Attitudes toward an HPV vaccine for condyloma acuminata and willingness to undergo vaccination among STD clinic attendees in China: Focus on STI prevention with HPV vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Condyloma acuminata (CA) is a common, and recurrent sexually transmitted disease (STD) that greatly contributes to direct health care costs and has a substantial psychosocial impact. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination (containing L1 protein for HPV types 6 and 11) effectively controls CA. OBJECTIVES: We investigated attitudes toward the HPV vaccine for CA and willingness to undergo vaccination among STD clinic attendees in China. METHODS: Attendees at STD clinics at two selected hospitals in Guangdong and Jiangsu Provinces from May to September 2017 were requested to complete a self-administered questionnaire for this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The participants' median age was 28 years (IQR: 24.0-34.0), and the sex ratio was balanced; 63.5% were from Guangdong, 36.5% were from Jiangsu, and 44.5% had a history of CA. The vaccine acceptance rate was high among the participants (85.8%,235/274) to whom the HPV vaccine for CA was available, especially among those who had heard of CA (89.0%, AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.29-7.63, p = 0.0114). 95 (34.7%) of 274 participants had a positive attitude toward the HPV vaccine for CA. STD clinic attendees who had heard of the connection between HPV and CA (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.31-5.00, p = 0.0060), had heard of the HPV vaccines or cervical cancer vaccines (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02-3.54, p = 0.0444) and had ever proactively discussed CA or the vaccine with others (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI:1.00-3.79, p = 0.0488) had better attitudes toward the HPV vaccine for CA. Over half of the participants (52.5%) expected the price of the HPV vaccine for CA to be under $90. CONCLUSION: The acceptance of the HPV vaccine for CA was high among STD clinic attendees in China, and the participants' self-perceived knowledge of CA and HPV was associated with better attitudes toward the HPV vaccine for CA. Education to improve knowledge is vital for reducing vaccine hesitancy.

Climate change and mortality rates of COPD and asthma: A global analysis from 2000 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Climate change plays a significant role in global health threats, particularly with respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, but the long-term global-scale impact of climate change on these diseases' mortality remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) of COPD and asthma at national levels. METHODS: We used Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data of ASMR of COPD and asthma from 2000 to 2018. The climate change index was represented as the deviance percentage of temperature (DPT) and relative humidity (DPRH), calculated based on 19-year temperature and humidity averages. Annual temperature, RH, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in 185 countries/regions were obtained from ERA5 and the OECD's environmental statistics database. General linear mixed-effect regression models were used to examine the associations between climate change with the log of ASMR (LASMR) of COPD and asthma. RESULTS: After adjusting for annual PM2.5, SDI level, smoking prevalence, and geographical regions, a 0.26% increase in DPT was associated with decreases of 0.016, 0.017, and 0.014 per 100,000 people in LASMR of COPD and 0.042, 0.046, and 0.040 per 100,000 people in LASMR of asthma for both genders, males, and females. A 2.68% increase in DPRH was associated with increases of 0.009 and 0.011 per 100,000 people in LASMR of COPD. We observed a negative association of DPT with LASMR for COPD in countries/regions with temperatures ranging from 3.8 to 29.9 °C and with LASMR for asthma ranging from -5.3-29.9 °C. However, we observed a positive association of DPRH with LASMR for both COPD and asthma in the RH range of 41.2-67.2%. CONCLUSION: Climate change adaptation and mitigation could be crucial in reducing the associated COPD and asthma mortality rates, particularly in regions most vulnerable to temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Differential expression of glucose metabolism-related genes and AMP-activated protein kinases in crop tissue of male and female pigeons (Columba livia domestica) during the incubation and chick-rearing periods.

