Discosia brasiliensis causing Discosia leaf blight on tea plant (Camellia sinensis) in China.

Tea (Camellia sinensis), a perennial evergreen shrub, is one of the most important cash crops in China. Tea leaves with symptoms of wilt disease was observed in Fengqing County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China. Large irregular jujube-red necrotic spots appeared on the leaves of tea plants, and the lesions with grayish white edge were accompanied by a certain degree of shrinkage. In the tea garden planting base, the natural disease incidence reached 40%-50 %, which significantly affects the yield of tea. One putative pathogen was isolated from three symptomatic tea plant leaves and was identified as Discosia brasiliensis using morphology and molecular phylogeny of multi-loci (ITS, LSU, tub, rpb2) sequence data. Using D. brasiliensis strains for artificial inoculation assay on the tea plant leaves, leaf atrophy symptom in leaves which is similar to those observed in the tea planting base, and the putative pathogen was re-isolated to fulfill Koch's postulates. This is the first report of wilt disease caused by Discosia brasiliensis in China.

Accuracy of closed-loop and open-loop propofol delivery systems by bispectral index monitoring in breast surgery patients: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This randomized and controlled prospective study tested the hypothesis that closed-loop Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI) of propofol would be associated with better system performance when compared with open-loop controlled delivery of propofol. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective breast surgery were randomly assigned to two groups: a closed-loop group, in which propofol infusion was performed by a closed-loop TCI system that used the Bispectral Index (BIS) as a feedback parameter to titrate the rate of propofol infusion, and an open-loop group, in which propofol infusion was performed manually and guided by the bispectral index. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were recruited for this study (closed-loop group n = 79; open-loop group n = 77). The Global Score (GS) of the closed-loop group was lower than that of the open-loop group (34.3 and 42.2) (p = 0.044). The proportions of time with a BIS value between 40 and 60 were almost identical in the closed-loop group and the open-loop group (68.7 ± 10.6% and 66.7 ± 13.3%) (p = 0.318). The individuals in the closed-loop group consumed more propofol compared with those in the open-loop group (7.20 ± 1.65 mg.kg-1.h-1 vs. 6.03 ± 1.31 mg.kg-1.h-1, p < 0.001). No intraoperative recall, somatic events or adverse events occurred. No significant difference in heart rate was observed between the two groups (p = 0.169). CONCLUSION: The closed-loop protocol was associated with lower BIS variability and lower out-of-range BIS values, at the cost of a greater consumption of propofol when compared to the open loop group. REGISTER NUMBER: ChiCTR-INR-17010399.

Accuracy of closed-loop and open-loop propofol delivery systems by bispectral index monitoring in breast surgery patients: a prospective randomized trial

Abstract Background: This randomized and controlled prospective study tested the hypothesis that closed-loop Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI) of propofol would be associated with better system performance when compared with open-loop controlled delivery of propofol. Methods: Patients scheduled for elective breast surgery were randomly assigned to two groups: a closed-loop group, in which propofol infusion was performed by a closed-loop TCI system that used the Bispectral Index (BIS) as a feedback parameter to titrate the rate of propofol infusion, and an open-loop group, in which propofol infusion was performed manually and guided by the bispectral index. Results: A total of 156 patients were recruited for this study (closed-loop group n = 79; open-loop group n = 77). The Global Score (GS) of the closed-loop group was lower than that of the open-loop group (34.3 and 42.2) (p = 0.044). The proportions of time with a BIS value between 40 and 60 were almost identical in the closed-loop group and the open-loop group (68.7 ± 10.6% and 66.7 ± 13.3%) (p = 0.318). The individuals in the closed-loop group consumed more propofol compared with those in the open-loop group (7.20 ± 1.65 mg.kg−1.h−1 vs. 6.03 ± 1.31 mg.kg−1.h−1, p < 0.001). No intraoperative recall, somatic events or adverse events occurred. No significant difference in heart rate was observed between the two groups (p = 0.169). Conclusion: The closed-loop protocol was associated with lower BIS variability and lower out-of-range BIS values, at the cost of a greater consumption of propofol when compared to the open loop group. Register number:ChiCTR-INR-17010399.

