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Background: Transgelin is an actin-binding protein that promotes motility in normal cells. Although the role of transgelin in cancer is controversial, a number of studies have shown that elevated levels correlate with aggressive tumor behavior, advanced stage, and poor prognosis. Here we sought to determine the role of transgelin more directly by determining whether experimental manipulation of transgelin levels in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells led to changes in metastatic potential in vivo.Methods: Isogenic CRC cell lines that differ in transgelin expression were characterized using in vitro assays of growth and invasiveness and a mouse tail vein assay of experimental metastasis. Downstream effects of transgelin overexpression were investigated by gene expression profiling and quantitative PCR.Results: Stable overexpression of transgelin in RKO cells, which have low endogenous levels, led to increased invasiveness, growth at low density, and growth in soft agar. Overexpression also led to an increase in the number and size of lung metastases in the mouse tail vein injection model. Similarly, attenuation of transgelin expression in HCT116 cells, which have high endogenous levels, decreased metastases in the same model. Investigation of mRNA expression patterns showed that transgelin overexpression altered the levels of approximately 250 other transcripts, with over-representation of genes that affect function of actin or other cytoskeletal proteins. Changes included increases in HOOK1, SDCCAG8, ENAH/Mena, and TNS1 and decreases in EMB, BCL11B, and PTPRD.Conclusions: Increases or decreases in transgelin levels have reciprocal effects on tumor cell behavior, with higher expression promoting metastasis. Chronic overexpression influences steady-state levels of mRNAs for metastasis-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atherosclerosis (AS) is the most common and serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is accelerated via chronic systemic inflammation rather than hyperglycemia. Adipose tissue is the major source of systemic inflammation in abnormal metabolic state. Pro-inflammatory CD4 + T cells play pivotal role in promoting adipose inflammation. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for fat regeneration have potent ability of immunosuppression and restricting CD4 + T cells as well. Whether T2DM ADSCs are impaired in antagonizing CD4 + T cell proliferation and polarization remains unclear. Methods We constructed type 2 diabetic ApoE −/− mouse models and tested infiltration and subgroups of CD4 + T cell in stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) in vivo . Normal/T2DM ADSCs and normal splenocytes with or without CD4 sorting were separated and co-cultured at different scales ex vivo. Immune phenotypes of pro- and anti-inflammation of ADSCs were also investigated. Flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISA were applied in the experiments above. Results CD4 + T cells performed a more pro-inflammatory phenotype in adipose tissue in T2DM ApoE −/− mice in vivo . Restriction to CD4 + T cell proliferation and polarization was manifested obviously weakened after co-cultured with T2DM ADSCs ex vivo . No obvious distinctions were found in morphology and growth type of both ADSCs. However, T2DM ADSCs acquired a pro-inflammatory immune phenotype, with secreting less PGE2 and expressing higher MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80). Normal ADSCs could also obtain the phenotypic change after cultured with T2DM SVF supernatant. Conclusion CD4 + T cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory polarization exist in adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic ApoE −/− mice. T2DM ADSCs had impaired function in restricting CD4 + T lymphocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory polarization due to immune phenotypic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersubones D–H (1 – 5), five new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) type metabolites with intriguing adamantane and homo -adamantane skeletons, were characterized from aerial parts of Hypericum subsessile. Compounds 1 – 2 were elucidated to share an adamantane core with 28,29-expoxide moiety, while 3 – 5 were homo -adamantane type PPAPs sharing a1,2-dioxepane ring system. Their structures were determined on the basis of comprehensive NMR and MS spectroscopic data.The anti-adipogenesis activities of these isolates were evaluated through employing 3T3-L1 cells as an in vitro system using oil red O staining, and compounds 1 , 2 and 5 were able to significant inhibit the adipocyte differentiation, which implied that these compounds possessed anti-adipogenic activity. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore clinical effect of closed reduction percutaneous elastic intramedullary nail assisted by arthrography in the treatment of radial neck fracture in children., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 children with radial neck fracture treated with arthrography assisted closed reduction and percutaneous elastic intramedullary nail internal fixation (arthrography with elastic nail group) from January 2019 to December 2022, including 12 males and 11 females, aged from 2 to 12 years old with an average of (7.36±1.89) years old;According to Judet fracture types, 14 children were type Ⅲ and 9 children were type Ⅳ. In addition, 23 children with radial neck fracture were selected from January 2015 to December 2018 who were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous elastic intramedullary nail fixation (elastic nail group), including 11 males and 12 females, aged from 2 to 14 years old with an average of (7.50±1.91) years old;Judet classification included 15 children were type Ⅲ and 8 children were type Ⅳ. Operative time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times were compared between two groups. Metaizeau evaluation criteria was used to evaluate fracture reduction, and Tibone-Stoltz evaluation criteria was used to evaluate functional recovery of elbow between two groups., Results: Both groups were followed up for 12 to 24 months with an average of (16.56±6.34) months. Operative time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times of elastic nail group were (56.64±19.27) min and (21.13±7.87) times, while those of joint angiography with elastic nail group were (40.33±11.50) min and (12.10±3.52) times;there were difference between two groups ( P <0.05). According to Metaizeau evaluation, 11 patients got excellent result, 9 good and 3 fair in joint angiography with elastic nail group, while in elastic nail group, 5 excellent, 13 good, 4 acceptable, and 1 poor;the difference between two groups was statistically significant ( P <0.05). According to Tibone-Stoltz criteria, 14 patients got excellent result, 8 good, and 1 fair in joint arthrography with elastic nail group;while in elastic nail group, 12 patients got excellent result, 9 good, 1 fair and 1 poor;there was no significant difference between two groups ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Compared to percutaneous elastic intramedullary nail fixation, closed reduction assisted by arthrography has advantages of reduced operation time, decreased intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, and improved fracture reduction. Arthrography enables clear visualization of the anatomical structures of radius, head, neck, bone, and cartilage in children, facilitating comprehensive display of fracture reduction and brachioradial joint alignment. This technique more precisely guides the depth of elastic intramedullary nail implantation in radius neck, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and success rate.

