A comprehensive assessment of external exposure to persistent halogenated organic pollutants for residents in an e-waste recycling site, South China.

Human skin wipes from 30 participants, air, dust, and food items were collected from a former electronic waste site in South China to provide a comprehensive understanding of residents' exposure to halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The total concentration of halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in the dust, air, food and skin wipes ranged 240-25000 ng/g, 130-2500 pg/m3, 0.08-590 ng/g wet weight, and 69-28000 ng/m2, respectively. Wild fish, vegetables, and air were dominated by PCBs, whereas dust, livestock, and poultry were dominated by HFRs. The HOP concentrations were several orders of magnitude higher in local foodstuffs than in market foodstuffs. The chemical composition on the forehead was remarkably different from that on the hand. The importance of different exposure routes depends on the residents' food choices, except decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). For residents who consumed a 100-foot diet (mainly egg) and local wild fish, diet ingestion overwhelmed other exposure routes, and PCBs were mainly contributed by fish and HFRs by egg. For residents who consumed market food, the dermal absorption of most PCB congeners and dust ingestion of highly brominated flame retardants were relatively prominent. Inhalation was found to be a crucial route for pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB).

Multi-pathway exposure assessment of organophosphate flame retardants in a southern Chinese population: Main route identification with compound-specificity.

In this study, we conducted comprehensive organophosphorus flame retardant (PFR) exposure assessments of both dietary and non-dietary pathways in a rural population in southern China. Skin wipes were collected from 30 volunteers. Indoor and outdoor air (gas and particles), dust in the houses of these volunteers, and foodstuffs consumed by these volunteers were simultaneously collected. The total PFR concentrations in dust, gas, and PM2.5 varied from 53.8 to 5.14 × 105 ng/g, 0.528 to 4.27 ng/m3, and 0.390 to 16.5 ng/m3, respectively. The forehead (median of 1.36 × 103 ng/m2) and hand (median of 920 ng/m2) exhibited relatively high PFR concentrations, followed by the forearm (median of 440 ng/m2) and upper arm (median of 230 ng/m2). The PFR concentrations in the food samples varied from 0.0700 to 10.9 ng/g wet weight in the order of egg > roast duck/goose and vegetable > pork > chicken > fish. Tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) was the main PFR in the non-diet samples, whereas the profiles of PFR individuals varied by food type. Among the multiple pathways investigated (inhalation, dermal exposure, dust ingestion, and food ingestion), dermal absorption and dust ingestion were the predominant pathways for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and bisphenol A-bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), respectively, whereas dietary exposure was the most important route for other chemicals.

Stytontriterpenes A-C, three unusual oleanane-derived triterpenoids from the resin of Styrax tonkinensis as potential immunosuppressive agents in atherosclerosis.

Three unusual oleanane-derived triterpenoids, stytontriterpenes A-C (1-3), were isolated from the resin of Styrax tonkinensis together with an oleanane-lactone (stytontriterpene D, 4). Their structures and absolute configurations were characterised using a combination of spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism, and theoretical calculations. 1 and 2 belong to nor-oleanane with rare spiro D/E rings and 3 contains one infrequent C32 scaffold. 1 considerably suppressed the number of adhered leukemic monocytes (THP-1) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and attenuated the upregulations of mRNA and protein levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 at 5 µM, suggesting that 1 might be a promising anti-vascular inflammatory chemical for atherosclerosis therapy. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1-4 are also proposed.

Effect of Survivin Down-Regulation by Egr1-Survivin shRNA Combined with Radiotherapy on Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma / Efecto de la Regulación Negativa de Survivina por shRNA de Egr1-Survivina Combinado con Radioterapia sobre la Radiosensibilidad del Carcinoma Escamoso de Esófago

