[Introduction and implications of WHO position paper: vaccines against influenza, May 2022].

On May 13, 2022, World Health Organization(WHO) Position Paper on Influenza Vaccine (2022 edition) was published. This position paper updates information on influenza epidemiology, high risk population, the impact of immunization on disease, influenza vaccines and effectiveness and safety, and propose WHO's position and recommendation that all countries should consider implementing seasonal influenza vaccine immunization programmes to prepare for an influenza pandemic. In addition, it proposes that the influenza surveillance platform can be integrated with the surveillance of other respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. This position paper has some implications for the prevention and control of influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases in China: (1) Optimize influenza vaccine policies to facilitate the implementation of immunization services; (2) Influenza prevention and control should from the perspective of Population Medicine focus on the individual and community to integrate with "Promotion, Prevention, Diagnosis, Control, Treatment, Rehabilitation"; (3) Incorporate prevention and control of other respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus, and intelligently monitor by integrating multi-channel data to achieve the goal of co-prevention and control of multiple diseases.

LncRNA SNHG8 promotes cell migration and invasion in breast cancer cell through miR-634/ZBTB20 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Small nucleolus RNA Host Gene 8 (SNHG8) belongs to a subgroup of long non-coding RNAs. SNHG8 is upregulated in many cancers, such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal squamous cell cancer. However, whether SNHG8 is abnormally expressed in breast cancer and its biological functions remain unclear. Therefore, our research intended to determine the expression status of SNHG8 in breast cancer, explore the effects of SNHG8 on the development of breast cancer, and investigate the potential molecular mechanisms in cancer progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression levels of SNHG8 were detected in tissue samples and cell lines via qRT-PCR. The effects of SNHG8 on viability of breast cancer cells were detected via CCK-8, EdU, transwell, and flow cytometry analyses. RESULTS: qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of SNHG8 was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues and cell lines. Gene functional studies showed that the downregulation of the expression level of SNHG8 significantly inhibited the breast cancer cells migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, we found that SNHG8 served as an inhibitor of miR-634 in tumor tissues. SNHG8 may participate in the malignancy of breast cancer by sponging the miR-634 to increase the expression level of ZBTB20. CONCLUSIONS: The SNHG8-miR-634-ZBTB20 pathway may be a potential target for the treatment of breast cancers.

[Determination of n-butyl alcohol in urine by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography].

Objective: To establish a headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography method for determination of n-Butyl alcohol in urine. Methods: In October 2019, the n-butyl alcohol in urine was extracted with a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) solid-phase microextraction head. The conditions of salt amount, extraction temperature, extraction time and desorption time were optimized. The separation was performed on HP-5 (30 m×0.32 mm×0.25 µm) capillary column and detected with flame ionization detector. The quantification was based on the external standard curve. Results: The linear relationship of n-butyl alcohol in urine was good in the range of 0.04-3.00 mg/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.999, the detection limit of the method was 0.04 mg/L, the recovery was 77.4%-102.8%, the intra-run precision was 3.67%-8.11%, and the inter-assay precision was 4.94%-6.90%. Conclusion: The method has simple operation, high concentration efficiency and high sensitivity, and it is suitable for the determination of n-butyl alcohol in urine of occupational exposure to n-butyl alcohol.

LncRNA TTN-AS1 contributes to gastric cancer progression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-376b-3p.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were reported to participate in the progression of gastric cancer (GC). However, litter is known about the biological functions of TTN antisense RNA 1 (TTN-AS1) in GC. Using qRT-PCR examination, we found that TTN-AS1 was expressed at a higher level in GC tissues and cell lines compared to the normal controls. Kaplan-Meier analysis of GC patients revealed the negative correlation between TTN-AS1 expression and the overall survival. To detect the biological function of TTN-AS1 in GC, we silenced TTN-AS1 to perform loss-of-function assays. The experimental results revealed that knockdown of TTN-AS1 obviously inhibited GC cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and impaired cell migration and invasion. In mechanism, TTN-AS1 was located in the cytoplasm of GC cells, indicating the post-transcriptional regulation of TTN-AS1 on gene expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the potential binding relation between TTN-AS1 and miR-376b-3p as well as between miR-376b-3p and KLF12. Mechanism experiments such as luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay demonstrated the interaction between TTN-AS1 and miR-376b-3p as well as between miR-376b-3p and KLF12 in GC cells. At last, rescue assays certified that miR-376b-3p and KLF12 involved in TTN-AS1-mediated GC progression. Similarly, the role of TTN-AS1-miR-376b-3p-KLF12 axis in GC progression was analyzed and validated. Taken together, we concluded that TTN-AS1 might function as a novel potential therapeutic target in the treatment of gastric cancer.

