Effect of initial ammonium concentration on a one-stage partial nitrification/anammox biofilm system: Nitrogen removal performance and the microbial community.

One-stage partial nitrification coupled with anammox (PN/A) technology effectively reduces the energy consumption of a biological nitrogen removal system. Inhibiting nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) is essential for this technology to maintain efficient nitrogen removal performance. Initial ammonium concentration (IAC) affects the degree of inhibited NOB. In this study, the effect of the IAC on a PN/A biofilm was investigated in a moving bed biofilm reactor. The results showed that nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 82.49% ± 1.90% to 64.57% ± 3.96% after the IAC was reduced from 60 to 20 mg N/L, while the nitrate production ratio increased from 13.87% ± 0.90% to 26.50% ± 3.76%. NOB activity increased to 1,133.86 mg N/m2/day after the IAC decreased, approximately 4-fold, indicating that the IAC plays an important inhibitory role in NOB. The rate-limiting step in the mature biofilm of the PN/A system is the nitritation process and is not shifted by the IAC. The analysis of the microbial community structure in the biofilm indicates that the IAC was the dominant factor in changes in community structure. Ca. Brocadia and Ca. Jettenia were the main anammox bacteria, and Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira were the main AOB and NOB, respectively. IAC did not affect the difference in growth between Ca. Brocadia and Ca. Jettenia. Thus, modulating the IAC promoted the PN/A process with efficient nitrogen removal performance at medium to low ammonium concentrations.

Quantitative Analysis of Occipital Artery Bypass Donor Vessels by Ultrasonography and DSA.

BACKGROUND: Occipital artery (OA) acts as a vital donor vessel in intra-cranialand extra-cranial bypass. Ultrasonography and digital subtracted angiography (DSA) are becoming increasingly important in the assessment of vascular morphology and hemodynamically; however, quantitative analysis of occipital artery bypass donor vessels by Ultrasonography and DSA are seldom discussed. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 62 cases accepted occipital artery bypass to treat posterior circulation aneurysms or artery occlusion/stenosis. The characteristics of OA are collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Occipital artery bypasses were performed to treat posterior circulation aneurysms in 34 patients and to treat posterior circulation artery occlusion or stenosis in 28 patients. Compared with the ultrasonography group, the DSA group had a greater diameter of OA, and Bland Altman analysis indicated that the discrepancy between the 2 groups was about 0.555 mm. Ultrasonography showed the characteristics of OA: the mean Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) was 42.98 cm/s, the mean End Diastolic Velocity (EDV) was 8.811 cm/s, and the mean Resistance Index (RI) was 1.46. There were no statistical differences in the diameter of OA, PSV, EDV, and RI between the male group and female group, the elderly group and younger adult group or the left occipital artery group and right occipital artery group. However, compared with patients with posterior circulation aneurysms, patients with artery occlusion or stenosis were older and had higher PSV, RI, and greater diameter in occipital arteries. The mean diameter of occipital arteries was increased in the first postoperative years but reduced in 3 patients during 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Both ultrasonography and DSA were effective assessment methods of occipital artery bypasses, and the DSA group had a greater diameter of OA. Age, gender, and left or right sides had little effect on the diameter of OA, PSV, EDV, and RI. Posterior circulation occlusion or stenosis had higher PSV, RI, and greater diameter of the occipital artery when compared with posterior circulation aneurysms. Occipital artery bypasses could increase the diameter of OA in most cases.

