Effect of simethicone for the management of early abdominal distension after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a multicenter retrospective propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether simethicone expediates the remission of abdominal distension after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: This retrospective study involved LC patients who either received perioperative simethicone treatment or not. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to minimize bias. The primary endpoint was the remission rate of abdominal distension within 24 h after LC. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors affecting the early remission of abdominal distension after LC. Subsequently, a prediction model was established and validated. RESULTS: A total of 1,286 patients were divided into simethicone (n = 811) and non-simethicone groups (n = 475) as 2:1 PSM. The patients receiving simethicone had better remission rates of abdominal distension at both 24 h and 48 h after LC (49.2% vs. 34.7%, 83.9% vs. 74.8%, respectively), along with shorter time to the first flatus (14.6 ± 11.1 h vs. 17.2 ± 9.1 h, P < 0.001) compared to those without. Multiple logistic regression identified gallstone (OR = 0.33, P = 0.001), cholecystic polyp (OR = 0.53, P = 0.050), preoperative abdominal distention (OR = 0.63, P = 0.002) and simethicone use (OR = 1.89, P < 0.001) as independent factors contributing to the early remission of abdominal distension following LC. The prognosis model developed for predicting remission rates of abdominal distension within 24 h after LC yielded an area under the curve of 0.643 and internal validation a value of 0.644. CONCLUSIONS: Simethicone administration significantly enhanced the early remission of post-LC abdominal distension, particularly for patients who had gallstones, cholecystic polyp, prolonged anesthesia or preoperative abdominal distention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200064964 (24/10/2022).

Differential expression of microRNAs in bile duct obstruction-induced liver fibrosis and the identification of a novel liver fibrosis marker miR-1295b-3p.

Background: Bile duct obstruction-induced liver fibrosis is mainly caused by cholestatic liver injury which stimulates liver cell inflammation and damages the liver structure, causing liver fibrosis. The differentially expressed microRNAs and the potential target genes and signal pathways that are involved in bile duct obstruction-induced liver fibrosis remain unclear. We examined the differential expression of microRNAs and the target genes in the liver tissues of patients with liver fibrosis. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was used to detect the total microRNAs and identify the differentially expressed microRNAs. The topGO software was used to perform the Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis. The KOBAS software was used to analyze the associated biochemical metabolic pathways and signal transduction pathways. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of miR-1295b-3p, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Bcl-2, caspase-3, Bax, and ß-arrestin1 (ARRB1). Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. The targeting relationship between ARRB1 and miR-1295b-3p was verified using luciferase reporter assays. Results: A total of 44 microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed, including 18 upregulated and 26 downregulated microRNAs. Five downregulated microRNAs, including miR-483-3p, miR-5589-3p, miR-1271-5p, miR-1295b-3p, and miR-7977. GO functional enrichment analysis of the target genes revealed the molecular functions, cellular location, and biological processes involved. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signal pathway analysis showed that the target genes are mainly involved in metabolic pathways. In addition, the results of qRT-PCR revealed that miR-1295b-3p was downregulated in human fibrotic liver tissues and TGF-ß1-activated LX-2 cells (human hepatic stellate cell line). Overexpression of miR-1295b-3p alleviated liver fibrosis, decreased the α-SMA levels, and inhibited proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in LX-2 cells. Dual-luciferase assays revealed that miR-1295b-3p suppressed ARRB1 expression by binding directly to its 3' untranslated region (UTR). Conclusions: This study identified the differentially expressed microRNAs in bile duct obstruction-induced liver fibrosis and revealed the potential target genes and signal pathways involved. Overexpression of miR-1295b-3p alleviated liver fibrosis, however, the specific targeting mechanisms warrant further clarification. Therefore, overexpressing miR-1295b-3p may be a potential treatment method for liver fibrosis.

