The egg ribonuclease SjCP1412 accelerates liver fibrosis caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection involving damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Schistosomiasis, a parasite infectious disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum, often leads to egg granuloma and fibrosis due to the inflammatory reaction triggered by egg antigens released in the host liver. This study focuses on the role of the egg antigens CP1412 protein of S. japonicum (SjCP1412) with RNase activity in promoting liver fibrosis. In this study, the recombinant egg ribonuclease SjCP1412, which had RNase activity, was successfully prepared. By analysing the serum of the population, it has been proven that the anti-SjCP1412 IgG in the serum of patients with advanced schistosomiasis was moderately correlated with liver fibrosis, and SjCP1412 may be an important antigen associated with liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. In vitro, the rSjCP1412 protein induced the human liver cancer cell line Hep G2 and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells apoptosis and necrosis and the release of proinflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In mice infected with schistosomes, rSjCP1412 immunization or antibody neutralization of SjCP1412 activity significantly reduced cell apoptosis and necroptosis in liver tissue, thereby reducing inflammation and liver fibrosis. In summary, the SjCP1412 protein plays a crucial role in promoting liver fibrosis during schistosomiasis through mediating the liver cells apoptosis and necroptosis to release DAMPs inducing an inflammatory reaction. Blocking SjCP1412 activity could inhibit its proapoptotic and necrotic effects and alleviate hepatic fibrosis. These findings suggest that SjCP1412 may be served as a promising drug target for managing liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis japonica.

Programmed cell death in hepatic fibrosis: current and perspectives.

The initiation, development and resolution of hepatic fibrosis are influenced by various cytokines, chemokines, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and signaling pathways. A significant number of studies in recent years have indicated that the progression of hepatic fibrosis is closely linked to programmed cell death processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and PANoptosis. Inducement of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) death or preventing death in other liver cells can delay or even reverse hepatic fibrosis. Nevertheless, the roles of programmed cell death in hepatic fibrosis have not been reviewed. Therefore, this review summarizes the characteristics of various of hepatic fibrosis and programmed cell death, focuses on the latest progress of programmed cell death in the promotion and regression of hepatic fibrosis, and highlights the different roles of the programmed cell death of HSCs and other liver cells in hepatic fibrosis. In the end, the possible therapeutic approaches targeting programmed cell death for treating hepatic fibrosis are discussed and prospected.

Factors influencing the enzymatic hydrolysis of soy molasses into fermentation feedstock.

Soybean processing generates huge amounts of soy molasses that can support biorefinery but require development of waste-to-value conversion technologies. Here, soy molasses processing by Aspergillus niger enzymes was studied to optimize the conversion of oligosaccharides to monomeric sugars as ready fermentation feedstock. The effects of pH and temperature were first investigated using fixed enzyme composition and loading. pH, in the tested 3.0-6.5 range, significantly affected hydrolysis particularly in galactose release. The hydrolysis was fastest at pH 4.8 and 60 °C although the 48-h sugar (glucose, fructose, and galactose) yields were similar at pH 4.8 and 5.7, and 50 and 60 °C. Study was next made at these favorable pH and temperatures using different enzyme compositions and loadings. Glucose and fructose were effectively released, reaching ∼100 % yields in 24-48 h by most of the enzymes and loadings evaluated. Galactose production was less effective and varied significantly with the pH-temperature condition and enzyme loading and composition. Mechanistic evaluation suggested formation and accumulation of galactose disaccharide, whose slow hydrolysis was rate-limiting in the systems with complete glucose and fructose releases but low galactose yields. Model equations were developed to describe the kinetic sugar-release profiles and make technoeconomic analysis, which showed that a process of lower enzyme loading, while requiring longer duration, is more economical within the analyzed range of 5-50 (U α-galactosidase/g molasses). With 5 (U/g) loading, the total cost is about 30 % lower at 60 °C-pH 5.7 than 50 °C-pH 4.8. The α-galactosidase-to-sucrase ratio plays a less significant role in affecting the overall process cost.