LncRNA RP1-276N6.2 Expression and RP1-276N6.2 Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Han Population.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD) processes. However, the relationship between the gene polymorphisms of lncRNA RP1-276N6.2 as a novel molecule and susceptibility to CAD remains unclear. In our case-control study, 949 CAD patients and 892 healthy controls were genotyped using the TaqMan genotyping assay. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to examine the expression levels of RP1-276N6.2 and SLC22A3(OCT3). We observed that CAD patients had significantly lower RP1-276N6.2 levels than those healthy participants (p < 0.05). Compared to the wild-type genotype, the rs611950 T allele and the rs10499313 AG genotype and G allele significantly increased the premature CAD risk (p = 0.02, p = 0.002, and p = 0.01, respectively), while the rs505000 G allele reduced this risk (p = 0.01); moreover, the rs505000 CG genotype significantly enhanced the delayed CAD risk (p = 0.03), and the rs505000 G allele reduced the expression levels of RP1-276N6.2 and SLC22A3 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, RP1-276N6.2 positively regulated the mRNA and secreted protein levels of SLC22A3 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the RP1-276N6.2 gene polymorphisms were closely associated with CAD risk. LncRNA RP1-276N6.2 may be a potential genetic target for CAD early diagnosis and treatment.

Daphnane-type diterpenoids from Stellera chamaejasme L. and their inhibitory activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Daphnane-type diterpenoids, which are scarce in nature, exhibit potent growth-inhibitory activities against various cancer cells. To identify more daphnane-type diterpenoids, the phytochemical components in the root extracts of Stellera chamaejasme L. were analysed in this study using the Global Natural Products Social platform and the MolNetEnhancer tool. Three undescribed 1α-alkyldaphnane-type diterpenoids (1-3; named stelleradaphnanes A-C) and 15 known analogues were isolated and characterised. The structures of these compounds were determined using ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The stereo configurations of the compounds were determined using electronic circular dichroism. Next, the growth-inhibitory activities of isolated compounds against HepG2 and Hep3B cells were examined. Compound 3 exhibited potent growth-inhibitory activities against HepG2 and Hep3B cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 9.73 and 15.97 µM, respectively. Morphological and staining analyses suggested that compound 3 induced apoptosis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells.

Wuzi Yanzong prescription from Traditional Chinese Medicine for male infertility: a narrative review.

Wuzi Yanzong prescription (WYP), as a classical prescription for male infertility with kidney essence deficiency, is composed of Gouqizi (), Tusizi (), Wuweizi (), Fupenzi () and Cheqianzi (). It has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of male infertility, known as "the first prescription of ancient and modern seeds", with convincing clinical evidence. At present, more than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from WYP, including polysaccharide, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc. Pharmacological and clinical studies show that WYP has an obvious effect on reproductive system diseases, especially male infertility, which has a very wide application prospect. It also has effects on the nervous system, inhibiting liver injury, lowering blood sugar and blood lipid, anti-aging, improving immunity, resisting hypoxia and fatigue effects. This study reviewed the chemical constituents, quality control, pharmacology, and clinical application of WYP. There is no doubt about the clinical value of WYP, but its quality control system is not perfect, pharmacological mechanism is not fully explained, and clinical applications need to be reevaluated. Therefore, the follow-up researches should proceed from the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and clinical applications, further explain the theoretical connotation, reveal the mechanism of action, and provide the basis for the secondary development of classic famous prescriptions. In addition, WYP is mostly used in combination with western medicines besides being used alone. Whether it can improve the efficacy and reduce side effects will also be a meaningful research direction in the future.

Physical Activity among Rural Residents in Eastern, Central, and Western Provinces of China: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Physical activity (PA) in which physical exercise (PE) is an important component is probably the most important intervention for preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, few studies on PA and PE of rural residents in China were reported. This study conducted the first population-based cross-sectional survey in three provinces of China in 2021 that examined both PA and PE as well as the associated factors of rural residents. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-S) was used, and a total of 3780 rural residents were surveyed. The result showed that 22.2% of the rural residents were physical inactivity and rural residents reporting practice of PE was 54.4%. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that being female, people aged between 15 to 34 years or 60 years old and above, employees of governmental departments/retirees, school students, the unemployed, and people with NCDs were risk factors of PA while ethnic minority groups, smoking, and alcohol consumption were risk factors of PE. Health promotion programme aiming at increasing people's PA in rural China is urgently needed, and it should focus on the population groups of the female, people aged 60 years and above, school students, the unemployed, and people with NCDs.

Effect of thermal hydrolyzed sludge filtrate as an external carbon source on biological nutrient removal performance of A2/O system.

