Molecular mechanism of vivipary as revealed by the genomes of viviparous mangroves and non-viviparous relatives.

Vivipary is a prominent feature of mangroves, allowing seeds to complete germination while attached to the mother plant, and equips propagules to endure and flourish in challenging coastal intertidal wetlands. However, vivipary-associated genetic mechanisms remain largely elusive. Genomes of two viviparous mangrove species and a non-viviparous inland relative were sequenced and assembled at the chromosome level. Comparative genomic analyses between viviparous and non-viviparous genomes revealed that DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) family genes (DFGs), the proteins from which are crucial for seed dormancy, germination, and reserve accumulation, are either lost or dysfunctional in the entire lineage of true viviparous mangroves but are present and functional in their inland, non-viviparous relatives. Transcriptome dynamics at key stages of vivipary further highlighted the roles of phytohormonal homeostasis, proteins stored in mature seeds, and proanthocyanidins in vivipary under conditions lacking DFGs. Population genomic analyses elucidate dynamics of syntenic regions surrounding the missing DFGs. Our findings demonstrated the genetic foundation of constitutive vivipary in Rhizophoraceae mangroves.

Clinical phenotypes of adult-onset Behçet's syndrome: a comprehensive cross-sectional study in China.

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a variant vasculitis that can involve multiple organs with inflammatory manifestations. This study aimed to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the clinical phenotypes and characteristics of BS patients. We enrolled 2792 BS patients referred from China nationwide to Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from October 2012 to December 2022. Detailed assessments of demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, gastroscopy, and medical imaging were conducted. Cluster analysis was performed based on 13 variables to determine the clinical phenotypes, and each phenotype was characterized according to the features of BS patients. A total of 1834 BS patients were included, while 958 invalid patients were excluded. The median age at onset was 31 years (IQR, 24-40 years), and the median disease duration was 10 years (IQR, 5-15 years). Eight clusters were identified, including mucocutaneous (n = 655, 35.7%), gastrointestinal (n = 363, 19.8%), articular (n = 184, 10%), ocular (n = 223, 12.2%), cardiovascular (n = 119, 6.5%), neurological (n = 118, 6.4%), vascular (n = 114, 6.2%), and hematological phenotype (n = 58, 3.2%). Ocular (RR = 1.672 (95% CI, 1.327-2.106); P < 0.001), gastrointestinal (RR = = 1.194 (95% CI, 1.031-1.383); P = 0.018), cardiovascular (RR = = 2.582 (95% CI, 1.842-3.620); P < 0.001), and vascular (RR = = 2.288 (95% CI, 1.600-3.272); P < 0.001) involvement were more prevalent in male BS patients, while the hematological (RR = 0.528 (95% CI, 0.360-0.776); P = 0.001) involvement was more common among female patients. BS presents significant heterogeneity and gender differences. The eight phenotypes of BS patients we propose hold the potential to assist clinicians in devising more personalized treatment and follow-up strategies. Key Points • This cluster analysis divided adult-onset BS into eight clinical phenotypes. • BS demonstrates a high level of clinical heterogeneity and gender differences. • Hematologic phenotypes of BS present distinctive clinical characteristics.

miR-141-3p attenuates RSL3-induced ferroptosis and intestinal epithelial-mesenchymal transition via directly inhabits ZEB1 in intestinal Behçet's syndrome.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether the ferroptosis is involved in intestinal Behçet's syndrome (IBS), and to identify if miR-141-3p could attenuate RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3)-induced ferroptosis and intestinal epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) via directly inhabits zinc fnger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). The expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins in the intestinal tissues of patients with IBS were investigated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the intestinal tissues and cells were detected. Serum from IBS patients and RSL3 were co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. In order to investigate whether RSL3-induced ferroptosis can be ameliorated by miR-141-3p, the intestinal epithelial cells were firstly stimulated with RSL3 and then incubated with miR-141-3p mimics. Western blot was used to measure the expression of EMT and ferroptosis-related proteins. Expression of GPX4 (22.51% ± 2.05%, 51.75% ± 3.47%, t = - 7.77, p = 0.000) and xCT (17.49% ± 1.57%, 28.73% ± 1.75%, t = - 4.38, p = 0.003) were significantly lower in intestinal mucosal tissues of patients with IBS compared with HC group. Compared with the HC samples, the IBS specimens had significantly higher MDA (t = 4.32, p = 0.01). Moreover, the relative mRNA levels of ferritin light chain (FTL) (t = 4.07, p = 0.02) and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) (t = 8.82, p = 0.001) in the intestinal tissues were significant higher in IBS patients than in HC group. Serum from IBS patients could induce intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis in vitro. Moreover, miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis-induced by RSL3 and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1 in vitro. Ferroptosis were induced in patients with IBS. Moreover, the serum from IBS patients could induce ferroptosis in vitro. miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1. Therefore, miR-141-3p may open new avenues for the treatment of IBS in the future. Key Points • Ferroptosis in IBS is first reported in this study. • In this study, we explored that the serum from IBS patients could induce ferroptosis in vitro and miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1.

