[Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objectives: To investigate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: The data of 98 patients with suspected pulmonary infection after allo-HSCT who underwent pathogen detection from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between June 2016 and August 2023 at Nanfang Hospital were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of mNGS, conventional methods, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for PJP were compared. Results: A total of 12 patients were diagnosed with PJP, including 11 with a proven diagnosis and 1 with a probable diagnosis. Among the patients with a proven diagnosis, 1 was positive by both conventional methods and qPCR, and 10 were positive by qPCR only. Pneumocystis jirovecii was detected by mNGS in all 12 patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of mNGS for PJP was 100%, which was greater than that of conventional methods (8.3%, P=0.001) and similar to that of qPCR (91.6%, P=1.000) . A total of 75% of the patients developed mixed pulmonary infections, and cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus were the most common pathogens. Mixed infection was detected in eight patients by mNGS and in five patients by qPCR, but not by conventional methods (P=0.008) . Conclusions: mNGS had good sensitivity for diagnosing PJP after allo-HSCT and was advantageous for detecting mixed infectious pathogens; therefore, mNGS might be an effective supplement to regular detection methods and qPCR.

[A single-center study on the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies]

Objective: To study the incidence of bloodstream infections, pathogen distribution, and antibiotic resistance profile in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathogen distribution, and antibiotic resistance profiles of patients with malignant hematological diseases and bloodstream infections in the Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. Results: A total of 582 incidences of bloodstream infections occurred in 22,717 inpatients. From 2018 to 2021, the incidence rates of bloodstream infections were 2.79%, 2.99%, 2.79%, and 2.02%, respectively. Five hundred ninety-nine types of bacteria were recovered from blood cultures, with 487 (81.3%) gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eighty-one (13.5%) were gram-positive bacteria, primarily Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecium, whereas the remaining 31 (5.2%) were fungi. Enterobacteriaceae resistance to carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam, and tigecycline were 11.0%, 15.3%, 15.4%, and 3.3%, with a descending trend year on year. Non-fermenters tolerated piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam, and quinolones at 29.6%, 13.3%, and 21.7%, respectively. However, only two gram-positive bacteria isolates were shown to be resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics. Conclusions: Bloodstream pathogens in hematological malignancies were broadly dispersed, most of which were gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotic resistance rates vary greatly between species. Our research serves as a valuable resource for the selection of empirical antibiotics.

How do knowledge diversity and ego-network structures affect firms' sustainable innovation: evidence from alliance innovation networks of China's new energy industries

Purpose

Facing the global public health emergency (GPHE), the conflict of cultural differences and the imbalance of vital resources such as knowledge among different organizations are becoming more severe, which affects the enthusiasm and sustainability of firms' innovation heavily. It is an urgent problem to be solved for firms how to make use of internal knowledge and external power to help firms' sustainable innovation (FSI). Thus, the purpose of this study is to deeply analyze how firms' internal knowledge diversity (KD) and external ego-network structures [ego-network density (ED) and honest brokers (HB)] affect FSI, as well as how the ego-network structures (ED and HB) moderate the relationship between KD and FSI based on the perspective of the ego network.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data of the alliance innovation networks of China's new energy industries in 2009–2019, this study uses the social network analysis method and negative binomial regression model to explore the effect of KD and ego-network structures (ED and HB) on FSI, as well as the moderating effects of ego-network structures (ED and HB) on the relationship between KD and FSI based on the perspective of ego network.

Findings

This study finds that KD, ED and HB can boost FSI. Moreover, ED plays a negative moderating role in the relationship between KD and FSI. However, the negative moderating effect of HB on the relationship between KD and FSI is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

This study presents fresh empirical evidence and new insights for firms on how to make full use of firms' internal KD and external ego-network structures to facilitate FSI.

Originality/value

First, this study not only enriches the research on the consequences of KD but also expands our understanding of the knowledge-based view to some extent. Second, this study not only enriches the motivation research of the FSI based on the perspective of ego-network in the context of the GPHE but also expands the application scope of social network theory and sustainable innovation' theory in part. Third, this paper is a new attempt to apply social network theory and knowledge-based view at the same time.

