Chemical detection and analysis of Astragalus-Cassia twig drug pair using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC-UV methods.

The classic Astragalus-Cassia twig drug pair has a long history of proven efficacy. However, a fewer studies on material basis of the Astragalus and Cassia twig decoction (ACD) was researched at present. The method of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for classifying and identifying the main chemical components of ACD was established and the differences in composition between single decoction and co-decoction were compared by using HPLC-UV. The therapeutic role of ACD on type 2 diabetes (T2D) rats was investigated. Thirty-five compounds were resolved from the ACD. Fifteen compounds were deduced from the decoction of Astragalus, whereas nine compounds were identified from Cassia twig. Pairing of herbs make a significant effect on the chemical composition of herbal decoction. ACD can play a more obvious role in alleviating the symptoms of T2D rats, compared to the application of single herb.

Patient safety culture in private hospitals in China: a cross-sectional study using the revised Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture.

Background: This study aimed to translate the revised Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC 2.0) to Mandarin, evaluate its psychometric properties, and apply it to a group of private hospitals in China to identify the determinants associated with patient safety culture. Methods: A two-phase study was conducted to translate and evaluate the HSOPSC 2.0. A cross-cultural adaptation of the HSOPSC 2.0 was performed in Mandarin and applied in a cross-sectional study in China. This study was conducted among 3,062 respondents from nine private hospitals and 11 clinics across six cities in China. The HSOPSC 2.0 was used to assess patient safety culture. Primary outcomes were measured by the overall patient safety grade and patient safety events reported. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis results and internal consistency reliability were acceptable for the translated HOSPSC 2.0. The dimension with the highest positive response was "Organizational learning - Continuous improvement" (89%), and the lowest was "Reporting patient safety event" (51%). Nurses and long working time in the hospital were associated with lower assessments of overall patient safety grades. Respondents who had direct contact with patients, had long working times in the hospital, and had long working hours per week reported more patient safety events. A higher level of patient safety culture implies an increased probability of a high overall patient safety grade and the number of patient safety events reported. Conclusion: The Chinese version of HSOPSC 2.0 is a reliable instrument for measuring patient safety culture in private hospitals in China. Organizational culture is the foundation of patient safety and can promote the development of a positive safety culture in private hospitals in China.

A high figure of merit of phonon-polariton waveguide modes with hbn/SiO2/graphene /hBN ribs waveguide in mid-infrared range.

Natural hyperbolic materials can confine electromagnetic waves at the nanoscale. In this study, we propose a waveguide design that combines a high quality factor (FOM) with low loss, utilizing hexagonal boron nitride and graphene and gold substrate. The waveguide consists of a dielectric rib with a graphene layer sandwiched between two hBN ribs. Numerical simulations demonstrate the existence of two guided modes in the proposed waveguide within the second reststrahlen band (1360.0 cm-1<ω < 1609.8 cm-1) of hBN. These modes are formed by coupling the hyperbolic phonon polariton (HPhP) of two hBN rib in the middle dielectric rib and are subsequently modulated by a graphene layer. Interestingly, we observe variations in four transmission parameters, namely effective length, figure of merit, device length, and propagation loss of the guided modes, with respect to the operation frequency and gate voltage. By optimizing the waveguide's geometry parameters and dielectric permittivity, the modal properties were analyzed. Simulation results indicate that optimizing the waveguide size parameters enables us to achieve a high FOM of 4.0 × 107. The proposed waveguide design offers a promising approach for designing tunable mid infrared range waveguides on photonic chips, and this concept can be extended to other 2D materials and hyperbolic materials.

