Tea polyphenols alleviate TBBPA-induced inflammation, ferroptosis and apoptosis via TLR4/NF-κB pathway in carp gills

The extensive application of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) leads to the pollution of part of the water environment and brings great safety risks to aquatic animals. As a natural extract, tea polyphenols (TPs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Gills are one of the immune organs of fish and constitute the first line of defense of the immune system. However, it was unclear whether TPs could mitigate TBBPA-induced gills injury. Therefore, an animal model was established to investigate the effect of TPs on TBBPA-induced gills. The results indicated that TBBPA changed the coefficient and tissue morphology of carp gills. In addition, TBBPA induced oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to ferroptosis and apoptosis in carp gills. Dietary addition of TPs significantly improved the antioxidant capacity of carp, effectively inhibited the overexpression of TLR4/NF-κB and its mediated inflammatory response. Moreover, TPs restored iron metabolism, reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic factors thereby alleviating ferroptosis and apoptosis in carp gills. This study enriched the protective effect of TPs and provided a new way to improve the innate immunity of carp.

[Infection status and Molecular types of Rhinovirus among Cases of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022]

Objective: To understand the infection status and molecular types of rhinovirus (RV) among cases of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022. Methods: From October 2017 to June 2022, clinical and epidemiological data were collected from 2 270 cases of ARIs at Luohe Central Hospital in Henan Province. Throat swab specimens were obtained from these cases. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to screen for RV-positive specimens. Subsequently, the positive samples were subjected to nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) to amplify the full-length VP1 region. Using the MEGA software, along with 169 RV reference strains recommended by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, a phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine RV types. Results: Among the 2 270 cases of ARIs, there were 1 283 male cases (56.52%). The median age (Q1, Q3) was 3 (1, 6) years, with the population under 5 years old accounting for 68.59% (1 557/2 270). RV was detected in 137 cases (6.04%), of which 68 cases (49.64%) showed co-detection with other viruses, with the most common being co-detection with enterovirus, accounting for 14.60% (20/137). The RV detection rates in the age groups of 0~4 years, 5~14 years, 15~59 years, and≥60 years were 6.42% (100/1 557), 4.69% (21/448), 3.80% (6/158), and 9.35% (10/107), respectively, with no statistically significant differences (χ2=5.310, P=0.150). The overall detection rates of RV before (2017-2019) and during (2020-2022) the COVID-19 pandemic showed no statistically significant difference (χ2=1.823, P=0.177). A total of 109 VP1 sequences were obtained, including 62 types. Among them, RV-A, RV-B, and RV-C had 42, 3, and 17 types respectively. Conclusion: RV is one of the predominant pathogens in ARIs cases in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022. Multiple types of RV co-circulate without any apparent dominant type.

Polyethylene microplastics cause apoptosis via the MiR-132/CAPN axis and inflammation in carp ovarian

Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed pollutants in the environment and accumulate in the aquatic environment due to human activities. Carp, a common edible aquatic organism, has been found to accumulate MPs in body. MicroRNA (miRNAs) is a non-coding short RNA that regulates protein expression by binding to target genes in various physiological processes such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The ovary is a crucial role in carp reproduction. In this study, we established a model of carp exposed to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in the aquatic environment to investigate the specific mechanism of PE-MPs causing ovarian injury and the involvement of miR-132/calpain (CAPN) axis. H&E stained sections revealed that PE-PMs induced inflammation in ovarian tissues and impaired oocyte development. TUNEL analysis showed an increased rate of apoptosis in ovarian cells treated with PE-PMs. RT-PCR and Western Blot assays confirmed that exposure to PE-MPs significantly decreased miR-132 expression while increasing CAPN expression at both mRNA and protein levels. The concentration of calcium ions was significantly increased in tissues, leading to CAPN enzyme activity increase. The expression of mitochondrial damage-related genes (bax, AIF, cyt-c, caspase-7, caspase-9, and caspase-3) was higher while the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (bcl-2 and bcl-xl) was lower. Protein levels of bax, AIF, caspase-3, bcl-2 and bcl-xl changed accordingly with the genetic alterations. Additionally, we discovered that PE-MPs can activate the p65 factor through the TRAF6/NF-kB pathway resulting in elevated production of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-a which contribute to ovarian inflammation development. This study investigates the impact of PE-MPs on carp ovarian function and provides insights into miRNAs' role and their target genes.

The Discovery and Anti-Colorectal Cancer Activities of Cembranolides from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sinularia pendunculata

A new cembranolide, namely, sinupendunculide A (1), along with eight known related compounds (2-9), was isolated from the South China Sea Soft coral Sinularia pendunculata. The structure of sinupendunculide A (1) was established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction experiments. In a bioassay, anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) activity was performed, and the results showed that several compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against RKO cells, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship was analysed. Meanwhile, the most effective compound 7 was proven to increase reactive oxygen species levels, which promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation.

A MATLAB GUI program for reservoir management to simultaneously optimise sediment release and power generation

Sedimentation affects the normal function of reservoirs and is a decisive factor in the reservoir's service life. Flushing sediment during reservoir operation is an effective non-engineering measure to alleviate reservoir sedimentation; however, lowering water level to discharge more flow conflicts with hydropower generation. In this study, reservoir management software is developed to simultaneously optimise sediment discharge and hydropower generation with the reservoir discharge as the decision variables. The sediment transport rate is calculated by an integral of the vertical distribution of suspended load concentration and flow velocity instead of empirical formulas. The model is solved by the most widely used multi-objective optimisation algorithm NSGA-II, resulting in the optimal schedule corresponding to the maximal sediment discharge and hydropower generation, which can be displayed graphically in the software. The software was developed in MATLAB with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and applied to a large reservoir and can be generalised to other reservoirs. The results show that within the recommended discharge variation of 5%, the sediment release can be increased by 2.07 × 10⁶ t as a reduction of per 10¹⁰ kW h in annual power generation. Compared with the original scheme, sediment release can be increased most by 3.31% at the cost of 0.03% loss of power generation. Moreover, the dual objective in the flood season was optimised by 7.30% and 3.92%, respectively.

[Analysis of disease progression rate and related factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients at initial visit]

Objective: To find out the relationship of the progression rate of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with relevant clinical indicators at initial visit so as to enrich the knowledge of ALS at its early stage. Methods: The clinical data of 282 patients diagnosed with ALS at Neurology Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2016 to March 2021 were collected in order to make a retrospective analysis of the dynamic change of the progression rate (ΔFS) and influencing factors, and thus a classification of the progression rate will be summarized. Results: Among 282 patients, 164 were males and 118 were females. The age of onset was (53±11) years old. The ΔFS had a negative exponential relationship with delay time of diagnosis no matter what kinds of onset the patients experienced (upper limb onset, lower limb onset or bulbar onset). The ΔFS for the limb function sub-group had a similar functional relationship with diagnostic delay in patients with either upper limb onset or lower limb onset. The statistical model indicated that the disease progression rate of ALS at initial visit can be classified into three types (high speed type: ΔFS≥1.0 score/month; moderate speed type: 0.5≤ΔFS<1.0 score/month; low speed type: ΔFS<0.5 score/month). The critical values of the three types in patients with upper limb onset were 8 and 20 months, while 9 and 24 months for lower limb onset patients, and 9 and 36 months for bulbar onset patients. At initial visit, there were significant statistical differences among these three types in age at onset (P=0.008), diagnostic delay (P<0.001), ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) score (P<0.001) and onset site (P=0.006). The age at onset in moderate speed type was significantly greater than that of the slow speed type [(54.9±10.4) years vs (50.2±9.6) years, P=0.002]. The diagnostic delay in high speed type [6 (4, 10) months] was significantly shorter than that in moderate speed type [12 (8, 19) months, P<0.001] and low speed type [22 (14, 36) months, P<0.001], and the moderate speed type was shorter in comparison with low speed type (P<0.001). As for the ALSFRS-R score, the high speed type [36(32, 39)] was significantly lower than the moderate speed type [39 (36, 42), P<0.001] and low speed type [42 (39, 44), P<0.001], and the moderate speed type was lower in comparison with low speed type (P=0.002). The proportion of cases with upper limb onset in high speed type (20.3%) was significantly lower than that in low speed type (42.2%, P<0.001) and moderate speed type (37.5%, P=0.014). By contrast, the proportion of cases with lower limb onset in high speed type (39.2%) was significantly higher than that in low speed type (28.9%, P=0.023), however no difference was shown between the fast speed type and moderate speed type (32.0%, P=0.061). There was no difference among these three progression types in patients with bulbar onset. Conclusions: The disease progression rate of ALS at initial visit can be classified into three types including high speed, moderate speed and low speed. At early stage of ALS, ΔFS is affected by onset age, onset site, diagnostic delay and ALSFRS-R score.

