Transfer RNA-derived small RNA tRF-Glu-CTC attenuates neointimal formation via inhibition of fibromodulin.

Neointimal hyperplasia is a pathological vascular remodeling caused by abnormal proliferation and migration of subintimal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) following intimal injury. There is increasing evidence that tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) plays an important role in vascular remodeling. The purpose of this study is to search for tsRNAs signature of neointima formation and to explore their potential functions. The balloon injury model of rat common carotid artery was replicated to induce intimal hyperplasia, and the differentially expressed tsRNAs (DE-tsRNAs) in arteries with intimal hyperplasia were screened by small RNA sequencing and tsRNA library. A total of 24 DE-tsRNAs were found in the vessels with intimal hyperplasia by small RNA sequencing. In vitro, tRF-Glu-CTC inhibited the expression of fibromodulin (FMOD) in VSMCs, which is a negative modulator of TGF-ß1 activity. tRF-Glu-CTC also increased VSMC proliferation and migration. In vivo experiments showed that inhibition of tRF-Glu-CTC expression after balloon injury of rat carotid artery can reduce the neointimal area. In conclusion, tRF-Glu-CTC expression is increased after vascular injury and inhibits FMOD expression in VSMCs, which influences neointima formation. On the other hand, reducing the expression of tRF-Glu-CTC after vascular injury may be a potential approach to prevent vascular stenosis.

Thyrotropin inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are derived from the periodontal ligament and have the characteristics of pluripotent differentiation, including osteogenesis, and are one of the important seed cells in oral tissue engineering. Thyrotropin (TSH) has been shown to regulate bone metabolism independently of thyroid hormone, including the fate of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but whether it affects osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PDLSCs were isolated and cultured from human periodontal ligament and grown in osteogenic medium (containing sodium ß-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone). Recombinant human TSH was added to the culture medium. Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was assessed after 14 days by staining with alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red and by detection of osteogenic differentiation genes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PDLSCs under TSH were detected by high-throughput sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyzed the biological functions and signaling pathways involved in DEGs. RESULTS: We found that osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was significantly inhibited in the presence of TSH: including decreased calcium nodule formation, decreased alkaline phosphatase levels, and decreased collagen synthesis. Using high-throughput sequencing, we found changes in the expression of some osteogenesis-related genes, which may be the reason that TSH inhibits osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. CONCLUSION: Unless TSH is ≥10 mU/L, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism usually do not undergo thyroxine supplementation therapy. However, in this work, we found that elevated TSH inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Therefore, correction of TSH levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may be beneficial to improve orthodontic, implant, and periodontitis outcomes in these patients.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes liver cell pyroptosis under oxidative stress through NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a pivotal factor for HBV-induced hepatitis. Herein, we sought to investigate HBx-mediated NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and pyroptosis under oxidative stress. METHODS: The effect of HBx on the NLRP3 inflammasome was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence in hepatic HL7702 cells. Pyroptosis was evaluated by western blotting, lactate dehydrogenase release, propidium iodide staining, and transmission electron microscopy. NLRP3 expression in the inflammasome from liver tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated HL7702 cells, HBx triggered the release of pro-inflammatory mediators apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1); activated NLRP3; and initiated pro-inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis). HBx localized to the mitochondria, where it induced mitochondrial damage and production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS). Treatment of HL7702 cells with a mitoROS scavenger attenuated HBx-induced NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis. Expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1ß in liver tissues from patients were positively correlated with HBV DNA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by elevated mitoROS levels and mediated HBx-induced liver inflammation and hepatocellular pyroptosis under H2O2-stress conditions.

Conductometric acetone vapor sensor based on the use of gold-doped three-dimensional hierarchical porous zinc oxide microspheres.

