How does UV-B stress affect secondary metabolites of Scutellaria baicalensis in vitro shoots grown at different 6-benzyl aminopurine concentrations?

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is one of the abiotic stresses that can significantly affect the secondary metabolite accumulation in in vitro tissue cultures of medicinal plants. The present study investigated the effects of UV-B radiation on the secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities of Scutellaria baicalensis in vitro shoots grown at different concentrations of 6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA), which is the cytokinin most widely used in plant tissue culture. The UV-B radiation caused significant increases in lipid peroxidation, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities in the in vitro shoots grown at lower 6-BA concentrations (0 and 1 mg L-1 ), while it did not cause any significant changes in those grown at higher 6-BA concentrations (2 and 3 mg L-1 ). However, the UV-B radiation significantly altered the contents of main individual flavonoids at both lower and higher 6-BA concentrations. Upon UV-B radiation, aglycones (including baicalein, wogonin, and scutellarein) increased, while glucuronides such as baicalin and wogonoside decreased; this was more evident at higher 6-BA concentrations. This study demonstrated that the effects of UV-B radiation on the secondary metabolites of S. baicalensis in vitro shoots highly depended on the 6-BA concentration in the culture medium.

Reconsidering treatment guidelines for acute myocardial infarction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 affects healthcare resource allocation, which could lead to treatment delay and poor outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMI outcomes. METHODS: We compared outcomes of patients admitted for acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) during a non-COVID-19 pandemic period (January-February 2019; Group 1, n = 254) and a COVID-19 pandemic period (January-February 2020; Group 2, n = 124). RESULTS: For STEMI patients, the median of first medical contact (FMC) time, door-to-balloon time, and total myocardial ischemia time were significantly longer in Group 2 patients (all p < 0.05). Primary percutaneous intervention was performed significantly more often in Group 1 patients than in Group 2 patients, whereas thrombolytic therapy was used significantly more often in Group 2 patients than in Group 1 patients (all p < 0.05). However, the rates of and all-cause 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) were not significantly different in the two periods (all p > 0.05). For NSTEMI patients, Group 2 patients had a higher rate of conservative therapy, a lower rate of reperfusion therapy, and longer FMC times (all p < 0.05). All-cause 30-day mortality and MACE were only higher in NSTEMI patients during the COVID-19 pandemic period (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic causes treatment delay in AMI patients and potentially leads to poor clinical outcome in NSTEMI patients. Thrombolytic therapy should be initiated without delay for STEMI when coronary intervention is not readily available; for NSTEMI patients, outcomes of invasive reperfusion were better than medical treatment.

In vitro production of atractylon and ß-eudesmol from Atractylodes chinensis by adventitious root culture.

Atractylodes chinensis is a medicinal plant widely used for the treatment of gastric disorders, and its main bioactive compounds are atractylon and ß-eudesmol. This study was purposed to establish the adventitious root culture system of A. chinensis for in vitro production of atractylon and ß-eudesmol. The main parameters in the adventitious root induction and suspension cultures were optimized to maximize the culture efficiency. Adventitious roots were induced most efficiently from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium containing 1.5 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 30 g/L sucrose with the highest root induction rate of approximately 92% and 12.9 roots per explant. During the adventitious root suspension culture, the root biomass and the accumulated content of the target compounds simultaneously increased to reach the maximum values after 8 weeks of culture. The maximum yield of the target compounds (total concentration 3.38 mg/g DW, total yield 2.66 mg) was achieved in the roots cultured in ½ MS liquid medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L IBA, 3.2 mg/L NAA, and 40 g/L sucrose with the inoculum density of 8 g/L. Through the central composite design experiment, it was found that the combined use of different types of auxins in the suspension culture could further improve root growth and metabolite accumulation than the application of only one type of auxin. This work provides a new possibility to have a promising candidate for the industrial production of A. chinensis pharmaceuticals without relying on wild resources or field cultivation. KEY POINTS: • The induction culture was optimized for efficient root induction. • Suspension culture was optimized for the atractylon and ß-eudesmol production. • Combined use of different auxins improves root growth and metabolite accumulation.