Thermal hydrolyzed sludge filtrate (THSF) rich in biodegradable organics could be a promising external carbon source for biological nutrient removal (BNR). The use of THSF can effectively reduce wastewater treatment plants operating costs and recover bioresources and bioenergy from the waste activated sludge. In this study, the effect of THSF on the BNR process was investigated using a lab-scale anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2/O) system. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies of 74.26 ± 3.36% and 92.20 ± 3.13% at a 0.3% dosing ratio were achieved, respectively. Moreover, 20.42% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) contained in THSF contributed to denitrification, enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency from 55.30 to 74.26%. However, the effluent COD increased by approximately 36.80%, due to 18.39% of the COD contained in THSF discharged with effluent. In addition, the maximum denitrification rate was approximately 16.01 mg N g VSS-1 h-1, while the nitrification rate was not significantly affected by THSF. Nitrosomonas, a common chemoautotrophic nitrifier, was not detected after the introduction of THSF. The aerobic denitrifier Rubellimicrobium was stimulated, and its relative abundance increased from 0.16 to 3.03%. Moreover, the relative abundance of Dechloromonas was 3.93%, indicating that the denitrifying phosphorus removal process was enhanced. This study proposes an engineering application route of THSF, and the chemical phosphate removal pretreatment might be a means to suppress the phosphate recirculation.

[Construction of a Prognostic Model of Multiple Myeloma Based on Metabolism-Related Genes].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the prognostic biomarkers of metabolic genes in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and construct a prognostic model of metabolic genes. METHODS: The histological database related to MM patients was searched. Data from MM patients and healthy controls with complete clinical information were selected for analysis.The second generation sequencing data and clinical information of bone marrow tissue of MM patients and healthy controls were collected from human protein atlas (HPA) and multiple myeloma research foundation (MMRF) databases. The gene set of metabolism-related pathways was extracted from Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) by Perl language. The biomarkers related to MM metabolism were screened by difference analysis, univariate Cox risk regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis, and the risk prognostic model and Nomogram were constructed. Risk curve and survival curve were used to verify the grouping effect of the model. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to study the difference of biological pathway enrichment between high risk group and low risk group. Multivariate Cox risk regression analysis was used to verify the independent prognostic ability of risk score. RESULTS: A total of 8 mRNAs which were significantly related to the survival and prognosis of MM patients were obtained (P<0.01). As molecular markers, MM patients could be divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. Survival curve and risk curve showed that the overall survival time of patients in the low-risk group was significantly better than that in the high risk group (P<0.001). GSEA results showed that signal pathways related to basic metabolism, cell differentiation and cell cycle were significantly enriched in the high-risk group, while ribosome and N polysaccharide biosynthesis signaling pathway were more enriched in the low-risk group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score composed of the eight metabolism-related genes could be used as an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MM patients, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that the molecular signatures of metabolism-related genes had the best predictive effect. CONCLUSION: Metabolism-related pathways play an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of patients with MM. The clinical significance of the risk assessment model for patients with MM constructed based on eight metabolism-related core genes needs to be confirmed by further clinical studies.

Anti-depression targets and mechanism study of Kaixin San / 中国中药杂志

This study identified the anti-depression targets of Kaixin San(KXS) in the brain tissue with "target fishing" strategy, and explored the target-associated pharmacological signaling pathways to reveal the anti-depression molecular mechanism of KXS. The Balb/c mouse model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and the anti-depression effect of KXS was evaluated by forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. KXS active components were bonded to the benzophenone-modified magnetic nanoparticles by photocrosslinking reaction for capturing target proteins from cortex, thalamus and hippocampus of depressive mice. The target proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). The enrichment analysis on signaling pathways was performed by Cytoscape. The potential biological functions of targets were verified by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay. The results showed that KXS significantly improved the behavioral indexes. There were 64, 91, and 44 potential targets of KXS identified in cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus, respectively, according to the target identification experiment. The functions of these targets were mainly associated with vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, salmonella infection, thyroid hormone synthesis, and other signaling pathways. Besides, the results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that KXS up-regulated the expressions of argipressine(AVP) in the cortex, heat shock protein 60(HSP60), cytochrome C oxidase 4(COX4), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) in the thalamus, and down-regulated the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) p65 in the thalamus. Therefore, KXS may exert anti-depression effect through regulating vasopressin signaling pathway in the cortex and inflammation, energy metabolism, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways in the thalamus, and the effect of KXS on hippocampus is not significant.

