[Preoperative plasma predictive factors of new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A propensity score matching study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between preoperative plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), homocysteine (Hcy), endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: In the study, 148 patients who underwent isolated CABG in Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2017 to December 30, 2017 were enrolled, of whom 39 had new-onset AF. The fasting venous blood was collected within 24 hours before the surgery. The preoperative plasma IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, Hcy, ET-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients were divided into AF group and non-AF group according to whether new-onset AF occurred after operation. After 1 ∶1 propensity score matching (PSM), 38 people were in each group. The paired sample t-tests were performed on the five factors' concentrations of the matched AF group and the non-AF group respectively. If the concentration values did not conform to the normal distribution, the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was performed. Conditional Logistic regression analysis was performed on the concentrations of the five indicators to explore the correlation between preoperative plasma concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, Hcy, ET-1 and postoperative new-onset AF after CABG. RESULTS: After a 1 ∶1 propensity score matching, the AF group was comparable to the non-AF group. The concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and Hcy in the AF group were higher than those in the non-AF group[(0.867±0.589) ng/L vs. (0.742±0.262) ng/L, 21.55 (6.50, 209.90) ng/L vs. 17.95 (3.60, 86.70) ng/L, 20.30 (5.70, 361.00) ng/L vs. 21.50 (7.50, 251.80) ng/L, (0.29±0.11) µmol/L vs. (0.27±0.09) µmol/L], but the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.165, P=0.891, P=0.817, P=0.285). After the conditional Logistic regression analysis, the above four variables were not predictors of new-onset AF after CABG. The concentrations of ET-1 in the matched AF group and non-AF group were (25.80±6.20) ng/L and (29.10±8.54) ng/L, respectively. The correlation between preoperative low plasma ET-1 concentration and the new-onset AF after CABG were statistically significant (P=0.003). After conditional Logistic regression analysis, preoperative plasma ET-1 concentration was correlated with postoperative new-onset AF after CABG (P=0.039, adjusted OR=0.637, 95%CI: 0.415-0.977). CONCLUSION: The levels of preoperative plasma IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and Hcy in the patients with new-onset AF after CABG were higher than those in the patients without AF, but the difference was not statistically significant. Preoperative plasma low ET-1 concentration was statistically associated with new-onset AF after CABG.

[Evaluation of classification of petroclival meningiomas and proposed selection of microsurgical approach: a single center experience of 179 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the classification of petroclival meningiomas(PCM), proposed selection of microsurgical approach and therapeutic outcomes. Methods: Retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 179 cases of PCM from Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 2011 and November 2020. There were 28 males and 151 females with an age of(49.9±10.2) years(range: 22 to 75 years) and the tumor size of(44.8±10.3)mm(range: 15 to 80 mm). The mean duration of symptom(M(QR)) was 18.0(40.6)months(range:1 week to 320 months) and the mean preoperative Karnofsky performance scale(KPS) was 78.6±13.3(range: 40 to 100). The PCM were classified into 5 types according to the difference in the origin of dural attachment, involvement of adjacent structures and growth patterns through preoperative MRI. The surgical approaches were selected based on the proposed classification, and the clinical characteristics, surgical record, and follow-up data of each type were reviewed. Results: The PCM were divided into clivus type(CV, 4 cases), petroclival type(PC, 60 cases), petroclivosphenoidal type(PC-S, 62 cases), sphenopetroclival type with 2 subtypes(S-PC, 50 cases) and central skull base type(CSB, 3 cases). All of 176 cases were obtained microsurgical treatment except CSB type. The gross total resection reached in 124 cases(70.5%) with 112 cases of retrosigmoid approach(RSA), 27 cases of subtemporal transtentorial transpetrosal approach, 13 cases of pretemporal trancavernous anterior transpetrosal approach(PTCA), 12 cases of extended pterional transtentorial approach(EPTA) and presigmoid combined supra-infratentorial approach, respectively. The RSA could be adopted in both of CV type and PC type and most of PC-S type(71.0%). S-PC subtype Ⅰ and subtype Ⅱ were mainly underwent EPTA(40.8%) and PTCA(52.2%), respectively. Seventy-two cases(40.9%) gained new neurological dysfunctions mainly with the cranial nerve paralysis. The postoperative morbidity and complications were recovered or improved with conservative and positive symptomatic and supportive treatment. There was no intraoperative and postoperative death case. One hundred and sixty four cases(93.2%) of operative patients were followed with the duration of 24(48)months(range:3 to 108 months). Tumor recurrence and progress were identified in 14 cases(10.4%) and 14 cases(28.6%), respectively. Compared with postoperative neurological status, 89 patients(54.3%) had improved and 38 patients(23.2%) were still suffering various degrees of neurological dysfunctions during the follow-up. The recent KPS was 84.2±11.4(range: 50 to 100) without statistical difference from preoperative KPS(t=-1.356,P=0.125). As for each type, there were statistically significant differences in brain stem edema(χ2=3.482,P=0.038), gross total resection(χ2=9.127,P=0.001), surgical duration(F=8.954, P=0.013), postoperative length of stay(F=3.652, P=0.025), postoperative complications(χ2=1.550,P=0.024), postoperative KPS(F=2.856, P=0.042) and tumor recurrence/progress(χ2=4.824,P=0.013). Conclusion: The precise and comprehensive classification of PCM and specific individual treatment strategy are benefit to evaluate the diverse clinical prognosis, choose optimal surgical approaches, elevate gross total resection, diminish neurological dysfunctions and restraint tumor recurrence, so as to improve the quality of life for patients.

