[Analysis of the efficacy and safety of coblation and pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of cervicogenic headache]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of coblation and pulsed radiofrequency on cervicogenic headache (CEH). Methods: A total of 118 patients with CEH who underwent coblation or pulsed radiofrequency in the Department of Pain Management at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from August 2018 to June 2020 was retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into the coblation group (n=64) and the pulsed radiofrequency group (n=54) according to different surgical methods. In the coblation group, there were 14 males and 50 females, aged 29-65 (49.8±10.2) years, while in the pulse radiofrequency group, there were 24 males and 30 females, aged 18-65 (41.7±14.8) years. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative numbness in the affected areas and other complications were recorded and compared between the two groups at preoperative 3 d, and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The VAS score of the coblation group was (7.16±0.91), (3.67±1.13), (1.59±0.91), (1.66±0.84) and (1.56±0.90) before operation, and 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Likewise, the VAS score of the pulsed radiofrequency group was (7.01±0.78), (1.58±0.88), (1.57±0.94), (3.71±1.08) and (6.92±0.83) at the aforementioned time points. There were statistically significant differences of VAS scores between the coblation group and the pulsed radiofrequency group at 3 days, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.001). Intra-group comparison revealed that VAS scores in the coblation group were significantly lower than those before surgery at all time points after surgery (all P<0.001), while VAS scores in the pulsed radiofrequency group were significantly decreased at 3 days, 1 month and 3 months after surgery (P<0.001). The incidence of numbness was 72% (46/64), 61% (39/64), 6% (4/64) and 3% (2/62) in the coblation group and 7% (4/54), 7% (4/54), 2% (1/54) and 0 (0/54) in the pulsed radiofrequency group, respectively. At 3 days and 1 month after surgery, the incidence of numbness in the coblation group was higher than those in the pulsed radiofrequency group (both P<0.001). In the coblation group, one patient developed pharyngeal discomfort 3 days after surgery, which disappeared spontaneously 1 week after surgery without special treatment. One patient developed vertigo after getting up in the morning at 3 days postoperatively, and the possibility of transient cerebral ischemia was considered. In the pulsed radiofrequency group, one patient developed nausea and vomiting after operation, but spontaneous remission was observed after one hour without special treatment. Conclusions: Both coblation and pulsed radiofrequency are effective and safe in the treatment of CEH. But the VAS scores at 3 and 6 months after coblation is significantly lower than those of pulsed radiofrequency ablation group, and the efficacy is better in those undergoing coblation.

[Correlation of serum lipid profile and disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease]

To analyze the correlation between lipid profile and disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).A total of 307 Crohn's disease (CD) patients, 232 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 165 healthy subjects from the same geographic region were included. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were retrieved from their medical records. Crohn disease activity index (CDAI) and Mayo scores were calculated as measurement of disease severity for CD and UC separately. Patients with CD and UC had lower TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels than those in control group (P<0.05). Additionally, CDAI was negatively associated with TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels (r=-0.218, -0.210, -0.176, P<0.05), while TG level was not associated with CDAI. Mayo scores was not significantly associated with TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TG. Patients with CD had higher Lp(a) levels than those in UC and control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with active CD had higher Lp (a) levels than those with inactive disease (P<0.05).The Lp(a) levels in CD patients were positively associated with CDAI (r=0.151, P<0.05), while Lp(a) level in UC group was nor assocriated with Mayo score. Patients with IBD have dyslipidemia and lipid profile is associated with disease activity in CD patients.

[Macular buckling for highly myopic traction maculopathy]

Objective: To observe the efficacy of macular buckling in the treatment of highly myopic traction maculopathy. Methods: Retrospective case series study. The patients with high myopia who underwent macular buckling at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2014 to June 2019 were enrolled, including 136 males and 212 females. The age was (56.68±11.59) years old. The outcomes measured included retinal reattachment rate, foveoschisis recovery rate, macular hole closure rate, postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), and complications. The measurements were recorded preoperatively and at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years postoperatively. The data was statistically analyzed using paired t test. Results: A total of 378 eyes were included, including 216 eyes with foveoschisis and macular detachment and 162 eyes with macular holes and macular detachment. Among them, 296 eyes underwent macular buckling, and the other 82 eyes underwent macular buckling combined with pars plana vitrectomy. During the follow-up period, 373 eyes (98.68%) achieved retinal reattachment; in patients with foveoschisis, 204 eyes (94.44%) were recovered; in patients with macular holes, 89 eyes (54.09%) achieved closure. All the postoperative results of BCVA were better than the preoperative value (1.459±0.841). BCVA continued to increase from postoperative month 1, remained stable at 1 year, and reached 0.908±0.606 at 3 years (t=6.896, P<0.01). All the postoperative results of AL were shorter than the preoperative value. The AL shortened by (4.423±1.740)mm at one month (t=33.144, P<0.01), increased gradually thereafter, remained stable at 1 year, and shortened by (2.101±1.643) mm at three years (t=6.392, P<0.01). The common complications included transient high intraocular pressure in 98 eyes (25.92%), epiretinal hemorrhage in 67 eyes (17.72%), and vitreous hemorrhage in 9 eyes (2.38%), which all resolved spontaneously within 1 month. In the early postoperative period, all patients had a certain degree of eye movement limitation, and 39 eyes (10.31%) had diplopia which resolved within 6 months without treatment. The strabismus surgery was arranged to treat esotropia in 6 eyes (1.58%). The macular buckle was removed from 1 eye (0.26%) because of the inability to tolerate diplopia. There were 8 eyes (2.11%) requiring a second operation to adjust the position of the buckle. The macular buckle was also removed from 4 eyes (1.05%) due to the implant rejection. Conclusion: Macular buckling can effectively shorten the AL, resolve posterior scleral staphyloma, and improve vision in the treatment of highly myopic traction maculopathy. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 433-439).

