Rapid analysis of Bacillus cereus spore biomarkers based on porous channel cuttlebone SERS substrate.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a widespread conditional pathogen that affects food safety and human health. Conventional methods such as bacteria culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are difficult to use for rapid identification of bacterial spores because of the relatively long analysis times. From a human health perspective, there is an urgent need to develop an ultrasensitive, rapid, and accurate method for the detection of B. cereus spores. RESULTS: The study proposed a new method for rapidly and sensitively detecting the biomarkers of bacterial spores via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with electrochemical enrichment. The 2,6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA) was used as the model analyte to acts as a biomarker of B. cereus spores. The SERS substrate was developed via the in-situ generation of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a cuttlebone-derived organic matrix (CDOM). Because of the depletion of chitin reduction sites on the CDOM, the pores of the porous channels expanded. The pores diameter of the AgNPs/CDOM porous channel was found to be in the range of 0.7-1.3 nm through molecular diffusion experiments. Based on the porosity of AgNPs/CDOM substrates and the high sensitivity of SERS substrates, the sensor can rapidly and accurately electronically enrich DPA in 40 s with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 nM. SIGNIFICANCE: The results demonstrate that electrochemically assisted SERS substrates can be served as a high sensitivity electrochemical-enrichment device for the rapid and sensitive detection of bacterial spores with minimal interference from potentially coexisting species in biological samples. In this study, it opens up a platform to explore the application of porous channels in natural bio-derived materials in the field of food safety.

Prevent lumping during hot-water rehydration of lotus rhizome powder by restricted swelling treatment.

Lotus rhizome powder (LRP) tends to lump during hot-water rehydration, adversely affecting its edible quality. By utilizing a restricted swelling treatment (ST), where LRP was swollen at a temperature slightly below its onset gelatinization temperature (To), the lumping rate could be substantially reduced from 30.95% to 6.39%. This treatment induced an ordered-disordered structural transition of LRP without compromising its granule morphology and water dispersibility. This transition led to significant increases in thermal transition temperatures and a notable delay in peak pasting time by 86.6 s. These changes effectively delayed the formation of a gelatinous skin surrounding the dry granules, allowing them sufficient time to absorb water and paste completely, thereby preventing lumping. The prevention of lumping was beneficial for obtaining desired viscoelasticity of LRP paste. Conversely, ST treatments conducted at temperatures markedly deviating from To resulted in significantly higher lumping rates, underscoring the importance of carefully controlling the ST temperature.

In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the detection of nanoplastics: A novel approach inspired by the aging of nanoplastics.

Nanoplastics (NPs) present a hidden risk to organisms and the environment via migration and enrichment. Detecting NPs remains challenging because of their small size, low ambient concentrations, and environmental variability. There is an urgency to exploit detection approaches that are more compatible with real-world environments. Herein, this study provides a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique for the in situ reductive generation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which is based on photoaging-induced modifications in NPs. The feasibility of generating Ag NPs on the surface of NPs was derived by exploring the photoaging mechanism, which was then utilized to SERS detection. The approach was applied successfully for the detection of polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NPs with excellent sensitivity (e.g., as low as 1 × 10-6 mg/mL for PVC NPs, and an enhancement factor (EF) of up to 2.42 × 105 for small size PS NPs) and quantitative analytical capability (R2 > 0.95579). The method was successful in detecting NPs (PS NPs) in lake water. In addition, satisfactory recoveries (93.54-105.70 %, RSD < 12.5 %) were obtained by spiking tap water as well as lake water, indicating the applicability of the method to the actual environment. Therefore, the proposed approach offers more perspectives for testing real environmental NPs.

High sensitivity in quantitative analysis of mixed-size polystyrene micro/nanoplastics in one step.

