[Bioinformatics analysis of primary biliary cholangitis key genes and molecular mechanisms]

Objective: To extract the differentially expressed key genes of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) using bioinformatics methods, so as to provide information for further study into the mechanism. Methods: The GSE119600 dataset was downloaded from the GEO database to obtain differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed for differentially expressed genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network reconstruction, Cytoscape software visualization, and core gene screening were performed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of genes and plot the pROC software package. The x-Cell software was used to calculate the enrichment score of 34 immune cells in each sample. Finally, four key genes (PSMA4, PSMA1, PSMB1, and PSMA3) were selected. Blood samples were analyzed using the qPCR method. Results:: A total of 373 immune-related differentially expressed genes were identified. Eight genes (PSMC6, PSMB2, PSMB1, PSMA3, PSMA4, PSMA1, PSMD7, and PSMB5) were screened from the 178 nodes and 596 edges as hub genes of the PPI network, which were significantly related to amino acid metabolism, hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, cell cycle, and immune processes. PSMA4, PSMA1, PSMB1, and PSMA3 were defined as immunological biomarkers for PBC with an AUC value of the ROC curve > 0.7. Immunoinfiltrating cell analysis showed that the proportion of eosinophils was significantly higher in PBC patients compared to the control group, whereas the proportion of CD4+ memory T cells, plasma cells, Th2 cells, and cDC cells was significantly lower in PBC patients than the control group. Plasma cells were associated with all four immunological biomarkers. Seven PBC patients and seven healthy subjects were selected for peripheral blood qPCR validation, which demonstrates that PSMB1, PSMA3, PSMA1, and PSMA4 levels were significantly lower in PBC patients than healthy subjects, with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion:: Bioinformatics screened eight key genes, of which four were key immunological markers and may serve as a basis for clinical diagnosis and mechanism exploration.

[Report content and prenatal diagnosis of non-invasive prenatal testing for sex chromosome aneuploidy]

Objective: To analyze the report content, the methods and results of prenatal diagnosis of high risk of sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Methods: A total of 227 single pregnancy pregnant women who received genetic counseling and invasive prenatal diagnosis at Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to the Medical School of Nanjing University from January 2015 to April 2022 due to the high risk of SCA suggested by NIPT were collected. The methods and results of prenatal diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed, and the results of chromosome karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) were compared. The relationship between NIPT screening and invasive prenatal diagnosis was analyzed. Results: (1) Prenatal diagnosis methods for 277 SCA high risk pregnant women included 73 cases of karyotyping, 41 cases of CMA and 163 cases of karyotyping combined with CMA, of which one case conducted amniocentesis secondly for further fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. Results of invasive prenatal diagnosis were normal in 166 cases (59.9%, 166/277), and the abnormal results including one case of 45,X (0.4%, 1/277), 18 cases of 47,XXX (6.5%, 18/277), 36 cases of 47,XXY (13.0%, 36/277), 20 cases of 47,XYY (7.2%, 20/277), 1 case of 48,XXXX (0.4%, 1/277), 20 cases of mosaic SCA (7.2%, 20/277), 5 cases of sex chromosome structural abnormality or large segment abnormality (1.8%, 5/277), and 10 cases of other abnormalities [3.6%, 10/277; including 9 cases of copy number variation (CNV) and 1 case of balanced translocation]. Positive predictive value (PPV) for SCA screening by NIPT was 34.7% (96/277). (2) Among the 163 cases tested by karyotyping combined with CMA, 11 cases (6.7%, 11/163) showed inconsistent results by both methods, including 5 cases of mosaic SCA, 1 case of additional balanced translocation detected by karyotyping and 5 cases of additional CNV detected by CMA. (3) NIPT screening reports included 149 cases of "sex chromosome aneuploidy"(53.8%, 149/277), 54 cases of "number of sex chromosome increased" (19.5%, 54/277), and 74 cases of "number of sex chromosome or X chromosome decreased" (26.7%, 74/277). The PPV of "number of sex chromosome increased" and "number of sex chromosome or X chromosome decreased" were 72.2% (39/54) and 18.9% (14/74), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=34.56, P<0.01). Conclusions: NIPT could be served as an important prenatal screening technique of SCA, especially for trisomy and mosaicism, but the PPV is comparatively low. More information of NIPT such as the specific SCA or maternal SCA might help improving the confidence of genetic counseling and thus guide clinic management. Multi technology platforms including karyotyping, CMA and FISH could be considered in the diagnosis of high risk of SCA by NIPT.

