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Si-Pin Hu, 1 Lei Chen, 2 Chen-Yi Lin, 3 Wei-Hang Lin, 2 Fu-Quan Fang, 4 Meng-Yun Tu 5 1Department of Vascular Surgery, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ruian People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Meng-Yun TuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 571 5816 2261Email appletumengyun@sina.cnPurpose: Patients with malignancy are more likely to develop nutritional problems. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a new prognostic index for evaluating nutritional status. The objective of this study was to assess if preoperative GNRI could be a prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who underwent radical surgery.Patients and Methods: This study included 282 consecutive patients with incident pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who were treated with radical surgery. The Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate the overall survival (OS) and assess the prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed based on the results of the multivariate analysis, and the predictive accuracy of the nomogram was assessed.Results: Among the 282 patients, there are 117 males and 165 females. The patients had a mean age of 58.7 ± 13.5 years, with the median follow-up time of 72.9 months (interquartile range, 0.7 to 115.2 months). They were classified into abnormal (GNRI ≤ 98) and normal (GNRI > 98) GNRI groups, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age (HR = 1.023), drinking history (HR = 1.453), tumor grade (HR = 1.633), TNM stage (HR = 1.921), and GNRI (HR = 1.757) were significantly associated with OS. Based on the above variables, the nomogram was established. The concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curve (tdROC) showed the nomogram was superior to TNM grade and tumor grade in predicting the OS of patients with PDAC.Conclusion: GNRI could be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with PDAC who received surgery. Based on the GNRI and the other clinical indicators, we developed a nomogram model that can provide an accurate estimation of OS in patients with PDAC after radical surgery.Keywords: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the geriatric nutritional risk index, overall survival, nomogram

Lei Chen,1 Bin-Bin Cai,1 Chao-Jun Zhou,1 Xiang-Qing Hou,2 Si-Pin Hu,1 Guan Fang,3 Wen-Chao Chen,1 Lin-Hui Li,1 Wen-Jun Yang1 1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China; 2Department of Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China; 3Department of Colorectal Anus Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China Purpose: Prognostic prediction after curative resection of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHCC) remains an arduous task. The S-index calculated from γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, albumin, and platelets is reported to predict the severity of liver fibrosis. We constructed a nomogram for predicting the survival probability of PHCC based on a new indicator, the S-index, combined with other routine clinical parameters. Patients and methods: We selected 490 patients with PHCC postradical surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2007 and January 2014. The subjects were randomly allocated into the training cohort and the validation cohort in the ratio 7:3 by the digital method. Important variables screened by univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis to obtain independent risk factors for predicting the prognosis of PHCC. The construction of the nomogram was based on Cox proportional hazard regression models. The concordance index (C-index) was used in the nomogram for evaluating the model performance for prognosis. We drew time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves to compare our model with other staging systems. Results: The nomogram based on six independent risk factors after multivariate analyses had good predictive power after radical surgery of PHCC. In the training and validation groups, the C-index of the nomogram was highly consistent for evaluating survival from PHCC. Compared with the traditional scoring system, the areas under time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.7382, 0.7293, and 0.7520 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival, respectively. In summary, the nomogram showed excellent results in terms of prognosis of PHCC. Conclusion: Based on the S-index and the other clinical indicators, we developed a precise nomogram that predicts the survival probability of patients with PHCC after radical surgery. This tool can provide effective information for surgeons and patients. Keywords: PHCC, radical resection, nomogram, prognosis

Long-term continual straw return can enhance soil quality and increase crop yields by perpetually altering the soil environment. However, little is known about how different straw return methods affect soil physicochemical properties, enzymatic processes, and crop yields. The study aims to determine how different straw return practices improve soil structure, nutrients, enzyme activities, and maize yields. In this experiment, a field trial was conducted in 2021-2022 in the irrigated area of the Tumochuan Plain Irrigation District to determine the effects of four different straw returns on soil structure, nutrients, enzyme activities, soil quality, and maize yields. The four types of straw return included straw incorporation with deep tillage (DPR), straw incorporation with subsoiling (SSR), no-tillage mulching straw return, and farmer's shallow rotation (CK). Our results showed that DPR and SSR enhanced water retention capacity by reducing the bulk weight of the 0-45 cm soil layer. DPR and SSR significantly increased soil organic C (12.76%), total nitrogen (25.32%), and available nutrients (i.e. AP, NO 3 - -N) in the 0-45 cm soil layer compared to CK, whereas there were no differences between straw-returned treatments in the 0-15 cm soil layer. Finally, maize yield was significantly increased by 13.14% and 11.41% in the second year of DPR and SSR, respectively, compared to CK. This study demonstrated that DPR and SSR are effective at enhancing the agricultural utilization of crop residues and represent feasible strategies for improving physical, chemical, and biological processes in continuous maize cropping systems, leading to increased crop productivity., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: To address issues related to shallow soil tillage, low soil nutrient content, and single tillage method in maize production in the Western Inner Mongolia Region, this study implemented various tillage and straw return techniques, including strip cultivation, subsoiling, deep tillage, no-tillage, straw incorporation with strip cultivation, straw incorporation with subsoiling, straw incorporation with deep tillage, and straw incorporation with no tillage, while using conventional shallow spinning by farmers as the control., Methods: We employed Xianyu 696 (XY696) and Ximeng 6 (XM6) as experimental materials to assess maize 100-grains weight, grain filling rate parameters, and grain nutrient quality. This investigation aimed to elucidate how tillage and straw return influence the accumulation of grain material in different maize varieties., Results and Discussion: The results indicated that proper implementation of tillage and straw return had a significant impact on the 100-grains weight of both varieties. In comparison to CK (farmer's rotary rotation), the most notable rise in 100-grains weight was observed under the DPR treatment (straw incorporation with deep tillage), with a maximum increase of 4.84% for XY696 and 6.28% for XM6. The proper implementation of tillage and straw return in the field resulted in discernible differences in the stages of improving the grain filling rates of different maize varieties. Specifically, XY696 showed a predominant increase in the filling rate during the early stage (V1), while XM6 exhibited an increase in the filling rates during the middle and late stages (V2 and V3). In comparison to CK, V1 increased by 1.54% to 27.56% in XY696, and V2 and V3 increased by 0.41% to 10.42% in XM6 under various tillage and straw return practices. The proper implementation of tillage and straw return had a significant impact on the nutritional quality of the grains in each variety. In comparison to CK, the DPR treatment resulted in the most pronounced decrease in the soluble sugar content of grains by 25.43% and the greatest increase in the crude fat content of grains by 9.67%., Conclusion: Ultimately, the proper implementation of soil tillage and straw return facilitated an increase in grain crude fat content and significantly boosted grain weight by improving the grouting rate parameters at all stages for various maize varieties. Additionally, the utilization of DPR treatment proved to be more effective. Overall, DPR is the most promising strategy to improve maize yield and the nutritional quality of grain in the long term in the Western Inner Mongolia Region., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Yu, Gao, Ma, Liu and Hu.)

