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BackgroundHookworm disease is endemic in China and is widespread globally. The disease burden to humans is great.MethodsThe study described the national surveillance of hookworm implemented in 31 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (P/A/Ms) of China in 2019. Each P/A/M determined the number and location of surveillance spots (counties). A unified sampling method was employed, and at least 1000 subjects were investigated in each surveillance spot. The modified Kato-Katz thick smear method was employed for stool examination. Fifty samples positive with hookworm eggs were cultured in each surveillance spot to discriminate species between A. duodenale and N. americanus. Twenty-five soil samples were collected from each surveillance spot and examined for hookworm larva. The 2019 surveillance results were analyzed and compared with that of 2016-2018.ResultsA total of 424766 subjects were investigated in 31 P/A/Ms of China in 2019, and the overall hookworm infection rate was 0.85% (3580/424766). The weighted infection and standard infection rates were 0.66% (4288357/648063870) and 0.67% (4343844/648063870), respectively. Sichuan province had the highest standard infection rate (4.75%) in 2019, followed by Chongqing (2.54%) and Hainan (2.44%). The standard infection rates of other P/A/Ms were all below 1%, with no hookworm detected in 15 P/A/Ms. The standard hookworm infection rate in the males and the females were 0.61% (2021216/330728900) and 0.71% (2267141/317334970), respectively, with a significant difference between different genders ([Formula: see text] = 17.23, PConclusionThe national surveillance showed that the hookworm infection rate has been decreasing annually from 2016 to 2019, and it is now below 1%. China has made significant progress in controlling hookworm. The national surveillance system is an important way to understand the endemic status and provide important information in this process and thus needs to be continually optimized.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Early identification and prompt treatment are critical to optimize patient management and improve long-term prognosis. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) are recently emerging non-coding RNAs, and are highly stable and easily detected in the circulation, representing a promising non-invasive approach for predicting NAFLD. A literature search of the Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed and 36 eligible studies were retrieved, including 18 on NAFLD, 13 on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 11 on fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Dynamic changes in lncRNA expression were associated with the occurrence and progression of NAFLD, among which lncRNA NEAT1, MEG3, and MALAT1 exhibited great potential as biomarkers for NAFLD. Moreover, mitochondria-located circRNA SCAR can drive metaflammation and its inhibition might be a promising therapeutic target for NASH. In this systematic review, we highlight the great potential of lncRNA/circRNA for early diagnosis and progression assessment of NAFLD. To further verify their clinical value, large-cohort studies incorporating lncRNA and circRNA expression both in liver tissue and blood should be conducted. Additionally, detailed studies on the functional mechanisms of NEAT1, MEG3, and MALAT1 will be essential for elucidating their roles in diagnosing and treating NAFLD, NASH, and fibrosis.

Dairy farming is the most important economic activity in animal husbandry. Mastitis is the most common disease in dairy cattle and has a significant impact on milk quality and yield. The natural extract allicin, which is the main active ingredient of the sulfur-containing organic compounds in garlic, has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties; however, the specific mechanism underlying its effect on mastitis in dairy cows needs to be determined. Therefore, in this study, whether allicin can reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the mammary epithelium of dairy cows was investigated. A cellular model of mammary inflammation was established by pretreating bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) with 10 µg/mL LPS, and the cultures were then treated with varying concentrations of allicin (0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 µM) added to the culture medium. MAC-T cells were examined using RT–qPCR and Western blotting to determine the effect of allicin. Subsequently, the level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was measured to further explore the mechanism underlying the effect of allicin on bovine mammary epithelial cell inflammation. Treatment with 2.5 µM allicin considerably decreased the LPS-induced increase in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inhibited activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in cow mammary epithelial cells. Further research revealed that allicin also inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa-B-α (IκB-α) and NF-κB p65. In mice, LPS-induced mastitis was also ameliorated by allicin. Therefore, we hypothesize that allicin alleviated LPS-induced inflammation in the mammary epithelial cells of cows probably by affecting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Allicin will likely become an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis in cows.