Effect of pH on dissociation of casein micelles in yak skim milk.

The dissociation of yak casein (CN) micelles was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, particle size, fluorescence properties, and soluble mineral and CN molecule content at pH 4.6 to 8.2. The results showed that the size of CN micelles remained constant with decreasing pH from 8.2 to 5.8 but sharply increased at pH ≤5.4. Casein micelles began to aggregate at pH 5.4, and the serum magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese levels had their minimum values at this pH level. During acidification, colloidal calcium phosphate dramatically disassociated from yak CN micelles, but the soluble CN monomer content decreased slightly. During alkalization, the soluble calcium and phosphorus content decreased below pH 6.8 but increased with pH increases from 6.8 to 8.2. However, the soluble CN content increased markedly during alkalization. The emission wavelength of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid sodium salt fluorescence decreased during both acidification and alkalization from pH 6.6, whereas the opposite was found for intrinsic fluorescence.

Natural reversal of tooth discoloration and pulpal response to testing following removal of a miniscrew implant for orthodontic anchorage: a case report.

AIM: To highlight the reversal of signs suggesting pulpal necrosis following removal of a mini-implant without endodontic intervention. SUMMARY: A 23-year-old woman presented with a class III malocclusion, with crowded and malformed teeth and excessive gingival display. During orthodontic treatment, a Tomas orthodontic miniscrew was placed between the root apices of the maxillary central incisors. This was carried out by an orthodontic specialist who had treated more than 700 patients (with more than 2000 mini-implants) over the past 9 years. After 2 weeks of treatment, the right maxillary central incisor discoloured and did not respond to electrical pulp tests (EPT) but was sensitive to endo-ice. The miniscrew was removed under local anaesthesia. Teeth 11 and 21 were fixed with ligation wire, and glass-ionomer cement (GIC) was added to the occlusal surfaces of the first and second maxillary molars to heighten the occlusion and disclude the maxillary anterior teeth. After 4 months, the colour and pulp reactions to EPT and endo-ice of tooth 11 returned to normal. Because the use of a miniscrew had appeared to damage the pulp, subsequent a conservative orthodontic treatment using, traditional 'J' hooks was used and achieved satisfactory results. After 23 months of orthodontic treatment, the treatment was complete and a 15-month follow-up showed a successful outcome.

Effect of ultrasonic and alkaline pretreatment on sludge degradation and electricity generation by microbial fuel cell.

