Comprehensive single-cell analysis deciphered microenvironmental dynamics and immune regulator olfactomedin 4 in pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Elucidating complex ecosystems and molecular features of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and benign gallbladder diseases is pivotal to proactive cancer prevention and optimal therapeutic intervention. DESIGN: We performed single-cell transcriptome analysis on 230 737 cells from 15 GBCs, 4 cholecystitis samples, 3 gallbladder polyps, 5 gallbladder adenomas and 16 adjacent normal tissues. Findings were validated through large-scale histological assays, digital spatial profiler multiplexed immunofluorescence (GeoMx), etc. Further molecular mechanism was demonstrated with in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS: The cell atlas unveiled an altered immune landscape across different pathological states of gallbladder diseases. GBC featured a more suppressive immune microenvironment with distinct T-cell proliferation patterns and macrophage attributions in different GBC subtypes. Notably, mutual exclusivity between stromal and immune cells was identified and remarkable stromal ecosystem (SC) heterogeneity during GBC progression was unveiled. Specifically, SC1 demonstrated active interaction between Fibro-iCAF and Endo-Tip cells, correlating with poor prognosis. Moreover, epithelium genetic variations within adenocarcinoma (AC) indicated an evolutionary similarity between adenoma and AC. Importantly, our study identified elevated olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) in epithelial cells as a central player in GBC progression. OLFM4 was related to T-cell malfunction and tumour-associated macrophage infiltration, leading to a worse prognosis in GBC. Further investigations revealed that OLFM4 upregulated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through the MAPK-AP1 axis, facilitating tumour cell immune evasion. CONCLUSION: These findings offer a valuable resource for understanding the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases and indicate OLFM4 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for GBC.

Legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation require interaction of DnaJ-like protein and lipid transfer protein.

The lipid transport protein (LTP) product of the AsE246 gene of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) contributes to the transport of plant-synthesized lipids to the symbiosome membranes (SMs) that are required for nodule organogenesis in this legume. However, the mechanisms used by nodule-specific LTPs remain unknown. In this study, a functional protein in the DnaJ-like family, designated AsDJL1, was identified and shown to interact with AsE246. Immunofluorescence showed that AsDJL1 was expressed in infection threads (ITs) and in nodule cells and that it co-localized with rhizobium, and an immunoelectron microscopy assay localized the protein to SMs. Via co-transformation into Nicotiana benthamiana cells, AsDJL1 and AsE246 displayed subcellular co-localization in the cells of this heterologous host. Co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that AsDJL1 interacted with AsE246 in nodules. The essential interacting region of AsDJL1 was determined to be the zinc finger domain at its C-terminus. Chinese milk vetch plants transfected with AsDJL1-RNAi had significantly decreased numbers of ITs, nodule primordia and nodules as well as reduced (by 83%) nodule nitrogenase activity compared with the controls. By contrast, AsDJL1 overexpression led to increased nodule fresh weight and nitrogenase activity. RNAi-AsDJL1 also significantly affected the abundance of lipids, especially digalactosyldiacylglycerol, in early-infected roots and transgenic nodules. Taken together, the results of this study provide insights into the symbiotic functions of AsDJL1, which may participate in lipid transport to SMs and play an essential role in rhizobial infection and nodule organogenesis.

Novel biomarker genes for the prediction of post-hepatectomy survival of patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease related hepatocellular carcinoma (NAFLD-HCC) are rapidly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to identify biomarker genes for prognostic prediction model of NAFLD-HCC hepatectomy by integrating text-mining, clinical follow-up information, transcriptomic data and experimental validation. METHODS: The tumor and adjacent normal liver samples collected from 13 NAFLD-HCC and 12 HBV-HCC patients were sequenced using RNA-Seq. A novel text-mining strategy, explainable gene ontology fingerprint approach, was utilized to screen NAFLD-HCC featured gene sets and cell types, and the results were validated through a series of lab experiments. A risk score calculated by the multivariate Cox regression model using discovered key genes was established and evaluated based on 47 patients' follow-up information. RESULTS: Differentially expressed genes associated with NAFLD-HCC specific tumor microenvironment were screened, of which FABP4 and VWF were featured by previous reports. A risk prediction model consisting of FABP4, VWF, gender and TNM stage were then established based on 47 samples. The model showed that overall survival in the high-risk score group was lower compared with that in the low-risk score group (p = 0.0095). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided the landscape of NAFLD-HCC transcriptome, and elucidated that our model could predict hepatectomy prognosis with high accuracy.

