuregulin-1 on cardiac glucose metabolism in rats with experimental myocardial infarction]

Objective: To investigate the effect of neuregulin-1(NRG-1) on cardiac glucose metabolism in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with experimental myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham-operated group, MI group, and MI+NRG1 group. The rat MI model was established via ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Two weeks after operation, echocardiography was performed, MI rats with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 0.3-0.5 were selected and randomly assigned to MI group and MI+NRG-1 group. Rats in MI+NRG-1 group were treated with recombinant human NRG-1β (100 μg/kg) via tail vein at 2 weeks after operation (twice per week for 6 weeks); while rats in sham-operated group and MI group received equal volume of physiological saline. By the end of administration, echocardiography and small animal positron emission tomography (PET) were performed to detect cardiac function and myocardial glucose uptake. Myocardial morphology and collagen volume fraction, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated by histopathologic analysis. Myocardial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and citrate synthase (CS) activity, as well as ATP production were detected by commercial kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of NRG-1, p-ErbB4, and key factors involved in glucose metabolism (including Glut-4, HK2, PDK4, PDH, CS) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assay, respectively. Results: With the MI model successfully established, the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular shortening fraction(LVFS) were significantly lower in MI group and MI+NRG-1 group than that in sham group (both P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between MI group and MI+NRG-1 group(all P>0.05). After 6 weeks of NRG-1β intervention, the LVEF and LVFS were significantly higher in MI+NRG-1 group than in MI group (both P<0.01). By the end of experiment, PET imaging showed that the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) were lower in MI+NRG-1 group than in the sham group (4.06±0.28 vs. 5.18±0.37, P<0.01), while significantly higher than that in MI group (4.06±0.28 vs.2.86±0.49, P<0.01). Histopathological analysis showed that compared with MI group, rats in MI+NRG-1 group exhibited significantly decreased left ventricle collagen volume fraction ((7.83±1.24) % vs. (18.31±3.58) %, P<0.01), cardiomyocyte apoptosis((37.98±4.26)% vs. (67.04±5.38)%, P<0.01), and DHE fluorescence intensity(0.057 28±0.007 06 vs. 0.076 94±0.008 46, P<0.01), indicating that NRG-1β could reduce ROS production. PDH activity, CS activity, and ATP production were significantly higher in MI+NRG-1 group than in MI group (all P<0.05). qRT-PCR demonstrated an upregulated Glut-4, HK2 and CS, but downregulated PDK4 mRNA expression in MI+NRG-1 group compared with MI group (all P<0.01). Western blot assay showed significantly higher protein expression of NRG-1, p-ErbB4, Glut-4, HK2, PDH, CS in MI+NRG-1 group than in MI group (all P<0.01). Conclusion: NRG-1 could improve glucose uptake and utilization in myocardium by activating phosphorylation of myocardial ErbB4 receptor in MI rats, thus providing a therapeutic option for improving energy metabolism after MI.

[Efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules in the treatment of influenza: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-drug parallel control multicenter clinical trial]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Kangbingdu granules (KBD) in the treatment of influenza. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive-drug parallel control trial was conducted in 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China and the subjects were randomly assigned to the KBD test group or the oseltamivir phosphate capsule control group at a ratio of 1∶1. 200 subjects were planned to be enrolled in each group. The experimental group was given KBD (18g each time, 3 times a day) and oseltamivir phosphate simulator orally, while the control group was given oseltamivir phosphate capsule (75 mg each time, twice a day) and KBD simulator orally for 5 days. The primary efficacy indicators included the remission time of major clinical symptoms and the time of complete defervescence. The secondary efficacy indicators included dosage of acetaminophen, the change of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and the remission time of other important clinical symptoms. The efficacy of KBD in the test group and Oseltamivir phosphate control group were compared. Adverse events or adverse reactions were observed at the same time to evaluate the safety of KBD Granules. Results: A total of 393 subjects from 27 Grade ⅢA hospitals in China were enrolled. The experimental group included 195 subjects and 191 subjects (97.95%) completed the trial, While the control group included 198 subjects and 195 subjects (98.48%) completed the trial. There was no significant difference in the shedding rate and rejection rate between the two groups (P>0.05). In the Full Analysis Set (FAS), the mean age of the experimental group was (34.9±14.4) years old, with 83 males (42.78%). The mean age of the control group was (33.3±13.5) years old, with 78 males (39.59%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in demographic data, physical examination, viral pathogen detection, total score of TCM syndromes and scores of each symptom at baseline (P>0.05). In the FAS, the remission time M (Q₁, Q₃) of major clinical symptoms was 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the experimental group and 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) days in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The time M (Q₁, Q₃) of complete defervescence was 34.0 (20.3, 49.0) hours in the experimental group and 36.5 (19.6, 48.8) hours in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). KBD granules had the same effect as Oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P>0.05) in terms of acetaminophen dosage, TCM syndrome effect and disappearance rate of most important clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, the disappearance rate of dizziness and chest distress on day 3 in the KBD granules group was better than that of oseltamivir phosphate capsule (P<0.05). Conclusion: KBD granules have the same efficacy as Oseltamivir Phosphate capsule in the treatment of influenza and the drug safety is good.