[Clinical study on preserving right gastroepiploic vein during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy]

Objective: The operative approach and steps of laparoscopic right hemicolon cancer radical resection have been standardlized and professional consensus has been reached. However, some detailed issues such as the handling of Henle's trunk and whether to preserve the right gastroepiploic vein (RGEV) still remain controversial. This study investigates the safety, feasibility, short- and long-term outcomes of preserving RGEV during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Clinical data of 92 patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in Taizhou People's Hospital from March 2016 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with complete mesocolon resection (CME) and had complete postoperative pathological data and follow-up data. Based on the tumor location, 49 patients preserved RGEV (preservation group) and 43 did not (non-preservation group). Pathological data, postoperative complications, short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). No significant differences were found in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, unplanned reoperation, anastomotic leak, number of harvested lymph nodes, number of metastatic lymph node, and time to food intake after surgery between two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with non-preservation group, the preservation group had faster recovery of anal gas passage after operation [(3.1±1.0) days vs. (4.0±1.7) days, t=-2.787, P=0.007], shorter length of hospitalization [(11.5±1.5) days vs. (15.0±7.9) days, t=-2.823, P=0.007], and reduced the hospitalization expenses [(46 000±5000) yuan to (57 000±33 000) yuan, t=-2.076, P=0.044]. No postoperative gastroparesis (PGS) occurred in the preservation group, while 6 cases in the non-preservation group developed gastroparesis during perioperative period (P<0.05). The median time of follow-up time was 31.8 (5.2-43.7) months. The overall survival time of the preservation group and non-preservation group was (35.4±1.8) months and (37.6±1.7) months, respectively without significant difference (P=0.336); the disease-free survival was (32.0±2.2) months and (35.5±2.0) months, respectively without significant difference as well (P=0.201). Conclusions: Dissection of the Henle's truck and preservation of RGEV is safe and feasible during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, which can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative gastroparesis, shorten the recovery time of postoperative intestinal function and hospitalization, and decrease the cost of hospitalization. The efficacy of RGEV preservation is similar to non-preservation of RGEV.

Polydatin enhances glomerular podocyte autophagy homeostasis by improving Nrf2-dependent antioxidant capacity in fructose-fed rats

High fructose is considered a causative factor for oxidative stress and autophagy imbalance that cause kidney pathogenesis. Antioxidant polydatin isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum has been reported to protect against kidney injury. In this study, polydatin was found to ameliorate fructose-induced podocyte injury. It activated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and suppressed autophagy in glomeruli of fructose-fed rats and in fructose-exposed conditionally immortalized human podocytes (HPCs). Polydatin also enhanced nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidant capacity to suppress fructose-induced autophagy activation in vivo and in vitro, with the attenuation of fructose-induced up-regulation of cellular light chain 3 (LC3) II/I protein levels. This effect was abolished by Raptor siRNA in fructose-exposed HPCs. These results demonstrated that polydatin ameliorated fructose-induced autophagy imbalance in an mTORC1-dependent manner via improving Nrf2-dependent antioxidant capacity during podocyte injury. In conclusion, polydatin with anti-oxidation activity suppressed autophagy to protect against fructose-induced podocyte injury.

LINC00662 promotes glycolysis and cell survival by regulating miR- 375/HIF-1α axis in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with the highest mortality rate in women worldwide. LINC00662, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), was shown to play a vital role in many malignancies, while little is known about its role in OC. Firstly, our study determined the expression of LINC00662 in OC tissues and cells. Upregulation or downregulation of LINC00662 were performed in OC cells to explore its effects on cell proliferation and glycolysis of OC. The interaction between LINC00662 and miR-375 was verified using luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation. Results showed that LINC00662 was highly expressed in OC tissues and cells, and patients with increased expression of LINC00662 were associated with shorter overall survival. Furthermore, functional assays proved that LINC00662 was essential for OC cell proliferation and glycolysis. Subsequently, our study further revealed that LINC00662 acted as a competitive RNA and it could modulate the expression of HIF-1α through directly binding with miR- 375. Collectively, upregulation of LINC00662 in ovarian cancer tissues is closely correlated to poor survival. LINC00662 might regulate HIF-1α expression via miR-375. These findings suggested that LINC00662 has the potential to be explored as a diagnostic biomarker for OC.

[Characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in alpha-fetoprotein-negative recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (rsHCC). Methods: The imaging characteristics of CEUS were retrospectively analyzed in 132 lesions from 116 patients with rsHCC, including 59 lesions from 51 AFP-negative patients and 73 lesions from 65 AFP-positive patients. The hemodynamic parameters such as contrast-enhanced onset time, time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time, and perfusion mode were compared between two groups. Results: The time-to-peak, isoenhancement start time, low-enhancement start time of AFP-negative group were significantly increased than those in AFP-positive group (23.22±5.08)s vs. (20.30±3.41)s, (59.44±39.75)s vs. (40.75±16.16)s, (102.89±44.45)s vs. (87.08±25.27)s (all of P<0.05). Meanwhile, the proportion of isoenhancement during the portal and late phases in AFP-negative group was significantly higher than those in AFP-positive group (59.3% vs. 37.0%, 16.9% vs. 4.1%; all of P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the enhancement start time (14.87±6.00)s vs. (14.35±5.30)s (P>0.05) as well as isoenhancement proportion in the arterial phase (94.9% vs. 98.6%, P>0.05). Conclusions: The enhancement pattern of CEUS in AFP-negative rsHCC patients was "fast-in and slow-out" with a diverse and atypical trend. Recognizing its regular features will facilitate the early detection of AFP-negative rsHCC.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography separation of a new anthocyanin from Nitraria tangutorum

In this work, a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to efficiently purify anthocyanin from Nitraria tangutorum based on reversed-phase column. A new anthocyanin was purified from N. tangutorum and elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) data. The new anthocyanin was elucidated as cyanidin 3-[2″-(6‴-coumaroyl)-glucosyl]-glucoside.

[Clinical analysis of 7 cases with anti-Caspr2 antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, laboratory tests, imaging features, electroencephalogram (EEG) manifestations, treatment and prognosis of anti-CASPR2 antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis with the purpose to improve the understanding of the disease. Methods: Seven patients diagnosed with CASPR2 antibody-associated encephalitis in the Fifth and first Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to January 2019 were selected. The clinical manifestations, course of disease, imaging, treatment plan and prognosis of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 7 patients, 4 were male and 3 were female. The median age of onset was 34 years old (range, 11-66 years). Seizures (6/7), memory decline(5/7), and neuropsychiatric disorders (4/7) were common clinical manifestations. CASPR2 antibody was detected in the CSF of 3 patients (3/7) and the serum of all patients (7/7). Notable imaging changes were observed in 5 patients (5/7). All patients received immunotherapy and were followed up for 1 month to 2 years. One patient was diagnosed with rectal cancer with a poor prognosis; all the others got a good prognosis. Conclusions: CASPR2 antibody-related encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disease. It is considered to present with seizures, memory loss, psychiatric symptoms, dizziness and sleep disorders as the main clinical manifestations. Early identification and treatment of the disease can help the patients achieve a good prognosis.

