Preparation and Performance Evaluation of a Zinc Oxide-Graphene Oxideloaded Chitosan-Based Thermosensitive Gel.

This study aimed to develop and assess a chitosan biomedical antibacterial gel ZincOxide-GrapheneOxide/Chitosan/ß-Glycerophosphate (ZnO-GO/CS/ß-GP) loaded with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO), known for its potent antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and sustained drug release. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were modified and integrated with GO sheets to create 1% and 3% ZnO-GO/CS/ß-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on ZnO-GO to Chitosan (CS) mass ratio. Gelation time, pH, structural changes, and microscopic morphology were evaluated. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity was examined alongside its impact (MC3T3-e1). The findings of this study revealed that both hydrogel formulations exhibited temperature sensitivity, maintaining a neutral pH. The ZnO-GO/CS/ß-GP formulation effectively inhibited P. gingivalis bacterial activity and biofilm formation, with a 3% ZnO-GO/CS/ß-GP antibacterial rate approaching 100%. MC3T3-e1 cells displayed good biocompatibility when cultured in the hydrogel extract.The ZnO-GO/CS/ß-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogel demonstrates favorable physical and chemical properties, effectively preventing P. gingivalis biofilm formation. It exhibits promising biocompatibility, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing and preventing peri-implantitis, subject to further clinical investigations.

Constructing mesoporous biochar derived from waste carton: Improving multi-site adsorption of dye wastewater and investigating mechanism.

The development of cost-efficient biochar adsorbent with a simple preparation method is essential to constructing efficient wastewater treatment system. Here, a low-cost waste carton biochar (WCB) prepared by a simple two-step carbonization was applied in efficiently removing Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous environment. The maximum ability of WCB for RhB adsorption was 222 mg/g, 6 and 10 times higher than both of rice straw biochar (RSB) and broadbean shell biochar (BSB), respectively. It was mainly ascribed to the mesopore structure (3.0-20.4 nm) of WCB possessing more spatial sites compared to RSB (2.2 nm) and BSB (2.4 nm) for RhB (1.4 nm✕1.1 nm✕0.6 nm) adsorption. Furthermore, external mass transfer (EMT) controlled mass transfer resistance (MTR) of the RhB sorption process by WCB which was fitted with the Langmuir model well. Meanwhile, the adsorption process was dominated by physisorption through van der Waals forces and π-π interactions. A mixture of three dyes in river water was well removed by using WCB. This work provides a straightforward method of preparing mesoporous biochar derived from waste carton with high-adsorption capacity for dye wastewater treatment.

Actual experience of the training effect of Baduanjin on patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction: A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the actual experience of training effect of Baduanjin on patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction through semistructured interviews and promote Baduanjin training application in clinical and community settings. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis approach. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with hemiplegic limb dysfunctions after cerebral infarction were recruited as participants by applying purposive sampling method between September 2017-December 2020 in the physical therapy department of a rehabilitation hospital affiliated with Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. Semistructured interviews were conducted after patients participated in Baduanjin training for 6 weeks. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis method of Graneheim and Lundman. RESULTS: Three major themes were identified after analysis, namely improving functions of hemiplegic limbs, improving the condition of the entire body and the feelings of practice. The participants indicated that Baduanjin could improve the limb functions and general conditions of hemiplegic patients. Their experience in practicing Baduanjin was generally positive, and they were willing to continue practicing.

Changes in the Gut Metabolic Profile of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Rats Following Probiotic Supplementation.

The roles of gut microbiota and metabolomics in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are not well understood. This study investigated the gut metabolomic profiling of GDM rats and GDM rats treated with probiotic supplements. Associations between gut metabolites and microbiota were also studied in GDM rats. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect gut metabolites in GDM rats and GDM rats treated with probiotic supplements of 0.5 g (low-dose group) or 1 g (high-dose group) for 15 days. Each gram of probiotic supplement contained 5 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and 1 × 108 CFU of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis Bb12. The association between gut metabolites and microbiota in GDM rats was investigated using Spearman's correlation. Finally, 10 rats in the normal pregnant group, eight rats in the GDM model group, eight GDM rats in the low-dose probiotics group, and nine GDM rats in the high-dose probiotics group were further studied. Serum parameters and pancreatic and colon histology were significantly changed in GDM rats, and these were restored using probiotic supplements. In total, 999 gut metabolites were detected in the feces, and GDM rats were distinguished from normal rats. The levels of 44 metabolites were increased in GDM rats, and they were alleviated using probiotic supplements. Changes in metabolites in GDM rats were associated with amino acids and bile acids metabolism signaling pathways. Furthermore, changes in metabolites after probiotic supplementation were associated with porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism pathways. We found that the Allobaculum genus displayed strong positive correlations, whereas the Bryobacter and Gemmatimonas genera displayed strong negative correlations with metabolisms of amino acids and bile acids in GDM rats. The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera were positively correlated with gut metabolites. Overall, our results showed that metabolism signaling pathways of amino acids and bile acids are associated with the development of GDM. Probiotic supplements alleviate the pathology of GDM through the metabolism pathways of amino acids, bile acids, porphyrin, and chlorophyll.