microRNA-23B inhibits non-small cell lung cancer proliferation, invasion and migration via downregulation of RUNX2 and inhibition of Wnt/Β-catenin signaling pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been reported to play significant roles in the progression of human tumors, however, the expression and biological role of miR-23b in NSCLC remains elusive. Underexpression of miR-23b was detected in NSCLC tissues in comparison with the matched para-carcinoma tissues. The clinical value of miR-23b was analyzed, and the findings showed that miR-23b expression was negatively correlated with poor overall survival and malignant clinicopathologic characteristics of NSCLC patients. Furthermore, functional assays demonstrated that overexpression of miR-23b inhibited NSCLC cell viability, invasion and migration. Luciferase reporter assay and qRT-PCR revealed that RUNX2 was a functional target of miR-23b. The elevated expression of RUNX2 was positively correlated with overall survival of NSCLC patients. Additionally, Western blot analysis indicated that EMT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were blocked by the upregulation of miR-23b. Taken together, these data demonstrated that dysregulation of miR-23b/RUNX2 signal may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.

MiR-20a promotes lung tumorigenesis by targeting RUNX3 via TGF-β signaling pathway

MiR-20a shows a significant role in the development of various human tumors. However, its specific biological function in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not clear. qRT-PCR was applied for detecting miR-20a expression. The analysis of cell growth and apoptosis were performed by MTT, xenograft models, Western blot assays. Dual luciferase reporter, Western blotting and qRT-PCR were carried out to verify the potential target of miR-20a. In NSCLC tissues and cells, miR-20a was highly expressed and RUNX3 was lowly expressed. Moreover, up-regulation of miR-20a expression promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, while low-expression of miR-20a showed the converse case on cell proliferation, invasion and migration. RUNX3 was verified as the direct target of miR-20a and it could overturn its biological function in NSCLC cells. Moreover, miR-20a negatively regulated RUNX3 expression. Mechanistically, increasing miR-20a expression inhibited RUNX3 expression and then activated the TGF-β signaling pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrated that re-expression of miR-20a promoted lung tumorigenesis by down-regulation of RUNX3 and facilitating the activation of TGF-β signaling pathway.

