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Sparc/osteonectin, cwcv, and kazal-like domains proteoglycan 1 (SPOCK1) has been shown to promote various tumors, but its role in colon cancer (CRC) has not been clearly illuminated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SPOCK1 interference on the proliferation, migration, and EMT of CRC cells. First, we analyzed the expression of SPOCK1 in various CRC datasets. Then, we investigated the correlation between SPOCK1 and prognosis in CRC patients. We overexpressed SPOCK1 and knocked down SPOCK1 expression in HCT-116 and SW480 cells, respectively. Then, cell proliferation was assayed with a CCK-8 assay, and cell migration was evaluated with a Transwell migration assay. NF-κB and EMT-related proteins were studied by western blotting. The results indicated that the mRNA levels of SPOCK1 were relatively high in CRC tissues and that high expression of SPOCK1 was negatively correlated with patient prognosis. With SPOCK1 overexpression in HCT-116 cells, cell proliferation and migration were increased, while SPOCK1 knockdown had the opposite effects. With SPOCK1 overexpression in HCT-116 cells, the expression levels of NF-κB and EMT-related proteins were elevated, while SPOCK1 knockdown produced the opposite results. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that SPOCK1 may activate the NF-κB/Snail signaling cascade to promote the proliferation and migration of CRC cells. SPOCK1 may serve as a new prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target in CRC.

Objectives. Systemic vasculitis includes a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the vessel wall, involving multiple systems, and can cause malignant hypertension. CD163 is a specific marker of anti-inflammatory macrophages. This study is aimed at evaluating the CD163 levels in relation to systemic vasculitis and renal involvements. Methods. Urinary CD163 levels were retrospectively measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 51 patients with systemic vasculitis, 42 essential hypertensions, and 36 healthy volunteers. The associations between urinary CD163 levels and clinical indicators were analyzed. Results. Urinary CD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with systemic vasculitis [68.20 (38.25~158.78) (pg/ml)] compared to essential hypertension [43.86 (23.30-60.71) (pg/ml)] ( p = 0.003 ) and the healthy volunteers [30.76 (9.30-54.16) (pg/ml)] ( p < 0.001 ). Furthermore, systemic vasculitis patients with renal involvement had significantly higher urinary CD163 levels relative to patients without renal involvement [86.95 (47.61 and 192.38) pg/ml] vs. [41.99 (17.70 and 71.95) pg/ml, p = 0.005 ]. After control factors age, sex, and BMI, urinary CD163 levels in systemic vasculitis patients were positively correlated with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and β-2 microglobulin ( r = 0.45 , 0.48, and 0.46; p = 0.001 , 0.001, and 0.002, respectively). In addition, we found the level of urinary CD163 in granulomatous vasculitis (including TA, GPA, and EGPA) was significantly higher than that in necrotizing vasculitis (including PAN) [86.95 (41.99 and 184.82) pg/ml] vs. [45.73 (21.43 and 74.43) pg/ml, p = 0.016 ]. Conclusion. Urinary CD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with systemic vasculitis, especially in patients with renal involvement. Thus, urinary CD163 has the potential to be a biomarker for systemic vasculitis with renal involvement.

ObjectiveGlucose disposal by insulin-responsive tissues maintains the body glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance leads to a risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Insulin stimulates the translocation of glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT4) vesicles from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane to facilitate glucose uptake. However, the underlying mechanisms of GLUT4 vesicle translocation are not well defined. Here we show the role of huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) in GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes and the pathogenesis of T2DM.Research design and methodsThe parameters for glucose metabolism including body weight, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were assessed in wild-type (WT) and Hap1+/- mice. HAP1 protein expression was verified in adipose tissue. Hap1 mRNA and protein expression was monitored in adipose tissue of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice. Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle translocation and glucose uptake were detected using immunofluorescence techniques and quantified in primary adipocytes from Hap1-/- mice. The interaction between HAP1 and GLUT4 was assessed by immunofluorescence colocalization and co-immunoprecipitation in HEK293 cells and adipose tissue. The role of sortilin in HAP1 and GLUT4 interaction was approved by co-immunoprecipitation and RNA interference.ResultsThe expression of Hap1 mRNA and protein was detected in WT mouse adipose tissue and downregulated in adipose tissue of HFD-induced diabetic mice. Hap1+/- mice exhibited increased body weight, pronounced glucose tolerance and significant insulin intolerance compared with the WT mice. HAP1 colocalized with GLUT4 in mouse adipocytes and cotransfected HEK293 cells. Furthermore, the insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle translocation and glucose uptake were defective in Hap1-/- adipocytes. Finally, sortilin mediated the interaction of HAP1 and GLUT4.ConclusionsOur study showed that HAP1 formed a protein complex with GLUT4 and sortilin, and played a critical role in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. Its downregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) is a class of crystalline porous solid materials which could be designed as sensors for bioactive molecules. In this study, we illustrated a novel turn-on mechanism based on collapse of MOF structure for luminescence MOF sensors. Taking H 2 S as an analyte, we validated our mechanism using a specially selected MOF material Fe III -MIL-88-NH 2 for H 2 S sensing. The detection limit towards H 2 S is about 10 μM, which is lower than the reported MOF sensors for H 2 S designing with other turn-on mechanism.

