Three new piscidins from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides): Phylogeny, expression and functional characterization.

The present study reports the identification, and characterization of three new putative piscidin paralogues, ecPis-2, ecPis-3 and ecPis-4, from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The cDNA of the three piscidins with the 207, 216, and 231 nt open reading frame encoded respectively a 68-, 71-, and 76-amino acid preprotein consisting of the predicted signal peptide, and putative mature peptide and prodomain. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that multiple piscidin paralogues in one fish species are highly diversified, the analysis suggested that the piscidins should be a family belonging to the superfamily of ancient cationic, linear, and amphipathic host defence peptides widespread across invertebrate and vertebrate taxa comprising insect cecropins and ceratotoxins, and the amphibian dermaseptins. The synthetic putative mature peptides, ecPis-2S, ecPis-3S and ecPis-4S, had strong activities against bacterial and fungal species. EcPis-3S exhibited powerful activity against the infective stage of Cryptocaryon irritans, theronts. The full length ecPis-2 and ecPis-4 by removal of signal peptide, ecPis-2L and ecPis-4L respectively, had potency against bacterial, fungal and parasitic species. The peptide ecPis-2S was proved to exist in spleen of orange-spotted grouper by HPLC followed by ESI-LCMS analysis. Basal transcriptions of ecPis-2, ecPis-3 and ecPis-4 were detected not only in the potential sites of pathogen entry such as gills, skin and intestine, but also in tissues such as head kidney, trunk kidney, blood cells, and spleen with highly abundant immune cells, however different paralogues expressed constitutively with different levels in the tissues. In addition, the expression of ecPis-2, ecPis-3 and ecPis-4 was upregulated in orange-spotted grouper challenged by Vibrio Parahaemolyticus, in different tissues at different time point after bacteria injection. These results support ecPis-2, ecPis-3 and ecPis-4 being the important immune-related genes in orange-spotted grouper innate immune system and playing multifunctional and complementary roles following their structural and functional diversification, and expression pattern difference. Finally, this study facilitates the evaluation of ecPis-2S, 2L, ecPis-3S, and ecPis-4S, -4L as potential templates of therapeutic agents against pathogens.

In Situ Integration of a Flame Retardant Quasisolid Gel Polymer Electrolyte with a Si-Based Anode for High-Energy Li-Ion Batteries.

Silicon (Si) stands out as a promising high-capacity anode material for high-energy Li-ion batteries. However, a drastic volume change of Si during cycling leads to the electrode structure collapse and interfacial stability degradation. Herein, a multifunctional quasisolid gel polymer electrolyte (QSGPE) is designed, which is synthesized through the in situ polymerization of methylene bis(acrylamide) with silica-nanoresin composed of nanosilica and a trifunctional cross-linker in cells, leading to the creation of a "breathing" three-dimensional elastic Li-ion conducting framework that seamlessly integrates an electrode, a binder, and an electrolyte. The silicon particles within the anode are encapsulated by buffering the QSGPE after cross-linking polymerization, which synergistically interacts with the existing PAA binder to reinforce the electrode structure and stabilize the interface. In addition, the formation of the LiF- and Li3N-rich SEI layer further improves the interfacial property. The QSGPE demonstrates a wide electrochemical window until 5.5 V, good flame retardancy, high ionic conductivity (1.13 × 10-3 S cm-1), and a Li+ transference number of 0.649. The advanced QSGPE and cell design endow both nano- and submicrosized silicon (smSi) anodes with high initial Coulombic efficiencies over 88.0% and impressive cycling stability up to 600 cycles at 1 A g-1. Furthermore, the NCM811//Si cell achieves capacity retention of ca. 82% after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g-1. This work provides an effective strategy for extending the cycling life of the Si anode and constructing an integrated cell structure by in situ polymerization of the quasisolid gel polymer electrolyte.

Predictive Value of Flank Pain and Gross Hematuria on Long-Term Survival in Patients With Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Treated by Radical Nephroureterectomy.

