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In order to enhance the degradation effect of microorganisms on crude oil in the existence of chlorophenol compounds, oil-degrading bacteria C4 (Alcaligenes faecails), C5 (Bacillus sp.) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degrading bacteria L3 (Bacillus marisflavi), L4 (Bacillus aquimaris) were isolated to construct a highly efficient consortium named (C4C5 + L3L4). When the compound bacteria agent combination by V

The immobilization of microorganisms on high-quality and inexpensive carriers to remediate oil-contaminated soil is an effective strategy for contaminated soil remediation. Due to the abundance in nutrients, large specific surface area, and fewer pathogens, the composting sludge is considered a high-quality immobilized material. Herein, two non-ionic surfactants, TW-80 and sophorolipid, were used to modify composted sludge. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria groups selected in the laboratory were fixed on the modified composting sludge under optimal conditions. The immobilized material was placed in the soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons at an additive amount of 2wt/%, and a simulated remediation experiment was performed for 90 days. Both soil properties and microbial structure were characterized. Surfactant-modified compost sludge enhances the adsorption capacity to petroleum hydrocarbon. The immobilized microorganisms in the modified compost sludge showed a good effect on the remediation of soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, immobilized materials also increase the diversity of the microbial community structure in the soil. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria immobilized on surfactant-modified compost can effectively promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and increase the abundance of microorganisms in the soil. It shows the feasibility of eco-friendly remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

This study is intended to explore the anticancer, antiproliferative, and chemopreventive action of troxerutin (TX) in human non-small-cell lung cancer cell (A549) using BALB/c nude mice. 2 × 106 A549 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice, along with 10 μM and 20 μM/kg body weight of TX orally for 19 days. On the last day, tumor weight and volume were assessed. Stress marker enzymes such as Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 5'Nucleotidase (5'ND), and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT) were estimated in the lung tissues. Cytotoxicity of TX was assessed using MTT assay. Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and inflammatory cytokines were also analyzed. Histopathological examination of tissue sections and immunohistochemical examination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also performed. mRNA expression of p53, p21, cyclin D1, P13k, Akt, and mTOR were analyzed using RT-PCR. TX administered orally in a dose-dependent manner markedly reverted the level of stress marker enzymes to a significant extent. TX also exhibited significant protection against lung cancer cells, as evidenced by cytotoxicity assay and histopathological studies. It was also found to reduce the expression of PCNA, cyclin D1, P13k, Akt, and mTOR, but increase the expression of p53 and p21. TX has also been shown to reduce cancer cell inflammation, as was evidenced by reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines. Thus TX could be used as an effective chemopreventive and anticancer agent in treating cancer.

In this study, the role of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 M (UBE2M) and molecular mechanisms associated with osteoarthritis (OA) were explored. Cartilage tissues and corresponding healthy tissues from OA patients were isolated. Our data suggested that the expression level of UBE2M in OA patients was significantly higher compared to that in healthy individuals (P 0.01). The apoptosis of human OA chondrocytes was inhibited when silencing UBE2M and increased when overexpressing UBE2M. XAV939, as a tankyrase 1 inhibitor, could block the signaling pathway of Wnt/β-catenin, which significantly reversed the change introduced by UBE2M. The expression level of cytoplasmic β-catenin in siUBE2M cells dramatically increased, and the expression levels of nuclear β-catenin, cleaved caspase-3 (C-caspase-3), and MMP13 remarkably downregulated. Moreover, the ubiquitination of Axin was enhanced by the overexpression of UBE2M. The expression level of Axin significantly decreased in OA chondrocytes with UBE2M overexpression and increased after MG132 treatment. Moreover, UBE2M enhanced the apoptosis of OA chondrocytes by activating the Axin-dependent Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In this process, UBE2M downregulated Axin in an ubiquitination-dependent degradation pathway and subsequently activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Patients suffering from extremely medial clavicle fractures combined with distinct displacement generally need surgical intervention. Double-plate fixation is a widely applied technique in the treatment of distal radius fracture, which has been reported to fix lateral clavicle fracture as well. This study reveals the effect of double-plate fixation as an innovative procedure in the treatment of extremely medial clavicle fractures for the first time. Nine patients complaint of extremely medial clavicle fracture were enrolled in this research from May 2017 to March 2019. Patients were operated with an open reduction and internal fixation using the double-plate technique. Postoperative x-ray was taken regularly to observe the fracture healing at each visit, and the related complications were also recorded. The rating score systems of Constant Murley score of treated shoulder and contralateral shoulder, ROWE score as well as American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) were evaluated to comment on the postoperative shoulder joint function. All patients achieved postoperative fracture healing with no complications. Only 1 patient complained of slight restriction, 2 patients complained of pain during overhead work, and another patient was found with plate breakage. Meanwhile, the Constant Murley scores of treated and contralateral shoulder were 94.1 and 98.5 points, respectively, indicating the similar shoulder function. Furthermore, the ROWE and ASES scores of the involved shoulder were 96.7 and 96.3 points at average, respectively. It is the first time to introduce the surgical technique of vertical double-plate fixation implied in stable fixation of extremely medial clavicle fractures, which could provide the surgeons with an alternative method for this type of fracture.

