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Objective: To determine the risk factors for thromboembolism in lower risk patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and low CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores, which remain undefined., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the baseline clinical characteristics, routine laboratory parameters, and echocardiographic measurements of 705 patients (71.1% male; mean age: 52.10 ± 9.64 years) with low CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score (0 or 1; 1 point for female sex) out of 1346 consecutive patients with non-valvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute between January 2013 and December 2015., Results: Patients with left atrial thrombus (LAT) or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) on TEE (24/705, 4%) showed a higher incidence rate of vascular disease (54.2% vs . 32.9%, P = 0.045) and non-paroxysmal AF (79.2% vs . 29.4%, P < 0.001), larger left atrial diameter (43.08 ± 4.59 vs . 36.02 ± 5.53 mm, P < 0.001), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (58.23 ± 8.82% vs . 64.15 ± 7.14%, P < 0.001) than those without. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified left atrial diameter [odds ratio (OR) = 1.171, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.084-1.265, P < 0.001] and non-paroxysmal AF (OR = 3.766, 95% CI: 1.282-11.061, P = 0.016) as independent risk factors for LAT/SEC. In ROC curve analysis, a left atrial dimeter cutoff of 37.5 mm yielded 95.0% sensitivity and 62.7% specificity (AUC: 0.847, P < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.793-0.914)., Conclusion: In patients with non-valvular AF with low CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score, the presence of LAT or SEC was associated with left atrial enlargement, which had moderate predictive value, and non-paroxysmal AF., (Institute of Geriatric Cardiology.)

Aims: Hypertension is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the direct effect of hydrostatic pressure on atrial electrical remodeling is unclear. The present study investigated whether hydrostatic pressure is responsible for atrial electrical remodeling and addressed a potential role of inflammation in this pathology., Main Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and biochemical assays were used to study the regulation and expression of ion channels in left atrial appendages in patients with AF, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and atrium-derived cells (HL-1 cells) exposed to standard (0 mmHg) and elevated (20, 40 mmHg) hydrostatic pressure., Key Findings: Both TNF-α and MIF were highly expressed in patients with AF and SHRs. AF inducibility in SHRs was higher after atrial burst pacing, accompanied by a decrease in the L-type calcium current (I Ca,L ), an increase in the transient outward K + current (I to ) and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K + current (I Kur ), and a shortened action potential duration (APD), which could be inhibited by atorvastatin. Furthermore, exposure to elevated pressure was associated with electrical remodeling of the HL-1 cells. The peak current density of I Ca,L was reduced, while I to and I Kur were increased. Moreover, the expression levels of Kv4.3, Kv1.5, TNF-α, and MIF were upregulated, while the expression of Cav1.2 was downregulated in HL-1 cells after treatment with high hydrostatic pressure (40 mmHg). Atorvastatin alleviated the electrical remodeling and increased inflammatory markers in HL-1 cells induced by high hydrostatic pressure., Significance: Elevated hydrostatic pressure led to atrial electrical remodeling and increased AF susceptibility by upregulating inflammation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dozens of hybrids of natural alkaloid evodiamine/rutaecarpine and thieno[2,3- d ]pyrimidinones were synthesized in a straightforward method by condensation of substituted 2 H -thieno[2,3- d ][1, 3]oxazine-2,4(1 H )-diones or N -methyl-2 H -thieno[2,3- d ][1, 3]oxazine-2,4(1 H )-dione with 3,4-dihydro- β -carbolines. In vitro cytotoxic assay discovered that compounds 9a , 10e , 11a , 11d , 11f , and 12a could induce antiproliferation against four different types of human cancer cells while compounds 10f and 12e were inactive. Notably, compound 11a displayed potent cell cytotoxicity for human non-small cell lung cancer cells A549, PC-9, human prostate cancer cells PC-3, and human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Furthermore, compound 11a exhibited strong colony formation inhibition to A549 cells. These results unfold potential anticancer therapeutic applications of hybrids of thieno[2,3- d ]pyrimidinones and quinazolinones.

Background: To estimate the prevalence of elevated blood glucose level (EBG, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose), and its association with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in Guangzhou, China., Methods: The population-based follow-up Guangzhou Heart Study collected baseline data from July 2015 to August 2017 among 12,013 permanent residents aged > 35 from 4 Guangzhou districts. Two streets (Dadong and Baiyun) in the Yuexiu District, and one street (Xiaoguwei) and two towns (Xinzao and Nancun) in the Panyu District were chosen as representative of urban and rural areas, respectively. Each participant completed a comprehensive questionnaire, and underwent physical examination, blood sample collection for laboratory testing, electrocardiography, and other evaluations. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the independent association between hyperglycemia and NVAF prevalence., Results: The prevalence of EBG in overall study population was 29.9%. Compared with residents without EBG, the odds ratio (OR) for AF among residents with EBG was significantly higher (1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-2.70, P <  0.001), even after multivariate adjustment for metabolic abnormalities (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14-2.25, P = 0.007), and driven by women (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.12-2.91, P = 0.016)., Conclusions: In Guangzhou, China, prevalence of EBG is high among residents aged > 35 years and associated with a multivariate adjusted increase in prevalence of NVAF overall and in women.

