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Background: There is an increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection after liver transplantation (LT). Improved understanding of the risk factors and outcomes of CRE infections can help us to develop effective preventive strategies and even guide early treatment of high-risk LT patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving all Chinese adult patients who underwent LT between December 2017 and September 2019 in our center. We analyzed the possible risk factors and outcomes associated with CRE infections in the first 30 days post-LT. Results: A total of 387 patients underwent LT. Among them, 26 patients (6.7%) developed CRE infections within 30 days after transplantation. Patients with CRE infections had significantly lower 30-day and 180-day survival rates (80.8% vs 96.4%, p< 0.001; 51.5% vs 92.4%, p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified that intraoperative blood loss equal to or more than 1500 mL (odds ratio [OR], 3.666; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.407– 9.550; p=0.008), CRE rectal carriage within 30 days post-LT (OR, 5.516; 95% CI, 2.113– 14.399; p=0.000), biliary complications (OR, 3.779; 95% CI, 1.033– 13.831; p=0.045) and renal replacement therapy for more than 3 days (OR, 3.762; 95% CI, 1.196– 11.833; p=0.023) were independent risk factors for CRE infections within 30 days post-LT. Conclusion: CRE infections within 30 days post-LT were associated with worse outcomes. Intraoperative blood loss equal to or more than 1500 mL, CRE rectal carriage within 30 days post-LT, biliary complications and renal replacement therapy for more than 3 days were independent risk factors of CRE infections after LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry cultivation is constantly increasing all over the world thanks to the varietal innovations obtained by numerous breeding and biotechnology projects and to the studies performed to discover new knowledge on plant’s physiology to develop innovative cultivation systems. Genetic resources remain crucial for breeding activities that can now be integrated with new genomic and molecular knowledge and technologies. Several research groups are dominating the development and control of these technologies, but there are also many emerging companies capable of developing innovations that can have important local and even global impacts. These activities are supported by important public research projects, also of international importance, but the link with the companies that must have access to the results to improve their innovation capacity remains important. The ultimate aim is to continue to expand the cultivation of the strawberry with the development of new cultivars with high adaptability to different environments and growing systems (field, greenhouse above ground) with less environmental impact and increased safety and quality for the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragaria orientalis Lozinsk. is valuable germplasm material for cross breeding in Fragaria. In this study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of F. orientalis using a combination of Illumina data and Nanopore data. The mitochondrial genome was 275,143 bp in length, including 29 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes, with a total GC content 45.23%. Seven protein-coding genes contained introns, and three were trans-spliced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that F. orientalis is making a sister clade to the Amygdaloideae species. The complete mitochondrial genome of F. orientalis reported in this study will improve our understanding of Fragaria evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To study the influence of post-cure treatment on the monomer conversion of 3 light-cured composite resins. METHODS: Three kinds of light-cured composite resin: CHARISMA®, DenFil™ Flow and nano-hydroxyapatite composite resin were double-side cured for 40 s. The materials without any secondary treatment were used as control group (group A). Group B were lighted in Translux® CU light cure case for 5 min. Group C were subjected to post-cure heat treatment for 7.5 min at 140X1 and Group D were post heated in 132°C and pressured 0.2 MPa for 6.5 min. Degree of conversion (DC) of all the samples was measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: The monomer conversion of light-cured composite resins improved at different degree after post-cure treatment, and group C was the most favorable group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, group B and C had significant differences (P<0.05) except when the DenFil™ Flow and CHARISMA® were lighted for 5 minutes (P>0.05). Among the experimental groups, there was no significant difference between each group of DenFil™ Flow groups, CHARISMA ® illumination and hot -pressing groups, and n -HA composite resin illumination compared with 140°C groups. CONCLUSIONS: Post-cure treatment can increase the monomer conversion of light-cured composite resin so as to improve material performance, particularly for the heat treatment for 7.5 min at 140°C. Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2013HM044) and Medical and Science Development Project of Shandong Province (2013WS0308). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced sensitivity of prostate cancer (PC) cells to radiation therapy poses a significant challenge in the clinic. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R), and crosstalk between these two signaling pathways have been implicated in the development of radiation resistance in PC. This study assessed the effects of targeting both receptors on the regulation of radio-sensitivity in PC cells. Specific inhibitors of EGFR and IGF1R, Erlotinib and AG1024, as well as siRNA targeting EGFR and IGF1R, were used to radio-sensitize PC cells. Our results showed that co-inhibiting both receptors significantly dampened cellular growth and DNA damage repair, and increased radio-sensitivity in PC cells. These effects were carried out through synergistic inhibition of homologous recombination-directed DNA repair (HRR), but not via inhibition of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Furthermore, the compromised HRR capacity was caused by reduced phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and its subsequent interaction with Rad51. The synergistic effect of the EGFR and IGF1R inhibitors was also confirmed in nude mouse xenograft assay. This is the first study testing co-inhibiting EGFR and IGF1R signaling in the context of radio-sensitivity in PC and it may provide a promising adjuvant therapeutic approach to improve the outcome of PC patients to radiation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil ecology plays an important role in the growth and health of plants. Research suggests that long-term monocropping may lead to soil ecological disorders. In this study, we aimed to understand the reasons for the decrease in plant productivity stemming from long-term monoculture cropping. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the cause of continuous cropping (CC) obstacles in soils under 12 years of continuous strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production. The data suggested that CC led to three phases of changes in abiotic and biotic soil factors. In phase I (CC for 2–6 years), significant changes were observed only in soil physicochemical properties, such as the pH, total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 +-N), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) and soil organic matter (SOM), which obviously changed from the second year to the sixth year. In phase II (CC for 6–8 years), two biotic factors, key fungi such as Fusarium , Humicola and Arthrobotrys and soil nematodes, i.e., populations and communities of nematodes, started to change significantly in terms of their abundance. In phase III (CC for >8 years), the accumulation of phenolic acids, i.e., p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA), ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and cinnamic acid (CA), significantly inhibited crop growth, and the abundance of key bacteria, including Bacillus , Sphingomonas and Sphingopyxis , started to change significantly from the eighth CC year. The results in this study provide useful information for solving CC obstacles in strawberry production. Unlabelled Image • Continuous cropping led to changes in abiotic and biotic factors in the soil. • This is the first attempt to comprehensively interpret continuous cropping obstacles. • The continuous cropping soil changes could be divided into three main phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. • This research provides useful information to solve strawberry continuous cropping problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Novel long-acting drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus may optimize patient compliance and glycaemic control. Exendin-4-IgG4-Fc (E4F4) is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. This first-in-human study investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunogenicity profiles of a single subcutaneous injection of E4F4 in healthy subjects., Methods: This single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 clinical trial included 96 subjects in 10 sequential cohorts that were provided successively higher doses of E4F4 (0.45, 0.9, 1.8, 3.15, 4.5, 6.3, 8.1, 10.35, 12.6 and 14.85 mg) or placebo (ChinaDrugTrials.org.cn: ChiCTR2100049732). The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability of E4F4. Secondary endpoints were pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunogenicity profiles of E4F4. Safety data to day 15 after the final subject in a cohort had been dosed were reviewed before commencing the next dose level., Results: E4F4 was safe and well tolerated among healthy Chinese participants in this study. There was no obvious dose-dependent relationship between frequency, severity or causality of treatment-emergent adverse events. C max and area under the curve of E4F4 were dose proportional over the 0.45-14.85 mg dose range. Median T max and t 1/2 ranged from 146 to 210 h and 199 to 252 h, respectively, across E4F4 doses, with no dose-dependent trends. For the intravenous glucose tolerance test, area under the curve of glucose in plasma from time 0 to 180 min showed a dose-response relationship in the 1.8-10.35 mg dose range, with an increased response at the higher doses., Conclusion: E4F4 exhibited an acceptable safety profile and linear pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects. The recommended phase 2 dose is 4.5-10.35 mg once every 2 weeks., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To observe the effect of Nailifu Spray on the treatment of premature ejaculation., Methods: A total of 90 patients were included in this study from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023. Nailifu spray was used to spray the surface of penile skin once a day, 2 sprays per session for 4 weeks.And the patients' premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) scores, intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), and international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5) scores were collected before and after treatment, respectively., Resuts: The median (P25,P75) PEDT scores was 16.0(15.0,18.0) scores before treatment and 10.0(10.0,10.0) scores after treatment. The median (P25,P75) of IELT was 20.0 (10.0,30.0) s before treatment and 240.0 (180.0,300.0) s after treatment. The median (P25,P75) of IIEF-5 scores was 21.0 (21.0,22.0) scores before treatment and 21.0 (21.0,21.0) scores after treatment. Compared with baseline levels, IELT was significantly longer and PEDT scores were significantly lower, with statistically significant differences. No significant changes in IIEF-5 scores were seen., Conclusion: Nailifu spray treatment of premature ejaculation is accurate and effective, worthy of clinical promotion.

