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BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the main causes of death in patients with paraquat (PQ) poisoning. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress in PQ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PF. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice and MLE-12 cells were exposed to PQ to construct a PF model in vivo and in vitro. Histological changes in the lungs were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Mitochondrial morphology was detected by MitoTracker® Deep Red FM or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression of protein. The migration ability of the cells was detected by the cell scratch test. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect cytokine levels. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by chemichromatometry. RESULTS: PQ exposure caused EMT and PF in vivo and in vitro. PQ destroyed mitochondrial structure and enhanced the expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), which were accompanied by oxidative stress. Inhibiting mitochondrial fission using mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1), a selective inhibitor of Drp1, attenuated PQ-induced EMT and oxidative damage. Treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, reduced Drp1 expression, attenuated mitochondrial structure damage and inhibited PQ-induced EMT and PF. Both Mdivi-1 and NAC treatment markedly suppressed mtDNA release, the expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and phosphorylation (P)-NF-κB p65 as well as cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) production. CONCLUSION: Mutual promotion of mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress contributes to EMT in PQ-induced PF, which is associated with the mtDNA/TLR9/NF-κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of grafting on the morphology, physiology, and aerenchyma of balsam pear aboveground under waterlogging stress were studied using a two-factor randomized block design. At 8 and 16 days, the degree of reduction of grafted balsam pear was lower than those of self-rooted balsam pear, although the height and leaf number of self-rooted and grafted balsam pears were remarkably reduced under waterlogging stress. Compared with self-rooted balsam pear, grafting considerably decreased the malondialdehyde content of balsam pear leaves but substantially increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) and the contents of osmosis-regulating substances (soluble sugar, soluble protein, and proline) in the leaves of balsam pear under waterlogging stress at 4, 8, and 16 days. The stem of grafted balsam pear formed aerenchyma (pith cavity) at 0 days, whereas the stem of self-rooted balsam pear formed aerenchyma at 4 days. The aerenchyma of the stem formed by grafted balsam pear was more developed than that formed by the self-rooted balsam pear under waterlogging stress. The petiole of self-rooted and grafted balsam pears formed aerenchyma at 16 days, and the aerenchyma of grafted balsam pear was more developed than that of self-rooted balsam pear. These results indicated that grafting improved the antioxidant and osmotic regulation ability of balsam pear and enhanced the tolerance of balsam pear to waterlogging stress by enlarging the pith cavity of the stem and petiole of balsam pear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the utilization of mulberry seed with its extremely high annual yield and stress the importance of mulberry seed oil, mulberry seed oil and α-linolenic acid (ALA) were used to prepare structural lipids (SLs) with a balanced ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in a microfluidic enzyme reactor. When the lipase amount was 1/3 g/cm³, the substrate molar ratio was 1:5, the flow rate was 2 µL/min and the reaction temperature was 50 °C, the n-6:n-3 ratio of SLs was 1.11:1, and the content of ALA reached 42.0%. The prepared SLs that contained 89.7% PUFAs had a lower melting temperature (-24.2 °C) and a lower crystallization temperature (-40.1 °C) compared with mulberry seed oil, and had three stages of weight loss during processing. These results implied that the SLs were more stable than mulberry seed oil, more beneficial to human health, easier to absorb and convenient to store. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gaining and maintaining spinal balance after surgery is of great importance for early onset scoliosis (EOS). However, tendency of balance on the coronal plane after growing rod surgery has not been studied before. This study evaluated the effect of growing rod treatment on coronal balance (CB) during serial lengthening surgeries in EOS. Methods: All EOS patients treated with growing rod technique in our hospital from August 2002 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographic data before the sixth lengthening surgery were measured on the posteroanterior X-ray images, including global CB (C7 plumbline-central sacral vertical line, C7PL-CSVL), regional CB (apical vertebrae-CSVL), Cobb angle of the main curve and pelvic inlet width (PIW). Global CB index and regional CB index were calculated as dividing global CB and regional CB by PIW, respectively. The changes of these parameters during repeated lengthening surgeries were analyzed. Results: Five hundred seventy Radiographs of 67 patients, including 134 images before and after growing rod insertion