[The application of full-length urethral preservation without anastomosis in single-port laparoscopic radical prostate cancer]

Objective: To preliminarily examine the feasibility and outcome of single-port laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with full-length urethral preservation (FLUP-SPRP). Method: This study was a prospective case series study. A total of 25 patients with prostate cancer who met the enrollment criteria and agreed to this surgical procedure from March 2022 to December 2022 were collected at the Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The age of the patients was (67.2±7.6) years (range: 61 to 76 years). This novel procedure was performed by an experienced surgeon who performed single hole radical prostatectomy skillfully. Patient urinary control, tumor control, and related surgical complications after surgery were regularly monitored. Postoperative urinary control was evaluated using the daily amount of urine pad, 0 to 1 piece of urine pad was to restore urinary control, and 0 to 1 piece of pad within 24 hours after catheter removal was immediate urinary control. Result: All prodecures were successfully completed without transit to open surgery. The surgical time was (128.4±22.4) minutes (range: 100 to 145 minutes), the intraoperative blood loss was (68.2±13.7) ml (range: 50 to 120 ml). The urethral injury occurred in 4 cases during surgery and was repaired by sutures. The urinary control recovery rates within 24 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 7 weeks after surgery were 80.0%, 84.0%, 92.0% and 100%, respectively. Postoperative large section pathology revealed 1 case with a positive basal margin of the prostate and negative margins of all prostate glands around the urethra. Postoperative complications included urinary tract infection in 3 cases, urodynia in 2 cases, and acute urinary retention in 1 case. MRI follow-up 3 months after surgery showed normal anatomy of the bladder and urethra. The follow-up values of prostate specific antigen at 3 and 6 months after surgery were less than 0.1 μg/L. Conclusions: The preliminary results of this study indicate that the FLUP-SPRP procedure is safe and feasible. The early results of postoperative urinary control and oncology are as expected.

The transcription factor MYB110 regulates plant height, lodging resistance, and grain yield in rice

The high-yielding Green Revolution varieties of cereal crops are characterized by a semidwarf architecture and lodging resistance. Plant height is tightly regulated by the availability of phosphate (Pi), yet the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Here, we report that rice (Oryza sativa) R2R3-type Myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor MYB110 is a Pi-dependent negative regulator of plant height. MYB110 is a direct target of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 2 (OsPHR2) and regulates OsPHR2-mediated inhibition of rice height. Inactivation of MYB110 increased culm diameter and bending resistance, leading to enhanced lodging resistance despite increased plant height. Strikingly, the grain yield of myb110 mutants was elevated under both high- and low-Pi regimes. Two divergent haplotypes based on single nucleotide polymorphisms in the putative promoter of MYB110 corresponded with its transcript levels and plant height in response to Pi availability. Thus, fine-tuning MYB110 expression may be a potent strategy for further increasing the yield of Green Revolution cereal crop varieties.

[The Textual Relationship between Zhongguo Yixue Dacidian and YiJi ZhiJin]

Zhongguo Yixue Dacidian(The Dictionary of Chinese Medicine,«») is the first comprehensive dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine in China. The dictionary, edited by Xie Guan()and compiled for several years by the teachers and students of Shanghai Special School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was first published by The Commercial Press in 1921. In 1919, Lu Simian() joined The Commercial Press to assist Xie Guan who is his old friend in compiling the contents on medical books for the dictionary . In the same year, Lu Simian wrote a book called YiJi ZhiJin(«»). Recently, some scholars believe that Xie Guan disassembled YiJi ZhiJin and compiled it into Zhongguo Yixue Dacidian. Through a comparative study of these two, it can be seen that YiJi ZhiJin and Zhongguo Yixue Dacidian do use homologous materials in the interpretation of some medical books, but YiJi ZhiJin as a whole is not compiled into Zhongguo Yixue Dacidian, and the idea of there is a plagiarism relationship between them is incorrect.

Potassium transporter OsHAK18 mediates potassium and sodium circulation and sugar translocation in rice

High-affinity potassium (K+) transporter (HAK)/K+ uptake permease (KUP)/K+ transporter (KT) have been identified in all genome-sequenced terrestrial plants. They play an important role in K+ acquisition and translocation and in enhancing salt tolerance. Here, we report that plasma membrane-located OsHAK18 functions in K+ and sodium (Na+) circulation and sugar translocation in rice (Oryza sativa). OsHAK18 was expressed mainly, though not exclusively, in vascular tissues and particularly in the phloem. Knockout (KO) of OsHAK18 reduced K+ concentration in phloem sap and roots but increased K+ accumulation in the shoot of both 'Nipponbare' and 'Zhonghua11' cultivars, while overexpression (OX) of OsHAK18 driven by its endogenous promoter increased K+ concentration in phloem sap and roots and promoted Na+ retrieval from the shoot to the root under salt stress. Split-root experimental analysis of rubidium (Rb+) uptake and circulation indicated that OsHAK18-OX promoted Rb+ translocation from the shoot to the root. In addition, OsHAK18-KO increased while OsHAK18-OX reduced soluble sugar content in the shoot and oppositely affected the sugar concentration in the phloem and its content in the root. Moreover, OsHAK18-OX dramatically increased grain yield and physiological K+ utilization efficiency. Our results suggest that-unlike other OsHAKs analyzed heretofore-OsHAK18 is critical for K+ and Na+ recirculation from the shoot to the root and enhances the source-to-sink translocation of photo-assimilates.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Among Children and Adolescents with Cleft lip and Palate: A Survey Study in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) risk and related risk factors among children and adolescents of Hong Kong with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

DESIGN

Retrospective survey study adopting three questionnaires, obstructive sleep apnea-18 (OSA-18), pediatric sleep questionnaire-22 (PSQ-22), and modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

SETTINGS

Multicenter study in two public hospitals.

PATIENTS

A total of 351 Chinese children and adolescents with non-syndromic CL/P (6-18-year-old, 57% males) visited between September 2017 and November 2019, with primary palatal repair surgery done before 3-year-old.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Positive OSAS risk was determined based on cut-off ≥60 for OSA-18, ≥8 for PSQ-22, and >8 for ESS. Age, sex, overweight presence, cleft type, embryonic secondary palate involvement, palatal repair surgery, palatal revision surgery, and orthodontic treatment were analyzed as possible risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 9.5% of patients had positive OSAS risk based on OSA-18, 13.6% based on PSQ-22, and 13.2% according to ESS. A higher prevalence of patients with positive OSAS risk was of younger age (OSA-18, p = .034), had cleft involving embryonic secondary palate (PSQ-22, p = .009), and history of fixed orthodontic treatment (ESS, p = .002). The regression model identified only involvement of embryonic secondary palate as a risk factor (PSQ-22, odds ratio = 3.7, p = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

OSAS risk among children and adolescents of Hong Kong with CL/P was 9.5% to 13.6%. Patients at higher risk were those with cleft involving embryonic secondary palate. OSAS risk assessment may be influenced by different aspects of the disease spectrum, and a multimodal approach should be considered for such assessment.

