Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction as an adjuvant treatment for mild/moderately severe hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia is the third leading cause of acute pancreatitis (AP), and its incidence is increasing. Due to its relatively insidious etiology, it is easy to be ignored in the early stages. In China, Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD) has long been employed for treating AP. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of CQCQD in patients diagnosed with mild/ moderately severe hypertriglyceridemic AP (HTG-AP). METHODS: In this study, the clinical data of 39 patients with HTG-AP admitted from January 2019 to November 2022 were collected. The changes of blood lipids, gastrointestinal symptoms, and abdominal pain before and after treatment were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated with the conventional HTG-AP regimen, and 19 patients were additionally treated with CQCQD. After receiving treatment, the triglycerides (TG) level of the CQCQD group was lower than that of the CQCQD group (3.14 ± 0.25 mmol/L vs 4.96 ± 0.47 mmol/L, P < 0.01). After 3 d of treatment, the patients in the CQCQD group had more bowel movements than the control group (2.51 ± 0.25 times vs 1.00 ± 0.17 times, P = 0.01). The gastrointestinal function of most patients returned to normal, and the acute gastrointestinal injury score was significantly lower than that of the control group (0.11 ± 0.07 vs 0.42 ± 0.11, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients with HTG-AP, CQCQD can significantly reduce the TG level, shorten the recovery time of defecation, significantly improve the gastrointestinal function.

Selective extraction and quantitative analysis of pyrroloquinoline quinone from food.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a bioactive compound that has attracted significant attention due to its potential health benefits. In this study, we developed a new magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticle (MMIN) for the selective extraction and determination of PQQ from food samples. The MMIN was synthesized using a surface molecular imprinting technique with PQQ as the template molecule, Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the magnetic core, and methacrylic acid as the functional monomer. The MMIN exhibited high selectivity and affinity towards PQQ, allowing for efficient extraction and preconcentration of PQQ from complex food matrices. The extracted PQQ was then quantified using HPLC-DAD. The developed method showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9985) and low limits of detection (0.03 µg L-1). The accuracy and precision of the method were evaluated by analyzing spiked food samples, with average recoveries close to 89.8%. The MMIN also demonstrated good reusability, with negligible decrease in extraction efficiency after five cycles of use. Overall, the developed MMIN-based method provides a reliable and efficient approach for the analysis of PQQ in food samples.

A new α-amylase inhibitory peptide from Gynura medica extract.

In this study, we discovered a novel peptide, Gymepeptide A, with α-amylase inhibitory activity in the water extract of Gynura medica. The structure of Gymepeptide A was determined as CGDREETR using HR-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 2D-NMR techniques. Notably, Gymepeptide A possesses a rare double arginine residue structure and exhibits strong α-amylase inhibitory activity. Enzyme dynamic assays, molecular docking experiments, and isothermal titration calorimetry indicated that the double arginine residue structure of Gymepeptide A interacts with amino acid residues in the nearby active site region of α-amylase through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. This interaction effectively inhibits the hydrolysis activity of α-amylase. Furthermore, in vitro starch digestion tests revealed that Gymepeptide A significantly reduced the digestion rate of starch and the concentration of glucose produced after starch digestion. These findings highlight the great potential of Gymepeptide A in decreasing postprandial blood glucose levels.

Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviates atherosclerosis through the modulation of M1 polarization.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immune dysfunction with classically activated macrophages(M1) infiltration are important mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-dependent mitochondrial fission is a novel target for alleviating inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DRP1 inhibitor Mdivi-1 on AS. METHODS: ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with or without Mdivi-1. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by ox-LDL, pretreated with or without MCC950, Mito-TEMPO, or Mdivi-1. The burden of plaques and foam cell formation were determined using ORO staining. The blood lipid profles and inflammatory cytokines in serum were detected by commercial kits and ELISA, respectively. The mRNA expression of macrophage polarization markers, activation of NLRP3 and the phosphorylation state of DRP1 were detected. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS), mitochondrial staining, ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by mito-SOX, MitoTracker, ATP determination kit and JC-1 staining, respectively. RESULTS: In vivo, Mdivi-1 reduced the plaque areas, M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and DRP1 phosphorylation at Ser616. In vitro, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) triggered M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and abnormal accumulation of mito-ROS. MCC950 and Mito-TEMPO suppressed M1 polarization mediated foam cell formation. Mito-TEMPO significantly inhibited NLRP3 activation. In addition, Mdivi-1 reduced foam cells by inhibiting M1 polarization. The possible mechanisms responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Mdivi-1 on reducing M1 polarization were associated with suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3 pathway by inhibiting DRP1 mediated mitochondrial fission. In vitro, similar results were observed by DRP1 knockdown. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviated atherogenesis via suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3-mediated M1 polarization, indicating DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission as a potential therapeutic target for AS.

