Interferon-γ release assay and mantoux response in infants with tuberculous meningitis in low and intermediate burden countries.

AIM: Until now, the performance of interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) and Mantoux tests remains unclear in infant tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Therefore, a systematic review is performed to evaluate the sensitivity of IGRA and Mantoux tests for the diagnosis of infant TBM in low and intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden countries, while following PRISMA. METHODS: Several databases, including PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were searched. Articles describing the results of IGRA or Mantoux tests among infant TBM were included for analysis. Data, such as age, sex, Mantoux test or IGRA, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microbiological examinations (such as acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, TB PCR, and TB culture), were extracted from each study. RESULTS: A total of 31 articles were enrolled for further analysis, including 48 cases. The mean age was 9.4 ± 5.8 months and boys accounted for 57.1% of infants (24/42). Mantoux test was positive in 57.4% (27/47) of tested infants and IGRA was positive in 77.8% (7/9) of infants. In addition, among the infants with confirmed TB, 18 (52.9%, 18/34) of them have positive Mantoux responses and 7 (20.0%, 7/35) have positive IGRA results. CONCLUSIONS: In low or intermediate TB burden countries, the Mantoux test has a poor performance for diagnosing TBM among infants, and IGRAs appear to have a moderate sensitivity for the diagnosis of infant TBM.

Down-regulation of MANNANASE7 gene in Brassica napus L. enhances silique dehiscence-resistance.

KEY MESSAGE: MANNANASE7 gene in Brassica napus L. encodes a hemicellulose which located at cell wall or extracellular space and dehiscence-resistance can be manipulated by altering the expression of MANNANASE7. Silique dehiscence is an important physiological process in plant reproductive development, but causes heavy yield loss in crops. The lack of dehiscence-resistant germplasm limits the application of mechanized harvesting and greatly restricts the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) production. Hemicellulases, together with cellulases and pectinases, play important roles in fruit development and maturation. The hemicellulase gene MANNANASE7 (MAN7) was previously shown to be involved in the development and dehiscence of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) siliques. Here, we cloned BnaA07g12590D (BnMAN7A07), an AtMAN7 homolog from rapeseed, and demonstrate its function in the dehiscence of rapeseed siliques. We found that BnMAN7A07 was expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs and significantly highly expressed in leaves, flowers and siliques where the abscission or dehiscence process occurs. Subcellular localization experiment showed that BnMAN7A07 was localized in the cell wall. The biological activity of the BnMAN7A07 protein isolated and purified through prokaryotic expression system was verified to catalyse the decomposition of xylan into xylose. Phenotypic studies of RNA interference (RNAi) lines revealed that down-regulation of BnMAN7A07 in rapeseed could significantly enhance silique dehiscence-resistance. In addition, the expression of upstream silique development regulators is altered in BnMAN7A07-RNAi plants, suggesting that a possible feedback regulation mechanism exists in the regulation network of silique dehiscence. Our results demonstrate that dehiscence-resistance can be manipulated by altering the expression of hemicellulase gene BnMAN7A07, which could provide an available genetic resource for breeding practice in rapeseed which is beneficial to mechanized harvest.

Genome-wide identification of the NPR1-like gene family in Brassica napus and functional characterization of BnaNPR1 in resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

KEY MESSAGE: The BnaNPR1-like gene family was identified in B. napus, and it was revealed that repression of BnaNPR1 significantly reduces resistance toS. sclerotiorum, intensifies ROS accumulation, and changes the expression of genes associated with SA and JA/ET signaling in response to this pathogen. The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES1 (NPR1) and related NPR1-like genes play an important role in regulating plant defense. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop; however, little is known about the B. napus (Bna) NPR1-like gene family. Here, a total of 19 BnaNPR1-like genes were identified in the B. napus genome, and then named according to their respective best match in Arabidopsis thaliana (At), which led to the determination of B. napus homologs of every AtNPR1-like gene. Analysis of important protein domains and functional motifs indicated the conservation and variation among these homologs. Phylogenetic analysis of these BnaNPR1-like proteins and their Arabidopsis homologs revealed six distinct sub-clades, consequently indicating that their name classification totally conformed to their phylogenetic relationships. Further, B. napus transcriptomic data showed that the expression of three BnaNPR1s was significantly down-regulated in response to infection with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the most important pathogen of this crop, whereas BnaNPR2/3/4/5/6s did not show the expression differences in general. Further, we generated B. napus BnaNPR1-RNAi lines to interpret the effect of the down-regulated expression of BnaNPR1s on resistance to S. sclerotiorum. The results showed that BnaNPR1-RNAi significantly decreased this resistance. Further experiments revealed that BnaNPR1-RNAi intensified ROS production and changed defense responses in the interaction of plants with this pathogen. These results indicated that S. sclerotiorum might use BnaNPR1 to regulate specific physiological processes of B. napus, such as ROS production and SA defense response, for the infection.

