Search

The low bulk density and the lack of pseudocapacitive active sites greatly limit the practical application of graphene electrode materials. Herein, nanocellulose/fluorine-doped graphene composite hydrogels (NFGHs) were fabricated by a hydrothermal strategy. In this synthesis system, graphene oxide was used as carbon source and the regulator of the sample’s bulk density, and can also form the initial porous structure of NFGHs. Nanocellulose was used as upholder and electrolyte transport medium to improve the porous structure and hydrophilicity of the products. Besides, hydrofluoric acid acts as reducer and heteroatom source to fulfill the fluorine doping of NFGHs. The as-prepared NFGHs show high bulk density, copious pseudocapacitive active sites, fine porous structure, and good hydrophilicity. Therefore, the aqueous symmetric supercapacitors fabricated by NFGH5 exhibit large gravimetric (264.3 F g−1) and volumetric (309.2 F cm−3) specific capacitance, good rate characteristics, and excellent cycle durability. Furthermore, the flexible solid-state supercapacitors (FSSC) built by NFGH5 also deliver high specific capacitance (142.6 F g−1), benign rate capability (73.8% specific capacitance retention at 10 A g−1), and long service life. The strategy of this paper opens up a new idea for improving the implementation value of graphene-based supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A limited number of studies have examined the use of radiomics to predict 3-year overall survival (OS) after hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study develops 3-year OS prediction models for HCC patients after liver resection using MRI radiomics and clinicopathological factors. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 141 patients who underwent surgical resection of HCC was performed. Patients were randomized into two set: the training set (n=98) and the validation set (n=43) including the survival groups (n=111) and non-survival groups (n=30) based on 3-year survival after hepatectomy. Furthermore, x2 or Fisher's exact test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine independent clinicopathological risk factors associated with 3-year OS. 1688 quantitative imaging features were extracted from preoperative T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) of arterial phase (AP), portal venous phases (PVP)and delay period (DP). The features were selected using the variance threshold method, the select K best method and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. By using Bernoulli Naive Bayes (BernoulliNB) and Multinomial Naive Bayes (MultinomialNB) classifiers, we constructed models based on the independent clinicopathological factors and Rad-scores. To determine the best model, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Delong's test were used. Moreover, calibration curves were used to determine the calibration ability of the model, while decision curve analysis (DCA) was implemented to evaluate its clinical benefit. Results: The fusion model showed excellent prediction precision with AUC of 0.910 and 0.846 in training and validation set and revealed significant diagnostic accuracy and value in the calibration curve and DCA analysis. Conclusion: Nomograms based on MRI radiomics and clinicopathological factors have significant predictive value for 3-year OS after hepatectomy and can be used for risk classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, an important boundary fault, known as the Red River Fault (RRF), formed during the extrusion of mantle and lower crustal materials beneath the Tibetan Plateau. The characteristics of RRF activity are important for understanding the tectonic evolution of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. There is less knowledge about the strong earthquake recurrence interval in the southern segment of the RRF than about its northern segment. In this study, based on the characteristics of the active tectonic landform, three paleoseismic trenches were excavated in Adipo Village north of Honghe County in the southern segment of the RRF. In these trenches, three paleoseismic events that occurred in the middle and late Holocene were identified. According to the 14C dating results, these events were constrained to 785-504 BC, 26-492 AD, and 1,415-1857 AD. The average earthquake recurrence interval was determined to be approximately 960-1,320 a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma spectrum denoising can reduce the adverse effects of statistical fluctuations of radioactivity, gamma ray scattering, and electronic noise on the measured gamma spectrum. Traditional denoising methods are intricate and require analytical expertise in gamma spectrum analysis. This paper proposes a segmentation‐enhanced Convolutional Neural Network‐Stacked Denoising Autoencoder (CNN‐SDAE) method based on convolutional feature extraction network and stacked denoising autoencoder to achieve gamma spectrum denoising, which adopts the idea of data segmentation to enhance the learning ability of the neural network. By dividing the complete gamma spectrum into multiple segments and then using the segmentation‐enhanced CNN‐SDAE method for denoising, the method can achieve adaptive denoising without manually setting the threshold. The experimental results show that our method can effectively achieve gamma spectrum denoising while retaining the characteristics of the gamma spectrum. Compared with traditional methods, the denoising speed and effectiveness have been significantly improved, and the proposed method demonstrates an approximately 1.72‐fold enhancement in smoothing performance than the empirical mode decomposition method. Furthermore, in terms of retaining gamma spectrum characteristics, it also achieves a performance improvement of approximately three orders of magnitude than the wavelet method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional graphene materials have been studied as typical supercapacitors electrode materials by virtue of their ultra-high specific surface area and good ion transport capacity. However, improvement of the poor volumetric electrochemical performance of these graphene materials has been required although they have high gravimetric energy density. In this work, nanocellulose/nitrogen and fluorine co-doped graphene composite hydrogels (NC-NFGHs) were prepared through a convenient hydrothermal approach utilizing ammonium fluoride as the heteroatom source. Nanocellulose (NC) and high concentration of graphene oxide (GO) were utilized to adjust the structure of NC-NFGHs and increase their packing density. Subsequently, the aqueous symmetric supercapacitor based on NC-NFGH-80 exhibits remarkable gravimetric (286.6 F·g−1) and volumetric (421.3 F·cm−3) specific capacitance at 0.3 A·g−1, good rate performance, and remarkable cycle stability up to 10,000 cycles. Besides, the all-solid-state flexible symmetric supercapacitors (ASSC) fabricated by NC-NFGH-80 also delivered a large specific capacitance of 117.1 F·g−1 at 0.3 A·g−1 and long service life over 10,000 cycles at 10 A·g−1. This compact porous structure and heteroatom co-doped graphene material supply a favorable strategy for high-performance supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