As emerging environmental pollutants, microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) pose a serious threat to human health. Owing to the lack of feasible and reliable analytical methods, the separation and identification of MPs and NPs of different sizes remains a challenge. In this study, a hyphenated method involving filtration and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the separation and identification of MPs and NPs is reported. This method not only avoids the loss of MPs and NPs during the transfer process but also provides an excellent SERS substrate. The SERS substrate was fabricated by electrochemically depositing silver particles onto the reduced graphene oxide layer coated on stainless steel mesh. Results show that polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs are efficiently separated on the SERS substrate via vacuum filtration, resulting in high retention rates (74.26 % ± 1.58 % for 100 nm, 81.06 % ± 1.49 % for 500 nm, and 97.73 % ±0.11 % for 5 µm) and low limit of detection (LOD). The LOD values of 100 nm, 500 nm, and 5 µm PS are 8.89 × 10-5, 3.39 × 10-5, and 1.57 × 10-4 µg/mL, respectively. More importantly, a linear relationship for uniform quantification of 100 nm, 500 nm, 3 µm and 5 µm PS was established, and the relationship is Y = 225.61 lgX + 1076.36 with R2 = 0.980. The method was validated for the quantitative analysis of a mixture of 100 nm, 500 nm PS NPs, 3 µm and 5 µm PS MPs in a ratio of 1:1:1:1, which successfully approaches the evaluation of evaluated PS NPs in the range of 10-4-10 µg/mL with an LOD value of approximately 7.82 × 10-5 µg/mL. Moreover, this method successfully detected (3.87 ± 0.06) × 10-5 µg MPs and NPs per gram of oyster tissue.

OsALKBH9-mediated m6A demethylation regulates tapetal PCD and pollen exine accumulation in rice.

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification is crucial for plant development and stress responses. In rice, the male sterility resulting from the deficiency of OsFIP37, a core component of m6A methyltransferase complex, emphasizes the significant role of m6A in male fertility. m6A is reversible and can be removed by m6A demethylases. However, whether mRNA m6A demethylase regulates male fertility in rice has remained unknown. Here, we identify the mRNA m6A demethylase OsALKBH9 and demonstrate its involvement in male fertility regulation. Knockout of OsALKBH9 causes male sterility, dependent on its m6A demethylation activity. Cytological analysis reveals defective tapetal programmed cell death (PCD) and excessive accumulation of microspores exine in Osalkbh9-1. Transcriptome analysis of anthers shows up-regulation of genes involved in tapetum development, sporopollenin synthesis, and transport pathways in Osalkbh9-1. Additionally, we demonstrate that OsALKBH9 demethylates the m6A modification in TDR and GAMYB transcripts, which affects the stability of these mRNAs and ultimately leads to excessive accumulation of pollen exine. Our findings highlight the precise control of mRNA m6A modification and reveal the pivotal roles played by OsALKBH9-mediated m6A demethylation in tapetal PCD and pollen exine accumulation in rice.

Circadian disruption during fetal development promotes pathological cardiac remodeling in male mice.

Disruption of circadian rhythms during fetal development may predispose mice to developing heart disease later in life. Here, we report that male, but not female, mice that had experienced chronic circadian disturbance (CCD) in utero were more susceptible to pathological cardiac remodeling compared with mice that had developed under normal intrauterine conditions. CCD-treated males showed ventricular chamber dilatation, enhanced myocardial fibrosis, decreased contractility, higher rates of induced tachyarrhythmia, and elevated expression of biomarkers for heart failure and myocardial remodeling. In utero CCD exposure also triggered sex-dependent changes in cardiac gene expression, including upregulation of the secretoglobin gene, Scgb1a1, in males. Importantly, cardiac overexpression of Scgb1a1 was sufficient to induce myocardial hypertrophy in otherwise naive male mice. Our findings reveal that in utero CCD exposure predisposes male mice to pathological remodeling of the heart later in life, likely as a consequence of SCGB1A1 upregulation.

Phenotypic Switching of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis.

The medial layer of the arterial wall is composed mainly of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Under physiological conditions, VSMCs assume a contractile phenotype, and their primary function is to regulate vascular tone. In contrast with terminally differentiated cells, VSMCs possess phenotypic plasticity, capable of transitioning into other cellular phenotypes in response to changes in the vascular environment. Recent research has shown that VSMC phenotypic switching participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, where the various types of dedifferentiated VSMCs accumulate in the atherosclerotic lesion and participate in the associated vascular remodeling by secreting extracellular matrix proteins and proteases. This review article discusses the 9 VSMC phenotypes that have been reported in atherosclerotic lesions and classifies them into differentiated VSMCs, intermediately dedifferentiated VSMCs, and dedifferentiated VSMCs. It also provides an overview of several methodologies that have been developed for studying VSMC phenotypic switching and discusses their respective advantages and limitations.

Overcoming the fluorescent interference during Raman spectroscopy detection of microplastics.

