AHNAK2 Regulates NF-κB/MMP-9 Signaling to Promote Pancreatic Cancer Progression.

Early metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PaC) is a major cause of its high mortality rate. Previous studies have shown that AHNAK2 is involved in the progression of some tumors and is predicted to be an independent prognostic factor for PaC; however, the specific mechanisms through which AHNAK2 regulates PaC remain unclear. In this study, we examined the role of AHNAK2 in PaC and its potential molecular mechanisms. AHNAK2 mRNA and protein expression in PaC tissues and cells were measured using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. After AHNAK2 knockdown using small interfering RNA, PaC cells were subjected to CCK-8 scratch, and Transwell assays to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, the validation of the mechanistic pathway was achieved by western blot analysis. AHNAK2 mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in PaC and silencing AHNAK2 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PaC cells. Mechanistically, AHNAK2 knockdown decreased the expression of phosphorylated p65, phosphorylated IκBα, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), suggesting that activation of the NF-κB/MMP-9 signaling pathway was inhibited. Importantly, activation of NF-κB reversed the effects of AHNAK2 knockdown. Our findings indicate that AHNAK2 promotes PaC progression through the NF-kB/MMP-9 pathway and provides a theoretical basis for targeting AHNAK2 for the treatment of PaC.

Risk factors for asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis in eastern China.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and adults and can lead to a high health and socioeconomic burden. Allergic rhinitis (AR) often precedes the development of asthma. This study aims to clarify the risk factors for cocurrent asthma in patients with AR in eastern China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 3739 patients with AR was performed in eastern China. Patients meeting the criteria for AR were evaluated using a skin-prick test (SPT) of 16 common aeroallergens. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of asthma in patients with AR. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in patients with AR was 14.23%. The patients sensitive to dust mites (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) had the highest prevalence (76.84% and 73.68%). A significant difference was found in sensitization to four types of allergens (D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, dog dander, Alternaria alternata) in patients with AR with and without asthma. The strongest risk factor for asthma in patients with AR was an allergy to Aspergillus fumigatus (adjusted OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.50-3.90), followed by allergy to D. pteronyssinus (adjusted OR, 2.06; 1.30-3.27), and allergy to dog dander (adjusted OR, 1.92; 1.24-2.97). Various risk factors that are independently associated with asthma in patients with AR were found in different age groups. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a difference in risk factors in patients with AR with and without asthma. Clarifying the risk factors for asthma in patients with AR is important and may be beneficial to the optimal interventions of asthma.

Significantly reducing post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring surgery by double-layer suture: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although tonsillectomies carry a low-risk for adverse events, postoperative hemorrhage has been reported as the most common complication. AIM: To compare the rates of postoperative secondary hemorrhage for tonsillectomy with or without double-layer suture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 5087 patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy with or without suture from 2006 to 2016. All cases had been followed up 3 weeks and severe secondary hemorrhage cases requiring operation were analyzed. RESULTS: The severe secondary hemorrhage rate was statistically higher in group without suture (1.96%) as compared with the group with suture (1.08%). The surgery time (36.55 ± 7.45) was longer in patients with suture as compared to patients without suture (31.50 ± 6.23). In the age between 18 and 49 years group, the higher secondary hemorrhage rate (2.44%) was found in patients without suture. The rate of postoperative hemorrhage (0.96%) was significantly higher in patients without suture as compared with patients with suture (0.36%) on postoperative 5th day. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of severe secondary hemorrhage is reduced in coblation tonsillectomy with suture. The rate of secondary hemorrhage is lower in patients with suture in 18 to 49 years old group and on the 5th day after surgery.

Development of a TaqMan probe-based quantitative reverse transcription PCR assay for detection of Getah virus RNA.