Tannic Acid-Steeped Corn Grain Modulates in vitro Ruminal Fermentation Pattern and Microbial Metabolic Pathways

This study investigated the effects of tannic acid (TA)-treated corn on changes in ruminal fermentation characteristics and the composition of the ruminal bacterial community in vitro. Ruminal fluid was obtained from three rumen-fistulated goats fed a 60:40 (forage/concentrate) diet. The batch cultures consisted of 25 ml of strained rumen fluid in 25 ml of an anaerobic buffer containing 0.56 g of ground corn, 0.24 g of soybean meal, 0.10 g of alfalfa, and 0.10 g of oat grass. Ground corn (2 mm) was steeped in an equal quantity (i.e., in a ratio of 1:1, w/v) of water alone (Con), 15 (TA15), 25 (TA25), and 35 g/l (TA35) TA solution for 12 h. After incubation for 24 h, TA-treated corn linearly increased (P <0.05) ruminal pH and the molar proportion of acetate, but linearly reduced (P <0.05) total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportion of butyrate compared with the Con treatment. Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to investigate the profile changes of the ruminal microbes. A principal coordinates analysis plot based on weighted UniFrac values revealed that the structure of the ruminal bacterial communities in the control group was different from that of the TA-treated corn groups. The results of changes in the rumen bacterial communities showed that TA-treated corn linearly enriched (P <0.05) Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, but linearly reduced (P <0.05) Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Ruminococcus_2, and unclassified_o__Clostridiales. Functional prediction of ruminal microbiota revealed that the TA-treated corn linearly decreased ruminal microbiota function of utilizing starch through pyruvate metabolism. In conclusion, TA-treated corn can modulate the rumen fermentation characteristics, microbial composition, and metabolic pathways, which may be potentially useful for preventing the occurrence of ruminal acidosis.

Thiamine modulates intestinal morphological structure and microbiota under subacute ruminal acidosis induced by a high-concentrate diet in Saanen goats

Ruminant animals are generally fed with starch-rich grain as the main energy source, and the incidence of metabolic diseases such as subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is high due to the intensive farming. Thiamin has been reported to alleviate SARA caused by high-concentrate diets, but the exact mechanism is not well understood. The goal of this study was to examine the role of thiamine in intestinal inflammation and microbiota caused by high-concentrate diets. The SARA model was induced by low neutral detergent fibre/starch ration to study the effects of thiamine on intestinal tissue structure and microbiota. 18 mid-lactation (148 ± 3 d in milk; milk yield = 0.71 ± 0.0300 kg/d) Saanen goats (BW = 36.5 ± 1.99 kg; body condition score = 2.73 ± 0.16, where 1 = emaciated and 6 = obese) in parities 1 or 2 were selected. The goats were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates: (1) control diet (C; concentrate:forage 30:70), (2) high-concentrate diet (H; concentrate:forage 70:30), and (3) high-concentrate diet with 200 mg of thiamine/kg of DM intake (H + T;concentrate:forage 70:30). The experimental period was lasted for 56 d. The small and large intestine, expression of inflammatory factor genes, tight junction protein genes, total antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota were measured. The results showed that SARA was observed in treatment H, whereas rumen fluid pH was improved in treatment H + T. Treatment H + T also significantly repaired the intestinal tissue structure damaged by SARA, improved the total antioxidant capacity of the small intestinal mucosa, reduced mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the small intestine tissue, and increased the mRNA expression of tight junction genes in small intestine tissue. The high-concentrate diet reduced the diversity of intestinal microbiota. When thiamine is added to the high-concentrate diet, the relative abundance of intestinal Firmicutes and beneficial bacteria represented by Lactobacilli were upregulated, and the relative abundance of Proteus, a marker of intestinal dysbacteriosis, returned to normal. In conclusion, thiamine supplementation could alleviate the damage to the intestinal tissue structure and microbial environment caused by SARA condition in dairy goats fed a high-concentrate diet.

[Efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with complex high risk coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in complex high-risk and indicated patients (CHIP). Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) supported by VA-ECMO in the Second Hospital of Jilin University from June 2018 to January 2020 were enrolled. General clinical data, laboratory examination results, PCI and ECMO process, postoperative complications and prognosis were collected through the electronic medical record system. The endpoint of the study was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as complex events including cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, heart failure and malignant arrhythmia. All patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: A total of 31 patients, aged (64.6±10.1) years, including 19 males were included. All patients were treated with VA-ECMO before PCI. The ProGlide vascular suture device was embedded by local anesthesia to quickly establish circulation. There were 9 (29.0%) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 10 (32.3%) patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 12 (38.7%) patients with unstable angina. The number of stents implanted during the operation were 2.8±1.8. The VA-ECMO weaning time was 24.0 (2.0, 88.5) hours. Compared with the results of pre-operation, the patient's postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved (49% (42%, 55%) vs. 43% (35%, 52%), P<0.01], hemoglobin and platelet count levels decreased, the level of creatinine and urea nitrogen was increased (P<0.05). Within 24 hours after operation, hemoglobin decreased>20 g/L was observed in 18 cases (58.1%), puncture site bleeding was found in 2 cases (6.5%), pseudoaneurysm occurred in 1 case (3.2%) and postoperative cerebral infarction occurred in 1 case (3.2%). There were no deaths during the operation, 2 patients died during hospitalization. All discharged patients were followed up for 12 months. The incidence of MACE was 13.8% (4/29). During the follow-up period, 2 patients died. One patient was hospitalized with recurrent myocardial infarction and one patient with heart failure. Survival analysis was performed 12 months after intervention and the cumulative survival rate was 80.0%. Conclusion: The application of VA-ECMO in CHIP interventional therapy is safe, effective and feasible.

Thiamine ameliorates metabolic disorders induced by a long-term high-concentrate diet and promotes rumen epithelial development in goats

Data indicate that dietary thiamine supplementation can partly alleviate rumen epithelium inflammation and barrier function in goats fed a high-concentrate diet. The current work aimed to explore whether thiamine promotes rumen epithelium development by regulating carbohydrate metabolism during a long period of feeding high levels of concentrate. For the experiment, 24 female Boer goats (35.62 ± 2.4 kg of body weight) in parity 1 or 2 were allocated to 3 groups (8 goats per replicate) receiving a low-concentrate diet (concentrate:forage 30:70), a high-concentrate diet (HC; concentrate:forage 70:30), or a high-concentrate diet (concentrate:forage 70:30) supplemented with 200 mg of thiamine/kg of dry matter intake (HCT; concentrate:forage 70:30). On the last day of 12 wk, rumen fluid and blood samples were collected to measure ruminal parameters, endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, and blood inflammatory cytokines. Goats were slaughtered to collect ruminal tissue to determine differential metabolites, enzyme activities, and gene expression. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the HCT group had significantly increased concentrations of d-glucose 6-phosphate, d-fructose 6-phosphate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, thiamine pyrophosphate, oxaloacetate, acetyl-CoA, succinyl-CoA, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate, ribose 5-phosphate, and NADPH compared with the HC group. The pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase enzyme activities in the rumen epithelium of the HCT group were higher than those in the HC group. The plasma total antioxidant capacity values for the HCT group were greater than those for the HC group. The rumen epithelium ATP content in the HCT group was higher than that in the HC group. Compared with the HCT group, the HC group had a lower mRNA abundance of CCND1, CCNA2, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, BCL2, PI3K, and AKT1. Taken together, the results suggest that dietary thiamine supplementation could ameliorate disorders in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway induced by a long-term high-concentrate diet and could promote rumen epithelial growth.

Meishan neonatal piglets tend to have higher intestinal barrier function than crossbred neonatal piglets

Meishan pigs tend to have higher disease resistance than commercial breeds, although more studies are needed to confirm this difference. This study compared intestinal barrier function between Meishan and crossbred neonatal piglets to provide guidance for both the breeding and nutritional regulation of pigs. Six Meishan piglets and 6 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) crossbred neonatal piglets (all with normal birth weights) were obtained and allocated into the MEIS and CROSS groups, respectively. Intestinal morphology, goblet cell numbers, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cytokine gene and tight junction protein expression were assessed. The results showed that BW was lower in the MEIS group than in the CROSS group (P < 0.01). The relative lengths of the duodenum (P < 0.05), jejunum (P < 0.01) and ileum (P < 0.01) in the MEIS group were higher than those in the CROSS group. Compared with the CROSS group, the MEIS group exhibited shorter villus lengths in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.01), a shallower crypt depth in the ileum (P < 0.001) and denser and longer microvilli in the intestine. The numbers of GCs in the duodenum (P < 0.01) and jejunum (P < 0.001) and the activity levels of glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) in the jejunum and of catalase (P < 0.01) and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) in the ileum were higher in the MEIS group than in the CROSS group. Compared with the CROSS group, the MEIS group exhibited higher gene expression levels of interleukin (IL) 4 and interferon γ (IFNγ) in the jejunum (P < 0.05); IL2 (P < 0.05), IL4 (P < 0.01) and IFNγ (P < 0.001) in the ileum; and mucin 2 (P < 0.01) and occludin (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. In conclusion, Meishan neonatal piglets showed lower birth weights but higher intestinal barrier function than crossbred piglets.