A versatile nanoprobe for acetone vapor was designed and fabricated. It is based on the use of gold-doped three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous zinc oxide microspheres (Au/ZnO HPMSs). The nanoprobe was synthesized by annealing zinc hydroxide carbonate precursor (obtained by a hydrothermal method) doped with gold nanoparticles. The resulting products possess a 3D open framework structure built of 2D porous nanosheets with a nanoporous wormhole-like shape. The microspheres doped with 0.5 mol% gold display a good selectivity towards acetone. The conductometric nanoprobe, typically operated at a voltage of 5 V, can detect sub-ppm levels of acetone, and the detection limit is as low as 0.2 ppm. The response (at a level of up to 100 ppm of acetone at 325 °C) was high (74 ± 1.9), and the response and recovery time are 6 and 3 s, respectively. This superior performance is ascribed (a) to the hierarchical porous ZnO architecture that warrants a large surface area; and (b) to the presence of gold nanoparticles that facilitate the chemisorption and dissociation of gas molecules. Graphical abstract Gold-doped 3D hierarchical porous ZnO microspheres (Au/ZnO HPMSs) architectures assembled by interconnected 2D porous nanosheets structures. The resistive sensor using these Au/ZnO HPMSs demonstrates outstanding acetone vapor sensing behaviors and 0.2 ppm detection limits.

[Determination of saponins in Pien Tze Huang by near infrared spectroscopy].

Near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) was used for rapid quantitative analysis of saponins in Pien Tze Huang troches and powders. The near infrared spectra of Pien Tze Huang were collected,and the contents of notoginsenoside R1,ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1 in Pien Tze Huang were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) as the reference values. Then the near infrared spectra of the samples were associated with the reference values to establish the quantitative analysis models by using partial least squares(PLS) method. Finally,the models were verified by unknown samples. The results showed that root mean square error of cross-validation(RMSECV) of R1,Rg1,Rb1 and the total content was 0.095 1,0.555,0.414,0.960 mg·g-1 for the troches models,0.085 6,0.443,0.405,0.913 mg·g-1 for the powders models. After external validations,root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP) of R1,Rg1,Rb1 and the total content was 0.111,0.274,0.276,0.807 mg·g-1 for the troches models,0. 059 2,0. 322,0. 327,0. 705 mg·g-1 for the powders models. The averages of relative standard deviation between the predicted values and the chemical measured values were all less than 2.0%. According to the results of paired-t tests at the level of α = 0.05,there were no significant differences between the predicted values and the measured values. The established quantitative analysis models can be used to predict the contents of saponins in Pien Tze Huang accurately and the proposed method is simple,fast,non-destructive and environmentally friendly for the rapid detection and quality control of saponins in Pien Tze Huang.

Fine mapping and identification of a novel locus qGL12.2 control grain length in wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.).

KEY MESSAGE: A wild rice QTL qGL12.2 for grain length was fine mapped to an 82-kb interval in chromosome 12 containing six candidate genes and none was reported previously. Grain length is an important trait for yield and commercial value in rice. Wild rice seeds have a very slender shape and have many desirable genes that have been lost in cultivated rice during domestication. In this study, we identified a quantitative trait locus, qGL12.2, which controls grain length in wild rice. First, a wild rice chromosome segment substitution line, CSSL41, was selected that has longer glume and grains than does the Oryza sativa indica cultivar, 9311. Next, an F2 population was constructed from a cross between CSSL41 and 9311. Using the next-generation sequencing combined with bulked-segregant analysis and F3 recombinants analysis, qGL12.2 was finally fine mapped to an 82-kb interval in chromosome 12. Six candidate genes were found, and no reported grain length genes were found in this interval. Using scanning electron microscopy, we found that CSSL41 cells are significantly longer than those of 9311, but there is no difference in cell widths. These data suggest that qGL12.2 is a novel gene that controls grain cell length in wild rice. Our study provides a new genetic resource for rice breeding and a starting point for functional characterization of the wild rice GL gene.

Identify QTLs for grain size and weight in common wild rice using chromosome segment substitution lines across six environments.

