TRIIODOTHYRONINE ACTIVATES GLYCEROL-3-PHOSPHATE ACYLTRANSFERASE 3 VIA AGGTCA-LIKE-DIRECT-REPEAT-4 TYPE THYROID HORMONE RESPONSE ELEMENT.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormone participates in lipid metabolism regulation. However, the effects on triacyleride or triacylglycerol metabolism are complex and not fully clarified yet. In this study, we try to identify novel thyroid hormone-targeting lipogenic metabolic genes and analyze their molecular regulative mechanism. METHOD: Thirty-five promoters of twenty-nine human lipogenic regulative enzyme genes were constructed into pXP1 luciferase reporter plasmid (PFK2/FBP2-luc) and transfected into HeGP2 cells, respectively. Gene expression induced by triiodothyronine (T3) was detected by luciferase assay. The T3-activated gene promoter was then analyzed by sequence analysis, deletion and mutation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: After 10 nM T3 stimulation for 36 h, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) 3, and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (AGPAT) 2 were significantly activated, respectively. A AGGTCA-like-direct-repeat-4 consensus thyroid hormone response element (DR4-TRE)-like sequence was found in the GPAT3 promoter, which was then verified to be necessary for T3-induced GPAT3 activation by gene deletion and mutation analysis. EMSA further identified that T3-thyroid receptor (TR) α-retinoid-X receptor (RXR) complex directly bound on the GPAT3 promoter. CONCLUSION: Triiodothyronine could activate the GPAT3 through DR4-TRE-like sequence binding to participate in lipogenic regulation. AGPAT2 may be another thyroid hormone target enzyme.

[Isolation and Identification of two Escherichia albertii strains in Shanxi Province, China].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Escherchia albertii in Shanxi province. Methods: The chicken intestines were enriched in EC broth. The eae gene was detected by PCR, and the eae-positive EC enrichments were inoculated in MacConkey agar plate. The eae-positive lactose non-fermenting isolates were presumed as Escherchia albertii, and then analyzed by triplex-PCR, 16S rDNA sequencing and MLST. Results: Two suspected Escherchia albertii were isolated from 250 samples of chicken intestines. It was identified as Escherchia albertii by phenotypic, specific genes,16S rDNA sequencing, and MLST analyses. The cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) showed positive by PCR,and they were clusted to Ⅱ/Ⅲ/Ⅴ group by sequencing. Conclusion: This study showed that the Escherchia albertii was existed in Shanxi province, China.

[Rosiglitazone inhibits hepatic stellate cell proliferation by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma/ heme oxygenase-1 expression].

Objective: To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone (RGZ) on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods: In vitro activated hepatic stellate cell-T6 (HSC-T6) as research subjects were divided into blank control group, RGZ intervention group, and RGZ + ZnPP-IX mutual intervention group. MTT colorimetry method was used to measure the condition of cell proliferation. ELISA was used to detect the content of hyaluronic acid (HA) and type III procollagen peptide (PIIIP) in the cell supernatant. Real-time quantative PCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the relative expression levels of PPARγ, HO-1 mRNA and protein. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the sample mean between multiple groups, and LSD test was used for comparison between two groups. Results: The proliferation activity of HSC-T6 and the expressions of HA and PIIIP in the RGZ intervention group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group (P ​​< 0.01), but the relative expression levels of PPARγ and HO-1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased compared with the blank control group (PPARγ : 2.97 ± 0.22 vs. 1.07 ± 0.05, 0.96 ± 0.08 vs. 0.31 ± 0.03; HO-1: 4.28 ± 0.73 vs. 1.80 ± 0.36, 1.83 ± 0.26 vs. 0.61 ± 0.09), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The proliferation activity of HSC-T6 and the expression of HA and PIIIP was higher in RGZ + ZnPP-IX mutual intervention group as compared with RGZ group (P < 0.05). HO-1 mRNA (3.16 ± 0.38 vs. 4.28 ± 0.73) and protein (1.31 ± 0.17 vs. 1.83 ± 0.26) relative expression levels was decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the relative expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein (P > 0.05), however, there was a decreasing trend. HO-1 mRNA (1.80 ± 0.36) and protein (0.61 ± 0.09) relative expression was significantly increased in RGZ + ZnPP-IX group as compared to blank control group (P < 0.05). Immunocytochemical staining had consistency with the above results. Conclusion: The effect of rosiglitazone on inducing increased expression of PPARγ, and then inhibiting HSC proliferation activity and collagen production may be realized by regulating its downstream HO-1 expression.

