Genetic diversity of Toll-like receptor 9 in swamp eels (Monopterus albus).

The swamp eel, Monopterus albus, is an important aquaculture species in Asia (mainly China) whose production has seriously suffered from infectious diseases. In spite of the critical requirement for aquaculture practices, to date there is scant information on its immune defence. Here, the genetic characteristics of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), which plays crucial roles in the initiation of host defence against microbial invasion, were analysed. It exhibits a striking lack of genetic variation resulting from a recent demographic bottleneck. A comparison with the homologue of M. javanensis revealed that replacement but not silent differences have nonrandomly accumulated in the coding sequences at the early stage following their split from a common ancestor. Furthermore, the replacements relevant to the type II functional divergence have mainly occurred in structural motifs mediating ligand recognition and receptor homodimerization. These results provide hints to understand the diversity-based strategy of TLR9 in the arms race against pathogens. Furthermore, the findings reported here give credence to the importance of basic immunology knowledge, especially for the key elements, in genetic engineering and breeding for disease resistance in the eel and other fishes.

Effects of Spermidine on Mouse Gut Morphology, Metabolites, and Microbial Diversity.

Spermidine is a class of biologically active organic small molecules that play an important role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The specific objective of this study was to explore the effects of spermidine on intestinal morphology, metabolites, and microbial diversity in mice. We showed that 0.3 mmol/L of spermidine significantly promoted the growth of ileal villi (p < 0.05), and 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine significantly increased the body weight of mice and promoted the growth of jejunum villi (p < 0.05). The 16S rDNA sequencing results indicated that 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine affected the balance of the intestinal flora by increasing the abundance of intestinal Lactic acid bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Turicibacter and Alistipes). Additionally, spermidine affects the levels of microbial metabolites such as succinic acid and Pantetheine. In summary, spermidine affects intestinal morphology and regulates intestinal flora and metabolites, and this study has provided a new understanding of spermidine's effects on the intestinal tract.

The Dominating Role of Genetic Background in Shaping Gut Microbiota of Honeybee Queen Over Environmental Factors.

A balanced, diverse gut microbiota is vital for animal health. The microbial population is shaped by multiple factors including genetic background and environment, but other determinants remain controversial. Numerous studies suggest that the dominant factor is genetic background while others emphasize the environmental factors. Here, we bred asexual hybridization queens (AHQs) of honeybees through nutritional crossbreeding (laid in Apis mellifera colony but bred in Apis cerana colony), sequenced their gut microbiome, and compared it with normally bred sister queens to determine the primary factor shaping the gut microbiota. Our results showed that the dominant genera in the gut microbiota of AHQs were Brevundimonas, Bombella, and Lactobacillus, and its microbial community was more related to A. mellifera queens. The AHQs had a moderate number of different bacterial species and diversity, but total bacterial numbers were low. There were more significant taxa identified in the comparison between AHQ and A. cerana queen according to LEfSe analysis results. The only genetic-specific taxon we figured out was Brevundimonas. The growth of core bacterial abundance showed different characteristics among different queen groups in the first week after emerging. Collectively, this study suggested that the genetic background played a more dominant role than environmental factors in shaping the gut microbiota of honeybee queen and the microbiota of midgut was more sensitive than that of rectum to this impact.

Structures of FEC-containing electrolytes and the stabilization mechanism at high voltage and elevated temperature.

The performance of lithium-ion batteries is strongly dependent on the properties of electrolytes. Understanding of the role of electrolytes is significant for the performance improvement of batteries. In this work, classical molecular dynamic simulations were used to examine the solvation effects of ions and structures of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC)-containing electrolytes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also used to predict the oxidation stabilities of such electrolytes. The FEC-related species have higher oxidation potentials (Eox) than traditional carbonate electrolytes, indicating their good oxidation stability in high-voltage systems at elevated temperatures. The ratios of species are calculated to be used as a semi-quantitative reference for selecting the representative components of electrolytes. Then, DFT calculations on the representative components show that the oxidation potentials of coordinating species are significantly lower than those of isolated molecules when oxidation is coupled with H-transfer. Ratios of species and corresponding Eox values should be considered to accurately predict the oxidation stability of electrolytes with different solvents.

Effects of Aspect Ratio on Water Immersion into Deep Silica Nanoholes.

