[Expression of ProEXC and PRMT5 in cervical adenocarcinoma and their clinical significance]

This study observed the expression of ProEXC protein and PRMT5 protein in cervical adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissues, exploring the relationship between the expression of ProEXC and PRMT5 and the auxiliary diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma, as well as the clinical pathological parameters. A total of 88 specimens diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between 2015 and 2020 were collected. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of ProEXC and PRMT5 in cervical adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissues, and statistical analysis was conducted. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was utilized to analyze the correlation between the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients and the expression of ProEXC and PRMT5, as well as their related gene pathways. The GSE39293 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was selected to compare the expression levels of ProEXC and PRMT5 in cervical adenocarcinoma cell lines (HELA) before and after antiviral drug treatment.In cervical adenocarcinoma tissues, the expression of ProEXC protein (95.5% vs 4.6%, P<0.001) and PRMT5 protein (81.8% vs 26.1%, P<0.001) was significantly higher than in surrounding adjacent tissues. Their expression was correlated with the tumor's T stage, lymph node metastasis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (P<0.05). TCGA database analysis showed that patients with high expression of MCM2 in PRMT5 and ProEXC had a lower overall survival rate (P<0.05), while the expression of TOP2A was not significantly correlated with survival. In the GSE39293 dataset, the expression of MCM2 (9.34 vs 9.68, P<0.001) and PRMT5 (8.16 vs 8.26, P=0.087) in cells decreased after treatment with cidofovir, while TOP2A (8.54 vs 8.42, P=0.056) expression did not change significantly. In the drug-resistant group, the expression of PRMT5 (8.42 vs 8.16, P=0.002) and MCM2 (9.51 vs 9.34, P=0.029) increased, while TOP2A (8.06 vs 8.54, P<0.001) expression decreased. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that high expression of ProEXC mainly affected the cell cycle pathway, while high expression of PRMT5 mainly affected the RNA splicing pathway.This study found that ProEXC protein and PRMT5 protein were highly expressed in cervical adenocarcinoma tissues, and the high-expression group had a poorer prognosis, showing a certain correlation with the clinical and pathological characteristics of cervical adenocarcinoma. This may be related to their influence on the cell cycle and RNA synthesis pathways, suggesting their potential significant roles in the progression of cervical adenocarcinoma.

[Significance of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 prognostic evaluation in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure]

Objective: To explore the significance of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2) prognostic evaluation so as to provide novel biological markers in clinical practice for patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure ( HBV-ACLF). Methods: The research subjects of this study were divided into an experimental group and a control group. Fifty HBV-ACLF cases admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 were selected as the experimental group. Patients were divided into survival and death groups according to the actual prognosis at discharge (self-discharge and dead patients were considered death groups, and all enrolled patients were hospitalized for more than 28 days). Twenty-five healthy subjects were chosen as the control group. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the experimental group and the control group. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated. The concentrations of TREM-2, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 were detected in the plasma. TREM-2 mRNA expression was detected in PBMC. A single blood sample was collected from the control group, whereas five blood samples were dynamically collected from the experimental group on the day of admittance and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment commenced. Simultaneously, upon admission, the relevant clinical indicators of HBV-ACLF patients were monitored, including the liver function test: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin, coagulation function test: international normalized ratio, prothrombin time, and other indicators. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation (x±s). Count data were compared and analyzed using the χ(2) test. The intra-group factor mean was compared using a repeated measures ANOVA. The means were analyzed by t-tests between the two groups. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the two variables. The value of TREM-2 as a diagnostic marker was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The mRNA expression of TREM-2 in the PBMC of HBV-ACLF patients showed a gradually increasing trend at various time points and was significantly higher in the survival group than that of the control group at 28 days (P < 0.01), while the death group showed a gradually weakening trend at various time points and was significantly lower than the control group at 28 days (P < 0.01). (1) The levels of TREM-2 in the plasma of HBV-ACLF patients generally showed a gradually increasing trend at various time points in the survival group. The levels on the day of admission and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the initiation of treatment were (1.49±0.85), (1.62±0.58), (1.95±0.69), (2.33±0.71), and (2.00±0.67) ng/ml, respectively. The expression of TREM-2 in the death group showed a gradually weakening trend at various time points. The levels on the day of admission and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after initiation of treatment were (1.40±0.73), (1.59±0.79), (1.56±0.80), (1.05±0.49), and (0.81±0.21) ng/ml, respectively. The survival group's various detection time points were higher than those of the death group, and the difference was statistically significant. The plasma level of TREM-2 in the healthy control group was (1.25±0.35) ng/ml. (2) The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in the plasma of HBV-ACLF patients showed a gradually decreasing trend at various time points in the survival group. The levels on the day of admission and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after initiation of treatment were (46.70±26.31), (33.98±20.28), (19.07±10.24), (14.76±7.84), (9.12±7.65) and (108.29±47.07), (93.85±26.53), (79.27±34.63), (56.72 ±18.30), (37.81±13.88) pg/ml, respectively. However, its concentration in the death group fluctuated within a relatively high range. The levels on the day of admission and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the initiation of treatment were (41.94±24.19), (36.99±19.78), (34.30±20.62), (34.14±14.52), (36.64±23.61) and (104.65±50.16), (112.98±45.03), (118.43±45.00), (111.67±40.44), (109.55±27.54) pg/ml, respectively. (3) Bivariate correlation analysis results indicated that the plasma TREM-2 content was negatively correlated with the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 (r = -0.224, P = 0.025; r = - 0.223, P = 0.026). ROC curve analysis showed that the mRNA levels of TREM-2 in PBMCs at various time points for prognostic evaluation of HBV-ACLF patients were 1d=0.667, 7d=0.757, 14d=0.979, 21d=0.986, and 28d= 0.993. The areas under the ROC curve of the TREM-2 content in the plasma at various time points were 1d=0.522, 7d=0.571, 14d=0.658, 21d=0.927, and 28d=0.994. Conclusion: TREM-2 mRNA expression in PBMC and TREM-2 content in plasma have a significant relationship to the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients and may inhibit the liver inflammatory response by regulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. Dynamic monitoring of TREM-2 expression in peripheral blood is favorable for evaluating the prognostic condition of HBV-ACLF patients.

