Medicinal Value, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Relationship Analysis of Auricularia cornea (Agaricomycetes) Based on ITS, ISSR, and SRAP Markers.

Wild resources of Auricularia cornea (A. polytricha) are abundant in China, and genetic diversity and genetic relationships analysis of A. cornea can provide basis for germplasm resource utilization and innovation and molecular marker-assisted breeding. In this study, 22 Auricularia strains collected were identified as A. cornea based on ITS sequence analysis, and its genetic diversity was examined by ISSR and SRAP markers. The results showed that a total of 415 bands were amplified by 11 selected ISSR primers, with an average amplification of 37.73 bands per primer, and the mean values of Ne, I, and H were 1.302, 0.368, and 0.219, respectively. A total of 450 bands were amplified by 10 SRAP primers, with an average of 45 bands per primer, and the average of Ne, I, and H were 1.263, 0.302, and 0.183, respectively. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means analysis based on ISSR-SRAP marker data revealed that the genetic similarity coefficient between the tested strains was 0.73-0.97, and the strains could be divided into five groups at 0.742, which had a certain correlation with regional distribution. The results of PCOA and population structure analysis based on ISSR-SRAP data also produced similar results. These results demonstrate the genetic diversity and distinctness among wild A. cornea and provide a theoretical reference for the classification, breeding, germplasm innovation, utilization, and variety protection of A. cornea resources.

Poly(rC) binding protein 1 benefits coxsackievirus B3 infection via suppressing the translation of p62/SQSTM1.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a positive single-strand RNA virus causing myocarditis, pancreatitis and meningitis. During CVB3 infection, various host cellular components, including proteins and non-coding RNAs, interact with the virus and affect viral infection. Poly(rC) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) is a multifunctional RNA binding protein regulating transcription, translation and mRNA stability of a variety of genes. In this study, we observed a significant reduction of PCBP1 protein during CVB3 infection. By bioinformatic prediction and luciferase-assay verification, we confirmed that the expression of PCBP1 was directly inhibited by miR-21, a microRNA upregulated during CVB3 infection. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of PCBP1 promoted CVB3 infection and knocking down of PCBP1 inhibited it. In the subsequent mechanism study, our results revealed that PCBP1 blocked the translation of p62/SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1), an autophagy-receptor protein suppressing CVB3 replication, by interacting with the cis-element in the 5' untranslational region (5' UTR) of p62/SQSTM1. In summary, our studies have identified PCBP1 as a beneficial factor for CVB3 infection. These findings may deepen the understanding of host-virus interactions and provide a potential target for intervention of CVB3 infection.

The relationship between NTCP gene varieties and the progress of liver disease after HBV infection: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) gene varieties and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the progress of HBV-related liver disease. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane library were used to search eligible studies. STATA software was performed to combine results. Pooled odds ratios (OR) was used to assess the potential genetic relationships. RESULTS: A total of 18 eligible case-control studies with 24960 cases and 28342 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The A allele of rs2296651 polymorphism was found to be significantly linked to a protection of HBV infection in the whole combined analysis (P = 0.000). Meanwhile, this allele was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (A vs. G: OR = 0.668, 95% CI: 0.571-0.782, P = 0.000), and was significantly associated with HBV nature clearance (A vs. G: OR = 0.744, 95% CI: 0.585-0.946, P = 0.016; AA+GA vs. GG: OR = 0.775, 95% CI: 0.613-0.980, P = 0.033; GA vs. GG: OR = 0.748, 95% CI: 0.588-0.952, P = 0.018). However, rs4646287 genetic varieties had no statistical differences in all models with HBV infection or HBV-related disease progress, liver cirrhosis, acute-on-chronic liver failure and HCC, as well as rs7154439, rs4646285, rs4646296. CONCLUSIONS: Rs2296651 polymorphism (A allele) may protect from HBV infection and the progress of HBV-related disease (HBV-related HCC). Future research about other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4646287, rs7154439, rs4646285, rs4646296) of NTCP may be needed to clarify the relationship of NTCP gene varieties with HBV infection and HBV-related disease.

The effect of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori by proton pump inhibitors-containing regimens in Asian populations: a meta-analysis.

