[Analysis of clinical effect of blood purification on acute benzene-based thinner poisoning].

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of blood purification on changes in serum toxicant concentration and prognosis of acute benzene-based thinner poisoning. Methods: A total of 44 patients with acute benzene-based thinner poisoning admitted to the emergency department of Characteristic Medical Center of Armed Police from August 2013 to August 2020 were collected and divided into a blood purification group (24 cases) and a conventional treatment group (20 cases) , the general data, toxicant concentrations and prognosis of the two groups of patients were analyzed, and logistic regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of the prognosis to explore the clinical effect of blood purification. Results: The concentration of poisons in the blood purification group at 24 hours after treatment was significantly lower than that in the conventional treatment group (t=6.76, P<0.001) , and the reduction in the concentration of poisons was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (t=3.33, P=0.002) . The overall improvement rate in the blood purification group was 91.7% (22/24) , which was higher than that in the conventional treatment group (60.0%, 12/20) . Logisitic regression analysis showed that blood purification treatment method was the main factor affecting the prognosis of patients (OR=7.605×10(-5), 95%CI: 6.604×10(-8)-0.087, P=0.008) , and the toxic dose was a synergistic effect on the prognosis of patients factor (OR=1.038, 95%CI: 1.008-1.068, P=0.011) . Conclusion: Early blood purification treatment in patients with acute benzene-based thinner poisoning can rapidly reduce blood toxin concentration, avoid disease progression, and ultimately improve patient prognosis.

LncRNA FAS-AS1 inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through regulating miR-19a-5p.

OBJECTIVE: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common and deadly tumors in the world. LncRNA FAS-AS1 was abnormally expressed in various cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of FAS-AS1 in NSCLC remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of FAS-AS1 and miR-19a-5p were measured using qRT-PCR in NSCLC cells. MTT and cell colony formation assays were performed to detect cell proliferative capacity. Transwell assay was carried out to measure cell migration and invasion. The relationship between FAS-AS1 and miR-19a-5p was confirmed using Luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft tumor experiment was conducted to detect the tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: FAS-AS1 was remarkably down-regulated in NSCLC cells. FAS-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells. Additionally, FAS-AS1 directly targeted miR-19a-5p and negatively regulated the expression of miR-19a-5p in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, FAS-AS1 overexpression restored the promotion of miR-19a-5p overexpression on proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Additionally, suppression of FAS-AS1 abrogated the inhibitory effects of miR-19a-5p knockdown on the progression of NSCLC. FAS-AS1 suppressed the tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: FAS-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by sponging miR-19a-5p in NSCLC, indicating that FAS-AS1 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Various levels and forms of dietary α-lipoic acid in broiler chickens: Impact on blood biochemistry, stress response, liver enzymes, and antibody titers.

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of various levels and forms of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on blood biochemistry, immune and stress response, and antibody titers in broiler chickens. The four levels (7.5, 15, 75, and 150 ppm) and 2 sources (powder, P-ALA and encapsulated, E-ALA) of ALA along with negative (C-) and positive control (C+; contains antibiotics) diets consisted of 10 dietary treatments, and these treatments were allocated to 1,200 1-d-old chicks and were replicated 12 times with 10 birds per replicate. Among the blood biochemistry parameters, creatinine levels were almost 3 times lower in E-ALA-supplemented diets compared to the C- diet (0.09 vs. 0.25 mg/dL; P<0.0001). Neither level nor source of ALA affected blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, or albumin to globulin ratio (AGR). The supplemented diets decreased serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate-aminotransferase (AST; P<0.006) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALT; P<0.0003). The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody response in supplemented groups was poor at day zero (P<0.0001) but increased by d 14 (P<0.03). Birds did not respond to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccination at any observed stage (P>0.05). The concentration of cortisol was reduced in chickens fed ALA-supplemented diets as compared to the C- diet (P<0.001). Results suggest that ALA-supplemented diets ameliorated blood biochemistry profiles and immune responses and reduced stress in broiler chickens. The encapsulated form of ALA was more effective than the powder form.

