The composition and function of bacterial communities in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) changed dramatically with infected fungi: A new potential to culture Cordyceps cicadae.

Cordyceps cicadae (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) is a renowned entomopathogenic fungus used as herbal medicine in China. However, wild C. cicadae resources have been threatened by heavy harvesting. We hypothesised that Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) could be a new alternative to cultivate C. cicadae due to the low cost of rearing. Bacterial communities are crucial for the formation of Cordyceps and for promoting the production of metabolites. To better understand the bacterial community structure associated with Cordyceps, three Claviciptaceae fungi were used to explore the pathogenicity of the silkworms. Here, fifth-instar silkworms were infected with C. cicadae, Cordyceps cateniannulata (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). Subsequently, we applied high-throughput sequencing to explore the composition of bacterial communities in silkworms. Our results showed that all three fungi were highly pathogenic to silkworms, which suggests that silkworms have the potential to cultivate Cordyceps. After fungal infection, the diversity of bacterial communities in silkworms decreased significantly, and the abundance of Staphylococcus increased in mummified larvae, which may play a role in the death process when the host suffers infection by entomopathogenic fungi. Furthermore, there were high similarities in the bacterial community composition and function in the C. cicadae and C. cateniannulata infected samples, and the phylogenetic analysis suggested that these similarities may be related to the fungal phylogenetic relationship. Our findings reveal that infection with different entomopathogenic fungi affects the composition and function of bacterial communities in silkworms and that the bacterial species associated with Cordyceps are primarily host dependent, while fungal infection affects bacterial abundance.

Finite temperature string by K-means clustering sampling with order parameters as collective variables for molecular crystals: application to polymorphic transformation between ß-CL-20 and ε-CL-20.

Polymorphic transformation of molecular crystals is a fundamental phase transition process, and it is important practically in the chemical, material, biopharmaceutical, and energy storage industries. However, understanding of the transformation mechanism at the molecular level is poor due to the extreme simulating challenges in enhanced sampling and formulating order parameters (OPs) as the collective variables that can distinguish polymorphs with quite similar and complicated structures so as to describe the reaction coordinate. In this work, two kinds of OPs for CL-20 were constructed by the bond distances, bond orientations and relative orientations. A K-means clustering algorithm based on the Euclidean distance and sample weight was used to smooth the initial finite temperature string (FTS), and the minimum free energy path connecting ß-CL-20 and ε-CL-20 was sketched by the string method in collective variables, and the free energy profile along the path and the nucleation kinetics were obtained by Markovian milestoning with Voronoi tessellations. In comparison with the average-based sampling, the K-means clustering algorithm provided an improved convergence rate of FTS. The simulation of transformation was independent of OP types but was affected greatly by finite-size effects. A surface-mediated local nucleation mechanism was confirmed and the configuration located at the shoulder of potential of mean force, rather than overall maximum, was confirmed to be the critical nucleus formed by the cooperative effect of the intermolecular interactions. This work provides an effective way to explore the polymorphic transformation of caged molecular crystals at the molecular level.

Investigation of the Role of T-cell Type 17 Transcription Factor in Early Diagnosis of Cholangitis Disease.