Effect of sitagliptin combined with Yiqi yangyin huoxue decoction on clinical efficacy and hemorheology in early diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Early diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complication of diabetes mellitus. It mainly affects kidney microvessels and glomerular function, and its timely and effective treatment is critical for early DN. However, the effects of treatments comprising simple Western medicine are not optimal. With the promotion and implementation of integrated Chinese and western medicine treatments, remarkable results have been achieved for many diseases. To this end, we explored the clinical efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicines for the treatment of early DN. AIM: To investigate the effect of sitagliptin tablets combined with Yiqi yangyin huoxue decoction on clinical efficacy and hemorheology in patients with early DN. METHODS: Through a retrospective analysis, 123 patients with early DN were admitted to the endocrinology clinic of the Changzhou NO. 7 People's Hospital from January 2021 to October 2022 and were selected as study subjects. After rigorous screening, 100 patients with early DN were enrolled. The control group (CG, n = 50) and the observation group (OG, n = 50) were divided according to the treatment method. The CG were treated with sitagliptin, and the OG were treated with sitagliptin plus the Yiqi yangyin huoxue decoction. Both groups were treated for 3 mo. For both groups, the baseline data and clinical efficacy were compared, and changes in blood glucose levels, lipid levels, renal function, and hematological indicators before (T0) and after (T1) treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The total effective rate for the OG was 94.00% and that of the CG was 80.00% (P < 0.05). After treatment (T1), the levels of fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in OG patients were obviously lower than those in the CG (P < 0.05), and cystatin C, homocysteine, urinary microalbumin, and blood creatinine values in OG patients were also obviously lower than those in the CG (P < 0.05); erythrocyte deposition, plasma viscosity, whole blood high shear viscosity, and whole blood low shear viscosity were markedly lower in OG patients than in the CG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sitagliptin combined with Yiqi yangyin huoxue decoction has a remarkable effect when used to treat patients with early DN. Further, it is helpful in improving hemorheological indices and controlling disease progression.

Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacteroides fragilis Induced Differential Immune Regulation of Enteric Glial Cells Subjected to Exogenous Inflammatory Stimulation.

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are involved in intestinal inflammation. In this study, we will investigate how Bifidobacterium bifidum (B.b.) and Bacteroides fragilis (B.f.) influence EGC regulation. After pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), the expressions of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), CD80, CD86, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in EGCs were detected using polymerase chain reaction and western blot after co-culture with the supernatants of B.b. or B.f. (multiplicity of infection, 40:1 or 80:1). Finally, EGCs were co-cultured with naive CD4+ T cells, and the expressions of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 in supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of MHC-II and CD86 in EGCs were increased after combined stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ. The expressions of MHC-II, GDNF, TLR-2, and TNF-α were all significantly upregulated in stimulated EGCs. The B.b. supernatant downregulated the expressions of MHC-II, GDNF, TLR-2, and TNF-α in stimulated EGCs, whereas the B.f. supernatant upregulated TLR-2 expression and downregulated MHC-II expression. The expressions of IL-4, IL-2, and IL-17 after co-culture of naive CD4+ T cells and stimulated EGCs were significantly increased. The supernatant of B.b. or B.f. downregulated the expressions of these cytokines. The low-concentration B.b. supernatant upregulated IL-10 expression. Conclusions B.b. and B.f. may influence intestinal inflammation by regulating MHC-II, GDNF, TLR-2, and TNF-α expression in EGCs and IL-4, IL-2, IL-17, and IL-10 secretion.

