Thalamic Nucleus Reuniens Glutamatergic Neurons Mediate Colorectal Visceral Pain in Mice via 5-HT2B Receptors.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Reducing visceral hypersensitivity is the key to effectively relieving abdominal pain in IBS. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the thalamic nucleus reuniens (Re) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmitter system play an important role in the development of colorectal visceral pain, whereas the exact mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that high expression of the 5-HT2B receptors in the Re glutamatergic neurons promoted colorectal visceral pain. Specifically, we found that neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) mice exhibited visceral hyperalgesia and enhanced spontaneous synaptic transmission in the Re brain region. Colorectal distension (CRD) stimulation induced a large amount of c-Fos expression in the Re brain region of NMD mice, predominantly in glutamatergic neurons. Furthermore, optogenetic manipulation of glutamatergic neuronal activity in the Re altered colorectal visceral pain responses in CON and NMD mice. In addition, we demonstrated that 5-HT2B receptor expression on the Re glutamatergic neurons was upregulated and ultimately promoted colorectal visceral pain in NMD mice. These findings suggest a critical role of the 5HT2B receptors on the Re glutamatergic neurons in the regulation of colorectal visceral pain.

Static mechanical analysis of the vertebral body after modified anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (partial vertebral osteotomy): a finite element model.

BACKGROUND: Modified anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (Mod ACDF) can effectively address ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), which is difficult to remove directly from the posterior edge of the vertebral body, with considerably lesser damage as compared to anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). We compared the static mechanics of different anterior approaches by using an ideal finite element model. METHODS: A complete finite element model was established and classified into the following three surgical models according to different model cutting operations: ACDF, ACCF, and Mod ACDF. Three different bone volume situations (normal bone mineral density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis) were simulated. After fixing the lower surface of C5 or C6, a load was applied to the upper surface of C4, and the stress distribution and displacement of the upper surface of C5 or C6 were observed and the related values were recorded. RESULTS: The average Von Mises Stress and displacement levels of Mod ACDF were between those of ACDF and ACCF; with the peak Von Mises Stress occurring on the posterior side of the vertebral body (Points 1-4). The change in Von Mises Stress of the vertebral body is not significant during bone loss. However, the degree of displacement of the vertebral body surface and risk of vertebral collapse are increased (100 N: 13.91 vs. 19.47 vs. 21.62 µm; 150 N: 19.60 vs. 29.30 vs. 31.64 µm; 200 N: 28.53 vs. 38.65 vs. 44.83 µm). CONCLUSIONS: The static biomechanical effects caused by Mod ACDF are intermediate between ACDF and ACCF, and the risk of vertebral body collapse is lower than that by ACCF. Therefore, Mod ACDF may be an effective solution when targeting OPLL with poorly positioned posterior vertebral body edges.

Modified ACDF Technique for the Treatment of Centrum Focal Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure used to treat cervical spondylosis with anterior spinal cord compression. However, there are limitations to traditional ACDF and posterior indirect decompression when the anterior source lesion is in the center of the cervical vertebra. CASE PRESENTATION: On June 8, 2022, our department treated a patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy-whose high posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) occupied the central position of the vertebral body-with modified ACDF. The preoperative surgical plan was designed based on the relevant imaging data and assay index. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and imaging parameters of neck pain were recorded and compared. Postoperative imaging data showed that cervical curvature was recovered and spinal canal compression was relieved. The VAS score for neck pain decreased from 7 preoperatively to 1.5 at the last follow-up, while the JOA score increased from 10 preoperatively to 29 at the last follow-up. The volume of the spinal canal was restored. Simultaneously, the patient's extremity muscle strength improved and muscle tension decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Modified ACDF may be an effective surgical method for resolving spinal cord compression in a specific location when bone mineral density is good. We can effectively avoid iatrogenic nerve injury and symptom recurrence by removing the vertebral body and the lesion directly.

Research Progress of Radiation-induced Brain Injury for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / 肿瘤防治研究

Radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) is a common long-term complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and seriously affects the quality of life and overall survival of patients. In the era of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the long-term complications after radiotherapy, especially RBI, are becoming increasingly concerning because a number of treated patients with NPC obtain long-term survival. At present, the understanding of RBI is still being explored, and its pathogenesis and treatment methods are continuously updated. This article reviews the research progress of RBI in patients with NPC.

