[A multicenter prospective study on early identification of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children]

Objective: To explore potential predictors of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in early stage. Methods: The prospective multicenter study was conducted in Zhejiang, China from May 1st, 2019 to January 31st, 2020. A total of 1 428 patients with fever >48 hours to <120 hours were studied. Their clinical data and oral pharyngeal swab samples were collected; Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected. Patients with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA results underwent a series of tests, including chest X-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and procalcitonin. According to the occurrence of RMPP, the patients were divided into two groups, RMPP group and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) group. Measurement data between the 2 groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between clinical data and RMPP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the power of the markers for predicting RMPP. Results: A total of 1 428 patients finished the study, with 801 boys and 627 girls, aged 4.3 (2.7, 6.3) years. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was positive in 534 cases (37.4%), of whom 446 cases (83.5%) were diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, including 251 boys and 195 girls, aged 5.2 (3.3, 6.9) years. Macrolides-resistant variation was positive in 410 cases (91.9%). Fifty-five cases were with RMPP, 391 cases with GMPP. The peak body temperature before the first visit and LDH levels in RMPP patients were higher than that in GMPP patients (39.6 (39.1, 40.0) vs. 39.2 (38.9, 39.7) ℃, 333 (279, 392) vs. 311 (259, 359) U/L, both P<0.05). Logistic regression showed the prediction probability π=exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004×LDH (U/L))/(1+exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004 × LDH (U/L))), the cut-off value to predict RMPP was 0.12, with a consensus of probability forecast of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.89, and specificity of 0.67; and the area under ROC curve was 0.682 (95%CI 0.593-0.771, P<0.01). Conclusion: In MPP patients with fever over 48 to <120 hours, a prediction probability π of RMPP can be calculated based on the peak body temperature and LDH level before the first visit, which can facilitate early identification of RMPP.

Toxic effects and molecular mechanisms of estuarian crustaceans (Scylla paramamosain) exposed to five commonly used benzophenones

Benzophenones (BPs) are commonly used in personal care products like sunscreens and are increasingly being released into the environment, raising concerns about their potential ecotoxic effects. BPs as emerging environmental contaminants, little is known about their toxic effects on estuarine organisms. This study firstly investigated the toxic effects of five commonly used BPs on mud crabs (Scylla paramamosain). The crabs were exposed to varying concentrations of BPs for 14 days. The results showed that BPs caused damage to antioxidant systems in crabs. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that BP-3 and BP-1 had a greater impact on the crabs compared to the other BPs. Specifically, BP-1 and BP-3 caused severe damage to organelles and ribosomes. BP affected catalytic activity and hydrolase activity, BP-2 affected phosphoenolpyruate carboxykinase activity, and BP-4 affected tRNA aminoacylation and hydrolase activity. These findings can enhance our understanding of the ecotoxicity of BPs and may help to protect estuarine ecosystems.

[The relationship between classroom environment and myopia]

Objective: Based on a cohort and intervention study of the Eastern Chinese Student Surveillance, Cohort and Intervention Study (ES-SCI), this research aims to explore the correlation between monitor of the school environment and longitudinal data on myopia and provide evidence for the government myopia intervention strategy. Methods: This survey adopts the stratified cluster sampling method with the school as the unit. Students from grade 1 to grade 3 were selected according to the whole class to monitor the school environment in the classroom. Students will use the full-automatic computer optometer (TOPCON RM800) to conduct optometry from 2019 to 2021 under the condition of mydriasis to perform refractive eye examinations. Meantime eye axis length monitoring was also conducted. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to explore the relationship between school environmental monitoring and the occurrence and development of students' myopia. Results: From 2019 to 2021, 2 670 students from 77 classrooms participated in the observation study. The students' diopter after right/left eye mydriasis decreased in varying degrees (P<0.001), and the axial length of the right/left eye increased in various degrees (P<0.001). The weighted qualified rate of per capita area of primary school classrooms increased from 18.0% in 2019 to 26.0% in 2021, the weighted average illuminance pass rate of blackboard surface increased from 23.8% in 2019 to 26.4% in 2021, and the weighted average illuminance pass rate of classroom table decreased from 86.7% in 2019 to 77.5% in 2021. The trend chi-square test was significant (P<0.05). Cox proportional risk regression showed that after correcting for the grade, gender, parental myopia, diet, sleep, near work (sitting posture, working time, electronic mobile equipment, eye exercises), and outdoor activities, the per capita area of 1.36- m² was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.778, 95%CI: 0.659-0.918, P=0.003); The average reflection ratio of blackboard 0.15-0.19 was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.685, 95%CI: 0.592-0.793, P<0.001); The average illumination of the blackboard 150-, 300-, 500- lx was the protective factor of the eye axis length (HR=0.456, 95%CI: 0.534-0.761, P<0.001; HR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.705-0.895, P<0.001; HR=0.690, 95%CI: 0.619-0.768, P<0.001). The blackboard evenness 0.40-0.59 was the risk factor of eye axis length (HR=1.528, 95%CI: 1.018-2.293, P=0.041), and the blackboard evenness 0.80- was the protection factor of eye axis length (HR=0.542, 95%CI: 0.404-0.726, P<0.001). The evenness of the desktop 0.40-0.59 was the protective factor of eye axis length (HR=0.820, 95%CI: 0.698-0.965, P=0.017). The average illuminance of 150-, 300-, 500- lx was the protective factor of a diopter (HR=0.638, 95%CI: 0.534-0.761, P<0.001; HR=0.911, 95%CI: 0.848-0.978, P=0.011; HR=0.750, 95%CI: 0.702-0.801, P<0.001). The average illumination of desktop 500- lx was a protective factor of a diopter (HR=0.855, 95%CI: 0.763-0.958, P=0.007). Conclusion: School environmental monitoring indicators, such as meeting per capita area standards, passing blackboard, and desk top-related indicators, all play protective effects on myopia development in students.

[A multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing ergometrine with oxytocin and oxytocin alone for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage at cesarean section]

Objective: To compare oxytocin combined with ergometrine with oxytocin alone in terms of primary prophylaxis for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) at the time of cesarean section (CS). Methods: This was a multicenter double-blind randomized controlled interventional study comparing ergometrine combined with oxytocin and oxytocin alone administered at CS. From December 2018 to November 2019, a total of 298 parturients were enrolled in 16 hospitals nationwide. They were randomly divided into experimental group (ergometrine intra-myometrial injection following oxytocin intravenously; 148 cases) and control group (oxytocin intra-myometrial injection following oxytocin intravenously; 150 cases) according to 1∶1 random allocation. The following indexes were compared between the two groups: (1) main index: blood loss 2 hours (h) after delivery; (2) secondary indicators: postpartum blood loss at 6 h and 24 h, placental retention time, incidence of PPH, the proportion of additional use of uterine contraction drugs, hemostatic drugs or other hemostatic measures at 2 h and 24 h after delivery, the proportion requiring blood transfusion, and the proportion of prolonged hospital stay due to poor uterine involution; (3) safety indicators: nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other adverse reactions, and blood pressure at each time point of administration. Results: (1) The blood loss at 2 h after delivery in the experimental group [(402±18) ml] was less than that in the control group [(505±18) ml], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) The blood loss at 6 h and 24 h after delivery in the experimental group were less than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of PPH, the proportion of additional use of uterine contraction drugs, hemostatic drugs or other hemostatic measures at 2 h and 24 h after delivery, the proportion requiring blood transfusion, and the proportion of prolonged hospital stay due to poor uterine involution (all P>0.05). (3) Adverse reactions occurred in 2 cases (1.4%, 2/148) in the experimental group and 1 case (0.7%, 1/150) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The systolic blood pressure within 2.0 h and diastolic blood pressure within 1.5 h of drug administration in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but the blood pressure of the two groups were in the normal range. Conclusion: The use of ergometrine injection in CS could reduce the amount of PPH, which is safe and feasible.

Determination of fipronil and its metabolites in edible oil by pollen based solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detection

In this study, a convenient and economic method for the determination of fipronil and its three metabolites in edible oil was developed based on pollen grain solid-phase extraction (SPE). As a natural material, pollen grains exhibit well absorption capacity for some polar compounds due to their special functional structures. Their stable composition and appropriate particle size also make them suitable for SPE. In the present study, natural pine pollen grains without broken wall were used as sorbent for selective isolation and enrichment of fipronil and its three metabolites from edible oils based on hydrogen bond interaction. Several parameters influencing the extraction recoveries were investigated. By coupling with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD), a new method for analysis of fipronil and its metabolites in edible oils was established. The linearity range was 2-200 ng/g with correlation coefficient R² more than 0.999. The recoveries in edible oils at three spiked concentrations were in the range of 80.1-96.0% with the RSDs less than 10.6% (intra-day) and 11.5% (inter-day). The limit of detection (LOD) for four target analytes were in the range of 0.2-0.6 ng/g, which was comparable to the previous reported methods. Finally, the established method was successfully applied to detect fipronil and its metabolites in several oil samples with different brands from local market.

