Behavioural response to gastrointestinal parasites of yearling dairy calves at pasture.

AIMS: To investigate the association between gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) and animal behaviour in dairy calves under New Zealand pastoral conditions, using animal-mounted, accelerometer-based sensors. METHODS: Thirty-six, 5-6-month-old, Friesian-Jersey, heifer calves fitted with animal activity sensors to track behaviour were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Half the animals were challenged with an oral dose of 20,000 larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophera once a week for 3 weeks and half were unchallenged. Five weeks after the last dose, seven infected and nine uninfected animals were treated with an oral anthelmintic (AHC) and data collected for a further week. Accelerometer data were classified into minutes per day eating, ruminating, in moderate-high activity or in low activity. Live weight and faecal egg counts (FEC) were recorded weekly over the study period. All animals co-grazed a newly sown pasture not previously grazed by ruminants and were moved every week to fresh grazing. Treatment status was blinded to those managing the animals which were otherwise treated identically. RESULTS: Complete behavioural records were available from 30/36 calves, (13 challenged and 17 unchallenged). Before treatment with AHC, FEC increased in infected and un-treated calves over the study, while uninfected animals maintained a near zero FEC. There was no difference in live weight gain between the two groups over the study period. Bayesian, multinomial regression predicted differences in animal behaviour between infected and uninfected animals that were not treated with AHC over the 7 weeks following initial infection. Parasitised calves not treated with AHC were less active and spent up to 6 (95% highest density interval (HDI) = 1-11) minutes/day less in low level activity and up to 15 (95% HDI = 7-20) minutes/day less in moderate to high level activity. They ruminated up to 9 (95% HDI = 2-15) minutes/day more and ate up to 10 (95% HDI = 2-19) minutes/day more than control calves that were not treated with AHC. The effect of AHC on time spent in each behaviour differed between infected and uninfected calves and increased the coefficient of dispersion of the behavioural data. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Small differences in animal behaviour can be measured in calves with GIP. However, to use this to target treatment, further validation studies are required to confirm the accuracy of behavioural classification and understand the complex drivers of animal behaviour in a dynamic and variable pasture-parasite-host environment.

[Effect of TRPM8 on pain symptom and neuronal proliferation in mice with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome].

Objective: To explore the effects between transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) on pain symptom and neuronal proliferation in mice with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Methods: Female wild-type C57BL/6 mice (8-10 weeks old) were divided into control group, IC/BPS model group, and IC/BPS model+menthol group (6 mice each) by random number table method; TRPM8 knockout mice were randomly divided into TRPM8 knockout group and TRPM8 knockout model group (6 mice each). The IC/BPS model group, the IC/BPS model+menthol group, and the TRPM8 knockout model group were injected subcutaneously with residues 65-84 of murine uroplakin 3A (UPK3A65-84). The IC/BPS model+menthol group continued to be injected with menthol. After successful modeling, the differences in pain thresholds between the groups were assessed by mechanosensitivity. The bladder wall was injected with a cell membrane red fluorescent probe (Dil), and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues were collected 10 days later. The differences in the protein and mRNA levels of TRPM8 and GAP43 in the groups were detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of TRPM8 expression with GAP43 or Dil in DRG tissues. The relationship between TRPM8 and pain symptom and its role in neuronal proliferation in IC/BPS mice were analyzed. Results: The models were all constructed successfully. Compared with the control group, the pain thresholds of mice in the IC/BPS model group and IC/BPS model+menthol group were reduced [(8.50±1.22), (5.50±1.05) vs (11.67±2.16), respectively, all P<0.001]. Compared with the control group, the expression of TRPM8 mRNA was elevated in the IC/BPS model group and IC/BPS model+menthol group, while TRPM8 was not expressed in the TRPM8 knockout group [(3.16±0.05), (6.46±0.21), and 0 vs (1.00±0.06), respectively, all P<0.001]. The expression of TRPM8 protein and mRNA in each group had the same trend (P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the expression of GAP43 mRNA in the DRG of the IC/BPS model group and the IC/BPS model+menthol group was increased, whereas the expression of GAP43 mRNA in the TRPM8 knockout model group was decreased (all P<0.001). The trend of GAP43 protein expression was the same as that of mRNA expression (P<0.001). Immunofluorescence results showed an increase in the number of GAP43-positive neurons in the DRG of the IC/BPS model group and the IC/BPS model+menthol group, and a decrease in the TRPM8 knockout group compared with the control group (all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the number of Dil-positive neurons in the DRG of the IC/BPS model group and the IC/BPS model+menthol group was increased, while the TRPM8 knockout group was decreased (all P<0.001). Conclusion: TRPM8 can exacerbate pain symptom in IC/BPS mice, and the mechanism may be related to the induction of sensory nerve proliferation at the DRG level.