SUMMARY: This study is to investigate the effect of survivin down-regulation by Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy on the apoptosis and radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ECA109 and KYSE150 cells. ECA109 and KYSE150 cells were transfected with Egr1-survivin shRNA, and then treated with radiotherapy. After 24 h, the mRNA and protein levels of Egr1-survivin were detected by qPCR and Western-Blot. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot also detected levels of cleavaged Caspase 3 and Caspase 9. YM155 was used as a positive control to inhibit survivin expression. The levels of survivin mRNA and protein in ECA109 and KYSE150 cells treated with Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy were significantly lower than those of the blank control group, the empty vector control group, and, the YM155 + radiotherapy group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, after survivin down-regulation, the ratio of G2 to S phase of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells increased significantly, leading to significant G2 and S phase arrest. Additionally, apoptosis of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells increased significantly (P <0.01). Further, protein levels of cleavaged Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 significantly increased in Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy group. Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy can down-regulate survivin expression, which further increases the apoptosis, and enhances the radiosensitivity of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de la regulación negativa de survivina por el shRNA de Egr1-survivina combinado con radioterapia sobre la apoptosis y la radiosensibilidad del carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago Células ECA109 y KYSE150. Las células ECA109 y KYSE150 se transfectaron con shRNA de survivina Egr1 y luego se trataron con radioterapia. Después de 24 h, los niveles de ARNm y proteína de Egr1-survivina se detectaron mediante qPCR y Western-Blot. El ciclo celular y la apoptosis se detectaron mediante citometría de flujo. La transferencia Western también detectó niveles de Caspasa 3 y Caspasa 9 escindidas. Se usó YM155 como control positivo para inhibir la expresión de survivina. Los niveles de ARNm y proteína de survivina en células ECA109 y KYSE150 tratadas con shRNA de survivina Egr1 combinado con radioterapia fueron significativamente más bajos que los del grupo control en blanco, el grupo control de vector vacío y el grupo de radioterapia YM155 + (P <0,05). Mientras tanto, después de la regulación negativa de survivina, la proporción entre las fases G2 y S de las células ECA109 y KYSE150 aumentó significativamente, lo que llevó a una detención significativa de las fases G2 y S. Además, la apoptosis de las células ECA109 y KYSE150 aumentó significativamente (P <0,01). Además, los niveles de proteína de Caspasa 3 y Caspasa 9 escindidas aumentaron significativamente en el shRNA de Egr1- survivina combinado con el grupo de radioterapia. El shRNA de survivina de Egr1 combinado con radioterapia puede regular negativamente la expresión de survivina, lo que aumenta aún más la apoptosis y mejora la radiosensibilidad de las células ECA109 y KYSE150.

Comprehensive improvements in the emergency laboratory test process based on information technology.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application effects of information technology (IT) on emergency laboratory testing procedures. METHODS: In this study, IT-based optimisation of the emergency laboratory testing process was implemented between October and December 2021. Thus, the emergency laboratory test reports from January to September 2021 were placed into the pre-optimised group, while those from January to September 2022 were categorised into the post-optimised group. Besides, the emergency laboratory test report time, emergency laboratory test report time limit coincidence rate, error rate, and employee and patient satisfaction levels in individual months and across the whole period were described. Moreover, changes in the above indicators before and after the implementation of IT-based optimisation were explored and the application effects of IT-based optimisation were also evaluated. RESULTS: The emergency laboratory test report times after the implementation of IT-based optimisation were shorter than those before IT-based optimisation (P < 0.05). The total number of laboratory test items before and after information optimization amounted to 222,139 and 259,651, respectively. Also, IT-based optimisation led to an increase in the emergency laboratory test report time limit coincidence rate from 98.77% to 99.03% (P < 0.05), while the emergency laboratory test report error rate fell from 0.77‱ to 0.15‱ (P < 0.05). Additionally, IT-based optimisation resulted in increases in both employee satisfaction, from 80.65% to 93.55% (N = 31, P > 0.05), and patient satisfaction, from 93.06% to 98.44% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The automation and IT-based optimisation of the emergency laboratory testing process significantly reduces the emergency laboratory test report time and error rate. Additionally, IT-driven optimization enhances the alignment of emergency laboratory test report deadlines and enhances the overall quality and safety of emergency laboratory testing.

