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Xing Wei,1 Xinyi Wei,2 Xiaotong Yu,1 Feifei Ren1 1Department of Psychology, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Feifei Ren, Department of Psychology, Qingdao University, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13165021997, Email renfeifei@qdu.edu.cnPurpose: Economic pressure has become an important source of stress for employees. However, the conclusions regarding the relationship between financial stress and employees’ work behavior are not consistent. The present study explored the relationship between financial stress and employee job performance with a Chinese sample and further explored how and when financial stress influenced job performance.Samples and Methods: The present study investigated five distinct companies operating in diverse sectors using a convenience sampling technique. Three hundred and twenty-one employees were recruited. Financial Stress, Job Performance, Work Engagement, and Emotional Exhaustion were measured for this investigation. The mediation effect was tested using a four-step procedure. The analysis of the moderated mediation model was performed using Hayes’s PROCESS macro for SPSS.Results: The results found financial stress was positively related to job performance, and work engagement mediated the positive relationship between financial stress and job performance. In addition, emotional exhaustion moderated the mediating process between financial stress, work engagement, and job performance. Specifically, the beneficial effect of financial stress on work engagement disappeared when emotional exhaustion was high. Besides, a high level of emotional exhaustion weakened the positive relationship between work engagement and job performance.Conclusion: Financial stress plays a motivating role in employees’ job performance in China. Work engagement is a key factor between financial stress and job performance. Notably, the positive effect of financial stress and work engagement on job performance is contingent upon the individual’s level of emotional exhaustion. These results might explain the inconsistency of the effect of financial stress in previous research. Moreover, this finding suggests that emotional factors may not only be the result of stress but can also influence its effects.Keywords: financial stress, job performance, work engagement, emotional exhaustion, moderated mediation model

Yixin Liu,1 Feifei Ren,1 Shan Li,1 Xiangchen Li,1 Dongyan Shi,2 Zhiqing Zhang1 1Department of Pharmacy, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhiqing Zhang, Department of pharmacy, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215, Heping Road, Xinhua District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China, Email 26500007@hebmu.edu.cn Dongyan Shi, Department of clinical laboratory, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215, Heping Road, Xinhua District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China, Email shidongyan73@126.comObjective: To define the antifungal activity of n-butylphthalide alone or in combination with fluconazole in Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis.Methods: The antifungal activity of n-butylphthalide alone and in combination with fluconazole was investigated by the classical broth microdilution method and the time-killing curve method. The QRT-PCR method was used to determine gene expressions changes of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, drug efflux pumps and drug target enzymes in Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis after n-butylphthalide treatment.Results: The MIC values of n-butylphthalide against Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis ranged from 16 to 64 μg·mL-1. The FICI value of the combination of n-butylphthalide and fluconazole against drug-resistant Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis ranged from 0.5001 to 0.5315 with partial synergism. Time-killing curves showed that 256 μg·mL-1 n-butylphthalide significantly inhibited the growth of drug-resistant colonies of Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis, and 128 μg·mL-1 n-butylphthalide combined with 1 μg·mL-1 fluconazole had an additive effect. N-butylphthalide could alter the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes COX1, COX2, COX3, and CYTB genes in Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis (P< 0.05) and downregulate the expression of the drug efflux pump genes CDR1 and CDR2 in drug-resistant Candida glabrata to 3.36% and 3.65%, respectively (P< 0.001), but did not affect the drug target enzyme ERG11 in drug-resistant Candida tropicalis.Conclusion: N-butylphthalide had antifungal activity against Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. N-butylphthalide improved the activity of fluconazole against drug-resistant Candida glabrata by affecting the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme genes and reversing the high expression of drug efflux pump genes CDR1 and CDR2.Keywords: n-butylphthalide, fluconazole, drug resistance, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, potentiation

