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Recently, structured inverse variational inequality (SIVI) problems have attracted much attention. In this paper, we propose new splitting methods to solve SIVI problems by employing the idea of the classical Douglas-Rachford splitting method (DRSM). In particular, the proposed methods can be regarded as a novel application of the DRSM to SIVI problems by decoupling the linear equality constraint, leading to smaller and easier subproblems. The main computational tasks per iteration are the evaluations of certain resolvent operators, which are much cheaper than those methods without taking advantage of the problem structures. To make the methods more implementable in the general cases where the resolvent operator is evaluated in an iterative scheme, we further propose to solve the subproblems in an approximate manner. Under quite mild conditions, global convergence, sublinear rate of convergence, and linear rate of convergence results are established for both the exact and the inexact methods. Finally, we present preliminary numerical results to illustrate the performance of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factors are essential for plant stress responses. They can enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, and cold) via improved physiological and biochemical responses including the accumulation of metabolites. In this study, we constructed a Panax ginseng MYB4 (PgMYB4) gene expression vector and established the stable transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines to study the effects of this gene on plant stress tolerance. The germination rate and seedling taproot length were greater for the PgMYB4-overexpressing plants than for the wild-type plants. Accordingly, the overexpression of PgMYB4 in Arabidopsis enhanced seedling tolerance to drought, salt, and cold conditions. Under drought stress, the relative chlorophyll content decreased less, the proline content increased more, and the water loss rate decreased more in the transgenic plants than in the wild type. The expressions of stress-related genes responsive to dehydration 19A, responsive to dehydration 22, responsive to desiccation 29A, cold-regulated 15A, cold-regulated 47, and pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase 1 were significantly upregulated in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Under high salt stress, the kinesin 1 (KIN1) expression was significantly upregulated in the transgenic plants. In response to the low temperature stress, the dehydration-responsive element binding protein 2A and KIN1 expressions increased dramatically in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Thus, PgMYB4 positively regulated the stress tolerance gene networks, which promoted the expression of anti-stress effector genes. This gene may be useful for ginseng breeding programs aiming to develop new cultivars with enhanced stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnWO4 nano photocatalysts with plate shapes and in high yields are in situ synthesized on the surface of a porous TiO2 film by the conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method combined with a subsequent ambient annealing process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis shows that the MnWO4 nano photocatalysts are single crystals free of structural defects and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation on the cross-section reveals that these MnWO4 nano photocatalysts are in situ grown on the porous TiO2 film surface with strong adhesion. The morphology and dimension size can be selectively tailored through controlling the reaction time, showing the simplicity and versatility of the proposed method. In addition, the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) solution using the MnWO4/TiO2 photocatalysts demonstrated the superior photocatalytic performance with high efficiency and excellent photostability. A high photodegradation rate of MB solution of over 90% in 60 min has been achieved and a superior cyclic capability is also obtained. The superior photocatalytic performance of MnWO4/TiO2 photocatalysts can be mainly attributed to the good crystallinity, all-surface covering and strong mechanical properties of the MnWO4 nanostructures with TiO2 film. The prevailing advantage of the PEO method in combination with the ambient annealing process will open up more opportunity for the rational synthesis of a wide range of oxide photocatalysts ranging from tungstate to titanate, molybdate and vanadate for promising catalytic applications in diverse fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythium root rot is widely distributed in major soybean (Glycine max) production areas throughout the world. There are many species of Pythium described on soybean and other crops, although not all species are pathogenic on these crops. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify Pythium isolates obtained from field soils across Illinois and evaluate their pathogenicity on soybean seedlings. Soil samples were collected from 12 corn-soybean rotation fields in six Illinois counties. All isolates of Pythium were recovered through a baiting technique, identified to the species taxon using morphological and molecular techniques, and evaluated using an in vitro pathogenicity assay on soybean seedlings. Twenty-seven species of Pythium were identified, and P. cryptoirregulare, P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum var. sporangiiferum and P. ultimum var. ultimum were highly pathogenic on soybean seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) drives the expression of several lipogenic genes, whereas SREBP2 dictates the expression of every gene involved in cholesterolgenesis in mammals. In the current study, we cloned the cDNA fragments for SREBP1, SREBP2, fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), and very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II), the genes associated with lipid metabolism. Fifteen ducks immediately before the first egg was laid (18 wk old) and 15 ducks from the same population at an egg production rate of 80% were killed. Total RNA was extracted from liver and used to amplify the targeted genes by reverse transcription-PCR and screening of a cDNA library. The sequence data showed that Tsaiya duck SREBP1, SREBP2, FAS, and HMG-CoA reductase were highly homologous to that of chicken. Tsaiya duck SREBP1 mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, liver, and ovary. The SREBP2 mRNA concentration was highest in liver and ovary. Concentrations of FAS and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were high in liver and lower in other tissues. The apoVLDL-II mRNA was specifically expressed in the liver. The differences between mRNA concentrations of SREBP1, SREBP2, and FAS in the livers of laying and prelay ducks were not significant. However, the concentrations of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and apoVLDL-II mRNA were higher in the laying ducks than in prelay ducks. Therefore, laying may affect particular aspects of lipid metabolism, especially biochemical pathways that involved apoVLDL-II and HMG-CoA reductase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate carotid haemodynamic characteristics in essential hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, we evaluated the structure and function as well as blood flow of the common carotid artery by using a combination of B-mode ultrasound and pulsed-Doppler in control subjects (n = 38), and hypertensive patients with (n = 40) and without (n = 27) left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertensive patients had a higher intima-medial thickness compared with control subjects. Diastolic/systolic flow velocity ratio as well as flow volume ratio was significantly decreased in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy in association with decline of distensibility of the common carotid artery. In the hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic/systolic flow velocity ratio as well as flow volume ratio had significant correlation with diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and carotid arterial distensibility. These findings indicate that diastolic blood flow in the common carotid artery is impaired in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Decreased distensibility and low diastolic perfusion pressure may be the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geese have a short egg-laying period and a low egg production rate. To induce and maintain egg laying, genes related to generating hepatic lipid for yolk deposition should be adequately expressed. Liver mRNA from 6 laying geese was extracted and used for construction of a full-length enriched cDNA library. About 2,400 clones containing gene sequences were determined and National Center for Biotechnology Information Callus gallus Gene Index databases were used to compare and analyze these sequences. Ten highly expressed genes were selected to determine the differential expression between laying and prelay goose liver. Tissue distribution data showed that very low density apolipoprotein II, liver type fatty acid binding protein, vitellogenin I, and vitellogenin II transcripts were specifically expressed in the liver of laying geese. Ovoinhibitor, preproalbumin, α-2-hs-glycoprotein, and vitamin D binding protein mRNA were highly expressed in the liver and to a lesser extent in other tissues. Ovotransferrin mRNA was expressed in liver, ovary, oviduct, shell gland, brain, and adipose tissues. The concentration of transthyretin mRNA was high in the liver and brain. The mRNA concentrations of liver type fatty acid binding protein, α-2-hs-glycoprotein, and transthyretin in the livers of laying and prelay geese were not different. The concentrations of hepatic ovotransferrin, ovoinhibitor, preproalbumin, very low density apolipoprotein II, vitellogenin I, vitellogenin II, and vitamin D binding protein mRNA were higher in the liver of laying geese than in prelay geese, suggesting that these genes may be involved in laying function or lipid metabolism related to egg formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the anatomical characteristics of the adrenal veins through adrenal venography to improve the success rate of adrenal venography (AVS). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Patients who were diagnosed with primary aldosteronism and underwent AVS from January 2019 to October 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were included. Adrenal vein imaging was collected from the enrolled patients. We performed statistical analysis on the adrenal vein orifice position, inflow angle, and adrenal venography morphology. The adrenal venous orifice was defined as the location where the catheter was placed at the end of the calm inhalation. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the positions of bilateral adrenal vein orifices and body mass index (BMI). Results: A total of 282 patients with successful bilateral AVS and complete bilateral adrenal vein imaging were enrolled, of whom 57.1% (161/282) were male and the age was (53.3±10.7) years old. The orifice of the left adrenal vein was located between the middle segment of the 11 th thoracic vertebra and the upper segment of the 2 nd lumbar vertebra. The inflow angle relative to the position of the orifice was all leftward and upward. The orifice of the right adrenal vein was located between the upper segment of the 11 th thoracic vertebra and the lower segment of the 1 st lumbar vertebra, and 91.1% (257/282) had a rightward and downward angle of inflow relative to the position of the orifice. The position of the adrenal vein orifices on both the left ( r= 0.211, P< 0.001) and right ( r =0.196, P= 0.001) showed positive correlation with BMI. The position of the right adrenal vein orifice also increased with the position of the left adrenal orifice ( r =0.530, P< 0.001). The most common adrenal venography morphology on the right side was triangular (36.5%, 103/282), while the most common venography morphology on the left side was glandular (66.3%, 187/282). Conclusions: The anatomical morphology of adrenal veins are diverse. Being familiar with the morphological characteristics of the adrenal vein and identifying the adrenal vein accurately during surgery has important clinical value in improving the success rate of AVS.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hybutimibe monotherapy or in combination with atorvastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia. Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-controlled phase Ⅲ clinical trial of patients with untreated primary hypercholesterolemia from 41 centers in China between August 2015 and April 2019. Patients were randomly assigned, at a ratio of 1∶1∶1∶1∶1∶1, to the atorvastatin 10 mg group (group A), hybutimibe 20 mg group (group B), hybutimibe 20 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg group (group C), hybutimibe 10 mg group (group D), hybutimibe 10 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg group (group E), and placebo group (group F). After a dietary run-in period for at least 4 weeks, all patients were administered orally once a day according to their groups. The treatment period was 12 weeks after the first dose of the study drug, and efficacy and safety were evaluated at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. After the treatment period, patients voluntarily entered the long-term safety evaluation period and continued the assigned treatment (those in group F were randomly assigned to group B or D), with 40 weeks' observation. The primary endpoint was the percent change in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline at week 12. Secondary endpoints included the percent changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (Apo B) at week 12 and changes of the four above-mentioned lipid indicators at weeks 18, 24, 38, and 52. Safety was evaluated during the whole treatment period. Results: Totally, 727 patients were included in the treatment period with a mean age of (55.0±9.3) years old, including 253 males. No statistical differences were observed among the groups in demographics, comorbidities, and baseline blood lipid levels. At week 12, the percent changes in LDL-C were significantly different among groups A to F (all P <0.01). Compared to atorvastatin alone, hybutimibe combined with atorvastatin could further improve LDL-C, TG, and Apo B (all P <0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in percent changes in LDL-C at week 12 between group C and group E ( P =0.991 7). During the long-term evaluation period, there were intergroup statistical differences in changes of LDL-C, TG and Apo B at 18, 24, 38, and 52 weeks from baseline among the statins group (group A), hybutimibe group (groups B, D, and F), and combination group (groups C and E) (all P <0.01), with the best effect observed in the combination group. The incidence of adverse events was 64.2% in the statins group, 61.7% in the hybutimibe group, and 71.0% in the combination group during the long-term evaluation period. No treatment-related serious adverse events or adverse events leading to death occurred during the 52-week study period. Conclusions: Hybutimibe combined with atorvastatin showed confirmatory efficacy in patients with untreated primary hypercholesterolemia, which could further enhance the efficacy on the basis of atorvastatin monotherapy, with a good overall safety profile.