Background: Assessing the prognosis preoperatively in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains a challenge for urologists. Gross hematuria (GH) and flank pain (FP) are the 2 most common and easily perceived symptoms of UTUC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prognostic values of GH and FP in patients with UTUC after undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Methods: This article retrospectively analyzed 179 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU and examined the associations between the FP, GH, and long-term survival. After dividing patients into 4 subgroups (presenting as GH without FP, FP without GH, no FP and GH, FP with GH), we focused on the prognostic values of the 4 subgroups using univariate and multivariate analyses. We then proposed a risk stratification model for UTUC based on the independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS) with external validation (146 additional UTUC patients formed the validation cohort). Results: Patients with FP had worse oncological outcomes than those without FP (P < .05). After dividing the 179 patients into 4 subgroups, the "FP without GH" subgroup suffered the worst oncological outcomes (P < .001). The Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that "FP without GH" (P < .001), tumor multifocality (P = .005), and pathological stage (P = .004) were independent prognostic factors for CSS. Good performance of the risk stratification model was achieved in both the training and external validation cohorts. Conclusion: The presence of "flank pain without gross hematuria" was one of the independent risk factors of CSS and OS besides the pathological stage and tumor multifocality. To our knowledge, this is the first study that adding complaint to risk stratification model in UTUC.

Exosome-Mediated miR-4792 Transfer Promotes Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation via Enhanced FOXC1/c-Myc Signaling and Warburg Effect.

Bladder cancer is the second-most common malignancy in the urogenital system and the most common in men. However, our understanding of the driving mechanisms of bladder cancer remains incomplete. The forkhead box (FOX) family of transcription factors is implicated in urogenital development and bladder malignancies. Many exosomal microRNAs have been identified as regulators and mediators of the expression of FOX, including the expression of FOXC1. miR-4792 has been known as a tumor miRNA suppressor. However, the function of miR-4792/FOXC1 signaling in bladder cancer development remains unknown. Here, we studied the role of miR-4792/FOXC1 signaling in bladder cancer by using multiple bladder cancer cell lines and bladder cancer mouse models through in vitro and in vivo approaches. We showed that FOXC1 is highly expressed in multiple bladder cancer cell lines and bladder tumor tissues. The knockdown of FOXC1 expression in bladder cancer cell lines decreases c-Myc expression levels, retards cell growth, and reduces aerobic glycolysis (also known as the Warburg effect) and lactic acid content. By contrast, the overexpression of FOXC1 elicits the opposite effects. FOXC1-downregulated bladder cancer cells form significantly smaller tumors in vivo. The inhibition of c-Myc reverses the effects of FOXC1 overexpression and leads to reduced cell proliferation, aerobic glycolysis, and lactic acid content. miR-4792 expression is downregulated in bladder tumor tissues. miR-4792 exposure to bladder cancer cells reduces the expression levels of FOXC1 and c-Myc, slows down cell growth, and decreases aerobic glycolysis and lactic acid content. However, the enhanced miR-4792 expression elicits opposite effects. These findings provided the first evidence that the exosome-mediated delivery of miR-4792 could play an important role in bladder cancer development through the downregulation of FOXC1 and c-Myc, which further inhibited aerobic glycolysis and lactic acid content.

Mefunidone ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway and enhancing Nrf2 pathway.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening disease which has high mortality and lacks effective pharmacological treatments. Excessive inflammation and oxidative stress are the key pathogenesis of ALI. Mefunidone (MFD), a novel small molecule compound, displayed anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress effects on streptozocin (STZ) and db/db mice in our previous studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MFD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and explore the potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We investigated the effects of MFD on LPS-induced ALI mouse model and LPS-stimulated immortalized mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDMs). RESULTS: MFD could alleviate pulmonary structure disorder and attenuate pulmonary neutrophils infiltration induced by LPS. MFD could also decreased proinflammatory cytokines release and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation stimulated by LPS. Further, MFD could significantly reduce LPS-induced phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), increase expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and restore the expressions of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION: Our results firstly supported that MFD effectively protected LPS-induced ALI against inflammation and oxidative stress through inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway and activating Nrf2 pathway.

[Retrieve of red tide distributions from MODIS data based on the characteristics of water spectrum].