[Expression of CD24 gene in human malignant pleural mesothelioma and its relationship with prognosis]

Objective: To investigate the expression of CD24 gene in human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells and tissues, and evaluate its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical prognosis of MPM patients. Methods: In February 2021, UALCAN database was used to analyze the correlation between CD24 gene expression and clinicopathological characteristics in 87 cases of MPM patients. The TIMER 2.0 platform was used to explore the relationship between the expression of CD24 in MPM and tumor immune infiltrating cells. cBioportal online tool was used to analyze the correlation between CD24 and MPM tumor marker gene expression. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expressions of CD24 gene in human normal pleural mesothelial cell lines LP9 and MPM cell lines NCI-H28 (epithelial type), NCI-H2052 (sarcoma type), and NCI-H2452 (biphasic mixed type). RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expressions of CD24 gene in 18 cases of MPM tissues and matched normal pleural tissues. The expression difference of CD24 protein in normal mesothelial tissue and MPM tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A Kaplan-Meier model was constructed to explore the influence of CD24 gene expression on the prognosis of MPM patients, and Cox regression analysis of prognostic factors in MPM patients was performed. Results: The CD24 gene expression without TP53 mutation MPM patients was significantly higher than that of patients in TP53 mutation (P<0.05). The expression of CD24 gene in MPM was positively correlated with B cells (r(s)=0.37, P<0.001). The expression of CD24 gene had a positive correlation with the expressions of thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) (r(s)=0.26, P<0.05), and had a negative correlation with the expression of epidermal growth factor containing fibulin like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1), mesothelin (MSLN) and calbindin 2 (CALB2) (r(s)=-0.31, -0.52, -0.43, P<0.05). RT-qPCR showed that the expression level of CD24 gene in MPM cells (NCI-H28, NCI-H2052 and NCI-H2452) was significantly higher than that in normal pleural mesothelial LP9 cells. The expression level of CD24 gene in MPM tissues was significantly higher than that in matched normal pleural tissues (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of CD24 protein in epithelial and sarcoma MPM tissues were higher than those of matched normal pleural tissues. Compared with low expression of CD24 gene, MPM patients with high expression of CD24 gene had lower overall survival (HR=2.100, 95%CI: 1.336-3.424, P<0.05) and disease-free survival (HR=1.800, 95%CI: 1.026-2.625, P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that compared with the biphasic mixed type, the epithelial type was a protective factor for the prognosis of MPM patients (HR=0.321, 95%CI: 0.172-0.623, P<0.001). Compared with low expression of CD24 gene, high expression of CD24 gene was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MPM patients (HR=2.412, 95%CI: 1.291-4.492, P=0.006) . Conclusion: CD24 gene and protein are highly expressed in MPM tissues, and the high expression of CD24 gene suggests poor prognosis in MPM patients.

Integrated Analyses of miRNome and Transcriptome Reveal the Critical Role of miRNAs Toward Heat Stress Response in Isochrysis galbana

Isochrysis galbana is widely used in aquaculture as a bait microalgal species. High temperature (HT) can severely impair the development of I. galbana, exerting adverse effects on its yield. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in modulating stress-responsive genes. However, the role of miRNAs in response to HT in microalgae remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we identified several conserved and novel miRNAs in I. galbana through miRNome sequencing. Among these identified miRNAs, 22 miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to heat stress, and their target genes were predicted accordingly. Moreover, a comprehensive and integrated analysis of miRNome and transcriptome was performed. We found that six potential reversely correlated differentially expressed miRNA (DEM) and differentially expressed gene (DEG) pairs were associated with heat stress response (HSR) in I. galbana. The expressions of DEMs and DEGs were further verified using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Integrated analyses showed that miRNAs played fundamental roles in the regulatory network of HSR in I. galbana mainly by regulating some heat-responsive genes, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling-related genes, and specific key genes in the ubiquitination pathway. Our current study identified the first set of heat-responsive miRNAs from I. galbana and helped elucidate the miRNA-mediated HSR and resistance mechanisms in I. galbana. This new knowledge could provide ways to enhance its heat stress tolerance.

RNA-seq Insights Into the Impact of Alteromonas macleodii on Isochrysis galbana

Phycospheric bacteria may be the key biological factors affecting the growth of algae. However, the studies about interaction between Isochrysis galbana and its phycospheric bacteria are limited. Here, we show that a marine heterotrophic bacterium, Alteromonas macleodii, enhanced the growth of I. galbana, and inhibited non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of this microalgae. Further, we explored this phenomenon via examining how the entire transcriptomes of I. galbana changed when it was co-cultured with A. macleodii. Notable increase was observed in transcripts related to photosynthesis, carbon fixation, oxidative phosphorylation, ribosomal proteins, biosynthetic enzymes, and transport processes of I. galbana in the presence of A. macleodii, suggesting the introduction of the bacterium might have introduced increased production and transport of carbon compounds and other types of biomolecules. Besides, the transcriptome changed largely corresponded to reduced stress conditions for I. galbana, as inferred from the depletion of transcripts encoding DNA repair enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other stress-response proteins. Taken together, the presence of A. macleodii mainly enhanced photosynthesis and biosynthesis of I. galbana and protected it from stress, especially oxidative stress. Transfer of fixed organic carbon, but perhaps other types of biomolecules, between the autotroph and the heterotroph might happen in I. galbana-A. macleodii co-culture. The present work provides novel insights into the transcriptional consequences of I. galbana of mutualism with its heterotrophic bacterial partner, and mutually beneficial associations existing in I. galbana-A. macleodii might be explored to improve productivity and sustainability of aquaculture algal rearing systems.

