An overview of characteristic factors of biochar as a soil improvement tool in rice growth- A review.

Biochar is a growing tool for bioremediation and soil improvement applications. Researchers are focusing on biochar due to its efficacy, eco-friendly composition, and cost-effective solutions to a variety of environmental issues. In recent times biochar has been used in enhancing the soil, increasing nutrient content, and sequestering carbon in paddy cultivation soils. India and Southeast Asian countries consume paddy as a major source of food in large quantities. Therefore, improving the growth condition of paddy fields using an easily available and safe technique will help increase the production rate. This will fulfill the needs of the growing population. Biochar is developed by the thermal decomposition of organic materials in low or no oxygen through pyrolysis, gasification, and co-pyrolysis methods. It improves paddy soil fertility due to its special physicochemical properties such as porosity, high surface area, efficient slow release, nutrient holding capacity, and maintenance of soil microbiota. Considering the importance of biochar in paddy soil fertility, the present work reviews the sources of biochar, functionalization of biochar, mechanism, and beneficial role of biochar.

Unraveling the combined toxicity and removal mechanisms of fluoxetine and sertraline co-contaminants by the freshwater microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (FLX) and sertraline (SER), are among the most widely detected pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments, and they usually occur as mixtures. However, little is known about the combined toxicity of SSRI mixtures to microalgae and the associated removal mechanisms. This study investigated the combined toxicity of FLX and SER to the growth, photosynthetic activity, and antioxidant system of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and their removal mechanisms. The results showed that FLX and SER strongly inhibited microalgal growth with 96 h EC50 values of 493 and 61.1 µg/L, respectively. Additionally, the combined toxicity of FLX and SER towards microalgal growth exhibited an additive effect. After 4 days of short-term exposure, FLX, SER, and their mixtures caused photosynthetic damage and oxidative stress in microalgae, and the mixture's toxicity was stronger than those of individuals. However, the adverse effects on microalgal growth, photosynthetic activity, and antioxidant system were alleviated with increasing exposure time. Meanwhile, C. pyrenoidosa efficiently removed FLX (67.59%-99.08%) and SER (94.92%-99.11%) individually after 11 days of cultivation. Biodegradation (59.25%-86.21%) was the prominent removal mechanism of FLX, while both biodegradation (48.08%-88.17%) and bioaccumulation (4.74%-43.38%) contributed significantly to SER removal. The co-existence of FLX and SER lowered the removal rate and biodegradation amount of both compounds. Besides, SER inhibited C. pyrenoidosa's N-demethylation and O-dealkylation of FLX, while co-existing with FLX inhibited the excretion of the N-deamination product of SER from microalgal cells. Furthermore, the principal component analysis indicated that the removal performance of FLX, SER, and their mixtures correlated strongly to the microalgae's physiological and biochemical states. These results highlighted the significance of co-contamination during ecological risk assessments and microalgae-based bioremediation of SSRIs.

Swertia bimaculata moderated liver damage in mice by regulating intestine microbiota.

Swertia bimaculata (SB) is a medicinal herb in China having an array of therapeutic and biological properties. This study aimed to explore the attenuating effect of SB on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepato-toxicity by regulation of gut microbiome in ICR mice. For this purpose, CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally in different mice groups (B, C, D and E) every 4th day for a period of 47 days. Additionally, C, D, and E groups received a daily dose (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg respectively) of Ether extract of SB via gavage for the whole study period. The results of serum biochemistry analysis, ELISA, H&E staining, and sequencing of the gut microbiome, indicated that SB significantly alleviates the CCl4-induced liver damage and hepatocyte degeneration. The serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly lower in SB treated groups compared to control while levels of glutathione peroxidase were raised. Also, the sequencing data indicate that supplementation with SB could restore the microbiome and its function in CCl4-induced variations in intestinal microbiome of mice by significantly downregulating the abundances of pathogenic intestinal bacteria species including Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Eubacterium, Bifidobacterium while upregulating the levels of beneficial bacteria like Christensenella in the gut. In conclusion, we revealed that SB depicts a beneficial effect against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in mice through the remission of hepatic inflammation and injury, through regulation of oxidative stress, and by restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Precise Modeling of Thermal and Strain Rate Effect on the Hardening Behavior of SiC/Al Composite.

