Effects of metamitron on fruit set and photosynthetic biological characteristics of apples.

With dwarfing interstock Fuji apples as the test materials and water treatment as the control (CK), we examined the fruit thinning effect and its influences on leaves' photosynthesis by spraying 200, 300, and 400 mg·L-1 metamitron during the young fruit period to solve artificial fruit thinning problems (time-consuming, much labor, and low efficiency). The results showed that metamitron application could significantly reduce the inflorescence and flowers' fruit-setting rate by 16.5%-22.8% and 50.9%-53.9%, respectively. The treatment of 300 mg·L-1 metamitron had the strongest fruit thinning effect, with a single fruit rate of 46.6% and a double fruit rate of 18.3%. As a photosynthesis inhibitor, metamitron application reduced the chlorophyll content of leaves and strongly affected photosynthesis. The inhibitory effect on chlorophyll content disappeared after 15 days of the treatment, while that on the net photosynthetic rate disappeared gradually after 11 days of the treatment. The application of metamitron significantly reduced the maximum quantum yield of PSⅡ reaction center (Fv/Fm), actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSⅡ), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), with such inhibitory effect having been lasted for 15 days. OJIP analysis showed that metamitron caused damage to the apple leaves' oxygen-evolving complex, especially limiting the transfer of electrons in the PSⅡ reaction center from QA to QB. Metamitron treatment increased Wk, and significantly decreased ψo, RC/CSm, and PIabs. Besides, 300 mg·L-1 metamitron had the most significant effect. Our results showed that metamitron destroyed the structure of the PSⅡ reaction center of apple leaves and hindered the transfer of electrons from the donor to the receptor of PSⅡ. Consequently, the photosynthetic rate was affected, and the young fruits fell off due to the lack of accumulation of photosynthetic products.

Decreased vitamin D receptor protein expression is associated with progression and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

This study aimed to investigate vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression levels and evaluate their clinical significance in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). VDR protein expression was validated by immunohistochemistry in 188 CRC tissues and 134 normal colorectal tissues. The associations between VDR expression and clinicopathologic characteristics, including prognostic outcomes, were analyzed. VDR expression in normal colorectal tissue was higher than that in CRC (83.6% versus 34.6%, P = 4.489 × 10-20) and generated moderate diagnostic performance for CRC detection (AUC = 0.88, sensitivity = 0.87, specificity = 0.84). Low VDR expression was associated with invasion depth (P = 0.001) and poor survival in CRC (P = 0.031). Univariate Cox analysis demonstrated VDR expression (P = 0.036) was a significant prognostic predictor for survival in patients with CRC. Low VDR expression could be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC patients. Targeting VDR may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for blocking CRC.

Three-gene immunohistochemical panel predicts progression and unfavorable prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly invasive disease with a poor long-term survival rate. Although there has been progress in understanding the pathogenesis of ESCC, there are currently no molecular biomarkers that are used in routine clinical practices to determine prognosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine a small immunohistochemical panel that could predict the prognosis of patients with ESCC. Phospholipase C epsilon-1 (PLCE1), IKKα, IKBα, p65, and p53 were highly expressed in ESCC tissues. The high expression level of PLCE1, IKBα, and p53 showed a significant positive correlation with a short overall survival (P = .022, .009, and .024, respectively). This 3-biomarker panel (ie, PLCE1, IKBα, and p53) was found to be a predictor of ESCC, with a worse overall survival as each positive marker was added (hazard ratio, 1.553; 95% confidence interval, 1.166-2.067; P = .003). In another cohort (including 1922 esophageal endoscopic biopsy tissues), the lesions of 28 patients were aggravated. Three proteins (PLCE1, 12/28 [42.86%]; IKBα, 16/28 [57.14%]; p53, 16/28 [57.14%]) were immunoreactive in patients with progressive disease. Our study identified and validated that this immunohistochemical biomarker panel of 3 proteins, consisting of PLCE1, IKBα, and p53, is not only independently associated with an unfavorable outcome for ESCC patients but also able to predict disease progression to precancerous lesions.

Effects of dexmedetomidine post­treatment on BDNF and VEGF expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Brain­derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serves a significant role in neural protection by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, which also was associated with the neuroprotective the treatment with dexmedetomidine (DEX). The present study aimed to further explore whether treatment with DEX post­IR increased the expression level of BDNF and VEGF in the rat brain. A total of 30 healthy, clean male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: Control group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group and DEX treatment group. Subsequently, BDNF and VEGF mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed. The results indicated that the mRNA expression levels of BDNF and VEGF were higher in the I/R and DEX groups compared with expression levels in the Control group at 6 h and 1 day post­treatment; the levels of BNDF mRNA expression were higher in the DEX group compared with the I/R group. The levels of BDNF and VEGF protein expression in the I/R and DEX groups were also significantly higher compared with those in the Control group. I/R surgery significantly increased the expression of BDNF and VEGF protein DEX group at 6 h, day 1 and day 3 compared with expression levels in the I/R group. Results from the present study indicated that post­surgical treatment with DEX may increase the expression of BDNF and VEGF following I/R, which may serve a role in nerve protection.

