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PURPOSE Cumulative doses of 200 mg/m2 for concurrent cisplatin (DDP) were indicated by retrospective studies as sufficient in conferring survival benefit for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). We performed an open-label, phase II, randomized, controlled trial to test the noninferiority of a two-cycle 100 mg/m2 concurrent DDP regimen over three-cycle in patients with low-risk LA-NPC with pretreatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA levels < 4,000 copies/mL. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive two cycles or three cycles concurrent DDP-based chemoradiotherapy. The primary end point was 3-year progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary end points included overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, etc. RESULTS Between September 2016 and October 2018, 332 patients were enrolled, with 166 in each arm. After a median follow-up of 37.7 months, the estimated 3-year PFS rates were 88.0% in the two-cycle group and 90.4% in the three-cycle group, with a difference of 2.4% (95% CI, –4.3 to 9.1, Pnoninferiority = .014). No differences were observed between groups in terms of PFS, overall survival, and the cumulative incidences of locoregional relapse and distant metastasis. Patients in the three-cycle group developed significantly more grade 3-4 mucositis (41 [24.8%] v 25 [15.1%]), hyponatremia (26 [15.8%] v 14 [8.4%]), and dermatitis (9 [5.5%] v 2 [1.2%]). The overall all-grade and grade 3-4 toxicity burdens were heavier in three-cycle group (T-scores, 12.33 v 10.57, P < .001 for all grades; 1.76 v 1.44, P = .05 for grade 3-4). Patients in the three-cycle group also showed more all-grade hearing impairment, dry mouth and skin fibrosis, and impaired long-term quality of life. CONCLUSION Intensity-modulated radiotherapy plus two cycles of concurrent 100 mg/m2 DDP could be an alternative treatment option for patients with low-risk LA-NPC.

The frequent variation of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) antigen is the main cause of influenza pandemic. Therefore, the study of B cell epitopes of HA is of great significance in the prevention and control of influenza virus. In this study, the cleavage vaccine of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was used as immunogen, and the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared by conventional hybridoma fusion and screening techniques. The characteristics of mAbs were identified by ELISA method, Western-blot test and hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). Using the obtained mAbs as a tool, the B cell epitopes of HA were predicted by ELISA blocking test, sandwich ELISA method and computer simulation method. Finally, four mAbs against HA antigen of H1N1 influenza virus were obtained. The results of ELISA and computer prediction showed that there were at least two types of epitopes on HA of influenza virus. This study provides experimental data for improving the prediction of HA epitopes of influenza viruses and developing potential influenza vaccines, and also provides a new method for the prediction of other pathogenic microorganisms.

Pests have caused substantial damage to the human environments; therefore, studying insecticidal mechanisms is crucial for improving pest control. However, irreversible secondary damage caused by chemical pesticides must be considered. In this study, we used network pharmacology to determine that Sophora flavescens Alt. mainly acts on glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase, thymidylate synthase, and translocation protein in aphids, thereby resulting in effective pest control. The stability and reliability of target proteins were analyzed by molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Enzyme activity assays validated the feasibility of network pharmacology to obtain actionable targets. We used interdisciplinary integration to study pest control and used network pharmacology to identify how Sophora flavescens Alt. resists aphids. The results show that network pharmacology increases the accuracy and specificity of predicted molecules targeted by insecticides. Our approach will facilitate improved, environmentally friendly pest control.

Sex and age may affect the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, such as cardiovascular risk factors, treatment and prognosis, but this information is not well known.This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with unstable angina pectoris between January 2013 and June 2018 were included and stratified into 4 age groups (55, 55-64, 65-74 and ≥75 years). The cardiovascular risk factors profile, treatment and in-hospital prognosis differences by sex and age were explored.This study included 5,908 patients (2,198 women). The women were older than the men (mean age 67 vs. 62 years). Approximately 2 of 3 patients had ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors. Men were more likely to be smokers, and women had a higher level of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease were more frequent in women ≥ 65 years old than in similarly aged men. Men and women less than 65 years of age had more frequent family history of coronary heart disease, higher body mass index, higher fasting plasma glucose, and higher lipid levels, especially for patients55 years of age. More women tended to receive medical therapy than men (51.6% vs. 42.8%, P0.01). The overall incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in men than in women (4.1% vs. 2.6%, P0.05), whereas there was no sex difference in the in-hospital cardiac mortality (0.2% vs. 0.2%, P0.05).Women had higher cholesterol levels, and were less likely to undergo revascularization therapy than similarly aged men, and elderly women had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease than elderly men. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events were lower in women than in men; however, there was no sex difference in the in-hospital cardiac mortality.

