Search

One-hundred and fifty five large-scale crop rice and root soil samples were collected in Nanchuan District of Chongqing, and some samples of corn, potato, tomato, rapeseed, plum and kiwifruit, and root soil were collected for testing and analysis. The bioavailability of the elements was characterized by bioconcentration factors. The effects of soil physical and chemical properties, soil composition, geological background, and crop types on the bioavailability of Cd were analyzed. The results showed that there was a certain degree of Cd exceeding the standard in rice and root soil in Nanchuan District, and the bioavailability of Cd was relatively low. Soil pH was the main controlling factor of Cd bioavailability, and the bioavailability was higher under acidic conditions. Plum, kiwi, and kiwifruit have weaker ability to enrich Cd. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heavy metal pollution in the soil and improve the quality of agricultural products by artificially regulating the pH of the field or adjusting the planting structure. The method can also be applied to the research of other soil heavy metals or health elements such as Se and provides a scientific basis for the safe use of land and the production of high-quality agricultural products.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on inflammatory activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the co-culture of rat alveolar macrophages (AM) NR 8383 and type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II) RLE-6TN. CCK-8 colorimetric method was used to detect cell proliferation percentage. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatant. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and total AKT protein. The results showed that pretreatment of RLE-6TN cells or co-culture of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells with 32 and 128 µg/mL Sal for 1 h, followed by continuous culture for 24 h, significantly increased the cell proliferation (P0.05). Compared with control group, 32 and 128 µg/mL Sal pretreatment significantly increased the ratio of p-AKT/AKT in RLE-6TN cells (P0.05). Pretreatment of 32 µg/mL Sal not only inhibited the secretion of TNF-α and MIP-2 by NR 8383 cells induced by LPS (P0.05), but also enhanced the inhibitory effect of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells co-culture on the secretion of TNF-α and MIP-2 by NR 8383 cells induced by LPS (P0.05). In addition, 32 µg/mL Sal pretreatment promoted LPS-induced IL-10 secretion by NR 8383 cells (P0.05), and enhanced the promoting effect of co-culture of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells on the IL-10 secretion by LPS-induced NR 8383 cells (P0.05). In conclusion, Sal may directly inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory activation of AM (NR 8383), promote the proliferation of AEC II (RLE-6TN) through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and enhance the regulatory effect of AEC II on LPS-induced inflammatory activation of AM.

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of combined detection of myocardial markers, white blood cell (WBC) counts and platelet distribution width (PDW) in patients with positive myocardial injury markers. Methods: From January 2017 to January 2018, 100 patients with positive markers of myocardial injury in our hospital were selected as observation group, and 100 healthy people were selected as control group. Serum myocardial markers troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), myoglobin (MYO), WBC count, and PDW levels were measured at admission, and analyzed for individual indicators. And individual and combined detections of these indicators in early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were analysed. Results: Serum cTnI, CK-MB, MYO, WBC count and PDW level were higher in the observation group than those in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. Of the 100 patients with positive myocardial injury markers, 48 (48.00%) were diagnosed with AMI by final clinical diagnosis. Compared with the control group, the positive rate of serum index and the combined detection of five indicators in the observation group were significantly increased. The sensitivity and specificity of the five indicators combined detection and diagnosis of AMI were 95.83% and 94.23%, respectively, which were higher than the individual detection of each index, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: The combined detection of serum cTnI, CK-MB, MYO, WBC count and PDW is helpful for early diagnosis of AMI and can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis.

