Prevalent arbuscular mycorrhizae in roots and highly variable mycobiome in leaves of epiphytic subtropical fern Ophioderma pendulum.

PREMISE: Endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi are crucial in facilitating plant nutrition acquisition and stress tolerance. In epiphytic habitats, plants face nutrition and water stress, but their roots are mostly nonmycorrhizal and especially lacking in arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. Ophioderma pendulum is an epiphytic fern with a partially mycoheterotrophic lifestyle, likely heavily reliant on symbiotic fungi. To characterize fungal associations in the sporophyte of O. pendulum, we focused on leaves and roots of O. pendulum, seeking to reveal the fungal communities in these organs. METHODS: Roots and leaves from O. pendulum in a subtropical forest were examined microscopically to observe the morphology of fungal structures and determine the percentage of various fungal structures in host tissues. Fungal composition was profiled using metabarcoding techniques that targeted ITS2 of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. RESULTS: Roots were consistently colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota), especially Acaulospora. Unlike previous findings on epiphytic ferns, dark septate endophytes were rare in O. pendulum roots. Leaves were predominantly colonized by Ascomycota fungi, specifically the classes Dothideomycetes (46.88%), Eurotiomycetes (11.51%), Sordariomycetes (6.23%), and Leotiomycetes (6.14%). Across sampling sites, fungal community compositions were similar in the roots but differed significantly in the leaves. CONCLUSIONS: Ophioderma pendulum maintains stable, single-taxon-dominant communities in the roots, primarily featuring arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, whereas the leaves may harbor opportunistic fungal colonizers. Our study underlines the significance of mycorrhizal fungi in the adaptation of epiphytic ferns.

Role of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical relevance.

The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl and its ligand Gas6 regulate fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, survival and motility, through multiple downstream signaling pathways. Evidence to date suggests that aberrant Axl expression frequently occurs in many malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, and that this is critical for promoting cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, deregulated Axl expression or activation is reportedly associated with resistance to cancer drugs and targeted cancer therapies. Thus, Axl inhibitors may represent a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. This Review summarizes the latest advances concerning the biological role of Axl in hepatocellular carcinoma and its potential clinical relevance.

[Clinical features of nephrotic syndrome accompanied by eosinophilia in children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of nephrotic syndrome (NS) accompanied by eosinophilia in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes of 18 cases of eosinophilia (15 children, 3 of whom also had eosinophilia at the second recurrence) in children with NS. RESULTS: Of the 18 cases, 16 (89%) had mild eosinophilia, 1 (6%) had moderate eosinophilia, and 1 (6%) had severe eosinophilia. Twelve cases (67%) developed eosinophilia in winter and spring. Nine cases (50%) had infectious diseases: pneumonia (including 2 cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia) in 4 cases, EB virus infection in 3 cases, suspected pinworm infection in 1 case, and Streptococcal infection in 1 case. Five cases (28%) had allergic diseases: urticaria in 2 cases, allergic rhinitis in 2 cases and eczema in 1 case. There was no significant correlation between eosinophil count and the levels of urinary protein, serum albumin and cholesterol (P>0.05). In 8 cases of newly diagnosed NS, urinary protein turned negative within 4 weeks after glucocorticoid treatment. In 10 cases of recurrent NS, urinary protein turned negative in 9 cases after the adjustment of glucocorticoid treatment. In 1 case of recurrent NS (moderate eosinophilia with allergic rhinitis), symptomatic relief and negative urinary protein were achieved after anti-allergic treatment. Glucocorticoid therapy was not administered again in the patient, and the eosinophil count was reduced to a slight increase. The eosinophil counts of the other 17 cases returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: NS with eosinophilia in children occurs mostly in winter and spring. This disorder is associated with infection or allergic diseases. There was no significant correlation between eosinophil count and the levels of urinary protein, serum albumin and cholesterol.

Helium Nanobubbles Enhance Superelasticity and Retard Shear Localization in Small-Volume Shape Memory Alloy.

The intriguing phenomenon of metal superelasticity relies on stress-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT), which is well-known to be governed by developing cooperative strain accommodation at multiple length scales. It is therefore scientifically interesting to see what happens when this natural length scale hierarchy is disrupted. One method is producing pillars that confine the sample volume to micrometer length scale. Here we apply yet another intervention, helium nanobubbles injection, which produces porosity on the order of several nanometers. While the pillar confinement suppresses superelasticity, we found the dispersion of 5-10 nm helium nanobubbles do the opposite of promoting superelasticity in a Ni53.5Fe19.5Ga27 shape memory alloy. The role of helium nanobubbles in modulating the competition between ordinary dislocation slip plasticity and SIMT is discussed.