Grain size and weight are important determinants of rice yield. The identification of beneficial genes from wild rice that have been lost or weakened in cultivated rice has become increasingly important for modern breeding strategies. In this study, we constructed a set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) of wild rice, Oryza rufipogon with the indica cultivar 9311 genetic background. Four grain-related traits, i.e., grain length (GL), grain width (GW), length-width ratio (LWR), and thousand grain weight (TGW), were screened across six environments. A total of 37 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified in these environments and mapped to 12 chromosomes. Sixteen QTLs were detected in at least two environments, and two QTL clusters were observed on Chr. 4 and Chr. 8. Based on a comparative analysis with QTLs identified in previous studies, the CSSLs between Oryza rufipogon accessions and 9311 had high genetic diversity. Among the sixteen stable QTLs, seven for TGW, LWR, GL, and GW were not previously identified, indicating potentially novel alleles from wild rice. These CSSLs provide powerful tools for functional studies and the cloning of essential genes in rice; furthermore, we identified elite germplasm for rice variety improvement.

Development and characterization of chromosome segment substitution lines derived from Oryza rufipogon in the genetic background of O. sativa spp. indica cultivar 9311.

BACKGROUND: Wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) constitutes a primary gene source for rice breed improvement. Chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) for O. rufipogon is a powerful tool for fine mapping of quantitative traits, new gene discovery, and marker-assisted breeding. Thus, they provide a basis for a wide range of genomic and genetic studies. RESULTS: In this study, a set of 198 CSSLs were developed from a cross between recurrent parent indica var. 9311 and an O. rufipogon donor parent; these were then genotyped using 313 polymorphic SSR markers evenly distributed across the 12 rice chromosomes. On average, each CSSL carried 2.16 introgressed segments, and the genetic distance of each segment was about 6 cM. The segments collectively covered 84.9 % of the wild rice genome. Based on these CSSLs, 25 QTLs involved in 10 agronomic traits were identified. Seven CSSLs were subjected to a whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism chip assay and two QTLs, qSH4-1 and qDTH10-1, detected. In addition, a new QTL associated with the heading date was detected in a 78-Kb region on chromosome 10, thus proving the ability of these CSSLs to identify new QTLs and genes. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed CSSL population proved a useful tool for both gene identification and whole-genome research of wild rice. These CSSL materials will provide a foundation for rice variety improvement.

Is Brachial Artery Blood Flow Measured by Sonography During Early Postoperative Periods Predictive of Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Hemodialysis Patients?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to determine a brachial artery blood flow level measured by sonography during early postoperative periods that is predictive of arteriovenous fistula failure in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Doppler sonography was used to estimate the blood flow in the brachial artery of 103 patients at 1 and 14 days after arteriovenous fistula creation. The performance of brachial artery blood flow during early postoperative periods for predicting fistula failure was evaluated, and optimal cutoff values were determined. RESULTS: During a 6-month follow-up, 85 fistulas were classified as mature, and 18 were classified as failures. The reproducibility of blood flow measurements in the brachial artery was good (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.912). The blood flow in the failure group was significantly lower than that in the mature group at both 1 and 14 days after fistula creation (P < .05). During the first 2 postoperative weeks, the blood flow increased by 40.7% in the failure group versus 78.3% in the mature group. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of brachial artery blood flow for predicting failure were 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.87; optimal cutoff value, 310 mL/min)at 1 day and 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.99; 413 mL/min) at 14 days after fistula creation. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial artery blood flow measured by sonography during early postoperative periods may be predictive of forearm fistula failure. Blood flow of less than 310 mL/min at 1 day and 413 mL/min at 14 days after fistula creation may indicate a risk of failure to mature.

