Molecular insights into the interactions of theaflavin and epicatechin with different lipid bilayer membranes by molecular dynamics simulation.

At present, consumers increasingly favored the natural food preservatives with fewer side-effects on health. The green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins attracted considerable interest, and their antibacterial effects were extensively reported in the literature. Epicatechin (EC), a green tea catechin without a gallate moiety, showed no bactericidal activity, whereas the theaflavin (TF), also lacking a gallate moiety, exhibited potent bactericidal activity, and the antibacterial effects of green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins were closely correlated with their abilities to disrupt the bacterial cell membrane. In our present study, the mechanisms of membrane interaction modes and behaviors of TF and EC were explored by molecular dynamics simulations. It was demonstrated that TF exhibited markedly stronger affinity for the POPG bilayer compared to EC. Additionally, the hydrophobic interactions of tropolone/catechol rings with the acyl chain part could significantly contribute to the penetration of TF into the POPG bilayer. It was also found that the resorcinol/pyran rings were the key functional groups in TF for forming hydrogen bonds with the POPG bilayer. We believed that the findings from our current study could offer useful insights to better understand the stronger antibacterial effects of TF compared to EC.

Effects of Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharide from different regions on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota of sheep lambs.

Polysaccharides derived from Alhagi camelorum Fisch possess diverse activities, making them a potential prebiotic candidates for enhancing lamb health. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharides from Aksu (AK) and Shanshan (SS) regions on sheep lambs. The results showed that sheep lambs in the SS group exhibited significantly increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS), IgA and IgM, and cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ compared to those in the control check (CK) group. Moreover, the SS treatment significantly increased the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria, while concurrently diminishing the prevalence of harmful bacteria. Additionally, it modulated various metabolic pathways, promoted lamb growth, improved immunity, reduced the risk of gastrointestinal disease and improved the composition of gastrointestinal microbiota. In summary, our findings highlight the potential of SS treatment in enhancing gastrointestinal health of sheep lambs by improving intestinal function, immunity, and gut microbiome. Consequently, these results suggest that Alhagi camelorum Fisch polysaccharides derived from Shanshan regions holds promising potential as a valuable intervention for optimizing growth performance in sheep lambs.

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis on the Association of Occlusion with the Temporomandibular Joint Arthralgia in the Partial Denture Wearers-A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the potential association between the occlusion features and the incidence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia in patients with partial dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 partial denture wearers were collected, 45 with unilateral TMJ arthralgia diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Binary logistic regression analysis was adopted. The TMJ asymptomatic group (n = 45) was quantified as 0, while the TMJ arthralgia group (n = 56) was quantified as 1. In total, 13 occlusion variables were analyzed: gender, age, number of prosthetic teeth, number of dentition quadrants with a prosthetic tooth, anterior or posterior prosthesis location in maxillary or mandibular dentition, occluded prosthesis pair, anterior overjet, and overbite relation. Simple and multiple binary logistic models were adopted, accordingly, for the risk impact of them on TMJ arthralgia. RESULTS: Overbite (OR = 2.238) and maxillary anterior prosthesis (OR = 0.305) were entered into the simple binary logistic model; while overbite (OR = 2.774) plus maxillary anterior prosthesis (OR = 0.347), overbite (OR = 3.425) plus unilateral maxillary posterior prosthesis (OR = 4.672), and overbite (OR = 3.476) plus overjet (OR = 0.436) and mandibular anterior prosthesis (OR = 0.177) were entered into the multivariate logistic regression model (all, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Partial denture wearers with a deep overbite, especially those with a unilateral maxillary posterior prosthesis, had a higher prevalence of unilateral TMJ arthralgia.

