Geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter study in China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: A unified questionnaire was developed to collect data on psychological status and QoL of IBD patients from 42 hospitals across 22 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China's mainland from September 2021 to May 2022. RESULTS: A total of 2478 patients with IBD were surveyed. The proportions of patients with anxiety (28.5% vs 23.1%), depression (32.3% vs 27.8%), and poor QoL (44.8% vs 32.2%) were significantly higher in patients from the northern region compared to the southern region (all P < 0.05). In the western region, the proportions of patients with anxiety (31.9% vs 23.0%), depression (37.7% vs 26.7%), sleep disturbances (64.5% vs 58.5%), and poor QoL (44.9% vs 34.8%) were significantly higher than in the eastern and central regions (all P < 0.01). Patients from inland regions had significantly higher rates of anxiety (27.1% vs 23.3%), depression (32.5% vs 26.0%), sleep disturbance (62.0% vs 57.7%), and poor QoL (43.5% vs 29.9%) compared to those from coastal regions (all P < 0.05). In economically underdeveloped areas, the proportions of patients with depression (33.1% vs 28.5%) and poor QoL (52.0% vs 32.4%) were significantly higher than in economically (relatively) developed areas (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are significant geographic differences in psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL among Chinese patients with IBD, which might provide valuable insights for global IBD research and clinical practice.

Synthesis and activity-detection of photoswitchable ligands with fipronil to insect.

BACKGROUND: Ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor (GABAR) in an insect is the major inhibitory receptor and is one of the most important targets for insecticides. Due to the high spatiotemporal resolution of GABAR, the photopharmacological ligands acting on it in vertebrates but not insect have been developed. RESULTS: In this study, two types of photochromic ligands (PCLs) including DTFIPs (DTFIP1 and DTFIP2) and ABFIPs (p-, m-, and o-ABFIP) were synthesized by incorporating photoswitch azobenzene or dithienylethene into fipronil (FIP), which is the antagonist of insect GABAR. Their photomodulation was measured by mosquito larval behavior, and their potential action mechanism was explored by the two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) technique in vitro. DTFIP1 and m-ABFIP exhibited the most significant difference of insecticidal activity by about 90- and 5-fold to mosquito larvae between non-irradiated and irradiated formation, respectively, and allowed for optical control of mosquito swimming activity. TEVC assay results indicated that m-ABFIP and DTFIP1 enable optical control over the homomeric LsRDL-type GABAR, which is achieved by regulating the chloride channel of resistance to dieldrin (RDL)-type GABAR by photoisomerization. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that PCLs synthesized from fipronil provide an alternative and precise tool for studying insect ionotropic GABARs and GABA-dependent behavior. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bedside ultrasonic localization of the nasogastric tube in a patient with severe COVID-19: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The indwelling nasogastric tube is commonly used for supplying enteral nutrition to patients who are unable to feed themselves, and accurate positioning is essential in the indwelling nasogastric tube in the body of the aforementioned patients. In clinical practice, abdominal radiography, auscultation, and clinical determination of the pH of the gastric juice are routinely used by medical personnel to determine the position of the tube; however, those treatments have proved limitations in specific cases. There are few case reports on the precise positioning of the nasogastric tube in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for whom a supply of necessary nutrition support is significant throughout the process of treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old patient, diagnosed with COVID-19 at the stage of combined syndromes with severe bacterial lung infection, respiratory failure, multiple co-morbidities, and a poor nutritional status, was presented to us and required an indwelling nasogastric tube for enteral nutrition support. After pre-treatment assessments including observation of the patient's nasal feeding status and examination of the nasal septal deviation, inflammation, obstruction, nasal leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, and other disorders that might render intubation inappropriate, we measured and marked the length of the nasogastric tube to be placed and delivered the tube to the intended length in the standard manner. Then further scrutiny was conducted to ensure that the tube was not coiled in the mouth, and gentle movements were made to avoid damage to the esophageal mucosa. However, back draw of the gastric juice using an empty needle failed, and the stethoscope could not be used for auscultation due to the specific condition presented by the internal organs of the patient, and the end of the tube was placed in saline with no bubbles spilling out. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether the nasogastric tube was placed exactly in the stomach and no nutrient infusion was performed for the time being. Subsequently, the ultrasound probe was utilized to view the condition of the patient's stomach, where the nasogastric tube was found to be translucent and running parallel to the esophagus shaped as "=". The pre-conditions were achieved and 100 mL nutritional fluid was fed to the patient, who did not experience any discomfort throughout the procedure. His vital signs were stable with no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: We achieved successfully used ultrasound to position the nasogastric tube in a 79-year-old patient with COVID-19. The repeatable ultrasound application does not involve radiation and causes less disturbance in the neck, making it advantageous for rapid positioning of the nasogastric tube and worthy of clinical promotion and application.