Neuroprotective effects of artemisinin against isoflurane-induced cognitive impairments and neuronal cell death involve JNK/ERK1/2 signalling and improved hippocampal histone acetylation in neonatal rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the effect of artemisinin against isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment in neonatal rats. METHODS: Artemisinin (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg b.wt/day; oral gavage) was administered to separate groups of neonatal rats starting from postnatal day 3 (P3) to postnatal day 21 (P21). On postnatal day 7 (P7), animals were exposed to inhalation anaesthetic isoflurane (0.75%) for 6 h. KEY FINDINGS: Neuronal apoptosis following anaesthetic exposure was significantly reduced by artemisinin. Isoflurane-induced upregulated cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bad expression were downregulated. Western blotting analysis revealed that treatment with artemisinin significantly enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, c-IAP-1, c-IAP-2, xIAP and survivin). Artemisinin increased the acetylation of H3K9 and H4K12 while reducing the expression of histone deacetlyases (HDACs) - HDAC-2 and HDAC-3. Isoflurane-induced activation of JNK signalling and downregulated ERK1/2 expression was effectively modulated by artemisinin. General behaviour of the animals in open-field and T-maze test were improved. Morris water maze test and object recognition test revealed better learning, working memory and also better memory retention on artemisinin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Artemisinin effectively inhibited neuronal apoptosis and improved cognition and memory via regulating histone acetylation and JNK/ERK1/2 signalling.

Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Serum Levels of b-Amyloid and Neuronal Microtubule-Associated Protein in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Patients.

BACKGROUND Because of the restricted data available on patients with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the goal of our study was to determine the outcome of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on POCD and the mechanism operating in OLT patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our study included 80 patients randomly divided into 2 equal groups: the DEX group and the control group. In the DEX group, our patients received an initial dose of DEX at 1 µg/kg for 10 min followed by a continuous infusion at 0.3 µg/kg/h until the end of surgery. The control group received a saline treatment, and neurological tests were performed to assess the status of POCD. Serum level of b-amyloid protein (Aß) and neuronal microtubule-associated protein (Tau) were measured at designated time points: at pre-operation (T1), 0.5 h after the anhepatic phase (T2), 2 h after the reperfusion of the new liver (T3), at the completion of operation (T4), at day 1 (T5), and at day 7 (T6) after the operation. RESULTS The incidence of POCD was significantly reduced in the DEX group (P=0.017). The score from the neurological tests was significantly decreased in the control group after the operation, but no statistical difference was observed in the DEX group. The DEX groups demonstrated a lower level of ß-amyloid and Tau protein than those at the corresponding time points (T4~T6) in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in orthotopic liver transplantation patients. The decreased levels of b-amyloid and Tau protein may have contributed to this favorable outcome.

Effects of mechanical ventilation with different tidal volume on oxidative stress and antioxidant in lung.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in oxidative stress and antioxidants in lung tissue under different tidal volume ventilation conditions. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups, namely, group C, the control group, which was not ventilated, and groups C1, C2 and C3, the treatment groups, which were ventilated for 2 h with tidal volumes of 8, 30 and 42 ml/kg, respectively. The right middle lobe was assayed for malondialdehyde (MDA), the right posterior lobe was assayed using Western blotting for Nrf2, GCLm and SrX1 and the left lobe was assayed for Nrf2, GCLm and SrX1 mRNA. RESULTS: The MDA levels were increased in the three treatment groups, with MDA levels highest in group C3 and lowest in group C1 (C3 > C2 > C1) (all P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Nrf2, GCLm and SrX1 was highest in group C3 and lowest in group 1 (C3 > C2 > C1) (all P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between group C1 and group C (P > 0.05). A Western blot analysis showed that Nrf2, GCLm and SrX1 expression was highest in group C3 and lowest in group C1 (C3 > C2 > C1) (all P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between group C1 and group C (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme levels in the lungs of rats were positively associated with the tidal volumes of mechanical ventilation, suggesting that higher tidal volumes cause more severe oxidative stress and increased antioxidant responses.

