Temporal dynamics of stomatal regulation and carbon- and water-related traits for a native tree species in low subtropical China

Stomata are pivotal in modulating water and carbon processes within plants. However, our understanding of the temporal dynamics of water- and carbon-related traits, as influenced by stomatal behavior, remains limited. Here, we explore how stomatal regulation behavior and water- and carbon-related traits vary with changing environments by examining the seasonal variations in these traits of the native tree species Schima superba in low subtropical China. In February, April, and July of 2022, a series of water- and carbon-related traits were measured in the leaves and stems. The results showed that S. superba exhibited isohydric behavior in February when the soil dried out and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was lower but anisohydric behavior in April and July when the soil was wetter and VPD was higher. In February, NSC and their components increased, and a relatively large contribution of soluble sugars to the change in NSC was observed. In the branches and phloem, NSC and their components displayed a relatively high monthly variability, suggesting their role in maintaining carbon balance within the trees. Conversely, the NSC in the leaves demonstrated minimal monthly variability. The specific leaf area, as well as the concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) per unit mass in leaves and the cumulative stem water release, exhibited a decrease with a reduction in soil water potential. Interestingly, the hydraulic conductivity remained consistent throughout this process. Furthermore, the relatively low monthly growth rate observed in February could suggest a carbon sink limitation. In conclusion, the increased NSC and decreased water status of S. superba under relatively stressed soil conditions indicated a trade-off between water and carbon storage. Our findings enhance our comprehension of the dynamics and regulation of water and carbon status in forests, thereby advancing the development of plant carbon and water process models under climate change scenarios.

Climate-driven sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity and the Huber value but not leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity on a global scale

Efficient water transport is crucial for plant growth and survival. Plant hydraulic conductivity varies between functional groups and biomes and is strongly influenced by changing environmental conditions. However, correlations of conductivity-related hydraulic traits with climatic variables are not fully understood, preventing clarification of plant form and function under climate change scenarios. By compiling leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity (K_L), sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity (K_s), and Huber values (H_v, sapwood area to leaf area ratio) along with climatic variables including mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and aridity index (AI) for 428 species across a wide range of plant functional types (PFTs) and biomes at a global scale, we found greater variability of K_L within PFTs and biomes than across PFTs and biomes. Interaction effects between PFTs and biomes on K_L and K_s were found. The interaction between MAT and MAP played a significant role in K_s and H_v (t = 3.89, P < 0.001 for K_s and t = -5.77, P < 0.001 for H_v). With increasing AI, K_s increased and H_v decreased. K_L was not influenced by the investigated climatic variables. Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamics of hydraulic structure and function across functional groups and biomes and of the abiotic drivers of their large-scale variations.

Ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy with rare bilateral asymmetry onset: A case report

BACKGROUND

Ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy (EON) most commonly manifests as bilateral symmetrical loss of vision and often cause serious and irreversible visual impairment because of the lack of early detection and effective treatment. We followed a case of EON with rare binocular asymmetric clinical manifestations and observed the changes of visual function and retinal structure after drug withdrawal, so as to further understand the clinical characteristics of this disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 54-year-old man complained of gradual visual decline in the left eye. The patient presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye. Color vision examination revealed difficulty in reading green color plates in the left eye. The visual field manifested as concentric contraction in the left eye. After nearly a month of drug withdrawal, the right eye had a similar decline in visual function. At the last visit, 19 mo after drug withdrawal, the visual function significantly recovered in both eyes. During follow-up optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, both eyes manifested the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer from mild thickening to thinning and finally temporal atrophy, and the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer showed significant thinning. The difference was that a reversible structural disorder in the outer retina of the nasal macula was detected in the left eye by macular high-definition OCT.

CONCLUSION

Nephropathy and high blood pressure, which damage the retinal microcirculation, may cause damage to the outer layer of the retina. Ethambutol may influence photoreceptor as well as retinal ganglion cells.

Analysis of structural injury patterns in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer and retinal ganglion cell layer in ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy

BACKGROUND

We investigated structural injury patterns in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (p-RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) caused by ethambutol treatment.

METHODS

Sixty-four patients undergoing ethambutol treatment at Zhejiang Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Integrated Hospital were recruited. Fourteen (14) exhibited visual dysfunction (abnormal group), and the remaining 50 had no visual dysfunction (subclinical group). The thickness of the p-RNFL, total macular retina layer and GCIPL were measured using Cirrus-HD Optical coherence tomography (Cirrus-HD OCT, Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography), and compared with 60 healthy, age-matched controls.

RESULTS

The p-RNFL thickness was similar in both subclinical and control groups. When compared with the control group, p-RNFL thickness in the abnormal group was significantly increased in the inferior and superior quadrants (GEE, P = 0.040, P = 0.010 respectively). In contrast with the subclinical group, p-RNFL thickness in the inferior quadrant was increased in the abnormal group (GEE, P = 0.047). The GCIPL thickness in the inferonasal and inferior sectors was significantly deceased in the subclinical group when compared with controls (GEE, P = 0.028, P = 0.047, respectively). The average and minimum value of GCIPL thickness, and thickness in the superonasal, inferior, inferotemporal, superotemporal and superior sectors were significantly decreased in the abnormal group when compared with controls (GEE, P = 0.016, P = 0.001, P = 0.028, P = 0.010, P = 0.012, P = 0.015, P = 0.010, respectively). The cube average macular thickness (CAMT) in the abnormal group was significantly thinner than controls (GEE, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

GCIPL measurements using Cirrus-HD OCT detected retinal ganglion cell layer loss following ethambutol treatment, before visual dysfunction occurred.

