Ocular inflammation in tsutsugamushi disease - a case report.

A 64-year-old male, working at a mountain site in Taitung County, suffered from primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) post trabeculectomy with well-controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes (OU). He presented with headache accompanied by red eyes (OU) for 10 days. Physical examination revealed fever up to 38.2°C, neck stiffness, one eschar at the left forearm and another at the left ankle. Abnormal laboratory data indicated bacterial infection with central nervous system involvement. Ophthalmic examination showed elevated IOP, moderate conjunctival congestion, subconjunctival hemorrhage, anterior uveitis, cotton-wool spots on the retina and multiple white dots on the temporal retina (OU). Under the impression of uveitis in tsutsugamushi disease with atypical meningitis, oral doxycycline, anti-glaucoma and anti-inflammation eye drugs were prescribed. IOP returned to 12 mmHg and anterior uveitis subsided. The lesions of cotton-wool spots on the retina disappeared within 2 weeks, but multiple white dots remained persistently on the temporal retina.

An Intelligent Water Monitoring IoT System for Ecological Environment and Smart Cities.

Global precipitation is becoming increasingly intense due to the extreme climate. Therefore, creating new technology to manage water resources is crucial. To create a sustainable urban and ecological environment, a water level and water quality control system implementing artificial intelligence is presented in this research. The proposed smart monitoring system consists of four sensors (two different liquid level sensors, a turbidity and pH sensor, and a water oxygen sensor), a control module (an MCU, a motor, a pump, and a drain), and a power and communication system (a solar panel, a battery, and a wireless communication module). The system focuses on low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) devices along with low power consumption and high precision. This proposal collects rainfall from the preceding 10 years in the application region as well as the region's meteorological bureau's weekly weather report and uses artificial intelligence to compute the appropriate water level. More importantly, the adoption of dynamic adjustment systems can reserve and modify water resources in the application region more efficiently. Compared to existing technologies, the measurement approach utilized in this study not only achieves cost savings exceeding 60% but also enhances water level measurement accuracy by over 15% through the successful implementation of water level calibration decisions utilizing multiple distinct sensors. Of greater significance, the dynamic adjustment systems proposed in this research offer the potential for conserving water resources by more than 15% in an effective manner. As a result, the adoption of this technology may efficiently reserve and distribute water resources for smart cities as well as reduce substantial losses caused by anomalous water resources, such as floods, droughts, and ecological concerns.

Detrended seasonal relationships and impact of climatic factors combined with spatiotemporal effect on the prevalence of human brucellosis.

Human brucellosis (HB) is a seasonal and climate-affected infectious disease that is posing an increasing threat to public health and economy. However, most of the research on the seasonal relationships and impact of climatic factors on HB did not consider the secular trend and spatiotemporal effect related to the disease. We herein utilized long-term surveillance data on HB from 2008 to 2020 using sinusoidal models to explore detrended relationships between climatic factors and HB. In addition, we assessed the impact of such climatic factors on HB using a spatial panel data model combined with the spatiotemporal effect. HB peaked around mid-May. HB was significantly correlated with climatic factors with 1-5-month lag when the respective correlations reached the maximum across the different lag periods. Each 0.1 °C increase in temperature led to 0.5% decrease in the 5-month lag incidence of HB. We also observed a positive spatiotemporal effect on the disease. Our study provides a detailed and in-depth overview of seasonal relationships and impact of climatic factors on HB. In addition, it proposes a novel approach for exploring the seasonal relationships and quantifying the impacts of climatic factors on various infectious diseases.

Lung protective effects of dietary malate esters derivatives from Bletilla striata against SiO2 nanoparticles through activation of Nrf2 pathway.

