[Associations between hypertensive snowbirds' length of migratory stay and blood pressure control].

Objective: To explore the relationship between the hypertensive snowbirds' length of migratory stay and their blood pressure control and blood pressure levels. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. A population of snowbirds with hypertension was recruited between October and November 2022, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect their self-measured blood pressure and length of stay in Hainan Province. The blood pressure control status is determined based on self-measured blood pressure. According to the self-measured blood pressure to determine whether the blood pressure was well controlled. The associations between snowbirds' length of stay and their blood pressure control as well as their self-measured blood pressure were analyzed using restricted cubic splines. Results: A total of 362 research subjects were included, 169(46.7%) of whom were male, and their age was (69.7±7.0) years old. The participants' self-measured systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were (129.1±16.2) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (78.9±10.1) mmHg, respectively. Overall, 174 (48.1%) participants attained adequate blood pressure control. The median length of stay in Wuzhishan City was 7(6, 7) months. There was an inverted U-shaped association between snowbirds' length of stay and blood pressure control (overall: P=0.023; nonlinearity: P=0.014), where participants with a length of stay of 7 months had the highest rate of blood pressure control. There is a U-shaped curve relationship between length of stay and systolic blood pressure (overall: P=0.001; nonlinearity: P=0.033), and a linear negative correlation with diastolic blood pressure (ß=-1.19, P=0.003). Conclusions: Compared with hypertensive snowbirds with too long or too short lengths of stay, snowbirds who stayed in Wuzhishan City for seven months have better blood pressure control, and systolic blood pressure is also lower.

[Drug resistance and molecular typing of diarrheagenic escherichia coli from the diarrhea clinics in Qingpu District, Shanghai City from 2015 to 2019].

Objective: To analyze the drug resistance and multilocus sequence typing of five types of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) isolated from diarrhea outpatients of diarrhea comprehensive monitoring designated hospital in Qingpu District, Shanghai City from 2015 to 2019. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2019, five types of DEC, isolated and identified from diarrhea outpatient cases' anal swabs of the Qingpu branch of Zhongshan Hospital were collected to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration by using the micro broth dilution susceptibility test. The strains, resistant to the third-generation cephalosporins or carbapenems, or producing ESBLs, were selected based on the results of sensitivity tests and determined by WGS. The MLST typing of DEC was analyzed based on the WGS technology and the minimum spanning tree was constructed by BioNumerics 7.6 software to analyze the local dominant flora. Results: A total of 513 strains of DEC were detected and isolated from 4 494 anal swabs, with a detection rate of 11.42%. About 500 strains were tested for drug sensitivity to nine antibiotics in four classes, including 330 strains of enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), 72 strains of enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC), 95 strains of enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), 1 strain of enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC), and 2 strains of enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC). From 2015 to 2019, the resistance rate of cefotaxime-clavulanic acid was significantly different (P<0.05). The resistance rate of virulence types of DEC to nalixic acid was significantly different (P<0.05). About 71 strains of DEC were determined by WGS, and 77 drug-resistant genes were detected. Strains were classified into 32 ST subtypes, with the dominant genotypes being ST-1491 (29.6%, 21/71) and ST-10 Complex (23.9%, 17/71). All ST-1491 produced ESBLs, which were blaCTX-M gene mutant strains. The dominant type of ST-10 complex was ST-218 (35.3%, 6/17). In addition, 8 strains of EAEC, 14 strains of EPEC and 49 strains of ETEC were classified into 7, 14 and 18 ST subtypes, respectively. Conclusion: The drug resistance of DEC strains from the diarrhea outpatient case of Qingpu District is serious. The ST types of EAEC and EPEC are highly polymorphic. The dominant ST types of DEC are basically consistent with the common genotypes in southeast China.

[Drug resistance and molecular typing of diarrheagenic escherichia coli from the diarrhea clinics in Qingpu District, Shanghai].

