Study on neutron energy spectrum unfolding algorithm with EJ309 liquid scintillation detector.

Proton recoil method can be used to experimentally measure fast neutron energy spectrum of non-pulsed neutron sources. The neutron energy spectrum unfolding algorithms based on the MLEM method, the GOLD deconvolution method, the Direct-D method, have been developed by using the EJ309 liquid scintillation detector. The degree of iteration by the mean square error (MSE) is proposed as a judgment criterion by according to the iterative accuracy, convergence speed and iteration efficiency. The developed neutron energy spectrum unfolding algorithms can unfolding the standard simulated mono-energetic neutron spectrum (2.5 MeV), 252Cf neutron spectrum, Am-Be neutron spectrum and the experimentally measured D-D neutron spectrum with higher precision as well as fewer iterations. The unfolded neutron spectra are in good agreement with the standard simulated neutron spectra and evaluated D-D neutron spectrum, which is revealed that the developed unfolding algorithms can unfolding neutron energy spectrum with reasonable accuracy.

Prognostic Value of CD56 Expression in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients and Its Related Factors / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of CD56 expression on the prognosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients and explore the relationship between CD56 with clinical characteristics.@*METHODS@#In this retrospective study, the clinical data and laboratory parameters of 175 newly diagnosed MM patients from February 2015 to December 2020 in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University were collected. The patients were divided into CD56+ and CD56- groups based on the expression of CD56, and the general data and laboratory parameters of the two groups were compared. The patients were followed up to June 30, 2021, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. PFS and OS curves of the two groups were plotted respectively, and the survival differences were compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the effect of CD56 on the prognosis of newly diagnosed MM patients.@*RESULTS@#In 175 newly diagnosed MM patients, 57(32.6%) cases were in the CD56-group and 118 (67.4%) cases in the CD56+ group. There was significant correlation between CD56 expression and ISS stage, ECOG score, platelets, β2-microglobulin, creatinine, and extramedullary disease (all P <0.05). The incidence of extramedullary disease in the CD56- group was significantly higher than that in the CD56+ group (29.8% vs 12.7%, P =0.006). The median follow-up time of the whole cohort was 23.6 (1.0-78.6) months. The median PFS of patients in CD56+ group and CD56- group were 18.6 (1.2-77.6) and 12.2 (1.0-49.0) months, respectively, and the median OS of the two groups were 27.6 (1.4-77.7) and 19.7 (1.0-78.6) months, respectively. The 2-year PFS rate in the CD56+ group was significantly higher than that in the CD56- group (57.6% vs 36.8%, P =0.010), and the 2-year OS rate in the CD56+ group was higher than that in the CD56- group, but it didn't reach statistical significance (74.6% vs 64.9%, P =0.158). The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the PFS was significantly shorter in newly diagnosed MM patients with advanced age, type IgG, high ECOG score, decreased platelet count, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- (all P <0.05), the OS was significantly shorter in patients with high ECOG score, decreased platelet count, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- (all P <0.05). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age, type IgG, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, extramedullary disease, and CD56- were independent prognostic factors for poor PFS (all P <0.05); and decreased platelet count, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, and extramedullary disease were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS (all P <0.05), while there was no significant independent correlation between CD56 and OS (P >0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Most of the newly diagnosed MM patients have positive expression of CD56. Loss of CD56 expression was associated with unfavorable biological and clinical parameters and poor prognosis, suggesting that CD56 has important clinical value in the prognosis of newly diagnosed MM patients.

Exploring occupational hazards and protective strategies in power generation enterprises / 中国职业医学

Currently, power generation in China is dominated by thermal power, wind power, nuclear power, and hydropower enterprises. The power source mainly comes from thermal power generation. The occupational hazards in thermal power station are noise, high temperature, power frequency electric fields, dust, and chemical toxins and so on, with noise and dust (silica and coal dust) being the primary factors. The occupational hazards in wind power station are noise, power frequency electric fields, high temperature, low temperature, and chemical toxins (sulfur hexafluoride, toluene, styrene, etc.), with noise and power frequency electric fields being the major concerns. The occupational radiation hazards in nuclear power station are gamma rays, beta rays, X-rays, neutrons, alpha rays, and radioactive aerosols. There is special attention in radiation protection but not enough protection in non-radioactive hazards such as noise, high temperature, and ammonia. The occupational hazards in hydropower station are noise, power frequency electric fields, vibration, radon and its de-composites, and chemical toxins, with noise and power frequency electric fields being the primary hazards. Different categories of power generation enterprises should identify key hazards and work site for occupational disease prevention and control based on the features of occupational hazards. Improving occupational health management and protection levels are essential measures.