Objective: To study the protective activities of the dietary malate esters derivatives of Bletilla striata against SiO2 nanoparticles-induced A549 cell lines and its mechanism action. Methods: The components were isolated and elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as 1D NMR and 2D NMR. And MTT assays was used to tested these components on the A549 cell survival rates and ROS or proteins levels were detected by Western blotting. Results: A new glucosyloxybenzyl 2-isobutylmalate (a malate ester derivative), along with 31 known compounds were isolated and identified from n-BuOH extract of EtOH extract of B. striata. Among them, compounds 3, 4, 11, 12 and 13 possessed noteworthy proliferative effects for damaged cells, with ED50 of 14.0, 13.1, 3.7, 11.6 and 11.5 µmol/L, respectively, compared to positive control resveratrol (ED50, 14.7 µmol/L). Militarine (8) prominently inhibited the intracellular ROS level, and increased the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes (HO-1 and γ-GCSc). Furthermore, Nrf2 activation mediates the interventional effects of compound 8 against SiO2 nanoparticles (nm SiO2)-induced lung injury. Moreover, treatment with compound 8 significantly reduced lung inflammation and oxidative stress in nm SiO2-instilled mice. Molecular docking experiment suggested that 8 bound stably to the HO-1 protein by hydrogen bond interactions. Conclusion: The dietary malate esters derivatives of B. striata could significantly increase the viability of nm SiO2-induced A549 cells and decrease the finer particles-induced cell damages. Militarine is especially promising compound for chemoprevention of lung cancer induced by nm SiO2 through activation of Nrf2 pathway.

Exploring risk transfer of human brucellosis in the context of livestock agriculture transition: A case study in Shaanxi, China.

With the booming of worldwide agriculture intensification, brucellosis, one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases, has become an increasing challenge for global public health. Although the transmission patterns of human brucellosis (HB) have been studied in many regions, the dynamic transfer processes of risk and its driving factors remain poorly understood, especially in the context of agricultural intensification. This study attempted to explore the risk transfer of HB between the exact epidemic areas and the neighboring or distant low-risk areas to explain the impact of livestock agriculture intensification and foodborne infections on the transmission of HB in Shaanxi Province as a case study. We adopted multiple approaches, including test-based methods, model-based methods, and a geographical detector to detect the spatial-temporal dynamic changes of high-risk epidemic areas of HB at the county scale. We also quantitatively estimated how the related factors drove the risk transfer of the disease. Results confirmed the risk transfer pattern of HB with an expansion from north to south in Shaanxi Province and identified two primary transfer routes. In particular, in the traditional epidemic areas of the Shaanbei plateau, the farm agglomeration effect can significantly increase the risk of HB. Meanwhile, retail outlets for milk and dairy products were partially responsible for the foodborne infections of HB in the emerging epidemic areas of Xi'an. This study not only contributed helpful insights to support HB control and prevention in the rapid transition of livestock agriculture but also provided possible directions for further research on foodborne HB infections in urbanized areas.

Apigenin exerts chemopreventive effects on lung injury induced by SiO2 nanoparticles through the activation of Nrf2.

Apigenin (APG) is a flavonoid widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, with comprehensive pharmacological effects. In this paper, we report that APG can elicit a protective effect, which is comparable to those induced by gymnoside II/n-BuOH extracts of Bletilla striata, on SiO2-induced lung injury in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiments showed that APG (25 µM) could restore the SiO2-decreased A549 cell viability and lower the apoptotic rate and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 cells treated with nm SiO2. Western blot results showed that APG (25 µM) could increase the level of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins. In vivo experiments showed that APG (20 mg/kg) could potently alleviate the SiO2-elicited lung injury by enhancing the Nrf2 expression and thereby suppressing Bax/Bcl-2 pathway. The present study suggests that APG can significantly alleviate the SiO2-induced lung injury both in vitro and in vivo through, at least partially, activating Nrf2 expression.

Seroprevalence trend of human brucellosis and MLVA genotyping characteristics of Brucella melitensis in Shaanxi Province, China, during 2008-2020.