Effect of orbital decompression on choroidal thickness in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the effect of orbital decompression on the central macular choroidal thickness(CMCT)in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHOD: Prospective clinical studies. A total of 29 TAO patients(42 eyes)treated in our department from January 2021 to January 2022 were analyzed, and they were divided into 20 cases(30 eyes)in the moderate and severe group and 9 cases(12 eyes)in the extremely severe group. Both groups of patients received orbital decompression, and the changes of CMCT, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, exophthalmos, and clinical activity score(CAS)at 3 and 6mo before and after surgery were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: All patients completed follow-up. The CMCT, exophthalmos, intraocular pressure, and CAS of the extremely severe group at 3 and 6mo were 355.13±15.59 and 339.61±13.17μm, 19.33±2.23 and 17.83±1.70mm, 18.86±3.05 and 18.09±1.37mmHg, 3.75±0.87 and 2.42±1.00 points, respectively. The moderate and severe group was 325.00±10.48 and 321.04±11.34μm, 16.07±1.74 and 15.6±1.98mm, 16.65±2.04 and 16.03±2.3mmHg, 1.50±0.51 and 1.43±0.50 points, and there was differences with those before operation(extremely severe group: 396.46±17.61μm, 22.00±2.3mm, 21.85±2.82mmHg, 5.33±1.44 points; moderate and severe group: 335.77±11.60μm, 19.07±1.84mm, 18.89±3.06mmHg, 1.63±0.49 points; all P<0.001). The best corrected visual acuity(LogMAR)before surgery was 0.64±0.22 in the extremely severe group, and 0.43±0.20 and 0.34±0.15 at 3 and 6mo after operation, respectively, which were different from those before surgery(all P<0.001)CONCLUSION: Orbital decompression can effectively reduce CMCT, intraocular pressure and exophthalmos in TAO patients, relieve orbital vein stasis, and effectively improve vision and reduce mobility in patients with extremely severe disease.

A Study on the Dynamic Tunning Range of CVD Graphene at Microwave Frequency: Determination, Prediction and Application.

In recent years, graphene has shown great application prospects in tunable microwave devices due to its tunable conductivity. However, the electromagnetic (EM) properties of graphene, especially the dynamic tunning characteristics, are largely dependent on experimental results, and thus are unable to be effectively predicted according to growth parameters, which causes great difficulties in the design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices. In this work, we systematically explored the impact of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) parameters on the dynamic tunning range of graphene. Firstly, through improving the existing waveguide method, the dynamic tunning range of graphene can be measured more accurately. Secondly, a direct mathematical model between growth parameters and the tunning range of graphene is established. Through this, one can easily obtain needed growth parameters for the desired tunning range of graphene. As a verification, a frequency tunable absorber prototype is designed and tested. The good agreement between simulation and experimental results shows the reliability of our mathematic model in the rapid design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices.

Stretchable and self-healable spoof plasmonic meta-waveguide for wearable wireless communication system.

Microwave transmission lines in wearable systems are easily damaged after frequent mechanical deformation, posing a severe threat to wireless communication. Here, we report a new strategy to achieve stretchable microwave transmission lines with superior reliability and durability by integrating a self-healable elastomer with serpentine-geometry plasmonic meta-waveguide to support the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP). After mechanical damage, the self-healable elastomer can autonomously repair itself to maintain the electromagnetic performance and mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the specially designed SSPP structure exhibits excellent stability and damage resistance. Even if the self-healing process has not been completed or the eventual repair effect is not ideal, the spoof plasmonic meta-waveguide can still maintain reliable performance. Self-healing material enhances strength and durability, while the SSPP improves stability and gives more tolerance to the self-healing process. Our design coordinates the structural design with material synthesis to maximize the advantages of the SSPP and self-healing material, significantly improving the reliability and durability of stretchable microwave transmission lines. We also perform communication quality experiments to demonstrate the potential of the proposed meta-waveguide as interconnects in future body area network systems.