Screening of differentially expressed genes related to ischemic stroke and functional analysis with DNA microarray.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic blood biomarkers in the setting of acute ischemic stroke have become increasingly relevant for risk stratification, monitoring disease and response to therapies, developing targets for neuroprotective treatment and as surrogate end points for treatment trials. AIM: We aim to find the feature genes which can accurately detect acute ischemic stroke and perform function analysis of these crucial genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gene expression profile GSE22255 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database which includes 20 ischemic stroke patients and 20 controls. The differentially expressed genes between patients and controls samples were identified with packages in R language. The selected differentially expressed genes were further analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Software STRING (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes) was used to establish co-expression network. GOTM (General Ocean Turbulence Model) software was used to obtain differentially expressed gene enriched modules. The functions of genes in modules were analyzed by using software GeneCodis. RESULTS: A total of 37 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes by comparing peripheral blood mononuclear cells gene expression of ischemic stroke patients and 20 controls. A co-expression network was constructed within 30 differentially expressed genes, among which gene interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) showed the highest node degree. Genes in the module containing IL-8 and TNF were significantly enriched in 6 biological functions, and the most significant function was respond to stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that genes IL-8 and TNF have close relationship with acute ischemic stroke, and the expression patterns of these genes may be valid targets for new medications able to modify the ischemic stroke process.

Influence of monochromatic light on quality traits, nutritional, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles of broiler chicken meat.

The role of monochromatic lights was investigated on meat quality in 1-d-old straight-run broiler chicks (n = 360), divided into 6 light sources with 6 replicates having 10 chicks in each replicate. Six light sources were described as incandescent bulbs (IBL, as a control) and light-emitting diode (LED) light colors as white light (WL), blue light, red light (RL), green light, and yellow light. Among LED groups, the RL increased the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), saturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), and the saturated:polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio (P < 0.001), but reduced the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-3 fatty acid, and n-6 fatty acid. The IBL increased the n-3 and sulfur-containing amino acids but reduced the n-6:n-3 nonessential amino acids. The WL improved the concentration of most of the essential amino acids (P < 0.01) and nonessential amino acids (P < 0.01) of breast meat. It can be extracted that the light produced by LED responded similar to the IBL light in influencing nutrient contents of meat. Moreover, LED is not decisive in improving fatty acid composition of meat. However, the role of IBL in reducing n-6:n-3 ratio and enhancing n-3 cannot be neglected. Among LED, WL is helpful in improving essential and nonessential amino acid contents of broiler meat.

Growth performance and hematological traits of broiler chickens reared under assorted monochromatic light sources.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different monochromatic lights on growth performance and hematological response of growing broiler chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 lighting treatments, which were replicated 6 times with 10 chicks in each replicate. Six light treatments include incandescent bulbs (as a control) and light-emitting diode white light, blue light, red light, green light, and yellow light (YL). The birds were provided with similar nutritional specifications and environmental management facilities, except for the lights throughout the experimental period. Growth performance was evaluated in terms of BW, BW gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio at weekly intervals. At the end of 5 wk, 2 birds from each replicate were randomly selected for blood collection to determine hematological response. The BW and feed intake was numerically higher in YL at 5 wk of age. But interestingly, this did not result in improved feed conversion ratio in YL; nevertheless, numerical values were lower in YL at 5 wk (P > 0.05). Red blood cells, blood platelet count, and percent hematocrit were numerically higher under YL, whereas white blood cell counts and percent hemoglobin remained unaffected due to light treatments. It was concluded that monochromatic light is a potential light source that might provide a beneficial effect on growth performance but is inconclusive for hematological measures of broilers.

Bidirectional regulation of Munc13-3 protein expression by age and dark rearing during the critical period in mouse visual cortex.

Rearing in darkness slows the time course of the visual cortical critical period, such that at 5 weeks of age normal cats are more plastic than dark-reared cats, while at 20 weeks dark-reared cats are more plastic [Mower GD (1991) The effect of dark rearing on the time course of the critical period in cat visual cortex. Dev Brain Res 58:151-158]. Thus, genes that are important for visual cortical plasticity should show differences in expression between normal and dark-reared visual cortex that are of opposite direction in young versus older animals. Previously, we showed by differential display polymerase chain reaction and northern blotting that mRNA for Munc13-3, a mammalian homologue of the C. elegans uncoordinated (unc) gene, shows such bidirectional regulation in cat visual cortex [Yang CB, Zheng YT, Li GY, Mower GD (2002) Identification of Munc13-3 as a candidate gene for critical period neuroplasticity in visual cortex. J Neurosci 22:8614-8618]. Here, the analysis is extended to Munc13-3 protein in mouse visual cortex, which will provide the basis for gene manipulation analysis. In mice, Munc13-3 protein was elevated 2.3-fold in dark-reared compared with normal visual cortex at 3.5 weeks and 2.0-fold in normal compared with dark-reared visual cortex at 9.5 weeks. Analysis of variance of protein levels showed a significant interaction, indicating that the effect of dark rearing depended on age. This bidirectional regulation was restricted to visual cortex and did not occur in frontal cortex. Bidirectional regulation was also specific to Munc13-3 and was not found for other Munc13 family members. Munc13 proteins serve a central priming function in synaptic vesicle exocytosis at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses and this work contributes to the growing evidence indicating a role of Munc13 genes in synaptic plasticity.