The objective of this study was to explore the carbohydrate contents of crop milk, insulin and glucose concentrations in serum and the expression patterns of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPKs) and genes related to glucose metabolism in pigeon crops during the breeding period. Crop milk was collected from squabs of rearing Day 1 (R1) to R6. Contents of total sugar and reducing sugar increased to the maximum levels at R6 (p < 0.05). Forty-two pairs of adult pigeons were allotted to seven groups by different breeding stages, and their crops and serum were sampled. No significant differences were found in either insulin or glucose levels in serum. The glucose transporter 2 gene level was the greatest at R15 in females, whereas it was at R7 in males. However, sodium-dependent glucose transporters 1 expression in both sexes decreased from incubation Day 17 (I17) to R7. In females, glucokinase expression peaked at R1, and at R1 and R7 in males. Pyruvate kinase mRNA levels peaked at R7 in females and at R15 males. The mRNA abundance of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 in both sexes and glucose-6-phosphatase in females decreased after I10. While phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 expression decreased after I17 (p < 0.05). Protein levels of AMPKα in crops were minimized at R1 (p < 0.05). In females, expression of AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 was inhibited at I17 and R1 (p < 0.05). In males, AMPKα1 expression was decreased at R7 (p < 0.05) and AMPKα2 was reduced at I10 and R1. pAMPK expression was the lowest at I17 in females, and it was at R7 and R25 in males. Conclusively, glycolysis in pigeon crops was enhanced during chick-rearing, while gluconeogenesis was significantly inhibited. The stability of the insulin level suggests that it was probably not involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism in crop tissues.

Exposure to ambient air pollutants with kidney function decline in chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been a global public health problem with many adverse outcomes, but data are lacking regarding the relationship between air pollutants and risk of renal progression in patients with CKD. This study was to investigate whether 1-year average exposure to ambient air pollutants -CO, NO, NO2, SO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10-is related to renal function deterioration among patients with CKD. A total of 5301 CKD patients were included in this study between October 2008 and February 2016. To estimate each patient's exposure to ambient air pollution, we used the 24-h ambient air pollution concentration monitoring data collected one year prior to renal progression or their last renal function assessment. Renal progression was considered when estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased more than 25% from the baseline eGFR. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). Among 5301 patients with CKD, 1813 (34.20%) developed renal progression during the 30.48 ± 14.99-month follow-up. Patients with the highest quartile exposure to CO [HR = 1.53 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.88)], NO [HR = 1.38 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.71)], NO2 [HR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.36, 1.97)], SO2 [HR = 2.27 (95% CI: 1.83, 2.82)], PM2.5 [HR = 7.58 (95% CI: 5.97, 9.62)], and PM10 [HR = 3.68 (95% CI: 2.84, 4.78)] had a significantly higher risk of renal progression than those with the lowest quartile exposure. In the multipollutant model, the analyses yielded to similar results. These results reinforce the importance of measures to mitigate air pollution and strategies to prevent worsening of kidney function in patients with CKD. One-year high exposure to ambient CO, NO, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 is significantly associated with deteriorated kidney function in patients with CKD among Taiwanese adults.

Long-term exposure to ozone and sulfur dioxide increases the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among aged 30 to 50 adult population.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Worldwide, the information regarding the associations between long-term exposure to ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and the development of type 2 diabetes remains scarce, especially in Asia. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of exposure to ambient O3 and SO2 on the incidence of type 2 diabetes with consideration of other air pollutants in Taiwanese adults aged 30 to 50 years. METHODS: A total of 6,426,802 non-diabetic participants aged between 30 and 50 years old were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database between 2005 and 2016. Incident type 2 diabetes was the main diagnosis at medical visits. Air quality data were provided by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. The air pollutant concentrations for each participant were estimated using the ordinary kriging method to interpolate daily concentrations of O3, SO2, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended fine particles (with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm; PM2.5), and suspended particles (with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm; PM10) in residential districts across Taiwan. Six-year average concentrations of pollutants were calculated from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010, and data were categorized into quartiles. We performed Cox regression models to analyze the long-term effects of exposure to O3 and SO2 on the incidence of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The hazard ratio (HR) for the incidence of diabetes per each interquartile range (IQR) increase in ozone exposure (3.30 ppb) was 1.058 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.053, 1.064) and 1.011 (95% CI: 1.007, 1.015) for SO2 exposure (1.77 ppb) after adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, urbanization level, temperature, humidity, and chronic comorbidities (Model 3). Furthermore, for every 3.30 ppb increase of O3, the HR for incident type 2 diabetes was 1.093 (95% CI: 1.087, 1.100) after controlling factors shown in Model 3 plus SO2 and PM2.5. On the other hand, for every 1.77 ppb increase of SO2, the HR for incident type 2 diabetes was 1.073 (95% CI: 1.068, 1.079) after controlling factors shown in Model 3 plus NO2 and PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to ambient O3 and SO2 was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes for Taiwanese population. Exposure to O3 and SO2 may play a role in the adult early-onset type 2 diabetes.