Dan Yu, Wenhan Huang, Min Sheng, Shan Zhang, Hang Pan, Feifeng Ren, Lei Luo, Jun Zhou, Dongmei Huang, Lin Tang Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin Tang, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 23 63693878, Fax +86 23 62888265, Email hopetang@hospital.cqmu.edu.cnPurpose: Inflammation triggers a metabolic shift in macrophages from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. This metabolic reprogramming worsens inflammation and cascades into organ damage. Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], a small molecule, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates whether Ang-(1-7) mitigates inflammation in LPS-induced macrophages and septic mice by regulating the Warburg effect in immune metabolism.Methods: The study induced macrophages with LPS in vitro and measured inflammatory factors using ELISA and Western blot. Key enzymes in glycolysis, mitochondrial respiratory complexes, and citrate pathway key molecules were assessed using Western blot and qRT-PCR. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lactate, and ATP were measured using assay kits. In vivo, a mouse model of sepsis induced by LPS was used. Kidney tissues were examined for pathological and mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations. The levels of inflammatory factors in mouse serum, glycolysis and citrate pathway-related molecules in the kidney were assessed using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence techniques. Additionally, MMP, lactate, and ATP in the kidney were measured using assay kits.Results: In vitro experiments demonstrated that Ang-(1-7) inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. It also reduced the expression of key glycolytic enzymes HK2, PFKFB3, and PKM2, as well as lactate levels. Additionally, it decreased intracellular citrate accumulation, enhanced mitochondrial respiratory complexes I and III, and ATP levels. Ang-(1-7) alleviated MMP damage, modulated citrate pathway-related molecules, including SLC25A1, ACLY, and HIF-1α. In vivo experiments showed that Ang-(1-7) lowered glycolysis levels in septic mice, improved mitochondrial ultrastructure and function, mitigated inflammation and renal tissues damage in septic mice, and suppressed the expression of key molecules in the citrate pathway.Conclusion: In conclusion, Ang-(1-7) can regulate the Warburg effect through the citrate pathway, thereby alleviating inflammation in LPS-induced macrophages and septic mice.Keywords: Ang-(1-7), macrophage, sepsis, Warburg effect, glycolysis, citrate

Hong-Liang Jia,1 Jian Gao,2 Feng Ren,2 Yaping Ma1 1Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yaping Ma, Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, No. 1000 of Hefeng Road, Binhu District, Wuxi, 214122, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 510-68089896, Email mayp987@163.comObjective: We retrospectively analysed related clinical data to determine the influencing factors to better prevent and treat children’s respiratory tract infection.Methods: The study participants were children with respiratory tract infection who had sputum cultured in our hospital between 2014 and 2021. Sputum samples were extracted using negative suction pressure and sent to the hospital microbiological laboratory for testing. The testing results were analysed.Results: A total of 4610 sputum samples were collected, and 508 positive samples were detected. The positive rate of pathogenic bacteria was 11.02%. Escherichia coli infection was more common in male patients (11.11%), whereas Haemophilus influenzae infection was more common in female patients (17.54%); the infection rates of these 2 bacteria are increasing annually. There were 304 (59.84%) strains of gram-negative bacteria, 172 (33.86%) strains of gram-positive bacteria and 32 (6.3%) strains of fungi. In children between 0 and 3 years old, the proportions of gram-negative bacteria were significantly higher than those of gram-positive bacteria in 2016– 2017, 2018– 2019 and 2020– 2021 (p

