Amphiphilic Covalent Organic Framework Nanoparticles for Pickering Emulsion Catalysis with Size Selectivity.

Exploiting advanced amphiphilic solid catalysts is crucial to the development of Pickering emulsion catalysis. Herein, covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles constructed with highly hydrophobic monomers as linkers were found to show superior amphiphilicity and they were then developed as a new class of solid emulsifiers for Pickering emulsion catalysis. Employing amphiphilic COFs as solid emulsifiers, Pickering emulsions with controllable emulsion type and droplet sizes were obtained. COF materials have also been demonstrated to serve as porous surface coatings to replace traditional surface modifications for stabilizing Pickering emulsions. After implanting Pd nanoparticles into amphiphilic COFs, the obtained catalyst displayed a 3.9 times higher catalytic efficiency than traditional amphiphilic solid catalysts with surface modifications in the biphasic oxidation reaction of alcohols. Such an enhanced activity was resulted from the high surface area and regular porous structure of COFs. More importantly, because of their tunable pore diameters, Pickering emulsion catalysis with remarkable size selectivity was achieved. This work is the first example that COFs were applied in Pickering emulsion catalysis, providing a platform for exploring new frontiers of Pickering emulsion catalysis.

A mini-review of heavy metal recycling technologies for municipal solid waste incineration fly ash.

This mini-review article summarizes the available technologies for the recycling of heavy metals (HMs) in municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA). Recovery technologies included thermal separation (TS), chemical extraction (CE), bioleaching, and electrochemical processes. The reaction conditions of various methods, the efficiency of recovering HMs from MSWI FA and the difficulties and solutions in the process of technical development were studied. Evaluation of each process has also been done to determine the best HM recycling method and future challenges. Results showed that while bioleaching had minimal environmental impact, the process was time-consuming. TS and CE were the most mature technologies, but the former process was not cost-effective. Overall, it has the greatest economic potential to recover metals by CE with scrubber liquid produced by a wet air pollution control system. An electrochemical process or solvent extraction could then be applied to recover HMs from the enriched leachate. Ongoing development of TS and bioleaching technologies could reduce the treatment cost or time.

[Data Integration and Information Sharing of Parasite Resources in Fujian Province].

Objective: To establish parasite library and database in Fujian Province by integrating information on human-animal coinfecting parasites, vectors and　intermediates, in the aim of resource sharing. Methods: According to the Standards and Technical Regulation for Preservation of Parasitic Germplasm Resources set by the Resource Sharing Platform for Parasitic and Tropical Diseases(referred to as Germplasm Resource Sharing Platform), the preserved and newly discovered parasitic germplasm resources in Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention were categorized, information described, preserved and displayed, and the information sharing was made through the Germplasm Resource Sharing Platform. Results: The library and database on parasites, medical vectors, and hosts were established. The library was comprised of 1 020 parasite specimens, vectors and hosts, including 100 （9.8%） adult worm specimens, 120（11.7%） eggs and larvae, and 800（78.4%） vectors and hosts. Information digitalization was achieved for 61 resources, including 9 species of nematodes, 16 species of trematodes, 7 species of tapeworms, 16 different medical mollusks, and 13 different medical arthropods, resulting in 3 150 pieces of information and 6 300 images. The database was integrated into the Germplasm Resource Sharing Platform for resource sharing. Conclusion: The library and database on parasite gemplasm resources in Fujian Province has been established. Information sharing is made available through the Germplasm Resource Sharing Platform.

The effective dose of remimazolam in adult gastroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore the median effective dose (ED50) and the dose required for successful anesthesia in 95% of the patients (ED95) of remimazolam for intravenous anesthesia in adult outpatients undergoing gastroscopy. METHODS: This pilot study was conducted in patients scheduled to undergo painless gastroscopy at the authors' hospital between March 15, 2022 and March 25, 2022. The ED of remimazolam was determined using the modified Dixon sequential method, using an initial induction dose of 0.2 mg/kg. With successful or failed anesthesia, the remimazolam dose was decreased or increased by 0.05 mg/kg for the next patient, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (43.6 ± 10.5 years of age) were enrolled. During gastroscopy, the remimazolam induction dose was 19.93 ± 2.96 mg (0.2-0.45 mg/kg). Eighteen patients could complete anesthesia with remimazolam alone, and four patients needed propofol to complete anesthesia. The induction time after the injection of remimazolam was 20.8 ± 8.4 s, the gastroscopy time was 5.1 ± 1.3 min, and the anesthesia recovery time was 17.5 ± 5.6 min. The ED50 and the ED95 of remimazolam were 0.362 mg/kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.313-0.455 mg/kg) and 0.464 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.403-2.242 mg/kg), respectively. The vital signs of all patients remained within the predefined acceptable limits. No patients required antagonist rescue. CONCLUSION: The ED50 and ED95 of remimazolam for adult gastroscopy were 0.362 mg/kg and 0.464 mg/kg, respectively. Additional anesthetics might be required during gastroscopy in some patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered. The number is ChiCTR2200057446.