[Absorbance of infrared bands and anomalous absorption].

To remove the background signals from an IR spectrum is very useful and ideally all that remain in an IR spectrum are the desired absorption bands. Unfortunately, the removal of background bands is not always completely effective. In the present paper, an absorbance spectrum was obtained by scanning the same sample (polystyrene film or stearic acid KBr disc) both in background and sample single-beam measurements. It was found that a series of residual spikes appear in the strong absorption regions. The residuals are significantly different from that of random noise. There should be a nearly straight line according to theory analysis while spikes appear. Therefore those spikes are called anomalous absorption The experimental results indicate that anomalous absorption is related to the absorbance of infrared bands. If the absorbance of an infrared band is lower than 1.0, anomalous absorption can be suppressed thoroughly. In addition, absorption anomalies can be substantially reduced by reducing the spectral resolution of the spectrum. The reasons for anomalous absorption were discussed and how to prevent the appearance of anomalous absorption by selecting appropriate background samples were suggested.

Effect of dietary selenium intake on gut microbiota in older population in Enshi region.

BACKGROUND: The microbial ecosystem in the human gut varies between individuals with differences in diet. Selenium is one of most common trace elements in everyday diet, and selenium intake affects the human gut microbiota. We studied the effect of selenium intake on the gut microbiota in regions of Enshi with different distributions of selenium. METHODS: One hundred elderly subjects (>65 years) were recruited from high-selenium and low-selenium areas in Enshi and blood, nail, and fecal specimens were obtained. The selenium contents in these samples were determined in triplicate by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. DNA was extracted from fecal specimens and the microbial diversity was analyzed by 16 S RNA. RESULTS: The selenium contents in the blood and nails were significantly different between the high- and low-selenium areas, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota, including abundance and extent of intestinal flora, was altered. The function and metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota showed clear differences. CONCLUSIONS: As a trace element in human diet, selenium intake is an important factor that affects the intestinal microbiota and is likely involved in many human diseases. This study provides new clues and ideas for studying the correlation between selenium and human health.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0072309 promotes tumorigenesis and invasion by regulating the miR-607/FTO axis in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abnormally expressed in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, the contributions of circRNAs to the tumorigenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), one of the subtypes of NSCLC, remain unclear. Based on a microarray assay, we found that hsa_circ_0072309 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC compared with matched normal samples. Moreover, functional experiments demonstrated that hsa_circ_0072309 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. In vitro precipitation of circRNAs, luciferase reporter assays, and biotin-coupled microRNA capture assays were carried out to investigate the mechanisms by which hsa_circ_0072309 regulates NSCLC. Through the above work, we found that hsa_circ_0072309 interacted with miR-607 via its miRNA response element to upregulate the expression of FTO, an m6A demethylase and downstream target of miR-607, thus promoting tumorigenesis of NSCLC. In total, our findings indicated the oncogenic role of hsa_circ_0072309 in NSCLC and provide a potential target for treatment.

Relatively high bone mineral density in Chinese adolescent dancers despite lower energy intake and menstrual disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of dietary restriction, intense exercise and menstrual dysfunction on bone mineral density remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the skeletal health status and relationship between bone mineral density and nutrient intake, menstrual status, estrogen level and other factos in Chinese adolescent dancers. METHODS: Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls underwent measurements of bone density, body composition, and estrogen level. Nutrient intake, menstrual status and physical activity were assessed with questionnaires. The correlation between these factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The dancers under study had a significantly lean body mass index (18.3 +/- 1.4 kg/m2 vs. 21.7 +/- 3.1 kg/m2), lower percentage of body fat (0.25 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.04) and later age at menarche (14.0 +/- 0.9 y vs. 13.0 +/- 1.3 y), and the estrogen level, daily calorie and fat intake in them were also lower than in the controls. All the dancers undertook intensive physical activity every day and up to 69% of them suffered from irregular menarche. Yet they had relatively high BMD and BMC of the total body and legs than the controls after adjusting for BMI and age. Site-specific BMD was positively correlated to BMI, body composition and training hours per week and negatively correlated to the age at menarche and menstrual frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high BMD and BMC of the dancers at the total body and legs were probably caused by high levels of weight-bearing physical activity. To ameliorate disordered eating, especially low energy intake might be helpful to prevent the Triad and to improve the bone health in adolescent dancers.