Objective: To analyze the drug resistance and multilocus sequence typing of five types of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) isolated from diarrhea outpatients of diarrhea comprehensive monitoring designated hospital in Qingpu District, Shanghai from 2015 to 2019. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2019, five types of DEC, isolated and identified from diarrhea outpatient cases' anal swabs of the Qingpu branch of Zhongshan Hospital were collected to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration by using the micro broth dilution susceptibility test. The strains, resistant to the third-generation cephalosporins or carbapenems, or producing ESBLs, were selected based on the results of sensitivity tests and determined by WGS. The MLST typing of DEC was analyzed based on the WGS technology and the minimum spanning tree was constructed by BioNumerics 7.6 software to analyze the local dominant flora. Results: A total of 513 strains of DEC were detected and isolated from 4 494 anal swabs, with a detection rate of 11.42%. About 500 strains were tested for drug sensitivity to nine antibiotics in four classes, including 330 strains of enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), 72 strains of enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC), 95 strains of enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), 1 strain of enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC), and 2 strains of enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC). From 2015 to 2019, the resistance rate of cefotaxime-clavulanic acid was significantly different (P<0.05). The resistance rate of virulence types of DEC to nalixic acid was significantly different (P<0.05). About 71 strains of DEC were determined by WGS, and 77 drug-resistant genes were detected. Strains were classified into 32 ST subtypes, with the dominant genotypes being ST-1491 (29.6%, 21/71) and ST-10 Complex (23.9%, 17/71). All ST-1491 produced ESBLs, which were blaCTX-M gene mutant strains. The dominant type of ST-10 complex was ST-218 (35.3%, 6/17). In addition, 8 strains of EAEC, 14 strains of EPEC and 49 strains of ETEC were classified into 7, 14 and 18 ST subtypes, respectively. Conclusion: The drug resistance of DEC strains from the diarrhea outpatient case of Qingpu District is serious. The ST types of EAEC and EPEC are highly polymorphic. The dominant ST types of DEC are basically consistent with the common genotypes in southeast China.

[Analysis on vaccination willingness and related factors of influenza, pneumonia, and herpes zoster vaccine among people over 50 years old in Minhang district of Shanghai].

Objective: To determine the knowledge of influenza, pneumonia, herpes zoster and related vaccines, willingness to vaccinate under multiple payment scenarios, and corresponding risk factors among people over 50 years old in Minhang District of Shanghai. Methods: A total of 1 672 respondents aged 50-69 from 13 communities/towns in Minhang district of Shanghai were included in this study using a stratified random sampling strategy on December 2020. The knowledge of influenza, pneumonia, herpes zoster and vaccines was investigated using a questionnaire, and the differences in the willingness under multiple payment scenarios were determined using chi-square test. The consistency in the willingness under multiple payment scenarios was compared using Cohen's Kappa and the risk factors of the willingness was determined using ordinal logistic regression. Results: The average age of 1 672 respondents was (60.48±5.96) years old, including 777 (46.47%) males and 895 (53.53%) females. A total of 1 350 subjects (80.74%) had local household registration in Shanghai. The proportion of the willingness to vaccinate for themselves, spouses, and parents under any payment scenario was determined to be 80.6% (influenza vaccine), 81.5% (pneumonia vaccine), and 74.0% (herpes zoster vaccine). The willingness to vaccinate against influenza and pneumonia under multiple payment scenarios remained stable (Kappa value ≥0.6), while that against herpes zoster infection was inconsistent (Kappa value ≤0.35). Logistic regression analysis showed that respondents who had higher knowledge of influenza and influenza vaccine [OR (95%CI): 1.111 (1.054-1.170), 1.182 (1.126-1.240), respectively], aged 50-59 [1.305 (1.085-1.531)] and local household registration in Shanghai [1.372 (1.079-1.721)] had higher willingness to vaccinate against influenza, while males had lower willingness [0.733 (0.551-0.910)]. Respondents who had higher knowledge of pneumonia and pneumonia vaccine [OR (95%CI): 1.837 (1.152-2.517), 2.217 (1.541-2.893), respectively] had higher willingness to receive pneumonia vaccine. Respondents aged 50-59 [1.327 (1.059-1.537)] and with local household registration in Shanghai [2.497 (1.417-4.400)] were more likely to be vaccinated against herpes zoster, while those with middle school degree or below [0.664 (0.396-0.992)] and high school degree [0.559 (0.324-0.964)] were less likely to be vaccinated. Conclusion: Among people aged over 50 years old in Minhang district of Shanghai, the willingness to vaccinate for themselves, spouses, and parents against influenza, pneumonia and herpes zoster infection is quite different under multiple payment scenarios, especially for herpes zoster vaccine.

