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To address the situation where the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) has problems with hesitant fuzzy preference relations (HFPRs), this paper develops a group decision making method considering the additive consistency and consensus simultaneously. First, a new normalized method for HFPRs is developed to address the situation where the evaluation information has different number of elements. Second, for improving the unacceptable consistent HFPRs, an algorithm is designed to derive acceptable consistent HFPRs. The main characteristic of the design algorithm is that the values that need to be revised are identified first, and then design the local adjustment process. Third, an algorithm is developed to obtain a group of normalized HFPRs (NHFPRs), considering the additive consistency of HFPRs. Fourth, for improving the individual consistency and group consensus simultaneously, an algorithm is designed to obtain a group of HFPRs with acceptable consistency and consensus. Finally, the method of determining the decision makers’ weights and a procedure for MCDM problems with HFPRs are given. An illustrative example in conjunction with comparative analysis is used to demonstrate the proposed method which is feasible and efficient for practical MCDM problems.

To address the situation where Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems with hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference relations (HFLPRs), this study introduces a group decision-making method in view of worst and average indexes simultaneously. First, several optimization models for deriving the worst and average additive consistency indexes of HFLPRs are proposed. The main characteristic of the constructed optimization models is that the personalized individual semantics (PISs) model is taken into accounted. And then the concept of acceptable additive consistent HFLPRs is developed, which takes into accounted the worst consistency index (WCI) and average consistency index (ACI). Second, several optimization models are constructed for improving the consistency of HFLPRs. The main characteristic of the constructed optimization models is that two predefined thresholds for the WCI and ACI are considered. It requires the consistency level of all the linguistic preference relations (LPRs) derived from original HFLPR meet the threshold of WCI, and the average consistency level of all LPRs reaches the threshold of ACI. Third, an algorithm is designed for deriving priority weights from acceptable consistent HFLPRs. Finally, the presented models are validated using a numerical example and extensive comparative analyses.

Hesitant fuzzy preference relations (HFPRs) have been widely applied in multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) for their ability to efficiently express hesitant information. To address the situation where HFPRs are necessary, this paper develops several decision-making models integrating HFPRs with the best worst method (BWM). First, consistency measures from the perspectives of additive/multiplicative consistent hesitant fuzzy best worst preference relations (HFBWPRs) are introduced. Second, several decision-making models are developed in view of the proposed additive/multiplicatively consistent HFBWPRs. The main characteristic of the constructed models is that they consider all the values included in the HFBWPRs and consider the same and different compromise limit constraints. Third, an absolute programming model is developed to obtain the decision-makers’ objective weights utilizing the information of optimal priority weight vectors and provides the calculation of decision-makers’ comprehensive weights. Finally, a framework of the MCDM procedure based on hesitant fuzzy BWM is introduced, and an illustrative example in conjunction with comparative analysis is provided to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed models.

Interval-valued cooperative games use interval numbers to represent the returns of coalition. It indicatives that the uncertain of the returns are emerge from the coalition. This leads to the uncertainty of the players’ returns who participating in the cooperation. The players with different risk preferences will have different attitudes towards the uncertainty of coalition returns. To address this issue, several allocation models are constructed by taking into account players’ risk attitudes. There are four types of players’ risk preference are concerned, namely, risk neutral, risk pursuit, risk aversion and risk mixed. First, to remove fuzziness of interval relationships presented in interval-valued core, the comparison method of interval numbers is utilized. Second, the allocation models are developed by taking into account decision makers’ risk attitudes and the absolute difference of two interval numbers, there are two types are concerned, that is, the allocation models respectively considering the coalition with the same satisfaction level of absolute difference and different satisfaction level of absolute difference. Third, an illustrative example is employed to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed models. Finally, comparison of distribution schemes obtained in this study and obtained from other several methods are conducted.

