[Study on the image of fragrant plants in Wood section of Compendium of Materia Medica]

As a representative work of materia medica in the Ming Dynasty, the plant images attached to Compendium of Materia Medica retain the results of Li Shizhen's research on the original plants of medicinal materials in another form, which truly reflects the understanding and utilization of herbs in the Ming Dynasty.Taking the image of fragrant plants in Wood section in the book as an example, the original of the plants depicted in the images is examined to reveal the level of understanding of plant knowledge and medicinal properties in the Ming dynasty.Among the 25 images contained in the woody section, 20 images accurately depict the leaves, flowers and fruits of plants, and the description of the morphological details of the plant Cephalotaxus fortunei Hook. f. proves a high level of understanding of plant morphology and medicinal properties at the time. However, the errors of a total of 5 diagrams such as Wuyao and A wei also showed limitations. By comparing the results of the image with the medicinal properties contained in the text,it is clear that the level of understanding of medicinal properties is very high in the Ming dynasty, and the understanding of the medicinal properties of some plants is even higher than the understanding of their morphology.

[Short-term efficacy of empagliflozin in children with glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb]

Objective: To analyze the short-time efficacy of empagliflozin in the treatment of glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb (GSD Ⅰb). Methods: In this prospective open-label single-arm study, the data of 4 patients were collected from the pediatric department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022. All of them were diagnosed by gene sequencing and had neutropenia. These patients received empagliflozin treatment. Their clinical symptoms such as height and weight increase, abdominal pain, diarrhea, oral ulcer, infection times, and drug applications were recorded at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 15 months after treatment to assess the therapeutic effect. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to monitor the changes in 1, 5-anhydroglucitol (1, 5AG) concentration in plasma. At the same time, adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia and urinary tract infection were closely followed up and monitored. Results: The 4 patients with GSD Ⅰb were 15, 14, 4 and 14 years old, respectively at the beginning of empagliflozin treatment, and were followed up for 15, 15, 12 and 6 months, respectively. Maintenance dose range of empagliflozin was 0.24-0.39 mg/(kg·d). The frequency of diarrhea and abdominal pain decreased in cases 2, 3, and 4 at 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment, respectively. Their height and weight increased at different degrees.The absolute count of neutrophils increased from 0.84×10⁹, 0.50×10⁹, 0.48×10⁹, 0.48×10⁹/L to 1.48×10⁹, 3.04×10⁹, 1.10×10⁹, 0.73×10⁹/L, respectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was gradually reduced in 1 patients and stopped in 3 patient. Plasma 1, 5 AG levels in 2 children were significantly decreased after administration of empagliflozin (from 46.3 mg/L to 9.6 mg/L in case 2, and from 56.1 mg/L to 15.0 mg/L in case 3). All 4 patients had no adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia, abnormal liver or kidney function, or urinary system infection. Conclusion: In short-term observation, empagliflozin can improve the symptoms of GSD Ⅰb oral ulcers, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and recurrent infection, also can alleviate neutropenia and decrease 1, 5AG concentration in plasma, with favorable safety.

[Analysis of the clinical characteristics and misdiagnosis of area postrema syndrome manifesting as intractable nausea, vomiting, and hiccups in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders]

Objective: To investigate the misdiagnosis of area postrema syndrome (APS) manifesting as intractable nausea, vomiting and hiccups in neuromyelitis optic spectrum disease (NMOSD) and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from NMOSD patients attending the Department of Neurology at the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between January 2019 and July 2021. SPSS25.0 was then used to analyze the manifestations, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment of APS. Results: A total of 207 patients with NMOSD were included, including 21 males and 186 females. The mean age of onset was 39±15 years (range: 5-72 years). The proportion of patients who were positive for serum aquaporin 4 antibody was 82.6% (171/207). In total, 35.7% (74/207) of the NMOSD patients experienced APS during the disease course; of these patients, 70.3% (52/74) had APS as the first symptom and 29.7% (22/74) had APS as a secondary symptom. The misdiagnosis rates for these conditions were 90.4% (47/52) and 50.0% (11/22), respectively. As the first symptom, 19.2% (10/52) of patients during APS presented only with intractable nausea, vomiting and hiccups; 80.8% (42/52) of patients experienced other neurological symptoms. The Departments of Gastroenterology and General Medicine were the departments that most frequently made the first diagnosis of APS, accounting for 54.1% and 17.6% of patients, respectively. The most common misdiagnoses related to diseases of the digestive system and the median duration of misdiagnosis was 37 days. Conclusions: APS is a common symptom of NMOSD and is associated with a high rate of misdiagnosis. Other concomitant symptoms often occur with APS. Gaining an increased awareness of this disease/syndrome, obtaining a detailed patient history, and performing physical examinations are essential if we are to reduce and avoid misdiagnosis.

Maternal alcohol consumption and risk of postpartum depression: a meta-analysis of cohort studies

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between maternal alcohol consumption and postpartum depression (PPD) is still controversial. The objective of the present study was to assess the association between maternal alcohol consumption and the risk of developing PPD by means of a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Weipu, and Wanfang databases were searched up to February 4, 2021, to identify relevant studies that evaluated the association between maternal alcohol consumption and PPD. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software and Stata software. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the potential heterogeneity source, and Begg's funnel plots and Begg's linear regression test were conducted to assess the potential publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies involving 50,377 participants were identified in our study. Overall, pregnant women who were exposed to alcohol were at a significantly greater risk of developing PPD compared with those who did not consume alcohol (odds ratio = 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.41; P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal alcohol consumption is significantly associated with the risk of developing PPD. These results emphasize the necessity of enhancing health awareness, improving the public health policies and regulations concerning alcohol use, and strengthening the prevention and intervention of maternal alcohol consumption to promote maternal mental health.

[Metagenomic sequencing for diagnosis of sparganosis mansoni: a case report]

The patient was found to develop a migrating mass in the lower abdomen without any known cause in 2000, and the cause had not been identified following multiple diagnoses since then. The mass was found to migrate to the left anterior axillary regions on August 11, 2020. Then, three segments of incomplete white worms were resected through minimally invasive surgery, and metagenomic sequencing revealed sparganosis mansoni. After surgical resection of complete worms was performed on October 21, 2021, the case was cured and discharged from the hospital. Follow-up revealed satisfactory outcomes and no new mass was found throughout the body.