Diagnostic ultrasound-mediated microbubble cavitation dose-dependently improves diabetic cardiomyopathy through angiogenesis.

Ultrasound-mediated microbubble cavitation (UMMC) induces therapeutic angiogenesis to treat ischemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether diagnostic UMMC alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and, if so, through which mechanisms. DCM model was established by injecting streptozocin into rats to induce hyperglycemia, followed by a high-fat diet. The combined therapy of cation microbubble with low-intensity diagnostic ultrasound (frequency = 4 MHz), with a pulse frequency of 20 Hz and pulse length (PL) of 8, 18, 26, or 36 cycles, was given to rats twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Diagnostic UMMC therapy with PL at 8, 18, and 26 cycles, but not 36 cycles, dramatically prevented myocardial fibrosis, improved heart functions, and increased angiogenesis, accompanied by increased levels of PI3K, Akt, and eNOS proteins in the DCM model of rats. In cultured endothelial cells, low-intensity UMMC treatment (PL = 3 cycles, sound pressure level = 50%, mechanical index = 0.82) increased cell viability and activated PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling. The combination of diagnostic ultrasound with microbubble destruction dose-dependently promoted angiogenesis, thus improving heart function through PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling in diabetes. Accordingly, diagnostic UMMC therapy should be considered to protect the heart in patients with diabetes.

Structurally Diverse Diterpenes from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum.

The present investigation of the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum resulted in the discovery of six new polyoxygenated diterpenes, namely sartrocheliols A-E (1, 3, 5-8) along with four known ones, 2, 4, 9, and 10. Based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis, sartrocheliol A (1) was identified as an uncommon capnosane diterpene, while sartrocheliols B-E (3, 5-8) were established as cembrane diterpenes. They displayed diverse structural features not only at the distinctly different carbon frameworks but also at the various types of heterocycles, including the epoxide, γ-lactone, furan, and pyran rings. Moreover, their absolute configurations were determined by a combination of quantum mechanical-nuclear magnetic resonance (QM-NMR) approach, modified Mosher's method, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In the anti-tumor bioassay, compound 4 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against A549, H1975, MDA-MB-231, and H1299 cells with the IC50 values ranging from 26.3 to 47.9 µM.

Antitumor Cembrane Diterpenoids from the South China Sea Soft Coral Lobophytum sp.

Two new highly functionalized cembrane diterpenoids named ximaolobophytolides A (1) and B (2) as minor components, together with seven related known compounds (3-9), have been isolated and identified from the Ximao soft coral Lobophytum sp. They were characterized by the presence of an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. Based on the comprehensive analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, the absolute configurations of these two new compounds were elucidated by the combination of quantum mechanical (QM)-NMR and time-dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculation approaches. In the anti-tumor bioassays, compounds 3-9 showed moderate to significant inhibitory effects (IC50 values ranging from 29.66 to 0.39 µM) against the proliferations of five tumor cells HEL, A549, H1975, MDA-MB-231, and H1299. It might be worthy to point out that compounds 4, 7, and 8 exhibited better anti-tumor activities than that of the positive control Doxorubicin.

Relationships among patient activation, social support and online health information seeking of community-dwelling older adults living with coronary heart disease.

AIMS: To explore the relationship between patient activation (subjective initiative of patients to participate in disease management in self-health care), social support, self-efficacy and online health information seeking among older patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and survey-based design. METHODS: A total of 451 older patients with coronary heart disease were recruited from July to November 2021 from four communities in Qingdao, China. We collected data using the Patient Activation Measure, Social Support Rating Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale and Online Health Information Seeking Scale. We performed structural equation modelling to analyse the data. RESULTS: The final model showed good model fit. Patient activation influenced online health information seeking directly (ß  = .39, p < .05) and indirectly through self-efficacy (ß  = .17, p < .05). Social support influenced online health information seeking directly (ß  = .23, p < .05) and indirectly through self-efficacy (ß  = .03, p < .05). Self-efficacy directly influenced online health information seeking (ß  = .26, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We identified the interrelationships of patient activation, social support and self-efficacy and their influence on the online health information seeking of older patients with coronary heart disease. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for developing and evaluating interventions to enhance online health information seeking for older patients with coronary heart disease. IMPACT: These findings add a better understanding of the relationship between patient activation, social support, self-efficacy and online health information seeking in older patients with coronary heart disease, and help community health workers to intervene in the early stage of disease diagnosis.