Abstract The prognosis of Artificial liver support system (ALSS) for hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is hard to be expected, which results in multiple operations of ALSS and excessive consumption of plasma, increase in clinical cost. A total of 375 HBV-ACLF patients receiving ALSS treatment were randomly divided a train set and an independent test set. Logistic regression analysis was conducted and a decision tree was built based on 3-month survival as outcome. The ratio of total bilirubin before and after the first time of ALSS treatment was the most significant prognostic factor, we named it RPTB. Further, a decision tree based on the multivariate logistic regression model using CTP score and the RPTB was built, dividing patients into 3 main groups such as favorable prognosis group, moderate prognosis group and poor prognosis group. A clearly-presented and easily-understood decision tree was built with a good predictive value of prognosis in HBV-related ACLF patients after first-time ALSS treatment. It will help maximal the therapeutic value of ALSS treatment and may play an important role in organ allocation for liver transplantation in the future.

Chinese medicine Di-Long, the dried body of Pheretima vulgaris (Chen) has been used for the treatment of joint inflammation, arthralgia and numbness of limbs for many years. This study was to investigate the anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) effects of Di-Long and to explore its possible mechanisms. The identification and quantification of representative components in Di-Long extracts (DL) were carried out by HPLC analysis. The anti-RA effects and mechanisms of DL were studied in CIA mice, RAW 264.7 macrophages and spleen T lymphocytes. The Th1/Th2 cell ratio in CIA mice spleens were determined by Flow cytometry. The cytokine levels were determined by ELISA method. The expressions of p-NF-κB p65 in ankle joints of CIA mice were detected by Immunohistochemistry analysis. The phosphorylation of NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophages and expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 in CIA mice spleens were determined by Western blots. The treatment with DL significantly decreased the paw thickness, arthritis scores and inflammatory cells infiltration in CIA mice. The TNF-α, IL-6 concentrations in both mice serum and macrophages secretion were markedly reduced with the treatment of DL, as well as the phosphorylation of NF-κB pathway. DL inhibited the expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 and decreased Th1/Th2 cells ratio in CIA mice spleens. DL reduced IFN-γ, IL-2 levels in mice serum and spleen T lymphocytes, and increased IL-4 levels in CIA mice serum. Chinese medicine Di-Long have significant anti-RA effects. The mechanisms might be inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 cells.

This study investigates the characteristics of a turbulent boundary layer in a curved circular pipe under an inflow of Ma = 3.0. The pipe consisted of a straight part and a curved part with a turning angle of 36° and a radius of curvature, γ = R/Rc, of γ = 0.0825. The nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering technique was applied to visualize the structure of the instantaneous flow field, and a large eddy simulation was conducted to uncover the physical aspects of development of the turbulent boundary layer. The distributions of density and vorticity, baroclinic pressure caused by the density and pressure gradients, and other physical quantities were analyzed. The asymmetry of the turbulent boundary layer in the curved part of the pipe, as influenced by curvature, secondary flow, and oblique shock, was obtained as the boundary layer on the inner wall gradually thickened while that on the outer wall gradually thinned. The secondary flow took the mainstream outer bend of the curved pipe and drew the low-energy fluid in the boundary layer to its inner bend, which led to the gradual thickening of the turbulent boundary layer from the outer to the inner bend along the circumferential direction. A low-speed region was formed in the downstream region of the inner part. The intersection between the oblique shock wave and the shear layer led to a high baroclinic pressure that promoted the generation of the vortex and forced the boundary layer to turn and inhibit the separation in the inner part.

Abstract Background FMRP is a selective mRNA-binding protein that regulates protein synthesis at synapses, and its loss may lead to the impairment of trace fear memory. Previously, we found that FMRP levels in the hippocampus of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were decreased. However, the mechanism underlying these changes remains unclear. Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The experimental groups were treated with the single-prolonged stress (SPS) procedure and injected with a lentivirus-mediated inhibitor of miR-142-5p. Behavior test as well as morphology and molecular biology experiments were performed to detect the effect of miR-142 downregulation on PTSD, which was further verified by in vitro experiments. Results We found that silence of miRNA-142 (miR-142), an upstream regulator of FMRP, could alleviate PTSD-like behaviors of rats exposed to the SPS paradigm. MiR-142 silence not only decreased the levels of proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, but also increased the expressive levels of synaptic proteins including PSD95 and synapsin I in the hippocampus, which was one of the key brain regions associated with PTSD. We further detected that miR-142 silence also downregulated the transportation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) into the nuclei of neurons and might further affect the morphology of neurons. Conclusions The results revealed miR-142 downregulation could alleviate PTSD-like behaviors through attenuating neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of SPS rats by binding to FMRP.