Contextual Factors and Spatial Patterns of Childhood Malnutrition in Provinces of Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 45% of all children's deaths are associated with malnutrition, and sub-Saharan Africa is hardest hit by this phenomenon. However, information on geographical variations of malnutrition in developing countries is limited. This study examined the geographical distribution and community characteristics associated with child malnutrition in Burkina Faso. DESIGN: Data from the 2011 Burkina Faso Demographic Health Survey were analyzed. A general Kriging interpolation method was used to generate spatial malnutrition patterns. The global Moran's I test was used to identify significant malnutrition spatial patterns. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were fitted to examine the association between community level factors and malnutrition. RESULTS: Average rates of stunting and wasting in the communities were 32.48% and 15.05%, respectively. Stunting hotspots were observed in the eastern and northeastern parts of Burkina Faso (i.e. Oudolan, Séno and Yagha, among others), while high rates of wasting were observed in the north-central part. The GEE results revealed lower stunting rates in communities with a higher percentage of households with improved sanitation. Communities with higher rates of professionally assisted births were associated with low wasting rates, while communities with higher rates of households with a low wealth index reported higher rates of wasting. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial statistical models of malnutrition prevalence are useful for indicating hotspots over wide areas and hence, for guiding intervention strategies. This study revealed significant geographical patterns and community factors associated with childhood malnutrition. These factors should be considered in future programs aimed at reducing malnutrition in Burkina Faso.

Enhancement of tenogenic differentiation of rat tendon-derived stem cells by biglycan.

Biglycan (BGN) has been identified as one of the critical components of the tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) niche and may be related to tendon formation. However, so far, no study has demonstrated whether the soluble BGN could induce the tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BGN on the tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs. The proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs exposed to different concentrations of BGN (0, 50, 100, and 500 ng/ml) were determined by the live/dead cell staining assay, CCK-8 assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. The BGN signaling pathway of TDSCs (with and without 50 ng/ml of BGN) was determined by western blot analysis and qRT-PCR analysis. At a concentration of 50 ng/ml, BGN increased the expression of the tenogenic markers THBS-4 and TNMD at both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. Meanwhile, 50 ng/ml of BGN inhibited the expression of the chondrogenic and osteogenic markers SOX9, ACN, and RUNX2 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, BGN (50 ng/ml) affected the expression of the components of the extracellular matrix of TDSCs. Additionally, BGN activated the Smad1/5/8 pathway as indicated by an increase in phosphorylation and demonstrated by inhibition experiments. Upregulation in the gene expression of BMP-associated receptors (BMPRII, ActR-IIa, and BMPR-Ib) and Smad pathway components (Smad4 and 8) was observed. Taken together, BGN regulates tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs via BMP7/Smad1/5/8 pathway and this regulation may provide a basic insight into treating tendon injury.

Effects of insecticide-treated net access and use on infant mortality in Malawi: A pooled analysis of demographic health surveys.

