Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2: A promising biomarker for colorectal cancer

According to the latest global cancer statistics, colorectal cancer (CRC) has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe. In recent decades, the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC screening tests, encompassing fecal tests, endoscopic examinations, radiological examinations and blood tests. Previous studies have shown that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 (LILRB2) is involved in inhibiting immune cell function, immune evasion, and promoting tumor progression in acute myeloid leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer. However, its interaction with CRC has not been reported yet. Recently, a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that LILRB2 and its ligand, angiopoietin-like protein 2, are markedly overexpressed in CRC. This overexpression is closely linked to tumor progression and is indicative of a poor prognosis. The study highlights the potential of utilizing the concentration of LILRB2 in serum as a promising biomarker for tumors. However, there is still room for discussion regarding the data processing and analysis in this research.

[Research progress on regulation of mitophagy by traditional Chinese medicine in prevention and treatment of chronic kidney diseases]

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease(CKD) increases year by year and has become a highly prevalent disease, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients and bringing heavy family burden. There are many diseases causing CKD, including va-rious primary and secondary glomerulonephritis, renal tubular injury, and renal vascular lesions. Although routine medical treatment for CKD can alleviate the clinical symptoms to a certain extent, it is sometimes difficult to prevent the progression of CKD. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is advantageous in high safety, few adverse reactions, and definite clinical efficacy in the treatment of CKD. The active components contained can play a synergistic effect through multiple pathways and multiple targets to delay disease progression, but its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. As revealed by the literature in this field in China and abroad, abnormal mitophagy is a common feature of the pathogenesis of CKD of different types. In recent years, a large number of studies have proved that the regulation of mitophagy through the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and mitophagy receptor pathway could delay the progression of CKD and protect renal function. Therefore, the regulation of mitophagy by TCM in the prevention and treatment of CKD through related pathways has become a potential therapeutic target in recent years. This paper reviewed the research articles on the definite efficacy of TCM in preventing and treating CKD by regulating mitophagy through relevant pathways to provide new targets and stra-tegies for preventing and treating CKD and delaying their entry into end-stage renal diseases.

Ba2B10O16(OH)2·(H3BO3)(H2O): A Possible Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear-Optical Barium Borate

A new acentric barium borate, Ba₂B₁₀O₁₆(OH)₂·(H₃BO₃)(H₂O) (1), was synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Compound 1 contains two different boron oxide units of [B₅O₁₀(OH)]^6- anions and H₃BO₃ molecules and features 9-ring channels along the c axis in a layered structure. This barium borate is a possible deep-ultraviolet nonlinear-optical crystal for its moderate second-harmonic-generation signal and wide transparency window below 190 nm.

P573Effects of mobile text messaging on glycemic control in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Mobile health interventions hold the prospect to support risk factor and lifestyle modification and are readily scalable in healthcare systems.

Purpose

We aim to assess whether text messaging program can improve glycemic control in high-risk patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

The study was a multi-centre randomised clinical trial conducted at 34 clinics in China. 502 individuals with both CHD and DM were recruited and randomly assigned to either the text messaging intervention (n=251) or control group (n=251). The control group received 2 thank-you messages per month in addition to usual care. The intervention group received 6 messages per week for 6 months. Messages provided educational and motivational information related to glucose monitoring, BP control, physical activity and lifestyle recommendations. The primary outcome was change in glycemic hemoglobin (HbA1C) from baseline to 6 months.

Results

Follow-up rate was 99%. At 6 months, HbA1C was significantly lower in intervention group compared to control group (mean HbA1C 6.7% vs. 7.2%, P<0.001), with a mean change of −0.2% and 0.1% from baseline, respectively (mean absolute change −0.3% [95% CI −0.5 to 0.1]; P=0.003). Significantly more participants in intervention group achieved a HbA1c<7% (69.3% vs. 52.6%; P=0.004), and change in FBG was larger in intervention group (−0.5 vs. 0.1 mmol/L; P=0.011). No differences in SBP, LDL-C, BMI and physical activity were observed. Almost all patients reported messages to be easy to understand (97.1%) and useful (94.1%).

Table 1. Primary and Secondary Outcomes Analyses at 6 Month Follow-up Parameter Intervention (N=251) Control (N=251) Mean Difference in Change P value for Baseline 6 Months Mean Change Baseline 6 Months Mean Change (95% CI) Difference in Change Primary Outcome HbA1C level, %, mean (SD) 6.9 (1.4) 6.7 (1.3) −0.2 (1.0) 7.1 (1.4) 7.2 (1.5) 0.1 (1.1) −0.3 (−0.5, −0.1) 0.003 Secondary Outcomes HbA1C level<7%, No. (%) 155 (62.0%) 174 (69.3%) – 139 (56.1%) 132 (52.6%) – 1.2 (1.1, 1.3)a 0.004   FBG, mmol/L, mean (SD) 8.1 (2.7) 7.5 (2.7) −0.5 (2.5) 8.5 (3.0) 8.6 (3.3) 0.1 (3.1) −0.6 (−1.1, −0.2) 0.011   SBP, mmHg, mean (SD) 135.9 (18.4) 134.7 (18.7) −1.4 (17.1) 135.9 (18.1) 132.2 (17.7) −3.5 (17.8) 2.4 (−0.8,5.5) 0.144   LDL-C, mmol/L, mean (SD) 2.6 (0.8) 2.5 (0.7) −0.1 (0.7) 2.6 (0.8) 2.5 (0.8) −0.1 (0.7) 0 (−0.1, 0.1) 0.828   BMI, mean (SD) 26.4 (3.2) 26.3 (3.5) −0.1 (2.1) 26.3 (3.2) 26.0 (3.4) −0.4 (2.5) 0.3 (−0.1, 0.7) 0.213   Physical activity (MET min/wk), 1386 1386 177 1386 1386 322 −70.7 0.784     median (IQR) (693–3066) (918–3612) (2840) (693–3066) (693–3002) (2635) (−574.9, 433.5)

