Search

Application of hyperspectral reflectance technology to track changes in photosynthetic activity in Atractylodes chinensis ( A. chinensis ) remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hyperspectral reflectance and photosynthetic activity in the leaves of A. chinensis in response to a decrease in soil water content. Results demonstrated that the reflectance in both the visible light and near-infrared bands increased in conjunction with reduced soil water content. The derived vegetable indices of photochemical reflection index (PRI) and the pigment-specific simple ratio of chlorophyll b (PSSR b ) gradually decreased. In contrast, the normalized difference in water index (NWI) and water index (WI) increased. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between PRI, PSSR b , WI, and NWI and photosynthetic activity indices, namely photosynthetic rate and total performance index. Consequently, hyperspectral reflection represents a productive approach for evaluating the influence of water deficit on photosynthetic activity in A. chinensis leaves., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Liu et al.)

Objective: To explore the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with phase III gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer. Methods: This study used a retrospective cohort study method based on real-world data. Clinical data of 403 patients with stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer who underwent gastrectomy followed by adjuvant therapy in the Department of Gastric Surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The study cohort comprised 147 (36.5%) patients with stage IIIA, 130 (32.3%) with stage IIIB, and 126 (31.3%) with stage IIIC gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer. Of them, 15 (3.7%) were HER-2 positive, 25 (6.2%) dMMR, and 22 (5.5%) patients Epstein-Barr virus encoding RNA (EBER) positive. Based on treatment plans, the patients were divided into immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy group (immune therapy group, n =110, 71 males and 39 females, median age 59 years old) and chemotherapy alone group (chemotherapy group, n =293, 186 males and 107 females, median age 60 years old). All patients in the immunotherapy group received immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Of them, 85 received pembrolizumab, 10 received sintilimab, 8 received tislelizumab, 4 received camrelizumab, 2 received toripalimab, and 1 received pabocizumab. The adjuvant chemotherapy regimens used among the chemotherapy alone group includes SOX regimen (132 cases), XELOX (102 cases), S-1 monotherapy (44 cases), and other regimens (15 cases). The 3-year DFS rate of the two groups was compared, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on different ages, molecular phenotypes, pTNM staging, extranodal infiltration, and tumor length. Results: The median follow-up was 20.5 months (range 3.1~46.3), with a 3-year overall DFS rate of 61.4% for the entire 403 patients. The 3-year DFS rate for the immunotherapy group was 82.7%, higher than the chemotherapy alone group (58.8%), with a statistically significant difference ( P =0.021). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative immunotherapy was a protective factor for DFS (HR=0.352, 95%CI: 0.180~0.685). Subgroup analysis showed that stage IIIC (HR=0.416, 95%CI: 0.184~0.940), aged ≥60 years (HR=0.336, 95%CI: 0.121~0.934) and extranodal invasion (HR=0.378, 95%CI: 0.170~0.839) were associated with benefit from the combined immune adjuvant chemotherapy, while no association was observed for MMR, HER-2 or EBER status. Conclusion: Stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer patients may benefite from postoperative immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in real-world settings.

Systematic salt tolerance-related physiological mechanisms in roots and shoots of halophyte Dongying wild soybean have not yet been thoroughly studied. In this study, photosynthesis, modulated 820-nm reflection, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and Na + distribution in cultivated ( G mc ) and wild ( G sw ) soybean leaves of grafted soybean plants were investigated after NaCl treatment. Results showed that the decreases in photosynthetic rate, performance index, active P 700 content, and plastocyanin reduction were significantly greater in the G sw leaves than those in the G mc leaves. The observed increases in the Na + concentration in the G sw leaves were likely responsible for the severe decrease in the photosynthetic activity of grafted plants. We suggest that Na + accumulation in G sw roots, which prevents the transport of Na + from the roots to the shoots, effectively maintains the concentration of Na + at a comparatively low level in the leaves to prevent the destruction of the photosynthetic apparatus by salt., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Xue et al.)