Infrared band assignments and structure of even-numbered 2-alkyl-7,7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane in cast films--two components of the CH2 scissoring vibrations not related to crystal field splitting.

Infrared (IR) spectra were measured for 2-octyl-, 2-dodecyl-, and 2-octadecyl-7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (C8TCNQ, C12 TCNQ and C18 TCNQ) in cast films, and it was found that each spectrum shows two components for the CH2 scissoring band at 1 471 and 1 462 cm(-1). Polarized IR measurements showed that the micro-crystallites in the cast films take a random orientation in the plane of the plate. The intensity ratio of the two bands at 1 471 and 1 462 cm(-1) (I1 471/I1 462) decreases observably with the increase in the length of the alkyl chain. Moreover, the relative intensity of the 1 471 cm(-1) CH2 band to a band at 1 529 cm(-1) (C=C stretching mode of the TCNQ chromophore ring) does not change significantly for the three kinds of C(n) TCNQ while the relative intensity of the 1 462 cm(-1) CH2 band to the band at 1 529 cm(-1) increases markedly with the length of the alkyl chain. The above variations of the CH2 scissoring doublet of C(n) TCNQ are quite different from those of long-chain fatty acids (stearic acid and lignoceric acid) where the splitting of the CH2 scissoring vibration occurs due to a crystal field splitting. Considering the crystal structure of C12 TCNQ and the above spectral variations, the authors assign the two components of the CH2 scissoring bands at 1 462 and 1 471 cm(-1) of the C(n) TCNQ cast films to the interdigitated and non-interdigitated parts of the alkyl chains, respectively. Furthermore, the conclusion that the length of the non-interdigitated part of the alkyl chain is almost unchanged in the three kinds of even-numbered C(n) TCNQ could also be reached.

Research progress on the source, production, and anti-cancer mechanisms of paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel, a tetracyclic diterpenoid compounds, was firstly isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew trees. Currently, as a low toxicity, high efficiency, and broad-spectrum natural anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel has been widely used against ovarian cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, and other cancers. As the matter of fact, natural paclitaxel from Taxus species has been proved to be environmentally unsustainable and economically unfeasible. For this reason, researchers from all over the world are devoted to searching for new ways of obtaining paclitaxel. At present, other methods, including artificial cultivation of Taxus plants, microbial fermentation, chemical synthesis, tissue and cell culture have been sought and developed subsequently. Meanwhile, the biosynthesis of paclitaxel is also an extremely attractive method. Unlike other anti-cancer drugs, paclitaxel has its unique anti-cancer mechanisms. Here, the source, production, and anti-cancer mechanisms of paclitaxel were summarized and reviewed, which can provide theoretical basis and reference for further research on the production, anti-cancer mechanisms and utilization of paclitaxel.

BnaMPK6 is a determinant of quantitative disease resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in oilseed rape.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes a devastating disease in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), resulting in major economic losses. Resistance response of B. napus against S. sclerotiorum exhibits a typical quantitative disease resistance (QDR) characteristic, but the molecular determinants of this QDR are largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a B. napus mitogen-activated protein kinase gene, BnaMPK6, and found that BnaMPK6 expression is highly responsive to infection by S. sclerotiorum and treatment with salicylic acid (SA) or jasmonic acid (JA). Moreover, overexpression (OE) of BnaMPK6 significantly enhances resistance to S. sclerotiorum, whereas RNAi in BnaMPK6 significantly reduces this resistance. These results showed that BnaMPK6 plays an important role in defense to S. sclerotiorum. Furthermore, expression of defense genes associated with SA-, JA- and ethylene (ET)-mediated signaling was investigated in BnaMPK6-RNAi, WT and BnaMPK6-OE plants after S. sclerotiorum infection, and consequently, it was indicated that the activation of ET signaling by BnaMPK6 may play a role in the defense. Further, four BnaMPK6-encoding homologous loci were mapped in the B. napus genome. Using the allele analysis and expression analysis on the four loci, we demonstrated that the locus BnaA03.MPK6 makes an important contribution to QDR against S. sclerotiorum. Our data indicated that BnaMPK6 is a previously unknown determinant of QDR against S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.

