Lactate ameliorates palmitate-induced impairment of differentiative capacity in C2C12 cells through the activation of voltage-gated calcium channels.

Palmitic acid (PA), a saturated fatty acid enriched in high-fat diet, has been implicated in the development of skeletal muscle regeneration dysfunction. This study aimed to examine the effects and mechanisms of lactate (Lac) treatment on PA-induced impairment of C2C12 cell differentiation capacity. Furthermore, the involvement of voltage-gated calcium channels in this context was examined. In this study, Lac could improve the PA-induced impairment of differentiative capacity in C2C12 cells by affecting Myf5, MyoD and MyoG. In addition, Lac increases the inward flow of Ca2+, and promotes the depolarization of the cell membrane potential, thereby activating voltage-gated calcium channels during C2C12 cell differentiation. The enchancement of Lac on myoblast differentiative capacity was abolished after the addition of efonidipine (voltage-gated calcium channel inhibitors). Therefore, voltage-gated calcium channels play an important role in improving PA-induced skeletal muscle regeneration disorders by exercising blood Lac. Our study showed that Lac could rescue the PA-induced impairment of differentiative capacity in C2C12 cells by affecting Myf5, MyoD and MyoG through the activation of voltage-gated calcium channels.

Lactate induces C2C12 myoblasts differentiation by mediating ROS/p38 MAPK signalling pathway.

Lactate serves not merely as an energy substrate for skeletal muscle but also regulates myogenic differentiation, leading to an elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The present study was focused on exploring the effects of lactate and ROS/p38 MAPK in promoting C2C12 myoblasts differentiation. Our results demonstrated that lactate increased C2C12 myoblasts differentiation at a range of physiological concentrations, accompanied by enhanced ROS contents. We used n-acetylcysteine (NAC, a ROS scavenger) pretreatment and found that it delayed lactate-induced C2C12 myoblast differentiation by upregulating Myf5 expression on days 5 and 7 and lowering MyoD and MyoG expression. The finding implies that lactate accompanies ROS-dependent manner to promote C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Additionally, lactate significantly increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation to promote C2C12 cell differentiation, but pretreatment with SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) reduced lactate-induced C2C12 myoblasts differentiation. whereas lactate pretreatment with NAC inhibited p38 MAPK phosphorylation in C2C12 cells, demonstrating that lactate mediated ROS and regulated the p38 MAPK signalling pathway to promote C2C12 cell differentiation. In conclusion, our results suggest that the promotion of C2C12 myoblasts differentiation by lactate is dependent on ROS and the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. These observations reveal a beneficial role for lactate in increasing myogenesis through ROS-sensitive mechanisms as well as providing new ideas regarding the positive impact of ROS in improving the function of skeletal muscle.

The role of the angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance in the prognosis of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: The coronary angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (caIMR) is a novel noninvasive method to assess coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). However, the association between caIMR and the prognosis of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unclear. We aimed to explore the role of the caIMR in evaluating the outcome of patients with DCM. Methods: We consecutively and retrospectively enrolled patients with DCM in the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, from January 2013 to January 2018. The caIMR was calculated for eligible patients. The primary end point in this study was composite events, including rehospitalization related to heart failure (HF), device implantation, heart transplantation, or cardiac death. Patients were categorized into groups based on whether they had composite events (the events and no-events groups), and differences in the baseline and end points between these two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 95 eligible patients with DCM were enrolled in the study, 36 of whom had end point events. The best cutoff values of the caIMR for the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left circumflex (LCX) artery, and right coronary artery (RCA) were >29.8 with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.828, >25.5 with an AUC of 0.720, and >29.7 with an AUC of 0.717, respectively (all P values <0.001). Patients were then classified into the higher caIMR group and the lower caIMR group based on the cutoff value. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that patients with a higher caIMR had increased cumulative risks of end point events regardless of the cutoff values for the LAD, LCX, and RCA (all log-rank P values <0.001). After adjustment for confounders, Cox regression analyses indicated that LAD-caIMR was an independent risk factor for end point events in patients with DCM [hazard ratio (HR) =1.11; 95% CI: 1.06-1.16]. Conclusions: A higher caIMR was significantly associated with the poor prognosis of patients with DCM.

Predictive value of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count for coronary microvascular dysfunction evaluated with an angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance in patients with coronary slow flow.