[Treatment strategy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the background of COVID-19]

COVID-19, caused by SARS-COV-2, has the characteristics of world epidemic, highly infectious and large base of death. In China, transmission route of SARS-COV-2 has been contained so effectively that COVID-19 has been well controlled due to the proactive national prevention and control strategy. However, not only does it bring a huge impact on the existing medical structure model, but also an objective impact on the treatment of patients with chronic diseases such as malignant tumors. Based on the progress reported in the domestic and international literatures and the actual management experience of our team, this paper reflects on the treatment strategies for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) during the epidemic period of COVID-19. We focus on risk stratification for primary GIST and forming treatment strategies accordingly. Major considerations include the impact of delayed operation, the burden of medical resources, the waiting time for elective operation, and the principle of emergency operation. In addition, we focus on the level of evidence for non-surgical approaches with a view to developing a holistic strategy of "priority management principles" to guide clinical treatment in the context of limited resources and different GIST priorities.

[Anatomical controversies involved in radical resection of rectal cancer]

The concept of total mesorectal resection provides a quality control standard that can be followed for radical resection of rectal cancer, but some anatomical problems are still controversial. Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic radical rectal surgery has better surgical vision, better neurological protection, better operating space. However, if the surgeon has insufficient understanding of the anatomy, collateral damage may occur, such as uncontrollable bleeding during the operation, postoperative urination and defecation dysfunction and so on. Based on the interpretation of the researches at home and abroad, combined with the clinical experience, we elucidate some associated issues, including anatomic variation of inferior mesenteric vessels, the controversy of inferior mesenteric artery ligation plane, the controversy of lymph node dissection in No. 253, the anatomical variation of middle rectal artery, and the anatomical controversy of lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer, in order to provide better cognitive process for the clinical front-line surgeons.

[Treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients in tumor hospitals under the background of corona virus disease 2019]

In December 2019, a new outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 began to occur. Its pathogen is 2019-nCoV, which has the characteristics of strong infectivity and general susceptibility. The current situation of prevention and control of new coronavirus pneumonia is severe. In this context, as front-line medical workers bearing important responsibilities and pressure, while through strict management strategy, we can minimize the risk of infection exposure. By summarizing the research progress and guidelines in recent years in the fields of colorectal cancer disease screening, treatment strategies (including early colorectal cancer, locally advanced colorectal cancer, obstructive colorectal cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and the treatment of patients after neoadjuvant therapy), the choice of medication and time limit for adjuvant therapy, the protective measures for patients undergoing emergency surgery, the re-examination of postoperative patients and the protection of medical staff, etc., authors improve treatment strategies in order to provide more choices for patients to obtain the best treatment under the severe epidemic situation of new coronavirus pneumonia. Meanwhile we hope that it can also provide more timely treatment modeling schemes for colleagues.

[Thinking of treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients in tumor hospitals under the background of coronavirus pneumonia]

In December 2019, a new outbreak of coronavirus pneumonia began to occur. Its pathogen is 2019-nCoV, which has the characteristics of strong infectivity and general susceptibility. The current situation of prevention and control of new coronavirus pneumonia is severe. In this context, as front-line medical workers bearing important responsibilities and pressure, while through strict management strategy, we can minimize the risk of infection exposure. By summarizing the research progress and guidelines in recent years in the fields of colorectal cancer disease screening, treatment strategies(including early colorectal cancer, locally advanced colorectal cancer, obstructive colorectal cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and the treatment of patients after neoadjuvant therapy), the choice of medication and time limit for adjuvant therapy, the protective measures for patients undergoing emergency surgery, the re-examination of postoperative patients and the protection of medical staff, etc., authors improve treatment strategies in order to provide more choices for patients to obtain the best treatment under the severe epidemic situation of new coronavirus pneumonia. Meanwhile we hope that it can also provide more timely treatment modeling schemes for colleagues.

[Effects of Different Concentrations of Ammonia Nitrogen on the Growth and Enzyme Activity of Four Common Algae Strains]

Treating swine wastewater with a high ammonia nitrogen content with microalgae cultures has proved difficult. In this paper, the strains Chlamydomonas 715, Botryococcus braunii 357, Porphyridium cruentum 806, and Scenedesmus obliquus 417 were tested. Ammonia nitrogen concentrations of 50 mg·L^-1, 500 mg·L^-1, and 2000 mg·L^-1 applied to the media according to the concentrations of biogas slurry. This allowed the effect of different concentrations of ammonia nitrogen on the growth and cell enzyme activity of microalgae to be tested. The results showed that the growth of Chlamydomonas 715 and Scenedesmus obliquus 417 was inhibited at different concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, and the biomass and biomass productivities were lower than for the normal media. However, the biomass and biomass productivity of Porphyridium cruentum 806 in 50 mg·L^-1 ammonia nitrogen were 1.78 g·L^-1 and 0.16 g·(L·d)^-1, respectively, which were higher than the values obtained using KOCK medium. Furthermore, the biomass and biomass productivity of Botryococcus braunii 357 in 500 mg·L^-1 ammonia nitrogen were 1.95 g·L^-1 and 0.18 g·(L·d)^-1, respectively, which were higher than the values obtained using BG11 medium. The SOD, POD, and CAT of all algae species showed a decreasing tendency in response to an increase in the concentration of ammonia nitrogen, as did MDA. These results provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of swine wastewater with high ammonia nitrogen content using microalgae cultures.

