Analysis of 24-hour Death Risk Factors in Circulatory Failure Patients Treated with Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the factors affecting short-term prognosis of circulatory failure patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) treatment. Methods: A total of 136 patients undergoing VA-ECMO were enrolled in this study and subsequently divided into the death group (n=35) and the survival group (n=101) based on whether death occurred during hospitalisation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) running time, length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay, costs, and ECMO complications were then compared between the two groups. Results: The average age of all patients undergoing ECMO was 47.64±16.78 years (53.2±16.20 years in the death group and 45.713±16.62 years in the survival group) (P=0.022). Patients in the survival group exhibited a clear downward trend in lactic acid value following ECMO treatment compared to those in the death group. Total hospitalisation stay was longer in the survival group (35 days) than in the death group (15.5 days) (P<0.001). In the analysis of ECMO complications, the incidence of neurological complications, renal failure, limb complications, and infection were higher in the death group than in the survival group (P<0.05 for all). Specifically, as a risk factor for patient survival and discharge, the occurrence of infection will lead to increased hospitalisation stays and costs (P<0.05 for both). Conclusion: Complications such as kidney failure and infection are associated with in-hospital death, and ECMO-related complications should be actively prevented to improve the survival rate of VA-ECMO treatment.

REC8 suppresses tumor angiogenesis by inhibition of NF-κB-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor expression in gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Tumor angiogenesis is an essential event for tumor growth and metastasis. It has been showed that REC8, a component of the meiotic cohesion complex, played a vital role in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in gastric cancer. However, the role of REC8 in gastric cancer angiogenesis remains to be identified. RESULTS: Inhibition of REC8 expression in gastric cancer cells contributed to tumor angiogenesis in the gastric cancer microenvironment. The clinical analysis demonstrated that the loss of REC8 in gastric cancer with enrichment of MVD. Depletion of REC8 expression in gastric cancer cells significantly increased tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which is attributed to enhancement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion caused by REC8 slicing. While addition of neutralizing antibody targeted VEGF into supernatant drastically reversed the effect of REC8 loss in gastric cancer cells on tube formation. Mechanistic analyses indicated that ablation of REC8 promotes nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 activity and its downstream gene VEGF expression, leading to tube formation. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated a novel REC8 function that suppressed tumor angiogenesis and progression by attenuation of VEGF in gastric cancer microenvironment.

Effects of Temperature on Seed Germination of Invasive Plant Rorippa amphbia (L.) Besser

Aims: Global warming and biological invasion are major environmental issues faced in the world. In the study, Rorippa amphibia, a perennial invasive clone plant in northern China, was used as a material to study the germination characteristics of the seeds at different temperatures. Study Design: Germination test of R. amphibia seeds at different temperature was studied by means of laboratory culture. The germination percentage, germination index, germination potential, bud height and root length of the seeds were determined. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from the west side of the swimming pool of Shenyang Agricultural University of Liaoning Province in August 2017. Experiments were done in the College of Biological Science and Technology, between October 2017 and June 2018. Methodology: The petri dish method was used in the experiment. Fifty seeds were randomly selected and soaked in distilled water for 12h. The seeds were placed in a petri dish covered with double filter paper, cultured at 10℃, 15℃, 20℃, 25℃, 30℃, 35℃ and 40℃ in light incubators for 12h darkness and 12h light (4000lux), with 3 repeats per processing. Seed germination was based on embryo root breakthrough seed coat ≥ 1 mm. During the experiment, the numbers of seed germination were recorded every day, and the filter paper was kept moist until there was no new seed germination for 2 consecutive days, which was regarded as the end of germination. The numbers of seed germination should be counted regularly every day, and the beginning and duration of germination should be recorded. The germination rate, daily germination rate, germinating potential, germinating index and vigor index of R. amphibia seeds at different temperature were calculated by measuring bud height and radicle length on the 10th day after germination. Results: The temperature range of seed germination of R. amphibia was wide, which could germinate at 15 - 40℃. Lower temperature delayed the peak period of seed germination at some extent and the germination rates of R. amphibia peak at 30 - 35℃, which were 44.67% and 50% respectively. At 35℃, germination potential and germination index were 25.33% and 29.46, reaching the maximum value. Conclusion: The reason for the wide temperature range of seed germination and the low germination rate might be the candidate method for clonal plant population establishment in temperate zone. The higher germination rate of high temperature condition suggested that clone invasive plants in temperate regions were more invasive during global warming.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of three ribosomal protein S13 genes in Sophora flavescens / Clonagem, expressão e caracterização de três proteínas ribossômicas S13 genes em Sophora flavescens

To characterize the structure and function of ribosomal protein S13 (RPS13), we identified fulllength open reading frames (ORFs) of three RPS13 genes (RPS13-1, RPS13-2, and RPS13-3) of the Chinese medicinal plant, Sophora flavescens. The target genes were amplified by reverse transcription-olymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), ligated into the pET22b(+) vector, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 competent cells for protein expression. The physicochemical properties, protein motif, evolution, and structural organization of the three RPS13 genes were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The full-length ORFs (453 bp) of the three RPS13 genes of S. flavescens were cloned, and each encodes a protein of 151 amino acids in length, and their expression was detected by Western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis showed that RPS13s are stable proteins that are closely related to the 40S RPS13s of Vigna radiate var. radiate. Their three-dimensional structures included three -helices at the C-terminal and four -helices at the N-terminal, and the two clusters of helices were connected by a long random coil, which may help maintain the dynamic bridging interactions between the large and small subunits of the ribosome. The full-length ORFs of three RPS13 genes of S. flavescens were successfully cloned and expressed in vitro. The study of the physicochemical properties, evolution, and secondary and three-dimensional structures of the three proteins will provide the theoretical basis for further studies on the function of RPS13s in plants.

