[Mid-term analysis of prospective cohort study of rivaroxaban in preventing CRT in breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT. Results: In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant (P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively (OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions: In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

Effects of zinc oxide nanocomposites on microorganism growth and protection of physicochemical quality during maize storage

Maize moldy and spoilage due to microbial growth is a significant challenge in grain storage. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a zinc oxide nanocomposite, ZnO@mSiO2, prepared in our previous research, in inhibiting mold growth and preserving maize cell quality. The results demonstrated that ZnO@mSiO2 could effectively inhibit the growth of dominant microorganism, Aspergillus flavus, Talaromyces variabilis, Penicillium citrinum and Fusarium graminearum, in maize storage. Aspergillus flavus was selected as the model fungus, ZnO@mSiO2 effectively disrupted fungal hyphae structure, leading to reduced hyphal mass and inhibited spore germination. The inhibitory effect of ZnO@mSiO2 on mold growth was concentration-dependent. However, the ZnO@mSiO2 at an appropriate concentration (not exceeding 3.0 g/kg) preserved the integrity of maize cell membranes and enhancing the antioxidant activity within maize cells. The findings highlight the potential of ZnO@mSiO2 as an effective protectant to inhibit mold growth and preserve maize quality during storage.

Rapid discrimination of urine specific gravity using spectroscopy and a modified combination method based on SPA and spectral index

To achieve high-accuracy urine specific gravity discrimination and guide the design of four-waveband multispectral sensors. A modified combination strategy was attempted to be proposed based on the successive projections algorithm (SPA) and the spectral index (SI) in the present study. First, the SPA was used to select four spectral variables in the full spectra. Second, the four spectral variables were mathematically transformed by SI to obtain SI values. Then, SPA gradually fusions the SI values and establishes models to identify USG. The results showed that the SPA can screen out the four characteristic wavelengths related to the measured sample attributes. SIs can be used to improve the performance of constructed prediction models. The best model only involves four spectral variables and 1 SI value, with high accuracy (91.62%), sensitivity (0.9051), and specificity (0.9667). The results reveal that m-SPA-SI can effectively distinguish USG and provide design guidance for 4-wavelength multispectral sensors.

Upregulation of eIF2α by m6A modification accelerates the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a malignant cardiovascular disease. Eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) plays an important role in the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) rats. However, the regulatory mechanism of eIF2α remains poorly understood in PAH rats. Here, we discover eIF2α is markedly upregulated in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats, eIF2α can be upregulated by mRNA methylation, and upregulated eIF2α can promote PASMC proliferation in MCT-PAH rats. GSK2606414, eIF2α inhibitor, can downregulate the expression of eIF2α and alleviate PASMC proliferation in MCT-PAH rats. And we further discover the mRNA of eIF2α has a common sequence with N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification by bioinformatics analysis, and the expression of METTL3, WTAP, and YTHDF1 is upregulated in MCT-PAH rats. These findings suggest a potentially novel mechanism by which eIF2α is upregulated by m6A modification in MCT-PAH rats, which is involved in the pathogenesis of PAH.

[The association between cortical venous outflow and futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation]

Objective: To explore the association of baseline venous outflow (VO) profile with futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of patients presented with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation and underwent emergency endovascular treatment at Huashan Hospital from March 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively included in the study. All patients were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline.Baseline VO profile was determined by a 0-6 semi-quantitative scoring system which assessed opacification of the ipsilateral superficial middle cerebral vein, vein of Labbé and vein of Trolard on single-phase CT angiography (CTA) images. A 90-day telephone follow-up was performed and functional outcome was evaluated by 90 d modified Rankin scale (mRS). Successful recanalization of the occluded artery, defined as final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale (mTICI) 2b-3, was considered to be futile if patients failed to achieve functional independence (90 d mRS 0-2). Univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the optimal cutoff predicting functional indendence. The associations between cortical VO in ischemic area and futile recanalization were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis and backward linear regression based on Akaike information criterion (AIC). Results: A total of 150 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 92 males (61.3%) and 58 females (38.7%). The median age [M(Q1, Q3)]was 71 (61, 78) years and the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score [M(Q1, Q3)]was 15 (11, 18). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline VO was associated with 90-day functional independence (OR=1.587, 95%CI: 1.185-2.1873). After classifying VO into two categories based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, VO≥4 showed an independent association with functional independence (OR=5.133, 95%CI: 1.530-9.361) after adjusting for age, baseline glucose, NIHSS score, baseline infarct core volume, modified Tan (mTan) score, hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), etiological classification, recanalization, presence of any hemorrhagic transformation and final infarct volume. Futile recanalization was observed in 44 (48.4%) of the 91 patients who achieved successful recanalization. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that VO≥4 was an independent protective factor for futile recanalization (OR=0.234, 95%CI: 0.054-0.878). Moreover, in patients with mTICI 2c-3, VO≥4 showed a stronger association with futile recanalization (OR=0.018, 95%CI: 0-0.255). Conclusion: A favorable VO profile at onset protects against futile recanalization in patients with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, and provides a simple and feasible auxiliary method for predicting the prognosis of endovascular therapy in such patients.

Molecular Hydrogen Mediates Neurorestorative Effects After Stroke in Diabetic Rats: the TLR4/NF-κB Inflammatory Pathway

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke and amplifies inflammation. Diabetic stroke is associated with a higher risk of death and worse neural function. The identification of effective anti-inflammatory molecules with translational advantages is particularly important to promote perioperative neurorestorative effects. Applying molecular hydrogen, we measured blood glucose levels before and after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), 48-h cerebral oedema and infarct volumes, as well as 28-day weight, survival and neurological function. We also measured the levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65, catecholamines, acetylcholine and inflammatory factors. All measurements comprehensively showed the positive effect and translational advantage of molecular hydrogen on diabetic stroke. Molecular hydrogen improved the weight, survival and long-term neurological function of rats with diabetic stroke and alleviated changes in blood glucose levels before and after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), but no difference in circadian rhythm was observed. Molecular hydrogen inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB and significantly reduced inflammation. Molecular hydrogen mediates neurorestorative effects after stroke in diabetic rats. The effect is independent of circadian rhythms, indicating translational advantages. The molecular mechanism is related to the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and inflammation. Molecular hydrogen (H2) affects outcomes of ischemic stroke with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Identification of three novel new psychoactive substances 4F-AB-BUTINACA, AB-PHETINACA, and 2F-NENDCK

The identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is an active and cutting-edge topic in forensic science. With the emergence of a large number of NPS, their timely identification to prevent spread can pose a challenge to clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Three emerging NPS had been identified in recently seized materials, including two synthetic cannabinoids [N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (4F-AB-BUTINACA) and N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-phenethyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PHETINACA)] and a ketamine-like substance [2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(ethylamino) cyclohexan-1-one(2F-NENDCK)]. The three compounds were first identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These data may assist forensic analysts in analyzing the same substances or their homologous compounds.

