[Interpretation of group standard for Clostridioides difficile infection diagnosis]

Clostridioides difficile is a key pathogen of antibiotic related diarrhea and hospital associated infection, causing several outbreaks in Europe and North Americans and resulting in severe disease burden. However, the standardized diagnostic principle and detection specifications in C. difficile infection (CDI) survey are limited in China, and the infection rate and disease burden of CDI in China are unclear. Therefore, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention,National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, together with another 11 institutions, draft the group standard entitled "Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (T/CPMA 008-2020)" of Chinese Preventive Medicine Association. Based on the principle of "legality, scientificity, advancement, and feasibility", this standard clarifies risk factors, diagnosis principles, diagnoses and differential diagnoses in order to improve the accuracy of CDI diagnosis in clinical practice, guide the surveillance for CDI, and understand the infection rate and disease burden of CDI in China.

[Analysis of Rapid Start-up and Mixed Nutritional Nitrogen Removal Performance of Complete Autotrophic Granular Sludge]

A rapid start of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process based on granular sludge and efficient nitrogen removal under mixotrophic conditions are important steps in a continuous flow reactor for CANON engineering applications. In this study, an aged CANON granular sludge was mechanically crushed to 0.3 mm as inoculum in an airlift internal-loop reactor (AIR) to achieve simultaneous COD removal and mixotrophic denitrification of the single-stage granular sludge. The system achieved stable partial nitrification by controlling DO after 26 days of startup. Granulation and anaerobic ammonia oxidation were then promoted by shortening the HRT to increase the ammonia nitrogen load to 5.65 kg ·(m³ ·d)^-1. The total nitrogen removal rate reached 58% on the 68^th day. Subsequently, the C/N ratio of influent was increased from 0 to 0.25 and 0.5, which promoted the synergistic growth of AOB, AMX, and heterotrophic microorganisms. The removal rates of ammonia and total nitrogen were 95% and 85% respectively, and the removal of COD reached approximately 80%. The activity of NOB such as Nitrospira was effectively inhibited as the COD concentration was increased. q(NH₄⁺-N) and q(TN) were stable at 0.4 g ·(g ·h)^-1 and 0.34 g ·(g ·h)^-1, respectively, while q(NO₃^--N) was approximately 0.02 g ·(g ·h)^-1. Microbial diversity was observed using MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. It showed that organic carbon had no significant effect on the abundance of Nitrosomomas and Candidutus_Kuenenia, while increasing the abundance of Candidutus_Brocadia and Denitratisoma in the sludge. This study provides ideas for the rapid start of continuous flow CANON granular sludge process to treat wastewater with low C/N ratio.

[Adaptability of Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal over Granular Sludge to Low-Strength at Low Temperature]

A single-stage PN-ANAMMOX (PN/A) granular sludge cultured at room temperature was used to investigate the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal efficiency and microbial community structure of low-strength wastewater based on the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite in granular sludge at a low temperature. The results showed that at the low temperature (15±1)℃, the ammonia nitrogen load was maintained at 1.29 kg ·(m³ ·d)^-1, and the ammonia nitrogen concentration in the injection was gradually reduced from 70 mg ·L^-1 to 40 mg ·L^-1. DO/TAN was controlled at 0.22-0.25. The total nitrogen removal rate was maintained at (85±4)%, and the average TN concentration in the effluent was 8.9 mg ·L^-1. There was no significant proliferation of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) during the operation period, and the Nitrospira abundance was less than 1%. Elutriation of the floc sludge and the control of low DO/TAN values can be used as effective control strategies to inhibit NOB proliferation. Through completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite in granular sludge operated under low-temperature and low-substrate conditions, the particle size became smaller, and the color changed from brown red to brown yellow. The total amount of PS decreased slightly, and the ratio of PN/PS stabilized at 2.5-3.0. Planctomycetes and Proteobacteria dominated the community, and Candidatus_Kuenenia and Candidatus_Brocadia were two AMX bacteria in the sludge.

[Clinical feature changes of a COVID-19 patient from mild to critical condition and cardiopulmonary pathological results]

Objective: To analyse the clinical history, laboratory tests and pathological data of a patient who suffered from novel coronavirus pneumonia(COVID-19) and provide reference for the clinical treatment of similar cases. Methods: Data of clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, bronchoscopy, echocardiography and cardiopulmonary pathological results were retrospectively reviewed in a case of COVID-19 with rapid exacerbation from mild to critical condition. Results: This patient hospitalized at day 9 post 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection, experienced progressive deterioration from mild to severe at day 12, severe to critical at day 18 and underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) as well as heart lung transplantation during day 28-45 post infection, and died at the second day post heart and lung transplantation. The patient had suffered from hypertension for 8 years. At the early stage of the disease, his symptoms were mild and the inflammatory indices increased and the lymphocyte count decreased continuously. The patient's condition exacerbated rapidly with multi-organ infections, and eventually developed pulmonary hemorrhage and consolidation, pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, malignant ventricular arrhythmias, liver dysfunction, etc. His clinical manifestations could not be improved despite viral RNAs test results became negative. The patient underwent lung and heart transplantation and finally died of multi organ failure at the second day post lung and heart transplantation. Pathological examination indicated massive mucus, dark red secretions and blood clots in bronchus. The pathological changes were mainly diffused pulmonary hemorrhagic injuries and necrosis, fibrosis, small vessel disease with cardiac edema and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusions: The clinical course of severe COVID-19 can exacerbate rapidly from mild to critical with lung, liver and heart injuries.

Change of lipids in whelks (Neptunea arthritica cumingi Crosse and Neverita didyma) during cold storage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the change of lipids in two whelk samples during cold storage. Results showed that the peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) increased while the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acid decreased, indicating that lipid oxidation occurred. The cold storage significantly reduced the levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), polar lipid (PoL), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) but increased the levels of acid value (AV), free fatty acid (FFA) and monoacylglycerol, suggesting the hydrolysis of lipids. Moreover, the results showed that the lipoxygenase, acid lipase and phospholipase contributed to the hydrolysis and oxidation of lipids in the two whelks. Additionally, partial least squares discriminant analysis showed PC was positively correlated with PE, PoL and TAG, but negatively correlated with AV, FFA, PV and TBARS, indicating there is a close relationship between hydrolysis and oxidation of lipids.

The Role of HER2 in Self-Renewal, Invasion, and Tumorigenicity of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells

Background

Deregulation of HER2 expression could affect the biological characteristics of gastric cancer cells and treatment option for gastric cancer patients. This research aims to investigate the impact of HER2 on biological characteristics of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Methods

HER2 knockdown in GCSCs were constructed by lentivirus transfection. Alterations of proliferation, self-renewal, invasion, migration, colony formation, and tumorigenicity of GCSCs were examined. The changes of gene expressions after HER2 interference in GCSCs were detected by gene microarray. The impact of concentration of serum HER2 and expression of HER2 in tumor tissues on survival of 213 gastric cancer patients was also analyzed.

