Improving image quality of triple-low-protocol renal artery CT angiography with deep-learning image reconstruction: a comparative study with standard-dose single-energy and dual-energy CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction.

AIM: To investigate the improvement in image quality of triple-low-protocol (low radiation, low contrast medium dose, low injection speed) renal artery computed tomography (CT) angiography (RACTA) using deep-learning image reconstruction (DLIR), in comparison with standard-dose single- and dual-energy CT (DECT) using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo (ASIR-V) algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients for RACTA were divided into different groups: standard-dose single-energy CT (S group) using ASIR-V at 60% strength (60%ASIR-V), DECT (DE group) with 60%ASIR-V including virtual monochromatic images at 40 keV (DE40 group) and 70 keV (DE70 group), and the triple-low protocol single-energy CT (L group) with DLIR at high level (DLIR-H). The effective dose (ED), contrast medium dose, injection speed, standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of abdominal aorta (AA), and left/right renal artery (LRA, RRA), and subjective scores were compared among the different groups. RESULTS: The L group significantly reduced ED by 37.6% and 31.2%, contrast medium dose by 33.9% and 30.5%, and injection speed by 30% and 30%, respectively, compared to the S and DE groups. The L group had the lowest SD values for all arteries compared to the other groups (p<0.001). The SNR of RRA and LRA in the L group, and the CNR of all arteries in the DE40 group had highest value compared to others (p<0.05). The L group had the best comprehensive score with good consistency (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The triple-low protocol RACTA with DLIR-H significantly reduces the ED, contrast medium doses, and injection speed, while providing good comprehensive image quality.

[Incidence and case fatality rates of cardiovascular diseases in urban and rural community-dwelling populations in eastern, central and western regions of China].

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and case fatality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among populations in urban and rural communities in eastern, central and western regions of China. Methods: The present study was based on the data of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE)-China cohort, which enrolled participants who had at least one follow-up visit and complete information on age and sex. Information on baseline demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevention and treatment for CVD were collected. CVD and mortality events were documented using the standardized case report form of the PURE Global Study to assess the incidence and case fatality rate of CVD among populations in urban and rural communities in eastern, central and western China. Results: This study included a total of 47 262 community-dwelling participants (age: (51.1±9.6) years; female, n=27 529, 58.2%) from 115 urban and rural communities in 12 provinces across the eastern, central, and western regions of China. Over a follow-up period of 11.9 (9.5, 12.6) years, 2 686 deaths and 5 873 cardiovascular events were documented. The incidence of CVD was 11.90 (95%CI: 11.60-12.21)/1 000 person-years. A significant difference in CVD incidence was observed across regions (Ptrend<0.001), which was highest in the western provinces (13.99 (95%CI: 13.33-14.65)/1 000 person-years), intermediate in the eastern provinces (11.92 (95%CI: 11.52-12.33)/1 000 person-years), and lowest in the central provinces (8.87 (95%CI: 8.25-9.50)/1 000 person-years). The 1-year case fatality rate of CVD demonstrated an increasing trend from eastern to western regions (eastern: 10.20% (95%CI: 6.95-14.73); central: 13.50% (95%CI: 9.90-18.14); western: 18.62% (95%CI: 14.95-22.94); Ptrend<0.001). Moreover, the incidence of major CVD was consistently higher in rural areas compared with urban areas across eastern (P<0.001), central (P=0.01) and western (P<0.001)_regions, respectively. The 1-year case fatality rate in rural areas was also significantly higher compared with that in urban areas in both eastern (P<0.001) and western regions (P=0.02). Conclusions: The incidence and case fatality rate of CVD were high among middle-aged population in China, especially those in western regions with low socioeconomic levels and in rural areas.