[Nutritional status predicts clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer undergoing radical gastrectomy]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nutritional status on clinical and pathological data for stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ gastric cancer patients from the cancer survival investigation information. Methods: A database of 302 consecutive gastric cancer patients underwent radical gastrectomy was enrolled in this study. The clinical and pathological information of them were corrected and the relationship between the nutritional index and the patients survival time were analyzed by a Cox regression model. Results: The clinical data analysis of 302 patients with gastric cancer who received total gastric resection indicated that the nutritional status was related to the stage of tumor patients, suggesting that the later the stage was, the more necessary the nutritional therapy intervention was. Univariate analysis showed that Ⅲ+Ⅳ of TNM staging (HR=4.417, 95%CI:2.483-6.351; P =0.029), patient age of 65 and above (HR=2.217, 95%CI:0.522-3.912; P =0.038), lymph node metastasis positive (HR=2.517, 95%CI:0.516-4.518; P=0.036), poor tumor differentiation (HR=3.626, 95%CI:0.721-6.531; P =0.021) and low PNI (HR=2.612, 95%CI: 0.712-4.512; P =0.029) is an important risk factor for poor prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, Ⅲ+Ⅳ of TNM staging (HR=3.821, 95%CI:1.923-5.719; P =0.014), patient age of 65 and above (HR=1.168, 95%CI:0.321-2.015; P =0.036) and low PNI (HR=2.435, 95%CI:1.024-3.846; P =0.039) was independently correlated with poor survival time; When age was used as a stratification factor, the correlation between CONUT recurrence and survival in patients with gastric cancer ≥65 years old after total gastric resection was analyzed and compared. For disease-free survival, the CONUT high group (>3) was 25.2 months, while the CONUT low group (≤3) was 30.9 months, (χ²=3.763,P=0.029), showing a significant difference. For the overall survival, the CONUT high(>3) group was 30.3 months, compared with the CONUT low(≤3) group at 34.5 months, (χ²=4.924,P=0.042), and the difference was also statistically significant. Conclusions: High controlling nutritional status is an independent risk factor associated with poor gastric cancer survival and it is an independent risk factor in predicting overall survival (OS) in elderly (≥65) gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy.

Simvastatin protects heart function and myocardial energy metabolism in pulmonary arterial hypertension induced right heart failure

The favorable effect of simvastatin on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been well defined despite the unknown etiology of PAH. However, whether simvastatin exerts similar effects on PAH induced right heart failure (RHF) remains to be determined. We aimed to investigate the function of simvastatin in PAH induced RHF. Rats in the RHF and simvastatin groups were injected intraperitoneally with monocrotaline to establish PAH-induced RHF model. The expression of miR-21-5p in rat myocardium was detected and miR-21-5p expression was inhibited using antagomiRNA. The effect of simvastatin on hemodynamic indexes, ventricular remodeling of myocardial tissues, myocardial energy metabolism, and calmodulin was explored. Dual-luciferase reporter system was used to verify the binding relationship between miR-21-5p and Smad7. In addition, the regulatory role of simvastatin in Smad7, TGFBR1 and Smad2/3 was investigated. Simvastatin treatment improved hemodynamic condition, myocardial tissue remodeling, and myocardial energy metabolism, as well as increasing calmodulin expression in rats with PAH-induced RHF. After simvastatin treatment, the expression of miR-21-5p in myocardium of rats was decreased significantly. miR-21-5p targeted Smad7 and inhibited the expression of Smad7. Compared with RHF rats, the expressions of TGFBR1 and Smad2/3 in myocardium of simvastatin-treated rats were decreased significantly. Collectively, we provided evidence that simvastatin can protect ATPase activity and maintain myocardial ATP energy reserve through the miR-21-5p/Smad/TGF-β axis, thus ameliorating PAH induced RHF.