Mapping QTLs for 1000-grain weight and genes controlling hull type using SNP marker in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)

BACKGROUND

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), an important pseudocereal crop, has high economic value due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, dehulling of Tartary buckwheat is difficult owing to its thick and tough hull, which has greatly limited the development of the Tartary buckwheat processing industry. The construction of high-resolution genetic maps serves as a basis for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and qualitative trait genes for agronomic traits. In this study, a recombinant inbred lines (XJ-RILs) population derived from a cross between the easily dehulled Rice-Tartary type and Tartary buckwheat type was genotyped using restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing to construct a high-density SNP genetic map. Furthermore, QTLs for 1000-grain weight (TGW) and genes controlling hull type were mapped in multiple environments.

RESULTS

In total, 4151 bin markers comprising 122,185 SNPs were used to construct the genetic linkage map. The map consisted of 8 linkage groups and covered 1444.15 cM, with an average distance of 0.35 cM between adjacent bin markers. Nine QTLs for TGW were detected and distributed on four loci on chromosome 1 and 4. A major locus detected in all three trials was mapped in 38.2-39.8 cM region on chromosome 1, with an LOD score of 18.1-37.0, and explained for 23.6-47.5% of the phenotypic variation. The genes controlling hull type were mapped to chromosome 1 between marker Block330 and Block331, which was closely followed by the major locus for TGW. The expression levels of the seven candidate genes controlling hull type present in the region between Block330 and Block336 was low during grain development, and no significant difference was observed between the parental lines. Six non-synonymous coding SNPs were found between the two parents in the region.

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed a high-density SNP genetic map for the first time in Tartary buckwheat. The mapped major loci controlling TGW and hull type will be valuable for gene cloning and revealing the mechanism underlying grain development and easy dehulling, and marker-assisted selection in Tartary buckwheat.

A novel role for Livin in the response to ultraviolet B radiation and pterygium development

A pterygium is an inflammatory, invasive and proliferative lesion on the ocular surface, which can decrease visual acuity, damage the ocular surface and affect the appearance of the eye. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, the role of apoptosis-associated protein Livin in the occurrence and development of pterygium was investigated. Primary samples from quiescent or advanced clinical stages of pterygium and normal human conjunctival tissues were used to assess mRNA and protein expression levels of Livin using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Livin was knocked down in pterygium epithelial cells (PECs) using small interfering RNA (siRNA), to investigate the role of Livin in PEC viability, migration, invasion ability and apoptosis. The cell viability, invasion ability and apoptosis of PECs following ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation alone or in combination with Livin silencing were also analyzed. Expression levels of Livin increased in the pterygium tissues compared with those in the normal conjunctiva at both the mRNA and protein levels. Livin expression levels in advanced pterygium were significantly higher compared with those in quiescent pterygium samples. Knockdown of Livin expression levels significantly reduced cell migration, invasion ability and cell viability, and induced apoptosis of PECs. Inhibition of Livin expression in PECs increased the expression levels of caspase-7, caspase-3 and E-cadherin, whereas expression levels of Snail were downregulated. Cell viability and invasion ability in PECs was enhanced following UVB radiation and Livin expression upregulated. UVB irradiation induced cell invasion ability of PECs and this was attenuated by Livin-silencing. Transfection with Livin siRNA also partially recovered the apoptosis rate of PECs, which was reduced by UVB irradiation. In conclusion, Livin was upregulated in pterygium, and UVB radiation functions in the development of pterygium by inducing Livin expression.

[An interlaboratory comparison study on the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels]

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories' results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion: The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.

Spontaneous rupture of the eyeball due to choroidal metastasis of gastric carcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Although metastatic tumor is the most common intraocular malignancy, choroidal metastasis from gastric cancer is relatively rare. We present the exact course of a spontaneous rupture of the eyeball with choroidal metastasis from gastric carcinoma (GC) and the applied surgical interventions.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 59-year-old male presented with pain and vision loss on his left eye for 6 months. He was diagnosed with GC, for which he received systemic chemotherapy for a year.

DIAGNOSES

Preoperative B-scan, color fundus photography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a choroidal tumor in his left eye. The spontaneous rupture of the corneoscleral limbus from 2 to 5 o'clock, combined secondary glaucoma, exudative retinal detachment and choroidal detachment were found.

INTERVENTIONS

The ruptured corneoscleral limbus was sutured and the orbit was lavaged with 0.4% cisplatin during the enucleation.

OUTCOMES

Histopathology confirmed high homology of the choroidal metastasis and GC. He survived for 2 months after surgery, without pain or orbital neoplasms.

LESSONS

Choroidal metastasis from GC rapidly progressed to spontaneous rupture of the eyeball. Careful eyeball enucleation followed by orbital lavage with chemotherapeutics may reduce metastasis risk beyond the eyeball. Additional therapeutic interventions should be considered in patients resistant to single systemic chemotherapy.

Unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation with unilateral inferior oblique over-action

Background

To evaluate the results of unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition (IOAT) for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) combined with inferior oblique over-action (IOOA).