Malaria continues to be among the top causes of death in children and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are considered among the most effective malaria control methods. However, information on the association between universal ITN coverage and infant mortality is limited. A Cox proportional hazard model was applied to Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys to determine the association between ITN access and use and infant mortality between 2004 and 2015-2016. The overall infant mortality rate for the entire period was 47.9/1000 live births. Infants from the ITN-user households exhibited a lower risk of mortality [adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR) = 0.61, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.44-0.85] than those from the ITN-nonuser households. Similarly, the infants from the high-access households exhibited a lower risk of death (aHR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.46-0.86) than those from the no-access households. Infants from the ITN-user and high-access households exhibited a significantly lower risk of death (aHR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.40-0.82) than those from the ITN-nonuser and no-access households. The relationship between ITN access and use and infant mortality was significant among female infants with a second or higher birth order and interval of ≥2 years. The findings of the present population-based study emphasized the importance of ITN access and use in providing optimal protection against malaria to infants in Malawi. Malaria control programs should ensure high ITN access and use in Malawi to reduce infant mortality.

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

BACKGROUND: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most common human parasitic helminths, and children are the most susceptible group. Some behavioral and environmental factors may facilitate pinworm infection. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the status of pinworm infections among children remains unknown. METHODS: In Majuro City, there are 14 kindergartens with a total of 635 preschool children (PSC) whose age range of 5~6 years. The present investigation attempted to determine the pinworm prevalence and associated risk factors as well as investigate whether eggs contaminated the clothes of PSC or the ground and tables in classrooms of 14 kindergartens. Informed consent form and a self-administered questionnaire were given to parents prior to pinworm screening. Perianal specimens were collected by an adhesive scotch tape method, and clothing of belly and hip sites and the ground and tables of the classrooms were inspected using a cellophane tape method to detect any eggs contamination. RESULTS: In total, 392 PSC (5.28 ± 0.56 yrs. old) participated in this project. The overall prevalence of pinworm infection was 22.4% (88/392). Boys (24.5%) had higher prevalence than girls (20.31%) (p = 0.32). PSC aged > 5 years (32.77%) showed a significantly higher prevalence than those aged ≤5 years (17.95%) (p = 0.01). A univariate analysis indicated that PSC who lived in urban areas (22.95%) had a higher prevalence than those who lived in rural areas (20.69%) (p = 0.69). The employment status of the parents showed no association with the pinworm infection rate (p > 0.05). A logistic regression analysis indicated that "having an older sister" produced a higher risk of acquiring pinworm infection for PSC compared to those who did not have an older sister (OR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.05~3.88; p = 0.04). No significant association between various other risk factors and pinworm infection was found (p > 0.05). Also, no eggs contamination was found on the clothes of the belly and hip sites or on the ground and tables in the 14 kindergartens. CONCLUSIONS: Mass screening and treatment of infected PSC are important measures in pinworm control in the RMI.

Association between timing and number of antenatal care visits on uptake of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy among Malawian women.

BACKGROUND: Malaria in pregnancy is a critical public health challenge, and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) has proven to be an effective intervention. However, access to and use of malaria interventions, including IPTp, remains a considerable problem among African women. This cross-sectional study investigated factors, including antenatal care (ANC) attendance (both numbers of visits and timing of the first visit) and socio-demographics, associated with the uptake of the recommended IPTp dose among Malawian women. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of women with a live birth in the 2 years preceding the survey from the Malawi Demographic Health Survey 2015-2016 dataset was analysed. Self-reported data on socio-demographics, ANC attendance and IPTp uptake were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using logistic models. RESULTS: Of the 6549 included women, 1981 (30.2%) took the recommended three or more IPTp doses. Despite inadequate ANC visits, early ANC initiation increased the likelihood of these women taking the recommended IPTp dose; women who initiated ANC in the first [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44-3.49] and second (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.56-3.08) trimesters were more likely to take the recommended IPTp dose compared to late initiators. The effect of the number of ANC visits on IPTp uptake was significant in married women (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.42-1.98), and the timing of first ANC visit was associated with IPTp uptake only among rural women (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.54-2.95). CONCLUSION: ANC attendance is vital in IPTp uptake. The results highlight the need for health care providers to encourage women, particularly those in high-risk groups, to make frequent ANC visits and receive early ANC initiation to ensure high coverage of the recommended IPTp dose.

