Chromosome-level genome assembly and functional characterization of terpene synthases provide insights into the volatile terpenoid biosynthesis of Wurfbainia villosa.

Wurfbainia villosa is a well-known medicinal and edible plant that is widely cultivated in the Lingnan region of China. Its dried fruits (called Fructus Amomi) are broadly used in traditional Chinese medicine for curing gastrointestinal diseases and are rich in volatile terpenoids. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of W. villosa with a total size of approximately 2.80 Gb, 42 588 protein-coding genes, and a very high percentage of repetitive sequences (87.23%). Genome analysis showed that W. villosa likely experienced a recent whole-genome duplication event prior to the W. villosa-Zingiber officinale divergence (approximately 11 million years ago), and a recent burst of long terminal repeat insertions afterward. The W. villosa genome enabled the identification of 17 genes involved in the terpenoid skeleton biosynthesis pathway and 66 terpene synthase (TPS) genes. We found that tandem duplication events have an important contribution to the expansion of WvTPSs, which likely drove the production of volatile terpenoids. In addition, functional characterization of 18 WvTPSs, focusing on the TPS-a and TPS-b subfamilies, showed that most of these WvTPSs are multi-product TPS and are predominantly expressed in seeds. The present study provides insights into the genome evolution and the molecular basis of the volatile terpenoids diversity in W. villosa. The genome sequence also represents valuable resources for the functional gene research and molecular breeding of W. villosa.

New traction method (traction ring) for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is challenging because of the difficulty in adequately visualizing the submucosal layer. Many traction methods have been developed to facilitate submucosal dissection; however, they are not widely applied. Therefore, we designed a new traction device, a traction ring, and conducted this pilot study to evaluate its feasibility and safety for colorectal ESD. METHODS: Twenty patients with colorectal lesions who underwent traction ring-assisted ESD were retrospectively included. The main outcomes included en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, procedure time, resection time, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The median procedure time was 74.5 min (range 35-269 min). The median resection time was 55 min (range 25-209 min). Application of the traction system accounted for only 2.7% of the entire procedure time. The en bloc resection rate was 95.0% (19/20), whereas the R0 resection rate was 90.0% (18/20). All traction rings were successfully set and retrieved. Significant intraoperative bleeding was not observed. One patient experienced perforation after treatment, but no further intervention was required. No delayed complications were observed within 1 month post-ESD. CONCLUSION: Traction ring is an effective and safe method for colorectal ESD and can be used at any location in the colorectum.

Complete excision of esophageal bronchogenic cyst by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: a case presentation.

BACKGROUND: Intramural esophageal bronchogenic cyst is very rare. Surgical removal of the cysts is advised even the patients are asymptomatic, since the cyst can lead to complications, and there is a risk of malignant transformation. Thoracotomy or thoracoscopy is the most commonly used approach for complete excision of the cysts. To our knowledge, this is the first report to excise intramural esophageal bronchogenic cyst completely by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old male was referred to our hospital due to the detection of a submucosal tumor at the distal esophagus. The tumor was found during gastroendoscopy in a general health check-up. The patient had no symptoms. A benign esophageal tumor was confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and computed tomography (CT). On the basis of these results, ESTD was performed. During the procedure, a cystic mass was observed between the mucosa and the muscular layers of the esophagus, and a hybrid knife was used for dissection. Histopathological examination showed the cyst wall was lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, consistent with a bronchogenic cyst. The esophagography using meglumine diatrizoate showed no leakage on the seventh day after ESTD. The patient remained asymptomatic and had a regular diet during the follow-up period. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We successfully utilized ESTD for complete removal of esophageal bronchogenic cysts originating from the muscularis propria. The approach appeared safe, providing a minimally invasive treatment option for patients.

Red cell distribution width and homocysteine act as independent risk factors for cardiovascular events in newly diagnostic essential hypertension.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and increased red cell distribution width (RDW) are associated with a higher possibility of adverse clinical outcomes of hypertension. The study aims to validate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) and RDW on cardiovascular events (CVE) and investigate whether RDW is independently associated with serum Hcy in patients with essential hypertension (EH). The study reviewed 804 patients with newly diagnosed EH in our hospital. The clinical characteristics and laboratory results of all subjects were grouped according to the presence/absence of CVE. Patients in the CVE group had higher RDW and Hcy, as compared to the patients in the no CVE group. Multiple Cox regression analysis demonstrated that both RDW (HR = 1.24, 95% CI =1.02-1.56, P = 0.002) and Hcy (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02-1.80, P < 0.001) resulted significantly related to the CVE. Subsequent analysis found that patients with high RDW had higher Hcy levels as compared with those with low RDW (P = 0.007). Although Pearson's correlation suggested that RDW was positively correlated with Hcy (r = 0.122, P = 0.028), no significant correlation was observed between RDW and Hcy (ß = 0.15, p = 0.126) after adjusted for a series of potential confounders using multiple linear regression analysis. In conclusion, RDW is not correlated with Hcy in patients with EH. Both RDW and Hcy are independent risk factors for CVE in newly diagnostic EH and have the potential to improve risk stratification.