[Comparison of radiological and clinicopathological features of craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and radiological features of benign fibro-osseous lesion (BFOL). Methods: Sixty-five cases of craniofacial BFOL, eight cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) and one case of low-grade central osteosarcoma diagnosed at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2010 and March 2019 were collected. The clinicopathologic features, hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and radiographic features were analyzed. MDM2 gene amplification was detected by FISH in difficult borderline cases. Results: This cohort of BFOLs included 50 cases of fibrous dysplasia (FD), 12 cases of ossifying fibroma (OF), and three cases of juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (JPOF). The average ages of patients with FD,OF and JPOF were 31.7, 39.2 and 26.0 years respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.0∶1.8.The average age of POF was 47.0 years, with male to female ratio of 1∶7. Patient of low-grade central osteosarcoma was a 48-year-old man. Twenty-seven cases of FD were located in the jaw, and 23 cases were in other craniofacial bones. Nine cases of OF were located in the jaw, and three cases were in the nasal cavity. Two cases of JPOF were in the nasal sinus, and one was in the jaw. All POF were located in the gingiva, and low-grade central osteosarcoma was located in the mandible. The imaging features of FD were luffa-like or ground-glass like signal shadows with poorly defined borders with expansion. OF had clear borders or sclerosing margins. Both JOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma were expansile intraosseously and with focally invasive nodular masses with ground-glass like signal shadows; and POF showed soft tissue mass with bone formation. Histological features of BFOLs showed mixed fibrous and irregular osteoid lesions. FD had no clear relationship with the host bone and no osteoblasts surrounded the bone trabeculae. Osteoblasts rimming was found in OF, and the boundaries of the host bone were clear. JPOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma infiltrated the host bone focally, and the latter showed mild cellular atypia. MDM2 amplification was detected in low-grade central osteosarcoma. Conclusions: BFOLs are a group of fibro-osseous lesions with similar morphology in the head and neck and face, but their clinical features and prognosis are different; and their imaging and histological characteristics are also slightly different. Attentions should be given to the combination of clinical, imaging and pathologic features of BFOLs, especially the differential diagnosis between BFOLs and low-grade central osteosarcoma. Molecular detection could be used to assist the diagnosis in difficult cases.

Differential protein analysis of Heracleum moellendorffii Hance seeds during stratification

Heracleum moellendorffii Hance is a medicinal vegetable species, and the seed dormancy of this species has caused many agricultural problems. One stratification technique involves alternating layers of seeds and substrate to allow post-ripening of dormant seeds under appropriate environmental conditions and to release dormancy. Non-stratified seeds (NS), cotyledon-stage-embryo seeds (CS) and germinated seeds (GS) represent key stages of H. moellendorffii seeds during stratification. To better understand the breaking of dormancy caused by stratification, tandem mass tag (TMT) mass spectrometry (MS)/MS was used to detect proteins among NS, CS and GS. A total of 876 proteins were identified, which were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The results showed that carbohydrate metabolic processes, responses to stress and ribosome biogenesis were the main biological processes. The changes in protein accumulation were validated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that starch, sucrose, pyruvate and fatty acid metabolism played significant roles and that the contents of stored substances were gradually degraded during stratification. This study provides a theoretical basis in terms of proteomics for exploring the post-ripening and germination of H. moellendorffii seeds.

Characteristics of Pediococcus pentosaceus Q6 isolated from Elymus nutans growing on the Tibetan Plateau and its application for silage preparation at low temperature

AIMS

Characteristics of a strain Pediococcus pentosaceus Q6 isolated from Elymus nutans growing on the Tibetan plateau and its effects on E. nutans silage fermentation stored at low temperature were investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sugar fermentation pattern and growth profiles of the strain Q6 and its reference strain APP were characterized. The strain Q6 and APP were inoculated to E. nutans at ensiling respectively; and ensiled at different temperatures (10, 15 and 25°C) for 30, 60 and 90 days. The results indicated that Q6 could grow at pH 3·0 and at 4°C. In contrast to APP, Q6 could ferment mannitol, saccharose, sorbitol and rhamnose. Lower pH in Q6-treated silages fermented for 60 days at 10 and 15°C was found compared with the control and APP-treated groups. For the silages that were stored at 10 or 15°C, the greatest lactic acid content were detected in Q6-inoculated silages ensiled for 30 and 60 days respectively. There were no differences in pH and lactic acid content between Q6- and APP-treated silages ensiled at 10 and 15°C for 90 days respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Inoculation of the strain P. pentosaceus Q6 could improve fermentation quality of ensiled E. nutans at the early stage of ensiling stored at low temperature (10 or 15°C).

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The selection of P. pentosaceus inoculants for improving silage quality at low temperature, which provides a candidate strain to make high-quality silage in regions with frigid climate.