PGRMC1 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cell growth via suppressing ferroptosis

OBJECTIVE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant form of breast cancer with increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. The progesterone receptor membrane component-1 (PGRMC1) is a well-identified hormone receptor with unknown functions in TNBC. The current study aims to explore the involvement of PGRMC1 in regulation of glutathione metabolism and ferroptosis during development of TNBC, providing new therapy options for TNBC patients.

METHODS

Bioinformatic analysis, cell proliferation assay, western blot assay and other biochemistry methods were performed in TNBC cells.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the expression of PGRMC1 is higher in TNBC than the other subtypes of breast cancer. Interestingly, as an iron binding protein, increased PGRMC1 expression in TNBC cells leads to resistance to ferroptosis inducer. On the contrary, silenced PGRMC1 expression enhanced sensitivity of MDA-MB231 cells to Erastin. Mechanistically, overexpression of PGRMC1 decreased the intracellular free iron concentration, which was reduced by AG205 treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

PGRMC1 increases the possibility of TNBC development through binding to intracellular iron and suppressing ferroptosis, providing the molecular basis of combined treatment for TNBC.

Rice circadian clock regulator Nhd1 controls the expression of the sucrose transporter gene OsSUT1 and impacts carbon-nitrogen balance

Interdependent metabolic and transport processes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) regulate plant growth and development, while the regulatory pathways remain poorly defined. We previously reported that rice circadian clock N-mediated heading date-1 (Nhd1) regulates growth duration-dependent N use efficiency. Here, we report that knockout of Nhd1 in rice reduced the rate of photosynthesis and the sucrose ratio of sheaths to blades, but increased the total C to N ratio and free amino acids. Leaf RNA-seq analysis indicated that mutation of Nhd1 dramatically altered expression of the genes linked to starch and sucrose metabolism, circadian rhythm, and amino acid metabolic pathways. We identified that Nhd1 can directly activate the transcriptional expression of sucrose transporter-1 (OsSUT1). Knockout of Nhd1 suppressed OsSUT1 expression, and both nhd1 and ossut1 mutants showed similar shorter height, and lower shoot biomass and sucrose concentration in comparison with the wild type, while overexpression of OsSUT1 can restore the defective sucrose transport and partially ameliorate the reduced growth of nhd1 mutants. The Nhd1-binding site of the OsSUT1 promoter is conserved in all known rice genomes. The positively related variation of Nhd1 and OsSUT1 expression among randomly selected indica and japonica varieties suggests a common regulatory module of Nhd1-OsSUT1-mediated C and N balance in rice.

The transcription factor OsWRKY10 inhibits phosphate uptake via suppressing OsPHT1;2 expression under phosphate-replete conditions in rice

Plants have evolved delicate systems for stimulating or inhibiting inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake in response to the fluctuating Pi availability in soil. However, the negative regulators inhibiting Pi uptake at the transcriptional level are largely unexplored. Here, we functionally characterized a transcription factor in rice (Oryza sativa), OsWRKY10. OsWRKY10 encodes a nucleus-localized protein and showed preferential tissue localization. Knockout of OsWRKY10 led to increased Pi uptake and accumulation under Pi-replete conditions. In accordance with this phenotype, OsWRKY10 was transcriptionally induced by Pi, and a subset of PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 (PHT1) genes were up-regulated upon its mutation, suggesting that OsWRKY10 is a transcriptional repressor of Pi uptake. Moreover, rice plants expressing the OsWRKY10-VP16 fusion protein (a dominant transcriptional activator) accumulated even more Pi than oswrky10. Several lines of biochemical evidence demonstrated that OsWRKY10 directly suppressed OsPHT1;2 expression. Genetic analysis showed that OsPHT1;2 was responsible for the increased Pi accumulation in oswrky10. Furthermore, during Pi starvation, OsWRKY10 protein was degraded through the 26S proteasome. Altogether, the OsWRKY10-OsPHT1;2 module represents a crucial loop in the Pi signaling network in rice, inhibiting Pi uptake when there is ample Pi in the environment.

Overexpression of miR-181a regulates the Warburg effect in triple-negative breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly aggressive and leads to a poor prognosis. microRNA-181a (miR-181a) exhibits strong antineoplastic effects in many types of cancer. In this study, we examine the responses of human miR-181a-transfected TNBC cells and explore the mechanisms underlying the observed effects.

METHODS

A series of cellular assays were conducted using cells from the MDA-MB-231 TNBC line to assess the impact of miR-181a overexpression. The extracellular acidification rate, lactate production and glucose uptake were evaluated as a measure of aerobic glycolysis (i.e. the Warburg effect). The expressions of glycolysis-related gene were analyzed.

RESULTS

Viability, migration and survival of miR-181a-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells were all significantly reduced. miR-181a inhibited glycolysis in TNBC cells by reducing the rates of glucose uptake and lactate production and a substantial downregulation of factors known to contribute to the Warburg effect, including the serine/threonine kinase, AKT3, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that miR-181a may regulate glycolysis in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, potentially via interference with components of the AKT3-HIF-1α and PGRMC1 pathways. These results suggest that miR-181a might be developed as a therapeutic agent for use in antineoplastic regimens directed at TNBC and PGRMC1-overexpressing breast cancers.

[The skin diagnosis methods constructed by Liao Ping]

Liao Ping, a famous scholar for Confucian classics in modern times has made great contributions to the field of Confucian classics. In particular, he interpreted Chinese medicine with the thinking of Confucian Classics. He delved into Inner Canon of Huangdi (Huang Di Nei Jing) and focused on recovering the methods of ancient diagnosis in this publication. He believed that the diagnostic measurement in Inner Canon of Huangdi were taken "to diagnose through cubit skin" and he then created such a diagnose method as his own. He put forward the theory of "Pi Luo Tong Zhen" which means "to diagnose diseases through cubit skin and what was shown on the skin holistically" and the theoretical framework of "Wu Zhen Fa" which means "to diagnose diseases by examining the skin, flesh, tendons, bones and veins comprehensively". While some contradictions and mistakes existed in terms of constructing the theories about the 'diagnosis through skin', Liao Ping interpreted the significance of cubit skin examination in Inner Canon of Huangdi and provided methodological enlightenment for later scholars to trace back to the origin of medical classics, and further explore the diagnosis and treatment system in Inner Canon of Huangdi.

Prognostic Value of Four Preimplantation Malnutrition Estimation Tools in Predicting Heart Failure Hospitalization of the Older Diabetic Patients with Right Ventricular Pacing

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic value of preimplantation nutritional status is not yet known for older diabetic patients that received right ventricular pacing (RVP). The study aimed to investigate the clinical value of the four malnutrition screening tools for the prediction of heart failure hospitalization (HFH) in older diabetic patients that received RVP.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This study was conducted between January 2017 and January 2018 at the Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China, and included older (age ≥ 65 years) diabetic patients that received RVP for the first time Measurements: The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score were used to estimate the preimplantation nutritional status of the patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between preimplantation malnutrition and HFH.