Methods

Retrospective chart review of the records of all patients with asymmetric DVD combined with unilateral IOOA in the non-dominant eye who received unilateral IOAT on the non-dominant eye. No other muscles were operated on simultaneously. The amount of DVD and IOOA were measured before and after the operation and statistically analysed.

Results

Seventeen patients were included. The mean age at surgery was 23.5 ± 8.4 (range 12–38) years old. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.7 ± 7.2 (range 6–32) months. The primary position DVD was 19.6 ± 5.4 (range 14–36) PD preoperatively and decreased significantly to 2.9 ± 2.0 (range 0–8) PD postoperatively (P < 0.01). Preoperatively, there were 2, 7, and 8 patients with + 1, + 2, and + 3 IOOA, respectively, and these were reduced from 2.4 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.4 postoperatively (P < 0.01). None of the patients were complicated obvious hypotropia, anti-elevation syndrome or IOOA in the contralateral eye.

Conclusions

Unilateral IOAT was recommended in patients with asymmetric DVD coexists with unilateral IOOA.

Diagnosis and endovascular treatment of iliac venous compression syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To report *The first two authors contributed equally to this work. our clinical experience on diagnostic criteria and endovascular management in patients with iliac venous compression syndrome.

METHOD

Between July 2013 and May 2015, 85 consecutive patients with suspected iliac venous compression syndrome were evaluated by transfemoral venography and intravascular ultrasonography. Venographic evidence of iliac venous occlusion, stenosis, or pelvic collateral vessels, and the degree of stenosis as examined with intravascular ultrasonography were recorded. The endovascular procedure, complications, clinical outcome, and the Venous Clinical Severity Score were evaluated before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Of the 85 limbs, 66 cases of iliac venous compression syndrome were confirmed and 19 cases were excluded. In all of the 66 patients, we successfully performed endovascular intervention (22 balloon dilations, 44 balloon dilations + stenting). Two patients with stent implantation developed acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, resulted in successful lysis of the thrombus with catheter-directed thrombolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of intraluminal spurs and pelvic collateral vessels represents not only pathological and anatomical changes by long-term mechanical compression, but also indicators of the severity of iliac venous compression syndrome. The degree of stenosis cannot accurately represent the severity and treatment of iliac venous compression syndrome, especially in the right iliac vein. Endovascular intervention is a safe and effective treatment that reduces lower extremity symptoms. Full and intentional dilation of the intraluminal spurs is an important technical aspect, which is often ignored.

Indolediketopiperazine Alkaloids from Eurotium cristatum EN-220, an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from the Marine Alga Sargassum thunbergii

Four new indolediketopiperazine derivatives (1-4), along with nine known congeners (5-13), were isolated and identified from the culture extract of Eurotium cristatum EN-220, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of thesecompounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and the absolute configurations of compounds 1-4 were established by NOESY experiments and by chiral HPLC analyses of their acid hydrolysates. The absolute configuration of C-8 (a quaternary carbon substituted with a hydroxyl group) in 5 of preechinulin class was firstly determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All these compounds were evaluatedfor brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality and nematicidal activity as well as antioxidativeand antimicrobial potency.

Physiological changes and sHSPs genes relative transcription in relation to the acquisition of seed germination during maturation of hybrid rice seed

BACKGROUND

During the production of early hybrid rice seed, the seeds dehydrated slowly and retained high moisture levels when rainy weather lasted for a couple of days, and the rice seeds easily occurred pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) along with high temperature. Therefore it is necessary to harvest the seeds before the PHS occurred.

RESULTS

The seeds of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica) cv. Qianyou No1 that harvests from 19 to 28 days after pollination (DAP) all had high seed vigour. The seed moisture content at 10 DAP was 36.1%, and declined to 28.6% at 19 DAP; the contents of soluble sugar and total starch increased significantly with the development of seeds. The soluble protein content, the level of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA3 ), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity continued to decrease from 10 DAP to 19 DAP. The seeds at 19 DAP had the highest peroxidase (POD) activity and lowest catalase (CAT) activity while the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity had no significant difference among the different developing periods. The relative expressions of genes 64S Hsp18.0 and Os03g0267200 transcripts increased significantly from 10 to 19 DAP, and then decreased. However, no significant change was recorded in soluble protein, sugar and GA3 after 16 DAP, and they all significantly correlated with seed viability and vigour during the process of seed maturity.

CONCLUSION

The seeds of hybrid rice Qianyou No1 had a higher viability and vigour when harvested from 19 DAP to 28 DAP, the transcription levels of 64S Hsp18.0 and Os03g0267200 increased significantly from 10 DAP to 19 DAP and the highest value was recorded at 19 DAP. The seeds could be harvested as early as 19 DAP without negative influence on seed vigour and viability.

[Water use of re-vegetation pioneer tree species Schima superba and Acacia mangium in hilly land of South China]

The xylem sap flows of two pioneer tree species, i.e., Acacia mangium and Schima superba, in degraded hill lands of South China, were continually monitored with Granier' s thermal dissipation probes during 2004-2007 and 2008-2012, respectively, and their seasonal transpiration changes at different tree age levels were compared. The results showed that the annual transpiration of both species increased with tree ages, and S. superba demonstrated a higher value than A. mangium. The average annual whole-tree transpiration of S. superba (7014.76 kg) was higher than that of A. mangium (3704.97 kg). A. mangium (511.46-1802.17 kg) had greater seasonal variation than S. superba (1346.48-2349.35 kg). The standard regression coefficients (beta) of transpiration (Eh), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for both species increased with soil moisture, suggesting the increase of soil moisture generated a greater sensitivity of plants to environmental factors. Partial correlation analysis revealed that soil moisture played an important role in the seasonal variation of transpiration of both species. The optimum soil moistures of S. superba and A. mangium were 0.22-0.40 and 0.29-0.30 (V/V), respectively, indicating the native pioneer species S. superba better adapted to water deficit compared with exotic pioneer species A. mangium.