[Meta-analysis of comparison for efficacies between surgical plus radio(chemo)therapy and non-surgery chemoradiotherapy treatment strategies for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer]

Objective: Meta-analysis was used to compare the long-term efficacy and laryngeal function preservation rate of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer treated with surgery plus radio(chemo)therapy (SRT) or non-surgery chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: We searched publicly published articles on case-control studies of surgical and non-surgical comprehensive treatment of advanced hypopharyngeal cancer in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database. The search language was limited to Chinese and English, and the period was from 1990 to 2018. These literatures were rigorously screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data needed for this study were extracted and the Meta analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 13 literatures were included, and the overall quality of the literature was relatively high, and no significant publication bias was suggested. A total of 1 994 subjects, including 720 in the SRT group and 1 274 in the CRT group. The average 3-year overall survival rates were 42.9% in SRT group and 44.8% in CRT group,with no significant difference (OR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.62-2.06, P=0.68). The average 5-year overall survival rate (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.10-1.84, P<0.01), 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.11-2.55, P=0.01) and 5-year local control rate (OR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.52-3.12, P<0.01) of SRT group were 46.4%, 47.4% and 71.2%, respectively, which were higher than those of non-surgical group (37.9%, 32.0%, and 52.2% respectively). The average laryngeal function preservation rate was 19.8%,being significantly lower than 80.6% of the non-surgical group(OR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.07, P<0.01). Conclusions: SRT has better long-term efficacy, while CRT has better preservation of laryngeal function.

Polygonum cuspidatum extract attenuates fructose-induced liver lipid accumulation through inhibiting Keap1 and activating Nrf2 antioxidant pathway

BACKGROUND

Polygonum cuspidatum has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver disorders associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and lipid accumulation for centuries in patients.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine whether P. cuspidatum extract (PCE) prevented against fructose-induced liver lipid accumulation via regulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway.

METHOD

PCE was administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats given 10% fructose drinking water for 6 weeks at 80 and 160 mg/kg once daily for 11 weeks.

RESULTS

PCE significantly alleviated liver lipid accumulation in fructose-fed rats with metabolic syndrome. It also inhibited Keap1, activated Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, resulting in the suppression of oxidative stress, evidenced by reducing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy radical (OH^•) levels, and increasing glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio as well as superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the liver of fructose-fed rats. Additionally, PCE up-regulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), and down-regulated sterol regulatory element binging protein 1 (SREBP-1), fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in this animal model, being consistent with its reduction of triglyceride (TG) levels.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that PCE reduces oxidative stress, and prevent lipid accumulation in the liver of fructose-fed rats possibly by targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. PCE may be a promising therapeutic strategy for fructose-associated liver lipid accumulation.

[Improve the effect of nurses on the occupational protection of cytotoxic drugs]

Objective: Evaluation of improving the occupational protective effect of nurses in cytotoxic drugs. Methods: The occupational hazards of cytotoxic drugs in Qingdao Central hospital were taken as samples. Compare the occupational hazards of cytotoxic drugs before and after improvement. Results: From Sept.2017 to Aug.2018, the number of occupational hazards of cytotoxic drugs decreased by 90.38%; Sharp injuries, drug spillovers, distribution errors and excessive air diffusivity were decreased by 70%~100%. Conclusion: Targeted occupational protection can significantly reduce the hazards of cytotoxic drugs and ensure the health of the medicinal staff.

Pterostilbene prevents hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fructose-induced liver fibrosis through suppressing miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 and TGF-β1/Smads signalling

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Excessive fructose consumption is a risk factor for liver fibrosis. Pterostilbene protects against liver fibrosis. Here, we investigated the potential role and the mechanisms underlying the hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fructose-induced liver fibrosis and protection by pterostilbene.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Characteristic features of liver fibrosis in 10% fructose-fed rats and EMT in 5 mM fructose-exposed BRL-3A cells with or without pterostilbene and the change of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads signalling were examined. MiR-34a inhibitor, miR-34a minic, or p53 siRNA were used to explore the role of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling in fructose-induced EMT and the action of pterostilbene.

KEY RESULTS

Pterostilbene prevented fructose-induced liver injury with fibrosis in rats. Fructose caused hepatocyte undergoing EMT, gaining fibroblast-specific protein 1 and vimentin, and losing E-cadherin, effects attenuated by pterostilbene. Moreover, fructose induced miR-34a overexpression in hepatocytes with down-regulated Sirt1, increased p53 and ac-p53, and activated TGF-β1/Smads signalling, whereas these disturbances were suppressed by miR-34a inhibitor. Additionally, miR-34a inhibitor and p53 siRNA prevented TGF-β1-driven hepatocyte EMT under fructose exposure. Pterostilbene down-regulated miR-34a, up-regulated Sirt1, and suppressed p53 activation and TGF-β1/Smads signalling in fructose-stimulated animals and cells but showed no additional effects with miR-34a inhibitor on miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling in fructose-exposed hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results strongly suggest that activation of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling is required for fructose-induced hepatocyte EMT mediated by TGF-β1/Smads signalling, contributing to liver fibrosis in rats. Pterostilbene exhibits a protective effect against liver fibrosis at least partly through inhibiting miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling activation.

Species identification and molecular characterization of Cronobacter spp. isolated from food imported over nine years into Beijing, China

Cronobacter spp. are associated with serious infections in neonates with the clinical presentations of necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteraemia and meningitis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify 203 Cronobacter isolates from imported food during 2006-2015 with an optimized in-house database. The isolates were predominantly C. sakazakii (88.18%), followed by C. malonaticus (8.37%), C. muytjensii (1.48%), C. turicensis (0.99%) and C. dublinensis (0.99%). The result was totally consistent with that of fusA allele sequencing. 12.32% (25/203) of isolates gave inconsistent spectra following separate protein extractions. Sixty C. sakazakii isolates and 24 isolates from the other four species were chosen for multi-locus sequence type analyses (MLST) and PCR-serotyping. Thirty-one sequence types were identified. The common sequence types were ST1 (19/60) and ST4 (13/60) for C. sakazakii and ST7 (12/17) for C. malonaticus. The primary serotypes were Csak O:1 (30/60), Csak O:2 (25/60) and Cmal O:2 (16/17) for C. sakazakii and C. malonaticus isolates, respectively. In conclusion, appropriate in-house database could make MALDI-TOF MS method identifying Cronobacter spp. isolates to the species level. But the spectra data were not sufficiently consistent for subtyping, unlike MLST. The Cronobacter spp. isolates have a high diversity including recognized pathovars.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modulates gastrointestinal absorption, excretion patterns, and toxicity in Holstein calves fed a single dose of aflatoxin B1