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe pulmonary vascular disease characterized by unbalanced proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) is known for its significant anti-proliferative activity. However, the role of PHB1 in PASMCs and PAH have not been elucidated. Methods Monocrotaline (MCT 60 mg/kg) was used to build a PAH model in SD rats. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy were measured. Morphology of pulmonary vessels was observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining. Expression of PHB1 in pulmonary arteries and PASMCs was determinated by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 and EDU when PASMCs were stimulated by PDGF-BB (20 ng/mL). Furthermore, siRNA for PHB1 and Akt inhibitor were conducted to investigate the mechanism behind the role of PHB1 and AKT signaling pathway in PASMCs proliferation and apoptosis. Results The protein expression of PHB1 in PAH rats lung tissue was significantly up-regulated accompanied by elevated RVSP and enhanced RV hypertrophy. Immunohistochemistry showed that PHB1 was mainly localized in the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle layer. PDGF-BB significantly up-regulated the expression of PHB1 in rat primary PASMCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After PHB1 knock down, PASMCs proliferation was significantly suppressed while apoptosis was significantly recovered. Meanwhile the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and P-Akt were significantly down-regulated. Perifosine (Akt inhibitor) also significantly inhibit proliferation of PASMCs. Conclusion PHB1 contributes to pulmonary vascular remodeling by accelerating proliferation of PASMCs which involves AKT phosphorylation.

To determine the effect of Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a critical nonclassical inflammatory cytokine, has been found up-regulated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), but its role in vascular remodeling of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is still unknown. In present study, we demonstrated that the plasma level of inflammatory cytokine including HMGB1, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were elevated in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats model. Moreover, expressions of HMGB1 and Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4) in pulmonary arteries were obviously up-regulated accompanied with down-regulation of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) signaling, characterized by decline of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 (p-Smsd1/5/8) and inhibitor of differention 1 (Id1) expression. In cultured primary pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), we found that HMGB1 incubation significantly promoted proliferation and migration of PASMCs, down-regulated p-Smsd1/5/8 and Id1 expression, which can be abrogated by HMGB1 inhibitors saquinavir, glycyrrhizn and TLR4 inhibitors TAK-242. Furthermore, saquinavir, glycyrrhizn and TAK-242 treatment significantly attenuated the development of PH in rats by recovering homodynamic parameters, pulmonary vascular remodeling and BMPR2 signaling pathway. In summary, our results suggest that HMGB1/TLR4 signaling promotes hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via suppressing BMPR2 signaling.

Three cultivation models including rice-duck mutualistic, manual weeding and conventional rice farming were designed in the Yellow River Delta area to study the effects on rice milling quality, appearance quality, cooking and eating quality, and sanitation quality. The results showed that compared to conventional rice farming, the rice-duckmutualistic treatment increased grain width and brown rice rate, milled rice rate, head rice rate and reduced the chalkiness. This was mainly due to the increase of panicle numbers and grain mass and the decrease of the inferior grains. Due to the application of organic manure, the gel consistency increased, amylose and protein contents decreased, and the rice taste improved under rice-duck mutualistic and manual weeding cultivation treatments. As no chemical fertilizers and pesticides were applied under rice-duck mutualistic and manual weeding treatments, pesticide residues were greatly reduced or even not detected. Rice duck farming could improve the quality of rice and protect the environment, which would be a good ecological technology for high quality rice production.在黄河三角洲地区设计稻鸭共生、人工除草、常规稻作3种栽培模式,研究其对稻米加工品质、外观品质、蒸煮和食味品质、卫生品质的影响.结果表明:与常规稻作相比,稻鸭共生可以增加水稻粒宽,提高糙米率、精米率、整精米率,减少垩白,这主要是由于有效穗数和籽粒重的提高以及弱势粒的降低所致.稻鸭共生和人工除草栽培模式可以增加胶稠度,降低直连淀粉和蛋白质含量,改善稻米食味性,这主要归功于有机肥的施用.由于生产过程不施用化学肥料和农药,稻鸭共生、人工除草模式可以大幅降低甚至检测不到农药残留.稻鸭共生既可改善稻米品质,又能保护环境,为优质水稻生产提供了一条较好的生态技术途径.