Background: Identification of the unknown pathogenic factor driving atherosclerosis not only enhances the development of disease biomarkers but also facilitates the discovery of new therapeutic targets, thus contributing to the improved management of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to identify causative protein biomarkers in CAD etiology based on proteomics and 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Methods: Serum samples from 33 first-onset CAD patients and 31 non-CAD controls were collected and detected using protein array. Differentially expressed analyses were used to identify candidate proteins for causal inference. We used 2-sample MR to detect the causal associations between the candidate proteins and CAD. Network MR was performed to explore whether metabolic risk factors for CAD mediated the risk of identified protein. Vascular expression of candidate protein in situ was also detected. Results: Among the differentially expressed proteins identified utilizing proteomics, we found that circulating Golgi protein 73 (GP73) was causally associated with incident CAD and other atherosclerotic events sharing similar etiology. Network MR approach showed low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin serve as mediators in the causal pathway, transmitting 42.1% and 8.7% effects from GP73 to CAD, respectively. Apart from the circulating form of GP73, both mouse model and human specimens imply that vascular GP73 expression was also upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions and concomitant with markers of macrophage and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Conclusions: Our study supported GP73 as a biomarker and causative for CAD. GP73 may involve in CAD pathogenesis mainly via dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, which may enrich the etiological information and suggest future research direction on CAD., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Background: Dystonia is a kind of movement disorder but its pathophysiological mechanisms are still largely unknown. Recent evidence reveals that genetical defects may play important roles in the pathogenesis of dystonia., Objectives and Methods: -To explore possible causative genes in Chinese dystonia patients, DNA samples from 42 sporadic patients with isolated cervical dystonia were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. Rare deleterious variants associated with dystonia phenotype were screened out and then classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria. Phenolyzer was used for analyzing the most probable candidates correlated with dystonia phenotype, and SWISS-MODEL server was for predicting the 3D structures of variant proteins., Results: Among 42 patients (17 male and 25 female) recruited, a total of 36 potentially deleterious variants of dystonia-associated genes were found in 30 patients (30/42, 71.4 %). Four disease-causing variants including a pathogenic variant in PLA2G6 (c.797G > C) and three likely pathogenic variants in DCTN1 (c.73C > T), SPR (c.1A > C) and TH (c.56C > G) were found in four patients separately. Other 32 variants were classified as uncertain significance in 26 patients. Phenolyzer prioritized genes TH , PLA2G6 and DCTN1 as the most probable candidates correlated with dystonia phenotype. Although 3D prediction of DCTN1 and PLA2G6 variant proteins detected no obvious structural alterations, the mutation in DCTN1 (c.73C > T:p.Arg25Trp) was closely adjacent to its key functional domain., Conclusion: Our whole-exome sequencing results identified a novel variant in DCTN1 in sporadic Chinese patients with isolated cervical dystonia, which however, needs our further study on its exact role in dystonia pathogenesis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Nao-an Dropping Pill (NADP) is a Chinese patent medicine which commonly used in clinic for ischemic stroke (IS). However, the material basis and mechanism of its prevention or treatment of IS are unclear, then we carried out this study. 52 incoming blood components were resolved by UHPLC-MS/MS from rat serum, including 45 prototype components. The potential active prototype components hydroxysafflor yellow A, ginsenoside F1, quercetin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid screened by network pharmacology showed strongly binding ability with PIK3CA, AKT1, NOS3, NFE2L2 and HMOX1 by molecular docking. In vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) experimental results showed that NADP protected HA1800 cells from OGD/R-induced apoptosis by affecting the release of LDH, production of NO, and content of SOD and MDA. Meanwhile, NADP could improve behavioral of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats, reduce ischemic area of cerebral cortex, decrease brain water and glutamate (Glu) content, and improve oxidative stress response. Immunohistochemical results showed that NADP significantly regulated the expression of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, eNOS, p-eNOS, Nrf2 and HO-1 in cerebral ischemic tissues. The results suggested that NADP protects brain tissues and ameliorates oxidative stress damage to brain tissues from IS by regulating PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: Aggregating evidence highlights the strong genetic basis underpinning congenital heart disease (CHD). Here BMP4 was chosen as a prime candidate gene causative of human CHD predominantly because BMP4 was amply expressed in the embryonic hearts and knockout of Bmp4 in mice led to embryonic demise mainly from multiple cardiovascular developmental malformations. The aim of this retrospective investigation was to discover a novel BMP4 mutation underlying human CHD and explore its functional impact., Methods: A sequencing examination of BMP4 was implemented in 212 index patients suffering from CHD and 236 unrelated non-CHD individuals as well as the family members available from the proband carrying a discovered BMP4 mutation. The impacts of the discovered CHD-causing mutation on the expression of NKX2-5 and TBX20 induced by BMP4 were measured by employing a dual-luciferase analysis system., Results: A new heterozygous BMP4 mutation, NM&#95;001202.6:c.318T>G;p.(Tyr106*), was found in a female proband affected with familial CHD. Genetic research of the mutation carrier's relatives unveiled that the truncating mutation was in co-segregation with CHD in the pedigree. The nonsense mutation was absent from 236 unrelated non-CHD control persons. Quantitative biologic measurement revealed that Tyr106*-mutant BMP4 failed to induce the expression of NKX2-5 and TBX20 , two genes whose expression is lost in CHD., Conclusion: The current findings indicate BMP4 as a new gene predisposing to human CHD, allowing for improved prenatal genetic counseling along with personalized treatment of CHD patients., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2024.)