Evaluation for the effect of low-carbon city pilot policy: evidence from industry in China.

The investigation of the implementation effect of the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy in promoting industrial low-carbon development is important for economic growth and carbon reduction in China. This paper takes the industry sector as an independent investigation object, and aims to examine the effectiveness of the policy in improving industrial low-carbon development. The industrial total factor carbon emission efficiency index (ITFCEE) is constructed to measure the level of industrial low-carbon development by the global frontier directional distance function. From the perspective of the multiple participants of the policy, we analyze the mechanisms of the policy, and construct the time-varying difference-in-difference model to test how LCCP policy impacts the ITFCEE. We conclude that (1) LCCP policy improves significantly the ITFCEE. (2) Heterogeneity analysis results show that the positive influence of LCCP policy is significant in cities with high industrial carbon emission intensity, high industrial structure upgrading, and high government expenditure. (3) The result of the mechanism analysis is that LCCP policy can benefit the ITFCEE by promoting enterprise green technology innovation, public environment concern, government technology support, and administrative regulation.

[Prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in snails for sale in Fuzhou and Xiamen].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in snails for sale from Fuzhou and Xiamen of Fujian Province. METHODS: During 2009-2012, two markets and five restaurants from each city were selected as surveillance sites. A. cantonensis infection rate in Pomacea canaliculata, Bellamya aeruginosa and Cipangopaludina cathayensis was examined two times per month. More than 50 P. canaliculata or C. cathayensis, and about 500 g B. aeruginosa were collected in each site. A. cantonensis larvae infection was determined by lung-microscopy in P. canaliculata, and by tissue homogenate method in C. cathayensis and B. aeruginosa, respectively. RESULTS: In markets, a total of 5,744 P. canaliculata were collected, and the infection rate of A. cantonensis larvae was 13.8% (753/5 744) with the lowest prevalence in 2009 (8.4%, 28/334) and the highest one in 2011 (16.7%, 361/2,160). The overall infection rate of A. cantonensis showed an increasing trend over the past years (P < 0.05). In restaurants, 879 P. canaliculata snails were examined in Xiamen City, and the infection rate was 12.8% (877/6 879). No significant difference was found among years (P > 0.05). A. cantonensis larvae were found from P. canaliculata for sale in different seasons with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). 19,843 B. aeruginosa snails were collected in markets from the two cities, and the infection rate was 0.2% (31/19 843). The infection rate was highest in 2011 (0.3%, 16/5,953) and lowest in 2010 (0.04%, 2/4,706). All the 361 C. cathayensis snails were negative. CONCLUSION: A. cantonensis larvae are found in P. canaliculata and B. aeruginosa from markets and restaurants of Fuzhou and Xiamen in different seasons during the years.

Shish-kebab structure fiber with nano and micro diameter regulate macrophage polarization for anti-inflammatory and bone differentiation.

Biopolymer grafts often have limited biocompatibility, triggering excessive inflammatory responses similar to foreign bodies. Macrophage phenotype shifts are pivotal in the inflammatory response and graft success. The effects of the morphology and physical attributes of the material itself on macrophage polarization should be the focus. In this study, we prepared electrospun fibers with diverse diameters and formed a shish-kebab (SK) structure on the material surface by solution-induced crystallization, forming electrospun fiber scaffolds with diverse pore sizes and roughness. In vitro cell culture experiments demonstrated that SK structure fibers could regulate macrophage differentiation toward M2 phenotype, and the results of in vitro simulation of in vivo tissue reconstruction by the microenvironment demonstrated that the paracrine role of M2 phenotype macrophages could promote bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to differentiate into osteoblasts. In rats implanted with a subcutaneous SK-structured fiber scaffold, the large-pore size and low-stiffness SK fiber scaffolds demonstrated superior immune performance, less macrophage aggregation, and easier differentiation to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Large pore sizes and low-stiffness SK fiber scaffolds guide the morphological design of biological scaffolds implanted in vivo, which is expected to be an effective strategy for reducing inflammation when applied to graft materials in clinical settings.