Context: Anti-mitochondrial antibody M2+ (AMA-M2+) primary bile cholangitis (PBC) is difficult to diagnose, and early diagnosis is the key to ensure effective treatment and the safety of patients. Objective: The study intended to investigate the role of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells and their transcription factors in the early diagnosis of AMA-M2+ PBC to provide an effective guarantee of the ability to predict the prognosis of patients in the future. Design: The research team designed a prospective controlled study. Setting: The study took place at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University in Baoding, Hebei, China. Participants: Participants were 30 patients with AMA-M2+ PBC at the hospital between November 2020 and August 2021 and 30 healthy controls who concurrently underwent physical examinations. Outcome Measures: The study measured liver function (LF) and secretion of Th17 and its transcription factors-forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt)-and inflammatory factors-interleukin-17 IL-17 and IL-22-in participants' peripheral blood. The study also evaluated Th17 and its transcription factors in AMA-M2+ PBC, determined the expression of phosphorylated proteins using Western blotting, and analyzed the relationship between Th17 and LF. Results: The Th17 in the intervention group's peripheral blood was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < .05), and the sensitivity and specificity of the AMA-M2+ PBC were 63.33% and 96.67%, respectively. The expression of Foxp3 and p-Foxp3 proteins for the intervention was significantly lower (P < .001), while RORγt and P-ROR γ T were significantly higher (P < .001). The levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-22 for the intervention group were significantly higher than those for the control group. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were positively correlated with Th17 cells, RORγt, IL-17, and IL-22 and negatively correlated with Foxp3. Conclusions: Th17 plays an important role in the early diagnosis of AMA-M2+ PBC, and Th17 and its transcription factors are highly effective for the early diagnosis of AMA-M2+ PBC, which is expected to be a breakthrough in the future diagnosis of the disease.

Multiple Diagnostic Indicators in the Development of Chronic Hepatitis B, Liver Cirrhosis, and Liver Cancer.

Context: Hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis, and most liver cancers evolve on the basis of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Many patients are already at an advanced stage when diagnosed. In recent years, clinicians have advocated detection of liver cancer using multiple markers in combination to improve the sensitivity and specificity of testing. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of using four tumor indicators-urea, alpha L-fucosidase (AFU), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and comparing the use of combined indicators to use of a single indicator for the diagnosis of liver cancer. Design: The research team performed a prospective study. Setting: The study took place at Clinical Laboratory, Baoding People's Hospital, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China. Participants: Participants were 98 patients with chronic hepatitis B, who became the CHB group; 102 patients with liver cirrhosis, who became the cirrhosis group, and 100 patients with liver cancer, who became the liver cancer group. They all had been admitted to the hospital between March 2019 and March 2021. Outcome Measures: The research team measured the urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP levels of the three groups, constructed an ROC curve, and analyzed the diagnostic values of the indicators singly and in combination for liver cancer. Results: For the levels of urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP, the CHB group's levels were significantly lower than those of the cirrhosis and liver cancer groups (both P < .001), and the cirrhosis group's levels were significantly lower than those of the liver cancer group (P < .001). In the CHB group, the compensatory group's levels were significantly lower than those of the decompensated group (P < .05). In the cirrhosis group, no significant differences existed between the levels of the grade A and grade B groups (P < .001), between those of the grade A and grade C groups (P < .001), or between those of the grade B and grade C groups (P < .001). In the cirrhosis group, the levels of the no ascites group were significantly lower than those of the ascites group (P < .05). In the liver cancer group, the levels of the stage I-II group were significantly lower than those of the stage III and stage IV groups (both P < .05), and those of the stage IV group were significantly lower than those of the stage Ⅳ group (P < .05). The levels of the <5cm group were significantly lower than those of the ≥5cm group (P < .001). The value of using a combination of indicators for diagnosis was significantly higher than that of a single indicator (P < .001). Conclusions: Urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP all have diagnostic value in the evaluation of chronic hepatitis B-cirrhosis and liver cancer, with the highest efficacy, sensitivity and specificity from a combined test and diagnosis.

Citrate-promoted dissolution of nanostructured manganese oxides: Implications for nano-enabled sustainable agriculture.

Nanostructured manganese oxides (nano-MnOx) have shown great promises as versatile agrochemicals in nano-enabled sustainable agriculture, owing to the coupled benefits of controlled release of dissolved Mn2+, an essential nutrient needed by plants, and oxidative destruction of environmental organic pollutants. Here, we show that three δ-MnO2 nanomaterials consisting of nanosheet-assembled flower-like nanospheres not only exhibit greater kinetics in citrate-promoted dissolution, but also are less prone to passivation, compared with three α-MnO2 nanowire materials. The better performance of the δ-MnO2 nanomaterials can be attributed to their higher abundance of surface unsaturated Mn atoms-particularly Mn(III)-that is originated from their specific exposed facets and higher abundance of surface defects sites. Our results underline the great potential of modulating nanomaterial surface atomic configuration to improve their performance in sustainable agricultural applications.

