Secure optical communication system based on polarization regulation of the data fragmentation multipath transmission technology.

We propose and demonstrate a data fragment multipath transmission scheme to achieve a secure optical communication based on polarization regulation. A dual-polarization Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM) is driven by digital signals which are scattered by field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and transmitted in multiple paths. By utilizing two orthogonal polarization states, we have achieved a signal transmission under different optical parameters, and the transmission rate of the two paths can reach over 10 Gbps through a 20 km fiber with 2.5 Gbps hopping rate. In addition, we establish a theoretical model to analyze the security of the system and simulate brute force cracking; the probability of cracking the minimum information unit is 1.53 × 10-53. This proves that it is difficult to obtain a user data even using the fastest computers. Our scheme has provided, to our knowledge, a new approach for physical layer security.

Orexin Neurons to Sublaterodorsal Tegmental Nucleus Pathway Prevents Sleep Onset REM Sleep-Like Behavior by Relieving the REM Sleep Pressure.

Proper timing of vigilance states serves fundamental brain functions. Although disturbance of sleep onset rapid eye movement (SOREM) sleep is frequently reported after orexin deficiency, their causal relationship still remains elusive. Here, we further study a specific subgroup of orexin neurons with convergent projection to the REM sleep promoting sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus (OXSLD neurons). Intriguingly, although OXSLD and other projection-labeled orexin neurons exhibit similar activity dynamics during REM sleep, only the activation level of OXSLD neurons exhibits a significant positive correlation with the post-inter-REM sleep interval duration, revealing an essential role for the orexin-sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus (SLD) neural pathway in relieving REM sleep pressure. Monosynaptic tracing reveals that multiple inputs may help shape this REM sleep-related dynamics of OXSLD neurons. Genetic ablation further shows that the homeostatic architecture of sleep/wakefulness cycles, especially avoidance of SOREM sleep-like transition, is dependent on this activity. A positive correlation between the SOREM sleep occurrence probability and depression states of narcoleptic patients further demonstrates the possible significance of the orexin-SLD pathway on REM sleep homeostasis.

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Renal-Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles for Robust Arginase-2 Knockdown and Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Prevention.

The mitochondrial enzyme arginase-2 (Arg-2) is implicated in the pathophysiology of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Therefore, Arg-2 represents a candid target for CI-AKI prevention. Here, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled renal-targeting polymeric nanoparticles are developed to efficiently deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA), knockdown Arg-2 expression in renal tubules, and prevention of CI-AKI is evaluated. First, near-infrared dye-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) anionic cores are electrostatically coated with cationic chitosan (CS) to facilitate the adsorption and stabilization of Arg-2 siRNA. Next, nanoparticles are coated with anionic hyaluronan (HA) to provide protection against siRNA leakage and shielding against early clearance. Sequential electrostatic layering of CS and HA improves loading capacity of Arg-2 siRNA and yields LbL-assembled nanoparticles. Renal targeting and accumulation is enhanced by modifying the outermost layer of HA with a kidney targeting peptide (HA-KTP). The resultant kidney-targeting and siRNA loaded nanoparticles (PLGA/CS/HA-KTP siRNA) exhibit proprietary accumulation in kidneys and proximal tubular cells at 24 h post-tail vein injection. In iohexol-induced in vitro and in vivo CI-AKI models, PLGA/CS/HA-KTP siRNA delivery alleviates oxidative and nitrification stress, and rescues mitochondrial dysfunction while reducing apoptosis, thereby demonstrating a robust and satisfactory therapeutic effect. Thus, PLGA/CS/HA-KTP siRNA nanoparticles offer a promising candidate therapy to protect against CI-AKI.

Chitosan alleviates ovarian aging by enhancing macrophage phagocyte-mediated tissue homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in the ovarian microenvironment are linked to impaired fertility in women. Macrophages play important roles in ovarian tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. However, the impact of aging on ovarian macrophage function and ovarian homeostasis remains poorly understood. METHODS: Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining were used to assess senescence and apoptosis, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in granulosa cells lines (KGN), and macrophages phagocytosis. After a 2-month treatment with low molecular weight Chitosan (LMWC), ovarian tissues from mice were collected for comprehensive analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the liver and uterus, the ovary displayed accelerated aging in an age-dependent manner, which was accompanied by elevated levels of inflammatory factors and apoptotic cells, and impaired macrophage phagocytic activity. The aged KGN cells exhibited elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic levels alongside decreased MMP. H2O2-induced aging macrophages showed reduced phagocytosis function. Moreover, there were excessive aging macrophages with impaired phagocytosis in the follicular fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Notably, LMWC administration alleviated ovarian aging by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and promoting tissue homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: Aging ovarian is characterized by an accumulation of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells, an inflammatory response and macrophage phagocytosis dysfunction. In turn, impaired phagocytosis of macrophage contributes to insufficient clearance of aging and apoptotic granulosa cells and the increased risk of DOR. Additionally, LMWC emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related ovarian dysfunction.

