Transcription factors KNAT3 and KNAT4 are essential for integument and ovule formation in Arabidopsis.

Integuments form important protective cell layers surrounding the developing ovules in gymno- and angiosperms. Although several genes have been shown to influence the development of integuments, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. In this work, we report that the Class II KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX (KNOX II) transcription factors KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEBOX GENE 3 (KNAT3) and KNAT4 regulate integument development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). KNAT3 and KNAT4 were co-expressed in inflorescences and especially in young developing ovules. The loss-of-function double mutant knat3 knat4 showed an infertility phenotype, in which both inner and outer integuments of the ovule are arrested at an early stage and form an amorphous structure as in the bell1 (bel1) mutant. The expression of chimeric KNAT3- and KNAT4-EAR motif repression domain (SRDX repressors) resulted in severe seed abortion. Protein-protein interaction assays demonstrated that KNAT3 and KNAT4 interact with each other and also with INNER NO OUTER (INO), a key transcription factor required for the outer integument formation. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of genes related with integument development is influenced in the knat3 knat4 mutant. The knat3 knat4 mutant also had a lower indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content, and some auxin signaling pathway genes were downregulated. Moreover, transactivation analysis indicated that KNAT3/4 and INO activate the auxin signaling gene IAA INDUCIBLE 14 (IAA14). Taken together, our study identified KNAT3 and KNAT4 as key factors in integument development in Arabidopsis.

Research Development on Exosome Separation Technology.

Exosomes are special extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, which are of great significance in the basic research of life science and clinical application and has become a hot research field with rapid development in recent 10 years. Therefore, the isolation and separation of exosomes is particularly important for the research and application of exosomes. This paper aims to review the research progress of exosome isolation and separation methods in recent years, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size­exclusion chromatography, precipitation, immunomagnetic bead capture method, aptamer-based isolation, and isolation methods based on microfluidic technology. It is generally accepted that most of the existing methods have limitations, for example, ultracentrifugation is time-consuming and laborious, and immunomagnetic bead capture method and aptamer-based separation method have small sample processing capacity and high cost. As a result, we also introduce some common situations in which two or more methods are combined for use. Finally, the separation and isolation methods including all those presented in this review were compared and summarized.

RBM4 modulates the proliferation and expression of inflammatory factors via the alternative splicing of regulatory factors in HeLa cells.

Regulatory factors function by modulating a variety of cascade mechanisms in cells. RBM4 is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Cytoplasmic RBM4 interacts with Ago2 to regulate inflammatory responses by affecting mRNA decay and cap-dependent translation. However, it is unclear whether RBM4 functions in inflammation regulation by its splicing factor role. Here, the cell biology, gene expression profile and alternative splicing pattern of HeLa cells with RBM4 overexpression (RBM-OE) were compared with the control. The results showed that RBM4-OE inhibited proliferation. RBM4-OE extensively affects the transcriptional level of genes involved in cell surface receptor signalling pathway, inflammatory responses and the response to lipopolysaccharide. RBM4 broadly regulated the alternative splicing of hundreds of genes with functions of protein binding, helicase activity, DNA binding and transcription co-activator. RBM4-regulated splicing of these genes plays an important role in apoptotic process and gene transcription regulation. As an example, exon inclusion of TNIP1 mediated by RBM4 affects the expression of its targets in inflammatory pathways. These results indicated that RBM4 can mediate the inflammatory response via splicing regulation, which adds to the understanding of the critical role of RBM4 in cancer complicated by inflammation. In conclusion, this study indicated a mechanism in which the dysregulation of alternative splicing can influence cellular biology and lead to various immune-related diseases.

Applied anatomy of pelvic lymph nodes and its clinical significance for prostate cancer:a single-center cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is one of the most important steps in radical prostatectomy (RP). Not only can PLND provide accurate clinical staging to guide treatment after prostatectomy but PLND can also improve the prognosis of patients by eradicating micro-metastases. However, reports of the number of pelvic lymph nodes have generally come from incomplete dissection during surgery, there is no anatomic study that assesses the number and variability of lymph nodes. Our objective is to assess the utility of adopting the lymph node count as a metric of surgical quality for the extent of lymph node dissection during RP for prostate cancer by conducting a dissection study of pelvic lymph nodes in adult male cadavers. METHODS: All 30 adult male cadavers underwent pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), and the lymph nodes in each of the 9 dissection zones were enumerated and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1267 lymph nodes were obtained. The number of lymph nodes obtained by limited PLND was 4-22 (14.1 ± 4.5), the number obtained by standard PLND was 16-35 (25.9 ± 5.6), the number obtained by extended PLND was 17-44 (30.0 ± 7.0), and the number obtained by super-extended PLDN was 24-60 (42.2 ± 9.7). CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial inter-individual differences in the number of lymph nodes in the pelvic cavity. These results have demonstrated the rationality and feasibility of adopting lymph node count as a surrogate for evaluating the utility of PLND in radical prostatectomy, but these results need to be further explored.