Dietary butylated hydroxytoluene improves lipid metabolism, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic response of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

A 10-week growth trail was conducted to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of dietary butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) by evaluating inflammation, apoptosis and hepatic disease related to oxidative stress in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four experimental diets were prepared with BHT supplement levels of 0 (B0), 150 (B150), 300 (B300) and 1500 (B1500) mg/kg, in which B150 was at the maximum recommended level established by European Union Regulation, and the B300 and B1500 levels were 2 and 10-fold of B150, respectively. Each diet was fed to 6 replicates with 30 largemouth bass (initial body weight, IBW = 6.20 ± 0.01 g) in each tank. The BHT inclusion level did not affect the specific growth rate, but fish in the B150 group showed the lowest feed conversion rate (P < 0.05). BHT inclusion significantly decreased the levels of plasma TC, TG, LDL, ALT and AKP, and increased the (HDL-C)/TC ratio (P < 0.05). Plasma MDA was significantly decreased in the B150 group and GSH-Px was extremely enhanced in each BHT inclusion group (P < 0.05). Hepatic T-AOC was significantly enhanced and O₂^- was significantly decreased in each BHT inclusion group compared to the B0 group (P < 0.05), as well as hepatic MDA was significantly decreased in B1500 group (P < 0.05). Dietary BHT inclusion down-regulated the hepatic mRNA levels of inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis related genes, including TNFα, TGF-β1, α-SMA, IL8, IL11β and caspase-9. Moreover, BHT could improve hepatic lipid metabolism via up-regulating the mRNA levels of APOA1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and down-regulating the mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and APOB. Histological examination of the liver morphology with H&E and Sirius Red staining showed that BHT inclusion decreased necrotic degenerative changes and collagen deposition in largemouth bass. An immunofluorescence examination revealed significantly decreased cleaved caspase-3 signals in the BHT groups. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that ROS induces hepatic cell apoptosis and fibrosis via the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis by activating caspase-9 in the mitochondria and then initiates apoptosis by activating caspase-3. Consuming 2.32-23.80 mg/kg·bw/d (150-1500 mg/kg in diet) of BHT effectively improved the plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism, antioxidant response as well as reduced ROS production, protecting hepatic cells from injury. It is implied that even a 10-fold increase of the maximum level of BHT (150 mg/kg) is safe for the largemouth bass.

Design of ultrafast laser-driven microactuator based on photoacoustic mechanism

In this work, an ultrafast laser-driven microactuator based on the photoacoustic mechanism was proposed with large amplitude and high response frequency. The microactuator was fabricated by LIGA technology. The displacement of the microactuator could be up to 11 μm at resonance state when the repeat frequency was around 14 kHz using a nanosecond pulse laser. Theoretical model was set up and the calculated results agree reasonably well with the experimental data. The microactuator based on the photoacoustic mechanism provides a more efficient actuation method.

Restoring defect structures in 3C-SiC/Si (001) from spherical aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscope images by means of deconvolution processing

The [110] cross-sectional samples of 3C-SiC/Si (001) were observed with a spherical aberration-corrected 300 kV high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Two images taken not close to the Scherzer focus condition and not representing the projected structures intuitively were utilized for performing the deconvolution. The principle and procedure of image deconvolution and atomic sort recognition are summarized. The defect structure restoration together with the recognition of Si and C atoms from the experimental images has been illustrated. The structure maps of an intrinsic stacking fault in the area of SiC, and of Lomer and 60° shuffle dislocations at the interface have been obtained at atomic level.

Adrenomedullin and adrenotensin regulate collagen synthesis and proliferation in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

To understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and extracellular-matrix accumulation in the development of pulmonary hypertension and remodeling, this study determined the effects of different doses of adrenomedullin (ADM) and adrenotensin (ADT) on PASMC proliferation and collagen synthesis. The objective was to investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling was involved in ADM- and ADT-stimulated proliferation of PASMCs in 4-week-old male Wistar rats (body weight: 100-150 g, n=10). The proliferation of PASMCs was examined by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation. A cell growth curve was generated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. Expression of collagen I, collagen III, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was evaluated by immunofluorescence. The effects of different concentrations of ADM and ADT on collagen I, collagen III, and p-ERK1/2 protein expression were determined by immunoblotting. We also investigated the effect of PD98059 inhibition on the expression of p-ERK1/2 protein by immunoblotting. ADM dose-dependently decreased cell proliferation, whereas ADT dose-dependently increased it; and ADM and ADT inhibited each other with respect to their effects on the proliferation of PASMCs. Consistent with these results, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and p-ERK1/2 in rat PASMCs decreased after exposure to ADM but was upregulated after exposure to ADT. PD98059 significantly inhibited the downregulation by ADM and the upregulation by ADT of p-ERK1/2 expression. We conclude that ADM inhibited, and ADT stimulated, ERK1/2 signaling in rat PASMCs to regulate cell proliferation and collagen expression.