Genetic characterization of duck hepatitis B viruses from Anhui Province, China.

Duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infection model was frequently used as the experimental model for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) research. In order to decipher the genetic characteristics of DHBVs from Anhui province of China, 120 duck liver tissue samples were collected and subjected to PCR screening, and 28 samples were detected as DHBV positive. Subsequently, five DHBV-positive samples were selected for genome-wide amplification and a comprehensive analysis. Comparative analysis of complete genome sequences using the MegAlign program showed that five strains of DHBVs shared 94.5-96.3% with each other and 93.2-98.7% with other reference strains in GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all five DHBV strains belonged to the evolutionary branch of "Chinese DHBV" isolates or DHBV-2. Importantly, three potential intra-genotypic recombination events, between strains AAU-6 and Guilin, strains AAU-1 and GD3, and strains AAU-6 and AAU-1, were respectively found using the RDP and SimPlot softwares and considered the first report in avihepadnaviruses. These results not only improve our understanding for molecular prevalence status of DHBV among ducks, but also provide a reference for recombination mechanism of HBV.

Improved bone and renal safety in younger tenofovir disoproxil fumarate experienced chronic hepatitis B patients after switching to tenofovir alafenamide or entecavir.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Renal and bone impairment has been reported in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy. This study aimed to assess the incidence of renal and bone impairment in CHB patients with long-term TDF therapy and to identify the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and renal function in these patients after switching to entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study collected clinical data from CHB patients who received TDF monotherapy over 96 weeks. The changes in BMD and renal function were analyzed after 96 weeks of switching antiviral regimens (ETV or TAF) or maintenance TDF. RESULTS: At baseline, 154 patients receiving TDF monotherapy over 96 weeks were enrolled, with a younger median age of 36.75 years, 35.1% (54/154) of patients experienced elevated urinary ß2 microglobulin and 20.1% (31/154) of patients had reduced hip BMD (T<-1). At week 96, among the 123 patients with baseline normal BMD, patients who maintained TDF (n=85) had experienced a decrease in hip BMD, while patients who switched antiviral regimens (n=38) experienced an increase (-13.97% vs 2.34%, p<0.05). Among patients with a baseline reduced BMD (n=31), the alterations in BMD were similar in patients who maintained TDF (n=5) and those who switched antiviral regimens (n=26) (-15.81% vs 7.35%, p<0.05). Irrespective of baseline BMD status, renal function decreased significantly in patients who maintained TDF and improved in patients who switched antiviral regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Younger CHB patients on long-term TDF therapy are at high risk for bone and renal impairment, with the risk being reduced when switched to ETV or TAF.

Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus Treatment in Membranous Nephropathy: Results of a Retrospective Study of 182 Patients.