Power supply characteristics of basketball players at different training intensities / Características do consumo de energia dos jogadores de basquete com diferentes intensidades de treinamento / Características del consumo de energía de los jugadores de baloncesto con diferentes intensidades de entrenamiento

ABSTRACT Introduction: In competitive basketball sports, athletes must repeatedly perform movements of maximum intensity quickly, followed by rest. A training mode called high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has the same characteristics. Objective: Explore basketball players' energy supply characteristics and training changes under different exercise intensities. Methods: The effects of different recovery methods in the intermittent period on exercise capacity and aerobic metabolic energy supply of young male basketball players during high-intensity intermittent interval training (HIIT) were presented. Results: Increased aerobic energy production during HIIT was closely related to the acceleration of kinetics. However, although the time to exhaustion, a parameter characterizing exercise capacity, increased by 3.5% and 4.6%, respectively, in the HIITa group compared to HIITs and HIITp, there was no significant difference. After analyzing each group for the 30s, a gradual increase in strength was noticed. Conclusion: The use of HIIT as training is an important way to improve the physical performance of athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Na competição esportiva do basquete, os atletas precisam realizar repetidamente movimentos de intensidade máxima rapidamente, seguidos de repouso. Há um modo de treinamento chamado de treinamento de intervalo de alta intensidade (HIIT) que possui as mesmas características. Objetivo: Explorar as características de consumo de energia e as mudanças de treinamento dos jogadores de basquetebol sob diferentes intensidades de exercício. Métodos: Foram apresentados os efeitos de diferentes métodos de recuperação em período intermitente sobre a capacidade de exercício e fornecimento de energia metabólica aeróbica de jovens jogadores masculinos de basquetebol durante o treinamento intermitente de alta intensidade (HIIT). Resultados: O aumento da produção de energia aeróbica durante o HIIT foi estreitamente relacionado com a aceleração da cinética. Entretanto, embora o tempo de exaustão, parâmetro que caracteriza a capacidade de exercício, tenha aumentado em 3,5% e 4,6% respectivamente no grupo de HIITa em comparação com HIITs e HIITp, não houve diferença significativa. Depois de analisar cada grupo durante 30s, percebeu-se um aumento gradual da força. Conclusão: O uso do HIIT como treinamento demonstrou-se um meio importante para melhorar o desempenho físico dos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: En los deportes de baloncesto de competición, los atletas necesitan realizar repetidamente movimientos de máxima intensidad de forma rápida, seguidos de descanso. Existe una modalidad de entrenamiento llamada entrenamiento por intervalos de alta intensidad (HIIT) que tiene las mismas características. Objetivo: Explorar las características del suministro de energía y los cambios en el entrenamiento de los jugadores de baloncesto bajo diferentes intensidades de ejercicio. Métodos: Se presentaron los efectos de diferentes métodos de recuperación en período intermitente sobre la capacidad de ejercicio y el suministro de energía metabólica aeróbica de jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto durante el entrenamiento de intervalos intermitentes de alta intensidad (HIIT). Resultados: El aumento de la producción de energía aeróbica durante el HIIT estaba estrechamente relacionado con la aceleración de la cinética. Sin embargo, aunque el tiempo hasta el agotamiento, un parámetro que caracteriza la capacidad de ejercicio, aumentó un 3,5% y un 4,6% respectivamente en el grupo HIITa en comparación con los HIIT y HIITp, no hubo diferencias significativas. Tras analizar cada grupo durante 30 segundos, se percibió un aumento gradual de la fuerza. Conclusión: El uso del HIIT como entrenamiento ha demostrado ser una forma importante de mejorar el rendimiento físico de los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II;Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Correlation between aerobic training and physical endurance in basketball players / Correlação entre treinamento aeróbico e resistência física em jogadores de basquete / Correlación entre entrenamiento aeróbico y resistencia física en jugadores de baloncesto