[Clinical effects of pulsed dye laser dynamically combined with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloids]

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of pulsed dye laser (PDL) dynamically combined with triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) in the treatment of keloids. Methods: A retrospectively observational study was conducted. From April 2015 to October 2020, 34 keloid patients (46 keloids) who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Huaihe Hospital of Henan University. The patients were divided into TAC group and dynamic treatment group according to their treatment methods. There were 18 patients (26 keloids) in TAC group, including 8 males and 10 females, aged (30±12) years, who were treated with TAC injection alone. There were 16 patients (20 keloids) in dynamic treatment group, including 6 males and 10 females, aged (26±11) years, who were treated with TAC injection, PDL, or PDL combined with TAC injection according to the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score before each treatment. Before the first treatment (hereinafter referred to as before treatment) and 12 months after the first treatment (hereinafter referred to as after treatment), the keloids were assessed by VSS, patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), and the effect of keloids on the quality of life of patients was evaluated with dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scale. Twelve months after treatment, the curative effect of keloid was evaluated according to the VSS score and the effective rate was calculated. The first effective time and the cumulative times of TAC injection at the first effective time, the number of follow-up and the occurrence of adverse reactions of keloids within 12 months after treatment were recorded, and the incidence of adverse reactions was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test, independent sample t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: The total VSS scores of patients' keloids in TAC group and dynamic treatment group 12 months after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (with t values of 7.53 and 8.09, respectively, P<0.01), and the total scores of pigmentation and vascularity in VSS and POSAS, the total POSAS score, and the DLQI scale score were significantly lower than those before treatment (with Z values of -3.71, -4.04, -4.21, -4.11, -3.76, -3.73, -3.92, and -3.93, respectively, P<0.01). The total scores of pigmentation and vascularity in VSS and POSAS of patients' keloids in dynamic treatment group 12 months after treatment were significantly lower than those in TAC group (with Z values of -2.03 and -2.12, respectively, P<0.05). Twelve months after treatment, the effective rate of patients' keloids in dynamic treatment group was significantly higher than that in TAC group (χ2=3.88, P<0.05). The first effective time of patients' keloids in dynamic treatment group was 5.5 (2.0, 6.0) months, which was significantly shorter than 6.0 (2.3, 10.3) months in TAC group (χ2=4.02, P<0.05). The cumulative times of TAC injection at the first effective time of patients' keloids in dynamic treatment group was 3.2±1.7, which was significantly less than 4.2±1.8 in TAC group (t=2.09, P<0.05). The number of follow-up of patients' keloids within 12 months after treatment in dynamic treatment group was significantly more than that in TAC group (t=-2.94, P<0.01), and the total incidence of adverse reactions was lower than that in TAC group but without statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with TAC injection alone, PDL dynamically combined with TAC in the treatment of keloid can shorten the effective time, reduce the number of TAC injection, and improve the patient's compliance and clinical efficacy.

M2-polarized macrophages mediate wound healing by regulating connective tissue growth factor via AKT, ERK1/2, and STAT3 signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Timely and sufficient M1 recruitment and M2 polarization are necessary for fibrosis during wound healing. The mechanism of how M2 mediates wound healing is worth exploring. Abnormally up-regulated connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) influences multiple organ fibrosis, including cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and cutaneous fibrosis. Previous studies reported that M2 contributed to hepatic and renal fibrosis by secreting CTGF. It is worth discussing if M2 regulates fibrosis through secreting CTGF in wound healing.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We established the murine wound model and inhibited macrophages during proliferation phase with clodronate liposomes in vivo. Macrophages depletion led to down-regulation of wound healing rates, collagen deposition, as well as expression of collagen 1/3 and Ki67. M2 was induced by interleukin-4 (IL-4) and measured by flow cytometry in vitro. Secreted pro-fibrotic and anti-fibrotic factors were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). M2 was polarized, which producing more CTGF, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), and IL-6, as well as less tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-10. M2 CTGF gene was blocked using siCTGF. Effects of M2 on fibroblasts activities were detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and cellular wound healing assay. Expressions of related signaling pathway were assessed by western blotting. Blockade of CTGF in M2 deactivated fibroblasts proliferation and migration by regulating AKT, ERK1/2, and STAT3 pathway. Recombinant CTGF restored these effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research, for the first time, indicated that M2 promoted wound healing by secreting CTGF, which further mediating proliferation and migration of fibroblasts via AKT, ERK1/2, and STAT3 pathway.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment analysis of 553 cases of acoustic neuroma in a single center]

Objective: To explore the relationship between microsurgery and prognosis of acoustic neuroma. Methods: A total of 553 acoustic neuroma surgical cases admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 1986 to September 30, 2016, were collected retrospectively. They were divided into 1986-1995 group, 1996-2005 group, and 2006-2016 group. The general information, tumor size, preoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion, use of neuroelectrophysiological monitoring, internal auditory canal wall grinding, tumor resection degree, postoperative facial nerve function rating (House-Brackmann grading), discharge status, and quality of life assessment KPS of patients were statistically analyzed. Results: Compared with the 1986-1995 group and the 1996-2005 group, the average age of patients in the 2006-2016 group ((52.9±13.3) years) was larger but the overall tumor volume ((3.7±0.8) cm) was smaller, and preoperative hospital stay ((4.9±1.9) days), the total hospital stay ((19.4±6.4) days) was significantly reduced, the operation time ((4.6±1.0) hours) was shortened, the intraoperative blood transfusion rate (18.5%) was significantly reduced, the intraoperative neuroelectrophysiological monitoring utilization rate (8.9%), and the internal auditory canal rate (12.7%) was higher. While increasing the tumor total resection and near total resection rate (89.2%), it further improved the postoperative facial nerve function retention rate (71.5%), and significantly increased the discharge cure rate (88.5%) (P<0.05). At the same time, the postoperative quality of life assessment good rate (KPS≥60 points) and excellent rate (KPS≥80 points) of the patients in the 2006-2016 group increased significantly, reaching 94.2% and 45.8% (P<0.05). Conclusion: The maturity of microsurgery techniques and the use of intraoperative neuroelectrophysiological monitoring can shorten the treatment cycle of patients with acoustic neuroma, increase the tumor resection rate and postoperative facial nerve function retention rate, and effectively improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.

A Two-Stage Study Identifies Two Novel Polymorphisms in PRKAG2 Affecting Metformin Response in Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective

Individual differences in glycemic response to metformin in antidiabetic treatment exist widely. Although some associated genetic variations have been discovered, they still cannot accurately predict metformin response. In the current study, we set out to investigate novel genetic variants affecting metformin response in Chinese type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients.

Methods

A two-stage study enrolled 500 T2D patients who received metformin, glibenclamide or a combination of both were recruited from 2009 to 2012 in China. Change of HbA_1c, adjusted by clinical covariates, was used to evaluate glycemic response to metformin. Selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using the Infinium iSelect and/or Illumina GoldenGate genotyping platform. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between SNPs and response.

Results

A total of 3739 SNPs were screened in Stage 1, of which 50 were associated with drug response. Except for one genetic variant preferred to affect glibenclamide, the remaining SNPs were subsequently verified in Stage 2, and two SNPs were successfully validated. These were PRKAG2 rs2727528 (discovery group: β=−0.212, P=0.046; validation group: β=−0.269, P=0.028) and PRKAG2 rs1105842 (discovery group: β=0.205, P=0.048; validation group: β=0.273, P=0.025). C allele carriers of rs2727528 and C allele carriers of rs1105842 would have a larger difference of HbA_1c level when using metformin.