Prediction of progressive pulmonary fibrosis in patients with anti-synthetase syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common extramuscular manifestation of the anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). Patients with ASS-ILD are at risk in developing a progressive fibrosing phenotype despite appropriate treatments. This study investigated the risk factors and the predictive value of multiple risk factors for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in patients with ASS-ILD. METHODS: Ninety patients with a diagnosis of ASS and evidence of ILD on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were recruited. Among them, 72 participants completed follow-up for more than 12 months. These patients were further divided into a PPF-ASS group (n = 18) and a non-PPF-ASS group (n = 54). Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the risk factors for PPF. The predictive value of the combined risk factors for predicting PPF were analyzed by a ROC curve. RESULTS: The PPF-ASS group had a higher rate of positive non-Jo-1 antibodies, a significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a significantly lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO%pred) than the non-PPF-ASS group. In addition, elevated serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) level and reticular opacities were significantly more common, and corticosteroid monotherapy at onset was administered more frequently in the PPF-ASS group. The median duration of follow-up was 37.4 months, survival was poorer in the PPF-ASS group, and the overall survival was 88.9%. Multivariate regression analysis further revealed that positive non-Jo-1 antibodies, NLR, and KL-6 were independent risk factors for PPF. These combined indexes had good accuracy (area under the curve = 0.874) in predicting PPF in patients with ASS-ILD. CONCLUSION: Positive non-Jo-1 antibodies, NLR, and serum KL-6 are independent risk factors for PPF in patients with ASS-ILD. Monitoring these markers can potentially predict PPF in this group of patients. Key Points • Positive non-Jo-1 antibodies, NLR, and serum KL-6 are independent risk factors associated with PPF in patients with ASS-ILD. • Monitoring non-Jo-1 antibodies, NLR, and serum KL-6 can potentially predict PPF in patients with ASS-ILD.

Treatment of Calcific Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: Knotless Internal Brace versus Knot-Tying Suture Bridge.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the knotless internal brace technique and the knot-tying suture bridge technique via the medial approach in the treatment of calcific Achilles tendinopathy. METHODS: The clinical data of 25 cases of calcific Achilles tendinopathy in which nonoperative treatments had failed were retrospectively collected. All the patients received Achilles tendon debridement and Haglund deformity excision through a medial approach, followed by repair using the knotless internal brace technique or the knot-tying suture bridge technique. Pain was evaluated by using the visual analog scale (VAS). The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) questionnaire was administered preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 2.6 (range 2-3.5) years. There were no wound complications and no Achilles tendon ruptures. At 1 year postoperatively, the internal brace group was superior to the suture bridge group in terms of the VAS scores (p = 0.003). However, no differences were noticed between the two groups in either the VAS or the AOFAS scores at 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The medial approach in combination with the suture bridge technique was effective in treating calcific Achilles tendinopathy. The knotless internal brace technique involved less pain compared to the knot-tying suture bridge technique only at the early postoperative stage.

Effect of the BMPR-II-SMAD3/MRTF pathway on proliferation and migration of ASMCs and the mechanism in asthma.

BACKGROUND: A variety of smooth muscle-specific genes and proteins, including SMAD3, BMPR-II, and MRTF, are involved in airway remodeling in asthma. As a receptor of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, BMPR-II has important roles in airway remodeling in asthma. However, the underlying mechanism of BMPR-II in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in asthma remains incomplete. METHODS: Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with ovalbumin antigen suspension and aluminium hydroxide and, stimulated with ovalbumin nebulized inhalation to constructed asthma model. Primary ASMCs were isolated with collagenase I and identified by testing the α-SMA expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot assay were employed to detect the gene expression. CCK8, Transwell and Fluo-4 A assays were introduced to measure the cell viability, migration and intracellular Ca2+. Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was applied to test the interaction among proteins. RESULTS: First, we observed significant increases in BMPR-II in asthmatic rat model and ASMCs at both the mRNA and protein levels. Second, we observed that silencing of siBMPR-II inhibited proliferation, migratory capacity and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in ASMCs. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that siBMPR-II inhibited the Smad3 expression and overexpression promoted the bioactivity of ASMCs. In addition, this study showed that p-Smad3 could interacted with MRTF and siMRTF inhibits the bioactivity of ASMCs. Finally, our results revealed BMPR-II-SMAD3/MRTF pathway affected the bioactivity of ASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the BMPR-II-SMAD3/MRTF signaling pathway is involved in the process of ASMCs remodeling, providing novel avenues for the identification of new therapeutic modalities.

Using a modified soil quality index to evaluate densely tilled soils with different yields in Northeast China.