Dry/wet cycling reduces spore germination and viability in six peatland bryophytes.

Dry/wet cycling driven by water level fluctuation in wetlands may strongly influence the destiny of seeds. However, how dry/wet cycling affects spore survival and germinability in peatland bryophytes is poorly understood. Six peatland bryophytes, three hummock- and three hollow-dwelling Sphagnum species, were chosen as study species. We tested the effects of dry (60% air RH)/wet (waterlogging) cycle frequency (once per 12, 8 or 4 days for low, medium or high, respectively) and ratio (3:1, 1:1 or 1:3 dry:wet time per cycle) on spore germinability, viability, dormancy percentage and protonema development. Dry/wet cycling significantly reduced spore germination percentage and viability and slowed protonema development in all Sphagnum species, being more pronounced with higher dry/wet cycling frequencies. The hummock species S. capillifolium and S. fuscum had higher spore germination percentage after the continuous dry treatment, while the hollow species S. angustifolium, S. squarrosum and S. subsecundum showed the opposite response, compared to the continuously wet treatment. Except for S. squarrosum, spore viability was higher after the dry than after the wet treatment. Spore viability and dormancy percentage were higher after a dry/wet ratio of 1:3 than after ratios of 3:1 and 1:1. Our study shows that both germinability and viability of bryophyte spores are reduced by dry/wet cycling (especially when frequent) in peatlands. This emphasizes the need to ensure constant water levels and low frequencies of water level fluctuation, which are relevant in connection with wetland restoration, to promote Sphagnum spore survival and establishment in peatlands after disturbances.

[Interpretation of the expert consensus on the whole-process management of herpes zoster-associated pain].

Currently, the diagnosis, treatment and management of herpes zoster-associated pain are not well understood in China. The expert consensus on the whole-process management of herpes zoster-associated pain was focused on the standardization of diagnosis and treatment of herpes zoster-associated pain, such as the time definition of clinical stages, the relevant details of analgesic drugs and minimally invasive interventional therapy, and the value of vaccines in pain management. This article gives a detailed interpretation of the associated content in the consensus.

[Effect of CD4-positive T lymphocyte expression rate on pain control and prognosis in stage â £ non-small cell lung cancer patients with cancerous pain].

Objective: To investigate the effect of CD4-positive T lymphocyte expression rate on the pain control and prognosis of stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with cancerous pain. Methods: The clinical data of 128 stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients with cancerous pain who were admitted to the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 92 males and 36 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 23∶9 and an average age of (56±21) years old. The expression rate of CD4-positive T lymphocytes in peripheral blood was routinely detected on admission, and the expression rate of CD4-positive T lymphocytes ≥45% was defined as the CD4 high expression group, and<45% was defined as the low expression group. The differences in the time required for pain control, the dosage of opioids and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and the overall survival (OS) time and progression-free survival (PFS) time of the two groups were calculated. Cox regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of patients' OS time and PFS time. Results: The median time required for pain control in the high CD4 expression group [M (Q1, Q3)] was 18.6 (4.6, 21.5) h, which was lower than that in the low CD4 expression group [28.2 (7.1, 38.9) h] (P=0.012). The dosage of morphine in the CD4 high expression group [M (Q1, Q3)] was 88.6 (42.5, 295.0) mg, which was lower than that in the low expression group [145.8 (82.5, 442.5) mg] (P=0.010). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, intestinal obstruction, and respiratory depression between the two groups (all P>0.05). The OS time and PFS time in the CD4 high expression group [M (Q1, Q3)] were 12.5 (8.1, 13.8) months and 8.5(3.1, 9.4) months, respectively, which were higher than those in the CD4 low expression group [8.6 (4.1, 12.9) months and 6.5 (2.1, 7.9) months, respectively] (all P<0.01). Cox multivariate analysis showed that high expression of CD4 was a protective factor affecting OS (HR=0.876, 95%CI: 1.224-6.641, P=0.004) and PFS (HR=0.675, 95%CI: 1.742-5.930, P=0.031) Conclusion: The stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients with cancerous pain and high expression of CD4-positive T lymphocytes have shorter pain control time, less morphine dosage, and longer OS and PFS time.

[Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Ejina banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, October 2021].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Ejina banner, Inner Mongolia, in October 2021 and provide evidence for the improvement of COVID-19 prevention and control. Methods: The information about the time, area and population distributions of COVID-19 cases in Ejina before November 13, 2021 and the gene sequencing result of the isolates were collected for a statistical descriptive analysis. Results: The first COVID-19 case in Ejina occurred on 7 October, 2021. A total of 164 COVID-19 cases were reported from October 19 to November 12. Most cases were distributed in 6 communities in Darahub (156 cases, 95.12%). The result of full gene sequencing of the isolates indicted that the pathogen was Delta variant (B.1.617.2). The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.3∶1. The age of cases ranged from 1 to 85 years, and the cases aged 20-59 years accounted for 78.66%. The main clinical symptoms were sore throat (91 cases, 91.92%), cough (49 cases, 49.49%) and fever (23 cases, 23.23%). Most cases were ordinary ones (81 cases, 49.39%) and mild ones (68 cases, 41.46%). The cases were mainly detected at the isolation points (84 cases, 51.22%) and through population based nucleic acid testing (62 cases, 37.80%). The basic reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 was 5.3, the average incubation period was 3.9 days. The local government rapidly started Ⅳ level emergency response and conducted 10 rounds of nucleic acid tests. The transferring of travelers reduced the risk for the further spread of COVID-19 in Ejina. Conclusions: The epidemic of COVID-19 in Ejina characterized by strong transmission, short incubation period, herd susceptibility and case clustering. Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was the pathogen, which might be imported from Zeke port. Comprehensive prevention and control measures, such as closed-loop management and vaccination, should be continued. The successful transferring of the patients and travelers provided evidence for the effective and precise prevention and control of COVID-19 in a routine manner.

[Effects of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration of severe burn patients].

Objective: To investigate the effects of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) of severe burn patients. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From January 2017 to August 2020, sixty-eight severe burn patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated with CVVH in Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University. According to the different methods of blood anticoagulation in CVVH treatment, patients were divided into citrate group (n=40) and heparin group (n=28). In the citrate group, 32 males and 8 females were (40±18) years old with total burn area of (62±14)% total body surface area (TBSA); in the heparin group, 22 males and 6 females were (38±16) years old with total burn area of (57±20)%TBSA. Creatinine level, C-reactive protein (CRP) value, and urea nitrogen level in serum of patients were recorded at 0 (immediately), 48, and 96 h after CVVH treatment in 2 groups, urea clearance index was calculated based on urea nitrogen level at 0, 48, and 96 h after CVVH treatment in 2 groups, platelet count (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in total coagulation of patients were recorded. The frequency of forced hemofiltration termination caused by adverse reactions such as severe hypocalcemia, aggravated wound bleeding, and new bleeding on non-wound surface of patients was recorded within 96 h of CVVH treatment. The duration of daily CVVH use from the beginning to the end was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, independent samples t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: There were no significant differences in urea nitrogen level, creatinine level, and CRP value in serum of patients between 2 groups at 0 h after treatment (P>0.05). At 48 and 96 h after treatment, urea nitrogen level, creatinine level, and CRP value in serum of patients in citrate group were significantly lower than those in heparin group (t=3.366, -2.315, 2.942, -2.657, 2.011, -2.441, P<0.05), and urea clearance index of patients in citrate group was significantly higher than that in heparin group (t=1.017, 2.233, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in PLT, PT, and APTT of patients between 2 groups at 0 h after treatment (P>0.05). At 48 and 96 h, PLT of patients in citrate group was significantly higher than that in heparin group (t=-3.417, -4.143, P<0.05 or P<0.01), PT of patients in citrate group was significantly shorter than that in heparin group (t=2.760, -3.655, P<0.01), APTT of patients in citrate group was significantly shorter than that in heparin group (t=3.719, 5.146, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Within 96 h of treatment, there was 1 case of hypocalcemia and 1 case of aggravated wound bleeding resulting in forced hemofiltration termination in citrate group, but there was no new bleeding on non-wound surface; in heparin group, there was no hypocalcemia, but 7 cases of aggravated wound bleeding and 2 cases of new bleeding on non-wound surface (both at the tracheotomy site) resulting in forced hemofiltration termination. The use time of blood purification filter of patients in citrate group was (11.7±4.8) h, obviously longer than (6.6±2.5) h in heparin group (t=3.310, P<0.01). Conclusions: The use of regional citrate anticoagulation in CVVH treatment of severe burn patients has the advantages including little effect on coagulation function and high safety, can effectively prolong the use time of filter and improve the therapeutic effect, but this conclusion still needs to be further verified in clinical application.