The generation of genuine quadripartite Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering in an optical superlattice

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering is a quantum effect based on quantum entanglement and it is the key resource for building quantum networks because of its useful properties. Based on the criterion for genuine multipartite EPR steering, the genuine quadripartite EPR steering is confirmed and it can be generated by a spontaneous parametric down-conversion cascaded process with two sum-frequency generations in an optical superlattice. This occurs either below the oscillation threshold and without oscillation threshold. The influence of the parameters of cascaded nonlinear process on the quadripartite EPR steering among signal, idler, and two sum-frequency beams are also discussed. Choosing appropriate nonlinear parameters can achieve good quadripartite quantum steering. This scheme of the generation of genuine quadripartite EPR steering has potential applications in quantum communication and computing.

[The correlation between nutritional status, body composition, and symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between nutritional status, body composition and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The study was conducted among 102 PD patients between November 2020 to April 2021 in the outpatient and inpatient of Neurology department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University. Basic data, such as age, gender, course of disease and Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of the patients, were collected. In the "open" state, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and other scales were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of PD patients. The nutritional status of PD patients was evaluated by the micro-nutrition rating Scale (MNA), and the body composition data of PD patients was measured by the body composition analyzer.The patients were divided into three groups according to the MNA: well-nourished group(45 cases), malnutrition-risk group (43 cases)and malnutrition group(14 cases). Body composition, laboratory tests, bone density, and symptoms of PD were compared among the three groups. Results: Among 102 PD patients, 48 were males (47.1%) and 54 were females (52.9%), aged 42-86 (66±9) years old. Compared with the malnutrition-risk group, lymphocytes in the malnutrition group [(1.45±0.48) × 109/L vs (1.76±0.43)×109/L], uric acid [(227±54) μmol/L vs (282±63) μmol/L] were all low, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with the well-nourished group, hemoglobin [(125±17) g/L vs (136±14) g/L], prealbumin [(0.23±0.05) g/L vs (0.27±0.06) g/L], and uric acid [(227±54) μmol/L vs (312±76) μmol/L] and Retinol binding protein [(33±7) mg/L were lower than (39±10) mg/L] in the malnutrition group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Except for the visceral fat area and body fat percentages, there was no significant difference in body composition indexes and bone mineral density T-value between the malnutrition-risk and malnutrition groups (P<0.05). Compared with the well-nourished group, the body fat [(16±6) kg vs (20±6) kg], the percentage of body fat [(26±9)% vs (29±7)%], the waist-hip ratio [(0.86±0.05) vs (0.89±0.05)], and the upper arm circumference [(29.00±2.59) cm vs (30.74±2.75) cm] in the malnutrition risk group were lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in all body composition indicators and T-values of bone density between the malnourished and well nourished groups (all P<0.05). The MNA score of PD patients was negatively correlated with UPDRS Ⅰ, UPDRS Ⅱ, and UPDRS Ⅳ scores (r=-0.347, -0.364, -0.303, all P<0.05); Body composition indicators: total body water and inorganic salts were negatively correlated with UPDRS-I (r=-0.206, -0.223, all P<0.05), and body fat was negatively correlated with levodopa Equivalent dose (LED) (r=-0.209, P<0.05) Conclusions: The malnutrition risk and incidence of malnutrition in PD patients are high; lymphocyte, uric acid, hemoglobin, Retinol binding protein, body composition and bone mineral density were low in malnutrition group. MNA score of PD patients was negatively correlated with Parkinson's disease symptoms.

