Chronic pain exacerbates memory impairment and pathology of Aβ and tau by upregulating IL-1β and p-65 signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is linked to cognitive impairment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we examined these mechanisms in a well-established mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

Neuropathic pain was modeled in 5-month-old transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve on the left side, and chronic inflammatory pain was modeled in another group of APP/PS1 mice by injecting them with complete Freund's adjuvant on the plantar surface of the left hind paw. Six weeks after molding, the animals were tested to assess pain threshold (von Frey filament), learning, memory (novel object recognition, Morris water maze, Y-maze, and passive avoidance), and depression-like symptoms (sucrose preference, tail suspension, and forced swimming). After behavioral testing, mice were sacrificed and the levels of p65, amyloid-β (residues 1-42) and phospho-tau in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were assayed using western blotting, while interleukin (IL)-1β levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Animals subjected to either type of chronic pain showed lower pain thresholds, more severe deficits in learning and memory, and stronger depression-like symptoms than the corresponding control animals. Either type of chronic pain was associated with upregulation of p65, amyloid-β (1-42), and IL-1β in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, as well as higher levels of phosphorylated tau.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic pain may exacerbate cognitive deficits and depression-like symptoms in APP/PS1 mice by worsening pathology related to amyloid-β and tau and by upregulating signaling involving IL-1β and p65.

Addition of venetoclax to myeloablative conditioning regimens for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in high-risk AML

BACKGROUND

Venetoclax monotherapy is an effective option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Venetoclax has also been used in non-myeloablative conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for high-risk AML with a tolerable toxicity profile. However, the efficacy and safety of a venetoclax-containing myeloablative conditioning (MAC) allo-HSCT regimen for high-risk AML have not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a MAC regimen containing venetoclax for high-risk AML.

STUDY DESIGN

From 25 February 2021 to 4 September 2022, a total of 31 patients with high-risk AML who underwent allo-HSCT and a MAC regimen with venetoclax were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the time of transplantation, 21 patients were in first complete remission (CR1), 4 were in a second complete remission (CR2), and 6 in non-remission (NR). Twenty-four patients (77.4%) were minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive before transplant. The FLT3-ITD gene mutation was present in 51.6% of patients. NUP98 rearrangement, MLL rearrangement or MLL-PTD and DEK::CAN fusion genes were found in 5 (16.1%), 7(22.6%) and 2 (6.5%) patients, respectively. Twenty-nine (93.6%) patients underwent haploidentical allo-HSCT. The median follow-up time was 278 days (range: 52-632 days). The 100-day cumulative incidence of grade 3 to 4 acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 16.1% (95%CI, 7.2-36.0%). The 180-day cumulative incidence of moderate to severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was 7.1% (95%CI, 1.9-26.9%). Cumulative incidence of 100-day cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia and 100-day Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viraemia was 61.6% (95%CI, 46.5-81.4%) and 3.2% (95%CI, 0.4-22.2%), respectively. The 600-day overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) were 80.9% (95%CI, 63.5-93.6%) and 81.3% (95%CI, 64.2-93.7%), respectively. The 600-day relapse incidence (RI) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 6.9% (95%CI, 1.8-26.3%) and 11.7% (95%CI, 3.9-35.0%).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the addition of venetoclax to a MAC allo-HSCT was feasible, safe and effective for high-risk AML patients.

Imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter pathways leading to depression-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction in the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer disease

Depression is among the most frequent psychiatric comorbid conditions in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, pharmacotherapy for depressive disorders in AD is still a big challenge, and the data on the efffcacy of current antidepressants used clinically for depressive symptoms in patients with AD remain inconclusive. Here we investigated the mechanism of the interactions between depression and AD, which we believe would aid in the development of pharmacological therapeutics for the comorbidity of depression and AD. Female APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic (3×Tg-AD) mice at 24 months of age and age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used. The shuttle-box passive avoidance test (PAT) were implemented to assess the abilities of learning and memory, and the open field test (OFT) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used to assess depression-like behavior. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect the level of neurotransmitters related to depression in the hippocampus of mice. The data was identified by orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Most neurotransmitters exert their effects by binding to the corresponding receptor, so the expression of relative receptors in the hippocampus of mice was detected using Western blot. Compared to WT mice, 3×Tg-AD mice displayed significant cognitive impairment in the PAT and depression-like behavior in the OFT and TST. They also showed significant decreases in the levels of L-tyrosine, norepinephrine, vanillylmandelic acid, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and acetylcholine, in contrast to significant increases in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, L-histidine, L-glutamine, and L-arginine in the hippocampus. Moreover, the expression of the alpha 1a adrenergic receptor (ADRA1A), serotonin 1 A receptor (5HT1A), and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor subunit alpha-2 (GABRA2) was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD mice, while histamine H3 receptor (H3R) expression was significantly upregulated. In addition, the ratio of phosphorylated cAMP-response element-binding protein (pCREB) and CREB was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD mice than WT mice. We demonstrated in the present study that aged female 3×Tg-AD mice showed depression-like behavior accompanied with cognitive dysfunction. The complex and diverse mechanism appears not only relevant to the imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter pathways, including the transmitters and receptors of the monoaminergic, GABAergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic systems, but also related to the changes in L-arginine and CREB signaling molecules.

[Effects of microRNA-106b on migration and invasion of human malignant pleural mesothelioma cell NCI-H2452]

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of microRNA-106b in the process of migration and invasion of human malignant pleural mesothelioma cell NCI-H2452. Methods: In April 2017, the expression level of miRNA-106b in malignant pleural mesothelioma cells (NCI-H2452, MSTO-211H, NCI-H2052) and normal mesothelial cells MeT-5A was detected and analyzed. Using NCI-H2452 cells as a model, the NCI-H2452 cell model with miRNA-106b overexpression was established by transfecting miRNA-106b mimics. The expression level of miRNA-106b in the cells was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The effect of miRNA-106b on the migration and invasion ability of NCI-H2452 cells was analyzed. The gene expression data of malignant mesothelioma and the downstream target gene data of miRNA-106b in public databases were analyzed to screen the downstream target genes of miRNA-106b in mesothelioma cells that affect cell migration and invasion ability, and to verify the expression of this gene in NCI-H2452 cells with miRNA-106b overexpression. Results: The expression of miRNA-106b in three MPM cells was decreased compared with MeT-5A cells (P<0.001) . The expression level of miRNA-106b was significantly increased after transfection of miRNA-106b mimics (P<0.001) . The scratch migration levels of the experimental group were 28.45%±4.37%, 38.12%±4.82% and 50.06%±8.92% at 24h, 31h and 48h, respectively. Compared with the control group, the migration level decreased by 37.48%±2.65%, 49.21%±3.45% and 68.14%±3.81% (P<0.01) . The number of cell migration and invasion decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.001) . Public databases were used to screen and analyze the possibility that TCF21 gene, as a downstream target gene, could affect the migration and invasion ability of MPM cells. The expression level of TCF21 gene was increased after transfection of miRNA-106b mimics in NCI-H2452 cells (P=0.009) . Conclusion: MiRNA-106b can inhibit the migration and invasion of NCI-H2452 cells and increase the expression of TCF21 gene.

Lipidomics reveals the lipid metabolism disorders in Fructus Psoraleae-induced hepatotoxicity in rats with kidney-yin deficiency syndrome

Fructus Psoraleae (FP), one of the important traditional Chinese medicines, is widely used in clinic and has been reported to be hepatotoxic. However, there is no report on the mechanism of FP-induced hepatotoxicity based on the theory of You Gu Wu Yun. In this study, plasma samples of rats with different kidney deficiency syndromes were investigated using a lipidomics approach based on UPLC/Q-TOF-MS technique. Firstly, multivariate statistical analysis, VIP value test, statistical test and other methods were used to find the lipid metabolites in the two syndrome model groups that were different from the normal group. The screening of differential lipid metabolites revealed that there were 12 biomarkers between the blank group and the kidney-yang deficiency model group as well as 16 differential metabolites between the kidney-yin deficiency model group, and finally a total of 17 relevant endogenous metabolites were identified, which could be used as differential lipid metabolites to distinguish between kidney-yin deficiency and kidney-yang deficiency evidence. Secondly, the relative content changes of metabolites in rats after administration of FP decoction were further compared to find the substances associated with toxicity after administration, and the diagnostic ability of the identified biomarkers was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results a total of 14 potential differential lipid metabolites, including LysoPC(20:0/0:0) and LysoPC(16:0/0:0), which may be related to hepatotoxicity in rats with kidney-yin deficiency syndrome were further screened, namely, the potential active lipid metabolites related to hepatotoxicity in rats induced by FP. Finally, cluster analysis, MetPA analysis and KEGG database were used to analyze metabolic pathways. It was discovered that the metabolism of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid may be strongly related to the mechanism of hepatotoxicity brought on by FP. Overall, we described the lipidomics changes in rats treated with FP decoction and screened out 14 lipid metabolites related to hepatotoxicity in rats with kidney-yin deficiency, which served as a foundation for the theory of "syndrome differentiation and treatment" in traditional Chinese medicine and a guide for further investigation into the subsequent mechanism.