Bile acid-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) activity underlies circadian expression of intestinal peptide absorption transporter PepT1/Slc15a1.

Digested proteins are mainly absorbed as small peptides composed of two or three amino acids. The intestinal absorption of small peptides is mediated via only one transport system: the proton-coupled peptide transporter-1 (PepT1) encoded from the soluble carrier protein Slc15a1. In mammals, intestinal expression of PepT1/Slc15a1 oscillates during the daily feeding cycle. Although the oscillation in the intestinal expression of PepT1/Slc15a1 is suggested to be controlled by molecular components of circadian clock, we demonstrated here that bile acids regulated the oscillation of PepT1/Slc15a1 expression through modulating the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Nocturnally active mice mainly consumed their food during the dark phase. PPARα activated the intestinal expression of Slc15a1 mRNA during the light period, and protein levels of PepT1 peaked before the start of the dark phase. After food intake, bile acids accumulated in intestinal epithelial cells. Intestinal accumulated bile acids interfered with recruitment of co-transcriptional activator CREB-binding protein/p300 on the promoter region of Slc15a1 gene, thereby suppressing PPARα-mediated transactivation of Slc15a1. The time-dependent suppression of PPARα-mediated transactivation by bile acids caused an oscillation in the intestinal expression of PepT1/Slc15a1 during the daily feeding cycle that led to circadian changes in the intestinal absorption of small peptides. These findings suggest a molecular clock-independent mechanism by which bile acid-regulated PPARα activity governs the circadian expression of intestinal peptide transporter.

Clinical risk factors for preterm birth and evaluating maternal psychology in the postpartum period.

BACKGROUND: Although the specific pathogenesis of preterm birth (PTB) has not been thoroughly clarified, it is known to be related to various factors, such as pregnancy complications, maternal socioeconomic factors, lifestyle habits, reproductive history, environmental and psychological factors, prenatal care, and nutritional status. PTB has serious implications for newborns and families and is associated with high mortality and complications. Therefore, the prediction of PTB risk can facilitate early intervention and reduce its resultant adverse consequences. AIM: To analyze the risk factors for PTB to establish a PTB risk prediction model and to assess postpartum anxiety and depression in mothers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 648 consecutive parturients who delivered at Shenzhen Bao'an District Songgang People's Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 was performed. According to the diagnostic criteria for premature infants, the parturients were divided into a PTB group (n = 60) and a full-term (FT) group (n = 588). Puerperae were assessed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), based on which the mothers with anxiety and depression symptoms were screened for further analysis. The factors affecting PTB were analyzed by univariate analysis, and the related risk factors were identified by logistic regression. RESULTS: According to univariate analysis, the PTB group was older than the FT group, with a smaller weight change and greater proportions of women who underwent artificial insemination and had gestational diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). In addition, greater proportions of women with reproductive tract infections and greater white blood cell (WBC) counts (P < 0.05), shorter cervical lengths in the second trimester and lower neutrophil percentages (P < 0.001) were detected in the PTB group than in the FT group. The PTB group exhibited higher postpartum SAS and SDS scores than did the FT group (P < 0.0001), with a higher number of mothers experiencing anxiety and depression (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater maternal weight change, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, a shorter cervical length in the second trimester, a greater WBC count, and the presence of maternal anxiety and depression were risk factors for PTB (P < 0.01). Moreover, the risk score of the FT group was lower than that of the PTB group, and the area under the curve of the risk score for predicting PTB was greater than 0.9. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complex interplay between postpartum anxiety and PTB, where maternal anxiety may be a potential risk factor for PTB, with PTB potentially increasing the incidence of postpartum anxiety in mothers. In addition, a greater maternal weight change, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, a shorter cervical length, a greater WBC count, and postpartum anxiety and depression were identified as risk factors for PTB.