Conclusion

Two variants rs2727528 and rs1105842 in PRKAG2, encoding γ2 subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), were found to be associated with metformin response in Chinese T2D patients. These findings may provide some novel information for personalized pharmacotherapy of metformin in China.

[Urinary retinol binding protein and β2-microglobulin were associated with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and renal function in hospitalized diabetic patients]

Objective: To explore the associations of urinary retinol binding protein (RBP) and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and renal function in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 1 030 Chinese patients with T2DM were included in this study. The subjects were divided into the UACR normal group (<30 mg/g), microalbuminuria group (30-300 mg/g) and macroalbuminuria group (>300 mg/g). Patients with normal UACR were further divided into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): the eGFR low group (<90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2) and the normal eGFR group (≥90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2). Urine RBP and β₂-MG levels among the groups were compared. Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to evaluate risk factors of urine RBP and β₂-MG. Results: In all patients (n=1 030), urine RBP and β₂-MG increased gradually with the increase of UACR across the three groups, the proportions of abnormal urine RBP (>0.7 mg/L) and β₂-MG (>370 μg/L) in these groups were 3.8%, 8.5%, 39.0% (P<0.001), and 12.9%, 26.7%, 46.8% (P<0.001), respectively. In the UACR normal group (n=788), 12.2% of the patients were with eGFR<90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2. The proportion of abnormal β₂-MG (>370 μg/L) was higher in the eGFR low group than that in the eGFR normal group (29.2% vs. 10.7%, P<0.001). Multivariate linear stepwise regression analyses were performed using natural logarithm of urine RBP or β₂-MG as dependent variable, and showed that urine RBP was independently associated with UACR (β=0.0005, P<0.001), serum creatinine (β=0.006, P<0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (β=0.050, P=0.001), and β₂-MG was independently correlated with UACR (β=0.000 4, P<0.001), serum creatinine (β=0.011, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (β=0.005, P=0.031) and fasting blood-glucose (β=0.027, P=0.046). Conclusions: Urine RBP and β₂-MG are positively associated with high UACR and impaired renal function in T2DM patients, and these changes could occur before UACR and eGFR turned out to be abnormal. It is recommended that urine RBP and β₂-MG be detected as early as possible to identify diabetic kidney disease in patients with normal UACR and eGFR.

The Clinical and Imaging Characteristics Associated With Neurological Sequelae of Pediatric Patients With Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy

Background: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANE) is a rare but rapidly progressing encephalopathy. Importantly, the exact pathogenesis and evidence-based treatment is scarce. Thus, we aimed to identify the clinical, imaging, and therapeutic characteristics that associated with prognosis of pediatric ANE patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients with ANE who were admitted to Wuhan Children's Hospital between January 2014 and September 2019. All cases met the diagnostic criteria for ANE proposed by Mizuguchi in 1997. The clinical information and follow-up data were collected. The prognostic factors were analyzed by trend chi-square test and Goodman-Kruskal gamma test. Results: A total of 41 ANE patients ranging in age from 8.9 to 142 months were included in this study. Seven cases (17%) died, and the other 34 survivors had different degrees of neurological sequelae. Factors tested to be significantly correlated with the severity of neurological sequelae were the intervals from prodromal infection to acute encephalopathy (G = -0.553), conscious disturbance (r = 0.58), endotracheal intubation (r = 0.423), elevation of alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.345), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.393), and cerebrospinal fluid protein (r = 0.490). In addition, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation on follow-up revealed that the total numbers of brain lesion location (χ² = 6.29, P < 0.05), hemorrhage (r = 0.580), cavitation (r = 0.410), and atrophy (r = 0.602) status were significantly correlated with the severity of neurological sequelae, while early steroid therapy (r = -0.127 and 0.212, respectively) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (r = 0.111 and -0.023, respectively) within 24 h or within 72 h after onset showed no association. Conclusions: Intervals from prodromal infection to acute encephalopathy (≤1 day), total numbers of brain lesion location (≥3), the recovery duration of hemorrhage and atrophy (>3 months), and the presence of cavitation predict severe neurological sequelae in pediatric patients with ANE. Early treatments, including steroid therapy and IVIG, had no correlation with better outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish a consensus guideline for the management of ANE.

[Analysis of prognosis and risk factors of 730 patients with anterior communicating aneurysm]

Objective: To investigate the prognosis and risk factors of patients with anterior communicating aneurysm treated by aneurysm clipping or interventional embolization. Methods: The clinical data of 730 patients with anterior communicating aneurysm who underwent aneurysm clipping or interventional embolization in the department of neurosurgery, the first affiliated hospital of Soochow University from January 1999 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The prognosis of patients in the clipping group from 1999 to 2008 and the clipping group from 2009 to 2018, the clipping group from 2009 to 2018 and the interventional group from 2009 to 2018 were compared respectively, and the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients were statistically analyzed. Results: The rate of poor prognosis was 32.7% in the clipping group from 1999 to 2008, 21.3% in the clipping group from 2009 to 2018, and the rate of intraoperative aneurysm rupture and postoperative cerebral infarction was lower in the clipping group from 2009 to 2018 (P<0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in the prognosis between the clipping group and the interventional group from 2009 to 2018 (P>0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that preoperative Hunt-Hess grade, postoperative cerebral infarction and postoperative hemorrhage were the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The prognosis of patients treated by clipping from 2009 to 2018 was significantly improved compared with that from 1999 to 2008. There was no significant difference in the prognosis between the clipping group and the interventional group from 2009 to 2018. Preoperative Hunt-Hess grading, postoperative cerebral infarction and postoperative hemorrhage were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis.

[Method of dietary nutritional status assessment and its application in cohort study of nutritional epidemiology]

Minimizing the burden on study subjects and assessing the general dietary nutritional status as accurately as possible are the basis of a nutritional epidemiological cohort study in the general population. While introducing the main dietary nutrition assessment methods, this paper manly describes the basic contents and principles for the development of food frequency questionnaire, and briefly illustrates the problems and solutions for the development of area specific food frequency questionnaires by taking the example of Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) cohort study. Finally, discusses preliminarily the necessity and possibility of developing a national food frequency questionnaire.

[Clinical features of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an analysis of 115 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical features of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 115 children who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Wuhan Children's Hospital, including general information, history of close contact with individuals of SARS-CoV-2 infection, early clinical symptoms, laboratory examination results, and lung CT results.

