Clinical characteristics and acute complication of COVID-19 patients with diabetes: a multicenter, retrospective study in Southern China.

Aims: This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory data and complications of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) since epidemic prevention and control optimization was adjusted in December 2022 in China. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 298 patients with confirmed type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without COVID-19. We collected data from the first wave of the pandemic in The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Loudi Central Hospital and The First People's Hospital of Xiangtan from December 1, 2022 to February 1, 2023. We extracted baseline data, clinical symptoms, acute complications, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome data of each patient from electronic medical records. Results: For among 298 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes, 136 (45.6%) were COVID-19 uninfected, and 162 (54.4%) were COVID-19 infected. We found that the incidence of cough, fatigue, fever, muscle soreness, sore throat, shortness of breath, hyposmia, hypogeusia and polyphagia (all p<0.01) were significantly higher in the exposure group. They showed higher levels of ketone (p=0.04), creatinine (p<0.01), blood potassium (p=0.01) and more diabetic ketoacidosis (p<0.01). Patients with COVID-19 less use of metformin (p<0.01), thiazolidinediones (p<0.01) and SGLT2 (p<0.01) compared with patients without COVID-19. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with diabetes showed more severe respiratory and constitutional symptoms and an increased proportion of hyposmia and hypogeusia. Moreover, COVID-19 patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of acute complications, are more prone to worsening renal function, and are more cautious about the use of antidiabetic drugs.

In situ assembly of nickel-based ultrathin catalyst film for water oxidation.

A nickel-based ultrathin catalyst film is assembled in situ from a solution of Ni(OAc)2 and a Schiff-base ligand L. The resulting ultrathin catalyst film shows a low overpotential of 330 mV, a steady current of 7 mA cm-2 for water oxidation over 10 h.

Tracking an FeV (O) Intermediate for Water Oxidation in Water.

High-valent iron-oxo species are appealing for conducting O-O bond formation for water oxidation reactions. However, their high reactivity poses a great challenge to the dissection of their chemical transformations. Herein, we introduce an electron-rich and oxidation-resistant ligand, 2-[(2,2'-bipyridin)-6-yl]propan-2-ol to stabilize such fleeting intermediates. Advanced spectroscopies and electrochemical studies demonstrate a high-valent FeV (O) species formation in water. Combining kinetic and oxygen isotope labelling experiments and organic reactions indicates that the FeV (O) species is responsible for O-O bond formation via water nucleophilic attack under the real catalytic water oxidation conditions.

Prevalence of bovine coronavirus in cattle in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is one of the important pathogens that cause calf diarrhea (CD), winter dysentery (WD), and the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), and spreads worldwide. An infection of BCoV in cattle can lead to death of young animals, stunted growth, reduced milk production, and milk quality, thus bringing serious economic losses to the bovine industry. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent and control the spread of BCoV. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prevalence of BCoV in cattle in China before 2022. A total of 57 articles regarding the prevalence of BCoV in cattle in China were collected from five databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, VIP, and Wan Fang). Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 15,838 samples were included, and 6,136 were positive cases. The overall prevalence of BCoV was 30.8%, with the highest prevalence rate (60.5%) identified in South China and the lowest prevalence (15.6%) identified in Central China. We also analyzed other subgroup information, included sampling years, sample sources, detection methods, breeding methods, age, type of cattle, presence of diarrhea, and geographic and climatic factors. The results indicated that BCoV was widely prevalent in China. Among all subgroups, the sample sources, detection methods, breeding methods, and presence or absence of diarrheal might be potential risk factors responsible for BCoV prevalence. It is recommended to strengthen the detection of BCoV in cattle, in order to effectively control the spread of BCoV.

Meta-Analysis of the Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in Cattle in China.