Purpose: Tacrolimus is recommended by KDIGO Clinical Practice Guidelines as an initial therapy for the treatment of membranous nephropathy (MN). However, little is known about the factors that influence response and recurrence of the disease after tacrolimus therapy, and there are limited data regarding the duration of tacrolimus treatment. Here, we present a real-world retrospective cohort study of 182 MN patients treated with tacrolimus, aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in the treatment of MN. Patients and Methods: The clinical data of 182 patients with MN treated with tacrolimus and followed up for at least one year were analyzed retrospectively for the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus. Results: The mean follow-up period was 27.3 (19.3-41.6) months. A total of 154 patients (84.6%) achieved complete or partial remission, and 28 patients (15.4%) did not. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that male and higher baseline BMI were independently associated with lower, while higher serum albumin was associated with higher probability of remission. Among the responders, 56 patients (36.4%) relapsed. After adjustments for age and sex, Cox regression analysis revealed that the longer period of full-dose tacrolimus was administered, the lower the incidence of relapse. However, high levels of serum creatinine and proteinuria at the onset of tacrolimus discontinuation were risk factors for relapse. During the treatment of tacrolimus, a decline in renal function (≥50% increase in serum creatinine after the onset of tacrolimus treatment) was the most common adverse reaction, observed in 20 (11.0%) patients, followed by elevated blood glucose and infection, but the latter two occurred mostly during treatment with tacrolimus plus corticosteroids. Conclusion: Tacrolimus is effective in the treatment of MN, but the relapse rate is high. Clinical studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further explore the use of tacrolimus in the treatment of membranous nephropathy.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection and Late Pregnancy: What Should We Do?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) in late pregnancy is a rare but severe disease. Lack of clinical experience is the main cause of high mortality. This study tries to investigate the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy for these patients. Case presentation: We reported three patients with AAAD in late pregnancy. Sudden chest pain was the main clinical symptom before operation. All three patients and their newborns survived through multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and treatment. No serious complications occurred during the mid-term follow-up. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment strategy play a crucial role in saving the lives of pregnant women with AAAD.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection and Late Pregnancy: What Should We Do?

INTRODUCTION: Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) in late pregnancy is a rare but severe disease. Lack of clinical experience is the main cause of high mortality. This study tries to investigate the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy for these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported three patients with AAAD in late pregnancy. Sudden chest pain was the main clinical symptom before operation. All three patients and their newborns survived through multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and treatment. No serious complications occurred during the mid-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment strategy play a crucial role in saving the lives of pregnant women with AAAD.

LncRNA FIRRE promotes the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the expression of PXN through interacting with MBNL3.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been a long-time public health problem impacting people's heath and challenging healthcare professions because of its poor prognosis and high lethality. More and more evidence indicated the important role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in carcinogenesis and cancer metabolism in a variety of cancer types. In this study, we found that FIRRE, a recently identified cancer-associated lncRNA located on chromosome X, is highly expressed in HCC cell lines and tissue samples, and its expression is positively correlated with poor HCC prognosis. In vitro and in vivo functional analyses showed that FIRRE could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC. As for the potential mechanism, FIRRE specifically binds to the splicing factor MBNL3 to affect the expression of PXN to regulate the pathological characteristics of HCC cells. In summary, our study showed that the lncRNA FIRRE is a cancer promoting factor and may be a potential biomarker for the prognosis and drug target for the treatment of HCC.

Sex Hormones and Lung Inflammation.

Inflammation is a characteristic marker in numerous lung disorders. Several immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, eosinophils, as well as T and B lymphocytes, synthetize and release cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. Gender differences in the incidence and severity of inflammatory lung ailments including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), lung cancer (LC), and infectious related illnesses have been reported. Moreover, the effects of sex hormones on both androgens and estrogens, such as testosterone (TES) and 17ß-estradiol (E2), driving characteristic inflammatory patterns in those lung inflammatory diseases have been investigated. In general, androgens seem to display anti-inflammatory actions, whereas estrogens produce pro-inflammatory effects. For instance, androgens regulate negatively inflammation in asthma by targeting type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and T-helper (Th)-2 cells to attenuate interleukin (IL)-17A-mediated responses and leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis pathway. Estrogens may promote neutrophilic inflammation in subjects with asthma and COPD. Moreover, the activation of estrogen receptors might induce tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we summarize the most recent advances in the functional roles and associated signaling pathways of inflammatory cellular responses in asthma, COPD, PF, LC, and newly occurring COVID-19 disease. We also meticulously deliberate the influence of sex steroids on the development and progress of these common and severe lung diseases.