Lnc AC016727.1/BACH1/HIF-1 α signal loop promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play vital roles in the development and progression of cancer. However, their biological significance and functional mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are mostly unclear. METHODS: We performed RNA-sequencing to predict the differential expression of lncRNAs in clinical NSCLC and paired paracancerous lung tissues. To identify lncRNA expression, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used. Using both cell and mouse models, We studied lncRNA AC016727.1's function in NSCLC growth and metastasis. Western blot assays, dual luciferase reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to analyze the functional mechanism of lncRNA AC016727.1. RESULTS: Our larger NSCLC cohorts validated that the lncRNA AC016727.1 was upregulated in 94 paired NSCLC tissues and correlated with poor survival. Functionally, lncRNA AC016727.1 downregulation inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, aerobic glycolysis, EMT, and migration, inducing apoptosis. Conversely, upregulated lncRNA AC016727.1 expression exhibited the opposite effect, promoting NSCLC cell survival. Importantly, lncRNA AC016727.1 knockdown inhibited lung cancer growth and slowed the progression of lung metastasis in nude mouse models. Mechanistically, lncRNA AC016727.1 upregulated BACH1 target gene expression by acting as a sponge for miR-98-5p, thereby functioning as a competing endogenous RNA. The function of lncRNA AC016727.1 is mediated by the miR-98-5p/BACH1 axis in NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, the transcription factor HIF-1α can bind to the promoter and activate lncRNA AC016727.1 transcription. lncRNA AC016727.1 regulates HIF-1α expression via BACH1 in NSCLC and forms the lncRNA AC016727.1/BACH1/HIF-1α signaling loop under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a novel lncRNA AC016727.1/BACH1/HIF-1α signaling loop in the progression of NSCLC under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that lncRNA AC016727.1 could act as a useful biomarker for NSCLC and a new therapeutic target.

Exosome-derived long noncoding RNAs: Mediators of host-Plasmodium parasite communication.

Overcoming challenges associated with malaria eradication proves to be a formidable task due to the complicated life cycle exhibited by the malaria parasite and the lack of safe and enduring vaccines against malaria. Investigating the interplay between Plasmodium parasites and their mammalian hosts is crucial for the development of novel vaccines. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) derived from Plasmodium parasites or host cells have emerged as potential signaling molecules involved in the trafficking of proteins, RNA (mRNAs, miRNAs, and ncRNAs), and DNA. These lncRNAs facilitate the interaction between hosts and parasites, impacting normal physiology or pathology in malaria-infected individuals. Moreover, they possess the capacity to regulate immune responses and associated signaling pathways, thus potentially influencing chromatin organization, epigenetic modifications, mRNA processing, splicing, and translation. However, the functional role of exosomal lncRNAs in malaria remains poorly understood. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of lncRNA and exosomal lncRNA profiles during malaria infection. It presents an overview of recent progress in elucidating the involvement of exosomal lncRNAs in host-parasite interactions. Additionally, potential exosomal lncRNAs linked to the domains of innate and adaptive immunity in the context of malaria are proposed. These findings may contribute to the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for malaria. Furthermore, the need for additional research was highlighted that aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying lncRNA transportation into host cells and their targeting of specific genes to regulate the host's immune response. This knowledge gap presents an opportunity for future investigations, offering innovative approaches to enhance malarial control. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule-RNA Interactions RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the potential mechanism of waterlogging resistance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Introduction: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is susceptible to long-term waterlogging stress; however, genomic information of cotton response mechanisms toward long days of waterlogging is quite elusive. Methods: Here, we combined the transcriptome and metabolome expression level changes in cotton roots after 10 and 20 days of waterlogging stress treatment pertaining to potential resistance mechanisms in two cotton genotypes. Results and discussion: Numerous adventitious roots and hypertrophic lenticels were induced in CJ1831056 and CJ1831072. Transcriptome analysis revealed 101,599 differentially expressed genes in cotton roots with higher gene expression after 20 days of stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating genes, antioxidant enzyme genes, and transcription factor genes (AP2, MYB, WRKY, and bZIP) were highly responsive to waterlogging stress among the two genotypes. Metabolomics results showed higher expressions of stress-resistant metabolites sinapyl alcohol, L-glutamic acid, galactaric acid, glucose 1-phosphate, L-valine, L-asparagine, and melibiose in CJ1831056 than CJ1831072. Differentially expressed metabolites (adenosine, galactaric acid, sinapyl alcohol, L-valine, L-asparagine, and melibiose) significantly correlated with the differentially expressed PRX52, PER1, PER64, and BGLU11 transcripts. This investigation reveals genes for targeted genetic engineering to improve waterlogging stress resistance to enhance abiotic stress regulatory mechanisms in cotton at the transcript and metabolic levels of study.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Profiling Unveil Pigment Formation Variations in Brown Cotton Lines (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Naturally brown colored cotton (NBCC) is becoming increasingly popular due to its natural properties of coloration. However, poor fiber quality and color fading are key issues that are hindering the cultivation of naturally colored cotton. In this study, based on transcriptome and metabolome of 18 days post-anthesis (DPA), we compared the variations of pigment formation in two brown cotton fibers (DCF and LCF), with white cotton fiber (WCF) belonging to a near-isogenic line. A transcriptome study revealed a total of 15,785 differentially expressed genes significantly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, for flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes, such as flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), chalcone synthase (CHS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and chalcone isomerase (CHI), their expressions significantly increased in LCF compared with DCF and WCF. Moreover, transcription factors MYB and bHLH were significantly expressed in LCF and DCF. Most flavonoid-related metabolites (myricetin naringenin, catechin, epicatechin-epiafzelechin, and epigallocatechin) were found to be more highly up-regulated in LCF and DCF than WCF. These findings reveal the regulatory mechanism controlling different brown pigmentation in cotton fibers and elucidate the need for the proper selection of high-quality brown cotton fiber breeding lines for promising fiber quality and durable brown color pigmentation.