Background: Vitamin D plays a unique role in promoting embryonic and neural development, cerebral immunological regulation, and influencing neural differentiation and gene regulation. Vitamin D deficiency may be one of the environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorder. This trial has two purposes: (1) correlating single nucleotide polymorphisms of vitamin D metabolism-related key enzymes to autism susceptibility; and (2) investigating the therapeutic effect of exogenous vitamin D on autism spectrum disorder. Methods/Design: A non-randomized parallel-cohort controlled trial. Sixty children with autism spectrum disorder who receive treatment at the Department of Pediatric Neurological Rehabilitation, First Hospital, Jilin University, China, are included. Sixty healthy controls are also recruited from those undergoing a physical examination. For the first purpose, primary outcomes include vitamin D metabolism and single nucleotide polymorphisms of related genes. Vitamin D level in peripheral blood is the secondary outcome. For the second purpose, 60 children with autism spectrum disorder are treated with exogenous vitamin D supplementation. Prior to and 1 month after exogenous vitamin D supplementation, primary outcomes are evaluated, including the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score, Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) score, the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) score, Clinical Global Impression Scale-(CGI) for severity of illness (SI), global improvement (GI), and efficacy index (EI) scores. Again, vitamin D levels in peripheral blood are evaluated as the secondary outcome. Discussion: This trial is sufficiently powered to provide scientific evidence for the genetic and pathological mechanism of autism spectrum disorder in children that lack vitamin D. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx) identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-14004499; registered on 30 November 2013. Ethical issues: This trial was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee, First Hospital of Jilin University, China (approval No. 2013-192). The trial protocol will be performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The genus Rhodiola has been used to treat cough, hemoptysis, fever, pain, bruise and other symptoms which are related to injury and inflammation over a thousand years in traditional Tibetan medicine. Salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-β-D-glucoside) is one of the most potent bioactive ingredients of the genus Rhodiola. Aim of study The present study aimed to explore whether salidroside could alleviate the clinical symptom and sign in the early acute stage of osteoarthritis (OA) in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) rat model, and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced in rat knees by intra-articular injection of MIA; simultaneously salidroside was administered by intravenous injection. Pain behaviors were evaluated by knee-bend test, hind limb weight-bearing asymmetry and hind paw mechanical withdrawal threshold. The joint swelling was determined by the difference of knee joint diameter. Inflammatory exudates in synovial fluid were evaluated by leukocyte counting and protein content. Cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) markers were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetric assay in synovial fluid. Pro-inflammatory gene expressions in synovial tissue were detected by quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) DNA binding assay and western blot were used to determine NF-κB activation and ROS marker protein expression in synovial tissue. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in the cartilage was measured by dimethylmethylene blue method. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Safranin O-fast green and a modified Mankin grading system were used to evaluate the histology of articular cartilage. Results Salidroside could alleviate pain and joint swelling in the early acute stage of OA in rat model, reduced the number of leukocytes, total protein content, proinflammatory mediators and ROS/RNS markers in synovial fluid, down regulated the expression of proinflammatory genes in synovium, inhibited the activation of NF- κ B and oxidative stress response in synovium, promoted the synthesis of cartilage GAG, prevented the loss of proteoglycan and chondrocyte degeneration. Conclusions Salidroside effectively alleviates acute symptom and sign of OA in rat model by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant affects to inhibit synovial inflammation, which provides a new strategy to prevent the onset and progression of OA.

Background: This meta-analysis was to determine the association of the cumulative dose of 130/0.4 or 0.42 (hydroxyethyl starch [HES] 130/0.4*) or delta daily fluid balance (i.e., daily fluid balance in HES group over or below control group) with the heterogeneity of risk ratio (RR) for mortality in randomized control trials (RCTs). Methods: Three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane) were searched to identify prospective RCTs reporting mortality in adult patients with sepsis to compare HES130/0.4* with crystalloids or albumin. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were used to examine the heterogeneity sources of RR for mortality. Results: A total number of 4408 patients from 11 RCTs were included. The pooled RR showed no significant difference for overall mortality in patients with administration of HES130/0.4* compared with treatment of control fluids (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.90–1.17; P = 0.73). Heterogeneity was moderate across recruited trials (I2 = 34%, P = 0.13). But, a significant variation was demonstrated in subgroup with crystalloids as control fluids (I2 = 42%, P < 0.1). Sensitivity analysis revealed that trials with high risk of bias did not significantly impact the pooled estimates for mortality. Meta-regression analysis also did not determine a dose-effect relationship of HES130/0.4* with mortality (P = 0.298), but suggested daily delta fluid balance being likely associated with mortality in septic patients receiving HES130/130/0.4* (P = 0.079). Conclusions: Inappropriate daily positive fluid balance was likely an important source of heterogeneity in these trials reporting HES130/0.4* associated with excess mortality in septic patients.

