Imidacloprid is hydroxylated by Laodelphax striatellus CYP6AY3v2

Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is one of the most destructive pests of rice, and has developed high resistance to imidacloprid. Our previous work indicated a strong association between imidacloprid resistance and the overexpression of a cytochrome P450 gene CYP6AY3v2 in a L. striatellus imidacloprid resistant strain (Imid-R). In this study, a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line that overexpressed the L. striatellus CYP6AY3v2 gene was established and was found to confer increased levels of imidacloprid resistance. Furthermore, CYP6AY3v2 was co-expressed with D. melanogaster cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (SF9) cells. A carbon monoxide difference spectra analysis indicated that CYP6AY3v2 was expressed predominately in its cytochrome P450 (P450) form, which is indicative of a good-quality functional enzyme. The recombinant CYP6AY3v2 protein efficiently catalysed the model substrate P-nitroanisole to p-nitrophenol with a maximum velocity (V_max ) of 60.78 ± 3.93 optical density (mOD)/min/mg protein. In addition, imidacloprid itself was metabolized by the recombinant CYP6AY3v2/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2'-phosphate reduced tetrasodium salt (NADPH) CPR microsomes in in vitro assays (catalytic constant (K_cat ) = 0.34 pmol/min/pmol P450, michaelis constant (K_m ) = 41.98 μM), and imidacloprid depletion and metabolite peak formation were with a time dependence. The data provided direct evidence that CYP6AY3v2 is capable of hydroxylation of imidacloprid and conferring metabolic resistance in L. striatellus.

Enteral versus parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients with severe pancreatitis: a meta-analysis

Whether enteral nutrition (EN) is superior to parenteral nutrition (PN) in critically ill patients with severe acute pancreatitis remains unknown. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of EN versus PN on clinical outcomes in a subgroup of pancreatitis patients. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science from inception to August 2016. Ultimately, five RCTs including 348 patients were enrolled in this analysis. Compared with PN, EN was associated with a significant reduction in overall mortality (risk ratio (RR)=0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.65, P=0.001) and the rate of multiple organ failure (RR=0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.73, P=0.003). EN should be recommended as the preferred route of nutrition for critically ill patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal uterine suspension with suture line instead of mesh

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety and effectiveness of two different materials (mesh and suture line) used in laparoscopic extraperitoneal uterine suspension.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Gynaecology departments in two hospitals in China.

POPULATION

Women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) of stage II or higher.

METHODS

The women were divided into two groups according to the two different materials for laparoscopic extraperitoneal uterine suspension: mesh or suture line. The baseline characteristics, perioperative details, complications, objective and subjective indexes of the two groups were compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was subjective satisfaction rate based upon validated questionnaires. The secondary outcome was objective anatomic assessment with the POP-Q system.

RESULTS

No difference was found in baseline characteristics and perioperative details except that there were more cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated other surgeries in the Line than the Mesh group (36 versus 19, P < 0.05; 12 versus 2, P < 0.05). Statistically significant improvements were found in anatomical measures of points Aa, Ba, Ap, Bp, C and TVL (P < 0.01), as well as functional and quality-of-life measures (P < 0.01 for PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7) between both groups. The postoperative PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 and PGI-I scores were not different between two groups (P > 0.05). Two cases of deep wound infection were observed in Mesh group at 3-month follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear uterine suspension is easy to perform and is associated with fewer mesh-related complications. It is more secure, especially in elderly women and in those with physical complications.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal linear uterine suspension is safe, with fewer mesh-related complications.

All-optical tunable microfiber knot resonator with graphene-assisted sandwich structure

We demonstrate an all-optical tunable microfiber knot resonator (MFKR) by direct light-graphene interaction using external vertical incidence pump laser. The 1530 nm CW pump source is employed to irradiate the sample, which can achieve the performance modulation of MFKR including transmission loss, extinction ratio, and resonant wavelength by the saturable absorption, photo-thermal, and optical Kerr effects, respectively. Compared with the MFKR with only the bottom graphene film, the tunable ranges of transmission loss and extinction ratio are increased by 69 and 125 times, respectively, which can induce a remarkable amplitude tuning. The resonant wavelength of MFKR occurs a red-shift under the irradiation of the pump light, and the red-shift range can exceed one free spectral range (FSR), which means the resonant wavelength could be tuned in the full wavelength range of the transparent window of optical fiber. It is promising for the device to be applied as an all-optical modulator, tunable optical filter, etc.