Transitional Dynamics of Sarcopenia and Associations of Nutritional Indices with State Transitions in Chinese aged ≥ 50.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia's temporal profile can be regarded as a dynamic process with distinct states, in which malnutrition plays an important role. This study aimed to address two research gaps: sarcopenia's transitional dynamics and associations of nutritional indices with state transitions in community-dwelling Chinese adults aged 50 and older. DESIGN: A prospective population-based cohort study. SETTING: Community-based setting in western China. PARTICIPANTS: The analytic sample included data from 1910 participants aged ≥ 50 in the West China Health and Aging Trend study between 2018-2022. MEASUREMENTS: We defined three states: the initial normal state (normal muscle strength, physical performance and muscle mass), the worst sarcopenia state (low muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or low physical performance) and the intermediate subclinical state (the other scenarios). The relevant measurement methods and cut-off points were based on the 2019 AWGS consensus. Using a continuous-time multistate Markov model, we calculated probabilities of transitions between different states over 1, 2 and 4 years; we also examined associations between nutritional indices and transitions, including body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), albumin (ALB), geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI), vitamin D (VitD) and prealbumin (PA). RESULTS: For individuals in the normal state, their probabilities of remaining stable versus progressing to a subclinical state were 53.4% versus 42.1% at 2 years, and 40.6% versus 49.0% at 4 years. In the subclinical population, their 2- and 4-year chances were 60.2% and 51.2% for maintaining this state, 11.8% and 16.2% for developing sarcopenia, 28.0% and 32.6% for reverting to normal. For sarcopenic individuals, the likelihood of staying stable versus retrogressing to the subclinical state were 67.0% versus 26.3% at 2 years, and 48.3% versus 36.3% at 4 years. Increased BMI, CC, MAC, TST, ALB, GNRI and PA correlated with reversion from the subclinical state, among which increased TST, ALB and PA were also paralleled with reversion from sarcopenia, while decreased BMI, CC, MAC, TST and GNRI were associated with progression to sarcopenia. VitD was not significantly associated with any transitions. CONCLUSION: This study reveals how sarcopenia changes over time in a Chinese population. It also highlights the usefulness of simple and cost-effective nutritional status indices for indicating state transitions, which can help identify individuals at risk of sarcopenia and guide targeted interventions within the optimal time window.

[Comparison of the predictive value of Padua and the IMPEDE assessment scores for venous thromboembolism in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: A single institution experience].

Objective: To compare the predictive efficacy of the two thrombosis risk assessment scores (Padua and IMPEDE scores) in venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 6 months in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in China. Methods: This study reviewed the clinical data of 421 patients with NDMM hospitalized in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from April 2014 to February 2022. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and Youden index of the two scores were calculated to quantify the thrombus risk assessment of VTE by the Padua and IMPEDE scores. The receiver operating characteristics curves of the two evaluation scores were drawn. Results: The incidence of VTE was 14.73%. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and Youden index of the Padua score were 100%, 0%, 14.7%, and 0% and that of the IMPEDE score was 79%, 44%, 49.2%, and 23%, respectively. The areas under the curve of Padua and IMPEDE risk assessment scores were 0.591 and 0.722, respectively. Conclusion: IMPEDE score is suitable for predicting VTE within 6 months in patients with NDMM.

Effectiveness of China-PAR and Framingham risk score in assessment of 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in Chinese hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVES: Estimating the total risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using risk prediction models represents a huge improvement in identifying and treating each of the risk factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the China-PAR (Prediction of atherosclerotic CVD risk in China) and Framingham risk score (FRS) in predicting the 10-year risk of CVD in Chinese hypertensive patients. The results of the study can be used to design health promotion strategies. STUDY DESIGN: A large cohort study was used to assess the validity of models by comparing model predictions with actual incidence rates. METHODS: In total, 10,498 hypertensive patients aged 30-70 years in Jiangsu Province, China, participated in the baseline survey that took place between January and December 2010 and were followed up to May 2020. China-PAR and FRS were used to calculate the predicted 10-year risk of CVD. The 10-year observed incidence of new cardiovascular events was adjusted by the Kaplan-Meier method. The ratio of the predicted risk to the actual incidence was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. The discrimination Harrell's C statistics and calibration Chi-square value were used to evaluate the predictive reliability of the models. RESULTS: Of the 10,498 participants, 4411 (42.02%) were male. During the mean follow-up of 8.30 ± 1.45 years, a total of 693 new cardiovascular events occurred. Both models overestimated the risk of morbidity to varying degrees, and the FRS overestimated to a greater extent. After adjustment for covariates, the results of Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the risk of CVD in the high-risk group was higher than in low-risk group. The degree of discrimination in both models was approximately 0.6, which showed that discrimination was not ideal in the models. In addition, Chi-square calibrations of the two models were <20 in males, which showed that calibration of the models was better for men than women. CONCLUSIONS: The China-PAR and FRS models overestimated the risk of CVD for participants in this study. In addition, the degree of discrimination was not ideal, and both models performed better in males than in females in terms of calibration. The results of this study suggest that a more suitable risk prediction model should be established according to the characteristics of the hypertensive population in Jiangsu Province.

