Author Correction: Nitrosative stress induces downregulation of ribosomal protein genes via MYCT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Correction to: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2021; 25 (18): 5653-5663-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202109_26784-PMID: 34604957, published online on 30 September, 2021. After publication, the authors applied to add another corresponding author. Therefore, both Dr. Xiaosun Guo and Dr. Fan Jiang are the corresponding authors of this article. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/26784.

[Risk factors of perinatal complications in patients with pulmonary hypertension underwent cesarean section in 4 Chinese centers].

Objective: To identify the risk factors related to perinatal complications in patients with pulmonary hypertension underwent cesarean section. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension hospitalized in 4 different hospitals in Shandong province and underwent cesarean section between May 2010 and May 2020. Patients were divided into perinatal complication group and control group according to the presence or absence of perinatal complications. Perinatal complications included aggravated heart function, new onset arrythmias, sudden cardiac arrest, all-cause death within 42 days post cesarean section, postpartum bleeding and thrombotic events. Risk factors of perinatal complications were analyzed. Results: A total of 167 patients (47 cases in the perinatal complication group and 120 cases in the control group) were included in this study. The average age of this cohort was 28(24, 32) years, and 75(44.9%) patients suffered newly diagnosed pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy. The main cause of pulmonary hypertension was congenital heart disease (137(82.0%)). Age, pregnant weeks, percent of primipara, intra-cardiac shunt, and receiving targeted medication therapy, cardiac dimensions were similar between the two groups. A total of 62 complications were recorded in the complication group including 28 cases of aggravated heart function, 4 cases of new onset arrythmias, 2 cases of cardiac arrest, 11 cases of bleeding or thrombotic events and 17 patients were dead. Prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and general anesthesia was significantly higher, functional capacity was significantly lower in perinatal complication group than in control group (all P<0.05). The estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure, serum N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were significantly higher in perinatal complication group than in control group (all P<0.05). Logistic analysis demonstrated WHO Function Class(FC) Ⅲ/Ⅳ (OR=2.416,95%CI 1.016-5.743, P=0.046) and TBIL level (OR=6.874,95%CI 1.643-28.757, P=0.008) were the independent risk factors of perinatal complications. Conclusion: TBIL and WHO FC are independent risk factors of perinatal complications in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension underwent cesarean section.

Effects of edaravone combined with Oxiracetam on neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral infarction through targeting SIRT1/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of edaravone combined with oxiracetam on neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral infarction (CI) and to explore the potential molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group (n=12), model group (n=12) and treatment group (n=12). Only the external carotid artery was exposed in sham-operation group, while the models of CI were established using suture method in the other two groups. After modeling, the rats in sham-operation group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, and those in treatment group were administered with edaravone and oxiracetam solutions via intraperitoneal injection. Then, the specimens were obtained at 2 weeks after intervention. The cognitive function of the rats was evaluated using a water maze, Nissl staining was applied to observe the neuronal morphology, and the relative protein expressions of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and NF-κB were measured by means of Western blotting. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to determine the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) and IL-6, the content of IL-1ß and IL-6 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was conducted to examine the cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Model group displayed a significantly longer escape latency and significantly fewer times of crossing the original platform than sham-operation group (p<0.05), whereas treatment group had a significantly shorter escape latency but significantly more times of crossing the original platform than model group (p<0.05). The relative protein expression level of SIRT1 was lowered significantly, while that of NF-κB was elevated significantly in model group in comparison with those in sham-operation group (p<0.05), and the opposite results were observed between model group and treatment group (p<0.05). Besides, the content of IL-1ß and IL-6 in brain tissues was increased significantly in model group compared with that in sham-operation group (p<0.05), but it was decreased significantly in treatment group in comparison with that in model group (p<0.05). The relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were significantly higher in model group than those in sham-operation group (p<0.05). Moreover, model group exhibited more positive apoptotic cells and a significantly higher apoptosis rate than sham-operation group (p<0.05) and treatment group (p<0.05). No apparent abnormalities of neuronal morphology and structure were detected in sham-operation group, with many Nissl bodies. The neurons were damaged, with abnormal morphology and structure, and there were a small number of Nissl bodies in model group. The neurons were damaged in treatment group, but their morphology and structure were improved evidently compared with those in model group. CONCLUSIONS: Edaravone combined with oxiracetam can inhibit the neuronal apoptosis in CI rats by regulating the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.

