Study on physicochemical properties, fatty acids, texture, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ghee from different regions.

Due to the lack of basic information on Chinese ghee and the increasing demand of consumers for natural oils, this study aims to explore and distinguish the quality characteristics of ghee in different regions of China. Ghee samples from 16 regions of Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region were selected and their physicochemical properties, fatty acids, texture, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined. The results showed that: (1) The physicochemical properties of ghee were different from different regions, but the freshness and fat content are generally high. The results of iodine value and saponification value suggest that the fatty acid composition is good; (2) The unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid content of ghee in Tibet and Xinjiang ranges from 63.05% to 79.13%, which is better than that in other regions; (3) Gansu Diebu ghee has the highest hardness (40.69 N); (4) Ghee from different regions has good antioxidant activity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity is 30.45% to 58.06%, ABTS free radical scavenging activity is 41.14% to 65.53%, and has varying degrees of inhibition on gram-positive bacteria. In addition, yak ghee, cattle-yak ghee and cow ghee have better fatty acid composition and antibacterial ability than scalper ghee. The results of this study distinguish the differences in the quality characteristics of yak ghee in different geographical regions. Therefore, it can provide a theoretical basis for the origin tracing and quality-oriented improvement of yak ghee.

[Study on the resistance of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to anti-tuberculosis drugs in group A].

Objective: To summarize the resistance of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to anti-tuberculosis drugs in group A. Methods: In the retrospective study, a total of 1 226 clinical isolates from suspected multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Beijing TB control system from 2016 to 2021 were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains by MPB64 antigen detection test. Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) strains were screened by the phenotypic drug susceptibility using the proportion method. The drug susceptibilities of Levofloxacin(LFX), Moxifloxacin(MFX), Bedaquiline(BDQ) and Linezolid(LZD)were detected by the phenotypic drug susceptibility with microplate method. The drug resistance rate, drug resistance level and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distribution of four anti-tuberculosis drugs in group A were analyzed. We calculated the demographic distribution of RR-TB, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB), pre-extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB), extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patients and the cross resistance of LFX and MFX, then summarized the drug-resistance spectrum of BDQ-resistant and LZD-resistant strains and the treatment outcome of RR-TB patients. Measurement data were expressed as rate or composition ratio,χ2 test was used between and within groups, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 1 226 suspected multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients, the detection rates of RR/MDR/pre-XDR/XDR-TB patients were 20.8%(255/1 226), 15.2%(186/1 226), 5.7%(70/1 226), 0.5%(6/1 226), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of patients with the four types of drug resistance in terms of age and treatment history (χ2=14.95, P=0.020;χ2=15.91, P=0.001). The drug resistance rates of LFX, MFX, BDQ and LZD in RR-TB patients were 27.5% (70/255), 27.5% (70/255), 0.4% (1/255) and 2.4% (6/255), respectively. The MICs of LFX, MFX and LZD-susceptible MTB were mainly at 0.25 mg/L, and the MIC of BDQ-susceptible MTB was mainly concentrated at 0.03 mg/L. 25.1% (64/255) of the RR MTB were resistant to both LFX and MFX, and 6 strains were resistant to LFX or MFX, showing incomplete two-way cross resistance. One BDQ-resistant strain and six LZD-resistant strains were detected. The treatment success rate of RR-TB patients was 74.4% (151/203), and there were statistically significant differences in treatment outcomes between resistant and sensitive patients on the LFX-containing treatment regimen (Fisher's exact test, P=0.012). Conclusions: The prevalence of fluoroquinolones (LFX and MFX) resistance in rifampicin-resistant MTB is very serious. LFX and MFX show incomplete bidirectional cross-resistance. BDQ and LZD have the most promising future in the treatment of MDR-TB. Improve drug-resistance testing will help to further improve the success rate of treatment.

[41 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritating chemicals].

