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Bisperoxo (1,10-phenanthroline) oxovanadate (BpV) can reportedly block the cell cycle. The present study examined whether BpV alters gene expression by affecting DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), which would impact the cell cycle. Immortalized mouse hippocampal neuronal precursor cells (HT22) were treated with 0.3 or 3 μM BpV. Proliferation, morphology, and viability of HT22 cells were detected with an IncuCyte real-time video imaging system or inverted microscope and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, respectively. mRNA and protein expression of DNMTs and p21 in HT22 cells was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. In addition, DNMT activity was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Effects of BpV on the cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results demonstrated that treatment with 0.3 μM BpV did not affect cell proliferation, morphology, or viability; however, treatment with 3 μM BpV decreased cell viability, increased expression of both DNMT3B mRNA and protein, and inhibited the proliferation of HT22 cells; and 3 μM BpV also blocked the cell cycle and increased expression of the regulatory factor p21 by increasing DNMT expression in mouse hippocampal neurons., Competing Interests: None

Background: To assay the Trichinella -specific IgM and IgG antibody responses during the early stage of infection, serum was collected from mice infected with the muscle larvae (ML) of T. spiralis (ISS534) at different dpi (days post infection) up to 60 days., Methods: The levels of IgM and IgG antibodies in serum were measured by ES antigens from different stage of T. spiralis using the ELISA method in Shanghai, China in 2017., Results: The anti- Trichinella IgM and IgG could be detected by ES antigens from the adult three days worm (Ad3) as early as 5 dpi and 8 dpi, respectively. ES antigens from the mixture of adult six days worm & new born larvae (Ad6+NBL) was similar to Ad3. When antibodies were detected by these two antigens, the levels of IgM peaked at 14 dpi and then declined from 15 dpi to 60 dpi; the IgG peaked at 20 dpi, and gradually declined, however, higher detection levels were maintained until 60 dpi., Conclusion: Ad3 ES antigens showed more antigenicity than Ad6+NBL ES on titer detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, and the production of Ad3 ES is easier. In terms of early diagnosis, these two antigens are better than the ML ES antigens of T. spiralis , which antibodies could not be detected before 20dpi. Ad3 ES antigens might be good candidate for the early diagnosis of trichinellosis or the mixture of Ad3 and Ad6+NBL ES might be used., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Objectives: Previous studies have reached different conclusions regarding an association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and depression. This meta-analysis was designed to clarify these controversies., Materials and Methods: Literatures were identified reviewing the national and international databases. The eligible articles for meta-analysis were determined by quality assessment and implementation of inclusion/exclusion criteria. This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2 software. The odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated using a fixed effects model. Funnel plots and Egger's regression tests were used to assess the publication bias., Results: A total of nine studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified by performing a comprehensive search on the association between APOE polymorphisms and depression. APOE ε4 allele was significantly associated with depression (allele: OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.11-1.66, P =0.003; dominant: OR=1.34, 95%CI=1.06-1.68, P =0.001; recessive: OR= 1.11, 95%CI =0.45-2.76, P=0.82). HAMD scores were higher in depression patients with- APOE ε4 genotype than who without- APOE ε4 genotype (OR=0.96, 95%CI=0.16-1.76, P =0.02)., Conclusion: APOE ε4 allele increased the depression risk; depressive patients carrying APOE ε4 allele had more severe depressive symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Archaea have many unique physiological features of which the lipid composition of their cellular membranes is the most striking. Archaeal ether-linked isoprenoidal membranes can occur as bilayers or monolayers, possess diverse polar head groups, and a multiplicity of ring structures in the isoprenoidal cores. These lipid structures are proposed to provide protection from the extreme temperature, pH, salinity, and nutrient-starved conditions that many archaea inhabit. However, many questions remain regarding the synthesis and physiological role of some of the more complex archaeal lipids. In this study, we identify a radical S -adenosylmethionine (SAM) protein in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius required for the synthesis of a unique cyclopentyl head group, known as calditol. Calditol-linked glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are membrane spanning lipids in which calditol is ether bonded to the glycerol backbone and whose production is restricted to a subset of thermoacidophilic archaea of the Sulfolobales order within the Crenarchaeota phylum. Several studies have focused on the enzymatic mechanism for the synthesis of the calditol moiety, but to date no protein that catalyzes this reaction has been discovered. Phylogenetic analyses of this putative calditol synthase (Cds) reveal the genetic potential for calditol-GDGT synthesis in phyla other than the Crenarchaeota, including the Korarchaeota and Marsarchaeota. In addition, we identify Cds homologs in metagenomes predominantly from acidic ecosystems. Finally, we demonstrate that deletion of calditol synthesis renders S. acidocaldarius sensitive to extremely low pH, indicating that calditol plays a critical role in protecting archaeal cells from acidic stress., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objective: To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of CMOD regimen as the first treatment for the aged new-diagnosed patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma., Methods: Seventy-six patients diagnosed as peripheral T cell lymphoma according to chemotherapy were divided into the 2 group: A and B groups. The patients in A group received CMOD regimen (38 cases) and the patients in B group received CHOP regiment (38 cases). The clinical efficacy, PFS (progression-free survival), OS and the adverse reactions in the 2 groups were compared., Results: The total effeciency rate was not statistically different between CMOD(64.52%) and CHOP groups (58.06%) (P>0.05). The adverse reactions in 2 groups were as follows: myelosuppression, mucositis, gastrointestinal reactions, fever, liver dysfunction, neurotoxicity, and alopecia etc. The incidence of alopecia and the grade III and IV of neutropenia in the CMOD group (34.21%, 13.16%) were statistically significantly lower than those in the CHOP group (84.21%, 34.21%) (P<0.05). The progression-free survival and 1-year overall survival of observation group (10.98±2.23 months, 14.43±2.48 months) were significantly higher than those in the CHOP group(8.31±2.62 months, 10.93±2.07 months) (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of CMOD regimen has been confirmed to be equivalent with CHOP regimen for the aged new-diagnosed patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma. This regimen can prolong the progression-free survival and overall survival to some extent and reduce the incidence of hair loss and neutropenia, which may be applied to the clinical practice.