MTA1 modulated by miR-30e contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma through an ErbB2-dependent pathway

MTA1 is a metastasis-associated protein, which is essential to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, information concerning its up- and downstream regulation is rare. We investigated its upstream regulation and downstream effector in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In total, 94 paired HCC and adjacent tissue samples were involved in the study, and the results indicated that decreased miR-30e levels were associated with increased MTA1 levels in human HCC. miR-30e exerted its regulation of MTA1 transcription by binding to its 3'-untranslated region, and was negatively associated with EMT. Furthermore, significantly higher expression of MTA1 was associated with overexpression of v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ErbB2) in human HCC, and MTA1 can promote transcription of ErbB2 by binding with histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and acting as a promoter. The EMT promotion effect caused by MTA1 largely depended on ErbB2, and reducing the activity of ErbB2 can significantly attenuate EMT promotion by causing overexpression of MTA1 both in vitro and in vivo. In general, downregulation of miR-30e can increase levels of MTA1 in human HCC, and furthermore promote cell invasion and metastasis by promoting ErbB2.

[Efficacy and safety of oseltamivir in children with suspected influenza: a multicenter randomized open-label trial]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oseltamivir in the treatment of suspected influenza in children. Method: A multicenter, randomized and open-label trial was conducted among 229 individuals with suspected influenza which were collected from the clinic of 5 hospitals in Guangdong province (Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Shenzhen Baoan District Maternity and Child Care Service Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Dongguan Maternity and Child Care Service Centre, Yuexiu District Children's Hospital of Guangzhou) from April to July 2015. They were randomized either to oseltamivir group (oseltamivir 30-75 mg, twice daily for 5 days) or control group who were given symptom relief medicines for 5 days. Result: No significant difference was found between two groups in influenza symptoms of the patients before the treatment(P>0.05). Altogether 229 individuals (114 in oseltamivir group, 115 in control group) were analyzed for efficacy, in which 73 individuals (42 oseltamivir, 31 control), 31.9%, were identified as influenza-infected through laboratory test. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the duration of fever although shortened. In the 229 individuals , the cumulative alleviation proportion between oseltamivir and control group was not significantly different (P>0.05): the median duration of illness was 69.9 hours (95% CI 65.3-91.5) in oseltamivir group and 75.4 hours (95%CI 63.9-91. 7) in control group; the median duration of fever was 40.4 hours (95%CI 31.5-53.4) in oseltamivir group and 44.0 hours (95%CI 33.2-50.0) in control group. In the 73 individuals, the cumulative alleviation proportion between oseltamivir and control group was significantly different (P<0.05). The median duration of illness was 61.2 hours (95%CI 48.0-121. 0) in oseltamivir group, being significantly shorter than that of 116.0 hours (95%CI 91.5-175.0) in control group. But it was not significantly different that the median duration of fever was 32.8 hours (95%CI 24.0-47.0 ) in oseltamivir group and 55.8 hours (95%CI 43.6-78.3 ) in control group (P>0.05). And the median duration of fever in 60 individuals (38 oseltamivir, 22 control) was significantly different between two groups(P<0.05), who had finished a course of taking oseltamivir in the 73 individuals, 34.8 hours (95%CI 24.0-48.5 ) in oseltamivir group being significantly shorter than that of 53.3 hours (95%CI 43.6-104.0 ) in control group. There was certain difference in side effects rate between the two groups (oseltamivir 10%, control 2%, P<0.05). The main side-effects were gastrointestinal symptoms (stomachache, diarrhea, poor appetite, vomiting). Conclusion: The duration of illness and fever in suspected influenza patients treated with oseltamivir was shorter than those in the patients treated with no oseltamivir, the difference was not statistically significant, when 31.9% was confirmed with positive result of virus test in suspected influenza in children. But in these patients with positive result of virus test, the duration of illness was significantly shortened with treatment with oseltamivir as compared with no treatment with oseltamivir, and it would be better if full oseltamivir course was completed for reducing the duration of fever. Oseltamivir treatment was safe with mild side effects.