[Five million wear simulation and particle analysis of carbon-based nano-multilayer coatings titanium alloy femoral head]

Objective: To analyze the wear debris characteristics ofcarbon-based nano- multilayer coatings on Ti(6)Al(4)V alloys and compared with the cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo) femoral head to evaluate the friction and wear performance of the new coated femoral head. Methods: Three groups were set up in the wear simulation experiment according to the type of femoral head. Group A: imported Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum alloy femoral head (CoCrMo); group B: Titanium alloy femoral head (Ti(6)Al(4)V) with carbon-based nano-multilayer coatings; group C: domestic Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum alloy femoral head (CoCrMo). All heads were jointed with an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cup. Serum samples were collected and stored in the hip joint simulator. After the sample has been digested and diluted, it was filtered through 5 μm, 1.2 μm and 0.4 μm filters, and the filter paper was collected for testing. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to randomly select regions on the filter to obtain images of wear debris. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine the elemental type of the particle and to eliminate possible contamination. The composition and structure of the abrasive chips were measured using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The parameters related to the wear debris includingparticle size, shape, number and volume were calculated. The differences in correlation parameters between the groups were compared to evaluate the friction and wear properties of the new coated joints. Results: The main component of the wear debris produced was UHMWPE, and the particle size was mostly below 1 μm. The submicron particle ratio of group B was 49.4%, which was significantly lower than that of the group A and C (75% and 60%, respectively; χ(2)=66.032, 31.754, both P<0.017). The shape was mainly round, and there was no statistical difference between the groups (χ(2)=0.590, P=0.744). The number of particles in group B was significantly less than that of group C on all filters (t=9.960, 8.019, 5.790, all P<0.01), and less than group A on the 0.4 μm filter (t=7.810, P=0.000). Conclusion: The frictional wear performance of the new carbon-based nano-multilayer coatings femoral head is significantly better than that of the domestic femoral head, and even partially exceeds the imported femoral head level, which helps to reduce the production of particles and prevent osteolysis and aseptic loosening induced by UHMWPE particles.

Inhibition of MiR-122 Decreases Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Upregulating DJ-1-Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue Deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN)/Phosphonosinol-3 Kinase (PI3K)/AKT

BACKGROUND Ischemia-reperfusion injury is caused by a blood reperfusion injury in ischemic brain tissue, and usually occurs in the treatment stage of ischemic disease, which can aggravate brain tissue injury. MiR-122 is closely related to ischemia-reperfusion injury in the myocardium, kidney, and liver; however, the role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury has not been established. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established in a rat model, and the control group was a sham-operated group. After ischemia-reperfusion injury for 6, 12, and 24 hours, brain tissue specimens were collected and the expression of miR-122 and DJ-1 were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Flow cytometry was used to determine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. The modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) scale was used to evaluate the sensory and motor function defects of the rats. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and enzyme activity were determined. The rats in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model were divided into 2 groups (antagomir-NC group and antagomir miR-122 group). Brain neuron RN-c cells were divided into the following 4 groups: antagomir-NC, antagomir miR-122, pIRES2-blank, and pIRES2-DJ-1. Seventy-two hours after transfection, ischemia-reperfusion treatment was carried out and conventional cultured RN-c cells were used as the control group. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and western blot was used to detect the expression of DJ-1, PTEN, AKT, and p-AKT. RESULTS The expression of miR-122 increased significantly in the process of ischemia-reperfusion damage after cerebral infarction, while the expression of DJ-1 decreased significantly. Downregulation of miR-122 significantly increased the expression of DJ-1, enhanced the activity of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway, reduced cell apoptosis, and alleviated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of miR-122 can decrease cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by upregulating DJ-1-PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.

[Analysis of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September in 2019, were randomly divided into control group (group C) and sugammadex group (group S). All patients were anaesthetized (induced and maintained) with intravenous target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil, and intermittent intravenous injection of the neuromuscular block of rocuronium. During the operation, the bispectral index (BIS) was used to monitor the depth of anesthesia, and the neuromuscular block was assessed with TOF. Single-lung mechanical ventilation and double-lumen endotracheal intubation were carried out, and patient-controlled analgesia after operation were enforced. Patients in group C received neostigmine (2 mg) combined with atropine (0.5-1.0 mg) after thoracic closure, while patients in group S received sugammadex (2 mg/kg) at TOF count (≥2) after thoracic closure, and then double-lumen endotracheal tubes were extubated according to extubation indications. At these time points: T(0) (immediate before anesthesia induction), T(1) (immediate before tracheal intubation), T(2) (immediately after thoracic closure), T(3) (1 h after operation), T(4) (6 h after operation), T(5) (24 h after operation), T(6)(48 h after operation), the heart rate(HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded, QT interval (V3 ECG) were measured and calculated, indicators of liver function [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST)], renal function [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre)] and clotting function [thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB)] were detected. The duration of operation, postoperative conditions within 48 hours after operation(the time of tracheal tube extubation, respiratory suppression/dysfunction, allergy, nausea and vomiting, itching of skin, abnormal sensation), pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences of the age, sex ratio, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading ratio, duration of operation, pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay, HR, MAP and QT interval between two groups (all P>0.05). There were no remarkable differences of the levels of serum histamine, ALT, AST, BUN, Cre, TT, PT, APTT and FIB before and after administration of neuromuscular blockade antagonists (neostigmine or Sugammadex) in the same group patients (all P>0.05), also no significant differences between group C and group S at the same time points (all P>0.05). Average time of tracheal tube extubation in group S [(3.7±1.3) min] was sharply shorter than that in group C [(14.5±4.4) min, t=2.266, P<0.05)]. There were no patients with allergy, skin itching, sensory abnormality in these two groups. There were no significant difference of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between these two groups. There were 5 patients with respiratory depression in group C and no respiratory depression patient in group S, the difference was statistically significant between these two groups (χ(2)=5.263, P<0.05). Conclusion: Sugammadex is effective for antagonizing the neuromuscular blockade of rocuronium in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope, and can shorten the time of tracheal tube extubation after surgery.

[Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in 640 000 adults in eastern China]

Objective: To understand the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in residents aged 35-75 years in eastern China, analyze the treatment mode for antihypertensive agents while identifying those factors affecting awareness, treatment and control. Methods: The data collected in eastern China from the China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Million Persons Project were used to obtain the information about the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the residents and the antihypertensive medication treatment mode in this area. Multilevel mixed-effects model was used to explore the association of the demographic characteristics of hypertension patients with the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension. Results: A total of 640 539 participants aged 35-75 years, mean age (56.9±9.6) years, were included in the analysis, women accounted for 59.7% and 318 741 (49.8%) of the participants suffered from hypertension. Among those hypertensive patients, 46.5% were aware of their condition, 38.1% were taking prescribed antihypertensive medications, and 11.1% had achieved the control of hypertension, the differences were significant among provinces, between urban area and rural area and among different demographical groups. Calcium-channel blockers was the most commonly used medication (45.1%), and 78 735 hypertension patients (86.2%) took only one type of medication. Older age, higher household income, higher level of education, and histories of myocardial infarction, stroke and diabetes were associated with higher awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (P<0.05). Conclusions: The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were low in residents in eastern China. The differences in hypertension management were significant among provinces and between urban area and rural area. Further efforts are needed to enhance the system of hypertension prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Thiamine ameliorates inflammation of the ruminal epithelium of Saanen goats suffering from subacute ruminal acidosis

This study aimed to examine the role of thiamine in the local inflammation of ruminal epithelium caused by high-concentrate diets. Eighteen mid-lactating (148 ± 3 d in milk; milk yield = 0.71 ± 0.0300 kg/d) Saanen goats (body weight = 36.5 ± 1.99 kg; body condition score = 2.73 ± 0.16, where 0 = emaciated and 5 = obese) in parity 1 or 2 were selected. The goats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6/group): (1) control diet (concentrate:forage 30:70), (2) high-concentrate diet (HC; concentrate:forage 70:30), and (3) high-concentrate diet with 200 mg of thiamine/kg of dry matter intake (THC; concentrate:forage 70:30). Goats remained on experimental diets for 8 wk. On the last day of 8 wk, ruminal and blood samples were collected to determine ruminal parameters, endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, and blood inflammatory cytokines. Goats were slaughtered to collect ruminal tissue to determine gene and protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathways. Thiamine supplementation increased ruminal pH (6.03 vs. 5.42) compared with the HC group. Propionate (21.08 vs. 31.61 mM), butyrate (12.08 vs. 19.39 mM), lactate (0.52 vs. 0.71 mM), and free lipopolysaccharide (42.16 vs. 55.87 × 10³ endotoxin units/mL) concentrations in ruminal fluid were lower in THC goats compared with HC goats. Similar to plasma interleukin 1β (IL-1β) concentration (209.31 vs. 257.23 pg/mL), blood CD8⁺ percentage (27.57 vs. 34.07%) also decreased in response to thiamine. Compared with HC goats, THC goats had lower ruminal epithelium activity of the enzymes myeloperoxidase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9. In contrast to HC, THC had downregulated mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB (NFKB), TLR4, IL1B, MMP2, and MMP9 in ruminal epithelium. Thiamine supplementation led to lower relative protein expression of IL-1β, NF-κB unit p65, and phosphorylated NF-κB unit p65 in ruminal epithelium. Taken together, these results suggest that thiamine supplementation mitigates HC-induced local inflammation and ruminal epithelial disruption.

