[Progress on specific and non-specific immune effects of Bacille Calmette-Guerin].

Currently, Bacille Calmette-Guerin(BCG) is still the only admitted vaccine to prevent tuberculosis around the world. The target population is infants and children, but its protective efficacy is limited. As more and more studies have shown that re-vaccination with BCG protects against tuberculosis in adults, BCG can also induce non-specific immunity against other respiratory diseases and some chronic diseases by training immunity, especially the immune effects against COVID-19. At present, the epidemic of COVID-19 has not been effectively contained, and it is worth considering whether BCG vaccine can be used as an intervention to prevent COVID-19. The WHO and China do not have a policy to support BCG revaccination, and as more and more BCG vaccines are discovered, whether selective revaccination can be carried out in some high-risk populations and whether the vaccine can be used more widely have led to intense discussions. This article reviewed the effects of specific immunity and non-specific immunity of BCG on tuberculosis and non-tuberculous diseases.

Improvement of feed intake, digestibility, plasma metabolites, and lactation performance of dairy cows fed mixed silage of sugar beet pulp and rice straw inoculated with lactic acid bacteria.

A study was conducted to investigate the inclusion effects of sugar beet pulp and rice straw mixture silage with inoculation (BRMS), in place of whole-plant corn silage (CS), on the dry matter intake, total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance in high-production dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows (body weight, 622 ± 35 kg; days in milk, 90 ± 11 d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in our experiments; the experiments were based on a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square design for 21 d, and each experimental period consisted of 14 d of adaptation, followed by 7 d of data collection. The 4 dietary treatments used were (dry matter basis): (1) 0% BRMS and 28.6% CS (0BRMS); (2) 4.3% BRMS and 24.3% CS (15BRMS); (3) 8.60% BRMS and 20.0% CS (30BRMS); and (4) 12.9% BRMS and 15.7% CS (45BRMS). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS was observed to linearly increase the total volatile fatty acids and the propionate concentration. The dry matter intake and digestibility values of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased linearly as the percentage of BRMS increased up to 45%. Milk yield linearly increased with the increase in the content of BRMS (39.0, 39.8, 40.9, and 40.3 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). The increasing inclusion of dietary BRMS induced a decrease in the ammonia nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen concentration, leading to a linear increase in milk protein production (1.15, 1.26, 1.35, and 1.27 kg/d for 0BRMS, 15BRMS, 30BRMS, and 45BRMS, respectively). In conclusion, the diets with the replacement of CS with BRMS up to 45% were beneficial to the production performance of high-production dairy cows, indicating that this method may be an appropriate use of sugar beet pulp and rice straw.

[Effect of liraglutide on glucagon secretion in obese type 2 diabetic patients].

Objective: To investigate the effect of liraglutide on glucagon release in obese type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: A multi-center, prospective, and self-comparison study was conducted in four hospitals in Qingdao. Twenty-four patients with T2DM were selected and treated with liraglutide for 12 weeks. Glucagon levels before and after treatment were detected before and 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after meals. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, the overall level of glucagon decreased, in which the differences in glucagon levels at 30 min [(220±79) ng/L vs. (203±77) ng/L, P<0.05] and 60 min [(248±119) ng/L vs. (203±82)ng/L, P<0.05] reached significance, respectively, comparing to those before treatment. The area under the curve of glucagon after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (438±190 vs. 389±153, P<0.05). In contrast, after treatment, the overall level of C-peptide increased, especially the levels at 30 min [(1.53±1.02) nmol/L vs.(2.03±1.29) nmol/L], 60 min [(1.93±1.19) nmol/L vs. (2.48±1.75) nmol/L] and 120 min [(2.36±1.47) nmol/L vs. (2.96±1.84) nmol/L], all P<0.05. The area under C-peptide curve increased significantly (3.6±2.2 vs. 4.6±2.9, P<0.05). Fasting plasma glucose, postprandial 2 h plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c were all lower than before, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Waist circumference and body mass index were significantly lower than before (P<0.05). The amount of insulin used for the treatment decreased by approximately 55.1% compared with that before liraglutide, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: Liraglutide inhibits glucagon secretion and lowers blood glucose. It can also reduce body weight, improve islet cell function and reduce insulin use in T2DM.