[Classification and Identification of Non-point Source Nitrogen Pollution in Surface Flow of the Shangwu River Watershed in the Qiandao Lake Region]

Accurate quantification of non-point source pollution is an important step for non-point source pollution control and management at the watershed scale. Considering the non-point source pollution from baseflow, an improved export coefficient model (IECM) on a weekly scale was established based on the traditional export coefficient model (ECM), which was then used to estimate the surface flow non-point source total nitrogen (TN) loads contributed by different land use types of the Shangwu River watershed in the Qiandao Lake Region. The results showed that IECM performed well for the predictions of TN loads in the studied watershed, with the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) and R²values of 0.82 and 0.77 (P<0.01) for the calibration period and 0.87 and 0.84 (P<0.01) for the validation period, respectively. The IECM estimated TN exports through surface flow and baseflow were 5.74 kg·(hm²·a)^-1and 9.85 kg·(hm²·a)^-1 from the Shangwu River watershed in the period of Nov. 2020 to Oct. 2021, which accounted for 36.80% and 63.20% of the corresponding streamflow TN load, respectively. Without consideration of the baseflow non-point source TN pollution, the ECM-estimated surface flow TN loading was 54.21% higher than that estimated by IECM. Obviously, attributing baseflow non-point source pollution to surface flow directly would lead to a serious load overestimation of surface flow. According to IECM, the estimated TN export intensity through surface flow from paddy fields, grasslands, woodlands, rainfed croplands, and residential lands was 10.95, 5.42, 5.20, 12.34, and 2.77 kg·(hm²·a)^-1, respectively, which accounted for 5.80%, 4.00%, 26.55%, 0.38%, and 0.03% of the corresponding total streamflow TN loads. Therefore, the future management of non-point source nitrogen pollution in the studied watershed should focus mainly on the prevention and management of groundwater non-point source pollution and control of load export from surface flow on cultivated land (paddy fields and rainfed croplands).

[Incremental value of epicardial fat volume on predicting obstructive coronary artery disease with myocardial ischemia]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial ischemia, and evaluate the incremental value of EFV on top of traditional risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and single photon emission computerized tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2018 to November 2019 were consecutively enrolled. EFV and CAC were measured by non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Obstructive CAD was defined as coronary artery stenosis≥50% in at least one of the major epicardial coronary arteries, and myocardial ischemia was defined as reversible perfusion defects in stress and rest MPI. Obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia was defined in patients with coronary stenosis severity≥50% and reversible perfusion defects in the corresponding areas of SPECT-MPI. Patients with myocardial ischemia bot without obstructive CAD were defined as none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. We collected and compared the general clinical data, CAC and EFV between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between EFV and obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. ROC curves were performed to determine whether addition of EFV improved predictive value beyond traditional risk factors and CAC for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Results: Among the 164 patients with suspected CAD, 111 patients were males, and average age was (61.4±9.9) years old. 62 (37.8%) patients were included into the obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. 102 (62.2%) patients were included into the none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. EFV was significantly higher in obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group than in none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group ((135.63±33.29)cm³ and (105.18±31.16)cm³, P<0.01). Univariate regression analysis showed the risk of obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia increased by 1.96 times for each SD increase in EFV(OR 2.96; 95%CI, 1.89-4.62; P<0.01). After adjustment for traditional risk factors and CAC, EFV remained as an independent predictor for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia (OR, 4.48, 95%CI, 2.17-9.23; P<0.01). Addition of EFV to CAC and traditional risk factors was related to larger AUC for predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia (0.90 vs. 0.85, P=0.04, 95%CI: 0.85-0.95) and the global chi-square increased by 21.81 (P<0.05). Conclusions: EFV is an independent predictor for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Addition of EFV to traditional risk factors and CAC has incremental value for predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia in this patient cohort.

Application of WeChat Public Account for Lifestyle Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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[The clinical characteristics of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea with hyperandrogenism]

Objective: To explore the clinical and biochemical discriminants of hyperandrogenism in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Methods: From January to September 2022, a total of 56 patients with FHA group in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University outpatient clinic were included in this retrospective cross-sectional analysis. According to the clinical or biochemical features of hyperandrogenism, FHA patients can be divided into two subgroups, namely hyperandrogenic FHA and non-hyperandrogenic FHA. Explore the differences and its significances between hyperandrogenic FHA and non-hyperandrogenic FHA by comparing anthropometry, reproductive hormones, AMH, ultrasonic manifestation, the scores of eating attitude test, depression questionnaire and anxiety scale respectively and analyzing their correlations. Results: The age of 56 FHA patients was 15-32(23.36±4.90) years, and body mass index(BMI) was (18.91±2.49) kg/m². The age of hyperandrogenic FHA and non-hyperandrogenic FHA was (21.76±4.40) and (24.05±5.00) (P=0.109) years old respectively, and BMI was (19.14±3.15 )and (18.81±2.18) kg/m² (P=0.702). Compared to the non-hyperandrogenic FHA, the AMH (6.46 and 3.63 ng/ml, P=0.025) and PRL (278.78 and 149.46 mU/ml, P=0.002) levels were higher in hyperandrogenic FHA group. There was no significant difference between the hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic FHA group in body composition.GAD-7 (r=0.455, P=0.005) and PHQ-9 (r=0.664, P<0.001) were correlated with EAT-26 scores in non-hyperandrogenic FHA group, but no significant correlation was shown between PHQ-9 (r=0.091, P=0.766)、GAD-7 (r=0.304, P=0.313) and EAT-26 in hyperandrogenic FHA group. Conclusions: Some patients with FHA had clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism and mildly elevated AMH and PRL, with underlying PCOS endocrine characteristics.

Amelioration of Lung Fibrosis by Total Flavonoids of Astragalus via Inflammatory Modulation and Epithelium Regeneration

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is identifiable by the excessive increase of mesenchyme paired with the loss of epithelium. Total flavonoids of Astragalus (TFA), the main biologically active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), shows outstanding effects on treating pulmonary disorders, including COVID-19-associated pulmonary dysfunctions. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of TFA on treating pulmonary fibrosis and the possible mechanisms behind these effects. A549 cells were treated with TGF-[Formula: see text]1 and TFA to observe the potential effects of TFA on regulating alveolar epithelial cell proliferation, TGF-[Formula: see text]1-induced EMT, and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Then, mouse pulmonary fibrosis was induced with a single intra-tracheal injection of bleomycin, and TFA was administrated by i.p. injection. Lung fibrosis was evaluated through histological and molecular analyses, and the possible mechanisms were explored using immunological methods. The results demonstrated that TFA could promote cell proliferation but inhibit TGF-[Formula: see text]1-induced EMT on A549 cells. TFA attenuated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by modulating inflammatory infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization; it furthermore modulated EMT through regulating the TGF-[Formula: see text]1/Smad pathway. In addition, TFA augmented the expression of the Wnt7b protein, which plays an important role in alveolar epithelium reparation. In conclusion, TFA alleviated bleomycin-induced mouse lung fibrosis by preventing the fibrotic response and increasing epithelium regeneration.