InP solar cell is promising for space application due to its strong space radiation resistance and high power conversion efficient (PCE). Graphene/InP heterostructure solar cell is expected to have a higher PCE because strong near-infrared light can also be absorbed and converted additionally by graphene in this heterostructure. However, a low PCE was reported experimentally for Graphene/InP heterostructures. In this paper, electronic properties of graphene/InP heterostructures are calculated using density functional theory to understand the origin of the low PCE and propose possible improving ways. Our calculation results reveal that graphene contact with InP form a p-type Schottky heterostructure with a low Schottky barrier height (SBH). It is the low SBH that leads to the low PCE of graphene/InP heterostructure solar cells. A new heterostructure, graphene/insulating layer/InP solar cells, is proposed to raise SBH and PCE. Moreover, we also find that the opened bandgap of graphene and SBH in graphene/InP heterostructures can be tuned by exerting an electric field, which is useful for photodetector of graphene/InP heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] Water flow and solute transport in soil is important not only for plant acquisition of resources from soil but also for soil and water environment. In terrestrial ecosystems, they are impacted by numerous factors. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of drip irrigation amount on spatiotemporal change in water and nitrogen in Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia. [Method] A field experiment was conducted to measure the movement of water, nitrate and ammonium in soils, with the irrigation amount controlled at 6 mm (D1) or 60 mm (D2). The measured data was used to calibrate the HYDRUS-2D model, and the calibrated model was then used to elucidate how increasing the irrigation amount to 120 mm would affect water and nitrogen movement. [Result] Irrigation increased soil water content in all growth stages. Following irrigation and fertilization, ammonium and nitrate contents both increased rapidly and then decreased. On average, ammonium and nitrate in the 0~10 cm soil layer decreased by 60.0%~62.0% and 40.0%~46.7%, respectively, after the D1 and D2 irrigations, with the decreasing rate varying with growing stage. Compared to D2, D1 increased soil water content at jointing, heading and filling stage by 5.9%, 8.0% and 6.7%, respectively. Soil ammonium and nitrate both decreased along the soil depth. Nitrate accumulation decreased gradually when the crop grew from jointing stage to filling stage. The simulated soil water content and nitrogen agreed well with the measured data. [Conclusion] Experimental data and simulated results showed that irrigating the maize by 120 mm of water can effectively reduce accumulation of nitrate in the 0~60 cm soil layer, and that increasing irrigation frequencies can further curtail nitration accumulation in the 60~100 cm soil layer. These results provide guidance for improving irrigation and fertigation for maize production in Hetao Irrigation District. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in paddy soils creates challenges in rice grain production, thereby threatening food security. The effectiveness of different base-tillering-panicle urea application ratios and the combined basal application of urea and Chinese milk vetch (CMV, Astragalus sinicus L.) in minimizing Cd accumulation in rice grains was explored in a Cd-contaminated acidic soil via a field experiment. The results indicated that under similar nitrogen (N) application rates, an appropriate amount of urea applied at the panicle stage or the combined basal application of urea and CMV decreased Cd absorption by rice roots and its accumulation in rice grains, as compared with that of conventional N application (control). Furthermore, under a 3:4:3 base-tillering-panicle urea application ratio or under a high basal application of CMV (37,500 kg hm−2), Cd concentrations in brown rice were significantly lower (40.7% and 34.1%, respectively) than that of control. Cadmium transport coefficient from root to straw was significantly higher than that of control when an appropriate amount of urea was applied at the panicle stage or when urea and CMV were applied basally, whereas the Cd transport coefficient from straw to brown rice was relatively lower. Moreover, soil pH, or the CEC and CaCl2-Cd concentrations under different N fertilizer treatment was not significantly different. However, the rice grain yield increased by 29.4% with basal application of a high CMV amount compared with that of control. An appropriate amount of urea applied at the panicle stage or the combined basal application of urea and CMV decreased Cd absorption by rice roots and inhibited its transport from straw to brown rice, thus reducing Cd concentration in brown rice. Therefore, combined with the key phase of Cd accumulation in rice, a reasonable urea application ratio or a basal application of high CMV amounts could effectively reduce Cd concentration in brown rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 20,000 TEU containership with an overall length of about 400 m is designed as a target ship to investigate ship hydroelastic characteristics in the joint industry project (JIP) of CSSRC-20,000 TEU. A set of systematic model tests are carried out in the seakeeping wave basin of CSSRC. The large-scale ship model data for hydroelastic experiments are presented with the determination of modal features. The modal test of the containership model is the premise of the hydroelastic analysis. The test of the natural frequency and modal shape of the ship model can be used to corroborate the accuracy of the finite element modelling. A three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the ship is employed to carry out modal analysis in a vacuum and provide modal parameters to decide the large-scale ship model data for hydroelastic experiments. Through the analysis of hydroelasticity, the wet frequency corresponding to the motion of each elastic mode is obtained. Good agreement is achieved between the numerical results and the measurement data, particularly for the lower-order modes. Only when the numerical calculations of the dry and wet modes are consistent with the experimental results, the containership model's calculated motion responses and structural loads are comparable to the experimental results. Therefore, examining the modal tests is extremely important for hydroelastic analysis. As the input data, the FEM will be shared with JIP members for further comparative studies of linear and nonlinear hydroelastic analyses. The experiments help provide reliable and accurate benchmark model test data for comparative studies using numerical software and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore susceptibility loci associated with uveitis in Behçet's disease (BD). Methods: We conducted a 2‐stage study, consisting of a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) stage and a replication stage, in a Chinese population. The GWAS stage included 978 cases with BD‐related uveitis and 4,388 controls, and the replication stage included 953 cases with BD‐related uveitis and 2,129 controls. Luciferase reporter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were performed to explore the functional role of susceptibility genetic variants near ZMIZ1. Results: Three independent HLA alleles (HLA–B51 [3.75 × 10−190], HLA–A26 [1.50 × 10−18], and HLA–C0704 [3.44 × 10−16]) were identified as having a genome‐wide association with BD‐related uveitis. In the non‐HLA region, in addition to confirming 7 previously reported loci, we identified 22 novel susceptibility variants located in 16 loci. Meta‐analysis of the Chinese cohort consisting of 1,931 cases and 6,517 controls and a published Japanese cohort of 611 cases and 737 controls showed genome‐wide significant associations with ZMIZ1, RPS6KA4, IL10RA, SIPA1‐FIBP‐FOSL1, and VAMP1. Functional experiments demonstrated that genetic variants of ZMIZ1 were associated with enhanced transcription activity and increased expression of ZMIZ1. Conclusion: This GWAS study identified a novel set of genetic variants that are associated with susceptibility to uveitis in BD. These findings enrich our understanding of the contribution of genetic factors to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to analyze the impacts of the image segmentation model and computed tomography angiography (CTA) on the clinical diagnosis of aortic constriction under the background of artificial intelligence. In this study, 126 patients with