Objective: Individuals with chronic ankle instability experience recurring sprains and impaired proprioception, and the effect of external support in the proprioception of injured ankles is still inconsistent in existing studies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether external support could enhance the proprioception of injured ankles in patients with chronic ankle instability., Design: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis., Results: Eight studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and CINAHL were finally included after applying the exclusion criteria. Meta-analyses revealed a significantly higher joint position sense on inversion with a weighted mean difference of 1.25 degrees and plantar flexion (weighted mean difference, 1.74 degrees) and lower kinesthesia in eversion (weighted mean difference = -0.70 degrees) with the application of external support in the injured ankles of patients with chronic ankle instability., Conclusion: Applying external support has statistically significant negative effects on kinesthesia and a positive effect on the active joint position sense in the injured ankles of patients with chronic ankle instability. However, this study did not support the restoration of proprioception deficits as a mechanism of external support in preventing reinjuries, owing to its potentially negative effect on kinesthesia, clinically small changes in proprioception, and poor methodologic quality of existing studies., Competing Interests: Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) emerged as a key regulator in development and tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the function and mechanism of MEG3 in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and explores the use of MEG3 in skull defects bone repairing., Methods: Endogenous expression of MEG3 during BMSCs osteogenic differentiation was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). MEG3 was knockdown in BMSCs by lentiviral transduction. The proliferation, osteogenic-related genes and proteins expression of MEG3 knockdown BMSCs were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, qPCR, alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase staining. Western blot was used to detect β-catenin expression in MEG3 knockdown BMSCs. Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) was used to block wnt/β-catenin pathway. The osteogenic-related genes and proteins expression of MEG3 knockdown BMSCs after wnt/β-catenin inhibition were assessed by qPCR, alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase staining. MEG3 knockdown BMSCs scaffold with PHMG were implanted in a critical-sized skull defects of rat model. Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT), hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the bone repairing., Results: Endogenous expression of MEG3 was increased during osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Downregulation of MEG3 could promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. Notably, a further mechanism study revealed that MEG3 knockdown could activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in BMSCs. Wnt/β-catenin inhibition would impair MEG3-induced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. By using poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate, PHBHHx)-mesoporous bioactive glass (PHMG) scaffold with MEG3 knockdown BMSCs, we found that downregulation of MEG3 in BMSCs could accelerate bone repairing in a critical-sized skull defects rat model., Conclusions: Our study reveals the important role of MEG3 during osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration. Thus, MEG3 engineered BMSCs may be effective potential therapeutic targets for skull defects.

Background: Dysregulation of lipid metabolism plays important roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer (GC). The present study aimed to establish a prognostic model based on the lipid metabolism-related genes in GC patients. Materials and Methods: Two GC datasets from the Gene Expression Atlas, GSE62254 ( n = 300) and GSE26942 ( n = 217), were used as training and validation cohorts to establish a risk predictive scoring model. The efficacy of this model was assessed by ROC analysis. The association of the risk predictive scores with patient characteristics and immune cell subtypes was evaluated. A nomogram was constructed based on the risk predictive score model and other prognostic factors. Results: A risk predictive score model was established based on the expression of 19 lipid metabolism-related genes (LPL, IPMK, PLCB3, CDIPT, PIK3CA, DPM2, PIGZ, GPD2, GPX3, LTC4S, CYP1A2, GALC, SGMS1, SMPD2, SMPD3, FUT6, ST3GAL1, B4GALNT1, and ACADS). The time-dependent ROC analysis revealed that the risk predictive score model was stable and robust. Patients with high risk scores had significantly unfavorable overall survival compared with those with low risk scores in both the training and validation cohorts. A higher risk score was associated with more aggressive features, including a higher tumor grade, a more advanced TNM stage, and diffuse type of Lauren classification of GC. Moreover, distinct immune cell subtypes and signaling pathways were found between the high-risk and low-risk score groups. A nomogram containing patients' age, tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the risk predictive score could accurately predict the survival probability of patients at 1, 3, and 5 years. Conclusion : A novel 19-gene risk predictive score model was developed based on the lipid metabolism-related genes, which could be a potential prognostic indicator and therapeutic target of GC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wei, Luo, Li, Xue, Wang, Zhang, Chen and Peng.)