Background: The association between coronary slow flow (CSF) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients with CSF from January 2017 to March 2018. Concurrently, we randomly selected control participants with normal flow arteries at a ratio of 3:1. Two cardiologists performed the measurements of CTFC. Coronary angiography-derived IMR (caIMR) was used to assess CMD. The caIMR was analyzed by an independent agency, with CMD being defined as caIMR >40 U. Results: A total of 111 patients with CSF and 39 patients without CSF were enrolled in this retrospective study. Compared with the non-CSF group, the CSF group had a greater proportion of males (65.8% vs. 23.1%; P<0.001) and a lower prevalence of hypertension (47.7% vs. 67.7%; P=0.042). Additionally, the CSF group had higher CTFC, coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (caFFR), and caIMR regardless of left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) (all P values <0.001). A strong correlation between CTFC and caIMR was observed for all arteries (all P values <0.001). In the univariate analysis, male sex [hazard ratio (HR) =2.63, 95% CI: 1.30-5.31], E/e' (HR =0.88, 95% CI: 0.78-0.99), CTFC (HR =1.12, 95% CI: 1.09-1.16), and caFFR (HR =1.81, 95% CI: 1.50-2.17) were significantly correlated with CMD. After adjusting for covariates, male sex (HR =2.72, 95% CI: 1.22-6.06), CTFC (HR =1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.14), and caFFR (HR =1.22, 95% CI: 1.00-1.50) were independent predictors for CMD. Additionally, the best cutoff value of CTFC of all arteries for predicting CMD was 38 frames, with an area under the curve of 0.873, a sensitivity of 92.8%, and a specificity of 63.8% (P<0.001). Moreover, the best cutoff value of CTFC of LAD, LCX, and RCA to identify CMD was 35 frames, 52 frames, and 50 frames, respectively (all P values <0.001). Conclusions: CTFC correlated well with caIMR and had a strong predictive power to identify CMD.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01018 inhibits human glioma cell proliferation and metastasis by directly targeting miRNA-182-5p.

AIM: Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNAs are potential biomarkers and key regulators of tumor development and progression. However, the precise function of most lncRNAs in glioma remains unknown. In this study, we explored the role of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1018 (LINC01018) in human glioma. METHODS: Expression levels of LINC01018 and miR-182-5p in clinical glioma tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell assay. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Direct relationship between LINC01018 and miR-182-5p was tested by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP), and rescue assays. Lastly, bioinformatics analyses were conducted to predict the downstream factors of LINC01018/miR-182-5p axis in glioma. RESULTS: LINC01018 was significantly down-regulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of LINC01018 dramatically inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reverse EMT process in glioma. LINC01018 directly target to miR-182-5p. Forced up-regulation of miR-182-5p reversed the inhibitory effects on proliferative and metastatic abilities of glioma cells with LINC01018 overexpression. Lastly, the bioinformatics analyses revealed that LINC01018/miR-182-5p axis mediated a cluster of downstream genes (ADRA2C, RAB6B, RAB27B, RAPGEF5, STEAP2, TAGLN3, and UNC13C), which were potential key factors in the development of glioma. CONCLUSION: LINC01018 inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis in human glioma by targeting miR-182-5p, and should be considered as a potential therapeutic target in this cancer.

Effect of blood pressure on the mortality of the elderly population with (pre)frailty: Results from NHANES 1999-2004.

Backgrounds: The optimal blood pressure of elderly people with frailty or prefrailty is still unclear. We aimed to explore the relationship between blood pressure and mortality in the elderly with (pre)frailty. Methods: A total of 528 participants aged 60 years and older were exacted for analyses of the association between blood pressure and mortality from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2004). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to investigate the differences in survival between groups. Multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were applied to explore the relationship between blood pressure and mortality. Results: During the median follow-up time of 116.5 [interquartile range (IQR) of 60-186] months, 363 all-cause deaths and 122 cardiac deaths were documented. For all-cause mortality, more participants died with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 110 mmHg and SBP ≥ 170 mmHg (log-rank p = 0.004). After adjusting for confounders, SBP < 110 mmHg [hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% CI: 0.96-2.41] and SBP ≥ 170 mmHg (HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.09-2.15) had higher risks of all-cause mortality compared with SBP within 130-150 mmHg. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality among DBP categories. A J-curve association was identified between the SBP and hazard ratio for all-cause mortality (p for non-linear = 0.028), with 138.6 mmHg as the lowest hazard ratio of all-cause mortality; each 10 mmHg of SBP rise was associated with a 9% increased risk in all-cause mortality (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.18). Additionally, a non-linear relationship was determined between SBP and the hazard ratio for cardiac deaths (p for non-linear = 0.030), with 140.1 mmHg as the lowest hazard ratio of cardiac deaths. When SBP was higher than 140.1 mmHg, each 10 mmHg rise in SBP was associated with a 17% increased risk of cardiac deaths (HR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.34). Conclusion: Both lower and higher SBP levels are associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality in older individuals with (pre)frailty. There are J-shaped associations between SBP and mortality, with the optimal SBP being approximately 140 mmHg for this population specifically.