Construction of a Prognostic Model of Multiple Myeloma Based on Metabolism-Related Genes / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To screen the prognostic biomarkers of metabolic genes in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and construct a prognostic model of metabolic genes.@*METHODS@#The histological database related to MM patients was searched. Data from MM patients and healthy controls with complete clinical information were selected for analysis.The second generation sequencing data and clinical information of bone marrow tissue of MM patients and healthy controls were collected from human protein atlas (HPA) and multiple myeloma research foundation (MMRF) databases. The gene set of metabolism-related pathways was extracted from Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) by Perl language. The biomarkers related to MM metabolism were screened by difference analysis, univariate Cox risk regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis, and the risk prognostic model and Nomogram were constructed. Risk curve and survival curve were used to verify the grouping effect of the model. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to study the difference of biological pathway enrichment between high risk group and low risk group. Multivariate Cox risk regression analysis was used to verify the independent prognostic ability of risk score.@*RESULTS@#A total of 8 mRNAs which were significantly related to the survival and prognosis of MM patients were obtained (P<0.01). As molecular markers, MM patients could be divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. Survival curve and risk curve showed that the overall survival time of patients in the low-risk group was significantly better than that in the high risk group (P<0.001). GSEA results showed that signal pathways related to basic metabolism, cell differentiation and cell cycle were significantly enriched in the high-risk group, while ribosome and N polysaccharide biosynthesis signaling pathway were more enriched in the low-risk group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score composed of the eight metabolism-related genes could be used as an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MM patients, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that the molecular signatures of metabolism-related genes had the best predictive effect.@*CONCLUSION@#Metabolism-related pathways play an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of patients with MM. The clinical significance of the risk assessment model for patients with MM constructed based on eight metabolism-related core genes needs to be confirmed by further clinical studies.

Design, synthesis and biological activity of DB02 amino acid derivatives as HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors / 药学学报

To improve the stability of amino acid ester derivatives of DB02, a series of 24 amide derivatives of DB02 amino acids as non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor were designed and synthesized based on bioisosterism by replacing amino acid ester scaffold with more stable amide bond. The anti-HIV-1 activity of these compounds was evaluated by MTT assay and counting the number of syncytia. Most of the target compounds showed a potential anti-HIV-1 activity, among which compounds 2d, 2i, 2l, 2s, and 2w had better antiviral effect than lead compound DB02, with a therapeutic index > 1 000.00. Finally, the structure-activity relationship of these compounds was discussed, which provided new ideas for the further development of DB02 derivatives.

Role of Homer1a/mGluR5 signaling pathway in cognitive dysfunction induced by sleep deprivation in aged rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of Homer1a/metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling pathway in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.Methods:One hundred and four SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22-24 months, weighing 320-360 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=26 each) using a random number table method: normal control group (group Control), sleep deprivation+ vehicle group (group SD+ Vehicle), sleep deprivation+ mGluR5 forward allosteric agent CDPPB group (group SD+ CDPPB), and sleep deprivation+ mGluR5 antagonist MPEP group (group SD+ MPEP). A 48-h sleep deprivation model was developed by sleep-deprived rod method. At the beginning of developing the model and 24 h after developing the model, CDPPB 10 mg/kg, MPEP 10 mg/kg and the equal volume of 1% Tween 80 were intraperitoneally injected in group SD+ CDPPB, group SD+ MPEP and group SD+ Vehicle, respectively.Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted to evaluate cognitive function after development of the model. The expression of Homer1a and mGluR5 in the hippocampus was detected by Western blot, the dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected by Golgi staining, and the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) slope in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected by isolated electrophysiology. Results:Compared with Control group, the number of crossing the original platform, time of staying at the target quadrant, and novel object recognition index at 1 and 24 h after training were significantly decreased, the expression of Homer1a in the hippocampus was up-regulated, the expression of mGluR5 in the hippocampus was down-regulated, and the density of dendritic spine and fEPSP slope in the hippocampal CA1 region were decreased in group SD+ Vehicle ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD+ Vehicle, the number of crossing the original platform, time of staying at target quadrant, and novel object recognition index at 1 and 24 h after training were significantly increased, the expression of mGluR5 in hippocampus was up-regulated, and the density of dendritic spines and fEPSP slope in the hippocampal CA1 region were increased in group SD+ MPEP( P<0.05), and no statistically significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group SD+ CDPPB ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Sleep deprivation impairs the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons by regulating Homer1a/mGluR5 signaling pathway, and thus mediating the process of cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.