Northeastern China has long-term densely tilled soils that supply approximately 20% of the annual total national grains. There are very few reports on the agricultural soil quality subjecting to the predatory tillage. Here, the soil quality index (SQI) of a brunisolic soil was calculated using the minimum data set (MDS) and integrated quality index (IQI). The topsoil layer was divided into plow layer (11.9 ± 1.9 cm) and plow pan (11.4 ± 2.6 cm) in fields of high yields (HYB), medium yields (MYB), and low yields (LYB). Our results showed that the MDS of the topsoil layer only contained chemical indicators. The bulk density (BD), as one of the most important soil quality indicators, was found of no significant differences in the topsoil layers. In different layers (i.e., the topsoil layer, plow layer, and plow pan), the value of SQI presented a consistent tendency of HYB > MYB > LYB (p < 0.05). The correlation between SQI and yield was higher in the plow layer (0.60) and plow pan (0.63) than the topsoil layer (0.47). This further verified the reasonability of using soil stratification for SQI calculation. Our findings indicate the potential of using soil quality assessments to examine soil productivity (e.g., fertilizer deficiency) in crop lands with soil stratification.

[Effects of increased planting density with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on rice yield, N use efficiency and greenhouse gas emission in Northeast China].

The traditional rice growing practice has to change to save resource and protect environment, and it' s necessary to develop new technology in rice cultivation. Therefore, a two-year field experiment of Japonica rice (Liaoxing 1) was conducted in Northeast China in 2012 and 2013 to investigate the integrated effects of dense planting with less basal nitrogen (N) and unchanged top-dressing N (IR) on rice yield, N use efficiency (NUE) and greenhouse gas emissions. Compared with traditional practice (CK), we increased the rice seedling density by 33.3% and reduced the basal N rate by 20%. The results showed that the average N agronomy efficiency and partial factor productivity were improved by 49.6% (P<0.05) and 20.4% (P<0.05), respectively, while the area and yield-scaled greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 9.9% and 12.7% (P<0.05), respectively. Although IR cropping mode decreased panicle number and biomass production, it significantly enhanced rice seed setting rate and harvest index, resulting in an unchanged or even highei yield. NH4+-N and NO3(-)-N concentrations in rice rhizosphere soil were reduced, resulting in an increment of N recovery efficiency. Generally, proper dense planting with less basal N applicatior could be a good approach for the trade-off between rice yield, NUE and greenhouse gas emission.

P53 Is Involved in a Three-Dimensional Architecture-Mediated Decrease in Chemosensitivity in Colon Cancer.

Three-dimensional (3D) culture models represent a better approximation of solid tumor tissue architecture, especially cell adhesion, in vivo than two-dimensional (2D) cultures do. Here, we explored the role of architecture in chemosensitivity to platinum in colon cancer. Under the 3D culture condition, colon cancer cells formed multicellular spheroids, consisting of layers of cells. 3D cultures displayed significantly decreased sensitivity to platinum compared with 2D cultures. Platinum increased p53 in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. There was no detectable difference in basal p53 levels between 3D cultures and 2D cultures but cisplatin induced less p53 in both HCT116 3D cultures and LoVo 3D cultures. It was not due to cisplatin concentration because cisplatin induced similar γ-H2AX in 3D vs 2D. Knockdown of p53 significantly decreased sensitivity to platinum in 3D cultures. Knockdown of p53 decreased cleaved caspase 3 and apoptosis induced by cisplatin. These findings indicate that 3D architecture confers decreased chemosensitivity to platinum and p53 is involved in the mechanism. Knockdown of p53 decreased cisplatin's induction of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) activation, whereas inhibition of JNK1/2 activation increased chemosensitivity. Inhibition of p38 activation decreased cisplatin's induction of p53, but no difference in p38 activation by cisplatin was observed between 2D cultures and 3D cultures. Taken together, our results suggest that p53 is involved in a 3D architecture-mediated decrease in chemosensitivity to platinum in colon cancer. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (JNK1/2 and p38) do not play a dominant role in the mechanism.