A highly efficient approach to the synthesis of a series of pyrimido[b]azepines has been developed with 5-allyl-2,4,6-trichloropyrimidine as the starting material in six or seven steps via a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction. The absolute configuration of the key intermediate pyrimido[4,5-b]azepine was ascertained by X-ray crystal structure analysis.

Media would be expected to play a functional role. Crucial to proper functioning of communication media, independence is determined by several factors. How media are financed may determine whether they may or may not avoid interference. However, media in small emerging democracies face multiple obstacles caused by “smallness” and the state of “late democratization.” “Smallness” raises the question of how to develop financial independence in these countries. “Late democratization” gives rise to the challenge of maintaining political independence. In general, small emerging democracies lack an environment that can enable a culture of independent media. This study selected two Eastern European countries–Slovenia and Macedonia, with a population of about 2 million each, and two Asian countries–Bhutan and Timor-Leste, with populations of around 740,000 and 1.2 million respectively. They all emerged in the “Third Wave” of democratization and were characterized by features of underdeveloped political institutions, insufficient public discourse, and financial vulnerability according to the previous scholarly work (Kennedy, 2009; O’Donnell, 1999). Based on literature review, the researcher found that smallness, along with confounding factors of national identity and economic context, shapes the way media policy is envisioned and developed. Three research questions were posited to study how cultural context and media economics shape media policy in small emerging democracies. The ultimate objective is to provide a conceptual framework to guide the study and development of media policy in countries with similar concerns. Using a mixed methodology of interview and documentary research, the researcher found that the reaction of small emerging democracies to the sudden social and political changes tended to have patterns, although they differed in the paths to democratization. Furthermore, the role of media as a watchdog is undermined by the financial dependence on the government of the day.With respect to media governance, the four countries are all marked by the hierarchical mode of governing. This casts light on the fact that media policy should be constructed with input from private sectors and civil societies. A conceptual framework provided by this study can work as an analytical tool for researchers who are interested in studying similar-sized countries. Therefore, researchers could take a cautious step in drawing experiences and models from other countries and ultimately ensure that media may perform their functional role in a particular context. ​Doctor of Philosophy (WKWSCI)

Background: Dual sensor (DS) for rate adaption was supposed to be more physiological. To evaluate its superiority, the DS (accelerometer [ACC] and minute ventilation [MV]) and normal sinus rate response were compared in a self-controlled way during exercise treadmill testing. Methods: This self-controlled study was performed in atrioventricular block patients with normal sinus function who met the indications of pacemaker implant. Twenty-one patients came to the 1-month follow-up visit. Patients performed a treadmill test 1-month post implant while programmed in DDDR and sensor passive mode. For these patients, sensor response factors were left at default settings (ACC = 8, MV = 3) and sensor indicated rates (SIRs) for DS, ACC and MV sensor were retrieved from the pacemaker memories, along with measured sinus node (SN) rates from the beginning to 1-minute after the end of the treadmill test, and compared among study groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance and profile analysis, as well as variance analysis of randomized block designs, were used for statistical analysis. Results: Fifteen patients (15/21) were determined to be chronotropically competent. The mean differences between DS SIRs and intrinsic sinus rates during treadmill testing were smaller than those for ACC and MV sensor (mean difference between SIR and SN rate: ACC vs. SN, MV vs. SN, DS vs. SN, respectively, 34.84, 17.60, 16.15 beats/min), though no sensors could mimic sinus rates under the default settings for sensor response factor (ACC vs. SN P-adjusted < 0.001; MV vs. SN P-adjusted = 0.002; DS vs. SN P-adjusted = 0.005). However, both in the range of 1 st minute and first 3 minutes of exercise, only the DS SIR profile did not differ from sinus rates (P-adjusted = 0.09, 0.90, respectively). Conclusions: The DS under default settings provides more physiological rate response during physical activity than the corresponding single sensors (ACC or MV sensor). Further study is needed to determine if individual optimization would further improve adaptive performance of the DS.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays an important role in progressive contractile dysfunction in several cardiac diseases. The cytotoxic effects of TNF-α are suggested to be partly mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or its analogue exhibits protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of exenatide, a GLP-1 analogue, on oxidative stress, and apoptosis in TNF-α-treated cardiomyocytes in vitro . Methods: Isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were divided into three groups: Control group, with cells cultured in normal conditions without intervention; TNF-α group, with cells incubated with TNF-α (40 ng/ml) for 6, 12, or 24 h without pretreatment with exenatide; and exenatide group, with cells pretreated with exenatide (100 nmol/L) 30 mins before TNF-α (40 ng/ml) stimulation. We evaluated apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry, measured ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by specific the fluorescent probes, and assessed the levels of proteins by Western blotting for all the groups. Results: Exenatide pretreatment significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis as measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay at 12 h and 24 h. Also, exenatide inhibited excessive ROS production and maintained MMP. Furthermore, declined cytochrome-c release and cleaved caspase-3 expression and increased bcl-2 expression with concomitantly decreased Bax activation were observed in exenatide-pretreated cultures. Conclusion: These results suggested that exenatide exerts a protective effect on cardiomyocytes, preventing TNF-α-induced apoptosis; the anti-apoptotic effects may be associated with protection of mitochondrial function.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a well-known tumor suppressor that acts as a dual-specificity phosphatase and is frequently mutated in human cancer. Our previous work has demonstrated that PTEN also plays a vital role in type I interferon responses and antiviral innate immunity. Recently, a translational variant of PTEN with a long N-terminal extension (PTEN-L) has been discovered that is secreted into the extracellular environment and enters recipient cells, where it exerts a phosphatase function antagonistic to PI3K/Akt signaling and tumorigenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that PTEN-L promotes type I interferon responses and antiviral innate immunity during viral infection in a phosphatase activity-dependent manner. Compared with canonical PTEN, PTEN-L also exerts its antiviral function when it is applied exogenously in protein form. This finding was confirmed in cell cultures and mouse infection models. Furthermore, PTEN-L enhances the responses of both type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokines, thus suggesting that PTEN-L might possess additional functions compared with those of PTEN. Thus, the antiviral function of PTEN-L may open an avenue for the use of PTEN-L in antiviral therapy, particularly in patients with PTEN-deficient tumors.

