Disseminated nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum-A case report.

In this article we report a case of disseminated nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in an immunocompetent patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who complained of a cough, followed by skin and intracranial lesions. On metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology of respiratory samples (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, BALF) Nocardia otitidiscaviarum was identified. The patient was treated with therapy combined with a low dose of TMP-SMX and imipenem cilastatin sodium and had a favorable outcome. The timely diagnosis of Nocardia with the help of mNGS technology and early rational treatment of TMP-SMX can help improve the prognosis.

Cloning and Functional Analysis of CsROP5 and CsROP10 Genes Involved in Cucumber Resistance to Corynespora cassiicola.

The cloning of resistance-related genes CsROP5/CsROP10 and the analysis of their mechanism of action provide a theoretical basis for the development of molecular breeding of disease-resistant cucumbers. The structure domains of two Rho-related guanosine triphosphatases from plant (ROP) genes were systematically analyzed using the bioinformatics method in cucumber plants, and the genes CsROP5 (Cucsa.322750) and CsROP10 (Cucsa.197080) were cloned. The functions of the two genes were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), transient overexpression, cucumber genetic transformation, and histochemical staining technology. The conserved elements of the CsROP5/CsROP10 proteins include five sequence motifs (G1-G5), a recognition site for serine/threonine kinases, and a hypervariable region (HVR). The knockdown of CsROP10 through VIGS affected the transcript levels of ABA-signaling-pathway-related genes (CsPYL, CsPP2Cs, CsSnRK2s, and CsABI5), ROS-signaling-pathway-related genes (CsRBOHD and CsRBOHF), and defense-related genes (CsPR2 and CsPR3), thereby improving cucumber resistance to Corynespora cassiicola. Meanwhile, inhibiting the expression of CsROP5 regulated the expression levels of ROS-signaling-pathway-related genes (CsRBOHD and CsRBOHF) and defense-related genes (CsPR2 and CsPR3), thereby enhancing the resistance of cucumber to C. cassiicola. Overall, CsROP5 and CsROP10 may participate in cucumber resistance to C. cassiicola through the ROS and ABA signaling pathways.

VX-509 attenuates the stemness characteristics of colorectal cancer stem-like cells by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Nodal/Smad2/3 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sources of CRC and are responsible for the progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of CRC. Therefore, targeting this specific subpopulation has been recognized as a promising strategy for overcoming CRC. AIM: To investigate the effect of VX-509 on CCSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: CCSCs were enriched from CRC cell lines by in conditioned serum-free medium. Western blot, Aldefluor, transwell and tumorigenesis assays were performed to verify the phenotypic characteristics of the CCSCs. The anticancer efficacy of VX-509 was assessed in HCT116 CCSCs and HT29 CCSCs by performing cell viability analysis, colony formation, sphere formation, flow cytometry, and western blotting assessments in vitro and tumor growth, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assessments in vivo. RESULTS: Compared with parental cells, sphere cells derived from HCT116 and HT29 cells presented increased expression of stem cell transcription factors and stem cell markers and were more potent at promoting migration and tumorigenesis, demonstrating that the CRC sphere cells displayed CSC features. VX-509 inhibited the tumor malignant biological behavior of CRC-stem-like cells, as indicated by their proliferation, migration and clonality in vitro, and suppressed the tumor of CCSC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo. Besides, VX-509 suppressed the CSC characteristics of CRC-stem-like cells and inhibited the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling in vitro. Nodal was identified as the regulatory factor of VX-509 on CRC stem-like cells through analyses of differentially expressed genes and CSC-related database information. VX-509 markedly downregulated the expression of Nodal and its downstream phosphorylated Smad2/3 to inhibit EMT progression. Moreover, VX-509 reversed the dedifferentiation of CCSCs and inhibited the progression of EMT induced by Nodal overexpression. CONCLUSION: VX-509 prevents the EMT process in CCSCs by inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of Nodal, and inhibits the dedifferentiated self-renewal of CCSCs.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Baishanzu horned toad Boulenophrys baishanzuensis (Anura: Megophryidae).

