NIGT1.4 maintains primary root elongation in response to salt stress through induction of ERF1 in Arabidopsis.

Plants employ various molecular mechanisms to maintain primary root elongation upon salt stress. Identification of key functional genes, therein, is important for improving crop salt tolerance. Through analyzing natural variation of the primary root length of Arabidopsis natural population under salt stress, we identified NIGT1.4, encoding an MYB transcription factor, as a novel contributor to maintained root growth under salt stress. Using both T-DNA knockout and functional complementation, NIGT1.4 was confirmed to have a role in promoting primary root growth in response to salt stress. The expression of NIGT1.4 in the root was shown induced by NaCl treatments in an ABA-dependent manner. SnRK2.2 and 2.3 were shown to interact with and phosphorylate NIGT1.4 individually. The growth of the primary root of snrk2.2/2.3/2.6 triple mutant was shown sensitive to salt stress, which was similar to nigt1.4 plants. Using DNA affinity purification sequencing, ERF1, a known positive regulator for primary root elongation and salt tolerance, was identified as a target gene for NIGT1.4. The transcriptional induction of ERF1 by salt stress was shown absent in nigt1.4 background. NIGT1.4 was also confirmed to bind to the promoter region of ERF1 by yeast one-hybrid experiment and to induce the expression of ERF1 by dual-luciferase analysis. All data support the notion that salt- and ABA-elicited NIGT1.4 induces the expression of ERF1 to regulate downstream functional genes that contribute to maintained primary root elongation. NIGT1.4-ERF1, therefore, acts as a signaling node linking regulators for stress resilience and root growth, providing new insights for breeding salt-tolerant crops.

Acquired ALK G1202R-, ALK I1171N-, or EML4-ALK-mediated resistance to ensartinib in lung adenocarcinoma but responded to lorlatinib: A case report.

ALK rearrangements are identified as driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EML4 is the most common partner of ALK rearrangements. Here, we reported a patient with lung adenocarcinoma who was identified with EML4-ALK mutations when he progressed on an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The patient was treated with alectinib and obtained a progression-free survival (PFS) of 24 months. Then, next-generation sequencing on circulating tumor DNA identified multiple ALK mutations, including ALK G1202R, I1171N, ALK-ENC1, and EML4-ALK. Ensartinib was given, and the patient achieved a PFS of 5 months. After progression, lorlatinib was administered, and the patient achieved a partial response. Now, the benefit is still ongoing with a PFS over 10 months. Our case may provide evidence for the treatment choice of multiple ALK mutations, including ALK I1171N.

Taxi drivers' traffic violations detection using random forest algorithm: A case study in China.

OBJECTIVE: To effectively explore the impacts of several key factors on taxi drivers' traffic violations and provide traffic management departments with scientific decisions to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. METHODS: 43,458 electronic enforcement data about taxi drivers' traffic violations in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China, from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, were utilized to explore the characteristics of traffic violations. A random forest algorithm was used to predict the severity of taxi drivers' traffic violations and 11 factors affecting traffic violations, including time, road conditions, environment, and taxi companies were analyzed using the Shapley Additionality Explanation (SHAP) framework. RESULTS: Firstly, the ensemble method Balanced Bagging Classifier (BBC) was applied to balance the dataset. The results showed that the imbalance ratio (IR) of the original imbalanced dataset reduced from 6.61% to 2.60%. Moreover, a prediction model for the severity of taxi drivers' traffic violations was established by using the Random Forest, and the results showed that accuracy, m_F1, m_G-mean, m_AUC, and m_AP obtained 0.877, 0.849, 0.599, 0.976, and 0.957, respectively. Compared with the algorithms of Decision Tree, XG Boost, Ada Boost, and Neural Network, the performance measures of the prediction model based on Random Forest were the best. Finally, the SHAP framework was used to improve the interpretability of the model and identify important factors affecting taxi drivers' traffic violations. The results showed that functional districts, location of the violation, and road grade were found to have a high impact on the probability of traffic violations; their mean SHAP values were 0.39, 0.36, and 0.26, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this paper may help to discover the relationship between the influencing factors and the severity of traffic violations, and provide a theoretical basis for reducing the traffic violations of taxi drivers and improving the road safety management.