To study the effect and mechanism of Dendrobium candidum on isoproterenol-induced myocardial hypertrophy in rats, 60 healthy SD rats(30 males and 30 females) were randomly divided into 5 groups(12 in each group): normal group, model group, three D. candidum preventive administration groups(0.09, 0.18, 1.1 g·kg⁻¹). Except for the normal group, rats of other groups were injected back subcutaneously with ISO(5 mg·kg⁻¹) for 10 consecutive days. At the same time, preventive administration groups began to give different doses of the sample for 30 days and model group began to give normal saline. Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP) was measured in each group by common carotid artery cannulation, and the left ventricle(LW)/tibia length, heart weight index(HWI) and myocardial hydroxyproline(Hydro) content were calculated. Myocardial tissue HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the myocardial structure and the degree of myocardial fibrosis respectively. Atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP), brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), and cardiac troponin I(cTN-I) concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that as compared with the normal group, the levels of ANP, BNP and cTN-I in plasma were significantly increased in ISO-induced hypertrophic rats; as compared with the model group, D. candidumcan inhibit ISO-induced ventricular pressure and ventricular hypertrophy, reduce myocardial collagen synthesis, improve myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling, and significantly down-regulate ANP, BNP and cTN-I levels in plasma. This study shows that D. candidum has a protective effect on isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Analysis of marine environment, especially the multi-scale analysis is an efficient means to obtain the environmental situation and guide the environmental management. In this paper, the field data, max, min and average of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphate in the Caofeidian marine district, Tangshan Bay is analyzed. The whole water quality situation could be grasped through these analyses. The research results show that the distribution of pollution is disequilibrium and the high value district of pollution exists in research district too.

The correlation analysis of pollution time series is an essential tool for obtaining the relationship in adjacent marine waters and the source of pollution. In this paper, the correlation of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the Caofeidian marine district and the Beidaihe marine district, Tangshan Bay is analyzed. The spearman correlation coefficient computation method and the least squares fitting method are used for the correlation and the trend respectively. The research results show that the trend of DIN is on the rise in recently. Simultaneously, some certain correlation exists in the Caofeidian marine district and the Beidaihe marine district, owing to the adjacent characteristics and synchronous development in this district.

Marine environment is an essential aspect for the regional sustainable development. The distribution and trend of pollutant factors is a key guidance to environmental management. In this paper, the distribution and trend of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in marine environment waters is researched for guiding and improve the environmental impact assessment in the Caofeidian marine district, Tangshan Bay. The natural neighbor grid method and the least squares fitting method are used for the distribution and the trend respectively. The research results show that the part of DIN exists exceeded forth level of water quality and the trend of DIN is on the rise in recently.

