Coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease: status quo and nursing care.

Aim: Coronary artery lesion (CAL) is a common yet serious complication in children with Kawasaki disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influencing factors of CAL in children with Kawasaki disease, to provide reference for the clinical treatment and care of children with Kawasaki disease. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: Children with Kawasaki disease treated in a tertiary hospital in China between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022 were selected. The characteristics and clinical data of children with Kawasaki disease were analyzed. Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between CAL and the characteristics of children with Kawasaki disease. A logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of CAL in children with Kawasaki disease. Results: In total, 185 children with Kawasaki disease were included; the incidence of CAL in children with Kawasaki disease was 18.38%. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that gender (r = 0.504), age (r = 0.611), duration of fever ≥10 days (r = 0.579), hemoglobin (Hb) (r = 0.623), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.558) were all correlated with the CAL in children with Kawasaki disease (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that male [odds ratio (OR) = 2.543, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.801-3.077, p = 0.040], age ≤2 years (OR = 3.002, 95% CI: 2.744-3.641, p = 0.012), duration of fever ≥10 days (OR = 2.089, 95% CI: 1.624-2.515, p = 0.028), Hb ≤105 g/L (OR = 1.914, 95% CI: 1.431-2.406, p = 0.013), and CRP ≥100 mg/L (OR = 2.168, 95% CI: 1.893-2.531, p = 0.035) were the risk factors of CAL in children with Kawasaki disease (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of CAL in children with Kawasaki disease is high and there are many related risk factors. Clinical medical workers should take early warning and carry out interventions and nursing care according to these risk factors to improve the prognosis of children with Kawasaki disease.

Genome-Wide Identification of MADS-Box Genes in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and Taraxacum mongolicum: Evolutionary Mechanisms, Conserved Functions and New Functions Related to Natural Rubber Yield Formation.

MADS-box transcription regulators play important roles in plant growth and development. However, very few MADS-box genes have been isolated in the genus Taraxacum, which consists of more than 3000 species. To explore their functions in the promising natural rubber (NR)-producing plant Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), MADS-box genes were identified in the genome of TKS and the related species Taraxacum mongolicum (TM; non-NR-producing) via genome-wide screening. In total, 66 TkMADSs and 59 TmMADSs were identified in the TKS and TM genomes, respectively. From diploid TKS to triploid TM, the total number of MADS-box genes did not increase, but expansion occurred in specific subfamilies. Between the two genomes, a total of 11 duplications, which promoted the expansion of MADS-box genes, were identified in the two species. TkMADS and TmMADS were highly conserved, and showed good collinearity. Furthermore, most TkMADS genes exhibiting tissue-specific expression patterns, especially genes associated with the ABCDE model, were preferentially expressed in the flowers, suggesting their conserved and dominant functions in flower development in TKS. Moreover, by comparing the transcriptomes of different TKS lines, we identified 25 TkMADSs related to biomass formation and 4 TkMADSs related to NR content, which represented new targets for improving the NR yield of TKS.

Induction of Axillary Bud Swelling of Hevea brasiliensis to Regenerate Plants through Somatic Embryogenesis and Analysis of Genetic Stability.

To overcome rubber tree (RT) tissue culture explant source limitations, the current study aimed to establish a new Hevea brasiliensis somatic embryogenesis (SE) system, laying the technical foundation for the establishment of an axillary-bud-based seedling regeneration system. In this study, in vitro plantlets of Hevea brasiliensis Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences 917 (CATAS 917) were used as the experimental materials. Firstly, the optimum conditions for axillary bud swelling were studied; then, the effects of phenology, the swelling time of axillary buds (ABs), and medium of embryogenic callus induction were studied. Plantlets were obtained through somatic embryogenesis. Flow cytometry, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR molecular marker) and chromosome karyotype analysis were used to study the genetic stability of regenerated plants along with budding seedlings (BSs) and secondary somatic embryo seedlings (SSESs) as the control. The results show that the rubber tree's phenology period was mature, and the axillary bud induction rate was the highest in the 2 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) medium (up to 85.83%). Later, 3-day-old swelling axillary buds were used as explants for callogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. The callus induction rate was optimum in MH (Medium in Hevea) + 1.5 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) + 1.5 mg/L 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) + 1.5 mg/L Kinetin (KT) + 70 g/L sucrose (56.55%). The regenerated plants were obtained after the 175-day culture of explants through callus induction, embryogenic callus induction, somatic embryo development, and plant regeneration. Compared with the secondary somatic embryo seedling control, axillary bud regeneration plants (ABRPs) were normal diploid plants at the cellular and molecular level, with a variation rate of 7.74%.