Trends in temporal and spatial changes of Japanese encephalitis in Chinese mainland, 2004-2019: A population-based surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious health concern in China, with approximately 80 % of global infections occurring in China. To develop effective prevention and control strategies, this study explored the epidemiological characteristics of JE in China based on spatiotemporal data, to understand the patterns and trends of JE incidence in different regions and time periods. METHOD: The incidence and mortality rates of JE were extracted from the Public Health Data Center, the official website of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, and the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance System from 2004 to 2019. Joinpoint regression was applied to examine the spatiotemporal patterns and annual percentage change in incidence and mortality of the JE. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2019, a total of 43,569 cases of JE were diagnosed, including 2081 deaths. The annual incidence rate of JE decreased from 0.4171/100,000 in 2004 to 0.0298/100,000 in 2019, with an annual percentage change (APC) of -13.5 % (P < 0.001). The annual mortality rate of JE showed three stages of change, with inflection points in 2006 and 2014. The incidence and mortality rates of JE have declined in all provinces of China, and more cases were reported in 0-14 years of age, accounting for nearly 80 % of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity and mortality rates of JE in China are generally on a downward trend, and emphasis should be placed on strengthening disease surveillance in special areas and populations, popularizing vaccination, and increasing publicity.

Identification of key genes and signaling pathways associated with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia using bioinformatics.

Objective: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are collectively known as Lewy body dementia (LBD). Considering the heterogeneous nature of LBD and the different constellations of symptoms with which patients can present, the exact molecular mechanism underlying the differences between these two isoforms is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the biomarkers and potential mechanisms that distinguish between PDD and DLB. Methods: The mRNA expression profile dataset of GSE150696 was acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 12 DLB and 12 PDD were identified from Brodmann area 9 of human postmortem brains using GEO2R. A series of bioinformatics methods were applied to identify the potential signaling pathways involved, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to further investigate the relationship between gene co-expression and different LBD subtypes. Hub genes that are strongly associated with PDD and DLB were obtained from the intersection of DEGs and selected modules by WGCNA. Results: A total of 1,864 DEGs between PDD and DLB were filtered by the online analysis tool GEO2R. We found that the most significant GO- and KEGG-enriched terms are involved in the establishment of the vesicle localization and pathways of neurodegeneration-multiple diseases. Glycerolipid metabolism and viral myocarditis were enriched in the PDD group. A B-cell receptor signaling pathway and one carbon pool by folate correlated with DLB in the results obtained from the GSEA. We found several clusters of co-expressed genes which we designated by colors in our WGCNA analysis. Furthermore, we identified seven upregulated genes, namely, SNAP25, GRIN2A, GABRG2, GABRA1, GRIA1, SLC17A6, and SYN1, which are significantly correlated with PDD. Conclusion: The seven hub genes and the signaling pathways we identified may be involved in the heterogeneous pathogenesis of PDD and DLB.

[Effect of Nitrogen on the Phytoremediation of Cd-PAHs Co-contaminated Dumpsite Soil by Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and on the Soil Bacterial Community Structure].

The key point in facing the demand for the disposal of waste storage in rural areas of China is to manage informal landfills. However, limited studies have been conducted to evaluate the phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) co-contaminated dumpsite soil with high ammonia nitrogen content. In this study, we selected the tolerant plant legume alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for a pot experiment to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) (0, 10, and 50 mg·kg-1) on plant growth, the removal of pollutants, and soil bacterial community structure in Cd-PAHs co-contaminated soil, so as to evaluate the role of N in the process of phytoremediation of dumpsite soil. The results showed that the biomass of alfalfa under high co-contamination conditions (Cd:10 mg·kg-1 and PAHs:400 mg·kg-1) increased with N supply and was 6.0 and 6.3 times higher than that of the treatment without N supply, respectively. Furthermore, the lower N level promoted the growth of alfalfa in the low-contamination group (Cd:1 mg·kg-1 and PAHs:100 mg·kg-1), but the difference was not significant, and a high concentration of N significantly inhibited its growth. In addition, the phytoremediation efficiency for Cd in the low-contamination group ranged from 5.58% to 7.49%, and N significantly increased the efficiency in the high co-contamination group from 0.95% to 3.02%. Compared with the removal of phenanthrene, N had a stronger influence on the removal of pyrene. Meanwhile, alfalfa could promote the removal of them in soil, among which the degradation of PAHs by microorganisms was dominant, whereas the contribution of the plant uptake pathway was less than 0.21%. As reflected by distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA), PAHs and Cd were the main factors affecting the structure of the microbial community; moreover, N had a greater effect on bacterial community composition in the single Cd-contamination and high co-contamination groups, promoting genera with bioremediation effects as the dominant soil bacterial communities, including Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, and Novosphingobium. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the remediation of dumpsites as well as informal landfills with contaminated soil.