Factors associated with insecticide-treated net usage among women of childbearing age in Malawi: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify factors at individual and community level influencing insecticide-treated net (ITN) usage among groups of women of childbearing age (WOCBA) in Malawi. METHODS: Factors influencing ITN usage in Malawi were assessed through interviews with 16,130 WOCBA (15-49 years) across 850 communities who participated in the 2015-2016 Malawi Demographic Health Survey. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: ITN use was similar between pregnant women and non-pregnant women with children under 5 years (45.9% and 46.9%, respectively), but slightly lower among non-pregnant women without children under 5 years (39.1%). Both individual and community characteristics were associated with ITN use among WOCBA and varied significantly across subgroups. Specifically, non-pregnant women with children under 5 years living in communities where women had high autonomy in health care decisions had an 18% greater odds of using an ITN compared with those from communities where women had low health care autonomy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.38). Distance to health care facility influenced ITN usage among pregnant women; those who did not regard distance as a problem had a 44% greater odds of using an ITN than those for whom distance was seen as a problem (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.09-1.89). Number of household members, region, urbanization, and community ITN coverage influenced ITN usage across all WOCBA groups. CONCLUSION: The findings confirmed the importance of assessing various factors affecting ITN usage among groups of WOCBA. Both individual- and community-level factors should be considered when designing and implementing ITN programmes in Malawi.

Bridging Repair of Large Rotator Cuff Tears Using a Multilayer Decellularized Tendon Slices Graft in a Rabbit Model.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an extracellular matrix scaffold with multilayer decellularized tendon slices (MDTSs) for reconstructing large rotator cuff tears in a rabbit model. METHODS: Large defects in the infraspinatus tendons were created bilaterally in 36 rabbits. The graft group underwent bridging repair of the defects with the MDTSs grafts from Achilles tendons of adult beagle dogs, and the control group underwent repair with the autologous excised tendon. Specimens underwent histologic observation, biomechanical testing, and microcomputed tomography analysis at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Histologic analysis confirmed that the MDTSs graft promoted cell ingrowth and tissue integration, and fibrocartilage and Sharpey fibers formed at the enthesis at 8 weeks. Accordingly, the MDTSs graft generated a histologic appearance similar to that of the autogenous tendon graft. Mechanical testing revealed a significant increase of the regenerated tendons in ultimate load and stiffness from 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively, which was similar to autologous tendon repair. Microcomputed tomography analysis demonstrated that the MDTSs graft promoted bone formation at the tendon-bone insertion, thus improving the mechanical properties of the repair tendon. CONCLUSIONS: The MDTSs graft used to bridge large rotator cuff defects in a rabbit model promoted host cell ingrowth, enhanced the remodeling of regenerated tendon, and promoted fibrocartilage formation, thus improving the biomechanical properties of the repaired tendon. This study thereby provides fundamental information for rotator cuff regeneration with the MDTSs graft. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rotator cuff regeneration using MDTSs grafts is a promising procedure for large rotator cuff tears.

Assessment of climate-driven variations in malaria incidence in Swaziland: toward malaria elimination.

BACKGROUND: Swaziland aims to eliminate malaria by 2020. However, imported cases from neighbouring endemic countries continue to sustain local parasite reservoirs and initiate transmission. As certain weather and climatic conditions may trigger or intensify malaria outbreaks, identification of areas prone to these conditions may aid decision-makers in deploying targeted malaria interventions more effectively. METHODS: Malaria case-surveillance data for Swaziland were provided by Swaziland's National Malaria Control Programme. Climate data were derived from local weather stations and remote sensing images. Climate parameters and malaria cases between 2001 and 2015 were then analysed using seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM). RESULTS: The incidence of malaria in Swaziland increased between 2005 and 2010, especially in the Lubombo and Hhohho regions. A time-series analysis indicated that warmer temperatures and higher precipitation in the Lubombo and Hhohho administrative regions are conducive to malaria transmission. DLNM showed that the risk of malaria increased in Lubombo when the maximum temperature was above 30 °C or monthly precipitation was above 5 in. In Hhohho, the minimum temperature remaining above 15 °C or precipitation being greater than 10 in. might be associated with malaria transmission. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of short-term climate variations on malaria transmission in Swaziland. The geographic separation of imported and locally acquired malaria, as well as population behaviour, highlight the varying modes of transmission, part of which may be relevant to climate conditions. Thus, the impact of changing climate conditions should be noted as Swaziland moves toward malaria elimination.