[Cost-effectiveness prediction of AIDS interventions among men who have sex with men in Ningbo]

Objective: To provide information reference for resource allocation and decision-making in related fields, the cost-effectiveness of HIV input among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ningbo. Different intervention coverages were compared. Methods: Taking MSM as the target population, data were collected and modeled by Optima HIV for the corresponding HIV health output and the budget under different intervention coverages. Results: According to the estimated size of the MSM population, which was 19 584 in Ningbo in 2020, if the coverage of 2020 baseline intervention is maintained in the next ten years, the number of HIV cases, new HIV infections, and HIV-related deaths among this population will show an upward trend. It is estimated that from 2021 to 2030, 7.9% of new infections and 1.7% of deaths can be avoided and the relevant funding investment comed to 2.4 time the baseline if the intervention coverage rate expanded to 3.0 times the 2020 baseline. After the coverage rate of intervention expanded to 3 times the baseline, it continued to grow, the health effect did not increase. Conclusions: At present, expanding the baseline coverage of HIV-related intervention projects among MSM in Ningbo and increasing capital investment will still reverse HIV-related death and reduce new infections. Moreover, there is a saturation point of the intervention effect. Researchers and policymakers must explore more effective interventions/combinations to obtain more significant health outcomes.

Antagonistic Activity and Mechanism of Bacillus subtilis XZ16-1 Suppression of Wheat Powdery Mildew and Growth Promotion of Wheat

Wheat powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is one of the most serious wheat diseases in the world. Biological control is considered an environmentally safe approach to control plant diseases. Here, to develop effective biocontrol agents for controlling wheat powdery mildew, antagonistic strain XZ16-1 was isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence. The culture filtrate of B. subtilis XZ16-1 and its extracts had a significant inhibitory effect on the spore germination of Bgt. Moreover, the therapeutic and prevention efficacy of the 100% culture filtrate on wheat powdery mildew reached 81.18 and 83.72%, respectively, which was better than that of chemical fungicide triadimefon. Further antimicrobial mechanism analysis showed that the XZ16-1 culture filtrate could inhibit the development of powdery mildew spores by disrupting the cell membrane integrity, causing reductions in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and inducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the spores. Biochemical detection indicated that XZ16-1 could solubilize phosphate, fix nitrogen, and produce hydrolases, lipopeptides, siderophores, and indole-3-acetic acid. Defense-related enzymes activated in wheat seedlings treated with the culture filtrate indicated that disease resistance was induced in wheat to resist pathogens. Furthermore, a 10⁶ CFU/ml suspension of XZ16-1 increased the height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of wheat seedlings by 77.13, 63.46, 76.73, and 19.16%, respectively, and showed good growth-promotion properties. This study investigates the antagonistic activity and reveals the action mechanism of XZ16-1, which can provide an effective microbial agent for controlling wheat powdery mildew.

[Hepatitis C elimination among drug users in China: challenges, strategies and experiences]

The prevalence of hepatitis C among drug users in China is high, and thus it is one of the populations that needs attention to achieve hepatitis C elimination. However, due to the complexities of this population's situation, hepatitis C elimination still faces many challenges, such as difficult screening, low cure rate, poor compliance, and high reinfection rates. Therefore, the existing diagnostic and therapeutic system cannot meet the needs of this population. China has pledged to establish a unified system for drug users that will integrate drug treatment programs, education, medical care, and rehabilitation, creating favorable conditions for integrating hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment and improving the accessibility of drug users. Starting with the current situation and challenges of eliminating hepatitis C among drug users in China, in combination with cases from other countries, this paper discusses the strategy for eliminating hepatitis C and introduces what Hainan Province did to eliminate hepatitis C among drug users.

[The prognostic value of dynamic minimal residual disease after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma in novel-agent era]

Objective: To investigate the clinical prognostic value of dynamic minimal residual disease (MRD) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Patients with MM who underwent AHSCT in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from February 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study. All the patients in the study had complete baseline data at the diagnosis. AHSCT was performed after induction chemotherapy. Response evaluation was performed after induction therapy. All the patients were assessed at approximately 100 days after AHSCT. Bone marrow MRD by NGF was performed every three months and dynamically monitored for at least 12 months. All the patients were divided into different groups according to cytogenetics and MRD status. Survivals in different groups were analyzed by IBM SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Results: A total of 150 patients with MM were enrolled in this study at last, including 66 patients in the cytogenetic standard risk group and 84 patients in the cytogenetic high-risk group. The median age was 54 years (range 30-68 years) and 87 male patients (58.0%) was in the study. The median follow-up was 36 months (range 16-72 months). Patients in the standard-risk group had better clinical prognosis than those in the high-risk group [median PFS in the standard-risk group was not achieved, and median PFS in the high-risk group was 45 months (P<0.001); median OS of both groups was not reached, and the estimated 3-year OS rate of the standard-risk group and the high-risk group was 95.2% and 78.9%, respectively (P=0.001)]. According to MRD status of patients, patients in each group were divided into three subgroups: persistent positive (Ppos), transient negative (Tneg) and persistent negative (Pneg). The median OS and median PFS of all subgroups in the standard-risk group was not reached (P=0.324 and P=0.086). In high-risk group, the median OS of MRD Pneg subgroup was not reached, and the estimated 3-year OS rate was 100%; The median OS of MRD Ppos subgroup was 52 months, and MRD Tneg subgroup only 31 months (P=0.002); the median PFS of MRD Pneg group was not reached, and the estimated 3-year PFS rate was 85.4%; median PFS of MRD Ppos subgroup was 40 months, and MRD Tneg subgroup only 17 months (P=0.001). Conclusions: MRD Pneg might overcome the adverse prognosis of MM patients with high-risk cytogenetics. However, MRD Tneg might be a poor prognostic factor for the patients with cytogenetic high-risk MM.