[Clinical features of primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease]

Objective: To explore disease characteristics of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compare the differences between PSC with and without IBD. Methods: Study design was cross sectional. Forty-two patients with PSC who were admitted from January 2000 to January 2021 were included. We analyzed their demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, concomitant diseases, auxiliary examination, and treatment. Results: The 42 patients were 11-74(43±18) years of age at diagnosis. The concordance rate of PSC with IBD was 33.3%, and the age at PSC with IBD diagnosis was 12-63(42±17) years. PSC patients with IBD had higher incidences of diarrhea and lower incidences of jaundice and fatigue than in those without IBD (all P<0.05). Alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total bile acid and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels were higher in PSC patients without IBD than in those with IBD (all P<0.05). The positive rates for antinuclear antibodies and fecal occult blood were higher in PSC patients with IBD than in those without IBD (all P<0.05). Patients with PSC complicated with ulcerative colitis mainly experienced extensive colonic involvement. The proportion of 5-aminosalicylic acid and glucocorticoid application in PSC patients with IBD was significantly increased compared with that of PSC patients without IBD (P=0.025). Conclusions: The concordance rate of PSC with IBD is lower at Peking Union Medical College Hospital than in Western countries. Colonoscopy screening may benefit PSC patients with diarrhea or fecal occult blood-positive for early detection and diagnosis of IBD.

[Cone-beam CT evaluation of the effect of indirect anchorage of mini-screw assisted clear aligner on molar distalization]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of indirect anchorage with mini-screw assisted clear aligner on molar distalization. Methods: Twenty-six adult patients [12 males and 14 females, aged 19 to 31 years, mean age (26.4±4.2) years], who were treated in the Department of Orthodontics, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University between January 2018 and September 2021, were included. All the patients were treated with clear aligner and mini-screw indirect anchorage to distalize maxillary molars. In the stage of molar distalization, the mini-implants were implanted between the buccal roots of the maxillary first molar and the second premolar, and rigidly connected to the maxillary second premolar as anchorage reenforcement. Until the first molar had distally moved to the designated position, the mini-implants were transferred to the buccal area between the first and the second molars and similar device was connected to the first molar. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) images were taken before the treatment (T0), at the maxillary first molar distally moved to the designated position (T1), and at the anterior teeth alignment finished (T2). The CBCT data were imported into Mimics 20.0 software for three-dimensional reconstruction. After correcting the head position, each reference point was determined in the multi-plane reconstruction view. The bilateral porion, the right orbitale, the nasion, and the anterior nasal spine were selected as reference points to construct the three-dimensional space coordinate system. The positions of the first molar, the second premolar, and the incisor were analyzed three-dimensionally. The three-dimensional position changes of maxillary first molars and maxillary second premolars during the stages of T0-T1, T1-T2, T0-T2, and the mesiodistal and vertical position changes of maxillary central incisors were analyzed. The statistical analysis was carried out using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: There was a significant difference in the sagittal position changes of the root and cusp of the maxillary central incisors among three time points (F=24.84, P<0.001; F=27.66, P=0.001), but no difference was observed between T0 and T1 (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in lingual retraction of the maxillary central incisor root [(2.17±0.42) mm] and cusp [(1.81±0.28) mm] between T1 and T2 (P<0.05). A significant difference was noted in the sagittal position changes of the root and crown of the maxillary second premolars among three time points (F=17.16, P=0.001; F=57.99, P<0.001). However, no statistical difference was detected between T0 and T1 (P>0.05) and the difference in maxillary second premolar distalization [root (1.95±0.42) mm, cusp (2.53±0.33) mm] was observed between T1 and T2 (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the sagittal position changes of the root and the crown of the maxillary first molar among three time points (F=9.37, P=0.002; F=140.26, P<0.001). The difference in the maxillary first molar distalization [crown (3.51±0.30) mm, root (1.98±0.25) mm] between T0 and T1 was significant (P<0.05). However, no significant difference in the sagittal position of the maxillary first molars was observed between T1 and T2 (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the vertical position of the center point of the root in maxillary first molar among three time points (F=59.06, P<0.001), while (2.28±0.24) mm of intrusion between T0 and T1 was exhibited (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the vertical position of the maxillary first molars between T1 and T2 (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in other measurements among three time points (P>0.05). Conclusions: The effect of indirect anchorage with mini-screw-assisted clear aligner on molar distalization was positive.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms]