congenital aortic constriction (CAC) diagnosed by surgery were selected as the research objects and routine digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and CTA were performed. Then, the traditional active contour model (AC model) was optimized based on the local area information to construct a new image segmentation model for intelligent segmentation and reconstruction of the CTA images of patients. The results revealed that compared with the AC model and the image segmentation model based on region growth (RG model) obtained from angiography segmentation, the algorithm constructed in this study showed a smaller segmentation range for angiography images and more accurate segmentation results. The quantitative data results suggested that the evolution times and running time of the constructed model were less than those of the AC and RG models P < 0.05 . Based on the gold standard of DSA examination results, there were 122 correctly diagnosed cases, 3 missed diagnosed cases, and 1 misdiagnosed by CTA, so the diagnosis coincidence rate was 96.83%. Compared with DSA, the average inner diameter and average pressure difference of patients with precatheter, paracatheter, and postcatheter type were not greatly different in CTA P > 0.05 . The CTA examination suggested there were 154 cases with intracardiac structural abnormalities, with a detection rate of 86.52%; there were 32 cases of cardiac-vascular connection abnormalities, with a detection rate of 100%; and there were 79 extracardiac vascular abnormalities, with the detection rate of 95.18%. It indicated that the optimized image segmentation model based on local area information proposed in this paper has excellent segmentation performance for CT angiography images and has good segmentation effect and efficiency. The CTA based on the artificial intelligence image segmentation model showed a better diagnostic effect on abnormal heart-vascular connection and abnormal extracardiac blood vessels and can be used as an effective examination method for clinical diagnosis of CAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of CT angiography (CTA) images processed by the segmentation denoising technique based on deep convolution neural network algorithm in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the detection of disease changes. A total of 98 patients with ruptured AAA were retrospectively selected as the study subjects. Patients were grouped according to whether the CTA images were optimized, the images receiving artificial intelligence segmentation and denoising were set as the observation group, and the CTA images without optimization were set as the control group. The detection and diagnosis effects of CTA images before and after the treatment were compared. The surgical results were used as the standard to analyze the diagnostic effect, and the maximum diameter measurement results of AAA and the proportion results of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) were compared. Although the sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosis in the observation group (97.73% and 94.9%) were higher than those in the control group (95.45% and 92.86%), there was no significant statistical significance (P > 0.05). When the diameter of AAA was no less than 5 cm, all results showed that the coverage percentage of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) was over 50%. When the diameter of AAA was less than 5 cm, only 55.56% of the results showed that the percentage of ILT coverage was over 50%, with considerable differences (P > 0.05). According to the results of the study, it was found that there was a certain relationship between the thrombus coverage of the abdominal aortic wall and the growth rate of AAA. The deep convolution neural network algorithm had a certain effect on the treatment of CTA, but it is not obvious. However, CTA had a better clinical diagnostic effect on AAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Soil salinity is an abiotic stress hindering agricultural production worldwide, especially in coastal areas where the groundwater is usually shallow. The aim of this paper is to study experimentally how irrigation affects translocation of major cations from soil to the roots of maize in saline-alkaline soils. Method The experiments were conducted at a maize field in a coastal saline-alkali region. We compared four irrigation methods: conventional drip irrigation with irrigation amounts of 10 mm (LI10) and 20 mm (LI20) respectively, and mulched drip irritation with the same irrigation amounts (FI10 and FI20). In each treatment, we measured the changes in K+, Ca2+ and Na+ in both the rhizosphere and roots, from which we derived regression models to analyze how the irrigation method and irrigation amount modulated the cations contents in soil and their translocation to the maize roots. Result Mulched drip irrigation reduced Na+ content in the rhizosphere more significantly than the conventional drip irrigation. Increasing irrigation amount in the mulched drip irrigation increased K+/Na+ content in the maize stem in the whole growth season, but only increased their content in the leaves at early growth stage. Conventional drip irrigation affected the relationship between the concentrations of K+/Na+ and Ca2+ in the rhizosphere and the K+/Na+ content in the roots more than the mulched drip irrigation. The increase in Ca2+ in the rhizosphere due to irrigation was likely to have made K+/Na+ less mobile in soil, thereby reducing their translocation from soil to roots and benefiting the crop growth as a result. Conclusion Drip-irrigating maize in coastal saline-alkali soil can effectively improve the translocation of cations from soil to crop roots, especially the mulched drip irrigation, thereby ameliorating salinity stress to the crop. It can thus be used as an improved irrigation technology for crop production in such regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the estimation of sensible heat flux on heterogeneous underlying surface of farmland is of great environmental importance for alleviating ecological pollution and adapting agricultural water management. Data measurements were conducted to evaluate the difference of sensible heat flux under large aperture scintillometer (H-las) and eddy covariance (H-ec) under various underlying surfaces in North China Plain. Four typical periods represented as the crop periods (January, March, May, and August) were selected to investigate the correlation between the H-las and H-ec as well as relative error assessment. Results showed that the H-las and H-ec were consistent on the non-uniform underlying surface as time; the correlation coefficient (R2) were 0.75 in January, 0.65 in March, 0.65 in May, and 0.60 in August, respectively; the coverage of LAS footprints was 45 times that of single-point observations. In the prevailing wind direction, most of the EC source areas were homogeneous farmland, while the LAS source areas also include residential areas and woodland; the H-las was slightly higher than H-ec by 1.61–21.21%, which results from the non-uniformity of underlying surface, the variation of meteorological factors, the inconsistency source areas, and the deviation of EC. The method of LAS is recommended for measuring average sensible heat flux in this study area accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the estimation of sensible heat flux on heterogeneous underlying surface of farmland is of great environmental importance for alleviating ecological pollution and adapting agricultural water management. Data measurements were conducted to evaluate the difference of sensible heat flux under large aperture scintillometer (H-las) and eddy covariance (H-ec) under various underlying surfaces in North China Plain. Four typical periods represented as the crop periods (January, March, May, and August) were selected to investigate the correlation between the H-las and H-ec as well as