Correction: Lonicera japonica Thunb. as a promising antibacterial agent for Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 based on network pharmacology, metabolomics, and in vitro experiments.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA00802A.].

Lonicera japonica Thunb. as a promising antibacterial agent for Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 based on network pharmacology, metabolomics, and in vitro experiments.

Lonicera japonica Thunb. has attracted much attention for its treatment of bacterial and viral infectious diseases, while its active ingredients and potential mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. Here, we combined metabolomics, and network pharmacology to explore the molecular mechanism of Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 inhibition by Lonicera japonica Thunb. In vitro inhibition experiments showed that the Lonicera japonica Thunb.'s water extracts, ethanolic extract, luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol strongly inhibited Bacillus cereus ATCC14579. In contrast, chlorogenic acid and macranthoidin B had no inhibitory effect on Bacillus cereus ATCC14579. Meanwhile, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol against Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 were 15.625 µg mL-1, 31.25 µg mL-1, and 15.625 µg mL-1. Based on the previous experimental basis, the metabolomic analysis showed the presence of 16 active ingredients in Lonicera japonica Thunb.'s water extracts and ethanol extracts, with differences in the luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol contents between the water extracts and ethanol extracts. Network pharmacology studies indicated that fabZ, tig, glmU, secA, deoD, nagB, pgi, rpmB, recA, and upp were potential key targets. Active ingredients of Lonicera japonica Thunb. may exert their inhibitory effects by inhibiting ribosome assembly, the peptidoglycan biosynthesis process, and the phospholipid biosynthesis process of Bacillus cereus ATCC14579. An alkaline phosphatase activity assay, peptidoglycan concentration assay, and protein concentration assay showed that luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol disrupted the Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 cell wall and cell membrane integrity. Transmission electron microscopy results showed significant changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of the cell wall and cell membrane of Bacillus cereus ATCC14579, further confirming the disruption of the cell wall and cell membrane integrity of Bacillus cereus ATCC14579 by luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In conclusion, Lonicera japonica Thunb. can be used as a potential antibacterial agent for Bacillus cereus ATCC14579, which may exert its antibacterial activity by destroying the integrity of the cell wall and membrane.

Numerical studies on issues of Re-independence for indoor airflow and pollutant dispersion within an isolated building.

This study conducted the numerical models validated by wind-tunnel experiments to investigate the issues of Re-independence of indoor airflow and pollutant dispersion within an isolated building. The window Reynolds number (Re w ) was specified to characterize the indoor flow and dispersion. The indicators of RRC (ratio of relative change) or DR (K_DR) (difference ratio of dimensionless concentration) ≤ 5% were applied to quantitatively determine the critical Re w for indoor flow and turbulent diffusion. The results show that the critical Re (Re crit) value is position-dependent, and Re crit at the most unfavorable position should be suggested as the optimal value within the whole areas of interest. Thus Re H,crit = 27,000 is recommended for the outdoor flows; while Re w,crit = 15,000 is determined for the indoor flows due to the lower part below the window showing the most unfavorable. The suggested Re w,crit (=15,000) for indoor airflow and cross ventilation is independence of the window size. Moreover, taking K_DR ≤ 5% as the indicator, the suggested Re w,crit for ensuring indoor pollutant diffusion enter the Re-independence regime should also be 15,000, indicating that indoor passive diffusion is completely determined by the flow structures. The contours of dimensionless velocity (U/U 0) and concentration (K) against the increasing Re w further confirmed this critical value. This study further reveals the Re-independence issues for indoor flow and dispersion to ensure the reliability of the data obtained by reduced-scale numerical or wind-tunnel models.

[Spatial variations and its influencing factors of soil carbon and nitrogen on the southern foot of Taihang Mountains, China]. / å¤ªè¡Œå±±å—éº“å¡é¢åœŸå£¤ç¢³æ°®ç©ºé—´å˜å¼‚æ€§åŠå ¶å½±å“å› ç´ .