To study the protective effect and mechanism of synthetic salidroside on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into saline control group, 3 mg/kg LPS model group, different doses of salidroside groups (5, 20 and 80 mg/kg), and 5 mg/kg dexamethasone group. Intratracheal LPS instillation was used to establish the ALI model 0.5 h after intraperitoneal injection of salidroside or dexamethasone, and the rats were sacrificed 6 h later. Lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Lung tissue pathology and lung injury score (LIS) were observed and evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The centrifugal sediment of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to count the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) number by Wright's staining, and the centrifugal supernatant of BALF was used to determine the contents of protein and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). The contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissue were determined. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated and total nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 protein in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with LPS group, the intervention of synthetic salidroside alleviated the pathological damage in lung tissue, decreased the LIS and lung W/D ratio (P0.05), reduced the PMN number, the contents of protein and inflammatory factors in BALF (P0.05), reduced the contents of MPO and MDA in lung tissue (P0.05), and inhibited the expression of p-NF-κB in lung tissue (P0.05). The results suggest that synthetic salidroside has a protective effect on ALI induced by LPS, and its mechanism is related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB and reducing the aggregation of PMN in the lung.

To investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on the inflammatory activation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage cell line J774.1 and its possible mechanism, the cells were treated with PBS, LPS (0.5 µg/mL) or different doses of Sal (5, 25, 125 µg/mL) + LPS (0.5 µg/mL). CCK-8 colorimetric method was used to detect the cell activity. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of TNF-α, MCP-1 and MIP-2 in the supernatant, and the content of NO in the supernatant was determined by nitrate reductase method. The expression levels of iNOS mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of iNOS protein in cytoplasm and NF-kappaB/p65 (NF-κB/p65) protein in both cytoplasm and nucleus, and DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was detected by using TransAMTM NF-κB/p65 activity assay kit. The results showed that the treatment with 0.5 µg/mL LPS and different doses of Sal (5, 25, 125 µg/mL) for 12 h had no effect on cell viability. Compared with LPS stimulation group, pretreatment with Sal significantly reduced the contents of TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-2 and NO in culture supernatant induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner (P0.05), downregulated the expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein (P0.05), decreased the expression level of NF-κB/p65 protein in nucleus (P0.05) while accordingly increased that in cytoplasm (P0.05), and decreased DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 in a dose dependent manner (P0.05). The results suggested that Sal pretreatment can reduce macrophage inflammatory activation induced by LPS, and the mechanism may be through the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the excessive expression and secretion of inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

An acrylate resin copolymerized with epoxy and amino resin was prepared in this paper, and its polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) modified nanocomposites were fabricated via physical blending. Results showed that glass transition temperature of the acrylate copolymer was about 7.9 oC via DSC. Dispersion of nanocomposites with aminopropyllsobutyl POSS is better than those with Octalsobutyl POSS. Moreover, glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites with POSS are close to the acrylate copolymer matrix.

Development of new technologies for evaluating genetically modified (GM) crops has revealed that there are unintended insertions and expression changes in GM crops. Profiling techniques are non-targeted approaches and are capable of detecting more unintended changes in GM crops. Here, we report the application of a comparative proteomic approach to investigate the protein profile differences between a GM rice line, which has a lysine-rich protein gene, and its non-transgenic parental line. Proteome analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrum analysis of the seeds identified 22 differentially expressed protein spots. Apart from a number of glutelins that were detected as targeted proteins in the GM line, the majority of the other changed proteins were involved in carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis and stress responses. These results indicated that the altered proteins were not associated with plant allergens or toxicity.