High-frequency ultrasound as an adjunct to neural electrophysiology: Evaluation and prognosis of Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial nerve paralysis that occurs primarily in young adults. Previously, various methods were used to assess outcomes in facial nerve disease. The aim of the present study was to characterize the main branches of the normal and abnormal facial nerve using high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS). A total of 104 healthy volunteers, 40 patients with acute onset of Bell's palsy and 30 patients who underwent 3-month routine therapy for Bell's palsy disease were included in the study. The healthy volunteers and patients were selected for HFUS examination and VII nerve conduction. The results showed significant differences in nerve diameter, echogenicity, delitescence and amplitude in different groups. Statistically significant correlations were identified for severity grading in one of the experimental groups during HFUS examinations. In conclusion, HFUS as a complementary technique paired with neural electrophysiology may establish the normal values of facial nerve. Additionally, HFUS was beneficial in the process of evaluation and prognosis of Bell's palsy disease.

Two-staged Correction of Severe Congenital Scoliosis Associated With Intraspinal Abnormalities.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of perioperative halo-gravity traction as an adjunct to posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) in the treatment of patients with severe congenital scoliosis and coexisting asymptomatic intraspinal pathologies (diastematomyelia and/or tethered cord). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few reports to our knowledge review the use of perioperative halo-gravity traction and PVCR in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up who underwent PVCR using perioperative halo-gravity traction were analyzed. Patients were analyzed by age at date of examination (range, 11-23 y; mean, 14.4 y), sex (7 male, 10 female), major coronal curve magnitude (range, 108-149 degrees; average, 125 degrees), major sagittal curve magnitude (range, 72-118 degrees; average, 91 degrees). Complications related to halo traction and PVCR were reviewed. RESULTS: Radiographic outcomes demonstrated Cobb angle of major curve had an average correction of 28% after halo traction and it measured 53 degrees (range, 42-84 degrees) at the last follow-up, for a 58% correction. Maximal kyphosis improved to 58 degrees (range, 43-76 degrees) at ultimate follow-up. There were no permanent neurological deficits in this series. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggested that surgical treatment for intraspinal abnormality may be unnecessary in asymptomatic patients with severe congenital scoliosis who are undergoing scoliosis corrective surgery. PVCR combined with perioperative traction is a safe and effective alternative for such patients.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of esophagus combined with squamous carcinoma of lung: A case report and literature review.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is typically located in the salivary, lacrimal, and tracheobronchial glands and rarely presents in the esophagus. MEC is commonly characterized by squamous cells, mucus-secreting cells, and intermediate cells. This report presents the case of a 57-years-old male with a three months history of cough and shortness of breath. Computer tomography (CT) scans revealed a tumor locating in the left hilar. The histological report was squamous carcinoma. After three circles of chemotherapy, the patient complained of dysphagia. The electronic gastroscope showed a protrusion which 30-34 cm from the incisors. The tumor was histopathologically determined to be MEC of esophagus. The patient refused to surgery and concurrent chemoradiotheray; so, radiotherapy and sequential chemotherapy were performed, and after one year of follow up, the disease of esophagus recurrence; the patient was died of hemorrhage of esophagus for tumor progression. The literatures of MEC are also reviewed in this study.