A study on ruthenium-based catalysts for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

Ruthenium-based catalysts were prepared by a saturation-dip method. Their catalytic activity was evaluated by a catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) process. The ruthenium-based catalysts were used to purify organic pharmaceutical wastewater with high concentration pyridine and pyridine derivatives that have high chemical oxygen demand (COD). In the CWO process, organic pharmaceutical wastewater was continuously pumped into fixed-bed reactors filled with Ru-based catalysts, while the organic components in wastewater were catalytically degraded by oxygen at high temperatures and pressures (temperature, 170-300 degrees C; pressure, 1.0-10 MPa). The experimental results showed that the prepared catalysts could effectively purify pharmaceutical wastewater with high concentration organic components, which are difficult to degrade biochemically, and that the removal rates of both COD and total nitrogen were over 99%.

Enhancement of YBCO thin film thermal stability under 1 ATM oxygen pressure by intermediate Cu2O nanolayer

The melting process of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(x) (YBCO or Y123) films under an oxygen atmosphere was observed in situ by means of high-temperature optical microscopy. The films were classified by pole figure measurement as c-axis oriented, with two different in-plane orientations (denoted as 0 and 45 degrees). In the 45 degrees-oriented films, electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) detected an intermediate Cu(2)O nanolayer in the vicinity of the interface. The melting mode and the thermal stability of the YBCO thin films with different in-plane orientations were greatly influenced by oxygen partial pressure. Notably, the thermal stability of the 45 degrees-oriented YBCO films dramatically grew with increasing oxygen partial pressure. We attributed this effect to a change in the intermediate Cu(2)O nanolayer thermal stability. We conclude and suggest that the thermal stability of YBCO films can be significantly enhanced by inserting a Cu(2)O buffer nanolayer.

Image deconvolution in spherical aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy

The method of image deconvolution developed previously for FEG high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) without a spherical aberration (C(s)) corrector was for the first time applied to FEG HRTEM with a C(s)-corrector. The principle and the procedure of image deconvolution are briefly described. Four qualified [1 1 0] images of Si were selected from a through-focus series to perform image deconvolution. The projected potential is successfully derived from all the images, and the obtained "dumbbell" structure maps of Si [1 1 0] are in good agreement with the calculated potential map. The criterion of selecting qualified images for performing image deconvolution is indicated. The possibility of applying image deconvolution to defect study and to ab initio crystal structure determination is discussed.

Maximum entropy image deconvolution applied to structure determination for crystal Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4−δ

Eight [100] images from a through-focus series of tetragonal crystal Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4-delta were transformed separately into the structure images by means of maximum entropy image deconvolution. The constructed projected structure model based on the deconvoluted image is confirmed by image simulation. It is demonstrated that the image deconvolution is still successful even when some reflections fall in the vicinity of zero cross of contrast transfer function. The effectiveness and advantages of the technique are discussed.

A further discussion on the peculiarity of maximum entropy image deconvolution in HREM

Some important features observed in the maximum entropy image deconvolution in HREM were studied and demonstrated as a supplement to previous publications in Ultramicroscopy 35 (1991) 339 and 62 (1996) 141. It has been shown that in the process of image deconvolution how the errors of assigned electron-optical parameters can be compensated and the effect of crystal thickness can be corrected. The 'negative-potential problem' has been solved more perfectly than before via the normalization of sum total entropy.