[Research progress on moderate and deep sedation during wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients].

Moderate and deep sedation can effectively relieve or eliminate the pain and body discomfort during wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients, relieve anxiety, agitation, and even delirium of the children, reduce the metabolic rate of the children, make them in a quiet, comfortable, and cooperative state, which is conducive to the smooth completion of dressing change. This paper summarized the three aspects of moderate and deep sedation in pediatric burn patients, including the overview, main points of implementation, and effects, and further introduced the moderate and deep sedation medication regimens for different routes of administration, as well as the content of evaluation and monitoring. Suggestions on the prevention and management of related complications and the management of moderate and deep sedation implementation procedures were put forward, in order to provide references for the development of moderate and deep sedation for wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients in China.

[Extraocular silicone oil migration to orbit: a case report].

Silicone oil insertion is a common modality in vitreoretinal surgeries after ocular perforating injury. It needs surgical removal after several months. Extraocular silicone oil migration to orbit and eyelid is uncommon complication. We reports a case of silicone oil migration to orbit and eyelid. A 41-year-old male presented with left upper eyelid swelling following silicone oil injection 3 years before admission. Orbital computed tomography scan showed multiple high-density well-defined masses in vitreous, left upper eyelid and orbit. We diagnosed the patient with orbital and eyelid mass, meanwhile, speculated mechanical ptosis. Excision of orbital and eyelid masses were performed. Cystic spaces with delicate fibrous wall and small vessels, and clear fluid in cyst were discovered on histologic examination. The patient was followed up after 1 week. The left upper eyelid slightly depressed and the mechanical ptosis was significantly improved.

MicroRNA-29a-3p regulates chemosensitivity in hypopharyngeal carcinoma via targeting Cdc42.

INTRODUCTION: Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is one kind of high malignant tumour followed by poor prognosis in head and neck carcinomas. This study aimed to detect miR-29a-3p and Cdc42 in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-29a-3p and Cdc42 mRNA were detected, and the correlation between miR-29a-3p/Cdc42 and clinical stages was investigated. RESULTS: The relative expression of miR-29a-3p in stage II, III and IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that of stage I (P< 0.05). The relative expression of Cdc42 mRNA in stage I, III and IV tissues was significantly higher than that of stage I (P< 0.05). The expression of miR-29a-3p in hypopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: MiR-29a-3p and Cdc42 mRNA could be potential diagnostic biomarkers of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Effect of fasting blood glucose on risk of new-onset hypertension in rural Chinese population: a 15-year follow-up cohort.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between fasting blood glucose and new-onset hypertension and examine any synergistically effect modification with multiple risk factors. METHODS: We conducted post-hoc analyses of repeated-measures data in the original Dongzhi osteoporosis cohort study. In total, 3985 participants without hypertension aged 25-64 years were included in the current analyses. Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the relationship between fasting blood glucose and risk of new-onset hypertension after adjusting for pertinent covariates and autocorrelations among siblings. RESULTS: 393 men (19.4%) and 398 women (20.3%) without hypertension at the baseline developed hypertension by the end of the study period. Compared to lower baseline fasting blood glucose levels (Q1-Q3: < 5.74 mmol/L; clinical cut points: < 5.6 mmol/L), higher baseline fasting blood glucose levels (Q4: ≥ 5.74 mmol/L; clinical cut points: ≥ 5.6 mmol/L and < 7.0 mmol/L) increased the risk of new-onset hypertension significantly [(OR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.19-1.98, P < 0.001); (OR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.09-1.75, P = 0.008)] in women. Additionally, a stronger significant association was found in women with elevated fasting blood glucose on risk of new-onset of hypertension with higher total cholesterol (≥ 5.2 mmol/L) [(OR: 2.76; 95% CI: (1.54, 4.96), P < 0.001)]. However, no association was found between fasting blood glucose and risk of new-onset hypertension in men. CONCLUSIONS: High fasting blood glucose may be significantly associated with risk of new-onset hypertension in Chinese women, especially in women with higher total cholesterol. Further randomized studies are needed to confirm our findings.