Objective: To analyze the case characteristics of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritant chemicals (OI-COPD). To provide basis for revising its diagnostic criteria. Methods: From June to December 2021, we investigated the information of OI-COPD patients confirmed by Shandong Institute of Occupational Health and Prevention of Occupational Diseases, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Qingdao Central Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University and other diagnostic institutions in the past five years, a total of 41 cases. The basic information of OI-COPD cases, occupational risk factors exposure information, medical history, smoking history and clinical symptoms were analyzed retrospectively. The measurement data were tested for normal distribution, which was described by x±s, and compared between groups by t test; Those who do not conform to the normal distribution are described by the median [M (Q(1), Q(3)) ] and analyzed by nonparametric test; The counting data were expressed in frequency and rate (% ), and the comparison between groups was tested. Results: Of the 41 cases, 33 were male and 8 were female. The age of the patient diagnosed with OI-COPD was (49.5±10.3) years old, and the minimum age was 30 years old; Among them, 8 patients had a definite long-term smoking history (more than 5 years) ; The exposure duration of occupational risk factors was (18.6±10.3) years, of which 3 patients had exposure duration of less than 5 years; The occupational risk factors leading to OI-COPD include acids and acid-forming compounds, bases, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides, chlorine and its compounds, etc. The exposure level of occupational risk factors is related to the degree of COPD airflow restriction (χ(2)=6.17, P <0.05). 18 patients with diagnosis age <50 years old were diagnosed as early-onset COPD. The incidence of respiratory symptoms in the early diagnosis COPD group was lower than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group, and the FEV1% pred was significantly higher than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01 ) . Conclusion: The exposure level of occupational risk factors may be the risk factor affecting the degree of COPD airflow restriction. With the increase of the exposure level of COPD patients, the proportion of respiratory symptoms will also increase accordingly.

N(6)-methyladenosine RNA methyltransferase like 3 inhibits extracellular matrix synthesis of endplate chondrocytes by downregulating sex-determining region Y-Box transcription factor 9 expression under tension.

OBJECTIVE: Tension stimulation is an important inducer of endplate cartilage degeneration, but the specific regulatory mechanism remains unclear. This study was the first to reveal the mechanism by which methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification affected the extracellular matrix anabolism by tension-induced endplate chondrocytes. METHOD: We examined the differences in METTL3 expression and m6A methylation levels in human endplate chondrocytes and human cartilage endplate tissues under in vitro tension. The effect on endplate cartilage degeneration was evaluated by manipulating m6A methylation mediated by METTL3 in vivo and in vitro. The effect of METTL3-mediated m6A methylation on the stability of sex-determining region Y-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) gene expression was determined experimentally. RESULTS: METTL3 expression and m6A methylation levels were significantly increased in degenerative human endplate cartilage tissue. Similarly, tension stimulation inhibited the ability of human endplate chondrocytes to synthesize extracellular matrix, which was accompanied by an increase in METTL3-mediated m6A methylation. The ability of endplate chondrocytes to resist tension was significantly enhanced by inhibiting METTL3 expression and subsequently downregulating m6A methylation in vitro and in vivo, thereby reducing intervertebral disc degeneration. Furthermore, METTL3 mediated SOX9 RNA methylation and disrupted SOX9 mRNA stability, thereby inhibiting the gene expression of the downstream collagen type II alpha 1 chain. CONCLUSION: Tension stimulation downregulated SOX9 expression through METTL3-mediated m6A methylation, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of extracellular matrix in endplate chondrocytes.

Probing

The isomer depletion of ^{93m}Mo was recently reported [Chiara et al., Nature (London) 554, 216 (2018)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature25483] as the first direct observation of nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC). However, the measured excitation probability of 1.0(3)% is far beyond the theoretical expectation. In order to understand the inconsistency between theory and experiment, we produce the ^{93m}Mo nuclei using the ^{12}C(^{86}Kr,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 559 MeV and transport the reaction residues to a detection station far away from the target area employing a secondary beam line. The isomer depletion is expected to occur during the slowdown process of the ions in the stopping material. In such a low γ-ray background environment, the signature of isomer depletion is not observed, and an upper limit of 2×10^{-5} is estimated for the excitation probability. This is consistent with the theoretical expectation. Our findings shed doubt on the previously reported NEEC phenomenon and highlight the necessity and feasibility of further experimental investigations for reexamining the isomer depletion under low γ-ray background.