Chemotherapy or Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation as Salvage Therapy for Patients with Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Multicenter Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The overall outcome of patients with refractory AML (rAML) remains poor. Though allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is considered as the only curative therapy, it is routinely recommended only for patients after remission with salvage chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the impact of salvage chemotherapy or allo-HSCT on the overall outcome in rAML. METHODS: We collected the clinical data of 220 patients from 4 medical centers and performed retrospective analysis of prognosis factors, including salvage chemotherapy, intensity of chemotherapy, and allo-HSCT. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients received allo-HSCT directly without salvage chemotherapy, 26 patients achieved complete remission (CR) or complete remission with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) after transplantation and 4-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were 45.0 ± 10.7 and 51.0 ± 10.6%, respectively. Another 191 patients received salvage chemotherapy and 81 (42.2%) achieved CR or CRi. Thirty-four patients among them underwent subsequent allo-HSCT with 4-year LFS and OS of 46.0 ± 8.8 and 46.2 ± 9.0%. The 4-year LFS and OS in 26 patients who failed to obtain CR or CRi but received allo-HSCT with active disease were 32.9 ± 10.0 and 36.9 ± 10.8%, respectively. For patients who received salvage chemotherapy but not allo-HSCT, few of them became long-term survivors. In multivariate analysis, salvage chemotherapy and the intensity of chemotherapy failed to have significant impact on both OS and LFS. Allo-HSCT was the only prognostic factor for improved OS and LFS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the benefit of allo-HSCT in patients with rAML and direct allo-HSCT without salvage chemotherapy could be treatment option.

Insights into the highly efficient treatment of dyeing wastewater using algal bloom derived activated carbon with wide-range adaptability to solution pH and temperature.

Here, a low-cost acid-base and temperature tolerant algal bloom derived activated carbon (ABAC) was successfully prepared to remove rhodamine B (RhB) from water. The ABAC exhibited maximum adsorption capacity of RhB (1101 ± 11 mg/g), higher than that of laboratory-prepared rape straw activated carbon (176 ± 5 mg/g) and commercial activated carbon (489 ± 5 mg/g). It is attributed to larger surface area and mesoporous structure of the ABAC. Furthermore, the effective adsorption of RhB by using ABAC was achieved at a wide range of solution pH (3.2-10.8) and temperature(25-50 °C). The mass transfer resistance of RhB adsorption process well depicted by Langmuir model was controlled by external mass transfer. The adsorption process involved both secondly chemisorption (H-bonds and π-π interaction) and dominated physisorption. Four dyes in river water were efficiently removed. This work provides a promising approach for developing high-absorption biomass materials for actual dye wastewater treatment.

Iron deficiency and early childhood caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUNDS: Previous surveys have found that children with iron deficiency (ID) were likely to suffer from early childhood caries (ECC). We aimed to assess the scientific evidence about whether ID is intrinsically related to ECC. METHODS: The medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and free words were searched on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and the Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals from March 2020 to September 2020. Two researchers independently screened the articles. Data extraction and cross-checking were performed for the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: After excluding duplication and irrelevant literature, 12 case-control studies were included in the study. The meta-analysis demonstrated that children with ECC were more likely to have ID (odds ratio [OR] = 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.85, 3.73], P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant association found between the level of serum ferritin and ECC (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -5.80, 95% CI: [-11.97, 0.37], P = 0.07). Children with ECC were more likely to have iron-deficiency anemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: [2.41,3.11], P < 0.001). The hemoglobin (HGB) levels in the ECC group were significantly lower compared with that in the ECC-free group (WMD = -9.96, 95% CI: [-15.45, -4.46], P = 0.0004). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels in the ECC group were significantly lower compared with that in the ECC-free group (WMD = -3.72, 95% CI: [-6.65, -0.79], P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ID was more prevalent in children with ECC, and the markers of iron status in the ECC group, such as serum ferritin, HGB, and MCV, were relatively lower than the ECC-free group.

Probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus by restoring the diversity of gut microbiota: a study based on 16S rRNA sequencing.

Probiotics effectively prevent and improve metabolic diseases such as diabetes by regulating the intestinal microenvironment and gut microbiota. However, the effects of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus are not clear. Here, we showed that probiotic supplements significantly improved fasting blood glucose in a gestational diabetes mellitus rat model. To further understand the mechanisms of probiotics in gestational diabetes mellitus, the gut microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that compared with the normal pregnant group, the gestational diabetes mellitus rats had decreased diversity of gut microbiota. Moreover, probiotic supplementation restored the diversity of the gut microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus rats, and the gut microbiota structure tended to be similar to that of normal pregnant rats. In particular, compared with gestational diabetes mellitus rats, the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was higher after probiotic supplementation. Furthermore, activating carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport pathways may be involved in the potential mechanisms by which probiotic supplements alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus. Overall, our results suggested that probiotic supplementation might be a novel approach to restore the gut microbiota of gestational diabetes mellitus rats and provided an experimental evidence for the use of probiotic supplements to treat gestational diabetes mellitus.

Unraveling the mechanism of efficient adsorption of riboflavin onto activated biochar derived from algal blooms.

Riboflavin is commercially produced primarily by bio-fermentation. Nonetheless, purification and separation are particularly complex and costly. Adsorption from the fermentation liquor is an alternative riboflavin separation technology during which a cost-efficient adsorbent is highly desired. In this study, a low-cost activated algal biomass-derived biochar (AABB) was applied as an adsorbent to efficiently adsorb riboflavin from an aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity of riboflavin on AABB increased with the increase in pyrolysis temperature and initial riboflavin concentration. The adsorption isotherms were well described by the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The AABB displayed excellent adsorption performance and its maximum adsorption capacity was 476.9 mg/g, which was 6.8, 6.8, and 5.2 times higher than that of laboratory-prepared activated rape straw biochar, activated broadbean shell biochar and commercial activated carbon, respectively, which was mainly ascribed to its larger specific surface area and abundant functional groups. The mass transfer model results showed that mass transfer resistance was dependent on both the film mass transfer and porous diffusion. Raman and Fourier transform-infrared spectra confirmed the presence of π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding between riboflavin and the AABB. The adsorption of riboflavin onto AABB was a spontaneous process, which was dominated by van der Waals forces. These results will be beneficial for developing effective riboflavin recovery technologies and simultaneously utilizing waste algal blooms.

Effectiveness of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with critical limb ischemia / Efectividad de las células madre mesenquimales del cordón umbilical en pacientes con isquemia crítica de extremidades

Introduction and objective: Transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) has been shown to be effective in treating critical limb ischemia (CLI). However, the mechanism of MSCs-mediated improvements, especially on the immune-inflammatory aspects of this disease, is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and inflammatory mediators (such as IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha) in PBMCs from CLI patients after UC-MSCs treatment and correlation between inflammatory mediators and EPCs. Patients and methods: 8 patients received UC-MSCs transplantation. Before the treatment, at 24h and 1 month thereafter, peripheral blood samples were collected from 8 patients and 8 healthy volunteers. Patients were evaluated for changes in IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and levels of circulating EPCs. Results: TNF-alpha and IL-6 serum levels increased at 24h (p=0.017, p=0.099) after treatment and then decreased at 1 month (p=0.031, p=0.072) compared with those before treatment. The percentages of CD3+T, CD3+CD4+T-lymphocytes and NK cells decreased significantly after UC-MSCs treatment (p=0.002, p=0.012 and p=0.029, respectively). TNF-alpha (r=−0.602, p=0.038) was shown to be inversely correlated with the number of circulating EPCs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that UC-MSCs have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation properties in CLI and suggests that UC-MSCs promote healing of non-healing wounds