Heavy metals are important marine environmental factors for the safety and regional sustainable development. In this paper, the Caofeidian marine district in Tangshan Bay is considered as the case for the environmental research. The distribution and trend of heavy metal Pb in marine waters and sediment is analyzed by the natural neighbor grid method and the least squares fitting method. The enriched characteristic of Pb in different marine medium is studied by the trend of Pb in waters and the sediment. The research results show that the part of Pb exists exceeded forth level of water quality in 2007 and the trend of Pb in sediment is on the rise, oppositely in waters. The enriched characteristic analysis points out the object of environmental management.

Ying Liang,1 Jian Huang,1 Jingbin Tian,2 Yuanyuan Cao,2 Guoling Zhang,2 Chungang Wang,2 Ying Cao,2 Jianrong Li2 1National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Peking University, 2Changping Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China Objective: To investigate the stroke risk and risk factors in patients with chronic schizophrenia.Patients and methods: This study was a large-sample, cross-sectional survey. A total of 363 patients with chronic schizophrenia were selected from the Changping Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, in August 2014. The patients were divided into either stroke group or control group based on the presence of stroke. Clinical evaluation included positive and negative syndrome scale assessment and a detailed questionnaire to collect the general information and disease-related conditions.Results: The prevalence of stroke was 16.5% (60 cases). Stroke and control groups showed a significant difference in age, sex, smoking, combined medication, doses, negative factor score in positive and negative syndrome scale, body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure. Multivariate analysis showed that a number of factors are significantly related to stroke, including age, sex, smoking, combined medication, doses, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure.Conclusion: The prevalence of stroke is relatively higher in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia. Chronic schizophrenia patients are more likely to suffer from stroke; meanwhile, a number of risk factors were identified, including old age, female sex, smoking history, combined medication with a variety of drugs, high doses, obesity, and high blood pressure. Keywords: schizophrenia, stroke, risk, risk factors

To understand the malaria epidemic situation and characteristics in Jiangsu Province in 2014, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting appropriate strategies and measures for malaria elimination in this province.The reported malaria cases from the Internet Reporting System and the epidemiological data of malaria in Jiangsu Province were collected and analyzed.A total of 355 malaria cases were reported in Jiangsu Province in 2014, which was increased by 4.11% comparing to that in 2013 (341 cases), and the malaria incidence was 0.046/10 000. All the 355 cases were imported from other countries, among which, 4 cases (1.13%) were from Southeast Asia; the other 351 cases (98.87%) were from 21 African countries. Though the cases were distributed in all the 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu Province, the number of cases in 5 of them namely Huai' an, Nantong, Lianyungang, Yangzhou and Taizhou accounted for 63.38% (225/ 355). A total of 292 falciparum malaria cases, 4 tertian malaria cases, 10 quartan malaria cases, 46 ovale malaria cases and 3 mixed infection cases were confirmed after re-checked by Jiangsu Provincial Reference Lab of Malaria. The follow-up observation of the cases showed that among the 355 cases, 6 falciparum malaria cases recrudesced, and 4 ovale malaria cases and 1 tertian malaria case recurred.There have been no local malaria cases reported from Jiangsu Province in the last three years, indicating the object of malaria elimination has been achieved initiatively. However, there are still many imported malaria cases from other countries, with a diverse species of plasmodium. Therefore, the surveillance of the imported malaria, the training for diagnosis and treatment of malaria as well as the health education to the key population should be strengthened.

To understand the epidemic situation and influencing factors of malaria in Jiangsu Province and grasp the regularity and trend of the epidemic.According to the provincial malaria transmission situation and characteristics, Sihong County of Suqian City, which had more original cases, and Baoying County of Yangzhou City, which had more import cases, were chosen as the malaria surveillance sentinels at the state level; six counties, Yixing County of Wuxi City, Suining County of Xuzhou City, Wujin District of Changzhou City, Haian county of Nantong City, Ganyu County of Lianyugang City, and Xuyi county of Huaian City were chosen as the malaria surveillance sentinels at the provincial level. The data of basic status, blood tests of feverish patients, case studies of malaria patients, investigations and disposals of epidemic focuses and others were collected and analyzed.There were 92,484 blood test samples from feverish patients in the eight surveillance sentinels in 2014, and the average rate of blood tests was 1.15%. Totally 61 cases were plasmodium positive, and the positive rata was 0.07%. All of the 61 cases were foreign imported patients diagnosed by laboratory. After the direct network reporting, the review of the blood slides and epidemiological individual surveys were finished in 3 days, and the investigations and disposals of epidemic focuses were finished in 7 days. The epidemiological individual surveys of these 61 cases showed that 37.70% (23/61) of the first-time consultancy was mainly in the county level CDC, and 50.82% (31/61) in county level medical organizations. The making definite diagnosis of malaria also focused on the county level, 45.90% (28/61) in county level CDC and 47.10% (29/61) in county level medical organizations. The definite diagnostic rate of fist-time consultancy was 90.16% (55/61). Totally 48 malaria patients had been sent to abroad by their companies, and 34 had fellow crew.The malaria surveillance sentinels in Jiangsu Province play a good role on the surveillance function of malaria, and effectively promote the elimination of malaria in whole province. In the future, the malaria surveillance should establish a multi-sectoral cooperation and investigation mechanism, and strengthen the screening of the high-risk population and health education.