Objetivo: Para caracterizar a estrutura e a função da proteína ribossomal S13 (RPS13), identificamos fases de leitura abertas (ORFs) completas de três genes RPS13 (RPS13-1, RPS13-2 e RPS13-3) da planta medicinal chinesa, Sophora flavescens. Métodos: Os genes alvo foram amplificados por reação em cadeia da polimerase por transcrição reversa (RT-PCR), ligados ao vetor pET22b(+), e então transformados em células competentes de Escherichia coli BL21 para expressão protéica. As propriedades físico-químicas, o motivo protéico, a evolução e a organização estrutural dos três genes RPS13 foram analisados utilizando ferramentas de bioinformática. Resultados: ORFs completos (453 pb) dos três genes RPS13 de S. flavescens foram clonados, e cada um codifica uma proteína de 151 aminoácidos de comprimento, e sua expressão foi detectada por western blotting. A análise de bioinformática mostrou que as RPS13s são proteínas estáveis que estão intimamente relacionadas com as 40S RPS13s de Vigna radiata var. radiate. Suas estruturas tridimensionais incluíam três -hélices no C-terminal e quatro -hélices no N-terminal, e os dois aglomerados de hélices eram conectados por uma longa bobina aleatória, o que pode ajudar a manter as interações de ponte dinâmicas entre o subunidades grandes e pequenas do ribossomo. Conclusões: As ORFs completas de três genes RPS13 de S. flavescens foram clonadas e expressas com sucesso in vitro. O estudo das propriedades físico-químicas, evolução e estruturas secundárias e tridimensionais das três proteínas fornecerão a base teórica para estudos adicionais sobre a função das RPS13s em plantas.

Risk factors for delayed bleeding after endoscopic polypectomy of colorectal polyps / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To analyze risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy bleeding (DPPB) of colorectal polyps. Methods We reviewed 1 098 patients (2 169 polyps) who accepted endoscopic polypectomy from July 2014 to July 2017. Evaluate the risk factors for DPPB. Results DPPB occurred in 18 (1.6%) cases. Univariate analysis revealed that history of hypertension (P = 0.007), polyp size ≥10 mm (P = 0.009), right hemicolon location (P = 0.015) and adenomatous polyp (P = 0.045) were risk factors for DPPB. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that history of hypertension (P = 0.002, O(R) = 4.654, 95%CI: 1.755 ~ 12.343), polyp size ≥10 mm (P = 0.009, O(R) = 3.637, 95%CI: 1.390 ~ 9.517), location in the right hemicolon (P = 0.016, O(R) = 3.656, 95%CI:1.273 ~ 10.504) were independent risk factors for DPPB. Conclusion Patients with history of hypertension, polyp size ≥10 mm, polyp location in the right hemicolon are prone to DPPB. We should take effective measure to prevent DPPB.

T-bet mediated anti-neoplastic effects of dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cells in vitro

To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying T-bet mediated anti-neoplastic effects of cytokine induced killer [CIK] cells. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of leukemic children were induced with gamma- interferon [IFN- gamma], CD3McAb and interluki-2 [IL-2], and co-cultured with dendritic cells [DCs] to generate DC-CIK cells. The morphology and immunophenotype of these cells were determined by a light microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. IL-2 and IFN- gamma levels released by DC-CIK cells were quantified by ELISA. Cytotoxicity of DC-CIK cells against leukemia cell lines was measured by MTT assay. FCM was used to detect CD4[+]CD25[+]Treg cells, while RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine mRNA and protein expressions of Foxp3 and GATA3 in DC-CIK cells treated with T-bet monoclonal antibody. Induced DC-CIK cells were regular, round and transparent with variable cell volume and cellular aggregation. The main effector cells in this population were CD3[+]CD8[+] cells and CD3[+]CD56[+] cells. We demonstrated a time dependent increase in IL-2 and IFN- gamma levels after induction. DC-CIK cells were cytotoxic to B95 cells, Jhhan cells and M07e cells, with the highest cytotoxicity towards B95 cells. Treatment with mouse anti-human T-bet monoclonal antibody resulted in an increase in the proportion of CD4[+]CD25[+]Treg cells and elevation of Foxp3 and GATA3 mRNA and protein levels. DC-CIK cells induced with cytokines were strongly cytotoxic towards a number of cancer cell lines. Foxp3 and GATA3 were implicated in the T-bet mediated anti-neoplastic effects of DC-CIK cells via activation of the Th1 pathway and suppression of the Th2 and Treg pathways