[Exendin-4 promotes autophagy to relieve lipid deposition in a NAFLD cell model by activating AKT/mTOR signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of exendin-4 on lipid deposition in hepatocytes and explore its possible mechanism for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Human normal hepatocyte line LO2 and hepatoma cell line HepG2 were treated with palmitic acid (PA) to mimic hepatocyte steatosis or with combined treatments with PA+exendin-4 or PA+exendin-4+3BDO. Lipid deposition and proliferation of the two cell lines following treatment with PA or PA+exendin-4 were detected using Oil Red O staining and CCK8 assay, and the expression of p-mTOR, m-TOR, p-AKT, AKT and autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅰ/Ⅱ and p62 were detected with Western blotting; the expression of GLP-1R was detected with both Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. The expression of LC3-Ⅰ/Ⅱ and p62 in the cells following treatment with PA+exendin-4 and PA+exendin-4+3BDO was detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Lipid deposition in the two cell lines increased significantly after PA treatment, but was alleviated by co-treatment with exendin-4. PA treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of the two cell lines (P < 0.01), and this inhibitory effect was obviously attenuated by exendin-4 (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assay showed that both LO2 and HepG2 cells expressed GLP-1R. The expression of p-mTOR was significantly lower and that of p-AKT was higher in cells treated with PA+exendin-4 than in PA-treated cells. Exendin-4 also down-regulated the autophagy-associated protein p62 and up-regulated the expression of LC3-Ⅱ in PA-treated cells, and this effect was obviously reversed by 3BDO. CONCLUSION: Exendin-4 may activate the AKT-mTOR signal pathway to promote autophagy via its direct action on GLP-1R. Exendin-4 can also alleviate lipid deposition and promote proliferation of PA-treated hepatocytes, suggesting its important role in PA-induced lipid deposition in hepatocytes.

Pravastatin alleviates oxidative stress and decreases placental trophoblastic cell apoptosis through IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway in preeclampsia rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of pravastatin on oxidative stress and placental trophoblastic cell apoptosis in preeclampsia rats via the interleukin (IL)-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental rats were randomly assigned into three groups, including control group (C group), model group (M group) and pravastatin group (P group). The rat model of preeclampsia was successfully established. Blood pressure, urinary protein and nitric oxide (NO) as well as oxidative stress indicators in rats were detected at 7, 14 and 21 d, respectively. The content of serum IL-6 was determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of IL-6 in the placenta of rats in each group was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Western blotting (WB) was used to determine the protein expression level of STATs in the placental tissues of rats. In addition, cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay was conducted to detect the proliferation of rat placental trophoblasts. RESULTS: The content of serum NO was (14.32±2.32) µM in M group, (28.37±3.32) µM in C group and (22.54±3.12) µM in P group, respectively. It was significantly elevated in P group compared with M group (p<0.05). Blood pressure in M group was evidently higher than that in C group at 14 and 21 d (p<0.05). However, P group exhibited distinctly lower blood pressure than M group (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the urinary protein of rats among all the three groups at 7 d (p>0.05). At 14 and 21 d, the content of urinary protein in M group was considerably higher than that in C group (p<0.05). However, P group had distinctly lower urinary protein content than M group (p<0.05). Compared with C group, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) rose significantly in M group, whereas the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) declined remarkably (p<0.05). In comparison with M group, P group exhibited declined MDA and AOPP content and increased SOD content, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). The expression level of serum IL-6 in rats in M group was markedly higher than that in C group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression level of serum IL-6 evidently declined in P group compared with M group (p<0.05). Compared with C group, the protein expressions of phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) and p-STAT3 were considerably up-regulated in M group (p<0.01). However, they decreased prominently in P group in comparison with M group (p<0.01). C group exhibited a remarkably worse proliferation ability of rat placental trophoblasts than C group (p<0.01). In comparison with M group, the proliferation ability of rat placental trophoblasts was evidently enhanced in P group (p<0.05). Flow cytometry results indicated that the apoptosis of trophoblastic cells increased significantly in M group compared with that in C group (p<0.01). However, it significantly declined in P group in comparison with M group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pravastatin can repress the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway to alleviate oxidative stress, improve preeclampsia and decrease the apoptosis of placental trophoblastic cells in preeclampsia rats.