The study aimed to characterize a novel vitexin-producing endophytic fungus Fusarium solani G6 from Cajanus cajan, improve its capability for producing vitexin and evaluate its osteoblastic proliferation activity. A total of 153 endophytic fungi, classified into 6 genera, were isolated from C. cajan. Among them, only one strain, endophyte G6 identified as Fusarium solani, was found to produce vitexin. After the optimization of fermentation conditions, the highest vitexin yield (18.72 mg/L) for the strain was observed in PDB liquid medium containing 20.54 g/L of glucose and 8.90 g/L of ammonium sulfate, at an initial medium pH of 5.1 and at 28 °C for 6 days of cultivation. Moreover, the fungal vitexin exhibited notable osteoblastic proliferation stimulating activity. A novel vitexin-producing endophytic fungus F. solani G6 was characterized from C. cajan for the first time. The findings highlighted its potential use for large-scale production of vitexin and might have a promising use as therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

In the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process, decision-makers with different risk attitudes may have different decision results. To address this issue and present decision-makers’ mentality, this paper introduces two mentality parameters. These parameters reflect the decision-makers’ risk attitudes in determining the membership and non-membership degrees of the evaluation information. In addition, the parameters demonstrate the risk attitude in terms of the hesitancy degree under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information. Then, a new score function of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs) is proposed that uses the introduced mentality parameters. Meanwhile, certain properties of the proposed score function are discussed. Furthermore, the weighted comprehensive score value of IVIFNs is introduced, and an MCDM method is developed in an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment. Finally, a numerical example and comparative analyses are provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

As an important extension of fuzzy number, the probabilistic hesitant fuzzy element (PHFE) shows the flexibility of decision makers in expressing hesitant information in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) processes. Accordingly, numerous research findings have been obtained since PHFE introduction. However, a few important issues in PHFE utilization remain to be addressed. This study introduces the French organization Rangement Et Synthese De Ronnees Relationnelles’ (ORESTE) approach for MCDM with probabilistic hesitant fuzzy information. First, the limitations of normalized PHFE (NPHFE), Euclidean distance, and several operations in previous studies are discussed. Subsequently, an algorithm is designed to derive the new NPHFE. A new Euclidean distance and several operations are developed on the basis of the proposed NPHFE. Second, the ORESTE approach is extended to probabilistic hesitant fuzzy environments. Lastly, the problem of selecting best research topic is presented to demonstrate that the proposed approach is effective. A comparative study with other approaches is conducted with identical illustrative example.

To address the situation where the incomplete hesitant fuzzy preference relation (IHFPR) is necessary, this paper develops decision-making models based on decision makers’ satisfaction degree with IHFPR. First, the consistency measures from the perspectives of additive and multiplicative consistent IHFPR are defined based on the relationships between the IHPFRs and their corresponding priority weight vector, respectively. Second, two decision-making models are developed in view of the proposed additive and multiplicative consistency measures. The main characteristic of the constructed model sarethey taking into account the decision makers’ satisfaction degree. The objective functions of the models are developed by maximizing the parameter of satisfaction degree. Third, a square programming model is developed to obtain the decision makers’ weights byutilizing the optimal priority weight vectors information, the solution of the model is obtained by solving the partial derivatives ofLagrange function.Finally, a procedure for multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems with IHFPRs is given, and an illustrative example in conjunction with comparative analysis is used to demonstrate the proposed models are feasible and efficiency for practical MCDM problems.

Objective MiR-499 has been reported to be expressed only in cardiomyocytes, and its expression would increase after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). miR-499 plays a role in the process of cardiomyocytes injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), however, it still remains unclear. Results Hypoxia inhibited miR-499-5p expression and H/R induced apoptosis. SOX6 was a target gene of miR-499-5p, and high expression of miR-499-5p inhibited the expression of SOX6. MiR-499-5p reduced H9c2 cells injury by inhibiting the expression of SOX6, overexpression of which could reverse the effect of miR-499-5p on H9c2 cells. MiR-499-5p inhibited the levels of LDH and MDA, while overexpression of miR-499-5p inhibited H/R-induced cell apoptosis. MiR-499-5p could up-regulate the level of Bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3. However, SOX6 partially reversed these effects of miR-499-5p. Conclusion We proved that miR-499-5p inhibited H/R-induced cardiomyocytes injury by targeting SOX6. Our results suggested that miR-499-5p/SOX6 pathway may present a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AMI.