Abstract: Nerve injury-induced aberrant changes in gene expression in spinal dorsal horn neurons are critical for the genesis of neuropathic pain. N6-methyladenine (m 6 A) modification of DNA represents an additional layer of gene regulation. Here, we report that peripheral nerve injury significantly decreased the level of m 6 A-specific DNA methyltransferase 1 ( N6amt1 ) in dorsal horn neurons. This decrease was attributed, at least partly, to a reduction in transcription factor Nr2f6 . Rescuing the decrease in N6amt1 reversed the loss of m 6 A at the promoter for inwardly rectifying potassium channel subfamily J member 16 ( Kcnj16 ), mitigating the nerve injury-induced upregulation of Kcnj16 expression in the dorsal horn and alleviating neuropathic pain hypersensitivities. Conversely, mimicking the downregulation of N6amt1 in naive mice erased DNA m 6 A at the Kcnj16 promoter, elevated Kcnj16 expression, and led to neuropathic pain-like behaviors. Therefore, decreased N6amt1 caused by NR2F6 is required for neuropathic pain, likely through its regulation of m 6 A-controlled KCNJ16 in dorsal horn neurons, suggesting that DNA m 6 A modification may be a potential new target for analgesic and treatment strategies., (Copyright © 2023 International Association for the Study of Pain.)

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, Chinese medication and combination of acupuncture and medication in the treatment of dry eye complicated with computer vision syndrome (CVS)., Methods: A total of 152 patients with dry eye complicated with CVS were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medication group (38 cases, 1 case was removed), an acupuncture group (38 cases, 1 case dropped off), a Chinese medication group (38 cases, 1 case was removed), and a western medication group (38 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the western medication group, sodium hyaluronate eye drop combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drop were used. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5)， Cuanzhu (BL 2), Fengchi (GB 20), Qimen (LR 14) , and Hegu (LI 4) etc., once a day. In the Chinese medication group, Yiqi Congming decoction formula ganule was given orally, one dose a day. In the acupuncture-medication group, acupuncture combined with Yiqi Congming decoction formula granule were used. All groups were treated for 14 d. The non-invasive first tear film break-up time (NIBUT f), non-invasive average tear film break-up time (NIBUT av), tear meniscus height (TMH), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, and CVS symptom score were compared between the patients of each group before and after treatment., Results: After treatment, the NIBUT f, NIBUT av, and TMH were increased compared with those before treatment in the patients of the 4 groups ( P <0.01); the NIBUT f and NIBUT av in the acupuncture-medication group and the acupuncture group were higher than those in the Chinese medication group and the western medication group ( P <0.05), and the TMH in the acupuncture-medication group and the Chinese medication group were higher than those in the acupuncture group and the western medication group ( P <0.05). After treatment, the OSDI scores, the various scores and total scores of CVS (except for head symptom score in the western medication group) were decreased compared with those before treatment in the patients of the 4 groups ( P <0.01). The OSDI score, total score, eye symptom score, and body symptom score of CVS in the acupuncture-medication group were lower than those in the acupuncture group, the Chinese medication group, and the western medication group ( P <0.01, P <0.05), the head symptom score of the acupuncture-medication group was lower than that in the western medication group ( P <0.05), and the CVS physical symptom scores and mental cognitive symptom scores of the acupuncture-medication group and the acupuncture group were lower than those in the Chinese medication group and the western medication group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture has advantages in improving NIBUT f, NIBUT av, and CVS physical symptoms and cognitive symptoms, and the Chinese medication has advantage in improving TMH. The combination of acupuncture and Chinese medication has better effects compared with monotherapy.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with its molecular basis incompletely understood. Here, we determined whether the Golgi phosphoprotein 73 (GP73), a novel protein highly related to inflammation and disrupted lipid metabolism, was involved in the development of atherosclerosis., Methods: Public microarray databases of human vascular samples were analyzed for expression patterns. Apolipoprotein-E-gene-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice (8-week-old) were randomly assigned to either a chow diet group or a high-fat diet group. The levels of serum GP73, lipid profiles and key inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. The aortic root plaque was isolated and used for by Oil Red O staining. PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages were transfected with GP73 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or infected with adenovirus expressing GP73, and then stimulated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and signal pathway key targets were determined by ELISA kit and Western blot respectively. In addition, ichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to measure the intracellular ROS levels., Results: The expressions of GP73 and NLRP3 were substantially upregulated in human atherosclerotic lesions. There were significant linear correlations between GP73 and inflammatory cytokines expressions. High-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis and increased levels of plasma inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α) were observed in ApoE-/- mice. Besides, the expressions of GP73 in the aorta and serum were significantly upregulated and positively correlated with the NLRP3 expression. In the THP-1 derived macrophages, ox-LDL treatment upregulated the expressions of GP73 and NLRP3 proteins and activated the inflammatory responses in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Silencing of GP73 attenuated the inflammatory response and rescued the decreased migration induced by ox-LDL, inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling and the ROS and p-NF-κB activation., Conclusions: We demonstrated that GP73 promoted the ox-LDL-induced inflammation in macrophages by affecting the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, and may play a role in atherosclerosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declared no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: While colorectal polyps are not cancerous, some types of polyps, known as adenomas, can develop into colorectal cancer over time. Polyps can often be found and removed by colonoscopy; however, this is an invasive and expensive test. Thus, there is a need for new methods of screening patients at high risk of developing polyps., Aim: To identify a potential association between colorectal polyps and small intestine bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) or other relevant factors in a patient cohort with lactulose breath test (LBT) results., Methods: A total of 382 patients who had received an LBT were classified into polyp and non-polyp groups that were confirmed by colonoscopy and pathology. SIBO was diagnosed by measuring LBT-derived hydrogen (H) and methane (M) levels according to 2017 North American Consensus recommendations. Logistic regression was used to assess the ability of LBT to predict colorectal polyps. Intestinal barrier function damage (IBFD) was determined by blood assays., Results: H and M levels revealed that the prevalence of SIBO was significantly higher in the polyp group than in the non-polyp group (41% vs 23%, P < 0.01; 71% vs 59%, P < 0.05, respectively). Within 90 min of lactulose ingestion, the peak H values in the adenomatous and inflammatory/hyperplastic polyp patients were significantly higher than those in the non-polyp group ( P < 0.01, and P = 0.03, respectively). In 227 patients with SIBO defined by combining H and M values, the rate of IBFD determined by blood lipopolysaccharide levels was significantly higher among patients with polyps than those without (15% vs 5%, P < 0.05). In regression analysis with age and gender adjustment, colorectal polyps were most accurately predicted with models using M peak values or combined H and M values limited by North American Consensus recommendations for SIBO. These models had a sensitivity of ≥ 0.67, a specificity of ≥ 0.64, and an accuracy of ≥ 0.66., Conclusion: The current study made key associations among colorectal polyps, SIBO, and IBFD and demonstrated that LBT has moderate potential as an alternative noninvasive screening tool for colorectal polyps., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. There are no ethical or legal conflicts involved in the article., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is a focal epilepsy syndrome. The underlying pathophysiology is presumed to be closely related with disruption of GABAergic neurotransmission, which is mainly medicated by γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA A R). Thus, it is reasonable to assume that rare GABA A R variants might contribute to the pathogenesis of SHE. To test this hypothesis, we performed next-generation sequencing in 58 SHE patients and analyzed the functional effects of the identified variants in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells using a combination of electrophysiology recordings, western blot, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. In our study, we detected three rare variants (NM&#95;198904.2: c.269C > T, p.T90M; NM&#95;198904.2: c.950C > A, p.T317N and NM&#95;198903.2: c.649C > T, p.Q217X) in GABRG2 (MIM:137,164, encoding GABA A R γ 2 subunit) in three unrelated patients. Two of the three rare variants were transmitted unaffected maternally (T90M) or unaffected paternally (Q217X), whereas the T317N variant arose de novo. The mother of proband carrying the T90M variant was unaffected and being mosaicism for this variant. Functional analysis showed that T90M and T317N variants decreased GABA-evoked current amplitudes by diverse mechanisms including impaired surface expression, endoplasmic reticulum retention, and channel gating defects. And Q217X variant reduced synaptic clustering and distribution of GABA A R. While a causal role of these variants cannot be established directly from these results, the functional assessment together with the genetic sequencing suggests that these rare GABRG2 variants may constitute genetic risk factors for SHE. Our study further expands the GABRG2 phenotypic spectrum and supports the view that GABAergic neurotransmission participates in the epileptogenesis of SHE., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

Ground-level ozone (O 3 ) pollution frequently co-occurs with drought and nitrogen (N) deposition during the growing season. It is important to understand how the carbon dynamics of plants respond to O 3 pollution in drier and N-enriched environments. Here we present the patterns of non-structural carbohydrates and its components (soluble sugar and starch) in the leaves and fine roots in poplar clone 546 ( Populus deltoides cv. '55/56'× P. deltoides cv. 'Imperial') for one growing season at two O 3 concentrations (control, charcoal-filtered air, and elevated O 3 , non-filtered air+40 nmol·mol -1 of O 3 ), two watering regimes (well-watered and reduced watering at 40% of well-watered irrigation), and two soil nitrogen addition treatments[no addition and the addition of 50 kg·(hm 2 ·a) -1 ]. The results showed that O 3 stress significantly increased the content of soluble sugar in leaves and starch in fine roots but decreased the content of starch and total non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) in leaves. Drought stress significantly reduced the content of starch and total NSC in leaves but increased the contents of soluble sugar and total NSC in fine roots. Nitrogen addition had no significant effect on NSC and its components in leaves and fine roots. NSC and its components in leaves and fine roots were positively correlated with photosynthetic rate and biomass. With an increase in the number of environmental stress factors, NSC in leaves showed a significant downward trend while NSC in fine roots showed a significant upward trend. The study demonstrates that environmental stress can promote the transformation of starch into soluble sugars in plant leaves and the transfer of NSC from leaves to roots for storage, which may be a coping strategy for plants exposed to environmental stress.

