[Efficacy and safety of dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic asthma： a prospective randomized controlled study]. / å°˜èž¨çš®ä¸‹å ç–«æ²»ç–—åº”ç”¨äºŽå„¿ç«¥è¿‡æ•æ€§å“®å–˜ç–—æ•ˆä¸Žå®‰å ¨æ€§çš„å‰çž»æ€§éšæœºå¯¹ç §ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) using dust mites in children with allergic asthma. METHODS: In a prospective randomized controlled study, 98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group (n=49) and an SCIT group (n=49). The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment, while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen. The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, visual analogue score (VAS), total medication score, Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and lung function before treatment, and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment levels, the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils, VAS, total medication score, and FeNO, while lung function significantly improved, and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment (P<0.05). A total of 2 744 injections were administered, resulting in 157 cases (5.72%) of local adverse reactions and 4 cases (0.15%) of systemic adverse reactions, with no severe systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.

Comprehensive treatment and a rare presentation of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: Two case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare sporadic polyposis syndrome that presents with gastrointestinal and ectodermal symptoms in addition to nutritional deficiencies. CCS combined with hypothyroidism is an even rarer condition, with no standard treatment guidelines. CASE SUMMARY: The present study described 2 patients with CCS: A 67-year-old woman with concomitant hypothyroidism and 68-year-old man treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Both patients had multiple gastrointestinal symptoms and ectodermal changes, along with multiple gastrointestinal polyps. Microscopic examination showed that the mucosa in both patients was hyperemic and edematous, with pathologic examination showing distorted, atrophic, and dilated glands. Patient 1 had concomitant hypothyroidism and was treated with levothyroxine. Due to her self-reduction of hormone dose, her disease relapsed. Patient 2 underwent EMR, but refused further hormonal or biological treatments. Subsequently, he was treated with an oral Chinese medical preparation. CONCLUSION: Pharmacotherapy can induce and maintain remission in CCS patients, with adjuvant EMR, long-term follow-up, and endoscopic surveillance being necessary.

Dual-radical-based molecular anisotropy and synergy effect of semi-conductivity and valence tautomerization in a photoswitchable coordination polymer.

Organic radicals are widely used as linkers or ligands to synthesize molecular magnetic materials. However, studies regarding the molecular anisotropies of radical-based magnetic materials and their multifunctionalities are rare. Herein, a photoisomerizable diarylethene ligand was used to form {[CoIII(3,5-DTSQ·-)(3,5-DTCat2-)]2(6F-DAE-py2)}·3CH3CN·H2O (o-1·3CH3CN·H2O, 6F-DAE-py2 = 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene), a valence-tautomeric (VT) coordination polymer. We directly observed dual radicals for a single crystal using high-field/-frequency (∼13.3 T and ∼360 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy along the c-axis, which was further confirmed by angle-dependent Q-band EPR spectroscopy. Moreover, a conductive anomaly close to the VT transition temperature was observed only when probes were attached at the ab plane of the single crystal, indicative of synergy between valence tautomerism and conductivity. Structural anisotropy studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that this synergy is due to electron transfer associated with valence tautomerism. This study presents the first example of dual-radical-based molecular anisotropy and charge-transfer-induced conductive anisotropy in a photoswitchable coordination polymer.

Imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter pathways leading to depression-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction in the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer disease.