Investigating the synergistic effects of magnesia-coal slag based solid waste cementitious materials and its basic characteristics as a backfill material.

Applying solid waste resources as backfill material can reduce both the cost of backfill and the environmental problems caused by solid waste landfills. In this paper, the synergistic reaction effects of solid waste modified magnesia slag (MMS), coal gasification slag (CGS), and desulfurized gypsum (DG) as magnesium-coal slag based cementitious materials (MCC) and their preliminary feasibility as mining cementitious materials in synergy with coal gangue for the preparation of backfill materials are investigated. The results show that the order of the compressive strength of the cementitious systems is ternary system > binary system > monolithic system, which proves the existence of synergistic effect among MMS, CGS, and DG and determines the optimal dosing of each raw material in the ternary system. At early ages, the physical effect of CGS and the chemical effect of DG in the ternary system can promote the hydration reaction of MMS, but the synergistic effect between the three is weak; At later ages, a synergistic effect occurred among silica-aluminate depolymerization in CGS, dissolved sulfate from DG and hydration products from MMS, which promoted the production of more hydration products calcium-silicate(aluminum)-hydrate (C-S(A)-H) and AFt, and improved the compressive strength. In addition, the strength, fluidity and leaching of the backfill material prepared by MCC in collaboration with coal gangue can meet the preliminary feasibility for mine backfill. In the present work, the full solid waste MCC is developed to completely replace cement and use it to prepare backfill materials, which is of great importance to the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste, the reduction of backfill costs, and the enhancement of the economic and ecological interests of mines.

Clinical application of ABO blood typing.

BACKGROUND: The ABO blood group is closely related to clinical blood transfusion, transplantation, and neonatal hemolytic disease. It is also the most clinically significant blood group system in clinical blood transfusion. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the clinical application of the ABO blood group. METHODS: The most common ABO blood group typing methods in clinical laboratories are hemagglutination test and microcolumn gel test, while genotype detection is mainly adopted in clinical identification of suspicious blood types. However, in some cases, the expression variation or absence of blood type antigens or antibodies, experimental techniques, physiology, disease, and other factors affect the accurate determination of blood types, which may lead to serious transfusion reactions. RESULTS: The mistakes could be reduced or even eliminated by strengthening training, selecting reasonable identification methods, and optimizing processes, thereby improving the overall identification level of the ABO blood group. ABO blood groups are also correlated with many diseases, such as COVID-19 and malignant tumors. Rh blood groups are determined by the RHD and RHCE homologous genes on chromosome 1 and are classified as Rh negative or positive according to the D antigen., the agglutination method is often used in clinical settings, while genetic and sequencing methods are often used in scientific research. CONCLUSION: Accurate ABO blood typing is a critical requirement for the safety and effectiveness of blood transfusion in clinical practice. Most studies were designed for investigating rare Rh blood group family, and there is a lack of research on the relationship between Rh blood groups and common diseases.