Resting two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) identified right ventricular (RV) systolic function were reported to predict exercise capacity in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients, but little attention had been payed to 2D-STE detected RV diastolic function. Therefore, we aim to elucidate and compare the relations between 2D-STE identified RV diastolic/systolic functions and peak oxygen consumption (PVO2) determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in pre-capillary PH. 2D-STE was performed in 66 pre-capillary PH patients and 28 healthy controls. Linear correlation and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate and compare the relations between RV 2D-STE parameters and PVO2. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the predictive value of 2D-STE parameters in predicting the cut-off—PVO2 − 0.65/s had a 88.2% sensibility and 82.2% specificity to predict PVO2

Roll forming is a sheet metal forming process, which can form the profiles gradually to improve the formability of Q&P980 steel. The plastic deformation mechanism of roll forming was expounded by analysing the stress and strain distribution at the corner of a hat-type profile when the Q&P980 steel sheet passed through a series of continuous stands. And the plastic deformation mainly accumulated when the sheet metal was not in contact with the rolls. A simple mathematical model was derived by considering the longitudinal bending strain and the geometrical relationships of forming parameters, to analyse the longitudinal strain development in the deformation process. In addition, the roll forming experiments on hat-type profile parts of Q&P980 steel were carried out, and the theoretical analysis and simulation results are consistent with the experimental results.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of closed circular RNA molecules formed by reverse splicing, which exists widely in organisms and has become a research hotspot in non-coding RNAs in recent years. Skeletal muscle plays the role of coordinating movement and maintaining normal metabolism and endocrine in organisms. With the development of sequencing and bioinformatics analysis technology, the functions and regulation mechanisms of circRNAs in skeletal muscle development have been gradually revealed. In this review, we summarize the types of molecular regulatory mechanisms, the classical research ideas and the functional research methods of circRNAs, and the research progress of circRNAs involved in normal development of skeletal muscle and regulation of skeletal muscle disease, in order to provide a reference to further study of the genetic mechanisms of circRNAs in the regulation of skeletal muscle development.环状RNA (circular RNA, circRNA)是一类反向剪接形成的闭合环状RNA分子,广泛存在于生物体内,近年来成为非编码RNA中的研究热点。骨骼肌在生物体中起到协调运动的作用,是维持体内正常代谢和内分泌的器官之一。随着测序技术和生物信息学分析技术的发展,circRNA在动物骨骼肌发育中的功能和调控机制逐渐被揭示。本文就当前circRNA的分子调控机制类型、circRNA经典研究思路及功能研究方法以及circRNA参与骨骼肌正常发育与骨骼肌疾病发生调控的研究进展进行了综述,以期为进一步深入研究circRNA参与骨骼肌生长发育调控的遗传机制以及circRNA相关研究方法提供参考。.

Objective Bacillus strains are well known for their natural bioactive products that have antimicrobial and/or anti-cancer activities. Many of Bacillus' structurally unique metabolites can combat human diseases, including cancers. However, because Bacillus' metabolites are so abundant, few have been studied extensively enough to fully characterize their chemical constitutions and biological functions. Methods In this study, we focused on the isolation and purification of a new Bacillus strain, and determined the effects of its metabolites on bacteria and cancer cells. Our study focused on a new strain of Bacillus isolated from deer dung. Based on BLAST results, this isolate belongs to Bacillus subtilis, and therefore we named the strain Bacillus subtilis NC16. Congo red assay was used to test the cellulase activity. The inhibition zone was measured to test the antimicrobial activity. CCK-8, wound healing and flow cytometry were used to test the anti-cancer activity. Results Metabolites from Bacillus subtilis NC16 have both antimicrobial and anti-cancer activities. They can both suppress the growth of Trichoderma vride and Staphylococcus aureus, and inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Conclusion Our results suggest that Bacillus subtilis NC16 can not only degrade cellulose, but its metabolites may be sources of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.