Depression is among the most frequent psychiatric comorbid conditions in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, pharmacotherapy for depressive disorders in AD is still a big challenge, and the data on the efffcacy of current antidepressants used clinically for depressive symptoms in patients with AD remain inconclusive. Here we investigated the mechanism of the interactions between depression and AD, which we believe would aid in the development of pharmacological therapeutics for the comorbidity of depression and AD. Female APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic (3×Tg-AD) mice at 24 months of age and age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used. The shuttle-box passive avoidance test (PAT) were implemented to assess the abilities of learning and memory, and the open field test (OFT) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used to assess depression-like behavior. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect the level of neurotransmitters related to depression in the hippocampus of mice. The data was identified by orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Most neurotransmitters exert their effects by binding to the corresponding receptor, so the expression of relative receptors in the hippocampus of mice was detected using Western blot. Compared to WT mice, 3×Tg-AD mice displayed significant cognitive impairment in the PAT and depression-like behavior in the OFT and TST. They also showed significant decreases in the levels of L-tyrosine, norepinephrine, vanillylmandelic acid, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and acetylcholine, in contrast to significant increases in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, L-histidine, L-glutamine, and L-arginine in the hippocampus. Moreover, the expression of the alpha 1a adrenergic receptor (ADRA1A), serotonin 1 A receptor (5HT1A), and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor subunit alpha-2 (GABRA2) was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD mice, while histamine H3 receptor (H3R) expression was significantly upregulated. In addition, the ratio of phosphorylated cAMP-response element-binding protein (pCREB) and CREB was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD mice than WT mice. We demonstrated in the present study that aged female 3×Tg-AD mice showed depression-like behavior accompanied with cognitive dysfunction. The complex and diverse mechanism appears not only relevant to the imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter pathways, including the transmitters and receptors of the monoaminergic, GABAergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic systems, but also related to the changes in L-arginine and CREB signaling molecules.

Photoelectrocatalytic Dioxygen Reduction Based on a Novel Thiophene-Functionalized Tricarbonylchloro(1,10-phenanthroline)rhenium(I).

A novel Re (I) complex of [Re(CO)3Cl(L)], {L = 2-([2,2'-bithiophen]-5-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline}, was synthesized, and its optical (UV-Visible absorption and emission spectroscopy), cyclovoltammetric and photoelectrochemical oxygen reduction properties were studied. The geometric and electronic properties were also investigated by density functional theory calculations. It was found that the ITO electrode coated with drop-casted [Re(CO)3Cl(L)] film exhibited cathodic photocurrent generation characteristics. The illuminated film exhibited a maximum cathodic photocurrent up to 30.4 µA/cm2 with an illumination intensity of 100 mW/cm2 white light at a bias potential of -0.4 V vs. SCE in O2-saturated electrolyte solution, which was reduced by 5.1-fold when thoroughly deoxygenated electrolyte solution was used, signaling that the electrode performed well on the photoelectrochemical oxygen reduction. The photo-electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production was proved with a maximum H2O2 concentration of 6.39 µM during 5 h of the photoelectrocatalytic process. This work would guide the construction of more efficient rhenium-based photo(electro)catalytic molecular systems for O2 sensing, hydrogen peroxide production and other types of photoelectrochemical energy conversion and storage.

Artificial Intelligence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Endoscopy: Advanced Development and New Horizons.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex chronic immune disease with two subtypes: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Considering the differences in pathogenesis, etiology, clinical presentation, and response to therapy among patients, gastroenterologists mainly rely on endoscopy to diagnose and treat IBD during clinical practice. However, as exemplified by the increasingly comprehensive ulcerative colitis endoscopic scoring system, the endoscopic diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of IBD still rely on the subjective manipulation and judgment of endoscopists. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has grown substantially in various medical fields, and an increasing number of studies have investigated the use of this emerging technology in the field of gastroenterology. Clinical applications of AI have focused on IBD pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and patient prognosis. Large-scale datasets offer tremendous utility in the development of novel tools to address the unmet clinical and practice needs for treating patients with IBD. However, significant differences among AI methodologies, datasets, and clinical findings limit the incorporation of AI technology into clinical practice. In this review, we discuss practical AI applications in the diagnosis of IBD via gastroenteroscopy and speculate regarding a future in which AI technology provides value for the diagnosis and treatment of IBD patients.