Advanced strategies for production of soy-processing enzyme.

Enzyme production is critical and often costly for biorefinery. It is challenging to produce enzymes with not only high titers but also proper combinations of all required activities in a single fermentation. This work aimed at improving productivity and composition of the multiple enzyme activities required for hydrolysis of complex soybean carbohydrate in a single fermentation. A previously selected Aspergillus niger strain was used for its high carbohydrases and low protease production. Strategies of fed-batch substrate addition and programmed pH-decrease rates were evaluated. Cheap soybean hull (SH) was confirmed to induce production of all necessary carbohydrases. Surprisingly, fed-batch SH addition, originally thought to sustain substrate-inducer availability and reduce feedback repression by sugars, did not increase pectinase and cellulase production significantly and even lowered the α-galactosidase production, when compared with batch fermentation having the same total SH amount (all added initially). On the other hand, the pH-decrease rate could be effectively optimized for production of complex enzyme mixtures. The best fermentation was programmed to lower pH from 7 to 4 in 84 h, at a drop rate of .0357 per h. It produced the highest pectinase (19.1 ± .04 U/mL), α-galactosidase (15.7 ± .4 U/mL), and cellulase (.88 ± .06 FPU/mL). Producing these high enzyme activities in a single fermentation significantly improves the effectiveness and economics of enzymatic soy processing, which, e.g., can hydrolyze the 30%-35% carbohydrate in soybean meal to sugars, with minimal protein degradation, to generate high-value protein-rich products and a hydrolysate as fermentation feedstock.

Patient experience in the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery strategy after radical gastric cancer surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the experience of patients in the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) strategy after radical gastrectomy and the factors affecting the treatment experience. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out. Patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer by pathology and underwent radical gastrectomy at the Xijing Digestive Disease Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were consecutively enrolled. Those who received emergency surgery, residual gastric cancer surgery, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, non-curative tumor resection, intraperitoneal metastasis, or other malignant tumors were excluded. Patients' expectation and experience during implementation were investigated by questionnaires. The questionnaire included three main parts: patients' expectation for ERAS, patients' experience during the ERAS implementation, and patients' outcomes within 30 days after discharge. The items on the expectation and experience were ranked from 0 to 10 by patients, which indicated to be unsatisfied/unimportant and satisfied/important respectively. According to their attitudes towards the ERAS strategy, patients were divided into the support group and the reject group. Patients' expectation and experience of hospital stay, and the clinical outcomes within 30 days after discharge were compared between the two groups. Categorical data were reported as number with percentage and the quantitative data were reported as mean with standard deviation, or where appropriate, as the median with interquartile range (Q1, Q3). Categorical data were compared using the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, where appropriate. For continuous data, Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used. Complication was classified according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: Of the included 112 patients (88 males and 24 females), aged (57.8±10.0) years, 35 patients (31.3%) were in the support group and 77 (68.7%) in the reject group. Anxiety was detected in 56.2% (63/112) of the patients with score >8. The admission education during the ERAS implementation improved the patients' cognitions of the ERAS strategy [M(Q1, Q3) score: 8 (4, 10) vs. 2 (0, 5), Z=-7.130, P<0.001]. The expected hospital stay of patients was longer than the actual stay [7 (7, 10) days vs. 6 (6, 7) days, Z=-4.800, P<0.001]. During the ERAS implementation, patients had low score in early mobilization [3 (1, 6)] and early oral intake [5 (2.25, 8)]. Fifty-eight (51.8%) patients planned the ERAS implementation at home after discharge, while 32.1% (36/112) preferred to stay in hospital until they felt totally recovered. Compared with the reject group, the support group had shorter expected hospital stay [7 (6, 10) days vs. 10 (7, 15) days, Z=-2.607, P=0.009], and higher expected recovery-efficiency score [9 (8, 10) vs. 7(5, 9), Z=-3.078, P=0.002], lower expected less-pain score [8 (6, 10) vs. 6 (5, 9) days, Z=-1.996, P=0.046], expected faster recovery of physical strength score [8 (6, 10) vs. 6 (4, 9), Z=-2.200, P=0.028] and expected less drainage tube score [8 (8, 10) vs. 8 (5, 10), Z=-2.075, P=0.038]. Worrying about complications (49.1%) and self-recognition of not recovery (46.4%) were the major concerns when assessing the experience toward ERAS. During the follow-up, 105 patients received follow-up calls. There were 57.1% (60/105) of patients who experienced a variety of discomforts after discharge, including pain (28.6%), bloating (20.0%), nausea (12.4%), fatigue (7.6%), and fever (2.9%). Within 30 days after discharge, 6.7% (7/105) of patients developed Clavien-Dindo level I and II operation-associated complications, including poor wound healing, intestinal obstruction, intraperitoneal bleeding, and wound infection, all of which were cured by conservative treatment. There were no complications of level III or above in the whole group after surgery. Compared with the support group, more patients in the reject group reported that they had not yet achieved self-expected recovery when discharged [57.1% (44/77) vs. 22.9% (8/35), χ2=11.372, P<0.001], and expected to return to their daily lives [39.0% (30/77) vs. 8.6% (3/35), χ2=10.693, P<0.001], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Only 52.4% (55/105) of patients returned home to continue rehabilitation, and the remaining patients chose to go to other hospitals to continue their hospitalization after discharge, with a median length of stay of 7 (7, 9) days. Compared with the reject group, the support group had a higher proportion of home rehabilitation [59.7% (12/33) vs. 36.4% (43/72), χ2=4.950, P=0.026], and shorter time of self-perceived postoperative full recovery [14 (10, 20) days vs. 15 (14, 20) days, Z=2.100, P=0.036], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Although ERAS has promoted postoperative rehabilitation while ensuring surgical safety, it has not been unanimously recognized by patients. Adequate rehabilitation education, good analgesia, good physical recovery, and early removal of drainage tubes may improve the patient's experience of ERAS.