CD20-positive subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma presenting as polycranial neuropathy: A CARE-compliant case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma(SPTCL) is a very rare cytotoxic T-cell skin lymphoma involving subcutaneous tissue, and mainly affects young females. T-cell phenotype is characterized by CD3+, CD8+, and CD4-. SPTCT with polycranial neuropathy has rarely been described. SPTCL is believed to show an indolent clinical course unless patients develop haemophagocytic syndrome or sudden respiratory failure. Its treatment has not been established yet. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of intractable SPTCT in a 66-year-old woman with multiple cranial nerve palsies and diabetes. She showed involvement of the bilateral facial nerve, left trigeminal nerve, left auditory nerve, and right oculomotor nerve. The single inconspicuous skin lesion in the trunk presented with an erythematous nodule with a diameter of <5 cm and a slightly pink infiltrated plaque. Electromyography revealed bilateral damage to the facial nerve. Differential immunohistochemical characteristics were observed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse CD20 positivity. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein levels of 0.92 (0.15-0.45) g/L. Her condition regressed severely over time. She was treated with chemotherapy but died 10 months later, the probable cause of death was lung involvement. CONCLUSION: The patient's involvement with the central nervous system may be associated with positivity for CD20. Molecular biomarkers may act as therapeutic targets for SPTCL.

Remediation of arsenic-cationic metals from smelter contaminated soil by washings of Na2EDTA and phosphoric acid: removal efficiencies and mineral transformation.

Sequential and combined soil washing tests of Na2EDTA and phosphoric acids were conducted to remediation soil contaminated with arsenic and cationic metals (cadmium, copper, and lead) at a former metal smelter. The aim of the testing was to improve the heavy metals removal efficiency and investigate the mechanism of the influence of soil minerals on washing efficiency, including the influence on soil mineral, metal oxides, and functional groups of soil surface. The results indicated that the combined washing of Na2EDTA and phosphoric acid was effective in removing both arsenic and cationic metals from contaminated soil and had synergy effect for most target metals. The results of metal removal efficiency indicated that the washing agent, washing mode, and washing times influenced the removal efficiencies of arsenic and cationic metals. The spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that sequential and combined washings were effective in dissolving and reforming soil minerals compared with single washing. The promoted complexation, ligand exchange, desorption, and inhibition of adsorption resulted in the synergistic effect for most target metals under combined washing.

The effects of tamoxifen on mouse behavior.

The CreERT2 recombinase system is an advanced method to temporally control site-specific mutagenesis in adult rodents. In this process, tamoxifen is injected to induce Cre recombinase expression, and then, Cre recombinase can excise LoxP-flanked DNA. However, tamoxifen is a nonselective estrogen receptor antagonist that may influence behavioral alterations. Therefore, we designed five different protocols (acute effects, chronic effects, chronic effects after social defeat model, chronic effects after learned helplessness model, chronic effects after isolation models) to explore whether tamoxifen affects mouse behavior. Researching the acute/chronic effects of tamoxifen, we found that tamoxifen could influence locomotor activity, anxiety and immobility time in the forced swimming test. Researching the chronic effects of tamoxifen after social defeat/learned helplessness/isolation models, we found that tamoxifen could also influence locomotor activity, social interaction and anxiety. Therefore, the effects of tamoxifen are more complex than previously reported. Our results show, for the first time, that tamoxifen affects behavior in mouse models. Meanwhile, we compare the effects of tamoxifen in different protocols. These results will provide important information when designing similar experiments.

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 319 aggravates lung adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis by modulating miR-450b-5p/EZH2.

Growing evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been wildly verified to modulate multiple tumorigenesis, especially lung adenocarcinoma. In present study, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNA LINC00319 in the lung adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis. We observed that increased expression of LINC00319 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and cells in comparison to their corresponding controls. Moreover, the aberrant overexpression of LINC00319 indicated the poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Silence of LINC00319 was able to repress lung adenocarcinoma cell growth in vitro. Rescue assay was performed to further confirm that LINC00319 contributed to lung adenocarcinoma progression by regulating miR-450b-5p/EZH2 signal pathway. Taken together, our study discovered the oncogenic role of LINC00319 in clinical specimens and cellular experiments, showing the potential LINC00319/miR-450b-5p/EZH2 pathway. This results and findings provide a novel insight for lung adenocarcinoma tumorigenesis.