As an important ecological barrier for the North China Plain, research on the spatial variations of soil nutrients in the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains is of great significance for the forestry ecological construction in this rocky mountainous area. With the typical slopes (the artificial forestland and the natural wild slope) of the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains as the research objects, we used the grid method to arrange sampling points, and combined classical statistics, geostatistics and constrained sorting methods to analyze the spatial variations of soil nutrients. The results showed that: 1) soil total carbon (TC) contents were 6.80-57.05 g·kg-1, and the total nitrogen (TN) contents were 0.74-3.93 g·kg-1. The coefficients of variation of both soil TC and TN were 25.0%-52.8%, belonging to the moderate degree of variation, which were caused by the combination of random and structural factors. The spatial aggregation of soil nutrients decreased with increasing lag distances. 2) The contents of soil nutrients had increasing trends from the top to the bottom of the slopes, with high nutrient values appearing at the bottom of the slopes. 3) The soil bulk density, gravel content, vegetation coverage, and soil water content were the main factors affecting the spatial variability of soil TC and TN on the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains. 4) Soil water content was the main factor affecting soil nutrients at the natural wild slope, but not at the artificial forestland.

MXRA5 Is a Novel Immune-Related Biomarker That Predicts Poor Prognosis in Glioma.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor and is associated with poor prognosis. Identifying effective biomarkers for glioma is particularly important. MXRA5, a secreted glycoprotein, is involved in cell adhesion and extracellular matrix remodeling and has been reported to be expressed in many cancers. However, the role and mechanism of action of MXRA5 in gliomas remain unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the role of MXRA5 at the transcriptome level and its clinical prognostic value. METHODS: In this study, RNA microarray data of 301 glioma patients from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) were collected as a training cohort and RNA-seq data of 702 glioma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used for validation. We analyzed the clinical and molecular characteristics as well as the prognostic value of MXRA5 in glioma. In addition, the expression level of MXRA was evaluated in 28 glioma tissue samples. RESULTS: We found that MXRA5 expression was significantly upregulated in high-grade gliomas and IDH wild-type gliomas compared to controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that MXRA5 is a potential marker of the mesenchymal subtype of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We found that MXRA5 expression is highly correlated with immune checkpoint molecule expression levels and tumor-associated macrophage infiltration. High MXRA5 expression could be used as an independent indicator of poor prognosis in glioma patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that MXRA5 expression is associated with the clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis of gliomas. MXRA5 may play an important role in the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma. As a secreted glycoprotein, MXRA5 is a potential circulating biomarker for glioma, deserving further investigation.

[Study on accuracy of endoscopic polyp size measurement by disposable graduated biopsy forceps].

OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy of endoscopic polyp size measurement by disposable graduated biopsy forceps (DGBF). METHODS: Accurate gradation of 1 mm was made in the wire of disposable graduated biopsy forceps, which was used to measure the size of tumors under endoscopy. Fifty-eight polyps from 43 patients underwent endoscopy in our department from May to June 2013 were enrolled. Size of polyp was measured and compared among DGBF, routine estimation and direct measurement after resection. The accuracy of polyp size measurement was investigated by four colonoscopists who had finished at least 2000 procedures of colonoscopy. RESULTS: The mean diameter of post-polypectomy measurement was (1.02±0.84) cm. Diameter was less than 1 cm in 36 polyps, 1 to 2 cm in 15, and over 2 cm in 7. The mean diameter of visual estimation was (1.29±1.07) cm, and the difference was significant as compared with actual size (P=0.000). The mean diameter measured by DGBF was (1.02±0.82) cm, and the difference was not significant as compared with actual size (P=0.775). The ratio of visual estimation to actual size was 1.29±0.31, and DGBF estimation to actual size was 1.02±0.11 with significant difference (P=0.000). The accurate rate of DGBF in estimating polyp size was 77.6% (45/58), which was obviously higher as compared to visual estimation [19.0% (11/58), P=0.000]. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of DGBF as a scale in the estimation of poly size increases as compared to visual estimation.

[Manufacture and application of laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laproscopic abdominoperineal resection from July 2011 to July 2012 were prospectively enrolled in the study and randomly divided into extraperitoneal colostomy group(EPC, n=18) and internal peritoneal colostomy group(IPC, n=18). Follow-up period was 4-16 (median, 7) months and postoperative complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: One case in EPC group was converted to IPC because of poor blood supply of the proximal sigmoid, who was eliminated from the subsequent analysis. Compared with the IPC group, the surgery time was longer in EPC group [(25.3±8.5) min vs. (14.7±6.4) min], while the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). Each group had 1 case of stoma ischemia, who both received the colostomy reconstructive surgery. The incidence of stoma edema was significantly higher in EPC group[35.3%(6/17) vs. 0, P<0.05). The early postoperative complications rate did not significantly different between the two groups[58.8%(10/17) vs. 27.8%(5/18), P>0.05]. The late postoperative complications rate was 22.2%(4/18) in IPC group, including 1 case of stoma prolapse, 1 case of stoma stenosis and 2 cases of parastomal hernia. No later postoperative complication occurred in EPC group. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy is an easy and safe procedure with lower late complications as compared to internal peritoneal sigmoid colostomy.