Background and Aim: Migraine patients can exhibit autonomic dysregulation, in turn leading to cardiac conduction and repolarization abnormalities. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the electrocardiographic changes in migraineurs., Method: PubMed and Embase databases were searched for human studies using the search terms 'migraine' and 'electrocardiogram' until 15th December 2018, identifying 108 and 131 studies., Results: Thirteen studies involving 667 migraineurs and 208 normal subjects included (mean age=30.7, total male percentage=19.8%) were included. A longer mean QTc interval (standard mean difference=7.89, 95% confidence interval=[3.29, 12.49], p=0.0008) and higher frequency of QTc prolongation (risk ratio [RR]=6.23, [2.86-13.58], p<0.00001), but no difference in PR-interval (SMD=4.33, [-3.90-12.56], p=0.30) were observed during migraine attacks compared to pain-free periods. P-wave dispersion was higher in migraine patients compared to controls (mean difference=3.62, [1.03-6.21], p=0.006). RR-interval were statistically indistinguishable between migraine patients and controls (SMD=0.08, [-0.65-0.81], p=0.83), or between migraineurs with and without aura (SMD=-0.03, [-0.44-0.38], p=0.89). Deep breathing ratio was significantly lower in migraineurs compared to controls (SMD=-0.27, 95% CI=[-0.46, -0.08], p=0.006) but similar between migraineurs with and without aura (SMD=-0.04, [-0.27-0.19], p=0.74). No significant difference in Valsalva ratio is found between migraineurs and controls (SMD=0.10, [-0.32-0.53], p=0.63) or between migraineurs with and without aura (SMD=-0.17, [-0.40-0.06], p=0.14). Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) (SMD=-0.07, [-1.10-0.95], p=0.89) and standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) (SMD=-0.10, [-0.61-0.41], p=0.71) did not significantly differ between migraine patients and controls., Conclusion: Electrocardiographic alterations are observed in migraine patients compared to controls, especially during migraine attacks., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine deficiency or excess on growth and the expression of lipid metabolism genes in slow-growing birds. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 6 replicates of 20 birds each. The birds fed the basal diet with a total lysine 0.60% (LL), 1.00% (ML), or 1.40% (HL). The amount of lysine (ML) as the control group, LL and HL as the experimental group, the trial period last 3 wk. The results showed that compared with ML, LL significantly decreased average daily gain and average daily feed intake and remarkably increased feed conversion ratio of birds at 21 day old (P < 0.01), while the above indices in HL had no significant effects (P > 0.05). Besides, LL reduced the pectoral muscle rate (P < 0.01) and decreased the percentage of abdominal fat significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with ML, the expression of fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), malic enzyme (ME), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1c) mRNA of liver in LL was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mRNA was significantly increased (P < 0.01), whereas LL had no significant effects on the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) mRNA (P > 0.05). Moreover, compared with ML, HL significantly reduced the expression of FABP1, ACC, ME, SREBP-1c, and PPARα mRNA in the liver (P < 0.05), and had no significant effects on the expression of CETP mRNA (P > 0.05). The results of current research suggest that dietary lysine deficiency could reduce the growth and fat deposition of slow-growing broilers mainly by downregulating the expression of lipid synthesis genes., (© 2019 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Emerging evidence revealed that thyroglobulin (TG) contributes to the development of autoimmune disease, and the relationship between TG and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between rs2076740, rs853326, rs180223, and rs2069550 TG polymorphisms and risk of AITD using a meta-analysis approach. We identified all studies that assessed the association between TG polymorphisms and AITD from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. A total of 3013 cases and 1812 controls from ten case-control studies were included. There was no significant associations found between rs2069550, rs180223, and rs853326 polymorphisms and AITD risk. The association between the rs2076740 polymorphism and AITD risk was significant in the codominant model (P = 0.005), suggesting the CC rs2076740 genotype might be a protective factor for AITD. Sensitivity analysis by removing one or two study changed the results in dominant rs2076740 and rs853326 and rs2069550 allele models (P = 0.016, 0.024, 0.027). Latitude and ethnicity significantly affected the association between rs2076740 and rs2069550 polymorphisms and AITD, indicating their protective effects in allele or dominant model (P = 0.012, 0.012, 0.012, 0.009, 0.009). The association between rs2076740, rs2069550, and rs853326 polymorphisms and AITD risk is significantly affected by study characteristics.

Objectives: There are country and regional variations in the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA). The prevalence of HUA and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in southern China is unknown., Design: A cross-sectional study., Setting and Participants: A total of 11 488 permanent residents aged 35 or older from urban and rural areas of Guangzhou, China were enrolled. A questionnaire was used to compile each participant's demographic information and relevant epidemiological factors for HUA and NVAF. All participants were assessed using a panel of blood tests and single-lead 24-hour ECG., Main Outcome Measures: HUA was defined as serum uric acid level >420 μmol/L in men and >360 μmol/L in women. NVAF was diagnosed as per guidelines., Results: The prevalence of HUA was 39.6% (44.8% in men and 36.7% in women), and 144 residents (1.25%) had NVAF. Prevalence of HUA increased with age in women but remained stably high in men. After adjusting for potential confounders, age, living in urban areas, alcohol consumption, central obesity, elevated fasting plasma glucose level, elevated blood pressure, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and elevated triglycerides level were associated with increased risk of HUA. Residents with HUA were at higher risk for NVAF. Serum uric acid level had a modest predictive value for NVAF in women but not men., Conclusions: HUA was highly prevalent among citizens of southern China and was a predictor of NVAF among women., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

To investigate the safety and midterm outcome of concomitant left atrial appendage (LAA) closure and catheter ablation (CA) as a one-stage hybrid procedure for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in a multicenter registry. A total of 50 consecutive patients with symptomatic drug-resistant non-valvular AF with CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score ≥ 2 and contraindications for antithrombotic therapy were included in the prospectively established LAA closure registry, and underwent concomitant LAA closure (48 for WATCHMAN and 2 for ACP) and CA procedure (40 for radiofrequency and 10 for cryoballoon CA). Two cardiac tamponades, one peripheral vascular complications and one mild air embolism were observed during perioperative period. After mean follow-up of 20.2 ± 11.5 months, 18 (36%) patients presented with atrial arrhythmia relapse and 45 (91.8%) patients presented with complete sealing; furthermore, there were two transient ischemic attacks and one ischemic stroke under an off-oral anticoagulant situation, respectively. Concomitant CA and LAA closure as a one-stage hybrid procedure might be feasible and potentially decrease costs in patients with symptomatic non-valvular AF with high stroke risk and contraindication to antithrombotic treatment, and as safe as LAA closure procedure only during the perioperative period. However, it was necessary to further validate the mid-term safety.

A wide array of sensilla are distributed on insect antennae, and they play a variety of important roles. Rice planthoppers, destructive pests on rice, have a unique antenna sensilla structure called the 'sensory plaque organ'. The spineless (ss) gene encodes a bHLH-PAS transcription factor and plays a key role in antenna development. In the current study, a 3029 bp full-length cDNA of the Nilaparvata lugens ss gene (Nlss) was cloned, and it encodes 654 amino acid residues. The highest level of Nlss expression was detected in the thorax of fourth-instar nymphs. Knockdown of Nlss in nymphs led to a decrease in the number and size of plaque organs. Moreover, the flagella of the treated insects were poorly developed, wilted, and even dropped off from the pedicel. Nlss-knockdown also resulted in twisted wings in both long-winged and short-winged brown planthoppers. Y-type olfactometer analyses indicated that antenna defects originating from Nlss depletion resulted in less sensitivity to host volatiles. This study represents the first report of the characteristics and functions of Nlss in N. lugens antenna and wing development and illuminates the function of the plaque organ of N. lugens in host volatile perception., (© 2018 The Royal Entomological Society.)