Trends in medication use and treatment patterns in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Medications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have changed dramatically over time. However, no study on long-term medication profiles has been conducted in the Chinese population. AIM: To evaluate temporal changes in medication use and treatment patterns for Chinese patients with IBD. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among Chinese patients newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) between January 1999 and December 2019. Baseline characteristics and drug prescriptions were collected. Trends in medication use and therapeutic patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 3610 patients were analyzed. During follow-up, 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) and corticosteroids (CS) prescriptions gradually decreased, accompanied by a notable increase in immunosuppressants (IMS) and infliximab (IFX) prescriptions in patients with CD. Prescription rates of 5-ASA and CS were stable, whereas IMS and IFX slightly increased since 2007 in patients with UC. Subgroup (n = 957) analyses showed a switch from conventional medications to IFX in patients with CD, while 5-ASA and CS were still steadily prescribed in patients with UC. Logistic regression analyses revealed that surgical history, disease behavior, and disease location were associated with initial therapeutic strategies in patients with CD. However, medications before diagnosis, disease location, and diagnostic year might affect initial strategies in patients with UC. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment strategies analyses has provided unique insight into the switch from conventional drugs to IFX in Chinese patients with CD.

Influencing factors of resource utilisation in haemodialysis patients-Based on socioecological pyramid model.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the current situation and analyse influencing factors of resource utilisation in maintenance haemodialysis patients. BACKGROUND: The self-management level of patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis in China is low. The applicability of the Chronic Illness Resources Survey in Chinese maintenance haemodialysis patients has been validated, and this survey can be used to assess the utilisation of self-management support resources among haemodialysis patients. Determining the influencing factors of resource utilisation can help improve the self-management behaviour of haemodialysis patients and control the progression of the disease. DESIGN: A descriptive study design was chosen. METHODS: A convenience sample of 314 patients undergoing haemodialysis was recruited from dialysis centres in three hospitals in western Xinjiang from June 2018-April 2019. SPSS19.0 software was used to describe the current situation of resource utilisation. Moreover, t test, analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were applied to explore the influencing factors of patients' resource utilisation. Standards for observational studies STROBE Statement checklist-v4 were chosen on reporting the study process. RESULTS: The average score of the total resource utilisation was 2.95 ± 0.51. The average item score of seven dimensions from high to low was 3.46 for medical staff, 3.32 for personal, 3.22 for family and friends, 3.16 for work-related, 3.12 for media policy, 2.55 for neighbourhood/community and 2.23 for organisation. Multiple linear regression showed that there have six main factors, which explained 65.4% of the variance of haemodialysis patients' resource utilisation. CONCLUSIONS: The personal, family and friends, work and media and policy subscales were rated the highest, with support from neighbourhood/community and organisation rated the lowest. In general, participants perceived moderate levels of support. Government and healthcare team should pay more attention on haemodialysis patients who had low level of education, poor economic conditions and poor mental condition. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: ESRD has caused a burden on healthcare expenditure and has become a critical public health problem worldwide. Self-management is particularly important for dialysis patients which have attracted extensive interest. In the future research, we can use this questionnaire to evaluate the related resources of disease management of dialysis patients, encourage patients to make full use of the resources around them and focus on those patients with low education and monthly income level and bad mental state.

Effect of probiotics combined with applied behavior analysis in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective randomized controlled trial. / ç›Šç”ŸèŒè”åˆåº”ç”¨è¡Œä¸ºåˆ†æžæ³•æ²»ç–—å„¿ç«¥å­¤ç‹¬ç—‡è°±ç³»éšœç¢çš„å‰çž»æ€§éšæœºå¯¹ç §ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of probiotics combined with applied behavior analysis (ABA) in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: A total of 41 children with ASD who attended the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from May 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group with 21 children and a control group with 20 children. The children in the observation group were given oral probiotics combined with ABA intervention, while those in the control group were given ABA intervention alone. The treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to evaluate the severity of behavioral symptoms in both groups before intervention and at 3 months after intervention. The fecal samples were collected to analyze the difference in intestinal flora between the two groups based on 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS: Before intervention, there was no significant difference in the ATEC score between the observation and control groups (P>0.05). At 3 months after intervention, both groups had a significant reduction in the ATEC score, and the observation group had a significantly lower ATEC score than the control group (P<0.05). Before intervention, there was no significant difference in the composition of intestinal flora between the observation and control groups. At 3 months after intervention, there was a significant difference in the composition of intestinal flora between the observation and control groups. Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly higher relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Coprobacillus, Ruminococcus, Prevotella, and Blautia (P<0.05) and significantly lower relative abundances of Shigella and Clostridium (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics may improve the effect of conventional ABA intervention in children with ASD by regulating intestinal flora.

