Flexivirga endophytica sp. nov., an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from a leaf of Sweet Basil.

A Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile, irregular coccoid strain, designated YIM 7505T, was isolated from a leaf of Sweet Basil. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain YIM 7505T was closely related to Flexivirga alba NBRC 107580T (98.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and formed a robust clade with F. alba NBRC 107580T in the neighbour-joining tree. Optimum growth of strain YIM 7505T was observed at 28-35 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0-3.0 % NaCl (w/v). The chemotaxonomic profiles of the strain comprised of anteiso-C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acid and MK-8(H4) as the respiratory menaquinone. The peptidoglycan of strain YIM 7505T contained serine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and lysine. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, six unidentified phospholipids, four unidentified glycolipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strain YIM 7505T was 66.7 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridizations of strain YIM 7505T with F. alba NBRC 107580T gave relatedness values of 50.6±2.2 %. On the basis of the data recorded from the present study, strain YIM 7505T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flexivirga, for which the name Flexivirga endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 7505T (=KCTC 39536T=CGMCC 1.15085T).

[Evolution and Characteristics of Full-process Vehicular VOCs Emissions in Tianjin from 2000 to 2020].

Vehicle emissions are an important source of anthropogenic volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions in urban areas and are commonly quantified using vehicle emission inventories. However, most previous studies on vehicle emission inventories have incomplete emission factors and emission processes or insufficient consideration of meteorological parameters. Based on the localized full-process emission factors attained from tested data and previous studies, a method to develop a monthly vehicular VOC emission inventory of full process for the long-term was established, which covered exhaust and evaporative emissions (including running loss, diurnal breathing loss, hot soak loss, and refueling emission). Then, the method was used to develop a full-process vehicular VOC emission inventory in Tianjin from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that the total vehicular VOC emissions in Tianjin rose slowly and then gradually decreased. In 2020, the total emissions were 21400 tons. The light-duty passenger vehicles were the dominant contributors and covered 75.00% of the total emissions. Unlike the continuous decline in exhaust emissions, evaporative emissions showed an inverted U-shaped trend with an increasing contribution to total emissions yearly, accounting for 31.69% in 2020. Monthly emissions were affected by both vehicle activity and emission factors. VOC emissions were high in autumn and winter and low in spring and summer. During the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, vehicle activity was limited by closure and control, making VOC emissions significantly lower than those during the same period in previous years. The method and data in this study can provide technical reference and a decision-making basis for air pollution prevention and control.

A Review of Clinical Applications for Super-resolution Ultrasound Localization Microscopy.

Microvascular structure and hemodynamics are important indicators for the diagnosis and assessment of many diseases and pathologies. The structural and functional imaging of tissue microvasculature in vivo is a clinically significant objective for the development of many imaging modalities. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a popular clinical tool for characterizing tissue microvasculature, due to the moderate cost, wide accessibility, and absence of ionizing radiation of ultrasound. However, in practice, it remains challenging to demonstrate microvasculature using CEUS, due to the resolution limit of conventional ultrasound imaging. In addition, the quantification of tissue perfusion by CEUS remains hindered by high operator-dependency and poor reproducibility. Inspired by super-resolution optical microscopy, super-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) was recently developed. ULM uses the same ultrasound contrast agent (i.e. microbubbles) in CEUS. However, different from CEUS, ULM uses the location of the microbubbles to construct images, instead of using the backscattering intensity of microbubbles. Hence, ULM overcomes the classic compromise between imaging resolution and penetration, allowing for the visualization of capillary-scale microvasculature deep within tissues. To date, many in vivo ULM results have been reported, including both animal (kidney, brain, spinal cord, xenografted tumor, and ear) and human studies (prostate, tibialis anterior muscle, and breast cancer tumors). Furthermore, a variety of useful biomarkers have been derived from using ULM for different preclinical and clinical applications. Due to the high spatial resolution and accurate blood flow speed estimation (approximately 1 mm/s to several cm/s), ULM presents as an enticing alternative to CEUS for characterizing tissue microvasculature in vivo. This review summarizes the principles and present applications of CEUS and ULM, and discusses areas where ULM can potentially provide a better alternative to CEUS in clinical practice and areas where ULM may not be a better alternative. The objective of the study is to provide clinicians with an up-to-date review of ULM technology, and a practical guide for implementing ULM in clinical research and practice.

Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib for Elderly Patients with Previously Treated Extensive-Stage SCLC and the Prognostic Significance of Common Adverse Reactions.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib for elderly patients with previously treated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and the prognostic significance of common adverse reactions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 79 elderly patients (≥60 years) with ES-SCLC who failed after at least two lines of previous systemic therapy were included. Baseline characteristics of the patients were collected. Follow-up was conducted regularly. Adverse reactions were documented. Survival curves were drawn using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was assessed using log rank test, and multivariate analysis was adjusted by Cox regression analysis. Additionally, the prognostic significance of common adverse reactions was performed. RESULTS: All of the 79 patients were available for evaluation of efficacy. Partial response (PR) was observed in 7 patients, stable disease (SD) was noted in 48 patients and progressive disease (PD) was confirmed in 24 patients. Consequently, the objective response rate (ORR) was 8.9% and disease control rate (DCR) was 69.6%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the 79 elderly patients with ES-SCLC was 3.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.02-3.98]. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.1 months (95% CI: 5.07-9.13). Safety profile demonstrated that the relatively common adverse reactions of the elderly patients with ES-SCLC receiving anlotinib treatment were hypertension (40.5%), hand-foot syndrome (HFS, 31.6%), diarrhea (27.8%), decreased appetite (20.3%), fatigue (17.7%) and weight loss (17.7%). Interestingly, the prognostic significance of common adverse reactions indicated that the median PFS of patients with hypertension and without hypertension was 4.35 and 2.95 months, respectively (P=0.01), and the median PFS of patients with HFS and without HFS was 4.20 and 2.95 months, respectively (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The preliminary efficacy and safety of anlotinib in the treatment for elderly patients with previously treated ES-SCLC was satisfactory, and patients with hypertension and hand-foot syndrome might confer superior prognosis.

[Mobile Source Emission Inventory with High Spatiotemporal Resolution in Tianjin in 2017].

Mobile source emissions have become a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas. Most of the previous studies focus on the emissions from a single source such as on-road mobile source (vehicles) or non-road mobile source (construction machinery, agricultural machinery, ships, railway diesel locomotives, aircraft), but few studies investigate the mobile source emissions as a whole. In this study, we introduced a method for developing mobile source emission inventory with high spatiotemporal resolution, and applied this method in Tianjin in 2017 to analyze the emission compositions and spatiotemporal characteristics there. The results showed that the CO, VOCs, NOx, and PM10 emissions from the mobile sources were 183.03, 64.18, 149.85, and 8.36 thousand tons, respectively. The on-road mobile source was the main contributor to CO and VOCs emissions, accounting for 85.38% and 86.60%, respectively. The non-road mobile source was the main contributor to NOx and PM10 emissions, accounting for 57.32% and 66.95%, respectively. According to the temporal distributions, the mobile source emissions were lowest in February for all pollutants. Moreover, they were highest in October for CO and VOCs and in August for NOx and PM10. Holidays (such as Spring Festival and National Day) have a significant impact on the temporal distribution of the mobile source emissions. According to the spatial distributions, the CO and VOCs emissions were concentrated in urban areas and roads with heavy traffic flow (highways and national highways), and the NOx and PM10 were concentrated in urban areas and port areas. The spatial distributions of different pollutants were determined by the location of their major contributors. This study can provide the required data for fine air pollution control and air quality simulation in Tianjin. Moreover, this method can be applied to the other areas where a mobile source emission inventory needs to be developed.

A facile fabrication of amphiphilic Janus and hollow latex particles by controlling multistage emulsion polymerization.

In this paper, we found that morphology controllable compound latex particles could be prepared by controlling the multistage emulsion polymerization. Influences of the content of methacrylic acid (MAA) on preparing the hydrophilic cores and the particles were investigated with the observation of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) results. The acorn-like latex particles were synthesized by partially encapsulated with hydrophobic polystyrene (PSt)-layer. With adding moderate polarity polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) interlayer, the hydrophilic cores could be fully encapsulated by the hydrophobic PSt-layer, and the core-shell structure formed. After alkali treatment, the acorn-like and core-shell latex particles evolved into amphiphilic Janus and hollow latex particles, respectively. The morphology of latex particles was investigated by TEM, and the forming mechanism of amphiphilic Janus and hollow latex particles was proposed.

