High overall performance uni-traveling carrier photodiodes for sub-THz wave generation.

Modified near-ballistic uni-traveling-carrier photodiodes with improved overall performances were studied theoretically and experimentally. A bandwidth up to 0.2 THz with a 3 dB bandwidth of 136 GHz and large output power of 8.22 dBm (99 GHz) under the -2V bias voltage were obtained. The device exhibits good linearity in the photocurrent-optical power curve even at large input optical power, with a responsivity of 0.206 A/W. Physical explanations for the improved performances have been made in detail. The absorption layer and the collector layer were optimized to retain a high built-in electric field around the interface, which not only ensures the smoothness of the band structure but also facilitates the near-ballistic transmission of uni-traveling carriers. The obtained results may find potential applications in future high-speed optical communication chips and high-performance terahertz sources.

Weighted Sparseness-Based Anomaly Detection for Hyperspectral Imagery.

Anomaly detection of hyperspectral remote sensing data has recently become more attractive in hyperspectral image processing. The low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition-based anomaly detection algorithm (LRaSMD) exhibits poor detection performance in complex scenes with multiple background edges and noise. Therefore, this study proposes a weighted sparse hyperspectral anomaly detection method. First, using the idea of matrix decomposition in mathematics, the original hyperspectral data matrix is reconstructed into three sub-matrices with low rank, small sparsity and representing noise, respectively. Second, to suppress the noise interference in the complex background, we employed the low-rank, background image as a reference, built a local spectral and spatial dictionary through the sliding window strategy, reconstructed the HSI pixels of the original data, and extracted the sparse coefficient. We proposed the sparse coefficient divergence evaluation index (SCDI) as a weighting factor to weight the sparse anomaly map to obtain a significant anomaly map to suppress the background edge, noise, and other residues caused by decomposition, and enhance the abnormal target. Finally, abnormal pixels are segmented based on the adaptive threshold. The experimental results demonstrate that, on a real-scene hyperspectral dataset with a complicated background, the proposed method outperforms the existing representative algorithms in terms of detection performance.

The cAMP-PKA signalling pathway regulates hyphal growth, conidiation, trap morphogenesis, stress tolerance, and autophagy in Arthrobotrys oligospora.

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signalling pathway is evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes and plays a crucial role in defending against external environmental challenges, which can modulate the cellular response to external stimuli. Arthrobotrys oligospora is a typical nematode-trapping fungus that specializes in adhesive networks to kill nematodes. To elucidate the biological roles of the cAMP-PKA signalling pathway, we characterized the orthologous adenylate cyclase AoAcy, a regulatory subunit (AoPkaR), and two catalytic subunits (AoPkaC1 and AoPkaC2) of PKA in A. oligospora by gene disruption, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses. Deletion of Aoacy significantly reduced the levels of cAMP and arthrobotrisins. Results revealed that Aoacy, AopkaR, and AopkaC1 were involved in hyphal growth, trap morphogenesis, sporulation, stress resistance, and autophagy. In addition, Aoacy and AopkaC1 were involved in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology, thereby affecting energy metabolism, whereas AopkaC2 affected sporulation, nuclei, and autophagy. Multi-omics results showed that the cAMP-PKA signalling pathway regulated multiple metabolic and cellular processes. Collectively, these data highlight the indispensable role of cAMP-PKA signalling pathway in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. oligospora, and provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of signalling pathways in sporulation, trap formation, and lifestyle transition.

Experimental demonstration of a graphene-based hybrid plasmonic modulator: publisher's note.

This publisher's note contains corrections to Opt. Lett.44, 2586 (2019)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.44.002586.

Experimental demonstration of a graphene-based hybrid plasmonic modulator.

In this Letter, we report a graphene-based hybrid plasmonic modulator (GHPM) realized by employing the electro-absorption effect of graphene. The simulation results show that the modulation efficiency of GHPM, i.e., extinction ratio per length, can be as large as 0.417 dB/µm, which is more than twice as much as that of recently presented graphene-on-silicon modulator. It was found that the improvement in modulation efficiency is mainly due to the enhancement of the overlap between graphene and the mode field in GHPM. A prototype of GHPM was fabricated. The measurement results showed that the GHPM can work in a broadband from 1530 to 1570 nm and an improved modulation efficiency of 1.08 dB (at 30 µm). Finally, we have discussed the factors that influence the modulation efficiency. Our proof-of-concept design may promote the development of on-chip graphene-based plasmonic devices.