PLK1-activating IFI16-STING-TBK1 pathway induces apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in patients with intestinal Behçet's syndrome.

Inflammatory signals from immunological cells may cause damage to intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), resulting in intestinal inflammation and tissue impairment. Interferon-γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) was reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet's syndrome (BS). This study aimed to investigate how inflammatory cytokines released by immunological cells and IFI16 participate in the pathogenesis of intestinal BS. RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) showed that the positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of intestinal BS patients may be related to the upregulation of polo like kinase 1 (PLK1) in PBMCs (P = 0.012). The plasma TNF-α protein level in intestinal BS was significantly higher than in healthy controls (HCs; P = 0.009). PBMCs of intestinal BS patients and HCs were co-cultured with human normal IECs (NCM460) to explore the interaction between immunological cells and IECs. Using IFI16 knockdown, PBMC-NCM460 co-culture, TNF-α neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb), stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist 2'3'-cGAMP, and the PLK1 inhibitor SBE 13 HCL, we found that PLK1 promotes the secretion of TNF-α from PBMCs of intestinal BS patients, which causes overexpression of IFI16 and induces apoptosis of IECs via the STING-TBK1 pathway. The expressions of IFI16, TNF-α, cleaved caspase 3, phosphorylated STING (pSTING) and phosphorylated tank binding kinase 1 (pTBK1) in the intestinal ulcer tissue of BS patients were significantly higher than that of HCs (all P < 0.05). PLK1 in PBMCs of intestinal BS patients increased TNF-α secretion, inducing IEC apoptosis via activation of the IFI16-STING-TBK1 pathway. PLK1 and the IFI16-STING-TBK1 pathway may be new therapeutic targets for intestinal BS.

Predictors of infliximab refractory intestinal Behçet's syndrome: A retrospective cohort study from the Shanghai Behçet's syndrome database.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study aimed to find out predictors and early biomarkers of Infliximab (IFX) refractory intestinal Behçet's syndrome (intestinal BS). METHODS: We collected the baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and concomitant therapies of intestinal BS patients treated by IFX from the Shanghai Behçet's syndrome database. After 1 year IFX therapy, intestinal BS patients with non-mucosal healing (NMH, intestinal ulcers detected by colonoscopy) and/or no clinical remission [NCR, scores of the disease activity index for intestinal Behçet's disease (DAIBD) ≥20] were defined as IFX refractory intestinal BS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for NMH and NCR in IFX refractory intestinal BS. RESULTS: In 85 intestinal BS patients, NMH was identified in 29 (34.12%) patients, and NCR was confirmed in 20 (23.53%) patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; ≥24 mm/h) and free triiodothyronine (fT3; ≤3.3pmol/L) were the independent risk factors of NMH in IFX refractory intestinal BS. Drinking alcohol and the fT3/free thyroxine ratio (fT3/fT4; ≤0.24) were independent risk factors, and thalidomide was an independent protective factor, for NCR in intestinal BS patients treated by IFX. CONCLUSION: This study may be applicable for adjusting the therapeutic strategy and sidestepping unnecessary exposure to IFX in intestinal BS patients. Routine assessments of ESR, fT3, and fT3/fT4 ratio are helpful to identify high-risk individuals of IFX refractory intestinal BS. Thalidomide is suggested to be a concomitant therapy with IFX for intestinal BS patients.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Kandelia obovata Sheue, H.Y.Liu & J.W.H.Yong (Rhizophoraceae).

Kandelia obovata Sheue, H.Y.Liu & J.W.H.Yong is one of the most cold-resistant true mangrove species, and it is widely distributed from the South China Sea to southern Japan. In the current study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of K. obovata was assembled using Illumina reads. It is the first mitochondrial genome of the Kandelia genus within the family Rhizophoraceae to be sequenced. The mitochondrial genome size is 312,146 bp with a total of 49 predicted genes, including 29 protein-coding genes, 17 transfer RNA genes, and 3 ribosomal RNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 41.87%. A phylogenetic tree constructed using nine complete mitochondrial genomes revealed that K. obovata is more closely related to Bruguiera species. This study enriches the plastid genome of Kandelia, furnishing valuable genetic insights for the investigation of evolutionary and population genetics in Kandelia and other mangrove species.