RESULTS

Overall, 231 older diabetic patients receiving RVP were included. The median follow-up period after RVP was 53 months. HFH was reported for 19.9% of the included patients. Our results showed preimplantation malnutrition for 18.2%, 15.2%, 86.6% and 66.2% of the included patients based on the PNI, GNRI, NPS, and CONUT score, respectively. The cumulative rate of HFH during follow-up period was significantly higher for patients in the preimplantation malnutrition group based on the PNI (log-rank = 13.0, P = 0.001), GNRI (log-rank = 8.5, P = 0.01), and NPS (log-rank = 15.7, P < 0.001) compared to the normal nutrition group, but was not statistically significant for those in the preimplantation malnutrition group based on the CONUT score (log-rank = 2.7, P = 0.3). As continuous variables, all the nutritional indices showed significant correlation with HFH (all P < 0.05). However, multivariate analysis showed that only GNRI was independently associated with HFH (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.937-0.997, P = 0.032). As categorical variables, PNI, GNRI, and NPS showed significant correlation with HFH. After adjustment of confounding factors, moderate-to-severe degree of malnutrition was an independent predictor of HFH based on the PNI (HR = 4.66, 95% CI: 1.03-21.00, P = 0.045) and GNRI (HR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.02-9.00, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Preimplantation malnutrition was highly prevalent in older diabetic patients that received RVP. The malnutrition prediction tools, PNI and GNRI, showed significant prognostic value in accurately predicting HFH in older diabetic patients with RVP.

[The relationship between early Dao Yin, Qi and meridian theory]

This paper introduced and summarized the ways and skills of promoting the circulation of air in the human body (Dao Yin Xing Qi) in Dao Yin Tu and Yin Shu and compared them with the way of breathing in Qu Gu Shi Qi. It was found that early Dao Yin drew on breathing thinking (Qi theory) and was meaningful for human health and helpful in examining how Qi theory was shaped and developed. It was also found that Dao Yin treated diseases based on meridian theories because Dao Yin for disease treatment in Dao Yin Tu and Yin Shu was related with the eleven meridians and their main symptoms in Mai Shu. The methods of practicing Dao Yin were likely to take references from the transmission routes of human meridians. The relationship between Dao Yin, Qi and meridians indicated that Qi and meridians were taken as the focus for people to understand the human body. Qi and meridians theories, widely accepted in ancient times, were taken as theoretical guidelines by stone needle, moxibustion and Dao Yin to maintain health and disease treatment.

[Timing of starting veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is mainly used for reversible acute respiratory failure that is difficult to correct with mechanical ventilation and other conventional measures or preparation of lung transplantation. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a typical clinical syndrome of acute respiratory failure. The timing of starting VV-ECMO in severe ARDS still face many controversies and challenges. This paper we discuss the current feasible assessment methods of when to start VV-ECMO in ARDS, such as, optimization of mechanical ventilation parameters, monitoring of respiratory dynamics and hemodynamics, assessment of lung recruitability and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) real-time monitoring, etc.

Biopsy-tract haemocoagulase injection reduces major complications after CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy

AIM

To determine whether the injection of haemocoagulase into the biopsy tract can reduce pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage after computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy (PTLB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed involving patients with undiagnosed pulmonary lesions scheduled for PTLB between January 2020 and March 2021. Patients were assigned to the haemocoagulase group or the non-haemocoagulase group. After CT-guided biopsies were performed with a 17 G coaxial system, patients in the haemocoagulase group received a haemocoagulase injection (0.2-0.5 units) in the biopsy tract as the sheath was withdrawn. Postoperative image studies were performed to evaluate complications, including pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage. Factors, including the patient's position, lesion location, and pathological results, were evaluated to determine their associations with the complications.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were included, with 44 men and a mean age of 53 years old. The overall incidences of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were 15% and 13%, respectively. The incidences of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were statistically significantly lower in the haemocoagulase group (8% and 6%, respectively) than in the non-haemocoagulase group (22% and 20%, respectively; p=0.04 and 0.03, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in haemoptysis between the haemocoagulase (6%) and non-haemocoagulase (2%) groups (p=0.23). There were also no statistically significant associations of pneumothorax or pulmonary haemorrhage with the patients' positions, lesion location, or pathological results.

CONCLUSION

Biopsy tract haemocoagulase injection reduced the incidences of postoperative pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage after PTLB.

The rice transcription factor Nhd1 regulates root growth and nitrogen uptake by activating nitrogen transporters

Plants adjust root architecture and nitrogen (N) transporter activity to meet the variable N demand, but their integrated regulatory mechanism remains unclear. We have previously reported that a floral factor in rice (Oryza sativa), N-mediated heading date-1 (Nhd1), regulates flowering time. Here, we show that Nhd1 can directly activate the transcription of the high-affinity ammonium (NH4+) transporter 1;3 (OsAMT1;3) and the dual affinity nitrate (NO3-) transporter 2.4 (OsNRT2.4). Knockout of Nhd1 inhibited root growth in the presence of NO3- or a low concentration of NH4+. Compared to the wild-type (WT), nhd1 and osamt1;3 mutants showed a similar decrease in root growth and N uptake under low NH4+ supply, while nhd1 and osnrt2.4 mutants showed comparable root inhibition and altered NO3- translocation in shoots. The defects of nhd1 mutants in NH4+ uptake and root growth response to various N supplies were restored by overexpression of OsAMT1;3 or OsNRT2.4. However, when grown in a paddy field with low N availability, nhd1 mutants accumulated more N and achieved a higher N uptake efficiency (NUpE) due to the delayed flowering time and prolonged growth period. Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism underlying the growth duration-dependent NUpE.

First live birth in China after cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation to prevent premature ovarian insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

This article reports the first live birth after cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation to prevent premature ovarian insufficiency in China.

METHODS

A patient with myelodysplastic syndrome received ovarian tissue cryopreservation before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and six ovarian cortex strips were thawed and transplanted into her peritoneal pocket 2 years later.

RESULTS

Pregnancy occurred spontaneously 27 months after grafting, and a healthy girl was born at 38 weeks gestation. Until now, the child has developed normally without any major diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first live birth resulting from ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation in China.

A crucial role for a node-localized transporter, HvSPDT, in loading phosphorus into barley grains

Grains are the major sink of phosphorus (P) in cereal crops, accounting for 60-85% of total plant P, but the mechanisms underlying P loading into the grains are poorly understood. We functionally characterized a transporter gene required for the distribution of P to the grains in barley (Hordeum vulgare), HvSPDT (SULTR-like phosphorus distribution transporter). HvSPDT encoded a plasma membrane-localized Pi/H⁺ cotransporter. It was mainly expressed in the nodes at both the vegetative and reproductive stages. Furthermore, its expression was induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi) deficiency. In the nodes, HvSPDT was expressed in both the xylem and phloem region of enlarged and diffuse vascular bundles. Knockout of HvSPDT decreased the distribution of P to new leaves, but increased the distribution to old leaves at the vegetative growth stage under low P supply. However, knockout of HvSPDT did not alter the redistribution of P from old to young organs. At the reproductive stage, knockout of HvSPDT significantly decreased P allocation to the grains, resulting in a considerable reduction in grain yield, especially under P-limited conditions. Our results indicate that node-based HvSPDT plays a crucial role in loading P into barley grains through preferentially distributing P from the xylem and further to the phloem.