Machine learning links different gene patterns of viral infection to immunosuppression and immune-related biomarkers in severe burns.

Introduction: Viral infection, typically disregarded, has a significant role in burns. However, there is still a lack of biomarkers and immunotherapy targets related to viral infections in burns. Methods: Virus-related genes (VRGs) that were extracted from Gene Oncology (GO) database were included as hallmarks. Through unsupervised consensus clustering, we divided patients into two VRGs molecular patterns (VRGMPs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to study the relationship between burns and VRGs. Random forest (RF), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and logistic regression were used to select key genes, which were utilized to construct prognostic signatures by multivariate logistic regression. The risk score of the nomogram defined high- and low-risk groups. We compared immune cells, immune checkpoint-related genes, and prognosis between the two groups. Finally, we used network analysis and molecular docking to predict drugs targeting CD69 and SATB1. Expression of CD69 and SATB1 was validated by qPCR and microarray with the blood sample from the burn patient. Results: We established two VRGMPs, which differed in monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and T cells. In WGCNA, genes were divided into 14 modules, and the black module was correlated with VRGMPs. A total of 65 genes were selected by WGCNA, STRING, and differential expression analysis. The results of GO enrichment analysis were enriched in Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, B cell receptor signaling pathway, alpha-beta T cell activation, and alpha-beta T cell differentiation. Then the 2-gene signature was constructed by RF, LASSO, and LOGISTIC regression. The signature was an independent prognostic factor and performed well in ROC, calibration, and decision curves. Further, the expression of immune cells and checkpoint genes differed between high- and low-risk groups. CD69 and SATB1 were differentially expressed in burns. Discussion: This is the first VRG-based signature (including 2 key genes validated by qPCR) for predicting survival, and it could provide vital guidance to achieve optimized immunotherapy for immunosuppression in burns.

Satisfactory Wound Reconstruction with a Local Rotation Flap After Removal of Large Penile Divided Nevi: Original Technique, Early and Mid-Term Results.

Objective: To investigate the application of local rotation flaps for reconstruction of divided nevi of the penises in young male patients. Methods: A group of 8 patients of divided nevi of the penises who underwent wound reconstruction with local rotation flaps after surgical lesion removal was enrolled in a retrospective clinical study. Postoperative complication, sexual function and psychological traits were evaluated during the follow-up. Results: All patients, with ages ranged from 16 to 32 years (mean 23.25 years), were followed up for 6 to 48 months (mean 19.86 months). The patient's average length of hospital stay was 7.85 day (7 to 15 days). The average dimension of the lesions was (2.31±0.44) × (1.46±0.48) cm2 on the glans and (1.38±0.40) × (1.01±0.46) cm2 on the inner prepuce plate. All patients had no postoperative infection and were satisfied with the postoperative outcome upon discharge. Five cases of benign intradermal nevi and 3 cases of compound nevi without malignant transformation were confirmed by pathological evaluation on the removed samples. The sexual function of all patients was unaffected postoperatively by male sexual function scale (BMSFI and IIEF-5) evaluation. The psychological status of depression, anxiety and stress was all improved after the surgical reconstruction confirmed by the psychological traits scale (DASS) evaluation. Conclusion: Reconstruction with the local rotation flap is a simple, safe and appropriate surgical procedure, achieves satisfactory cosmetic outcome, and maintains intact male sexual function when used for the repair of defect after removal of divided nevi of the penises.

Childhood trauma and the plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α are risk factors for major depressive disorder and schizophrenia in adolescents: A cross-sectional and case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that childhood trauma and inflammation are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ), but previous researches were almost aimed at adults. The aim of the present research is to observe the alteration of peripheral interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in adolescents (12-20 years) with MDD and SZ, to investigate the impact of childhood abuse in early-onset MDD and SZ, and to furtherly explore the correlation between childhood maltreatment and plasma IL-6, TNF-α levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is applied to obtain the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in 55 patients with MDD, 51 patients with SZ and 47 healthy minors. The short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) is used to assess the severity of early trauma. RESULTS: Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels are significantly elevated in patients with early-onset MDD and SZ compared with healthy subjects (p <0.01), whose results display that the correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α is significantly positive (γ=0.787, p <0.01) in all participants. Compared with the healthy adolescents, patients with MDD and SZ show more serious childhood trauma, and the plasma IL-6, TNF-α concentrations are closely related to childhood maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Early trauma and peripheral inflammatory response play an important role in the pathophysiology of early-onset MDD or SZ. The current findings provide effective targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia in adolescents.