Research progress on the mechanisms underlying poultry immune regulation by plant polysaccharides.

With the rapid development of poultry industry and the highly intensive production management, there are an increasing number of stress factors in poultry production. Excessive stress will affect their growth and development, immune function, and induce immunosuppression, susceptibility to a variety of diseases, and even death. In recent years, increasing interest has focused on natural components extracted from plants, among which plant polysaccharides have been highlighted because of their various biological activities. Plant polysaccharides are natural immunomodulators that can promote the growth of immune organs, activate immune cells and the complement system, and release cytokines. As a green feed additive, plant polysaccharides can not only relieve stress and enhance the immunity and disease resistance of poultry, but also regulate the balance of intestinal microorganisms and effectively alleviate all kinds of stress faced by poultry. This paper reviews the immunomodulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of different plant polysaccharides (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz polysaccharide, Astragalus polysaccharides, Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide, and alfalfa polysaccharide) in poultry. Current research results reveal that plant polysaccharides have potential uses as therapeutic agents for poultry immune abnormalities and related diseases.

Amino acids downregulate SIRT4 to detoxify ammonia through the urea cycle.

Ammonia production via glutamate dehydrogenase is inhibited by SIRT4, a sirtuin that displays both amidase and non-amidase activities. The processes underlying the regulation of ammonia removal by amino acids remain unclear. Here, we report that SIRT4 acts as a decarbamylase that responds to amino acid sufficiency and regulates ammonia removal. Amino acids promote lysine 307 carbamylation (OTCCP-K307) of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), which activates OTC and the urea cycle. Proteomic and interactome screening identified OTC as a substrate of SIRT4. SIRT4 decarbamylates OTCCP-K307 and inactivates OTC in an NAD+-dependent manner. SIRT4 expression was transcriptionally upregulated by the amino acid insufficiency-activated GCN2-eIF2α-ATF4 axis. SIRT4 knockout in cultured cells caused higher OTCCP-K307 levels, activated OTC, elevated urea cycle intermediates and urea production via amino acid catabolism. Sirt4 ablation decreased male mouse blood ammonia levels and ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic encephalopathy phenotypes. We reveal that SIRT4 safeguards cellular ammonia toxicity during amino acid catabolism.

IL-27 deficiency inhibits proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts via the SFRP2/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in fetal growth restriction.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is characterized by restricted fetal growth and dysregulated placental development. The etiology and pathogenesis still remain elusive. IL-27 shows multiple roles in regulating various biological processes, however, how IL-27 involves in placentation in FGR pregnancy hasn't been demonstrated. Methods: The levels of IL-27 and IL-27RA in FGR and normal placentae were determined by immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR. HTR-8/SVneo cells and Il27ra-/- murine models have been adopted to evaluate the effects of IL-27 on the bio-functions of trophoblast cells. GO enrichment and GSEA analysis were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Findings: IL-27 and IL-27RA was lowly expressed in FGR placentae and administration of IL-27 on HTR-8/SVneo could promote its proliferation, migration and invasion. Comparing with wildtypes, Il27ra-/- embryos were smaller and lighter, and the placentae from which were poorly developed. In mechanism, the molecules of canonical Wnt/ß-catenin pathway (CCND1, CMYC, SOX9) were downregulated in Il27ra-/- placentae. In contrast, the expression of SFRP2 (negative regulator of Wnt) was increased. Overexpression of SFRP2 in vitro could impair trophoblast migration and invasion capacity. Interpretation: IL-27/IL-27RA negatively regulates SFRP2 to activate Wnt/ß-catenin, and thus promotes migration and invasion of trophoblasts during pregnancy. However, IL-27 deficiency may contribute to the development of FGR by restricting the Wnt activity.

Hypoxia-mediated chemotaxis and residence of macrophage in decidua by secreting VEGFA and CCL2 during normal pregnancy.