A 6-year-old male golden retriever presented with swelling of the left upper eyelid of 2 months duration, which did not improve following a course of antibiotics. Routine serum biochemistry, complete blood count and diagnostic imaging identified no clinically significant abnormalities. The mass was surgically excised, and histopathologic examination was performed. Eosinophilic granulocytic sarcoma (GS) was diagnosed based on the results of histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This is the first report of GS affecting the eyelid of a dog., (© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

As a type of elementary organic compounds containing N-N single bond, hydrazone involved chemical conversions are extremely extensive, but they are mainly limited to N 2 -retention and N 2 -removal modes. We report herein an unprecedented protocol for the realization of division utilization of the N 2 -moiety of hydrazone by a radical facilitated N-N bond deconstruction strategy. This new conversion mode enables the successful combination of alkene carboamination and Hofmann-Löffler-Freytag reaction by the reaction of N-homoallyl mesitylenesulfonyl hydrazones with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate under photocatalytic redox neutral conditions. Mechanism studies reveal that the reaction undergoes a radical relay involving addition, crucial remote imino-N migration and H-atom transfer. Consequently, a series of structurally significant ϵ-N-sulphonamide-α,α-difluoro-γ-amino acid esters are efficiently produced via continuous C-C bond and dual C-N bonds forging., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

This study aimed to observe the mechanism and effect of circ_0004771 on cardiomyocyte injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The differences in circ_0004771 expression in the blood of AMI patients and healthy volunteers were observed by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. AMI cell models were constructed by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury in human cardiomyocytes (AC16 cells). The changes of circ_0004771 expression in AMI cells were observed. After transfection with the knockdown or overexpression of circ_0004771 vector in AMI cells, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and propidium iodide/FITC-Annexin V staining were performed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis levels, extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Expression levels of Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-related proteins (p-MEK1/2, MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins (GRP78 and CHOP-1) were observed in each group of cells by western blot method. The expression level of circ_0004771 was significantly reduced in both clinical samples and cells of AMI. When circ_0004771 was knocked down in AMI cells, it resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation level and significant increase in apoptosis level. The inhibition of circ_0004771 expression caused leakage of LDH in AMI cells, accumulation of intracellular MDA, and inhibition of SOD activity. In addition, the knockdown of circ_0004771 significantly increased the levels of p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, GRP78, and CHOP-1 in H/R-induced AC16 cells. However, the overexpression of circ_0004771 resulted in the opposite result as when circ_0004771 was knocked down. A low level of circ_0004771 in AMI activates the MAPK signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes as well as encourages intracellular oxidative stress and ER stress, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.

Mycobacterium marinum ( M. marinum ) is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that can cause infectious diseases in aquatic animals and humans. Culture-based pathogen detection is the gold standard for diagnosing NTM infection. However, this method is time-consuming and has low positivity rates for fastidious organisms. Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing is an emerging third-generation sequencing technology that can sequence DNA or RNA directly in a culture-independent manner and offers rapid microbial identification. Further benefits include low cost, short turnaround time, long read lengths, and small equipment size. Nanopore sequencing plays a crucial role in assessing drug resistance, clinical identification of microbes, and monitoring infectious diseases. Some reports on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) using nanopore sequencing have been published, however, there are few reports on NTM, such as M. marinum . Here, we report the use of nanopore sequencing for the diagnosis of M. marinum ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Huang, Li, Li, Sun and Hu.)

To verify the effect of sleep ambient music intervention (SAMI) on sleep quality and mental status of college students, and to further explore the minimum effective duration of SAMI, this study was designed as a pre-and post-intervention self-controlled exploratory study. Participants were subjected to a one-week no-intervention test, then 4 weeks of music intervention followed. Subjective sleep quality data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); objective sleep quality data were collected with Actigraphy; and mental status data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Data were analyzed and processed using mixed-effects models and repeated measures. The results showed that compared with the no-intervention week, college students' subjective sleep quality, objective sleep onset latency (SOL), trait anxiety, and depression symptom were reduced at week 1; week 2; week 3; week 4 under SAMI; state anxiety of college students at week 3 and week 4 under SAMI were also reduced. And there were differences in sleep quality among college students of different genders too. Compared with females, males had worse sleep efficiency (SE), shorter total sleep time (TST), and more awaking times (AT). In addition, 3 days was the minimum effective length for SAMI to shorten objective SOL, and 2 days was the minimum effective length to shorten the subjective SOL of college students. The findings of this study suggest that SAMI can improve subjective sleep quality, shorten objective SOL, and reduce anxiety and depression in college students. Interventions for more than 3 days had a significant effect on shortening SOL and long-term effects seemed to emerge after 3 weeks., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Hu, Yang, Chen, Lu, Niu, Xia and Li.)