Influence of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Corrosion Behavior of Superhydrophobic Surfaces on Bare and Oxidized Aluminum Substrates.

It is generally recognized that superhydrophobic surfaces in water may be used for corrosion resistance due to the entrapped air in the solid/liquid interface and could find potential applications in the protection of ship hull. For a superhydrophobic surface, as its immersion depth into water increases, the resultant hydrostatic pressure is also increased, and the entrapped air can be squeezed out much more easily. It is therefore predicted that high hydrostatic pressure would cause an unexpected decrease in corrosion resistance for the vessels in deep water (e.g., submarines) because of the unstable entrapped air. In this work, in order to clarify the role of hydrostatic pressure in the corrosion behavior of superhydrophobic surfaces, two typical superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) were prepared on bare and oxidized aluminum substrates, respectively, and then were immersed into the NaCl aqueous solutions with different depths of ∼0 cm (hydrostatic pressure ∼0 kPa), 10 cm (1 kPa), and 150 cm (15 kPa). It was found out for the SHSs on the oxidized Al, as the hydrostatic pressure increased, the corrosion behavior became severe. However, for the SHSs on the bare Al, their corrosion behavior was complex due to hydrostatic pressure. It was found that the corrosion resistance under 1 kPa was the highest. Further mechanism analysis revealed that this alleviated corrosion behavior under 1 kPa resulted from suppressing the oxygen diffusion through the liquid and reducing the subsequent corrosion rate as compared with 0 kPa, whereas the relatively low hydrostatic pressure (HP) could stabilize the entrapped air and hence enhance the corrosion resistance, compared with 15 kPa. The present study therefore provided a fundamental understanding for the applications of SHSs to prevent the corrosion, especially for various vessels in deep water.

[Influence of two kinds of probiotics combined with bismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Compound Lactobacillus Tablets or Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets combining with bismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) eradication. Methods: A total of 360 H. pylori- infected patients were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups. Group A received esomeprazole 20 mg bid+ bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg bid+ amoxicillin 1 000 mg bid+ furazolidone 100 mg bid for 10 days. Group B or group C received the same quadruple therapy for 10 days as group A, as well as Compound Lactobacillus Tablets 1 000 mg tid or Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets 500 mg bid for 14 days. Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions were collected during the therapy, and H. pylori eradication results were confirmed by (13)C/(14)C-UBT at least 4 weeks after cessation of therapy. Results: The H. pylori eradication rates in group A, B and C were 81.7%, 84.2% and 85.0% by ITT analysis (P=0.768) and 92.5%, 90.1% and 93.6% by PP analysis (P=0.770), respectively. The overall side effects and adverse reactions rates (P=0.008) and occurrence of diarrhea (P<0.001) were significantly lower in group B than group A. The overall side effect rates (P=0.003) and occurrence of diarrhea (P<0.001), abdominal distension (P=0.004) and constipation(P=0.002) were significantly lower in group C than group A. There was no significant difference in side effects and adverse reactions rates between the two probiotics groups. Conclusions: Both Compound Lactobacillus Tablets and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets, combining with bismuth quadruple therapy, reduced the overall side effects and adverse reactions rates for H. pylori eradication. Moreover, the former can reduce the incidence of diarrhea, and the latter can reduce the incidence of diarrhea, abdominal distension and constipation.

[Progression of diagnosis and treatment for adenosquamous lung carcinoma].

Adenosquamous lung carcinoma (ASC) is an uncommon entity of the primary lung cancer, which is mixed by adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma cells. ASC not only possesses the malignant biological characteristics of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but also exhibits special clinical features, such as the higher malignant degree and poorer prognosis. This paper is aimed to elaborate the research process of the pathological origin of ASC, the application of different diagnostic methods in ASC, various therapeutic strategies and its associated prognosis so as to help to develop the clinical strategies of ASC.