"AIM: To systematically review and Meta-analyze studies of managing open angle glaucoma (OAG) with gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and to evaluate its effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved and screened from five main electronic databases. Mean difference (MD) was hired to show the pooled effectiveness of intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication decrease achieved by GATT. In addition, combined surgical success and reoperation rates were calculated, and complications were also summarized. RESULTS: Ten studies were included for systematic review, but one study was not pooled for Meta-analysis due to the repeated data. The combined IOP decrease after GATT was 9.81 mm Hg (95%CI: 7.98-11.63 mm Hg) which showed significant reduction from the baselines (Z=10.52, P

To systematically search and sort out the clinical randomized controlled trial(RCT) on the prevention and treatment of acute cerebral infarction with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) by using the method of evidence map, and to understand the evidence distribution of related studies. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were retrieved from January 2016 to September 2020, and literatures related to the prevention and treatment of acute cerebral infarction with traditional Chinese medicine were included. Text description combined with table and bubble chart were used to analyze the distribution characteristics of evidence. A total of 1 102 clinical articles in recent five years were retrieved. The annual trend of clinical study publication, study size, TCM therapy category and main scheme, and study literature quality were analyzed. We find that TCM treatment of acute cerebral infarction has become a hot topic of clinical research, the number of literature showed a trend of increased year by year, various means of intervention of TCM in the treatment of the advantages of increasingly highlight. Follow-up clinical research should highlight the characteristics of TCM: in the analysis of outcome indicators; increase the neuropsychological patients after stroke and cognitive ability, and the theory of combined treatment of TCM disease when thoughts; At the same time, the quality of clinical research needs to be improved. At present, there is still a lack of unified standards for the production of evidence map. This study is the first to explore the application of evidence map to summarize and display the clinical research status of TCM treatment of acute cerebral infarction, and combine it with the setting of priority areas of TCM clinical research, so as to provide a reference basis for determining the priority topic selection of TCM treatment optimization research.

To overview the systematic reviews of Panax notoginseng saponins in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMbase databases were retrieved to collect the systematic reviews of the efficacy of P. notoginseng saponins in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. The retrieval time was from the time of database establishment to January 2021. After two researchers independently screened out the literature and extracted the data, AMSTAR-2 scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews, GRADE system was used to grade the quality of evidences of the outcome indicators, and the efficacy evaluation was summarized. A total of 5 systematic reviews were included. AMSTAR-2 evaluation results showed that 3 items were relatively complete, while 4 items had a poor overall quality. P. notoginseng saponins combined with conventional Western medicine therapy was superior to single conventional therapy in the recovery of neurological function, enhancement of the total effective rate in clinic, and improvement of activities of daily living. GRADE evaluation results showed that the quality of evidence was from low quality to very low quality. In conclusion, in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction, P. notoginseng saponins can improve the clinical efficacy, with a good safety but a not high methodological quality and a low evidence quality. It is suggested that high-quality clinical studies shall be further carried out to provide evidence-based basis for the application of P. notoginseng saponins in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction.

There have been many clinical trials, systematic reviews/Meta-analysis proving that Xingnaojing Injection has a good clinical efficacy in treatment of cerebral ischaemic stroke, but with fewer comprehensive descriptions. In this study, an overview of systematic reviews/Meta-analysis of Xingnaojing Injection in treating cerebral ischaemic stroke was performed to provide current situation of evidences and basis for clinical practice. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science were retrieved through computers. A total of 6 literatures were included in this study. By AMSTAR-2 checklist and GRADE, the quality of included systematic reviews and the efficacy of Xingnaojing Injection were evaluated. The results of AMSTAR-2 checklist showed an extremely low quality for all of the 6 systematic reviews. According to the results of GRADE evaluation, among 55 outcomes, there were 2 outcomes with a medium quality, 4 outcomes with a low quality and 49 outcomes with an extremely low quality. The 6 systematic reviews reached a consistent conclusion that Xingnaojing Injection was effective in the treatment of cerebral ischaemic stroke. This therapy could improve the total efficacy, neurological deficit scores, hemodynamic and hemodynamic parameters. However, the methodolo-gical quality of all literatures was extremely low. The evidence levels of outcomes were between extremely low to medium. The effectiveness of Xingnaojing Injection in the treatment of cerebral ischaemic stroke still needs to be further verified by more high-quality studies. In the future, relevant clinical studies and systematic reviews/Meta-analysis shall be carried out in a strict accordance with relevant regulations.