[Application of meticulous anatomy skills with straight bipolar electric coagulation forceps in thyroid surgery].

Objective: To compare the efficacies of the two techniques of "micro-hemostasis and micro-cutting" with straight bipolar electrocoagulation forceps and traditional clamp-ligation for hemostasia in thyroid surgery. Methods: A total of 228 patients who underwent surgical treatment for thyroid neoplasms in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 50 males and 178 females, aged 23-68 years old. Of those, 150 cases as electric knife group received traditional thyroid surgery between January 2015 and December 2018 and 78 cases as bipolar electrocoagulation group received thyroid surgery by using the technique of bipolar electrocoagulation with meticulous anatomy between January 2018 and December 2018. The total operation time, single operation time, intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative drainage volume on the first day, postoperative hoarseness and hypocalcemia were compared between the two groups. SPSS 16.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: The total operation time and intraoperative hemorrhage in the bipolar electrocoagulation group were significantly lower than those in the electric knife group ((59.33±18.29)min vs (77.21±25.39)min, (14.83±9.22)ml vs (36.86±11.80)ml, all P<0.01). The single operation time of the bipolar electrocoagulation group was shorter than that of the electric knife group((10.25±6.16) min vs (20.34±7.24)min, (16.25±7.15)min vs (35.68±8.25)min, (12.12±5.25)min vs (20.68±7.26)min, t value was 3.948,16.262,8.238, all P<0.01).There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative drainage volume on the first day (P>0.05) and the incidence of postoperative hoarseness (P>0.05), while the incidence of hypocalcemia in the bipolar electrocoagulation group(10.26%) was lower than that in the electric knife group(21.33%,χ(2)=4.353, P<0.05). Conclusions: The fine dissection for thyroid operation can be achieved by using straight bipolar electrocoagulation tweezers. The use of "micro-hemostasis" and "micro-cutting" technique with bipolar electrocoagulation tweezers can greatly reduce intraoperative bleeding, operation time and postoperative complication.

[Genetic characteristics of five human adenovirus type 53 strains isolated from Taiyuan city in 2016, China].

Objective: The genetic characteristics of the human adenovirus type 53 (HAdV-53) strains isolated from Taiyuan city of Shanxi Province were studied to obtain the baseline data of their molecular characteristics. Methods: Conjunctival swabs (n=79) were collected from epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) patients in Shanxi eye Hospital in 2016, and five HAdV-53 strains were obtained after virus isolation and identification based on the three major capsid genes sequences including Penton base, Hexon and Fiber gene. And the corresponding sequences of global epidemic HAdV-53 strains and the strains with the same genetic origin as HAdV-53 were also downloaded from GenBank database, and then the three gene database were established, respectively. With the database, phylogenetic tree was constructed, and the genetic and molecular evolutionary characteristics were analyzed with bioinformatics software. Results: Five HAdV-53 strains in Shanxi Province in 2016 showed high consistency with the HAdV-53 strains prevalent in other countries in 1996-2014 (>99.8%). All HAdV-53 strains were in the same evolutionary branch with their recombinant source genotypes (HAdV-37 and HAdV-8) in Penton base and Fiber gene, respectively, and maintained a high degree of consistency in gene sequences. In Hexon gene, HAdV-53 strains were more closed to its recombinant source genotype HAdV-22, the nucleotide and amino acid sequences between two types were highly homologous, while HAdV-53 and HAdV-22 belonged to different evolutionary branches, and the evolution rate of HAdV-53 based on Hexon gene was 3.51×10(-5) substitution/site/year. Conclusion: HAdV-53 has become an important new ocular infectious pathogen of Taiyuan. HAdV-53 strain are relatively conservative and stable based on Penton base, Hexon, and Fiber gene.