[Prevalent trend of the infection of soil-transmitted nematodes in Fujian Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the endemic situation of soil-transmitted nematodes in Fujian Province. METHODS: According to the national guidelines, the survey spots were determined by clustered random sampling in nine prefectures (cities) of Fujian Province from 2007 to 2009. Residents of 3 years old and above were investigated. The eggs of roundworm, hookworm and whipworm in feces were checked by Kato-Katz method. Eggs per gram (EPG) in feces were calculated. The gender, age and education status of the investigated subjects were recorded. The results were evaluated in comparison to those in 1992 and 2003. RESULTS: Altogether 93 833 residents in 610 villages of 184 towns from 49 counties were investigated. The overall infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes was 10.14% (9 511/93 833), decreased by 86.88% and 71.84% compared to that in 1992 and 2003, respectively. The prevalence of roundworm, hookworm and whipworm was 1.32%(1 234/93 833), 7.31% (6 863/93 833) and 1.73% (1 622/93 833), respectively. The average EPG of roundworm, hookworm and whipworm was 9 556, 526 and 156, respectively. The prevalence in males and females was 9.48% (4 385/46 246) and 10.77% (5 126/47 587), respectively, with a statistical difference (chi2 = 42.84, P < 0.01). There was also a statistical difference among the age groups (chi2 = 1 626, P < 0.01). The higher education level of the people, the lower prevalence (chi2 = 1 107, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodes is on a downward trend in Fujian Province, but remained high in the underdeveloped areas. The hookworm infection rate is higher than the average of the nation.

[Surveillance on the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infection in Fujian in 2006-2010].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalent trend of soil-transmitted nematode infection in Fujian Province during the past 5 year surveillance and evaluate the control effect. METHODS: From 2006 to 2010, fecal samples of the inhabitants of 3 years old and above were collected every November and examined for intestinal helminth eggs by the modified Kato s thick smear technique at the 2 surveillance sites: Punan village of Zhangzhou and Gushan village of Shaowu. Cellophane tapes were used to detect pinworm eggs for children aged 3-12. Soil samples were also collected from vegetable field, lavatory, courtyard and kitchen of 20 randomly selected families (in 2 villages) each with stool egg-positive findings and examined for ascaris eggs by a modified saturated sodium nitrate floatation method. RESULTS: The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infection at the surveillance sites decreased from 45.3% (946/2087) in 2006 to 15.1% (226/1494) in 2010, with a reduction of 66.6%. Among the infected subjects, hookworm infection occupied 75%-85%, while ascaris or trichuris infections each accounted for less than 10%. In terms of infection intensity, 65.2%-85.5% of the hookworm infection was light, and majority of the infected subjects were farmers. The pinworm prevalence in children were still high although it had dropped down from 46.1% (140/304) in 2006 to 29.8% (36/121) in 2010, declined by 35.4%. In the 5 years, totally 400 soil samples from 100 families were examined and 21 samples were found ascaris egg positive with viable eggs in only one sample. CONCLUSION: The 5 year surveillance reveals a decreasing trend of the soil-transmitted nematode prevalence but shows a relatively high hookworm infection rate in the population and pinworm infection in children.

DNA-Lysozyme Nanoarchitectonics: Quantitative Investigation on Charge Inversion and Compaction.

The interaction between DNA and proteins is fundamentally important not only for basic research in biology, but also for potential applications in nanotechnology. In the present study, the complexes formed by λ DNA and lysozyme in a dilute aqueous solution have been investigated using magnetic tweezers (MT), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found that lysozyme induced DNA charge inversion by measuring its electrophoretic mobility by DLS. Lysozyme is very effective at neutralizing the positive charge of DNA, and its critical charge ration to induce charge inversion in solution is only 2.26. We infer that the high efficiency of charge neutralization is due to the highly positively charged (+8 e) and compact structure of lysozyme. When increasing the concentration of lysozymes from 6 ng·µL-1 to 70 ng·µL-1, DNA mobility (at fixed concentration of 2 ng·µL-1) increases from -2.8 to 1.5 (in unit of 10-4 cm2·V-1·S), implying that the effective charge of DNA switches its sign from negative to positive in the process. The corresponding condensing force increased from 0 pN to its maximal value of about 10.7 pN at concentrations of lysozyme at 25 ng·µL-1, then decreases gradually to 3.8 pN at 200 ng·µL-1. The maximal condensing force occurs at the complete DNA charge neutralization point. The corresponding morphology of DNA-lysozyme complex changes from loosely extensible chains to compact globule, and finally to less compact flower-like structure due to the change of attached lysozyme particles as observed by AFM.