In brief: Hypoxia is vital for the establishment of the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy. This study shows that decidual macrophages (dMφ) could be recruited and reside in decidua under the regulation of hypoxia/VEGFA-CCL2 axis. Abstract: Infiltration and residence of decidual macrophages (dMφ) are of great significance to pregnancy maintenance for their role in angiogenesis, placental development, and inducing immune tolerance. Besides, hypoxia has now been acknowledged as an important biological event at maternal-fetal interface in the first trimester. However, whether and how hypoxia regulates biofunctions of dMφ remain elusive. Herein, we observed increased expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and residence of macrophages in decidua compared to secretory-phase endometrium. Moreover, hypoxia treatment on stromal cells improved the migration and adhesion of dMφ. Mechanistically, these effects might be mediated by upregulated CCL2 and adhesion molecules (especially ICAM2 and ICAM5) on stromal cells in the presence of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) in hypoxia. These findings were also verified by recombinant VEGFA and indirect coculture, indicating that the interaction between stromal cells and dMφ in hypoxia condition may facilitate dMφ recruitment and residence. In conclusion, VEGFA derived from a hypoxic environment may manipulate CCL2/CCR2 and adhesion molecules to enhance the interactions between dMφ and stromal cells and thus contribute to the enrichment of macrophages in decidua early during normal pregnancy.

Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics of oridonin-loaded liposomes.

The aim of this study was to prepare oridonin liposomes and evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and pharmacokinetics in rats. A three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the preparation of oridonin liposomes. A highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic quantification method using ultraviolet detection was established and validated for the determination of oridonin in rat plasma. Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned and injected with 15 mg/kg of oridonin or oridonin liposomes via the tail vein. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a compartmental modeling approach using PKsolver software. The optimum conditions were as follows: soybean phospholipids/cholesterol ratio, 3.9:1; soybean phospholipids/drug ratio, 8.5:1; and soybean phospholipid concentration, 1.1%. Under these conditions, the mean particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of oridonin liposomes were 170.5 nm, 0.246, -30.3 mV, and 76.15%, respectively. The pharmacokinetic results showed that liposomes could significantly prolong the elimination half-life (from 2.88 ± 0.55 to 13.67 ± 3.52 h), increase the area under the concentration-time curve (from 1.65 ± 0.17 to 6.22 ± 0.83 µg h/ml), and decrease the clearance (from 6.62 ± 1.38 to 1.96 ± 0.24 L/kg h). The oridonin liposomes increased the elimination half-life and area under the concentration-time curve and provided a reference for the development of drugs with a short half-life.

A meta-review of standard polysomnography parameters in Rett Syndrome.

Rett Syndrome (RTT, OMIM 312750), a unique rare neurodevelopmental disorder, mostly affects females and causes severe multi-disabilities including poor sleep. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed the polysomnographic (PSG) data of individuals with RTT on both sleep macrostructure and sleep respiratory indexes and compared them to literature normative values. Studies were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Ebsco, Scopus, and Cochrane Library till 26 April 2022. Across 13 included studies, the 134 selected RTT cases were mostly females being MECP2 (n = 41) and CDKL5 (n = 4) positive. They were further stratified by gene, age, and clinical features. Findings of comparison with literature normative values suggested shorter total sleep time (TST) and sleep onset latency (SOL), twice as long wake after sleep onset (WASO) with lower sleep efficiency (SEI) in RTT, as well as increased non-rapid eye movement stage 3 (stage N3) and decreased rapid eye movement sleep. Based on limited data per stratifications, we found in RTT cases <5 years old lower stage N3, and in RTT cases >5 years old less WASO and more WASO in the epileptic strata. However, meta-results generated from studies designed with comparison groups only showed lower stage N1 in RTT than in healthy comparison, together with similar SEI and stage N3 to primary snoring subjects. For sleep respiratory indexes, severe disordered sleep breathing was confirmed across roughly all RTT strata. We are the first study to meta-analyze PSG data of subjects with RTT, illustrating shorter TST and aberrant sleep staging in RTT that may vary with age or the presence of epilepsy. Severe nocturnal hypoxemia with apneic events was also demonstrated. More studies are needed to explore and elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of these sleep findings in the future. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=198099, identifier: CRD 42020198099.