MicroRNA-143-5p modulates pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells functions in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension through targeting HIF-1α

This paper explores the potential mechanism of microRNA-143-5p regulation effects on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) functions in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) via targeting HIF-1a, which may offer a new idea for HPH therapy. PASMCs were transfected with mimics control/miR-143-5p mimics or inhibitor control/miR-143-5p inhibitor. We used Western blotting and RT-qPCR to detect the protein and mRNA expressions, CCK-8 assay to detect cellular viability, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and caspase- 3/cleaved caspase-3 protein to evaluate cellular apoptosis, transwell migration experiment for cellular migration measurement and Dual luciferase reporter gene assay to prove the target of miR-143-5p. Cells under hypoxic condition presented the decreased protein and mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (SM-α-actin), Myocardin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC), and smooth muscle-22α (SM22α), Calponin1 and Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), the increased cell viability and miR-143-5p level; Overexpression of miR-143-5p obviously reduced vascular smooth muscle-specific contraction marker protein levels and cellular apoptosis, increased cellular migration of PASMCs with hypoxia stimulation; Low-expression of miR-143-5p caused the opposite changes, while co-transfected with Si HIF-1 α blocked the beneficial effects of miR-143-5p inhibition on PASMCs under hypoxia. MicroRNA-143-5p can promote the phenotype conversion, proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under hypoxic condition through direct targeting of HIF-1α.

Linear polarization grating combining a circular polarization grating with a special cycloidal diffractive quarter waveplate

We introduce and demonstrate a switchable novel linear polarization grating (LPG) consisting of a circular polarization grating (CPG) and a special cycloidal diffractive quarter waveplate (CQWP). The CQWP is developed that marvelously matches the polarization-state of beams passing through the CPG. Such an LPG is so polarization-sensitive that it can split an incident linear polarized beam into two proportionally controllable left- or right-handed circularly polarized lights. We establish rigorous simulation model based on finite element method to investigate near-field polarization-state distribution of CPGs. Furthermore, LPGs are demonstrated and the diffraction properties are obtained with simulation and Jones Matrix analysis. The combination of CPGs and CQWPs is achieved with polymerizable liquid crystal. The experimental results of deflection angle and polarization selectivity of LPGs are consistent with those of simulation.

Circ 0001434 RNA reduces inflammation in acute lung injury model through Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB by miR-625-5p

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common and complicated inflammatory lung diseases. Circ RNAs have emerged as a novel class of gene regulatory molecules that play vital roles in multiple complex diseases, including ALI. In this study, we aimed to identify potential regulators of Circ 0001434 on acute lung injury (ALI) and to explore their roles in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. In a mouse ALI model, Circ 0001434 expression was effectively down-regulated, compared with the control group. Up-regulation of Circ 0001434 effectively decreased the inflammation of ALI in an in vitro model. Down-regulation of Circ 0001434 effectively promoted inflammation in ALI in an in vitro model. Over-expression of Circ 0001434 induced Wnt and β-catenin protein expression, and suppressed NF-κB p65 protein expression in the ALI in vitro model by miR-625-5p. Down-regulation of Circ 0001434 significantly suppressed Wnt and β-catenin, and induced NF-κB p65 protein expression in the ALI in vitro model by miR-625-5p. Wnt reduced the function of Circ 0001434 on inflammation in ALI in an in vitro model. The inhibition of miR-625-5p reversed the function of anti-Circ 0001434 on inflammation in ALI vitro model. Taken together, Circ 0001434 mediates ALI-induced lung inflammation through Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB activation by miR-625-5p.