[Detection of Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Multi-color Flow Cytometry].

OBJECTIVE: To establish 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in our laboratory and discuss the value of clinical application. METHODS: According to the antigen expression characteristics of leukemia cells of incipient AML patients, MRD in bone marrow were detected by multiparameter flow cytometry, and the test results were compared with both bone marrow cell morphology and PCR results, then 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels in our lab for MRD detection was determined. RESULTS: The immunophenotypic characteristics of 392 incipient patients with AML in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed, among them 357 (91.07%) cases showed abnormal immunophenotypes, which mainly included cross-lineage expression, cross-stage expression, deficiency of antigen expression or abnormal antigen intensity and other abnormal expression. The 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels established according to abnormal immunophenotypic characteristics of leukemia cells were applied for detecting MRD in 156 patients with AML, the positive rate (43.6%) was higher than 26.8% of morphology, and the results were highly consistent with PCR detection results (96.49%), moreover, the recurrence rate of MRD positive patients (86.96%) was significantly higher than 5.75% of MRD negative patients. Therefore, this method could truly reflect the load of leukemia cells and prompt change of disease condition. CONCLUSION: Multiparameter flow cytometry can detect various abnormal immunophenotypes of AML. The 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels in our lab based on the characteristics of antigens expression in leukemia cells can well detect MRD of leukemia cells, so as to predict relapse and provide basis for clinical treatment.

[C:N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils of Phragmites australis wetland under different water-salt habitats]. / 不同水盐生境下芦苇湿地植被及土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量特征.

We examined the effects of channel diversion of Yellow River on the content and stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the organs of reeds (stem, leaf, rhizome and fibrous root) and soils in three typical Phragmites australis communities in the Yellow River Delta, including P. australis community in the former Yellow River course abandoned in 1996, P. australis community on the new Yellow River course and the P. australis communities on the intertidal area (far from the abandoned and current channel but affected by the tides). The results showed that foliar C, N and P contents of P. australis were highest in the communities of abandoned Yellow River course. Leaf N, stem C and rhizome P contents were highest in the communities of new Yellow River course. Leaf N and stem C and P contents were highest in the communities of intertidal area. The average leaf C (409.48 g·kg-1) and P (1.09 g·kg-1) contents in the three habitats were lower than national and global average levels, while leaf N content (21.71 g·kg-1) was higher than that of national and global average levels. The mean leaf N:P (20.22) was higher than 16 and the mean soil N:P (0.87) was lower than 14, indicating that the P. australis growth in the three habitats was limited by P. Correlation analysis showed that EC was one of the main factors affecting C:N:P stoichiometry in P. australis. In general, the C and P reserves in P. australis in the study area were low, and N reserve was high. The soil organic carbon content was low, the soil C reserves were large, while the N and P were relatively scarce.

Sublethal doses of broflanilide prevents molting in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda via altering molting hormone biosynthesis.