Clinical effects of HBV infection on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of HBV infection on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: This is a prospective study. Thirty patients with RA and 30 patients with SLE admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from January 2020 to December 2021 with co-infection of HBV were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Both groups were given anti-HBV treatment. An additional 60 patients with a healthy physical examination during the same period were also selected as a control group. The disease activity, immune function and serum inflammatory factor levels were compared between the RA group and the SLE group before and after treatment. Results: After anti-HBV treatment, DAS scores in the RA group and SLEDAI scores in the SLE group were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05). The levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and CD8+ in the RA group and the SLE group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment. The levels of CCP, RF, ESR and CRP in the RA group before and after treatment were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). The levels of ESR and CRP in the SLE group before and after treatment were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Conclusion: Patients in the RA and SLE groups after HBV infection have an increased degree of inflammatory response in their organism, an altered normal state of immunoglobulin and T-lymphocyte subsets, and a loss of organism immune function, leading to an increase in disease activity.

Human Lower Limb Motion Capture and Recognition Based on Smartphones.

Human motion recognition based on wearable devices plays a vital role in pervasive computing. Smartphones have built-in motion sensors that measure the motion of the device with high precision. In this paper, we propose a human lower limb motion capture and recognition approach based on a Smartphone. We design a motion logger to record five categories of limb activities (standing up, sitting down, walking, going upstairs, and going downstairs) using two motion sensors (tri-axial accelerometer, tri-axial gyroscope). We extract the motion features and select a subset of features as a feature vector from the frequency domain of the sensing data using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). We classify and predict human lower limb motion using three supervised learning algorithms: Naïve Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). We use 670 lower limb motion samples to train and verify these classifiers using the 10-folder cross-validation technique. Finally, we design and implement a live detection system to validate our motion detection approach. The experimental results show that our low-cost approach can recognize human lower limb activities with acceptable accuracy. On average, the recognition rate of NB, KNN, and ANNs are 97.01%, 96.12%, and 98.21%, respectively.

Key Physicochemical Properties Dictating Gastrointestinal Bioaccessibility of Microplastics-Associated Organic Xenobiotics: Insights from a Deep Learning Approach.

A potential risk from human uptake of microplastics is the release of plastics-associated xenobiotics, but the key physicochemical properties of microplastics controlling this process are elusive. Here, we show that the gastrointestinal bioaccessibility, assessed using an in vitro digestive model, of two model xenobiotics (pyrene, at 391-624 mg/kg, and 4-nonylphenol, at 3054-8117 mg/kg) bound to 18 microplastics (including pristine polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, and polyethylene, and two artificially aged samples of each polymer) covered wide ranges: 16.1-77.4% and 26.4-83.8%, respectively. Sorption/desorption experiments conducted in simulated gastric fluid indicated that structural rigidity of polymers was an important factor controlling bioaccessibility of the nonpolar, nonionic pyrene, likely by inducing physical entrapment of pyrene in porous domains, whereas polarity of microplastics controlled bioaccessibility of 4-nonylphenol, by regulating polar interactions. The changes of bioaccessibility induced by microplastics aging corroborated the important roles of polymeric structures and surface polarity in dictating sorption affinity and degree of desorption hysteresis, and consequently, gastrointestinal bioaccessibility. Variance-based global sensitivity analysis using a deep learning neural network approach further revealed that micropore volume was the most important microplastics property controlling bioaccessibility of pyrene, whereas the O/C ratio played a key role in dictating the bioaccessibility of 4-nonylphenol in the gastric tract.

