A soluble TLR5 is involved in PBLs activation and antibacterial immunity via TLR5M-MyD88-signaling pathway in tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis.

In higher vertebrates, there is only a membranal TLR5 (TLR5M), which is crucial for host defense against microbes via MyD88 signaling pathway. In teleost, both TLR5M and soluble TLR5 (TLR5S) are identified, whereas the antibacterial mechanism of TLR5S is largely unknown. In this study, we studied the immune antibacterial mechanism of Cynoglossus semilaevis TLR5S homologue (named CsTLR5S). CsTLR5S, a 71.1 kDa protein, consists of 649 amino acid residues and shares 41.7 %-57.8 % overall sequence identities with teleost TLR5S homologues. CsTLR5S contains a single extracellular domain (ECD) composed of 12 leucine-rich repeats. CsTLR5S expression was constitutively identified and upregulated by bacterial infection in tissues. In vitro recombinant CsTLR5S (rCsTLR5S) could interact with bacteria and tongue sole rTLR5M (rCsTLR5M). Furthermore, rCsTLR5S could bind to the membranal CsTLR5M of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs), which led to enhancing the activity and the antibacterial role of PBLs via Myd88-NF-κB pathway. In vivo rCsTLR5S could activate the Myd88-NF-κB pathway, facilitate the release of proinflammatory cytokines, and enhance the host antibacterial response against Vibrio harveyi. Moreover, the knockdown of CsTLR5M or the Myd88 inhibitor could significantly suppress the antibacterial effect of rCsTLR5S. Collectively, our findings added important insights into the TLR5S immune antibacterial property in a TLR5M-MyD88-dependent manner.

The Safety and Efficacy of Rivaroxaban Compared with Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

AIMS: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from the establishment of databases up to 15 October 2019. Studies on efficacy and safety outcomes of rivaroxaban and warfarin were included. Efficacy and safety outcomes, including stroke, ischemic stroke, stroke or systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and major gastrointestinal bleeding were collected for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Compared with warfarin, rivaroxaban could significantly reduce stroke (risk ratio [RR] 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.95; P = 0.01), ischemic stroke (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63-0.87; P = 0.0004), stroke or systemic embolism (RR 0.73; 95% CI 0.60-0.89; P = 0.002), myocardial infarction (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.56-0.82; P < 0.0001), and major adverse cardiac events (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.53-0.94; P = 0.02) in patients with AF and diabetes. Moreover, rivaroxaban was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding (RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.65-0.96; P = 0.02), intracranial hemorrhage (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.39-0.69; P < 0.00001), and major gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.56-0.98; P = 0.04). Similar results were obtained in stratified meta-analysis of cohort studies. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a favorable risk-benefit profile of rivaroxaban, with superior efficacy and safety over warfarin in patients with AF and diabetes.

Predictive Factors and Nomogram to Evaluate the Risk of Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage for Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is a severe complication of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This study is to identify predictive factors and create a nomogram to evaluate the risk of sICH after MT treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 127 consecutive stroke patients treated by MT therapy. We evaluated multiple predictive factors for the incidence of sICH using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Based on the identified and other possible factors, a nomogram was constructed to predict the risk of sICH. RESULTS: We identified several predictive factors for sICH in the univariate analysis, including thrombectomy maneuvers >3 (odds ratio [OR], 4.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-15.6; P = 0.0211), admission blood glucose (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13-1.48; P = 0.0002), diabetes mellitus (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 1.64-12.0; P = 0.0033), and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10; P = 0.0263). The multivariate analysis showed that admission NIHSS score and blood glucose significantly affected the prognosis. Moreover, the proposed nomogram showed reliable identification ability with an area under the curve of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71-0.93), specificity of 0.745, sensitivity of 0.762, accuracy of 0.748, and negative predictive value of 0.941. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified the admission NIHSS score and admission blood glucose level as predictive factors for sICH. Moreover, the proposed nomogram based on possible factors showed reliable predictive performance in evaluating the risk of sICH.

Outcome of myeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for refractory/relapsed AML patients in NR status.