Temperature and strain rate have significant effects on the mechanical behavior of SiC/Al 2009 composites. This research aimed to precisely model the thermal and strain rate effect on the strain hardening behavior of SiC/Al composite using the artificial neural network (ANN). The mechanical behavior of SiC/Al 2009 composites in the temperature range of 298-623 K under the strain rate of 0.001-0.1 s-1 was investigated by a uniaxial tension experiment. Four conventional models were adopted to characterize the plastic flow behavior in relation to temperature, strain rate, and strain. The ANN model was also applied to characterize the flow behavior of the composite at different strain rates and temperatures. Experimental results showed that the plastic deformation behavior of SiC/Al 2009 composite possesses a coupling effect of strain, strain rate, and temperature. Comparing the prediction error of these models, all four conventional models could not provide satisfactory modeling of flow curves at different strain rates and temperatures. Compared to the four conventional models, the suggested ANN structure dramatically improved the prediction accuracy of the flow curves at different strain rates and temperatures by reducing the prediction error to a maximum of 4.0%. Therefore, the ANN model is recommended for precise modeling of the thermal and strain rate effect on the flow curves of SiC/Al composites.

Effects of Strength and Distribution of SiC on the Mechanical Properties of SiCp/Al Composites.

In this paper, considering the strength and geometric discrete distribution characteristics of composite reinforcement, by introducing the discrete distribution function of reinforcement, the secondary development of ABAQUS is realized by using the Python language, the parametric automatic generation method of representative volume elements of particle-reinforced composites is established, and the tensile properties of silicon carbide particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites are analyzed. The effects of particle strength, particle volume fraction, and particle random distribution on the mechanical properties of SiCp/Al composites are studied. The results show that the random distribution of particles and the change in particle strength have no obvious influence on the stress-strain relationship before the beginning of material damage, but have a great influence on the damage stage, maximum strength, and corresponding failure strain. With the increase in particle volume fraction, the damage intensity of the model increases, and the random distribution of particles has a great influence on the model with a large particle volume fraction. The results can provide a reference for the design, preparation, and characterization of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites.

circAMOTL1L Suppresses Renal Cell Carcinoma Growth by Modulating the miR-92a-2-5p/KLLN Pathway.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) contributes to tumor progression; however, the regulatory functions of circRNAs in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain largely unknown. In this study, the function and underlying mechanism of circAMOTL1L in RCC progression were explored. qRT-PCR showed the downregulation of circAMOTL1L in RCC tissues and cell lines. The decrease in circAMOTL1L expression correlated with the tumor stage, metastasis, and poor prognosis in patients with RCC. Functional experiments revealed that circAMOTL1L inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in RCC cells. Subcutaneous implantation with circAMOTL1L-overexpressing cells in nude mice decreased the growth ability of the xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, circAMOTL1L served as a sponge for miR-92a-2-5p in upregulating KLLN (killin, p53-regulated DNA replication inhibitor) expression validated by bioinformatics analysis, oligo pull-down, and luciferase assays. Further, reinforcing the circAMOTL1L-miR-92a-2-5p-KLLN axis greatly reduced the growth of RCC in vivo. Conclusively, our findings demonstrate that circAMOTL1L has an antioncogenic role in RCC growth by modulating the miR-92a-2-5p-KLLN pathway. Thus, targeting the novel circAMOTL1L-miR-92a-2-5p-KLLN regulatory axis might provide a therapeutic strategy for RCC.

LINC00937 suppresses keloid fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition by targeting the miR-28-5p/MC1R axis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the most recently discovered class of noncoding RNAs. LncRNAs play a crucial role in multiple disorders. However, the role and mechanism of action of lncRNAs in keloids remain unclear. Here, qRT-PCR and western blotting assays were performed to determine the expression of genes and proteins, respectively. MTT assays were carried out to measure the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts. In addition, a luciferase activity assay was conducted to investigate the relationships between LINC00937 and miR-28-5p and between miR-28-5p and MC1R. The results showed that LINC00937 and MC1R were decreased, whereas miR-28-5p was increased in keloid tissues. LINC00937 overexpression in keloid fibroblasts could repress the extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and cell proliferation and promote MC1R expression. Moreover, high expression of miR-28-5p and low expression of LINC00937 were detected in keloid fibroblasts. We further showed that LINC00937 promoted MC1R expression by sponging miR-28-5p. Finally, our data indicated that LINC00937 inhibited the ECM deposition and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts by inhibiting miR-28-5p and facilitating MC1R expression. Overall, LINC00937 suppressed the ECM deposition and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts by acting as an miR-28-5p sponge and promoting MC1R expression. Our data suggested that LINC00937 is a potential target for keloid treatment.