Jianpi Qutan Fang induces anti-atherosclerosis and ameliorates endothelial cell injury in high-fat diet ratsan anti-inflammatory and inhibiting Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investiage the possible mechanism underlying the effect of the Jianpi Qutan Fang (, JPQT) on Atherosclerosis (AS) which is the main pathological process of most cardiovascular diseases that affect millions of adults worldwide. METHODS: In the present study, rats were fed with a high-fat-diet (HFD) with vitamin D3 for 16 weeks and were orally administered atorvastatin treatment and different doses of JPQT. Histopathological changes and ultrastructural changes in the aorta were evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1)/Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathways were detected through Western blotting. RESULTS: JPQT treatment decreased the lipid levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol, the inflammatory cytokine levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6 and IL-8 in rat serum, but increased high-density lipoprotein and IL-10 serum levels. JPQT treatment ameliorated pathological changes in the aorta of AS model rats. Moreover, JPQT upregulated SOCS1 protein expression and down-regulated phosphorylated protein expression levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JPQT induces anti-atherosclerosis effects through anti-inflammatory and inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling pathways in HFD fed rats.

CdSe/TiO2NTs Heterojunction-Based Nonenzymatic Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Glucose Detection.

Compared with a single semiconductor, the heterojunction formed by two different semiconductors usually has higher light utilization and better photoelectric performance. By using stable TiO2 nanotubes as the main subject, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. XRD, TEM, SEM, PL, UV-vis, and EIS were used to characterize the fabricated CdSe/TiO2NTs. Under visible light irradiation, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions exhibited a higher absorption intensity and lower degree of photogenerated carrier recombination than TiO2. The electrons and holes were proven to be effectively separated in this heterojunction via theoretical calculation. Under CdSe/TiO2NTs' optimal conditions, the glucose concentrations (10-90 µM) had a linear relationship with the photocurrent value, and the detection limit was 3.1 µM. Moreover, the CdSe/TiO2NTs sensor exhibited good selectivity and stability. Based on the experimental data and theoretical calculations, its PEC sensing mechanism was also illuminated.

Genetic Diversity and Breeding Signatures for Regional Indica Rice Improvement in Guangdong of Southern China.

As the pioneer of the Green Revolution in China, Guangdong province witnessed the improvement and spread of semi-dwarf Xian/Indica rice cultivars and possessed diverse rice germplasm of landrace and cultivars. A total of 517 accessions containing a core germplasm of 479 newly sequenced landraces and modern cultivars were used to reveal breeding signatures and key variations for regional genetic improvement of indica rice from Guangdong. Four subpopulations were identified in the collection, which including Ind IV as a novel subpopulation that not covered by previously released accessions. Modern cultivars of subpopulation Ind II were inferred to have less deleterious variations, especially in yield related genes. About 15 Mb genomic segments were identified as potential breeding signatures by cross-population likelihood method (XP-CLR) of modern cultivars and landraces. The selected regions spanning multiple yield related QTLs (quantitative trait locus) which identified by GWAS (genome-wide association studies) of the same population, and specific variations that fixed in modern cultivars of Ind II were characterized. This study highlights genetic differences between traditional landraces and modern cultivars, which revealed the potential molecular basis of regional genetic improvement for Guangdong indica rice from southern China.

Association between brachial artery peak systolic velocity and ipsilateral radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula maturation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between brachial artery blood velocity by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and primary maturation of radio-cephalic autologous arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF). METHODS: Clinical data from patients who underwent end-to-side cephalic-radial anastomosis were collected from December 2015 to December 2020. The anastomosis diameter (mm), blood velocity (cm/s), and brachial artery diameters (mm) 7 cm proximal to the elbow pre- and postoperation were measured by GE LOGIC-E9 ultrasound. The AVF was mature if it could be cannulated successfully and the blood flow was >200 ml/min during dialysis. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were included in our statistical analysis. A total of 163 patients had mature AVFs, and 34 patients had poor maturity (assisted and failed maturation). There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics, peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the brachial artery, diameter of the radial artery or cephalic vein measured by CDFI preoperatively. The diameter of the brachial artery (5.41 ± 0.77 vs 4.89 ± 0.90, p = 0.00) and the fistula anastomosis (2.79 ± 0.78 vs 2.45 ± 0.85, p = 0.02) and PSV of the brachial artery (123.58 ± 37.11 vs 89.63 ± 28.31, p = 0.00) in the mature group were higher than those in the immature group. CONCLUSION: Brachial artery PSV and increased brachial artery PSV could be used to detect RC-AVF maturation in the early stage.