The circular RNA Rap1b promotes Hoxa5 transcription by recruiting Kat7 and leading to increased Fam3a expression, which inhibits neuronal apoptosis in acute ischemic stroke

Circular RNAs can regulate the development and progression of ischemic cerebral disease. However, it remains unclear whether they play a role in acute ischemic stroke. To investigate the role of the circular RNA Rap1b (circRap1b) in acute ischemic stroke, in this study we established an in vitro model of acute ischemia and hypoxia by subjecting HT22 cells to oxygen and glucose deprivation and a mouse model of acute ischemia and hypoxia by occluding the right carotid artery. We found that circRap1b expression was remarkably down-regulated in the hippocampal tissue of the mouse model and in the HT22 cell model. In addition, Hoxa5 expression was strongly up-regulated in response to circRap1b overexpression. Hoxa5 expression was low in the hippocampus of a mouse model of acute ischemia and in HT22-AIS cells, and inhibited HT22-AIS cell apoptosis. Importantly, we found that circRap1b promoted Hoxa5 transcription by recruiting the acetyltransferase Kat7 to induce H3K14ac modification in the Hoxa5 promoter region. Hoxa5 regulated neuronal apoptosis by activating transcription of Fam3a, a neuronal apoptosis-related protein. These results suggest that circRap1b regulates Hoxa5 transcription and expression, and subsequently Fam3a expression, ultimately inhibiting cell apoptosis. Lastly, we explored the potential clinical relevance of circRap1b and Hoxa5 in vivo. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the mechanism by which circRap1b inhibits neuronal apoptosis in acute ischemic stroke.

The Socio-Ecological Context of the Nutrition Transition in Indonesia: A Qualitative Investigation of Perspectives from Multi-Disciplinary Stakeholders

Background: Indonesia is undergoing a rapid nutrition transition—a shift in food consumption related to globalization, modernization, urbanization, and economic development—with potentially adverse impacts on diets, health, and the environment. This study sought to understand the perspectives of a multi-disciplinary group of experts on the effects of the nutrition transition on dietary behaviors, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and the food environment in Indonesia. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted online with 27 Indonesian experts, who are either healthcare providers, nutrition researchers, or environmental researchers. Interview question guides were developed based on a socio-ecological framework. We analyzed the data using deductive and inductive approaches. Results: Experts described a disconnect between awareness about and adherence to healthy diets among Indonesians. They highlighted a marked generational divide in food preferences between the younger population (<40y) and older population (40y+), due to the nutrition transition. Experts perceived that the nutrition transition has also resulted in more eating out, which promotes obesity, through the unhealthy menu offerings from restaurants. Experts also implied that traditional diets are no better than modern diets, due to unhealthy cooking practices, especially frying; suggesting that the combination of higher consumption of fast foods and unhealthy cooking practices may have worsened CVD risk factors in the population. Conclusion: Multi-disciplinary experts indicated that the nutrition transition has negatively impacted diets, health, and food environment in Indonesia. Our findings offer potential hypotheses that can be tested using quantitative approaches, to inform policy and the design of programs to reduce the adverse impacts of the nutrition transition in Indonesia.

Therapeutic applications of adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be a highly heterogeneous disease with progressive cartilage loss, subchondral bone remodeling, and low-grade inflammation. It is one of the world's leading causes of disability. Most conventional clinical treatments for OA are palliative drugs, which cannot fundamentally cure this disease. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissues is a heterogeneous cell population. According to previous studies, it contains a large number of mesenchymal stem cells, which have been used to treat OA with good therapeutic results. This safe, simple, and effective therapy is expected to be applied and promoted in the future. In this paper, the detailed pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current clinical treatments for OA are introduced. Then, clinical studies and the therapeutic mechanism of SVF for the treatment of OA are summarized.

The Slack Channel Deletion Causes Mechanical Pain Hypersensitivity in Mice

The role of the Slack (also known as Slo2.2, KNa1.1, or KCNT1) channel in pain-sensing is still in debate on which kind of pain it regulates. In the present study, we found that the Slack–/– mice exhibited decreased mechanical pain threshold but normal heat and cold pain sensitivity. Subsequently, X-gal staining, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence staining revealed high expression of the Slack channel in Isolectin B4 positive (IB4+) neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and somatostatin-positive (SOM+) neurons in the spinal cord. Patch-clamp recordings indicated the firing frequency was increased in both small neurons in DRG and spinal SOM+ neurons in the Slack–/– mice whereas no obvious slow afterhyperpolarization was observed in both WT mice and Slack–/– mice. Furthermore, we found Kcnt1 gene expression in spinal SOM+ neurons in Slack–/– mice partially relieved the mechanical pain hypersensitivity of Slack–/– mice and decreased AP firing rates of the spinal SOM+ neurons. Finally, deletion of the Slack channel in spinal SOM+ neurons is sufficient to result in mechanical pain hypersensitivity in mice. In summary, our results suggest the important role of the Slack channel in the regulation of mechanical pain-sensing both in small neurons in DRG and SOM+ neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.

Left abdominal wall proliferative myositis resection and patch repair: A case report

BACKGROUND

Proliferative myositis is a rare benign tumor that is typically self-limiting and does not become malignant. It can be cured by simple resection without reported recurrence. Due to its rapid growth, hard structure and ill-defined borders, it can however be mistaken for malignant tumors such as sarcomas.

CASE SUMMARY

We investigate the case of a 64-year-old male with proliferative myositis of the abdominal wall, who was preoperatively administered a needle aspiration biopsy and given a simple excision and patch repair. We then compared it with other similar cases to determine the effectiveness of this treatment method.

CONCLUSION

Resection with follow-up observation has shown to be an effective treatment method for proliferative myositis. To avoid unnecessarily extended or destructive resection, a thorough and conclusive diagnosis is crucial, which requires adequate imaging and pathological knowledge.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 in the spinal dorsal horn ameliorates neuropathic pain via cAMP-cytokine-Cx43 signaling in mice

Background

The spinal phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE4) plays an important role in chronic pain. Inhibition of PDE4, an enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate AMP (cAMP), produces potent antinociceptive activity. However, the antinociceptive mechanism remains largely unknown. Connexin43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein, has been shown to be involved in controlling pain transduction at the spinal level; restoration of Cx43 expression in spinal astrocytes to the normal levels reduces nerve injury‐induced pain. Here, we evaluate the novel mechanisms involving spinal cAMP‐Cx43 signaling by which PDE4 inhibitors produce antinociceptive activity.

Methods

First, we determined the effect of PDE4 inhibitors rolipram and roflumilast on partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL)‐induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Next, we observed the role of cAMP‐Cx43 signaling in the effect of PDE4 inhibitors on PSNL‐induced mechanical hypersensitivity.

Results

Single or repeated, intraperitoneal or intrathecal administration of rolipram or roflumilast significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in mice following PSNL. In addition, repeated intrathecal treatment with either of PDE4 inhibitors reduced PSNL‐induced downregulation of cAMP and Cx43, and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effects of PDE4 inhibitors were attenuated by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89, TNF‐α, or Cx43 antagonist carbenoxolone. Finally, PSNL‐induced upregulation of PDE4B and PDE4D, especially the PDE4B subtype, was reduced by treatment with either of the PDE4 inhibitors.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the antinociceptive effect of PDE4 inhibitors is contributed by increasing Cx43 expression via cAMP‐PKA‐cytokine signaling in the spinal dorsal horn.

Enhancement of Lodging Resistance and Lignin Content by Application of Organic Carbon and Silicon Fertilization in Brassica napus L

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of organic carbon and silicon fertilizers on the lodging resistance, yield, and economic performance of rapeseed. Two cultivars, namely Jayou (lodging-resistant) and Chuannongyou (lodging-susceptible), were selected to evaluate the effects of various fertilizer treatments on rapeseed culm morphology, lignin accumulation, and their relationships with their lodging resistance indices. The results showed that both organic carbon and silicon fertilizer applications increased the plant height, basal stem diameter, internode plumpness, and bending strength of rapeseed in both the studied years. The bending strength was significantly and positively correlated with the lodging resistance index and lignin content. It was found that both organic carbon and silicon fertilizers had improved the activities of lignin biosynthesis enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and peroxiredoxins) and their related genes to increase lignin accumulation in the culm, which ultimately improved the lodging resistance. At the same time, the thickness of the stem cortex, vascular bundle area, and xylem area was increased, and the stem strength was improved. The effect of silicon fertilizer was better than that of organic carbon fertilizer, but there was no significant difference with the mixed application of silicon fertilizer and organic carbon fertilizer. Similarly, silicon fertilizer increased the number of pods, significantly increased the yield, and improved the economic benefit, while organic carbon fertilizer had no significant effect on the yield. Therefore, we believe that organic carbon and silicon fertilizer can improve the lodging resistance of rape stems by improving the lignin accumulation and the mechanical tissue structure. Still, the effect of silicon fertilizer is the best. Considering the economic benefits, adding silicon fertilizer can obtain more net income than the mixed application of silicon fertilizer and organic carbon fertilizer.