Relationship between Kapβ2-mediated nuclear translocation of hnRNPA2/B1 and sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity: a cellular experiment / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between Karyopherin β2 (Kapβ2)-mediated nuclear translocation of nuclear inhomogeneous ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1) and sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity in a cellular experiment.Methods:The mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cells were inoculated in confocal culture dishes and 6-well culture plates at a density of 2×10 5 cells/well and 1×10 6 cells/well and divided into 4 groups( n=12 each) by a random number table method: control group (GFP-C group) carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) with empty adenovirus transfection, sevoflurane group (GFP-Sev group) carrying GFP with empty adenovirus transfection, control group (GFP-Sev group) transfected with Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus, and sevoflurane group (Kapβ2-Sev group) transfected with Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus. After 48 h of conventional incubation, empty adenovirus-carrying GFP (GFP-C and GFP-Sev groups) and Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus (Kapβ2-C and Kapβ2-Sev groups) were transfected. After 48 h of transfection, the cells were conventionally incubated continuously in GFP-C and Kapβ2-C groups, and the cells were incubated for 3 h with 3% sevoflurane and then were conventionally incubated for 48 h in GFP-Sev and Kapβ2-Sev groups. The expression of Kapβ2, synaptophysin (SYP), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio were measured in cells by Western blot. Immunofluorescence assay was used for hnRNPA2/B1 subcellular localization. Results:Compared with GFP-C group, the expression of SYP and PSD95 was significantly down-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was decreased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was up-regulated in GFP-Sev group, and Kapβ2 expression was significantly up-regulated in Kapβ2-C group ( P<0.05). Compared with Kapβ2-C group, the expression of SYP and PSD95 was significantly down-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was decreased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was up-regulated in Kapβ2-Sev group ( P<0.05). Compared with GFP-Sev group, the expression of Kapβ2, SYP and PSD95 was significantly up-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was increased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was down-regulated in Kapβ2-Sev group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Kapβ2-mediated hnRNPA2/B1 nuclear translocation may be the endogenous protective mechanism against sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity.

Performance and methane potential of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket treating thermal hydrolyzed sludge dewatering liquor.

Thermal hydrolysis pretreatment could release organic sufficiently from solid into liquid phase to accelerate the high solid sludge anaerobic digestion. Thus, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) could be a promising energy recovery process to treat thermal hydrolyzed sludge dewatering liquor with significantly augmented the organic loading rate (OLR). In this study, its performance was investigated using a lab-scale UASB to treat sludge dewatering liquor after 165 °C, 30 min thermal hydrolysis pretreatment. The results show that 85.57% of the organic in thermal hydrolyzed sludge dewatering liquor could be converted to methane. The UASB adapts to high OLR stably, and the COD removal efficiency was 71.98 ± 1.95% at OLR of 18.35 ± 0.78 kgCOD·(m3·d)-1, and the gap between the maximum potential and experimental methane production yields could be observed during different OLRs. It could be explained as the methanogenesis rate decreased due to the shift of dominant pathway from acetoclastic methanogenesis to syntrophic acetate oxidation following hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Methanospirillum became the dominant methanogen with the increase of OLR. In addition, the methane production yield and rate would be hindered till the ammonia nitrogen concentration exceeds 4 g·L-1. Direct interspecies electron transfer could be promising methods to improve UASB performance treating thermal hydrolyzed dewatering liquor.