The soluble leptin receptor of regular exercisers.

This study examined the concentrations and the relationships of soluble leptin receptor (sLR) and leptin levels among both physically active people and lean sedentary persons. Information collected for this study came from twelve joggers (JOG), ten weight trainers (WET) and eleven lean sedentary persons (CON). Regular exercisers were defined as those who consistently participated in jogging or weight training 30 minutes a day, at least four times a week, for a period of no less than three years prior to the study. The CON group was defined as exercising, at most, one time per week, less than 20 minutes each time if at all. Leptin and sLR were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results show the BMI of the WET group to be higher than the other groups, yet their percent body fat was not significantly different. Although sLR levels of the JOG group were higher than the WET and CON groups, their free leptin index (FLI) did not show a significant difference. The sLR levels for joggers were higher than the weight trainers. The sLR concentration or the ratio of sLR to fat mass may be an alternative index to FLI for comparing physically active and lean people.

True phosphorus digestibility and the endogenous phosphorus outputs associated with brown rice for weanling pigs measured by the simple linear regression analysis technique.

The objectives of this study were to determine true phosphorus (P) digestibility, degradability of phytate-P complex and the endogenous P outputs associated with brown rice feeding in weanling pigs by using the simple linear regression analysis technique. Six barrows with an average initial body weight of 12.5 kg were fitted with a T-cannula and fed six diets according to a 6 × 6 Latin-square design. Six maize starch-based diets, containing six levels of P at 0.80, 1.36, 1.93, 2.49, 3.04, and 3.61 g/kg per kg dry-matter (DM) intake (DMI), were formulated with brown rice. Each experimental period lasted 10 days. After a 7-day adaptation, all faecal samples were collected on days 8 and 9. Ileal digesta samples were collected for a total of 24 h on day 10. The apparent ileal and faecal P digestibility values of brown rice were affected ( P < 0.01) by the P contents in the assay diets. The apparent ileal and faecal P digestibility values increased from - 48.0 to 36.7% and from - 35.6 to 40.0%, respectively, as P content increased from 0.80 to 3.61 g/kg DMI. Linear relationships ( P < 0.05), expressed as g/kg DMI, between the apparent ileal and faecal digestible P and dietary levels of P, suggested that true P digestibility and the endogenous P outputs associated with brown rice feeding could be determined by using the simple regression analysis technique. There were no differences ( P>0.05) in true P digestibility values (57.7 ± 5.4 v. 58.2 ± 5.9%), phytate P degradability (76.4 ± 6.7 v. 79.0 ± 4.4%) and the endogenous P outputs (0.812 ± 0..096 v. 0.725 ± 0.083 g/kg DMI) between the ileal and the faecal levels. The endogenous faecal P output represented 14 and 25% of the National Research Council (1998) recommended daily total and available P requirements in the weanling pig, respectively. About 58% of the total P in brown rice could be digested and absorbed by the weanling pig. Our results suggest that the large intestine of the weanling pigs does not play a significant role in the digestion of P in brown rice. Diet formulation on the basis of total or apparent P digestibility with brown rice may lead to P overfeeding and excessive P excretion in pigs.

