[A new sesquiterpenoid from Lindera aggregata]

The chemical composition of the aqueous part of the extract from Lindera aggregata was studied, which was separated and purified by the macroporous resin column chromatography, MCI medium pressure column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid phase and other methods. The structures of the compounds were identified according to physical and chemical properties and spectroscopic data. Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified from the aqueous extracts, which were identified as(1S,3R,5R,6R,8S,10S)-epi-lindenanolide H(1), tachioside(2), lindenanolide H(3), leonuriside A(4), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethyl β-D-glucopyranoside(5), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-1-O-6-α-L-rhamnose-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucoside(6), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(7),(+)-lyoniresin-4-yl-β-D-glucopyranoside(8), lyoniside(9), norboldine(10), norisopordine(11), boldine(12), reticuline(13). Among them, compound 1 was a new one, and compounds 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 were obtained from L. aggregata for the first time. The inflammatory model was induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in the RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that compounds 1, 8, 10 and 12 had significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Linear Breit-Wheeler process driven by compact lasers

We report a proposal to observe the two-photon Breit-Wheeler process in plasma driven by compact lasers. A high-charge electron bunch can be generated from laser plasma wakefield acceleration when a tightly focused laser pulse propagates in a subcritical density plasma. The electron bunch scatters with the laser pulse coming from the opposite direction and resulting in the emission of high brilliance x-ray pulses. In a three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation with a laser pulse of ∼10 J, one could produce an x-ray pulse with a photon number higher than 3×10^{11} and brilliance above 1.6×10^{23} photons/s/mm^{2}/mrad^{2}/0.1%BW at 1 MeV. The x-ray pulses collide in the plasma and create more than 1.1×10^{5} electron-positron pairs per shot. It is also found that the positrons can be accelerated transversely by a transverse electric field generated in the plasma, which enables the safe detection in the direction away from the laser pulses. This proposal enables the observation of the linear Breit-Wheeler process in a compact device with a single shot.

[Effect of TFF3 on tight junction protein in eosinophilic chronic sinusitis and its related mechanism]

Objective: To study the effect of trefoil factor family (TFF) 3 on the expression of tight junctions (TJs) in the nasal mucosa epithelium of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS) and its mechanism. Methods: From September to December 2020, eligible patients from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were recruited, including 11 control patients and 37 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), from whom nasal mucosa and nasal polyp tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the localization and expression intensity of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) and TJs (occudin, claudin-1 and ZO-1) in nasal mucosa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot (WB) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression. A cell model of tight junction injury in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) through stimulation with interleukin (IL)-13 was also established. The optimal modeling concentration and time for HNECs were determined, which were subsequently treated with TFF3 and/or a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-specific inhibitor (LY294002). Finally, RT-qPCR and WB were used to assess the effects of TFF3 on tight junctions and the PI3K/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway. Data were analyzed statistically using GraphPad Prism 7 software. Results: IHC results showed that the expression of TFF1 and TFF3 in nasal mucosa of eCRS group was significantly higher than that of control group (t=4.62, P=0.002; t=5.89, P<0.001), respectively, mainly expressed in goblet cell. The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the nasal mucosa of the eCRS group was lower than that of the control group (occludin t=3.98, P=0.019; claudin-1 t=5.15, P=0.002; ZO-1 t=5.42, P=0.001), respectively. WB results showed that the expression of TFF3 in non-eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (Non-eCRS) group and eCRS group was higher than that in the control group (t=3.62, P=0.036; t=5.93, P<0.001). The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in eCRS group was lower than that in the control group (occludin t=5.14, P=0.002; claudin-1 t=6.35, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=6.64, P<0.001), respectively. The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the control group, the levels of TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were increased in the nasal mucosal epithelium of the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups (TFF1 t=3.98, P=0.046, t=4.89, P=0.002; TFF3 t=3.50, P=0.044, t=6.78, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in TFF2 mRNA levels between the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups (t=1.34, P=0.061; t=3.37, P=0.055). Compared with the control group, Non-eCRS and eCRS groups showed a decrease in the mRNA levels of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin t=4.27, P=0.011, t=5.61, P=0.007; claudin-1 t=3.62, P=0.036, t=6.80, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=3.47, P=0.047, t=7.86, P<0.001). The mRNA levels of TFF3 and TJs in eCRS nasal mucosa tissue showed a moderate positive correlation (occludin r=0.661, claudin-1 r=0.614, ZO-1 r=0.548, all P<0.001); TFF1 showed a low degree of positive correlation with the expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin r=0.467, P=0.040; claudin-1 r=0.362, P=0.012; ZO-1 r=0.425, P=0.025). The establishment of cell models showed that compared with normal HNECs, the mRNA expression of TFF3 was most significantly increased at a concentration of 50 ng/ml stimulated by IL-13 (t=3.72, P=0.013); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.18, P=0.031; claudin-1 t=3.86, P=0.010; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.002). The expression of TFF3 mRNA increased most significantly after 15 hours of IL-13 stimulation (t=3.14, P=0.034); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.97, P=0.010; claudin-1 t=4.78, P=0.004; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.004). TJs damage model could be established by treating HNECs with 50 ng/ml IL-13 for 15 hours. Intervention experiments showed that compared with the IL-13 group, the IL-13+TFF3 group showed an increase in TJs mRNA expression (occludin t=6.10, P=0.009; claudin-1 t=5.90, P=0.013; ZO-1 t=9.44, P=0.007). Compared with the IL-13 group, the expression of TJs protein in the IL-13+TFF3 group increased (occludin t=3.23, P=0.013; claudin-1 t=9.40, P=0.017; ZO-1 t=2.23, P=0.032); The expression of TJs protein decreased in the IL-13+TFF3+LY294002 group (occludin t=4.73, claudin-1 t=8.77, ZO-1 t=3.51, all P<0.001). Compared with the IL-13+TFF3 group, the IL-3+TFF3+LY294002 group showed a decrease in PI3K and p-Akt/Akt protein expression (PI3K t=13.29, p-Akt/Akt t=10.30, all P<0.001). The increased mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 induced by TFF3 were also inhibited by LY294002. Conclusion: TFF3 can up-regulate the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 through PI3K/Akt pathway, and has a certain protective effect on the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier, providing a new idea for treating eCRS.

Amplification of a terahertz wave via stimulated Raman scattering

Extremely strong terahertz (THz) waves are desperately demanded for investigating nonlinear physics, spectroscopy, and imaging in the THz range. However, traditional crystal-/semiconductor-based THz sources have limitations of reaching extremely high amplitude due to the damage threshold of devices. Here, by introducing Raman amplification to the THz range, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, scheme to amplify THz waves in plasma. A long-pulse CO₂ pump laser transfers its energy to a multicycle, 10-THz seed in a two-step plasma. By one-dimensional simulations, a 0.87-GV/m, 1.2-ps-duration THz seed is amplified to 10 GV/m in a 5.7-mm-long plasma with an amplification efficiency approaching 1%. The method provides a new technology to manipulate the intensity of THz waves.