Development of rSs-NIE-1 and rSs-IR Recombinant Antigen-Based Immunoblot for Detection of Antibody to Strongyloides stercoralis.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted nematode that can cause life-threatening conditions in immunocompromised persons. In the United States, strongyloidiasis should be considered mainly in immigrants, refugees, or travelers. The confirmatory laboratory diagnosis is usually performed by detecting larvae from the stool, duodenal material, and sputum. In persons who are immunocompromised with severe strongyloidiasis, adult worms and eggs can be detected from duodenal material. For serological diagnosis, most assays use crude antigens to detect anti-S. stercoralis IgG. Recently, recombinant proteins such as rSs-NIE-1 and rSs-IR have been used to detect IgG antibodies. We used rSs-NIE-1 and rSs-IR recombinant antigens to develop a biplex Western blot assay to detect the IgG4 antibody in individuals with strongyloidiasis. The sensitivities of rSs-NIE-1 and rSs-IR were 97.4% and 90.8%, respectively, whereas the specificities were 97.6% and 98%, respectively. In conclusion, the biplex rSs-NIE-1 and rSs-IR immunoblot performs well in detecting IgG4 antibody in S. stercoralis-infected persons.

CBM drilling technical parameter optimization methodology and software development: a case study of LUAN mining area.

Based on the leakage of the coalbed methane (CBM) drilling engineering practice of Luan mining area in China, the author determines the safe drilling fluid density range for the stable borehole wall based on borehole wall collapse and fracture pressure. Such parameters as the drilling fluid hydraulic parameters (including pump pressure, pump power and displacement, nozzle diameter, bit pressure drop, bit hydraulic horsepower, circulation pressure drop, impact force and jet velocity) and drilling parameters (including weight-on-bit, drilling rotary speed, bit tooth wear) in each borehole section are optimized. Taking the lowest drilling cost as the controlling target, the drilling parameter optimization model is designed and solved by the genetic algorithm. Furthermore, a software named "CBM borehole wall stability parameter design and optimization" characterized by visualization and applicable for drilling formation condition, which can be used to design and optimize the borehole drilling technological parameters, is developed. This program includes such modules as drilling fluid density prediction, drilling technology design, database management, user management and help. The developed software is proven to solve the drilling leakage effectively in the No.67 borehole practice, which can help drilling engineers to optimize CBM drilling technological parameters safely and quickly.

Pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 activity protects against inflammation-induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells.

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disease characterized by the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs), accompanied by imbalance of metabolic and inflammatory homeostasis. Current studies establish that IVD degeneration is induced by increased apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of NP cell survival/apoptosis are not well elucidated. Here, we reveal a novel mechanism by which mTORC1 signaling controls NP cell survival through regulating metabolic homeostasis. We demonstrated that hyperactivated mTORC1 activity induced by inflammatory cytokines engenders the apoptosis of NP cells, whereas pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 activity promotes NP cell survival. Using an integrative approach spanning metabolomics and biochemical approaches, we showed that mTORC1 activation enhanced glucose metabolism and lactic acid production, and therefore caused NP cell apoptosis. Our study identified mTORC1 in NP cells as a novel target for IVD degeneration, and provided potential strategies for clinical intervention of lumbar disc herniation.

Evaluation of emission reduction targets contributed by BASIC countries from the perspective of global temperature control targets.