In vitro effects and mechanisms of lycopene in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer adversely affects the health status of women; therefore, the prevention and treatment of breast cancer is of critical importance. Lycopene is known to possess several biological effects such as removal of free radicals, alleviation of biological oxidative injury, and inhibition of tumor growth. In this study, we aimed to illustrate the effect of lycopene on tumor cell proliferation and modulation of cancer progression as well as its possible underlying mechanisms in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro. MCF-7 cells were treated with different lycopene concentrations for 24, 48, and 72 h. Light field microscopy was used to observe cell morphology. MTT assay was used to determine the effect of lycopene on MCF-7 proliferation. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate cell apoptosis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of p53 and Bax. Under microscopic examination, the untreated MCF-7 cells appeared to have a diamond or polygonal shape. Lycopene treatment resulted in cell shrinkage and breakage, whose severity increased in a dose and duration dependent manner. In addition, reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis (P < 0.05) were observed using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Moreover, lycopene could also upregulate the expression of p53 and Bax mRNAs in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, lycopene inhibits proliferation and facilitates apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro, possibly by regulating the expression of p53 and Bax.

3-D imaging of islets in obesity: formation of the islet-duct complex and neurovascular remodeling in young hyperphagic mice.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and insulin resistance lead to islet hyperplasia. However, how the islet remodeling influences the pancreatic environment and the associated neurovascular networks is largely unknown. The lack of information is primarily due to the difficulty of global visualization of the hyperplasic islet (>200 µm) and the neurovascular environment with high definition. METHODS: We modulated the pancreatic optical property to achieve 3-dimensional (3-D) whole-islet histology and to integrate transmitted light microscopy (which provides the ground-truth tissue information) with confocal fluorescence imaging. The new optical and imaging conditions were used to globally examine the hyperplastic islets of the young (2 months) obese db/db and ob/ob mice, which otherwise cannot be easily portrayed by the standard microtome-based histology. The voxel-based islet micrographs were digitally processed for stereo projection and qualitative and quantitative analyses of the islet tissue networks. RESULTS: Paired staining and imaging of the pancreatic islets, ducts and neurovascular networks reveal the unexpected formation of the 'neuro-insular-ductal complex' in the young obese mice. The complex consists of the peri- and/or intra-islet ducts and prominent peri-ductal sympathetic nerves; the latter contributes to a marked increase in islet sympathetic innervation. In vascular characterization, we identify a decreased perivascular density of the ob/ob islet pericytes, which adapt to ensheathing the dilated microvessels with hypertrophic processes. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of pancreatic optical property enables 3-D panoramic examination of islets in the young hyperphagic mice to reveal the formation of the islet-duct complex and neurovascular remodeling. On the basis of the morphological proximity of the remodeled tissue networks, we propose a reactive islet microenvironment consisting of the endocrine cells, ductal epithelium and neurovascular tissues in response to the metabolic challenge that is experienced early in life.

Imaging of the islet neural network.

The islets of Langerhans receive signals from the circulation and nerves to modulate hormone secretion in response to physiological cues. Although the rich islet innervation has been documented in the literature dating as far back as Paul Langerhans' discovery of islets in the pancreas, it remains a challenging task for researchers to acquire detailed islet innervation patterns in health and disease due to the dispersed nature of the islet neurovascular network. In this article, we discuss the recent development of 3-dimensional (3D) islet neurohistology, in which transparent pancreatic specimens were prepared by optical clearing to visualize the islet microstructure, vasculature and innervation with deep-tissue microscopy. Mouse islets were used as an example to illustrate how to apply this 3D imaging approach to characterize (i) the islet parasympathetic innervation, (ii) the islet sympathetic innervation and its reinnervation after transplantation under the kidney capsule and (iii) the reactive cellular response of the Schwann cell network in islet injury. While presenting and characterizing the innervation patterns, we also discuss how to apply the signals derived from transmitted light microscopy, vessel painting and immunostaining of neural markers to verify the location and source of tissue information. In summary, the systematic development of tissue labelling, clearing and imaging methods to reveal the islet neuroanatomy offers insights to help study the neural-islet regulatory mechanisms and the role of neural tissue remodelling in the development of diabetes.