Bacterial Community Diversity and Screening of Growth-Affecting Bacteria From Isochrysis galbana Following Antibiotic Treatment

Algal cultures are generally co-cultures of algae and bacteria, especially when considering outdoor cultivation. However, the effects of associated bacteria on algal growth remain largely unexplored, particularly in the context of Isochrysis galbana. In the present study, we investigated the effects of antibiotic on the growth of I. galbana and its associated bacterial community. We found advantageous responses of I. galbana to antibiotic exposure, evidenced by the increased growth, and the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm). Since antibiotics can cause major disturbances within bacterial community, we further conducted 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to determine the changes of bacterial community diversity following antibiotic treatment. We found that antibiotic treatment considerably and negatively affected the abundance and diversity of bacterial community, and 17 significantly decreased bacterial species in the antibiotic-treated medium, including Pseudomonas stutzeri, were identified. Further co-culture experiments revealed that P. stutzeri inhibited the growth of I. galbana, and the inhibitory activity was retained in the cell-free bacterial filtrate. These results indicated that the negative effect of bacteria was not exclusively transmitted through contact with I. galbana but could be also mediated via secretory compounds. Taken together, our findings not only fully characterized the bacterial community associated with I. galbana and how the bacterial community changed in response to antibiotic perturbations, but also provided a valuable information about the interactions between I. galbana and its associated bacteria, which might help improve the yield, and quality of I. galbana during its cultivation processes.

[Impact of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection on related mortality]

Objective: To understand the impact of HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) co-infectious (HIV/MTB) on related mortality in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, provide evidence for the development of a better HIV/MTB co-infection control and prevention program. Methods: A multiple cross-systems check (MCSC) approach was used to confirm the HIV/MTB co-infection individuals on data related to treatment, follow-up, epidemiological comprehensive and Tuberculosis (TB) special report system. Social demography characteristics, incidence of TB among HIV positive individuals, HIV incidence among MTB infection persons etc., were described. We compared the mortalities and related risks between HIV/MTB co-infection and mono HIV positive individuals as well as between the HIV/MTB co-infection and mono MTB infection persons, using both the Chi Square test and the Cox's proportional hazard regression model (Cox). Results: Reported data showed that the incidence of MTB co-infection in the HIV cohort was 17.72% (2 533/14 293), while HIV incidence in the TB patients was 5.57% (2 351/42 205), respectively. The mortality of HIV/MTB co-infection in the HIV/AIDS cohort was 15.16% (384/2 533) within one-year of observation and was significantly higher than the mortality (13.63%,1 603/11 760) of mono HIV positive individuals (P<0.000 1). The percentage of the HIV/AIDS death cases was 19.33% (384/1 987) who registered and died in the 2011 calendar year were caused by MTB co-infection. Among all the HIV/MTB co-infection patients who had been identified from the HIV cohort, 60.05% (1 521/2 533) had initiated ART, 15.48% (392/2 533) had been cured for TB and 27.48% (696/2 533) had been under complete TB regimen. Among the confirmed HIV/MTB cases from the TB cohort, the cure rate of TB was 19.70% (463/2 351) and the percentage of completed TB regimen was 37.26% (876/2 351). The percentage of the individuals whose CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte cells count appeared less than 200 cell/μl was 64.13% (785/1 224), upon the HIV diagnoses were made. Compared with individuals who were under mono HIV infection, the mortality risk on HIV/MTB co-infection was 1.17 times higher during the five-year observation period, then the patients with only mono MTB infection and the mortality risk in patients with HIV/MTB co-infection was 25.68 times higher under the 12-month observation period. Conclusions: Both the incidence and mortality of HIV/MTB appeared high in Guangxi, with mortality and the risk of mortality in the HIV/MTB co-infection group significantly higher than that in both the HIV mono infection and the MTB mono infections groups. Both the rate of antiretroviral treatment coverage and the cure rate of TB treatment should be increased in no time as well as the capability of early TB case-finding among people living with HIV.

[Characteristics of HIV-infected persons without long term disease progress and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV infected persons without long term disease progress [also known as long term non-progressors (LTNPs)], and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi). Methods: Data of persons living with HIV and receiving no antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi by the end of 2016 were collected from the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention information system of China. Results: By the end of 2016, there were 313 LTNPs in Guangxi, accounting for 2.3% of those being reported for more than 10 years, 5.4% of those being reported for more than 10 years and surviving, and 26.6% of those being reported for more than 10 years, surviving and receiving no antiretroviral therapy. Among the LTNPs, 87.2%(273) were men, 94.9% (297) were aged ≤ 40 years, 32.3% (101) were farmers, 55.6% (174) were single, divorced or widowed, 69.3% (217) were of Han ethnic group, 68.1% (213) were injecting drug users, and 52.1% (163) were from custody facilities. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that factors associated with delayed disease progression included age ≤40 years (compared with age >40 years, aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.31-3.12) and injection drug use (compared with sexual transmission, aOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.74). Conclusions: A number of LTNPs existed in HIV-infected individuals in Guangxi. Further research are needed to identify the related factors, and it is necessary to conduct large sample size studies on host immunology, genetics and the virology of HIV to explore the related mechanism.