Objective: Clinicopathological characteristics of neuroendocrine neoplasms are highly heterogeneous based on variable origins.Our study aims to explore the clinical features of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm (RNEN). Methods: Patients with histologically diagnosed rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms were retrospectively analyzed between January 2012 and December 2020. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, complete blood count, endoscopy findings, and pathological features were recorded and analyzed. T-test was used for measurement data analysis, Chi-square test was performed for classification data analysis, and Binary logistic regression was applied for analyzing risk factors of metastasis. Results: Among 172 patients, the male to female ratio was 107 to 65 with an average age of (52±12) years (16-77 years). Altered bowel habit was the most common initial symptom (58/172, 33.7%), followed by abdominal pain (36/172, 20.9%) and loss of body weight (27/172, 15.7%). One hundred and sixty-one cases were neuroendocrine tumors, 9 were neuroendocrine carcinomas and 2 were mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms. Most endoscopic presentations were polypoid lesions (147/172, 85.5%), mainly limited to mucosa (48/172, 27.9%) and submucosa (96/172, 55.8%). Twenty-nine patients developed lymph node invasion or distant metastasis at diagnosis. There were statistical difference of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) among groups with different tumor size (<10 mm vs. 10-20 mm vs.>20 mm, mean NLR 1.79±0.55 vs. 2.27±1.23 vs. 2.95±0.66, P<0.01. Compared with non-metastatic group, the metastatic group presented higher NLR(2.61±0.81 vs. 1.89±0.80, P<0.01). Tumor size (<10 mm vs. 10-20 mm vs.>20 mm, OR 1.00 vs. 2.10 vs. 5.25×10⁹, P =0.001), invasion to bowel wall (mucosa vs. submucosa vs. muscularis vs. serosa invasion,OR 1.00 vs. 3.26 vs. 14.11 vs. 39.42, P=0.008), and NLR (NLR<2.25 vs. NLR≥2.25, OR 1.00 vs. 5.19, P =0.024) were risk factors for metastasis. Conclusion: Metastasis of RNEN is related with tumor size, degree of bowel invasion and NLR. High NLR is a poor prognostic factor of RNEN.

[A preliminary study on molecular target identification of drugs in individualized treatment of malignant solid tumors in children]

Objective: To explore the role of drug-related molecular target identification in the individualized treatment of malignant solid tumors in children. Methods: The clinical data of 40 patients diagnosed with malignant solid tumors from Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, between June 2017 and March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods were used to determine the expression levels and mutations of tumor drug molecular targets, and to compare the efficiency as well as the incidence of toxic side effects of chemotherapy using anti-tumor drugs with various molecular targets. Results: A total of 4 tumor drug-related targets were identified in 40 tumor tissue samples, namely DNA topoisomerase-ⅡA (TOPOⅡA), β(3)-tubulin (Tubulinβ(3)), DNA topoisomerase-Ⅰ(TOPOⅠ) and dihydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms [DHFR (C829T)]. The effective rates of platinum-based agents, methotrexate, irinotecan, vinblastine and anthracycline for malignant solid tumors in children were 90.0% (36/40), 85.0% (34/40), 70.0% (28/40), 67.5% (27/40), 62.5% (25/40), respectively. The effective rates of chemotherapy with irinotecan, methotrexate, and vinblastine in mesenchymal tumors were 68.9% (20/29), 62.1% (18/29), 68.9% (20/29), respectively, which were considerably higher than 18.2% (2/11), 36.4% (4/11) and 36.4% (4/11) in non-mesenchymal tumors, with significant differences (χ(2)=5.487, 15.345, 17.278, all P<0.05). The effective rate of chemotherapy of platinum-based drugs for non-mesenchymal tumors was 72.3% (8/11), which was significantly higher than 58.6% (17/29) in mesenchymal tumors, and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=11.231, P<0.05). The intensity of toxic side effects in order from high to low was anthracycline > platinum > methotrexate > vinblastine > irinotecan. Conclusion: Tumor drug-related molecular targets and the sensitivity of tumors of different origins to the same anti-tumor drug as well as side effects are predicted, which provides a theoretical and clinical basis for individualized treatment of malignant tumors in children.