Protective effects of Ocimum gratissimum polyphenol extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Ocimum gratissimum found in tropical regions is a traditional herb commonly which prevents free radical damage and protects liver from oxidative stress and fibrosis. Ocimum gratissimum polyphenol extract (OGPE) was purified by resin tube to 33.24% polyphenol and 8.2% flavonoid, which were three-fold higher compared with the pre-purification concentrations. The abstract was used to determine if the antioxidant components in the O. gratissimum extract (OGE) were responsible for protective effects on liver fibrosis. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the content levels of catechin, caffeic acid and epicatechin in OGPE also increased three-fold. Male Wistar rats were administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and varying amounts of OGPE doses [0-12 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or OGE dose (40 mg/kg BW) for 8 weeks. Results showed that OGPE at 12 mg/kg BW, similar to OGE at 40 mg/kg BW, maintained the liver weight, significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced steatosis, and mitigated other pathological changes. OGPE (12 mg/kg BW) also maintained the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the levels of malondialdehyde, catalase and α-smooth muscle actin in liver tissues from CCl4-induced changes. These findings suggest that antioxidant components in OGPE were the major factors that prevented liver fibrosis. Moreover, higher polyphenol concentrations were necessary for higher effectiveness.

ß-hydroxybutyrate: A crucial therapeutic target for diverse liver diseases.

ß-hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB), the most abundant ketone body, is produced primarily in the liver and acts as a substitute energy fuel to provide energy to extrahepatic tissues in the event of hypoglycemia or glycogen depletion. We now have an improved understanding of ß-HB as a signal molecule and epigenetic regulatory factor as a result of intensive research over the last ten years. Because ß-HB regulates various physiological and pathological processes, it may have a potential role in the treatment of metabolic diseases. The liver is the most significant metabolic organ, and the part that ß-HB plays in liver disorders is receiving increasing attention. In this review, we summarize the therapeutic effects of ß-HB on liver diseases and its underlying mechanisms of action. Moreover, we explore the prospects of exogenous supplements and endogenous ketosis including fasting, caloric restriction (CR), ketogenic diet (KD), and exercise as adjuvant nutritional therapies to protect the liver from damage and provide insights and strategies for exploring the treatment of various liver diseases.

Alkoxyl Radical-Mediated Ring Expansion/1,4-Difunctionalization of 1,3-Enynes upon Copper Catalysis.

A redox-neutral copper-catalyzed cascade reaction involving alkoxyl radical-mediated ring expansion/1,4-difunctionalization of 1,3-enynes was developed, offering a straightforward approach to the tetra-substituted allenes with macrolactone, CN, and CF3 functional groups. Remarkably, incorporation of the NH2 group onto the 1,3-enyne moiety enabled further cyclization to give a unique scaffold containing a lactone and an indole moiety.

[Spectrum and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria in children with nephrotic syndrome complicated by urinary tract infection: an analysis of 97 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spectrum and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) complicated by urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the spectrum and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria in 97 children with NS complicated by UTI, who hospitalized from January to December, 2011. RESULTS: The incidence of UTI in children with NS was 36.5%. It was significantly more common in children with recurrent NS than in those with primary NS (44.0% vs 31.9%; P<0.05). These cases mainly presented with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Enterococcus was the most common pathogenic bacteria (50.5%), including Enterococcus faecium (29.4%) and Enterococcus faecalis (21.1%), followed by Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (15.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.7%). Enterococcus was highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin, vacomycin and linezolid, but was highly resistant to tetracycline and moxifloxacin. More multi-resistant strains were detected in Enterococcus faecium than in Enterococcus faecalis (72% vs 17%; P<0.05). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were highly sensitive to amikacin, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. Of the Gram-negative bacteria, 25% produced extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs). ESBLs-producing bacteria had 100% sensitivity to imipenem, amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam but were highly resistant to ampicillin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone. CONCLUSIONS: Children with recurrent NS are more susceptible to UTI than those with primary NS. Enterococcus is becoming major pathogenic bacteria for UTI in children with NS and has relatively high drug resistance, and most strains of Enterococcus faecium are multi-resistant.

Circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: Recent advances.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have covalently closed loop structures at both ends, exhibiting characteristics dissimilar to those of linear RNAs. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrantly expressed circRNAs play crucial roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by affecting the proliferation, apoptosis and invasive capacity of HCC cells. Certain circRNAs may be used as biomarkers to diagnose and predict the prognosis of HCC. Therefore, circRNAs are expected to become novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC. Herein, we briefly review the characteristics and biological functions of circRNAs, focusing on their roles in HCC to provide new insights for the early diagnosis and targeted therapy of HCC.