Premise: The effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) depend on metabolic enzyme CYP2C19 that has different activity due to gene polymorphism. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine the potential effects of CYP2C19 polymorphism on the efficiency of PPI-based treatment. Materials & methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, etc. were searched for relevant articles published in English or Chinese from inception to 31 May 2020. Finally, 26 randomized controlled trials and 15 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria and used for the meta-analysis via STATA version 15. Results: Poor metabolizer (PM) genotype Helicobacter pylori eradication rates were highest for Asian individuals receiving triple or quadruple first-line therapy based on PPIs (p < 0.05). CYP2C19 polymorphism could influence H. pylori eradication rate only in Mainland China and Japan (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PM genotype facilitates the elimination of H. pylori in Asian populations. Rabeprazole-, esomeprazole- and pantoprazole-based eradication program was less affected by the CYP2C19 polymorphism.

Experience of comprehensive interventions in reducing occupational exposure to COVID-19.

IMPORTANCE: The infection of medical personnel with COVID-19 was a disaster for both patients and doctors. However, some effective measures can prevent medical staff from becoming infected. This article introduces those measures and thus provides a reference for other hospitals. OBJECTIVE: In order to reduce the risk of occupational exposure and of the infection of medical staff, this article analyzed the factors, causes and experience of medical personnel on their occupational exposure to COVID-19. Some effective and targeted intervention measures can be implemented in order to avoid the occupational exposure of medical staff to COVID-19. EVIDENCE REVIEW: In this single-center case series involving 196 medical personnel, occupational exposure to COVID-19 was present. Nursing staff accounted for 67.35% of those cases. The relationships with an exposure source were found to be as follows: doctors and patients (87.24%), colleagues (10.20%), and roommates (2.55%). Occupational exposure was found to be present in the clinical department, radiology department, central sterile supply department, as well as in the outpatient clinics and operating rooms. The non-surgical departments accounted for 72.96% and direct contact accounted for 84.69% while failure to wear surgical masks (84.18%) and operating on the patient without wearing goggles/face shield (8.16%) were the main causes of occupational exposure. The occurrence of occupational exposure to COVID-19 declined to 0.19% after an extensive and comprehensive intervention program. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Some effective measures such as hand hygiene, wearing surgical masks in and around the hospital, reasonable use of goggles/face screens, raising awareness of protective measures, minimizing the number of elective operations, strengthening training as well as many other control measures were instrumental in reducing occupational exposure. For any medical institution there is room for improvement in terms of personal protection to reduce occupational exposure.

The structure and hydrogen-bond properties of N-alkyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and DMSO mixtures.

Mixing ionic liquids (ILs) with molecular solvents can extend the practical applications of ILs and overcome the drawbacks of neat ILs. Knowledge on the structure and hydrogen-bond interaction properties of IL-molecular solvent mixtures is essential for chemical applications. In this work, the structure and hydrogen-bond features of N-alkyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([CnMPyr][Tf2N], n = 3, 4, 6 and 8) and DMSO mixtures were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Excess infrared absorption spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) were employed to extract structural information on the mixtures from the C-D systematic stretching vibrational (νs(C-D)) region of the methyl groups in DMSO-d6. It was found that the mixing process of [CnMPyr][Tf2N] and DMSO is non-ideal and interaction complexes form between [CnMPyr][Tf2N] and DMSO-d6. They are ion cluster-DMSO-d6 complexes and ion pair-DMSO-d6 complexes. In the mixing processes, the species present in pure DMSO gradually decrease from DMSO dimer to DMSO monomer with an increase in ILs. Besides, the ion cluster-DMSO complexes gradually increase, while the ion pair-DMSO complexes decrease due to the strong electrostatic interaction between the cation and anion. In the ion cluster-DMSO complexes and ion pair-DMSO complexes, the ring hydrogen atoms of the methylene group directly attached to the nitrogen atom are the preferred interaction sites of the [CnMPyr]+ cations. All the hydrogen bonds in the identified complexes are closed-shell, electrostatically dominant and weak.

Correction: Chondroitin sulfate-polydopamine modified polyethylene terephthalate with extracellular matrix-mimetic immunoregulatory functions for osseointegration.

Correction for 'Chondroitin sulfate-polydopamine modified polyethylene terephthalate with extracellular matrix-mimetic immunoregulatory functions for osseointegration' by Ya-Min Li et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019, 7, 7756-7770, DOI: 10.1039/C9TB01984G.