Understanding the influence of aspect ratio on water immersion into silica nanoholes is of significant importance to the etching process of semiconductor fabrication and other water immersion-related physical and biological processes. In this work, the processes of water immersion into silica nanoholes with different height/width aspect ratios (ϕ = 0.87, 1.92, 2.97, 4.01, 5.06) and different numbers of water molecules (N = 9986, 19972, 29958, 39944) were studied by molecular dynamics simulations. A comprehensive analysis has been conducted about the detailed process of water immersion and the influence of aspect ratios on water immersion rates. Five distinguishable stages were identified for the immersion process with all studied models. The results reveal that water can easily immerse into the silica nanoholes with larger ϕ and smaller N. The calculation also suggests that aspect ratios have a greater effect on water immersion rates for larger N numbers. The mechanism of the water immersion process is discussed in this work. We also propose a mathematical model to correlate the complete water immersion process for different aspect ratios.

Charge-tunable insertion process of carbon nanotubes into DNA nanotubes.

Control over interactions with biomolecules holds the key of the applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in biotechnology. Here we report a molecule dynamics study on the encapsulation process of different charged CNTs into DNA nanotubes. Our results demonstrated that insertion process of CNTs into DNA nanotubes are charge-tunable. The positive charged CNTs could spontaneously encapsulate and confined in the hollow of DNA nanotubes under the combination of electrostatic and vdW interaction in our ns scale simulation. The conformation of DNA nanotubes is very stable even after the insertion of CNTs. For pristine CNTs, it could not entirely encapsulated by DNA nanotubes in simulation scale in this study. The encapsulation time of pristine CNTs into DNA nanotubes was estimated about 21.9s based on the potential of mean force along the reaction coordination of encapsulation process of CNTs into DNA nanotubes. In addition, the encapsulation process was also affected by the diameter of CNTs. These findings highlight the charge-tunable self-assembly process of nanomaterials and biomolecules. Our study suggests that the encapsulated CNTs-DNA nanotubes could be used as building blocks for constructing organic-inorganic hybrid materials and has the potential applications in the field of biosensor, drug delivery system and biomaterials etc.

[Clinical analysis of endoscopic sinus surgery on patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps complicated and asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the treatment of endoscopic sinus surgery on patients dignosed as chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP) complicated and asthma. METHOD: Data of 45 patients with CRSwNP complicated asthma were analyzed retrospectively. RESULT: All cases were followed up for a period of 1 to 3 years after operation. In the 45 cases treated with ESS, 32 cases were cured, 9 cases were improved and 4 cases were inefficient by the treatment. The cure rate was 91.1% (41/45). The asthma symptoms were improved in 16 patients compared to 4 before the surgery. CONCLUSION: With ESS based on combined therapy,it can significantly improve the condition of CRSwNP, asthma symptoms and pulmonary function. Meanwhile, sufficient perioperative period preparation should be made to ensure the safety of the operation.

An anthracene-appended 2:3 copillar[5]arene: synthesis, computational studies, and application in highly selective fluorescence sensing for Fe(III) ions.

Herein an anthracene-appended 2:3 copillar[5]arene was prepared by the CuAAC method, which was further used as a Fe(3+)-selective fluorescent chemosensor over a wide range of metal ions.

[Clinical analysis of revision endoscopic sinus surgery for recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of revision endoscopic sinus surgery for recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis. METHOD: Clinical data of 45 cases of recurrent rhinosinusitis treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Revision endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in all the patients. RESULT: All the patients were followed up for a period of 1 to 2 years after operation. No serious complication occured. The cure rate was 75.6% (34 cases), 8 cases (17.8%) improved, while other 3 cases (6.6%) were of no effect. CONCLUSION: Recurrent rhinosinusitis is closely related with medical treatment before the surgery, adhesion in nasal cavity after the surgery, deviation of nasal septum, treatment of superior turbine and inferior turbine and regular medicament management after the surgery. Revision endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective method for recurrent recurrent rhinosinusitis. The efficacy of revision endoscopic sinus surgery can be greatly improved by reasonable perioperative management, skilled operation and regular follow-up postoperatively.

Interaction of P-glycoprotein with anti-tumor drugs: the site, gate and pathway.

Understanding the mechanism and pathway of anti-cancer drugs to be pumped out by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cancer cell is very important for the successful chemotherapy. P-gp is a member of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. In this study, random accelerated molecular dynamics (RAMD) simulation was used to explore the potential egress pathway of ligands from the binding pocket. This could be considered as a reverse process of drug binding. The most possible portal of drugs to dissociate is TM4/TM6, which is almost the same for different drugs, such as paclitaxel and doxorubicin. The interactions in the binding site are found to be remarkably stronger than that outside of the binding site. The results were suggested by the free energy calculation between P-gp and different drugs from metadynamics simulation. All the results indicate that the flexibility of inner residues, especially the residue Phe339, is very important for the drugs to access the binding site.