Results

Down-regulation of HER2 decreased the self-renewal, colony formation, migration, invasion, proliferation, and chemotherapy resistance of GCSCs. However, the tumorigenicity of GCSCs in vivo was increased after down-regulation of HER2. The results of gene microarray showed that HER2 gene might regulate the signal transduction of mTOR, Jak-STAT, and other signal pathways and affect the biological characteristics of GCSCs. Furthermore, survival analyses indicated that patients with high concentration of HER2 in serum had a favorable overall survival. However, there was no significant correlation between expression of HER2 in tumor tissue and overall survival.

Conclusion

Interference of HER2 in GCSCs decreased the capacity of self-renewal, proliferation, colony formation, chemotherapy resistance, invasion, and migration but might increase the tumorigenicity in vivo. Patients with high concentration of HER2 in serum seemed to have a favorable prognosis.

Effect of protein oxidation and degradation on texture deterioration of ready-to-eat shrimps during storage

The impact of protein oxidation and degradation on texture deterioration of ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimps during storage was investigated. The deterioration in texture during storage was manifested by decreased instrumental hardness, elasticity, chewiness, and recoverability. The occurrence of protein oxidation was revealed by a significant increase in the contents of free radicals and carbonyls. The increases in trichloroacetic acid-soluble peptide (TCA-soluble peptide) content and myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) were also observed, suggesting the degradation of protein. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the decreased instrumental texture parameters were negatively correlated with the increased carbonyl content, TCA-soluble peptide, MFI, porosity, and pore size as well as the decreased water-holding capacity (WHC), thus, it was hypothesized that protein oxidation and degradation were responsible for changes in the microstructure and reduction of WHC, which ultimately resulted in texture deterioration of RTE shrimps.

Probing the Partonic Degrees of Freedom in High-Multiplicity p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

We investigate the role of partonic degrees of freedom in high-multiplicity p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV carried out at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) by studying the production and collective flow of identified hadrons at intermediate p_{T} via the coalescence of soft partons from the viscous hydrodynamics (VISH2+1) and hard partons from the energy loss model, linear Boltzmann transport (LBT). We find that combining these intermediate p_{T} hadrons with the low p_{T} hadrons from the hydrodynamically expanding fluid and high p_{T} hadrons from the fragmentation of quenched jets, the resulting hydro-dynamics-coalescence-fragmentation model provides a nice description of measured p_{T} spectra and differential elliptic flow v_{2}(p_{T}) of pions, kaons, and protons over the p_{T} range from 0 to 6 GeV. We further demonstrate the necessity of including the quark coalescence contribution to reproduce the experimentally observed approximate number of constituent quark scaling of hadron v_{2} at intermediate p_{T}. Our results thus indicate the importance of partonic degrees of freedom and also hint at the possible formation of quark-gluon plasma in high-multiplicity p-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Altered white matter integrity in patients with monocular blindness: A diffusion tensor imaging and tract-based spatial statistics study

BACKGROUND

Visual deprivation can lead to abnormal and plastic changes in the brain's visual system and other systems. Although the secondary changes of gray matter in patients have been well studied, the study of white matter is rare. In fact, subtle changes in white matter may be revealed by diffusion tensor imaging, and tract-based spatial statistics can be used to analyze DTI image data.

PURPOSE

In the present study, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to investigate abnormal structural changes in the white matter (WM) of patients with monocular blindness (MB).

METHODS

We recruited 16 healthy controls (HC) (fourteen males and two females) and 16 patients (fifteen males and one female) with right-eye blindness (without differences in left-eye vision). All patients were of similar age. Data acquisition was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI. Voxel-based whole brain comparisons of fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) of WM fibers in patients and HC were performed using the TBSS method. The mean FA and RD values for altered brain regions in MB patients were analyzed via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between the average FA (RD) value of the whole brain and anxiety score, depression score, and visual function questionnaire score in MB patients.

RESULTS

In MB patients, the mean FA of the whole brain was decreased versus HC. Moreover, the FA values of the corpus callosum, the corona radiata, the posterior thalamic radiation, and the right retrolenticular part of internal capsule were significantly decreased. In addition, the average RD value of the whole brain in MB patients was higher than that observed in HC. The mean FA and RD values of brain regions were analyzed using the ROC curve, and the results showed that the area under the ROC curve was more accurate. Furthermore, the average FA and RD values of the whole brain were significantly correlated with anxiety score, depression score, and visual function-related quality of life score.

CONCLUSION

DTI and TBSS may be useful in examining abnormal spontaneous alterations in the WM of MB patients. The observed changes in FA and RD values may imply the larvaceous neurological mechanism involved in MB.

[Prognostic evaluation of P53 and BCL2 proteins in MYC/BCL2 double expression DLBCL]

Objective: To investigate the strong expression (S+) of P53 and BCL2 proteins in MYC/BCL2 double-expression DLBCL (DEL) and whether they can be used for the prognostic evaluation and stratified diagnosis of DELs. Methods: Tissue microarray were made by filed FFPE blocks of 174 DLBCL cases. The translocation of MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 genes were detected by FISH, and the proteins were detected by IHC. Data of clinicopathologic features and follow up of patients were collected and OS (overall survival) and PFS (progression free survival) were analyzed by statistics. Results: Eight double-hit lymphomas (DHLs) were identified in all cases, and 45 DELs were selected from 166 remaining cases, which have no significant difference in OS and PFS compared with non-DEL cases (P=0.668 and P=0.790) . Of 42 DEL-cases with follow up data, 24 cases with P53+ or/and BCL2 (S+) are significantly shorter OS and PFS than others (P=0.003 and P=0.000) , in which the cases with P53+/BCL2 (S+) co-expression were the worst prognosis, and P53/BCL2 co-weaker positive DEL cases even have superior OS and PFS than those non-DELs. Although statistics showed that the cases of P53+ or/and BCL2 (S+) have a lower OS and PFS in total cases (P=0.063 and P=0.024) , it is not the case when the DEL-cases take out from total cases, that is the cases with P53+ or/and BCL2 (S+) are as similar OS and PFS as others in non-DEL group (P=0.590 and P=0.550) . Conclusion: The strong expression of P53 and BCL2 proteins can be used as indicators of stratified diagnosis and poor prognosis of DEL.