Clinical characteristics of patients with premature acute coronary syndrome and adverse cardiovascular events after PCI

Few studies have compared the clinical manifestations of patients with premature acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and late-onset ACS as well as the adverse cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with premature ACS and adverse cardiovascular events following PCI, a total of 726 patients with ACS undergoing PCI were divided into two groups: A premature ACS group and a late-onset ACS group. Following discharge, all patients were followed-up for an average of 23.5±5.3 months. Clinical characteristics, Gensini scores, vascular lesions and adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences in smoking, diabetes, ACS composition ratio, baseline treatment of coronary heart disease, high-density lipoprotein level and C-reactive protein levels between the two groups. Sex and hypertriglyceridemia were determined to be independent risk factors of premature ACS, while age, hypertension and a high Gensini score were independent risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ACS following PCI. Furthermore, the prevalence of premature ACS was significantly higher in females. Although serum levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein were also significantly higher in patients with premature ACS compared with patients with late-onset ACS, patients with premature ACS exhibited fewer vascular lesions compared with patients with late-onset ACS. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ACS following PCI did not differ significantly between premature and late-onset ACS groups. Taken together, these results suggest that female patients should be closely observed for early risk factors of premature ACS to prevent and reduce the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ACS following PCI.

[Protective effect of β-asarone on AD rat model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined 2-VO and its mechanism]

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of β-asarone on the animal model of Alzheimer's disease(AD) which was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined cerebral ischemia. One hundred and five rats were randomly divided into seven groups including sham-operated group, AD model group, β-asarone 10 mg•kg⁻¹ group, β-asarone 20 mg•kg⁻¹ group, β-asarone 30 mg•kg⁻¹ group, donepezil group(0.75 mg•kg⁻¹) and Ginkgo biloba extract group(24 mg•kg⁻¹). Rats' learning and memory abilities, cerebric regional blood flow, pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region, the expression level of HIF-1α and serum CAT, SOD and MDA level were detected 4 weeks later. The results showed that the application of intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ joint 2-VO could lead to rats' dysfunction of learning and memory, decrease in regional cerebral blood flow. Neurons in CA1 region were arranged in disorder, and amyloid deposition was increased. The number of cerebral cortical cells expressing HIF-1α was increased as well. The level of serum CAT and SOD decreased, while level of serum MDA increased. However these symptoms were improved by 20 mg•kg⁻¹ and 30 mg•kg⁻¹ β-asarone. The results indicated that β-asarone could effectively relieve the symptoms of the AD model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ₁₋₄₂ combined cerebral ischemia, and the potential mechanism might be that it could attenuate damage of MDA to the body by improving the level of CAT and SOD, meanwhile the level of HIF-1α decreased as the decline of hyperoxide which might attenuate its damage to neuron, so it finally achieved alleviating Alzheimer's disease.

[Activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 attenuates myocardial injury in diabetic rats by regulating two-pore potassium channel TASK-1]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of activating aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) on TASK-1 two-pore potassium channel in myocardial injury of diabetic rats.
 Methods: Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). The diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups: normal group, diabetes at 4th week (DM4W) group, diabetes at 8th week (DM8W) group, and diabetes at 8th week+low concentration of ethanol intervention (DM8W+EtOH) group. The cardiac function of rats was determined by cardiac ultrasonography. The content of hydroxyproline was detected by ELISA. The appearance of myocardial morphous and positive material were observed by HE and PAS staining. The protein expression of TASK-1 was detected by Western blot. Whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the action potential duration at 30% and 90% repolarization (APD30, APD90) and two-pore potassium channel TASK-1 current in rat ventricular myocytes. Meanwhile, according to the sensitive electrophysiological characteristics of the potassium channel to acid and base, whether it is two-port potassium channel TASK-1current can be determined.
 Results: Compared with the N group, end-diastole left ventricular diameter (LVIDd), end-systolic left ventricular diameter (LVIDs), hydroxyproline content, TASK-1 protein expression increased, APD30 and APD90 extend, left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and TASK-1 current decreased (all P<0.01) in the DM4W group and the DM8W group. HE staining showed that myocardial cell and fiber arrangement disorder, myocyte hypertrophy, myocardial widened and PAS staining reveals that positive material increased in the DM4W group and the DM8W group. Compared with the DM4W group, these changs are more obvious in DM8W rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the DM8W group, in the DM8W+EtOH group, the left ventricular function was restored, the hydroxyproline content and expression of TASK-1 protein were decreased, the TASK-1 current was increased, and APD30 and APD90 were shortened (all P<0.01). HE staining showed that myocardial cell injury was ameliorate and PAS staining showed decreased deposition of positive substances in the DM8W+EtOH group.
 Conclusion: Activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 by low concentration of ethanol can reduce myocardial injury and fibrosis caused by diabetes, and its mechanism may be related to the changes of the two-por potassium channel TASK-1.