A Design Method of Two-Dimensional Subwavelength Grating Filter Based on Deep Learning Series Feedback Neural Network.

Subwavelength grating structure has excellent filtering characteristics, and its traditional design method needs a lot of computational costs. This work proposed a design method of two-dimensional subwavelength grating filter based on a series feedback neural network, which can realize forward simulation and backward design. It was programed in Python to study the filtering characteristics of two-dimensional subwavelength grating in the range of 0.4-0.7 µm. The shape, height, period, duty cycle, and waveguide layer height of two-dimensional subwavelength grating were taken into consideration. The dataset, containing 46,080 groups of data, was generated through numerical simulation of rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA). The optimal network was five layers, 128 × 512 × 512 × 128 × 61 nodes, and 64 batch size. The loss function of the series feedback neural network is as low as 0.024. Meanwhile, it solves the problem of non-convergence of the network reverse design due to the non-uniqueness of data. The series feedback neural network can give the geometrical structure parameters of two-dimensional subwavelength grating within 1.12 s, and the correlation between the design results and the theoretical spectrum is greater than 0.65, which belongs to a strong correlation. This study provides a new method for the design of two-dimensional subwavelength grating, which is quicker and more accurate compared with the traditional method.

Forecasting and Planning Method for Taxi Travel Combining Carbon Emission and Revenue Factors-A Case Study in China.

The efficiency and emission levels of taxi operations are influenced by taxi drivers' empirical judgments of hotspot travel areas. In this study, we exploited vehicle specific power (VSP) approaches and taxi trajectory data in a 1000 × 1000 m grid to calculate emission and revenue efficiency-related indicators and explored their spatial and temporal characteristics. Then, the entropy weight TOPSIS method was employed to identify the grids with the top comprehensive ranking of the indicators in the period to replace the driver experience. Finally, the k-means clustering method was utilized to identify the recommended road segments in the hotspot grid. The data from Nanchang City in China showed the following. (1) The study area was divided into 7553 grids, and the main travel and emission areas were located in the West Lake, Qingyunpu and Qingshan Lake districts (less than 200 grids). However, revenue efficiency-related indicators in this region are at a moderately low level. For example, the order revenue was about 0.9-1.2 RMB/min, and the average was 1.3-1.5 RMB/min. Areas with high trip demand had low revenue efficiency. (2) Five indicators related to emissions and revenue efficiency were selected. Of these, grid boarding points (G-bp) maintained the highest weight, reaching a maximum of 0.48 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The ranking of secondary indicators was time varying. Hotspot grids and road segments were identified within each period. For example, from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., (66,65), (68,65) were identified as hotspot grids. People's Park North Gate near the road was identified as the recommended section from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. This study can provide recommended grids and sections for idle cruising taxis.

PM10 prediction for brake wear of passenger car during different test driving cycles.

PM10 emissions generated from the brake wear of passenger car per braking event during three test driving cycles (WLTP, LACT, and WLTP-Brake) were studied using a finite element analysis (FEA) approach in combination with the relationship among the mass emitted rate of airborne particles versus local contact pressure and sliding speed. In addition, PM10 emissions were measured per braking event during the WLTP-Brake cycle on a brake dynamometer using an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI+) to validate the proposed FEA approach. The simulated and experimental results for WLTP-Brake illustrated that the proposed simulation approach has the potential to predict PM10 from brake wear per braking event, with an R2 value of 0.93. The FEA results of three test driving cycles showed that there was a gradient rise in pad wear on both sides from the inner to outer radii. The simulated PM10 emission factors during the WLTP, LACT, and WLTP-Brake were 7.9 mg km-1 veh-1, 9.8 mg km-1 veh-1, and 6.4 mg km-1 veh-1, respectively. Among three test driving cycles, the ratio of PM10 to total brake wear mass per braking event was the largest for the LACT, followed by WLTP and WLTP-Brake. From a practical application perspective, reducing the frequency of high-speed braking may be an effective way to decrease the generation of PM10 emissions.

Zhibai Dihuang Pill Alleviates Ureaplasma urealyticum-Induced Spermatogenic Failure and Testicular Dysfunction via MAPK Signaling Pathway.