Chinese herbal ingredients are effective immune stimulators for chickens infected with the Newcastle disease virus.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of 4 Chinese herbal ingredients (CHI) as immune stimulators for an active vaccine in chickens using both in vitro and in vivo assays. The CHI used were Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), Isatis root polysaccharide (IRPS), Propolis polysaccharide, and Epimedium flavone at various concentrations. Two hundred 14-d-old male White Roman chickens were randomly divided into 10 groups. Chickens in groups 1 to 9 were inoculated with the New-castle disease virus (NDV) strain IV vaccine by intranasal and intraocular administration. Chickens in groups 1 to 8 were also administered subcutaneously on the dorsal region of the neck with 0.5 mL of the corresponding CHI at 2 doses: 29 and 58 mg/kg of BW for APS and IRPS and 7.25 and 14.5 mg/kg of BW for the others, once daily for 3 successive days. In group 9 (CHI-free control) and group 10 (both vaccine- and CHI-free control), chickens were injected with 0.5 mL of physiological saline. New-castle disease virus-specific serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody (Ab) production in immunized chickens was quantified using established methods. The results indicate that a majority of the CHI used at appropriate concentrations were effective in enhancing in vitro proliferation of chick embryo fibroblasts in response to the NDV infection. In vivo administration of CHI to vaccinated chickens (7.25 to 58 mg/kg of BW, depending on type) increased serum anti-NDV hemagglutination inhibition Ab titer concentrations, compared with the administration the NDV alone. For all CHI, a beneficial effect on the Ab production was observed on d 21 after the initiation of the vaccination. On the basis of the in vivo doses used, Propolis polysaccharide and Epimedium flavone were more potent than APS and IRPS in promoting the humoral immune response in the young birds (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that appropriate doses of CHI can be used as novel, effective immune stimulators for chickens.

Proton enhancement at large pT at the CERN large hadron collider without structure in associated-particle distribution.

The production of pions and protons in the pT range between 10 and 20 GeV/c for Pb+Pb collisions at CERN LHC is studied in the recombination model. It is shown that the dominant mechanism for hadronization is the recombination of shower partons from neighboring jets when the jet density is high. Protons are more copiously produced than pions in that pT range because the coalescing partons can have lower momentum fractions, but no thermal partons are involved. The proton-to-pion ratio can be as high as 20. When such high pT hadrons are used as trigger particles, there will not be any associated particles that are not in the background.

The potential role of phagocytic capacity in the osteolytic process induced by polyethylene wear particles.

Osteolysis induced by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles is the major cause of long-term failure of artificial joints. We examined the effects of wear particles on bioactivity by analysing the biophysical aspects of particle phagocytosis. We estimated the maximum number of internalized particles (the phagocytic capacity) for particles of various sizes and shapes. We demonstrated that elongated particles had a smaller phagocytic capacity than spherical particles of the same volume. A review of the literature showed that the ratio of particle concentration (number of particles/number of cells) to phagocytic capacity is critical for particle-induced biological responses. When this ratio was < 1, the biological response was approximately proportional to the ratio itself. When this ratio was > 1, limited changes in the biological response were observed. The saturation level of the phagocytic capacity for a particle population appears to reflect the degree of polyethylene particle-induced biological response.

Critical fluctuation of wind reversals in convective turbulence.

The irregular reversals of wind direction in convective turbulence are found to have fluctuating intervals that can be related, under certain circumstances, to critical behavior. In particular, by focusing on its temporal evolution, the net magnetization of a two-dimensional Ising lattice of finite size is observed to fluctuate in the same way. Detrended fluctuation analysis of the wind reversal time series results in a scaling behavior that agrees remarkably well with that of the Ising problem. The specific properties found here, as well as the lack of an external tuning parameter, also suggest that the wind reversal phenomenon exhibits signs of self-organized criticality.

Final-state interaction as the origin of the Cronin effect.

The Cronin effect that refers to the enhancement of hadron spectra at intermediate p(T) with increasing A in pA collisions is traditionally explained in terms of the broadening of the parton transverse momentum in the initial state. We show that recent data on the nuclear modification factor at eta=0 for d+Au collisions can be understood in terms of the recombination of soft and shower partons in the final state. It is the centrality dependence of the soft parton density that leads to the Cronin effect.

Centrality scaling of the p(T) distribution of pions.

From the preliminary data of PHENIX on the centrality dependence of the pi(0) spectrum in p(T) at midrapidity in heavy-ion collisions, we show that a scaling behavior exists that is independent of the centrality. It is then shown that degrades with increasing N(part) exponentially with a decay constant that can be quantified. A scaling distribution in terms of an intuitive scaling variable is derived that is analogous to the Koba-Nielsen-Olesen scaling. No theoretical models are used in any part of this phenomenological analysis.

[Variety of lower body negative pressure tolerance after different repeated lower body negative pressure exposures].

AIM: To investigate the variety of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) tolerance after different repeated lower body negative pressure exposures and select the best one. METHODS: 27 health male subjects were divided into 3 groups at random and exposed in 8 consecutive daily LBNP of -5.33 kPa 8 min (group A), -6.67 kPa 4 min (group B), - 6.67 kPa 8 min (group C) respectively. Pre- and post- exposures, lower body negative pressure tolerance were measured. HR and BP are recorded during exposures. RESULTS: As compared with pre-exposure, Cumulative Stress Index (CSI) and During Negative Pressure(DNP) of group C are increased significantly after repeated LBNP exposures. During exposures HR increased and SBP decreased significantly. DBP did not change. CONCLUSION: LBNP tolerance were increased significantly after eight consecutive daily LBNP (- 6.67kPa) exposures. Among the three modes, this is the best one.