Giardia duodenum (G. duodenalis) can cause giardiasis and infect a variety of hosts. So far, there have been no detailed data regarding the positive rate of G. duodenalis in cattle in China. Here, a systematic literature review was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of bovine G. duodenalis in China. To perform the meta-analysis, the databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Journal Databases, WanFang Databases, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were employed for screening studies related to the prevalence of G. duodenalis in cattle in China. The total prevalence of G. duodenalis in cattle was estimated to be 8.00% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.51-11.62). In the age subgroup, the prevalence of G. duodenalis in calves (11.72%; 95% CI: 7.75-17.73) was significantly higher than that in cattle of other age groups. An analysis based on seasons showed that the prevalence of G. duodenalis in cattle was higher in summer (9.69%; 95% CI: 2.66-35.30) than that in other seasons. The prevalence of G. duodenalis in cattle in 2016 or later was 11.62% (95% CI: 6.49-20.79), which was significantly higher than that before 2016 (3.65%; 95% CI: 2.17-6.12). The highest prevalence of G. duodenalis in cattle was 74.23% (95% CI: 69.76-78.45) recorded in South China. The NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information (https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/maps/ncei/cdo/monthly) was used to extract relevant geoclimatic data (latitude, longitude, elevation, temperature, precipitation, humidity, and climate). By analyzing the data of each subgroup, it was shown that age of cattle, sampling year, province, region, temperature, and climate were potential risk factors for giardiasis prevalence in cattle. Based on the analysis of common factors and geographical factors, it is recommended to strengthen effective management measures (e.g., ventilation and disinfection in warm and humid areas) and formulate relevant policies according to local conditions. Breeders should pay more attention to the detection of G. duodenalis in calves, to prevent giardiasis prevalence in cattle of different ages, thereby reducing the economic losses of animal husbandry in China.

Dose reconstruction of volumetric modulated arc therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on log files and CBCT / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To reconstruct the dose of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and verify the results of the whole-process radiotherapy plan based on log files and cone beam CT (CBCT).Methods:A total of 15 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with Halcyon accelerator in the Cancer Center of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February to September 2022 were retrospectively selected. Log files and CBCT for all fractionated radiotherapy were recorded. The errors of monitor unit (MU), gantry angle, and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) leaf position per control point were analyzed. The adaptive CT (aCT) were generated according to CBCT and planned CT (pCT) using a commercial software Velocity TM, and the similarities among aCT, pCT and CBCT were analyzed. The original plan was modified from the log files and imported into the treatment planning system to calculate the delivered dose on the corresponding fractionated aCT to reconstruct the fractionated dose. And all the reconstructed doses were mapped back to pCT to obtain the cumulative dose. Theγpass ratios with criteria of 2 mm/2% and 2 mm/3% and the dose differences between the planned dose and the cumulative dose in the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OAR) were compared. Results:The root mean square (RMS) and the 95th percentile of the errors of MU, gantry angle and MLC leaf position errors were within an acceptable range. The aCT generated by Velocity TM had the anatomical structure of CBCT and the resolution, contrast, noise characteristics of pCT, which could be directly used for dose calculation. Compared with the planned dose, the changes of V 70 Gy of nasopharyngeal primary tumor (PTV nx), V 68 Gy of cervical glands (PTV nd) and V 60 Gy of planning target volume (PTV1) were -0.88%±1.91%, -2.99%±2.99% and -0.63%±0.93%, respectively, and V 40 Gy of parotid gland was increased to 2.65%±2.63%. Cumulative dose showed different degrees of PTV dose decrease ( P<0.05) and parotid dose was increased ( P<0.05). The γ pass ratio (2 mm/3%) between the cumulative dose and planned dose was 97.3%±2.7% and >95.0% in 86.7% of patients. Conclusions:Based on the log files and CBCT, the whole-process dose reconstruction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients can be carried out. According to the results of dose reconstruction, the radiotherapy effect of the target area and OAR can be quantitatively evaluated. In the case of high dose coverage and conformity of the original plan, the reconstruction results show that the cumulative dose coverage of the target area is decreased, whereas that of the parotid gland is increased.