Clinical significance of C4d deposition in renal tissues from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome-a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate renal expression of C4d, a complement component in the classical/mannose binding lectin (MBL) pathway, in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-associated renal impairments. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological data from 39 patients with pSS presenting with renal impairments. C4d was examined in paraffin-embedded biopsy tissues using immunohistochemistry. Glomerular C4d positive was defined when > 75% glomeruli were globally stained. Tubulointerstitial C4d (TI-C4d) were scored semi-quantitatively as 0 (absent), 1 (spotty or weak), 2 (patchy) and 3 (diffuse). A TI-C4d score ≥ 2 was considered TI-C4d positive and included in the TI-C4d+ group and vice versa. Peritubular capillary (PTC) C4d was scored as 0 (absent), 1 (0~10%, minimal), 2 (10%~ 50%, focal), and 3 (> 50%, diffuse). RESULTS: Glomerular C4d deposition was observed in all 8 patients with pSS-related membranous nephropathy (MN) without obvious C1q deposition. Two of 5 patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and 1 of 2 patients with IgA nephropathy had mild mesangial C4d deposition. Sixteen patients (6 glomerular dominant and 10 tubulointerstitial dominant) presented TI-C4d score ≥ 2. Patients in the TI-C4d+ group exhibited a higher serum creatinine level at the time of renal biopsy (TI-C4d+ 132.5 [89.7, 165.5] vs. TI-C4d- 83.0 [70.7, 102.0] µmol/L, P = 0.008). PTC C4d was observed in 12 patients, with each of minimal, focal and diffuse staining being noted in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The MBL pathway of complement activation was potentially involved in pSS-related MN. Tubulointerstitial C4d might be a pathological marker of severe renal injury in patients with pSS-related renal impairments.

Two New AChE Inhibitors Isolated from Li Folk Herb Heilaohu "Kadsura coccinea" Stems.

Two new triterpenoids, named kadsuricoccins A and B, together with three known ones, were isolated from the Li folk herb Heilaohu, the stems of Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith, which was used for food and as a healthy supplement. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. To search healthy components, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity test by Ellman's Method was conducted, kadsuricoccins A and B showed activity with the AChE inhibit index (AII) up to 68.96% ± 0.19% and 57.8% ± 0.11% at 94 nM (compared with positive control tacrine AII 79.80% ± 0.20%, 9.4 nM), respectively.

Distinguishing Diketopyrrolopyrrole Isomers in Single-Molecule Junctions via Reversible Stimuli-Responsive Quantum Interference.

Distinguishing structural isomers at the single-molecule level remains a challenge. We report the single-molecule recognition of two diketopyrrolopyrrole containing isomers (SDPP and SPPO) employing the mechanically controllable break junction technique. The single-molecule conductances of the two isomers are indistinguishable under normal conditions. However, reversible protonation and deprotonation of the SPPO in molecular junction result in more than 1 order of magnitude conductance change, which dramatically enhances the conductance difference between the two isomers. Theoretical study reveals that the dramatic conductance switching is due to reversible quantum interference effect. It is suggested that combination of stimuli-response and quantum interference can be an efficient strategy to enhance isomer recognition and conductance switching in single-molecule junctions.

Intra-arterial ethanol embolization augments response to TACE for treatment of HCC with portal venous tumor thrombus.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus remains extremely poor. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness and safety of transcatheter chemoembolization for tumors in the liver parenchyma plus intra-arterial ethanol embolization for portal vein tumor thrombus. METHODS: A pilot study was carried out on 31 patients in the treatment group (transcatheter chemoembolization plus intra-arterial ethanol embolization) and 57 patients in the control group (transcatheter chemoembolization alone). Enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance images were repeated 4 weeks after the procedure to assess the response. Overall survival and complications were assessed until the patient died or was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Median survival was 10.5 months in the treatment group (2.4 ± 1.7 courses) and 3.9 months in the control group (1.9 ± 1 courses) (P = 0.001). Patients in the treatment group had better overall survival (at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively), compared to patients in the control group (90.3% vs. 59.6%, 64.5% vs. 29.8%, and 41.9% vs. 10.6%; p = 0.001). Furthermore, the rate of portal vein tumor thrombus regression was higher in the treatment group (93.1%) than in the control group (32.1%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, transcatheter chemoembolization combined with intra-arterial ethanol embolization may be more effective than transcatheter chemoembolization alone for treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus. Intra-arterial ethanol embolization for treating portal vein tumor thrombus is safe, feasible and prolongs overall survival.