Axillary lymph node metastasis prediction by contrast-enhanced computed tomography images for breast cancer patients based on deep learning.

When doctors use contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images to predict the metastasis of axillary lymph nodes (ALN) for breast cancer patients, the prediction performance could be degraded by subjective factors such as experience, psychological factors, and degree of fatigue. This study aims to exploit efficient deep learning schemes to predict the metastasis of ALN automatically via CECT images. A new construction called deformable sampling module (DSM) was meticulously designed as a plug-and-play sampling module in the proposed deformable attention VGG19 (DA-VGG19). A dataset of 800 samples labeled from 800 CECT images of 401 breast cancer patients retrospectively enrolled in the last three years was adopted to train, validate, and test the deep convolutional neural network models. By comparing the accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity indices, the performance of the proposed model is analyzed in detail. The best-performing DA-VGG19 model achieved an accuracy of 0.9088, which is higher than that of other classification neural networks. As such, the proposed intelligent diagnosis algorithm can provide doctors with daily diagnostic assistance and advice and reduce the workload of doctors. The source code mentioned in this article will be released later.

Effects of plastic antipecking devices on the production performance, beak length, and behavior in Chinese Wannan chickens.

This study examined the effects of plastic antipecking devices (PAD) on the production performance, upper beak length, behavior, and plumage condition of a local Chinese chicken breed. Three hundred sixty 63-d-old Wannan chickens with intact beaks were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Birds were fitted with the PAD at 63 d (PAD63d) and at 77 d of age (PAD77d). Control birds were not fitted with PAD. The results showed that there were no significant effects of PAD on the BW, carcass traits, and meat quality (P > 0.05). The mortality in the PAD63d and PAD77d groups was lower than that in the control group. Compared with those in the PAD77d and control groups, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 63 to 112 d of age was lower in the PAD63d group. The ADFI of birds from 63 to 112 d of age was lowest in birds in the PAD63d group, intermediate in birds in the PAD77d group, and highest in control birds (P < 0.05). Birds in the PAD63d and PAD77d groups showed a lower frequency of walking and running, a higher frequency of sleeping, and higher plumage scores of the back and tail than those of control birds (P < 0.05). Birds' daily walking steps in the PAD77d group decreased compared with that of birds in the control group (P < 0.05). The upper beak length at 91 d and 112 d of age was longest in birds in the PAD63d group and shortest in control birds (P < 0.05). Overall, PAD appeared to be effective at reducing mortality, FCR, overall activity, and plumage damage and increasing the upper beak length.

Effects of beak trimming on the performance, beak length, behavior, and carcass traits of a local broiler breed reared in battery cages.

This study investigated the effects of beak trimming on a local broiler breed. A total of 648 one-day-old birds were randomly allocated into three treatments: no trimming (NBT), infrared beak trimming (IRBT), and hot-blade beak trimming (HBBT). The performance, beak length, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality were inspected. The body weight (BW) from 7 to 35 days in the IRBT group was significantly lower than that in the NBT group, and the BW from 7 to 49 days was lower than that in the HBBT group (p < .05). Compared with untrimmed birds, birds in the IRBT group had lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) from 15 to 21 days, and higher heart percentage and L* value in the breast muscle. The upper beak length at 28 and 49 days of age were longest in untrimmed birds, intermediate in birds in the HBBT group, and shortest in the IRBT groups (p <.05). No evidence was found that HBBT caused changes in performance, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality except for lower change in spleen percentage. Taken together, IRBT had more influence at inhibiting early BW, ADFI, and upper beak length than HBBT in the local broiler breed.