Enhanced acupuncture therapy for radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain in patients with gynecologic cancer: a report of two cases and brief review.

As radiation therapy is increasingly utilized in the treatment of cancer, neuropathic pain (NP) is a common radiotherapy-related adverse effect and has a significant impact on clinical outcomes negatively. However, despite an improved understanding of neuropathic pain management, pain is often undertreated in patients with cancer. Herein, we reported two cases with radiotherapy-related neuropathic pain (RRNP) who presented a positive reaction to acupuncture. Patient 1 (a 73-year-old woman) with gynecologic cancer complained of burning and electric shock-like pain in the lower limb after radiotherapy. With the accepted combination of acupuncture and drugs, the pain was alleviated completely in 8 weeks. Patient 2 (a 64-year-old woman) accepted acupuncture in the absence of medication because of her inability to tolerate the adverse events of anticonvulsant drugs. She achieved remission of pain 4 weeks later. The results of this study showed that acupuncture might be promising for controlling the RRNP in patients with cancer, especially who were intolerant or unresponsive to medications.

A rare case of intracranial solitary fibrous tumor that is still alive after multiple surgical resections: a case report and review of the literature.

A Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT) is a rare, aggressive, and metastasis- and recurrence- prone mesenchymal tumor. In this case report and review, we describe a rare instance of intracranial SFT, discovered for the first time. It was discovered in 2008 and following total surgical removal, the pathology was categorized as hemangiopericytoma cell tumor (HPC) at the time by WHO tumor criteria. An imaging review 8 months after surgery revealed a tumor recurrence: combined radiation and gamma-knife therapy was continued throughout this time. The tumor did not metastasis until June 2018 when it presented in the pancreas with ruptured bleeding and a postoperative pathology was suggestive of SFT. Fortunately, the patient is still alive nearly 3 years after the 2020 surgery, after staged surgical resection and combined multimedia therapy, with no imaging or clinical evidence of a recurrent intracranial primary lesions. To our knowledge, there is no previous record of using a combined treatment modality for Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor (ISFT). Combined with an account of the patient's experience, we empirically describe a combined approach with a preference for gross-total resection (GTR), supplemented by multimodal assistance with stereotactic (radiotherapy), gamma knife (GK), molecular targeting, and immunization for patients admitted acutely, with accurate preoperative identification and aggressive management after intraoperative case response to maximize treatment of recurrent ISFT and improve prognosis. We recommend multimodal management for SFT with prolonged-term recurrence and metastases, both for the control benefits of GTR, RT, or GK for local recurrence and for the positive prognosis of targeted and immune metastases.

Decoding the underlying mechanisms of Di-Tan-Decoction in treating intracerebral hemorrhage based on network pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine usually acts as "multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-pathways" on complex diseases, and these action modes reflect the coordination and integrity of the treatment process with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). System pharmacology is developed based on the cross-disciplines of directional pharmacology, system biology, and mathematics, has the characteristics of integrity and synergy in the treatment process of TCM. Therefore, it is suitable for analyzing the key ingredients and mechanisms of TCM in treating complex diseases. Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the leading causes of death in China, with the characteristics of high mortality and disability rate. Bring a significant burden on people and society. An increasing number of studies have shown that Chinese medicine prescriptions have good advantages in the treatment of ICH, and Ditan Decoction (DTT) is one of the commonly used prescriptions in the treatment of ICH. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that DTT may play a therapeutic role in treating ICH by inhibiting brain inflammation, abnormal oxidative stress reaction and reducing neurological damage, but the specific key ingredients and mechanism are still unclear. METHODS: To solve this problem, we established PPI network based on the latest pathogenic gene data of ICH, and CT network based on ingredient and target data of DTT. Subsequently, we established optimization space based on PPI network and CT network, and constructed a new model for node importance calculation, and proposed a calculation method for PES score, thus calculating the functional core ingredients group (FCIG). These core functional groups may represent DTT therapy for ICH. RESULTS: Based on the strategy, 44 ingredients were predicted as FCIG, results showed that 80.44% of the FCIG targets enriched pathways were coincided with the enriched pathways of pathogenic genes. Both the literature and molecular docking results confirm the therapeutic effect of FCIG on ICH via targeting MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The FCIG obtained by our network pharmacology method can represent the effect of DTT in treating ICH. These results confirmed that our strategy of active ingredient group optimization and the mechanism inference could provide methodological reference for optimization and secondary development of TCM.