[Study on influence of source spectra on retro-reflection coefficient]

Based on emission spectra of light sources and reflectivity curve of retroreflective materials, relative relations and changing trend of retroreflection coefficient of materials in different light sources was researched through data fitting. The tests were carried on the standard A light source test system. One kind of test results are emission spectra of halogen light source, xenon light source and white LED with different color temperature. And another kind of results are reflectivity curve of retroreflective materials with five different colors such as red, yellow, white, green and blue. Then the correction factors of retroreflection coefficient in different light sources were obtained by test results and data fitting. It shows that the change inlight source spectra has no effect on retroreflection coefficient of white material, which has continuous reflectivity curve in the range of visible light, but has some effect on retroreflection coefficient of the other color materials. Compared with halogen light source, white LED and xenon light source can increase retroreflection coefficient of red and yellow materials, and the increase in the color temperature of light source will decrease retroreflection coefficient of red and yellow materials by the maximum of 47.7% and 4.9%. Conversely, retroreflection coefficient of green and blue materials will increase by the maximum of 16.5% and 28.9%.

Improvement of the enzymatic hydrolysis of furfural residues by pretreatment with combined green liquor and hydrogen peroxide

A potential commercial pretreatment for furfural residues (FRs) was investigated by using a combination of green liquor and hydrogen peroxide (GL-H2O2). The results showed that 56.2% of lignin removal was achieved when the sample was treated with 0.6 g H2O2/g-DS (dry substrate) and 6 mL GL/g-DS at 80 °C for 3 h. After 96 h hydrolysis with 18 FPU/g-cellulose for cellulase, 27 CBU/g-cellulose for β-glucosidase, the glucose yield increased from 71.2% to 83.6%. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was used to reduce the degradation of H2O2, the glucose yield increased to 90.4% after the addition of 1% (w/w). The untreated FRs could bind more easily to cellulase than pretreated FRs could. The structural changes on the surface of sample were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the surface lignin could be effectively removed during pretreatment, thereby decreasing the enzyme-lignin binding activity. Moreover, the carbonyl from lignin plays an important role in cellulase binding.

[Pharmacokinetics of scutellarin and its derivant scutellarin ethyl ester in rats]

To develop a HPLC method for determination of the concentration of scutellarin and scutellarin ethyl ester and their pharmacokinetics were also compared. 104 mg kg-1of scutellarin or 114. 5 mg kg-1 scutellarin ethyl ester were given at single dose by oral gavarge. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein. Plasma concentration was measured by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with Winnonlin program. The plasma concentration-time profile of scutellarin and scutellarin ethyl ester were both fitted with non-compartment model and both were double peaks. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of scutellarin and scutellarin ethyl ester were as follows: Tmax Cmax and AUC0-t for scutellarin were (6 +/- 1.26) h, (321.55 +/-48.31) microg L-1 and (2 974 +/-753) h micro.g L-1; for scutellarin ethyl ester, Tmax, Cmax and AUC0-t were 0.5 h, (1 550.82 +/-219.75) +/- microg L- and (6 407 +/- 399) h microg L-1. The speed ingested into the blood of scutellarin ethyl ester was faster than scutellarin, and the bioavailability of scutellarin ethyl ester was two times higher than scutellarin.

[Studies on flash extraction methods of Arnebia euchroma]

The extraction of functional components from radix of Arnebia euchroma was optimized using orthogonal design based on the extraction yields of shikonin, and hydroxyl-naphthoquinone pigments. The data processing was carried out with the multiple guidelines grading method for optimizing the extraction condition. Compared with the traditional method (refluxing and ultrasonic extraction), the flash extraction method was more efficient The optimal conditions were as follows: 95% ethanol extract 3 times with 90 s for each. Under these conditions, the extraction yields of shikonin, and hydroxyl-naphthoquinone pigments were 93.16%, 93.89%, respectively, and the dry extract rate was 5.16%. In conclusion, the result showed that the flash extraction technology was appropriate, stable and feasible.

Macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia

AIM

To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness in the amblyopic eye with that in the sound eye of children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

A prospective, nonrandom, intraindividual comparative cohort study includes 72 children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia in a single center. Macular thickness, macular foveola thickness, and peripapillary RNFL thickness were compared between the amblyopia eyes and the contralateral sound eyes.

RESULTS

There were 38 male and 34 female patients, with a mean age as 9.7±1.9 years (range, 5-16 years). Hyperopic was +3.62±1.16D (range +2.00D to +6.50D) in the amblyopic eyes, which was significantly higher in the control eyes with +0.76±0.90D (range 0D to +2.00D) (P < 0.01). The mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was 113.9±7.2µm and 109.2±6.9µm in the amblyopic eye and the normal eye, respectively, reaching statistical significance (P = 0.02). The mean macular foveola thickness was significantly thicker in the amblyopic eyes than the contralateral sound eyes (181.4±14.2µm vs 175.2±13.3µm, P < 0.01), but the 1mm, 3mm or 6mm macular thickness central macular thickness was not significantly different. Degree of anisometropia in the contralateral eyes was not significantly correlated with differences of peripapillary RNFL, macular foveola thickness or central macular thickness.