Experimental analyses of the major parameters affecting the intensity of outbursts of coal and gas.

With an increase in mining depth and production, the intensity and frequency of outburst of coal and gas have a tendency to increase. Estimating the intensity of outbursts of coal and gas plays an important role because of its relation with the risk value. In this paper, we described the semiquantitative relations between major parameters and intensity of outburst based on physical experiments. The results showed increment of geostress simulated by horizontal load (from 1.4, 2.4, 3.2, to 3.4 MPa) or vertical load (from 2, 3, 3.6, to 4 MPa) improved the relative intensity rate (3.763-7.403% and 1.273-7.99%); the increment of porosity (from 1.57, 2.51, 3, to 3.6%) improved the relative intensity rate from 3.8 to 13.8%; the increment of gas pressure (from 0, 0.5, 0.65, 0.72, 1, to 1.5 Mpa) induced the relative intensity rate to decrease from 38.22 to 0%; the increment of water content (from 0, 2, 4, to 8%) caused the relative intensity rate to drop from 5.425 to 0.5%. Furthermore, sensitivity and range analysis evaluates coupled factors affecting the relative intensity. In addition, the distinction with initiation of outburst of coal and gas affected by these parameters is discussed by the relative threshold of gas content rate.

3-D imaging, illustration, and quantitation of enteric glial network in transparent human colon mucosa.

BACKGROUND: Enteric glia form a network in the intestinal mucosa and have been suggested to engage in multidirectional interactions with the epithelium, blood vessels, nerves, and immune system. However, due to the dispersed nature of the glial network, standard histology cannot provide a global view of the network architecture. We prepared transparent human colon mucosa for three-dimensional (3-D) confocal microscopy with S100B immunostaining to reveal the location-dependent glial network for qualitative and quantitative analyses. METHODS: Full-thickness human colons were acquired from colectomies performed for colorectal cancer. We targeted the mucosa away from the tumor site to characterize the glial network morphology. Optical clearing (use of immersion solution to reduce scattering) was applied to generate transparent specimens for deep-tissue microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Two features of the glial network were seen: (i) A dense glial population resides at the crypt base/mucosal boundary in contact with the lymphatic vessels, and (ii) from the base, the glial network elongates along the crypt axis with peri-cryptic and peri-vascular connections toward the opening. We quantified the mucosal glia as the S100B-positive cells with at least two processes extending from the cell body. Examples of the global and in-depth imaging of adenoma were given to illustrate the morphological correlation between the loss of glial fibers and the aberrant crypts. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We have established a useful approach for 3-D imaging, panoramic illustration, and quantitation of the enteric glia in the human colon mucosa to help characterize their roles with mucosal components in health and disease.

Optical clearing improves the imaging depth and signal-to-noise ratio for digital analysis and three-dimensional projection of the human enteric nervous system.

BACKGROUND: Due to the dispersed nature of neurites and fibers, the microtome-based 2-dimensional histology provides only a limited perspective of the enteric nervous system. To visualize the enteric plexus, we applied optical clearing to avoid scattering in the human ileum to facilitate photon penetration for 3-dimensional (3-D) microscopy of the neural tissue. METHODS: Human ileal specimens were derived by trimming the donor bowel due to its excess length during the clinical trial of small intestinal transplantation. The pan-neuronal marker PGP9.5 was used as the immunostaining target to reveal the enteric plexuses. The labeled tissues were immersed in the optical-clearing solution prior to deep-tissue confocal microscopy. The serial sections were digitally analyzed and processed by reconstruction algorithms for 3-D visualization. KEY RESULTS: Optical clearing of the ileal specimen led to less fluorescence signal decay along the focal path in the tissue and a higher signal-to-noise ratio of the confocal micrographs in comparison with the untreated saline control. Taking advantage of the high signal-to-noise ratio images, we applied software-based signal analysis to identify the presence of the nerve fibers and quantify the signal peaks. The image stacks derived from the serial anatomic micrographs created panoramic views of the gut wall innervations with their associated microstructures. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We provide an optical approach to improve the imaging depth in 3-D neurohistology of the human ileum. This methodology has significant promise in facilitating our understanding of the enteric nervous system in health and disease.