Nitrosative stress induces downregulation of ribosomal protein genes via MYCT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

OBJECTIVE: In our previous genomic studies in human intracranial aneurysms, we observed downregulations in the expression of a number of ribosomal protein genes and the c-Myc-related gene MYC target 1 (MYCT1). So far there is no information about the roles of MYCT1 in vascular cells. Our study aims to investigate the functional roles of MYCT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary SMCs were isolated from rat thoracic aorta and cultured in vitro. The mRNA and protein expressions were determined by real-time PCR and western blot respectively. Apoptosis was detected by measuring caspase 3/7 activity. Collagen production was determined with ELISA. RESULTS: Using PCR, we validated our previous genomic data showing that the expressions of MYCT1 and ribosomal protein genes were decreased in human aneurysm tissues. In vascular SMCs, we showed that nitrosative stress downregulated the expression of both MYCT1 and ribosomal proteins. Knockdown of MYCT1 mimicked the effects of nitrosative stress on ribosomal protein expressions, whereas overexpression of MYCT1 blunted the effects of nitrosative stress. MYCT1-dependent downregulation of ribosomal proteins compromised the protein translational capacity of the cells for collagen production. Moreover, the endogenously expressed MYCT1 in vascular SMCs was involved in maintaining normal cellular functions including survival, proliferation and migration. CONCLUSIONS: MYCT1-dependent gene regulation may, at least partly, explain the downregulated expressions of ribosomal proteins observed in human intracranial aneurysms. It is suggested that MYCT1 may represent a novel molecular target for counteracting the decreased activity of aneurysmal SMCs for tissue repairmen/regeneration.

Cycle oxidation behavior and anti-oxidation mechanism of hot-dipped aluminum coating on TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites with network microstructure.

Controlled and compacted TiAl3 coating was successfully fabricated on the network structured TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites by hot-dipping aluminum and subsequent interdiffusion treatment. The network structure of the composites was inherited to the TiAl3 coating, which effectively reduces the thermal stress and avoids the cracks appeared in the coating. Moreover, TiB reinforcements could pin the TiAl3 coating which can effectively improve the bonding strength between the coating and composite substrate. The cycle oxidation behavior of the network structured coating on 873 K, 973 K and 1073 K for 100 h were investigated. The results showed the coating can remarkably improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of the TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites. The network structure was also inherited to the Al2O3 oxide scale, which effectively decreases the tendency of cracking even spalling about the oxide scale. Certainly, no crack was observed in the coating after long-term oxidation due to the division effect of network structured coating and pinning effect of TiB reinforcements. Interfacial reaction between the coating and the composite substrate occurred and a bilayer structure of TiAl/TiAl2 formed next to the substrate after oxidation at 973 K and 1073 K. The anti-oxidation mechanism of the network structured coating was also discussed.

[Clinical experience of 302 cases with brain abscess].

Objective: To compare the diagnosis and treatment experience of brain abscesses and improve prognosis. Methods: The data of 302 patients of brain abscess at Department of Neurosurgery in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 1980 to 2014 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 215 male and 87 female patients aged from 11 to 82 years with mean age of (30±8) years. The patients was divided into 1980-2001 group and 2002-2014 group according to different diagnosis and the treatment methods. The therapy methods include operation and conservative treatment. There were 196 cases received operation, including 95 cases of excision, 89 cases of ventriculopuncture, 12 cases of excision after ventriculopuncture, 106 cases received drug conservative therapy. Two groups of information including clinical manifestation, abscess location, therapeutic effect and prognosis were compared by χ(2) test. Results: Compared to 1980-2001 group, adjacent infection incidence declined(χ(2)=8.000, P=0.005). The ratio of single abscess declined and multiple abscess increased(χ(2)=11.060, P=0.001), the infection proportion of frontal lobe and temporal lobe decreased(χ(2)=9.080, P=0.003; χ(2)=15.440, P=0.000). The ratio of headache and vomit and papilledema declined significantly(χ(2)=23.290, P=0.000; χ(2)=21.020, P=0.000; χ(2)=2.290, P=0.001). Total mortality of 302 patients were 23 cases and 5 cases of 1980-2001 group and 2002-2014 group (10.4% vs. 6.3%, χ(2)=1.180, P=0.277). However, there were statistical difference in postoperative mortality between both groups (14.4% vs. 4.0%, χ(2) =3.880, P=0.049). Conclusion: With the application of antibiotics and the development of neurosurgical techniques, the prognosis of brain abscess has been improved.