Ren F, Shrestha C, Shi H, et al. Onco Targets Ther. 2020;13;9419-9428. At the authors request, we, the Editor and Publisher of the journal OncoTargets and Therapy, have retracted the following article. Following publication of the article, concerns were raised about the duplication of images from another article authored by the first author, Fang Ren. Specifically, The image for Figure 4H, OVCAR-8, miR-421 mimics, has been duplicated with an image for Figure 4F, MDA-MB-231, anti-miR-374a, from Zhang J, He Y, Yu Y, et al. Upregulation of miR-374a promotes tumor metastasis and progression by downregulating LACTB and predicts unfavorable prognosis in breast cancer. Cancer Med. 2018;7:3351–3362. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.1576. In addition, images for Figure 5D, Lenti-NC group and Lenti-miR-421, Ki-67 have been duplicated. The authors responded to our queries but were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the duplicated images or provide satisfactory data for the study. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, the authors requested to retract the article and we, the editor and publisher, agreed with this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Juanru Wei,1,&ast; Cong Zhang,2,&ast; Wei Ma,1 Juncheng Ma,1 Zhenzhen Liu,1 Fucai Ren,1 Ning Li1 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ning Li; Fucai Ren, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road Shushan District, Hefei, 230032, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-5516-516-1115, +86-5516-517-2133, Email 1993500019@ahmu.edu.cn; renfucai@ahmu.edu.cnPurpose: The drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae has become more and more serious, and it is urgent to seek new antibacterial drugs. In this study, Thesium chinense Turcz. extracts were tested for its potential antibacterial activities.Methods: T. chinense powder was extracted with 5 solvents of different polarity (ethyl alcohol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol and double distilled water), and their antibacterial activities were tested. The Broth dilution method was used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of highly active plant extracts with a concentration of 1g/mL. The inhibitory activity of this extract on biofilm formation was investigated. Afterwards, we investigated its effect on the transcriptome of S. aureus.Results: The ethanol extract coded as BRY, only inhibited S. aureus, whereas the ethyl acetate extract coded as BY2 showed inhibitory effect on all the tested bacteria. The MIC of BRY on S. aureus was 128 mg/mL, and the MBC was 512 mg/mL. The MIC of BY2 against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and H. influenzae were 8 mg/mL, 4 mg/mL, 4 mg/mL, and 4 mg/mL, respectively. The MBC of BY2 for these four bacteria ranged from 4 to 256 mg/mL. Mechanism studies have shown that BRY and BY2 have an impact on anti-formation of biofilms at MIC concentrations. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that 531 genes were up-regulated and 340 genes showed down-regulated expression in S. aureus after BY2 treatment.Conclusion: BY2 has a broader antibacterial spectrum than BRY. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of BY2 on S. aureus is better than BRY. The mechanism of BY2 against S. aureus may relate to its inhibition of ribosome synthesis, restriction of key enzymes of citric acid cycle, decrease of pathogenicity and influence on biofilm formation. The results confirmed that BY2 was the main antibacterial part of T. chinense, which can be used as a source of antibacterial agents.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: plant extract, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, antibacterial

Zhihuan Zhang, Wenhan Huang, Feifeng Ren, Lei Luo, Jun Zhou, Mengxue Tian, Zhongjie Wang, Dandan Chen, Lin Tang Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin Tang, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of China, Email hopetang@163.comPurpose: To explore the risk factors for thrombi occurring in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) and establish a risk prediction model to better predict the risk of thrombosis in patients with AAV.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 117 AAV patients who had been hospitalized in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between October 2010 and December 2021. For all patients, we recorded demographic characteristics and clinical data, analyzed the risk factors for thrombosis in AAV patients and then developed a risk prediction model.Results: Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that a high complement C3 level, a high BVAS score and a high Padua score were independent risk factors for thrombosis in AAV patients. According to multivariate analysis, a predictive model for thrombus risk was successfully established; the area under the ROC curve(AUC) was 0.803 (95% CI: 0.716– 0.890) and the maximum Youden index, sensitivity and specificity were 0.487, 59.0% and 89.7%, respectively.Conclusion: A high complement C3 level, high BVAS score, and a high Padua score were shown to be independent risk factors for thrombosis in AAV patients. We developed a risk prediction model based on these three risk factors that could predict the risk of thrombosis in AAV patients to some extent.Keywords: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, thromboembolism, risk factors, risk prediction model

Jin-Bao Ma,1 Ling-Cheng Zeng,2 Fei Ren,1 Li-Yun Dang,1 Hui Luo,1 Yan-Qin Wu,1 Xin-Jun Yang,1 Rong Li,1 Han Yang,3 You Xu1 1Department of Drug-Resistance Tuberculosis, Xi’an Chest Hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Xi’an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xi’an Chest Hospital, Xi’an, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fei Ren; You Xu, Department of Drug-resistance tuberculosis, Xi’an Chest Hospital, West Section of HangTian Avenue, Yanta District, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, Email doc.renfei@163.com; xuyou7575@126.comBackground: Long-term regimens are widely used for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in North-West China; however, risk factors associated with the treatment outcomes are not well known.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of MDR-TB patients treated with longer regimen in Xi’an from 2017 to 2019. Risk factors associated with the treatment outcome were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.Results: Of the 446 patients with MDR-TB included, 215 were cured, 84 completed treatment, 23 failed treatment, 108 were lost to follow-up, and 16 died. Unfavorable outcome risk factors were age > 40 years (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 2.12– 4.98), male sex (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.52– 4.22), and re-treated tuberculosis (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.11– 2.61), whereas poor treatment outcome risk factors were age > 40 years (OR = 5.51, 95% CI = 2.52– 12.07), fluoroquinolones not used in the regimen (OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.45– 7.51), and smear-positive (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.47– 10.8).Conclusion: In Xi’an, MDR-TB treatments with long-term regimens had low success rates, and age, sex, and tuberculosis treatment history were risk factors of MDR-TB treatment outcomes.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant, treatment outcomes, risk factors, China