Determination of fipronil and its metabolites in environmental water samples by meltblown nonwoven fabric based solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detection

In this study, a new method for determination of fipronil and its three metabolites in environmental water samples was developed based on meltblown nonwoven fabric solid-phase extraction combining with gas chromatography-electron capture detection. As the core material of medical mask, meltblown nonwoven fabric is made of polypropylene superfine fibers which are randomly distributed and bonded together with a relatively large specific surface area and good permeability. Polypropylene as a high molecular hydrocarbon-based polymer, has the characteristics of good hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, which can be applied for separation and enrichment of hydrophobic substances in food, environment and biology samples. The meltblown nonwoven fabric is soft and can fill the solid-phase extraction cartridge tightly. This aspect also makes it suitable to be used as an ideal solid-phase extraction sorbent. A series of parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated, and under the optimized conditions, fipronil and its three metabolites had good linear relationship in the range of 0.2-100 μg/L with correlation coefficient R² more than 0.999. The recoveries at three spiked concentrations were in the range of 99.2-107.3% with the relative standard deviations less than 9.8% (intra-day) and 8.1% (inter-day). The limit of detection for the four target analytes were in the range of 0.02-0.06 μg/L. Finally, this method was successfully applied in the analysis of fipronil and its three metabolites in various types of environmental water samples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Advances in MRI research on extraocular muscles and pulleys]

With the continuous development of imaging technology, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to quantitatively analyze the morphological and functional status of orbital soft tissue. Changes in the morphology and function of the extraocular muscles and pulleys may be the mechanical basis of some incomitant and special patterns of strabismus. Recent MRI research advances related to the characteristics of extraocular muscles and pulleys of healthy people and strabismic patients are reviewed in this article.

Application of a novel nylon needle filter-based solid-phase extraction device to determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine

In this work, a simple and miniaturized solid-phase extraction device was constructed by connecting a commercial nylon needle filter to a syringe, which was applied for extracting 1-hydroxypyrene from urine sample via hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions. The nylon membrane in the needle filter acted as the solid-phase extraction adsorbent, meanwhile, it filtered the particles in the urine sample. To obtain high extraction efficiency, key parameters influencing extraction recovery were investigated. The entire pretreatment process was accomplished within 5 min under the optimal conditions. By coupling HPLC-UV, a rapid, low-cost, and convenient nylon needle filter-based method was established for the analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene in complex urine matrix. Within the linearity range of 0.2-1000 μg/L, the method exhibited a satisfactory correlation coefficient (R = 0.9999). The limit of detection was 0.06 μg/L, and the recoveries from urine sample spiked with three concentrations (5, 20, and 100 μg/L) ranged from 105.8% to 113.1% with the relative standard deviations less than 6.7% (intra-day, n = 6) and 8.9% (inter-day, n = 4). Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for detecting 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples from college students, smokers, gas station workers, and chip factory workers. The detected concentration in actual urine samples ranged from 0.46 to 5.26 μg/L. Taken together, this simple and cost-effective nylon needle filter-based solid-phase extraction device showed an excellent application potential for pretreating hydrophobic analytes from aqueous samples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Association between the Controlling Nutritional Status score and long-term outcome in patients with acute heart failure]

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and its association with the long-term prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Methods: This prospective monocentric study consecutively enrolled patients admitted to our hospital for AHF from April 2012 to May 2016. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the CONUT score at admission: normal (0-1), mild malnutrition (2-4) and moderate-severe malnutrition (5-12) groups. Baseline information was obtained and recorded within 24 hours after admission. All patients were followed up every 3 months by outpatient visit or telephone call until March 2019. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to compare all-cause mortality between groups. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality after discharge. Results: A total of 396 patients were enrolled in this study, including 114 patients with normal nutritional status, 200 patients with mild malnutrition and 82 patients with moderate-severe malnutrition. One hundred and fifty-eight patients died during a median follow-up of 34 (18, 46) months. The mortality was 32.4% (37/114), 39% (78/200) and 52.4% (43/82) in normal, mild malnutrition and moderate-severe malnutrition groups, respectively. The mortality was significantly higher in the moderate-severe malnutrition group than in normal nutrition group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mortality between normal and mild malnutrition group as well as between mild and moderate-severe malnutrition group (both P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that patients with high CONUT score group was at higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with those with low CONUT score (P=0.002). Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the risk of all-cause mortality of moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly higher than that of normal nutrition group (HR =1.648, 95%CI 1.021-2.660, P=0.041). Conclusions: The CONUT score of patients with AHF at admission is associated with the long-term prognosis. High CONUT score is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in AHF patients after discharge.

[On-site epidemiological investigation of a carbon monoxide poisoning incident]

Nighteen people at a restaurant experienced dizziness headaches and other discomforts in six days. According to the description method, the time and location distribution were found to be concentrated. A second Investigation was conducted at the same time as the onset of the case, the test found that the carbon monoxide concentration of second floor up to 539 mg/m(3). The on-site testing found that when 2 steam generator in snack room on the first floor turned on, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of elevator on the second floor was 1225.0 mg/m(3). After the accident, the restaurant replaced a steam generator, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of the new and old steam generator were 350 mg/m(3) and >1 000 mg/m(3), respectively. After the steam generators were fitted with exhaust smoke pipe and exhasust hood, the carbon monoxide concentrations of on the top of the vegetable transfer elevator and the room on the second floor were both 0.4 mg/m(3), and there were no cases of recurrence. It was determined that this was a carbon monoxide poisoning incident caused by a high concentration of carbon monoxide emitted by the steam generators, which spread to the second floor of the private room through the vegetable transfer elevator.

[A multicenter retrospective study on the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia in children]

Objective: To investigate the etiology of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) in children and the clinical characteristics of NP caused by different pathogens in China. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was performed in children with NP who were admitted to 13 hospitals in China from January 2008 to December 2019. The demographic and clinical information, laboratory data, etiological and radiological findings were analyzed. The data were divided into three groups based on the following years: 2008-2011, 2012-2015 and 2016-2019, and the distribution characteristics of the pathogens in different period were compared. Meanwhile, the pathogens of pediatric NP in the southern and northern China were compared. And the clinical characteristics of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) NP and the bacterial NP were also compared. T-test or Mann-Whitney nonparametric test was used for comparison of numerical variables, and χ² test was used for categorical variables. Results: A total of 494 children with NP were enrolled, the median ages were 4.7 (0.1-15.3) years, including 272 boys and 222 girls. Among these patients, pathogens were identified in 347 cases and the pathogen was unclear in the remaining 147 cases. The main pathogens were MP (238 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) (61 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (51 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 cases), Haemophilus influenzae (10 cases), adenovirus (10 cases), and influenza virus A (7 cases), respectively. MP was the most common pathogen in all three periods and the proportion increased yearly. The proportion of MP in 2016-2019 was significantly higher than that in 2012-2015 (52.1% (197/378) vs. 36.8% (32/87), χ²=6.654, P=0.010), while there was no significant difference in the proportion of MP in 2012-2015 and that in 2008-2011 (36.8% (32/87) vs. 31.0% (9/29), χ²=0.314, P=0.575).Regarding the regional distribution, 342 cases were in the southern China and 152 in the northern China. Also, MP was the most common pathogen in both regions, but the proportion of MP was higher and the proportion of SP was lower in the north than those in the south (60.5% (92/152) vs. 42.7% (146/342), χ²=13.409, P<0.010; 7.9% (12/152) vs. 14.3% (49/342), χ²=4.023, P=0.045). Comparing the clinical characteristics of different pathogens, we found that fever and cough were the common symptoms in both single MP and single bacterial groups, but chest pain was more common (17.0% (34/200) vs. 6.1% (6/98), χ²=6.697, P=0.010) while shortness of breath and wheezing were less common in MP group (16.0% (32/200) vs. 60.2% (59/98), χ²=60.688, P<0.01; 4.5% (9/200) vs. 21.4% (21/98), χ²=20.819, P<0.01, respectively). The white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the bacterial group were significantly higher than those in the MP group (14.7 (1.0-67.1)×10⁹/L vs. 10.5 (2.5-32.2)×10⁹/L, 122.5 (0.5-277.3) mg/L vs. 51.4 (0.5-200.0) g/L, 2.13 (0.05-100.00) μg/L vs. 0.24 (0.01-18.85) μg/L, Z=-3.719, -5.901 and -7.765, all P<0.01). Conclusions: The prevalence of pediatric NP in China shows an increasing trend during the past years. MP, SP and SA are the main pathogens of NP, and the most common clinical symptoms are fever and cough. The WBC count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in bacterial NP are significantly higher than those caused by MP.