[Effects of nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials on crop yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and product quality of corn-cabbage rotation system]. / å‡æ°®é æ–½æœ‰æœºç‰©æ–™å¯¹çŽ‰ç±³-ç™½èœè½®ä½œç³»ç»Ÿä½œç‰©äº§é‡ã€å ‰åˆç‰¹æ€§å’Œäº§å“å“è´¨çš„å½±å“.

Nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials is an important measure to achieve or even increase crop yield retention at the background of fertilizer reduction. We conducted a pot experiment to explore the effects of nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials on yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and product quality of agricultural products of maize-cabbage rotation system in yellow soil area of Guizhou. There were five treatments, including no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF), nitrogen reduction (20%, the same below) combined with biochar (RF+B), nitrogen reduction combined with rapeseed cake (RF+O), and nitrogen reduction combined with both biochar and rapeseed cake (RF+BO). Leaf photosynthetic characteristics were measured in maize (seedling stage, jointing stage, heading stage, and mature stage) and cabbage (seedling stage, growing stage and harvest stage). The biological characters, yield and quality indices were investigated in the harvest period. Compared with CF, RF+BO significantly enhanced the yield of corn and cabbage by 9.7% and 39.2%, respectively, while RF+O had no effect, and RF+B did not affet maize yield. RF+BO improved the biological properties of maize and cabbage, including the 100-kernel weight of maize, and plant height, maximum leaf length and total biomass of cabbage. Furthermore, the green holding period and high photosynthetic duration of maize and cabbage were prolonged, among which, maize leaf SPAD was increased respectively by 42.7%, 11.0%, 12.8%, and 30.3% at seedling, jointing, heading, and mature stages, the cabbage leaf SPAD was increased by 13.5%, 9.2%, and 30.3% in seedling, growing and harvest stages, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of maize was increased by 11.1%, 10.9%, and 119.8% in seedling, jointing, and mature stages, while that of cabbage was increased by 12.7% and 14.6% in growing and harvest stages, respectively. The stomatal conductance (gs) of maize was increased by 58.3% and 41.7% in jointing and harvest stages, while that of cabbage was increased by 10%, 64.7%, and 19.2% in seedling, growing, and harvest stages, respectively. The transpiration rate (Tr) of maize was increased by 55.0%, 10.6%, 14.0%, and 143.9% in seedling, jointing, heading, and mature stages, respectively, while that of cabbage was increased by 26.1% in growing stage. The nutritional quality of maize and cabbage was significantly improved. The contents of reducing sugar, starch, and crude protein in maize were increased by 16.2%, 3.5% and 20.3%. The contents of Vc, amino acid, and reducing sugar in cabbage were increased by 26.3%, 21.0% and 27.8%, separately. In conclusion, 20% nitrogen reduction combined with biochar and rapeseed cake had positive effects on crop growth, yield increase, green retention period, high photosynthetic duration, and agricultural product quality improvement in Guizhou yellow soil maize-cabbage rotation system, the overall effect of which was the best. Nitrogen reduction combined with single organic material overally did not affect crop yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and quality.

Intra-county modeling of COVID-19 infection with human mobility: assessing spatial heterogeneity with business traffic, age and race

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global threat presenting health, economic and social challenges that continue to escalate. Meta-population epidemic modeling studies in the susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) style have played important roles in informing public health and shaping policy making to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These models typically rely on a key assumption on the homogeneity of the population. This assumption certainly cannot be expected to hold true in real situations; various geographic, socioeconomic and cultural environments affect the behaviors that drive the spread of COVID-19 in different communities. Whats more, variation of intra-county environments creates spatial heterogeneity of transmission in different sub-regions. To address this issue, we develop a new human mobility flow-augmented stochastic SEIR-style epidemic modeling framework with the ability to distinguish different regions and their corresponding behavior. This new modeling framework is then combined with data assimilation and machine learning techniques to reconstruct the historical growth trajectories of COVID-19 confirmed cases in two counties in Wisconsin. The associations between the spread of COVID-19 and human mobility, business foot-traffic, race & ethnicity, and age-group are then investigated. The results reveal that in a college town (Dane County) the most important heterogeneity is spatial, while in a large city area (Milwaukee County) ethnic heterogeneity becomes more apparent. Scenario studies further indicate a strong response of the spread rate on various reopening policies, which suggests that policymakers may need to take these heterogeneities into account very carefully when designing policies for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and reopening.