Lichuan Zeng,1,&ast; Qu Wang,2,&ast; Haodong Liao,1,&ast; Fengchun Ren,1 Yudong Zhang,1 Jian Du,3 Huaqiang Liao,1 Mingguo Xie,1 Wenbin Wu3 1Department of Radiology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasound, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mingguo Xie, Department of Radiology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, Email 767030837@qq.com Wenbin Wu, Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, Email wwb1201@vip.sina.comPurpose: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensities (FVHs) and the clinical–radiological correlation in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of TIA patients who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 24 h of symptom onset. Two independent neuroradiologists investigated the presence of FVHs, large-artery severe stenosis or occlusion (LASO) in magnetic resonance angiograms, and the nature of factors associated with FVH.Results: A total of 207 patients were enrolled in this study. FVHs were detected in 42 (20.3%) patients, in whom atrial fibrillation (AF) was confirmed in 25 (59.5%) cases and LASO was confirmed in 30 (71.4%) cases. The corresponding figures were 33 (20.0%) and 10 (6.1%), respectively, for the 165 FVH-negative patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that time from symptom onset to MRI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% CI 0.76– 0.97, p = 0.042), previous stroke (OR = 2.95, 95% CI 1.58– 6.74, p = 0.002), AF (OR = 5.83, 95% CI 2.24– 9.46, p < 0.001), and LASO (OR = 4.28, 95% CI 2.96– 10.28, p < 0.001) were independently associated with FVH. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of FVH for predicting LASO were 0.75 and 0.93, respectively, and the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 0.71, 0.94, and 0.89, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.839. FVH-positive TIA patients with LASO had less AF (14 [46.7%] versus 11 [91.7%], p = 0.019) and longer times from symptom onset to MRI (6.8 ± 2.8 h versus 4.8 ± 1.3 h, p = 0.004) than those without LASO.Conclusion: The presence of FVH could be an important marker in TIA patients. Many factors, including LASO, AF, and time from symptom onset to MRI, are associated with the detection of FVH.Keywords: FLAIR vascular hyperintensity, hyperintense vessel, transient ischemic attack, magnetic resonance imaging

Xue C, He Y, Hu Q, et al. Cancer Manag Res. 2018;10:5101–5112. We, the Editors and Publisher of Cancer Management and Research, have retracted the published article. Concerns were raised about the integrity of the data in the article following the author’s request to correct images in Figures 2 and 3. It was found images from these figures had been duplicated within the article and with those from another article. Specifically, The images for Figure 2D, GBC-SD, NC and PIM1-siRNA, have been duplicated with the images for Figure 3C, GBC-SD, NC and NOZ, PIM1-siRNA, respectively. The images for Figure 2D, NOZ, NC, have been duplicated with the images from Figure 5d, Hep3B, PLK-4 from Bao J, Yu Y, Chen J, et al. MiR-126 negatively regulates PLK-4 to impact the development of hepatocellular carcinoma via ATR/CHEK1 pathway. Cell Death Dis. 2018;9:1045. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-018-1020-0. When approached for an explanation, the authors were cooperative and provided some original data for their study, however, the provided data was not satisfactory, and the results could not be adequately verified. As verifying the validity of the published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article and the authors do not agree with this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Impacts of spatial charge inhomogeneities on carrier transport fluctuations and premature breakdown were investigated in Schottky ampere-class Ga2O3 power diodes. Three prominent electron traps were detected in Ga2O3 epilayers by a combination of the depth-resolved capacitance spectroscopy profiling and gradual dry etching. The near-surface trap occurring at 1.06 eV below the conduction band minimum (EC), named E3, was found to be confined within a 180 nm surface region of the Ga2O3 epilayers. Two bulk traps at EC − 0.75 eV (E2*) and at EC − 0.82 eV (E2) were identified and interconnected with the VGa- and FeGa-type defects, respectively. In the framework of the impact ionization model, employing the experimental trap parameters, the TCAD simulated breakdown characteristics matched the experimental breakdown properties well, consistently with inverse proportionality to the total trap densities. In particular, the shallowest distributed E3 trap with the deepest level is responsible for higher leakage and premature breakdown. In contrast, Ga2O3 Schottky diodes without E3 trap exhibit enhanced breakdown voltages, and the leakage mechanism evolves from variable range hopping at medium reverse voltages, to the space-charge-limited conduction at high reverse biases. This work bridges the fundamental gap between spatial charge inhomogeneities and diode breakdown features, paving the way for more reliable defect engineering in high-performance Ga2O3 power devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jun Zhou, Wenhan Huang, Feifeng Ren, Lei Luo, Dongmei Huang, Lin Tang Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin TangDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 76 Linjiang Road, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail tanglin1217@163.comObjective: The aim of our study was to elucidate the potential prognostic factors in anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5)-positive patients.Methods: We divided anti-MDA5-positive patients into death and survival groups. The differences in clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results: A total of 56 cases were included. The death group comprised 10 (17.9%) cases, and the survival group comprised 46 (82.1%) cases. Median age of the death group was greater than the survival group, 59.50 years vs 39.25 years, p< 0.05. The death group had lower lymphocyte count and albumin and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase initially (p< 0.05, respectively). Ground-glass opacity on chest computed tomography was found more often in the death group (p< 0.05), in which there was an absence of honey-combed shadow initially. The diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features was higher in the death group than the survival group (70% vs 13%, p< 0.05). The median dose of maximum daily methylprednisolone in the death group (160 mg/d) was higher than that in the survival group (48 mg/d) (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Advanced age, low lymphocyte count and albumin, and increased levels of inflammatory markers may portend poor prognosis in anti-MDA5-positive patients. Extra-large doses of glucocorticoid may have no additional benefit in these patients.Keywords: anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody, interstitial lung disease, clinical manifestation, prognosis