Broflanilide is a novel insecticide with a unique mode of action on the insect GABA receptor and is registered worldwide for the control of agricultural pests. It shows high efficacy in controlling the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, which is a destructive pest to various crops. FAW was exposed to sublethal concentrations of broflanilide to determine its impact on insect development. Sublethal doses (LD10 and LD30) caused failure of ecdysis, reduced body length of larvae, malformation of pupae, and vestigial wing formation in adults. Also, broflanilide at LD30 significantly reduced the amount of molting hormone (MH). After exposure to LD10 or LD30 broflanilide, expression of five Halloween genes, which participate in MH biosynthesis, were found to be altered. Specifically, the transcript levels of SfrCYP307A1 (Spook), SfrCYP314A1 (Shade) and SfrCYP315A1 (Shadow) in 3rd day larvae were significantly decreased as well as SfrCYP302A1 (Disembodied) and SfrCYP306A1 (Phantom) in 5th day pupae. In contrast, the transcript levels of SfrCYP302A1 in 3rd day larvae, SfrCYP307A1 and SfrCYP314A1 in 5th day pupae, and SfrCYP306A1, SfrCYP307A1 and SfrCYP315A1 in 0.5th day adults were significantly increased. Our results demonstrate that broflanilide caused the failure of ecdysis in FAW possibly by influencing the intake of cholesterol through inhibition of feeding and also via altering expression of genes important for MH biosynthesis.

Detection of Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Multi-color Flow Cytometry / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in our laboratory and discuss the value of clinical application.@*METHODS@#According to the antigen expression characteristics of leukemia cells of incipient AML patients, MRD in bone marrow were detected by multiparameter flow cytometry, and the test results were compared with both bone marrow cell morphology and PCR results, then 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels in our lab for MRD detection was determined.@*RESULTS@#The immunophenotypic characteristics of 392 incipient patients with AML in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed, among them 357 (91.07%) cases showed abnormal immunophenotypes, which mainly included cross-lineage expression, cross-stage expression, deficiency of antigen expression or abnormal antigen intensity and other abnormal expression. The 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels established according to abnormal immunophenotypic characteristics of leukemia cells were applied for detecting MRD in 156 patients with AML, the positive rate (43.6%) was higher than 26.8% of morphology, and the results were highly consistent with PCR detection results (96.49%), moreover, the recurrence rate of MRD positive patients (86.96%) was significantly higher than 5.75% of MRD negative patients. Therefore, this method could truly reflect the load of leukemia cells and prompt change of disease condition.@*CONCLUSION@#Multiparameter flow cytometry can detect various abnormal immunophenotypes of AML. The 10-color fluorescent antibody combination panels in our lab based on the characteristics of antigens expression in leukemia cells can well detect MRD of leukemia cells, so as to predict relapse and provide basis for clinical treatment.

Functional Characteristics of the Lepidopteran Ionotropic GABA Receptor 8916 Subunit Interacting with the LCCH3 or the RDL Subunit.

The ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (iGABA) receptor is commonly considered as a fast inhibitory channel and is an important insecticide target. Since 1990, RDL, LCCH3, and GRD have been successively isolated and found to be potential subunits of the insect iGABA receptor. More recently, one orphan gene named 8916 was found and considered to be another potential iGABA receptor subunit according to its amino acid sequence. However, little information about 8916 has been reported. Here, the 8916 subunit from Chilo suppressalis was studied to determine whether it can form part of a functional iGABA receptor by co-expressing this subunit with CsRDL1 or CsLCCH3 in the Xenopus oocyte system. Cs8916 or CsLCCH3 did not form functional ion channels when expressed alone. However, Cs8916 was able to form heteromeric ion channels when expressed with either CsLCCH3 or CsRDL1. The recombinant heteromeric Cs8916/LCCH3 channel was a cation-selective channel, which was sensitive to GABA or ß-alanine. The current of the Cs8916/LCCH3 channel was inhibited by dieldrin, endosulfan, fipronil, or ethiprole. In contrast, fluralaner, broflanilide, and avermectin showed little effect on the Cs8916/LCCH3 channel (IC50s > 10 000 nM). The Cs8916/RDL1 channel was sensitive to GABA, but was significantly different in EC50 and Imax for GABA to those of homomeric CsRDL1. Fluralaner, fipronil, or dieldrin showed antagonistic actions on Cs8916/RDL1. In conclusion, Cs8916 is a potential iGABA receptor subunit, which can interact with CsLCCH3 to generate a cation-selective channel that is sensitive to several insecticides. Also, as Cs8916/RDL1 has a higher EC50 than homomeric CsRDL1, Cs8916 may affect the physiological functions of CsRDL1 and therefore play a role in fine-tuning GABAergic signaling.

Phosphorylcholine-Primed Dendritic Cells Aggravate the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice.