Recent progress in molecular mechanisms of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatectomy is currently considered the most effective option for treating patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC remains unsatisfactory, predominantly because of high postoperative metastasis and recurrence rates. Therefore, research on the molecular mechanisms of postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence will help develop effective intervention measures to prevent or delay HCC metastasis and recurrence and to improve the long-term survival of HCC patients. Herein, we review the latest research progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying postoperative HCC metastasis and recurrence to lay a foundation for improving the understanding of HCC metastasis and recurrence and for developing more precise prevention and intervention strategies.

The Visceral-Fat-Area-to-Hip-Circumference Ratio as a Predictor for Insulin Resistance in a Chinese Population with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Adipose tissue deposited on the viscera is the main culprit in the development of insulin resistance (IR) and cardiometabolic diseases, whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue may have a protective role. This study aimed to propose a new predictive index - the visceral-fat area (VFA)-to-hip-circumference ratio (VHR) and explore its efficacy for prediction of IR in a Chinese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 643 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes were enrolled in this study. Body composition, anthropometrical, and biochemical measurements were performed. IR was defined as homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) > 2.69. The association between VHR and IR was analyzed. RESULTS: Regardless of gender, subjects in the IR group had higher VHR, body mass index (BMI), VFA, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, triglyceride (TG), uric acid (UA), homocysteine, and aminotransferases than those in the non-IR group. The other concomitant metabolic disorders were more common in the IR group. Further analysis showed that with the increase of VHR, the levels of HOMA-IR, BMI, VFA, DBP, TG, UA and the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia increased continuously (p trend <0.01). The linear trend test showed that VHR and IR remained closely correlated after adjusting for possible confounders (p trend <0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.69, and the optimal cutoff of VHR was 0.89 (sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 61.5%). CONCLUSION: VHR was positively associated with IR regardless of gender, and it might be a reliable predictor for IR.

Attenuated cardiac mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic effects by li-fu formula in hamsters fed with a hypercholesterol diet.

Apoptosis involves in the pathogenesis of various cardiac abnormalities. This study intends to evaluate the effects of Li-Fu formula on cardiac apoptosis induced by hyper-cholesterol diet. Twenty-four male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into Control, Cholesterol and Li-Fu formula groups. Histopathological analysis, western blotting and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed to measure the effects of Li-Fu formula on left ventricle. Significantly reduced TUNEL-positive cells and mitochondria- dependent apoptosis were observed in the left ventricle of hamsters from Li-Fu formula group compared to the Cholesterol group. Additionally, induced cardiac insulin like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR)-dependent survival pathway was detected in the Li-Fu formula group compared to the Cholesterol group. Besides, minor fibrosis, increased collagen deposition, and myofibril disarray was detected in the Cholesterol group, whereas the reductions of collagen deposition and myofibril disarray were observed in the Li-Fu formula group. This study demonstrated that Li-Fu formula not only reduced the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and fibrosis, but also enhanced the IGF-I survival pathway in the left ventricle from high cholesterol-fed hamsters. We suggest the protective effects of Li-Fu formula on cardiac apoptosis and therapeutic potentials against cardiovascular disease.

[Antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from 181 children with complicated urinary tract infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from children with complicated urinary tract infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from 181 children with complicated urinary tract infection (positive urine culture). The antibiotic resistance of common pathogens was determined by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. RESULTS: Gram-negative bacilli were the main pathogens (63.5%), and involved Escherichia coli (E.coli) of 42.0%. Gram-positive cocci accounted for 32.1%, and involved enterococci faecalis of 15.5%. Fungi infection was found in 4.4% of children. The resistance rate of E.coli to ampicillin was the highest (89.4%), but the rate decreased significantly by adding amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (34.2%). E.coli had a high resistance rate to cephazolin, ceftriaxone and cafalotin (>50%), but the resistance rate of E.coli to cefoperazone/sulbouam was significantly lower than other cephalosporins (P<0.01). E.coli was sensitive to imipenem and displayed a lower resistance rate to furadantin (<10%). The resistance rate of enterococci faecalis to rifampicin was high (78.3%), but was low to furadantin, vancomycin and linezolid (<10%). The multiresistant strains accounted for 77.4% of gram-negative bacilli. CONCLUSIONS: E.coli is the major pathogen in children with complicated urinary tract infection, and the enterococci-caused urinary tract infection has been increasing. These pathogens have a high antibiotic resistance, and most of them are multiresistant. Antimicrobial therapy should be based on the results of urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test.

First detection of Colletotrichumfructicola (Ascomycota) on horsehair worms (Nematomorpha).

Fungal members of Colletotrichum (Ascomycota) were found to be associated with Chordodesformosanus, one of the three currently known horsehair worm (Nematomorpha) species in Taiwan. The fungi were identified as Colletotrichumfructicola, which is mostly known as a plant pathogen, through the use of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and partial large subunit (nrITS + nrLSU) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) DNA sequences. To our knowledge, this report represents both the first records for Colletotrichum associated with hairworms and for fungi on Nematomorpha. These findings expand the knowledge on the ecological relationships of both clades.