Determination of a misfit dislocation complex in SiGe/Si heterostructures by image deconvolution technique in HREM

The core structure of a dislocation complex in SiGe/Si system composed of a perfect 60 degrees dislocation and an extended 60 degrees dislocation has been revealed at atomic level. This is attained by applying the image deconvolution technique in combination with dynamical diffraction effect correction to an image taken with a 200kV field-emission high-resolution electron microscope. The possible configuration of the dislocation complex is analyzed and their Burgers vectors are determined.

Atomic configuration in core structure of Lomer dislocation in Si0.76Ge0.24/Si

The core structure of a Lomer dislocation in SiGe/Si system has been revealed at atomic level. This is attained by applying the image deconvolution technique in combination with dynamical diffraction effect correction to the high-resolution image taken with a 200 kV field-emission gun high-resolution electron microscope. The Lomer dislocation has a Hornstra-like core. The contrast of the image simulated on the basis of derived atomic configuration is in agreement with that of the experimental image.

A study on the position of boron atoms in (Y(0.6)Ca(0.4))(SrBa)(Cu(2.5)B(0.5))O(7-delta)

The position of boron atoms in minute crystals of (Y(0.6)Ca(0.4))(SrBa)(Cu(2.5)B(0.5))O(7-delta) was studied by means of image processing based on the combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The structure image was obtained from a single image by image deconvolution based on the principle of maximum entropy. Its resolution is limited by that of the electron microscope. Then the image resolution was enhanced to about 1 A by direct-methods phase extension in combination with an empirical method of electron diffraction intensity correction. To study the substitution of boron atoms for copper, in the second cycle of diffraction intensity correction two different structure models were proposed. The one corresponding to a more reasonable atomic shape in the derived projected potential map (PPM) was accepted. In this model, the boron atoms are located at the 'chain' Cu sites.

Hsp72 expression enhances survival in adenosine triphosphate-depleted renal epithelial cells

Although prior heat stress (HS) inhibits apoptosis in adenosine phosphate (ATP)-depleted renal epithelial cells (REC), the specific stress protein(s) responsible for cytoprotection have not been identified. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that Hsp72, the major inducible member of the Hsp70 family, protects REC against ATP depletion injury. In the presence of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), a stable line of transfected opossum kidney cells was induced to overexpress human Hsp72 tagged with the flag epitope. Transfected cells from 2 clones that expressed Hsp72 at a level comparable with wild-type cells were subjected to transient heat stress (43 degrees C for 1 hour). To assess the cytoprotective effect of Hsp72, transfected cells were subjected to transient ATP depletion followed by recovery in the presence vs the absence of IPTG. ATP depletion resulted in nuclear chromatin condensation without cell membrane injury (ie, minimal leak of lactate dehydrogenase) and activation of caspase-3, confirming that apoptosis is the major cause of cell death. In both clones cell survival 1-3 days after ATP depletion was significantly improved in the presence of IPTG. Selective overexpression of Hsp72 reproduced nearly 60% of the protective effect on the survival afforded by prior heat stress. In transfected cells subjected to ATP depletion, Hsp72 overexpression significantly inhibited caspase activation. In native renal cells brief ATP depletion markedly induced the expression of native Hsp72, a finding identical to that observed after renal ischemia in vivo. These studies are the first to directly show that Hsp72 per se mediates acquired resistance to ischemic injury in REC.

Electron crystallographic image-processing investigation and superstructure determination for (Pb0.5Sr0.3Cu0.2)Sr2(Ca0.6Sr0.4)Cu2Oy

An electron crystallographic image-processing technique based on the combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and electron diffraction has been developed to investigate the commensurate structural modulation in the high-Tc superconductor (Pb0.5Sr0.3Cu0.2)Sr2(Ca0.6Sr0.4)Cu2Oy. After symmetry averaging, a structure image was obtained by image deconvolution at the resolution limited by that of the electron microscope. Then phase extension was employed to enhance the image resolution up to about 1.25 A by means of the electron diffraction data corrected with an empirical method. In the final projected potential map, the occupational and/or positional modulation is clearly observed for all atoms, including oxygen. The key points of determining superstructures by the technique are studied and discussed.