Getah virus (GETV), a mosquito-borne virus that mainly infects horses and pigs, has emerged and spread in China. We developed a highly specific and reproducible TaqMan probe-based quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay targeting the non-structural protein 1 of GETV, whose detection limit is 25.5 copies/µL, which is 100-fold higher than that of conventional RT-PCR. RT-qPCR was used to detect GETV RNA in mosquito and animal clinical samples, showing that the accuracy of RT-qPCR was higher than that of conventional RT-PCR. The newly developed RT-qPCR assay may be a useful alternative tool for rapid, simple and specific diagnosis of GETV infection.

Outbreak of severe pseudorabies virus infection in pig-offal-fed farmed mink in Liaoning Province, China.

An outbreak of severe pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection in farmed mink occurred in northern China in late 2014, causing significant economic losses in the local fur industry. Here, we report the first case of a PRV outbreak in mink in northeastern China, caused by feeding farmed mink with raw pork or organs contaminated by PRV. Mink infected with virulent PRV exhibited diarrhea, neurologic signs, and higher mortality, which can be misdiagnosed as highly pathogenic mink enteritis virus (MEV), canine distemper virus (CDV), and food poisoning. However, these were excluded as causative agents by PCR or bacteria isolation. The duration of disease was 3-7 days, and the mortality rate was 80-90%. PRV was characterized using indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and electron microscopy (EM). Phylogenetic analysis based on full-length genome sequences and those of individual genes of this novel virus strain showed that it clustered in an independent branch with several other PRV isolates from China.

Bone Age and Serum Osteocalcin Levels in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Before and After Adenotonsillectomy.

Our aim was to study the changes in bone age and serum osteocalcin levels before and after adenotonsillectomy (AT) in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). A total of 58 OSAHS children (37 males and 21 females) with the mean age of 6.68 ± 1.11 years were enrolled and assessed by x-ray-based bone age estimation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based measurement of serum osteocalcin levels, before surgery and 6 months after AT. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Our results revealed that bone age and serum osteocalcin levels in OSAHS patients were significantly lower than normal controls before AT (P < 0.05). Within 6 months after surgery, the bone age and the serum osteocalcin levels were significantly elevated in OSAHS patients (P < 0.05), compared with those before surgery. Serum osteocalcin levels and bone age are negatively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, the percentage of the total recorded time spent below 90% oxygen saturation, and Epworth sleepiness scale scores (all P < 0.05). Our findings suggested that bone age and serum osteocalcin levels may be correlated with the development of OSAHS in children. AT may improve bone age and serum osteocalcin levels in OSAHS children.

Molecular simulation assisted identification of Ca(2+) binding residues in TMEM16A.

Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) play vital roles in a variety of physiological processes. Transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) has been confirmed as the molecular counterpart of CaCCs which greatly pushes the molecular insights of CaCCs forward. However, the detailed mechanism of Ca(2+) binding and activating the channel is still obscure. Here, we utilized a combination of computational and electrophysiological approaches to discern the molecular mechanism by which Ca(2+) regulates the gating of TMEM16A channels. The simulation results show that the first intracellular loop serves as a Ca(2+) binding site including D439, E444 and E447. The experimental results indicate that a novel residue, E447, plays key role in Ca(2+) binding. Compared with WT TMEM16A, E447Y produces a 30-fold increase in EC50 of Ca(2+) activation and leads to a 100-fold increase in Ca(2+) concentrations that is needed to fully activate the channel. The following steered molecular dynamic (SMD) simulation data suggests that the mutations at 447 reduce the Ca(2+) dissociation energy. Our results indicated that both the electrical property and the size of the side-chain at residue 447 have significant effects on Ca(2+) dependent gating of TMEM16A.

Cloning, expression and antiviral activity of mink alpha-interferons.