Construction of the first high-density SNP genetic map and identification of QTLs for the natural rubber content in Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin.

BACKGROUND: Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS) is a promising commercial alternative natural rubber (NR) yielding plant. Cultivating TKS with a high NR content is an important breeding target, and developing molecular markers related to NR content can effectively accelerate the breeding process of TKS. RESULTS: To construct a high-density SNP genetic map and uncover genomic regions related to the NR content in TKS, an F1 mapping population of TKS was constructed by crossing two parents (l66 and X51) with significant differences in NR contents. The NR content of the F1 plants ranged from 0.30 to 15.14% and was distributed normally with a coefficient of variation of 47.61%, indicating quantitative trait inheritance. Then, employing whole-genome resequencing (WGR), a TKS genetic linkage map of 12,680 bin markers comprising 322,439 SNPs was generated. Based on the genetic map and NR content of the F1 population, six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for NR content with LOD > 4.0 were identified on LG01/Chr01 and LG06/Chr06. Of them, the 2.17 Mb genomic region between qHRC-C6-1 and qHRC-C6-2 on ChrA06, with 65.62% PVE in total, was the major QTL region. In addition, the six QTLs have significant additive genetic effects on NR content and could be used to develop markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in TKS with a high NR content. CONCLUSION: This work constructed the first high-density TKS genetic map and identified the QTLs and genomic regions controlling the NR content, which provides useful information for fine mapping, map-based cloning, and MAS in TKS.

[Corrigendum] Grifola frondosa polysaccharides induce breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, in Fig. 3B on p. 1092, the western blots shown for 'Bax' in the MCF-7 group and 'Cleaved Caspase-8' in the MDA-MB-231 group were strikingly similar, such that these may have been the identical data re-used in the same figure. The authors have subsequently re­examined their data, and realize that the Cleaved Caspase-8 blots were incorrectly used in Fig. 3B during the process of assembling this figure (i.e., the western blots were duplicated, and these were correctly shown as the data for Bax in the MCF-7 group). Furthermore, the authors have realized that the western blots selected for the Cleaved Caspase-3 experiment in the western blots shown in Fig. 5D on p. 1093 were not as clear as they could have been, and also requested that the data here be changed for those from one of the repeated experiments. Consequently, the revised versions of Figs. 3 and 5, containing the correct data for the Cleaved Caspase-8 blots in the MDA-MB-231 group in Fig. 3B and the replacement Cleaved Caspase-3 blots in Fig. 5C, are shown on the next page. These errors did not affect the major conclusions reported in the paper. All the authors agree to the publication of this corrigendum, and thank the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine for allowing them the opportunity to publish this. The authors regret the error that went unnoticed during the compilation of the figures in question, and apologize to the readership for any confusion that this may have caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 40: 1089-1095, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3081].

Regularity of Toll-Like Receptors in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Induced by Mycoplasma bovis.

Mastitis is one of the most common and significant infectious diseases in dairy cattle and is responsible for significant financial losses for the dairy industry globally. An important pathogen of bovine mastitis, Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) has a high infection rate, requires a long course of treatment, and is difficult to cure. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) are the first line of defense of the mammary gland, and their natural immune system plays a critical role in resisting M. bovis infection. This study aimed to explore and demonstrate the regularity of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activation during M. bovis infection and their function during M. bovis mastitis. An in vitro model of M. bovis-induced mastitis showed that the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased significantly following infection. M. bovis infection also upregulated the expression of TLR1/2/6 on the cell membrane and TLR3/9 in the cytoplasm. There is a crosstalk effect between TLR1-TLR2 and TLR2-TLR6. Furthermore, M. bovis infection was found to activate the TLR1/2/6/9/MyD88/NF-κB and TLR3/TRIF/IRF signal transduction pathways, which in turn activate inflammatory factors. These findings lay the theoretical foundation for understanding the pathogenesis of M. bovis, permitting the development of effective measures for preventing and controlling M. bovis mastitis.