Inhibitory effect of natural metal ion chelators on the autolysis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) and its mechanism

Live sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus) were stored in a solution containing oxalic acid and tea polyphenols as natural metal ion chelators. The inhibitory effects of these chelators on the autolysis phenomenon and the underlying mechanism of action were investigated for the first time by using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and confocal laser scanning microscopy. External stimuli cause autolysis through the release of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) from cells into the extracellular connective tissue, initiating activity of the matrix metalloprotease (MMP) in the sea cucumber body wall (SCBW). MMP subsequently degrades the microfibrillar networks, that support the interconnecting collagen fibres and the interfibrillar proteoglycan bridges linking the collagen fibrils, to release the water restricted within the interspaces between collagen fibres and collagen fibrils, ultimately causing mucoid degeneration of SCBW. The natural metal ion chelators significantly inhibited the activation of MMP by chelating Ca²⁺, consequently effectively preventing the autolysis of SCBW.

Magnetic C60 nanospheres based solid-phase extraction coupled with isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Chinese herbal medicines

C₆₀-based magnetic nanospheres were synthesized by coating Fe₃O₄ nanospheres with silica, then modifying with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a linker and a C₆₀ fullerene stationary phase. The morphologies, magnetic properties, infrared absorption and carbon content of magnetic nanospheres were studied by TEM, VSM, FTIR and carbon and sulfur analyzer. The magnetic nanospheres were employed for the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nine Chinese herbal medicines. The analyses were conducted by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main parameters influencing the extraction, including extraction solvent, adsorbent amount, and extraction time were optimized. Method validation showed that the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02-0.11 µg/kg, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.07-0.36 µg/kg. The spiked recoveries rates for 16 PAHs in white peony root were 84.7-107.2%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.7-8.4%. The established method was further used for the determination 16 PAHs in nine Chinese herbal medicines. Total content of 16 PAHs varied from 73.6 µg/kg (fructus lycii) to 2172.6 µg/kg (astragalus root). The results indicate that the pollution of PAHs in Chinese herbal medicines is serious. The established method can effective detect PAHs contamination in Chinese herbal medicines.

Action of endogenous proteases on texture deterioration of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) adductor muscle during cold storage and its mechanism

Texture deterioration occurs in adductor muscle of scallop (Argopecten irradians) (AMS) after 5 d of cold storage. Principal component analysis indicated the texture deterioration resulted in significant decrease of hardness, springiness, adhesiveness and chewiness, but significantly increased cohesiveness. Endogenous proteases degraded structural proteins, among which cysteine proteases were mainly responsible for myofibrillar proteins (MPs) degradation, while serine proteases degraded both MPs and connective tissue proteins. Pearson coefficient analysis showed that texture indicators significantly correlated with structural protein indicators in AMS. To be more specific, the hardness, springiness, adhesiveness and chewiness negatively correlated with myofibrillar fragmentation index, soluble hydroxyproline (Hyp) and soluble glycosaminoglycans, but positively correlated with solubility of MPs and water holding capacity. Meanwhile, the cohesiveness positively correlated with soluble Hyp. The Taylor diagram and Hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed that the inhibitors of cysteine and serine proteases could effectively retard textural deterioration of AMS during 5 d of cold storage.

Reduced gray matter volume in patients with retinal detachment: evidence from a voxel-based morphometry study

Background

We know little about the pathogenesis and diagnosis of retinal detachment.

Purpose

To assess spontaneous changes in the cerebral cortex of patients with retinal detachment using voxel-based morphometry and to explore the relationship between retinal detachment and clinical behavioral performance.

Material and Methods

Patients (14 men, 6 women; average age = 49.15 ± 10.32 years) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (duration of 24.05 ± 19.61 days) and 20 matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants underwent repeated functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. The original three-dimensional T1 brain images were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry and whole brain white matter volume and whole brain gray matter volume were compared with those of the control group. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to classify the mean gray matter volume values of the patients with retinal detachment compared with the controls.

Results

Compared with the controls, whole brain gray matter volume was significantly reduced in patients with retinal detachment, as evidenced by changes in the right inferior frontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, right anterior cingulate gyrus, and right cuneus. In addition, the posterior lobe of the cerebellum, left hippocampus, left cingulate gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus were also obviously atrophied. Furthermore, whole brain white matter volume of the patients with retinal detachment showed a slight reduction. The ROC curve analysis of each brain region showed that the accuracy of the area under the curve was high.

Conclusion

We proved that patients with retinal detachment had unusual changes in the gray matter volume and white matter volume in vision-related brain regions, which could reveal potential pathological mechanisms of retinal detachment.

A mouse model of gestation-specific transient hyperglycemia for translational studies

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is estimated at 14% globally, and in some countries, such as Singapore, exceeds 20%. Both women and children exposed to GDM have an increased risk of later metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Beyond lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical intervention using existing type 2 diabetes medications for expecting women, there are limited treatment options for women with GDM; targeting better outcomes of potentially affected infants is unexplored. Numerous animal models have been generated for understanding of pathological processes of GDM development and for development of treatment strategies. These models, however, suffer from limited windows of opportunity to examine risk factors and potential intervention options. By combining short-term high-fat diet (HFD) feeding and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) treatments before pregnancy, we have established a mouse model with marked transient gestation-specific hyperglycemia, which allows testing of nutritional and pharmacological interventions before, during and beyond pregnancy.

[Retracted: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 34 children with 2019 novel coronavirus infection in Shenzhen]

Objective: To describe the characteristics of clinical manifestations and epidemiology of children with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection. Methods: All 34 children with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR through nasopharyngeal swab specimens were admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen from January 19 to Febuary 7, 2020. Clinical data and epidemiological history of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Among the 34 cases, 14 were males, and 20 were females. The median age was 8 years and 11 months. No patients had underlying diseases. There were 28 children (82%) related with a family cluster outbreak. There were 26 children (76%) with a travel or residence history in Hubei Province. These patients could be categorized into different clinical types, including 22 (65%) common cases, 9 (26%) mild cases and 3 (8.8%) asymptomatic cases. No severe or critical cases were identified. The most common symptoms were fever (17 cases, 50%) and cough (13 cases, 38% ). In the 34 cases, the white blood cell counts of 28 cases (82%) were normal. Five cases had white blood cell counts more than 10×10(9)/L. One case had white blood cell counts less than 4×10(9)/L. Neutropenia and lymphopenia was found in one case, respectively. C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates were elevated in 1 and 5 case, respectively. Elevated procalcitonin was found in 1 case and D-Dimer in 3 cases. The levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were more than 400 U/L in 10 cases. The CT images of these patients showed bilateral multiple patchy or nodular ground-glass opacities and/or infiltrating shadows in middle and outer zone of the lung or under the pleura. Twenty patients were treated with lopinavir and ritonavir. Glucocorticoids and immunoglobulin were not used in any cases. All the cases improved and were discharged from hospital. Further following up was need. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations in children with 2019-nCoV infection are non-specific and are milder than that in adults. Chest CT scanning is heplful for early diagnosis. Children's infection is mainly caused by family cluster outbreak and imported cases. Family daily prevention is the main way to prevent 2019-nCoV infection.