Purpose: Electrospinning technology was used to construct PCL composite nanofiber scaffold material of BMP-2 sustained-release nanospheres, and the effect of this nanospheres on proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated., Methods: Solvent removal method and electrostatic self-assembly technology were used to prepare BMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres, the morphology, particle size and composition, BMP-2 protein encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro sustained release were tested. Electrospinning technology was ued to prepare PCL composite scaffold material containing BMP-2 nanospheres, and its morphology, hydrophilicity,and sustained release of BMP-2 protein were examined. In vitro cytology experiment was conducted to observe the growth of cells in the material, and the formation of ALP, related genes, and mineralized nodules during the process of osteogenic differentiation of the material were detected. SPSS 21.0 software package was used for statistical analysis., Results: The nanospheres structure with stable structure was successfully prepared, with a high drug loading rate and sustained release of BMP-2. The PCL/BNPs scaffold material group had good hydrophilic properties and was conducive to cell proliferation and differentiation. The results of in vitro cell experiments showed that the cells spread well on the scaffold and the number of adhesions increased. ALP and related osteogenic genes COL1, OPN, RUNX2 increased, and the size and number of calcium nodules increased significantly., Conclusions: The polycaprolactone composite fiber scaffold material of BMP-2 sustained-release nanospheres can provide a new choice for the development of bone tissue engineering.

Fragaria orientalis Lozinsk. is valuable germplasm material for cross breeding in Fragaria . In this study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of F. orientalis using a combination of Illumina data and Nanopore data. The mitochondrial genome was 275,143 bp in length, including 29 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes, with a total GC content 45.23%. Seven protein-coding genes contained introns, and three were trans-spliced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that F. orientalis is making a sister clade to the Amygdaloideae species. The complete mitochondrial genome of F. orientalis reported in this study will improve our understanding of Fragaria evolution., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Purpose: To observe the effect of concentrated growth factor(CGF) on the biological properties of osteoblasts., Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in CGF environment and a blank control group was established. The adhesion of osteoblasts to CGF surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were detected at 1, 4 and 7 d by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Alkaline Phosphatase Assay Kit. The expression of mineralized nodules and osteogenesis-related gene Runx2 was observed by alizarin red staining. CGF extract was cultured for 24 h. Peptide staining was used to observe morphological changes in the cytoskeleton. SPSS 21.0 software package was used for statistical analysis., Results: CCK-8 showed cells incubated for 1, 4 and 7 d in the experimental group had a stronger proliferation ability compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ALP activity test showed that there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05) at 1 d; but after 4 days of culture, cell in the experimental group had an increased ALP activity compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The results of alizarin red staining showed that the number of calcified nodules in the CGF group increased and the area was larger. In the phalloidin staining and DAPI staining, the number of cells in the CGF group increased, the cell spreading surface increased, and the actin shape was clearer. CGF significantly promoted Runx2 mRNA expression(P<0.05)., Conclusions: High concentration of CGF can promote the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and the expression level of related osteogenic gene Runx2.

Purpose: To explore the effect of cinnamaldehyde(CA) on osteogenic function and BMP-2 expression of mice osteoblast., Methods: MC3T3-E1 sub-clone 14 cells were cultured in the presence of CA at 0(control group), 10, 20, 40, 80, 160， 320 μg/mL. The cell proliferation rate was measured by MTT assay 1, 3, 5 d after exposure. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected at 3, 5, 7 d to observe the effect of 6 concentrations of CA on osteoblast function. The mRNA expression of BMP-2 was quantified by real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) 1, 3, 5 d after exposure to (10,20 μg/mL) CA. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17 software package., Results: MTT assay showed that compared with the control group, when 10, 20 μg/mL of CA acted on MC3T3, the absorbance value decreased slightly but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05), while ALP activity increased significantly. CA increased the mRNA expression of BMP-2 at the concentration of 10, 20 μg/mL (P<0.05),decreased the osteoblast proliferation, ALP activity and the mRNA expression of BMP-2 at the concentration of 40, 80, 160， 320 μg/mL (P<0.05); as the concentration of CA increased, the effects became more significant., Conclusions: CA(10, 20 μg/mL) exerted positive effects on osteogenic function, increased the ALP activity and the mRNA expression of BMP-2. It is suggested that the activity of osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic function may be related to the expression of BMP-2.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of IL-1β on inflammatory factors synthesis of human gingival fibroblasts on different surfaces of titaniums in vitro., Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured on 3 different kinds of titaniums. The cells were stimulated with IL-1β, and the IL-6 and IL-8 production was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after 3, 6 and 24 h. The date was statistically analyzed with SPSS13.0 software package., Results: A significant increase of the expression of gingival fibroblasts to inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8) after IL-1β was noted; PCR results of the production of inflammatory factors in gingival fibroblasts with the intervention of IL-1β showed that the production of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8) on titanium and titanium alloy were less than that on the titanium nitride., Conclusions: IL-1β can stimulate high expression of inflammatory factors; The production of IL-6 and IL-8 on titanium and titanium alloy are less, suggesting that implant made of titanium and titanium alloy can reduce the incidence of peri-implant inflammation, and improve the successful rate of implantation.