NPPA Promoter Hypomethylation Predicts Central Obesity Development: A Prospective Longitudinal Study in Chinese Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial natriuretic peptide plays a potential role in obesity with unclear molecular mechanisms. The objective of this study was to examine the association between its coding gene (natriuretic peptide A [NPPA]) methylation and obesity. METHODS: Peripheral blood DNA methylation of NPPA promoter was quantified at baseline by targeted bisulfite sequencing for 2,497 community members (mean aged 53 years, 38% men) in the Gusu cohort. Obesity was repeatedly assessed by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) at baseline and follow-up examinations. The cross-sectional, longitudinal, and prospective associations between NPPA promoter methylation and obesity were examined. RESULTS: Of the 9 CpG loci assayed, DNA methylation levels at 6 CpGs were significantly lower in participants with central obesity than those without (all p < 0.05 for permutation test). These CpG methylation levels at baseline were also inversely associated with dynamic changes in BMI or WC during follow-up (all p < 0.05 for permutation test). After an average 4 years of follow-up, hypermethylation at the 6 CpGs (CpG2 located at Chr1:11908348, CpG3 located at Chr1:11908299, CpG4 located at Chr1:11908200, CpG5 located at Chr1:11908182, CpG6 located at Chr1:11908178, and CpG8 located at Chr1:11908165) was significantly associated with a lower risk of incident central obesity (all p < 0.05 for permutation test). CONCLUSIONS: Hypomethylation at NPPA promoter was associated with increased future risk of central obesity in Chinese adults. Aberrant DNA methylation of the NPPA gene may participate in the mechanisms of central obesity.

Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia and Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Tianning Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between obesity and hyperuricemia has been demonstrated by many studies. However, whether or to what extent metabolic condition influents the association between obesity and hyperuricemia was not clear. Here, we aimed to examine the association between obese-metabolic phenotype and hyperuricemia in a large sample of Chinese adults. METHODS: According to BMI and metabolic syndrome, obese-metabolic phenotype was defined as metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUNO) and metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHNO)in the Tianning cohort (N=5072). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis between obese-metabolic phenotype and hyperuricemia, followed by a Mendelian Randomization analysis using GWAS summary data to confirm the causality between uric acid and BMI. RESULTS: The average level of serum UA showed 41.87-higher µmol/L in participants with MHO (ß=41.87, P<0.001) and 63.18-higher µmol/L in participants with MUO (ß=63.18, P<0.001), compared to those with MHNO. Compared to participants with MHNO, those with MUO had the highest likelihood to have hyperuricemia (OR=4.56, P<0.001), followed by those with MHO (OR=3.32, P<0.001). Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that uric acid was more likely to be a consequence of BMI (ß=0.059, P=6.54×10-154). CONCLUSION: MUO, in comparison with MHO, was significantly associated with hyperuricemia in Chinese adults.

Expression of cellular adherent and invasive molecules in recurrent ovarian endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine expression of cellular adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases of the extracellular matrix in ectopic endometrium for evaluating their roles in recurrence of endometriosis. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 49 female patients (mean age: 30.1±5.5 years) with endometriomas who had undergone two separate operations. After a maximum follow-up of 80 months, all participants were divided into the recurrent group or nonrecurrent (control) group. Samples were immunostained for epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), ß-catenin, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2, and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN). RESULTS: In the recurrent group, E-cadherin concentrations in the membrane and cytoplasm of ectopic endometrial glandular cells were significantly reduced, while those of MMP-9 and EMMPRIN were higher than those in the control group. Additionally, uPA concentrations in the membrane and cytoplasm of ectopic endometrial glandular, stromal, and vascular endothelial cells were significantly higher in the recurrent group than in the control group. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and ß-catenin concentrations were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: E-cadherin, MMP-9, and associated factors may contribute to development of endometriosis. E-cadherin, MMP-9, and uPA may act as potential markers for detection of recurrence of endometriosis.

[Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of 59 Adult Patients with Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and the prognostic risk factors of adult patients with Epestein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-HLH) so as to enhance the understanding of EBV-HLH and diagnosis and treatment level. METHODS: The clinical manifestation and survival data of 59 adult patients with EBV-HLH admitted in our hospital from January 2013 to August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestations of 59 patients were high fever (100%), liver dysfunction (91.5%), however the skin rashes (1.7%), and neurologic abnormality (3.4%) were rare. 96.6% of the patients showed the elevation of serum ferritin and LDH level, and hypoproteinemia and sCD25≥2 400 U/ml were found in 93.2% and 92.3% of the patients, respectively. The median survival time of 59 patients was 2.5±0.7 months; overall survival rate of 1, 3, 6 and 12-month was 69.5%±6.0%, 44.7%±6.6%, 23.9%±5.8%, 19.7%±5.5%, respectively. Univariate survival analysis showed that the patients with EBV-DNA copies≥5×105/ml (P＜0.05), LDH level≥600 U/L (P＜0.05) and Plt count＜20×109/L (P＜0.05) had poor prognosis, and there was statistically difference in the overall survival rate (P＜0.01) between HLH-94/2004 group and the group treated without etoposide (not HLH-94/2004). Multivariate analysis revealed that LDH level≥600 U/L (P＜0.05), Plt count＜20×109/L (P＜0.05) and treatment protocol (not HLH-94/2004) (P＜0.01) were independent prognostic risk factors in 59 patients with EBV-HLH. CONCLUSIONS: EBV-HLH assocites with severe clinical features, high mortality rate and poor prognosis of patients. EBV-DNA copies≥5×105/ml (P＜0.05), LDH level≥600 U/L (P＜0.05) and Plt count＜20×109/L (P＜0.05) are the poor prognostic factors, and the treatment with HLH-94/2004 protocol can effectively improve the survival of EBV-HLH patients, should be applied as early as possible.

Association between NPPA promoter methylation and hypertension: results from Gusu cohort and replication in an independent sample.

BACKGROUND: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), one of the main members of the natriuretic peptides system, has been associated with hypertension and related complications, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not very clear. Here, we aimed to examine whether DNA methylation, a molecular modification to the genome, of the natriuretic peptide A gene (NPPA), the coding gene of ANP, was associated with hypertension. METHODS: Peripheral blood DNA methylation of NPPA promoter was quantified by target bisulfite sequencing in 2498 community members (mean aged 53 years, 38% men) as a discovery sample and 1771 independent participants (mean aged 62 years, 54% men) as a replication sample. In both samples, we conducted a single CpG association analysis, followed by a gene-based association analysis, to examine the association between NPPA promoter methylation and hypertension, adjusting for age, sex, education level, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, fasting glucose, and lipids. Multiple testing was controlled by the false discovery rate approach. RESULTS: Of the 9 CpG loci assayed, hypermethylation at 5 CpGs (CpG1, CpG3, CpG6, CpG8, and CpG9) was significantly associated with a lower odds of prevalent hypertension in the discovery sample, and one CpG methylation (CpG1 located at Chr1:11908353) was successfully replicated in the replication sample (OR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.74-0.91, q = 0.002) after adjusting for covariates and multiple testing. The gene-based analysis found that DNA methylation of the 9 CpGs at NPPA promoter as a whole was significantly associated with blood pressure and prevalent hypertension in both samples (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation levels at NPPA promoter were decreased in Chinese adults with hypertension. Aberrant DNA methylation of the NPPA gene may participate in the mechanisms of hypertension.

COmplex-Model-Based Estimation of thermal noise for fMRI data in the presence of artifacts.

Due to the presence of artifacts induced by fast-imaging acquisition in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, it is very difficult to estimate the variance of thermal noise by traditional methods in magnitude images. Moreover, the existence of incidental phase fluctuations impairs the validity of currently available solutions based on complex datasets. In this article, a time-domain model is proposed to generalize the analysis of complex datasets for nonbrain regions by incorporating artifacts and phase fluctuations. Based on this model, a novel estimation schema has been developed to find an appropriate set of voxels in nonbrain regions according to their levels of artifact and phase fluctuation. In addition, noise intensity from these voxels is estimated. The whole schema is named COmplex-Model-Based Estimation (COMBE). Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed COMBE method provides a better estimation of thermal noise in fMRI studies compared with previously proposed methods and suggest that the new method can adapt to a broader range of applications, such as functional connectivity studies, evaluation of sequence designs and reconstruction schemas.