[Association between the Controlling Nutritional Status score and long-term outcome in patients with acute heart failure].

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and its association with the long-term prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Methods: This prospective monocentric study consecutively enrolled patients admitted to our hospital for AHF from April 2012 to May 2016. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the CONUT score at admission: normal (0-1), mild malnutrition (2-4) and moderate-severe malnutrition (5-12) groups. Baseline information was obtained and recorded within 24 hours after admission. All patients were followed up every 3 months by outpatient visit or telephone call until March 2019. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to compare all-cause mortality between groups. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality after discharge. Results: A total of 396 patients were enrolled in this study, including 114 patients with normal nutritional status, 200 patients with mild malnutrition and 82 patients with moderate-severe malnutrition. One hundred and fifty-eight patients died during a median follow-up of 34 (18, 46) months. The mortality was 32.4% (37/114), 39% (78/200) and 52.4% (43/82) in normal, mild malnutrition and moderate-severe malnutrition groups, respectively. The mortality was significantly higher in the moderate-severe malnutrition group than in normal nutrition group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mortality between normal and mild malnutrition group as well as between mild and moderate-severe malnutrition group (both P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that patients with high CONUT score group was at higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with those with low CONUT score (P=0.002). Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the risk of all-cause mortality of moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly higher than that of normal nutrition group (HR =1.648, 95%CI 1.021-2.660, P=0.041). Conclusions: The CONUT score of patients with AHF at admission is associated with the long-term prognosis. High CONUT score is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in AHF patients after discharge.

[Cognitive function and cerebral blood perfusion changes in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis].

Objective: To investigated cognitive and cerebral blood flow changes in a cohort of patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed anti-NMDAR encephalitis from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China between June 2015 and February 2019 were included in the study. Meanwhile, another 15 healthy subjects were selected as controls. All participants underwent neuropsychological tests for assessment of the clinical symptoms and arterial spin labeling (ASL) of magnetic resonance perfusion imaging scan were employed to evaluate cerebral perfusion. Then the relationship between changed cerebral blood perfusion and cognitive function was evaluated. Results: Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis showed significantly reduced overall cognitive function (Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA)) than healthy controls (26.5±2.5 vs 28.6±1.9, P=0.015), they also exhibited poorer performance in immediate memory, recognition, attention, language and executive function than healthy controls (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in clinical symptoms, viability, mental state and mood were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis showed significantly reduced total brain cerebral blood flow (CBF) compared with the healthy controls (0.949±0.028 vs 0.953±0.025, P=0.001). Compared with the healthy controls, the patients had decreased CBF in triangular and opercular parts of bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and left central frontal gyrus, however, they showed increased CBF in the left inferior temporal gyrus and left fusiform gyrus (all P<0.05). In NMDAR group, the CBF in left central anterior gyrus was negatively correlated with Stroop's Color Word-word (r=-0.68, P=0.005). The CBF in left spindle gyrus was positively correlated with Stroop's Color Word-word (r=0.62, P=0.015) and completion time of color trail test-A (r=0.81, P<0.001), respectively, however, it was negatively correlated with Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test-immediate (r=-0.59, P=0.020) and Verbal Fluency Test-animals (r=-0.58, P=0.024), respectively. Conclusions: Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis have prevalent cognitive deficits such as memory, language, attention and executive dysfunction as well as changes in blood perfusion, which may be related to cognitive deficits. Changes in cerebral blood perfusion can be used as indicators for early diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Improving the cerebral blood flow of patients may promote the recovery of cognition.

[Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma concurrent with lung squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review].

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, imaging features, pathological features, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)lymphoma concurrent with lung squamous cell carcinoma, and to improve the understanding of this disease. Methods: Using "Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, squamous cell carcinoma" as the search term, from January 1, 1983 to August 31, 2020, a total of 3 cases were retrieved in the PubMed database. In the Wanfang database, using "Lung mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, lung squamous cell carcinoma" as the search term, from January 1, 1990 to August 31, 2020, a total of 1 related document was retrieved. In the CNKI database, "(lung) mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, (lung) squamous cell carcinoma" was used as the search term, and no relevant case reports were retrieved. Results: A 64-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of chest tightness and shortness of breath for 10 days, cough and fever for one day. Enhanced CT of the chest showed a soft tissue mass shadow in the right lower hilar area, with obstruction of the adjacent bronchus, and local mild enhancement, suggesting of right lower lung cancer. In addition, the CT scan also showed consolidated shadows in the lower lobes of both lungs, scattered nodules, multiple lymphadenopathy in the mediastinum, and a small amount of pleural effusion on the right. Under bronchoscopy, a cauliflower-like neoplasm was seen at the opening of the lower right basal section, about 7 mm×8 mm, and biopsy showed that part of the mucosal structure was destroyed, with disappearance of the squamous epithelial layer, and the nuclei were large and deeply stained, and some were distributed in nests, with poor keratinization and a small amount of necrosis, and fibrous tissue reaction. Immunostaining revealed that the tumor was positive for p40, CK5/6 and EGFR and negative forTTF-1, NapsinA, PD-L1, p53, with about 30% Ki-67 positive cells. A puncture biopsy of the right lower lobe showed that the alveolar cavity was filled with nested lymphoid cells, consisting of small lymphocytes, central cell-like cells and monocyte-like cells, with occasionally large cells. Immunostaining revealed CD20+, CD79a+, scattered CD3+, Bcl2+, SMA vascular+, Bcl6-, CK-, CD10-, CyclinD1-, with about 3% Ki-67 positive cells. The histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue extranodal marginal zone lymphoma(MALT lymphoma),and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma complicated with lung squamous cell carcinoma is rare and easy to be missed and misdiagnosed. Chest CT imaging shows single or multiple nodules, mass shadows or consolidation, often accompanied by air-bronchial signs in the lesion, bronchiectasis, ground glass density around the lesion, hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Occasionally, pleural effusion can be seen. Lung biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Role of the adipose PPARγ-adiponectin axis in susceptibility to stress and depression/anxiety-related behaviors.

Adaptive responses to stressful stimuli involving behavioral, emotional and metabolic changes are orchestrated by the nervous and endocrine systems. Adipose tissue has been recognized as a highly active metabolic and endocrine organ, secreting adipokines that operate as hormones to mediate the crosstalk with other organs including the brain. The role of adipose tissue in sensing and responding to emotional stress and in behavioral regulation, however, remains largely unknown. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a key transcriptional factor controlling adipokine gene expression. Here we show that chronic social defeat stress decreases messenger RNA and protein levels of PPARγ in adipose tissue of susceptible but not resilient mice, which was correlated with social avoidance behavior. A corresponding reduction in adipose adiponectin production was observed in susceptible mice. Rosiglitazone, a blood-brain barrier-impermeant PPARγ-selective agonist, elicited antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like behavioral effects in wild-type mice, with a concurrent increase in plasma adiponectin levels. These effects of rosiglitazone were absent in mice lacking adiponectin but having normal PPARγ expression in adipose tissue and brain. Moreover, pretreatment with the PPARγ-selective antagonist GW9662 blocked rosiglitazone-induced adiponectin expression and antidepressant/anxiolytic-like effects. Together, these results suggest that the behavioral responses to rosiglitazone are mediated through PPARγ-dependent induction of adiponectin. Our findings support an important role for the adipose PPARγ-adiponectin axis in susceptibility to stress and negative emotion-related behaviors. Selectively targeting PPARγ in adipose tissue may offer novel strategies for combating depression and anxiety.