Wenhan Huang, Feifeng Ren, Lei Luo, Jun Zhou, Dongmei Huang, Lin Tang Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin TangDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail hopetang@163.comObjective: Clinical characterization of lipid metabolism in untreated patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies-positive (anti-MDA5+).Methods: Body-mass index (BMI), autoantibodies, lipid levels, and serum ferritin levels in 57 anti-MDA5+ patients were determined in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.Results: Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) levels were significantly lower in deceased group than in the survival group (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of HDL and ApoA1 were significantly lower in patients who were simultaneously anti-MDA5+ and anti-Ro-52+ than in patients who were anti-MDA5+ alone (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, HDL, and ApoA1 were significantly decreased in patients with high levels of serum ferritin compared with patients with low levels (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood lipid levels between patients grouped according to BMI.Conclusion: 1) HDL and ApoA1 levels are important indicators of poor prognosis in anti-MDA5+ patients; 2) Dysregulated lipid metabolism in anti-MDA5+ patients is closely associated with anti-Ro-52 antibody and ferritin levels but independent of BMI; 3) HDL involvement in inflammation and immune regulation merits close attention by rheumatologists.Keywords: anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies, anti-Ro-52 antibody, lipid, high-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A1

Hang Pan, Wenhan Huang, Zhongjie Wang, Feifeng Ren, Lei Luo, Jun Zhou, Mengxue Tian, Lin Tang Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lin TangDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13795683033Fax +86 23 62888265Email hopetang@163.comPurpose: Angiotensin 1– 7 [Ang-(1-7)] has been identified as an important anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic factor. This study determined how the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis affected M1/M2 macrophage polarization and thus contributed to anti-inflammatory processes in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced inflammation model.Materials and Methods: ELISA, western blotting, and qRT-PCR were used to verify that Ang-(1-7) decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines. The differentiation of M1/M2 macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry for assessing the cell-surface markers, CD86 and CD206. The related key receptors and pathways were analyzed by Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. CLP-induced inflammatory mice models were used for in vivo studies. Hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining protocols were used to analyze histological changes in the spleen, and the related key pathway proteins were analyzed by western blotting.Results: Ang-(1-7) decreased the expressions of the TNF-α and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the expressions of the IL-4 and IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokines. INOS and TNF-α, which represented M1 macrophage polarization, were decreased by Ang-(1-7). ARG1 and CD163, which represented M2 macrophage polarization, were increased by Ang-(1-7). Both Mas receptor and ACE2 are expressed on macrophages. Furthermore, the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-MAS axis modulated macrophage polarization by ameliorating TLR4 expression and regulating the NF-кB and MAPK pathways. In addition, splenomegaly and macrophage infiltration were observed in the spleen of the CLP-induced mouse models and macrophages in the spleen suspension of CLP models were shifted to M1 phenotype and were effectively inhibited by Ang-(1-7) via the TLR4-mediated NF-кB and MAPK pathways, which could be partially rescued by A-779.Conclusion: Ang-(1-7) inhibited inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro, and repressed macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype and promoted it toward the M2 phenotype, which provided new evidence for the anti-inflammation activity of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-MAS axis.Keywords: ACE2-Ang-(1‑7)-MAS axis, macrophage polarization, sepsis, NF-kB pathway, MAPK pathway