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease involving activation of adaptive and innate immune responses to antigens, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and phosphorylcholine (PC). Dendritic cells (DCs), which are antigen-presenting cells that activate T cells, are present in atherosclerotic lesions and are activated in immune organs. However, the mechanism by which PC promotes atherosclerosis is unclear. Methods and Results: To evaluate whether PC promotes atherosclerosis via DCs, 2×105 DCs activated by PC-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (DCs+PC-KLH) were injected into ApoE-/- mice and the features of the plaques and the effects of the DCs on cellular and humoral immunity against PC-KLH were determined. Mice injected with DCs+PC-KLH had significantly larger atherosclerotic lesions than controls, with increased inflammation in the lesions and plaque instability. Furthermore, DCs+PC-KLH were characterized using flow cytometry after coculture of bone marrow-derived DCs and naïve T cells. DCs+PC-KLH showed an inflammatory phenotype, with increased CD86, CD40, and major histocompatibility complex Class II molecules (MHC-II), which promoted PC-specific T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, 2 weeks after the administration of DCs+PC-KLH to mice, these mice produced PC- and oxLDL-specific IgG2a, compared with no production in the controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest that DCs presenting PC promote specific immunity to PC, increase lesion inflammation, and accelerate atherosclerosis, which may explain how PC promotes atherosclerosis.

Novel alternative splicing of GABA receptor RDL exon 9 from Laodelphax striatellus modulates agonist potency.

The resistance to dieldrin gene (RDL) encodes the primary subunit of the insect ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor (GABAR), which is the target of phenylpyrazole and isoxazoline insecticides. The splice variants in exons 3 and 6 of RDL, which have been widely explored in many insects, modulate the agonist potency of the homomeric RDL GABAR and potentially play an important role in the development of insects. In the present study, four splice variants of exon 9 were identified in RDL of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (LsRDL), resulting in LsRDL-9a, LsRDL-9a', LsRDL-9b, and LsRDL-9c. LsRDL-9a has one more amino acid (E, glutamic acid) compared with LsRDL-9a', and LsRDL-9b lacked two amino acids and had seven different amino acids compared with LsRDL-9c. Two-electrode voltage-clamp recording on LsRDLs expressed in Xenopus oocytes showed that alternative splicing of exon 9 has significant impact on LsRDL sensitivity to the agonists GABA and ß-alanine, whereas no significant difference was observed in the potencies of the non-competitive antagonists (NCAs) ethiprole and fluralaner on the splice variants. Our results suggest that alternative splicing of RDL exon 9 broadens functional capabilities of the GABAR in L. striatellus by influencing the action of GABA.

Interpretation of the international expert recommendations of clinical features to prompt referral for diagnostic assessment of cerebral palsy / 中国当代儿科杂志

Under the guidance and support of national policies in recent years, the community medical system has been developed rapidly, among which primary child healthcare is carried out routinely in community hospitals, greatly alleviating the pressure of specialized pediatric hospitals and departments of pediatrics in secondary and tertiary general hospitals. However, due to the lack of professional training for primary child healthcare personnel in community medical institutions, early symptoms of children with cerebral palsy cannot be identified and so children with cerebral palsy are often unable to receive early diagnosis and intervention, which may affect their prognosis. An article about international expert consensus and recommendations on early identification and referral of cerebral palsy in community medical institutions was published in

Epidemiological investigation of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing. Methods: We designed a tinnitus epidemiological questionnaire. The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling methods was applied to obtain study subjects in six areas (Nanchong, Jiangjin, Fengdu, Yunyang, Suining and Ya'an), which were selected for epidemiological investigation. Home visit completion of epidemiological questionnaires was conducted. The trained investigators guided the respondents to fill in the tinnitus epidemiological questionnaires, and the epidemiological status of six areas on prevalence and risk factor was investigated. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Sampling population were 10 289, in which 9 273 were valid questionnaires. There were 4 281 males and 4 992 females, with an average age of 47.3 years, among which 34.83% (3 230/9 273) had tinnitus. 3.99% (370/9 273) were diagnosed with bothersome tinnitus. In a multivariable logistic regression mod, the following factors were associated with onsetting of tinnitus: sleep disorder [Odds Ratio(OR)=3.74] and noise exposure(OR=1.99). The risk of disease was lowest in the age of 30-40 years old, while the risk of disease was higher for people under 30 and over 40. In another multivariable logistic regression mode, the following factors were associated with having bothersome tinnitus: older people were more likely to suffer from tinnitus, sleep disorders (OR=4.68) and noise exposure (OR=1.56). Conclusions: The prevalence of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing is about 34.83%, but most of the tinnitus is short-lived and has low loudness, which will not affect the patients. Only a small number of patients with tinnitus (3.99%) persist and affect their health and need treatment. The occurrence and exacerbation of tinnitus may be related to sleep, age, and noise exposure.