To further find effective method to improve the long term survival of refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for 133 consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) therapy related AML(t-AML) in not remission status. The overall 3-year OS and DFS were 40.9% and 35.6% respectively. The variables associated with improved long term DFS were a bone marrow blast cell count less than 20% and an intensified conditioning regimen. In addition, the t-AML group had higher rates of relapse and III-IV acute GVHD than the primary AML group. The unrelated donor group had similar OS and DFS with sibling groups. Our study suggested that decreasing bone marrow blast cell counts before HSCT and strengthening the conditioning regimen may improve long-term DFS for refractory/relapsed AML patients, and unrelated donor group can get similar effect when compared to the sibling group.

Hydrogen utilization rate: A crucial indicator for anaerobic digestion process evaluation and monitoring.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogens had been considered as key species for the anaerobic digestion (AD) of industrial wastewater and municipal sludge. However, how to evaluate the activity of the hydrogenotrophic methanogens was less studied. In this study, a volumetric device and a test procedure were developed for measuring the specific hydrogen utilization rate (HUR) of anaerobic sludge. Results showed that HUR values were highly influenced by sludge concentrations because of limitation on H2 mass transfer. The critical value of sludge concentration in the test bottle should not be higher than 1 gVSS/L. Under such condition, the kinetics of HUR would not be limited by H2 mass transfer and the maximal value of HUR could be obtained. Field survey confirmed that HUR exhibits a good relationship with specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and reactor performance. An anaerobic system with a relatively high HUR was found to be beneficial for maintaining H2 partial pressure in an appropriately low level. Moreover, such system was thermodynamically favourable for the syntrophic degradation of volatile fatty acids. As a crucial parameter of the anaerobic process, HUR could be used as a key indicator for evaluating and monitoring AD processes.

Temporal changes in climatic variables and their impact on crop yields in southwestern China.

Knowledge of variability in climatic variables changes and its impact on crop yields is important for farmers and policy makers, especially in southwestern China where rainfed agriculture is dominant. In the current study, six climatic parameters (mean temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, sunshine hours, temperature difference, and rainy days) and aggregated yields of three main crops (rice: Oryza sativa L., oilseed rape: Brassica napus L., and tobacco: Nicotiana tabacum L.) during 1985-2010 were collected and analyzed for Chongqing-a large agricultural municipality of China. Climatic variables changes were detected by Mann-Kendall test. Increased mean temperature and temperature difference and decreased relative humidity were found in annual and oilseed rape growth time series (P<0.05). Increased sunshine hours were observed during the oilseed rape growth period (P<0.05). Rainy days decreased slightly in annual and oilseed rape growth time series (P<0.10). Correlation analysis showed that yields of all three crops could benefit from changes in climatic variables in this region. Yield of rice increased with rainfall (P<0.10). Yield of oilseed rape increased with mean temperature and temperature difference but decreased with relative humidity (P<0.01). Tobacco yield increased with mean temperature (P<0.05). Path analysis provided additional information about the importance and contribution paths of climatic variables to crop yields. Temperature difference and sunshine hours had higher direct and indirect effects via other climatic variables on yields of rice and tobacco. Mean temperature, relative humidity, rainy days, and temperature difference had higher direct and indirect effects via others on yield of oilseed rape.

[Clinical efficacy observation on paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated by acupuncture combined with Wenxin granule].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference of clinical efficacy in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) between acupuncture combined with Wenzin granule and simple Wenxin granule therapy. METHODS: Sixty hospitalized cases of PAF were randomized into a medication group and a medication--acupuncture group. Wenxin granule was given to the patients in the two groups 3 times a day, 9 g each time, 4 weeks as a treatment course. Meanwhile, acupuncture was added to the medication--acupuncture group at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Ximen (PC 4) with uneven reinforcing-reducing manipulation every 15 min, 1 min each time. The needle was retained for 30 minutes. The acupuncture was given once daily for continuously 4 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy of the two groups was assessed after treatment. METHODS: In the medication+acupuncture group, 18 cases were markedly effective, 10 cases were effective and 2 cases were failed, the total effective rate was 93.3%; in the medication group, 15 cases were markedly effective, 8 cases were effective and 7 cases were failed, the total effective rate was 76.7%. There were statistical significances in clinical efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with Wenxin granule has a better effect than simple Wenxin granule therapy in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