[Association between inflammation activity of left atrial epicardial adipose tissue measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT and atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To explore the association between inflammation activity of left atrial epicardial adipose tissue (LA-EAT) measured by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: A total of 78 patients with AF, who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University due to abnormally elevated levels of tumor indicators or malignant tumors from March 2018 to December 2019, were enrolled in this retrospective study. According to the examination date of PET/CT and basic characteristics of AF patients (gender, age), a 1∶1 propensity score matching was used to enroll a non-AF control group (78 patients). The maximum standard uptake value of left atrial epicardial tissue (LA-EAT FDG SUV_max) and total EAT volume (V-EAT) were measured by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter (LAD) were obtained by echocardiography. Blood lipids and biomarkers of inflammation were measured. The differences of clinical data and EAT-related indicators were compared between the AF group and control group. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the related factors of AF. Then the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cutoff value of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max on the diagnosis of AF. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the increase of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max and AF. Results: The age was (66.9±10.2) years and there were 55 males (70.5%) in the AF group. The age was (66.9±8.0) years, and there were 52 males (66.7%) in the control group (both P>0.05). The LAD ((44.2±5.8) mm vs. (35.4±4.4) mm), V-EAT ((122.1±42.0) cm³ vs. (91.6±34.5) cm³), and LA-EAT FDG SUV_max ((1.6±0.3) vs. (1.4±0.2)) values were significantly higher, while LVEF ((60.1±4.7)% vs. (63.9±2.9)%) was lower in the AF group than in the control group (P all<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAD (OR=1.340, 95%CI 1.195-1.502), V-EAT (OR=1.016, 95%CI 1.001-1.031), and LA-EAT FDG SUV_max (OR=1.375, 95%CI 1.095-1.723) were positively correlated with AF, LVEF (OR=0.781, 95%CI 0.659-0.926) was negatively correlated with AF(P all<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max for diagnosis of AF was 0.680 (95%CI 0.597-0.764, P<0.001), and the best cut-off value was 1.415 with a sensitivity of 65.4% and specificity of 61.5%. After adjusting for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LVEF, LAD and V-EAT, LA-EAT FDG SUV_max≥1.415 was independently associated with AF (OR=2.982, 95%CI 1.122-7.926, P=0.010). Conclusions: The inflammatory activity of LA-EAT measured by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is an independent risk factor of AF, and the increased inflammatory activity of LA-EAT is positively correlated with AF.

[Characteristics and Drivers of Dissolved Carbon Dioxide and Methane Concentrations in the Nantiaoxi River System in the Upper Reaches of the Taihu Lake Basin During Summer-Autumn]

Inland waters are vital sinks for active carbon (C) and potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the characteristics of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) concentrations in the Nantiaoxi River system in the upper reaches of the Taihu Lake basin were observed between Jul. 2019 and Nov. 2019 (summer and autumn) using headspace equilibration-gas chromatography. Simultaneously, physical and chemical parameters were also determined to understand the factors influencing dissolved CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations. The results showed that the mean dissolved CO₂ concentrations and saturation levels in water were (505.47±16.99) μg·L^-1 and (256.31±8.32)%, respectively, and the corresponding values for CH₄ were (1.88±0.09) μg·L^-1 and (5218.74±264.30)%, respectively. The saturation levels of dissolved CO₂ and CH₄ at all observation points were greater than 100%, indicating that the Nantiaoxi River system is a potential source of CO₂ and CH₄. The highest mean dissolved CO₂ concentrations in water were found in agricultural areas followed by residential and forest areas, and there were significant differences among the three land-use types. The mean dissolved CH₄ concentrations in the water in residential areas were significantly higher than those in agricultural area forest areas. The dissolved CO₂ concentrations, saturation levels of CO₂, dissolved CH₄ concentrations, and saturation levels of CH₄ in water were all negatively correlated with oxidation reduction potential (ORP) (P<0.01) and positively correlated with electrical conductivity (EC) (P<0.01). The discrepancies in chlorophyll (Chl-a), nitrate (NO₃^--N), total nitrogen (TN), and EC were the main reasons for differences in dissolved CO₂ concentrations among the different land use types. Phytoplankton growth could be promoted by the higher input of nitrogen pollutants into rivers in agricultural and residential areas, and respiration could be also enhanced, resulting in higher dissolved CO₂ concentrations. The higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in the water, and the water temperature in residential areas, were probably the main causes of the higher dissolved CH₄ concentrations. Rainfall also had some influence on dissolved CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations in the water associated with the different land use types. Specifically, higher concentrations of nitrogen pollutants and the enhancement of DOC were the main drivers of high dissolved CO₂ concentrations in agricultural areas as well as the higher dissolved CH₄ concentrations in residential areas following rainfall events.

lncRNA MEG3, Acting as a ceRNA, Modulates RPE Differentiation Through the miR-7-5p/Pax6 Axis

Accumulated evidence indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involves in numerous biological and pathological processes, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dysfunction and dedifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells have been demonstrated to be one of the crucial factor in AMD etiology. Herein, we aim to investigate the essential role of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in AMD progression. Expression patterns of MEG3 were measured in dysfunctional REP cells exposed with H₂O₂ or TNF-α using qRT-PCR assay. Specifically, the intercellular distribution of MEG3 in REP cells was further explored using the subcellular fraction detection. Relative expression of RPE markers or RPE dedifferentiation-related markers was determined using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the expressions of RPE markers ZO-1 and β-catenin. Concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) in the supernatant was detected using ELISA kit. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the MEG3/miR-7-5p/Pax6 regulatory network, which was further determined in in vitro studies. MEG3 expression was significantly decreased in H₂O₂ or TNF-α-treated REP cells, and it was upregulated along with RPE differentiation. Reduced MEG3 expression resulted in RPE dedifferentiation, which was indicated by decreased expressions of RPE markers, accumulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and reduced VEGFA. Mechanistically, MEG3 functioned as a sponge for miR-7-5p to restore the expression of Pax6. Our study demonstrated that MEG3 exerts a protective role against AMD by maintaining RPE differentiation via miR-7-5p/Pax6 axis, suggesting a protective therapeutic target in AMD treatment.

Dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine and valine, may potentially influence cancer progression by various mechanisms including its role in insulin resistance. However, the association of BCAAs with survival among patients with established colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We evaluated the associations between postdiagnostic BCAA intake with CRC-specific mortality and overall mortality among 1674 patients with nonmetastatic CRC in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Patients completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional-hazards regression model after adjustment for tumor characteristics and potential confounding factors. Comparing the highest with the lowest quartile intake of postdiagnostic total BCAA, the multivariable HRs were 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1.85, P for trend = .46 across quartiles) for CRC-specific mortality and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.01-1.69, P for trend = .04) for all-cause mortality. The multivariable HRs (the highest vs the lowest quartile) for all-cause mortality were 1.33 (95% CI, 1.03-1.73, Ptrend = .02) for valine, 1.28 (95% CI, 0.99-1.66, P for trend = .05) for leucine and 1.25 (95% CI, 0.96-1.61, P for trend = .06) for isoleucine. No statistically significant associations with each of the BCAA intake were observed for CRC-specific mortality (all P for trend > .30). Our findings suggest positive associations between higher intake of dietary BCAAs and risk of all-cause mortality in CRC patients. These findings need to be confirmed and potential mechanisms underlying this association need to be elucidated.

[microRNA-30d can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of human mesothelial cell MSTO-211H]

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect and molecular mechanism of microRNA-30d (miR-30d) in the process of proliferation, migration and invasion of malignant mesothelioma cell line MSTO-211H. Methods: In April 2017, the human MSTO-211H cells was used to establish miR-30d overexpressed MSTO-211H cell model by transfection of miR-30d mimics. The qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression level of miR-30d in the cells transfected miR-30d mimics. The effects of miR-30d on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of MSTO-211H cells were analyzed by CCK-8 experiment, flow cytometry, cell scratch experiment and Transwell method. Results: After transfection of miR-30d, the expression level of miR-30d in the MSTO-211H+miR-30d cells group was significantly higher than MSTO-211H+miR NC cells group (P<0.01) . The cell activity of MSTO-211H+miR-30d group (105.13%±2.35%) was significantly lower than MSTO-211H+miR NC cells group (115.40%±1.35%) , and the level of apoptosis (3.97%±0.36%) was significantly higher than MSTO-211H+miR NC cells group (1.47%±0.10%) (P<0.01) . The relative migration areas at 12 and 24 h of MSTO-211H+miR-30d cells group (9.35±3.16 μm(2) and 58.19±1.82 μm(2)) were significantly lower than MSTO-211H+miR NC cells group (54.42±5.26 μm(2) and 88.32±1.96 μm(2)) (P<0.01) . Compared with the MSTO-211H+miR NC cells group, the numbers of cell migration and cell invasion were reduced in the MSTO-211H+miR-30d cells group (P<0.01) . Conclusion: miR-30d can regulate the progression of malignant pleural mesothelioma by inhibiting the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of MSTO-211H cells.