A novel semi-prepreg resin transfer molding (RTM) process was developed to address difficulties associated with RTM process and to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Unidirectional semi-prepregs exhibiting relatively good overlay characteristics were prepared via prepolymerization of bismaleimide resin followed by wet winding. The processing characteristics and mechanical properties of composites fabricated via semi-prepreg RTM technology were compared with those of composites produced using a normal-prepreg compression molding process. Experimental results showed that the laminates fabricated by the semi-prepreg RTM process were of better internal quality and had superior mechanical properties as compared with laminates fabricated by the normal-prepreg compression molding process.

The etiology and pathogenic mechanism of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still unclear. The relationship between vitamin D and ASD has drawn attention in recent years due to common vitamin D deficiency in children with ASD. This article reviews the peripheral blood levels of vitamin D in children with ASD, the possible reasons for hypovitamin D and its possible roles in the etiology of ASD and the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in ASD.

Multi-walled carbon nanobutes (MWNTs) reinforced epoxy resin nanocomposites were fabricated by functionalizing the MWNTs with amino group. The functionlization of MWNTs was characterized by FTIR, elementary analysis, and TEM, and the MWNTs dispersion was characterized by optical microscopy and SEM. MWNTs functionalization with ethylene diamine improved the nanotube dispersion in the epoxy matrix composites. The dynamic mechanical thermal properties and thermal properties of MWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites are briefly discussed in terms of the MWNT loading and dispersion.

An interfacial polymerization method for polyacrylate resin was adapted to fabricate nanocomposites with nano-SiO2 particles via in situ polymerization. The tribological behaviors of the nano-SiO2 nanocomposites are briefly discussed in terms of types of functionalization and nanoparticle loading. Nano-SiO2 functionalization with three silanes improved the nanoparticles interfacial interaction and compatibility in the nanocomposites, resulted in lower friction coefficient and wear mass. And the results of DSC also testified that. The wear mass and friction coefficient of the nanocomposite containing 3 wt% nanoparticles with KH570 silane are 50.8mg and 0.20, respectively. Results of RCA show that the incorporation of the nano-SiO2 into the polyacrylate resin improves the scratch resistance significantly. Results of SEM indicate that the neat polyacrylate resin is dominated by adhesive wear, going with tearing resin, while all nanocomposites containing 3 wt% nanoparticles with silane are dominated by particle adhesive, going with soft adhesive wear.

A functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with eight vinyl groups was used to fabricate a POSS/bismaleimide (BMI) nanocomposite as a potential matrix for RTM processing, and its blend with a thermoplastic polyether-ether ketone (PEK-C) was prepared. A self-designed optical microscope with a hot stage has been performed to monitor phase separation process of the thermoplastic-thermoset blend. The phase separation and final morphology of POSS/PEK-C/BMI system were characterized in the research. SEM pictures of POSS/BMI nanocomposite exhibit that the vinyl POSS has significant improvement in toughness of the materials, and its eight vinyl groups lead to chemical bonding interface with BMI resin in the nanocomposite. Results of optical microscope indicate that the corporation of POSS in PEK-C/BMI blend postponed phase separation process. The morphologies show that POSS/PEK-C/BMI systems have a similar phase separation structure with PEK-C/BMI blend.

A novel dendronized cellulose，ethyl cellulose grafted 3,4,5-tris[4-(dodecyloxy) benzyloxy] benzoate (EC-g-DOBOB), which is comprised of ethyl cellulose (EC) backbone with mesogenic moiety DOBOB (3,4,5-tris(4-(dodecyloxy)benzyloxy)benzoic acid) dendron grafted, was designed and synthesized. The structure of EC-g-DOBOB was investigated by means of FTIR, Both thermotropic liquid crystal and lyotropic liquid crystal behaviors of EC-g-DOBOB were studied by combination of DSC, POM and XRD. At room temperature EC-g-DOBOB demonstrated hexagonal columnar mesophase (Φh), with the column diameter 5.8 nm, besides it formed lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal in concentrated chloroform solution with a planar texture.