[Application of acellular bovine pericardium patch in implant based immediate breast reconstruction].

Objective: To examine the clinical effect of acellular bovine pericardium patch in implant based immediate breast reconstruction. Methods: The clinicopathological information of 141 breast cancer patients, who admitted to Department of Breast Reconstruction and Oncoplastic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital, underwent immediate mammoplasty with implants combined with acellular bovine pericardium patches were analyzed from June 2016 to October 2019. All patients were female, with the age of (38.8±8.5) years (range: 13 to 60 years). The body mass index was (21.9±2.5) kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 32.3 kg/m2). There were 39 cases of duct carcinoma in situ, 46 cases of stage Ⅰ, 40 cases of stage Ⅱ and 16 cases of stage Ⅲ. All patients received nipple-areola-sparing mastectomy or skin-sparing mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection, and prosthesis implantation with sub-pectoralis combined with breast patch. The correlation of clinicopathological characters and complications was assessed by t test, χ2 test, Fisher's exact probability method and Logistic regression. Pre-and post-operative aesthetic, quality of life scores were recorded. Results: The operation time (M(IQR)) was 3.6(1.5) hours (range: 3.0 to 6.5 hours). The early postoperative complication rate was 22.0% (31/141), prosthesis removal was the main postoperative complication, accounting for 64.5% (20/31) of the total complications, of which 15 cases occurred in the first 30 patients. The follow-up time was 28(8) months (range: 20 to 53 months), The most frequent long-term complications were capsular contracture and implant displacement, with the incidence of 11.2% (14/125) and 10.4% (13/125), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that prosthesis volume ≥300 ml (OR=8.173, 95%CI: 1.302 to 51.315, P=0.021) and peri-areolar incision (OR=7.809, 95%CI: 2.162 to 28.211, P<0.01) were independent relative factors for the occurrence of short-term postoperative local complications. After 2 years of operation, the score of breast appearance satisfaction was 71.7±15.5, postoperative effect satisfaction was 90.4±9.5, psychological satisfaction was 90.7±17.1, sexual satisfaction was 70.1±25.1. The immediate postoperative satisfaction rate at discharge was 95.4% (134/141), and 17.6% (22/125) of patients had the intention to received revision surgery. Conclusions: Prosthesis volume ≥300 ml and peri-areolar incision were independent realtive factors for short-term local complications after bovine pericardium patch combined with prosthesis implantation in the immediate breast reconstruction. After completing the learning curve, the postoperative complications of the procedure could be decreased.

[The role of TNF-α/TNFR1 inhibiting autophagy of M1-type Kupffer cells in liver injury in trichloroethylene-sensitized mice].

Objective: To detect the expression levels of M1-type polarization and autophagy-related indicators in the liver of trichloroethylene (TCE) -sensitized mice, and to explore the role of liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) in regulating M1-type Kupffer cells autophagy in liver injury in TCE-sensitized mice. Methods: In November 2019, according to simple random grouping, 45 SPF grade BALB/c female mice (6-8 weeks old) were divided into 4 groups: blank control group (n=5) , solvent control group (n=5) , TCE treatment group (n=18) , TCE+R7050 (inhibitor) treatment group (n=17) . Transdermally sensitized mice, 24 h after the last challenge, the mice were divided into TCE sensitized group and TCE non-sensitized group according to the skin reaction score. The livers of mice were harvested, and the pathological changes of the livers were observed under light and electron microscopes. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TNF-α, TNFR1 and autophagy-related indexes. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) , a marker of M1-type Kupffer cells, was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the occurrence of autophagy in M1-type Kupffer cells was detected by immunofluorescence double-labeling method. Results: The sensitization rate of TCE treatment group was 38.9% (7/18) , and TCE+R7050 treatment group was 35.3% (6/17) , with no significant difference between the two groups (P=1.000) . Compared with the blank control group, mice in the TCE sensitized group had abnormal liver ocytes, obvious liver injury, reduced mitochondria and broken endoplasmic reticulum. Western blotting results showed that the expressions of TNF-α and TNFR1 protein in the liver of the mice in the TCE sensitized group increased, the expression of iNOS protein in M1-type Kupffer cells increased, and the expressions of autophagic microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3 (LC3B) and Beclin1 protein were decreased (P<0.05) . The results of immunohistochemistry showed that iNOS was not significantly expressed in the blank control group and solvent control group, and a small amount of expression was found in the TCE non-sensitized group, the positive staining area was obvious in TCE sensitized group, and the expression of iNOS was significantly increased (P<0.05) . Immunofluorescence results showed that the iNOS protein levels in the blank control group, solvent control group and TCE non-sensitized group were lower, and only partially colocalized with P62; the colocalization of iNOS with P62 in the TCE sensitized group was significantly increased. Conclusion: TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling pathway may promote liver injury in TCE-sensitized mice by inhibiting autophagy of M1-type Kupffer cells.