Numerical simulation and analysis of midfacial impacts and traumatic brain injuries

Backgrounds

The maxillofacial region is the exposed part of the human body and is susceptible to injury due to the limited protective equipment. Due to anatomic proximity of the maxillofacial skeleton and cranium, the force can be transmitted directly to the brain in case of maxillofacial impact, maxillofacial injuries are often accompanied with craniocerebral trauma. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biomechanical response mechanism of trauma to improve prevention of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

To investigate the biomechanical mechanism between the two injuries, a finite element (FE) head model including skull, midfacial bones and detailed anatomical intracranial features was successfully developed based on CT/MRI data. The model was validated by comparing it with one classical cadaver experiment. During the simulations, three different load forces were used to simulate common causes of injury seen in the clinic including boxing-type impact injury and car accident-type impact injury, and four locations on the model were considered as common injury sites in the midface.

Results

Twelve common impact scenarios were reproduced by FE simulation successfully. Simulations showed that there was a linear relationship between the severity of TBI and the collision energy. The location of TBI was directly related to the location of the impact site, and a lateral impact was more injurious to the brain than an anterior-posterior impact. The relative movement between the skull and brain could cause physical damage to the brain. The study indicated that the midfacial bones acted as a structure capable of absorbing energy and protecting the brain from impact.

Conclusions

This biomechanical information may assist surgeons better understand and diagnose brain injuries accompanied by midfacial fractures.

Controlled preparation of a MCC-g-AM/EDA/PA loaded Fe(iii) adsorbent by the pre-radiation grafting method and its application for the adsorption removal of phosphate

A new spherical cellulose-based adsorbent and high phosphate removal rate microcrystalline cellulose-g-acrylamide/ethylenediamine/phthalic anhydride (MCC-g-AM/EDA/PA) loaded Fe(iii) adsorbent was prepared by a pre-radiation grafting and chemical modification method. Fe(iii) was successfully introduced into the modified grafted chains of the MCC-g-AM/EDA/PA resin, and characterized by FTIR, TG, XRD, SEM and XPS. The optimized conditions for the grafting reaction of acrylamide (AM) onto MCC were 20% AM emulsion at an absorbed dose of 30 kGy, and a grafting rate as high as 247%. In addition, the adsorption performance of the adsorbent was tested by static adsorption experiments with phosphate. The adsorbent resin showed excellent adsorption performance under alkaline conditions, contributions to the synergetic effect of precipitation, and inner-sphere surface complex reactions. The adsorption efficiency can reach 89.7% at low concentration. In summary, the neotype spherical cellulose-based adsorbent has the advantages of being separation-free in bulk materials, avoiding secondary pollution, and being easy to recycle, and it could be employed as an environmentally friendly adsorbent for phosphate removal in eutrophic water.

Ethylene mediates salicylic-acid-induced stomatal closure by controlling reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production in Arabidopsis

Both salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene induce stomatal closure and positively regulate stomatal immunity, but their interactions in guard cell signaling are unclear. Here, we observed that SA induced the expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes; the production of ethylene, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO); and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, SA-induced stomatal closure was inhibited by an ethylene biosynthetic inhibitor and mutations in ethylene biosynthetic genes, ethylene-signaling genes [RESPONSE TO ANTAGONIST 1 (RAN1), ETHYLENE RESPONSE 1 (ETR1), ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 2 (EIN2), EIN3 and ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR 2 (ARR2)], NADPH oxidase genes [ATRBOHD and ATRBOHF], and nitrate reductase genes (NIA1 and NIA2). Furthermore, SA-triggered ROS production in guard cells was impaired in ran1, etr1, AtrbohD and AtrbohF, but not in ein2, ein3 or arr2. SA-triggered NO production was impaired in all ethylene-signaling mutants tested and in nia1 and nia2. The stomata of mutants for CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE1 (CTR1) showed constitutive ROS and NO production and closure. These results indicate that ethylene mediates SA-induced stomatal closure by activating ATRBOHD/F-mediated ROS synthesis in an RAN1-, ETR1- and CTR1-dependent manner. This in turn induces NIA1/2-mediated NO production and subsequent stomatal closure via the ETR1, EIN2, EIN3 and ARR2-dependent pathway(s).

An empirical study on energy utilization efficiency, economic development, and sustainable management

Based on the premise of sustainable development of the environment, how to achieve the balance of energy utilization, economic development, and sustainable management of the environment is becoming increasingly important in the process of stable economic development. This paper analyzes the concept of environmental Kuznets curve, taking 35 European countries as the research objects, first discusses the trend of energy utilization efficiency from 1990 to 2013, and then analyzes the relationship between energy efficiency and economic development. Empirical results show that labor has a significant negative impact on energy efficiency and the increase in labor input will reduce energy efficiency. If the added value of national manufacturing accounts for a higher percentage in GDP, it will have a negative impact on the effectiveness of energy utilization. In addition, when the national price level is high, price fluctuation will increase the price of energy utilization, or the cost of energy input in economic activities, which will further reduce the country's energy efficiency performance. Lastly, the empirical study also found that energy efficiency and economic development showed a quadratic U-shaped relationship, indicating that the long-term energy efficiency of the country will first decline and then rise during economic activities.

[The correlation between left atrial sphericity and thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To study the correlation between left atrial sphericity (LASP) and thromboembolic events (TE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This study was conducted in patients with AF underwent radiofrequency ablation in the Department of Cardiology of First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2011 to October 2018. The AF patients with TE (study group, n=157) and the AF patients without TE (control group, n=157) were matched for age and gender. The differences of LASP and other related indexes between the two groups were compared, and the correlation between LASP and TE was analyzed by conditional logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of LASP for TE. Results: (1) The LASP in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group [ (87.5±7.1) % vs. (82.8±6.1) %, P=0.001]. (2) Conditional logistic regression analyses showed that LASP (OR=1.10, 95%CI 1.05-1.16, P=0.001), left atrial volume index (OR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02, P=0.016) and CHA(2)D-VASc score (OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.30-2.41, P=0.001) were independently and positively correlated with TE. (3) The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of left atrial sphericity (AUC=0.712, 95%CI 0.656-0.768, P=0.001) was larger than the AUC of either left atrial volume index (AUC=0.650, 95%CI 0.589-0.710, P=0.001) or CHA(2)D-VASc score (AUC=0.612, 95%CI 0.550-0.674, P=0.001). (4) CHA(2)D-VASc-LASP(2) score was positively correlated with TE (OR=1.95, 95%CI 1.55-2.42, P=0.001). Conclusion: LASP is independently and positively correlated with TE in patients with AF.

Pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine in elderly patients receiving fascia iliaca compartment block

Local anesthetic of ropivacaine was demonstrated to reduce the postoperative pain in elderly patients. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine at different concentrations in elderly patients subjected to fascia iliaca compartment block. Forty patients with femoral neck fracture at American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II status, undergoing fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) were randomized to two groups receiving 0.7 ml/kg of solution containing 0.375% ropivacaine (group L) or 0.5% ropivacaine (group H). Samples of venous blood were obtained immediately at different time points after FICB, and the total and free plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were measured by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Statistical analysis was carried out using a pharmacokinetic calculation program (DAS 3.0). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were significantly decreased after FICB in both groups, and VAS score in group H was lower compared with group L. The total maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and the free C_max of ropivacaine in group H was higher than that in group L (P<0.05). The decrease of the total and free plasma concentration was operation time-dependent. Neither group showed signs of central nervous system and circulatory system toxicity. On the basis of these results, the concentrations of 0.375 and 0.5% ropivacaine held an efficiently analgesic effect for FICB, suggesting that ropivacaine can be employed in analgesic therapy. However, both concentrations have a potentially theoretical risk of local anesthetics poisoning, suggesting that a lower concentration may be a safer option for a single large volume of FICB.