surgeries and 436 images pre- and post-lengthening surgeries were measured. Global CB and global CB index did not show significant differences between every two set points during lengthening procedures (P > 0.05). The percentage of patients with C7PL-CSVL distance more than 20 mm roughly ranged from 30 to 45 % during the lengthening process. With regards to regional CB and main curve Cobb angles, there were significant differences between every two adjacent set points during the first five lengthening surgeries (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Global CB did not significantly change during serial lengthening surgeries and C7PL-CSVL distances of greater than 20 mm comprised of over one third of patients during growing rod treatment. However, worsening regional CB and Cobb angles of the main curve during lengthening intervals were corrected by lengthening manipulation and maintained at a stable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) is a progressively disabling disease. Isolated or continuous TOLF has been frequently reported in literature, however there are very few reports of multilevel or non-continuous TOLF. The purpose of the study was to discuss the surgical strategy of multilevel TOLF and evaluate safety and efficacy of a two-stage operation regimen. Methods: From October 2007 to May 2014, eleven patients (4 males, 7 females) that underwent two-stage surgery for multilevel spinal stenosis were retrospectively reviewed. The follow-up period lasted at least 12 months. Demographic data, radiological findings as well as operative data were collected. Postoperative functional outcomes evaluated by the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (mJOA) and complications were analyzed. Results: The patients ranged in age from 30 to 65 years (average, 50.2 ± 11.8 years), and comprised 4 men and 7 women. All patients exhibited significant improvements in neurological deficits. The mJOA score improved from a mean of 3.5 ± 2.2 preoperatively to 4.6 ± 2.3 before second-stage surgery and to 7.5 ± 2.2 at final follow-up. The improvement was statistically significant in the average mJOA improvement rate at final follow-up. No staging-related complications were noted in this study. Conclusions: Staged surgery can effectively achieve neurological functional recovery in patients with multi-segment spinal stenosis in thoracic and lumbar regions, with favorable efficacy and safety. Yet, slight neurological deterioration was observed during the intervals of these two index surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title molecule, C31H28FN3OS2, the two fused rings of the thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine group form a dihedral angle of 4.99 (12)°, and the benzene ring of the 4-fluorophenyl group forms a dihedral angle of 77.44 (15) with the pyrimidine ring. The thiopyran ring is in a half-chair conformation. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak intermolecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and weak π-πinteractions with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.900 (1) Å. The C atoms of the n-butyl group are disordered over two sites with approximate occupancies of 0.60 and 0.40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined a subgraph matching problem and developed an energy formulation for affine invariant matching by Hopfield type neural network. Theoretical background; Methods used; Findings and discussion.

N-Acyl indolines were obtained unexpectedly from a consecutive cyclization of iminophosphorane in refluxing xylene or 1,2-dichlorobenzene in good yields. This new approach provides an efficient and direct access to the biologically important indolines which are further oxidizable to indoles and oxindoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now spread to most countries and regions of the world. Risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections in patients with COVID-19 have not been well studied yet. In the present study, we aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the MDRO infections and their impact on in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2019 and April 2020 at two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. Data of cases were collected through electronic medical records system. This study was focused on cases with bacterial culture records. Risk factors and outcomes associated with MDRO infections were analyzed using logistic regression model. Results: Of the 2891 patients, 370 patients have bacterial culture results, and MDROs were isolated in 38 patients. Respiratory tract infections (67.3%) were the most common hospital acquired infections. Variables independently associated with MDRO infections were dyspnea at admission (odds ratio (OR) 4.