[Retracted: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 34 children with 2019 novel coronavirus infection in Shenzhen]

Objective: To describe the characteristics of clinical manifestations and epidemiology of children with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection. Methods: All 34 children with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR through nasopharyngeal swab specimens were admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen from January 19 to Febuary 7, 2020. Clinical data and epidemiological history of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Among the 34 cases, 14 were males, and 20 were females. The median age was 8 years and 11 months. No patients had underlying diseases. There were 28 children (82%) related with a family cluster outbreak. There were 26 children (76%) with a travel or residence history in Hubei Province. These patients could be categorized into different clinical types, including 22 (65%) common cases, 9 (26%) mild cases and 3 (8.8%) asymptomatic cases. No severe or critical cases were identified. The most common symptoms were fever (17 cases, 50%) and cough (13 cases, 38% ). In the 34 cases, the white blood cell counts of 28 cases (82%) were normal. Five cases had white blood cell counts more than 10×10(9)/L. One case had white blood cell counts less than 4×10(9)/L. Neutropenia and lymphopenia was found in one case, respectively. C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates were elevated in 1 and 5 case, respectively. Elevated procalcitonin was found in 1 case and D-Dimer in 3 cases. The levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were more than 400 U/L in 10 cases. The CT images of these patients showed bilateral multiple patchy or nodular ground-glass opacities and/or infiltrating shadows in middle and outer zone of the lung or under the pleura. Twenty patients were treated with lopinavir and ritonavir. Glucocorticoids and immunoglobulin were not used in any cases. All the cases improved and were discharged from hospital. Further following up was need. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations in children with 2019-nCoV infection are non-specific and are milder than that in adults. Chest CT scanning is heplful for early diagnosis. Children's infection is mainly caused by family cluster outbreak and imported cases. Family daily prevention is the main way to prevent 2019-nCoV infection.

Coexistence of Reflection Asymmetric and Symmetric Shapes in ^{144}Ba

Level structures in the neutron-rich ^{144}Ba nucleus have been reinvestigated by measuring prompt γ rays in the spontaneous fission of ^{252}Cf. The previous s=+1 octupole band structure with reflection asymmetric shape has been expanded, and a side quadrupole band structure based on a 3^{+} state with reflection symmetric shape is identified. Thus, the results show the coexistence of reflection asymmetric and symmetric shapes in ^{144}Ba. This is a first identification of such a shape coexistence structure in a nuclear structure. The other structural characteristics are discussed.

Fabricating fiber probes for optical tweezers by an improved tube etching method

An improved tube etching method to fabricate high-quality fiber probes for optical tweezers by reserving a certain length of bare fiber to form a T-type composite structure was proposed and implemented. This method can overcome the impact of fiber types on the quality of probes in the conventional tube etching effectively. Based on the influence of gravity and diffusion on the motion of reactants, the analysis of formation mechanism was proposed for this method. This procedure retained the advantage of smooth surface in traditional tube etching but shortened the etching time. Our results also demonstrated that light transmittance of the probe fabricated by this method was improved by 6.8 times, resulting in a greater force in cells trapping. This work provided a way of designing and fabricating optical fiber tweezers with a high trapping efficiency.

[Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection]

Objective: To explore the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who received entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxianwan for 78 weeks. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were randomly treated with entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxian for 78 weeks. Ishak fibrosis score was used for blind interpretation of liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in liver fibrosis condition before and after the treatment was compared. Student's t test and non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-Test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the measurement data. The categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test method and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test bivariate associations. Results: Liver fibrosis improvement rate after 78 weeks of treatment was 36.53% (80/219) and the progression rate was 23.29% (51/219). The improvement of liver fibrosis was associated to the degree of baseline fibrosis and treatment methods (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of hepatic fibrosis in patients treated with anluohuaxianwan combined with entecavir at baseline F < 3 (54.74%, 52/95) was significantly higher than that in patients treated only with entecavir (33.33%, 16/48), P = 0.016 and the progression rate of hepatic fibrosis (13.68%, 13/95) was lower than that in patients treated alone (18.75%, 9/48), P = 0.466. In patients with baseline F < 3, the proportion of patients with improved and stable liver fibrosis in the combined treatment group (68.1%, 32/47) was higher than that in the treatment group alone (51.7%, 15/29). Conclusion: Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment can significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, it has the tendency to improve the stability rate and reduce the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.

The role of matrix metalloprotease (MMP) to the autolysis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)

BACKGROUND

Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is easy to autolysis in response to a variety of environmental and mechanical factors. In the current study, collagen fibres were extracted from fresh sea cucumber body wall and then incubated with endogenous matrix metalloprotease (MMP) of sea cucumber. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), chemical analysis and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis were utilized to demonstrate the changes in collagen fibres, collagen fibrils and collagen proteins. Moreover, a verification experiment was also carried out to confirm the contribution of MMP to the autolysis of sea cucumber.

RESULTS

Endogenous MMP caused complete depolymerization of collagen fibres into smaller collagen fibril bundles and collagen fibrils due to the fracture of proteoglycan interfibrillar bridges. Meanwhile, endogenous MMP also caused partial degradation of collagen fibrils by releasing soluble hydroxyproline and pyridinium cross-links. Furthermore, the treatment with MMP inhibitor (1,10-phenanthroline) prevented the autolysis of tissue blocks from S. japonicus dermis.

CONCLUSION

Endogenous MMP was the key enzyme in the autolysis of sea cucumber, while its action still focused on high-level structures of collagens especially collagen fibres. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pathogens distribution and drug resistance in patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with diabetes and nosocomial pulmonary infection

Background

This study aims to investigate the pathogen distribution and drug resistance in patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with diabetes mellitus and nosocomial pulmonary infection.

Methods

From August 2015 to December 2017, 172 pathogenic bacterial strains from patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with diabetes mellitus and nosocomial pulmonary infection in our hospital were identified, and the drug sensitivity was analyzed.

Results

Among these 172 strains of pathogenic bacteria, gram negative bacteria was the main cause of pulmonary infection in hospitalized patients with acute cerebral infarction, accounting for 75.6% of all pathogens. Furthermore, 80% of diabetic patients with cerebral infarction had lung infection induced by gram negative bacteria, which was significantly higher than that in non-diabetic patients (72.2%). Moreover, the drug resistance rate in the diabetic group (68.3%) was significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic group (54.3%). Gram positive bacteria accounted for 19.1% of all pathogenic bacteria. The infection rate of gram-positive bacteria in diabetic patients with cerebral infarction was 14.7%, which was lower than that in the non-diabetic group (22.6%). The drug-resistance rate was higher in the diabetic group (45.5%) than in the non-diabetic group (28.2%). Furthermore, the fungal infection rate in patients with lung infection in these two groups was 5.3 and 5.2%, respectively, and fungi presented with high sensitivity to commonly used antifungal agents.