The mechanism of Danzikang Knee Granule in regulating the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells based on TGF-ß signaling pathway in cartilage repair in knee osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Danzikang Knee Joint Granules in regulating the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cartilage to cartilage repair of knee osteoarthritis based on the TGF-ß signaling pathway. For this purpose, 60 SD rats were divided into four groups; the control group and treated groups with low, medium, and high concentrations of Danzikang. The histopathology of rats was analyzed and TGF-ß signaling pathway-related proteins were determined. Results showed that the average optical density in serum of the Danzikang Granule intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05), and the average optical density increased with drug concentration increasing (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Danzikang knee granule cell survival in the intervention group was elevated the serum and reduced cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Danzikang knee infusion concentrations were positively correlated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell survival rates (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). TGF-ß1, BMP2, and BMP4 were significantly increased in the three concentrations of the Danzikang Granule serum intervention group (P<0.05). TGF-ß1, BMP2 and BMP4 were significantly increased in the high concentration group, while TGF-ß1, BMP2 and BMP4 were significantly decreased in the low concentration group (P<0.05). The Wakitani histological score of the control group was significantly lower than the other three groups (P<0.05). In general, Danzikang Knee Granule plays a role in cartilage repair in knee osteoarthritis by promoting mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and cartilage differentiation, and the specific mechanism may be related to TGF-ß1/BMPs signaling pathway.

Stellerasespenes A‒E: Sesquiterpenoids from Stellera chamaejasme and their anti-neuroinflammatory effects.

Five undescribed sesquiterpenoids stellerasespenes A‒E and four reported congeners were isolated from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme. The structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses together with X-ray single crystal diffraction and theoretical calculations. The structure of holosericin B was revised. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for NO production in murine microglial BV2 cells induced by LPS. Stellerasespene A showed better inhibitory activity than the positive control minocycline, inhibiting NO production and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß in LPS-activated BV2 cells.

Outcome of Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Recurrent or Residual Pituitary Adenomas and Comparison to Non-Recurrent or Residual Cohort by Propensity Score Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes and safety of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) in recurrent and residual pituitary adenomas (rrPAs), as well as the predictors of gross total resection (GTR) and intraoperative CSF leakage. Furthermore, to compare outcomes and complications with non-rrPAs cohort. Methods: Clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with rrPAs who underwent ETS were collected between 2017 and 2020. Data of patients with non-rrPAs were collected from 2019 to 2020. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the factors influencing gross total resection (GTR) and intraoperative CSF leakage. Between-group comparisons of outcomes and complications were performed through propensity score analysis. Results: We enrolled 73 patients with rrPAs. GTR was achieved in 41 (56.1%) cases; further, GTR or near-total resection was achieved in 93.2% of patients. The mean tumor volumes for GTR and non-GTR cases were 6.2 ±7.2 cm3 and 11.1 ±9.1 cm3, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis of the GTR rate in patients with rrPAs revealed that Knosp grade was an independent factor (odds ratio [OR] = 0.324; p=0.005). Moreover, previous transcranial surgery and non-functional pituitary adenomas were risk factors for intraoperative CSF leakage in patients with rrPAs (OR=6.450, p=0.019 and OR=7.472, p=0.012, respectively). After propensity score matching, There was no significant difference in the GTR rate between patients with rrPAs and patients with non-rrPAs. Contrastingly, patients with rrPAs had a higher rate of intraoperative CSF leakage and longer postoperative hospital stay than patients with non-rrPAs. During the follow-up, vision improved in 9 (22.0%) and 24 (62.5%) patients with rrPAs and non-rrPAs, respectively. Although there was a trend that reoperation of rrPAs involved a lower hypopituitarism recovery rate and biochemical remission rate, as well as a higher hypopituitarism rate, there was no statistically significant between-group difference. Conclusions: Knosp grade was an independent factor for GTR in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in patients with rrPAs. Previous transcranial surgery and non-functional PAs were risk factors for intraoperative CSF leakage. Although associated with longer hospital stay, rrPAs did not associate with lower GTR rate or more frequent postoperative complications than non-rrPAs cohort.