NLRP4 is an essential negative regulator of fructose-induced cardiac injury in vitro and in vivo.

High fructose consumption leads to metabolic syndrome and enhances cardiovascular disease risk. However, our knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying the cardiac disease caused by fructose feeding is still poor. Nod-like receptors (NLRs) are intracellular sensors, responding to a variety of intracellular danger signals to induce injuries. NLRP4 is a negative regulator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway through interactions with kinase IκB kinase (IKK). Here, we illustrated that NLRP4 attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokines releasing, including Transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in fructose-treated cardiac cells by means of RT-qPCR, and western blotting analysis. In addition, NLRP4 could reduce the expression of TANK-binding kinase 1/interferon regulatory factor 3 (TBK1/IRF3), reducing inflammation response and achieving its anti-hypertrophic action. TBK1 plays critical roles in the IRF3 signaling pathway, modulating inflammation response. The inhibition of IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway by NLRP4 is confirmed by NLRP4 over-expression and knockdown. In vivo, high fructose feeding induced cardiac injury, accompanied with reduced expression of NLRP4 in heart tissue samples, indicating the possible role of NLRP4 in ameliorating heart injury. In conclusion, the findings above indicated that NLRP4 is an important mediator of cardiac remodeling in vitro and in vivo through negatively regulating TBK1/IRF3 and IKK/NF-κB signaling pathways, indicating that NLRP4 might be a promising therapeutic target against cardiac inflammation.

Effect of pre-emptive analgesia by continuous femoral nerve block on early postoperative cognitive function following total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients.

To the best of our knowledge, the effect of pre-emptively blocking pain transmission on acute postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has not yet been assessed. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of pre-emptive analgesia via a continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) on postoperative pain and early cognitive function following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery in elderly patients. CFNB was performed prior to TKA surgery in the pre-emptive analgesia group (n=30) and following TKA surgery in the control group (n=30). POCD was defined as a two-point reduction in the postoperative score compared with the preoperative score in the mini-mental state examination. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity of pain at rest and during exercise. The intraoperative dose of remifentanil in the pre-emptive analgesia group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01). In the preemptive analgesia group, VAS scores at three days post-surgery were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The incidence of POCD on the third postoperative day was slightly lower in the pre-emptive analgesia group compared with the control group. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that pre-emptive analgesia by CFNB may promote the recovery of early cognitive function following TKA in elderly patients.

Multiresidue analysis of 59 nonallowed substances and other contaminants in cosmetics.

A method was developed for the determination of 59 glucocorticoids, sex hormones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and other contaminants in cosmetics simultaneously by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Acetonitrile was used to extract the sample, and the mixed sorbents were dispersed for purification. With the optimal conditions, the optimized pretreatment processes led to no significant interference on analysis from an extremely complicated sample matrix, and the linear ranges of 59 analytes were 0-480.0 µg/kg with the correlation coefficients above 0.99 and the limits of quantification (S/N≥10) were 5-40 µg/kg. Statistical evaluation revealed that the average recoveries were in the range of 61.2-131.2%, and relative standard deviations were in the range of 2.0-22.8%, meanwhile the interday precision ranged from 3.8 to 21.8%. This method is simple, fast, and credible, and it can be applied to simultaneous screening and determination of various classes of substances under investigations illegally presented in cosmetic products, covering a wide diversity of polarities, and pKa values.

[Survey on individual occupational health protection behaviors of welding workers using theory of reasoned action].