[Hemin regulates the expression of nuclear factor kappa B of heme oxygenase -1 in hepatic fibrosis].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects and related mechanism of hemin on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, 4-week model group, 6-week model group, hemin inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPP-IX) intervention group and hemin intervention group. Hemin intervention group in complex liver fibrosis model was intraperitonealy administered ZnPP-IX or hemin every other day for 2 weeks from the fourth week. The mRNA expression of HO-1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the liver tissue was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect HO-1 and localization of α-SMA expression. Serum hyaluronic acid, propeptide of type III collagen and hepatic transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) expressions were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The content of hydroxyproline in hepatic tissues was measured by alkaline hydrolysis method. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean of each group. The difference between the two groups was compared by independent samples t- test. P-values < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared with model groups and ZnPP-IX intervention group, Hemin's intervention significantly increased the expression of HO-1 mRNA (P < 0.01) and protein distribution in liver tissues, while the expression of alpha-SMA mRNA was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in portal space and areas around the fibrotic septum, and hepatic sinus. Hyp content and serum hyaluronic acid and propeptide of type III collagen decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, NF-κB p65 mRNA expression and the downstream production of TGFß and IL-6 in Hemin intervention group were also inhibited (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Hemin can significantly inhibit the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats by up-regulating HO-1 expression, and the inhibiting activity of NF-κB p65 leads to downstream of the inflammatory factors.

[Clinicopatholigic features of renal cell carcinoma associated with chromosome X inversion harboring gene fusions involving TFE3].

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, characteristic FISH pattern and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with chromosome X inversion harboring gene fusions involving TFE3. Methods: Ten cases of NONO-TFE3 RCC and four cases of RBM10-TFE3 RCC were investigated at Nanjing Jinling Hospital from 2009 to 2016 by clinicopathological findings, immunohistochemistry, and genetic analysis. Results: Morphologically, the distinct pattern of secretory endometrioid subnuclear vacuolization was overlapped with clear cell papillary RCC, and often accompanied by sheets of epithelial cells in NONO-TFE3 RCC. Most cases of RBM10-TFE3 RCC presented with the biphasic feature that acinar, tubular and papillary patterns of epithelioid cells combined with sheets of small cells with "pseudorosette-like" architectures. In addition, cytoplasmic vacuolization, nuclear groove, and psammoma bodies were also observed. Immunohistochemically, all NONO-TFE3 RCC cases were immunoreactive for TFE3, CD10, RCC markers, and PAX8, and negative for CK7, Cathepsin K, Melan A, HMB45, Ksp-cadherin, vimentin, and CD117. All 4 cases of RBM10-TFE3 RCC showed moderate to strong immunoreactivity for TFE3, Cathepsin K, CD10, Ksp-cadherin, E-cadherin, P504s, RCC marker, PAX8, and vimentin but negative for TFEB, HMB45 and CK7. CKpan and Melan A were at least focally expressed. The antibody to Ki-67 showed labeling of 3%-8% (mean 5%). There were some expression discrepancies of immunochemistry between different histological patterns. PAX8, CKpan, P504s, and Ksp-cadherin were expressed in epithelioid areas but not in small-cell areas. Ki-67 labeling index of epithelioid areas was higher than that in small-cell areas. In molecular analysis, NONO-TFE3 fusion transcripts were identified in 6 patients. The fusion points were between exon 7 of NONO and exon 6 of TFE3 in 5 patients and between exon 9 of NONO and exon 5 of TFE3 in one patient. All 4 cases of RBM10-TFE3 RCC demonstrated to have RBM10-TFE3 fusion transcripts and the fusion points were between exon 5 of TFE3 and exon 17 of RBM10. Using TFE3 break-apart FISH assay, all 10 cases of NONO-TFE3 RCC showed characteristic patterns of equivocal split signals with a distance of nearly 2 signal diameters. All 4 cases of RBM10-TFE3 RCC showed colocalized or subtle split signals with a distance of <1 signal diameter, which was considered as negative results. Long-term follow-up was available for 7 patients of NONO-TFE3 RCC and 4 patients of RBM10-TFE3 RCC. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Conclusions: Two rare genotypes, NONO-TFE3 RCC and RBM10-TFE3 RCC, are reported in this study. Both of these two tumors show specific morphology and good prognosis, along with the positive TFE3 staining and the equivocal or false-negative TFE3 FISH results, which could be missed. PCR detection or next-generation sequencing can determine the genotype.