After comparing the spectral differences between red tide water and normal water, we developed a method to retrieve red tide distributions from MODIS data based on the characteristics of red tide water spectrum. The authors used the 119 series of in situ observations to validate the method and found that only one observation has not been detected correctly. The authors then applied this method to MODIS data on April 4, 2005. In the research areas three locations of red tide water were apparently detected with the total areas about 2 000 km2. The retrieved red tide distributions are in good agreement with the distributions of high chlorophyll a concentrations. The research suggests that the method is available to eliminating the influence of suspended sediments and can be used to retrieve the locations and areas of red tide water.

[Lung transplantation for silicosis: a report of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the selection of recipients, operative technique, and perioperative management of lung transplantation for silicosis. METHODS: Lung transplantations (LTx) were performed for five end-stage silicosis in our hospital who were diagnosed in accordance with recommendations of the local Prophylactic Therapeutic Institution for Occupational Diseases. The chest roentgenogram and high resolution CT showed somewhat pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, pulmonary emphysema and massive opacities. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was > 30mmHg, NYHA III or IV. Two patients received thoracic surgery prior to LTx, one patient was ventilator-dependent. One patient received bilateral sequence lung transplantation (BSLT) under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Four patients received single lung transplantation (SLT), 3 under ECMO support. RESULTS: Patient five died of multiple organ failure on postoperative day 8, the remaining four patients were discharged from hospital. During follow up, patient three died of severe infection 7 month postoperatively, the remaining three patients were alive for 5 years, 3 years and 2 years respectively, and lived good quality of life, especially with lower mPAP and improved lung function. Although our patients suffered low-grade chronic rejection with the manifestation of bronchiolitis obliterative syndrome (BOS). CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation is a viable option for patients with end-stage silicosis, providing acceptable quality of life and survival. Both SLT and BSLT are satisfactory approach for end-stage silicosis,and long-term survival requires further investigations.

[Lung and heart-lung transplantation for Eisenmenger syndrome: report of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the operative indications and peri-operational management of single lung transplantation (SLT) and heart-lung transplantation (HLT) for patients suffering from Eisenmenger's syndrome (ES). METHODS: From September.2002 to March.2006, four ES patients, 1 males and 3 females, aged 16 approximately 19, 2 with atrial septal defect and 2 with ventricular septal defect, underwent single right lung transplantation, and one patients, male, aged 43, who suffered heart failure secondary to an interventional occlusion for atrial septal defect underwent cardiac repair and HLT. RESULTS: Two patients, including the patient who received HLT and one, female, aged 15, who received SHT died of he died primary graft dysfunction on the 23rd day and 20th day post-operationally respectively. While the other 3 recipients kept a normal life for 5, 8, and 22 months respectively after operation with apparently decreased pulmonary artery pressure and improved cardiac-pulmonary functions. CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation companies with cardiac repair is effective in the therapy of ES. Donor-recipient matching in size, proper removal and protection of the donor lung, and appropriate postoperational management are the key procedures for those patients to survive.

[Single-lung transplantation for end-stage pulmonary parenchymal diseases with pulmonary hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the outcome of single-lung transplantation (SLT) for end-stage pulmonary parenchymal diseases in combination with pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: From September 2002 to November 2005, there were 22 lung transplantation recipients, suffering from emphysema (10/22), pulmonary fibrosis (10/22), pneumosilicosis (1/22) and vascular leiomyoma (1/22), and all of them were complicated with pulmonary hypertension to different extent. Operative techniques: 10 patients received left-lung transplantations, and 12 patients received right-lung transplantation. In all the patients echocardiography (ECHO) was performed before transplantation, and arterial blood was collected to determine oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)). RESULTS: The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa, syst) was monitored by Swan-Gans catheterization one week post-transplantation, and it was found to have decreased significantly [from (50.00+/-13.00) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) to (39.5+/-7.36) mm Hg,P<0.05]. Simultaneously, PaO(2)/FiO(2) was improved [from (241.26+/-79.54) mm Hg to (348.23+/-99.31) mm Hg, P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Single lung transplantation is an efficient way to deal with end-stage pulmonary parenchymal disease combined with pulmonary hypertension.