[Establishment of a predictive model of septic myocardiopathy based on left ventricular global longitudinal strain]

Objectives: To explore the risk factors associated with septic cardiomyopathy and establish a predictive model of the disease based on left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS). Methods: Data from sepsis patients without a history of cardiac dysfunction who were treated in the Critical Care Department of the Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from September, 2019 to January, 2021 were included in the analysis. The LV GLS was measured by echocardiography within 72 hours and the patients were divided into a septic myocardiopathy group (LV GLS>-17%) and a normal cardiac function group (LV GLS≤-17%). Clinical data from two groups of patients were collected for univariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the factors that were statistically different were drawn for exploring the diagnostic and cut-off values. The continuous variable was converted to a dichotomous variable according to the cut-off value. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of sepsis cardiomyopathy was performed to screen the risk factors and create a predictive model. The predictive model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and the Bootstrap method and shown as a nomograph. Results: Patients in the sepsis cardiomyopathy group had higher levels of high sensitive troponin I (Hs-TnI), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate (Lac), N-terminal pro-brain atriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), vasopressor dosing intensity (VDI) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) when compared to those in the normal cardiac function group (all P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Hs-TnI≥0.131 μg/L (OR=6.71, 95%CI:2.67-16.88, P<0.001), PCT≥40 μg/L (OR=3.08, 95%CI:1.10-8.59, P=0.032), Lac≥4.2 mmol/L (OR=2.80, 95%CI:1.02-7.69, P=0.045), NT-proBNP≥3 270 ng/L (OR=2.67, 95%CI:1.06-6.74, P=0.038) were independent risk factors for septic myocardiopathy. The area under the ROC curve of the predictive model based on the four indexes up-mentioned was 0.838 (95%CI:0.766-0.910), and the C-index was 0.822 (95%CI:0.750-0.894) which indicated the utility of the nomogram. The model had a good predictive ability, accuracy and discrimination. Conclusions: Hs-TnI≥0.131 μg/L, PCT≥40 μg/L, Lac≥4.2 mmol/L and NT-proBNP≥3 270 ng/L are independent risk factors for septic myocardiopathy, and the septic cardiomyopathy predictive model constructed based on these factors has a good diagnostic performance.

High efficiency and collimated terahertz pulse from ultra-short intense laser and cone target

We propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, method to radiate a high-efficiency and collimated terahertz (THz) pulse from a relativistic femtosecond laser and cone target. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that a THz source of 40 mJ, pointing at an angle of ∼20 ^∘, can be generated from a laser pulse of 1.9 J by using a cone target whose open angle is 10 ^∘. The peak power of the THz pulse is 10¹¹ W. This method, which manipulates the divergence angle and the energy conversion efficiency of the THz source, should promote THz science into the extra strong region with a compact laser system.

A structural deep network embedding model for predicting associations between miRNA and disease based on molecular association network

Previous studies indicated that miRNA plays an important role in human biological processes especially in the field of diseases. However, constrained by biotechnology, only a small part of the miRNA-disease associations has been verified by biological experiment. This impel that more and more researchers pay attention to develop efficient and high-precision computational methods for predicting the potential miRNA-disease associations. Based on the assumption that molecules are related to each other in human physiological processes, we developed a novel structural deep network embedding model (SDNE-MDA) for predicting miRNA-disease association using molecular associations network. Specifically, the SDNE-MDA model first integrating miRNA attribute information by Chao Game Representation (CGR) algorithm and disease attribute information by disease semantic similarity. Secondly, we extract feature by structural deep network embedding from the heterogeneous molecular associations network. Then, a comprehensive feature descriptor is constructed by combining attribute information and behavior information. Finally, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is adopted to train and classify these feature descriptors. In the five-fold cross validation experiment, SDNE-MDA achieved AUC of 0.9447 with the prediction accuracy of 87.38% on the HMDD v3.0 dataset. To further verify the performance of SDNE-MDA, we contrasted it with different feature extraction models and classifier models. Moreover, the case studies with three important human diseases, including Breast Neoplasms, Kidney Neoplasms, Lymphoma were implemented by the proposed model. As a result, 47, 46 and 46 out of top-50 predicted disease-related miRNAs have been confirmed by independent databases. These results anticipate that SDNE-MDA would be a reliable computational tool for predicting potential miRNA-disease associations.

[Effect of different mechanical ventilation modes on patient-ventilator synchrony and diaphragm function in rabbit model of acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Objective: To observe the effect of different modes of mechanical ventilation on patient-ventilator synchrony and diaphragm function in rabbits with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Methods: Eighteen New Zealand rabbit models of ARDS were induced by intratracheal infusion hydrochloric acid until the oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)) was less than 200 mmHg, and then divided into three groups with random number: assisted-controlled mechanical ventilation (A/C) group, pressure support ventilation (PSV) group and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) group. All of them were ventilated for four hours with the targeted tidal volume (V(T)) (6 ml/kg) and the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titrated with the maximum oxygenation method. Gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics and patient-ventilator synchrony were determined during 4 h of ventilation and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in diaphragm were measured after 4 h of ventilation. The q test was used for the multiple comparison of the sample mean. Results: There were no significant differences in PaO(2)/FiO(2) between three groups during ventilation 1-4 h (F=1.029, P>0.05). The V(T) in NAVA group was obviously lower than that in PSV group and the respiratory rate (RR) and the electrical activity of diaphragm(EAdi) were higher than those in A/C group(all P<0.05).The trigger delay and off cycle delay the in NAVA group were markedly lower than those in A/C and PSV group during ventilation 1-4 h(F=14.312, 9.342, both P<0.05). Asynchrony index in NAVA group (3.1%±1.0%) was obviously lower than those in A/C group (22.3%±5.2%) and PSV group(8.4%±2.3%) (F=7.192, P<0.05). In NAVA group, peak EAdi (EAdi(peak)) and peak airway pressure (Ppeak) were markedly correlated (r=0.97±0.16, P<0.05), while Ppeak delivery in A/C and PSV group was not correlated to EAdi(peak) (r=0.38±0.13,0.46±0.15, both P>0.05).Compared with A/C group, the concentration of MDA in the diaphragm in NAVA group was obviously lower(P<0.05). SOD and GSH level inthe diaphragm in NAVA group were both obviously higher than those in A/C group (both P<0.05). Conclusions: It is helpful to avoid eccentric contraction of diaphragm, lessen oxidative stress and alleviate ventilator-related diaphragm dysfunction by keeping spontaneous breathing as far as possible and subject-ventilator synchrony when ventilation in ARDS with NAVA.

