A finTRIM Family Protein Acquires RNA-Binding Activity and E3 Ligase Activity to Shape the IFN Response in Fish.

Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins have come forth as important modulators of innate signaling dependent on of E3 ligase activity. Recently, several human TRIM proteins have been identified as unorthodox RNA-binding proteins by RNA interactome analyses; however, their targets and functions remain largely unknown. FTRCA1 is a crucian carp (Carassius auratus)-specific finTRIM (fish novel TRIM) member and negatively regulates the IFN antiviral response by targeting two retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) pathway molecules, that is, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). In this study, we identify FTRCA1 as an RNA-binding E3 ligase and characterize the contribution of its RNA-binding activity and E3 ligase activity to fish IFN response. Besides targeting TBK1 and IRF7, FTRCA1 downregulates fish IFN response also by targeting stimulator of IFN response cGAMP interactor 1 (STING1). E3 ligase activity is required for full inhibition on the TBK1- and IRF7-mediated IFN response, but partial inhibition on the STING1-mediated IFN response. However, FTRCA1 has a general binding potential to mRNAs in vitro, it selectively binds STING1 and IRF7 mRNAs in vivo to attenuate mRNA levels, and it directly interacts with TBK1 protein to target protein degradation for downregulating the IFN response. Our results present an interesting example of a fish species-specific finTRIM protein that has acquired RNA-binding activity and E3 ligase activity to fine-tune fish IFN response.

Efficacy and Prognosis of Hyperbaric Oxygen as Adjuvant Therapy for Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Meta-Analysis Study.

Background: Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may benefit newborns. The effectiveness of HBOT for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of HBOT in neonates with HIE. Methods: A systematic search of eight databases was performed for available articles published between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2020, to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) on HBOT for neonatal HIE. Methodological quality assessment was performed by applying the simple procedure detailed by the Cochrane collaboration. Afterward, quality assessment and data analysis were performed using Revman 5.3 software. STATA 15 software was used to detect publication bias as well as for sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 46 clinical RCTs were selected for the study and included 4,199 patients with neonatal HIE. The results indicated that HBOT significantly improved the total efficiency (TEF) of treatment for neonatal HIE patients [odds ratio (OR) = 4.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.70, 5.75), P < 0.00001] and reduced the risk of sequelae (OR = 0.23, 95% CI (0.16, 0.33), P < 0.00001) and the neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) scores [mean difference (MD) = 4.51, 95%CI (3.83,5.19, P < 0.00001)]. Conclusion: In light of the effectiveness of HBOT neonatal HIE, this meta-analysis suggested that HBOT can be a potential therapy for the treatment of neonatal HIE. Due to the heterogeneity of studies protocol and patient selection being only from China, more research is needed before this therapy can be widely implemented in the clinic. Protocol Registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020210639). Available online at: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020210639.

[Denitrification and Phosphorus Removal from Low C/N Urban Sewage Based on a Post-Partial Denitrification AOA-SBR Process].

This study focuses on the investigation of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal characteristics of a combination of enhanced phosphorus removal (EBPR) with simultaneous partial nitrification endogenous denitrification (SPND) and post-partial denitrification process. An anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (A/O/A) operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with urban sewage was optimized by regulating the aeration rate and anoxic time. Based on this optimization, deep-level nitrogen and phosphorus removals from low C/N urban sewage could be realized. The experimental results show that the effluent PO43--P concentration decreased from 0.06 mg·L-1 to 0 mg·L-1, the effluent NH4+-N, NO2--N, and NO3--N concentrations gradually decreased from 0.18, 18.79, and 0.08 mg·L-1 to 0, 16.46, and 0.05 mg·L-1, respectively, and the TN removal efficiency increased from 72.69% to 77.97% when the aeration rate decreased from 1.0 L·min-1 to 0.6 L·min-1 and the anoxic duration was 180 min. With the reduction of the aeration rate, the SPND phenomenon became notable and the SND rate increased from 19.18% to 31.20%. When the anoxic duration was extended from 180 min to 420 min, the effluent PO43--P, NH4+-N, and NO3--N concentrations stabilized at~0, 0, and 0.03 mg·L-1, respectively. The effluent NO2--N concentration was as low as 3.06 mg·L-1, the SND rate was~32.21%, the TN removal performance gradually improved, and the TN removal efficiency was as high as 99.42%. Thus, deep-level nitrogen and phosphorus removals could be realized with the SPNDPR-PD system.

[Effect of Influent C/N Ratio on the Nutrient Removal Characteristics of SNEDPR Systems].

To determine the performance of nitrogen and phosphorus removal within a simultaneous nitrification endogenous denitrification system (SNEDPR), an extended anaerobic/low aerobic (dissolved oxygen:0.5-2.0 mg·L-1)-operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was fed with simulation wastewater. The SBR was initiated under a constant influent C/N ratio of 10, with the simultaneous enrichment of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). It was then investigated at different influent C/N ratios of 10, 7.5, 5, and 2.5. The experimental results indicated that, when the influent C/N ratio was 10, SNEDPR could be successfully started up. The effluent PO43--P and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were 0.1 mg·L-1 and 8.1 mg·L-1. PO43--P efficiency, TN efficiency, and SNED efficiency were 99.79%, 89.38%, and 58.0%, respectively. When the influent C/N ratio increased from 5 to 10, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance of the system improved with PRA, and SNED efficiency increased from 16.0 m·L-1 and 48.0% to 24.4 mg·L-1 and 69.2%, respectively. When the C/N ratio was 10, the TN and PO43--P removal efficiencies increased to 94.5% and 100%, respectfully. When the C/N ratio was decreased to 2.5, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance of the system decreased. The PRA and SNED efficiencies were only 1.36 mg·L-1 and 10%, respectively. During the stable phase of the system (C/N ratio were 10, 7.5 and 5), SNED efficiency reached to 85.9%, with the average effluent concentration of NH4+-N, x--N, and PO43--P being 0.0, 8.1, and 0.1 mg·L-1, respectively.