OBJECTIVE: To apply theory of reasoned action at survey on welding workers occupational health protection behaviors and explore related influencing factors. METHODS: nine companies were randomly selected from areas with many welding works in Zhejiang Province. All welding workers were surveyed using a questionnaire based on theory of reasoned action. RESULTS: 10.06%, 26.80% and 37.50% of the respondents never or seldom used eyeshade, mask and earplug, respectively. After controlling the socio-demographic factors, welding workers' behavioral belief was correlated with the behaviors of eyeshade-mask and earplug use (χ(2) = 31.88, 18.77 and 37.77, P < 0.01). the subjective norm of company was correlated with all protection behaviors (χ(2) = 20.60, 10.98 and 19.86, P < 0.01), the subjective norm of colleague was correlated with mask and earplug use, (χ(2) = 27.43, 36.39, P < 0.01), and the subjective norm of family was correlated with mask use (χ(2) = 5.73, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Theory of reasoned action is suitable for welding worker occupational health related behaviors. It is useful to improve occupational health education, to effectively select health education objective and to tailor health education contents.

Effect of enteral nutrition on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 7 groups (12 rats in each group). The blank control group was given ordinary laboratory feed and drinking water. The experimental groups received 5% DSS as drinking water for 7 days. Of the experimental groups, the model control group received ordinary laboratory feed, protein based enteral nutrition (PEN) was fed in the PEN group, while other groups received ordinary laboratory feed plus 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), methyl-prednisolone, Lactobacillus or glutamine, respectively. On the 8th day, all the rats were sacrificed. Inflammatory scores were assessed from colonic mucosa. Blood culture from inferior vena cava, fecal culture and secretary immunoglobulin-A (S-IgA) levels from colonic contents were determined. RESULTS: Colon inflammatory scores of Lactobacillus, PEN, glutamine and drug-treated groups were lower than that of the model control group (P < 0.01). The ratios of bacteria translocation in the EN (PEN, Lactobacillus and glutamine) groups were lower than that in the model control group (P < 0.0083). Fecal Lactobacilli in the Lactobacillus and glutamine groups were higher than that in the model control group (P < 0.05). S-IgA levels in colonic contents of the PEN and 5-ASA group were lower than that in the model control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EN is an effective therapy for treating DDS-induced colitis. EN could alleviate damage, promote the repair of colonic epithelial cells and inhibit bacterial translocation. Lactobacillus and glutamine could also increase the Lactobacilli in colon.

[Analysis of new pneumoconiosis cases during 2006-2009 in Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of pneumoconiosis cases in Zhejiang province and to provide the evidence for pneumoconiosis control and prevention measures in Zhejiang province. METHODS: The data of new pneumoconiosis cases were from national surveillance system of occupational disease in Zhejiang province during 2006-2009, and were analyzed for distribution, age, exposure duration, pneumoconiosis phases and enterprise types. RESULTS: During 2006-2009, 819 new pneumoconiosis cases (173, 157, 209 and 280 cases, respectively) were reported, 86.9% cases suffered from silicosis. Most of pneumoconiosis cases were distributed in Ningbo, Wenzhou areas and in building materials, machinery, coal, geological and mining, light industries and construction enterprise. The average ages of new pneumoconiosis cases were (47.8 +/- 10.0), (52.5 +/- 13.1), (55.5 +/- 11.2) and (55.9 +/- 12.2) years old, respectively and showed a significant increase trend (P<0.05). The average exposure duration of new pneumoconiosis cases were (12.4 +/- 8.6), (12.9 +/- 9.4), (12.4 +/- 8.6) and (15.7 +/- 10.0) years. The average exposure duration of phase I, phase II, phase III new pneumoconiosis cases were (14.3 +/- 9.87), (12.4 +/- 8.7) and (11.4 +/- 7.1) years, respectively and there were significant differences (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: New pneumoconiosis cases in Zhejiang province are increasing year by year, the main type of pneumoconiosis is silicosis, the distribution of pneumoconiosis cases is associated with the areas and enterprises, and the exposure duration of new pneumoconiosis cases is relatively shorter.

[Analysis of the contents of elements in spirulina from different producing areas].

Five samples of spirulina from different producing areas were analyzed and characterized with X-ray fluorescence analysis. The contents of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn in spinrulina samples from different producing areas were determined. The results show that spinrulinas are rich in microelements that human body needs. The spectra of main elements of spirulina from different producing areas are similar, but the content of each elements is different. The content of K is 5.00% averagely, the highest in the five samples, the content of Na is 0.352%, and the ratio of Na/K is 0.070 on average. The relationship between K, Na/K and medical care efficiency was studied. Lesser value of Na/K is helpful to hypertension patients. It was suggested that hypertension patients should take in less Na, but more K. This can help prevent and cure hypertension. The method proves to be simple, rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive, and can be used for simultaneous multielement determination. The authors' study provides a new scientific foundation for further study and general application of spirulina.

[Development of high speed UV-Vis spectrophotometer].