Both ultrasonic and alkaline pretreatment of excess sewage sludge were investigated to enhance organic degradation and electricity generation from sludge by the subsequent microbial fuel cell (MFC). The ultrasonic pretreatment showed that the degree of sludge disintegration was directly related to the energy input, ultrasonic density and duration. Alkaline pretreatment demonstrated that more soluble organic matters were released from the sludge with more NaOH dose and longer reaction time, and the degree of sludge disintegration within 30 min accounted for 45-76% of that for 24 h. When ultrasonic and alkaline pretreatment were combined, the released chemical oxygen demand (COD) was higher than those with ultrasonic or alkaline pretreatment alone. Ultrasonic and alkaline (pH=11) pretreatment could enhance electricity generation from sludge by the subsequent MFC, resulting in more degradation of total COD (TCOD) and volatile solids (VS). Slight change in power output from the MFC was observed due to the higher soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) in the pretreated sludge. By using the combined ultrasonic and alkaline pretreatment of sludge, the removal efficiencies of TCOD and VS were increased from 27.1% to 61.0% and 35.2% to 62.9% in comparison with raw sludge, respectively, and the power output in MFC was slightly increased from 10.3 W/m(3) to 12.5 W/m(3).

Transformation of nitrogen and distribution of nitrogen-related bacteria in a polluted urban stream.

Most researchers focused on either nitrogen species or microbial community for polluted urban stream while ignoring the interaction between them and its effect on nitrogen transformation, which restricted the rational selection of an effective and feasible remediation technology. Taking Buji stream in Shenzhen (China) as target stream, the distribution of nitrogen-related bacteria was investigated by most probable number (MPN) besides analysis of nitrogen species etc. The nitrogen-related bacteria in sediment were 10(2) times richer than those in water. Owing to their faster growth, the MPN of ammonifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria were 10(5) and 10(2) times higher than those of nitrifying bacteria, respectively. The ammonifying bacteria numbers were significantly related to BOD5 in water, while nitrifying bacteria in sediment correlated well with nitrate in water. Thus, nitrification occurred mainly in sediment surface and was limited by low proportion of nitrifying bacteria. The denitrifying bacteria in sediment had good relationship with BOD5 and nitrite and nitrate in water. Low DO and rich organic compounds were beneficial to denitrification but unfavourable to nitrification. Denitrification was restricted by low nitrite and nitrate concentration. These results could be served as a reference for implementing the remediation scheme of nitrogen polluted urban stream.

LncRNA ANRIL impacts the progress of osteoarthritis via regulating proliferation and apoptosis of osteoarthritis synoviocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been indicated to play an important role in many different diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease which causes a change of morphology and function in articular cartilage and synovium, leading to cartilage degradation. Synovitis is a common pathological feature of OA, owing to the proliferation of synoviocytes. In this research, we want to verify the role of lncRNA ANRIL in osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA ANRIL in normal synoviocytes and osteoarthritis synoviocytes. The cell proliferation in normal synoviocytes and osteoarthritis synoviocytes after transfection with lncRNA-NC or lncRNA-ANRIL were tested. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle in normal synoviocytes and osteoarthritis synoviocytes were detected by the Flow Cytometry analysis. Western blot was used to analyze the possible mechanism that ANRIL regulated the cells' proliferation in osteoarthritis. RESULTS: We indicated that the expression of ANRIL was significantly improved in OAS compared to NS. The expression of ANRIL was decreased and the cell proliferation was reduced in OAS after transfected with siRNA. And the cell cycle was suspended in G0/G1 phase and the cell apoptosis was improved in OAS after transfected with siRNA. Moreover, ANRIL could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of OAS via miR-122-5p/DUSP4 axis. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that lncRNA ANRIL was closely related to osteoarthritis. ANRIL may be involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis and become a potential target for diagnosis and treatment in OA.