Single-Component White Light Emission from a Metal-Coordinated Cyclotriveratrylene-Based Coordination Polymer.

A coordination polymer, namely, [Cd3L(H2O)3]·DMA·4H2O (1) (DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide), was prepared by the solvothermal reaction of cyclotriveratrylene-based ligand 5,6,12,13,19,20-hexacarboxy-methoxy-cyclotriveratrylene (H6L) and Cd(NO3)2·4H2O. In 1, a two-dimensional structure was constructed by the connection of hexanuclear Cd-O clusters and L6- anions. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that 1 displayed tunable photoluminescence through the variation of the excitation wavelength. Significantly, the white light emission of 1 can be observed with a broad excitation wavelength range from 320 to 385 nm. When 1 is excited by 385 nm light, its chromatic coordinate is (0.29, 0.34), which is located very close to the pure white light region (0.33, 0.33). Meanwhile, the color temperature (CCT) is 7994 K, which corresponds well to "cold" white light.

Citronellal alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis via Na+ /H+ exchanger-1 inhibition.

The medical usage of Doxorubicin (DOX) as a chemotherapeutic agent is restricted owing to its cardiotoxic properties. This study was designed to explore the effect and underlying mechanisms of Citronellal (CT) on DOX-related cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into six groups: control, DOX, CT, Lithium chloride (LiCl) (a Na+/H+exchanger-1 [NHE1] activator), DOX + CT, and DOX + CT + LiCl. To induce cardiotoxicity, a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg DOX was intraperitoneally injected into rats. CT (150 mg/kg) and LiCl (1 mg/kg) were given daily by oral gavage for 6 weeks. CT improved cardiac functional parameters and attenuated the cardiac pathological changes induced by DOX. Further study indicated that CT administration regulated the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related factors and in myocardial tissues, reducing cell per-oxidative damage and apoptosis. Besides this, CT attenuated DOX-induced NHE1 upregulation, and the preventive effects of CT against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were abrogated by the concurrent administration of LiCl. These results demonstrate that CT could ameliorate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the NHE1-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis in rats.

Influences of post-implementation factors on the sustainability, sustainment, and intra-organizational spread of complex interventions.

BACKGROUND: Complex interventions are increasingly applied to healthcare problems. Understanding of post-implementation sustainment, sustainability, and spread of interventions is limited. We examine these phenomena for a complex quality improvement initiative led by care aides in 7 care homes (long-term care homes) in Manitoba, Canada. We report on factors influencing these phenomena two years after implementation. METHODS: Data were collected in 2019 via small group interviews with unit- and care home-level managers (n = 11) from 6 of the 7 homes using the intervention. Interview participants discussed post-implementation factors that influenced continuing or abandoning core intervention elements (processes, behaviors) and key intervention benefits (outcomes, impact). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Sustainment of core elements and sustainability of key benefits were observed in 5 of the 6 participating care homes. Intra-unit intervention spread occurred in 3 of 6 homes. Factors influencing sustainment, sustainability, and spread related to intervention teams, unit and care home, and the long-term care system. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute understanding on the importance of micro-, meso-, and macro-level factors to sustainability of key benefits and sustainment of some core processes. Inter-unit spread relates exclusively to meso-level factors of observability and practice change institutionalization. Interventions should be developed with post-implementation sustainability in mind and measures taken to protect against influences such as workforce instability and competing internal and external demands. Design should anticipate need to adapt interventions to strengthen post-implementation traction.

Transcriptome analysis of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) head kidney and liver reveals immune mechanism in response to Vibrio anguillarum infection.