Career identity and career success among Chinese male nurses: The mediating role of work engagement.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of career identity on career success among Chinese male nurses and to examine the mediating role of work engagement in this relationship. BACKGROUND: Recently, with the development of the nursing career, male nurses take up a higher share and play a more important role in the nursing team. With its own particularity and advantages, this group's stability closely relates to the future of the nursing team. Therefore, promoting the career success of the male nurses is essential to the nursing team development. METHODS: The data were collected in China. A sample of 557 male nurses completed measures of career identity, work engagement and career success scale. Structural equation model was adopted to verify the research hypotheses. RESULTS: Career identity was significantly and positively related to male nurses' work engagement and career success (p < .01). And work engagement partially mediated the association between career identity and career success. CONCLUSION: Career identity is critical to predicting and enhancing male nurses' career success. Work engagement plays an intervening mechanism explaining how career identity promotes career success among male nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing management should minimize the impact of the traditional concept, implement the gender equality and provide moderate care for male nurses to facilitate balanced development of gender by upgrading the management system. The administrators should carry out skill training based on male nurses' features and the need of the department. Given full play to their respective advantages, male nurses will make great progress in professional development and achieve greater career identity and work engagement. Meanwhile, the further exploration of better incentive mechanism also makes sense in improving career identity and work engagement by the reform of performance appraisal mechanism and salary adjustment according to their ability.

IL-27 promotes decidualization via the STAT3-ESR/PGR regulatory axis.

Appropriate decidualization is of great importance for embryo implantation, placental development and successful pregnancy. Although it has been well-acknowledged that decidualization relies on activation of progesterone-mediated signaling pathway, the exact mechanisms have not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that both IL-27 and IL27RA were highly expressed in decidua than those in endometrium during secretory phase. Estrogen plus progesterone significantly upregulated the expression of IL-27 and IL-27RA in endometrium stromal cells (ESCs). In addition, inhibiting IL-27 signaling with IL-27 neutralization antibody (anti-IL-27) suppressed the expression of decidualization-related molecules, receptors of estrogen (gene coded by ESR) and progesterone (PGR) induced by cAMP or estrogen plus progesterone. Similar results were obtained from Il27ra-/- (knockout of Il27ra) female mice. Moreover, knockout of Il27ra did not affect the estrus cycle and folliculogenesis in mice but reduced implantation rate with the impairing decidualization. Mechanistically, IL-27 upregulated the expression of ESR1, ESR2 and PGR in ESCs and DSCs, as well as the phosphorylation level of STAT3. In the presence of estrogen plus progesterone, treatment with ESCs with anti-IL-27 inhibited the activation of STAT3. Also, the expression of ESR, PGR was decreased in Il27ra-/- mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that IL-27 upregulated by estrogen and progestogen promotes decidualization possibly through a STAT3-dominant pathway.

Literature Cases Summarized Based on Their Polysomnographic Findings in Rett Syndrome.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe and rare neurodevelopmental disorder affecting mostly girls. In RTT, an impaired sleep pattern is a supportive criterion for the diagnosis, yet little is known regarding the sleep structure and sleep respiratory events. Aiming to delineate sleep by aggregating RTT case (series) data from published polysomnographic studies, seventy-four RTT cases were collected from eleven studies up until 6 February 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD 42020198099). We compared the polysomnographic data within RTT stratifications and to a typically developing population. MECP2 cases demonstrated shortened total sleep time (TST) with increased stage N3 and decreased REM sleep. In cases with CDKL5 mutations, TST was longer and they spent more time in stage N1 but less in stage N3 than those cases affected by MECP2 mutations and a typically developing population. Sleep-disordered breathing was confirmed by the abnormal apnea/hypopnea index of 11.92 ± 23.67/h TST in these aggregated cases. No association of sleep structure with chronological age was found. In RTT, the sleep macrostructure of MECP2 versus CDKL5 cases showed differences, particularly regarding sleep stage N3. A severe REM sleep propensity reduction was found. Aberrant sleep cycling, possibly characterized by a poor REM 'on switch' and preponderance in slow and high-voltage sleep, is proposed.

Factors influencing career success of clinical nurses in northwestern China based on Kaleidoscope Career Model: Structural equation model.

