Exercise promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating the long non-coding RNA H19/microRNA-149 axis.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence is beneficial to bone development, as evidenced by the ability to increase bone density and peak bone mass by promoting bone formation. AIM: To investigate the effects of exercise on bone formation in growing mice and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: 20 growing mice were randomly divided into two groups: Con group (control group, n = 10) and Ex group (treadmill exercise group, n = 10). Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and micro-CT scanning were used to assess the bone formation-related indexes of the mouse femur. Bioinformatics analysis was used to find potential miRNAs targets of long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19). RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to confirm potential miRNA target genes of lncRNA H19 and the role of lncRNA H19 in promoting osteogenic differentiation. RESULTS: Compared with the Con group, the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 was also significantly increased. The micro-CT results showed that 8 wk moderate-intensity treadmill exercise significantly increased bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and the number of trabeculae, and decreased trabecular segregation in the femur of mice. Inhibition of lncRNA H19 significantly upregulated the expression of miR-149 and suppressed the expression of markers of osteogenic differentiation. In addition, knockdown of lncRNA H19 significantly downregulated the expression of autophagy markers, which is consistent with the results of autophagy-related protein changes detected in mouse femurs by immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: Appropriate treadmill exercise can effectively stimulate bone formation and promote the increase of bone density and bone volume in growing mice, thus enhancing the peak bone mass of mice. The lncRNA H19/miR-149 axis plays an important regulatory role in osteogenic differentiation.

Prophylactic uterine artery embolization during cesarean delivery for management of hemorrhage in complete placenta previa: An observational study.

Complete placenta previa is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and fetuses. This study aimed to evaluate whether prophylactic uterine artery embolization (PUAE) could reduce bleeding in patients with complete placenta previa. We retrospectively analyzed patients with complete placenta previa admitted to Taixing People's Hospital for elective cesarean delivery between January 2019 and December 2020. The women were treated with PUAE (PUAE group, n = 20) or without (control group, control, n = 20). Risk factors for bleeding (age, gestational age, pregnancy times, delivery times, cesarean delivery times), intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin difference before and after surgery, transfusions volume, hysterectomy cases, major maternal complication cases, neonatal birth weight, neonatal Apgar score in 1 minute, postoperative hospitalization time were compared between 2 groups. There were no significant differences on risk factors for bleeding, neonatal birth weight, neonatal Apgar score in 1 minute, postoperative hospitalization time between 2 groups. However, the intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin before and after operation, transfusion volume in the PUAE group was significantly lower than the control. There was no case of hysterectomy or major maternal complications in both groups. PUAE during cesarean may be an effective and safe strategy to reduce intraoperative blood loss and transfusion volume for patients with complete placenta previa.

Measuring the Ocular Morphological Parameters of Guinea Pig Eye with Edge Detection and Curve Fitting.

AIM: To identify the guinea pig eyeball with edge detection and curve fitting and devise a noncontact technology of measuring ocular morphological parameters of small experimental animal. METHODS: Thirty-nine eyeballs of guinea pig eyeballs were photographed to obtain the anterior and posterior surface; transverse and sagittal planes after the eyeballs were eviscerated. Next, the eyeball photos were input into digital image analysis software; the corresponding photo pixels-actual length ratio was acquired by a proportional scale. The contour lines of the eyeballs were identified by edge detection technology; conic curve fitting was applied to fit the contour line of the eyeball. The maximum and minimum diameters, the horizontal and vertical diameters, eccentricity, tilt angle, cross-sectional area, equatorial circumference, retrobulbar equatorial maximum length, corneal radius of curvature (CRC) in central region, and the whole cornea were calculated according to the geometric principles. The corneal data of in vitro study were compared with the in vivo results. RESULTS: The contour line of the selected guinea pig eye was identified correctly by edge detection. There were no significant differences between anterior and posterior surfaces of one eyeball in the maximum diameters, eccentricity, cross-sectional area, equatorial circumference, and tilt angle (P > 0.01). There were significant differences of eccentricity and CRC between central region and the whole cornea (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between keratometer in vivo and cornea in vitro. CONCLUSION: It was feasible to measure an experimental animal eye in a noncontact way. Edge detection and curve fitting technology could accurately evaluate the ocular morphological parameters.