Clinical indicators which necessitate renal biopsy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with renal disease.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is always based on clinical grounds. However, the necessity for renal biopsy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with renal disease to establish the diagnosis remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 50 type 2 diabetic patients performed with renal biopsy between December 2002 and December 2006. Based on renal pathology, patients were divided into group I: DN alone, group II: non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD) superimposed on DN and group III: isolated NDRD. Factors like DM > 10 years, retinopathy, previous minimal proteinuria without sudden heavy proteinuria, no glomerular haematuria and non-small-sized kidney were collected to evaluate their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for prediction of DN or NDRD in type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS: Group I consisted of 24 patients, group II 15 patients and group III 11 patients. Acute interstitial nephritis was the most prevalent second renal disease in our study. Sensitivity and specificity for group I was poor in five features except high sensitivity in no sudden heavy proteinuria (83.3%) and non-small-sized kidney (95.8%). Comparable retinopathy, sudden heavy proteinuria and haematuria (p > 0.05) was noted between the three groups. Significant biopsy indicators included higher serum albumin, lower urinary daily protein excretion and lower 24-h creatinine clearance (C(Cr)) rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that DM > 10 years and retinopathy did not exclude NDRD in type 2 DM patients, and need for renal biopsy. Higher serum albumin, lower urinary daily protein and 24-h C(Cr) were indicative for biopsy to exclude NDRD.

[Determination of surface energy of PS-PEO-PS triblock copolymers by inverse gas chromatography].

The surface energy(gamma sd) of the dispersive component of the triblock copolymers, poly(styrene)-poly (ethylene oxide)-poly(styrene)(PS-PEO-PS), was determined by using inverse gas chromatography(IGC). A series of linear alkanes were used to determine the free energy of adsorption (delta GCH2) of a CH2 group in a temperature range of 70 degrees C-120 degrees C, and gamma sd of PS-PEO-PS were calculated. The effects of the polymer composition and temperature on gamma sd values were discussed. IGC data indicated that gamma sd values of PS-PEO-PS were lower (gamma dPS-PEO-PS-1 = 16.99 mJ.m-2, gamma dPS-PEO-PS-2 = 17.98 mJ.m-2, 70 degrees C) than that of PEG (gamma dPEG = 21.74 mJ.m-2, 70 degrees C), and increased as the ethylene oxide content increased in PS-PEO-PS. The gamma sd was sensitive to temperature, decreased sharply with the increase of temperature. Linear relationships were obtained between the gamma sd and temperature (t, degree C), which were gamma dPE-PEO-PS-1 = 28.12-0.161t and gamma dPS-PEO-PS-2 = 28.23-0.148t.

[Study of the miscibility of polymer blends by inverse gas chromatography].

An investigation was made on the thermodynamic parameters chi'23 of the polymer system polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer(EVA) by inverse gas chromatogrphy(IGC), and the miscibility of the blends was studied by using chi'23 as judging foundation, and it was preliminary discussed the relation between chi'23 and composition of the blend, and molecules-chain structure of polymer, and temperature. The influence of the property of probes on chi'23 was also discussed. Results showed thermodynamic miscibility for PVC/EVA blend was accurately and directly indicated by chi'23. Experimental data confirmed the conclusion reported by other studies. It was immiscible for blends of which the acetate content was lower in EVA copolymer. The experimental temperature was favorable for improving miscibility of blends. The medium content in EVA copolymer resulted in partial miscibility for the blend, but the phase-seperation appeared when the experimental temperature was raised. This is in agreement with the previous studies on polymer blends. The apparent interaction parameter was found to be dependent on the chemical nature of the probe, the values of chi'23 were very different, but most experimental data show the same general trend with temperature and composition of blends.

[Study of the crystalline behaviors of polymer by inverse gas chromatography].