[Changes of two-pore K+ channel TASK-1 in diabetic myocardial injury in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of the two- pore K⁺ channel TASK-1 in diabetic rats with myocardial injury.

METHODS

Thirty-six SD rats were divided into normal group (N), diabetes at 4 weeks (DM 4W) group, and diabetes at 8 weeks (DM 8W) group. The cardiac functions of the rats were determined using cardiac ultrasonography, and the body weight and heart weight of the rats at different time points were measured to calculate the heart/body weight ratio (HW/BW). Myocardial fibrosis in the rats was assessed using Masson's staining. The protein expression of TASK-1 in the myocardium was detected using Western blotting. Whole- cell patch clamp technique was used to record the action potential duration (APD) and twopore domain potassium channel TASK- 1 current in acutely isolated rat ventricular myocytes. meanwhile, The inhibition of TASK-1 current was observed by the TASK-1 specific inhibitor ML-365.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, the diabetic rats showed significantly increased HW/BW (P &lt; 0.05), end- diastole left ventricular diameter (LVIDd), end- systolic left ventricular diameter (LVIDs), and TASK-1 protein expression, with obviously decreased left ventricular diameter shortening rate (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) (P &lt; 0.01). Masson staining showed that in diabetic rats, the collagen fibers were thickened, interwoven into a network with uneven arrangement and increased deposition. Compared with DM 4W group, the rats in DM 8W group exhibited progressive increases in LVIDd, LVIDs, HW/BW, and TASK-1 expression (P &lt; 0.01 or 0.05); FS and EF were further decreased (P &lt; 0.01). Masson staining showed worsened morphological changes of the myocardium with increased deposition. Compared with that in the normal group, the current of TASK- 1 in diabetic rats at 8 weeks was significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.01) and the duration of action potential was extended (P &lt; 0.05). The TASK-1 current was successfully inhibited by ML-365.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes can induce myocardial fibrosis and aggravate myocardial injury possibly in relation to changes in the protein expression and current of the two-port potassium channel TASK-1.

[Sorafenib combined with chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion as salvage therapy in patients with FLT3-positive acute myeloid leukemia relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

To explore the efficacy of sorafenib combined with chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in patients with FLT3-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Of the 14 patients relapsed after allo-HSCT, 9 achieved complete remission after salvage therapy of sorafenib combined with chemotherapy and DLI, 6 with complete molecular remission, 2 with partial remission, and 3 with no response. With a median follow up of 220 (range, 30-1 782) days after post-transplantation relapse, 7 patients were still alive and 7 died. Salvage therapy of sorafenib combined with chemotherapy and DLI shows a decent therapeutic effect for FLT3-positive AML relapsed after allo-HSCT.

[Effect of Zhenwu Tang on regulating of "AVP-V2R-AQP2" pathway in NRK-52E cells]

This study was aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Tang on AVP-V2R-AQP2 pathway in NRK-52E cells in vitro. Forty eight male SD rats were randomly divided into eight groups with 6 animals in each group. Distilled water or 22.68 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹ Zhenwu Tang(calculated by raw drug dosage meter) was given by gavage. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture， and the medicated serum was centrifuged from the blood by 3 000 r·min⁻¹. NRK-52E cells were treated with different medicated serum or dDAVP. The condition of cell proliferation was detected by RTCA. The distribution of V2R and AQP2 in cells were detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of V2R， PKA and AQP2 were detected by Western blot and AQP2 mRNA level was detected by real-time PCR. Results showed that the level of AQP2 mRNA(P<0.01) and protein expression of V2R， PKA and AQP2(P<0.05， P<0.01， P<0.05) of Z7d group which was treated with Zhenwu Tang medicated serum for 24 h were significantly higher than that of normal rat serum group. And the expression level of V2R， p-AQP2 and AQP2(P<0.01， P<0.05， P<0.01) of Z7d+dDAVP group were significantly increased comparing to normal rat serum group. The results indicate that the applying of Zhenwu Tang medicated serum could increase the expression level of V2R， PKA and AQP2 which exist in AVP-V2R-AQP2 pathway in NRK-52E， and there is synergistic effect between Zhenwu Tang medicated serum and dDAVP. So the pathway of AVP-V2R-AQP2 may be one of the mechanism for which Zhenwu Tang regulate balance of water transportation.