The diseases triggered by Vibrio anguillarum infection have created huge economic losses to the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) farming industry. However, the immune mechanism of turbot to V. anguillarum infection has not been deeply investigated. To better understand the immune response of turbot to V. anguillarum infection, transcriptome analysis of the head kidney and liver of turbot was performed. A total of 15,948 and 11,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the turbot head kidney and liver, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the head kidney and liver of turbot have some differences in the gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of the DEGs for the different functions of these two organs. Although there are many uncertain factors in this immune process, such as the occurrence of alternative splicing (AS) events and the differences in the protein structure of the DEGs, the NFκB signalling pathway, MKK-dependent AP-1 activation, JAK-STAT signalling pathway, the signal transmission of MHC Ⅰ and a series of DEGs including HSP90 driving NLRP3 to produce inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, IL-8, TNFα, etc.) were possible important immune response pathways for turbot to V. anguillarum infection. Overall, our research has conducted a preliminary exploration of the immune mechanism of turbot in response to V. anguillarum infection.

Relationships among social support, self-efficacy, and patient activation in community-dwelling older adults living with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether social support indirectly influences patient activation through self-efficacy in older adults living with coronary heart disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Older patients (n=451) from four communities in the city of Qingdao completed a questionnaire survey. We conducted multiple linear regression models and bootstrap testing to assess the relationships among social support, self-efficacy, and patient activation. RESULTS: Patient activation was positively correlated with social support (r = 0.524, P < 0.01) and with self-efficacy (r = 0.740, P < 0.01). The of social support had indirect positive effect on patient activation through self-efficacy and the effect was 58.8%. CONCLUSIONS: We identified the critical role of social support and self-efficacy for the activation of community-dwelling older patients living with coronary heart disease. Our findings provide essential knowledge for developing and evaluating effective interventions to promote patient activation and enhance self-management of coronary heart disease.

Nursing home residents' perspectives on their social relationships.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore nursing home residents' perspectives on their relationships with other residents, family members and staff. BACKGROUND: The cultivation of social relationships is central to promoting well-being in nursing homes, as these relationships allow residents, family members and staff to be valued as unique persons and empowered as partners in care. Few studies have examined how nursing home residents perceive the relationships in their social networks, both within and beyond the facility. DESIGN: Qualitative secondary analysis. METHODS: We analysed individual and group interviews obtained during "stakeholder engagement sessions" with cognitively intact residents (N = 11 sessions; N = 13 participants) from two nursing homes in North Carolina. The interviews were conducted as part of a larger study on person-directed care planning. We integrated thematic and narrative analytic approaches to guide the analysis of interview data, using a three-cycle coding approach. The COREQ checklist was followed. RESULTS: Four broad themes emerged from this analysis: (a) peer relationships foster a sense of belonging, purpose, achievement and significance; (b) residents' relationships with family members support a sense of belonging, continuity and significance; (c) mutual respect and reciprocity between residents and nursing home staff promote a sense of belonging and significance; and (d) organisational factors pose barriers to forging meaningful relationships. Each type of relationship-peer, family and staff-made distinctive contributions residents' psychosocial well-being. CONCLUSION: Recognising the diverse roles of different actors from residents' social networks raises questions for future research to optimise the distinctive contributions of network members that promote residents' psychosocial well-being. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the need for nursing home staff to understand how residents' social relationships influence residents' psychosocial outcomes. Staff training programmes are needed to support residents' rights and to dispel inaccurate interpretations of regulations that threaten sustained meaningful relationships.

Circular RNA circPIP5K1A promotes non-small cell lung cancer proliferation and metastasis through miR-600/HIF-1α regulation.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have an important function in human diseases, especially in cancer. circRNA hsa_circ_0014130 (circPIP5K1A), a particularly abundant circRNA, participates in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although the underlying regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated the circPIP5K1A role in NSCLC. Expression of circPIP5K1A in NSCLC cell lines was explored with quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of circPIP5K1A on NSCLC was evaluated with circPIP5K1A silencing, miR-600 mimic transfection, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α overexpression, followed by assessment of cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis in nude mice. The subcellular localization of circPIP5K1A was evaluated via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and correlation between circPIP5K1A, miR-600, and HIF-1α was assessed by luciferase assay. The data demonstrated that circPIP5K1A expression was increased in NSCLC cells. FISH showed that circPIP5K1A localized to the cytoplasm. The circPIP5K1A knockdown suppressed NSCLC cell metastasis and proliferation by promoting expression of miR-600. Overexpression of miR-600 inhibited HIF-1α-mediated metastasis and proliferation of NSCLC cell by downregulating the endothelial mesenchymal transition-related proteins, Snail and vimentin, and upregulating E-cadherin. In vivo experiments illustrated that circPIP5K1A silence suppressed tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis. The circPIP5K1A may function as an miR-600 sponge to facilitate NSCLC proliferation and metastasis by promoting HIF-1α. A bifluorescein reporter experiment confirmed that miR-600 was the circPIP5K1A target, and miR-600 interacted with the 3' untranslated region of HIF-1α. These results show that circPIP5K1A acted as a tumor promoter through a novel circPIP5K1A/miR-600/HIF-1α axis, which provides candidate markers and therapeutic targets for NSCLC.