To analyze the use of outcome indicators of randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in recent three years, so as to provide a basis for building a study on the core outcome indicators for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with acupuncture. The RCTs of acupuncture treatment for acute ischemic stroke in recent three years were collec-ted through computer retrieval of eight Chinese and English databases and two clinical trial registries at home and abroad. Literature was screened out, and data was extracted. Risk of assessment bias tool Cochrane 6.1 was used for bias risk assessment, outcome indicators were summarized and analyzed. A total of 47 RCTs were included, and 3 studies were trials registration scheme. Outcome indicators were divided into 6 categories according to functional attributes, namely physical symptoms/signs, physical and chemical examination, quality of life, traditional Chinese medicine symptoms/syndromes, safety events and long-term prognosis. The study found that in addition to the common problems in previous studies covered by the status quo of outcome indicators selection of RCT of acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, there were also the other problems as follows: emphasis on macroscopic efficacy indicators but neglect of acupuncture specific indicators, lack of characteristic indicators and economic indicators of traditional Chinese medicine therapy, and unification of indicators measurement tool and measurement time point. In the future, the outcome indicators set for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with acupuncture shall be established, and the core outcome indicators set shall be in line with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Importance. Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) are proven to have antiplatelet effects in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Objective. To assess the efficacy and safety of PNS on antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of AIS. Methods. We searched 7 literature databases and 2 clinical studies databases for randomized controlled studies (RCTs) evaluating PNS as an adjuvant therapy for AIS. Relevant studies were retrieved and screened, and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool. Meta-analysis was carried out with the Rev Man 5.4 software. Results. Of 8267 records identified, 43 RCTs met our inclusion criteria (n = 4170 patients). Patients assigned to PNS with conventional treatments (CTs) had improved functional independence at 90 days compared with those assigned to CTs alone (RR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.37, to 2.55, P < 0.0001 ). Patients who received PNS combined with CTs showed significantly high improvements in neurological function among individuals with AIS on the neurologic deficit score (NDS) (MDCSS = −5.71, 95% CI = −9.55 to −1.87, P = 0.004 ; MDNIHSS = −3.94, 95% CI = −5.65 to −2.23, P < 0.00001 ). The results also showed PNS contributed to a betterment in activities of daily living (ADL) on the Barthel index (MDday10 BI = 4.86, 95% CI = 2.18, to 7.54, P < 0.00001 ; MDday 14 BI = 13.92, 95% CI = 11.46 to 16.38, P < 0.00001 ; MDday 28 BI = 7.16, 95% CI = 0.60, to 13.72, P < 0.00001 ). In addition, PNS, compared with CTs alone, could significantly improve overall response rate (ORR) (RRNIHSS = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.16, to 1.24, P < 0.00001 ; RRCSS = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.08, to 1.24, P < 0.0001 ), hemorheological parameters, maximum platelet aggregation rate (MPAR) (MD = −6.82, 95% CI = −9.62 to −4.02, P < 0.00001 ), platelet parameters (MDPLT = 4.85, 95% CI = 1.82 to 7.84, P = 0.002 ; MDMPV = −0.79, 95% CI = −1.09 to −0.48, P < 0.00001 ), and serum CD62P (MD = −0.21, 95% CI = −0.29 to −0.13, P < 0.00001 ). The incidence of adverse reactions in PNS was lower than that in the control group (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.97, P = 0.04 ). Adverse reactions in the PNS were mild adverse reactions. Conclusion. PNS may be effective and safe in treating AIS on ameliorating neurological deficit, improving activities of daily living function, and enhancing antiplatelet effects. However, more high-quality evidence is needed before it can be recommended for routine antiplatelet therapy in patients with AIS.

Patients undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are generally considered to have successful clinical outcomes; however, there are still significant differences in clinical outcomes among these patients. The aim of the study was to find a common indicator to predict the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in this population.A total of 3986 patients with ACS were divided into 4 groups based on the quartile (Q) values of peak N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measured during hospitalization. The incidence of MACCE was compared among Q1-Q4 groups during follow up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors of MACCE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to compare the area under the curve (AUC) for MACCE by adding NT-proBNP to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score.NT-proBNP was significantly positively correlated with peak values of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) (r = 0.418), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r = 0.397) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (r = 0.075) (P0.001). The risks of composite MACCE (5.6%, 9.1%, 13.0%, 20.1%, P0.001), all-cause death (1.0%, 2.5%, 4.1%, 8.4%, P0.001) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (2.0%, 3.4%, 4.8%, 6.2%, P0.001) were significantly higher in the higher Q groups. In multivariate analysis, the Q4 group displayed an independent 2.2-fold increase for MACCE compared to Q1 (HR: 2.16; 95%CI: 1.57-2.99; P0.001). Compared with TIMI risk score alone, TIMI+NT-proBNP showed improved AUCs: cardiovascular death (P = 0.0008), and heart failure requiring hospitalization (P = 0.0017).In patients with ACS with successful PCI and normal LVEF, elevated NT-proBNP was significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes. These results suggest that NT-proBNP is a useful biomarker for prognosis and risk stratification in this population.