relative error assessment. Results showed that the H-las and H-ec were consistent on the non-uniform underlying surface as time; the correlation coefficient (R2) were 0.75 in January, 0.65 in March, 0.65 in May, and 0.60 in August, respectively; the coverage of LAS footprints was 45 times that of single-point observations. In the prevailing wind direction, most of the EC source areas were homogeneous farmland, while the LAS source areas also include residential areas and woodland; the H-las was slightly higher than H-ec by 1.61–21.21%, which results from the non-uniformity of underlying surface, the variation of meteorological factors, the inconsistency source areas, and the deviation of EC. The method of LAS is recommended for measuring average sensible heat flux in this study area accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In precision agriculture, suitable soil moisture and nutrient levels are important for crop production. Therefore, studying the spatial variability in soil moisture and nutrient, and their impact on crop yield is essential. In this study, spatial variability in soil mechanical composition, bulk density, water content and nutrient content in north China along with its impact on crop yield is investigated. Results show that soil mechanical composition and bulk density respectively exhibited moderate and weak spatial variation at the 0–80 cm soil depth. Soil moisture and NH4+-N contents at the 0–80 cm soil depth showed moderate spatial variation, while soil NO3−-N content showed a moderate spatial variation from the seedling stage to the filling stage and a strong spatial variation from the milk-riping stage to the maturing stage. The maximum attainable yield was achieved under the optimum soil moisture, NH4+-N, or NO3−-N contents for the whole growth period and each growth stage. At high soil water condition, both soil NH4+-N and NO3−-N contents were found to be significantly different between the high and low yield areas, while at low soil water condition, only soil NO3−-N content affected the crop yield significantly. At either low or high soil NO3−-N level, soil NH4+-N content in high-producing areas was significantly lower than that in low-producing areas. Excess fertilization was found in the experimental area. This study can provide a scientific basis for developing appropriate crop irrigation and fertilization management practices to obtain high yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL1RL1–IL18R1 region are associated with various immune-mediated diseases. This study was carried out to investigate the causal variant for ocular Behçet's disease (BD) and elucidate its target genes in the IL1RL1–IL18R1 region. Nine candidate functional SNPs were prioritized with bioinformatics analysis, followed by a two-stage association study in 694 ocular BD patients and 1,458 unaffected controls. Functional studies were performed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 45 healthy men and 16 active male BD patients. Genotyping was performed using the MassARRAY System. The mRNA expressions of IL1RL1, IL18R1, IL18RAP, and SLC9A4 were assayed by real-time PCR and secretion of cytokines was examined by ELISA. Significantly lower frequencies of the rs12987977 GG genotype/G allele (P c = 8.93 × 10–7, OR = 0.39; P c = 2.60 × 10–3, OR = 0.77, respectively), rs12999364 TT genotype/T allele (P c = 3.15 × 10–4, OR = 0.51; P c = 1.13 × 10–2, OR = 0.80, respectively), and rs4851569 AA genotype/A allele (P c = 3.29 × 10–4, OR = 0.52; P c = 9.72 × 10–3, OR = 0.80, respectively) were observed in BD patients compared with the controls. Functional experiments revealed a downregulation of IL1RL1, IL18R1, and SLC9A4 and a decreased secretion of IFN-γ in the anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-treated PBMCs as well as a decreased production of TNF-α in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs in carriers of the protective homozygous rs12987977/GG genotype compared with the TT genotype. Our findings show that functional SNPs—rs12987977, rs12999364, and rs4851569—in the IL1RL1–IL18R1 region confer susceptibility to ocular BD in a Chinese Han population. And IL1RL1, IL18R1, and SLC9A4 may be the target genes of rs12987977. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of macular abnormalities in Chinese Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) patients.Methods: Clinical characteristics, therapeutic effectiveness and visual outcome were reviewed and analyzed.Results: The most common macular abnormality was macular edema (ME), followed by macular choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Macular abnormalities were associated with recurrent episodes, disease course and visual acuity ≤20/50 at first visit. The prevalence of macular abnormalities in patients who were not treated according to our regular treatment regimen with corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents and who were followed-up for at least one year (13.1%) was significantly higher than in patients receiving the regular treatment (5.7%). Visual improvement was found in 66.7% of eyes with macular abnormalities after regular treatment.Conclusion: Macular abnormalities were associated with recurrent uveitis, course of disease and lower visual acuity at first visit. Regular treatment could prevent the development of macular abnormalities and improved visual outcome in most patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a prevalent of tumoregenesis in women and reports for the maximum mortality and morbidity in the global. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is the mainly widespread spice and herbal remedies used in the world. Since antique periods, ginger has been used in Greece, India and China for the curing of upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, colds, and headaches. The current work was planned to explore the anticancer properties of zingerone (ZO) toward 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)‐treated mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats and MCF‐7 mammary cancer cells. The mammary carcinogenesis was produced through a single dosage of DMBA (20 mg/kg bwt) mixed in soya oil (1 mL) administrated intragastrically with a gavage. We found improved concentrations of lipid peroxidation (LOOH and TBARS), carcinoembryonic antigen, lowered levels of enzymatic (CAT, GPx, and SOD), and nonenzymatic (vitamin E, GSH, and vitamin C) antioxidant in mammary tissues and plasma of DMBA‐induced cancer bearing animals. Moreover, augmented concentrations of phase I (Cyt‐b5 and CYP450) and reduced levels of phase II (GR and GST) detoxification microsomal proteins in mammary tissues were noticed. ZO administrations significantly reverted back to all these parameters in this way, showing efficient of anticancer effect. Furthermore, our in vitro study also supported the anticancer effect of the treatment of ZO were noticed loss of cell viability, improved reactive oxygen species formation, and reduced MMP. Furthermore, the status of apoptosis proteins such as Bcl‐2, Bax, and Bid expressions was determined by using Western blot analysis techniques. Overall, these results proposed the anticancer effect of ZO toward DMBA‐induced mammary cancer in SD animals and Michigan cancer foundation‐7 mammary cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to study the correlation between expression levels of interleukin-37 (IL-37), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood and the status of atherosclerosis (AS) and plaque stability and to confirm the clinical significance of these inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of AS. A total of 64 AS patients (case group) were selected and divided into unstable plaque group (group A, 28 cases) and stable plaque group (group B, 36 cases) according to the color ultrasonography results of arterial vessels. At the same time, 30 healthy subjects were classified into the control