[The prognostic value of cloned genetic mutations detected by second-generation sequencing in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive acute myeloid leukemia patients receiving intensive consolidation therapy]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of clonal gene mutations detected by second-generation sequencing in patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received high-dose chemotherapy or autologous transplantation (intensive consolidation therapy) in the first complete remission (CR(1)) state. Methods: 79 AML patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 who received intensive consolidation therapy in CR(1) state from July 2011 to August 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression model were used to figure out the effect of leukocyte counts at onset and gene mutations for prognosis. Results: C-KIT, FLT3, CEBPA and DNMT3A gene mutations were found in 25 (31.6%) , 6 (7.6%) , 7 (8.9%) and 1 (1.3%) patient among the population. Mutations in C-KIT exon17 and C-KIT exon8 were detected in 19 (24.1%) and 5 (6.3%) cases, respectively, and mutations of FLT3-ITD were confirmed in 5 (6.3%) cases. The higher leukocyte counts presented at onset of leukemia, the shorter overall survival (OS) was seen in these patients (P=0.03) . Patients with C-KIT exon17 mutation had significantly shorter OS (P=0.01) and disease free survival (DFS) (P=0.006) compared with those without gene mutations, and patients with FLT3-ITD gene mutation got the inferior OS (P=0.048) and DFS (P=0.071) . Conclusion: In AML patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 receiving intensive consolidation therapy, the white blood cell counts at onset of leukemia, C-KIT mutations in exon 17, and FLT3-ITD gene mutations suggest poor prognosis, which would contribute to elaborate risk stratification, personalized treatment and predict prognosis for these patients.

Deflection of a reflected intense circularly polarized light beam induced by asymmetric radiation pressure

A deflection effect of an intense laser beam with spin angular momentum is revealed theoretically by an analytical modeling using radiation pressure and momentum balance of laser plasma interaction in the relativistic regime as a deviation from the law of reflection. The reflected beam deflects out of the plane of incidence with a deflection angle up to several milliradians, when a nonlinear polarized laser, with the intensity I_{0}∼10^{19}W/cm^{2} and duration around tens of femtoseconds, is obliquely incident and reflected by an overdense plasma target. This effect originates from the asymmetric radiation pressure caused by spin angular momentum of the laser photons. The dependence of the deflection angle of a Gaussian-type laser on the parameters of laser pulse and plasma foil is theoretically derived, which is also confirmed by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of circularly polarized laser beams with the different intensity and pulse duration.

[Study on the expression of FoxM1 in chronic rhinosinusitis and the effect of inflammatory factors on FoxM1 expression]

Objective: To check Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) expression in nasal mucosal of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients and the effect of inflammatory factors on FoxM1 expression, in order to research the significance of FoxM1 in CRS. Methods: From January to October of 2018, 50 patients hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled in this study. Twenty CRS patients with polyps (CRSwNP), 20 CRS patients without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and 10 patients with simple deviation of nasal septum (the control groups) were selected. The expression of FoxM1 in nasal mucosa of these patients was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Meanwhile, HE stain was used to observe the pathologic changes in each sample. By establishing human nasal epithelium cells cultivating model in vitro and identifying via immumofluorescence method, experimental group and control group were set up, then activation factors including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and staphylococcal entemtoxin B (SEB) were added in the models after stabilizing passage, and qRT-PRC and Western blot method were applied to check the expressing change of FoxM1. Software SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: HE stain showed that the mainly pathologic change in nasal mucosa of CRS patients with or without nasal polyp was mucosal epithelial cells, goblet cell and submucosal gland hyperplasia, accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration. The result of IHC demonstrated that both of the expression of FoxM1 in nasal mucosal tissue of CRS patients in the CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups exceed that of the control group (80% vs 75% vs 20%, χ(2) value was 10.000, 8.213, respectively, all P<0.05); there was no difference of expression between the two groups of CRS patients (χ(2)=0.143, P>0.05). The result of qRT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of FoxM1 mRNA in nasal mucosa of CRSwNP and CRSsNP was increased compared with that of the control group (3.309±1.511 vs 3.261±1.336 vs 1.000±0.774, t value was 4.519, 4.928, respectively, all P<0.05), but the difference between the two groups of CRS patients had no statistic significance (t=0.107, P=0.909). Nasal mucosa epithelial cells cultivating models was established successfully. Q-RT PCR and Western blot were conducted after stimulation of 100 ng/ml IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, IFN-γ and SEB for 36 h, and the proteins expression levels of FoxM1 exceeded the groups without stimulation with statistic significance. Conclusions: The expression of FoxM1 in CRS increases and many types of cytokine can induce the increase of FoxM1 in human nasal epithelial cells. FoxM1 may participate in the process of pathogenesis in CRS.

[Expression of LC3 and ECP in allergic rhinitis and their significance]

Objective:To investigate the expression of microtubuleassociated protein 1 light chain 3 beta(LC3) and eosinophil cationic protein in allergic rhinitis(AR) for further understanding of the pathogenesis of AR. Method: Twenty cases of normal nasal mucosa and 20 cases of AR nasal mucosa were collected. Histological changes of nasal mucosa were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The expression of LC3 and ECP were measured by immunohistochemistry(IHC) and Western Blot(WB). Result: The tissue samples demonstrated a large number of eosinophils and lymphocytes infiltration in AR. IHC revealed that LC3 and ECP expression were higher in AR than in normal nasal mucosa(P<0.05). WB also showed that the relative expression levels of protein expression of LC3 and ECP were greater in AR than in controls. The expression level of LC3 was positively correlated with that of ECP protein in AR. Conclusion: LC3 and ECP were upregulated and positively correlated in AR, indicating that autophagy plays an important role in the toxicity of allergic rhinitis , which provides theoretical basis for the precise treatment of AR.

Alkaloids from Melodinus henryi with anti-inflammatory activity

One new quinolinic scandine-type monoterpeniod alkaloid, 3-oxo-scandine (1), as well as seven known ones (2-8), was isolated from the roots of Melodinus henryi. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. All of the compounds were prepared and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities by measuring the inhibitory activity of nitric oxide (NO) in vitro in RAW 264.7 mouse peritoneal macrophages. Compounds 6 and 7 showed significant activities with IC₅₀ values of 8.54 and 5.19 μM, respectively.

Creation of Electron-Positron Pairs in Photon-Photon Collisions Driven by 10-PW Laser Pulses

A novel approach is proposed to demonstrate the two-photon Breit-Wheeler process by using collimated and wide-bandwidth γ-ray pulses driven by 10-PW lasers. Theoretical calculations suggest that more than 3.2×10^{8} electron-positron pairs with a divergence angle of 7° can be created per shot, and the signal-to-noise ratio is higher than 10^{3}. The positron signal, which is roughly 100 times higher than the detection limit, can be measured by using the existing spectrometers. This approach, which could demonstrate the e^{-}e^{+} pair creation process from two photons, would provide important tests for two-photon physics and other fundamental physical theories.