MicroRNA-421 inhibits caspase-10 expression and promotes breast cancer progression

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and fatal diseases around the world. The mechanism of tumorigenesis in breast cancer remains to be clarified. miR-421 plays an oncogenic role in many cancers. Although, the clinical significance of miR-421 in patients with breast cancer is still to be investigated. Caspase-10 is one of the initiator of apoptosis. But the relationship between miR-421 and caspase-10 has not been investigated. In the present study, we found that miR-421 was expressed much higher in breast cancer tissues compared to those in adjacent non-tumor tissues. Furthermore, miR-421 promotes cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. miR-421 inhibits cell apoptosis probably through restraining caspase-10 expression. Thus, miR-421 might be a potential diagnostic maker and therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Carbides and possible hydrogen irreversible trapping sites in ultrahigh strength round steel

The carbides in ultrahigh strength round steel have been investigated by using laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in this paper. Two kinds of carbides are found and one is iron carbide M₆C, where carbide formation elements Cr, Mn and Mo replace partial Fe, while the other is niobium carbide MC, where M includes V and Mo besides Nb. These two carbides, due to their different evaporation field, have various densities in reconstructed image of APT. After correction, the hydrogen content within these two carbides illustrates that M₆C cannot trap hydrogen, while MC can. The different behaviors in trapping hydrogen between these two carbides may result from elements Fe or Cr in M₆C carbide having weaker affinity for hydrogen than Nb and V have in MC.

[Clinical characteristics in gout patients with different body mass index]

Objective: Obesity is one of the risk factors for gout. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of gout patients with different BMI. Methods: A total of 5 104 patients with gout were enrolled and divided into three groups according to the BMI. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected. SPSS software was applied for the statistical analyses. Results: There were significant differences in the ratios of gender, regular exercise, hypertension, tophus, renal insufficiency, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, liver dysfunction among the three groups (all P<0.01). The onset age in overweight [45(36, 55) years] and obese subjects [40(31, 50) years] were earlier than that of the normal weight subjects [50(38, 61) years]. Moreover, waist circumstances [103(99, 108) cm and 94 (90, 98) cm vs 87 (82, 91) cm], systolic pressure [130 (120, 145) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)and 130(120, 140)mmHg vs 128(115, 140) mmHg], diastolic pressure [90 (80, 100) mmHg and 85 (80, 92) mmHg vs 80 (79, 90) mmHg], fasting blood glucose [5.77 (5.30, 6.44) mmol/L and 5.65 (5.19, 6.26) mmol/L vs 5.55 (5.10, 6.15) mmol/L], TG [2.10 (1.46, 3.04) mmol/L and 1.88 (1.35, 2.78) mmol/L vs 1.52 (1.07, 2.39) mmol/L], TC [5.20 (4.55, 5.93) mmol/L and 5.07 (4.46, 5.75) mmol/L vs 4.95 (4.27, 5.65) mmol/L], serum uric acid [483(418, 552) μmol/L and 461(395, 524) μmol/L vs 440 (368, 517) μmol/L], ALT [30 (21, 46) U/L and 25 (18, 36) U/L vs 21 (14, 29) U/L], AST [21(17, 28) U/L and 20 (17, 26) U/L vs 20 (6, 25) U/L], the number of joints involved [2(1, 3)joints and 2(1, 2) joints vs 1(1, 2) joints] in the overweight and obese groups were higher than those in the normal weight group ( all P<0.01). There were no statistical differences in family history, involvement of upper limb joints, kidney stones and coronary heart disease among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Obesity is associated with an earlier age of gout onset.With the increase of BMI, the blood pressures, glucose, lipid, serum uric acid, liver transaminase levels and the number of involved joints increased gradually. Cautions should be taken in treating patients with different BMI.

Exogenous substances regulate silkworm fat body protein synthesis through MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Insect fat body is an important intermediate metabolic organ that plays an important role in protein metabolism and detoxification. In order to study the effects of TiO₂ NPs and phoxim on fat body protein synthesis through MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in silkworms, we determined the effects of TiO₂ NPs and phoxim, alone and in combination, on fat body protein content of silkworms, analyzed the gene expression profile of the fat body, and verified the expression of characteristic genes. We found that TiO₂ NPs and phoxim alone increased the total protein content of the fat body, and up-regulated MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway genes. TiO₂ NPs up-regulated the expression of two growth and development-related genes-insulin-like peptide and neuropeptide receptor B-by 5.17 and 3.89-fold, respectively. Phoxim up-regulated the expression of detoxification genes-P450, GST, and CarE2. Pretreatment with TiO₂ NPs could reduce phoxim-increased total protein content and up-regulated MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway genes and detoxification genes; the activities of detoxification enzymes were consistent with the gene expression pattern. Our results showed that MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways both regulate fat body protein synthesis in silkworms, but the target proteins induced to express were different under different inducing factors. Our finding may provide a reference for investigating the mechanism of protein synthesis regulation through MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

microRNA 421 induces apoptosis of c-33a cervical cancer cells via down-regulation of Bcl-xL