The essence of rational design syntheses of functional inorganic materials lies in understanding and control of crystal structures that determine the physical properties. AgGaS 2 has the highest figure of merit for IR nonlinear optical interactions to date, but suffers low laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). The partial Li substitution of Ag atoms is now shown to push up the bottom of the conduction band and flatten the top of the valence band, leading to an ultrawide band gap of 3.40 eV (record high for AgGaS 2 , indicating a transparency edging nearly 180 nm shorter than that of AgGaS 2 ), which gives Li 0.60 Ag 0.40 GaS 2 a LIDT 8.6 times stronger when AgGaS 2 is compared. Li 0.60 Ag 0.40 GaS 2 exhibits 1.1 times stronger nonlinear susceptibility, which is because the energy-favorable Li substitution gradually decreases the sulfur dislocation in the lattice, which allows a better geometric superposition of nonlinear optical tensors., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Ground-level ozone (O 3 ) pollution and drought have become major environmental factors that threaten the normal growth of plants. In this study, we determined the effects of three O 3 concentrations (charcoal-filtered air, CF, non-filtered air, NF and non-filtered air+40 nmol·mol -1 , NF40), two water treatments (well-watered, WW, and mild drought, MD, 60% of WW in volumetric soil water content), and their interactions on the light-saturated photosynthesis rate ( A sat ) and on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and soluble proteins of the poplar '546' ( Populus deltoids cv. 55/56× P. deltoides cv. Imperial). Results showed that A sat significantly decreased with elevated O 3 , and with interactions between O 3 and drought. Drought significantly reduced the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) but did not affect the activities of peroxidase (POD) or ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Reduction ranges in CAT and SOD increased with drought duration. APX activity significantly decreased with increasing O 3 and drought, but soluble protein content did not. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were not significantly affected by elevated O 3 and their interactions. Results provide a scientific basis for protection of poplar plantations in response to increasing O 3 concentrations and drought under environmental changes.

Objective: To investigate the influence of high-voltage electrical burn (HEB) on the aggregation and adhesion of platelet and leukocyte in rats and the interventional effect of pentoxifylline (PTX)., Methods: One hundred and eighty SD rats were divided into control, electrical burn (EB), and pentoxifylline treatment (PT) groups according to the random number table, with 60 rats in each group. (1) Ten rats were taken from each group at 15 minutes before injury for the observation of the microcirculatory perfusion of chest skin with Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI), and the number of leukocyte adherent to mesenteric venule with Bradford Variable Projection Microscope (BVPM). Serum was collected from heart blood to determine the contents of platelet activating factor (PAF), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostacyclin (PGI2), P-selectin, E-selectin and L-selectin by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ratio of TXB2 to PGI2 was calculated therefrom. (2) Model of HEB was reproduced in the remaining 50 rats of EB group and that of PT group with voltage regulator and experimental transformer (the electrical current applied to the left forelimb and exited from the right hind limb). The remaining 50 rats of control group were sham injured with the same devices without electric current. Within 2 minutes post injury (PIM), rats in control group and EB group were intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL isotonic saline, while rats in PT group were intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL pentoxifylline (50 mg/mL). At PIM 5 and 1, 2, 4, 8 hour(s) post injury (PIH), 10 rats of every group were randomly chosen at each time point for the observation of the microcirculatory perfusion of chest skin and the number of leukocytes adherent to mesenteric venule through the same method as used above, and the levels of the related factors of aggregation and adhesion of platelets and leukocytes were determined, and then the relative ratio was calculated. Data were processed with the analysis of variance of factorial design and LSD test., Results: The contents of PAF, TXB2, PGI2, P-selectin, E-selectin, L-selectin, and the ratio of TXB2 to PGI2, as well as the number of adhered leukocyte in EB group were higher, while the microcirculatory perfusion value was lower than those of control group, with F values from 854.20 to 8156.52, P values all below 0.01. The microcirculatory perfusion value and PGI2 content of PT group were higher, while the contents or number of other indexes were lower than those of EB group, with F values from 33.18 to 1033.99, P values all below 0.01. Only the data within EB group and PT group were comparable. The contents of PAF, TXB2, PGI2, P-selectin, E-selectin, L-selectin, and the ratio of TXB2 to PGI2, as well as the number of adhered leukocyte in EB group and PT group at each time point were significantly higher than those at 15 minutes before injury, while the microcirculation perfusion value was significantly lower than that at 15 minutes before injury (P values all below 0.001), with the exception of the ratio of TXB2 to PGI2 in PT group and E-selectin in EB group and PT group at PIM 5. The contents of PAF, TXB2, and E-selectin and the ratio of TXB2 to PGI2 in EB group peaked at PIH 4, and they were respectively (9.3 ± 0.9) ng/mL, (14.31 ± 0.65) nmol/mL, (271.2 ± 18.4) ng/mL and 4.62 ± 0.26. The contents of PGI2 and P-selectin, and the number of adhered leukocyte in EB group peaked at PIH 8, and they were respectively (3.98 ± 0.24) nmol/mL, (514 ± 24) ng/mL, and (25.50 ± 4.14) per 100 µm venule. The content of L-selectin peaked at PIH 2 [(876 ± 54) ng/mL]. The microcirculatory perfusion value was lowest at PIM 5 [(1.17 ± 0.10) V]., Conclusions: HEB can increase the contents of PAF, TXB2, PGI2, P-selectin, E-selectin, L-selectin, the ratio of TXB2 to PGI2, and the number of adhered leukocyte, as well as decrease the skin microcirculatory perfusion value. PTX can inhibit the aggregation and adhesion of platelets and leukocytes through increasing the content of PGI2 and decreasing contents of other factors mentioned above, thus alleviating the microcirculatory dysfunction after HEB.