The QT interval along with its heart rate corrected form (QTc) are well-established ECG markers that have been found to be associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmogenesis. However, extensive preclinical and clinical investigations over the years have allowed for novel clinical ECG markers to be generated as predictors of arrhythmogenesis and sudden cardiac death. Repolarization markers include the older QTc, QT dispersion and newer Tpeak - Tend intervals, (Tpeak - Tend) / QT ratios, T-wave alternans (TWA), microvolt TWA and T-wave area dispersion. Meanwhile, conduction markers dissecting the QRS complex, such as QRS dispersion (QRSD) and fragmented QRS, were also found to correlate conduction velocity and unidirectional block with re-entrant substrates in various cardiac conditions. Both repolarization and conduction parameters can be combined into the excitation wavelength (λ). A surrogate marker for λ is the index of Cardiac Electrophysiological Balance (iCEB: QT / QRSd). Other markers based on conduction-repolarization are [QRSD x (Tpeak-Tend) / QRSd] and [QRSD x (Tpeak-Tend) / (QRSd x QT)]. Advancement in technology permitted sophisticated electrophysiological analyses such as principal component analysis and periodic repolarization dynamics to further improve risk stratification. This was closely followed by other novel indices including ventricular ectopic QRS interval, the f99 index and EntropyXQT, which integrates mathematical and physical calculations for determining the risk markers. Though proven to be effective in limited patient cohorts, more clinical studies across different cardiac pathologies are required to confirm their validity. As such, this review seeks to encapsulate the development of old and new ECG markers along with their associated utility and shortcomings in clinical practice.

Precision results on cosmic-ray electrons are presented in the energy range from 0.5 GeV to 1.4 TeV based on 28.1×10^{6} electrons collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station. In the entire energy range the electron and positron spectra have distinctly different magnitudes and energy dependences. The electron flux exhibits a significant excess starting from 42.1&#95;{-5.2}^{+5.4}  GeV compared to the lower energy trends, but the nature of this excess is different from the positron flux excess above 25.2±1.8  GeV. Contrary to the positron flux, which has an exponential energy cutoff of 810&#95;{-180}^{+310}  GeV, at the 5σ level the electron flux does not have an energy cutoff below 1.9 TeV. In the entire energy range the electron flux is well described by the sum of two power law components. The different behavior of the cosmic-ray electrons and positrons measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is clear evidence that most high energy electrons originate from different sources than high energy positrons.

Precision measurements of cosmic ray positrons are presented up to 1 TeV based on 1.9 million positrons collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station. The positron flux exhibits complex energy dependence. Its distinctive properties are (a) a significant excess starting from 25.2±1.8  GeV compared to the lower-energy, power-law trend, (b) a sharp dropoff above 284&#95;{-64}^{+91}  GeV, (c) in the entire energy range the positron flux is well described by the sum of a term associated with the positrons produced in the collision of cosmic rays, which dominates at low energies, and a new source term of positrons, which dominates at high energies, and (d) a finite energy cutoff of the source term of E&#95;{s}=810&#95;{-180}^{+310}  GeV is established with a significance of more than 4σ. These experimental data on cosmic ray positrons show that, at high energies, they predominantly originate either from dark matter annihilation or from other astrophysical sources.

The incidence of atrial tachycardia (AT) after rheumatic mitral valvular (RMV) surgery has been well described. However, there have been few reports on the characteristics, mechanism, and long-term ablation outcome of ATs after RMV surgery and concomitant Cox-MAZE IV procedure.The present study reviewed consecutive patients who underwent AT ablation between May 2008 and July 2013. All patients were refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and had a history of RMV surgery and Cox-MAZE IV procedure. A total of 34 patients underwent AT ablation after RMV surgery and concomitant Cox-MAZE IV procedure, and presented 57 mappable and 2 unmappable ATs. The 57 mappable ATs included 14 focal-ATs and 43 reentry-ATs. Ten of the 14 focal-like ATs were located at the pulmonary vein (PV) antrum and border of a box lesion. Of the 43 reentry-ATs, 16 were marco-reentrant around the mitral annulus (MA) and 16 around the tricuspid annulus. There were 41 atypical ATs (non-cavotricuspid isthmus related) including 16 ATs related to the box lesion and 21 ATs related to other Cox-MAZE IV lesions. The AT were successfully terminated in 33 (97.1%) patients. After mean follow-up of 46.9 ± 15.7 months, 25 (73.5%) patients maintained sinus rhythm without AADs after a single procedure and 28 (82.4%) patients after repeated procedures.The recurrent ATs after RMV surgery and concomitant Cox-MAZE IV were mainly reentry mechanism, and largely related to LA. An incomplete lesion or re-conductive gaps in a prior lesion might be the predominant mechanisms for these ATs. Catheter-based mapping and ablation of these ATs seems to be effective and safe during a long-term follow-up.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of staining with carbon nanoparticles on the identification of parathyroid glands and lymph nodes during thyroid carcinoma surgery combined with lymphadenectomy. Methods: A total of 194 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy combined with lymphadenectomy from April 2016 to January 2018 were reviewed. Of them 104 cases were injected with carbon nanoparticles in operation area (nanocarbon group) and other 90 cases without the injection of carbon nanoparticles were as control group. The incidence of mistakenly dissection of parathyroid glands and the levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone in 1 day, 3 days, 1 month and 6 months after surgery were compared between two groups of patients. Chisquare and ranksum test were used to analyze 2 data. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, tumor size, operation time, extrathyroidal invasion and multifocality between two groups. Compared with control groups, nanocarbon group showed a significantly lower incidence of mistakenly dissection of parathyroid glands (8 cases vs 2 cases, 8.9% vs 1.9%,χ(2)=4.9, P =0.026) and a significantly lower incidence of hypoparathyroidism (41 cases vs 28 cases, 45.5% vs 26.9%, χ(2)=7.3, P =0.007). The number of lymph nodes dissected from central compartment was 791 in nanocarbon group and 536 in control groups, with a statistically significant difference ( Z =-2.2, P =0.028). There was a significant difference in the number of lymph nodes removed from the right neck Ⅵb level between nanocarbon group and control group (41 nodes vs 93 nodes, Z =-2.1, P =0.034). Conclusion: Treatment with nanocarbon can significantly facilitate the identification of the parathyroid during total thyroidectomy combined with central compartment lymphadenectomy, reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, and improve the dissection of lymph node in the central compartment.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is expected to become more prevail as the population ages and disproportionately affects older adults. However, direct comparison of clinical characteristics, sonographic diagnosis, and outcomes in VHD patients aged over 65 years is scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis in two age-groups of geriatric patients with VHD., Methods: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive individuals aged ≥ 65 years from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and screened for VHD using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Finally, 260 (48.9%) patients were in the 65-74 years group, and 272 (51.1%) were in the ≥ 75-year group. Factors that affected long-term survival was explored. A multivariable Cox hazards regression was performed to identify the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in each group., Results: In our population, the older group were more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), degenerative VHD, but with less rheumatic VHD, aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral stenosis (MS). Compared with those aged 65-74 years, the older group had a higher incidence of all-cause death (10.0% vs . 16.5%, P = 0.027), ischemic stroke (13.5% vs. 20.2%, P = 0.038) and MACEs (37.3% vs. 48.2%, P = 0.011) at long-term follow-up. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, mitral regurgitation, a history of COPD, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were identified as independent predictors of MACEs in the older group., Conclusion: Advanced age profoundly affect prognosis and different predictors were associated with MACEs in geriatric patients with VHD.