Uncovering the potential mechanism of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Decoction in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is characterized by "multi- compounds, multi-targets and multi-pathway", which has advanced benefits for preventing and treating complex diseases, but there still exists unsolved issues, mainly include unclear material basis and underlying mechanism of prescription. Integrated pharmacology is a hot cross research area based on system biology, mathematics and poly-pharmacology. It can systematically and comprehensively investigate the therapeutic reaction of compounds or drugs on pathogenic genes network, and is especially suitable for the study of complex CHM systems. Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the main causes of death among Chinese residents, which is characterized with high mortality and high disability rate. In recent years, the treatment of ICH by CHM has been deeply researched. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Decoction (XFZYD), one of the commonly used prescriptions in treating ICH at clinic level, has not been clear about its mechanism. METHODS: Here, we established a strategy, which based on compounds-targets, pathogenetic genes, network analysis and node importance calculation. Using this strategy, the core compounds group (CCG) of XFZYD was predicted and validated by in vitro experiments. The molecular mechanism of XFZYD in treating ICH was deduced based on CCG and their targets. RESULTS: The results show that the CCG with 43 compounds predicted by this model is highly consistent with the corresponding Compound-Target (C-T) network in terms of gene coverage, enriched pathway coverage and accumulated contribution of key nodes at 89.49%, 88.72% and 90.11%, respectively, which confirmed the reliability and accuracy of the effective compound group optimization and mechanism speculation strategy proposed by us. CONCLUSIONS: Our strategy of optimizing the effective compound groups and inferring the mechanism provides a strategic reference for explaining the optimization and inferring the molecular mechanism of prescriptions in treating complex diseases of CHM.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 suppression by epimedium and active compound kaempferol leads to synergistic anti-inflammatory effect with corticosteroid.

Introduction: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 is a major drug metabolizing enzyme for corticosteroids (CS). Epimedium has been used for asthma and variety of inflammatory conditions with or without CS. It is unknown whether epimedium has an effect on CYP 3A4 and how it interacts with CS. We sought to determine the effects of epimedium on CYP3A4 and whether it affects the anti-inflammatory function of CS and identify the active compound responsible for this effect. Methods: The effect of epimedium on CYP3A4 activity was evaluated using the Vivid CYP high-throughput screening kit. CYP3A4 mRNA expression was determined in human hepatocyte carcinoma (HepG2) cells with or without epimedium, dexamethasone, rifampin, and ketoconazole. TNF-α levels were determined following co-culture of epimedium with dexamethasone in a murine macrophage cell line (Raw 264.7). Active compound (s) derived from epimedium were tested on IL-8 and TNF-α production with or without corticosteroid, on CYP3A4 function and binding affinity. Results: Epimedium inhibited CYP3A4 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Dexamethasone enhanced the expression of CYP3A4 mRNA, while epimedium inhibited the expression of CYP3A4 mRNA and further suppressed dexamethasone enhancement of CYP3A4 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells (p < 0.05). Epimedium and dexamethasone synergistically suppressed TNF-α production by RAW cells (p < 0.001). Eleven epimedium compounds were screened by TCMSP. Among the compounds identified and tested only kaempferol significantly inhibited IL-8 production in a dose dependent manner without any cell cytotoxicity (p < 0.01). Kaempferol in combination with dexamethasone showed complete elimination of TNF-α production (p < 0.001). Furthermore, kaempferol showed a dose dependent inhibition of CYP3A4 activity. Computer docking analysis showed that kaempferol significantly inhibited the catalytic activity of CYP3A4 with a binding affinity of -44.73kJ/mol. Discussion: Inhibition of CYP3A4 function by epimedium and its active compound kaempferol leads to enhancement of CS anti-inflammatory effect.

Rapid screening and characterization of metabolites from a marine-derived actinomycete by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A rapid and reliable method has been optimized and established for the analysis of the metabolites from a marine actinomycete by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/QTOF MS/MS). From MS/MS spectra, the product ions of [M + H](+) were recorded to provide abundant structural information of the mother nucleus and peptide moieties. Using the QTOF MS/MS and in-source collision-induced dissociation (in-source CID) techniques, three main metabolites including actinomycin D, actinomycin V and actinomycin I were determined and characterized by elemental compositions of precursor and product ions (<7 ppm). Additionally, this method provided information about the compositions of the peptide residues and the sequences of the amino acid from a series of fragment ions. It proved useful for the identification of the metabolites in marine samples which have similar structures especially when there were no reference compounds available.