MicroRNA-30e-5p promotes cell growth by targeting PTPN13 and indicates poor survival and recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma.

Aberrant microRNA expression is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes, such as proliferation and metastasis in multiple diseases including cancers. MicroRNA-30e-5p (miR-30e) was previously reported as an oncogenic or tumour suppressing miRNA in some malignancies, but its function in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) remains largely undefined. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-30e was increased in LAC tissues and cell lines, associated with tumour size and represented an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and recurrence of LAC patients. Further functional experiments showed that knockdown of miR-30e suppressed cell growth while its overexpression promoted growth of LAC cells and xenografts in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PTPN13 was identified as the direct target of miR-30e in LAC, in which PTPN13 expression was down-regulated in LAC tissues and showed the inverse correlation with miR-30e expression. Overexpression of PTPN13 inhibited cell growth and rescued the proliferation-promoting effect of miR-30e through inhibition of the EGFR signalling. Altogether, our findings suggest that miR-30e could function as an oncogene in LAC via targeting PTPN13 and act as a potential therapeutic target for treating LAC.

Clinicopathological Features of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy in 33 Adolescents.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)in adolescents. Methods This was a retrospective study on IMN patients hospitalized between June 2012 and December 2014,and a total of 33 IMN patients aged between 13 and 24 years old were enrolled in the study.Meanwhile,33 IMN patients aged more than 24 years old were selected randomly as control group during the same period.Diagnosis was confirmed by renal biopsy,and the secondary causes of membranous nephropathy were ruled out.Data collected from medical record and biopsy were analyzed. Results In the adolescent IMN group,the mean age at renal biopsy was(20±3)years old,and the male/female ratio was 22/11.Twenty-three cases presented as nephrotic syndrome.Systolic and diastolic pressures were(127±13)mmHg and(77±9)mmHg,respectively.The median 24-hour urine protein was 5.14(3.39,9.31)g/d,and the median serum creatinine was 62(52,73)µmol/L.The positive rate of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor in adolescent group was 54%.Compared with control group,the adolescent patients had lower incidence of hypertension and higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate level [15.2% vs.39.3%,χ2=4.889,P=0.03;125 ml/(min·1.73m2)vs.100 ml/(min·1.73m2),U=137.5,P<0.001].According to IMN staging criteria in electron microscopy,adolescent patients were classified as one case in stage I,21 in stage Ⅱ,and 11 in stage Ⅲ or higher.The positive rates of IgG1,IgG2,IgG3 and IgG4 subclass staining in glomeruli were 46.9%,3.1%,56.3%,and 87.5%,respectively.Compared with control group,the adolescent patients had lower incidence of renal interstitial fibrosis and arteriolar lesions(6.1% vs.66.7%,χ2=26.19,P<0.001;15.2% vs.66.7%,χ2=18.11,P<0.001).Three patients lost to follow-up while others started steroid combined with cyclosporine A(n=20),cyclophosphamide(n=7),or mycophenolate(n=1)or solely(n=2).After a median follow-up of 18(12,24)months,the median proteinuria decreased to 0.20(0.10,0.42)g/d,whereas serum creatinine level remained stable [69(56.8,81.3)µmol/L].Seventeen patients(56.7%)achieved complete remission(CR),and the remaining 13 patients(43.4%)achieved partial remission(PR).The median time of CR and PR were three and six months,respectively.Only one patient relapsed during the follow-up.Also,21 cases received maintenance therapy including cyclosporine A(n=18),azathioprine(n=2)and mycophenolate(n=1).Conclusions The immunofluorescence IgG subclass in glomeruli and distribution of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor in adolescent IMN patients are similar to those in older IMN patients.IMN patients in adolescents responded well to immunosuppressive therapy.Cyclosporine A in low dose as maintenance therapy is effective after achieving remission,and will not increase risk of nephrotoxicity.