Optimal incision sites to reduce corneal aberration variations after small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

AIM: To analyze the effect of steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery on anterior, posterior and total corneal wavefront aberration. METHODS: Steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed in age-related cataract patients which were divided into three groups according to the incision site: 12 o'clock, 9 o'clock and between 9 and 12 o'clock (BENT) incision groups. The preoperative and 3-month postoperative root mean square (RMS) values of anterior, posterior and total corneal wavefront aberration including coma, spherical aberration, and total higher-order aberrations (HOAs), were measured by Pentacam scheimpflug imaging. The mean preoperative and postoperative corneal wavefront aberrations were documented. RESULTS: Total corneal aberration and total lower-order aberrations decreased significantly in three groups after operation. RMS value of total HOAs decreased significantly postoperatively in the 12 o'clock incision group (P<0.001). Corneal spherical aberration was statistically significantly lower after steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery in BENT incision group (P<0.05) and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that spherical aberration changes had no significant relationship with total astigmatism changes in all three corneal incision location. CONCLUSION: Corneal incision of phacoemulsification cataract surgery can affect corneal wavefront aberration. The 12 o'clock corneal incision eliminated more HOAs and the spherical aberrations decreased in BENT incision group obviously when we selected steep meridian small incision. Cataract lens replacement using wavefront-corrected intraocular lens combined with optimized corneal incision site would improve ocular aberration results.

Periplaneta americana extract used in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Periplaneta americana extract is recognized to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa. This study aimed to investigate the effects of periplaneta americana extract on immune function, nutrition status and gastrointestinal complications of early enteral nutrition patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS: Patients with SIRS were randomly divided into two groups: treatment and control groups. All patients in the two groups received conventional therapy including enteral nutrition, but periplaneta americana extract, an additional Chinese medicine, was given to the patients in the treatment group. At the beginning of treatment (0 day) and 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the levels of immunoglobulin (IgA), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total protein (TP) and prealbumin (PA) were respectively tested in patients' venous blood. The incidences of bloating, diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia and high blood sugar at 7 days after treatment were recorded. The mortality of the patients in 28 days was recorded. RESULTS: At 3 and 7 days after treatment, the levels of IgA and TLC in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 7 days after treatment, the levels of TP and PA in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of bloating and diarrhea in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The mortality of treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Periplaneta americana extract could reduce gastrointestinal complications and improve immune function and nutritional status in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

[Development of biphasic drug-loading lipid emulsion of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its quality evaluation].

The feasibility of simultaneously loading both liposoluble and water-soluble components of Salvia miltiorrhiza in emulsion was discussed, in order to provide new ideas in comprehensive application of effective components in S. miltiorrhiza in terms of technology of pharmaceutics. With tanshinone II (A) and salvianolic acid B as raw materials, soybean phospholipid and poloxamer 188 as emulsifiers, and glycerin as isoosmotic regulator, the central composite design-response surface method was employed to optimize the prescription. The coarse emulsion was prepared with the high-speed shearing method and then homogenized in the high pressure homogenizer. The biphasic drug-loading intravenous emulsion was prepared to investigate its pharmaceutical properties and stability. The prepared emulsion is orange-yellow, with the average diameter of 241 nm and Zeta potential of -35.3 mV. Specifically, the drug loading capacity of tanshinone II (A) and salvianolic acid B were 0.5 g x L(-1) and 1 g x L(-1), respectively, with a good stability among long-term retention samples. According to the results, the prepared emulsion could load liposoluble tanshinone II (A) and water-soluble salvianolic acid B simultaneously, which lays a pharmaceutical foundation for giving full play to the efficacy of S. miltiorrhiza.