[Application of Animal Model Training in Preclinical Skills Teaching for Graduate Students of Dentistry].

Objective: To explore the potential application value of animal model training in improving the comprehensive clinical ability of postgraduate students of dentistry and to provide reference for new methods of preclinical skills teaching. Methods: A total of 40 postgraduate students of dentistry were assigned to two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The control group took the routine teaching course on root canal treatment for the right mandibular first molar, using a simulated model of human head. The experimental group also took a teaching course on root canal therapy for the right mandibular first molar, but an animal model was used for the group. After the course was completed, the instructor conducted comprehensive evaluation of the students' psychological quality, patient communication skills, diagnosis and treatment logic, speed of performing procedures, and treatment plan design. A questionnaire survey was conducted to examine the students' attitudes toward and evaluation of animal model training. Results: The scores for psychological quality (0.430±0.024 vs. 0.115±0.036), patient communication skills (0.878±0.065 vs. 0.115±0.036), diagnosis and treatment logic (0.630±0.066 vs. 0.372±0.033), speed of performing procedures (0.8975±0.019 vs. 0.055±0.080), and treatment plan design (0.539±0.036 vs. 0.396±0.017) of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.0001). The total score of the experimental group (3.374±0.184) was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.053±0.082) and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). 95% of the students in the control group and 100% of those in the experimental group were willing to participate in animal model training to improve their level of diagnosis and treatment skills for dental and endodontic diseases, showing no statistically significant difference ( χ 2=1.026, P=0.3112). In the experimental group, 30% of the students believed that their psychological qualities had been improved, 50% believed that their procedure skills had been improved, and 20% believed that animal model training had expanded the scope of their theoretical knowledge. Conclusion: Adding animal model training can improve dentistry graduate students' comprehensive abilities, including their psychological quality, patient communication skills, diagnosis and treatment logic, speed of performing procedures, and treatment plan design. In addition, it helps students familiarize themselves in advance with animal experimental operations for basic research, thus helping them acquire dual professional skills.

1-Methyl-4-R-1,2,4-triazolium (R = -CH2CH2OCH3, -CH2COOCH2CH3)-Based Ionic Liquids as Plasticizers for Solid Propellants.

In this paper, a series of energetic ionic liquid plasticizers of 1-methyl-4-methoxyethyl-1,2,4-triazolium chloride (1), 1-methyl-4-methoxyethyl-1,2,4-triazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (1a), 1-methyl-4-methoxyethyl-1,2,4-triazolium nitrate (1b), 1-methyl-4-ethyl acetate-1,2,4-triazolium chloride (2), 1-methyl-4-ethyl acetate-1,2,4-triazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (2a), and 1-methyl-4-ethyl acetate-1,2,4-triazolium nitrate (2b) were synthesized and characterized. The results show that compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b have lower melting points (Tm, -72.60 to -32.67 °C) and good thermal stability (Td, 161-348 °C) and are suitable as plasticizers for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) curing systems. Among these four ionic liquids, ester-functionalized cations can help to improve the tensile strength (2a, 0.943 MPa; 2b, 1.113 MPa) of the cured system, while ether-functionalized cations are more beneficial to improve elongation at break (1a, 522.90%; 1b, 484.45%). Ester-functionalized ionic liquids are more beneficial to reduce the glass transition temperature of HTPB elastomers. The storage modulus of HTPB elastomers containing NO3- is higher, while that of HTPB elastomers containing NTf2- is lower. The crosslink densities of HTPB/TDI/2a and HTPB/TDI/2b plasticized by ester-functionalized ionic liquids are larger, which are 9369 and 9616 mol/m3, respectively. There are hydrogen bond interactions between the ionic liquid and the HTPB elastomer, and these interactions changed the distribution of the hard and soft segments in the polymer molecules.