Background: The double-lumen tube (DLT) is an essential equipment for thoracic anesthesia and the precise position of DLT placement is particularly important for anesthesia and surgery. However, the incidence of DLT malposition remains high and it leads to lung isolation failure and hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation. This trial aims to explore the clinical application and efficacy of intubation in the lateral position under general anesthesia induction to reduce the incidence of DLT malposition in patients undergoing unilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)., Methods: In this prospective, single-center, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial, we will recruit 108 patients, aged 18-80 years, scheduled for elective unilateral VATS with DLT intubation under general anesthesia, and they will be randomly assigned to two groups: a lateral DLT intubation group (group L) and a conventional supine DLT intubation group (group C). The left-sided DLT will be used to intubate in patients of both groups. The position of DLT will be confirmed and adjusted by using the fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). The primary outcome is the incidence of DLT malposition observed via the FOB, and the secondary outcomes include the time of intubation, the frequency and duration of re-adjustments of DLT placement under FOB, whether to re-intubate, intraoperative vital signs, and postoperative recovery., Discussion: Accurate DLT positioning is crucially important for thoracic surgery, but the incidence of DLT malposition is still high in the present clinical practice of thoracic anesthesia. This trial aims to investigate whether lateral DLT intubation can reduce the incidence of DLT malposition, with more stable intraoperative vital signs and less postoperative complications., Trial Registration: The study protocol was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ) with registration number: ChiCTR2200060794 on June 11, 2022., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Thoracic surgery has increased drastically in recent years, especially in light of the severe outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Routine "passive" chest computed tomography (CT) screening of inpatients detects some pulmonary diseases requiring thoracic surgeries timely. As an essential device for thoracic anesthesia, the double-lumen tube (DLT) is particularly important for anesthesia and surgery. With the continuous upgrading of the DLTs and the widespread use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), the position of DLT in thoracic surgery is gradually becoming more stable and easier to observe or adjust. However, DLT malposition still occurs during transferring patients from a supine to the lateral position in thoracic surgery, which leads to lung isolation failure and hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Recently, some innovative DLTs or improved intervention methods have shown good results in reducing the incidence of DLT malposition. This review aims to summarize the recent studies of the incidence of left-sided DLT malposition, the reasons and effects of malposition, and summarize current methods for reducing DLT malposition and prospects for possible approaches. Meanwhile, we use bibliometric analysis to summarize the research trends and hot spots of the DLT research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zhang, Wang, Wei, Liu and Hu.)

To systematically explore and analyze the microbial composition and function of microbial consortium M44 with straw degradation in the process of subculture at low temperature. In this study, straw degradation characteristics of samples in different culture stages were determined. MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the evolution of community structure and its relationship with degradation characteristics of microbial consortium in different culture periods, and the PICRUSt function prediction analysis was performed. The results showed that straw degradation rate, endoglucanase activity, and filter paper enzyme activity of M44 generally decreased with increasing culture algebra. The activities of xylanase, laccase, and lignin peroxidase, as well as VFA content, showing a single-peak curve change with first an increase and then decrease. In the process of subculture, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were dominant in different culture stages. Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Devosia, Brevundimonas, Trichococcus, Acinetobacter, Dysgonomonas, and Rhizobium were functional bacteria in different culture stages. It was found by PICRUSt function prediction that the functions were concentrated in amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transship and metabolism related genes, which may contain a large number of fibers and lignin degrading enzyme genes. In this study, the microbial community succession and the gene function in different culture periods were clarified and provide a theoretical basis for screening and rational utilization of microbial consortia., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A 3-year-old male Bichon Frise developed lethargy, anorexia and haematuria. B-scan ultrasonography examination revealed a small, irregular, soft-textured mass in the bladder. Histopathologically, there was an incomplete fibrous pseudocapsule around the tumour tissue and although there was clear demarcation from the surrounding tissue, there was invasion of the capsule. Tumour cells proliferated in nests or cords of variable size, separated by fibrovascular tissue. The neoplastic cells were immunopositive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase, and electron microscopy revealed that they contained cytoplasmic secretory granules. On the basis of these findings, the tumour was diagnosed as a primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered one of the most important grains in the world. Straw return has the effect of reducing soil bulk density and increasing soil porosity. Straw returning and potassium fertilizer can supplement soil potassium content. The improvement of soil structure and the optimization of soil nutrient levels provide a good environment for high yield and high efficiency of maize. Therefore, three field experiments were carried out over a three-year period (2018-2020) to study the effects of straw returning on photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and yield of maize 'Xianyu 335' under two different fertilization methods and four potassium application levels. The results showed that straw returning and potassium application had significant effects on the above indicators. The above indicators were significantly improved by deep tillage straw returning compared with no tillage straw returning. Increasing potassium supply can promote the effect of straw returning. The photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and yield parameters of maize treated with straw returning and deep tillage combined with 60 kg/hm 2 potassium fertilizer (SFK60) reached the highest in the three harvest seasons. The corn planting profit of SFK45 treatment is the highest, which is $1868.92 per ha. Therefore, SFK45 is an effective way to ensure stable and high yield of corn and maximize farmers' income., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Fatty acid biosynthesis is essential for bacterial survival. Of these promising targets, β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (FabH) is the most attractive target. FabH would trigger the initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis and it is highly conserved among Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. A series of novel amide derivatives bearing dioxygenated rings were synthesized and developed as potent inhibitors of FabH. These compounds were determined by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, MS and further confirmed by crystallographic diffraction study for compound 19. Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Some compounds with potent antibacterial activities were tested for their Escherichia coli (E. coli) FabH inhibitory activity. Especially, compound 19 showed the most potent antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 1.56-3.13 mg/mL against the tested bacterial strains and exhibited the most potent E. coli FabH inhibitory activity with IC 50 of 2.4 µM. Docking simulation was performed to position compound 19 into the E. coli FabH active site to determine the probable binding conformation.

