Cost-of-illness of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus in Chinese children less than 5 years

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) caused by rotavirus (RV) remains a public health issue in China. To accelerate the mass rotavirus vaccination, it is important to inform the policy maker, and the public of the economic burden caused by rotavirus infection. A meta-analysis was conducted applying standardized algorithms. Articles published before January 1, 2023, in English and Chinese were searched through PubMed, CNKI, and WanFang Data. Studies with cost analysis of RV AGE were included. A random-effects model was applied to synthesize the total cost of RV AGE from the societal perspective. A prospective survey aimed to measure the cost of RV AGE was conducted in 2021 and 2022 in Shaoxing city, Zhejiang province, that can represent the developed region. The cost data was applied as deviation indicator, in comparison with the pooled estimate generated from meta-analysis. Totally 286 articles were identified, and eventually 12 studies were included. The pooled total social cost of RV AGE was US$282.1 (95%CI: US$213.4-350.7). The pooled private cost of RV AGE was US$206.4 (95%CI: US$155.2-257.5). RV AGE hospitalized and RV AGE incurred in developed regions caused remarkable higher burden (US$631.2 [95%CI: US$512.6-749.8], and US$333.6 [95%CI: US$234.1-433.2] respectively), compared to RV AGE treated at outpatient, and incurred in less developed regions. Our study demonstrates that RV AGE causes a significant economic burden in China. Given the promising effectiveness and highly cost-effective, introduction of rotavirus vaccines in national immunization programs could substantially reduce the economic burden in China.

[Correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size and its influence of percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size during percutaneous puncture microballoon compression (PMC) for trigeminal neuralgia and the influence of the compression coefficient (the ratio of balloon volume/Meckel's cave size) on the prognosis. Methods: Seventy-two patients (28 males and 44 females) aged (62±11) years who underwent PMC under general anesthesia for trigeminal neuralgia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2018 to October 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent preoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure Meckel's cave size, intraoperative balloon volume was recorded, and the compression coefficient was calculated. Follow-up visits were performed preoperatively (T₀) and 1 d (T₁), 1 month (T₂), 3 months (T₃), and 6 months (T₄) postoperatively, either in the outpatient clinic or by telephone, and the Barrow Neurological Institute pain scale (BNI-P) score, the Barrow Neurological Institute facial numbness (BNI-N) score and the occurrence of complications were recorded and compared at each time point. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to different prognoses: patients in group A (n=48) were with no recurrence of pain and mild facial numbness, patients in group B (n=19) were with no recurrence of pain but severe facial numbness, while those in group C (n=5) had recurrence of pain. The differences in balloon volume, Meckel's cave size, and compression coefficient were compared among the three groups, and the correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size in each group was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Results: The effective rate of PMC for trigeminal neuralgia was 93.1% (67/72). At time points from T₀ to T₄, patients had BNI-P scores [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 4.5 (4.0, 5.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0) and 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), and BNI-N scores [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), 3.0 (3.0, 4.0), 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) and 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), respectively. Compared with those at T₀, patients had lower BNI-P scores and higher BNI-N scores from T₁ to T₄ (all P<0.05). In all patients, group A, group B, and group C, the balloon volume was (0.65±0.15), (0.67±0.15), (0.59±0.15) and (0.67±0.17) cm³, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05), while the Meckel's cave size was (0.42±0.12), (0.44±0.11), (0.32±0.07), and (0.57±0.11) cm³, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The balloon volumes and Meckel's cave sizes were all linearly and positively correlated (r=0.852, 0.924, 0.937 and 0.969, all P<0.05). The compression coefficient in group A, B and C was (1.54±0.14), (1.84±0.18) and (1.18±0.10), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). There were no serious intraoperative complications such as death, diplopia, arteriovenous fistula, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conclusions: Intraoperative balloon volume during PMC for trigeminal neuralgia is linearly and positively correlated with the volume of the patient's Meckel's cave. The compression coefficient varies among patients with different prognoses and the compression coefficient may be a factor affecting the patient's prognosis.

Investigation on the influence of AC electric filed and KCl on the structure and gel properties of Konjac glucomannan

The influence of alternating current (AC) electric field and KCl on the structure and gel properties of Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) were studied in this work by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), acid-base titration, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry/thermo gravimetric analyzer (DSC/TGA) and a rheometer. HPGPC showed KGM was degraded by AC electric field and Acid-base titration showed that under the action of AC electric field and KCl KGM removed part of acetyl groups, which were consistent with the analysis of NMR. XRD and temperature sweep measurements respectively showed that the electrotreatment time and KCl concentration had important effects on the gel formation and its three-dimensional network. Simultaneous DSC/TGA and temperature sweep measurements both demonstrated the gel had good thermal stability.