Image deconvolution for protein crystals

The image deconvolution technique developed for non-biological samples, which is based on the weak-phase-object approximation and principle of maximum entropy, was applied to simulated images of the biotin-binding protein streptavidin. A slight modification of the technique was introduced to solve the problem caused by the special image formation condition for biological samples. It has been shown that the modified technique is effective.

Dietary exposure to nitrite and nitrosamines and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan

Previous studies of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have found elevated risks with higher consumption of salted fish and preserved foods, particularly during childhood. These foods can contain high levels of nitrosamines; however, most studies have not estimated exposure to nitrosamines directly. We conducted a case-control study in Taiwan to evaluate dietary intakes and NPC risk. A total of 375 cases (99% response rate) and 327 controls (88% response rate) were interviewed about their diet as an adult and at age 10 using a food-frequency questionnaire. We interviewed mothers of participants about their child's diet at age 10, age 3 and during weaning and the mother's diet while she was breast-feeding. Mothers of 96 cases and 120 controls were interviewed. Nitrosamine and nitrite levels were assigned to 66 foods based on published values. Intake of nitrosamines and nitrite as an adult was not associated with risk of NPC. High intakes of nitrosamines and nitrite during childhood and weaning were associated with increased risks of NPC for foods other than soy products. Adjusted odds ratios for the highest quartile were 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-5.6] for age 10, 2.6 (95% CI 1.0-7.0) for age 3 and 3.9 (95% CI 1.4-10.4) for weaning diet. Intakes of nitrite and nitrosamines from soybean products during childhood and weaning were inversely associated with risk. Soybeans contain known inhibitors of nitrosation, and thus may explain the inverse association we observed. Our results suggest that nitrosamine and nitrite intake during childhood may play a role in the development of NPC.

Amplitude correction in image deconvolution for determining crystal defects at atomic level

A method is proposed to improve the image deconvolution technique based on the weak-phase object approximation for determining the crystal defects at atomic level. Originally, both the amplitude and phase modulation caused by the contrast transfer function (CTF) was removed for all reflections in the diffractogram of the image and then the deconvoluted image was obtained by carrying out the inverse FT. In this paper after removing the CTF modulation the amplitudes of reflections are further corrected by constraining the integral amplitudes to be equal to the corresponding structure factor amplitudes of perfect crystals. [110] high-resolution electron microscope images were simulated for a structure model of Si crystal containing the 60 degrees dislocation with different thickness. A comparison between deconvoluted images with the amplitudes corrected by the present method and those uncorrected is given to show the effectiveness of the method. The amplitude-crystal thickness dependence for images simulated close to the Scherzer defocus condition has been analysed and the result serves as an empirical basis of the method. The validity and limitation of the method are discussed.

Image processing based on the combination of high-resolution electron microscopy and electron diffraction

A method of crystal structure determination by electron crystallographic image processing based on the combination of high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and electron diffraction is introduced. It consists of two stages: image deconvolution and resolution enhancement. In the first stage an image taken at an arbitrary defocus condition is transformed into the structure image with the resolution depending on the resolution of the electron microscope. In the second stage the image resolution is enhanced to the diffraction resolution limit by combining the electron diffraction data and using the phase extension technique so that in the final image most unoverlapped atoms can be resolved individually. The experimental diffraction intensities are corrected for approximating to square structure factors. The principle of the image processing and the procedure of diffraction intensity correction are briefly described and the results of applications are illustrated. Since the method is based on the weak phase object approximation (WPOA), the validity of WPOA is discussed by introducing an approximate image contrast theory named pseudo weak phase object approximation (PWPOA) to demonstrate the image contrast change with the crystal thickness for very thin crystals.