JAK-STAT Domain Enhanced MUC1-CAR-T Cells Induced Esophageal Cancer Elimination.

PURPOSE: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have shown to play a vital role in anti-tumor functions in hematological malignancies, but have poor efficacy in solid tumors. To improve the activation and proliferation of CAR-T cell in solid tumors, we constructed an enhanced CAR-T cells to increase the survival of esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To construct enhanced CAR-T cells, we chose MUC1 as the target of CAR-T cells. Long-term co-culture of target cells and effector cells was applied to verify the antitumor activity of these enhanced MUC1-CAR-T cells in vitro. Moreover, a mouse xenograft model was established to investigate the effects of enhanced MUC1-CAR-T cells on tumor elimination in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro studies showed that enhanced MUC1-CAR-T cells have long-lasting tumor killing and proliferative capabilities. Moreover, animal experiments verified that enhanced MUC1-CAR-T cells had significant antitumor function and a prolonged half-life by subcutaneous transplantation models of esophageal cancer and PDX models of esophageal cancer, in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that enhanced MUC1-CAR-T cells have a significant cytotoxic effect on esophageal cancer, and may likely to provide a novel strategy for the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Role of the p53­TRPM1/miR­211­MMP9 axis in UVB­induced human melanocyte migration and its potential in repigmentation.

Clinical studies have proven that ultraviolet B (UVB) based phototherapy can induce perifollicular and marginal repigmentation patterns in the skin of vitiligo patients. It is, however, difficult to conceive how melanocytes can easily exit from their tightly interconnected epidermal microenvironment to re­enter a different location in the skin to establish a new network with neighboring keratinocytes. While it is known that matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) is involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix in physiological or pathological processes, little is known about whether MMP9 affects melanocyte migration in vitiligo repigmentation. To investigate the effects of the p53­ transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 1 (TRPM1)/microRNA (miR/miRNA)­211­MMP9 axis to regulate melanocyte migration following exposure to UVB, the expression profile of MMP9 in cultured human melanocytes transfected with or without the miR­211­mimic and p53­GFP lentiviral vector, respectively were determined. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to examine p53, TRPM1 and MMP9 mRNA and protein levels in UVB­exposed and unexposed cells. The capacity of melanocytes to migrate on collagen IV substrate was estimated using a Transwell migration assay. Interestingly, the upregulation of p53 and MMP9 at the mRNA and protein levels was evident in melanocytes treated with single or repeat exposures to UVB, whereas levels of TRPM1 and miR­211 were significantly suppressed in UVB­exposed melanocytes compared with the UVB­unexposed control cells. These results indicate that the p53­TRPM1/miR­211­MMP9 axis is significantly activated in melanocytes exposed to UVB. Notably, the ability of melanocyte migration was altered by the overexpression of p53 using a lentiviral vector and by the upregulation of miR­211 using an miRNA mimic. That altered migration could be neutralized by co­treatment with GM6001 (a broad­spectrum MMP inhibitor). Overall, these results show that the MMP9­mediated migration of melanocytes is regulated by a novel mechanism driven by the p53­TRPM1/miR­211­MMP9 axis. Activation of the p53­TRPM1/miR­211­MMP9 axis potentially represents an attractive therapeutic target to improve repigmentation outcomes in vitiligo patients.