Conclusion

In patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with diabetes mellitus and nosocomial pulmonary infection, the majority of pathogens are multidrug-resistant gram negative bacilli. Pathogen culture should be conducted as soon as possible before using antibiotics, and antimicrobial agents should be reasonably used according to drug sensitivity test results.

Mechanism of antioxidant action of natural phenolics on scallop (Argopecten irradians) adductor muscle during drying process

Lipid hydrolysis and oxidation occurred in Argopecten irradians adductor muscle during hot air drying. Using an in vivo imaging system, we found that antioxidants of bamboo leaves (AOB) could diffuse into the adductor muscle upon marinating. Both tea polyphenols (TP) and AOB efficiently retarded lipid oxidation but had a slight effect on lipid hydrolysis during drying process. The in situ antioxidant mechanisms of AOB as well as TP were revealed, including quenching of free radicals detected by electron spin resonance, chelating metal ions determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy and inhibiting lipoxygenase. Less than 8% of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in AOB and TP marinated adductor muscle were decreased compared to more than 28% decrease in control adductor muscle during the drying process. Overall, these natural antioxidants, TP and AOB, efficiently maintained high nutritive value of adductor muscle, especially, their lipid quality.

Associations between Sarcopenic Obesity and Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Chinese Community-Dwelling Individuals

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) and the association between cognitive impairment and SO in a cohort of elderly Chinese community-dwelling individuals.

METHODS

A total of 948 elderly Chinese community-dwelling individuals aged 60-92 years were recruited. The participants were categorized into the following four groups according to their sarcopenia and obesity status: sarcopenic obese, sarcopenic, obese and non-sarcopenic, and non-obese group. Sarcopenia was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle index of <7.0 kg/m2 in men and <5.7 kg/m2 in women; obesity was defined as values greater than the upper two quintiles for body fat percentage stratified by gender of the study population; cognitive impairment was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination and defined as a score of <24.

RESULTS

A total of 945 participants were included in the statistical analyses with a mean age of 68.76 ± 6.50 years. The prevalence of SO was 6.0% (7.3% in men and 4.8% in women). The sarcopenic obese (odds ratio [OR]: 2.550, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.196-5.435) and obese (ORs: 2.141, 95% CI, 1.230-3.728) groups had significantly increased risk for cognitive impairment in fully adjusted model, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The SO prevalence in elderly Chinese community-dwelling individuals was relatively low (6.0%). The present study suggested SO was independently associated with cognitive impairment.

The Cerebellum Posterior Lobe Associates with the Exophthalmos of Primary Hyperthyroidism: A Resting-State fMRI Study

BACKGROUND

Exophthalmos occurs in patients with primary hyperthyroidism. There were few studies about the changes of brain functional networks of patients with exophthalmos of primary hyperthyroidism (EOPH). However, differences in spontaneous brain activity in patients with EOPH remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored alterations in the brain functional networks of patients with EOPH using a voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) method.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with EOPH (8 men and 12 women) were enrolled. In addition, 20 patients with primary hyperthyroidism without exophthalmos, matched in age, sex, and education status, were enrolled as a control group. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the anxiety and depression status of participants. All participants were examined using resting-state functional MRI. Changes in spontaneous brain activity were investigated using the DC method. To distinguish between the DC values of the patients with EOPH and those of the control group, we analyzed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The interrelationships between the DC values and clinical variables in the patients with EOPH were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Patients with EOPH exhibited notably lower DC values in the cerebellum posterior lobe than the control group. In addition, there were negative correlations between the anxiety scores (AS) and the depression scores (DS) and DC values of the cerebellum posterior lobe. The ROC curve analysis of the cerebellum posterior lobe demonstrated that the area under the curve method had a high diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study was the first, to our knowledge, to explore changes in the brains of patients with EOPH using the DC method. The DC value was significantly different in the cerebellum posterior lobe in patients with EOPH, indicating that the cerebellum posterior lobe is associated with EOPH.

[An exploration on the factors of Jiao Xun's compilation and edit of Wu shi ben cao (Wu's Materia Medica)]

Wu shi ben cao (Wu's Materia Medica) written by Wu Pu was long lost. Jiao Xun of the Qing Dynasty was the first to compile and edit this book. The background of Jiao's work included: ① the necessary for revising Mao shi niao shou cao mu chong yu shi (Annotation to the Bird, Beast, Grass, Wood, Insect and Fish in Mao's Book of Songs); ② fond of medicine; ③ the feeling of retaining hometown documents; ④ the influence of the traditional style of compilation and edit; whereas Jiao's intrinsic characteristics included: ① a wealth of books and convenient borrowing environment; ② the habit of reading and transcription; ③ the thought of pu xue (the School of ancient textual criticism), that is "using the Confucian's method to study medical classics" ; ④ the methods of studying classics based on the classical texts; ⑤ high literate level of compilation of losing texts of classics. The original texts of Wu shi ben cao was thus resumed preliminarily by Jiao Xun's work.

[Study on the effects of total flavonoids from litchi nucleus on nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B and related protein expression in rat hepatic stellate cell]

Objective: The effect of total flavonoids of litchi (TFL) on nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- kappa B) in rat hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-T6) induced by transforming growth factor - beta 1 (TGF- beta 1) in vitro was studied to explore the mechanism of action of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. Methods: HSC-T6 was cultured in vitro, induced by TGFβ1 for 24 h, and then treated with TFL at 125, 250 and 500 μg/ml for 48 h. The effect of TFL on NF-κB nuclear translocation in HSC-T6 was observed by confocal laser microscopy. The effects of TFL on the expression of TLR4, p-IκB ɑ, p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB and Collagen I protein were detected by western blot. The expressions of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 were detected by immunofluorescence. Data were presented as mean±SEM. Homogeneity test of variance was performed and then followed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The multiple comparisons between groups were performed by LSD test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed TFL inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in activated HSC-T6 in a concentration-dependent manner and TFL down regulated the protein expression levels of TLR4, p-IκB ɑ, p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB and collagen I protein in HSC-T6 in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: The mechanism of TFL against hepatic fibrosis may be related to the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κb in the activated HSC-T6 and the expression of TLR4, P-iκbɑ, P-nf-κb p65, NF-κb and collagen I protein in HSC-T6.