Dissecting basilar artery aneurysm manifesting as sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a case report and literature review.

Highlights • Dissecting basilar artery aneurysm (DBAA) is relatively rare. • We report the first case of a DBAA manifesting as sudden sensorineural hearing loss. • This case report adds to the symptom spectrum of DBAA.

Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides protect against Alzheimer's disease by regulating Nrf2 signaling and exerting antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects.

Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOPS) was initially separated and purified via precipitation from an aqueous extract with 80% alcohol, a DEAE-52 cellulose anion exchange column, and a Sephadex G-100 gel permeation chromatography system. IOPS was found to have a molecular weight of 111.9 kDa. In L-glutamic acid (L-Glu)-damaged HT22 cells, a 3-h pre-incubation with IOPS enhanced cell viability, inhibited apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase, restored the dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential, and suppressed the excess accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Compared with L-Glu-exposed cells, IOPS pre-treated cells exhibited reduced levels of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and enhanced levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), NF-E2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), and cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. In amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice, an 8-week course of IOPS improved the pathological behaviors related to memory and cognition, reduced the deposition of ß-amyloid peptides and neuronal fiber tangles induced by enhanced phosphor-Tau in the brain, and modulated the levels of anti- and pro-oxidative stress enzymes. Additionally, IOPS enhanced the expression levels of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins, including HO-1 and SOD-1, in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. The present study successfully demonstrated the protective effect of IOPS against AD and revealed the possible mechanism underlying the ability of IOPS to modulate oxidative stress, especially Nrf2 signaling, and mediate mitochondrial apoptosis.

SIRT3: A New Regulator of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide, and defects in mitochondrial function contribute largely to the occurrence of CVDs. Recent studies suggest that sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), the mitochondrial NAD+-dependent deacetylase, may regulate mitochondrial function and biosynthetic pathways such as glucose and fatty acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative stress, and apoptosis by reversible protein lysine deacetylation. SIRT3 regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and maintains myocardial ATP levels, which protects the heart from metabolic disturbances. SIRT3 can also protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress-mediated cell damage and block the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Recent reports show that SIRT3 is involved in the protection of several heart diseases. This review discusses the progress in SIRT3-related research and the role of SIRT3 in the prevention and treatment of CVDs.

Effects of combined application of nitrogen fertilizer and biochar on the nitrification and ammonia oxidizers in an intensive vegetable soil.

Soil amended with single biochar or nitrogen (N) fertilizer has frequently been reported to alter soil nitrification process due to its impact on soil properties. However, little is known about the dynamic response of nitrification and ammonia-oxidizers to the combined application of biochar and N fertilizer in intensive vegetable soil. In this study, an incubation experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of biochar and N fertilizer application on soil nitrification, abundance and community shifts of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) in Hangzhou greenhouse vegetable soil. Results showed that single application of biochar had no significant effect on soil net nitrification rates and ammonia-oxidizers. Conversely, the application of only N fertilizer and N fertilizer + biochar significantly increased net nitrification rate and the abundance of AOB rather than AOA, and only AOB abundance was significantly correlated with soil net nitrification rate. Moreover, the combined application of N fertilizer and biochar had greater effect on AOB communities than that of the only N fertilizers, and the relative abundance of 156 bp T-RF (Nitrosospira cluster 3c) decreased but 60 bp T-RF (Nitrosospira cluster 3a and cluster 0) increased to become a single predominant group. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the AOB sequences were grouped into Nitrosospira cluster, and most of AOA sequences were clustered within group 1.1b. We concluded that soil nitrification was stimulated by the combined application of N fertilizer and biochar via enhancing the abundance and shifting the community composition of AOB rather than AOA in intensive vegetable soil.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides induce breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Grifola frondosa, a type of food and medical fungus, has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects. As the most typical cancer diagnosed among female patients, breast cancer remains a huge concern threatening human health globally. In the present study, the anti-breast cancer effects of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides (GFPs) and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, as well as in nude mice bearing MCF-7 tumor xenografts. GFPs exerted cytotoxic effects on the cells, as indicated by a decrease in cell viability, and an increase in the apoptototic rate, lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species accumulation, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. The increased expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8, and the reduced levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-extra large (Bcl­xL) were observed in the cells incubated with GFPs and in the tumor tissues of the mice treated with GFPs. Moreover, the GFPs significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT/glycogen synthase kinase-3ß and extracellular signal-regulated kinases in a time-dependent manner. Finally, the inhibition of MCF-7 tumor xenograft growth further confirmed the anti-breast cancer effects of GFPs. All these findings revealed that GFPs induced human breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway, and provide experimental evidence to support the use of Grifola frondosa as a potential treatment for breast cancer.