[Tokyo Bones Find and human experiments by the army medical school in Tokyo]

More than 100 human bones, known as the Tokyo Human Bones, were found at the previous site of the Army Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, on July 22, 1989. They were located on the northern side of the previous location of the epidemic prevention research unit of the Army Medical School, with the discovery drawing a great deal of international attention. It was suggested that these bones might be from the victims of human experiments during World War II. It was found, in 1991, by Professor Sakura Shuo in Sapporo University, that the time and location of the burial of these bones was consistent with the existence of the Army Military Medical School. Most of these bones were Chinese, Korean and Mongolian races, and they were indeed closely related to the war. At the time they had not been found to be directly related to the human experiments of the Army Medical School, but the evidence left behind on the bones did not indicate gunshot or other war wounds, but evidence of medical experiments. This incident was known as the "Tokyo Bone Incident". Based on the research data on the Tokyo Human Bones internationally in the past 30 years, in particular, the testimony from the staff of the previous Army Medical School in Tokyo and members of the previous Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731), it can be concluded that some relationship exists between the Tokyo Human Bones and human experiments. This suggested that the nature of research related to these human bones conducted by the Army Medical School in Tokyo was consistent with those conducted at the Army Medical School in Harbin (Unit 731).

[Isolation and co-culture of primary hepatocytes and primary Kupffer cells from rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis]

Objective: By isolating and purifying primary hepatocytes and primary Kupffer cells from rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and establishing the primary cell model of NASH in vitro, to provide reliable technical support for cell experiment in the study of NASH. Methods: Forty SD rats were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the NASH group. The rats in the control group were fed with common feed, and the rats in the NASH group were fed with a high-fat diet (88% basal feed + 10% lard + 2% cholesterol). After 6-8 weeks, using the NASH score table, the liver tissue section steatosis + intralobular inflammation + ballooning degeneration score ≥ 4 points under pathological observation, indicating that the rat NASH model was successfully established. And the primary hepatocytes of NASH rats were isolated and purified by collagenase in situ perfusion. Cells were identified by CK-18 and CD68 immunofluorescence and ink swallowing test. The lipid accumulation was tested by Oil red O staining, and the contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined to evaluate the liver function in primary hepatocytes of NASH rats. The expressions of inflammatory factors of primary Kupffer cells were detected by Western blot. Finally, primary hepatocytes and primary Kupffer cells were co cultured at the ratio of 6:1 and observed under microscope. Results: NASH primary hepatocytes and primary Kupffer cells were successfully isolated and purified. Compared with the control group, Oil red O staining showed that the primary hepatocytes of the NASH group had obvious fat deposition, and the AST and ALT levels in the primary hepatocytes of the NASH group were significantly higher than those of the control group, indicating obvious liver damage (P＜ 0.05). The Western blot result showed that the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1 in primary Kupffer cells was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: The primary hepatocytes and primary Kupffer cells of NASH rats were isolated successfully by collagenase in situ perfusion. At the same time, a proportional co-culture rat in vitro primary cell NASH model was successfully established.

Stellate ganglion block reduces inflammation and improves neurological function in diabetic rats during ischemic stroke

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Both diabetes mellitus and stroke are linked to systemic inflammation that aggravates patient outcomes. Stellate ganglion block can effectively regulate the inflammatory response. Therefore, it is hypothesized that stellate ganglion block could be a potential therapy for ischemic stroke in diabetic subjects. In this study, we induced diabetes mellitus in rats by feeding them a high-fat diet for 4 successive weeks. The left middle cerebral artery was occluded to establish models of ischemic stroke in diabetic rats. Subsequently, we performed left stellate ganglion block with 1% lidocaine using the percutaneous posterior approach 15 minutes before reperfusion and again 20 and 44 hours after reperfusion. Our results showed that stellate ganglion block did not decrease the blood glucose level in diabetic rats with diabetes mellitus but did reduce the cerebral infarct volume and the cerebral water content. It also improved the recovery of neurological function, increased 28-day survival rate, inhibited Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway and reduced inflammatory response in the plasma of rats. However, injection of Toll like receptor 4 agonist lipopolysaccharide 5 minutes before stellate ganglion block inhibited the effect of stellate ganglion block, whereas injection of Toll like receptor 4 inhibitor TAK242 had no such effect. We also found that stellate ganglion block performed at night had no positive effect on diabetic ischemic stroke. These findings suggest that stellate ganglion block is a potential therapy for diabetic ischemic stroke and that it may be mediated through the Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. We also found that the therapeutic effect of stellate ganglion block is affected by circadian rhythm.

High expression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha-2 in lung adenocarcinoma indicates poor prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase subunit Alpha-2 (P4HA2) expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma (LAUD).

METHODS

The authors assessed P4HA2 expression in the LUAD tumor ecosystem using single-cell analysis. The authors analyzed the relationship between P4HA2 expression and clinical features in LUAD and Brain Metastasis (BM) cases. The authors assessed the biological functions of P4HA2 using The Cancer Genome Atlas-LUAD dataset.

RESULTS

P4HA2 was more highly expressed in fibroblasts than in epithelial cells in normal lung and lung adenocarcinoma tissues (p < 0.001). P4HA2 was more highly expressed in malignant epithelial cells than in fibroblasts in the BM tissue (p = 0.002). P4HA2 expression was significantly higher in female cases than in male cases (p = 0.049) and was related to lymph node metastasis (p = 0.019) and a higher TNM stage (p = 0.020). High P4HA2 expression indicated a poor prognosis and served as an independent prognostic risk factor in lung cancer. P4HA2 was mainly enriched in the extracellular matrix organization, NADH regeneration, and canonical glycolysis. P4HA2 expression was negatively correlated with naive B cells, T-cells, CD8, and activated natural killer cells, but positively correlated with CD4 memory-activated T cells, regulatory T-cells, resting dendritic cells, and dendritic cell activation. P4HA2 messenger RNA expression was correlated with programmed death-ligand 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4.

CONCLUSION

P4HA2 is highly expressed in LUAD tumor cells, especially for the BM subtype, and is a valuable prognostic indicator of LUAD. It may be involved in a biological activity of distant metastasis of LUAD tumor cells and serve as a potential treatment target.

[Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoid New Psychoactive Substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA]

Abstract

Objective To establish a method that combines a series of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectrum （FTIR）, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, high resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy （NMR） for identification of unknown substances. Methods The unknown samples （off-white powder and yellow crystal） seized in the actual cases were detected by FTIR, GC-MS （methanol as solvent）, high resolution mass spectrometry （methanol as solvent） and NMR （deuterated methanol as solvent）. Results The mass spectrum characteristic ions m/z of the main components in the samples measured by GC-MS were 219 （base peak）, 363, 307, 304, 275, 145, 131 and 213 （base peak）, 357, 301, 298, 269, 185, 171, 145 and 131, respectively. The accurate mass numbers [M+H]⁺ measured by high resolution mass spectrometry were 364.203 61 and 358.212 34, respectively. The unknown samples were identified as synthetic cannabinoid new psychoactive substances 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA after data consultation and database retrieval and comparison, combined with infrared analysis and mass spectrometry data analysis, and their structures were confirmed by ¹H-NMR. Conclusion The established multi-technology joint identification method can be used to identify 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA in unknown samples. This method is fast, convenient, accurate, reliable and practical, and can provide reference for the identification of cases involving such substances in the future.

The important role of fungi in inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a life-threatening and chronic inflammatory disease of gastrointestinal tissue, with complex pathogenesis. Current research on IBD has mainly focused on bacteria; however, the role of fungi in IBD is largely unknown due to the incomplete annotation of fungi in current genomic databases. With the development of molecular techniques, the gut mycobiome has been found to have great diversity. In addition, increasing evidence has shown intestinal mycobiome plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of IBD. In this review, we will systemically introduce the recent knowledge about multi-dimensional fungal dysbiosis associated with IBD, the interactions between fungus and bacteria, the role of fungi in inflammation in IBD, and highlight recent advances in the potential therapeutic role of fungus in IBD, which may hold the keys to develop new predictive, therapeutic or prognostic approaches in IBD.

[A real-world study of sofosbuvir-based drug treatment for hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection in Hainan region of China]

Objective: To explore the real-world effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 infection in Hainan Island. Methods: Fifty-three cases with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 infection who were initially treated with a sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimen [sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) for 12 weeks or sofosbuvir combined with ribavirin (SOF+RBV) for 24 weeks], followed by 24 weeks of follow-up after discontinuation of the drug from January 2018 to March 2020 were selected. The primary outcome measures were incidence of sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after the drug withdrawal. The secondary outcome measures were adverse drug events with sustained virological response at the end of treatment and 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The occurrence of adverse events was observed during the treatment. An intragroup comparison was performed by t-test. Intention-to-treat and modified intention-to-treat analysis was used for sustained virological respons. Results: The subtype distribution of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 in 53 cases of chronic hepatitis C infection were as follows: 22 cases of type 6a, 5 cases of type 6w, 5 cases of type 6xa, 3 cases of type 6v, 2 cases of type 6e, 2 cases of type 6r, 1 case of type 6xh, and 13 cases of special virus strains with undetermined genotype. The overall sustained virological response rate at 12 weeks after the drug withdrawal was 100%. Furthermore, HCV RNA was undetectable during the treatment period (4 weeks), at the end of treatment and after the treatment (24 weeks). There were seven cases of adverse events, mainly including fatigue, anorexia, and mild anemia; however, no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Sofosbuvir-based regimen combined with ribavirin or velpatasvir cannot only achieve high response rate to HCV subtype 6a, but also obtain a good sustained virological response to the rare prevalent sub-genotypes and special virus strains of HCV genotype 6, with mild adverse reactions and acceptable safety profile.

[Analysis of the incidence of pneumoconiosis in Hunan province]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis in Hunan Province. Methods: In November 2018, we collected the type of work, pneumoconiosis type, pneumoconiosis stage, length of service, age of onset and complications of pneumoconiosis cases diagnosed by Hunan occupational disease prevention and control hospital from January 2017 to October 2018. A total of 3 325 cases of pneumoconiosis were collected, including 651 cases (19.58%) of occupational pneumoconiosis and 2674 cases (80.42%) of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis. The measurement data were expressed by x±s. The comparison between groups was performed by independent sample t test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The age of 651 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis was 35.59-85.15 years old, the average age of onset was (54.27±8.29) years, and the average exposure to dust was (14.74±8.60) years. 2 674 cases of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis were 26.85~87.02 years old. The average age of onset was (55.26±7.38) years, and the average exposure time was (18.83±9.35) years. Compared with silicosis patients, coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients had longer exposure time, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) , and the difference was statistically significant (F=3.678, P<0.05) . There were no complications in 651 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis. Among 2 674 cases of clinically diagnosed pneumoconiosis, 710 cases (26.55%) had complications. Conclusion: Further attention should be paid to the clinical diagnosis of pneumoconiosis in Hunan Province.

Preparation of cellulose-coated cotton fabric and its application for the separation of emulsified oil in water

Cellulose is a natural material with dissolution-regeneration property and numerous hydrogen bonds in the molecule. By utilizing these properties, this paper reported the development of a multi-functional fabric consisting of cellulose and commercial cotton fabric. The morphology, mechanical and thermal properties along with the oil-water separation performance of the developed material were studied. The results showed that the cellulose dissolved in NaOH/urea solution was regenerated in a salt solution, and attached tightly onto the cotton fabric, forming a sandwich structure for the material. Such modification significantly enhanced the strength, thermal stability and hydrophilic performance of the fabrics. Interestingly, the prepared material exhibited a unique underwater oleophobic performance, and had the capability to separate highly emulsified oil-water mixtures. The relatively low cost for the material preparation, enhanced mechanical property and high separation performance distinguished the developed material a suitable candidate for the separation of emulsified oil from water in practical applications.

[Human experiment study of Unit 731, Japan: take the report "The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36 " as an example]

"The Research Report on Epidemic Prevention of Army Medical School Ⅱ: Vol.1, No.36" , the report named "various symptoms and serological responses of human body after receiving ultrasonic cholera vaccine" is one of the declassified materials of Japanese biological warfare. The author is M. D. Watanabe Be. Through detailed analysis of its contents, such as institute of report, test method, test results, and so forth, conclusion is reached that Unit 731 did conduct scientific research based on human-subject experiment to launch biological warfare on human beings. The report mentioned above is one of the most important evidence of crime that Japan conducts biological warfare which violates international convention and contempt bottom line of human basic morals and ethics.