RESULTS

Among the 115 children, there were 73 boys (63.5%) and 42 girls (36.5%), with a male/female ratio of 1:0.58. Of the 115 children, 105 (91.3%) had a definite history of close contact with individuals of SARS-CoV-2-infection. An increase in alanine aminotransferase was observed in 11 children (9.6%) and an increase in CK-MB was found in 34 children (29.6%). As for clinical symptoms, 29 children (25.2%) had fever, 47 (40.9%) had respiratory symptoms (including cough, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion), and 61 (53.0%) were asymptomatic. Lung CT findings showed ground glass opacity, fiber opacities, patchy changes, and pulmonary consolidation in 49 children (42.6%), among whom 2 children had "white lung"; 39 children (33.9%) only had lung texture enhancement and 27 children (23.5%) had no pulmonary imaging changes. Among the 115 children, 3 were critically ill, among whom 1 had been cured and the other 2 were under continuous treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the children with SARS-CoV-2 infection have a close contact history. Critical cases are rare and there is a high proportion of asymptomatic infection.

Factors Influencing the Initiation Time of Forensic Psychiatric Assessment of Criminal Cases in Hunan Province

Abstract

Objective To discuss the related factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment by analysis of the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment of criminal cases in Hunan Province. Methods Related data in assessment files of criminal cases accepted by 8 forensic psychiatric assessment institutions in Hunan Province from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016 were extracted. The Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the initiation time of forensic psychiatric assessment. After using property score matching （PSM） to control the influence of confounding factors, the efficiency of public security organs to initiate assessments of suspects with （without） mental disorders and with （without） responsibilities were compared. Results A total of 4 346 cases were included. The Logistic regression analysis suggested that the factors independently related to the initiation time of assessment include： cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime （all P<0.05）. The initiation time of assessment of suspects diagnosed with mental disorder was shorter than those with none （P<0.05）; the initiation time of assessment of suspects without criminal responsibility was shorter than those with responsibility （P<0.05）. After using PSM to control confounding factors, the differences above still existed. Conclusion The cause of assessment, nationality of the assessed, history of diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, history of crimes, history of drug abuse, and status of alcohol consumption before the crime are factors that influence the efficiency of public security organs to initiate forensic psychiatric assessments. Under the current assessment initiation mode, forensic psychiatric assessment of suspects who have mental disorders, especially those with no responsibility may be given priority to initiate.

[Study on lung injury induced by subchronic exposure to crotonaldehyde in male rats]

Objective: To observe the lung injury of male rats induced by sub-chronic exposure to crotonaldehyde, and to explore the possible mechanism of injury. Methods: Forty SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and 3 groups in each group, and each group received 0.0, 2.5, 4.5, 8.5 mg/kg body weight crotonaldehyde solution for continuous intragastric administration. 120 d, once a day. After the end of the exposure, the body weight of the rats was measured, and the lung tissues were quickly separated after cervical dislocation. The organ coefficients were calculated and histopathological examination was performed to determine malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. Peroxidase (GSH-Px) content; ELISA was used to measure interleukin (IL) -6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α in lung tissues. Results: Compared with the control group, the weight gain of the rats in the 4.5 and 8.5 mg/kg exposure groups was small, and the lung weight and organ coefficient of the exposed group decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the exposed group, the lung tissue structure was disordered, the alveolar wall was thickened, and inflammatory cell infiltration was observed. Compared with the control group, the MDA activity in the serum of the rats in the 4.5 mg/kg and 8.5 mg/kg groups increased, and the SOD and GSH-Px activities decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). TNF-α levels in the lung tissues of rats exposed to 4.5 mg/kg and 8.5 mg/kg, and levels of (IL) -6 and IL-1β in the lungs of rats in the 2.5, 4.5, and 8.5 mg/kg groups. Significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Crotonaldehyde may induce inflammatory and oxidative stress damage in rats by up-regulating the expression of inflammatory factors in lung tissue and changing the oxidative balance.

Prognostic genes of melanoma identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and drug repositioning using a network-based method

Melanoma is one of the most malignant types of skin cancer. However, the efficacy and utility of available drug therapies for melanoma are limited. The objective of the present study was to identify potential genes associated with melanoma progression and to explore approved therapeutic drugs that target these genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to construct a gene co-expression network, explore the associations between genes and clinical characteristics and identify potential biomarkers. Gene expression profiles of the GSE65904 dataset were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. RNA-sequencing data and clinical information associated with melanoma obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used for biomarker validation. A total of 15 modules were identified through average linkage hierarchical clustering. In the two significant modules, three network hub genes associated with melanoma prognosis were identified: C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit γ (PIK3CG). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the mRNA levels of these genes exhibited excellent prognostic efficiency for primary and metastatic tumor tissues. In addition, the proximity between candidate genes associated with melanoma progression and drug targets obtained from DrugBank was calculated in the protein interaction network, and the top 15 drugs that may be suitable for treating melanoma were identified. In summary, co-expression network analysis led to the selection of CXCR4, IL7R and PIK3CG for further basic and clinical research on melanoma. Utilizing a network-based method, 15 drugs that exhibited potential for the treatment of melanoma were identified.

[The effect of perioperative fluid therapy on early postoperative pulmonary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the effect of perioperative fluid therapy on early postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods: The clinical data of 132 patients who underwent OLT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from April 2016 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients included 96 males and 36 females, aged (47.3±9.6) years (range: 24-69 years). Based on the clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings of patients in ICU and PPC occurrence within 7 days after OLT surgery, the patients were divided into 2 groups: non-PPC group and PPC group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between perioperative variables and PPC. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate cumulative survival of recipients with or without PPC within 2-years. Results: During the follow-up, 11 patients (8.3%) died and 72 patients (54.5%) developed PPC after operation. There were 34 cases, 6 cases, 3 cases, 4 cases, 15 cases, 6 cases and 4 cases of only pleural effusion, only pulmonary edema, only pneumonia, pleural effusion with pneumonia, pleural effusion with pulmonary edema, pleural effusion with atelectasis, and pleural effusion with pneumonia and pneumonia in PPC, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the preoperative factors (model for end-stage liver disease score), the intra-operative factors (duration of surgery, total infusion volume, total blood products) and the postoperative cumulative fluid balance within the first 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h were the prognosis factors of PPC (P<0.05). At least two out of the first three postoperative days with a fluid balance of ≤-500 ml was a protective factor. Using multivariate analysis by Logistic regression, only the red blood units >10 U (OR=3.55, 95% CI: 1.35-9.26, P=0.010) and the cumulative fluid intake >12 L (OR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.14-7.80, P=0.026) within the first 72 h after operation were independent prognosis factors of PPC after OLT. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate was lower in PPC group than that in non-PPC group (χ(2)=6.590, P=0.01). Conclusion: Massive red blood cell transfusion and the cumulative fluid volume >12 L during perioperative 72 hours are independent prognosis factors of PPC after OLT.

TRIM44 activates the AKT/mTOR signal pathway to induce melanoma progression by stabilizing TLR4

Background

There is growing evidence that tripartite motif-containing protein 44 (TRIM44) plays crucial role in tumor development. However, the underlying mechanism of this deubiquitinating enzyme remains unclear.