Objectives: Mucocele of the minor salivary gland is usually caused when the duct is injured, mucus leaks into the tissue space and the mucous gland are obstructed, which lead to cystic lesion formation and dilatation. Currently, there are multiple therapeutic methods available with various outcomes. This study aims to provide clinical evidence of polidocanol sclerotherapy for the treatment of mucocele of the minor salivary gland., Methods: In this study, we injected polidocanol into 112 patients who were diagnosed with mucocele of the minor salivary gland and evaluated the treatment efficacy and safety systematically., Results: Of the 122 cases, 102 cases were cured, eight cases showed remarkable remission, and two cases had partial remission. No recurrence was found during follow-up, and none of the cases showed an invalid effect, resulting in a total cure rate of 91.07%. No severe side effects were observed during treatment or the follow-up period. No significant difference in efficacy between different genders was found (P = 0.490). Polidocanol sclerotherapy for mucocele on the lower lip was more effective compared to mucocele on the inferior surface of the lingual apex (P = 0.035)., Conclusion: Polidocanol sclerotherapy showed satisfying curative effects for mucocele of the minor salivary gland without causing side effects of anesthesia, trauma, or severe pain., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To establish a new animal model of trigeminal neuralgia（TN） produced by administration of talc to peripheral infraobital nerve in rats., Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. Talcum powder (30％,0.3 mL) was injected into the peripheral infraorbital foramen in one group, the same dose of normal saline was injected by the same method in another group. On 3 day before surgery and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, mechanical pain behavior was determined. Statistical analysis of the threshold of pain response was performed and the behavior of pain was observed in the area of infraorbital nerve innervation in rats. Histopathological changes of the peripheral infraorbital nerve tissue in the rats were observed 3 days, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively. The expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin -1β (IL-1β) in the territory of the infraorbital nerve was detected by immunohistochemistry. SPSS16.0 software package was used to analyze the data., Results: The mechanical pain threshold of rats in the infraorbital innervation area 3 days postoperatively in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that in the preoperative group and the control group (P<0.01). The rats in the experimental group 3 days postoperatively experienced symptoms of irritability, scratching the face or aggressive behavior. Twelve weeks after operation, the mechanical pain threshold was still significantly decreased. Histopathological examination in the experimental group 3 days postoperatively mainly showed inflammation with a few inflammatory factors（IL-1β and TNF-α）expression. Inflammation in the experimental group 1week postoperatively was more intense and more inflammatory factors were expressed. Four weeks postoperatively, there was more proliferation of granulation tissue in the area of peripheral infraorbital nerve tissue and expression of inflammatory factors was highest. Four to twelve weeks, the inflammatory response in the experimental group was gradually reduced, increased scar and infraorbital nerve compressing by scar were observed, and the expression of inflammatory factors decreased gradually., Conclusions: Injection of talc to the peripheral infraorbital foramen can establish a reliable and stable animal model for research of etiology and treatment of TN.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hip arthrodesis (HA) in treating coxotuberculosis., Patients and Methods: 40 patients with coxotuberculosis treated in the Orthopedic Department in our hospital from February 2011 to February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Comparison of total curative effect between THA and HA in treating coxotuberculosis was analyzed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Harris hip function score (HHS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein, postoperative hip pain time (PHPT), postoperative start walking time(PSWT), postoperative start weight bearing time(PSWBT) and postoperative complications were observed and compared., Results: All patients successfully underwent successful THA or HA without major complications. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume in patients who underwent HA were better than those of patients who underwent THA (p<0.001, p=0.010, p<0.001, respectively). During the postoperative evaluation, VAS, HHS, ESR, CRP in patients who underwent THA were better than those of patients who underwent HA, and the differences were statistically significant. About the recovery, PHPT, PSWT, PSWBT in patients who underwent THA were shorter than those in patients who underwent HA (p=0.021, p=0.044, p<0.001, respectively). There was no fracture, infection, dislocation, neurological or vascular complications in THA group. No patient had subsidence, loosening or heterotopic ossification. 1 patient in HA group had a fracture of the steel plate, and 1 patient had delayed union in HA group., Conclusions: THA is an effective treatment for advanced tuberculous arthritis. THA is superior to HA in the treatment of coxotuberculosis.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of red cell distribution width (RDW) on left atrial thrombus (LAT) or left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: We reviewed 692 patients who were diagnosed as non-valvular AF and underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute from April 2014 to December 2015. The baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory test of blood routine, electrocardiograph measurements were analyzed., Results: Eighty-four patients were examined with LAT/LASEC under TEE. The mean RDW level was significantly higher in LAT/LASEC patients compared with the non-LAT/LASEC patients (13.59% ± 1.07% vs . 14.34% ± 1.34%; P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and indicated the best RDW cut point was 13.16%. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that RDW level > 13.16% could be an independent risk factor for LAT/LASEC in patients with AF., Conclusion: Elevated RDW level is associated with the presence of LAT/LASEC and could be with moderate predictive value for LAT/LASEC in patients with non-valvular AF.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and left atrial thrombus (LAT)/spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and to determine the predictive value of hyperuricemia in non-valvular (NV) atrial fibrillation (AF) patients., Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 1198 consecutive patients (male 801, female 397, and mean age of 56.84 ± 12.22) who were diagnosed with AF and accepted transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to catheter ablation, appendage occlusion and electrical cardioversion using a single-center database. The clinical baseline characteristics were collected from medical record review and analyzed. Patients were categorized into an LAT/SEC group and a normal group., Results: According to the TEE examination, there were 97 (8.1%) patients with abnormality; of these, 49 were with LAT and 48 with SEC. The mean serum uric acid (SUA) level and hyperuricemia proportion were markedly higher in patients with LAT/SEC. The significant predictive effect was observed in the SUA level (OR = 1.006) and hyperuricemia (OR = 2.04). After adjustment for persistent/permanent-AF, age, gender, LA dimension > 40 mm, previous stroke, hypertension and diabetes, the SUA level (OR = 1.004) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.69) were independent predictors for LAT/SEC. The SUA level (OR = 1.004) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.69) were independent predictors for LAT/SEC, Further subgroup analysis in different CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc categories, it might be helpful to refine the LAT/SEC risk via combination area CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score and hyperuricemia, especially in those with CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score < 2., Conclusions: The SUA level and hyperuricemia proportion are closely associated with LA stasis. Hyperuricemia might independently predict and refine LA stasis risk among NVAF patients, especially in those with CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score < 2., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E on antioxidant capacity and immune function in oxidative-stressed breeder roosters. One hundred twenty 45-week-old Lveyang black-boned breeder roosters were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments, including negative control group (NC), positive control group (PC), and 3 trial groups, which were fed the diets containing 300 mg/kg VC, 200 mg/kg VE, or 300 mg/kg VC and 200 mg/kg VE (VC+VE). At 47 wk of age, the positive control and trial groups were subcutaneously injected 3 times every other d with dexamethasone (DEX) 4 mg/kg of body weight, the negative control group was injected with saline. The experiment lasted for 35 d. The results showed that at 50 wk of age, average daily feed intake of birds challenged with DEX significantly increased (P < 0.05). During post-stress recovery period (52 wk of age), dietary supplemental VE or VC+VE notably increased body weight under oxidative stress (P < 0.01). Oxidative stress induced by DEX could significantly decrease superoxide dismutase (SOD), IgM, antibody titer of ND and mRNA expression of SOD or glutathion peroxidase activity (GSH-Px), increase serous malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05). Supplementation of VC or VE significantly decreased serous MDA, and increased SOD under oxidative stress (P < 0.05). Supplementation of VC or VE, or their combination significantly increased the relative expression of GSH-Px mRNA when compared to the oxidative-stressed control treatment (P < 0.05), whereas did not alleviate the relative expression of SOD mRNA (P > 0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that addition of 300 mg/kg VC, 200 mg/kg VE or their combination could improve antioxidant ability and immune performance in oxidative-stressed breeder roosters through up-regulating the expression of GSH-Px gene.