Boosting the hole transport of conductive polymers by regulating the ion ratio in ionic liquid additives.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has aroused great interest in organic electrics because of its high electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility. To improve the charge transport, it can act as an ionic liquid (IL) additive due to its ion characteristics and high electrical conductivity. Herein, we investigated the hole-transport performance of PEDOT treated by ILs featuring specific ion ratios (4 : 1, 3 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 3, and 1 : 4) of the cation and anion through classical dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics computations. The hole mobility of the amorphous PEDOT, constituting nine EDOT monomers, could be improved to 16.81, 18.03, and 10.14 cm2 V-1 s-1 when synergistically regulating the ion ratio to 2 : 1, 3 : 1, and 4 : 1. Consequently, these ratios potentially achieved nearly a 100-fold improvement in the electrical conductivity with respect to the pristine system. The improvements mainly stemmed from the fact that decreasing the amount of anions in ILs and prolonging the chain length of PEDOT yielded an ordered face-to-face π-π stacking. The electronic coupling and charge excitation further confirmed that the anions play an active role in tunneling the hole transport in ILs/heterogeneous PEDOT, and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level of PEDOT was up-shifted significantly after treatment by the ratios of 2 : 1, 3 : 1, and 4 : 1, which favored the electron-donating ability and was in line with the extraordinary enhancement of the hole mobility. Our results imply that regulating the ion ratio in ILs is a novel strategy for modulating the electronic properties and π-stacked morphology of PEDOT.

Understanding the effects of the co-sensitizing ratio on the surface potential, electron injection efficiency, and Förster resonance energy transfer.

Multiple absorbers that function in different absorption regions (near infra-red (NIR) and UV-Visible (UV-Vis)) have been widely used in solar cell applications to enhance the light-harvesting. Herein, two special co-sensitizing Models 1 and 2, which feature either saturated dye IQ21 or saturated co-sensitizer S2, have been added to a TiO2 surface to explore the effect of the altered sensitizing sequence, namely the co-sensitizing ratio of IQ21/S2 and S2/IQ21 on the electrostatic potential variation (ΔV), electron injection efficiency (ηinj'), and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), using density functional theory and first-principle molecular dynamics simulations. The ΔV related to the open-circuit voltage (Voc) is insensitive in both Models 1 and 2. However, the absorption (λabs) and ηinj' associated with the short-circuit density (Jsc) display a significant deviation (the λabs for 1 is red-shifted compared to that of 2, and the ηinj' for 1 is improved by 56%). Meanwhile, Model 1 manifests a suppressed FRET and potentially favors co-sensitizer S2 functioning as the electron-injector and not the energy-donor. Another two possible Models 3 and 4 that feature a reduced adsorption of IQ21 and S2 relative to 1 and 2 were considered further, and the result mirrors the main trend in 1 and 2, except for the ηinj'. Overall, it implies that sensitizing a larger absorber with NIR features to saturate it first, then introducing a smaller absorber with UV-Vis features, can potentially improve the electron injection and diminish electron-hole recombination considerably. Our results provide a comprehensive analysis of the active role of an optimized sensitizing sequence to improve the conversion efficiency.

Chondroitin sulfate-polydopamine modified polyethylene terephthalate with extracellular matrix-mimetic immunoregulatory functions for osseointegration.

Optimal integration between the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) graft and host bone is a prerequisite to obtain a satisfactory outcome after graft implantation for ligament reconstruction. Recent studies indicate that complex biosignals including immunoregulation, cell recruitment, and osteogenic differentiation provided by the extracellular matrix (ECM) are conducive to promoting osseointegration. In the present study, a chondroitin sulfate (CS)/polydopamine-modified PET graft was developed to regulate the local immune microenvironment, guide stem cell behavior, and promote new bone formation. We found that CS-modified PET grafts significantly regulated the macrophage phenotype switching from M1 to M2 and promoted the expression of pro-repair cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1. Moreover, the immunoregulatory function of CS-modified PET guided stem cell behaviors, including recruitment, adhesion, and proliferation, and enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. In vivo experiments confirmed that CS-modified PET switched the local immune microenvironment status from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory, up-regulated osteogenic marker expression, and promoted the bone regeneration process, so as to achieve graft-bone osseointegration. These results indicate that an ECM-biomimetic immunoregulatory coating is an effective approach to promote graft integration. This study proposes an effective strategy for an artificial graft to achieve graft-bone osseointegration through immunoregulatory osteogenesis.