Objectives: To investigate the antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts on hyperuricemia (HUA) mice and explore the potential mechanisms., Methods: Orthosiphon stamineus extracts were extracted using 50% ethanol and enriched using ethyl acetate, and characterised utilising UPLC/ESI-MS. A potassium oxonate (PO) induced hyperuricemic mouse model was used to evaluate antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of O. stamineus ethyl acetate extracts (OSE)., Key Findings: Eight constituents from OSE were identified and OSE treatment ameliorated HUA by regulating key indicators of kidney dysfunction and xanthine oxidase, adenosine deaminase activity and urate transporters in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, in renal histopathology analysis, OSE significantly alleviated kidney injury., Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that OSE has antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects on PO-induced HUA mice and those results indicate that OSE could be a safe and effective agent or functional ingredient for treating HUA., (© 2020 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)

The cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator, CRTC (also known as transducer of regulated CREB, TORC), is identified as a potent modulator of cAMP response element (CRE)-driven gene transcription. The CRTC family consists of three members (CRTC1-3), among which the CRTC1 shows the highest expression in the brain. Several studies have demonstrated that the CRTC1 plays critical roles in neuronal dendritic growth, long-term synaptic plasticity, memory consolidation and reconsolidation etc., whereas dysfunction of CRTC1 is mainly involved in neurodegenerative disorders. In light of these findings, we aim to review recent research reports that indicate the CRTC1 dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms in the neurodegenerative disorders.

Ideberg type III glenoid fractures with associated superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC) injuries are rare, and related treatments have not been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of such injuries treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Between July 2007 and April 2012, ten patients with Ideberg type III glenoid fractures were surgically treated using ORIF with 2 cannulated screws or a screw combined with a metacarpal plate through an anterior approach. Patients with associated SSSC injuries underwent ORIF with K-wires or plates. Information was available for 9 patients with a mean follow-up of 24.1±18.2 months. Mean bone-healing time was 8.4±2.2 weeks. At last follow-up, mean forward flexion of the operative shoulder was 157.8°±7.5°, mean external rotation was 62.9°±7.9°, and mean internal rotation was thoracic level T6±0.8. Mean Constant score was 84.1±3.7 points, which was a mean of 92.7%±3.4% of that seen in the contralateral shoulder. Mean UCLA score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 33.6±1.7 and 16.6±7.7, respectively. The results show that Ideberg type III glenoid fractures with associated SSSC injuries can be successfully treated using ORIF through an anterior approach. Glenoid fractures and SCCC injuries should be treated simultaneously., (Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.)

The purpose of this study was to explore how the mitochondrial AOX (alternative oxidase) pathway alleviates photoinhibition in Rumex K-1 leaves. Inhibition of the AOX pathway decreased the initial activity of NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82, NADP-MDH) and the pool size of photosynthetic end electron acceptors, resulting in an over-reduction of the photosystem I (PSI) acceptor side. The over-reduction of the PSI acceptor side further inhibited electron transport from the photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers to the PSII acceptor side as indicated by an increase in V(J) (the relative variable fluorescence at J-step), causing an imbalance between photosynthetic light absorption and energy utilization per active reaction center (RC) under high light, which led to the over-excitation of the PSII reaction centers. The over-reduction of the PSI acceptor side and the over-excitation of the PSII reaction centers enhanced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inhibited the repair of the photodamaged PSII. However, the inhibition of the AOX pathway did not change the level of photoinhibition under high light in the presence of the chloroplast D1 protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol, indicating that the inhibition of the AOX pathway did not accelerate the photodamage to PSII directly. All these results suggest that the AOX pathway plays an important role in the protection of plants against photoinhibition by minimizing the inhibition of the repair of the photodamaged PSII through preventing the over-production of ROS., (Copyright © Physiologia Plantarum 2011.)