A new insight into the emission source of DDT in indoor environment from rural area of South China and comprehensive human health exposure assessment.

Human exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and the subsequent risk to human health remain an important concern due to the "new" input of DDTs in the environment, especially since exposure to DDTs in indoor microenvironments is often ignored. In this study, we identified a new source of DDT emission in indoor environments and evaluated the health risk from the exposure to DDTs by investigating DDTs in indoor and outdoor dust, air, and coatings of household items in rural areas of Qingyuan, South China. The concentrations of DDTs in house dust and air were < MQL (method quantification limit)-3450 ng/g (median 42.4 ng/g) and 22.7-965 pg/m3 (median 49.5 pg/m3), respectively, which were significantly higher than the outdoor DDT values. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) was the main isomer in air samples, while DDT was the dominant isomer in indoor dust. Significant correlations between different DDT isomers were observed in indoor samples but not in outdoor samples. Furniture coating was identified as a source of DDTs in the indoor dust. The total daily exposure dose of DDTs (1.75 × 10-2 ng/kg bw/day for adults and 1.28 × 10-1 ng/kg bw/day for toddlers) through inhalation, dust ingestion, and dermal contact was found unlikely to pose a health risk. Our findings provide new insights into the emission sources and health risks caused by DDT indoors, highlighting the need to further investigate the toxicity mechanisms of parent DDT compound.

Basic characteristics of magnesium-coal slag solid waste backfill material: Part I. preliminary study on flow, mechanics, hydration and leaching characteristics.

The environmental damage caused by surface subsidence and coal-based solid waste (CBSW) is a common problem in the process of coal mining. Backfill mining can control the mining-induced subsidence and solve the problem of bulk solid waste storage. In the present work, a magnesium-coal slag solid waste backfill material (MCB) with modified magnesium slag (MS) as binder and CBSW (fly ash (FA), flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FDG) and coal gasification slag (CGS)) as supplementary cementitious material/aggregate was proposed to meet the needs of coal mining in Northern Shaanxi, China, to realize the comprehensive treatment of goaf and CBSW. The results show that: (1) The rheological curve of the fresh MCB slurry is highly consistent with the Herschel-Bulkley (H-B) model, and its fluidity meets the basic requirements of mine backfill pumping. With the addition of FDG and MS, the yield stress, apparent viscosity and thixotropy of MCB slurry increase, while the pseudoplastic index and slump decrease. (2) The strength of MCB develops slowly in the early stage (0∼14 days) and increases rapidly in the later stage (14∼90 days). Except for the ratio of M20F1 and FDG = 0%, the strength of samples at other ratios (at 28 days) is between 6.06∼11.68 MPa, which meets the strength requirement of 6 MPa for coal mine backfill. The addition of MS and appropriate amount of FDG is beneficial to the development of strength. In contrast, MS exhibits a significant improvement in early strength, and FDG has a significant improvement in late-age strength. (3) Corresponding to the compressive strength, the hydration products C-S(A)-H and AFt of MCB are less in the early stage and greatly increased in the later stage. The active substance in FA/CGS will undergo pozzolanic reaction with the MS hydration product CH. The addition of FDG and MS can promote the reaction and increase the amount of hydration product, but in contrast, the promotion effect of FDG is more significant. (4) The amount of heavy metal leaching of MCB meets the requirements of national standards. The hardened MCB has a solidification/stabilization effect on heavy metal elements, which can significantly reduce the amount of heavy metal leaching. The results imply that MCB is a safe, reliable, and eco-friendly solid waste backfill material, and its application is conducive to the coordinated development of coal resource mining and environmental protection.

Experimental Study on Early Strength and Hydration Heat of Spodumene Tailings Cemented Backfill Materials.