BACKGROUND: As a key link between innate and adaptive immune responses, the interferon (IFN) system is the first line of defense against viral infection. IFN, and in particular, IFN-α, has been used clinically as an effective therapeutic agent for viral infections. However, different subtypes of IFN-α demonstrate distinct antiviral activity. Therefore, it is important to identify IFN-α subtypes with high antiviral activity for the development of genetically engineered antiviral drugs. RESULTS: In this study, we cloned the genes for 13 IFN-α subtypes from peripheral blood lymphocytes of the mink. The homologies of the 13 mink IFN-α genes were 93.6-99.3% and 88.8-98.4% at the nucleotide and amino acid sequence levels, respectively. In contrast to human and canine IFN-α subtypes, most mink IFN-α subtypes contained two N-glycosylation sites. We expressed and purified 13 mink IFN-α subtypes in Escherichia coli. The cytopathic effect inhibition assay showed that all the 13 recombinant mink IFN-α subtypes inhibited the propagation of vesicular stomatitis virus in WISH cells, with IFN-α2 and IFN-α12 demonstrating the highest activities. Furthermore, recombinant mink IFN-α2 and IFN-α12 significantly suppressed the propagation of canine distemper virus in Vero cells, with IFN-α2 demonstrating the highest activity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified the mink IFN-α2 subtype as a promising candidate for the development of effective antiviral drugs.

[Extracts from Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri Regulates Expression of ID1 in Mscs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore BMP4 affecting the Extracts from Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri (PTE) stimulating proliferation of MSCs and the mechanism. METHODS: Cotransfected PGL3-IDI and pEGFP-BMP4 of 0, 0. 1,0. 3, 0. 5 and 1 µg/mL respectively using the calcium phosphate co-precipitation method in rat MSCs. One of transfected cells were divided into control group and PTE group. PTE group was stimulated by PTE of 30 µ/L for 36 h, while control group was not. Collected cells using lucifease activity measurement to detect the activity of ID. Then 0. 3 µg/mL pEGFP-BMP4 was chose to cotransfect. MSCs was divided into control group, PTE group, BMP4 group, BMP4 + PTE group. BMP4 and BMP4 + PTE group were cotransfected with PGL3-ID1 and pEGFP-BMP4 but control or PTE groups were not. PTE and BMP4 + PTE groups were stimulated by PTE of 30 µg/mL for 36 h but the either two groups were not. The activities of ID1, BMP4 and RARα were detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expressions of ID1, BMP4 and RARa rose in PTE group. The expression of BMP4 and RARα rose while IDI decreased in BMP4 groups. BMP4, ID1 and RARα decreased remarkable in BMP4 + PTE group comparing with BMP4 group. CONCLUSION: PTE promotes the proliferation of MSCs, it also regulates the expression of BMP4 to prevent excessive proliferation of MSCs.

Isolation and complete nucleotide sequence of a Batai virus strain in Inner Mongolia, China.

BACKGROUND: Batai virus (BATV) is a member of the Orthobunyavirus genus of the family Bunyaviridae, and a vector-borne pathogen. Genomic variations of BATV exist in different regions of the world, due to genetic reassortment. Whole-genome sequencing of any isolate is necessary for a phylogenetic analysis. In 1998, a BATV strain was isolated from an Anopheles philippines mosquito in Yunnan Province, China. This strain has not been found to infect any other host. We investigated BATV infection in cattle in Inner Mongolia, China and performed deep sequencing of the genome of the BATV isolate. FINDINGS: Ninety-five blood samples were collected from cattle in Inner Mongolia, China in 2012. The BATV infection rate was 2.1%. Previously, BATV strain NM/12 was isolated from two cattle in Inner Mongolia, China, and the whole genomic sequence of the strain has been available. We determined the complete genomic nucleotide sequences of the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments using bovine blood obtained in 2012, and the nucleotide homologies of these segments with those from GenBank were 88.7%-97%, 84%-95.4%, and 72.6%-95.8%, respectively. The deduced amino acid identities were 87.2-99.7%, 64.2-96.8%, and 81.1-98.6%. Phylogenetic analyses based on full-length genomic sequences indicated that the M and L segments, and a portion of the S segment, of NM/12 are most closely related to the BATV strains isolated in Asia. The S and M segments of NM/12 were independent of phylogenetic lineages. The L segment was the most closely related to Chittoor/IG-20217 (isolated in India), and distantly related to isolated strains in Italy. Nucleotide substitution rates in the nucleotide sequences that code for the nucleocapsid, envelope glycoprotein, and polymerase protein of NM/12 strain were 2.56%, 4.69%, and 4.21%, respectively, relative to the original strain of MM2222. CONCLUSION: A novel BATV NM/12 strain from bovine serum collected in Inner Mongolia was isolated from cattle in China for the first time. Our findings elucidate the evolutionary status of the BATV NM/12 strain among different orthobunyavirus strains and may provide some clues to prevent the emergence of BATV infection in cattle and humans.