LncRNA SNHG7 participates in osteosarcoma progression by down-regulating p53 via binding to DNMT1.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the role of lncRNA SNHG7 in the development of osteosarcoma, and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect SNHG7 expression in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues harvested from osteosarcoma patients. Meanwhile, the relationship between SNHG7 expression and tumorigenesis was analyzed. The effects of SNHG7 and p53 on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by plate cloning and flow cytometry, respectively. The binding relationship between SNHG7 and DNMT1, as well as the regulatory mechanism of DNMT1 on p53, were detected by RIP and ChIP. Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of p53 after the knockdown of SNHG7 in osteosarcoma cells. Rescue experiments were finally conducted to verify whether SNHG7 exerted its biological function by targeting p53. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of SNHG7 in osteosarcoma tissues was remarkably higher than that in paracancerous tissues. Moreover, SNHG7 expression in osteosarcoma with stage III and IV was higher than those in stage I and II. The inhibition of SNHG7 in osteosarcoma cells U2OS and HOS promoted cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis. RIP and ChIP experiments illustrated that SNHG7 inhibited the expression of p53 by binding to DNMT1. The overexpression of p53 in U2OS cells partially reversed the promoted cell proliferation and apoptosis caused by SNHG7. CONCLUSIONS: Highly expressed SNHG7 can promote the proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by regulating p53 expression by binding to DNMT1.

LncRNA NKILA inhibits invasion and migration of osteosarcoma cells via NF-κB/Snail signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Our research explored the possible biological function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NKILA in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: NKILA expression in 60 cases of osteosarcoma and adjacent tissues was detected. The correlation between NKILA expression and clinical information was analyzed by Chi-square test. The overexpression plasmid or siRNA of NKILA were transfected into osteosarcoma cells by liposome. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Transwell assay was used to check the migratory and invasive abilities. Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-related proteins. In addition, we analyzed the cell invasion and migration after treatment of NF-κB inhibitor (JSH) to further verify whether NKILA can participate in the occurrence of osteosarcoma through the NF-κB / Snail signaling pathway. RESULTS: The expression level of NKILA in osteosarcoma tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues, and was related to tumor size, Enneking stage, and metastasis. After KNKS/NP cells were transfected with NKILA-siRNA, cell proliferation, invasion and migration were enhanced. Transfection of the NKILA overexpression plasmid in Saos2 cells reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration. NKILA knockdown downregulated the expressions of p65 and E-cadherin, but strikingly increased Snail expression. The RNA binding protein co-immunoprecipitation experiments illustrated that p65 could bind to NKILA. Additionally, JSH was found to reverse the inhibitory effect of NKILA on cell migration and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: NKILA was lowly expressed in osteosarcoma tissues. In addition, high expression of NKILA could suppress the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by inhibiting the NF-κB/Snail signaling pathway.

Cloning, expression and chromosome localization of porcine adiponectin and adiponectin receptors genes.

Adiponectin is a cytokine secreted specifically by adipocytes that has been proposed to enhance insulin sensitivity and prevent atherosclerosis. Adiponectin receptors (adipoR1 and adipoR2) are recently found in mice which act as receptors for globular and full-length adiponectin to mediate the fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake in muscle and liver. The primary goal of this study was to examine chromosome localization of porcine adiponectin and adiponectin receptors and the gene expression pattern in various tissues of pigs of the three genes. Radiation hybrid mapping demonstrated that porcine adiponectin, adipoR1 and adipoR2 were located to chromosome13q36-41, 10p11 and 5q25, in the regions that were syntenic to the homologs of human genes, respectively. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that porcine adiponectin mRNA was specifically expressed in adipose tissue and porcine adipoR1 and adipoR2 mRNA were ubiquitously expressed in many tissues except brain. Comparison to adipoR2 mRNA which was highly expressed in liver, heart, kidney, adipose tissues and lung, adipoR1 mRNA was expressed at relatively high levels in porcine muscle, leukocytes and epididymis. Our data provide basic molecular information useful for the further investigation on the function of the three genes.

Study of lead absorption and its effect on children's development.