Overexpression of the Arabidopsis MACPF Protein AtMACP2 Promotes Pathogen Resistance by Activating SA Signaling.

Immune response in plants is tightly regulated by the coordination of the cell surface and intracellular receptors. In animals, the membrane attack complex/perforin-like (MACPF) protein superfamily creates oligomeric pore structures on the cell surface during pathogen infection. However, the function and molecular mechanism of MACPF proteins in plant pathogen responses remain largely unclear. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis MACP2 and investigated the responsiveness of this protein during both bacterial and fungal pathogens. We suggest that MACP2 induces programmed cell death, bacterial pathogen resistance, and necrotrophic fungal pathogen sensitivity by activating the biosynthesis of tryptophan-derived indole glucosinolates and the salicylic acid signaling pathway dependent on the activity of enhanced disease susceptibility 1 (EDS1). Moreover, the response of MACP2 mRNA isoforms upon pathogen attack is differentially regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism: alternative splicing. In comparison to previously reported MACPFs in Arabidopsis, MACP2 shares a redundant but nonoverlapping role in plant immunity. Thus, our findings provide novel insights and genetic tools for the MACPF family in maintaining SA accumulation in response to pathogens in Arabidopsis.

Albumin-Bilirubin Score to Predict Outcomes in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. / Escore Albumina-Bilirrubina para Predizer Desfechos em Pacientes com Cardiomiopatia Dilatada Idiopática.

BACKGROUND: Liver dysfunction is a postulated variable for poor prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, a relatively new model for evaluating liver function, in patients with idiopathic DCM. METHODS: A total of 1025 patients with idiopathic DCM were retrospectively included and divided into three groups based on ALBI scores: grade 1 (≤ -2.60, n = 113), grade 2 (-2.60 to -1.39, n = 835), and grade 3 (> -1.39, n = 77). The association of ALBI score with in-hospital major adverse clinical events (MACEs) and long-term mortality was analyzed. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The in-hospital MACEs rate was significantly higher in the grade 3 patients (2.7% versus 7.1% versus 24.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ALBI score was an independent predictor for in-hospital MACEs (adjusted odds ratio = 2.80, 95%CI: 1.63 - 4.80, p < 0.001). After a median 27-month follow-up, 146 (14.2%) patients died. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that the cumulative rate of long-term survival was significantly lower in patients with higher ALBI grade (log-rank = 45.50, p < 0.001). ALBI score was independently associated with long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.95 - 4.13, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ALBI score as a simple risk model could be considered a risk-stratifying tool for patients with idiopathic DCM.

FUNDAMENTO: A disfunção hepática é uma variável postulada de prognóstico desfavorável na cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD). OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o valor prognóstico do escore albumina-bilirrubina (ALBI), um modelo relativamente novo para a avaliação da função hepática, em pacientes com CMD idiopática. MÉTODOS: Um total de 1.025 pacientes com CMD idiopática foram incluídos retrospectivamente e divididos em três grupos com base nos escores de ALBI: grau 1 (≤ −2,60, n = 113), grau 2 (−2,60 a −1,39, n = 835) e grau 3 (> −1,39, n = 77). Foi analisada a associação do escore ALBI com eventos clínicos adversos maiores (ECAM) intra-hospitalares e mortalidade a longo prazo. Valor de p inferior a 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: A taxa de ECAM intra-hospitalares foi significativamente maior nos pacientes com grau 3 (2,7% versus 7,1% versus 24,7%, p < 0,001). A análise multivariada mostrou que o escore ALBI foi um preditor independente para ECAM intra-hospitalares (odds ratio ajustada = 2,80, IC 95%: 1,63 ­ 4,80, p < 0,001). Após seguimento mediano de 27 meses, 146 (14,2%) pacientes morreram. A curva de Kaplan-Meier indicou que a taxa cumulativa de sobrevida a longo prazo foi significativamente menor em pacientes com grau mais alto de ALBI (log-rank = 45,50, p < 0,001). O escore ALBI foi independentemente associado à mortalidade a longo prazo (hazard ratio ajustada = 2,84, IC 95%: 1,95 ­ 4,13, p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O escore ALBI, como modelo de risco simples, pode ser considerado uma ferramenta de estratificação de risco para pacientes com CMD idiopática.