Comparison of different correction formulas and measurement methods for the accurate determination of intraocular pressure after SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare the accuracy of non-contact tonometry, Pentacam, and corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST) for the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) or femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) surgery. METHODS: A total of 49 patients (98 eyes) undergoing FS-LASIK or SMILE surgery at West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January to March 2021 were enrolled in this prospective, comparative, self-controlled study. IOP values were measured with non-contact tonometer, Pentacam, and Corvis ST before surgery and 1 month after surgery. Pentacam-derived postoperative IOP values were corrected using five correction formulas (Ehlers, Shah, Dresden, Orssengo-Pye, and Kohlhaas), while Corvis ST-derived values were corrected using a single formula. RESULTS: In the SMILE group, no significant differences were observed between the IOP values corrected with the Shah formula before and after surgery (t = 0.17, P = 0.869), whereas postoperative IOP values corrected with the other formulas were significantly different from the corresponding preoperative measurements (P < 0.05). In the FS-LASIK group, postoperative IOP values corrected with the Ehlers, Shah, or Corvis ST formulas were significantly different from the corresponding preoperative IOP measurements (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed between pre- and postoperative IOP values corrected with the Dresden (t = - 0.08, P = 0.941), Orssengo-Pye (t = - 0.52, P = 0.604), or Kohlhaas (t = 1.22, P = 0.231) formulas. CONCLUSIONS: Pentacam's Shah correction formula seemed to be the most appropriate method for accurately measuring postoperative IOP in patients undergoing SMILE surgery, while the Dresden, Orssengo-Pye, and Kohlhaas correction formulas of Pentacam were identified as the most reliable methods for estimating IOP in patients after FS-LASIK surgery.

Dramatic loss of inorganic carbon by nitrogen-induced soil acidification in Chinese croplands.

Intensive crop production systems worldwide, particularly in China, rely heavily on nitrogen (N) fertilization, but left more than 50% of fertilizer N in the environment. Nitrogen (over) fertilization and atmospheric N deposition induce soil acidification, which is neutralized by soil inorganic carbon (SIC; carbonates), and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is released to the atmosphere. For the first time, the loss of SIC stocks in response to N-induced soil acidification was estimated for Chinese croplands from 1980 to 2020 and forecasts were made up to 2100. The SIC stocks in croplands in 1980 were 2.16 Pg C (16.3 Mg C/ha) in the upper 40 cm, 7% (0.15 Pg C; 1.1 Mg C/ha) of which were lost from 1980 to 2020. During these 40 years, 7 million ha of cropland has become carbonate free. Another 37% of the SIC stocks may be lost up to 2100 in China, leaving 30 million ha of cropland (37.8%) without carbonates if N fertilization follows the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. Compared to the BAU scenario, the reduction in N input by 15%-30% after 2020 (scenarios S1 and S2) will decrease carbonate dissolution by 18%-41%. If N input remains constant as noted in 2020 (S3) or decreases by 1% annually (S4), a reduction of up to 52%-67% in carbonate dissolution is expected compared to the BAU scenario. The presence of CaCO3 in the soil is important for various processes including acidity buffering, aggregate formation and stabilization, organic matter stabilization, microbial and enzyme activities, nutrient cycling and availability, and water permeability and plant productivity. Therefore, optimizing N fertilization and improving N-use efficiency are important for decreasing SIC losses from acidification. N application should be strictly calculated based on crop demand, and any overfertilization should be avoided to prevent environmental problems and soil fertility decline associated with CaCO3 losses.

Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump inserted in acute myocardial infarction patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing surgical coronary revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: The benefit of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump implantation in high-risk cardiac surgery patients is still debated. The role of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion in acute myocardial infarction patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of the preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion in those patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A total of 421 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients without cardiogenic shock who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in this retrospective observational propensity score-matched analysis study. Patients who received intra-aortic balloon pump before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (the intra-aortic balloon pump group, n = 157) were compared with those who had not (control group, n = 264). The 30-day postoperative survival, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital length of stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 99 pairs of patients were matched. The preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump did not show a 30-day postoperative survival benefit compared with the control group (hazard ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-4.2; p = 0.92). Patients with preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump were more likely to have shorter postoperative lengths of stay (8 (6-11) days vs. 10 (6-15) days, p = 0.02) and decreased total days in the hospital (median days: 18.2 vs. 21.8, p = 0.02) compared to patients without balloon pumps. CONCLUSION: Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion in acute myocardial infarction patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting improved convalescence as shown by significantly shorter postoperative lengths of hospital stay.

Timing of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Placement Before Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Clinical Outcomes.