A high speed spectrophotometer based on a linear CCD was developed. The function and structure of the hardware and the software for the instrument were discussed. The elementary performance was tested as follows: wavelength range 200-820 nm, full spectrum scan time < 0.1 s, spectral bandwidth 0.7 nm, wavelength accuracy +/-1 nm, photometric accuracy +/- 0.005 AU, baseline flatness < 0.001 AU (rms), and stray light < 0.1%. Results showed that this instrument is easy to use, fast and with high analytical performance. In addition, it has internet function of remote control and remote access. With the powerful data processing and spectrum analyzing software, it will provide a strong tool for routine analysis and the research on dynamic reaction in chemistry and biology fields.

Intestinal microflora in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with liver cirrhosis have varying degrees of imbalance of the intestinal flora and probiotics can improve some of the symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction in these patients. In the present study, blood ammonia, fecal pH, fecal ammonia, and plasma endotoxin were measured after administration of two kinds of probiotics in order to detect the changes in intestinal flora. METHODS: Six bacteria and yeast were cultured and the colony forming units were counted. Fifty cirrhotic patients were randomized to receive probiotic capsules containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus, or probiotic capsules containing Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium for 14 days. Fecal flora, pH and ammonia, blood ammonia (detected by test paper) and plasma endotoxin (detected by LAL test kits) were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Patients with liver cirrhosis had varying degrees of imbalance of the intestinal flora as shown by a decrease in the Bifidobacterium count (10.04 +/- 0.78 vs 9.48 +/- 1.13, P < 0.05). The severity of the imbalance was matched by that of liver dysfunction, with the most serious imbalance observed in Child-Pugh C patients. Both types of probiotic increased the Bifidobacterium count (9.46 +/- 1.09 vs 10.30 +/- 1.11, 9.81 +/- 0.62 vs 10.44 +/- 1.08, respectively, P < 0.05) and reduced the levels of fecal pH and fecal and blood ammonia (P < 0.05). Probiotics containing B. subtilis and E. faecium reduced the level of endotoxin in cirrhotic patients with endotoxemia (0.0876 +/- 0.0117 Eu/mL vs 0.0685 +/- 0.0246 Eu/mL, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with liver cirrhosis have an imbalance of intestinal bacteria flora. Probiotics effectively increased the Bifidobacterium count and reduced the level of fecal pH and fecal and blood ammonia.

[The simultaneous measurements of time-dependent laser-induced fluorescence intensity of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether in animal tissues with rheumatoid arthritis].

Since the selectivity of photodynamic therapy (PDT) depends on the distribution of a photosensitizer in a tissue during the treatment, an investigation of drug distribution is a key step for performing PDT effectively. The distribution of photosensitizer absorbed in tissues is adjusted by the animal body system, so an apparatus that can measure the fluorescence intensity of photosensitizer in different tissues of the same body simultaneously is in demand. To achieve precise estimate of tissue selectivity of the photosensitizer, a spatially separated three-channel laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system was set up and employed in the present study to measure the fluorescence intensity of Hematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether (HMME) in different tissues of the same body simultaneously. The time-dependent variations in the concentrations of HMME within the skin,cartilage, normal synovium and inflammatory synovium of rabbit were monitored in vivo. The results obtained showed that the synovium has higher absorptivity of HMME thanthe skin and cartilage. The difference is distinct from the very beginning of injection. Although the quantity of HMME absorbed in the inflammatory synovium is not very high in the first 20 min, it is still 6 times higher than that in the skin and cartilage. In addition, the absorptivity of HMME is much stronger for the inflammatory synovium than that for the normal synovium. If thelaser beam irradiates outside the joint for the rheumatoid arthritis, tissues around the inflammatory synovium have less HMME, thereby causing weak PDT effect. This would help reduce the side effect of PDT. Thus we suggest that for PDT treated rheumatoid arthritis, taking the first 20 min after the injection for outside-the-joint excitation employing HMME maybe a good choice.

Prevention of pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy with separate internal drainage of bile and pancreatic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new reconstructional procedure to decrease the complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Separate internal drainage of bile and pancreatic fluid in pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 256 patients. The digestive tract was reconstructed with Child method, with invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy using a long silastic tube to drain pancreatic fluid internally, an end-to-side choledochojejunostomy and an end-to-side duodenojejunostomy or gastrojejunostomy. Gastrostomy drainage was also performed. RESULTS: No complications of pancreatic leakage were found. CONCLUSION: The separate internal drainage of bile and pancreatic fluid plays an important role in preventing pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leakage.