Odontogenesis by Endocytosis of Peptide Embedding Bioactive Glass Composite

Limited therapeutic options are available for treating deep caries. Those materials with potential of a dual effect to remineralize hard tissue and regenerate defective dentin tissues could be used as a new strategy for deep caries treatment. However, the application of the single component remains a challenge mainly because they lack calcium and phosphorus, are easily degraded, and are difficult to retain in the intricate body fluid environment. Considering the abundant source of calcium and phosphorus as well as the delivery performance of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), an amelogenin-derived peptide (QP5), which has a significant role in hard tissue remineralization, was loaded to fabricate a novel composite. After the synthesis of highly ordered MBG using a sol-gel method, the QP5 peptide was loaded increasingly by its extensive porous structure and enhanced electrostatic absorption. When used in an acidic environment, the MBG/QP5 composite presented pH-responsiveness, releasing therapeutic ions and functional peptides in a sequential cascade, and eventually adjusted the pH to a neutral state. The composite was internalized by dental pulp cells through a clathrin-mediated pathway and influenced by cell membrane lipid raft regulation. It could be also transported through the macro-pinocytotic pathway. Compared to the single treatment of peptide QP5 in 48 h, the composite facilitated a higher level of retention of the intracellular peptides. The composite further promoted migration and odontogenesis of dental pulp cells, including the improved activity of alkaline phosphatase, increased formation of mineralized nodules, and upregulated expression of mineralization-related genes compared to using MBG or QP5 alone. The composite further induced the dentin-like layer in a rat pulp capping model. The results suggested that this intelligent material with pH-responsiveness provides a promising alternative treatment method for biomimetic restoration of deep caries.

The rice phosphate transporter OsPHT1;7 plays a dual role in phosphorus redistribution and anther development

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is the predominant form of phosphorus (P) readily accessible to plants, and Pi Transporter 1 (PHT1) genes are the major contributors to root Pi uptake. However, the mechanisms underlying the transport and recycling of Pi within plants, which are vital for optimizing P use efficiency, remain elusive. Here, we characterized a functionally unknown rice (Oryza sativa) PHT1 member barely expressed in roots, OsPHT1;7. Yeast complementation and Xenopus laevis oocyte assay demonstrated that OsPHT1;7 could mediate Pi transport. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and histochemical analyses showed that OsPHT1;7 was preferentially expressed in source leaves and nodes. A further fine-localization analysis by immunostaining showed that OsPHT1;7 expression was restricted in the vascular bundle (VB) sheath and phloem of source leaves as well as in the phloem of regular/diffuse- and enlarged-VBs of nodes. In accordance with this expression pattern, mutation of OsPHT1;7 led to increased and decreased P distribution in source (old leaves) and sink organs (new leaves/panicles), respectively, indicating that OsPHT1;7 is involved in P redistribution. Furthermore, OsPHT1;7 showed an overwhelmingly higher transcript abundance in anthers than other PHT1 members, and ospht1;7 mutants were impaired in P accumulation in anthers but not in pistils or husks. Moreover, the germination of pollen grains was significantly inhibited upon OsPHT1;7 mutation, leading to a >80% decrease in seed-setting rate and grain yield. Taken together, our results provide evidence that OsPHT1;7 is a crucial Pi transporter for Pi transport and recycling within rice plants, stimulating both vegetative and reproductive growth.

E2 + norethisterone promotes the PI3K-AKT pathway via PGRMC1 to induce breast cancer cell proliferation

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to find evidence that progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) promotes estradiol (E2) + norethisterone (NET)-induced breast cancer proliferation through activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway.

METHODS

PGRMC1-mediated breast cancer cellular proliferation and phosphorylation of PGRMC1 were studied using wild-type (hemagglutinin [HA]-tagged) MCF-7 cells, which were stably transfected with expression vector containing HA (MCF-7-HA cells), PGRMC1 (MCF-7-PGRMC1 cells) and Ser181 point mutated PGRMC1 (MCF-7-PGRMC1-S181A cells). Bioinformatics, cell proliferation, western blot, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based RNA sequencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and cell cycle in vitro assays were performed to indicate the function of PGRMC1 and its possible mechanisms in breast cancer.

RESULTS

NET + E2 elicited a significant proliferation in MCF-7-Vec at 10^-6 M and 10^-10 M, respectively. MCF-7-PGRMC1 did increase the phosphorylation of AKT or ERK, which can be blocked by treatment with casein kinase 2 (CK2) inhibitor quinalizarin or in MCF-7-PGRMC1-S181A cells. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the PI3K-AKT pathway is upregulated in MCF-7-PGRMC1 cells. Importantly, upregulation of the PI3K-AKT pathway mainly through promotion of cell cycle regulation strongly promoted cell proliferation in MCF-7-PGRMC1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

CK2 is involved in phosphorylation of PGRMC1 at S181. The mechanism for the action of PGRMC1 for mediating proliferative progestogen effects obviously starts with promotion cell cycle regulation, and then activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway.

[The sources of the attached drawings to Tanksuqnameh]

Tanksuqnameh (Yi Li Han) as the earliest Persian transcription of traditional Chinese medicine for the west, has great value in the history of Sino-Iranian medical cultural exchanges. The eleven drawings attached to Tanksuqnameh concerning meridians and pulse diagnosis were compared to relative paintings attached to some ancient Chinese medical books. It was found that eight of the drawings attached to Tanksuqnameh came from the paintings attached to The Zhuan Tu Ju Jie of the Yellow Emperor Eighty-One Nan Jing by Li Jiong. The sources of the three paintings have not been identified. However, based on the comparison between the three paintings attached to Tanksuqnameh and the paintings in the medical books in the Ming Dynasty in terms of outlines, names and the content, they might come from the same medical book as a reference.

OsWRKY108 is an integrative regulator of phosphorus homeostasis and leaf inclination in rice

Phosphorus (P), which is taken up by plants as inorganic phosphate (Pi), is one of the most important macronutrients for plant growth and development. Meanwhile, it determines plant architecture in several ways, including leaf inclination. However, the molecular basis underlying the crosstalk between the signaling pathways of plant P homeostasis and architecture maintenance remains elusive. We recently characterized a WRKY transcription factor, OsWRKY108, in rice (Oryza sativa). It functions redundantly with OsWRKY21 to promote Pi uptake in response to Pi supply. Overexpression of either OsWRKY108 or OsWRKY21 led to up-regulation of Pi transporter genes and thus enhanced Pi accumulation. By contrast, transgenic rice plants expressing OsWRKY21-SRDX (a fusion protein transforming OsWRKY21 from an activator into a dominant repressor) but not the OsWRKY108-SRDX fusion showed decreased Pi accumulation under Pi-replete conditions. Here, we report that OsWRKY108 acts as a positive regulator of leaf inclination. OsWRKY108 overexpressors showed increased leaf inclination and OsWRKY108-SRDX plants showed an erect-leaf phenotype, irrespective of the Pi regimes. Nevertheless, the response of leaf inclination to Pi starvation was largely impaired upon OsWRKY108 overexpression. Moreover, in both OsWRKY108-SRDX plants and OsWRKY108 overexpressors, the 'percentage of leaf angle alteration relative to wild-type' under Pi-starvation condition was more significant than that under Pi-replete condition. These results suggest that the regulation of OsWRKY108 on leaf inclination is in part dependent on Pi availability. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that OsWRKY108 is an integrative regulator of P homeostasis and leaf inclination, serving as a link between plant nutrient signaling and developmental cues.