Cognitive and Brain Gray Matter Changes in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Voxel-Based Morphological Study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the neural difference between children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and healthy controls, together with the relation between this difference and clinical severity indicator of children with OSA. METHODS: Twenty-seven children with OSA (7.6 ± 2.5 years, apnea hypopnea index [AHI]: 9.7 ± 5.3 events/h) and 30 healthy controls (7.8 ± 2.6 years, AHI: 1.7 ± 1.2 events/h) were recruited and matched with age, gender, and handedness. All children underwent 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cognitive testing evaluating. Volumetric segmentation of cortical and subcortical structures and voxel-based morphometry were performed. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed between these features of gray matter volume (GMV) and obstructive apnea index (OAI) among children with OSA. RESULTS: In the comparison of children's Wechsler test scores of full-scale intelligence quotient and verbal intelligence quotient, the OSA group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the GMV of many brain regions in the OSA group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis of GMV and OAI in OSA group, right inferior frontal gyrus volume was significantly negatively correlated with OAI (r = - 0.49, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Children with OSA presented abnormal neural activities in some brain regions and impaired cognitive functions. This finding suggests an association between the OSA and decreased GMV in children.

Effect of volleyball training on physical fitness and cardiopulmonary endurance of college students / Efeito do treinamento de vôlei sobre a aptidão física e a resistência cardiopulmonar de estudantes universitários / Efecto del entrenamiento de voleibol en la aptitud física y la resistencia cardiopulmonar de estudiantes universitarios

ABSTRACT Introduction: Volleyball consists mainly of aerobic activities, causing positive impacts on cardiopulmonary resistance and the physical fitness of college students. Studying scientifically the training impacts of this sport can provide a scientific reference to support student training. Objective: Study the effects of volleyball training on college students' physical fitness and cardiopulmonary endurance. Methods: Second-year physical education students at a university were randomly selected for the experiment (n=50). Divided into the experimental group - adopting volleyball training and practice and control - with traditional athletics, they underwent a full semester of targeted physical activities. Physical fitness and cardiopulmonary endurance tests were performed before and after the experiment, and the results of the test batteries were cataloged and statistically confronted. Results: The experimental class students' results were superior in the physical fitness tests(P<0.05). The difference in the impact on final inter-group cardiopulmonary resistance was not so evident, demonstrating that both interventions resulted in good conditioning. Conclusion: Volleyball training positively impacted college students' physical fitness and cardiopulmonary endurance. It also increased the students' interest in the sport, optimizing the college students' physical quality and improving their cardiopulmonary resistance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: O voleibol é constituído principalmente por atividades aeróbicas, causando impactos positivos sobre a resistência cardiopulmonar e aptidão física dos estudantes universitários. Estudar cientificamente os impactos do treinamento desse esporte pode fornecer uma referência científica para embasar o treinamento estudantil. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do treinamento de voleibol sobre a aptidão física e a resistência cardiopulmonar dos estudantes universitários. Métodos: Alunos do segundo ano de educação física em uma universidade foram selecionados aleatoriamente para o experimento (n=50). Divididos em grupo experimental - adotando treinamento e prática de voleibol e controle - com atletismo tradicional, foram submetidos a um semestre completo de atividades físicas direcionadas. Testes de aptidão física e resistência cardiopulmonar foram executados antes e após o experimento, os resultados das baterias de testes foram catalogados e confrontados estatisticamente. Resultados: Os resultados dos alunos da classe experimental foram superiores nas provas de aptidão física (P<0.05). A diferença no impacto sobre a resistência cardiopulmonar final inter-grupo não foi tão evidente, demonstrando que ambas intervenções acarretaram em um bom condicionamento. Conclusão: O treinamento de vôlei apresentou impactos positivos sobre a aptidão física e a resistência cardiopulmonar dos estudantes universitários. Também aumentou o interesse dos alunos pelo esporte, otimizando a qualidade física dos estudantes universitários e melhorando a sua resistência cardiopulmonar. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El voleibol está constituido principalmente por actividades aeróbicas, causando impactos positivos en la resistencia cardiopulmonar y en la aptitud física de los estudiantes universitarios. Estudiar científicamente los impactos del entrenamiento de este deporte puede proporcionar una referencia científica en la que basar el entrenamiento de los alumnos. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del entrenamiento de voleibol sobre la aptitud física y la resistencia cardiopulmonar de estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Para el experimento se seleccionaron aleatoriamente estudiantes de segundo curso de educación física de una universidad (n=50). Divididos en grupo experimental -que adoptó entrenamiento y práctica de voleibol- y control -con atletismo tradicional-, se sometieron a un semestre completo de actividades físicas dirigidas. Se realizaron pruebas de aptitud física y resistencia cardiopulmonar antes y después del experimento, se catalogaron los resultados de las baterías de pruebas y se confrontaron estadísticamente. Resultados: Los resultados de los alumnos de la clase experimental fueron superiores en las pruebas de aptitud física (P<0,05). La diferencia en el impacto sobre la resistencia cardiopulmonar final intergrupos no fue tan evidente, lo que demuestra que ambas intervenciones dieron lugar a un buen acondicionamiento. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de voleibol presentó impactos positivos sobre la aptitud física y la resistencia cardiopulmonar de los estudiantes universitarios. También aumentó el interés de los alumnos por el deporte, optimizando la calidad física de los universitarios y mejorando su resistencia cardiopulmonar. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Influences of high-intensity interval training on physical ability in volleyball / Influências do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade sobre a habilidade física do voleibol / Influencias del entrenamiento por intervalos de alta intensidad en la capacidad física del voleibol