[Medium and long-term follow-up of the Pul-Stent in treating postoperative branch pulmonary artery stenosis in children with congenital heart disease]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Pul-Stent as the treatment of postoperative branch pulmonary artery stenosis in children with congenital heart disease. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Thirty-three patients who underwent Pul-Stent implantation in Shanghai Children's Medical Center due to postoperative residual pulmonary artery stenosis from August 2014 to June 2015 were included. The immediate curative effect, follow-up and complications of Pul-Stent implantation were assessed. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student t test. Results: Pul-Stent implantation of 33 patients (19 males and 14 females) were performed successfully. Thirty-one patients underwent percutaneous stenting, and 2 patients underwent hybrid stenting. A total of 35 Pul-Stents were implanted (19 of model small, 15 of model medium and one of model large), 23 stents were planted in the proximal left pulmonary artery and 12 stents were in the proximal right pulmonary artery. The initial diameter of dilation balloon ranged from 6 to 16 mm, and the long sheath of percutaneous implantation ranged from 8 to 10 F in 29 patients (29/31, 94%). After stenting, the diameter of the narrowest segment of pulmonary artery increased from (4.0±1.7) mm to (9.1±2.1) mm in all patients (t=-21.60, P<0.001). The pressure gradient at the stenosis in 26 patients after biventricular correction decreased from (30.5±12.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (9.9±9.6) mmHg (t=12.92, P<0.001), and the right ventricular to aortic pressure ratio decreased from 0.57±0.14 to 0.44±0.12 (t=7.44, P<0.001). The pressure of the superior vena cava after stenting in 5 patients after cavopulmonary anastomosis decreased from (17.0±1.9) mmHg to (14.0±0.7) mmHg (t=2.86, P=0.046). Two patients died during reoperation for repairing other cardiac malformations. The remaining 31 patients were clinically stable during the follow-up period of (5.3±1.6) years, and one stent fracture was found on chest X-ray. Cardiac catheterization reexaminations in 16 patients showed that restenosis was found in one stent, while stent position and patency were satisfactory in the remaining stents. Nine children underwent post-dilation without stent fracture, displacement or aneurysm formation. Cardiac tomography showed no stent stenosis, fracture observed, or significant change in diameter of the stent in 8 patients. The inner diameter and pulmonary blood perfusion could not be accurately evaluated due to artifacts by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in 4 patients. Conclusions: Pul-Stent has good compliance and adequate radial strength, and can dilate further over time to accommodate for somatic growth. It performs safely and effectively in treating post-operative branch pulmonary artery stenosis in children.

Adult-onset hypoxaemia, diffuse lung lesions, and pulmonary hypertension in cobalamin C defect: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cobalamin C (cbl-C) defect is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder that commonly affects the central nervous system of infants. Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and diffuse lung lesions are unusual clinical manifestations, especially among adults.

CASE SUMMARY

A 25-year-old man with hypoxaemia, diffuse lung lesions, and PH, suddenly developed nausea, vomiting, headache, and worsening of dyspnoea. Metabolic screening showed elevated serum levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, and genetic testing revealed MMACHC gene mutations. He was eventually diagnosed with severe PH secondary to cbl-C defect and was successfully managed with vitamin B12, betaine, L-carnitine, folate, as well as ambrisentan and sildenafil.

DISCUSSION

cbl-C is a rare cause of PH and can present with severe PH and diffuse lung lesions in adults. Given that the condition is treatable, a careful metabolic screening should be considered when a diagnosis of PH is made.

Possible Insecticidal Mechanism of Cry41-Related Toxin against Myzus persicae by Enhancing Cathepsin B Activity

Cry toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis are well known for their high insecticidal activities against Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera; however, their activities against Aphididae are very low. Recently, it has been reported that a Cry41-related toxin exhibited moderate activity against the aphid Myzus persicae, and thus, it is highly desirable to uncover its unique mechanism. In this paper, we report that Cathepsin B, calcium-transporting ATPase, and symbiotic bacterial-associated protein ATP-dependent-6-phosphofructokinase were pulled down from the homogenate of M. persicae as unique proteins that possibly bound to Cry41-related toxin. Cathepsin B has been reported to cleave and inactivate antiapoptotic proteins and plays a role in caspase-initiated apoptotic cascades. In this study, Cathepsin B was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified, and in vitro interaction between recombinant Cathepsin B and Cry41-related toxin was demonstrated. Interestingly, we found that addition of Cry41-related toxin obviously enhanced Cathepsin B activity. We propose a model for the mechanism of Cry41-related toxin as follows: Cry41-related toxin enters the aphid cells and enhances Cathepsin B activity, resulting in acceleration of apoptosis of aphid cells.