[Vaccine loss related to the expanded immunization program in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 2016-2017]

Objective: To assess the vaccine loss related to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region so as to improve the management of vaccines. Methods: A total of 135 vaccination clinics were randomly selected, using a stratified cluster sampling method. In each clinic, data on vaccination was collected between 2016 and 2017, including the number of doses in routine immunization program and supplementary immunization activities (i.e., vaccine doses in vials that were opened for use) on polio vaccine, number of doses administered to children and the number of doses discarded (e.g., expired vaccine or broken vials that had not been opened for use), etc. Coefficient on vaccine loss was calculated with the following equation: vaccine loss coefficient=(number of vaccine doses used)/(number of vaccine doses administered). The vaccine discard rate appeared as: number of vaccine doses discarded)/number of vaccine doses used. Results: For vaccines in single-dose vials [diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTaP) and trivalent oral polio virus vaccine (tOPV)], the loss coefficients appeared as 1.00 and 1.02, respectively. For vaccines in multi-dose vials [bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPV-A), diphtheria-tetanus combined vaccine (DT) and bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine], the loss coefficients were 1.58, 1.67, 1.68, and 3.02, respectively. The coefficients of EPI vaccine loss in urban, rural, and pastoral area vaccination clinics ranged between 1.00-2.84, 1.00-3.71, and 1.00-2.27, respectively. Loss coefficients ranged between 1.00-3.00, 1.00- 4.41, and 1.00-1.94, respectively, were seen in township clinics, village clinics, and decentralized vaccination clinics. Coefficients on larger vaccine loss were associated with longer intervals between clinic sessions and with fewer vaccinations administrations per day. Conclusions: In Xinjiang, coefficients on the loss of multi-dose EPI vaccines were high. The coefficients on loss were different from the levels of region and types of clinics, and time interval between clinic sessions. Programs on refining the management and distribution of EPI vaccines, to minimize the vaccine loss were recommended.

Influenza a virus and Streptococcus pneumonia coinfection potentially promotes bacterial colonization and enhances B lymphocyte depression and reduction

Influenza has frequently been epidemic in recent years. However, the mechanisms of severe pneumonia with postinfluenza Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) secondary infection have not been fully understood. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of pneumonia in postinfluenza A virus (IAV) infection via a mouse model. Mice were intranasally inoculated with SP three days after IAV inoculation. We then collected samples at three time points to dynamically observe the pathological progression. In IAV infection alone, lymphocyte infiltration and widened alveolar intervals were observed. In the blood, levels of the CD19+, CD19+CD21+ and CD19+CD79β+B lymphocyte subpopulations were reduced, and IFN-γ and IL-10 were elevated. Slight atrophy was seen in the spleen, which was due to splenic B lymphocyteinitiated apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. When SP infection occurred after IAV infection, the pulmonary inflammation was significantly aggravated; a fair number of lymphocytes and neutrophils infiltrated simultaneously with exfoliated bronchial epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, widened alveolar septum and hemorrhaging. Increasing edema fluid and bacteria accumulated in the alveolar cavity. Decreased CD19+, CD19+CD21+ and CD19+CD79β+B lymphocyte subpopulations and increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or interleukin 10 (IL-10) were more prominent compared to those with viral infection alone. Spleen atrophy resulting from coinfection was more obvious because of massive splenic B lymphocyte apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway compared to viral infection alone. This study shows that although inflammation caused by SP infection alone was temporary, preceding IAV infection provided favorable conditions for SP colonization and multiplication by destroying lung structure and suppressing humoral immunity. Synergistic IAV-SP coinfection is likely to facilitate more SP colonization and promote B lymphocyte-suppression and reduction. Eventually, the pneumonia worsened.

[Correlation study of IL-18 expression in HBsAg positive parturients in intrauterine transmission of HBV]

Objective: To investigate the expression of IL-18 in peripheral blood of HBsAg positive parturients in intrauterine transmission of HBV. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 282 HBsAg positive parturients and 43 health parturients (control group) in Northwest Women and Children Hospital of Shaanxi Province. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect five serological makers of hepatitis B, real time PCR was used to detect HBV DNA, and flow liquid chip method was used to detect IL-18 levels in peripheral blood of parturients and newborns. Results: The incidence of dominant HBV infection (DBI), occult HBV infection (OBI) and intrauterine transmission of HBV were 8.42% (24/285), 40.00% (114/285) and 48.42% (138/285), respectively. The level of IL-18 in peripheral blood of HBsAg-negative parturients were significantly lower than those of HBsAg-positive parturients (P=0.001), non-HBV intrauterine transmission (NBIT) group (P=0.001) and OBI group (P<0.001). The level of IL-18 in HBeAg negative group was significantly lower than that in HBeAg positive group (P=0.023). When HBV DNA load was ≥10(3) copies/ml, the level of IL-18 was significantly higher than that in HBsAg-negative group (P<0.01). With the increase of HBV DNA load in maternal blood, the level of IL-18 increased (P=0.024). When HBV DNA load was 10(3)-10(6) copies/ml, the level of IL-18 in DBI group was significantly lower than that in NBIT group (P=0.022), and increased with the increase of HBV DNA load in maternal blood (P=0.016). With the increased severity of intrauterine transmission of HBV, the level of IL-18 in non-hepatitis B vaccine group decreased significantly (P=0.044). The level of IL-18 in non-hepatitis B vaccine group and immunoglobulin injection group was significantly higher than that in NBIT group (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the linear relationship between maternal HBeAg status and maternal IL-18 levels had statistical significance (P=0.01). Conclusions: IL-18 is a higher level balance regulator of Th1/Th2 immune network. Monitoring the level of IL-18 in HBsAg-positive parturients can be used not only for predicting the probability of DBI and OBI, but also as an intervention mean, especially for those who are HBeAg-positive and had HBV DNA load ≥10(3) copies/ml, to improve maternal cellular immune function, which is conducive to interrupting intrauterine transmission and providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of HBV intrauterine transmission.

[Effect of IFN-γ and IL-12 expressions on intrauterine transmission in HBsAg-positive parturientsin late pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the influence of IFN-γ and IL-12 levels in prenatal peripheral blood of HBsAg-positive parturients on intrauterine transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 282 HBsAg positive parturients and 43 health parturients (control group) in Northwest Women and Children Hospital of Shaanxi Province. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect five serological makers of hepatitis B in peripheral blood of parturients. HBV DNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Detection of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12 levels were conducted with liquid chip-based flow cytometry method. The serum levels of five serological markers of hepatitis B and HBV DNA in 285 newborns were detected within 24 hours after birth. Results: The incidence of intrauterine dominant infection (DBI), occult infection (OBI) and intrauterine transmission of HBV in HBsAg positive parturients were 7.37% (21/285), 40.70% (116/285) and 48.07% (137/285), respectively. The level of IFN-γ in peripheral blood of HBsAg-negative parturients was significantly lower than those of HBsAg-positive parturients (t=-2.55, P=0.011), NBIT group (t=-2.54, P=0.012) and OBI group (t=-2.33, P=0.021). In HBV DNA load of 10(3)-10(6) copies/ml group, the levels of IFN-γ in the DBI group were significantly lower than those in OBI group and NBIT group (P<0.01). The level of IFN-γ in maternal peripheral blood decreased significantly with the increased severity of intrauterine transmission of HBV (χ(2)=6.40, P=0.041). In the antiviral treatment group, the level of IL-12 in maternal peripheral blood decreased significantly with the increased severity of intrauterine transmission of HBV (χ(2)=8.90, P=0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significant linear relationship between maternal IFN-γ level and maternal age, placenta previa and hepatitis B vaccine injection (P<0.05). The linear relationship between the level of maternal IL-12 and the mode of rupture and hepatitis B vaccine injection had statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusions: HBV can stimulate the expression of IFN-γ and inhibit the secretion of IL-12 in pregnant and lying-in women, but the expression of IFN-γ in HBsAg-positive parturients showed intra-group differentiation, and the maternal level of IFN-γ will decrease in HBeAg-positive and high-HBV DNA loadstatus. Increasing the levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 in HBsAg-positive parturients is beneficial to block intrauterine transmission of HBV, especially DBI.