Genome-wide re-sequencing and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes associated with the pendulous comb phenotype in domestic chickens.

To determine the causative variations associated with two chicken comb phenotypes, pendulous comb (PC) or upright comb (UC), two pooled genomic DNA samples from PC and UC chickens were re-sequenced by Next-Generation Sequencer, and genome-wide Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Using three selective sweep approaches, FST , θπ, and Tajima's D, with top 5% window values serving as the threshold, a total of 84 positively selective genes (PSGs) were identified. There were no SNPs in exons of the PSGs with significant differences in allele frequencies between the two comb phenotype groups. Then, 515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the PC and UC were identified by RNA-seq. Three genes including CD36 (CD36 molecule), ADAMTSL3 (ADAMTS-like 3), and AOX1 (aldehyde oxidases 1) are overlapped between PSGs and DEGs. After genotyping seven candidate SNPs in the regulatory regions of the three overlapping genes in 120 chickens from two other breeds, two variants (rs14607046 and rs731818051) in the regulatory regions of AOX1 and ADAMTSL3 were found to have significant differences in allele frequency between the PC and UC, suggesting that the two variants may be causative mutations for PC. Overall, our study shed light on the genetic basis underlying the PC phenotype in chickens.

Effects of exercise on carcass composition, meat quality, and mRNA expression profiles in breast muscle of a Chinese indigenous chicken breed.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of exercise on the growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and mRNA expression profile of breast muscle in a Chinese indigenous chicken breed. Briefly, 300 female Huainan chickens (60-day-old) with similar BW were selected and raised in a free-range environment. Daily steps were counted by pedometer for all birds from 61 to 140 D of age. At 140 D of age, based on the average counts of steps per day, 15 birds with the highest number of steps (HS), 15 birds with a medium number of steps (MS), and 15 birds with low numbers of steps (LS) were selected for use in subsequent experiments. The HS group had heavier BW than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LS group, the HS group displayed higher meat redness and lower shear force, drip loss, cooking loss values, and the percentage of breast muscle weight (P < 0.05). Moreover, a total of 150 differentially expressed genes were identified from the pectoralis major muscles of the HS and LS group. Therefore, enhanced exercise increased BW, improved meat quality by increasing WHC and decreasing shear force values, and decreased percentage of breast muscle weight but had no effect on others carcass parameters. Additionally, the differentially expressed genes in breast muscle between the HS and LS groups were mainly associated with skeletal muscle tissue development and meat quality traits.

Endogenous salicylic acid shows different correlation with baicalin and baicalein in the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi subjected to stress and exogenous salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid (SA) is synthesized via the phenylalanine lyase (PAL) and isochorismate synthase (ICS) pathways and can influence the stress response in plants by regulating certain secondary metabolites. However, the association between SA and particular secondary metabolites in the Chinese medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is unclear. To elucidate the association between SA and the secondary metabolites baicalin and baicalein, which constitute the primary effective components of S. baicalensis, we subjected seedlings to drought and salt stress and exogenous SA treatment in a laboratory setting and tested the expression of PAL and ICS, as well as the content of free SA (FSA), total SA (TSA), baicalin, and baicalein. We also assessed the correlation of FSA and TSA with PAL and ICS, and with baicalin and baicalein accumulation, respectively. The results indicated that both FSA and TSA were positively correlated with PAL, ICS, and baicalin, but negatively correlated with baicalein. The findings of this study improve our understanding of the manner in which SA regulates secondary metabolites in S. baicalensis.

The effects of transition-metal doping and chromophore anchoring on the photocurrent response of titanium-oxo-clusters.

Titanium-oxo-clusters (TOCs), [Ti6O4(OiPr)10(Cat)2(BA)2] (1) and [Ti12M2O10(OEt)22(Cat)2(BA)4] (M = Co, Mn, Ni, 2-4; H2Cat = catechol, HBA = benzoic acid) are prepared in one step in an in situ solvothermal synthesis. Cluster structures of 2-4 can be considered as two 1 moieties merged together by two transition metal atoms. Unlike most TOCs with sphere-like structures, clusters 2-4 feature a unique single layered structure. They are not only transition metal doped TOCs but also charge transfer (CT) TOCs, CT from Cat to the TiO cluster core. Photoelectrodes were prepared by dipping the solution of clusters on a porous TiO2 substrate. Photocurrent response properties of the electrodes were studied in comparison with those of the electrodes of non-metal doped 1 and the non-Cat coordinated Ti6 cluster. The results showed that the photocurrent densities of metal doped clusters are higher than that of non-doped clusters and the highest photocurrent density was found for the redox active Co(ii) doped cluster. Charge transfer also plays an effective role in photocurrent conversion under visible light irradiation.