We aimed to evaluate the timing of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement and outcomes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Patients with prophylactic IABP placement before OPCAB presenting between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013 were included. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the timing of preoperative IABP placement: less than 2 h (Group A, n = 223) and more than 2 h (Group B, n = 94). According to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), patients were divided into two subgroups: middle-low EuroSCORE (<6, Groups A1 and B1) and high EuroSCORE (≥6, Groups A2 and B2). Clinical data were compared between groups. Groups contained the following numbers of patients: Group A1, 163; Group A2, 60; Group B1, 60; and Group B2, 34. There was a significant difference in length of ICU and hospital stay between Group A and Group B, respectively (40.5 [22, 64] vs. 26.25 [18, 46.5] hours, P = 0.006; 16 [11, 22] vs. 11 [8, 14] days, P = 0.000). Duration of IABP support, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and cost of hospitalization were significantly higher in Group A1 than in Group B1, respectively (73.69 ± 44.12 vs. 64.03 ± 40.93 h, P = 0.013; 36 [20, 56.5] vs. 25.5 [17, 43.75] hours, P = 0.035; 15(11,21) vs. 9(7.25, 12) days, P = 0.000; 109.53(101.20, 131.1) vs. 102.7(95.94, 115.32) thousands CNY, P = 0.009). The length of hospital stay was also significantly higher in Group A2 than in Group B2 (18(13, 26) vs. 13(11, 15) hours, P = 0.000). Preoperative placement of IABP greater than 2 h prior to OPCAB is of benefit, especially in those with high EuroSCORE. The optimal time for prophylactic IABP placement requires further study.

Mortality risk factors from converting off-pump coronary artery bypass to on-pump coronary artery bypass.

INTRODUCTION: A number of large-scale retrospective studies revealed that off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) was superior to on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB). The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for mortality when OPCAB is converted to ONCAB. METHODS: Patients who underwent OPCAB conversion to ONCAB at the Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 2003 and January 2013 were assigned to the non-survivor and survivor groups. Background demographics, illness history and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were compared. RESULTS: Of the 247 cases, 15.4% of the patients died. Patients in the non-survivor group were older and more frequently had diabetes mellitus (DM), arrhythmia, myocardial infarction (MI) in the past 30 days (all p<0.05) and MI combined with mitral regurgitation (p<0.0001); they more frequently had bigger left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (p=0.0019), greater fall in blood pressure, ventricular fibrillation for longer periods, longer conversion time and bypass graft occlusion. All patients in the non-survivor group received intra-aortic balloon pump compared to 89.5% in the survivor group and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was more common. Left main coronary artery disease (OR=4.431, 95%CI: 2.440-8.048, p<0.0001), blood pressure decline ⩽40 mmHg (OR=0.509, 95%CI: 0.447-0.580, p<0.0001) and time for conversion to ONCAB ⩾20 min were independently associated with mortality. Rates of postoperative complications, such as renal failure, cerebral infarction or hemorrhage, MI and redo sternotomy, were higher in the non-survivor group. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion from OPCAB to ONCAB is associated with high mortality. Risk factors include left main artery disease and duration of blood pressure decline >40 min.

[Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma: a distinct low-grade renal tumour].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC). METHODS: The clinical, morphologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of 6 cases of CCPRCC were reviewed, with analysis of follow-up data. RESULTS: There were altogether 3 men and 3 women. The mean age of patients was 56 years. The size of tumors ranged from 1.0 to 4.5 cm in greatest dimension. They had solid or solid-cystic cut surface. Histologically, the tumors were encapsulated and showed several morphologic patterns, with tubules, papillae, acini, interconnecting ribbons and macro/microcysts lined by single layer of cells with clear or small amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm and low-grade nuclei (corresponding to Fuhrman grade 1 or 2). Mitotic figures were rarely seen. Characteristically, there was linear arrangement of the nuclei away from the basement membrane, conferring an appearance similar to that of endometrial glands in early secretory phase. Tubules and cysts contained serosanguineous fluid or colloid-like secretion were identified. No foamy histiocytes, psammomatous calcifications or hemosiderin was present in the papillary areas. Two of the tumors showed focal or extensive angioleiomyoma/leiomyoma-like components. No coagulative necrosis, sarcomatoid dedifferentiation, nor microscopic vascular invasion was observed. Immunohistochemically, all tumors showed strong co-expression of CK7 and CA9 (with characteristic "goblet" staining pattern). The staining for EMA, CK (AE1/AE3), vimentin, CK8, CK18, CK19 and PAX-8 were also positive in all cases. Ki-67 was expressed in less than or about 5% of the tumor cell nuclei. The staining for CD10, P504S, CD117, TFE3 and TFEB was negative. Follow-up data were available in all patients, with mean duration of 14 months (range = 7 to 27 months). All of the patients were disease-free after operation. CONCLUSION: CCPRCC is a special type of low-grade renal neoplasm with characteristic histopathologic and immunohistochemical features. It needs to be distinguished from clear cell renal cell carcinoma or papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Comparison of low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch and human albumin as priming solutions in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Human albumin is the conventional cardiopulmonary bypass circuit primer. However, it has high manufacturing costs. Crystalloid and colloid solutions have been developed as alternatives, including a new generation of non-ionic hydroxyethyl starch (HES). The efficacy of hydroxyethyl starch with a 130 molecular weight and substitution degree of 0.4 (hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4) was compared with human albumin for use in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in American Society of Anesthesiologists' grade I-II pediatric congenital heart disease patients. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing perioperative hemodynamic parameters, including plasma colloid osmotic pressure, renal function, blood loss, allogeneic blood volumes and plasma volume substitution. The hydroxyethyl starch group exhibited significantly higher preoperative colloid osmotic pressure (p<0.01) and significantly lower operative renal function and postoperative allogeneic blood volumes than the human albumin group. No significant differences were observed in serum creatinine, glucose, hematocrit or lactic acid levels (p>0.05). Our results indicate that hydroxyethyl starch may be a viable alternative to human albumin in pediatric patients undergoing relatively simple cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries.

[Correlation between the expression of neuropilin-2 and tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer and clinicopathological parameters].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the expression of neuropilin-2 (NRP2) and tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and clinicopathological parameters in gastric carcinoma (GC). METHODS: All GC, margin and normal tissues of 65 cases through surgical resection were retrospectively collected at our hospital and Tangshan People's Hospital from October 2011 to October 2013. The expressions of NRP2 in GC, tumor margin and normal gastric tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Lymphangiogenesis was marked with D2-40 monoclonal antibody and microlymphatic density (MLD) counted. And the morphology of lymphatic vessels was observed. RESULTS: A positive expression of NRP2 was found in GC (n = 40, 61.5%) and it was significantly higher than that in tumor margin (n = 32, 49.2%) and normal tissues (n = 3, 4.6%) (P < 0.05). But the counts of MLD in both GC (12 ± 5)/mm(2) and normal region (23 ± 6)/mm(2) were significantly lower than that of tumor margin region (44 ± 13)/mm(2) (P < 0.05). In addition, the morphologies of lymphatic vessels were different among 3 groups. Also NRP2 expression and MLD count were correlated with differentiation degree, infiltrative degree, lymphatic vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging of GC (all P < 0.05). The expression intensity of NRP2 in tumor margin tissues was positively correlated with MLD (r = 0.517, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of NRP2 in GC may modulate lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. And it may play a key role in tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis predicating in GC.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognosis of T lymphoblastic lymphoma associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and molecular genetic changes of T lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). METHODS: Three cases of T-LBL associated with LCH were included. The morphologic characteristics were reviewed along with immunohistochemical profiling using EnVision method and TCR gene rearrangement by PCR. A review of composite lymphoma previously reported in the literature was performed. RESULTS: All three patients were male with the mean age of 61.7 years. One was Hans and the other 2 were Uyguers. All presented with superficial lymph node enlargement. Biopsy of lymph node showed two abnormal cell populations: distended sinus by large, pale histiocytes with nuclear grooves, and the interfollicular region containing immature-appearing cells with irregular nuclei slightly larger than that of small lymphocyte, dispersed chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, scant cytoplasm, and scattered mitotic figures. These cells presented in aggregates and small sheets interspersed with normal-appearing lymphocyte. The histiocytes were positive for CD1a, S-100 protein and CD68. The lymphoma cells were positive for CD3, CD7, TdT and CD34. TCR-γ gene rearrangement was detected in one case by PCR technology. One case involved bone marrow with double phenotype acute leukemia. Amongst the 8 including 5 reported cases, there were 4 males and 4 females. The mean age of the patients and the median age were 54 years. Lymphoadenopathy was the most common presentation. Bone marrow was involved in 4 cases. The time of follow-up was 2 to 27 months. The median survival was 5.5 months and the one-year survival rate was 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of T-LBL and LCH should be based on typical morphology, immunophenotype and molecular genetic findings, with differential diagnoses including Langerhans cell hyperplasia originated from dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. When involving lymph node, extensive sampling supplemented by immunohistochemical staining is important to reach a correct diagnosis. Although coexistent T-LBL and LCH is clonally related, the understanding of its pathogenesis requires further investigation.