ABSTRACT Introduction: Endurance is a quality that has been lacking in Chinese athletes. In most endurance sports training in China, there is a problem with attaching importance to high-intensity anaerobic training and ignoring aerobic training. The close combination of aerobic, strength and technical training is endurance training. A significant development trend in training. Objective: This study analyzes the relationship between aerobic training and physical endurance in basketball players. Methods: Basketball players were selected and randomly divided into groups through the analysis method with a questionnaire, observation method, and experimental method to analyze the relationship between aerobic exercise and physical endurance in basketball players. In this paper, the changes in physiological indicators of basketball players were recorded after aerobic exercise. Results: The physical endurance of basketball players were positively correlated with aerobic training time. The physiological indicators of basketball players and basketball skills after aerobic training were significantly improved (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise can improve basketball players' physical endurance and overall physical fitness, helping them achieve good results in competitions. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Resistência é uma qualidade que tem faltado aos atletas chineses. Na maioria dos treinos esportivos de resistência na China, há um problema para atribuir importância ao treino anaeróbico de alta intensidade e ignorar o treinamento aeróbico. A combinação próxima de treinamento aeróbico e força e treinamento técnico é o treinamento de resistência. Uma tendência de desenvolvimento significativa na formação. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre treinamento aeróbico e resistência física em praticantes do basquete. Métodos: Jogadores de basquete foram selecionados e aleatoriamente divididos entre grupos passando pelo método de análise com questionário, método de observação e método experimental para analisar a relação entre exercício aeróbico e resistência física dos jogadores de basquete. Neste artigo, as alterações dos indicadores fisiológicos dos jogadores de basquete foram registradas após exercício aeróbico. Resultados: A resistência física dos jogadores de basquete foi positivamente correlacionada com o tempo de treinamento aeróbico. Os indicadores fisiológicos dos jogadores de basquete e as habilidades de basquete após o treinamento aeróbico foram significativamente melhorados (P<0,05). Conclusão: O exercício aeróbico não só pode melhorar a resistência física dos jogadores de basquete como também sua aptidão física geral, ajudando-os a alcançarem bons resultados nas competições. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La resistencia es una cualidad de la que carecen los atletas chinos. En la mayoría de los entrenamientos de deportes de resistencia en China, existe el problema de dar importancia al entrenamiento anaeróbico de alta intensidad e ignorar el entrenamiento aeróbico. La estrecha combinación del entrenamiento aeróbico y el entrenamiento de fuerza y técnico es el entrenamiento de resistencia. Una tendencia de desarrollo importante en la formación. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende analizar la relación entre el entrenamiento aeróbico y la resistencia física en jugadores de baloncesto. Métodos: Se seleccionaron jugadores de baloncesto y se dividieron aleatoriamente entre grupos pasando por el método de análisis con cuestionario, método de observación y método experimental para analizar la relación entre el ejercicio aeróbico y la resistencia física en jugadores de baloncesto. En este trabajo se registraron los cambios de los indicadores fisiológicos de los jugadores de baloncesto después del ejercicio aeróbico. Resultados: La resistencia física de los jugadores de baloncesto se correlacionó positivamente con el tiempo de entrenamiento aeróbico. Los indicadores fisiológicos de los jugadores de baloncesto y las habilidades de baloncesto después del entrenamiento aeróbico mejoraron significativamente (P<0,05). Conclusión: El ejercicio aeróbico no sólo puede mejorar la resistencia física de los jugadores de baloncesto, sino también su estado físico general, ayudándoles a conseguir buenos resultados en las competiciones. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Identification of a distal enhancer that determines the expression pattern of acute phase marker C-reactive protein.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein and inflammatory marker, the expression of which is largely liver specific and highly inducible. Enhancers are regulatory elements critical for the precise activation of gene expression, yet the contributions of enhancers to the expression pattern of CRP have not been well defined. Here, we identify a constitutively active enhancer (E1) located 37.7 kb upstream of the promoter of human CRP in hepatocytes. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay, in situ genetic manipulation, CRISPRi, and CRISPRa, we show that E1 is enriched in binding sites for transcription factors STAT3 and C/EBP-ß and is essential for the full induction of human CRP during the acute phase. Moreover, we demonstrate that E1 orchestrates with the promoter of CRP to determine its varied expression across tissues and species through surveying activities of E1-promoter hybrids and the associated epigenetic modifications. These results thus suggest an intriguing mode of molecular evolution wherein expression-changing mutations in distal regulatory elements initiate subsequent functional selection involving coupling among distal/proximal regulatory mutations and activity-changing coding mutations.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the medical emergency calls and calls for cardiovascular diseases in Hangzhou, China.

AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on emergency and cardiovascular disease-related calls in Hangzhou, China. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study, collecting data on emergency calls to the Hangzhou Emergency Center (HEC) during the COVID-19 epidemic (January 20, 2020, to March 15, 2020). Data were compared with the same period in 2019. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, the number of emergency calls has dropped by 21.63%, ambulance calls by 29.02%, rescue calls by 22.57%, and cardiovascular disease-related emergency calls by 32.86%. The numbers of emergency, ambulance, and rescue calls in 2020 were significantly lower than in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 epidemic in Hangzhou, the numbers of emergency and cardiovascular disease-related calls have decreased significantly. These results point to a severe social problem that requires the attention of the medical community and the government.