Diagnostic value of cytological and microbiological methods in cryptococcal meningitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate diagnostic methods for cryptococcal meningitis (CM). A retrospective analysis was conducted for 31 patients with CM confirmed by etiologic detection of cerebrospinal fluid in our hospital in the past 5 years. Nineteen cases in 31 patients were confirmed with CM in the first diagnosis, with a misdiagnosis rate of 38.7%. The positive rates of cryptococcus detection in cerebrospinal fluid with May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG)-, ink-, and Alcian blue-staining methods were 86.9, 70.9, and 80.6%, respectively. The misdiagnosis rate of CM is high during the early stage of disease. The total positive rate of cryptococcus diagnosis using the MGG-staining method was significantly higher than that using the ink-staining method. These results are important for diagnosing CM.

A novel approach to accelerate the reaction between Ti and Al.

Pure Ti foils and SiCp/Al composite foils were employed to investigate the parabolic growth kinetics of TiAl3 at 660°C. Compared with pure Al foils, the introduction of SiC particles significantly refined TiAl3 grain size by the solid solution of silicon. Corresponding refinement mechanisms were concluded from the perspective of the nucleation of TiAl3. Micromechanics analysis shows that the fine TiAl3 grains own a small viscous resistance, and subsequently an improvement in the reaction rate could be achieved. This meaningful law also applies extensively to Ni/Al and Fe/Al systems.

Molecular changes of mesenchymal stromal cells in response to dexamethasone treatment.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. The MSCs can be activated and mobilized if needed. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the response mechanism of MSCs under Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment by combining MSCs microarray and bioinformatics methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We downloaded the gene expression profile of rat's MSCs challenge with or without Dex (GSE3339) from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 2 Dex treated samples and 3 untreated samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by packages in R language. Then, Gestalt (Genomic Sequence Total Analysis and Lookup Tool) and EASE (Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer) to were employed to obtain the molecular events of MSCs under Dex treatment. RESULTS: A total of 17 genes were identified as DEGs between untreated and treated samples, and they were significant enriched in immune response and cell differentiation. The C3 gene was the common candidate gene selected from two different algorithms, and 24 conserved sites were identified in the 3'UTR of C3 gene. CONCLUSIONS: Genes associated with immune response and cell differentiation were dysregulated in MSCs under Dex.

Formation of intermetallic compound layer in multi-laminated Ni-(TiB2/Al) composite sheets during annealing treatment.

Solid-state reactive diffusion between Ni and Al was investigated during annealing at 650°C by employing multi-laminated Ni-(TiB(2)/Al) composite sheets. In multi-laminated Ni-(TiB(2)/Al) composite sheets annealed up to 5min NiAl(3) was the only phase observed in the diffusion zone, and Ni(2)Al(3) appeared after longer annealing time. Most grains of Ni(2)Al(3) showed equiaxed morphology rather than columnar microstructures like NiAl(3), due to the low concentration gradients of Al and Ni at the Ni/NiAl(3) interface. The preferential formation of this intermetallic compound NiAl(3) in multi-laminated Ni-(TiB(2)/Al) composite sheets was predicted using an effective heat of formation model. The present work indicated that both Ni and Al interdiffused, and the formation of NiAl(3) was a reaction-diffusion process.