Background: Accumulating studies indicated that dysregulated long non-coding RNA human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) Complex P5 (HCP5) may functions as an potential prognostic predictor in multiple cancers. This meta-analysis was performed to systematically collect studies and conduct an evidence-based evaluation of the prognostic role of HCP5 in malignancies., Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library) were comprehensively retrieved from their initiation date to November 9, 2021. Hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the associations between the expression level of HCP5 and prognosis or clinical characteristics. Moreover, results were validated by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) and the National Genomics Data Center (NGDC). Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of HCP5 was predicted based on MEM and StarBase databases. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021274208)., Results: 9 studies, containing 641 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. Our results revealed that HCP5 overexpression was associated with poor overall survival (OS), tumor type, histological differentiation, and lymph node metastasis in most cancers, but was not associated with age, gender and tumor size; down-regulation of HCP5 was associated with worse OS, advanced tumor stage, positive distal metastasis and lymph node metastasis in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). HCP5 was significantly up-regulated in four cancers and down-regulated in SKCM, which was validated by the GEPIA2 cohort. HCP5 expression in various types of cancer was also verified in NGDC. Further functional prediction revealed that HCP5 may participate in some cancer-related pathways., Conclusion: There is a significantly association between dysregulation of HCP5 and both prognosis and clinicopathological features in various cancers. HCP5 may be functions as a novel potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in multiple human cancers., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Grain filling is the key stage for achieving high grain yield. Subsoiling tillage, as an effective conservation tillage, has been widely used in the maize planting region of China. This study was conducted to explore the effects of subsoiling on the grain filling characteristics of maize varieties of different eras. Five typical maize varieties from different eras (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s) were used as experimental materials with two tillage modalities (rotation tillage and subsoiling tillage). The characteristic parameters (Tmax: the time when the maximum grouting rate was reached, Wmax: the grain weight at the maximum filling rate, Rmax: the maximum grouting rate, P: the active grouting stage, Gmean: the average grouting rate; A: the ultimate growth mass) and rate parameters (T1: the grain filling duration of the gradually increasing stage, V1: the average grain filling rate of the gradually increasing stage, T2: he grain filling duration of the rapidly increasing stage, V2: the average grain filling rate of the rapidly increasing stage, T3: the grain filling duration of the slowly increasing stage, V3: the average grain filling rate of the slowly increasing stage) of grain filling of two tillage modalities were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the filling parameters closely correlated with the 100-kernel weight were significantly different among varieties from different eras, and the grain filling parameters of the 2010s variety were better than those of the other varieties, the P and Tmax prolonged by 4.06-19.25%, 5.88-27.53% respectively, the Rmax and Gmean improved by 5.68-14.81%, 4.76-12.82% and the Wmax increased by 10.14-32.58%. Moreover, the 2010s variety helped the V2 and V3 increase by 6.49-13.89%, 4.55-15.00%. In compared with rotation tillage, the grain yield of maize varieties from different eras increased by 4.28-7.15% under the subsoiling condition, while the 100-kernel weight increased by 3.53-5.06%. Under the same contrast conditions, subsoiling improved the Rmax, Wmax and Gmean by 1.23-4.86%, 4.01-5.96%, 0.25-2.50% respectively, delayed the Tmax by 4.04-5.80% and extended the P by 1.19-4.03%. These differences were major reasons for the significant increases in 100-kernel dry weight under the subsoiling condition. Moreover, subsoiling enhanced the V2 and V3 by 0.70-4.29%, 0.00-2.44%. The duration of each filling stage and filling rate of maize varieties from different eras showed different responses to subsoiling. Under the subsoiling condition, the average filling rate of the 1970-2010s varieties were improved by 1.18%, 0.34%, 0.57%, 1.57% and 2.69%. In the rapidly increasing period, the grain filling rate parameters of the 2010s variety were more sensitive to subsoiling than those of the other varieties. The rapidly increasing and slowly increasing period are the key period of grain filling. Since the 2010s variety and subsoiling all improve the grain filling rate parameters of two periods, we suggest that should select the variety with higher grain filling rate in the rapidly increasing and slowly increasing period, and combine subsoiling measures to improve the grain filling characteristic parameters of maize in production, so as to achieve the purpose of increasing 100 grain weight and yield., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: To observe effects of medication use on small airway function, airway inflammation and acute exacerbations in patients with clinically controlled asthma., Methods: Forced expiratory flow over the middle half of the forced expiratory curve (FEF 25%-75% ), percentage of eosinophil, concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin (IL)-5 in induced sputum were assessed in patients with clinically controlled asthma who were given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy and inhaled therapy alone. Subsequently, acute exacerbations were compared between two groups during the 24-week follow-up period., Results: FEF 25%-75% in 43 patients with clinically controlled asthma given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy was significantly higher than that in 49 patients given inhaled therapy alone. Meanwhile, the percentage of eosinophils and levels of IL-5 and ECP in patients with clinically controlled asthma given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy were significantly lower than those in patients given inhaled therapy alone. Additionally, the patients with clinically controlled asthma given inhaled therapy were likely to have more acute exacerbation than the patients given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy during the 24-week follow-up period., Conclusion: Systemic anti-inflammatory agents may have a greater effect on parameters reflecting small airway patency and reducing acute exacerbations, presumably secondary to reduction in airway inflammation., (© 2021. Huazhong University of Science and Technology.)

Objectives: Both coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia are highly contagious diseases. We aimed to characterize initial computed tomography (CT) and clinical features and to develop a model for differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia from H1N1 pneumonia. Methods: In total, we enrolled 291 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia from January 20 to February 13, 2020, and 97 patients with H1N1 pneumonia from May 24, 2009, to January 29, 2010 from two hospitals. Patients were randomly grouped into a primary cohort and a validation cohort using a seven-to-three ratio, and their clinicoradiologic data on admission were compared. The clinicoradiologic features were optimized by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression analysis to generate a model for differential diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for assessing the performance of the model in the primary and validation cohorts. Results: The COVID-19 pneumonia mainly presented a peripheral distribution pattern (262/291, 90.0%); in contrast, H1N1 pneumonia most commonly presented a peribronchovascular distribution pattern (52/97, 53.6%). In LASSO logistic regression, peripheral distribution patterns, older age, low-grade fever, and slightly elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were associated with COVID-19 pneumonia, whereas, a peribronchovascular distribution pattern, centrilobular nodule or tree-in-bud sign, consolidation, bronchial wall thickening or bronchiectasis, younger age, hyperpyrexia, and a higher level of AST were associated with H1N1 pneumonia. For the primary and validation cohorts, the LASSO model containing above eight clinicoradiologic features yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.963 and 0.943, with sensitivity of 89.7 and 86.2%, specificity of 89.7 and 89.7%, and accuracy of 89.7 and 87.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Combination of distribution pattern and category of pulmonary opacity on chest CT with clinical features facilitates the differentiation of COVID-19 pneumonia from H1N1 pneumonia., Competing Interests: Y-HT was employed by Winning Health Technology Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Shi, Hu, Zhang, Liu, Zhou, Tang, Zhang, Shi, Zhang, Xiong and Shan.)