Atrial fibrosis is the fundamental characteristic of the structural pathology associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Inflammation can contribute to atrial fibrosis, engendering AF. The present study aimed to investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, in the regulation of proliferation and function of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Biochemical assays were performed to examine the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) in human atrial tissues, and the proliferation and regulation of ECM induced by MIF in CFs. The expression of ECM, including collage type 3, α1 (Col‑3A1), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2/-9 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β was higher in patients with permanent AF, compared with patients in sinus rhythm (SR), and the expression levels of MIF were also increased in AF. Treatment of CFs with mouse recombinant MIF (rMIF; 40 nM) for 48 h was found to promote the proliferation of CFs. The MIF‑induced CF proliferation was completely inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitor‑PP1. rMIF treatment also stimulated the activation of Src kinase in CFs. In addition, MIF treatment upregulated the expression levels of fibrosis‑related proteins, Col‑1, Col‑3, MMP‑2/-9 and TGF‑β, in the CFs. These results suggested that MIF was involved in the structural remodeling that accompanies AF, possibly by promoting the proliferation of CFs and increasing the expression of ECM. These data implicate inflammation as a potential driver of CF.

Two grape varieties 'Italia' and 'Centenial seedless' cultured in protected and delayed cultivation were used as experimental materials to study the effects of red and blue light quality on chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and endogenous hormone content during leaf senescence. The results showed that the chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of the grapes were significantly enhanced in the red light treatment. Although the content of endogenous GA 3 was decreased, an increase in abscisic acid (ABA) content and a decrease of total content of zeaxanthin (ZR) were obviously slowed, which led to the significant increase in value of (GA 3 +ZR)/ABA, delaying leaf senescence. In prophase of leaf senescence, the chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate and (GA 3 +ZR)/ABA of the grapes were lower in the blue light treatment than those in the control, and the leaf senescence in the blue light treatment was accelerated. At late stage of leaf senescence, the chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate and (GA 3 +ZR)/ABA in the blue light treatment were gradually higher than those in the control, and the leaf senescence was delayed to a certain extent. The plant endogenous hormone auxin (IAA) promoted leaf growth and development in prophase of leaf senescence and accelerated leaf aging in late stage of leaf senescence. The leaf senescence rate of 'Italia' was slower than that of 'Centenial seedless'. In conclusion, our experiment suggested that red light was the best on delaying leaf senescence and prolonging the functional period of leaves.

The photo response curves of 11 rootstock-scion combinations including summer black/Beta, summer black/1103P, summer black/101-14, summer black/3309C, summer black/140Ru, summer black/5C, summer black/5BB, summer black/420A, summer black/SO4, summer black/Kangzhen No.1, summer black/Huapu No.1 were fitted by rectangular hyperbola mo-del, non-rectangular hyperbola model, modified rectangular hyperbola model and exponential model respectively, and the differences of imitative effects were analyzed by determination coefficiency, light compensation point, light saturation point, initial quantum efficiency, maximum photosynthetic rate and dark respiration rate. The result showed that the fit coefficients of all four models were above 0.98, and there was no obvious difference on the fitted values of light compensation point among the four models. The modified rectangular hyperbola model fitted best on light saturation point, apparent quantum yield, maximum photosynthetic rate and dark respiration rate, and had the minimum AIC value based on the akaike information criterion, therefore, the modified rectangular hyperbola model was the best one. The clustering analysis indicated that summer black/SO4 and summer black/420A combinations had low light compensation point, high apparent quantum yield and low dark respiration rate among 11 rootstock-scion combinations, suggesting that these two combinations could use weak light more efficiently due to their less respiratory consumption and higher weak light tolerance. The Topsis comparison method ranked summer black/SO4 and summer black/420A combinations as No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in weak light tolerance ability, which was consistent with cluster analysis. Consequently, summer black has the highest weak light tolerance in case grafted on 420A or SO4, which could be the most suitable rootstock-scion combinations for protected cultivation.