ABSTRACT Introduction: Traditional physical training has a good effect on the improvement of strength and quality indicators of the athletes; however, recent pieces of evidence indicate that relating it to high-intensity interval training may reduce the physical problems of its practitioners, besides accelerating the physical skills required by volleyball. Objective: Study the application of high-intensity interval training on the physical ability of volleyball players. Methods: 40 volunteers were recruited, among freshmen and university students, practicing volleyball. They were divided equally into the control and experimental group. The control group used traditional physical training based on aerobic exercise, while the experimental group adopted a high-intensity interval training program. Each session lasted 1.5 hours, twice a week, for 9 weeks. Relevant physical and functional data were individually collected before and after the intervention, compared, and statistically analyzed. Results: There was an increase in the quality of the long-distance throw, horizontal pull force, 800 m run, 30 m run, cross jump, and repeated crossing experiment. Conclusion: The high-intensity interval training protocol raised the fitness level of volleyball players, allowing optimization of performance on the court. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: O treinamento físico tradicional apresenta um bom efeito na melhoria da força e dos indicadores de qualidade dos atletas, porém evidências recentes indicam que relaciona-lo ao treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade possa reduzir os problemas físicos de seus praticantes além de acelerar as habilidades físicas requeridas pelo voleibol. Objetivo: Estudar a aplicação do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade sobre a habilidade física dos praticantes de voleibol. Métodos: Foram recrutados 40 voluntários entre calouros e alunos da universidade, praticantes de voleibol. Eles foram divididos igualmente em grupo controle e experimental. O grupo de controle utilizou o treinamento físico tradicional baseado em exercício aeróbico enquanto o experimental adotou o programa de treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade. Cada sessão durou 1,5 horas, duas vezes por semana, por 9 semanas. Os dados físicos e funcionais relevantes foram individualmente coletados antes e após a intervenção, comparados e analisados estatisticamente. Resultados: Houve um aumento na qualidade do arremesso de longa distância, força de tração horizontal, corrida de 800 m, corrida de 30 m, salto transversal e no experimento de cruzamento repetido. Conclusão: O protocolo de treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade elevou o nível de aptidão física nos jogadores de vôlei, permitindo uma otimização de desempenho na quadra. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El entrenamiento físico tradicional tiene un buen efecto en la mejora de los indicadores de fuerza y calidad de los atletas; sin embargo, recientes evidencias indican que relacionarlo con el entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad puede reducir los problemas físicos de sus practicantes, además de acelerar las habilidades físicas requeridas por el voleibol. Objetivo: Estudiar la aplicación del entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad sobre la capacidad física de los practicantes de voleibol. Métodos: Se reclutaron 40 voluntarios, entre estudiantes de primer año y universitarios, practicantes de voleibol. Se dividieron a partes iguales en grupo de control y grupo experimental. El grupo de control utilizó un entrenamiento físico tradicional basado en ejercicios aeróbicos, mientras que el grupo experimental adoptó un programa de entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad. Cada sesión duró 1,5 horas, dos veces por semana durante 9 semanas. Se recogieron individualmente datos físicos y funcionales relevantes antes y después de la intervención, se compararon y se analizaron estadísticamente. Resultados: Hubo un aumento en la calidad del lanzamiento de larga distancia, la fuerza de tracción horizontal, la carrera de 800 m, la carrera de 30 m, el salto cruzado y en el experimento de cruce repetido. Conclusión: El protocolo de entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad elevó el nivel de condición física en jugadores de voleibol, permitiendo una optimización del rendimiento en la cancha. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Visibility enhancement of underwater images based on polarization common-mode rejection of a highly polarized target signal.