CONCLUSION

Eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia are found thicker macular foveola and peripapillary RNFL than the contralateral eyes in children.

Expression of the PXR gene in various types of cancer and drug resistance

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors. PXR is a key xenobiotic receptor that regulates the expression of genes implicated in drug metabolism, detoxification and clearance, including drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters, suggesting that it is significant in the drug resistance of cancer cells. PXR is expressed in a wide range of tissues in the human body. Studies have demonstrated that PXR is expressed in a variety of tumor types, correlating not only with drug resistance but also with the cell proliferation, apoptosis and prognosis of cancer. The purpose of the present review is to provide a comprehensive review of PXR and its potential roles in multidrug resistance and the biological characteristics of PXR-positive tumors.

Stenting of iliac vein obstruction following catheter-directed thrombolysis in lower extremity deep vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity has good effect, but whether iliac vein stent placement after thrombolytic therapy is still controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of stent placement in the iliac vein following CDT in lower extremity DVT.

METHODS

This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. After receiving CDT, the major branch of the distal iliac vein was completely patent in 155 patients with lower extremity DVT, and 74 of these patients with iliac vein residual stenosis of >50% were randomly divided into a control group (n = 29) and a test group (n = 45). In the test group, stents were implanted in the iliac vein, whereas no stents were implanted in the control group. We evaluated the clinical indicators, including patency of the deep vein, C in CEAP classification, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ) Score.

RESULTS

All patients had postoperative follow-up visits for a period of 6-24 months. Venography or color ultrasound was conducted in subjects. There was a significant difference between the patency rate at the last follow-up visit (87.5% vs. 29.6%) and the 1-year patency rate (86.0% vs. 54.8%) between the test and control groups. The change in the C in CEAP classification pre- and post-procedure was significantly different between the test and control groups (1.61 ± 0.21 vs. 0.69 ± 0.23). In addition, at the last follow-up visit, VCSS and CIVIQ Score were both significantly different between the test and control groups (7.57 ± 0.27 vs. 0.69 ± 0.23; 22.67 ± 3.01 vs. 39.34 ± 6.66, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The stenting of iliac vein obstruction following CDT in lower extremity DVT may increase the patency of the deep vein, and thus provides better efficacy and quality of life.

[Influence of lighting sources spectra on the human visual brightness identification under the mesopic vision]

Based on the MOVE models and the measurement of emission spectra of various light sources, the photopic function weights x and the mesopic equivalent brightness of human visual spectral luminous efficiency in different background brightness were calculated. Results showed that in the mesopic scope, human visual function peak value gradually increases with the brightness decreasing, and is moving towards the short-wave direction. The change rate is inversely proportional to the s/p index. In the case of ambient brightness for 0.5 cd X m(-2), peak values increase by 30% compared to the photopic function. Compared to the traditional test results, the mesopic equivalent brightness of fluorescent lamp and other different color temperature white light LED showed a positive gain that reaches 40%. On the other hand, the high pressure sodium lamp showed a negative gain. Results also showed that there was a decreasing trend when the ambient light level increased, and once the brightness level reaches that when cone cells play a full role, the equivalent brightness will equal photopic brightness. The methods and conclusions of this paper can help evaluate light sources, light-emitting material spectrum and characteristics of apparent brightness.

[Water recharge through nighttime stem sap flow of Schima superba in Guangzhou region of Guangdong Province, South China: affecting factors and contribution to transpiration]

To understand the nighttime water recharge of tree through its sap flow is beneficial to the precise estimation of total transpiration and canopy stomatal conductance, and to the further understanding of the time lag between canopy transpiration and stem sap flow. By using Granier's thermal dissipation probe, this paper measured the stem sap flow of Schima superba, and synchronously measured the main environmental factors including air temperature, relative humidity, photosynthetically active radiation, and soil moisture content, and also analyzed the water recharge through nighttime stem flow of S. superba at daily and seasonal scales. The sap flow density of S. superba was lower at night than at daytime, and the nighttime sap flow density had a larger variation in dry season than in wet season. The water recharge at night generally started from sunset when radiation was approaching zero, and lasted up to midnight (18:00-22:00). No significant difference was observed in the nighttime water recharge among seasons, and no significant correlations were found between the nighttime water recharge and environmental factors, but the nighttime water recharge was well regressed with the diameter at breast height, tree height, tree canopy size, stem biomass, and canopy biomass, suggesting that tree form features and biomass could better explain the nighttime water recharge. The contribution of nighttime water recharge to the total transpiration varied significantly with seasons, and was obviously higher in dry season than in wet season.

Endovascular treatment of iliac vein compression syndrome

BACKGROUND

Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS), the symptomatic compression of the left common iliac vein between the right common iliac artery and the vertebrae, is not an uncommon condition. The aim of this research was to retrospectively evaluate long-term outcome and the significance of endovascular treatment in patients with left IVCS.

METHODS

Between January 1997 and September 2008, 296 patients received interventional therapy in the left common iliac vein. In the second stage, 170 cases underwent saphenous vein high ligation and stripping. Two hundred and thirty-one cases were followed up over a period of 6 to 120 months (average 46 months) and evaluated for symptom improvement with color ultrasound and ascending venography.