Potentiating effect and mechanism of extract of Jingfang Granules on activation of macrophages / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the potentiating effect and mechanism of the extract of Jingfang Granules(JFG) on the activation of macrophages. The RAW264.7 cells were treated with JFG extract and then stimulated by multiple agents. Subsequently, mRNA was extracted, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA transcription of multiple cytokines in RAW264.7 cells. The levels of cytokines in the cell supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In addition, the intracellular proteins were extracted and the activation of signaling pathways was determined by Western blot. The results showed that JFG extract alone could not promote or slightly promote the mRNA transcription of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MIP-1α, MCP-1, CCL5, IP-10, and IFN-β, and significantly enhance the mRNA transcription of these cytokines in RAW264.7 cells induced by R848 and CpG in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, JFG extract also potentiated the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IFN-β by RAW264.7 cells stimulated with R848 and CpG. As revealed by mechanism analysis, JFG extract enhanced the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, IRF3, STAT1, and STAT3 in RAW264.7 cells induced by CpG. The findings of this study indicate that JFG extract can selectively potentiate the activation of macrophages induced by R848 and CpG, which may be attributed to the promotion of the activation of MAPKs, IRF3, and STAT1/3 signaling pathways.

Effects of electroacupuncture on rats with cognitive impairment: An iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The study explores the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the governing vessel (GV) on proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats with cognitive impairment.@*METHODS@#Healthy male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham, model and EA. Cognitive impairment was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion in the model and EA groups. Rats in the EA group were treated with EA at Shenting (GV24) and Baihui (GV20) for 7 d. Neurological deficit was scored using the Longa scale, the learning and memory ability was detected using the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and the proteomic profiling in the hippocampus was analyzed using protein-labeling technology based on the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). The Western blot (WB) analysis was used to detect the proteins and validate the results of iTRAQ.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, the neurological deficit score was significantly reduced, and the escape latency in the MWM test was significantly shortened, while the number of platform crossings increased in the EA group. A total of 2872 proteins were identified by iTRAQ. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between different groups: 92 proteins were upregulated and 103 were downregulated in the model group compared with the sham group, while 142 proteins were upregulated and 126 were downregulated in the EA group compared with the model group. Most of the DEPs were involved in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolipid metabolism and synaptic transmission. Furthermore, we also verified 4 DEPs using WB technology. Although the WB results were not exactly the same as the iTRAQ results, the expression trends of the DEPs were consistent. The upregulation of heat-shock protein β1 (Hspb1) was the highest in the EA group compared to the model group.@*CONCLUSION@#EA can effect proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats with cognitive impairment. Hspb1 may be involved in the molecular mechanism by which acupuncture improves cognitive impairment.

A Novel Robotic Bronchoscopic Surgical System / 中国医疗器械杂志

Transbronchil biopsy has the characteristic of less trauma and quick recovery compared to percutaneous aspiration biopsy. In order to automate this procedure, it requires the development of a robotic surgical system that combines electromagnetic navigation and flexible endoscope. The robotic surgical system introduced herein consists of flexible endoscope, remote-control handle, electromagnetic navigation and dexterous manipulators. The robotic system supports lung bronchial model segmentation and reconstruction, automatic bronchial path planning, real-time navigation and visual biopsy. In the control of the endoscopic catheter, an elasticity compensation algorithm was proposed to improve the location accuracy of the catheter and operational efficiency. Clinical trials proved that the robotic system had high positioning accuracy, was intuitive to operate, and could improve the biopsy efficiency, shorten the learning time, reduce the burden of surgical operations, and lower radiation exposure and infection rate.

A Novel Single-arm Single-port Micro-traumatic Laparoscopic Robotic Surgical System / 中国医疗器械杂志

As the robotic assisted single port surgery arousing attention, a novel single-arm single-port micro-traumatic laparoscopic robotic surgical system is proposed in this study. From the perspective of the mechanics, joints with high rigidity and high reliability were utilized to realize the remote center of motion (RCM). Besides, the cost of consumables was reduced by adding the support of the rigid endoscope. From the perspective of the algorithm, high-precision motion control method and feedback force protection mechanism were implemented. The effectiveness of the aforementioned characteristics were verified by five clinical experiments of cholecystectomy. The results showed that the system is able to reduce the amount of bleeding, accelerate the patient recovery, reduce the infection risk and shorten the learning period. The robotic surgical system had significant clinical application value.