PLCε knockdown prevents serine/glycine metabolism and proliferation of prostate cancer by suppressing YAP.

The metabolic reprogramming is an important basis for the development of many tumors, including prostate cancer (PCa). Metabolic changes in many amino acids consist of serine and glycine affect the biological behavior of them. Phospholipase C epsilon (PLCε) plays an important role as an oncogene. However, its role in regulating amino acid metabolism remains unclear. In this study, results found significantly positive correlation between PLCε and Yes-associated protein (YAP) in PCa tissues. LC-MS/MS and GC-MS results further displayed abnormally elevated levels of serine, glycine and its some downstream metabolites in the blood of PCa patients. Secondly, PLCε knockdown can inhibit serine/glycine producing and proliferation of PCa both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, PLCε may affect the serine/glycine metabolism by regulating dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of YAP. More interestingly, verteporfin (VP, a specific inhibitor of YAP) could effectively enhance the PLCε-depletion induced inhibition of serine/glycine secretion and growth. Overall, this research revealed the possibility of anomalous serine/glycine levels in the blood for the diagnosis of PCa, identified the important role of the PLCε/YAP axis in regulating serine/glycine metabolism, cell proliferation and tumor growth, and suggested the combination of VP with PLCε-depletion may provide a new idea for the treatment of PCa.

Meta-analysis of muscle strength of exercisers undergoing electrical muscle stimulation training / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Electrical muscle stimulation can certainly improve muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass growth, but there are also different research results. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of electrical muscle stimulation as a strength training method on the muscle strength of exercisers through meta-analysis, providing advanced method and evidence-based basis for future strength training in sports field. METHODS: Databases such as PubMed, EBSCO host, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP were searched for randomized controlled trials regarding electrical muscle stimulation for improving the muscle strength of exercisers. The literatures were screened by PICOS principles. The subjects were athletes and healthy controls with exercise experience, and they were divided into electrical stimulation group and control group (without any intervention). According to Cochrane criteria we conduct meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias evaluation through Stata 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, electrical muscle stimulation significantly increased concentric contraction peak torque in exercise population (combined effect: weighted mean difference=8.23, 95% confidence interval: 6.71-9.76, P < 0.000 1), and the effect was most obvious at the age of 20-22 years. Compared with the control group, electrical muscle stimulation significantly increased eccentric contraction peak torque in exercise population (combined effect: weighted mean difference=5.58, 95% confidence interval: 4.16-7.00, P < 0.000 01). The number of included experiments about isometric contraction peak torque was small and it was not suitable for meta-analysis. To conclude, electrical muscle stimulation training can effectively promote the concentric contraction peak torque and eccentric contraction peak torque of the exercise population, and the effect of electrical muscle stimulation as a training method on the muscle strength of exercisers needs to be explored in terms of indicators, ages and subjects.

[Predictive significance of exhaled breath temperature for airway inflammation changes in children with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive significance of exhaled breath temperature (EBT) for airway inflammation changes in children with asthma. METHODS: A total of 60 children with asthma who met the inclusion criteria at the first visit were chosen as the asthma group, and 60 healthy children were selected as the control group. The EBT level was measured by the latest third-generation product (X-halo). The Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) score was recorded. EBT level and C-ACT score were compared between the asthma and control groups. At the subsequent visit one month later, the children were divided into well-controlled, partially-controlled, and uncontrolled groups according to their C-ACT scores. The EBT level and the FeNO level of the three groups were measured. EBT level and C-ACT score were compared among the three groups. The correlation between EBT and FeNO was analyzed. The data of initial diagnosis were reviewed, the EBT level and C-ACT score at the first visit were compared among the three groups, and the differences in EBT level and C-ACT score among the three groups at the second and first visits were evaluated. RESULTS: At the first visit, the asthma group had a significantly higher EBT and a significantly lower C-ACT score compared with the control group (P<0.05). At the time of the subsequent visit, there was a significant difference in EBT level between the three groups, i.e., uncontrolled group > partially-controlled group > well-controlled group (P<0.05), and there was also a significant difference in C-ACT score between the three groups, i.e., well-controlled group > partially-controlled group > uncontrolled group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in EBT level and C-ACT score at the first visit between the three groups. From the first visit to the subsequent visit, EBT level was significantly decreased in the well-controlled group (P<0.05), but significantly increased in both partially-controlled group uncontrolled groups (P<0.05); C-ACT score was significantly increased in the well-controlled and partially-controlled groups (P<0.05), but significantly decreased in the uncontrolled group (P<0.05). EBT and FeNO levels at the subsequent visit were positively correlated with each other in the uncontrolled group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EBT has predictive significance for the changes in airway inflammation in children with asthma.