Methods

Large clinical samples were used to detect TRIM44 expression and its associations with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in cell lines and mouse xenograft models were performed to elucidate the function and underlying mechanisms of TRIM44 induced tumor progression. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays and mass spectrometric analyses were applied to verify the interacting proteins of TRIM44.

Results

We found that TRIM44 was commonly amplified in melanoma tissues compared with paratumoral tissues. TRIM44 expression also positively correlated with more aggressive clinicopathological features, such as Breslow depth (p = 0.025), distant metastasis (p = 0.012), and TNM stage (p = 0.002). Importantly, we found that TRIM44 was an independent indicator of prognosis for melanoma patients. Functionally, overexpression of TRIM44 facilitated cell invasion, migration, apoptosis resistance and proliferation in vitro, and promoted lung metastasis and tumorigenic ability in vivo. Importantly, high level of TRIM44 induced melanoma cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the most important mechanisms for the promotion of tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, high levels of TRIM44 increased the levels of p-AKT (T308) and p-mTOR (S2448), and a specific AKT inhibitor inhibited TRIM44-induced tumor progression. Co-IP assays and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that TRIM44 overexpression induces cell EMT through activating AKT/mTOR pathway via directly binding and stabilizing TOLL-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and TLR4 interference impeded TRIM44 induced tumor progression. Moreover, we demonstrated that TRIM44 is the target of miR-26b-5p, which is significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues and may be responsible for the overexpression of TRIM44.

Conclusions

TRIM44, regulated by miR-26b-5p, promotes melanoma progression by stabilizing TLR4, which then activates the AKT/mTOR pathway. TRIM44 shows promise as a prognostic predictor and a therapeutic target for melanoma patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1138-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

LINC01939 inhibits the metastasis of gastric cancer by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-17-5p to regulate EGR2 expression

Accumulating evidence have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate diverse tumorigenic processes. Recently, a novel lncRNA LINC01939 was underexpressed and emerged as a tumor suppressive lncRNA in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of LINC01939 in GC. We found that LINC01939 expression was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Low expression of LINC01939 was correlated with tumor metastasis and shorter survival in GC patients. Functionally, LINC01939 overexpression remarkably inhibited the invasion and migration of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01939 regulated the expression of early growth response 2 (EGR2) protein by competitively binding to miR-17-5p. Upregulation of miR-17-5p reversed GC metastasis and EMT process caused by LINC01939 by rescue analysis. Taken together, these results suggested that LINC01939 repressed GC invasion and migration by functioning as a ceRNA for miR-17-5p to regulate EGR2 expression. Our findings provided a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for GC patients.

The fabrication of highly conductive and flexible Ag patterning through baking Ag nanosphere-nanoplate hybrid ink at a low temperature of 100 °C

With the aim of developing highly conductive ink for flexible electronics on heat-sensitive substrates, Ag nanospheres and nanoplates were mixed to synthesize hybrid inks. Five kinds of hybrid ink and two types of pure ink were written to square shape on Epson photo paper using rollerball pens, and sintered at a low temperature (100 °C). The microstructure, electrical resistivity, surface porosity, hardness and flexibility of silver patterns were systematically investigated and compared. It was observed that the optimal mixing ratio of nanospheres and nanoplates was 1:1, which equipped the directly written pattern with excellent electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical resistivity was 0.103 μΩ · m, only 6.5 times that of bulk silver. The enhancement compared to pure silver nanospheres or nanoplates based ink was due to the combined action of nanospheres and nanoplates. This demonstrates a valuable way to prepare Ag nanoink with good performance for printed/written electronics.

Hydrogen-rich water protects against inflammatory bowel disease in mice by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and promoting heme oxygenase-1 expression

AIM

To investigate the therapeutic effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to explore the potential mechanisms involved.

METHODS

Male mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: control group, in which the mice received equivalent volumes of normal saline (NS) intraperitoneally (ip); dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, in which the mice received NS ip (5 mL/kg body weight, twice per day at 8 am and 5 pm) for 7 consecutive days after IBD modeling; DSS + HRW group, in which the mice received HRW (in the same volume as the NS treatment) for 7 consecutive days after IBD modeling; and DSS + HRW + ZnPP group, in which the mice received HRW (in the same volume as the NS treatment) and ZnPP [a heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor, 25 mg/kg] for 7 consecutive days after IBD modeling. IBD was induced by feeding DSS to the mice, and blood and colon tissues were collected on the 7^th d after IBD modeling to determine clinical symptoms, colonic inflammation and the potential mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

The DSS + HRW group exhibited significantly attenuated weight loss and a lower extent of disease activity index compared with the DSS group on the 7^th d (P < 0.05). HRW exerted protective effects against colon shortening and colonic wall thickening in contrast to the DSS group (P < 0.05). The histological study demonstrated milder inflammation in the DSS + HRW group, which was similar to normal inflammatory levels, and the macroscopic and microcosmic damage scores were lower in this group than in the DSS group (P < 0.05). The oxidative stress parameters, including MDA and MPO in the colon, were significantly decreased in the DSS + HRW group compared with the DSS group (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, the protective indicators, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, were markedly increased with the use of HRW. Inflammatory factors were assessed, and the results showed that the DSS + HRW group exhibited significantly reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β compared with the DSS group (P < 0.05). In addition, the pivotal proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, including p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1s and CHOP, were dramatically reduced after HRW treatment in contrast to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, HRW treatment markedly up-regulated HO-1 expression, and the use of ZnPP obviously reversed the protective role of HRW. In the DSS + HRW + ZnPP group, colon shortening and colonic wall thickening were significantly aggravated, and the macroscopic damage scores were similar to those of the DSS + HRW group (P < 0.05). The histological study also showed more serious colonic damage that was similar to the DSS group.

CONCLUSION

HRW has a significant therapeutic potential in IBD by inhibiting inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and ER stress and by up-regulating HO-1 expression.

[Prospective evaluation on ventilator-associated events: a cohort study from eight intensive care units]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of ventilator associated events (VAEs) in intensive care units (ICUs) among adult patients, and to evaluate the correlation between VAEs and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).

METHODS

A prospective 3-month cohort study (January 2015 to March 2015) was carried out. VAEs were divided into three groups: with ventilator-associated condition (VAC), with infection related ventilator-associated complication (IVAC) and with possible VAP (PVAP). Sensitivity and specificity of VAEs were evaluated and compared to the traditional VAP. Kappa test was applied to judge the consistency of VAC and VAP.

RESULTS

During Jan. 2015 and Mar. 2015, 1 014 patients were admitted to 8 ICUs, with 7 977 patients per day. In total, 197 patients used the mechanical ventilation installation, with, a total number of 3 152 ventilator-days. Finally, 1 214 ventilation days in the VAC group and 1 938 ventilation days in the non-VAC group) that were available for final analysis. 46 VAC cases were identified including 22 classified as IVAC (14.59 and 6.98 per 1 000 ventilation days, respectively). Length of ICU stay and duration on mechanical ventilation for VAC patients were both significantly longer than those for non-VAC patients (P<0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of the VAC criteria for the detection of VAP were 36.92% and 83.33%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The VAEs surveillance paradigms could be applied to monitor patients on the use of mechanical ventilation installation. However, sensitivity and specificity of VAC were under pool for the diagnosis of VAP. However, automatically surveillance programs was relied on the improvement of auto-information systems.