Prevalence and related factors of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) is an important zoonotic microsporidian pathogen that has a variety of hosts. Cattle are reservoir hosts of E. bieneusi, and play an important role in the epidemiology of E. bieneusi. However, no systematic research on the prevalence of E. bieneusi in cattle has been reported. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of E. bieneusi in cattle. Six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Springlink, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP) were used for searching for relevant studies. The quantity of E. bieneusi infection in cattle was extracted and subjected to an estimation for the prevalence in cattle by using a random effects model. In total, forty articles from 12 countries were chosen from 524 studies from inception to 1st June 2021. An overall E. bieneusi prevalence (95% CI) in cattle was 12.9% (2566/19,791, 9.0-14.6%). The highest prevalence of E. bieneusi was 17.3% (13.9-20.3) in South America, and the lowest was 6.5% (4.1 - 9.4) in Africa 6.5%. The prevalence of E. bieneusi after 2016 (11.1%) was lower than 2016 and before (12.3%). Cattle aged 3-12 months had a higher prevalence (14.8%) as compared with cattle aged > 12 months (8.2%). The combined prevalence of E. bieneusi in the dairy cattle was 14.4%, which was higher than that in other species. In the subgroup of season, E. bieneusi prevalence in cattle was higher in spring (17.4%) and autumn (19.7%) than in summer (8.5%) and winter (8.5%). E. bieneusi prevalence in naturally grazed cattle was 3.6% and 13.7% in intensively fed cattle. A total of 83 E. bieneusi genotypes were prevalent in cattle, of which 15 genotypes found in the cattle had previously been found in humans. The global prevalence of E. bieneusi in cattle related to geographical and climate variables were evaluated as well. These data indicated that E. bieneusi was ubiquitous in cattle worldwide and carried a potential risk of infection in humans. Thus, the farm managers should provide a scientific mix of nutrients to improve cattle immunity, keep the environment clean, and disinfect regularly. Collectively, the control of E. bieneusi transmission in cattle is of importance for economic and public health.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of bovine cystic echinococcosis in China during decade.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (E. granulosus s.l.) larvae. It is mainly prevalent in western agricultural and pastoral areas in China, seriously affecting the development of public health and animal husbandry. METHODS: This study conducted a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of bovine CE in China in the past 10 years (2011-2020). Five databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Chinese Journal Database) were used to collect the relevant references, and finally 77 published articles were obtained. RESULTS: The total prevalence of bovine CE was estimated to be 9.62% during decade, and decreased year by year after reaching its peak in 2014 (18.75%). The highest E. granulosus s.l. infection rate was found in Qinghai province (14.79%). The infection rate of cattle >4 years old (15.84%) was significantly higher than that of other age groups, and cattle raised by grazing was significantly higher than that of other methods (17.00%). In the groups of geographical and climatic factors, the prevalence of CE was higher in regions with high-altitude (20.76%), cold (20.76%) and rainy areas (11.33%). CONCLUSION: This study found that old age and grazing were two important factors for the high incidence of bovine CE. The prevalence of CE is higher in low temperature, rainy and high altitude areas, where may be more suitable for the survival of E. granulosus s.l. eggs.

Successful individualized endodontic treatment of severely curved root canals in a mandibular second molar: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate of severely curved root canals in mandibular molars is low, and the root canal treatment of mandibular molars with this aberrant canal anatomy may be technically challenging. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old Chinese female patient presented with intermittent and occlusal pain in the left mandibular second molar. The patient had undergone filling restoration for caries before endodontic consultation. With the aid of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a large periapical radiolucency was observed, and curved root canals in a mandibular second molar were confirmed, depicting a severe and curved distolingual root. Nonsurgical treatments, including novel individualized preparation skills and techniques and the use of bioceramic materials as an apical barrier, were performed, and complete healing of the periapical lesion and a satisfactory effect were achieved. CONCLUSION: A case of severely curved root canals in a mandibular second molar was successfully treated and are reported herein. The complex anatomy of the tooth and the postoperative effect were also evaluated via the three-dimensional reconstruction of CBCT images, which accurately identified the aberrant canal morphology. New devices and biomaterial applications combined with novel synthesis techniques can increase the success rate of intractable endodontic treatment.

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Quinolines via Povarov Reaction under Oxidant-Free Conditions.