Cervical cancer is a life-threatening condition. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can promote or inhibit cell death and proliferation. The present study investigated the effect of miRNA 421 on the growth and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. miRNA 421 and control miRNA were synthesized and transfected into c-33a cervical cancer cells. A thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay, caspase-3 activity, and flow cytometry were used to study the effects of miRNA 421 on c-33a cell growth, and apoptosis. Small interfering RNA targeting Bcl-xL was synthesized and transfected into c-33a cells along with miRNA 421. Bcl-xL expression and cell apoptosis were then measured by western blot and flow cytometry, respectively. Transfection of miRNA 421 into c-33a cells reduced their growth, promoted their apoptosis (measured by increased phosphatidylserine eversion), activated caspase-3, and decreased Bcl-xL expression. Silencing and overexpression of Bcl-xL enhanced and inhibited miRNA 421-induced apoptosis of c-33a cells, respectively. miRNA 421 induces c-33a cell apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-xL, suggesting that this latter might be used as a potential clinical target.

Relationship between brain activity and voiding patterns in healthy preterm neonates

INTRODUCTION

It remains controversial as to whether the brain affects voiding control in preterm newborns. Constant bladder volume has previously been thought to induce bladder voiding in neonates, with no influence from the brain. Lately, there has been distinct evidence for an existing connection between the central nervous system and bladder voiding in preterm infants, as the voiding reflex arouses neonatal children. Video electroencephalography (EEG) is useful for recording bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex and exploring its relationship with voiding patterns in preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to investigate the relationship between voiding patterns and brain activity in healthy preterm neonates by using video-EEG.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-seven healthy preterm neonates (16 females) with a mean postconceptional age (PCA) of 34.1 ± 1.8 weeks were divided according to PCA into three groups: Group I (31-33 weeks, n = 13); Group II (33-35 weeks, n = 14); and Group III (35-37 weeks, n = 20). Video-EEG data from eight cortical regions were recorded from 08:00-12:00, along with 4-hour free voiding patterns and status at voiding (awake/sleep).

RESULTS

In Group I, the voiding frequency (VF) was significantly higher and the voiding volume (VV) was significantly lower than in the other groups. There were no significant differences in bladder capacity (BC), bladder capacity/birth weight (BC/BW), postvoiding residual/bladder capacity (PVR/BC), or urinary flow rate (UFR) among the three groups. The Fp1-T3 and Fp2-T4 lead amplitudes significantly differed in Group I and Group II at 5 s before (pre-5), during, and after voiding (post-5). The Fp2-C4 total and theta band lead amplitudes significantly differed across all urination states among the groups. There were no significant differences in electroencephalography frequency among the groups in any urination state.

DISCUSSION

There were no significant differences in BC, BC/BW, PVR/BC, or UFR among the three groups, indicating slow bladder function development in preterm neonates. In this study, the EEG amplitude changed in certain pairs of electrodes. These changes might indicate the degree of bladder sensor maturation along with an increasing PCA. This study further suggests that the brain changes in preterm neonates during quiet sleep voiding prominently occur in the right prefrontal cortex and central region.

CONCLUSIONS

In preterm neonates, bladder voiding during quiet sleep was accompanied by cortical arousal that might have emanated from a lower center.

Late gestational liver dysfunction and its impact on pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of late gestational liver dysfunction and its impact on pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patients hospitalized for liver dysfunction in their late pregnancy between 2010-2012 were set as the observation group, and the pregnant women with normal liver function at the same period were randomly selected and set as the control group. The impacts towards the pregnancy outcomes were compared between these two groups and the impacts of different-degree transaminase increasing towards the pregnancy outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

The incidence rates of cesarean section, post-partum hemorrhage, fetal distress, premature birth, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) of the observation group and the transaminase-severely-increased group (the severe group) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01 or < 0.05); while only the cesarean rate of the mild and moderate group was significantly different from the control group (p < 0.01 or < 0.05). The ratios of intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy (ICP), gestational hypertension + HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver in pregnancy (AFLP) of the severe group were higher than the mild and moderate group, and the differences were statistically significant; the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) group and the unknown cause group mainly showed a mildly increased transaminase; the distributions of viral hepatitis in pregnancy (VHP), post-viral-hepatitis-B cirrhosis, biliary tract disease, and infected toxic liver dysfunction in different-degree increased transaminase groups had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver dysfunction in later pregnancy, especially with severe transaminase increase, might significantly increase the risk of adverse maternal events. The major causes of severe liver dysfunction in late pregnancy were ICP, gestational hypertensive disorders, and AFLP.