[The relationship between anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody and idiopathic membranous nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody in the diagnosis and disease activity monitoring of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). METHODS: A total of 233 patients with IMN proven by kidney biopsy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2012 to March 2014 were enrolled in this study. Another 46 patients with non-IMN kidney diseases at the same period were selected as control group. Serum titer of anti-PLA2R antibody was measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) at the time of renal biopsy. Clinical data were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy of anti-PLA2R antibody in IMN was estimated by ROC curve. RESULTS: The total sensitivity of anti-PLA2R antibody was 60.0% in IMN. However, the sensitivity increased to 71.3% in patients who did not receive immuno-suppression therapies. The specificity of anti-PLA2R antibody was 100.0%, of which was not detected in any of the 25 control patients with lupus nephritis. The area under ROC curve of anti-PLA2R antibody for IMN diagnosis was 0.800. The prevalence of positive anti-PLA2R antibody in nephrotic range proteinuria group and non-nephrotic range proteinuria group were 68.3% and 41.7% (P < 0.05), respectively. The positive rates in patients with serum albumin level less than 30 g/L and more than 30 g/L were 67.3% and 44.6% (P < 0.05), respectively. Hypoalbuminemia became worse (P < 0.05) and the proportion of nephrotic arrange proteinuria rose significantly (P < 0.05) according to the elevation of antibody level. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-PLA2R antibody has high sensitivity and notable specificity for the diagnosis of IMN, which reveals good diagnostic accuracy. The antibody positive rate is affected by immunosuppression therapy, disease activity and other clinical status. Moreover, the antibody could reflect the disease activity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -2578C/A and -460C/T gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis involving 11 case-control studies.

The aim of this meta-analysis is to generate large-scale evidence on whether common vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms (-2578C/A [dbSNP: rs699947] and -460C/T [dbSNP: rs833061]) are associated with lung cancer. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases was conducted to identify all eligible studies published before May 3, 2013. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association. Eleven case-control studies were included with a total of 3,861 lung cancer cases and 3,676 controls in this meta-analysis. For the VEGF -2578C/A polymorphism, the combined results showed that there exist highly significant risk factors for individuals carrying the A allele resulting in lung cancer, and the magnitude of this effect was similar in smoker patients and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Unlike the situation with the -2578C/A polymorphism, the VEGF -460C/T polymorphism is not associated with the risk of lung cancer in neither Asians nor Caucasians. However, when stratified according to smoking status and histological types of lung cancer, we found that the T allele (-460C/T) was associated with decreased lung cancer risk among nonsmoker patients and SCC patients. Our findings showed that the -2578C/A polymorphism may increase lung cancer risk, especially in smoker patients and SCC patients, whereas the -460C/T polymorphism may decrease lung cancer risk, especially in nonsmoker patients and SCC patients.