We describe here an approach for synthesizing quinolines either from N-alkyl anilines or from anilines and aldehydes. A dual-catalyst system consisting of a photocatalyst and a proton reduction cocatalyst is employed. Without the use of any sacrificial oxidant and under extremely mild conditions, the reactions afford quinolines in excellent yields and produce H2 as a byproduct.

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis Among Dogs in China from 2001 to 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Giardia duodenalis has a wide range of host species and is a common causative agent of diarrheal disease in humans and animals. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the pooled prevalence of Giardia among dogs in China. We extracted 33 studies related to the prevalence of G. duodenalis in dogs, with samples taken from 2001 to 2021. The random-effect model was used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals, and the analyzed data were from 14 provinces in China. The estimated overall prevalence of G. duodenalis among dogs in China was 11.2%. The prevalence of Giardia was significantly higher in Northwestern China (35.7%) than in other regions. The prevalence in 2010 or later (11.8%) was significantly higher than in 2010 or before (6.9%). The estimated prevalence detected by microscopy (9.3%) was lower than molecular (12.3%) and serological (14.3%) ones. The prevalence was higher in dogs <1 year of age (12.2%) than that >1 year (5.4%). Among the genotype groups, the positive rate of assemblage A (5.2%) was significantly higher than that of other assemblages. Depending on the dog' type, the prevalence of G. duodenalis in stray dogs (3.5%) was lower than that in pet dogs (6.7%) and intensively breeding dogs (11.8%). In addition, no correlation was found between Giardia positive rate and the dogs' gender (p > 0.05). We also analyzed the effects of different geographic factor subgroups (longitude, latitude, precipitation, temperature, humidity, and altitude) on the prevalence of G. duodenalis in dogs in China. The results showed that giardiasis was widespread in dogs in China. It is suggested that corresponding control scheme and effective management measures should be formulated and applied to reduce the transmission of G. duodenalis according to the difference in geographical conditions in different areas.

Mitochondrial Fission Protein 1 (FIS1) Overexpression in Human Cervical Cancer Cells Promotes Mitochondrial Fission and Reduces Cell Proliferation and Migration Capacity / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that continuously divide and fuse. In recent years, in addition to the studies related to mitochondrial metabolism, the unique dynamics of mitochondria have gradually attracted researchers' attention. A growing body of research has revealed that mitochondrial dynamics are related to the biological behavior of tumor cells. Mitochondrial fission proteins (mitochondrial fission protein 1, FIS1) mediate the assembly of mitochondrial fission complexes and participate in the execution of mitochondrial fission. They are important proteins in the process of mitochondrial fusion and fission. However, few studies have revealed the expression and role of FIS1 in human cervical cancer. In this study, the expression level of FIS1 in human cervical cancer tissues and paracancer tissues were compared. The results showed that the level of FIS1 mRNA in human cervical cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in paracancer tissues (P<0. 01). Further KEGG pathway and GO Term-BP pathway analysis showed that the differential genes are mainly related to mitochondrial biological functions. Subsequently, HeLa cells with overexpressed FIS1 were investigated for their proliferation, migration, mitochondrial fission and ROS levels. The experimental results showed that FIS1 overexpression decreased HeLa cell proliferation and migration ability, enhanced mitochondrial fission and higher ROS levels. In conclusion, the expression of FIS1 in human cervical cancer cells was attenuated, while overexpression of FIS1 resulted in a series of abnormal biological functions in human cervical cancer cells. Further studies can be carried out to investigate the role of FIS1 in the treatment of human cervical cancer.