Effects of Host Sex, Plant Species, and Putative Host Species on the Prevalence of Wolbachia in Natural Populations of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): A Modified Nested PCR Study.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a globally distributed pest. One of the key endosymbionts in B. tabaci is Wolbachia, an α-proteobacterium implicated in many important biological processes. Previous studies indicated that the infection frequency of Wolbachia in Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) varied greatly among populations in different areas. However, little is known about the factors that influence the prevalence of Wolbachia in B. tabaci. In this paper, 25 field populations were collected from different locations in China, and 1,161 individuals were screened for the presence of Wolbachia using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method, which targets the wsp gene, to confirm Wolbachia infection status. The prevalence of Wolbachia ranged from 1.54 to 66.67% within the 25 field populations, and the infection frequency of Wolbachia was affected significantly by the putative species of B. tabaci. The infection frequency (51.55%) of Wolbachia was significantly greater in native species than in the MED (25.65%) and MEAM1 (14.37%). With the exception of host plant, all factors, including putative species, geographic location, and the sex of the host, affected the Wolbachia infection frequency in whiteflies. Six Wolbachia strains were found and clustered into four distinct clades upon phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, Wolbachia in B. tabaci have close relationships with those from other host species, including Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), and Culex pipiens L. The results demonstrated the variation and diversity of Wolbachia in B. tabaci field populations, and that the application of nested PCR extended our knowledge of Wolbachia infection in B. tabaci, especially in invasive whiteflies.

The Diophantine equation 8(x) + p(y) = z(2).

Let p be a fixed odd prime. Using certain results of exponential Diophantine equations, we prove that (i) if p ≡ ± 3(mod 8), then the equation 8 (x) + p (y) = z (2) has no positive integer solutions (x, y, z); (ii) if p ≡ 7(mod 8), then the equation has only the solutions (p, x, y, z) = (2 (q) - 1, (1/3)(q + 2), 2, 2 (q) + 1), where q is an odd prime with q ≡ 1(mod 3); (iii) if p ≡ 1(mod 8) and p ≠ 17, then the equation has at most two positive integer solutions (x, y, z).

Lewis base-promoted rearrangement of allylic cyanohydrins: construction of functionalized nitriles bearing 1,3-diketone moieties.

A novel Lewis base-promoted rearrangement of allylic cyanohydrins has been developed, in which the cyano group was rearranged, directly coupled with the generation of new functional groups. This protocol provides a unique and facile way to prepare highly functionalized nitriles bearing 1,3-diketone moieties under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the synthetic transformations of the functionalized products have also been demonstrated.

Water requirement of vegetation and infiltration method for determining the ecological water requirement of dried-up rivers.

Many rivers in the region of northwest China are drying up, and the ecological environment is getting worse. Studying methods of calculating the ecological water requirement (EWR) for dried-up rivers will help to slow down the deterioration of the ecological environment and conserve biodiversity. The water requirement of vegetation and infiltration (WRVI) method is proposed in this paper. This method focuses on dried-up rivers and takes the water requirement of vegetation and river bed infiltration into consideration. This is different from the conventional methods, which only focus on the rivers that have a flow rate. Due to drying, the ecological environment is worsening year by year in the lower reaches of the Zhang River in the Haihe River Basin in northwest China. This river is used as an example to determine the EWR, and the results are compared with another method. The results show that the WRVI method can calculate the EWR more accurately by considering various factors in different years and months for dried-up rivers.

High-dose exposure to butylparaben impairs thyroid ultrastructure and function in rats.

Parabens (PBs) are a class of preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Studies have shown that these compounds may act as endocrine disruptors, affecting thyroxine levels in humans. PBs with longer chain substituents, such as butylparaben (BuP), are less prone to complete biotransformation and are therefore more likely to accumulate in the body. In this study, the effect of high-dose exposure to BuP on thyroid microstructure, ultrastructure, and function was investigated in rats. 50 mg/kg bw per day of BuP was injected subcutaneously into the neck of rats for 4 weeks. Rat thyroid weight, microstructure, and ultrastructure were determined, and the levels of thyroid sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), serum thyroid hormones, and thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The human thyroid cell line was used to study the mechanism of BuP on thyroid epithelial cells. The weight of the thyroid gland of BuP-exposed rats was increased, the structure of the thyroid follicles was irregular and damaged, the mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum were swollen and damaged, and the microvilli at the tip of the epithelium were reduced and disappeared. Serum total T3, total T4, free T3, and free T4 were decreased in BuP-exposed rats, and TSH, peroxidase antibody, and thyroglobulin antibody were increased. In vitro, BuP decreased the level of NIS in thyroid epithelial cells, inhibited proliferation and viability, and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrated that high-dose exposure to BuP induced structural, ultrastructural, and functional impairment to the thyroid gland of rats, which may be one of the factors leading to hypothyroidism.