In this study, a total of 179,907 blood samples from populations with suspected Brucella spp. infections were collected between 2008 and 2020 and analyzed by the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT). Moreover, conventional biotyping, B. abortus-melitensis-ovis-suis polymerase chain reaction (AMOS-PCR), and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was applied to characterize the isolated strains. A total of 8103 (4.50%) samples were positive in RBPT, while 7705 (4.28%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.19-4.37) samples were positive in SAT. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence for human brucellosis over time, in different areas and different cities (districts) (χ2 = 2 = 32.23, 1984.14, and 3749.51, p < .05). The highest seropositivity (8.22% (4, 965/60393; 95% CI 8.00-8.44) was observed in Yulin City, which borders Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Gansu Province, China, regions that have a high incidence of human brucellosis. Moreover, 174 Brucella strains were obtained, including nine with B. melitensis bv. 1, 145 with B. melitensis bv. 3, and 20 with B. melitensis variants. After random selection, 132 B. melitensis were further genotyped using MLVA-16. The 132 strains were sorted into 100 MLVA-16 genotypes (GTs) (GT 1-100), 81 of which were single GTs represented by singular independent strains. The remaining 19 shared GTs involved 51 strains, and each GT included two to seven isolates from the Shaan northern and Guanzhong areas. These data indicated that although sporadic cases were a dominant epidemic characteristic of human brucellosis in this province, more than 38.6% (51/132) outbreaks were also found in the Shaan northern area and Guanzhong areas. The 47 shared MLVA-16 GTs were observed in strains (n = 71) from this study and strains (n = 337) from 19 other provinces of China. These data suggest that strains from the northern provinces are a potential source of human brucellosis cases in Shaanxi Province. It is urgent to strengthen the surveillance and control of the trade and transfer of infected sheep among regions.

n-BuOH extract of Bletilla striata exerts chemopreventive effects on lung against SiO2 nanoparticles through activation of Nrf2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: SiO2 nanoparticles (nm SiO2) are ubiquitous in daily life and are acknowledged to be detrimental to human health. Bletilla striata is a traditional medicine used for generations in China and its polysaccharide has the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect. PURPOSE: To investigate the lung protective effect of the small molecules (n-BuOH extract) of B. striata and clarify the underlying mechanism. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intratracheal instillation with nm SiO2 nanoparticle suspension (7 mg/kg) to construct the in vivo model of nm SiO2-induced lung injury. The chemical profile of the n-BuOH extract of B. striata was investigated by HPLC analysis using authentic samples isolated from B. striata. Gymnoside II with the most potent chemoprotective capacity in the n-BuOH extract was used to clarify the potential bio-active molecular basis of the n-BuOH extract using in vitro experiments. The cytotoxicity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the Nrf2 signaling pathway were examined in SiO2-induced A549 cells. ML385 was adopted to down-regulate the Nrf2 expression. RESULTS: The n-BuOH extract of B. striata (40 mg/kg) could alleviate the SiO2-induced lung injury by increasing Nrf2 expression and thereby suppressing Bax/Bcl-2 pathway in the nm SiO2-induced mice model. The chemical profile study showed that militarine, gymnoside II, and 4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenol glucoside were the main constituents of n-BuOH extract. Studies on gymnoside II revealed that it could partially restore the SiO2-induced decline in cell viability while did not affect the growth of normal A549 cells within the concentration range of 1-50 µM, suggesting a protective effect against nm SiO2 in lung A549 cells. The hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, and western blot experiments demonstrated that gymnoside II (25 µM) could partially reverse the SiO2-induced cell apoptosis and ROS production by enhancing Nrf2, HO-1, and γ-GCSc expressions and Nrf2 silencing by ML385 abrogated the effects of gymnoside II (25 µM) on apoptosis and ROS production in A549 cells. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that in addition to the polysaccharide, small molecules (n-BuOH extract) of B. striata can also elicit a protective effect on lung injuries through the Nrf2-dependent mechanism and gymnoside II is one of the main bio-active constituents contributing to the n-BuOH extract-elicited lung protective effect against nm SiO2.

Exploring Anticancer Activities and Structure-Activity Relationships of Binuclear Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes.