group. General information of the enrolled subjects was collected, including levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), CRP, and homocysteine (Hcy). The expression levels of IL-37 and GM-CSF in the serum of peripheral blood samples collected from these subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was no significant difference between the case group and the control group in the levels of TC, TG, HDL, and LDL (P > 0.05). However, the expression level of Hcy in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of IL-37, GM-CSF, and CRP in the case group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with group B, the expression level of GM-CSF in group A was significantly increased (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was detected between group A and group B in the expression levels of IL-37 and CRP (P > 0.05). In conclusion, inflammatory factors IL-37, GM-CSF, CRP, and Hcy were all involved in the pathogenesis of AS, and the increased levels of GM-CSF were closely related to the progress of unstable plaques. These results may aid the early diagnosis/treatment of AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To evaluate the effects of plasma albumin on pharmacokinetics of esomeprazole in ICU patients. Methods. This study was performed in 32 consecutive intensive care unit (ICU) patients. They were divided into two groups according to the plasma albumin levels. Nineteen patients with low plasma albumin levels (<30 g/L; male/female, 12/7) were assigned to low plasma albumin group (LPAG). Thirteen patients with plasma albumin levels >30 g/L (male/female, 9/4) were assigned to high plasma albumin group (HPAG). All patients were received intravenous (IV) of 40 mg esomeprazole in 5 min. Blood samples were collected via basilic vein at different time points and concentrations of esomeprazole were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. Results. MRT(0-∞), t1/2, V, CL, and Cmax between two groups were significantly difference (P<0.05). Compared with HPAG, MRT(0-∞), t1/2, and V of esomeprazole in LPAG were increased by 1.42-fold, 1.49-fold, and 1.24-fold, respectively; the maximum drug concentration of esomeprazole in LPAG was decreased to 82.5%. AUC(0-∞) of LPAG was 1.23 times than that of group B. CL in LPAG was 80% of HPAG. There was no statistical difference between the two groups of AUC(0-∞) and CL. Conclusions. Some pharmacokinetic parameters of esomeprazole may be changed in ICU patients with low plasma albumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To measure changes in the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease during a recurrent anterior uveitis attack.Methods: Forty VKH patients and 40 normal controls were included in this study. Choroidal images were recorded before and during a recurrent anterior uveitis attack, as well as after appropriate treatment. CVI was measured by the binarization technique using ImageJ software (Bethesda, MD).Results: The CVI was 0.75 ± 0.09 in quiescent VKH patients, which was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (0.70 ± 0.05, p ＜ 0.0001). The CVI significantly decreased to 0.72 ± 0.09 when granulomatous anterior uveitis appeared in these patients. However, it returned to 0.75 ± 0.08 after uveitis resolved.Conclusions: A significant decrease of the CVI occurred during recurrent anterior uveitis in chronic VKH. CVI may provide a novel parameter to guide the treatment of VKH disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To characterize the clinical features of scleritis in Chinese patients.Methods: The history, demographics, ocular findings, auxiliary examination findings, complications, systemic diseases and therapeutic effects were analyzed retrospectively.Results: The study included 124 male and 169 female patients with scleritis. Anterior and posterior scleritis were, respectively, found in 243 and 42 patients. The other eight patients had both anterior and posterior involvement. The mean age of scleritis onset was 39.4 years. Systemic diseases associated with scleritis mainly included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (4.4%), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (3.4%), and tuberculosis (1.7%). Anterior uveitis (23.7%), complicated cataract (16.7%), and intraocular hypertension (12.6%) were common complications of scleritis. Scleritis was controlled in 94.6% of the patients treated with corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents.Conclusions: Diffuse anterior scleritis was the most common scleritis entity in China. RA and AS were relatively common diseases associated with scleritis. Corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents effectively controlled the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness, visual outcome, and prognostic factors of Vogt--Koyanagi--Harada (VKH) disease treatment with a reduced dose of corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents. Methods: The clinical characteristics, auxiliary examinations, treatment result, visual outcome, and prognostic factors in VKH patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 998 VKH patients were divided into posterior uveitis group (Group1), anterior uveal involvement group (Group 2), and recurrent granulomatous anterior uveitis group (Group 3). Reduced doses of corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents were used for 1-1.5 years. Uveitis was controlled in 100%, 100%, and 96.8% of these three groups, respectively. Visual improvement and stability was observed in 98.1%, 96.5%, and 88.3%, respectively. Treatment after disease onset, visual acuity at first visit, and 1 month after treatment was positively associated with BCVA at last visit (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A reduced dose of corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents effectively controlled the intraocular inflammation and improved visual acuity in most Chinese VKH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features of 51 uveitis patients with psoriasis in China.Methods: The psoriasis type, demographics, ocular findings, auxiliary examination findings, complications, and therapeutic effects were analyzed.Results: A total of 37 male and 14 female uveitis patients with psoriasis were classified into four groups: psoriasis vulgaris (29 cases); psoriatic arthritis (15 cases); psoriatic erythroderma (6 cases); and pustular psoriasis (1 case). The onset age of psoriasis was younger than for uveitis (p < 0.001). Anterior uveitis, panuveitis, and posterior uveitis was observed in 58.8%, 35.3%, and 5.9% of the patients, respectively. Hypopyon was more frequently noted in the group with psoriatic arthritis (p = 0.007). Optic disc staining was more frequently noted in the group with psoriatic erythroderma (p = 0.029). Significant visual improvement was observed in 17 patients.Conclusions: Uveitis can be associated with various types of psoriasis in China, but was most frequently observed in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roasted-sesame-like aroma and flavour type liquor is extensively welcomed by consumers owing to its typical aroma, particularly in the north of China. To our knowledge, age markers which can distinguish between fresh and aged raw liquor have not been investigated. 