In vitro bacteriostatic and serum pharmacological tests of Qiguiyin decoction combined with levofloxacin against pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the antibacterial activity and anti-resistant mutation ability of Qiguiyin decoction (a traditional Chinese herbal formula) combined with levofloxacin against pseudomonas aeruginosa byantibacterial experiment in vitro and serum pharmacology. Methods The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of levofloxacin and Qiguiyin decoction were detected respectively by the broth dilution technique.The MIC of the combination of two drugs was determined by the micro chessboard dilution method. The effects of combined drugs on enhancing the antibacterial activity of different strains were evaluated respectively by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). The drug-containing serum of levofloxa-cin group, Qiguiyin decoction group, Qiguiyin decoction combined with levofloxacin group and control group was prepared. The antibacterial rate, MIC and MBC of 10% ~ 90% serum against the two strains were determined. Results Combined with Qiguiyin decoction, MIC of levofloxacin against pseudomonas aeruginosa (standard/resistant) decreased significantly, 0. 5 < FICI

Neuroglobin Facilitates Neuronal Oxygenation through Tropic Migration under Hypoxia or Anemia in Rat: How Does the Brain Breathe? / 神经科学通报·英文版

The discovery of neuroglobin (Ngb), a brain- or neuron-specific member of the hemoglobin family, has revolutionized our understanding of brain oxygen metabolism. Currently, how Ngb plays such a role remains far from clear. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which Ngb might facilitate neuronal oxygenation upon hypoxia or anemia. We found that Ngb was present in, co-localized to, and co-migrated with mitochondria in the cell body and neurites of neurons. Hypoxia induced a sudden and prominent migration of Ngb towards the cytoplasmic membrane (CM) or cell surface in living neurons, and this was accompanied by the mitochondria. In vivo, hypotonic and anemic hypoxia induced a reversible Ngb migration toward the CM in cerebral cortical neurons in rat brains but did not alter the expression level of Ngb or its cytoplasm/mitochondria ratio. Knock-down of Ngb by RNA interference significantly diminished respiratory succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and ATPase activity in neuronal N2a cells. Over-expression of Ngb enhanced SDH activity in N2a cells upon hypoxia. Mutation of Ngb at its oxygen-binding site (His64) significantly increased SDH activity and reduced ATPase activity in N2a cells. Taken together, Ngb was physically and functionally linked to mitochondria. In response to an insufficient oxygen supply, Ngb migrated towards the source of oxygen to facilitate neuronal oxygenation. This novel mechanism of neuronal respiration provides new insights into the understanding and treatment of neurological diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease and diseases that cause hypoxia in the brain such as anemia.

Analysis of success rate of organoid construction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by first-day suspension method / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of the first-day suspension method for improving the success rate of construction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma-patient derived organoids (NPC-PDO). Methods: The tumor samples of 14 nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) patients, i.e.,13 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 43.0±12.0 years old, were collected from the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2022 to July 2022. The tumor samples of 3 patients were digested into single cell suspension and divided into 2 groups, for comparing the efficacy of NPC-PDO construction by the direct inoculation method and the first-day suspension method. The remaining 11 patients were randomized to receive either the direct inoculation method or the first-day suspension method for NPC-PDO construction. The diameter and the number of spheres of NPC-PDO constructed by the two methods were compared by optical microscope; the 3D cell viability detection kit was used to compare the cell viability; the survival rates were compared by trypan blue staining; the success rates of the two construction methods were compared; the number of cases which could be successfully passaged for more than 5 generations and were consistent with the original tissue by pathological examination was counted; and the dynamic changes of cells in suspension overnight were observed by live cell workstation. The independent sample t-test was applied to compare the measurement data of the two groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the classification data. Results: Compared with the direct inoculation, the diameter and the number of spheres of NPC-PDO constructed by the first-day suspension method were increased, with a higher cell activity, and the success rate of construction was obviously improved (80.0% vs 16.7%, χ2=4.41, P<0.05). In the suspension state, some of the cells aggregated and increased their ability to proliferate. Conclusion: The first-day suspension method can improve the success rate of NPC-PDO construction, especially for those whose original tumor sample size is small.