[Delayed effect of liver injury and metabolism of dimethylformamide after high exposures in rats].

Objective: To investigate the delayed effect of liver injury and metabolism of dimethylformamide (DMF) after high exposures in rats. Methods: A total of 12 rats were randomly divided into four groups and 3 rats were in each group. Rats in 1d DMF+2 d delayed group were dosed for 1 day and rested for 2 days, and sacrificed at the 4th day. Rats in 3 d DMF group were dosed for 3 days and sacrificed at the 4th day. Rats in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were dosed for 3 days and rested for 3 days, and sacrificed at the 7th day. Rats in control group were administrated with water for 3 days, sacrificed at the 7th day. The administrated dose was 1 000 mg/kg (body weight·d) DMF by oral. The daily observation and body weight were recorded during the study period. After the experiment, the blood biochemistry, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) , aspartate aminotransferase (AST) , lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) , alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , total bilirubin (TBIL) etc. were detected. Liver weight, kidney weight, liver/body ratio, kidney/body ratio and pathologic examination of liver and kidney were investigated. The concentrations of hemoglobin-adduct (NMHb) were detected. Results: During the period of 1~3 d, body weight growth rate of rats in each treated group had no significant difference with control rats. In the 4~6 th day of the period, rats in group 3 became thinner than before, and the body weight was negative growth (-4.22±3.29 g/d) and significant lower than that of control rats (10.33±3.21 g/d, F=30.07, P<0.05) . AST and LDH levels of 3 d DMF group were significant higher than control group (P<0.05) . Liver/body ratio in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were significant higher than control group (P<0.05) . The gross inspection showed 1 rat and 3 rats were observed liver injury in 3 d DMF group and 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group, respectively. Histopathological lesions of 1d DMF+2 d delayed group, 3 d DMF group and 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were mainly spotty necrosis, focal necrosis and large necrosis of liver cells, respectively. Only NMHb level of control group was undetectable. NMHb levels in 3 d DMF+3 d delayed group were significantly higher than 3 d DMF group (F=135.46, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The DMF-induced liver injury and DMF metabolism may be delayed after high DMF exposures in rats.

[Application of three risk assessment models in occupational health risk assessment of dimethylformamide].

Objective: To investigate the application of United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inhalation risk assessment model, Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model, and occupational hazards risk assessment index method in occupational health risk in enterprises using dimethylformamide (DMF) in a certain area in Jiangsu, China, and to put forward related risk control measures. Methods: The industries involving DMF exposure in Jiangsu province were chosen as the evaluation objects in 2013 and three risk assessment models were used in the evaluation. EPA inhalation risk assessment model: HQ=EC/RfC; Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model: Risk= (HR×ER) 1/2; Occupational hazards risk assessment index=2Health effect level×2exposure ratio×Operation condition level. Results: The results of hazard quotient (HQ>1) from EPA inhalation risk assessment model suggested that all the workshops (dry method, wet method and printing) and work positions (pasting, burdening, unreeling, rolling, assisting) were high risk. The results of Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model indicated that the workshop risk level of dry method, wet method and printing were 3.5 (high) , 3.5 (high) and 2.8 (general) , and position risk level of pasting, burdening, unreeling, rolling, assisting were 4 (high) , 4 (high) , 2.8 (general) , 2.8 (general) and 2.8 (general) . The results of occupational hazards risk assessment index method demonstrated that the position risk index of pasting, burdening, unreeling, rolling, assisting were 42 (high) , 33 (high) , 23 (middle) , 21 (middle) and 22 (middle) . The results of Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model and occupational hazards risk assessment index method were similar, while EPA inhalation risk assessment model indicated all the workshops and positions were high risk. Conclusion: The occupational hazards risk assessment index method fully considers health effects, exposure, and operating conditions and can comprehensively and accurately evaluate occupational health risk caused by DMF.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a multifunctional pro-hormone and has widespread actions in human body. Several studies showed a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes, but no definite conclusion was available. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. Data from eligible studies were pooled using meta-analysis. RESULTS: Six studies that involved a total of 1,484 type 2 diabetic patients were finally included into the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there were obviously decreased serum 25(OH)D levels in DPN patients [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -6.36 ng/ml, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) -8.57 to -4.14, P < 0.00001]. Vitamin D deficiency was also significantly associated with increased risk of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 2.88, 95 % CI 1.84-4.50, P < 0.00001]. Meta-analysis of three studies with adjusted estimates showed that vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with increased risk of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR 2.68, 95 % CI 1.67-4.30, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no obvious change in the pooled estimates. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D is involved in the development of DPN in type 2 diabetic patients, and vitamin D deficiency is very likely to be associated with DPN in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to validate the association between vitamin D deficiency and DPN.