The Influence of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacteroides fragilis on Enteric Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factors and Inflammasome.

Enteric glial cells (EGCs) and enteric glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are directly involved in intestinal inflammation. In this study, we sought to examine the possible mechanisms for how Bifidobacterium bifidum (B.b.) and Bacteroides fragilis (B.f.) influence EGC regulation. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were used as exogenous stimuli of EGCs to establish an intestinal inflammation model. After stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ, B.b. and B.f. supernatants were used to activate EGCs and to examine EGC immune mechanisms. For this purpose, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were used to detect the expression of NLRP3, NLRP6, NGF, NT-3, IL-18, IL-1ß, and caspase-1. We found that EGCs, after stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ, could express NLRP3, NLRP6, NT-3, NGF, IL-18, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 through LSCM. In intestinal inflammation, B.b. and B.f. could trigger an increase in NGF and NT-3 expression in EGCs in order to protect the intestine. Furthermore, B.b. and B.f. could upregulate NLRP3 expression in EGCs and promote an inflammatory response. B.b. had a dual regulatory role in EGC NLRP6 expression, while B.f. inhibited NLRP6 protein expression. Moreover, B.b. could decrease the expression of IL-18, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 in EGCs in order to inhibit the inflammatory response. Contrary to this, B.f. could upregulate IL-18, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 expression in EGCs in order to promote the inflammatory response. B.b. and B.f. can influence the expression of NGF, NT-3, NLRP3, NLRP6, IL-18, IL-1ß, and caspase-1 in EGCs in order to inhibit or promote intestinal inflammation.

Evolutionary rate patterns of the Gibberellin pathway genes.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of molecular evolutionary patterns of different genes within metabolic pathways allows us to determine whether these genes are subject to equivalent evolutionary forces and how natural selection shapes the evolution of proteins in an interacting system. Although previous studies found that upstream genes in the pathway evolved more slowly than downstream genes, the correlation between evolutionary rate and position of the genes in metabolic pathways as well as its implications in molecular evolution are still less understood. RESULTS: We sequenced and characterized 7 core structural genes of the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway from 8 representative species of the rice tribe (Oryzeae) to address alternative hypotheses regarding evolutionary rates and patterns of metabolic pathway genes. We have detected significant rate heterogeneity among 7 GA pathway genes for both synonymous and nonsynonymous sites. Such rate variation is mostly likely attributed to differences of selection intensity rather than differential mutation pressures on the genes. Unlike previous argument that downstream genes in metabolic pathways would evolve more slowly than upstream genes, the downstream genes in the GA pathway did not exhibited the elevated substitution rate and instead, the genes that encode either the enzyme at the branch point (GA20ox) or enzymes catalyzing multiple steps (KO, KAO and GA3ox) in the pathway had the lowest evolutionary rates due to strong purifying selection. Our branch and codon models failed to detect signature of positive selection for any lineage and codon of the GA pathway genes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that significant heterogeneity of evolutionary rate of the GA pathway genes is mainly ascribed to differential constraint relaxation rather than the positive selection and supports the pathway flux theory that predicts that natural selection primarily targets enzymes that have the greatest control on fluxes.

Correlation of serum leptin level with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in Chinese adolescent dancers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate plasma leptin concentrations in adolescent female dancers and to determine whether leptin has some effects on their bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. METHODS: Sixty dancers aged 15-17 years and 77 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Two bone turnover markers, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP), were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The dancers had a lower fat mass and a lower leptin level than the controls, while they had a relatively higher BMD of the total body and legs after adjustment for BMI and age. The levels of bone resorption and formation of markers were higher in the dancers than in the controls. Leptin was positively correlated with BMI, body weight, fat mass, and percentage of body fat. In dancers, Leptin was positively correlated with the BMD of the total body and the left leg. However, after adjustment for BMI, no correlation of serum leptin concentrations with BMD values was found in either dancers or controls. Nor correlation was found between leptin and bone turnover markers after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSION: The leptin profile is different between the controls and the dancers with a lower BMI and a lower fat mass. Circulating plasma leptin level depends on BMI and is not a direct determinant of BMD in Chinese adolescent dancers.