[Absorption and Reflection Characteristics of Black Water Blooms in the Eutrophic Water]

Studying on optical properties of black water blooms, is the precondition for using remote sensing technology to monitor and evaluate the black water blooms event. Black water blooms occurred in Taihu Lake in July 2015. A total of 36 water samples were observed in the three water regions of Taihu Lake, the region 1 with black water blooms characteristics, region 2 with cyanobacterial bloom characteristics, and regional 3 with characteristics of clean lake water. The reflectance spectra and absorption coefficient of these three regions were analyzed, and the results show that:1 The absorption coefficients of the total particles, the pigment particles and the non-pigment particlesin black water blooms are 1 to 2 times higher than the other two areas. The absorption coefficient of CDOM between 400-500 nm in region 1 is about 2 times higher than the other two areas, which lead the black water area with a very lower reflectance, and presents as black color. 2 The range of M value in black water blooms is lower than Dianchi Lake and Chaohu Lake, which means the humic acid content of CDOM with black water characteristics is higher. A significant positive correlation is found between chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and the CDOM absorption coefficient at 350 nm, indicating that algae degradation is likely to be the primary source of CDOM in black waters. 3 The contribution of each optically active component indicates that the water absorption of region 1 strongly controlled by CDOM below 380 nm, but by Chla absorption between 380 nm and 700 nm.

[Progress of different drug delivery route of vancomycin for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis]

Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) is an infectious disease caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the main characteristics of COM including local dead bone formation, soft tissue infection, and repeatedly attacks. As a sensitive antibiotic, vancomycin plays an important role in the therapy of COM caused by MRSA. Currently, drug treatment is divided into systemic and topical, systemic medication is given priority to intravenous drug delivery; local drug application including local delivery device and local antibiotics lavage and regional arterial perfusion. In practice, its validity depends on whether free drug concentration of vancomycin has riched the effective concentration in the organization. Nevertheless, low concentration lead to treatment failure and even induce drug-resistance bacteria, meanwhile high concentration may cause acute renal failure. So when using vancomycin for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, both drug resistance and renal toxicity is as the same important as the effectiveness. Systemic administration is a targeting weak way and has many complications; topical medicate effect on the lesion can be targeted, it would be an effective way in the future treatment of COM. Different methods of delivering vancomycin have great influence on local drug concentration, which makes it become the most important factor on local drug concentration of COM.

Association Between the MUC5B Promoter Polymorphism rs35705950 and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis in Caucasian and Asian Populations

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with a poor prognosis. A number of studies reported the association between MUC5B promoter polymorphism rs35705950 and IPF, but substantial inconsistent findings were observed and the strength of association remains unclear.The aim of the study was to investigate the association between rs35705950 and IPF in different ethnic populations.PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL were searched from their inception to April 15, 2015. Allelic and phenotypic comparisons were conducted separately, as were comparisons in Caucasian and Asian populations. A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis was conducted.Nine studies presented in 7 full-text articles were included, encompassing 2733 IPF patients and 5044 controls. Six studies were carried out in the Caucasian population, and 3 in the Asian population. Minor T allele was associated with an increased risk of IPF compared with G allele (odds ratio [OR] 4.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.79-6.21, P = 5.88 × 10), as were TG and TT genotypes compared with GG genotype (TG vs GG: OR 6.20, 95% CI 5.14-7.48, P = 1.70 × 10; TT vs GG: OR 11.29, 95% CI 5.69-22.40, P = 4.22 × 10), in an allele dose-dependent manner. These observations were confirmed in trial sequential analysis in both populations. The strength of association was more remarkable in the Caucasian population than in the Asian population, and no homozygous TT genotype was detected in the Asian population in our study.Our study revealed strong association between the MUC5B promoter rs35705950 polymorphism and the risk of IPF. The strength of association between rs35705950 minor T allele and IPF susceptibility was particularly evident in the Caucasian population, and milder but still significant in the Asian population.

IL-1B rs1143623 and EEF1A1P11-RPL7P9 rs10783050 polymorphisms affect the glucose-lowing efficacy of metformin in Chinese overweight or obese Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Aim: To investigate the potential genetic effect on metformin efficacy in overweight or obese Chinese Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Patients & methods: 768 SNPs in or close to 207 genes were genotyped in 84 patients treated with metformin + glibenclamide/Xiaoke Pill. Significant SNPs were then verified in 107 recent-onset overweight or obese T2DM patients treated with metformin alone. Genotyping was done by Illumina GoldenGate Assay. Results: In the discovery stage, 22 SNPs were nominally significant. IL1B rs1143623 (p = 0.011) and EEF1A1P11-RPL7P9 rs10783050 (p = 0.021) were still significantly associated with the relative change of HbA1c in the replication stage. Conclusion: IL1B rs1143623 and EEF1A1P11-RPL7P9 rs10783050 polymorphisms may contribute to metformin's glucose-lowing efficacy in overweight or obese Chinese T2DM patients.

Temperature dependence of photoluminescence spectra for green light emission from InGaN/GaN multiple wells

Three green light emitting InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structures with different In composition grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition are investigated by the X-ray diffraction and the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements. It is found that when the In composition increases in the InGaN/GaN MQWs, the PL spectral bandwidth may anomalously decrease with increasing temperature. The reduction of PL spectral bandwidth may be ascribed to the enhanced non-radiative recombination process which may lower the light emission efficiency of the localized luminescent centers with shallow localization energy in the high-In-content InGaN quantum wells and also cause a reduction of integrated PL intensity.

Cardioprotective effects of fucoidan against hypoxia-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells

CONTEXT

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis plays a critical role in the progress of heart diseases. Fucoidan, a complex-sulfated polysaccharide, has been reported to possess potential cardioprotective efficacy in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

The present study determines whether fucoidan could provide cardioprotection on hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells were incubated with various concentrations (15, 30, and 60 μg/ml) of fucoidan in a humidified incubator at 37 °C with 95% O2 and 5% CO2. After 6 h, hypoxia was processed and the cardioprotective effects of fucoidan were evaluated by applying MTT, ELISA, Hoechst 33258 nucleus staining, and western blot.