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06-10.88; P < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR 5.02; 95% CI 1.99-12.63; P < 0.01), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 5.13; 95% CI 2.15-12.27; P < 0.001), adjusted for age and gender. MDROs infection was also a significant risk factor of death for the patients, adjusted for age, gender, severity of illness, ICU admission and mechanical ventilation (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.43-2.96, P = 0.817). Conclusion: In our study, dyspnea at admission, ICU admission and invasive mechanical ventilation were associated with the presence of MDRO infections, and clinicians should be alert in MDRO infections in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer, [Pb2(psa)(phen)2(NO3)2]n, has been synthesized by the method of hydrothermal reaction and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction (where H2psa is phenylsuccinic acid and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline). The single-crystal X-ray analysis showed that the complex has a dinuclear core stabilized by bridging phenylsuccinic acids and nitrate anions. The coordination number of the two Pb(II) atoms are 7 and 6, with the stereochemically active lone pair, resulting in the hemidirected geometry for the complex. The complex contain a 1D chain, which is further extended into twodimensional supramolecular architecture through hydrogen bonds, C-H· · ·π, and π· · ·π interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C13H16O6, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.180(3) Å, b = 13.813(4) Å, c = 7.842(2) Å, β = 93.917(4)°, V = 1316.2(6) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0442, wRref(F2) = 0.1375, T = 296(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccase has huge potential application in all aspects of biotechnology due to the ability of laccase to oxidize a wide range of phenolic and nonphenolic compounds. The future success of such applications requires large amounts of laccase with low costs. White-rot fungi are important groups of laccase production. In this study, three white-rot fungi, Phlebia acerina Han 618, Trametes hirsuta Han 726, and Coriolopsis trogii Han 751, isolated from a native North China habitat, were identified by the method of molecular biology and preliminary screening of the ability of laccase-production by guaiacol selection medium. Then they were fermented on different lignocellulosic biomass. Three species showed consistency in preference of lignocellulosic biomass, and the presence of stalk of Sorghum bicolor was more suitable for secreting laccase. The capacity of laccase secretion from different species was significantly different. The capacity of secreting laccase of C. trogii Han 751 was superior to that of P. acerina Han 618 and T. hirsuta Han 726. The discovery of a new strain with superior capacity of secreting laccase and suitable lignocellulosic biomass were helpful for laying a foundation for the optimization of the fermentation conditions for the highest laccase production, the isolation and purification of laccase, and the industrial application of laccase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current reports on the association of claudin-4 expression with gastric cancer outcome were inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association of claudin-4 expression with the prognosis and clinical parameters more precisely. Methods: Systematic searches on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library prior to December 2014 were performed. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) with its 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) was used to assess the prognostic value of claudin-4 expression with gastric cancer patients, and the pooled odds ratio (OR) with its 95 %CI was used to assess the association with clinical parameters. Results: Nine studies with a total of 1265 gastric cancer patients were included. Overall, the pooled results showed that over-expression of claudin-4 was associated with a poor survival in gastric cancer patients (HR: 2.01, 95 % CI: 1.62-2.50). Over-expression of claudin-4 was also associated with advanced stage (OR: 1.96, 95 % CI: 1.08-3.56) and lymphoid node metastasis (OR: 1.72, 95 % CI: 1.05-2.81) of gastric cancer patients. No significant publication bias was found among the studies (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that over-expression of claudin-4 is associated with progress of gastric cancer and poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for monosaccharide component analysis with pretreatment of acetylation is described with slight modifications and verified in detail in this paper. It was then successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of component monosaccharides in polysaccharides extracted from the pine cones. The results demonstrated that the three pine cone polysaccharides all consisted of ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose in different molar ratios. According to the recovery experiment, the described method was proved accurate and practical for the analysis of pine cone polysaccharides, meeting the need in the field of chemical analysis of Pinus plants. Furthermore; the chemical characteristics, such as neutral sugar, uronic acids, amino acids, molecular weights, and antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides were investigated by chemical and instrumental methods. The results showed that the chemical compositions of the polysaccharides differed from each other, especially in the content of neutral sugar and uronic acid. In the antioxidant assays, the polysaccharide fractions exhibited effective scavenging activities on ABTS radical and hydroxyl radical, with their antioxidant capabilities decreasing in the order of PKP > PAP > PSP. Therefore, although the polysaccharide fractions had little effect on superoxide radical scavenging, they still have potential to be developed as natural antioxidant agents in functional foods or medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]