Identification of Levisticum officinale Adulterated in Angelica sinensis by PCR-RFLP / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish a rapid method to identify <italic>Levisticum officinale </italic>adulterated in<italic> Angelica sinensis</italic> by polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymophism（PCR-RFLP）. Method:By comparing sequences restriction sites in ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer（ITS） of <italic>A. sinensis</italic> and <italic>L. officinale</italic>，the specific restriction site Fnu4HI of <italic>L. officinale</italic> was selected，and the primers for PCR-RFLP reaction were designed. Different <italic>A. sinensis</italic> and <italic>L. officinale</italic> were amplified by PCR. The conditions affecting the PCR-RFLP reaction，such as annealing temperature，primer concentration，cycle number and enzyme digestion reaction time，were optimized，and the accuracy of the method was investigated. The established PCR-RFLP identification method was used to investigate the applicability of <italic>L. officinale </italic>adulterated<italic> in A. sinensis</italic> with different aduleration ratios and different origins. Result:A PCR-RFLP method for identifying <italic>A. sinensis</italic> mixed with <italic>L. officinale</italic> was established. When the annealing temperature was 62 ℃ and the number of cycles was 30，when the <italic>L. officinale </italic>adulterated in<italic> A. sinensis</italic> could be digested by Fnu4H I restriction endonuclease after amplification with specific primers，and the two single DNA bands were detected between 100-500 bp，the <italic>A. sinensis</italic> were all negative. The minimum detection limit of this method for adulterated <italic>L. officinale</italic> in <italic>A. sinensis</italic> was 3%，which could be used for the detection of adulterated <italic>L. officinale</italic> in <italic>A. sinensis</italic>. Conclusion:The established PCR-RFLP identification method is sensitive and accurate in detecting whether there is <italic>L. officinale</italic> in <italic>A. sinensis</italic>，and it provides inspection reference and basis for the quality control of <italic>A. sinensis</italic>，with great significance to ensure the safety of its clinical medication.

Early use of dexamethasone increases Nr4a1 in Kupffer cells ameliorating acute liver failure in mice in a glucocorticoid receptor-dependent manner / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE@#Acute liver failure (ALF) is a type of disease with high mortality and rapid progression with no specific treatment methods currently available. Glucocorticoids exert beneficial clinical effects on therapy for ALF. However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear and when to use glucocorticoids in patients with ALF is difficult to determine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific immunological mechanism of dexamethasone (Dex) on treatment of ALF induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) in mice.@*METHODS@#Male C57BL/6 mice were given LPS and D-GaIN by intraperitoneal injection to establish an animal model of ALF. Dex was administrated to these mice and its therapeutic effect was observed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to determine liver pathology. Multicolor flow cytometry, cytometric bead array (CBA) method, and next-generation sequencing were performed to detect changes of messenger RNA (mRNA) in immune cells, cytokines, and Kupffer cells, respectively.@*RESULTS@#A mouse model of ALF can be constructed successfully using LPS/D-GaIN, which causes a cytokine storm in early disease progression. Innate immune cells change markedly with progression of liver failure. Earlier use of Dex, at 0 h rather than 1 h, could significantly improve the progression of ALF induced by LPS/D-GaIN in mice. Numbers of innate immune cells, especially Kupffer cells and neutrophils, increased significantly in the Dex-treated group. In vivo experiments indicated that the therapeutic effect of Dex is exerted mainly via the glucocorticoid receptor (Gr). Sequencing of Kupffer cells revealed that Dex could increase mRNA transcription level of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (Nr4a1), and that this effect disappeared after Gr inhibition.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In LPS/D-GaIN-induced ALF mice, early administration of Dex improved ALF by increasing the numbers of innate immune cells, especially Kupffer cells and neutrophils. Gr-dependent Nr4a1 upregulation in Kupffer cells may be an important ALF effect regulated by Dex in this process.