BH3 mimetic ABT-737 induces apoptosis in CD34+ acute myeloid leukemia cells and shows synergistic effect with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

AIMS: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an immunophenotypically heterogenous malignant disease. The early immature CD34+ AML cell subpopulation is frequently impervious to intensive chemotherapy, making them largely responsible for relapse of AML. CD34+ AML cells have higher level of Bcl-2 protein expression than the CD34- subpopulation. As such, development of drugs that specifically target the Bcl-2 may have the potential to eliminate immature CD34+ AML progenitor cells and provide therapeutic benefit. In this work, we made an attempt to investigate the cytotoxic effect of a novel Bcl-2 family inhibitor, ABT-737, on CD34+ AML cell lines (KG1a and Kasumi-1) as well as CD34+ primary AML cells. METHODS: Primary human CD34+ cells were isolated from bone marrow mononuclear cells using CD34 MicroBead kit. The growth inhibitory effect was measured by cell counting kit-8. Apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V/PI assays. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Inhibition of Bcl-2 by ABT-737 effectively inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in CD34+ AML cell lines and CD34+ primary AML cells without affecting CD34+ normal hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that ABT-737 induced apoptosis associated with caspase-3 activation and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) degradation. Finally, ABT-737 synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of cytarabine and daunorubicin in CD34+ AML cells. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings indicate that ABT-737 may offer as a promising molecular targeting agent in CD34+ AML.

miRNA-301a induces apoptosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells by directly targeting TIMP2/ERK1/2 and AKT pathways.

We investigated the biological functions and mechanism of miRNA­301a on apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The expression of miRNA­301a in patient with CML cells was higher than the expression of normal patients. Overall survival (OS) of chronic granulocytic leukemia cell patient with low miRNA­301 expression was superior to that of CML patient with high miRNA­301 expression. Moreover, the upregulation of miRNA­301a increased cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and caspase-3 and -9 activity of K562 cells. Next, the upregulation of miRNA­301a suppressed Bax/Bcl-2 rate and TIMP2 protein expression, increased phosphorylation-ERK1/2 and decreased phosphorylation-AKT protein expression of K562 cells. Furthermore, si­TIMP2 expression enhanced the upregulation of miRNA­301a on the promotion of cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis and caspase-3 and -9 activity, suppression of Bax/Bcl-2 rate, increasing phosphorylation-ERK1/2 and decreasing phosphorylation-AKT protein expression of K562 cells. Taken together, our results clearly suggested that miRNA­301a induces apoptosis of CML cells by directly targeting the TIMP2/ERK1/2 and AKT pathways.

[Survey on the current status of important human parasitic infections in Fujian province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of important human parasitic diseases in Fujian province. METHODS: According to the national guidelines, clustered random sampling was made for the survey. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was applied to examine helminth eggs for soil-transmitted nematodes and Clonorchis sinensis. Cellophane and swab technique was applied for detecting Enterobius vermicularis eggs in children under 12. Questionnairing, skin test, serological test and eosinophil examination were carried out for Paragonimus infection. Questionnairing and serological test were used for Taenia infection and cysticercosis. Retrospective investigation was conducted with the data on outpatient and hospitalized cases with parasitic diseases. RESULTS: 45,736 people at 73 spots of 24 counties were investigated and 14 species of parasites were found. The overall infection rate of intestinal helminth infections was 36.15%. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms and Trichuris trichiura was 9.55%, 19.73% and 11.48% respectively. The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis and Clonorchis sinensis was 22.06% and 0.60% respectively. The positive rate of skin test and serological test among skin test positives for Paragonimus infection was 7.07% and 9.23% respectively. The serology positive rate for cysticercosis was 2.28%, only 3 cases of taenia infection were found from 16371 persons investigated. Human infections with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Diphyllobothrium latus, Taenia saginata, and Gnathostoma spinigerum were found for the first time in the Province. Metorchis orientalis and Echinostoma aegyptiaca infections in human were first recorded. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodes has decreased significantly in the province, although still highly prevalent in social-economically less developed areas. Meanwhile, attention should be paid to the food-borne parasitic infections in human population.