MicroRNA‑138 promotes proliferation and suppresses mitochondrial depolarization in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells through targeting TASK‑1

MicroRNA (miR)‑138 serves an important role in the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs), indi-cating the involvement of miR‑138 in the development and progression of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Potassium channel subfamily K member 3 (TASK‑1), a two‑pore domain K+ channel, is expressed in HPASMCs and is associated with hypoxic PAH. However, whether miR‑138 mediates PAH through targeting TASK‑1 is not known. In the present study, HPASMCs were transfected with miR‑138 mimic to establish a PAH model in vitro, and the effects of a miR‑138 inhibitor and a TASK‑1 inhibitor (A293) were examined. Cell proliferation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured by CCK‑8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to examine the expression of miR‑138, TASK‑1, Bcl‑2, caspase‑3 and activation of extracellular signal‑regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). A dual‑luciferase reporter assay was also used to analyse the expression level of TASK‑1 in HPASMCs. The results of the present study demonstrated that the miR‑138 mimic promoted proliferation and MMP level, which was similar to the effect of A293 treatment on HPASMCs. However, the miR‑138 inhibitor inhibited the effects induced by miR‑138 mimic or A293 treatment, as demonstrated by a decrease in proliferation and MMP level in HPASMCs, accompanied by a decrease of Bcl‑2 and an increase of caspase‑3 expression levels, as well as ERK1/2 activation. The dual‑luciferase reporter assay indicated that TASK‑1 expression was negatively regulated by miR‑138. The results of the present study suggested that miR‑138 promoted proliferation and suppressed mitochondrial depolarization of HPASMCs by targeting TASK‑1.

MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and the severity of coronary lesions in acute coronary syndrome

The association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, circulating levels of homocysteine (Hcy), and the severity of coronary lesion in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unknown.Consecutive ACS patients were included. MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were determined via amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Gensini scores were used to evaluate the severity of coronary lesions.Three hundred ten ACS patients were included, and grouped according to the MTHFR C677T polymorphism variant: CC (n = 78, 25.2%), CT (n = 137, 44.2%), and TT (n = 95, 30.6%) groups. No significant differences were detected with respect to baseline characteristics. Patients in TT group had significantly higher Hcy, and significantly lower folic acid (FA) levels as compared with those in the other 2 groups (P < .05 for both). More importantly, patients with TT had more severe coronary lesions as compared with those from the other 2 groups, as evidenced by higher Gensini scores (P < .05 for both); however, no significant differences were observed with respect to the numbers of affected coronary arteries, or the number, length, and diameter of stents implanted in each group (P > .05 for all). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, presence of a T allele in MTHFR C677T was found to be independently associated with higher circulating Hcy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.12, P = .024), and higher Gensini scores (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = .046).MTHFR C677T TT polymorphism was associated with higher Hcy levels and more severe coronary lesions in patients with ACS.