Methyl donor diet attenuates intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury in rats.

Environmental factors, particularly dietary habits, play an important role in cardiovascular disease susceptibility and progression through epigenetic modification. Previous studies have shown that hyperplastic vascular intima after endarterectomy is characterized by genome-wide hypomethylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether methyl donor diet affects intimal hyperplasia and the possible mechanisms involved. Intimal hyperplasia was induced in SD rats by carotid artery balloon injury. From 8 d before surgery to 28 d after surgery, the animals were fed a normal diet (ND) or a methyl donor diet (MD) supplemented with folic acid, vitamin B12, choline, betaine, and zinc. Carotid artery intimal hyperplasia was observed by histology, the effect of MD on carotid protein expression was analyzed by proteomics, functional clustering, signaling pathway, and upstream-downstream relationship of differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics. Results showed that MD attenuated balloon injury-induced intimal hyperplasia in rat carotid arteries. Proteomic analysis showed that there were many differentially expressed proteins in the common carotid arteries of rats fed with two different diets. The differentially expressed proteins are mainly related to the composition and function of the extracellular matrix (EMC), and changes in the EMC can lead to vascular remodeling by affecting fibrosis and stiffness of the blood vessel wall. Changes in the levels of vasculotropic proteins such as S100A9, ILF3, Serpinh1, Fbln5, LOX, HSPG2, and Fmod may be the reason why MD attenuates intimal hyperplasia. Supplementation with methyl donor nutrients may be a beneficial measure to prevent pathological vascular remodeling after injury.

Study on river regulation measures of dried-up rivers of Haihe River basin, China.

In recent years, the ecological environment of plain rivers within Haihe River basin is questionable because of severe water shortages. Most of the rivers dry up regularly and it is therefore necessary to take measures to improve the river ecological environment. Meanwhile, flood control is the principal function for most of the dried-up rivers, so river regulation works for flood control also should be undertaken. In this paper, some measures of river regulation were selected applied to the Haihe River basin, taking these measures not only ensure the river security but also realize its ecological benefit. Examples of the application of selected measures for the representative rivers, Yongding River and Hutuo River, both located within the Haihe River basin, are also assessed. These measures provide practical solutions to ecological and flood control problems of dried-up rivers, are generic in nature, and could therefore be applied to other same type rivers.

Selenium regulates T cell differentiation in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in mice.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that plays an important role in thyroid physiology. Se supplementation can reduce levels of autoimmune thyroid antibodies, which may be beneficial in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). However, the long-term benefits of Se supplementation for HT patients are controversial and there is no clear clinical evidence to support it, so further basic and clinical research is needed. The effect of Se on immune cells, especially T cells, in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) has not been elucidated. Here, we replicated a mouse model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) on a high-iodine diet and treated it with Se supplementation. At week 8 of the experiment, Se supplementation reduced the destruction of thyroid follicles and the infiltration rate of lymphocytes in EAT mice, and reversed the disturbance of peripheral blood thyroxine and thyroid autoantibody levels. Further examination revealed that Se had broad effects on T-cell subsets. Its effects include reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by Th1 cells, inhibiting the differentiation and production of cytokines by Th2 and Th17 cells, and upregulating the differentiation and production of cytokines by Treg cells. These changes help alleviate thyroid follicle damage during EAT. In conclusion, selenium supplementation has the potential to improve the prognosis of AIT by altering the subset differentiation and/or function of CD4+ T cells.