Dimeric mixed-ligand oxidovanadium complexes [V2O2(1,3-pdta)(bpy)2]·9H2O (1) and [V2O2(1,3-pdta)(phen)2]·6H2O (2) feature a symmetric binuclear structure bridged by 1,3-pdta, which is different from our previous reported asymmetric binuclear complex [V2O2(edta)(phen)2]·11H2O (3).In this study, a wide range of analytical techniques were carried out to fully characterize the complexes 1 and 2 and further investigate their structural stabilities. Density functional theory calculations of 1 and 2 also suggest that they might have good reactivity with biomolecules as anticancer agents. To assess and screen the antitumor activities of compounds 1-3 together with their four corresponding monomeric complexes [VO(ida)(phen)], [VO(ida)(bpy)], [VO(OH)(phen)2]Cl, and [VO(Hedta)]-, we have performed in vitro experiments with hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines by MTT analyses. Complex 2 was found to have the highest inhibitory potency against the growth of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells (IC50 = 2.07 ± 0.72 µM for HepG2; 13.00 ± 3.06 µM for SMMC-7721) compared to other compounds. The structure-activity relationship studies showed that the antitumor effect of compound 2 is higher than that of other compounds. After studying the monomeric compounds of 1-3, their effects were also ranked. Moreover, complex 2 displayed stronger binding affinity toward calf thymus DNA (Kb = 5.71 × 104 M-1) and cleavage activities than the other complexes (Kb = 1.34 × 104 M-1 for 1 and 5.22 × 104 M-1 for 3, respectively). We further extended the cellular mechanisms of drug action and found that 2 could block DNA synthesis and cell division of HepG2 and 7721 cells and further induce apoptosis by flow cytometry assays. In short, these results indicate that binuclear oxidovanadium compounds could have potential as simple, effective, and safe antitumor agents.

Developing an assessment scale for long-term care reablement literacy in home care workers in Taiwan using a modified Delphi method.

BACKGROUND: Reablement is a philosophy of change in long-term care (LTC). Assessing the knowledge and competence of LTC professionals who provide reablement services is vital in LTC research. This study aimed to develop a scale for the assessment of long-term care reablement literacy (LTCRL) and employ this scale to assess the performance of home care workers in Taiwan. METHODS: To develop this scale, we employed the modified Delphi technique based on the theoretical framework of health literacy and the content of service delivery in reablement. Home care workers from northern, central, and southern Taiwan were selected through purposive sampling (N = 119). Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire that included items related to basic demographic characteristics and questions to assess LTCRL. RESULTS: Based on the experts' consensus on the procedure of the modified Delphi technique, the LTCRL assessment sale consists of 29 questions on four aspects of knowledge acquisition: the abilities to access/obtain, understand, process/appraise, and apply/use. The results revealed that higher education levels and better Chinese language proficiency are associated with higher LTCRL outcomes among home care workers. CONCLUSIONS: The LTCRL assessment scale based on a modified Delphi technique is useful and feasible for evaluating LTCRL in home care workers who provide reablement services in Taiwan.

NR2F2 plays a major role in insulin-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The failure of treatment for breast cancer usually results from distant metastasis in which the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role. Hyperinsulinemia, the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been regarded as a key risk factor for the progression of breast cancer. Nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 2 (NR2F2) has been implicated in the development of breast cancer, however its contribution to insulin-induced EMT in breast cancer remains unclear. METHODS: Overexpression and knockdown of NR2F2 were used in two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 to investigate potential mechanisms by which NR2F2 leads to insulin-mediated EMT. To elucidate the effects of insulin and signaling events following NR2F2 overexpression and knockdown, Cells' invasion and migration capacity and changes of NR2F2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin were investigated by real-time RT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: Insulin stimulation of these cells increased NR2F2 expression levels and promoted cell invasion and migration accompanied by alterations in EMT-related molecular markers. Overexpression of NR2F2 and NR2F2 knockdown demonstrated that NR2F2 expression was positively correlated with cell invasion, migration and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. In contrast, NR2F2 had an inverse correlation with E-cadherin expression. In MDA-MB-231, both insulin-induced cell invasion and migration and EMT-related marker alteration were abolished by NR2F2 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NR2F2 plays a critical role in insulin-mediated breast cancer cell invasion, migration through its effect on EMT.

Licochalcone A reverses NNK-induced ectopic miRNA expression to elicit in vitro and in vivo chemopreventive effects.