Association of IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-ß1 gene polymorphisms with brucellosis: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Several current studies have provided data that polymorphisms in the interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-ß1) gene were associated with the susceptibility to human brucellosis, but the results remain inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to investigate the relationship between IL-6 (-174 G/C), IL-10 (-1082 A/G, -819C/T) and TGF-ß1 (codon 10, codon 25) gene polymorphisms and brucellosis. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, OVID-EBMR, and the Cochrane Library up to Oct. 30, 2018. The search was designed using the following key words: "brucellosis" or" "brucella melitensis", "IL-10" or "interleukin10" or "interleukin-10", "IL-6" or "interleukin6" or "interleukin-6", "TGF-ß1" or "TGF-beta1" or "transforming growth factor ß1", "polymorphism" and "single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)". Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to measure the strength of association between TGF-ß1, IL-10 and IL-6 polymorphisms and brucellosis risk. All the statistical analyses were conducted by Review manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies involving 1308 cases and 902 controls met the inclusion criteria for IL-6, IL-10, TGF-ß1 polymorphisms and brucellosis risk. There was a slightly trend of increasing risk of brucellosis in individuals with the G allele compared with individuals with the C allele (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.85-1.33, P = 0.57) in IL-6 polymorphism. However, statistical analysis showed that these differences are not significant. Our results suggested TGF-ß1 (codon 25 G/C) GG genotype may be considered as a risk factor for brucellosis (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.12-2.50, P = 0.01). Herein, we failed to find any significant association between IL-10 (-1082 A/G, -819C/T), TGF-ß1 (codon 10C/T) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to brucellosis in all gene models. CONCLUSION: IL-6 (-174 G/C), IL-10 (-1082 A/G, -819C/T), and TGF-ß1 (codon 10C/T) polymorphisms is not a risk factor for brucellosis infection. TGF-ß1 codon 25 GG genotype may be considered as a risk factor for brucellosis.

High Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performances of Cathode Materials Combining Polyoxometalates, Coordination Complexes, and Carboneous Supports.

A series of carbonaceous-supported precious-metal-free polyoxometalate (POM)-based composites which can be easily synthesized on a large scale was shown to act as efficient cathode materials for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral or basic media via a four-electron mechanism with high durability. Moreover, exploiting the versatility of the considered system, its activity was optimized by the judicious choice of the 3d metals incorporated in the {(PW9)2M7} (M = Co, Ni) POM core, the POM counterions and the support (thermalized triazine-based frameworks (TTFs), fluorine-doped TTF (TTF-F), reduced graphene oxide, or carbon Vulcan XC-72. In particular, for {(PW9)2Ni7}/{Cu(ethylenediamine)2}/TTF-F, the overpotential required to drive the ORR compared well with those of Pt/C. This outstanding ORR electrocatalytic activity is linked with two synergistic effects due to the binary combination of the Cu and Ni centers and the strong interaction between the POM molecules and the porous and highly conducting TTF-F framework. To our knowledge, {(PW9)2Ni7}/{Cu(ethylenediamine)2}/TTF-F represents the first example of POM-based noble-metal-free ORR electrocatalyst possessing both comparable ORR electrocatalytic activity and much higher stability than that of Pt/C in neutral medium.

Oxidation of Aromatic Aldehydes to Esters: A Sulfate Radical Redox System.

A mild oxidative esterification of various aromatic aldehydes by sulfate radical redox system was presented. In the reaction pathway exploration, the transiency of MeOSO3- was disclosed, which was generated from esterification between the in situ generated HSO4- and MeOH, a rate-limiting step in the process. More importantly, the selectivity-controlling step was represented by the subsequent nucleophilic displacement between MeOSO3- and aldehydes. The ionic oxidant 1a ((NH4)2S2O8) with more N-H numbers in the cation, as compared with 1c ((n-Bu4N)2S2O8) and 1d ((PyH)2S2O8), has better performance in the oxidative esterification of aldehydes.

The association between CYP2E1 polymorphisms and hepatotoxicity due to anti-tuberculosis drugs: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been previous studies on the potential association between cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) polymorphisms and the risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH), the results have generally been controversial. METHODS: We searched Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library using the following key words: cytochrome P450 2E1, CYP2E1, polymorphism, tuberculosis and TB. The strength of the association between the CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI and DraI polymorphism and ATDH risk as measured by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was studied. RESULTS: Compared with the wild genotype (c1/c1), the OR of ATDH was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.1-1.82, P=0.007) for the PstI/RsaI polymorphism, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.51-1.18, P=0.23) for the DraI polymorphism. Compared with individuals with N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) fast or intermediate acetylator genotype and c1/c1 genotype patients who were NAT2 slow acetylators and carried the high activity CYP2E1 c1/c1 genotype had higher risk for ATDH (OR=3.10, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis indicates that the CYP2E1 c1/c1 genotype may be a risk factor for ATDH, and the concomitant presence of the slow acetylator NAT2 genotype may further increase this risk.