The testicles and sperm are extremely susceptible to inflammation and oxidative stress. Although Zhibai Dihuang Pill (ZDP) has been reported to treat various infertilities including male infertility induced by Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection, its mechanism is still poorly understood. This study is aimed at clarifying the underlying mechanism of ZDP to protect against UU-infected male infertility. We found that UU-infected infertile rats exhibited weight loss, reduced food intake, and decreased sperm count and vitality. The administration of ZDP improved the general state and sperm motility of rats. In addition, UU infection led to spermatogenesis disorders, impaired secretory function and blood-testis barrier (BTB) of Sertoli cells, and elevated inflammation and oxidative stress. As expected, ZDP suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress to alleviate spermatogenesis disorders. Our research showed that ZDP could improve spermatogenesis disorders and testicular function primarily through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. ZDP exerts its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects via the MAPK signaling pathway, thus playing an important role in ameliorating spermatogenesis failure and testicular dysfunction.

Mechanistic insights into the inhibition of the CRISPR-Cas surveillance complex by anti-CRISPR protein AcrIF13.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins provide prokaryotes with nucleic acid-based adaptive immunity against infections of mobile genetic elements, including phages. To counteract this immune process, phages have evolved various anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins which deactivate CRISPR-Cas-based immunity. However, the mechanisms of many of these Acr-mediated inhibitions are not clear. Here, we report the crystal structure of AcrIF13 and explore its inhibition mechanism. The structure of AcrIF13 is unique and displays a negatively charged surface. Additionally, biochemical studies identified that AcrIF13 interacts with the type I-F CRISPR-Cas surveillance complex (Csy complex) to block target DNA recognition and that the Cas5f-8f tail and Cas7.6f subunit of the Csy complex are specific binding targets of AcrIF13. Further mutational studies demonstrated that several negatively charged residues of AcrIF13 and positively charged residues of Cas8f and Cas7f of the Csy complex are involved in AcrIF13-Csy binding. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insights into the inhibition mechanism of AcrIF13 and further suggest the prevalence of the function of Acr proteins as DNA mimics.

A novel amphiphilic motif at the C-terminus of FtsZ1 facilitates chloroplast division.

In bacteria and chloroplasts, the GTPase filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) is essential for division and polymerizes to form rings that mark the division site. Plants contain two FtsZ subfamilies (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2) with different assembly dynamics. FtsZ1 lacks the C-terminal domain of a typical FtsZ protein. Here, we show that the conserved short motif FtsZ1Carboxyl-terminus (Z1C) (consisting of the amino acids RRLFF) with weak membrane-binding activity is present at the C-terminus of FtsZ1 in angiosperms. For a polymer-forming protein such as FtsZ, this activity is strong enough for membrane tethering. Arabidopsis thaliana plants with mutated Z1C motifs contained heterogeneously sized chloroplasts and parallel FtsZ rings or long FtsZ filaments, suggesting that the Z1C motif plays an important role in regulating FtsZ ring dynamics. Our findings uncover a type of amphiphilic beta-strand motif with weak membrane-binding activity and point to the importance of this motif for the dynamic regulation of protein complex formation.

A Mixed Decision Strategy for Freight and Passenger Transportation in Metro Systems.

This paper proposes a mixed decision strategy for freight and passenger transportation in metro systems during off-peak hours (MTS-OPH). The definition of the mixed decision strategy is proposed, and fixed and flexible loading modes are considered for different passenger flow volumes. A mathematical model of the MTS-OPH is proposed and solved using an improved variable neighborhood search algorithm. Case studies demonstrate the performance and applicability of the proposed model and algorithm, and the MTS-OPH is discussed for different delivery distances, passenger flows, and metro network types. The proposed strategy is suitable for long-distance delivery, and the proposed model framework can be applied to different types of metro networks with different levels of complexity. The mixed decision strategy provides a decision support tool for metro and freight companies and can propose corresponding solutions according to different passenger flows.

Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Iguratimod in the Treatment of Active Spondyloarthritis.