[Effect of swimming exercise on MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissue of insulin resistance rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of chronic and acute swimming exercise intervention on the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1(ERK1) phosphorylation level in adipose tissues of obesityinduced insulin resistance rats. METHODS: A total of 100 SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10) fed with normal diet and high-fat diet group(n=90) fed with high fat diet. After 8 weeks, one third rats(n=30) with upper weight in high-fat diet group were selected and randomly divided into high-fat diet sedentary group(n=10), chronic exercise group(n=10) and acute exercise group(n=10). Under another 8-week high-fat diet feeding, exercise intervention was performed according to the exercise procedure; control group was fed with normal diet for 8 weeks. After exercise intervention, visceral adipose tissues were separated and MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissue was detected by Western blot method. RESULTS: Chronic exercise intervention significantly reduced body weight, visceral fat weight and visceral fat weight/body weight ratio(P<0. 01), and acute exercise intervention had no significant effect on body weight, visceral fat weight and visceral fat weight/body weight ratio. Both chronic and acute exercise intervention significantly increased body insulin sensitivity(P<0. 05), as well as significantly decreased MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissues(P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: The improvement of obesity-induced insulin resistance by exercise might be related to inhibited phosphorylation of MEK and ERK1 in adipose tissues.

miR-9 regulates melanocytes adhesion and migration during vitiligo repigmentation induced by UVB treatment.

The decreased adhesion ability of melanocytes to the neighboring keratinocytes prompts melanocytes to lose from the epidermis, comprising the critical step in vitiligo pathogenesis. The repigmentation process involves the migration of melanocytes to the lesional area. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA (miR)-9 in the adhesion and migration of melanocytes during vitiligo repigmentation induced by UVB treatment. The HaCaT keratinocytes were used to mimic lesional condition and the PIG1 melanocytes as perilesional condition. Human lesional vitiligo specimens showed increased miR-9 and decreased adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin and ß1 integrin. Furthermore, UVB exposure upregulated IL-10, E-cadherin, and ß1 integrin, downregulated miR-9 in HaCaT cells. Moreover, the increased IL-10 by UVB exposure decreased miR-9 level by inducing miR-9 methylation via methyltransferase DNMT3A in HaCaT cells. Additionally, miR-9 targeted and inhibited E-cadherin and ß1 integrin in HaCaT cells, and suppressed migration of PIG1 cells to UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. In conclusion, miR-9 was suppressed by IL-10 and inhibited migration of PIG1 cells to HaCaT cells during UVB-mediated vitiligo repigmentation.

Choice of Capecitabine or S1 in Combination with Oxaliplatin based on Thymidine Phosphorylase and Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Expression Status in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of capecitabine or S-1 plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX or SOX) for treating thymidine phosphorylase (TP)- or dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)-positive advanced gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with stage IIIC to IV gastric cancer were assessed for TP and DPD expression by immunohistochemistry. The association between CAPOX or SOX efficacy and TP/DPD expression was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the objective remission rate (ORR, 52.27% vs. 47.62%; P>0.05), disease control rate (72.73% vs. 73.81%, P>0.05), progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.119; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.739-1.741; P=0.586), and overall survival (OS; HR, 0.855; 95% CI, 0.481-1.511; P=0.588) between CAPOX and SOX. A higher number of stage IV patients showed TP positivity, while DPD-positive patients predominantly showed intestinal type of gastric cancer. In TP-positive patients, the ORRs associated with CAPOX and SOX treatments were 57.14% and 38.10%, respectively; OS was better with CAPOX than with SOX (HR, 0.447; 95% CI, 0.179-0.978; P=0.046). Among DPD-positive patients, the SOX treatment-associated ORR (60.87%) was significantly higher than the CAPOX treatment-associated ORR (43.48%). Furthermore, SOX treatment resulted in better OS than did CAPOX treatment (HR, 2.020; 95% CI, 1.019-4.837; P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in clinical efficacy was found between CAPOX and SOX. TP-positive patients might respond better to CAPOX while DPD-positive patients may respond better to SOX. Our findings might serve as a guide for personalized chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

Relevance between GerdQ score and the severity of reflux esophagitis in Uygur and Han Chinese.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GerdQ) was used to investigate the inpatients with typical reflux related symptoms in Gastroenterology. According to heartburn, regurgitation, abdominal pain, nausea, sleep disorders, whether taking over the counter (OTC) drugs 6 points to score. Using endoscopy as the gold standard for the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis (RE), and the results were compared with GerdQ score to determine the threshold value for RE, to analyze the distribution of GerdQ score for patients with RE, to assess the relationship between the GerdQ score and the severity of RE. A total of 1233 patients were enrolled in this study, including 538 patients had RE and 695 had not. There was statistical significance in the GerdQ score of RE group and non-RE group (P <0.05), showing that significant correlation between the score and the occurrence of RE. GerdQ score and the severity of RE were positively correlated. Further research also showed that there was a direct correlation between GerdQ score and the severity of RE in the Uygur and Han. GerdQ seems to be an useful screening tool in initial diagnosis of RE, and positively correlated with the severity of RE.

