Two zinc finger proteins, VdZFP1 and VdZFP2, interact with VdCmr1 to promote melanized microsclerotia development and stress tolerance in Verticillium dahliae.

BACKGROUND: Melanin plays important roles in morphological development, survival, host-pathogen interactions and in the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi. In Verticillum dahliae, increases in melanin are recognized as markers of maturation of microsclerotia which ensures the long-term survival and stress tolerance, while decreases in melanin are correlated with increased hyphal growth in the host. The conserved upstream components of the VdCmr1-regulated pathway controlling melanin production in V. dahliae have been extensively identified, but the direct activators of this pathway are still unclear. RESULTS: We identified two genes encoding conserved C2H2-type zinc finger proteins VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 adjacent to VdPKS9, a gene encoding a negative regulator of both melanin biosynthesis and microsclerotia formation in V. dahliae. Both VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 were induced during microsclerotia development and were involved in melanin deposition. Their localization changed from cytoplasmic to nuclear in response to osmotic pressure. VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 act as modulators of microsclerotia melanization in V. dahliae, as confirmed by melanin biosynthesis inhibition and supplementation with the melanin pathway intermediate scytalone in albino strains. The results indicate that VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 participate in melanin biosynthesis by positively regulating VdCmr1. Based on the results obtained with yeast one- and two-hybrid (Y1H and Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) systems, we determined the melanin biosynthesis relies on the direct interactions among VdZFP1, VdZFP2 and VdCmr1, and these interactions occur on the cell walls of microsclerotia. Additionally, VdZFP1 and/or VdZFP2 mutants displayed increased sensitivity to stress factors rather than alterations in pathogenicity, reflecting the importance of melanin in stress tolerance of V. dahliae. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 positively regulate VdCmr1 to promote melanin deposition during microsclerotia development, providing novel insight into the regulation of melanin biosynthesis in V. dahliae.

A multicentre study on the effect of moderate perineal protection technique: a new technique for perineal management in labour.

We conducted a large-sample study in six midwifery centres to estimate the effectiveness of Moderate Perineal Protection technique during spontaneous delivery. 31,249 women accepted the traditional technique were selected as control group, and 57,056 women accepted the Moderate Perineal Protection technique as the observation group. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between the two groups. The perineal episiotomy rate decreased (22.913% vs. 32.161%, p < .05), the perineal integrity significantly increased (43.505% vs. 36.384%, p < .05) and perineal trauma reduced in the observation group when compared to the control group (54.630% vs. 61.239% in first degree tears, and 1.826% vs. 2.340% in second degree tears, p < .05). The neonatal asphyxia rate in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (p < .05). The observation group also had a higher rate of total satisfaction, lower VAS score for perineal pain, shorter postpartum hospitalisation days, lower rate of postpartum urinary retention and postpartum incontinence (p < .05). We concluded that the Moderate Perineal Protection technique is safe, effective and worth promoting widely.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? In order to reduce the episiotomy rate and reduce perineal injury, some researches have been carried out and some perineal techniques have been evaluated, but there are still many aspects to improve.What the results of this study add? Moderate Perineal Protection technique can effectively reduce episiotomy rate, protect perineal integrity, improve neonatal outcomes and increase maternal satisfaction.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The Moderate Perineal Protection technique is an effective and safe technique worth clinical promoting widely. Further research could focus on the long-term effects of Moderate Perineal Protection technique, such as pelvic floor injury and long-term mother-child outcomes.