Clinical heterogeneity of ocular Behçet's syndrome versus intestinal Behçet's syndrome: a cross-sectional study from Shanghai Behçet's syndrome database.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a rare variant vasculitis which can involve the eyes and gastrointestinal systems. However, ocular involvement rarely overlaps with intestinal lesions. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of ocular BS and intestinal BS patients in China and analyze the differences between two key phenotypes to verify the heterogeneous conditions in BS patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was used to collect the demographic data, clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and laboratory parameters from 135 ocular BS and 174 intestinal BS patients. The Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson chi-square or continuity correction was used to analyze the differences between two groups. RESULTS: Among 916 BS patients enrolled in this study, ocular BS and intestinal BS accounted for 14.74% (135 cases) and 19.00% (174 cases), respectively. Ocular and intestinal involvements overlapped in only 7 cases (0.76%). Male gender (74.8% vs. 51.1%, P=0.00), erythema nodosum (45.9% vs. 32.2%, P=0.01), and vascular involvement (6.7% vs. 1.7%, P=0.03) were more frequent in the ocular BS group compared with the intestinal BS group. On the contrary, hematologic involvement (7.5% vs. 0.0%, P=0.00) and fever (17.8% vs. 4.4%, P=0.00) were more frequent in the intestinal BS group compared with the ocular BS group. Additionally, the inflammation markers including ESR [26.5 (16.0-41.5) vs. 9.0 (5.0-15.0) mm/H, P=0.00], CRP [14.8 (4.8-33.0) vs. 4.1 (1.6-8.3) mg/L, P=0.00], serum amyloid A [27.4 (10.8-92.3) vs. 11.3 (6.0-24.0) mg/L, P=0.00], and interleukin 6 [8.4 (1.7-18.7) vs. 1.7 (1.5-3.2) pg/mL, P=0.00] were higher in the intestinal BS group than those in the ocular BS group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular BS was more prevalent in male patients and more likely to manifest with erythema nodosum and vascular involvement, while intestinal BS tends to have fever and hematologic disorders with higher inflammation markers. Ocular BS and intestinal BS are two distinct clinical phenotypes and very rarely overlapped.

Construction of Large Non-Localized π-Electron System for Enhanced Sodium-Ion Storage.

Organic electrode materials with the advantages of renewability, environment-friendliness, low cost, and high capacity have received widespread attention in recent years for sodium-ion batteries. However, small molecular organic materials suffer from issues such as low conductivity and the high dissolution rate in electrolytes. Herein, a phthalocyanine derivative (TPcDS) with a large non-localized π-electron system, obtained through thermodynamic polymerization of 4-aminophthalonitrile (AP) monomers, is designed to address these issues. According to the density function theory calculation, six sodium ions can be attracted by one polymer molecule, indicating a high theoretical capacity of 375 mA h g-1 . The TPcDS molecule realizes sodium storage through a non-localized π-electron system of phthalocyanine macrocycles. When employed as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the functional groups of phthalocyanine macrocycles, such as CN groups in TPcDS, experience obviously reversible structural variation upon discharge/charge. A high reversible capacity of 364 mAh g-1 is achieved at a current density of 0.05 A g-1 , and a charge capacity of as high as 246 mAh g-1 is still maintained after 500 cycles at 0.1 A g-1 . This work provides an effective strategy for the design and synthesis of new oligomeric organic electrode materials.