First pregnancy in China after ovarian tissue transplantation to prevent premature ovarian insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

This article reports the first case of pregnancy after frozen-thawed ovarian tissue transplantation to prevent iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency in China.

METHODS

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation was performed in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) before multi-agent chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Two years later, she showed complete remission from MDS, and six frozen-thawed ovarian tissue strips were transplanted into the peritoneal pocket.

RESULTS

The patient's ovarian activity was restored 3 months after transplantation, and pregnancy occurred spontaneously 27 months after grafting. Until now, the pregnancy has progressed for 30 weeks, and the repeated ultrasound showed normal fetal development.

CONCLUSION

This is the first pregnancy resulting from ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation in China.

[Consistency of peripheral whole blood and venous serum procalcitonin in children: a multicenter parallel controlled study]

Objective: To explore the consistency of peripheral whole blood and venous serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels, and the value of peripheral whole blood PCT in evaluating pediatric bacterial infection. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional parallel control study was conducted in 11 children's hospital. All the 1 898 patients older than 28 days admitted to these hospitals from March 2018 to February 2019 had their peripheral whole blood and venous serum PCT detected simultaneously with unified equipment, reagent and method. According to the venous serum PCT level, the patients were stratified to subgroups. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used to compare the demographic characteristics among groups. And the correlation between the peripheral blood and venous serum PCT level was investigated by quantitative Pearson correlation analysis.The PCT resultes were also converted into ranked data to further test the consistency between the two sampling methods by Spearman's rank correlation test. Furthermore, the ranked data were converted into binary data to evaluate the consistency and investigate the best cut-off of peripheral blood PCT level in predicting bacterial infection. Results: A total of 1 898 valid samples were included (1 098 males, 800 females),age 27.4(12.2,56.7) months. There was a good correlation between PCT values of peripheral whole blood and venous serum (r=0.97, P<0.01). The linear regression equation was PCT_{venous serum}=0.135+0.929×PCT_{peripheral whole blood}. However, when stratified to 5 levels, PCT results showed diverse and unsatisfied consistency between the two sampling methods (r=0.51-0.92, all P<0.01). But after PCT was converted to ordinal categorical variables, the stratified analysis showed that the coincidence rate of the measured values by the two sampling methods in each boundary area was 84.9%-97.1%. The dichotomous variables also showed a good consistency (coincidence rate 96.8%-99.3%, Youden index 0.82-0.89). According to the severity of disease, the serum PCT value was classified into 4 intervals（<0.5、0.5-<2.0、2.0-<10.0、≥10.0 μg/L）, and the peripheral blood PCT value also showed a good predictive value (AUC value was 0.991 2-0.997 9). The optimal cut points of peripheral whole blood PCT value 0.5、1.0、2.0、10.0 μg/L corresponding to venous serum PCT values were 0.395, 0.595, 1.175 and 3.545 μg/L, respectively. Conclusions: There is a good correlation between peripheral whole blood PCT value and the venous serum PCT value, which means that the peripheral whole blood PCT could facilitate the identification of infection and clinical severity. Besides, the sampling of peripheral whole blood is simple and easy to repeat.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Chinese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in a large cohort, analyzing the dependency on age and menopausal status and possible differences between non-hysterectomized and hysterectomized women.

METHODS

Data were assessed by validated questionnaires, collected over 2 years for all eligible women attending our 'Menopause Clinic' from 31 Chinese provinces. Simple and unconditional logistic regression analysis was used with adjustments by all analyzed factors.

RESULTS

A total of 4063 women (mean age 50.53 ± 6.57 years), 2107 perimenopausal and 1956 postmenopausal, were included. Almost all GSM symptoms were more frequent and severe in postmenopausal women. GSM was more frequent in hysterectomized women compared to non-hysterectomized women. Independent of menopausal status, low sexual interest (92.78%), urinary incontinence (91.65%) and vaginal dryness (91.60%) were the top three GSM symptoms. Most severe were low sexual interest (21.01%), vaginal pain (20.10%) and decreased sexual pleasure (17.13%). Prevalence and severity of GSM were not related to age, but were related to menopausal status and increased with time since menopause.

CONCLUSIONS

Within 2 years, more than 4000 women with GSM traveled from all over China to our specialized clinic, indicating the great importance of GSM. Hysterectomy can increase the risk of GSM, and GSM symptoms increase from perimenopause to postmenopause and with an increase of time since menopause, pointing to the dependency on the loss of ovarian function.

Nonequilibrium pattern formation in circularly confined two-dimensional systems with competing interactions

We numerically investigate the nonequilibrium behaviors of classic particles with competing interactions confined in a two-dimensional logarithmic trap. We reveal a quench-induced surprising dynamics exhibiting rich dynamic patterns depending upon confinement strength and trap size, which is attributed to the time-dependent competition between interparticle repulsions and attractions under a circular confinement. Moreover, in the collectively diffusive motions of the particles, we find that the emergence of dynamic structure transformation coincides with a diffusive mode transition from superdiffusion to subdiffusion. These findings are likely useful in understanding the pattern selection and evolution in various chemical and biological systems in addition to modulated systems, and add a new route to tailoring the morphology of pattern-forming systems.

OsWRKY21 and OsWRKY108 function redundantly to promote phosphate accumulation through maintaining the constitutive expression of OsPHT1;1 under phosphate-replete conditions

Plant Phosphate Transporter 1 (PHT1) proteins, probably the only influx transporters for phosphate (Pi) uptake, are partially degraded on sufficient Pi levels to prevent excessive Pi accumulation. Therefore, the basal/constitutive expression level of PHT1 genes is vital for maintaining Pi uptake under Pi-replete conditions. Rice (Oryza sativa) OsPHT1;1 is a unique gene as it is highly expressed and not responsive to Pi, however the mechanism for maintaining its basal/constitutive expression remains unknown. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, we identified and functionally characterised the transcription factors maintaining the basal/constitutive expression of OsPHT1;1. OsWRKY21 and OsWRKY108 interact within the nucleus and both bind to the W-box in the OsPHT1;1 promoter. Overexpression of OsWRKY21 or OsWRKY108 led to increased Pi accumulation, resulting from elevated expression of OsPHT1;1. By contrast, oswrky21 oswrky108 double mutants showed decreased Pi accumulation and OsPHT1;1 expression in a Pi-dependent manner. Moreover, similar to ospht1;1 mutants, plants expressing the OsWRKY21-SRDX fusion protein (a chimeric dominant suppressor) were impaired in Pi accumulation in Pi-replete roots, accompanied by downregulation of OsPHT1;1 expression. Our findings demonstrated that rice WRKY transcription factors function redundantly to promote Pi uptake by activating OsPHT1;1 expression under Pi-replete conditions, and represent a novel pathway independent of the central Pi signalling system.