[Local shRNA modulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway reduces intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether knockdown Pik3cb p110beta subunit by shRNA in autologous vein grafts can reduce intimal hyperplasia. METHODS: 180 adult SD rats underwent carotid artery bypass graft surgery by using the autologous branch of jugular vein, and they were randomly divided into 6 equal groups: Group A (with the jugular vein grafts treated with 25% Pluronic F-127 only), Group B (with the graft treated with the plasmid encoding shRNA targeting Pik3cb p110beta subunit, pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-1), Group C (with the graft treated with the plasmid encoding shRNA targeting Pik3cb p110beta subunit, pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-2), Group D (with the graft treated with the half pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-1 and pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-2), and Group E (with the graft treated with the pGenesil-1 scramble shRNA), and Group F (with the jugular vein grafts treated with wortmannin). Specimens of jugular vein graft were harvested 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery to assess the neointimal hyperplasia. Another 18 rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups as mentioned above to be used in a parallel experiment: 72 h after surgery specimens of jugular vein graft were harvested to undergo fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting to detect the mRNA expression of P13K p110beta subunit and the protein expression of phosphorylated Akt - phospho-Akt (Thr 308) and phospho-Akt (Ser473)-, and mTOR (Ser 2448). And another 9 rats received jugular vein grafts treated with the pGenesil-1 scramble shRNA, and on the postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 respectively 3 rats were killed to undergo fluorescence staining to detect the transfection efficacy. RESULTS: The transfection rate of the plasmid pGenesil-1 was 60% in the vascular smooth muscle cells and 90% in the endothelial cells. The thickness of tunica intima 28 days after the surgery of the pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-1, pU6-Pik3cb-shRNA-2, 1/2 (shRNA1 + shRNA2), and wortmannin groups were (34.6 +/- 2.7) microm, (39.4 +/- 2.5) microm, (36.7 +/- 2.9) microm, and (40.6 +/- 3.1) microm respectively, all significantly lower than that of the control group (61.8 +/- 4.3 microm, P < 0.05). The expression levels of phospho-Akt (Thr 308), phospho-Akt (Ser 473), and mTOR of the shRNA intervention and wortmannin groups were all down-regulated. CONCLUSION: Knockdown of Pik3cb in interposition carotid artery branch of jugular vein grafts reduces intimal hyperplasia with the possible mechanism of downregulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling through Akt, with resultant decreases in VASC growth and survival. Modulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway through knockdown Pik3cb may represent a novel therapy to prevent vein graft intimal hyperplasia after bypass grafting.

[Experimental study on mechanical properties of decellularized porcine aortic valve and effects of precoating methods of biological scaffold on histocompatibility].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the mechanical properties of decellularized porcine aortic valve, and to explore the effects of precoating methods of biological scaffold on histocompatibility. METHODS: Fresh porcine aortic valves were decellularized using trypsin, TritonX-100 and nuclease. Treated valves were evaluated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical test. Three groups of scaffold were precoated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), poly-L-lysine (PLL) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) respectively. Myofibroblasts were seeded onto each scaffold. Light and electron microscopic observation was performed and MTT test was used to examine efficiency of cell attachment. RESULTS: HE stain and SEM showed that cells were almost absent in the treated leaflet. The wave-like collagen together with the whole three-dimensional structure was maintained. Compared with normal valves, the Max-load, Max-stress and elastic modulus decreased while the Max-strain increased (P<0.05). The result of MTT test showed more cells were attached on the valves treated with FBS compared to the other two groups. Histological investigations also confirm that the high degree of cell attachment on the valves precoated with FBS (F=129.26, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Enzyme combined with detergent and nucleases can remove cells from porcine aortic valves. Meanwhile the mechanical properties of these valves may be altered. Precoating porcine aortic valve with FBS is an effective method to improve cell attachment, growth and increasing.

[Origin of neointimal cells in autologous vein graft in rat model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential cell sources of neointimal cells in autologous vein graft in rat model. METHODS: Vein graft neointimal cell origins were investigated using a model of vein-to-artery interposition modal. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical staining was also performed with primary antibodies alpha-smooth actin or CD34. RESULTS: Neointimal thickening was greater at the proximal ends (65.2 +/- 4.6) microm and, to a lesser extent, distal ends (64.7 +/- 5.3) microm, in comparison to the middle of the graft (63.5 +/- 5.6) microm. Vein-originating cells survived and make a contribution to neointimal formation within the vein graft, mostly adjacent to the lumen, suggesting an intimate association with endothelial cells, donor arterial smooth muscle cells or circulating progenitor cells. CONCLUSIONS: Vein graft neointimal cells arise predominantly from vein-derived endothelial cells, donor arteria smooth muscle cells or circulating progenitor cells. It suggests clinical relevance of stenosis-inhibiting therapies directed at the vein graft or early system pharmacologic administration.