Functional differences in the products of two TRAF3 genes in antiviral responses in the Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus

Tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is a crucial transducing protein for linking upstream receptor signals and downstream antiviral signalling pathways. Previous studies mostly clarified the functions of TRAF3 in mammals, birds and fish, but little is known about the characterization and function of TRAF3 in amphibians. In this study, the molecular and functional identification of two TRAF3 genes, AdTRAF3A and AdTRAF3B, were investigated in the Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus. The complete open reading frames (ORFs) of AdTRAF3A and AdTRAF3B were 1698 bp and 1743 bp in length, encoding 565 and 580 amino acids, respectively. Both AdTRAF3A and AdTRAF3B deduced proteins contained a RING finger, two TRAF-type zinc fingers, a coiled-coil and a MATH domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AdTRAF3 protein clustered together with other known TRAF3 proteins. Gene expression analysis showed that AdTRAF3s were broadly distributed in all examined tissues with similar distribution patterns. AdTRAF3s in the blood or spleen positively responded to Giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV) and poly (I:C) induction but exhibited distinct response patterns. Silencing AdTRAF3A/B remarkably suppressed the expression of IFN signalling pathway-related genes when leukocytes were treated with DNA virus and the viral RNA analogue. Moreover, overexpression of AdTRAF3A may induce the activation of the IFN-β promoter, and the zinc finger, coiled coil and MATH domains of AdTRAF3A were essential for IFN-β promoter activation. However, the overexpression of AdTRAF3B significantly suppressed IFN-β promoter activity, and its inhibitory effect was enhanced when the RING finger or MATH domain was deleted. Furthermore, AdTRAF3A rather than AdTRAF3B significantly induced NF-κB activation, implying that AdTRAF3A may function as an enhancer in both the IFN and NF-κB signalling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that the two TRAF3 genes play different crucial regulatory roles in innate antiviral immunity in Chinese giant salamanders.

[Establishment of nutrition literacy core items for Chinese lactating women]

Objective: To establish the nutrition literacy core items for Chinese lactating women. Methods: The framework system and preliminary items of nutrition literacy were established through literature review and experts consultation. E-Delphi method was used to determine the nutrition literacy items. 11 experts in the field of maternal and child nutrition, obstetrics and gynecology, health education and nutrition and diseases were invited to score the importance of each nutrition literacy item via Email. The judgment basis and familiarity of experts towards the items, active coefficient, authority coefficient and harmony coefficient were evaluated and analyzed to generate the final list of nutrition literacy items. Results: The active coefficients of consultation in two rounds were 81.8% (9/11) and 87.5% (8/9). The authority coefficients were (0.86±0.11) and (0.85±0.06). The average scores of importance were (4.03±1.24) and (4.64±0.50)and the harmony coefficients were 0.556 (χ²=163.42, P<0.001) and 0.40 (χ²=64.41, P<0.001). After the second round of consultation, all selected items met the inclusion criteria. We identified the final list of nutrition literacy items consisting of 3 scales (basic knowledge and concept, lifestyles and dietary behaviors, and basic skills), 10 subscales (basic nutrition concept, food and nutrition knowledge, feeding knowledge, lifestyles, dietary behaviors, feeding behaviors, weight management, complementary food production, acquisition, understanding and application of nutrition information, judgement of nutrition information, and nutrition decision making) with 24 items in total. Conclusions: The framework system and core items of nutrition literacy were established for Chinese lactating women based on E-Delphi method. The experts involved in the consultation process presented a performance with good representativeness, enthusiasm and authority. All experts' opinions are coordinated and unified, which could satisfy the demand of developing nutrition literacy core items for target population.

[The current status of nutrition literacy and evaluation tools]

Nutrition literacy is one of essential components of health literacy. A relatively mature health literacy evaluation system has been established in China so far. However, the studies on nutrition literacy evaluation are still limited, especially for specific population, such as children, adolescents, older people, and maternal. The present study introduces the concept of nutrition literacy, and summarizes the evaluation tools of nutrition literacy for both general population and special population (i.e., children, adolescents, older people, and maternal) in China and foreign countries, and their dimension, reliability, validity and applicable scope. This study aim to provide evidence for the development of nutrition literacy evaluation tools for different population according to the current problem of nutrition in China.

Identification and functional analysis of transforming growth factor-β type III receptor (TβR3) from Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of TβR3 involved in development and innate immunity in invertebrates

Transforming growth factor-β type III receptor (TβR3), as a co-receptor of TGF-β superfamily, plays critical roles in development and growth as well as some disease pathogeneses by presenting ligands to other receptors in vertebrates. However, the identification and functional characterization of TβR3 had not been reported yet in invertebrates. In the present study, TβR3 was first identified and characterized in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The obtained cDNA length of SpTβR3 was 2, 424 bp with a 1, 854 bp open reading frame, which encoded a putative peptide of 617 amino acids containing a typical transmembrane region and a Zona pellucida (ZP) domain. Real-time PCR results showed that SpTβR3 was predominantly expressed at early embryonic development stage and early postmolt stage, suggesting its participation in development and growth. We report, for the first time in invertebrates, the challenge of both Vibro alginolyticus and Poly (I:C) could alter the expression patterns of SpTβR3. Notably, the expression levels of SpIKK, two NF-κB members (SpRelish and SpDorsal), and five antimicrobial peptide genes (SpCrustin and SpALF1-4) were significantly suppressed when SpTβR3 was interfered in vivo. Secondly, the overexpression of SpTβR3 in vitro could activate NF-κB signaling through the dual-luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, the bacterial clearance assay after SpTβR3 was silenced in vivo highlighted the potential of SpTβR3 in activating the innate immune responses. These results implied the involvement of SpTβR3 in the innate immune responses by regulating the NF-κB pathway. This study first indicated that TβR3 was present in invertebrate, and it participated in not only the development and growth but also the innate immunity of S. paramamosain. It also provided new insights into the origin or evolution of TGF-β receptors in crustacean species and even in invertebrates.

Identification and functional analysis of two interferon regulatory factor 3 genes and their involvement in antiviral immune responses in the Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a crucial member of interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, plays an important role in innate immunity in vertebrates. However, there are no reports on the characterization and especially their respective functional analysis of two IRF3 genes in some species. In this study, two IRF3 genes as well as their roles in the immune response were identified and investigated in Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus. The complete open reading frames of AdIRF3A and AdIRF3B were 1, 113 bp and 1, 380 bp in length, encoding 370 and 459 amino acids, respectively. Both AdIRF3A and AdIRF3B protein contain an IRF and an IRF3 domain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that AdIRF3s clustered together with other IRF3 proteins. Tissue distribution analysis showed that AdIRF3s were expressed in all tissues tested, with highest expression levels in blood. Both AdIRF3s actively responded to Chinese giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV) and poly (I:C) challenge in A. davidianus. AdIRF3A/B silencing significantly suppressed the DNA virus and viral RNA analog-induced expression of IFN-inducible genes. Luciferase reporter assay further confirmed the regulatory role of AdIRF3s in IFN signaling. These results provide new insights into the origin or evolution of IRF3 in amphibians and even in vertebrates.

Functional differences of three CXCL10 homologues in the giant spiny frog Quasipaa spinosa

Chemokines are a superfamily of structurally related chemotactic cytokines exerting significant roles in acting as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, we identified three CXC motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) homologues (QsCXCL10-1, QsCXCL10-2 and QsCXCL10-3) from giant spiny frog Quasipaa spinosa. All three deduced QsCXCL10 proteins contained four conserved cysteine residues as found in other known CXC chemokines. Phylogenetic analysis showed that QsCXCL10-1, 2, 3 and other CXCL10s in amphibian were grouped together to form a separate clade. These three QsCXCL10s were highly expressed in spleen and blood. Upon infection with Staphylococcus aureus or Aeromonas hydrophila, the expressions of QsCXCL10s were markedly increased in spleen and blood during biotic stresses. Meanwhile, the QsCXCL10s transcription in liver could also be up-regulated under abiotic stresses such as cold and heat stresses. The recombinant proteins of frog CXCL10 homologues were produced and purified in E. coli and possessed similar but differential bioactivities. Both rCXCL10-1 and rCXCL10-2 had strong effects on the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8) in vivo, whereas rCXCL10-3 induced a weak expression of these cytokines. Moreover, the rCXCL10-1 and rCXCL10-2 could strongly promote splenocyte proliferation and induce lymphocytes migration, while rCXCL10-3 had limited effects on these biological processes. All three frog chemokines triggered their functional activities by engaging CXC motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). Taken together, these results revealed that the three QsCXCL10s had similar but differential functional activities in mediating immune responses and host defenses, which might contribute to a better understanding of the functional evolution of CXCL10 in vertebrates.