Attenuation of deregulated miR-369-3p expression sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to cisplatin via modulation of the nucleotide sugar transporter SLC35F5.

Deregulation of the microRNAs (miRNAs), a cluster of important posttranscriptional regulators, has been frequently associated with lung cancer (LCa). However, the emerging mechanism for how miRNAs is linked causally in the development of LCa chemoresistance is poorly understood. Herein, we established for the time the up-regulation of miR-369-3p in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cells. Its deregulation was found to be correlated to the magnitude of malignancy in well-characterized LCa cells. Functionally, inhibition of miR-369-3p sensitized LCa cells to DDP and suppressed the invasive capability in the presence of DDP treatment, whereas miR-369-3p overexpression promoted DDP resistance and thereby enhanced LCa cells invasiveness. Mechanistically, bioinformatics coupled with luciferase and gain-of-function, loss-of-function assays revealed that miR-369-3p may regulate DDP chemoresistance by directly targeting the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of human solute carrier 35F5 (SLC35F5), as application of miR-369-3p inhibitors or reintroduction of epigenetically silenced SLC35F5 both individually sensitized LCa cells to DDP, but combined treatment with miR-369-3p inhibitors and SLC35F5 overexpression failed to sensitized LCa cells further to DDP-elicited cell death. Our results provide evidence that the oncomiR effect of miR-369-3p may be mediated through disrupting the nucleotide sugar transportation and that SLC35F5 is a key effector of this chemoresistance-promoting activity.

Dye molecule bonded titanium alkoxide: a possible new type of dye for sensitized solar cells.

An organic dye coordinated titanium iso-propoxide compound is designed and synthesized. Taking advantage of the hydrolysis of the titanium alkoxide moiety on the surface of TiO2 electrode, the dye-semiconductor surface properties, including anchoring and dispersivity, are improved, which opens a new perspective to explore dyes for DSSCs.

Two Ti13-oxo-clusters showing non-compact structures, film electrode preparation and photocurrent properties.

Two benzene dicarboxylate (BDC) and salicylate (SAL) substituted titanium-oxo-clusters, Ti13O10(o-BDC)4(SAL)4(O(i)Pr)16 (1) and Ti13O10(o-BDC)4(SAL-Cl)4(O(i)Pr)16 (2), are prepared by one step in situ solvothermal synthesis. Single crystal analysis shows that the two Ti13 clusters take a paddle arrangement with an S4 symmetry. The non-compact (non-sphere) structure is stabilized by the coordination of BDC and SAL. Film photoelectrodes are prepared by the wet coating process using the solution of the clusters and the photocurrent response properties of the electrodes are studied. It is found that the photocurrent density and photoresponsiveness of the electrodes are related to the number of coating layers and the annealing temperature. Using ligand coordinated titanium-oxo-clusters as the molecular precursors of TiO2 anatase films is found to be effective due to their high solubility, appropriate stability in solution and hence the easy controllability.

Fluorescence and energy transfer properties of heterometallic lanthanide-titanium oxo clusters coordinated with anthracenecarboxylate ligands.

Two 9-anthracenecarboxylate (9-AC) coordinated heterometallic TOC compounds, [Ln2Ti10O14(ClO4)2(O(i)Pr)14(9-AC)2(CH3CN)2]·2H2O, Ln = Nd 1() and Eu (2), along with two benzoate (bza) analogues, [Ln2Ti10O14(ClO4)2(O(i)Pr)14(bza)2(HO(i)Pr)2], Ln = Nd (3) and Eu (4), were prepared by one step in situ solvothermal synthesis, and characterized by single crystal analysis. To date, only about ten lanthanum-titanium oxo clusters have been reported. Except for two Ti28 clusters, the compounds are all small clusters (Ti ≤ 4). The cluster structures of 1-4 adopt a Ti10Ln2 core structure with pseudo-Ci symmetry, which is similar to the fundamental structure of Ti12 clusters. Furthermore, except for their structures, the properties of lanthanum-titanium oxo clusters have never been studied. Herein, the fluorescence properties of these compounds are studied in detail. The metal centered emission of Eu(III) is completely quenched by 9-AC due to the lower triplet energy of the coordinated ligand. Enhanced ligand centered fluorescence is found for 2 in comparison with that of 1.