Owing to environmental concerns, microplastics pollution has been the object of increasing attention. Currently, the chemical composition of microplastics is commonly detected using Raman spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the Raman spectra of microplastics may be overlaid by signals derived from additives (e.g., pigment), resulting in serious interference. In this study, an efficient method is proposed to overcome the interference of fluorescence during Raman spectroscopic detection of microplastics. Four catalysts of Fenton's reagent (Fe2+, Fe3+, Fe3O4, and K2Fe4O7) have been investigated for their capacity to generate hydroxyl radical (•OH), thus potentially eliminating the fluorescent signals in microplastics. The results indicate that the Raman spectrum of microplastics treated with Fenton's reagent can be efficiently optimized in the absence of spectral processing. This method has been successfully applied to the detection of microplastics collected from mangroves, featuring a range of colours and shapes. Consequentially, after 14 h of treatment with sunlight-Fenton (Fe2+: 1 × 10-|6 M, H2O2: 4 M), the Raman spectra matching-degree (RSMD) of all microplastics were >70.00 %. The innovative strategy discussed in this manuscript can greatly promote the application of Raman spectroscopy in the detection of real environmental microplastics, overcoming interfering signals derived from additives.

Application of Price Competition Model Based on Computational Neural Network in Risk Prediction of Transnational Investment.

Aiming at the scenario where edge devices rely on cloud servers for collaborative computing, this paper proposes an efficient edge-cloud collaborative reasoning method. In order to meet the application's specific requirements for delay or accuracy, an optimal division point selection algorithm is proposed. A kind of multichannel supply chain price game model is constructed, and nonlinear dynamics theory is introduced into the research of the multichannel supply chain market. According to the actual competition situation, the different business strategies of retailers are considered in the modeling, which makes the model closer to the actual competition situation. Taking the retailer's profit as an indicator, the influence of the chaos phenomenon on the market performance is analyzed. Compared with the previous studies, this thesis uses nonlinear theory to better reveal the operating laws of the economic system. This paper selects company A in the financial industry to acquire company B in Sweden. It is concluded that company B is currently facing financial difficulties, but its brand and technical advantages are far superior to company A. The indirect financial risk index of company B, that is, the investment environment, is analyzed, and the final investment environment score of the country where company B is located is 90 points, which is an excellent grade by scoring the investment environment of the target enterprise. Combining the investment environment score and the alarm situation prediction score, it is concluded that the postmerger financial risk warning level of company A is in serious alarm.

A Quantitative Model of International Trade Based on Deep Neural Network.

This paper is an in-depth study of international trade quantification models based on deep neural networks. Based on an in-depth analysis of global trade characteristics, a summary of existing problems, and a comparative analysis of various prediction methods, this paper constructs the ARIMA model, BP neural network (BPNN) model, and deep neural network (DNN) model to make a comprehensive comparison of international trade quantification. The results show that the nonlinear model has a global trade quantification has some advantages over linear models, and the deep model shows better prediction performance than the shallow model. In addition, preprocessing of the time series is considered to improve the prediction accuracy or shorten the model training time. The empirical modal analysis method (EMD) is introduced to decompose the time series into eigenmodal functions (IMFs) of different scales. Then the decomposed IMF series are arranged into a matrix using principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality and extract the data containing the most stock index information features; these features are then input into BPNN and DNN for combined prediction, thus constructing the combined models EMD-PCA-BPNN and EMD-PCA-DNN. Based on Melitz's heterogeneous firm trade theory and its development by Chaney, a quantitative trade model incorporating production heterogeneity is constructed through a multisector extension. This paper adopts a general equilibrium analysis, which makes the modeling process pulse clear. The completed model has high flexibility and scalability, which can be applied to quantitative analysis of various problems.

Detection and Analysis of Microplastics in Human Sputum.

Microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental problem, and little research has focused on its impact on the human body. Based on retrospective case series, the study required participants to fill out a questionnaire and provide sputum samples in order to investigate the presence of microplastics in human sputum and determine whether humans involuntarily inhale them. A total of 22 patients suffering from different respiratory diseases were recruited. We used an Agilent 8700 laser infrared imaging spectrometer and Fourier-transform infrared microscope to analyze sputum samples and evaluate microplastics in the respiratory tract. Remarkably, the size range of the method for detecting microplastics in our study is 20-500 µm. The results showed that 21 types of microplastics were identified, and polyurethane was dominant, followed by polyester, chlorinated polyethylene, and alkyd varnish, accounting for 78.36% of the total microplastics. Most of the aspirated microplastics detected are smaller than 500 µm in size (median: 75.43 µm; interquartile range: 44.67-210.64 µm). Microplastics are ubiquitous in all sputum, indicating that inhalation is a potential way for plastics to enter the human body. Additionally, the quantities of microplastic types in the respiratory tract are related to smoking, invasive examination, etc. (P < 0.05). This study sheds new light on microplastic exposure, which provides basic data for the risk assessment of microplastics to human health.

Cell count-based parameters and algorithms for thalassaemia trait screening in the southern Chinese population.

INTRODUCTION: Thalassaemia trait (TT) is potential to be missed clinically, especially normocytic thalassaemia. We aimed to establish discriminant functions (DFs) and an algorithm for detecting microcytic or normocytic TT in epidemiological screening. METHODS: The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic performance of the proposed formulas in differentiating TT and nonthalassaemia (non-TT). DFs combined the two blood count parameters with the highest performance, based on the area under the curve (AUC) value, into mathematical formulas, using logistic regression. The diagnostic efficacy of DFs was subsequently evaluated in 761 participants, and reliability (including adjusted agreement [AA] and Kappa values) and validity (including sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and Youden's Index) were calculated. RESULTS: Among microcytic participants, the proposed DFs showed good diagnostic performance (in females: AUC = 0.892 [DF1 = 0.015 × RDW-CV/RBC - 0.096 × RDW-SD/RBC + 1.29], in males: AUC = 0.861 [DF2=-0.025 × RDW-SD/RBC - 0.035 × MCV/RBC + 1.415]). Youden's Index, AA and Kappa values for microcytic TT detection were 0.72, 0.86, and 0.72 and 0.63, 0.81 and 0.63 for females and males, respectively. In normocytic participants with RDW-CV/RBC ≤ 3.54, DF3=-0.38 × MCH-0.02 × MCHC+17.37 achieved AUC = 0.857 in females, whereas DF4 = 0.007 × MCV-0.113 × MCH+2.829 achieved AUC = 0.969 in males. The Youden's Index, AA and Kappa values for the proposed DFs for thalassaemia detection were 0.69, 0.84 and 0.67 in females, 0.76, 0.91 and 0.71 in males, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed DFs performed well in the detection of TT among participants with microcytic and normocytic parameters and could be utilized in epidemiological study for TT.

Comprehensive lymphadenectomy and survival prediction in uterine serous cancer patients after surgery: A population-based analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence on uterine serous cancer (USC) prognosis has been limited and inconclusive. We aim to explore the survival benefits of comprehensive lymphadenectomy in USC patients after surgery and develop a prognostic nomogram to predict survival. METHODS: USC patients who had undergone hysterectomy between 2010 and 2015 were identified from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The relationship between the extent of lymphadenectomy and survival, including overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), was estimated with Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilized to determine the independent prognostic factors. A nomogram was then developed, calibrated and internally validated. RESULTS: A total of 2853 patients were identified. K-M survival analysis revealed that patients with ≥12 pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) removed had significantly better OS and CSS than those without (both P < 0.001). However, patients with ≥6 para-aortic lymph nodes removed was not associated with similar survival benefits than patients without (P > 0.1). Multivariate analyses for OS and CSS revealed that age, T-stage, N-stage, tumor size, adjuvant therapy and ≥12 PLNs removed were independent prognostic factors (all P < 0.05) and were subsequently incorporated into the nomogram. The Harrell's C-index of the nomogram was significantly higher than that of the FIGO staging system (OS: 0.739 vs 0.671, P < 0.001; CSS: 0.752 vs 0.695, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the nomogram was well calibrated with satisfactory consistency. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive pelvic lymphadenectomy should be recommended to USC patients for its survival benefits. And a nomogram has been developed to predict the survivals of USC patients after surgery.