[A case of gastric duplication presenting as a retroperitoneal cystic lesion]

Gastric duplication is a rare congenital anomaly accounting to 4% of all gastrointestinal tract duplications. It is usually diagnosed pre-natally or during infancy. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication is very rare in adult patients. It is generally asymptomatic or presents with non-specific symptoms. The sensitivity of classical imaging modalities for retroperitoneal gastric duplication is weak. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication could be misdiagnosed as other retroperitoneal cystic lesions and it could be definitely diagnosed by typical findings of abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) plus EUS:guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in gastric duplicated cyst. A female adult patient was diagnosed by an exceptional hospital CT as retroperitoneal cystic lesion and was admitted in our hospital in March 2019. The abdominal enhanced CT in our hospital preoperatively indicated a cystic lesion above the left kidney and the maximum cross section was 9.0 cm×5.2 cm. Lymphocysts and others should be identified and the lesion might be from the stomach. The retroperitoneal gastric duplication was not diagnosed before operation. In the operation laparoscopy revealed the cystic lesion in the retroperitoneum. The pancreas, left adrenal gland, and left kidney were compressed by the cystic lesion. The top of the lesion was connected with the small curvature of the stomach, but it was not communicated with the stomach. The retroperitoneal cystic lesion was completely excised and the surrounding organs were not damaged. The retroperitoneal gastric duplication was clearly diagnosed by the findings in the operation and the pathology of the lesion. The patient was discharged a week after surgery without gastrointestinal and pancreatic injuries. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cysts should consider the possibility of retroperitoneal gastric duplication. For patients with typical CT findings or unclear boundaries between the tumor and the stomach wall, gastric duplication could be diagnosed by EUS plus EUS:guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in the cyst. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication cyst could be completely excised by laparoscopy through abdominal cavity and the stomach wall could be completely repaired.

Myricetin Attenuated Diabetes-Associated Kidney Injuries and Dysfunction via Regulating Nuclear Factor (Erythroid Derived 2)-Like 2 and Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling

Background/Aims: Previous studies have suggested that myricetin (Myr) could promote the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like (Nrf2). This study aimed to investigate whether Myr could attenuate diabetes-associated kidney injuries and dysfunction in wild-type (WT) and Nrf2 knockdown (Nrf2-KD) mice.

Methods: Lentivirus-mediated Nrf2-KD and WT mice were used to establish type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. WT and Nrf2-KD mice were then randomly allocated into four groups: control (CON), Myr, STZ, and STZ + Myr. Myr (100 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was administered for 6 months. Kidneys were harvested and weighed at the end of the experiment. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to assess the morphology and fibrosis of the kidneys, respectively. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was used to test renal function. Western blotting was performed to determine oxidative-stress- or inflammation-associated signaling pathways. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of fibrosis or inflammatory cytokines at the message Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) level.

Results: In WT mice, Myr alleviated DM-induced renal dysfunction, fibrosis, and oxidative damage and enhanced the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes. After knockdown of Nrf2, Myr treatment partially but significantly mitigated DM-induced renal dysfunction and fibrosis, which might be associated with inhibition of the I-kappa-B (IκB)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) (P65) signaling pathway.

Conclusions: This study showed that Myr prevented DM-associated decreased expression of Nrf2 and inhibited IκB/NF-κB (P65) signaling pathway. Moreover, inhibition of IκB/NF-κB (P65) signaling pathway is independent of the regulation of Nrf2. Thus, Myr could be a potential treatment for preventing the development and progression of DM-associated kidney injuries and dysfunction.

[Current status of job burnout in in-service sailors from 13 provinces and cities in China]

Objective: To investigate the current status of job burnout in in-service sailors, and to provide a basis for the development of intervention measures for job burnout in sailors. Methods: From September 2015 to May 2016, stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 6 172 in-service sailors from 13 provinces and cities as research subjects. General demographic data including age, education background, and household registration and occupational characteristics such as job position, navigating zone, and nature of employment were collected. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) was used to measure the levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, low occupational efficiency, and job burnout, and the influencing factors for job burnout were also analyzed. Results: Of all 6 172 in-service sailors, 112 (1.8%) had a positive result in emotional exhaustion, 870 (14.1%) had a positive result in depersonalization, and 3 517 (57.0%) had a positive result in low occupational efficiency. Of all sailors, 63.3% had job burnout, among whom 54.1% had mild burnout, 8.7% had moderate burnout, and 0.5% had severe burnout. There was a significant difference in the score of job burnout between the sailors with different ages, education backgrounds, types of household registration, job positions, navigating zones, ornature of employment (P<0.05). Age, education background, household registration, job position, navigating zone, and nature of employment were major influencing factors for job burnout in in-service sailors (P<0.05) , and there was a higher level of job burnout in the sailors with an age of 30-39 years, education background of junior college or above, urban registration, a job position of second mate/third engineer, a navigating zone of coastal lines, orthe nature of employment of freelance sailor. Conclusion: There is a high incidence rate of job burnout among in-service sailors, and the sailors with a young age, urban registration, a navigating zone of coastal lines, or thenature of employment of freelance sailor tend to have low occupational efficiency. Related measures should be adopted for active intervention.

[Study on the transfer mechanism and destructive law of the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes disinfected by chlorination]

Objective: To study the response of Escherichia coli (E. coli) HB101 (plasmid pUC19) and its carried antibiotic resistance genes to the process of cholorination under different environmental conditions. Methods: The E. coli strain was reacted with sodium hypochlorite at the concentration of 0.5, 0.75, 1.00, and 0.55 mg/L, then the residual chlorine and the colonies were detected at the 0.25, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min of the reaction, respectively. The first order disinfection kinetic model and EFH model were used to evaluate the inactivation effect of E. coli (plasmid pUC19) treated by sodium hypochlorite, while the plasmid pUC19 and antibiotic resistance gene amp(r) were detected by PCR method. Besides, the logarithm of Ct (residual chlorine in t) under different concentration were calculated. Results: The temperature and pH value played important roles on the inactivation of E. coli and elimination of plasmid pUC19 and amp(r) under the function of sodium hypochlorite. The Ct value needed for 5-log of E.coli HB101(pUC19) inactivation at 4, 20, 36 ℃ was 11.92, 10.28, 7.67, respectively, and when the pH was in 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, with chloride concentration were 0.75, 0.70, 0.55 mg/L, the Ct value needed for reached to 6.68, 10.28, 15.73 min·mg/L. At pH 7.2 condition, when the temperature was 4, 20, 36 ℃, and chloride concentration were 9, 5, 3 mg/L.The required Ct values to completely destroy the transformation function of free antibiotic resistant plasmids were 36.11, 34.17,16.09 min·mg/L. Sodium hypochlorite disinfection can release free ampr gene and even the transformed plasmid pUC19, and pollute the water body. Only when the Ct value reached 903.03 min·mg/L, the complete ampr gene can be destroyed which was far more exceed the bacterial lethal Ct value. Conclusion: Even if all the antibiotic resistant bacteria were inactivated, the antibiotic resistant plasmids or genes might still maintain complete with the transformable function, which may result in new potential risks of waterborne diseases.

[Cytotoxic effects of γδT cells on bladder cancer cells and expression of MICA/B in bladder cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of γδT cells against bladder cancer and to detect the expression of stress proteins MICA/B recognized by γδT cells in bladder cancer.

METHODS

γδT cells from peripheral blood drawn from 6 bladder cancer patients with pamidronate stimulating were expanded. Flow cytometry was used to detect the purity and expansion folds of γδT cells, and the expression of CD107a on γδT cells after PMA/ionomycin stimulated. The cytotoxicity assay was carried out to test the cytotoxicity of γδT cells against human bladder cancer cell lines. The expression of MICA/B on bladder cancer cell lines and in bladder cancer tissues were detected through flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry respectively.

RESULTS

γδT cells from peripheral blood drawn from 6 bladder cancer patients were successfully expanded. The purity was 75%-94% and the expansion folds were 109-371 times. After being stimulated by PMA/ionomycin, the proportion of CD107a+ γδT cells increased significantly, reaching 40%-82%. γδT cells from the 6 bladder cancer patients showed obvious cytotoxic effects on 3 human bladder cancer cell lines which was enhanced as the effector: the target ratio increased. MICA/B were detected both in 3 bladder cancer cell lines and in 26 bladder cancer tissues. The staining score of MICA/B in invasive bladder cancer was slightly higher than that in non-invasive bladder cancer, and in advanced bladder cancer was higher than that in low grade bladder cancer, but the statistical analysis showed that the staining score of MICA/B was no significant correlation between the tissue and the tumor stages and grades.

CONCLUSION

γδT cells from the peripheral blood of the bladder cancer patients could be successfully expanded in vitro, and showed significant anti-bladder cancer effect. MICA/B were detected both in bladder cancer cell lines and in bladder cancer tissues. The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the staining scores of MICA/B in the tissue and the tumor stages and grades.

[Clinical application of partial cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty for invasive bladder cancer in elderly patients]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of biological patch applied in elderly patients with invasive bladder cancer who underwent massive partial cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty.