BACKGROUND: Chemoprevention is the best cost-effective way regarding cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be differentially expressed during the development of lung cancer. However, if lung cancer prevention can be achieved through modulating miRNAs expression so far remains unknown. PURPOSE: To discover ectopically expressed miRNAs in NNK-induced lung cancer and clarify whether Licochalcone A (lico A) can prevent NNK-induced lung cancer by modulating miRNA expression. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A/J mice were used to construct a lung cancer model by intraperitoneal injection with physiological saline NNK (100 mg/kg). Chemopreventive effects of lico A against lung cancer at 2 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg doses were evaluated in vivo. MicroRNA array and RT-qPCR were used to assess the expression levels of miRNAs. MLE-12 cells were treated with 0.1 mg/ml NNK, stimulating the ectopic expression pattern of miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p. miR-144-3p mimics and inhibitors were used to manipulate miR-144-3p levels. The effects of lico A (10 µM) on cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and the expression of CK19, RASA1, miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p in NNK-treated MLE-12 cells were studied. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-29c-3p increased, while those of let-7d-3p and miR-328-3p decreased in both NNK-induced A/J mice and MLE-12 cells. Lico A could reverse the NNK-induced ectopic miRNA (miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p) expression both in vivo and in vitro and elicit in vivo lung cancer chemopreventive effect against NNK. In MLE-12 cells, the overexpression of miR-144-3p elicited the same effect as NNK regarding the expression of lung cancer biomarker CK19; the silencing of miR-144-3p reversed the effect of NNK on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Lico A could reverse the effect of NNK on the expression of miR-144-3p, CK19, and RASA1 (predicted target of miR-144-3p). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-29c-3p, let-7d-3p, and miR-328-3p were involved in the in vivo pathogenesis of NNK-induced lung cancer, and lico A could reverse the effect of NNK both in vivo and in vitro to elicit lung cancer chemopreventive effects through, at least partially, these five ectopically expressed miRNAs, especially miR-144-3p.

Stilbenes from the tubers of Bletilla striata with potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity.

Neuroinflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders. In our screening of natural effective neuroinflammatory inhibitors from natural products, stilbenes, such as resveratrol and its analogues, have received considerable attention over the last several decades as anti-neuroinflammatory agents. Then, Bletilla striata attracted our attention due to its abundant stilbenes portion, PE fraction. So, three new stilbenes: dusuanlansin E1 (23a), dusuanlansin E2 (23b), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl-3'-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (27), and 30 known stilbene compounds were isolated from B. striata. These structures of the compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and circular dichroism (CD) data. Furthermore, all the isolated components were tested in vitro for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide generation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. As a result, compounds 2, 5, 6, 16, 17 can greatly inhibit the NO production without cytotoxicity. In addition, SARs between stilbenes and anti-neuroinflammation effects were discussed briefly. In conclusion, stilbenes were characteristic constituents of the tubers of B. striata with potential anti- neuroinflammatory effects.

Epidemiological Features and Risk Factors for Acquiring Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are at a higher risk for co-infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum (TP; the agent causing syphilis) than the general population. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and syphilis has geographic differences and varies from region to region among HIV-positive individuals. A retrospective study was carried out on HIV-positive individuals between June 2011 and June 2016 in Shaanxi Province. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using stepwise regression analysis regarding risk factors for HIV-HBV, HIV-HCV, and HIV-syphilis co-infection. HBV-HCV, HCV-syphilis, HBV-syphilis, and HBV-HCV-syphilis co-infection rates were 1.7%, 2.2%, 2.6%, and 0.1%, respectively. The rate of ineffective hepatitis B vaccine immunization was as high as 30.2% among HIV-positive individuals. Ethnicity (OR = 31.030, 95% CI: 11.643-82.694) and HIV transmission routes (OR = 134.024, 95% CI: 14.328-1253.653) were the risk factors for HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals. Among the HIV-positive individuals with the antibodies of TP, the rate of homosexual transmission was also higher, but heterosexual transmission was lower (OR = 0.549 95% CI: 0.382-0.789) The HIV-infected patients in Shaanxi Province had the characteristics of low active detection rate and late diagnosis. The high rate of ineffective vaccination against HBV suggests a need for improved vaccination services.

HIV-1 genetic diversity and recombinant forms among men who have sex with men at a sentinel surveillance site in Xi'an City, China.