This paper has analyzed key techniques in foam mold development for Lost Foam Casting for different types of casting, which are complex box, pipe faucet junction ,wear-resisting and refractory alloy steel casting, Focused on complex castings with free-form surface, key points during whole technical route, which includes three-dimensional modeling, foamed pattern design, mold design and CNC program, have been discussed by utilizing modeling & manufacturing module on Unigraphics. Because of its perfect free-form surface functions and plentiful toolpath operations in CNC programming, Foam mold of complex casting with free-form surface has been designed, manufactured and assembled successfully for LFC, Qualified foamed pattern of vortical shell has been produced successfully. Several effective methods and experiences have been achieved by utilizing CAD/CAM technology.

Tribological behaviors and wear mechanism of bismaleimide resin and its composites modified by potassium titanate whiskers were investigated. The composites with outstanding tribological properties were prepared through several coupling agents and whisker contents under different friction loads. The incorporation of whiskers treated with silane into the matrix effectively improved wear properties and friction stability of the matrix, especially at severe friction condition as 30 kg. The wear volume of the neat resin at 15 kg and 30 kg friction load are 1.14 and 6.87 mm3, respectively. However, the wear volume of the composites containing 3 wt% potassium titanate whiskers at 15 kg and 30 kg friction load are 0.75 and 1.14 mm3, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of whiskers increased the ability to resist plastic deformation and crack of the matrix in a higher friction load.

In order to understand the effect of bulk matrix morphology on polymer nanocomposite properties, nanocomposites containing chemically similar but morphologically different polyamide matrices and carbon nanofibers were processed and characterized. Two polyamide matrices were used, one amorphous and one semi-crystalline. Experimental results indicated that the reinforcing efficacy of the amorphous matrix was higher than the semi-crystalline matrix at temperatures below the glass transition. At a carbon nanofiber loading of 0.5 wt.%, the experimentally measured modulus with the amorphous matrix exceeded the Halpin-Tsai prediction for an isotropic material. Overall, these results provided distinct evidence that the underlying bulk matrix morphology plays an important role in polymer nanocomposite mechanical design.

polyacrylate/nano-silicon dioxide nanocomposites were fabricated through a simple mixing process for resisting scratch and wear as coating. Chemical compatibility between polyacrylate matrix and nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) was achieved by functionalized nano-SiO2 via three silane coupling agents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done to characterize surface and wear morphology of the nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used for representing interfacial properties of the nanocomposites. A MM-200 machine and a Norman Tool RCA abrader were performed for testing friction and wear properties. SEM showed that incorporation of the nano-SiO2 functionalized with silane into the polyacrylate matrix showed a better dispersion than the composite without silane at low nanoparticle content (≤3 wt%). SEM also revealed that adhesive wear mechanism of the polyacrylate matrix was transited to dominated particle wear of the nanocomposites. An increase of glass transition temperature (Tg) was recorded via DSC at low nanoparticle content (1 wt%). Further addition of the nanoparticles to 3 wt% led to a 10°C increase in Tg comparing to neat polyacrylate. Results of friction and wear properties exhibited that friction coefficient and wear loss of the nanocomposites with silane were lower than those of the neat polyacrylate. The wear loss of the neat polyacrylate, the nanocomposite containing 3 wt% nanoparticles with silane KH570, and the nanocomposite with raw nano-particles were 108.6, 65.8, and 110.5mg, respectively. RCA results also showed a significant improvement of the nanocomposites in the presence of the nanoparticles with silane.