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of the concentrated suture fixation method on skin transplantation on deep burn wound or wound of cicatricial deformity after burn in the jaw and neck region., Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients, hospitalized from April 2002 to December 2011, with deep burn or cicatricial deformity after burn in the jaw and neck region, were divided into packaging group and concentrated suture group according to the random number table. Each group had 57 patients including 48 cases with deep burn and 9 cases with cicatricial deformity. Traditional suture-package fixation method and concentrated suture fixation method were respectively used in packaging group and concentrated suture group to fix the autologous medium split-thickness skin in transplantation on wounds or scars. On post operation day (POD) 14, the skin microcirculatory perfusion flow of skin graft was measured, and the occurrence of ecchymoma, infection, and necrosis of skin in operative region were observed. The elasticity and contracture of grafted skin and scar hyperplasia on wound edge were observed 6 months after operation. Measurement data were processed with u test, while enumeration data with Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test., Results: (1) On POD 14, the skin microcirculatory perfusion flow in concentrated suture group [(2.86 +/- 0.8) V] was significantly higher than that in packaging group [(2.33 +/- 0.15) V, u = 17.776, P < 0.05]. (2) Ecchymoma occurred in 4 patients of packaging group and 3 patients of concentrated suture group, but the difference between two groups was not statistically significant (chi 2 = 0.152, P > 0.05). (3) Infection in operative region was observed in 1 patient of packaging group, while no patient in concentrated suture group showed this symptom. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). (4) Grafted skin in 6 patients of packaging group showed foliated necrosis, which was not observed on those of patients in concentrated suture group. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (5) Centipede leg-like scar hyperplasia on wound edge occurred in 21 patients in packaging group and 6 patients in concentrated suture group, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (chi 2 = 10.920, P < 0.05). (6) Poor elasticity of grafted skin was detected in 17 patients of packaging group and 4 patients of concentrated suture group, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (chi 2 = 9.865, P < 0.05). (7) Obvious contracture of grafted skin was observed in 15 patients of packaging group and 4 patients of concentrated suture group, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (chi 2 = 11.684, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Concentrated suture fixation method is suitable for application in transplantation of big sheet skin on wound in the jaw and neck region. It has high survival rate and is convenient for postoperative observation.

Objective: To study the influence of high-voltage electric burn on the microcirculation of heart in rabbit., Methods: One-hundred and twenty New Zealand rabbits of clean grade were divided into control group (C) and electric burn group (EB) according to the random number table, with 60 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in EB group were subjected to high-voltage electric burn (the electrical current flow into the left foreleg at the lateral side of proximal end and out from the corresponding site of the right hind leg) with voltage regulator and experimental transformer. Rabbits in C group were sham injured with the same devices without electrification. At 15 minutes before injury, and 5 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8 hour (s) post injury (PIM or PIH), ten rabbits in each group were chosen to examine the cardiac apex microcirculation hemoperfusion (CAMH) with laser Doppler hemoperfusion image instrument. The morphologic changes of microvessels of left ventricular wall tissues of 2 rabbits from each of the 10 rabbits collected at above-mentioned time points were observed with light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Auricular vein blood of rabbit was harvested at above-mentioned time points for the determination of aspartate amino transferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase isozyme MB (CK-MB) by full-automatic biochemical analyzer. Data were processed with two-factor analysis of variance and LSD test., Results: (1) The differences between C group and EB group in detection results were statistically significant, with F values from 425.991 to 3046.834, P values all below 0.01. Only the data within EB group were comparable. (2) At PIM 5, the CAMH value of rabbits in EB group was (1.96 ± 0.09) V, which was lower than that at 15 minutes before injury [(4.34 ± 0.35) V, P < 0.01]. The CAMH value of rabbits in EB group was increased at PIH 1 [(3.43 ± 0.30) V], and then it showed a tendency of decrease. (3) Bleeding and microthrombus formation were observed in venule and capillary vessel of rabbits in EB group at PIH 8. Breakage of basement membrane of capillary endothelial cells, mitochondrial swelling, and severe degranulation from damaged endoplasmic reticulum were observed in rabbits of EB group at PIH 8. (4) Levels of AST, LDH, HBDH, CK, and CK-MB in rabbits of EB group were significantly higher at PIH 1, 2, 4, 8 than at 15 minutes before injury (with P values all below 0.01). The AST level peaked at PIH 2 [(164 ± 39) U/L]. Levels of LDH and HBDH peaked at PIH 4, which were respectively (1016 ± 246) U/L and (487 ± 54) U/L. The CK level peaked at PIH 8 [(7799 ± 738) U/L]. The CK-MB level peaked at PIH 2 [(1848 ± 65) U/L]., Conclusions: High-voltage electric burn can bring damage to the microvessels of heart in rabbits and change blood flow of microcirculation, which should be given adequate attention during the treatment.