Change in smoking behaviour of people who suffer from respiratory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse smoking behaviour in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary TB (PTB).METHODS: The study population comprised 421 inpatients newly diagnosed with NSCLC, COPD and PTB at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, and 362 healthy individuals (controls) recruited from September 2016 to March 2017. All participants were current smokers. After enrolment, the subjects were invited to participate in face-to-face interviews to complete the self-designed questionnaire. A follow-up survey was performed 2 years later.RESULTS: Two years after being diagnosed, patients with NSCLC, COPD and PTB had smoking cessation rates of respectively 76.8%, 62.8% and 63.7%. The cessation rate was only 10.2% in the control group (P < 0.01). The difficulty of smoking cessation after diagnosis in patients with the three diseases was significantly decreased (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: The smoking cessation rate among participants suffering from NSCLC, COPD and PTB increased after diagnosis compared with that before diagnosis, and was significantly higher than the control group of healthy individuals.

[Different effects of pravastatin on sFlt-1, PlGF and VEGF in different preeclampsia-like mouse models].

Objective: To explore the pathways of preeclampsia by investigating different effects of pravastatin (Pra) on and soluble FMS tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in different preeclampsia (PE)-like mouse models. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly subcutaneously injected with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as PE-like mouse model, saline as normal pregnancy control (Con) respectively, daily at gestational 7-18 days. Pra was given daily at gestational 8-18 days in each model group and the mice were divided into Pra (L-NAME+Pra, LPS+Pra, Con+Pra) and saline (L-NAME+NS, LPS+NS, Con+NS) groups. Liver,placental tissue and blood of pregnant mice were collected on the 18th day of pregnancy. The levels of VEGF, PlGF and sFlt-1 in the liver, placenta and serum of mice in each group were compared by western blot, ELISA and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Results: (1) ELISA: Serum VEGF (205.70±3.43, 154.60±2.31) and PlGF (131.5±3.75, 101.50±4.31) levels were significantly increased in L-NAME+Pra group compared with L-NAME+NS group (all P<0.05). Serum VEGF (202.30±4.90, 144.50±6.71) and PlGF (121.50±3.86, 95.41±4.08) levels were significantly higher in LPS+Pra group than those in LPS+NS group (all P<0.05). Serum sFlt-1 level in LPS+Pra group was significantly lower than that in LPS+NS group (3.01±0.50, 776.60±80.06), serum sFlt-1 level in L-NAME+Pra group was significantly lower than that in L-NAME+NS group (2.60±0.06, 583.70±9.83; all P<0.05). (2) Western blot: the expression levels of PlGF (1.344±0.118, 0.664±0.143) and VEGF (1.34±0.12, 0.66±0.14) in the liver of mice in the L-NAME+Pra group were significantly higher than those in the L-NAME+NS group (all P<0.05), but the expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in the placenta of L-NAME+Pra group were not significantly different from those of L-NAME+NS group (all P>0.05). The expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of pregnant mice in LPS+Pra group were not significantly different from those in LPS+N group (all P>0.05). (3) RT-PCR: the mRNA expression of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of L-NAME+Pra group were not significantly different from those in L-NAME+NS group (all P>0.05). The mRNA expression levels of PlGF and VEGF in placenta and liver of LPS+Pra group were not significantly different from those of LPS+NS group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Pra has different regulatory effects on vascular endothelial function in different PE-like models. It reveals that different pathogenesis and pathways exist in different PE-like changes.