Evaluation of the frequency of mutation genes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) strains in Beijing, China.

The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and distribution of gene mutations that are related to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF)-resistance in the strains of the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in Beijing, China. In this retrospective study, the genotypes of 173 MDR-TB strains were analysed by spoligotyping. The katG, inhA genes and the promoter region of inhA, in which genetic mutations confer INH resistance; and the rpoB gene, in which genetic mutations confer RIF resistance, were sequenced. The percentage of resistance-associated nucleotide alterations among the strains of different genotypes was also analysed. In total, 90.8% (157/173) of the MDR strains belonged to the Beijing genotype. Population characteristics were not significantly different among the strains of different genotypes. In total, 50.3% (87/173) strains had mutations at codon S315T of katG; 16.8% (29/173) of strains had mutations in the inhA promoter region; of them, 5.5% (15/173) had point mutations at -15 base (C→T) of the inhA promoter region. In total, 86.7% (150/173) strains had mutations at rpoB gene; of them, 40% (69/173) strains had mutations at codon S531L of rpoB. The frequency of mutations was not significantly higher in Beijing genotypic MDR strains than in non-Beijing genotypes. Beijing genotypic MDR-TB strains were spreading in Beijing and present a major challenge to TB control in this region. A high prevalence of katG Ser315Thr, inhA promoter region (-15C→T) and rpoB (S531L) mutations was observed. Molecular diagnostics based on gene mutations was a useful method for rapid detection of MDR-TB in Beijing, China.

Sequential Nature of (p,3p) Two-Proton Knockout from Neutron-Rich Nuclei.

Twenty-one two-proton knockout (p,3p) cross sections were measured from neutron-rich nuclei at ∼250 MeV/nucleon in inverse kinematics. The angular distribution of the three emitted protons was determined for the first time, demonstrating that the (p,3p) kinematics are consistent with two sequential proton-proton collisions within the projectile nucleus. Ratios of (p,3p) over (p,2p) inclusive cross sections follow the trend of other many-nucleon removal reactions, further reinforcing the sequential nature of (p,3p) in neutron-rich nuclei.

Metastable States of

Here we present new information on the shape evolution of the very neutron-rich ^{92,94}Se nuclei from an isomer-decay spectroscopy experiment at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. High-resolution germanium detectors were used to identify delayed γ rays emitted following the decay of their isomers. New transitions are reported extending the previously known level schemes. The isomeric levels are interpreted as originating from high-K quasineutron states with an oblate deformation of ß∼0.25, with the high-K state in ^{94}Se being metastable and K hindered. Following this, ^{94}Se is the lowest-mass neutron-rich nucleus known to date with such a substantial K hindrance. Furthermore, it is the first observation of an oblate K isomer in a deformed nucleus. This opens up the possibility for a new region of K isomers at low Z and at oblate deformation, involving the same neutron orbitals as the prolate orbitals within the classic Z∼72 deformed hafnium region. From an interpretation of the level scheme guided by theoretical calculations, an oblate deformation is also suggested for the ^{94}Se_{60} ground-state band.

Tudor knockdown disrupts ovary development in Bactrocera dorsalis.