Alternaria alternata has received considerable attention in current literature and most of the studies are focused on its pathogenic effects on plant chloroplasts, but little is known about the characteristics of programmed cell death (PCD) induced by metabolic products (MP) of A. alternata, the effects of the MP on mitochondrial respiration and its relation to PCD. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of MP-induced PCD in non-green tobacco BY-2 cells and to explore the role of mitochondrial inhibitory processes in the PCD of tobacco BY-2 cells. MP treatment led to significant cell death that was proven to be PCD by the concurrent cytoplasm shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA laddering observed in the cells. Moreover, MP treatment resulted in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), rapid ATP depletion and a respiratory decline in the tobacco BY-2 cells. It was concluded that the direct inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), alternative pathway (AOX) capacity and catalase (CAT) activity by the MP might be the main contributors to the MP-induced ROS burst observed in tobacco BY-2 cells. The addition of adenosine together with the MP significantly inhibited ATP depletion without preventing PCD; however, when the cells were treated with the MP plus CAT, ROS overproduction was blocked and PCD did not occur. The data presented here demonstrate that the ROS burst played an important role in MP-induced PCD in the tobacco BY-2 cells.

Glutathione transferases (GST; EC2. 5. 1. 18) is an important detoxification enzyme which catalyze the conjugation of glutathione to a large variety of endogenous and exogenous electrophilic compounds to protect the functions of body. In the present paper, three dimensional fluorescence spectra were obtained, through which the authors could identify the fluorescence spectra of peptide bond, Tyr and Trp residue. The authors compared aromatic amino-acid residue fluorescence spectra in GST with dissociative to know red or blue shift of the fluorescence peak. The authors also studied the peptide bond and Trp residue fluorescence spectra at various pH, which suggested the change in GST surface and surface hydrophobicity, and the microenviroment change of aromatic amino-acid residue in enzyme.

Objective: To seek the optimal time window for minimally invasive aspiration and drainage of the hematoma in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage., Methods: One hundred and twenty-six patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were divided into two groups in terms of the operation time window: ultra-early stage group (within 6 hours) and early stage group (6-24 hours). European stroke scale (ESS) score and Bartherl index (BI) were used to evaluate the improvement of neurological function., Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in ESS score, complications, and past medical history on hospital admission. Also no difference existed in the volume of hematoma in different regions of the brain between the two groups, including putamen thalamus and brain lobes. However, one month after the onset, mean ESS score was 64.76+/-7.12 and the mean BI was 66.39+/-7.23 in the ultra-early stage group (non-survivors were excluded), whereas in the early stage group, they were 59.21+/-8.63 and 61.91+/-8.31 (non-survivors were excluded too), respectively (both P<0.01). Three months after the mean BI was 79.46+/-13.29 in the ultra-super early stage group and 72.32+/-11.86 in the early stage group, and the difference in the two groups was significant (P<0.01). Though surgery in the ultra-early stage gave better results than that in early stage, no marked difference in mortality was found between the two groups (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The aspiration and drainage of the hematoma should be done as early as possible (within 6 hours of the onset) provided that the patients are fit to undergo the surgery.

A study was conducted on the effects of Zhengda Zhenhua 851-R (ZZ-851-R) oral liquor on middle aged-old patients with Kidney and Spleen Deficiencies. It was found that ZZ-851-R was able to relieve the symptoms of aging, improve the memory and fluency of speech, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) GSH and GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased remarkably and serum lipid peroxide (LPO) level decreased significantly. Improvements of immunity, function of the pituitary-gonad axis were also noticed in the study, with decreased E2/T ratio and improved ability of total antioxydation. In summary, the ZZ-851-R has the effect of antisenility, without obvious side-effect.

A study was conducted on the effects of Zhengda Zhenhua 851-R oral liquor on the improvement of memory and fluency of language of patients suffering from Kidney Deficiency and control group. It was found that the treated group did better in memory tests and the index of mental quotient (MQ) was higher than that of control group. They had markedly higher scores in the tests of directional memory which requires one's initiative and the free recollection of pictures. The scores achieved by the treated group were significantly higher than that of control on the tests of the fluency of language and expressions, particularly with words of different categories. The results showed that Zhengda Zhenhua 851-R oral liquor obviously had the function of improving the memory and fluency of language for Kidney Deficiency patients.