Establishment and application of SPA-co-operated ELISA for detection of anti-HCV-IgM

A staphylococcus aureus protein A co-operated ELISA (SPA-ELISA) for the detection of anti-HCV-IgM has been established using HCV antigenic polypeptide, SPA-bearing germs and horseradish peroxidase labelled anti-human IgM. The specificity of SPA-ELISA has been confirmed by some substitution tests, blocking tests and destroying test with 2-mercaptoethanol. The results showed that the rate of anti-HCV-IgG in a group of patients with acute hepatitis and there were significant difference in anti-HCV-IgM was higher than that of anti-HCV-IgM detected rates between patients with acute hepatitis and those with chronic hepatitis (32.26%, P < 0.01). On the other hand, the positive rates of anti-HCV-IgM were 53.66% and 63.41% in transfusion associated hepatitis, 38.10% and 42.86% in sporadic hepatitis, 6.11% and 16.33% in people who have had active social activities, 40.00% and 10.00% in a group of blood donors respectively. Furthermore, taking into account the characteristics of HCV polypeptide used, its easiness of manipulation, and elimination of the interference of anti-HCV-IgG in sera, the new SPA-ELISA is believed to be of practical value in clinical and epidemiological studies of hepatitis C.

Correction for the dynamical electron diffraction effect in crystal structure analysis

A method is proposed to correct for the dynamical electron diffraction effect in crystal structure analysis. A rough structure model is first obtained by conventional structure-analysis methods neglecting the dynamical diffraction effect. From the rough structure model, multislice calculations are used to estimate the crystal thickness through the observed dynamical diffraction wave amplitudes. With this estimated thickness, the observed diffraction wave amplitudes are calibrated to give a set of fictitious observed kinematic structure-factor magnitudes. Based on such a set of magnitudes, a traditional least-squares procedure is used to refine structural parameters. The reliability of the result is checked by the consistency between the observed dynamical diffraction wave amplitudes and those found from the multislice calculation. The process can be made iterative. Tests were performed with two known structures, Bi-2212 and Pb-doped Bi-2223 high-Tc superconductors, and satisfactory results were obtained.

Hepatitis C virus infection: its role in chronic liver diseases

In order to find out the infectious rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among chronic liver diseases, we investigated antibodies against hepatitis C virus and HCVRNA by method of ELISA, RIBA and RT-PCR in 410 patients with chronic liver disease. The prevalence of HCV infection was found to be 4%. Whereas the positive rate of HBsAg and HBV-DNA of these cases was 69% and 58%, respectively. There is no statistical significance between HCV infectious rate of patients with positive and negative HBsAg. The relative low infectious rate of HCV infection among chronic hepatic diseases indicates that HBV infection plays a more important role in causing chronic hepatitis than that of HCV. Thus, special emphasis should be paid to the preventive and therapeutic measures against hepatitis B in China.

Analysis of antigenic polypeptides of Dane particles and antibody response ability of HBV infected subjects to PreS1 polypeptides

We demonstrated the constitutive polypeptides (PP) of Dane particles employing Western Blot and investigated the antibody response ability of HBV infected subjects to PreS1 PP in comparison with other serum markers from HBV infected individuals. The results indicated that 1) the major reason for discrepant results may be related to the detergents used in the sample solutions and the degree of denaturation the samples had undergone; 2) there are 12 bands in the PAGE-graph of Dane particles. By Western Blot it was confirmed that 5 PP (P24, P27, P36, P39, P42) are derived from S-open reading frame (S-ORF), P21 is associated with C-ORF, P24-25 possesses some epitopes of Pol protein, and P45 and P76 express similar epitopes to human IgG and IgM; and 3) the prevalence of anti-PreS1 PP was 17.24% in the group of healthy persons following latent HBV infection, much higher than that of HBV infected patients (1.21%). The above findings imply that antibody response ability of the host to PreS1 PP is attributing to the outcome of HBV infection. It may play an important role in the elimination of the virus.

[Investigation of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody in healthy blood donors in China: enzyme immunoassay and recombinant immunoblot]

281 serum samples from Chinese healthy blood donors (HBsAg negative and ALT normal) were tested for anti-HCV antibodies with ortho-HCV ELISA test system and Abbott HCV EIA diagnostic kits. The results were further confirmed with recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). Our research showed that the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody in this group was 2.1% (6/281), being higher than that in other countries and regions. It indicated that great attention should be paid to HCV infection in China. The reason of dark groundback and high false positive reactivity produced by the ELISA was discussed. So, the positive reactivity produced by ELISA should be confirmed by other specific method such as RIBA. Reexamination of the 281 serum samples with HBsAg AUSRIA II showed that HBsAg was positive in 7 and HBVDNA positive in one of them.