Feasibility and safety of neoadjuvant laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with advanced ovarian cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can significantly increase the rate of optimal cytoreduction. However, this does not translate into a survival benefit. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effect of neoadjuvant laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NLHIPEC). METHODS: Between March 2016 and February 2018, 14 patients with advanced ovarian cancer who were not candidates for optimal cytoreduction via primary debulking surgery (PDS) received NLHIPEC. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: No patients experienced intraoperative complications during NLHIPEC. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were noted in two (14.3%) patients, and all patients received planned NACT without dose delay or dose reduction. Following NACT, CA125 levels <35 U/mL and <20 U/mL were observed in six (42.9%) patients and five (35.7%) patients, respectively. All patients underwent interval debulking surgery (IDS) after the last NACT cycle. After IDS, R0 resection was achieved in 10 (71.4%) patients without intraoperative injury, and one (7.1%) patient developed a grade 3 AE. During a median follow-up time of 16 months, no patients died of disease, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not achieved. Progression was noted in six (42.9%) patients (range, 9-21 months). CONCLUSIONS: NLHIPEC appears to be a feasible option for ovarian cancer patients who have a low likelihood of achieving optimal cytoreduction during PDS.

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic nanoparticles targeting E-selectin: synthesis and effects in mice in vitro and in vivo.

Purpose: We developed a contrast agent for targeting E-selectin expression. We detected the agent using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vivo in nude mice that had undergone nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis. Methods: Sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) was conjugated with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles. Hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index, and ζ-potential of USPIO-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles and USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles were measured. Component changes in nanoparticles of USPIO, USPIO-PEG, and USPIO-PEG-sLeX were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. A model of NPC metastasis to inguinal lymph nodes in nude mice was used to investigate characteristics of the USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles in vivo. We investigated the ability of the T2* value, change in T2* value (ΔT2* value), and enhancement rate (ER) to assess accumulation of USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles quantitatively in mice of a metastasis group and control group. Four MRI scans were undertaken for each mouse. The first scan (t0) was done before administration of USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles (0.1 mL) via the tail vein. The other scans were carried out at 0 (t1), 1 (t2), and 2 hours (t3) postinjection. The mean optical density was used to reflect E-selectin expression. Results: sLeX was labeled onto USPIO successfully. In vivo, there were significant interactions between the groups and time for T2* values after administration of USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles. Six parameters (T2* at t2, ΔT2* at t1, ΔT2* at t2, ER at t1, ER at t2, and ER at t3) were correlated with the mean optical density. Conclusion: USPIO-PEG-sLeX nanoparticles can be used to assess E-selectin expression quantitatively. Use of such molecular probes could enable detection of early metastasis of NPC, more accurate staging, and treatment monitoring.

[Identification of honeysuckle powder quality by Heracles â ¡ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose].

The quality of honeysuckle has always been an important factor in industrial development. Flowering is one of the elements for the variation of the effective components in honeysuckle. We can conveniently recognize whether the commodity is mixed with blossomed honeysuckle in the form of medicinal material. However,it is hard to identify whether the products are mixed with blossomed honeysuckle in the form of powdersince visual identification traits are missing. Therefore,this study aims to seek an effective method of odor-based distinguish for identifying the quality of honeysuckle powder in different ratios by using Heracles Ⅱ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose.The powdered samples were prepared with flower buds and fully blooming flowers in different proportion. Gas chromatograms of the powder were obtained by HeraclesⅡ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose. Through analyzing the data of chromatograms,we have concluded that the qualitative results of the prepared powder were almost the same,and there existed differences in the components content. Meanwhile,the hexanal odor appeared to be the critical factor in identifying honeysuckle powder quality among the flavor of all possible compounds. Also,we have applied PCA,DFA and CQ to identify and classify the variety of the powder based on the chromatogram data. Finally,it is realized that the powder was rapidly identified and classified into three grades based on the proportion of flowering honeysuckle. The predicted concentration value for the first class is less than 3,the value of is not less than 3 and less than 5 for the second class,and more than 5 for the third class. In summary,the results obtained by the study suggest that Heracles Ⅱ ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose analysis can be used as a rapid identification method for the quality of honeysuckle powder. At the same time,it can provide a reference for the quality classification of honeysuckle based on flowering degrees.

The PKCδ-Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway may be involved in oxidative stress in arsenic-induced liver damage in rats.