[Effect of retinociacdi combined extracts from testudinis carapacis et plastri on proliferating in MSCs and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of retinociacdi (RA) combined extracts from Testudinis Carapacis et Plastri(PTE) on proliferating in MSCs and its mechanism. METHODS: Transfected PGL3-ID1 using the calcium phosphate co-precipitation method in rat MSCs. PTE combined with RA and retinociacdi receptor inhibitor(Ro41) acted on transfected MSCs with respective concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-7) and 10(-8) mol/L. Luciferase activity measurement was used to detect the activity of RAR and IDI 36 h later. PTE acted on MSCs 36 h,3 d and 7 d for respective concentrations of 1, 3, 30 and 100 microg/mL,then collected cells to detect RAR with RT-PCR. PTE combined with RA for 10(-7) mol/L and Ro41 for 10(-6) mol/L respectively on MSCs for 36 h,and then collected cells to detect RAR and ID1 with RT-PCR. RESULTS: PTE promoted expression of ID1 on MSCs. When combined with RA, the promotion effect became greater and it promoted expression of RAR at the same time; When inhibited RA using Ro41, the promotion of IDI was weaken by PTE. CONCLUSION: RA promotes expression of IDI on MSCs, PTE regulates proliferation and differentiation of MSCs by expression of nuclear receptor RAR.

The double-edged effects of IL-6 in liver regeneration, aging, inflammation, and diseases.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine and exerts its complex biological functions mainly through three different signal modes, called cis-, trans-, and cluster signaling. When IL-6 binds to its membrane or soluble receptors, the co-receptor gp130 is activated to initiate downstream signaling and induce the expression of target genes. In the liver, IL-6 can perform its anti-inflammatory activities to promote hepatocyte reprogramming and liver regeneration. On the contrary, IL-6 also exerts the pro-inflammatory functions to induce liver aging, fibrosis, steatosis, and carcinogenesis. However, understanding the roles and underlying mechanisms of IL-6 in liver physiological and pathological processes is still an ongoing process. So far, therapeutic agents against IL­6, IL­6 receptor (IL­6R), IL-6-sIL-6R complex, or IL-6 downstream signal transducers have been developed, and determined to be effective in the intervention of inflammatory diseases and cancers. In this review, we summarized and highlighted the understanding of the double-edged effects of IL-6 in liver homeostasis, aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases, for better shifting the "negative" functions of IL-6 to the "beneficial" actions, and further discussed the potential therapeutic effects of targeting IL-6 signaling in the clinics.

Phosphorus removal in an enhanced biological phosphorus removal process: roles of extracellular polymeric substances.

Phosphorus-accumulating organisms are considered to be the key microorganisms in the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. A large amount of phosphorus is found in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix of these microorganisms. However, the roles of EPS in phosphorus removal have not been fully understood. In this study, the phosphorus in the EBPR sludge was fractionated and further analyzed using quantitative (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The amounts and forms of phosphorus in EPS as well as their changes in an anaerobic-aerobic process were also investigated. EPS could act as a reservoir for phosphorus in the anaerobic-aerobic process. About 5-9% of phosphorus in sludge was reserved in the EPS at the end of the aerobic phase and might further contribute to the phosphorus removal. The chain length of the intracellular long-chain polyphosphate (polyP) decreased in the anaerobic phase and then recovered under aerobic conditions. However, the polyP in the EPS had a much shorter chain length than the intracellular polyP in the whole cycle. The migration and transformation of various forms of phosphorus among microbial cells, EPS, and bulk liquid were also explored. On the basis of these results, a model with a consideration of the roles of EPS was proposed, which is beneficial to elucidate the mechanism of phosphorus removal in the EBPR system.