Modulation of plant root traits by nitrogen and phosphate: transporters, long-distance signaling proteins and peptides, and potential artificial traps

As sessile organisms, plants rely on their roots for anchorage and uptake of water and nutrients. Plant root is an organ showing extensive morphological and metabolic plasticity in response to diverse environmental stimuli including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition/stresses. N and P are two essential macronutrients serving as not only cell structural components but also local and systemic signals triggering root acclimatory responses. Here, we mainly focused on the current advances on root responses to N and P nutrition/stresses regarding transporters as well as long-distance mobile proteins and peptides, which largely represent local and systemic regulators, respectively. Moreover, we exemplified some of the potential pitfalls in experimental design, which has been routinely adopted for decades. These commonly accepted methods may help researchers gain fundamental mechanistic insights into plant intrinsic responses, yet the output might lack strong relevance to the real situation in the context of natural and agricultural ecosystems. On this basis, we further discuss the established-and yet to be validated-improvements in experimental design, aiming at interpreting the data obtained under laboratory conditions in a more practical view.

Nanoscale optical writing through upconversion resonance energy transfer

Nanoscale optical writing using far-field super-resolution methods provides an unprecedented approach for high-capacity data storage. However, current nanoscale optical writing methods typically rely on photoinitiation and photoinhibition with high beam intensity, high energy consumption, and short device life span. We demonstrate a simple and broadly applicable method based on resonance energy transfer from lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles to graphene oxide for nanoscale optical writing. The transfer of high-energy quanta from upconversion nanoparticles induces a localized chemical reduction in graphene oxide flakes for optical writing, with a lateral feature size of ~50 nm (1/20th of the wavelength) under an inhibition intensity of 11.25 MW cm-2 Upconversion resonance energy transfer may enable next-generation optical data storage with high capacity and low energy consumption, while offering a powerful tool for energy-efficient nanofabrication of flexible electronic devices.

Regulator of cullins-1 (ROC1) negatively regulates the Gli2 regulator SUFU to activate the hedgehog pathway in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

The regulator of cullins-1 (ROC1) is an essential subunit in the cullin-RING ligase (CRL) protein complex and has been shown to be critical in bladder cancer cell survival and progression. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of ROC1 action in the malignant progression of bladder cancer.

METHODS

This study utilized ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo nude mouse experiments to assess the underlying mechanisms of ROC1 in bladder cancer cells. The expression of the components of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway was determined by western blot analysis. ROC1 expression in human tumors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

ROC1 overexpression promoted the growth of bladder cancer cells, whereas knockdown of ROC1 expression had the opposite effect in bladder cancer cells. Mechanistically, ROC1 was able to target suppressor of fused homolog (SUFU) for ubiquitin-dependent degradation, allowing Gli2 release from the SUFU complex to activate the SHH pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of SUFU expression partially rescued the ROC1 knockdown-suppressed SHH activity as well as cancer cell growth inhibition. In ex vivo experiments, tissue microarray analysis of human bladder cancer specimens revealed a positive association of ROC1 expression with the SHH pathway activity.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that dysregulation of the ROC1-SUFU-GLI2 axis plays an important role in bladder cancer progression and that targeting ROC1 expression is warranted in further investigations as a novel strategy for the future control of bladder cancer.

An optical neural chip for implementing complex-valued neural network

Complex-valued neural networks have many advantages over their real-valued counterparts. Conventional digital electronic computing platforms are incapable of executing truly complex-valued representations and operations. In contrast, optical computing platforms that encode information in both phase and magnitude can execute complex arithmetic by optical interference, offering significantly enhanced computational speed and energy efficiency. However, to date, most demonstrations of optical neural networks still only utilize conventional real-valued frameworks that are designed for digital computers, forfeiting many of the advantages of optical computing such as efficient complex-valued operations. In this article, we highlight an optical neural chip (ONC) that implements truly complex-valued neural networks. We benchmark the performance of our complex-valued ONC in four settings: simple Boolean tasks, species classification of an Iris dataset, classifying nonlinear datasets (Circle and Spiral), and handwriting recognition. Strong learning capabilities (i.e., high accuracy, fast convergence and the capability to construct nonlinear decision boundaries) are achieved by our complex-valued ONC compared to its real-valued counterpart.

Two ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase subunits, OsAGPL1 and OsAGPS1, modulate phosphorus homeostasis in rice

Plant acclimatory responses to phosphate (Pi) starvation stress include the accumulation of carbohydrates, namely sugar and starch. However, whether altered endogenous carbohydrate profile could in turn affect plant Pi starvation responses remains widely unexplored. Here, two genes encoding the large and small subunits of an ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP) in rice (Oryza sativa), AGP Large Subunit 1 (AGPL1) and AGP Small Subunit 1 (AGPS1), were functionally characterized with regard to maintenance of phosphorus (P) homeostasis and regulation of Pi starvation signaling. AGPL1 and AGPS1 were both positively responsive to nitrogen (N) or Pi deprivation, and expressed in almost all the tissues except in the meristem and mature zones of root. AGPL1 and AGPS1 physically interacted in chloroplast, and catalyzed the rate-limiting step of starch biosynthesis. Low-N- (LN) and low-Pi (LP)-triggered starch accumulation in leaves was impaired in agpl1, agps1 and apgl1 agps1 mutants compared with the wild-type plants. By contrast, mutation of AGPL1 and/or AGPS1 led to an increase in the content of the major sugar, sucrose, in leaf sheath and root under control and LN conditions. Moreover, the Pi accumulation was enhanced in the mutants under control and LN conditions, but not LP conditions. Notably, the LN-induced suppression of Pi accumulation was compromised attributed to the mutation of AGPL1 and/or AGPS1. Furthermore, the increased Pi accumulation was accompanied by the specific suppression of OsSPX2 and activation of several Pi transporter genes. These results indicate that a balanced level of carbohydrates is vital for maintaining plant P homeostasis.

Comparison of electrical characteristics between atrial and ventricular side His-bundle pacing in bradycardia patients

Background

His-bundle pacing (HBP) is recognized as the most physiological way of pacing but with less study focused on electrical characteristics in different site.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the differences of pacing and echocardiographic parameters between atrial and ventricular side His-bundle pacing.

Methods

Patients who successfully underwent HBP implantation from September 2018 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were assigned to atrial-side HBP (aHBP) group or ventricular-side HBP (vHBP) group according to the location of the His-bundle pacing lead, which was confirmed by two methods including postoperative echocardiography and visualization of tricuspid valve annulus (TVA). The pacing and echocardiographic parameters were compared between two groups during the procedure and at 3-month follow-up.