The roles of PDGFRα signaling in the postnatal development and functional maintenance of the SMC-ICC-PDGFRα+ cell (SIP) syncytium in the colon.

BACKGROUND: The SIP syncytium in the gut consists of smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, and PDGFRα+ cells. We studied the fate of SIP cells after blocking PDGFRα receptor to explore the roles of PDGFRα signaling in the postnatal development and functional maintenance of the SIP syncytium. METHODS: Crenolanib was administered to mice from P0, P10, or P50. The morphological changes in SIP cells were examined by immunofluorescence. Protein expression in SIP cells was detected by Western blotting. Moreover, colonic transit was analyzed by testing the colonic bead expulsion time. KEY RESULTS: A dose of 5 mg(kg•day)-1 crenolanib administered for 10 days beginning on P0 apparently hindered the development of PDGFRα+ cells in the colonic longitudinal muscularis and myenteric plexus without influencing their proliferative activity and apoptosis, but this result was not seen in the colonic circular muscularis. SMCs were also inhibited by crenolanib. A dose of 7.5 mg(kg•day)-1 crenolanib administered for 15 days beginning on P0 caused reductions in both PDGFRα+ cells and ICC in the longitudinal muscularis, myenteric plexus, and circular muscularis. However, when crenolanib was administered at a dose of 5 mg(kg•day)-1 beginning on P10 or P50, it only noticeably decreased the number of PDGFRα+ cells in the colonic longitudinal muscularis. Crenolanib also caused PDGFRα+ cells to transdifferentiate into SMC in adult mice. Colonic transit was delayed after administration of crenolanib. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Therefore, PDGFRα signaling is essential for the development and functional maintenance of the SIP cells, especially PDGFRα+ cells.

miR-93 Promotes the Growth and Invasion of Prostate Cancer by Upregulating Its Target Genes TGFBR2, ITGB8, and LATS2.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of miR-93 on the growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer (PC) cells (PCCs). Real-time PCR was carried out to detect the expression of miR-93 in the PC tissues and cell lines. The adjacent normal tissues served as controls. For in vitro experiments, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, clone formation, tumor cell invasion assays, and western blot analysis (WBA) were performed to confirm the variations in the proliferation and invasiveness of PCCs, prior and subsequent to transfection with an miR-93 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), which blocks miR-93 binding to its target. Furthermore, the effect of miR-93 on the proliferation of PCCs was examined. Finally, the expression levels of the target genes of miR-93 were determined by WBA. miR-93 expression was higher in PC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues, and a reduction in the miR-93 level remarkably inhibited the proliferation and invasiveness of PCCs. Moreover, miR-93 enhanced the expression of its target genes TGFΒR2, ITGB8, and LATS2. The results of this study suggest that miR-93 may promote the proliferation and invasion of PCCs by upregulating its target genes TGFBR2, ITGB8, and LATS2.

Effect of Daunorubicin on Release and Procoagulant Activity of Microparticles Derived from Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of daunorubicin on the number and procoagulant activity of Microparticles derived from acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>APL cells were isolated from bone Marrow of 5 newly diagnosed APL patients, the bone marrow mononuclear cells were collected from 5 patients with iron deficiency anemia as control.APL cells were treated with different concentration of daunorubicin(0.1,0.5,1.0 and 2.0µmol/L) for 24 h. Microparticles were extracted from the cell culture medium for qualitative anaysis of the extracted microparticles.The morphologic features of the microparticles were observed by transmission electron microscopy.The number of microparticles was detected by flow cytometry.The procoagulant activity of microparticles was measured by recalcification time assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under a transmission electron microscope, theextracted microparticles took a round or oval morphology with a transparent center,and their diameters were arund 100nm, consistent with the morphological characteristics of microparticles. Compared with bone marrow mononuclear cells-derived microparticles,the counts of the bone marrow APL cells-derived microparticles significantly increased(P<0.05).Daunorubicin increased the shedding of microparticles in a dose-dependent manner(r=0.73,P<0.01).Compared with normal bone marrow mononuclear cells-derived microparticles,bone marrow APL cells-derived microparticles showed higher procoagulant activity(P<0.05).Daunorubicin treatment enhanced the prccoagulant activity of APL cells-derived microparticles which paralleled the increasing drug concentrations(r=-0.78,P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Daunorubicin can promote the release of APL cells-derived microparticles and enhance their related procoagulan activity.</p>

Mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic re-sponse under high glucose / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic response under high glucose ( HG) by measuring muscle tension of coronary arterial ring and recording voltage -gated K +channel ( Kv) current of coronary artery smooth muscle cells by whole cell patch clamp .METHODS:The coronary rings from the normal SD rats were acutely isolated , and then divided into 6 groups:(1) control group;(2) HG group;(3) HG+low dose (3 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(4) HG+moderate dose (10 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (5) HG+high dose (30 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(6) HG+C6303 (PKC inhibitor) +high dose of quercetin group.Determinations of coronary artery response to vasoconstrictor (60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619) or vasodilator (Ach at 10 -9 ~10 -5 mol/L) were performed, and the percentage of coronary ring tension was calculated using the contraction as 100%caused by 60 mmol/L KCl.The rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells were acutely isolated for recording the Kv current using whole cell patch clamp .RESULTS:Compared with control group , the contraction amplitudes to 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619 were significantly increased under HG incubation .Quercetin intervention concentration-dependently re-duced the coronary artery contraction amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of querce-tin.Compared with control group , the diastolic amplitude to Ach decreased significantly in HG group , and quercetin inter-vention concentration-dependently increased the coronary artery diastolic amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .Compared with control group , HG incubation inhibited Kv current of coronary ar-tery vascular smooth muscle cells significantly , and quercetin intervention attenuated the inhibitory effect of HG on Kv cur-rent intensity .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .CONCLUSION: Quercetin has a protective effect on myogenic response of coronary artery under HG and the effects is related to the increase in Kv cur -rent and the activation of PKC in vascular smooth muscle cells .

Pretreatment with Pam3 CSK4 decreases inflammation in renal tissue from mice with systemic MRSA infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To observe whether pretreatment with Pam3CSK4,a TLR2 agonist,could decrease the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and to investigate the mechanism of the attenuation of inflammation with Pam3CSK4 pretreatment. Methods:BALB/c mice were pretreated with Pam3CSK4 (10 μg/100 μl/each mouse) or PBS via tail vein once daily for two consecutive days. All mice were infected with live MRSA (ATCC43300) at 2×107 CFU/each mouse (via tail vein) 24 h after the second treatment. The levels of cytokines in kidney were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR,respectively. The relative expression of TLR2,IRAKs etc. were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of NF-κB, the expression of IRAK-M and A20,respectively. Results:The level of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CCL3 and IFN-γ in renal tissue from mice pretreated with Pam3CSK4 was decreased significantly compared with that from PBS-treated mice,respectively. Pam3CSK4 pretreatment down-regulated the relative expression of TLR2, inhibited the expression of IRAK-1 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB post infection. The expression of IRAK-M,one of the negative regulators in TLRs signaling pathway was increased significantly in renal tissue from Pam3CSK4-treated mice post infection. Conclusion:Pam3CSK4 pretreatment attenuated the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and these attenuation is related with up-regulation of IRAK-M.

Mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic re-sponse under high glucose / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic response under high glucose ( HG) by measuring muscle tension of coronary arterial ring and recording voltage -gated K +channel ( Kv) current of coronary artery smooth muscle cells by whole cell patch clamp .METHODS:The coronary rings from the normal SD rats were acutely isolated , and then divided into 6 groups:(1) control group;(2) HG group;(3) HG+low dose (3 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(4) HG+moderate dose (10 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (5) HG+high dose (30 μmol/L) of quercetin group;(6) HG+C6303 (PKC inhibitor) +high dose of quercetin group.Determinations of coronary artery response to vasoconstrictor (60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619) or vasodilator (Ach at 10 -9 ~10 -5 mol/L) were performed, and the percentage of coronary ring tension was calculated using the contraction as 100%caused by 60 mmol/L KCl.The rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells were acutely isolated for recording the Kv current using whole cell patch clamp .RESULTS:Compared with control group , the contraction amplitudes to 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619 were significantly increased under HG incubation .Quercetin intervention concentration-dependently re-duced the coronary artery contraction amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of querce-tin.Compared with control group , the diastolic amplitude to Ach decreased significantly in HG group , and quercetin inter-vention concentration-dependently increased the coronary artery diastolic amplitude .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .Compared with control group , HG incubation inhibited Kv current of coronary ar-tery vascular smooth muscle cells significantly , and quercetin intervention attenuated the inhibitory effect of HG on Kv cur-rent intensity .Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C 6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin .CONCLUSION: Quercetin has a protective effect on myogenic response of coronary artery under HG and the effects is related to the increase in Kv cur -rent and the activation of PKC in vascular smooth muscle cells .