[Analysis of lipophilic components of Salvia miltiorrhiza roots and S. yunnanensis roots by UPLC and LC-MS/MS]

Fingerprints of lipophilic components in the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza and S.yunnanensis were analyzed by UPLC-DADand UPLC coupled with mass spectroscopy to evaluate the differences and similarities of the lipophilic components in the two kinds of herbs.The UPLC analysis of 18 batches of S.miltiorrhiza and 16 batches of S.yunnanensis was performed on a 25℃Thermo Accucore C_(18)column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.6μm)by Shimadzu LC-20AD;mobile phase was 0.026%phosphoric acid(A)-acetonitrile(B)with gradient elution;flow rate was 0.4 m L·min~(-1);detection wavelength was set at 270 nm;injection volume was 2μL.The molecular structures of the lipophilic components were analyzed on a 25℃Thermo Accucore C_(18)column(2.1 mm×100 mm,2.6μm)by Thermo U3000 UPLC Q Exactive Orbitrap LC-MS/MS with a mobile phaseconsisting of 0.1%formic acid water(A)and 0.1%formic acidacetonitrile(B).The mass spectrometry was acquired in positive modes using ESI.There are 10 common peaks in the lipophilic components of S.miltiorrhiza.The similarity between the 16 batches of S.miltiorrhiza and their own reference spectra was greater than 0.942,and the average similarity was 0.973.There are 12 common peaks in the lipophilic components of S.yunnanensis.The similarity between the 18 batches of S.yunnanensis and their own reference spectra was greater than 0.937,and the average similarity was 0.976.The similarity between the reference chromatograms of S.miltiorrhiza and S.yunnanensis was only 0.900.There are three lipophilic components in S.yunnanensis,which are not found in S.miltiorrhiza,and one of which isα-lapachone.There is a lipophilic component in S.miltiorrhiza not found in S.yunnanensis,which may be miltirone.The two herbs contain 8 common lipophilic components including dihydrotanshinoneⅠ,cryptotanshinone,tanshinoneⅠ,tanshinoneⅡ_A,nortanshinone in which the content of tanshinoneⅡ_A,dihydrotanshinoneⅠand cryptotanshinone of S.yunnanensisis significantly lower than that of S.miltiorrhiza(P<0.01),and the contents of tanshinoneⅠand nortanshinone are significantly lower than that of S.miltiorrhiza too(P<0.05).There are significant differences in the types and contents of lipophilic components between the roots of S.miltiorrhiza and S.yunnanensis,and the similarity between the fingerprints of interspecies is much lower than that between the same species.Therefore,the roots of S.miltiorrhiza and S.yunnanensis are two kinds of herbs which are quite different in chemical compounds and compositions.

Variations of thermophysical properties and heat transfer performance of nanoparticle-enhanced ionic liquids

The ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIm]Ac) was investigated as a promising absorbent for absorption refrigeration. To improve the thermal conductivity of pure [EMIm]Ac, IL-based nanofluids (ionanofluids, INFs) were prepared by adding graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The thermal stability of the IL and INFs was analysed. The variations of the thermal conductivity, viscosity and specific heat capacity resulting from the addition of the GNPs were then measured over a wide range of temperatures and mass fractions. The measured data were fitted with appropriate equations and compared with the corresponding classical models. The results revealed that the IL and INFs were thermally stable over the measurement range. The thermal conductivity greatly increased with increasing mass fraction, while only slightly changed with increasing temperature. A maximum enhancement in thermal conductivity of 43.2% was observed at a temperature of 373.15 K for the INF with a mass fraction of 5%. The numerical results revealed that the dispersion of the GNPs in the pure IL effectively improved the local heat transfer coefficient by up to 28.6%.

Hydrophilic and degradable polyesters based on l-aspartic acid with antibacterial properties for potential application in hernia repair

A polyester hernia patch has received extensive attention in mesh hernia repair.

Outcomes of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Cycles by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization of Infertile Males with Nonmosaic 47,XYY Syndrome

Background:

The 47,XYY syndrome could result in fertility problems. However, seldom studies reported comprehensive researches on the embryonic development and pregnancy outcomes of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of nonmosaic 47,XYY patients performed with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) treatment.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study. Between January 2012 and May 2017, 51 infertile males with nonmosaic 47,XYY syndrome underwent FISH-PGD were included in the study. According to sex chromosomal FISH results, embryos were classified as normal signal, no nuclei fixed, no signal in fixed nuclei, suspensive signal, and abnormal signal groups, respectively. The incidence of each group, the fixation rate, and hybridization rate were calculated. Embryonic development and pregnancy outcomes were also analyzed. The measurement data were analyzed with Student's t-test. The comparison of categorical data was analyzed with the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test when expected cell count was <5.

Results:

The 53 PGD cycles with 433 embryos were analyzed. The fixation rate was 89.6%, while the hybridization rate was 96.4%. There were 283 embryos with two sex chromosomal signals with clear diagnosis (65.4%). The numbers of no nuclei fixed, no signal in fixed nuclei, suspensive signal, and abnormal signal groups were 45 (10.4%), 14 (3.2%), 24 (5.5%), and 67 (15.5%), respectively. Embryos with abnormal signals were abandoned. The number of good-quality embryos was 210 (57.4%), including implanted embryos on day 4/day 5 and cryopreserved. The rates of good-quality embryos in the no nuclei fixed (22.2%), no signal in fixed nuclei (28.6%), and suspensive signal groups (33.3%) were comparable (P > 0.05), and were significantly lower than the normal signal group (66.4%, P < 0.001). The clinical pregnancy rates of fresh and frozen embryos transferred cycles were 70.6% and 85.7%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Among embryos with a clear diagnosis of sex chromosome, about one-fifth showed abnormal signals. Embryos with two sex chromosomal signals are more likely to develop into good-quality ones. The application of the PGD by FISH may help to improve the clinical outcomes.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: potential therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), which combines the criteria of both alcohol abuse and dependence, contributes as an important causal factor to multiple health and social problems. Given the limitation of current treatments, novel medications for AUD are needed to better control alcohol consumption and maintain abstinence. It has been well established that the intracellular signal transduction mediated by the second messengers cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) crucially underlies the genetic predisposition, rewarding properties, relapsing features, and systemic toxicity of compulsive alcohol consumption. On this basis, the upstream modulators phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which critically control intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides by catalyzing their degradation, are proposed to play a role in modulating alcohol abuse and dependent process. Here, we highlight existing evidence that correlates cAMP and cGMP signal cascades with the regulation of alcohol-drinking behavior and discuss the possibility that PDEs may become a novel class of therapeutic targets for AUD.

[Prevalence of thyroid function in pregnant and lactating women in areas with different iodine levels of Shanxi province]

Objective: To investigate the effects of high iodine intake on thyroid function in pregnant and lactating women. Methods: A cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 130 pregnant women and 220 lactating women aged 19-40 years in areas with high environment iodine level (>300 μg/L) or proper environment iodine level (50-100 μg/L) in Shanxi in 2014. The general information, urine samples and blood samples of the women surveyed and water samples were collected. The water and urine iodine levels were detected with arsenic and cerium catalysis spectrophotometric method, the blood TSH level was detected with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and thyroid stimulating hormone (FT(4)), antithyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) were detected with chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: The median urine iodine levels of the four groups were 221.9, 282.5, 814.1 and 818.6 μg/L, respectively. The median serum FT(4) of lactating women in high iodine area and proper iodine area were 12.96 and 13.22 pmol/L, and the median serum TSH was 2.45 and 2.17 mIU/L, respectively. The median serum FT(4) of pregnant women in high iodine area and proper iodine area were 14.66 and 16.16 pmol/L, and the median serum TSH was 2.13 and 1.82 mIU/L, respectively. The serum FT(4) levels were lower and the abnormal rates of serum TSH were higher in lactating women than in pregnant women in both high iodine area and proper iodine area, the difference was statistically significant (FT(4): Z=-6.677, -4.041, P<0.01; TSH: Z=8.797, 8.910, P<0.01). In high iodine area, the abnormal rate of serum FT(4) in lactating women was higher than that in pregnant women, the difference was statistically significant (Z=7.338, P=0.007). The serum FT(4) level of lactating women in high iodine area was lower than that in proper iodine area, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-4.687, P=0.000). In high iodine area, the median serum FT(4) in early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy was 16.26, 14.22 and 14.80 pmol/L, respectively, and the median serum TSH was 1.74, 1.91 and 2.38 mIU/L, respectively. In high iodine area, the serum FT(4) level in early pregnancy was higher than that in mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy, and the serum TSH level was lower than that in mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy, the difference was statistically significant (FT(4): Z=-2.174, -2.238, P<0.05; TSH: Z=-2.985, -1.978, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive rates of serum thyroid autoantibodies among the four groups of women and women in different periods of pregnancy (P>0.05). The morbidity rates of subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnant women and lactating women in high iodine area were obviously higher than those in proper iodine areas, the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=5.363, 5.007, P<0.05). Conclusions: Excessive iodine intake might increase the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women and lactating women. It is suggested to strengthen the iodine nutrition and thyroid function monitoring in women, pregnant women and lactating women in areas with high environmental iodine.

