Visible-light-induced decarboxylative cascade cyclization of acryloylbenzamides with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters via EDA complexes.

A visible-light-induced decarboxylative cascade reaction of acryloylbenzamides with alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHP) esters for the synthesis of various 4-alkyl isoquinolinediones mediated by triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and sodium iodide (NaI) was developed. This operationally simple protocol proceeded via the photoactivation of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes between N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and NaI/PPh3, resulting in multiple carbon-carbon bond formations without the use of precious metal complexes or synthetically elaborate organic dyes, which provided an alternative practical approach to synthesize diverse isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors in coronary patients.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety in CHD patients and to explore the association between established cardiovascular risk factors and depression as well as anxiety. 2,216 patients with CHD confirmed by angiography were included in this cross-sectional study. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety symptoms. The frequencies of individual depressive and anxiety symptoms grouped by age and gender were analyzed. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with anxiety and depression. The overall prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in CHD patients were 8.2% and 5.4%, respectively. There were significant differences in the frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms between genders. However, age differences among individual depression and anxiety symptoms were insignificant. In multivariable analysis, female gender, smoking, and hyperlipidemia were associated with a more frequent depression occurrence, and female gender was associated with more frequent anxiety. Depression and anxiety were not associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. These findings suggest that a substantial proportion of CHD patients experienced anxiety and depression symptoms. Differences in depressive or anxiety symptoms among the distribution of individual symptoms need more attention. Depression was significantly associated with female gender, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. No anxiety symptom associations with cardiovascular risk factors were demonstrated to be significant except for the female. More research is needed to unravel the mechanisms of depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease.

microRNA let-7i-5p aggravates kidney fibrosis via targeting GALNT1.

Renal fibrosis poses critical health problem. We aimed to investigate role of let-7i-5p in renal fibrosis. In silico reproduction of Mouse Kidney FibrOmics browser was used to identify potential target of let-7i-5p. In vivo validation was conducted in C57BL/6 mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and folic acid (FA) induction. In vitro validation was performed in transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-treated HK-2 cells. Mimics and inhibitors of let-7i-5p, and target gene polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 (GALNT1) were monitored by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Fibrosis markers, injury markers, and house-keeping genes were evaluated. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum and media were measured by ELISA. In silico analysis showed gradual increase of let-7i-5p and decrease of GALNT1 over time and the combination was validated both in mouse and human miR-gene target prediction databases. Expression of GALNT1 decreased while expression of let-7i-5p increased in renal tissues of both UUO and FA mice. Serum IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels were elevated in vivo. In vitro models revealed negative correlation between expression levels of let-7i-5p and GALNT1. Overexpression of let-7i-5p inhibited GALNT1 expression and reduced release of inflammatory factors. In conclusion, overexpression of GALNT1 may combat the inflammation induced by let-7i-5p.

Correction: Geospatial characteristics of measles transmission in China during 2005-2014.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005474.].

Expression profile of circular RNA in rat intimal hyperplasia and target gene prediction.

Intimal hyperplasia is an important cause of stenosis or occlusion after vascular injury. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to be related to various cardiovascular diseases. However, the expression profile of circRNAs in the neointima has not been reported in detail. In this study, we established a rat common carotid artery (CCA) injury model. A microarray detection showed significant differences in circRNA expression between the normal and injured CCA. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction verified the differences. We used bioinformatics to predict the microRNAs that possibly interact with the differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and linked the potential functions of circRNAs to the target genes of the microRNAs. We believe that the DE circRNA in neointima may affect the differentiation, proliferation, and migration of vascular cells through a variety of target genes. The intervention or utilization of certain circRNAs should be a new method for preventing and treating intimal hyperplasia.

Antioxidant response to acute cold exposure and during recovery in juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis).

