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Levosimendan and dobutamine are extensively used to treat sepsis-associated cardiovascular failure in ICU. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of levosimendan in patients with sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies on whether levosimendan is superior to dobutamine are still controversial. More importantly, these studies did not take changes (before-after comparison to the baseline) in quantitative parameters such as ejection fraction into account with the baseline level. Here, we aimed to determine the pros and cons of the two medicines by assessing the changes in cardiac function and blood lactate, mortality, with the standardized mean difference used as a summary statistic. Relevant studies were obtained by a thorough and disciplined literature search in several notable academic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase until November 2020. Outcomes included changes in cardiac function, lactic acid, mortality and length of hospital stay. A total of 6 randomized controlled trials were included in this study, including 192 patients. Compared with dobutamine, patients treated with levosimendan had a greater improvement of cardiac index (ΔCI) (random effects, SMD = 0.90 [0.20,1.60]; I2 = 76%, P 2 = 65%, P = 0.04), a significant decrease of blood lactate (Δblood lactate) (random effects, MD = − 0.79 [− 1.33, − 0.25]; I2 = 68%, P 2 = 0%, P = 0.99). We combine effect sizes related to different measurement parameters to evaluate cardiac function, which implied that septic patients with myocardial dysfunction might have a better improvement of cardiac function by levosimendan than dobutamine (random effects, SMD = 1.05 [0.69,1.41]; I2 = 67%, P

Patients with heart disease often suffer from ischemia, which can be treated by reperfusion. However, this treatment can lead to the development of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, an inflammatory condition that can cause further heart damage. Dexmedetomidine (Dex), an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, and the microRNA (miR)-17-3p, have both been suggested to alleviate I/R injury and cardiac tissue inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Dex and miR-17-3p could act together to prevent I/R injury. H9C2 cells, a myoblast cell line used as a model of rat cardiomyocytes, were cultured in a hypoxic environment for 3 h, and then reoxygenated for 3 h. This hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) was used to model I/R. Cell Counting kit-8 was used to determine cell viability and an annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide apoptosis kit used to analyze cell apoptosis. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the interaction between miR-17-3p and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to determine protein levels and mRNA expression of TLR4 and galectin-3. A concentration of 0.1-10 µmol/l Dex attenuated H/R injury, which was accompanied by increased miR-17-3p levels. Additionally, the inhibition of miR-17-3p exacerbated H/R injury and reduced the effect of Dex on H/R injury. H/R led to an increased galectin-3 level compared with that in control cells, and Dex or miR-17-3p inhibitor did not markedly affect the level of galectin-3, indicating that Dex alleviated the effects of I/R injury through other pathways. Inhibition of miR-17-3p in Dex-induced H9C2 cells during H/R increased the expression of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and phosphorylated NFκB subunit p65, while Dex reduced the H/R-induced expression of these inflammatory mediators. Inhibition of TLR4 also attenuated H/R injury. In summary, the findings of the present study indicated that Dex reduced H/R injury in H9C2 cell via the modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, and these inflammatory factors could be regulated by miR-17-3p.

Simple Summary The present study aimed to investigate a lethal outbreak of chlamydiosis and pigeon circovirus (PiCV) infection in a zoo. A retrospective follow-up indicates that the lethal outbreak might be an independent episode. The high prevalence of PiCV positivity in the aviaries suggests that PiCV infection might play a key role in augmenting the lethality of chlamydiosis in birds. Persistently monitoring both pathogens and identifying potential PiCV carriers or transmitters might also help prevent lethal disease outbreaks. Abstract During the spring, an outbreak of sudden death involving 58 birds occurred in a zoo. Histopathological examinations revealed variable numbers of intracytoplasmic basophilic microorganisms in the macrophages, hepatocytes, and renal epithelium of most birds, along with occasional botryoid intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies within histiocytes in the bursa of Fabricius. Based on the results of histopathological examinations, immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy, and polymerase chain reactions, genotype B Chlamydia psittaci infection concurrent with pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was diagnosed. A retrospective survey, including two years before the outbreak and the outbreak year, of C. psittaci and PiCV infections of dead birds in the aviaries, revealed that the outbreak was an independent episode. The findings of this study indicate that concurrent infection with C. psittaci and PiCV might lead to lethal outbreaks of chlamydiosis, particularly Streptopelia orientalis. In addition, persistently monitoring both pathogens and identifying potential PiCV carriers or transmitters might also help prevent lethal disease outbreaks.