Effect of miR-183-5p on Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis by Regulating Fork Head Box Protein O1 Expression.

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological feature of end-stage liver disease and has no effective treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to modulate gene expression in liver disease. But the potential role of miRNA in hepatic fibrosis is still unclear. The objective of this research is to study the potential mechanism and biological function of miR-183-5p in liver fibrosis. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to find that miR-183-5p is upregulated in human fibrotic liver tissues. In addition, miR-183-5p was upregulated both in rat liver fibrosis tissue induced by bile-duct ligation (BDL) and activated LX-2 cells (human hepatic stellate cell line) according to the result of quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Moreover, the inhibition of miR-183-5p alleviated liver fibrosis, decreased the fibrotic biomarker levels in vitro and in vivo, and led toLX-2 cell proliferation inhibition and, apoptosis induction. The result of dual-luciferase assay revealed that miR-183-5p suppressed fork head box protein O1 (FOXO1) expression by binding to its 3'UTR directly. Next, we used lentivirus to overexpress FOXO1 in LX-2 cells, and we found that overexpression of FOXO1 reversed the promotion of miR-183-5p on liver fibrosis, reducing the fibrotic biomarker levels inLX-2 cells, inhibitingLX-2 cell proliferation, and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of FOXO1 prevented the activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling pathway in TGF-ß1-induced LX-2 cells according to the result of western blotting. In conclusion, the findings showed thatmiR-183-5p might act as a key regulator of liver fibrosis, and miR-183-5p could promote cholestatic liver fibrosis by inhibiting FOXO1 expression through the TGF-ß signaling pathway. Thus, inhibition of miR-183-5pmay be a new way to prevent and improve liver fibrosis.

Supportive or Confining? The Impact of War Metaphors From the COVID-19 Pandemic on Persons With Disabilities in Mainland China.

Ensuring the well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a priority in the public sector during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To contain this unprecedented public crisis in China, a set of nationwide anti-epidemic discourse systems centered on war metaphors has guided the epidemic's prevention and control. While the public is immersed in the joy brought by the stage victory, most ignore the situation of the disadvantaged PWDs. Accordingly, this study adopts and presents a qualitative research method to explore the impact of war metaphors on PWDs. The results showed that while there was some formal and informal support for PWDs during this period, they were increasingly marginalized. Owing to the lack of a disability lens and institutional exclusion, PWDs were placed on the margins of the epidemic prevention and control system like outsiders. Affected by pragmatism under war metaphors, PWDs are regarded as non-contributory or inefficient persons; therefore, they are not prioritized and are thus placed into a state of being voiceless and invisible. This research can provide inspiration for improving public services for PWDs in the context of COVID-19.

The Dilemma of Masks During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Many people have experienced novel coronavirus pneumonia since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China. The Chinese government has encouraged people to wear face masks in public places; however, due to the large population, there may be a series of problems related to this recommendation, including shortages of masks and lack of an optimal disposal method for used masks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to understand the current status of mask shortages and used masks in China. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was designed to assess the current status of mask shortages and used masks. The differences among groups were analyzed with chi-square tests. RESULTS: The constituent ratio of those who reuse masks was 61%. Obtaining masks from the drugstore was reported to be very difficult due to high demand and short supply, and approximately 1/3 of the respondents purchased expensive masks. Most people know how to properly handle used masks, and only 7% of them casually discard masks. However, 50% of respondents have seen others throw away used masks at will. A further subgroup analysis showed that respondents in Central China tended to use masks repeatedly, as did medical personnel. Females, people living in the central region, and medical personnel may find it more difficult to purchase masks in drugstores. Non-medical personnel may be more likely to buy expensive masks. Females, people living in the western region, and medical personnel may be more likely to know how to properly handle used masks and not to discard used masks at will. Medical personnel may be more likely to observe others discarding used masks at will. CONCLUSION: In response to COVID-19, the public should be encouraged to use face masks and are advised not to reuse or throw away masks at will due to safety concerns.

Impact of tenofovir antiviral treatment on survival of chronic hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy in Chinese individuals from Qingdao municipality.

