Complete chloroplast genome sequences of the ornamental plant Prunus cistena and comparative and phylogenetic analyses with its closely related species.

BACKGROUND: Prunus cistena is an excellent color leaf configuration tree for urban landscaping in the world, which has purplish red leaves, light pink flowers, plant shape and high ornamental value. Genomic resources for P. cistena are scarce, and a clear phylogenetic and evolutionary history for this species has yet to be elucidated. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the complete chloroplast genome of P. cistena and compared it with related species of the genus Prunus based on the chloroplast genome. RESULTS: The complete chloroplast genome of P. cistena is a 157,935 bp long typical tetrad structure, with an overall GC content of 36.72% and higher GC content in the in the inverted repeats (IR) regions than in the large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions. It contains 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The ycf3 and clpP genes have two introns, with the longest intron in the trnK-UUU gene in the LSC region. Moreover, the genome has a total of 253SSRs, with the mononucleotide SSRs being the most abundant. The chloroplast sequences and gene arrangements of P. cistena are highly conserved, with the overall structure and gene order similar to other Prunus species. The atpE, ccsA, petA, rps8, and matK genes have undergone significant positive selection in Prunus species. P. cistena has a close evolutionary relationship with P. jamasakura. The coding and IR regions are more conserved than the noncoding regions, and the chloroplast DNA sequences are highly conserved throughout the genus Prunus. CONCLUSIONS: The current genomic datasets provide valuable information for further species identification, evolution, and phylogenetic research of the genus Prunus.

Multichromosomal mitochondrial genome of Punica granatum: comparative evolutionary analysis and gene transformation from chloroplast genomes.

BACKGROUND: Punica granatum is a fundamentally important fruit tree that has important economic, medicinal and ornamental properties. At present, there are few reports on the mitochondrial genome of pomegranate. Hence, in this study the P. granatum mitogenome was sequenced and assembled to further understanding of organization, variation, and evolution of mitogenomes of this tree species. RESULTS: The genome structure was multi-chromosomes with seven circular contigs, measuring 382,774 bp in length with a 45.91% GC content. It contained 74 genes, including 46 protein-coding genes, 25 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes. There were 188 pairs of dispersed repeats with lengths of 30 or greater, primarily consisting of reverse complementary repeats. The mitogenome analysis identified 114SSRs and 466 RNA editing sites. Analyses of codon usage, nucleotide diversity and gene migration from chloroplast to mitochondrial were also conducted. The collinear and comparative analysis of mitochondrial structures between P. granatum and its proximal species indicated that P. granatum 'Taishanhong' was closely related to P. granatum 'Qingpitian' and Lagerstroemia indica. Phylogenetic examination based on the mitogenome also confirmed the evolutionary relationship. CONCLUSION: The results offered crucial information on the evolutionary biology of pomegranate and highlighted ways to promote the utilization of the species' germplasm.

Effects of continuous renal replacement therapy on inflammation-related anemia, iron metabolism and prognosis in sepsis patients with acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on inflammation-related anemia, iron metabolism, and the prognosis in sepsis patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: Sepsis patients with AKI were prospectively enrolled and randomized into the CRRT and control groups. The clinical and laboratory data on days 1, 3 and 7 after intensive care unit (ICU) admission were collected. The serum interleukin (IL)-6, hepcidin, erythropoietin, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and 28-day mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (categorical variables), and Mann-Whitney U-test or t-test (continuous variables). RESULTS: The hemoglobin and serum erythropoietin levels did not significantly differ between the CRRT and control groups though gradually decreased within the first week of ICU admission. On days 3 and 7, the serum IL-6, hepcidin, ferritin, and red blood cell distribution width significantly decreased in the CRRT group compared to the control group (all P<0.05). On day 7, the serum iron was significantly elevated in the CRRT group compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, the serum sTfR did not significantly differ between the groups over time. In addition, the SOFA scores were significantly lower in the CRRT group compared to the control group on day 7. The 28-day mortality did not significantly differ between the control and CRRT groups (38.0% vs. 28.2%, P=0.332) . CONCLUSION: CRRT might have beneficial effects on the improvement in inflammation-related iron metabolism and disease severity during the first week of ICU admission but not anemia and 28-day mortality in sepsis patients with AKI.