Autologous cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy may improve overall survival in advanced malignant melanoma patients.

AIMS: Our study was conducted to explore the efficacy of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in patients with advanced malignant melanoma. Materials & Methods: Here we reviewed 113 stage IV malignant melanoma patients among which 68 patients received CIK cell immunotherapy alone, while 45 patients accepted CIK cell therapy combined with chemotherapy. Results: We found that the median survival time in CIK cell group was longer than the combined therapy group (21 vs 15 months, p = 0.07). In addition, serum hemoglobin level as well as monocyte proportion and lymphocyte count were associated with patients' survival time. CONCLUSIONS: These indicated that CIK cell immunotherapy might extend survival time in advanced malignant melanoma patients. Furthermore, serum hemoglobin level, monocyte proportion and lymphocyte count could be prognostic indicators for melanoma.

Effects of huangqi and bear bile on recurrent parotitis in children: a new clinical approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile capsule and Huangqi granule, on recurrent parotitis in children. METHODS: In this prospective, controlled, and randomized study, a total of 151 young children were divided into three groups: Group A included massaging the children's parotid region and melting vitamin C in their mouth daily; Group B included swallowing bear bile capsule and Huangqi granule daily; and Group C included massages and vitamin C as prescribed in Group A, and traditional Chinese medicine as prescribed in Group B. Children were treated individually for one month and then a follow-up study was conducted for 1 to 3.5 years. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Ridit analysis were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The recurrence rate decreased in every group, but was significantly more in Groups B and C when compared to Group A. The recurrences significantly decreased (P<0.01) in Group B and their recovery rate was as high as 63%, significantly better than those of the other groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Huangqi and bear bile could be a novel clinical approach for treating recurrent parotitis in children.

A review of the most economically important poisonous plants to the livestock industry on temperate grasslands of China.

The majority of the literature on poisonous plant species in China is published in Chinese and not available to the majority of interested researchers and grassland managers in other countries. Therefore, a review of the Chinese literature was conducted to summarize the occurrence of poisonous plant species on temperate grasslands in China. We reviewed the literature to obtain general information on poisonous species but focus on locoweeds (Astragalus and Oxytropis spp.), drunken horse grass [Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng ex Tzvelev] and langdu (Stellera chamaejasme L.) for information on their toxins, distribution and ecology, control methods and alternate uses. Of the almost 1300 poisonous species found on grasslands in China, these species are responsible for an estimated 80% of all livestock losses. This includes loss of performance as well as mortality. The locoweeds are a complex made up of Oxytropis and Astragalus species. The toxic principle in this complex, as well as in drunken horse grass, is the result of an endophyte fungus whereas in langdu it is produced by the plant. All these species are native to the grasslands, which suggest they have been a problem ever since herding began. Over that period of at least several millennia, herders would have learned and adapted to the presence of poisonous species. Strategies were developed and therapies employed to allow the animals to cope before and after poisoning. Nevertheless, grazing management could still be refined that would allow the use of the toxic legumes, while preventing poisonous symptoms, as has been tested elsewhere.

Preparation of Pt/{PDDA-GN/PSS-GN}n multilayer films and their electrocatalytic activity regarding methanol oxidation.

The stable aqueous dispersion solutions of polymer-modified graphene were prepared by reduction with hydrazine hydrate in situ from exfoliated graphite oxides in the presence of poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), respectively. The multilayer films consisting of PDDA-GN and PSS-GN were fabricated on the substrate by layer-by-layer self-assembly technique and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). The multilayer films were used as a novel catalyst support for electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticle clusters in situ. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that Pt particles had been immobilized on the surface of {PDDA-GN/PSS-GN}(n) multilayer films. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric curves were used to study electrocatalytic activity of Pt/{PDDA-GN/PSS-GN}(n) multilayer films regarding methanol oxidation. The results indicated good electrocatalytic activity of the titled multilayer composites toward methanol oxidation in the 0.5 M H(2)SO(4).

Operating condition influences on PCDD/Fs emissions from sinter pot tests with hot flue gas recycling.