Laser Acceleration of Highly Energetic Carbon Ions Using a Double-Layer Target Composed of Slightly Underdense Plasma and Ultrathin Foil

We report the experimental generation of highly energetic carbon ions up to 48 MeV per nucleon by shooting double-layer targets composed of well-controlled slightly underdense plasma and ultrathin foils with ultraintense femtosecond laser pulses. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that carbon ions are ejected from the ultrathin foils due to radiation pressure and then accelerated in an enhanced sheath field established by the superponderomotive electron flow. Such a cascaded acceleration is especially suited for heavy ion acceleration with femtosecond laser pulses. The breakthrough of heavy ion energy up to many tens of MeV/u at a high repetition rate would be able to trigger significant advances in nuclear physics, high energy density physics, and medical physics.

[Research advance of microRNA in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis]

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, manifested as nasal-sinus mucosal chronic inflammation. However, the pathogenesis of CRS is not clear. There are studies found that microRNA (miRNA) involved in CRS gene regulation. In this review, we summarize the expression of miRNAs in CRS, with the in-depth study of the role of miRNAs in CRS, and will further elucidate the pathogenesis of CRS.

[Expression and significance of growth differentiation factor 15 and MUC5AC in chronic rhinosinusitis]

Objective:To investigate the expression of growth factor differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and its relationship with mucin 5AC(MUC5AC).Method:Fifteen patients with CRS and nasal polyps, 15 patients with CRS without nasal polyps and 15 patients with normal nasal mucosa were enrolled in the study. Hisological changes of sinonasal mucosa were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stainding. The expression of total mucins was evaluated by periodic acid Schiff staining(PAS). And the expression of GDF15 and MUC5AC were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Result:The tissuse samples demonstrated mucaosal thicking, goblet cell hyperplasia, glandular hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in CRSwNP and CRSsNP. IHC revealed that GDF15 and MUC5AC expression higher in CRSwNP and CRSsNP than in normal sinus mucosa (P< 0.05). qRT-PCR also displays that the relative expression levles of mRNA exprssion of GDF15 and MUC5AC were higher in CRSwNP and CRSsNP than in controls.And the expression level of GDF15 was positively correlated with that of MUC5AC mRNA in CRS.Conclusion:GDF15 and MUC5AC were upregulated in CRS with or without nasal polyps, indicating that GDF15 is an important factor in the process of hypersecretion of MU5AC in CRS.

Seroprevalence of Maternal and Cord Antibodies Specific for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps and Rubella in Shunyi, Beijing

Maternal antibodies contribute to the protection of young infants from infectious diseases during the early life. However, vaccinations for women of child-bearing age are not routine in China. Therefore, we investigated the level of protective immunity against vaccine preventable diseases in pregnant women and newborns in China. A total of 194 paired maternal and cord blood samples were collected in Beijing from 2016 to 2017. Antibodies specific for the antigens covered by diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine were determined by ELISA (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). The cut off value of ≥0.1 IU/ml (anti-diphtheria), >0.1 IU/ml (anti-tetanus), >40 IU/ml (anti-pertussis toxin), ≥200 IU/l (anti-measles), ≥45 RU/ml (anti-mumps) and ≥10 IU/ml (anti-rubella) were used to assess the percentage of newborns with protective IgG concentrations, respectively. The results revealed that 61.3%, 73.2%, 97.4%, 30.4%, 65.5% and 17.0% of newborns had no protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella. Only 1.0% and 23.7% of newborns had protection against all three components of DTP or MMR, respectively. The finding suggested that most of newborns were susceptible to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and mumps, almost one-third of this population had no immune protection against measles, and about one-sixth of them were under threat of rubella infection. These data supported the immunization program for DTP and MMR vaccine in women at child-bearing age.

[Research progress of microRNA as a biomarkerof papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Thyroid cancer is a common malignancy derived from the endocrine system and the incidence of thyroid cancer is on the rise. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type, and 90% of PTC patients have long-term survival, but the recurrence rate is still as high as 30%. Current diagnostic and postoperative monitoring techniques have been developed, but their negative rates and interfering factors also occupy an absolute proportion, and lack specific markers for the prognosis of PTC. Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the development, metastasis and invasiveness of PTC and as a biomarker to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of recurrence, and to determine the prognosis for specific markers. The future of PTC diagnosis, treatment and improve prognosis has broad prospects. This review mainly describes the development of miRNA as biomarkers for the diagnosis, recurrence and prognosis of PTC.

14,15-Secopregnane-type C21-steriosides from the roots of Cynanchum stauntonii

Nine 14,15-secopregnane-type C₂₁-steriosides, stauntosides U, V, V₁-V₃, W and C₁-C₃, as well as two known C₂₁-steriosides, were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum stauntonii. Stauntosides U, V and V₁-V₃ share the same basic structural features of 8α:14α,14:16,15:20,18:20-tetraepoxy-14,15-secopregn-6-ene-3β,5α,9α-triol, with the numbering system following that of C₂₁-pregnanes. The aglycones of stauntosides U, V and V₁-V₃ are classified into two subcategories, the 5,9-dihydroxy groups and 5α:9α-peroxy bridge, according to the oxidative states of the two hydroxy groups at the C-5 and C-9 positions. The anti-inflammatory activity of the major compounds was assessed in an in vitro inflammatory model of mouse peritoneal macrophages using IC₅₀ values of the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production as an indicator. Stauntosides V₁ and V₃ exhibited target activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.3 μM and 12.4 μM, respectively, compared with dexamethasone, which was used as a positive control.

[Autophagy and its research progress in thyroid cancer]

To summarize the autophagy and its research progress in thyroid cancer.In combination with available literatures published in recent years involving the relationship between autophagy and thyroid cancer, the characteristics of autophagy, the role in thyroid cancer were reviewed. The changes of autophagy level will directly or indirectly participate in the pathogenesis and progression of thyroid cancer.Reagents regulating autophagy will have broad prospect of application in thyroid cancer therapy. The autophagy in the thyroid cancer is still poorly understood, and to clarify the molecular mechanism of autophagy and kill thyroid cancer cells by reasonable regulation of autophagy still needs more further studies.

Carbon dioxide enrichment alleviates heat stress by improving cellular redox homeostasis through an ABA-independent process in tomato plants

Plant responses to elevated CO₂ and high temperature are critically regulated through a complex network of phytohormones and redox homeostasis. However, the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant adaptation to heat stress under elevated CO₂ conditions has not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the interactive effects of elevated CO₂ (800 μmol·mol(-1) ) and heat stress (42 °C for 24 h) on the endogenous level of ABA and the cellular redox state of two genotypes of tomato with different ABA biosynthesis capacities. Heat stress significantly decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf water potential, but also increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both genotypes. Heat-induced damage was more severe in the ABA-deficient mutant notabilis (not) than in its parental cultivar Ailsa Craig (Ailsa), suggesting that a certain level of endogenous ABA is required to minimise the heat-induced oxidative damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Irrespective of genotype, the enrichment of CO₂ remarkably stimulated Fv/Fm, MDA and EL in heat-stressed plants towards enhanced tolerance. In addition, elevated CO₂ significantly strengthened the antioxidant capacity of heat-stressed tomato seedlings towards a reduced cellular redox state for a prolonged period, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. However, elevated CO₂ and heat stress did not alter the endogenous level of ABA or the expression of its biosynthetic gene NCED2 in either genotype, indicating that ABA is not involved in elevated CO₂ -induced heat stress alleviation. The results of this study suggest that elevated CO₂ alleviated heat stress through efficient regulation of the cellular redox poise in an ABA-independent manner in tomato plants.