Early Lung Adenocarcinoma in Mice: Micro-Computed Tomography Manifestations and Correlation with Pathology

Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy for both men and women and adenocarcinoma is the most common histologic type. Early diagnosis of lung cancer can significantly improve the survival rate of patients. This study aimed to investigate the micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) manifestations of early lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) in mice and to provide a new perspective for early clinical diagnosis. Early LAC models in 10 mice were established by subcutaneously injecting 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) solution. Micro-CT scan and multiple planar reconstruction (MPR) were used for mouse lungs. Micro-CT features of early LAC, especially the relationships between tumor and bronchus, were analyzed and correlated with pathology. Micro-CT findings of early LAC were divided into three types: non-solid (n = 8, 6%), partly solid (n = 85, 64%) and totally solid (n = 39, 30%). Tumor-bronchus relationships, which could be observed in 110 of 132(83%) LAC, were classified into four patterns: type I (n = 16, 15%), bronchus was truncated at the margin of the tumor; type II (n = 33, 30%), bronchus penetrated into the tumor with tapered narrowing and interruption; type III (n = 38, 35%), bronchus penetrated into the tumor with a patent and intact lumen; type IV (n = 99, 90%), bronchus ran at the border of the tumor with an intact or compressed lumen. Micro-CT manifestations of early LAC correlated well with pathological findings. Micro-CT can clearly demonstrate the features of mouse early LAC and bronchus-tumor relationships, and can also provide a new tool and perspective for the study of early LAC.

A magnetic nanoparticle-labeled immunoassay with europium and samarium for simultaneous quantification of serum pepsinogen I and II

OBJECTIVE

To develop a novel immunoassay for the simultaneous determination of serum pepsinogen I (PG I) and pepsinogen II (PG II) by combining established methods of time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) and magnetic nanoparticles separation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This new immunoassay method was characterised by immobilising primary antibodies on the surface of magnetic particles and labelled with stable fluorescent chelates of europium and samarium.

RESULTS

Using magnetic nanoparticles, the TRFIA immunoassay exhibited broad dynamic assay ranges for PG I with detection limit of 0.33 ng/mL, while for PG II with detection limit of 0.38 ng/mL. Cross-reactivity between PGs I and II were <15. The intra- and inter-assay coefficient variations of the method were <3%, and the recoveries were in the range of 97-103% for serum samples. Bland-Altman analysis of 124 serum samples showed good consistency with a commercial TRFIA kit. For PG I, the mean (95% confidence interval) difference was 0.97 (-14.3-12.3) ng/mL, whilst for PG II the difference was 0.6 (-4.4-3.2) ng/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the method is feasible and could be developed into a platform for the routine clinical determination of PG I and PG II levels in human serum.

Phosphatases Generate Signal Specificity Downstream of Ssp1 Kinase in Fission Yeast

AMPK-related protein kinases (ARKs) coordinate cell growth, proliferation, and migration with environmental status. It is unclear how specific ARKs are activated at specific times. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the CaMKK-like protein kinase Ssp1 promotes cell cycle progression by activating the ARK Cdr2 according to cell growth signals. Here, we demonstrate that Ssp1 activates a second ARK, Ssp2/AMPKα, for cell proliferation in low environmental glucose. Ssp1 activates these two related targets by the same biochemical mechanism: direct phosphorylation of a conserved residue in the activation loop (Cdr2-T166 and Ssp2-T189). Despite a shared upstream kinase and similar phosphorylation sites, Cdr2 and Ssp2 have distinct regulatory input cues and distinct functional outputs. We investigated this specificity and found that distinct protein phosphatases counteract Ssp1 activity toward its different substrates. We identified the PP6 family phosphatase Ppe1 as the primary phosphatase for Ssp2-T189 dephosphorylation. The phosphatase inhibitor Sds23 acts upstream of PP6 to regulate Ssp2-T189 phosphorylation in a manner that depends on energy but not on the intact AMPK heterotrimer. In contrast, Cdr2-T166 phosphorylation is regulated by protein phosphatase 2A but not by the Sds23-PP6 pathway. Thus, our study provides a phosphatase-driven mechanism to induce specific physiological responses downstream of a master protein kinase.

Transplantation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Efficiently Rescues Thioacetamide-Induced Acute Liver Failure in Mice

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) transplantation in acute liver failure caused by thioacetamide in mice as well as its underlying mechanism by comparing transplantation routes.

METHODS

ADMSCs were isolated from inguinal fat pads of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mice and analyzed regarding their surface markers and differentiation potential. Acute liver failure models were established by infusion of thioacetamide, and then we injected EGFP-ADMSCs or phosphate-buffered saline solution by intrasplenic or intravenous route. The restoration of biologic functions of the livers receiving transplantation was assessed by means of a variety of approaches, such as survival rates, live function parameters, histology, localization of EGFP-ADMSCs, and immunofluorescence analysis.