Apilactobacillus nanyangensis sp. nov., Secundilactobacillus hailunensis sp. nov., Secundilactobacillus yichangensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus andaensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus wangkuiensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus lanxiensis sp. nov., Lacticaseibacillus mingshuiensis sp. nov. and Lacticaseibacillus suilingensis sp. nov., isolated from traditional Chinese pickle and the gut of honeybee (Apis mellifera).

Thirteen Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains were isolated from Chinese traditional pickle and the gut of honeybee (Apis mellifera). These strains were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The data demonstrated that 12 of the 13 strains represented eight novel species belonging to the genera Apilactobacillus, Secundilactobacillus, Levilactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus; strains HN36-1T, 887-11T, F79-211-2T, 866-3T, 6-5(1)T, 13B17T, 117-1T and ZW152T were designated as the type strains. Based upon the data of polyphasic characterization obtained in the present study, eight novel species, Apilactobacillus nanyangensis sp. nov., Secundilactobacillus hailunensis sp. nov., Secundilactobacillus yichangensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus andaensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus wangkuiensis sp. nov., Levilactobacillus lanxiensis sp. nov., Lacticaseibacillus mingshuiensis sp. nov. and Lacticaseibacillus suilingensis sp. nov., are proposed and the type strains are HN36-1T (=JCM 33867T=CCTCC AB 2019385T), 887-11T (=NCIMB 15201T=CCM 8950T=JCM 33864T=CCTCC AB 2018396T), F79-211-2T (=NCIMB 15254T=JCM 33866T=CCTCC AB 2019384T), 866-3T (=JCM 33863T=CCTCC AB 2019383T), 6-5(1)T (=NCIMB 15229T=CCM 8977T=JCM 33564T=CCTCC AB 2019168T), 13B17T (=NCIMB 15230T=CCM 8979T=JCM 33565T=CCTCC AB 2019167T), 117-1T (=NCIMB 15232T=CCM 8980T=JCM 33567T) and ZW152T (=JCM 34363T=CCTCC AB 2020299T=LMG 32143T=CCM 9110T), respectively.

Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome improved the neurogenesis and post-stroke cognition in a mouse model of photothrombotic stroke.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) severely affects the quality of a survivor's life, but its neurophysiological basis remains unknown. Neuroinflammation has been considered as an important contributor to PSCI, which could be induced or exacerbated by system inflammation. NACHT-LRR- and pyrin-domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most widely studied in the initiation of inflammation. Here, using a mouse model of photothrombotic stroke, we demonstrated that NLRP3 activation plays a critical role in PSCI. Intraperitoneal injection of the lipopolysaccharide-activated NLRP3 inflammasome, exacerbated the microglial activation and decreased the number of neurons, impaired the hippocampal neurogenesis, eventually aggravated PSCI. Intraperitoneal injection of MCC950 inhibited the NLRP3 activation, decreased the number of microglia, increased the number of neurons and promoted the hippocampal neurogenesis, eventually improved PSCI. Our results identified NLRP3 inflammasome as an important modifier of neuropathology in PSCI, which could be a could be a potential therapeutic target for PSCI treatment.

Weissella sagaensis sp. nov., isolated from traditional Chinese yogurt.