One of the main functions of the piwi-interacting RNA pathway is the post-transcriptional silencing of transposable elements in the germline of many species. In insects, proteins belonging to the Tudor superfamily proteins belonging to the Tudor superfamily play an important role in to play an important role in this mechanism. In this study, we identified the tudor gene in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, investigated the spatiotemporal expressional profile of the gene, and performed a functional analysis using RNA interference. We identified one transcript for a tudor homologue in the B. dorsalis transcriptome, which encodes a protein containing the typical 10 Tudor domains and an Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase delta subunit signature. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of this transcript as a tudor homologue in this species. The expression profile indicated a much higher expression in the adult and pupal stages compared to the larval stages (up to a 60-fold increase), and that the gene was mostly expressed in the ovaries, Malpighian tubules and fat body. Finally, gene knockdown of tudor in B. dorsalis led to clearly underdeveloped ovaries in the female adult and reductions in copulation rate and amount of oviposition, indicating its important role in reproduction. The results of this study shed more light on the role of tudor in ovary development and reproduction.

Prominence of Pairing in Inclusive (p,2p) and (p,pn) Cross Sections from Neutron-Rich Nuclei.

Fifty-five inclusive single nucleon-removal cross sections from medium mass neutron-rich nuclei impinging on a hydrogen target at ∼250 MeV/nucleon are measured at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Systematically higher cross sections are found for proton removal from nuclei with an even number of protons as compared to odd-proton number projectiles for a given neutron separation energy. Neutron removal cross sections display no even-odd splitting, contrary to nuclear cascade model predictions. Both effects are understood through simple considerations of neutron separation energies and bound state level densities originating in pairing correlations in the daughter nuclei. These conclusions are supported by comparison with semimicroscopic model predictions, highlighting the enhanced role of low-lying level densities in nucleon-removal cross sections from loosely bound nuclei.

[Changes in mass spectrometry of proteins in patients with 1-bromopropane poisoning after treatment].

Objective: To investigate the changes in mass spectrometry of proteins in patients with 1-bromopropane (1-BP) poisoning after treatment and their biological functions. Methods: From May 2016 to December 2017, 3 male patients aged 31-47 years with 1-BP poisoning in Bao'an District of Shenzhen, China were enrolled in this study. The whole blood sample (2 ml) was collected before and after treatment. Label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics was used for protein identification and quantification. The differentially expressed proteins after treatment were analyzed. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the functions of the identified proteins and the biological processes they were involved in. Results: Proteomic analysis showed that there were 47 proteins that were differentially expressed more than 2-fold (P<0.05) after treatment in the patients with 1-BP poisoning; of them, 27 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated in the serum of treated patients. The identified proteins were mainly involved in proteolysis, protein modification, immune response, complement activation, lipoprotein metabolism, signal transduction, and coagulation. Conclusion: The differentially expressed proteins after treatment can help with the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis monitoring of 1-BP poisoning and provide potential therapeutic and prognostic markers for 1-BP poisoning treatment.

[Analysis of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu province from 2006 to 2017].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and patterns of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2006 to 2017, and to provide a scientific basis for government departments to develop effective interventions and preventive strategies against occupational pneumoconiosis. Methods: The data of 9327 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis were retrieved from the online report of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2017. Excel worksheet and SPSS 20.0 software were used to organize and analyze the data, respectively. An epidemiological statistical analysis was performed on age of onset, length of dust exposure, type of work, industry category, type of pneumoconiosis, annual incidence of pneumoconiosis, regional distribution, enterprise scale, and economic category in those patients. Results: A total of 9 327 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis were reported in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2017. In those patients, 8 559 were newly diagnosed and 768 had advanced disease. The male-female ratio was 16.34:1.Patients with stage I pneumoconiosis(6 994, 74.99%) were dominant in all the patients. The mean age of onset and length of dust exposure were 58.5±10.7 and 15.3±10.9 years, respectively. Most of the patients (6 012, 64.46%) had an age of onset between 50 and 69 years. For the length of dust exposure, the highest percentage was observed in patients exposed for no more than 5 years (2 231, 23.92%).The largest number of patients diagnosed with pneumoconiosis(1 200, 12.87%) was reported in 2010. Most of the patients(7 012, 75.18%) were from four cities, i.e, Wuxi (2 090, 22.41%), Yancheng (1 987, 21.30%), Suzhou (1 552, 16.64%), and Xuzhou (1 383, 14.83%). In all the patients, the incidence of silicosis (6791, 72.81%) was highest, followed by coal worker pneumoconiosis (1 364, 14.62%) and electric welder pneumoconiosis (563, 6.04%).Pneumoconiosis complicated by tuberculosis was found in 28 (0.3%) patients.A total of 1616 (17.33%) patients were reported in health, social security, and social welfare industries, while 1474 (15.80%) patients worked for coal mining and washing. Rock drillers (2 818, 30.21%) were dominant in those patients.State-owned economic enterprises reported the largest number of patients(5 441, 58.34%).Patients from small enterprises (4 323, 46.35%) had the highest percentage. Conclusion: Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease with a high incidence in Jiangsu Province. Pneumoconiosis patients show an industry- and job-centered distribution. The length of dust exposure is decreasing.