Arsenic poisoning is a worldwide endemic disease that affects thousands of people. Growing evidence from animal, cell, and human studies indicates that arsenic has deleterious effects on the liver. Oxidative stress is considered the primary mechanism for arsenic toxicity in liver damage. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. In light of this fact, the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the protein kinase C delta-nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (PKCδ-Nrf2-ARE) signalling pathway on oxidative stress in liver damage. In the present study, we used a model of liver damage induced by coal-burning arsenic in rats, which was set up by our research group. The oxidative stress index and the transcription and protein expression levels of PKCδ, Nrf2, Keap1, SOD1, and GPx1 were detected, and then their correlation analyses were carried out. The results demonstrated that coal-burning arsenic can cause oxidative stress liver damage in rats, which may be related to the PKCδ-Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway. This study may provide a new pathway for studies of the mechanisms of arsenism.

Synergistic effects of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Baicalein, a type of flavonoids extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to be a very promising drug for pancreatic cancer. However, it is unclear whether combination of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel is synergistic to the treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC). We investigated the combinational effects of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel on proliferation, cell cycle, migration and apoptosis of human PC cells. Administration of baicalein alone significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC cells. Notably, when it is combined with gemcitabine or docetaxel, combination index (CI) values calculated by Calcusyn software are smaller than 1, indicating the synergism of baicalein with gemcitabine or docetaxel for the treatment of PC cells. Consistently, EdU assay showed that administration of baicalein significantly enhanced the capacity of gemicitabine to inhibit proliferation of PC cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that high-concentration of baicalein was able to arrest PC cells in the S phase. Furthermore, low concentration of baicalein in combination with either gemcitabine or docetaxel exhibited strong suppression on the migration of PC cells. A further study using transmission electron microscope (TEM), DAPI staining and western blot showed that baicalein induced-apoptosis of PC cells might be via caspase-3/PARP signaling pathway. Notably, combination treatment was able to induce more severe cell apoptosis of PC cells. In conclusion, baicalein exhibited synergistic effects with gemcitabine or docetaxel on the treatment of PC cells.

Dynamic Changes of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure and Ductus Arteriosus in Human Newborns From Birth to 72 Hours of Age.

Normal pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary hypertension assessment of newborns is rarely reported. The aim of the study is to explore dynamic changes of pulmonary arterial pressure and ductus arteriosus in human newborns from birth to 72 h of age with echocardiography.A total of 76 cases of normal newborns were prospectively detected by echocardiography after birth of 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. Ductus arteriosus diameter, blood shunt direction, blood flow velocity, and pressure gradient were recorded. The brachial artery blood pressure were measured to estimate the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP) using patent ductus arteriosus pressure gradient method. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAMP) were calculated by equation of PAMP = PADP + 1/3(PASP-PADP).(1) There were 76 cases of normal newborns. Among them, 29 cases (38%) ductus arteriosus closed within 24 h, 59 cases (78%) closed within 48 h, 72 cases (95%) closed within 72 h, and 4 cases (5%) ductus arteriosus not closed within 72 h. (2) The ductus arteriosus diameter of 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after birth was 4.60 ±â€Š0.59 mm, 3.37 ±â€Š0.59 mm, 2.47 ±â€Š0.49 mm, 1.89 ±â€Š0.41 mm, 1.61 ±â€Š0.35 mm, and 1.20 ±â€Š0.24 mm, respectively. Compared all of the ductus arteriosus diameter of the above time periods, there were statistically differences with P < 0.05, respectively. (3) The mean PASP in 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after birth were 76.58 ±â€Š7.28 mm Hg, 65.53 ±â€Š9.25mm Hg, 52.51 ±â€Š9.07 mm Hg, 43.83 ±â€Š7.90 mm Hg, 38.07 ±â€Š8.26 mm Hg, and 36 ±â€Š6.48 mm Hg, respectively. The PADP of the above time period were 37.88 ±â€Š5.56 mm Hg, 29.93 ±â€Š7.91 mm Hg, 23.43 ±â€Š7.37 mm Hg, 19.70 ±â€Š8.51 mm Hg, 13.85 ±â€Š5.58 mm Hg, 13.25 ±â€Š6.18 mm Hg, respectively. The PAMP of the above time period were 63.41 ±â€Š7.03 mm Hg, 51.78 ±â€Š9.82 mm Hg, 40.94 ±â€Š9.32 mm Hg, 34.39 ±â€Š9.89 mm Hg, 26.23 ±â€Š7.49 mm Hg, 25.25 ±â€Š8.29 mm Hg, respectively. There were statistically differences with P < 0.05 between each time periods of PASP, PADP, and PAMP. (4) The upper 95% limit reference range of PASP of normal newborns of 72 h after birth were 39.97 mm Hg.(1) Normal newborns ductus arteriosus diameter gradually decreased after birth, and 95% of them spontaneous closed within 24 to 72 h. (2) Normal newborns pulmonary artery pressure showed a gradually decline after birth, the upper 95% limit reference range for PASP measured in normal newborns <72 h of age was 39.97 mm Hg. Therefore, the diagnostic criteria of newborns pulmonary hypertension may be >40.00 mm Hg according to our limited study.