Biological factors in plasma from diabetes mellitus patients enhance hyperglycaemia and pulsatile shear stress-induced endothelial cell apoptosis

People suffering from Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are prone to an array of vascular complications leading to end organ damage. The hallmark of these vascular complications is endothelium dysfunction, which is caused by endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis. Although the endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction induced by hyperglycaemia and fluid shear stress has been studied, the effects of biological factors in the blood of DM patients on EC integrity have not been reported in the in vitro models that mimic the physiological pulsatile nature of the vascular system. This study reports the development of a hemodynamic lab-on-a-chip system to investigate this issue. The pulsatile flow was applied to a monolayer of endothelial cells expressing a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor that changes colour from green to blue in response to caspase-3 activation during apoptosis. Plasma samples from healthy volunteers and DM patients were compared to identify biological factors that are critical to endothelial disruption. Three types of microchannels were designed to simulate the blood vessels under healthy and partially blocked pathological conditions. The results showed that EC apoptosis rates increased with increasing glucose concentration and levels of shear stress. The rates of apoptosis further increased by a factor of 1.4-2.3 for hyperglycaemic plasma under all dynamic conditions. Under static conditions, little difference was detected in the rate of EC apoptosis between experiments using plasma from DM patients and glucose medium, suggesting that the effects of hyperglycaemia and biological factors on the induction of EC apoptosis are all shear flow-dependent. A proteomics study was then conducted to identify biological factors, demonstrating that the levels of eight proteins, including haptoglobin and clusterin, were significantly down-regulated, while six proteins, including apolipoprotein C-III, were significantly up-regulated in the plasma of DM patients compared to healthy volunteers. This hemodynamic lab-on-a-chip system can serve as a high throughput platform to assess the risk of vascular complications of DM patients and to determine the effects of therapeutics or other interventions on EC apoptosis.

The superior aspect of the perirenal space: could it be depicted by dual-source CT in vivo in adults

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to observe whether the renal fascias could be effectively shown by dual-source CT (DSCT) and to explore the superior communication of the perirenal space (PS) in vivo in adults.

METHODS

275 cases were included in the normal group and 124 cases in the acute pancreatitis group in this study; all images obtained by DSCT were observed; the superior adherence of the renal fascias and the pattern of superior communication of the PS were judged; and the consistency between the two groups was compared.

RESULTS

The superior adherence of the renal fascias was reliably displayed in 57.8% of the normal group and 69.4% of the acute pancreatitis group, the anterior renal fascia (ARF) did not fuse with the posterior renal fascia superiorly. The left ARF fused with the posterior parietal peritoneum in 57.9% of the normal group and 45.3% of the pancreatitis group, where the left PS communicated with the subdiaphragmatic retroperitoneal space (SDRS). The left ARF fused with the peritoneum laterally and simultaneously with the inferior phrenic fascia medially in 42.1% and 54.7% of each group, respectively, where the left PS was open towards the SDRS laterally but sealed off from the SDRS medially. The right ARF fused with the peritoneum in all cases; and the right PS was open towards the bare area of the liver.

CONCLUSION

To some extent, DSCT can display renal fascia and its superior adherence and reflect the superior communication of the PS.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study was conducted in vivo in adults by high-resolution DSCT, and more samples could be provided.

Molecular cloning, characterization, and bioactivity analysis of interleukin 18 in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Interleukin 18 (IL-18), as a member of IL-1 superfamily, is an important pleiotropic cytokine that modulates Th1 immune responses. In this report, we cloned and identified a homolog of IL-18 in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) (designated as AmIL-18) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The open readin g frame of AmIL-18 cDNA is 579 bp encoding a deduced protein of 192 amino acids. AmIL-18 gDNA fragments contained 5 exons and 4 introns. The amino acid sequence of AmIL-18 shared 23.9 to 87.0% identity with other species. To evaluate the effects of AmIL-18 on the immune response, we expressed the recombinant AmIL-18 in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The fusion protein PET-AmIL-18 was purified by nickel affinity column chromatography and verified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. The biological function of purified PET-AmIL-18 was determined on mouse splenocytes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. INF-γ and other cytokines were increased when stimulated by PET-AmIL-18, particularly when combined with recombinant human interleukin 12, while a Th2-type cytokine, interleukin-4, was strikingly suppressed. These results will provide information for the potential use of recombinant proteins to manipulate the immune response in giant pandas and facilitate the study to protect this treasured species.

Droplet optofluidic imaging for λ-bacteriophage detection via co-culture with host cell Escherichia coli

Bacteriophages are considered as attractive indicators for determining drinking water quality since its concentration is strongly correlated with virus concentrations in water samples. Previously, bacteriophage detection was based on a plague assay that required a complicated labelling technique and a time-consuming culture assay. Here, for the first time, a label-free bacteriophage detection is reported by using droplet optofluidic imaging, which uses host-cell-containing microdroplets as reaction carriers for bacteriophage infection due to a higher contact ratio. The optofluidic imaging is based on the effective refractive index changes in the microdroplet correlated with the growth rate of the infected host cells, which is highly sensitive, i.e. can detect one E. coli cell. The droplet optofluidic system is not only used in drinking water quality monitoring, but also has high potential applications for pathogenic bacteria detection in clinical diagnosis and food industry.

New synthetic method of 8-oxocoptisine starting from natural quaternary coptisine as anti-ulcerative colitis agent

Quaternary coptisine (1), a natural bioactive quaternary protoberberine alkaloid (QPA), was treated with potassium ferricyanide in aqueous solution of 5 N sodium hydroxide leading to the acquisition of 8-oxocoptisine (2) with much higher yield than reported in the literature. This is the first report of the oxidation of a natural QPA by applying potassium ferricyanide as an oxidant. 8-Oxocoptisine showed significant anti-ulcerative colitis efficacy in vitro with EC50 value being 8.12 × 10(- 8) M.

Phase I study of capecitabine combined with radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres) in patients with advanced cancer

BACKGROUND

This was a prospective single-centre, phase I study to document the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and the recommended phase II dose for future study of capecitabine in combination with radioembolization.