[A multicenter randomized controlled trial of sufentanil for analgesia/sedation in patients in intensive care unit].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sedation and analgesia power and security of sufentanil in intensive care unit (ICU), and to compare the effect with fentanyl. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted. Critical adult patients in ICU from 11 hospitals in Henan Province from June 2011 to January 2012 who needed analgesia based sedation were enrolled. These patients were randomly divided into two groups with 300 cases in each group using the envelope method according to the hospital number and time sequence number of inclusion. Exclusion criteria included the time of analgesia duration < 48 hours and who were under continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) treatment during analgesia. 544 cases were enrolled finally, and there were 282 cases in sufentanil group and 262 in fentanyl group. Before using the drug, there was no statistically significant difference in age, body weight, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) between sufentanil group and fentanyl group, and were comparable. The goal of analgesia was faces pain scale (FPS)≤2. If the dosage of sufentanil and fentanyl exceeded the upper limited dose (sufentanil 0.3 µg×kg(-1)×h(-1), fentanyl 2 µg×kg(-1)×h(-1)) but FPS could not meet (still>2), and maintained the upper limited doses of sufentanil and fentanyl and added midazolam, and FPS≤2 or Ramsay 3 could meet the standard. The analgesia duration of all cases was 48-168 hours. Related data were collected for statistical analysis. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the data before the analgesia, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of sufentanil analgesia after analgesia at different time points were significantly decreased (F=6.061, P<0.001) and closed to the normal level, FPS at different time point score were decreased significantly after analgesia (F=259.389, P<0.001), and the changes in pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiratory rate and pulse were not found. (2) Compared with before the analgesia, the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil percentage (N), platelet count (PLT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine (Cr), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)), blood lactic acid, blood sugar, C-reactive protein (CRP) were markedly reduced after sufentanil analgesia (WBC: 10.8 ± 4.2 ×10(9)/L vs. 14.2 ± 11.5×10(9)/L, F=49.879, P<0.001; N: 0.806 ± 0.104 vs. 0.815 ± 0.128, F=5.768, P=0.017; PLT: 160.4 ± 77.0 ×10(9)/L vs. 166.1 ± 89.0×10(9)/L, F=6.568, P=0.011; AST: 61.3 ± 10.1 U/L vs. 90.9 ± 26.9 U/L, F=6.706, P=0.010; Cr: 86.7 ± 71.8 µmol/L vs. 119.6 ± 56.0 µmol/L, F=30.303, P<0.001; PaCO(2): 39.4 ± 7.2 mmHg vs. 41.7 ± 22.6 mmHg, F=4.389, P=0.037; blood lactic acid: 1.9 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs. 2.7 ± 2.5 mmol/L, F=4.883, P=0.028; blood sugar: 8.0 ± 5.4 mmol/L vs. 9.7 ± 7.6 mmol/L, F=9.724, P=0.002; CRP: 64.8 ± 20.7 mg/L vs. 114.0 ± 55.9 mg/L, F=4.883, P=0.028). But there were no statistically significant differences in red blood cell count (RBC), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), thrombin time (TT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) before and after sufentanil analgesia (all P>0.05). (3)There was no statistically significant difference in effectiveness of sufentanil and five times dose of fentanyl (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of sedative drugs midazolam usage [18.4% (52/282) vs. 24.8% (65/262), χ(2)=1.151, P=0.283] and the rate of analgesia success [44.3% (125/282) vs. 48.9% (128/262), χ(2)=0.571, P=0.450] and analgesia success [16.3% (46/282) vs. 15.3% (40/262), χ(2)=0.066, P=0.798] between sufentanil and fentanyl group. (4) Comparison of adverse reactions: the incidence of hypotension in sufentanil group was significantly lower than that in fentanyl group [3.2% (9/282) vs. 6.9% (18/262), χ(2)=3.900, P=0.048], and other common adverse reactions, such as respiratory depression/pause, nausea/vomiting and dizziness, pruritus, allergy, slow heart beat (bradycardia) and metabolic reactions had no statistically significant difference. Addiction or tetanus of skeletal muscles was not found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with fentanyl, the analgesia efficacy of sufentanil is stronger. Sufentanil has less physiological interference and lower incidence of adverse reactions for ICU patients.

[A multicenter study of respiratory multiple index in predicting weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the result of respiratory multiple index(compliance, respiratory rate, oxygenation, pressure, CROP) in predicting weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Two hundred and fifteen patients weaning from mechanical ventilation with AECOPD in intensive care unit (ICU) of five tertiary hospitals from September 2010 to October 2012 were enrolled. All of the AECOPD patients were troubled with respiratory failure and received non-invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. They were conscious and cooperative at the time of extubation, and passed the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) for 30 minutes. Before weaning, the maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), the peak airway pressure (Ppeak), the total positive end expiratory pressure (PEEPtot), tidal volume (VT) and respiratory frequency (f) were recorded; the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were detected; the effective compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) and alveolar oxygen pressure(PAO2) were calculated. The above indexes were substituted into the formula: CROP= Crs × 1/f × PaO2/PAO2× PImax to get the value of CROP. Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation was defined if there was no indication for intubation within 72 hours. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predict value of CROP on result of weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with AECOPD. RESULTS: In 215 patients, 182 patients successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, and 33 failed. There were no significant differences in gender, age and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score between the successfully weaned patients and the failed. Before weaning from mechanical ventilation, PaCO2 in failed group was significantly higher than that in successful group (60.69 ± 10.47 mm Hg vs. 51.24 ± 8.81 mm Hg, P<0.05), the CROP was significantly lowered (10.286 ± 1.392 ml × breath⁻¹ ×min⁻¹ vs. 58.746 ± 7.283 ml×breath⁻¹×min⁻¹, P<0.01), and the duration of mechanical ventilation was prolonged (10.28 ± 3.94 days vs. 6.21 ± 2.87 days, P<0.05). The best critical value of CROP which could predict the result of weaning from mechanical ventilation was 13.521 ml×breath⁻¹×min⁻¹. CROP≥ 13.521 ml×breath⁻¹×min⁻¹ had a specificity of 91.9% and sensitivity of 87.9% in predicting extubation succeed. The positive predicted value was 0.97, and the negative predicted value was 0.58; Odds ratio (OR)<1, which confirmed that CROP was a strong and independent predictor of extubation. CONCLUSIONS: For the AECOPD patients received mechanical ventilation, most extubation parameter was limited. Complex parameter of CROP has higher specificity and sensitivity, and has important value in predicting extubation outcome. When CROP ≥ 13.521 ml×breath⁻¹×min⁻¹, the successful rate is high, otherwise the rate is low.