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG; ATCC 53013) on growth performance and hepatotoxicity in calves fed a single dose of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and to investigate the absorption, distribution, and elimination of AFB₁ and the hydroxylated metabolite aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in rumen fluid, blood, and excretions. Twenty-four male Holstein calves were blocked for body weight and age and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) untreated control, (2) treated with 4.80 mg of AFB₁ (AFB₁ only), or (3) treated with 1 × 10¹⁰ cfu of LGG suspension and 4.80 mg of AFB₁ (AFB₁ plus LGG). The calves received LGG suspension in 50 mL of phosphate-buffered saline daily via oral administration for 14 d before and on the day they received a single oral dose of AFB₁. Body weight was recorded at the beginning of the study (before LGG administration), at the day of AFB₁ administration, and at the end of the trial. Rumen fluid, blood, urine, and feces samples were collected continuously for 96 h after AFB₁ administration. Average daily gain (ADG) and plasma biochemical parameters were analyzed, and concentrations of AFB₁ and AFM₁ in the samples were determined for monitoring excretion pattern and toxicokinetics. The results showed that ADG was lower in AFB₁-treated animals; LGG administration partially mitigated the decrease in ADG (0.85 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.18 kg of gain/d). The AFB₁ treatment increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Administration of LGG alleviated the AFB₁-induced increase in plasma enzymes activity. The excretion patterns of AFB₁ and AFM₁ were surprisingly regular; toxins were rapidly detected in all samples after a single oral dose of AFB₁, and the peak of toxins concentrations was sequentially reached in rumen fluid, plasma, urine, and feces (except AFM₁ in rumen fluid), followed by an exponential decrease. The excretion curves showed that AFB₁ and AFM₁ concentrations were the highest in feces and urine, respectively. Administration of LGG decreased the concentrations of free AFB₁ and AFM₁ in rumen fluid and reduced the release of toxins into plasma and urine. Toxicokinetic parameters (except for the time of maximum concentration and the terminal half-life) were reduced by LGG administration. In conclusion, the absorption, distribution, and excretion of AFB₁ and AFM₁ were rapid in calves fed a single dose of AFB₁. Urine was the main route for the excretion of AFM₁, and the clearance pattern from the peak of concentration was well fitted by exponential decreasing function. Administration of LGG reduced the absorption of AFB₁ in the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the excretion via the feces, thus alleviating the hepatotoxic effect of AFB₁.

Polydatin prevents fructose-induced liver inflammation and lipid deposition through increasing miR-200a to regulate Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Oxidative stress is a critical factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis. MicroRNA-200a (miR-200a) is reported to target Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), which regulates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) anti-oxidant pathway. Polydatin (3,4',5-trihydroxy-stilbene-3-β-D-glucoside), a polyphenol found in the rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum, have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. However, whether miR-200a controls Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in fructose-induced liver inflammation and lipid deposition and the blockade of polydatin are still not clear. Here, we detected miR-200a down-regulation, Keap1 up-regulation, Nrf2 antioxidant pathway inactivation, ROS-driven thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) over-expression, NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and dysregulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), sterol regulatory element binging protein 1 (SREBP-1) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in rat livers, BRL-3A and HepG2 cells under high fructose induction. Furthermore, the data from the treatment or transfection of miR-200a minic, Keap1 and TXNIP siRNA, Nrf2 activator and ROS inhibitor demonstrated that fructose-induced miR-200a low-expression increased Keap1 to block Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, and then enhanced ROS-driven TXNIP to activate NLRP3 inflammasome and disturb lipid metabolism-related proteins, causing inflammation and lipid deposition in BRL-3A cells. We also found that polydatin up-regulated miR-200a to inhibit Keap1 and activate Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, resulting in attenuation of these disturbances in these animal and cell models. These findings provide a novel pathological mechanism of fructose-induced redox status imbalance and suggest that the enhancement of miR-200a to control Keap1/Nrf2 pathway by polydatin is a therapeutic strategy for fructose-associated liver inflammation and lipid deposition.

Dataset on assessment of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate injection for dairy diet and body weight in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome of rats

The data presented herein are related to the research article entitled “Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate blocks fructose-induced hepatic NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid metabolism disorder” (Zhao et al., 2017) [1]. This article describes the effects of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate on 24-h food or water intake in fructose-fed rats at 15-week. In addition, this article expands the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate on the animal body weight change during 1–17 week. The field dataset is made publicly available to enable critical or extended analyzes.

[Estimating the burden of influenza-associated hospitalization for cases of severe acute respiratory infection, Beijing, 2015]

Objective: To estimate the influenza infection rate among severe acute respiratory infection(SARI) cases and the hospitalization rates of SARI attributable to influenza, based on two sentinel hospital surveillance databases in Beijing, 2015. Methods: Surveillance was conducted at two sentinel hospitals in Beijing in 2015. A total of 1 842 patients who admitted to the sentinel hospitals and met the definition of SARI were enrolled in the study. The respiratory tract specimens of SARI cases were collected, and sent to laboratories within 48 hours for influenza RNA detection. The catchment area of sentinel hospitals was defined by reviewing the home address of inpatients; A total of 1 491 patients were sampled and tested for influenza. The population size of catchment areas was obtained from demographic year book. We investigated the number of pneumonia patients admitted to the sentinel hospitals and other hospitals in catchment areas in 2015, and calculated the proportions of pneumonia patients that were admitted to sentinel hospitals in catchment areas. The catchment population size was calculated using the number of total population of catchment areas multiply by the proportions of pneumonia patients that were admitted at sentinel hospitals. Results: Among 1 491 patients, 13.7% (205 cases) was test positive for influenza viruses, 2 (0.9%) cases positive for influenza A (H1N1), 91 (44.6%) cases influenza A (H3N2), 1 (0.5%) case influenza B/Victoria, 111 (54.0%) cases influenza B/Yamagata. Influenza was associated with an estimated 30 (95%CI:9-51) SARI hospitalizations per 100 000 during 2015. The hospitalization rate was 243 (95%CI: 232-255), 86 (95%CI: 59-112),1(95%CI: 0-5), 8 (95%CI: 0-23) and 92 (95%CI: 16-168) SARI hospitalizations per 100 000 population for<5 years children, 5-14 years children, 15-24 years adult, 25-59 years adult and ≥60 years population, respectively. The hospitalization rate of SARI attributed to influenza A and B was 14 (95%CI:4-17) and 16 (95%CI:0-23) per 100 000 population, respectively. Conclusion: The influenza positive rate among SARI cases was relatively high. The hospitalization burden of SARI attributed to influenza was the greatest in children under 5 year-old.

From single atoms to self-assembled quantum single-atomic nanowires: noble metal atoms on black phosphorene monolayers

Transition metal (TM) nanostructures, such as one dimensional (1D) nanowires with/without substrates, usually possess drastically different properties from their bulk counterparts, due to their distinct stacking and electronic confinement. Correspondingly, it is of great importance to establish the dominant driving force in forming 1D single-metal-atom-wires (SMAWs). Here, with first-principles calculations, taking the black phosphorene (BP) monolayer as a prototype 2D substrate, we investigate the energetic and kinetic properties of all the 5d-TM atoms on the 2D substrate to reveal the mechanism of formation of SMAWs. In contrast to other 5d- and 4d-TMs, noble metal elements Pd and Pt are found to prefer to grow along the trough in an atom-by-atom manner, self-assembling into SMAWs with a significant magic growth behavior. This is due to distinct binding energies and diffusion barriers along the trough, i.e., zig-zag direction, as compared to other directions of the BP. The present findings are valuable in the fabrication and modulation of 1D nanostructures which can be anticipated to possess desirable functionalities for potential applications such as in nanocatalysis, nanosensors, and related areas.