METHODS

Patients with advanced unresectable liver-dominant cancer were enrolled in a 3+3 design with escalating doses of capecitabine (375-1000 mg/m(2) b.i.d.) for 14 days every 21 days. Radioembolization with (90)Y-resin microspheres was administered using a sequential lobar approach with two cycles of capecitabine.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (17 colorectal) were enrolled. The MTD was not reached. Haematologic events were generally mild. Common grade 1/2 non-haematologic toxicities included transient transaminitis/alkaline phosphatase elevation (9 (37.5%) patients), nausea (9 (37.5%)), abdominal pain (7 (29.0%)), fatigue (7 (29.0%)), and hand-foot syndrome or rash/desquamation (7 (29.0%)). One patient experienced a partial gastric antral perforation with a capecitabine dose of 750 mg/m(2). The best response was partial response in four (16.7%) patients, stable disease in 17 (70.8%) and progression in three (12.5%). Median time to progression and overall survival of the metastatic colorectal cancer cohort was 6.4 and 8.1 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This combined modality treatment was generally well tolerated with encouraging clinical activity. Capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) b.i.d. is recommended for phase II study with sequential lobar radioembolization.

3D inpatient dose reconstruction from the PET-CT imaging of 90Y microspheres for metastatic cancer to the liver: feasibility study

PURPOSE

The introduction of radioembolization with microspheres represents a significant step forward in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease to the liver. This technique uses semiempirical formulae based on body surface area or liver and target volumes to calculate the required total activity for a given patient. However, this treatment modality lacks extremely important information, which is the three-dimensional (3D) dose delivered by microspheres to different organs after their administration. The absence of this information dramatically limits the clinical efficacy of this modality, specifically the predictive power of the treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a 3D dose calculation technique that is based on the PET imaging of the infused microspheres.

METHODS

The Fluka Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the voxel dose kernel for 90Y source with voxel size equal to that of the PET scan. The measured PET activity distribution was converted to total activity distribution for the subsequent convolution with the voxel dose kernel to obtain the 3D dose distribution. In addition, dose-volume histograms were generated to analyze the dose to the tumor and critical structures.

RESULTS

The 3D inpatient dose distribution can be reconstructed from the PET data of a patient scanned after the infusion of microspheres. A total of seven patients have been analyzed so far using the proposed reconstruction method. Four patients underwent treatment with SIR-Spheres for liver metastases from colorectal cancer and three patients were treated with Therasphere for hepatocellular cancer. A total of 14 target tumors were contoured on post-treatment PET-CT scans for dosimetric evaluation. Mean prescription activity was 1.7 GBq (range: 0.58-3.8 GBq). The resulting mean maximum measured dose to targets was 167 Gy (range: 71-311 Gy). Mean minimum dose to 70% of target (D70) was 68 Gy (range: 25-155 Gy). Mean minimum dose to 90% of target (D90) was 53 Gy (range: 13-125 Gy).

CONCLUSIONS

A three-dimensional inpatient dose reconstruction method has been developed that is based on the PET/CT data of a patient treated with 90Y microspheres. It allows for a complete description of the absorbed dose by the tumor and critical structures. It represents the first step in building predictive models for treatment outcomes for patients receiving this therapeutic modality as well as it allows for better analysis of patients' dose response and will ultimately improve future treatment administration.

[Advance in studies on pharmacological activity of coptisine hydrochloride]

Coptisine hydrochloride, as a natural protoberberine alkaloid quaternary ammonium salt, can be found in many species of Ranunculaceae and Papaveraceae plants. Despite no in-depth studies on coptisine hydrochloride, some literatures have reported that coptisine hydrochloride has such pharmacological activities as inhibition of monoamine oxidase of type A, selective inhibition and double inhibition against vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inhibition of differentiation and function of osteoclasts, selective regulation of multidrug-resistant and drug-resistant proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells, anti-fungus, protection of gastric-mucous membrane, cytotoxicity, and myocardial protection. Given to the fact of the lack of systematic review and summary of studies on coptisine hydrochloride, we summarize and analyze the study literatures on the pharmacological activity of coptisine hydrochloride published in recent years, so as to provide information for studies on new drugs of coptisine hydrochloride on the basis of the pharmacological activity.

Study of endothelial cell apoptosis using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor cell line with hemodynamic microfluidic chip system

To better understand how hyperglycemia induces endothelial cell dysfunction under the diabetic conditions, a hemodynamic microfluidic chip system was developed. The system combines a caspase-3-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor cell line which can detect endothelial cell apoptosis in real-time, post-treatment effect and with a limited cell sample, by using a microfluidic chip which can mimic the physiological pulsatile flow profile in the blood vessel. The caspase-3-based FRET biosensor endothelial cell line (HUVEC-C3) can produce a FRET-based sensor protein capable of probing caspase-3 activation. When the endothelial cells undergo apoptosis, the color of the sensor cells changes from green to blue, thus sensing apoptosis. A double-labeling fluorescent technique (yo pro-1 and propidium iodide) was used to validate the findings revealed by the FRET-based caspase sensor. The results show high rates of apoptosis and necrosis of endothelial cells when high glucose concentration was applied in our hemodynamic microfluidic chip combined with an exhaustive pulsatile flow profile. The two apoptosis detection techniques (fluorescent method and FRET biosensor) are comparable; but FRET biosensor offers more advantages such as real-time observation and a convenient operating process to generate more accurate and reliable data. Furthermore, the activation of the FRET biosensor also confirms the endothelial cell apoptosis induced by the abnormal pulsatile shear stress and high glucose concentration is through caspase-3 pathway. A 12% apoptotic rate (nearly a 4-fold increase compared to the static condition) was observed when the endothelial cells were exposed to a high glucose concentration of 20 mM under 2 h exhaustive pulsatile shear stress of 30 dyne cm(-2) and followed with another 10 h normal pulsatile shear stress of 15 dyne cm(-2). Therefore, the most important finding of this study is to develop a novel endothelial cell apoptosis detection method, which combines the microfluidic chip system and FRET biosensor. This finding may provide new insight into how glucose causes endothelial cell dysfunction, which is the major cause of diabetes-derived complications.

Nine new steroidal glycosides from the roots of Cynanchum stauntonii

Nine new steroidal glycosides, named as stauntosides C-K (2, 5, 7-10, 13, 14, and 16), along with seven known compounds (1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, and 15) were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the roots of Cynanchum stauntonii. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, mainly 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS, and qualitative chemical methods. Their significance in terms of the chemotaxonomy of C. stauntonii is discussed.

Chemical constituents of the whole plant of Elsholtzia rugulosa

A new lignan glycoside, 7α, 7'β-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7,9':7',9-diepoxylignan-8αH,8'α-O-β-d-(2″,7'α-epoxy)-glucopyranoside, named elshrugulosain (1), has been isolated from the EtOH extract of Elsholtzia rugulosa, together with six known compounds, ( - )-bornyl (E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and luteolin-3'-glucuronate methyl ester. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods and comparison with the data in the literature. On the basis of detailed 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis, as well as X-ray crystallographic diffraction, the NMR spectroscopic data of ( - )-bornyl (E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate were revised and assigned completely.