[Clinical analysis of imflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, therapeutic methods and therapeutic efficacy of imflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT)of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. METHOD: Clinical data of 14 cases diagnosed as IMT by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 6 females,age ranging from 18 to 77 years. 12 cases of them were treated by surgery while 2 cases received postoperative radiotherapy. RESULT: All cases were operated. All the patients were followed up for a period of 1 to 7 years after operation and two cases were proved low grade IMT pathologically. Eight cases survived with no recurrence until the last follow-up and 6 cases relapsed, of which 4 cases died and 2 were alive with tumor. CONCLUSION: IMT of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is very rare. The diagonosis of IMT is based on pathology and immunohistochemistry. Proper diagnosis is essential to avoid mutilating and disfiguring surgical procedures. Radical excision is still the first choice of treatment for IMT of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may not be helpful to prevent recurrence after operation. Due to high recurrence rate, long-term follow up is necessary after operation.

[Efficacy of CO2 laser in the treatment of precancerous laryngeal lesions under phonomicrosurgery and its relative factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of CO2 laser treatment for patients with precancerous laryngeal lesions under phonomicrosurgery and to explore the points for attention in operation. METHOD: They were all treated with phonomicrosurgery techniques as mucosal epitheliumablation or mucosal stripping by using CO2 laser. Eight patients with laryngeal papilloma were excised by CO2 laser. RESULT: All patients were treated with CO2 laser surgery successfully. During follow-up of 6 to 39 months, all patients survived. Local recurrence or canceration were detected in 3 cases, of which 2 cases with laryngeal papilloma underwent CO2 laser treatment in one year post-operatively, while the other case with severe dysplasia underwent laryngeal vertical partial laryngectomy and post-operative radiotherapy one and half year postoperatively due to canceration. No local recurrence occurred until the last follow up. No severe complications such as dyspnea and hemorrhage occured. CONCLUSION: CO2 laser surgery is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for precancerous laryngeal lesions. Through selecting the appropriate patient and paying attention to the operation during surgery, the adhesion of vocal cord can be reduced or even be avoided after CO2 laser surgery.

[Clinopahological analysis of sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinopathological characteristics, differential diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma. METHOD: Clinopathological data of 18 cases which were diagnosed by pathology and immmunohistochemistry were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were proved by pathology and immmunohistochemistry. All cases were performed operations. 5 underwent single surgery. 4 underwent surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy. 4 underwent surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy chemotherapy. 5 underwent surgery plus adjuvant chemoradiation. RESULT: All cases were followed up for a period of 1 to 7 years after operation. Twelve patients died of tumor until the last follow-up, meanwhile 6 patients stayed alive. In Six cases recurrence occurred. In five casescervical lymph node metastasis occurred, of which 3 cases received neck dissection and 2 cases received chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to no surgical indications. In three cases distant metastasis oc- curred. CONCLUSION: Sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma is rare and highly heterogenous. Current diagnosis depends on clinical characteristics and immunohistochemical examination. It still should be differentially diagnosed from other tumors. CT and MRI image examination can provide some helpful information to understand the extent and nature of lesions. The treatment of nasal endoscopic or the surgery under endoscopy has become to be a safe, viable and reasonable alternative to open resection. Appropriate indication must be carefully selected for these lesions.

[Endoscopic resection of benign fibro-osseous lesions of naso-sinuses with different surgical choice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore and discuss the characteristics of benign fibro-osseous lesion of naso-sinuses and the features and indications of different surgical choice with endoscope. METHOD: Fourteen patients with benign fibro-osseous lesion of naso-sinuses were treated through endoscopic surgery, of which 9 cases underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery simply, 2 cases were operated with a superciliary arch incision through endoscope, 1 case underwent endoscopic caldwell-luc' surgery, 1 case was operated with endoscopic surgery through frontal recess of tears, and 1 case was operated with Draf II surgery under endoscope. RESULT: In all of patients, 2 cases relapsed, 2 cases had residual lesions, 4 cases had complications including numbness and scar of incision, no relapse and no complications in other 6 cases. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic resection of benign fibro-osseous lesion of naso-sinuses with different surgical choice was of special advantages, but the exactly indications, relapse rate and complications should be observed and reckoned deeply.