Characterization of aerobic granular sludge of different sizes for nitrogen and phosphorus removal

Granular size plays a key role in the performance of the aerobic granular sludge (AGS). As the diameter of the granule increases, stratification may begin to appear due to the increase in mass transfer resistance. Aerobic granules harvested from a lab-scale anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor (AO-SBR) were classified into three categories according to their size: (a) 0.15-0.28 mm, (b) 0.28-0.45 mm and (c) larger than 0.45 mm. In this study, the categories were called small-size, medium-size and large-size granules, respectively. A fraction of the different forms of phosphate and denitrification efficiency was investigated in each category. Results show that small-size granules present much more easily mobile phosphorus than other granules. Moreover, the denitrification performance has been tested by using dumping and trickling patterns for COD and NO3--N feeding. The results demonstrated that the large-size granules exhibit poor denitrification rates, as opposed to the medium-size granules. Therefore, medium-size granules, with a size of 0.28-0.45 mm, are regarded as the most suitable granular size for AGS in this experiment from the perspective of denitrification and phosphorus removal.

[Comparison of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma patients detected by 8-color panels and next generation flow cytometry]

Objective: To compare the sensitivity of 8-color panels and next generation flow cytometry (NGF) for detecting minimal residual disease of multiple myeloma patients. Methods: 8-color-membrane antigens (8C-Mem) panel was built including CD45, CD38, CD138, CD19, CD56, CD81, CD27 and CD117 to identify the plasma cells, while 8-color-cytoplasmic antigens (8C-Cyto) panel was built including CD45, CD38, CD138, CD19, CD56, CD81, cKappa (cK) and cLambda (cλ) , and 8-color-two-tubes (8C-2tubes) panel were built including 8C-Mem and 8C-Cyto panels, the data of three groups was analyzed by Diva software. NGF uses Infinicyt software to fuse 8C-2tubes data to further analyze the expression of plasma antigens. Bone marrow aspiration obtained from 20 controls and 76 multiple myeloma patients who achieved complete remission were measured and analyzed. Results: Positive MRD samples were discriminated in 88.2% of the specimen evaluated through either abnormal plasma cells (aPCs) or clonal plasma cells (cPCs) by NGF antigens panel, Among of them, consistency was 94.7%. The median percentage of cPCs was 0.3530%, The lowest sensitivity of NGF was 0.0003%. In 8-color panels, the positive MRD rates of 8C-Mem, 8C-Cyto and 8C-2tubes panels were 84.2%, 85.5% and 86.8%, respectively, which lower than that of NGF (P<0.001) . The positive MRD rate of 8C-Mem and 8C-Cyto panels were lower than that of 8C-2tubes panel (P<0.001) , and the positive MRD rate of 8C-Mem panel was lower than that of 8C-Cyto panel (P<0.001) . Sensitivity and specificity of NGF was higher than that of 8-color panels. 8C-2tubes panel has the best sensitivity, accuracy, negative predicted value, positive predicted value and specificity than other 8-color panels. However, huge data and low efficiency for analysis is the disadvantage. 8C-Cyto panel was the second choice, and 8C-Mem panel was the last. Conclusions: Membrane and cytoplasmic light chain is a better method for multiple myeloma-MRD detection and NGF panel is an ideal approach. 8C-Cyto panel is recommended in 8-MFC groups.

Features of the volume change and a new constitutive equation of hydrogels under uniaxial compression

For high-water content hydrogels in compression, the water inside of hydrogels contributes to the response of hydrogels to external loads directly, but part of the water is expelled from hydrogels in the meantime to change the volume of the hydrogel and reduce the contribution. In order to consider the contribution of the water in the constitution equation, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) hydrogels with high-water content were used as examples, and compressive experiments were carried out to measure both the stress-strain relation and the change of the volume in the meantime. By considering the effect of the difference of the contribution of water in different directions of the hydrogel, we deduced a new constitutive equation, which can pretty well depict the stress-strain of hydrogels with different water contents. The results showed that the contribution of water to the total stress increases with the compression strain and even exceed that of the polymer, although the expelled water reduces the contribution at the early loading stage, which well explains the difference of elastic moduli of hydrogels in compression and tension.

[Current status and prospects of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for treatment of portal hypertension]

Portal hypertension refers to a series of clinical manifestations caused by elevated pressure of the portal vein system, which can cause portal hypertension by causing portal venous obstruction and / or increased blood flow. A typical clinical manifestation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is portal hypertension. A severe complication of portal hypertension is esophagogastric varices bleeding, refractory ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. The effective reduction of portal pressure can reduce the incidence of complications, improve the prognosis and reduce the mortality. At present, the commonly used clinical methods for reducing portal hypertension include drug therapy, minimally invasive interventions, surgical treatment, and liver transplantation. This article reviews the current status of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for portal hypertension.

[Effects of prenatal restraint stress on neural stem cell proliferation and nestin protein expression in the hippocampus of offspring rats]

To investigate the effect of prenatal stress on neural stem cell proliferation and nestin protein expression in the hippocampus of rat offspring, Sprague-Dawley female rats weighing 240-260 g were included and randomly divided into control and restraint stress groups. Rats in the control group were given no interventions. Rats in the restraint stress group were given restraint stress three times daily for 45 min during gestational days 14-20. One-month-old offspring rats were used for further experiment. The results of Morris water maze showed that the escape latency to reach the platform in offspring of restraint stress group was longer than that in control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of the staying-time in quadrant of the primary platform in spatial probe test. The expressions of nestin- and BrdU-positive cells in the hippocampus of female offspring in restraint stress group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in male offspring (P > 0.05). These results suggest that prenatal restraint stress can increase the number and proliferative capability of the neural stem cells in female offspring. It may be a primary stage of the cascade reaction of the body to the brain damage caused by prenatal restraint stress.

Autophagy inhibition increased the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on drug-resistant esophageal cancer cells

The sensitivity of tumor cells to treatment can be affected by autophagy. The drug resistance of esophageal cancer cells against cisplatin occurs during the long period of chemotherapy drug treatment. This study was designed to observe the effect autophagy has on the occurrence of esophageal cancer cell drug resistance against cisplatin and investigate its molecular mechanism in order to provide new details and strategies for the clinical treatment of esophageal cancer, especially cisplatin treatment. The detection methods used in this study were 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazd-2-yl)-2,5-dipheny-ltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay, clone survival technique, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, and Western blot. Autophagy is a protection mechanism of drug-resistant cells processed by cisplatin, and maintains the cell clone survival ability. Autophagy activation requires the involvement of Atg5 and Atg7.