[Prognostic Value of CD123 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Intermediate Risk in Normal Karyotype].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD123 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its relationship between clinical features, concomitant fusion gene or gene mutation, efficacy and prognosis. METHODS: 365 patients with newly diagnosed AML (except M3) treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled and retrospective analysis, and multi-parameter flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of CD123 in myeloid leukemia cell population. CD123≥20% was defined as positive. Clinical features, concomitant fusion gene or gene mutation, efficacy and prognosis of CD123+ and CD123- patients were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of CD123 in 365 newly diagnosed AML patients was 38.9%. Compared with the CD123- group, the white blood cell count (WBC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and bone marrow blast cell ratio were higher in the CD123+ group, and the ratio of NPM1 and DMNT3a gene mutations and the CBFß-MYH11 fusion gene was significantly increased, while the ratio of CEBPA gene mutation and AML-ETO fusion gene was significantly reduced. The rate of first inducing complete remission and total remission in CD123+ group was significantly lower than that in CD123- group. There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Survival analysis showed that in 77 AML patients with normal karyotype and intermediate risk, the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate and event-free survival (EFS) rate of the CD123+ group were significantly lower than those of the CD123- group. Multivariate analysis showed that CD123 was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS and EFS in AML patients with normal karyotype and intermediate risk. CONCLUSION: CD123 positive indicates that AML patients have higher tumor burden and are more difficult to reach remission. It is an independent risk factor for OS and EFS in patients with normal karyotype and intermediate risk, which is important to evaluate the prognosis of patients with AML without specific prognostic marker.

Down-regulation and Clinical Implication of Galectin-9 Levels in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Chronic Kidney Disease.

In various autoimmune diseases, Galecin-9 (Gal-9) has been shown to regulate the T-cell balance by decreasing Th1 and Th17, while increasing the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, the role of Gal-9 in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. This study aims to measure the Gal-9 levels in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with ACS plus CKD and examine their clinical implication. The serum levels of Gal-9 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression levels of Gal-9, Tim-3, and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the expression of Gal-9 on the surface of PBMCs and in PBMCs was analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the correlation of serum Gal-9 levels with anthropometric and biochemical variables in patients with ACS plus CKD was analyzed. The lowest levels of Gal-9 in serum and PBMCs were found in the only ACS group, followed by the ACS+CKD group, and the normal coronary artery (NCA) group, respectively. Serum Gal-9 levels were increased along with the progression of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories of G1 to G4. Additionally, serum Gal-9 levels were negatively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), estimated GFR (eGFR), and lipoprotein(a), but positively with creatinine, age, osmotic pressure, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Notably, serum Gal-9 was independently associated with hs-CRP, osmotic pressure, and lipoprotein(a). Furthermore, serum Gal-9 levels were elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in ACS group. It was suggested that the levels of Gal-9 in serum and PBMCs were decreased in patients with simple ACS and those with ACS plus CKD, and hs-CRP, eGFR, osmotic pressure and T2DM may have an influence on serum Gal-9 levels.

Acute toxicity, bioconcentration, elimination, action mode and detoxification metabolism of broflanilide in zebrafish, Danio rerio.