The antioxidant defense protects turtles from oxidative stress caused by adverse environment conditions, such as acute thermal fluctuations. However, it remains unclear how these defenses work. The present study examined changes in key enzymes of the enzymatic antioxidant system and the glutathione (GSH) system at both the mRNA and enzyme activity levels during acute cold exposure and recovery in juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis Transcript levels of the upstream regulator NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also measured. Turtles were acclimated at 28°C (3 weeks), then given acute cold exposure (8°C, 12 h) and finally placed in recovery (28°C, 24 h). The mRNA levels of cerebral and hepatic Nrf2 and of genes encoding downstream antioxidant enzymes did not change, whereas levels of nephric Nrf2, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) mRNA decreased upon cold exposure. During recovery, Nrf2 mRNA remained stable in all three tissues, hepatic Cu/ZnSOD, MnSOD and catalase (CAT) mRNA levels increased, and nephric MnSOD and GPx4 mRNAs did not change from the values during cold exposure. In the GSH system, mRNA levels of most enzymes remained constant during cold exposure and recovery. Unmatched with changes in mRNA level, high and stable constitutive antioxidant enzyme activities were maintained throughout, whereas GPx activity significantly reduced in the kidney during cold exposure, and in liver and kidney during recovery. Our results suggest that the antioxidant defense regulation in response to acute cold exposure in P. sinensis may not be achieved at the transcriptional level, but may rely mainly on high constitutive antioxidant enzyme activities.

Nomograms for predicting risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastases for esophageal cancer patients after radical esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop nomograms for predicting the risk of locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis in esophageal cancer patients who were treated with esophagectomy and regional lymphadenectomy. METHODS: The clinicopathologic data of 408 esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy and regional lymphadenectomy were analyzed in this study. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were used to test the association between the clinicopathologic data and the risk of locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis. The nomograms were built from the COX regression model. RESULTS: Univariate analyses revealed that tumor length, tumor width, T-staging and perineural invasion(PNI) were significantly associated with locoregional recurrence, and that tumor length, tumor width, differentiation, T-staging, N-staging, lymph vascular space invasion(LVSI), PNI and adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly associated with distant metastasis. Multivariate analyses revealed that tumor length, tumor width and T-staging were predictors of risk of locoregional recurrence, and that differentiation, N-staging, LVSI and PNI were predictors of risk of distant metastasis. Two nomograms were constructed for a visual explanation of these two COX regression models. The bias-corrected curve showed no significant departure from the ideal curve in these two nomograms. CONCLUSIONS: Two nomograms were developed and validated to predict the risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis in esophageal cancer patients after radical esophagectomy. The calculation outcome will help oncologists to choose adjuvant treatment regimens.

Geospatial characteristics of measles transmission in China during 2005-2014.

Measles is a highly contagious and severe disease. Despite mass vaccination, it remains a leading cause of death in children in developing regions, killing 114,900 globally in 2014. In 2006, China committed to eliminating measles by 2012; to this end, the country enhanced its mandatory vaccination programs and achieved vaccination rates reported above 95% by 2008. However, in spite of these efforts, during the last 3 years (2013-2015) China documented 27,695, 52,656, and 42,874 confirmed measles cases. How measles manages to spread in China-the world's largest population-in the mass vaccination era remains poorly understood. To address this conundrum and provide insights for future public health efforts, we analyze the geospatial pattern of measles transmission across China during 2005-2014. We map measles incidence and incidence rates for each of the 344 cities in mainland China, identify the key socioeconomic and demographic features associated with high disease burden, and identify transmission clusters based on the synchrony of outbreak cycles. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, we identify 21 epidemic clusters, of which 12 were cross-regional. The cross-regional clusters included more underdeveloped cities with large numbers of emigrants than would be expected by chance (p = 0.011; bootstrap sampling), indicating that cities in these clusters were likely linked by internal worker migration in response to uneven economic development. In contrast, cities in regional clusters were more likely to have high rates of minorities and high natural growth rates than would be expected by chance (p = 0.074; bootstrap sampling). Our findings suggest that multiple highly connected foci of measles transmission coexist in China and that migrant workers likely facilitate the transmission of measles across regions. This complex connection renders eradication of measles challenging in China despite its high overall vaccination coverage. Future immunization programs should therefore target these transmission foci simultaneously.