Objective: To study the role of non-classical NF-κB signaling pathway in B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)., Methods: The bone marrow samples from 48 patients with B-ALL were collected from March 2015 to March 2016. The real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used for determing mRNA expression levels of NF-κB family members; the NF-κB DNA binding activity in B-ALL cell nucleus was analyzed by ELISA; the apoptosis rate of B-ALL cells alone or co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) was determined by flow cytometry., Results: Relative expression level of mRNA for NF-κB family members, including the Rel A, Rel B, P50 and P52 in ALL-B group was statistically significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05). The clinical characteristics of B-ALL patients with different NF-κB activity were not significantly different (P> 0.05); after B-ALL cells cultured alone or co-cultured, the apoptosis rate of Rel A + / Rel B - group was statistically significantly higher than that in Rel A + / Rel B + group (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate of B-ALL cells cultured alone or co-cultured with hBMSC was significantly different., Conclusion: Non-classical NF-κB signal marked by Rel B can be used as a new target for B-ALL treatment.

Purpose: To analyse the ultrasonographic findings of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its efficacy for diagnosis of CAP compared with chest X-ray (CXR)., Methods: Patients who presented to the Emergency Department with suspected CAP were included in the study. Bedside ultrasonography was performed at each intercostal space in the midclavicular, anterior axillary, midaxillary and paravertebral lines. Any pulmonary consolidation, focal interstitial pattern, pleural-line abnormalities and subpleural lesions were recorded, and the numbers of subpleural lesions and intercostal spaces with pleural-line abnormalities were counted. All patients received bedside CXR and CT. Using CT scan as the gold standard, ultrasonography findings were compared between CAP group and non-CAP group, and between CAP patients with CT showing consolidation or diffuse ground-glass opacification. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was compared with CXR for the diagnosis of CAP., Results: Of 179 patients included in the study, 112 were diagnosed with CAP by CT. Patients in CAP group were more likely to have consolidation (p<0.001), focal interstitial pattern (p<0.001) and had higher number of subpleural lesions (p<0.001) and intercostal spaces with pleural-line abnormalities (p<0.001) on ultrasound than those without CAP. CAP patients whose CT showed consolidation were more likely to have consolidation (p<0.001) and had lower numbers of subpleural lesions (p<0.001) and intercostal spaces with pleural-line abnormalities (p<0.001) compared to CAP patients whose CT showed diffuse ground-glass opacification. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for ultrasonography and CXR were 94.6% versus 77.7% (p<0.001), 98.5% versus 94.0% (p=0.940) and 96.1% versus 83.8% (p<0.001), respectively., Conclusions: Lung ultrasonography has a better diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing CAP compared with CXR., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Background: Solanum nigrum L. has been used in traditional Chinese medicine because of its diuretic and antipyretic effects. The present research concerned effects of crude polysaccharides isolated from Solanum nigrum L. on erythrocyte membranes of tumor-bearing S180 and H22 in mice., Materials and Methods: Fluorescence- labeled red blood cell membranes were used with DPH fluorescence spectrophotometry to examine erythrocyte membrane fluidity, and colorimetry to determine degree of erythrocyte surface membrane blocking. Extent of reaction by tumor-bearing mice with the enzyme erythrocyte membrane bubble shadow detection of red cell membrane variation in the degree of closure before and after administration., Results: Solanum nigrum polysaccharide could significantly improve the S180 and H22 tumor-bearing mice erythrocyte membrane fluidity, compared with the control group, the difference was significant (p<0.01), SNL can significantly improve the red blood cell membrane and then S180 tumor-bearing mice sealing ability, compared with the negative control group, the difference was significant(p<0.05, p<0.01). H22 tumor-bearing mice can increase red cell membrane and then sealing ability, the difference was significant (p<0.05). Solanum nigrum polysaccharide degree of fluidity and blocking two transplanted tumors in mice restored the ability to raise the red cell membrane has a significant effect., Conclusions: Solanum nigrum L.-type mice transplanted tumor can affect the red blood cell membrane fluidity and re-closed, through the red cell membrane of red blood cells to enhance the immune function of the possibility of erythrocyte immunity against tumor formation garland provide experimental basis.

The leakage of underground sewage pipes may seriously affect the soil and the environment of groundwater. In this paper, an in-situ automatic monitoring device on basis of multi-electrode resistivity method was developed for the leakage of underground sewage pipelines, and it was validated by a simulated experiment in laboratory that the feasibility of the new device is feasible for real-time monitoring the leakage of underground sewage pipelines at many different groundwater levels. The experimental results indicated that small leakage of sewage pipelines could be rapidly detected by the developed monitoring device when the pipeline was located in the vadose zone. The leakage could also be monitored in a prompt manner when the pipeline was located near the groundwater level, and the extent of pollutant leakage could be speculated with the gradient change in resistivity of the soil layer above the pipeline. When the pipeline was located below the groundwater level, the device could only monitor the leakage if it reached a certain concentration to produce notable changes in resistivity, because of the rapid mixing and diffusion of the pollutant in groundwater. The device set up in this paper was found capable of real-time automatic monitoring the leakage of underground sewage pipelines buried in different depths and groundwater levels.

Water and salt transport in soil and its mechanism is the key point of the saline soil research. The dynamic rule of water and transport in soil during the leaching process is the theoretical basis of formation, flush, drainage and improvement of saline soil. In this study, a vertical infiltration experiment was conducted to monitor the variation in the resistivity of silt and sandy soil during the leaching process by the self-designed automatic monitoring device. The experimental results showed that the peaks in the resistivity of the two soils went down and faded away in the course of leaching. It took about 30 minutes for sandy soil to reach the water-salt balance, whereas the silt took about 70 minutes. With the increasing leaching times, the desalination depth remained basically the same, being 35 cm for sandy soil and 10 cm for the silt from the top to bottom of soil column. Therefore, 3 and 7 leaching processes were required respectively for the complete desalination of the soil column. The temporal and spatial resolution of this monitoring device can be adjusted according to the practical demand. This device can not only achieve the remote, in situ and dynamic monitoring data of water and salt transport, but also provide an effective method in monitoring, assessment and early warning of salinization.