[Clinical and pathological features of adult patients with acquired rubella].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and pathological features of liver injury in adults with acquired rubella. METHODS: Thirty-six adult patients with acquired rubella (AAR) were enrolled in this study, the liver functions were dynamically analyzed, liver biopsy was done in two patients. RESULTS: Liver injury was found in 77.8% of the 36 patients, with slight elevation of ALT and/or AST. The highest incidence and the most serious liver injury occurred in the period of 6-10d after vanishing of the rashes. Viral inclusion bodies were found in the liver specimen, with complete histological architecture but slight inflammation. The mean hospitalization days of AAR accompanied with liver injury and without liver injury were 18.2 days, 7.8 days, respectively (u=3.596>1.96, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High incidence of liver injury is observed in the adult patients with acquired rubella occurred in recent years, usually exhibited by mild liver injury with slight elevation of ALT. The elevation of AST or jaundice may indicate more serious liver injury, and these patients should be given active treatment to prevent acute liver failure. Liver injury may prolong the course of rubella patients.

Prophylactic Vitamin C Attenuates Radiation-induced Lung Injury by Modulating Macrophage Polarization and Alveolar Epithelial Cell Apoptosis / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

With the ongoing epidemic of the Coronavirus disease in China and the widespread development of radiotherapy, radiation-induced lung injury has gradually become a clinical problem that has attracted much attention. The pathogenesis of radiation-induced lung injury is complex, involving an imbalance in the polarization state of alveolar macrophages and an upregulation of alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that vitamin C is an important antioxidant substance, and preventive use of vitamin C can effectively treat acute lung injury. However, whether prophylactic use of vitamin C can effectively prevent or treat lung injury caused by radioactive substances, and its specific molecular mechanism remains to be studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the prophylactic use of vitamin C to treat the alveolar macrophage cell line RAW 264. 7 and human lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B can effectively control the abnormal polarization of macrophages and the abnormal apoptosis of lung epithelial cells. This study found that after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of radioactive X-ray irradiation, the expression of macrophage M1 polarization state markers such as iNOS was significantly up-regulated (P< 0. 05), and preventive use of vitamin C to treat macrophages and lung epithelial cells can alleviate the polarization state disorder of macrophages and the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells caused by external radiation exposure, which is manifested in the down-regulation of the expression of Cleaved Caspase3. In addition, the preventive application of vitamin C treatment can inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway activated by external radiation exposure. Further experimental results showed that the inhibition of the MAPK pathway is the key to inhibiting the M1 polarization of macrophages and the apoptosis of lung epithelial cells. In summary, our findings suggest that vitamin C may play a protective role in acute radiation-induced lung injury by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization/ promoting macrophage M2 polarization and alleviating alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. This study will help to better understand the process and mechanism of the preventive effect of vitamin C, a common vitamin, on radiation-induced lung injury.

Application of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in clinic, and its morbidity and mortality are always high. Staging is the main basis for comprehensive treatment and prognosis evaluation. Accurate staging is essential for proper diagnosis, individualized treatment and good prognosis. Related technologies of endoscopic ultrasonography can determine the depth of tumor invasion and local lymph node metastasis, which makes the diagnosis of esophageal cancer more accurate, and plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of early esophageal cancer.