[Effect of S1PR2 inhibition on epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo]

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of S1PR2 inhibition on epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Methods: (1) A pair of S1PR2 gene small interference RNA (siRNA) , namely si-S1PR2, and a pair of negative control siRNA were designed. Western blot methods were used to detect the silence efficiency of the S1PR2 in the si-S1PR2 group, blank control group and negative control group. (2) Study in vitro: the experiment included three groups, namely si-S1PR2 group, blank control group and negative control group. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation inhibition rates of the transfected cells. The cell cycles of the transfected cells were measured by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the levels of phosph-extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) of the transfected cells. (3) Study in vivo:to establish intraperitoneal transplantation models, 8 mice in each group were intraperitoneally injected with 5×10(6) SKOV3 cells. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or JTE-013 were administered into mice twice per week starting on day 7 after the injection of the cancer cells. Twenty-eight days after nude mice intraperitoneal injection with JTE-013 or PBS, the mice were sacrificed and the number and the weight of visible tumors were calculated. Results: (1) The results of western blot showed that the relative S1PR2 protein expression levels were 0.24±0.04 in the si-S1PR2 group, which was lower than that in the blank control group (1.10±0.14, P<0.01) and negative control group (1.07±0.13, P<0.01) . (2) The results of CCK-8 assay indicated that after transfected for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the proliferation inhibition rate of si-S1PR2 group were respectively (26.6±3.3) %, (35.0±3.4) %, and (34.0±2.8) %, significantly lower than those in the blank control group (all 0; all P<0.01) and negative control group [ (1.7±0.9) %, (2.5±0.5) %,and (2.4±1.1) % respectively; all P<0.01]. The results of flow cytometry showed that the G(0)/G(1) ratio in the si-S1PR2 group [ (70.9±2.8) %] was significantly higher than those in the blank control group [ (61.7±2.4) %, P<0.01] and negative control group [ (62.1±3.3) %, P<0.01]. Western blot showed that the relative expression level of p-ERK1/2 in si-S1PR2 group (0.11±0.03) was significantly lower than those in the blank control group [ (0.62±0.09) , P<0.01] and negative control group [ (0.68±0.09) , P<0.01]. (3)Twenty-eight days after nude mice intraperitoneal injection with JTE-013 or PBS, the tumor number of the control group and JTE-013 group were respectively 15.4±4.3 and 8.2±3.7, the tumor weight were (0.45±0.12) and (0.21±0.07) g, respectively. The tumor number and weight in the JTE-013 group were significantly less than those in the control group (all P<0.01) . Conclusions: The growth of ovarian cancer cells could be decreased by S1PR2 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. One of the mechanisms of the growth inhibitory effect is probably that S1PR2 inhibition lower the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, which prevent the transformation of ovarian cancer cells from phase G(1) to S.

[Diagnostic imaging of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors and treatment with transarterial chemoembolization: analysis of 6 cases]

Objective: To investigate the imaging diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: The clinical features, imaging manifestations, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings and interventional therapy of 6 patients identified with pathologically confirmed primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors were retrospectively analyzed, and the related literatures were reviewed. Results: All 6 patients presented with symptoms of abdominal pain. 4 patients had solitary hepatic mass and 2 patients had multiple hepatic masses. Magnetic resonance imaging showed low signal intensity on T1 weighted imaging, high signal intensity on T2 weighted imaging and clear boundary; the arterial phase of enhancement scan was uneven and enhanced, and portal venous phase or delayed phase showed continuous enhancement, surrounded by ring enhanced capsule. A pathological diagnosis was primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver. After interventional treatment, 6 patients had some therapeutic effects. Among them, 4 patients underwent multiple interventional therapies, followed by 4 years of follow-up has shown satisfactory results. Conclusion: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors are very rare and their imaging manifestations are specific. Eventually, relies on pathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis. Transarterial chemoembolization therapy can bring satisfactory results in the treatment of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor.

XRCC2-Deficient Cells are Highly Sensitive to 5-Fluorouracil in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Inhibition of the repair of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced DNA lesions may improve the responses of tumors to anticancer agents. XRCC2 is a key factor in DNA repair. However, the role of XRCC2 in the chemoresistance of colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with 5-FU remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether XRCC2 expression affects the chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

XRCC2 expression in CRC tissues was assessed, and the outcomes were analyzed to determine the clinical importance of XRCC2 expression. Following treatment with 5-FU, the effect of XRCC2 on proliferation was evaluated via a CCK-8 assay, the effects on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry, and γH2AX foci formation assays were performed to examine the influence of 5-FU on DNA Double-strand breaks(DSBs) repair in CRC cells.

RESULTS

XRCC2 expression in CRC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues, and this increased XRCC2 expression was associated with advanced T staging, M staging, TNM staging, Duke's staging, and greater liver and lymph node metastases. XRCC2 expression might be an independent prognostic indicator for CRC patients. Patients with negative XRCC2 expression exhibit greater sensitivity to treatment with 5-FU-based chemotherapy than those with positive XRCC2 expression. Moreover, our observations revealed that the knockdown of XRCC2 in CRC cells increased the sensitivities to 5-FU in terms of cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. DNA DSBs repair was slower in the XRCC2-deficient cells than in the XRCC2-wild type cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that XRCC2 might play an important role in CRC and function as a novel prognostic indicator and that the down-regulation of XRCC2 may be useful for sensitizing CRC cells during 5-FU chemotherapy.

SKAP2 regulates Arp2/3 complex for actin-mediated asymmetric cytokinesis by interacting with WAVE2 in mouse oocytes

SKAP2 (Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2), a substrate of Src family kinases, has been suggested to be involved in actin-mediated cellular processes. However, little is known about its role in mouse oocyte maturation. In this study, we thus investigated the expression, localization, and functions of SKAP2 during mouse oocyte asymmetric division. SKAP2 protein expression was detected at all developmental stages in mouse oocytes. Immunofluorescent staining showed that SKAP2 was mainly distributed at the cortex of the oocytes during maturation. Treatment with cytochalasin B in oocytes confirmed that SKAP2 was co-localized with actin. Depletion of SKAP2 by injection with specific short interfering RNA caused failure of spindle migration, polar body extrusion, and cytokinesis defects. Meanwhile, the staining of actin filaments at the oocyte membrane and in the cytoplasm was significantly reduced after these treatments. SKAP2 depletion also disrupted actin cap and cortical granule-free domain formation, and arrested a large proportion of oocytes at the telophase stage. Moreover, Arp2/3 complex and WAVE2 expression was decreased after the depletion of SKAP2 activity. Our results indicate that SKAP2 regulates the Arp2/3 complex and is essential for actin-mediated asymmetric cytokinesis by interacting with WAVE2 in mouse oocytes.

Fabrication and application of a non-contact double-tapered optical fiber tweezers

A double-tapered optical fiber tweezers (DOFTs) was fabricated by a chemical etching called interfacial layer etching. In this method, the second taper angle (STA) of DOFTs can be controlled easily by the interfacial layer etching time. Application of the DOFTs to the optical trapping of the yeast cells was presented. Effects of the STA on the axile trapping efficiency and the trapping position were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experimental results are good agreement with the theoretical ones. The results demonstrated that the non-contact capture can be realized for the large STA (e.g. 90 deg) and there was an optimal axile trapping efficiency as the STA increasing. In order to obtain a more accurate measurement result of the trapping force, a correction factor to Stokes drag coefficient was introduced. This work provided a way of designing and fabricating an optical fiber tweezers (OFTs) with a high trapping efficient or a non-contact capture.