Influence of Treg cells and HBV genotype on sustained response and drug resistance in the treatment with nucleoside drugs

We aimed to investigate the influence of regulatory T cells including CD4+CD25+, CD8+CD28- and hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype on sustained virological response and tolerance of nucleoside drugs. One hundred and thirty-seven patients were enrolled. Lamivudine was administered to 84 patients. Entecavir was administered to the other 53 patients. Before treatment, biochemical tests, HBV DNA load, HBV serum level, HBV genotype, PB CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+/CD3+, and CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequencies were measured. Based on HBV DNA loads after 4 weeks of therapy, patients were divided into response group and suboptimal response group. The lamivudine group received treatment continuously, and then patients were categorized into non-resistance group and resistance group. Compared with the suboptimal response and resistance groups for lamivudine, CD4+CD25+/CD3+ levels were higher in the response and non-resistance groups (t=4.372, P=0.046; t=7.262, P=0.017). In the non-resistance group, CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequency was lower than in the resistance group (t=5.527, P=0.037). Virus load and hepatitis B E antigen (HBeAg)-positive rate were significantly lower than in the response and resistance group (t=2.164, P=0.038; X2=4.239, P=0.040; t=2.015, P=0.044; X2=16.2, P=0.000). Incidence of drug resistance was high in patients with virogene type C. For the virological response to entecavir, CD8+CD28-/CD3+ level was significantly lower than that of the suboptimal response group (t=6.283, P=0.036). Response and suboptimal response groups were compared in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+/CD3+ and virus genotype, and differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Baseline regulatory T cells including CD4+CD25+/CD3+ and CD8+CD28-/CD3+ frequencies have a relationship with the incidence of rapid virological response and the resistance to nucleoside drugs. Patients with HBV genotype C receiving lamivudine more often underwent drug resistance. Antiviral efficacy and the resistance to lamivudine were closely correlated with baseline factors; the same cannot be found for entecavir.

Altered glutamate metabolism contributes to antiepileptogenic effects in the progression from focal seizure to generalized seizure by low-frequency stimulation in the ventral hippocampus

As a promising method for treating intractable epilepsy, the inhibitory effect of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) is well known, although its mechanisms remain unclear. Excessive levels of cerebral glutamate are considered a crucial factor for epilepsy. Therefore, we designed experiments to investigate the crucial parts of the glutamate cycle. We evaluated glutamine synthetase (GS, metabolizes glutamate), glutaminase (synthesizes glutamate), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD, a γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA] synthetase) in different regions of the brain, including the dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1 subregions of the hippocampus, and the cortex, using western blots, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme activity assays. Additionally, the concentrations of glutamate, GABA, and glutamine (a product of GS) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the same subregions. The results indicated that a transiently promoted glutamate cycle was closely involved in the progression from focal to generalized seizure. Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) delivered to the ventral hippocampus had an antiepileptogenic effect in rats exposed to amygdaloid-kindling stimulation. Simultaneously, LFS could partly reverse the effects of the promoted glutamate cycle, including increased GS function, accelerated glutamate-glutamine cycling, and an unbalanced glutamate/GABA ratio, all of which were induced by amygdaloid kindling in the DG when seizures progressed to stage 4. Moreover, glutamine treatment reversed the antiepileptic effect of LFS with regard to both epileptic severity and susceptibility. Our results suggest that the effects of LFS on the glutamate cycle may contribute to the antiepileptogenic role of LFS in the progression from focal to generalized seizure.

[Research Progress on Abused Drugs Metabolic in vivo]

Under the catalysis of a variety of metabolic enzymes in vivo, such as UDP-glucuronyl transferases, cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase, sulfotransferase, butyrylcholinesterase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and 6-morphine dehydrogenase, the drugs perform glucuronidation, hydrolysis, oxidation, sulfonation and other reactions, then translate into active or inactive metabolites, which are excreted through urination, bile or the other pathways at last. Different drugs own their different metabolic pathways. This paper introduces the studies about the metabolism of drugs in human and animal in recent years, such as morphine-like drugs, amphetamine, ketamine, cannabis and cocaine, and reviews the research progress about the sites of metabolism, metabolic enzymes, metabolites and physiological activity of those drugs metabolic in vivo.

Efficient construction of recombinant adenovirus expression vector of the Qinchuan cattle LYRM1 gene

In this study, we cloned the coding DNA sequence (CDS) region of Qinchuan cattle LYR motif-containing 1 (LYRM1) and constructed a recombinant adenovirus expression vector to examine the function of LYRM1 on the cellular level. Total RNA was extracted from the adipose tissue of Qinchuan cattle, cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription, and polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the CDS region of the LYRM1 gene. The CDS-containing fragment was inserted into the shuttle vector pAdTrack-CMV to construct pAdTrack-CMV-LYRM1 vector. After linearization of pAdTrack-CMV-LYRM1 and the negative control vector pAdTrack-CMV by restriction endonuclease PmeI, the vectors were transformed into Escherichia coli BJ5183 containing pAdEasy-1 to obtain the recombinant adenovirus vector pAd-LYRM1 and pAd-CMV through homologous recombination. pAd-LYRM1 and pAd-CMV were then digested by PacI and transfected into the 293A cell line. The recombinant adenovirus Ad-LYRM1 and Ad-CMV was obtained at a concentration of 7 x 108 and 1.3 x 109 green fluorescent units/mL, respectively. Preadipocytes derived from Qinchuan cattle were separately infected with Ad-LYRM1 and Ad- CMV. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the expression of LYRM1 was increased by approximate 28,000-folds after the infection with recombinant adenovirus for 48 h. In conclusion, we successfully cloned the CDS region of the Qinchuan cattle LYRM1 gene, constructed the recombinant adenovirus expression vector, and obtained the adenovirus with high titer, providing valuable materials for studying the function of LYRM1 at the cellular level.

8q24 rs4242382 polymorphism is a risk factor for prostate cancer among multi-ethnic populations: evidence from clinical detection in China and a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence supporting an association between the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been reported in North American and Europe populations, though data from Asian populations remain limited. We therefore investigated this association by clinical detection in China, and meta-analysis in Asian, Caucasian and African-American populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood samples and clinical information were collected from ethnically Chinese men from Northern China with histologically- confirmed PCa (n=335) and from age-matched normal controls (n=347). The 8q24 (rs4242382) gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting analysis. We initially analyzed the associations between the risk allele and PCa and clinical covariates. A meta-analysis was then performed using genotyping data from a total of 1,793 PCa cases and 1,864 controls from our study and previously published studies in American and European populations, to determine the association between PCa and risk genotype.