[Assessment of cognitive function, emotions and activities of daily living in patients with multiple system atrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cognitive function, emotional status and activities of daily living in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). METHODS: Thirty-two MSA patients and 38 healthy controls from October 2009 to November 2012 were recruited from our hospital. Their cognitive function, emotional status and activities of daily living were assessed. Cognitive function was assessed by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE); emotional status by self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS); daily living and activities by activities of daily living scale (ADL). Data analysis was performed with SPSS 19.0. And the results were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Comparison of means was performed with independent sample t test. And Pearson's correlation test was used for correlation analysis. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mild or moderate cognitive impairment was documented in 71.9% of MSA patients. The scores of MoCA and MMSE in the MSA group were significantly lower than those in the control group. And the scores of ADL, SDS and SAS in the MSA group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). MoCA subitems such as space/executive function, attention, abstraction, language and delayed memory of the MSA group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). A negative correlation existed between the scores of MoCA and MMSE with disease duration (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the scores of SDS and SAS with ADL and disease duration (P < 0.05). And the relationship was significant between the scores of SDS and SAS (P < 0.01). A positive correlation existed between scores of ADL with disease duration (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MSA patients have certain degrees of cognitive impairment, emotion disorders and impaired ADL. Cognitive impairment in MSA patients may be more common than previously. Furthermore, the clinical features of cognitive impairment in these patients may have some clinical values for references.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies on the protective effect of molecular hydrogen against nuclear electromagnetic pulse-induced brain damage.

Background: Excessive doses of electromagnetic radiation pose a negative impact on the central nervous system and lead to mental disorders. Molecular hydrogen can scavenge intracellular hydroxyl radicals, acting as an antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent. We seek to assess the capability of molecular hydrogen to ameliorate brain damage induced by electromagnetic radiation. Methods: NEMP (nuclear electromagnetic pulse), a subset of electromagnetic pulse with high voltage value that could cause severe brain injury, was applied to this study. Male wild-type rats were divided into four groups: the control group, the H2 (Molecular hydrogen) group, the NEMP group and the NEMP+H2 group. Rats in the H2 group and the NEMP+H2 group were fed with saturated hydrogen-rich water from 3 days before NEMP exposure (electromagnetic field intensity 400 kV/m, rising edge 20 ns and pulse width 200 ns) to the day of sacrifice. One day after exposure, animal behavior experiments were performed, and samples for transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis were collected. Seven days after exposure, histopathological experiments were conducted. Results: The data from the elevated plus maze and the open field test showed that NEMP exposure elicited anxiety-like behavior in rats, which could be alleviated by H2 treatment. Histopathological results manifested that NEMP exposure-induced injuries of the neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala could be attenuated by H2 treatment. Transcriptomic results revealed that NEMP exposure had a profound effect on microtubule structure in the brain. And the combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that H2 has a significant impact on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, synaptic vesicle cycle and synapse etc. Moreover, it was indicated that the glutathione metabolic pathway played a vital role in the NEMP exposure-induced damage and the protective activity of H2. Conclusions: H2 is identified as a potent agent against NEMP exposure-induced brain damage and has the potential to be a promising electromagnetic radiation protectant.