To analyze the regular surveillance and evaluate its effect during the elimination stage of malaria in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2014 and discuss the best way for surveillance and management, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting the strategy and methods for malaria elimination.The data of network malaria reports, blood tests of feverish patients, epidemiology investigation forms of case study of malaria patients in the report system, and investigation and disposition forms of epidemic regions were collected and analyzed statistically.From 2012 to 2014, there were 894 malaria cases in total. Totally 1 625 034 feverish patients had blood tests, and 892 of them showed positive and the positive rate was 0.05%. The epidemiological case study showed that all the patients were foreign infection import patients except one was foreign import cases by blood transfusion. These cases were mainly distributed in Nantong City (125 cases), Yangzhou City (123 cases), Huai'an City (112 cases), Lianyungang City (111 cases) and Taizhou City (88 cases), and the total cases of the five cities accounted for 62.53% (559/894) of total cases of entire province. These cases were mainly diagnosed in country level CDC and medical organizations, and city level medical organizations. These units accounted for 87.02% of all the diagnostic organizations (778/894).From 2012 to 2014, there are no reports of local malaria infection cases in Jiangsu Province, meaning the preliminary realization of eliminating malaria. However, we still should strengthen the regular surveillance and treatment of import malaria cases.

Strain Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC1671 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CGMCC1670 were applied to make traditional Kombucha with pure cultures to search for the optimum parameters of major factors affecting the yields and productivities of Bacterial cellulose (BC) in the beverage. Three culture factors were examined. The yields and productivities of BC and sugar consumed were measured after cultured statically for 22 days. After single factor test factors affecting the yields and productivities of BC have been optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The quadratic polynomial regression equation reflecting BC yield and affecting factors was build up with Box-Behnken design principle. The optimal values of 10.37% inoculum, initial pH 4.96 and medium volume 77.13 mL in 250 mL flask were obtained with theoretical BC yield 300.093mg/g. BC yield of 279.579 mg/g was obtained with 6.84% deviation by validation test with the optimal parameters. The co-culture of pure strains of traditional Kombucha technique can be used to provide both high quality and high yield of BC in addition to producing high quality Kombucha beverage.

For researching ecological behaviors of Cupriavidus taiwanensis X1 which has strong hydrolysis activity on chlorpyrifos(CP), reporter gene luxAB was successfully introduced into cells by electroporation. The labeled strain X1-lux with genetic stability and fluorescence was obtained. Both of strain X1 and X1-lux could completely degrade 200 mg/l CP within 12h in minimal salt medium, and experimental results showed that introduction of luxAB did not affect strain X1 growth and degradation on CP. The cells of X1-lux and X1 were inoculated into soil with 500 mg/l CP, the cell concentration and CP residual was detected, and data revealed that strain X1 could absolutely removed CP in 12d and survive in soil. Strain X1 is a potential excellent choice for bioremediation of organophosphorus polluted environments.

In existing multi-population multi-objective cultural algorithms, information are exchanged among sub-populations by individuals. However, migrated individuals can not reflect the evolution information enough, which limits the evolution performance.In order to enhance the migration efficiency, a novel multi-population multi-objective cultural algorithm adopting knowledge migration is proposed. Implicit knowledge extracted from the evolution process of each sub-population directly reflects the information about dominant search space. By migrating the knowledge among sub-populations at the constant interval, the algorithm realizes more effective interaction with less communication cost. Taken benchmark functions as the examples, simulation results indicate that the algorithm can effectively obtain the Pareto-optimal sets of multi-objective optimization problems. The distribution performance is also improved.