An oxidative stress-based mechanism of doxorubicin cytotoxicity suggests new therapeutic strategies in ABC-DLBCL.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) contain 2 major molecular subtypes; namely, the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and the activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCLs. It is well documented that ABC-DLBCL cases have a significantly poorer survival response than GCB-DLBCLs in both the CHOP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone) and the rituximab (R)-CHOP eras. However, the underlying cause of this subtype disparity is poorly understood. Nevertheless, these clinical observations raise the possibility for an ABC-DLBCL-specific resistance mechanism that is directed toward 1 of the CHOP components and is inadequately addressed by rituximab. Here, we report that the main cytotoxic ingredient in CHOP, doxorubicin (Dox), has subtype-specific mechanisms of cytotoxicity in DLBCLs resulting from differences in the subcellular distribution pattern. Specifically, in cell line models of ABC-DLBCL, Dox is often enriched in the cytoplasm away from the nuclear DNA. As a result, Dox-induced cytotoxicity in ABC-DLBCLs is often dependent on oxidative stress, rather than DNA damage response. These findings are corroborated by gene signature analysis, which demonstrates that basal oxidative stress status predicts treatment outcome among patients with ABC-DLBCL, but not patients with GCB-DLBCL. In terms of redox-related resistance mechanism, our results suggest that STAT3 confers Dox resistance in ABC-DLBCLs by reinforcing an antioxidant program featuring upregulation of the SOD2 gene. Furthermore, a small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor synergizes with CHOP to trigger oxidative stress and kill ABC-DLBCL cells in preclinical models. These results provide a mechanistic basis for development of novel therapies that target either STAT3 or redox homeostasis to improve treatment outcomes for ABC-DLBCLs.

Vitellogenin and its receptor play essential roles in the development and reproduction of the brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus.

Vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR) play a key role in the reproductive process and development of insects. Aphids are a group of high-fecundity insect species with pseudoplacental viviparity, but the roles of their Vg and VgR genes have not been investigated yet. The brown citrus aphid, Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus, is a major insect pest of citrus and the main vector of Citrus tristeza closterovirus. In this study, we identified and characterized these two genes, designated as AcVg and AcVgR, from the brown citrus aphid. We found that AcVg has lost the DUF1943 domain that is present in other insect Vgs. Silencing of AcVg and AcVgR led to a delay in the nymph-adult transition, a prolonged prereproductive period, and a shortened reproductive period, which in turn resulted in slower embryonic development and fewer new-born nymphs. Interestingly, silencing of AcVg decreased the transcript level of AcVgR, but silencing of AcVgR resulted in increased transcript levels of AcVg. In addition, silencing of Vg/VgR had similar phenotypes between alate and apterous morphs, suggesting that the functions of these two genes are the same in the two wing morphs of the aphid. Our results demonstrate that Vg and VgR are involved in various aspects of aphid development and reproduction. Further studies on the synthesis of Vg could help to elucidate the reproductive mechanism and provide information that will be useful for developing new pest control strategies.