The impact of different antiviral regimen on prognosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be explored.A total of 479 CHB-related HCC patients after curative liver resection were enrolled receiving tenofovir (TDF, TDF group) or lamivudine, telbivudine, and entecavir (non-TDF group). Both the overall survival and diseases-free survival were analyzed and compared.A total of 242 patients received TDF treatment and 237 patients received other antiviral regimen. Child-Pugh score, serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level, total bilirubin level, status of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and cirrhosis were compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with TDF treatment had significantly longer overall survival than those of patients with other regimen (P = .015). Similarly, compared with patients with non-TDF treatment, disease-free survival time was longer (P = .042) in those with TDF treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that TDF treatment (P = .04), AFP level (P = .03) were significant independent factors associated with overall survival of CHB-related HCC patients. While TDF treatment (P = .04) and serum AFP level (P = .03) were independent factors associated with disease-free survival.Anti-virus treatment with TDF benefits for both overall survival and disease-free survival of CHB-related patients than other Nucleos(t)ide analogues.

Intra-subunit Disulfide Determines the Conversion and Structural Stability of CRP Isoforms.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major human acute-phase reactant that is composed of five identical subunits. CRP dissociates into subunits at inflammatory loci forming monomeric CRP (mCRP) with substantially enhanced activities, which can be further activated by reducing the intra-subunit disulfide bond. However, conformational changes underlying the activation process of CRP are less well understood. Conformational changes accompanying the conversion of CRP to mCRP with or without reduction were examined with circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, electron microscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, and neoepitope expression. The conversion of CRP to mCRP follows a two-stage process. In the first stage, CRP dissociates into molten globular subunits characterized by intact secondary structure elements with greatly impaired tertiary packing. In the second stage, these intermediates completely lose their native subunit conformation and assemble into high-order aggregates. The inclusion of reductant accelerates the formation of molten globular subunits in the first step and promotes the formation of more compact aggregates in the second stage. We further show a significant contribution of electrostatic interactions to the stabilization of native CRP. The conformational features of dissociated subunits and the aggregation of mCRP may have a key impact on their activities.

Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase A Regulates Hypoxic Adaptation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Involved with Tumor Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia is an important factor in malignant tumors, and glycolysis is a major metabolic contributor in their development. Glycolytic enzymes have gained increasing attention as potential therapeutic targets because they are associated with cancer-specific metabolism. Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A (ALDOA), a key glycolytic enzyme, reportedly is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its role in pathogenesis and its clinical significance in HCC remain largely unknown. AIM: To explore the increased expression of ALDOA in HCC in correlation with tumor malignancy, and to investigate the potential regulatory role ALDOA plays in HCC progression through its regulation in hypoxia adaptation. METHODS AND RESULTS: To better understand ALDOA and its correlation with clinicopathological features of HCC, we analyzed 100 HCC clinical specimens using immunohistochemistry analysis. The results show that the ALDOA expression level is significantly higher in advanced HCC and in HCC with venous invasion. Using in vitro knockdown assays, we showed that higher ALDOA expression was positively associated with cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and invasion under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Evidence shows that the underlying mechanism is due to the regulatory function of ALDOA in glycolysis, the cell cycle, matrix metalloproteinase-mediated extracellular matrix degradation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicated that ALDOA is significantly upregulated in HCC tissue and is closely related to HCC malignancy. ALDOA is likely to regulate HCC progression by regulating HCC tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in both normoxic and hypoxic condition.

Dynamic flotation conditions for elongated cylinders on liquid surfaces.

HYPOTHESIS: Although the static flotation of elongated cylinders is well understood, their flotation behavior under dynamic conditions after contacting a liquid surface, such as in situations experienced by water-walking insects, still need to be revealed. METHODOLOGY: The motion of elongated horizontal cylinders after zero-velocity contact with a liquid surface is considered, and the motion equation of the cylinder is established and solved to obtain the dynamic flotation conditions. FINDINGS: The limiting density ratios for the dynamic flotation of elongated cylinders with different Bond numbers and contact angles are determined. The results show that although increasing the hydrophobicity promotes floatability of the elongated cylinders, there is little effect for contact angles >120°. Based on the energy balance, an asymptotic formula for the limiting density ratio is proposed, which agrees well with the theoretical results. Unlike small spheres, all elongated cylinders with contact angles >0° are observed to exhibit floatability after contacting a liquid surface. In addition, we found that elongated hydrophilic cylinders exhibit better floatability compared to small hydrophilic spheres with the same contact angle and Bond number, which assists small insects float and survive in various water environments.