Household incense burning and children's respiratory health: A cohort study in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Incense burning is an important source of indoor air pollution in many Asian regions. We investigated the associations between household incense burning and lung function, lung function growth and respiratory diseases and symptoms in primary school children in Hong Kong. METHODS: A total of 4041 children (mean age: 9.1 years) were recruited from 27 primary schools in Hong Kong. Information on incense burning and medical history of respiratory diseases and symptoms was collected by questionnaire. Spirometry tests were performed to measure the children's lung function. A follow-up study was carried out after 1-year interval. Linear and logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between incense burning, lung function, and lung function growth, and respiratory diseases and symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, incense burning was associated with 48.6 mL/min [95% confidence interval (CI): -96.7, -0.5] lower maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) in boys. In follow-up, incense burning was associated with reduced peak expiratory flow (PEF) growth in all participants. We also found that incense burning was associated with increased prevalence of bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.11, 1.72] and bronchiolitis (OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.56). Incense burning was also associated with higher prevalence of pneumonia (OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.10, 6.87) and wheezing (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.05) in boys, but not in girls. CONCLUSIONS: We found that incense burning may adversely affect children's respiratory health. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

The potential of cadmium ion-immobilized Rhizobium pusense KG2 to prevent soybean root from absorbing cadmium in cadmium-contaminated soil.

AIMS: Because the effect of Cd2+ -immobilized microbe on Cd uptake of plants in Cd-contaminated soil remains underexplored, this study focuses on the effect of Cd2+ -immobilized rhizobia on Cd uptake of soybean. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strain KG2 from soybean nodule was identified as Rhizobium pusense KG2 by phylogenetic analysis. Rhizobium pusense KG2 showed the 120 mg l-1 of minimal lethal concentration for Cd2+ . In 50 and 100 mg l-1 of Cd2+ liquid, approximately 2 × 1010 cells removed 56·71 and 22·11% of Cd2+ , respectively. In pot soil containing 50 and 100 mg kg-1 of Cd2+ , strain KG2 caused a 45·9 and 35·3% decrease in soybean root Cd content, respectively. Meanwhile, KG2 improved the root and shoot length, nitrogen content and biomass of soybean plants and superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Cd2+ -immobilized rhizobia could inhibit soybean plants to absorb Cd2+ from soil, promote plant growth and improve plant's tolerance against Cd. This study is the first time to report that R. pusense is an effective nodulating rhizobium of legume. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Some Cd2+ -immobilized microbe lowering Cd uptake of plant and promoting plant growth should be considered as an effective strategy for producing safety crops in the Cd-contaminated agricultural soil.

[Inhibitory effect of DAPT on Notch signaling pathway in curcumin mediated photodynamic therapy for cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice].

Objective: Curcumin was used as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy on cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice.Analysis the expression changes of Notch and downstream gene as NF-κB and VEGF before and after DAPT inhibition of Notch signaling pathway in vivo experiments.Our aim was to investigate the possible mechanism of Notch signaling pathway in the treatment of cervical cancer with PDT. Methods: A cervical cancer model of nude mice was established by subcutaneous inoculation of human cervical cancer Me180 cells 200 µl.After the success of the model, the experimental animals were divided into 4 groups (model group, curcumin PDT group, simple DAPT group, curcumin-PDT+ DAPT group), each group was 12.Tumor volume changes were analyzed and HE staining was observed in each group.MRNA and protein expression of Notch1 and its downstream NF-κB, VEGF were detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot before and after inhibition of Notch signaling pathway by DAPT. Results: Except the control group, the tumor volume of the other three groups remained unchanged or slightly reduced after 1-7 days of treatment.The difference was significant (P<0.05). HE staining showed the most obvious necrosis of curcumin-PDT group with DAPT.Both DAPT and curcumin-PDT could reduce the expression level of Notch1 in mRNA.The inhibition rates were 42.17% and 40.54%, respectively.And the inhibitory effect of curcumin-PDT with DAPT on Notch-1 was the strongest (79.22%) (P<0.01), and two of them had synergistic effect after combination with curcumin-PDT.But the expression of Notch-2 has no obvious inhibitory effect (P>0.05). Both DAPT and curcumin-PDT can inhibit the protein expression of Notch1, NF-κB and VEGF, and two of them have synergistic effect after combined use. Conclusions: DAPT can effectively block the Notch signaling pathway and inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cell line Me180.The application of DAPT to inhibit Notch signaling pathway after photodynamic therapy can achieve synergistic effect, which is mainly related to the down-regulation of the expression of Notch1 and NF-κB.Notch signaling pathway may be one of the targets of curcumin-PDT photodynamic therapy.