Effect of orthodontic force on inflammatory periodontal tissue remodeling and expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of orthodontic force on inflammatory periodontal tissue remodeling and expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in rats. METHODS: Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, blank control group (group A) with 5 rats, treatment normal group (group B) with 25 rats, inflammation control group (group (group C) with 25 rats, inflammation treatment group (group D) with 25 rats. Immunohistochemistry and histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and the first molar to the recent movement in the distance. RESULTS: The expression of IL-8 reached a maximum on day 5 and declined thereafter in group B; the expression of IL-6 reached a maximum on day 5 in group B. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was gradually weakened with time in group C. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 were high, and reached a maximum on day 5 and declined thereafter in group D. AD of positive cells in group D were higher than group B at each time point (P<0.05). The time which 0.49 N orthodontic force was loaded was longer, orthodontic tooth movement distance was greater. Movement distance in group D were longer than group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic force as well as inflammatory stimulus can evoke the expression of IL-6 and IL-8. Under the combined effects of inflammation and orthodontic force, the expression of IL-6, IL-8 will increase.

Effect of intravenous dezocine on fentanyl-induced cough during general anesthesia induction: a double-blinded, prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the suppressive effect of intravenous dezocine on fentanyl-induced cough during the induction of general anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 120 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II, were randomized into two equally sized groups (n = 60). These two groups were given either intravenous dezocine 0.1 mg/kg or a matching placebo (equal volume of 0.9% saline) 10 min before the induction of general anesthesia. Patients were induced with midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, fentanyl 5 µg/kg, propofol 1-1.5 mg/kg, and suxamethonium 1.5 mg/kg. The injection time of fentanyl was less than 2 s in all patients. The occurrence of cough was recorded 2 min after fentanyl bolus. RESULTS: No patient in the dezocine group had cough, and 42 patients in the control group had cough. This difference was statistically different between these two groups (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that intravenous dezocine 0.1 mg/kg 10 min prior to induction was effective in suppressing fentanyl-induced cough in our patients.

Sheath-assisted tracheal intubation: a further treatment option for patients with acute dyspnea or asphyxia caused by severe stenosis of the larynx or trachea.

PURPOSE: This report details our preliminary results for sheath-assisted tracheal intubation (SATI) for patients with acute dyspnea caused by severe stenoses in the larynx or trachea. DESCRIPTION: Of 289 patients with acute dyspnea who required tracheal intubation in the emergency department of our hospital, 21 who experienced intubation difficulty or failure were entered into this study. Data on technical success, clinical outcome, and complications related to SATI were collected and analyzed retrospectively. EVALUATION: Sheath-assisted tracheal intubation was successful in all patients. Clinical success was observed in all patients 1 to 7 days after the procedure. Tracheal stents or incisions, or both, were performed 1 to 3 days after SATI for all patients, once their general physical condition had improved. During follow-up, acute dyspnea had resolved in all patients. At the time of this report, 18 patients were well, with no dyspnea, but 3 patients had died, 2 of lung cancer and 1 of carcinoma of the larynx. CONCLUSIONS: Shealth-assisted tracheal intubation is a safe and feasible procedure, and may serve as an additional treatment option for patients with acute dyspnea caused by severe stenoses of the larynx or trachea.

[Cardiovascular effect of positive pressure breathing using G-suits with different bladder coverage].

OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiovascular function of subjects exposed to positive pressure breathing (PPB) while wearing G-suits with different bladder coverage. METHOD: 6 male healthy subjects (18-20 years) wearing three kinds of G-suit with bladder coverage of 45%, 65% and 90% respectively, were exposed to PPB with counterpressures of 30, 50 or 70 mmHg for up to 3 min continuously. G-suit bladder pressure value was three times as high as that of PPB counterpressure. Cardiovascular function was observed every minute. The interval between PPBs was 10 min. The equipment consists of G-suit, jerkin, helmet and mask. RESULT: All subjects completed the experiment successfully. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) elevated significantly, while stroke volume had no striking change, as compared with control group when wearing G-suit with 65% or 90% bladder coverage G-suit. During PPB for 3 min, cardiovascular function didn't change significantly. The mean value of MAP was proportional to the level of PPB. CONCLUSION: The greater G-suit bladder coverage, the less cardiovascular function effect when PPB was conducted simultaneously.

[Cardiovascular responses to G-suits with 3 levels of positive pressure breathing using different chest counter pressures].

OBJECTIVE: To observe cardiovascular responses to positive pressure breathing (PPB) using different counter pressures. METHOD: Cardiovascular responses of 7 male healthy subjects (aged 18-20 years) wearing two kinds of Jerkin-G-suit were observed under three levels of ground-level PPB (30, 50, 70 mmHg) for 3 min. RESULT: All subjects completed the experiment successfully. While during PPB at 50, 70 mmHg levels within 3 min, HR, MAP, TPR elevated significantly, while SV declined significantly. At all 3 PPB levels Q-Z time was not significantly changed. There were significant difference (P<0.05) between delta SV and delta TPR with the two Jerkin-G-suits under PPB of 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: PPB resulted in elevation of MAP, TPR, HR and decline of SV significantly using two kinds of Jerkin-G-suit. PPB had no effect on contractile function of cardiac muscle. Under PPB, SV increased significantly when chest counter pressure was equal to the mask pressure.