[Effect of transforming growth factor-ß1 on HBV replication and antigen synthesis in HepG2.2.15 cells with steatosis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) on HBV replication and protein expression in HepG2.2.15 cells with steatosis, as well as the association of TGF-ß1 with suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA during the steatosis of HepG2.2.15 cells. Methods: The cells were divided into HepG2/HepG2.2.15 cell control groups (C1/C2 groups) and HepG2/HepG2.2.15 cell steatosis groups (F1/F2 groups). 5 ng/ml TGF-ß1 was added to the two cell systems for intervention to establish TGF-ß1 intervention groups (T1/T2 groups) and steatosis+TGF-ß1 intervention groups (TF1/TF2 groups). A time-resolved fluorescence analyzer was used to measure HBsAg and HBeAg, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure HBV DNA, SOCS-3 mRNA, and SREBP-1 mRNA. A one-way analysis of variance and a factorial analysis were used for the statistical analysis of data. Results: TGF-ß1 significantly reduced the level of HBeAg in C2 group (P = 0.034) and the levels of HBsAg (P < 0.001) and HBeAg (P = 0.004) in F2 group. There was an interaction between steatosis and TGF-ß1 in inhibiting HBsAg. In addition, TGF-ß1 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 in C1, F1, C2, and F2 groups (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the mRNA expression of SREBP-1c in C1, F1, C2, and F2 groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that there was an interaction between steatosis and TGF-ß1 in downregulating the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and upregulating the mRNA expression of SREBP-1c. Conclusion: TGF-ß1 does not affect HBV duplication in HepG2.2.15 cells and can inhibit the expression of HBsAg and HBeAg. TGF-ß1 can downregulate the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and upregulate the mRNA expression of SREBP-1c.

[Effect of clinical first-line Antiviral Agents on outcome of chronic hepatitis B treatment].

Chronic hepatitis B is a progressive disease that can develop into cirrhosis, liver cancer or even liver failure if it is not treated in time. Antiviral therapy is an important means to delay the progression of chronic hepatitis B disease, through long-term inhibition of HBV DNA replication can reduce liver cell inflammation and necrosis, fibrosis, delaying and reducing liver failure, cirrhosis, HCC and other complications, which can improve the life quality and prolong survival time. Based on the data of hepatitis B first-line Antiviral Agents such as entecavir and tenofovir And so on. being used worldwide, this paper expounds the influence of antiviral therapy on the outcome of chronic hepatitis B treatment.

[Clinical effect and safety of pegylated interferon-α-2b injection (Y shape, 40 kD) in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of long-acting pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 µg/week) in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a as positive control. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial. Eligible HBeAg-positive CHB patients were screened out and randomized to Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) trial group and Peg-IFN-α-2a control group at a ratio of 2:1. The course of treatment was 48 weeks and the patients were followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Plasma samples were collected at screening, baseline, and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 weeks for centralized detection. COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test was used to measure HBV DNA level by quantitative real-time PCR. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with Elecsys kit was used to measure HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe). Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary outcome measure was HBeAg seroconversion rate after the 24-week follow-up, and non-inferiority was also tested. The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate after treatment between the trial group and the control group and two-sided confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of 95% CI was > -10%. The t-test, chi-square test, or rank sum test was used according to the types and features of data. Results: A total of 855 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and 820 of them received treatment (538 in the trial group and 282 in the control group). The data of the full analysis set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 27.32% in the trial group and 22.70% in the control group with a rate difference of 4.63% (95% CI -1.54% to 10.80%, P = 0.1493). The data of the per-protocol set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 30.75% in the trial group and 27.14% in the control group with a rate difference of 3.61% (95% CI -3.87% to 11.09%, P = 0.3436). 95% CI met the non-inferiority criteria, and the trial group was non-inferior to the control group. The two groups had similar incidence rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and common adverse events. Conclusion: In Peg-IFN-α regimen for HBeAg-positive CHB patients, the new drug Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

[Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon α-2b injection (Y shape, 40 kD) in treatment of patients with genotype 1/6 chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the new investigational drug pegylated interferon α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 µg/week) combined with ribavirin in the treatment of patients with genotype 1/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a combined with ribavirin as a positive control. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial was performed. Eligible patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were screened out and randomly divided into Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40kD) group and Peg-IFN-α-2a group at a ratio of 2:1. The patients in both groups were given oral ribavirin for 48 weeks in addition and then followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II was used to determine HCV genotype, and Cobas TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure HCV RNA level at 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 weeks. Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR), and a non-inferiority test was also performed. Results: A total of 561 patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were enrolled, among whom 529 received treatment; 90.9% of these patients had genotype 1 CHC. The data of the full analysis set showed that SVR rate was 69.80% (95% CI 65.00%-74.60%) in the trial group and 74.16% (95% CI 67.73%-80.59%) in the control group (P = 0.297 0). The data of the per protocol set (PPS) showed that SVR rate was 80.63% (95% CI 76.04%-85.23%) in the trial group and 81.33% (95% CI 75.10%-87.57%) in the control group (P = 0.849 8), and the 95% CI of rate difference conformed to the non-inferiority standard. The analysis of the PPS population showed that of all subjects, 47.9% achieved rapid virologic response, with a positive predictive value of 93.8%. The incidence rate of adverse events was 96.30% in the trial group and 94.94% in the control group, and the incidence rate of serious adverse events was 5.13% in the trail group and 5.06% in the control group. Conclusion: In the regimen of Peg-IFN-α combined with ribavirin for the treatment of genotype 1/6 CHC, the new investigational drug Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable clinical effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

Socioeconomic burden of hand, foot and mouth disease in children in Shanghai, China.

In the near future, the inactivated enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine is expected to become available on the market in China. Since EV71 is a major cause of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), the vaccine is expected to significantly reduce the number of cases, as well as the detrimental economic effect of the disease. However, for a national vaccination strategy to be developed, policy-makers need more information on the socioeconomic burden of EV71 HFMD infection. Based on the 2011 population data, we estimated the clinical and economic effect of EV71 HFMD infection in children aged 0-9 years in Shanghai, China. The annual cost related to HFMD is >US$7.66 million for a population of 1·42 million children aged 0-9 years with an average cost of US$208.2/case. The extrapolated cost for EV71 HFMD infection was US$3.53 million, comprising 46·1% of the overall cost associated with HFMD. Around 97% of all of the HFMD-related expenses were paid for by the families creating a considerable economic burden. Our findings could provide the necessary recommendations on the most effective national EV71 vaccine implementation, as well as a baseline data for assessing the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine in China.

Effects of plant roots on the hydraulic performance during the clogging process in mesocosm vertical flow constructed wetlands.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant roots (Typha angustifolia roots) on the hydraulic performance during the clogging process from the perspective of time and space distributions in mesocosm vertical flow-constructed wetlands with coarse sand matrix. For this purpose, a pair of lab-scale experiments was conducted to compare planted and unplanted systems by measuring the effective porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the substrate within different operation periods. Furthermore, the flow pattern of the clogging process in the planted and unplanted wetland systems were evaluated by their hydraulic performance (e.g., mean residence time, short circuiting, volumetric efficiency, number of continuously stirred tank reactors, and hydraulic efficiency factor) in salt tracer experiments. The results showed that the flow conditions would change in different clogging stages, which indicated that plants played different roles related to time and space. In the early clogging stages, plant roots restricted the flow of water, while in the middle and later clogging stages, especially the later stage, growing roots opened new pore spaces in the substrate. The roots played an important role in affecting the hydraulic performance in the upper layer (0-30 cm) where the sand matrix had a larger root volume fraction. Finally, the causes of the controversy over plant roots' effects on clogging were discussed. The results helped further understand the effects of plant roots on hydraulic performance during the clogging process.

Diurnal fluctuations in oxygen release from roots of Acorus calamus Linn in a modeled constructed wetland.