This study was designed to clarify the influence of operating conditions on the formation and emissions of polychlorinated-p-dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from a sintering process with hot flue gas recycling. A pilot scale sinter pot with simulated flue gas recycling was developed, and four key operational parameters, including temperature, oxygen content of the simulated waste flue gas, the coke rate of the sintering mixture, and the quicklime quality, were selected for exploring PCDD/Fs formation. The results showed that the temperature of the recycled flue gas had a major affect on PCDD/Fs formation, and a high temperature could significantly increase their formation during sintering. A clear linear correlation between the temperature of recycling flue gas and PCDD/Fs emission (r = 0.93) was found. PCDD/Fs could be reduced to a certain extent by decreasing the level of oxygen in the recycled flue gas, while sintering quality was unchanged. The coke rate had no significant influence on the formation of PCDD/Fs, but the quality of quicklime used in the sintering mixture could affect not only the amount of PCDD/Fs emissions but also the sintering productivity. Compared with a benchmark sinter pot test, PCDD/Fs emissions markedly decreased with improvements to quicklime quality. However, the reduction in PCDD/Fs emissions realized by using high-quality quicklime was limited by the temperature of the inlet gas. The highest reduction achieved was 51% compared with conventional quicklime when the temperature of the inlet gas was 150 degrees C.

[Hemodynamic characteristics of chronic congestive heart failure model in awake Beagle dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the hemodynamic changes of chronic congestive heart failure(CHF) model induced by rapid right ventricular pacing after myocardial infarction in awake Beagle dogs. METHODS: Five healthy adult male Beagle dogs were prepared for surgery. After the probes for measurement and the pacing leads were implanted, the left anterior descending artery was ligated during the surgery to induce myocardial infarction in the anterior wall of the left ventricle close to the apex. Six weeks after the surgery, rapid right ventricular pacing was initiated at the rate of 220 to 260 beats per minute for 4 weeks to induce CHF. Echocardiography was performed before the surgery. Both echocardiography and hemodynamic measurement were carried out before the rapid pacing and 4 weeks after the rapid pacing when the Beagle dogs were awake. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in left ventricle end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricle ejective fraction (LVEF), and fractional shortening (FS) between pre-operation and pre-pacing. LVEDD [(44.71+/-3.35) vs. (38.01+/-1.54) mm] and left ventricle end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) [(25.63+/-1.86) vs. (10.58+/-1.23) mmHg] at 4 weeks after pacing significantly increased compared with the pre-pacing data(P<0.05). LVEF, FS, and LV dp/dt max were significantly declined (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Left ventricle remodeling and hemodynamic changes in the Beagle dog CHF models produced by rapid right ventricular pacing after myocardial infarction are similar to the changes observed in CHF of human beings.

Clinical and genetic mapping of X chromosome in the X-linked dominant inherited Alport's syndrome.

To study the hereditary mode and clinical characteristics and detect mutations of gene COL4A5 encoding type IV collagen a5 chain among family members of an X-linked dominant inherited Alport's syndrome (AS) family of China, we studied all of 38 family members of whom 2 volunteers underwent renal biopsy. Genomic DNA from all members of the AS family was characterized. All of 51 exons of COL4A5 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the primers synthesized according to the published flanking intervening sequences. PCR products were further analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The study subjects revealing polymorphism by SSCP analysis were directly sequenced. Suspected exons were analyzed with reverse sequencing. Six males and 9 females of the family were diagnosed to have AS by clinical manifestations, family history and/or renal biopsy. Four patients died of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and 1 patient received kidney transplantation. In the rest of the family members renal function remained normal, however, 22 (58%) revealed hematuria, 11/22 (59%) of them also had proteinuria. The hearing loss was detected in 6 (16%) and ocular lesion in 20 (53%) of family members. By PCR-SSCP analysis, 17 PCR products were identified with different mobility of single strand DNA in volunteers and 9 suspected mutations were revealed with DNA sequencing analysis, but all of which could not be proven by bidirectional sequencing analysis. We conclude that the incidence of hematuria and ophthalmopathy is higher in the X-linked dominant inherited AS in this Chinese family, while some patients have isolated hematuria. Bidirectional sequence analysis should be taken to identify mutations of certain genes. No mutations were found on the region of exons of gene COL4A5.