Expression of miRNAs derived from plasma exosomes in patients with intestinal Behçet's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) derived from plasma exosomes are potential diagnostic biomarkers. However, little is known about the expression of miRNAs derived from plasma exosomes in patients with intestinal Behçet's syndrome (BS). This study aimed to explore the difference of miRNAs derived from plasma exosomes between intestinal BS patients and healthy people, and further identify potential biomarkers that predict the disease activity of intestinal BS. METHODS: A total of 43 intestinal BS patients and 23 healthy volunteers were enrolled, among whom 23 were active intestinal BS and 20 were stable intestinal BS. The miRNAs expression profiles of plasma exosomes in 3 active intestinal BS patients and 3 healthy volunteers were determined using next-generation high throughput sequencing. Additionally, significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were further analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in a validation cohort of 60 subjects. RESULTS: From the sequencing analysis, 15 miRNAs were identified to be differently expressed (p<0.05). Of these, 13 miRNAs were up-regulated, and 2 were down-regulated in intestinal BS patients compared with healthy volunteers. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that miR-141-3p was down-regulated and miR-122-5p, miR-150-3p, miR-183-5p, miR-224-5p and miR-342-5p were up-regulated in intestinal BS patients' plasma exosomes. Additionally, the level of miR-141-3p was negatively correlated with disease activity indicators of intestinal BS, while miR-122-5p, miR-150-3p, miR-183-5p, miR-224-5p and miR-342-5p was positively correlated with disease activity indicators of intestinal BS. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating miR-141-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-150-3p, miR-183-5p, miR-224-5p and miR-342-5p derived from plasma exosomes may serve as biomarkers of disease activity in intestinal BS.

New insight into the features of Behçet's disease with gastrointestinal ulcer: a cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease (BD) can involve any site of the alimentary canal. There has been research concerning intestinal BD. Nevertheless, the entire digestive tract not yet been studied extensively. Therefore, the purpose of study was to describe the prevalence, location, clinical features and possible risk factors of BD with gastrointestinal tract ulcer. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study that included 1232 consecutive BD patients who routinely underwent endoscopy upon their wishes. The clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and histologic features of BD with gastrointestinal ulcer and negative Helicobacter pylori (Hp) were identified. RESULT: We found that 22.16% (273/1232) BD patients had ulcers of the alimentary tract. At presentation, 61.54% (168/273) patients were asymptomatic. Isolated gastroduodenal involvement is an extremely usual event. The second was the pairwise combination between bowel segments, and 24 cases involved three segments at the same time. One patient suffered from total gastrointestinal tract involvement. Inflammation was the most common histopathologic feature 77.60% (142/183). The 273 BD patients with gastrointestinal ulcer were at greater risk of having archenteric symptoms (OR 0.070, P < 0.001), fever (OR 0.115, P = 0.047), high CRP (OR 0.994, P = 0.027) and BDCAF level (OR 0.590, P = 0.010). Uveitis correlates negatively with gastrointestinal involvement in BD patients (OR 3.738, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: BD could affect the upper gastrointestinal tract independently. Endoscopy should be conducted in all patients in whom a diagnosis of BD is entertained, especially in patients with higher CRP, disease activity and fever. While, BD patients with uveitis correlates negatively with gastrointestinal involvement.

Plasma exosomes derived from patients with intestinal Behçet's syndrome induce intestinal epithelial cell pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal Behçet's syndrome (IBS) has high morbidity and mortality rates with serious complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins in the intestinal tissues of IBS patients and explore the role of plasma exosomes derived from IBS patients in the pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. METHOD: Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the intestinal tissues. Plasma exosomes were isolated and observed by transmission electron microscopy. The exosomes were co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. Western blot was used to measure the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins including NLRP3, full-length GSDMD, N-terminal GSDMD, pro-caspase-1, and cleaved caspase-1. The levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell death was measured by using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. RESULTS: Expression of NLRP3 (12.2% ± 1.2%, 8.1% ± 0.9%, t = 4.692, p = 0.009), caspase-1 (24.6% ± 2.1%, 4.2% ± 1.8%, t = 12.842, p = 0.000), and GSDMD (16.6% ± 1.9%, 9.8% ± 1.3%, t = 5.194, p = 0.007) were significantly increased in the intestinal tissues of patients with IBS compared with normal control (NC) group, respectively. The relative mRNA levels of IL-1ß (t = 4.308, p = 0.005) and IL-18 (t = 3.096, p = 0.021) in the intestinal tissues were significantly higher in IBS patients than in NC group, while the protein levels of IL-1ß (t = 3.873, p = 0.018) and IL-18 (t = 4.389, p = 0.012) were also significantly increased, which was consistent with the results of the relative mRNA levels. Moreover, we found that exosomes from IBS patients significantly induced pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro experiments. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma exosomes derived from IBS patients may induce pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Key Points •The role of exosomes in IBS is first reported in this study. • In this study, we explored the mechanism that plasma exosomes derived from IBS patients may induce pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of intestinal involvement in Behçet's syndrome patients: a cross-sectional study from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal Behçet's syndrome (BS) has high morbidity and mortality rates with serious complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of intestinal and mucocutaneous BS patients and analyze the risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was used to collect the demographic data and laboratory parameters from 97 intestinal and 154 mucocutaneous BS patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestations of first onset in intestinal BS patients were oral ulceration (100.00%), followed by genital ulcers (62.89%) and erythema nodule (28.87%), gastrointestinal lesions (28.87%), pseudofolliculitis (25.77%), fever (17.53%), arthritis (16.49%), ocular involvement (5.15%), while the least common were vascular involvement (2.06%) and hematologic involvement involvement (2.06%). The most common intestinal segment involved in intestinal BS patients was terminal ileum (30.9%), followed by ileocecal (18.6%), colon (15.5%). By univariate logistic regression analysis, gender, age at hospitalization, age of disease onset, BDCAF, T-SPOT, fever, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte, erythrocyte, hemoglobin (HGB), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum amyloid A, complement 3, albumin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were found all risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients (P < 0.05 or P = 0.00). Moreover, gender (male), BDCAF (≥ 2), ESR (≥ 15 mm/H), CRP (> 10 mg/L), HGB (< 130 g/L) and IL-6 (> 7 pg/ml) were found the independent risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More attention shall be paid to gender, BDCAF, ESR, CRP, HGB and IL-6 in BS patients. When gender (male), BDCAF (≥ 2), ESR (≥ 15 mm/H), CRP (> 10 mg/L), HGB (< 130 g/L) and IL-6 (> 7 pg/ml) being observed, it may reminds that the presence of intestinal involvement in BS patients.