Clinical study on Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion in the treatment of spleen stomach weakness syndrome of chronic atrophic gastritis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion in the treatment of spleen stomach weakness syndrome of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Methods:The 98 CAG patients admitted to the Zhaoqing Gaoyao District People’s Hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 who met the selection criteria were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method, with 49 in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment, and the observation group was treated with Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion on the basis of the control group. TCM symptom scores were performed before and after treatment, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA, and the levels of serum motilin (MLT), gastrin-17 (G17) and gastrin (gas) were detected by radioimmunoassay, the safety of medication was observed and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:The total effective rate was 93.9% (46/49) in the observation group and 71.4% (35/49) in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=8.611, P=0.043). After treatment, the scores of epigastric burning, fullness in stomach, dull appetite, dry mouth and bitter mouth, shortness of breath and unwillingness to speak, general lassitude, pale tongue, small and weak pulse in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=12.061, 7.331, 6.869, 5.975, 5.208, 10.567, 8.738, 8.631, respectively, all Ps<0.01), and the levels of serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=8.573,13.423,12.099, respectively, all Ps <0.01). After treatment, the level of serum MLT (154.52 ± 26.25 ng/L vs. 180.26 ± 28.13 ng/L, t=4.488) in the observation group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01); the levels of G17 (14.28 ± 1.75 pmol/L vs. 10.28 ± 1.06 pmol/L, t=-7.966) and GAS (24.73 ± 3.42 ng/L vs. 19.02 ± 3.38 ng/L, t=-13.115) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=-7.966 and -13.115, respectively, all Ps<0.01). During the treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 8.16% (4/49) in the observation group and 6.12% (3/49) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.152, P=0.695). Conclusion:Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion can alleviate the clinical symptoms of CAG patients with spleen stomach weakness syndrome, regulate the level of inflammatory cytokines, promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the clinical curative effect.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Tang on Axonal Regeneration of Rats After Ischemic Stroke Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwu Tang （BHT） on axonal regeneration and neurological rehabilitation of the rats suffering ischemic stroke （IS）. Method:A total of 180 SD rats were used to establish a middle cerebral artery infarction （MCAO） model. The animals that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group， BHT group （12 g·kg-1） and nimodipine group （20 mg·kg-1）， and a sham group was established， with 28 rats in each group. After seven-days intragastric administration of BHT， the animals were sacrificed. TTC staining was used to test cerebral infarction. Brain water content was measured to observe cerebral edema. Bielschowsky's silver staining and immunofluorescence were performed to observe axonal degeneration and the protein expression of neurofilament protein-200（NF-200）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to analyze the mRNA expression of repulsion oriented molecule a （RGMa）， Ras homologous enzyme （Rho）， Rho kinase （ROCK）， and collapsion response regulatory protein 2 （CRMP2）. Neurological function scores assay was used to examine neurological recovery. Result:Compared with sham group， the cerebral infarction volume and brain water content increased significantly（P<0.01）， and motor function was markablely decreased in the model group. Axonal degeneration and nerve fiber damage were obviously observed. Also， gene expression of axon growth-related protein was deviation from normal （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the cerebral infarction rate （P<0.01）， brain water content （P<0.01） and axonal degeneration of BHT group and nimodipine group were significantly reduced. The expression of NF-200 was increased. Also， the mRNA expression of RGMa， Rho and ROCK was lower （P<0.05） while the mRNA expression of CRMP2 was higher （P<0.01）. And the neurological function was significantly improved （P<0.05）. Conclusion:BHT can promote axon regeneration after ischemic stroke injury by regulating the mRNA expression of axon growth-related protein， thereby improving nerve function.

Unfractionated heparin attenuates endothelial barrier dysfunction via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/serine/threonine kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Vascular endothelial dysfunction is considered a key pathophysiologic process for the development of acute lung injury. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and the potential underlying mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into three groups: vehicle, LPS, and LPS + UFH groups. Intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg LPS was used to induce sepsis. Mice in the LPS + UFH group received subcutaneous injection of 8 U UFH 0.5 h before LPS injection. The lung tissue of the mice was collected for assessing lung injury by measuring the lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio and observing histological changes. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were cultured and used to analyze the effects of UFH on LPS- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced vascular hyperpermeability, membrane expression of VE-cadherin, p120-catenin, and phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC), and F-actin remodeling, and on the LPS-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.@*RESULTS@#In vivo, UFH pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathological changes (neutrophil infiltration and erythrocyte effusion, alveolus pulmonis collapse, and thicker septum), decreased the lung W/D, and increased protein concentration (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.57 ± 0.04 vs. 0.32 ± 0.04 mg/mL, P = 0.0092), total cell count (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 9.57 ± 1.23 vs. 3.65 ± 0.78 × 10/mL, P = 0.0155), polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 88.05% ± 2.88% vs. 22.20% ± 3.92%, P = 0.0002), and TNF-α (460.33 ± 23.48 vs. 189.33 ± 14.19 pg/mL, P = 0.0006) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In vitro, UFH pre-treatment prevented the LPS-induced decrease in the membrane expression of VE-cadherin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.368 ± 0.044 vs. 0.716 ± 0.064, P = 0.0114) and p120-catenin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.208 ± 0.018 vs. 0.924 ± 0.092, P = 0.0016), and the LPS-induced increase in the expression of p-MLC (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.972 ± 0.092 vs. 0.293 ± 0.025, P = 0.0021). Furthermore, UFH attenuated LPS- and TNF-α-induced hyperpermeability of HPMECs (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 8.90 ± 0.66 vs. 15.84 ± 1.09 Ω·cm, P = 0.0056; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 11.28 ± 0.64 vs. 18.15 ± 0.98 Ω·cm, P = 0.0042) and F-actin remodeling (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 56.25 ± 1.51 vs. 39.70 ± 1.98, P = 0.0027; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 55.42 ± 1.42 vs. 36.51 ± 1.20, P = 0.0005) in vitro. Additionally, UFH decreased the phosphorylation of Akt (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.977 ± 0.081 vs. 0.466 ± 0.035, P = 0.0045) and I kappa B Kinase (IKK) (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.023 ± 0.070 vs. 0.578 ± 0.044, P = 0.0060), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.003 ± 0.077 vs. 0.503 ± 0.065, P = 0.0078) in HPMECs, which was similar to the effect of the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The protective effect of UFH against LPS-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction involves VE-cadherin stabilization and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling.