Adiponectin regulates contextual fear extinction and intrinsic excitability of dentate gyrus granule neurons through AdipoR2 receptors.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by exaggerated fear expression and impaired fear extinction. The underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of PTSD are largely unknown. The current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for PTSD are either ineffective or temporary with high relapse rates. Here we report that adiponectin-deficient mice exhibited normal contextual fear conditioning but displayed slower extinction learning. Infusions of adiponectin into the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in fear-conditioned mice facilitated extinction of contextual fear. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices revealed that intrinsic excitability of DG granule neurons was enhanced by adiponectin deficiency and suppressed after treatment with the adiponectin mimetic AdipoRon, which were associated with increased input resistance and hyperpolarized resting membrane potential, respectively. Moreover, deletion of AdipoR2, but not AdipoR1 in the DG, resulted in augmented fear expression and reduced extinction, accompanied by intrinsic hyperexcitability of DG granule neurons. Adiponectin and AdipoRon failed to induce facilitation of fear extinction and elicit inhibition of intrinsic excitability of DG neurons in AdipoR2 knockout mice. These results indicated that adiponectin action via AdipoR2 was both necessary and sufficient for extinction of contextual fear and intrinsic excitability of DG granule neurons, implying that enhancing or dampening DG neuronal excitability may cause resistance to or facilitation of extinction. Therefore, our findings provide a functional link between adiponectin/AdipoR2 activation, DG neuronal excitability and contextual fear extinction, and suggest that targeting adiponectin/AdipoR2 may be used to strengthen extinction-based exposure therapies for PTSD.

Enhanced 1,3-propanediol production in Klebsiella pneumoniae by a combined strategy of strengthening the TCA cycle and weakening the glucose effect.

AIMS: This study aimed to strengthen the reducing equivalent generation in Klebsiella pneumoniae for improving 1,3-propanediol (PDO) production. METHODS AND RESULTS: Disruption of the arcA gene activated the transcription levels of the TCA cycle genes and thus increased the NADH/NAD+ ratio by 54·2%, leading to the improved PDO titre and yield per cell from 16·1 g l-1 and 4·0 g gDCW-1 to 18·8 g l-1 and 6·4 g gDCW-1 respectively. Further ldhA gene deletion eliminated lactate accumulation and promoted the PDO titre to 19·9 g l-1 . Finally, the glucose effect was weakened by deleting the crr gene to enhance the co-utilization of glucose and glycerol, resulting in the increased PDO production to 23·8 g l-1 with the glycerol conversion rate of 59·5%. The PDO titre in bioreactor was promoted from 61·2 to 78·1 g l-1 . CONCLUSIONS: Deletions of the arcA and the crr genes showed positive effects on the TCA cycle activity and the co-utilization of glucose and glycerol, leading to the strengthened reducing equivalent generation and the improved PDO titre by 47·8% in shaker. The PDO titre in the bioreactor was enhanced to 78·1 g l-1 . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provided novel information on generating reducing equivalent for the PDO biosynthesis by strengthening the TCA cycle and weakening the glucose effect in K. pneumoniae.

[Microsurgical resection of sellar tumors via lateral supraorbital approach: clinical analysis of 20 cases].

Objective: To research the application of lateral supraorbital (LOS) approach for resecting sellar tumors. Methods: Clinical symptoms of 20 patients with surgery via LOS approach were analyzed retrospectively.According to the neuroradiological findings and the improvement of symptoms, and some score scale, the efficacy and safety of LOS were assessed for removing sellar tumors.There were tuberculum sellae meningioma (n=11), craniopharyngioma (n=4), epidermoid cysts (n=4) and pituitary adenoma (n=1). Results: Complete resection was achieved in seventeen patients(85%). The mean operating time was 144.0±54 minutes and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 96.5±51.1 ml.Four patients had post-operative fever, four had endocrine disorders, and one had seizure.No other complications were noted.Fifteen patients had visual function impairment before operation, seven of which were improved while one was aggravated after surgery.The median Karnofsky score (3-46 mon) was 95(0-100) and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at follow-up (3-46 mon) was 4.7(0-5). In general, the outcomes were improved in 18 patients and the mortality was 2. Conclusion: The resection of tumors at sellar region via lateral supraorbital approach is effecient, simple and minimally invasive, which can make the removal of the tumors reliably and safely.It is worthy to be popularized clinically.