Interlaced Pd-Ag nanowires rich in grain boundary defects for boosting oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Given the high cost and poisoning issues of Pt, developing Pd-based catalysts as substitutes is highly essential. Although substantial progress has been made, the synthesis of Pd-based electrocatalysts with both high activity and stability in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a challenge. In this work, we prepared Pd-Ag nanowires with up to micro-sized length and a diameter of ∼17 nm via a facile modified polyol method. The obtained Pd-Ag nanowires (NWs) exhibit interlaced features and are rich in grain boundary defects. Due to the continuous grain boundaries in the one-dimensional (1D) structure and the optimized composition, the synthesized Pd1Ag1 NWs show half-wave potential of 0.897 V and mass activity of 0.103 A mg-1 in alkaline media toward ORR, higher than those of both state-of-the-art Pt/C and other Pd-Ag counterparts. Significantly, after stability tests over 5000 cycles, Pd1Ag1 NWs shows a 2 mV positive shift, much better than that of Pt/C, exhibiting striking stability for ORR. This work may provide an avenue to construct advanced catalysts by surface defect engineering.

[Clinical characteristics of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in 91 children]

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) . Methods: A retrospective study identified 91 patients diagnosed with ALCAPA at Shanghai Children's Medical Center from March 2010 to August 2017. According to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the time of consultation, patients were divided into the cardiac insufficiency group (n=54) and the normal cardiac function group (n=37). Clinical features (age of onset, clinical performance, etc) and auxiliary examinations (electrocardiogram, echocardiography, etc) between the two groups were compared using a t-test and a Chi-square test. Prognostic factors were analyzed by an ordered logistic regression and a Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: (1) The age of diagnosis of patients in the cardiac insufficiency group who were usually misdiagnosed as cardiomyopathy was (10.0±2.6) months (20/54) , whereas the age of diagnosis of patients in the normal cardiac function group who were usually misdiagnosed as valvular diseases was (40.0±7.8) months (4/37). According to the pathophysiological mechanism, forty of the 54 (74%) patients in the cardiac insufficiency group were infantile type, and 78% patients (29/37) in the normal cardiac function group were adult type. (2) Preoperative electrocardiogram showed the deep Q wave in lead I occurred more frequently in the cardiac insufficiency group than in the normal cardiac function group (28/54 vs. 11/37, χ(2)=4.388, P=0.036). (3) Twenty patients died in the cardiac insufficiency group including 12 patients who died from postoperative cardiac pump failure and 8 children who did not undergo surgery due to poor prognosis and died from other reasons. There was no death in the normal cardiac function group. (4) Preoperative LVEF was the unique risk factor affecting prognosis (F=16.872, P=0.005). The preoperative LVEF was significantly lower than the postoperative LVEF ((37±11)% vs. (45±14)%, t=3.614, P=0.001) in the cardiac insufficiency group. During the follow-up period, 6 patients in the cardiac insufficiency group still presented with postoperative cardiac dysfunction, and the patients in the normal cardiac function group still had normal cardiac function. Conclusions: Preoperative LVEF was the unique risk factor affecting prognosis of ALCAPA. Patients with infantile type ALCAPA and preoperative cardiac insufficiency should receive long-term follow-up treatment.

Identification, evolution and alternative splicing profile analysis of the splicing factor 30 (SPF30) in plant species

The work offers a comprehensive evaluation on the phylogenetics and conservation of splicing patterns of the plant SPF30 splicing factor gene family. In eukaryotes, one pre-mRNA can generate multiple mRNA transcripts by alternative splicing (AS), which expands transcriptome and proteome diversity. Splicing factor 30 (SPF30), also known as survival motor neuron domain containing protein 1 (SMNDC1), is a spliceosomal protein that plays an essential role in spliceosomal assembly. Although SPF30 genes have been well characterised in human and yeast, little is known about their homologues in plants. Here, we report the genome-wide identification and phylogenetic analysis of SPF30 genes in the plant kingdom. In total, 82 SPF30 genes were found in 64 plant species from algae to land plants. Alternative transcripts were found in many SPF30 genes and splicing profile analysis revealed that the second intron in SPF30 genome is frequently associated with AS events and contributed to the birth of novel exons in a few SPF30 members. In addition, different conserved sequences were observed at these putative splice sites among moss, monocots and dicots, respectively. Our findings will facilitate further functional characterization of plant SPF30 genes as putative splicing factors.

Suo Quan Wan Protects Mouse From Early Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction by Mediating Motor Protein Myosin Va and Transporter Protein SLC17A9

Objective: To investigate the effects of Suo Quan Wan (SQW), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, on the overactive bladder (OAB) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mouse models, particularly on its function of mediating the gene and protein expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9.

Materials and Methods: After 4 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) for four times. After 3 weeks, the diabetic mice were treated with SQW for another 3 weeks. Voided stain on paper assay, fasting blood glucose (FBG) test, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted. Urodynamic test, tension test [α,β-methylene ATP, electrical-field stimulation (EFS), KCl, and carbachol] and histomorphometry were also performed. Western blot analysis and qPCR assays were used to quantify the expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9.