Repulsive Guidance Molecule-a and Central Nervous System Diseases.

Repulsive guidance molecule-a (RGMa) is a member of glycosylphosphatidylinositol- (GPI-) anchored protein family, which has axon guidance function and is widely involved in the development and pathological processes of the central nervous system (CNS). On the one hand, the binding of RGMa and its receptor Neogenin can regulate axonal guidance, differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons, and the survival of these cells; on the other hand, RGMa can inhibit functional recovery of CNS by inhibiting axonal growth. A number of studies have shown that RGMa may be involved in the pathogenesis of CNS diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum diseases, cerebral infarction, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Targeting RGMa can enhance the functional recovery of CNS, so it may become a promising target for the treatment of CNS diseases. This article will comprehensively review the research progression of RGMa in various CNS diseases up to date.

Application of phagotrophic algae in waste activated sludge conversion and stabilization.

Phagotrophic algae can consume bacteria that are the predominant microorganisms present in the waste activated sludge (WAS) generated from municipal wastewater treatment processes. In this study, we developed a combined ultrasonication-phagotrophic algal process for WAS conversion. The ultrasonic pretreatment released small volatile solids (VS) including bacteria from WAS flocs. A phagotrophic alga Ochromonas danica then grew by consuming more than 80% of the released VS, with approximately 30% (w/w) algal cell yield. The process reduced the overall WAS VS by 42.4% in 1 day, comparing very favorably with the 27% reduction in 10 days by aerobic digestion. For stabilizing the solids remaining from the ultrasonic step, the total oxygen uptake required was 65%-92% lower than that for the original WAS, indicating substantially reduced aeration cost. Overall, this novel process enhanced the WAS digestion at lower energy requirements and produced microalgae for other potential uses. © 2021 Water Environment Federation PRACTITIONER POINTS: At least 80% of released VS from WAS can be processed by phagotrophic algae. Significant amounts of algae can be produced from WAS. Ultrasonication-phagotrophic algal process can make sludge management more sustainable.