Conclusion

Use of a simple, culturally sensitive mobile text-messaging program could be an effective and scalable way to improve disease self-management among patients with CHD and DM.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Research Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry of Health (201502009) from the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China

Clinical applications of retrograde autologous priming in cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery

Retrograde autologous priming (RAP) has been routinely applied in cardiac pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, this technique is performed in pediatric patients weighing more than 20 kg, and research about its application in pediatric patients weighing less than 20 kg is still scarce. This study explored the clinical application of RAP in CPB in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Sixty pediatric patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was treated with CPB using RAP, while the control group was treated with conventional CPB (priming with suspended red blood cells, plasma and albumin). The hematocrit (Hct) and lactate (Lac) levels at different perioperative time-points, mechanical ventilation time, hospitalization duration, and intraoperative and postoperative blood usage were recorded. Results showed that Hct levels at 15 min after CPB beginning (T2) and at CPB end (T3), and number of intraoperative blood transfusions were significantly lower in the experimental group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in CPB time, aortic blocking time, T2-Lac value or T3-Lac between the two groups (P>0.05). Postoperatively, there were no significant differences in Hct (2 h after surgery), mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit time, or postoperative blood transfusion between two groups (P>0.05). RAP can effectively reduce the hemodilution when using less or not using any banked blood, while meeting the intraoperative perfusion conditions, and decreasing the perioperative blood transfusion volume in pediatric patients.

Development of an alternating integrator for magnetic measurements for experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

A high-performance integrator is one of the key electronic devices for reliably controlling plasma in the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak for long pulse operation. We once designed an integrator system of real-time drift compensation, which has a low integration drift. However, it is not feasible for really continuous operations due to capacitive leakage error and nonlinearity error. To solve the above-mentioned problems, this paper presents a new alternating integrator. In the new integrator, the integrator system of real-time drift compensation is adopted as one integral cell while two such integral cells work alternately. To achieve the alternate function, a Field Programmable Gate Array built in the digitizer is utilized. The performance test shows that the developed integrator with the integration time constant of 20 ms has a low integration drift (<15 mV) for 1000 s.

Establishment of an untransfected human corneal stromal cell line and its biocompatibility to acellular porcine corneal stroma

AIM

To establish an untransfected human corneal stromal (HCS) cell line and characterize its biocompatibility to acellular porcine corneal stroma (aPCS).

METHODS

Primary culture was initiated with a pure population of HCS cells in DMEM/F12 media (pH 7.2) containing 20% fetal bovine serum and various necessary growth factors. The established cell line was characterized by growth property, chromosome analysis, tumorigenicity assay, expression of marker proteins and functional proteins. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of HCS cells with aPCS was examined through histological and immunocytochemistry analyses and with light, electron microscopies.

RESULTS

HCS cells proliferated to confluence 2 weeks later in primary culture and have been subcultured to passage 140 so far. A continuous untransfected HCS cell line with a population doubling time of 41.44 hours at passage 80 has been determined. Results of chromosome analysis, morphology, combined with the results of expression of marker protein and functional proteins suggested that the cells retained HCS cell properties. Furthermore, HCS cells have no tumorigenicity, and with excellent biocompatibility to aPCS.

CONCLUSION

An untransfected and non-tumorigenic HCS cell line has been established, and the cells maintained positive expression of marker proteins and functional proteins. The cell line, with excellent biocompatibility to aPCS, might be used for in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered HCS.

Dose estimation by chromosome aberration analysis and micronucleus assays in victims accidentally exposed to (60)Co radiation

The objective of this study was to assess the radiation exposure levels in victims of a (60)Co radiation accident using chromosome aberration analysis and the micronucleus assay. Peripheral blood samples were collected from three victims exposed to (60)Co 10 days after the accident and were used for the chromosome aberration and micronucleus assays. After in vitro culture of the lymphocytes, the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes and rings (dic+r) and the numbers of cytokinesis blocking micronuclei (CBMN) in the first mitotic division were determined and used to estimate radiation dosimetry. The Poisson distribution of the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes was used to assess the uniformity of the exposure to (60)Co radiation. Based on the frequency of dic+r in lymphocytes, estimates of radiation exposure of the three victims were 5.61 Gy (A), 2.48 Gy (B) and 2.68 Gy (C). The values were estimated based on the frequencies of CBMN, which were 5.45 Gy (A), 2.78 Gy (B) and 2.84 Gy (C). The estimated radiation dosimetry demonstrated a critical role in estimating the radiation dose and facilitating an accurate clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the frequencies of dir+r in victims A and B deviated significantly from a normal Poisson distribution. Chromosome aberration analysis offers a reliable means for estimating biological exposure to radiation. In the present study, the micronucleus assay demonstrated a high correlation with the chromosome aberration analysis in determining the radiation dosimetry 10 days after radiation exposure.