Objective: To study the influence of transcranial high-voltage electrical burn (HEB) on rheological changes of leukocytes in mesentery capillary in rats and the therapeutic effects of ulinastatin., Methods: Forty-five SD rats were divided into control (C), electrical burns (EB), and ulinastatin treatment (UT) groups according to the random number table, with 15 rats in each group. Model of HEB was reproduced in rats of EB and UT groups with voltage regulator and experimental transformer, and then rats in EB group was intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL isotonic saline while rats in UT group was intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL ulinastatin (2 x 10(4) U/kg). Rats in C group received sham burn with the same treatment as used in EB group but without electric current. Rheological changes of leukocytes in mesentery capillary were observed with Bradford microscope at 15 minutes before HEB and 5 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8 hour (s) after HEB (PHM or PHH), including counting the number of rolling leukocytes, leukocytes rolling speed, the number of leukocytes adherent to mesentery capillary, total leukocyte-endothelium contact time (TLECT). Data were processed with t test., Results: (1) The number of rolling leukocytes from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was increased in EB group and UT group as compared with that at 15 minutes before HEB, especially at PHM 5 [(51.4 +/- 3.2), (24.6 +/- 1.9) cells/min, respectively] which were higher than that in C group [( 1.1 +/- 0.7) cells/min, with t value respectively 59.28, 44.99, P values all below 0.05]. The number in UT group at each time point after burn was less than those in EB group, especially at PHM 5 (t = 27.97, P < 0.05). (2) Compared with that at 15 minutes before HEB, the rolling speed of leukocytes from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was slow in EB group and UT group, especially at PHM 5 [(90 +/- 9), (175 +/- 13) microm/s, respectively] which were slower than that in C group [(277 +/- 12) microm/s, with t value respectively 47.97, 21.59, P values all below 0.05]. The rolling speed in UT group from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was faster than that in EB group, especially at PHM 5 (t = 20.55, P < 0.05). (3) Compared with that at 15 minutes before HEB, the number of leukocytes per 100 micrometer capillary from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was increased in EB group and UT group, especially at PHM 5 (23.27 +/- 3.20, 5.80 +/- 1.61, respectively) which were higher than that in C group (0, with t value respectively 28.16, 13.95, P values all below 0.05). The number of adhered leukocytes in UT group at each time point after burn was less than that in EB group, especially at PHM 5 ( t = 18.89, P < 0.05). (4) Compared with that at 15 minutes before HEB, TLECT from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was increased in EB group and UT group, especially at PHM 5 [(14.45 +/- 1.99), (3.66 +/- 0.96) s/min, respectively] which were longer than that in C group (0 s/min, with t value respectively 28.12, 14.77, P values all below 0.05). TLECT in UT group from PHM 5 to PHH 8 was shorter than that in EB group, especially at PHM 5 (t = 18.91, P < 0.05). (5) No rolling leukocyte or wall-adherent leukocyte was found in blood flow of arterioles or capillaries of rats in three groups at each time point., Conclusions: Transcranial HEB can lead to abnormal rheological changes of leukocytes in mesentery capillary in rats, and the changes can be ameliorated by ulinastatin.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of hemoperfusion treatment in children with acute tetramine poisoning., Methods: Thirty-two children aged from 1 to 8 years ( mean 4.6+/-2.4 years) with acute tetramine poisoning received hemoperfusion treatment. Serum tetramine concentrations were measured by gas chromatography before hemoperfusion, 1 and 2 hrs after hemoperfusion initiation and 12 and 24 hrs by the end of hemoperfusion. The median time for full recovery of consciousness and the time to seizure control were observed., Results: Seventeen children received hemoperfusion treatment for one time, 12 for twice, 2 for 4 times and 1 for 3 times. Twenty- seven (84%) cases recovered, 2 (7%) cases improved and 3 (9%) cases died of multi-organ failure. The serum tetramine concentrations 1 and 2 hrs after hrmoperfusion initiation were significantly lower than those before hemoperfusion (P<0.01). The serum tetramine concentrations 12 and 24 hrs by the end of hemoperfusion were also significantly lower than those before hemoperfusion (P<0.01). The median time for full recovery of consciousness and the time to seizure control were 5.4+/-4.2 and 10.1+/-7.3 hrs, respectively., Conclusions: Hemoperfusion treatment is effective for acute tetramine poisoning in children.