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Boulenophrys baishanzuensis (Anura: Megophryidae) was sequenced by the Illumina platform. The assembled circular mitogenome of B. baishanzuensis had a total length of 17,040 bp, with a GC content of 41.25%. It consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a D-loop region. The majority of the PCGs were encoded by the H-strand, while one PCG (nad6) and eight tRNA genes (tRNA-Gln, tRNA-Ala, tRNA-Asn, tRNA-Cys, tRNA-Tyr, tRNA-Ser2, tRNA-Glu, and tRNA-Pro) were encoded in the L-strand. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly sequenced species formed a clade with other Boulenophrys species, while the genus Boulenophrys itself formed a sister group with the genus Atympanophrys.

Natural products as pharmacological modulators of mitochondrial dysfunctions for the treatment of diabetes and its complications: An update since 2010.

Diabetes, characterized as a well-known chronic metabolic syndrome, with its associated complications pose a substantial and escalating health and healthcare challenge on a global scale. Current strategies addressing diabetes are mainly symptomatic and there are fewer available curative pharmaceuticals for diabetic complications. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel pharmacological targets and agents. The impaired mitochondria have been associated with the etiology of diabetes and its complications, and the intervention of mitochondrial dysfunction represents an attractive breakthrough point for the treatments of diabetes and its complications. Natural products (NPs), with multicenter characteristics, multi-pharmacological activities and lower toxicity, have been caught attentions as the modulators of mitochondrial functions in the therapeutical filed of diabetes and its complications. This review mainly summarizes the recent progresses on the potential of 39 NPs and 2 plant-extracted mixtures to improve mitochondrial dysfunction against diabetes and its complications. It is expected that this work may be useful to accelerate the development of innovative drugs originated from NPs and improve upcoming therapeutics in diabetes and its complications.

Transmission of sub-terahertz signals over a fiber-FSO-5†G NR hybrid system with an aggregate net bit rate of 227.912 Gb/s.

Transmission of sub-terahertz (sub-THz) signals over a fiber-free-space optical (FSO)-fifth-generation (5 G) new radio (NR) hybrid system is successfully realized. It is a promising system that utilizes multiple media of optical fiber, optical wireless, and 5 G NR wireless to achieve a 227.912-Gb/s record-high aggregate net bit rate. The system concurrently transmits a 59.813-Gb/s net bit rate in the 150-GHz sub-THz frequency, 74.766-Gb/s in the 250-GHz sub-THz frequency, and 93.333-Gb/s in the 325-GHz sub-THz frequency through the fiber-FSO-wireless convergence, including 25-km single-mode fiber, 100-m FSO, and 30-m/25-m/20-m sub-THz-wave transmissions. This system achieves sufficiently low bit error rates (< hard-decision forward error correction (FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10-3 at 16 and 20 Gbaud symbol rates; < soft-decision FEC threshold of 2 × 10-2 at 28 Gbaud symbol rate) and clear and distinct constellation diagrams, meeting the demands of 5 G NR communications in the sub-THz band. The development of fiber-FSO-5 G NR hybrid system represents a substantial development in the field of advanced communications. It has the ability to enhance the way we communicate in the future.

[Mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in improving renal inflammatory injury in mice with DN of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway].

To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction on diabetic nephropathy(DN) mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome based on the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)/IκB kinase(IKK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway. Ninety-five 7-week-old db/db male mice and 25 7-week-old db/m male mice were fed adaptively for one week. The DN model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was induced by Dahuang Decoction combined with hydrocortisone by gavage, and then the model was evaluated. After modeling, they were randomly divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups(33.8, 16.9, and 8.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and an irbesartan group(25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with at least 15 animals in each group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. After the intervention, body weight and food intake were measured. Serum crea-tinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary albumin(uALb), and urine creatinine(Ucr) were determined. The uALb/Ucr ratio(ACR) and 24 h urinary protein(UTP) were calculated. Renal pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of key molecular proteins in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased content of BUN, uALb, and SCr, increased values of 24 h UTP and ACR, decreased content of Ucr(P<0.05), enlarged glomeruli, thickened basement membrane, mesangial matrix proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition. The protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, phosphorylated IKK(p-IKK), phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB(p-IκB) increased(P<0.05), while the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB) decreased(P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased(P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the groups with drug treatment showed decreased levels of BUN, uALb, SCr, 24 h UTP, and ACR, increased level of Ucr(P<0.05), and improved renal pathological status to varying degrees. The high-and medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups and the irbesartan group showed reduced protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, p-IKK, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB in the kidneys(P<0.05), increased protein expression of IκB(P<0.05), decreased levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and increased level of IL-10(P<0.05). Zhenwu Decoction can significantly improve renal function and renal pathological damage in DN mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response by down-regulating the expression of key molecules in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway in the kidney.