National Natural Science Foundation of China [20774077]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian, China [E0510003, E0710025]; Project of Science and Technology of Xiamen, China [3502Z20055013]

National Natural Science Foundation, China [20774077]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian, China [E0510003, E0710025]; Project of Science and Technology of Xiamen, China [3502Z20055013]

The full-length hNdrg2 cDNA-coded 357 amino acids was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli strain DH5alpha as a 6x His-tagged protein. The purified 6x His-fusion protein was used to immunize mice for preparing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (Ndrg2). A hybridoma secreting a monoclonal antibody against Ndrg2 was obtained and named FMU-Ndrg2.3. Western blot analysis confirmed that this mAb is specific only to Ndrg2 but not to Ndrg1, Ndrg3, and Ndrg4-B. Some tissue distribution features of Ndrg2 proteins, such as thyroid, kidney, testis, prostate, and pancreas islets, were present by immunohistochemistry.

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is believed to be involved in cell growth events. However, its exact function is still unknown. To elucidate the role of this gene, we used an anti-Ndrg2 monoclonal antibody in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays to analyze the expression pattern of Ndrg2 protein in mouse embryos at various gestational ages and in a variety of adult mouse tissues. Ndrg2 immunoreactivity was generally localized to the cytoplasm. During mouse development, Ndrg2 expression was observed in many developing tissues and organs including the heart, brain, lung, gut, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, cartilage, chorion, epidermis, and whisker follicles. Ndrg2 expression was developmentally dynamic, being generally lower in the early stages of development and markedly increasing during later stages. Ndrg2 expression was also observed in a variety of adult mouse tissues, particularly in the heart and brain. This is the first demonstration of Ndrg2 protein expression in both embryonic and adult mouse tissues. Our results suggest that NDRG2 plays important roles in histogenesis and organogenesis.

Aim To study the chemical constituents of the stem of Dasymaschaon trichophorum Merr‥ Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by the methods of various chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Results Five aristolactam alkaloids were obtained and their structures were identified as 10-amino-3,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxyphenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid lactam ( 1 ), enterocarpam-II ( 2 ), oldhamactam ( 3 ), goniopedaline ( 4 ), and stigmalactam ( 5 ), respectively. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new aristolactam alkaloid, while compounds 2–5 are reported from this genus for the first time.

Dr. Wiedermann commented on our systematic review and meta-regression for the sources of heterogeneity in trials reporting HES 130/0.4 or 0.42 associated excess mortality in septic patients[1] that the pooled analysis of mortality, which showed neither benefit nor harm, might be influenced by trials of low-quality. Statistically, we agree with this conclusion if two of the recruited trials judged as the intermediate risk of bias are precluded. Sensitivity tests in a meta-analysis are important. But an issue need for further discussing is that whether the results from a sensitivity analysis should be considered as the confirmatory or just exploratory. The fundamental thought of meta-analysis is to synthesis all the evidence current available. The article search strategy and the study inclusion/exclusion criteria had both been prespecified without any knowledge of the pooled analysis of mortality. The overall results should be taken as primary analysis because all the studies were fulfilled the prespecified principle. Over-interpretation of any subgroup analysis may have raised potential risk even if only focus on the trials with low risk of bias, the reasons were followed below. (1) Quality of the reporting of a study does not equal to the quality of the study itself. A well conduct study may have a very low-quality on reporting.[2] In addition, the process for risk of bias assessment is a sort of subjective even two independent reviewers assessing separately. It is hard to demonstrate any solid result from sensitivity analysis unless the consensus on the risk of bias assessment focus on study conducting could be achieved. (2) The multiplicity issue is not very common mentioned in the meta-analysis. However, the false-positive rate does significantly increased accompany with the raised number of tests. Currently, the meta-analysis includes 11 trials in total.[1] If we assume 6 of them are a low risk of bias, but the question is they are not easy to identify. Theoretically, there will be 462 possible combinations (randomly choose 6 trials from 11) under this scenario. The corresponding type I error rate (at least to observe one false-positive subgroup result) would be almost 100% (=1-0.95^462). By this reason, it should use a more restricted significant level for each subgroup result. Further, the test for subgroup difference between trials with low versus high risk of bias is a kind of interaction test. It also has to face the multiplicity issue. More importantly, the uncertainty of chosen the threshold for the significant level for interaction test is still controversial. Thus, the significant results of subgroup should be interpreted with cautions.[3] There are many reasons for the heterogeneity of mortality as primary outcome under the same intervention in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).[4] Most importantly, bias associated with execution factors such as intervention or its subsequent effects may cause questionable results in RCTs.[5] The efficiency of fluid therapy as a subsequent effect was found incomparable between HES and control group in some of the recruited RCTs in this meta-regression. Interestedly, all of 3 out of 11 RCTs, which were calculated with more positive fluid balance in HES group (a colloid with more efficiency on plasma volume expansion than crystalloids in general) than in control group, similarly reported a high risk of HES on excess mortality in septic patients and with significance in Perner's trial.[6] Our analysis further suggested daily delta fluid balance being likely associated with mortality in septic patients receiving HES 130/130/0.4* (P = 0.079). Whereas, we failed to determine a dose-effect relationship of HES 130/0.4 or 0.42 with mortality (P = 0.298). These results indicated that fluid balance was an important factor confounding the results of these RCTs. This was the main finding of this meta-regression. In conclusion, information from bedside (such as incomparable subsequent effects in fluid therapy) should be considered with priority over statistics in interpreting the results of available RCTs in evaluating the impact of any clinical intervention on mortality in critically ill patients.