The proteins with lysin motif (LysM) are carbohydrate-binding protein modules that play a critical role in the host-pathogen interactions. The plant LysM proteins mostly function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that sense chitin to induce the plant's immunity. In contrast, fungal LysM blocks chitin sensing or signaling to inhibit chitin-induced host immunity. In this review, we provide historical perspectives on plant and fungal LysMs to demonstrate how these proteins are involved in the regulation of plant's immune response by microbes. Plants employ LysM proteins to recognize fungal chitins that are then degraded by plant chitinases to induce immunity. In contrast, fungal pathogens recruit LysM proteins to protect their cell wall from hydrolysis by plant chitinase to prevent activation of chitin-induced immunity. Uncovering this coevolutionary arms race in which LysM plays a pivotal role in manipulating facilitates a greater understanding of the mechanisms governing plant-fungus interactions.

The pathogenesis of recurrent acute tonsillitis (Rtn) is to be further investigated. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) often associate with the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammation. This study aims to identify the antigen-specific PMNs (sPMNs) isolated from the tonsillar tissues with recurrent acute inflammation. In this study, CD66b + PMNs were isolated from surgically removed tonsils (40 tonsils were from 20 Rtn patients; 24 tonsils were from 12 tonsil tumour patients) by flow cytometry cell sorting. sPMNs were identified through immunological approaches. We found that compared with the control tonsil samples (from marginal non-tumour tissues of tonsil cancer), Rtn samples showed higher PMN frequency, higher levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE), in which positive correlation was detected between the inflammatory scores in the Rtn tissues and PMN counts ( r  = .7352; p  = .0002), or MPO ( r  = .6565, p  = .0017), or NE ( r  = .6687, p  = .0013). Upon exposure to tonsillar tissue protein extracts in the culture, a portion of Rtn PMNs was activated and released inflammatory mediators. A complex of tonsillar tissue-specific IgG and FcγRI was observed on the surface of Rtn PMNs; these PMNs could specifically recognize the Rtn tissue extracts and were designated the tonsillar antigen-specific PMNs (sPMNs). A signal transduction pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-nuclear factor of T cell activation (NFAT) was activated in sPMNs after exposure to Rtn tissue extracts. In summary, a fraction of sPMN in the Rtn tonsillar tissues was identified and characterized. The sPMNs can be activated upon exposure to tonsil-specific antigens. These sPMNs may contribute to the Rtn pathogenesis.

Changes of maximum expiratory flow at 25% and 50% of vital capacity (MEF 25 and MEF 50 , respectively), and predominant parameters indicating small airways function in asthmatics before and after bronchodilator (BD) reversibility test have been less interpreted. Our study aimed to investigate the clinical role of changes of MEF 25 and MEF 50 before and after BD reversibility test in diagnosing asthma. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ), MEF 25 , and MEF 50 were measured before and after BD reversibility test in 207 asthmatic patients using standard process. Forty healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of reversibility of MEF 25 and MEF 50 before and after BD reversibility test (ΔMEF 25 % and ΔMEF 50 %, respectively) in diagnosing asthma. Among these functional criteria, ΔMEF 25 % and ΔMEF 50 % ≥ 25% performed the best diagnostic performance. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ΔMEF 25 % ≥ 25% as an objective diagnostic test for asthma were 63.29%, 87.50%, and 67.21%, and of ΔMEF 50 % ≥ 25% were 79.23%, 85.00%, and 80.16%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the indicators was 0.8203 and 0.9104, respectively. By contrast, an increase in FEV 1 ≥ 12% and 200 mL demonstrated a sensitivity of 62.32%, specificity of 82.50%, and accuracy of 65.59% in diagnosing asthma. The changes of MEF 25 and MEF 50 before and after BD reversibility test may be of additional value in the clinical diagnosis of asthma, with cutoff values of 25% being the most.

Objective: To compare clinical effect of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw and pedicle screw (PS) internal fixation in treating senile patients with lumbar tuberculosis., Methods: From January 2014 to January 2017, 42 senile patients with lumbar tuberculosis were divided into CBT group and PS group, 21 patients in each group. In CBT group, there were 12 males and 9 females, aged from 64 to 81 years old with an average of (72.52±9.25) years old, T value of bone mineral density was (-2.69±0.17) g / cm 3 , posterior CBT screw internal fixation and anterior debridement, interbody fusion with bone grafting was performed. In PS group, there were 11 males and 10 females, aged from 63 to 85 years old with an average of (71.42±9.81) years old, T value of bone mineral density was (-2.70±0.21) g / cm 3 , PS internal fixation and anterior debridement, interbody fusion with bone grafting were performed. Length of posterior incision, intraoperative bleeding volume, operation time, time of bone graft fusion and complications between two groups were compared. Level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), segment kyphotic Cobb angle before and after operation were compared, VAS score was used to evaluate pain releasing, JOA score was applied to evaluate clinical effect., Results: All patients were followed up from 12 to 21 months with an average of (15.00±3.57) months. No reoccurrence of lumbar tuberculosis and screw loosing occurred. There were statistical difference in length of incision, intraoperative bleeding volume, operation time between two groups ( P <0.05). Level ofESR and CRP between two groups at 2 weeks, 1 month and 6 months after operation were improved after operation, while there were no differences between two groups ( P >0.05). There were no statistical differences in complications, time of bone graft fusion and segment kyphotic Cobb angle at 1 week after operation between two groups ( P >0.05). There was difference in Cobb angle at 12 months after operation ( P <0.05). For VAS score, there were no difference between two groups before operation and 3 months after operation( P >0.05), but VAS score at 3 months after operation were improved after operation between two groups ( P <0.05).For JOA score, there were no difference between two groups before operation, 3 and 12 months after operation, and JOA score at 3 and 12 months after operation were improved than that of before operation between two groups ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Both of CBT screw internal fixation and PS screw internal fixation could achieve satisfying results for the treatment of elderly patients with lumbar tuberculosis. PSinternal fixation has a long fixation but great trauma. However, CBT screw internal fixation only needs to fix adjacent segments of the lesion to reduce the fixation range, which has advantages of less trauma and strong screw holding force.