Results: The diabetic mice exhibited decreased weight but increased water intake, urine production, FBG, and OGTT. No significant changes were observed after 3 weeks SQW treatment. Urodynamic test indicated that the non-voiding contraction (NVC) frequency, maximum bladder capacity (MBC), residual volume (RV), and bladder compliance (BC) were remarkably increased in the diabetic mice, whereas the voided efficiency (VE) was decreased as a feature of overactivity. Compared with the model mice, SQW treatment significantly improved urodynamic urination with decreased NVC, MBC, RV, and BC, and increased VE. Histomorphometry results showed that the bladder wall of the diabetic mice thickened, and SQW effectively attenuated the pathological alterations. The contract responses of bladder strips to all stimulators were higher in the DSM strips of diabetic mice, whereas SQW treatment markedly decreased the contraction response for all stimuli. Moreover, the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were up-regulated in the bladders of diabetic mice, but SQW treatment restored such alterations.

Conclusion: T2DM mice exhibited the early phase of diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) characterized by OAB and bladder dysfunction. SQW can improve the bladder storage and micturition of DBD mice by mediating the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 in the bladder, instead of improving the blood glucose level.

Chemical Modulation of Alternative Splicing for Molecular-Target Identification by Potential Genetic Control in Agrochemical Research

Alternative splicing (AS), the process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and the rearrangement of exons to produce several types of mature transcripts, is a remarkable step preceding protein synthesis. In particular, it has now been conclusively shown that up to ∼95% of genes are alternatively spliced to generate a complex and diverse proteome in eukaryotic organisms. Consequently, AS is one of the determinants of the functional repertoire of cells. Many studies have revealed that AS in plants can be regulated by cell type, developmental stage, environmental stress, and the circadian clock. Moreover, increasing amounts of evidence reveal that chemical compounds can affect various steps during splicing to induce major effects on plant physiology. Hence, the chemical modulation of AS can serve as a good strategy for molecular-target identification in attempts to potentially control plant genetics. However, the kind of mechanisms involved in the chemical modulation of AS that can be used in agrochemical research remain largely unknown. This review introduces recent studies describing the specific roles AS plays in plant adaptation to environmental stressors and in the regulation of development. We also discuss recent advances in small molecules that induce alterations of AS and the possibility of using this strategy in agrochemical-target identification, giving a new direction for potential genetic control in agrochemical research.

Time-dependent functional, morphological, and molecular changes in diabetic bladder dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Aim

Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is one of the most common and bothersome complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to investigate the functional, structural, and molecular changes of the bladder at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after DM induction by streptozotocin (STZ) in male C57BL/6 mice.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with STZ (130 mg/kg). Then, diabetic general characteristics, cystometry test, histomorphometry, and contractile responses to α, β‐methylene ATP, KCl, electrical‐field stimulation, carbachol were performed at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after induction. Finally, protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were quantified.

Results

DM mice exhibited lower body weight, voiding efficiency and higher water intake, urine production, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, bladder wall thickness, maximum bladder capacity, residual volume, bladder compliance. In particular, nonvoiding contractions has increased more than five times at 6 weeks. And the amplitudes of spontaneous activity, contractile responses to all stimulus was about two times higher at 6 weeks but cut almost in half at 12 weeks. The protein and mRNA expressions of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were about two times higher at 6 weeks, but myosin Va was reverted nearly 40% while SLC17A9 is still higher at 12 weeks.

Conclusions

DBD transitioned from a compensated state to a decompensated state in STZ‐induced DM mice at 9 to 12 weeks after DM induction. Our molecular data suggest that the transition may be closely related to the alterations of myosin Va and SLC17A9 expression levels in the bladder with time.

[Clinical analysis of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect with right coronary cusp bulge]

Objective: To access the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with right coronary cusp bulge. Methods: The study population consisted of 40 children (22 boys and 18 girls) undergoing transcatheter intervention for VSD with right coronary cusp bulge in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from August 2013 to June 2017. All patients were examined using transthoracic echocardiography and cardiovascular angiography before occlusion and received transcatheter closure of VSD by placing an occlude. During the operation, angiography and transthoracic echocardiography were used to detect residual shunts, new-onset or aggravation of aortic regurgitation, and surface electrocardiogram was used to assess the impact of occlusion on the conduction system. The children were followed up to evaluate the degree of aortic regurgitation and the presence of heart block by transthoracic echocardiography and electrocardiogram in outpatient department. Comparative analysis between two groups was used by t test. Results: The average age of the patients was (5.1±3.2) years, weight(20.6±10.7) kg. The diameter of defect shunt was (3.3±0.9) cm. The VSD of all 40 patients were successfully occluded immediately, and three patients (8%) with filament residual shunt were observed during the operation. No major surgical complication such as death, pericardial tamponade, embolism of important organs, infective endocarditis occurred during the perioperative period. During the follow-up period, the positions of all the occluders were good, the residual shunt in three patients disappeared, and no new-onset or aggravated aortic regurgitation occurred. Electrocardiogram did not reveal any atrioventricular block, and one patient suffered from an incomplete right bundle branch block. There were significant differences between pre- and post-occlusion regarding the left ventricular end diastolic diameter ((3.8±0.5) vs. (3.7±0.5) cm, t=2.092, P=0.043), the left ventricular end systolic diameter ( (2.4±0.3) vs. (2.2±0.4) cm, t=2.068, P=0.045), and the QRS interval ((75.4±10.4) vs. (79.8±11.4) ms, t=-2.277, P=0.028). No significant differences were found between pre- and post-operation regarding the left ventricular ejection fraction (67.8%±4.7% vs. 68.1%±4.6%, t=-0.447, P=0.657) and the PR interval ((125.6±14.7) vs. (122.6±14.2) ms, t=1.540, P=0.132). Conclusions: Interventional closure of VSD with right coronary cusp bulge has small impact on aortic valve activity in children. With appropriate indications and methods, transcatheter interventional occlusion should be considered because it is effective for children diagnosed with VSD combined with right coronary cusp bulge.