Objective: To study the changes in bulbar conjunctiva microcirculation (BCM) and the therapeutic effect of Pentoxifylline on BCM disturbance after high-voltage electrical burn (HEB) in rabbits., Methods: Forty-five rabbits were divided into control group (C), electrical burn group (EB), and Pentoxifylline treatment group (PT) according to random number table, with 15 rabbits in each group. Model of HEB was reproduced in rabbits from EB and PT groups with voltage regulator and experimental transformer. Rabbits in C group were sham injured with the same devices without electrification. Changes in BCM were observed with microcirculation microscope at 15 minutes before HEB and 5 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8 hour(s) post HEB (PHM or PHH), including: (1) morphology of microvessels, such as the discernible, diameters of arterioles, venules, and capillaries, the unevenness in caliber, and ischemic area; (2) dynamic changes in microvascular blood flow, such as blood flow speed in arterioles, venules, and capillaries, erythrocyte aggregation, and microthrombi formation; (3) condition of tissues surrounding microvessel, such as bleeding and exudation. Measurement data were processed with t test; enumeration data were processed with Fisher's exact test., Results: (1) Morphology of microvessel: discernible of microvessels in EB and PT groups was decreased, but that of PT group was better than that of EB group. At PHM 5, diameter of arterioles, venules and capillaries was respectively (7.3+/-2.5), (12.3+/-2.4), (3.5+/-0.7) microm in EB group, all narrower than those of the control group [(14.6+/-3.1), (27.2+/-3.5), (9.0+/-1.4) microm, with t value respectively 5.23, 13.66, 14.04, P values all below 0.05]. Diameters of the microvessels in PT group [(10.2+/-3.8), (21.5+/-3.1), (7.1+/-1.2) microm] were larger than those in EB group (with t value respectively 2.21, 8.99, 10.18, P values all below 0.05). Diameters of arterioles, venules and capillaries in EB and PT groups recovered to the before HEB size at PHH 1. From PHH 2 to 8, arterioles and capillaries decreased gradually in caliber, venules dilated gradually in EB and PT groups, but the changes in PT group were not obvious. Thickness of microvessel was observed uneven in EB group at PHM 5, which lasted until PHH 8. Ischemia of the tissue was observed in EB group at PHM 5, which improved at PHH 2. Situation in PT group was better. (2) Dynamic changes in microvascular blood flow: at PHM 5, blood flow speed in arterioles, venules and capillaries was respectively (202+/-53), (198+/-44), (46+/-12) microm/s in EB group, all slower than those of the control group [(544+/-37), (359+/-32), (220+/-19) microm/s, with t value respectively 20.47, 11.51, 30.02, P values all below 0.05], and those of PT group [(335+/-42), (260+/-35), (119+/-23) microm/s] were faster than those of EB group (with t value respectively 7.55, 4.26, 14.85, P values all below 0.05). Blood flow speed in EB and PT groups recovered to the before HEB level at PHH 1. From PHH 2 to 8, blood flow speed decreased gradually in EB and PT groups, but that of PT group was faster than that of EB group. Erythrocyte aggregation in venules and capillaries was observed in EB group at PHM 5, which eased up at PHH 1, but aggregated at PHH 2, lasting until PHH 8. Obvious microthrombi were observed in EB group at PHH 2, which increased gradually. These changes were less obvious in PT group. (3) Condition of surrounding tissues of microvessel: in EB group, exudation was observed around microvessels at PHH 1, bleeding at PHH 2, with a worsening tendency. Changes in those in PT group were less obvious., Conclusions: HEB causes disturbance in BCM, but it can be ameliorated by Pentoxifylline.

Objective: To assess the early variation of clinical periodontal indexes and Porphyronwnas gingivulis (Pgingivalis) in subgingival plaques of orthodontic adults., Methods: 11 orthodontic adults were selected. Clinical periodontal indexes of observed teeth were examined at three different time points: Before orthodontic treatment, the first month after treatment and the third month after treatment, and subgingival plaques were collected simultaneously at each time point. Clinical periodontal indexes included four ones: Plaque index (PU), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), and attachment loss. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect and quantitate the number of total bacteria and P.gingivalis in each sample to obtain positive rate of P.gingivalis and the percentage of P. gingiaalis in total bacteria., Results: PLI and SBI of the first and third month were more than that of the baseline (P < 0.05). PD rose at the first month after treatment (P < 0.05), and then dropped at the third month. PD of all the 11 participants was lower than 2 mm. No attachment loss was found. The positive rate of P.gingivolis was stable (45.5%) and the proportion of Pgingivalis had no significant difference (p > 0.05) at each time point., Conclusion: Fixed orthodontic appliances caused plaque accumulation, accordingly slight gingiva inflammation and the increasement of P.gingivalis occurred in the early stage, hut none periodontitis was found.