The effects of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic variability and hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of add-on exenatide to insulin on glycemic excursion and the counter-regulatory hormone in response to hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: 30 patients with T1DM were recruited and randomly assigned to exenatide + insulin-treated group (group 1, n = 15) or insulin-only-treated group (group 2, n = 15) for 4 weeks. All patients had continuous glucose monitor system (CGMS) applied at before (week-0) and after (week-4) treatment to evaluate the glycemic variability. All patients had an arginine-stimulated test at before and after treatment. Six patients from each group also had hypoglycemic clamp test to assess counter-regulatory hormone level. RESULTS: Patients in the exenatide group had significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), total insulin dose, bolus insulin dose, fructosamine, and glycemic excursion after 4 weeks' treatment. Compared with patients in group 2, the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and coefficient of variation (CV) of exenatide group decreased significantly. Similarly, a significant decrease of glucagon (GLC) in the arginine-stimulated test was found in group 1. No significant changes of GLC, growth hormone (GH), cortisol (COR), epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE) were found in both groups during hypoglycemia clamp test. However, patients who had residual islet function in group 1 showed an upward trend of basic C-peptide (C-P) and GLC during the hypoglycemia period. CONCLUSION: Although exenatide could inhibit glucagon secretion during euglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with T1DM, it has no effect on GLC and counter-regulatory hormones during hypoglycemia clamp in patients with no functional residual islet test.

Saurogobio punctatus sp. nov., a new cyprinid gudgeon (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from the Yangtze River, based on both morphological and molecular data.

A new cyprinid gudgeon, Saurogobio punctatus sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected from the Yangtze River, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by differences in both morphology and the cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequence. Numerous minute blackish spots are scattered on dorsal and caudal fins in S. punctatus sp. nov. v. absent in the other seven valid Saurogobio species. The new species can be further distinguished from its congeners by the following unique combination of characters: a dorsal fin with eight branched rays; absence of scales in chest area before pectoral origin; upper and lower lips thick, covered with papillae; and a papillose mental pad approximately triangular. Morphologically, the new species most resembles the Chinese lizard gudgeon Saurogobio dabryi, but the new species lays yellowish adhesive eggs v. white pelagic eggs in S. dabryi. A phylogenetic analysis of all Saurogobio species based on cytb gene sequences indicated that S. punctatus sp. nov was distinctly separated from its congeners, with mean sequence divergence ranging from 12·6 to 21·0%. Therefore, molecular data further supported the distinctiveness of the new species.

[Analysis of occupational poisoning in Jiangsu Province, from 2006-2015].

Objective: Analysis of occupational poisoning character and laws in Jiangsu Province from 2006-2015, so as to provide scientific basis for the formulation of effective intervention measures and prevention strategies. Methods: According to the data of Jiangsu province occupational poisoning cases reports of year 2006 to 2015, by EXCEL arranged, using SPSS software to do epidemiological data statistical analysis. Results: In the past ten years, the number of occupational poisoning cases reported in Jiangsu province increased first and then declined. 547 cases of acute occupational poisoning reported in Jiangsu province from 2006-2015 years (35.82% of the total poisoning cases, the same below) , 980 cases of chronic occupational poisoning (64.18%) . The ratio of male and female in acute poisoning was 2.48, while 1.55 of chronic poisoning. The cases of poisoning reported were young and middle-aged, and working years was mainly in 5 years. The cases reported in the south of Jiangsu (mainly is chronic poisoning) is higher than that in the northern part of Jiangsu (mainly is acute poisoning) , which is more economically underdeveloped.. The reported highest mortality rate of occupational poisoning is asphyxia gas poisoning (5.43%) , followed by irritating gas poisoning (2.99%) and organic solvent poisoning (0.47%) . Many more occupational poisoning cases reported from large, joint-stock enterprises, especially chronic poisoning. Meanwhile more cases of acute poisoning reported from small, micro private enterprises. Conclusion: Although a decline in occupational poisoning cases in Jiangsu, the prevention and treatment measures are still not lax. According to the species of toxic, regional economic differences, the scale of the enterprises and the type of economy, the characteristic key classification and prevention should be carried out. Expand the coverage of hospitals in the diagnosis and reporting of occupational poisoning diseases, and strive to improve the quality of occupational disease reports.