Effects of temperature control on hyperthermia-related cardiac dysfunction in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

The outcome of cardiac arrest is worse when there is fever after spontaneous circulation is restored (ROSC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of post-ROSC cardiac dysfunction after hyperthermia treatment and the effects of temperature control. Twenty-four male Bama minipigs were randomized into 3 groups (8 per group): CPR + controlled normothermia (CN), CPR + hyperthermia (HT), and CPR + therapeutic mild hypothermia (TMH). Defibrillation was given to pigs with ventricular fibrillation after 8 min of untreated fibrillation. Subsequently, these animals received the post-ROSC treatments of hyperthermia (38 °C), controlled normothermia (37 °C) or hypothermia (33 °C) according to the groups. Hemodynamic parameters, left ventricular ejection fraction, blood samples and myocardial tissues were assessed. At 24 h after the post-ROSC treatments, the pigs treated with hyperthermia showed increments in heart rate and plasma cardiac troponin I, and decreases in mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and left ventricular ejection fraction, compared to those with the controlled normothermia pigs. However, the deterioration of the above parameters can be attenuated by TMH. The pigs in the TMH group also had a reduced percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, an increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2/Bax ratio and a decreased caspase-3 activity in myocardium, as compared with both controlled normothermia and hyperthermia pigs. In conclusion, hyperthermia is associated with a worse myocardial dysfunction. TMH improves hyperthermia-induced myocardial dysfunction by attenuating apoptosis in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

Mild Hypothermia Alleviates Complement C5a-Induced Neuronal Autophagy During Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Cardiac Arrest.

After restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following cardiac arrest, complements can be activated and excessive autophagy can contribute to the brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Mild hypothermia (HT) protects against brain I/R injury after ROSC, but the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that HT significantly inhibited the increases in serum NSE, S100ß, and C5a, as well as neurologic deficit scores, TUNEL-positive cells, and autophagic vacuoles in the pig brain cortex after ROSC. The C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) mRNA and the C5a, C5aR1, Beclin 1, LC3-II, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were significantly increased, but the P62 protein and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were significantly reduced in pigs after ROSC or neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. HT could significantly attenuate the above changes in NT-treated neurons. Furthermore, C5a treatment induced autophagy and apoptosis and reduced the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in cultured neurons, which could be reversed by C5aR1 antagonist PMX205. Our findings demonstrated that C5a could bind to C5aR1 to induce neuronal autophagy during the brain I/R injury, which was associated with the inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. HT could inhibit C5a-induced neuronal autophagy by regulating the C5a-C5aR1 interaction and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which might be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying I/R injury. The C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) mRNA and the C5a, C5aR1, Beclin 1, LC3-II, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were significantly increased, but the P62 protein and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were significantly reduced in pigs after ROSC or neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Mild hypothermia (HT) could significantly attenuate the above changes in NT-treated neurons. Furthermore, C5a treatment induced autophagy and apoptosis and reduced the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in cultured neurons, which could be reversed by C5aR1 antagonist PMX205. Proposed mechanism by which HT protects against brain I/R injury by repressing C5a-C5aR1-induced excessive autophagy. Complement activation in response to brain I/R injury generates C5a that can interact with C5aR1 to inactivate mTOR, probably through the PI3K-AKT pathway, which can finally lead to autophagy activation. The excessively activated autophagy ultimately contributes to cell apoptosis and brain injury. HT may alleviate complement activation and then reduce C5a-induced autophagy to protect against brain I/R injury. HT, mild hypothermia; I/R, ischemia reperfusion.