[Influence of Bushen Huoxue decoction on beta-catenin, MMP-7 of synoviocytes in rats with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe beta-catenin expression of Wnt signaling pathway in rats with knee osteoarthritis, and influence of Bushen Huoxue decoction on beta-catenin and MMP-7 expression of synoviocytes in rats with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Rats model with knee osteoarthritis were established by Hulth method. Primary synoviocytes and OA synoviocytes were cultured with collagenase digestion method. The cultured synoviocytes were divided into normal group, OA model group and Bushen Huoxue decoction group. Western blotting method was used to detect beta-catenin, MMP-7 protein expression of synoviocytes after acting by Bushen Huoxue decoction for 48 h; ELISA method was used to detect MMP-7 expression of synovial supernatant. RESULTS: OA synoviocytes were cultured successfully. Western blotting showed that beta-catenin, MMP-7 expression in OA synoviocytes was significantly higher than normal group, Bushen Huoxue decoction could significantly reduce beta-catenin, MMP-7 expression; ELISA results showed that MMP-7 expression of OA synovial supernatant was significantly higher than normal synoviocytes supernatant, Bushen Huoxue decoction significantly regulated the level MMP-7 down. CONCLUSION: (1) High expression of beta-catenin in OA synoviocytes indicates that Wnt classical signal pathway is activated in rat with knee osteoarthritis; (2) High expression of MMP-7 expression in OA synoviocytes confirms the MMP-7 is downstream genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway; (3) Activation of Wnt signal pathway and increase of MMP-7 may cause degradation of articular cartilage, and promote the formation of osteoarthritis; (4) Bushen Huoxue decoction can reduce expression of MMP-7, and promote cartilage repair, which may be one of mechanisms of osteoarthritis.

[Manifestation of synovial lesions in osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease,with the characters of degradation of articular cartilage, the formation of the joint marginal osteophyte and synovium lesions. Previous studies have focused on the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. In recent years, new research in shows synovial inflammation plays an important role in OA. Synovium lesions and synovial inflammation-related factors induced the degradation and destruction of articular cartilage, and promoted the development of osteoarthritis. The role of synovial lesions in osteoarthritis is increasingly prominent, and the treatment for synovial lesions will become a new target. So this paper reviews the various manifestations of synovial in osteoarthritis.

[Some ideas about ecological assets assessment].

Ecological assets assessment is of great significance in building harmonious society and implementing scientific concept of development. Based on the achievements in ecological assets assessment research, the concept and scope of ecological assets were re-examined, and the contents of ecological assets assessment were summarized in this paper. It was considered that ecosystem quality, ecosystem pressure and ecological assets value should be the focus in assessing ecological assets. With the ecological assets assessment on forest ecosystem as an example, some referenced indicators and calculation models were given. By the end of the paper, some suggestions on the further study were presented.

Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans.

Phytochemical-mediated modulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and other drug transporters may underlie many herb-drug interactions. Serial serum concentration-time profiles of the P-gp substrate, digoxin, were used to determine whether supplementation with milk thistle or black cohosh modified P-gp activity in vivo. Sixteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a standardized milk thistle (900 mg daily) or black cohosh (40 mg daily) supplement for 14 days, followed by a 30-day washout period. Subjects were also randomized to receive rifampin (600 mg daily, 7 days) and clarithromycin (1000 mg daily, 7 days) as positive controls for P-gp induction and inhibition, respectively. Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, 0.4 mg) was administered orally before and at the end of each supplementation and control period. Serial digoxin serum concentrations were obtained over 24 h and analyzed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Comparisons of area under the serum concentration time curves from 0 to 3 h (AUC(0-3)), AUC(0-24), Cmax, apparent oral clearance of digoxin (CL/F), and elimination half-life were used to assess the effects of milk thistle, black cohosh, rifampin, and clarithromycin on digoxin pharmacokinetics. Rifampin produced significant reductions (p < 0.01) in AUC(0-3), AUC(0-24), and Cmax, whereas clarithromycin increased these parameters significantly (p < 0.01). Significant changes in digoxin half-life and CL/F were also observed with clarithromycin. No statistically significant effects on digoxin pharmacokinetics were observed following supplementation with either milk thistle or black cohosh, although digoxin AUC(0-3) and AUC(0-24) approached significance (p = 0.06) following milk thistle administration. When compared with rifampin and clarithromycin, supplementation with these specific formulations of milk thistle or black cohosh did not appear to affect digoxin pharmacokinetics, suggesting that these supplements are not potent modulators of P-gp in vivo.