Lichuan Zeng,1 Huaqiang Liao,1 Fengchun Ren,1 Yudong Zhang,1 Qu Wang,2 Mingguo Xie1 1Department of Radiology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasound, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Mingguo Xie; Qu WangHospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail 767030837@qq.com; 444028177@qq.comAbstract: Percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is a valuable procedure for obtaining tissue or cells for diagnosis, which is especially indispensable in thoracic oncology. Pneumothorax and hemoptysis are the most common complications of percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. According to reports published over the past decades, pneumothorax incidence in patients who underwent TTNB greatly varies. The morbidity of pneumothorax after CT-guided TTNB depends on several factors, including size and depth of lesions, emphysema, the number of pleural surfaces and fissure crossed, etc. Attention to biopsy planning and technique and post-biopsy precautions help to prevent or minimize potential complications. Many measures can be taken to help prevent the progression of a pneumothorax, which in turn might reduce the number of pneumothoraces requiring chest tube placement. A multitude of therapeutic options is available for the treatment of pneumothorax, varying from observation and oxygen treatment, simple manual aspiration, to chest tube placement. When a pneumothorax develops during the biopsy procedure, it can be manually aspirated after the needle is retracted back into the pleural space or by inserting a separate needle into the pleural space. Biopsy side down positioning of the patient after biopsy significantly reduces the incidence of pneumothorax and the requirement of chest tube placement. Aspiration in biopsy side down position is also recommended for treating pneumothorax when simple manual aspiration is unsuccessful or delayed pneumothorax occurred. Chest tube placement is an important treatment strategy for patients with a large or symptomatic pneumothorax. Clinicians are encouraged to understand the development, prevention, and treatment of pneumothorax. Efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of pneumothorax in biopsy planning and post-biopsy precautions. When pneumothorax occurs, appropriate treatment should be adopted to reduce the risk of worsening pneumothorax.Keywords: pneumothorax, lung biopsy, aspiration, chest tube placement, computed tomography, CT

Feifei Ren,1 Rongjuan Guo2 1Second Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rongjuan GuoDepartment of Neurology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6, 1st Section, Fangxingyuan, Fangzhuang, Fengtai District, Beijing City, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 10-6768-9655Email 381160563@qq.comAbstract: Depression is a major disease that can affect both mental and physical health, limits psychosocial functioning and diminishes the quality of life. But its complex pathogenesis remains poorly understood. The dynamic changes of synaptic structure and function, known as synaptic plasticity, occur with the changes of different cellular microenvironment and are closely related to learning and memory function. Accumulating evidence implies that synaptic plasticity is integrally involved in the pathological changes of mood disorders, especially in depressive disorder. However, the complex dynamic process of synaptic plasticity is influenced by many factors. Here, we reviewed and discussed various factors affecting synaptic plasticity in depression, and proposed a specific framework named synaptic microenvironment, which may be critical for synaptic plasticity under pathological conditions. Based on this concept, we will show how we understand the balance between the synaptic microenvironment and the synaptic plasticity network in depression. Finally, we point out the clinical significance of the synaptic microenvironment in depression.Keywords: depression, synaptic plasticity, synaptic microenvironment, glia, influence factors