Fast on-demand droplet fusion using transient cavitation bubbles

A method for on-demand droplet fusion in a microfluidic channel is presented using the flow created from a single explosively expanding cavitation bubble. We test the technique for water-in-oil droplets, which are produced using a T-junction design in a microfluidic chip. The cavitation bubble is created with a pulsed laser beam focused into one droplet. High-speed photography of the dynamics reveals that the droplet fusion can be induced within a few tens of microseconds and is caused by the rapid thinning of the continuous phase film separating the droplets. The cavitation bubble collapses and re-condenses into the droplet. Droplet fusion is demonstrated for static and moving droplets, and for droplets of equal and unequal sizes. Furthermore, we reveal the diffusion dominated mixing flow and the transport of a single encapsulated cell into a fused droplet. This laser-based droplet fusion technique may find applications in micro-droplet based chemical synthesis and bioassays.

Production of reactive oxygen species in endothelial cells under different pulsatile shear stresses and glucose concentrations

A hemodynamic Lab-on-a-chip system was developed in this study. This system has two unique features: (1) it consists of a microfluidic network with an array of endothelial cell seeding sites for testing them under multiple conditions, and (2) the flow rate and the frequency of the culture medium in the microchannel are controlled by a pulsation free pump to mimic the flow profile of the blood in the blood vessel under different physiological conditions. The investigated physiological conditions were: (1) the resting condition in a normal shear stress of 15 dyne cm(-2) with a normal heart rate of 70 bpm, (2) an exhaustive exercise condition with a high shear stress of 30 dyne cm(-2) and a fast heart rate of 140 bpm, and (3) a constant high shear stress of 30 dyne cm(-2). Two chemical conditions were investigated (10 mM and 20 mM glucose) to mimic hyperglycemic conditions in diabetes patients. The effects of various shear stresses either alone or in combination with different glucose concentrations on endothelial cells were examined using the developed hemodynamic Lab-on-a-chip system by assessing two parameters. One is the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) determined by a fluorescent probe, H(2)DCFDA. Another is the mitochondrial morphology revealed with a fluorescent dye, MitoTracker Green FM. The results showed that ROS level was elevated nearly 4-fold after 60 min of exhaustive exercise. We found that the pulsatile nature of the fluid was the determination factor for causing ROS generation in the cells as almost no increase of ROS was detected in the constant shear stress condition. Similarly, much higher level of ROS was detected when 10 mM glucose was applied to the cells under normal or high pulsatile shear stresses compared with under a static condition. These results suggest that it is necessary to use pulsatile shear stress to represent the physiological conditions of the blood flow, and demonstrate the advantage of utilizing this newly developed hemodynamic Lab-on-a-chip system over the conventional non-pulsatile system in the future shear stress related studies.

Microfluidic droplet grating for reconfigurable optical diffraction

This Letter presents a reconfigurable optical diffraction grating using multiphase droplets on a microfluidic chip. The uniform and evenly spaced circular droplets are generated by continuously dispersing two immiscible liquids into a T junction to produce plugs, which are then transformed into a circular shape at a sudden expansion of the microchannel. In experiments, the droplet grating shows a detection limit of ~6.3x10(-5) when used as an opto fl uidic refractometer and produces different colors as a color filter. Such a grating has the advantages of high stability and wide tunability in droplet size, grating period, and refractive index, making it promising for biochemical and biomaterial applications.

Spatio-temporal changes in cell division, endoreduplication and expression of cell cycle-related genes in pollinated and plant growth substances-treated ovaries of cucumber

We investigated the temporal and spatial changes in cell division, endoreduplication and expression of cell cycle-related genes in developing cucumber fruits at 0-20 days after anthesis (DAA). Cell division was intense at 0-4 DAA and then decreased until to 8 DAA. Meanwhile, endoreduplication started at 4 DAA and increased gradually to 20 DAA, accompanied by an increase in fruit weight. Cell division was mainly observed in the exocarp, while endoreduplication occurred mostly in the endocarp and pulp. Among the six cell cycle-related genes examined, two mitotic cyclin genes (CycA and CycB) and CDKB had the highest transcript levels within 2 DAA, while transcripts of two CycD3 genes and CDKA peaked at 4 DAA and 20 DAA, respectively. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) all induced parthenocarpic growth as well as active cell division, and enhanced transcripts of cell cycle-related genes. In comparison, gibberellic acid (GA(3)) had little effect on the induction of parthenocarpy and transcripts of cell cycle-related genes. These results provide evidence for the important roles of cell division and endoreduplication during cucumber fruit development, and suggest the essential roles of cell cycle-related genes and plant growth substances in fruit development.

Spatio-temporal changes in cell division, endoreduplication and expression of cell cycle-related genes in pollinated and plant growth substances-treated ovaries of cucumber

We investigated the temporal and spatial changes in cell division, endoreduplication and expression of cell cycle-related genes in developing cucumber fruits at 0-20 days after anthesis (DAA). Cell division was intense at 0-4 DAA and then decreased until to 8 DAA. Meanwhile, endoreduplication started at 4 DAA and increased gradually to 20 DAA, accompanied by an increase in fruit weight. Cell division was mainly observed in the exocarp, while endoreduplication occurred mostly in the endocarp and pulp. Among the six cell cycle-related genes examined, two mitotic cyclin genes (CycA and CycB) and CDKB had the highest transcript levels within 2 DAA, while transcripts of two CycD3 genes and CDKA peaked at 4 DAA and 20 DAA, respectively. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) all induced parthenocarpic growth as well as active cell division, and enhanced transcripts of cell cycle-related genes. In comparison, gibberellic acid (GA(3)) had little effect on the induction of parthenocarpy and transcripts of cell cycle-related genes. These results provide evidence for the important roles of cell division and endoreduplication during cucumber fruit development, and suggest the essential roles of cell cycle-related genes and plant growth substances in fruit development.

Different effects of chilling on respiration in leaves and roots of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

The effects of chilling on respiration (SHAM-resistant, cytochrome pathway and KCN-resistant, alternative pathway), temperature sensitivity, relative electrolyte conductivity, and degrees of oxidative stress (H(2)O(2) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents) were separately examined in leaves and roots of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). After chilling at 8 degrees C for 4 days, both total respiration and KCN-resistant respiration in roots increased at different measurement temperatures. In contrast, SHAM-resistant respiration remained unchanged. In comparison, chilling significantly decreased the total respiration in leaves and this decrease was mostly due to a decrease in SHAM-resistant respiration. Chilling apparently decreased the sensitivity of KCN-resistant respiration to changes of temperature. The reduction levels of ubiquinone pool (UQr/UQt) increased both in chilled leaves and roots whilst pyruvate content increased only in chilled roots, but not in chilled leaves. Furthermore increases of H(2)O(2) and MDA contents were much greater in leaves than in roots. The same trend was also observed for ion leakage from tissues. Taken together, the results suggested that the higher chilling tolerance of roots was associated with their high total respiration and KCN-resistant respiration.