Background and Purpose: The effect of Iguratimod in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was confirmed in past studies. In terms of the mechanism of the effect and clinical application experience, Iguratimod has a potential value in the treatment of spondyloarthritis (SpA). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Iguratimod on active SpA. Methods: Subjects with active SpA were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups at a ratio of 1:2 (placebo vs. Iguratimod). On the basis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, combined treatment with Iguratimod or placebo, followed by follow-up every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was to evaluate the alleviation rate of ASAS20; the important improvement of ASDAS and the efficacy of spinal mobility, physical function and quality of life at the 24th week. Results: A total of 48 cases in the Iguratimod group and 25 cases in the placebo group were included in the final analysis. On the 24th week, the percentage of responders to ASAS20 (80 vs. 44%) and ASAS40 (56 vs. 20%) treated with Iguratimod were significantly higher than that in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Twelve cases had gastrointestinal discomfort, of which eight were in the Iguratimod group (16.7%, one case withdrew from the study due to diarrhoea) and four were in the placebo group (16.0%). No significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.05). Three cases of elevated transaminase were observed in the Iguratimod group and none in the placebo group, with no significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Iguratimod could significantly reduce the symptoms and signs of patients with active SpA. It could improve the physical function and quality of life of these patients and the overall safety and tolerance are good.

Study on the anti-infection ability of vancomycin cationic liposome combined with polylactide fracture internal fixator.

A polylactide composite fracture fixator loaded with vancomycin cationic liposome (PLA@VL) was prepared by reverse evaporation method. The method of cationic liposome encapsulating vancomycin could effectively improve antibacterial property and achieve drug sustained release effect, so as to reduce toxicity of antibiotics in vivo. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe morphology and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to detect the composition of the internal fixator. In vitro drug release model, in vitro degradation model and body fluid osteogenesis model were designed in this study. On the other hand, the experiments of inhibition zone and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts in mice were conducted to explore antibacterial property, cell activity and adhesion of the PLA@VL composite internal fixator. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining method and alizarin red assay were used to detect the osteogenic induction ability of the composite internal fixator. Finally, mice fracture models were established to verify osteogenic and anti-infection abilities of the composite internal fixator in vivo. The results showed that MC3T3-E1 cells had better adhesion and proliferation abilities on the PLA@VL composite internal fixator than on the PLA fixator, which indicated that the PLA@VL composite internal fixator possessed excellent osteogenic and anti-infection abilities both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, the above experiments showed that the fracture internal fixator combined with vancomycin cationic liposome had better biocompatibility, antibacterial ability and osteogenic ability, which provides a promising anti-infection material for the clinical field of fracture.

Insulin-Reactive T Cells Convert Diabetogenic Insulin-Reactive VH125 B Cells Into Tolerogenic Cells by Reducing Germinal Center T:B Cell Interactions in NOD Mice.

Insulin is a key autoantigen in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), targeted by both T and B cells. Therefore, understanding insulin-specific T:B cell interactions is important. We have previously reported an insulin-reactive CD4+ T cell, (designated 2H6). Unlike other insulin-reactive T cells, 2H6 cells protect non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice from T1D development, mediated by TGFß. To investigate insulin-specific T:B cell interactions, we bred 2H6αß T cell receptor transgenic NOD mice (2H6) with the insulin-reactive B cell receptor transgenic NOD mice (VH125), generating 2H6VH125 NOD mice. Similar to 2H6 mice, 2H6VH125 mice are protected from T1D development. Interestingly, VH125 B cells did not alter the phenotype of 2H6 T cells; however, 2H6 T cells significantly altered the VH125 B cells by reducing the insulin-reactive non-germinal center (GC) and GC B cells, as well as MHC and costimulatory molecule expression on the B cells. Furthermore, the B cells in 2H6VH125 NOD mice exhibited increased non-insulin-specific and a class switched IgG isotype, which can be recapitulated in vivo in Rag-deficient NOD mice by adoptive transfer. In vitro, VH125 B cells from 2H6VH125 mice suppressed the proliferation of 2H6 T cells to insulin antigen but enhanced TGFß secretion by 2H6 T cells from 2H6VH125 mice compared to 2H6 mice. In summary, our data showed that 2H6 CD4+ T cells alter the phenotype and function of insulin-reactive B cells from pathogenic to tolerogenic cells. In turn, VH125 B cells also modulate the function of the 2H6 T cells. Thus, promoting the interactions between antigen-specific regulatory T cells and B cells may lead to protection from T1D.