Background: The association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been extensively studied, but results were controversial., Methods: This meta-analysis aimed to confirm whether VDR gene polymorphisms were associated with MS. Meta-analysis on the association between MS and VDR ApaI, BsmI, TaqI and FokI polymorphisms were conducted using allelic contrast, recessive, homozygotes and dominant models. Data were extracted by standardized forms and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random effects model if the results were heterogeneous. Stratification analysis by the selected study characteristics were performed to detect potential source of heterogeneity., Results: A total of 21 relevant studies involving 3593 MS patients and 3917 controls were included in the analysis. The association between TaqI polymorphism and MS risk was significant in the homozygous model (p = 0.006) indicated a significant protective effect of TT TaqI genotype. High latitude (40.1-50°N) was also found markedly influenced TaqI polymorphism and MS risk in the recessive and homozygous models (p = 0.045 and p = 0.015, respectively). Additionally, Asian or low latitude (20.1-30°N) people with ApaI homozygous genotype, '> 2013' publication year people in the allele contrast and dominant models of FokI, '> 40 years' age people with BsmI recessive model also indirectly significantly affected the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and MS risk., Conclusion: TaqI polymorphism is a significant protective factor for MS. However, the associations between ApaI, FokI and BsmI polymorphisms and MS were found only by study characteristics., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Matrine (MAT), a quinolizidine alkaloid derived from the herb Radix Sophorae flavescens, has been recently found to be beneficial in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, mainly through its anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we tested the effect of MAT on ongoing EAE and defined possible mechanisms underlying its effects on myelination and oligodendrocytes., Main Methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice and MAT treatment was started at disease onset. Clinical scores were monitored daily; spinal cords and the corpus callosum brain region of mice were harvested on day 23 p.i. for inflammatory infiltration and demyelination of the central nervous system. Myelin content and the development of oligodendrocytes and their precursors were determined by immunostaining, and expression of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-PI3K, and p-P70S6 was determined by Western blot., Key Findings: MAT effectively suppressed EAE severity and increased the expression of proteolipid protein, a myelin protein that is a marker of CNS myelin. MAT treatment largely increased the number of mature oligodendrocytes, and significantly activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which is required for oligodendrocyte survival and axon myelination., Significance: These findings demonstrate a beneficial effect of MAT on oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination during EAE, most likely through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Connexin 43 (Cx43) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study sought to investigate the effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, on Cx43 expression and activity and determine the intracellular signalling pathways. Cx43 protein and mRNA levels were assayed using immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and western blot. We found that increased MIF and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) expression was accompanied by a significant reduction in Cx43 protein expression in atrial tissues from patients with AF compared with those with sinus rhythm. In cultured atrium-derived myocytes (HL-1 cells), mouse recombinant-MIF (rMIF, 20 or 40 nmol/L, 24 hours) down-regulated gene and protein expression of Cx43 in a concentration-dependent manner. U0126, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) could reverse the decrease in expression of Cx43 protein induced by rMIF. Further studies revealed that rMIF (40 nmol/L, 15, 30, and 45 minutes) was able to stimulate phospho-Erk1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) production in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that MIF is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably by down-regulating the protein and gene expression of Cx43 via ERK1/2 kinase activation. Our findings represent a potential pathogenic mechanism in AF., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and risk of left atrial thrombus/spontaneous echo contrast (LAT/SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients., Methods: In this retrospective study, 1158 consecutive non-valvular AF patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation or electric cardioversion were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were collected and analyzed., Results: There were 87 (7.5%) patients with LAT/SEC. The HbA1c levels in the patients with LAT/SEC were significantly higher than that in patients without LAT/SEC (6.13 ± 0.41 vs. 5.89 ± 0.45 μmol/L, P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off point for HbA1c predicting LAT/SEC was 6.1% determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve. The area under the curve is 0.788 (95% confidence interval: 0.764-0.812). HbA1c ≥6.1% was an independent risk factor for LAT/SEC (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.98; P = 0.045)., Conclusions: Elevated HbA1c indicated a significantly increased risk for LAT/SEC in non-valvular AF patients. HbA1c might have significance in predicting the risk for prothrombotic state in non-valvular AF patients.

Taking'Kyoho' as the test material, the effect of white, green, red and blue bags on volatile compounds in mature grape berries was explored in this study. The results indicated that bags with different colors could create special light conditions, which resulted in the difference of volatile compounds in grape berries. A total of 37, 38, 32, 34 kinds of volatile compounds which included esters, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, terpenes and aromatic compounds, were detected in 'Kyoho' berries covered with the white, green, red and blue bags respectively, and 33 in the control. Compared with the control, the contents of ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate and some other esters decreased, while hexanal, E-2-hexenal and decanal increased in berries with white bags, the contents of the major common compounds, except ethyl 3-hexenoate, ethyl (E)-hex-2-enoate, ethyl 3-hydroxybutyrate, E-2-hexenal, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienal, decanal, and phenethyl alcohol, decreased in berries with green bags, the contents of ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate and hexanal, E-2-hexenal decreased in berries with red bags, the contents of ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate and some other esters changed slightly in berries with blue bags, except for the increase of hexanal and E-2-hexenal. For those characteristic compounds, the kinds of alcohols in berries covered with bags decreased while the kinds of terpenes and aromatic compounds increased. In general, the fruits with the blue bags had the highest volatile esters, and those with the white bags had high volatile esters and aldehydes, while those with the green and red bags had low aromatic compounds.

To study the effects of supplemental lighting with ultraviolet (UV), blue and red-blue lights on quality development of grape berries under protected cultivation to promote early maturing, four-year-old vines of 'Ruidu Xiangyu' grape using 'Beta' as rootstock were used in this experiment. The results indicated that blue and ultraviolet lights were poor in greenhouse environment. Compared with the control, blue and ultraviolet lights lasting 6 hours at night significantly accele-rated the increase of berry mass, fruit diameter, sugar content and the decrease of acidity content during the grape development, but the effect of red-blue light was not obvious. At the fruit maturation, berries supplemented with the three types of light were heavier, and those treated with the UV light were the heaviest. Additionally, grape berries supplemented with blue light had the highest glucose, fructose and total sugar contents, while the sugar contents in berries supplemented with UV light was lower than that under blue light and higher than that under the red-blue light. Volatile linalool, geraniol, terpineol and nerol reached their peak contents ear-liest in berries supplemented with blue light during the developmental stage. At fruit maturation, berries supplemented with blue light had the highest linalool and citronellol contents, while those with UV light had the highest geraniol, hexanal and E-2-hexenal contents, and supplemented with red-blue light had lower linalool content than the control. Moreover, supplementary light was also beneficial for the accumulation of volatile aldehydes and ketones. In conclusion, blue supplementary light could accelerate the development of grape berries as their sugar content was highest and main terpenes reached their peak contents earliest.Grape berries supplemented with UV light had the largest single berry mass and most abundant volatile compounds, while red-blue light treatment was not so effective on quality improvement.

Rib segment, as one of the most widely used autologous boneresources for bone repair, is commonly isolated with an empty left in the defect. Although defective rib repair is thought to be unnecessary traditionally, it's of vital importance actually to promote rib regeneration for patients with better postoperative recovery and higher life quality. Comparative investigations on rabbit rib bone regeneration with and without graft were reported in this article. A segmental defect was performed on the 8th rib of 4-month-old male New Zealand rabbits. The mineralized collagen bone graft (MC) was implanted into the defect and evaluated for up to 12 weeks. The rib bone repair was investigated by using X-ray at 4, 8 and 12 weeks and histological examinations at 12 weeks after surgery, which showed a higher bone remodeling activity in the groups with MC implantation in comparison with blank control group, especially at the early stage of remodeling., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

The role of microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) in cardiac hypertrophy was not well illustrated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and potential target of miR-214-3p in angiotensin II (Ang-II)-induced mouse cardiac hypertrophy. In mice with either Ang-II infusion or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model, miR-214-3p expression was markedly decreased in the hypertrophic myocardium. Down-regulation of miR-214-3p was observed in the myocardium of patients with cardiac hypertrophy. Expression of miR-214-3p was upregulated in Ang-II-induced hypertrophic neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes. Cardiac hypertrophy was attenuated in Ang-II-infused mice by tail vein injection of miR-214-3p. Moreover, miR-214-3p inhibited the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and β-myosin heavy chain (MHC) in Ang-II-treated mouse cardiomyocytes in vitro. Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), which was increased in Ang-II-induced hypertrophic mouse myocardium and cardiomyocytes, was identified as a target gene of miR-214-3p. Functionally, miR-214-3p mimic, consistent with MEF2C siRNA, inhibited cell size increase and protein expression of ANP and β-MHC in Ang-II-treated mouse cardiomyocytes. The NF-κB signal pathway was verified to mediate Ang-II-induced miR-214-3p expression in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, our results revealed that MEF2C is a novel target of miR-214-3p, and attenuation of miR-214-3p expression may contribute to MEF2Cexpressionin cardiac hypertrophy.

Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation contributes to the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels are increased in patients with AF, the role of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of AF remains unclear. Besides L-type Ca(2+) currents (IC a,L ), T-type Ca(2+) currents (IC a,T ) also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AF. This study was designed to use the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique and biochemical assays to explore if TNF-α is involved in the pathogenesis of AF through regulating IC a,T in atrial myocytes. It was found that compared with sinus rhythm (SR) controls, T-type calcium channel (TCC) subunit mRNA levels were decreased, while TNF-α expression levels were increased, in human atrial tissue from patients with AF. In murine atrial myocyte HL-1 cells, after culturing for 24 h, 12.5, 25 and 50 ng/mL TNF-α significantly reduced the protein expression levels of the TCC α1G subunit in a concentration-dependent manner. The peak current was reduced by the application of 12.5 or 25 ng/mL TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner (from -15.08 ± 1.11 pA/pF in controls to -11.89 ± 0.83 pA/pF and -8.54 ± 1.55 pA/pF in 12.5 or 25 ng/mL TNF-α group respectively). TNF-α application also inhibited voltage-dependent inactivation of IC a,T, shifted the inactivation curve to the left. These results suggest that TNF-α is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably via decreasing IC a,T current density in atrium-derived myocytes through impaired channel function and down-regulation of channel protein expression. This pathway thus represents a potential pathogenic mechanism in AF., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Objective: To explore the effect of decitabine on Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) gene expression level and its downstream Wnt signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line HL-60., Methods: Flow cytometry and DNA ladder analysis were performed to detect apoptosis in HL-60 cell treated with different concentration of decitabine. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) was used to examine the methylation status of DKK1 gene. The expressions of mRNA and protein were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively., Results: Flow cytometric detection showed that after treating HL-60 cell line with decitabine of different concentrations for 48 h, the early apoptosis of HL-60 cells increased significantly as compared with control group (P < 0.05). DNA ladder analysis showed that the DNA ladder and demethylation of DKK1 gene appeared. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expressions of mRNA and protein increased. The protein expressions of β-catenin and C-MYC decreased., Conclusion: The decitabine can promote the apoptosis of HL-60 cells throngh demethylation of DDK1 gene and inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway.

The aim of this study is to identify the present status of the scientific and technological personnel in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resource science. Based on the data from Chinese scientific research paper, an investigation regarding the number of the personnel, the distribution, their output of paper, their scientific research teams, high-yield authors and high-cited authors was conducted. The study covers seven subfields of traditional Chinese medicine identification, quality standard, Chinese medicine cultivation, harvest processing of TCM, market development and resource protection and resource management, as well as 82 widely used Chinese medicine species, such as Ginseng and Radix Astragali. One hundred and fifteen domain authority experts were selected based on the data of high-yield authors and high-cited authors. The database system platform "Skilled Scientific and Technological Personnel in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource Science-Chinese papers" was established. This platform successfully provided the retrieval result of the personnel, output of paper, and their core research team by input the study field, year, and Chinese medicine species. The investigation provides basic data of scientific and technological personnel in the field of traditional Chinese medicine resource science for administrative agencies and also evidence for the selection of scientific and technological personnel and construction of scientific research teams.

The effects of three canopy shapes, i.e., vertical canopy, V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy, on canopy microenvironment, quality of leaves and fruits were studied in the 3-year-old grape 'Jingmi' grafted on ' Beta' in greenhouse. The results showed that gap fraction and openness of vertical canopy were significantly higher than that of V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy, and leaf area index, light interception rate and canopy temperature difference between day and night were significantly lower than those of V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy. There was no significant difference between the latter two treatments. The palisade thickness of V-shaped canopy was significantly greater than that of vertical canopy, and horizontal canopy was in the middle. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of V-shaped canopy were significantly higher than those of vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, and those in the latter two treatments had no significant difference. The fruit quality of V-shaped canopy was the best, and that of horizontal canopy was the worst. The results of GC-MS analysis showed that 29 types of volatile aroma compounds were detected in V-shaped canopy, but just 17 and 16 in vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, respectively. In V-shaped canopy, the characteristic aroma in grape 'Jingmi' was higher, except ethanol, trans-2- hexene-1-alcohol, 2-octyl ketone and formic acid ester. The linalool content in vertical canopy and V-shaped canopy was higher than that in horizontal canopy. The nerol content in V-shaped canopy was higher than that in vertical canopy and horizontal canopy, and the leaf alcohol content in V-shaped canopy and horizontal canopy was higher than that in vertical canopy. The citronellol was de-tected only in V-shaped canopy. In greenhouse, the fruit aroma of V-shaped canopy grape was stronger, and well reflected the variety characteristics.

High chilling requirement grape (Vitis vinifera-V. labrusca cv. Summer Black) was used to evaluate its dormancy under short sunlight day (SD), long sunlight day (LD) and natural condition (CK). The results indicated that grape bud dormancy could be induced by natural low temperature and short sunlight alone or together. Short sunlight was the main contributor to the dormancy of grape bud, followed by natural low temperature. SD had more effect on dormancy induction under the same temperature when compared with LD. The grape dormancy induction stopped when the total respiratory rate reached the highest level. During the dormancy induction period, the proportion of pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operation activity or capacity to total respiratory rate increased from 16.0% to 20.1% or 22.3% to 26.0%, respectively; similarly, the proportion of operation activity or capacity of alternate pathway to total respiratory rate rapidly increased, i.e., from 19.4% to 27.3% or 38.2% to 46.8%. Both low temperature and short sunlight could induce change of respiratory pathway on electron transport chain level.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA-SEC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients., Methods: We retrospectively screened 1,476 consecutive hospitalized patients with AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation, left atrial appendage closure and electric cardioversion at Guangdong General Hospital. Data on the clinical baseline characteristics of all patients were collected from electronic medical records and analyzed., Results: After exclusion of patients with left atrial thrombus, 1,354 patients entered into present study and 57 were LA-SEC. The mean female SUA level (380.88 ± 94.35 µmol/L vs. 323.37 ± 72.19 µmol/L, P < 0.001) and male SUA level (416.97 ± 98.87 µmol/L vs. 367.88 ± 68.50 µmol/L, P = 0.008) were both significantly higher in patients with LA-SEC than in the controls. The mean left atrial dimension (41.32 ± 5.12 mm vs. 36.12 ± 5.66 mm, P < 0.001) was markedly larger in patients with LA-SEC. In multivariate regression analysis, SUA level was an independent risk factor for LA-SEC (OR: 1.008, P < 0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the corresponding area under the curve for SUA predicting LA-SEC in female and male were 0.670 and 0.657, respectively. SUA level is significantly higher in non-valvular AF patients with LA-SEC., Conclusion: SUA level is an independent risk factor and has a moderate predictive value for LA-SEC among non-valvular AF patients in Southern China.