Downregulation of tumor suppressor RACK1 by Helicobacter pylori infection promotes gastric carcinogenesis through the integrin ß-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Receptor of activated protein kinase C 1 (RACK1) is downregulated in gastric cancer and is involved in modulating NF-κB signaling pathway activity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating RACK1 expression are unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that downregulated expression of RACK1 was observed in gastric cancer tissue compared to adjacent normal tissue and was correlated with poor prognosis in patients. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection downregulated RACK1 expression in concert with canonical NF-κB signaling pathway activation in vivo and in vitro. RACK1 overexpression suppressed NF-κB signaling pathway activation as well as the release of downstream proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, RACK1 downregulation increased integrin ß-1 expression, while integrin ß-1 silencing decreased NF-κB signaling activation. Moreover, H. pylori infection downregulated RACK1 but upregulated integrin ß-1 expression at the precancerous lesion stages in human subjects. Our data indicate that H. pylori infection promotes the upregulation of integrin ß-1 expression via downregulation of RACK1 expression, which subsequently leads to the elevated activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, an essential step in H. pylori-induced carcinogenesis.

Diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections in children and elderly populations.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with various gastric and extra-gastric diseases. Importantly, this infection is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). H. pylori eradication can effectively prevent H. pylori infection-associated diseases in H. pylori-positive patients, including children and elderly subjects. However, a limited selection of antibiotics, a higher reinfection rate, and certain spontaneous clearance rates, to some extent, restrict the choice of H. pylori treatments in pediatrics. In addition, it is imperative to perform an accurate diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children by determining the presence of the H. pylori infection and the underlying cause of symptoms. In elderly patients, poor tolerance to drugs and higher sensitivity to adverse effects are major concerns during H. pylori therapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that H. pylori eradication could significantly lower the GC risk in the elderly population. The benefit and risk of H. pylori eradication in elderly patients should be comprehensively considered and balanced. If available, susceptibility-based tailored therapies may be preferable in eradicating H. pylori. In addition, to increase the eradication rate and reduce adverse effects, new therapeutic strategies (e.g., probiotic supplementation, berberine supplementation, dual therapy) for H. pylori infection are being extensively investigated. The impact of H. pylori eradication with antibiotics on the microbiota in children has been explored, but further high-quality studies are crucial to delineate the extent of H. pylori eradication affecting the microbial community in children. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of H. pylori diagnosis and treatment in children and the elderly population and aim to provide insights into the efficient management and treatment implementation in these populations.

MicroRNA-328 ameliorates oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced endothelial cells injury through targeting HMGB1 in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis has been recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease, which can harden the vessel wall and narrow the arteries. MicroRNAs exhibit crucial roles in various diseases including atherosclerosis. However, so far, the role of miR-328 in atherosclerosis remains barely explored. Therefore, our study concentrated on the potential role of miR-328 in vascular endothelial cell injury during atherosclerosis. In our current study, we observed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) apoptosis and inhibited cell viability dose-dependently and time-dependently. In addition, indicated dosage of ox-LDL obviously triggered HUVECs inflammation and oxidative stress process. Then, it was found that miR-328 in HUVECs was reduced by ox-LDL. HUVECs apoptosis was greatly repressed and cell survival was significantly upregulated by overexpression of miR-328. Furthermore, mimics of miR-328 rescued cell inflammation and oxidative stress process induced by ox-LDL. Oppositely, inhibitors of miR-328 strongly promoted ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells injury in HUVECs. By using bioinformatics analysis, high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) was predicted as a downstream target of miR-328. HMGB1 has been reported to be involved in atherosclerosis development. The correlation between miR-328 and HMGB1 was validated in our current study. Taken these together, it was implied that miR-328 ameliorated ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells injury through targeting HMGB1 in atherosclerosis.

Acidic pH promotes oxidation-induced dissociation of C-reactive protein.