RESULTS

The incidence of the risk allele was higher in PCa cases than controls (0.222 vs 0.140, P=7.3?10-5), suggesting that the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism was associated with PCa risk in Chinese men. The genotypes in subjects were in accordance with a dominant genetic model (ORadj=2.03, 95%CI: 1.42-2.91, Padj=1.1?10-4). Presence of the risk allele rs4242382-A at 8q24 was also associated with clinical covariates including age at diagnosis ≥65 years, prostate specific antigen >10 ng/ml, Gleason score <8, tumor stage and aggressive PCa, compared with the non-risk genotype (P=4.6?10-5-3.0?10-2). Meta-analysis confirmed the association between 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and PCa risk (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.39-1.88, P=1.0?10-5) across Asian, Caucasian and African American populations.

CONCLUSIONS

The replicated data suggest that the 8q24 rs4242382-A variation might be associated with increased PCa susceptibility in Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. These results imply that this polymorphism may be a useful risk biomarker for PCa in multi-ethnic populations.

Effects of tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality of ducks under high stocking density

High stocking density (STD) could affect duck welfare and production. The objective of our study was to investigate whether dietary tryptophan (TRP) supplementation could alleviate the detrimental effects of high STD on ducks. White Pekin ducks at 4 to 6 wk of age were raised at 11 birds/m(2) and fed diets containing 0.18, 0.48, 0.78, or 1.08% TRP for 21 d. Growth performance, concentrations of TRP and metabolites in the blood and hypothalamus, antioxidative activities in serum and tissue, meat quality, serum uric acid, and urea nitrogen were measured. Weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly improved by TRP supplementation at ≥ 0.48 and ≥ 0.78% (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Serum TRP, hypothalamic TRP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacitic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-HIAA/5-HT were also increased significantly (P < 0.01). These increases plateaued at 0.48% TRP, and no further improvement was obtained by adding more TRP to the diet. Dietary TRP supplementation significantly increased levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in serum; GSH-Px in liver; and GSH-Px and CAT in breast muscle (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels in breast muscle decreased (P < 0.001). Drip loss of breast muscle and pH decline at 45 min postmortem were reduced by TRP supplementation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Meat color was similar among different treatments (P > 0.05). Breast muscle shear force was increased significantly when dietary TRP level increased to 1.08% (P < 0.01). For ducks raised at 11 birds/m², dietary TRP supplementation could alleviate stress and improve growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality.

Susceptibility loci associations with prostate cancer risk in northern Chinese men

BACKGROUND

KLK3 gene products, like human prostate-specific antigen (PSA), are important biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). G protein-coupled receptor RFX6, C2orf43 and FOXP4 signaling plays important roles in the development of PCa. However, associations of these genes with PCa in northern Chinese men remain to be detailed. This study aimed to investigate their impact on occurrence and level of malignancy.

METHODS

All subjects were from Beijing and Tianjin, including 266 cases with prostate cancer and 288 normal individuals as controls. We evaluated associations between clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate specific antigen, Gleason score, tumor stage and aggressive) and 6 candidate PCa risk loci, genotyped by PCR- high resolution melting curve and sequencing methods.

RESULTS

Case-control analysis of allelic frequency of PCa associated with PCa showed that one of the 6 candidate risk loci, rs339331 in the RFX6 gene, was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.57-0.94, P = 0.013) in northern Chinese men. In addition, subjects with CX (CC+TC) genotypes had a decreased risk for prostrate cancer compared to those carrying the TT homozygote (OR =0.64, 95% CI = 0.45- 0.90, P = 0.008). The TT genotype of 13q22 (rs9600079, T) was associated with tumor stage (P=0.044, OR=2.34, 95% CI=0.94-5.87). Other SNPs were not significantly associated with clinical covariates in prostate cancer (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. rs339331 in the RFX6 gene may be associated with prostate cancer as a susceptibility locus in northern Chinese men.

Association of six susceptibility Loci with prostate cancer in northern chinese men

BACKGROUND/AIM

Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population.

METHODS

Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics.

RESULTS

Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.

Effects of bovine SMO gene polymorphisms on the body measurement and meat quality traits of Qinchuan cattle

Beef cattle breeding programs focus on improving important economic traits, including growth rates, and meat quantity and quality. Molecular marker-assisted selection based on genetic variation represents a potential method for breeding genetically improved livestock with better economic traits. Smoothened (SMO) protein is a signal transducer that contributes to the regulation of both osteogenesis and adipogenesis through the hedgehog pathway. In this study, we detected polymorphisms in the bovine SMO gene of Qinchuan cattle, and we analyzed their associations with body measurement traits (BMTs) and meat quality traits (MQTs). Using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, 3 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the SMO gene of 562 cattle: 1 G > C mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) and 2 C > T mutations on exon 11 (C22424T and C22481T). Association analysis showed that polymorphisms on both the G21234C and C22424T loci significantly affected certain BMTs and MQTs (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas those on the C22481T locus did not (P > 0.05). Therefore, the SMO gene could be used as a candidate gene to alter BMTs and MQTs in Qinchuan cattle or for marker-assisted selection to breed cattle with superior BMTs and MQTs.

[DNA aptamer selection in vitro for determining ketamine by FluMag-SELEX]

OBJECTIVE

To select specific DNA aptamer for determining ketamine by FluMag-SELEX.

METHODS

Based on magnetic beads with tosyl surface modification as solid carrier and ketamine as target, a random ssDNA library with total length of 78 bp in vitro was compounded. After 13 rounds screening, DNA cloning and sequencing were done. Primary and secondary, structures were analyzed. The affinity, specificity and Kd values of selected aptamer were measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity.

RESULTS

Two ssDNA aptamers (Apt#4 and Apt#8) were successfully selected with high and specific abilities to bind ketamine as target with Kd value of 0.59 and 0.66 μmol/L. The prediction of secondary structure was main stem-loop and G-tetramer. The stem was the basis of stability of aptamer's structure. And loop and G-tetramer was the key of specific binding of ketamine.

CONCLUSION

FluMag-SELEX can greatly improve the selection efficiency of the aptamer, obtain the ketamine-binding DNA aptamer, and develop a new method for rapid detection of ketamine.