Three Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, designated X0750T, X0278 and X0401, isolated from traditional yogurt in Tibet Autonomous Region, PR China, were characterized by a polyphasic approach, including sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and three housekeeping genes (pheS, rpoA and recA), determination of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and average amino acid identity (AAI), in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH), fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis and phenotypic characterization. Strain X0750T was phylogenetically related to the type strains of Weissella hellenica, Weissella bombi, Weissella paramesenteroides, Weissella jogaejeotgali, Weissella thailandensis, Weissella oryzae, Weissella cibaria and Weissella confusa, having 94.4-100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, 76.7-90.0 % pheS gene sequence similarities, 88.9-99.4 % rpoA gene sequence similarities and 77.6-92.8 % recA gene sequence similarities, respectively. ANI, isDDH and AAI values between strain X0750T and type strains of phylogenetically related species were less than 90.4, 40.9 and 92.8 % respectively, confirming that strain X0750T represents a novel species within the genus Weissella. Based upon the data obtained in the present study, a novel species, Weissella sagaensis sp. nov., is proposed and the type strain is X0750T(=NCIMB 15192T=CCM 8924T=LMG 31184T=CCTCC AB 2018403T).

Enterococcus pingfangensis sp. nov., Enterococcus dongliensis sp. nov., Enterococcus hulanensis sp. nov., Enterococcus nangangensis sp. nov. and Enterococcus songbeiensis sp. nov., isolated from Chinese traditional pickle juice.

Five novel lactic acid bacterial strains, isolated from Chinese traditional pickle juice, were characterised by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, pheS gene sequence analysis, rpoA gene sequence analysis, determination of DNA G+C content, average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, in silico DNA-DNA hybridisation (isDDH), fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis and an analysis of phenotypic features. Strains 241-2-2T, 63-4T and 190-7T were closely related to the type strains of Enterococcus devriesei, Enterococcus viikkiensis, Enterococcus pseudoavium, Enterococcus xiangfangensis, Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus malodoratus, Enterococcus raffinosus and Enterococcus gilvus, having 99.1-99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Strain 94-2T was distantly related to the type strains of Enterococcus phoeniculicola, Enterococcus rivorum and Enterococcus faecalis, having 95.2-96.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Strain 85-4T was distantly related to the type strains of Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus dispar, Enterococcus canintestini, Enterococcus saigonensis, Enterococcus diestrammenae, Enterococcus asini, Enterococcus cecorum and Enterococcus columbae, having 95.7-97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Less than 91.5 % ANI and 45.3 % isDDH values between strains 241-2-2T, 63-4T, 190-7T, 94-2T, 85-4T and type strains of phylogenetically related species showed that they represent five new species within the genus Enterococcus. Based upon the data of polyphasic characterisation obtained in the present study, five novel species, Enterococcus pingfangensis sp. nov., Enterococcus dongliensis sp. nov., Enterococcus hulanensis sp. nov., Enterococcus nangangensis sp. nov. and Enterococcus songbeiensis sp. nov., are proposed and the type strains are 241-2-2T (=NCIMB 15185T=CCM 8921T=LMG 31181T), 63-4T (=NCIMB 15178T=CCM 8922T), 190-7T (=NCIMB 15200T=CCM 8949T), 94-2T (=NCIMB 15180T=CCM 8920T=LMG 31180T) and 85-4T (=NCIMB 15179T=CCM 8923T=LMG 31183T), respectively.

A review on co-existent Epstein-Barr virus-induced complications in inflammatory bowel disease.

There have been growing reports regarding the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the intestine portions of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, collectively termed as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Indeed, the prevalence of EBV infection increases in IBD patients due to prolonged employment of immunosuppressive drugs including azathioprine and infliximab. In turn, coinfection with EBV increases the propensity of development of lymphoproliferative disorders in the gastrointestinal tract including Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and lymphoepithelioma-like cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, it is recommended that IBD patients on prolonged immunomodulator therapy should be monitored for the presence of primary intestinal lymphoproliferative diseases. Moreover, coinfection of EBV complicates the clinical course of IBD by increasing the severity, chronicity, inducing refractoriness and increasing relapse incidences. Therefore, it is recommended that antiviral drugs should be added in the conventional IBD therapy in the suspected cases of EBV infection. Research has also revealed that EBV-induced colitis is very similar to IBD and there are chances of misdiagnosis of IBD in the presence of EBV colitis. The proper diagnosis of EBV infection along with its timely treatment is necessary to avoid the severe complications in patients of IBD. The present review discusses the role of EBV coinfection in increasing the clinical complications of IBD patients.