Relaxation dynamics of a single DNA molecule

The relaxation of a single DNA molecule is studied. The experimental system consists of optical tweezers and a micron-sized bead that is tethered to the bottom of the sample by a single double-stranded DNA molecule. The bead slows down the DNA relaxation from a strongly stretched configuration such that it is passing through stretched equilibrium states. This allows for a theoretical description of the relaxation trajectory, which is in good agreement with experiment.

Relaxation dynamics of semiflexible polymers

We study the relaxation dynamics of a semiflexible chain by introducing a time-dependent tension. The chain has one of its ends attached to a large bead, and the other end is fixed. We focus on the initial relaxation of the chain that is initially strongly stretched. Using a tension that is self-consistently determined, we obtain the evolution of the end-to-end distance with no free parameters. Our results are in good agreement with single molecule experiments on double stranded DNA.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on gastric mucosa

AIM

To study the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on gastric mucosa.

METHODS

By means of restaint-cold stress (RCS) in rats and 100% ethanol gavage in mice, the index of gastric mucosal injury was evaluated. The gastric juice was collected using pyloric ligation, and the volume and acidity of juice, and activity of pepsin were determined. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.

RESULTS

GbE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, bid x 5 d, ig) inhibited dose-dependently the gastric mucosal injury induced by RCS and 100% ethanol gavage. The index of gastric mucosal injury after RCS in groups pretreated with GbE was 58%, 43%, and 31% of control group respectively. The index of gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol in groups pretreated with GbE was 62%, 36%, and 26% of the control group, respectively. And GbE enhanced the protective effects of cimetidine (Cim) on gastric mucosa. But it did not obviously influence the volume and acidity of gastric juice as well as the activity of pepsin. One hour after the administration of ig 100% ethanol, the contents of MDA in gastric mucosa and serum in mice increased (P < 0.01) vs the control group. But pretreatment with GbE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, ig) could inhibit this increase of MDA both in gastric mucosa and in serum.

CONCLUSION

GbE had protective effects on gastric mucosa and GbE plus Cim possessed the synergism in the treatment of acute gastric mucosal lesions.

[Studies on the synthesis and activities of RGD related peptides]

In the binding of Fgn to GP IIb/IIIa, RGD is the key sequence. In the present paper, RGDS, RGDV and RGDF were synthesized by use of solution method. Bioassay indicated that the C-terminal amino acid residues were very important for their antithrombosis effects. Conformational studies showed that their antithrombosis potency may depend on their total energies. The observation of their vasodilation effects suggests that this kind of function is worthy to be further studied.

7S(1/2) ? 9S(1/2) two-photon spectroscopy of trapped francium

We report on the spectroscopic measurement of the (210)Fr 9S(1/2) energy obtained by two-photon excitation of atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optic trap. The resonant intermediate level 7P(3/2) is the upper state of the trapping transition. We have measured the energy difference between the 9S(1/2) state and the 7S(1/2) ground state to be 25 671.021 +/- 0.006 cm(-1).

Effect of verapamil on acute coxsackievirus B3 murine myocarditis

The effect of verapamil (Ver) on CVB3 murine myocarditis was investigated. It was found that Ver could aggravate the myocardial inflammation, increase the viral replication in myocardium, and raise mortality in mice with viral myocarditis when the drug was injected within the first 6 days after the CVB3 inoculation.

Nonresonant third harmonic generation and the parametric process in Zn vapor

Nonresonant third harmonic generation with tuning range between 157.0-158.8 nm and 210.4-214.0 nm in zinc vapor is reported. Using two-photon excitation of Zn 4s4d(1)D(2), 4s6s(1)S(0), and 4s6d(1)D(2) states, parametric processes with signal waves 213.8 nm, 159.0 nm, and 145.8 nm are also investigated.

Study on the mechanism of interferon action (XI)--Effect of pppA2'p5'A on the level of cAMP and cGMP in macrophages

In this paper, the increase of cellular cAMP and cGMP levels in macrophages induced by ppA2'p5' A2'p5'A (briefly 2'-5'P3A3) is first reported. The optimal concentration of 2'-5' P3A3 for the elevation of cellular cGMP to the highest level is 10(-7)-10(-6) mol/L, while that for cAMP is 10(-7) mol/L. The time for cGMP to reach its peak value is 15 min and that for cAMP is 2 h, when the cells are treated with 2'-5' P3A3 at 10(-7) mol/L, which is the optimal concentration for developing biological effect of macrophages (phagocytosis). These results suggest that cGMP and cAMP may be related to, or may be the mediators for, 2'-5'P3A3 action.