Natural ingredients from Chinese materia medica for pulmonary hypertension / 中国天然药物

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe pathophysiological condition characterized by pulmonary artery remodeling and continuous increases in pulmonary artery pressure, which may eventually develop to right heart failure and death. Although newly discovered and incredible treatment strategies in recent years have improved the prognosis of PH, limited types of effective and economical drugs for PH still makes it as a life-threatening disease. Some drugs from Chinese materia medica (CMM) have been traditionally applied in the treatment of lung diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) derived from those medicines brings promising future for the prevention and treatment of PH. In this review, we summarized the pharmacological effects of APIs derived from CMM which are potent in treating PH, so as to provide new thoughts for initial drug discovery and identification of potential therapeutic strategies in alternative medicine for PH.

Effect of Acupuncture in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through comparisons with those of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 and pinaverium bromide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted at 7 hospitals in China and enrolled participants who met the Rome III diagnostic criteria for IBS between May 3, 2015, and June 29, 2018. Participants were first stratified into constipation-predominant or diarrhea-predominant IBS group. Participants in each group were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive acupuncture (18 sessions) or PEG 4000 (20 g/d, for IBS-C)/pinaverium bromide (150 mg/d, for IBS-D) over a 6-week period, followed by a 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in total IBS-Symptom Severity Score from baseline to week 6. RESULTS: Of 531 patients with IBS who were randomized, 519 (344 in the acupuncture group and 175 in the PEG 4000/ pinaverium bromide group) were included in the full analysis set. From baseline to 6 weeks, the total IBS-Symptom Severity Score decreased by 123.51 (95% CI, 116.61 to 130.42) in the acupuncture group and 94.73 (95% CI, 85.03 to 104.43) in the PEG 4000/pinaverium bromide group. The between-group difference was 28.78 (95% CI, 16.84 to 40.72; P<.001). No participant experienced severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may be more effective than PEG 4000 or pinaverium bromide for the treatment of IBS, with effects lasting up to 12 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ChiCTR-IOR-15006259.

Mechanistic insights into ventricular arrhythmogenesis of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19

Background: Recent reports on the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) alone, or combined with azithromycin (AZM) in the management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have raised cardiac safety concerns. Currently, there is limited mechanistic data evaluating cardiac safety with HCQ and AZM therapy. Methods: Using comprehensive In Vitro ProArrhythmia Assay (CiPA) Schema IC50 paradigms, we examined the cardiac electrophysiological effects of HCQ and HCQ/AZM. Molecular modelling explored HCQ and AZM binding properties to hERG. Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts were electrically and optically mapped by multi-electrode array and voltage (RH237) and Ca2+ (Rhod-2 AM) dyes. Human action potential and ion current reconstructions were performed in silico. Results: HCQ blocked IKr and IK1 with IC50 concentrations (10+-0.6 and 34+-5.0 microM) within the therapeutic range observed clinically. HCQ also blocked INa and ICaL but at higher IC50, whilst Ito and IKs were unaffected. Contrastingly, AZM produced minor inhibition of INa, ICaL, IKs, and IKr,, with no effect on IK1 and Ito. HCQ + AZM combined inhibited IKr and IK1 with IC50s of 7.7 +- 0.8 microM and 30.4 +- 3.0 microM, but spared INa, ICaL and Ito,. Molecular modelling confirmed potential HCQ binding to hERG. Cardiac mapping and ECG studies in isolated hearts demonstrated that HCQ slowed heart rate and ventricular conduction with associated prolongation of PR, QRS and QT intervals. Optical mapping demonstrated, and prolonged, more heterogeneous, action potential durations and intracellular Ca2+ transients. These effects were accentuated with combined HCQ+AZM treatment, which elicited electrical alternans, re-entrant circuits and wave breaks. Reconstruction in a human in-silico model demonstrated that this is attributable to the integrated action of HCQ and AZM reducing IKr, IKs and IK1. Conclusions: These data provide an electrophysiological basis for recent FDA guidelines cautioning against combined HCQ/AZM administration for the treatment of Covid-19 on the grounds of potential cardiac safety. We would strongly recommend monitoring of electrocardiographic QT interval with the use of this combination of medications.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.