Multiferroic properties of hexagonal Ba3Ti2MnO9

Noncentrosymmetric hexagonal Ba₃Ti₂MnO₉ presents multiferroic behavior.

Ablation of canine prostate using two-stage intraprostatic hot agarose solution and enzyme injection

Enzyme ablation of the hyperplastic prostate may be an ideal method of management of BPH. However, the unsatisfactory ablation affects in vivo contrast with successful in vitro results limiting the enthusiasm for further research. In this study, we make efforts to solve the problems in the use of enzyme ablation of BPH in vivo and to measure satisfactory effect.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 18 hybrid dogs between the ages of 7 and 11 y underwent this experiment. Eight dogs were divided into four groups according to the injection formula: enzyme solution, hot D-Hanks' plus enzyme solution, hot agarose plus enzyme solution, and hot agarose solution alone. After selecting the agarose plus enzyme solution group in the first month, the remainder 10 dogs were treated with this two-stage method. Intravenous or oral antibiotics were administered perioperatively. All operations were performed directly by way of laparotomy. The prostates were observed and harvested with surrounding tissue at 24 hrs, 7 days, 14 days, 1 month and 3-5 months after treatment. Gross and microscopic examinations were performed.

RESULTS

Only agarose plus enzyme group shows obvious cavity formation with concomitant size reduction and softening of the prostate ablation effect in the four groups. At 24 h after injection, the prostates demonstrated cavity formation containing liquefied necrotic tissue. The liquefied tissue was absorbed in 7-14 days. At 1 month, the size of most prostates decreased with a corresponding decrease in the size of the cavities. The cavities nearly disappeared within 3-5 months, and the size of prostates decreased to between 1/2 and 1/4 of the pretreatment sizes. All prostates had intact urethral mucosa and capsule. No complications directly related to enzyme ablation were identified. In the control groups there were no significant cavities or decrease in prostate size.

CONCLUSIONS

This two-stage thermal and enzyme ablative method can significantly ablate prostate tissue without identifiable complications, and would be possibly applied to treating human BPH in the future.

Inhibition of ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of cardiac muscle by Zn(2+) ions

Using the assay of [(3)H]ryanodine binding to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the effect of Zn(2+) on ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of cardiac muscle was investigated. There was no obvious change in the binding at [Zn(2+)](f) of less than 0.2 microM. However, a decrease of the binding became significant with raising [Zn(2+)](f) to 0.5 microM. The inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) was [Zn(2+)](f)-dependent, with IC(50/ZnI) of 2.1+/-0.4 microM (mean+/-S.D.). Scatchard analysis indicates that both an increase of K(d) and a decrease of B(max) were responsible for Zn(2+)-induced decrease of the binding. The Hill coefficient for this inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) was between 0.8 and 1.2. The interactions of the effects of Zn(2+) and various modulators of RyR indicate that the inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) was mostly mediated through inhibiting Ca(2+) activation sites (CaA) on RyR. Since the [Zn(2+)](f) dependence was not clearly changed by [Ca(2+)](f), the inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) may not be due to competition of Zn(2+) with Ca(2+) for CaA and probably is indirect. The inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) could not be antagonized by 2 mM dithiothreitol, a thiol-reducing agent, suggesting that the binding of Zn(2+) ions to RyRs of cardiac muscle is not accompanied by obvious change of redox state of the RyRs. In comparison with that seen in skeletal muscle [3], the effects of Zn(2+) on ryanodine binding to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac muscle show several distinct differences. It is indicated that the effect of Zn(2+) on RyRs may be isoform-dependent. The physiological significance of the effects of Zn(2+) is discussed.