The first evidence of four transcripts from two Interleukin 18 genes in animal and their involvement in immune responses in the largest amphibian Andrias davidianus

Interleukin 18 (IL-18), a member of IL-1 cytokine superfamily, is an important proinflammatory cytokine with multiple functions in both innate immunity and acquired immunity. However, the characteristics and functional roles of IL-18 remain largely unknown in amphibians, which were classed as major group of vertebrates. In the present study, two IL-18 genes (AdIL-18A and AdIL-18B) and four transcripts (AdIL-18A1, AdIL-18A2, AdIL-18B1 and AdIL-18B2) were firstly identified and characterized from Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of more than one gene copy or two transcripts of IL-18 in one species. The complete open reading frames of AdIL-18A1, AdIL-18A2, AdIL-18B1 and AdIL-18B2 were 588 bp, 603 bp, 591 bp and 606 bp, respectively. The putative AdIL-18 proteins possessed the typical IL-1 domains and phylogenetic analysis indicated that AdIL-18s grouped together with other vertebrate IL-18 proteins. The expression profiles of AdIL-18s were investigated under the challenges of Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus ureae and Poly (I:C) respectively, and the results suggested that AdIL-18s were involved in the immune responses against both bacterial and viral infections. Moreover, the expression levels of two NF-κBs (P100 and P105) and four proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were inhibited in AdIL-18A1/A2-silenced cells when treated with bacteria and viral RNA analog. Additionally, the transcription levels of these immune-related cytokine genes were markedly induced when the lymphocytes were treated with recombinant AdIL-18A1 or AdIL-18A2 proteins, implying the involvement of AdIL-18s in triggering NF-κB signaling and proinflammatory responses. These results might provide new insights into the origin or evolution of IL-18 in amphibians and even in vertebrates.

The nuclear factor interleukin 3-regulated (NFIL3) transcription factor involved in innate immunity by activating NF-κB pathway in mud crab Scylla paramamosain

NFIL3 is a transcriptional activator of the IL-3 promoter in T cells. In vertebrates, it has been characterized as an essential regulator of several cellular processes such as immunity response, apoptosis and NK cells maturation. However, the identification and functional characterization of NFIL3 still remains unclear in arthropods. In this study, the NFIL3 homologue was firstly cloned and characterized in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The full-length of SpNFIL3 was 2, 041 bp in length with an open reading frame of 1, 509 bp, containing a conserved basic region of leucin zipper domain. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that SpNFIL3 was significantly highly expressed in hepatopancreas and in hemocytes. Moreover, the SpNFIL3 transcription could be up-regulated after the challenge of Vibrio alginolyticus or virus-analog Poly (I:C). The dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that SpNFIL3 could activate NF-κB pathway. The immunofluorescence assay indicated SpNFIL3 was located in nucleus. After NFIL3 was interfered in vivo and in vitro, the expressions of two NF-κB members (SpRelish and SpDorsal), six antimicrobial peptide genes (SpCrustin and SpALF2-6) and pro-inflammatory cytokine SpIL-16 were suppressed, and the bacteria clearance capacity of crabs was also markedly impaired in NFIL3 silenced crabs. These results indicated that SpNFIL3 played crucial role in the innate immunity of S. paramamosain and it also brought new insight into the origin and evolution of NFIL3 in arthropods and even in invertebrates.

The Activin-like ligand Dawdle regulates innate immune responses through modulating NF-κB signaling in mud crab Scylla paramamosain

Activins, members of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, are pleiotropic cytokines with critical roles in mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, apoptosis and immune response. However, the structural characteristics and specific functions of Activins remain largely unknown in invertebrates. In the present study, an Activin-like ligand Dawdle (Daw) was firstly identified and characterized from mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The obtained cDNA sequence of SpDaw was 2, 196 bp long with a 1, 149 bp open reading fame, which encoded a putative protein of 382 amino acids. The putative SpDaw protein contained a signal peptide, a TGF-β propeptide region and a TGF-β domain. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that SpDaw was predominantly expressed at early embryonic development stage and premolt stages, implying its participation in development and growth. Furthermore, SpDaw responded to both Vibro alginolyticus and Poly (I:C) challenges, suggesting the involvement of SpDaw in innate immune responses. Knockdown of SpDaw in vivo dramatically increased the expressions of NF-κB signaling genes and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) genes, and the bacteria clearance efficiency was also markedly enhanced in SpDaw-silenced crabs. Moreover, the in vitro experiment further demonstrated that recombinant SpDaw protein could block the increased transcription of IKKs, NF-κBs and ALFs induced by pathogen challenges. Taken together, these results indicated that SpDaw not only participated in development and growth processes but also played an immune-regulatory role in crabs' innate immunity, which may pave the way for a better understanding of TGF-β superfamily members in crustacean species.

[Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adult residents in Jiangsu province]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adult residents in Jiangsu province and provide evidence for the prevention and control of hypertension. Methods: A population-based cardiovascular disease screening project was conducted during 2015-2018 in Jiangsu, a total of 95 348 community-dwelling adults aged 35-75 years from 6 project areas were included in the study. The prevalence rate of hypertension and rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the adults with different characteristics were analyzed. Multilevel model was applied to identify the influencing factors. Results: Among 95 348 adults surveyed, 54 407 were hypertensive, the standardized prevalence rate was 48.1%. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in males than in females (62.1% vs. 54.0%, P<0.05). Among the hypertension patients, the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were 56.6%, 45.3% and 12.0% (standardized rates: 52.2%, 41.0% and 11.2%), respectively, and all the rates were positively associated with age (all P<0.05). Multilevel model analysis showed that those who were males, at older age, lived in rural area, suffered from diabetes, had frequent alcohol drinking and those who were overweight/obese had higher risk for hypertension (all P<0.05). Among people with hypertension, those who had younger age, lower education level, lower household income level and those who had frequent alcohol drinking had lower awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence rate of hypertension was high, but related awareness, treatment and control rates were low in adult residents in Jiangsu province. Comprehensive measures should be taken to improve awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in whole population, especially in young adults, and those with low education or income levels.

[Comparative analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis between bacterial necrotizing pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia in children]