Distribution of Karlodinium veneficum in the coastal region of Xiangshan Bay in the East China Sea, as detected by a real-time quantitative PCR assay of ribosomal ITS sequence

Athecate dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum is a universal toxic species possessing karlotoxins recognized especially as ichthyotoxic as well as cytotoxic and hemolytic. Blooms of K. veneficum, both single-species or accompanied with other species, occurred more frequently worldwide in recent years, including the coastal region of China. Normally, K. veneficum present in relatively low abundance in phytoplankton communities in estuary regions. Being small and difficult to identify with light microscopy, it has been ignored for a long time till its blooming and toxins being confirmed. How it presents in background level and what is its relationship with critical geological and hydrological environment factors are basically not clear. In this study, the paper reports the application of a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method to investigate the abundance and distribution of K. veneficum in the coastal waters of Xiangshan Bay in the East China Sea (ECS), a typical bay area of harmful algae blooms and heavily affected by anthropogenic activities. The real-time qPCR assay came out being an efficient method at detecting even low cell densities of K. veneficum of different genotypes. A total of 38 field samples of surface (0.5 m) and bottom water (9-100 m in depth) were analyzed and 12 samples were found positive for K. veneficum. At least 3 genotypes of K. veneficum present in this region. Temperatures in sites of K. veneficum positive ranged from 21.7 to 23.4 °C, and salinity levels were between 21.1 and 26.3. The K. veneficum distributed quite extensively in the waters of Xiangshan Bay, cell abundance varied from a low of 4 cells/L to a maximum of 170 cells/L. Most of the samples containing K. veneficum were collected from bottom water in different sites. At three of the 19 sampling sites, K. veneficum was detected in both surface and bottom water samples. Especially at sampling site near Beilun port, where the water is typically muddy with low transparency, relative high cell numbers of K. veneficum were found in both surface and bottom waters. Mixotrophy and vertical migration of K. veneficum could be important eco-physiological factors to consider in terms of understanding these distribution characteristics. The ideal conditions for K. veneficum growth and aggregation in this area still needs further study.

Measurement of density fluctuation propagation direction via the far-forward collective scattering diagnostic based on polarimeter-interferometer

Previously, the 17-channel three-wave polarimeter-interferometer system (POLARIS) on the J-TEXT tokamak has been implemented to measure far-forward collective scattering (FFCS) from electron density fluctuations. Recently, this system has been exploited to measure the propagation direction of density fluctuation. After considering the refraction of the laser probe beam passing through plasma, the ray tracing result shows that the detector of POLARIS may receive asymmetric far-forward scattering beams. Thus, the heterodyne detection of FFCS is available to identify the propagation direction of density fluctuation by resolving the asymmetric scattering spectrum. Experimentally, the transform of the heterodyne scattering spectrum from symmetry to asymmetry has been observed, while the refraction effect becomes strong demonstrating the capacity of measuring the propagation direction of fluctuation. Furthermore, by changing the plasma potential through the use of an applied positive electrode biasing, the reverse of frequency shift for the heterodyne scattering spectrum is identified, confirming the validity of direction discrimination of density fluctuation.

Detection of Skeletonema costatum based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick

We developed a new assay method, which combines loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with a chromatographic lateral flow dipstick (LFD) for the rapid and special detection of the diatom Skeletonema costatum. Four groups of LAMP primers were derived from a conserved DNA sequence unique to S. costatum. The amplifications were carried out at 61, 63, and 65 °C for 60 min in various combinations by the quantitative PCR thermal cycler to confirm optimal primers and reaction temperature. The LAMP-LFD detection limit was 0.94 pg/μL of S. costatum genomic DNA and was 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. The LAMP-LFD method had high specificity and accurately identified S. costatum algal isolates, but not other algal isolates. The new LAMP-LFD assay can be used as a reliable and easy method to detect S. costatum.

The development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick for detection of Karlodinium veneficum

The aim of this study was to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with a chromatographic lateral flow dipstick (LFD) assay to rapidly and specifically detect the Karlodinium veneficum ITS gene. Four groups of LAMP primers were specially designed to target the K. veneficum ITS gene. The LAMP-LFD detection limit was 7.4pg/μL (approximately 6.5cells/mL) of K. veneficum genomic DNA and was 10 times more sensitive than standard PCR. The LAMP-LFD method exhibited high specificity and accurately identified K. veneficum algal isolates, but not other algal isolates. To test the assay's accuracy, samples from positive results were further analyzed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, all of which were identified as K. veneficum. Over all, the LAMP-LFD assay established in this paper can be used as a reliable and simple method to detect the K. veneficum.