Clinicopathological analysis of 155 patients with persistent isolated hematuria.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal etiologies of persistent isolated hematuria (PIH) through ultrastructural pathological examination, to disclose clinicopathological correlation in cases with PIH, and to summarize appropriate management of patients with PIH. METHODS: we retrospectively studied 155 PIH patients receiving renal biopsy between January, 2003 and December, 2008 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All the clinical data and follow-up result were analyzed. RESULTS: All subjects included 38 children and 117 adults, with mean age of 11.38±3.25 years for children and 35.17±8.44 years for adults. Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) was the most common pathology (55.3% of children and 49.6% of adults), followed by IgA nephropathy (18.4% of children and 32.5% of adults, mainly grade 2-3) and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) without IgA deposition (13.2% of children and 12.8% of adults). Besides, Alport syndrome (2.6% of children) and membrane nephropathy (2.6% of children and 0.9% of adults) were demonstrated as other causes of PIH. Elevated mean arteral pressure or protein excretion rate, as well as episodic macrohematuria, indicated higher risk for MsPGN rather than TBMN. On the other hand, severity of microhematuria was irrelevant to pathological types of PIH. Totally, 86 patients were followed up and 37 cases therein stayed on track for long term (mean duration 41.11?28.92 months, range 8-113 months). Most cases had benign clinical course except 3 cases with TBMN, 5 cases with IgA nephropathy, 1 case with MsPGN (without IgA deposition), and 1 case with Alport syndrome, who developed hypertension or proteinuria. All of them were administered timely intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Close follow-up should be required as the primary management for PIH. Equally important is careful monitoring for early identification of undesirable predictors; while renal biopsy and other timely intervention are warranted if there is hypertension, significant proteinuria or renal impairment.

Filtration effect of Cordyceps chanhua mycoderm on bacteria and its transport function on nitrogen.

IMPORTANCE: During the natural growth of Cordyceps chanhua, it will form a mycoderm structure specialized from hyphae. We found that the bacterial membrane of C. chanhua not only filters environmental bacteria but also absorbs and transports nitrogen elements inside and outside the body of C. chanhua. These findings are of great significance for understanding the stable mechanism of the internal microbial community maintained by C. chanhua and how C. chanhua maintains its own nutritional balance. In addition, this study also enriched our understanding of the differences in bacterial community composition and related bacterial community functions of C. chanhua at different growth stages, which is of great value for understanding the environmental adaptation mechanism, the element distribution network, and the changing process of symbiotic microbial system after Cordyceps fungi infected the host. At the same time, it can also provide a theoretical basis for some important ecological imitation cultivation technology of Cordyceps fungi.

Vascular stability of brain arteriovenous malformations after partial embolization.

INTRODUCTION: Brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) might have a higher risk of rupture after partial embolization, and previous studies have shown that some metrics of vascular stability are related to bAVM rupture risk. OBJECTIVE: To analyze vascular stability of bAVM in patients after partial embolization. METHODS: Twenty-four patients who underwent partial embolization were classified into the short-term, medium-term, and long-term groups, according to the time interval between partial embolization and surgery. The control group consisted of 9 bAVM patients who underwent surgery alone. Hemodynamic changes after partial embolization were measured by angiogram. The inflammatory infiltrates and cell-cell junctions were evaluated by MMP-9 and VE-cadherin. At the protein level, the proliferative and apoptotic events of bAVMs were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of VEGFA, eNOS, and caspase-3. Finally, neovascularity and apoptotic cells were assessed by CD31 staining and TUNEL staining. RESULTS: Immediately after partial embolization, the blood flow velocity of most bAVMs increased. The quantity of MMP-9 in the medium-term group was the highest, and VE-cadherin in the medium-term group was the lowest. The expression levels of VEGFA, eNOS, and neovascularity were highest in the medium-term group. Similarly, the expression level of caspase-3 and the number of apoptotic cells were highest in the medium-term group. CONCLUSION: The biomarkers for bAVM vascular stability were most abnormal between 1 and 28 days after partial embolization.

Preparation of biocompatibility coating on magnesium alloy surface by sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel.

Magnesium alloy is an excellent material for biodegradable cerebrovascular stents. However, the rapid degradation rate of magnesium alloy will make stent unstable. To improve the biocompatibility of magnesium alloy, in this study, biodegradable sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan (SA/CMCS) was used to coat onto hydrothermally treated the surface of magnesium alloy by a dipping coating method. The results show that the SA/CMCS coating facilitates the growth, proliferation, and migration of endothelial cells and promotes neovascularization. Moreover, the SA/CMCS coating suppresses macrophage activation while promoting their transformation into M2 type macrophages. Overall, the SA/CMCS coating demonstrates positive effects on the safety and biocompatibility of magnesium alloy after implantation, and provide a promising therapy for the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in the future.