[Clinical features and neuroimaging findings of 12 patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis involved in corpus callosum].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical features and neuroimaging findings of the patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) involved in corpus callosum (CC) so as to distinguish it from other diseases. METHODS: A total of 12 ADEM patients with the involvement of CC during the period of 2010-2012 were recruited. There were 9 males and 3 females with a mean age of 31±14 years (range: 10-54). Their clinical and neuroimaging features were retrospectively reviewed and all data analyzed by SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: (1) All of them had an acute or subacute onset. Two patients had a history of vaccination and 5 suffered upper respiratory tract infection or diarrhea. (2) The presenting symptoms included fever (n=5), headache (n=4), unsteady gait (n=2), urinary retention (n=1), indifference (n=1) and delirium (n=1). (3) The main clinical symptoms included memory loss (n=9), delirium (n=5), somnolence (n=4), urinary retention (n=9), paraplegia (n=4) and unsteady gait (n=5). (4) The examinations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed increased intracranial pressure (n=4), leucocytosis (n=3) and increased protein (n=7) of 7 cases. All oligoclonal bands were negative. (5) The lesions were involved in bilateral CCs in 12 patients. Among them, splenium was the most commonly affected (n=9), secondly stem (n=5) and lastly genu (n=4). For 6 patients, the intracranial lesions were all in their CCs. And among them, 2 cases were involved in spinal cord. Except for CC, there were other focal lesions in brain stem and cerebellum (n=4) and spinal cord (n=6). (6) On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), all cases showed long T2 signal intensity with blurred images. And among them, 2 cases' lesions in brain were discerned only by diffuse weighing imaging (DWI) or T2 fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2FLAIR) instead of T2-weighted. The lesions of CCs showed on gadolinium-enhanced MRI were significantly enhanced and the shapes were sheet-like (4/6). Spinal cord lesions was found in 6 cases and most spinal cord lesions were discontinuous. And the number of spinal cord segments with lesions was from 4 to 8. The shapes of lesions of spinal cord showed on enhanced MRI were like thin line. (7) Most of them were misdiagnosed as viral encephalitis (n=5), tuberculous meningoencephalitis (n=1) and brain neoplasms (n=2). And another case was admitted into urology surgery ward due to urinary retention. CONCLUSION: There are three key points about the characteristics of the ADEM patients with CC lesions: (1) They may have an adult male preponderance. The distinctive symptoms include fever, headache, delirium, somnolence, memory loss, unsteady gait and urination disorders, etc.. (2) The number of lesions on brain MRI can be multiple or single, especially the lesions of CC (mostly in splenium). On MRI, all cases showed long T2 signal intensity with blurred images so that DWI and T2 FLAIR may have a higher efficiency of detecting the lesions. In particular, multiple lesions may be all enhanced or not enhanced at equal pace on enhanced MRI. (3) In ADEM patients with CC lesions, many indices of CSF chemical examination, such as increased intracranial pressure, leucocytosis, increased protein, low sugar and low chloride, indicate the presence of intracranial infective diseases. Therefore they are most likely to be misdiagnosed as viral encephalitis or tuberculous meningoencephalitis. However, CC is not the predilection site for viral encephalitis since CC belongs to white matter but not gray matter. So ADEM should be a more appropriate diagnosis for these cases.