Objective: To compare the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia (MPNP) and bacterial necrotizing pneumonia (BNP), and explore the biomarkers for differentiation of MPNP from BNP. Methods: A retrospective, observational study of 52 necrotizing pneumonia (NP) cases who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2008 to December 2017 was conducted. According to the pathogen causing NP, patients were divided into two groups, BNP and MPNP, and the clinical manifestations, laboratory data, imaging findings, hospital course and prognosis between these groups were analyzed. Results: This study enrolled 19 boys and 33 girls, and the median ages of patients were 4.4 (0.1-13.8) years old. Of the totally of 52 NP patients, 19 were in the BNP group (9 boys and 10 girls), 33 were in the MPNP group (10 boys and 23 girls). The mean age of MPNP patients was much older than that of BNP patients (5.2 (2.3-13.2) years vs. 1.8 (0.1-13.8) years, Z=-0.128, P<0.01). The number of patients with tachypnea and pleural effusion septation were significantly higher in BNP patients than those in MPNP patients (15 cases vs. 4 cases, χ(2)=23.222, P<0.01; 14 cases vs. 1 case, χ(2)=29.326, P<0.01), which more needed to oxygentherapy (18 cases vs. 12 cases, χ(2)=16.833, P<0.01) and undergo chest drainage (9 cases vs. 4 cases, χ(2)=5.829, P=0.022); while the number of patients required bronchoalveolar lavage was higher in MPNP patients than that in BNP patients (5 cases vs. 32 cases, χ(2)=29.326, P<0.01). The values of white blood cell (WBC) (23.2 (5.2-67.1)×10(9)/L vs. 9.7 (6.3-18.7)×10(9)/L, Z=-4.855, P<0.01), procalcitonin (PCT) (3.69 (0.23-90.15) mg/L vs. 0.28 (0.02-1.44) mg/L, Z=-3.207, P=0.001), C reactive protein (CRP) (160 (94-220) mg/L vs. 90 (5-134) mg/L, Z=-4.337, P<0.01), interleukin (IL)-10 (11.7 (4.2-401.5) ng/L vs. 4.8 (2.0-23.4) ng/L, Z=-2.278, P=0.023), pleural fluid cell count (5 200 (120-50 000)×10(6)/L vs. 790 (68-6 920)×10(6)/L, Z=-3.125, P=0.002), pleural fluid lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (3 990 (589-29 382) U/L vs. 2 211 (673-3 993) U/L, Z=-2.488, P=0.013) in BNP group were significantly higher than those in MPNP group; while the values of pleural fluid glucose(0.43 (0.03-18.00) mmol/L vs. 5.95 (4.27-7.87) mmol/L, Z=-2.795, P=0.005), serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (2.3 (1.0-2.8) ng/L vs. 2.6 (1.3-109.2) ng/L, Z=-2.113, P=0.035) and interferon (IFN)-γ (4.8 (2.6-7.7) ng/L vs. 11.9 (2.9-154.6) ng/L, Z=-2.455, P=0.014) were lower in BNP group than those in MPNP group. Meanwhile, the mean time from the onset of symptoms to the discovery of necrotic lesions was longer in MPNP group than that in BNP group ((20.6±6.4) days vs. (14.6±6.2) days, t=3.029, P=0.004). After treatments, all patients were discharged without death, WBC and PCT recovered more quickly in MPNP group than those in BNP group (12 (0-24) days vs. 0 (0-23) days, Z=-4.484, P<0.01; 10 (5-15) days vs. 0 (0-23) days, Z=-3.244, P=0.001). As to prognosis, 34 cases were followed up, and the results showed that patients recovered without surgical intervention, and chest lesions were resolved within 3.0 (1.0-8.0) months, and the time to necrosis disappearance was similar in the BNP group and MPNP greup (3.0 (1.0-8.0) months vs. 3.0 (1.0-8.0) months, Z=-0.128, P=0.001). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off values for the age, WBC, CRP, PCT, pleural fluid cell count and pleural fluid glucose were set at 2.4 years of age, 17.2×10(9)/L, 157 mg/L, 1.505 mg/L, 2 630×10(6)/L and 3.73 mmol/L, respectively. Conclusions: NP is found to be severe and prolonged, yet, reversible through proper therapy, such as rational antibiotics application. The age, WBC, CRP, PCT, pleural fluid cell count and pleural fluid glucose could be used as biomarkers to differentiate MPNP from BNP in children.

Transforming growth factor-β-activating kinase 1 and its binding protein 1 participate in the innate immune responses via modulating the IMDNFκB signaling in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)

Transforming growth factor-β-activating kinase 1 (TAK1) is essential for diverse important biological functions, such as innate immunity, development and cell survival. In the present study, the homologs of TAK1 and TAK1-binding protein 1 (TAB1) were identified and characterized from mud crab Scylla paramamosain for the first time. The full-length cDNAs of SpTAK1 and SpTAB1 were 2, 226 bp and 2, 433 bp with 1, 782 bp and 1, 533 bp open reading frame (ORF), respectively. The deduced SpTAK1 protein contained a conserved S_TKc (Serine/threonine protein kinases, catalytic) domain, and the putative SpTAB1 protein possessed a typical PP2Cc (Serine/threonine phosphatases, family 2C, catalytic) domain and a potential TAK1 docking motif. Real-time PCR analysis showed that SpTAK1 and SpTAB1 were highly expressed at early development stages, suggesting their participation in crab's development process. Moreover, the expression levels of SpTAK1 and SpTAB1 in hepatopancreas were positively stimulated after challenge with Vibro alginolyticus and Poly (I:C), implying the involvement of SpTAK1 and SpTAB1 in innate immune responses against both bacterial and viral infections. When SpTAK1 or SpTAB1 were silenced in vivo, the expression levels of two IMDNFκB signaling components (SpIKKβ and SpRelish) and six antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes (SpALF1-5 and SpCrustin) were significantly reduced, and the bacteria clearance capacity of crabs was also markedly impaired in SpTAK1 or SpTAB1 silenced crabs. Additionally, overexpression of SpTAK1 and SpTAB1 in HEK293T cells could markedly activate the mammalian NF-κB signaling. Collectively, our results suggested that TAK1 and TAB1 regulated crab's innate immunity via modulating the IMDNFκB signaling. These findings may provide new insights into the TAK1/TAB1-mediated signaling cascades in crustaceans and pave the way for a better understanding of crustacean innate immune system.

[Expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 and T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 in breast cancer microenvironment and its relationship with clinicopathological features]

Objective: To explore the expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3) in breast cancer microenvironment and analyze the their correlation with the clinicopathological features. Methods: The specimens of tumor tissue and adjacent tissues from 30 patients with infiltrative breast cancer who were diagnosed as breast cancer from June 2016 to May 2017 in The First Hospital of Jiaxing were collected, and the specimen were divided into two parts along the center. After embedding and cryosectioning, the expression and distribution of PD-1 and TIM-3 protein in tumor tissues were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Another part of the specimen was cut and digested, and non-continuous density gradient centrifugation was used to extract tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in TILs. Meanwhile, the protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 and pathological parameters of breast cancer was analyzed with correlation analysis. Results: Immunofluorescence results showed that more PD-1 and TIM-3 positive cells were observed in the tumor tissues compared with the tumor-adjacent tissues. The qRT-PCR showed that the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 mRNA in TILs were both significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues (3.09±0.38 vs 1.26±0.23, 3.42±0.31 vs 1.57±0.29, t=4.16, 4.37, both P<0.05). At the protein level, the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissue lymphocytes(0.66±0.08, 0.80±0.11) was significantly higher than those in cancerous tissues(0.10±0.01, 0.26±0.02) (t=6.79, 4.57, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in the expression of PD-1, TIM-3 mRNA in the TILs between the different tumor histological grades, tumor sizes, lymph node metastasis (t=2.22-2.99, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissues (r=0.616, P<0.01). Conclusions: In the breast cancer microenvironment, PD-1, TIM-3-mediated signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer, it provides a new basis for the combination therapy of breast cancer.

[Multicenter study of human adenovirus infection in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in China]

Objective: To investigate the predominant genotypes and epidemiological characteristics of human adenovirus (HAdV) in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. Methods: This was a repeated cross sectional study. Between November 2014 and November 2016, nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) or throat swabs from each hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed as CAP in 12 hospitals in Northern and Southern China were collected. Respiratory specimens were screened for 18 respiratory viruses including HAdV by using Luminex xTAG RVP Fast V2 multiplex Assay. Typing of HAdV and analysis for the epidemiological characteristic of HAdV were performed. Results: (1) A total of 2 723 hospitalized pediatric patients with CAP were enrolled in this study and 156 (5.7%, 156/2 723) respiratory specimens were positive for HAdV, and 74 (6.6%, 74/1 128) and 82 (5.1%, 82/1 595) were in Northern and Southern China, respectively. There was no significant difference in the positive detection rate between the Northern and Southern China. (2) In Northern China, the HAdV positive rate of children at the age of <6 months, 6 months-<1 years, 1-<3 years, 3-<5 years and ≥5 years was 5.9%(6/101), 6.7%(7/104), 10.3%(34/331), 4.1%(11/266) and 4.9%(16/326), respectively, and the incidence of HAdV infection peaked in children aged 1-3 years (χ(2)=11.511, P=0.021). While in Southern China the HAdV positive rate of children at the age of <6 months, 6 months-<1 years, 1-<3 years, 3-<5 years and ≥5 years was 2.2% (7/312), 4.6% (12/259), 6.3% (31/494), 7.3% (18/245) and 4.9%(14/285), respectively. There was no significant difference in the positive detection rate among age groups. (3) In 2015, the highest detection rate of HAdV in northern China was 12.5% (25/200) in winter, and in Southern China was 6.7% (35/525) in spring and 5.3% (19/357) in summer. (4) In 108 cases of HAdV positive specimens typing was done and 80 in cases classification was successfully performed.Totally 7 genotypes of HAdV, including HAdV-3 (n=32), HAdV-7 (n=9), HAdV-1 (n=12), HAdV-2 (n=15), HAdV-5 (n=10), HAdV-6 (n=1) and HAdV-4 (n=1), were detected. The predominant HAdV genotypes were HAdV-3 (30.8%, 8/26) and HAdV-7 (26.9%, 7/26) in Northern China, while HAdV-3 (44.4%, 24/54) and HAdV-2 (22.2%, 12/54) were the most prevalent genotypes in Southern China. Conclusions: HAdV is an important viral pathogen in pediatric CAP. The predominant HAdV genotypes and peak seasons of HAdV infections were different between Northern and Southern China. The predominant HAdV genotypes were HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 in Northern China, while HAdV-3 and HAdV-2 in Southern China. The peak season of HAdV infections was winter in Northern China. However, HAdV infections are more common in spring and summer in Southern China.