Proteome analysis of Lactobacillus helveticus H9 during growth in skim milk.

Lactobacillus helveticus H9 was isolated from traditionally fermented yak milk in Tibet (China) with the ability to produce the antihypertensive peptides Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) and Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP) during milk fermentation. To understand the changes in the protein expression of L. helveticus H9, proteome analysis was performed at 3 different growth stages, lag phase (pH 6.1), log phase (pH 5.1), and stationary phase (pH 4.5) using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Further analysis showed that 257 differential protein spots were found and 214 protein spots were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). The cellular functions of the differentially expressed proteins were complex. Interestingly, the proteolytic system-related proteins aminopeptidase N (PepN), aminopeptidase E (PepE), endopeptidase O2 (PepO2), and oligopeptide transport system permease protein (OppC) were observed only on the maps of pH 5.1 and pH 4.5, which was consistent with the presence of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides VPP and IPP during these 2 growth stages (log phase and stationary phase). These results, combined with a previous study of gene expression of the proteolytic system, led us to conclude that the Opp transport system, pepE, and pepO2 are likely related to the production of ACE-inhibitory peptides.

The shear mode of multilayer graphene.

The quest for materials capable of realizing the next generation of electronic and photonic devices continues to fuel research on the electronic, optical and vibrational properties of graphene. Few-layer graphene (FLG) flakes with less than ten layers each show a distinctive band structure. Thus, there is an increasing interest in the physics and applications of FLGs. Raman spectroscopy is one of the most useful and versatile tools to probe graphene samples. Here, we uncover the interlayer shear mode of FLGs, ranging from bilayer graphene (BLG) to bulk graphite, and suggest that the corresponding Raman peak measures the interlayer coupling. This peak scales from ~43 cm(-1) in bulk graphite to ~31 cm(-1) in BLG. Its low energy makes it sensitive to near-Dirac point quasiparticles. Similar shear modes are expected in all layered materials, providing a direct probe of interlayer interactions.

Highly efficient and compact cavity oscillator for high-power, optically pumped gas terahertz laser.

We demonstrate a highly efficient and compact terahertz cavity oscillator that is based on z-cut crystal quartz used as the dichroic beam splitter, for the first time to the best of our knowledge. With D(2)O gas as the active medium, pumped with a multitransverse mode TEACO(2) laser, experimental verification was also presented to demonstrate the advantages of this cavity oscillator. With the cavity length of 120 cm, 7.4 mJ pulse energy at pulse repetition frequency of 6 Hz, pulse width of 90 ns, and peak power of 82.2 kW were achieved at a wavelength of 385 µm. Photon conversion efficiency (PCE) of 44% was obtained at the maximum output level from this terahertz cavity oscillator. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this PCE is the highest efficiency ever reported in D(2)O gas, 385 µm terahertz cavity laser systems. The beam quality or M(2) factor was found to be about 1.77.

Establishment of an animal model of spontaneous cervical lymph node metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and obtaining laryngocarcinoma cells with high metastatic potential.