[The differences in bone mineral content between female dancers and controls aged 15 - 17 years old and its relationship with physical activity level].

OBJECTIVE: To assess bone mineral content (BMC) of 15 - 17 year-old dancers and high school females and analyze the relationship between physical activity status and BMC. METHODS: Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls aged 15 - 17 years old were enrolled in our study. BMC in the total body and forearm were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) while body weight and height were also measured. Physical activity information was collected by "one-year physical activity questionnaire". RESULTS: The physical activity level (PAL) and the average daily energy expenditure (EE) of dancers were all higher than controls (PAL: 2.17 +/- 0.34 vs 1.63 +/- 0.34, t = 7.283; EE: (6876.43 +/- 1036.72) kJ vs (5388.43 +/- 920.83) kJ, t = 7.214, both P values < 0.01). The dancers showed lower BMC/height at total body and arms compared with the controls (the total body BMC/height was (13.896 +/- 1.308) vs (14.494 +/- 1.272) g/cm, F = -2.563); and the BMC/height of left and right arm were (0.779 +/- 0.088) vs (0.829 +/- 0.101) g/cm (F = -2.892) and (0.766 +/- 0.093) vs (0.829 +/- 0.097) g/cm (F = -3.650) respectively, all these P values were < 0.01.Yet after adjusting age and BMI, the dancers showed higher BMC/height at total body and legs, the corresponding values were (14.550 +/- 0.146) vs (13.947 +/- 0.131) g/cm (F = 7.868), (2.681 +/- 0.033) vs (2.389 +/- 0.030) g/cm (F = 36.520), (2.821 +/- 0.031) vs (2.450 +/- 0.028) g/cm (F = 65.279), all these P values were < 0.01. While no differences were found with controls at non-weight bearing sites (arms). Daily period (h) of training was significantly related to BMC/height of legs, total body (r value were 0.618, 0.448 and 0.554 respectively, all the P values < 0.01), while the history of training was also correlated with BMC/height of two legs (r value were 0.38 and 0.304 respectively, both P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The adolescent dancers showed higher BMC after adjusting age and BMI, which was attributed to the long-term high level weight-bearing physical activity.

[Viral factors influencing histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between viral factors and liver histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels (PNAL). METHODS: HBV DNA level, HBV genotype, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore mutation were examined in 52 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with PNAL (defined as normal ALT measured on at least 3 occasions in the intervals of about two months over a period of 12 months or more prior to the biopsy). RESULTS: Subjects with both BCP and precore mutations had significantly higher HBV DNA levels than those without mutations [(4.9+/-1.4) vs (4.1+/-1.1) log(10)copies/ml, t = 2.308, P < 0.05]. A higher proportion of patients with histological activity index (HAI) > or = to 4 was found in patients with both mutations (32.1% vs 16.7%) than in patients without mutation, however, the proportion of patients with histological activity index (HAI) > or = to 3 in patients with mutations was not significantly different from that in patients without mutations (14.3% vs. 12.5%, x(2)=0.000, P > 0.05). In patients without precore or BCP mutations, there was a strong positive correlation between viral load and liver inflammation as well as fibrosis (precore: r=0.626, 0.592, P < 0.01; BCP: r=0.730, 0.641, P < 0.01). In patients without both mutations, HBV DNA has shown a high accuracy for predecting fibrosis (F > or = 3) (AUC = 0.905, 95% CI: 0.771-1.039, P < 0.05) with the cutoff value of 4.5 log(10) copies/ml (sensitivity = 1.000, specificity = 0.778, PPV = 42.9%, NPV = 100.0%). Results of both genotypes and mutations were successfully obtained in 40 samples with HBV DNA is > or = to 10(4) copies/ml. The higher viral load was observed in the patients with genotype B than genotype C (5.1 vs 4.3 log(10)copies/ml, t = 2.059, P < 0.05), but no difference was seen of liver pathologic changes between these two genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Virus harboring both BCP and precore mutants has the higher replication level than wild type virus. 32.1% and 14.3% of the patients with both mutations have moderate or severe inflammation and fibrosis. There was a strong positive correlation between viral load and liver histological changes in patients without precore or BCP mutations, and viral load shows a high accuracy for predecting significant fibrosis (F > or = 3).