[Effect of different suspension moxibustion methods on syndrome characteristics of rats with rheumatoid arthritis of heat bi syndrome based on "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome"].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different suspension moxibustion methods on the syndrome characteristics and inflammatory factors of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of heat bi syndrome and to prove the concept of "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome". METHODS: Among seventy Wistar rats, 12 rats were randomly selected as a normal group, and the remaining rats were induced by collagen combined with wind, dampness, and heat environmental stimulation to establish the RA model of heat bi syndrome. Forty-eight rats with successful model establishment were further randomly divided into a model group and three moxibustion groups (mild moxibustion group, rotating moxibustion group and sparrow-pecking moxibustion group), with 12 rats in each group. The acupoints "Quchi" (LI 11), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and ashi point were used in all moxibustion groups, with mild moxibustion, rotating moxibustion, and sparrow-pecking moxibustion intervention given respectively, each acupoint was treated with moxibustion for 10 min a day, and 6 days were considered one course of treatment, with a total of three courses. After the intervention, the arthritis index (AI), the Evans blue (EB) extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 in the serum were measured by ELISA in each group. The volume of the bilateral hind paw was measured; the infrared thermal imaging was collected to analyze the temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads, and the reaction time of plantar heat pain was calculated before and after modeling, as well as after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses of interrention. The ankle dorsiflexion angle of the right hind foot was also measured before and after modeling, as well as after the intervention. RESULTS: After modeling, compared with the normal group, the rats in the model group had more high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs, abnormal AI score, abnormal bilateral hind paw volume, abnormal temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads, abnormal foot pain response time, abnormal right hind ankle dorsiflexion angle, abnormal right hind paw soft tissue EB extravasation, and abnormal serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the intervention, compared with the model group, the rats in each moxibustion group had decreased or disappeared high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs, EB extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw was reduced (P<0.05), and the right ankle dorsiflexion angle was increased (P<0.05), serum level of TNF-α was reduced, and level of IL-10 increased (P<0.05); the AI scores in the mild moxibustion group and the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses of intervention, compared with the model group, the bilateral hind paw volume of rats in each moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and plantar heat pain reaction time was increased (P<0.05). After the 2nd course and the 3rd course of intervention, the temperature of the right hind paw pad area was decreased in each moribustion group (P<0.05); after the 3rd courses of intervention, the temperature of the left hind paw pad area was decreased in the mild moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Suspension moxibustion could adjust the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 to improve the syndrome characteristics of RA rats of heat bi syndrome, such as joint redness, swelling, heat, pain and activity restriction. The effect of mild moxibustion is the most prominent. The findings could provide scientific basis for "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome".

Intraoperative hypothermia in the neonate population: risk factors, outcomes, and typical patterns.