The global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among cats during 1988-2021: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cryptosporidiosis is an important zoonosis caused by Cryptosporidium. This disease causes a global public health problem. The cat is considered to be one of the potential hosts for transmitting Cryptosporidium to humans. In this study, a global meta-analysis for Cryptosporidium infection in cats was performed. The articles related to Cryptosporidium infection in cats were systematically searched in databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, VIP Chinese Journal Database, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Finally, 92 articles published from 1988 to 2021, which met the criteria of systematic review and meta-analysis, were collected. During the selected period, the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium among cats was identified to be 6.0%. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium detected by microscopy, coproantigens, and molecular biology methods were 4.2%, 8.2%, and 5.0%, respectively. Among 9 species/genotypes (C. felis, C. parvum, C. muris, Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV, C. baileyi, C. ryanae, C. hominis, Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III and most closely related to Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III), the prevalence of C. parvum (4.2%) was significantly higher than that of other species/genotypes. Among five continents, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in Africa (30.5%) was significantly higher than in other continents. We also analyzed the effects of different geographical factors (longitude, latitude, altitude, mean temperature, precipitation, and humidity) on Cryptosporidium infection among cats. The results showed that cryptosporidiosis was common in cats all over the world. This systematic review and meta-analysis has systematically introduced the global epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in cats and correlated risk factors. Health authorities, doctors, veterinarians and cat owners' awareness of the prevalence, risk factors and complications of Cryptosporidium are important for the development of effective prevention strategies for cryptosporidiosis.

LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates hypertensive vascular endothelial injury through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway.

The objective of this study was to find the role of LncRNA SNHG12 in the regulation of hypertensive vascular endothelial injury. LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p expression were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels of Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), endothelial cell (EC) senescence markers p16 and p21, and EC marker CD31 were measured by Western blot. The apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry. The binding between LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay. As a result, LncRNA SNHG12 was down-regulated in aortic primary ECs isolated from Ang II-induced hypertensive mice and 1 kidney/deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt-induced hypertensive mice. In Ang II-treated HUVECs, the expression level of SNHG12 was reduced and the overexpression of SNHG12 inhibited EC senescence markers p16 and p21 expressions, the apoptosis of HUVECs, and caspase-3 activity. Further investigation confirmed that LncRNA SNHG12 bound to miR-25-3p, and negatively regulated miR-25-3p expression. MiR-25-3p directly targeted SIRT6 and negatively regulated SIRT6 expression. In addition, SNHG12 overexpression inhibited Ang II-induced HUVECs injury through regulating miR-25-3p. Finally, in vivo experiments showed LncRNA SNHG12 overexpression alleviated vascular endothelial injury in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice. In conclusion, LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates vascular endothelial injury induced by hypertension through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway.

Value of CT radiomics for prediction of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To establish a radiomics-based biomarker for predicting pathological response after preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced esophageal cancer.Methods:From 2008 to 2018, 112 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who received nCRT were enrolled. All patients were treated with preoperative nCRT combined with surgery. Enhanced CT images and clinical information before nCRT were collected. A lesion volume of interest was manually delineated. In total, 670 radiomics features (including tumor intensity, shape and size, texture and wavelet characteristics) were extracted using the pyradiomics package in PYTHON. The stepwise regression combined with the best subset were employed to select the features, and finally the Logistic regression model was adopted to establish the prediction model. The performance of the classifier was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results:The pathological complete remission (pCR) rate was 58.0%(65/112). 10 radiomics features were included in the final model, The most relevant radiomics feature was the gray feature (the texture information of the image), followed by the shape and voxel intensity-related features. In the training set, the AUC was 0.750 with a sensitivity of 0.711 and a specificity of 0.778, the corresponding values in the testing set were 0.870, 0.757 and 0.900, respectively.Conclusions:Models based on radiomics features from CT images can be utilized to predict the pathological response to nCRT in esophageal cancer. As it is efficient, non-invasive and economic model, it could serve as a promising tool for individualized treatment when validated by further prospective trials in the future.

Condensed tannins from roots of Indigofera stachyodes / 中国中药杂志

Eleven condensed tannins were isolated from the roots of Indigofera stachyodes by various column chromatography techniques including silica gel, octadecyl silica(ODS), Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). These compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and mass spectrometry(MS) data as stachyotannin A(1), epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-catechin(2), cinnamtannin D1(3), cinnamtannin B1(4), epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epiafzelechin-(4α→8)-epicatechin(5), gambiriin C(6), proanthocyanidin A1(7), proanthocyanidin A2(8), aesculitannin B(9), proanthocyanidin A4(10), and procyanidin B5(11). Compound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2-11 were isolated from Indigofera for the first time. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2, and 4-11 showed inhibitory effects on thrombin-induced ATP release in platelets.