Liver and Muscle Contribute Differently to the Plasma Acylcarnitine Pool During Fasting and Exercise in Humans

BACKGROUND

Plasma acylcarnitine levels are elevated by physiological conditions such as fasting and exercise but also in states of insulin resistance and obesity.

AIM

To elucidate the contribution of liver and skeletal muscle to plasma acylcarnitines in the fasting state and during exercise in humans.

METHODS

In 2 independent studies, young healthy males were fasted overnight and performed an acute bout of exercise to investigate either acylcarnitines in skeletal muscle biopsies and arterial-to-venous plasma differences over the exercising and resting leg (n = 9) or the flux over the hepato-splanchnic bed (n = 10).

RESULTS

In the fasting state, a pronounced release of C2- and C3-carnitines from the hepato-splanchnic bed and an uptake of free carnitine by the legs were detected. Exercise further increased the release of C3-carnitine from the hepato-splanchnic bed and the uptake of free carnitine in the exercising leg. In plasma and in the exercising muscle, exercise induced an increase of most acylcarnitines followed by a rapid decline to preexercise values during recovery. In contrast, free carnitine was decreased in the exercising muscle and quickly restored thereafter. C8-, C10-, C10:1-, C12-, and C12:1-carnitines were released from the exercising leg and simultaneously; C6, C8, C10, C10:1, C14, and C16:1 were taken up by the hepato-splanchnic.

CONCLUSION

These data provide novel insight to the organo-specific release/uptake of acylcarnitines. The liver is a major contributor to systemic short chain acylcarnitines, whereas the muscle tissue releases mostly medium chain acylcarnitines during exercise, indicating that other tissues are contributing to the systemic increase in long chain acylcarnitines.

Substrate co-doping modulates electronic metal-support interactions and significantly enhances single-atom catalysis

Transitional metal nanoparticles or atoms deposited on appropriate substrates can lead to highly economical, efficient, and selective catalysis. One of the greatest challenges is to control the electronic metal-support interactions (EMSI) between the supported metal atoms and the substrate so as to optimize their catalytic performance. Here, from first-principles calculations, we show that an otherwise inactive Pd single adatom on TiO₂(110) can be tuned into a highly effective catalyst, e.g. for O₂ adsorption and CO oxidation, by purposefully selected metal-nonmetal co-dopant pairs in the substrate. Such an effect is proved here to result unambiguously from a significantly enhanced EMSI. A nearly linear correlation is noted between the strength of the EMSI and the activation of the adsorbed O₂ molecule, as well as the energy barrier for CO oxidation. Particularly, the enhanced EMSI shifts the frontier orbital of the deposited Pd atom upward and largely enhances the hybridization and charge transfer between the O₂ molecule and the Pd atom. Upon co-doping, the activation barrier for CO oxidation on the Pd monomer is also reduced to a level comparable to that on the Pd dimer which was experimentally reported to be highly efficient for CO oxidation. The present findings provide new insights into the understanding of the EMSI in heterogeneous catalysis and can open new avenues to design and fabricate cost-effective single-atom-sized and/or nanometer-sized catalysts.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of CIPK genes in diploid cottons

Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) plays a key regulatory role in the growth, development, and stress resistance of plants by combining with phosphatase B subunit-like protein. In the present study, CIPK genes were identified in the whole genomes of diploid cottons and their sequences were subjected to bioinformatic analyses. The results demonstrated that the CIPK gene family was unevenly distributed in two diploid cotton genomes. Forty-one CIPKs were identified in the D genome, mainly located on chromosomes 9 and 10, whereas thirty-nine CIPKs were identified in the A genome, mainly located on chromosomes 8 and 11. Based on the gene structures, CIPKs in cotton could be classified into two types: one that is intron-rich and the other that has few introns. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CIPK gene family members in cotton had close evolutionary relationships with those of the dicotyledonous plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar. The analysis of transcriptome sequence data demonstrated that there were differences in gene expression in different tissues, indicating that the expression of the CIPKs in cotton had spatio-temporal specificity. The expression analysis of CIPKs under abiotic stresses (drought, salt, and low temperature) in different tissues at trefoil stage demonstrated that these stresses induced the expression of CIPKs.

Nuciferine Alleviates Renal Injury by Inhibiting Inflammatory Responses in Fructose-Fed Rats

Nuciferine is a major active component from the lotus leaf. This study examines the effects of nuciferine on fructose-induced renal injury and explores its possible mechanism. Rats consumed drinking water or 10% fructose for 12 weeks. Fructose-fed rats were orally treated with water or 7, 14, or 28 mg/kg of nuciferine for the last 6 weeks. HK-2 cells were exposed to 5 mM fructose alone or in combination with nuciferine (2.5-40 μM) for 24 h. Nuciferine significantly attenuated fructose-induced hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation in rats. More importantly, it alleviated renal pathological injury with proteinuria at 20 and 40 mg/kg (2.58 ± 0.97 and 2.48 ± 1.04 mg/mg·creatinine, P < 0.05) compared with fructose-vehicle group (4.10 ± 1.18 mg/mg·creatinine). Furthermore, nuciferine reduced TLR4, MyD88, PI3K, ILK, p-AKT, p-P65, and NLRP3 inflammasome protein levels (P < 0.05 for all) in the renal cortex of fructose-fed rats (14 and 28 mg/kg) and fructose-exposed HK-2 cells (5-40 μM), which is consistent with its reduction of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 (P < 0.05 for all) in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that nuciferine alleviated fructose-induced inflammation by inhibiting TLR4/PI3K/NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in rat renal cortex and HK-2 cells, which may contribute to the improvement of renal injury.

[Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in three patients and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To deepen the understanding of acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS).

METHODS

The clinical data of 3 patients were analyzed and related literature were reviewed.

RESULTS

① Case 1, a 70- year- old male, diagnosed as Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and AVWS, was presented with spontaneous epitaxis and bruising. The VWF∶Ag level was 16%. Treatment was initiated with VWF concentrates. Two cycles of chemotherapy with Bortezomib, thalidomide and Dexamethasone were followed. Partial remission was achieved. Half- year' follow- up showed no sign of spontaneous hemorrhage. ② Case 2, a 48- year- old female, diagnosed as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and AVWS, was presented with repeated epitaxis. The VWF∶Ag level was 7%. Because the bleeding was slight and self-relieved, no specific treatment was addressed. She was followed up for one and a half year. ③ Case 3, a 50- year- old man, diagnosed as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and AVWS, was referred to our hospital for presentation with significant hematomas. VWF∶ Ag was reduced to 12%. VWF- containing cryoprecipitate, plasma, intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab were used to control his bleeding symptom. During the follow-up, spontaneous hemorrhage still occurred occasionally.