[Lung transplantation for pulmonary fibrosis: report of 10 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the operative technique, patient selection and perioperative management of lung transplantation for pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: From September 2002 to December 2005, 31 cases of lung transplantations were performed in our hospital. There were 10 cases receiving single lung transplantation for pulmonary fibrosis, among them 2 received right lung transplantation with cardio pulmonary bypass, and one received contralateral lung transplantation-a left donor lung implanted in the recipient's right thorax. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was 10.0% (1/10). Nine patients were discharged from hospital, while one patient died of severe infection on the 137th postoperative day. During follow-up, one patient died of infection 9 months and another patient died of an accident 25 months after the operation. The 7 other patients were alive with improved lung functions. CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation is effective in improving the survival of selected patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[Perioperative care in lung transplantation: report of 18 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate monitoring and cares in the intensive care unit (ICU) after lung transplantation. METHODS: From September 2002 to April 2005, there were 18 cases of lung transplant recipients, who had suffered from emphysema (9 cases), pulmonary fibrosis (5 cases), silicosis (1 cases), bronchiectasis (1 case), pulmonary vascular leiomyoma (1 case), ventricular septal defect and Eisenmenger's syndrome (1 case), respectively. Operative procedures included 9 cases with left lung transplantation, 5 right lung transplantation, 1 case right single lung transplantation and ventricular septal defect repair, and 3 cases bilateral lung transplantations. All the patients received mechanical ventilation, immunosuppressive agents, antibacterial prophylaxis, and prevention of reperfusion injury in the ICU after operation. Preoperatively, echocardiography (ECHO), artery blood gas,and oxygenation index (partial pressure of oxygen in artery/fraction of inspired oxygen, PaO(2)/FiO(2)) were observed. RESULTS: The average weaning time from the ventilator was (7.39+/-4.89) days. The average ICU stay time was (9.72+/-8.32) days. The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa, syst) was monitored with Swan-Ganz catheterization 1 week post transplant, and it was found to have decreased significantly from (48.94+/-14.45) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) to (39.59+/-7.45) mm Hg (P<0.05). At the same time, oxygenation index was improved from (263.89+/-82.09) mm Hg to (345.56+/-92.18) mm Hg (P<0.05), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery (PaCO(2)) was decreased from (63.29+/-22.56) mm Hg to (38.37+/-9.19) mm Hg (P<0.05). In hospital mortality (HM) was 16.7% (3/18 cases), and an early death was due to severe infection on the 30 th postoperative day in 1 patient and acute rejection on the 15 th postoperative day in another patient, and the other patient died due to pulmonary vein embolism on the 36 th day. Fifteen patients recovered quickly and discharged from the hospital. One patient was followed up for 32 months. CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation remains the only hope for many patients with end stage pulmonary disease. It is important that the lung transplant team possesses a working knowledge of the treatment of common complications, the time of these complications mostly likely to occur and how best to treat them when they do arise, to ensure long-term survival and success.

[The operative technique selection of lung transplantation for end-stage emphysema].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the operation of lung transplantation for end-stage emphysema. METHODS: From September 2002 to February 2005, 9 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent lung transplantation. The types of surgery included single lung transplantation in 2 patients, lung transplantation with asynchronous contralateral lung volume reduction (one week later) in 1, single lung transplantation with synchronized contralateral lung volume reduction in 4, and bilateral sequential lung transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass in 2. RESULTS: The volume of chest drainage was more than 2000 ml at the first postoperative day in 2 patients, one was reoperated for hemostasis and another was successfully responded to conservative therapy. The ventilation time was ranged from 3 to 22 days postoperatively. Two patients were received tracheotomy. Seven patients achieved good results, two of them had returned to work, and 1 patient had lived for 30 months. One patient was died of severe acute rejection (4A) at 15th postoperative day and 1 succumbed to multisystem organ failure due to severe bacterial infection combine fungal infection. CONCLUSION: End-stage emphysema is an indication for single lung transplantation. Single lung transplantation with contralateral lung volume reduction is a good way to utilize donor. If patient suffered from infection, double-lung transplantation should be considered first.

[Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operational procedures, indications, and the long-term results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: One hundred seventy three cases of spontaneous pneumothorax treated with VATS in our hospital between 1995 and 2001 were analyzed. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) was found in 157 cases and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in 16 cases. In patients with PSP, pneumothorax occurred for the first time in 65 (41.4%) cases, and recurred at least once in 92 (58.6%) cases. Among them three patients underwent simultaneous bilateral VATS for simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax, and 6 underwent two-stage bilateral VATS. In patients with SSP, 6 had recurrent pneumothorax. RESULTS: According to the Vanderschueren's classification, no abnormality was found in 34 (19.7%) cases, pleuro-pulmonary adhesions in 41 (23.7%) cases and bullae in 98 (56.7%) cases. Pleurodesis and stapling under Endo-cutter were the major operational procedures used in these cases. The median follow-up time was 53 months. The long-term recurrence rate was 1.8%. Complications related to surgery occurred in 3.0% of the cases, which included subcutaneous emphysema, localized pleural effusion and prolonged air leakage. CONCLUSION: VATS is a safe and effective treatment for both initial and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, and therefore it is becoming the primary treatment modality for this disease.

[Single-lung transplantation and contralateral lung volume reduction for emphysema].

OBJECTIVE: To report the operation technique, patient selection and curative effect of single-lung transplantation with contralateral lung volume reduction for a patient with end-stage emphysema. METHODS: A 47-year-old male patient who was dependent on mechanical ventilation because of end-stage emphysema received left-lung transplantation on 20 June, 2003. The surgical technique used was similar to that mentioned in the literature. The donor lung was perfused by low-potassium dextran solutions (LPD) with a cold ischemic time of 390 minutes. The patient received contralateral lung volume reduction because of subacute native lung hyperinflation on the 7th day after operation. He was received tracheostomy on 15th day after operation and was weaned from ventilator on the 26th day post-operation. Immunosuppression included cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroid. The acute rejection occurred on the 9th and 15th days after operation and was cured successfully. RESULTS: The lung function was improved significantly and the patient was discharged from hospital 71 days after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Single-lung transplantation combined with contralateral lung volume reduction for end-stage emphysema is an effective measure for subacute native lung hyperinflation. Further follow-up is required to assess the long term results of this procedure.

[Single-lung transplantation for end-stage emphysema].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate operative technique, patient selection and perioperative management of single-lung transplantation for a patients with end-stage emphysema. METHODS: A 56-year-old patient with end-stage emphysema underwent left-lung transplantation on September 28, 2002. The surgical technique used was similar to that mentioned in the literature. The donor lung was perfused by LPD solution with a cold ischemic time of 260 minutes. Cardiopulmonary bypass was not performed. RESULTS: The patient weaned from a ventilator at the 93th hour after operation. Immunosuppressants included cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroid. Acute rejection occurred on the ninth day after operation and was cured by bolus methylprednisolone given intravenously. Lung function was improved significantly and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 47th day after operation. CONCLUSION: Single-lung transplantation for patients with end-stage emphysema is effective for long-term improvement of pulmonary function.

Lung transplantation for end-stage silicosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether lung transplantation conferred acceptable survival compared with conventional treatment for end-stage silicosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for five consecutive patients with silicosis between September 2002 and December 2010, four underwent single lung transplantation and one bilateral lung transplantation. RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was required in four patients, three underwent single lung transplantation and one received bilateral lung transplantation, three of them were successfully weaned. One developed primary graft dysfunction 2 days after transplant and died of multiple organ failure on postoperative day 8. The remaining four patients were discharged from hospital. During follow-up, one recipient died of severe infection 7 months after transplant. All remaining patients returned to work and had a good quality of life after 5, 3 and 2 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplantation offers effective therapy for patients with end-stage silicosis.

[Semi-analysis algorithm to retrieve pigment concentrations in the red tide area of the East China Sea].

For the purpose of detecting and forecasting research of red tides to reduce the loss, a semi-analytic algorithm to retrieve chlorophyll-a concentrations was established in the area where red tides often brought out, according to the data collected during the red tides cruise in the East China Sea in April 2002. In the algorithm, empirical equations were made based on the coefficients from the in-situ data, including the optical properties of the research area. The in-situ data were used to validate the algorithm. The discrepancy of chlorophyll-a absorption coefficients and concentrations are mainly located in the region of 30%. The root mean deviation of the chlorophyll-a concentrations between the observed and the calculated is 0.24, the maximum relative deviation 40.93%, the mean relative deviation 18.83% and the correlation coefficient 0.83. The results show that the precision of the algorithm is high and the algorithm is fit for the research area.