A multicenter study on the validation of the Burnout Battery: a new visual analog scale to screen job burnout in oncology professionals.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to develop a novel tool-the Burnout Battery-for briefly screening burnout among oncology professionals in China and assessing its validity. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted in doctors and nurses of the oncology departments in China from November 2014 to May 2015. The Burnout Battery was administered with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and the Doctors' Job Burnout Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 538 oncology doctors and nurses who completed all the survey, using MBI-HSS as the standard tool for measuring burnout, 52% had emotional exhaustion, 39.4% had depersonalization, and 59.3% had a low sense of personal accomplishment. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the best cut-off of the Burnout Battery was the battery with 3 bars, which yielded best sensitivity and specificity against all the 3 subscales of MBI-HSS. With this cut-off, nearly half of Chinese oncology professionals (46.8%) had burnout. The Burnout Battery correlated significantly with subscales of the MBI-HSS and the Doctors' Job Burnout Questionnaire. In multiple logistic regression analysis, those who worked more than 60 hours per week and who thought clinical work was the most stressful part of their job were more likely to experience burnout. CONCLUSION: Chinese oncology professionals exhibit high levels of burnout. The Burnout Battery appears to be a simple and useful tool for screening burnout. Working long hours and perceiving clinical work as the most stressful part of the job were the main factors associated with burnout.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Effects of Exogenous Calcium against Acid Rain Stress in Liquidambar formosana Hance Leaves.

Acid rain (AR) impacts forest health by leaching calcium (Ca) away from soils and plants. Ca is an essential element and participates in various plant physiological responses. In the present study, the protective role of exogenous Ca in alleviating AR stress in Liquidambar formosana Hance at the physiological and proteomic levels was examined. Our results showed that low Ca condition resulted in the chlorophyll content and photosynthesis decreasing significantly in L. formosana leaves; however, these effects could be reversed by high Ca supplementation. Further proteomic analyses successfully identified 81 differentially expressed proteins in AR-treated L. formosana under different Ca levels. In particular, some of the proteins are involved in primary metabolism, photosynthesis, energy production, antioxidant defense, transcription, and translation. Moreover, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated that low Ca significantly increased the expression level of the investigated Ca-related genes, which can be reversed by high Ca supplementation under AR stress. Further, Western blotting analysis revealed that exogenous Ca supply reduced AR damage by elevating the expression of proteins involved in the Calvin cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system. These findings allowed us to better understand how woody plants respond to AR stress at various Ca levels and the protective role of exogenous Ca against AR stress in forest tree species.

Rotator cuff repair using a decellularized tendon slices graft: an in vivo study in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: Although varieties of surgical repair techniques and materials have been used to repair rotator cuff defects, re-tearing frequently occurs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of rotator cuff repairs with a decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) graft in a rabbit model. METHODS: Large defects in the infraspinatus tendons were created bilaterally in 21 rabbits. The graft group underwent reconstruction of the defects with the DTSs grafts, while the defect group did not undergo any treatment. The specimens underwent histological observation, biomechanical testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. In addition, 2 rabbits that were not operated on were used for MRI detection as a normal reference. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed that the graft promoted host cell ingrowth and tissue integration, and a tendon-like structure developed at 12 weeks. The ultimate tensile load had a significant difference between specimens at 4 and 12 weeks in the graft group, but there was no significant difference between the graft group and the defect group. In the graft group, the stiffness at 12 weeks was significantly greater than that at 4 or 8 weeks, and it was also greater than the stiffness in the defect group at 12 weeks. MRI demonstrated that the signal strength of the regenerative tissue from the graft group at 12 weeks was similar to that of normal infraspinatus tendon. CONCLUSION: The DTSs graft allowed for incorporation of host tendon and improved the biomechanical performance of the regenerative tendon. Therefore, the graft could be a promising bioscaffold to enhance the surgical repair of large rotator cuff defects and consequently improve the clinical outcome of rotator cuff tears.

[Effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on human heart valve interstitial cells calcification in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To establish human heart valve interstitial cells calcification culture model in vitro, and observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on calcification of human heart valve interstitial cells. METHODS: Human heart valve interstitial cells were cultured in vitro, and divided into control group: cells were cultured in conventional media plus recombinant human BMP-2 treatment and experimental group: besides above treaments, calcification inducers ( recombinant human BMP-2, ß-glycerophosphate, L-ascorbic acid, dexamethasone) were added to the culture media. The two group of cells were cultured for 14 days and were stained by Von Kossa, then the cell calcification was observed in this valvular interstitial cells calcification culture model in vitro. Protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), interleukin 8, BMP-2 and BMP-4 was determined by Western blot and BMP-2 secretion was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In the control group, the structure of human heart valve interstitial cells was clear, and the spindle and radial growth shaped cellular morphology was visible, and Von Kossa staining was negative. In the experimental group, the nuclei become darker in color, and granular sediment distribution was seen surrounding cells, and Von Kossa staining was positive, the cells were forming nodules of calcification. The protein expression of ICAM-1, interleukin 8, BMP-2 and BMP-4 in the experimental was significantly higher than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). The expression of BMP-2 in the experimental group was also significantly higher than that in control group ((92.5 ± 4.9) pg/ml vs. (22.2 ± 1.9) pg/ml, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Human BMP-2, ß-glycerophosphate, L-ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone can induce human heart valve interstitial cells calcification and enhance inflammation in vitro by stimulating the secretion of BMP-2.

Regulation of the calcium-sensing receptor in both stomatal movement and photosynthetic electron transport is crucial for water use efficiency and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Production per amount of water used (water use efficiency, WUE) is closely correlated with drought tolerance. Although stomatal aperture can regulate WUE, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Previous reports revealed that stomatal closure was inhibited in the calcium-sensing receptor (CAS) antisense line of Arabidopsis (CASas). Here it is shown that decreased drought tolerance and WUE of CASas was associated with higher stomatal conductance due to improper regulation of stomatal aperture, rather than any change of stomatal density. CASas plants also had a lower CO2 assimilation rate that was attributed to a lower photosynthetic electron transport rate, leading to higher chlorophyll fluorescence. Gene co-expression combined with analyses of chlorophyll content and transcription levels of photosynthesis-related genes indicate that CAS is involved in the formation of the photosynthetic electron transport system. These data suggest that CAS regulates transpiration and optimizes photosynthesis by playing important roles in stomatal movement and formation of photosynthetic electron transport, thereby regulating WUE and drought tolerance.

Comparative proteomic analysis on wild type and nitric oxide-overproducing mutant (nox1) of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitric oxide (NO) as a ubiquitous signal molecule plays an important role in plant development and growth. Here, we compared the proteomic changes between NO-overproducing mutant (nox1) and wild-type (WT) of Arabidopsis thaliana using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF MS. We successfully identified 59 differentially expressed proteins in nox1 mutant, which are predicted to play potential roles in specific cellular processes, such as post-translational modification, energy production and conversion, metabolism, transcription and signal transduction, cell rescue and defense, development and differentiation. Particularly, expression levels of five anti-oxidative enzymes were altered by the mutation; and assays of their respective enzymatic activities indicated an enhanced level of oxidative stress in nox1 mutant. Finally, some important proteins were further confirmed at transcriptional level using quantitative real-time PCR revealing the systemic changes between WT and nox1. The result suggests that obvious morphological changes in the nox1 mutant may be regulated by different mechanisms and factors, while excess endogenous NO maybe one of the possible reasons.