[Clinicopathological significance of Sox17 and ß-catenin protein of Wnt in oligodendroglioma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Sox17 and ß-catenin proteins in oligodendroglioma, and its clinical significance. METHODS: One hundred cases of oligodendroglioma of different grades and 10 cases of surrounding benign tissue from First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2003 to 2013 were assessed by immunohistochemistry for Sox17 and ß-catenin protein expression. The clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome of patients with oligodendroglioma were evaluated by Kaplan-Meien and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Sox17 was expressed in 10/10, 82% (41/50) and 62% (31/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. ß-catenin was expressed in 2/10, 22% (11/50), and 52% (26/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. The differences of Sox17 and ß-catenin expression between normal control and different types of oligodendroglioma were statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that the expression of Sox17 protein (P = 0.000), ß-catenin protein (P = 0.033), tumor position (P = 0.001), radiotherapy (P = 0.077), and chemotherapy (P = 0.000) were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Oligodendrogliomas with expression of Sox17 protein, but not ß-catenin, have better prognosis. Evaluation of Sox17 and ß-catenin protein expression is important for accurate pathological diagnosis, prognostication and guiding treatment.

Lactic acid bacteria and yeast co-fermented milk alleviate cow milk allergy.

Cow milk allergy is one of the common food allergies. Our previous study showed that the allergenicity of fermented milk is lower than that of unfermented skimmed milk in vitro, and the antigenicity of ß-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin in fermented milk was decreased by 67.54% and 80.49%, respectively. To confirm its effects in vivo, allergic BALB/C mice model was used to further study the allergenicity of fermented milk. It was found that compared with the skim milk (SM) group, the intragastrically sensitization with fermented milk had no obvious allergic symptoms and the fingers were more stable: lower levels of IgE, IgG, and IgA in serum, lower levels of plasma histamine and mast cell protein-1, and immune balance of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17. At the same time, intragastrically sensitization with fermented milk increased the α diversity of intestinal microbiota and changed the microbiota abundance: the relative abundance of norank-f-Muribaculaceae and Staphylococcus significantly decreased, and the abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Bacteroides, and Turicibacter increased. In addition, fermented milk can also increase the level of short-chain fatty acids in the intestines of mice. It turns out that fermented milk is much less allergenicity than SM. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Fermentation provides a theoretical foundation for reducing the allergenicity of milk and dairy products, thereby facilitating the production of low-allergenic dairy products suitable for individuals with milk allergies.

Additive and Dominance Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveal the Genetic Basis of Heterosis Related to Growth Traits of Duhua Hybrid Pigs.

Heterosis has been extensively used for pig genetic breeding and production, but the genetic basis of heterosis remains largely elusive. Crossbreeding between commercial and native breeds provides a good model to parse the genetic basis of heterosis. This study uses Duhua hybrid pigs, a crossbreed of Duroc and Liangguang small spotted pigs, as materials to explore the genetic basis underlying heterosis related to growth traits at the genomic level. The mid-parent heterosis (MPH) analysis showed heterosis of this Duhua offspring on growth traits. In this study, we examined the impact of additive and dominance effects on 100 AGE (age adjusted to 100 kg) and 100 BF (backfat thickness adjusted to 100 kg) of Duhua hybrid pigs. Meanwhile, we successfully identified SNPs associated with growth traits through both additive and dominance GWASs (genome-wide association studies). These findings will facilitate the subsequent in-depth studies of heterosis in the growth traits of Duhua pigs.

Erratum: Overexpression of ZEB1 and YAP1 is related to poor prognosis in patients with gliomas with different IDH1 status.

[This corrects the article on p. 138 in vol. 16, PMID: 37559682.].

Analysis of air bearing torsion pendulum moment of inertia measurements including nonlinear oscillation and damping.