The present study aims to explore the possible mechanisms that trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylases inhibitor (HDACi), affects the inflammatory signaling pathways of lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (LPS/TLR4/NF-κB). Murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were employed. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in culture supernatant were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TLR4 expression and NF-κB/p65 (Lys310) acetylation were examined by Western blotting. DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was detected by using TransAM(TM) NF-κB/p65 activity assay kit. The results showed that, compared with control group, which was treated by DMSO, the cells treated with TSA (20, 40, 80 ng/mL) showed decreased percentages of cell survival (P0.05). The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in culture supernatant were all increased by LPS (100 ng/mL), whereas reduced by 40 ng/mL TSA pretreatment (P0.05). TSA pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced up-regulation of TLR4 protein expression. Acetylation of NF-κB/p65(Lys310), which was already increased by LPS, was further enhanced by TSA (P0.05). On the contrary, LPS-increased DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was decreased by pretreatment with TSA (P0.05). The results suggest that TSA-induced anti-inflammation may be attributed to decreases in the expression of TLR4 and DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65.

A dendronized carbohydrate thermotropic liquid crystal was synthesized by attaching wedge-shaped mesogens onto a carbohydrate core. These molecules self-organize into chiral columnar hexagonal mesophase with each column slice (4.5 A thicknesses) filled with average of two molecules. The supramolecular model was further optimized by molecular dynamics simulation. Moreover, chirality successfully expressed in columnar hexagonal mesophase by dendronized carbohydrate molecules may provide inspiration in searching for chiral mesophase of carbohydrate liquid crystals.

AIM: To investigate the expression of NDRG2 and mutation of the entire coding region of NDRG2 in human liver and pancreatic cancers, and to further discuss the possible causes of NDRG2 distinct expression patterns. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of NDRG2 mRNA in 37 fresh cancer specimens (including 8 cases of pancreatic cancer and 29 cases of liver cancer) and adjacent normal tissues collected from clinical operation. In addition, mutation analysis of the whole coding region of NDRG2 in these cancers was examined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). RESULTS: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the expression levels of NDRG2 mRNA in corresponding cancer tissues reduced significantly (pancreatic cancer: 0.680 ± 0.112 vs 2.089 ± 0.214, P < 0.01) (liver cancer: 0.894 ± 0.098 vs 1.345 ± 0.177, P < 0.05). Using PCR-SSCP, the mutation of the whole coding region of NDRG2 was not found in those cancer tissues where the expression of NDRG2 mRNA reduced markedly. CONCLUSION: NDRG2 gene might express differently between normal tissues and cancer tissues, and might play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer and liver cancer. Low expression of NDRG2 might be unrelated to the mutation of coding region of NDRG2.