Introducción y objetivo: El trasplante de células madre mesenquimales del cordón umbilical (CMM-CU) ha demostrado eficacia en el tratamiento de la isquemia crítica de las extremidades (ICE). Sin embargo, se desconoce el mecanismo de las mejoras mediadas por las CMM, especialmente en los aspectos inmune-inflamatorios de esta enfermedad. Este estudio analiza los cambios en las subpoblaciones de linfocitos T y en los mediadores inflamatorios (como IL-6, IL-10 y TNF-alpha) en CMSP de pacientes con ICE después del tratamiento con CMM-CU y estudia la correlación entre mediadores inflamatorios y células progenitoras endoteliales (CPE). Pacientes y métodos: Ocho pacientes recibieron trasplante de CMM-CU. Se recogieron muestras de sangre periférica de 8 pacientes y 8 voluntarios sanos, antes del tratamiento, a las 24h y un mes después. Los pacientes fueron evaluados para detectar cambios en IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha y niveles de CPE circulantes. Resultados: Los niveles séricos de TNF-alpha e IL-6 aumentaron 24h después del tratamiento (p=0,017, p=0,099) y luego disminuyeron al mes (p=0,031, p=0,072) en comparación con los niveles antes del tratamiento. Los porcentajes de CD3+T, CD3+CD4+ linfocitos T y células NK disminuyeron significativamente después del tratamiento con CMM-CU (p=0,002, p=0,012 y p=0,029, respectivamente). TNF-alpha (r=−0,602, p=0,038) demostró estar correlacionada inversamente con el número de CPE circulantes. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que las CMM-CU tienen propiedades antiinflamatorias e inmunomoduladoras en la ICE y sugieren que las CMM-CU promueven la curación de heridas que no cicatrizan

Robot-assisted therapy for balance function rehabilitation after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the rehabilitative effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: Thirteen electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2018: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBase, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, SPORTDiscus, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were retrieved for identifying the effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. Two authors independently searched databases, screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality and risk bias of each included study. A standardized protocol and data-collection form were used to extract information. Effect size was evaluated by mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Methodological quality and risk bias evaluation for each included study followed the quality appraisal criteria for randomized controlled trials that were recommended by Cochrane Handbook. Meta-analysis was conducted by utilizing Review Manager 5.3, a Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data was synthesized with descriptive analysis instead of meta-analysis where comparisons were not possible to be conducted with a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-one randomized controlled trials with a total of 1249 participants were included. The majority of the included studies contained some methodological flaws. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that robot-assisted therapy produced positive effects on balance function, as shown by an increase in the Berg balance scale score [random effects model, mean difference = 4.64, 95%CI = 3.22-6.06, P＜0.01], as well as Fugl-Meyer balance scale scores [fixed effects model, mean difference = 3.57, 95%CI = 2.81-4.34, P＜0.01]. After subgroup and sensitivity analyses, the positive effects were not influenced by different types of robotic devices, by whether robot-assisted therapy was combined with another intervention or not, or by differences in duration and intensity of intervention. CONCLUSION: Evidence in the present systematic review indicates that robot-assisted therapy may produce significantly positive improvements on balance function among stroke patients compared with those not using this method. More multi-center, high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials following the guidelines of CONSORT are necessary to generate high-quality evidence in further research.

Effectiveness of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with critical limb ischemia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) has been shown to be effective in treating critical limb ischemia (CLI). However, the mechanism of MSCs-mediated improvements, especially on the immune-inflammatory aspects of this disease, is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and inflammatory mediators (such as IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) in PBMCs from CLI patients after UC-MSCs treatment and correlation between inflammatory mediators and EPCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 8 patients received UC-MSCs transplantation. Before the treatment, at 24h and 1 month thereafter, peripheral blood samples were collected from 8 patients and 8 healthy volunteers. Patients were evaluated for changes in IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and levels of circulating EPCs. RESULTS: TNF-α and IL-6 serum levels increased at 24h (p=0.017, p=0.099) after treatment and then decreased at 1 month (p=0.031, p=0.072) compared with those before treatment. The percentages of CD3+T, CD3+CD4+T-lymphocytes and NK cells decreased significantly after UC-MSCs treatment (p=0.002, p=0.012 and p=0.029, respectively). TNF-α (r=-0.602, p=0.038) was shown to be inversely correlated with the number of circulating EPCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that UC-MSCs have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation properties in CLI and suggests that UC-MSCs promote healing of non-healing wounds.

The triple role of rongalite in aminosulfonylation of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates: synthesis of N-aminosulfonamides via a radical coupling reaction.