Proposal of Enterococcus xinjiangensis Ren et al. 2020 as a later heterotypic synonym of Enterococcus lactis Morandi et al. 2012.

Enterococcus lactis was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology in June 2012. Enterococcus xinjiangensis was published in Current Microbiology in 2016 and validated in November 2020. In the present study, the relationship between E. lactis and E. xinjiangensis was re-evaluated. In the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, E. xinjiangensis was closely related to E. lactis and Enterococcus faecium. The type strains of E. xinjiangensis and E. lactis shared 99.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 98.5 % pheS sequence similarity, 99.9 % rpoA sequence similarity, 98.7 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) value and 88.9 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value, indicating that they represent the same species. Meanwhile, although the type strains of E. xinjiangensis and E. faecium also shared 99.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 97.1 % pheS sequence similarity and 99.6 % rpoA sequence similarity, 94.7 % ANI and 59.1 % dDDH values indicated that they represent two different species. On the basis of the results present here, we propose Enterococcus xinjiangensis Ren et al. 2020 as a later heterotypic synonym of Enterococcus lactis Morandi et al. 2012.

[Characteristics of Mercury Transformation in Soil and Accumulation in Rice Plants in an Acidic Purple Paddy Soil Area].

A pot experiment was conducted to analyze the characteristics of mercury (Hg) accumulation during the rice growth period in acidic purple paddy soil. Results showed that the soil total Hg concentration was stable with time during the rice growth period, while methylmercury (MeHg) increased greatly. Therefore, the ratio of MeHg/THg was mainly affected by MeHg concentration. THg concentration in rice plant parts followed the trend:root > grain > stalk > leaf > husk at the mature grain stage, while MeHg concentration followed grain > root > stalk > leaf > husk. The average of MeHg/THg in rice (24.03%) far exceeded that in soil (3.05%), suggesting that rice plants have a strong affinity for MeHg accumulation. This conclusion was supported also by the great difference in average of bio-concentration factors between MeHg (8.16) and THg (2.31) or the transfer factor in the grain, which was more than 1. Moreover, the bio-concentration factor for grain was higher than that for roots, stalks, and leaves, suggesting MeHg was prone to accumulation in grain compared with other part of rice plants.

Enzymolysis of chitosan by papain and its kinetics.

Low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) was obtained by the enzymolysis of chitosan by papain. Enzymolysis conditions (initial chitosan concentration, temperature, pH and ratio of papain to chitosan) were optimized by conducting experiments at three different levels using the response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain high soluble reducing sugars (SRSs) concentrations. Meanwhile, the influence of chitosan substrate concentration on the activity of papain was assessed in the experiments. The enzymolysis process was analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the experiment data were found to be more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In addition, the kinetic behavior of the enzymolysis was also investigated by using Haldane model, and chitosan exhibited substrate inhibition. It was clear that the Haldane kinetic model adequately described the dynamic behavior of the chitosan enzymolysis by papain. When the initial chitosan concentration was above 8.0g/L, the papain was overloaded and exhibited significant inhibition.

Study on association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α with C-reactive protein, and additional gene-gene interaction in Chinese Han.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the association between 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPAR α) poly morphisms and C-reactive protein (CRP) level, as well as  additional gene-gene interaction among the 6 SNPs. METHODS: A total of 1260 subjects (583 men, 677 women), with a mean age of 41.3 ± 14.6 years old, were selected. Six SNPs of PPAR α were selected for genotyping in the study including: rs135539, rs135551, rs135549, rs1800206, rs1800243 and rs4253623. Linear regression analysis was performed to verify the polymorphism association between SNP with CRP levels. Generalized MDR (GMDR) was employed to analysis the interaction among six SNPs. RESULTS: Linear regression results indicated a significant negative correlation between mutation of rs1800206 and CRP level. The carriers of the V allele (LV + VV) of rs1800206 were associated with a significant decreased level of CRP (regression coefficients was -0.533, standard error was 0.148 (P < 0.001)). However, the other 5 SNPs in PPAR α were not significantly associated with CRP level before or after covariate adjustment. GMDR model indicated that there was a significant two-locus model (P = 0.0107) involving rs1800206 and rs135539, indicating a potential gene-gene interaction between rs1800206 and rs135539. Overall, the two- locus models had a cross-validation consistency of 10 of 10, respectively, and had the testing accuracy of 55.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support an important association between rs1800206 minor allele (V) of PPAR α and lower CRP level. The interaction analysis showed a combined effect between rs1800206 and rs135539 on the lower CRP level.