This study examines the electronic and luminescent properties of β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.42) thin films grown on (0001) sapphire using laser-MBE, with a focus on the evolution of defect energy levels and their impact on surface Fermi level pinning and luminescence. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cathodoluminescence (CL) have been employed to analyze surface band bending and defect evolution as a function of aluminum content. The results have revealed a pinned Fermi level at 3.6 eV above the valence band maximum despite the increase in the bandgap. The consequent upward band bending has been confirmed by a peak shift in the core level XPS. The defects that lead to the Fermi level pinning effect are attributed to E2*, which is related to a Ga vacancy or Ga vacancy-O vacancy complex. In addition, CL spectroscopy and depth-resolved CL have demonstrated consistent blue and ultraviolet emissions across the Al content range and a similar suppression of electron concentration on blue and ultraviolet emissions in β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 and β-Ga2O3. Based on the observed evolution of defects with Al content, the blue band emission is attributed to electron transition in the donor–accepter pair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fang Ren, Christina Shrestha, Huirong Shi, Fangfang Sun, Minghui Zhang, Yuan Cao, Gailing Li Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fang RenDepartment of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou 450052, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613849115866Email renfang@foxmail.comPurpose: The retinoblastoma binding protein RBP2 (KDM5A) is a histone demethylase that promotes cell growth in many human cancers. A series of functional experiments were conducted to explore the role of miR-421/KDM5A in ovarian cancer cells and their underlying molecular mechanisms.Materials and Methods: Public microarray databases were analyzed to assess KDM5A and miR-421 expression in ovarian cancer. KDM5A was predicted to be a target of miR-421 using software analysis. The expression of the miR-421/KDM5A regulatory axis in ovarian cancer and the mechanisms of its effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cell lines were investigated.Results: Compared with normal ovarian tissues, the expression of KDM5A mRNA and protein was elevated (P< 0.05), and miR-421 expression was reduced in ovarian cancer tissue (P< 0.05). miR-421 was found to bind specifically to the KDM5A gene. Silencing KDM5A or overexpressing miR-421 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of OVCAR-8 and SKOV-3 cells. Similarly, compared with nude mice injected with cells transfected with empty capsids, the in vivo proliferation rate of OVCAR-8 cells after miR-421 overexpression was reduced significantly.Conclusion: The miR-421/KDM5A regulatory axis plays an important role in the development and progression of ovarian cancer cells.Keywords: ovarian cancer, KDM5A/RBP2, miR-421, progression

Pan Wang,1,* Honglin Zhao,1,* Qingchun Zhao,1,* Fan Ren,1 Ruifeng Shi,1 Xingyu Liu,1 Jinghao Liu,1 Hongyu Liu,2 Gang Chen,1 Jun Chen1,2 1Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 2Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun Chen Email huntercj2004@yahoo.comBackground: The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is higher in patients with lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with postoperative VTE and explore the VTE predication capacity of D-dimer kinetics.Patients and Methods: Six hundred patients who had lung tumor surgery were analyzed retrospectively between January 2018 and August 2019, and venous ultrasound imaging and D-dimer examination before and after surgery were recommended to all operative patients. Of these 600 patients, 523 patients had venous thromboembolism after surgery, and 77 patients had not found. The general clinical data, postoperative prophylactic anticoagulant therapy, early systemic thromboprophylaxis, 50% increment of D-dimer, 100% increment of D-dimer, and perioperative (preoperative and days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery) D-dimer levels were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of postoperative VTE.Results: VTE developed in 77 (12.8%) patients. In a univariate analysis, age, surgical approach, tumor size, histology, postoperative preventive anticoagulation, postoperative limb compression therapy, postoperative hemostasis, duration of operation, early systemic thromboprophylaxis, 100% increment of D-dimer, preoperative and postoperative D-dimer level, intraoperative blood loss, and time spent in the hospital were significantly different between the thrombus group and nonthrombus group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age > 60 years (P = 0.006) and D-dimer level on 5 days after surgery (P =  0.000) were significant independent risk factors for VTE. Postoperative D-dimer was significantly higher than the preoperative level (P < 0.001). Postoperative D-dimer level was significantly different between benign and malignant tumor groups (P < 0.05) and between the thrombus group and nonthrombus group (P < 0.001). Preventive anticoagulation and limb compression therapy starting from the first day after surgery was statistically significant between the thrombus group and the nonthrombus group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Continuous detection of D-dimer level after pulmonary tumor surgery combined with thrombotic-related risk factors can better evaluate the occurrence of VTE. Preventive anticoagulant therapy and limb compression therapy starting from the first day after surgery can effectively reduce the incidence of VTE.Keywords: anticoagulants, D-dimer, lung neoplasms, risk factors venous thromboembolism