Papillomaviruses (PVs) usually cause benign proliferative lesions in the stratified epithelium of various animal species. However, some high-risk types of PVs have been proven to lead to malignant transformations. In dogs, several canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) have been identified in malignant lesions and are suggested as one of the risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In the present study, the full genomes of two CPV9 strains from recurrent SCCs of Dog 1 and skin viral papilloma (viral plaque) of Dog 2 were sequenced. Alignment of the two CPV9 sequences with the genome of the reference CPV9 strain (accession no. JF800656.1) derived from a solitary pigmented plaque was performed. Compared with the reference strain, a 27 bp in-frame insertion in the E1 gene was identified in both CPV9 strains in this study. In comparison with the CPV9 strains derived from benign lesions, the CPV9 from the SCCs of Dog 1 exhibited a 328 bp deletion at the 3′ end of the E2 and spacer sequence, which encoded a truncated deduced E2 protein and a chimeric E8^E2 protein. However, there was no difference in the mRNA expression levels of viral oncoproteins of E6 and E7 between the two CPV9 cases, suggesting that the oncogenesis of CPV9 for malignant transformation might be different from that of human papillomaviruses. The roles of E2 and E8^E2 deleted CPV9 in the oncogenesis of benign and malignant lesions should be further investigated.

Papillomavirus (PV) mainly infects the squamous epithelium and may potentially lead to benign or even malignant cutaneous lesions. However, the malignant transforming ability has been identified in several types of PVs. In humans, papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18 are the most prevalent causative agents of cervical cancer. Therefore, vaccines are being developed to protect against these types. For dogs, there have been limited investigations into the association of different canine papillomavirus (CPV) genotypes with malignant lesions. Understanding the high-risk CPV genotype(s) responsible for these malignant lesions would contribute to the development of interventions for preventing CPV-induced carcinomas. In the present study, a retrospective cohort of 102 pathologically confirmed papillomas and 212 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) were included. The viral genome and antigens in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues were detected using PCR targeting pan PV E1 and COPV L1 genes and by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC), respectively. PVs were successfully detected from 11 FFPE cutaneous tissues and four oral tissues using pan PV E1- and COPV L1-based PCR, respectively. After sequencing, CPV 1, CPV 2, and CPV 6 were detected in the benign lesions using PCR and were confirmed through IHC. While CPV 9 and CPV 15 were first detected in the SCCs of dogs, CPV 16 was most often detected in SCC specimens. The association and confirmative demonstration of viral genes and intralesional antigens of CPV 9, CPV 15, and CPV 16 in SCCs highlight the potential risk of these genotypes of CPVs in malignant transformation.

BACKGROUND Sepsis-induced myopathy (SIM) is a complication of sepsis that results in prolonged mechanical ventilation, long-term functional disability, and increased patient mortality. This study aimed to use bioinformatics analysis to identify hub genes and molecular pathways involved in SIM, to identify potential diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to acquire the GSE13205 expression profile. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cases of SIM and healthy controls, and the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed using the limma R/Bioconductor software package and clusterProfiler package in R, respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network data of DEGs was retrieved using the STRING database and analyzed using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) Cytoscape software plugin. RESULTS A total of 196 DEGs were obtained in SIM samples compared with healthy samples, including 93 upregulated genes. The DEGs were significantly upregulated in mineral absorption, and the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway and 103 down-regulated genes were associated with control of the bile secretion signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with 106 nodes and 192 edges. The top two important clusters were selected from the PPI by MCODE analysis. There were 16 hub genes with a high degree of connectivity in the PPI network that were selected, including heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and metallothionein (MT)-1E. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatics network analysis identified key hub genes and molecular mechanisms in SIM.