RESULTS

Following a 6 h exposure of H9c2 to hypoxic condition, significant reduction was found in cell survival (0.57-fold) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (0.56-fold), which were associated with the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level (2.58-fold), creatine phosphokinase (CK, 3.57-fold), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities (2.39-fold). Moreover, hypoxia-induced apoptosis was confirmed by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining, and these changes were accompanied by the increase of Bcl-2 (1.27-fold) and Bax expression (2.6-fold). However, preincubation of the cells with fucoidan prior to hypoxia exposure elevated the cell viability (30 μg/ml, 1.18-fold; 60 μg/ml, 1.32-fold) and SOD activity (30 μg/ml, 1.12-fold; 60 μg/ml, 1.25-fold), but decreased the MDA level (30 μg/ml, 0.70-fold; 60 μg/ml, 0.80-fold), CK (30 μg/ml, 0.69-fold; 60 μg/ml, 0.76-fold), and LDH (30 μg/ml, 0.67-fold; 60 μg/ml, 0.86-fold) leakages. Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining observations demonstrated the same protective effect of fucoidan on hypoxia-induced myocardial injury. Also, cardioprotective effects of fucoidan were reflected by increasing Bcl-2 (60 μg/ml, 1.84-fold), as well as decreasing Bax (60 μg/ml, 0.6-fold).

CONCLUSION

Fucoidan had protective effect against hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis, and the mechanism might involve protections of the cell from oxidative injury.

Initial conditions for dark soliton generation in normal-dispersion fiber lasers

We report results of numerical simulations on the various initial conditions for dark soliton generation in an all-normal-dispersion fiber laser. All the dark solitons generated are odd dark solitons. Differently from the dark soliton generation in fibers, where an arbitrary dip could evolve into a dark soliton, it is found that the dark soliton can originate only from an initial dip with a certain parameter requirement. A bright pulse with either a hyperbolic secant square, Gaussian, or Lorentz profile can be developed into a dark soliton, provided that the parameters of the initial bright pulse are selected. Dark solitons can be generated in fiber lasers only if there is a phase jump, and this phase jump can be maintained and evolve to π during the pulse evolution.

Suppression of electron leakage by inserting a thin undoped InGaN layer prior to electron blocking layer in InGaN-based blue-violet laser diodes

InGaN-based blue-violet laser diodes (LDs) suffer from electron leakage into the p-type regions, which could be only partially alleviated by employing the electron blocking layer (EBL). Here, a thin undoped InGaN interlayer prior to EBL is proposed to create an additional forbidden energy range above the natural conduction band edge, which further suppresses the electron leakage and thus improve the characteristics of LDs. Numerical device simulations reveal that when the proper composition and thickness of InGaN interlayer are chosen, the electron leakage could be efficiently eliminated without inducing any severe accumulation of electrons at the interlayer, resulting in a maximum output power of the device.

A contig-based strategy for the genome-wide discovery of microRNAs without complete genome resources

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of many cellular processes and exist in a wide range of eukaryotes. High-throughput sequencing is a mainstream method of miRNA identification through which it is possible to obtain the complete small RNA profile of an organism. Currently, most approaches to miRNA identification rely on a reference genome for the prediction of hairpin structures. However, many species of economic and phylogenetic importance are non-model organisms without complete genome sequences, and this limits miRNA discovery. Here, to overcome this limitation, we have developed a contig-based miRNA identification strategy. We applied this method to a triploid species of edible banana (GCTCV-119, Musa spp. AAA group) and identified 180 pre-miRNAs and 314 mature miRNAs, which is three times more than those were predicted by the available dataset-based methods (represented by EST+GSS). Based on the recently published miRNA data set of Musa acuminate, the recall rate and precision of our strategy are estimated to be 70.6% and 92.2%, respectively, significantly better than those of EST+GSS-based strategy (10.2% and 50.0%, respectively). Our novel, efficient and cost-effective strategy facilitates the study of the functional and evolutionary role of miRNAs, as well as miRNA-based molecular breeding, in non-model species of economic or evolutionary interest.

Replication of association study between type 2 diabetes mellitus and IGF2BP2 in Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

The association between IGF2BP2 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been repeatedly confirmed among different ethnic populations. However, in several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from the Chinese Han population, the gene IGF2BP2 has not been replicated. The results of relevant studies for the association between IGF2BP2 and T2DM showed controversy in Chinese Han population. It is necessary to systematically evaluate the contribution of common variants in IGF2BP2 to T2DM in Chinese Han population.

METHODS

Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs4402960 and rs1470579) in IGF2BP2 were genotyped in Chinese Han population (3807 controls/4531 T2DM cases) by Illumina GoldenGate Indexing assay. The association between SNPs and T2DM was evaluated by multiple Logistic Regression analysis. A meta-analysis was used to estimate the effects of IGF2BP2 in 20854 Chinese Han individuals.

RESULTS

rs1470579 and rs4402960 were confirmed to have strong association with T2DM in the Chinese Han population (rs1470579 P = 1.80×10(-7), OR (95% CI) = 1.22 (1.14-1.32), rs4402960 P = 7.46×10(-9), OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.17-1.37), respectively). Moreover, 11 studies for rs4402960 were included in the meta-analysis and 7 studies for rs1470579. The meta-analysis also showed the association between T2DM and IGF2BP2 (rs1470579 OR of 1.15 (95% CI = 1.10-1.19), P < 0.0001 under an additive model and rs4402960 OR of 1.14 (95% CI = 1.10-1.18), P < 0.0001 under an additive model).

CONCLUSION

IGF2BP2 was strongly associated with the risk of T2DM in Chinese Han population.

Fine structure analysis and sintering properties of Si-doped hydroxyapatite

Si-doped hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) has been intensively investigated as a promising bone biomaterial because of the biomineralization and bone formation benefit from silicon addition. In the current work, Si-HA samples were synthesized by the aqueous precipitation method. The sintering property of Si-HA was studied in terms of phase composition and transition, which was influenced by the Si doping percentage and sintering temperature. The results indicate that all the as-prepared and sintered low Si doping samples (Si% ≤ 1.6 wt%) possess HA phases; while the high Si doping samples (Si% ≥ 2 wt%) present amorphous phases as prepared, and largely or even completely transform to β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) phase after sintering at 1250 °C. The Rietveld refinement on x-ray diffraction patterns was conducted to determine the particle sizes, microstrain factors and anisotropic distributions. According to the refined results, the calculated anisotropic particle sizes correspond to the observations made by transmission electron microscopy. The microstrains also present anisotropic distributions in all refinements. The accurate variation in the fine structure of Si-HA has been studied by the improved refinements after considering the anisotropic distribution.

Biomimetic fibronectin/mineral and osteogenic growth peptide/mineral composites synthesized on calcium phosphate thin films

Composites of fibronectin/mineral and osteogenic growth peptide/mineral were synthesized on calcium phosphate coated substrates immersed in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline solution containing biomolecules. The kinetics of coprecipitation for two biomolecules was similar, and the biomolecules participated in the formation of the crystal latticework and influenced the mineral structure and composition.

Impact of abnormal nutrition during pregnancy on the offspring hormone resistance

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of abnormal nutrition during pregnancy on the insulin and leptin resistance of adult offsprings.