Objective: To investigate changes in the expression of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers and factors associated with the effect of chemotherapy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: A retrospective study included 200 breast cancer patients treated with NAC between January 2016 and December 2018. We analyzed the changes in the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and Ki-67 in pre- and post-treated samples and the predictive factors of NAC. Results: Among the 200 cases, 16 cases were luminal A, 108 cases were luminal B, 36 cases were HER2 + subtype, and 40 cases were basal-like. Twenty-five patients (12.50%) achieved pathological complete remission (PCR).There were significant differences in PR and Ki-67 before and after NAC but there were no differences in ER and HER2.In univariate analysis, factors associated with PCR were tumor less than 5 cm( P =0.009), non-luminal breast cancer ( P =0.001), ER negative( P =0.001), PR negative ( P =0.029) and HER2 positive( P =0.001). Tumor less than 5 cm [ P =0.020, OR=2.581, 95% CI (1.207, 5.753)], ER negative [ P =0.011, OR=2.264, 95% CI (1.207, 4.248)] and HER2 positive[ P =0.007, OR=2.412, 95% CI (1.275, 4.561)] remained predictive variables in multivariate analysis after correction for the other variables. Conclusions: The expression of Ki-67 decreases after NAC. Negative PR and ER and positive HER2 status are related to the efficacy of pCR for breast cancer, and have guiding significance for the prognosis evaluation of NAC.

Parenteral nutrition plays an important role in the early growth and development of preterm infants. Milk protein is the main protein source for enteral nutrition in preterm infants. Although the incidence of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in preterm infants is relatively low, the symptoms are atypical and easily confused with other diseases, leading to incorrect diagnosis and treatment measures, and seriously affecting the growth, development and prognosis of preterm infants. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CMPA in premature infants. The onset of CMPA in premature infants was late. Few patients had rectal bleeding, and bile-like vomiting and symptoms similar to necrotizing enterocolitis were more common. The diagnosis is mainly based on the avoidance test. For children diagnosed with CMPA, they should be avoided through the mother's diet or replaced with deep hydrolyzed formula milk or amino acid formula milk. However, in-depth clinical and basic research is still needed on how to identify CMPA in preterm infants early.

Research of in-situ induced repair and regeneration is a multi- and inter-disciplinary field, which is of important potentials in the treatment of both large-area deep burns and chronic wounds such as diabetic skin ulcers. In-situ forming injectable hydrogels which are hydrogel-like biomaterials that can spontaneously gelatinize in physiological condition when applied in local wounds have been explored in recent years. This kind of biomaterials contain extracellular matrix, in which cells promoting wound repairing can be added if required, and can work as release-controlled carriers for active peptides such as growth factors to simulate local wound microenvironment and induce the repair and regeneration. Herein, characteristics and function of promoting wound repair and regeneration about in-situ forming injectable hydrogels were reviewed, including material types and their relevant working mechanisms, advantages, existing problems, etc.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the initiation of sacubitril-valsartan （ARNI） therapy, as compared with ACEI therapy, after hemodynamic stabilization among patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure （ADHF）. Methods: A total of 199 hospitalized patients for ADHF in our department from January 2017 to June 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis. According to the medication early after hemodynamic stabilization, patients were divided into ARNI group ( n =92) and ACEI group ( n =107). Among the included patients, 61 patients with newly diagnosed heart failure at the time of admission were also divided into ARNI group ( n =30) and ACEI group ( n =31) according to the applied medication. Clinical baseline data and follow-up results of enrolled patients were collected through the electronic medical records at admission, outpatient and telephone follow-up. The primary effectiveness observation index was left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) measured by echocardiography; the secondary observation index was death from any causes and hospitalization for heart failure. Safety outcomes were the incidences of symptomatic hypotension, worsening renal function, hyperkalemia, and angioedema. Results: The clinical baseline characteristics were similar between ARNI group and ACEI group（all P >0.05）. The duration of follow up was (15.2±6.5) months in all patients enrolled, (12.3±5.0) months in ARNI group, and (18.2±6.5) months in ACEI group. At the end of follow-up, prevalence of an absolute LVEF increase of more than 5% was 48.9% (45/92) in ANRI group