An investigation was made on crystallinity(Xc) and melting temperature(Tm) of the crystalline polymer polyethylene glycol(PEG) by inverse gas chromatography(IGC). The influence of the property of the probe and the coating weight of PEG in stationary phase on the data determined is discussed. And IGC data are compared with those got by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) experiment. Results showed that IGC is a very useful technique for measuring the melting point and the degree of crystallinity of polymer samples since it does not depend on the assumptions about the properties of 100% crystalline polymer. IGC data indicated that the melting temperature of PEG was 67 degrees C and crystallinity was 89.7%. DSC data indicated the same results. The experimental data was found to be not related with the chemical nature of the probes, but depended on the coating weight of PEG on the supports.

[Separation model of small molecules with SEC columns and micellar mobile phase].

Small alkanol molecules were successfully separated with SEC method in combination with a micellar mobile phase. The separation model has been given in this system. The separation is based on the differential migration of the micelle and the surrounding water and the differential distribution of the solute between the micelle and aqueous phase, therefore, the separation mechanism is very similar to that of micella electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The retention volume of solute is related to the micellar concentration by theoretical treatment, through which the solute distribution coefficient between micelle and aqueous phase could be obtained. Two different SEC columns were employed for separation of some alkanols and the theoretical model is supported by the experimental results. The distribution coefficients obtained were in good agreement for these two columns.

[Effects of semen Cuscutae, rhizoma Curculiginis, radix Morindae officinalis on human spermatozoan's motility and membrane function in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Semen Cuscutae (SC), Rhizoma Curculiginis (RC) and Radix Morindae Officinalis (RMO) on human sperm motility in vitro and cytomembrane function. METHODS: Compare the sperm motility of the above-mentioned medicinal plants with modified Tyrode's solution (MTS) and MTS added caffeine in vitro. Human spermatozoa were incubated with decoctions of medicinal plant at various concentrations in 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. The motility of sperm was evaluated by the sperm capillary penetrating test, sperm speed test and sperm activity index calculations. The spermatozoa membrane function was evaluated by spermatozoal hypo-osmotic swelling test together with eosin staining methods. RESULTS: The sperm motility improved markedly and sperm membrane function became more stabilized after incubation, the SC had best effect, RC took second place, RMO was relatively poor. CONCLUSIONS: SC decoction is an effective promoting preparation for sperm motility and the membrane function stabilized. Therefore, SC may be beneficial in treating male sterility and may raise success rate in artificial insemination.

A crossover comparison of intermittent oral and intravenous administration of calcitriol on the parathyroid hormone concentration in hemodialysis patients.

Active vitamin D3 is used commonly in hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Intermittent pulse therapy with active vitamin D3, either orally or intravenously, has been proven to be effective with less hypercalcemic complication than daily oral vitamin D3. We therefore designed a three-phase crossover study to compare the effect of oral and intravenous calcitriol given by intermittent pulse therapy. Thirteen regular hemodialysis patients were enrolled. In phase 1, 1 microgram calcitriol was given orally at bedtime twice a week for 4 months, and then was stopped for 1 month to washout. In phase 2, 1 microgram calcitriol was given intravenously immediately after hemodialysis twice a week for 2 months, and then was stopped for 1 month to washout. Phase 3 repeated phase 1 but lasted for only 2 months. Calcium carbonate was given as the sole phosphate-binding agent if there was no severe hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels decreased dramatically in all three phase therapies. As a result, mid-molecule PTH decreased from 5.71 +/- 2.65 to 3.97 +/- 2.92 ng/ml in phase 1 (p = 0.010), from 4.34 +/- 3.39 to 1.98 +/- 1.76 ng/ml in phase 2 (p = 0.007), and from 2.72 +/- 0.97 to 1.67 +/- 0.71 ng/ml in phase 3 (p = < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the calculation of the PTH declination among the three phases (32, 50 and 42%, respectively). The incidence of hypercalcemia was higher in using calcitriol than without it (23 vs. 6%, p < 0.05), but there was no difference between intravenous and oral calcitriol (35 vs. 19%). The above results suggested that both oral and intravenous calcitriol, with lower doses and intermittent pulse therapy, were equally effective in controlling secondary hyperparathyroidism. The incidences of hypercalcemia were similar in both oral and intravenous calcitriol using 3.5 mEq/1 dialysate calcium concentration and calcium carbonate as the chief phosphate binder.