Purpose This study assessed the correlation between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) biomarkers and the eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and the prognostic values of IgG antibodies against replication and transcription activator (Rta-IgG), IgA antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1, and BamH1 Z transactivator (Zta-IgA) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.Materials and Methods Serum EBV antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 435 newly diagnosed stage III-IVA NPC patients administered intensity-modulated radiation therapy±chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).Results Rta-IgG and Zta-IgA levels were positively correlated with the N category and clinical stage. Patients with high Rta-IgG levels (> 29.07 U/mL) showed a significantly inferior prognosis as indicated by PFS (77% vs. 89.8%, p=0.004), distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) (88.3% vs. 95.8%, p=0.021), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (91.2% vs. 98.3%, p=0.009). High Rta-IgG levels were also significantly associated with inferior PFS and LRFS in multivariable analyses. In the low-level EBV DNA group (≤ 1,500 copies/mL), patients with high Rta-IgG levels had significantly inferior PFS and DMFS (both p < 0.05). However, in the high-level EBV DNA group, Rta-IgG levels were not significantly associated with PFS, DMFS, and LRFS. In the advanced T category (T3-4) subgroup, high Rta-IgG levels were also significantly associated with inferior PFS, DMFS, and LRFS (both p < 0.05).Conclusion Rta-IgG and Zta-IgA levels were strongly correlated with the TNM classification. Rta-IgG level was a negative prognostic factor in locoregionally advanced NPC patients, especially those with advanced T category or low EBV DNA level.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled six confirmed cases of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (n=6) who were admitted in the pediatric respiratory ward of Shandong provincial hospital Affiliated to Shandong first Medical University between January 1st, 2020and February 29th, 2020. Levofloxacin was given to the patients through the intravenous or oral route as per the following dosages :< 5 years, 8-10 mg/kg q12hours; > 5 years, 8-10 mg/kg, qd for ten days. The clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results: The average age of the enrolled cases was six years and nine months (range, four years, and seven months to eleven years and seven months). All cases were found to be drug-resistant and were treated with azithromycin combined with antibacterial drugs. Levofloxacin was used in the patient’s refractory to macrolide antibiotics. The temperature of five cases returned to normal 1 to 2 days after treatment with levofloxacin, and the imaging of the four cases showed expected improvements. The gastrointestinal symptoms, neurological manifestations, joint symptoms, blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, and exercise conditions of the children were closely monitored. The follow-up time of the patients ranged from one week to five months. No drug-related adverse reactions were observed in patients during treatment or during follow up.Conclusions: The clinical symptoms and imaging significantly improved after treatment with levofloxacin, and no drug-related adverse reactions were observed. Levofloxacin proved to be an effective and safe drug in the treatment of children with macrolide-resistant mycoplasma pneumonia.

Background: Does N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predict subsequent major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral event (MACCE) in patients received successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)? Methods: 3986 ACS patients were divided into 4 groups based on the quartile (Q) values of peak NT-proBNP measured during hospitalization. All patients were followed for MACCE, a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, and heart failure requiring hospitalization (HFRH), during a median of 35 months. The incidence of MACCE was compared among Q1-Q4. Receiver operation characteristic curves (ROC) were generated to compare the area under the curve (AUC) for MACCE, cardiovascular (CV) death and HFRH by adding NT-proBNP to the TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) risk score.Results: The incidences of MACCE (5.6%, 9.1%, 13.0%, 20.1%, P P P P P =0.438). Each median level (337pg/ml) increase in NT-proBNP was significantly and independently associated with increased risk of MACCE (HR 1.02, 95%CI, 1.01-1.03; P P =0.0008), and HFRH (0.68 vs. 0.66, P =0.0017), MACCE (0.70 vs. 0.69, P =0.0012), respectively. Conclusion: NT-proBNP was significantly and independently associated with increased risk of subsequent MACCE in 3 years in ACS patients who received successful PCI and had normal LVEF, and improved the prognosis of major adverse events in addition to the TIMI risk score.