The risk factors, outcomes, and typical patterns of intraoperative hypothermia were studied in neonates to better guide the application of insulation measures in the operating room. This retrospective study enrolled 401 neonates undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation, including abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, brain surgery, and others. The study collected basic characteristics, such as age, sex, weight, birth weight, gestational week, primary diagnosis and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade. Perioperative data included preoperative body temperature, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, intubation time, postoperative bleeding, postoperative pneumonia, postoperative death, and total cost of hospitalization. Intraoperative data included surgical procedures, anaesthesia duration, operation duration, blood transfusion, fluid or albumin infusion, and application of vasoactive drugs. The incidence of intraoperative hypothermia (< 36 °C) was 81.05%. Compared to normothermic patients, gestational week (OR 0.717; 95% CI 0.577-0.890; P = 0.003), preoperative temperature (OR 0.228; 95% CI 0.091-0.571; P = 0.002), duration of anaesthesia (OR 1.052; 95% CI 1.027-1.077; P < 0.001), and type of surgery (OR 2.725; 95% CI 1.292-5.747; P = 0.008) were associated with the risk of intraoperative hypothermia. Patients with hypothermia had longer length of ICU stay (P = 0.001), longer length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), and higher hospital costs (P < 0.001). But there were no association between clinical outcomes and intraoperative hypothermia in the multivariable regression adjusted analysis. The lowest point of intraoperative body temperature was approximately 1 h 30 min. Then, the body temperature of patients successively entered a short plateau phase and a period of slow ascent. The greatest decrease in body temperatures occurred in preterm babies and neonates with preoperative hypothermia. The lowest core temperatures that occurred in neonates with preoperative hypothermia was lower than 35 °C. This study shows that there is a high incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in the neonate population. The intraoperative body temperature of neonates dropped to the lowest point in 1-1.5 h. The greatest decrease in core temperatures occurred in preterm babies and neonates with lower preoperative temperature.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute on chronic liver failure in patients with recompensatory hepatitis B cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To assess the clinical characteristics of acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with recompensatory hepatitis B cirrhosis. Methods A total of 180 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure hospitalized in Tianjin Third Central Hospital from September 2013 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected, with 110 patients had compensatory hepatitis B cirrhosis and 70 patients had compensatory hepatitis B cirrhosis and used as the control. Their causes, clinical biochemical indicators, complication rate, and prognosis were compared. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed for analysis of the continuous variables. Kaplan-Meier curves and Log-rank test were used for survival of patients. Results The incidence of hepatorenal syndrome ( χ 2 =4.618, P =0.032), infection ( χ 2 =6.712, P =0.010), Cr ( Z =-4.508, P < 0.001), and PCT ( Z =-2.052, P =0.040) were all higher, whereas GGT ( Z =-2.042, P =0.041), Na ( Z =-2.001, P =0.045), FBS ( Z =-3.065, P =0.002), and TC ( Z =-4.268, P < 0.001) were all lower in the recompensation group than in the control group of patients. However, 90-day mortality rate ( χ 2 =3.366, P =0.067) and 1-year mortality rate ( χ 2 =1.893, P =0.169), 90-day survival ( χ 2 =2.68, P =0.100), and 1-year survival ( χ 2 =2.074, P =0.150) were not statistically significant difference. Conclusion Compared with compensatory hepatitis B cirrhosis, patients with recompensatory cirrhosis had an increased risk in developing hepatorenal syndrome, infection, and increased creatinine level after acute-on-chronic liver failure, although there was no statistically significant difference in 90-days and 1-year survival of patients.

Effect of different suspension moxibustion methods on syndrome characteristics of rats with rheumatoid arthritis of heat bi syndrome based on "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome" / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of different suspension moxibustion methods on the syndrome characteristics and inflammatory factors of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of heat bi syndrome and to prove the concept of "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome".@*METHODS@#Among seventy Wistar rats, 12 rats were randomly selected as a normal group, and the remaining rats were induced by collagen combined with wind, dampness, and heat environmental stimulation to establish the RA model of heat bi syndrome. Forty-eight rats with successful model establishment were further randomly divided into a model group and three moxibustion groups (mild moxibustion group, rotating moxibustion group and sparrow-pecking moxibustion group), with 12 rats in each group. The acupoints "Quchi" (LI 11), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and ashi point were used in all moxibustion groups, with mild moxibustion, rotating moxibustion, and sparrow-pecking moxibustion intervention given respectively, each acupoint was treated with moxibustion for 10 min a day, and 6 days were considered one course of treatment, with a total of three courses. After the intervention, the arthritis index (AI), the Evans blue (EB) extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 in the serum were measured by ELISA in each group. The volume of the bilateral hind paw was measured; the infrared thermal imaging was collected to analyze the temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads, and the reaction time of plantar heat pain was calculated before and after modeling, as well as after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses of interrention. The ankle dorsiflexion angle of the right hind foot was also measured before and after modeling, as well as after the intervention.@*RESULTS@#After modeling, compared with the normal group, the rats in the model group had more high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs, abnormal AI score, abnormal bilateral hind paw volume, abnormal temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads, abnormal foot pain response time, abnormal right hind ankle dorsiflexion angle, abnormal right hind paw soft tissue EB extravasation, and abnormal serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the intervention, compared with the model group, the rats in each moxibustion group had decreased or disappeared high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs, EB extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw was reduced (P<0.05), and the right ankle dorsiflexion angle was increased (P<0.05), serum level of TNF-α was reduced, and level of IL-10 increased (P<0.05); the AI scores in the mild moxibustion group and the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses of intervention, compared with the model group, the bilateral hind paw volume of rats in each moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and plantar heat pain reaction time was increased (P<0.05). After the 2nd course and the 3rd course of intervention, the temperature of the right hind paw pad area was decreased in each moribustion group (P<0.05); after the 3rd courses of intervention, the temperature of the left hind paw pad area was decreased in the mild moxibustion group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Suspension moxibustion could adjust the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 to improve the syndrome characteristics of RA rats of heat bi syndrome, such as joint redness, swelling, heat, pain and activity restriction. The effect of mild moxibustion is the most prominent. The findings could provide scientific basis for "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome".

Mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in improving renal inflammatory injury in mice with DN of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction on diabetic nephropathy(DN) mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome based on the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)/IκB kinase(IKK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway. Ninety-five 7-week-old db/db male mice and 25 7-week-old db/m male mice were fed adaptively for one week. The DN model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was induced by Dahuang Decoction combined with hydrocortisone by gavage, and then the model was evaluated. After modeling, they were randomly divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups(33.8, 16.9, and 8.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and an irbesartan group(25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with at least 15 animals in each group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. After the intervention, body weight and food intake were measured. Serum crea-tinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary albumin(uALb), and urine creatinine(Ucr) were determined. The uALb/Ucr ratio(ACR) and 24 h urinary protein(UTP) were calculated. Renal pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of key molecular proteins in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased content of BUN, uALb, and SCr, increased values of 24 h UTP and ACR, decreased content of Ucr(P<0.05), enlarged glomeruli, thickened basement membrane, mesangial matrix proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition. The protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, phosphorylated IKK(p-IKK), phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB(p-IκB) increased(P<0.05), while the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB) decreased(P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased(P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the groups with drug treatment showed decreased levels of BUN, uALb, SCr, 24 h UTP, and ACR, increased level of Ucr(P<0.05), and improved renal pathological status to varying degrees. The high-and medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups and the irbesartan group showed reduced protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, p-IKK, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB in the kidneys(P<0.05), increased protein expression of IκB(P<0.05), decreased levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and increased level of IL-10(P<0.05). Zhenwu Decoction can significantly improve renal function and renal pathological damage in DN mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response by down-regulating the expression of key molecules in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway in the kidney.

Effect of Adjunctive Acupuncture on Pain Relief Among Emergency Department Patients With Acute Renal Colic Due to Urolithiasis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Renal colic is described as one of the worst types of pain, and effective analgesia in the shortest possible time is of paramount importance. Objectives: To examine whether acupuncture, as an adjunctive therapy to analgesics, could accelerate pain relief in patients with acute renal colic. Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-center, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in an emergency department in China between March 2020 and September 2020. Participants with acute renal colic (visual analog scale [VAS] score ≥4) due to urolithiasis were recruited. Data were analyzed from October 2020 to January 2022. Interventions: After diagnosis and randomization, all patients received 50 mg/2 mL of diclofenac sodium intramuscular injection immediately followed by 30-minute acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the response rate at 10 minutes after needle manipulation, which was defined as the proportion of participants whose VAS score decreased by at least 50% from baseline. Secondary outcomes included response rates at 0, 5, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, rescue analgesia, and adverse events. Results: A total of 115 participants were screened and 80 participants (66 men [82.5%]; mean [SD] age, 45.8 [13.8] years) were enrolled, consisting of 40 per group. The response rates at 10 minutes were 77.5% (31 of 40) and 10.0% (4 of 40) in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, respectively. The between-group differences were 67.5% (95% CI, 51.5% to 83.4%; P < .001). The response rates of acupuncture were also significantly higher than sham acupuncture at 0, 5, 15, 20 and 30 minutes, whereas no significant difference was detected at 45 and 60 minutes. However, there was no difference between the 2 groups in rescue analgesia rate (difference 2.5%; 95% CI -8.8% to 13.2%; P > .99). No adverse events occurred during the trial. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that acupuncture plus intramuscular injection of diclofenac is safe and provides fast and substantial pain relief for patients with renal colic compared with sham acupuncture in the emergency setting. However, no difference in rescue analgesia was found, possibly because of the ceiling effect caused by subsequent but robust analgesia of diclofenac. Acupuncture can be considered an optional adjunctive therapy in relieving acute renal colic. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900025202.

Aponeurosis discission, a low-detergent method for tissue-engineered acellular ligament scaffolds.