[Inhibitory effect of fluvastatin on lysophosphatidylcholine-induced ventricular arrhythmias in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of fluvastatin on lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced ventricular arrhythmias and its mechanism. METHODS: Twenty male SD rats were randomly allocated into two equal groups, namely LPC treatment group and fluvastatin pretreatment group. Langendorff apparatus was used for cardiac perfusion ex vivo with 5 µmol/L LPC for 5 min followed by washing for 30 min in LPC treatment group, and in fluvastatin pretreatment group, a 30-min perfusion with 10 µmol/L fluvastatin was administered before LPC perfusion. The LPC-induced nonselective cation current (I(NSC)) in the ventricular myocytes was recorded using the whole-cell voltage-clamp method. RESULTS: Fluvastatin significantly inhibited LPC-induced ventricular tachyarrhythmia/fibrillation and I(NSC). The small G-protein Rho inhibitor (C3) and Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) in the pipette solution also suppressed LPC-induced I(NSC). CONCLUSION: Fluvastatin offers cardiac protection against LPC by inhibiting LPC-induced I(NSC). LPC induces fatal arrhythmia via a Rho/Rho-kinase-mediated pathway.

Studies on mechanism of action of anticancer peptides by modulation of hydrophobicity within a defined structural framework.

In the present study, the hydrophobicity of a 26-residue α-helical peptide (peptide P) was altered to study the effects of peptide hydrophobicity on the mechanism of action of cationic anticancer peptides. Hydrophobicity of the nonpolar face of the peptides was shown to correlate with peptide helicity. The self-association ability of peptides in aqueous environment, determined by the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography temperature profiling, showed strong influence on anticancer activity. The peptide analogues with greater hydrophobicity showed stronger anticancer activity determined by IC(50) values with a necrotic-like membrane disruption mechanism. Peptide analogues exhibited high specificity against cancer cells and much higher anticancer activity than widely-used anticancer chemical drugs. The mechanism of action of anticancer peptides was also investigated. The hydrophobicity of peptides plays a crucial role in the mechanism of action against cancer cells, which could present a way, using a de novo design approach, to create anticancer peptides as potential therapeutics in clinical practices.

[Clinical outcome after pressure reduction by peritoneal catheterization in 29 patients with malignant ascites-induced abdominal compartment syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of pressure reduction by peritoneal catheterization in patients with malignant ascites-induced abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Clinical data of 29 patients with malignant ascites-induced ACS from October 2002 to October 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was reduced by peritoneal catheterization. Changes of intra-abdominal pressure and ascites volume were observed during treatment. Clinical signs and urinary volume were monitored. RESULTS: IAP was less than 25 cm H(2)O in 2 cases, 25 to 35 cm H(2)O in 21 cases, more than 35 cm H(2)O in 6 cases. IAP decreased significantly after drainage of 1000 to 1500 ml of ascites, then IAP curve leveled off. With all the ascites drained, IAP maintained at 11 to 12 cm H(2)O and at 6 to 8 cm H(2)O after 24 hours. Blood pressure was stable without significant changes before and after IAP reduction (P>0.05). The breathing rate and heart rate were improved, and 24 h urinary volume increased significantly after IAP reduction (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Early peritoneal catheterization can improve the cardiac, pulmonary, and renal function in malignant ascites-induced ACS.

[Growth and cd uptake of Spirulina in water body containing CdCl2].

The study on the growth and Cd uptake of Spirulina platensis and S. maxima in the water body containing different concentrations of CdCl2 showed that these two species of Spirulinas had high tolerance to CdCl2 but differed in their characters of Cd-uptake. When the concentration of CdCl2 was from 6 mg L(-1) to 24 mg x L(-1), the Cd uptake of these two species at their early growth stage (within 96 h) was mainly through extracellular adsorption. After 10 days of growth, the intracellular Cd content was still negligible in S. platensis, but obviously increased in S. maxima, being 11.6 times higher in treatment 24 mg CdCl2 x L(-1) than in treatment 12 mg CdCl2 x L(-1), and slightly higher than extracellular Cd content, which suggested that under long-term high concentration Cd stress, S. platensis and S. maxima had different mechanisms of Cd uptake and Cd tolerance, i. e., S. platensis had an extracellular mechanism, while S. maxima had both extracellular and intracellular mechanisms and gave priority to intracellular mechanism.