In the central canal, F-actin is predominantly localized in the apical region, forming a ring-like structure around the circumference of the lumen. However, an exception is found in the medulla oblongata, where the apical F-actin becomes interrupted in the ventral aspect of the canal. To clarify the precise localization of F-actin, the fluorescence signals for F-actin were converted to the peroxidase/DAB reaction products in this study by a phalloidin-based ultrastructural technique, which demonstrated that F-actin is located mainly in the microvilli and terminal webs in the ependymocytes. It is because the ventrally oriented ependymocytes do not possess well-developed microvilli or terminal web that led to a discontinuous labeling of F-actin in the medullary canal. Since spinal motions can change the shape and size of the central canal, we next examined the cytoskeletons in the medullary canal in both rats and monkeys, because these two kinds of animals show different kinematics at the atlanto-occipital articulation. Our results first demonstrated that the apical F-actin in the medullary canal is differently organized in the animals with different head-neck kinemics, which suggests that the mechanic stretching of spinal motions is capable of inducing F-actin reorganization and the subsequent cell-shape changes in the central canal.

// Bo Yang 1 , Qiu-Yun Xu 2 , Chun-Yan Guo 2 , Jin-Wen Huang 2 , Shu-Mei Wang 2 , Yong-Mei Li 1 , Ying Tu 3 , Li He 3 , Zhi-Gang Bi 4 , Chao Ji 2 , Bo Cheng 2 1 Department of Dermatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China 2 Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China 3 Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Provincial Institute of Dermatology, Kunming, China 4 Department of Dermatology, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China Correspondence to: Bo Cheng, email: chengbofjmu@163.com Chao Ji, email: surpassing_ji@aliyun.com Keywords: ultra violet (UV), skin cell damage, MHY1485, mTOR, Nrf2 Received: October 19, 2016 Accepted: December 08, 2016 Published: January 04, 2017 ABSTRACT Ultra Violet (UV)-caused skin cell damage is a main cause of skin cancer. Here, we studied the activity of MHY1485, a mTOR activator, in UV-treated skin cells. In primary human skin keratinocytes, HaCaT keratinocytes and human skin fibroblasts, MHY1485 ameliorated UV-induced cell death and apoptosis. mTOR activation is required for MHY1485-induced above cytoprotective actions. mTOR kinase inhibitors (OSI-027, AZD-8055 and AZD-2014) or mTOR shRNA knockdown almost abolished MHY1485-induced cytoprotection. Further, MHY1485 treatment in skin cells activated mTOR downstream NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling, causing Nrf2 Ser-40 phosphorylation, stabilization/upregulation and nuclear translocation, as well as mRNA expression of Nrf2-dictated genes. Contrarily, Nrf2 knockdown or S40T mutation almost nullified MHY1485-induced cytoprotection. MHY1485 suppressed UV-induced reactive oxygen species production and DNA single strand breaks in skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Together, we conclude that MHY1485 inhibits UV-induced skin cell damages via activating mTOR-Nrf2 signaling.

We examined the association of N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), a marker of cardiac remodeling, with subsequent major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral event (MACCE) in patients had successful PCI for ACS and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Of a total of

After status epilepticus (SE), actin cytoskeleton (F-actin) becomes progressively deconstructed in the hippocampus, which is consistent with the delayed pyramidal cell death in both time course and spatial distribution. A variety of experiments show that calcineurin inhibitors such as FK506 are able to inhibit the SE-induced actin depolymerization. However, it is still unclear what changes happen to the F-actin in the epileptic brain after FK506 treatment. A pilocarpine model of SE in mice was used to examine the effects of FK506 on the F-actin in the hippocampal neurons. The post SE (PSE) mice with or without FK506 treatment were monitored consecutively for 14 days to examine the frequency and duration of spontaneous seizures. The effects of FK506 on the activity of cofilin and actin dynamics were assessed at 7 and 14 d PSE by western blots. The organization of F-actin, neuronal cell death, and glial reactions were investigated by phalloidin staining, histological and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. As compared to the PSE + vehicle mice, FK506 treatment significantly decreased the frequency and duration of spontaneous seizures. Relative to the PSE + vehicle mice, western blots detected a partial restoration of phosphorylated cofilin and a significant increase of F/G ratio in the hippocampus after FK506 treatment. In the PSE + vehicle mice, almost no F-actin puncta were left in the CA1 and CA3 subfields at 7 and 14 d PSE. FK506-treated PSE mice showed a similar decrease of F-actin, but the extent of damage was significantly ameliorated. Consistently, the surviving neurons became significantly increased in number after FK506 treatment, relative to the PSE + vehicle groups. After FK506 treatment, microglial reaction was partially inhibited, but the expression of GFAP was not significantly changed, compared to the PSE + vehicle mice. The results suggest that post-epileptic treatment with FK506 ameliorated, but could not stop the deconstruction of F-actin or the delayed neuronal loss in the PSE mice.

Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, demonstrated cytoprotective actions beyond glycemic control in recent studies. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of exendin-4 on high glucose (HG)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the possible mechanisms. Rat cardiomyocytes were divided into 3 groups: normal glucose group (NG group), HG group and HG +exendin-4 group (HG+Ex Group). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was evaluated by double-staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) and flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCHF-DA) incubation and fluorescence microscopy. LY294002 (LY), a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway inhibitor, was added to the medium of the HG+Ex+LY Group for further western blot analysis. The proteins analyzed involved oxidative stress-associated proteins, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and apoptosis-associated proteins, caspase-3, Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and p-AKT/AKT. HG treatment induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis (P = 0.00) and clearly upregulated ROS production (P = 0.00); exendin-4 co-incubation also ameliorated cardiomyocyte apoptosis (P = 0.004) and decreased ROS (P = 0.00) level significantly. HO-1 and Nrf-2 protein expression levels decreased significantly in the HG group (P < 0.05), but the levels were elevated by exendin-4 intervention (P < 0.05). Furthermore, exendin-4 attenuated HG-induced higher protein expression, including cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein (P < 0.05). However, these impacts of exendin-4 were counteracted significantly by co-incubation with LY294002. In addition, exendin-4 ameliorated HG-induced p-AKT/AKT lower expression, and this impact was also suppressed by LY294002. Exendin-4 ameliorates HG-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and the mechanisms may involve anti-oxidative stress via the HO-1/Nrf-2 system, as well as intervention of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

The down-regulation of microtubule proteins has been widely documented in the ischemic brain, but the temporal or spatial alteration of microtubules has not been systematically investigated in the vulnerable areas after ischemia. By examining the stability and distribution of microtubules following transient global ischemia, we found that the biomarkers of stable microtubules, MAP2 and acetylated α-tubulin, became significantly down-regulated in the CA1 stratum radiatum of rat hippocampus and that the neuron-specific microtubule protein, class III β-tubulin, was progressively decreased in the same region. Surprisingly, pan-β-tubulin, which is expressed at a low level in glial cells under physiological conditions, was significantly increased in reactive astrocytes after ischemia. The finding was supported by protein quantification and confocal microscopy analysis, and consistent with the different vulnerabilities of neuronal and glial cells to the ischemic insult. To our knowledge, the different responses of microtubules between neuronal and glial cells have not been described in the ischemic brain before. The deconstruction of microtubules in the neurons is expected to contribute to the selective and delayed neuronal death in the vulnerable brain regions, while the increased microtubules in the reactive astrocytes may play an important role in the shape conversion of astrocytes induced by ischemia.

In this study, the effects of sea-buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves (SL) on the biochemical parameters and metabolomic profiling in Altay lamb (Ovis aries) were observed. Sixty six-month-old male Altay lambs (body weight 28.0 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=15). The experimental groups were named as CON, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%. The group CON, contained animals fed with a basal diet. Animals of the other groups were fed a treatment diet consisting of 2.5% (Group 2.5%), 5.0% (Group 5.0%) and 7.5% (Group 7.5%) SL. The experimental period lasted 56 days. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased with the increase in the levels of dietary SL. Dietary SL showed a direct relationship with total protein (TP), albumin, globulin and total cholesterol (TC) content of the experimental animals. However, an indirect relationship was observed between dietary SL and the concentration of urea nitrogen (UN). The concentrations of glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed quadratic change. Additional changes occurred in the endogenous metabolites involving multiple pathways. The pathways were tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the metabolism of protein and amino acid and the metabolism of fatty acid and steroid. The changes in metabolites primarily revealed an increase in amino acids and carbohydrates and a decrease in lipid metabolites. These findings provide a comprehensive insight into the effects of the metabolic aspects of sea-buckthorn leaves on Altay lambs. In addition, the present research results provide a better understanding to the development and utilization of sea-buckthorn as a healthy additive for small ruminant production. Keywords: Hippophae rhamnoides L., lamb, metabolomics, growth performance, serum parameters