HACE1: A novel repressor of RAR transcriptional activity.

The diverse biological actions of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by RA receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). While the coregulatory proteins that interact with the ligand-dependent AF-2 in the E region are well studied, the ligand-independent N-terminal AF-1 domain-interacting partners and their influence(s) on the function of RARs are poorly understood. HECT domain and Ankyrin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (HACE1) was isolated as a RARbeta(3) AB region interacting protein. HACE1 interacts with RARbeta(3) both in in vitro GST pull-down and in cell-based coprecipitation assays. The interaction sites map to the N terminus of RARbeta(3) and the C terminus of HACE1. HACE1 functionally represses the transcriptional activity of RARalpha(1), RARbeta isoforms 1, 2, and 3, but not RARgamma(1) in luciferase reporter assays. In addition, HACE1 represses the endogenous RAR-regulated genes CRABP II, RIG1 and RARbeta(2), but not RAI3 in CAOV3 cells. Mutation of the putative catalytic cysteine (C876 of LF HACE1), which is indispensable for its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, does not alter the repressive effect of HACE1 on the transcriptional activity of RARbeta(3). On the other hand, HACE1 inhibits the RA dependent degradation of RARbeta(3). It is possible that the repression of RAR-regulated transcription by HACE1 is due to its ability to inhibit the RA-dependent degradation of RARs.

Primary culture of human blood-retinal barrier cells and preliminary study of APOBEC3 expression: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To develop methods for primary culture of human blood-retinal barrier (BRB) cells and to explore the expression of APOBEC3 (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3) family gene, novel host-defense factors to HIV-1. METHODS: Cellular components of human BRB (human retinal capillary endothelial cells [HRCECs], human retinal capillary pericytes, and human retinal pigment epithelial cells) were isolated separately and subjected to primary culture according to procedures modified in our laboratory. Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to identify specific markers of the primary cells and to analyze their purity by flow cytometry. RNA of the three different cells was isolated, and primers were designed to probe expression of the APOBEC3 gene by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. For further confirmation, APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G proteins were detected in the cultured cells and fresh retina tissue through Western blot analysis. In the end, HRCECs were treated with IFN-gamma, and change of APOBEC3G expression was displayed. RESULTS: Pure BRB cells (>95% purity) were primary cultured according to procedures modified in our laboratory. Qualitative test of RT-PCR and semiquantitative examination of real-time PCR demonstrated the presence of APOBEC3B, -3C, -3F, and -3G genes and the absence of APOBEC3A and -3D genes in all cellular components of the BRB. Finding of the APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F proteins expressed in the three primary cultured cells and different layers of retinal tissue by Western blot analysis further confirmed the PCR results. Moreover, IFN-gamma could upregulate the expression of APOBEC3G in HRCECs. CONCLUSIONS: Major cellular components of human BRB could be primary cultured in vitro according to procedures optimized in our laboratory. Different expression of APOBEC3 in human blood-retinal barrier gives a clue to further research in intrinsic antiviral immunity in HIV-1-related retinopathy.