Escore Albumina-Bilirrubina para Predizer Desfechos em Pacientes com Cardiomiopatia Dilatada Idiopática / Albumin-Bilirubin Score to Predict Outcomes in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Resumo Fundamento: A disfunção hepática é uma variável postulada de prognóstico desfavorável na cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD). Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o valor prognóstico do escore albumina-bilirrubina (ALBI), um modelo relativamente novo para a avaliação da função hepática, em pacientes com CMD idiopática. Métodos: Um total de 1.025 pacientes com CMD idiopática foram incluídos retrospectivamente e divididos em três grupos com base nos escores de ALBI: grau 1 (≤ −2,60, n = 113), grau 2 (−2,60 a −1,39, n = 835) e grau 3 (> −1,39, n = 77). Foi analisada a associação do escore ALBI com eventos clínicos adversos maiores (ECAM) intra-hospitalares e mortalidade a longo prazo. Valor de p inferior a 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: A taxa de ECAM intra-hospitalares foi significativamente maior nos pacientes com grau 3 (2,7% versus 7,1% versus 24,7%, p < 0,001). A análise multivariada mostrou que o escore ALBI foi um preditor independente para ECAM intra-hospitalares (odds ratio ajustada = 2,80, IC 95%: 1,63 - 4,80, p < 0,001). Após seguimento mediano de 27 meses, 146 (14,2%) pacientes morreram. A curva de Kaplan-Meier indicou que a taxa cumulativa de sobrevida a longo prazo foi significativamente menor em pacientes com grau mais alto de ALBI (log-rank = 45,50, p < 0,001). O escore ALBI foi independentemente associado à mortalidade a longo prazo (hazard ratio ajustada = 2,84, IC 95%: 1,95 - 4,13, p < 0,001). Conclusão: O escore ALBI, como modelo de risco simples, pode ser considerado uma ferramenta de estratificação de risco para pacientes com CMD idiopática.

Abstract Background: Liver dysfunction is a postulated variable for poor prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, a relatively new model for evaluating liver function, in patients with idiopathic DCM. Methods: A total of 1025 patients with idiopathic DCM were retrospectively included and divided into three groups based on ALBI scores: grade 1 (≤ −2.60, n = 113), grade 2 (−2.60 to −1.39, n = 835), and grade 3 (> −1.39, n = 77). The association of ALBI score with in-hospital major adverse clinical events (MACEs) and long-term mortality was analyzed. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The in-hospital MACEs rate was significantly higher in the grade 3 patients (2.7% versus 7.1% versus 24.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ALBI score was an independent predictor for in-hospital MACEs (adjusted odds ratio = 2.80, 95%CI: 1.63 - 4.80, p < 0.001). After a median 27-month follow-up, 146 (14.2%) patients died. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that the cumulative rate of long-term survival was significantly lower in patients with higher ALBI grade (log-rank = 45.50, p < 0.001). ALBI score was independently associated with long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.95 - 4.13, p < 0.001). Conclusion: ALBI score as a simple risk model could be considered a risk-stratifying tool for patients with idiopathic DCM.

Radiography, CT, and MRI Diagnosis of Enzootic Nasal Tumor in Goats Infected With Enzootic Nasal Tumor Virus.

The aim of this study was to describe radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of enzootic nasal tumors in goats infected with enzootic nasal tumor viruses. Five of six goats with a mean age of 2 years, showed clinical signs of respiratory disease. Head radiographs showed increased density of the unilateral or bilateral nasal cavity in four goats, and a CT scan showed that the space-occupying lesion of the nasal cavity originated from the ethmoid bone and was enhanced homogeneously postcontrast in all goats. The nasal concha was destroyed and the paranasal sinus mucosa was thickened and filled with fluid in some goats. On MRI, the mass exhibited equal or slightly higher signal intensity on T2 weighted images, equal signal intensity on T1 weighted images, a high signal on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images and heterogeneous enhancement postcontrast. After dissection, histopathological examination of the mass and virus genome detection of the nasal secretions confirmed that the intranasal mass was a low-grade adenocarcinoma and that the goats were infected with enzootic nasal tumor virus type 2. In conclusion, CT and MRI have high diagnostic values for enzootic nasal tumors because they match the postmortem findings and are more accurate than radiography.