Efficacy of clarithromycin in the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis: a Meta-analysis / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of clarithromycin (CLM) in the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis systematically, obtain reasonable conclusions through evidence-based medicine, and provide guidance for clinical rational drug use.@*METHODS@#Literature about CLM in the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis was searched in CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase databases from inception to February 2019 using a computer. Meta-analysis was performed on the homogeneous study using RevMan 5.3 software after two independent reviewers screened the literature, evaluated the quality of the study, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies.@*RESULTS@#Six randomized controlled trials were included in 316 subjects. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the scaling and root planning (SRP) group, the probing depth (PD) was reduced in patients with CLM and SRP [MD=-1.00, 95%CI (-1.55, -0.45), P=0.000 04]. Clinical attachment loss was obtained [MD=-0.03, 95%CI (0.43, 0.65), P<0.000 01], and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. The modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) was reduced [MD=-0.01, 95%CI (-0.14, 0.19), P=0.66]. No significant difference was observed between the groups, but the decrease in mSBI was more significant in CLM combined with SRP group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CLM combined with subgingival SRP can achieve remarkable results in treating chronic periodontitist.

A study of the home care model based on the Omaha system for elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the application effect of the home care model based on the Omaha system for elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:A total of 73 elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in the First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu city from December 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled.According to the randomization and double-blind principle, they were divided into the control group receiving the clinical routine care mode(n=32)and the intervention group undergoing the home care mode based on Omaha system(n=41). The Quality of Life Score, care satisfaction and awareness rate of health knowledge of patients were compared between the two groups before and after the care intervention.Results:Compared with before intervention, the quality of life scores was increased after caring in both two groups.And the scores in all dimensions were better in the intervention group than in the control group( t=3.173, 3.833, 3.514 and 4.593, P=0.001, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.000). The awareness rates of nutrition knowledge, water-intaking knowledge, iron supplementation knowledge, potassium and phosphorus limitation and dialysis mode were better in the intervention group than in the control group( χ2=7.592, 5.423, 8.494, 6.161 and 6.962, P=0.011, 0.011, 0.000, 0.010 and 0.011). The total satisfaction rate was 97.6%(40/41)in the intervention group, which was superior to that in the control group(75.0% or 24/32)( χ2 =8.460, P=0.000). Conclusions:The extended home care model based on the Omaha system can effectively improve patients' awareness of health knowledge, improve patients' quality of life and improve the satisfaction with care in elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients with a low education level, and it is worthy of clinical promotion.

A Meta-analysis of the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on inflammatory factors in patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#A study was conducted to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of inflammatory factors in patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy.@*METHODS@#We searched the databases of CNKI, Wanfang, CBM, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2019. Two reviewers independently collected all literature related to inflammatory factors in patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy. These factors include C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was strictly evaluated, and the data were extracted. The literature of randomized controlled trials in accordance with the standards was Meta-analyzed with Revman 5.3 software.@*RESULTS@#Six randomized controlled trials were included. Compared with the control groups, the results of meta-analysis showed that non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly reduced the levels of CRP [MD=-0.58, 95%CI (-1.13, -0.02), P=0.04] and IL-6 [MD=-2.76, 95%CI (-5.15, -0.37), P=0.02] in these patients but not that of TNF-α [MD=-3.87, 95%CI (-8.79, 1.05), P=0.12].@*CONCLUSIONS@#Simultaneous regular renal treatment and non-surgical periodontal therapy can help relieve the periodontal damage on patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis. Moreover, it can improve the status of some inflammatory factors. This finding is conducive to the control and treatment of chronic kidney disease and periodontitis and needs to be a focus of research and in clinical operation.

Transforaminal en bloc resection for the treatment of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum: Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose is to introduce transforaminal en bloc resection for the treatment of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum, and report outcomes of the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The record of patients with symptomatic thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum who received transforaminal en block resection from October 2010 to September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes were Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) lower extremity motor dysfunction and sphincter dysfunction scores. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (10 males, 7 females) with a median age of 60 years were included in the analysis. Surgery was performed as planned without complications in all patients. One segment decompression was performed in 1 case, 2 segment in 9 cases, 3 segment in 3 cases, and 4 segment in 4 cases. The median lower extremity motor dysfunction score was significantly higher at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, and the end of follow-up, than before surgery (median score: 2, 2, 3, 3, respective, vs. 1, all, p ≤ 0.008). There were no significant differences in JOA sphincter dysfunction score between the different time points. CONCLUSION: Transforaminal en bloc resection is a safe and effective method for the treatment of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