Background: Sepsis-induced myopathy (SIM) is a disease that causes motor dysfunction in patients with sepsis. There is currently no targeted treatment for this disease. Acupuncture has shown considerable efficacy in the treatment of sepsis and muscle weakness. Therefore, our research aims to explore the effects of acupuncture on the improvement of muscle structure and function in SIM patients and on activities of daily living. Methods: The ACU-SIM pilot study is a single-center, propensity-score stratified, assessor-blinded, prospective pragmatic controlled trial (pCT) with a 1-year follow-up period. This study will be deployed in a multi-professional critical care department at a tertiary teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China. Ninety-eight intensive care unit subjects will be recruited and assigned to either the control group or the acupuncture group. Both groups will receive basic treatment for sepsis, and the acupuncture group will additionally receive acupuncture treatment. The primary outcomes will be the rectus femoris cross-sectional area, the Medical Research Council sum-score and time-to-event (defined as all-cause mortality or unplanned readmission to the intensive care unit due to invasive ventilation). The activities of daily living will be accessed by the motor item of the Functional Independence Measure. Recruitment will last for 2 years, and each patient will have a 1-year follow-up after the intervention. Discussion: There is currently no research on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on SIM. The results of this study may contribute to new knowledge regarding early muscle atrophy and the treatment effect of acupuncture in SIM patients, and the results may also direct new approaches and interventions in these patients. This trial will serve as a pilot study for an upcoming multicenter real-world study. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR-1900026308, registered on September 29th, 2019.

Tri-block poly (lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide), diacrylated derivative and the cypermethrin-loaded microcapsule were prepared, respectively. The structure of the copolymer was characterized by1HNMR, FTIR, TGA and DSC. The microcapsules were characterized by OM(optical microscope), SEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC. The encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules is 91.3%. The microcapsules showed good dispersity and sustained release behavior in 50% ethylene glycol aqueous solution.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by fever, pancytopenia and splenomegaly. The underlying hemophagocytosis occurs primarily in the bone marrow, liver and lymph nodes. Multiple microbiological agents, including cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of HLH. The present study presents a case of HLH associated with Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides infection treated successfully with clindamycin. A 33-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of fever and diarrhea. Upon initial treatment at another hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China), blood chemistry analysis demonstrated moderate anemia (hemoglobin 88 g/l; reference range, 120.0–160.0), elevated ferritin (1,068.47 mg/l; reference range, 21.81–274.66), total bilirubin (392.4 mmol/l; reference range, 5.1–28.0), conjugated bilirubin (335.7 mmol/l; reference range, 0–10.0), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (150 U/l; reference range, 10–60). The patient was treated with antibiotics for suspected pneumonia and cholecystitis, but new symptoms (including diarrhea and inflammatory colitis) started to emerge. The patient was subsequently treated with ganciclovir (5 mg/kg/day for 1 month), but body temperature increased to 41.0°C. Upon transferring to our hospital, the patient had severe anemia (hemoglobin, 39 g/l; red blood cell, 1.61×1012/l; reference range, 4.0–5.5×1012/l). Jaundice was apparent: Total bilirubin, 299.5 mmol/l; conjugated bilirubin, 215.7 mmol/l. The patient was treated with clindamycin (150 mg, taken orally every 12 h for 1 week) and supportive care that included parenteral nutrition. Symptoms rapidly dissipated after the treatment. Blood chemistry analysis 5 days after the first dose of clindamycin revealed substantial improvement in anemia and jaundice. The patient requested discharge for financial reasons, but continued treatment (details not available) at a local hospital (Pengpai Memorial Hospital, Shanwei, China). Upon a visit to our hospital 8 months later, the patient has no notable complaints, with the exception of moderate anemia. The present case suggests that HLH may be associated with L. pseudomesenteroides infection.