Cordycepin augments the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma to cisplatin by activating AMPK and suppressing the AKT signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. However, some patients with osteosarcoma develop resistance to chemotherapy, leading to a poor clinical prognosis. Hence, effective therapeutic agents that can improve the response to chemotherapy drugs to improve the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma are urgently needed. Cordycepin has recently emerged as a promising antitumor drug candidate. This study aims to explore the effect of cordycepin in suppressing osteosarcoma in vivo and in vitro and the synergistic effect of cordycepin combined with cisplatin and to demonstrate the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: CCK-8 assay was performed to investigate the inhibition effect of cordycepin combined with cisplatin in osteosarcoma cell lines. The colony formation and invasion abilities were measured by colony formation assay and Transwell assay. Osteosarcoma cells apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of cell apoptosis-related proteins and AMPK and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins. Finally, we performed the in vivo animal model to further explore whether cordycepin and cisplatin exert synergistic antitumor effects. RESULTS: Notably, we found that treatment with cordycepin inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the combination of cordycepin and cisplatin led to marked inhibition of osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion and promoted osteosarcoma cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that cordycepin enhanced the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin by activating AMPK and inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, this study provides comprehensive evidence that cordycepin inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth and invasion and induces osteosarcoma cell apoptosis by activating AMPK and inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and enhances the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin, suggesting that cordycepin is a promising treatment for osteosarcoma.

Fabrication of Metal Nanoparticle Composites by Slow Chemical Reduction of Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Constructing metal nanoparticle (MNP) composites from metal-organic framework (MOF) precursors has attracted extensive attention as the MOF precursors provide an excellent porous matrix for the generation of MNP composites, which enables the direct fabrication of well-dispersed MNP composites. In this work, a novel strategy is proposed to fabricate MNP composites by slow chemical reduction (SCR) of MOF precursors at room temperature. The reduction process is skillfully slowed via using ethanol as the solvent, and the formation of MNP composites is then realized by the SCR process. Briefly, BH4- slowly diffuses into an MOF precursor and in situ reduces metal ions to well-dispersed nanoscale MNP composites. Meanwhile, this SCR process breaks the coordination bonds from MOF precursors, leading to the generation of porous structures for the resulting composites. Interestingly, the composites inherit the morphology of MOF precursors well. Besides, this SCR strategy allows construction of MNP composites from different types of MOF precursors. The resulting Cu@HK-3 composites possess well-dispersed nanoscale Cu NPs and a porous architecture, which exhibit superior catalytic performance and stability in the Ullmann coupling reaction. This strategy provides a feasible, convenient, and energy-saving route to prepare MNP composites from MOF precursors with customizable morphology and well-dispersed MNPs.

Association Between Genetic Polymorphisms of Metabolic Enzymes and Azathioprine-Induced Myelosuppression in 1,419 Chinese Patients: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between genetic polymorphisms of azathioprine-metabolizing enzymes and adverse reactions of myelosuppression. To this end, a retrospective analysis was performed on 1,419 Chinese patients involving 40 different diseases and 3 genes: ITPA (94C>A), TPMT*3 (T>C), and NUDT15 (415C>T). Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to collect the relative cases, and the correlation between azathioprine and myelosuppression was evaluated by adverse drug reaction criteria. The mutation rates of the three genes were 29.32, 3.73, and 21.92% and grades I to IV myelosuppression occurred in 54 (9.28%) of the 582 patients who took azathioprine. The highest proportion of myelosuppression was observed in 5 of the 6 (83.33%) patients carrying the NUDT15 (415C>T) TT genotype and 12 of the 102 (11.76%) patients carrying the NUDT15 (415C>T) CT genotype. Only the NUDT15 (415C>T) polymorphism was found to be associated with the adverse effects of azathioprine-induced myelosuppression (odds ratio [OR], 51.818; 95% CI, 5.280-508.556; p = 0.001), which suggested that the NUDT15 (415C>T) polymorphism could be an influencing factor of azathioprine-induced myelosuppression in the Chinese population. Epistatic interactions between ITPA (94C>A) and NUDT15 (415C>T) affect the occurrence of myelosuppression. Thus, it is recommended that the genotype of NUDT15 (415C>T) and ITPA (94C>A) be checked before administration, and azathioprine should be avoided in patients carrying a homozygous NUDT15 (415C>T) mutation. This study is the first to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of these three azathioprine-metabolizing enzymes and myelosuppression in a large number of cases with a diverse range of diseases.