Calcium channels contribute to albiflorin-mediated antinociceptive effects in mouse model.

Albiflorin (AF), one of important bioactive constituents of Paeonia lactiflora Radix, possesses neuro-protective effect. The present study aims to investigate the antinociceptive activities of AF and possible mechanisms. AF suppressed acetic acid-caused writhing, lengthened the latency period of mouse in hot plate test, and reduced the licking and biting response time of the injected mouse paw during phase I and phase II, and it suggested that AF exerted the antinociceptive activity mainly through central nervous system. Nimodipine, a commonly used calcium channels blocker, strongly lengthened AF-enhanced latency period of mouse in hot plate test. Compared with control group, AF reduced the levels of euronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and enhanced the levels of serotonin (5-HT) in serum and/or hypothalamus before and after 30-s thermal stimuli. The reduced activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in hypothalamus was observed in AF-treated mice. Collectively, AF-mediated antinociceptive activities were, at least partially, related to calcium channels.

Genetic analysis of a Chinese family provides further evidence for linkage of familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy to 5p15.31-p15.

AIM: In this study, we genotyped eight microsatellite markers on chromosome 5 and performed linkage analyses. We aimed to establish the pathogenic gene loci in this familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy (FCMTE) pedigree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reliable clinical information was obtained on the Chinese family members. Our study performed linkage analysis across these loci to identify and further characterize the pathogenic gene locus underlying FCMTE in Chinese patients. RESULTS: Positive signals (>1) were only obtained for 5p15.31-p15 (Logarithm of Odds (LOD) values 2.16 and 1.34 for D5S1957 and D5S2095, respectively; θ =0.0), supporting involvement of this region in the FCTME pedigree analyzed. CONCLUSION: Genetic analysis of a Chinese family provides further evidence for linkage of FCMTE to 5p15.31-p15.

Ammonium reduces oxalate accumulation in different spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) genotypes by inhibiting root uptake of nitrate.

Excessive accumulation of oxalate negatively affects nutritional value of many vegetables, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Mixed solution of ammonium and nitrate could effectively reduce oxalate accumulation, while the mechanism involved remains unknown. High (Heizhenzhu) and low (Weilv) oxalate-accumulated spinach genotypes were used in this study to investigate the association of oxalate accumulation and root uptake of nitrogen. Exposure of increasing nitrate or mixed-nitrogen (nitrate:ammonium = 1:1) significantly increased leaf total and soluble oxalate contents. In contrast, increasing ammonium did not result in elevation of leaf oxalate. Correlation analysis confirmed that leaf oxalate accumulation was positively associated with root uptake of nitrate but not ammonium. Moreover, addition of ammonium significantly reduced nitrate uptake rate, and subsequently decreased leaf oxalate accumulation. The results suggest that oxalate synthesis in spinach leaves is associated with its root uptake of nitrate, and ammonium is able to reduce oxalate accumulation by inhibiting uptake of nitrate.

Comparative effects of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and dicyandiamide (DCD) on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea in a vegetable soil.

Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and dicyandiamide (DCD) have been used extensively to improve nitrogen fertilizer utilization in farmland. However, their comparative effects on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in agricultural soils are still unclear. Here, we compared the impacts of these two inhibitors on soil nitrification, AOA and AOB abundance as well as their community structure in a vegetable soil by using real-time PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). Our results showed that urea application significantly increased the net nitrification rates, but were significantly inhibited by both NIs, and the inhibitory effect of DMPP was significantly greater than that of DCD. AOB growth was more greatly inhibited by DMPP than by DCD, and the net nitrification rate was significantly related to AOB abundance, but not to AOA abundance. Application of urea and NIs to soil did not change the diversity of the AOA community, with the T-RFs remaining in proportions that were similar to control soils, while the community structure of AOB exhibited obvious shifts within all different treatments compared to the control. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all AOA sequences fell within group 1.1a and group 1.1b, and the AOB community consisted of Nitrosospira cluster 3, cluster 0, and unidentified species. These results suggest that DMPP exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on nitrification than DCD by inhibiting AOB rather than AOA.