Spodumene tailing is the associated solid waste of extracting lithium from spodumene. With the increase in the global demand for lithium resources, its emissions increase yearly, which will become a key factor restricting the economic development of the mining area. Mechanical and hydration reactions, as well as the microstructure of early CSTB, are studied under different tailings-cement ratios (TCR) and solid mass concentration (SC) conditions. The results show that the uniaxial compressive strength of early CSTB has a negative exponential correlation with the decrease in TCR and a positive correlation with the increase in SC: when the age of CSTB increases to 7 days, the strength increases with the rise in SC in an exponential function, and the sensitivity of strength to TCR is higher than that of SC. Compared to other tailings cemented backfill materials, the addition of spodumene tailings reduces the sulfate ion concentration and leads to a new exothermic peak (i.e., the third exothermic peak) for the hydration exotherm of CSTB. Additionally, with the increase in TCR or decrease in SC, the height of the third exothermic peak decreases and the occurrence time is advanced. At the same time, the duration of induction phase was prolonged, the period of acceleration phase was shortened, and the total amount of heat released was significantly increased. The decrease in TCR or the increase in SC led to the rise in the number of hydration products which can effectively fill the internal pores of CSTB, enhance its structural compactness, and increase its compressive strength. The above study reveals the influence of TCR and SC on the early strength, hydration characteristics, and microstructure of CSTB and provides an essential reference for the mix design of underground backfill spodumene tailings.

Endostar Synergizes with Radiotherapy to Inhibit Angiogenesis of Cervical Cancer in a Subcutaneous Xenograft Mouse Model.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the synergic effect and underlying mechanism of Endostar, a recombinant human endostatin used for anti-angiogenesis, in radiotherapy for cervical cancer. METHODS: The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and plate cloning experiment were first employed to analyze the proliferation of HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells and human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle progression. A tube formation assay was used to assess angiogenesis in vitro. The expression of gamma H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX) and activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathway were detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting, respectively. In a HeLa xenograft model, tumor tissue expression of CD31 and alpha smooth muscle actin and serum expression of VEGF-A were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: The CCK-8 and plate cloning assays showed that Endostar and radiotherapy synergistically inhibited the growth of HUVECs but not HeLa and SiHa cells. The flow cytometric results showed that Endostar only promoted radiotherapy-induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in HUVECs (p < 0.05). Endostar combined with radiotherapy also significantly inhibited tube formation by HUVECs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Endostar inhibited the radiotherapy-induced expression of γH2AX (p < 0.05) and phosphorylation of VEGFR2/PI3K/AKT/DNA-PK in HUVECs (p < 0.05). IHC showed that Endostar enhanced the inhibitory effect of radiotherapy on the microvessel density in xenograft tumor tissues (p < 0.05), as well as serum VEGF-A expression (p < 0.05). The tumor volume in the combination therapy groups (1200 mm3) was significantly lower than in the control group (2500 mm3; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide experimental evidence and a theoretical basis for the application of Endostar in combination with irradiation for anti-cervical cancer treatment.

Effect of storage temperature and time on erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

OBJECTIVE: This paper explores the effect of blood sample storage temperature and time on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by using the Weiss method. METHODS: Whole blood samples were collected from 80 patients and diluted 1:9 with sodium citrate solution. Each sample was split into two tubes. Using the Weiss method, ESR was tested within 1 h of collection, and one sample was placed at 4 °C and the other at room temperature (23 ± 2 °C). ESR was then measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h. The data were statistically analyzed with consideration for temperature and time. RESULTS: ESR decreased gradually over 6 h at room temperature, but the results were not statistically significant. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the decline of ESR within 8 h at 4 °C. However, ESR results decreased significantly after the samples were stored at room temperature for more than 6 h or at 4 °C for more than 8 h. ESR reduction was lower in the samples stored at 4 °C than in those stored at room temperature over the same time period. CONCLUSION: Blood sample storage temperature and duration can affect the measurement of ESR using the Weiss method. ESR testing should be completed within 4 h of sample collection in clinical work.

Inspiratory hyperoxia suppresses lung cancer metastasis through a MYC/SLC1A5-dependent metabolic pathway.