Underwater active polarization imaging is promising due to its effect of significantly descattering. Polarization-difference is commonly used to filter out backscattered noise. However, the polarization common-mode rejection of target signal has rarely been utilized. In this paper, via taking full advantage of this feature of Stokes vectors S2 which ably avoids interference from target light, the spatial variation of the degree of polarization of backscattered light is accurately estimated, and the whole scene intensity distribution of background is reconstructed by Gaussian surface fitting based on least square. Meanwhile, the underwater image quality measure is applied as optimization feedback, through iterative computations, not only sufficiently suppresses backscattered noise but also better highlights the details of the target. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for highly polarized target in strongly scattering water.

The novel pickering emulsion gels stabilized by zein hydrolysate-chitin nanocrystals coacervates: Improvement on stability and bioaccessibility for curcumin.

The aim of this paper was to explore the synergistic mechanism of the novel Pickering emulsion gels stabilized by zein hydrolysate (ZH, low DH of 5%)-chitin nanocrystals (CNCs) coacervates, and investigate their improvement on the stability and bioaccessibility of curcumin. Interestingly, the ZH with low DH of 5% exhibited aggregated precipitation at pH 5.0. The ZH was absorbed on the surface of CNCs to form ZH-CNCs coacervates by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic neutralization. Moreover, the novel Pickering emulsion gels stabilized by the appropriate ZH-CNCs coacervates showed better rheologicalproperties, emulsion stability and oxidation resistance. As new carriers for curcumin, they could effectively improve the stability and antioxidantactivity (over 90%). Further, the free fatty acid (FFA) release ratewas reduced to below 3.89% and the corresponding bioaccessibility increased to over 80% in vitro digestion. The novel delivery system was potentially designed in foods and pharmaceuticals for the purposes of enhanced stability, delayed lipolysis, or sustained nutrient release.