Digital Gene Expression Profiling reveals transcriptional responses to acute cold stress in Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles.

Turtles are well known for their stress tolerance, including an ability to deal with temperature extremes or rapid thermal change. To know more about the comprehensive molecular basis of thermal stress responses in turtles, we assessed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the brain, liver and kidney of juvenile soft-shelled turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis, after acute cold stress (28 °C-8 °C acute transfer and held for 12 h) and following recovery (back to 28 °C and held for 24 h) by digital gene expression profiling. Selected DEGs were also validated via real-time PCR. We found the fewest DEGs in the brain, only one-tenth of the number seen in liver, indicating a tissue-specific gene expression pattern. The DEGs indicated the potential activation of several important functions in response to cold stress and recovery in P. sinensis. This included response to oxidative stress or regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolism in the brain and liver, cerebral inositol metabolism, hepatic monosaccharide metabolism, hepatic complement system, renal DNA repair mechanisms, and TNF and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in the kidney. These functions likely responded to cold stress in different tissues of P. sinensis to help minimize or repair cell damage as well as enhance innate immunity. The outcomes of this study provide some fundamental insight into the tissue specific complex mechanisms underlining cold stress responses in the soft-shelled turtle P. sinensis.

Antioxidant responses in hibernating Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis hatchlings.

The antioxidant defense system protects turtles from oxidative stress during hibernation. The present study examined changes of the antioxidant enzymes both on mRNA level and enzyme activity level during hibernation of Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis hatchlings. The upstream regulator NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA was also measured. Samples were taken at pre-hibernation (17.0°C, Mud temperature (MT)), hibernation (5.8°C, MT) and arousal (20.1°C, MT). Nrf2 exhibited a tissue-specific pattern of expression with a decrease in the brain, slight increase in the liver and heart during hibernation, and significant increase during arousal in all the three tissues. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA, catalase (CAT) mRNA, and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) mRNA exhibited a similar pattern as Nrf2 in the brain and liver during the entire hibernation period. Hepatic GPx4 mRNA level increased during hibernation and decreased during arousal, whereas it did not change in the heart. Cerebral SOD and CAT activities kept stable during the experimental period, but GPx activity decreased significantly during hibernation and arousal. Hepatic GPx enzyme activity did not change, whereas those of SOD and CAT exhibited a notable decrease during arousal. Malondialdehyde concentration did not increase during the hibernation process, indicating an effective protection of the antioxidant defense system.

Tai Chi for improving cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of Tai Chi on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database. METHODS: Articles on randomized controlled trials comparing Tai Chi with other treatments or no treatment were identified. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Fifteen articles involving 1354 participants were included. Compared with the control group, Tai Chi was more effective in improving exercise capacity on 6-minute walking distance (short term: MD = 16.02, 95% CI 2.86 to 29.17; mid term: MD = 30.90, 95% CI 6.88 to 54.93; long term: MD = 24.63, 95% CI 2.30 to 46.95), as well as pulmonary functions on forced expiratory volume in the first second (mid term: MD = 0.10; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.19), and forced vital capacity (mid term: MD = 0.20; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.36). Concerning quality of life, we found Tai Chi was better than the control group for the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire dyspnoea score (short term: MD = 0.90; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.29), fatigue score (short term: MD = 0.75; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.09), and total score (short term: MD = 1.92; 95% CI 0.54 to 3.31). CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi may improve exercise capacity in the short, mid, and long terms. However, no significant long term differences in pulmonary function and quality of life were observed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Gly82Ser polymorphism of the receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) potential high risk in patients with colorectal cancer.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has previously been suggested to stimulate the growth, survival, and metastatic spread of colorectal cancers (CRC). The genetic variant Gly82Ser of RAGE influences its function and is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer and multiple sclerosis. To investigate the association between the Gly82Ser polymorphisms of RAGE and the risk of CRC, 90 CRC patients and 78 control subjects with benign polyps were genotyped and the results were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software.In comparing with the control group, the CRC group has a higher ratio in the Gly82Ser polymorphism. The odds ratio (OR) for heterozygous GS is 2.037 (95% CI 1.207-3.438); the OR for carriers with the S allele (SS) is 3.32 (95% CI 0.94-11.65). Further stratification analysis of the correlation of the Gly82Ser polymorphism with tumor stages and differentiation indicated that CRC patients with TNM (III + IV) and/or patients with poorly differentiated colorectal cancer have an elevated Gly82Ser polymorphism. The OR for TNM (III + IV) is 3.575, 95% CI 1.495-8.550, and the OR for poorly differentiated is 3.580, 95% CI 1.390-9.217. In conclusion, the RAGE gene Gly82Ser polymorphism may confer not only an increased risk of CRC but also an increased invasion of CRC in the Chinese population.