Aspergillus niger production of pectinase and α-galactosidase for enzymatic soy processing.

Soybean is a most promising sustainable protein source for feed and food to help meet the protein demand of the rapidly rising global population. To enrich soy protein, the environment-friendly enzymatic processing requires multiple carbohydrases including cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, α-galactosidase and sucrase. Besides enriched protein, the processing adds value by generating monosaccharides that are ready feedstock for biofuel/bioproducts. Aspergillus could produce the required carbohydrases, but with deficient pectinase and α-galactosidase. Here we address this critical technological gap by focused evaluation of the suboptimal productivity of pectinase and α-galactosidase. A carbohydrases-productive strain A. niger (NRRL 322) was used with soybean hull as inducing substrate. Temperatures at 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C were found to affect cell growth on sucrose with an Arrhenius-law activation energy of 28.7 kcal/mol. The 30 °C promoted the fastest cell growth (doubling time = 2.1 h) and earliest enzyme production, but it gave lower final enzyme yield due to earlier carbon-source exhaustion. The 25 °C gave the highest enzyme yield. pH conditions also strongly affected enzyme production. Fermentations made with initial pH of 6 or 7 were most productive, e.g., giving 1.9- to 2.3-fold higher pectinase and 2.2- to 2.3-fold higher α-galactosidase after 72 h, compared to the fermentation with a constant pH 4. Further, pH must be kept above 2.6 to avoid limitation in pectinase production and, in the later substrate-limiting stage, kept below 5.5 to avoid pectinase degradation. α-Galactosidase production always followed the pectinase production with a 16-24 h lag; presumably, the former relied on pectin hydrolysis for inducers generation. Optimal enzyme production requires controlling the transient availability of inducers.

Ropivacaine inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing apoptosis of glioma cells by regulating the SNHG16/miR-424-5p axis.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in various cancers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ropivacaine on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro. METHODS: Under ropivacaine stimulation conditions, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of glioma cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol-3-ium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, and transwell assays, respectively. Western blot assay was employed to measure the protein expression levels in glioma cells. The expression levels of small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) and miR-424-5p were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The interaction relationship between SNHG16 and miR-424-5p was predicted and confirmed using a bioinformatics database and dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays. RESULTS: After treatment with ropivacaine, proliferation, migration, and invasion were repressed while apoptosis was enhanced in glioma cells in a dose-depended manner. In addition, ropivacaine impeded SNHG16 expression in glioma cells. Importantly, overexpression of SNHG16 abolished the ropivacaine-induced effects on glioma cells. Analogously, knockdown of miR-424-5p counteracted the function of ropivacaine in glioma cells. We also found that SNHG16 bound to miR-424-5p and negatively regulated miR-424-5p expression in glioma cells. The rescue experiments indicated that ropivacaine might regulate glioma progression by targeting the SNHG16/miR-424-5p axis. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed the anti-tumor effects of ropivacaine in glioma by targeting the SNHG16/miR-424-5p axis. These data might extend the understanding of regulatory mechanisms by which ropivacaine could suppress glioma development.

Transcarotid Mechanical Thrombectomy for Embolic Intracranial Large Vessel Occlusion after Endovascular Deconstructice Embolization for Carotid Blowout Syndrome / 신경중재치료의학

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a fatal complication of head and neck cancer. Endovascular treatment, particularly deconstructive embolization, is effective for CBS, but it might result in thromboembolic events. We report the case of a 57-year-old man with underlying recurrent head and neck cancer who had CBS. The patient received endovascular embolization of the right internal, external, and common carotid arteries. Right internal carotid artery to middle cerebral artery embolic occlusion was noted immediately after the procedure, and left-sided weakness and facial palsy were found. Ipsilateral suprabulbar cervical internal carotid artery puncture was performed under fluoroscopic guidance, and rescue suction thrombectomy was successful. The patient had no significant neurological sequela. Transcarotid intraarterial thrombectomy is a reasonable method for managing postembolization large vessel occlusion, even in the neck, after irradiation.