[Regulation of pravastatin on long-chain fatty acid oxidative enzyme in pre-eclampsia-like mouse model].

Objective: To investigate the modulation of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) expression by pravastatin in pre-eclampsia-like mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly injected with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as pre-eclampsia-like model group (PE) or saline as normal pregnancy control group (Con) respectively, from gestational the 7th to 18th day. For each group, pravastatin (PE+Pra, Con+Pra group) or saline (PE+N, Con+N Group) was given from the 8th to 18th day of gestation, respectively. Liver and placenta of pregnant mice were collected on gestational day 18. The LCHAD protein expression and mRNA levels of liver and placenta were detected through western blot, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR. Results: (1) The average arterial pressure of pregnant mice increased gradually from the 8th to 18th day in PE+N group, but decreased in PE+Pra group from gestational 10th day, 24 hour urinary protein levels in PE+N group [(1 494 ± 201) µg] were significantly higher than that in Con+N group [(935±128) µg, P<0.01], and also higher than that in PE+Pra group [(981±116) µg, P<0.01].(2) The results of western blot: the expression of LCHAD was significantly lower in PE+N group (liver: 0.64±0.11, placenta: 0.48±0.06) than that in Con+N group (liver: 1.06±0.10, placenta: 0.60±0.10), and lower than that in PE+Pra group (liver: 0.99±0.04, placenta: 0.60±0.08; all P<0.01).(3)The results of real-time quantitative PCR: the levels of LCHAD mRNA in liver and placenta in PE+N group (liver: 0.621±0.128, placenta: 0.646±0.129) were significantly decreased compared with Con+N group (liver: 1.007±0.130, placenta: 1.004±0.103; all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between PE+Pra group (liver: 0.693±0.678, placenta: 0.662±0.183; P>0.05). (4) LCHAD protein was expressed widely and evenly in liver. The expression in placental cytotrophoblast and syncytial trophoblast cells located in outer layer of villous in labyrinth layer was the most. The expression of LCHAD was significantly lower in PE+N group (liver: 0.062±0.016, placenta: 0.147±0.018) than that in Con+N group (liver: 0.126±0.013, placenta: 0.183±0.024), and lower than that in PE+Pra group (liver: 0.111±0.017, placenta: 0.174±0.027; all P<0.05). Conclusion: Pravastatin could upregulate the LCHAD protein expression of liver and placenta in the pre-eclampsia-like mouse, which may be a mechanism to improve the clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia.

Age, gender, and socioeconomic gradients in metabolic syndrome: biomarker evidence from a large sample in Taiwan, 2005-2013.

PURPOSE: To examine the age and gender heterogeneities in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with biomarker data from Taiwan. METHODS: Subjects included 102,201 men and 112,015 women aged 25 and above, from the 2005-2013 MJ Health Survey in Taiwan. SES was measured by education and family income. MetS was defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian population. Logistic regression analyses were performed by age and gender groups. RESULTS: (1) Higher education level was associated with significantly lower risk of MetS. (2) Higher income was associated with lower MetS risk among women aged under 65, but no association among men of all ages. (3) SES gradients were generally much stronger among women than among men of the same age group. (4) SES gradients reduced over the life course with the exception that income gradient remains flat among men of all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Among Chinese in Taiwan, the gender and age heterogeneities in the SES gradients in MetS are similar to those reported for Western societies. This cross-cultural convergence is broadly consistent with the general hypothesis that social conditions are fundamental causes of diseases and health disparities.