Objective To study the protective effect of the water extract from Paeoniae Radix Rubra (WEPRR) against myocardial ischemia in mice induced by isoproterenol (ISO). Methods The mice were randomly divided into six groups: positive control, normal control, model, low-, mid-, and high-dose [0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 g/(kg·d)] WEPRR groups. The mice in WEPRR groups were ig administered with WEPRR, the mice in the positive control group were ig administered with 0.98% Di'ao Xinxue Kang [(0.195 g/(kg·d)], and the mice in normal and model groups were ig administered with the same volume of physiological saline once daily for consecutive 11 d. On the day 7 from the beginning of the ig administration, the mice in the model and WEPRR groups were ip perfused with 0.02 g/(kg·d) ISO. After 15 min of the last medication, the mice were anesthetized with isoflurane gas, the blood was collected through venous sinus of eye orbit, then the mice were killed. The heart tissues were rapidly removed from the mice, washed in physiological saline, soaked in filter paper, and stored in −80 C until use. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), creatine kinase (CK) in serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the heart of mice were determined, respectively. Results Compared with the model group, the activities of LDH, CK-MB, and CK in serum, and the SOD of mice in the positive control and WEPRR groups were increased and the content of MDA in heart was decreased. Conclusion The WEPRR has the cardioprotective activities on ISO-induced myocardial ischemia.

In this paper, Zn 3 (BTC) 2 (BTC: 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) films were successfully fabricated on the substrate of a zinc plate using in situ microwave. The structure and morphology of the obtained MOF films were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and so on. And the Zn 3 (BTC) 2 film shows a better performance in the photodegradation of MB dye than the commercial TiO 2 powder under the similar conditions. The experimental results also confirmed that the Zn 3 (BTC) 2 film displays well long-term stability.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds fromInula heleniumwas studied. Effects of ethanol concentration, ultrasonic time, solid-liquid ratio, and number of extractions were investigated. An orthogonal array was constructed to optimize UAE process. The optimized extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration, 30%; solid-liquid ratio, 1 : 20; number of extractions, 2 times; extraction time, 30 min. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of total phenolic compounds and chlorogenic acid was6.13±0.58and1.32±0.17 mg/g, respectively. The results showed that high amounts of phenolic compounds can be extracted fromI. heleniumby ultrasound-assisted extraction technology.

The long non-coding RNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) has been shown to be dysregulated in various types of malignant cancer; however, its underlying mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the biological role and clinical significance of TUG1 in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). A reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was used to evaluate TUG1 expression in tissues from patients with CRC. The effect of TUG1 on cell viability of CRC cells using MTT assay. The influence of TUG1 on tumorigenesis was monitored using an in vivo xenograft model. The status of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was evaluated using immunofluorescence, western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. The results demonstrated that the expression of TUG1 was positively associated with the pathological grade and clinical stage of CRC patients. Knockdown of TUG1 inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells and attenuated the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CRC cells. In addition, TUG1 knockdown inhibited the tumorigenicity in the in vivo CRC xenograft model, as well as the nuclear localization of β-catenin and downstream gene transcription. Taken together, the data of the present study highlighted the pivotal role of the TUG1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in CRC, which could be targeted to improve the therapeutic efficacy of CRC.

The microbiological and biochemical characteristics of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process was summarized. With respect to the microbiology, the competition and relationship among the main microbes in the system, including poly-phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) and denitrified PAOs (DPAOs) were concluded. A wide variety of PAOs were separated from the EBPR system and the Accumulibacter was considered a typical PAO, existing in all kinds of EBPR systems. There was still controversy concerning the relationship between PAOs and GAOs and the classification of DPAOs. With respect to the biochemistry, the relevance between the intracellular polymers and the metabolic function was concluded. The reducing power in the anaerobic phase was provided both by the TCA circulation and the glycolysis process, influenced by the population structure and experiment condition. The degradation of glycogen was different when the bacterial strain was different and the glycogen was the regulator of the redox equilibrium in the cell. The composition of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates (PH As) was determined by the organic substrate, and when propionic acid was the substrate, four monomers of PHAs could be detected. The power used in the anaerobic P-releasing was derived from the decomposition of polyphosphate and glycogen, while the amount of power needed was influenced by experiment condition.

Starting from analyzing current land utilization in China, this paper tries to find the related problems and their causes. The approaches to the saving and intensification of land utilization are suggested in economic construction, urbanization, and cultivated land protection in respects of theory, technology and administrative policies, to offer effective support for rapid urbanization, modernization and marketing and safeguarding of land utilization.