Gender-specific prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease among government employees in Tianjin, China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in Tianjin government employees of different genders. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Health Management Center of Tianjin Union Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: 16 924 government employees (59.6% male). MEASURES: Ultrasound liver examination was performed to determine whether there is fat accumulation in the organ. Participants' weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MAFLD in this population was 40.76%. The rates were significantly higher in men (49.42%) than in women (27.97%). The prevalence of MAFLD was highest in men aged 40-49 years (54.04%) and women aged 60-69 years (43.44%). In all BMI groups, the prevalence was higher in men than that in women. In both genders, higher BMI was associated with the risk of MAFLD, especially for BMI ≥31.9 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MAFLD in government employees in Tianjin was significantly higher than the average level in China. The prevalence varied by sex and age group, and those with high BMI were at the highest risk of developing MAFLD.

CT Radiomics Model for Predicting the Ki-67 Index of Lung Cancer： An Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a radiomics signature and a nomogram model based on enhanced CT images to predict the Ki-67 index of lung cancer. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2018, 282 patients with lung cancer who had undergone enhanced CT scans and Ki-67 examination within 2 weeks were retrospectively enrolled and analyzed. The clinical data of the patients were collected, such as age, sex, smoking history, maximum tumor diameter and serum tumor markers. Our primary cohort was randomly divided into a training group (n=197) and a validation group (n=85) at a 7:3 ratio. A Ki-67 index ≤ 40% indicated low expression, and a Ki-67 index > 40% indicated high expression. In total, 396 radiomics features were extracted using AK software. Feature reduction and selection were performed using the lasso regression model. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a multivariate predictive model to identify high and low Ki-67 expression in lung cancer. A nomogram integrating the radiomics score was established based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the radiomics signature and nomogram. RESULTS: The AUC,sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the radiomics signature in the training and validation groups were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82~0.93),79.2%,84.3%,81.2% and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78~0.94),74.6%,88.1%,79.8%, respectively. A nomogram combining radiomics features and clinical risk factors (smoking history and NSE) was developed. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80~0.95), 75.0%, 90.2% and 83.5% in the validation group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The radiomics signature and nomogram based on enhanced CT images provide a way to predict the Ki-67 expression level in lung cancer.

[Study on brain tissue characteristics of rat model of Parkinson's disease based on functionality near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRs) technology].

Functionality near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRs) technology was utilized in the present paper to explore functional properties of brain tissue of rat model of Parkinson's disease(PD). Imaging data of rat model were detected by small animal MRI and CT; and characteristic parameters of striatum of rat brain were detected by fNIRs system. Experimental results show that, between PD and normal rat, there is no obvious change in morphological structure, but significant differences existed in reduced scattering coefficient (mu's) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) of rat striatum; there exists correlation between parameters (mu's, CB3V) obtained by fNIRs and parameters (cerebral blood flow (CBF), CBV) obtained by CT perfusion (CTP). These results indicate that fNIRs can be used as important reference for PD research.

Role of long noncoding RNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA regulatory network in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that occupy over 90% of the human genome, and their main function is to directly or indirectly regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and participate in the tumorigenesis and progression of malignances. In particular, some lncRNAs can interact with miRNAs as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to modulate mRNA expression. Accordingly, these RNA molecules are interrelated and coordinate to form a dynamic lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory network. Mounting evidence has revealed that lncRNAs that act as ceRNAs are closely related to tumorigenesis. To date, numerous studies have established many different regulatory networks in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and perturbations in these ceRNA interactions may result in the initiation and progression of HCC. Herein, we emphasize recent advances concerning the biological function of lncRNAs as ceRNAs in HCC, with the aim of elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying these HCC-related RNA molecules and providing novel insights into the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

ZAK induces MMP-2 activity via JNK/p38 signals and reduces MMP-9 activity by increasing TIMP-1/2 expression in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells.

Leucine-zipper and sterile-alpha motif kinase (ZAK) is the key intra-cellular mediator protein in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induction by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) which has also been identified as a profibrotic cytokine involved in cardiac fibrosis progression. We hypothesized whether ZAK over-expression causes cardiac scar formation due to the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) degraded enzyme regulation in this paper. Using immuno-histochemical analysis of the human cardiovascular tissue array, we found a positively significant association between ZAK over-expression and myocardial scars. ZAK over-expression in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells increases the metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1/2 (TIMP-1/2) protein level, which reduces matria metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and also activates c-JNK N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) and p38 signaling, which induces MMP-2, possibly resulting in cardiac fibrosis. Taken together, ZAK activity inhibition may be a good strategy to prevent the cardiac fibrosis progression.