DNA barcodes were studied for 1,353 specimens representing 272 morphological species belonging to 149 genera and 55 families of Perciformes from the South China Sea (SCS). The average Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera and families were 0.31%, 8.71% and 14.52%, respectively. A neighbour-joining (NJ) tree, Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum-likelihood (ML) trees and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) revealed 260, 253 and 259 single-species-representing clusters, respectively. Barcoding gap analysis (BGA) demonstrated that barcode gaps were present for 178 of 187 species analysed with multiple specimens (95.2%), with the minimum interspecific distance to the nearest neighbour larger than the maximum intraspecific distance. A group of three Thunnus species (T. albacares, T. obesus and T. tonggol), a pair of Gerres species (G. oyena and G. japonicus), a pair of Istiblennius species (I. edentulous and I. lineatus) and a pair of Uranoscopus species (U. oligolepis and U. kaianus) were observed with low interspecific distances and overlaps between intra- and interspecific genetic distances. Three species (Apogon ellioti, Naucrates ductor and Psenopsis anomala) showed deep intraspecific divergences and generated two lineages each, suggesting the possibility of cryptic species. Our results demonstrated that DNA barcodes are highly reliable for delineating species of Perciformes in the SCS. The DNA barcode library established in this study will shed light on further research on the diversity of Perciformes in the SCS.

In order to investigate the feasibility of using methacrylic acid (MAA)-styrene (St) copolymer as dispersants to disperse azoxystrobin particles in aqueous suspension, the adsorption kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics of MAA-St copolymer onto azoxystrobin particle surfaces were studied by batch equilibrium experiments. The results showed that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the entire adsorption, adsorption rate decreased with the initial concentration of MAA-St copolymer increasing. The equilibrium data were fitted with Langmuir isotherm equation better. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated, which indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous and exothermic process in nature, and higher temperature is not beneficial to that adsorption process.

Three coordination polymers, [Ag4(bpy)3(pztc)] n (1), {[Ag6(bpy)2(pztc)(CN)2] · 2.6H2O} n (2), and {[Ag2(H2pdtc)(bpy)2] · 3H2O} n (3) (H4pztc = pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, H4pdtc = pyridine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, UV spectra, fluorescent spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 displays a 3-D network with infinite channels of about 6.4 × 3.1 A2 along the a-axis. The structure of 1 can be simplified as a 3,4,4-connected framework. Complex 2 displays a 3-D network and can be simplified as a 6,6-connected pcu framework. Complex 3 shows a 1-D chain structure and the chains form a 2-D layer structure by hydrogen bonds. Complexes 1–3 emit intense fluorescence at around 500 nm on excitation at 340 nm, 320 nm, and 340 nm, respectively.

The aerodynamic analysis to human vocal folds owns great significance on understanding the principles of voice production,clinical disease diagnosis and treatment recommendations tovoice patients. This paper provides experimental data on airflow from a fourtimes scaled physical model.The results indicate that the pressure acting on the surface of the vocal cords is changed large partly by the glottal entrance angle and the glottic radius, andbringimportant impact on the glottic airflow field. The study has potential applications on voice rehabilitation, especially the design of glottis reconstruction programs.

Lots of primary or secondary structural planes in similar soil surrounding rock are the main difference with Quaternary soil surrounding rock, but the particularity isn’t considered in the analysis of tunnel stability. The fact, which similar soil surrounding rock has most weak structural planes, is testified by engineering examples. The influence of structural plane in similar soil surrounding rock on excavation stability was analyzed through combining theory with disintegration test and numerical calculation. The research results show that there are a lot of structural planes in similar soil surrounding rock. The angle between structural planes and tunnel axes and shearing strength of structural planes control the stability of tunnel. Disintegration time of soil is shortened due to structural planes. On a certain condition, structural planes can induce local collapse in soil surrounding rock while excavating.