AIM: To explore the relationships among self-efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses and identify factors influencing clinical nurses' career success in northwestern China. BACKGROUND: Understanding the influencing factors of career success is important for the professional development of nurses and the improvement of clinical nursing quality. Many influencing factors of career success have been identified, but there is no large-scale research on the relationships among self-efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses based on Kaleidoscope Career Model. Studies examining the association of the four factors remain limited. METHODS: A total of 3011 clinical nurses from 30 hospitals in northwestern China were selected in the cross-sectional survey, and the response rate was 94.71%. The clinical nurses completed the online self-report questionnaires including self-efficacy, information literacy, social support rating scale and career success scale. The data were analysed by SPSS23.0 statistical software using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyse the influencing factors of career success using Mplus 8.3. RESULTS: The career success of clinical nurses in northwestern China was at a medium level. The linear multivariate regression analysis showed that self-efficacy (ß = .513), social support (ß = .230), information support (ß = .106), information consciousness (ß = -.097), information knowledge (ß = .067), information ethics (ß = -.053), hospital grade (ß = .118), marital status (ß = -.071) and age (ß = -.037) entered regression equation of clinical nurses' career success (all P < .05). SEM results showed that the career success was negatively correlated with demographic characteristics and positively correlated with social support and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, social support and information literacy are the influencing factors of nurses' career success, which should be considered in the process of promoting nurses' career success. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers need to acknowledge the significance of nurses' career success both for the realization of their own value and for the improvement of clinical nursing quality. They should encourage nurses to enhance self-efficacy and render more social support through incentive policies and foster nurses' information literacy through information technology training so as to improve their career success.

HIF1A-induced heme oxygenase 1 promotes the survival of decidual stromal cells against excess heme-mediated oxidative stress.

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1, encoded by the HMOX1 gene) is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes heme degradation, and it has been reported to exert antioxidative effects. Recently, decidualization has been reported to confer resistance to environmental stress signals, protecting against oxidative stress. However, the effects and regulatory mechanism of HO-1 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) during early pregnancy remain unknown. Here, we verified that the levels of HO-1 and heme in DSCs are increased compared with those in endometrial stromal cells. Additionally, the upregulation of HIF1A expression led to increased HMOX1 expression in DSCs possibly via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (encoded by the NFE2L2 gene). However, addition of the competitive HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX resulted in an increase in HIF1A expression. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the cell viability of DSCs in vitro, and upregulated the level of heme. As an HO-1 inducer, cobalt protoporphyrin IX decreased ROS production and significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of H2O2 on cell viability. More importantly, patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion had low levels of HO-1 that were insufficient to protect against oxidative stress. This study suggests that the upregulation of HO-1 expression via HIF1A protects DSCs against excessive heme-mediated oxidative stress. Furthermore, the excessive oxidative stress injury and impaired viability of DSCs associated with decreased HO-1 expression should be associated with the occurrence and/or development of spontaneous abortion.

A positive COX-2/IL-1ß loop promotes decidualization by upregulating CD82.

A successful pregnancy requires sufficient decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). CD82, a metastasis suppressor, is a critical regulator for trophoblast invasion but the effect in decidualization was largely unknown. Here we reported that there was a high level of CD82 in DSC by the immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometer analysis. Stimulation with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) elevated the expression of CD82 in ESCs. In contrast, celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, significantly downregulated the expression of CD82 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs). Bioinformatics analysis and further research showed that recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1ß protein (rhIL-1ß) upregulated CD82 in ESCs. Of note, blocking IL-1ß signaling with anti-human IL-1ß neutralizing antibody could reverse the stimulatory effect of PGE2 on CD82 in ESCs. Silencing CD82 resulted in the decease of the decidualization markers PRL and IGFBP1 mRNA levels in DSCs. More importantly, we observed rhIL-1ß also upregulated the expression of COX-2, and the upregulation of PRL and IGFBP1 induced by rhIL-1ß could be abolished by celecoxib in ESCs or CD82 deficiency in DSCs. This study suggests that CD82 should be a novel promotor for decidualization under a positive regulation of the COX-2/PGE2/IL-1ß positive feedback loop.

The influence of hypoglycemia on the specific quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comparative cross-sectional study of diabetics with and without hypoglycemia in Xi'an, China.

PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the incidence of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the influence of hypoglycemia on the specific quality of life in T2DM patients. METHODS: It was a comparative cross-sectional study consisting of 519 T2DM patients in Xi'an, China and patients were investigated by self-reported hypoglycemia and specific quality of life questionnaires from September 2019 to January 2020. Descriptive analysis, t-test, Chi-square test, hierarchical regression analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis were applied to assess the influence of hypoglycemia on the specific quality of life. RESULTS: The incidence of hypoglycemia in T2DM patients was 32.18%. The mean score of specific quality of life in diabetes without hypoglycemia was 57.33 ± 15.36 and was 61.56 ± 17.50 in those with hypoglycemia, which indicated that hypoglycemia had a serious impact on the quality of life of diabetics (t = - 5.172, p = 0.000). In the Univariate analysis of specific quality of life, age, education background, marital status, living status, duration of diabetes, monthly income per capita were independent and significant factors associated with specific quality of life of two groups of T2DM patients (p < 0.05). In the hierarchical regression analysis, the duration of the diabetes more than 11 years and the frequency of hypoglycemia more than 6 times in half a year entered the equation of specific quality of life of 519 diabetics respectively (p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, age, marital status and income all entered the regression equation of quality of life of the two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypoglycemia will have a serious impact on the quality of life of T2DM patients. In order to improve the living quality in diabetics, effective measurements should be taken to strengthen the management of blood glucose and to avoid hypoglycemia.