Treatment of the terephthalic acid-containing wastewater using a biological-aerated filter.

In this paper, the biological-aerated filter (BAF) was employed to treat the wastewater containing terephthalic acid (TA). Factors that affected the efficiency of TA and CODCr removal were evaluated experimetally, including pH, hydraulic loading, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and TA volume loading. At pH 7-8, hydraulic loading rate 0.067-0.48 m3/(m2 h), HRT more than 3.5h and TA loading 0.04-0.15g/(m3 d), the TA and CODCr removal efficiency was more than 93% and 87%, respectively. The mathematical model of matrix (TA) was obtained by Monod's relation and the experimental parameters of the model were 1.972 g/(m2d) and 9.782 mg/L.

Quantum criticality of generalized Aubry-André models with exact mobility edges using fidelity susceptibility.

In this study, we explore the quantum critical phenomena in generalized Aubry-André models, with a particular focus on the scaling behavior at various filling states. Our approach involves using quantum fidelity susceptibility to precisely identify the mobility edges in these systems. Through a finite-size scaling analysis of the fidelity susceptibility, we are able to determine both the correlation-length critical exponent and the dynamical critical exponent at the critical point of the generalized Aubry-André model. Based on the Diophantine equation conjecture, we can determines the number of subsequences of the Fibonacci sequence and the corresponding scaling functions for a specific filling fraction, as well as the universality class. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of employing the generalized fidelity susceptibility for the analysis of unconventional quantum criticality and the associated universal information of quasiperiodic systems in cutting-edge quantum simulation experiments.

Erratum to: "Fer exacerbates renal fibrosis and can be targeted by miR-29c-3p".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1515/med-2021-0319.].

Effects of maize straw and its biochar application on soil organic carbon chemical composition and carbon degradation genes in a Moso bamboo forest.

We investigated the effects of maize straw and its biochar application on soil organic carbon chemical composition, the abundance of carbon degradation genes (cbhI) and the composition of cbhI gene community in a Moso bamboo forest, to provide the theoretical and scientific basis for enhancing carbon sequestration. We conducted a one-year field experiment in a subtropical Moso bamboo forest with three treatments: control (0 t C·hm-2), maize straw (5 t C·hm-2), and maize straw biochar (5 t C·hm-2). Soil samples were collected at the 3rd and 12th months after the treatment. Soil organic carbon chemical composition, the abundance and community composition of cbhI gene were determined by solid-state 13C NMR, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and high-throughput sequencing, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control, maize straw treatment significantly increased the content of O-alkyl C and decreased aromatic C content, while maize straw biochar treatment showed an opposite effect. Maize straw treatment significantly increased the abundance of cbhI gene and the relative abundance of Penicillium, Gaeumannomyces and Marasmius. However, maize straw biochar treatment reduced the abundance of this gene. The relative abundance of dominant cbhI in soils was positively correlated with the content of O-alkyl C and negatively correlated with the content of aromatic C. Results of redundancy analysis showed that maize straw treatment had a significant effect on the microbial community composition of cbhI gene by changing soil O-alkyl C content, while maize straw biochar affected the microbial community composition of cbhI gene by changing soil pH, organic carbon, and aromatic C content. Maize straw biochar treatment was more effective in increasing soil organic carbon stability and reducing microbial activity associated with carbon degradation in the subtropical Moso bamboo forest ecosystem compared with maize straw treatment. Therefore, the application of biochar has positive significance for maintaining soil carbon storage in subtropical forest ecosystems.