Objective: To understand the clinical features and outcomes of chronic liver diseases overlapping with CMV infection. Methods: Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients of chronic liver diseases overlapping with CMV infection were analyzed retrospectively. T-test was used for measurement data and χ (2) test was used for count data. All measurement data were expressed by ( x ± s). P > 0.05 was not determined as significant. P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Chronic liver diseases overlapping with CMV infections had similar clinical features. Etiopathogenic treatment + symptomatic supportive treatment + CMV overlapping infection treatment (including antiviral therapy, corticosteroids consideration, clearing heat and traditional Chinese choleretic medicine, etc) were the primary principles of therapy. The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection accounted for 4.125% during the corresponding hospitalization period. Cytomegalovirus infection had relatively caused liver function damage in patients with milder clinical symptoms and signs. Biochemical indicators before and after treatment showed that there was no significant difference in total bilirubin (TBil) before (262.93 ± 178.944) μmol/L and after one week of treatment (245.08 ± 179.332) μmol/L ( P > 0.05). However, when TBIL was compared with three (156.58 ± 147.461) μmol/L and four weeks (103.39 ± 102.218) μmol/L) of treatment, the decrease was significant ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after one week (293.57 ± 467.438) U/L ( P < 0.01) of treatment was significantly lower than before treatment (782.34 ± 828.801) U/L. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) after treatment (202.52 ± 155.174)U/L was significantly lower than before treatment(280.69 ± 205.619)U/L). Total bile acid (TBA) was increased after treatment (198.04 ± 155.174)μmol/L, when compared with that of before treatment (62.93 ± 178.944)μmol/L. Biochemical indicators of liver diseases had shown typical features of cholestasis, and the slow and reduced flow of bile acid was tracked and observed. Compared with the advanced group (182.45 ± 214.169) umol/L, the total bilirubin in inflammation group (50.36 ± 26.282) umol/L was decreased ( P < 0.05). Moreover, advanced group (122.18 ± 106.780) umol/L ( P < 0.05) had elevated total bile acid normalization rate than that of bile acid group (54.82 ± 56.123) umol/L, and the inflammatory phase had significantly better outcome than those with advanced-stage. Conclusion: Chronic liver diseases overlapping with cytomegalovirus infection has a good therapeutic outcome in the inflammatory phase, but in the advanced-stage; the therapeutic efficacy and outcome is poor and perilous.

Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in tumor progression and patients' prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to construct a miRNA model for forecasting the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The gene expression data of 433 patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus public databases were remined by survival analysis and receptor manipulation characteristic curve (ROC). A prognostic model including six miRNAs (hsa-mir-26a-1-3p, hsa-mir-188-5p, hsa-mir-212-5p, hsa-mir-149-5p, hsa-mir-105-5p, and hsa-mir-132-5p) were constructed in the training dataset (TCGA, n = 333). HCC patients were stratified into a high-risk group and a low-risk group with significantly different survival (median: 2.75 vs. 8.93 years, log-rank test p < .001). Then we proved its performance of stratification in another independent dataset (GSE116182, median: 2.55 vs 6.96 years, log-rank test p = .008). Cox regression analysis showed that the prognostic model was an independent prognostic indicator for HCC patients. Then time-dependent ROC analyses were performed to test the prognostic ability of the model with that of TNM staging, we found the model had a better performance, especially at 5 years (AUC = 0.76). Functional prediction showed that the genes targeted by the six prognostic miRNAs in the prognostic model were highly expressed in the P53-related pathway. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic miRNA model that could indicate the survival of HCC patients., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most frequently occurring cancers worldwide and its incidence is forecasted to increase. Testing for KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutations in colorectal tissue biopsy samples has become a crucial tool to guide therapeutic decisions for personalized treatment., Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the IntelliPlex™ KRAS G12/13 Mutation Kit using clinical specimens compared to Sanger sequencing as the reference method., Methods: A total of 248 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, with CRC tumors comprising more than 10% of the whole tissue sample, were included in the study and analyzed for specific KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13. For samples with discordant results between Sanger sequencing and the IntelliPlex™ KRAS G12/13 Mutation Kit, Pyrosequencing was utilized to resolve the KRAS mutational status., Results: Sequencing determined 153 specimens as KRAS wild-type genotype while the IntelliPlex™ KRAS G12/13 Mutation Kit confirmed 139 of the wild-type cases, resulting in a clinical specificity of 90.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 85.12-94.91). All 95 specimens with a reported mutation in codons 12 or 13 of KRAS by sequencing were also reported as non-wild-type by the IntelliPlex™ KRAS G12/13 Mutation Kit, resulting in a clinical sensitivity to detect KRAS mutations of 100% (95% CI 96.19-100)., Conclusions: The IntelliPlex™ KRAS G12/13 Mutation Kit demonstrates suitable specificity and sensitivity for use in clinical laboratories to determine the mutational status of KRAS codons 12 and 13.

Positive bronchodilation (BD) tests can be noticed in some stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The characteristics of airway inflammation in this entity remain unclear. Our study aimed to identify the characteristics of airway inflammation in stable COPD patients with positive BD tests. The airway inflammation was assessed in 88 patients with stable COPD using the examination of induced sputum in the aftermath of lung function and BD tests. Cellular counts and the levels of molecular markers including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and IL-8 were assayed by Wright's stain, Immuno-CAP system, and ELISA, RT-PCR. Among the 88 patients with stable COPD, 20 (22.7%) showed positive BD tests. The values of eosinophils (4.7%±3.4%) and ECP (90.1±41.6 ng/mL) in induced sputum in stable COPD patients with positive BD tests were markedly elevated as compared with those in stable COPD patients with negative BD tests or in healthy controls (all P>0.05), but significantly lower than those in asthmatic patients (all P<0.01). The IL-5 in sputum supernatant was significantly decreased in stable COPD patients with positive BD tests as compared with the patients with asthma (12.5±7.8 vs. 48.2±26.0 ng/mL;.P<0.01). However, healthy controls exhibited similar concentrations of IL-5 in induced sputum with patients with stable COPD, whether with positive or negative BD tests (all P>0.05). Moreover, the values of neutrophils (61.8%±15.1%), MPO (574.0±111.8 ng/mL), and IL-8 (32.6±13.4 ng/mL) in induced sputum in stable COPD patients with positive BD tests were significantly higher than those in asthmatics or normal controls (all P<0.01). However, the values of the above inflammatory markers in induced sputum were similar among stable COPD patients with positive or negative BD tests (all P>0.05). The stable COPD patients with positive BD tests may present not only eosinophilic airway inflammation but also neutrophilic airway inflammation.