Ying Liang,1 Jian Huang,1 Jing-bin Tian,2 Yuan-yuan Cao,2 Guo-ling Zhang,2 Chun-gang Wang,2 Ying Cao,2 Jian-rong Li2 1National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Psychiatry Department, Changping District Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, People’s RepublicofChina Objective: This study examined the risk factors for decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. Methods: Cluster sampling method was adopted in this large-sample, cross-sectional study. A total of 219 postmenopausal female inpatients with schizophrenia were selected and interviewed in Beijing. The average age of the patients was 60.4±7.0years. Clinical assessment instruments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and a questionnaire with detailed general information and disease-related investigations. Laboratory measurements included prolactin (PRL), estradiol, progesterone, thyroid stimulating hormone, FT3, and FT4. BMD testing was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia was 66.2% (n=145). Decreased BMD was associated with age, illness duration, therapeutic dose (equivalent chlorpromazine dose), treatment duration, PANSS-negative scores, body mass index (BMI), daily exercises (min/d), drinking (unit/wk), PRL, and estradiol. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, treatment duration, PANSS-negative score, BMI, and PRL were significantly associated with decreased BMD. Conclusion: Prevalence of BMD loss was higher in Chinese postmenopausal women with schizophrenia compared to the normal BMD group. A combination of demographic and clinical factors play important roles in determining decreased BMD, including older age, longer treatment duration, more PANSS-negative scores, higher BMI, and higher PRL level. Keywords: schizophrenia, bone density, risk factors&nbsp

Microvascular obstruction (MO), one of unfavorable complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is responsible for the lost benefit of reperfusion therapy. Determination of microRNA-19a, a member of the miR-17-92 cluster, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed notably down-regulated microRNA-19a, in myocardium with MO. Nonetheless, the role of miR-19a in MO and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. To this end, an in vitro microembolization model in cardiomyocytes was used. Our data revealed that hypoxic exposure prompted cardiomyocyte apoptosis in a time-dependent manner accompanied by reduced miR-19a. miR-19a overexpression clearly ameliorated hypoxia-induced cell death (necrosis and apoptosis), at least in part, through switching on autophagy. Further dual-luciferase reporter assay and immunoblotting studies demonstrated that miR-19a-induced cytoprotection might be achieved in part through modulation of the specific target Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death, Bim, an apoptotic activator. Bim sufficiently interfered with miR-19a-induced LC3 conversion and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis under hypoxia. Moreover, cardiomyocytes pretreated with 3-methyladenine conferred resistance to the cytoprotective effect of miR-19a and displayed notably increased TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity. In conclusion, miR-19a protected cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-induced lethality at least in part via Bim suppression and subsequently autophagy activation.

To establish a system of the prevention and control of imported falciparum malaria in Jiangsu Prov- ince and provide the new scientific basis for the prevention and control of imported falciparum malaria.The data- bases for overseas labor companies and labors in Jiangsu Province were built and the health education was conducted to the overseas labors. The "1-3-7" elimination strategy was established. A weekly reporting system for malaria case details was es- tablished. A system for screening accompanies of imported malaria patients was established.At the end of 2013, the database of companies engaged in labor export was built and1 405 companies were incorporated into the database. The time interval between the symptom onset and the first health facility visit was reduced to 3.07 days in 2013. The time interval be- tween the first health facility visit to malaria diagnosis was reduced to 1.57 days in 2013. The rate of laboratory confirmation was increased to 100% in 2013, and there was a statistically significant difference among the rates of laboratory confirmation from 2009 to 2013 (χ2 = 36.35, P0.05). The proportion of severe imported falciparum malaria cases was decreased to 3.15% in 2013 and there was a statistically significant difference among the proportions of severe cases from 2009 to 2013 (χ2 = 301.16, P0.05). No death malaria case was reported in the whole province in 2013.Jiangsu Province has built a preliminary system of the prevention and control of imported falciparum malaria, which plays an important role in the prevention and control of overseas imported falciparum malaria.

To understand the epidemic situation and epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Jiangsu Province from 2005 to 2014, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting the strategies and measures on malaria elimination in this province.The epidemiological data of malaria in Jiangsu province from 2005 to 2014 were collected, and the prevalence situation, infection sources as well as the temporal, regional and population distribution of the cases were analyzed.A total of 5,069 malaria cases were reported in Jiangsu Province form 2005 to 2014, there were 3,422 cases (67.51%) of vivax malaria, 1,497 cases (29.53%) of falciparum malaria, and 150 cases (2.96%) that were unclassified. Among all the reported cases, 2,139 (42.20%) were local cases, 1,131 were (22.31%) imported cases from other places in China, and 1,799 (35.49%)were imported cases from abroad. There were 3,809 male cases and 1,260 female cases, with a sex ratio of 3.02:1. The patients were mainly aged from 25 to60 years (accounting for 67.15%), and were mainly young adult farmers (40.26%) and migrant workers (23.63%), who mainly distributed (accounting for 60.58%) in Xuzhou, Suqian, Huai'an, Suzhou and Nantong cities. The predominant malaria type from 2005 to 2009 were vivax malaria, while after 2010, it changed to falciparum malaria.The malaria epidemic situation has been effectively controlled in Jiangsu Province, which reflects the initiative achievements of malaria elimination. However, there are still many imported malaria cases from abroad, and the species of the Plasmodium are diverse. Therefore, the imported malaria from abroad still remains the key of malaria control in Jiangsu Province.