Metabolic syndrome and risk for ED: a meta-analysis

There are many recent observational studies on metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk for ED, and it is still inconclusive whether MS increases the risk for ED. This meta-analysis aims to detect a relationship between MS and ED. We identified eligible studies by searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles published before August 2013. Adjusted relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. A total of 10 studies involving 4092 participants were included in the meta-analysis. MS was associated with an increased incidence of ED (RR=1.60, 95% CI=1.27-2.02, P<0.001), with significant evidence of heterogeneity among these studies (P for heterogeneity <0.001, I(2)=92.9%). The subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results and no publication bias was detected. The present meta-analysis suggests that MS is significantly associated with the risk for ED. Large-scale and well-designed prospective studies are required to further investigate the association between MS and risk for ED.

Development and characterization of novel microsatellite markers in the rock bream fish Oplegnathus fasciatus

The rock bream fish Oplegnathus fasciatus is one of the most popular aquaculture species in China. In the present study, 15 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from a wild population of O. fasciatus from the Zhoushan coast of China. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus ranged from 4 to 9 in a sample of 30 individuals. Observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.267 to 0.767 and from 0.395 to 0.859, respectively. Eleven of the 15 microsatellite loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected. The present microsatellite markers could provide a useful tool for the genetic analyses of O. fasciatus.

Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite loci in Nibea albiflora

Eleven novel microsatellite loci were isolated from a (CA)10-enriched genomic DNA library of Nibea albiflora. The characteristics of these microsatellites were determined in a sample of 48 N. albiflora individuals. The number of alleles at the 11 microsatellite loci ranged from 5 to 25, with an average of 13.5 per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.583 to 0.917 and from 0.568 to 0.964, respectively. Eight of the 11 microsatellite loci conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant linkage disequilibrium was found among all 11 loci. These polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for population genetic analyses of N. albiflora.

[Physicochemical characteristics of granules with different size in a granular sludge system for phosphorus removal]

Aerobic granular sludge that could simultaneously remove nitrogen and phosphorus was cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Three groups were divided using 100-, 60- and 40- mesh sieves resulting the size ranges were 150-280 microm, 280-450 microm and > 450 microm, respectively, and the physicochemical properties of different groups were analyzed. Results showed that during the initial period of granulation (7 - 18 d), the compact granules could provide the anaerobic niche for the substrate the competition between GAOs and PAOs; and the compact granules was favorable for the enrichment and growth of PAOs, resulting in different phosphorous fractions in different size of granules: granules with the size of 280 - 450 microm exhibited the highest content of organic phosphorous faction, i.e., 113.25 mg x g(-1). In contrast, these granules showed the lowest content of inorganic phosphorous fraction, i.e., 15.55 mg x g(-1). In a later period, the content of organic phosphorous fraction in granules was similar after 34 d about 50 mg x g(-1), and the inorganic phosphorous fraction became similar after 52 d was 70 mg x g(-1), and the total organic phosphorous fraction of sludge in the reactor were higher than those in the solids effluent. The phosphorous fraction in different size granules was affected by the sludge retention time. The total phosphorous accounted for 11% of total weight of sludge, and the inorganic phosphorous accounted 4.24%. Additionally, the settling velocity, specific weight of bigger granules were higher than the smaller one, and these values were well correlated with total phosphorous. Concerning on denitrification, bigger and smaller granules showed high denitrification efficiency, and the gradient of NO3(-) -N between inside of granules and bulk solution was an important factor for denitrification rate.

[Air drying process of granules and characteristics of their structure]

Filamentous granules were cultivated using a sequencing batch reactor. The yellowish bacteria dominated granules, black fungi dominated granules and Microthrix parvicella dominated white smooth granules occurred in the reactor on the day 18, 23 and 27 respectively. Distribution of surface related free water and capillary water were analysis using air drying method. It was found that the surface related free water in the black and white filamentous granules was 79% and 83%, respectively, and that in the conventional bacteria granules were 64%, suggesting that the surface area opening ratio of surface and porosity decreased in the order of white, black and yellowish granules. According to the air drying rate in different phases of granules, it can be inferred that the white and black filamentous granules could rapidly exchange the substrates on the surface and consequently prone to be big and loose, which discourages the stability of granules. Additionally, the section image showed that filamentous granules were more porous than the black bacteria granules. Filamentous granules exhibited encouraging COD and nitrogen removal efficiencies. The black and white filamentous granules showed higher bioactivity with the oxygen up-take rate (SOUR) of 1.29 and 1.26 fold of the conventional yellowish granules.

[Simultaneous determination of trihexyphenidyl, chlorpromazine and clozapine in blood by GC-MS]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method to measure trihexyphenidyl, chlorpromazine and clozapine in human blood with GC-MS.

METHODS

The specimens were alkalized (pH > 10) and extracted with V (benzene):V(ethyl acetate) = 1:1, and qualitatively analyzed using GC-MS-Full Scan with internal standard SKF525A. The specimens were alkalized (pH > 10) and extracted with V(benzene):V(ethyl acetate) = 1:1, and quantitatively analyzed using GC-MS-SIM with internal standard diazepam-d5.

RESULTS

The lowest detection limits of trihexyphenidyl, chlorpromazine and clozapine were 0.3, 0.3 and 0.7 ng/mL (S/N > or = 3) respectively. The calibration curve in 20-10 000 ng/mL showed a good linear distribution. The recovery rate was 79.9% to 85.5%. The RSDs of intraday and interday were less than 5.1%.

CONCLUSION

The established method was simple, sensitive and accurate for simultaneous determination of trihexyphenidyl, chlorpromazine and clozapine in human blood, and can be applied in forensic toxicological cases.

Dopamine-mediated inhibition of renal Na+/K+-ATPase in HK-2 cells is reduced by ouabain

1. Abnormal renal sodium handling is considered a major contributing factor in hypertension associated with chronic ouabain treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in abnormal renal sodium handling have not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether chronic ouabain treatment perturbs dopamine D(1) receptor function. 2. The expression and phosphorylation levels of the D(1) receptor in cells of the human proximal tubule cell line (HK-2) were determined using western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The activity of the renal sodium/potassium pump (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase) was measured using a colourimetric assay, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation was determined by performing a radioimmunoassay. 3. We showed that chronic ouabain treatment decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of the D(1) receptor and increased the basal phosphorylation of the D(1) receptor in HK-2 cells. We also showed that in the presence of ouabain, HK-2 cells did not reveal the cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition induced by the D(1) receptor agonist fenoldopam. 4. We hypothesize that the ouabain-induced decrease in renal D(1) receptor function is responsible for the increase in renal sodium reabsorption, which eventually leads to ouabain-induced hypertension.