Objective: To summarize and critically assess the inhibitory effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on tumor volume and tumor weight for the treatment of osteosarcoma (OS) in mouse models., Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and Chinese BioMedical (CBM) were searched since their inception dates to March 10, 2016. Two reviewers independently selected the controlled studies estimating effects of CHM on mouse OS by administration in vivo. A pair-wise meta-analysis was performed. Twenty-five studies with adequate randomization were included in the systematic review., Results: CHM may significantly inhibit OS growth in mice, as assessed using the tumor weight [20 studies, n=443; 290 for CHM and 153 for the control: pooled mean difference (MD)=-2.90; 95% confidence interval (Cl): -3.50 to -2.31: P<0.01], tumor volume (16 studies, n=382; 257 for CHM and 125 for the control; pooled MD =-2.57; 95% Cl: -3.33 to -1.80; P<0.01) and tumor growth inhibition rate., Conclusion: CHM could significantly inhibit the growth of OS in mouse models, which might be supportive for the design of preclinical and clinical trials in future.

Objective: To investigate the effect of preoperative percutaneous drainage in lumbar tuberculosis with psoas abscess, through compare the clinical efficacy of two different methods., Methods: Thirty-six patients with lumbar tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscess in corresponding with the inclusion criteria were admitted in Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2015 to January 2017. The patients were divided into group A and group B according to the different therapeutic methods. All patients were given the standard anti tuberculosis treatment, and percutaneous catheter drainage was used in group A after admission immediately for psoas abscess before operation, while group B with no special treatment. At 3 weeks after anti tuberculosis treatment, 2 patients were excluded in group B, which had to postpone operation because of no reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C reactive protein(CRP). Finally 34 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 18 cases in group A, including 10 males and 8 females, aged from 24 to 73 years old with an average of(42.5±10.2) years. There were 16 cases in group B, including 9 males and 7 females, aged from 23 to 75 years old with an average of(42.3±9.8) years. All patients were treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation, anterior debridement and bone graft fusion. Anterior surgery bleeding volume, operation time, anterior incision length, postoperative anus exhaust time, VAS score, Cobb angle, ESR, CRP changes and postoperative sinus formation were compared between two groups., Results: All patients were followed up for 6 to 21 months with an average of 13 months. At the last follow-up, no mixed infection, tuberculosis recurrence, pedicle screw loosening and nail withdrawal were found. The average operative time, anterior surgery bleeding volume and anterior incision length of group A were less than that of group B( P <0.05). Postoperative anal exhaust time of group A was lower than that of group B( P <0.05). Improvement degree of ESR, CRP at 3 weeks after anti tuberculosis and 1 week after operation, group A was better than group B( P <0.05), and there was no significant difference between two groups in 1 month and 6 months after operation( P >0.05). There was 1 case sinus formation in group A and 5 cases in group B, there was significant difference in sinus formation rate between two groups ( P <0.05). VAS score and Cobb angle at 1 month after operation was obvious improved( P <0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups ( P >0.05). Spinal cord nerve injury was obvious improved after operation, but there was no significant difference between two groups., Conclusions: Preoperative percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis with psoas abscess. It can increase the effect of anti tuberculosis before operation, reduce the surgical trauma and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. It can be recommended in clinical application., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© 2018 by the China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Press.)

The molecular repertoire of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) is greatly affected by the microenvironment they are exposed to, and specifically by inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) released by activated lymphocytes, and microbial products, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In our previous study, we found that IFN-γ- and LPS-activated PAMs (M1) could inhibit porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replication. In this study, comprehensive analysis of the expression profiles of the genes associated with the polarization of M0-type PAMs (resting) toward M1 phenotypes (activated by IFN-γ and LPS) led to the following main results: 1) 1551 and 1823 genes were upregulated or downregulated in M1-type PAMs, respectively, compared with M0-type PAMs; 2) Among these, genes encoding ASS1 and CRTAM were the most upregulated and downregulated, respectively; 3) Genes involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway were significantly upregulated, suggesting their critical role in cellular activation; and 4) Genes involved in antigen proteolysis and presentation (immunoproteasome subunits), and inhibition of virus replication (host restriction factors) were significantly upregulated, emphasizing the critical role of these cytokines in immunity. Thus, our results provide important information for future studies on the role of PAM polarization in modulation of infection., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Both the lung and the thymus are vital target organ for pathogens including viruses. The immunoproteasome (i-proteasome) enhances antigen presentation for MHC class I molecules to activate CD8+T lymphocyte. These facilitate antiviral adaptive immune response. Our previous study found that, expression of i-proteasome subunits in porcine lung was altered during normal and inflammatory conditions. To date, the expression of i-proteasome subunits in porcine thymus to viruses has not been investigated. In the present study, LMP2, LMP7, and MECL-1 were cloned, identified and their sequences encoded predicted proteins of 216, 275, and 278 amino acids, respectively. Expression of LMP2, LMP7, and MECL-1, in the cytoplasm and nucleus, was markedly altered in the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-infected lung and thymus. And dendritic cells and epithelial cells readily expressed the i-proteasome subunit LMP2 in the thymus of PRRSV-infected pigs compared to that in mock-infected pigs. Additionally, the in vitro stimulation of a PAM cell line with PolyI:C for 12 and 24 h resulted in increased LMP2, LMP7, and MECL-1 expression. These results suggest a central role for these complexes in the activation of an antiviral immune response in pigs. A better understanding of the role of the i-proteasome in different cell types, tissues, and hosts could improve vaccine design and facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies for viral infections., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Because of its controversial pathogenesis, DPN is still not diagnosed or managed properly in most patients., Methods: In this study, human lncRNA microarrays were used to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs in DM and DPN patients, and some of the discovered lncRNAs were further validated in additional 78 samples by quantitative realtime PCR (qRT-PCR)., Results: The microarray analysis identified 446 and 1327 differentially expressed lncRNAs in DM and DPN, respectively. The KEGG pathway analysis further revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNA-coexpressed mRNAs between DPN and DM groups were significantly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway. The lncRNA/mRNA coexpression network indicated that BDNF and TRAF2 correlated with 6 lncRNAs. The qRT-PCR confirmed the initial microarray results., Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that the interplay between lncRNAs and mRNA may be involved in the pathogenesis of DPN, especially the neurotrophin-MAPK signaling pathway, thus providing relevant information for future studies., (© 2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