and 25.2% (27/107) in ACEI group ( P =0.001). Percent of LVEF increase to more than 50% was 17.4% (16/92) in ANRI group and 3.7% (4/107) in ACEI group ( P =0.001). Percent of patients with more than 10 mm LVEDD reduction was 14.1% (13/92) in ANRI group and 3.7% (4/107) in ACEI group ( P =0.009). All-cause mortality rate was 5.7% (5/88) in ARNI group and 15.3% (13/85) in ACEI group ( P =0.038). Rate of re-hospitalization due to heart failure was 50% (46/92) in ARNI group and 71% (76/107) in ACEI group（ P =0.002）.The rates of symptomatic hypotension, worsening renal function, hyperkalemia, and angioedema were similar between ARNI group and ACEI group (all P >0.05). In patients with first diagnosed heart failure，percent of LVEF increase to more than 50% was 30% (9/30) in ANRI group and 6.5% (2/31) in ACEI group ( P =0.017). Percent of more than 10 mm LVEDD reduction was 26.7%(8/30) in ANRI group and 3.2%(1/31) in ACEI group ( P =0.012). Percent of an absolute LVEF increase of more than 5% was 53.3% (16/30) in ANRI group and 51.6% (16/31) in ACEI group ( P =0.893). Re-hospitalization due to heart failure was 23.3% (7/30） in ARNI group and 73.3% (11/31) in ACEI group（ P <0.01）. Rate of all-cause death tended to be lower in patients receiving ARNI (3.4% (1/29)) as compared to patients receiving ACEI (13.0% (3/23), P =0.197）. Conclusions: Among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction hospitalized for ADHF, the initiation of ARNI therapy after hemodynamic stabilization is associated with a more significant improvement of cardiac remodeling and pump function than ACEI therapy and satisfactory safety. In ADHF patients with first diagnosed heart failure, initiation of ARNI therapy after hemodynamic stabilization can more effectively improve cardiac remodeling and pump function than treatment with ACEI.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cell sheets containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds. Methods: The cell sheets containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts were constructed using polyurethane biofilm as carrier. Then gross observation and histological observation were conducted. From April 2016 to December 2017, Changhai Hospital of Naval Medical University recruited patients with acute partial-thickness burn wounds that met the inclusion criteria for this prospective and positively self-controlled clinical trial. Recruitment of 40 acute partial-thickness burn wounds were planned with each selected single wound being not smaller than 10 cm×10 cm and not more than 5% total body surface area (TBSA). Each wound was equally divided into two areas, which were recruited into cell sheet group and conventional treatment group according to the random number table. The wounds in cell sheet group were covered by cell sheet and then sterile gauze as secondary dressings. Depending on the wound healing and exudation, the sterile gauze was replaced every 1 to 3 day (s) after the treatment was started, and the cell sheet was replaced every 7 days (namely dressing changing). The wounds in conventional treatment group were covered by sulfadiazine silver cream gauze and then dressed with sterile gauze, with the dressings changed every 2 to 3 days depending on wound exudation. On treatment day 5, 7, 10, and 14, the wound healing rates in the two groups were calculated. The complete wound healing time, the total number of dressing changes, and the status of wound infection during treatment were recorded. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to score the pain at the first dressing change. Scar formation of patients was followed up for 6 to 12 months after injury. Safety indicators including vital signs, laboratory examination indexes, and adverse reactions during treatment were observed. Data were statistically analysed with Wilcoxon rank sum test and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) Each prepared cell sheet had a diameter of about 8 cm and was about 49 cm(2) in size, containing 2 or 3 layers of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. (2) A total of 43 patients were enrolled, of whom 3 patients dropped out of the study. Of the 40 patients who completed the treatment, there were 22 males and 18 females who were aged 1 to 57 year (s), with total burn area of 2% to 26% TBSA. (3) On treatment day 5, 7, 10, and 14, the wound healing rates in cell sheet group were significantly higher than those in conventional treatment group ( Z =4.205, 4.258, 3.495, 2.521, P <0.05 or P <0.01). The complete wound healing time in cell sheet group was 7 (6, 8) days, which was significantly shorter than 11 (7, 14) days in conventional treatment group ( Z =4.219, P <0.01). The total number of wound dressing changes in cell sheet group was 1 (1, 2) times, which was significantly less than 6 (4, 7) times in conventional treatment group ( Z =5.464, P <0.01). (4) The wounds in cell sheet group in 31 patients healed before the first dressing change. The pain score of wounds in the first dressing change in cell sheet group of 9 patients was 1 (0, 1) point, while the pain score of wounds in the first dressing change in conventional treatment group of 