To establish an animal model of spontaneous cervical lymph node metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and obtain laryngocarcinoma cells with high metastatic potential, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line HEP-2 in logarithmic phase were inoculated under the lingual margin mucosa of nude mice. HEP-2 cells metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes were isolated, cultured, and re-inoculated under the lingual margin mucosa of nude mice twice. The tumor formation in the tongue and in the cervical lymph nodes was confirmed by pathological examination. Carcinoma cells' ability of invasion and migration was detected by transwell assay. Human specific Alu sequences were detected by PCR, which indicated that the tumor cells originated from human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line HEP-2. Finally, an animal model of spontaneous lymph node metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was successfully established. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells with high metastatic potential to lymph nodes were obtained through repeated inoculations. .

First Report of a Group 16SrI-B Phytoplasma Associated with Gardenia jasminoides in China.

Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, (also known as common gardenia, cape jasmine, or cape jessamine) is a fragrant flowering evergreen tropical plant, a favorite in gardens worldwide. G. jasminoides were found with small, seriously yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and witches'-broom in a green belt on the Southwest University campus in October 2011. The incidence was lower than 2%. In another green belt, G. jasminoides with only slightly yellowing leaves were found. The incidence was about 5%. Five months later, most seriously yellowed leaves withered. However, no withered leaf was observed among the slightly yellowing leaves. Leaf samples from each symptomatic plant, together with asymptomatic plants from the same belt, were collected for total DNA extraction using a modified cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide method (1). The resulting DNA extracts were analyzed by a nested PCR assay using the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene primer pairs R16mF2/R16mR1 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 (2). DNA fragments of 1.2 kb that corresponded to 16S rDNA were amplified only from the DNA samples of the five plants with the symptoms mentioned above. The purified nested PCR products were cloned in pGEM-T Easy Vector (Promega) and then sequenced. The resulting 16S rDNA sequences were found to be identical (GenBank Accession No. JQ675713). The consensus sequence was analyzed by the iPhyClassifier online tool ( http://plantpathology.ba.ars.usda.gov/cgi-bin/resource/iphyclassifier.cgi ) and found to share 99.4% similarity with the 16S rDNA sequence of the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' reference strain (GenBank Accession No. M30790) that belongs to the 16SrI-B subgroup (3). The virtual RFLP pattern of the G. jasminoides phytoplasma 16S rDNA gene sequence showed maximum similarity to the reference pattern of NC005303 (similarity coefficient of 1.0). The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rDNA sequences of phytoplasmas belonging to group 16SrI and other distinct phytoplasma groups also showed that our sequences clustered with members of subgroup 16SrI-B. Subsequently, the presence of the phytoplasmas in symptomatic plants was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Taken together, the phytoplasma was classified as a member of subgroup 16SrI-B. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a subgroup 16SrI-B phytoplasma associated with diseased G. jasminoides in China. G. jasminoides yellowing is often considered to result from nutrient deficiency (especially iron compounds). However, our findings showed that a phytoplasma can cause G. jasminoides yellowing, which should be considered in the control of leaves yellowing. References: (1) E. Angelini et al. Vitis 40:79, 2001. (2) D. E. Gundersen and I.-M. Lee. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 35:144, 1996. (3) Y. Zhao, et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

First Report of a Soft Rot of Banana in Mainland China Caused by a Dickeya sp. (Pectobacterium chrysanthemi).