[Slit lamp optical coherence tomography study of anterior segment changes after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate quantitative changes of the anterior segment configuration after clear corneal incision phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with slit-lamp-adapted optical coherence tomography (SL-OCT). METHODS: In prospective consecutive case series, clear corneal incision phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation were performed in 44 eyes of 40 patients. The changes of the anterior segment configuration were performed by SL-OCT before and 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze statistical difference. RESULTS: For all patients, the central corneal thickness (CCT) and the incisional corneal thickness (ICT) increased significantly 1 day after surgery (CCT increased 99.59 microm, ICT increased 234.57 microm; P = 0.490). At 1 month, the CCT almost had returned to baseline, but the ICT had been thicker about 19.25 microm than baseline(P = 0.001). The measurements of ACD, AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750 also increased significantly 1 day after surgery. Although the ACD had no changes within 2 weeks (all P < 0.05), it had been not stable. The changes of the width of the anterior chamber had been stable in the early period after surgery (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The SL-OCT could impersonality and quantificationally evaluate the anterior segment changes induced by cataract surgery.

[Changes in monochromatic higher-order aberrations in different pupil sizes with accommodation in young emmetropes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of accommodation on monochromatic higher-order aberrations in different pupil sizes in the young emmetropes. METHODS: Intervention trial design was used in the study. The monochromatic aberrations were measured in 12 eyes from 12 undulated young emmetropes in 4.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 2.0 mm pupil sizes with a ray tracing wavefront aberrometer under accommodative stimuli from 0 to 4.00 D. RESULTS: RMS values of total high-order aberrations (HOAs), total coma, total higher-order astigmatism, total spherical, and total trefoil aberrations significantly decreased as pupil size decreased in the relax state. In 4.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 2.0 mm pupil sizes, the average root mean square (RMS) value of total coma was the highest item of HOAs in the relaxed state. With accommodation up to 3.00 D, the RMS of HOAs remained constant but changed significantly at 4.00 D stimulation (P <0.05) in all these three pupil sizes. The 4th spherical aberration decreased and changed from positive to negative with increasing accommodation over 4.0 mm size, whereas it remained positive under all accommodative levels over the 3.0 mm and 2.0 mm zones, and no trend was found. The 3rd order trefoil 0 changed from negative to positive with increasing accommodation, with 4.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 2.0 mm pupil sizes. CONCLUSIONS: In 4.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 2.0 mm pupil sizes, under accommodative stimuli from 0.00 to 4.00 D, dramatical trends amongst the HOAs, spherical, coma, and trefoil aberrations were demonstrated. Most of the higher-order aberrations induced by accommodation deserves further investigation. Simple elimination of the higher-order aberrations will be replaced by the optimization of aberrations.

HIV-1 Tat protein alter the tight junction integrity and function of retinal pigment epithelium: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: How HIV-1 enter into the eyes remains obscure. We postulated that HIV-1 Tat protein can alter the expression of specific tight-junction proteins and disturb the blood retinal barrier, and contributes to HIV trafficking into the eyes. This study is to determine the effects of HIV-1 Tat proteins on the barrier function and tight-junction protein expression of retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE). METHODS: A human RPE cell line (D407) cultured on microporous filter-supports was used. After treating with HIV-1 Tat protein, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of confluent RPE cells was measured by epithelial voltmeter. The permeability of the RPE cells to sodium fluorescein was measured. The expressions of the occludin and claudins were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. Activation of ERK1/2 was detected by Western blot analysis with specific antiphospho protein antibodies. NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was determined by transcription factor assay. Specific pharmacologic inhibitors directed against the MAPKs were used to analyze the signaling involved in barrier destruction of RPE cells exposed to HIV-1 Tat. RESULTS: Treating cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells with 100 nM Tat for 24 hours increased the permeability and decreased the TER of the epithelial monolayer. HIV-1 Tat also disrupted and downregulated the tight-junction proteins claudin-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4 in these cells, whereas claudin-2 was upregulated, and the expression of occludin was unaffected. HIV-1 Tat protein also induced activation of ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB. HIV-1 Tat protein induced barrier destruction, changes in expression of TJs, and activation of ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB were abrogated by inhibitor of ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 Tat protein causes increases in the paracellular permeability of RPE cells in vitro concomitant with changes in expression of certain transmembrane proteins associated with the tight junction. The effects of HIV-1 Tat on barrier function of the RPE may be mediated by ERK MAPK and NF-kappaB activation, which may represent potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches for the retinopathy induced by HIV infection.