For precise measurement of the moment of inertia (MOI) of asymmetric objects, using an air bearing torsional pendulum, the nonlinearity of the torsion bar and the damping effect caused by the interaction between air and sample need to be included in the analysis. The instantaneous undamped natural frequency and instantaneous damping coefficient of the motion are obtained from the Hilbert transform of the angular displacement signal and are used for data fitting to calculate the MOI. Measurements for algorithm verification were made using a special sample with large windvanes to increase the damping effect. The nonlinear analysis of the MOI experimental results indicated a relative error of less than 0.1% compared with 0.3% for classical linear analysis of the data.

microRNA-221 rescues the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common systemic neurodegenerative diseases and is related to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Several studies verified that microRNA (miRNAs) targeting the Bim/Bax/caspase-3 signaling axis is involved in the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of miR-221 in PD. METHODS: To examine the function of miR-221 in vivo, we used a well-established 6-OHDA-induced PD mouse model. Then we conducted adenovirus-mediated miR-221 overexpression in the PD mice. RESULTS: Our results showed that miR-221 overexpression improved motor behavior of the PD mice. We demonstrated that overexpression of miR-221 reduced the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra striatum by promoting their antioxidative and antiapoptosis capacities. Mechanistically, miR-221 targets Bim, thus inhibiting Bim and Bax caspase-3 mediated apoptosis signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest miR-221 participates in the pathological process of PD and might be a potential drug target and provide new insight into PD treatment.

Novel homozygous ADAMTS17 missense variant in Weill-Marchesani syndrome.

AIM: To explore the phenotype and genotype of Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) in a Chinese family and review related literature. METHODS: Three WMS patients and other unaffected individuals in this family with a history of consanguineous marriage were included in this study. Medical history, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, and systemic evaluation, as well as whole exome and Sanger sequencing of specific genomic regions, were performed. RESULTS: The three affected siblings presented with short stature, brachydactyly and ocular disorders, including very shallow anterior chamber, high myopia, microspherophakia lens subluxation with stretched zonules and glaucoma. Genetic analysis verified a homozygous missense mutation (c.2983C>T: p. Arg995Trp) in ADAMTS17, which was correlated with the diseases in this family, indicating an autosomal recessive inherited manner of WMS. This review aims to summarize the mutation sites of WMS genes, so as to prevent the disease and better guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: A novel homozygous missense variant of ADAMTS17 is identified in a WMS family with a history of consanguineous marriage. Our study expands the range of mutations associated with WMS and deepens our understanding of pathology in disease associated with ADAMTS17 variants.

Overexpression of ZEB1 and YAP1 is related to poor prognosis in patients with gliomas with different IDH1 status.

OBJECTIVE: Whether there is a correlation between zinc-finger E-box-binding homolog 1 (ZEB1) and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) with clinical outcome in gliomas remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of ZEB1 and YAP1 on the prognosis of human gliomas and its relationship with the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene state. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to record the expression levels of ZEB1, YAP1, and p-YAP1 in 122 cases of low-grade glioma (LGGs) and 69 cases of glioblastoma (GBMs). The correlations of ZEB1 and YAP1 with pathological data were determined by Pearson's Chi-square test. Spearman correlation analysis was then used for analyzing the relationship among YAP1, ZEB1, and IDH1 gene status. The effects of ZEB1 and YAP1 on prognosis were investigated through survival analysis. RESULTS: We detected high ZEB1 expression levels in 29 LGGs (23.8%) and 39 GBMs (56.5%), and high YAP1 expression levels in 22 LGGs (18.0%) and 44 of GBM (63.8%). These results revealed that the protein expression levels of ZEB1 and YAP1 were higher in GBM (P < 0.001). There was a significantly positive correlation between ZEB1 and YAP1 (P < 0.001; r = 0.533). High ZEB1 expression was related to tumor grade (P < 0.001) and Ki-67 (P = 0.0037). YAP1 overexpression was correlated with Ki-67 (P < 0.001), P53 (P = 0.009), tumor grade (P < 0.001), and tumor location (P = 0.018). Patients with ZEB1 and YAP1 high expression had worse overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that YAP1 was an independent prognostic factor for OS. In the LGG group, worse OS were observed in glioma patients with elevated YAP1 expression level. Spearman correlation analysis revealed no association between ZEB1 expression and IDH1 state (P = 0.360; r = -0.084), and YAP1 expression had a negative correlation with IDH1 mutation (P < 0.001, r = -0.364). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that ZEB1 and YAP1 were significantly activated in GBM, and patients with high ZEB1 and YAP1 expression had worse OS. ZEB1 expression was significantly correlated with YAP1 in glioma. ZEB1 and YAP1 coexpression may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker for glioma, and aberrant YAP1 expression may be associated with IDH1 gene state.