[Effect of lower body negative pressure and rotating-table simulated push-pull effect in flight on cardiovascular function].

Objective. To explore the effect of push-pull effect (PPE) simulated by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) rotating-table, and observe the physiological responses to push-pull maneuver. Method. A special LBNP rotating-table was used to simulate the push-pull maneuver. 8 healthy adults participated randomly in two experiments. One was simulated PPE test, which include a series of head-up stand (HUT, +1 Gz) for 1 min, then in head-down stand (HDT, -1 Gz) for 30 s and again in HUT combining LBNP (-50 mmHg) for 10 min. The other one was control test, which only consists of HUT combining LBNP (-50 mmHg) for 10 min. Changes of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), basic impedance (Z0) , stroke output (SO) , cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were monitored by electrical impedance instrument during the experiment. Result. During simulated PPE experiment, 3 subjects presented presyncopal symptoms, with average standing time of 8.99 +/- 1.47 min, while during control test, all the subjects completed HUT combining LBNP for 10 min. In simulated PPE experiment, as compared with HUT (control), HR, Z0 during HDT were significantly lowered, while SV and CO were increased significantly. During HUT + LBNP, HR, Z0 and TPR were significantly higher, while SV and CO were significantly lower than that of control and HDT. SBP was increased significantly than control value when "HUT + LBNP" started, but during the whole process of "HUT + LBNP ", it became significantly lowered. In control experiment, the above mentioned indexes showed the same trend of as change compared with the control, however, the percentage of the change was lower than simulated PPE test, the change percentage in HR was not including. Conclusion. After headstand, head-up stand combining LBNP caused cardiovascular function descends, the degree was larger than simple head-up stand combining LBNP. LBNP rotating-table can be used to simulated push-pull effect.

[Clinical study on regulatory effect of liandai Capsule on p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression in gastrointestinal neoplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulatory effect of Liandai Capsule on p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression in gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasm. METHODS: Forty-five patients of GI neoplasm in middle or advanced stage were enrolled and divided randomly into the treated group and the control group to observe the changes of their serum p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression as well as their quality of life (QOL) before and after treatment. RESULTS: The content of p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression in the treated group decreased significantly and QOL improved after treatment, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, while these changes in the control group were not shown. CONCLUSION: Liandai Capsule has regulatory effect on p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression in GI neoplasm.

Spatial-temporal correlations in the process to self-organized criticality.

A different type of spatial-temporal correlation in the process approaching the self-organized criticality is investigated for the two simple models for biological evolution. The changed behaviors of the position with minimum barrier are shown to be quantitatively different in the two models. Different results of the correlation are given for the two models. We argue that the correlation can be used, together with the power-law distributions, as criteria for self-organized criticality.

Excisional bleb revision to correct overfiltration or leakage.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of excisional revision of filtering blebs for hypotony or leakage when more conservative measures have failed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent excisional revision of a filtering bleb for hypotony (intraocular pressure [IOP] < 5 mm Hg) or leakage during a 3 year period. The revision consisted of excision of the avascular bleb, mobilization of the surrounding conjunctiva, and suturing of the conjunctiva at the limbus. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study. The average age was 66.3 +/- 14.8 years (range, 39-83). Revision followed trabeculectomy in 11 cases, combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy in three cases, and inadvertent blebs in two cases. Five cases had bleb leaks without hypotony, four cases had hypotony alone, and seven cases had both hypotony and a bleb leak. Average follow-up after bleb revision was 25 +/- 11 months (range, 9-43). Average IOP increased from 3.8 +/- 5.6 mm Hg (range, 0-22) to 11.9 +/- 4.1 mm Hg (range, 3-18), with an average of 1.1 +/- 1.1 medication (range, 0-3). The IOP at the last visit was < 15 mm Hg in all but two patients, with 10 of the 16 patients requiring medications. At the last follow-up examination, visual acuity had improved > or = two lines in nine patients and was reduced two lines in one patient. Five patients had early postoperative limbal wound leaks; resuturing was required in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Excisional bleb revision is an effective technique to correct hypotony or leakage after filtering surgery when other methods have failed. Intraocular pressure control is often maintained with the use of medications.