Effect of patchouli alcohol on Helicobacter pylori-induced neutrophil recruitment and activation

Neutrophil infiltration typically occurs in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced acute gastritis; however, this immune response fails to eradicate H. pylori in vivo. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated by neutrophils, cause severe damage to gastric mucosa. Patchouli alcohol (PA) has been reported to have effective anti-oxidative and anti-H. pylori activities, and we investigated its effects on H. pylori-induced neutrophil recruitment and activation in this research. In neutrophil recruitment experiment, H. pylori was injected into rat air pouch to explore the effects of PA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) on acute inflammatory response. The results revealed that PA significantly reduced the weight of exudate and the number of neutrophils in the air pouch. Meanwhile, remarkable decrements in TNF-α and IL-8 levels in exudates were observed. In neutrophil activation experiment, rat neutrophils were isolated and activated by using 50 μg/mL H. pylori water-soluble surface protein with or without the treatment of PA (5, 10 or 20 μmol/L). Results indicated that PA not only significantly inhibited the production of ROS, but also reduced the gene and protein expressions of p22/p47-phoxes, and the binding of p22/p47-phoxes. Furthermore, the influence of PA on the neutrophil activation genes of H. pylori (h-nap and sabA) was investigated, and the results showed that expressions of h-nap and sabA were remarkably decreased after PA treatment. In conclusion, PA reduced the recruitment and activation of neutrophils induced by H. pylori, as shown by its inhibition of pro-inflammatory factor generation, p22/p47-phoxes function and H. pylori neutrophil activation-related gene expression.

Unraveling the Novel Protective Effect of Patchouli Alcohol Against Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastritis: Insights Into the Molecular Mechanism in vitro and in vivo

Patchouli alcohol (PA), a natural tricyclic sesquiterpene extracted from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Labiatae), has been found to exhibit anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of PA against H. pylori-induced gastritis in vitro and in vivo, and determined the underlying mechanism. In the in vivo experiment, a C57BL/6 mouse model of gastritis was established using H. pylori SS1, and treatments with standard triple therapy or 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg PA were performed for 2 weeks. Results indicated that PA effectively attenuated oxidative stress by decreasing contents of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and increasing levels of non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH), catalase and glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulphide (GSSG). Additionally, treatment with PA significantly attenuated the secretions of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), keratinocyte chemoattractant and interleukin 6 (IL-6). PA (20 mg/kg) significantly protected the gastric mucosa from H. pylori-induced damage. In the in vitro experiment, GES-1 cells were cocultured with H. pylori NCTC11637 at MOI = 100:1 and treated with different doses of PA (5, 10, and 20 μg/ml). Results indicated that PA not only significantly increased the cell viability and decreased cellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, but also markedly elevated the mitochondrial membrane potential and remarkably attenuated GES-1 cellular apoptosis, thereby protecting gastric epithelial cells against injuries caused by H. pylori. PA also inhibited the secretions of pro-inflammatory factors, such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Furthermore, after PA treatment, the combination of NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and cysteine-aspartic proteases 1 (CASPASE-1), the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins, such as thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), pro-CASPASE-1, cle-CASPASE-1, and NLRP3 and genes (NLRP3 and CASPASE1) were significantly decreased as compared to the model group. In conclusion, treatment with PA for 2 weeks exhibited highly efficient protective effect against H. pylori-induced gastritis and related damages. The underlying mechanism might involve antioxidant activity, inhibition of pro-inflammatory factor and regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome function. PA exerted anti-H. pylori and anti-gastritis effects and thus had the potential to be a promising candidate for treatment of H. pylori-related diseases.