[Effectiveness of bupropion and counseling for smoking cessation]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of bupropion for smoking cessation among Chinese smokers at a smoking cessation clinic.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in a hospital located in Beijing during 2008 and from 28 to 31 October 2014. A total of 287 smokers (265 men and 22 women) were assessed using data from structured questionnaires at baseline and were followed up at 1 and 6 months. Trained physician counselors provided free brief education and individual counseling sessions for all participants at the first visit. A total 131 participants were prescribed bupropion in addition to counseling. The counseling plus bupropion group was compared with the group who underwent counseling without bupropion. Outcomes were self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at 1- and 6-month follow-up and continuous abstinence rates at 6-month follow-up. Smoking reduction rates at 1 and 6 months were also measured.

RESULTS

By intention-to-treat analysis, the 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate of the bupropion group at 1 and 6 months was higher than for the counseling-only group: at 1-month follow-up, 26.0% (34/131) vs. 15.4% (24/156), with OR (95% CI) 1.93(1.07-3.46); these rates at 6-month follow-up were 27.8% (35/131) vs. 15.4% (24/156), with OR (95% CI) 2.01(1.12-3.59). The 1-month continuous abstinence rate at 6 months was higher in the bupropion group: 26.0% (34/131) vs. 14.7% (23/156), with OR (95%CI) 2.03(1.12-3.66). Participants in the bupropion group also had a higher smoking reduction rate at 1 month than those in the counseling-only group: 55.0% (72/131) vs. 38.5% (60/156), with OR (95%CI) 1.95 (1.22-3.13).

CONCLUSION

Prescription of bupropion at this smoking cessation clinic was effective in doubling the quitting rates and smoking reduction rates among Chinese smokers.

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients in the low-latitude plateau of China: altitudinal influences

The current study was to investigate the features of hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at different altitudes. The correlation between SLE activity and altitudinal variations was also explored. Medical records of 1029 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Activity of SLE in each organ system was recorded using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). There was no significant correlation between SLE activity and altitudes (r = 0.003, p = 0.159). Age at onset for SLE patients at high altitudes was significantly younger than that at low and moderate altitudes (p = 0.022 and p = 0.004, respectively). Age at SLE admission at low altitudes was significant older than those at moderate and high altitudes (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively). Patients at high altitudes had shorter duration from disease onset to admission than those at moderate altitudes (p = 0.009). Incidence of Sm antibodies-positive for resident patients at high altitudes was 36.4%, which were higher than that at moderate altitudes (p = 0.003). We found increasing trends of CNS activity in active patients; immunological and renal activities in inactive patients were correlated with elevated altitudes (p = 0.024, p = 0.004, p = 0.005), while arthritis scores in active patients showed the tendency of decreasing with the rise of elevation (p = 0.002). Hemoglobin level, red blood cell and platelet counts at high altitudes were significantly lower than those at low altitudes (p < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin level between moderate- and low-altitude groups (p > 0.05). No significant difference in platelet counts between moderate- and high-altitude groups was observed (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that some clinical features, laboratory tests and activity of main organs in SLE are influenced by altitudes. Furthermore, organ activities of active and inactive SLE patients have different patterns of altitudinal variations. These distinctive variations likely reveal that peculiar environmental factors at high altitudes can affect the development of SLE.

Immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the human tongue

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue has frequent lymph node metastases and poor prognosis. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are reported to degrade basement membrane,facilitating invasion and metastasis. This study determined the expression of MMP-2/MMP-9 in primary tongue cancer with or without cervical metastases and analysed the significance of such expression in relation to the presence or absence of metastases.

METHODS

Expressions of MMP-2⁄MMP-9 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa, 20 lymph node-negative tongue cancers, 41 lymph node-positive tongue cancers and their metastasized tumours in cervical lymph nodes.

RESULTS

MMP-2⁄MMP-9 expression was seldom found in normal epithelium. In lymph node-negative tongue cancer, 45% and 40% of these primary tumours were positively stained for MMP-2⁄MMP-9, respectively. Importantly, in lymph node-positive tongue cancer, 71% and 79% of these primary tumours were positive for MMP-2⁄MMP-9, respectively. Overexpression of MMP-2⁄MMP-9 was present in the metastatic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results imply that MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 play an important role in invasion and metastasis in tongue cancer, and that analysis of MMP expression and/or activity in primary tumours may have a predictive value for the actual or potential presence of cervical metastases.