Pretreatment with Pam3 CSK4 decreases inflammation in renal tissue from mice with systemic MRSA infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To observe whether pretreatment with Pam3CSK4,a TLR2 agonist,could decrease the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and to investigate the mechanism of the attenuation of inflammation with Pam3CSK4 pretreatment. Methods:BALB/c mice were pretreated with Pam3CSK4 (10 μg/100 μl/each mouse) or PBS via tail vein once daily for two consecutive days. All mice were infected with live MRSA (ATCC43300) at 2×107 CFU/each mouse (via tail vein) 24 h after the second treatment. The levels of cytokines in kidney were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR,respectively. The relative expression of TLR2,IRAKs etc. were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of NF-κB, the expression of IRAK-M and A20,respectively. Results:The level of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,CCL3 and IFN-γ in renal tissue from mice pretreated with Pam3CSK4 was decreased significantly compared with that from PBS-treated mice,respectively. Pam3CSK4 pretreatment down-regulated the relative expression of TLR2, inhibited the expression of IRAK-1 and the phosphorylation of NF-κB post infection. The expression of IRAK-M,one of the negative regulators in TLRs signaling pathway was increased significantly in renal tissue from Pam3CSK4-treated mice post infection. Conclusion:Pam3CSK4 pretreatment attenuated the inflammation response in kidney from mice with systemic MRSA infection,and these attenuation is related with up-regulation of IRAK-M.

Technical improvement in retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: report of 193 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To summarize our experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy,our continuous technical improvements and refinement of this skill and standardization of each procedure of this operation.Methods:Having approved by hospital ethical committee and local government administration,a total of 193 living donors underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy from Dec.2003 to Feb.2016 in our department.Under general anaesthesia,the operation was performed through 3 lumbar ports.After the kidney was liberated fully and the ureter was severed 7-8 cm under the lower pole of the kidney,the renal artery and vein were blocked with endo-cut or hem-o-lok separately and then severed.Then the kidney was taken out quickly and flushed with 4 ℃ kidney preserving fluid immediately,the donor kidneys were then preserved in iced saline until kidney transplantation.Clinical data about operation time,volume of blood loss,perioperative complications,renal function of both donors and recipients before and after operation were collected.Results:The 193 retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy operations were successful with only one operation was converted to open living donor nephrectomy because of hemorrhage and unclear operation field during the operation.The average operation time was 85 min (55-135 min),the average blood loss was 60 mL (20-200 mL),and no donor needed blood transfusion during or after operation.Three donors were found to have hematoma of renal fossa after operation and none of them required further treatment.The average hospital stay after operation was 5.7 days (4-9 days).In the study,162 donors were followed up for an average of 42 months (1-58 months) and they were all healthy.Two kidney recipients had urinary bladder anastomosis leakage after operation and both needed surgical repair,a new anastomosis of ureter and bladder were made.Three kidney recipients had kidney subcapsular hematoma but required no further treatment.One kidney recipient had delayed graft function and recovered finally and the renal function of other recipients were all normal.Renal function of both donors and recipients during the follow up period were normal.Conclusion:Retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy is a safe and reliable technique,it may become a standardized operation for living kidney transplantation after continuous technical improvement.Precautions must be taken to avoid complications and a skilled hand is necessary for success.

Progress in catechins oxidation products and their formation mechanism / 中国中药杂志

Catechins are the key components of tea and have a great impact on its quality. Catechins can be oxidized to form a new black tea polyphenols, some of which have better pharmacological effect. However, the formation mechanism of these new polyphenols is still unclear. In this paper, oxidation products coming from catechins and the formation mechanism of the new compounds are reviewed.It is the base of further study on theaflavins, thearubigins and theabrownines.