In Situ Tracking of Organic Reactions at the Vapor/Liquid Interfaces of Ionic Liquids.

The molecular structures of ionic liquids at interfaces play a crucial role in determining their chemical activities in applications. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to track the evolution of X-ray irradiation-induced chemical reactions in a series of ionic liquids ([Cn mim][AuCl4 ]; n=4, 6, 8, 10) on the Si (111) single-crystal surface. Analyses of microstructure and chemical bonding based on the XPS results indicated that reactions occurred at the vapor/liquid interfaces of the ionic liquids. The time-resolved XPS spectra revealed that with increasing irradiation time, the intensity of the peak corresponding to trivalent Au anion decreased for the four ionic liquids as Au was continually reduced to a lower chemical state and finally converted to gold nanoparticles. The rate and conversion of the reaction were associated with the length of the alkyl chain of the ionic liquids cation. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed that the alkyl chain of the cation in the ionic liquids was oriented towards the vacuum environment at the vapor/liquid interface. Our results provide a real-time atomic-scale experimental evidence of organic reactions at the vapor/liquid interfaces of ionic liquids. The findings are important for understanding the roles of ionic liquids in catalysis, separation, electrochemistry, functional materials, and so on.

One-Pot Sequential [3 + 3] Dipolar Cycloaddition of Aldehyde or Ketone and Hydroxylamine with Spirocyclopropyl Oxindole.

A Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed highly diastereoselective one-pot sequential [3 + 3] dipolar cycloaddition reaction of aldehyde or ketone, N-alkyl hydroxylamine, and spirocyclopropyl oxindole is developed, allowing facile construction of spirocyclic oxindole-tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines with sufficient structural diversity. The corresponding catalytic enantioselective one-pot protocol of aldehydes is also reported, affording the desired adducts in up to 97% ee. The biological evaluation of selected oxindole-based spirocyclic tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines revealed that they exerted cytotoxic effects on human prostate cancer cells with the capacity to inhibit NFκB signaling in prostate cancer cells.

Resident challenges with daily life in Chinese long-term care facilities: A qualitative pilot study.

As traditional family-based care in China declines, the demand for residential care increases. Knowledge of residents' experiences with long-term care (LTC) facilities is essential to improving quality of care. This pilot study aimed to describe residents' experiences in LTC facilities, particularly as it related to physical function. Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted in two facilities with residents stratified by three functional levels (n = 5). Directed content analysis was guided by the Adaptive Leadership Framework. A two-cycle coding approach was used with a first-cycle descriptive coding and second-cycle dramaturgical coding. Interviews provided examples of challenges faced by residents in meeting their daily care needs. Five themes emerged: staff care, care from family members, physical environment, other residents in the facility, and personal strategies. Findings demonstrate the significance of organizational context for care quality and reveal foci for future research.

Theoretically unraveling the separation of Am(iii)/Eu(iii): insights from mixed N,O-donor ligands with variations of central heterocyclic moieties.