Differential protein profile of PC12 cells exposed to proteasomal inhibitor lactacystin.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and recent studies implicate a central role for ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) impairment in the etiopathogenesis of PD. To explore the possible role of UPS dysfunction in PD and the proteins involved, PC12 cells were treated with 10µM lactacystin, a 20S proteasome inhibitor, for 24h. Lactacystin induced cell death and α-synuclein-positive inclusions in cytoplasm. Following two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) which was used to separate the cellular proteins, the proteins that were significantly altered were analyzed and identified. Proteomic study identified 6 differentially expressed proteins between lactacystin-treated and control cells in this study. Four proteins (heat shock 70kDa protein 8, 78kDa glucose-regulated protein, serine proteinase inhibitor clade B member 6 and aldehyde reductase) were increased and 2 proteins (peripherin and tyrosine hydroxylase) were decreased following proteasomal inhibition. The results revealed that PC12 cells treated with 10µM lactacystin for 24h could be used as a cellular model of PD. The proteins identified in the present indicate not only the damage of proteasomal inhibition to the cells but also the possible responses of the cells. These data show that proteomic study may provide information relevant to biological basis for PD and potential new treatment targets.

A Chinese benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy pedigree suggesting linkage to chromosome 5p15.31-p15.1.

Benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME) has been mapped to chromosome 8q23.3-q24.1, 2p11.1-q12.1, 5p15.31-p15.1, and 3q26.32-3q28, in Japanese, Italian, Thai, and French pedigrees, respectively. Recently, we investigated a Chinese BAFME family. Clinical and electrophysiological studies revealed that nine individuals were affected with BAFME. We aimed to establish the causative gene for this pedigree. We genotyped 17 microsatellite markers covering the four previously identified chromosome regions and performed linkage analyses. The linkage analysis data showed that the LOD score was 2.80 for D5S486 at no recombination. This suggested linkage to 5p15.31-p15.1 and excluded linkage to the other three loci (LOD score <0 at no recombination). Our study suggests that the causative gene responsible for BAFME in the Chinese pedigree may be located on chromosome 5p15.31-p15.1.

The LRRK2 gene is mutated in a Chinese autosomal-dominant Parkinson's disease family.

The mutation of the leucine-rich repeat kinase2 gene (LRRK2) is the most commonly detected genetic determinant of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the specific role of the LRRK2 mutation in the occurrence of the autosomal-dominant family PD remains to be elucidated. In this study, we report a large Chinese LRRK2-related PD family with 33 members of four generations. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood specimens of 11 family members. The common LRRK2 mutations were screened by polymerase chain reaction, followed by polymorphic restriction enzyme digestion or direct DNA sequencing. We detected the G2385R mutation, a substitution at codon 2385 to produce a glycine-to-arginine phenotype, in two affected cases and one suspected case. Our data support the concept that the LRRK2 G2385R mutation may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD in this family.

Notch1 expression is upregulated in glioma and is associated with tumor progression.

Notch signaling plays a complex role in human malignancies. It can affect cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis either positively or negatively, depending on cell type. In the present study we measured the expression of Notch1 in clinical glioma specimens and investigated a possible association between Notch1 expression and World Health Organization grade. Ninety-eight gliomas plus adjacent normal tissue and 26 specimens of normal control tissue were collected, and expression of Notch1 mRNA and protein were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. We found that Notch1 mRNA and protein were expressed at higher levels in gliomas than in the adjacent tissue or in control brain tissue (p<0.05). Moreover, expression of Notch1 was closely associated with glioma progression, since expression levels increased from grade I to grade IV disease (p<0.05). Notch1 expression was also significantly associated with Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score: Notch1 expression was significantly higher in patients with a lower KPS score (p<0.05). These findings confirm that Notch1 expression is upregulated in glioma and suggest it is related to tumor progression. If Notch1 plays an important oncogenic role in glioma progression, it may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.