[Distribution characteristics of colorectal neoplasm in 4450 patients and implication for colorectal cancer screening].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution characteristics of colorectal neoplasm and evaluate the implication for colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: A total of 17,939 colonoscopies were performed in the National Center of Colorectal Surgery between October 2004 and June 2009. Characteristics of colorectal neoplasm including anatomical distribution, sex, and age were investigated. RESULTS: Colorectal neoplasm was found in 24.8% (4450/17,939) of the patients during colonoscopy, including adenomatous polyp (n=3410, 19.0%) and adenocarcinoma (n=1040, 5.8%). The prevalence of colorectal neoplasm was higher in male and significantly increased in patients older than 40 years. 63.3% of the lesions located at the distal colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) and 36.7% at the proximal colon (36.7%). In patients with adenomatous polyp, 52.8% (1802/3410) of the lesions were at the distal colon, 30.8% (1049/3410) at the proximal colon, and 16.4% (559/3410) at both distal and proximal colon. In patients with carcinoma (n=1040), 921 (88.6%) lesions located at the distal colon, 118 (11.3%) at the proximal colon, and 1 (0.1%) at both segments. CONCLUSION: Sigmoidoscopy is inadequate for colorectal cancer screening as compared to colonoscopy.

[Impact of polyamidoamine dendrimer liposome on the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of colonic cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) liposome as gene carriers on the cellular uptake and its cytotoxicity in colonic cancer cell. METHODS: The liposome modified PAMAM was synthesized with liposome and polyamidoamine dendrimer. Plasmid PEGFP-N1 was mixed with the liposome-modified PAMAM or unmodified PAMAM to form nanoparticle complexes. The shape and size of the nanoparticle complexes were observed by transmission electron microscope and the zeta potential was measured by analytical tool. The encapsulating efficiency was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer in centrifuging method. After the cell lines SW620 (colonic cancer cell), MCF-7 (breast cancer cell), ECV304 (vascular endothelial cell) were transfected by the two kinds of PAMAM nanoparticle complexes, the flow cytometry was used to determine the uptake of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene. The cytotoxicity of PAMAM liposome nanoparticles and PAMAM nanoparticles was evaluated by MTT assay. RESULTS: The diameter of liposome modified PAMAM complex was (192 ± 16) nm, and that of PAMAM complex was (189 ± 19) nm (P > 0.05); and the zeta potential of liposome modified PAMAM complex was higher than that of PAMAM complex [(42 ± 7) mV vs. (32 ± 7) mV, P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in envelopment rate between the two groups [(82 ± 7)% vs. (84 ± 6)%, P > 0.05]. After the colonic cancer cell line SW620 was transfected with the two kinds of PAMAM nanoparticle complexes, the cellular uptake of the cells with the liposome-modified PAMAM complex was significantly higher than that of the cell with PAMAM complex (P < 0.05). The cellular survival rate of the cell lines with liposome-modified PAMAM complex was significantly higher than that of cell lines with PAMAM complex (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The liposome modified PAMAM can improve gene transfection efficiency and suppress its cytotoxicity.

[Indications for colonoscopy examination and its disease distribution: a report of 5690 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the indications for colonoscopy examination and the distribution of diagnostic diseases. METHOD: From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2004, 5960 patients received colonoscopy examination in our colorectal center. The indications for colonoscopy examination and the distribution of its diagnostic diseases were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 3096 males and 2594 females,and the mean age was (52+/-15) years. The reasons for colonoscopy included hemafecia (26.9%), atypical abdominal pain (25.8%), diarrhea or increased frequency of stool (11.1%), anal tenesmus or discomfort (7.6%), constipation (7.0%),mucous or bloody purulent stool (3.0%), intra-rectal mass or abdominal mass on physical examination (0.9%), re- examination after colonoscopic polypectomy (10.9%), re-examination after operation for colorectal cancer(1.5%), simple health examination (2.2%). Colonoscope reached the cecum in 97.7% of the cases,and at least one disease was found in 2283 cases (40.1%). Among them,colorectal cancer accounted for 10.3%, colorectal polyps 19.6%, ulcerative colitis 4.3%, and Crohn's disease 0.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: The indications for colonoscopy are too strict to screen the early stage colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy should be performed in the cases with symptoms such as bloody stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, or with colorectal polyps, after operation for colorectal cancer,or as members of hereditary colorectal cancer family.