Licorice seedlings were taken as experimental materials, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of exogenous sucrose on growth and active ingredient content of licorice seedlings under NaCl stress conditions. The results of this study showed that under salt stress conditions, after adding a certain concentration of exogenous sucrose, the licorice seedlings day of relative growth rate was increasing, and this stress can be a significant weakening effect, indicating that exogenous sucrose salt stress-relieving effect. The total flavonoids and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity were significantly increased, the exogenous sucrose can mitigated the seedling roots under salt stress, the licorice flavonoid content in the enhanced growth was largely due to the activity of PAL an increased, when the concentration of exogenous sucrose wae 10 mmol x L(-1), PAL activity reaching a maximum, when the concentration of exogenous sucrose was 15 mmol x L(-1), PAL activity turned into a downward trend, the results indicating that this mitigation has concentration effect. After applying different concentrations of exogenous sugar, the contents of liquiritin changes with the change of flavonoids content was similar. After applying different concentrations of exogenous sucrose, the content of licorice acid under salt stress was higher than the levels were not reached during salt stress, the impact of exogenous sucrose concentration gradient of licorice acid accumulation was not obvious.

This study comprehensively investigated the influences of salinity, exposure concentration and time on the aggregate size, surface charge and dissolution of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 20nm) in seawater, and examined the interacting effect of salinity and waterborne exposure of ZnO-NPs on the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana for 96h. We found that aggregate sizes of ZnO-NPs significantly increased with increasing salinity, but generally decreased with increasing exposure concentration. Ion release decreased with increasing salinity, whereas the surface charge of the particles was not affected by salinity. The increased aggregate size and decreased ion release with increasing salinity, and consequently lower concentration of bioavailable zinc ions, resulted in decreased toxicity of ZnO-NPs at higher salinity in general in terms of growth inhibition (IC50) and chlorophyll fluorescence (EC50 - ФPo and EC50 - Ф2). However, IC50s and EC50s of ZnO-NPs were smaller than those of Zn(2+) (from ZnO-NPs ultrafiltrate and ZnCl2), indicating that dissolved Zn(2+) can only partially explain the toxicity of ZnO-NPs. SEM images showed that ZnO-NPs attached on the diatom frustule surface, suggesting that the interaction between the nanoparticles and the cell surface may acerbate the toxicity of ZnO-NPs. Our results linked the physicochemical characteristics of ZnO-NPs in seawater with their toxicities to the marine diatom and highlighted the importance of salinity as an influential environmental factor governing the aggregation, dissolution and the toxicity of ZnO-NPs., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A number of studies have demonstrated that the methylation of Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) gene promoter is related with the occurrence and development of many neoplastic diseases. By means of binding with corresponding receptors, DKK1 blocks the transduction pathway of Wnt/β-catenin/TCF and inhibits the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells, inducing apoptosis. Leukemia is a hyperplastic disease of hematopoietic stem cell malignant clone. Its pathogenesis has been confirmed to be closely related with the aberrant activation of Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway is associated with the self-renewal and proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cells, which can regulate growth, differentiation, migration of the cells, angiogenesis and embryonic development. Its expression is regulated by some suppressor genes like Dickkopf 1 (DKK1). Leukemia often accompanied by methylation modification of the DKK1 gene, so as to leads to silencing itself and activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, which cause the occurrence of leukemia. Some therapeutic methods on leukemia aiming at DKK1 gene have been reported, among which DKK1 gene was demethylated. The intensive study on the expression and function of DKK1 should be important for the early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. This article reviews the current progress in this field.

Breast cancer bone metastases are attributed to multiple cellular and molecular interactions between the cancer cells and the bone microenvironment. Some breast cancers (about 10%) manifest predominant osteoblastic bone metastases. However, the effects of cancer cell-produced factors on osteoblastic differentiation are not fully understood. Semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) is a newly identified regulatory factor of bone rebuilding. In the present study, we demonstrated that human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, which preferentially form osteoblastic bone metastases, exhibited increased Sema 3A expression levels. We also found that MCF-7 cell-derived Sema 3A stimulated osteoblastic differentiation and nuclear β-catenin accumulation, and these effects could be blocked by shRNA Sema 3A or a Sema 3A-neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, our data suggest that MCF-7 cell-derived Sema 3A plays a causative role in osteoblastic bone metastases progression by stimulating osteoblastic differentiation.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients with abnormal valvular structure and function and highlight the etiological spectrum and management of valvular heart disease (VHD) in a single cardiovascular center of Southern China in five years., Methods: The retrospective study included 19,428 consecutive patients (9,441 men and 9,987 women with a mean age of 52.03±20.50 years) with abnormal valvular structure and function who were screened by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at the in-patient department of Guangdong General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Data on baseline characteristics, potential etiology, treatment strategies and discharge outcomes were collected from electronic medical records., Results: There were 13,549 (69.7%) patients with relatively definite etiology for VHD. VHD was rheumatic in 7,197 (37.0%) patients, congenital in 2,697 (13.9%), degenerative in 2,241 (11.5%), ischemic in 2,460 (12.7%). The prevalence decreased significantly in rheumatic VHD from 2009 to 2013 (from 42.8% to 32.8%, P<0.001), but increased markedly in congenital VHD (from 9.0% to 12.3%, P<0.001), ischemic VHD (from 9.2% to 11.3%, P=0.003) and degenerative VHD (from 8.8% to 14.5%, P<0.001). Meantime, the prevalence of ischemic VHD increased after the age of 45, similar to that of degenerative VHD. From 2009 to 2013, the proportion of patients with VHD undergoing open cardiac valvular surgery decreased (from 49.5% to 44.3%, P<0.001) and that of patients treated with general medication increased (from 49.2% to 54.1%, P<0.001). However, there was markedly increment in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) from 2009 to 2013 (from 0.3% to 4.4%, P<0.001). Increasing tendencies were showed in aortic mechanical valve replacement (from 32.1% to 34.5%, P=0.001) and double mechanical valve replacement (from 20.9% to 22.3%, P=0.035), especially in mitral valvuloplasty (from 8.5% to 15.7%, P<0.001). However, the proportion of patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve replacement decreased from 2009 to 2013 (from 26.3% to 15.5%, P<0.001)., Conclusions: Despite a significant shift from rheumatic towards degenerative etiology from 2009 to 2013, rheumatic VHD remains the leading etiology in Southern China, with a significant increase in the prevalence of ischemic, congenital and degenerative VHD. General medication and cardiac valvular surgery remain the main treatment options. The proportion of VATS increased markedly from 2009 to 2013, and mechanical valve replacement and mitral valvuloplasty showed an increasing tendency.