Shuhan Liu,1 Rongjuan Guo,2 Fei Liu,3 Qingjie Yuan,4 Yao Yu,1 Feifei Ren1 1Second Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurology, Dongfang Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, People’s Republic of China; 3College of Acupuncture and Massage, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tsinghua University Yuquan Hospital, Beijing 100040, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rongjuan GuoDepartment of Neurology, Dongfang Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Fangxingyuan 1st Block, Fengtai District, Beijing City, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 1 861 137 7633Fax +86 1064286498Email dfguorongjuan@163.comPurpose: Gut microbiota affects various physiological functions in the host and has crucial effects on the nervous system. There is increasing evidence of a correlation between gut microbiota and depression; however, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of depression-like behavior by gut microbiota remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the regulatory mechanism of gut microbiota on depression-like behavior in rats.Methods: We transplanted fecal microbiota obtained from patients with depression and healthy individuals into germ-free (GF) rats (n=18) through fecal microbiota transplantation technology. Next, we assessed the affective behavior in the rats using the forced swimming test and a sucrose preference test. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the hippocampal levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and noradrenaline (NE) and the serum levels of corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-1 (IL-4), and interleukin-1 (IL-10). The mitochondrial morphology of small intestinal epithelial cells was observed through transmission electron microscopy.Results: Rats that received fecal microbiota from patients with depression (depression microbiota) exhibited depression-like behavior. They presented decreased levels of hippocampal neurotransmitters, serum CORT levels, and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as increased ACTH, CRH, and serum levels of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines. Observation of the mitochondria ultrastructure showed damaged mitochondria in the intestinal epithelial cells, significant endoplasmic reticulum expansion, and border aggregation of nuclear chromatin.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the depression-like behaviors induced by the depression microbiota through the neuroendocrine-immune-mitochondrial pathway, which were associated with neuroendocrine disorders, inflammatory responses, and mitochondrial damage.Keywords: gut microbiota, depression, neurotransmitter, HPA axis, immune, mitochondrial

Saixu Huang, 1–3,* Zhiyong Huang, 1–3,* Zhiqin Fu, 3,* Yamin Shi, 3, 4 Qi Dai, 1, 2 Shuyan Tang, 3 Yongwei Gu, 3 Youfa Xu, 3 Jianming Chen, 3, 4 Xin Wu, 3 Fuzheng Ren 1, 2 1Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Engineering Research Centre of Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3Shanghai Weier Biological Medicine Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fuzheng RenSchool of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 21 6425 3255Email fzren@ecust.edu.cnXin WuShanghai Weier Biological Medicine Science and Technology Co. Ltd., No. 358, Tian Chen Road, Shanghai 201799, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 21 3119 8947Email xinwu007@126.comPurpose: Nimodipine (NIMO) is used clinically to treat ischemic damage resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, clinical application of NIMO is limited by poor aqueous solubility and low safety. To overcome these limitations, a novel two-vial NIMO-loaded nanoemulsion (NIMO-TNE) was designed in this study.Methods: NIMO-TNE was prepared by mixing a nimodipine-polyethylene glycol 400 (NIMO-PEG400) solution and a commercially available 20% injectable blank nanoemulsion (BNE). Drug distribution in NIMO-TNE, physical stability, and dilution stability were evaluated in vitro, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were evaluated in vivo. Safety was assessed using the hemolysis test and the intravenous irritation test, and acute toxicity of NIMO-TNE was compared with that of commercial Nimotop injection.Results: Drug loading (DL) in NIMO-TNE was enhanced 5-fold compared with that in Nimotop injection. The mean particle size of NIMO-TNE was 241.53 ± 1.48 nm. NIMO-TNE and NIMO-TNE diluted in 5% glucose injection and 0.9% sodium chloride was stable for a sufficient duration to allow for clinical use. In addition, NIMO-TNE exhibited a similar pharmacokinetic profile and similar brain ischemia reduction in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model compared to Nimotop injection. Furthermore, NIMO-TNE did not induce hemolysis at 37°C, and NIMO-TNE induced less intravenous irritation than Nimotop injection. Moreover, NIMO-TNE could be injected at a 23-fold higher dose than the LD 50 of Nimotop injection with no obvious toxicity or side effects.Conclusion: NIMO-TNE is a promising formulation suitable for intravenous injection, is easy to prepare, and exhibits excellent safety.Keywords: nimodipine, nanoemulsion, pharmacokinetics, MCAO, LD50