The impact of COVID-19 on subthreshold depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study.

AIMS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to mental health. Herein, we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on subthreshold depressive symptoms and identified potential mitigating factors. METHODS: Participants were from Depression Cohort in China (ChiCTR registry number 1900022145). Adults (n = 1722) with subthreshold depressive symptoms were enrolled between March and October 2019 in a 6-month, community-based interventional study that aimed to prevent clinical depression using psychoeducation. A total of 1506 participants completed the study in Shenzhen, China: 726 participants, who completed the study between March 2019 and January 2020 (i.e. before COVID-19), comprised the 'wave 1' group; 780 participants, who were enrolled before COVID-19 and completed the 6-month endpoint assessment during COVID-19, comprised 'wave 2'. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia were assessed at baseline and endpoint (i.e. 6-month follow-up) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), respectively. Measures of resilience and regular exercise were assessed at baseline. We compared the mental health outcomes between wave 1 and wave 2 groups. We additionally investigated how mental health outcomes changed across disparate stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, i.e. peak (7-13 February), post-peak (14-27 February), remission plateau (28 February-present). RESULTS: COVID-19 increased the risk for three mental outcomes: (1) depression (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.62); (2) anxiety (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16-1.88) and (3) insomnia (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.77). The highest proportion of probable depression and anxiety was observed post-peak, with 52.9% and 41.4%, respectively. Greater baseline resilience scores had a protective effect on the three main outcomes (depression: OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.19-0.37; anxiety: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.14-0.33 and insomnia: OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11-0.28). Furthermore, regular physical activity mitigated the risk for depression (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic exerted a highly significant and negative impact on symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Mental health outcomes fluctuated as a function of the duration of the pandemic and were alleviated to some extent with the observed decline in community-based transmission. Augmenting resiliency and regular exercise provide an opportunity to mitigate the risk for mental health symptoms during this severe public health crisis.

Evaluation of Pantoea eucalypti FBS135 for pine (Pinus massoniana) growth promotion and its genome analysis.

AIMS: Pinus massoniana is one of the most widely distributed forest plants in China. In this study, we isolated a bacterial endophyte (designated FBS135) from apical buds and needles of P. massoniana. Investigations were performed to understand the effects of the strain on pine growth, its genomic features and the functions of the plasmids it carries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on its morphological features and 16S rRNA sequence, strain FBS135 was primarily identified as Pantoea eucalypti. We found that FBS135 not only promoted the growth of P. massoniana seedlings, but also significantly increased the survival rate of pine seedlings. The whole genome of FBS135 was sequenced, which revealed that the bacterium carries one chromosome and four plasmids. Its chromosome is 4 023 751 bp in size and contains dozens of genes involved in plant symbiosis. Curing one of the four plasmids, pPant1, resulted in a decrease in the size of the FBS135 colonies and the loss of the ability to synthesize yellow pigment, indicating that this plasmid may be very important for FBS135. CONCLUSIONS: Pantoea eucalypti FBS135 has a genomic basis to be implicated in plant-associated lifestyle and was established to have the capability to promote pine growth. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that such a bacterial species, P. eucalypti, was isolated from pine trees and evidenced to have pine beneficial activities. Our results elucidate the ecological effects of endophytes on forest plants as well as endophyte-plant interaction mechanisms.