The influence of tracheostomy timing on outcomes in trauma patients: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the influence of tracheostomy timing on outcomes among trauma patients, including mortality, medical resource utility and incidence of pneumonia. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by internet search. Data were extracted from selected studies and analyzed using Stata to compare outcomes in trauma patients with early tracheostomy (ET) or late tracheostomy (LT)/prolonged intubation (PI). RESULT: 20 studies met our inclusion criteria with 3305 patients in ET group and 4446 patients in LT/PI group. Pooled data revealed that mortality was not lower in trauma patients with ET compared to those with LT/IP. However, ET was found to be associated with a significantly reduced length of ICU and hospital stay, shorter MV duration and lower risk of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Evidence of this meta-analysis supports the dimorphism in some clinical outcomes of trauma patients with different tracheostomy timing. Additional well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm it in future.

[Heat-shock protein 70 may be a putative endogenous ligand of Toll-like receptor-4 of human monocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between human heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in human monocytes. METHODS: Periphery blood mononuclear cells were isolated from the samples of healthy blood donors' whole blood and monocytes were prepared and cultured. HSP70 of the final concentrations of 2.5 microg/ml, 5.0 microg/ml, 7.5 microg/ml, and 10 microg/ml respectively was added; 6 hours later the concentration of TNF-alpha in the supernatant was detected. Another monocytes were cultured and HSP70 of the final concentration of 5.0 microg/ml was added and the concentrations of NF-kappaB were detected 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes later respectively. TLR4 blocker of the final concentrations of 5 microg/ml, 20 microg/ml, and 30 microg/ml respectively was added into another culture for 30 minutes and 5.0 microg/ml HSP70 was added, then immunochemistry was used to detect the concentration of NF-kappaB 120 minutes after ELISA was used to detect the concentration of and TNF-alpha 8 hours later. In order to examine the influence of HSP70 on the TLR4 in the cytomembrane of monocytes, HSP70 of the final concentration of 5.0 microg/ml was added into the culture of monocytes for 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes respectively then flow cytometry was used to detect the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of TLR4. RESULTS: HSP70 stimulation increased the TNF-a concentration in the supernatant dose-dependently. The percentages of NF-kappaB positive monocytes were 38 +/- 6, 67 +/- 12, and 54 +/- 12 30 min, 60 min, 120 min after HSP70 stimulation, all significantly higher than that at the beginning of experiment (17 +/- 6, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). The percentages of NF-kappaB positive monocytes were 39% +/- 4%, 32% +/- 6%, and 28% +/- 6% 120 minutes after anti-TLR4 mAb stimulation, all significantly lower than that of the control group (67% +/- 12%, all P < 0.05). TLR4 blocker of different concentrations significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha secretion by the monocytes (all P < 0.05). The MFI of TLR4 in the cytomembrane of monocyte was significantly down-regulated 60 minutes, especially 120 minutes, after the HSP70 stimulation in comparison with that before the stimulation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TLR4 appears to be involved in HSP70-mediated activation of innate immunity.

The influence of sex on outcomes in trauma patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the influence of sex on outcomes among trauma patients, including injury severity, medical resource utility, complications, and mortality. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by internet search. Data were extracted from selected studies and analyzed using Stata to compare outcomes between male and female injured patients. RESULTS: Eventually, 19 studies met our inclusion criteria with 100,566 men and 39,762 women. Pooled data revealed that male sex was associated with increased risk of mortality, hospital length of stay, and higher incidence of complications. No difference was detected in injury severity between male and female patients. CONCLUSION: Evidence of this meta-analysis strongly supports the sex dimorphism in the prognosis of trauma patients and further work should be done to decipher potential mechanism.

Numerical model of compressible gas flow in soil pollution control.

Based on the theory of fluid dynamics in porous media, a numerical model of gas flow in unsaturated zone is developed with the consideration of gas density change due to variation of air pressure. This model is characterized of its wider range of availability. The accuracy of this numerical model is analyzed through comparison with modeling results by previous model with presumption of little pressure variation and the validity of this numerical model is shown. Thus it provides basis for the designing and management of landfill gas control system or soil vapor extraction system in soil pollution control.