CONCLUSIONS

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome presented with heterogeneous symptoms. The level of VWF∶Ag and VWF∶Rco for patients with bleeding disorder should be performed. Abnormal bleeding symptoms in elderly patients without personal or family history of bleeding should prompt consideration of the underlying disorders. Treatment included controlling acute bleeding, curing the underlying diseases and preventing bleeding in high- risk situations. The prognosis of acquired von Willebrand syndrome is mainly related to the underlying diseases.

Organo-Soluble Fluorinated Polyimides Derived from 4,4′-Bis (3-amino-5-tri uoromethylphenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl biphenyl (TFMDA) and Aromatic Dianhydrides

A series of organo-soluble polyimides based on a new fluorinated diamine, 4,4′-bis(3-amino-5-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl biphenyl (3,5-TFMDA) and various aromatic dianhydrides, were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the obtained polyimides were affirmed by Fourier transform infrared measurement and the properties were evaluated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement, ultraviolet-visible analysis, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile and electrical tests, and solubility tests. It was shown that the polyimides have good solubility not only in polar aprotic solvents, but in many common solvents, such as cyclopentanone, chloroform, and even in toluene for PI-4, derived from TFMDA and 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA). The polyimide solutions could be cast into flexible and tough films, which exhibited good thermal stability up to 500° C and showed glass transition temperatures in the range of 250–280° C. The films also showed acceptable tensile properties and good electrical insulating properties. Furthermore, the polyimide films exhibited good transparency in the visible light region with transmittance higher than 80% at 450 nm and a cut-off wavelength lower than 360 nm.

Organo-Soluble Fluorinated Polyimides Derived from Bis-Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Aromatic Diamines and Various Aromatic Dianhydrides

A new diamine monomer with bis-trifluoromethyl-substituted phenyl in the side chain, α,α-bis (4-amino-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl methane (6FMA) was successfully synthesized. A series of fluorinated polyimides (PI-IIa-d) were prepared by reacting the diamine with various aromatic dianhydrides. For comparison, another series of polyimides (PI-Ia-d) derived from another diamine with single-trifluoromethyl-substituted phenyl in the side chain, α,α-bis(4-amino-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3′-trifluoromethyl phenyl methane and the same dianhydrides were also synthesized. The polymers were characterized by inherent viscosity, elemental analysis, Fourier transform-infrared, X-ray, ultraviolet-visible analysis, moisture absorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. It was shown that PI-II polyimides exhibited good film formability, enhanced solubility, good thermal stability, superior optical transparency, and acceptable mechanical properties. In addition, the polyimides derived from 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 6FMA showed high sensitivity to i-line (365 nm) of a high-pressure mercury lamp. The combined properties of the polyimides make them good candidates for microelectronic fabrications.

Relative edge energy in the stability of transition metal nanoclusters of different motifs

When a structure is reduced to a nanometer scale, the proportion of the edge atoms increases significantly, which can play a crucial role in determining both their geometric and electronic properties, as demonstrated by the recently established generalized Wulff construction principle [S. F. Li, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2013, 111, 115501]. Consequently, it is of great interest to clarify quantitatively the role of the edge atoms that dominate the motifs of these nanostructures. In principle, establishing an effective method valid for determining the absolute value of the surface energy and particularly the edge energy for a given nanostructure is expected to resolve such a problem. However, hitherto, it is difficult to obtain the absolute edge energy of transition metal clusters, particularly when their sizes approach the nanometer regime. In this paper, taking Ru nanoclusters as a prototypical example, our first-principles calculations introduce the concept of relative edge energy (REE), reflecting the net edge atom effect over the surface (facet) atom effect, which is fairly powerful to quasi-quantitatively estimate the critical size at which the crossover occurs between different configurations of a given motif, such as from an icosahedron to an fcc nanocrystal. By contrast, the bulk effect should be re-considered to rationalize the power of the REE in predicting the relative stability of larger nanostructures between different motifs, such as fcc-like and hcp-like nanocrystals.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for poor coronary microcirculation reperfusion of patients with stable angina pectoris

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been extensively applied to repair the forward flow of diseased coronary artery and can achieve significant curative results. However, some patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) develop non-perfusion or poor perfusion of cardiac muscle tissue after PCI, which increases the incidence of cardiovascular events and the death rate. PCI can dredge narrowed or infarct-related artery (IRA) and thus induce full reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. It is found in practice that some cases of AMI still have no perfusion or poor perfusion in myocardial tissue even though coronary angiography suggests opened coronary artery after PCI, which increases the incidence of vascular events and mortality. Therefore, to explore the detailed mechanism of PCI in treating coronary microcirculation of patients with stable angina pectoris, we selected 140 patients with stable angina pectoris for PCI, observing the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) of descending branch and changes of myocardial injury markers and left ventricular systolic function, and made a subgroup analysis based on the correlation between clinical indexes, IMR and other variables of diabetic and non-diabetic patients, PCI-related and non-PCI-related myocardial infarction patients. The results suggest that IMR of anterior descending branch after PCI was higher compared to that before PCI, and the difference was significant (P less than 0.05); creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myohemoglobin and high sensitive troponin T were all increased after PCI, and the difference was also significant (P less than 0.05); brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level became higher after PCI, with significant difference (P less than 0.05); left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) declined after PCI, and the difference before and after PCI was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Moreover, subgroup analysis results of the three groups all demonstrated statistically significant differences. PCI can effectively increase microcirculatory resistance of patients with stable angina pectoris, especially those who develop both stable angina pectoris and diabetes. Patients with higher microcirculatory resistance before PCI are more likely to develop PCI-related myocardial infarction after PCI.

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis regulates the phenotype and cytotoxic activity of goat uterine natural killer cells

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has an important role in the promotion of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. However, very little is known about the role of TWEAK in modulating uterine natural killer (uNK) cells' comprehensive functions in ruminants. In the present study, the effects of TWEAK on goat uNK cells were investigated by measuring their cytotoxic function and phenotype as well as cytokine expression in vitro. The results showed that TWEAK protein could be detected in the goat endometrium during estrous cycle and pregnancy. However, a significant increase in ( < 0.05) TWEAK protein levels was observed during very early pregnancy when compared with that during mid pregnancy and later pregnancy as well as during different phases of estrous cycle. Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis did not affect proliferation but did decrease ( < 0.05) the cytotoxic activity of uNK cells in vitro. Furthermore, the percentage of CD56/NKp46 uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium was greater ( < 0.05) compared with those treated with control medium. In addition, uNK cells incubated with TWEAK medium were associated with lesser ( < 0.05) secretion levels and protein expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) compared to those incubated with control medium. However, no differences ( > 0.05) could be observed for the secretion levels and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the uNK cells incubated with TWEAK-containing medium compared with those incubated with control medium. The present preliminary observations indicate that TWEAK has a biological effect on phenotype of uNK cells as well as the secretion and expression of IFN-γ by uNK cells in goats. Moreover, TWEAK decreases the cytotoxicity of goat uNK cells in vitro.