Digital Technology to Deliver a Lifestyle-Integrated Exercise Intervention in Young Seniors-The PreventIT Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Behavioral change is the key to alter individuals' lifestyle from sedentary to active. The aim was to assess the feasibility of delivering a Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise programme and evaluate the delivery of the intervention by use of digital technology (eLiFE) to prevent functional decline in 61-70 year-old adults. Methods: This multicentre, feasibility randomized controlled trial was run in three countries (Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands). Out of 7,500 potential participants, 926 seniors (12%) were screened and 180 participants randomized to eLiFE (n = 61), aLiFE (n = 59), and control group (n = 60). eLiFE participants used an application on smartphones and smartwatches while aLiFE participants used traditional paper-based versions of the same lifestyle-integrated exercise intervention. Participants were followed for 12 months, with assessments at baseline, after a 6 month active trainer-supported intervention, and after a further 6 months of unsupervised continuation of the programme. Results: At 6 months, 87% of participants completed post-test, and 77% completed the final assessment at 12 months. Participants were willing to be part of the programme, with compliance and reported adherence relatively high. Despite small errors during start-up in the technological component, intervention delivery by use of technology appeared acceptable. No serious adverse events were related to the interventions. All groups improved regarding clinical outcomes over time, and complexity metrics show potential as outcome measure in young seniors. Conclusion: This feasibility RCT provides evidence that an ICT-based lifestyle-integrated exercise intervention, focusing on behavioral change, is feasible and safe for young seniors. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03065088. Registered on 14 February 2017.

Impact of P inputs on source-sink P dynamics of sediment along an agricultural ditch network.

Phosphorus (P) loss from intensive dairy farms is a pressure on water quality in agricultural catchments. At farm scale, P sources can enter in-field drains and open ditches, resulting in transfer along ditch networks and delivery into nearby streams. Open ditches could be a potential location for P mitigation if the right location was identified, depending on P sources entering the ditch and the source-sink dynamics at the sediment-water interface. The objective of this study was to identify the right location along a ditch to mitigate P losses on an intensive dairy farm. High spatial resolution grab samples for water quality, along with sediment and bankside samples, were collected along an open ditch network to characterise the P dynamics within the ditch. Phosphorus inputs to the ditch adversely affected water quality, and a step change in P concentrations (increase in mean dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from 0.054 to 0.228 mg L-1) midway along the section of the ditch sampled, signalled the influence of a point source entering the ditch. Phosphorus inputs altered sediment P sorption properties as P accumulated along the length of the ditch. Accumulation of bankside and sediment labile extractable P, Mehlich 3 P (M3P) (from 13 to 97 mg kg-1) resulted in a decrease in P binding energies (k) to < 1 L mg-1 at downstream points and raised the equilibrium P concentrations (EPC0) from 0.07 to 4.61 mg L-1 along the ditch. The increase in EPC0 was in line with increasing dissolved and total P in water, demonstrating the role of sediment downstream in this ditch as a secondary source of P to water. Implementation of intervention measures are needed to both mitigate P loss and remediate sediment to restore the sink properties. In-ditch measures need to account for a physicochemical lag time before improvements in water quality will be observed.

Tensorial Modulation of Electrokinetic Streaming Potentials on Air and Liquid Filled Surfaces.

Textured surfaces, comprised of grooves filled with air, e.g., air-filled surfaces (AFS), or with liquid, e.g., liquid-filled surfaces (LFS), significantly influence fluid flows and the related electrokinetic streaming potential (Vs). Here, electroosmotic mobility related tensorial effects on the Vs were experimentally investigated. A significant modulation of the Vs, as high as 100%, due to transverse pressure gradients, was demonstrated. The study yields insights into understanding geometrical effects in electrolyte flows with implications to the establishment of local electric fields, energy generation, and biological separations.

[Influence of directed restrictive fluid management strategy on patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury].