RESULTS

The stenotic or occlusive segments of the left iliac vein were successfully dilated in 285 cases, of whom 272 received stent implantation therapy. Most of the patients achieved satisfactory results on discharge. During the follow-up period, varicose veins were alleviated in 98.7% of the patients, and leg swelling disappeared or was obviously relieved in 84% of cases. About 85% of leg ulcers completely healed. The total patency rate was 91.7% as evaluated with color ultrasound and 91.5% with ascending venography.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment of IVCS provides effective symptomatic improvement and good long-term patency in most patients.

[Quantitative analysis of hybrid maize seed purity using near infrared spectroscopy]

A quantitative identification model for testing the purity of hybrid maize seeds was built by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy with quantitative partial least squares (QPLS). The NIR spectra of 123 seeds powder samples (Nongda108 and mother178) with the purity of 600-100% were collected using MPA spectrometer. All samples were divided into two groups: calibration set (82 samples) and validation set (41 samples). Synergy interval partial least squares (SiPLSu) was used for selecting effective spectral regions and building models. The influences of different spectral regions and different calibration samples on the prediction results and different main components were compared. The result showed that the spectral regions 6 000 8 000, 6 000-9 000 and 6 000-10 000 cm(-1) all had better prediction results (R2 over 95%). Spectral region 6 000-10 000 cm(-1) was regarded the optimum spectral region for building the model with less main components(8), and the determination coefficient (R2) of calibration and validation sets were 96.61% and 97.67% respectively, SEC (standard error of calibration) and SEP (standard error of prediction) were 2.15% and 1.78% respectively, RSDs (relative standard deviation) were 2.04% and 1.94% respectively. Even with different calibration samples, the average determination coefficients (R2) of calibration and validation sets were 96.21% and 95.75%, SEC (standard error of calibration) and SEP (standard error of prediction) were 2.29% and 2.23% respectively, RSDs (relative standard deviation) were 2.81% and 2.73% respectively, which further proved the model's stability. With the increase in the number of main components, the identification rates in calibration set and validation set gradually increased, when the number of main components reached 8, the model determination coefficients reached the best (96.61% and 97.67%), and related coefficients of true value and predicted value were 98.29% and 98.87% respectively. The results have important value for rapid and accurate testing of hybrid maize seed purity.

[Analysis of false-positive reaction for bacterial detection of blood samples with the automated microbial detection system BacT/ALERT 3D]

This study was aimed to analyze the results of false positive reaction in bacterial detection of blood samples with BacT/ALERT 3D system, to evaluate the specificity of this system, and to decrease the false positive reaction. Each reaction flasks in past five years were processed for bacteria isolation and identification. When the initial cultures were positive, the remaining samples and the corresponding units were recultured if still available. 11395 blood samples were detected. It is worthy of note that the incubator temperature should be stabilized, avoiding fluctuation; when the cultures were alarmed, the reaction flasks showed be kept some hours for further incubation so as to trace a sharply increasing signal to support the judgement of true bacterial growth. The results indicated that 122 samples (1.07%) wee positive at initial culture, out of them 107 samples (88.7%) were found bacterial, and 15 samples (12.3%) were found nothing. The detection curves of positive samples resulted from bacterial growth showed ascent. In conclusion, maintenance of temperature stability and avoidance of temperature fluctuation in incubator could decrease the occurrence of false-positive reaction in detection process. The reaction flasks with positive results at initial culture should be recultured, and whether existence of a sharply ascending logarilhimic growth phase in bacterial growth curve should be further detected, which are helpful to distinguish false-positive reactions from true positive, and thus increase the specificity of the BacT/ALERT system.

Laminin-integrin α6 interaction affects phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma cells during the process of adherence

AIM: To investigate the effect of laminin (LN)-integrin α6 interaction on the phenotype changes after adherent junctions between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line BEL-7402 and extracellular matrix.

METHODS: BEL-7402 cells were routinely cultured on LN or bovine serum albumin (BSA) matrix. The effect of anti-integrin α6 monoclonal antibody on cell phenotypes after adherent junctions was examined. The expression of integrin α6 was detected by immunocytochemistry. Acid phosphatase analysis was used to examine the adhesion rate. Cell proliferation was examined by BrdU kit. Galatin zymography was use to measure the matrix metalloproteinases secreted by BEL-7402 cells, and Boyden Chambers to cell invasive ability.

RESULTS: Cultured BEL-7402 cells had positive staining of anti-integrin α6 monoclonal antibody. The adhesion rate of BEL-7402 cells was increased markedly, but was significantly decreased after treatment with anti-integrin α6 antibody (104.4% vs 187.2%, P < 0.05); meanwhile, the invasive ability of BEL-7402 cells was obviously lowered (transmembrane cell number: 88.7 ± 9.9 vs 103.2 ± 16.5, P < 0.01). Galatin zymography found that the types and amount of the secreted matrix metalloproteinases were remarkably increased after adherent junctions, but were notably decreased after anti-integrin α6 antibody was added.

CONCLUSION: Interaction between LN and integrin α6 may regulate human HCC cell phenotypes of proliferation and invasion, which may lower the metastatic potency of tumor cells.

Integrin α6 induces PI3K and MAPK signal pathway in the adhesion of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the changes of signal pathways in the adhesion of hepatocellular carcinoma with extracellular matrix.