Broflanilide, a novel meta-diamide insecticide, shows high insecticidal activity against agricultural pests and is scheduled to be launched onto the market in 2020. However, little information about its potential toxicological effects on fish has been reported. In this study, broflanilide showed low toxicity to the zebrafish, Danio rerio, with LC50 > 10 mg L-1 at 96 h and also did not inhibit GABA-induced currents of the heteromeric Drα1ß2Sγ2 GABA receptor. Broflanilide showed medium bioconcentration level with a bioconcentration factor at steady state (BCFss) of 10.02 and 69.40 in D. rerio at 2.00 mg L-1 and 0.20 mg L-1, respectively. In the elimination process, the concentration of broflanilide rapidly decreased within two days and slowly dropped below the limit of quantification after ten days. In the 2.00 mg L-1 broflanilide treatment, CYP450 activity was significantly increased up to 3.11-fold during eight days. Glutathione-S- transferase (GST) activity significantly increased by 91.44 % within four days. In conclusion, the acute toxicity of broflanilide was low, but it might induce chronic toxicity, affecting metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the toxicological effects of broflanilide on an aquatic organism, which has the potential to guide the use of broflanilide in the field.

The Long Noncoding RNA Hotair Regulates Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Myocyte Apoptosis during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Oxidative stress and subsequent cardiac myocyte apoptosis play central roles in the initiation and progression of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Homeobox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (Hotair) was previously implicated in various heart diseases, yet its role in myocardial I/R injury has not been clearly demonstrated. Mice with cardiac-restricted knockdown or overexpression of Hotair were exposed to I/R surgery. H9c2 cells were cultured and subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) stimulation to further verify the role and underlying mechanisms of Hotair in vitro. Histological examination, molecular detection, and functional parameters were determined in vivo and in vitro. In response to I/R or H/R treatment, Hotair expression was increased in a bromodomain-containing protein 4-dependent manner. Cardiac-restricted knockdown of Hotair exacerbated, whereas Hotair overexpression prevented I/R-induced oxidative stress, cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, we observed that Hotair exerted its beneficial effects via activating AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα). Further detection revealed that Hotair activated AMPKα through regulating the enhancer of zeste homolog 2/microRNA-451/calcium-binding protein 39 (EZH2/miR-451/Cab39) axis. We provide the evidence that endogenous lncRNA Hotair is an essential negative regulator for oxidative stress and cardiac myocyte apoptosis in myocardial I/R injury, which is dependent on AMPKα activation via the EZH2/miR-451/Cab39 axis.

Lethal and sublethal effects of fluralaner on the two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae).

BACKGROUND: Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch is a serious agricultural pest and has developed high levels of resistance to many acaricides. Hence, screening new acaricides is important in the control of TSSM. Fluralaner, a novel isoxazoline, has high activity against agricultural and ectoparasitic pests; however, little information is available about its effects on agricultural mites. Lethal and sublethal effects of fluralaner towards TSSM eggs and female adults were therefore evaluated in this study. RESULTS: Fluralaner exhibited higher activity towards TSSM female adults (LC50 , 0.49 mg L-1 ) compared with commercial acaricides including fenpyroximate, pyridaben and hexythiazox, and also excellent activity towards eggs (LC50 , 0.36 mg L-1 ). The results of a sublethal effect study showed a significant reduction in the duration and fecundity of female adults with increases in the tested concentrations. The net reproductive rate (R0 ) decreased to 67.34 ± 3.96 and 50.29 ± 3.40 offspring per individual in LC10 and LC30 treatments compared with control (108.31 ± 7.61 offspring per individual). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) in the controls (0.30 and 1.36 d-1 ) were significantly higher than in the LC30 treatment (0.25 and 1.29 d-1 ); whereas, they were almost identical to values for the LC10 treatment. No change in mean generation time (T) was observed at sublethal concentrations treatments. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that fluralaner has high acaricidal activity and could be considered a potential acaricide for TSSM management. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Effect of Emodin Based on AMPK Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Emodin is a common Chinese medicine compound with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant and lipid-lowering effects. Modern studies have found that emodin activates adenylate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling molecules and regulates transcriptional factors and biological functions of relevant pathways. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a chronic liver disease with a high incidence in China. With the global prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to the expression of the metabolism-related signal molecule AMPK. AMPK is a key enzyme in glycolipid metabolism that can involve different stages of NAFLD development to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by regulating energy metabolism in the body. In recent years, many studies have suggested that the activation of AMPK signaling molecules is related to the function realization of emodin, and lipid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation, insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function-related transcription factors affected by AMPK downstream signaling molecules and other biological effects can be interacted with each other. The detailed mechanism of action associated with AMPK activation provides new thought about the treatment of NAFLD by emodin. This paper mainly summarizes the research progress of emodin by participating in the various stages of NAFLD by AMPK-related signaling pathways through literature retrieval and comprehensive analysis. It lays a foundation for further research on the therapeutic effect and mechanism of emodin on NAFLD.