[Study on the change of optical zone after femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis]

Objective: To explore the change of optical zone after femtosecond laser assisted laser in sitn keratomileusis(FS-LASIK) so as to provide the reference for measurement and design of clinical optical zone. Methods: This retrospective case series study covers 41 eyes of 24 patients (7 males and 17 females, aged from 18 to 42 years old) with myopia and myopic astigmatism who have received FS-LASIK surgery at Corneal Refractive Department of Qingdao Eye Hospital and completed over 6 months of clinical follow-up. Pentacam system (with the application of 6 corneal topographic map modes including: the pure axial curvature topographic map, the pure tangential curvature topographic map, the axial curvature difference topographic map, the tangential curvature difference topographic map, the postoperative front elevation map and the corneal thickness difference topographic map), combined with transparent concentric software (a system independently developed by Qingdao Eye Hospital) was used to measure the optical zone at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the optical zone diameters measurement results among different follow-up times in group were analyzed with the repeated measures analysis of variance, and the actual measured values and the theoretical design values of the optical zone were analyzed with independent-samples t-testing. Spearman correlation coefficient (r(s)) have been applied to evaluate the relationship between postoperative optical zone measurement values and the potential influencing factors. Results: The optical zone diameters measured by pure axial curvature topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.55±0.50)mm, (6.50±0.53)mm and (6.48±0.53)mm respectively. The differences between values are of no statistical significance (F=1.60, P=0.21), the optical zone diameter measured by pure tangential curvature topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.44±0.46)mm, (5.46±0.52)mm and (5.44±0.50)mm respectively, the differences between values are of no statistical significance (F=0.17, P=0.85). The optical zone diameters measured by postoperative front elevation map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.06±0.28)mm, (5.12±0.32)mm and (5.17±0.28)mm respectively. The differences between the values of 3 and 6 months postoperatively are of no statistical significance (F=6.14, P=0.15), the optical zone diameters measured by axial curvature difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.51±0.37)mm, (6.45±0.41)mm and (6.41±0.40)mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 3 and 6 months postoperatively are of no statistical significance (F=7.25, P=0.05). The optical zone diameters measured by tangential curvature difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.21±0.23)mm, (5.16±0.19)mm and (5.17±0.20) mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 1 and 3 months postoperatively are of statistical significance (F=1.75, P=0.04). The optical zone diameters measured by corneal thickness difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.53±0.40)mm, (6.39±0.43)mm and (6.41±0.47)mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 1 and 3 months postoperatively are of statistical significance (F=1.67, P=0.032). The actual measured optical zone values from the 6 different modes of Pentacam system are less than the theoretical design values (7.75 mm), and the differences were statistical significance (t=-15.42, -29.39, -59.27, -21.47, -81.69, -18.22, P<0.01). Conclusions: The optical zone measurement values tend to be stable at 3 months after FS-LASIK. The actual measured values from all the 6 different modes of Pentacam system were less than the theoretical design values. The results from pure tangential curvature topographic map, the tangential curvature difference topographic map and the postoperative front elevation map showed greater variation with clear border, which was beneficial for eccentric research. The results from pure axial curvature topographic map, the axial curvature difference topographic map and the corneal thickness difference topographic map were close to the theoretically designed values. Furthermore, the axial curvature difference topographic map showed clearer border and less variation thus maybe more favorable for measuring optical zone in clinical application.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 39-47).

[Nested case-control study on associated factors for anemia during pregnancy]

Objective: To explore the related factors of anemia during pregnancy and provide scientific evidence for the primary prevention of anemia during pregnancy. Methods: The pregnant women (≤12 pregnant weeks) who received the first pregnancy care in a local medical institution in Hunan province from June 2013 to November 2014 were included in this cohort study, and for them anemia had been excluded by physical examination. Baseline survey and follow up till childbirth were conducted for them. A queue-based nested case-control study (1 ∶ 2) was conducted (380 pregnant women with anemia detected in this study as case group, 760 pregnant women without anemia randomly selected and matched by age, habitual residence during pregnancy as control group. And t test, χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify related factors of anemia during pregnancy. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that low family annual income level (net income) (OR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.22-3.59), low educational level (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.22-3.59), pre-pregnancy perm/hair dye (OR=2.23, 95%CI: 1.63-3.05), early pregnancy vomiting (OR=2.51, 95%CI: 1.56-4.03) were the risk factors for anemia during pregnancy. Intake of vitamin and trace element supplements (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.50-0.94), frequent meat, fish, shrimp, egg intakes (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.49-0.92), frequent soy milk, milk intakes (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.27-0.95) were the protective factors for anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: A number of factors, such as family annual income level, education level, poisonous and harmful material contact, pregnancy reaction, nutrition, are related to the incidence of anemia during pregnancy, it is necessary to take preventive measures to reduce the incidence of anemia during pregnancy.

Role and interrelationship of MEK1-MPK6 cascade, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide in darkness-induced stomatal closure

Pharmacological data have suggested the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades in dark-induced stomatal closure, but which specific MPK cascade participates in the darkness guard cell signaling and its relationship with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) remain unclear. In this paper, we observed that darkness induced activation of MPK6 in leaves of wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and mutants for nitrate reductase 1 (NIA1), but this effect was inhibited in mutants for MPK Kinase 1 (MEK1) and ATRBOHD/F. Mutants for MEK1, MPK6 and NIA1 showed defect of dark-induced NO production in guard cells and stomatal closure, but were normal in the dark-induced H₂O₂ generation, while stomata of mutant AtrbohD/F showed defect of dark-induced H₂O₂ and NO production and subsequent closure. Moreover, exogenous NO rescued the defect of dark-induced stomatal closure in mutants of AtrbohD/F, mek1 and mpk6, while exogenous H₂O₂ could not rescue the defect of dark-induced stomatal closure in mutants of mek1, mpk6 and nia1. These genetic and biochemical evidences not only show that MEK1-MPK6 cascade, AtRBOHD/F-dependent H₂O₂ and NIA1-dependent NO are all involved in dark-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis, also indicate that MEK1-MPK6 cascade functions via working downstream of H₂O₂ and upstream of NO.

[An adolescent with Hashimoto's encephalopathy after surgery and ¹³¹I radiotherapy for papillary thyroid carcinoma: one case report]

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare brain disease. Its etiology is still unknown. In this paper, we reported a 15-year-old female patient underwent total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection, due to a multifocal papilliferous carcinoma of the right lobus. Forty-two days after surgery, the patient was treated by ¹³¹I radiotherapy in another hospital and begun to have a headache after 48 hours. At last, the patient was diagnosed by HE on the basis of all considerations. She recovered from by i.v. Immunoglobulin. Till now, the patient has not relapsed for more than 4 years follow-up.

[Role of calcium-sensing receptor in neonatal mice with persistent pulmonary hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonists and antagonists on the expression of CaSR in neonatal mice with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), and to clarify the role of CaSR in neonatal mice with PPHN.

METHODS

Forty-nine neonatal mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (n=10), hypoxia (PPHN; n=11), agonist (n=13), and antagonist (n=15). The mice in the PPHN, agonist, and antagonist groups were exposed to an oxygen concentration of 12%, and those in the control group were exposed to the air. The mice in the agonist and antagonist groups were intraperitoneally injected with gadolinium chloride (16 mg/kg) and NPS2390 (1 mg/kg) respectively once daily. Those in the PPHN and the control groups were given normal saline daily. All the mice were treated for 14 consecutive days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the changes in pulmonary vessels. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the site of CaSR expression and measure its content in lung tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of CaSR in lung tissues.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the PPHN group had significant increases in the pulmonary small artery wall thickness and the ratio of right to left ventricular wall thickness (P<0.05), which suggested that the model was successfully prepared. Compared with the control group, the PPHN group had a significant increase in the mRNA and protein expression of CaSR (P<0.05), and the agonist group had a significantly greater increase (P<0.05); the antagonist group had a significant reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of CaSR (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CaSR may play an important role in the development of PPHN induced by hypoxia in neonatal mice.