[Changes of the spectrum on thyroid disease after the ten-year implementation of universal salt iodization in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the relationship between iodine nutrition and the change of spectrum on thyroid diseases through comparing the different iodine environments pre- and post- the universal salt iodization(USI)campaign. METHODS: To compare the urinary iodine concentration between 1000 normal people and 5998 patients with thyroid disease who had undergone surgical operations, from 4 major cities, including iodine deficient and rich areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. RESULTS: After USI was put into practice, the urinary iodine concentration of patients with thyroid appeared higher than those of normal people(324.3 µg/L vs. 238.5 µg/L, P < 0.05). The urinary iodine concentrations of nodular goiter,Graves disease, toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis were higher than those before the USI was taken(263.8 µg/L vs. 69.75 µg/L, 289.7 µg/L vs. 228.3 µg/L, 346.8 µg/L vs. 268.4 µg/L, 350.3 µg/L vs. 316.2 µg/L and 378.5 µg/L vs. 305.8 µg/L). The proportions of toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis appeared as 7.59% vs. 4.80%, 5.85% vs. 4.02% and 3.88% vs. 2.46%, all higher than those before the implementation of USI, except the nodular goiter which showed a reduction (63.56% vs. 69.75%). CONCLUSION: The spectrum of thyroid diseases appeared an obvious change in Guangxi within the last 10-year implementation of USI. However, the excessive intake of iodine might serve as a risk factor for toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

[Influence of angiotensin-(1-7) on cell activation in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts induced by aldosterone].

AIM: To explore the influence of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] on cell activation and extracellular matrix secretion in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F) induced by aldosterone (ALD). METHODS: The NRK-49F cells were cultured in vitro, and then were divided into control group, ALD group, Ang-(1-7) group, and ALD+Ang-(1-7) group. When the cells were cultured for 48 h, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (a sign of cell activation) was detected by immunocytochemistry; the level of collagen type I (Col I ) in the cultured supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When the cells were cultured for 30 min, the expressions of phosphorylated and total ERK1/2 (pERK1/2, tERK1/2) in the cell lysate were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expressions of α-SMA, Col I and the Phos/Total ERK1/2 ratio in ALD group and ALD+Ang-(1-7) group increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with ALD group, the expressions of α-SMA, Col I and the Phos/Total ERK1/2 ratio in ALD+Ang-(1-7) group decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ang-(1-7) can inhibit ALD-induced cell activation and decrease the secretion of Col I in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts. Inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway may play an important role in this process.

[Influence of angiotensin-(1-7) on angiotensin II induced rat's tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation].

AIM: To explore the influence of angiotensin-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)] on angiotension II(Ang II) induced rat's tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and the secretion of extracellular matrix. METHODS: The NRK52E were maintained and sub-cultured treated with Ang-(1-7) (10(-6); mmol/L) and Ang II(10(-6); mmol/L) for 24, 48, 72, 96 hours, we detect the protein expressions of E-cadherin and α-SMA by immunocytochemistry method; The content of Col I and FN in the cultured supernatant were measured by ELISA; The mRNA expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA, Col I and FN was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Treat with ang II 96 h, the protein and mRNA expression of E-cadherin decreased significantly (P<0.05), but the protein and mRNA expression α-SMA, col I and FN increased significantly (P<0.05); treat with Ang II and Ang-(1-7), the protein and mRNA expression of E-cadherin increased significantly (P<0.05), but the protein and mRNA expression α-SMA, col I and FN decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ang-(1-7) can inhibits Ang II-induced rat's tubular epithelial myofibroblast transdifferentiation and decrease the secretion of FN and Col I.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Islet transplantation is an effective way of reversing type I diabetes. However, islet transplantation is hampered by issues such as immune rejection and shortage of donor islets. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing cells. However, the potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (huMSCs) to become insulin-producing cells remains undetermined. METHODS: We isolated and induced cultured huMSCs under islet cell culture conditions. The response of huMSCs were monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining methods were used to measure insulin and glucagon protein levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect gene expression of human insulin and PDX-1. Dithizone-staining was employed to determine the zinc contents in huMSCs. Insulin secretion was also evaluated through radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: HuMSCs induced by nicotinamide and ß-mercaptoethanol or by neurogenic differentiation 1 gene (NeuroD1) transfection gradually changed morphology from typically elongated fibroblast-shaped cells to round cells. They had a tendency to form clusters. Immunocytochemical studies showed positive expression of human insulin and glucagon in these cells in response to induction. RT-PCR experiments found that huMSCs expressed insulin and PDX-1 genes following induction and dithizone stained the cytoplasm of huMSCs a brownish red color after induction. Insulin secretion in induced huMSCs was significantly elevated compared with the control group (t = 6.183, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HuMSCs are able to differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro. The potential use of huMSCs in ß cell replacement therapy of diabetes needs to be studied further.