Comparison of the strength of two multi-strand tendon repair configurations in a chicken model

We sought to investigate the strength of two multi-strand tendon repair configurations in a chicken model. Fifty-six chicken flexor tendons were repaired with one to two different four-strand configurations: 1) a four-strand repair consisting of a two-strand core modified Kessler suture with a circle loop repair and 2) a four-strand core Kessler suture repair with three separate peripheral suture points. The strength of the repaired tendons were measured 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the surgical repair and were analyzed statistically. The strength of the two repair methods was not statistically different 2 weeks after surgery. The tendons repaired with the four-strand core Kessler suture repair and three separate peripheral suture points were significantly stronger than those repaired with a two-strand core modified Kessler suture and a circle loop repair at 3 weeks (P = 0.033) and 4 weeks (P = 0.039). The four-strand repair with three separate peripheral suture points had greater strength than a two-strand repair with one circle loop suture based on an in vivo chicken flexor tendon model.

Identification and functional analysis of transforming growth factor-β type I receptor (TβR1) from Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of TβR1 involved in development and innate immunity in crustaceans

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor-mediated TGF-β signaling cascade plays important roles in diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, growth, apoptosis and inflammation in vertebrates. In the present study, the type I TGF-β receptor (TβR1) was firstly identified and characterized in mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The full-length cDNA of SpTβR1 was 1, 986 bp with a 1, 608 bp open reading frame, which encoded a putative protein of 535 amino acids including a typical transmembrane region, a conserved glycine-serine (GS) motif and a S_TKc domain (Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain). Real-time PCR analysis showed that SpTβR1 was predominantly expressed at early embryonic development stage and was highly expressed at postmolt stages during molt cycle, suggesting its participation in development and growth. Moreover, the expression levels of SpTβR1 in hepatopancreas and hemocytes were positively induced after the challenges of Vibro alginolyticus and Poly (I:C), indicating the involvement of SpTβR1 in responding to both bacterial and viral infections. The in vivo RNA interference assays demonstrated that the expression levels of two NF-κB members (SpRelish and SpDorsal) and six antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes (SpCrustin and SpALF2-6) were significantly suppressed when the SpTβR1 was silenced. Additionally, the expression levels of SpTβR1, SpRelish, SpDorsal and AMPs were consistently down-regulated or up-regulated when the primary cultured hemocytes were treated with TβR1 antagonist or agonist for 24 h. These results indicated that TβR1 not only contributed to the crabs' development and growth but also played vital role in the innate immunity of S. paramamosain, and it also provided new insights into the origin or evolution of TGF-β receptors in crustacean species and even in invertebrates.

Identification and functional analysis of immune deficiency (IMD) from Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of IMD signaling pathway involved in immune defense against bacterial infection in crab species

Immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, one of the most essential pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways, plays vital roles in innate immune responses to eliminate pathogen infection in invertebrates. In the present study, an immune deficiency (IMD) gene and two NF-κB family members, Relish and Dorsal, were identified and characterized in mud crab Scylla paramamosain for the first time. The deduced SpIMD, SpRelish and SpDorsal protein contained conserved death domain and classical NF-κB domains, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that SpIMD was classified into the invertebrate IMD branch, and SpRelish could be classified into the type I NF-κB class while SpDorsal could be grouped into the type II NF-κB class. Tissue distribution results showed these three genes were ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues. The expression patterns of IMD signaling pathway and NF-κB genes, including SpIMD, SpIKKβ, SpIKKε, SpRelish and SpDorsal, were distinct when crabs were stimulated with Vibro alginolyticus, indicating that they might be involved in responding to bacterial infection. When SpIMD was silenced by in vivo RNA interference assay, the expression levels of IMD pathway and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) genes, including SpIKKβ, SpRelish, SpALF1-6 and SpCrustin, were significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the bacteria clearance ability of hemolymph was extremely impaired in IMD silenced crabs. Overall, the IMD played vital roles in innate immune response by regulating the expressions of its down-stream signaling genes and AMPs in S. paramamosain. These findings might pave the way for a better understanding of innate immune system and establish a fundamental network for the IMD signaling pathway in crustaceans.

[One case report of laryngeal large cell neuroendocrine carcioma]

The clinical data of large cell neuroendcrine carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively．The patient was a middle-age male,complained of throat pain for 10 years, it was misdiagnosed as chronic pharyngitis. The patient received tracheotomy, vertical laryngeal resection and left cervical lymph node dissection. Half month after surgery, the patient was transferred to the oncology department and remains under follow-up. Large cell neuroendcrine carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, which is easily misdiagnosed. To Mastering its clinical features is important for the diagnosis and treatment.

Identification and functional analysis of inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKK) from Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of three IKKs in crab species and their expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses

IKK (inhibitor of NF-κB kinase) is the critical regulator for NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) pathway against pathogenic invasion in vertebrates or invertebrates. However, the IKK from crab species has not yet been identified. In the present study, three full-length cDNA sequences of IKKs from mud crab Scylla paramamosain, designated as SpIKKβ, SpIKKε1 and SpIKKε2, were firstly cloned through RT-PCR and RACE methods. This is also the first report about the identification of two IKKε genes in mud crab and even in crustaceans. The SpIKKβ cDNA was 2824 bp in length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2382 bp, which encoded a putative protein of 793 amino acids (aa). The ORF of two SpIKKε isoforms, SpIKKε1 and SpIKKε2, were 2400 bp and 2331 bp in length encoding 799 aa and 776 aa, respectively. The crucial conserved residues and functional domains, including the kinase domains (KDs) and leucine zipper (LZ), were identified in all SpIKKs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that SpIKKβ was classified into the IKKs class while SpIKKεs could be grouped into the IKK-related kinases class. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that three SpIKKs were constitutively expressed in all tested tissues and the highest expression levels of SpIKKβ and SpIKKεs were all in hemocyte. The gene expression profiles of SpIKKs were distinct when crabs suffered biotic and abiotic stresses including the exposures of Vibrio alginolyticus, poly (I:C), cadmium and air exposure, suggesting that the SpIKKs might play different roles in response to pathogens infections, heavy metal and air exposure. Moreover, IKKs from mud crab can significantly activate mammalian NF-κB pathway, suggesting the function of IKKs might be evolutionally well-conserved. Results of the RNAi experiments suggested that SpIKKs might regulate the immune signaling pathway when hemocytes were challenged with V. parahemolyticus or virus-analog poly (I:C). All of these results indicated that the obtained SpIKKs might be involved in stress responses against biotic or abiotic stresses, and it also highlighted their functional conservation in the innate immune system from crustaceans to mammals.

Effect of cadmium exposure on hepatopancreas and gills of the estuary mud crab (Scylla paramamosain): Histopathological changes and expression characterization of stress response genes

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that accumulates easily in organisms and causes several detrimental effects, including tissue damage. Cd contamination from anthropogenic terrestrial sources flows into rivers, and through estuaries to the ocean. To evaluate the toxic effects of Cd on estuary crustaceans, we exposed the mud crab Scylla paramamosain to various Cd concentrations (0, 10.0, 20.0, and 40.0mg/L) for 24h. We also exposed mud crabs to a fixed Cd concentration (20.0mg/L) for various periods of time (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72h). We observed that after exposure to Cd, the surfaces of the gill lamellae were wrinkled, and the morphologies of the nuclei and mitochondria in the hepatopancreas were altered. We analyzed the expression profiles of 36 stress-related genes after Cd exposure, including those encoding metallothioneins, heat shock proteins, apoptosis-related proteins, and antioxidant proteins, with quantitative reverse transcription PCR. We found that exposure to Cd altered gene expression, and that some genes might be suitable bioindicators of Cd stress. Gene expression profiles were organ-, duration-, and concentration-dependent, suggesting that stress-response genes might be involved in an innate defense system for handling heavy metal exposure. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one of histopathology and stress-response gene expression pattern of Scylla paramamosain after Cd exposure. Our work could increase our understanding of the effect of environmental toxins on estuary crustaceans.