Protective effects of recombinant 53-kDa protein of Trichinella spiralis on acute lung injury in mice via alleviating lung pyroptosis by promoting M2 macrophage polarization.

Trichinella spiralis represents an effective treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The effects of recombinant T. spiralis (TS) 53-kDa protein (rTsP53) on acute lung injury (ALI) remain unclear. Here, mice were divided randomly into a control group, LPS group, and rTsP53 + LPS group. ALI was induced in BALB/c mice by LPS (10 mg/kg) injected via the tail vein. rTsP53 (200 µl; 0.4 µg/µl) was injected subcutaneously three times at an interval of 5 d before inducing ALI in the rTsP53+LPS group. Lung pathological score, the ratio and markers of classic activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2), cytokine profiles in alveolar lavage fluid, and pyroptosis protein expression in lung tissue were investigated. RTsP53 decreased lung pathological score. Furthermore, rTsP53 suppressed inflammation by increasing IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. There was an increase in alveolar M2 macrophage numbers, with an increase in CD206 and arginase-1-positive cells and a decrease in alveolar M1 markers such as CD197 and iNOS. In addition, the polarization of M2 macrophages induced by rTsP53 treatment could alleviate ALI by suppressing lung pyroptosis. RTsP53 was identified as a potential agent for treating LPS-induced ALI via alleviating lung pyroptosis by promoting M2 macrophage polarization.

Melatonin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin (MT) has been shown to protect against various cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of MT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial injury is poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the effects of MT on LPS-induced myocardial injury in vitro. METHODS: H9C2 cells were divided into a control group, MT group, LPS group, and MT + LPS group. The control group was treated with sterile saline solution, the LPS group received 8 µg/mL LPS for 24 h, MT + LPS cells were pretreated with 200 µmol/L MT for 2 h then with 8 µg/mL LPS for 24 h, and the MT group received only 200 µmol/L MT for 2 h. The CCK-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay were used to analyze cell viability and LDH release, respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the rate of pyroptosis were measured using the fluorescent probe dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining, respectively. The cell supernatants were used to measure the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD were detected by western blot. RESULTS: MT pretreatment significantly improved LPS-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis in H9C2 cells. Moreover, MT inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway, and reduced the expression of inflammation-related proteins (iNOS and COX-2), and pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that MT can alleviate LPS-induced myocardial injury, providing novel insights into the treatment of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.

Digestive Tract Injuries Caused by Ingested Foreign Bodies Containing Magnets.