[Mechanism of anti-Helicobacter pylori urease activity of patchouli alcohol]

To investigate the effect of patchouli alcohol on inhibiting Helicobater pylori urease activity, and its effect on expression levels of related genes, and lay the foundation for further research on the effect of patchouli alcohol on H. pylori colonization and infection. H. pyloriwas cultured and identified by gram staining, rapid urease test (RUT) and PCR method. Then agar dilution method was used to detect the bacterial survival after 1 h intervention by different concentrations of patchouli alcoholin the acidic (pH 5.3) and neutral (pH 7.0) conditions; berthelot method was used to detect urease activity and RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression changes of ureA, ureB, ureE, ureH, ureI, and nixA related urease genes. The results showed that the survival rate of H. pyloriwas not significantly changed but the urease activity was obviously decreased after intervention by different concentrations of patchouli alcohol; meanwhile, the expression levels of ureA, ureB, ureE, ureH, ureI, and nixA were decreased to different degrees. Therefore, patchouli alcohol could inhibit H. pylori urease activity in both acidic and neutral conditions, and the mechanism may be related to down-regulation of urease gene expression.

Flexible change and cooperation between mitochondrial electron transport and cytosolic glycolysis as the basis for chilling tolerance in tomato plants

To find if cytosolic glycolysis dynamical metabolism plays a role in mediating respiration homeostasis and its relationship with mitochondrial electron transport chain (miETC) flexibility, we selected two tomato genotypes that differ in chilling tolerance and compared the responses of miETC, cytosolic glycolysis and respiratory homeostasis at 7 °C. Our results showed that the transcripts of both classical and bypass component genes for miETC and glycolysis were comparable for both genotypes when grown at 25 °C. However, there was a rapid global increase in the expression of most respiratory genes in response to chilling at 7 °C for both genotypes. When normally grown plant was set as the control for each genotype, the transcripts of most COX family members, ATP synthase, AOX1b, and UCP are highly up-regulated in chilling-tolerant Zhefen No. 208 plants in contrast to the sensitive Zhefen No. 212 plants. Both genotypes mobilized the energy-saving sucrose synthase pathway for sucrose degradation by cytosolic glycolysis, but this mechanism is evidently more effective in tolerant Zhefen No. 208 plants. Furthermore, only Zhefen No. 208 plants were able to partially switch from low-energy efficiency pathways to ATP conserving pathways to carry out fructose-6-phosphate conversion and pyruvate production. This metabolic flexibility in miETC and cytosolic glycolysis were coupled to higher ATP synthesis and lower ROS accumulation, which may be essential for sustaining the higher leaf respiration and homeostasis of chilling-tolerant plants.

The reduction of reactive oxygen species formation by mitochondrial alternative respiration in tomato basal defense against TMV infection

The role of mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) and the relationship between systemic AOX induction, ROS formation, and systemic plant basal defense to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were investigated in tomato plants. The results showed that TMV inoculation significantly increased the level of AOX gene transcripts, ubiquinone reduction levels, pyruvate content, and cyanide-resistant respiration (CN-resistant R) in upper, un-inoculated leaves. Pretreatment with potassium cyanide (KCN, a cytochrome pathway inhibitor) greatly increased CN-resistant R and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, while application of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, an AOX inhibitor) blocked the AOX activity and enhanced the production of ROS in the plants. Furthermore, TMV systemic infection was enhanced by SHAM and reduced by KCN pretreatment, as compared with the un-pretreated TMV counterpart. In addition, KCN application significantly diminished TMV-induced increase in antioxidant enzyme activities and dehydroascorbate/total ascorbate pool, while an opposite change was observed with SHAM-pretreated plants. These results suggest that the systemic induction of the mitochondrial AOX pathway plays a critical role in the reduction of ROS to enhance basal defenses. Additional antioxidant systems were also coordinately regulated in the maintenance of the cellular redox homeostasis.

Systemic induction and role of mitochondrial alternative oxidase and nitric oxide in a compatible tomato-Tobacco mosaic virus interaction

The role of mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) and the relationship between AOX and nitric oxide (NO) in virus-induced systemic defense to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were investigated in susceptible tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. TMV inoculation to the lower leaves induced a rapid NO synthesis and AOX activation in upper uninoculated leaves as early as 0.5 day postinoculation. Application of exogenous potassium cyanide (KCN, a cytochrome pathway inhibitor) at nonlethal concentrations and NO donor diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO) to the upper uninoculated leaves greatly induced accumulation of AOX transcript, reduced TMV viral RNA accumulation, and increased the leaf photochemical quantum yield at photosystem II. Pretreatment with NO scavenger almost completely blocked TMV-induced AOX induction and substantially increased TMV susceptibility. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, an AOX inhibitor) pretreatment reduced the DEA/NO-induced cyanide-resistant respiration and partially compromised induced resistance to TMV. Conversely, KCN and SHAM pretreatment had very little effect on generation of NO, and pretreatment with NO scavenger did not affect KCN-induced AOX induction and TMV resistance. These results suggest that TMV-induced NO generation acts upstream and mediates AOX induction which, in turn, induces mitochondrial alternative electron transport and triggers systemic basal defense against the viral pathogen.