[Feasibility and safety of paclitaxel-eluting balloon for the treatment of de novo coronary lesions]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating de novo coronary lesions with paclitaxel-eluting balloon. Methods: This is a retrospective study, which enrolled 76 patients with 80 de novo coronary lesions treated with paclitaxel-eluting balloons(<30% residual stenosis and there was no blood flow limited dissection after pretreatment) from April 2015 to November 2016 in Guangdong general hospital. The data of basic characteristics,procedures,devices and follow-up information were retrieved and analyzed. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization. Results: (1)The age was (63.3±10.3) years. There were 68.4%(52/76) acute coronary syndrome patients, prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 36.8%(28/76), and 64.5%(49/76)patients with at least one high bleeding risk. (2)The lesion length was (17.4±7.6)mm, and the stenosis was (88.1±8.2)%.The reference vessel diameter≥2.75 mm accounted for 51.2% (41/80), and bifurcation stenosis accounted for 67.5%(54/80). (3)53.7%(43/80) lesions were pretreated with scoring balloon to optimize plaque modification. The paclitaxel-eluting balloon length and diameter were (22.3±5.5)mm and (2.74±0.52)mm.The residual stenosis was (12.3±10.3)%. Procedural success was 88.8%(71/80).Bail-out stenting rate was 5.0%(4/80). (4)The median follow-up duration was 12(6, 25) months. Primary endpoint occurred in 3 cases (3.9%), including 2 cardiac deaths(1 patient died of recurrent myocardial infarction, and 1 patient died of acute heart failure induced by severe mitral insufficiency), and one patient receivedtarget lesion revascularization. Conclusion: In case of no more than 30% residual stenosis and no blood flow limited dissection after lesion pretreatment,it is safe and feasible to treat de novo coronary lesionsusing paclitaxel-eluting balloon.

Effects of both cold and heat stresses on the liver of giant spiny frog Quasipaa spinosa: stress response and histological changes

Ambient temperature associated stress can affect the normal physiological functions in ectotherms. To assess the effects of cold or heat stress on amphibians, the giant spiny frogs, Quasipaa spinosa, were acclimated at 22 °C followed by being treated at 5 °C or 30 °C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. Histological alterations, apoptotic index, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant activity indices and stress-response gene expressions in frog livers were subsequently determined. Results showed that many fat droplets appeared after 12 h of heat stress. Percentage of melanomacrophages centres significantly changed during 48 h at both stress conditions. Furthermore, the mitochondrial ROS levels were elevated in a time-dependent manner up to 6 h and 12 h in the cold and heat stress groups, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were successively increased along the cold or heat exposure, and most of their gene expression levels showed similar changes at both stress conditions. Most tested HSP genes were sensitive to temperature exposure, and the expression profiles of most apoptosis-related genes was significantly up-regulated at 3 and 48 h under cold and heat stress, respectively. Apoptotic index at 48 h under cold stress was significantly higher than that under heat stress. Notably, lipid droplets, HSP30, HSP70 and HSP110 might be suitable bioindicators of heat stress. The results of these alterations at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels might contribute to a better understanding of the stress response of Q. spinosa and even amphibians under thermal stresses.

Hemocytes of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain: Cytometric, morphological characterization and involvement in immune responses

Hemocytes play essential roles in the innate immune system of crustaceans. Characterization of hemocytes from estuary mud crab Scylla paramamosain was performed by flow cytometry and morphological studies such as cytochemical staining and electron microscopy. The hemocyte subsets were further separated using a modified Percoll density gradient centrifugation method. Based on the morphological characteristics of the cells, three distinct categories of hemocytes were identified: granulocytes with abundant large granularity representing 5.27 ± 0.42%, semigranulocytes with small or less granularity representing 76.03 ± 3.34%, and hyalinocytes (18.70 ± 3.92%) which were almost no granularity. The total hemocyte cell count and the percentage of hemocyte subsets varied after pathogen infection, including Vibrio alginolyticus and the viral double-stranded RNA analog Poly (I:C). The phagocytic process is of fundamental importance for crustaceans' cellular immune response as well as development and survival. The results of the in vitro phagocytosis assays analyzed by flow cytometry demonstrated that granulocytes and semigranulocytes had significantly higher phagocytic ability than hyalinocytes. A primary culture system, L-15 medium supplemented with 5-10% fetal bovine serum, was developed to further investigate the immune function of hemocytes. Furthermore, adenovirus can be utilized to effectively transfer GFP gene into hemocytes. Overall, three hemocyte sub-populations of S. paramamosain were successfully discriminated, moreover, their response to pathogen infections, phagocytic activity and adenovirus mediated transfection were also investigated for the first time. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the innate immune system of estuary crabs.

Identification and characterization of pro-interleukin-16 from mud crab Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of proinflammatory cytokine in crab species

IL-16 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine originally designated as a lymphocyte chemoattractant factor. In mammal and avian, it has been characterized as an essential regulator of various cellular processes including cell recruitment and activation against pathogen invasion. So far, neither of the full-length of IL-16 homologue nor the response mechanism against pathogen was reported in crab species. In the present study, the pro-IL-16 homologue was firstly cloned and characterized from mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The full-length Sp-pro-IL-16 consisted of 4107 bp with an opening reading frame encoding 1369 amino acids. Multiple alignment analysis showed the putative amino acid sequence of Sp-pro-IL-16 had about 73.86% identity with Litopenaeus vannamei pro-IL-16. Additionally, two conserved PDZ domains and protein binding sites were found in Sp-pro-IL-16 and showed high similarities about 94.19% and 51.14% with their Litopenaeus vannamei and Mus musculus counterparts. RT-PCR analysis indicated that Sp-pro-IL-16 transcripts were constitutively expressed in all tissues examined with an extreme high level in hepatopancreas. Moreover, Sp-pro-IL-16 transcripts in hepatopancreas were significantly up-regulated 15-fold at 72 h after Vibrio alginolyticus challenge and 3.5-fold at 12 h after virus-analog Poly (I:C) challenge. The Western blot analysis revealed that Sp-pro-IL-16 can be cleaved to its bioactive form, an approximately 35 kDa mature IL-16, and the protein levels of both pro-IL-16 and mature IL-16 increased after Vibrio alginolyticus challenge. It is the first experimental identification of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-16 in arthropods. This study could shed new light on further understanding of the response mechanism of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-16 in Scylla paramamosain against pathogens. Meanwhile, it brought new insight into the origin and evolution of IL-16 in crab species.

Identification and characterization of atypical 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins from mud crab Scylla paramamosain: The first evidence of two peroxiredoxin 5 genes in non-primate species and their involvement in immune defense against pathogen infection

Peroxiredoxin 5 (Prx5) belongs to a novel family of evolutionarily conserved antioxidant proteins that protect cells against various oxidative stresses. Generally, no more than one Prx5 transcript had been reported in non-primate species. In this study, two Prx5 genes (coined as SpPrx5-1 and SpPrx5-2) were firstly isolated from the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain, through RT-PCR and RACE methods. The open reading frame of SpPrx5-1 and SpPrx5-2 were 561 bp and 429 bp in length, encoding 186 and 142 amino acids polypeptide, respectively. Both the conserved signatures of peroxiredoxin catalytic center and Prx5-specific domain were identified in SpPrx5-1 and SpPrx5-2. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both SpPrx5 clustered together with other animal Prx proteins and were classified into Prx5 subfamily. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that both SpPrx5-1 and SpPrx5-2 were ubiquitously expressed, highest in hepatopancreas, and showed remarkably similar transcription patterns. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis exhibited that both SpPrx5 genes changed dramatically in hepatopancreas, although showing different expression profiles, after virus-analog poly (I:C) or Vibrio alginolyticus challenge. The expression levels of both SpPrx5s were significantly enhanced in hepatopancreas after poly (I:C) stimulation, while SpPrx5-2 exhibited a more prompt response than SpPrx5-1. Nevertheless, the expression levels of both SpPrx5s were significantly reduced in hepatopancreas after Vibrio alginolyticus challenge in which SpPrx5-1 showed a more prompt response than SpPrx5-2. These results suggested the involvement of SpPrx5s in responses against viral and bacterial infections and further highlighted their functional importance in the immune system of Scylla paramamosain.