Nanoporous TiO2/polyion thin-film-coated long-period grating sensors for the direct measurement of low-molecular-weight analytes.

We present novel nanoporous TiO(2)/polyion thin-film-coated long-period fiber grating (LPFG) sensors for the direct measurement of low-molecular-weight chemicals by monitoring the resonance wavelength shift. The hybrid overlay films are prepared by a simple layer-by-layer deposition approach, which is mainly based on the electrostatic interaction of TiO(2) nanoparticles and polyions. By the alternate immersion of LPFG into dispersions of TiO(2) nanoparticles and polyions, respectively, the so-formed TiO(2)/polyion thin film exhibits a unique nanoporous internal structure and has a relative higher refractive index than LPFG cladding. In particular, the porosity of the thin film reduces the diffusion coefficient and enhances the permeability retention of low-molecular-weight analytes within the porous film. The increases in the refractive index of the LPFG overlay results in a distinguished modulation of the resonance wavelength. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of LPFG sensors has been greatly improved, according to theoretical simulation. After the structure of the TiO(2)/polyion thin film was optimized, glucose solutions as an example with a low concentration of 10(-7) M was easily detected and monitored at room temperature.

Transcriptome analysis of probiotic Lactobacillus casei Zhang during fermentation in soymilk.

Lactobacillus casei Zhang is a widely recognized probiotic bacterium, which is being commercially used in China. To study the gene expression dynamics of L. casei Zhang during fermentation in soymilk, a whole genome microarray was used to screen for differentially expressed genes when grown to the lag phase, the late logarithmic phase, and the stationary phase. Comparisons of different transcripts next to each other revealed 162 and 63 significantly induced genes in the late logarithmic phase and stationary phase, of which the expression was at least threefold up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Approximately 38.4% of the up-regulated genes were associated with amino acid transport and metabolism notably for histidine and lysine biosynthesis, followed by genes/gene clusters involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism, lipid transport and metabolism, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. The analysis results suggest a complex stimulatory effect of soymilk-based ecosystem on the L. casei Zhang growth. On the other hand, it provides the very first insight into the molecular mechanism of L. casei strain for how it will adapt to the protein-rich environment.

Fer exacerbates renal fibrosis and can be targeted by miR-29c-3p.

AIM: Renal fibrosis (RF) is a common clinical condition leading to irreversible renal function loss. Tyrosine kinase proteins and microRNAs (miRs) are associated with pathogenesis and we aim to investigate the role of Fer and its partner miR(s) in RF. METHOD: In silico reproduction of Mouse Kidney FibrOmics browser was performed to identify potential miR(s) and target gene(s). In vivo validation was performed in C57BL/6 mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). In vitro validation was performed in rat kidney fibroblast NRK-49F cells. Mimics and inhibitors of miR-29c-3p were constructed. The target gene Fer was monitored by RT-PCR and western blotting. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum and media were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The Fer expression and protein level were gradually increased during 14 days of UUO modeling. miR-29c-3p expression was strongly correlated with that of Fer. In vivo validation showed increased expressions of fibrosis-associated genes and increased phospoho-Smad3 level in the UUO model. Fer-knockdown (KD) significantly decreased expressions of fibrosis-associated genes. Pharmaceutical inhibition of Fer showed similar effects to miR-29c-3p, and miR inhibition showed a significant decrease of excretion of inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: Dysregulation of miR-29c-3p and Fer plays a role in RF. Pharmaceutical or genetic inhibition of Fer may serve as the potential treatment for RF.