Cyclophosphamide enhances anti-tumor effects of a fibroblast activation protein α-based DNA vaccine in tumor-bearing mice with murine breast carcinoma

Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a DNA alkylating agent, which is widely used with other chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of various types of cancer. It can be used not only as a chemotherapeutic but also as an immunomodulatory agent to inhibit IL-10 expression and T regulatory cells (Tregs). Fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) is expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment. Immunotherapy based on FAPα, as a tumor stromal antigen, typically induces specific immune response targeting the tumor microenvironment. This study evaluated the efficacy of a previously unreported CY combination strategy to enhance the limited anti-tumor effect of a DNA vaccine targeting FAPα. The results suggested CY administration could promote the percentage of splenic CD8⁺T cells and decrease the proportion of CD4 ⁺ CD25 ⁺ Foxp3⁺Tregs in spleen. In tumor tissues, levels of immunosuppressive cytokines including IL-10 and CXCL-12 were also reduced. Meanwhile, the CY combination did not impair the FAPα-specific immunity induced by the DNA vaccine and further reduced tumor stromal factors. Most importantly, FAP-vaccinated mice also treated with CY chemotherapy showed a marked suppression of tumor growth (inhibition ratio =80%) and a prolongation of survival time. Thus, the combination of FAPα immunotherapy and chemotherapy with CY offers new insights into improving cancer therapies.

[Features of peripheral nerve injuries in workers exposed to vibration: an analysis of 197 cases]

Objective: To investigate the features of peripheral nerve injuries in workers exposed to vibration. Methods: A total of 197 male workers [median age: 34 years (21-50 years) ; median working years of vibration exposure: 7.3 years (1-20 years) ] engaged in grinding in an enterprise were enrolled. Their clinical data and electromyography results were analyzed to investigate the features of peripheral nerve impairment. Results: Of all workers, 96 (48.73%) had abnormal electromyography results. Of all workers, 88 (44.7%) had simple mild median nerve injury in the wrist, who accounted for 91.7% (88/96) of all workers with abnormal electromy-ography results. Six workers had ulnar nerve injury, superficial radial nerve injury, or/and superficial peroneal nerve injury and accounted for 6.3% of all workers with abnormal electromyography results. Of all workers, 88 had a reduced amplitude of median nerve sensory transduction, and 28 had slowed median nerve sensory transduction. A total of 46 workers were diagnosed with occupational hand-arm vibration disease and hospitalized for treatment. They were followed up for more than 4 months after leaving their jobs, and most of them showed improvements in neural electromyography results and returned to a normal state. Conclusion: Workers exposed to vibration have a high incidence rate of nerve injury in the hand, mainly sensory function impairment at the distal end of the median nerve, and all injuries are mild peripheral nerve injuries. After leaving the vibration job and being treated, most workers can achieve improvements and return to a normal state.

Improvement of anti-tumor immunity of fibroblast activation protein α based vaccines by combination with cyclophosphamide in a murine model of breast cancer

Fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) is expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are the main type of cells in the tumor microenvironment. CAFs exert immunosuppressive activity, which can weaken the effects of cancer immunotherapy and mainly account for poor outcomes with therapeutic vaccines. To better target and destroy CAFs, a FAPα vaccine using a modified vaccinia ankara (MVA) vector was constructed and used with a DNA vaccine reported in our previous work for heterologous prime-boost immunizations in mice. This strategy to generate anti-tumor immunity partly reduced 4T1 tumor growth through producing FAPα-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in a preventive model, but the effect required improvement. Combining the FAPα-based cancer vaccines (CpVR-FAP/MVA-FAP) with cyclophosphamide (CY), which can be used not only as a chemotherapeutic but also an immunomodulatory agent to promote a shift from immunosuppression to immunopotentiation, resulted in markedly enhanced tumor growth inhibition compared with the CpVR-FAP/MVA-FAP group. This strategy achieved synergistic effects in a therapeutic model by improving the tumor inhibition rate by 2.5-fold (90.2%), significantly enhancing cellular immunity and prolonging the survival of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice by 35% compared with the PBS group. Furthermore, CAFs, stromal factors and immunosuppressive factors such as IL-10 and Tregs were also markedly decreased by the CY combination. These results indicated that FAPα-targeted MVA boosting in combination with CY is an effective approach to improving specific anti-tumor immune responses through overcoming immunosuppression. This study may offer important advances in research on clinical cancer immunotherapies by modulating immunosuppressive factors.

[Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Post-surgical Gastrointestinal Function, Autonomic Nerve Activities and Plasma Brain-gut Peptide Levels in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on ileus-postope-rative gastrointestinal functions and plasma ghrelin, motilin, and gastrin contents, and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, so as to explore the interaction of vagus-brain-gut peptide.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery were randomly assigned to TEAS (n=29) and sham-TEAS group (n=29, patients had no subjective sensation to 1 mA TEAS, thus, being considered to be sham-TEAS). TEAS (2 Hz/100 Hz, 6-8 mA for LI 4-PC 6, 12-18 mA for ST 36-SP 6) was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI 4)-Neiguan (PC 6) from 30 min pre-operation to the end of the operation and to bilateral LI 4-PC 6 and Zusanli (ST 36)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 30 minutes twice daily in 3 consecutive post-operative days. ECGs of 12 leads were recorded to analyze different parameters of HRV from 2 days before and 4 days after surgery. Plasma ghrelin, motilin and gastrin contents were assayed by radioimmunoassay, and the patients' first bowel sound, first independent walk, first flatus, first solid food-intake and first defecation were recorded to evaluate the recovery state of gastrointestinal motility.

RESULTS

Postoperative gastrointestinal motility:compared with the sham-TEAS group, the first bowel sound and the first defecation after surgery appeared apparently earlier in the TEAS group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found between the two groups at the time of the first independent walk, first flatus and the first solid food-intake in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Plasma brain-gut peptides:the plasma ghrelin and motilin contents 4 days post-surgery were significant increased in the TEAS group than in the sham-TEAS group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in plasma gastrin contents (P>0.05). HRV domains:in comparison with pre-surgery, the levels of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) of frequency domain (FD) and root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD) of the time domain (TD) of HRV 4 days after surgery were significantly decreased in the sham-TEAS group (P<0.05), but no significant changes were found in both FD and TD domains of the TEAS group 4 days after surgery (P>0.05). Compared with the sham-TEAS group, the HF and rMSSD levels were significantly increased in the TEAS group 4 days after the surgery (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the levels of very low frequency, LF and LF/HF levels of FD, and standard deviation of NN (beat-to-beat) intervals, the standard deviation of the average NN intervals and the proportion of NN 50 (the number of pairs of successive NNs that differ by more than 50 ms) divided by total number of NNs of TD.

CONCLUSIONS

TEAS can promote gastrointestinal activities (i.e., reducing the time spending of first bowel sound and the first defecation) in gastrointestinal surgery patients, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating ghrelin and motilin contents and parasympathetic activity.

Root exudates drive interspecific facilitation by enhancing nodulation and N2 fixation

Plant diversity in experimental systems often enhances ecosystem productivity, but the mechanisms causing this overyielding are only partly understood. Intercropping faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) result in overyielding and also, enhanced nodulation by faba beans. By using permeable and impermeable root barriers in a 2-y field experiment, we show that root-root interactions between faba bean and maize significantly increase both nodulation and symbiotic N2 fixation in intercropped faba bean. Furthermore, root exudates from maize promote faba bean nodulation, whereas root exudates from wheat and barley do not. Thus, a decline of soil nitrate concentrations caused by intercropped cereals is not the sole mechanism for maize promoting faba bean nodulation. Intercropped maize also caused a twofold increase in exudation of flavonoids (signaling compounds for rhizobia) in the systems. Roots of faba bean treated with maize root exudates exhibited an immediate 11-fold increase in the expression of chalcone-flavanone isomerase (involved in flavonoid synthesis) gene together with a significantly increased expression of genes mediating nodulation and auxin response. After 35 d, faba beans treated with maize root exudate continued to show up-regulation of key nodulation genes, such as early nodulin 93 (ENOD93), and promoted nitrogen fixation. Our results reveal a mechanism for how intercropped maize promotes nitrogen fixation of faba bean, where maize root exudates promote flavonoid synthesis in faba bean, increase nodulation, and stimulate nitrogen fixation after enhanced gene expression. These results indicate facilitative root-root interactions and provide a mechanism for a positive relationship between species diversity and ecosystem productivity.