Detergent treatment is the most commonly used method for the decellularization of ligaments and tendon grafts. However, it is well recognized that detergent treatment can also adversely affect the extracellular matrix. This study found that discission into the aponeurosis layer of the patellar tendon (PT) before decellularization is conducive to extracting cells from the PT using a low quantity of detergent in a short time period. The acellular aponeurosis discission ligament (AADL) retains its native collagen fibril structure and mechanical properties. Moreover, the PT retained cell and tissue compatibility in vitro and in vivo. After implantation into a defective allogeneic PT, we found that the AADL healed well in the host, and its collagen structure exhibited gradual improvement 12 months after implantation with satisfactory reconstruction. IMPACT: The aponeurosis of tendons/ligaments is the main barrier to achieving complete decellularization, and it thus prevents complete recellularization for applications in tissue engineering. Aponeurosis can obstruct the removal of cell components. We found that excising the aponeurosis before decellularization allows for the removal of cellular components with a reduced amount of detergent, thus improving the biological properties of the acellular ligament. To the best of our knowledge, no similar studies have been performed. Graphical abstract.

Mortality in patients with COVID-19 requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic and significant public health issue. The effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in treating COVID-19 patients has been called into question. AIM: To conduct a meta-analysis on the mortality of COVID-19 patients who require ECMO. METHODS: This analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes 2020 (PRISMA) and has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number CRD42020227414). A quality assessment for all the included articles was performed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Studies with tenor more COVID-19 patients undergoing ECMO were included. The random-effects model was used to obtain the pooled incidence of mortality in COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO. The source of heterogeneity was investigated using subgroup and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: We identified 18 articles with 1494 COVID-19 patients who were receiving ECMO. The score of the quality assessment ranged from 5 to 8 on the NOS. The majority of patients received veno-venous ECMO (93.7%). Overall mortality was estimated to be 0.31 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24-0.39; I 2 = 84.8%] based on random-effect pooled estimates. There were significant differences in mortality between location groups (33.0% vs 55.0% vs 37.0% vs 18.0%, P < 0.001), setting groups (28.0% vs 34.0%, P < 0.001), sample size (37.0% vs 31.0%, P < 0.001), and NOS groups (39.0% vs 19.0%, P < 0.001). However, both subgroup analyses based on location, setting, and sample size, and sensitivity analysis failed to identify the source of heterogeneity. The funnel plot indicated no evident asymmetry, and the Egger's (P = 0.95) and Begg's (P = 0.14) tests also revealed no significant publication bias. CONCLUSION: With more resource assessment and risk-benefit analysis, our data reveal that ECMO might be a feasible and effective treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Pusillimonas minor sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Pusillimonas isolated from activated sludge.

A novel pale white-pigmented bacterial strain designated YC-7-48T was isolated from activated sludge in China. Cells of the strain, which grew at 15-37 °C (optimum at 30 °C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum at 7.0), were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile. Strain YC-7-48T had 97.4-97.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to type strains of eight species in the genera Pusillimonas, Eoetvoesia, Paralcaligenes, Parapusillimonas and Paracandidimonas of the family Alcaligenaceae. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the strain on a separate branch in the genus Pusillimonas and showed that it exhibited 97.4, 97.3 and 96.6% similarity to Pusillimonas caeni EBR-8-1T, Pusillimonas noertemannii BN9T and Pusillimonas maritima 17-4AT, respectively. The genome size of strain YC-7-48T was 3202438 bp, with 54.3 mol% G+C content. According to the genome analysis, YC-7-48T encodes several heavy metal resistance proteins and enzymes related to the metabolism of nicotine and aromatic compounds. The results of digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity analyses based on whole genome sequences between strain YC-7-48T and the closely related strains indicated that the strain represented a new species of the genus Pusillimonas. The chemotaxonomic results identified Q-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified aminolipids as the major polar lipids, and C16:0 (27.4 %), C17:0 cyclo (22.0 %), C18:0 (11.7 %) and C19:0 cyclo ω8c (9.5 %) as the major fatty acids. Thus, based on morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characterization and genomic data, we proposed that the isolate is a representative of a novel species named Pusillimonas minor sp. nov., with the type strain YC-7-48T (=CGMCC 1.17466T=KACC 21349T).

YY1-induced lncRNA XIST inhibits cartilage differentiation of BMSCs by binding with TAF15 to stabilizing FUT1 expression.