RESULTS

ADMSCs were positive for CD90 and CD44 and negative for CD34 and had adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. And they prevented the release of liver injury biomarkers. Transplantation via tail vein provided a significant survival benefit, but no significant differences were observed in the intrasplenic pathway and between the 2 pathways in our animal experiments. Furthermore, the transplanted cells were well integrated into injured livers and produced albumin and cytokeratin-8.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct transplantation of ADMSCs is an effective treatment for acute liver failure rather than intrasplenic transplantation. The transplanted ADMSCs exhibit the potential to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in the injured livers. Thus, ADCMSCs would be a potential option for treatment of acute liver failure.

Hepatitis C virus NS5A protein interacts with lysine methyltransferase SET and MYND domain-containing 3 and induces activator protein 1 activation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) is a multifunctional protein that is involved in the HCV life cycle and pathogenesis. In this study, a host protein(s) interacting with NS5A by tandem affinity purification were searched for with the aim of elucidating the role of NS5A. An NS5A-interacting protein, SET and MYND domain-containing 3 (SMYD3), a lysine methyltransferase reportedly involved in the development of cancer, was identified. The interaction between NS5A and SMYD3 was confirmed in ectopically expressing, HCV RNA replicon-harboring and HCV-infected cells. The other HCV proteins did not bind to SMYD3. SMYD3 bound to NS5A of HCV genotypes 1b and 2a. Deletion mutational analysis revealed that domains II and III of NS5A (amino acids [aa] 250 to 447) and the MYND and N-SET domains of SMYD3 (aa 1 to 87) are involved in the full extent of NS5A-SMYD3 interaction. NS5A co-localized with SMYD3 exclusively in the cytoplasm, thereby inhibiting nuclear localization of SMYD3. Moreover, NS5A formed a complex with SMYD3 and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), which is a positive regulator of SMYD3. The intensity of binding between SMYD3 and HSP90 was enhanced by NS5A. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that NS5A significantly induces activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity, this being potentiated by co-expression of SMYD3 with NS5A. Taken together, the present results suggest that NS5A interacts with SMYD3 and induces AP-1 activation, possibly by facilitating binding between HSP90 and SMYD3. This may be a novel mechanism of AP-1 activation in HCV-infected cells.

Effects of dirty housing and a Typhimurium DT104 challenge on pig growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and gas emissions from stored manure

The objectives of this study were to elucidate the effects of a dirty environment and a challenge plus associated environmental contamination on pig growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and gas emissions (CO, NH, CH, NO, and HS) from stored manure. Twenty-four weaned barrows, aged 31 d at initiation of the trial, were randomly allotted to 3 different treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments were: pigs housed in cages with manure removed and cages washed daily (Clean); pigs housed in cages sprayed daily with manure slurry mixtures (Dirty); or pigs challenged with Typhimurium DT104 and housed in cages that were not washed, but manure was removed daily ( challenge). Rectal temperature, body weight, daily feed intake, manure output, manure composition, and gas emissions from stored manure were measured throughout the 24-d animal phase. The Dirty and challenge treatments were statistically compared to the Clean treatment to evaluate individual effects. Dirty housing tended to decrease ADG from d 1 to 24 ( = 0.06) but there were no other effects on pig performance compared with the Clean treatment. In contrast, a challenge was associated with a marked reduction in each of the measured indicators of pig performance. challenge increased the carbon to nitrogen ratio, ether extract, and lignin concentrations in excreted manure ( = 0.02, 0.01, 0.003, respectively), and increased manure and head space temperatures in manure tanks ( < 0.0001). Gas emissions from stored manure of pigs on the Dirty or treatments were increased for each of the measured gases as compared to the Clean treatment ( < 0.01) when expressed per unit of BW gain. When gas emissions from manure of pigs housed in the Dirty treatment were expressed per unit of manure volatile solids (VS), they were increased for NH, CH, and HS ( < 0.02). challenge was associated with increased emissions of CO, and NO and decreased emissions of HS per kilogram manure VS compared to the Clean treatment ( = 0.06, 0.03, 0.04, respectively). Collectively, these results indicated that a challenge and associated housing contamination caused depressed growth rate and increased manure gas emissions, while exposure to a Dirty environment slightly reduced growth performance and clearly increased manure gas emissions per unit of BW gain as compared to Clean control.