[Relationship between changes of genetic damage and development of disease in patients with arsenism caused by coal-burning].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of genetic damage in patients with arsenism caused by coal-burning in 9 years. To analyze the relationship between the changes of genetic damage and disease progression and provide a basis for condition monitoring. METHODS: Of 206 arsenism patients from the area with endemic arsenism in Guizhou province were tracking surveyed in February 1998 and divided into 4 groups, including suspicious, mild, moderate and severe poisoning group. Another 67 healthy residents from a neighbour township 12 km away where arsenic was not prevalent were surveyed. Over a 9-year follow-up, 131 arsenism patients and 45 controls with the complete biochemical indexes among them were selected as subjects in December 2006. Arsenic (As) concentration of urine and hair were detected by silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometry (Ag-DDC). Micronucleis (MN) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were analyzed by conventional methods. DNA single-strand breaks of peripheral blood were measured by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), and the tail lengths of comet were used to measure DNA damage. RESULTS: Among the control, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe arsenic poisoning group, the As contents of urine and hair were respectively (34.16 ± 10.25), (52.35 ± 22.41), (62.26 ± 31.13), (71.43 ± 49.92), (78.45 ± 50.64) µg/L and (1.37 ± 0.56), (3.69 ± 1.78), (4.88 ± 3.49), (5.21 ± 3.10), (6.25 ± 4.04) µg/g in 2006, which were lower than that 9 years before (urine as contents were (36.07 ± 20.70), (73.65 ± 41.33) , (90.92 ± 82.14) , (126.55 ± 107.31) and (139.44 ± 90.90) µg/L, and hair As contents were (1.41 ± 1.18), (4.85 ± 4.20), (5.72 ± 4.07) , (6.43 ± 4.32) and (7.19 ± 4.68) µg/g, respectively, F value was 10.63, 7.72, 14.66, 11.00 respectively, all P values were < 0.05). Except for suspicious poisoning group, the differences of urine As contents in the other groups all showed significance (P < 0.05). The incidences of MN were (0.238 ± 0.130) %, (0.268 ± 0.192) %, (0.283 ± 0.157) % and (0.391 ± 0.233)%; the incidences of CA were (14.36 ± 5.44) %, (18.09 ± 6.49) %, (19.38 ± 5.63)% and (19.83 ± 5.84) %; the tail lengths of comet were (29.88 ± 13.81) , (29.84 ± 12.80) , (34.50 ± 9.88) and (41.58 ± 12.98) µm respectively in 2006 for all poisoning groups; which were higher than that 9 years before(the incidences of MN were (0.163 ± 0.051) %, (0.186 ± 0.117) %, (0.196 ± 0.104) % and (0.273 ± 0.142) %; the incidences of CA were (13.18 ± 5.17)%, (14.48 ± 6.61)%, (15.67 ± 8.49) % and (16.90 ± 8.38) %; the tail lengths of comet were (15.07 ± 12.93) , (19.57 ± 8.80) , (27.03 ± 10.77) and (34.71 ± 14.95) µm) , except for the incidences of MN and CA in suspicious poisoning group and of MN in mild poisoning group , the differences of the three indexes in the other groups were significant (P < 0.05) . The state of illness of arsenic poisoning patients aggravated 9 years later. With the increase of urine and hair As contents and the development of arsenism, the incidences of MN, CA and the tail lengths of comet of all poisoning groups increased. There were positive correlations among them (r values were respectively 0.212, 0.316, 0.232, 0.263, 0.321, 0.654 and 0.760) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The exacerbation of genetic damage was related to constantly high arsenic loads. The accumulation of genetic damage and its irreversibility might be one of the important reasons of the development of arsenism and cancer.