With the fast development of nuclear energy, the issue related to spent nuclear fuel reprocessing has been regarded as an imperative task, especially for the separation of minor actinides. In fact, it still remains a worldwide challenge to separate trivalent An(iii) from Ln(iii) because of their similar chemical properties. Therefore, understanding the origin of extractant selectivity for the separation of An(iii)/Ln(iii) by using theoretical methods is quite necessary. In this work, three ligands with similar structures but different bridging frameworks, Et-Tol-DAPhen (La), Et-Tol-BPyDA (Lb) and Et-Tol-PyDA (Lc), have been investigated and compared using relativistic density functional theory. The electrostatic potential and molecular orbitals of the ligands indicate that ligand La is a better electron donor compared to ligands Lb and Lc. The results of QTAIM, NOCV and NBO suggest that the Am-N bonds in the studied complexes have more covalent character compared to the Eu-N bonds. Based on the thermodynamic analysis, [M(NO3)(H2O)8]2+ + L + 2NO3- = [ML(NO3)3] + 8H2O should be the most probable reaction in the solvent extraction system. Our results clearly verify that the relatively harder oxygen atoms offer these ligands higher coordination affinities toward both of the An(iii) and Ln(iii) ions compared to the relatively softer nitrogen atoms. However, the latter possess stronger affinities toward An(iii) over Ln(iii), which partly results in the selectivity of these ligands. This work can afford useful information on achieving efficient An(iii)/Ln(iii) separation through tuning the structural rigidity and hardness or softness of the functional moieties of the ligands.

Trichosanthin attenuates vascular injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia following balloon catheter injury in rats.

Trichosanthin (TCS), isolated from the root tuber of Trichosantheskirilowii, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, was found to exhibit numerous biological and pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory. However, the effects of TCS on arterial injury induced neointimal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration remains poorly understood. The aim of study was to examine the effectiveness of TCS on arterial injury-mediated inflammatory processes and underlying mechanisms. A balloon-injured carotid artery induced injury in vivo in rats was established as a model of vascular injury. After 1 day TCS at 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally, daily for 14 days. Subsequently, the carotid artery was excised and taken for immunohistochemical staining. Data showed that TCS significantly dose-dependently reduced balloon injury-induced neointima formation in the carotid artery model rat, accompanied by markedly decreased positive expression percentage proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In the in vitro study vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were cultured, proliferation stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) (20 ng/ml) and TCS at 1, 2, or 4 µM added. Data demonstrated that TCS inhibited proliferation and cell cycle progression of VSMC induced by PDGF-BB. Further, TCS significantly lowered mRNA expression of cyclinD1, cyclinE1, and c-fos, and protein expression levels of Akt1, Akt2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK (ERK1) signaling pathway mediated by PDGF-BB. These findings indicate that TCS inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by vascular injury in rats by suppression of VSMC proliferation and migration, which may involve inhibition of Akt/MAPK/ERK signal pathway.

Comparing Different Weights to Construct Composite Indicators of Maternal and Child's Basic Health Services from the Prospective of Continuum of Care:Based on Data from the National Health Services Survey 2008 and 2013 in Jilin Province.

Objective To construct composite indicators of maternal and child's basic health services using different weights from the prospective of continuum of care and to compare them based on data from the National Health Services Survey 2008 and 2013 in Jilin Province. Methods The study selected indicators based on the countdown and the Lives Saved Tool(LiST),considering the data availability from the 2008 and 2013 National Health Surveys in Jilin.Equal weights,equal weights for different areas,epidemiology weights,and principal component weights were used to construct different composite indicators.Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was used to test the internal consistency.Analysis of variance of randomized block design was used to test the differences.The Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to compare the rank correlation.The maternal mortality,children under 5 years old mortality rate,and children under 5 years old stunting incidence were used as the outcome indicators to test the validity using correlation analysis. Results Finally 13 indicators were selected,with the Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient value exceeding 0.7,which means acceptable internal consistency of these indicators.Analysis of variance showed that the scores were not significantly the same(F=8.14,P<0.01).The rank correlations among equal weights,principal component weights,and equal weights for different areas composite indicators were quite strong,and the Spearman's correlation coefficient between either two were all above 0.9,while the epidemiology weights composite indicator got smaller Spearman's correlation coefficient with equal weights,principal component weights,and equal weights for different areas composite indicators(0.697,0.671,and 0.818,respectively).The composite indicator using epidemiology weights showed significant negative correlation with children under 5 years old mortality rate and children under 5 years old stunting incidence(R2=0.168,P<0.05;R2=0.398,P<0.01,respectively).The composite indicators using equal weights,equal weights for different areas and principal component weights only showed significant negative correlation with children under 5 years old stunting incidence(R2=0.238,R2=0.304,R2=0.232,P<0.01 for all,respectively).Conclusion The composite indicator using epidemiology objective weights has some predictive value for maternal and child health outcomes.