Banana is one of the most important fruit crops grown in China (2). A severe outbreak of a soft rot of banana occurred in Guangzhou, China from 2009 to 2010. The disease was characterized by an odorous soft rot of the center of the rhizome. The rot progressed up the pseudostem, destroying the growing point and causing internal decay and often accompanied by vascular discoloration. Yellowing and wilting of the leaves were also characteristic symptoms. A survey of three areas of production of Musa sapientum (cv. ABB) covering 10 ha in Guangzhou revealed that 82% of the fields were affected at an incidence ranging from 20 to 40%. Forty-five bacterial isolates were obtained from lesions on plants sampled from these fields by surface-sterilizing symptomatic tissue in 0.3% NaOCl for 10 min, rinsing the tissue sections three times in sterile water, and plating the sections on nutrient agar. Three representative isolates selected randomly were all gram negative, caused a soft rot of potato disks, utilized malonate, tested positive for phosphatase production, and tested negative for acid production from palatinose, glucopyranoside, and trehalose. A Biolog similarity index of 0.803 indicated that the three isolates had a high similarity to the Biolog reference strain of Pectobacterium chrysanthemi (Version 4.2, Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA). The 16S rDNA sequence (GenBank Accession No. 1321085) of each of the three isolates was determined (1). When compared with sequences in GenBank, the highest degree of sequence similarity was with P. chrysanthemi AF373199. On the basis of a phylogenetic tree of the sequences, the three bacterial isolates are related to Pectobacterium (100% bootstrap values). On the basis of two diagnostic methods, the three isolates were identified as P. chrysanthemi. However, according to Samson et al. (3), they are a Dickeya sp. Additional genetic comparisons with type strains will be needed for the strains to be assigned to a known species of Dickeya. Pathogenicity of each of the three strains on M. sapientum (cv. ABB) was confirmed by injecting 60 40-day-old seedlings each with 5 ml of a suspension of the isolate (108 CFU/ml) into the rhizome. Sixty plants of the same cultivar injected with sterile water served as the control treatment. After 48 h, yellowing and wilting of the leaves, similar to symptoms observed on field plants, were observed on all inoculated seedlings for each of the three bacterial strains. There were no symptoms on the control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolating bacteria from lesions on the leaves of inoculated seedlings. The reisolates were identical to the inoculated strains in biochemical characteristics. Bacteria characteristic of the inoculated strains were not reisolated from the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Dickeya sp. causing soft rot of banana in mainland China. References: (1) W. S. Kaneshiro et al. Plant Dis. 92:1444, 2008. (2) Y. P. Ke et al. China Trop. Agric. 1:14, 2008. (3) R. Samson et al. Evol. Microbiol. 55:1415, 2005.

Effects of TGF-ß1 on the expression of endometrial stromal cell-related protein and mRNA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) on α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and type I collagen (Col I) expression in endometrial stromal cells as well as on fibronectin (FN) level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 56 patients with normal endometrial tissue obtained from surgery were selected from June 2018 to November 2019. Endometrial stromal cells were isolated from patients and then assigned to the control group and observation group (addition of TGF-ß1) followed by the analysis of cellular activity by Thiazole blue staining; and α-SMA, IGF-I, Col I, and FN mRNA and protein levels by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The cell proliferation rate at 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 72 h after culture in both groups was higher than 0 h (p < 0.05) with higher cell proliferation in the observation group than the control group (p < 0.05). Real-time fluorescence PCR results showed that the levels of α-SMA, IGF-I, Col I, and FN mRNA in endometrial stromal cells of the observation group after TGF-ß1 intervention were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, α-SMA, IGF-I, Col I, and FN protein level was also elevated in the observation group after TGF-ß1 treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 can stimulate the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells, which may be related to regulate α-SMA, IGF-I, Col I, and FN expression.