BACKGROUND: Circulating levels of the systemic inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) have been associated with increased risk and poor outcomes of many diseases, such as cardiovascular events and cancer. Accumulating evidence has indicated that the conformational rearrangement of human pentameric CRP (pCRP) to monomeric CRP (mCRP) is a prerequisite for participation in the pathogenesis. Therefore, determining the mechanism of the dissociation of pCRP into pro-inflammatory mCRP under physiological/pathological circumstances has been intriguing. METHODS: The effects of oxidative and acidic stress occurring in inflammation on pCRP were examined by electrophoresis, electron microscopy, protein fluorescence, neoepitope expression and endothelial cell responses. RESULTS: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the copper-hydrogen peroxide system could rapidly induce the dissociation of CRP at mild acidic pH within four hours, but not at physiological pH of 7.4. Meanwhile, mannitol, a ROS scavenger, could not protect against dissociation, which implied that local ROS from accessible histidine residues may be crucially beneficial to the formation of mCRP in a redox-balanced microenvironment. Furthermore, mCRP generated by ROS could be reduced by DTT, which indicated the exposure of functional motif aa35-47, and showed potent proinflammatory actions on endothelial cells, comparable to mCRP generated by urea. CONCLUSION: dissociation of pCRP to mCRP could be rapidly induced by ROS from copper- hydrogen peroxide system in dependence on mildly acidic stress regardless of a redox-balanced microenvironment.

Roads to pentazolate anion: a theoretical insight.

The formation mechanism of pentazolate anion (PZA) is not yet clear. In order to present the possible formation pathways of PZA, the potential energy surfaces of phenylpentazole (PPZ), phenylpentazole radical (PPZ-R), phenylpentazole radical anion (PPZ-RA), PPZ and m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA), p-pentazolylphenolate anion (p-PZPolA) and m-CPBA, and p-pentazolylphenol (p-PZPol) and m-CPBA were calculated by the computational electronic structure methods including the hybrid density functional, the double hybrid density functional and the coupled-cluster theories. At the thermodynamic point of view, the cleavages of C-N bonds of PPZ and PPZ-R need to absorb large amounts of heat. Thus, they are not feasible entrance for PZA formation at ambient condition. But excitation of PPZ and deprotonation of PPZ-RA probably happen before cleavage of C-N bond of PPZ at high-energy condition. As to the radical anion mechanism, the high accuracy calculations surveyed that the barrier of PZA formation is probably lower than that of dinitrogen evolution, but the small ionization potential of PPZ-RA gives rise to the unstable ionic pair of sodium PPZ at high temperature. In respect of oxidation mechanism, except for PPZ, the reactions of p-PZPolA and p-PZPol with m-CPBA can form PZA and quinone. The PZA formations have the barriers of about 20 kcal mol-1 which compete with the dinitrogen evolutions. The stabilities of PZA in both solid and gas phases were also studied herein. The proton prefers to transfer to pentazolyl group in the (N5)6(H3O)3(NH4)4Cl system which leads to the dissociation of pentazole ring. The ground states of M(N5)2(H2O)4 (M = Co, Fe and Mn) are high-spin states. The pentazolyl groups confined by the crystal waters in the coordinate compounds can improve the kinetic stability. As to the reactivity of PZA, it can be persistently oxidized by m-CPBA to oxo-PZA and 1,3-oxo-PZA with the barriers of about 20 kcal mol-1.

Identification of Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease with serious consequences in mortality and cost. Here we aim to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as biomarkers for early diagnosis of AMI. The microarray data of AMI was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including two independent types of research GSE66360 and GSE62646. The DEGs between control and processed samples were screened out by using limma package. Meanwhile, we performed functional analysis of GO terms and/or KEGG pathways to observe the enriched pathways of the DEGs. Finally, regression analysis of raw data was performed by using packet affyPLM in R language. Dataset GSE62646 contained 53 DEGs (FC log2>1 and P value <0.05) between first-day samples from 28 STEMI patients and control samples from 14 patients without myocardial infarction history. There were 12 up-regulated and 41 down-regulated genes, 35 DEGs annotated. In GSE66360, a total of 3034 DEGs between 32 AMI patients and 38 healthy persons were obtained, including 1861 up-regulated and 1173 down-regulated DEGs. The comparison of the DEGs in two datasets revealed four common up-regulated genes (EGR1, STAB1, SOCS3, TMEM176A). In enrichment analysis, STAB1, SOCS3, EGR1 involved in metabolic regulation and signaling pathways related to coronary artery disease with a characteristic change (P < 0.05). The DEGs, especially the four up-regulated common genes, could serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis of AMI. Additionally, the relative biological pathways these DEGs enriched in might provide a good reference to explore the molecular expression mechanism of AMI. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 650-658, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.