GWAS (Genome-wide association study) strategy has been extensively used for identification of economical trait loci in livestock animals. Using Illumina's PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, a GWA study of 820 commercial pigs with reproductive traits recorded was performed. The PCA analysis showed that there was no significant population stratification. Two different statistical models Compressed Mixed Linear Model(GAPIT program package)and Bayes CPi (GenSel software) were used to implement GWAS on total number born and number born alive of the first and second parity. To compare the most significant 50 SNPs from each method, a total of 31 and 20 coincided SNPs for total number born in the first parity were identified, and there were 20 coincided SNPs for number born alive in the first parityinthe results of bothmethods. The most significant SNPs were also significant in the results of the other method. The most significantly associated regions for total number born in the first parity were located on SSC1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 16, and 18. The most significantly associated regions for number born alive in the first parity were locatedon SSC1, 3, 4, 13, and 16. There were 5 common regions significantly associated with bothtraits on SSC1, 3, 13, and 16. The most significantly associated regions forbothtotal number born and number born alive for the second parity were mainly located on six common regions on SSC7, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 16.

The end-Permian mass extinction was the most severe biodiversity crisis in Earth history. To better constrain the timing, and ultimately the causes of this event, we collected a suite of geochronologic, isotopic, and biostratigraphic data on several well-preserved sedimentary sections in South China. High-precision U-Pb dating reveals that the extinction peak occurred just before 252.28 ± 0.08 million years ago, after a decline of 2 per mil (‰) in δ(13)C over 90,000 years, and coincided with a δ(13)C excursion of -5‰ that is estimated to have lasted ≤20,000 years. The extinction interval was less than 200,000 years and synchronous in marine and terrestrial realms; associated charcoal-rich and soot-bearing layers indicate widespread wildfires on land. A massive release of thermogenic carbon dioxide and/or methane may have caused the catastrophic extinction.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is a main active monomer purified from Carthamus tinctorius L. The research is to study the inhibitory effect of HSYA on the inflammatory signal transduction pathway related factors which were induced by permanent cerebral ischemia in rats. By using the successive administration at a 30 min interval of HSYA and the rats permanent focal cerebral ischemia model established by a intraluminal suture occlusion method. After cerebral artery occlusion 3, 6, 12 and 24 h, cortex was removed for the next experiments. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of p65 protein and the phospho-IkappaB-alpha (pIkappaB-alpha) in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding activity was measured by Trans-AM transcription factor assay kits. mRNA expression of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10 was measured by the RT-PCR method. The result showed that intravenous injection of HSYA (10 mg x kg(-1)) to rats after cerebral occlusion, the p65 translocation activity and the phosphorylation of IkappaB-alpha were significantly inhibited. At the same time, HSYA suppressed p65 binding activity and the transcriptional level of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6, and promoted the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, the anti-cerebral ischemic mechanism of HSYA may be due to its inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and the mRNA expression of cytokines in the inflammatory transduction pathway.

Aim: To investigate the possible effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an active ingredient of a commonly used Chinese herb, on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A (CsA) by intragastric administration in rats., Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into four groups by randomized block design according to weight. On the first day, after each fasting rat was intragastrically administered CsA (10 mg x kg(-1)), blood samples (0.2 - 0.25 mL) were collected from the tail vein at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. From day 4 to day 8, each group began to undergo different pretreatments with intragastric administration of water, verapamil (Ver), low and high dose TMP, separately. On day 9, each group intragastrically co-administered CsA (10 mg x kg(-1)) and different pretreatment compounds mentioned above, then blood samples were collected according to the schedule of the first day. The whole blood concentration of CsA was determined by HPLC. Main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and compared by statistic analysis., Results: In the group of water pretreated and co-administrated with CsA, no significantly different pharmacokinetic parameters of CsA were found. After Ver pretreatment and co-administration with CsA, AUC(0-48 h) and C(max) were increased significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05); T(1/2) beta and CL were markedly prolonged and decreased (P < 0.05); T(max) and V were not apparently influenced. After low dose TMP pretreatment and co-administration with CsA, there was no significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of CsA, in spite of the increasing trends of AUC(0-48 h) and C(max). After high dose TMP pretreatment and co-administration with CsA, AUC(0-48 h) and C(max) of CsA were increased significantly (P < 0.01), but there was no significant change in other parameters., Conclusion: It was indicated that the high dose of TMP could apparently increase the intragastric absorption extent of CsA, while almost had no effect on its elimination process.