Analysis of antibiotic treatment of children in a Shanghai tertiary hospital based on point prevalence surveys.

BACKGROUND: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics by physicians in the treatment of children is common in China. This study aimed to reveal the overall use of antibiotics to treat children hospitalized in four types of pediatric wards. METHODS: Seven independent point prevalence surveys (PPSs) were conducted in Shanghai Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University over the period 2012 to 2018. Pediatric ward types were defined general pediatric medical, pediatric surgical, pediatric intensive care units (PICU), and neonatal. RESULTS: A total of 3975 pediatric patients were included in the study, of which 63.9% received at least one dose antibiotic. The top five classes of antibiotics administered were cephalosporins (43.8%, n = 1743), penicillins (13.2%, n = 526), carbapenems (8.7%, n = 347), nitroimidazoles (7.1%, n = 281) and macrolides (6.5%, n = 257). The five most commonly used generic antibiotics were cefuroxime (14.9%, n = 594), ceftriaxone (9.7%, n = 387), cefotaxime (9.0%, n = 358), meropenem (8.1%, n = 320) and ampicillin/sulbactam (6.0%, n = 239). Meropenem was among top five antibiotics prescribed in the general pediatric, PICU and neonatal wards and sixth in the pediatric surgical wards. Of all children on antibiotics, 23.4% received prophylactic treatment, and prophylaxis accounted for 68.1% of indications for treatment in the pediatric surgical wards. CONCLUSIONS: Given that over-treatment with third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems has been associated with treatment-resistant infections, the prescription of these drugs should be strictly controlled and monitored, and measures should be taken to improve the management of surgical prophylaxis in hospitalized children in China.

Clean production of porous-Al(OH)3 from fly ash.

Fly ash is one of the largest solid waste and causes serious environment problems. Extraction of Al(OH)3 from fly ash is beneficial to environment and economy. We developed a clean electrolysis method to generate hydroxyl groups in situ to extract Al(OH)3 from fly ash leachate without adding chemicals or using expensive membranes, avoiding the introduction of new impurities, secondary pollutants generation, and membrane limitations. Batch experiments yielded porous electrolytic products with BET surface areas from 11.7610 to 25.5267 m2/g, pore volumes from 0.1935 to 0.1643 cm3/g and pore sizes from 65.7960 to 25.7434 nm. The composition of the electrolytic products was 86.43 wt% Al(OH)3, 9.00 wt% SO3, 1.67 wt% Fe(OH)3, and 0.29 wt% Ca(OH)2. The current efficiency was 90.51 % under optimized conditions of c (Al3+) = 0.1 M, t =2 h, and J = 750 A/m2. Mean particle size was from 24.1-98.1 µm. Impurities mainly affected the composition of the electrolytic products. The OH- generated by H2O reduction reacted with Al3+, Fe3+, and Ca2+ to generate a hydroxide. Fe3+ preceded Ca2+ into the hydroxide. H2 released continuously from H2O reduction, resulting in a porous hydroxide. The wastewater was reused as a leaching reagent to promote zero-pollution discharge.

Who will benefit from computerized cognitive remediation therapy? Evidence from a multisite randomized controlled study in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Computerized cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) is generally effective for the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. However, there is much uncertainty about what factors mediate or moderate effectiveness and are therefore important to personalize treatment and boost its effects. METHOD: In total, 311 Chinese inpatients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV schizophrenia were randomized to receive CCRT or Active control for 12 weeks with four to five sessions per week. All participants were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. The outcomes were cognition, clinical symptoms and functional outcomes. RESULTS: There was a significant benefit in the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) total score for CCRT (F1,258 = 5.62; p = 0.02; effect size was 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.49). There were no specific moderators of CCRT improvements. However, across both groups, Wisconsin Card Sort Test improvement mediated a positive effect on functional capacity and Digit Span benefit mediated decreases in positive symptoms. In exploratory analyses younger and older participants showed cognitive improvements but on different tests (younger on Symbol Coding Test, while older on the Spatial Span Test). Only the older age group showed MSCEIT benefits at post-treatment. In addition, cognition at baseline negatively correlated with cognitive improvement and those whose MCCB baseline total score was around 31 seem to derive the most benefit. CONCLUSIONS: CCRT can improve the cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia. Changes in cognitive outcomes also contributed to improvements in functional outcomes either directly or solely in the context of CCRT. Age and the basic cognitive level of the participants seem to affect the cognitive benefits from CCRT.