Factors associated with failure of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy failure in patients with severe COVID-19. METHODS: We retrospectively examined clinical and laboratory data upon admission, treatments, and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were also calculated. RESULTS: Of 54 patients with severe COVID-19, HFNC therapy was successful in 28 (51.9%) and unsuccessful in 26 (48.1%). HFNC therapy failure was more common in patients aged ≥60 years and in men. Compared with patients with successful HFNC therapy, patients with HFNC therapy failure had higher percentages of fatigue, anorexia, and cardiovascular disease; a longer time from symptom onset to diagnosis; higher SOFA scores; a higher body temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate; more complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, myocardial damage, and acute kidney injury; a higher C-reactive protein concentration, neutrophil count, and prothrombin time; and a lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2). However, male sex, a low PaO2/FiO2, and a high SOFA score were the only independent factors significantly associated with HFNC therapy failure. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, a low PaO2/FiO2, and a high SOFA score were independently associated with HFNC therapy failure in patients with severe COVID-19.

The impact of corporate social responsibility on firm reputation and organizational citizenship behavior: The mediation of organic organizational cultures.

This study investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm reputation and organizational citizenship behavior, along with the mediating inclusion of organic organizational cultures (Clan and Adhocracy) in the medium and large enterprises of Pakistan. To do the path analysis and to investigate the mediating role of organic organization culture, Smart PLS was used. For data collection, the convenience sampling technique was used and responses from 360 questionnaires were the main data source. The results displayed that CSR has a significant and optimistic effect on a firm reputation and employees' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Secondly, the outcomes showed a positive and full mediation effect of organic organizational cultures between CSR and firm reputation but a partial mediation effect of organic organizational cultures between CSR and employees OCB. Further, the results demonstrated a positive and significant influence of employees' OCB on a firm reputation. The extensive analysis of all factors of the study was autonomously examined to identify the insights that verify how the inclusion of organic organizational cultures can boost the firm reputation and employees' OCB. Theoretical implications and future research direction are discussed.

Risk factors associated with 28-day all-cause mortality in older severe COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China: a retrospective observational study.

We aimed to analyse clinical characteristics and identify risk factors predicting all-cause mortality in older patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 281 older patients with severe COVID-19 were categorized into two age groups (60-79 years and ≥ 80 years). Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data, and outcome were obtained. Patients aged ≥ 80 years had higher mortality (63.6%) than those aged 60-79 years (33.5%). Anorexia and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes and COPD, higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), osmotic pressure, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, high-sensitivity troponin I and procalcitonin, and higher SOFA scores were more common in patients aged > 80 years than those aged 60-79 years and also more common and higher in non-survivors than survivors. LDH, osmotic pressure, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, high-sensitivity troponin I, and procalcitonin were positively correlated with age and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), whereas CD8+ and lymphocyte counts were negatively correlated with age and SOFA. Anorexia, comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), LDH, osmotic pressure, and SOFA were significantly associated with 28-day all-cause mortality. LDH, osmotic pressure and SOFA were valuable for predicting 28-day all-cause mortality, whereas the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of LDH was the largest, with sensitivity of 86.0% and specificity of 80.8%. Therefore, patients with severe COVID-19 aged ≥ 80 years had worse condition and higher mortality than did those aged 60-79 years, and anorexia and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, COPD, elevated plasma osmotic pressure, LDH, and high SOFA were independent risk factors associated with 28-day all-cause mortality in older patients with severe COVID-19. LDH may have the highest predictive value for 28-day all-cause mortality in all examined factors.