Wnt/beta-catenin is involved in the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells induced by hypoxia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Beta-catenin, as a major effector molecule in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, could regulate adult neurogenesis. Here, the role of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) induced by hypoxia was investigated. METHODS: The hippocampal NSCs of neonatal green fluorescent protein transgenic mice on day 0 were cultured in hypoxia (5% O(2)) and traditional O(2) (20% O(2)). The expression of ß-catenin, p-GSK-3ß, and cyclinD1 in NSCs was measured under hypoxia or traditional O(2) by western blotting. NSCs were electroporated with pTOPFLASH reporter in different conditions and the LEF/TCF-dependent luciferase activity was assayed. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased the proliferation and reduced the apoptosis of hippocampal NSCs. NSCs proliferation was inhibited by transfecting with pAxin, whereas promoted by transfecting with pß-catenin. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia could enhance the proliferation of hippocampal NSCs and ß-catenin contributed to this action.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Ramie in China.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea), usually called "China grass", is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Urticaceae with recognized importance in the production of fibers. It is mainly planted in China and other Asian countries including the Philippines, India, South Korea, and Thailand. From June 2007 to September 2010, typical anthracnose symptoms were observed in cultivated ramie fields in HuBei, HuNan, JiangXi, and SiChuan provinces, China, with the diseased area estimated to be more than 10,000 ha. Ramie yield was reduced by 20% on average with up to 55% yield losses in some fields. Lesions were initially small, scattered, round, and gray with brown margin on leaves. As the disease progressed, irregular spots developed and expanded until the leaves withered. Initial lesions on stems were fusiform and expanded, causing the stem to break. Finally, the fibers ruptured. Five isolates (CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, and CS-5) were used to evaluate cultural and morphological characteristics of the pathogen. On potato dextrose agar, all isolations initially developed white colonies with orange conidial mass and the colonies turned to gray or brown after 5 days of incubation. Twenty conidia and fifteen setae were measured. Conidia were single celled, colorless, straight, oval, obtuse at both ends, and 11 to 18 × 3 to 6 µm with an average of 14.89 × 4.32 µm. Conidiophores were dense and 11 to 22 × 4 to 5 µm with an average of 15.82 × 4.43 µm. Setae were few, dark brown, one to two septa, and 62 to 71 × 4 to 5 µm with an average of 65.13 × 4.46 µm. The pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on the basis of descriptions in Bailey and Jeger (1). Genomic DNA was extracted from the five isolates and sequences of rDNA-ITS with primers ITS1 and ITS4 were obtained (GenBank Accession Nos. GQ120479-GQ120483). Comparison with sequences in GenBank showed 99 to 100% similarity with C. gloeosporioides (Accession Nos. FJ515005, FJ459930, and HM016798). Pathogenicity tests were performed with the five isolates in the laboratory by spraying conidial suspensions (1 × 106 conidia/ml) onto upper and lower surfaces of 10 leaves of 10-day-old, 30-cm high plants. There were three replicate plants for each isolate. The inoculated plants were incubated with a 12-h photoperiod at 25 to 28°C and 90% relative humidity in an artificial climate chamber. Three days after inoculation, brown spots were observed on all inoculated leaves, but no symptoms were seen on water-treated control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of C. gloeosporioides from diseased leaves. Though in the revision of Colletotrichum by von Arx (4) and Sutton (3), C. boehmeriae, named based on host specificity, was cancelled, C. boehmeriae was regarded as a pathogen of ramie by some Chinese researchers (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of ramie in China. References: (1) J. A. Bailey and M. J. Jeger. Colletotrichum: Biology, Pathology and Control. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1992. (2) R. M. Li and H. G. Ma. J. Plant Prot. 20:83, 1993. (3) B. C. Sutton. Page 523 in: The Coelomycetes: Fungi Imperfecti with Pycnidia, Acervuli and Stromata. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, London, 1980. (4) J. A. von Arx. Phytopathol. Z. 29:413, 1957.

Marek's disease virus latent protein MEQ: delineation of an epitope in the BR1 domain involved in nuclear localization.

Marek's disease virus latent protein MEQ (MDV Eco Q) is abundantly expressed and consistently detected in MDV-induced tumors and cell lines. Deletion mutants were constructed to study the domain structure of MEQ. Four deletion mutants were obtained in the basic regions of MEQ, namely basic region 1 (DeltaBR1), basic region 2 (DeltaBR2), basic regions 1 and 2 (DeltaBR1 and 2), and the C-terminal (bZIP) domain. The BR1 and BR2 are nuclear localization signals and either is sufficient to cause transport of MEQ into the nucleus. In addition, the BR2 is also responsible for MEQ's nucleolar localization. A monoclonal antibody (Mab 23B46) was produced using recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) expressing MEQ (rFPV/MEQ) as a source of protein. The isotype of Mab 23B46 is IgG1 and immunoprecipitated a band in rFPV/MEQ infected cells with molecular weight of 60 kDa specific to MEQ protein. We detected abundant expression of MEQ in (rFPV/MEQ), recombinant baculovirus (rBac) (rBac/MEQ), and lymphoid tumors induced by MDV. In order to delineate the epitope of MEQ reactive with Mab 23B46, we used four deletion mutants from the basic and bZIP domains. We found the deletions in the N-terminal region including BR1 (DeltaBR1), and (DeltaBR1 and 2) completely abolished the specific binding with Mab 23B46 as shown by Western blot analysis and immunofluoresence test. Deletion of BR2 (DeltaBR2) and the C-terminal (bZIP) domain had no effect on antibody binding. These data provide direct evidence that monoclonal antibody reactive epitope is localized in the BR1 domain of the molecule. Since both BR1 and BR2 domains contain sequences important for nuclear entry, we now have reagent to further study and elucidate the mechanism of MEQ's involvement in nuclear and nucleolar localization.