DNase I and Sivelestat Ameliorate Experimental Hindlimb Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Eliminating Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Purpose: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the hindlimb. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant DNase I and sivelestat in eliminating NETs and their effects on IRI limbs. Patients and Methods: An air pump was used to apply a pressure of 300 mmHg to the root of the right hindlimb of the rat for 2 h and then deflated to replicate the IRI model. The formation of NETs was determined by the detection of myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and histone H3 in the skeletal muscles of the hindlimbs. Animals were administered 2.5 mg/kg bw/d DNase I, 15 or 60 mg/kg bw/d sivelestat by injection into the tail vein or intramuscularly into the ischemic area for 7d. Elimination of NETs, hindlimb perfusion, muscle fibrosis, angiogenesis and motor function were assessed. Results: DNase I reduced NETs, attenuated muscle fibrosis, promoted angiogenesis in IRI area and improved limb motor function. Local administration of DNase I improved hindlimb perfusion more than intravenous administration. Sivelestat at a dose of 15 mg/kg bw/d increased perfusion, counteracted skeletal muscle fibrosis, promoted angiogenesis and enhanced motor function. However, sivelestat at a dosage of 60 mg/kg bw/d had an adverse effect on tissue repair, especially when injected locally. Conclusion: Both DNase I and moderate doses of sivelestat can eliminate IRI-derived NETs. They improve hindlimb function by improving perfusion and angiogenesis, preventing muscle fibrosis. Appropriate administration mode and dosage is the key to prevent IRI by elimination of NETs. DNase I is more valid when administered topically and sivelestat is more effective when administered intravenously. These results will provide a better strategy for the treatment of IRI in clinical.

Evidence mapping of clinical practice guidelines on nutritional management for pressure injuries and their quality.

CONTEXT: The safety and efficacy of nutritional management for pressure injuries (PIs) have been the subjects of ongoing interest. Some evidence demonstrated that nutrition is essential for skin and tissue viability, supporting tissue repair for healing the pressure injury. OBJECTIVE: This investigation aimed to systematically review clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the nutritional management of PIs and furnish an evidence map to assess research trends and CPG gaps. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and guidelines databases, and society websites were searched for CPGs for the nutritional management of PIs. The basic recommendations for the nutritional management of PIs, method quality, and reporting CPGs quality were identified and imported into Excel. Four researchers independently elucidated each CPG's quality via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) checklist. All bubble charts were generated using Excel software. RESULTS: This review included 12 CPGs with a combined 23 recommendations. The nutrition screening and assessment were summarized on the basis of the PI recommendations for 6 major items, 12 items on nutrition management, and 3 on PI education. The assessed CPGs had mixed quality, and the highest score ± standard deviation based on the clarity of presentation was 83.46 ± 7.62, whereas the lowest mean score based on AGREE II applicability was 53.31 ± 16.90. Field 1 (basic information) in the RIGHT checklist had the greatest reporting rate (68.06%), whereas field 5 (review and quality assurance) had the lowest CPGs quality (41.67%). CONCLUSION: This investigation furnishes an evidence map and provides new perspectives on the CPGs for the nutritional management of PIs. However, the CPGs included still need improvement, especially in the applicability and editorial independence domains.

[A family-based association study of the EGR3 gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia].

Previous studies showed that EGR3 gene located in chromosome 8p21.3 was involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. However, the finding failed to be replicated in several case-control studies. To investigate the genetic role of the EGR3 gene in Chinese psychiatric patients, we genotyped five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EGR3 gene locus using 93 nuclear families in Han Chinese, and performed transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). In this study, two SNPs (rs1996147 and rs3750192) showed significant association with schizophrenia (c2>4.40, P<0.05). In the linkage disequilibrium analysis, the significant association was also found in two- (rs3750192-rs35201266), three- (rs1877670- rs3750192-rs7009708) and four-SNP (rs1996147-rs1877670-rs3750192-rs7009708) tests of haplotype analyses (c2>7.10, global P<0.05). Overall, the results suggested that EGR3 gene may play an important role in schizophrenia susceptibility in the Han Chinese population, and further functional exploration of the EGR3 gene will contribute to the underlying molecular mechanism for schizophrenia pathogenesis.