The potential of plasma miRNAs for diagnosis and risk estimation of colorectal cancer

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were recognized to be potential non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection and prediction. Meanwhile, the association of the expression of plasma miRNAs with the risk of CRC patients has rarely been analyzed. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the value of plasma miRNAs for CRC diagnosis and risk estimation. Fasting blood samples from 100 CRC patients and 79 cancer-free controls were collected. Plasma miR-106a, miR-20a, miR-27b, miR-92a and miR-29a levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Sensitivity and specificity were employed to evaluate the diagnostic value of miRNAs for CRC. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to analyze the association between miRNAs expression and CRC risk. As results, miR-106a and miR-20a were elevated in the patients with CRC. The sensitivity of miR-106a was 74.00% and the specificity was 44.40%, while the cutoff value was 2.03. As for miR-20a, the sensitivity was 46.00% and specificity was 73.42% when employed 2.44 as cutoff value. High expression of plasma miR-106a increased CRC risk by 1.80 -fold. Plasma miR-106a and miR-20a may as noninvasive biomarkers for detecting the CRC. High expression of miR-106a associated with CRC risk.

[Isolation, culture and characterization of outgrowth endothelial cells from the human peripheral blood]

Compared with endothelial progenitor cells, outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from peripheral blood are rich in protein for blood angiogenesis and cell adhesion, similar to mature endothelial cells in biological characteristics. Moreover, they are now replacing human umbilical vein endothelial cells for the latter's limited life span and drift of phenotype, and might become a new tool for exploring the vascular abnormalities. This study was aimed to establish the protocol of producing BOECs, and then analyze the cell phenotype and function of BOECs. Mononuclear cells were collected from peripheral blood by gradient centrifugation and then seeded on plates and cultivated in EGM-2 medium for 4 weeks. The morphological changes of cells were observed and cell phenotype was examined by flow cytometry. VWF multimers were used to analyse the distribution of vWF multimers in superment of BOECs and the storage of vWF in BOECs, and the secretion of vWF in BOECs under stimulation was detected by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that after 4-week-culture in vitro, the cell colonies and characteristic cobblestone-like morphology of BOECs were found in plates. For another three weeks of expansion, BOECs expressed CD31, CD34, and EPCR, without the expression of CD14, CD45 and CD133. The vWF from BOECs cell supernatant shared the same multimer pattern as that in normal plasma. By confocal fluorescence microscopy, vWFs were observed in BOECs. The amount of vWF increased in cells, and vWF strings were formed on cell surface by the stimulation of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate(PMA). It is concluded that the BOECs are first successfully established, and the phenotype and function of BOECs are analyzed. They are the native cell models for the pathogenesis of von Willebrand diseases (vWD), and may be used as new gene therapy tools for vWD.

Effects of single-dose atorvastatin on interleukin-6, interferon gamma, and myocardial no-reflow in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion

The mechanisms of statins relieving the no-reflow phenomenon and the effects of single-dose statins on it are not well known. This study sought to investigate the effects of inflammation on the no-reflow phenomenon in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion (AMI/R) and to evaluate the effects of single-dose atorvastatin on inflammation and myocardial no-reflow. Twenty-four New Zealand white male rabbits (5-6 months old) were randomized to three groups of eight: a sham-operated group, an AMI/R group, and an atorvastatin-treated group (10 mg/kg). Animals in the latter two groups were subjected to 4 h of coronary occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in normal and infarcted (reflow and no-reflow) myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemical methods. The area of no-reflow and necrosis was evaluated pathologically. Levels of serum IL-6 were significantly lower in the atorvastatin group than in the AMI/R group (P<0.01). Expression of IFN-γ in infarcted reflow and no-reflow myocardial tissue was also significantly lower in the atorvastatin group than in the AMI/R group. The mean area of no-reflow [47.01% of ligation area (LA)] was significantly smaller in the atorvastatin group than in the AMI/R group (85.67% of LA; P<0.01). The necrosis area was also significantly smaller in the atorvastatin group (85.94% of LA) than in the AMI/R group (96.56% of LA; P<0.01). In a secondary analysis, rabbits in the atorvastatin and AMI/R groups were divided into two groups based on necrosis area (90% of LA): a small group (<90% of LA) and a large group (>90% of LA). There was no significant difference in the area of no-reflow between the small (61.40% of LA) and large groups (69.87% of LA; P>0.05). Single-dose atorvastatin protected against inflammation and myocardial no-reflow and reduced infarct size during AMI/R in rabbits. No-reflow was not dependent on the reduction of infarct size.

Common characteristics shared by different differential phase contrast imaging methods

There are many variations of differential phase contrast imaging methods. Although these imaging methods are different in configuration, they are alike in imaging by extracting differential phase information through the evaluation of the refraction angles. In this paper, we investigate common characteristics shared by various different differential phase contrast imaging methods.

Stacking principle and magic sizes of transition metal nanoclusters based on generalized Wulff construction

Nanoclusters with extra stability at certain cluster sizes are known as magic clusters with exotic properties. The classic Wulff construction principle, which stipulates that the preferred structure of a cluster should minimize its total surface energy, is often invoked in determining the cluster magicity, resulting in close-shelled Mackay icosahedronal clusters with odd-numbered magic sizes of 13, 55, 147, etc. Here we use transition metal clusters around size 55 as prototypical examples to demonstrate that, in the nanometer regime, the classic Wulff construction principle needs to be generalized to primarily emphasize the edge atom effect instead of the surface energy. Specifically, our detailed calculations show that nanoclusters with much shorter total edge lengths but substantially enlarged total surface areas are energetically much more stable. As a consequence, a large majority of the nanoclusters within the 3d-, 4d-, and 5d-transition metal series are found to be fcc or hcp crystal fragments with much lower edge energies, and the widely perceived magic size of 55 is shifted to its nearby even numbers.