Risk factors of disease activity in patients with Behçet's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and laboratory data in Behçet's syndrome (BS) patients in China and analyze the risk factors of disease activity. METHOD: A retrospective analysis method was used and the demographic data and laboratory results were collected from 174 BS patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the demographic data and laboratory indexes whether that are risk factors or not of disease activity. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestations of BS patients enrolled were mouth ulceration (48.85%), followed by erythema nodosum (20.69%), and eye involvement (13.75%), while the least common was headache (0%). Most active BS patients (96.55%) used 2 or ≥ 3 immunosuppressants to control disease, while most inactive patients (75%) used 0 or 1 immunosuppressant. The associated risk factors of disease activity consisted of disease duration, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, fibrin degradation products, IgG, IgM, complement 3, complement 4, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin, albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05 or P = 0.00). Disease duration (≤ 60 months) (OR 8.49, 95% CI 2.09-34.49, P = 0.003), NLR (≥ 2) (OR 8.68, 95% CI 2.12-35.49, P = 0.003), CRP (≥ 10 mg/L) (OR 41.12, 95% CI 8.43-200.70, P = 0.000), ESR (≥ 20 mm/H) (OR 9.60, 95% CI 2.41-38.18, P = 0.001), and AGR (< 1.5) (OR 12.42, 95% CI 2.92-52.80, P = 0.001) were the independent risk factors of disease activity in BS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be paid to the risk factors of disease activity and the medicine should be adjusted correspondingly. Key Points • The current diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of Behçet's syndrome (BS) mainly relied on clinical symptoms, while there are no specific laboratory biomarkers for reference. • In this study, we found that disease duration (≤ 60 months), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (≥ 2), C-reactive protein (≥ 10 mg/L), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (≥ 20 mm/H), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (< 1.5) were the independent risk factors of disease activity in BS patients. • In the ROC curve analysis, we found that erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio could predict whether BS patients were active.

High-resolution distributed polarization crosstalk measurement for polarization maintaining fiber with considerable dispersion.

We present a high-resolution polarization crosstalk measurement method for polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) with considerable dispersion. The birefringence dispersion of the PMF severely degrades the spatial resolution of the distributed polarization crosstalk measurement. Conventional dispersion compensation methods are effective for modest birefringence dispersion coefficients (for instance, of 0.0014 ps/nm/km). We present an iterative matched filter (IMF) method to cope with the case of considerable birefringence dispersion. We measured the distributed polarization crosstalk of a PMF coil with a birefringence dispersion coefficient of 0.235 ps/nm/km. By applying the IMF method, we obtained a spatial resolution of 0.09 m at any position of the PMF (a maximum of 12.36 m without dispersion compensation).