Effect of P-glycoprotein on the transmembrane absorption and metabolism of quercitrin on Caco-2 cells / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To explore the role of P-glycoprotein(P-gp)on cellular uptake and metabolism in the transmembrane transport of quercitrin.Methods Caco-2 cell monolayer and P-gp inhibitor Cyclosporin A(CysA)were used in the study.Quercitrin, quercetin,isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were determined by LC-MS to study cellular uptake and metabolism of quercitrin on Caco-2 cells.Results Uptake of quercitrin by Caco-2 cells:in different concentration groups of quercitrin coincubating with and without Cy?sA,intracellular accumulation presented the following characteristics:the amount of quercitrin first rose,reached the peak in 60 min and then declined to a steady-state in 120 min.And meanwhile there were significant differences between the two different processing groups incubating with and without CysA(P<0.05);quercetin was detected in all groups(3.0,9.0 and 27.0 mg/L).But in the higher concentration groups incubating with and without CysA,the intracellular quercetin presented a characteristics similar to its original glycosides and showed a significant difference(P<0.05),while the other groups showed no concentration-and time-dependence.At the same time,isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were detected in two higher concentration groups incubating with and without CysA, which showed the trend similar to the original glycosides but no significant difference was obtained between the two processing groups(P>0.05).Isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were not detected in the low and middle concentration groups.Transmembrane transport:on the basal lateral of all groups,the content of the quercitrin in 150 min incubation time showed a trend of continuous rise,and there was no significant difference between the two processing groups.Quercetin,isorhamnetin and tamarixetin were not detected.Conclu?sion Intact quercitrin could be absorbed into the Caco-2 cells and transported across the Caco-2 cell monolayer,and suffered a series of further metabolism in the Caco-2 cells and the basal side of Caco-2 cell monolayer,leading to different characteristics between intra?cellular accumulation and transmembrane transport.P-gp reduces the transmembrane transport of quercitrin by its efflux function,but did not involved in quercitrin metabolism.

Treatment Practice of Clinical Pharmacists for One Case of Complexity Urinary Tract Infection with Septic Shock Induced by Cellulitis / 中国药师

Objective:To investigate the role of clinical pharmacists in the anti-infective treatment of one patient with complexity urinary tract infection with septic shock induced by cellulitis. Methods:Clinical pharmacists participated in one case of complexity uri-nary tract infection with septic shock induced by cellulitis, and according to the clinical curative effect and the patient' s condition change, clinical pharmacists adjusted the medication nine times and provided individualized pharmaceutical care and service in the whole process. Results:Physician accepted the suggestions of clinical pharmacists, the infection was controlled after the 38-day treat-ment, and then the patient was discharged from the hospital. Conclusion:Clinical pharmacists should participate in the clinical treat-ment, provide whole process of pharmaceutical care for severe patients and assist physician in drug treatment decisions to promote safe, effective and economical drug use.

Effects of Cyclosporine A on the Development of Metanephros in the Pregnant BALB/c Mice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background:</b>Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a commonly used clinical immunosuppressant. However, CsA exposure in rabbits during the gestation period was shown to cause a postnatal decrease in the number of nephrons, with the effects remaining unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of CsA on metanephros development in the pregnant BALB/c mice.</p><p><b>Methods:</b>Pregnant mice were randomly divided into two groups, and CsA (10 mg·kg·d) was subcutaneously injected from gestation day 10.5 to day 16.5 in the CsA group, whereas a comparable volume of normal saline was given to the control group. All of the mice were sacrificed on gestation day 17.5 and serum CsA concentration was measured. The fetuses were removed and weighed, and their kidneys were prepared for histological assessment and polymerase chain reaction assay. In an in vitro experiment, embryo kidneys of fetal mice on gestation day 12.5 were used, and CsA (10 μmol/L) was added in the culture of the CsA group. The growth pattern of the ureteric bud and nephrons was assessed by lectin staining.</p><p><b>Results:</b>No significant differences in the weight of embryo (4.54 ± 1.22 vs. 3.26 ± 1.09 mg) were observed between the CsA and control groups, the thickness of the cortical (510.0 ± 30.3 vs. 350.0 ± 29.7 μm, P < 0.05) and nephrogenic zone (272.5 ± 17.2 vs. 173.3 ± 24.0 μm, P < 0.05), and the number of glomeruli (36.5 ± 0.7 vs. 27.5 ± 2.1, P < 0.05) were reduced in the CsA group when compared to the control group. The cell proliferation of Ki-67 positive index between control and CsA group (307.0 ± 20.0 vs. 219.0 ± 25.0, P < 0.05) in the nephrogenic zone was decreased with the increase of apoptotic cells (17.0 ± 2.0 vs. 159.0 ± 33.0, P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of WT-1, Pax2, and Pax8 was downregulated by CsA treatment. As for the in vitro CsA group, the branch number of the ureteric bud was decreased in the CsA-treated group with the nephrons missing in contrast to control after the incubation for 24 h and 72 h (all P < 0.0001).</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b>Treatment of CsA suppressed metanephros development in the pregnant mice; however, the potential action of mechanism needs to be further investigated.</p>