Human Encephalitis Complicated With Ocular Symptoms Associated With Pseudorabies Virus Infection: A Case Report.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an alpha herpesvirus found in many wild and domestic animals, and causes neurological diseases in humans. Several cases of PRV-induced human encephalitis accompanied with severe visual impairment have been reported. There is currently no effective treatment for severe visual impairment caused by PRV. We report a case of PRV encephalitis with severe visual impairment. The diagnosis and treatment experience of this patient is summarized to improve the awareness of clinicians. We present a 42-year-old man with PRV infection who was admitted due to intermittent fever for 5 days and unconsciousness for 1 day. He subsequently developed severe visual impairment during hospital stay. Empirical antiviral treatment with ganciclovir and sodium foscarnet was started on the day of admission and continued for > 50 days, which had significant treatment effect. Eye complications caused by PRV infection have been frequently reported in patients with PRV encephalitis. In this patient, based on the patient's condition, antiviral therapy was initiated on admission day, and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing of the cerebrospinal fluid, the duration of antiviral therapy was prolonged, which improved treatment efficacy and alleviated neurological symptoms and eye vision damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that describes partial restoration of acute vision loss associated with PRV infection after aggressive treatment. Our experience suggests that although prompt treatment cannot prevent the acute vision loss associated with PRV infection, timely anti-viral and anti-inflammatory treatment can alleviate ocular complications.

Error analysis of a ruled grating and mechanism optimization of a grating ruling machine.

To improve the quality and success rate of grating ruling, we theoretically analyze the factors that affect the grating performance according to the Fraunhofer far-field diffraction method. The analysis shows that the yaw angle error of the grating line has a greater impact on the performance index. Based on this result, we simulate and analyze the angle error by the principle of mechanical simulation. Then we determine the thickness of the spring sheet, the number of connecting steel sheets, and the initial closing force of the tension spring. We use the optimized workbench structure of the grating ruling machine to rule three gratings. The diffracted wavefronts are all better than λ/3, and the success rate is 100%, which means that the experiments verify the effectiveness of the modified workbench structure.

CdS-Modified TiO2 Nanotubes with Heterojunction Structure: A Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Glutathione.

The formation of heterojunction structures can effectively prevent the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in semiconductors and result in the enhancement of photoelectric properties. Using TiO2 nanotubes (prepared using the hydrothermal-impregnation method) as carriers, CdS-TiO2NTs were fabricated as a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor, which can be used under visible light and can exhibit good PEC performance due to the existence of the heterojunction structure. The experimental results show that the prepared CdS-TiO2NTs electrode had a linear response to 2-16 mM glutathione (GSH). The sensor's sensitivity and detection limit (LOD) were 102.9 µA·mM-1 cm-2 and 27.7 µM, respectively. Moreover, the biosensor had good stability, indicating the potential application of this kind of heterojunction PEC biosensor.

Effect of pH dynamic control on ethanol-lactic type fermentation (ELTF) performance of glucose.

This study proposed a new ethanol-lactic type fermentation (ELTF) and explored the optimal control strategy. Using batch experiments, the effects of pH, temperature and organic loading (OL) on ELTF were investigated. The sum of ethanol and lactic acid yield was highest at whole-control pH value of 4.0, 35°C temperature and OL of 33 gCOD/L. To improve ELTF, the dynamic pH control in the long-term CSTR was adjusted at 4.0 (1-28 days), 5.0 (29-44 days) and 4.0 (46-62 days) successively. The high concentration of ethanol and lactic acid was 8190.5 mg/L at 16th day of pH 4.0. At pH of 5.0, the average acidogenesis rate and total concentration of fermentation products increased 111.0% and 128.0%, respectively. Organisms of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were the predominant bacteria in reactor. It can achieve the directional regulation of ELTF and provides parameter support for the application of two-phase anaerobic digestion.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Silent Brain Infarction After On-Pump Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of 29 Prospective Cohort Studies.