Early intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD) to reduce the incidence of coronary aneurysms. Patients with atypical presentation or who live in a rural area are less likely to receive treatment in the early stage of presentation and are more likely to develop severe complications. There is little consensus on how to treat coronary aneurysms effectively in the acute or subacute stage especially when giant aneurysms develop that compromise cardiac function. This case study is of a 19-month-old girl who initially was not treated as KD and developed multivessel giant coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) (>8 mm), acute myocardial infarction, and complete heart block despite late intravenous IVIG administration. Multiple attempts of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) failed to open the occlusion in the right artery; therefore, bradycardia persisted. The girl received a permanent pace-maker and was doing well at 12-month follow up.

To explore the value of right ventricular (RV) parameters detected by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in risk stratification in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. We prospectively recruited 130 pulmonary hypertension patients from National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital. Each participant was performed a transthoracic echocardiography and 3DE parameters were measured using an off-line software (4D RV Function 2.0, TomTec). Patients were classified into low, intermediate-high risk group based on 2015 ESC Guidelines. A total of 91 PAH patients (34 ± 12 years old, 25 males) were enrolled, among which, 42 were classified into low risk group, while 49 were intermediate-high risk group. Compared with low-risk patients, those with intermediate-high risk had significantly larger 3DE-RV volumes, worse ejection fraction (EF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and decreased longitudinal strain (LS). Receive operating characteristic curves illustrated all the 3DE parameters were able to predict intermediate-high risk stratification, especially 3D-RVEF (area under curve, 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.91, P

We investigated and compared the correlations between two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography detected left ventricular peak early diastolic strain rates (global: left ventricular global peak early diastolic strain rate; septum: left ventricular peak early diastolic strain rate of septum; free wall: left ventricular peak early diastolic strain rate of free wall) and disease severity in pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. Seventy-four pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension patients (23 males and 51 females, 35 ± 13 years) and thirty healthy controls were consecutively recruited for two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography analyses in our study. Medical records of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension patients were reviewed to capture clinical data; risk assessments were performed based on the 2015 ESC Guidelines. Compared with healthy controls, left ventricular global peak early diastolic strain rate was lower in pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension patients (1.11 ± 0.60 s −1 versus 1.47 ± 0.45 s −1 , P = 0.001), especially that of the septum (1.13 ± 0.58 s −1 versus 1.68 ± 0.46 s −1 , P

To investigate and compare the value of right ventricular longitudinal strain detected by two-dimensional and three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in risk stratification evaluation in pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. We consecutively screened 66 patients diagnosed with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension in our center. According to the risk assessment recommended by 2015 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, all participants were classified into low- and intermediate-high-risk group. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional strains were measured using off-line softwares (GE EchoPAC version 201 and TomTec, 4D RV Function 2.0). Fifty-seven pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension patients (average 35 years old, 18 males and 39 females) were finally enrolled in our study, 32 (56.1%) were classified in low-risk group, while 25 (43.9%) were in the intermediate-high-risk group. Clinical data associated with disease severity, such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( r = 0.574, P