Results

A total of 71 bradycardia patients who successfully underwent HBP implantation and confirmed lead position were included. Among them, twenty-seven were assigned to aHBP group and the other 44 were assigned to vHBP group with no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between two groups. During the procedure, the proportion of selective HBP was significantly higher (77.8% vs. 11.4%; P&lt;0.01) and the intra-procedural HV intervals was significantly longer (50.85±6.53 ms vs. 42.95±6.02 ms, P&lt;0.01) in aHBP group than in vHBP group. The capture threshold in vHBP group was significantly lower than in aHBP group at implantation (0.92±0.22 V/1.0ms vs. 1.05±0.26 V/1.0ms, P=0.03) and remain significantly difference after 3-month follow-up (0.98±0.23 V/1.0ms vs. 1.15±0.44 V/1.0ms, P=0.03). The R-wave amplitude was significantly higher in vHBP group than in aHBP group at implantation (5.82±2.52 mV vs. 3.74±1.81 mV, P&lt;0.01), and these differences still persisted during follow-up (5.88±2.51 mV vs. 3.67±1.61 mV, P&lt;0.01). During 3-month follow-up, an increase in the capture threshold &gt;1 V/1.0ms was seen in 2 cases in aHBP group while all patients remained stable in vHBP group. One patient developed a pocket hematoma in aHBP group compared to none in vHBP group. None of deterioration of tricuspid regurgitation and other procedure-related complications were observed during 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Ventricular side His-bundle pacing can achieve favourable pacing parameters including a lower pacing threshold and a higher R-wave amplitude than atrial side His-bundle pacing, which may be an ideal pacing strategy for patients in need of ventricular pacing.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A prognostic nomogram for event-free survival in patients with atrial fibrillation before cardiac resynchronization therapy

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most common comorbidities with heart failure (HF), is associated with worse prognosis in HF patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, there is still no convenient tool to evaluate and identify patients with high risk of mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure in CRT candidates with AF.

Methods

We included 152 consecutive patients with AF for CRT in our hospital from January 2009 to July 2019. Multivariate Cox regression was applied to derive a nomogram, using multiple imputation for missing values and backward stepwise regression for variable selection.

Results

Five predictors were incorporated in the nomogram, including N-terminal pro brain natriuretic protein (NTproBNP) &gt;1745pg/mL, history of syncope, previous pulmonary hypertension (PHP), moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) &gt;4mIU/L. Concordance index (0.70, 95% CI 0.62–0.77), corrected concordance index (0.67, 95% CI 0.59–0.74) and calibration curve showed optimal discrimination and calibration of the established nomogram. Significant difference of overall event-free survival was recognized by the nomogram-derived scores in patients with high risk (&gt;50 points), intermediate risk (21–50 points) and low risk (0–20 points) before CRT.

Conclusion

Our nomogram may be an applicable tool for early risk stratification among CRT candidates with AF.

Nomogram and risk stratification

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

[The study on relationship of Shennong and Jingchu culture from unearthed literature]

Shennong is the founder of cultivation, inventor of medicine. There are various recordation and legends about Shennong regional culture around the whole Chinese nation. The author studied the source of Shennong and Jingchu culture by comprehensively sorting relative literature recordation, citing unearthed materials in recent years as evidence, and found that the legends of Shennong is wide-spread in both western and southern China which corresponding to the origin of farming. What is more, a lot of delicate cultural relics and bambooslip and silk manuscripts have been found in Hubei and Hunan in recent years, which proved that Chu was not a land of barbarians in traditional view but an area with developed culture, and Shennong had a deep historic relation with Jingchu culture.

MicroRNA-625-3p promotes cell migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma by regulating SCAI expression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of microRNA-625-3p in the occurrence and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression levels of microRNA-625-3p, SCAI and E-cadherin in OSCC tissues and paracancerous tissues were detected by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MicroRNA-625-3p expression in OSCC tissues with different tumor stages and lymph node metastasis stages was analyzed. Survival analyses were conducted to access the diagnostic values of microRNA-625-3p and SCAI in OSCC. The effect of microRNA-625-3p on regulating cell migration of OSCC was detected by transwell assay. Luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to verify the binding condition between microRNA-625-3p and SCAI. Rescue experiments were performed by co-transfection of microRNA-625-3p inhibitor and si-SCAI, followed by cell proliferation detection.

RESULTS

MicroRNA-625-3p was highly expressed in OSCC tissues than that of paracancerous tissues. OSCC patients with T3+T4 presented higher expression of microRNA-625-3p than those with T1+T2. Similarly, OSCC patients with N1+N2 presented higher expression of microRNA-625-3p than those with N0. Luciferase reporter gene assay identified that SCAI is the target gene of microRNA-625-3p. Furthermore, we found that SCAI and E-cadherin are lowly expressed in OSCC tissues than that of paracancerous tissues. ROC curve showed that microRNA-625-3p and SCAI exert certain values in diagnosing OSCC. MicroRNA-625-3p promoted migration of OSCC cells, which was reversed by SCAI knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-625-3p is highly expressed in OSCC, which promotes cell migration of OSCC by regulating SCAI expression.

Sequencing of lipoprotein lipase gene in the Mediterranean river buffalo identified novel variants affecting gene expression

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme for lipid metabolism, playing a fundamental role in the composition of fat in adipose tissue and milk. The LPL gene has been seldom investigated in dairy ruminants and barely studied in river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The aim of this work was to explore the genetic diversity of LPL and its promoter and to identify functional mutations, using a combined approach based on sequencing, dual-color electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and quantitative PCR. Thirteen consensus sequences for transcription factors were found in the promoter. Eleven SNP were detected, and the attention was focused on the SNP with potential functional effects: g.-446A>G, because the presence of G created a consensus motif for the transcription factor Sp1, and g.107A>G, which was the only exonic SNP. We developed PCR-RFLP methods for genotyping the 2 SNP and calculated the allele frequencies. A strong linkage disequilibrium (D' = 1; r² = 0.903) was found between the 2 SNP. The dual-color electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that only genotype g.-446GG allowed the binding of the Sp1 transcription factor, resulting in overexpression of the gene (~2.5 fold), as confirmed by the quantitative PCR results. Haploinsufficiency is proposed as a regulation mechanism. This study adds further knowledge on the structure of the LPL gene and its expression in river buffalo, with potential effects on milk qualitative and quantitative production.

CCL3/CCR1 mediates CD14+CD16- circulating monocyte recruitment in knee osteoarthritis progression

OBJECTIVES

Monocyte-derived macrophages, as the predominant immune cell type that is increased in inflamed synovium, play a vital role during knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression. However, the mechanisms underlying the recruitment of circulating monocytes to osteoarthritic knees remain uncertain. Based on previous data obtained from plasma, we investigated the contributions of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 and their cognate receptors in circulating monocyte chemotaxis and KOA development.

METHODS

Using flow cytometry staining, we characterized the expression patterns of the chemokine receptors in CD14⁺CD16^- circulating monocytes from KOA patients and healthy volunteers. The expression of chemokines in synovial fluids, synovium and cartilage was investigated in KOA patients and in patients without KOA. The role of chemokines and their cognate receptors in the chemotaxis of CD14⁺CD16^- circulating monocytes was assessed using chemokine neutralizing antibodies (NA) and receptor antagonists in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The majority of CD14⁺CD16^- circulating monocytes were CCR1-and CCR2-positive. CCL2, CCL3 and CCL4 were elevated in synovial fluid of KOA patients compared with that of controls. The most likely source of these chemokines is inflamed synovium and cartilage in the osteoarthritic knee. The CCL3/CCR1 and CCL2/CCR2 axes showed substantial ability to recruit CD14⁺CD16^- monocytes in transwell assays. Similar results were confirmed in a mouse model of collagenase-induced KOA (CIA) in which blocking either the CCL3/CCR1 axis or the CCL2/CCR2 axis reduced synovial hyperplasia and F4/80⁺ macrophage infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that, analogous to the CCL2/CCR2 axis, CCL3 produced in osteoarthritic knees can chemoattract circulating monocytes to the inflamed synovium through CCR1.