Field evaluation of resistance of transgenic rice containing a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner to two stem borers

Two transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines, KMD1 and KMD2 at the R4 generation, transformed with a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, were first evaluated for stem borer resistance in the field during the rice growing season of 1998 in two areas of Zhejiang Province, China. Both KMD1 and KMD2 were highly resistant to the stem borers Chilo suppressalis (Walker) and Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), and were completely undamaged during the whole rice growing season. In contrast, damage to the plants of the untransformed parental control (Xiushui 11) was in the form of deadhearts or whiteheads. Under natural infestation by the C. suppressalis, the damage to control plants reached a peak of 88.7% of plants and 20.1% of tillers encountered with deadhearts. Under artificial and natural infestation of neonate striped stem borers at the vegetative stage and booting stage, 100% of plants and 25.6% of tillers, 78.9% of plants and 15.6% of productive tillers among artificially infested control plants were observed with the symptom of deadhearts and whiteheads, respectively. Damage to the control plants from artificial infestation by the S. incertulas reached a peak of 97.0% of plants and 22.9% of tillers damaged. The field research indicated that both KMD1 and KMD2 show great potential for protecting rice from attack by these two stem borers.

[Spectrophotometric determination of copper in the hair of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

A new color reaction of copper (II) with solochrome cyanine R was studied by spectrophotometry. The results were that in the pH6 of HAc-NaAc buffer solution solochrome cyanine R reacted with copper (II) to form a violet complex; the maximum absorption of the complex was at 565 nm and its apparent molar absorption coefficient was 8.25 x 10(5) L.mol-1.cm-1. Beer's Law was obeyed in the range of 0-0.48 microgram.ml-1. This method was used to determine copper levels in the hair samples of 5 normal persons and 5 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The results showed that the hair copper level of arthritis patients was significantly higher than that of normal persons (P < 0.01).

[Cardiovascular reactions to gravitational force in different directions]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the features of the cardiovascular reactions to gravitational forces along different axes of the body.

METHOD

Dogs were exposed to gravitational forces along axes of body on an animal centrifuge.

RESULT

It was found that when the direction of G force changed from +Gz to +Gx, the predominating effect on the cardiovascular system changed from the drop of eye level blood pressure to the increase of central venous pressure, and the reactions of the organism changed from a presson reflex of the arterial system to the inhibition of cardiac activities at higher G levels. The turning point was found to be at the back angle of 75 degrees with respect to the direction of the gravitational force.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide an important reference for choosing the optimal seat back angle in a manned space vehicle.

Biphasic modulation of ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of skeletal muscle by Zn2+ ions

With the use of a [(3)H]ryanodine binding assay, the modulation of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) by Zn(2+) was investigated. In the presence of 100 microM free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](f)) as activator, the equilibrium [(3)H]ryanodine binding to heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was biphasically modulated by Zn(2+). The binding was increased by a free Zn(2+) concentration ([Zn(2+)](f)) of less than 1 microM; a peak binding, approx. 140% of the control (without added Zn(2+)) was obtained at 0.3 microM [Zn(2+)](f). An inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) became obvious with a [Zn(2+)](f) of more than 1 microM; the [Zn(2+)](f) for producing half inhibition was 2.7+/-0.5 microM (mean+/-S.D.). Scatchard analysis indicated that the increase in the binding induced by low [Zn(2+)](f) was due to a decrease in K(d), whereas both an increase in K(d) and a possible decrease in B(max) were responsible for the decrease in binding induced by high [Zn(2+)](f). The binding in the presence of micromolar [Zn(2+)](f) showed a biphasic time course. In the presence of 3 microM [Zn(2+)](f), after reaching a peak with an increased rate of initial binding, the binding gradually declined. The decline phase could be prevented by decreasing [Zn(2+)](f) to 0.5 microM or by adding 2 mM dithiothreitol, a thiol-reducing agent. The [Ca(2+)](f) dependence of binding was changed significantly by Zn(2+), whereas Ca(2+) had no clear effect on the [Zn(2+)](f) dependence of binding. Moreover, some interactions were found in the effects between Zn(2+) and other RyR1 modulators. It is indicated that Zn(2+) can modulate the activation sites and inactivation sites for Ca(2+) on RyR1. The physiological significance of the effects of Zn(2+) on ryanodine binding is discussed.

Wounding properties of steel pellets with different velocities and quality on soft tissue of dogs

The characteristics of the soft-tissue wounds of the hind legs of 155 dogs produced by stainless steel spheres with four different masses and at various impact velocities were observed. It was found that when the mass of the spheres was identical, the velocity became the main factor to determine the severity of the damage; when the mass of the spheres was different but their kinetic energy was similar, then a smaller but faster sphere produced more severe damage than a larger but slower one. Shallow but wide and severe wounds usually resulted. The rate of disability of extremities with such wounds was very high. These wounding properties of steel spheres have caused some new problems in the treatment of war injuries.