Purpose. Imaging artifacts are frequently encountered when performing clinical echocardiography. Based on our review of the literature, two-dimensional linear artifacts are mainly reported in the ascending aorta in patients with suspected aortic dissections. However, pulmonary artery artifacts that mimic pulmonary artery dissection have not been discussed. We herein report our experience with children and adults with preexisting heart conditions and pulmonary artery imaging artifacts. Methods. The study population comprised 10 patients with heart disease who were treated at our hospital from March 2015 to September 2017. Nine patients were children with congenital heart disease, mainly patent ductus arteriosus (n = 8), and one patient was an adult with pulmonary artery hypertension. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients. Results. We confirmed the diagnosis in six patients during a surgical operation for other indications and in four patients by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography. The most common pulmonary imaging artifact was observed from the left high parasternal view (9/10, 90%). Most of the artifacts were diagonally oriented (8/10, 80%), and a few were horizontally oriented. Half of the artifacts were located in the main pulmonary arteries with mild pulmonary artery dilatation. Pulmonary hypertension was seen only in the adult patient. The thymus gland was clearly seen in young patients. Conclusion. Pulmonary artery imaging artifacts in patients with preexisting heart disease during echocardiographic examination can mimic pulmonary artery dissection. Understanding the types and origins of these ultrasound artifacts is important to avoid a false-positive diagnosis.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the clinical effects of structured skin care plan of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in intervening elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Materials and Methods: Totally, 66 elderly patients with IAD were randomly divided into the experiment group (32 cases) and control group (34 cases). The control group was given routine nursing care, while the experiment group was given a structured skin care plan. The observational course was 2 weeks. The treatment efficiency and healing time were compared between the two groups. Results: After 2-week intervention, the total effective rate of the experiment group was higher than that of the control group (97.1% vs. 78.1%, X2 = 3.913, P = 0.048). The skin assessment tool score of the experiment group was lower than that of the control group (0.56 ± 1.58 vs. 1.75 ± 2.46, Z = −−2.401, P = 0.016). The healing time of the experiment group was shorter than that of the control group (7.29 ± 4.76 days vs. 10.69 ± 6.36 days, Z = −2.280, P = 0.026). Conclusion: The structured skin care plan of integrated Chinese and Western medicine showed a good effect in elderly IAD patients, and provided a reference for clinical treatment and care of elderly patients with IAD.

The electrochemical behaviors of natural graphite (NG198), artificial graphite (AG360) and carbon microbeads (CMB) in an ionic liquid based electrolyte are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The surface and structure of three graphite materials are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) before and after cycling. It is found that solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is closely related to graphite structure. Benefiting from larger specific surface area and more dispersed Li + insertion points, CMB shows a better Li + insertion/de-insertion behavior than NG198 and AG360. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) prove that the SEI of different graphite electrodes has different intrinsic resistance and Li + penetrability. By comparison, CMB behaves better cell performances than AG360, while the narrow edge plane makes NG198 uncompetitive as a potential anode for the ionic liquids (ILs)-type Li-ion battery.

Background Repetitive or intermittent levosimendan infusion is gradually becoming more commonly considered for patients with advanced chronic heart failure. However, previous randomized controlled studies (RCTs) reported conflicting results on the effects of levosimendan when administered repetitively. The aim of this meta-analysis was to generate up-to-date evidence to assess the effect of levosimendan in this group of patients. Material/Methods A literature review identified 8 qualified studies. A meta-analysis was performed to assess mortality and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results Use of levosimendan contributed to significantly reduced mortality at the end of mid-term follow-up. The mortality rates in levosimendan and control group were 23 of 226 (10.2%) and 53 of 198 (26.8%), respectively (RR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.26–0.63, P

Toxic heavy metal contamination in Chinese edible herbs has raised a worldwide concern. In this study, heavy metals in Epimedii Folium, an edible medicinal plant in China, were quantitatively analyzed. Variations of heavy metals in different species, in various organs (i.e., leaves, stems, and roots), in wild-growing and cultivated plants, and in 35 market samples of Epimedii Folium, were systematically investigated. In all of Epimedium samples, Hg (mercury) was not detectable (0.00 μg/g). Four species, Epimedium pubescens, Epimedium sagittatum, Epimedium brevicornu, and Epimedium wushanense, were found to contain Cu (copper) and Pb (lead). And contents of Cu and Pb in E. brevicornu were significantly higher than those in other species (P

Based on the feature of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making, in this thesis, a mentality parameter is used to reflect the decision makers’ risk attitude in determining of both a membership degree and a non-membership degree. Besides, with the mentality parameter, a new score function and accuracy function are proposed, which integrate the membership degree, the non-membership degree and the hesitancy degree into one index. Furthermore, to compare two interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, a new ranking method is generated with the score function and accuracy function. Finally, a multi-attribute decision method under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment is developed in a linear weighted average operator. And promising numerical results show that this method is available.