Subcellular localization of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 during oocyte fertilization and early-embryo development in mice.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is a member of the focal adhesion kinase family and is highly expressed in oocytes. Using a combination of confocal microscopy and RNAi, we localized and studied the function of both Pyk2 and tyrosine-phosphorylated Pyk2 (p-Pyk2) during mouse oocyte fertilization and early embryo development. At the onset of fertilization, Pyk2 and p-Pyk2 were detected predominantly in sperm heads and the oocyte cytoplasm. Upon formation of male and female pronuclei, Pyk2 and its activated form leave the cytoplasm and accumulate in the two pronuclei. We detected Pyk2 in blastomere nuclei and found both Pyk2 and p-Pyk2 in the pre-blastula cytoplasm. Pyk2 and its activated form then disappeared from the blastula nuclei and localized to the perinuclear regions, where blastula cells come into contact with each other. Pyk2 knockdown via microinjection of siRNA into the zygote did not inhibit early embryo development. Our results suggest that Pyk2 plays multiple functional roles in mouse oocyte fertilization as well as throughout early embryo development.

Vertically-Aligned Single-Crystal Nanocone Arrays: Controlled Fabrication and Enhanced Field Emission.

Metal nanostructures with conical shape, vertical alignment, large ratio of cone height and curvature radius at the apex, controlled cone angle, and single-crystal structure are ideal candidates for enhancing field electron-emission efficiency with additional merits, such as good mechanical and thermal stability. However, fabrication of such nanostructures possessing all these features is challenging. Here, we report on the controlled fabrication of large scale, vertically aligned, and mechanically self-supported single-crystal Cu nanocones with controlled cone angle and enhanced field emission. The Cu nanocones were fabricated by ion-track templates in combination with electrochemical deposition. Their cone angle is controlled in the range from 0.3° to 6.2° by asymmetrically selective etching of the ion tracks and the minimum tip curvature diameter reaches down to 6 nm. The field emission measurements show that the turn-on electric field of the Cu nanocone field emitters can be as low as 1.9 V/µm at current density of 10 µA/cm(2) (a record low value for Cu nanostructures, to the best of our knowledge). The maximum field enhancement factor we measured was as large as 6068, indicating that the Cu nanocones are promising candidates for field emission applications.

[Transformation Regularity of Nitrogen in Aqueous Product Derived from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Sewage Sludge in Subcritical Water].

Hydrothermal liquefaction in subcritical water is a potential way to treat sewage sludge as a resource rather than a waste. This study focused on the transformation regularity of nitrogen in aqueous product which was derived from hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge under different operating conditions. Results showed, within the studied temperature scope and time span, the concentration of total nitrogen (TN) fluctuated in the range of 2867.62 mg x L(-1) to 4171.30 mg x L(-1). The two major exiting formation of nitrogen in aqueous product was ammonia nitrogen (NH4+ -N) and organic nitrogen (Org-N). NH4+ -N possessed 54.6%-90.7% of TN, while Org-N possessed 7.4%-44.5%. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO- -N) was far more less than NH4+ -N and Org-N. Temperature had a great influence on the transformation regularity of nitrogen. Both the concentration of TN and Org-N increased accordingly to the increase of reaction temperature. With the reaction time prolonging, the concentration of TN and Org-N increased, while the concentration of NH4+ -N increased first, then became stationary, and then decreased slightly.