METHODS

The clinical data of 2 patients with invasive bladder cancer from October 2016 to March 2017, who underwent the massive partial cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Case one was an 87-year-old man, with tumor located on the bladder anterior wall, ranging from 5.5 cm×2.5 cm, and the grade of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) being III. Case two was a 77-year-old female, whose lesion was located on the right anterior wall, ranging from 5.2 cm×4.0 cm, and the grade of ASA being II. Both of the patients received a massive partial cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty. The operative time, estimated blood loss, perioperative and postoperative data and follow-up data, including cystoscopy and urodynamics were recorded and compared. When the P value was less than 0.05, it was statistically significant.

RESULTS

All the operations were successfully performed. The average operative time was (155.0+35.4) min, mean estimated intraoperative blood loss was 20 to 100 mL, and the mean postoperatively hospital stay was eight days. During the 10 to 14 months' follow-up periods, no local recurrence or distant metastasis occurred. Urodynamic data: the maximum urinary flow rate was 16.5 mL/s, and the maximum bladder capacity was 303 mL. The two patients urinated 3-4 times in the day time, 0 to 3 times in the night, 200-300 mL each time, on average. The American Urological Association symptom score was 3 to 5. Partial cystectomy, applied to aged patients with multiple complications and high risk of surgical anesthesia, was able to reduce surgery related complications. For patients with tumor of small size, the normal bladder wall would be enough to recover functional capacity for urine storing after partial cystectomy. For patients with large lesions range and small normal bladder tissues, augmentation cystoplasty would help recover bladder capacity on the condition of negative margin.

CONCLUSION

Massive partial cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty is safe and effective. It could decrease perioperative morbidity and keep the quality-of-life benefits of bladder preservation, which is worthy of further application for some selected invasive bladder cancer in elderly patients.

Reciprocal Network between Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Macrophages Facilitates the Progression and Androgen Deprivation Therapy Resistance of Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) contribute to the progression and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) resistance of prostate cancer. As CSCs depend on their specific niche, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), elucidating the network between CSCs and TAMs may help to effectively inhibit the progression and ADT resistance of prostate cancer.Experimental Design: The underlying intracellular mechanism that sustains the stem-like characteristics of CSCs in prostate cancer was assessed via RNA sequencing, co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and other assays. A coculture system and cytokine antibody arrays were used to examine the interaction network between CSCs and TAMs. In addition, an orthotopic prostate cancer model was established to evaluate the in vivo effects of the combined targeting of CSCs and their interaction with TAMs on ADT resistance.Results: Autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) facilitated the transcription of OCT4 via β-catenin, which binds to the OCT4 promoter, promoting CSC characteristics in prostate cancer, including self-renewal, tumor initiation, and drug resistance. In addition, CSCs remodeled their specific niche by educating monocytes/macrophages toward TAMs, and the CSC-educated TAMs reciprocally promoted the stem-like properties of CSCs, progression and ADT resistance of prostate cancer via IL6/STAT3. Furthermore, the combined targeting of CSCs and their interaction with TAMs by inhibiting ATG7/OCT4 and IL6 receptor effectively ameliorated ADT resistance in an orthotopic prostate cancer model.Conclusions: Targeting CSCs and their niche may prove to be a more powerful strategy than targeting CSCs alone, providing a rational approach to ameliorating ADT resistance in prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 24(18); 4612-26. ©2018 AACR.

[The publication of the Medicine News and its influence on the spread of modern-western medicines in China and its role in western medicine communication]

Medicine News, first published in 1880, was the earliest western medicine journal founded in China, playing an important role in the history of Chinese modern journals and the history of western medicine communication. Today, no original copies of this journal survive in China. Quotations, citations and comments of some newspapers and periodicals on it at the time, reveal that the publication aim of this journal was to disseminate knowledge of western medicine to the Chinese people, that its editorial policy was "showing western medicine is superior to traditional Chinese medicine" , and that its communication of western medicine knowledge was also based on this policy. Medicine News reported on an international medical academic conference held in London for the first time, and it is worth mentioning that thousands of people attended the meeting. Medicine News is known to have promoted western medicine communication in China to an advanced and more up-to-date level. At the same time, its editorial policy and strategy had a great influence on the editing and publication of western medicine journals in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.

Inhibition of arginase via jugular infusion of Nω-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine inhibits casein synthesis in lactating dairy cows

A previous in vitro study revealed that Arg elicits positive effects on casein synthesis through alterations of the Arg-ornithine pathway in bovine mammary epithelial cells. The main purpose of this work was to determine the effects of arginase inhibition using N^ω-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine (nor-NOHA) on milk protein synthesis in vivo. Six healthy Chinese Holstein cows with similar body weight (550.0 ± 20 kg; means ± standard deviation), parity (4), body condition score (3.0), milk yield (21.0 ± 1.0 kg), and days in milk (80 ± 2) were selected and randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 22 d for each period (7 d for infusion and 15 d for washout). The treatments were (1) control: saline infusion; (2) nor-NOHA: infusion of 125 mg/L of nor-NOHA; (3) nor-NOHA + Arg: infusion of 125 mg/L of nor-NOHA with 9.42 g/L of Arg. The activity of enzymes related to Arg metabolism, milk protein synthesis, and expression of AA transporters was determined. The infusion of nor-NOHA decreased the activity of arginase but had no effect on the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and nitric oxide synthase in serum, and these responses were the same at the gene expression level in mammary gland. In addition, the infusion of nor-NOHA also reduced protein and fat synthesis in milk but had no effect on milk yield. When Arg was infused with nor-NOHA, the activity of total arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, and nitric oxide synthase, and the concentration of casein, protein, and fat in milk did not change compared with the nor-NOHA group, but the milk protein yield, the expression of some Arg transporters (SLC7A5 and SLC7A8), and milk yield increased. Overall, results verified previous in vitro findings indicating that synthesis of casein protein is closely regulated by the Arg-ornithine pathway in bovine mammary gland.

Transvaginal color doppler sonography combined with colposcopy for diagnosis of early stage cervical cancer and precancerous lesions

This study aims to assess the value of transvaginal color Doppler sonography (TVCD) combined with colposcopy for diagnosis of early stage cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. From January 2015 to September 2016, one hundred patients, diagnosed as having early stage cervical cancer and precancerous lesions by histopathological study, were selected as the observation subjects. All patients were examined by TVCD and colposcopy, and the results were compared with histopathological findings. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of TVCD alone, colposcopy alone, and TVCD combined with colposcopy in early stage of cervical cancer and precancerous lesion were compared. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TVCD combined with colposcopy were significantly higher than that of TVCD (P < 0.05), and the sensitivity was significantly higher than that of colposcopy (P < 0.05). The high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TVCD combined with colposcopy on the diagnosis of invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) can provide a scientific basis for its use in clinical diagnosis.

[Comparison and discussion of different surgical methods used to treat vesicovaginal fistulas]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the feasibility and prognosis of different surgical methods used for vesicovaginal fistulas and to explore the value of electrocoagulation treating small ones.

METHODS

The medical data of 19 patients who had undertaken transvaginal VVF repairs in Peking University People's Hospital between October 2008 and November 2016 were retrospectively collected. The follow-ups were performed. The patients' age ranged from 31 to 55 years with the median age of 48 years and the history length ranged from 1 month to 24 months with the median length of 3 months. Their fistula situation, surgical methods and prognosis were analyzed and the differences and similarities were compared.

RESULTS

Three patients (15.79%) was performed by electrocoagulation, 4 (21.05%) by transvaginal repair, 5 (21.32%) by laparoscopic repair and 7(36.84%) by open operation. Except one patient who rejected urinary catheter and D-J catheters, the rest of the patients discharged with catheters. Twelve patients (63.2%) got full satisfaction with one operation. One of the 3 patients who undertook electrocoagulation repeated the operation for twice and got completely cured within 1 month while the other two undertook the operation once and got dry within 1 month. Three patients who undertook transvaginal repair got dry within 1 month. Two of the 5 patients who undertook laparoscopic repair had readmission for a second operation and the other 3 got dry after operation. Five of the 7 open repair patients got dry while the other 2 attempted other center for treatment.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal repair has been the main surgery procedure for VVF, but it is limited by the location of fistula and the condition of vaginal. For patients not suitable for transvaginal repair, laparoscopic repair and open surgery are feasible. However both laparoscopic repair and open surgery are more invasive. Based on that, electrocoagulation becomes a better choice. In our research, patients with small and high location fistula treated by electrocoagulation got a higher cure rate and bear less surgical trauma. Electrocoagulation used in the treatment of VVF showed advantages of less trauma, less bleeding and better satisfaction. Fistulas with low location were more suitable for transvaginal repair. Complex VVF, especially with narrow ureteral open and ureteral fistulas, were more suitable for open and laparoscopic repair. As for single and small fistula, the electrocoagulation can be the first choice.