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

To investigate the clinical characteristics of infection in SLE patients and analyze the risk factors of infection. A retrospective analysis method was used and the data were collected from 173 case times of 142 hospitalized patients. We found the incidence rate of infections in SLE was 50.7%. The most common infection sites were lungs, followed by upper respiratory tracts and urinary tracts. The most common pathogens were bacteria, followed by fungi. The infection-associated risk factors were duration of hospitalization, lupus activity state, the use of high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, the low serum level of complements 3 and 4 (C3 and C4), fever, the high level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), the abnormality of white blood cell (< 4 × 109/L or > 10 × 109/L), and the low level of albumin (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). The independent risk factors for SLE patients with infection consist of the abnormality of white blood cells, the high level of CRP, the low serum level of C4, and longtime hospitalization. Attention should be paid to the risk factors of infection, and treatment to enhance immunity should be carried out to reduce the chance of infection.

Symmetry evaluation for an interferometric fiber optic gyro coil utilizing a bidirectional distributed polarization measurement system.

We propose a dual-channel measurement system for evaluating the optical path symmetry of an interferometric fiber optic gyro (IFOG) coil. Utilizing a bidirectional distributed polarization measurement system, the forward and backward transmission performances of an IFOG coil are characterized simultaneously by just a one-time measurement. The simple but practical configuration is composed of a bidirectional Mach-Zehnder interferometer and multichannel transmission devices connected to the IFOG coil under test. The static and dynamic temperature results of the IFOG coil reveal that its polarization-related symmetric properties can be effectively obtained with high accuracy. The optical path symmetry investigation is highly beneficial in monitoring and improving the winding technology of an IFOG coil and reducing the nonreciprocal effect of an IFOG.

Genistein antagonizes inflammatory damage induced by ß-amyloid peptide in microglia through TLR4 and NF-κB.

OBJECTIVES: Microglia activation and neuroinflammation have been associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-mediated signal pathways exert key modulating roles in the inflammatory processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether genistein (Gen) has a neuroprotective effect against inflammatory damage induced by ß-amyloid peptide25-35 (Aß25-35) through the TLR4 and NF-κB-mediated signal pathways. METHODS: BV-2 microglia cells were preincubated with Gen for 2 h and then treated with 25 µM Aß25-35 for another 24 h. The expression of inflammatory mediators, TLR4 and NF-κB and the activity of NF-κB were measured. RESULTS: The results showed that Gen could attenuate the cytotoxicity and inflammatory damage induced by Aß25-35. Gen also significantly reversed Aß25-35-induced up-regulation of TLR4 and NF-κB expression and the DNA binding and transcriptional activities of NF-κB. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that Gen could alleviate the inflammation caused by Aß25-35 treatment, which might be associated with the regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.

Genistein alleviates the mitochondria-targeted DNA damage induced by ß-amyloid peptides 25-35 in C6 glioma cells.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mainly produced by mitochondria which can cause oxidative stress. It has been considered that mitochondrial damage induced by oxidative stress is related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more vulnerable to oxidative damage than other biomacromolecules, causing serious dysfunction to mitochondria. ß-amyloid peptides (Aß) is a main factor responsible for the occurrence and development of AD. Astrocytes is an important target cell for Aß' toxicity and can be activated to neglect their normal fountain in the central nervous system. Genistein (Gen), a main active ingredient of soybean isoflavone, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects by antagonizing oxidative damage induced by Aß. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated Aß25-35 induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and the protective effect of Gen in C6 glioma cells (C6 cells). The study design was consisted of four groups: control group (vehicle), Aß group treated with Aß25-35, Gen + Aß group treated with Gen + Aß25-35 and Gen group treated with Gen only. C6 cells were pre-incubated with or without Gen (50 µM) for 2 h followed by the incubation with Aß25-35 (25 µM) for another 24 h. Then the cells were harvested and processed to perform the analysis according to protocols. The mitochondrial ROS in C6 cells were measured by fluorescence spectrometer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the mitochondrial reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in C6 cells, then the ratio of GSH and GSSG was calculated. The levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in C6 cells was also detected by ELISA. In addition, mtDNA deletion was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mRNA and protein expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) in both C6 cells and its mitochondria, and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in mitochondria were detected by using reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot. The results showed that the increased mitochondrial ROS accumulation in C6 cells induced by Aß was profoundly reversed by pre-treaded with Gen (p < 0.05). The ratio of GSH and GSSG in mitochondria was significantly increased in both Gen + Aß group and Gen group compared with Aß group (p < 0.05). The levels of 8-OHdG in C6 cells and mtDNA deletion were decreased after pre-treated with Gen (p < 0.05). Gen could also up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of OGG1 in both C6 cells and its mitochondria and mitochondrial MnSOD compared with the Aß group (p < 0.05). These results confirmed that Gen could alleviate the mitochondria-targeted oxidative damage induced by ß-amyloid 25-35 in C6 cells which might be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.