Decreased energy synthesis is partially compensated by a switch to sucrose synthase pathway of sucrose degradation in restricted root of tomato plants

Tomato (Solanum lycopersium L.) plants were grown hydroponically to investigate the changes of energy metabolism and adaptive mechanism in response to root restriction. Root restriction resulted in a significant increase in root lipid peroxidation and reduction in leaf net CO(2) assimilation rate, which was accompanied by increase of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC 1.1.1.27) activities. Total, cytochrome pathway, and alternative pathway respirations were all decreased in the roots after 15 days of root restriction treatment. Accompanied with the decrease of ATP content, ratio of invertase/sucrose synthase activity was increased in the restricted roots together with a decrease in glucose content and an increase in fructose content. We concluded that the decreased energy synthesis under root restriction condition was partially compensated by the energy-conserving sucrose synthase pathway of sucrose metabolism.

Effects of dietary zinc levels on the activities of enzymes, weights of organs, and the concentrations of zinc and copper in growing rats

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient that is required in humans and animals for many physiological functions, including immune and antioxidant function, growth, and reproduction. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of three Zn levels, including Zn adequate (35.94 mg/kg, as a control), Zn deficiency (3.15 mg/kg), and Zn overload (347.50 mg/kg) in growing male rats for 6 wk. This allowed for evaluation of the effects that these Zn levels might have on body weight, organ weight, enzymes activities, and tissues concentrations of Zn and Cu. The results showed that Zn deficiency has negative effects on growth, organ weight, and biological parameters such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) activities, whereas Zn overload played an effective role in promoting growth, improving the developments of organs and enhancing immune system. Hepatic metallothionein (MT) concentration showed an identical increase tendency in rats fed both Zn-deficient and Zn-overload diets. The actual mechanism of reduction of Cu concentration of jejunum in rats fed a Zn-overload diet might involve the modulation or inhibition of a Cu transporter protein by Zn and not by the induction of MT.

Human ARX gene: genomic characterization and expression

Arx is a homeobox-containing gene with a high degree of sequence similarity between mouse and zebrafish. Arx is expressed in the forebrain and floor plate of the developing central nervous systems of these vertebrates and in the presumptive cortex of fetal mice. Our goal was to identify genes in Xp22.1-p21.3 involved in human neuronal development. Our in silico search for candidate genes noted that annotation of a human Xp22 PAC (RPCI1-258N20) sequence (GenBank Accession No. AC002504) identified putative exons consistent with an Arx homologue in Xp22. Northern blot analysis showed that a 3.3kb human ARX transcript was expressed at high levels in fetal brain. A 5.9kb transcript was expressed in adult heart, skeletal muscle, and liver with very faint expression in other adult tissues, including brain. In situ hybridization of ARX in human fetal brain sections at various developmental stages showed the highest expression in neuronal precursors in the germinal matrix of the ganglionic eminence and in the ventricular zone of the telencephalon. Expression was also observed in the hippocampus, cingulate, subventricular zone, cortical plate, caudate nucleus, and putamen. The expression pattern suggests that ARX is involved in the differentiation and maintenance of specific neuronal cell types in the human central nervous system. We also mapped the murine Arx gene to the mouse genome using a mouse/hamster radiation hybrid panel and showed that Arx and ARX are orthologues. Therefore, investigations in model vertebrates may provide insight into the role of ARX in development. The recent identification of ARX mutations in patients with various forms of mental retardation make such studies in model organisms even more compelling.

[Ecological risk assessment and its application]

Ecological risk assessment, closely linked to environmental toxicology, is becoming one of the most widely expanding disciplines in environmental science. A number of frameworks for ecological risk assessment have been developed by the USEPA, Environment Canada and European Commission in recent years. This review described the common elements, the process and steps of ecological risk assessment. In addition to drawing upon the recent published literature, we have developed some examples of applications based on our collective experiences in conducting ecological risk assessments.

Evaluation of benomyl and carbendazim in the in vivo aneuploidy/micronucleus assay in BDF1 mouse bone marrow

Benomyl and its active metabolite carbendazim were investigated in BDF1 mouse bone marrow to establish whether micronuclei induced by these fungicides are caused by clastogenic or aneugenic events. Micronuclei were evaluated for kinetochores using immunofluorescent antikinetochore antibodies. Kinetochore positive (K+) micronuclei are likely to arise from chromosome loss since they presumably contain intact kinetochores and are indicative of aneuploidy. Conversely, kinetochore negative (K-) micronuclei are mostly likely to contain acentric chromosome fragments arising primarily from clastogenic damage. Benomyl and carbendazim were administered as single oral doses of 0.3, 8.6 or 17.2 mmol/kg (for benomyl, equivalent to 100, 2500 or 5000 mg/kg; for carbendazim, equivalent to 66, 1646 or 3293 mg/kg). Both compounds were positive in the micronucleus test at doses of 8.6 and 17.2 mmol/kg, and an average of 82% (benomyl) and 87% (carbendazim) of the total micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were K+. No effects were seen with either fungicide at 0.3 mmol/kg. These results are analogous to findings with known aneugens such as vincristine but are in contrast to results with classical clastogens such as cyclophosphamide. Thus, benomyl and carbendazim induce micronuclei in mouse bone marrow cells primarily through an aneugenic mechanism.