40 patients was 2 (1, 3) points. There was no obvious infection in the wounds in both groups of 40 patients before the wound healing. Nine patients completed the follow-up after the trial. In 6 patients, no scar formation was observed in cell sheet group or conventional treatment group. The color of wounds in cell sheet group was consistent with normal skin, and there was only a small amount of pigment deposition in the wounds of conventional treatment group. Three patients developed pigment deposition only in the wounds of cell sheet group but obvious scars in conventional treatment group. (5) The abnormal fluctuations of vital signs including body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and laboratory examination indexes of all patients during treatment were alleviated through the process of burn wound healing. No obvious adverse reactions or abnormalities related to the treatment were observed. Conclusions: The cell sheet containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts can reduce the number of dressing changes, accelerate wound epithelialization, shorten wound healing time, reduce pain during dressing change in the treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds, and it may reduce scar hyperplasia after wound healing because of accelerating wound epithelization. Its clinical application is simple, safe, and effective.

Objective: To preliminarily observe the effects of application of micro-negative pressure in children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn. Methods: From January 2016 to August 2018, 64 children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn who were admitted to the Department of Burn Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University were recruited in this prospective randomized controlled study. According to the random number table, they were divided into negative pressure group [18 boys and 14 girls, aged (3.9±1.6) years with total burn area of (5.5±2.2)% total body surface area (TBSA)] and conventional group [20 boys and 12 girls, aged (3.8±1.7) years with total burn area of (5.8±1.6)% TBSA], with 32 patients in each group. After admission, simple debridement was performed in the patients of 2 groups. After that, the children in negative pressure group were treated with micro-negative pressure with negative pressure material replaced every 3 to 5 days. Children in conventional group were treated with silver sulfadiazine cream with dressing change every other day. On post injury day (PID) 14 and 21, general wound observation was performed, the wound healing rate was calculated, the exudates from the wounds were cultured and the positive detection rate was calculated. The number of patients requiring surgical skin grafting was recorded and the rate of surgical skin grafting was calculated, and the complete wound healing time was recorded in the patients of 2 groups. Scar formation was evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) in 3, 6, and 12 months after wound healing. Data were processed with chi-square test, t test, Bonferroni correction, and analysis of variance for repeated measurement. Results: (1) On PID 14, all the necrotic tissue in the wounds of patients in negative pressure group was removed, with few exudates, and most of the wounds had been epithelialized; most of necrotic tissue in the wounds of patients in conventional group was removed, with more exudates and smaller wound healing area than those in negative pressure group. On PID 21, most of the wounds of patients in negative pressure group were healed, and the exudates were rare, while the wound healing area of patients in conventional group was significantly smaller than that in negative pressure group with more exudates. (2) On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rates [(49.8±3.3)% and (95.8±2.4)%] of patients in negative pressure group were significantly higher than those in conventional group [(40.0±3.2)% and (75.3±2.5)%, t =11.899, 33.461, P <0.01]. (3) On PID 14 and 21, the positive detection rates of wound bacteria of patients in negative pressure group were significantly lower than those in conventional group ( χ (2)=6.275, 5.741, P <0.05). (4) The rate of surgical skin grafting of patients in negative pressure group was significantly lower than that in conventional group ( χ (2)=5.333, P <0.05). (5) The complete wound healing time of patients in negative pressure group [(23.9±2.3) d] was significantly shorter than that in conventional group [(27.9±1.8) d, t =-7.806, P <0.01]. (6) In 3, 6, and 12 months after wound healing, the VSS scores [(6.9±1.8), (5.6±1.4), (3.4±1.5) points] of patients in negative pressure group were significantly lower than those in conventional group [(9.0±1.5), (7.4±2.0), (5.7±1.6) points, t =-4.987, -4.127, -5.988, P <0.01]. Conclusions: In comparison with routine dressing change, the treatment of application of micro-negative pressure in children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn can significantly improve the wound healing rate and rate of surgical skin grafting, decrease the wound infection rate, shorten the wound healing time, and improve the wound healing quality.