Oxygen is known to be released from plant roots, but has seldom been quantified for wetland plants. Our study aims to quantify oxygen release from the roots of one wetland species in China, and use this knowledge as a basis for future modeling. We measured diurnal fluctuations in oxygen release from the roots of Acorus calamus Linn in a modeled constructed wetland (CW) using a titanium ([image omitted]) citrate buffer. Oxygen release was monitored every two hours. Maximum oxygen release was recorded in the range of 215.2-750.8 µmolg(-1)h(-1) and occurred around 15:00. The maximum value of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was in the range of 1281.8-1712.0 mmolm(-2)s(-1) and occurred around 13:00. Both the oxygen release rate and PAR were found to approach zero at night. Our results indicate that oxygen release depends largely on light intensity and exhibits a diurnal periodicity with release occurring only during daytime. Rate of root oxygen release varied during the daytime and this temporal variation was well described by the Gaussian function. While further validation is needed, we suggest that the Gaussian function may be used as the basis for modeling root oxygen release in natural and constructed wetlands.

Clogging pattern in vertical-flow constructed wetlands: insight from a laboratory study.

Substrate clogging caused by the accumulation of the particulate solids is the worst operational problem for vertical-flow constructed wetlands (VFCW). In this paper, the effects of particulate solids distribution and their accumulation in the substrate with different gravel sizes were investigated. The results demonstrated that the clogging layer can be considered as two parts: one is the blanket-like deposition layer, and the other is the upper substrate clogging layer. Furthermore, the clogging process shall be partitioned as three stages of puncture phase for the pollutants; the formation of the blanket-like deposition layer; and the formation and compaction phase to the whole clogging layer. With reference to the clogging mechanism, it is believed that the particulate solids (< 100 microm) were absorbed firstly by electrostatic forces and van der Waals' forces. This is followed by the "bridging" made by the accumulated solids which act as a "sieve", thus further restricting larger particulate solids to flow through.

Purinergic receptor ligands stimulate pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression in AtT-20 pituitary corticotroph cells.

Although recent studies have suggested that purinergic receptors are expressed in the anterior pituitary gland, their involvement in the regulation of pituitary hormone gene expression is not completely understood. In the present study, we examined the expression of purinergic receptors and the effects of purinergic receptor ligands on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression, in AtT20 mouse corticotroph cells. We identified the expression of most of the purinergic receptor subtypes (A1, A2, P2X1, 3-7, P2Y1, 2, 4) mRNAs, analysed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. We also found that adenosine and ATP, two representative and endogenous agonists of A1-3 and P2X/P2Y receptors, respectively, stimulated the 5'-promoter activity of the POMC gene in a dose- and time-related manner. When these ligands were simultaneously used with corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), effects that were more than additive were observed, suggesting an enhancing role of these compounds in CRH-mediated adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) synthesis. These ligands also stimulated the expression of transcription factors involved in the regulation of the POMC gene, but did not enhance ACTH secretion. Finally, the positive effect of adenosine as well as CRH was completely inhibited by the protein kinase A inhibitor H89, whereas that of ATP was not influenced, indicating that different intracellular signalling pathways mediate these effects. Altogether, our results suggest a stimulatory role for these purinergic receptor ligands in the regulation of POMC gene expression in corticotroph cells. Because adenosine and ATP are known to be produced within the pituitary gland, it is possible they may be acting in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.

Preventing effect of "liuwei dihuang decoction" on esophageal carcinoma.

Liuwei Dihuang Decoction is a representative classic prescription for nourishing Yin in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Experimental and clinical studies showed that the recipe could 1. inhibit carcinogenesis of anterior stomach by N-nitrososarcosine ethyl ester in mice; 2. inhibit the formation of lung tumors induced by Urethan in mice; 3. decrease spontaneous tumorigenesis in LACA strain; 4. inhibit the mutagenic activity of Endoxan in micronuclear test. Patients with epithelial dysplasia of esophagus, a preneoplastic lesion, were treated by using this recipe. The canceration rate within 1 year was 2.2% in the treated and 12.4% in an untreated group. Within 5 years these rates were 9% and 26% respectively (p less than 0.025).