1,1-Diethoxymethane and methanethiol were identified and quantified by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that 1,1-diethoxymethane was not detected in all fresh raw liquors, and the contents increased with raw liquor age, contrary to the great decrease of methanethiol. Both of them showed good correlations with raw liquor age ( R = 0.955 and R = 0.695, respectively). Furthermore, the reduction in the concentrations of methanethiol and derivatives (rotten cabbage aroma) might be responsible for the mild aromas of aged raw liquors. Therefore, our research suggested that 1,1-diethoxymethane and methanethiol could be used as effective age markers of roasted-sesame-like aroma and flavour type raw liquor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles between rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients and healthy controls to investigate their differential expression and help elucidate their mechanisms of action. Microarray analysis was used to measure miRNA expression, and a total of 133 miRNAs were shown to be significantly upregulated in RHD patients compared with controls, including miR-1183 and miR-1299. A total of 137 miRNAs, including miR-4423-3p and miR-218-1-3p, were significantly downregulated in RHD patients. Quantitative real-time-PCR confirmed microarray findings for miR-1183 and miR-1299 in both tissue and plasma. Bioinformatic predictions were also made of differentially expressed miRNAs as biomarkers in RHD by databases and GO/pathway analysis. Furthermore, we investigated miR-1183 and miR-1299 expression in RHD patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension (PAH). Our findings identified an important role for miR-1299 as a direct regulator of RHD, while the observed difference in expression of miR-1183 between RHD-PAH patients with high or low pulmonary artery pressure suggests that miR-1183 overexpression may reflect pulmonary artery remodeling. miR-1183 and miR-1299 appear to play distinct roles in RHD pathogenesis accompanied by secondary PAH and could be used as potential biological markers for disease development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify new genetic risk factors for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome, we conducted a genome-wide association study of 2,208,258 SNPs in 774 cases and 2,009 controls with follow-up in a collection of 415 cases and 2,006 controls and a further collection of 349 cases and 1,588 controls from a Han Chinese population. We identified three loci associated with VKH syndrome susceptibility (IL23R-C1orf141, rs117633859, Pcombined = 3.42 × 10−21, odds ratio (OR) = 1.82; ADO-ZNF365-EGR2, rs442309, Pcombined = 2.97 × 10−11, OR = 1.37; and HLA-DRB1/DQA1, rs3021304, Pcombined = 1.26 × 10−118, OR = 2.97). The five non-HLA genes were all expressed in human iris tissue. IL23R was also expressed in the ciliary body, and EGR2 was expressed in the ciliary body and choroid. The risk G allele of rs117633859 in the promoter region of IL23R exhibited low transcriptional activation in a cell-based reporter assay and was associated with diminished IL23R mRNA expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the potential association of the tumor necrosis factor alpha inducible protein 3gene ( TNFAIP3) polymorphisms with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis (Fuchs' Syndrome) in a Chinese Han population. Methods: Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873, rs5029928 and rs9494885 of TNFAIP3 were genotyped in 225 Fuchs' syndrome patients and 651 healthy controls using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. All control subjects were matched ethnically and geographically with the patients. Genotype counts in patients and controls were analyzed by the χ2 test. Results: All genotypic and allelic frequencies of the tested TNFAIP3 polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873, rs5029928 and rs9494885 of TNFAIP3 were not different between patients with Fuchs' syndrome and controls. Conclusions: Our results suggest that rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873, rs5029928 and rs9494885 of TNFAIP3 are not associated with Fuchs' syndrome in a Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three genes (IL-12B, IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2) in Behcet's disease (BD) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in a Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 806 BD cases, 820 VKH patients, and 1600 healthy controls were involved in this study. The first investigation included 400 BD patients, 400 VKH cases, and 600 healthy individuals. A second confirmatory study included a separate set of 406 BD patients, 420 VKH cases and another 1000 normal controls. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and results were validated by using direct sequencing. The χ2 test was performed to compare the allele and genotype frequencies between cases and healthy controls. Results: This study comprised two phases. In the first phase study, a significantly increased frequency of the rs3212227/IL-12B genotype CC and C allele was found in BD patients as compared to controls (Bonferroni corrected p value (pc) = 0.009, OR 1.8; pc = 0.024, OR 1.3, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of the C allele of rs3212227/IL-12B was also significantly increased in VKH patients (pc = 0.012, OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6). No associations were found for the other seven tested SNPs either in BD or VKH disease. The second study as well as the combined data confirmed the significant association of rs3212227/IL-12B with BD (CC genotype: combined pc = 6.3×10−7, OR = 1.8; C allele: combined pc = 2.0×10−5, OR = 1.3, respectively) and the C allele frequency of rs3212227/IL-12B as the risk factor to VKH patients (combined pc = 2.5×10−5, OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the IL-12B gene is involved both in the susceptibility to BD as well as VKH syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) was a key negative regulator of autoimmunity. V-Ets oncogene homolog 1 (Ets-1) was demonstrated to bind to the miR-146a promoter region and markedly affects miR-146a promoter activity. This study aimed to investigate the association of miR-146a and Ets-1 gene polymorphisms with pediatric uveitis in a Han Chinese population. Methodology/Principal Findings: A total of 520 patients and 1204 healthy controls were included in the present study. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), miR-146a/rs2910164, miR-146a/rs57095329, miR-146a/rs6864584, ets-1/rs1128334 and ets-1/rs10893872 were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The expression of Ets-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from genotyped healthy controls was tested by real-time PCR. Two SNPs (rs2910164 and rs10893872) were associated with pediatric uveitis in this study. The frequencies of the rs2910164 GG genotype and G allele were significantly increased (Pc = 3.11×10−4; Pc = 2.75×10−6) while the CC genotype and C allele were significantly decreased (Pc = 0.001; Pc = 2.75×10−6) in patients compared with normal controls. The frequencies of the rs10893872 CC genotype and C allele were significantly increased (Pc = 3.89×10−4; Pc = 0.01) while the CT genotype and T allele were significantly decreased (Pc = 0.004; Pc = 0.01) in patients compared with normal controls. The SNP rs2910164 GG genotype and G/C allele were also associated with the presence of microvascular leakage as detected by fundus fluorescein angiography in pediatric uveitis (Pc = 0.01; Pc = 0.005, respectively). Ets-1 expression in rs10893872 CC carriers was significantly higher than in CT and TT individuals (Pc = 0.013). There was no association of the other three SNPs with pediatric uveitis. Conclusions: This study shows that miR-146a and Ets-1 are both associated with pediatric uveitis in Han Chinese. SNP rs10893872 may affect the genetic predisposition to pediatric uveitis by modulating expression of Ets-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change and the spread of COVID-19 have caused widespread concerns about food security. The development of smart agriculture could contribute to food security; moreover, the targeted and accurate management of crop nitrogen is a topic of concern in the field of smart agriculture. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spectroscopy has demonstrated versatility in the rapid and non-destructive estimation of nitrogen in summer maize. Previous studies focused on the entire growth season or early stages of summer maize; however, systematic studies on the diagnosis of nitrogen that consider the entire life cycle are few. This study aimed to: (1) construct a practical diagnostic model of the nitrogen life cycle of summer maize based on ground hyperspectral data and UAV multispectral sensor data and (2) evaluate this model and express a change in the trend of nitrogen nutrient status at a spatiotemporal scale. Here, a comprehensive data set consisting of a time series of crop biomass, nitrogen concentration, hyperspectral reflectance, and UAV multispectral reflectance from field experiments conducted during the growing seasons of 2017–2019 with summer maize cultivars grown under five different nitrogen fertilization levels in Beijing, China, were considered. The results demonstrated that the entire life cycle of summer maize was divided into four stages, viz., V6 (mean leaf area index (LAI) = 0.67), V10 (mean LAI = 1.94), V12 (mean LAI = 3.61), and VT-R6 (mean LAI = 3.94), respectively; moreover, the multi-index synergy model demonstrated high accuracy and good stability. The best spectral indexes of these four stages were GBNDVI, TCARI, NRI, and MSAVI2, respectively. The thresholds of the spectral index of nitrogen sufficiency in the V6, V10, V12, VT, R1, R2, and R3–R6 stages were 0.83–0.44, −0.22 to −5.23, 0.42–0.35, 0.69–0.87, 0.60–0.75, 0.49–0.61, and 0.42–0.53, respectively. The simulated nitrogen concentration at the various growth stages of summer maize was consistent with the actual spatial distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducible protein 3 ( TNFAIP3) gene polymorphisms have recently been reported to be associated with the susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. This study was performed to evaluate the potential association of TNFAIP3 polymorphisms with Behcet's disease (BD) in a Chinese Han population. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873, rs5029928, and rs9494885 of TNFAIP3 were genotyped in 722 BD patients and 1,415 healthy controls using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and controls using the χ test. The results showed a significantly increased prevalence of the rs9494885 TC genotype and C allele in BD patients compared with controls (Bonferroni corrected p ( p) = 1.83 × 10, odds ratio (OR) [95 % CI] 2.03 [1.65-2.49]; p = 8.35 × 10, OR [95 % CI] 1.81 [1.51-2.18], respectively).The frequency of the TT genotype and T allele of rs9494885 was markedly lower in BD patients than that in controls ( p = 1.23 × 10, OR [95 % CI] 0.50 [0.40-0.61]; p = 8.35 × 10, OR [95 % CI] 0.55 [0.46-0.66], respectively). For rs10499194, a higher frequency of the CC genotype ( p = 0.015, OR [95 % CI] 1.96 [1.30-2.97]) and C allele ( p = 0.005, OR [95 % CI] 1.92 [1.28-2.90]), and a lower frequency of the TC genotype ( p = 0.015, OR [95 % CI] 0.51 [0.34-0.77]) and T allele ( p = 0.005, OR [95 % CI] 0.52 [0.35-2.97]) were found in BD patients. Concerning rs7753873, a higher frequency of the AC genotype ( p = 0.015, OR [95 % CI] 1.49 [1.17-1.91]) and C allele ( p = 0.025, OR [95 % CI] 1.39 [1.11-1.76]), and a lower frequency of the AA genotype ( p = 0.03, OR [95 % CI] 0.68 [0.53-0.87]) and A allele ( p = 0.025, OR [95 % CI] 0.72 [0.57-0.91]) were observed in BD patients. This study identified one strong risk SNP rs9494885 and two weak risk SNPs rs10499194 and rs7753873 of TNFAIP3 in Chinese Han BD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PLA2G7 gene product is a secreted enzyme whose activity is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). The goal of our study is to investigate the contribution of PLA2G7 promoter DNA methylation to the risk of CHD. Using the bisulphite pyrosequencing technology, PLA2G7 methylation was measured among 36 CHD cases and 36 well-matched controls. Our results indicated that there was a significant association between PLA2G7 methylation and CHD (adjusted P = 0.025). Significant gender-specific correlation was observed between age and PLA2G7 methylation (males: adjusted r = −0.365, adjusted P = 0.037; females: adjusted r = 0.373, adjusted P = 0.035). A breakdown analysis by gender showed that PLA2G7 methylation was significantly associated with CHD in females (adjusted P = 0.003) but not in males. A further two-way ANOVA analysis showed there was a significant interaction between gender and status of CHD for PLA2G7 methylation (gender*CHD: P = 6.04E−7). Moreover, PLA2G7 methylation is associated with the levels of total cholesterols (TC, r = 0.462, P = 0.009), triglyceride (TG, r = 0.414, P = 0.02) and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB, r = 0.396, P = 0.028) in females but not in males (adjusted P>0.4). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that PLA2G7 methylation could predict the risk of CHD in females (area under curve (AUC) = 0.912, P = 2.40E−5). Our results suggest that PLA2G7 methylation changes with aging in a gender-specific pattern. The correlation between PLA2G7 methylation and CHD risk in females is independent of other parameters including age, smoking, diabetes and hypertension. PLA2G7 methylation might exert its effects on the risk of CHD by regulating the levels of TC, TG, and ApoB in females. The gender disparities in the PLA2G7 methylation may play a role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the potential association of TNFAIP3 polymorphisms with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease in a Chinese Han population. Methodology/Principal Findings: Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873, rs5029928 and rs9494885 of TNFAIP3 were genotyped in 834 VKH disease patients and 1415 healthy controls using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. An increased frequency of the C allele and CT genotype for rs9494885 were found in VKH patients in the Guangzhou and Chongqing cohorts (pc = 0.015, OR = 1.6, pc = 0.036, OR = 1.7; pc = 2.36×10−4, OR = 1.5, pc = 0.012, OR = 1.5, respectively). Meanwhile, a decreased frequency of the TT genotype for rs9494885 was observed in VKH patients in the Guangzhou and Chongqing cohorts (pc = 0.026, OR = 0.6, pc = 0.0074, OR = 0.7, respectively). The combined analysis showed that a significantly increased prevalence of the rs9494885 TC genotype and C allele were found in VKH disease patients compared with controls (pc = 2.26×10−5, OR = 1.7; pc = 1.09× 10−5, OR = 1.6, respectively). The frequency of the TT genotype of rs9494885 was markedly lower in VKH disease patients as compared with that in controls (pc = 1.12×10−5, OR = 0.6; pc = 1.09×10−5, OR = 0.6, respectively). No association was found between rs10499194, rs610604, rs7753873 and rs5029928 polymorphisms and VKH disease. To our knowledge this is the first report describing the association of a TNFAIP3 gene polymorphism with VKH disease in a Chinese Han population. Conclusions/Significance: The results suggest that the rs9494885 TC genotype and C allele may be predisposing factors to VKH disease, whereas the rs9494885 TT genotype and T allele may provide protection against this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-22 has been reported to be involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to analyze the expression and potential role of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of Behcet’s disease (BD). Methods: The levels of IL-22 in patient sera or supernatants of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+T cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the frequency of IL-22–producing CD4+ T cells. IL-22 mRNA from erythema nodosum skin lesions was examined using real time quantitative RT-PCR. Results: BD patients with active uveitis showed a significantly higher expression of IL-22 in the supernatants of stimulated PBMCs and CD4+T cells compared with BD patients without active uveitis and normal controls. An increased frequency of IL-22-producing CD4+T cells was also found in BD patients with active uveitis. IL-22 mRNA expression was elevated