Epoxy resin containing trifluoromethyl and pendant polyfluorinated phenyl groups: Synthesis and properties

A novel epoxy resin containing trifluoromethyl and pendant polyfluorinted phenyl groups, 1,1-bis[4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)phenyl]-1-(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl) -2,2,2-trifluoroethane (6FEP) was synthesized and characterized. The reactivtiy of 6FEP with two aromatic diamines, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) and 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy) benzene (6FAPB), and the properties of the cured 6FEP were investigated and compared with those of the commonly used epoxy resin diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA). The experimental results indicated that 6FEP showed lower reactivity than DGEBA. The cured 6FEP exhibited good thermal stabilities with decomposition temperature at 5% weight loss of 374–397°C, high glass transition temperature of 159–177°C and good mechanical properties. The cured 6FEP epoxy resin also showed low dielectric constants at 1 MHz in the range of 3.2–3.4 and dielectric dissipation factors (tan δ) in the range of 2.10–2.48 × 10−3. Moreover, the cured 6FEP epoxy resins exhibited higher surface hydrophobicity and lower moisture absorption compared with DGEBA. The improved dielectric properties and hydrophobic properties of the cured 6FEP epoxy resin could be attributed to the introduction of trifluoromethyl and pendant polyfluorinated phenyl groups into the molecular structure of the epoxy resin.

Stromal-epithelial interactions modulate the effect of ovarian steroids on goat uterine epithelial cell interleukin-18 release

A primary role of epithelial-stromal interactions in mediating steroid hormone action in the uterus has been established. The present study was undertaken to determine the mode of ovarian steroid action in regulating IL-18 release by goat endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) in the presence and absence of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Primary and telomerase-immortalized goat EECs grown alone or cocultured with ESCs were treated with two ovarian steroids, 17β-estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)). The IL-18 mRNA and protein expression in EECs were studied by reverse transcript (RT) PCR, ELISA, and Western blot assay. The E(2) and/or P(4) treatment of EECs led to a significant increase in both IL-18 mRNA and protein expression either in the primary or in the immortalized EECs compared with that in EECs without the steroid treatment. However, in the presence of ESCs, IL-18 expression by EECs treated with steroids was significantly decreased compared with cells untreated with E(2) and/or P(4). In addition, significantly high abundance of IL-18 mRNA and protein expression by primary and telomerase-immortalized goat EECs was observed in the presence of ESCs compared with those cells without ESCs. These findings suggest that steroids are important for the control of IL-18 expression in goat EECs. Underlying ESCs are needed to mediate the inhibitory effects of steroids on the IL-18 secretory activity of goat EECs in vitro. The IL-18 abundance expressed by goat EECs in vitro are enhanced by underlying ESCs without the treatment of E(2) and/or P(4).

Distribution of PDIA3 transcript and protein in rat testis and sperm cells

Protein disulphide isomerase family A3 (PDIA3) has an activity of thioredoxin, widely expressed in multiple tissues and involved in multiple cellular processes. It was recently found in human and mouse sperm cells and could affect sperm-egg fusion. Therefore, the present investigation aims to identify PDIA3 mRNA and protein in rat testis and sperm cells. Rat PDIA3 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR. The cRNA riboprobe was transcribed from PDIA3 cDNA and was used to display PDIA3 mRNA location in rat testes by in situ hybridization. PDIA3 protein distribution was also observed in testis and sperm cells by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The rat PDIA3 transcript and protein were localized in the cells from spermatocytes to the spermatozoa phases of rat testes, mostly in the pachytene spermatocytes. PDIA3 protein was also observed on the intact sperm membrane including the tail. The rat PDIA3 gene is transcribed and translated through the whole spermatogenesis process, and the PDIA3 protein is spread all over the sperm cell membrane. The results provide some primary information about PDIA3 in testis and sperm for further study on PDIA3 function in rat spermatogenesis and sperm-egg fusion.

Broad vaccine coverage predicted for a bivalent recombinant factor H binding protein based vaccine to prevent serogroup B meningococcal disease

Factor H binding proteins (fHBP), are bacterial surface proteins currently undergoing human clinical trials as candidate serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (MnB) vaccines. fHBP protein sequences segregate into two distinct subfamilies, designated A and B. Here, we report the specificity and vaccine potential of mono- or bivalent fHBP-containing vaccines. A bivalent fHBP vaccine composed of a member of each subfamily elicited substantially broader bactericidal activity against MnB strains expressing heterologous fHBP than did either of the monovalent vaccines. Bivalent rabbit immune sera tested in serum bactericidal antibody assays (SBAs) against a diverse panel of MnB clinical isolates killed 87 of the 100 isolates. Bivalent human immune sera killed 36 of 45 MnB isolates tested in SBAs. Factors such as fHBP protein variant, PorA subtype, or MLST were not predictive of whether the MnB strain could be killed by rabbit or human immune sera. Instead, the best predictor for killing in the SBA was the level of in vitro surface expression of fHBP. The bivalent fHBP vaccine candidate induced immune sera that killed MnB isolates representing the major MLST complexes, prevalent PorA subtypes, and fHBP variants that span the breadth of the fHBP phylogenetic tree. Importantly, epidemiologically prevalent fHBP variants from both subfamilies were killed.

The role of dopamine receptors in ventrolateral orbital cortex-evoked anti-nociception in a rat model of neuropathic pain

The present study examined the role of dopamine and D(1)-and D(2)-like dopamine receptors in ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO)-evoked anti-hypersensitivity in a rat model of neuropathic pain, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. Results showed that microinjection of apomorphine [(R(-)-apomorphine hydrochloride)], a non-selective dopamine receptor agonist, into the VLO attenuated spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was completely blocked by the D(2)-like dopamine receptor antagonist S(-)-raclopride(+)-tartrate salt (1.5 microg), but was enhanced by the D(1)-like dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 (R(+)-SCH-23390 hydrochloride, 5.0 microg). The attenuating effect of apomorphine on mechanical allodynia was mimicked by application of the D(2)-like dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole [((-)-quinpirole hydrochloride, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 microg)]. In addition, microinjection of larger doses (10 and 20 microg) of SCH23390 into the VLO significantly attenuated allodynia. Furthermore, microinjections of GABA(A) receptor antagonists, bicuculline [(+)-bicuculline,(S), 9(R)] and picrotoxin (200 and 300 ng for both drugs), into the VLO attenuated mechanical allodynia. A small dose of bicuculline or picrotoxin (100 ng) resulted in increased quinpirole (0.5 microg)-induced anti-allodynia. In contrast, GABA(A) receptor agonists, muscimol hydrochloride (250 ng) or THIP [(2,5,6,7-retrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridine-3-ol hydrochloride, 1.0 microg)], blocked quinpirole (2.0 microg)-induced attenuation. These results suggest that the dopaminergic system is involved in mediating VLO-induced anti-hypersensitivity, activation of D(2)-like dopamine receptors, and inhibition of D(1)-like receptors resulting in anti-hypersensitivity. In addition, the mechanisms of GABAergic disinhibition might be involved in D(2)-like receptor mediating effects in neuropathic pain.