METHODS

The model of abnormal nutrition during pregnancy was established, and these rats were fed whole-course low-protein or high-nutrition. After natural childbirth, the birth weight of each newborn rat was measured. According to the determining birth weights, the newborn rats were assigned into the small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) groups as well as the healthy control group, respectively. There was a total of 36 randomly selected rats in each group. The levels of insulin and leptin and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay 4 and 12 weeks post birth, respectively.

RESULTS

In the low-protein group, the birth weight was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.01) and 68.97% of the newborn rats were SGA; in the high-energy group, the birth weight of the newborn rats was significantly larger than in the control group (p<0.01), and 37.98% of the newborn were LGA. The body weights (BW) of the SGA 4 weeks post birth had no significant difference from that of the controls, while the perirenal fat weight (FW) and the FW/BW ratio were significantly larger than those of the controls (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively); however, the FW/BW of the LGA had no significant difference from that of the controls. Twelve weeks after birth, the BW of both SGA and LGA rats increased significantly compared to the controls (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), and the FW/BW ratios of both were significantly larger than that of the controls (p<0.01). For the SGA rats 4 weeks post birth, the insulin and leptin level increased significantly (both p<0.05), while the ISI decreased significantly (p<0.05), with the occurrence of insulin resistance. For both SGA and LGA 12 weeks post birth, the insulin and leptin level significantly increased (both p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Abnormal nutrition during pregnancy could lead to abnormal birth weight, and both low and high birth weight could cause abdominal obesity as well as insulin and leptin resistance in adulthood, although through different mechanisms.

Low-dose aspirin and breast cancer risk: results by tumour characteristics from a randomised trial

The Women's Health Study trial previously reported no overall effect of low-dose aspirin (100 mg every other day) on invasive breast cancer over an average of 10 years of treatment. The present subgroup analyses further show no effects by tumour characteristics at diagnosis, suggesting that low-dose aspirin has no preventive effect on breast cancer.

Controlled release of insulin from PLGA nanoparticles embedded within PVA hydrogels

A simple and versatile delivery platform for peptide and protein based on physically cross-linked poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels containing insulin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles was successfully fabricated. The particle morphology and size were characterized by SEM and laser light scattering method, respectively. Results showed that these particles had a mean diameter of 615 nm with a narrow size distribution and homogeneous particle production. The protein encapsulation efficiency was 72.6%. When insulin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were administered intraperitoneally as a single dose (20 U/kg) to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse, blood glucose levels of these mice decreased and it could be sustained at such levels over 24 h. In vitro release further indicated that entrapment of the nanoparticles into the PVA hydrogels causes a reduction in both the release rate and the total amount of insulin released, which suggesting that PLGA nanoparticles entrapped into the PVA hydrogels showed more suitable controlled release kinetics for protein delivery.

Alcohol intake and ovarian cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies

Alcohol has been hypothesized to promote ovarian carcinogenesis by its potential to increase circulating levels of estrogen and other hormones; through its oxidation byproduct, acetaldehyde, which may act as a cocarcinogen; and by depletion of folate and other nutrients. Case–control and cohort studies have reported conflicting results relating alcohol intake to ovarian cancer risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of the primary data from ten prospective cohort studies. The analysis included 529 638 women among whom 2001 incident epithelial ovarian cases were documented. After study-specific relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by Cox proportional hazards models, and then were pooled using a random effects model; no associations were observed for intakes of total alcohol (pooled multivariate RR=1.12, 95% CI 0.86–1.44 comparing ⩾30 to 0 g day⁻¹ of alcohol) or alcohol from wine, beer or spirits and ovarian cancer risk. The association with alcohol consumption was not modified by oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, parity, menopausal status, folate intake, body mass index, or smoking. Associations for endometrioid, mucinous, and serous ovarian cancer were similar to the overall findings. This pooled analysis does not support an association between moderate alcohol intake and ovarian cancer risk.

Praseodymium Hydroxide and Oxide Nanorods and Au/Pr6O11 Nanorod Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Praseodymium hydroxide nanorods were synthesized by a two-step approach: First, metallic praseodymium was used to form praseodymium chloride, which reacted subsequently with KOH solution to produce praseodymium hydroxide. In the second step the hydroxide was treated with a concentrated alkaline solution at 180 degrees C for 45 h, yielding nanorods as shown by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. The results of X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy experiments indicate that these nanorods are pure praseodymium hydroxide with a hexagonal structure, which can be converted into praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) nanorods of a face-centered cubic structure after calcination at 600 degrees C for 2 h in air. Gold was loaded on the praseodymium oxide nanorods using HAuCl4 as the gold source, and NaBH4 was used to reduce the gold species to metallic nanoparticles with sizes of 8-12 nm on the nanorod surface. These Au/Pr6O11 nanorods exhibit superior catalytic activity for CO oxidation.

HBx protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) can form complex with mitochondrial HSP60 and HSP70

HBx, a transcriptional transactivating protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is required for viral infection and has been implicated in virus-mediated liver oncogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism for its influence on cell remains largely unknown. It was proved that HBx need the help of host cell proteins to exert its function by binding to them. During purifying of GSTX (fusion protein of GST and HBx) expressed in E. coli, we found that it can bind specifically with GrpE (HSP60) and DnaK (HSP70) of E. coli while GST cannot. Using GST pull-down, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrum, we found that GSTX can also bind to human mitochondrial HSP60 and HSP70, which are homologues of GrpE and DnaK. These interactions between HBx and mitochondrial HSP60 and HSP70 are supported by the result of co-immunoprecipitation experiment. It means that HBx can form complex with E. coli and human HSP60 and HSP70. The implication of HBx, HSP60 and HSP70 complex in molecular mechanism of virus infection is discussed.

Physical activity and the risk of Parkinson disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether greater physical activity is associated with a lower risk of Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODS

The authors prospectively followed 48,574 men and 77,254 women who provided information on physical activity in 1986 or in early adulthood. During the follow-up, a total of 252 (male) and 135 (female) incident PD cases were identified.

RESULTS

In men, greater baseline physical activity was associated with a lower PD risk; compared with the lowest quintile, the multivariate relative risk (RR) of PD for the highest quintile was 0.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 1.1; p value, test for trend = 0.007), and the inverse association was still present after excluding the first 10 years of follow-up (RR = 0.5; p value, test for trend = 0.02). Further, strenuous exercise in early adult life was also inversely related to PD risk in men: compared with men who regularly exercised < or =2 months/year, those with > or =10 months of strenuous exercise had a 60% lower PD risk (RR = 0.4; p value, test for trend = 0.005). In women, physical activity assessed at baseline was not related to PD risk, whereas strenuous exercise in early adulthood tended to be inversely related to PD risk later in life (highest vs lowest categories, RR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.4; p value, test for trend = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests either that higher levels of physical activity may lower the risk of Parkinson disease (PD) in men or that men predisposed to PD tend to avoid strenuous physical activity in their early adult years.