Objective: To explore the influence of directed restrictive fluid management strategy (RFMS) on patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury. Methods: Sixteen patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury hospitalized in our department from December 2014 to December 2017, meeting the inclusion criteria and treated with RFMS, were enrolled in directed treatment group. Thirty-four patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury hospitalized in our department from December 2012 to December 2017, meeting the inclusion criteria and without RFMS, were enrolled in routine treatment group. Medical records of patients in 2 groups were retrospectively analyzed. Within post injury day 2, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), extravascular lung water index (ELWI), global end-diastolic volume index, and pulmonary vascular permeability index of patients in directed treatment group were monitored by pulse contour cardiac output monitoring technology, while MAP and CVP of patients in routine treatment group were monitored by routine method. On post injury day 3 to 7, patients in 2 groups were treated with routine fluid supplement therapy of our Department to maintain hemodynamic stability, and patients in directed treatment group were treated according to RFMS directed with goal of ELWI≤7 mL·kg(-1)·m(-2). On post injury day 3 to 7, total fluid intake, total fluid output, and total fluid difference between fluid intake and output within 24 h, value of blood lactic acid, and oxygenation index of patients in 2 groups were recorded. Occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on post injury day 3 to 7 and 8 to 28, mechanical ventilation time within post injury day 28, and occurrence of death of patients in 2 groups were counted. Data were processed with chi-square test, t test, and analysis of variance for repeated measurement. Results: The total fluid intakes within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were close to those in routine treatment group on post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (t=-0.835, -1.618, -2.463, -1.244, -2.552, P>0.05). The total fluid outputs and total fluid differences between fluid intake and output within 24 h of patients in 2 groups on post injury day 3 were close (t=0.931, -2.274, P>0.05). The total fluid outputs within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were significantly higher than those in routine treatment group on post injury day 4, 5, 6, 7 (t=2.645, 2.352, 1.847, 1.152, P<0.05). The total fluid differences between fluid intake and output within 24 h of patients in directed treatment group were (2 928±768), (2 028±1 001), (2 186±815), and (2 071±963) mL, significantly lower than (4 455±960), (3 434±819), (3 233±1 022), and (3 453±829) mL in routine treatment group (t=-4.331, -3.882, -3.211, -4.024, P<0.05). The values of blood lactic acid of patients in directed treatment group and routine treatment group on post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 were close (t=0.847, 1.221, 0.994, 1.873, 1.948, P>0.05). The oxygenation indexes of patients in directed treatment group on post injury day 3 and 4 were (298±78) and (324±85) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa ), which were close to (270±110) and (291±90) mmHg in routine treatment group (t=-1.574, 2.011, P>0.05). The oxygenation indexes of patients in directed treatment group on post injury day 5, 6, 7 were (372±88), (369±65), and (377±39) mmHg, significantly higher than (302±103), (313±89), and (336±78) mmHg in routine treatment group (t=3.657, 3.223, 2.441, P<0.05). On post injury day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, patients with ARDS in directed treatment group were less than those in routine treatment group, but with no significantly statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ(2)=0.105, P>0.05). On post injury day 8 to 28, patients with ARDS in directed treatment group were significantly less than those in routine treatment group (χ(2)=0.827, P<0.05). The mechanical ventilation time within post injury day 28 of patients in directed treatment group was apparently shorter than that in routine treatment group (t=-2.895, P<0.05). Death of patients in directed treatment group within post injury day 28 was less than that in routine treatment group, but with no significantly statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ(2)=0.002, P>0.05). Conclusions: Under the circumstance of hemodynamics stability, RFMS directed with goal of ELWI≤7 mL·kg(-1)·m(-2) on post injury day 3 to 7 is an useful strategy, which can reduce occurrence rate of ADRS and shorten mechanical ventilation time of patients with serious burns complicated by severe inhalation injury at late stage of burns.

Evaluation of several instrumentation techniques and irrigation methods on the percentage of untouched canal wall and accumulated dentine debris in C-shaped canals.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of instrumentation using Reciproc Blue (RB; VDW, Munich, Germany) and XP-endo Shaper (XP-S; FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-deFonds, Switzerland) systems on the area of untouched canal wall (AUCW), accumulated hard-tissue debris (AHTD) and the efficacy of three irrigation protocols on percentage reductions (red%) of AHTD within C-shaped canals of mandibular molars. METHODOLOGY: Seventy mandibular molars with C-shaped canals were scanned, matched and assigned to two shaping groups (n = 35): RB and XP-S. Following instrumentation, specimens were triple-matched with respect to the amount of remaining debris and assigned to three irrigation subgroups (n = 10): syringe-and-needle irrigation (SNI), XP-endo Finisher (XP-F; FKG Dentaire) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). The AUCW% and AHTD% after instrumentation and the red% of AHTD after irrigation were calculated from micro-computed tomography. Data were analysed using comparisons for two groups (RB vs. XP-S) or multiple subgroups followed by pairwise comparison procedures (SNI vs. XP-F vs. PUI) at α = 0.05. RESULTS: For RB and XP-S, 33.04% and 30.45%, respectively, of the canal wall remained untouched (P > 0.05). For both groups, the apical third had larger AUCW% than the coronal third (P < 0.05). Instrumentation with RB left more debris (2.8%) than XP-S (1.1%) (P < 0.05). The PUI and XP-F subgroups had higher mean red% of AHTD than the SNI subgroup; the difference was significant for RB (P < 0.05) but not for XP-S. CONCLUSIONS: Both RB and XP-S systems were associated with similar AUCW after instrumenting C-shaped canals. RB left significantly greater levels of AHTD compared with XP-S. PUI and XP-F irrigation removed more debris than SNI when using the RB system.