Insufficient screening knowledge in Chinese interns: a survey in ten leading medical schools.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate Chinese medical interns' cancer knowledge and associated factors, focusing on cancer screening. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted in ten leading Chinese medical schools from June to July in 2011. Medical interns were invited to fill the questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of the 1350 copies sent, 1135 eligible responses were returned. Around 50% of interns had positive attitude toward oncology, but the knowledge score was low, particularly in screening. The percentages of scores were 44.8% (8.95/20) for overall and only 29.6% (2.07/7) for screening. The majority of internship length in oncology department was eight to fourteen days. Screening and prevention was ranked as third most taught, following diagnosis and treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that positive attitude to oncology correlated with positive self-evaluated overall (OR = 1.76, 95% CI (1.45, 2.12)) and screening (OR = 1.62, 95% CI (1.35, 1.95)) competence, but unexpectedly predicted lower screening score (OR = 0.77, 95% CI (0.61, 0.97)). Interns with positive self-evaluated screening competence were not found to possess higher cancer screening knowledge. CONCLUSION: Current medical education in Chinese medical schools fails to equip interns with optimal cancer knowledge, particularly in screening, even in interns who hold positive view to oncology. Interns' self-evaluated competence is not proportional to their knowledge scores.

[Effects of low-level laser irradiation on rat mesenteric microcirculatory disturbance during early stage of endotoxemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of low-level laser irradiation on mesenteric microcirculation of rats in vivo in the early stage of endotoxemia (ETM). METHODS: The experimental model of ETM was reproduced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups used random number table: control group, LPS group and low-level laser irradiation group, each group included 20 rats which were subdivided into four temporal subgroups (1, 2, 4, 6 hours, respectively). In low-level laser irradiation group, the rats were irradiated by type SLT semiconductor laser (650 nm, 5 mW) on unilateral femoral artery and vein, and blood vessel of the ear concurrently for 30 minutes. The interference course was vertical irradiation taken at 30 minutes after the injection of LPS. At 1, 2, 4, 6 hours after the injection of LPS, changes in mesenteric microcirculation and microcirculatory blood flow were recorded with the laser Doppler flowmeter, the velocity of red blood cells in venules was observed, and the number of open capillaries and adherent leukocytes were recorded. RESULTS: The blood flow velocity (mm/s) of the mesenteric microcirculation in LPS group was accelerated at 1 hour and 2 hours after LPS injection (1 hour: 0.190+/-0.007 vs. 0.174+/-0.009, 2 hours: 0.200+/-0.010 vs. 0.172+/-0.015, both P<0.05, respectively), but decelerated at 6 hours (0.116+/-0.015 vs. 0.164+/-0.011, P<0.05). The blood flow volume in the mesenteric vessels and the number of open capillaries did not show any significant change at that time. Significant increase in number of adherent leukocytes was observed at 2, 4, 6 hours after injury (2 hours: 2.60+/-1.14 vs. 0.40+/-0.55, 4 hours: 5.40+/-0.89 vs. 0.40+/-0.55, 6 hours : 5.40+/-1.52 vs. 0.60+/-0.90, all P<0.05, respectively). The state of blood flow in the microcirculation became abnormal. After irradiated with laser in low dose, the blood flow velocity was smooth and stable (mm/s, 1 hour: 0.174+/-0.011, 2 hours: 0.180+/-0.023, 4 hours: 0.168+/-0.013, 6 hours: 0.162+/-0.023), and the number of adherent leukocytes was reduced significantly at 4 hours and 6 hours than that in LPS group (4 hours: 2.00+/-0.71 vs. 5.40+/-0.89, 6 hours: 2.60+/-1.52 vs. 5.40+/-1.52, both P<0.05) and the microcirculatory flow state was improved obviously. CONCLUSION: Low-level laser irradiation may ameliorate the local mesenteric microcirculation, alleviate the microcirculatory disorder in early stage of ETM.