[Improvement of carbon tetrachloride drug-induced liver injury model in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an ideal CCl4 drug-induced liver injury model in vitro. METHOD: Traditional method and improved method were adopted for preparing CCl4 injury liquid and drug-induced human liver HepG2 cell injury. Cell morphological change was observed under a bright-field microscope. The level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in supernatant was detected by biochemical method. 4-Methyl-tetrazolium (MTT) chromatometry was adopted for determining cell activity. RESULT: The improved method showed better CCl4-induced injury effect than the traditional method. With the increase in the concentration of CCl4 injury liquid, the ALT level significantly increased, whereas the cell activity notably decreased. Particularly, 70% CCl4 injury liquid use for 4 hours could achieve the best injury effect. CONCLUSION: The improved method could be used to establish an ideal CCl4 drug-induced liver injury model in vitro, which can lay foundation for further in vitro studies.

Necessary conditions for the globalization of traditional Chinese medicine.

With the current trend of globalization, unprecedented opportunities and enormous changes have emerged for the global development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, many old and new challenges and problems still remain, including partial or limited comprehension of acupuncture, oriental medicine and TCM, the existence of non-standardized institutes of TCM and acupuncture training schools, unqualified TCM practitioners, and problems concerning Chinese herbal medicine and inexperience in conducting TCM business. These problems will doubtlessly impede the further development of TCM worldwide in the foreseeable future. It is also clear that the globalization of TCM will require a large scale systematic project and constitute an arduous historical task. This paper aims to consolidate 6 strategic development modes to reinforce and facilitate the process of TCM globalization through a detailed analysis of both the present status and existing problems concerning the development of TCM in the United States.

[Effects of jiawei huzhang san decoction on the expressions of inflammatory factors MCP-1 and PDGF-BB in rat models of experimental autoimmune prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Jiawei Huzhang San (JWHZS) decoction on the expressions of the inflammatory factors monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on experimental autoimmune prostatitis in rats. METHODS: Twelve male Wistar rats were taken as normal controls, and models of experimental autoimmune prostatitis were established in another 60 by injection of SC purified prostate protein with FCA, and then divided into five groups to be treated with normal saline, indomethacin, high-dose JWHZS (0.445 g/kg), medium-dose JWHZS (0.223 g/kg) and low-dose JWHZS (0.089 g/kg), respectively. All the rats were sacrificed at 30 days after the treatment for detection of the mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory factors by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: In the high-, medium- and low-dose JWHZS groups, the mRNA expressions of MCP-1 (0.31 +/- 0.14, 0.49 +/- 0.21 and 0.62 +/- 0.28) and PDGF-BB (0.50 +/- 0.22, 0.54 +/- 0.17 and 0.71 +/- 0.29), and the protein expressions of MCP-1 (677 +/- 208, 725 +/- 311 and 1302 +/- 884) and PDGF-BB (1265 +/- 698, 1347 +/- 827 and 1655 +/- 812) were significantly lower than in the model control group (MCP-1 mRNA: 1.12 +/- 0.43; MCP-1 protein: 2201 +/- 934; PDGF-BB mRNA: 1.14 +/- 0.51; PDGF-BB protein: 2754 +/- 852) (P < 0.05). And JWHZS exhibited a significantly better activity at high and medium doses than at a low dose (P < 0.05). In the indomethacin control group, both the mRNA and protein expressions of MCP-1 (0.71 +/- 0.34 and 1824 +/- 1157) and PDGF-BB (1.08 +/- 0.37 and 2493 +/- 924) were markedly higher than in the JWHZS groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of the inflammatory factors MCP-1 and PDGF-BB may be the important molecular mechanism of JWHZS acting on experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

[Observation on therapeutic effects of elongated needle therapy on dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of elongated needle therapy and routine acupuncture therapy on dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Randomized, controlled, multi-central method was adopted and 150 cases confirmed to the enrolled criteria were divided into two groups by odd or even number, an elongated needle group (n = 72) and a routine acupuncture group (n = 78). Acupuncture was given at bilateral Zhibian (BL 54) and Zhongji (CV 3) in the two groups, once daily, 5 sessions constituting one course, with a 2-day interval between two courses. The treatment was given for 2 courses. Changes of I-PSS symptom cumulative score, urine flowing rate, residual urine in bladder before and after the treatment were observed. RESULTS: The effective rate was 83.3% in the elongated needle group and 44.9% in the routine acupuncture group. There were significant differences between the two groups in improvemet of I-PSS score, increase of urine flowing rate and reduction of residual urine in bladder (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The elongated needle therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia.