Discovery of extracellular vesicle-delivered miR-185-5p in the plasma of patients as an indicator for advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate whether extracellular vesicles (EV)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for advanced adenoma (AA) and colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We detected the changes in the plasma EV-delivered miRNA profiles in healthy donor (HD), AA patient, and I-II stage CRC patient groups using miRNA deep sequencing assay. We performed the TaqMan miRNA assay using 173 plasma samples (two independent cohorts) from HDs, AA patients, and CRC patients to identify the candidate miRNA(s). The accuracy of candidate miRNA(s) in diagnosing AA and CRC was determined using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) values. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of candidate miRNA(s) as an independent factor for the diagnosis of AA and CRC. The role of candidate miRNA(s) in the malignant progression of CRC was explored using functional assays. RESULTS: We screened and identified four prospective EV-delivered miRNAs, including miR-185-5p, which were significantly upregulated or downregulated in AA vs. HD and CRC vs. AA groups. In two independent cohorts, miR-185-5p was the best potential biomarker with the AUCs of 0.737 (Cohort I) and 0.720 (Cohort II) for AA vs. HD diagnosis, 0.887 (Cohort I) and 0.803 (Cohort II) for CRC vs. HD diagnosis, and 0.700 (Cohort I) and 0.631 (Cohort II) for CRC vs. AA diagnosis. Finally, we demonstrated that the upregulated expression of miR-185-5p promoted the malignant progression of CRC. CONCLUSION: EV-delivered miR-185-5p in the plasma of patients is a promising diagnostic biomarker for colorectal AA and CRC. Trial registration The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, China (Ethics No. 2022SL005, Registration No. of China Clinical Trial Registration Center: ChiCTR220061592).

Manduca sexta caterpillars parasitized by the wasp Cotesia congregata stop chewing despite an intact motor system.

The parasitic wasp Cotesia congregata suppresses feeding in its host, the caterpillar Manduca sexta, during specific periods of wasp development. We examined both feeding behaviour and the neurophysiology of the mandibular closer muscle in parasitized and unparasitized control M. sexta to determine how the wasp may accomplish this. To test whether the wasps activated a pre-existing host mechanism for feeding cessation, we examined the microstructure of feeding behaviour in caterpillars that stopped feeding due to illness-induced anorexia or an impending moult. These microstructures were compared with that shown by parasitized caterpillars. While there were overall differences between parasitized and unparasitized caterpillars, the groups showed similar progression in feeding microstructure as feeding ended, suggesting a common pattern for terminating a meal. Parasitized caterpillars also consumed less leaf area in 100 bites than control caterpillars at around the same time their feeding microstructure changed. The decline in food consumption was accompanied by fewer spikes per burst and shorter burst durations in chewing muscle electromyograms. Similar extracellular results were obtained from the motorneuron of the mandibular closer muscle. However, chewing was dramatically re-activated in non-feeding parasitized caterpillars if the connectives posterior to the suboesophageal ganglion were severed. The same result was observed in unparasitized caterpillars given the same treatment. Our results suggest that the reduced feeding in parasitized caterpillars is not due to damage to the central pattern generator (CPG) for chewing, motor nerves or chewing muscles, but is more likely to be due to a suppression of chewing CPG activity by ascending or descending inputs.

Immediate knowledge improvement and long-term teaching confidence after general medicine faculty training program.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study analyzed the effects of the General Medicine Faculty Training Program (GMFTP), which was implemented in 2009. The training program includes a 7-hour basic training (BT) to introduce ways of teaching and assessing the 6 core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and a 40-hour clinical training program. METHODS: Physicians from different hospitals attended the GMFTPs. Since 2010, we have been using quick tests to assess trainees' familiarity of core competencies. Knowledge improvement (KI) was defined as the difference between post-BT and pre-BT test scores. Since 2013, we have been annually mailing questionnaires to assess trainees' teaching confidence (TC) of core competencies. We analyzed the correlations between trainees' characteristics, KIs, and TCs. RESULTS: Between year 2009 and 2017, a total of 319 attending physicians (257 male, 62 female), with a mean age of 39.1 ± 6.2 years, completed the GMFTPs. Significant KI (32.6-55.4) was noted. There were no correlations between trainees' characteristics and KIs. The mean TCs for the 6 core competences were all above 4.0 (based on a 5-point Likert scale). TCs were positively correlated with age during GMFTP training, age when responding to the questionnaire, and duration between training and the last time responding to the questionnaire. TC showed no correlation with sex, hospitals, departments, or KI. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of teaching core competencies improved immediately after BT, but KIs did not correlate with TCs in long-term follow-up. After the training program, physicians' teaching confidence increased over time.

Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) promotes chondrocyte expression of matrix metalloproteinase and inflammatory factors via the NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: The expression of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is closely associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, despite being a well characterized inflammatory mediator, the effects of FSTL1 on chondrocytes are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of FSTL1 on the expression of inflammatory and catabolic factors in rat chondrocytes. METHODS: Rat chondrocytes were treated directly with various concentrations of FSTL1 in vitro. The levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 were measured by polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and Western blotting. In addition, activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway was explored to identify potential regulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: Follistatin-like protein 1 directly increased the expression of MMP-1, MMP-13, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 at both gene and protein level in a dose-dependent manner. Activation of NF- κB and phosphorylation of p65 were also promoted by FSTL1 stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Follistatin-like protein 1 exerts pro-inflammatory and catabolic effects on cultured chondrocytes via activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway. FSTL1 may therefore be a target in the treatment of OA.

Licochalcone A Inhibits MMPs and ADAMTSs via the NF-κB and Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathways in Rat Chondrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease in which cartilage degradation is the central pathological change. In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of licochalcone A (Lico A) in rat chondrocytes. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-5, ADAMTS-4, collagen II, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and MMP-1 at both the gene and protein levels, respectively. In addition, the wnt/ß-catenin and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways were also analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Lico A downregulated ADAMTS-5, ADAMTS-4,MMP-13 and MMP-1 expression, and diminished the IL-1ß-induced inhibition of collagen II. In addition, the activation of ß-catenin and phosphorylation of p65 and IKKα/ß were suppressed by Lico A. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Lico A inhibits MMPs and ADAMTS partly via the NF-κB and wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways in rat chondrocytes. Thus, Lico A may have therapeutic effects in OA.

[Effect of Water Extract of Ginseng on Biological Bechaviors of Lung Cancer A549 Cells and the Expression of F-actin in Co-culture System of TAMs and A549 Cells].

Objective To study the effect of Water Extract of Ginseng (WEG) on the prolifera- tion/metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells and the expression of F-actin in co-culture system of tumor as- sociated macrophages (TAMs) and A549 cells. Methods Human acute leukemia mononuclear strain THP-1 was induced to become TAMs using Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) combined IL-4 and IL- 13. The supernant of TAMs and A549 cells were co-cultured. A co-culture model was set up by simulating microenvironment of lung cancer. Then cells were divided into the blank control group (A549) , the co- culture group (A549 +TAMs) , high, middle, and low dose WEG groups (TAMs +A549 + high, middle, and low dose WEG). The effects of WEG on the proliferation/metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells and the expression of F-actin under various conditions were detected using MTT method, Real time cell analysis (RTCA) , and high content screening (HCS). Results Compared with the blank control group, the pro- liferation of A549 cells was obviously increased, cell migration was obviously elevated, and the area of cell skeleton was markedly enlarged in the TAMs + A549 group, with statistical difference (P <0. 05). Compared with the TAMs +A549 group, the proliferation and migration of A549 cells were inhibited, the area of cell skeleton and the number of microfilaments were reduced dose-dependently (P <0. 05). Conclusion WEG could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of A549 cells, which might be a- chieved by adjusting immunoactivities of TAMs, and further it affected biological behaviors of tumor cells.

Israeli acute paralysis virus: epidemiology, pathogenesis and implications for honey bee health.

Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) is a widespread RNA virus of honey bees that has been linked with colony losses. Here we describe the transmission, prevalence, and genetic traits of this virus, along with host transcriptional responses to infections. Further, we present RNAi-based strategies for limiting an important mechanism used by IAPV to subvert host defenses. Our study shows that IAPV is established as a persistent infection in honey bee populations, likely enabled by both horizontal and vertical transmission pathways. The phenotypic differences in pathology among different strains of IAPV found globally may be due to high levels of standing genetic variation. Microarray profiles of host responses to IAPV infection revealed that mitochondrial function is the most significantly affected biological process, suggesting that viral infection causes significant disturbance in energy-related host processes. The expression of genes involved in immune pathways in adult bees indicates that IAPV infection triggers active immune responses. The evidence that silencing an IAPV-encoded putative suppressor of RNAi reduces IAPV replication suggests a functional assignment for a particular genomic region of IAPV and closely related viruses from the Family Dicistroviridae, and indicates a novel therapeutic strategy for limiting multiple honey bee viruses simultaneously and reducing colony losses due to viral diseases. We believe that the knowledge and insights gained from this study will provide a new platform for continuing studies of the IAPV-host interactions and have positive implications for disease management that will lead to mitigation of escalating honey bee colony losses worldwide.

[Identification of multidrug resistance gene MDR1 associated microRNA of salvianolic acid A reversal in lung cancer].

This paper was aimed to investigate the microRNA associated with multidrug resistance gene MDR1 of salvianolic acid A reversal in lung cance. Human lung cancer A549 cells were divided into normal control group and drug group, and the MDR1 expression levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. MicroRNA expression profiling of normal control group and drug group were detected by using the latest microRNA microarray. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the differentially expressed miRNA. Forecast of miRNA associated with MDR1 multi-resistant genes of up-regulated miRNA. Experimental results showed that the dosage of MDR1 expression level significantly lowered compared with control group. The miRNA expression spectrum analyses of human lung cancer A549 cells to drug group and the control group were detected by microRNA microarray, 426 differentially expressed miRNA were screened out. Then target prediction were performed for difference up-expression of miRNA and found that there were four obvious increase of miRNA associated with MDR1 multi-resistant genes. Real-time quantitative PCR for 4 microRNA verification, the results were consistent with the chip. So the author considered that salvianolic acid A down lung cancer multidrug resistance gene MDR1 is likely to be affected by the miRNA expression and regulation of target genes, to further clarify the traditional Chinese medicine to reverse multi-drug resistant mechanism provides the experimental basis.

Acacetin inhibits expression of matrix metalloproteinases via a MAPK-dependent mechanism in fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

It is well known that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease in which fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a pivotal role. In this study, we investigated the anti-arthritic properties of acacetin in FLSs. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot at gene and protein levels. At the same time, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) was investigated. The DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We found that acacetin inhibits p38 and JNK phosphorylation and reduces MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression in interleukin-1ß-induced FLSs. Our results suggest that acacetin has antiarthritic effects in FLSs. Thus, acacetin should be further studied for the treatment of arthritis.

Baicalein Inhibits MMPs Expression via a MAPK-Dependent Mechanism in Chondrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Baicalein is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Here, we investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effect of baicalein in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß)-induced chondrocytes were treated with different concentrations of baicalein, real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to detect the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression. Western blot was used to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression. In experimental osteoarthritis (OA), rabbits were treated with baicalein, gross morphological and histological assessment was performed to evaluate the cartilage damage. RESULTS: Baicalein significantly reduced the expression of MMPs in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, baicalein significantly reduced the phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), but not of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, intra-articular injection of baicalein ameliorated the cartilage damage in a rabbit model of OA induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that baicalein may be considered as a potential agent for OA treatment.

Astaxanthin ameliorates cartilage damage in experimental osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: Astaxanthin is a red-pigment carotenoid found in certain marine animals and plants. Astaxanthin has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in vitro. However, the effect of astaxanthin on cartilage is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on cartilage in experimental osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: New Zealand rabbits underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection to induce OA in right knee. Rabbits received intra-articular injection containing 0.3 ml of vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) or astaxanthin (50 µM). Injection was started on the day of operation, and the injection were performed once weekly for six consecutive weeks. Then, rabbits were sacrificed and the right knees were harvested for study. RESULTS: Cartilage degradation was reduced by astaxanthin, as assessed by morphological and histological examination. Astaxanthin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 in cartilage as compared with the vehicle group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that astaxanthin may be considered as pharmaceutical agent in OA treatment.

[Effects of component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on cell proliferation, apoptosis and skeleton in lung cancer A549 cells].

This study aims to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 using the orthogonal design method, and to investigate its effects of the component formula on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cytoskeleton in lung cancer A549 cells. The orthogonal design method was introduced to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 cells. CCK-8 assay and Real-time cell analysis were adapted to analyze the effect of component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on A549 cells viability at different time and dose. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V- FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Cell skeleton protein F-actin was detected by high content screening (HCS). The optimizing component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma for total salvianolic acid, total saponins of panax ginseng and ginseng polysaccharide doses were 5, 10, 5 mg L(-1). CCK-8 assay and real-time cell analysis demonstrated that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma treatment could significantly decrease the A549 cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the increase of cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry when cells treated with the component formula, which indicating that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma could induce A549 cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, compared with control group, a significant decrease in A549 cell skeleton area was found in the component formula-exposed cells in the dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). In summary, the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma inhibits A549 cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis and decreasing cell microfilament formation. All of these results will be helpful to reveal antitumor mechanism of the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, which provides a basis for the exploration of antitumor mechanism of the component formula on lung cancer.

[Spatiotemporal Simulation of Soil Pb Accumulation Process in Urban-Rural Areas: A Case Study of a Large City in Central China].

The high intensity of diverse human activities in urban-rural areas leads to complex soil Pb accumulation processes and high spatiotemporal heterogeneity, making it difficult to reveal the spatiotemporal characteristics of soil Pb accumulation in these areas. This study used a typical urban-rural area in a large city in Central China as the study area, constructed a soil Pb accumulation model, and established a spatiotemporal simulation method for soil Pb accumulation processes combining this model and land use classification and simulation results. Using this method, we simulated the soil Pb content in the study area from 2013 to 2040 and elucidated the future spatiotemporal variation characteristics of soil Pb content. The results showed that the average soil Pb content in the study area in 2013 was approximately 1.77 times the background value of the Pb content in the surface soil of the province where the city is located, indicating significant soil Pb pollution. The soil Pb content was predicted to continue increasing from 2013 to 2040, with relatively low increases (0.53-2.25 mg·kg-1) in the western, northern, and southern parts of the study area, accounting for 25.46 % of the total area, and relatively high increases (3.98-5.70 mg·kg-1) in the eastern part, accounting for 17.14 % of the total area. The increase in the area of forest land and the decrease in the area of water bodies and grassland in the eastern part of the study area led to a substantial rise in soil Pb content in this region; in addition, the spatial distribution of soil Pb content was highly correlated with the distribution of important factories and transportation facilities. This study overcomes the limitations of previous research that treated land use as unchanging and to a certain extent reflects the impact of regional land use changes on the heavy metal accumulation process. It provides a method for simulating the soil Pb accumulation process in urban-rural areas and a basis for controlling soil Pb pollution in the city's urban-rural areas.

[Study on antagonistic effect of liangxue huayu recipe on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced L02 hepatocyte apoptosis and its mechanism].

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a new pathway inducing cell apoptosis that has been discovered in recent years. This study focused on the protective effect of Liangxue Huayu recipe (LHR) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and D-GalN-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. It found that TNF-alpha and D-GalN could obviously inhibit hepatocyte proliferation, induce cell apoptosis, and significantly increase free calcium ions in cytoplasms, as well as protein expressions of ERS apoptosis-related signal molecules phosphorylated PERK, phosphorylated elF2alpha, cleaved Caspase-12, GRP78 and CHOP. After the administration of LHR of different concentrations, compared with the TNF-alpha/GalN injury group, LHR could significantly alleviated L02 hepatocyte proliferation, decreased cell apoptosis, inhibited growth of intracytoplasmic free calcium content, and gradually reduced the protein expressions of phosphorylated PERK, phosphorylated elF2alpha, cleaved Caspase-12, GRP78 and CHOP. These findings indicated that LHR has the inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha and D-GalN-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulation of ERS apoptosis-related signal molecules phosphorylated PERK, phosphorylated elF2alpha, cleaved Caspase-12, GRP78 and CHOP that maintain calcium homeostasis in endoplasmic reticulum.

[Effect of Zinc Fertilizer Application on Cadmium Accumulation in Wheat Grain and Its Application Risk].

The interaction of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) is an important research direction in the prevention and control of Cd pollution of wheat in recent years. In this study, a typical wheat field in North China was selected as the object to explore the control effect and application risk of Zn fertilizer on Cd pollution in a soil-wheat system through field experiments. The results showed that under the treatment of a low dosage of Zn, the Cd concentrations in wheat grains in Jiyuan City and Kaifeng City decreased by 33.4% and 25.3% compared with those in the control, respectively. By contrast, Cd concentrations in wheat grains treated with a high dosage of Zn increased by 22.4% and 34.2% compared with that of the low-dosage Zn treatment. After the application of Zn, the total amount and available Zn concentrations increased significantly, and Cd was partially activated in these two locations. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) showed that when the Zn concentrations in the soils were less than 200 mg·kg-1, soil Zn was the main factor affecting Cd accumulation in the soil-wheat system, whereas when Zn concentrations in soils were greater than 200 mg·kg-1, the activation of soil Cd was the main factor affecting Cd accumulation in wheat grains. Regression analysis showed that when the soil Cd/Zn ratio decreased to 0.0089 (low dosage of Zn), Zn and Cd showed an antagonistic effect, whereas when the soil Cd/Zn ratio decreased to 0.0078 (high dosage of Zn), Zn and Cd showed a synergistic effect. According to the characteristics of regional Cd pollution, adjusting the amount of Zn fertilizer can improve the efficiency of pollution control and avoid aggravating the harm of Cd pollution.

[Prediction of Cadmium Uptake Factor in Wheat Based on Machine Learning].

Applying machine learning methods to resolve the cadmium (Cd) uptake characteristics of regional soil-wheat systems can contribute to the accuracy and rationality of risk decisions. Based on a regional survey, we constructed a Freundlich-type transfer equation, random forest (RF) model, and neural network (BPNN) model to predict wheat Cd enrichment factor (BCF-Cd); verified the prediction accuracy; and assessed the uncertainty of different models. The results showed that both RF (R2=0.583) and BPNN (R2=0.490) were better than the Freundlich transfer equation (R2=0.410). The RF and BPNN were further trained repeatedly, and the results showed that the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of RF and BPNN were close to each other. Additionally, the accuracy and stability of RF (R2=0.527-0.601) was higher than that of BPNN (R2=0.432-0.661). Feature importance analysis showed that multiple factors led to the heterogeneity of wheat BCF-Cd, in which soil phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) were the key variables affecting the change in wheat BCF-Cd. Parameter optimization can further improve the accuracy, stability, and generalization ability of the model.

Investigation of Neurological Complications after COVID-19 Vaccination: Report of the Clinical Scenarios and Review of the Literature.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), broke out in 2019 and became a pandemic in 2020. Since then, vaccines have been approved to prevent severe illness. However, vaccines are associated with the risk of neurological complications ranging from mild to severe. Severe complications such as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) associated with acute ischaemic stroke have been reported as rare complications post-COVID-19 vaccination. During the pandemic era, VITT evaluation is needed in cases with a history of vaccination within the last month prior to the event. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) should be suspected in patients following immunization with persistent headaches who are unresponsive to analgesics. In this article, we investigated neurological complications after COVID-19 vaccination and provided more subsequent related clinical studies of accurate diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, incidence, outcome, and management.