[Application of State Space model in the evaluation of the prevention and control for mumps]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in 2012 and 2014, and to explore the preventive effect of the second dose of mumps-containing vaccine (MuCV) in mumps in Shandong province. Methods: On the basis of certain model assumptions, a Space State model was formulated. Iterated Filter was applied to the epidemic model to estimate the parameters. Results: The basic reproduction number (R(0)) for children in schools was 4.49 (95%CI: 4.30-4.67) and 2.50 (95%CI: 2.38-2.61) respectively for the year of 2012 and 2014. Conclusions: Space State model seems suitable for mumps prevalence description. The policy of 2-dose MuCV can effectively reduce the number of total patients. Children in schools are the key to reduce the mumps.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes the development of liver fibrosis and hepatoma through downregulation of miR-30e targeting P4HA2 mRNA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver necrosis takes great part in liver cirrhosis progression. However, less is known about whether hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) has effect on liver fibrosis. Here, we report that HBV leads to liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis through miR-30e targeting P4HA2. HBV transgenic mouse was treated by CCl₄ to generate a model of liver fibrosis. A crucial enzyme catalyzing collagen formation, prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit α2 (P4HA2) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blotting or quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The function of HBV-modulated P4HA2 in hepatoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo was analyzed by EdU, MTT, colony-forming assay and animal transplantation assay. HBV transgenic mice exhibited more collagen deposition in liver after intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄. P4HA2 was dramatically augmented in liver samples of HBV transgenic mice, clinical liver cirrhosis and liver cancer patients. Mechanistically, HBx was capable of inducing P4HA2 through suppressing miR-30e, in which miR-30e could target P4HA2 mRNA 3' untranslated region in liver cancer cells. HBx inhibited the miR-30e expression through increasing methylation of CpG islands in its promoter mediated by EZH2-formed complexes. Functionally, HBx-elevated P4HA2 enhanced the collagen deposition in the liver in vivo and in vitro, leading to liver fibrosis and liver cancer progression. In conclusion, HBx promotes the development of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-30e targeting P4HA2 mRNA. We provide novel perspective on how HBx induces liver fibrosis.

MeCP2, a target of miR-638, facilitates gastric cancer cell proliferation through activation of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway by upregulating GIT1

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of multiple types of cancer. However, its precise role in gastric cancer (GC) and the relevant molecular mechanism remain unknown. In the present study, we found that miR-638 levels were lower in GC tissues and GC cell lines than in adjacent normal tissues and normal gastric epithelial cell lines, respectively. Low miR-638 levels were associated with poor tumor differentiation, tumor size and lymph node metastasis. MeCP2 expression levels were higher in GC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. It was found that miR-638 inhibited GC cell proliferation, colony formation, G1–S transition and tumor growth, and induced cell apoptosis by directly targeting MeCP2. MeCP2 promoted GC cell proliferation, colony formation and G1–S cell-cycle transition, and suppressed apoptosis. Molecular mechanistic investigations were performed using an integrated approach with a combination of microarray analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and a reporter gene assay. The results showed that MeCP2 bound to the methylated CpG islands of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) promoter and upregulated its expression, thereby activating the MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling pathway and promoting GC cell proliferation. Taken together, our study demonstrates that MeCP2, a target of miR-638, facilitates GC cell proliferation and induces cell-cycle progression through activation of the MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling pathway by upregulating GIT1. The findings suggest that MeCP2 plays a significant role in GC progression, and may serve as a potential target for GC therapy.

[Survival analysis of 104 cases of osteosarcoma with lung metastases]

Objective: To investigate the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients with lung metastases and its correlated factors. Methods: The clinical data of 104 osteosarcoma patients with lung metastasis from April 2007 to September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Log rank test. Multivariate Cox regression was applied to analyze independent prognostic factor for patient survival. Results: The one-year, two-year and five-year survival rates of the 104 osteosarcoma patients with lung pulmonary metastasis were 93.3%, 61.5% and 11.5%, respectively, and the median survival time was 33 months. The univariate analysis revealed that number of lung metastases, objective response of first-line chemotherapy and therapeutic methods for lung metastases were significant prognostic factors for patient survival, whereas gender, age, time to lung metastasis and time to other metastasis were not (P>0.05). The multivariate analysis indicated that number of lung metastases, objective response of first-line chemotherapy and therapeutic methods for lung metastases were independent significant prognostic factors for patient survival. Conclusions: The prognosis of osteosarcoma patients with advanced lung metastases and active treatment is better. Surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy could effectively prolong survival time for osteosarcoma patients with pulmonary metastasis.

[Effect of vanadium exposure on neurobehavioral function in workers]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the comprehensive indicators for neurobehavioral function test, and to investigate the possible adverse effect of long-time vanadium exposure on neurobehavioral function and its features in workers.

METHODS

From July to November, 2012, The Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB) recommended by WHO was used to conduct tests for 128 workers in vanadium exposure group and 128 workers in control group. The t-test and analysis of covariance were used to compare the differences in each indicator in NCTB between different populations, and the principal component analysis was used to establish the comprehensive neurobehavioral index(NBI) and investigate the effect of vanadium on workers' neurobehavioral function.

RESULTS

The vanadium exposure group had significantly lower visual retention score(6.9±1.9), digit span(order) score(8.9±2.9), lifting and turning dexterity(the non-handed hand) score (14.1±3.6), pursuit aiming test(the number of correct dots) score(65.7±24.8), and digit symbol score (31.1±15.0) than the control group (8.2±1.3, 9.4±2.7, 15.5±3.0, 76.5±23.8, and 33.7±9.5)(all P<0.05). The vanadium exposure group also had a significantly lower NBI than the control group(-0.167±0.602 vs 0.168±0.564, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Long-term vanadium exposure can influence the workers' neurobehavioral function, with the manifestations of decreased hearing and visual memory, movement velocity, accuracy, and coordination.