A simple and convenient method for N-aminosulfonamide synthesis from the cross-coupling of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and rongalite under metal-free, oxidant-free, and room-temperature conditions is reported. This method does not require an external amine source, with the aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates participating as both an aryl radical and a potential amine source in the transformation. Mechanistic studies revealed that rongalite could act as a radical initiator, a sulfur dioxide surrogate and a reducing reagent simultaneously in this reaction.

[Effects of Chiropractics on Intervertebral Disk Extracell Matrix and Metabolic Enzymes in Rats with Cervical Spondylosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of chiropractics on intervertebral disk extracell matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, cellular collagen type Ⅱ (COL-Ⅱ), tissue inhibitor 1 of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the rats with cervical spondylosis, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of cervical spondylosis. METHODS: A total of 40 SD rats were randomized into a sham group, a model group, a chiropractics group and a mobic group, 8 rats in each one. The model was established by static-dynamic imbalance method. The rats in the chiropractics group were treated with chiropractic therapy for two courses, 14 times a day and 14 days as a course. The rats in the mobic group were treated with intragastric administration of mobic. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, COL-Ⅱ and TIMP-1 in the intervertebral disk tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expression of ECM was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with those in the sham group, the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13 in the model group increased (all P<0.05), and COL-Ⅱ, TIMP-1 decreased (both P<0.05).Compared with those in the model group, the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13 in the chiropractics group and the mobic group decreased (all P<0.05), and COL-Ⅱ, TIMP-1 increased (all P<0.05). Compared with that in the sham group, the expression of ECM protein in the model group decreased (P<0.05). Compared with that in the model group, the expression of ECM protein in the chiropractics group and the mobic group increased (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chiropractics may improve the degeneration in rats with cervical spondylosis by regulating intervertebral disc ECM system and relevant metabolic enzymes.

[Efficacy Comparison of Different Salvage Treatment Regimens for Patients with Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of 3 different regimens, namely MAC, FLAG and CAG, as the re-induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients with primary induction failure and relapse. METHODS: The clinical data of 156 AML patients with primary induction failure and relapse, except patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL), treated with any of the above 3 regimens in our center from January 2008 to April 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the treatment regimens, 156 patients were divided into MAC group (n=60), FLAG group (n=45) and CAG group (n=51). The complete remission(CR), partial remissison(PR), overall survival(OS), disease-free survival(DFS) and adverse events during the treatment were analyzed, so as to compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 3 different regimens. RESULTS: After 1 course of re-induction chemotherapy, CR in MAC group was significantly higher than that in FLAG and CAG group (55.4% vs 34.1% vs 34.0%)(P<0.05). The OS was not statistically significantly different among 3 groups (P>0.05) with a median OS of 11 months, 5.46 months and 10.2 months, respectively. The myelosuppression was the main adverse event with no significant difference among the groups(P>0.05). More patients treated with MAC regimen underwent febrile neutropenia (93.3% vs 86.7% vs 64.7%)(P<0.001). However, the incidence of fatal infections was not signicantly different among 3 groups(5% vs 8.9% vs 5.9%)(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with FLAG and CAG regimen, the MAC regimen can enable more AML patients with primary induction failure and refractory to achieve CR without increasing severe adverse events,therefore,this regimen may provide a opportunity for patients to recieve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Genetic architecture of plant stress resistance: multi-trait genome-wide association mapping.

Plants are exposed to combinations of various biotic and abiotic stresses, but stress responses are usually investigated for single stresses only. Here, we investigated the genetic architecture underlying plant responses to 11 single stresses and several of their combinations by phenotyping 350 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. A set of 214 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was screened for marker-trait associations in genome-wide association (GWA) analyses using tailored multi-trait mixed models. Stress responses that share phytohormonal signaling pathways also share genetic architecture underlying these responses. After removing the effects of general robustness, for the 30 most significant SNPs, average quantitative trait locus (QTL) effect sizes were larger for dual stresses than for single stresses. Plants appear to deploy broad-spectrum defensive mechanisms influencing multiple traits in response to combined stresses. Association analyses identified QTLs with contrasting and with similar responses to biotic vs abiotic stresses, and below-ground vs above-ground stresses. Our approach allowed for an unprecedented comprehensive genetic analysis of how plants deal with a wide spectrum of stress conditions.