Eco-friendly rhamnolipid based fungicides for protection of soybeans from Phytophthora sojae.

BACKGROUND: Excessive use of chemical fungicides over the years for plant pathogen control has caused unwanted damage to non-target organisms and resistance buildup in the target organisms. These harmful effects have prompted the industry to look for more sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. Rhamnolipid is a naturally occurring surfactant that is biodegradable, relatively innocuous to non-target species and can effectively lyse zoospores, the life form responsible for the spread of Phytophthora. In this study, rhamnolipid based coatings were developed and evaluated for protection of soybeans from P. sojae zoospores. RESULTS: Pure (acidic) rhamnolipid, when coated on the soybeans, affects the germination negatively. However, sodium and calcium complexed rhamnolipids do not interfere with germination. Seeds coated with 15-20 mg of developed formulation were planted in soil pots and then subjected to P. sojae infection by simulating flooding conditions and zoospore inoculation. Statistical analysis showed that sodium rhamnolipid based coating significantly improved the germination in presence of P. sojae from 42% to 73% (P = 0.017) while the germination of stress-free control was 85% (statistically similar to coated seeds, P = 1). CONCLUSION: Neutralized rhamnolipid can protect soybeans from P. sojae without any negative effect on germination. This work illustrates the strategy to use rhamnolipid as effective fungicide. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Conversion of wastewater-originated waste grease to polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich algae with phagotrophic capability.

Grease balls collected from a municipal wastewater treatment plant were melt-screened and used for cultivation of microalga Ochromonas danica, which could phagocytize droplets and particles as food. After autoclaving, the waste grease (WG) separated into two (upper and lower) phases. O. danica grew well on both, accumulating 48-79% (w/w) intracellular lipids. Initial WG contained approximately 50:50 triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs); over time, almost only FFAs remained in the extracellular WG presumably due to hydrolysis by algal lipase. PUFAs, mainly C18:2n6, C18:3n3, C18:3n6, C20:4n6, and C22:5n6, were synthesized and enriched to up to 67% of intracellular FAs, from the original 15% PUFA content in WG. The study showed feasibility of converting wastewater-originated WG to PUFA-rich O. danica algae culture, possibly as aquaculture/animal feed. WG dispersion was identified as a major processing factor to further improve for optimal WG conversion rate and cell and FA yields.

Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and change of bowel habit without organic disease. A global perspective given by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) points out that IBS can impact the quality of an individual's daily life, cause socioeconomic problems and potentially impair the patient-physician relationship. It remains a problem to treat IBS due to the complicated pathophysiology. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy recommended for IBS. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for patients with IBS. We also want to explore the correlation between IBS-gene subtypes and acupuncture effect. METHODS/DESIGN: A multicenter randomized controlled trial will be performed in seven hospitals. Six hundred participants will be stratified into two strata (IBS-C or IBS-D). Then, patients within each stratum will be divided into an experimental group and a control group randomly. The experimental group is treated with acupuncture while the control group is treated with Western medicine. All the patients will receive a 6-week treatment and a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is the IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS), the secondary outcome is the score of the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL).The correlation between IBS-gene subtypes and acupuncture effect will be detected based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Outcome measures (including primary and secondary outcome measures) are collected at baseline,1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks of the intervention, and 12 weeks after the intervention. DISCUSSION: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial for IBS in China. It may clarify the efficacy of acupuncture as an alternative therapy for IBS. This is the first time ever that the potential mechanism of IBS based on genomics has been investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ID: ChiCTR-IOR-15006259 . First registered on 14 April 2015.