The Effect of Tai Chi on Cardiorespiratory Fitness for Coronary Disease Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Tai Chi that originated in China as a martial art is an aerobic exercise with low-to-moderate intensity and may play a role in cardiac rehabilitation. Aim: To systematically review the effect of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory fitness for coronary disease rehabilitation. Methods: We performed a search for Chinese and English studies in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Data, and China Science and Technology Journal Database. The search strategy included terms relating to or describing Tai Chi and coronary disease, and there were no exclusion criteria for other types of diseases or disorders. Further, bibliographies of the related published systematic reviews were also reviewed. The searches, data extraction, and risk of bias (ROB) assessments were conducted by two independent investigators. Differences were resolved by consensus. RevMan 5.3.0 was used to analyze the study results. We used quantitative synthesis if the included studies were sufficiently homogeneous and performed subgroup analyses for studies with different control groups. To minimize bias in our findings, we used GRADEpro to grade the available evidence. Results: Five studies were enrolled-two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and three nonrandomized controlled trials (N-RCTs)-that included 291 patients. All patients had coronary disease. ROB assessments showed a relatively high selection and detection bias. Meta-analyses showed that compared to other types of low- or moderate-intensity exercise, Tai Chi could significantly improve VO2max [MD = 4.71, 95% CI (3.58, 5.84), P < 0.00001], but it seemed less effective at improving VO2max as compared to high-intensity exercise. This difference, however, was not statistically significant [MD = -1.10, 95% CI (-2.46, 0.26), P = 0.11]. The GRADEpro showed a low level of the available evidence. Conclusion: Compared to no exercise or other types of exercise with low-to-moderate intensity, Tai Chi seems a good choice for coronary disease rehabilitation in improving cardiorespiratory fitness. However, owing to the poor methodology quality, more clinical trials with large sample size, strict randomization, and clear description about detection and reporting processes are needed to further verify the evidence.

[Impact of qutan huayu jiedu herbs on monocyte subpopulations abnormality in patients with hyperlipidemia of phlegm-stagnancy obstruction syndrome pattern].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of monocyte subpopulations and the changes of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD163 and CD36 expressions in the peripheral blood of patients with hyperlipidemia of phlegm-stagnancy obstruction syndrome pattern (HLE-PSO), and to evaluate the intervening effects of Qutan Huayu Jiedu (QHJ) herbs on these parameters. METHODS: Monocytes in the peripheral blood were sorted using flow cytometry into 3 subpopulations: the CD14high CD16- (Mo1), the CD14high CD16+ (Mo2a) and the CD14low CD16+ (Mo2b) subpopulation. The percentages of various monocyte subpopulations in 83 patients and 42 matched healthy controls were determined and the levels of their surface receptors TLR4, CD163 and CD36 expressions were assayed with flow cytometer. Furthermore, patients allocated in the tested group (10 patients) and the control group (11 patients) were treated with QHJ Herbs and Qutan Huayu (QH, removing Phlegm and dissolving stagnancy but without detoxication) herbs respectively. The changes of monocyte subpopulations percentage and TLR4, CD163 and CD36 expressions were determined 4 weeks after they received treatment. RESULTS: Percentage of Mo2a subpopulation was significantly higher in HLE-PSO patients than the normal range (5.35 +/- 2.57 vs. 3.09 +/- 2.38, P < 0.01), but the deviation of the other two subpopulations in percentage was insignificant. The TLR4 expression on Mo1 monocyte in patients was lower than normal (50.73 +/- 24.45 vs. 69.92 +/- 21.06, P < 0.01), while CD163 and CD36 expressions of all three subpopulations in patients were similar to those in healthy persons respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, a significant lowered Mo2a proportions were observed in the tested group (3.73 +/- 1.05 vs. 5.50 +/- 2.06, P = 0.043); but not in the control group (4.20 +/- 1.81 vs. 5.65 +/- 1.89, P = 0.097), while the levels of TLR4, CD163 and CD36 were not significantly altered after treatment in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated proportions of Mo2a subpopulation and the lowered TLR4 expression in Mol subpopulation are the characteristic changes in HLE-PSO patients, which might be related with the hyperlipidemia caused immune injury in patients. QHJ herbs could effectively improve the disproportion of Mo2a subpopulation.

[Clinical observation on treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with qi-supplementing and blood-activating therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qi-supplementing and blood-activating (QSBA) in treating diabetic peripheral nephropathy (DPN). METHODS: Sixty-eight type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with Qi deficiency-blood stasis Syndrome were randomly divided into two groups, the neurotrophic agents were used in both groups, while QSBA herbs were used in the treated group additionally. The treatment course was 2 months. Blood glucose (BG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were detected before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the BG, blood lipid, NCV were improved significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups, but the improvement was more significant in the QSBA treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: QSBA, in treating DPN, can not only improve its symptoms, but also ameliorate the NCV.