Associations between P2RY12 gene polymorphisms and risks of clopidogrel resistance and adverse cardiovascular events after PCI in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Clopidogrel resistance in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the key causes of recurrent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clopidogrel targets the platelet membrane receptor P2RY12 to inhibit platelet aggregation via adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between P2RY12 polymorphisms and the risk of clopidogrel resistance and adverse CVD events after PCI. From January 2015 to December 2014, patients who had been diagnosed with ACS undergoing PCI and treated with clopidogrel were recruited for this prospective cohort study (N = 498). Data regarding demographics, medication intake, and ACS lesion were recorded, and whole blood samples were collected for biochemical tests, ADP-induced platelet aggregation ratio detection, and P2RY12 genotyping. P2RY12 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. The left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated by echocardiography. After 3 to 12 months of follow-up, data regarding any adverse CVD event or death were recorded. The allele frequencies for the T variation alleles in C34T and G52T of P2RY12 were 20.3% and 11.6%, respectively. Patients with T variations at C34T or G52T of P2RY12 had a significantly higher risk of clopidogrel resistance (C34T: P < 0.001; G52T: P = 0.003) and total cardiovascular events (C34T: P = 0.013; G52T: P = 0.018) compared to those with the wild-type genotype. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression showed that patients with the T variations in C34T (odds ratio [OR]: 2.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-5.64), P = 0.002) and G52T (OR: 3.68 [95% CI: 1.71-7.92], P = 0.001) also had a significantly higher risk of clopidogrel resistance. Also, the T variations in C34T (OR: 2.68 [95% CI: 1.07-6.73], P = 0.035) and G52T (OR: 5.64 [95% CI: 1.52-20.88], P = 0.010) significantly increased the risk of post-PCI CVD events after accounting for confounding factors. The P2RY12 gene polymorphisms C34T and G52T were significantly associated with a higher risk of clopidogrel resistance and sequential cardiovascular events in Chinese ACS patients after PCI.

Hybrid particle swarm global optimization algorithm for phase diversity phase retrieval

The core problem of phase diversity phase retrieval (PDPR) is to find suitable optimization algorithms for wave-front sensing of different scales, especially for large-scale wavefront sensing. When dealing with large-scale wave-front sensing, existing gradient-based local optimization algorithms used in PDPR are easily trapped in local minimums near initial positions, and available global optimization algorithms possess low convergence efficiency. We construct a practicable optimization algorithm used in PDPR for large-scale wave-front sensing. This algorithm, named EPSO-BFGS, is a two-step hybrid global optimization algorithm based on the combination of evolutionary particle swarm optimization (EPSO) and the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. Firstly, EPSO provides global search and obtains a rough global minimum position in limited search steps. Then, BFGS initialized by the rough global minimum position approaches the global minimum with high accuracy and fast convergence speed. Numerical examples testify to the feasibility and reliability of EPSO-BFGS for wave-front sensing of different scales. Two numerical cases also validate the ability of EPSO-BFGS for large-scale wave-front sensing. The effectiveness of EPSO-BFGS is further affirmed by performing a verification experiment.

Optimization of Chlorella vulgaris and bioflocculant-producing bacteria co-culture: enhancing microalgae harvesting and lipid content

Microalgae are a sustainable bioresource, and the biofuel they produce is widely considered to be an alternative to limited natural fuel resources. However, microalgae harvesting is a bottleneck in the development of technology. Axenic Chlorella vulgaris microalgae exhibit poor harvesting, as expressed by a flocculation efficiency of 0·2%. This work optimized the co-culture conditions of C. vulgaris and bioflocculant-producing bacteria in synthetic wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM), thus aiming to enhance C. vulgaris harvesting and lipid content. Three significant process variables- inoculation ratio of bacteria and microalgae, initial glucose concentration, and co-culture time- were proposed in the RSM model. F-values (3·98/8·46) and R(2) values (0·7817/0·8711) both indicated a reasonable prediction by the RSM model. The results showed that C. vulgaris harvesting efficiency reached 45·0-50·0%, and the lipid content was over 21·0% when co-cultured with bioflocculant-producing bacteria under the optimized culture conditions of inoculation ratio of bacteria and microalgae of 0·20-0·25, initial glucose concentration of <1·5 kg m(-3) and co-culture time of 9-14 days. This work provided new insights into microalgae harvesting and cost-effective microalgal bioproducts, and confirmed the promising prospect of introducing bioflocculant-producing bacteria into microalgae bioenergy production.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This work optimized the co-culture conditions of microalgae (C. vulgaris) and bioflocculant-producing bacteria (F2, Rhizobium radiobacter) in synthetic wastewater using response surface methodology, aiming to enhance C. vulgaris harvesting and lipid produced content. Bioflocculant-producing microbes are environmentally friendly functional materials. They avoid the negative effects of traditional chemical flocculants. This work provided new insights into microalgae harvesting and cost-effective production of microalgal bioproducts, and confirmed the promising prospect of introducing bioflocculant-producing bacteria into microalgae bioenergy production.