METHODS: BEL-7402 cells were cultured regularly on media containing laminin (LN) or bovine serum albumin (BSA, served as control matrix). After treatment with anti-integrin α6 monoclonal antibody, cell changes and integrin α6-induced signal pathways were observed. Boyden chamber was used to detect cell migration and invasion ability. Western blot was adopted to analyze the phosphorylation of ERK. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure the expression of PI3K and Akt mRNA.

RESULTS: BEL-7402 cells adhered to different extracellular matrices within 30 min to 1 h without significance. The rate of cell adhesion on LN-coated substrate was 187.2%, but decreased to 104.4% after anti-integrinα6 monoclonal antibody treatment (P < 0.05). The number of BEL-7402 cells migrated through the Matrigel was 103.2 ± 16.5 per high power field (HPF), and anti-integrin α6 monoclonal antibody inhibited it to 88.7 ± 9.9 (P < 0.01). The expression levels of PI3K and Akt were up-regulated, and phosphorylation of ERK was increased after BEL-7402 cell adhered to LN; however, anti-integrin α6 monoclonal antibody partly inhibited the up-regulation and phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION: Cultured BEL-7402 cells highly express integrin α6. PI3K and ERK pathway is involved in the adhesion associated with LN and integrin α6.

Surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide in rats alleviate acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Respiratory distress and acute lung injury (ALI) are severe complications of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R). The authors hypothesize that a combined surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) may alleviate I/R-induced ALI.

METHODS

Adult rats (body weight 285 to 315 g, n = 45) were allocated randomly to either a negative control group (N-Control, n = 9) with only sham laparotomy, or groups (n = 9 each) for induction of I/R by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery, followed by treatment with (1) surfactant at 100 mg/kg (Surf), (2) iNO at 20 ppm (NO), (3) both surfactant and iNO (SNO), or (4) no surfactant no iNO (a positive control, P-Control). Mechanical ventilation was provided for 120 minutes with variable peak insufflation pressure and FIO2 to achieve adequate arterial pH, PaO2, and PaCO2. Blood gas values, dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), and airway resistance (Raw) were measured during the 2-hour treatment. Lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D), histopathology, and morphometric analysis of alveolar expansion (V(V)) were determined at the end of the experiment.

RESULTS

After 120 minutes of treatment, the SNO group had the highest PaO2 and Cdyn values, close to that of the N-Control group. The Surf, NO, and SNO groups had higher V(V) and lower CV (V(V)) values than the P-Control, but modest decrease of W/D values. The NO group had moderately improved PaO2 but Cdyn and V(V) were as low as that of the P-Control. The lungs of the SNO group had significantly alleviated edema and neutrophil infiltration compared with the P-Control.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined surfactant and iNO treatment alleviated rat ALI induced by I/R, and exerted effects better than the use of surfactant or iNO alone.

Prevention of rabbit acute lung injury by surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, and pressure support ventilation

Improvement of pulmonary perfusion and blood oxygenation and prevention of acute lung injury (ALI) may rely on ventilation strategy. We hypothesized that application of a combined surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), and pressure support ventilation (PSV) should more effectively protect the lungs from injury. Anesthetized and intubated adult rabbits weighing 2.8 +/- 0.3 kg were allowed to breathe room air while receiving oleic acid intravenously (60 microl/kg). Within 90 min this caused a reduction of Pa(O(2)) from 94 +/- 7 to 48 +/- 3 mm Hg and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) from 1.59 +/- 0.22 to 0.85 +/- 0.10 ml/cm H(2)O/kg (both p < 0.01), and increase of intrapulmonary shunting (Q S/Q T) from 9.4 +/- 1.2 to 27 +/- 5% (p < 0.05). PSV was subsequently applied with 3 cm H(2)O of continuous positive airway pressure and FI(O(2)) of 0.3, and the animals were randomly allocated to four groups, receiving: (1) PSV only (Control, n = 10); (2) iNO at 20 ppm (NO, n = 9); (3) surfactant phospholipids at 100 mg/kg (Surf, n = 8); and (4) surfactant at 100 mg/kg and iNO at 20 ppm (SNO, n = 8). PSV level was varied to maintain a tidal volume of 8 to 10 ml/kg for another 12 h or until early animal death. Five animals in the SNO, three each in the NO and Surf group, and one in the Control group survived 12 h (SNO versus Control, p < 0.05). The NO, Surf, and SNO groups had significantly improved mean Pa(O(2)) (> 70 mm Hg, p < 0.05), and reduced Q S/Q T (15, 19, and 17%, respectively, p < 0.05) at 6 and 12 h, but not in the Control group. The SNO group had the highest values of Cdyn at 12 h, alveolar aeration and disaturated phosphatidylcholine-to-total protein ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the lowest wet-to-dry lung weight ratio and lung injury score (p < 0.05). The results indicate that early alleviation of ALI by surfactant, iNO, and PSV is due to synergistic effects, and only PSV in this model had limited effects.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide and high-frequency ventilation in rabbits with meconium aspiration