Water-soluble polysaccharides are important constituents with evident health benefits in Epimedium. The aim of this study was to establish a specific, accurate, reproducible, and sensitive phenol-sulfuric acid method for the quantitative assay of Epimedium polysaccharides and to determine polysaccharides in Epimedium samples from Chinese markets. Galactose was adopted as the standard monosaccharide, and 486 nm was chosen as the detection wavelength. The optimal conditions for the color reaction were obtained using single factor experiments and an orthogonal test: temperature, 20°C; amount of 5% phenol, 0.3 mL; amount of concentrated sulfuric acid, 3.5 mL; incubation time, 20 min; and addition sequence, phenol-sample-sulfuric acid. The colored sample solution after chromogenic reaction exhibited high stability within 2 h. The calibration curve was linear within the range 5.00–60.00 μg/mL, and the correlation coefficient of the regression equation was 0.999. LOD and LOQ were 1.65 and 5.00 μg/mL, respectively. Recovery, intraday precision, interday precision, and accuracy were 97.43 to 103.80%, 0.73 to 3.48%, 1.21 to 2.75%, and 97.74 to 101.62%, respectively. Polysaccharides in 26 samples of Epimedium collected from different provinces of China were quantified by the proposed colorimetric method, and a large variation of contents of polysaccharides was observed among these samples.

Aerosol pollution episodes have frequently occurred in China in recent years, and the airborne trace elements in particulate matter have been a cause for concern worldwide because of their impacts on human health. However, there is limited information on the hourly variations of airborne trace elements. This paper describes a detailed investigation conducted in March 2013 on the hourly variations and potential sources of airborne trace elements. Trace elements in particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 μm (PM_(10)) were monitored on-line in four representative regions with similar latitudes in southeastern China. Our results showed that the number of species of elements in PM_(10) detected at urban sites and an industrial park was greater than that at a rural site, due to the influences of human activities. The hourly variation patterns of trace elements indicated that their concentrations were stable during the day at the rural site, whereas a visible ＂double peak＂ of Pb and Cu was observed in the tourist city and a ＂single morning peak＂ of Pb and As was seen in the industrial city. These variations indicated the abundant traffic in the tourist city, and strong industrial emissions in the industrial city. However, the single morning peak and the slight double peak patterns of the trace elements were both found at the industrial park, indicating a combined source of industry and traffic. The results from the source identification also indicated that the sources of airborne elements were mainly industrial emissions at industrial sites, whereas the elements in the tourist city might primarily result from traffic. The correlations between PM_(10) concentrations and trace element concentrations were also studied. The results revealed that PM_(10) correlated better with elements originating from natural sources (e.g., K, Ca, Fe) than with those from anthropogenic sources (e.g., Pb, Zn, Cu). Our results provide a scientific basis for pollution control strategies at these sites.

We report a very rare case of mitral valve dissection and aortic-left ventricular tunnel caused by possible autoimmune vasculitis. We suspected Behcet's disease in this patient. There was no obvious clinical evidence of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography is the diagnostic tool of choice to recognize valvular dysfunction, related pathology, and possible complications. The patient may require immunosuppressive therapy due to the high likelihood of recurrence in the perioperation period.

Although surfactin is able to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and to induce cancer cell apoptosis, the molecular mechanism responsible for this process remain elusive. In this study, the signaling network underlying the apoptosis of human hepatoma (HepG2) cells induced by surfactin was investigated. It is found that the reaction oxygen species (ROS) production and intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) accumulation are both induced HepG2 cells apoptosis. The [Ca(2+)]i exaltation was partly depended on the Ca(2+) release from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine (Ry) receptors channels, which both triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). The results showed that surfactin induced the ROS production and ROS production led to ERS. The occurrence of ERS increased the [Ca(2+)]i level and the processes associated with blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. According to a comprehensive review of all the evidence, it is concluded that surfactin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells through a ROS-ERS-Ca(2+) mediated ERK pathway.