Glycine-rich protein (GRP) is involved in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. A novel GRP gene in Lablab purpureus has been identified. The cDNA of LpGRP was obtained from an SSH library constructed with root tissues of L. purpureus MEIDOU 2012 by waterholding for 10 days. The function of LpGRP was also evaluated in Arabidopsis. The cDNA of LpGRP has 555 bp and encodes a 184-amino acid protein. LpGRP was induced by drought and improved tolerance to abiotic stress. In LpGRP overexpressing Arabidopsis, the tolerance of transgenic seedlings to drought and salt was improved, and transgenic seeds showed insensitivity to both ABA and NaCl. The insensitivity to ABA indicated that there was crosstalk between LpGRP and ABA-responsive genes. These results indicated that LpGRP is a drought-responsive gene that can increase the drought and salt tolerance of Arabidopsis seedlings overexpressing LpGRP.

The aim of this article is to demonstrate and characterize caprine mammary epithelial cells (CMC) immortalized with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. Five immortalized CMCs were assigned to either myoepithelial or luminal epithelial groups based on their morphology and expression of cell lineage-specific intermediate filaments. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol revealed various telomerase activities in CMCs associated with their distinct proliferation potential. Karyotypic analysis showed three CMCs retained their modal Capra hircus chromosome number (2n = 60), whereas the remaining two CMCs were abnormal at 2n = 19 and 2n = 36. CMCs with abnormal karyotypes lost p53 protein after chemical-induced DNA damage and showed anchorage-independent growth in soft agar assay. In terms of functional differentiation, luminal CMCs organized into alveolus-like structures when grown in Matrigel. Furthermore, αs1- and β-casein gene was induced in luminal CMCs in response to lacto-hormones stimulation. Together these results showed that hTERT-immortalized CMCs retained major characteristics of mammary epithelial cells, and stability of the genome is required for maintaining normal mammary epithelium function. Application of CMCs can provide valuable models to study alveologenesis and lactogenesis of mammary epithelium and test the feasibility of recombinant constructs designed for the generation of transgenic livestock., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Objective: To optimize preparation techniques for Herba Epimedii flavonoid phytosomes (EFP) and explore their suitable pharmaceutics., Methods: To optimize the preparation conditions by means of uniform design and step regression, prepare Herba Epimedii total flavonoid phytosomes by means of solvent evaporation and investigate the accumulative dissolution of different ratios of EFP-PVP precipitates by means of dissolution release., Result: The optimized preparation conditions are as follows: solvent-tetrahydrofuran, lecithin to PVP--2.5 times, temperature--40 degrees C and reaction--3 hours. Oil/water apparent partition coefficient of icariin was enhanced more than 4 times by phospholipid. The accumulative dissolution of Herba Epimedii flavonoids of EFP-PVP precipitate was significantly higher than that of its physical mixture and Herba Epimedii extract tablet., Conclusion: Phospholipid can effectively enhance the oil/water apparent partition coefficient of icariin, and PVP can improve the dissolution of Herba Epimedii phytocomes, but the pharmacokinetics needs further study.

This experiment was designed to investigate the development of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase in nursing piglets. During the nursing period, the lipase activity was measured at one, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age. The results showed that the gastric mucosa weight, pancreas weight, body weight, the specific activity of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase, and the total activity of gastric lipase and pancreatic lipase increased with the age of the piglets. The development of the specific activity of gastric lipase slowed before the nursing piglets reached 3 weeks of age, but the total activity of gastric lipase at day 28 was significantly higher than that at day 21. The specific activity and total activity of pancreatic lipase were at low levels during the first two weeks of life and then developed quickly from days 21 to 28. It was observed that the specific activity and total activity of gastric lipase were lower than those of pancreatic lipase.