Dataset of characteristic remanent magnetization and magnetic properties of early Pliocene sediments from IODP Site U1467 (Maldives platform).

This data article describes data of magnetic stratigraphy and anisotropy of isothermal remanent magnetization (AIRM) from "Magnetic properties of early Pliocene sediments from IODP Site U1467 (Maldives platform) reveal changes in the monsoon system" [1]. Acquisition of isothermal magnetization on pilot samples and anisotropy of isothermal remanent magnetization are reported as raw data; magnetostratigraphic data are reported as characteristic magnetization (ChRM).

Schizophrenia Patient Shows a Rare Interleukin 15 Receptor alpha Variant Disrupting Signal Transduction.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a complex and debilitating mental disorder with strong heritability. Its pathogenesis involves immune dysregulation. Interleukin 15 and interleukin 15 receptor alpha(IL-15Rα) are classical immune molecules. They also help maintain normal brain function, leading to our hypothesis that IL-15Rα gene(IL- 15RA) variants contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: We determine whether the genetic variants of IL-15RA are associated with the development and progression of schizophrenia and whether IL-15RA single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) plays a key role in downstream signaling transduction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We sequenced IL-15RA exon from 132 Chinese schizophrenic patients and identified a rare variant(rs528238821) in a patient diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia and ankylosing spondylitis(AS). We overexpressed this missense variant in cells driven by pBI-CMV vector. The cells showed attenuated STAT3 phosphorylation in response to interleukin15. CONCLUSION: IL-15RA mutation is rare in schizophrenic patients but interfered with IL- 15Rα intracellular signal transduction. Given the similarity of symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia and the known phenotype of IL-15Rα knockout mice, gene variation might offer diagnostic value for sub-types of schizophrenia.

[Impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on the MRPS22 protein expression in rat spermatogenic cells and intervening effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection (UUI) on the expression of the mitochondrial ribosomal protein S22 (MRPS22) in rat spermatogenic cells and the intervening effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZBDH). METHODS: Forty-five SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: normal control, UUI model control, ZBDH and azithromycin, and the UUI model was made by bladder injection of the standard UU strain in the latter three groups. After modeling, the rats in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups were treated intragastrically with ZBDH at 1 g/kg/d and azithromycin at 0.105 g/kg/d respectively, while those in the normal and UUI model control groups with normal saline at 1 ml/kg/d. At 21 days after intervention, all the animals were sacrificed and their testes harvested for observation of the apoptosis and mitochondrial ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells, measurement of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by flow cytometry, and determination of the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The apoptotic index of the rat sperma-togenic cells was significantly higher in the UUI model control than in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups (ï¼»11.23 ± 1.65ï¼½ % vs ï¼»6.62 ± 0.49ï¼½ % and ï¼»7.82 ± 0.81ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), but lower in the ZBDH than in the azithromycin group (P < 0.05). The mitochondrial ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells was markedly improved in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups as compared with that in the model control. The MMP level was remarkably lower in the model control than in the normal control (ï¼»8.77 ± 1.73ï¼½ % vs ï¼»22.33 ± 1.66ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), but higher in the ZBDH (ï¼»18.26 ± 1.32ï¼½ %) than in the model control (P < 0.01) and the azithromycin group (ï¼»15.91 ± 1.69ï¼½ %) (P < 0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 were significantly lower in the model control (8.02 ± 3.21 and 22.65 ± 5.31) than in the normal control (15.43 ± 2.54 and 33.31 ± 7.09), ZBDH (11.26 ± 3.82 and 33.35 ± 3.96), and azithromycin group (8.79 ± 2.03 and 28.11 ± 4.13) (all P < 0.01), but both higher in the ZBDH than in the azithromycin group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the MRPS22 protein expression and MMP (r = 0.639, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: UU infection induces the apoptosis of rat spermatogenic cells by inhibiting the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 and reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, while ZBDH can decrease the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by improving the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 and enhancing the mitochondrial membrane potential.