[Diagnostic value of p16/mcm2 dual staining in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and its association with high-risk HPV infection]

Objective: To study the expression of p16/mcm2 immunocytochemical dual staining in cervical lesions and its association with high-risk HPV infection, and discuss its clinical value in cervical cancer screening. Methods: From May to December 2015, a total of 1 127 women receiving cervical cancer screening, high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) test and liquid-based cytology test were included in the study. p16/mcm2 immunocytochemical dual staining was performed on residual cytology specimens and the results were compared with histopathology results. Results: p16/mcm2 had a higher expression risk in HPV16/18 group and other HR-HPV group compared with HPV negative group, with OR of 15.95 (95%CI: 9.59-26.51) and 10.53 (95%CI: 7.41-14.98), respectively. The positive rate of p16/mcm2 increased with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) severity, and was higher in both CIN2 group and CIN3 group than in benign lesion group (P<0.05). The overall sensitivity of p16/mcm2 to detect CIN2+and CIN3+lesions were 86.1% and 92.0%, respectively, and the overall specificity were 46.1% and 44.4%, respectively. In group with cytologic diagnoses of atypical squamous cells (ASC) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), the sensitivity to detect CIN2+and CIN3+lesions were 85.7% and 87.5%, respectively, and the specificity were 45.5% and 44.1%, respectively. Conclusions: p16/mcm2 dual staining has higher sensitivity than cytology test and better specificity than HPV test. It can identify high-grade cervical lesions and guide the classification of CIN. p16/mcm2 might be used as an innovative biomarker for cervical cancer screening.

[Clinical value of p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemical dual staining in cervical cancer screening]

Objective: to investigate the clinical value of p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemical dual staining (abbreviated as p16/Ki-67 dual staining) in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer screening. Methods: From July to November 2015, a total of 980 women attending cervical cancer screening and receiving high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) test and thinprep cytologic test (TCT) were included in the study. p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemical dual staining was performed on residual cytologic specimens and compared with histopathology results. Results: The expression risks of p16/Ki-67 in HPV16/18 group and another HR-HPV group were higher than HPV negative group, with an odds ratio of 10.64 (95%CI: 5.66~20.02) and 5.40 (95%CI: 3.62~8.04), respectively. The positive rate of p16/Ki-67 increased with the grade of TCT and histologic diagnosis, and was higher in both CIN2 and CIN3 groups than normal group (P<0.05). The sensitivity of p16/Ki-67 to detect CIN2+ and CIN3+ lesions was 89.3% and 94.1%, respectively, and the specificity was 69.3% and 66.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of TCT to detect CIN2+ and CIN3+ lesions was 60.7% and 64.7%, respectively, and the specificity was 49.3% and 49.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Compared with TCT, p16/Ki-67 dual staining has higher sensitivity and specificity. It can identify high-grade cervical lesions and guide the classification of CIN. p16/Ki-67 dual staining in conjunction with HPV test may be considered as an efficient method for cervical cancer screening.

Tissue-engineered cartilage constructed by a biotin-conjugated anti-CD44 avidin binding technique for the repairing of cartilage defects in the weight-bearing area of knee joints in pigs

OBJECTIVES

The lack of effective treatment for cartilage defects has prompted investigations using tissue engineering techniques for their regeneration and repair. The success of tissue-engineered repair of cartilage may depend on the rapid and efficient adhesion of transplanted cells to a scaffold. Our aim in this study was to repair full-thickness defects in articular cartilage in the weight-bearing area of a porcine model, and to investigate whether the CD44 monoclonal antibody biotin-avidin (CBA) binding technique could provide satisfactory tissue-engineered cartilage.

METHODS

Cartilage defects were created in the load-bearing region of the lateral femoral condyle of mini-type pigs. The defects were repaired with traditional tissue-engineered cartilage, tissue-engineered cartilage constructed with the biotin-avidin (BA) technique, tissue-engineered cartilage constructed with the CBA technique and with autologous cartilage. The biomechanical properties, Western blot assay, histological findings and immunohistochemical staining were explored.

RESULTS

The CBA group showed similar results to the autologous group in biomechanical properties, Moran's criteria, histological tests and Wakitani histological scoring.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that tissue-engineered cartilage constructed using the CBA technique could be used effectively to repair cartilage defects in the weight-bearing area of joints.Cite this article: H. Lin, J. Zhou, L. Cao, H. R. Wang, J. Dong, Z. R. Chen. Tissue-engineered cartilage constructed by a biotin-conjugated anti-CD44 avidin binding technique for the repairing of cartilage defects in the weight-bearing area of knee joints in pigs. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:-295. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2016-0277.

Zinc finger protein X-linked promotes expansion of EpCAM+ cancer stem-like cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

Zinc finger protein X‐linked (ZFX) is frequently upregulated in multiple human malignancies and also plays a critical role in the maintenance of self‐renewal in embryonic stem cells. However, the role of ZFX in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains obscure. We observed that the elevated expression of both ZFX and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and indicated poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ZFX was commonly enriched in liver EpCAM⁺ CSCs. Knockdown of ZFX decreased the proportion of EpCAM⁺ CSCs in HCC cells and suppressed their expression of stemness‐related genes, self‐renewal capacity, chemoresistance, metastatic potential, and tumorigenicity. Conversely, upregulation of ZFX in CSCs rescued these inhibitory effects and enhanced stem‐like properties. Mechanistically, depletion of ZFX reduced nuclear translocation and transactivation of β‐catenin, thereby inhibiting the self‐renewal capacity of EpCAM⁺ CSCs. Moreover, knockdown of β‐catenin attenuated the self‐renewal of EpCAM⁺ HCC cells stably expressing ZFX, further indicating that β‐catenin is required for ZFX‐mediated expansion and maintenance of EpCAM⁺ CSCs. Taken together, our findings indicate that ZFX activates and maintains EpCAM⁺ liver CSCs by promoting nuclear translocation and transactivation of β‐catenin. Furthermore, combination of ZFX and EpCAM may serve as a significant indicator for prognosis of patients with HCC.

Effects of dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber content on the feeding behavior, digestibility, and growth of 8- to 10-month-old Holstein replacement heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content on the feeding behavior, digestion, ruminal fermentation parameters, and growth of 8- to 10-mo-old dairy heifers and to predict the adequacy of dietary fiber in growing dairy heifers. Twenty-four Holstein dairy heifers (245 ± 10.8 d of age, 305.6 ± 8.5 kg initial live weight) were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates as a completely randomized design. During the 60-d period with a 10-d adaptation, heifers were offered 1 of 4 diets, which were chemically identical but included different peNDF_8.0 (particle size is >8 mm and <19 mm) content (% DM): 10.8, 13.5, 18.0, or 19.8%, which was achieved by chopping forage into different lengths (fine = 1 cm, short = 3 cm, medium = 5 cm, and long = 7 cm). The concentrate and silage were mixed and fed restrictedly and exclusive of forage (Chinese ryegrass hay) were offered ad libitum. The body weight and frame size of the heifers were measured every 15 d during the experimental period. Samples of the rumen content (2 h after the morning feeding) were taken for pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acid determination. The dry matter intake and average daily gain of the heifers were not significantly affected by peNDF_8.0 content. The body frame size (including withers height, body length, and heart girth) of the heifers was not increased significantly by enhanced peNDF_8.0 content. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentration were both increased with increasing dietary peNDF_8.0 content. The ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration and percentage of acetate and butyrate profiles were not significantly affected by dietary peNDF_8.0 content. However, the enhanced peNDF_8.0 content led to a decrease in the propionate percentage. The ratio of acetate to propionate in the 13.5% treatment was highest among the treatments. Increasing the particle size and dietary peNDF_8.0 content resulted in increased eating and chewing time but had no effect on rumination time. Heifer total eating and chewing time and eating and chewing time per kilogram of dry matter intake were increased with increasing dietary peNDF_8.0 content. The apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber and crude protein was improved with an increasing content of dietary peNDF_8.0. The results suggest that an optimal or advisable dietary particle size and peNDF_8.0 content improves chewing activity, rumen fluid pH, and ruminal fermentation. The data based on feeding behavioral and growth responses of heifers as well as rumen fermentation and digestion by improving total eating and chewing time indicate that 18.0% dietary peNDF_8.0 content is the most suitable for 8- to 10-mo-old Holstein heifers.

Glyphosate biodegradation and potential soil bioremediation by Bacillus subtilis strain Bs-15

Glyphosate and glyphosate-containing herbicides have an adverse effect on mammals, humans, and soil microbial ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to develop methods for enhancing glyphosate degradation in soil through bioremediation. We investigated the potential of glyphosate degradation and bioremediation in soil by Bacillus subtilis Bs-15. Bs-15 grew well at high concentrations of glyphosate; the maximum concentration tolerated by Bs-15 reached 40,000 mg/L. The optimal conditions for bacterial growth and glyphosate degradation were less than 10,000 mg/L glyphosate, with a temperature of 35°C and a pH of 8.0. Optimal fermentation occurred at 180 rpm for 60 h with an inoculum ratio of 4%. Bs-15 degraded 17.65% (12 h) to 66.97% (96 h) of glyphosate in sterile soil and 19.01% (12 h) to 71.57% (96 h) in unsterilized soil. Using a BIOLOG ECO plate test, we observed no significant difference in average well color development values between the soil inoculated with Bs-15 and the control soil before 72 h, although there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) after 72 h. In the presence of Bs-15, the 5 functional diversity indices (Shannon index, Shannon uniformity, Simpson index, McIntosh index, and McIntosh uniformity) were greater (P < 0.01) compared with the control soil. These results indicate that Bs-15 could be used to alleviate contamination from glyphosate-containing herbicides, increasing the microbial functional diversity in glyphosate-contaminated soils and thus enhancing the bioremediation of glyphosate-contaminated soils.