To establish a method for determination 9 organochlorine pesticide residue in Microcos paniculata by gas chromatography.The sample was infiltrated with water and extracted with hexane by ultrasonic. The extract solvent was purified by concentrated sulphuric acid. DB-1701 capillary column was used to separate the sample. GC-ECD was applied to determine the residues of organochlorine pesticide.The percentage recoveries were ranged from 78.1% to 97.8% and RSD were from 2.4% to 8.8%.The method established is quick, simple and low in cost.

Gram-Schmidt and Ehlers fusion, which are well known for spectral fidelity, are described. Selecting a sandrock mine using SPOT5 as study area, spectral fidelity and high spatial information gain are used to assess the two fusion methods, which are compared with multiplication and Andorr fusion. In the whole, the Gram-Schmidt method is the best, preserving highly the original spectral information, and can provide spectrum control foundation for interpreting mine targets in the complex geology environment. Ehlers method is the second. Then Andorr method is the third, and it has the highest spatial information gain, but high frequency information is enlarged excessively, effecting on the identification of mine exploitation state. The multiplication method is the worst, because it loses the high and low frequency information, which is the most important for mine targets recognition.

High spatial resolution satellite images are playing the more and more important role in real-time monitoring on earth surface conditions. But haze and cloud reduce those application capabilities, especially in south of China. Thus, atmospheric correction is necessary for extracting quantitatively information from high spatial resolution satellite images. SPOT5 imagery is selected as the data source. In terms of multi-spectral imagery, in order to remove hazy regions and get the surface reflectance imagery, an improved homomorphic filter is combined into the matching mean reflectance in both hazy/clear regions method. Based on band characteristic of SPOT5, visible bands take part in classifying after haze removal using the improved homomorphic filter in process. Both aerosol optical depth and surface reflectance images are retrieved using MOTRAN 4.0. What' more, in terms of panchromatic imagery, authors use MOTRAN 4.0 remove atmospheric effect by means of the retrieved aerosol optical depth. The two retrieved surface reflectance images are both obviously better than original images. When more bands of SPOT5 take part in classifying, it can improve the accuracy of clusters in both hazy & clear regions, so it is helpful to make up the disadvantages of mean reflectance matching method in both hazy/clear regions. Meanwhile, the method in paper can be used other high spatial resolution satellite images.

In this paper, the water quality of Hushan Tailings reservoir in Huji, Zhongxiang of Hubei province, was studied by remote sensing technology. Firstly, radioactive correction of ASTER data was processed by FLAASH Model, then the scatter was produced by SPSS, which was about reflectance or reflectance ratio of remote sensing(ASTER) and measured pollutant (Ag + , Ba 2+ , Hg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , F - , Cl - , NO 3- , H 2 PO 4 - , SO 4 2- , et.)at sampling sites. After experimentation,conversion model was built with significance test, F=68.797(F 0.05 =11.821), R=0.793. Finally, the data of water reflectance was processed with our model, and the distribution of corresponding pollutant was obtained.

The main environment contamination source of the phosphorite mining area, located in Huji city, Hubei province, China, was detected and evaluated using ASTER and DEM. Firstly, the featured spectrum that has unique diagnose spectral feature was generalized after analyzing the types and spectrum characteristics of the sample contamination source in the area. Secondly, the main contamination source of the area was recognized by means of principal component analysis using ASTER band 1-9. And the distributions of them were in accordance with that of phosphorite, carbonate and waste water. Finally, flow accumulation and catchment images were simulated using DEM and GIS. By analyzing the images of the flow accumulation, catchment and contamination source, the authors conclude that large scale opencast phosphorite mining and solid waste materials have damaged mining environment; the disordered piling of solid waste material has been boosting diffusion and migration of harmful and toxic matters; and all of these has damaged heavily ecological environment of lower reaches, and is the potential unsafe factor for that of Hanjiang river also. Keywords: ASTER, DEM, mining contamination, detection and evaluation on contamination sources 1.

To study the protective effects of curcumin on exaggerated extracellular matrix accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis rats.One hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group daily by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, 8 rats per treatment group were randomly killed, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with HE and Mallory.Curcumin could decreas the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum, and inhihit the proliferation of fibrous tissue.Curcumin may play its therapetuic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.