BACKGROUND: Silent brain infarction (SBI) happens at a considerable rate after on-pump cardiac surgery. Though termed silent, SBI is related to unfavorable clinical outcomes including higher incidence of future stroke and neurocognitive impairment in the general population. The risk factors of SBI have not been fully identified in both individual studies and several meta-analyses addressing the topic. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to conduct meta-regression analysis for the first time to explore risk factors for SBI after on-pump cardiac surgery. METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Medline, Embase, Central, Web of Science, and Wiley databases were searched for relevant studies. Preoperative patient baseline characteristics and intraoperative surgical parameters were extracted from included studies. For meta-regression, a P value of less than 0.1 was considered statistically significant in both univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies with 1478 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The summarized SBI rate after on-pump cardiac surgery was 37% (95% CI 0.27-0.47, P < 0.0001). Heterogeneity between studies was significant (I2 = 94.9%, P < 0.0001). In multivariable meta-regression, we found that age (coefficient 0.014, 95% CI 0.001-0.029, P = 0.043), diabetes (coefficient 0.006, 95% CI - 0.001 to 0.013, P = 0.075), and proportion of CABG (coefficient - 0.001, 95% CI - 0.003 to 0.0003, P = 0.096) were significantly associated with SBI incidence. CONCLUSION: From the meta-regression, we concluded that advanced age and diabetes were related to increased SBI incidence after on-pump cardiac surgery, while CABG procedure alone was associated with less SBI onset. Studies with more accurate diagnoses of SBI are required to add more conclusive evidence to the field.

Increased RAB31 Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Colon Cancer Progression Through HGF-MET Signaling.

RAB family proteins participate in the dynamic regulation of cellular membrane compartments and are dysregulated in a variety of tumor types, which may alter the biological properties of cancer cells such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. In our previous study, we found that Ras-related protein Rab-31 (RAB31) expression was increased in late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). The role of RAB31 has never been investigated in CRC. In this study, we found that expression of RAB31 in the tumor stroma but not cancer cells of colon cancer predicted poor survival. RAB31 can be detected in primary cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and paired normal fibroblasts. Conditioned medium (CM) from RAB31 overexpressing CAFs significantly promoted migration of colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. This process may be mediated by paracrine action of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which was increased in the CM of RAB31-overexpressing CAFs. Blockade of HGF/MET signaling by drug inhibition, knockdown of mesenchymal to epithelial transition factor (MET) in RKO, or antibody neutralization of HGF abolished migration of RKO cells mediated by RAB31 expression in CAFs. We propose that in colon cancer, increased RAB31 expression in CAFs may contribute to tumor progression by regulating the secretion of HGF in the tumor stroma.

Jumonji domain containing-3 (JMJD3) inhibition attenuates IL-1ß-induced chondrocytes damage in vitro and protects osteoarthritis cartilage in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the effects and relative mechanism of JMJD3 on knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: In this study, we first analyzed the expression of JMJD3 in OA cartilage using western blot and immunohistochemistry. In an in vitro study, the effects of GSK-J4, JMJD3 inhibitor, on ATDC-5 chondrocytes were evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to examine the inhibitory effect of GSK-J4 on the inflammation and ECM degradation of chondrocytes. NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation were measured by western blot and immunofluorescence. In the animal study, twenty mice were randomized into four experimental groups: sham group, DMM-induced OA + DMSO group, OA + low-dose GSK-J4 group, and OA + high-dose GSK-J4 group. After the treatment, hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O/fast green staining were used to evaluate cartilage degradation of knee joint, with OARSI scores for quantitative assessment of cartilage damage. RESULTS: Our results revealed that JMJD3 was overexpressed in OA cartilage and GSK-J4 could suppress the IL-1ß-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and catabolic enzymes, including IL-6, IL-8, MMP-9 and ADAMTS-5. Consistent with these findings, GSK-J4 could inhibit IL-1ß-induced degradation of collagen II and aggrecan. Mechanistically, GSK-J4 dramatically suppressed IL-1ß-stimulated NF-κB signal pathway activation. In vivo, GSK-J4 prevented cartilage damage in mouse DMM-induced OA model. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates the important role of JMJD3 in cartilage degeneration in OA, and our results indicate that JDJM3 may become a novel therapeutic target in OA therapy.