Inflammatory anemia-associated parameters are related to 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis admitted to the ICU: a preliminary observational study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is one of the most common complications of sepsis. Sepsis-related anemia is associated mainly with inflammation. We aimed to observe the changes in the inflammatory anemia-associated parameters of patients with sepsis in the early stage of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and to evaluate their association with 28-day mortality. METHODS: A total of 198 patients with sepsis were divided into survivor (n = 110) and non-survivor (n = 88) groups on the basis of 28-day survival. Healthy volunteers (n = 20) were enrolled as a control group. Plasma levels of iron, ferritin, erythropoietin (EPO), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), hemoglobin and the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were measured on days 1, 3 and 7 of ICU admission. Clinical data and laboratory findings were collected, and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was calculated. RESULTS: Patients with sepsis showed significant decreases in hemoglobin, plasma iron and sTfR/log ferritin and significant increases in plasma EPO, sTfR, hepcidin, ferritin and IL-6 on days 1, 3 and 7 of ICU admission compared with healthy volunteers. Hemoglobin was correlated negatively with plasma IL-6 and hepcidin. In patients with sepsis, non-survivors had significantly lower plasma iron, EPO and sTfR/log ferritin, but higher plasma hepcidin, ferritin and IL-6 than survivors on days 1, 3 and 7 of ICU admission. Plasma EPO, hepcidin, ferritin, IL-6, sTfR/log ferritin, the RDW and SOFA score were associated significantly with 28-day mortality but to a varying extent. In particular, in predicting 28-day mortality, plasma hepcidin had an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.808 and 87.3% specificity, which was the highest among the inflammatory anemia-associated parameters tested. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory anemia-associated parameters changed significantly in patients with sepsis in the first week of ICU admission. Plasma EPO, hepcidin, ferritin, IL-6, sTfR/log ferritin, the RDW and SOFA score were associated significantly with 28-day mortality. Plasma hepcidin might have a superior predictive value, with high specificity, compared with other inflammatory anemia-associated parameters for 28-day mortality of sepsis patients in the ICU.

Correlation of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine with diabetic nephropathy.

To detect the serum concentrations of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in patients with diabetic nephropathy and SPARC mRNA and protein expressions in renal tissue of db/db mice (C57BL/KsJ, diabetic nephropathy mice), thus preliminary exploration on the role of secreted protein acidic riches in cysteine in the development of diabetic nephropathy were carried out. Serum SPARC levels in normal subjects, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (without diabetic nephropathy), chronic renal failure (without diabetes mellitus), and diabetic nephropathy were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 12-week-old db/db mice (db/db group) and its littermate wild-type control mice (NC group) were selected with 6 from each group, and the kidney tissue were taken. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the mRNA, targeted protein expressions of SPARC and the staining of renal tissue. The serum level of SPARC in diabetic nephropathy group was significantly higher than those in normal group, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The SPARC level in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group was higher than that in normal group (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between normal group and chronic renal failure. SPARC mRNA and protein levels in renal tissue of db/db mice were higher compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05). The long term hyperglycemic state in patients with diabetic nephropathy causes pathological change of renal tissue. Simultaneously, increased secretion of SPARC from renal tissue results in elevation of serum SPARC level. SPARC correlates with the occurrence and progression of diabetes, and it may play a role in pathological change of diabetic nephropathy.

Association of serum SPARC level with severity of coronary artery lesion in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of serum SPARC level with the severity of coronary artery lesion in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: 120 patients with type 2 diabetic patients were the subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of serum SPARC and Gensini score was used to assess extent of coronary artery lesions. The patients were divided into 4 groups: A group was the healthy control group with 40 patients. According to angiography and the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria for diabetes the rest were divided into B, C, D group: there were 40 cases in group B (simple type 2 diabetes mellitus group), 40 cases were in group C (simple CHD group), and 40 cases were in D group (type 2 diabetes combined with coronary heart disease group). RESULTS: Compared with that in group A, the serum SPARC level in group B, C and D increased significantly (4.22±1.19) µg/L, (3.71±1.05) µg/L and (5.96±1.40) µg/L vs (3.60±0.40) µg/L (P<0.05 ). Moreover, the serum SPARC level in group D was the highest (P<0.05). Serum SPARC level, insulin resistance (IR), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were the vital factors contributing to coronary heart disease. Serum SPARC level was positively correlated with the Gensini scores in group D (r=0.770, P<0.05), whereas it was not related to the Gensini scores in group C (r=0.520, P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum SPARC level was positively correlated with triglyceride, fasting insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance Index (r=0.780, 0.762 and 0.891, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum SPARC level elevated in T2DM patients with coronary heart disease, which was correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease significantly.