[A clinical study of fungal esophagitis in 13 patients with hematologic malignancies]

目的

提高对血液系统恶性疾病并发真菌性食管炎的认识。

方法

回顾性分析2012年1月至2015年11月河南省肿瘤医院血液科收治的279例行胃镜检查的恶性血液病患者临床资料，观察恶性血液病并发真菌性食管炎的临床特征及转归。

结果

279例患者中真菌性食管炎13例（4.66%），刷片镜检5例可见真菌孢子，3例可见真菌孢子及菌丝，5例仅见真菌菌丝。12例致病菌为白色念珠菌，1例为隐球菌。13例患者中弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤8例，外周T细胞淋巴瘤1例，急性淋巴细胞白血病2例，多发性骨髓瘤1例；6例患者伴消化道症状（咽部异物感、恶心、纳差3例，胸骨后疼痛或烧灼感2例，吞咽困难伴疼痛1例），7例患者无明显症状体征。6例患者予氟康唑注射液400 mg/d治疗14 d，均有效；7例患者予制霉菌素片（100万U，每天3次）治疗14 d, 6例有效，1例持续不缓解，调整为氟康唑注射液400 mg/d治疗7 d后症状消失。治疗相关不良反应为一过性转氨酶升高及轻度消化道不良反应。

结论

恶性血液病并发真菌性食管炎并非少见，以淋巴系统疾病患者居多，致病菌主要为白色念珠菌；其临床症状不典型，约半数以上患者无明显临床表现；氟康唑及制霉菌素单药治疗安全有效。

[Occupational hazard risk assessment of workers exposed to benzene in a petrochemical enterprise in Shanghai, China]

Objective: To investigate the exposure to benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene in workers in a petrochemical enterprise in Shanghai, China, and to conduct occupational hazard risk assessment. Methods: The environmental monitoring data on benzene series in the workplace of this petrochemical enterprise from 2010 to 2014 were collected, as well as workers' general status. The inhalation risk assessment model developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used for risk assessment to determine the occupational hazard risk level of benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene. Results: The pass rate of the monitoring concentration of benzene, methylbenzene, and dimethylbenzene in the workplace of this petrochemical enterprise was 100%. The results of the EPA model showed that benzene had a high carcinogenic risk, benzene and dimethylbenzene had a high non-carcinogenic risk, and methylbenzene had a low non-carcinogenic risk. Conclusion: The workers exposed to benzene in this petrochemical enterprise have a high health risk, and the EPA model can be used for occupational hazard risk assessment in chemical industry.

TM4SF5-CTD-2354A18.1-miR-4697-3P may play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer

AIMS

Our aim is to identify important lncRNAs and mRNAs which may play a key role in contributing to pathogenesis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Different LncRNAs and mRNAs are identified by microarray in gastric cancer tissue and corresponding normal tissues. The function and relationship of different LncRNAs and mRNAs is performed by GO analysis and Pathway analysis and made code-non-code network (CNC) by Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC). Then mRNA-miRNA relationship is predicted through mRNA-miRNA relationship software (http://www.targetscan.org). Lastly, mRNA-miRNA-LncRNA network is established for further research.

RESULTS

The expression profiles of 3732 lncRNAs showed different expression (fold change (FC)≥2.0, p<0.05) in gastric cancer tissue and normal tissue and expression profiles of 3994 mRNAs also showed different expression (FC≥2.0, p<0.05) in gastric cancer and corresponding normal tissue.

CONCLUSION

The expression of TM4SF5, CTD-2354A18.1 and miR-4697-3P is in balance at physiological conditions, however, the balance is disrupted by some situations, which may contribute to gastric cancer. GO analysis and Pathway analysis also showed TM4SF5 played an important role in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Therefore, TM4SF5-miR-4697-3P- CTD-2354A18.1 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

Adeno-associated virus-2-mediated TGF-β1 microRNA transfection inhibits adhesion formation after digital flexor tendon injury

Adhesion formation after digital flexor tendon injury greatly affects gliding function of the tendon, which is a major clinical complication after hand surgery. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) has a critical role in adhesion formation during tendon healing. Persistent regulation of TGF-β1 through application of microRNA (miRNA) specifically inhibiting the function of TGF-β1 (TGF-β1-miRNA) holds promise for treatment of such a complication. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to transfer TGF-β1-miRNA to the chicken digital flexor tendons, which had been injured and surgically repaired. Four doses of AAV2-TGF-β1-miRNA (2 × 10¹¹, 2 × 10¹⁰, 2 × 10⁹ and 2 × 10⁸ vector genomes (vg)) were used to determine the transfection efficiency. At postoperative 3 weeks, we found a positive correlation between the administered AAV2-TGF-β1-miRNA doses and transfection efficiency. The transfection rate ranged from 10% to 77% as the doses increased. Production of TGF-β1 protein in the tendons decreased on increasing vector dosage. When 2 × 10¹¹ and 2 × 10¹⁰) vg were injected into the tendon, gliding excursion of the repaired tendon and work of flexion of chicken toes were significantly increased and adhesion score decreased 6 and 8 weeks later, indicating the improvement of tendon gliding and decreases in adhesion formations. However, the ultimate strength of the tendons transfected at the dose of 2 × 10¹⁰ vg was 12-24% lower than that of the control tendons. The results of this study demonstrate that application of TGF-β1-miRNA had a mixed impact on tendon healing: adhesion around the tendon is reduced but strength of the tendon healing is adversely affected. Future studies should aim at maintaining the beneficial effects of reducing tendon adhesions, while eliminating the adverse effects of decreasing the healing strength.

Identification and genetic mapping of the putative Thinopyrum intermedium-derived dominant powdery mildew resistance gene PmL962 on wheat chromosome arm 2BS

Powdery resistance putatively derived from Thinopyrum intermedium in the wheat line L962 is controlled by a single dominant gene designated PmL962 and mapped to chromosome arm 2BS. Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a destructive disease affecting the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Powdery mildew resistance was putatively transferred from Thinopyrum intermedium to the common wheat line L962, which conferred resistance to multiple Chinese Bgt isolates. Genetic analysis of the powdery mildew response was conducted by crossing the resistant line L962 with the susceptible line L983. Disease assessments of the F1, F2, and F2:3 populations from the cross L983/L962 indicated that resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene. A total of 373 F2:3 lines and 781 pairs of genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were employed to determine the chromosomal location of the resistance gene. The gene was linked to four publicly available and recently developed wheat genomic SSR markers and seven EST-STS markers. The resistance gene was mapped to chromosome arm 2BS based on the locations of the linked markers. Pedigree, molecular marker and resistance response data indicated that the powdery mildew resistance gene in L962 is novel. It was temporarily designated PmL962. It is flanked by Xwmc314 and BE443737at genetic distances of 2.09 and 3.74 cM, respectively, and located in a 20.77 cM interval that is co-linear with a 269.4 kb genomic region on chromosome 5 in Brachypodium distachyon and a 223.5 kb genomic region on rice (Oryza sativa) chromosome 4. The markers that are closely linked to this gene have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding.

Effects of acrylonitrile on lymphocyte lipid rafts and RAS/RAF/MAPK/ERK signaling pathways

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a widely used chemical in the production of plastics, resins, nitriles, acrylic fibers, and synthetic rubber. Previous epidemiological investigations and animal studies have confirmed that ACN affects the lymphocytes and spleen. However, the immune toxicity mechanism is unknown. Lipid rafts are cell membrane structures that are rich in cholesterol and involved in cell signal transduction. The B cell lymophoma-10 (Bcl10) protein is a joint protein that is important in lymphocyte development and signal pathways. This study was conducted to examine the in vitro effects of ACN. We separated lipid rafts, and analyzed Bcl10 protein and caveolin. Western blotting was used to detect mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphorylated MAPK levels. The results indicated that with increasing ACN concentration, the total amount of Bcl10 remained stable, but was concentrated mainly in part 4 to part 11 in electrophoretic band district which is high density in gradient centrifugation. Caveolin-1 was evaluated as a lipid raft marker protein; caveolin-1 content and position were relatively unchanged. Western blotting showed that in a certain range, MAPK protein was secreted at a higher level. At some ACN exposure levels, MAPK protein secretion was significantly decreased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that ACN can cause immune toxicity by damaging lipid raft structures, causing Bcl10 protein and lipid raft separation and restraining Ras-Raf-MAPK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways.

Comparison of tetragonal and cubic tin as anode for Mg ion batteries

Using first-principles calculation based on density functional theory, diffusion of Mg atom into α- and β-Sn was investigated. The diffusion barriers are 0.395 and 0.435 eV for an isolated Mg atom in the α- and β-Sn, respectively. However, the diffusion barriers of the Mg atom decrease in the α-Sn, whereas they increase in the β-Sn, when an additional Mg atom was inserted near the original diffusing Mg atom, which is mainly due to strong binding of Mg-Mg atoms in the β-Sn. Therefore, it is better to use the α-Sn, rather than the β-Sn, as an anode material for Mg ion batteries.