Effects of long-term intake of Antarctic krill oils on artery blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in research on krill oil (KO) for its health benefits. However, the action of KO in lowering blood pressure (BP) has not been studied yet. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the ability of long-term KO supplementation to lower systolic BP (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

RESULTS

Compared with the blank control (BC) SHRs administered edible soybean oil, the high-dose (500 mg kg^-1 body weight (BW)) KO-supplemented SHRs in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks following oral administration, the mid-dose (100 mg kg^-1 BW) KO-supplemented SHRs in the 4th and 5th weeks following oral administration and the low-dose (20 mg kg^-1 BW) KO-supplemented SHRs in the 5th week following oral administration showed significantly lower SBP (P < 0.05). However, supplementation of KO had no significant effect on the SBP of healthy SD rats. Meanwhile, 5 weeks of KO administration significantly increased the serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and total NO synthase of SHRs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

KO has an antihypertensive effect in SHRs that is associated with an NO-related mechanism. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of Ewing-like BCOR-CCNB3 undifferentiated sarcoma]

Objective: To investigate the morphologic, immunohistochemical, genetic, clinical features and prognosis of Ewing-like BCOR-CCNB3 gene fusion undifferentiated sarcoma (BCOR-CCNB3 fusion sarcoma). Method: Seventeen Ewing-like sarcoma cases were screened for CCNB3 expression and BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcripts by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR among 260 cases of Ewing-like sarcomas collected during Jan, 2006 to Dec, 2015. Three cases of BCOR-CCNB3 fusion sarcoma were found among 17 atypical Ewing sarcomas, and follow-up were conducted. Results: The harboring of BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcript was confirmed by RT-PCR and directly sequencing results. The three patients aged between 8 and 11 years old. Two of them were male and the other one was female. One patient achieved a complete response after chemotherapy, the other two died without chemotherapy after surgical excision in 12 months. Tumor cells in all 3 cases showed diffuse nuclear CCNB3, TLE1 and cyclin D1 positivity, while CCNB3 (0/12), TLE1 (1/12) and cyclin D1 (4/12) positivity was infrequent in the 12 cases of classical Ewing's sarcoma. The oval or plump spindle tumor cells with fine chromatin arranged in solid pattern, the nucleoli was inconspicuous. The delicate capillary networks were obvious in the tumor. Conclusion: With a detailed description of the histological spectrum, immunohistochemical features and clinical characteristic of BCOR-CCNB3 sarcoma, justify distinction from Ewing sarcoma could be possible.

[Association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs6983267 with ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of rs6983267 polymorphism with risk of sporadic colorectal cancer; to compare the distribution of rs6983267 polymorphism between ulcerative colitis and general population.

METHODS

186 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, 129 patients with ulcerative colitis and 189 healthy donors were recruited in the case-control study. Peripheral venous blood was obtained, and genomic DNA was extracted. All samples were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared and adjusted for age and gender using unconditional Logistic regression.

RESULTS

The allelic frequency of G and the genotypic frequencies of GG and GT were predominant in colorectal cancer group compared with control group, which were statistically significant after adjustment for age and gender (P<0.001). The allelic frequency of G and the genotypic frequencies of GG and GT were predominant in ulcerative colitis group compared with control group, which were statistically significant as well (P=0.041, P=0.006 and P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

rs6983267 polymorphism was associated with risk of sporadic colorectal cancer. The distribution of rs6983267 may be different between ulcerative colitis and general population, and the frequency of risk allele G may be higher in ulcerative colitis patients compared with general population.

[Factors associated with quitting intention among male daily smokers in rural areas]

Objective: To study the intention on quitting smoking and related factors, so as to provide evidence on related important determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 villages in Shandong, China. A total of 1 287 male daily smokers were interviewed, face-to-face. Multiple logistic regression method was used to assess the factors associated with quitting intention among male daily smokers. Dominance analysis was used to assess the relative contribution of determinants on quitting intention which were identified in the multiple logistic regression model. Results: Among 1 287 male daily smokers, 24.7% expressed quitting intention within the next 6 months. Four determinants for quitting intention were identified in the multiple logistic regression model, including previous experience of quitting attempt (OR=1.691, 95% CI:1.458-1.962), lower level of smoking intensity (OR=0.751, 95%CI: 0.639-0.884), extensive knowledge on specific health effects of smoking (OR=1.038, 95% CI: 1.001-1.077) and presence of chronic disease (OR=1.765, 95% CI: 1.013-3.075). Results from the dominance analysis showed that 'previous quitting attempt experience' was the most important determinant regarding quitting intention, followed by low smoking intensity, knowledge of the specific health effects of smoking, and the presence of chronic disease. Conclusion: The rate of quitting intention on cigarette smoking among rural male smokers remained low. Quitting intention was associated with previous quit attempt experience.

Synergism between RIZ1 gene therapy and paclitaxel in SiHa cervical cancer cells

RIZ1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of RIZ1 gene therapy on the growth of SiHa cervical cancer cells and its synergism with paclitaxel. The expression levels of RIZ1 were examined by real-time PCR and western blotting before and after transfection of RIZ1. The effects of paclitaxel or pcDNA3.1(+)-RIZ1 alone or in combination, on the proliferation of SiHa cells were evaluated by MTT method. The inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SiHa cells was more significant in the pcDNA3.1(+)-RIZ1 combined with paclitaxel group than in the pcDNA3.1(+)-RIZ1 or paclitaxel groups (P<0.05). The expression level of RIZ1 in SiHa cells increased after treatment with paclitaxel, which indicated a synergism between them. RIZ1 gene therapy combined with paclitaxel showed stronger cell inhibition than paclitaxel alone, which indicated a synergism between them.

Anti-neuroinflammation activity of acetylpuerarin mediated by a PKC-δ-dependent caspase signaling pathway: in vivo and in vitro studies

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to evaluate the regulating effects of acetylpuerarin on inflammation in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model and an inflammatory cell model.

METHODS

Healthy female Wistar rats and mouse BV2 microglia cells were selected. AD rat models were established with the method of bilateral intrahippocampal amyloid-β(Aβ)1-42 injections and the inflammatory cell models were established using Aβ25-35-induced mouse BV2 microglia cells. The cytotoxicity of acetylpuerarin on BV2 microglial cells was detected by MTT assay and the morphological changes of BV2 microglia cells were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. As inflammatory parameters, the expressions of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α were examined by Elisa, Immunohistochemistry, Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot and Immunofluorescence analyses. We also examined the acetylpuerarin's effect on the activity of PKC-δ, IKKβ and caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway.

RESULTS

Acetylpuerarin exerted no significant cytotoxicity on BV2 microglia cells and was applied in all subsequent experiments. Acetylpuerarin treatment mitigated Aβ25-35-induced morphological changes associated with microglia activation. Moreover, the expressions of caspase-8, cleaved caspase-3, PKC-δ, IKKβ, iNOS, IL-1β and TNF-α in Aβ25-35-stimulated BV2 microglia cells were significantly suppressed by acetylpuerarin and in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the expression of IL-1β in hippocampus and the level of IL-6 in serum of Aβ1-42 treated rat were reduced by acetylpuerarin and in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that acetylpuerarin's anti-inflammation mechanism on AD may be mediated through the PKC-δ-dependent caspase signalling pathway.