Ectopic fat deposition in the liver, known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affects up to 30% of the worldwide population. miRNA-122, the most abundant liver-specific miRNA, protects hepatic steatosis and inhibits cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in NAFLD. Previously, we have shown that compared with its expression in healthy controls, miRNA-122 decreased in the liver tissue but gradually increased in the serum of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, suggesting that miRNA-122 could have been transported to the serum. Here, we aimed to confirm and unravel the mechanism of transportation of miRNA-122 to extra-hepatocytes. Our findings showed a decrease in the intra-hepatocyte miRNA-122 and an increase in the extra-hepatocyte (medium level) miRNA-122, suggesting the miRNA-122 “escaped” from the intra-hepatocyte due to an increased extra-hepatocyte excretion. Using bioinformatics tools, we showed that miRNA-122 binds to circPI4KB, which was further validated by an RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assay. The levels of circPI4KB in intra- and extra-hepatocytes corresponded to that of miRNA-122, and the overexpression of circPI4KB increased the miRNA-122 in extra-hepatocytes, consequently accomplishing a decreased protective role of miRNA-122 in inhibiting the lipid deposition. The present study provides a new explanation for the pathogenesis of the hepatic lipid deposition in NAFLD.

To find an array of suitable materials for phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), in this paper, we design six blue‐green phosphorescent Ir (III) complexes that have low‐efficiency roll‐off properties. Density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory were used to study the properties of (2‐[4‐phenoxyphenyl]pyridine [oppy])2Ir(acetylacetonate [acac]), (oppy)2Ir(picolinate [pic]), (oppy)2Ir(tetraphenylimido‐diphosphinate [tpip]), (5‐fluoro‐2‐(4‐phenoxyphenyl)pyridine [F‐oppy])2Ir(acac), (F‐oppy)2Ir(pic), and (F‐oppy)2Ir(tpip). Here, the main ligands are oppy and F‐oppy, while the auxiliary ligands are acac, pic, and tpip. The advantages of these complexes were analyzed in terms of electronic structure, frontier molecular orbital properties, spectral properties, and OLED display effect. We hope that our research will contribute to the development of the OLED industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High strength intermediate modulus carbon fiber composites are still the main aviation composites in the world at present and for a long time to come. In recent year, based on the experience of high-strength carbon fiber composites, the industrialization technology of high strength intermediate modulus T800 grade carbon fiber have been broken through in China, and the resin matrix, prepreg and manufacturing process were analysized systematically for the high toughness composites reinforced by Chinese T800 grade carbon fiber. The impact resistance of the resin matrix composites reinforced by Chinese T800H grade carbon fiber is at the same level with that of foreign composites, and the hydrothermal resistance of high toughness epoxy resin matrix composites is better than that of foreign composites with the same CAI level. At the same time, the prepreg of Chinese T800H grade carbon fiber reinforced high toughness composites has excellent process ability, and it can meet the requirements of manual-layup, ATL and AFP. Based on the T800 grade composites, the main research goal is to improve the compression mechanical properties, elastic modulus and CAI based on BVID(barely visible impact damage) for high strength intermediate modulus carbon fiber composites in the future.

Objective Caseins and fatty acids of milk are synthesized and secreted by the epithelial cells of the mammary gland. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, has been shown to promote mammary development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ATRA on casein synthesis and fatty acid composition in MAC-T cells. Methods MAC-T cells were allowed to differentiate for 4 d, treated with ATRA (0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μM), and incubated for 3 d. We analyzed the fatty acid composition, the mRNA expression of casein and fatty acid synthesis-related genes, and the phosphorylation of casein synthesis-related proteins of MAC-T cells by gas chromatography, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting, respectively. Results In MAC-T cells, ATRA increased the mRNA levels of αS1-casein and β-casein, janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and E74-like factor 5 of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 β (STAT5-β) pathway, ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, inhibited the mRNA expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E of the mTOR pathway, and promoted the phosphorylation of STAT5-β and S6K1 proteins. Additionally, ATRA increased the de novo synthesis of fatty acids, reduced the content of long-chain fatty acids, the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (SFA), the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to SFA, and the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 PUFA. The mRNA levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) were enhanced by ATRA. Conclusion ATRA promotes the synthesis of casein by regulating JAK2/STAT5 pathway and downstream mTOR signaling pathway, and it improves the fatty acid composition of MAC-T cells by regulating SREBP1-related genes.