Pharmacological and Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Management of Post-stroke Depression: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis of 27 Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Post-stroke depression (PSD) constitutes an important complication of stroke, leading to great disability as well as increased mortality. Since which treatment for PSD should be preferred are still matters of controversy, we aimed to compare and rank these treatments.

Methods

We did a network meta-analysis to incorporate both direct and indirect evidence from relevant trials by Bayesian random effects model. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Embase for randomized controlled trials of different PSD treatments. The primary outcomes were efficacy and tolerability. We assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE framework.

Result

From 1347 citations, 27 randomised trials with a total of 1620 participants were included in this network meta-analysis. In terms of primary outcome, only for reboxetione (standardised mean difference [SMD] −12.84, 95% credible interval [CrI] −23.13 to −2.65) and nortriptyline (SMD −7.95, 95% CrI −14.85 to −1.75) enough evidence existed to support superiority compared with placebo. No significant difference was observed in terms tolerability. Considering patient response rate, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was statistically more effective than sertraline plus nimodipine (Relative risk [RR] 5.53, 95% CrI 1.36 to 23.86) and fluoxetine (RR 10.74, 95% CrI 3.55 to 35.97)

Conclusion

Compared with placebo, reboxetione and nortriptyline offered a clear advantage for PSD patients. rTMS is probably the best option to consider in addition of pharmacological treatment. Nevertheless, doctors need to consider our results together with all known safety and economy information when selecting the strategy for individual patients.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

Magnetic EDTA functionalized CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (EDTA-CoFe2O4) as a novel catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation and degradation of Orange G

EDTA functionalized CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (EDTA-CoFe₂O₄) synthesized using a facile one-pot solvothermal method were employed as catalysts to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) with Orange G (OG) as the target pollutant. Effects of operating parameters including initial solution pH, catalyst dosage, PMS dosage, and water matrix components such as Cl^-, NO₃^-, CO₃^2-, and humic acid were evaluated. A degradation efficiency of 93% was achieved in 15 min with 1 mM PMS and 0.2 g/L EDTA-CoFe₂O₄ catalyst, while only 57% of OG was degraded within 15 min in CoFe₂O₄/PMS system. The degradation of OG followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the apparent first-order date constant (k _obs) for OG in EDTA-CoFe₂O₄/PMS and CoFe₂O₄/PMS system was determined to be 0.152 and 0.077 min^-1, respectively. OG degradation by EDTA-CoFe₂O₄/PMS was enhanced with the increase of catalyst and PMS doses at respective range of 0.1-2.0 g/L and 0.5-10.0 mM. Higher efficiency of OG oxidation was observed within a wide pH range (3.0-9.0), implying the possibility of applying EDTA-CoFe₂O₄/PMS process under environmental realistic conditions. Humic acid (HA) at low concentration accelerated the removal of OG; however, a less apparent inhibitive effect was observed at HA addition of 10 mg/L. The k _obs value was found to decrease slightly from 0.1601 to 0.1274, 0.1248, and 0.1152 min^-1 with the addition of NO₃^-, CO₃^2-, and Cl^-, respectively, but near-complete removal of OG could still be obtained after 15 min. Both of the sulfate radicals and hydroxyl radicals were produced in the reaction, and sulfate radicals were the dominant according to the scavenging tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests. Finally, a degradation mechanism was proposed, and the stability and reusability of the EDTA-CoFe₂O₄ were evaluated.

Cytosolic DNA sensor-initiated innate immune responses in mouse ovarian granulosa cells

Viral infections of the ovary may perturb ovarian functions. However, the mechanisms underlying innate immune responses in the ovary are poorly understood. The present study demonstrates that cytosolic viral DNA sensor signaling initiates the innate immune response in mouse ovarian granulosa cells and affects endocrine function. The cytosolic DNA sensors p204 and cGAS and their common signaling adaptor stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) were constitutively expressed in granulosa cells. Transfection with VACV70, a synthetic vaccinia virus (VACV) DNA analog, induced the expression of type I interferons (IFNA/B) and major inflammatory cytokines (TNFA and IL6) through IRF3 and NF-κB activation respectively. Moreover, several IFN-inducible antiviral proteins, including 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, IFN-stimulating gene 15 and Mx GTPase 1, were also induced by VACV70 transfection. The innate immune responses in granulosa cells were significantly reduced by the transfection of specific small-interfering RNAs targeting p204, cGas or Sting Notably, the VACV70-triggered innate immune responses affected steroidogenesis in vivo and in vitro The data presented in this study describe the mechanism underlying ovarian immune responses to viral infection.