The in vitro activation of cyclophosphamide in the Hydra Developmental Toxicology Assay

The proteratogen cyclophosphamide (CP) was tested in the Hydra Assay in the presence and absence of an in vitro metabolic activation package (MAP) consisting of rat hepatic microsomes (0.06 nmol P450/ml), 500 microM NADPH, and 25 microM MgCl. This metabolic system was developed through a series of interrelated biochemical and biological assays to provide maximum cytochrome P450 mixed-function monooxygenase (MFO) metabolic capacity while controlling the inherent toxicity of the hepatic preparation and the attendant cofactors. Bioactivation of CP was confirmed under standard hydra assay conditions of pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C and compared with activation at 37 degrees C. Estimation of total metabolic capacity and verification of activation were made through the appearance of alkylating metabolites both in the absence and in the presence of hydra. Chemical exposure was maintained throughout the 92 +/- 2 hr assay with periodic renewal of media (and additives) at 4, 20, 28, 42, and 66 hr of incubation. Inclusion of bioactivation increased the toxicity of CP by two orders of magnitude. The minimal affective concentration in the adult and developmental portions of the assay was decreased from 4000 to 20 micrograms CP/ml and from 1000 to 4 micrograms CP/ml, respectively. By limiting the inherent toxicity of the MFO package, it was possible to avoid pulse-type exposures and ensure that all ontogenic stages were exposed to active metabolites. The addition of metabolic activation capacity to an in vitro assay, while not essential, markedly enhances its utility and breadth of application in developmental toxicity safety evaluations.

Developmental incompatibility between cell nucleus and cytoplasm as revealed by nuclear transplantation experiments in teleost of different families and orders

Teleosts from different families and orders were used as materials for nuclear transplantation experiments. (1) The nuclei of goldfish (Carassius auratus, family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes) were transplanted into the enucleated egg cytoplasm of loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus, family Cobitidae, order Cypriniformes) and vice-versa. (2) The nuclei of Tilapia (oreochromis nilotica, order Perciformes) were transplanted into the enucleated egg cytoplasm of goldfish (Carassius auratus, order Cypriniformes). The chromosome number of the nucleus donor fish is different from that of the cytoplasmic recipient fish in each of the two combinations. In the first case, only a few early nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid (NCH) larval fish were obtained in each combination. In second case, even though a high percentage of NCH blastulas were also obtained, the majority of them died at the same developmental stage, except a few which survived until early gastrula stage. The examination of the metaphase chromosome figures of the NCH blastulas or embryos obtained in all three combinations indicated that they were of nucleus-donor type. The developmental rates of all the NCH eggs were similar to those of cytoplasmic-recipient type. Scanning electronmicroscopy examination showed that the morphology of NCH blastula cells, which were obtained from the combination of Tilapia nucleus and goldfish cytoplasm, manifested obviously abnormal features and the cells were arrested at different stages of cell disintegration. Two-dimension polyacrylamide gel electrophoretograms of the homogenates of Tilapia, goldfish and their NCH blastula cells showed that the protein synthetic pattern of NCH blastula was similar to that of Tilapia nucleus type. The results of experiments which failed to obtain NCH adult fish in all three combinations can be explained as a result of developmental incompatibility between the donor nucleus and the enucleated recipient egg cytoplasm, which were from distantly related fish species. And the chromosome numbers of all the component fish of the three combinations which were examined in the experiment and shown to be quite different from each other in the tested fish, should not be overlooked as one of the essential factors causing the developmental incompatibility in NCH fish in this experiment.

Prediction of the developmental toxicity hazard potential of halogenated drinking water disinfection by-products tested by the in vitro hydra assay

A series of seven randomly selected potential halogenated water disinfection by-products were evaluated in vitro by the hydra assay to determine their developmental toxicity hazard potential. For six of the chemicals tested by this assay (dibromoacetonitrile; trichloroacetonitrile; 2-chlorophenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; trichloroacetic acid; dichloroacetone) it was predicted that they would be generally equally toxic to both adult and embryonic mammals when studied by means of standard developmental toxicity "teratology" tests. However, the potential water disinfection by-product chloroacetic acid (CA) was determined to be over eight times more toxic to the "embryonic" developmental portion of the assay than it was to the adults. Because of this potential selectivity, CA is a high-priority item for developmental toxicity tests in pregnant mammals to confirm or refute its apparent unique developmental hazard potential and/or to establish a NOAEL by the route of most likely human exposure.