in erythema nodosum skin lesions. In BD patients, a high IL-22 level in the supernatant of stimulated PBMCs correlated with the presence of retinal vasculitis and erythema nodosum. Conclusions: IL-22 was associated with disease activity in BD and correlated with the presence of small vessel inflammation, suggesting that it may be involved in its pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify susceptibility loci for Behçet's disease (BD) and elucidate their functional role. Methods A genome-wide association study (GWAS) and functional studies were conducted. A total of 149 patients and 951 controls were enrolled in the initial GWAS, and 554 patients and 1,159 controls were enrolled in the replication study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, luciferase reporter assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed. Results Our GWAS and replication studies identified a susceptibility locus around STAT4 (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] rs7574070, rs7572482, and rs897200; P = 3.36 × 10−7 to 6.20 × 10−9). Increased expression of STAT4 was observed in individuals carrying the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Consistent with the idea that STAT4 regulates the production of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-γ, IL17 messenger RNA and protein levels were increased in individuals carrying the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Interestingly, the risk allele A of rs897200 creates a putative transcription factor binding site. To test whether it directly affects STAT4 transcription, an in vitro luciferase reporter gene assay was performed. Higher transcription activity was observed in individuals carrying the risk allele A, suggesting that rs897200 is likely to directly affect STAT4 expression. Additionally, 2 SNPs, rs7574070 and rs7572482, which are tightly linked with rs897200, were cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) SNPs, suggesting that SNP rs897200 is an eQTL SNP. Most importantly, the clinical disease severity score was higher in individuals with the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Conclusion These findings strongly suggest that STAT4 is a novel locus underlying BD. We propose a model in which up-regulation of STAT4 expression and subsequent STAT4-driven production of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17, constitute a potential pathway leading to BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify susceptibility loci for Behçet's disease (BD) and elucidate their functional role. Methods A genome-wide association study (GWAS) and functional studies were conducted. A total of 149 patients and 951 controls were enrolled in the initial GWAS, and 554 patients and 1,159 controls were enrolled in the replication study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, luciferase reporter assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed. Results Our GWAS and replication studies identified a susceptibility locus around STAT4 (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] rs7574070, rs7572482, and rs897200; P = 3.36 × 10−7 to 6.20 × 10−9). Increased expression of STAT4 was observed in individuals carrying the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Consistent with the idea that STAT4 regulates the production of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-γ, IL17 messenger RNA and protein levels were increased in individuals carrying the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Interestingly, the risk allele A of rs897200 creates a putative transcription factor binding site. To test whether it directly affects STAT4 transcription, an in vitro luciferase reporter gene assay was performed. Higher transcription activity was observed in individuals carrying the risk allele A, suggesting that rs897200 is likely to directly affect STAT4 expression. Additionally, 2 SNPs, rs7574070 and rs7572482, which are tightly linked with rs897200, were cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) SNPs, suggesting that SNP rs897200 is an eQTL SNP. Most importantly, the clinical disease severity score was higher in individuals with the rs897200 risk genotype AA. Conclusion These findings strongly suggest that STAT4 is a novel locus underlying BD. We propose a model in which up-regulation of STAT4 expression and subsequent STAT4-driven production of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17, constitute a potential pathway leading to BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protein profiles and pathogenesis in rabbit retinas from normal and post-traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Materials and methods: A modified rabbit model of post-traumatic PVR was modified used in the study. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) were utilized to identify the changes to the protein profiles of rabbit retina. The myosin light chains-2 (MLC2) was subsequently chosen as a target for its biggest difference in 2-DE gels using Western blot, immunohistochemistry and MTT assay. Results: Comparative gel analysis revealed that 20 spots were up-regulated or novel emerged and 12 were down-regulated or even disappeared in PVR retinas. The majority of changes could consist of the following functional groups of proteins including the cell skeleton proteins; the wound healing/cell adhesion proteins; the proteins involved in metabolism and in blood-retina barrier destruction; oxidative stress-related proteins and the ion channel proteins. Western blot analysis confirmed that MLC2 protein expression was upregulated in PVR retinas. MTT assay showed that the anti-MLC2 monoclonal antibody significantly decreased the proliferation in ARPE-19 cells stimulated with different concentrations and times in vitro experiment. Conclusions: Our results suggested that PVR is a complicated pathology process with alterations in expression of a variety of functional proteins rather than a single key protein. The data reported may be useful for further studies on pathogenesis of human PVR and for the screening of biomarkers to develop new potential therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to study the correlation between expression levels of interleukin-37 (IL-37), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood and the status of atherosclerosis (AS) and plaque stability and to confirm the clinical significance of these inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of AS. A total of 64 AS patients (case group) were selected and divided into unstable plaque group (group A, 28 cases) and stable plaque group (group B, 36 cases) according to the color ultrasonography results of arterial vessels. At the same time, 30 healthy subjects were classified into the control group. General information of the enrolled subjects was collected, including levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), CRP, and homocysteine (Hcy). The expression levels of IL-37 and GM-CSF in the serum of peripheral blood samples collected from these subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was no significant difference between the case group and the control group in the levels of TC, TG, HDL, and LDL (P > 0.05). However, the expression level of Hcy in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of IL-37, GM-CSF, and CRP in the case group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with group B, the expression level of GM-CSF in group A was significantly increased (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was detected between group A and group B in the expression levels of IL-37 and CRP (P > 0.05). In conclusion, inflammatory factors IL-37, GM-CSF, CRP, and Hcy were all involved in the pathogenesis of AS, and the increased levels of GM-CSF were closely related to the progress of unstable plaques. These results may aid the early diagnosis/treatment of AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]