A 2- to 4-year-old uncastrated male Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altica) bred in a local wild animal park presented with generalized clinical signs including abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, and anorexia, along with subcutaneous nodules along the trunk. The patient subsequently died of chronic, progressive dyspnea despite 45 days of antibiotic treatment. At necropsy, mesenteric fat inflammation and multiple subcutaneous, peritoneal, and intraabdominal nodules were observed. The lungs demonstrated congestion and heavy coagulation, and necrotic foci were observed on the cut surface. Histopathologically, the nodules were identified as granulomatous fatty tissue with numerous lymphocytes, infiltration with lipid-laden macrophages, and fibrosis. These changes were also noted in the lung. The etiology of this condition remains undetermined.

Pain is a major risk factor of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged population. We investigated the effects of thalidomide, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, on POCD in aged rats, and also explored the underlying mechanisms. Laparotomy was performed under anesthesia in aged rats (24-25 months) to establish POCD models. Thalidomide (5-50mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered immediately after laparotomy. Within 12h after the operation, pain symptoms were assessed by rat grimace scale (RGS). Within postoperative day (POD) 3-14, spatial memory was evaluated using performance errors in a radial arm maze. Protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were measured on POD 14. POCD rats treated with thalidomide showed decreased RGS and performance errors, compared with saline-treated POCD rats. Single administration of thalidomide significantly reduced production of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β) in serum but not in the brain, and attenuated upregulation of NMDA receptor (NR) 2A/B subunits in the hippocampus at POD 14. MK-801 abolished thalidomide-induced attenuation of spatial memory deficits. Our results support that thalidomide could disrupt the development of post-operative memory deficit in aged rats through its long-term regulation of NMDA receptors (NRs) in the hippocampus. Therefore, thalidomide might provide a new means to prevent the development of POCD., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The elimination of infected cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) occurs through interactions between T cell receptors (TCRs) and pathogen-derived antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I complexes. The immunoproteasome (i-proteasome), which is a large proteolytic machine derived from the constitutive proteasome, is highly efficient at processing antigens for presentation on MHC class I molecules to activate CD8 + T lymphocytes; this in turn facilitates antiviral adaptive immune responses. To date, i-proteasome expression in the porcine lung has not been investigated. In this study, we systematically analyzed the expression of the i-proteasome in vivo in the porcine lung and in vitro in alveolar macrophages (AMs) under normal and inflammatory conditions such as with IFN-γ stimulation or PRRSV infection. AMs were shown to readily express low levels of i-proteasome subunits, which were confined to the cytoplasm and nucleus under normal conditions. While i-proteasome expression could also be detected in other lung parenchymal cells including alveolar type I and II cells and bronchial epithelial cells during inflammatory conditions. Results showed that i-proteasome expression is markedly increased in IFN-γ-stimulated AMs and PRRSV-infected lung tissue. In addition, PRRSV infection promoted i-proteasome expression in AMs during the early stage of infection, and this was independent of IFN-γ; expression was attenuated during the later stage of infection in vitro. These results suggested that i-proteasome subunit expression can be induced in the porcine lung, which facilitates the development of antiviral adaptive immune responses against intracellular infections. These results could facilitate the development of therapeutics that target intracellular pathogens., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of one-stage posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior debridement and bone grafting with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach in treating multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis., Methods: The clinical data of 15 patients with multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis underwent operation from February 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average of (47.0±13.9) years old. The lesions involved L₄-S₁ in 12 cases, L₄-S₂ in 1 case, L₃-S₁ in 2 cases. Five cases complicated with nerve root symptoms and 2 cases with cauda equina symptoms. All patients were treated with posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior L₄,₅, L₅S₁ debridement and bone grafting with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach. Operation time, blood loss, incision length, first passage of gas by anus were recorded. The condition of bone fusion and focus absorption were observed by lumbar CT and MRI; and ESR and CRP were regularly rechecked., Results: Fifteen patients were followed up for 18-24 months with an average of (20.0±2.73) months. All lumbosacral pain obtained improvement, and no hardware loosening, breaking, or bone graft block loosening was found. The operative time of anterior-posterior approach surgery was 210-250 min with an average of (231.0±12.1) min; the blood loss was 320-705 ml with an average of(495.0±130.3) ml; the incision length was 15-21 cm with an average of (16.4±3.4) cm, and the extended length of inverted L-shape incision was 6 to 9 cm with an average of (7.1±2.6) cm. The time of first passage of gas by anus was 14 to 40 h with an average of (24.1±7.4) h after operation. All bone graft obtained fusion at final follow-up, and spinal cord symptoms got recovery, ESR and CRP restored normal level with no recurred at 3 months after drug withdrawal., Conclusions: The treatment of multiple lumbosacral tuberculosis with posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation combined with anterior debridement and bone fusion with modified inverted L-shape incision by extraperitoneal approach is feasible and practical. This method has advantages of little trauma, good exposure, less complications and high security., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Two new cyclic nonapeptides, named clausenlanins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clausena lansium. Their structures were elucidated as cyclo-(Gly 1 -L-Leu 2 -L-Ile 3 -L-Leu 4 -L-Leu 5 -L-Leu 6 -L-Leu 7 -L-Leu 8 -L-Leu 9 ) (1) and cyclo-(Gly 1 -L-Leu 2 -L-Val 3 -L-Leu 4 -L-Leu 5 -L-Leu 6 -L-Leu 7 -L-Leu 8 -L-Leu 9 ) (2) respectively on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, particularly 2D NMR spectra taken at the temperature of 338 or 303 K and MS.