Abstract Background Methanogens are crucial to global methane budget and carbon cycling. Methanogens from the phylum Euryarchaeota are currently classified into one class and seven orders, including two novel methanogen taxa, Methanofastidiosa and Methanomassiliicoccales. The relative importance of the novel methanogens to methane production in the natural environment is poorly understood. Results Here, we used a combined metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approach to investigate the metabolic activity of methanogens in mangrove sediments in Futian Nature Reserve, Shenzhen. We obtained 13 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) representing one class (Methanofastidiosa) and five orders (Methanomassiliicoccales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacteriales, Methanocellales, and Methanosarcinales) of methanogens, including the two novel methanogens. Comprehensive annotation indicated the presence of an H2–dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis pathway in Methanofastidiosa and Methanomassiliicoccales. Based on the functional gene analysis, hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic methanogenesis are the dominant pathways in mangrove sediments. MAG mapping revealed that hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales were the most abundant methanogens and that methylotrophic Methanomassiliicoccales were the most active methanogens in the analyzed sediment profile, suggesting their important roles in methane production. Conclusions Partial or near-complete genomes of two novel methanogen taxa, Methanofastidiosa and Methanomassiliicoccales, in natural environments were recovered and analyzed here for the first time. The presented findings highlight the ecological importance of the two novel methanogens and complement knowledge of how methane is produced in mangrove ecosystem. This study implies that two novel methanogens play a vital role in carbon cycle. Video Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deficiency is a common problem for apple (Malus×domestica) production in arid regions of China. However, N utilization efficiency (NUE) of different apple cultivars grown under low N conditions in arid regions has not been evaluated. In this study, NUE was assessed for one-year-old seedlings of six apple cultivars, Golden Delicious, Qinguan, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Fuji and Pink Lady, grafted onto Malus hupehensis Rehd. rootstocks. Four treatments were used, including control water with control N (CWCN), limited water with control N (LWCN), control water with low N (CWLN) and limited water with low N (LWLN). Our results showed that growth indices such as biomass, plant height and stem diameter, and photosynthetic rate of all cultivars decreased in the order CWCN>CWLN>LWCN>LWLN. When subjected to LWLN treatment, Qinguan showed better growth and photosynthetic characters than other tested cultivars. Additionally, Qinguan and Pink Lady had higher NUE, while Honeycrisp and Jonagold had lower NUE, based on the determination of biomass, photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), 15N and N contents.

Abstract Background Diabetic patients are highly vulnerable to hypoxic injury, which is associated with hypoxia induced BNIP3 expression that subsequently activate apoptosis. Our previous research show that Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a food flavoring agent, represses the hypoxia induced BNIP3 expression attenuate myocardial apoptosis. In this study, we evaluate the effect of TMP to provide protection against hypoxia aggravated high-glucose associated cellular apoptosis. Methods The cytoprotective effect of TMP against high glucose induced cellular damages was determined on embryo derived H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells that were subjected to 5% hypoxia for 24 h and subjected to different duration of 33 mM high glucose challenge. Further, the involvement of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in cellular damage and the mechanism of protection of TMP were determined by overexpression and silencing HIF-1α and BNIP3 protein expression. Results The results show that hypoxic effects on cell viability aggravates with high glucose challenge and this augmentative effect is mediated through BNIP3 in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. However, TMP administration effectively reversed the augmented HIF-1α levels and BNIP3 elevation. TMP improved the survival of H9c2 cells and effectively suppressed apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Further comparison on the effects of TMP on H9c2 cells challenged with high glucose and those challenged with hypoxia show that TMP precisely regulated the hypoxic intensified apoptotic effects in high-glucose condition. Conclusion The results clearly show that flavoring agent-TMP attenuates cytotoxicity amplified by hypoxia challenge in high glucose condition by destabilizing HIF-1α.