Introduction: The functional roles and mechanism of the XIST in osteoarthritis and the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs were clarified. Methods: The expression levels of XIST, TAF15, FUT1 and YY1 were detected through quantitative RT-PCR. The protein expression of Sox9, ACAN, COL2A1 and FUT1 were detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The damage of cartilage tissue was detected by HE staining, and Safranin O-fast green. Alcian-Blue and Alizarin red S staining were performed to evaluate BMSCs chondrogenic differentiation. The relationship between XIST and TAF15, XIST and TAF15 were analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to detect the interaction relationship between XIST and YY1. In addition, osteoarthritis mice were built to assess the function of XIST in vivo. Results: The levels of XIST, TAF15 and FUT1 were upregulated in cartilage tissues from osteoarthritis patient. The level of XIST was decreased in BMSCs during chondrogenic differentiation. XIST overexpression inhibited the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Moreover, silencing of FUT1 reversed the effects of XIST overexpression on BMSCs chondrogenic differentiation. Mechanistically, in BMSCs, YY1 induced the expression of XIST in BMSCs, and XIST regulated FUT1 mRNA stability through targeting TAF15. Furthermore, silencing of XIST alleviated the symptoms of cartilage injury in OA mice. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggested that YY1 induced XIST was closely related to the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs and the progression of osteoarthritis by TAF15/FUT1 axis, and may be a new OA therapeutic target.

Effect of Statins on the Risk of Different Stages of Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to investigate the relationship between statins and the risk of different stages or grades of prostate cancer. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed for articles published until December 18, 2020, on the PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were then analyzed using the STATA.16.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 588,055 patients from 14 studies were included in the analysis. We found that the use of statins expressed a significant correlation with a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73-0.91; RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.99, respectively). However, no evidence suggested that the use of statins was beneficial for the prevention of localized prostate cancer incidence. Similarly, the pooled results also revealed no association between the use of statins and the risk of high-grade and low-grade prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: It has been found that the use of statins is associated with a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer but was not related to the risk of localized, low-grade, or high-grade prostate cancer.

Serum biomarkers of isoniazid-induced liver injury: Aminotransferases are insufficient, and OPN, L-FABP and HMGB1 can be promising novel biomarkers.

Isoniazid (INH)-induced liver injury is a great challenge for tuberculosis treatment. Existing biomarkers cannot accurately determine the occurrence of this injury in the early stage. Therefore, developing early specific sensitive biomarkers of INH-induced liver injury is urgent. A rat model of liver injury was established with gastric infusion of INH or INH plus rifampicin (RFP). We examined seven potential novel serum biomarkers, namely, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), liver-fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (MCSF1R), osteopontin (OPN), total cytokeratin 18 (K18), and caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (ccK18), to evaluate their sensitivity and specificity on INH-induced liver injury. With the increase of drug dosage, combining with RFP and prolonging duration of administration, the liver injury was aggravated, showing as decreased weight of the rats, upgraded liver index and oxidative stress level, and histopathological changes of liver becoming marked. But the activity of serum aminotransferases decreased significantly. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of OPN, L-FABP, HMGB1, MCSF1R, and GLDH was 0.88, 0.87, 0.85, 0.71, and 0.70 (≥0.7), respectively, and 95% confidence interval of them did not include 0.5, with statistical significance, indicating their potential abilities to become biomarkers of INH-induced liver injury. In conclusion, we found traditional biomarkers ALT and AST were insufficient to discover the INH-induced liver injury accurately and OPN, L-FABP, and HMGB1 can be promising novel biomarkers.

A new species of Andricus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) from China, with references to DNA taxonomy and Wolbachia infection.

In the present paper, a new species of cynipid gall wasp, Andricuselodeoides Liu & Pang, is described from several provinces in southern China. The new species is closely related to the recently redescribed A.mairei (Kieffer, 1906). In addition to differences in adult and gall morphology, the new species is also readily separated by COI sequences, with a 6.2-8.9% genetic distance between populations of the new species and those of A.mairei. A contrasting difference in sex ratios was also observed between the two species, with A.elodeoides extremely female-biased (95.5-97.8% female) while A.mairei male-biased to more balanced (5.4-43.5% female). PCR screening for Wolbachia infection further revealed contrasting infection rates between populations of A.elodeoides and A.mairei: the Wolbachia infection rate was 0% in A.elodeoides and 100% in A.mairei. Cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Wolbachia is proposed as a potential mechanism of speciation of the sympatric A.elodeoides and A.mairei.