[Analysis of resistance tendency of bloodstream-infecting pathogens in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the resistance profiles and the trend of bloodstream-infecting pathogens isolated from hospitalized patients during 2004-2010. METHODS: The bloodstream isolates were collected from 18 hospitals in 17 cities. Minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) were determined using the agar dilution method recommended by CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute), and susceptibility results were analyzed according to the 2011 CLSI guideline. RESULTS: Among the 2004-2005, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 periods, the proportions of clinical isolates were similar; 43.1% (149 isolates), 34.0% (151 isolates) and 47.5% (776 isolates) for Gram positive strains, 56.9% (197 isolates), 66.0% (293 isolates) and 52.5% (858 isolates) for Gram negative strains, respectively. The isolating rate of MRSA was 54.1% (20/37) in 2007-2008, which was the highest among the 3 periods during 2004 to 2010, while it decreased in 2009-2010 (36.5%, 62/170). The MRCNS proportions were similar across the 3 periods. One (1.8%) vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and 1 linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis were found. Although the isolating rates of penicillin non-sensitive strains (oral) were similar between 2009-2010 and 2007-2008 [54.5% (6/11) and 53.9% (7/13), respectively], the resistant rates increased from 0% in 2007-2008 to 30.8% (4/13) in 2009-2010. The results were similar according to the non-meningitis criterion (IV), and the susceptibility rates decreased from 100.0% (11 isolates) in 2007-2008 to 84.6% (11/13) in 2009-2010. ESBL-harboring strains in E. coli were similar among the 3 periods during 2004 to 2010 [66.7% (30/45), 73.2% (71/97) and 67.9% (233/343), respectively]. ESBL-producing strains in Klebsilla pnuemoniae decreased year after year, 72.4% (21/29), 50.0% (18/36) and 41.1% (65/158) in 2004-2005, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010, respectively. Except that the sensitive rate of Enterobacter cloacae to ertapenem was 80% (32/40), the sensitive rates of other strains to carbapenems were still above 90% and the resistance rates were less than 5%. Acinetobacter baumannii had the highest multi-drug resistance rate (81.8%, 81/99). One strain (1.0%, 1/99) of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated in 2009-2010 was reported to be pan-resistant. CONCLUSIONS: We are facing a more serious situation of bacterial resistance. Acinetobacter baumannii resistance was most serious, usually with the characteristics of multiple drug resistance, and even pan-resistance. Carbapenems remain to be the most effective against enterobacteriaceae. Strains resistant to novel antibiotics (linezolid and tigecycline) have emerged.

Granulation of nitrifying bacteria in a sequencing batch reactor for biological stabilisation of source-separated urine.

Biological stabilisation of human urine highly depends on the abundance and activities of nitrifying bacteria. However, it is quite difficult to enrich nitrifiers as bio-aggregation by self-immobilized biomass. In this study, granulation of nitrifying bacteria involving inoculation strategy was developed. Two sequencing batch reactors, the one inoculated with nitrifying bacteria and the other inoculated with aerobic granules, were operated in laboratory side by side with a feeding of urine solution. Aerobic nitrifying granules (ANG), with compact morphological structure and good nitrifying activity, were achieved in the reactor inoculated with aerobic granules. Enrichment of nitrifying bacteria favors the nutrient uptake, and hence, to obtain a high ammonia oxidation efficiency. Nonetheless, nitrite accumulation gradually dominated in reactor, partly attributes to a high concentration of free nitrous acid and free ammonia in bulk. The matured ANG had a rather stable microbial profile, as that a number of activated bacteria occupied the surface of granule. It was also found that ANG were much more impermeable than aerobic granules and activated sludge, which was demonstrated as smaller porosities, and therewith an excellent settleability. The results herein reveal that granulation of nitrifying bacteria could enrich the biomass to implement stabilisation of urine in biological way.

[Findings of electric bronchoscopy in 67 children with recurrent wheezing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the common causes of recurrent wheezing in young children. METHODS: Electronic bronchoscopy was performed on 67 children with recurrent wheezing or who did not respond to the conventional treatment. RESULTS: The electronic bronchoscopy showed intimitis in trachea and bronchi in 19 cases, intimitis and inflammatory stricture in 11 cases, foreign bodies in the bronchi in 11 cases, trachea and bronchus softening in 19 cases, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in 3 cases. The other 4 cases presented endometrial tuberculosis, epiglottic cyst, laryngeal papilloma or compression outside trachea (thymus) under the electronic bronchoscope. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to inflammation, trachea and bronchus softening as well as foreign bodies in the bronchi are also the common causes in children with recurrent wheezing or who do not respond to the conventional treatment. Electronic bronchoscopy appears to be an effective way to determine the cause in these children.