The lack of knowledge about the effect of inspiratory hyperoxia on the lung-specific tumour microenvironment and progression of lung cancer has attracted considerable attention. This study proposes that inspiratory hyperoxia has special significance for the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells. The effects of different oxygenation parameters on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of lung cancer cells were systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo Our results reveal that inspiratory hyperoxia treatment (60% oxygen, 6 h·day-1) not only has no tumour progression-promoting effects, but also suppresses lung cancer metastasis and promotes long-term survival. In addition, we combined transcriptome, proteome and metabolome analysis and found that hyperoxia treatment induced significant intracellular metabolic changes in lung cancer cells. Overall, we established that MYC/SLC1A5-induced metabolic reprogramming and glutamine addiction is a new mechanism that drives lung cancer metastasis, which can be significantly suppressed by inspiratory hyperoxia treatment. These findings are relevant to the debate on the perils, promises and antitumour effect of inspiratory hyperoxia, especially for patients with lung cancer.

PgtE Enzyme of Salmonella enterica Shares the Similar Biological Roles to Plasminogen Activator (Pla) in Interacting With DEC-205 (CD205), and Enhancing Host Dissemination and Infectivity by Yersinia pestis.

Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, is a newly evolved Gram-negative bacterium. Through the acquisition of the plasminogen activator (Pla), Y. pestis gained the means to rapidly disseminate throughout its mammalian hosts. It was suggested that Y. pestis utilizes Pla to interact with the DEC-205 (CD205) receptor on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to initiate host dissemination and infection. However, the evolutionary origin of Pla has not been fully elucidated. The PgtE enzyme of Salmonella enterica, involved in host dissemination, shows sequence similarity with the Y. pestis Pla. In this study, we demonstrated that both Escherichia coli K-12 and Y. pestis bacteria expressing the PgtE-protein were able to interact with primary alveolar macrophages and DEC-205-transfected CHO cells. The interaction between PgtE-expressing bacteria and DEC-205-expressing transfectants could be inhibited by the application of an anti-DEC-205 antibody. Moreover, PgtE-expressing Y. pestis partially re-gained the ability to promote host dissemination and infection. In conclusion, the DEC-205-PgtE interaction plays a role in promoting the dissemination and infection of Y. pestis, suggesting that Pla and the PgtE of S. enterica might share a common evolutionary origin.

Using information technology to optimize the identification process for outpatients having blood drawn and improve patient satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the application effect of information technology in optimizing the patient identification process. METHODS: The method for optimizing the identification process involved in drawing blood among outpatients using information technology was executed from July 2020. In this paper, 959 patients who had blood drawn from January to June 2020 were included as the pre-optimization group, and 1011 patients who had blood drawn from July to December 2019 were included as the post-optimization group. The correct rate of patient identification, waiting time, and patient satisfaction before and after the optimization were statistically analyzed. The changes in these three indexes before and after the optimization implementation, as well as the application effects, were compared. RESULTS: The correct rate of patient identification after optimization (99.80%) was higher than before optimization (98.02%) (X2 = 13.120; P < 0.001), and the waiting time for having blood drawn was also significantly shortened (t = 8.046; P < 0.001). The satisfaction of patients was also significantly improved (X2 = 20.973; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By combining information technology with the characteristics of blood collection in our hospital, using the call system to obtain patient information, then scan the QR code of the guide sheet for automatic verification, and finally manually reconfirm patient information, which can significantly reduce the occurrence of identification errors, improve work efficiency and improve patients' satisfaction.

Preliminary Study on Reference Interval of Serum Pepsinogen in Healthy Subjects.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the reference interval of pepsinogen (PG) of healthy people in the local region to provide a basis for early screening of gastric cancer. METHODS: Among the healthy people who underwent a physical examination in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2020, 2568 subjects were selected based on the relevant screening criteria. Their serum PG I and II levels and PG I:PG II ratio were determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CIMA), and the results were statistically analyzed. Finally, according to document CLSI-C28-A3, the PG reference interval of the local region was determined. RESULTS: The PG I and II levels of the males in all age groups were higher than those of the females in the corresponding age groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the differences in the PG I:PG II ratio between the genders in the different age groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The PG I and II levels increased with age in both men and women, while the PG I:PG II ratio was not correlated with age in either gender. CONCLUSION: The PG reference interval of the local region was initially determined as providing a reliable reference basis for clinical treatment.