Respiratory training during rehabilitation of acute organic fluorine-poisoned patients treated by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

This paper aimed to analyze the effects of respiratory training on pulmonary function during the rehabilitation period for acute organic fluorine-poisoned patients treated by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Sixty-two acute organic fluorine-poisoned patients admitted to the Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang City, China, from May 2012 to March 2016 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 31 cases in each. Both groups received NIPPV. The patients in the control group exercised daily, while the patients in the observation group received contracting lips-abdominal breathing training. The therapeutic effects, pulmonary ventilation function, serum levels of α-antitrypsin1 (α-AT1), surfactant protein D (SP-D), neutrophil elastase (NE), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), and quality of life were analyzed and compared between the two groups both before and after the administration of treatment. The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.55%, which was significantly higher when compared with the control group (74.19%) (P less than 0.05). The levels of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, vital capacity (VC), carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLco), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) of the observation group were better when compared with the control group and had statistical significance (P less than 0.05). Before treatment, the serum levels of α-AT1, SP-D, NE, and TGF-ß1, and quality of life had no statistical significance in either group (P>0.05); after treatment, these indexes and the quality of life for the observation group were significantly higher when compared with the control group, with statistical significance (P less than 0.05). The respiratory training in acute organic fluorine-poisoned patients treated by NIPPV can improve the serum indexes, dilute toxicity, and recover pulmonary function, which play key roles in improving the therapeutic effects and quality of life of patients, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Characterization and Expression Analysis of Attacins, Antimicrobial Peptide-Encoding Genes, from the Desert Beetle Microdera punctipennis in Response to Low Temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute the insect innate immune defense system. AMP production is usually induced by microbes. However, mounting evidence links insect immune reaction to cold hardiness. OBJECTIVE: We aimed at characterizing two attacins, MpAtt1 and MpAtt2, from the desert beetle Microdera punctipennis in Coleoptera and investigating the expression profiles of the two genes in response to cold stress. RESULTS: Full lengths MpAtt1 and MpAtt2 cDNAs were obtained from low temperature transcriptomic data. The newly identified attacins show characteristics different from those previously reported in other insects. MpAtt1 and MpAtt2 encode precursor proteins of 151 and 166 amino acid residues, respectively. These two attacins show 28.1% identity at amino acid level, and 38.3% identity at nucleotide level. Phylogenetic tree shows that the Mp attacins and the other Coleoptera attacins diverge earlier than Diptera and Lepidoptera attacins in evolution. The results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that MpAtt1 and MpAtt2 are highly expressed in hindgut plus Malpighian tube, and MpAtt1 also highly expressed in fat body. The mRNA levels of MpAtt1 and MpAtt2 were increased when the insects were treated at 4 degree C and a4 degree C, but the responsiveness to -4 degree C was lower than to 4 degree C. CONCLUSION: The cold inducible expression of attacin genes from the desert beetle M. punctipennis from the aspect of antimicrobial peptide synthesis supports the hypothesis that the insect immune system is stimulated during cold exposure.

[Effects of water extract of salvia miltiorrhiza aganst renal injury on rats exposed to cadmium].