Objective To effectively use corn stover resources as animal feed, we explored the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of corn stover during field exposure and the fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and cellulase. Methods Corn ears including the cobs and shucks were harvested at the ripe stage. The corn stover was exposed in the field under natural weather conditions. Silages were prepared after 0, 2, 4, 7, 15, 30, and 60 d of exposure. Corn stover was chopped into approximately 1 to 2 cm lengths and then packed into 5 liter plastic silos. The ensiling density was 550.1±20.0 g/L of fresh matter, and the silos were kept at room temperature (10°C to 25°C). Silage treatments were designed as follows: without additives (control), with LAB, with cellulase, and with LAB+ cellulase. After 45 d of fermentation, the silos were opened for chemical composition, fermentation quality and in vitro digestion analyses. Results After harvest, corn stover contained 78.19% moisture, 9.01% crude protein (CP) and 64.54% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on a dry matter (DM) basis. During field exposure, the DM, NDF, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of corn stover increased, whereas the CP and water-soluble carbohydrate contents and in vitro digestibility of the DM and CP decreased (p

Soil alkalinity is a major factor that restricts the growth of apple roots. To analyze the response of apple roots to alkali stress, the root structure and endogenous hormones of two apple rootstocks, Malus prunifolia (alkali-tolerant) and Malus hupehensis (alkali-sensitive), were compared. To understand alkali tolerance of M. prunifolia at the molecular level, transcriptome analysis was performed. When plants were cultured in alkaline conditions for 15 d, the root growth of M. hupehensis with weak alkali tolerance decreased significantly. Analysis of endogenous hormone levels showed that the concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and zeatin riboside (ZR) in M. hupehensis under alkali stress were lower than those in the control. However, the trend for IAA and ZR in M. prunifolia was the opposite. The concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) in the roots of the two apple rootstocks under alkali stress increased, but the concentration of ABA in the roots of M. prunifolia was higher than that in M. hupehensis. The expression of IAA-related genes ARF5, GH3.6, SAUR36, and SAUR32 and the Cytokinin (CTK)-related gene IPT5 in M. prunifolia was higher than those in the control, but the expression of these genes in M. hupehensis was lower than those in the control. The expression of ABA-related genes CIPK1 and AHK1 increased in the two apple rootstocks under alkali stress, but the expression of CIPK1 and AHK1 in M. prunifolia was higher than in M. hupehensis. These results demonstrated that under alkali stress, the increase of IAA, ZR, and ABA in roots and the increase of the expression of related genes promoted the growth of roots and improved the alkali tolerance of apple rootstocks.

BackgroundBased on two national surveys, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in China had decreased from 53.58% in 1988-1992 to 19.56% in 2001-2004. To update the epidemiology and characteristics of STH in China, a third national survey was implemented in 2014-2015.Methodology/principal findingsThis survey covered rural areas in 31 provinces in mainland of China. Multiple-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed, which included three levels (provinces, ecozones and economical levels). Stool samples were collected and the Kato-Katz method was applied for helminth eggs detection. Samples with hookworm eggs were selected and hatched to differentiate the species based on larval morphology. Between June 2014 and May 2015, a total of 484,210 participants from 604 counties were enrolled. The weighted prevalence of STH overall was 4.49% (95% confidential interval (CI): 2.45%-6.53%), including 2.62% (95% CI: 0.86%-4.38%) hookworm infections, 1.36% (95% CI: 0.49%-2.23%) ascariasis, and 1.02% (95% CI: 0.15%-1.89%) trichuriasis. The estimated population infected was 29.12 million (95% CI: 15.88 million-42.32 million) for all STH; 16.97 million (95% CI: 5.57 million-28.39 million) for hookworm infections; 8.83 million (95% CI: 3.18 million-14.45 million) for ascariasis; and 6.60 million (95% CI: 0.97 million-12.25 million) for trichuriasis. Overall, the prevalence of ascariasis and trichuriasis was relatively high in children, while hookworm infections were more common in the older population, especially those over 60. STH was highly prevalent in western China, and moderately in central areas, but low in eastern and northern regions. Out of 3,579 hookworm cases with species differentiation, 479 cases (13.38%) were infected with only Ancylostoma spp., 2,808 cases (78.46%) with only Necator americanus, and another 292 cases (8.16%) with both species.Conclusions/significanceThis survey demonstrated the continuous decrease of STH in rural China. However, endemicity still prevails in the western areas of the country. Hookworm, especially N. americanus, is becoming the predominant species. Older farmers in western China should be prioritized for control due to the high prevalence of hookworm.