Titanium-oxo cluster with 9-anthracenecarboxylate antennae: a fluorescent and photocurrent transfer material.

Attention has been paid to titanium-oxo clusters (TOCs) modified with functional molecules, because they can be considered as model systems for dye-sensitized titanium oxides in terms of their information in structures and electron transfer. We select 9-anthracenecarboxylate (9-AC) as a photoactive ligand and prepare two model compounds, [Ti6O6(O(i)Pr)6(9-AC)6] (1) and [Ti6O4(O(i)Pr)6(cat)4(9-AC)2] (2) (where cat = catecholate). Structures of the TOCs and the dye-TOC linkage are characterized by single-crystal analysis. Solvent-induced fluorescence change is observed for the cluster solution, and the fluorescence can be turned off by irradiating and on by oxygen bubbling. Photoinduced Ti(III) is responsible for the fluorescence extinction. The photocurrent conversion property of the clusters is examined by use of a three-electrode cell with cluster-coated indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The results indicate that 9-AC is an effective photosensitizer and cluster 1 shows higher photocurrent intensity for its multiantenna structure in comparison with that of 2. Density of states for cluster 1 is calculated, in which the discrete energy bands of Ti6O24 include a number of new energy levels for the contribution of 9-AC molecules.

Involvement of abscisic acid in ozone-induced puerarin production of Pueraria thomsnii Benth. suspension cell cultures.

Exposure to ozone induced a rapid increase in the levels of the sesquiterpene phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and the isoflavone puerarin in suspension cell cultures of Pueraria thomsnii Benth. The observed increases in ABA and puerarin were dependent on the concentration of ozone applied to P. thomsnii cell cultures. In order to examine the role of ABA in ozone-induced puerarin production, cell suspensions were pretreated with the ABA biosynthetic inhibitor fluridone. Following ozone exposure, fluridone treatment suppressed ABA accumulation suggesting ABA was normally synthesized de novo through the carotenoid pathway. Fluridone also blocked ozone-induced puerarin production, which could be reversed through application of exogenous ABA. However, in the absence of ozone, ABA itself had no effect on puerarin accumulation in the suspension cells. Taken together, the data indicate that ozone is an efficient elicitor of puerarin production and may be particularly applicable for improving puerarin production in plant cell cultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ABA is one factor associated with ozone-induced puerarin production in P. thomsnii cell cultures.

[Influences of intervention on the abilities of detecting pulmonary tuberculosis cases in general hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influences of intervention on the abilities of detecting pulmonary tuberculosis cases in general hospitals. METHODS: We selected 6 general hospitals at 3 different levels (A, B, and C). The intervened group included hospitals A1, B1, and C1, and the non-intervened group included hospitals A2, B2, and C2. The results after intervention were compared. RESULTS: The report rate of pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum positive rate of reported cases, and sputum check rate of reported cases were significantly higher in hospital A1 than grouping hospital A2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.045, and P = 0.017, respectively). The report rate and sputum examination rate of reported cases were significantly higher in hospital B1 than grouping hospital B2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.024, respectively). The report rate and sputum examination rate of reported cases were significantly lower in hospital C1 than grouping hospital C2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.001, respectively). In hospital A1, the report rate, sputum positive rate of reported cases, and sputum check rate of reported cases were not significantly different before and after intervention (P = 0.182, P = 0.116, and P = 0.583, respectively). In hospital B1, the report rate were significantly different before and after intervention (P = 0.004), while the sputum positive rate of reported cases and sputum check rate of reported cases were not significantly different (P = 0.909, P = 0.052, respectively). In hospital C1, the report rate was significantly higher after intervention (P = 0.025). In hospital C2, the sputum check rate significantly increased (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention influences the hospitals abilities to detect pulmonary tuberculosis cases. However, more optimized and long-term intervention mechanism should be established to increase case detection rate of pulmonary tuberculosis.