[Preliminary Clinical Efficiency of Autologous Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Treating Critical Limb Ischemia of Thromboangiitis Obliterans].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term clinical effect of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) on critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 22 patients with CLI caused by TAO from July 2004 to May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, 22 patients were divided into 2 groups; out of them 12 cases in one group were treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (auto-PBMNC group), 10 cases in another group received conservative treatment (CT group). The log-rank test was used to compare the long-term outcomes in auto-PBMNC group and CT group. RESULTS: The wound healing rate (P=0.016) and CLI-free rate (P=0.013) were significantly higher in PB-MNC group compared with that in CT group. No difference was found in amputation rates between the 2 groups (major amputation: P=0.361, minor and major amputation: P=0.867). No patients died or no serious adverse events occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The auto-PBMNC therapy can significantly promote the wound healing, and protect against CLI in TAO patients, but the risk of amputation is not low in comparison with conservative treatment.

Transcriptome dynamics of Arabidopsis during sequential biotic and abiotic stresses.

In nature, plants have to cope with a wide range of stress conditions that often occur simultaneously or in sequence. To investigate how plants cope with multi-stress conditions, we analyzed the dynamics of whole-transcriptome profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to six sequential double stresses inflicted by combinations of: (i) infection by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, (ii) herbivory by chewing larvae of Pieris rapae, and (iii) drought stress. Each of these stresses induced specific expression profiles over time, in which one-third of all differentially expressed genes was shared by at least two single stresses. Of these, 394 genes were differentially expressed during all three stress conditions, albeit often in opposite directions. When two stresses were applied in sequence, plants displayed transcriptome profiles that were very similar to the second stress, irrespective of the nature of the first stress. Nevertheless, significant first-stress signatures could be identified in the sequential stress profiles. Bioinformatic analysis of the dynamics of co-expressed gene clusters highlighted specific clusters and biological processes of which the timing of activation or repression was altered by a prior stress. The first-stress signatures in second stress transcriptional profiles were remarkably often related to responses to phytohormones, strengthening the notion that hormones are global modulators of interactions between different types of stress. Because prior stresses can affect the level of tolerance against a subsequent stress (e.g. prior herbivory strongly affected resistance to B. cinerea), the first-stress signatures can provide important leads for the identification of molecular players that are decisive in the interactions between stress response pathways.

[Comparison on extraction of volatile oils from Lithospermum erythrorhizon by different methods].

OBJECTIVE: To extract the volatile oils from Lithospermum erythrorhizon via ultrasound-enhanced sub-critical water extraction (USWE) and compare with ultrasound-enhanced solvent extraction (USE) and steam distillation extraction (SD). METHODS: The extraction yield of the volatile oils, the containing components of extract, the effect of scanvenging activities on free radical DPPH and reducing activities as well as the inhibitory on escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus were investigated. RESULTS: The extraction yield of volatile oils by USWE, USE and SD were 2.39%, 1.93% and 0.62%, respectively, the extracts by three methods all contained six major components, but the extracts by SD and USE contained more impurities. The inhibitory effect on escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus of the extract by SD and its reducing action were the best,but those by USWE were the worst. CONCLUSION: the extraction yield of volatile oils by USWE is the highest, and it contains less impurities based on the worst in reducing power and inhibitory effects.

[Analysis the advantage of autologous mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells transplantation on lower limbs ischemia disease].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and its correlation with species of transplant cells of autologous mobilized peripheral blood (PB) mononucleated cells (MNCs) transplantation on 59 patients with lower limbs ischemia. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients were evaluated with symptoms scores and after that their PBMNCs were mobilized and collected and then injected into the ischemic area at equal distance. They effectiveness and scores were evaluated at 7th day and 4th month after therapy. The correlation of CD34(+) cells and of MNCs with effectiveness was analysed respectively, and formula for correlations between them and effectiveness was calculated. RESULTS: After MNCs injection, the effectiveness was observed both at 7th day and 4th month. The correlation of MNCs with effectiveness was stronger than that of CD34(+) cells (the effectiveness was represented by nimodipine value), According to the formula of nimodipine value, the value of the latter = 0.484 + 1.055 × CD34(+) cells number and the former = 0.288 + 0.401 × MNCs number with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.461 (P = 0.047) and R = 0.473 (P = 0.000) respectively. CONCLUSION: Autologous mobilized PBMNCs number is a better indicator for effectiveness than CD34(+) cells number.