Blood lead levels of 180 pupils from two elementary schools were determined and the intellectual development of the children was followed. The children in these two groups were similar in most nonlead variables. Results showed that pupils at the school near a battery plant had higher blood lead levels than those at a school in a residential neighborhood. An evident dose-effect relationship between blood lead level and children's performance on psychological testing existed: the higher the blood level, the lower the intelligence quotient. This relationship remained after confounding factors were controlled by stepwise regression analysis. Partial regression coefficients for PbB and verbal IQ, performance IQ, and full-scale IQ were -0.85, -0.71, and -0.91, respectively.

[Studies on the medicinal plants of Magnoliaceae tu-hou-po of Manglietia].

Data from a survey of the drug market and investigation of the original plant of "Tu-hou-po", after careful botanical examinations, showed that the drugs were derived from 5 species of the genus Manglietia of Magnoliaceae, viz. Manglietia chingii Dandy, M. insignis (Wall.) Bl., M. duclouxii Finet et Gagnep., M. yuyuanensis Law and M. szechuanica Hu. Comparisons of the main characteristics of the plants, Tu-hou-po and Hou-po crude drugs and chemical components showed that Manglietia is taxonomically the closest to Magnolia and contained similar components (tab 1-2 and fig 1). The results of HPLC analysis demonstrated that they contained magnolol, honokiol, magnocurine and salicifoline, in different quantities. However, no magnosprengerine was detected. Besides, it was also found that the percentage of magnolol and honokiol contents were higher, while that of magnocurine was lower in Hou-po. On the contrary, the content of magnocurine was higher, while that of magnolol and honokiol were lower in Tu-hou-po. Manglietia chingii (Tu-hou-po) is being used as the Chinese traditional drug "Hou-po" in the clinic in Guangxi. Therefore, M. chingii is noteworthily exploited as a new resource of Hou-po for further research.

[HPLC analysis of alkaloids in Sophora flavescens Ait].

In this paper, a HPLC method was developed for the determination of alkaloids in Sophora flavescens Ait. Experimental evidences indicate that a system of a LiChrosorb-NH2 column (4.0 mm x 250 mm) as stationary phase and CH3CN--H3PO4(pH2)--CH3CH2OH(80:8:10) as mobile phase can separate the five alkaloids, sophocarpine, matrine, sophoridine, oxysophcarpine and oxymatrine very well. This method is very easy and efficient and takes only 15 min for one run.

[A brief review of chemical studies of the medicinal plant houpo].

This review deals with the advances in the study of chemical constituents and analytical methods of the medicinal plant Houpo.

[Determination of geniposide in fructus Gardeniae and its pharmaceutical preparations by HPLC].

A method for the determination of geniposide in Fructus Gardeniae was established by HPLC. HPLC conditions: column: TSK GEL LS-410, mobile phase: 0.05 mol/L Na2 HPO4-MeOH (80:20) (pH = 6.86). Quantitative determination was made using peak area. Samples of various parts of the plant and of different habitats together with their pharmaceutical preparations were analyzed.

Wogonin induces apoptosis and down-regulates survivin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by modulating PI3K-AKT pathway.

Wogonin, one of flavonoid compounds isolated from Chinese herbal plants Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been recognized as a potent anti-cancer agent acting through control of growth, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer activity remains to be further elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential role of wogonin in the induced-apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Wogonin was found to inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 in a concentration and time-dependent manner, notably wogonin could induce G1 phase arrest of MCF-7 cells. Wogonin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by a significant decrease of the Bcl-2 and survivin and increase of Bax and p53. Wogonin also increased active apoptosis forms of caspases-3, -8, -9 significantly. Z-DEVD-fmk, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, significantly inhibited wogonin-induced cell apoptosis. Wogonin also suppressed the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and induced phosphorylation of ERK. PD98059, a specific ERK inhibitor, significantly blocked wogonin-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor, significantly increased wogonin-induced cell apoptosis. Further study indicated that LY294002 not only down-regulated the expression of survivin alone, but also enhanced the inhibition of survivin expression combined with wogonin. In conclusion, the pro-apoptotic effect of wogonin is mediated through the activation of ERK and the activation of caspases, and is correlated with the block of the PI3K/Akt/survivin signal pathways in MCF-7 cells.