[Renal dysfunction and survival in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure: a retrospective analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of renal dysfunction on survival in hospitalized chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we collected all clinical data from eligible patients hospitalized in the second hospital of Tianjin Medical University between Jan 1980 and Aug 2007. CHF patients were divided into three groups according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR): A, normal renal function; B, mild renal dysfunction; C, renal dysfunction. Patients in group C were further divided into three subgroups according to hospitalization year: D, 1980.01 - 1989.12; E, 1990.01 - 1999.12; F, 2000.01 - 2007.08. RESULTS: Renal dysfunction was found in 714 patients. Compared with group A (n = 817) and group B (n = 928), patients in group C were older, had worse heart function and major medications included nitrates, diuretics and digitalis. From 1980 to 2007, use of Angiotensin II receptor antagonist, beta-blocker, statins significantly increased and the in-hospital mortality significantly decreased in group C patients. Percent of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use was the highest in 1990s. The hospital stay was significantly longer and all cause in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in group C compared to group A and group B (all P < 0.01). After adjustment for other risk factors by multivariate analysis, renal dysfunction was an independent risk factor of in-hospital all cause mortality. Patients faced 16.7% higher risk of all cause in-hospital mortality for every 10 mlxmin(-1) x1.73 m(-2) decrease in GFR. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of renal dysfunction was high in CHF patients. The hospital stay was longer, in-hospital all-cause mortality was higher in CHF patients with renal dysfunction compared to CHF patients without or with mild renal dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was an independent risk factor for all-cause in-hospital mortality. Increased use of ACEI, ARB, beta-blocker and statins might be responsible for reduced in-hospital mortality in CHF with renal dysfunction patients in recent years.

[Transformation and distribution of straw-derived carbon in soil and the effects on soil organic carbon pool: A review]. / è¿˜ç”°ç§¸ç§†ç¢³åœ¨åœŸå£¤ä¸­çš„è½¬åŒ–åˆ†é åŠå¯¹åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³åº“å½±å“çš„ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Farmland soil organic carbon (SOC) pool is a crucial component of global carbon cycle. Due to the widely-implemented straw returning, crop straws have become the primary exogenous carbon source for agricultural soils. The conversion and distribution of straw-derived carbon in soil directly affect the composition and contents of SOC, with further influence on soil nutrient cycling. Based on recent studies, this review investigated the factors impacting the transformation and distribution of straw-carbon; introduced the microbial composition that contributes to the assimilation of carbon from straw; and summarized the effects of straw-carbon on the composition, content, and turnover of SOC. Additionally, we proposed the future research regarding the effects of abiotic factors on the bio-transformation of straw-carbon; the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors during the straw carbon transformation processes; the coupling of carbon and nitrogen from straws into the soil carbon and nitrogen cycles; and the effective control over the transformation of straw-carbon that enters the active or stable soil organic carbon pool. The purpose was to reveal variation characteristics of SOC during straw returning, and provide theoretical basis and technical support for the efficient fertilization and carbon sequestration of straw returning.

Recent Advances in Mechanisms of Plant Defense to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is an unusual pathogen which has the broad host range, diverse infection modes, and potential double feeding lifestyles of both biotroph and necrotroph. It is capable of infecting over 400 plant species found worldwide and more than 60 names have agriculturally been used to refer to diseases caused by this pathogen. Plant defense to S. sclerotiorum is a complex biological process and exhibits a typical quantitative disease resistance (QDR) response. Recent studies using Arabidopsis thaliana and crop plants have obtained new advances in mechanisms used by plants to cope with S. sclerotiorum infection. In this review, we focused on our current understanding on plant defense mechanisms against this pathogen, and set up a model for the defense process including three stages: recognition of this pathogen, signal transduction and defense response. We also have a particular interest in defense signaling mediated by diverse signaling molecules. We highlight the current challenges and unanswered questions in both the defense process and defense signaling. Essentially, we discussed candidate resistance genes newly mapped by using high-throughput experiments in important crops, and classified these potential gene targets into different stages of the defense process, which will broaden our understanding of the genetic architecture underlying quantitative resistance to S. sclerotiorum. We proposed that more powerful mapping population(s) will be required for accurate and reliable QDR gene identification.