Detection of fluoroquinolone and sulfonamide residues in poultry eggs in Kunming city, southwest China.

Antibiotic residues contained in poultry eggs pose threat to human health. However, the classes and concentrations of antibiotics in poultry egg in southwestern China is unknown due to insufficient monitoring and research. A total of 513 egg samples were collected from supermarkets and farm markets in Kunming city in 2020 and the levels of 7 antibiotics were analyzed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method. The linear correlation coefficients were above 0.990 for all antibiotics tested. The limits of detection and limits of quantification in poultry eggs were 0.002 to 0.010 µg/g and 0.007 to 0.033 µg/g, respectively. The average recoveries of the 7 analytes from poultry egg samples were 80.00 to 128.01%, with relative standard deviations of less than 13.97%. A total of 93 (18.13%) samples tested positive for antibiotics, with the highest concentration being 2.48 µg/g. The concentration range of ofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, and sulfamethoxazole in poultry eggs was 0.01 to 0.37 µg/g, 0.06 to 0.48 µg/g, 0.05 to 0.29 µg/g, 0.03 to 0.16 µg/g, 0.06 to 1.00 µg/g, 0.05 to 0.37, and 0.07 to 2.48 µg/g, respectively. Sulfamonomethoxine was detected from hen eggs with the highest concentration level at 1.00 µg/g. Sulfamethoxazole was detected with the highest concentration level from both duck and quail eggs, at 1.87 and 2.48 µg/g, respectively. The antibiotic with the highest residue level in pheasant eggs was danofloxacin, which was 0.37 µg/g. Sulfamethoxypyridazine was identified in 30 samples with the highest positive rate of 5.85%, sulfadimethoxine was identified in 3 samples with the lowest positive rate of 0.58%. We observed that 7 targeted antibiotic residues in quail eggs and 3 targeted antibiotic residues in pheasant eggs. We also found that there were antibiotic residues in free-range hen eggs and the concentration was not low. The antibiotic with the highest residue level in free-range eggs was sulfamonomethoxine, which was 1.00 µg/g. These findings suggest that continual antibiotic residue monitoring of poultry eggs is essential in China.

Tumor Suppressor Role and Clinical Significance of the FEV Gene in Prostate Cancer.

Background: In our previous research, we developed a 32-gene risk index model that may be utilized as a robust prognostic method for predicting prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence after surgery. Among the 32 genes, the Fifth Ewing Variant (FEV) gene was one of the top downregulated genes in relapsed PCa. However, current understanding of the FEV gene and its involvement in PCa is limited. Methods: FEV mRNA expression was analyzed and correlated to clinical outcomes in PCa patients who underwent prostatectomy at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Specimens from tissue microarray (TMA) including 102 prostate cancer patients were analysis for the expression of FEV. Meanwhile, FEV expression profiles were also assessed in PCa cell lines and in BPH-1 prostate epithelial cells using western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, we transfected LNCaP and PC-3 cells with either an empty vector or full-length FEV gene and performed in vitro cell functional assays. The part FEV plays in tumor xenograft growth was also assessed in vivo. Results: Of the 191 patients included in this study base on the DASL dataset, 77 (40.3%) and 24 (13.6%), respectively, developed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse and metastasis postradical prostatectomy. Significant FEV downregulation was observed in PCa patients showing PSA failure and metastasis. The protein expression of FEV was significantly negatively correlated with the Gleason score and pathological stage in prostate cancer tissues. Similarly, FEV expression significantly decreased in all PCa cell lines relative to BPH-1 (all P < 0.05). Functional assays revealed that FEV expression markedly inhibited PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion, which in turn significantly repressed the growth of tumor xenografts in vivo. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest an association between downregulated FEV expression and PSA relapse in PCa patients. In addition, FEV may act as a tumor suppressor in PCa.