Establishment of an accurate C57BL6/J mouse model of acute radiation-induced enteritis based on small animal radiation research platform / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To establish an accurate C57BL6/J mouse model of acute radiation-induced enteritis based on small animal radiation research platform (SARRP).Methods:Forty-eight female mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: blank control group, 6 Gy irradiation group, 9 Gy irradiation group and 12 Gy irradiation group. Based on the SARRP, the mice in the irradiation groups were exposed to a single fraction dose of 6 Gy, 9 Gy and 12 Gy at a dose rate of 4Gy/min, respectively. The general condition, body weight and pathological changes of the small intestine of mice were observed.Results:After CT scanning, the target area and normal tissues were delineated. According to the dose distribution of the target area and the protection of spinal cord, the AP-PA field irradiation scheme at the isocentric level was adopted. The average irradiation time in the 6, 9 and 12 Gy groups was 163, 252 and 328 seconds, respectively. The survival rates of mice in the 6, 9 and 12 Gy groups were 100%, 100% and 50% 15 days after irradiation.The body weight of mice in the 6 Gy ( P=0.035), 9 Gy ( P=0.002) and 12 Gy groups ( P<0.001) was decreased significantly on the 5 th day after irradiation, and gradually increased on the 10 th day. With the increase of irradiation dose, the villus and gland injury was aggravated. Compared with the blank control group, the villus length in the 9 and 12 Gy groups was significantly shorter (both P<0.001), and the intestinal wall thickness in the irradiation groups was significantly thinner (all P<0.001). Conclusion:SARRP can provide accurate target location, planned screening and accurate dose delivery in the establishment of C57BL6/J mouse model of acute radiation-induced enteritis. The C57BL6/J mouse model of acute radiation-induced enteritis can be successfully established by a single fraction total-abdominal irradiation of 6-9 Gy.

Clinical efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in cervical cancer patients with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastasis treated with radical surgery / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To determine whether postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) improves the survival outcomes of cervical cancer patients with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastasis after radical surgery.Methods:Clinical data of 188 cervical cancer patients presenting with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastasis after radical surgery between February 2008 and November 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastasis was confirmed by postoperative pathology. The clinical efficacy of CCRT was evaluated.Results:Recurrence/metastasis occurred in 46 patients. In the radiotherapy alone group, 4(57.1%) patients had recurrence/metastasis in the posterior peritoneum subgroup, 5(55.6%) in the iliac subgroup and 11(28.2%) in the pelvic non-iliac subgroup, respectively. In the CCRT group, there were 5(62.5%) cases of recurrence/metastasis in the posterior peritoneum subgroup, 5(25%) in the iliac subgroup and 16(15.2%) in the pelvic non-iliac subgroup, respectively. Compared with the radiotherapy alone, CCRT could significantly improve the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of patients with pelvic without iliac lymph node metastasis or iliac lymph node metastasis (pelvic without iliac: 88.6% vs.76.9%, P=0.003; iliac: 80.0% vs.44.4%, P=0.041), whereas failed to improve the 5-year OS of patients with para-aortic lymph node metastasis (50.0% vs.42.9%, P=0.973). The location of lymph node metastasis and CCRT were the independent prognostic factors for OS (para-aortic vs. pelvic without iliac: hazard ratio[HR]=4.259, 95% CI=1.700-10.671, P=0.002; iliac vs. pelvic without iliac: HR=2.985, 95% CI=1.290-6.907, P=0.011; concurrent chemotherapy vs. radiotherapy alone: HR=0.439, 95% CI=0.218-0.885, P=0.021). Conclusions:CCRT can improve the survival of patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis, but it fails to enhance the survival rate of patients with para-aortic lymph node metastasis.