[Detection of Haemophilus influenzae by multiplex polymerase chain reaction method].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid method for detecting Haemophilus influenzae by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR). METHODS: Primers (Hi) were designed for amplification of p6 gene coding P6 protein of Haemophilus influenzae, which was used to identify Haemophilus influenzae species. Primers (Hi-cap) were designed for amplification of bexA gene which coding capsular polysaccharide (cap) synthesis was used for detecting whether Haemophilus influenzae isolates possess bexA gene relating to cap synthesis. Twelve primers (Hia-Hif) were designed for amplification of cap synthesis gene to identify the cap-type of Haemophilus influenzae. Other relative enteric pathogenic bacteria were amplified by M-PCR to serve as controls. 200 strains isolated from patients were identified. Results from M-PCR were compared to two methods including V and X factors grow requirement test and standard slide agglutination serotyping (SAST). RESULTS: The results indicated that the M-PCR assay was high specificity and sensitivity and might be valuable for differential diagnosis of Haemophilus influenzae. The sensitivity of detection was 0.935 pg. 189 strains out of the 200 belonged to Haemophilus influenzae isolates, and one isolate was cap-type f. An agreement results were seen among the V and X factors grow requirement test, SAST and M-PCR methods. CONCLUSION: M-PCR method showed satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and stability for detecting and identifying Haemophilus influenzae, and could be used in clinic diagnosis, surveillance and rapid diagnosis for plague of Haemophilus influenzae.

[Determination of the lung function by impulse oscillometry in 549 healthy children in Chengdu area].

OBJECTIVE: Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a new method for determination of breathing mechanics, which features convenient operation, good repeatability and wider range analysis. As there is no standardized normal value in China at present, this study will provide a normal value of lung function determination by impulse oscillometry for children in Chengdu area. METHOD: Totally 549 children were chosen at random from Chengdu area, with 292 boys and 257 girls who were 4 to 14 years old. The subjects were assigned into 10 age groups according to their chronological age with one year difference between every two adjacent groups. The respiratory total impedance (Zrs), viscosity resistance (Rrs) and elastic resistance (Xrs) at various oscillation frequency were measured by the Master Screen IOS which was manufactured by German Jaeger Company. The measured data were treated with the linear stepwise multiple regression, and established the prediction equation. At the same time, paired comparison was carried out with the measured data and equation obtained from this study, Lechtenboerger equation and prediction equation obtained from Guangzhou area. RESULT: The total impedance and airway resistance were negatively correlated with the children's height and age. Zrs (male) = -0.756 + 189.586/height, r = -0.782, P < 0.001; Zrs (female) = -0.497 + 152.468/height, r = -0.726, P < 0.001. Rrs became the same in trend; while Xrs were proportional to the height, e.g. the values increased as the height increased. The difference of the airway resistance (R(5)-R(20)) was negatively correlated with the children's height: R(5)-R(20) (male) = 0.601 - 0.0034 x height, r = -0.677, P < 0.001; R(5)-R(20) (female) = 0.549 - 0.0031 x height, r = -0.658, P < 0.001. Among the relationships with many impulse oscillometry parameters, height ranked at first place; age at second. The multiple regression equation of IOS primary index was established. Both the measured data and the correlation coefficient of the study obtained equation were greater than the coefficient correlation of the Lechtenboerger equation, but had no significant difference compared with that of prediction equation in Guangzhou area. CONCLUSION: The normal value in impulse oscillometry in children in Chengdu area is different from the predicted parameters in other countries. The equation obtained from this study seems to be more suitable for the children in its local area. It is recommended to apply the predicted value from the corresponding population in the determination of the lung function by impulse oscillometry.

Influence of different substrates on the formation and characteristics of aerobic granules in sequencing batch reactors.

The effects of different substrates on the aerobic granulation process were studied using laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Four parallel granules sequencing batch reactors (GSBR): R1, R2, R3, and R4 were fed with acetate, glucose, peptone and fecula, respectively. Stable aerobic granules were successfully cultivated in R1, R2, R4, and smaller granules less than 500 microm were formed in R3. Morphology and the physic-chemical characteristics of aerobic granules fed with different carbon substrates were investigated by the four reactors operated under the same pressure. The aerobic granules in the four reactors were observed and found that peptone was the most stable one due to its good settleability even after a sludge age as short as 10 d. A strong correlation was testified between the characteristics of aerobic granules and the properties of carbon substrates. The stability of aerobic granules was affected by extracellular polymer substances (EPS) derived from microorganism growth during feast time fed with different carbon substrates, and the influence of the property of storage substance was greater than that of its quantity. Optimal carbon substrates, which are helpful in the cultivation and retention of well-settling granules and in the enhancement of the overall ability of the aerobic granules reactors, were found.