Alternative role of noncoding RNAs: coding and noncoding properties / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have played a critical role in cellular biological functions. Recently, some peptides or proteins originating from annotated ncRNAs were identified in organism development and various diseases. Here, we briefly review several novel peptides translated by annotated ncRNAs and related key functions. In addition, we summarize the potential mechanism of bifunctional ncRNAs and propose a specific "switch" triggering the transformation from the noncoding to the coding state under certain stimuli or cellular stress. The coding properties of ncRNAs and their peptide products may provide a novel horizon in proteomic research and can be regarded as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various diseases.

Clinicopathological characteristics of xeroderma pigmentosum associated with keratoacanthoma: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment of xeroderma pigmentosum associated with keratoacanthoma in an infant. METHODS: The clinical manifestations of xeroderma pigmentosum associated with keratoacanthoma were assessed in an 18-month old boy. The morphological and histological features of the lesions were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: An 18-month old boy was admitted with unequal size, irregularly shaped brown spots, patches and depigmentation spots on his face. A well-circumscribed hemispherical mass measuring 3 cm × 3 cm with smooth surface and brown patches was observed beneath his left lower eyelid. Light microscopic examination of the skin lesions revealed epidermal hyperkeratosis, chronic inflammatory infiltration of the superficial dermal layer, and increases in melanocytes and melanin in the basal layer. Scanning microscopy showed that the mass beneath the left lower eyelid was cup-shaped, consisting of proliferating squamous cells with a central keratin plug. The squamous epithelium was acanthotic with hypergranulosis. The adjacent epidermis formed exophytic projections resulting in a silhouette likened to lips. An associated inflammatory reaction was observed within the stroma surrounding the mass. The patient was treated with a combination of antioxidant drugs, keeping the child from light and surgical excision of the mass. No recurrence has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: Xeroderma pigmentosum of infancy is a rare disease, and association with keratoacanthoma is even rarer. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of freckles, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and porphyria.

Persistence of rabies antibody 3 years after postexposure prophylaxis with 2-1-1 regimen of Vero-cell rabies vaccine for human use and antibody response to two booster doses / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To evaluate the antibody persistence following rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with 2-1-1 regimen and antibody response to two booster doses. Methods A total of 314 healthy volunteers at year 1, year 2, year 3 who had received a complete rabies PEP using 2-1-1 regimen were recruited. Two booster doses of rabies vaccine were inoculated, and blood samples were obtained before and 14 days after two booster doses. Human rabies virus IgG antibody was evaluated by ELISA, and the antibody levels and antibody positive rates were analyzed. Results The antibody GMC of 303 people at year 1, year 2, year 3 after a complete immunization was 1.33 IU/mL, 1.04 IU/mL and 0.72 IU/mL, with an antibody positive rate of 77.78%, 66.67% and 55.56%, respectively. Among 282 people who received 2 doses for booster immunization, the antibody GMC at day 14 of 1 year, 2 year and 3 year immunization group was 16.83 IU/mL, 19.37 IU/mL and 21.05 IU/mL respectively, which was higher than that before booster immunization (t=16.54, P<0.001; t=13.85, P<0.001; t=16.02, P<0.001). The antibody positive rate was 100.00%, 99.00% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions The immune persistence of rabies antibody after PEP with antirabies vaccine using the 2-1-1 regimen is good so as to the immune response after 2 doses of booster immunization in 3 years is effective.