Bioavailability of butachlor and myclobutanil residues in soil to earthworms

To establish chemical extraction procedures for predicting bioavailability of butachlor and myclobutanil in soil, several solvent systems, including methanol, methanol-water (9:1), methanol-water (1:1), acetone-water (5:3), petroleum ether and water, were assessed for their feasibility in determining extractability of the target compounds from soil samples. Experimental data showed that the extractability of butachlor and myclobutanil by the solvents was well linearly correlated with their bioavailability to Eisenia foetida and Allolobophora caliginosa, indicating that these extraction procedures may be efficient for predicting bioavailability of the two pesticides. The concentrations of the pesticides accumulated in E. foetida and A. caliginosa varied with species, suggesting that the availability of the soil-sequestered pesticide is a species-dependent process.

4-Hydroxyphenyl retinamide is a highly selective activator of retinoid receptors

Retinoids have shown promise as anti-cancer and cancer preventative agents. All-trans-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR) belongs to a new group of retinoids that not only inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells but also can induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells. Because of its increased efficacy against cancer cells and its low toxicity it has been entered into a number of clinical trials. However, its mechanism of action is not known, and it had been assumed that it is not a true retinoid. Here we analyze its ability to function as an activator of nuclear retinoid receptors (RARs and RXRs). We observe that, in transactivation assays, 4HPR is a potent transactivator with RARgamma and a moderate activator with RARbeta but is not an activator with RARalpha and RXRalpha. Furthermore, RARgamma-selective transactivation by 4HPR is enhanced on some response elements and reduced on others when compared to natural retinoids. In contrast to transactivation, 4HPR in transrepression assays functions mostly with RARalpha, RARbeta, and RXRalpha. Optimal receptor activation is seen at 4HPR concentrations at which it is a potent growth inhibitor and inducer of apoptosis. We conclude that 4HPR is a highly selective activator of retinoid receptors. We propose that this selective activation of the nuclear receptors is likely to be the basis for its specific biological activities and its favorable pharmaceutical properties.

The role of Ca2+ and protein kinase C in the acrosome reaction of Giant Panda () spermatozoa

Fresh semen was collected from adult male giant pandas and the role of Ca2+, Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and protein kinase C (PKC) in sperm motility and acrosome reaction (AR) was assessed by lens culinaris agglutinin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-LCA) labeling and transmission electron microscopy. The AR in giant panda spermatozoa was characterized by vesiculation of the outer acrosomal membrane through its invagination. Both the sperm motility and the AR rate decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in Ca2+-free and low Ca2+ medium. The addition of 10 microM Ca2+ ionophore A23187 potently stimulated AR. After incubation for capacitation, the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated AR in a dose-dependent manner and its effect could be overcome by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. These results suggest that Ca2+ and PKC play an important role in the sperm acrosome reaction of the giant panda.

Monte Carlo estimation of errors in 13C-NMR relaxation studies of a DNA oligomer duplex

An analysis of errors has been done with the Monte Carlo method for natural abundance 13C-NMR relaxation studies of a DNA duplex. Repeated measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time, T1, and the heteronuclear NOE were made at 90.6 MHz on the duplexed DNA pentanucleotide, [d(TCGCG)]2. The deviations averaged over all carbons were 13% for T1 and 9% for NOE. These relative deviations were applied to generate 100 values of T1 and NOE with normal distributions about the measured mean values for each carbon. A new version of MOLDYN, called McMOLDYN, has been written, which was used to generate 100 values of T1 and NOE with normal distributions corresponding to the measured errors; the same error distributions were also applied to measurements at 125.8 MHz. The order parameter, S2, and the effective internal correlation time, tau e, in the Model-Free Approach have been optimized from the distributions simulated by McMOLDYN. McMOLDYN also permits the automated entry of multiple sets of initial guesses for the output parameters S2, tau e, and tau m. In addition, McMOLDYN adds cross-relaxation terms from chemical shift anisotropy, increasingly important as spectrometer magnetic fields get higher. Between the two parameters optimized, S2 has the smallest relative error, estimated at 15% on average, which means that S2 is a well-defined parameter. However, tau e is very poorly defined with the average relative error estimated 85%; it is typically found in the range of 30-300 ps.

Tissue factor contributes to microvascular defects after focal cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Microvascular perfusion defects occur after occlusion and reperfusion of the middle cerebral artery in examples of focal cerebral ischemia. In addition to cellular (eg, polymorphonuclear leukocyte) contributors to the focal "no-reflow" phenomenon, activation of coagulation may also play a role. We have tested a potential role of tissue factor-mediated coagulation in the microvascular perfusion defects seen after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in a baboon model of reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion with the murine anti-tissue factor monoclonal antibody TF9-6B4. Tissue factor is the principal resident procoagulant substance in cerebral tissues and has a distinct perivascular distribution.

METHODS

Microvascular patency in the basal ganglia after 3-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion and 1-hour reperfusion was quantified by computerized video imaging of carbon-tracer perfused tissues. Animals were randomized to receive intravenous TF9-6B4 (10 mg/kg) 10 minutes before middle cerebral artery occlusion (n = 6) or no treatment (n = 6) in an open study.

RESULTS

In the control animals, a significant decrease in patency was confirmed in microvessels less than 30 microns in diameter. Infusion of TF9-6B4 before middle cerebral artery occlusion produced a stable maximal level of circulating antibody within 10 minutes, which lasted the duration of ischemia and reperfusion. An increase in reflow in microvessels of all size classes occurred after TF9-6B4 infusion, which was significant in those 7.5 to 30 microns (P = .038) and 30 to 50 microns (P = .013) in diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that tissue factor-mediated events may also contribute to no-reflow in noncapillary microvessels after focal cerebral ischemia.

Tissue factor localization in non-human primate cerebral tissue

Tissue factor (TF), the principal procoagulant of human brain, resides in specific regions of the non-human primate central nervous system. Immunohistochemical studies employing murine anti-human TF monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) detected TF antigen in the cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord in three normal baboon subjects. Although significantly less prominent than human cortical gray matter, a distinct partition of TF in gray matter > white matter was noted. The gray matter predilection of TF was confirmed in primate temporal and parietal lobe cortex by both sandwich ELISA and one-stage coagulation assay. Variation in the relative quantity of TF antigen was observed by ELISA among the three subjects studied. Procoagulant activity followed the pattern of TF antigen (cortical gray matter > basal ganglia > or = cerebellum > cortical white matter), and was 96.5-98.5% inhibitable by a function inhibiting anti-human TF MoAb combination. TF antigen was associated with the microvasculature of all cerebral tissues studied, and spared capillaries most selectively in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. These findings suggest a highly specific ordering of TF antigen and related procoagulant activity in the central nervous system of the baboon, confined primarily to gray matter parenchyma, and to the non-capillary microvasculature.