In this paper, the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) countries, which play an increasingly significant role in combating climate change, are selected as the research objects. First, we investigate the driving factors of the evolution of carbon emissions in the BASIC group from 2000 to 2016. Second, we use the Monte Carlo simulation to analyze the potential evolution trend of carbon emissions in the benchmark scenario, optimization scenario, and enhanced scenario in the BASIC group from 2017 to 2030 to judge whether the countries can achieve their own autonomous contribution goals. Third, we evaluate whether the BASIC INDC can provide practical support for making the global temperature control goals described in the Paris Agreement. The results show that first, the contribution rate of the energy consumption structure and population size to the carbon emissions of the BASIC are low, and the contributions of R&D efficiency, R&D intensity, and investment intensity to the carbon emission change in the BASIC group are more prominent. Second, under the benchmark scenario, Brazil, South Africa, India, and China from the difference between the complete INDC targets respectively is 265.50 Mt, 207.86 Mt, 1034.70 Mt, and 4660.82 Mt. Under the optimization scenario, China could meet the INDC goals. The gap between Brazil, South Africa, and India is 60.06 Mt, 9.50 Mt, and 413.74 Mt, respectively. Under the enhanced scenario, China and South Africa could meet the INDC target, while Brazil and India are 15.69 Mt and 228.28 Mt away from the INDC target, respectively. Third, although the INDC goals of Brazil and India can achieve the carbon reduction allocated under the 2 °C targets, the INDC targets submitted by the BASIC are not enough to reach the carbon reduction allocated under the global 1.5 °C destination; Brazil, South Africa, India, and China's gap is 64.14 Mt, 246.15 Mt, 236.84 Mt, 3399.64 Mt, respectively. Fourth, Brazil, South Africa, and China should increase its R&D on energy-saving and emission reduction technologies, and India should develop reasonable population policies and green economic development policies.

Pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 activity protects against inflammation-induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disease characterized by the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs), accompanied by imbalance of metabolic and inflammatory homeostasis. Current studies establish that IVD degeneration is induced by increased apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of NP cell survival/apoptosis are not well elucidated. Here, we reveal a novel mechanism by which mTORC1 signaling controls NP cell survival through regulating metabolic homeostasis. We demonstrated that hyperactivated mTORC1 activity induced by inflammatory cytokines engenders the apoptosis of NP cells, whereas pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 activity promotes NP cell survival. Using an integrative approach spanning metabolomics and biochemical approaches, we showed that mTORC1 activation enhanced glucose metabolism and lactic acid production, and therefore caused NP cell apoptosis. Our study identified mTORC1 in NP cells as a novel target for IVD degeneration, and provided potential strategies for clinical intervention of lumbar disc herniation.

High-expression of LncRNA MAFG-AS1 is associated with the prognostic of patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to exhibit distinct functions on the convoluted processes of tumor developments. Some studies on the biological functions of lncRNA MAFG-AS1 (MAFG-AS1) in cancers revealed that they may serve as an oncogene in some kinds of tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, little is known about the role of MAFG-AS1 in the prognostic of CRC. METHODS: A public dataset was mined for the screening of dysregulated lncRNAs in CRC. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to compare the levels of MAFG-AS1 between paired MAFG-AS1 specimens and normal adjacent tissues. The correlations between MAFG-AS1 and clinic pathological features in CRC were analyzed using the chi-square test. The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier test were carried out to compare the survival time of patients with high and low expressions of MAFG-AS1. Cox regression was applied for univariate and multivariate assays to validate whether MAFG-AS1 could be an independent factor in the prognosis of CRC. RESULTS: We found that the distinct upregulation of MAFG-AS1 in various tumors was a common event. MAFG-AS1 was distinctly up-regulated in CRC specimens compared to matched non-tumor specimens (p < 0.01). High MAFG-AS1 expressions were closely associated with depth of invasion (p = 0.011) and TNM stage (p = 0.022). Survival assays revealed that patients with high expression of MAFG-AS1 have a shorter overall survival (p = 0.0030) and disease-free survival (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: MAFG-AS1 can serve as a novel potential biomarker to predict CRC patients' survival time.