The modes of structural tectonic methods are proposed and the mode of creative cooperation by architects and structural engineers in the conceptual design stage for giving full play to their respective advantages are encouraged for joint design of architectural forms that meet structural safety requirements by this paper through analysis on functions and positions of structures in the architectural form framework system.The key function of observing the principle of structural correctness in the modes of architectural form design based on structural safety requirements is made clear.

Multiple longitudinal unified times are spread out laterally by this paper through analysis on ancient Greek temples, ancient Romanesque arched architecture, Gothic churches, domed architecture and other western classical architectural forms in various historical periods, and five types of relations between architectural forms and structures are found out through summarization in combination with contemporary technological characteristics. The conclusion is that harmonic coexistence of technology and art can be truly achieved through architectural form creation on basis of respect to the laws of structural science and through active cooperation between architects and structural engineers.

Via hydrothermal synthesis, the self-assembly of d10 metal, 2,4′-dipyridylamine (L) and 1,3-adamantanediacetic acid (H2ADA) generated two unprecedented coordination polymers [Zn(ADA)(L)]n (1) and [Cd(ADA)(L)2]n (2). Complex 1 possesses a novel 1D looped-chain topology structure decorated with arms. Complex 2 shows an extended threaded framework involving 2D coordination layers of square (44) topology with dangling ligands, which gives the novel (2D → 3D) polythreaded array. To the best of our knowledge, complex 2 is the first example with four dangling arms coordinated in the axial sites of dinuclear nodes. In addition, both of the complexes show strong photoluminescence at room temperature, and may be good candidates for potential luminescence materials.

A new coordination polymer, [Ag2(bpp)2(H2O)]·pydc·7H2O (1), derived from the ligand pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (H2pydc), has been obtained through a hydrothermal technique [bpp=1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane]. Its single crystal structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. A 2D sheet containing (H2O)12 water units was formed. Interestingly, each pydc dianion bridged two (H2O)12 units and two free water molecules in the construction of 2D hydrogen-bonding sheets. Additionally, fluorescent properties, TG analysis, and PXRD for complex 1 were also measured and discussed.

Three new complexes based on V-shaped linkages 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (bpt) and 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid) (H2oba), [Mn(bpt)(oba)(H2O)3]n·nH2O (1), [Co2(bpt)2(oba)(H2O)7]·(oba) (2), and [Cd2(oba)2(H2O)6]n·2n(bpt)·2nH2O (3) have been synthesized using different transition metal acetates. Non-covalent hydrogen bonding interactions extend complexes 1, 2 and 3 into supramolecular architectures. Complex 1 is a 3D framework, in which two types of helical H-bonded chains appear simultaneously. Complexes 2 and 3 contain 1D open channels encapsulating organic guest molecules – oba and bpt, respectively. Topologically, complex 3 is a α-Po structure. This work indicates that the building blocks oba and bpt can adopt versatile coordination modes depending on the nature of the metal centers. The elemental analysis, IR spectra, XRPD and TG analysis for three complexes, as well as luminescent properties for 3 are discussed.

Six new coordination polymers based on V-shaped linkage 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (bpt) and transition metal ions, [Co(bpt)(pm) 0.5 (H 2 O)] n · 3 n H 2 O ( 1 ), [Cu 2 (bpt)(pm)(H 2 O) 4 ] n ( 2 ), [Co(bpt)(pydc)] n · 2 n CHCl 3 · n H 2 O ( 3 ), [Cu 2 (bpt)(pydc) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] n ( 4 ), [Cu 2 (bpt)(pydco) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] n · n H 2 O ( 5 ) and [Cd(bpt)(pydco)] n ( 6 ) (H 4 pm = pyromellitic acid, H 2 pydc = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H 2 pydco = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid N -oxide), have been synthesized under the intervention of various polycarboxylate ligands. Complex 1 exhibits a 3-D 4-connected structure with 1-D nanosized open channels encapsulated lots of water molecules. Complex 2 represents a 2-D grid containing two types of rectangular windows. When pydc and pydco instead of pm, complexes 3 and 6 were obtained with highly undulated 2-D layers. The interlayers of 3 are filled with two kinds of solvent molecules, whereas 6 is a double-layered framework without free molecules. Complexes 4 and 5 consist of two distinct 1-D infinite chains held together to form different 2-D supramolecular networks. Importantly, bpt spacer shows changeful conformational geometries and generates complicated crystalline architectures with the introduction of polycarboxylate ligands. Additionally, thermal stability of complexes 1 , 3 and 5 , fluorescent properties of 6 and X-ray powder diffraction of 1 have also been investigated.