Diagnostic value of autofluorescence imaging combined with narrow band imaging in intraepithelial neoplasia of Barrett's esophagus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic values of Auto Fluorescence Imaging (AFI) combined with Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) in the diagnosis of the intraepithelial neoplasia of Barrett's esophagus (BE). METHODS: Seventy four suspicious BE intraepithelial lesions were assessed in 50 patients by AFI, who were further subjected to NBI mode to observe the changes of gastric mucosal capillaries and gastric pits. The corresponding lesions were biopsied for pathological examination. RESULTS: Among the 74 AFI-diagnosed cases of suspicious lesions, 44 (59.5%) were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (BEHGIN), while the remaining 30 cases (40.5%) were false-positive. The NBI-diagnostic results of these 44 BEHGIN lesions were as follows: 39 cases were confirmed and 5 were suspicious; among the 30 false-positive BEHGIN cases, NBI gave 7 false-positive cases. The false-positive rates decreased from 40.5% of AFI to 9.5% (7/74) of NBI-AFI (p<0.05). The positive predictive value of AFI in BEHGIN was 59.5% (44/74), while that of AFI-NBI combination was 84.8% (39/46; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The AFI-NBI combination technology could significantly improve (p<0.05) the detection rate of BEHGIN.

Determination of bleb capsule porosity with an experimental glaucoma drainage device and measurement system.

IMPORTANCE: Control of intraocular pressure after implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) depends on the porosity of the capsule that forms around the plate of the GDD. OBJECTIVE: To compare capsular porosity after insertion of 2 different GDDs using a novel implant and measurement system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: We performed an experimental interventional study at an eye research facility in a tertiary eye care center. Testing was performed on 22 adult New Zealand white rabbits that received the experimental GDD or an existing GDD. INTERVENTIONS: A new experimental GDD, the Center for Eye Research Australia (CERA) implant, was created using computer-aided design and a 3-dimensional printer. The CERA GDDs were implanted in the eyes of rabbits randomized into 1 of the following 3 groups: with no connection to the anterior chamber (n = 7), with connection to the anterior chamber for 1 week (n = 5), and with connection to the anterior chamber for 4 weeks (n = 5). In a control group (n = 5), a pediatric GDD was implanted without connection to the anterior chamber. We measured the capsular porosity using a pressure-gated picoliter pump at a driving pressure of 12 mm Hg. The animals were killed humanely for histologic study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Porosity of the fibrous capsule around the implant. RESULTS: We found no difference in mean (SEM) capsular porosity between the CERA (3.39 [0.76; 95% CI, 1.43-5.48] µL/min) and pediatric (4.52 [0.52; 95% CI, 3.19-5.95] µL/min) GDDs (P = .28, unpaired t test) at 4 weeks without aqueous exposure. Mean (SEM) capsular porosity of CERA GDDs connected to the anterior chamber at 1 week was 2.46 (0.36; 95% CI, 1.55-3.44) µL/min but decreased to 0.67 (0.07; 95% CI, 0.49-0.86) µL/min at 4 weeks (P = .001, unpaired t test). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our experimental method permits direct measurement of capsular porosity of an in situ GDD. In a comparison between an experimental (CERA) and an existing GDD, no differences were identified in capsular porosity or histologic reaction between the implants. These results suggest that the CERA GDD model can be used to test key components of glaucoma surgery and implant design.