High-expression of LncRNA MAFG-AS1 is associated with the prognostic of patients with colorectal cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to exhibit distinct functions on the convoluted processes of tumor developments. Some studies on the biological functions of lncRNA MAFG-AS1 (MAFG-AS1) in cancers revealed that they may serve as an oncogene in some kinds of tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, little is known about the role of MAFG-AS1 in the prognostic of CRC. METHODS: A public dataset was mined for the screening of dysregulated lncRNAs in CRC. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to compare the levels of MAFG-AS1 between paired MAFG-AS1 specimens and normal adjacent tissues. The correlations between MAFG-AS1 and clinic pathological features in CRC were analyzed using the chi-square test. The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier test were carried out to compare the survival time of patients with high and low expressions of MAFG-AS1. Cox regression was applied for univariate and multivariate assays to validate whether MAFG-AS1 could be an independent factor in the prognosis of CRC. RESULTS: We found that the distinct upregulation of MAFG-AS1 in various tumors was a common event. MAFG-AS1 was distinctly up-regulated in CRC specimens compared to matched non-tumor specimens (p < 0.01). High MAFG-AS1 expressions were closely associated with depth of invasion (p = 0.011) and TNM stage (p = 0.022). Survival assays revealed that patients with high expression of MAFG-AS1 have a shorter overall survival (p = 0.0030) and disease-free survival (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: MAFG-AS1 can serve as a novel potential biomarker to predict CRC patients' survival time.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: RNAs longos não codificantes (lncRNAs) comprovadamente apresentam funções distintas no complicado processo de desenvolvimento de tumores. Alguns estudos sobre as funções biológicas dos lncRNA (MAFG-AS1) em cânceres revelaram que eles podem funcionar como um oncogene em alguns tipos de tumores, inclusive no câncer colorretal (CCR). No entanto, pouco é conhecido sobre o papel do MAFG-AS1 no prognóstico do CCR. MÉTODOS: Um conjunto de dados públicos foi analisado em busca de lncRNAs desregulados em casos de CCR. Uma análise quantitativa de reação em cadeia de polimerase precedida de transcrição reversa (qPCR) em tempo real foi utilizada para comparar os níveis de MAFG-AS1 entre pares de amostras de MAFG-AS1 normal e tecidos adjacentes. As correlações entre MAFG-AS1 e características clínico-patológicas do CCR foram analisadas através do teste qui-quadrado. Os testes de Log-rank e Kaplan-Meier foram utilizados para comparar o tempo de sobrevida de pacientes com expressões altas e baixas do MAFG-AS1. A regressão de Cox foi aplicada para ensaios uni e multivariados para validar se MAFG-AS1 poderia ser um fator independente no prognóstico do CCR. RESULTADOS: Observamos que a regulação aumentada de MAFG-AS1 em vários tumores foi um evento comum. MAFG1 estava claramente com a regulação aumentada em espécimes de CCR quando comparado ao de espécimes equivalentes não-tumorais (p < 0,01). Altas expressões de MAFG-AS1 estavam associadas à profundidade de invasão (p = 0,011) e classificação no sistema TNM (p = 0,022). As análises de sobrevida revelaram que pacientes com expressões elevadas do MAFG-AS1 tiveram uma diminuição significativa da sobrevida global (p = 0,0030) e da sobrevida livre de doença (p = 0,0002). CONCLUSÃO: MAFG-AS1 pode ser um novo potencial biomarcador para predizer o tempo de sobrevida de pacientes de CCR.

Change in functional moderate mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the changes of the mitral valve geometrics and the degrees of moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). Methods: A retrospective analysis study of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in 49 patients diagnosed with pure AS combined with moderate MR, who underwent AVR from January 2013 to December 2017. TEE was used to evaluate the direct geometric changes of the mechanical effects on mitral annulus after AVR. TTE was used to evaluate the changes of MR after operation. All patients underwent TTE during the midterm follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 40.21 months. Results: All of the 49 patients had moderate MR. Anterolateral-posteromedial diameter, anterior-posterior diameter, and mitral annular area were significantly reduced after AVR, while no significant changes were found in the intraoperative left ventricular loading conditions before and after AVR. The degree of mitral valve regurgitation, left ventricular size, left atrial size, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and left ventricular to aortic pressure gradient were significantly reduced before discharge, and midterm follow-up showed good results. Conclusion: This study supports the belief that aortic outflow tract obstruction and an actual mechanical compression of the anterior mitral annulus after AVR would cause reduction in MR. Ventricular remodeling would also cause reduction in MR with time going on. Patients with AS, especially young patients with moderate MR, were most likely to benefit from AVR in early time.