Objective: To investigate the effects of water extract of salvia miltiorrhiza aganst renal injury on rats exposed to cadmium. Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (8), 32 rats in model group, conventional breeding, the blank control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline 5 ml·kg-1·d-1, model group with 2.8 mg·kg-1·d-1 of cadmium chloride solution by intraperitoneal injection. After the success in modeling, the model group was divided into treatment group (salvia extract high dose 2.7 g·kg-1·d-1, low water extract of salvia a dose of 1.35 g·kg-1·d-1), negative control group, positive control group. After 4 weeks to experiment in the drug group, the water extract of salvia miltiorrhiza by intragastric administration, the positive control group using sodium selenite solution 0.05 mg·kg-1·d-1 gavage, negative control group, the control group was given the same physical volume of saline water gastric 2.7 ml·kg-1·d-1, respectively. Each group intervention for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, serum was collected at, were used to detect the serum oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Results: Danshen aqueous extract can make dye CD rats body weight growth faster, the serum SOD activity decreased significantly[(241.0±2.8) U/ml vs(219.6±4.6) U/ml, P<0.05], serum MDA increased greatly[(7.2±0.3) µmol/L vs(11.9±0.9) µmol/L, P<0.01], to enhance the serum total antioxidant capacity[(8.7±1.5) U/ml vs(4.6±2.0)U/ml, P<0.05]. Conclusion: Danshen aqueous extract has obvious antioxidant injury, in reducing swelling of renal tubular epithelial cells, improve renal function effect significantly.

Dentate gyrus-CA3 glutamate release/NMDA transmission mediates behavioral despair and antidepressant-like responses to leptin.

Compelling evidence supports the important role of the glutamatergic system in the pathophysiology of major depression and also as a target for rapid-acting antidepressants. However, the functional role of glutamate release/transmission in behavioral processes related to depression and antidepressant efficacy remains to be elucidated. In this study, glutamate release and behavioral responses to tail suspension, a procedure commonly used for inducing behavioral despair, were simultaneously monitored in real time. The onset of tail suspension stress evoked a rapid increase in glutamate release in hippocampal field CA3, which declined gradually after its offset. Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors by intra-CA3 infusion of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, reversed behavioral despair. A subpopulation of granule neurons that innervated the CA3 region expressed leptin receptors and these cells were not activated by stress. Leptin treatment dampened tail suspension-evoked glutamate release in CA3. On the other hand, intra-CA3 infusion of NMDA blocked the antidepressant-like effect of leptin in reversing behavioral despair in both the tail suspension and forced swim tests, which involved activation of Akt signaling in DG. Taken together, these results suggest that the DG-CA3 glutamatergic pathway is critical for mediating behavioral despair and antidepressant-like responses to leptin.

Medium density fibreboard production by hot pressing without adhesive using Triarrhena sacchariflora residue bio-pretreated by white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor.

AIMS: To produce fibreboard with Triarrhena sacchariflora residue (TSR) without adhesive and understand the relationship between bio-pretreatment and mechanical property of fibreboard. METHODS AND RESULTS: White-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor was used to pretreat TSR, and biochemical and physical analysis were investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy method. CONCLUSIONS: TSR was suitable to produce fibreboard without adhesive by bio-pretreatment with C. versicolor. The property of fibreboard became stronger by optimization of bio-pretreatment parameters, and the moduli of rupture and elasticity of fibreboard were increased to 18·12 MPa and 4·3 GPa, respectively, which were close to national standard of medium-density fibreboard with adhesive. Bio-pretreated TSR increased the mechanical properties of fibreboard because of 1·4-fold content of polysaccharide and 1·15 U g(-1) laccase, more hydroxyl group and more porous surface structure than that of untreated TSR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: TSR-based fibreboard production without adhesive eliminated potential formaldehyde gas emission.

[Association between sense of coherence and occupational stress of workers in modern service industry in Shanghai, China].