[Effect of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on L02 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytotoxic effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on human liver L02 cells and its relevant mechanism. METHODS: MWCNTs, carboxyl modification MWCNTs (MWCNTs-COOH), and hydroxyl modification MWCNTs (MWCNTs-OH) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The carbon nanotubes at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/ml were incubated with human liver L02 cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The cell viability was evaluated by water soluble tetrazolium salts assay and the intercellular reactive oxygen species induced by the carbon nanotubes were detected by 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate method. RESULTS: Transmission electron microscope showed that the average outside diameters (10 to 20 nm) and the average length (10 to 30 µm) of the three MWCNTs were similar. Scanning electron microscope indicated that the three MWCNTs had a similar surface topography. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that the MWCNTs-COOH and MWCNTs-OH had relatively high peak areas at 289 and 286ev, respectively,indicating that they have been modified by carboxyl and hydroxyl groups,respectively. Water soluble tetrazolium salts assay showed that the MWCNTs-COOH was less cytotoxic when compared to MWCNTs which demonstrated to be slightly more cytotoxic than MWCNTs-OH. The capability to induce increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species was in the following order: MWCNTs > MWCNTs-COOH > MWCNTs-OH. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of MWCNTs with carboxyl group and hydroxyl group improves the biocompatibility of MWCNTs to some extents. MWCNTs-COOH has better compatibility than MWCNTs at the low concentration,and MWCNTs-OH showed better compatibility than MWCNTs after 48 hours. Different mechanisms may be involved in the interaction between cells and the MWCNTs with different chemical surfaces.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacpuncture combined with penetrating moxibustion for postpartum pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with penetrating moxibustion and biofeedback electrical stimulation on postpartum pelvic organ prolapsed (POP). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with POP who had delivery 6 weeks ago were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the observation group, EA was applied at Zigong (EX-CA 1), Ciliao (BL 32), Huiyang (BL 35), etc. while penetrating moxibustion was performed at acupoints of abdomen and lumbosacral region alternately every other day. In the control group, biofeedback electrical stimulation was provided. The treatment for 6 weeks was given once every other day, 3 times a week in both groups. Before treatment, after treatment and 6 months after delivery, pelvic floor muscle strength, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) evaluation and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form-7 (PFIQ-7) were observed to assess the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the sustained contraction and rapid contraction force of pelvic floor muscle after treatment and 6 months after delivery were increased in both of the two groups (P<0.05), and the changes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment and 6 months after delivery, the POP degree in the observation group was alleviated to the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the scores of PFIQ-7 after treatment and 6 months after delivery were reduced in the two groups (P<0.05), and the changes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture combined with penetrating moxibustion can strengthen the pelvic floor muscle contractility of patients with postpartum pelvic organ prolapse, and are superior to biofeedback electrical stimulation in improving the pelvic organ prolapse status and life quality.

Severity of Rhinosinusitis: Comparison Between Visual Analog Scale Given by Patients and Otorhinolaryngologists.

BACKGROUND: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) as determined by the patient is recommended by the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 in evaluation of the total severity of the chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients' symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between evaluations performed by otorhinolaryngologists and CRS patients with commonly used systems. METHODS: Scores of VAS and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) Chinese version were obtained from 110 CRS patients with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs, n = 61) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNPs, n = 49) before surgery, which were compared with scores of Lund-Kennedy endoscopic staging system, the Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) staging system, and VAS from 3 attending otorhinolaryngologists. RESULTS: The median VAS scores given by CRS patients (6.0; 4.25-7.5) do not correlate significantly with the VAS scores by the 3 otorhinolaryngologists (5.5; 4.83-6.5) with a correlation coefficient of .218 (-0.146 to 0.466). For CRS patients, there was only a moderate correlation between scores of VAS and the SNOT-20 (r = .37), and no significant difference of VAS scores between CRSwNP and CRSsNP, and between unilateral and bilateral nasal polys. For otorhinolaryngologists, a higher median VAS score was found in CRSwNP (6.0; 5.17-7.0), especially in bilateral (6.0; 5.0-7.08) and revision surgery (6.08; 5.33-7.63). The VAS scores of otorhinolaryngologists correlated significantly with the Lund-Mackay CT score (r = .7536) and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic staging (r = .5947). CONCLUSIONS: VAS scores between patients and physicians are not correlated significantly in this study, but they fall within the same therapeutic range and do not change the clinical management of the patients.

Biosorption of copper by calcium alginate from excess activated sludge.

To evaluate the potential use of the bacterial alginate extracted from excess activated sludge as a sustainable copper bioadsorbent, dried alginate-Ca made from municipal excess activated sludge was characterized by atomic force microscopy, and tested in a batch system. The alginate-Ca yield from the activated sludge was 103 +/- 15 mg g(-1). The maximum Cu2+ uptake was 41.96 mg g(-1). Accumulation of Cu2+ reached equilibrium within 50 min and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The solution pH and initial Cu2+ concentration were critical for Cu2+ biosorption. The sludge alginate-Ca bioadsorbent could be regenerated by 100 mmol L(-1) HCl with 82% Cu2+ recovery. Calcium alginate from excess activated sludge was proved to be a good bioadsorbent for heavy metal elimination.