Branch Blight of Loquat Caused by Pestalotiopsis sydowiana in China

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a subtropical tree with sour and sweet fruit and its leaf derivatives are often used to treat cough and asthma with phlegm. In 2011, a severe stem and leaf disease, with 30∼60% incidence, was observed in a local loquat cultivar "Ninghaibai" in Ninghai, Zhejiang Province, China. Infected plants exhibited brown spots on the stem and leaves, which became blackish brown to grayish white with some little sporadic black acervuli (137.9 to 189.3 μm in diameter). Leaf symptoms showed large necrotic lesions (more than 20 mm) that frequently, but not exclusively, appeared along the leaf margin or dorsal surface. Necrotic spots were water-soaked, irregularly shaped, and bordered by a tan halo. Fungal isolates were obtained by placing sterilized symptomatic tissue onto acidified potato sucrose agar (PSA) medium and consistently yielded white fungal colonies that produced acervuli (385.6 to 485.4 μm in diameter) containing black, slimy spore masses at 25°C for 7 days. Conidia (20.9 to 29.8 × 7.1 to 14.5 μm) were 5-celled and spindle shaped, and basal cells of the conidia were hyaline, while the other three middle cells were heterochrome. The upper two middle cells were darker than the lower one. The apical cell typically had 2 to 3 apical appendages, was 12.0 to 33.1 μm in length, and the basal appendage was 3.3 to 7.8 μm long. Based on these morphological features, the fungus was identified as Pestalotiopsis sydowiana (2). This characterization was further confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA of fungus with primers ITS1: 5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3' and ITS4: 5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3' (3). A representative sequence was deposited in NCBI GenBank (Accession No. JX478272). This sequence showed 99% homology with previously deposited sequences of P. sydowiana (HQ248207.1 and FJ478105.1) from Colombia and China. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating 1-year-old seedlings and detached stems from healthy field trees of cv. Ninghaibai loquat with sclertium (20 × 5 mm) or conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia ml^-1). Control seedlings were only encircled the PSA blocks or sprayed with water. Both inoculated and control plants were covered with plastic bags at about 80% relative humidity and kept in a greenhouse at 20 to 30°C for 48 h. Detached stems were incubated to prevent desiccation in a humid chamber at 100% relative humidity and 25°C for 10 days. Four days after inoculation, lesions appeared on sclertium-inoculated seedlings or detached stems, approximately 10 days earlier than those on conidial suspension-inoculated seedlings or detached stems. Symptom observed on artificially inoculated seedlings or detached stems were similar to that observed in naturally infected plants. The control plants remained healthy. P. sydowiana was reisolated from the lesions of the infected stems and leaves but not from control leaves. It had been reported that other species of Pestalotiopsis, such as P. eriobotrifolia and P. eriobotryae-japonica, can only infect leaves of loquat (1); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report that P. sydowiana cause branch blight disease on loquat in China. References: (1) G. G. Chen et al. Acta Agric. Univ. Zhejiangensis 16:153, 1990. (2) Q. X. Ge et al. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum: Pestalotiopsis, p. 185, Science Press, Beijing, 2009. (3) T. J. White, et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, p. 315, Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.

Anti-tumor activity and immunogenicity of a mutated staphylococcal enterotoxin C2

In this study, a novel SEC2 mutant with lower toxic activity, named 2M-118 (H118A/T20L/G22E), was engineered by site-directed mutagenesis of structural domains that are responsible for MHC class II molecule binding and TCR binding, respectively. Stimulating activity on murine splenocytes, anti-tumor effect and immunogenicity of 2M-118 were investigated in BALB/c mice. 2M-118 not only remained splenocyte stimulation activity, but also effectively inhibited the growth of S180 sarcoma in the BALB/c mice. Even though antibodies to 2M-118 could be induced after repeated administration, the action of 2M-118 was hardly neutralized or cross neutralized. Like other superantigens, immunosuppression could happen when 2M-118 was given at a greater dose. In conclusion, 2M-118 is a promising anti-tumor drug candidate for its acceptable toxicity and satisfying anti-tumour efficacy.

Polymorphism of HMGA1 is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes among Chinese individuals

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Variants of the high-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) gene have been shown to be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in individuals of European origin. We aimed to determine whether this locus confers significant susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Han Chinese population, and thus cross-race susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Polymorphisms in HMGA1 were identified by direct sequencing of genomic DNA derived from 192 Chinese participants (96 patients with type 2 diabetes and 96 controls). We then genotyped the common variant IVS5-13insC (c.136-14_136-13insC) in two other independent cohorts, including a total of 2,533 cases and 2,643 ethnically matched controls.

RESULTS

We confirmed the association of the HMGA1 variant IVS5-13insC (c.136-14_136-13insC) with type 2 diabetes with an OR of 1.34 (95% CI 1.15, 1.56, p = 0.0002 under a dominant model, and 95% CI 1.16, 1.55, p = 0.0002 under an additive model) in the Han Chinese population, corresponding to a population attributable risk fraction of 5.0%.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

HMGA1 is an important susceptibility locus that confers a high cross-race risk of the development of type 2 diabetes.

An integrated pericardial valved stent special for percutaneous tricuspid implantation: an animal feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Various percutaneous valve replacement approaches have been reported in animals to replace the aortic and pulmonary valve. To broaden the indications of percutaneous approach to atrioventricular valves replacement, we developed a novel valved stent and evaluated the feasibility and safety of percutaneous implantation of the device in the tricuspid position.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A unidirectional semilunar valve of porcine pericardium was sutured to a valvular ring. Then the ring with pericardial valve was mounted on a double-edge nitinol stent to construct the tricuspid valved stent. Transcatheter tricuspid valved stent implantation was performed on 10 healthy sheep. These sheep were followed up shortly after procedure with echocardiography evaluation and 64-slice CT imaging examination during the periodical follow-up at 1 mo and at 6 mo post-implantation. Additionally, two sheep were sacrificed after the procedure for anatomic and histological evaluation one at 1 h and the other at 1 mo, respectively.

RESULTS

Percutaneous valve implantation was successful in eight of 10 sheep. Two sheep died during the procedure due to migration of stent and fatal arrhythmia. The pressure of right heart did not significantly change after the procedure. Further echocardiography and imaging confirmed the stents were in desired position during the follow-up. The remaining six sheep with normal valvular and cardiac functionality survived for 6 mo after implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

The tricuspid stent with a valvular ring and pericardial valve can be implanted in tricuspid annulus percutaneous. The double-edge stent could substitute the native tricuspid valve chronically.

Safety and bioactivity of intracoronary delivery of naked plasmid DNA encoding human atrial natriuretic factor

AIM

To evaluate the safety and bioactivity of catheter-mediated intracoronary gene delivery of naked plasmid DNA encoding human atrial natriuretic factor (hANF).

METHODS

hANF gene delivery was performed in 12 canines. For each canine, 4 mg of reconstructed naked plasmid DNA encoding hANF (pCR3*hANF, n=6) or pCR3 (n=6, control) in 2 mL normal saline was injected into left coronary artery via a coronary angiographic catheter. The expression of hANF mRNA in left ventricular myocardium, liver, lung, and kidney was identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis 40 d after gene delivery. Plasma ANF levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The naked pCR3*hANF caused significant expression of hANF mRNA in ventricular myocardium (P <0.01). No hANF mRNA was detected in distal tissues, including liver, lung, and kidney (P >0.05). ANF levels were significantly higher in pCR3*hANF group than those in control group.

CONCLUSION

These facts firstly demonstrate that intracoronary delivery of naked pCR3*hANF is probably a safe and feasible method for gene delivery by which hANF gene can be expressed in ventricular myocardium effectively.

TGF-beta induces assembly of a Smad2-Smurf2 ubiquitin ligase complex that targets SnoN for degradation

The receptor-regulated Smad proteins are essential intracellular mediators of signal transduction by the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of growth factors and are also important as regulators of gene transcription. Here we describe a new role for TGF-beta-regulated Smad2 and Smad3 as components of a ubiquitin ligase complex. We show that in the presence of TGF-beta signalling, Smad2 interacts through its proline-rich PPXY motif with the tryptophan-rich WW domains of Smurf2, a recently identified E3 ubiquitin ligases. TGF-beta also induces the association of Smurf2 with the transcriptional co-repressor SnoN and we show that Smad2 can function to mediate this interaction. This allows Smurf2 HECT domain to target SnoN for ubiquitin-mediated degradation by the proteasome. Thus, stimulation by TGF-beta can induce the assembly of a Smad2-Smurf2 ubiquitin ligase complex that functions to target substrates for degradation.