[Interpretation of the connotation of the colored drawing of Neijing Tu in the Museum of Chinese Medical History]

Neijing Tu(, Chart of Inner Landscape), collected by the Museum of Chinese Medical History, is a colored drawing which is used to guide Taoist internal alchemy training pattern. It belongs to the inheritance of the immortals in the Tao Yin(physical and breathing exercise) of traditional Chinese medicine in folk. It is the essence for nurturing vitality of the traditional Chinese medicine. Its core tenet is that one practices with both Shen(spirit) and Qi(pneuma) and makes both to fuse in perfect harmony way. The specific practice process includes four phases: refining Jing and converting it into Qi, refining Qi and converting it into Shen, extracting and then restoring Xu(void)from Shen, purifying Xu to fit Dao. This process contains the contents of the Secret Alchemy such as sub-Meridian Circle Vessel, overcoming the roadblock and entering Primary Meridian Circle Vessel, getting Yangshen (highest level spirit) and harmonizing the body and spirit. Its important value lies in being able to treat the disease which has not yet completely developed and the disease developed already.

Effects of different doses of propofol on the growth and expression of PCNA, CD34 and pAKT proteins in xenografted tumor of BALB/C mice with liver cancer

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of different doses of propofol on the growth of transplanted liver tumor in BALB/C mice and check the expression of PCNA, CD34 and pAKT proteins to clarify the mechanism on molecule level.

METHOD

Human primary liver cancer cells SMMC-7721 were subcutaneously cultured in BALB/C mice, and the transplanted tumor model of BALB/C mice was constructed. Forty mice successfully modeled were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8): the blank control group (group C), low-fat milk group (group I), low-dose (50 mg/kg) propofol group (P1), middle-dose (100 mg/kg) propofol group (P2) and high dose (150 mg/kg) propofol group (P3). Tumor volume changes were observed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7) before and after administration of the drug, and tumor growth curves were plotted. After 19 days of administration, all mice were killed for tumor collection, tumor weight was measured, and the tumor inhibition rate of propofol was calculated. The protein expression of cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) in transplanted tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and phospho-Akt (pAKT) was detected by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Compared with group C, there was no significant difference in tumor volume in group I. At T2 ~ 7, the tumor volume of group P1, P2 and P3 decreased successively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the inhibitory rate of tumor in group I, and the inhibitory rate of tumor in group P1, P2 and P3 increased successively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PCNA, CD34, and pAKT protein expression in group I, while PCNA, CD34, and pAKT protein content in P1, P2, P3 groups were successively decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Propofol had a dose-dependent effect on the growth of liver cancer xenografts in mice, inhibiting the expression of PCNA, CD34 and pAKT proteins, and the effect was most obvious in the 150 mg/kg propofol group.

[An interpretation of drug Fei Lian() in the Prescription for Nurturing Vitality and the culture connotation of Fei Lian()]

The drug Fei Lian() in the unearthed medical book the Prescription for Nurturing Vitality () has been interpreted as Fei Lian(, an insect medicine) in Shennong Bencao Jing(, Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica). This article interprets it as herbal medicine Fei Lian(), not insect medicine Fei Lian() in Shennong Bencao Jing, based on the mutual evidence of unearthed documents and handed down documents, also the methods of phonology and exegesis. The word "Fei Lian" has rich cultural connotations, its etymology is related to "wind" , its semantics has the meaning of "light and fast speed" . It is used as the name of related totem image, legendary figures, historical figures, medicines, architecture and so on.

BMP-2 upregulates the AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer with microcalcification and indicates a poor prognosis

BACKGROUND

As a reliable biomarker of breast cancer, breast microcalcification has been reported to be correlated with poor prognosis. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) plays an important role in microcalcification of breast cancer. Studies in other tissues have shown an association between BMP-2 and AKT/mTOR pathway, while their relationship in breast cancer still remains largely undetermined. To clarify the relationship of these three factors, we collected patients of invasive breast cancer with/without microcalcification and immunohistochemical examination was performed.

METHOD/PATIENTS

A total of 272 patients with primary invasive breast cancer were selected from the First Hospital of China Medical University from January 2010 to January 2012. Immunohistochemical examination of the BMP-2, p-AKT and p-mTOR was performed on 4-µm tissue microarray (TMA) sections. Then, we analyzed the relationship of BMP-2, p-AKT, and p-mTOR and their correlation with disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer with/without microcalcification.

RESULTS

We found that breast cancer patients with microcalcification were correlated with HER-2 positive expression and poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the expressions of BMP-2 and p-mTOR were increased in breast cancer with microcalcification and the expressions of BMP-2, p-AKT, and p-mTOR were correlated with each other. Moreover, the high expressions of BMP-2, p-AKT, and p-mTOR were significantly correlated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the abovementioned findings, we hypothesized that the high expression of BMP-2 not only played a vital role in the formation of microcalcification, but also activated the AKT/mTOR pathway. Collectively, breast cancer patients with microcalcification were more likely to be resistant to targeted or endocrine therapy and be correlated with poor prognosis.

The impact of SLE on health-related quality of life assessed with SF-36: a systemic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed with SF-36 and explore factors associated with HRQoL in SLE patients.

METHODS

A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to calculate extracted data. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to distinguish sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 36 articles were finally included in this meta-analysis, including 6510 patients. The pooled mean scores of SF-36 physical component summary and mental component summary were 46.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 43.09-49.10) and 50.37 (95% CI: 47.78-52.87), respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis found that mean age, proportion of female participants, and publication decades were negatively associated with some of the SF-36 domains. Sample size and SLEDAI were positively associated with some of the SF-36 domains. Patients with SLE have lower HRQoL in comparison to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE has a significant impact on HRQoL, which proves that the necessity of improving HRQoL in SLE patients cannot be ignored. Measuring HRQoL should be considered as an indispensable part of the overall evaluation of health conditions of SLE patients.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A attenuates high glucose-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell dysfunction

High glucose (HG) induces vascular injury in diabetes. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) has been used to ameliorate ischemic cardiovascular diseases in China for many years. In the present study, we assessed whether HSYA has a potential protective role in HG-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury. Cell viability was determined with an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining assay. The endothelial cell permeability was measured with a permeability assay. Cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression, vascular endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor levels were detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured with a DCF-DA assay. Protein expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) was measured by Western blotting. Our data indicated that HG increases HUVEC apoptosis, vascular permeability, monocyte adhesion, the level of CAMs, the formation of ROS, and NOX4 expression. Our data revealed that HG increases vascular injury, which is attenuated by HSYA. Because vascular inflammation has a key role in the development of diabetes mellitus, our results implied that HSYA is considered as a potential agent for diabetic vascular injury treatment.