Gramicidin inhibits human gastric cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle and induced apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, which seriously affects human health. Gramicidin is a short peptide antibiotic which could be used for treating infection induced by bacteria or fungi. However, the anti-cancer effect of gramicidin on gastric cancer cells and its underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. RESULTS: Gastric cancer cells SGC-7901, BGC-823 and normal gastric mucosal cells GES-1 were treated with different concentrations of gramicidin respectively. The results of CCK-8 experiment revealed cellular toxicity of gramicidin to cancer cells while cell colony formation assay showed that gramicidin significantly inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, but had little effect on normal gastric mucosal cells. In addition, the wound healing assay showed that gramicidin inhibited the migration of SGC-7901 cell. Meanwhile, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis revealed that gramicidin induced cell apoptosis with G2/M cell cycle inhibition. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that gramicidin down-regulated the expression of cyclinD1 and Bcl-2 as well as the FoxO1 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: The current study illustrated the anti-tumor activity of gramicidin on gastric cancer cells, providing a possibility for gramicidin to be applied in clinical practice for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Expression of specificity protein 1 and collagen I in primary pterygial tissues / Expressão da proteína de especificidade 1 e colágeno I em tecidos pterigiais primários

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the expression profiles of the transcription factor specificity protein 1 and collagen I in primary pterygial and normal conjunctival tissues, and to explore the role of specificity protein 1 and collagen I in pterygial development. Methods: The pterygial tissues of 20 patients who underwent resection of primary pterygial tissue in our hospital from June 2016 to December 2017 and the conjunctival tissues of 10 patients with enucleation due to trauma were collected. Reverse transcription quantitative-po lymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were used to detect the relative expression levels of specificity protein 1 and type I collagen at the mRNA and protein levels. Results: The content of specificity protein 1 and collagen I mRNA and protein was significantly greater in primary pterygial tissue than it was in conjunctival tissue (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the mRNA and protein levels of specificity protein 1 and collagen I in primary pterygial tissues (protein: r=1, p<0.05; mRNA: r=1, p<0.05). Conclusion: Specificity protein 1 and collagen I are expressed in normal conjunctival and pterygial tissues, but expression is significantly greater in the latter. Specificity protein 1 and collagen I may be involved in the regulation of the development of primary pterygium.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os perfis de expressão do fator de transcrição da proteína de especificidade 1 e do colágeno I em tecidos pterigiais primários e conjuntivais normais, e explorar o papel da proteína de especificidade 1 e colágeno I no desenvolvimento pterigial. Métodos: Foram coletados os tecidos pterigiais de 20 pacientes submetidos à ressecção de tecido de pterígio primário em nosso hospital no período de junho de 2016 a dezembro de 2017 e os tecidos conjuntivais de 10 pacientes com enucleação por trauma. A reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa de transcriptase reversa e a análise de Western blot foram utilizadas para detectar os níveis de expressão relativa da proteína de especificidade 1 e colágeno tipo I nos níveis de mRNA e proteína. Resultados: O conteúdo de especificidade da proteína 1 e do mRNA e proteína do colágeno I foi significativamente maior no tecido de pterígio primário do que no tecido conjuntival (p<0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre os níveis de mRNAs e proteína de especificidade 1 e colágeno I nos tecidos primários do pterígio (proteínas: r=1, p<0,05; mRNA: r=1, p<0,05). Conclusão: A proteína de especificidade 1 e do colágeno I é expressa nos tecidos conjuntivais e pterigiais normais, mas a expressão é significativamente maior no segundo. A especificidade da proteína 1 e do colágeno I pode ser envolvida na regulação do desenvolvimento do pterígio primário.