HIV-1 genetic distribution and recombinant patterns are important in understanding the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). In this study, 83 HIV-positive MSM infections were confirmed at a sentinel surveillance site in Xi'an city, China in 2018. HIV-1 genotypes were determined by phylogenetic analyses of HIV-1 gag, pol and env gene fragments, including CRF07_BC (51.8%), CRF01_AE (30.1%), subtype B (3.6%), CRF55_01B (3.6%), CRF104_0107 (1.2%) and unique recombinant forms (URFs) (9.6%). Transmitted drug resistance mutations were detected in 2.4% (2/82) of HIV-infected MSM individuals. The phylogenetic analyses of near full-length genome (NFLG) of HIV-1 URFs were performed. A new circulating recombinant form (CRF), designated as CRF104_0107, was found in three epidemiologically unlinked individuals in Shaanxi province, China. The CRF104_0107 is composed of genomes CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC, with six recombinant breakpoints in the gag, pol, vif and vpr genes. This second-generation CRF has a breakpoint (HXB2 nt 3011) in common with CRF07_BC. The emergence of novel CRF and multiple URFs reflected HIV-1 genetic complexity among the local key populations in Xi'an city, China.

Lactoferrin Protects Hyperoxia-Induced Lung and Kidney Systemic Inflammation in an In Vivo Imaging Model of NF-κB/Luciferase Transgenic Mice.

PURPOSE: High levels of oxygen are usually used in ventilatory support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the intensive care unit of hospitals. Hyperoxia may induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause lung damage and even systemic injury. In this study, the NF-κB/luciferase transgenic mouse model with non-invasive real-time in vivo imaging was established to test the functions of lactoferrin (LF) in antioxidant and anti-inflammation. PROCEDURES: The NF-κB/luciferase transgenic mice were used to assess the effects of oral administration of LF on attenuation of the systemic inflammatory response and organ damage after 72 h of hyperoxia (FiO2 > 95 %) exposure via monitoring using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). RESULTS: Using luciferase IVIS imaging, we found that the lungs and kidneys were the most evidently affected organs after hyperoxia treatment. The groups treated with low dose (150 mg/kg) or high dose (300 mg/kg) of LF had lower luciferase expression and less injury, with a dose-dependent effect on the lungs and kidneys. Moreover, ROS, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) expression levels were all significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the protein level of IκB was statistically increased (P < 0.01) after LF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hyperoxia can induce systemic inflammation, and the oral administration of LF as a natural antioxidant decreases the production of ROS, attenuates inflammation, and lessens kidney and lung injuries from hyperoxia via the use of live image monitoring of the response in NF-kB/luciferase transgenic mice.

Brucellosis Outbreak Caused by Brucella melitensis - Jingyang County, Shaanxi Province, China, March-May, 2020.

What is already known about this topic? Brucellosis is one of the world's most overlooked zoonotic diseases, and humans can easily acquire brucellosis from animals and their products. Reemerging brucellosis outbreaks are probably attributable to sociocultural factors and compounded by the lack of adequate control measures in sheep and goat rearing systems. What is added by this report? This is the first identified outbreak caused by Brucella melitensisbv.3 in Jingyang County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province. A total of 13 seropositve cases (7 acute patients and 6 asymptomatic persons) were identified from March to May, 2020, and the investigation indicated that sheep-to-canine-to-human was the likely transmission route. What are the implications for public health practice? Effective control of sheep brucellosis will significantly reduce the risk of human brucellosis. Priority should be given to building cooperation between all stakeholders, maintaining epidemiological surveillance to detect human brucellosis at medical centers, and making case reporting mandatory for both veterinary and public health services.

Antiproliferative steroidal glycosides from rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum.

Screening assays showed that total glycoside-rich fraction (TG) of rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum unveiled remarkable anti-proliferative activities against three cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, and Caco2). Activity-guided isolation of TG afforded seven undescribed steroidal glycosides (polygonosides 1-7), along with 24 known glycosides. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and chemical evidence. The isolated steroidal glycosides were tested for their antiproliferative activities against A549, HepG2, and Caco2 cells. Compounds 8, 10, 11, and 16 possessed stronger anticancer activities against A549 cells than the positive control Bay (25.8 µM), with IC50 values ranging from 5.8 to 24.2 µM. Compound 10 reduced the expression of Blc-2 and pro-caspase3 and increased the production of Bax as determined by western blotting. Molecular docking experiment suggested that 10 bound stably to the BH3-binding groove of the Bcl-2 protein by hydrogen bond interactions. These compounds could be candidates for anticancer agents with cytotoxic activity.