Trichothecium roseum is one of the most important postharvest pathogens in arid and semiarid regions. Sodium silicate (NaSi) and environmental pH have significant inhibitory effects on fungal growth. However, no study has addressed the relationship of NaSi and pH in combination and the effects on T. roseum. In this work, we showed that spore germination, germ tube elongation, and mycelial growth of T. roseum were significantly inhibited by various NaSi concentrations, which had corresponding increasing pHs. Furthermore, these NaSi solutions showed a much greater impact than did pH treatments alone. The pathogenicity of NaSi-treated conidia on a model assay (conidia-inoculated apple fruit) was dramatically reduced, whereas no changes of pathogenicity were evident for the corresponding pH (various sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions) treatments. Fluorescent microscopy, using propidium iodide staining, showed damage of the plasma membranes of T. roseum conidia treated with both NaSi and NaOH, although the damage was more severe with NaSi. Leakage of proteins and sugars was significantly higher in NaSi-treated and NaOH-treated conidia than in untreated controls. In addition, serious damage was observed in the conidia exposed to NaSi for longer periods of time. Ultrastructural observations showed that treatment with either NaSi or NaOH caused a plasmolysis state and disorganized organelles. Taken together the results show that NaSi has inhibitory effects on T. roseum and that the inherent higher pH of NaSi solutions of higher concentrations simply acts as an enhancer of the inhibitory effects of NaSi.

Although Musca domestica larvae lectin (MLL) is able to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and to induce cancer cell apoptosis, the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for these processes remain elusive. In the current study, the signaling network underlying the MLL-induced apoptosis of human hepatoma BEL-7402 cell was investigated. Our data found out that MLL causes a sustained increase of the intracellular Ca(2+) and this process was prevented by the intracellular calcium chelator, BAPTA-AM, suggesting the involvement of intracellular Ca(2+) in MLL-induced cell apoptosis. MLL also causes the production of reactive oxygen species and elevates the phosphorylation status of JNK, processes associated with the increased cytoplasmic Ca(2+). The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening study showed that MLL treatment of BEL-7402 cells results in the opening of MPTP and a reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In such condition, cytochrome-c was detected to be released from mitochondria to cytoplasm through the MPTP. This eventually activates caspase-3 and thus results in apoptosis of the tested BEL-7402 cells. According to a comprehensive review of all the evidence, it is concluded that MLL induces apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells through a Ca(2+)/JNK-mediated MPTP pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of pentoxifylline(PTX) on oxygen free radicals in liver as a result of ischemia-reperfusion in rats with severe hemorrhagic shock.Method Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(12 each): control group(C),no resuscitation group(NR),Ringer lactate solution(LR)-treatment group(LR),and LR combined PTX(25mg/kg) group(LRPTX).The rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock was established according to Wiggers method.Blood samples were collected at Ts(before shock) and Td(before sacrifice) for determination of AST and ALT.The rats were sacrificed and the livers were obtained for the determination of the activity of SOD,the contents of MDA and iNOS,and the expression of NF-κB immediately after shock in NR group and 4 hours after resuscitation in C,LR and LRPTX group.The pathological changes in the livers were observed with light microscope and electron microscope.Results Compared with C group,the AST and ALT levels in venous blood,the contents of MDA and iNOS,and the expression of NF-κB in liver were all significantly increased in NR,LR and LRPTX groups at Td time point,while the activity of SOD significantly decreased(P < 0.05).There also showed signs of severe injury to the liver.Compared with LR group,the AST and ALT levels in venous blood,the contents of MDA and iNOS,and the expression of NF-κB were significantly decreased in LRPTX group,while the activity of SOD significantly increased(P < 0.05).Pathologic changes of injury to the liver were significantly milder.Conclusion PTX can protect liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury by decreasing iNOS production and NF-κB activation,inhibiting the generation of oxygen free radical and enhancing the activity of SOD.