PTGS2 gene polymorphism -765G>C is associated with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

Previous studies focusing on the association of PTGS2 polymorphism -765G>C with coronary artery disease (CAD) have failed to reach the same conclusion. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically summarize the possible association between PTGS2 polymorphism -765G>C and the risk of CAD. We conducted a search of case-control studies on the associations of PTGS2 with susceptibility to CAD in PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data from eligible studies were extracted for meta-analysis. CAD risk associated with PTGS2 -765G>C was estimated by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) with the RevMan 5.2 software. Eleven independent case-control studies on PTGS2 -765G>C were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed that PTGS2 -765G>C was associated with a decreased risk of CAD (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.56-0.79; P < 0.001). This meta-analysis suggests that PTGS2 -765G>C is associated with a decreased risk of CAD.

Preparation of monoclonal antibody against crocin and its characterization

Three crocin-carrier protein conjugates were synthesized and their hapten numbers were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Three monoclonal antibodies against crocin were produced by hybridomas fused with the splenocytes immunized with crocin hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin conjugate and HAT-sensitive mouse myeloma cell line, P3-X63-Ag8-653. They were identified as IgG2a and IgG2b possessing lambda light chain, respectively. Their wide reactivities against crocetin glycosides were discussed.

Role of DDC-4/sFRP-4, a secreted frizzled-related protein, at the onset of apoptosis in mammary involution

Using differential display, we isolated DDC-4, a secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP), which is induced in the physiological apoptosis of hormonally regulated, reproductive tissues such as mammary gland, prostate, corpus luteum and uterus. The role of this gene in apoptosis was studied in animals overexpressing ectopic DDC-4/sFRP-4. Transgenic mice bearing the DDC-4/sFRP-4 cDNA under the control of the MMTV-LTR promoter showed lactational insufficiency and many apoptotic cells in the alveoli between day 19 of pregnancy and day 4 of lactation as demonstrated by TUNEL reaction and the presence of activated caspase-3. We performed a PKB/Akt kinase assay and studied several of its substrates using phosphorylation-specific antibodies to show reduced phosphorylation in PKB/Akt itself, as well as in glycogen synthetase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), BAD, and Forkhead. Taken together, our results show a role for DDC-4/sFRP-4 in abrogating an epithelial cell survival pathway at the onset of mammary gland involution.

Stilbene glycoside sulfates from Polygonum cuspidatum

Ten naturally occurring stilbene glycoside sulfates (1-10) were isolated from an aqueous extract of the root of Polygonum cuspidatum. Their structures were established based on chemical evidence and spectroscopic techniques, including 2D NMR methods.

Comparative clinical experience with 3 IUDs, TCu 380 Ag, TCu 220C and Mahua ring, in Tianjin, People's Republic of China

A comparative study of three IUD models assigned at random was carried out at 5 hospitals in Tianjin. The experience of 2762 acceptors was analyzed by life table techniques. At the end of one year the net cumulative first segment pregnancy rates of the TCu 380Ag and the TCu 220C were 0.1 and 0.3 per 100, respectively, significantly below the 3.0 per 100 pregnancy rate of the Mahua double ring. The expulsion rate of the TCu 220C at the end of the first year, 1.6 per 100, was significantly lower than the expulsion rates of the other two devices. Removals for bleeding and pain cumulated to 3.3 per 100 at one year for users of the TCu 220C, significantly less than 6.8 per 100 for acceptors of the TCu 380Ag. Over all categories of termination, women who used the TCu 220C had the lowest one year termination rate, 5.5 per 100, while those who were assigned the Mahua device had the highest one year termination rate, 13.9 per 100.