MiR-15a-3p suppresses the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer cell by targeting Twist1.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of miR-15a-3p in ovarian cancer cell growth and metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A key role of miR-15a-3p was identified via gene profiling and bioinformatics analysis. The impact of miR-15a-3p on ovarian cancer cell growth, migration and invasion was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound-healing and transwell invasion assays. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays were applied to identify that twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 (Twist1) was the target gene of miR-15a-3p. The miR-15a-3p level and the expression of Twist1 were detected using quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. The expressions of N-cadherin and E-cadherin were measured by immunofluorescence staining. Small interfering RNA targeting Twist1 and pCDNA3.1 containing Twist1 were applied to decrease and increase the expression of Twist1, respectively. RESULTS: miR-15a-3p was markedly down-regulated in ovarian cancer. Exogenous up-regulation of miR-15a-3p inhibited the growth, colony formation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cell in vitro. Furthermore, a xenograft model indicated that miR-15a-3p inhibited tumour growth and the metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cell in vivo. We found that Twist1 was the direct target of miR-15a-3p in ovarian cancer and that its expression was negatively correlated with the level of miR-15a-3p in ovarian cancer tissues. Up-regulation of miR-15a-3p rescued the inhibitory impact of miR-15a-3p on ovarian cancer cell growth, migration and invasion. Finally, down-regulation of Twist1 mimicked the suppressive effects of miR-15a-3p on ovarian cancer cell. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that miR-15a-3p is down-regulated in ovarian cancer. Up-regulation of miR-15a-3p restrains the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer cell by regulating Twist1.

Study of miR-26a inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion of Tu686 cell line through SMAD1.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of miR-26a on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion of Tu686 cell line through SMAD1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tu686 Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) cell strains were divided into the miR-26a group, miR-NC group, co-transfection group and blank control group. Among them, the miR-26a group only transfected miR-26a mimics, the miR-NC group only transfected miR-26a negative control, the co-transfection group transfected miR-26a mimics and pcDNA3.1-SMAD1 plasmid. The qRT-PCR method was used for the detection of the expressions of miR-26a and SMAD1 in each group of cells, transwell assay for the detection of the invasion ability of each group of cells and Western blot for detecting the expression level of SMAD1 and the expressions of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin. RESULTS: The relative expression of miR-26a in the miR-26a group was significantly higher than that in the miR-NC group and blank control group, and the relative expression in the co-transfection group was significantly higher than that in the miR-NC and blank control groups. The relative expression of SMAD1 in the miR-26a group was significantly lower than that in the miR-NC and blank control groups, and the relative expression in the co-transfection group was lower than that in the miR-NC and blank control groups, and higher than that in the miR-26a group (all p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the miR-NC group and the blank control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: miR-26a may reduce the expression level of SMAD1, affect the expression of EMT-related proteins, inhibit the EMT function of Tu686 cells of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, and inhibit the invasion of them.

Hollow-Core-Photonic-Crystal-Fiber-Based Miniaturized Sensor for the Detection of Aggregation-Induced-Emission Molecules.

A miniature sensor for detection of aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) molecules is proposed in this work. The sensing head is fabricated by use of hollow-core photonic crystal fiber with a core diameter of about 4.8 µm. The cladding holes are sealed with a fusion splicing technique, and the central hole remains open to allow the filtration of solution with AIE molecules. When the solution is excited by an ultraviolet lamp, the fluorescence is received by a fiber-optic spectrometer. The fluorescence intensity is associated with the concentration of AIE molecules and the infiltrated-core length. In the whole process of the experiments, the output-peak wavelength is stable, which indicates that the existing forms of AIE particles are stable, and the fluorescence reabsorption can be neglected. The experimental results obtained are in accordance with traditional microplate-spectrophotometer methods. The most exciting result is that the amount of sample measured can be as low as 0.36 nL, which allows the detection of AIE molecules at only 0.02 pmol. In addition, the miniature sensor was successfully applied to the detection of an AIE-based bioprobe for evaluating the activity of the dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin with an IC50 of 59.80 ± 3.06 nM. The advantages of small device size and nanoliter-scale sample volumes suggest that the proposed sensor is promising for many biosensing applications.