The Role of Autophagy in Murine Cytomegalovirus Hepatitis.

Autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple pathogen infection. Previous studies have reported that human cytomegalovirus (CMV) activates autophagy in the early stage of infection and then inhibits autophagy. Little is known about the role of autophagy in murine CMV (MCMV) infection, especially in MCMV-induced hepatitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of autophagy in MCMV hepatitis. BALB/c mice were infected with MCMV and a series of experiments involving western blot, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin) staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed in this study. The expression of SQSTM1/p62, PI3K, the ratio of phosphorylated Akt to total Akt, and the ratio of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to total mTOR were increased, and the expression of light-chain 3 (LC3)-II were decreased in the livers of infected mice on days 3 and 7 postinfection (p.i.). Compared with the untreated infected group, increased transcription level of MCMV glycoprotein B (gB), increased expression levels of interleukin1-ß (IL-1ß), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), decreased expression level of type I interferon α (IFN-α), as well as aggravated liver pathological injury were detected in starvation-treated infected group on days 3 and 7 p.i.; whereas decreased transcription level of MCMV gB, decreased expression levels of IL-1ß, AST and ALT, increased expression level of type I IFN-α, as well as alleviated liver pathological injury were detected in chloroquine (CQ)-treated infected group on day 3 p.i. In conclusion, autophagy is inhibited through activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in the liver of BALB/c mice during MCMV infection, and autophagy may promote MCMV replication and aggravate liver pathological damage and inflammation. Further understanding of the interactions between autophagy and MCMV infection and its potential mechanism may bring new important cues to the control of MCMV infection and antiviral therapy.

Different neuronal populations mediate inflammatory pain analgesia by exogenous and endogenous opioids.

Mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are crucial for analgesia by both exogenous and endogenous opioids. However, the distinct mechanisms underlying these two types of opioid analgesia remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that analgesic effects of exogenous and endogenous opioids on inflammatory pain are mediated by MORs expressed in distinct subpopulations of neurons in mice. We found that the exogenous opioid-induced analgesia of inflammatory pain is mediated by MORs in Vglut2+ glutamatergic but not GABAergic neurons. In contrast, analgesia by endogenous opioids is mediated by MORs in GABAergic rather than Vglut2+ glutamatergic neurons. Furthermore, MORs expressed at the spinal level is mainly involved in the analgesic effect of morphine in acute pain, but not in endogenous opioid analgesia during chronic inflammatory pain. Thus, our study revealed distinct mechanisms underlying analgesia by exogenous and endogenous opioids, and laid the foundation for further dissecting the circuit mechanism underlying opioid analgesia.

[Development of novel self-adhesive resin cement with antibacterial and self-healing properties].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop novel self-adhesive resin cement with antibacterial and self-healing properties. Furthermore, the dentin bonding strength, mechanical properties, self-healing efficiency, and antibacterial property of the developed cement were measured. METHODS: Novel nano-antibacterial inorganic fillers that contain quaternary ammonium salts with long-chain alkyls were synthesized. These fillers were added into self-adhesive resin cement containing self-healing microcapsules at mass fractions of 0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, or 10.0%. The dentin shear bonding test was used to test the bonding strength, whereas the flexural test was used to measure the flexural strength and elastic modulus of the cement. The single-edge V-notched beam method was used to measure self-healing efficiency, and human dental plaque microcosm biofilms were chosen to calculate the antibacterial property. RESULTS: The dentin shear bond strength significantly decreased when the mass fraction of the nano-antibacterial inorganic fillers in the novel cement reached 7.5% (P<0.05). The incorporation of 0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, or 10.0% mass fraction of nano-antibacterial inorganic fillers did not adversely affect the flexural strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and self-healing efficiency of the cement (P>0.1). Resin cement containing 2.5% mass fraction or more nano-antibacterial inorganic fillers significantly inhibited the metabolic activity of dental plaque microcosm biofilms, indicating strong antibacterial potency (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel self-adhesive resin cement exhibited promising antibacterial and self-healing properties, which enable the cement to be used for dental applications.