To promote the malaria control process in the malaria elimination stage in Jiangsu Province.The data from the network reporting system of medical institutions, the disease prevention and control institutions at all levels, and the special reports system of parasitic diseases were collected and analyzed statistically.There were 341 malaria cases directly reported from the Jiangsu provincial network in 2013. All were laboratory-confirmed cases. Except one case of blood transfusion infection, the rest were imported malaria cases abroad. All the malaria cases were reported after diagnosis within 24 hours through the directly reported network, and the implementation rate was 100%. All the malaria cases had an epidemiological investigation within 3 days with the implementation rate of 100%; in which 334 (97.95%) cases were investigated within 2 days. All the cases had an epidemical investigation and disposition within 7 days with the implementation rate of 100%, in which 319 cases (93.55%) were completed within 5 days.The implementation rate of malaria elimination work mode has reached 100% in Jiangsu Province in 2013, and there are no local infected malaria cases for two consecutive years. However, the inspection and supervision of case investigation and epidemic investigation and disposal are still need to he strengthened.

The gene encoding PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor-encoding genes in human cancer. While PTEN's function in tumor suppression is well established, its relationship to anti-microbial immunity remains unknown. Here we found a pivotal role for PTEN in the induction of type I interferon, the hallmark of antiviral innate immunity, that was independent of the pathway of the kinases PI(3)K and Akt. PTEN controlled the import of IRF3, a master transcription factor responsible for IFN-β production, into the nucleus. We further identified a PTEN-controlled negative phosphorylation site at Ser97 of IRF3 and found that release from this negative regulation via the phosphatase activity of PTEN was essential for the activation of IRF3 and its import into the nucleus. Our study identifies crosstalk between PTEN and IRF3 in tumor suppression and innate immunity.

To understand the malaria epidemic situation and characteristics in Jiangsu Province in 2013, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting effective malaria elimination strategies and measures.The reported malaria cases from the Internet Reporting System and the epidemiological data of malaria in Jiangsu Province were collected and analyzed.A total of 341 malaria cases were reported in Jiangsu Province in 2013 with the incidence of 0.050/10 000, which increased by 72.22% compared with that in 2012 (198 cases). All the cases were imported from other countries including one infected by blood transfusion resulted from imported infection. The cases were mainly distributed in Lianyungang City (15.84%, 54 cases), Nantong City (14.08%, 48 cases), Yangzhou City (14.08%, 48 cases), Huaian City (11.44%, 39 cases) and Yancheng City (8.50%, 29 cases). All the cases were confirmed in Jiangsu Provincial Reference Laboratory and there were 286 cases of Plasmodium falciparum, 8 cases of P. vivax, 9 cases of P. malariae, 30 cases of P. ovale and 8 cases of mixed infections.There were no local malaria cases reported from Jiangsu Province in the last two years which reflected effective achievements of malaria elimination. However, the situation of imported malaria is more serious and the species of infected plasmodium are more diverse. Imported malaria from other countries remains the key of malaria control in Jiangsu Province.

To understand the epidemic situation and influencing factors of malaria in Jiangsu Province and grasp its epidemic regularity and trend.According to the malaria prevalence in Jiangsu Province, 6 counties (city, district) including Yixing, Suining, Wujin, Hai'an, Ganyu and Xuyi were selected as provincial surveillance sites to survey malaria epidemic conditions. The basic information, blood test results of fever patients, case investigation, information of malaria patients, monitoring data of investigation and disposition of the malaria focus were collected and analyzed.In 2013, the blood tests of 66 723 fever patients were performed, the average blood smear checking rate was 1.10%, and the average positive rate was 0.08% (52 plasmodium positive individuals) in the 6 areas. For these 52 plasmodium positive individuals, the blood retests and case investigations were completed within 3 days after these cases were reported by the network system, and the investigation confirmed that they were foreign imported malaria cases. The malaria focus investigation and disposition were finished within 1 week and the data were reported by the Parasitic Diseases Information System. Four of 52 cases were recrudescence during the follow-up. Among the 52 cases, 20 people went abroad themselves and 4 were labors of private enterprises, 21 people came back without the accompanied.With the development of the malaria elimination program in Jiangsu Province, the eliminating malaria "targeted 1-3-7" working pattern has been comprehensively implemented. The personnel monitoring for labors who returned from overseas working will be a key in the future.