Objective: To investigate understand the current status of the sense of coherence and occupational stress in modern service workers, and to analyze the association between occupational stress and the sense of coherence. Methods: From March to April, 2016, 834 modern service workers from 3 companies in Shanghai, China (in air transportation industry, marketing industry, and travel industry) were surveyed by non-ran-dom sampling. The self-completion questionnaires were filled out anonymously given the informed consent of the workers. The occupational stress questionnaire was used to evaluate occupational stress, and the Chinese version of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) was used to assess the mental health. Results: The mean score for the sense of coherence of the respondents was 61.54±10.46, and 50.1% of them were self-rated as having occupational stress. There were significant differences in SOC score between groups with different ages, marital status, positions, lengths of service, family per capita monthly income, and weekly work hours (P<0.05). The occupational stress score differed significantly across groups with different marital status, lengths of service, and weekly work hours (P<0.05). The scores for working autonomy, social support, and occupational stress differed significantly between groups with different SOC levels (P<0.05). There were significant differences in SOC score and the distribution of low-SOC respondents between groups with different levels of working autonomy, social support, and occupational stress. High SOC is a protective factor for occupational stress (OR=0.39, 95%CI 0.26~ 0.59). Conclusion: Modern service workers in Shanghai have high SOC and moderate occupational stress. Therefore, improving SOC may reduce occupational stress.

[Association between psychosocial work environment and workplace bullying among office workers].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of bullying in companies and health care center and identify the association between psychosocial environment and workplace bullying. METHODS: A total of 847 employees at in business building companies and 146 employees at one community health service center were invited to this survey by cluster sampling during October to December 2014, using anonymous questionnaires including the general demographic information, job characteristics, job stress core scale, the social capital scale, and NAQ-R. RESULTS: The rate of targets of bullying in the two kinds of workplaces were 13.1% and 5.6% respectively. Workplace bullying was associated with employee's education level(χ(2)=11.17, P=0.019)and the area his or her families live in(χ(2)=5.66, P=0.017). In addition, workplace bullying was significantly associated with psychosocial work environment. Job demand was positively correlated with workplace bullying (OR=2.24, 95% CI=1.34~3.74), and workplace social support was negatively associated with workplace bullying (OR= 0.33, 95% CI=0.18~0.60). CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can be reduced by adjusting certain working conditions that negatively affect employees who are susceptible to being bullied, giving their individual and job characteristic. Moreover, workplace bullying could also be reduced if job demands are limited and job control and social capital are increased.

Identification of differently expressed genes in leukemia using multiple microarray datasets.

The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes and analyze biological processes related to leukemia. A meta-analysis was performed using the Rank Product package of Gene Expression Omnibus datasets for leukemia. Next, Gene Ontology-enrichment analysis and pathway analysis were performed using the Gene Ontology website and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the Rank Product package for leukemia, we identified a total of 1294 differentially expressed genes, 357 of which were not involved in individual differentially expressed genes. Gene Ontology-enrichment analyses showed that these 357 genes were enriched in biological processes such as mRNA metabolism, RNA splicing, and mRNA processing. Pathway-enrichment analysis showed that the genes were involved in the intestinal immune network for IgA production, endocytosis, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The protein-protein interaction network indicated that HRAS, CD44, STAT1, SMAD2, and COPS5 were important in many interactions. Our study revealed genes that were consistently differentially expressed in leukemia, as well as the biological pathways and protein-protein interaction network associated with these genes.

Characterization and expression analysis of six chitinase genes from the desert beetle Microdera punctipennis in response to low temperature.

BACKGROUND: Chitinase is responsible for chitin metabolism in a wide range of organisms. However, current knowledge on insect chitinase and their possible functions in relation to low temperature stress is very limited. OBJECTIVE: Six chitinase genes from cold treated desert beetle Microdera punctipennis obtained by RNA-seq technology were characterized, and their expression patterns in different tissues and in response to cold were investigated. METHODS: Multiple sequence alignment was carried out using ClustalW1.81 and Phylogenetic trees were generated by MEGA5. The expression patterns were studied by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: These genes were belong to three different chitinase groups. Almost all of them were highly expressed in midgut, and some are expressed in fat body or hindgut. Subzero-4 degree C had stronger effect than 4 degree C in inducing chitinase expression. CONCLUSION: The tissue specific and cold inducible expressions suggest that the chitinases may have diverse functions and play roles in insect cold adaptation.