AIM

To evaluate effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in experimental meconium aspiration treated with high-frequency (HFV) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Ventilated adult rabbits had meconium instilled intratracheally resulting in respiratory failure as evidenced by more than 50% reduction of dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) and increase in mean oxygenation index (OI) from 1 to 16. The animals were then allocated to 2 groups treated without (control) or with iNO at 20 ppm (NO). In each group the animals were initially ventilated with CMV or HFV mode for 3 h and then in a crossover fashion with HFV or CMV for another 3 h (CMV-->HFV, HFV-->CMV), respectively. In the first 3 h of treatment, the animals subjected to HFV-CMV in the control, and those with both HFV-CMV and CMV-HFV in the NO group had significantly reduced OI. In the subsequent 3 h, the animals in the control group with CMV-HFV did not improve in OI and those with HFV-CMV had deteriorated. In the NO group with both CMV-HFV and HFV-CMV moderate improvement of OI was observed. Platelet aggregation capability and counts were significantly decreased and bleeding time prolonged in animals receiving iNO treatment. These results suggest that both HFV alone and a combined treatment of iNO with either CMV or HFV are more effective in improving blood oxygenation than that of CMV in this animal model. The influence of iNO on platelet aggregation should be considered.

Comparison of effects of surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide in rabbits with surfactant-depleted respiratory failure

AIM

To compare effects of pulmonary surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in improvement of survival and blood oxygenation in ventilated rabbits with acute hypoxic respiratory failure induced by repeated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).

METHODS

After BAL all the rabbits had more than 50% reduction of dynamic lung compliance (Cdya), 50% increment of resistance of respiratory system (Rrs), and an increase of mean oxygenation index (OI) from 1 to 22. The rabbits were then randomly allocated to groups receiving (1) mechanical ventilation only (Control), (2) iNO 0.8 mumol.L-1 (20 ppm) (NO), (3) intratracheal bolus surfactant phospholipids at 100 mg.kg-1 (Surf), and (4) combined surfactant at 100 mg.kg-1 with inhaled NO at 0.8 mumol.L-1 (Surf + NO). All the rabbits were ventilated with standardized tidal volume (8-10 mL.kg-1) for another 8 h or until early death.

RESULTS

The rabbits in both control and NO groups had the lowest survival rate, deterioration of lung mechanics and OI, whereas those in the Surf and Surf + NO groups had modestly improved Cdyn, Rrs, and OI. Only rabbits in the Surf + NO group had significantly improved survival rate and alveolar expansion.

CONCLUSION

Surfactant with or without iNO is more effective compared to the control and iNO groups in rabbit, suggesting that iNO is not effective unless a method to recruit alveoli is applied.

[DNA content analysis of breast cancer cells recognized by monoclonal antibody]

DNA content of breast cancer cells recognized by monoclonal antibody Ki-67 was assayed with flow cytometry in 50 cases. The relationships between sorted or unsorted assay data and metastasis in axillary lymph nodes were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Aneuploidy rate of breast cancer determined by sorting with Ki-67 was increased and significantly correlated with metastasis in axillary lymph nodes. (2) S-phase fraction (SPF) determined by both sorting and unsorting assay were significantly correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis. (3) Proliferative index (PI) was significantly correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis. This correlation was more significant by sorting with Ki-67. (4) The range of growth fraction (GF) was 28.8%-83.4%, with a mean value of 52.6%. The authors concluded that (1) accuracy of DNA content analysis of breast cancer cells can be increased by sorting with monoclonal antibody Ki-67. (2) DNA ploidy and SPF are important prognostic factors of breast cancer. (3) PI is of great importance in the evaluation of biological behaviours of breast cancer.

[Immune function and abdominal surgery in blood stasis syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal diseases]

52 Patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome (BSS) in abdominal surgical diseases were divided into 3 types according to their symptoms, signs and natures of diseases. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets of these BSS patients and 12 healthy persons were studied with Flow Cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. The immunoglobulins and complements of these cases were also studied. There were no difference in T cell subsets, immunoglobulins and complements between Qizhi-BSS group and normal control. The Shire-BSS group showed that CD8 cell, IgG, IgM, and C1, C3c were increased. These results showed that the immune response increased in this type of BSS patients. In the Qixu-BSS group, the CD3 was nearly normal, and the CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and CD16+ were statistically decreased. However, the CD8+ cells markedly increased, the IgG, IgM and IgD were also lowered significantly in this type. The marked morphologic abnormal changes in ultrastructures of T lymphocyte were found in 6 patients with Qixu-BSS group. These results showed that the Qixu type of Blood Stasis Syndrome patients were in the immuno-suppressive status.

Detection of onco-fetal bladder antigen in urine of patients with transitional cell carcinoma

Studies of antigens associated with transitional cell carcinoma were extended by using murine IgM monoclonal antibody E7, developed earlier by this laboratory. These antibodies react preferentially with human bladder tumors and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell line 647V. We now report that monoclonal antibody E7 detected the presence of antigen in midgestational and third trimester amniotic fluids, and in urine of patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma. Western blot analysis showed that the antigen present in amniotic fluids consists of a sharp band with molecular weight greater than 200 kdaltons. A similar molecular weight pattern was seen with the solubilized membrane of 647V. A sensitive and convenient sandwich ELISA was developed and the urine of patients with bladder cancer was assayed for the presence of the E7 antigen. Antigen was detected in the urine of patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma but not in the urine of normal adults or in urine from patients with prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or benign prostate hyperplasia. An inhibition enzyme immunoassay was developed with monomeric forms of the E7 antibody and confirmed the presence of antigen in the urine of patients with TCC. We conclude that the E7 antigen is an onco-fetal antigen expressed in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.