[Correlation of lipocalin-2 and its receptor expressions with preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To research the correlation of the expressions of lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) and its receptor (NGALR) in serum and placenta with preeclampsia. METHODS: From Dec.2010 to Apr.2011, 64 women with preeclampsia who delivered in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College were recruited in the study, including 26 women with moderate preeclampsia (MPE group) and 38 women with severe preeclampsia (SPE group). Twenty-five healthy pregnant women were taken as control group. LCN-2 and NGALR mRNA and protein expression in placenta were measured by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. RESULTS: (1) The serum levels of LCN-2 in MPE group and SPE group [(58 ± 20), (90 ± 18) µg/L] were significantly higher than that in control group [(19 ± 6) µg/L, P < 0.01]; the serum LCN-2 level in SPE group was significantly higher than that in MPE group (P < 0.01). (2) LCN-2 mRNA expression in placenta in MPE group and SPE group (0.55 ± 0.14, 0.61 ± 0.14) were both significantly higher than that in control group (0.28 ± 0.16, P < 0.01); LCN-2 protein expression in placenta of MPE group and SPE group (2.2 ± 0.4, 2.4 ± 0.5) were also significantly higher than that in control group (1.4 ± 0.4, P < 0.01), no significant difference was found between MPE group and SPE group (P > 0.05). (3) No significant difference was found in the expressions of NGALR mRNA in placenta among MPE group, SPE group and control group (0.46 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.14, 0.45 ± 0.15, P > 0.05). (4) NGALR protein expressions in MPE group, SPE group and control group were 2.7 ± 0.8, 3.0 ± 0.9, and 2.7 ± 0.9, and there were no significant difference among these three groups (P > 0.05). (5) In preeclampsia, serum LCN-2 level significant associated with 24 hours total urinary protein and uric acid (r = 0.565, 0.476, P < 0.01). LCN-2 serum level were not associated with systolic pressure and diastolic pressure (P > 0.05); there were no association with the expressions LCN-2 mRNA and protein in placenta (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum LCN-2 level is closely related to the progress of preeclampsia. Increasing expression of LCN-2 in placenta may be a compensatory response to preeclampsia.

[Characteristics and influencing factors of microbial function in soils around a typical mining smelter]. / å ¸åž‹çŸ¿å†¶åŒºå‘¨è¾¹åœŸå£¤å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©åŠŸèƒ½ç‰¹å¾åŠå½±å“å› ç´ .

Soil microorganisms were sensitive to heavy metal pollution, whose ecological effect on soil microbial community was impacted by the interaction of contaminated stresses and environmental factors. To explore the dominant factors governing those effects in heavy metal contaminated soil, field investigation was conducted for soil from different land use types in an area surrounding a typical mining smelter in Hunan Province. Soil microbial function parameters including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and nitrification potential (PNR) were used as measure endpoints for ecological effect to reflect soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. The results showed that the effect of land use on MBC, BR, and SIR was insignificant. The dominant impacting factors on microbial functions included CaCl2 extracted Pb (CaCl2-Pb) and soil organic matter (SOM) content. Results of multiple regression analysis showed that soil CaCl2-Pb and SOM together explained 39.8%-58.3% of the total variations of BR, SIR and PNR in soil, when CaCl2-Pb and SOM ranged in 0.004-13.14 mg·kg-1 and 0.24%-4.34%, respectively. Significantly quantitative exposure-effect equations were developed between the responses of soil BR, SIR and PNR and soil CaCl2-Pb and SOM when soil samples with medium contents (namely, SOM 1.70%～2.36% and CaCl2-Pb 0.004-12.98 mg·kg-1), which meant they could be used to quantitatively assess the ecological effect of heavy metals on microbial community function as measure endpoints.

[Assessing the Lead Accumulation Risks of Wheat Grain by Developing a Source-Specific Accumulation Risk Assessment Model].

Characterizing the lead (Pb) transfer in the "source-soil-wheat" chain is of great importance for the prevention and control of the Pb accumulation risk in wheat grain harvested from the croplands of China. In this study, we used the Jiyuan City, northern China, as a case study to investigate the influence of contamination sources and soil factors on the accumulation of Pb in wheat grain. A site-specific source risk assessment model (SRAM), coupling the positive matrix factorization model, Freundlich-type function, and the Monte Carlo simulation method, was developed to estimate the risk of Pb accumulation in wheat grain harvested from different scenarios. Based on the results of the spatial analysis, the effectiveness and potential risk of the control measures applied in the study area was also evaluated. Atmospheric deposition and phosphate fertilizer application were identified as major sources contributing to 29.0% of the Pb accumulations in wheat grain. Soil pH and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) were the primary causative factors affecting the Pb accumulation in wheat grain. Cropping wheat in the high Pb continuation risk areas (western and northwestern areas) of Jiyuan City caused a 10.5% likelihood of Pb to accumulate above the China food standard limit of 0.2 mg·kg-1 (DW). This risk was significantly decreased to 2.39% when the CEC levels of affected soils was improved to 20 cmol·kg-1 and above.