We report on 16 children with ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies, who were identified by a medical record review of our hospital data for the time period between January, 2017 and May, 2018. Digestive tract wall was sandwiched in 13 (75%) children and 11 (74%) had gaptic intestinal perforation.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the urinary bladder: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the urinary bladder is an uncommon malignant bladder tumor, and the overall prognosis is poor. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) provides a new effective modality for tumor detection and diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old man complained of repeated painless gross haematuria for half a month. Conventional ultrasound demonstrated a hypoechoic solitary lesion with hyperechoic margins measuring 3.4 × 3.1 cm in the anterior wall of the bladder. Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) showed a strong flow signal in the mass. CEUS revealed that the lesion was characterized by hyper-enhancement in the early phase and hypo-enhancement in the late phase. The entire bladder wall was disrupted by homogeneous hyper-enhanced tumor tissue on CEUS. Time-intensity curves (TICs) showed a rapid wash-in with a high maximum signal intensity (SI) and quick wash-out. Finally, partial cystectomy was performed and the pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of LCNEC with invasion into the whole layer of the bladder wall. CONCLUSION: This case suggested that CEUS was a valuable imaging method to detect and diagnose LCNEC in the bladder, and that CEUS can provide information related to the depth of wall invasion and the microvasculature.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Subsequent Prognostic Impact of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies with a large sample size have been performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and prognostic value of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE).Methods and Results:A total of 1,063 IE patients were included and 83 developed new AF. Compared with no-AF, the incidence of in-hospital death (6.0% vs. 22.9%, P<0.001) was higher in patients with new-onset AF. New-onset AF was independently associated with increased risk of in-hospital (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=3.92, P=0.001) and 1-year death (adjusted hazard ratio=2.91, P=0.001), while prior AF was not an independent factor. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated new-onset AF mainly affected short-term death (180 days). Age (OR=1.04, P<0.001), rheumatic heart disease (OR=1.88, P=0.022), NYHA Class III or IV (OR=2.09, P=0.003), and left atrial diameter (LAD; OR=1.05, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for development of new AF. CONCLUSIONS: New-onset AF, not prior AF, was a prognostic factor in IE patients, which was mainly associated with increased risk of short-term death. Patients with concomitant rheumatic heart disease, poor cardiac function, and larger LAD had higher risk of developing new AF.

Alternative splicing and translation play important roles in hypoxic germination in rice.

Post-transcriptional mechanisms (PTMs), including alternative splicing (AS) and alternative translation initiation (ATI), may explain the diversity of proteins involved in plant development and stress responses. Transcriptional regulation is important during the hypoxic germination of rice seeds, but the potential roles of PTMs in this process have not been characterized. We used a combination of proteomics and RNA sequencing to discover how AS and ATI contribute to plant responses to hypoxia. In total, 10 253 intron-containing genes were identified. Of these, ~1741 differentially expressed AS (DAS) events from 811 genes were identified in hypoxia-treated seeds compared with controls. Over 95% of these were not present in the list of differentially expressed genes. In particular, regulatory pathways such as the spliceosome, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and export, proteasome, phagosome, oxidative phosphorylation, and mRNA surveillance showed substantial AS changes under hypoxia, suggesting that AS responses are largely independent of transcriptional regulation. Considerable AS changes were identified, including the preferential usage of some non-conventional splice sites and enrichment of splicing factors in the DAS data sets. Taken together, these results not only demonstrate that AS and ATI function during hypoxic germination but they have also allowed the identification of numerous novel proteins/peptides produced via ATI.

Comparative performance of the BGISEQ-500 and Illumina HiSeq4000 sequencing platforms for transcriptome analysis in plants.

BACKGROUND: The next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has greatly facilitated genomic and transcriptomic studies, contributing significantly in expanding the current knowledge on genome and transcriptome. However, the continually evolving variety of sequencing platforms, protocols and analytical pipelines has led the research community to focus on cross-platform evaluation and standardization. As a NGS pioneer in China, the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) has announced its own NGS platform designated as BGISEQ-500, since 2016. The capability of this platform in large-scale DNA sequencing and small RNA analysis has been already evaluated. However, the comparative performance of BGISEQ-500 platform in transcriptome analysis remains yet to be elucidated. The Illumina series, a leading sequencing platform in China's sequencing market, would be a preferable reference to evaluate new platforms. METHODS: To this end, we describe a cross-platform comparative study between BGISEQ-500 and Illumina HiSeq4000 for analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana WT (Col 0) transcriptome. The key parameters in RNA sequencing and transcriptomic data processing were assessed in biological replicate experiments, using aforesaid platforms. RESULTS: The results from the two platforms BGISEQ-500 and Illumina HiSeq4000 shared high concordance in both inter- (correlation, 0.88-0.93) and intra-platform (correlation, 0.95-0.98) comparison for gene quantification, identification of differentially expressed genes and alternative splicing events. However, the two platforms yielded highly variable interpretation results for single nucleotide polymorphism and insertion-deletion analysis. CONCLUSION: The present case study provides a comprehensive reference dataset to validate the capability of BGISEQ-500 enabling it to be established as a competitive and reliable platform in plant transcriptome analysis.