Association between hsa_circ_0006156 expression and incidence of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) related to gastric cancer and to explore their associations with the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cancer tissues of 50 gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical resection in our hospital from April 2015 to December 2018 were collected as an experimental group, while the para-carcinoma tissues were used as the control group. First, the differentially expressed circRNAs were screened by analyzing the circRNA profile in the microarray. Then, the expression of hsa_circ_0006156 in tissues was detected via Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) in both groups. The potential associations of the relative expression level of hsa_circ_0006156 with clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed according to the clinical data of gastric cancer patients. RESULTS: Six significantly downregulated circRNAs in gastric cancer patients were screened out. The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression level of hsa_circ_0006156 was significantly lower in gastric cancer tissues than that in para-carcinoma tissues (p<0.05). Accordingly, 50 gastric cancer patients were divided into hsa_circ_0006156 high expression group and hsa_circ_0006156 low expression group based on the fold change of hsa_circ_0006156 in para-carcinoma tissues than that of gastric cancer tissues (fold change>3). The expression level of hsa_circ_0006156 was not correlated with the age and gender of gastric cancer patients (p>0.05) but correlated with the lymph node metastasis (p<0.05), nerve invasion (p<0.05), and degree of tumor differentiation (p<0.05). The expression level of hsa_circ_0006156 was also significantly associated with the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients (p<0.05). According to the multivariate analysis of variance, the PFS of gastric cancer patients was associated with nerve invasion, lymph node metastasis, and hsa_circ_0006156 expression (relative risk coefficient=1.742, 2.329, and 3.003). Meanwhile, the OS was associated with lymph node metastasis, nerve invasion, degree of tumor differentiation, and hsa_circ_0006156 expression (relative risk coefficient =1.604, 2.405, 2.114, and 2.004). Moreover, the survival analysis revealed that PFS was markedly prolonged in the hsa_circ_0006156 high expression group compared with that in the hsa_circ_0006156 low expression group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of hsa_circ_0006156 substantially declines in gastric cancer tissues, which is related to the differentiation degree, presence, or absence of lymph node metastasis and prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Therefore, hsa_circ_0006156 may clinically serve as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of gastric cancer patients.

There "ain't no mountain high enough"?: The drivers, diversity and sustainability of China's Rhodiola trade.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Across Asia, Rhodiola species have been used in Bhutanese, Mongolian, Nepalese, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uzbek traditional medical systems. China is globally significant in terms of Rhodiola species diversity, with over 60% (55 species) of the world's 90 Rhodiola species, including 16 species found nowhere else in the world. Since the late 1980's there has been a shift from relatively low demand for infusions using chopped dried Rhodiola roots, to high 21st century demand for a wide variety of processed products. China's trade in Rhodiola products is now very diverse, with use in cosmetics and foods in addition to herbal products. Rhodiola crenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H.Ohba is the most widely traded species in China. In addition to R. crenulata and Rhodiola rosea L., 19 Rhodiola other species are used. AIMS OF THE STUDY: These were to: (i) better understand why adulteration occurs in Rhodiola products; (ii) become more aware of what drives the growing market demand for Rhodiola products in China; (iii) find out whether increased demand is reflected in wholesale prices for Rhodiola raw materials traditional medicine markets; (iv) to examine Rhodiola supply chains and (v) given that wild populations are the primary supply source, to review the implications of growing demand for conservation and sustainable use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, we assessed growth in the diversity of Rhodiola products using three approaches: (i) by assessing patent applications for Rhodiola products in China (1990-2019); (ii) in 2018, through on-line searches of CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) records for medicines and dietary supplements that had Rhodiola as an ingredient and (iii) by visiting retail stores in 2018 and 2019 to assess the diversity of commercial Rhodiola based products in trade. Secondly, we visited traditional medicine markets in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Qinghai provinces to investigate the trade in Rhodiola (folk taxonomy, trade names, prices, source areas, levels of processing and grading). Thirdly, we analysed the wholesale price data for Rhodiola raw materials in trade over a 16-year period (2002-2018). Fourthly, as most products come from wild collected Rhodiola species, we documented the extent of Rhodiola cultivation in China. RESULTS: International exports of Rhodiola products from China, particularly extracts, is a major driver of commercial trade. One proxy indicator of Rhodiola product diversification in China has been the rapid rise in patent applications from single applications in 1990 and 1991, to a peak of 1017 patent applications in 2015. Wholesale price data from 2002 to 2018 shows a steady increase in wholesale prices. As the growing market for Rhodiola products in China is currently supplied entirely from wild collection, there are justifiable concerns about sustainability. Commercial cultivation needs to expand to meet future demand. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to Europe and North America, where R. rosea is the focal species in commerce, the trade in Rhodiola products in China is much more diverse. In the face of growing demand, both effective conservation of wild populations and cultivation are needed.