Precise identification of photosynthetic glycerolipids in microalga Tetraselmis chuii by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS

Precise structural identification of photosynthetic polar glycerolipids in microalga Tetraselmis chuii has been established using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray ionization-Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) by direct analysis of the total lipids extract. The mass spectrometry was performed in reflective time-of-flight using electron spraying ionization in both positive and negative modes. The structural determination was based on the characteristic product ions yielded by different glycerolipids under ESI-MS/MS mode, and confirmed the molecular species by the carboxylate anions produced by glycerolipids in the negative mode. As a result, more than 40 lipid molecular species, including 11 monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG), 7 digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDG), 16 sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDG), and 9 phosphatidylglycerols (PG), were detected in Tetraselmis chuii, which had never been identified before in this microalga. Furthermore, some intact lipid molecules with hydroxylated fatty acids that could not be detected by the traditional GC-MS method were found this time, providing novel information for the photosynthetic lipidome of Tetraselmis chuii. Comparative studies on fatty acids at the sn-2 position showed that SQDG and MGDG are dominantly biosynthesized through the prokaryotic pathway, PG is a typically mixed biosynthetic pathway, while DGDG is somewhat peculiar with C14:0 and C16:0 at its sn-2 position. This method could provide a full structural profile of intact photosynthetic lipid molecular species, which may be applied to study the physiological and ecological functions of lipid by monitoring their individual changes.

[Model study on CO2 removal by photobioreactor]

The key point of study on CO2 removal by microalgae cultured in a photobioreactor is to improve CO2 removal capability. In this paper, a model of air-lift photobioreactor was developed by combination of conditions including the velocity of flow, the degree of mixing, the gas-liquid mass transfer and the rate of photosynthesis, and two corresponding simplified methods, such as time discretization and lumped parameters were put forward. Using a method of lumped parameters, the model for simulation of time course of DO, pH in the column air-lift photobioreactor and prediction of CO2, O2 concentrations in the outlet gas under different CO2 concentration in the aeration gas was thoroughly discussed. Experimental data were also used to verify the model which could potentially be applied to rational design of the photobioreactor, high-density culture of microalgae and efficient removal of CO2.

Fiber-optic Fabry-Perot sensors based on a combination of spatial-frequency division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing formed by chirped fiber Bragg grating pairs

Effective multiplexing for a very large number of fiber-optic fiber-Bragg-grating-based Fabry-Perot (FBGFP) sensors is proposed that is based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and spatial-frequency division multiplexing (SFDM). For WDM, FBGFP sensors are arranged in different wavelength domains formed by a series of chirped fiber Bragg gratings with different central wavelengths while the sensors with different cavity lengths within the same wavelength domain are multiplexed by use of SFDM because they have different spatial frequencies as a result of their different cavity lengths. In principle, a thousand FBGFP sensors could be multiplexed with such an approach. The experimental results show that a strain accuracy of better than +/-10 microepsilon has been achieved with little cross talk.

Demodulation algorithm for spatial-frequency-division-multiplexed fiber-optic Fizeau strain sensor networks

A demodulation algorithm for spatial-frequency-division-multiplexed fiber-optic Fizeau strain sensor networks with a large number of sensors is proposed to effectively reduce the cross talk between any two adjacent sensors and hence substantially enhance the multiplexing capability of the network, which is based on the Pisarenko algorithm. The cross talk between two fiber-optic Fizeau sensors is investigated experimentally. The experimental results show that a strain accuracy of better than +/-10 micro permittivity can be achieved even when the cavity length difference is approximately 100 microm. It was demonstrated that the multiplexing capability of the spatial-frequency-division-multiplexed fiber-optic Fizeau sensor network can be approximately 5 times greater than that of the conventional fast-Fourier-transform algorithm, and this can lead to achievement of a sensing network with a multiplexing capability of as many as 1000 Fizeau sensors.

Cellular signaling mechanisms underlying pharmacological action of Bak Foong Pills on gastrointestinal secretion

Bak Foong Pills (BFP, also known as Bai Feng Wan) is an over-the-counter traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used for treating gynecological disorders and improving overall body functions, including gastrointestinal (GI) function. However, the cellular signaling mechanism underlying BFP action, especially on the GI tract, has not been elucidated. In the present study, the human colonic epithelia cell line T(84) was used as a model to investigate the effect of BFP ethanol extract on ion transport in conjunction with the short-circuit current (I(SC)) technique. The results showed that the apical addition of BFP extract produced a concentration-dependent (10-1,000 microg/ml, EC(50) = 120 microg/ml) increase in I(SC). The maximal response was observed at 500 microg/ml with an increase in I(SC) of 24.4 +/- 2.3 microA/cm(2) and apical conductance. The BFP-induced I(SC) was not observed when extracellular Cl(-) was replaced or when treated with Bumetanide (100 microM), an inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter. The BFP-induced I(SC) was insensitive to the Na(+) channel blocker, amiloride, but partially inhibited by the Cl(-) channel blocker, DIDS (100 microM), and completely blocked by DPC (2 mM) or glibenclamide (1 mM) with a significant reduction in the apical conductance. The BFP-induced I(SC) could be mimicked by forskolin (10 microM), but inhibited by a pretreatment of the cells with adenylate cyclase inhibitor, MDL-12330A (10 microM). Pretreatment with EGTA (5 mM) and thapsigargin (10 microM) decreased the BFP-induced I(SC) by 10%. These results demonstrated that BFP ethanol extract exerted a stimulatory effect on gastrointestinal Cl(-) secretion by predominantly activating adenylate cyclase and apical cAMP-dependent Cl(-) channels, with minor contributions from calcium-dependent Cl(-) channels. The effect of BFP may be explored to treat GI disorders such as constipation.

Glycosides and xanthine oxidase inhibitors from Conyza bonariensis

Fractionation of the xanthine oxidase inhibitory methanol extract of Conyza bonariensis afforded three glycosides, in addition to nine known compounds including amyrin, beta-sitostero1 daucosterol, syringic acid 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid, eugenol 4-O-glucopyranoside, and luteolin, apigenin and takakin 8-O-glucuronide. The structures of the glycosides were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, 1H and 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC and HMBC) as 4-hydroxypyridin-3-carboxylic acid 4-O-glucopyranoside, 8-hydroxy-6,7-dihydrolinalool 8-O-glucopyranoside and bonaroside [viz. 1,3,4,12-tetrahydroxy-2-(9-hexadecenoylamino)octadecane 1-O-glucopyranoside]. The in vitro enzyme assay showed that syringic acid and takakin 8-O-glucuronide displayed weak inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase with IC50 values of 500+/-41 microM and 170+/-12 microM, respectively.

[Studies on the stability of ligustilide with solvent effect]

AIM

To study the stability of ligustilide with solvent effect and try to disclose the relationship between its stability and solvent effect, so as to develop a useful method for its preservation.

METHODS

The model of PCM solvent effect was used to carry out quantum chemistry calculation. The GC/MS spectrum was used to study the stability of ligustilide in solvent at room temperature.

RESULTS

Ligustilide is more stable in cyclohexane and chloroform than in air. The isomerization rate of ligustilide decreased remarkably to 1.6% and 6.7% in cyclohexane and chloroform compared to 58% in air.

CONCLUSION

The stability of ligustilide is greatly improved with the solvent effect. Keeping ligustilide in proper organic solvent is helpful to prevent its isomerization.

Syntheses of hydrated molybdenum bronzes by reduction of MoO3 with NaBH4

Hydrated molybdenum bronzes have been prepared by reduction reaction of MoO3 with NaBH4 in ethanol and DMSO. The reduction reactions in both solvents occur smoothly; thus, the layered structure of MoO3 is maintained in the product. Divalent cation Ca2+ has been intercalated between the MoO3 layers, which leads to highly reduced molybdenum bronze (Mo5.26+). Solvated molybdenum bronze catalyzes the reduction reaction of DMSO by NaBH4, producing CH3SCH3. The structure model of hydrated sodium molybdenum bronze has also been reinvestigated by using the Rietveld analysis. The hydrated molybdenum bronze crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure, in which the structure of Mo octahedron layers is closely related to that in MoO3. However, the structure refinement reveals that the Mo octahedron in the MoO3 layers is axially distorted, which is different from that in MoO3 but similar to an isoelectron compound H0.33MoO3.

Inhibition of xanthine and monoamine oxidases by stilbenoids from Veratrum taliense

The bioassay guided refractionation of the methanol extract of roots and rhizomes of Veratrum taliense (Liliaceae) yielded five stilbenoids: veraphenol, resveratrol, piceid, isorhapontin, and mulberroside E, all inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XO, EC 1.2.3.2.) in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 11.0, 96.7, 66.1, 70.0, and 78.4 microM, respectively. Veraphenol and mulberroside E were found to be mixed XO inhibitors with the Ki and Ki data of the former being 32.8 and 239.3 microM, and those of latter 32.5 and 13.8 microM, respectively. However, the inhibition on the enzyme by resveratrol, isorhapontin, and piceid was shown to be competitive with their Ki values of 9.7, 19.1, and 14.3 microM, respectively. Among the five stilbenoids, veraphenol and resveratrol were also revealed to inhibit competitively monoamine oxidase A (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4) with IC50 values at 38.0 and 26.6 microM, and Ki data 36.4 and 47.3 microM, respectively. However, none of the stilbenoids was inhibitory on MAO B in our assay. The structure-activity relationship examination showed that glycosylation of the stilbenoids could reduce the inhibition on XO and diminish the activity against MAO A, indicating that the free phenolic hydroxy group of the compounds was most likely essential for these bioactivities.

Steroidal Alkaloids and Stilbenoids from Veratrum taliense

Phytochemical investigation of roots and rhizomes of Veratrum taliense yielded a new and six known steroidal alkaloids as well as a new and one reported stilbene derivative. By a combination of spectral methods (IR, MS, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY), the structure of the new alkaloid was established as 15-angeloylgermine while the known ones were identified as 15-(2-methylbutyroyl)germine, jervine, 3-veratroylzygadenine, germine, veramiline 3- O-(beta- D-glucopyranoside and stenophylline B-3- O-beta- D-glucopyranoside. The new stilbenoid, named veraphenol, was determined to be 2-(3',5'-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-hydroxybenzofuran, and the known one was shown to be resveratrol. The IN VITRO enzyme assay indicated that 3-veratroylzygadenine and resveratrol are inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. The enzyme inhibitory action of resveratrol, the most active compound found so far in V. TALIENSE, is dose-dependent with the IC (50) value at 30 microM (the IC (50) value of allopurinolused as a positive control in the study is 10 microM).