Patients suffering from extremely medial clavicle fractures combined with distinct displacement generally need surgical intervention. Double-plate fixation is a widely applied technique in the treatment of distal radius fracture, which has been reported to fix lateral clavicle fracture as well. This study reveals the effect of double-plate fixation as an innovative procedure in the treatment of extremely medial clavicle fractures for the first time.Nine patients complaint of extremely medial clavicle fracture were enrolled in this research from May 2017 to March 2019. Patients were operated with an open reduction and internal fixation using the double-plate technique. Postoperative x-ray was taken regularly to observe the fracture healing at each visit, and the related complications were also recorded. The rating score systems of Constant Murley score of treated shoulder and contralateral shoulder, ROWE score as well as American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) were evaluated to comment on the postoperative shoulder joint function.All patients achieved postoperative fracture healing with no complications. Only 1 patient complained of slight restriction, 2 patients complained of pain during overhead work, and another patient was found with plate breakage. Meanwhile, the Constant Murley scores of treated and contralateral shoulder were 94.1 and 98.5 points, respectively, indicating the similar shoulder function. Furthermore, the ROWE and ASES scores of the involved shoulder were 96.7 and 96.3 points at average, respectively.It is the first time to introduce the surgical technique of vertical double-plate fixation implied in stable fixation of extremely medial clavicle fractures, which could provide the surgeons with an alternative method for this type of fracture.

Vascular dementia (VD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly people. However, little is understood about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in cognitive impairment in early VD. Here, a VD model induced by chronic cerebral ischemia and fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free cell model that detects synapse formation was established to investigate the function of miRNAs in early VD. The microarray analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that miR-210-5p increased significantly in the hippocampus of rats with 4 weeks of ischemia. The VD model rats also displayed significant cognitive deficits and synaptic loss. The overexpression of miR-210-5p decreased the synaptic number in primary hippocampal neurons, whereas specific suppression of miR-210-5p resulted in the formation of more synapses. Additionally, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of miR-210-5p agomir to VD rats aggravated phenotypes of cognitive impairment and synaptic loss. These VD-induced phenotypes were effectively attenuated by miR-210-5p antagomir. Moreover, bioinformatic prediction revealed that synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 KDa (Snap25) mRNA is targeted by miR-210-5p. The miR-210-5p decreased the luciferase activities of 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of Snap25 mRNA. Mutation of predicted miR-210-5p binding sites in the 3’ UTR of Snap25 mRNA abolished the miR-210-5p-induced decrease in luciferase activity. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that miR-210-5p targets Snap25. Finally, RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining detected that miR-210-5p agomir downregulated Snap25 expression in the cornu ammonis1 (CA1) region of hippocampi in VD rats, whereas miR-210-5p antagomir upregulated Snap25 expression. Altogether, miR-210-5p contributes to cognitive impairment in chronic ischemia-induced VD model through the regulation of Snap25 expression, which potentially provides an opportunity to develop a new therapeutic strategy for VD.

This paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical investigation into the punching shear behavior of a simple andeffective method of connection between a steel tubular column and concrete flat slab using welded shear studs. Experimental and numericalsimulations are used to modify an analytical method suitable for use in design. The shear stud used is the same type as used in conventionalsteel or concrete composite beams. A major difference between the shear stud behavior in the proposed system and in composite beams is thatin the proposed system, the amount of concrete available to resist punching shear is limited due to the small depth of the flat concrete slab.Experimental and numerical studies have investigated the effects on punching shear behavior and resistance of the proposed shear connectionsystem under different design variables, including concrete depth above the shear stud, concrete compressive strength, concrete tensilestrength, shear stud dimensions (length and diameter), and reinforcement. The results indicate that it is possible to use the proposed simpleconnection system to provide sufficient punching shear resistance in realistic flat slab construction. The results of the numerical parametricstudy indicate that the punching shear resistance of the proposed shear stud system is directly affected by concrete tensile strength rather thanconcrete compressive strength. The experimental and numerical simulation study results are used to assess an existing relevant calculationmethod and develop a simple method to calculate the punching shear resistance of this new connection system.

An animal model of Osteoarthritis (OA) was established to observe the influences of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and nano magnet application (NMA) on Collagenase 3 (MMP-13) expression and the activation status of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in rabbit. 24 experimental rabbits from New Zealand were randomly divided into four groups: LIPUS, NMA, LIPUS + NMA group, and control group. The experimental rabbit OA model was established in the right knee joint of rabbits received ACLT operation. Rabbits in LIPUS group received LIPUS treatment and rabbits in NMA group were given NMA treatment. In LIPUS + NMA group, both treatments were applied on experimental rabbits everyday. However, the rabbits in control group only underwent ACLT operation. Four weeks later all rabbits were killed and changes of histopathology in rabbit articular cartilage were assessed and evaluated using Mankin method (Modified Mankin Scale). The protein expressions of MMP-13 and MAPKs were estimated using Western Blot. The results showed that both LIPUS and NMA treatments could significantly decrease the Mankin scores and suppress the expression level of MMP-13. However, there were some inverse results of MAPKs expression in these two applications and imply their treatment mechanisms of OA were different from each other.

To observe the in vitro expression of DNA vaccine pcDNA3-Sj22.7 and its immunological effect in mice, the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-Sj22.7 was used to transfect HeLa cells with liposome-mediated method and the expression of Sj22.7 mRNA and protein was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Then, the ability of pcDNA3-Sj22.7 to protect against Schistosoma japonicum challenge infections was analyzed according to worm reduction rate and egg reduction rate after vaccination of mice. The serum levels of specific IgG antibody and T lymphocyte proliferation response were also determined. After the challenge infection, Sj22.7-driven interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 was also quantified. Results showed that pcDNA3-Sj22.7 could express Sj22.7 mRNA and protein in vitro. Immunization resulted in a worm reduction rate of 29.70%, egg reduction rate of 47.25% (liver) and 51.73% (intestine), and egg reduction rate of 25.90% (eggs per female), suggesting induction of significant anti-fecundity in the pcDNA3-Sj22.7 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis indicated that immunized mice generated specific IgG against Sj22.7. T lymphocytes from mice immunized with pcDNA3-Sj22.7 showed a significant proliferation response to rSj22.7. The culture of spleen cells showed that secretion of IFN-gamma increased but IL-4 decreased. The results indicate hat DNA vaccination by pcDNA3-Sj22.7 is sufficient to elicit significant levels of protective immunity against S. japonicum infection. The DNA vaccine could induce significant cellular and humoral immune response, and display predominant T helper cell type 1 type immune responses, which contribute to the protective immunity against challenge infection in mice.